Hat Embodying Means For Containing Small Accessories

Abstract

A hat-mounted container for small accessories usable in sports and specialized types of work wherein the container fits around at least a part of the hat.

Parent Case Text

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 169,763 filed Aug. 6, 1971 by John I. Beresic and entitled HAT-MOUNTED CONTAINER FOR ACCESSORIES, and relates to hat-mounted containers for fitting around or into the crown of the hat and more particularly to compartmentalized containers particularly adaptable for housing small lightweight accessories for various sports and specialized types of work.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is particularly directed to the sportsman or worker who wears a hat is accustomed to carrying lightweight objects, such as fishing gear or first aid supplies, said small objects being transported and/or stored on said hat by means of a continer disposed to fit around the crown of the hat. Said hat may also be constructed with internal or external protrusions or pockets to hold a storage or transport container such as herein before described.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Heretofore the fisherman's hat has been provided with an indentation in the crown to hold a box for maintaining leaders in a moist condition. Additionally, bands have been provided around the hat for holding flies, hooks or the like. Further, means have been provided for holding cigarettes and spinner boxes on top of the rim of the hat.

A need exists for a storage or transport container which will fit over and around the crown and be supported by the brim of an existing hat or for a hat which has been modified in an improved manner to accept and hold a transport or storage container, which may be secured by a suitable fastening means such as velcro strip, snaps or the like, or by insertion into a relieved pocket on the interior of the hat to be held in place by the head band.

One of the significant contributions of this invention is the fact that the container disclosed serves as a storage compartment when not in use and is readily adapted to be hat-mounted without disturbing the container contents when the fisherman or worker is engaged in his regular activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention claimed, a new and improved accessory container is provided which is detachably mounted and is provided for transportation on a hat when the hat is in use.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new and improved hat-mounted accessory container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hat-mounted container for surrounding its crown.

A further object of this invention is to provide a storage container for fitting around the crown of a fisherman's hat, having like or different size compartments for different size fish hooks, sinkers, swivels and the like, and to provide each compartment with individual or common closures without changing the basic design of the container.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a circular doughnut-shaped container for fitting over and around the crown of a fisherman's hat which is adapted for construction from transparent plastic material so that it contents may be visible through the walls of the container.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an arcuate container which may be attached, by suitable means, to a portion of the crown of a hat.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a hat which has been modified to accept a transport or storage container or containers, said container being adapted to be mounted in or on and removed from said hat without disturbing the contents of the container.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hat supporting a rim-mounted container and embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3--3;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1-3 and showing the invention forming a part of a hard hat with a portion broken away;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along the line 5--5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a hard hat with an arcuate container attached to its crown;

FIG. 7 is a modified hard hat showing protruding pockets to accept containers on its interior;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross section taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a military type helmet disposed to accept a container between its outer shell and inner liner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, FIG. 1-3 disclose a hat such as, for example, a fisherman's hat 10 having a rim or brim 11 from which protrudes a crown 12. The hat 10 may be made of any material desired which supports the crown. Although hat 10 is defined as a fisherman's hat the inventive concept disclosed is readily applicable and useful on most worker's, military or sportsman's hats where the wearer needs readily accessible lightweight accessories.

In accordance with the invention claimed, a lightweight doughnut-shaped container 15 is adapted for surrounding the crown 12 of hat 10 resting on its brim 11. Container 15 comprises a ring-shaped trough opening upwardly for surrounding the crown of hat 10. The container may be defined as having a U-shaped, square or rectangular cross-sectional configuration and defining a bottom 16 resting on brim 11 and extending in circular configuration around the hat and of a width less than the brim of the hat, and two spacedly arranged concentric side walls 17 and 18 extending substantially vertically upwardly from the bottom 16. Bottom 16 and sides 17 and 18 may be formed as one continuous piece.

A cover 20 is provided for container 15 for closing the compartment formed by bottom 16 and sides 17 and 18 of the container and, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, comprises two parts 21 and 22. These parts are provided with a hinge means 23 along a diameter of the configuration formed by the cover. Although this hinge means may comprise any suitable structure, it is shown in FIGS. 1-3 as comprising a pair of cylindrical parts 25 and 26, one on each of the juxtapositioned edges on the parts 21 and 22. These cylijndrical parts are provided with axially aligned openings 27, 27' for receiving pins 28 about which the cylindrical parts 25 and 26 of the hinge rotate in the usual manner.

