US20060174398A1

US20060174398A1 - Modular headwear system

Info

Publication number: US20060174398A1
Application number: US11/053,315
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Proctor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-08
Filing date: 2005-02-08
Publication date: 2006-08-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular system for creating customizable headwear. One embodiment of the present invention includes a crown with a base portion. The outer surface of the crown includes at least one releasable attachment system to allow various accessories to be releasably attached thereby creating unique headwear configurations. In addition, the base portion of the crown includes a releasable attachment system that also allows various other accessories to be attached to create unique headwear configurations. A visor may be fixably or releasably coupled to the base portion to create a baseball cap headwear configuration. Likewise, a releasable backstrap may be coupled to the base portion of the crown to adjust the size of the crown and display a logo or symbol.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to headwear, and in particular to a modular system for creating customizable headwear.
2. Background
Headwear serves many functions and purposes. Headwear is worn to protect the head and/or other parts of the upper body from various things such as sun and rain. Headwear may also serve as an ornamental component of a wardrobe. Headwear may have the potential to attract attention to the wearer or make a statement relative to the wearer's identity or group affiliation. In some cultures, headwear is worn to show respect and modesty.
One common form of headwear is known as a hat. The top portion of a hat is often referred to as a crown while the bottom portion which surrounds the head substantially above the ears is often referred to as the band or base. Most styles of hats include at least one bill and/or visor attached to the base at various locations and that project or depend therefrom as determined by fashion or the intended utility of the headwear system.
One problem with existing hats and headwear systems is the inability to accommodate to a wide variety of circumstances and/or styles. In order to accommodate various affiliations, situations and styles people are forced to own multiple hats which can be both expensive and inconvenient. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a headwear system that is customizable to a wide variety of utilitarian needs, styles and affiliations.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a modular system for creating customizable headwear. One embodiment of the present invention includes a crown with a base or band portion. The outer surface of the crown includes at least one releasable attachment system to allow various accessories to be releasably attached thereby creating unique headwear configurations. In addition, the base portion of the crown includes a releasable attachment system that also allows various other accessories to be attached to create unique headwear configurations. A visor may be fixably or releasably coupled to the base portion to create a baseball cap headwear configuration. Likewise, a releasable backstrap may be coupled to the base portion of the crown to adjust the size of the crown and display a logo or symbol.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a modular headwear system in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a modular headwear system including a fixably attached visor; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a modular headwear system illustrating a backstrap recess and a releasable backstrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe presently preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of the presently preferred embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
The present invention relates to a modular system for creating customizable headwear. One embodiment of the present invention includes a crown with a base portion. The outer surface of the crown includes at least one releasable attachment system to allow various accessories to be releasably attached thereby creating unique headwear configurations. In addition, the base portion of the crown includes a releasable attachment system that also allows various other accessories to be attached to create unique headwear configurations. A visor may be fixably or releasably coupled to the base portion to create a baseball cap headwear configuration. Likewise, a releasable backstrap may be coupled to the base portion of the crown to adjust the size of the crown and display a logo or symbol. Also, while embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of a modular headwear system, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to other applications as well.
Reference is initially made to FIG. 1, which illustrates an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a modular headwear system in accordance with the present invention. The headwear system is designated generally at 100. The headwear system 100 includes a crown 110 and various attachments or accessories which are capable of being releasably attached to the crown 110. The crown further includes a base portion 115 shown in phantom because it is located on the bottom internal portion of the crown. The base portion 115 supports the shape of the crown 110 and provides an internal releasable attachment system for attaching releasably attachable accessories to the bottom of the crown 110. The illustrated system 100 includes two releasable ear flaps 160, 165, a visor 150, and a neck guard 165. The illustrated releasable attachment system for these accessories utilizes Velcro. The accessories 150, 155, 160, 165 are all configured to be attached to the internal surface of the base portion 115. Each of the accessories 150, 155, 160, 165 may also include an internal releasable attachment system such that additional accessories can be releasably attached on top of the accessory. It should also be noted that the base portion 115 may include various flaps and folding configurations that minimize any discomfort an individual may experience as a result of the releasably attached accessories. In addition, the flaps and folding configurations may also serve to hide or conceal the appearance that the releasably attached accessories are releasably attached rather than fixably attached.
The crown 110 further includes at least one releasable attachment system on the external surface 130. The illustrated external surface releasable attachment systems include a front Velcro attachment system 120 which allows an accessory patch, such as a smiley patch 140, to be releasably attached to the external surface 130 of the crown 110 in the manner shown. In addition, a button system 125 is located at the top of the external surface 130 of the crown 110. The button system 125 allows an accessory, such as a flower 145, to be releasably attached to the topmost portion of the external surface 130 of the crown 110. It should be noted that various releasable attachment systems can be located anywhere on the external surface of the crown 110 and remain consistent with the invention.
Although the illustrated embodiments show only Velcro and button type releasable attachment systems, it should be noted that any releasable attachment system could be used for attaching accessories and remain consistent with the present invention. For example, other releasable attachment systems might include adhesive, puddy, interlocking members, etc. In addition, although the illustrated embodiments show dome shaped crowns, it should be noted that any shape can be used and remain consistent with the present invention. For example, a headband, cowboy hat, bush hat, sailor hat, paperboy hat, yamaka, kippot, beanie, skullcap, hood, bandana, etc. Likewise, the base portion may be completely integrated with the crown in embodiments that do not shape support.
Reference is next made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a modular headwear system including a fixably attached visor. The illustrated modular headwear system is designated generally at 200. The system 200 includes a crown 210 and a visor 250. The crown 210 has an external surface 230 which includes various releasable attachment systems including a front Velcro section 220. A fixed button top 225 is located on the topmost portion of the external surface 230 of the crown. The visor 250 is fixably coupled to the crown 210 in a conventional manner. The visor 250 has a top surface 252 which includes a releasable attachment system 255. The illustrated releasable attachment system 255 utilizes Velcro. A smiley accessory 260 and a letter logo accessory 265 are releasably coupled to the top surface 252 of the visor 250 utilizing the releasable attachment system 255.
Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a modular headwear system illustrating a backstrap recess and a releasable backstrap. The illustrated modular headwear system is designated generally at 300. The system 300 includes a crown 310, a visor 350, and a backstrap 370. The crown 310 further includes a base portion 315 that runs along the bottom section of the crown 310 and provides support. The base portion 315 also includes a releasable attachment system 322. The crown 310 has an external surface 330 which includes a releasable attachment system 325 located at the topmost portion of the crown 310. The illustrated releasable attachment system 325 utilizes Velcro. The crown 310 and the external surface 330 also include a backstrap recess 320 located opposite the visor 350. The backstrap recess 320 is shaped to allow for adjustment to the hat size of the crown.
The backstrap 370 includes a releasable attachment system 380 that is designed to conform to the releasable attachment system 322 on the base portion 315 of the crown 310. The illustrated releasable attachment system 380 utilizes Velcro technology. The backstrap 370 also includes a logo 375. The backstrap 375 can be placed in the backstrap recess 320 of the crown and used to adjust the overall hat size of the crown by adjusting the locations at which the releasable attachment systems 322, 380 couple together. In addition to adjusting the size of the crown 310, the logo 375 can always be centered within the backstrap recess 320 by adjusting the locations at which the releasable attachment systems 322, 380 couple together.
The visor 350 is coupled to the crown 310 in a conventional manner well known to those skilled in the art. The visor 350 includes a top surface 360, which further includes a releasable attachment system 355 for releasably attaching accessories. The illustrated releasable attachment system is a female button.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit of essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only al illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A modular headwear system comprising:

