U.S. patent application number 13/913286 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-12 for hat holder for carrying bags.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fitumi, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is John Putnam. Invention is credited to John Putnam.
Application Number | 20130327804 13/913286 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49714470 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130327804 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Putnam; John |
December 12, 2013 |
Hat Holder for Carrying Bags
Abstract
A device for securing a headwear to a carrying bag utilizing a
first holder attachable to the carrying bag and configured to
secure the shading member of a headwear, and a second holder
attachable to the carrying bag configured to secure the securing
member of the headwear.
Inventors: |
Putnam; John; (Vernon,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Putnam; John |
Vernon |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Fitumi, LLC
Vernon
CA
|
Family ID: |
49714470 |
Appl. No.: |
13/913286 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61657529 |
Jun 8, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/625 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F
3/02 20130101; A45F 2003/001 20130101; A45C 13/40 20130101; A45F
5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/625 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/02 20060101
A45F003/02 |
Claims
1. A carrying bag with a headwear carrying holder, comprising: a. a
top side; b. a bottom side opposite the top side, c. two lateral
sides opposite each other and adjacent to the top and bottom sides;
d. a front side adjacent to the top side, bottom side, and two
lateral sides; and e. a back side opposite the front side, and
adjacent to the top side, bottom side, and two lateral sides,
wherein at least one of the lateral sides, comprises: i. a first
holder comprising a first support attached to the carrying bag and
a first retaining arm attached to the first support, the first
holder configured to receive a shading means of the headwear; and
ii. a second holder attached a distance apart from the first
holder, the second holder comprising a second support attached to
the carrying bag and a second retaining arm attached to the second
support, the second retaining arm configured to receive a back side
of the headwear.
2. The headwear holding device of claim 1, wherein the first
retaining arm of the first holder is connected to the first support
by a U-shaped bend to create an open ledge upon which the shading
means can rest.
3. The headwear holding device of claim 1, wherein the first and
second supports are attached to the carrying bag by reversible
fasteners.
4. The headwear holding device of claim 1, wherein the first
retaining arm creates a biasing force against the first support to
create a resistance fit for the shading means of the headwear in
between the first support and the first retaining arm.
5. The headwear holding device of claim 1, wherein the second
retaining arm directly abuts against the carrying bag.
6. The headwear holding device of claim 1, wherein the second
retaining arm of the second holder is movably connected to the
second support, thereby creating an open configuration and a closed
configuration.
7. A headwear holding device for a carrying bag, comprising: a. a
first holder attached to the carrying bag, the first holder
defining a first axis; and b. a second holder attached to the
carrying bag a distance apart from the first holder, the second
holder defining a second axis, wherein the first axis and the
second axis are collinear, c. wherein the first holder comprises a
first support attached to the carrying bag and a first retaining
arm attached to the first support, wherein the first retaining arm
is connected to the first support by a U-shaped bend to create an
open ledge upon which a shading means of a headwear can rest; d.
wherein the second holder comprises a second support attached to
the carrying bag and a second retaining arm attached to the second
support wherein the second retaining arm of the second holder is
movably connected to the second support, thereby creating an open
configuration and a closed configuration.
8. The headwear holding device of claim 7, wherein the first and
second supports are attached to the carrying bag by reversible
fasteners.
9. The headwear holding device of claim 7, wherein the first
retaining arm creates a biasing force against the first support to
create a resistance fit for the shading means of the headwear in
between the first support and the first retaining arm.
10. The headwear holding device of claim 7, wherein the second
retaining arm directly abuts against the carrying bag.
11. A headwear holding device for a carrying bag, comprising: a. a
first holder attached to the carrying bag; and b. a second holder
attached to the carrying bag a distance apart from the first
holder, c. wherein the first holder comprises a first support
attached to the carrying bag and a first retaining arm attached to
the first support, d. wherein the second holder comprises a second
support attached to the carrying bag and a second retaining arm
attached to the second support.
12. The headwear holding device of claim 11, wherein the first
retaining arm of the first holder is connected to the first support
by a U-shaped bend to create an open ledge upon which a shading
means of a headwear can rest.
13. The headwear holding device of claim 11, wherein the first and
second supports are attached to the carrying bag by reversible
fasteners.
14. The headwear holding device of claim 11, wherein the first
retaining arm creates a biasing force against the first support to
create a resistance fit for a shading means of a headwear in
between the first support and the first retaining arm.
15. The headwear holding device of claim 11, wherein the second
retaining arm directly abuts against the carrying bag.
16. The headwear holding device of claim 11, wherein the second
retaining arm of the second holder is movably connected to the
second support, thereby creating an open configuration and a closed
configuration.
