US20060272074A1

US20060272074A1 - Hat retaining device

Info

Publication number: US20060272074A1
Application number: US10/964,851
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Fouts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-13
Filing date: 2004-10-13
Publication date: 2006-12-07
Also published as: WO2006044100A1

Abstract

A device for retaining a hat on a wearer's head comprising a first attachment member, a second attachment member and a strap. Wherein each attachment member comprises a securing member and a locking member, the securing member having a pin for coupling with the locking member, such that the first and second ends of the strap are secured to the hat by the first and second attachment members. Adjustment means are provided for the strap. The strap or any face of a locking member, plate or securing member may include any decorative or advertising indicia including a name and/or logo.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A device for keeping a hat on a wearer's head.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to a device for keeping a hat on a wearer's head.
For a variety of reasons, it is desirable to retain a hat on a wearer's head. The primary reason for retaining the hat is to keep the useful protective functions, the most obvious of which is protection from the elements, for which the hat is designed. Unfortunately, because of conditions caused by weather or by the speed of the wearer, many hats without built in retaining devices, are lost. These conditions arise when, for example, the wearer is in a convertible or riding in or on other moving objects.
Hats also fill a wide variety of other functions including fashion, advertising and promotion components that are agreeable both to the hat wearer and also to the entity providing the hat. Promoters and advertisers for example, often provide hats to users who wear the hat only briefly during a special event or function. For such events, especially those occurring during inclement weather or those involving active participation by the wearer, the need arises for an inexpensive and temporary hat-retaining device that can be quickly and easily attached to the hat. During those occasions, hat wearers and product promoters welcome the opportunity to obtain a simple and inexpensive hat-retaining device that is easily stored within, or removed from, the hat and also presents the opportunity to display additional brands or logos.
It is a purpose of this invention to provide an inexpensive, functional and unobtrusive hat-retaining device that can be easily attached to a cap or hat.

