US20040123375A1

US20040123375A1 - Hat apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20040123375A1
Application number: US10/330,468
Authority: US
Inventors: Barry Walters
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-27
Filing date: 2002-12-27
Publication date: 2004-07-01
Also published as: WO2004057989A2; AU2003303365A1; WO2004057989A3

Abstract

A hat apparatus includes a head covering portion, a visor portion extending from the head covering portion in a visor projection direction, and a three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment attached to the head covering portion and extending from the head covering portion in an attachment projection direction. The visor projection direction and the attachment projection direction are not the same direction. Preferably, the visor projection direction and the attachment projection direction are directions that are separated by 180 degrees. The three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment can be in a form of a plush animal. A first quantity of hook or loop material can be attached to the head covering portion, and a second quantity of hook or loop material can be attached to the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment for attachment to the head covering portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to hats and, more particularly, to hats that include a visor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Hats that have a visor are well known in the art. Such hats may also be referred to as caps. A well known such cap is a baseball cap. With such a cap, the visor projects from the cap in a visor projection direction.

Caps very often include some form of ornamentation. Such ornamentation may be in the form of a team emblem. Such ornamentation is most commonly placed on the front of the cap, above the visor. It is also known that cap ornamentation may also be placed at the rear of the cap. Known cap ornamentation is relatively flat. That is, known cap ornamentation is substantially two dimensional.

With the present invention, a number of improvements over conventional caps are provided. Rather than providing merely two dimensional ornamentation, the present invention provides three dimensional ornamentation.

Moreover, with the present invention, the three dimensional ornamentation that is provided is simulative of articles or objects.

Caps with visors are most often worn in one of two ways. In the first way, the visor is located at the front of the wearer's head and faces in the same direction as the face of the wearer. In the second way, the visor is located at the rear of the wearer's head and faces in a direction opposite to the face of the wearer. The second way of wearing the cap is often the way a catcher on a baseball team wears his cap.

When the cap is worn in the second way, with the back of the cap facing forward and the front of the cap facing rearward, there is most often no ornamentation facing forward, since the back of a cap does not generally bear any ornamentation. Ornamentation that is placed above the visor would be facing rearward when the cap is worn in the second way. To overcome this deficiency, it would be desirable if a cap were provided which included three dimensional ornamentation which faces forward when the cap is worn with the visor facing rearward.

Still other features would be desirable in a hat apparatus. For example, it would be desirable if a kit were provided which includes a cap and a plurality of interchangeable attachments for the cap. In this respect, it would be desirable if the interchangeable attachments could be attachable to the cap using VELCRO(™) material.

Thus, while the foregoing indicates it to be well known to use hats or caps with visors, the discussion above does not teach or suggest that a conventional visor-containing hat apparatus has the following combination of desirable features: (1) includes three dimensional ornamentation; (2) provides ornamentation that is simulative of articles or objects; (3) includes three dimensional ornamentation which faces forward when the cap is worn with the visor facing rearward; (4) provides a kit which includes a cap and a plurality of interchangeable attachments for the cap; and (5) provides that interchangeable attachments can be attachable to the cap using VELCRO(™) material. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique hat apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides a hat apparatus which includes a head covering portion, a visor portion extending from the head covering portion in a visor projection direction, and a three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment attached to the head covering portion and extending from the head covering portion in an attachment projection direction. The visor projection direction and the attachment projection direction are not the same direction. Preferably, the visor projection direction and the attachment projection direction are directions that are separated by 180 degrees. The three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment can be in a form of a plush animal.

A first quantity of hook or loop material can be attached to the head covering portion, and a second quantity of hook or loop material can be attached to the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment. The second quantity of hook or loop material engages the first quantity of hook or loop material when the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is attached to the head covering portion.

Ordinarily, the head covering portion includes a plurality of hat panels. The three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is attached to the head covering portion, such that the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment straddles two hat panels.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a kit includes a hat member which includes a head covering portion, a visor portion, and first attachment means. A plurality of interchangeable three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachments are also provided. Each three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment includes second attachment means for connection to the first attachment means. The first attachment means include can include a first quantity of hook or loop material, and the second attachment means can include a second quantity of hook or loop material.

The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining a preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hat apparatus which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hat apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hat apparatus which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hat apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such hat apparatus available to the buying public.

Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hat apparatus which includes three dimensional ornamentation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hat apparatus that provides ornamentation that is simulative of articles or objects.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hat apparatus which includes three dimensional ornamentation which faces forward when the cap is worn with the visor facing rearward.

Even another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hat apparatus that provides a kit which includes a cap and a plurality of interchangeable attachments for the cap.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hat apparatus which provides that interchangeable attachments can be attachable to the cap using VELCRO(™) material.

These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein: [0029]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the hat apparatus of the invention which includes a three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment which is simulative of a koala bear. [0030]
FIG. 2 is a perspective of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 being worn by a wearer in the first way, wherein the visor faces forward with respect to the head of the wearer. [0031]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 being worn by the wearer in the second way, wherein the visor faces rearward with respect to the head of the wearer. [0032]
FIG. 4 is a direct view of another variation of the invention, wherein the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is simulative of a panda bear. [0033]
FIG. 5 shows a variation of the invention in which the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is simulative of a cat, such as a tiger, cheetah, or lioness, among others. [0034]
FIG. 6 shows a variation of the invention in which the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is simulative of an elephant. [0035]
FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. [0036] 1-3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, a new and improved hat apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described. [0037]
Turning to FIGS. [0038] 1-3, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the hat apparatus of the invention generally designated by reference numeral 10. The hat apparatus 10 includes a head covering portion 12, a visor portion 14 extending from the head covering portion 12 in a visor projection direction 18, and a three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 attached to the head covering portion 12 and extending from the head covering portion 12 in an attachment projection direction 20. The visor projection direction 18 and the attachment projection direction 20 are not the same direction. Preferably, the visor projection direction 18 and the attachment projection direction 20 are directions that are separated by 180 degrees. However, in general, the degree of separation of the visor projection direction 18 and the attachment projection direction 20 can be in a wide range.
The three dimensional, miniature, [0039] simulated article attachment 16 can be attached to the head covering portion 12 by being sewn or glued thereto. The three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 can be in a form of a plush animal. A plush animal is a stuffed animal whose outer fabric simulates fur. Generally, the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 can also be in the form of a simulated living thing such as a parrot or other bird, for example. Alternatively, the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 can be in form of a simulated non-living object, such as an automobile, a racing car, and a musical instrument, e. g. a guitar.
A first quantity of hook or [0040] loop material 22 can be attached to the head covering portion 12, and a second quantity of hook or loop material 24 can be attached to the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16. The second quantity of hook or loop material 24 engages the first quantity of hook or loop material 22 when the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 is attached to the head covering portion 12. The first quantity of hook or loop material 22 and the second quantity of hook or loop material 24 can be made from well known VELCRO(™) material.
Ordinarily, the [0041] head covering portion 12 includes a plurality of hat panels 26. Also, ordinarily, the head covering portion 12 includes six hat panels 26. With such a head covering portion 12, the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 is attached to the head covering portion 12, such that the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 straddles two hat panels 26. With an embodiment of the invention employing a first quantity of hook or loop material 22 attached to the head covering portion 12, the first quantity of hook or loop material 22 straddles two hat panels 26.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a kit includes a hat member which includes a [0042] head covering portion 12, a visor portion 14, and first attachment means. A plurality of interchangeable three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachments 16 are also provided. Each three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 includes second attachment means for connection to the first attachment means. The first attachment means includes can include a first quantity of hook or loop material 22, and the second attachment means can include a second quantity of hook or loop material 24.
As shown in FIG. 2, with a first manner of use, the [0043] hat apparatus 10 of the invention is worn by a wearer so that the visor portion 14 and the face of the wearer both face in the same direction, which is forward of the face of the wearer.
As shown in FIG. 3, with a second manner of use, the [0044] hat apparatus 10 of the invention is worn by a wearer so that the visor portion 14 extends out from the back of the wearer's head, and the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 extends in the opposite direction, forward of the face of the wearer.
With both manners of use, the [0045] visor projection direction 18 and the attachment projection direction 20 are separated by 180 degrees. That is, the visor portion 14 extends from the front of the head covering portion 12, and the three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment 16 extends from the back of the head covering portion 12.
The components of the hat apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable metal, plastic, and cloth materials. [0046]
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided. [0047]
It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objects set forth by providing a new and improved hat apparatus that is low in cost, relatively simple in design and operation, and which advantageously includes three dimensional ornamentation. With the invention, a hat apparatus provides ornamentation that is simulative of articles or objects. With the invention, a hat apparatus is provided which includes three dimensional ornamentation which faces forward when the cap is worn with the visor facing rearward. With the invention, a kit is provided which includes a cap and a plurality of interchangeable attachments for the cap. With the invention, the interchangeable attachments can be attachable to the cap using VELCRO(™) material. [0048]
Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use. [0049]
Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification. [0050]
Finally, it will be appreciated that the purpose of the annexed Abstract is to enable the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. [0051]

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A hat apparatus, comprising:

a head covering portion,

a visor portion extending from said head covering portion in a visor projection direction, and

a three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment attached to said head covering portion and extending from said head covering portion in an attachment projection direction,

wherein said visor projection direction and said attachment projection direction are not the same direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said visor projection direction and said attachment projection direction are directions that are separated by substantially 180 degrees.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is in a form of a plush animal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

a first quantity of hook or loop material attached to said head covering portion, and

a second quantity of hook or loop material attached to said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment,

wherein said second quantity of hook or loop material engages said first quantity of hook or loop material when said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is attached to said head covering portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said head covering portion includes a plurality of hat panels.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment is attached to said head covering portion, such that said three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachment straddles two hat panels.

7. A kit, comprising:

a hat member which includes a head covering portion, a visor portion, and first attachment means, and

a plurality of interchangeable three dimensional, miniature, simulated article attachments, each of which includes second attachment means for connection to said first attachment means.

8. The kit of claim 7 wherein:

said first attachment means includes a first quantity of hook or loop material, and

said second attachment means includes a second quantity of hook or loop material.