U.S. patent application number 15/399626 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for knit hat having integrated sweatband.
The applicant listed for this patent is New Era Cap Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Donovan W. Duschane, Mario E. S. Foresta.
Application Number | 20170188644 15/399626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59236044 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170188644 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Foresta; Mario E. S. ; et
al. |
July 6, 2017 |
KNIT HAT HAVING INTEGRATED SWEATBAND
Abstract
A knit cap having a generally domed knitted crown and a
sweatband having front and back arcuate portions attached to an
interior surface of the knitted cap by stitching the front arcuate
portion of the sweatband to a front portion of the crown, and by
further stitching the back arcuate portion of the sweatband to a
back portion of the crown, the sweatband having no stitching or
other attachment to the crown at first and second side portions of
the knitted cap.
Inventors: |
Foresta; Mario E. S.;
(Monrovia, CA) ; Duschane; Donovan W.; (San
Clemente, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
New Era Cap Co., Inc. |
Buffalo |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59236044 |
Appl. No.: |
15/399626 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62275325 |
Jan 6, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42C 5/02 20130101; A42B
1/041 20130101; A41D 20/00 20130101; A42B 1/069 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/04 20060101
A42B001/04; A41D 20/00 20060101 A41D020/00; A42B 1/06 20060101
A42B001/06 |
Claims
1. A knitted cap, comprising: a generally domed knitted crown
defining an interior cavity for receiving the head of a user when
worn and having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a bottom
peripheral edge between said interior surface and said exterior
surfaces, and front and back portions; a sweatband attached to said
crown and having opposite outer and inner surfaces, first and
second side portions, and front and back portions; and said front
portion of said sweatband fastened to said front portion of said
crown and said back portion of said sweatband fastened to said back
portion of said crown; and said sweatband having no attachment to
said crown at said first and second side portions.
2. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein said front portion of said
sweatband is longer than said back portion of said sweatband.
3. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein first and second gaps are
formed between said interior surface of said crown and said outer
surface of said sweatband at said first and second side portions,
said gaps are configured and arranged to receive at least a portion
of ears of said user when worn, and said interior surface of said
crown covers an outer area of said ears of said user and said
sweatband extends between each of said respective ears and said
head of said user when worn.
4. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein first and second gaps are
formed between said interior surface of said cap and said outer
surface of said sweatband at said first and second side portions,
and said first and second gaps are fastened to said crown along
respective upper portions, thus forming first and second pockets
configured to receive first and second ears of said user when
worn.
5. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein said crown and said
sweatband are configured such that outer areas of first and second
ears of said user may be covered by both said sweatband and said
crown when worn by said user.
6. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein said sweatband is attached
such that a bottom perimeter edge of said sweatband is generally
adjacent to said bottom peripheral edge of said crown.
7. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein said sweatband is attached
parallel to and spaced from said bottom peripheral edge of said
crown such that said bottom peripheral edge can be rolled over upon
itself to provide a double thickness along a lower portion of said
cap without rolling said sweatband.
8. The knitted cap of claim 7, wherein said double thickness
extends up along said exterior surface of said crown such that said
bottom peripheral edge of said crown overlaps a top perimeter edge
of said sweatband.
9. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein said sweatband is fixedly
attached to said front and back portions of said interior surface
of said crown by elastic stitching.
10. The knitted cap of claim 9, wherein said stitching is sewn
using a zigzag stitch, and wherein said stitching runs along a top
perimeter edge and a bottom perimeter edge of said sweatband.
11. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein said sweatband comprises an
elastic and moisture-wicking material.
12. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein said sweatband comprises a
layer of silicone dots along said inner surface configured such
that slippage of said sweatband is reduced.
13. The knitted cap of claim 1, wherein: said crown comprises an
inner liner having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a
bottom peripheral edge between said interior and said exterior
surfaces; said first and second side portions of said sweatband
have a narrower width than a width of said front and back portions
of said sweatband; and said sweatband has no attachment to either
said knitted crown or said liner at said first and second side
portions.
