US20050268927A1

US20050268927A1 - Headwear with ponytail pull through

Info

Publication number: US20050268927A1
Application number: US10/860,259
Authority: US
Inventors: Lydia Alcala
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-03
Filing date: 2004-06-03
Publication date: 2005-12-08

Abstract

The present invention provides a head covering having a generally tubular member sized appropriately to encircle a user's head. An upper periphery of the tubular member is closed in order to cover the head. A rearward potion of the tubular member defines an aperture sized to enable the user to pull their hair through the aperture. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a pattern for headwear is provided. The pattern includes a main body potion, a plurality of cooperating, generally triangular-shaped portions extend upwardly and downwardly from the main body portion, and two generally circular cutouts on each edge of the main body portion. A ponytail hair piece attached on the inside of the headwear in the proximity of the generally circular cutouts, enhances the appearance of the ponytail when the hair is pulled through the aperture. In a further embodiment, the ponytail hair piece comprises colorful hair pieces.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective head covering which has a ponytail pull through with decorative hair enhancement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Head coverings of various styles and shapes have for some time been worn for protection and as a fashion accessory. Caps are often part of a coordinated outfit worn for some particular athletic activity such as skiing, roller skating, jogging or the like. One problem is that when a wearer actively engages in physical or athletic activities of this type, the cap may become askew or may be entirely dislodged from the user's head.
The prior art includes various headgear apparel which accommodate a ponytail. For example, baseball-type caps with an opening formed in its back portion—typically to allow for use of an adjustable size band—allowing a ponytail to extend therethrough, are known. Some baseball-type caps in the prior art add a second, dedicated opening to accommodate the user's ponytail. Baseball-type caps are also known that add a separate hair band to surround the user's ponytail. In addition, headbands with and without visors having a split elastic band to hold the band on the user's head and to allow for a ponytail to be pulled through are known.
One drawback from these devices is that they are relatively complicated to manufacture, often needing several manufacturing steps combining several different pieces as well as adding separate elastic bands, visors, bills, etc. Another drawback is that most of these devices are directed at warm weather activities such as for example baseball, softball, tennis, etc.
What is thus needed is article of clothing that is designed to keep the head of the user warm while accommodating a user's pony tail. Such protective head covering should include decorative ponytail enhancement. Such device should be relatively simple to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Headwear in accordance with the present invention provides warmth to the head of the user warm while accommodating a user's pony tail. Headwear in accordance with the present invention includes decorative ponytail enhancement. Headwear in accordance with the present invention is relatively simple to manufacture.
The present invention provides a head covering having a generally tubular member sized appropriately to encircle a user's head. An upper periphery of the tubular member is closed in order to cover the head. A rearward potion of the tubular member defines an aperture sized to enable the user to pull their hair through the aperture. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a pattern for headwear is provided. The pattern includes a main body potion, a plurality of cooperating, generally triangular-shaped portions extend upwardly and downwardly from the main body portion, and two generally circular cutouts on each edge of the main body portion. A ponytail hair piece attached on the inside of the headwear in the proximity of the generally circular cutouts enhances the appearance of the ponytail when the hair is pulled through the aperture. In a further embodiment, the ponytail hair piece comprises colorful hair pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example headwear in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 2-4 are schematic diagrams showing the relatively simple manufacturing steps utilized to make an example headwear in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an example headwear 10 in accordance with the present invention is seen. The example headwear includes a generally tubular member 12 sized appropriately to encircle a person's head. An upper periphery 14 of the tubular member 12 is closed as explained in more detail below, in order to cover the head and maintain the warmth of the person. A rearward potion 16 of the tubular member 12 defines an aperture 18 sized to enable the user to pull their hair through the aperture 18 in the form of a ponytail. A ponytail hair piece 20 is provided extending from the inside of the headwear through the aperture 18. This ponytail hair piece 20 can take several forms, including but not limited to hair extensions designed to match the hair color of the user's hair to extend the length of the hair or as decorative colors to add highlights to the user's hair.
The headwear must have properties sufficient to warm the user and to maintain the headwear on the user's head. In addition, the headwear must be sufficiently flexible to allow an often substantial volume of hair to be pulled through the aperture but still be sufficiently resilient to maintaining the hair in a ponytail after the hair has been pulled through the aperture. Prior art devices typically attach a separate hair band to the headwear in order to provide sufficient flexibility to allow an often substantial volume of hair to be pulled through the aperture but still provide sufficient resiliency to maintain the hair in a ponytail. Of course, the addition of separate hair band adds significant complexity and expenses in the manufacturing process of the prior art.
In order to provide warmth to the user, to maintain the headwear on the user's head, and to allow sufficient flexibility in the aperture to allow an often substantial volume of hair to be pulled through the aperture but still provide sufficient resiliency to maintain the hair in a ponytail, it has been discovered that a soft bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric commonly referred to as fleece oriented in the appropriate direction as described below provides these qualities. For example, Polartec® brand polyester fleece available from Malden Mills, Lawrence, Mass., can be used. Alternatively, Malden Fabric Style 200 Weight Fleece can be used.
Referring to FIG. 2, a flat generally rectangular pattern of fleece fabric 25 in accordance with the present invention is seen. The fleece fabric can be cut into the pattern using regular scissors or a rotary cutter. If using a rotary cutter, it is best to use a 45 mm or a 60 mm blade because the depth of the blade will not shift the lower layer of fabric when you are cutting. The pattern includes a main body potion 27. A plurality of cooperating, generally triangular-shaped portions extend upwardly 29 and downwardly 31 from the main body portion 27. In a preferred embodiment, there are four upwardly extending generally triangular-shaped portions 29 and four downwardly extending generally triangular-shaped portions 31. Four half generally circular cutouts 33 are provided, with two on each edge of the pattern. The fabric is oriented such that the more resilient axis is orientated vertically; provided, however, it is understood that the use of the terms “vertically” and “horizontally” herein are not limitation, but rather used for ease of reference in describing the Figures.
Initially, the flat fabric is folded in half with the horizontal edges joining each other. This is seen in FIG. 3. The four half generally circular cutouts are joined to define two generally circular cutouts. The fabric is then hemmed, including the two generally circular cutouts, along this edge sewing close to the raw edge using a straight stitch or a topstitch using a double needle. The fleece fabric can be sewn using a 12/80 sewing machine needle and synthetic thread. If sewing on a serger, use of four threads and a differential feed is recommended. When sewing on a standard sewing machine, the pressure on the presser foot should be loosened and a slightly longer than medium stitch length should be used.
After the hemming is completed, a first set of the plurality of generally triangular shaped portions extending from the main body portion are pulled through the now cylindrically shaped garment and joined together with the second set of generally triangular shaped portions extending from the main body portion. In addition, the two generally circular cutouts are joined together to define a single generally circular aperture. The two sets of generally triangular shaped portions are then hemmed together, including the two generally circular cutouts, using a straight stitch or a topstitch using a double needle. The resultant headwear is seen in FIG. 4. Finally, the ponytail hair piece 20 is sewn into the inside of the headwear in the proximity of the aperture so as to extend through the aperture with the user's hair. This is seen again in FIG. 1.
While the invention has been described with specific embodiments, other alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be intended to include all such alternatives, modifications and variations set forth within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Headwear, comprising:

a generally tubular member sized appropriately to encircle a user's head;

an upper periphery of the tubular member closed in order to cover the head;

a rearward potion of the tubular member defining an aperture sized to enable the user to pull their hair through the aperture; and

a decorative ponytail hair piece extending from the inside of the headwear through the aperture.

2. The headwear of claim 1, further wherein the ponytail hair piece comprises hair extensions designed to match the hair color of the user's hair.

3. The headwear of claim 1, further wherein the ponytail hair piece comprises decorative colors to add highlights to the user's hair.

4. The headwear of claim 1, further wherein the headwear is comprised of a soft bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric.

5. A pattern for headwear comprising:

a main body potion;

a plurality of cooperating, generally triangular-shaped portions extend upwardly and downwardly from the main body portion; and

two generally circular cutouts on each edge of the main body portion.

6. The pattern of claim 5, further including four cooperating, generally triangular-shaped portions extend upwardly and downwardly from the main body portion.

7. The pattern of claim 5, further including a ponytail hair piece attached on the inside of the headwear in the proximity of the generally circular cutouts.

8. The pattern of claim 7, further wherein the ponytail hair piece comprises hair extensions designed to match the hair color of the user's hair.

9. The pattern of claim 7, further wherein the ponytail hair piece comprises decorative colors to add highlights to the user's hair.

10. The pattern of claim 5, further wherein the pattern is comprised of a soft bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric.