US20160316841A1

US20160316841A1 - Headgear brim band

Info

Publication number: US20160316841A1
Application number: US15/136,537
Authority: US
Inventors: Steve MELNYK
Original assignee: Melnyk Enterprise Inc
Current assignee: Melnyk Enterprise Inc
Priority date: 2015-04-29
Filing date: 2016-04-22
Publication date: 2016-11-03
Also published as: CA2928477A1

Abstract

A headgear accessory encompasses and encases the edge of a brim typically found on headgear such as a baseball cap. The elastically pliable band slips over and engages the upper and lower surfaces of the brim of a hat, encompassing the forward edge of the brim, and extending longitudinally along the curvilinear length of the brim. A channel runs the longitudinal length of the band which includes an area void of material and is configured to accept and secure the edge of the brim. As the surfaces of the channel expand apart to accept the edge of the brim, the brand is elastically deformed creating a normal force between the band and the respective surfaces of the brim. The normal force combined with the applicable coefficient of friction and other mechanical/structural configurations results in a frictional force that secures the band to the brim of the headgear.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application relates to and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/154,414 filed Apr. 29, 2015 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate, in general, to a headgear brim band and more particularly to a band secured to a hat such as a baseball cap to reinforce and protect the brim.
2. Relevant Background
Baseball caps are a popular worldwide style of headgear. What once originated as a functional item for athletes has now evolved into a regular apparel item for individuals in all walks of life. Baseball caps are currently offered in categories ranging from those that are purely ornamental, or that bear information that is purely for entertainment purposes, or to express a message or sentiment, to those bearing information relating to team identification, logo or similar information relating to team affiliation, businesses, events, etc. And there remains several version of the baseball caps there are functionally adapted to protect the wearer from harmful exposure to the sun and provide relief to the wearer's eyes enhancing visibility.
The proliferation of baseball caps with athletic team identification affixed to the hat or incorporated into the design has led to the development of many different types of displays and manners of displaying those caps so as to accentuate the team or group logo/message conveyed by the hat. At the time of manufacture, most baseball caps are made with the collapsible crown and a bill which projects forwardly from the crown and normally through less than half the circumference of the crown. The bill is secured to the crown so that the bill generally has a gently curved, inverted, “U” shape as viewed in front elevation. From this shape, wearers may deviate, as by providing creases to define a more squared “U”, or by other commonly used reconfiguration techniques. However, the original, smoothly curved inverted U shape is that which is maintained by most wearers.
Cap brims or bills generally exhibit what is known as a “memory”. Memory is defined as the tendency of the bill to return to its preformed comparatively flat “U” shaped contour, i.e. the contour that existed upon manufacture. As one might expect, the brim edge is the primary point of contact for the hat. Accordingly, the brims of most caps are semi-rigid and in certain instances include stiffeners or piping to enhance their natural rigidity.
As the brims are the primary point of contact for most users, the brims are subjected to substantial wear and tear. Upon repeated use the memory or shape of the bill tends to fade and the bill loses its rigidity. Similarly, the cloth embossing the bill, especially at the edge, becomes frayed. While the hat remains functional it degradation renders it to many, unappealing.
Baseball caps often reflect the wear's favorite team, or evoke a saying representative of the wear's personality. Typically, the logo or writing displayed on the cap is embroidered or stitched on the crown of the hat directly above the bill. This area is essentially perpendicular to the bill, forward facing and easily viewed by others. The graphics however are normally permanent and are rarely personalized or customized.
The prior art lacks a device or accessory that can not only protect the shape and condition of the bill/brim but also provide a means by which to interchangeably personalize the cap and enable a user to express a personal message or group affiliation. Moreover, the prior art fails to provide a means by which to easily customize a hat that is easily removed and exchanged for a different type of customization or to carry the same customization to a different hat. These and other improvements of the prior art are addressed and resolved by the present invention. Additional advantages and novel features of this invention shall be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following specification or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, combinations, compositions, and methods particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An elastically deformable band (headgear accessory) is configured to accept and encompass the forward edge of the brim of what is commonly referred to as a baseball cap. Headgear, including baseball caps, includes a portion typically denoted as a crown that circomposes head of the wearer. A bill, or brim, projecting way from the crown for less than the entire circumference includes a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge that is interposed between the two surfaces. The edge is comprised of a two side portions that blend together with a front portion.
The band which encompasses the edge of the bill includes a first portion that is in continuous and contact with the top surface of the bill and a second portion that is in continuous and contact with the bottom portion of the bill. Both the first portion and the second portion include one or more gripping surfaces that engage the top and bottom surfaces respectively to secure the band to the bill.
Other features of the present invention include a channel that extends along the curvilinear length of the band wherein the channel includes an opening or gap void of material. The opening of this channel is elastically deformable to encompass the edge of the bill. In response to the band encompassing the edge of the bill and the surfaces of the channel are separated. The movement of the interior uppers surface and the interior lower surface of the channel elastically deforms the band. This elastic deformation produces a force driving the respect sides of the channel back to their original position. When the interior surfaces of the channel are held apart from their natural or static position by the edge of the brim, a normal force is exerted by the surfaces of the band on to the respective top and bottom surface of the brim of the hat. This normal force combined with the coefficient of friction between the surface of the brim and that of the barn generates a friction force resistive to motion.
According to another embodiment of the present invention the band is resistant to deformation along a cross-sectional axis. The cross-sectional axis is orthogonal to the curvilinear length or longitudinal axis of the band. In another embodiment of the present invention the gripping surfaces on the interior upper surface and/or the interior lower surface of the band include angular portions that engage the respective surface of the bill.
The accessory of the present invention in another embodiment is a monolithic component of extruded polymer. In other embodiments the band is a monolithic component of cast or injected plastic. The band is ideally composed of flexible yet elastic material including substances such as polystyrene (HIPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). And in yet another embodiment contact between the band and the brim is retained on the side portions of the brim using retaining clips.
The features and advantages described in this disclosure and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter; reference to the claims is necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood, by reference to the following description of one or more embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show two embodiments, respectively of, a baseball type of headgear as known in the prior art;

