EP0688171B1

EP0688171B1 - Headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0688171B1
Application number: EP93923422A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lorraine June Sullivan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-30
Filing date: 1993-10-27
Publication date: 2001-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-27
Also published as: EP0688171A4; EP0688171A1; MY109892A; DE69330645D1; WO1994009658A1; DE69330645T2

Abstract

A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus (10, 30, 40, 50 or 60) characterised in that a length of flexible material (12) is provided having a first side (14) and a second side (16), the first side (14) having provided thereon an attachment means, the second side (16) having a plurality of resilient or flexible spacing means (20, 52 or 62) provided thereon, the length of flexible material (12) able to be positioned within a crown portion (74) of an article of headgear (70) so as the spacing means (20, 52 or 62) space the headgear (70) away from, and stabilise the headgear (70) with respect to, a wearer's head (72).

Description

The present invention relates to a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus.
More particularly, the apparatus of the present invention is intended to be provided within the crown of the headgear and to space the same away from a wearer's head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Typically, if an article of headgear, for example a hat is worn for an extended period of time it can result in the wearer perspiring heavily due to lack of ventilation and consequent heat build up. A hat worn for an extended period may also flatten a user's hair. Both the flattening of a wearer's hair and the heavy perspiration are undesirable. A hat may also dislodge from a wearer's head if in a wind or if the wearer is undertaking certain forms of activity, for example horse riding. Hats can also leave uncomfortable and unsightly ridges and rashes on a wearer's forehead. Further, in an effort to prevent a hat from being dislodged a wearer will often choose a tight or close-fitting hat that consequently may cause or exacerbate some of the abovementioned problems together with the likelihood of headaches in the wearer.
US Patent 3505683 teaches a head covering that involves the use of prongs on an inner surface of the apparatus to engage the scalp and space the head covering from the head. This arrangement is said to avoid crushing of the coiffure.
US Patent 4951320 teaches an inner rim for a cap in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, the inner rim having a plurality of rigid projecting members disposed on its inside surface to space the rim from the head of the wearer and to massage the wearer's head.
US Patent 5101516 teaches a peaked cap with several sponges placed apart from one another along an inner rim opposite a wearer's forehead.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus that has as one object thereof to overcome the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus comprising a length of flexible material having a first side and a second side, the second side having a plurality of spacing means provided thereon, the first side having provided thereon an attachment means such that the length of flexible material may be positioned within a crown portion of an article of headgear so that the spacing means space the headgear away from a wearer's head, wherein the spacing means stabilise the headgear with respect to a wearer's head, and wherein each spacing means is resilient or flexible and stands independent and distinct upon the second side so as to allow air flow therebetween and whereby the flexing of the spacing means against the wearer's head stabilises the headgear with respect thereto, characterised in that each spacing means has a portion adapted to penetrate through the hair on a wearer's head to contact a wearer's head to flex when pressed thereagainst.
Preferably, the spacing means have a rounded tip provided thereon and adapted to contacted the wearer's head and to flex when pressed thereagainst.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a portion of a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus in accordance with the present invention shown formed in an annular shape;
Figure 3 is a further upper perspective view of the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of a portion of a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of a portion of a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional frontal elevation of a hat being worn by a wearer, the hat having the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 fitted therein;
Figure 7 is a lower perspective view of a hat having fitted therein the apparatus of Figure 4; and
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side elevation of a hat being worn by a wearer, the hat having fitted therein the apparatus of Figure 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1 there is shown a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 10 comprising a length of flexible material 12 having a first side 14 and a second side 16. The first side 14 of the flexible material 12 is releasably adhered to a strip 18. The strip 18 prevents the first side 14 or a part thereof from adhering to anything prior to fitting the apparatus 10 into any form of headgear. The second side 16 of the flexible material 12 has a plurality of spacing means, for example fingers 20 provided thereon. The fingers 20 are arranged in at least two rows 22 in a staggered and alternating manner and stand upright from the side 16. Each finger 20 has a broad base portion 24 and a substantially rounded tip portion 26. It is the tip portion 26 of the fingers 20 that will contact a wearer's head when worn. The fingers 20 are generally of a conical shape.
