US20040006809A1

US20040006809A1 - Adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20040006809A1
Application number: US10/392,466
Authority: US
Inventors: Debra Crenshaw; Tajeiri Benton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-05
Filing date: 2003-03-19
Publication date: 2004-01-15

Abstract

An adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment assembly attached to the head-covering portion, adjacent to the aperture portion, for adjusting the size of the aperture portion. Preferably, the aperture portion is located at a top central portion of the head-covering portion. Ordinarily, a hat brim is attached to the head-covering, but can be brimless. With using the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus, a person's hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

“NOT APPLICABLE”

STATEMENT REGARDING FED SPONSORED R & D

“NOT APPLICABLE”

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

“NOT APPLICABLE”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A new and improved adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention wherein a person's hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks.

This new invention is designed as a convenience item to cover the head with a baseball-style cap or any style hat wherein long braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks can be threaded through the adjustable/contractible aperture portion. This new invention may be called a “ponytail hat” because it allows the long hair to be gathered together on the top of the head in a ponytail style fashion. The headwear may be worn in all seasons wearing a baseball-style cap or a knit or fleece hat.

Hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks are uncommonly known to fit securely under a cap or hat to be worn on the head. To wear a cap or hat the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks must be worn hanging down, around, and to the back of the head. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus allows the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks to be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks allowing the head-covering to be lowered onto the person's head. The hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks will cascade over the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus forming a ponytail style hair fashion.

The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus fills the need for a baseball-style cap or any style hat that provides a neat and attractive entryway for the passage of the hair of a longer hairstyle therethrough. An appropriate aperture size adjustment assembly attached to the head-covering is sufficiently flexible to provide substantial closure of the opening when it is not needed. The aperture portion and the aperture size adjustment assembly will provide resilient gripping of the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks when passed therethrough to provide stability for the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks and the baseball-style cap or any style hat.

The components of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable clothe, rubber, and plastic materials.

The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus when used to accommodate hair braids, a ponytail, or dreadlocks greatly reduces frustration, saves a great deal of time, and is simple and easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment assembly attached to the head-covering portion, adjacent to the aperture portion, for adjusting the size of the aperture portion. Preferably, the aperture portion is located at a top central portion of the head-covering. Ordinarily, a hat brim is attached to the head-covering portion, but can be brimless. With using the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus, a person's hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion. An elastic cord is contained inside the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion. A drawstring is threaded through the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering. A drawstring adjustment lock, supported by the drawstring, is provided for locking the drawstring in a selected adjustment position.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of valve flaps. The valve flaps can be elastic and can form a normally closed aperture portion.

In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of ribbon eyelets attached to the head-covering portion and extending circumferentially around the aperture portion. An adjustment ribbon is threaded through the ribbon eyelets.

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: [0015]
FIG. 1 is an oblique front view of a first embodiment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention on a person's head who has braided hair. [0016]
FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [0017]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along line [0018] 3-3 thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Aperture containing hat apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described. [0019]
In general, for all embodiments of the invention, an adjustable aperture containing [0020] hat apparatus 10 of the invention includes a head-covering portion 12, an aperture portion 14 defined by the head-covering portion 12, and an aperture size adjustment assembly attached to the head-covering portion 12, adjacent to the aperture portion 14, for adjusting the size of the aperture portion 14. Preferably, the aperture portion 14 is located at the top central portion of the head-covering portion 12. Ordinarily, a hat brim 16 is attached to the head-covering portion 12, but can be brimless.
As shown in FIGS. [0021] 1-3, for the first embodiment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 attached to the head-covering portion 12 so as to circumscribe the aperture portion 14. An elastic cord 20 is contained inside the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18.
To use the first embodiment of the invention, a person grasps the head-covering [0022] portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand, and the person positions the head-covering portion 12 above the person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus 10 is lowered onto the person's head. As a result, the hair braids (ponytail, or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture portion 14, as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, the elastic cord 20 inside the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 contracts the aperture portion 14 so that the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 forms a tight fit around the bases of the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks).
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for the second embodiment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering [0023] 18 attached to the head-covering portion 12 so as to circumscribe the aperture portion 14. A drawstring 22 is threaded through the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18. A drawstring adjustment lock 24, supported by the drawstring 22, is provided for locking the drawstring 22 in a selected adjustment position.
To use the second embodiment of the invention, a person grasps the head-covering [0024] portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand, and the person positions the head-covering portion 12 above the person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus 10 is lowered onto the person's head. As a result, the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture portion 14, as shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, free ends of the drawstring 22, which is threaded through the aperture boundary covering 18, are grasped by the person, and the person pushes on the drawstring adjustment lock 24 to contract the aperture portion 14 so that the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 forms a tight fit around the bases of the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks).
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are two free ends of [0025] drawstrings 22, and there are two drawstring adjustment locks 24 for contracting the aperture portion 14 and locking the drawstrings 22 to maintain the aperture portion 14 in the contracted position. (There can be one free end of drawstring and one drawstring adjustment lock for contracting the aperture portion and locking the drawstring to maintain the aperture portion in the contracted position, drawing not shown).
To expand the [0026] aperture portion 14, the drawstring adjustment locks 24 are pulled outward towards the free ends of the drawstrings 22.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for the third embodiment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of [0027] valve flaps 26. The valve flaps 26 can be elastic and can form a normally closed aperture portion 14.
To use the third embodiment of the invention, a person grasps the head-covering [0028] portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand, and the person positions the head-covering portion 12 above the person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus 10 is lowered onto the person's head. As a result, the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture portion 14. Moreover, the valve flaps 26 contract the aperture portion 14 so that the valve flaps 26 press up against the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks).
As shown in FIG. 8, for the fourth embodiment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of ribbon eyelets [0029] 30 attached to the head-covering portion 12 and extending circumferentially around the aperture portion 14. An adjustment ribbon 28 is threaded through the ribbon eyelets 30.
To use the fourth embodiment of the invention, a person grasps the head-covering [0030] portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand, and the person positions the head-covering portion 12 above the person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus 10 is lowered onto the person's head. As a result, the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture portion 14. Then, the person grasps the free ends of the adjustment ribbon 28 and pulls on those free ends. As a result, the adjustment ribbon 28 pulls in the ribbon eyelets 30 so as to cause the aperture portion 14 to contract. In this way, the circumference of the aperture portion 14 can form a tight fit around the bases of the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks). Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the free ends of the adjustment ribbon 28 can be tied into a bow 32 to lock the adjustment ribbon 28 into the tightened condition around the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks).
To loosen the contracted [0031] aperture portion 14, the bow 32 is untied, and the circumference of the aperture portion 14 is stretched outward.
The components of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable clothe, rubber, and plastic materials. [0032]
The foregoing detailed description is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art and therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents falling within the broad scope of the subject matter described above may be resorted to in carrying out the present invention. [0033]

Claims

We claim:

1. A new and improved adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus adapted for installation to a headwear article and headwear accessory containing an entryway thereof for the passage therethrough of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks), such adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus comprising:

an adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment assembly attached to the head-covering portion, adjacent to the aperture portion for adjusting the size of the aperture portion;

preferably, the aperture portion is located at the top central portion of the head-covering portion;

ordinarily, a hat brim is attached to the head-covering, but can be brimless;

with using the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus, a person's hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the base of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks).

2. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion. An elastic cord is contained inside the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering.

3. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion. A drawstring is threaded through the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering. A drawstring adjustment lock, supported by the drawstring, is provided for locking the drawstring in a selected adjustment position.

4. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of valve flaps. The valve flaps can be elastic and can form a normally closed aperture portion.

5. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

Assembly includes a plurality of ribbon eyelets attached to the head-covering portion and extending circumferentially around the aperture portion. An adjustment ribbon is threaded through the ribbon eyelets.

6. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus is sufficiently flexible to provide substantial closure of the opening when it is not needed to thread therethrough the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks).

7. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus will provide resilient gripping of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) when passed therethrough to provide stability both for the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) and the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus.

8. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the headwear is selected from the group consisting of closely fitting headwear such as baseball-style caps, knit and fleece hats, skull caps, ski caps, tennis caps, cowboy hats, and any style hat that can be worn with a brim or brimless to accommodate the wearing of hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) in a ponytail style fashion.

9. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the components of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable cloth, rubber, and plastic materials.

10. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus worn to accommodate hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) greatly reduces frustration, saves a great deal of time, and is simple and easy to use.