Abstract:
A system of head and neck garments and components that allows the wearer to control the environment around the wearer&#39;s head and neck is disclosed. The system requires that the wearer carry minimal additional gear while providing the wearer with the ability to cool, warm, waterproof, camouflage, and protect his or her head and neck areas against sun, wind, rain, snow, insects, blowing sand, etc.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/795,278, entitled “All-in-one Climate Control Hat/Flap and Accessories (CCH)” and filed on Sep. 18, 2006, which is specifically incorporated herein by reference for all that it discloses and teaches. 
     
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to articles of manufacture worn about the head and neck and more particularly to a system of components worn about the head and neck that allow the wearer to better control his or her environment. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]    Hats, scarves, facemasks, and other head and neck garments have been utilized by mankind for millennia. Originally, head and neck garments were primarily functional items that served to protect the wearer from the vagaries of a changing environment—from the pre-dawn chill, to the blistering noon-day sun, to the evening downpour. Later, style and design became important considerations in such garments as well. However, regardless of whether a garment is worn because of its ‘look’ or because of its utility and functionality, the person wearing the garment often finds that he or she must constantly add, remove, change, or replace head and neck garments as weather conditions and other environmental factors change. For example, a standard baseball-style cap can be extremely useful to reduce the glare and sunburn that can be caused by bright sunshine. However, if clouds suddenly move in and an unexpected rain shower occurs, the baseball cap may have no waterproofing or other features which would allow it to protect the wearer from the rain. Similarly, a waterproof hat is little help once a rain ends and swarms of mosquitoes appear. 
         [0004]    Currently, such changing environmental conditions require the savvy outdoors-person to carry a number of different head and neck garments. For example, a hunter may need a baseball cap to keep the sun out of his eyes in the morning and a head-net to keep the pestering insects at bay after noon. Climbing up and down the mountains pursuing game can cause a lot of heat to build-up and the hunter needs something to help keep him cool, so he might don a neck pouch containing a cooling gel packet. Then, later in the evening, a warm scarf and knit hat may be necessary to protect the hunter&#39;s head and neck as a cold front moves into the area. 
         [0005]    Clearly, constantly carting around even the small sampling of head and neck garments mentioned above is impractical. Thus, there is a need for a garment system that allows a garment wearer to control the environment around his or her head and neck without carrying a large number of differing head and neck garments at all times. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]    Embodiments described and claimed herein address the foregoing problems by providing a complete system of head and neck garments that allows the wearer to control the environment around his or her head and neck. The system requires that the wearer carry minimal additional gear while providing the wearer with the ability to cool, warm, waterproof, camouflage, and protect his or her head and neck areas against wind, rain, snow, insects, blowing sand, etc. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0007]    The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a left side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an environment control system for the head and neck as it could be worn by a person. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  provides a left side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a climate control flap component of an environment control system for the head and neck as it could be worn by a person. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a climate control flap component of an environment control system for the head and neck. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a climate control flap component of an environment control system for the head and neck. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an all-weather flap component of an environment control system for the head and neck. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a left side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an all weather flap component of an environment control system for the head and neck. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a face protector component of an environment control system for the head and neck. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    In one embodiment, an environment control system (hereafter, “ECS”) can be utilized with a standard baseball-style cap. The cap is modified in order to allow attachment of the various components of an ECS. In alternate embodiments, an ECS can be utilized with a variety of other hat types and styles. Furthermore, an ECS can include one or more hats (of similar or varying styles) as component(s) of the system or an ECS can be added to an existing hat. The term “hat” as used herein can refer to any piece of headgear or other item that is worn, suspended, or otherwise held in close proximity to a person&#39;s head. Examples include, but are not limited to, baseball caps, cowboy hats, straw hats, helmets, visors, etc. In addition, the term “cap” can be interchangeably used for the term “hat”, and vice versa. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an ECS  100 . The illustration shows three primary components: a climate control flap (hereafter, “CCF”)  110 , an all-weather flap (hereafter, “AWF”)  130 , and a face protector (hereafter, “FP”)  150 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  are a baseball-style cap  170  and a person  190  wearing components of an ECS. As mentioned above, the cap  170  can be included in an ECS  100 . 