17. The headwear holding device of claim 11, wherein the second
holder comprises a fastener to secure the second retaining member
in a closed configuration.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/657,529 entitled "Hat
Holder for Carrying Bags," filed Jun. 8, 2012, which application is
incorporated in its entirety here by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to a device for carrying headwear on
a carrying bag.
BACKGROUND
[0003] An individual typically wears headwear to protect his head
and face from the sun or as a fashion statement. At times there may
be a need to remove the headwear for a prolonged period of time.
When the individual is carrying a carrying bag, such as a luggage,
backpack, duffel bag, and the like, the individual may wish to
attach the headwear to the carrying bag. In some instances the
individual will unfasten the adjustable strap and re-fasten it onto
the handle, strap, or a loop on the carrying bag.
[0004] Securing the headwear to the handle, strap, or loop of a
carrying bag has several disadvantages. For example, repeatedly
fastening and unfastening the adjustable strap can lead to damage
to the strap, particularly if the adjustable strap is made of
plastic. In addition, unfastening the adjustable strap will cause
the individual to readjust the sizing of his headwear when he is
ready to put the headwear back on. Also, when the headwear is
fastened to the handle, strap, or loop of the carrying bag, the hat
tends to dangle. If the bag is placed on the ground, often times
the hat ends up on the dirty floor and is exposed to being stepped
on by others.
[0005] As an alternative, the individual may stuff the headwear
into the bag. This, however, can lead to damage to the headwear. In
addition, it makes it difficult to access.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a device that allows
individual to quickly and easily attach headwear to a carrying bag
while keeping the headwear readily accessible yet free from damage
or being dirtied.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention is directed to a device that permits a
headwear to be attached to a carrying back. The device comprises
two holders attachable to a carrying bag. In the preferred
embodiment, the first folder attaches to the bill of a headwear and
the second holder attaches to the back portion of the headwear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a backpack with an embodiment of
the present invention attached.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment in FIG. 1 in use.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-section view of the carrying
bag along line 3-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of
presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention
may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the
functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating
the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is
to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions
and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are
also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0012] The hat holder of the present invention provides a means for
carrying a headwear (e.g. a cap, a hat, a visor, and the like) on a
carrying bag (e.g. a backpack, a suitcase, a duffel bag, and the
like). Headwear 10 come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but are
generally comprised of a securing means 12 and a shading means
14.
[0013] The securing means 12 is the portion of the headwear 10 that
is placed on the head to provide covering and/or protection to the
head and/or as a means for securing the shading means 14 to the
head. As such, the securing means 12 is generally semi-spherical in
shape, terminating at a perimeter edge 16 defining a circular
opening through which the head can be inserted. On a baseball
cap-type headwear, for example, the securing means 12 would be the
crown and panels. Though the securing means 12 may be symmetrical
or uniform in shape, for the purposes of clarity and ease of
discussion, the securing means 12 may be designated as having a
front portion 18 adjacent to the front portion of the head, two
opposite side portions 20, 22 adjacent to the sides of the head,
respectively, and a back portion 24 adjacent to the back of the
head. In some embodiments, the securing means 12 may simply be the
perimeter edge 16 defined by a loop, string, ring, band, or the
like, as seen on visors.
[0014] The shading means 14 is the portion of the headwear 10 that
extends outwardly from the securing means 12 to hide the wearer's
face and/or neck from the sun or onlookers. In some headwear 10,
the shading means 14 may extend radially outward from the entire
perimeter edge 16. In other headwear, the shading means 14 may
project outwardly only from the front portion 18. On a baseball
cap, for example, the shading means 14 would be the bill.
[0015] In some embodiments, the headwear 10 comes with a means for
adjusting the size of the headwear 10 so as to fit a variety of
head sizes. For example, along the perimeter edge 16 on the back
side there may be an adjustable closure system 25 to effectively
reduce the opening defined by the perimeter edge 16. In some
embodiments, the closure system may be a part of the perimeter edge
16 on the back portion 24. For example, in an unfitted baseball
cap, the back portion 24 has a half-circle opening defined by an
adjustable strap, such as a buckle, plastic snap, or Velcro.RTM.
closure system.
[0016] A carrying bag 50 can generally be described as having a top
side 52, a bottom side 54 opposite the top side 52, two lateral
sides 56 (only one shown) opposite each other and adjacent to the
top 52 and bottom sides 54, and front 58 and back sides 60 opposite
each other, and adjacent to the top 52, bottom 54, and two lateral
sides 56. Typically, carrying bags 50 may further comprise a handle
62, shoulder straps 64, and a closure system 66. Examples of
carrying bags 50 that may be used with the present invention
include, but are not limited to, backpacks, duffel bags, suitcases,
tote bags, sports bags, diaper bags, and the like.
[0017] The hat clip system of the present invention can be used to
avoid current problems associated with carrying a headwear 10 on or
in a carrying bag 50. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the hat clip system
comprises two holders 100, 200 strategically placed on the carrying
bag 50 to efficiently, effectively, and easily carry a piece of
headwear 10. In the preferred embodiment, the first holder 100 and
the second holder 200 may be linearly aligned on one side 56 of the
carrying bag 50. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first holder
100 and the second holder 200 are linearly aligned on one of the
sides 56 of a backpack. In other words, the first holder 100
defines a first longitudinal axis A, and the second holder 200
defines a second longitudinal axis B, wherein the first
longitudinal axis A and the second longitudinal axis B are linearly
aligned or collinear.
[0018] The distance between the first holder 100 and the second
holder 200 is generally dictated by the distance between the front
end 30 of the shading means 14 and the back portion of the securing
means 12. Generally, the first holder 100 holds the shading means
14 and the second holder 200 holds the securing means 12 at the
back portion 24 as shown in FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiment,
the second holder 200 holds the headwear 10 at the adjustable
closure system 25. This allows for the easiest means for attaching
the headwear 10 to the carrying bag 50 while minimizing any damage
to the headwear 10.
[0019] Each holder 100, 200 comprises its own support 102, 202 and
retaining arm 104, 204 connected to their respective support 102,
202. Each support 102, 202 is fastened to the carrying bag 50 and
each retaining arm 104, 204 connects to the headwear 10. The
supports 102, 202 can be made of any material and fastened to the
carrying bag 50 by any fastener 150, reversible or irreversible.
For example, the supports 102, 202 may be a piece of fabric, wood,
metal, plastic, synthetic fiber, and the like. Irreversible
fasteners include glue, adhesives, stitches, rivets, and the like.
Reversible fasteners include hook-and-loop fasteners, snap buttons,
hooks, zippers, screws, bolts, and like.
[0020] Utilizing reversible fasteners has the advantage of
improving versatility of the holders 100, 200 by permitting the
holders 100, 200 to be positioned at various distances from each
other to accommodate headwear 10 of different sizes. For example,
the side 56 of the carrying bag 50 may comprise a long strip of
hooks or loops of a hook-and-loop fastener 150. The supports 102,
202 may comprise the reciprocal loops or hooks 152 of the
hook-and-loop fastener. Therefore, the two supports 100, 200 can be
fastened to the backpack 50 on the strip at various distances from
each other within the length of the strip 150.
[0021] The retaining arms 104, 204 of each holder 100, 200 may be
the same or may differ in characteristics due to the differences
between the shading means 14 of a headwear and the back portion 24
of the headwear.
[0022] In the preferred embodiment, the first holder 100 is
configured to secure the shading means 14, particularly for shading
means that are generally rigid or semi-rigid like the bill of
baseball caps and visors. Therefore, the first retaining arm 104 of
the first holder 100 may be connected to the first support 102 at
one end, leaving a free end 106 at the opposite end. The first
retaining member 104 is connected to the first support 102 in such
a way as to create a biasing force towards the first support 102 to
create a resistance fit for the shading means 14 in between the
first support 102 and the first retaining arm 104. In other words,
the first retaining arm 104 and the first support 102 may form a
generally "U"-shaped or hook-shaped configuration so that the first
retaining arm 104 can pinch the shading means 14 against the first
support 102. In some embodiments, the free end 106 may pucker or
bend outwardly away from the first support 102 to facilitate
sliding the shading means 14 in between the first support 102 and
first retaining arm 104. By utilizing a retaining arm 104 having
some structural integrity, the shading means 14 of the headwear 10
is protected during transport, where it would otherwise be
susceptible to crushing. In the preferred embodiment, the length of
the first retaining arm 104 is approximately the length of shading
means 14 so that the free end 106 abuts the front portion 18 of the
headwear 10 when properly seated as shown in FIG. 2.
[0023] In some embodiments, the first retaining arm 104 may not
necessarily be biased towards the first support 102. The first
retaining arm 104 may simply provide an open ledge 108, created by
the U-shaped bend 110, upon which the shading means 14 can rest
without any biasing force.
