WO2011154688A1

WO2011154688A1 - A hat tether

Info

Publication number: WO2011154688A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/000848
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Christopher Bolger
Original assignee: Colin Christopher Bolger
Priority date: 2010-06-07
Filing date: 2011-06-03
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: GB201219708D0; GB2492307B; GB201009517D0; GB2492307A

Abstract

A hat tether (2) comprising a tether member (4), first connecting means (6) which is positioned at a first end (8) of the tether member (4) and which is for connecting to a hat (10), and second connecting means (12) which is positioned at a second end (14) of the tether member (4) and which is for connecting to an item of clothing (16) being worn by a person (18) wearing the hat (10).

Description

A HAT TETHER

This invention relates to a hat tether.

A hat will often become accidentally detached from a person s head. This may be due to breezy weather, a gust of wind, bending forward during some activity, or moving in an active way that dislodges the hat. The hat can be lost or soiled. The hat may even fall overboard into water if the person is sailing or conducting a similar activity. The loss or soiling of a hat can be very annoying to the person wearing the hat, especially if the hat is expensive or particularly prized. Also, the loss of the hat can cause inconvenience to the person wearing the hat if the person loses the hat at a time when they need it, for example to protect them from sun or rain.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hat tether comprising a tether member, first connecting means which is positioned at a first end of the tether member and which is for connecting to a hat, and second connecting means which is positioned at a second end of the tether member and which is for connecting to an item of clothing being worn by a person wearing the hat.

With a hat tether of the present invention, the accidental detaching of a hat from a person's head no longer becomes a problem. The hat tether stops the hat from falling completely away from the person and becoming lost or soiled.

Advantageously, the hat tether is one in which the tether member is a two-part tether member comprising a first tether portion, a second tether portion, and third connecting means which connects the first and second tether portions together, the third connecting means being such that it breaks apart when subjected to a pull which exceeds a predetermined force: The third connecting means is thus able to act as a safety device in the event that the hat should fall off and catch on some moving object. More specifically, if the hat should fall off and catch on a moving object, for example a piece of machinery or a passing vehicle, the person could have an accident by being pulled towards the moving object if the first connecting means remained connected to the hat, and the second connecting means remained connected to the item of clothing being worn by the person. The use of the two-part tether member with its third connecting means is able to prevent such an accident, with the third connecting means simply breaking apart in order to allow the person to be separated from the hat if this should be necessary.

Preferably, the third connecting means has a first connector part attached to an end of the first tether portion, and a second connector part attached to an adjacent end of the second tether portion, and the first and second connector parts being such that they push together to afford a connection, and pull apart when subjected to the pull which exceeds the predetermined force. The third connecting means may be one in which the first connector part has a male member which is a press fit in a socket in the second connector part, and in which the second connector part has a female member which is a press fit in a socket in the first connector part. Other types of third connector means may be employed.

If desired, the tether member may be a single continuous tether member. In this case however the hat tether will not have the above mentioned safety feature afforded by the two-part tether member and the third connecting means.

Preferably, the first connecting means is a clutch connecting means. Other types of first connecting means may be employed.

The clutch connecting means may comprise a first part having a disc and a pin extending away from the disc; and a second part having a clutch, an aperture in the clutch and for receiving the pin, and a release button for causing the clutch to release the pin: and the clutch connecting means being such that in use the first part is on the inside of the hat with the pin extending through the hat, and the second part is on the outside of the hat and has the pin in the aperture of the clutch.

Usually, the second connecting means will be the same as the first connecting means. Thus, the second connecting means may be a clutch connecting means.

If desired however the second connecting means may be different from the first connecting means. In this case, the connecting means may be a clip connecting means. The tether means is preferably a strip. The strip is preferably a flat strip. The strip may however be of a circular cross section, for example if the strip is in the form of a cord or other similar type of elongate member.

The strip is preferably a strip of material that is water resistant. This enables the hat tether to be used without becoming wet and uncomfortable to wear. The strip of material may also be washable so that it can be washed if it becomes dirty.

The hat tether may include an extra second connecting means. The extra second connecting means may be a button hole.

The tether member can be produced in various colours and designs. Thus the tether member can be such that it is designed to be discreet and not noticeable. Alternatively, the tether member may be designed such that it is attention catching.

The present invention also extends to a hat when provided with the tether member. The hat may be any suitable and appropriate hat so that, for example, the hat may be a baseball cap, a flat cap, a trilby hat, a fedora hat, a panama hat, or a straw hat.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a first hat tether in use on a hat, with the hat being shown in cross section;

Figure 2 shows the hat tether and hat of Figure 1 on a person in the form of an adult;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the hat tether shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows in more detail part of a tether member forming part of the hat tether shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows first connecting means forming part of the hat tether shown in Figure 1 , the first connecting means being shown in an open condition;

Figure 6 shows the first connecting means of Figure 5 but in a closed · condition;

Figure 7 shows the hat tether of Figure 3 in use on a second type of hat;

Figure 8 shows the hat tether of Figure 3 in use on a third type of hat; Figure 9 shows the hat tether of Figure 3 in use on a fourth type of hat; Figure 10 shows a second hat tether;

Figure 1 1 shows a third hat tether;

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a fourth hat tether in use on a hat, with the hat being on a person in the form of a child;

Figure 13 shows the hat tether from Figure 12 in more detail;

Figure 14 shows the first connecting means of the hat tether as shown in Figure 13, and illustrates the operation of the first connecting means;

Figure 15 is a cross section through the first connecting means as shown in Figure 14 and looking from left to right as shown in Figure14;

Figure 16 is a rear view of the connecting means as shown in Figure

14;

Figures 17 and 18 are viewed like Figure 14 and illustrate how the first connecting means operates to clamp the hat; and Figure 19 is a view of a fifth hat tether which is like the fourth hat tether shown in Figure 13 but which has a different second connecting means to the first connecting means.

Referring to Figures 1 - 6, there is shown a hat tether 2 comprising a tether member 4, first connecting means 6 which is positioned at a first end 8 of the tether member 4 and which is for connecting to a hat 10, and second connecting means 12 which is positioned at a second end 14 of the tether member 4 and which is for connecting to an item of clothing 16 being worn by a person 18 wearing the hat 10. The person 18 is an adult.

The tether member 4 is a two-part tether member 4 comprising a first tether portion 20, a second tether portion 22, and third connecting means 24 which connects the first and second tether portions 20, 22 together. The third connecting means 24 is such that it breaks apart when subjected to a pull which exceeds a predetermined force. The third connecting means 24 is thus able to act as a safety device. More specifically, if the hat 10 should fall off the head 26 of the person 18, there is a possibility that the hat 10 might catch on a moving object such for example as a passing vehicle or a machine in a factory. In this case, the moving object could pull the person 18 towards the moving machinery and thereby cause the person 18 to have an accident. This possibility is prevented by the third connecting means 24. The predetermined force may be any suitable and desired force, for example a 5lb breaking strain force.

The third connecting means 24 has a first connector part 28 attached to an end 30 of the first tether portion 20. The third connector means 24 also has a second connector part 32 attached to an adjacent end 34 of the second tether portion 22. The first and second connector parts 28, 32 are such that they push together to afford a connection, and pull apart if subjected to the pull which exceeds the predetermined force. More specifically, the first connector part 28 has a male member 36 which is press fit in a socket in the second connector part 32. The second connector part 32 has a female member 38 which is a press fit in a socket in the first connector part 28. The first and the second connector parts 28, 32 thus push together with the male and female members 36, 38 being a releasable friction fit in their sockets.

The first connecting means 6 is a clutch connecting means. The clutch connecting means comprises a first part 40 having a disc 42 and a pin 44 extending away from the disc 42. The clutch connecting means also has a second part 46 having a clutch 48, an aperture 50 in the clutch 48 and for receiving the pin 44, and a release button 52 for causing the clutch 48 to release the pin 44. The clutch connecting means is such that in use the first part 40 is on the inside 54 of the hat 10 with the pin 44 extending through the hat 10. The first end 8 of the tether member 4 is looped though a slot 55 formed in the disc 42, and is then connected to itself by any suitable and appropriate connection means 24 which may be stitching, an adhesive or a clip.

The second connecting means 12 is the same as the first connecting means 6. The second end 14 of the tether member 4 is looped through the slot 55 in its disc 42, and is then connected to itself by any suitable and appropriate connection. As shown in Figure 2, the second connecting means 12 connects to a collar 58 of the item of clothing 16, the item of clothing 16 being in the form of a tee shirt. The connection to clothing can be to any suitable item of clothing, or any position on the clothing and not just a collar as shown in Figure 2.

The tether member 4 is advantageously provided with a button hole 60 which enables the tether member 4 to be connected to a button on an item of clothing being worn by the person 18. Thus the button hole 60 may receive a button on a shirt being worn by the person 18. The button hole 60 is able to be an extra second connecting means to the connecting means 12.

