Abstract:
A hat that is operable to receive and retain a personal electronic device and facilitate the use thereof subsequent the hat being surroundably mounted a user&#39;s head. The hat includes at least one pocket wherein the pocket is operable to be secured either internally or externally. The pocket includes an interior volume of suitable size to receive a personal electronic. The pocket includes a first opening and a second opening that enable a user to access the interior volume when the hat is being worn by a user or not being worn by a user. The hat is provided in alternative embodiments that are formed with an article of clothing or provided separately. The pocket further includes a radiation-blocking layer that is operable to inhibit the transmission of radiation in the direction of the user&#39;s head.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to clothing articles, more specifically but not by way of limitation headwear that is either integrated into a jacket or an independent embodiment that is configured to retain a personal electronic device proximate to a user&#39;s ear. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Personal electronic devices have proliferated our society in the last decade. These devices range from media players to cellular phone, specifically smartphones. These devices are utilized by millions of individuals everyday to gather information, communicate and listen to music. While utilizing these devices individual often use their hand to maintain the devices proximity to their ear either during a phone call or listening to music. 
         [0003]    Individuals that utilize the aforementioned personal devices will use them in various types of environmental climates. One exemplary climate is a typical northern climate wherein the average temperature facilitates the wearing of items such as but not limited to hats and hoodie style sweatshirts. Additionally, while some climates experience weather year round requiring the aforementioned articles of clothing, most geographies experience some level of winter and as such those residing in the area will wear hats and hoodie style articles of clothing. 
         [0004]    One issue with existing hats and hoodie style sweatshirts is their obstruction of use of personal electronic devices. Conventional hats and hoodie style sweatshirts typically cover the ear and will reduce the sound quality from the media device. This can obstruct a phone call or the playback of music. As such, users will typically remove the headwear while making a phone call creating the undesirable scenario of exposing their head to an unfavorable climate. 
         [0005]    Another issue with conventional hats and hoodie style sweatshirts is their inability to receive and retain personal electronic devices and provide easy access thereto. While there are hoodie style sweatshirts with an internal pocket, the pockets cannot be easily accessed and they are not constructed to facilitate improved use of a personal electronic device. Additionally, it is known within the art that all personal electronic devices emit at least some level of radiation. While the health consequences of this radiation are still largely unknown, it is desirable for a user to substantially inhibit the transmission of radiation towards the head of the user. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for headwear that provides storage and use of a personal electronic device wherein the headwear further inhibits that transmission of radiation in the direction of a user&#39;s head. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is the object of the present invention to provide at least two embodiments of headwear wherein the headwear is configured to receive and retain a personal electronic and maintain the personal electronic device in a location that facilitates the user thereof. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide at least two embodiments of headwear wherein the headwear embodiments include a standalone knit cap and an integrated hoodie style sweatshirt. 
         [0009]    A further object of the present invention is to provide headwear that is operable to receive and retain a personal electronic device wherein the headwear includes at least one integrated pocket. 
         [0010]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide headwear that is operable to receive and retain a personal electronic device having a pocket wherein the pocket includes a first opening and a second opening. 
         [0011]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide headwear having an integrated pocket configured to receive a personal electronic device wherein the integrated pocket includes a retaining strap. 
         [0012]    Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide headwear that includes at least one integrated pocket operable to receive and retain a personal electronic device so as to facilitate the use thereof wherein the pocket further includes a radiation-blocking layer. 
         [0013]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is detailed view of the pocket of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated headwear with integrated electronics retention  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
         [0020]    An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0021]    It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0022]    References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
         [0023]    Referring in particular to  FIG. 1  herein, the headwear with integrated electronics retention  100  includes a body  10  that includes a lower portion  15  and an upper portion  20  integrally formed. The lower portion  15  is a conventional jacket constructed utilizing suitable techniques and materials as is known in the art. Upper portion  20  is integrally formed with the lower portion  15  wherein the illustrated embodiment of the headwear with integrated electronics retention  100  is similar to a jacket style that is known in the art as a hoodie. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the upper portion  20  could be releasably secured to the lower portion  15  utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to zippers or snaps. 
         [0024]    The upper portion  20  includes a first pocket  30  and a second pocket  40 . The first pocket  30  and second pocket  40  are secured to opposing sides of the upper portion  20  utilizing suitable durable techniques. The first pocket  30  and second pocket  40  are identically constructed and a detailed view thereof is illustrated in particular in  FIG. 1A  herein. The first pocket  30  and second pocket  40  include a plurality of walls  50  and a bottom  60  integrally formed so as to create an interior volume  65 . The first pocket  30  and second pocket  40  are configured to have a first opening  70  proximate upper edge  68  and a second opening  80  extending vertically along side  78 . First opening  70  is accessible via the interior of the upper portion  15 . A user can access the interior volume  65  and place an object therein such as but not limited to a cellular phone via first opening  70  prior to placing the upper portion  20  around their head. If the upper portion  20  has been placed around a user&#39;s head, the second opening  80  provides access to the interior volume  65  from the exterior of the upper portion  20  as the second opening  80  is constructed in the upper portion  20  so as to be located on the exterior surface  22  of the upper portion  20 . This provides an option for a user of the headwear with integrated electronics retention  100  to access the interior volume  65  of either the first pocket  30  or second pocket  40  from either the interior of the upper portion  20  prior to placing around their head or through the exterior surface  22  ensuing the upper portion  20  being surroundably secured to a user&#39;s head. While a first opening  70  and a second opening  80  have been disclosed in the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first pocket  30  and second pocket  40  could be configured to only have one opening to access the interior volume  65  thereof. 
         [0025]    The first pocket  30  and second pocket  40  include an integral radiation-blocking layer  90 . As is known in the art, electronic devices such as but not limited to cellular phones emit radiation when in use. While the health effects of this radiation are still unknown, it is desirable for a user to inhibit the transmission of this radiation into their bodies if feasible. The radiation-blocking layer  90  is manufactured from a material such as but not limited to metal and is operable to reduce the transmission of radiation therepast. The radiation-blocking layer  90  is manufactured in a thin flexible layer so as not to intrude on the design or functionality of the upper portion  20 . The radiation-blocking layer  90  is integrally formed into wall  59  utilizing suitable durable techniques. The radiation-blocking layer  90  includes an upper end  91  and a lower end  92 . While the lower end  92  extends such that it is proximate bottom  60 , the upper end  91  does not extend completely to be proximate first opening  70 . The aforementioned construction of the radiation-blocking layer  90  is designed so as to reduce interference with an audio speaker of a device that has been disposed within the interior volume  65  of either the first pocket  30  or second pocket  40 . This design facilitates the substantial blocking of radiation emitted by an electronic device but allows the sound emitted therefrom to be transmitted without interference. It is desired within the scope of the present invention that the upper end  91  is approximately one inch below first opening  70   
         [0026]    Disposed within the interior volume  65  of the first pocket  30  and second pocket  40  is a strap  110 . Strap  110  is manufactured from an elastic material and extends longitudinally with first end  110  being proximate opening  70  and second end  111  be secured proximate bottom  60 . Strap  110  is operable to releasably secure an object disposed within the interior volume  65  of either the first pocket  30  or second pocket  40 . 
         [0027]    Secured intermediate the first pocket  30  and second pocket  40  is channel  120 . Channel  120  is a hollow passage constructed utilizing suitable techniques that functions to operably couple the first pocket  30  and second pocket  40 . The channel  120  functions to allow a user to place therein a headphone cord or similar article so as to operably couple a device disposed within the first pocket  30  to an article disposed within the second pocket  40 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the channel  120  could be constructed utilizing numerous techniques so as to facilitate the intended functionality as described herein. 
         [0028]    Referring in particular to  FIGS. 2 and 3  herein, an alternative embodiment of headwear with integrated electronics retention  100  are illustrated therein. Embodiments  200 ,  300  are constructed in a beanie-style or knit cap style having a body  210 ,  310  that is manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to cotton. The body  210 ,  310  is formed in a dome shape having a cavity  215 ,  315  operable to receive at least a portion of a human head therein. The embodiments  200 , 300  include pocket  240 . Pockets  240  are manufactured having a plurality of walls  241  and bottom  242  forming an opening  243  configured to provide access to the interior volume  244 . The pocket  240  is secured to the embodiments  200 , 300  in either a first position or a second position. In a first position, as is illustrated in particular in  FIG. 2  herein, the pocket  240  is secured to the exterior of the body  210 . In a second position, illustrated herein in particular in  FIG. 3  herein, the pocket  240  is secured to the interior of embodiment  300 . While not particularly illustrated herein it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the pocket  240  could further include the radiation-blocking layer described herein. The embodiments  200 ,  300  are included herein so as to illustrate and describe alternative designs of headwear with integrated electronics retention  100  that are not integrally secured to a jacket. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous alternative styles of headwear could be constructed to create an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0029]    In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.