a crown having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the crown includes a base portion coupled to the interior surface, and wherein the crown includes a releasable attachment system on the base portion and the exterior surface; and

at least one accessory capable of releasable attachment to at least one of the exterior surface and the base portion.

2. The modular headwear system of claim 1 further including a visor coupled to the crown and protruding away from the crown.

3. The modular headwear system of claim 2, wherein the visor is releasably coupled to the base portion via the releasable attachment system.

4. The modular headwear system of claim 2, wherein the releasable attachment system on the exterior surface includes a releasable attachment system disposed on the crown above the visor that facilitates the releasable attachment of accessories to the portion of the crown above the visor.

5. The modular headwear system of claim 1, wherein the releasable attachment system on the exterior surface includes a releasable attachment system disposed on a top most portion of the crown that facilitates the releasable attachment of accessories to the top most portion of the crown.

6. The modular headwear system of claim 1, wherein the crown and base portion further include a backstrap recess.

7. The modular headwear system of claim 5 further including a backstrap releasably coupled to the crown via the releasable attachment system on the base portion.

8. The modular headwear system of claim 1, wherein the accessory includes any one of a visor, ear flap, neck shield, button, ornament, rain cover, logo, glasses holder, sunglasses.

9. The modular headwear system of claim 1, wherein the releasable attachment system includes Velcro.

10. The modular headwear system of claim 1, wherein the releasable attachment system on the base portion includes at least one flap such that accessories can be releasably coupled to the base portion without substantially affecting the feel of the portion of the base portion that contacts a user's head.

11. The modular headwear system of claim 1, wherein the crown is substantially dome shaped.

12. A modular headwear device comprising:

at least one accessory releasably attached to at least one of the exterior surface and the base portion.

13. The modular headwear system of claim 12 further including a visor coupled to the crown and protruding away from the crown.

14. The modular headwear system of claim 13, wherein the visor is releasably coupled to the base portion via the releasable attachment system.

15. The modular headwear system of claim 13, wherein the releasable attachment system on the exterior surface includes a releasable attachment system disposed on the crown above the visor that facilitates the releasable attachment of accessories to the portion of the crown above the visor.

16. The modular headwear system of claim 12, wherein the releasable attachment system on the exterior surface includes a releasable attachment system disposed on a top most portion of the crown that facilitates the releasable attachment of accessories to the top most portion of the crown.

17. The modular headwear system of claim 12, wherein the crown and base portion further include a backstrap recess.

18. The modular headwear system of claim 16 further including a backstrap releasably coupled to the crown via the releasable attachment system on the base portion.

19. The modular headwear system of claim 12, wherein the accessory includes any one of a visor, ear flap, neck shield, button, ornament, rain cover, logo, glasses holder, sunglasses.

20. The modular headwear system of claim 12, wherein the releasable attachment system includes Velcro.

21. The modular headwear system of claim 12, wherein the releasable attachment system on the base portion includes at least one flap such that accessories can be releasably coupled to the base portion without substantially affecting the feel of the portion of the base portion that contacts a user's head.

22. The modular headwear system of claim 12, wherein the crown is substantially dome shaped.

23. A method of customizing a headwear device comprising the acts of:

identifying a headwear configuration for a particular situation; and

releasably attaching accessories to a modular headwear device to create the identified headwear configuration.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the act of identifying a headwear configuration for a particular situation includes at least one of identifying a headwear style, identifying a utilitarian need, identifying a desired ornament, identifying a desired logo, identifying a desired symbol, identifying a desired feature.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the act of releasably attaching accessories to a modular headwear device to create the identified headwear configuration further includes the acts of identifying accessories that correspond to portions of the identified headwear configuration and attaching the identified accessories.