Abstract:
There is provided a hat comprising a crown portion, a brim removably and rotatably attached to the crown portion by a sliding assembly, a circumferential band attached along its lower edge to the lower periphery of the crown portion and having at least a first part of the sliding assembly attached thereto, a headband attached to the circumferential band and/or the crown portion, but preferably not to the sliding assembly, that is disposed between the sliding assembly and a wearer&#39;s head when the hat is worn. The sliding assembly comprises a first member at least partially secured to the inside of the crown portion and/or the circumferential band, and a second member at least partially secured to the brim. The sliding assembly is preferably vertically oriented so that, in particular, the sliding assembly may be recessed from the lower periphery of the crown portion for improved functioning and aesthetics.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation application under 35 U.S.C. 111 of co-pending PCT International Application No. US03/26,539 filed Aug. 26, 2003 designating the United States, and which is incorporated in its entirety herein. Through PCT International Application No. US03/26,539, this application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/406,180 filed Aug. 26, 2002, and which is incorporated in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to headcovers with a horizontally extending brim or visor, such as hats and caps. More specifically, this invention relates to hats and caps having a brim or visor that may be moved or rotated to various positions around the circumference of the crown of the headwear.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,684 issued to Casale on Dec. 5, 1995 for a Convertible Sports Cap with Sliding Brim. The Casale Patent provides a sports hat construction with a head covering portion and a brim portion. An elongate band or strip is selectively attached to the lower periphery of the head covering, and the brim includes a mating connector that is adapted to engage the elongate band, so that the brim can be moved along the longitudinal length of the periphery of the cap. Also, the head covering portion may be removed from the elongate band so that the brim and elongate band may be worn as a sun visor without the head covering portion.  
           [0006]    The Casale Patent does not disclose or suggest the use of a headband disposed between the head covering portion or crown and the head of the wearer. The use of such a headband has several advantages, as discussed below. Moreover, while the Casale Patent describes that the elongate band is formed into a closed loop, the Casale Patent does not disclose an elongate band adapted to allow a full 360° rotation of the brim. In fact, the Casale Patent describes that the fastener between the two ends of the elongate band includes a generally flat thin stop, which clearly does not allow for a full 360° rotation of the brim.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,211 issued to Mehrens on Jul. 9, 1996 for a Slidably Repositionable Hat. The Mehrens Patent provides a hat having an attached accessory such as a visor and incorporating a headband formed integrally with a sliding member positioned adjacent the opening in the crown. In a first embodiment, a track is secured internally to the crown and slidingly engages the sliding member to permit the crown and attached visor to be rotated relative to the wearer&#39;s head without removing the hat. In a second embodiment, the sliding member is secured externally of the crown and slidably supports a track that is attached to the visor.  
           [0008]    Unlike the present invention, the Mehrens Patent provides in its first embodiment that the entire hat rotates (i.e., both crown and brim), which is undesirable, for example, when the wearer desires to have a logo always at the front of the crown portion, or to face in a direction of the wearer&#39;s choice, independent of the wearer&#39;s choice of brim position. In its second embodiment, unlike the present invention, the sliding assembly is external of the crown portion, which is very disadvantageous, especially in terms of aesthetics. Moreover, the horizontal orientation of the sliding member and track in the Mehrens Patent makes the hat bulky and creates a relatively large gap between the crown and the wearer&#39;s head.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,534 issued to Mobley on Feb. 10, 1998 for Hats and Caps with Moveable Bills or Brims. The Mobley Patent provides headwear comprising (i) a crown having a substantially circumferential body to fit on a wearer&#39;s head and having an inner surface, (ii) a headband with an outer surface and attached to the inner surface of the crown body along the circumference of the crown body and forming a free flap on the crown body, (iii) at least one bill or brim extending substantially laterally away from the crown body and a wearer&#39;s head, and (iv) at least one slide means for connection of the bill or brim to the crown body and for rotation of the bill or brim relative to the crown body. The slide means comprises a first channel member attached to the periphery of the crown body and extending a substantial portion around the circumference of the crown body, and a second channel member attached to the bill or brim adjacent the crown body, the first and second members having interlocking means for slidable engagement of the second channel member relative to the first channel member. The first channel member is attached to the outer surface of the headband between the headband and the flap of the crown body, in which the flap covers the first channel member and the headband prevents the first channel member from touching a wearer&#39;s head. Alternatively, the first channel member is attached to the outer surface of the crown body.  
