WO2006021025A1

WO2006021025A1 - Headwear

Info

Publication number: WO2006021025A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/001234
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Hamilton Hall
Original assignee: Jason Hamilton Hall
Priority date: 2004-08-24
Filing date: 2005-08-24
Publication date: 2006-03-02

Abstract

An article of headwear (10) comprising a peak (12), one or more sheets of material (14) attached or attachable thereto, and a head engaging band (16), wherein the band (16) is arranged to pass through at least one portion of one of the sheets of material (14) so as to locate that portion of the sheet of material (14) with respect to both the band (16) and the wearer's head.

Description

"Headwear"

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to headwear. More particularly, the headwear of the present invention may be of any style incorporating one or more sheets of material or similar that form and/or hang from the headwear in some manner.

Background Art

A particular style of headwear incorporating a curved peak or visor, to the rear of which is attached a sheet of material, is presently known. Such headwear typically also comprises a headband used to secure the headwear to the head of a wearer. Headwear generally of this style is described, for example, in Patent Specifications US 2704366 and US 5048128. Australian Patent 684592 to the present Applicant describes similar headwear, additionally having a number of fastening means affixed at various positions on the sheet of material, principally about the edges thereof, to allow the sheet of material to be drawn to a variety of positions either in front of the wearer's neck and/or head and/or face, or behind the wearers head, and the material fastened together in a releasable manner.

The present Applicant believes that known headwear of this type may still be vulnerable to dislodging by way of wind, surf or other environmental factors, dependent upon the activity being undertaken by the wearer. Further, air circulation through the headwear may be improved whilst also increasing the positive nature of the seating of the headwear on the head of the wearer.

The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The term fastening means is to be understood to denote an item or thing which may be used to fasten, or which may contribute to the act of fastening, or which may function as a fastener. For example, a single tab of Velcro and a single button may each be considered a fastening means.

Disclosure of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an article of headwear comprising a peak, one or more sheets of material attached or attachable thereto, and a head engaging band, characterised in that the band is arranged to pass through at least one portion of one of the sheets of material so as to locate that portion of the sheet of material with respect to both the band and the wearer's head.

Preferably, the band is received through a pair of slots in the material at each side of the wearer's head, such that the band passes under a strip of material at each side of, and around the rear of the wearer's head so as to positively locate the headwear with respect thereto and simultaneously prevent substantially the dislodgement of the band. Still preferably, there are provided two pairs of slots and thereby two strips in the material at each side of the wearer's head.

In one form of the present invention, the sheet of material is provided, in part, with two side panels in which the strips are formed. Under each side panel is provided an underpanel formed of breathable material, whereby air flow through the slots of the or each sheet of material and through the breathable material to the wearer's head is facilitated.

The article of headwear may further comprise a chinstrap attached or attachable to an inner surface of the sheet or sheets of material. Preferably, the chinstrap is formed of two portions arranged to be releasably fastened together under a chin of the wearer.

The article of headwear may still further comprise at least one pocket provided on an inner surface of the sheet or sheets of material. Preferably, there are provided two pockets on the inner surface of the sheet or sheets of material, the pockets arranged so as to allow stowing of respective portions of the chinstrap therein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The headwear of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to two preferred embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an upper front perspective view of an article of headwear in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a upper rear perspective view of the headwear of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the headwear of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the headwear of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the headwear of Figure 1 , shown spread flat on a surface;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the headwear of Figure 1 , shown spread flat on a surface and showing the inside of the headwear;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of an article of headwear according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the headwear of Figure 7. - A - Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

In Figures 1 to 6 there is shown an article of headwear 10 comprising a peak or visor 12, a sheet of material 14 and an adjustable head engaging band 16.

The visor 12 is formed in a substantially crescent shape such that a rear edge thereof is formed in an arc to accept therein the forehead of a wearer (not shown) of the headwear 10. The head engaging band 16 extends across, and is sewn to, a rear edge of the visor 12. The band 12 extends beyond the visor 12 to provide two free ends 18 which form a releasable and adjustable join 20, best seen in Figure 2. The join 20 allows the continuity of the band 16 to be broken and reattached to adjust the length of the band 16 to suit the wearer. To facilitate the releasable and adjustable join 20, each end of the band 16 has provided thereon a single component, a single fastening means, of a hook and loop type fastener, for example Velcro™.

The sheet of material 14 is fixed to an upper surface of the visor 12, towards the rear edge thereof. Such fixing is by way of stitching, although this should not in any way be considered to limit the scope of the present invention. The length of material 14 is gathered or pleated across the visor 12 and in part covers the head engaging band 16 as it passes across the rear edge of the visor 12. An ornamental badge 22 is provided at or about the centre of the visor 12 to in part cover the stitching of the sheet of material 14 to the visor.

The sheet of material 14 hangs from the visor 12 and is generally provided with a lower most edge 24 and forward sides 26. As best seen in Figure 6, part of the sheet of material 14 incorporates downward hanging pockets 27a each with an upper opening 27b and lower opening 27c, formed by a piece of material sewn on the inside of the sheet of material.

A plurality of releasable fastening means 28, best seen in Figure 1 , are provided at various points on the sheet of material 14. The variable placement of the fastening means 28 allows a variety of arrangements of the sheet of material 14 to be adopted by the wearer. The variety of arrangements includes that shown in present Figures 1 to 4 in which the material 14 hangs at the sides of the wearer's face about the neck, and also a variety of arrangements in which the neck and/or face of the wearer are also protected/covered. The preferred placement of the releasable fastening means 28 and the manner of use of the sheet of material 14 as a result is disclosed in some detail in Australian Patent 684592, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by cross-reference.

The headwear 10 further comprises a chin strap 30. The chin strap 30 comprises two Y-shaped portions 32 depending from an inner surface of the sheet of material 14 at a point located substantially adjacent or about the temples of the wearer in use. The two upper arms of the Y-shaped portions 32 are arranged to sit either side of an ear of the wearer whilst the single lower leg of the Y-shaped member 32 has provided thereon a component of a hook and loop type fastener, for example Velcro™, such that the chin strap 30 may be fastened under the chin of the wearer in use, at a specific length that suits the wearer.

The pockets 27a referred to above are accessible from inside the headwear 10, and are arranged to receive the Y shaped portion 32 forming the chin strap 30 on each side when they are not fastened together. The lower extremities of the Y shaped portions 32 may protrude through the lower openings 27c.

The sheeting material 14 may be formed of any number of component sheets and the embodiment described comprises a pair of central sheets 34 that share a central seam 36 and extend rearwardly of the visor 12. A pair of side panels 38 are also provided and which join to a respective central panel 34 at a seam 40. The side panels 38 are largely semi-circular in shape and have a lower edge 42 at which they are joined to a depending side panel 44.

Each side panel 38 has a pair of slots 46 and a pair of slots 48 provided therein, as is best seen in Figures 1 , 2, 4 and 5. The slots 46 form a material strip 50 whereas the slots 48 form a material strip 52 in the side panels 38.

The head engaging band 16 passes under each material strip 50 and 52, through their respective slots 46 and 48 to the rear of the wearer's head and the adjustable join 20. This positive locating of the band 16 with respect to the side of the wearer's head serves to retain the relative positioning of the band 16 and acts to keep the headwear on the wearer's head in adverse conditions.

Additionally, an under panel 53 is provided beneath the side panels 38 and is formed of a material generally more breathable in character than that of which the material sheet 14 is formed, as is best seen in Figure 1 , 3, 5, 7 and 8. Airflow through these slots 46 and 48 is facilitated so that in use the wearer's head is cooled. A suitable material for the under panel is considered to be Micromesh™.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5, at the rear of the sheet of material 14 there is formed a pocket which is accessible via a zip fastener 54 which provides access from the outside of the headwear 10.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 and differs from the first embodiment in that the chinstrap 30 is not formed of two Y shaped portions but instead is formed of two generally linear straps 56 attached to the inner surface of the sheet of material 14 on opposite sides of the headwear, against points substantially adjacent or about the temples of the wearer when in use. This chinstrap 30 allows the sheeting material to be worn in a swept back manner when the chinstrap 30 is fastened behind the neck of the wearer as shown in Figure 8.

Additionally, the side panel 38 of the headwear of the second embodiment constitutes a single strip 58 with a forward slot 60 and a rear slot 62. This arrangement also provides the airflow and positive location features of the first embodiment.

As can be seen above, the headwear 10 of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in a variety of sporting and manual activities in which adverse conditions may be experienced, including water and snow sports, and other sports in which high wind conditions may be experienced, including fishing, wind surfing, kite-surfing and the like. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An article of headwear comprising a peak, one or more sheets of material attached or attachable thereto, and a head engaging band, characterised in that the band is arranged to pass through at least one portion of one of the sheets of material so as to locate that portion of the sheet of material with respect to both the band and the wearer's head.

2. An article of headwear according to claim 1 , wherein the band is received through a pair of slots in the material at each side of the wearer's head, such that the band passes under a strip of material at each side of, and around the rear of the wearer's head so as to positively locate the headwear with respect thereto and simultaneously prevent substantially the dislodgement of the band.

3. An article of headwear according to claim 2, wherein there are provided two pairs of slots and thereby two strips in the material at each side of the wearer's head.

4. An article of headwear according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sheet of material is provided, in part, with two side panels in which the strips are formed.

5. An article of headwear according to claim 2 or 3, wherein under each side panel is provided an underpanel formed of breathable material, whereby air flow through the slots of the or each sheet of material and through the breathable material is facilitated.

6. An article of headwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article of headwear further comprises a chinstrap attached or attachable to an inner surface of the sheet or sheets of material.

7. An article of headwear according to claim 6, wherein the chinstrap is formed of two portions arranged to be releasably fastened together under a chin of the wearer.

8. An article of headwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article of headwear further comprises at least one pocket provided on an inner surface of the sheet or sheets of material.

9. An article of headwear according to claim 8, wherein there are provided two pockets on the inner surface of the sheet or sheets of material, the pockets arranged so as to allow stowing of respective portions of the chinstrap therein.

10.An article of headwear substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, or 7 and 8.