14. The knitted cap of claim 13, wherein said first and second side
portions extend between said interior surface of said crown and
said exterior surface of said liner.
15. The knitted cap of claim 14, wherein said first and second side
portions are configured and arranged to align with ears of said
user when worn, and an ear overlaying portion of said interior
surface of said liner will cover an outer area of said ears of said
user when worn.
16. The knitted cap of claim 13, wherein a bottom perimeter edge of
said front and back portions of said sweatband is fastened to said
crown and a top perimeter edge of said front and back portions of
said sweatband is fastened said liner and not fastened to said
crown.
17. The knitted cap of claim 16, wherein said bottom perimeter edge
of said front and back portions of said sweatband are fastened to
said crown by elastic stitching and said top perimeter edge of said
front and back portions of said sweatband are fastened to said
liner by elastic stitching.
18. The knitted cap of claim 17, wherein said stitching is sewn
using a zigzag stitch.
19. The knitted cap of claim 13, wherein said sweatband is attached
such that a bottom perimeter edge of said front and back portions
of said sweatband is generally adjacent to said bottom peripheral
edge of said liner.
20. The knitted cap of claim 19, wherein said sweatband is attached
parallel to and spaced from said bottom peripheral edge of said
crown such that said bottom peripheral edge can be rolled over upon
itself to provide a double thickness along a lower portion of said
cap without rolling either said sweatband or said liner.
21. The knitted cap of claim 13, wherein said first and second side
portions of said sweatband comprise a notch in a bottom perimeter
edge of said sweatband.
22. The knitted cap of claim 13, wherein said crown, said sweatband
and said liner are configured such that outer areas of first and
second ears of said user may be covered by layers of said liner,
said sweatband and said crown when worn by said user.
23. The knitted cap of claim 13, wherein said liner comprises a
moisture-wicking material.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to knit caps, and particularly to a
knit beanie style hat with a specially formed integrated
sweatband.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] The design and use of classic knitted beanie-style caps is
well known. Such caps are generally worn in colder conditions to
cover a user's ears and top of head, thus providing the head and
ears with warmth and protection from the elements. In certain
cases, such knitted beanie-style caps are constructed from an
elastic material, and are designed to closely fit the wearer's
head.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 1,675,864 is directed to a cloth hat with a
sweatband made of a knitted webbing. The cloth hat has an
expandable zone at the juncture of the crown and brim that permits
the hat to expand to a larger size if required by a user.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,179 is directed a substantially circular
hat body with an integrated elastic sweatband. The sweatband
further comprises an integrated tail piece configured to drape over
the neck and shoulders of a wearer.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 8,769,723 is directed to a knit hat with an
ear warmer. The ear warmer portion has a frame with an inward bias
causing the knit hat to hug the bottom back of the head of a user
when worn. The knit hat may also have an integrated interior pocket
for housing a Bluetooth wireless accessory.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts,
portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for the
purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the present
disclosure provides a knitted cap (15) having a generally domed
knitted crown (20). The crown has an interior surface (24), an
exterior surface (26), a bottom peripheral edge (28) between the
interior surface and the exterior surface, first and second side
portions (30, 32), and front and back portions (34, 36). The
interior surface of the crown defines an interior cavity (22) for
receiving the head (72) of a user (70) when worn. The knitted cap
further comprises a sweatband (40) having opposite outer and inner
surfaces (42, 44), along with front and back arcuate portions (46,
48). The sweatband is preferably attached to the interior surface
of the knitted cap by stitching the front arcuate portion of the
sweatband to the front portion of the crown, and by further
stitching the back arcuate portion of the sweatband to the back
portion of the crown. The present disclosure provides the sweatband
having no stitching or other attachment to the crown at the first
and second side portions of the knitted cap. The lack of attachment
of the sweatband to the side portions may form first and second
gaps (60) between the interior surface of the knitted cap and the
outer surface of the sweatband.