         [0017]    A CCF  110  can be attached to a cap  170  by a myriad of means, including, but not limited to: hook-and-loop material (e.g., those sold under the trademark VELCRO®), snaps, buttons, zippers, magnets, ties, etc. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the top edge of the CCF  110  can be placed inside the cap  170 . In alternate embodiments, only the attaching means (such as two flaps extending out from the top of a CCF  110 , each flap having a zipper to attach to corresponding zippers on the cap  170 ) actually contacts the cap  170 . 
         [0018]    In addition to the attachment means described above, a CCF  110  can have a belt loop  111 . In the embodiment utilizing a baseball-style cap, the cap  170  has an adjustment band  171 . The adjustment band  171  can be threaded through the belt loop  111  to provide an additional means of attachment and minimize movement of the CCF  110  relative to the cap  170 . 
         [0019]    As shown in the left side perspective view in  FIG. 1 , the CCF  110  has a left horizontal attachment means  112 . A right horizontal attachment means is also contemplated, but not sown in  FIG. 1 . The horizontal attachment means  112  shown in  FIG. 1  is a hook-and-loop material, other attachment means are contemplated. The CCF&#39;s  110  horizontal attachment means  112  is placed so as to accept the AWF&#39;s  130  horizontal attachment means  132 . The AWF&#39;s  130  left side horizontal attachment means  132  is shown using dashed lines as the exemplary hook-and-loop attachment means is on the inside front face of the AWF  130  and so is not visible on the rear surface of the AWF  130 , as displayed in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, the AWF&#39;s  130  left side horizontal attachment means  132  has a twin right side horizontal attachment means, not shown. 
         [0020]    The AWF&#39;s  130  left side vertical attachment means  133  is shown using dashed lines as the exemplary hook-and-loop attachment means is also on the inside front face of the AWF  130 , and so is not otherwise visible in  FIG. 1 . The AWF&#39;s  130  left side vertical attachment means  133  has a twin right side vertical attachment means, not shown. Furthermore, the AWF&#39;s  130  vertical attachment means  133  attaches to the corresponding CCF&#39;s  110  vertical attachment means  113 . 
         [0021]    The CCF  110  has a drawstring  115  and a push-button clasp  114 . The drawstring  115  serves multiple purposes. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the drawstring  115  is attached to the bottom pair of three eyelet pairs. This configuration allows the person  190  wearing the ECS  100  to draw up the sides of the CCF  110  to form a channel-like opening between the person&#39;s  190  neck and the CCF  110 . This “air-channel” provides airflow and facilitates the cooling effect that can be garnered from the CCF  110 . Alternatively, the drawstring  115  can be attached to the middle or upper eyelet pairs in order to draw the CCF  110  closer to the wearer&#39;s neck, which is helpful when the wearer wishes to minimize drafts and increase the warming effect of the ECS  100 . The push-button clasp  114  is used to quickly and easily loosen or tighten the drawstring  115 . It is contemplated that alternate embodiments could employ other types of clasps or means of securing and loosening the drawstring  115 . 
         [0022]    The CCF  110  can be manufactured using a number of different materials. In one embodiment, a breathable yet water-retaining material is used. Such a material has the dual benefits of allowing perspiration to escape while helping to retain cool water to enhance the cooling benefits of the ECS. In addition to holding water, the material can be infused with water-retaining crystals such as cross-linked polyacrylamide crystals or any of a number of other non-harmful cooling chemicals or materials. Another example of water-retaining/cooling materials that can be utilized is natural jute fiber. Such materials, when wetted, help to cool the wearer by utilizing the cooling effects of evaporation. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the CCF  110  has square pockets  119  sewn into the fabric or core component material in order to contain and evenly distribute cooling agents throughout the body of the CCF  110 . In an alternate embodiment, the CCF  110  may contain warming agents instead of cooling agents. The ECS  100  shown in  FIG. 1  contemplates the utilization of various component and materials in its manufacture, including those which facilitate warming and cooling, which are currently known in the art as well as those which become known. 
         [0023]    The exemplary AWF  130  shown in  FIG. 1  has an integrated weather-proof/water-resistant hat cover  134 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hat cover  134  is shaped so as to cover a baseball-style cap. It is contemplated that alternative hat cover shapes would be utilized in order to cover alternative hat styles and shapes. The material utilized in manufacturing the hat cover can be any of a number of materials, depending on the properties desired in the hat cover  134 . For example, if water-resistance and breathability are desired a material such as that sold under the trademark Gortex® can be used. If more warmth is desired, a layer of insulation such as that sold under the trademark Thinsulate® can be included. Additionally, warming chemicals or agents can be incorporated in alternate embodiments for increased warmth. 