           [0010]    The Mobley Patent is distinguished from the present invention for several reasons. Significantly, the Mobley Patent does not disclose or suggest attaching a channel member to the inner surface of the crown body. Rather, the Mobley Patent provides that the channel member is attached either the outer surface of the headband or to the outer surface of the crown body. Attaching the channel member to the inner surface of the crown body has several advantages, as discussed below. In particular, by locating the channel member on the outer surface of the headband, a “loose flap” (column 3, line 30 of the Mobley Patent) is created around the periphery of the crown portion, which can be inadvertently and undesirably flipped up to reveal the channel member. Also, the Mobley Patent does not disclose or suggest that the channel member attached to the brim extends vertically away from the brim, or that the interlocking channel members are vertically oriented.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,772 issued to Sprouse on Feb. 16, 1999 for a Flexible Tracking Assembly for a Sports Cap Having a Rotatable Visor or the Like. The tracking assembly, as described by the Sprouse Patent, may be a single semi-rigid elongated member, preferably I-shaped, or a three-piece assembly having two elongated plastic member attached together along one edge with a generally I-shaped track therebetween. However, unlike to present invention, the Sprouse Patent does not disclose a comfortable headband assembly disposed between the tracking assembly and the head of a wearer. Rather, the Sprouse Patent provides that the headband is held apart from the I-shaped member by a third elongated plastic member. Furthermore, the horizontal orientation of the I-shaped member C-shaped members of the Sprouse Patent makes the hat bulky and creates a relatively large gap between the crown and the wearer&#39;s head.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,508 issued to Davis on Jul. 24, 2001 for a Means for Moveable Bills or Brims of Caps and Hats. This invention is described as an improvement over the inventor&#39;s previous patent, which is the Mobley Patent discussed above. The improvement lies in the addition of a “linking band” between the headband and the interior of the crown of the hat. Nonetheless, as with the Mobley Patent discussed above, the Davis Patent discloses that the sliding track is attached to the outer surface of the headband or the outer surface of the crown, which is unlike the present invention. In fact, the addition of a linking band would further accentuate the disadvantages of attaching the sliding track to the headband. In particular, the linking band would further weaken the “loose flap” (see column 3, line 27 of the Davis Patent) along the bottom periphery of the crown, thereby allowing the loose flap to be too easily flipped up to reveal the sliding track, which would adversely affect the aesthetics of the hat. Also, the Davis Patent does not disclose or suggest that the interlocking or sliding member on the brim extends vertically away from the brim, or that the sliding track and interlocking member are vertically oriented.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hat with a brim that is rotatable relative the crown portion thereof.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide such a rotatable brimmed hat having a comfortable headband disposed between the rotating assembly and a wearer&#39;s head.  
           [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hat with a brim, a crown, and a headband, wherein the brim is removably and slidably attached to the crown portion along a elongated track or channel that is attached to the crown portion opposite and separate from the headband, which offers several advantages, such as enhancing the stiffness of the lower periphery of the crown portion and also enhancing the wearer&#39;s comfort.  
           [0016]    In order to achieve the above objects, as well as other objects which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, there is provided a hat comprising a crown portion, a brim removably and rotatably attached to the crown portion by a sliding assembly, a circumferential band attached along its lower edge to the lower periphery of the crown portion and having at least a first part of the sliding assembly attached thereto, a headband attached to the circumferential band and/or the crown portion, but preferably not to the sliding assembly, that is disposed between the sliding assembly and a wearer&#39;s head when the hat is worn. The sliding assembly comprises a first member at least partially secured to the inside of the crown portion and/or the circumferential band, and a second member at least partially secured to the brim. The sliding assembly is preferably vertically oriented so that, in particular, the sliding assembly may be recessed from the lower periphery of the crown portion for improved functioning and aesthetics. Vertical orientation of the sliding assembly also minimizes the space created by the sliding assembly between the crown portion and the wearer&#39;s head. Optionally, the circumferential band may be omitted and the first part of the sliding assembly may be attached directly to the inside of the crown portion. Attaching the first member of the sliding assembly to the inside of the crown portion or the circumferential band provides several advantages in function and aesthetics, such as, for example, the lower periphery of the crown portion is less likely to inadvertently and undesirably flip up to reveal the sliding assembly.  