FIGS. 2A-2C shows a front and side view of one embodiment of baseball type of headgear as known in the prior art with a detailed showing of a cutaway portion of the edge of the front bill of the headgear;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective elevation view of a headgear accessory in relation to a baseball type of headgear according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a top and end view of a headgear accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a detailed end view of one embodiment of the headgear accessory of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a detailed end view of another embodiment of the headgear accessory of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an end perspective view of one embodiment of the headgear accessory of the present invention in relation to the bill of a baseball type headgear;

FIG. 8 is an end perspective view of another embodiment of the headgear accessory of the present invention in relation to the bill of a baseball type headgear showing deformation of the accessory as it is contact with the surface of the bill of the headgear;

FIGS. 9A-9C show side views of additional embodiments of an accessory for a headgear according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A-10C show side views of additional embodiments of an accessory for a headgear according to the present invention.

The Figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A headgear accessory or band encompassing and encasing the edge of a brim typically found on headgear such as a baseball cap is presented by way of example. The elastically pliable band slips over and is contiguous with the upper and lower surfaces of the brim of a hat, encompassing the forward edge of the brim, and extending longitudinally along the curvilinear length of the brim. The band includes, in one embodiment, a channel that runs the longitudinal length of the band which includes an area void of material and is configured to accept the edge of the brim. The channel, which defines a gap as being the distance between two opposing surfaces, is dimensioned to be less than the minimal width of the edge of the brim. As the surfaces of the channel expand apart to accept the edge of the brim, the brand is elastically deformed creating a normal force between the band and the respective surfaces of the brim. The normal force combined with the applicable coefficient of friction and other mechanical/structural configurations results in a frictional force that secures the band to the brim of the headgear.
Additional advantages and novel features of this invention shall be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following specification or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, combinations, compositions, and methods particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the sizes of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
It will be also understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, “mounted” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on,” “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
Spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of a device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of “over” and “under”. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “vertical,” “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
For the purposes of the present invention a headgear (hat) is comprised of a crown portion and a brim (also referred to herein as a bill). The crown circumscribes and rests upon the head of a wearer. The brim extends substantially perpendicular from the crown over a portion, but less than the entirety, of the circumscribed area. The brim is substantially semicircular or “U” shaped with the curvilinear portion facing outward away from the crown. While some versions of headgear provide substantially planar or a flat brim many possess a slight curvature to accentuate their ability to shield the eyes or face of the wearer.
FIGS. 1A and 1B show two exemplary headgear of the baseball cap type variety as would be known in the prior art to one of reasonable skill. In each case, the crown 100 circumscribes the head of the wearer with a “U” shaped brim 120 extending outward from a portion of the circumscribed area. The brim, in this depiction, includes a first side portion 130 extending from the crown that thereafter curves and blends with a front portion 140 that is substantially parallel with the are scribed by the crown. The brim continues to curve back toward the crown where it blends into second side portion 150 and rejoins the crown.
FIGS. 2A-B show a side and front view of a flat brimmed headgear as would be known in the prior art. FIG. 2C includes a detailed view of the brim edge. As the brim 120 extends away from the crown 100 the edge 230 of the brim is typically larger in width than the remainder or planar surface width 220 of the brim.
Hat brims today are generally covered with a cloth material, similar to the material used to make the crown portion of the baseball hat, for aesthetic appeal. In addition, on the top and or bottom of the brim surface, the brim can have various configurations or designs of threaded stitching. Generally, this cloth material is slightly thinner on the outer edge of the brim facing forward. Because of the relative “thinness” of the material in this area, the brim material can fray or tater when subjected to repeated wear and tear, sunlight, moisture and a host of other environmental conditions. The tattered and frayed appearance can reduce the look or aesthetic appeal of the baseball hat. In many cases a piping or similar material inserted within the brim to aid in the brim's ability to maintain its shape. This added material results in the edge or the brim being slightly larger 230 (thicker) than the remaining surface width 220 of the brim.