A pair of similar clasps 29 are arranged one on each of the parts 21 and 22 of cover 20 for engaging with protrusions 30 for locking the covers in their closed positions.

Container 15 may be divided by radial partitions 31 to provide smaller spaces 32 for containing small accessories such as lines, sinkers, plugs, flies and like devices needed periodically by the fisherman.

FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1-3 wherein the inventive concept is shown as forming a part of a hat 34 worn by a construction worker and commonly known as a hard hat. Hat 34 has a rim or brim 35 and crown 36 extending upwardly therefrom in the usual manner with an elastic strap 37 formed therein to adapt the hat to various size heads in the usual manner. Hat 34 is formed of hard, form-retaining plastic.

Container 38 forming a unitary part of rim 35 of hat 34 is similar to container 15 in that it comprises a unitary arcuate configuration, except that its cover comprises a plurality of individual covers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g and 42h, each covering and sealing a different compartment 43. Each compartment is formed by radial partitions 44 in the same manner as partitions 31 of FIGS. 1-3.

Covers 42a-42h are each provided with a flange 45 extending downwardly therefrom around its periphery, which fits snugly within the upper edges of radial partitions 44 and sides 40 and 41 of each compartment 43 to close the compartment. This flange is spaced from the outer periphery of the covers 42a-42h a distance such that it forms substantially an outline of the inside top edge of each of the compartments 43. Thus, the cover can be supported in place over each compartment. The user merely pries open the cover to get at and remove the contents of that particular compartment. The cover is easily replaced by pressing it back on the edges of the container in the usual way. Although eight compartments are shown, any number may be formed in container 38 and having covers to fit them.

It should also be recognized that such a container, made of transparent material or not, could readily be used on military hats such as the military helmet with the container being adapted to fit the outer contour of its inner liner and mounted on this lining along the surface of the crown.

If so desired, the radial partitions 31 of FIGS. 1-3 may be increased in number and press-fitted covers of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 adapted to fit each space 32 of container 15. Further, means may be provided for fastening the container to the substantially vertical sides of the crown of the hat instead of the rim of the hat, particularly for small rim or rimless hats.

As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, a hard hat of conventional construction is provided with a semi-circular transport container 50 fastened to the hard hat by suitable fastening means (not shown).

Said container 50 has at its upper end 51 lids or tops 52 and 53. It will be understood that said lids 52 and 53 may be hinged and latched to container body 54 or may be snapped in place or be held firmly in place atop the container body 54 to act as restraining means for articles in container 50 by any suitable means.

A modified hard hat 56 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings, in which external protrusions 57 and 58 are provided to accept separate containers 59 and 60, respectively.

Protrusion 57, as best seen in FIG. 8, is provided with a lower retaining lip 61, thereby allowing the container 59 to be maintained in the pocket 62, described by the inner walls 63 of the protrusion 57, by the resilient headband 64.

It will be seen that container 59 is substantially rectangular in cross section, and is provided with a lid or cap 65 which may be snapped or held in place by any suitable means to act as a retainer to its contents.

Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawing, the protrusion 58 comprises an inside wall 67' co-linear with surface 67 of hard hat 56, a bottom 68 and a front or retainer wall 69, surfaces or walls 67, 68 and 69 forming an enclosure 70 into which, through an opening 71 in the top of protrusion 58, is inserted a container 72.

It will be seen that container 72 is basically rectangular in cross section and is provided with a lid or top 73, top 73 being held in plaqe during use by any suitable means to act as a retaining means to the contents of container 72.

A resilient plug or other suitable means 74 is shown snapped in place in the opening 71 to retain container 72 in protrusion 58 of hard hat 56. Plug 74 being of resilient material will also act as an effective seal, thereby rendering enclosure 70 air and water tight. The obvious advantages of an air and water tight enclosure will be apparent when the possibility of transporting itens that are water soluble or may be damaged by the elements is considered.