In Figure 2 there is shown a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 30. The apparatus 30 is formed in an annular shape but is substantially similar to the apparatus 10 of Figure 1 and like numerals denote like parts.
In Figure 3 there is shown a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 40. The apparatus 40 is substantially similar to the apparatus 10 of Figure 1 and like numerals denote like parts. The broad base portion 24 of each finger 20 has provided thereat a sloping flange 42. The flange 42 provides a smooth transition between the base portion 24 and the first side 14 of the flexible material 12.
In Figure 4 there is shown a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 50. The apparatus 50 is substantially similar to the apparatus 40 of Figure 3 and like numerals denote like parts. The first side 14 of the flexible material 12 has provided thereon, in addition to the fingers 20, a plurality of fingers 52. A section A - A of the length of flexible material 12 is provided with fingers 52 arranged in rows contiguous with the rows 22 of fingers 20.
The fingers 52 are substantially similar to the fingers 20 of Figure 3 and like numerals denote like parts. However, the fingers 52 project from the second side 16 at an acute angle 52 thereto.
In Figure 5 there is shown a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 60. The apparatus 60 is substantially similar to the apparatus 40 of Figure 3 and like numerals denote like parts. The spacing means take the form of loops 62 upstanding from the second side 16 of the length of flexible material 12. The loops 62 are flexibly resilient and have an upper portion 64 spaced farthest from the second side 16 and provided to contact the head of a wearer when worn.
The loops 62 each have two base portions 24 each having the flange 42 provided thereat. The loops 62 run substantially transverse to the length of flexible material 12.
In Figure 6 there is shown the apparatus' 10 and 30 in position in a hat 70 on a wearer's head 72.
The hat 70 comprises a crown 74 and a brim 76. The crown 74 has an uppermost portion 78 and a side portion 80.
The apparatus 10, after removal of the strip 18 from the first side 14 thereof, is adhered to an inner surface of the side portion 80 of the crown 74 adjacent the brim 76, as can be seen in Figure 6.
The apparatus 30, after removal of the strip 18 from the first side 14 thereof is adhered to an inner surface of the uppermost portion 78 of the crown 74, as can be seen in Figure 6.
In Figure 7 there is shown the apparatus 50 in position in the hat 70 shown in Figure 6, like numerals denote like parts. The apparatus 50, after removal of the strip 18 from the first side 14 thereof is adhered to an inner surface of the side portion 80 of the crown 74 adjacent the brim 76.
In Figure 8 there is shown the apparatus 50 in position in the hat 70, the hat 70 being in position on the wearer's head 72. The section A - A of the length of flexible material 12 is positioned adjacent the wearer's forehead 82, as can be seen in Figure 8,
In use, the strip 18 is peeled away from the first side 14 of the length of flexible material 12. A user or wearer can then adhere or otherwise position the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 10, 30, 40, 50 or 60 within the crown 74 of the hat 70 as described hereinabove. The fingers 20 and/or 52 of each headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus space the hat 70 away from a wearer's head 72, as can be seen in Figures 6 and 8. This spacing allows air to flow into and out of the crown 74 of the hat 70. The ventilation achieved in this manner reduces the perspiration from the head 72 of the wearer.
When the hat 70 and its headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 10, 30, 40, 50 and/or 60 is placed on a wearer's head 72 the hat 70 is pulled down to a point where the fingers 20 and/or 52 are at least slightly flexed. This action ensures that the hat 70 is stabilised on the wearer's head 72 and prevents the hat 70 from being easily dislodged by something brushing thereagainst or under the influence of wind movement.
In the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 50 the provision of fingers 52 within the portion A - A allows slightly less pressure to be applied to the forehead 82 of the wearer as this is often a more sensitive area of the head 72. In addition, at the forehead 82 there is generally little hair for the fingers 52 to penetrate.
In the abovementioned regard, the fingers 20 and/or 52 serve also to reduce interference with the wearer's hair. The wearer's hair is not flattened or crushed as the fingers 20 and/or 52 are able to penetrate through the hair to touch the wearer's head 72. Under normal circumstances without any form of headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus as described herein the side portion 80 of the crown 74 of the hat 70 would come into direct contact with the hair of a wearer and flatten it to the wearer's head 72. Further, at the forehead 82 of the wearer's head 72 the side portion 80 would directly bear thereagainst. Such an action can produce rashes on the forehead 82 or leave deep ridges thereon.
The degree of flexing achieved in the fingers 20 and/or 52 is largely a matter of personal preference although a greater degree of flexing and therefor stability may be required under certain circumstances, such as high wind conditions.
The headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 60 of the present invention is used in a substantially similar manner to the apparatus' 10, 30, 40 and 50. The loops 62 space the side portion 80 of the crown 74 of the hat 70 away from the wearer's head 72. In a similar manner as described hereinabove for fingers 20 and/or 52 the loops 62 are able to flex once the upper portion 64 of the loop 62 is resting against the wearer's head 72. The loops 62 are also in a similar manner able to project through the hair on a wearer's head 72. Further, the loops 62 and the upper portion 64 thereof may in fact be more comfortable for a wearer.
