US20080083051A1

US20080083051A1 - Hat with magnetic accessory attachment

Info

Publication number: US20080083051A1
Application number: US11/543,531
Authority: US
Inventors: Steven E. Cunliffe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-06
Filing date: 2006-10-06
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: US20090265837A1

Abstract

The embodiments provide a hat with a magnetic accessory attachment. The hat is preferably a baseball cap including a body portion and an attachment portion. The body portion includes a dome and a bill. The attachment portion contains a flexible loop of material attached to the outer surface of the hat between the dome and the bill, and a magnetic base attached to the loop of material. A magnetic object, such as a golf ball marker, is magnetically attached to the magnetic base. A user can remove the magnetic object from the magnetic base to use the object, and then can attach the object to the magnetic base when the object is not in use. The hat can include an accessory slot attached to the body portion such that one or more items can be securely attached to the body portion. The hat can alternatively comprise a visor style hat.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to the field of clothing, namely hats. More particularly, the present invention relates to hats with magnetic accessory holders.
2. Description of the Related Art
Humans have been wearing all kinds of hats to cover their heads for centuries. More recently however, baseball style caps have become a very popular with men, women, young, and old alike. Baseball style caps are worn for various reasons, including fashion and sun protection. Baseball style caps are also worn during various activities, such as while working indoors/outdoors and while playing sporting events such as tennis, baseball, and golf. In golf in particular, it is a common occurrence that the golfer needs a golf ball marker to mark the location of a golf ball during play on the putting green. This situation occurs when the golf ball of one player is positioned on the green in between the projected path of travel of another golfer's ball and the hole. The golf ball is usually picked up, and a flat marker placed where the ball previously was positioned, so that another golf ball can proceed to the hole without encountering any obstructions. If the person does not have a golf ball marker handy, they must either try to remember where their ball is located prior to picking the ball up off of the green, or locate a ball marker, which can substantially delay the game.
Additionally, in recent years the sport of golfing has gained much popularity with men, women, young, and old alike. Much of this popularity is attributed to new, exciting players in the field. As a result, many sponsors have tried to capitalize on the growing popularity of the sport of golf. In fact, as evidence of the effort of the sponsors, many top players can be seen wearing hats and shirts bearing the logo or name of a sponsor company. In order for sponsors to distinguish their logo or brand from others, sponsors are often looking for new and innovative ways, in addition to providing traditional apparel such as shirts and hats, to appeal to consumers. A difficulty often encountered in providing such innovative marketing is the lack of visibility of the brand name or logo of the company due to the lack of exposure of the product relative to the person wearing the product. For example, advertisement of logos on items such as golf bags, golf gloves does not receive much exposure time on television due to the majority of time the camera is focused on the golfer's head.
Therefore, there it would be desirable to provide a golf ball marker attachment means that allows a user to quickly locate and grasp a golf ball marker, and that also provides an advertiser an innovative and highly visible way to promote their logo or brand name.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hat with the ability to removably attach a magnetic accessory, preferably a golf ball marker. The hat is preferably a standard wool or cotton baseball cap including a body portion and an attachment portion. The body portion includes a dome and a bill; this is well known in the prior art and throughout the industry in which applicant practices his trade. The attachment portion contains a flexible loop of material attached to the outer surface of the hat between the dome and the bill, and a magnetic base attached to the loop of material. A magnetic object, such as a golf ball marker, is magnetically attached to the magnetic base. A user can remove the magnetic object from the magnetic base to use the magnetic object, and then can attach the magnetic object to the magnetic base when the magnetic object is not in use.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a hat with the ability to removably attach a magnetic accessory, preferably a golf ball marker. The hat is preferably a standard wool or cotton baseball cap including a body portion and an attachment portion. The body portion includes a dome and a bill. The attachment portion contains a flexible loop of material attached to the outer surface of the hat between the dome and the bill, and a magnetic base attached to the loop of material. A magnetic object, such as a golf ball marker, is magnetically attached to the magnetic base. A user can remove the magnetic object from the magnetic base to use the magnetic object, and then can attach the magnetic object to the magnetic base when the magnetic object is not in use. The hat also includes a accessory slot attached to the body portion. The accessory slot is comprised of a flexible piece of fabric sewn to the body portion such that one or more items can be securely attached to the body portion. The accessory slot preferably contains a stitch through the center portion thereof to allow for the storage of two objects, such as golf tees or golf pencils.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a hat with the ability to removably attach a magnetic accessory, preferably a golf ball marker. The hat is preferably a standard wool or cotton visor including a body portion and an attachment portion. The body portion includes a rim and a bill. The attachment portion contains a flexible loop of material attached to the outer surface of the hat between the rim and the bill, and a magnetic base attached to the loop of material. A magnetic object, such as a golf ball marker, is magnetically attached to the magnetic base. A user can remove the magnetic object from the magnetic base to use the magnetic object, and then can attach the magnetic object to the magnetic base when the magnetic object is not in use. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic object is very thin, so that if another player hits his or her ball over the tee marker, the trajectory of the ball is not affected by the tee marker. In another embodiment, the hat also includes, or additionally includes, an accessory slot attached to the body portion. The accessory slot is comprised of a flexible piece of fabric sewn to the body portion such that one or more items can be securely attached to the body portion. The accessory slot preferably contains a stitch through the center portion thereof to allow for the storage of two objects, such as golf tees or golf pencils.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of this invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the hat with magnetic accessory attachment with a magnetic golf ball marker attached thereto.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the magnetic accessory attachment with the golf ball marker detached therefrom.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the magnetic accessory attachment with the golf ball marker attached thereto.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the hat with magnetic accessory attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the hat with magnetic accessory attachment 10. Hat 10 includes a body portion 20 and an attachment portion 30. Body portion 20 preferably includes a dome 22 and a bill 24. Dome 22 and bill 24 are joined at seam 25. Dome 22 contains a sidewall 26 and a front surface 28. Hat 10 is preferably a wool or cotton baseball cap, but can also be manufactured from plastic, leather, or a variety of other materials, or a combination of materials.
Attachment portion 30 includes a flexible band 32 attached to hat 10 at seam 25. Band 32 can be comprised of various materials such as nylon, cotton, or other materials as recognized in the art. A magnetic base 34 is secured to band 32 (see FIG. 2). Magnetic base 34 serves to provide a base region for the attachment of a magnetic object 36. Magnetic object 36 is preferably a golf ball marker, but can comprise various other small and lightweight magnetic objects. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a golf ball marker is very thin and comprises at least one shiny surface such that the golf ball marker will not deflect a ball passing over it and will be easily visible (and thereby easily and quickly retrievable) after its usefulness in marking a player's ball on a particular hole is through. Although attachment portion 30 is shown attached close to one side of seam 25, attachment portion 30 can also be attached anywhere along seam 25 to suit particular needs of each sponsor or wearer.
Hat 10 further includes an accessory slot 40 attached to sidewall 26. Accessory slot is preferably comprised of a flexible and elastic piece of fabric sewn to sidewall 26 such that one or more items can be securely attached to hat 10. Accessory slot 40 preferably contains a stitch 42 through the center portion thereof to provide at least two openings 44 for the secured storage of an object therein, such as a golf tee or golf pencil. Accessory slot 40 may contain a symbol or logo on the outer surface thereof to identify a sponsor or other representative.
FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of magnetic base 34 in relation to dome 22, with magnetic object 36 detached therefrom. As shown, magnetic base 34 includes a band attachment portion 35, a connection portion 37, and a base attachment 38. Connector portion 37 connects band attachment portion 35 to base attachment 38. Band attachment portion 35 is preferably ring shaped to allow movable attachment to band 32. Base attachment 38 is preferably round in shape to coincide with a round golf ball marker. However, base attachment 38 can comprise other shapes, including but not limited to square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, octagonal, hexagonal, star, or other shapes as would be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment, band attachment portion 35, a connection portion 37, and a base attachment 38 are one continuous piece. In other embodiments, any of band attachment portion 35, a connection portion 37, and a base attachment 38 can be separate from the other parts and joined thereto by methods recognized in the art, such as welding or soldering. Band attachment portion 35, a connection portion 37, and a base attachment 38 can vary in size depending on the size of magnetic object 36 to be attached.
FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of magnetic base 34 with magnetic object 36 attached thereto. In this figure, magnetic object 36 is a golf ball marker. Magnetic object 36 can include alphanumeric or pictorial identification indicia 37 thereon, to allow for placement of sponsor logos, brand names, or other identifying indicia. Identification indicia 37 can comprise indicia having various shapes, sizes, languages, and colors.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the hat with magnetic accessory attachment 100. Hat 100 includes a body portion 110 and an attachment portion 120. Body portion 110 preferably includes a rim 112 and a bill 114. Rim 112 and bill 114 are joined at seam 115. Rim 112 contains a sidewall 116 and a front surface 118. Hat 100 is preferably a wool or cotton baseball cap.
Attachment portion 120 includes a flexible band 122 attached to hat 100 at seam 115. Band 122 can be comprised of various materials such as nylon, cotton, or other materials as recognized in the art. A magnetic base 124 is secured to band 122. Magnetic base 124 serves to provide a base region for the attachment of a magnetic object 126. Magnetic object 126 is preferably a golf ball marker, but can comprise various small and lightweight magnetic objects. Although attachment portion 120 is shown attached close to one side of seam 115, attachment portion 120 can also be attached anywhere along seam 115 to suit particular needs of each sponsor or wearer.
Hat 100 further includes an accessory slot 130 attached to sidewall 112. Accessory slot 130 is preferably comprised of a flexible and elastic piece of fabric sewn to sidewall 116 such that one or more items can be securely attached to hat 100. Accessory slot 130 preferably contains a stitch 132 through the center portion thereof to provide at least two openings 134 for the secured storage of an object therein, such as a golf tee or golf pencil. Accessory slot 130 may contain a symbol or logo on the outer surface thereof to identify a sponsor or other representative.
With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the present invention.
The above description, together with the accessories of the invention and the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A hat comprising:

a) an outer dome having a front portion, two side portions, and a rim portion;

b) a bill portion connected to the outer dome, the connection of the bill portion and the outer dome forming a seam;

c) a flexible loop of material attached to the seam; and

d) a magnetic base attached to the loop of material

whereby a magnetic object can be magnetically attached to the magnetic base such that, a user wearing the hat can remove the magnetic object from the magnetic base to use the magnetic object, and then can attach the magnetic object to the magnetic base when the magnetic object is not in use.

2. The hat of claim 1 further comprising a magnetic object magnetically coupled to the magnetic base.

3. The hat of claim 2, wherein the magnetic object is a golf ball marker, the golf ball marker comprising a substantially flat magnetic material having a top surface and a bottom surface.

4. The hat of claim 2, wherein the magnetic object includes identification indicia on the top surface.

5. The hat of claim 4, wherein the identification indicia is comprised of alphanumeric symbols.

6. The hat of claim 1, wherein the flexible loop of material is stitched to the seam.

7. The hat of claim 1, wherein the magnetic base comprises a loop attachment portion, a connection portion coupled on one end to the loop attachment portion, and a base attachment coupled to the other end of the connection portion.

8. The hat of claim 1 further comprising at least one accessory slot coupled to one of the two side portions for the purpose of retaining an accessory.

9. A hat comprising:

a) a body portion including a rim portion and a bill portion connected to the rim portion at a seam; and

b) an attachment portion coupled to the seam, the attachment portion including a flexible loop of material attached to the seam and a magnetic base permanently attached to the loop of material

10. The hat of claim 9 further comprising a magnetic object magnetically coupled to the magnetic base.

11. The hat of claim 10, wherein the magnetic object is a golf ball marker, the golf ball marker comprising a substantially flat magnetic material having a top surface and a bottom surface.

12. The hat of claim 11, wherein the magnetic object includes identification indicia on the top surface.

13. The hat of claim 12, wherein the identification indicia is comprised of alphanumeric symbols.

14. The hat of claim 9, wherein the flexible loop of material is stitched to the seam and where each end of the flexible loop is stitched to the same location on the seam.

15. The hat of claim 9, wherein the magnetic base comprises a loop attachment portion, a connection portion coupled on one end to the loop attachment portion, and a base attachment coupled to the other end of the connection portion.

16. The hat of claim 9 further comprising at least one accessory slot coupled to the rim portion for the purpose of retaining an accessory.

17. A hat consisting of:

a) an outer dome having a front portion, two side portions, and a rim portion;

c) a flexible loop of material attached to the seam;

d) a magnetic base attached to the loop of material, the magnetic base comprising a loop attachment portion, a connection portion coupled on one end to the loop attachment portion, and a base attachment coupled to the other end of the connection portion; and

e) a magnetic object magnetically coupled to the magnetic base;

f) one or more accessory slots for the purpose of retaining accessories

whereby the magnetic object can be magnetically attached to the magnetic base such that, a user wearing the hat can remove the magnetic object from the magnetic base to use the magnetic object, and then can attach the magnetic object to the magnetic base when the magnetic object is not in use.

18. The hat of claim 17, wherein the magnetic object is substantially flat and contains a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface including identification indicia thereon, the identification indicia comprising alphanumeric symbols.

19. The hat of claim 17, wherein the magnetic object is a golf ball marker.

20. The hat of claim 17, wherein the one or more accessory slots are coupled to the rim portion.