GB2201330A - Riding hat - Google Patents

Abstract

A riding hat comprises a shell (2, 3) supporting straps (5) for securing the shell on a wearer's head, and a removable cover (4) which fits over the outer surface of the shell. The cover comprises a former the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the outer surface of the shell and which is dimensioned to fit over the shell sufficiently tightly to be retained thereon in normal use. The shell may comprise inner (2) and outer (3) portions, the inner shell portion being removable from the outer shell portion. <IMAGE>

Description

RIDING HAT The present invention relates to a riding hat.

Riding hats are intended primarily to protect a wearer from serious injury but must also provide an acceptable appearance. Con-ventional riding hats generally comprise an outer shell of for example polyethylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) lined with a compressible inner shell of for example expanded polystyrene foam. This structure provides the necessary protection for the wearer, and an appropriate surface coating can be applied to the outer shell to give an acceptable appearance for general use, e.g. hacking. When the wearer is to take part in riding events however a particular appearance is demanded which cannot be provided by a simple surface coating.

In the case of horse shows, riding hats must be worn which have a velvet outer surface. Velvet fabric is permanently secured to the outer shell by for example adhesive t-o provide the desired effect.

Unfortunately the velvet cannot be removed between shows, and- is easily damaged as a result for example of the hat being scuffed against a rough surface.

This means that if a rider is to be able to present a smart appearance at shows he or she must have two hats, one for general use and the other for show use only. Even then however a hat can easily be damaged during a show, and if this happens the entire hat must be replaced at considerable expense.

It is known to provide removable covers for riding hats, and it is normal practice to do so for jockeys in horse races. The covers or "silks" identify the owner of the horse being ridden by the jockey, and are in the form of flexible fabric with an elasticated edge that grips the outer shell of the hat. There is no disguising the fact however that the covers are relatively loose-fitting additions to the basic hat structure and such covers even if made of velvet could not provide an appearance which would be acceptable for horse shows.

A further problem with riding hats suitable for shows is that they must incorporate a peak. If when such a hat is being used the peak catches on an obstruction, e.g. an overhanging tree branch, the user can be seriously injured as a result of the force transmitted from the peak to the hat. For this reason, there has been a move towards providing removable peaks secured by for example press studs.

This arrangement is not particularly attractive sever and adds to the cost of the hat.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a riding hat which obviates or mitigates the above problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a riding hat comprising a shell supporting straps for securing the shell on a wearer's head, and a removable cover which fits over the outer surface of the shell, the cover comprising a former the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the outer surface of the shell and which is dimensioned to fit over the shell sufficiently tightly to be retained thereon in normal use.

The former may be in the form of a thin shaped sheet of any suitable material, e.g. PVC, polyethelene or ABS. Preferably the former is resilient and is dimensioned to be stretched slightly as it is pulled over the shell. The former may be provided with a lip around its rim, the lip being intended to engage over the rim of the shell. The former -may also be provided with an integral peak.

The shell may comprise inner and outer shells, the inner shell of for example expanded polystyrene constituting a lin-ing within the outer shell of for example polyetheylene or ABS. The inner shell may be removable from the outer shell. The straps may be supported on the outer surface of the outer shell so as to extend between the outer shell and the former.

Riding hats generally comprise a head band which forms å lining around the inner surface of the hat rim so as to be interposed between the wearer's head and the hat rim. After repeated use of a hat the head band inevitably becomes soiled, but it is difficult to clean the head band without adversely affecting other parts of the hat as the head band is fixed peL;.anently-to the hat.

It is an objet of the present invention to provide a riding hat having a head band which can be easily cleaned or replaced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a riding hat comprising a shell supporting straps for securing the shell on a wearer's head, and a head band supported by the shell so as to be positioned between the wearer's head and the shell, wherein the shell comprises a plurality of separable shell members, and the head band comprises an outer portion which is removably engaged between adjacent shell members and an inner portion which forms a lining around the inner surface of the rim of the innermost shell.

With a hat including a cover comprising a former as disclosed above, the outer portion of the head band can be engaged over the outer surface of the shell rim immediately beneath the former. In a more conventional hat structure comprising just an inner shock absorbing liner and an outer shell, the outer portion of the head band can be engaged over the outer surface of the liner. In both cases, the head band can be removed for washing or simply replaced.

An embodiment of the present invention will nowbe described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded illustration of the four components making up an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cut away view of the hat assembled from the components of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through one rim of the assembled hat.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated hat comprises four co."ponents, that is the head band 1 of quilted foam material, an inner shell 2 of expanded polystyrene, an outer shell 3 of polyethylene, and a removable cover 4. Conventional securing straps 5 are fixed to the outer shell 3 by rivets 6, the straps 5 being positioned outside the outer shell 3.

To assemble the hat, the inner shell 2 is pushed into the outer shell 3, the two shell components being a close fit together so that once the inner shell has been inserted it remains in position unless deliberately pulled out. The head band is then fixed over the shell rim so as to extend a short distance along the outer surface of the outer shell and a larger distance along the inner surface of the inner shell. The cover 4 is then pulled onto the outer shell and over the edge of the head band, the final position of the cover being apparent from Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 3, the removable cover comprises a resilient former 7 and a decorative finish 8 of for example felt. The former is a sufficiently tight fit such that once it has been pulled onto the outer shell 3 it remains in position unless deliberately pulled therefrom. The former 7 may have a simple straight edge as shown in Fig. 3 or alternatively may define a lip (not shown) to engage beneath the edge of the shell.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, as the straps 5 hang down on the outside of the outer shell 3 the head band can be simply slipped between the straps and the outer shell 3. It would be possible however to position the straps so that they extend between the inner and outer shells but this would necessitate providing apertures in the head band through which the straps would extend and this would increase manufacturing complexity c.--d cost.

As is apparently from Figs. 1 and 2, the removable cover 4 comprises an integral peak 9. This arrangement is advantageous as if the peak catches on an overhanging branch or the like the removable cover is simply stripped from the shell without applying excessive force to the wearer.

The former 7 may be manufactured by for example moulding a resilient material such as PVC. The decorative cover- 8 can then be applied by any convenient means and secured in position on the former by for example adhesive. The hat when worn can thus have any desired appearance, for example the appearance required for appearing at horse shows. If the outer surface of the removable cover 4 is damaged it can be simply removed and replaced. Damage to the outer cover does not therefore demand the purchase of a new hat but only one component of such a hat.

Furthermore when the hat is being used for hacking or the like, the removable cover purchased for use at shows can be removed and replaced by either a worn removable cover or a removable cover with an alternative decorative finish. For example brightly coloured removable covers could be used to make it easier for a person wearing the hat to be located or simply to meet the dictates of fashion.

As the head band 1 is easily removable it can be detached from the other components of the hat and washed or replaced as necessary.

The inner shell 2 can be removed from the outer shell 3 for replacement in the event for example of the inner shell being irreversably compressed as the result of for example the wearer falling. As the inner shell is removable it can be checked periodically to see if it has been irreversably compressed.

It will be appreciated that all the components of the riding hat described are relatively easy to manufacture and could be sold as separate items.

Damage to any one component of the riding hat would not require the purchase of a full new assembly. A retailer could be provided with a sufficient range of components to assemble a large range of hats of different sizes and decorative appearance without having to purchase a very large number of full hat assemblies. A basic range of components could be adapted to fit a variety of head sizes. For example the head band could incorporate foam of varying thicknesses to adjust the size of a particular assembly to a variety of head sizes. Alternatively the inner shell 2 could be provided in various thicknesses to accommodate different head sizes. It is thought possible to provide a full range of sizes to fit head sizes 61/4 to 73/4 using only four sets of basic components.

As described above the illustrated riding hat comprises a removable head band an outer portion of which is engaged over the rim of the outer shell 3.

It would be possible however to engage the outer portion of the head band over the rim of the inner shell 2. Furthermore, in a conventional riding hat which essentially comprises only an inner shock absorbing shell and an outer hard shell a removable head band could be provided of the type illustrated and engaged between the inner shock absorbing shell and the outer hard shell. A device such as a zip fastener or a "Velcro" fastener could be secured to the inner shock absorbing shell to secure the head band in position.

Claims (11)

1. A riding hat comprising a shell supporting straps for securing the shell on a wearer's head, and a removable cover which fits over the outer surface of the shell, the cover comprising a former the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the outer surface of the shell and which is dimensioned to fit over the shell sufficiently tightly to be retained thereon in normal use.

2. A riding hat according to claim 1 wherein the former is in the form of a thin shaped sheet.

3. A riding hat according to claim 2 wherein the rormr2r s rasille-it. -and is dill!enriut;ud u be stretched slightly as it is pulled over the shell.

4. A riaing hat according to claim 2 o 3 wherein the former is provided with a lip around its rim, the lip being intended to engage over the rim of the shell.

5. A riding hat according to claims 2, 3, or 4 wherein the former is provided with an integral peak.

6. A riding hat according to any preceeding claim, wherein the shell comprises inner and outer shells, the inner shell constituting a lining within the outer shell.

7. A riding hat according to claim 6, wherein the inner shell is removable from the outer shell.

8. A riding hat according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the straps are supported on the outer surface of the outer shell so as to extend between the outer shell and- the former.

9. A riding hat according to any preceeding claim, comprising a head band supported by the shell, an outer portion of the head band being engaged over the outer surface of the shell rim immediately beneath the former.

10. A riding hat comprising a shell supporting straps for securing the shell on a wearer's head, and a head band supported by the shell so as to be positioned between the wearer's head and the shell, wherein the shell comprises a plurality of separable shell members, and the head band comprises an outer portion which is removably engaged between adjacent shell members and an inner portion which forms a lining around the inner surface of the rim of the innermost shell.

11. A riding hat substantially as her.1.n.hefnre described with reference to the accompanying drawings.