[0007] The front arcuate portion of the sweatband may be longer
than the rear arcuate portion of the sweatband in order to properly
align the gaps with the ears of a user when worn. The gaps may be
configured and arranged to receive at least a portion of the ears
of the user when worn, such that the interior surface of the
knitted cap will cover an outer area (75) of the ears (74) of the
user. Further, the sweatband may extend between the inner areas
(76) of each of the user's respective ears and the head of the user
when worn. Alternatively, and based on user preference, the crown
and the sweatband may be configured such that outer areas of the
user's ears may be covered by both the sweatband and the crown when
worn by the user. In an additional embodiment, the gaps for
receiving the ears may be fastened to the crown along respective
upper portions, thus forming enclosed ear pockets configured to
receive the user's ears when worn.
[0008] The sweatband may be attached to the knitted cap such that a
bottom perimeter edge (52) of the sweatband is generally adjacent
to a bottom peripheral edge (28) of the crown. Alternatively, the
sweatband may be positioned apart from and parallel to the bottom
peripheral edge of the crown such that the bottom peripheral edge
can be rolled over upon itself to provide a double thickness (38)
along a lower portion of the knitted cap without also rolling the
sweatband. The double thickness may extend up along the exterior
surface of the crown such that the bottom peripheral edge of the
crown overlaps a top perimeter edge (54) of the sweatband. Such a
configuration can be aesthetically pleasing as well as provide
extra warmth to the user's ears.
[0009] The front and back arcuate portions of the sweatband may be
fixedly attached to the respective front and back portions of the
interior surface of the crown by elastic stitching (50), configured
such that the sweatband will be allowed to stretch and flex along
with the rest of the knitted cap. More specifically, the stitching
may be sewn using a zigzag stitch that runs along a top perimeter
edge and a bottom perimeter edge of the sweatband, securing the
front and back arcuate portions of the sweatband to the respective
front and back portions of the knitted cap, while leaving floating
portions of the sweatband unstitched, thus forming gaps at the
sides of the knitted beanie.
[0010] The sweatband may be made from an elastic and
moisture-wicking material, and may additionally comprise a layer of
silicone dots running along the inner surface of the sweatband. The
silicone dots may be configured such that slippage of the
sweatband, both when worn and when handled by the user, is greatly
reduced.
[0011] In an additional embodiment, the crown may comprise an inner
liner (162) having an interior surface (124), an exterior surface
and a bottom peripheral edge (128) between the interior and the
exterior surface, the first and second side portions (164A, 164B)
of the sweatband (140) may have a narrower width than a width of
the front and back portions (146, 148) of the sweatband, and the
sweatband may have no attachment to either the knitted crown or the
liner at the first and second side portions. The first and second
side portions may extend between the interior surface of the crown
and the exterior surface of the liner. The first and second side
portions may be configured and arranged to align with ears of the
user when worn, and an ear overlaying portion (160A, 160B) of the
interior surface of the liner may cover an outer area of the ears
of the user when worn.
[0012] The bottom perimeter edge (152) of the front and back
portions of the sweatband may be fastened to the crown and a top
perimeter edge (154) of the front and back portions of the
sweatband may be fastened the liner and not fastened to the crown.
The bottom perimeter edge of the front and back portions of the
sweatband may be fastened to the crown by elastic stitching (150A)
and the top perimeter edge of the front and back portions of the
sweatband may be fastened to the liner by elastic stitching (150B),
and the stitching may be sewn using a zigzag stitch. The sweatband
may be attached such that a bottom perimeter edge of the front and
back portions of the sweatband is generally adjacent to the bottom
peripheral edge of the liner. The sweatband may be attached
parallel to and spaced from the bottom peripheral edge (28) of the
crown such that the bottom peripheral edge can be rolled over upon
itself to provide a double thickness along a lower portion of the
cap without rolling either the sweatband or the liner. The first
and second side portions of the sweatband may comprise a notch
(161A, 161B) in a bottom perimeter edge of the sweatband. The
crown, the sweatband and the liner may be configured such that
outer areas of first and second ears of the user may be covered by
layers of all of the liner, the sweatband and the crown when worn
by the user. The liner may comprise a moisture-wicking
material.