           [0017]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sliding assembly comprises a track member and a channel member that is adapted to slide along the track member. The track member is T-shaped and the channel member is C-shaped, such that the C-shaped channel member is retained by and slides along the crossbar of the T-shaped channel member. The T-shaped track is attached along the entire lower periphery of the crown portion of the hat, and the C-shaped channel is attached to the brim along an edge thereof that is adapted to be proximate to the crown portion, whereby the brim is slidable around the entire periphery of the crown portion when the C-shaped channel is engaged with the T-shaped track.  
           [0018]    Other preferred embodiments of the present invention may comprise one or more of the following elements: (1) a headband disposed to cover the part of the sliding assembly attached to the crown portion, such that the sliding assembly part does not come in contact with the wearer&#39;s head; (2) a continuous, unbroken, substantially circular track member extending along the entire lower periphery of the crown portion, whereby the brim may be rotated completely around the entire crown portion; (3) a track member having two ends, wherein the track member is bent into a substantially circular shape extending along the entire lower periphery of the crown portion and having the two ends adjacent to one another, and wherein the two ends are held together by a bridge member, whereby the brim may be rotated completely around the entire crown portion; (4) a track member having two ends, wherein the track member is bent into a semi-circular shape extending along the lower periphery of the crown portion, and wherein an adjustable member is disposed between the two ends of the track member, whereby the size of the crown portion may be changed and the brim may be rotated substantially completely around the entire crown portion; and/or (5) a crown portion having an open top. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a hat according to the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the means for rotating the brim of the hat of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the supporting bridge connecting the ends of the first member of the sliding assembly that is inside the crown portion of the hat of FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a crown portion of a hat according to the present invention showing a continuous, unbroken track member extending around the inside thereof and recessed from the lower periphery;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5A is a hat according to the present invention having an adjustable member in the crown portion comprising a hook-and-loop closure;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5B is a hat according to the present invention having an adjustable member in the crown portion comprising a buckle-and-strap closure;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5C is a hat according to the present invention having an adjustable member in the crown portion comprising an interlocking closure;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a hat according to the present invention having a crown portion with an open top. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    Referring to the figures and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is shown a hat according to the present invention, generally indicated as reference number  1 , comprising a crown portion  20  and a brim  30 .  
         [0028]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, crown portion  20  may be constructed using any suitable materials and methods. For example, as shown, crown portion  20  is formed of a plurality of triangular segments, preferably six, that are sewn together to provide a domed shape adapted to cover the top of a wearer&#39;s head. The intersection of the stitching at the uppermost point of the crown portion is usually covered with a decorative button or knob, which may be sewn or stapled thereto. With such a configuration, a hat according to the present invention could be classified as a “baseball cap.” 
         [0029]    As used herein, the outside of crown portion  20  is the side visible to others when hat  1  is worn on a wearer&#39;s head, while the inside of crown portion  20  is the side facing the wearer&#39;s head when hat  1  is being worn. The opening of crown portion  20  is defined by a generally horizontal lower periphery  22 . Crown portion  20  has a vertical central axis c that extends through the topmost point (i.e., the decorative button) of crown portion  20  and perpendicularly to lower periphery  22 . Please note that the terms “horizontal” and “vertical,” as used herein, are relative terms connotating a perpendicular relationship, whereby the “horizontal” lower periphery may have any absolute orientation, and the “vertical” central axis will have the correspondingly perpendicular absolute orientation.  
         [0030]    Alternatively, as shown particularly in FIG. 6, a hat according to the present invention may comprise a crown portion  620  in a cylindrical shape or the shape of a band having a lower periphery  622  and an upper periphery  623 , whereby the hat has an open top. With such a configuration, a hat according to the present invention could be classified as a “visor.” 
         [0031]    Brim  30  has a proximate portion  32  that, as shown, is either removably or substantially permanently secured to crown portion  20 . Brim  30  extends substantially horizontally away from crown portion  20 , so as to provide shade for the wearer&#39;s eyes and face. The purpose for which hat  1  is to be used may dictate varying shapes, lengths and angles with respect to brim  30 . Brim  30  may be formed by any appropriate method using any suitable material or materials, for example a fabric material that is stitched to, or contains, a stiffening material, such as cardboard or plastic.  
         [0032]    Preferably, crown portion  20  has at least one decorative symbol, letter, badge, emblem, or combination of letters or words, such as, for example, a patch P embodying a logo of a sports team. Crown portion  20  may be several decorative symbols, letters, badges, emblems, words, and combinations thereof. However, in general, one segment of crown portion  20  will have a primary symbol, letter, badge, emblem, word or combination thereof. The segment of crown portion  20  having this primary decoration is referred to herein as the front segment or section of the cap. The remaining segments or sections of crown portion  20  are referred to herein as side segments. Of course, the side segment of crown portion  20  that is diametrically opposite the front segment of the cap is referred to herein as the back of the cap.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a close-up view of the means for rotating brim  30  relative to crown portion  20 .  
         [0034]    A sliding assembly, generally indicated as reference number  40 , is disposed adjacent to the lower periphery  22  of crown portion  20 . A first member  42  of sliding assembly  40  is attached about at least a segment of an circumferential band  24  adjacent to lower periphery  22 . Optionally, first member  42  may be attached directly to crown portion  20 . A second member  44  is the other one of the at least two slidably engaging members of sliding assembly  40 . Second member  44  is attached along at least a segment of proximate portion  32  of brim  30 . First and second members  42 ,  44  are slidable relative to each other when engaged or interlocked.  
         [0035]    First member  42  is recessed from lower periphery  22 . Preferably, first member  42  is recessed from lower periphery  22  a distance equal to or greater than its height. The height of first member  42  is measured along a line substantially perpendicular to lower periphery  22 . For example, in one embodiment, first member  42  is about 0.5 cm in height and recessed from lower periphery  22  a distance of about 0.5 cm. In another exemplary embodiment, first member  42  is about 0.5 inch in height and recessed from lower periphery  22  a distance of about 0.5 inch.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIG. 2, in order to attach second member  44  to brim  30  and also slidably engage second member  44  with first member  42  at its recessed position, sliding assembly  40  preferably comprises an extension  46  between brim  30  and second member  44 . Extension  46  may be formed integrally with second member  44  and/or brim  30 , from the same material (i.e., plastic and/or cloth).  
         [0037]    Sliding assembly  40  may have any number of slidably engaging members in any suitable combination. First member  42 , as shown, is in the form of an elongate male track having a T-shaped cross-section. As shown, second member  44  is in the form of an elongate female channel having a C-shaped cross-section. Nonetheless, first and second members  42 ,  44  may have any suitable shape and may be engaged or interlocked in any suitable manner. For example, the slidably engaging members may be the opposite of that shown in FIG. 2, namely first member  42  attached to crown portion  20  may be in the form of a elongate female channel having a C-shaped cross-section, while second member  44  attached to brim  30  may be in the form of an elongate male track having a T-shaped cross-section.  
         [0038]    Preferably, sliding assembly  40  has a substantially vertical orientation. In particular, as shown, the opening in the C-shaped channel of member  44  faces up and the cross beam of the T-shaped track is proximate to lower periphery  22 . Substantially vertical orientation of sliding assembly  40  may be achieved by other suitable methods of engaging the sliding members. By orienting sliding assembly  40  in the vertical plane, it may be recessed from lower periphery  22  to hide the sliding assembly from view when hat  1  is worn. Moreover, the vertical orientation of sliding assembly  40  supports and strengthens the lower periphery  22  so that lower periphery does not undesirably flop up to reveal sliding assembly  40 .  
         [0039]    Sliding members  42 ,  44  can be made out of any suitable material, including a plastic material that has a very smooth surface. A close fit between members  42 ,  44  provides some contact and friction so that brim  30  will remain in the position the wearer chooses. However, members  42 ,  44  should slide easily relative to each other without binding.  
         [0040]    Sliding members  42 ,  44  may be any suitable thermoplastic material, such as Nylon® (a polyamide). When used to make sliding members  42 ,  44 , Nylon® confers several advantages to hats constructed according to the present invention. In particular, Nylon® is more resistant to splitting and/or cracking when bent compared with many other thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene. In other words, Nylon® is suitably malleable so that a hat having sliding members  42 ,  44  made of Nylon® may be folded for packing, shipping, and/or storage with little risk that sliding members  42 ,  44  will split and/or crack. Nylon®, while being malleable, may also be made sufficiently strong or dense to support the weight of brim  30 . Another advantage of Nylon® is that it is molded instead of being extruded. The molding process for Nylon® results in sliding member  42 ,  44  having very few, if any, surface imperfections, especially compared to extruded thermoplastic materials. The very smooth surface of molded sliding members  42 ,  44  results in reduced friction therebetween, and increased slidability or “slickness.” Yet another advantage of Nylon® is that it is softer compared with many other thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene. Sliding members  42 ,  44  being made of softer Nylon® provides greater physical comfort to the wearer.  
         [0041]    In a first embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 3, sliding member  42  preferably has at least one break or gap adapted to allow slidable member  44  to releasably engage slidable member  42 , such as, by feeding T-shaped sliding member  42  into the upwardly-facing C-shaped channel of sliding member  44 . If sliding member  42  is made of an appropriately flexible material, the ends of sliding member  42  may closely abut one another, such that brim  30  may be easily rotated fully 360°, while also allowing the ends of sliding member  42  to be separated, such that brim  30  may be removed from crown portion  20 .  
         [0042]    In addition, referring to FIG. 3, a supporting bridge  60 , may be used to connect at least a portion of the two ends of sliding member  42  to each another, which facilitates free rotation of brim  30 . The support bridge would help to maintain the close abutting of the ends of sliding member  42  despite the adverse effects of weather, perspiration, and use over time. Preferably, the supporting bridge would not interfere with the ability of the wearer to slightly separate the two ends to remove brim  30  from crown portion  20 . The supporting bridge may be of any appropriate shape and size and may be disposed at any suitable location in any suitable position. For example, the support bridge may be overlapping the ends of member  42  along their respective vertical bars of the T-shaped track.  
         [0043]    Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a crown portion  420  for a hat  401  according to the present invention comprising a continuous, unbroken elongated first member  442  (e.g., a T-shape track) extending completely around the inside of the crown portion  420  recessed from the lower periphery  422  thereof. In comparison to first member  42  described above, the advantage of continuous, unbroken first member  442  is that a second member attached to a brim (not shown) is effectively prevented from sliding off first member  442 , and no bridge member is required.  
         [0044]    Referring to FIGS. 5A to  5 C, there is shown a hat according to the present invention comprising an adjustable assembly, which is adapted to adjust or change the circumferential size of the crown portion  20 . Adjustable assembly may comprise, for example and without limitation, hook-and-loop closure assembly  70 A (i.e., Velcro® straps  72  and  73 ), a buckle-and-strap assembly  70 B (i.e., buckle  74  for securing a strap  75 ), or an interlocking assembly  70 C (e.g., a strap  76  with pegs adapted to interlock with holes in a strap  77 ). When hat  20  comprises an adjustable assembly  70 , the first member  42  of sliding assembly  40  will not extend completely around the inside of crown portion  20 . Instead, first member  42  may extend substantially around the inside of crown portion  20 . More preferably, first member  42  may extend around inside of crown portion  20  so as to provide for brim  30  to rotate at least about 180°.  
         [0045]    First member  42  may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to circumferential band  24  and/or crown portion  20 . When first member  42  is removably attached to crown portion  20 , such as with hook and loop fasteners, it becomes possible to remove the crown portion  20  so that sliding assembly  40  and brim  30  may be worn as a visor.  
         [0046]    Significantly, a headband or sweatband  50  circumscribes the inside of crown portion  20  adjacent to lower periphery  22 . The headband is adapted to be worn against the wearer&#39;s head. The headband may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials that provide an acceptable amount of comfort for the wearer. For example, headband  50  may be an extruded plastic material that is covered in a fabric or a leather-like material for the wearer&#39;s comfort.  