The fingers 20 and 52 and the loops 62 are preferably formed from a flexible material 12. Such suitable materials may be rubber, for example Santoprene (Trade Mark), silicon and other similar materials.
The strip 18 is preferably formed from a paper material which may be easily separated from the adhesive on the flexible material 12 at the required time.
It is envisaged that the length of flexible material 12 may be supplied in varying lengths and trimmed to the correct length to fit the particular wearer's hat 70. In addition, the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 30 may be supplied in varying annular sizes to suit different styles and sizes of hats 70.
The rows 22 in which the fingers 20 and/or 52 are provided serve to maximise the stability and airflow whilst having to provide the least number of fingers 20 and/or 52. The fact that the rows 22 are spaced apart transversely across the length of material 12 adds to the stability of the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus' 10, 30, 40 and 50. The transversely spaced nature of the rows 22 prevents any rocking or twisting motion of the hat 70 having the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus' 10, 30, 40 and/or 50 attached thereto. A similar action is exhibited by the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 60 in the provision of the transversely extending loops 62 across the length of the flexible material 12.
It is envisaged that the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 30 may be combined with any of the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus' 10, 40, 50 and/or 60.
It is further envisaged that the method of attachment of the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 10, 30, 40, 50 or 60 may be by way of adhesive or velcro strips.
It is still further envisaged that the fingers 20 and/or 52 may be provided such that one row 22 comprises fingers 20 and/or 52 that are smaller in height than the fingers 20 and/or 52 of the other row 22. For example, such a situation is depicted in Figure 3. Such an arrangement allows the headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus 40 to adapt to the wearer's head 72 more effectively wherein the fingers 20 follow the contours of the wearer's head 72 to some extent. This increases the level of comfort in the wearer and adds to the stability of the hat 70 on the wearer's head 72.
Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus (10) comprising a length of flexible material (12) having a first side (14) and a second side (16), the second side (16) having a plurality of spacing means (20; 52; 64) provided thereon, the first side (14) has provided thereon an attachment means such that the length of flexible material (12) may be positioned within a crown portion (74) of an article of headgear (70) so that the spacing means (20; 52; 64) space the headgear (70) away from a wearer's head, wherein the spacing means (20) stabilise the headgear (70) with respect to a wearer's head (72), and wherein each spacing means (20; 52; 64) is resilient or flexible and stands independent and distinct upon the second side (16) so as to allow air flow there between and whereby the flexing of the spacing means (20; 52; 64) against the wearer's head (72) stabilises the headgear (70) with respect thereto, characterised in that each spacing means (20; 52; 64) has a portion (26; 64) adapted to penetrate through the hair on a wearer's head to contact a wearer's head and to flex when pressed thereagainst.
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each spacing means (20) has a tip portion (26) adapted to contact the wearer's head (72) and to flex when pressed thereagainst.
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of spacing means (20) are provided in at least two rows (22) spaced transversely along the length of flexible material (12).
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the individual spacing means (20) of each of the two or more rows (22) are arranged in a staggered manner along the length of the flexible material (12).
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein a large portion of the plurality of spacing means (20) stand substantially upright from the second side (16) of the length of flexible material (12).
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the length of flexible material (12) is provided with a plurality of spacing means (52) that stand at an acute angle to the second side (16) of the length of flexible material (12), this portion arranged so as to be positioned adjacent to a wearer's forehead (82).
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a portion of the length of flexible material (12) is provided with a plurality of spacing means (52) that stand at an acute angle to the second side (16) of the length of flexible material (12) and the angled spacing means (52) are orientated upwardly to resist removal from a wearer's head.
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the spacing means (20) are substantially conical in shape with each having a broad base (24) and a narrow and substantially rounded tip portion (26).
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a part or all of the plurality of spacing means (62) take the form of loops of flexibly resilient material located in a substantially transverse orientation to the length of flexible material (12).
A headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the spacing means (20) are provided in at least two rows transversely along the length of flexible material and the spacing means comprising one or more rows (22) are of a smaller length than the spacing means (20) comprising the remaining of the rows.
A headgear comprising a headgear stabilising and ventilating apparatus according to any preceding claim.