[0013] In an alternative embodiment of the disclosure, provided is
an article for wearing on a head of a user having a generally domed
crown with an interior surface defining an interior cavity for
receiving the head of a user when worn. The crown additionally has
an exterior surface, a bottom peripheral edge between the interior
surface and the exterior surface, first and second side portions,
and front and back portions. The headwear article also has a
sweatband with opposite outer and inner surfaces, which is attached
to the interior surface of the headwear article such that first and
second gaps are formed between the interior surface of the headwear
article and the outer surface of the sweatband at the side portions
of the headwear article. In such an alternative embodiment, the
article of headwear can be a knitted beanie, or may alternatively
be a baseball-style cap having a bill connected to and extending
away from the generally domed crown.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of
the knitted cap.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the
knitted cap of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the embodiment of the
knitted cap of FIG. 1 showing the positioning of a user's ears
within the side gap portions.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user wearing the knitted
cap of FIG. 1, with the knitted crown transparent to show the
positioning of the sweatband relative to the user's ears and
head.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a view of the back portion of the knitted cap of
FIG. 1 turned inside out.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view of the front portion of the knitted cap of
FIG. 1 turned inside out.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a view of the front portion of an alternative
embodiment of a knitted cap turned inside out.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a second alternative
embodiment of a knitted cap.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sweatband of the
knitted cap of FIG. 9.
[0023] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the knitted cap of FIG. 9
showing the sweatband extending between the crown and liner.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the knitted cap of
FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like
reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural
elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several
drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be
further described or explained by the entire written specification,
of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless
otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read together
with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the
entire written description of this invention. As used in the
following description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left",
"right", "up" and "down", as well as adjectival and adverbial
derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly",
"upwardly", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the
illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the
reader. Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally
refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of
elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.
[0026] The present disclosure has been made in view of the
above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a
knitted beanie-style cap that is generally tight-fitting and
includes an integrated sweatband. The sweatband may be made of a
performance, moisture-wicking, stretchable material. Further, the
sweatband is configured such that it is sewn to the knitted cap
around the front and back portions, but is left unstitched and
floating at the sides of the beanie where the cap is worn over the
ears of a user. Accordingly, the sweatband of a first embodiment
can be positioned either to the outside of the ears or to the
inside/behind the ears, depending on the user's preference and
different activities and/or weather conditions. In a second
embodiment, the knitted beanie-style cap may further comprise an
inner liner and the sweatband may include a narrowed portion that
extends behind the liner.
[0027] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a novel knitted cap with integrated
sweatband is provided, of which an embodiment is generally
indicated at 15. In this embodiment, knitted cap 15 is comprised of
a generally domed knitted crown 20 and an integrated sweatband 40.
Generally domed crown 20 comes to a peak 21, has an interior
surface 24 and an exterior surface 26, and is shaped such that
interior surface 24 defines an interior cavity 22 configured to
snugly receive the head of a user.
[0028] Knitted crown 20 is preferably made in a conventional
knitting process in which the fabric is formed by stitching
together a number of consecutive rows of interlocking loops.
Alternatively, it is appreciated that crown 20 could be made using
other methods of textile production such as weaving, felting, or
plaiting. The material used to construct knitted crown 20 is
preferably a yarn such as wool, cotton, or synthetic yarn, which is
threaded in a loose knit pattern such that knitted crown 20 may
stretch in one or more directions when worn by a user, while
returning to its original shape when removed. In the preferred
embodiments, knitted cap 15 is a beanie style cap, and thus does
not include a bill or a visor extending outwardly from crown
20.
[0029] While the shape of crown 20 is generally rounded and
symmetrical, for descriptive and illustrative purposes, generally
domed crown 20 is further shown as having a front portion 34, a
back portion 36, as well as first and second side portions 30, 32.