Although the hard hat shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 shows one container being inserted into a protrusion of the hard hat from outside the struture and one container being inserted into a protrusion from inside the hard hat, it should be recognized that the hard hat may be formed to receive both containers from inside or from outside the container in the manner shown. It should also be recognized that the brim may have an opening 76 in its bottom surface for receiving and holding by means of protrusion 77 the container. The container may be removed by merely grasping the container and pulling it outwardly against the protrusions 77. Protrusions 77 may comprise, as shown in FIG. 8, nipples or ridges formed of the same material as the walls 67, 68 and 69 forming enclosure 70, which extend into opening 76 a distance such that opening 76 is slightly smaller than container 72 so that container 72 must be forced through opening 76 with these protrusions distorting sufficiently to let container 72 enter enclosure 70. To remove the container 72, it is pulled outwardly of enclosure 70 against protrusions 77, causing them to distort, permitting container 72 to move thereby.

A modification of a conventional military type helmet 80 is seen in FIG. 9, in which the exterior shell 81 of the helmet 80 has been increased in size large enough to provide a concentric or annular space 82 between it and the standard size helmet liner 83. Space 82 provides sufficient room between shell 81 and liner 83 to receive a transport container 84 similar to container 15 herein before described.

The container 84 is retained in helmet 80 between liner 83 and shell 81 by the conventional means of retaining the liner 83 to the shell 81, thereby captivating container 84. To gain access to container 84 the user need only release the liner retaining means and withdraw the liner 83 from the shell 81, thereby exposing container 84 for use. U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,863; No. 2,710,965; and No. 3,026,523 are illustrative of known means for retaining the liner in the shell of a hard hat.

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A hat comprising:

a rigid, hollow crown,

a brim surrounding at least a part of the periphery of said crown and extending outwardly thereof, and

a hollow, rigid container integral with and surrounding at least a part of said crown above said brim,

said container comprising vertically spaced side walls concentrically arranged around said crown, one of said side walls forming an integral part of said crown,

said crown being deformed to provide a protrusion extending outwardly from said crown to form said container,

said container comprising a hollow compartment for receiving lightweight accessories, said protrusion opening outwardly through the bottom of said brim for releasably holding an article after said article has been inserted from below the helmet.

2. A helmet,

a first projecting structure extending outwardly from the crown of said helmet formed from a single piece of material with said crown and defining a first pocket for receiving a first container,

a second projecting structure extending outwardly from the crown of said helmet formed from a single piece of material with said crown for defining a second pocket for receiving a second container,

openings into each of said first and second projecting structures for receiving containers, one of said openings extending through the bottom of one of said projecting structures into which a first article carrying container may be inserted from below the helmet along a straight line into the helmet, the other of said openings formed within the helmet into which a second article carrying container may be inserted, and a detachable headband mounted in the crown of said helmet.

3. The helmet set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said first and second projecting structures are formed on opposite sides of said crown.

4. The helmet set forth in claim 2 wherein:

at least one of said first and second projecting structures is provided with an opening in the outer periphery of said crown for receiving the associated container.

5. The helmet set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said projecting structures are provided with openings in the outer periphery of said crown for receiving the associated containers, and

cover means one for each of said openings for closing said openings to retain said first and second containers in the pockets of the projecting structures.

6. The helmet set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said helmet comprises a rigid, hollow crown.

7. The helmet set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said helmet comprises a flexible soft material.

8. The helmet set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a rim is provided around at least a part of said crown, and

said first and second projections are supported by said rim.

9. A helmet,

a projecting structure extending outwardly from the crown of said helmet formed from a single piece of material with said crown and defining a pocket for receiving a container,

an opening into said projecting structure for receiving a container, said opening extending through the bottom of said projecting structure into which an article carrying container may be inserted from below the helmet along a straight line into the helmet, and a detachable headband mounted in the crown of said helmet.

10. A hat comprising a hollow crown having a rim around at least a part of its periphery extending outwardly therefrom,

a projecting structure extending outwardly from the crown of said hat and supported on said rim formed from a single piece of material with said crown and defining a pocket for receiving a container,

an opening into said projecting structure for receiving a container said opening extending through the bottom of said projecting structure into which an article carrying container may be inserted from below the hat along a straight line into the hat, and a detachable headband mounted in the crown of said hat.

11. The hat set forth in claim 10 wherein:

said crown is formed of rigid material.

12. The hat set forth in claim 10 wherein:

said opening opens outwardly of said crown.