         [0024]    The materials used to construct the CCF  110 , the AWF  130 , and the FP  150  can be selected based on the advantages and disadvantages they offer. Further, the materials can be colored as desired. For certain applications, camouflage colorings may be desired. For others, such as in very hot, sunny locations, all white colorings may be used. The ECS  100  is not limited to certain colors or fabric/material combinations. 
         [0025]    The hat cover  134  has at least two additional subcomponents: the elastic or stretchable portion  135  at the front of the hat cover  134  and the adjustable attachment means or drawstring  136 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternate embodiments are contemplated utilizing alternative means of attaching and adjusting the hat cover  134  to the cap  170  and the CCF  110 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , the stretchable portion  135  at the front of the hat cover  134  combined with the drawstring  136  allows the person  190  wearing the ECS  100  to tighten the AWF component separately from the other components. Furthermore, the wearer has the ability to remove the AWF completely if it is not needed. 
         [0026]    The FP  150  shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 1  has three features: the main structural material  151 , the upper attachment means  152 , and the vertical attachment means  153 . The main structural material  151  shown in this embodiment is an insect screen or netting. The main structural material  151  used to manufacture the FP  150  can be “see-through”, “rip-stop” nylon or other suitable material that can protect the person&#39;s  190  face from insects, sand, sun, blowing snow, etc., while still allowing the person  190  to see through the material. Other embodiments are contemplated in which the main structural material  151  is clear plastic, tinted plastic, etc. 
         [0027]    The FP  150  has an upper attachment means  152  which provides a means for attaching the FP to the cap  170 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a hook-and-loop material is used to attach the FP  150  to the underside of the bill of the baseball-style cap  170 ; this means of attaching requires that a complimentary hook-and-loop material be affixed to the underside of the bill of the cap  170  so that the upper attachment means  152  can attach thereto. Other embodiments utilizing alternative attachment means are contemplated. Similarly, the FP  150  has vertical attachment means  153  which also utilize hook-and-loop material in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  to attach the sides of the FP  150  to the sides of the CCF  110  using the CCF&#39;s  110  vertical attachment means  113 . The FP&#39;s  150  vertical attachment means  153  are shown using dashed lines as the hook-and-loop material is on the rear-facing surface of the FP  150 . Further, only the left side of the FP is shown in  FIG. 1 . However, there is another vertical attachment means  153  on the right side of the FP  150  that is not shown. Because the CCF&#39;s  110  vertical attachment means  113  are wider than those of the AWF  130  and the FP  150 , both the AWF  130  and the FP  150  can be attached to the CCF  110  at the same time. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of the ECS  200 . The CCF  210  component is displayed in detail without the AWF  130  or the FP  150  from  FIG. 1 . A CCF  210  can be attached to a cap  270  by a myriad of means. Although not explicitly shown in  FIG. 2 , the CCF  210  is attached to the cap  270  by means of two hook-and-loop tabs “Velcro-ed” to the inside of the sweat-band of the cap  270 . Other means of attaching the CCF  210  to the cap  270  are contemplated. 
         [0029]    In addition to the attachment means described above, the CCF  210  can have a belt loop  211 . In the embodiment utilizing a baseball-style cap, the cap  270  has an adjustment band  271 . The adjustment band  271  can be threaded through the belt loop  211  to provide an additional means of attachment and minimize movement of the CCF  210  relative to the cap  270 . 
         [0030]    As shown in the left side perspective view in  FIG. 2 , the CCF  210  has a left horizontal attachment means  212 . A right horizontal attachment means is also contemplated, but not shown in  FIG. 2 . The horizontal attachment means  212  shown in  FIG. 2  is a hook-and-loop material, other attachment means are contemplated. The CCF&#39;s  210  horizontal attachment means  212  is placed so as to accept horizontal attachment means from the AWF. Furthermore, the CCF  210  has vertical attachment means  213  that are placed to accept vertical attachment means from both the AWF and the FP. Once again, both a left vertical attachment means  213  and a right vertical attachment means are contemplated, although only the left vertical attachment means  213  is visible in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]    The CCF  210  has a drawstring  215  and a push-button clasp  214 , as described under  FIG. 1 , above. Furthermore, the description of the material used to manufacture the CCF  210  is the same as that given under  FIG. 1 , above.  FIG. 2  also shows the pockets  219  which, when filled with cooling chemicals or agents enhance the cooling characteristics of the CCF  210 . In another embodiment, the pockets  219  could be filled with warming chemicals or agents to enhance the warming characteristics of the CCF  210  in cold weather. 
         [0032]    The cap  270  shown in  FIG. 2  also has a FP storage tab  257  added to it in order to facilitate the storage of the FP when not in use. The storage tab  257  provides a means of securing the FP (shown in  FIG. 7  as FP  750 ) out of the way when it is not in use. Storage is accomplished by folding the FP  750  over the top of the head and attaching the storage tab  755  on the FP  750  as shown in  FIG. 7  to a corresponding FP storage tab  257  on the rear of the cap  270 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Given the exemplary hook-and-loop attachment means and using the baseball-style cap as an example, the FP  750  would be folded over the top of the cap and attached via the storage tab  755  to a corresponding hook-and-loop material FP storage tab  257 . 
         [0033]    An embodiment of a CCF  310  is shown in  FIG. 3  from a front view wherein the inside of the CCF  310  is shown in detail. The inside surface of the CCF  310  faces the back of the wearer&#39;s head and neck during use. The CCF  310  has a drawstring  315  and a push-button clasp  314 , as described under  FIG. 1 , above. Furthermore, the description of the material used to manufacture the CCF  310  is the same as that given under  FIG. 1 , above.  FIG. 3  also shows the pockets  319  which, when filled with cooling chemicals or agents, enhance the cooling characteristics of the CCF  310 . 
         [0034]    The eyelets briefly discussed above are shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 3 , three pairs of eyelets are shown. More or fewer pairs of eyelets could be utilized in alternate embodiments. The top pair of eyelets  316  and  366  can be utilized to tighten the CCF  310  closely to the face. The middle pair of eyelets  317  and  367  allows a slightly more relaxed fit, while the bottom pair of eyelets  318  and  368  provides the user with the ability to create a cooling “air-channel” against the back of the neck, as described under  FIG. 1 , above. 
         [0035]    Three vertical stays are embedded within the embodiment of the CCF  310  shown in  FIG. 3 : the right stay  320 , the middle stay  321 , and the left stay  322 . The number of stays could be fewer or greater in alternate embodiments. The stays can be constructed of any suitable material that is lightweight, flexible, and semi-rigid. In one embodiment, plastic “zip-ties” are contemplated; in another, nylon, bendable stays are used. The stays keep the CCF  310  from bunching up around the back of the neck for the most effective cooling around the neck, lower head, and ears. 
         [0036]    In the top center area of the CCF  310  is an elastic band or stretchable area  324 . The stretchable area  324  allows the CCF  310  to easily adjust to wearers with different size heads. Further, the stretchable area  324  provides for a comfortable and snug fit. 
         [0037]    At the very top of the CCF  310  are two horizontal attachment tabs  325  and  326 . The tabs extend beyond the top of the CCF&#39;s  310  main body and are flexible so they can be folded over and attached inside the sweat-band of a hat. The attachment means are not visible in this embodiment; they reside on the outside surface of the tabs and so may be seen in  FIG. 4 . In order to attach the CCF  310  to a standard baseball-style cap, the cap&#39;s sweat-band is unfolded from the inside rim of the hat. Then, corresponding hook-and-loop materials are attached to the inside of the sweat-band (using glue, stitches, or any other suitable means) such that the two horizontal attachment tabs  325  and  326  can be attached to the sweat-band. The sweat-band and tabs can then be folded together and the sweat-band returned to its original folded condition inside the rim of the hat. The attachment means (shown in  FIG. 4  as attachment means  427  and  428 ) securely hold the tabs in place against the sweat-band, in turn securing the entire CCF  310  to the hat. Other embodiments are contemplated wherein the tabs utilize snaps, buttons, zippers, or any other means to attach the CCF  310  to the hat. In addition, the tabs themselves are not necessary and could be replaced by alternate means of attachment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0038]    An embodiment of a CCF  410  is shown in  FIG. 4  from a rear view wherein the outside of the CCF  410  is shown in detail. The outside surface of the CCF  410  faces out and away from the back of the wearer&#39;s head and neck during use. The CCF  410  has a drawstring  415  and a push-button clasp  414 , as described under  FIG. 1 , above. Furthermore, the description of the material used to manufacture the CCF  410  is the same as that given under  FIG. 1 , above.  FIG. 4  also shows the pockets  419  which, when filled with cooling chemicals or agents, enhance the cooling characteristics of the CCF  410 . 
         [0039]    The eyelets, which include a top pair  416  and  466 , a middle pair  417  and  467 , and a bottom pair  418  and  468  in the CCF  410 , are as described under  FIG. 3 , above. The two horizontal attachment tabs  425  and  426  are shown in  FIG. 4 . The attachment means  427  and  428  are shown in this exemplary embodiment as hook-and-loop material. Other means of attaching the CCF  410  are contemplated. In order to attach the CCF  410  to a standard baseball-style cap, the cap&#39;s sweat-band is unfolded from the inside rim of the hat. Then, corresponding hook-and-loop materials are attached (using glue, stitches, or any other suitable means) to the sweat-band such that the two horizontal attachment tabs  425  and  426  can be folded into the sweat-band when it is returned to its original folded position inside the rim of the hat. The attachment means  427  and  428  securely hold the tabs in place against the sweat-band, in turn securing the entire CCF  410  to a hat. The belt loop  411  is shown in detail in  FIG. 4 . It is placed such that the adjustable band on a standard baseball-style cap fits through the belt loop  411  and helps to secure the CCF  410  to the cap. 
         [0040]    Both the left and the right horizontal attachment means  412  and  482  are shown in  FIG. 4 . The horizontal attachment means  412  and  482  are located on the CCF  410  such that the AWF&#39;s corresponding horizontal attachment means  532  and  592  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) line-up with those on the CCF  410  when the AWF is placed onto the CCF  410 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a hook-and-loop material is used as the attachment means, other means of attaching the AWF to the CCF  410  are contemplated. Similarly, both the left and the right vertical attachment means  413  and  483  are shown in  FIG. 4 . The vertical attachment means  413  and  483  are located on the CCF  410  such that the AWF&#39;s corresponding vertical attachment means  533  and  593  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) line-up with those on the CCF  410  when the AWF is placed onto the CCF  410 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a hook-and-loop material is used as the attachment means, other means of attaching the AWF to the CCF  410  are contemplated. 
         [0041]    In addition to acting as a point of attachment for the AWF, the vertical attachment means  413  and  483  also receive the corresponding vertical attachment means on the FP and thereby help to hold the FP in place. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary implementation of the AWF  530 . Note that the hat cover  134  from  FIG. 1  is not utilized in this implementation of the AWF  530 . Instead, only that portion of the AWF  530  that covers the back of the wearer&#39;s head and neck is included. Both the left and the right horizontal attachment means  532  and  592  are shown as are both the left and the right vertical attachment means  533  and  593 . As described under  FIG. 4 , above, the attachment means shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  are the hook-and-loop materials. Other means of attachment are contemplated. 
         [0043]    In the top center of the AWF  530  is an elastic band or stretchable area  537 . The stretchable area  537  allows the AWF  530  to easily adjust to wearers with different size heads. Further, the stretchable area  537  provides for a comfortable and snug fit. 
         [0044]    Yet another exemplary implementation of the AWF  630  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . A left side view of the AWF  630  is shown. The AWF  630  has an integrated weather-proof/water-resistant hat cover  634 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the hat cover  634  is shaped so as to cover a baseball-style cap. It is contemplated that alternative hat cover shapes would be utilized in order to cover alternative hat styles and shapes. The material utilized in manufacturing the hat cover can be any of a number of materials, depending on the properties desired in the hat cover  634 . Similarly, any desired colored and/or patterned materials can be used. 
         [0045]    The AWF  630  attaches to the CCF  110  via the left horizontal attachment means  632  and the left vertical attachment means  633 . Both attachment means are illustrated using dashed lines as they are on the inside, front-facing surface of the AWF  630  and so are not directly visible in the current view. The CCF  110  has a left horizontal attachment means  112  placed so as to accept the AWF&#39;s  630  left horizontal attachment means  632 . The AWF&#39;s  630  left vertical attachment means  633  attaches to the corresponding CCF&#39;s  110  left vertical attachment means  113 . Both the CCF  110  and the AWF  630  also have corresponding right vertical and horizontal attachment means (not shown) that are mirrors of the left attachment means. 
         [0046]    The hat cover  634  has at least three additional subcomponents shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 6 : the elastic or stretchable portion  635  at the front of the hat cover  634 , the adjustable attachment means or drawstring  636 , and the FP storage tab  656 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the stretchable portion  635  at the front of the hat cover  634  combined with the drawstring  636  allows the person wearing an ECS to adjust and tighten the AWF component separately from the other components. Furthermore, the wearer has the ability to remove the AWF  630  completely if it is not needed. Alternate embodiments are contemplated utilizing alternative means of attaching and adjusting the hat cover  634  over the hat. 
         [0047]    The FP storage tab  656  shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 6  is a hook-and-loop material; alternate materials and means of storing the FP are contemplated.  FIG. 6  does not show a FP. Nevertheless, the FP storage tab  656  is shown and would be used by the wearer to store the FP when it is not in use. The wearer would simply relocate the FP from its normal position in front of the wearer&#39;s face by swinging it back over the hat cover  634  and then fold the FP and secure it to the FP storage tab  656  via a similar hook-and-loop material on the FP, as shown in  FIG. 7  as a storage tab  755 . 
         [0048]    The FP  750  shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 7  has four key features: the main structural material  751 , the upper attachment means  752 , the vertical attachment means  753  and  754 , and the storage tab  755 . The main structural material  751  shown in this embodiment is an insect screen or netting. The material used to manufacture the FP  750  can be “see-through”, “rip-stop” nylon or some other suitable material that can protect the wearer&#39;s face from insects, sand, sun, blowing snow, etc., while still allowing the wearer to see through the material. Other embodiments are contemplated in which the main structural material  751  is clear plastic, tinted plastic, etc. 
         [0049]    The FP  750  has an upper attachment means  752  which provides a means for attaching the FP  750  to a hat. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , a hook-and-loop material is used to attach the FP  750  to the underside of the bill of a baseball-style cap. A corresponding hook-and-loop material must also be affixed to the underside of the cap&#39;s bill with glue, stitches, or some other means. Other embodiments of the FP  750  utilizing alternative attachment means are contemplated.  FIG. 7  illustrates the FP  750  from a rear view, showing the surface of the FP  750  that faces inward towards the wearer&#39;s face. The upper attachment means  752  is shown using dashed lines because it is on the outward facing surface of the FP  750  and would not normally be visible from the rear view. The same is true for the storage tab  755 : it is on the outward facing surface of the FP  750 , so would not normally be visible in the current view. 
         [0050]    The storage tab  755  provides a means of securing the FP  750  out of the way when it is not in use. Storage is accomplished by folding the FP  750  over the top of the head and attaching the storage tab  755  to a corresponding attachment means on the rear of the hat. Given the exemplary hook-and-loop attachment means and using the baseball-style hat as an example, the FP  750  would be folded over the top of the hat and attached via the storage tab  755  to a corresponding hook-and-loop material previously affixed to the hat directly above the adjustment band  171 , on the back center of the hat, as shown in  FIG. 2  as FP storage tab  257 . 
         [0051]    The FP  750  has vertical attachment means  753  and  754  which also utilize hook-and-loop material in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  to attach the sides of the FP  750  to the sides of the CCF  110  using the CCF&#39;s  110  vertical attachment means  113 . Both the left and right sides of the FP  750  are shown in  FIG. 7 . However, in  FIG. 1 , only one side of the CCF  110  is shown. Thus, only one vertical attachment means  113  is shown on the CCF  110  in  FIG. 1 . Nevertheless, there is another vertical attachment means on the other side of the CCF  110  so that both the left and right vertical attachment means  753  and  754  can be attached to the left and right vertical attachment means of the CCF  110  in  FIG. 1 . Because the CCF&#39;s  110  vertical attachment means  113  are wider than those of the AWF  130  and the FP  750 , both the AWF  130  and the FP  750  can be attached to the CCF  110  at the same time. 
         [0052]    The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the described articles of manufacture and methods. Many embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.