GB2466799A

GB2466799A - An adjustable sweatband for a hat

Info

Publication number: GB2466799A
Application number: GB0900184A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jon Jan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-08
Filing date: 2009-01-08
Publication date: 2010-07-14
Also published as: GB0900184D0

Abstract

A sweatband (5, figure 1), designed for attachment within a hat (4, figure 1), is adjustable for the accommodation of different head sizes. The band comprises a tunnel or tube 16 extending around its circumference, and a length of elasticised tape 3 passing freely through the tunnel. The ends of the tape emerging from the tunnel are provided with means to allow their mutual fastening 1, 2, the means preferably comprising a hook-and-loop type fastener. The tape is of a sufficient length to allow overlap of its ends when in a non-stretched condition, and alteration of the circumference of the sweatband is effected by increasing the overlap of said ends. A single edge of the band can be fixed to the inner surface of a hat (8, figure 1), allowing the length of the band to be altered without causing creasing or deformation of the hat.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The invention relates generally to a size adjustable hat, and more particularly to a size adjustable sweatband which allows the hat to be better adjusted to fit the head of the wearer over a number of different sizes.

Description of the Related Art

Various attempts have been made in the past to create hats with adjustable sweatbands for the purpose of allowing a comfortable fit to persons of various head sizes, including the use of woven and non-woven flexible bands and draw strings.

However, many of the above adjustable devices have never been incorporated into headwear due to reason of their complexity of design, appearance, difficulty of use by the hat wearer and manufacturing cost. The more rigid of these devices may cause the crown to crumple or gather at the base of the crown, especially in the case of molded hats made of felt or light weight woven fabric. Furthermore, the device that also offer a detachable function, such as a removable band or portion thereof, due to the complexity of manufacturing of such a device and through regular handling by the hat wearer, this device may eventually suffer from wear and tear earlier than the justifiable lifetime of the hat itself, as well as possible discomfort to the wearer when worn.

Summary of the invention

The main object of the adjustable fit sweatband disclosed herein is to provide a hat that may be easily adjusted to fit different head sizes.

The second object is to provide a firm grip around the girth of the head without causing any discomfort to the hat wearer.

Thirdly, this present solution is not only very low in manufacturing cost, but is very simple to produce.

Furthermore, this present device is requiring minimum handling which in turn will reduce wear and tear, thus expected to remain in working order throughout the normal lifetime of the hat.

In a more descriptive embodiment, an open ended elastic tape passes around the circumference of the sweatband, having Velcro� hook and loop fastening tabs to adjust the fit as required.

Advantages This present invention is easy to use, does not alter the shape or appearance of the hat, is totally concealed from view and is extremely flexible, allowing the wearer to achieve maximum comfort and grip. The exterior of the hat (the crown and brim) are not affected by any internal adjustments to the sweatband. From the manufacturer's perspective, the device is low in cost and very easy to assemble.

Brief descnption of the drawinçs Having given a general description of the nature of this invention, the objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to define the limits of the invention. The accompanying drawings show by way of illustration, the preferred embodiment thereof and in which: FIG.1 is perspective view of the interior of a typical hat as seen from the bottom and incorporating the adjustable device in the sweatband; FIG.2 is an enlarged complete circumferential view of the internal wall of the sweatband referred in FIG.1; FIG.3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the hat referred to in FIG.1 illustrating the position of the adjustable device on the sweatband; FIG.4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the sweatband in FIG. 1 showing the end pieces of the adjustable device extending from the internal wall of the sweatband.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section view of the adjustable sweatband in FIG.3; FIG.6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the adjustable device in FIG.2; and FIG.7 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the device in FIG.6 Detailed description of the illustrated embodiments FIG.1 is a perspective overview of the interior of a typical hat 4 as seen from the bottom and incorporating a sweatband 5 with concealed adjustment and brim 6. The lower edge 8 of the sweatband is stitched into the lower edge seam of the crown and having the free upper edge 9 extending all the way around the inner circumference of the crown and lying adjacent to the inside of the crown 7. The Velcro� hook and loop fastening 1 and 2 are visible on the ends of elastic tape 3 emerging from slit openings concealed from view on the inner wall of the sweatband.

In FIG.2 the elastic tape 3 passes freely through tunnel 16 concealed from view on the inner side of the sweatband. The free ends of elastic tape 3 emerge from the concealed tunnel 16 at the rear of the internal side 13 of the sweatband at slit openings 14 and 15. The two ends of elastic tape 3 have Velcro� hook and loop tabs 1 and 2, enabling quick and easy adjustment of the elastic tape to the desired fit around the head. The free movement of elastic tape 3 within tunnel 16 is exemplified in three cut-out views of the internal wall 13 of the sweatband.

FIG.3 is a front vertical cross-sectional view of the hat showing the outside of the crown 12, inside of the crown 7, brim 6, sweatband 5 which is permanently stitched to lower margin 8 of the crown and sweatband upper edge 9. A cross-sectional view 10 of the elastic tape 3 referred in FIG.2, is shown positioned inside tunnel 11 concealed within internal wall 13 of the sweatband.

FIG.4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the outer side of sweatband 5 showing lower fixed edge 8 and upper free edge 9 of the sweatband and the loose ends of the elastic band 3 with Velcro� hook and loop tabs I and 2 visible from the concealed side of the sweatband.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section view of the adjustable sweatband in FIG.3 showing outside of crown 12, inside of crown 7, brim 6 and sweatband 5. The lower edge of sweatband 5 is stitched into the crown 8 and the upper free edge of the sweatband 9. The drawing further shows inside of the sweatband 13 with cross sectional view 10 of the elastic band in tunnel 11.

FIG.6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the adjustable device in FIG.2 showing inside 13 of the sweatband with lower fixed edge 8 and upper free edge 9. The free ends of elastic band 3 are revealed extending out of tunnel 16 at slit openings 14 and 15. The single piece of elastic band 3 resting loosely in tunnel 16 and being concealed on the inside of sweatband 13 passing circumferentially around the inside of the crown. The ends of elastic band 3 have Velcro� hook and loop fastening with the tab 2 visible in the drawing.

FIG.7 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the device in FIG.6 showing outer side sweatband 5, elastic tape 3 emerging from tunnel 16 from the concealed side of the sweatband 13 at slit openings 14 and 15. Velcro� hook and loop tabs 1 and 2 are fixed to the first and second ends of the elastic tape 3.

It will be understood that the Velcro� fastening referred to in the embodiment disclosed herein, is given as an example and that other suitable fasteners may be utilised to facilitate the comfortable adjustment of the sweatband. Additionally, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of a preferred embodiment, thus allowing modifications to be carried out within the scope, spirit and intent of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adjustable comfort-fit sweatband for a hat comprising: a concealed elastic tape passing freely through the complete length of the sweatband; the first end of the elastic tape being inserted through an opening into a tunnel on the interior wall of the sweatband, the opposing end of the elastic tape thus emerging through a second opening and having the two openings spaced at a predetermined distance from each other; an elastic tape having a fastening member supported on both ends that is constructed and arranged to fasten when the ends are engaged; the elastic tape being of a predetermined length greater than the circumference of the sweatband when in the relaxed condition whereby one end of the elastic tape overlaps the other end, thus allowing the fastening members to engage securely in both relaxed and stretched conditions.
2. The adjustable sweatband of claim 1, wherein an elastic tape is passed freely through a tunnel concealed within the interior wall of the sweatband.
3. The elastic tape referred to in claim 2, is a length greater than that of the said sweatband.
4. The elastic tape of claim 2, wherein both ends of the elastic tape emerge from slit openings in the sweatband at a predetermined distance.
5. The elastic tape of claim 4, wherein the first end slightly overlaps the second end of the elastic tape by a predetermined length in the relaxed condition.
6. The elastic tape as referred to in claim 4, wherein the overlapping ends are provided with fastening members that engage to mate the two ends at varied distances.
7. The elastic tape ends referred in claim 6, wherein the fastening tabs on the ends are of Velcro� hook and loop material.
8. A method of adjusting the fit of a hat by use of an elastic tape as recited in claim 1, wherein the elastic tape is stretched until the desired comfort fit is achieved, and then engaging the hook and loop fasteners referred to in claim 7, whereby locking the sweatband into that desired position.
9. A hat adjustment system as recited in claim 8 that adapts comfortably to various head sizes by an elastic tape of a width being about 8 mm to 15 mm.
10. The elastic tape ends referred in claim 7, wherein the hook and loop fastening tabs are of width matching that of the elastic tape as defined in claim 9.
11. The hook and loop fastening tabs recited in claim 7, wherein the pair of hook and loop tabs engage in only slight contact when the elastic tape is in the relaxed condition.
12. The improvement of claim 11, wherein the pair of hook and loop fastening tabs may be adjusted to engage in various degrees of contact from fractional to full by stretching the elastic tape so as to aid in the comfortable adjustment and fit of the hat.