US20110247126A1

US20110247126A1 - novel and convenient headwear - nudu

Info

Publication number: US20110247126A1
Application number: US13/080,868
Authority: US
Inventors: Horace C. White; Michael C. Hertz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-08
Filing date: 2011-04-06
Publication date: 2011-10-13

Abstract

A novel and convenient headwear NUDU in the form of a do-rag, also spelled doo-rag or du-rag, the novelty of the head wear lies in that the shape of the do-rag is such that it tightly fits the head of the user in a cap like structure to protect the head and the hair of the user when tied on the head and allowing head blood flow circulation due to its easier fit on the head as well as easier tie. The material that used in this invention is cotton and/or cotton and Lycra blend.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of head wear. More particularly the invention relates to a do-rag NUDU with a novel shape and tying pattern that has an easier fit on the head as well as easier tie.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The do-rag was popular throughout many different eras as a piece of cloth used to cover the head. A popular misconception is that the do-rag is a recent African-American trend, but, in actuality, for centuries, men and women of African descent from around the world have used various fabrics and scarves to cover their hair. Large silk handkerchiefs (or bandanas) are frequently found in Latin America as well. The custom is known also from ancient China, where wrapping the hair (often held in a topknot) was common during physical labor and military service. A do-rag style of head covering is also worn by Orthodox Jewish women.
In the 1930s women wore bandanna-like fabric to fasten their hairstyles in place while they set. As women shifted into the workplace do-rags were used as a safe way to keep their hair out of machinery in factories and for a general neat appearance in the workplace. Do-rags resurged as a fashion trend among urban youth in the 1970s and 2000s.
Do-rags are worn in a variety of colours for fashion and for utility. They are regularly used to create and maintain waves and hairstyles. Do-rags are also worn by motorcycle riders to keep hair from blowing into the face and eyes. They are also generally used, to keep bugs and dirt out of the hair and to absorb sweat.
A typical do-rag consists of a thin fabric that is worn over the hair. Originally do-rags were made from pieces of handkerchief, bandannas, or women's stockings; now many are made from polyester. They usually have long bands or ties on either side which extend out from opposite lateral sides at the front of the do-rag and are wrapped around the head to secure the do-rag and tied behind the head.
The relevant prior art methods, which will deal with do-rag and head wear in the nature of a do-rag are:-—
U.S. Patent Publication No. 20080307561 describes a do-rag head covering of one continuous piece of material including opposite tie straps extending sideways out from a front region for being tied around the head. Since the do-rag is made of one continuous piece of material, its front region is smooth and seamless. With no seam in the front region of the do-rag, no seam line impression forms in the hair after the do-rag is removed. The rear region is formed of two flaps seamed together at neighboring edges to form a cap. The blank for forming the do-rag is described and a method for forming the do-rag from the blank is described.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 20060212995 claims an adjustable headband, which headband includes a removable styling scarf. A second embodiment includes a conventional baseball type cap having a crown and a beak. A styling scarf is attached to the rear of the cap and extends downwardly there from. Hook and loop fasteners are attached to the crown for tying the scarf in a preferred position. A third embodiment includes an opening in the crown to accommodate a ponytail.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070169249 discloses a headwear that tightly fits the head of the user to protect the head and the hair of the user. The headwear is composed of two parts: a body and a band. The body is made from three panels and a back flap. The body has a hem to conceal and hold the band. The band is composed of elastic with cloth on the ends to facilitate tying.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 20020108164 describes an improved hat and scarf combination garment and method of wearing the same, is provided. The garment is essentially a piece of fabric that is doubled-over onto itself, with the two long ends of the fabric being connected together. With this construction a tubular opening is created, running through the entire length of the doubled-over fabric. The length of the garment is long enough to accommodate receipt over a person's head by one end of the tubular garment, yet leaving enough length of the garment to then be able to be wrapped around, at least once, the person's lower head and/or neck area, in a standard scarf manner. Another embodiment of the hat and scarf combination garment and method of wearing the same has a pair of hat members located at the opposite ends of the garment, and a “solid” type fabric member running there between.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 20060005297 discloses a bandana headwear containing a flexible plastic headband that is removable for washing. It also claims two ways to wear Bandana and an optional, attached Visor that may be worn three ways: extended outward, over top of Bandana, or tucked underneath. Bandana and Visor are reversible when either has two fabric layers sewn together.
However the purpose and methodology of all the above inventions that are part of prior art do not envisage the unique embodiment of a do-rag NUDU that combines the features of offering a convenient head fit along with maintaining good head blood circulation and flow.
Accordingly, improvements are needed in the existing methods and structures that negate the above shortcomings. Thus it is desirable to provide an improved do-rag headwear which offers a suitable head fit and which can be conveniently tied such that no forehead imprint marks are present when taking off the do-rag
The configuration in the present invention addresses these shortcomings in the prior art by providing a novel do-rag that has an easier fit on the head as well as easier tie. As a result, wearers of the present do-rag will not have a line or lines imprinted on their forehead or on back of the head after removing or untying the do-rag. This invention also maintains head blood flow circulation in a proper manner. This unique fit offer by the present invention also helps maintain better hair waves.
Further it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing a do-rag that has an easier fit on the head as well as easier tie. Various changes may be made in and without departing from the concept of the invention. Further, features of some stages disclosed in this application may be employed with features of other stages. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the terminology of the following description and claims, and the legal equivalents thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention may be summarized, at least in part, with reference to its objects:—
A foremost object of the present invention is to provide a do-rag with a unique design and shape.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a do-rag with a novel design and shape that provides an easier fit on the head as well as easier tie.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a do-rag that maintains better head blood circulation and flow.
Another object of the present invention is to maintain better hair wave patterns.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a do-rag that does not leave back or forehead prints.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a do-rag that is made of natural fibers that are strong, stretchable and allows for better air circulation.
Additional objects and embodiments of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. These and other objects and advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered in reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the working of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the working of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of particular applications of the invention and their requirements. The present invention can be configured as follows:
As provided in FIGS. 1 and 2, a do-rag NUDU according to the present invention has a cap shape surface structure, constituting the head cup (1) and is essentially a single piece of a flexible, slightly stretchable, material that is porous to allow air circulation. The present invention is made of natural fibers such as cotton and/or cotton and Lycra blend material that is strong, stretchable and allows for better air circulation which helps remove and absorb body moisture, drawing heat away from the skin and keeping the body cool and dry.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first step in the process of using the present invention is to unfold the do-rag in the hands of the user. Following this a simple ‘cup’ shape for the head cup (1) that can be made with the palms. The user can further cup the do-rag in the palms of his hands to make a head sized shape for the head cup (1) without bunching up the do-rag. The ties (2) are sewn or embedded into the base of the head cup (1) of the do-rag for an easy and snug fit and convenient pull to tighten and knot the ties (2). The ties (2) will hang over the palm of the hand(s).
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, once the user placed the head cup (1) of the do-rag over the head, the ties (2) will fit naturally in the back of the head, at the nape of the neck. The do-rag is to be positioned such that the head cup (1) covers at least half or a portion of the forehead of the user.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, once the head cup (1) of the do-rag is placed on the head of the user, the ties (2) can be pulled together, directly downward (3), to the direction of the nape of the neck, until the user feels the snug fit of the do-rag securely on the head. The tie (2) at the back is adjustable according to the head of the users. Until the user feels the do-rag securely on the head it is adjustable.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, once the fitting of the head cup (1) of the do-rag on the head is complete, the ties (2) can be tied with a simple knot (4), similar to the tying of a shoestring. If the tail hanging down is not preferred by the user, the tail can be tucked into the back part of the do-rag.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the do-rag can be removed from the head of the user by gently pulling the head cup (1) of the same. On doing so, the do-rag will slip on and off like a skull cap.
The present invention thus effectively and aesthetically protects both head and hair. Further prior products contain a seam, particularly in the front region of the do-rag, i.e. the portion that extends over the top of the forehead and down to the forehead, and this often leaves an impression or line in the hair once the do-rag is removed. Since a wearer usually applies the do-rag as tightly as possible on the head to draw the do-rag down on the hair to form and hold waves, there is an almost unavoidable formation of a line due to the seam in the do-rag. Again prior products when wrapped over the head, develop folds or wrinkles, which may leave a line or impression in the hair. A user will try to avoid this by pulling the do-rag down as tightly as he can over his head, in an effort to stretch the cloth to eliminate the wrinkles and folds. The present invention, due to its unique design and shape, has an easier fit on the head as well as easier tie and can slip on and off like a skull cap.
In this application, the terminology ‘embodiment’ can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and may be applied to the essential features herein before set forth.
Further it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing the above invention. However various changes may be made in the structure of the invention without departing from the concept of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the terminology of the above description and the legal equivalents thereof.
Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag comprising of a cap shape surface structure constituting the head cup (1) and ties (2) characterized in that said ties are sewn or embedded into the base of said head cup (1) of said do-rag.

2. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein said do-rag is unfolded by the user in his hands.

3. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein a ‘cup’ shape for said head cup (1) that can be made with the palms and said ties (2) will hang over the palm of the hand(s).

4. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein the user can further cup said do-rag in the palms of his hands to make a head sized shape for said head cup (1) without bunching up said do-rag.

5. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein said do-rag is to be positioned such that said head cup (1) covers at least half or a portion of the forehead of the user.

6. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ties (2) fit in the back of the head, at the nape of the neck

7. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ties (2) can be pulled together, directly downward (3), to the direction of the nape of the neck.

8. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ties (2) can be tightened and knotted (4) as per the convenience of the user.

9. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein if the tie (2) tail hanging down is not preferred by the user, said tie (2) tail can be tucked into said back part of said do-rag.

10. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein said do-rag can be removed from said head of said user by gently pulling said head cup (1) of said same. On doing so, said do-rag will slip on and off like a skull cap.

11. A novel and convenient headwear do-rag as claimed in claim 1 wherein said do-rag is a single piece of a flexible, slightly stretchable, material including but not limited to natural fibers such as cotton, and Lycra and cotton blend material.