Figure 7 shows the hat tether 2 on a hat 62. The hat 62 is of a different style to the hat 10. Similarly, Figure 8 shows the hat tether 2 on a hat 64 which is again of a different style. Also similarly, Figure 9 shows the hat tether 2 on a hat 66 which is again of a different style. The hat tether 2 may be used on any different type of hat including the trilby hat 10, the fedora hat 62, the baseball cap 64 and the flat cap 66. Figure 7, 8 and 9 show how the third connecting means 24 is positioned nearer the hat and its first connecting means 6 than to the second connecting means 12.

Figure 10 shows a second hat tether 68. Similar parts as in the hat tether 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The hat tether 68 has similar first and second connecting means 6, 12. These first and second connecting means 6, 12 are clutch connecting means but the clutch connecting means are of a different design to the clutch connecting means 6, 12 used in the tether member 4. More specifically, the first and second connecting means in the hat tether 68 are each such that the clutch 48 is of a different design. In the hat tether 68, the clutch 48 is a butterfly clutch member having wings 70.

Figure 11 shows a third hat tether 72. Similar parts as in the hat tethers 2 and 68 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The hat tether 72 is such that it has at its hat- engaging end, a first connecting means 6 which is the same as the first connecting means 6 shown in the hat tether 68 of Figure 10. At its other end, the hat tether 72 has second connecting means 12 in the form of a clip 74. , The clip 74 is a crocodile-type clip having a pivoting clip member 76.

Referring to Figures 12 - 18, there is shown a fourth hat tether 78 comprising a tether member 80, first connecting means 82 which is positioned at a first end 84 of the tether member 80 and which is for connecting to a hat 86, and second connectihg means 88 which is positioned at a second end 90 of the tether member 80 and which is for connecting to an item of clothing 92 being worn by a person 94 wearing the hat 86. The person 94 is a child.

The first connecting means 82 is of a type that is well suited for use by a small child. More specifically, small children often present different problems to adults or their older siblings. Care has to be taken to make sure that any device used by a small child is as safe as possible for them to use. Most children under the age of five generally wear woollen hats, baseball-type hats, berets, or hats of a type known as Beenie-type hats. Small children have a tendency to pull off their hats to the annoyance of their parents. Alternatively, small children often lose their hats or leave them where they have been dropped. Such loss of hats can prove expensive and inconvenient, especially in cold or wet weather.

The first connecting means 82 designed to solve the above problem, with the device not only being safe for use by small children, but also being comfortable and easily fitted. The first connecting means 82 uses no metal, springs, wires or detachable parts that can be removed while in use.

As shown in Figure 12, the first connecting means 82 is fitted to the hat 86 fitting along the rim 96 of the hat 86. The hat 86 may be the illustrated woollen-type hat, or it may alternatively be a beenie-type hat, a baseball-type cap, a beret, or similar item of head wear. The first connecting means 82 gives minimal protrusion below the rim 96 of the hat 86 when fitted, and this is so that the hat tether 78 does not prove uncomfortable on the neckline of the person 94.

As can best be appreciated from Figures 14 - 18, the first connecting means 82 has a slot 98. A swivel blade 100 and hat edge material 102 fit into the slot 98. The blade 100 and the hat edge material 102 are able to slide without obstruction to the bottom of the slot 98. This minimises the profile of the first connecting means 82 along the rim 98, thereby creating a desired smalt profile.

The first connecting means 82 operates on a wedge principle. The blade 100 is wedge-shaped and it is made of a plastics material. The blade 100 pivots at one end about a pivot 104. The wedge shape of the blade 100 is best appreciated from Figure 15. The blade 100 is rotated about the pivot 104 into the slot 98 using finger pressure. As can also best be appreciated from Figure 15, the slot 98 is also wedge-shaped.

As the blade 100 is rotated down into the slot 98, the blade 100 is forced laterally sideways against the inside face 106 of the back plate 108 of the first connecting means 82. The inside face 106 of the back plate 108 has a plurality of pimple-shaped protrusions 110 which grip the hat edge material 102 and thereby hold the hat 86 in place:

One end of the blade 100 is a small post 112 which is made of a plastics material. The post 1 12 is conical in shape. The post 112 locates in one of three notches 1 14 formed along an outer edge of a front plate 1 16. The post 1 12 gives extra grip to the blade 100, and prevents the blade 100 from rotating back out of the slot 98.

In order to release the hat 86 from the first connecting means 82, a parent or other carer of the person 94 in the form of the child presses on the end of the post 1 12. The post 112 then pushes back the blade 100 enough to release the post 1 12 from the notch 1 14. This then allows the blade 100 to be rotated in an anti-clockwise direction out of the slot 98, and thereby releases the hat 86.

The blade 100 has a gripping formation 1 18 which enables the blade 100 easily to be rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise as indicated by the arrow 120 in Figure 14. The back plate 108 has a cut-out 122 which provides access to an inner end 124 of the pivot 104 and which enables the end 124 to be formed and thus the pivot 104 located in position through the blade 100 and the front plate 116. The first connecting means 82 has a D-ring 126 to which the first end 84 of the tether member 80 is attached as shown. More specifically, the first end 84 is looped through the D-ring 126 and is then connected to itself by any suitable and appropriate connecting means 128 which may be stitching, an adhesive, or a clip. The tether member 80 may be, for example, 100 - 150mm in length.

The second connecting means 88 is of the same construction as the first connecting means 82. The tether member 80 is a two-part tether member 80 comprising a first tether portion 130, a second tether portion 132 and third connecting means 134 which connects the first and the second tether portions 130, 132 together. The third connecting means 134 is such that it breaks apart when subject to a pull which exceeds a predetermined force. The third connecting means 134 is thus able to act as a safety device, for example in the manner described above for the third connecting means 24. The third connecting means 134 may be constructed to be the same as the third connecting means 24, or it may be constructed to be different from the third connecting means 24.

Referring now to Figure 19, there is shown a fifth hat tether 136 which is like the hat tether 78. Similar parts as in the hat tether 78 have been given the same reference numerals or ease of comparison and understanding. The hat tether 136 has the first connecting means 82 but a different second connecting means 138. The second connecting means 138 is in the form of a crocodile-type clip having a pivoting clip member 140. The clip 138 may be the same as the clip 74 shown in Figure 11. Both of the clips 74, 138 are advantageously such that their jaws 142, 144 overlap as shown in Figure 19 and do not have teeth which provides another safety feature.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, different types of first connecting means 6 and second connecting means 12 may be employed. The tether member 4 may be a single continuous tether member rather than a tether member 4 having the first and second tether portions 20, 22. The tether member 4 may be a cord instead of the illustrated strip. The hat tether may be used with different types of hats to those shown. The person 18 is shown as a man but the person could equally well be a woman or an older child. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A hat tether comprising a tether member, first connecting means which is positioned at a first end of the tether member and which is for connecting to a hat, and second connecting means which is positioned at a second end of the tether member and which is for connecting to an item of clothing being worn by a person wearing the hat.

2. A hat tether according to claim 1 in which the tether member is a two- part tether member comprising a first tether portion, a second tether portion, and third connecting means which connects the first and second tether portions together, . the third connecting means being such that it breaks apart when subjected to a pull which exceeds a predetermined force.

3. A hat tether according to claim 2 in which the third connecting means has a first connector part attached to an end of the first tether portion, and a second connector part attached to an adjacent end of the second tether portion, and the first and second connector parts being such that they push together to afford a connecting and pull apart when subjected to the pull which exceeds the predetermined force.

4. A hat tether according to claim 3 in which the first connector part has a male member which is a press fit in a socket in the second connector part, and in which the second connector part has a female member which is a press fit in a socket in the first connector part.

5. A hat tether according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first connecting means is a clutch connecting means.

6. A hat tether according to claim 5 in which the clutch connecting means comprises a first part having a disc and a pin extending away from the disc; and a second part having a clutch, an aperture in the clutch and for receiving the pin, and a release button for causing the clutch to release the pin: and the clutch connecting means being such that in use the first part is on the inside of the hat with the pin extending through the hat, and the second part is on the outside of the hat and has the pin in the aperture of the clutch.

7. A hat tether according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second connecting means is the same as the first connecting means.

8. A hat tether according to any one of claims 1 - 6 in which the second connecting means is different from the first connecting means.

9. A hat tether according to claim 8 in which the second connecting means is a clip connecting means.

10. A hat tether according to any one of the preceding claims in which the tether member is a strip.

1 1. A hat tether according to claim 10 in which the strip is fiat strip.

12. A hat tether according to claim 10 or claim 1 1 in which the strip is a strip of material that is water resistant.

13. A hat tether according to any one of the preceding claim and including an extra second connecting means.

14. A hat tether according to claim 13 in which the extra second connecting means is a button hole.

15. A hat when provided with a hat tether according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. A hat according to claim 15 in which the hat is a baseball cap, a flat cap, a trilby hat, a fedora hat, a panama hat, or a straw hat.