SUMMARY

In general terms, this invention is a combination device for retaining a hat or other head-ware, upon a wearer's head. The device includes an elastic strap member having first and second opposing ends wherein the strap has sufficient length to loop under the chin of the wearer and a pair of attachment members. Each attachment member comprises a securing member and a locking member. The attachment member comprises a plate having at least one pin extending from the plate wherein the pin has sufficient length to pass through a portion of the hat and one end of the elastic strap member. Each locking member, described in general terms, comprises a locking mechanism adapted to receive a portion of the pin of the securing member. The locking mechanism can either releasably or permanently engage the pin. A face of the securing member or the locking member can be adapted to include indicia of advertising or promotion.
In practice, the hat wearer places the securing member adjacent to that portion of the hat determined by the wearer to have sufficient strength to securely engage the pin after it pierces through the hat. The wearer then pierces one end of the elastic strap with the pin such that the pin pierces both the elastic strap and the hat. The wearer then places a locking member onto the pin such that the pin engages with the locking member, sandwiching a portion of the hat and the strap between the securing member and the locking member. The hat wearer then repeats the steps described for both ends of the strap and thereby enables the hat to be secured to the head. In some embodiments, the device has adjustable means to further secure the cap with the head of the hat wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cap and a retaining device in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of a cap and a retaining device in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of retaining device in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 4(a) is a side view of an attachment member of a retaining device in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 4(b) is a top view of a portion of an attachment member a retaining device shown in FIG. 4(a) in the direction of A;
FIG. 4(c) is a bottom view of the attachment member of the retaining device shown in FIG. 4(a) in the direction of B;
FIG. 4(d) is a side view of an attachment member of the retaining device;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of the device; and
FIG. 7 is side view of an embodiment of a portion of a retaining device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, FIGS. 1 & 2 illustrate a baseball cap or hat 10 having a head portion 100, a visor 101 attached to head portion 100, and a headband 102. The baseball type of hat was chosen for illustration because it is universally recognized. It should be understood however, that unless otherwise indicated, the invention described herein is not limited to any particular style of hat, cap or head-ware.
FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of baseball hat 10 and FIG. 2 is a front view of hat 10 having a head portion 100 a visor 101 attached to head portion 100, and a headband 102. In general, a retaining device 20 comprises an elastic strap member 104 having a first end 106 and a second end 108, and a first attachment member 110 and a second attachment member 111 wherein the attachment members 110 & 111 are generally located on opposing sides of hat 10. First attachment member 110 and second attachment member 111 each comprise a locking member 112 and 114, and a securing member 116 and 118. In practice, first and second ends 106 & 108 respectively, of elastic strap 104 are generally positioned by a wearer adjacent opposing portions of cap 10 such that the desired hat retention aspects of embodiments of the present invention are achieved.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of retaining device 20 having first attachment member 110 comprised of a securing member 116 consisting of a plate 120 having a pin 122 extending therefrom. Locking member 112 comprises a locking mechanism, adapted to engage a portion of pin 122. In some embodiments, locking member 112 is constructed to releasably engage a portion of pin 122. In other embodiments however, locking member 112 is constructed to permanently engage a portion of pin 122. Pin 122 is constructed to allow a wearer to exert minimal force such that pin 122 easily pierces head portion 100 and/or headband 102 and end 106 or 108, of elastic strap 104
In practice, the wearer secures head portion 100 of cap 10 to his or her head by positioning securing members 116 and 118 at spaced locations on either side of hat 10, best shown in FIG. 2, such that pin 122 of securing members 116 and 118 pierces ends of strap 104 and hat 10 coupling with locking members 112 and 114, respectively. In this manner, a portion of hat 10 and strap 104 is sandwiched between locking member 112 and securing member 116, and locking member 114 and securing member 118, enabling the hat 10 to be secured to the wearer's head using strap 104.
In some embodiments, each one of the locking members 112 & 114 have a face 124 & 125, respectively. Similarly, in some embodiments, each one of securing members 116 & 118 have a face 126 & 127, respectively. In practice, any face 124, 125, 126 or 127 is fabricated to receive or be imprinted with a wide variety of artistic and advertising indicia.
FIG. 4(a) shows a side view of first attachment member 110 comprising securing member 116 having plate 120 and pin 122 extending therefrom, elastic strap member 104 and locking member 112. FIG. 4(b) shows a top view of first attachment member 110 shown in FIG. 4(a) in the direction of A. FIG. 4(c) shows a bottom view of first attachment member 110 shown in FIG. 4(a) in the direction of B. FIG. 4(d) shows a side view of first attachment member 110 shown in FIG. 4(a) having securing member 116 and locking member 112 comprising a locking mechanism adapted to releasably receive a portion of pin 122 of securing member 116. FIG. 5 illustrates retaining device 20 wherein a first end 106 of elastic strap 104 is attached to first attachment member 118 with a ring 128. First end 106 of elastic strap 104 is looped through ring 128 such that the first end 106 of elastic strap 104 can be secured to ring 128 by clamp 130. FIG. 6. shows first attachment member 110 comprising securing member 116 having pin 122, locking member 112 and adjusting means 132. In some embodiments, best seen in FIG. 7, first and second attachment members 110 and 111 respectively, are comprised of two pins 122 and 122′. In some embodiments, securing member 116 has removable face 126.
Returning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, which show elastic strap 104 having a first end 106 and a second end 108 wherein elastic strap 104 has a length sufficient to pass under the chin of the wearer when the first and second ends 106 & 108, respectively, join to head portion 100 of the hat 10. Preferably, first and second ends 106 & 108 are positioned by the user adjacent the head band 102 on hat 10. In some embodiments the first and second ends 106 & 108 are free to receive pin 122. By free to receive a pin, the ends 106 & 108 are fabricated of a material that is easily pierced by pin 122 or that the elastic strap 106 is otherwise adapted to easily receive pin 122 as shown in FIG. 4(d). In some embodiments elastic strap 104 is fabricated of an elongated flexible material. Elastic strap 104 is fabricated of any suitable natural or synthetic materials without departing from the scope of the invention.
In other embodiments, a first end 106 and/or a second end 108 of elastic strap 104 is first led through a device such as an eye 128 or other means, best illustrated in FIGS. 5 & 6, that allows adjustment of a length of the elastic strap 104. For example in FIG. 5, an end of strap 104 is looped around an eye 128 and each end a loop of elastic strap 104 is secured by a clamp 130.
In practice, elastic strap 104 or any face 124 or 125 of locking member 112 and/or 114, or any face 126 or 127 of plate 120 of securing member 116 and/or 118, may include any decorative or advertising indicia including a name and/or logo.
In practice, the wearer secures the head portion 100 of hat 10 to his or her head by the method comprising the steps of: placing a securing member 116 on opposite sides of hat 10 such that pin 122 of securing member 116 pierces strap 104 and hat 10; coupling locking member 112 with each one of the securing members 112 and 114, respectively, such that a portion of the hat 10 and strap 104 is sandwiched between locking member 112 and securing member 116; and securing the hat 10 to the wearer's head using strap 10.