Crown 20 is further illustrated having a double thickness portion
38, which is formed by folding the circumferential opening defined
by a bottom peripheral edge 28 of crown 20 first outwards from
interior cavity 22 and then upwards towards peak 21 such that a
layer of doubly thick material 38 extends around the bottom portion
of generally domed crown 20. Crown 20 is preferably constructed
with a length of material such that the size of double thickness
portion 38 will cover the length of a user's ears when worn, thus
providing the user with added warmth around the ear area. It is
also appreciated that knitted beanie 15 may be constructed such
that there is no extra material of crown 20 available to create
double thickness portion 38, as will be further discussed
below.
[0030] Sweatband 40 is positioned circumferentially around interior
surface 24 of generally domed crown 20 and substantially parallel
to bottom peripheral edge 28. Sweatband 40 is fixedly attached to
crown 20 along two distinct sections. A front arcuate portion 46 of
sweatband 40 is attached to front portion 34 of crown 20, while a
back arcuate portion 48 of sweatband 40 is attached to back portion
36 of crown 20.
[0031] Front and back arcuate portions 46, 48 can be attached to
crown 20 via stitching 50. In this embodiment, stitching 50 is a
zigzag stitch that runs over inner surface 44 and along both a
bottom perimeter edge 52 and a top perimeter edge 54 of the front
and back arcuate portions 46, 48 of sweatband 40. It is preferred
that stitching 50 be comprised of a strong and elastic material,
such that the stretching and flexibility of the combined sweatband
40 with generally domed crown 20 is improved. However, it is
anticipated that other forms of stitching, adhesive, or any other
suitable means of securing sweatband 40 to crown 20 may be
used.
[0032] Between front arcuate portion 46 and back arcuate portion
48, located generally at first and second side portions 30, 32 of
crown 20, are two areas of sweatband 40 where there is no
attachment (stitching or otherwise) to crown 20, whereby sweatband
40 is allowed to float freely. Accordingly, there are formed two
gaps 60 between crown 20 and sweatband 40 at first and second side
portions 30, 32. In this embodiment, gaps 60 are sized, spaced, and
otherwise configured to receive the ears of a user when beanie 15
is worn, as is now discussed in further detail.
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a knitted beanie 15
similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the addition of a user's
ears positioned according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The
use of gaps 60 within knitted beanie 15 allow a user to position
his/her ears 74 such that outer surface 75 of ears 74 rests flush
with interior surface 24 of crown 20, while sweatband 40 is able to
rest alongside an inner surface 76 of ears 74. Accordingly, inner
surface 44 of sweatband 40 can sit directly adjacent to the head
and behind the ears of a user.
[0034] With reference now to FIG. 4, user 70 is depicted wearing
knitted beanie 15 on his head 72 according to one embodiment of the
disclosure. Here, crown 20 is shown as being transparent for
illustrative purposes only, so as to provide further details as to
the internal structure of knitted beanie 15. It can be seen that
knitted beanie 15 is positioned such that outer surface 42 of
sweatband 40 rests directly adjacent to an inner surface of ear 74
of user 70 at gaps 60, while at the same time crown 20 of knitted
beanie 15 rests directly adjacent to outer surface 75 of ear
74.
[0035] While FIG. 4 depicts user 70 wearing sweatband 40 behind
ears 74 via the placement of ears 74 within gaps 60, it is
anticipated that user 70 may alternatively choose to place
sweatband 40 over ears 74, such that inner surface 44 of sweatband
40 rests directly adjacent to outer surface 75 of ears 74.
Accordingly, this embodiment affords individuals with an option to
wear sweatband 40 of knitted beanie 15 behind the ears, or an
option to wear sweatband 40 of knitted beanie 15 over the ears.
[0036] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is depicted an
embodiment of knitted beanie 15 unfolded and turned inside-out such
that interior surface 24 of generally domed crown 20 is exposed.
FIG. 5 illustrates back arcuate portion 48 of sweatband 40 attached
to back portion 36 of crown 20, while FIG. 6 illustrates front
arcuate portion 46 of sweatband 40 attached to front portion 34 of
crown 20. In each figure, stitching 50 is depicted along top
perimeter edge 54 and bottom perimeter edge 52 of sweatband 40,
with no stitching 50 provided at gaps 60, where sweatband 40 freely
floats. While sweatband 40 runs parallel to bottom peripheral edge
28 of generally domed crown 20, it is spaced far enough away from
bottom peripheral edge 28 such that there is enough material for a
user to fold and create a double thickness layer, as discussed
above.
[0037] In an embodiment of knitted beanie 15, it is noted that
stitching 50 across back arcuate portion 48 (see FIG. 5) is of
shorter length than stitching 50 across front arcuate portion 46
(see FIG. 6). The reason for this disparity in stitching lengths is
to accommodate the general positioning of the ears of an average
individual, which tend to be closer together at the back of the
head than at the front of the head. For instance, the length of
stitching 50 along back arcuate portion 48 corresponding to FIG. 5
may be approximately 120 mm wide (for instance, within a range of
100 mm to 140 mm), while the length of stitching 50 along front
arcuate portion 46 corresponding to FIG. 6 may be approximately 230
mm wide (for instance, within a range of 210 mm to 250 mm).
Further, each gap 60 separating front arcuate portion 46 from back
arcuate portion 48 may be approximately 70 mm wide (for instance,
within a range of 60 mm to 80 mm). The disclosed dimensions are
preferred for the construction of a "one-size-fits-all" type of
knitted beanie 15. However, it is appreciated that such dimensions
can be modified and tailored to the needs of any individual user or
group of users.
[0038] Now referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is depicted an
alternative embodiment of knitted beanie 15. Similar to the
embodiment disclosed with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, sweatband 40
of FIGS. 7 and 8 runs parallel to bottom peripheral edge 28 of
generally domed crown 20. However, in this embodiment sweatband 40
runs generally adjacent to bottom peripheral edge 28. The spacing
and amount of material available between sweatband 40 and bottom
peripheral edge 28 is configured such that knitted beanie 15 is not
meant to have a folded double thickness layer or cuff along its
bottom portion. Instead, when knitted beanie 15 is worn by a user,
bottom peripheral edge 28 is preferably configured to extend
approximately to the bottom of the user's ears, while sweatband 40
sits either behind or over the sides of the user's ears, whichever
is preferred.
[0039] Turning now to FIG. 9, there is depicted a second
alternative embodiment 115 of a knitted beanie. Knitted beanie 115
is similar to the first embodiment disclosed with reference to FIG.
1-5, having a generally domed knitted crown 20, with crown 20
coming to a peak 21, and having an interior surface 24 and an
exterior surface 26, and being shaped such that the interior
surface 24 defines an inner cavity 22 configured to snugly receive
the head of a user. However, this embodiment differs from the first
embodiment in that integrated sweatband 140 is specially configured
with narrowed side portions 164A and 164B that extend behind an
inner liner 162 in crown 20.
[0040] As in the first embodiment, crown 20 has a double thickness
portion 38, which is formed by folding the circumferential opening
defined by the bottom peripheral edge 28 of crown 20 outwards from
the interior cavity 22 and then upwards towards peak 21 such that a
layer of doubly thick material 38 extends around the bottom portion
of the generally domed crown 20.
[0041] In this embodiment, crown 20 includes an interior lining 162
facing that portion of inner surface 24 of crown 20 above the fold
of cuff 38. Lining 162 has an inner surface 124 that contacts the
head of the user and is a moisture wicking fabric. Liner 162 may
comprise a stretch hex mesh, although it is contemplated that other
materials may be used as the interior lining. As shown, the bottom
perimeter edge 128 of lining 162 is fastened with stitching to the
interior of crown 20 together with the bottom perimeter edge 152 of
sweatband 140. Thus, liner 162 extends at its bottom peripheral
circumference generally between crown 20 and sweatband 140.
However, as shown, sweatband 140 extends behind liner overlaying
side portions 160A and 160B of liner 162.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 10, sweatband 140 is specially configured
such that it includes side cutouts 161A and 161B that form narrowed
side portions 164A and 164B, respectively, positioned
circumferentially approximately to be adjacent to the wearer's
ears. Cutouts 161A and 161B are laser cut into the bottom perimeter
edge 152 of sweatband 140 to provide narrowed side portions 164A
and 164B, respectively, which bear, through liner overlays 160A and
160B, against the wearer's ears when properly positioned on the
wearer's head. As shown, side portions 164A and 164B of sweatband
140 have a narrower width than the width of front and back arcuate
portions 146 and 148. Notches 161A and 161B have opposed tapered
edges 165A and 165B to narrowed lower edges 166A and 166B,
respectively. These narrowed side portions 164A and 164B comprise a
floating stretch part of sweatband 140 that is not sewn down. Such
specially configured sweatband is not as heavy and thick or wide
adjacent the ears of the user and exerts less pressure against the
ears of the user, making the hat more comfortable to wear over
periods of time. Liner 162 adds an additional level of comfort,
particularly with respect to the overlaying portions 160A and 160B
that rest against the ears of the user, respectively.
[0043] Narrowed stretch portions 164A and 164B extend through small
buttonholes 180 in lining 162. As shown in FIG. 11, slits 180 in
lining 162, through which narrowed portions 164A and 164B of
sweatband 140 extend, are each finished off with button stitching
so they do not tear. Alternatively, such slits 180 may be
laser-cut. Similarly, cut edges 165A, 166A, 165A and 166B may be
finished with stitching so that they do not tear or become
unraveled.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 11, sweatband 140 is positioned
circumferentially around the interior surface of liner 162 and
crown 20 and substantially parallel to bottom peripheral edge 28 of
crown 20. Sweatband 140 is fixedly attached to crown 20 and liner
162 along two distinct sections. The front arcuate portion 146 of
sweatband 140 is attached to front portion 34 of crown 20, while
back arcuate portion 148 of sweatband 140 is attached the back
portion 36 of crown 20.
[0045] In this embodiment, such arcuate portions are attached to
crown 20 via stitching 150A at the bottom perimeter edge 152 of
sweatband 140. However, unlike the first embodiment, such arcuate
portions are attached only to liner 162 via stitching 150B at the
top perimeter edge 154 of sweatband 140. Thus, stitching 150B is
used to attach the top perimeter edge 154 of front and back arcuate
portions 146 and 148 of sweatband 140 just to liner 162 to hold
sweatband 140 in position circumferentially in cavity 22 of crown
20. While sweatband 140 runs parallel to bottom peripheral edge 28
of generally domed crown 20, it is spaced far enough away from
bottom peripheral edge 28 such that there is enough material for a
user to fold and create a double thickness layer, as discussed
above. Also, the bottom peripheral edge 128 of generally domed
liner 162 is aligned with the bottom perimeter edge 152 of
sweatband 140, and therefore is also spaced the same distance away
from bottom peripheral edge 28 such that there is enough material
for a user to fold and create a double thickness layer, as
discussed above.
[0046] Similar to the first embodiment, narrowed side portions 164A
and 164B between front arcuate portion 146 and back arcuate portion
148, located generally at first and second side portions 30, 32 of
crown 20, are two areas of sweatband 140 where there is no
attachment, stitching or otherwise, to crown 20 or liner 162,
whereby sweatband 140 is allowed to float freely behind lining 162,
and more specifically between the outside surface of lining 162 and
the opposed inside surface of crown 20. Sweatband over-lining
portions 160A and 160B are sized, spaced, and otherwise configured
to align and cover the ears of a user when the beanie 115 is worn.
Accordingly, inner surface 124 of liner 162 at over-portions 160A
and 160B rests directly adjacent to the ears of the user while the
inner surface 144 of sweatband 140 rests directly adjacent to the
head of the user at other circumferential positions.
[0047] The present invention contemplates that many changes and
modifications may be made. Therefore, while the presently preferred
form of the hat has been shown and described, and several
modifications and alternatives discussed, persons skilled in this
art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention, as defined and differentiated by the following
claims.
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