         [0047]    Headband  50  is attached to circumferential band  24  adjacent to their respective upper circumferential edges at least by a seam line  28  using stitching, permanent adhesive, or the like, as is well known in the art. Seam line  28  is spaced above seam line  26  and first member  42  of sliding assembly  40  is attached to band  24  by seam line  27  therebetween. Preferably, headband  50  is not attached to first member  42 . Optionally, headband  50  may be attached at a seam line (not shown) to first member  42 .  
         [0048]    From outermost to innermost, the preferred arrangement of hat  1  comprises crown portion  20 , circumferential or intermediate band  24 , first and second members  42 ,  44 , and headband  50 . Therefore, when hat  1  is being worn, headband  50  is in contact with the head of the wearer, while first and second members  42 ,  44  are sandwiched between headband  50  and circumferential intermediate band  24 , and the only element one of these elements that is attached to crown portion is circumferential intermediate band  24 . This is a simple, functional, and attractive design.  
         [0049]    Attaching first member  42  of the sliding assembly  40  to the inside of the crown portion  20  or circumferential band  24  supports and strengthens lower periphery  22  so that it does not undesirably flip up to reveal sliding assembly  40 . Also, attaching first member  42  to the inside of the crown portion  20  or circumferential band  24  enhances wearer comfort by removing potentially uncomfortable seams from the headband  50 .  
         [0050]    Another advantage of using circumferential band  24  as described herein is that first member  42 , circumferential band  24 , and headband  50  can be sewed together prior to attaching circumferential band  24  to crown portion  20 . Thus, production of hat  1  can benefit from unit production of the various portions and elements. For example, first member  42 , circumferential band  24 , and headband  50  can be sewed together at a time and place remote from the construction of crown portion  20 , and the separately created elements can then be later sewed together along the single seam  26 . This procedure is more efficient compared to a procedure requiring that first member  42  and headband  50  be individually sewed to the inside of crown portion  20 .  
         [0051]    Assembly of hat  1  may be accomplished using a method suitable method of construction or manufacture. As stated above, any materials may be used to make hat  1 . A representative method of construction may include the following steps: (i) forming crown portion  20  by sewing together six triangular segments of a fabric, such as a heavy-weight cotton canvas, and attaching a decorative button at its top; (ii) forming brim  30  by sewing a fabric covering around a cardboard structure; (iii) attaching to the brim in a vertical orientation the slidable member  44  such that the U-shaped or C-shaped channel thereof is upwardly facing; (iv) forming an assembly combining band  24 , headband  50 , and T-shaped slidable member  42 , such that slidable member  42  is fixed to band  24  by a seam  27  and headband  50  is fixed to band  24  by a seam  28 , and such that the horizontal cross beam of slidable member  42  is positioned proximate to lower periphery  22  to engage the U-shaped or C-shaped channel of slidable member  44 ; (v) fixing the assembly adjacent to lower periphery  22  of crown portion  20  by a seam  26  such that slidable member  42  has a break or gap adapted to allow slidable member  44  to engage slidable member  42 ; and (vi) sliding the U-shaped channel of slidable member  44  into the gap in slidable member  42  and over the horizontal beam of thereof to interlock the slidable members.  
         [0052]    In use, a wearer places hat  1  upon the wearer&#39;s head with the headband  50  in contact therewith. Brim  30  will normally extend forwardly of the wearer to provide shade to the wearer&#39;s eyes. When it is desired to reorient brim  30 , such as when it becomes necessary to prevent the wind from lifting the hat from the head, or such as when it becomes necessary to rapidly look upwardly to follow a flying ball for example, brim  30  may rapidly be rotated with respect to crown portion  20  and the wearer&#39;s head without removing hat  1 . It may be noted that since the hat is not circular (when viewed from the top) the relative translation between the sliding member and the track requires a bending of the track generally in a horizontal plane or in a plane perpendicular to its linear motion. Thus, sufficient friction is assured to maintain the orientation of the visor in a given direction to thus prevent such movement of the visor unless it is deliberately reoriented by the wearer.  
         [0053]    Since the sliding assembly  40  is sandwiched between headband  50  and band  24  and/or the crown  20 , there is a smooth continuous gliding motion, and the mechanism never touches the head of the wearer.  
         [0054]    The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.