Claims

1. A device for retaining a hat on a wearer's head comprising:

a strap of elongate flexible material, the strap having a first end and a second end;

a first attachment member and a second attachment member each comprising a securing member and a locking member, each securing member having a ring for coupling with a corresponding locking member, wherein the first and second ends of the strap are securable to the hat by the first and second attachment members; and

wherein the strap has a length sufficient to pass under the wearer's chin once the first and second ends of the strap are secured to the hat by the first and second attachment members.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the strap further comprises adjustment means.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the ring of the securing member releasably engages the locking member.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the ring of the securing member permanently engages the locking member.

5. A device for retaining a hat on a wearer's head comprising:

a strap having a first end and a second end, the strap having a length sufficient to pass under the chin of the wearer once the strap is joined to the hat;

two securing members wherein each one of the securing members comprises a ring extending therefrom; and

two locking members situated on the hat wherein each one of the locking members is engagable with the ring on each one of the securing members for fastening the strap to the hat.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the strap further comprises adjustment means.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the ring of the securing member releasably engages the locking member.

8. The device of claim 5 wherein the ring of the securing member permanently engages the locking member.

9. In combination:

a hat;

a retaining device for retaining the hat on a wearer's head comprising two securing members, two locking members and a strap;

wherein each one of the securing members comprises a ring extending therefrom, the ring adaptable to engage with each one of the locking members;

wherein each one of the securing members is positioned on either side of the hat and each one of the locking members is located adjacent each one of the securing members such that a portion of the hat is intermediate each one of the locking members and each one of the securing members; and

wherein the strap comprises a first end and a second end, the strap having a length sufficient to loop under the chin of the wearer once the first end of the strap is secured to the hat by the first securing member and the second end of the strap is secured to the hat by the second securing member.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the strap further comprises an adjustment means for use in adjusting the strap to fit the wearer's head.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the ring of the securing member releasably engages a corresponding locking mechanism.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the ring of the securing member permanently engages with a corresponding locking mechanism.

13. A method of securing a hat to a head of a wearer comprising the steps of:

placing a securing member on opposite sides of the hat such that a pin of each securing member pierces an end of a strap and the hat;

coupling a locking member with each one of the securing members such that a portion of the hat and the strap are sandwiched between the locking member and the securing member; and

securing the hat to a wearers head using the strap.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting the strap using an adjustment means.

15. The method of claim 13. further comprising releasably coupling the securing member to the locking member.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising permanently coupling the securing member to the locking member.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein each one of the securing members comprises a plate having a pin extending therefrom, the pin having sufficient length to pierce a portion of the hat and wherein each one of the locking members is adapted to couple with the pin from each one of the securing members.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein each one of the securing members is positioned at spaced locations on either side of the hat and each one of the locking members is located adjacent each one of the securing members such that a portion of the hat is sandwiched between each one of the locking members and each one of the securing members.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the strap comprises a first end and a second end, the strap having a length sufficient to loop under the chin of the wearer once the first end of the strap is secured to the hat by the first securing member and the second end of the strap is secured to the hat by the second securing member.