A CONVERTIBLE HAT

Abstract: A convertible hat including a crown and a brim that can be converted between a conventional hat to a skullcap type configuration, such as a swimming cap. The brim is hingedly connected to the lower peripheral edge of the crown and protruding outwardly from the crown in an operative shading condition. The brim is retractable from the operative condition such that the brim substantially conforms to at least a portion of the outer surface of the crown.

Description: A CONVERTIBLE HAT This invention relates to a convertible hat. This invention has particular, but not exclusive application, to a brimmed hat that converts into a skullcap type configuration, such as a swimming cap and, for illustrative purposes, reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as a hat which can be folded to a convenient size for storage and portability. People are becoming better educated about the dangers of the sun and it's association with skin cancer. One method of protection from the sun is to wear a hat. However, wearing a hat conventionally has been difficult for persons who swim or participate in other sports. We have found a hat that may be converted between a conventional hat to a skullcap type configuration, such as a swimming cap. Accordingly, this invention in one aspect resides in a convertible hat including: a crown, and a brim, wherein the brim is hingedly connected to the lower peripheral edge of the crown and wherein the brim protrudes outwardly from the crown in an operative condition and wherein the brim is retractable from the operative condition such that the brim substantially conforms to at least a portion of the outer surface of the crown. The crown may be any suitable shape for covering the head of a wearer. For example, the crown may be generally dome-shaped and be close fitting to the head of a wearer. The crown may have a generally circular lower peripheral edge for defining the opening to receive the head of a wearer. The brim may extend radially around substantially the entire lower peripheral edge of the crown and may shade the wearer when worn with the brim protruding outwardly in an operative condition. The brim is hingedly connected to the crown to enable the brim to retract. The hinged connection may provide a pivot point or may simply enable the brim to be retracted such that it substantially conforms to a least a portion of the outer surface of the crown. The brim may be retractable from the operative condition by any suitable retracting mechanism that upwardly draws or lifts the brim. For example, an elasticised band may be associated with at least the outer edge of the brim and the brim may be held in the operative condition against the influence of the elastic band. The elastic may tension the brim when the brim is in an operative condition. The wearer may be able to bias the tensioned brim to a inoperative or raised position by flexing the brim upwards, wherein the brim retracts on the hinged connection to a position substantially conforming to the crown. Alternatively, the brim may incorporate outwardly extending stiffeners spaced around the brim and extending between the lower peripheral edge of the crown and the outer edge of the brim. The hinged connection between the lower peripheral edge of the crown and the stiffeners may be an overcentre type hinge, which maintains the brim outstretched in a shaded attitude when the outer edge of the brim is below the centre edge of the hinge. The elastic band may retract the outer edge of the brim when the brim is raised up over the centre position of the hinge In another embodiment, one or more drawstrings may be associated with the outer peripheral edge of the brim. The brim may be a soft brim, wherein substantially the entire outer peripheral portion of the brim may be gathered by the drawstring. Alternatively, the brim may be stiffened with spaced apart ribs to permit a portion of the brim between the ribs to be gathered. The portion of the brim which is gathered enables the brim to be retracted to a position overlying and conforming to at least a portion of the outer surface of the crown. The hat may be converted to a skullcap type configuration by gathering the outer edge of the brim to a smaller dimension than the lower peripheral edge of the crown. The outer edge of the stiffeners may include a locator for locating the drawstring/s around the outer edge of the brim. For example, the locator may be a fork-like or channel-like member having two opposing sides, wherein the drawstring/s is located therebetween. Alternatively, the locator may be an eye or conduit wherein the drawstring/s is threaded therethrough. The stiffeners and lower peripheral edge of the crown may form a skeleton for a hat in accordance with the invention. The skeleton may be constructed from any suitable material that may be flexible, but substantially firm. For example, the skeleton may be made from plastics materials, such as PVC or other polymers. The skeleton may be covered in a lightweight material or fabric forming the brim and crown. Suitably, the material or fabric is flexible, UV reflective and not adversely affected by immersion in fresh, chlorinated or salt water. The material may also be quick drying. A wearer may pull the drawstring/s to gather at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the brim. As the brim gathers the stiffeners may retract on the hinged connection and the portion of the brim between the stiffeners gathers and/or folds until the gathered brim conforms to at least a portion of the outer surface of the crown forming a skullcap type configuration. Hats in accordance with the invention may provide protection against the elements, even while swimming. In another aspect this invention resides in a convertible hat including: crown and a brim connected to a lower peripheral edge of the crown; gathering means for gathering the outer edge of the brim above the lower peripheral edge of the crown. In another aspect this invention resides in a brimmed hat including: a crown and a brim connected to a lower peripheral edge of the crown; a pair of drawstrings which may be retracted from a respective side or from respective sides of the brim to provide a chinstrap. The hat may be a hat as defined above. In a further aspect this invention resides about a retractor for retracting the outer edge of the brim above the lower peripheral edge of the crown. In a still further aspect this invention resides in a convertible hat including: a crown and a brim connected to a lower peripheral edge of the crown, said brim having a plurality of stiffeners outwardly extending between the lower peripheral edge of the crown and the outer edge of the brim, wherein said stiffeners are hingedly connected to said lower peripheral edge; and at least one drawstring associated with the outer edge of the brim. In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of person wearing a hat in an operative condition in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates the skeleton of the hat; FIG. 3 illustrates the drawstring mechanism of the hat; FIG. 4 illustrates the hat with the skeleton shown in hidden detail; FIG. 5 is a top view of the hat with skeleton shown in hidden detail; FIG. 6 is a front view of the hat with skeleton shown in hidden detail; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a rib connected to the head band; FIG. 8 is an underside view of a wide rib; FIG. 9 illustrates a user converting the hat into a skull or swimming cap, FIG. 10 illustrates a user wearing the hat as a skull or swimming cap. FIG. 11 illustrates the skeleton of an alternative form of the hat in accordance with the invention; FIG. 12 illustrates the drawstring mechanism of the alternative form of the hat; FIG. 13 illustrates the alternative form of the hat with the skeleton shown in hidden detail; FIG. 14 is a top view of the alternative form of the hat with the skeleton shown in hidden detail; FIG. 15 is a front view of the alternative form of the hat with the skeleton shown in hidden detail; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a rib connected to the headband of the alternative form of the hat; FIG. 17 is an underside view of a guiding rib from the alternative form of the hat; FIG. 18 illustrates a user converting the alternative form of the hat into a skull or swimming cap, and FIG. 19 illustrates a user wearing the alternative form of the hat as a skull or swimming cap. EXAMPLE 1 FIG. 1 illustrates a hat 10 shading a wearer in an operative condition. The hat includes a crown 1 1 and a brim 12 connected to and protruding outwardly from the lower peripheral edge of the crown 13. The crown 11 has a generally circular lower peripheral edge 13 for receiving the head of a wearer. The upper portion of the crown 11 is generally dome shaped and fits closely the wearer's head. The brim 12 extends radially around the entire lower periphery of the crown 13. The hat 10 is constructed from a skeleton 14, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The skeleton 14 includes a head band 15, the lower edge of the head band forming the lower peripheral edge of the crown 13, and a plurality of stiffeners or ribs 16 which extend outwardly between the lower peripheral edge of the crown 13 to the outer edge of the brim 12. The ribs 16 are hingedly connected 17 to the lower edge peripheral of the crown 13. This enables the ribs 16 to move from an outstretched condition when the brim 11 is in a operative condition, to an inoperative condition or raised position, wherein the ribs 16 are overlying an upper portion of the crown 11 , substantially conforming to the outer surface of the crown 11. The outer peripheral edge of the ribs 16 includes a locator 18 for locating one or more drawstrings 19 around the outer edge of the brim 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The locator 18, as best shown in FIG. 7, is a fork-like like or channel-like member having opposing sides. In alternative embodiments, the locator 18 may be an eye or conduit through which the drawstring/s 19 is threaded. The ribs 16 may be different sizes to enable the retracted brim 12 to substantially overlie and conform to the outer surface the crown 1 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the skeleton 14 includes two wide ribs 20 and two or more narrow ribs 21 relatively evenly spaced between the wide ribs 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the underside of least one of the wide ribs 20 includes two conduits 22, being an extension of the locator 18. The drawstring 19 is threaded from the locator 18 to the inner portion of the brim 12 adjacent the lower peripheral edge of the crown 13. The wide ribs 20 are each positioned on the brim 12 substantially adjacent the respective ear of a wearer to enable access to the drawstring 19 at the conduit end 23 near his/her ears, as shown in FIG. 9. When the hat 10 is converted to a skullcap type configuration 25, the drawstring 19 may be used as a chinstrap 24 assisting in keeping the cap 25 in position, as shown in FIG. 10. The wide rib is illustrated 20 in FIGS. 9 and 10 to show the mechanism of the drawstring 19. It is to be appreciated that the ribs generally are not observed when the hat 10 is worn in skullcap type configuration 25. The skeleton 14 is preferably constructed from flexible, but substantially firm plastics material, such as PVC or other polymers, to give suitable support to the brim 12. The skeleton 14 is covered in a lightweight material or fabric to form the crown 1 1 and brim 12. Suitably, the material is flexible, UV reflective and not adversely affected by immersion in fresh, chlorinated or salt water. The material may also be quick drying. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the hinged connection 17 between the lower peripheral edge of the crown 13 and the ribs 16 may be an overcentre type hinge which maintains the brim 12 outstretched in a operative condition when the outer edge of the brim is below the centre edge of the hinge. An elastic band is associated with the outer edge of the brim 12, which retracts the outer edge of the brim 12 when the brim 12 is raised up over the centre position of the hinge. In use, the wearer pulls on the drawstring 19 at the conduit end 23 of at least one of the wide ribs 20 located near each ear. However, for convenience and for ease of gathering of the brim, the user may pull the drawstring 19 at both wide ribs 20. As the drawstring 19 is drawn, the portion of the outer edge of the brim 12 between the ribs 16 gathers and/or folds causing the ribs 16 to retract upward on the hinged connection 17 until the folded brim 12 overlies the crown 13 forming a skullcap type configuration 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The hat may be secured into place by the chinstrap 24 which is part of the drawstring mechanism. EXAMPLE 2 FIGS. 1 1 to 19 depict an alternative form of the hat 26 in accordance with the invention. The alternative form of the hat 26 has the appearance of the hat 10 illustrated in FIG.1 when worn in a shading operative condition. The hat 26 includes a crown 27 and a brim 28 connected the lower peripheral edge of the crown 29. Referring to FIG. 11 , the hat 26 is constructed from a skeleton 30. The skeleton 30 includes a head band 31 , the lower edge of the head band 31 forming the lower peripheral edge of the crown 29, and a plurality of ribs 32 which extend outwardly between the lower peripheral edge of the crown 29 to the outer edge of the brim 28. The ribs 32 are hingedly connected 33 to the lower edge of the crown 29 to enable the ribs 32 to move from an outstretched position when the brim 28 is in a operative condition, to an inoperative condition or raised position where the ribs 32 are overlying an upper portion of the crown 27, substantially conforming to the outer surface of the crown 27. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the outer edge of the ribs 32 includes at least one eye or conduit 41 for passing or threading a drawstring 34 therethrough for locating the drawstring around the outer edge of the crown 27. The skeleton 30 includes two guiding ribs 35 positioned on opposite sides of the brim 28 and a plurality of locating ribs 36 relatively evenly spaced between the guiding ribs 35. It is to be understood that the terms "guiding" and "locating" are used simply as means to distinguish the two types of ribs and that the terms are not meant to limit the functionality or design of the ribs. The guiding rib 35, as illustrated in FIG. 17, guides the drawstring 34 from the lower peripheral edge of the crown 29 to the outer edge of brim 28. The underside of each guiding rib 35 includes a guide 37, such as a channel or conduit, positioned adjacent the lower peripheral edge of the crown 29 and two diverging eyes or conduits 41 positioned at the outer edge of the guiding rib 35. The drawstring 34 is guided through the guiding means 37 along the rib 35, wherein the drawstring 34 divides and a respective segment or strand passes through each eye 41 in opposing directions. The respective strands of the drawstring 34 are directed fore and aft around the outer brim 28 via the eyes 41 of the locating ribs 36. Upon reaching the opposing guiding rib 35 the respective strands of the drawstring 34 each pass through the eyes 41 from their respective directions, join and are guided through the guiding means 37 to the lower peripheral edge of the crown 29. It is to be understood that the drawstring 34 may divide into two strands or may be two associated drawstrings 34. The guiding ribs 35 are positioned substantially adjacent each ear of a wearer of the hat 26. The drawstring 34 extends from each guiding rib 35 at the lower peripheral edge of the crown 29 to form a chinstrap 38. The skeleton 30 is preferably constructed from flexible, but substantially firm plastics material, such as PVC or other polymers, to give suitable support to the brim 12. The skeleton 30 is covered in a lightweight material or fabric to form the crown and brim. Suitably, the material is flexible, UV reflective and not adversely affected by immersion in fresh, chlorinated or salt water. The material may also be quick drying. Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the wearer pulls the chinstrap 38 shortening the length of drawstring 34 located around the outer edge of the brim 28. As the drawstring 34 shortens, the portion of the outer edge of the brim 12 between the ribs 32 gathers and/or folds causing the ribs to retract upward on the hinged connection 33 until the gathered brim 28 overlies the crown 29 forming a skullcap type configuration 39. The chinstrap 38 may include a toggle or other fastening means 40 to secure the hat 26 firmly on the user's head, whether the brim 28 is an operative or inoperative condition. It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A convertible hat including: a crown, and a brim, wherein the brim is hingedly connected to the lower peripheral edge of the crown and wherein the brim protrudes outwardly from the crown in an operative condition and wherein the brim is retractable from the operative condition such that the brim substantially conforms to at least a portion of the outer surface of the crown. 2. A convertible hat according to claim 1 , wherein the crown has a generally circular lower peπpheral edge, is generally dome-shaped and is close fitting to the head of a wearer. 3. A convertible hat according to any one of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the brim extends radially around substantially the entire lower peripheral edge of the crown. 4. A convertible hat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an elasticised band is associated with at least the outer edge of the brim. 5. A convertible hat according to claim 4, wherein the brim is held in the operative condition against the influence of the elastic band. 6. A convertible hat according to any one of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the brim includes outwardly extending stiffeners spaced around the brim and extending between the lower peripheral edge of the crown and the outer edge of the brim. 7. A convertible hat according to claim 6, wherein the hinged connection between the lower peripheral edge of the crown and the stiffeners is an overcentre type hinge. 8. A convertible hat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one drawstring is associated with the outer peripheral edge of the brim. 9. A convertible hat according to claim 8, wherein two drawstrings are associated with the outer peripheral edge of the brim. 10. A convertible hat according to one of claims 1 to 4 or 8 to 9, wherein the brim is a soft brim. 1 1. A convertible hat according to claim 10, wherein substantially the entire outer peripheral portion of the brim is gathered by the drawstring. 12. A convertible hat according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 8 to 9, wherein the brim is stiffened with spaced apart ribs to permit a portion of the brim between the ribs to be gathered by the drawstring. 13. A convertible hat according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 8 to 12, wherein the hat is converted to a skullcap type configuration by gathering the outer edge of the brim to a smaller dimension than the lower peripheral edge of the crown. 14. A convertible hat according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the outer edge of the ribs includes a locator for locating the drawstring/s around the outer edge of the brim. 15. A convertible hat according to claim 14, wherein the locator is a fork-like or channel-like member having two opposing sides. 16. A convertible hat according to claim 14, wherein the locator is an eye or conduit through which the drawstring/s is threaded. 17. A convertible hat according to any one of claims 8 to 9 or 12 to 16, wherein at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the brim is gathered when the drawstring/s is pulled, and wherein the stiffeners retract on the hinged connection until the brim substantially conforms to at least a portion of the outer surface of the crown forming a skullcap type configuration 18. A convertible hat according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the stiffeners and lower peripheral edge of the crown form a skeleton. 19. A convertible hat according to claim 18, wherein the skeleton is constructed from flexible, but substantially firm plastics material. 20. A convertible hat according to any one of claims 18 to 19, wherein the skeleton is covered in a lightweight material or fabric forming the brim and crown. 21. A convertible hat according to claim 20, wherein the material or fabric is flexible, UV reflective and is not adversely affected by immersion in fresh, chlorinated or salt water.

Inventors: CONVERY RICHARD, HARRIMAN PETER ALFRED JAMES, CONVERY, RICHARD, HARRIMAN, PETER, ALFRED, JAMES
Applicants: CONVERY RICHARD, HARRIMAN PETER ALFRED JAMES, CONVERY, RICHARD, HARRIMAN, PETER, ALFRED, JAMES
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A42B1
IPC codes: A42B1