FIG. 3 presents a front elevated view of one embodiment of a headgear accessory according to the present invention. As shown the headgear accessory or band 310 slips over and encompasses the edge portion 320 of the brim 120 of the hat. For clarity the edge portion 320 of the brim 120 includes a first side edge portion, a front edge portion and a second side edge portion. The band, in this embodiment, covers substantially all of the outward facing edge of the brim. In other embodiment the band may cover only a portion the edge of the brim and be position on or more side edges of the brim or be positioned on the forward or front facing edge. The band, as shown and described in later drawings, includes an internal geometry which expands to accept the edge of the brim and, once in contact with the brim, exerts a force upon the brim to be temporarily retained on the brim.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a top and rear view of the headgear accessory of the present invention. In the present depiction the band 310 is “U” shaped so as to conform with, and be accepted by, a “U” shaped brim. The band includes an area void of material (as shown in detail in subsequent drawings) that runs the length of the band, also referred to as the longitudinal or curvilinear axis of the band. The band, in this embodiment, possesses a substantially rectangular cross-section with a planar face oriented out ward away from the crown of the hat. The band is comprised of a flexible elastic material that will retain its shape when deformed but nonetheless be resistive to deformation so as to generate frictional forces between the band and the surface of the brim.
According to one embodiment of the present invention the band is a monolithic piece of extruded plastic. The extruded plastic can include polystyrene (HIPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Other materials contemplated for use with the present invention include acrylics, ethylene-vinyl acetate, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers, thermal plastic vulcanite, styrene, nylon, thermo plastic olefin, santoprene and santoprene with a foaming agent. Extrusion is a process used to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile. A material is pushed through a die (a certain manufacturing tool) of the desired cross-section. The two main advantages of this process over other manufacturing processes are its ability to create very complex cross-sections because the material only encounters compressive and shear stresses.
Extrusion may be continuous (theoretically producing indefinitely long material) or semi-continuous (producing many pieces). In addition, the extrusion process can be done with the material hot or cold. The products of extrusion are generally called “extrudates”. Hollow cavities within extruded material cannot be produced using a simple flat extrusion die, because there would be no way to support the center barrier of the die. Instead, the die assumes the shape of a block with depth, beginning first with a shape profile that supports the center section. The die shape then internally changes along its length into the final shape, with the suspended center pieces supported from the back of the die. The material flows around the supports and fuses together to create the desired closed shape.
In another embodiment the bands of the present invention are formed using injection molding. Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting material into a mold. Injection molding can be performed with a host of materials, and most commonly thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Material for the part is fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mold cavity, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity. After a product is designed, usually by an industrial designer or an engineer, molds are made by a toolmaker from metal, usually either steel or aluminum, and precision-machined to form the features of the desired part. Traditional plastic molds or insert molds can also be used to manufacture the band and use of each of these and other manufacturing methodologies is contemplated by the present invention.
FIGS. 5 and 6 present cross sectional views of alternative embodiments of a headgear accessory according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a substantially rectangular cross section 310 that includes a central area 550 void of material. While the description that follows is directed to a substantially rectangular cross-section, other cross-sectional shapes are equally applicable and indeed contemplated by this disclosure. Turning back to FIG. 5, the area 550 which is void of material runs the entirety of the longitudinal (in and out of the paper) length of the band. A flat or planar face 540 is oriented away from the crown of the hat/brim and, as described subsequently, is a suitable region for the display of text or other visual messaging. For example, messages, logos or team affiliations can be printed or stamped on this planar face 550. Opposite the planar face is a gap or area 510 formed between an interior upper surface 520 and an interior lower surface 530. The combination of the interior upper surface 520, the interior lower surface 530 and the area void of material 550 create a modified channel which is configured to accept the edge of the brim of a hat.
Similarly, FIG. 6 presents another embodiment of the present invention having a substantially planar face 640 opposite a gap 510 that is between an interior upper surface 620 and an interior lower surface 630. Significantly, the configuration of the interior upper surface 620 and the interior lower surface 630 is modified to enhance its ability to make contact with and grip the surface of the brim. Recall that in many instances the surface of the brim includes stitching which is raised on the surface and be utilized to secure the band. In this example a saw tooth or one or more angular or gripping surfaces are used to maximize surface contact between the surface of the brim and that of the band and to establish a mechanical link with the brim.
FIG. 7 presents a cutaway view of the accessory for a headgear engaged with a brim of a hat according to one embodiment of the present invention. The accessory 310 includes an area void of material 550 and an interior upper surface 520 and an interior lower surface 530. The brim 120 extends through and occupies the gap 510 (not shown) such that the larger or expanded section of the edge of the brim 230 rests within the area void of material 550. To accommodate the brim 120 and the expanded section the gap 510 is elastically deformed. Once the expanded section passes through the gap 510 the elastically deformed portion of the accessory will seek its original form. In doing so the interior upper surface 520 of the accessory 310 will come into contact with the top surface 725 of the brim and, concurrently, the interior lower surface 530 of the accessory 310 will come into contact with the bottom surface 735 of the brim. The elastic property of the accessory will drive the material to resume its original shape. With the brim present in the gap and preventing the band to return to its inherent shape, a force 710 will be exerted upon the surfaces of the brim 725, 735 by the interior upper surface 520 and interior lower surface 530 of the accessory 310, respectively.
The force 720, 730 is a normal force or a force perpendicular to the surface interface. In mechanics, the normal force is the component, perpendicular to the surface (surface being a plane) of contact, and the contact force exerted on an object by, for example, the surface of a floor or wall, preventing the object from falling. Here “normal” refers to the geometry terminology for being perpendicular, as opposed the common language use of “normal” meaning common or expected. For example, consider an object resting on the ground, in which case the ground reaction force (gravity or weight) is the normal force. Thus in this case the normal force is the net force compressing two parallel surfaces together; and its direction is perpendicular to the surfaces. In the simple case of a mass resting on a horizontal surface, the only component of the normal force is the force due to gravity. In the present invention this normal force, (the compressive force) is due to the squeezing of the band on the brim of the hat.
Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each other. There are several types of friction: Dry friction, as is applicable here, resists relative lateral motion of two solid surfaces in contact. Friction is not itself a fundamental force. Dry friction arises from a combination of inter-surface adhesion, surface roughness, surface deformation, and surface contamination. The complexity of these interactions makes the calculation of friction from first principles impractical and necessitates the use of empirical methods for analysis and the development of theory.
The magnitude of a frictional force is the product of the mass of the object, the normal force and the coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction is not a function of mass or volume; it depends only on the material. For instance, a large aluminum block has the same coefficient of friction as a small aluminum block. However, the magnitude of the friction force itself depends on the normal force, and hence on the mass of the block. Thus a large block of aluminum will experience more frictional forces. Similarly, two blocks of identical mass but of different material will experience different frictional forces. Compare the ease of movement of two equal weight blocks; one of ice and one of aluminum.
Therefore, and according to one embodiment of the present invention, the ability of the headgear accessory to remain on the brim of the hat is, in part, friction developed by a force asserted by the accessory on the brim. As previously discussed the channel along the longitudinal length of the accessory is elastically deformed to allow the edge of the brim to be inserted into the channel/void. A temporary shape change that is self-reversing after the force is removed, so that the object returns to its original shape, is called elastic deformation. In other words, elastic deformation is a change in shape of a material at low stress that is recoverable after the stress is remove.
The accessory of the present invention temporarily (elastically) changes it shape to enable the gap to accept the edge of the brim. The accessory thereafter wants to return to its original shape. Said differently the shape has a memory. However, the interior upper surface 520 and interior lower surface 530 of the accessory are prevented from achieving their original shape by the presence of the brim and thus impart a certain force 720, 730 against the respective surface of the brim 725, 735. Moreover, since the brim also includes an expanded section 230 that is encompassed by the area void of material 550 a mechanical impediment to movement of the brim with respect to the accessory is present.
Dry friction refers to the force resisting movement between two flat surfaces in contact. A mechanical impediment to movement would be a hook, ledge or some other blockage that is based on a structural design or interaction. For example, two pieces of wood with have a certain degree of friction that would prevent movement of one relative to another. A nail driven through both would provide a mechanical barrier to movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nail.
As discussed, friction presents a force resistant to movement perpendicular to the normal force. Once the frictional force is overcome movement occurs. In the instance of the present invention, an increasingly larger force is necessary to remove the accessory from the brim. As the accessory 310 is pulled away from the brim 120 the expanded portion of the brim 230 results in a larger elastic deformation of the accessory. The increased deformation of the accessory is similar to a spring. As deformation increases so does the force exerted against the brim of the hat and thus friction increases.
The present invention incorporates both frictional and mechanical means by which to secure the accessory to the brim of the hat. These forces are routed in the internal geometry of the accessory and the material selection. The expanded portion of the brim 230 also acts as a mechanical hook or ledge that must be overcome for the band to be removed from the brim.
FIG. 8 presents a second rendition of the accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention encompassing the edge of the brim of a headgear. In this instance the interior upper surface 520 and the interior lower surface 530 are rotated outward reducing the surface area contact between the band and the brim. Frictional forces however are generally independent of the contact area. But as the normal force is increased as the accessory is spread apart and the accessory's deformation increases the contact area to keep the pressure the same, thus the frictional force deterring motion would increase.
FIGS. 9A-C and FIGS. 10A and 10B each present additional geometric embodiments of the headgear accessory according to the present invention. As one of reasonable skill in the relevant art will appreciate other geometrical configurations consistent with the present disclosure are possible and are indeed contemplated. The right most embodiment of FIG. 9 presents a symmetrical internal 920 structure in a substantially rectangular cross sectional shape. The left most rendering 910 shows a square internal structure that is offset that mimics the expanded portion of the edge of the brim while the lower embodiment 930 shows a rectangular internal structure that is offset. The embodiments of FIG. 10 present a symmetrical circular configuration 1010 while the right most embodiment 1020 of FIG. 10 shows that the area void of material within the center of the accessory and includes a second circular region laterally offset.
In another embodiment of the present invention additional side clips are placed over the band and onto the brim to enhance the normal force at the point at which the band/brim rejoins the crown of the hat. The edge of the band is subject to additional forces which diminish or may overcome the frictional forces holding the band onto the brim. By placing a clip over the band/brim combination at the edges the normal forces are augmented so to increase the frictional forces holding the band in place.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes adding text or similar designs and logos to the front planar face of the band. The removable nature of the band enables the customize text to be placed on a plurality of hats with minimal effort. Moreover, the band can be used to customize or personalize a plurality of otherwise indistinguishable hats.
Presented herein a headgear (hat) accessory that engages the brim of a hat to provide protection and added rigidity to the hat but also enables users to customize their hat according to their personality or affiliation to/with a particular group. While there have been described above the principles of the present invention in conjunction with a removable accessory for a headgear, it is to be clearly understood that the foregoing description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention. Particularly, it is recognized that the teachings of the foregoing disclosure will suggest other modifications to those persons skilled in the relevant art. Such modifications may involve other features that are already known per se and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure herein also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization or modification thereof which would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, whether or not such relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as confronted by the present invention. The Applicant hereby reserves the right to formulate new claims to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

1. A headgear accessory wherein the headgear is to be worn on a head of a wearer and wherein the headgear includes a crown with a circumference covering a portion of the head and a bill projecting away from the crown and extending from less than fully around the circumference of the crown and wherein the bill includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge, contiguous with the top surface and the bottom surface, that includes a front edge portion that blends into a first side portion and a second side portion, the headgear accessory comprising:

a band encompassing the edge of the bill wherein the band includes a curvilinear length that substantially matches an edge length of the edge starting from the first side portion continuing through the front edge portion and ending with the second side portion, and

wherein the band includes a first portion extending along the curvilinear length that is in continuous contact with the top surface of the bill and a second portion extending along the curvilinear length that is in continuous contact with the bottom surface of the bill, and

wherein the first portion includes one or more upper gripping surfaces along the curvilinear length that engage the top surface of the bill, and

wherein the second portion includes one or more lower gripping surfaces along the curvilinear length that engage the bottom surface of the bill.

2. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the band includes a channel extending along the curvilinear length and wherein the channel has an opening void of material.

3. The headgear accessory of claim 2, wherein the opening of the channel is elastically deformable to encompass the edge of the bill.

4. The headgear accessory of claim 3, wherein the channel, responsive to encompassing the edge of the bill, exerts a first normal force against the top surface of the bill and a second normal force against the bottom surface of the bill.

5. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the band in pliable along the curvilinear length and conforms to the shape of the bill.

6. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the band is resistant to deformation along a cross-sectional axis.

7. The headgear accessory of claim 6, wherein the cross-sectional axis is orthogonal to the curvilinear length.

8. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the upper gripping surface includes one or more angular portions that engage the top surface of the bill.

9. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the lower gripping surface includes one or more angular portions that engage the bottom surface of the bill.

10. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the band is a monolithic component of an extruded polymer.

11. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the band is an extruded plastic.

12. The headgear accessory of claim 11, wherein the extruded plastic is selected from a group consisting of polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

13. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the band is secured to the first side portion of the bill by a first retaining clip and the bill is secured to the second side portion of the bill by a second retaining clip.

14. The headgear accessory of claim 1, wherein the band includes a substantially planar surface oriented perpendicular to the top surface of the bill and extending along the length of the band.

15. A headgear accessory, comprising:

a flexible and substantially rectangular band having a first end, a second end and curvilinear length wherein the band includes

a channel extending from the first end to the second end throughout the curvilinear length,

an interior upper surface of the channel and an interior lower surface of the channel forming

a gap between the interior upper surface and the interior lower surface wherein the gap is void of material, and

wherein the band is elastically deformable to accept an edge of a bill of a headgear within the gap and responsive to the edge of the bill of the headgear being encompassed by the channel of the rectangular band, the interior upper surface of the channel is in contact with the top of the bill and the interior lower surface is in contact with the bottom of the bill.

16. The headgear accessory of claim 15, wherein the rectangular band is pliable and adapts to a curvilinear shape of the edge of the bill of the headgear.

17. The headgear accessory of claim 15, wherein a frictional force caused by elastic deformation of the rectangular band upon its interaction with the edge of the bill of the headgear secures the band to the edge of the headgear.

18. The headgear accessory of claim 15, wherein the band is formed from an extruded plastic selected from a group consisting of polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

19. The headgear accessory of claim 15, wherein in a non-deformed condition, the interior upper surface and the interior lower surface are divergently angled away from each other as they approach a base of the channel.

20. The headgear accessory of claim 19, wherein responsive to the edge of the bill of the headgear being encompassed within the channel, the interior upper surface and the interior lower surface are substantially parallel.

21. The headgear accessory of claim 15, wherein the body includes a planar surface opposite the gap of the channel and, responsive to the edge of the bill being encompassed by the channel the planar surface is substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the bill of the headgear.

22. The headgear accessory of claim 15, wherein the planar surface includes a text region suitable for the display of text.