U.S. patent application number 13/680605 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for hat accessory.
This patent application is currently assigned to CBW, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is CBW, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chad B. Weaver, Stevan P. Weaver.
Application Number | 20130125292 13/680605 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48425376 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130125292 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weaver; Chad B. ; et
al. |
May 23, 2013 |
HAT ACCESSORY
Abstract
A hat accessory which may be used as a flight training aid for
creating intentional vision restriction. The hat accessory is
adapted to be readily attached to common baseball-style caps. The
hat accessory includes a lower bill panel with an upper bill panel
bonded to the lower bill panel along an arcuate bonding band. This
configuration forms an envelope or pocket for receiving the cap
bill. A pair of lateral wings can be provided which are bent in a
downward direction to restrict peripheral vision. The hat accessory
may be used for other applications including the display of
commercial, political, or other messages.
Inventors: |
Weaver; Chad B.; (Novi,
MI) ; Weaver; Stevan P.; (Dexter, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CBW, Inc.; |
Dexter |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CBW, Inc.
Dexter
MI
|
Family ID: |
48425376 |
Appl. No.: |
13/680605 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61560854 |
Nov 17, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/064 20130101;
A42B 1/006 20130101; A42B 1/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.13 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/00 20060101
A42B001/00 |
Claims
1. A hat accessory for attachment to a baseball-style cap with an
extending bill comprising: a first bill panel forming a panel
surface; and a second bill panel affixed to the first bill panel
along an arcuate attachment line forming a pocket for receiving the
cap bill, one of the first or the second bill panel formed of a
material being more flexible than that forming the other of the
first or the second bill panel whereby the extending bill can be
frictionally maintained in position within the pocket.
2. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein the first bill panel
is formed of the material being more flexible than the second bill
panel.
3. The accessory according to claim 2 wherein the first bill panel
is positioned on an upper surface of the second bill panel.
4. The accessory according to claim 3 wherein the second bill panel
is positioned on an upper surface of the first bill panel.
5. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further comprises a pair of lateral wings which
can extend downwardly about score lines to obscure vision of the
wearer of the device.
6. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further comprises a decorative extension.
7. The accessory according to claim 6 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further comprises the decorative extension
forming a football styled helmet.
8. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further comprises a wing affixed to an upper
surface thereof which may be hinged between a vertical and a
horizontal orientation.
9. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further provides a visual indicia.
10. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further comprises a surface having a flocking or
textured material affixed thereto.
11. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further comprises one or more downwardly
projecting panels formed of a transparent or translucent
material.
12. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further comprises a pair of upwardly extending
wings.
13. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein one of the first or
second bill panels further comprises a pair of downwardly
projecting wings.
14. The accessory according to claim 1 further comprising the
accessory a providing a flight training device in which the first
panel is formed of a more rigid material and features a pair of
laterally downwardly extending wings for obscuring peripheral
vision, and the second panel formed of the more flexible material
and affixed to an upper surface of the first panel.
15. The accessory according to claim 14 further comprising the
second panel formed of a neoprene material.
16. The accessory according to claim 14 further comprising the
second panel formed of a neoprene material and forming an inner and
outer arcuate edge, the first panel forming an arcuate cut out, the
second panel affixed along the arcuate attachment line along the
outer arcuate edge of the second panel.
17. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein the first and the
second panels are affixed along the attachment line by adhesive
bonding.
18. The accessory according to claim 1 wherein the first and the
second panels are affixed along the attachment line by
stitching.
19. A flight training device for attachment to a baseball-style cap
with an extending bill for obscuring the peripheral vision of a
wearer comprising: a first bill panel forming of a relatively rigid
material forming a pair of lateral projecting panels from lateral
fold lines of the first bill panel, the first bill panel forming an
arcuate cut out; and a second bill panel forming an inner and outer
arcuate edge and affixed to an upper surface of the first bill
panel along an arcuate attachment line adjacent the outer arcuate
edge forming a pocket for receiving the cap bill, the second bill
panel formed of a material being more flexible than that forming
the other of the first bill panel, wherein the flight training
device assumes a flat planar configuration and may be used by
attachment to the cap bill with the lateral projecting panels
foldable to a downward position for obscuring the peripheral vision
of the wearer.
20. The accessory according to claim 19 further comprising the
second panel formed of a neoprene material.
21. The accessory according to claim 19 wherein the first and the
second panels are affixed along the attachment line by adhesive
bonding.
22. The accessory according to claim 19 wherein the first and the
second panels are affixed along the attachment line by stitching.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional U.S.
application Ser. No. 61/560,854 filed on Nov. 17, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a device which may be affixed to a
baseball-style cap brim which can provide multiple functions. In
one embodiment, the accessory forms a vision restriction device
useable for aircraft instrument flight training. Other embodiments
of the product provide a variety of functions including: sports fan
display, advertising, golf training aid to restrict the peripheral
vision of a golfer, and as a novelty product. These applications
are enabled due to the unique design and construction, and
simplistic method of attaching the accessory to the bill of an
ordinary ball cap.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the training of aviation pilots, as well as for their
currency and proficiency certification, (IPC, Instrument
Proficiency Check) it is necessary to simulate instrument flight
conditions, "IFR". This is not practical in all flying situations
as it is desirable in many instances to have clear visibility or
"visual flight rules, VFR" conditions for the safety of the
student/pilot and instructor. However, in an effort to learn to fly
aircraft without external visual cues, pilots use a device for
obscuring their vision outside the aircraft (peripheral/forward
cues) i.e. the runway forward and the horizon peripherally. One
available device is a large cumbersome hood device which is placed
over the pilot's head and can be hinged in the up and down
positions. In the down position, the hood restricts side and
forward visibility, confining the student/pilot to the use of
flight instruments for flying the aircraft. Another device of this
type is so-called "Foggles", a pair of plastic glasses with a
fogged upper visual area for obscuring vision. These devices do not
permit the easy use of bi-focals glasses required for some pilots
to meet flight medial requirements, let alone larger types of eye
wear such as sun glasses.
[0004] The above-mentioned prior art flight training devices work
well. However, there is a desire to provide a lighter weight
device, and one that can be made inexpensively and can be easily
shipped to and transported by a student pilot. The hat accessory in
accordance with this invention provides these benefits. The
features of the hat accessory are also suited for a variety of
applications beyond the flight training device mentioned above. The
above-mentioned prior art devices work, but not well when adding
anything else over the eyes or in a state of the art flight deck
with limited space. Instrument Flight Instructors, the inventors of
this hat accessory, developed this device out of necessity while
working with their students. The necessity was to provide: a more
comfortable device, which is less fatiguing; which does not
detracts from training; one that does not induce headaches worn
above the ears; one that permits the use of even large sized of eye
glasses, bifocals and sun glasses; a device which can be made
inexpensively; can be used in the state of the art restricted
flight decks; can be easily shipped, folded flat and transported by
a student/pilot in a flight bag so that it is always available to
the pilot for training and maintaining proficiency. The hat
accessory termed the "Hoody" in accordance with this invention
provides these benefits and more.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The hat accessory in accordance with an embodiment of this
invention is in the form of a first generally flat sheet of rigid
material forming a lower bill panel, preferably plastic. A pad of
neoprene-type rubber forms an upper bill panel and is affixed to
the upper surface of the lower bill panel. The attachment between
the upper and lower bill panels form a pocket which receives the
bill of a baseball-style cap, enabling the accessory to be readily
attached to and detached from ordinary caps. Other embodiments
reversed the orientation of the upper and lower bill panels.
[0006] The hat accessory concepts in accordance with this invention
may also be used for a variety of purposes beyond the flight
training application mentioned previously. For example, it may be
desirable to attach various functional and non-functional articles
to the bill of a typical baseball-style cap. For example, one
wishing to merely extend the brim to provide better sun protection
could make use of such a device. Moreover, sports fans, or those
wishing to promote or advertise products, or convey other messages
could use the hat accessory to display a desired message, object,
or sign in a desired manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the present
invention showing a hat accessory;
[0008] FIG. 1A is a pictorial view of the hat accessory as shown in
FIG. 1 attached to a baseball style cap:
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention similar to that shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of the hat accessory in accordance with
the invention shown in a folded flat condition;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top pictorial view of the hat accessory in
accordance with this invention shown installed onto a
baseball-style cap;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lower bill panel of the hat
accessory;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the upper bill panel of the hat
accessory according to this invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a first alternate embodiment
of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a second alternate embodiment
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a third alternate embodiment
of the present invention imitating a football player's helmet;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a fourth alternate embodiment of the present
invention showing a hat accessory with an upwardly projecting
fin;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a flip-up panel;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a fifth alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a sixth alternate embodiment of the present
invention showing a flocking or surface coating on a bill
panel;
[0023] FIGS. 16 and 17 show seventh alternate embodiments of the
hat accessory with flocking or surface treatment and showing
downwardly projecting panels;
[0024] FIG. 18 is an eighth alternate embodiment of the present
invention showing downwardly projecting panels which obscure or
provide tinting for the viewer's eyes;
[0025] FIG. 19 is a ninth alternate embodiment providing a
visor;
[0026] FIG. 20 is a pictorial view of a tenth alternate embodiment
of the hat accessory with flip-up side wings;
[0027] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of another flipping panel
for alternate embodiments of the hat accessory; and
[0028] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of another flipping panel
for alternate embodiments of the hat accessory.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the
FIGS. 1 through 6 and generally designated by reference number 10.
Hat accessory 10 principally comprises bill panel 12 (in this case
a lower bill panel) and bill panel 14 (in this case an upper bill
panel). As best shown in FIG. 5, the bill panel 12 has a generally
rectangular plan view outline with a central cut-out section 16 and
a pair of protruding bill extension sections 18 which form wings 30
and 32. One preferred material for forming the bill panel 12 is
polyethylene material in a thickness of about 0.030 inch. In this
embodiment, the bill section 12 features two score lines 20 and 22
which permit easy folding of the wings 30 and 32 of the bill panel
12, as will be described in more detail as follows. In this
embodiment of hat accessory 10, bill panel 14 is attached to an
upper surface of bill panel 12. As will be evident from a further
description of the invention, this orientation may be reversed in
which the flexible bill panel 14 may be affixed underneath bill
panel 12.
[0030] Bill panel 14 may be formed of various materials including
neoprene of a thickness of about 0.030 inch. Bill panel 14 features
inner and outer arcuate edges 35 and 37 respectively. Bill panel 14
has an accurate/precise shape as shown in FIG. 6 to permit
flexibility in attaching to many differently shaped bills on a cap.
Bill panel 14 is attached to bill panel 12 through bonding or
stitching along band 24 (or both) as best illustrated in FIG. 4. In
this way, after attachment of bill panel 14 to bill panel 12, an
envelope cavity or pocket 34 is formed which receives the bill 26
of a common "baseball" style cap, even in the most extreme
curvature of the bill 28, or any other hat having a common ball cap
type brim extending forwardly over the eyes of a wearer. FIG. 1A
shows the hat accessory 10 attached to a cap 28 and worn by a user.
The relative flexibility and resiliency of bill panel 14 cooperates
to retain the hat accessory 10 in a mounted position. For many
applications of hat accessory 10 it is optimal that bill panel 14
be mounted on the upper surface of bill panel 12. This orientation
has been found to provide excellent retention of the device onto
baseball bill 26.
[0031] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bill extension sections
18 of bill panel 12 form wings 30 and 32 which are folded about
score lines 20 and 22 in a downward position as best shown in FIGS.
1 and 2. Wings 30 and 32 provide the desired obscuration of
peripheral vision off to the side of the user. The relative
flexibility and resiliency of bill section 14 causes the device to
be able to be formed to the curvature of the cap bill 26 and also
provide enough friction and retention force to maintain hat
accessory 10 in position on the cap 28 while it is being worn.
[0032] It should be noted that the positions of lower bill panel 12
and upper bill panel 14 can be reversed. In such an embodiment,
upper bill panel 14 becomes a lower panel and is instead attached
to the underside surface of bill panel 12, which becomes an upper
panel.
[0033] While "Hoody" hat accessory 10 is shown in use for obscuring
vision for pilots, or what is termed in the industry as a "Hood" or
"Flight Hood", many other embodiments using related design
principles are also possible. Examples are: wings 30 and 32 can
provide signage for sports teams, special designs signifying a fans
team of preference; commercial products; sponsorships; political
messages; a golf swing training device; and when made to be
translucent, shade the eyes of a driver from the insistent glare of
the sun, covering that area that the visor just cannot cover.
Moreover, the bill panel 14 of hat accessory 10 could be extended
to provide such messaging. Some alternate embodiments of these
sorts are described below. In any event, the relatively higher
flexibility and elongation of bill panel 14 cooperating with
stiffer bill panel 12 and the formation of the bill pocket 34 allow
the device to remain affixed to a convention baseball-style cap 28,
or any hat or visor with a similarly shaped bill.
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a first alternate embodiment of a hat
accessory in accordance with this invention designated by reference
number 36. For this embodiment, the combination of cap 28 and
accessory 36 form an alligator-like appearance which might be
suitable, for example, sports teams like the University of Florida
"Gators". For this embodiment, hat accessory 36 includes modified
bill panels 12a and 14a, respectively, having decorative features,
including an extending snout, nostrils, and decorative teeth 37
hanging down from the edges of bill panel 12a. FIG. 8 shows an
exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 showing the hat accessory
36 detached from cap 28. For the application of hat accessory 36
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, flexible bill panel 14a, may the positioned
on and underneath surface of bill panel 12a, which is the reverse
of panels 12 and 14 described previously.
[0035] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate hat accessory 38 in accordance
with a second alternate embodiment of the invention. Hat accessory
38 is very similar to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, except the eyes
of the mock alligator are formed as three-dimensional extensions of
bill panel 14b. For this case, cap 28 can be of an ordinary type.
As shown in FIG. 9, other indicia 39 such as words or symbols can
be displayed as indicated by the "XXXXX".
[0036] FIG. 11 shows hat accessory 40 in accordance with a third
alternate embodiment of this invention in which the same bill
panels 14c and 12c are used respectively, but are attached to a
mock football helmet 42, which is attached to cap 28. Panels 12c
and 14c cooperate to retain football helmet 42 onto baseball cap
28.
[0037] FIG. 12 shows hat accessory 44 which includes a folding
fin-like projection 46 attached to bill panel 12d, as well as a row
of downwardly projecting mock teeth 48. FIG. 13 is a side view
showing one manner of providing the upwardly extending fin 46 with
a panel bonded to the upper surface of bill panel 12d. In this
embodiment, bill panel 12d is more rigid than the flexible bill
panel 14d. As illustrated in the figure, the projecting fin 46 can
have other bends or features incorporated into it. Fin 46 is a
cut-out of the material forming upper bill panel 14.
[0038] FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of hat accessory 50
providing a bill extension for a cap 28. Indicia 39 can be
presented. This embodiment lacks the side wings 30 and 32 of the
first embodiment. Flexible bill panel 14e may be placed on top or
bottom surface of rigid bill panel 12e.
[0039] FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment hat accessory 54 which is
shown with a covering layer of flocking or material 56 to provide
three-dimensional features for the upper surface of either bill
panel 12f or 14f (most likely the bill panel forming the upper
surface). FIG. 16 shows that the flocking can extend over a
downwardly projecting panel 58. FIG. 17 shows that the material 56
can extend over the entire upper surface of bill panel 14f as shown
in FIG. 17.
[0040] FIG. 18 shows hat accessory 60 in accordance with an eighth
alternate embodiment of this invention in which downwardly
projecting panels, including a front panel 62 and side panels 64,
can be provided which can be made of an opaque material or could be
tinted to provide sun shielding for the user. As in prior
embodiments the position of the more rigid panel 12g and the more
flexible panel 14g can be reversed (as to which forms the upper
panel).
[0041] FIG. 19 shows hat accessory 68 in accordance with a ninth
alternate embodiment of this invention in which the device further
has a pair of extending head band sections 70 which are attached
together by hook-and-loop fasteners at their back ends.
[0042] FIG. 20 illustrates hat accessory 74 in accordance with a
tenth alternate embodiment of this invention in which features a
pair of wings 76 extending from bill panel 12h or 14h extending in
an upward direction.
[0043] FIG. 21 shows hat accessory 78 in accordance with an
alternate embodiment of this invention showing a flip down panel 80
which can be extended along the front edge of the bill panels 12
and 14.
[0044] FIG. 22 shows hat accessory 84 in which bill panel 14 is
hinged to move between extended and downward positions.
[0045] While the above description constitutes the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that
the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change
without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *