U.S. patent application number 14/459423 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-19 for inflatable hat accessory.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffery Mark Korioth. Invention is credited to Jeffery Mark Korioth.
Application Number | 20150047101 14/459423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52465706 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150047101 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Korioth; Jeffery Mark |
February 19, 2015 |
INFLATABLE HAT ACCESSORY
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a
hat with inflatable accessories and/or projections. In embodiments,
the hat may include an air pumping system disposed within the cap
configured to inflate and/or deflate the inflatable projections,
wherein if the inflatable projections are inflated they may be
shaped and/or sized to represent a team's logo, slogan, mascot,
etc.
Inventors: |
Korioth; Jeffery Mark;
(Leander, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Korioth; Jeffery Mark |
Leander |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52465706 |
Appl. No.: |
14/459423 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61865760 |
Aug 14, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/203 20130101;
A42B 1/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.13 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/00 20060101
A42B001/00 |
Claims
1. An inflatable hat accessory comprising: a hat configured to be
positioned on a head of a user; an inflatable accessory configured
to be positioned on the hat; an air pumping system positioned
within the hat, the air pumping system being configured to inflate
and deflate the inflatable accessory.
2. The inflatable hat accessory of claim 1, wherein the air pumping
system includes an inflate button positioned on an outer surface of
the hat.
3. The inflatable hat accessory of claim 2, wherein the air pumping
system includes internal tubing configured to connect the inflate
button and the inflatable accessory, wherein the internal tubing is
positioned between the outer surface of the hat and the head of the
user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims a benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Provisional Application No. 61/865,760 filed on
Aug. 14, 2013, which is fully incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] Examples of the present disclosure are related to hat
accessories. More particularly, embodiments relate to inflatable
accessories coupled to a hat or an article of clothing configured
to be disposed on a user's head.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] A conventional hat is a type of head covering that can be
worn for protection against the elements, part of a uniform, or as
a fashion accessory. A hat may have a soft cap with a rounded crown
and a stiff bill projecting in the front of the hat.
Conventionally, the front of the cap may have a billboard surface
that includes designs, logos, slogans, etc. of teams, products, or
companies. The back of a conventional hat may be fitted to be sized
to the wearer's head or may be adjusted to fit different
wearers.
[0006] Other ornamental hats may be designed in the form of
headgear that may have a permanent ornamental design, such as a
Viking helmet or jester's cap. However, these types of hats are
fixed as ornamental headgear and cannot be worn as conventional
hats.
[0007] Accordingly, needs exists for inflatable hat accessories
that are coupled to a hat that can be inflated, deflated, and
disposed within the hat.
SUMMARY
[0008] Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods
for a hat with inflatable accessories and/or projections (referred
to hereinafter collectively and independently as "projections"). In
embodiments, the hat may include an air pumping system disposed
within the cap configured to inflate and/or deflate the inflatable
projections.
[0009] In embodiments, the air pumping system may be positioned
within the hat, and include elements that may be pressed on an
outer surface of the hat while a user is wearing the hat. The air
pumping system may include a pump, a one way valve, and an air
release valve.
[0010] In embodiments, the pump may be configured to hold air and
to be pressed by a user. Responsive to the pump being pressed, air
within the pump may travel through tubing past the one way valve.
Responsive to the pump no longer being pressed, air may enter into
the pump.
[0011] In embodiments, the one way valve may be a valve that
control of air in one direction, wherein the one way valve may be a
check valve, clack valve, etc. The one way valve may be configured
to receive air from the pump on a first side of the pumping system
and to hold and store the air on a second side of the pumping
system to inflate the projections.
[0012] In embodiments, the air release may be a relief valve
configured to control or limit the pressure of the air on the
second side of the pumping system. The air release valve may be
configured to be pressed so air on the second side of the pumping
system may be removed from the pumping system and/or the inflatable
projections. Responsive to the air release valve being pressed, air
pressure on the second side of the pumping system may be decreased,
lowered, or controlled, which may deflate the inflatable
projection.
[0013] In embodiments, responsive to the air pressure on the second
side of the pumping system being increased, the inflatable
projection may be filled with air and be inflated. As the air
pressure on the second side of the pumping system increases, the
inflatable projection may increase in size. Responsive to the
release valve being pressed, the air pressure on the second side of
the pumping system may decrease the size of the inflatable
projection.
[0014] In embodiments, if the air pressure within the second side
of the pumping system is decreased, the inflatable projection may
be positioned in a first position within a pocket disposed on the
hat. As the air pressure within the second side of the hat
increases, the inflatable projection may increase in size, be
displaced out of the first position and into a second position that
extends away from a surface of the hat.
[0015] In embodiments, the inflatable projection may include two
projections disposed on different sides of the hat, wherein air
pressure within the two projections is controlled by a single pump
and air release valve.
[0016] In embodiments, the inflatable projection may be configured
to represent a team's mascot, symbol, logo, etc. if the inflatable
projection is inflated and in the second position.
[0017] These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better
appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the
following description and the accompanying drawings. The following
description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention
and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of
illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions,
modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the
scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such
substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present
invention are described with reference to the following figures,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
various views unless otherwise specified.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a hat with pumping system,
according to an embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a hat with inflatable
projections, according to an embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a hat with inflatable
projections, according to an embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a hat with inflatable
projections, according to an embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart for inflating and deflating an
inflatable projection coupled to a hat, according to an
embodiment.
[0024] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled
artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of
the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements
that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment
are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed
view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having
ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be
employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances,
well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail
in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.
[0026] Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are
not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or
express definitions of any term or terms with which they are
utilized. Instead, these examples or illustrations are to be
regarded as being described with respect to one particular
embodiment and as being illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these
examples or illustrations are utilized will encompass other
embodiments which may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in
the specification and all such embodiments are intended to be
included within the scope of that term or terms. Language
designating such nonlimiting examples and illustrations includes,
but is not limited to: "for example," "for instance," "e.g.," and
"in one embodiment."
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a hat 100, wherein hat 100 may
include an air pumping system 110 and inflatable projection
120.
[0028] Hat 100 may be any type of article of clothing configured to
be positioned on-top of a user's head. Hat 100 may be comprised of
a wide variety of materials including cotton, rubber, metal,
plastics, wool, nylon, acrylic, etc., and may be manufactured in a
variety of shapes and/or size that are configured to be positioned
on a user's head.
[0029] Hat 100 may include a bill 102, an inner surface 104, an
outer surface 106, and a pocket 108. Bill 102 may be a brim
projecting away from hat 100, wherein bill 102 may be configured to
project away from hat 100 to shield a user's eyes from the sun or
other light source. Inner surface 104 may be an internal surface of
hat 100 that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the user's
head and receive the user's head when the user is wearing hat 100.
Inner surface 104 may include a headband (not shown). The headband
may be a piece of fabric having a base that extends along the
circumference of inner surface 104, and having a height that
extends upward towards the crown of hat 100. The height of the
headband may be any desired height. In embodiments, the headband
may be a flap, projection, etc. that may be configured to rotate
along the circumference of inner surface 104, such that the
headband may be placed adjacent to inner surface 104 and rotate
away from inner surface 104 to not be adjacent to inner surface
104. Outer surface 106 may be an exterior surface of hat 100. In
embodiments, outer surface 106 and inner surface 104 may meet along
the circumference of inner surface 104.
[0030] Pocket 108 may be a slit, opening, etc. disposed on outer
surface of hat 100. In embodiments, pocket 108 may be positioned in
a horizontal manner parallel to the circumference of inner surface
104. However, in other embodiments pocket 108 may be positioned in
any desired orientation and/or position along outer surface 104.
Pocket 108 may include an opening disposed on outer surface 106 and
may include be a bag or envelope disposed within inner surface 104.
In embodiments, pocket 108 may be a small bag or pouch configured
to store inflatable projection 120 if inflatable projection 120 is
not inflated. Responsive to inflatable projection 120 being
inflated, inflatable projection 120 may move from a first
positioned disposed within the bag within inner surface 120 to a
second position projecting away from pocket 108. If inflatable
projection 120 is positioned inside of pocket 108, no portion of
inflatable projection may be positioned outside of pocket 108.
[0031] Air pumping system 110 may be configured to control air flow
within hat 100 to inflate and/or deflate inflatable projection 120.
Portions of air pumping system 110 may be disposed on inner surface
104, outer surface 106, and be configured to traverse inner surface
104 to outer surface 106. In embodiments, air pumping system 110
may include pump 112, tubing 114, one way valve 116, and air
release valve 118.
[0032] Pump 112 may be a pump configured to hold air and to be
pressed by a user. Responsive to pump 112 being pressed, air within
pump 112 may be configured to inflate inflatable projection 120. A
first portion of pump 112 may be configured to projection away from
outer surface 106, and a second portion of pump 112 may be
positioned between the headband and inner surface 104 if the
headband is adjacent to inner surface 104. In embodiments, the
first portion of pump 112 may be positioned on outer surface 106,
such that a user may inflate inflatable projection 120 without
taking off hat 100.
[0033] Tubing 114 may be configured to receive air from pump 112,
and transport the air to inflatable projection 120. Tubing 114 may
be configured to receive air from pump 112 and inflate a first
inflatable projection 120 on a first side of hat 100, transport air
to a second side of hat 100, and inflate a second inflatable
projection 120 on a second side of hat 100. Therefore, via tubing
114 a single pump 112 may inflate a plurality of inflatable
projections 120 positioned at different locations of hat 100.
Tubing 114 may be disposed within inner surface 104 of hat 100, and
between inner surface 104 and the headband. Tubing 114 may be
configured to be positioned in-between inner surface 104 and the
headband along the circumference of hat 100, and extend into pocket
108 to inflate inflatable projection 120. In embodiments, tubing
114 may be configured to be positioned between the head band and
inner surface 104, such that tubing 114 does not contact the user's
head if hat 100 is being worn by the user.
[0034] One way valve 116 may be configured to control the air flow
from pump 112 to inflatable projection 120. One way valve 116 may
be a check valve, clack valve, etc. One way valve 116 may be
configured to receive from pump 112 on a first side of air pumping
system 110 and to hold and store the air on a second side of the
air pumping system 110. One way valve 116 may be configured to
receive air from pump 112 disposed on the first side of air pumping
system 110, and store the received air on the second side of air
pumping system 110. Responsive to receiving air from the first side
of pumping system 110, the air pressure on the second side of air
pumping system 110 may increase causing inflatable projection 120
to inflate, and extend away from outer surface 106 of hat 100. In
embodiments, one way valve 116 may be positioned in between the
headband and inner surface 104 of hat 100. In embodiments, a single
one way valve 116 may be configured to control the air flow into a
plurality of inflatable projections 120.
[0035] Air release valve 118 may be a relief valve configured to
control or limit the pressure of the air on the second side of the
pumping system. In embodiments, at least a portion of air release
valve 118 may be disposed on outer surface 106 of hat 100, such
that a user of hat 100 may press air release valve 118 while
wearing hat 100. Air release valve 118 may be configured to be
pressed so air on the second side of air pumping system 110 may be
removed from pumping system 100 to deflate inflatable projection
120. Responsive to air release valve 118 being pressed, air
pressure on the second side of the pumping system may be decreased,
lowered, or controlled. In embodiments, a single air release valve
118 may be utilized to control or limit the pressure of air for a
plurality of inflatable projections 120 coupled with hat 100.
[0036] Inflatable projection 120 may be configured to receive air
to be inflated and release air to be deflated. Inflatable
projection 120 may be comprised of rubber, latex, nylon fabric, or
any other material that is configured to inflate to increase in
size to extend away from hat 100 and deflate to decrease in size to
conserve space. In embodiments, if inflatable projection 120 is
inflated inflatable projection may be shaped and/or sized to
represent a team's mascot, symbol, logo, etc. Inflatable projection
120 may be configured to be filled with air responsive to a user
pressing pump 112. Inflatable projection 120 may be configured to
be placed within pocket 108 if inflatable projection 120 is
deflated. If inflatable projection 120 is inflatable or being
inflated, inflatable projection 120 may automatically extend away
from pocket 108 and/or hat 100 without the user touching hat 100.
Responsive to pump 112 being pressed, air within pump 112 may be
transported via tubing 114 from a first side of air pumping system
110 to a second side of pumping system that may delineated by one
way valve 116, and inflate inflatable projection 120. In
embodiments, responsive to the air pressure on the second side of
the pumping system being increased, inflatable projection 120 may
be inflated with air. As the air pressure on the second side of the
pumping system increases, inflatable projection 120 may increase in
size. Responsive to air release valve 118 being pressed, the air
pressure on the second side of air pumping system 110 may decrease,
and inflatable projection 120 may decrease in size. In embodiments,
hat 100 may include a plurality of inflatable projections 120,
which may be positioned at any position within or on hat 100. For
example, in one embodiment, hat 100 may include two inflatable
projections 120 with a first inflatable projection 120 being
positioned on a right side of hat 100 and a second inflatable
projection 120 positioned on a second side of hat 100. Inflatable
projection 120 may also include lights configured to emit light
and/or speakers configured to emit sound. In embodiments,
inflatable projection 120 may emit light and/or sound responsive to
the air pressure within inflatable projection 120 being above a
light pressure threshold and/or a sound pressure threshold,
respectively.
[0037] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a hat 200 with inflatable
projections 210(A) and 210(B), according to an embodiment. Elements
depicted in FIG. 2 may be substantially the same as elements
depicted in FIG. 1, therefore for the sake of brevity an additional
description of these elements is omitted.
[0038] As depicted in FIG. 2, hat 200 includes two inflatable
projections 210(A) and 210(B), where the inflatable projections
210A-B are inflated and positioned on different sides of hat
200.
[0039] Portions of air pumping system 110 may be positioned on the
first side of hat 200, where tubing 114 may wrap around the
circumference of hat 200 from air pumping system 110 to the second
inflatable projection 210(B). As such, a single air pumping system
110 may be positioned on a first side of hat 200, where air pumping
system 110 may be configured to provide air and control the air
pressure within a plurality of inflatable projections 210A-B. In
embodiments, responsive to pump 112 providing air to the plurality
of inflatable projections 210A-B, both inflatable projections
210A-B may maintain equal air pressure on different sides of hat
200.
[0040] In embodiments, inflatable projections 210A-B may inflate to
project away from hat 200 to modify the external, ornamental shape
of hat 200 without modifying the shape and/or size of an internal
surface of hat 200. Therefore, a user of hat 200 may not experience
any discomfort or additional pressure if inflatable projections
210A-B are inflated. Further, if inflatable projections 210A-B are
deflated they may be placed within pockets 108 such that hat 200
may be substantially the same size and/or shape of a normal
hat.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of hat 200 with inflatable
projections 210(A) and 210(B), according to an embodiment. Elements
depicted in FIG. 3 may be substantially the same as elements
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, therefore for the sake of brevity an
additional description of these elements is omitted.
[0042] Projections 210A-B may be configured to project away from
hat 200. In embodiment's projections 210A-B may be an extension of
hat 200, which may be shaped and/or sized to represent a team's
mascot and/or logo.
[0043] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of hat 200 with inflatable
projection 210A (not shown) disposed within pocket 108, according
to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIG. 4 may be substantially
the same as elements depicted in FIGS. 1-3 therefore for the sake
of brevity an additional description of these elements is
omitted.
[0044] As depicted in FIG. 4, inflatable projection 210A (not
shown) may be in the deflated position and positioned within pocket
108. In embodiments, if inflatable projection 210A is in the
deflated position, inflatable projection 210A may not project or
extend away from hat 200. Therefore, inflatable projection 210A may
be secured within pocket 108, and hat 200 may be worn as a
conventional hat.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for inflating and deflating
an inflatable projection coupled to a hat. The operations of method
500 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some
embodiments, method 500 may be accomplished with one or more
additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of
the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the
operations of method 500 are illustrated in FIG. 5 and described
below is not intended to be limiting.
[0046] At operation 510, a pump may be pressed to supply air to an
inflatable projection. The pump may supply air to the inflatable
projection via a tubing system positioned along an inner surface of
the hat that is coupled to the pump. The pump may supply air that
traverses a one way valve within the tubing system so that the
inflatable projection may maintain a high air pressure if inflated.
Operation 510 may be performed by an air pumping that is the same
as or similar to air pumping system 510, in accordance with one or
more implementations.
[0047] At operation 520, the inflatable projection may receive the
air supplied by the air pumping system. Responsive to the
inflatable projection receiving the air supplied by the air pumping
system, the inflatable projection may increase in size. If the
inflatable projection increases in size, the inflatable projection
may be inflated and automatically removed, without being touched by
the user, from a pocket disposed along the outer surface of the
hat. In embodiments, the inflatable projection may be shaped and/or
sized to represent a team's mascot and/or logo if inflated.
Operation 520 may be performed by an inflatable projection that is
the same as or similar to inflatable projection 120, in accordance
with one or more implementations.
[0048] At operation 530, an air pressure release valve may be
pressed to deflate the inflatable projection. The air pressure
release valve may be positioned on an outer surface of the hat so
that the valve may be pressed without the user removing the hat.
Responsive to the air pressure release valve being pressed, air
within the inflatable projection may be removed, air pressure
within the inflatable projection may be decreased, and the
inflatable protection may be deflated. Operation 530 may be
performed by an air release valve that is the same as or similar to
air release valve 118, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
[0049] At operation 540, the deflated inflatable projection may be
inserted into the pocket on the outer surface of the hat. The
deflated inflatable projection may be positioned such that no
portion of the inflatable projection extends outside of the pocket.
Operation 540 may be performed by an inflatable projection that is
the same as or similar to inflatable projection 120, in accordance
with one or more implementations.
[0050] Although the present technology has been described in detail
for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently
considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations,
it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose
and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed
implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be
understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the
extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be
combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
[0051] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment",
"an embodiment", "one example" or "an example" means that a
particular feature, structure or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least
one embodiment of the present embodiments. Thus, appearances of the
phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "one example" or
"an example" in various places throughout this specification are
not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example.
Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics
may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or
sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In
addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are
for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art
and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0052] The flowchart and block diagrams in the flow diagrams
illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of
possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program
products according to various embodiments of the present
embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block
diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which
comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the
specified logical function(s). It will also be noted that each
block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and
combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustrations, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based
systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or
combinations of special purpose hardware.
[0053] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of
elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to
the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an
exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any
one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not
present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present),
and both A and B are true (or present).
* * * * *