US20140137312A1

US20140137312A1 - Removable Headwear Extension

Info

Publication number: US20140137312A1
Application number: US13/680,086
Authority: US
Inventors: Ross Thomas Charest; Joal Annette Charest
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-18
Filing date: 2012-11-18
Publication date: 2014-05-22

Abstract

An easily removable headwear extension that will attach to a wide variety of headwear utilizing the headwear's structural band. It is for multiple purposes including but not limited to, fashion design; protection from environmental elements (weather, insects, overspray); and/or advertising and promotional expression. The fabric will vary based on artistic and environmental requirements. The extension utilizes a unique attachment method that allows the headwear extension to slide over the any exposed structural band without any mating parts, destructive mounting or permanency.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Attaching various extensions to headwear is not a new idea. Examples can be shown from ancient times of headwear with additional extensions either permanently attached or with some level of removability. These have existed for either protection, adornment or both. The uniqueness of this Removable Headwear Extension is the method of attachment and the ability to solve the common problem of wind effect that exists with all other fabric material headwear extensions.
The present invention relates generally to the Removable Headwear Extension and more specifically it relates to a headwear extension that is not attached, but is hung on the exposed structural band of any headwear (sports cap, visor, fishing hat, etc.) by use of 3 uniquely designed and strategically located “clips”. The unique advantages are that the headwear extension “hangs” on the band, does not require any mating fastener or modification to the hat, and is quickly and easily mounted or removed. It has the added feature of the two forward clips having a “wind reduction” design that keeps the extension in place during mild wind conditions.
It can be appreciated that there are many types of headwear with extensions. Most extensions are either permanently attached or require attachment methods to both extension and headwear; or do not adequately keep the extension in place. In addition, some of the mounts are positioned such that the attachment method is partially or fully displayed on the exterior, changing its natural aesthetics.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing ultimate flexibility to the user. The main problem with conventional systems is they do not allow users to easily add and remove the extension to any headwear with an accessible band nor do they prevent the extension from underperforming due to wind effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of headwear extensions now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new non-permanent attachment that provides a unique solution to users who want to be able to use the extension only when desired, would enjoy the extension staying in place against the wind and the elimination of any unsightly attachment points.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new hat extension that has many of the advantages of the current headwear extensions and many novel features that result in a new headwear extension which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally is comprised of a fabric Main Body with uniquely designed hanging clips that are attached to the fabric in such a way as to make them work as one unit and allow mounting to almost any style headwear with an accessible structural band. The clips are designed such that there are two End Clips having a leading extended length leg that is designed to keep the extension in place against the wind; a Center Clip to be used as both a reference point to mount the extension symmetrically and an additional means to insure the extension stays in place; the clips are designed in a manner as to create a non-intrusive clamping force against the accessible band in addition to natural friction forces.
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.
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 arrangements 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. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a removable headwear extension that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
An object of the present invention is to provide a removable headwear extension that can be added to a wide variety of headwear for multiple purposes including but not limited to, fashion design, additional protection from weather and environmental obstacles, and advertising or promotional expression.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1. Removable Headwear Extension shown both mounted and in a plane view.

FIG. 2. Drawing of the Center Clip.

FIG. 3. Drawing of End Clip showing extended leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate a removable headwear extension, which comprises the Main Body (1), a Center Clip (2), and two End Clips (3). The Main Body (1) is made of fabric and can vary in shape depending on desired function and artistic design. The Center Clip (2) attaches on the center-line of the headwear extension and is for mounting to the direct back side of a headwear band. The End Clips (3) mount on each end and have a dual function; they are the forward mounts and with their extended leg (6) limit the effects of wind on the body of the extension.
The Main Body (1) is intended to allow a variety of unique designs that are intended to take advantage of the removable feature. The main body could have multiple uses, e.g. promotion, protection, or just for artistic fun.
The Center Clip (2) as shown in FIG. 2 consists of two side legs (4) that are for mounting to the Main Body and one center leg (5) for hanging over a headwear's accessible band as shown in FIG. 1. The Center Clip (2) as illustrated is attached to the main body as shown in FIG. 1. This attachment can be achieved by any common method of adherence: i.e. sewn or adhesive. The center leg (5) must be free to slide over the band of the mating headwear.
The End Clips (3) as shown in FIG. 3, consist of one short side leg (8), one center leg (7) and one long end leg (6). The center leg (7) is used in the same manner as on the Center Clip, to slide over the band of the mating headwear. The longer leg (6) is for adding stability to the vertical face of the headwear extension to resist wind effects. The attachment to the Main Body (1) can be achieved by any common method of adherence: i.e. sewn or adhesive.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include 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, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

What we claim as the embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is defined:

1. A Removable Headwear Extension consisting of the combination of a Center Clip with three parallel legs, two End Clips with three parallel legs, one of which is an extended length leg and the Main Body, wherein the clips three leg design work in tandem to create a secure, symmetrical, removable method of attachment to any headwear having an accessible band.

2. The Center Clip defined in claim 1, is a single piece with three parallel legs, the outer legs being used for securing the clip to the fabric Main Body.

3. The Center Clip defined in claim 1, is a single piece with three parallel legs, the outer legs being used to create one-half of the clamping force that secures the Headwear Extension to the corresponding headwear band.

4. The Center clip defined in claim 1, is a single piece with three parallel legs, the center leg being used as the opposing element to the outer legs to create the clamping force that secures the Headwear Extension to the corresponding headwear band.

5. The End Clips defined in claim 1, are single pieces with three parallel legs, the outer legs being used for securing the clip to the Main Body.

6. The End Clips defined in claim 1, are single pieces with three parallel legs, the outer legs being used to create one-half of the clamp that secures the Headwear Extension to the corresponding headwear band.

7. The End Clips defined in claim 1, are single pieces with three parallel legs, where one of the outer legs is extended to create a stiffening element for the Main Body to allow the Headwear Extension to stay in place against wind elements.