[0024] The second holder 200 is configured to hold the back portion
24 of a headwear 10. Like the first holder 100, the second holder
200 comprises a support portion 202 that attaches to the carrying
bag 50. As such, the second support 202 may have the same or
similar characteristics as the first support 102. The second holder
200 also has a retaining arm 202 having a first end 212 attached to
the second support 202, and a second end 214 opposite the first end
212. In some embodiments, the second retaining arm 204 of the
second holder 200 may be the same as or similar to the first
retaining arm 104 of the first holder 100. Thus, the second
retaining arm 204 may be a hook or a hook biased towards the second
support member 202.
[0025] The backside of most caps and visors have a hole defined by
a portion of the back of the cap or visor and the adjustable strap.
The second retaining arm 204 of the second holder 200 may be
inserted through the hole defined by the back of the cap and the
adjustable strap, and the bill 14 of the cap can be inserted into
the first retaining arm 104 of the first holder 100. This secures
the headwear 10 on to the carrying bag 50 without deforming the
headwear.
[0026] In some embodiments, the second retaining arm 204 of the
second holder 200 may be movably connected to the second support
202. For example, the second retaining arm 204 of the second holder
200 may be hingedly, elastically, or flexibly connected to the
second support 202, thereby permitting an open configuration and a
closed configuration. The closed configuration would be where the
second support 202 and second retaining arm 204 are adjacent and
parallel to each other, thereby forming a U-shaped configuration
with a very narrow gap between the second support 202 and the
second retaining arm 204. The gap is sufficiently narrow to
obstruct the removal of the headwear 10. Alternatively, the closed
configuration may be where the second end 214 of the second
retaining arm 204 is attached to the second support 202 or the
carrying back 50. In the embodiment where the second retaining arm
204 is hingedly connected to the second support 202, a spring may
bias the second retaining arm 204 towards the second support 202.
The second retaining arm 204 rotates about the hinge that connects
the second retaining arm 204 to the second support 202 to be in the
closed or open configuration.
[0027] In the embodiment where the second retaining arm 20 is
elastically connected to the second support 202, the junction 206
between the second support 202 and the second retaining arm 204 may
have a bend causing the second retaining arm 204 to bias towards
the second support 202. To place the second retaining arm 204 in
the open configuration, the user need only to pull the second
retaining arm 204 away from the second support 202. In the elastic
connection, the bend deforms slightly to an open configuration.
Release of the second retaining arm 204 would cause the second
retaining arm 204 to rotate back to its original position either
due to a spring or due to the elasticity in the bend. The
elasticity may be due to the material used to create the bend. For
example, the second retaining arm 204 and second support 202 may be
made of a material that allows the second retaining arm 204 to be
pulled away from the second support 202 without causing damage,
such as metal or plastic. Due to the elastic property, however,
upon release of the second retaining arm 204, the second retaining
arm 204 would return back to its normal position abutting or
adjacent to the second support 202.
[0028] In embodiments in which the second retaining arm 204 is
flexibly connected to the second support 202, the second support
202 may be the same as or similar to the previous embodiments
discussed above; however, the second retaining arm 204 may be made
of a non-rigid material, such as a synthetic or non-synthetic
fabric or textile material and the like. The second retaining arm
204 and second support 202 may also have a fastener 208, 210 to
allow the second retaining arm 204 to fasten to the second support
202 or the bag 50. The second retaining arm 204 can then be looped
through the hole in the back of the headwear created by the
adjustable strap and secured to the second support 202 to retain
the back portion of the hat 10 against the carrying bag 50 and/or
the second support 202. The second retaining arm 204 can be secured
to the second support 202 or the carrying bag 50 with a
quick-release fastener such as a hook-and-loop fastener, snap
button, magnets, and the like.
[0029] In an alternate embodiment, the second retaining arm 204 may
directly abut or bias against the carrying bag 50 instead of the
second support 202. For example, the second retaining arm 204 may
be positioned generally 180 degrees relative to the second support
202 so that the second retaining arm 204 extends from the second
support 202 in the opposite direction of the second support 202,
but along the carrying bag 50. Therefore, rather than clipping or
hooking the adjustable strap of the headwear 10 against the second
support 202, the adjustable strap is directly clipped or hooked
against the carrying bag 50 wall 56. The second retaining arm 204
may secure the adjustable strap to the carrying bag 50 with a
biasing mechanism or a fastener as discussed above.
[0030] In use, the user simply inserts the shading means 14 into
the first holder 100 by wedging the shading means in between the
first support 102 and the first retaining member 104. The first
retaining member 104 may have to be pulled back in order to insert
the shading means 14. Once the shading means 14 is secured, the
user can insert the second retaining member 204 through the hole in
the headwear 10 at the back of the securing means, and optionally,
fasten the second retaining member 204 to the second support
202.
[0031] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this
detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *