Abstract:
An accent device for use with a headpiece includes a headpiece with at least one opening in the headpiece through which one end of the accent is inserted. An opposite end of the accent device is brought into contact with the one end and attached thereto. The accent device includes a structure that is disposed on a plane and can include any circular, oval, or polygonal shape. Any other item, including jewelry can also be attached to the accent device. A method for permanently attaching an accent piece to a headpiece is also described.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention, in general relates to an ornamentation and, more particularly, to accent items and devices that adorn hats. 
   Headpieces come in all manner and variety. There are hats of all types, caps, sun visors, berets, beanies, wool hats, even cloth hanker chiefs or other cloth materials such as turbans that are worn around a portion of a head of a person. 
   Many are worn for practical purposes, for example, to reduce exposure to the sun. Others are worn strictly for aesthetics, to project a particular image or appearance. 
   Regardless as to why a headpiece is worn, it is desirable that it optimally flatter the wearer. More than that, if a particular headpiece were somehow to stand out as being unique, then that would promote recognition of the wearer. 
   If an ornamentation is added to a headpiece, it needs to be durable, classy, and simple. It also needs to remain on the headpiece, even if subject to much movement. Accordingly, ornamental jewelry items are not suitable for such purposes. 
   Accordingly, there exists today a need for a headpiece ornament that helps to satisfy the above needs. 
   Clearly, such an apparatus would be a useful and desirable device as would a method for permanently attaching the headpiece ornament to the headpiece. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Headpieces are, in general, well known. Jewelry that is worn directly on a person is also well known. While the structural arrangements of the above described devices, at first appearance, may have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a headpiece ornament that is economical to manufacture. 
   It is also an important object of the invention to provide a headpiece ornament that is installed at the time of manufacture of a headpiece. 
   It is also a still further important object of the invention to provide a headpiece ornament that can installed on a headpiece by a manufacture or the headpiece ornament or an authorized representative. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a headpiece ornament that cannot be removed from a headpiece. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a headpiece ornament that cannot fall off of a headpiece. 
   Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a headpiece ornament that is circular. 
   Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a headpiece ornament that that is oval. 
   Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide a headpiece ornament that includes a geometric planar shape. 
   A first further object of the invention is to provide a headpiece ornament that provides an accent to a headpiece. 
   Briefly, a headpiece ornament that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a continuous loop that may include a circular, oval, triangular, or other polygonal substantially planar shape. Once installed on a headpiece, the ornament cannot be removed from the headpiece. It is placed where desired on any type of a headpiece so that, preferably, at least a portion of the ornament is visible. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of several variations of a headpiece ornament. 
       FIG. 2  is a view in perspective of a headpiece ornament on a rim of a hat, the hat being a type of headpiece. 
       FIG. 3  is a view in perspective of a headpiece ornament on a beret, the beret being an alternative type of headpiece. 
       FIG. 4  is a view in perspective of a headpiece ornament on a bill of a cap, the cap being an alternative type of headpiece. 
       FIG. 5  is a view in perspective of a headpiece ornament on a rolled brim of a wool hat, the wool hat being an alternative type of headpiece. 
       FIG. 6  is a view in perspective of a headpiece ornament on a turban, the turban being an alternative type of headpiece. 
       FIG. 7  is a view in perspective of a smaller size of a headpiece ornament on a cloth headpiece, the cloth headpiece being an alternative type of headpiece. 
       FIG. 8  is a view in perspective of a larger size of a headpiece ornament on the cloth headpiece of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a view in perspective of a headpiece ornament on a bill of a stylish cap, the stylish cap being an alternative type of headpiece. 
       FIG. 10  is a view in perspective of a headpiece ornament on and edge of the stylish cap of FIG.  9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a view in perspective of a headpiece ornament on the body of the stylish cap of FIG.  9 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to FIG.  1  and also to the remaining figure drawings is shown, a headpiece ornament, identified in general by the reference numeral  10 . 
   The headpiece ornament  10  may include any circular  10   a , oval  10   b , or other geometric shape  10   c  that forms a continuous loop or ring when attached to a headpiece. The stock that is used to form the headpiece ornament  10  can include a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section, as desired. It can be any size (i.e., diameter) so as to make the headpiece ornament either more or less noticeable. 
   The headpiece ornament  10  can be formed out of any desired material and be any overall size. On small headpieces, a smaller version of the headpiece ornament  10  (i.e., smaller diameter stock and/or a smaller overall diameter of the ornament  10 ) may be preferred, whereas on larger headpiece sizes and styles, a larger version of the headpiece ornament  10  (i.e., larger diameter stock and/or a larger overall diameter of the ornament  10 ) is preferred. 
   Headpieces of all types are suitable for use with the headpiece ornament  10  a portion of the types of headpieces that are available are shown in remaining DRAWING  FIGS. 2-11  and include various types of hats, caps, sun visors, berets, beanies, wool hats, even cloth hanker chiefs or other cloth materials such as turbans that are worn around a portion of a head. 
   The headpiece ornament  10  is intended to be included with all of these various headpieces as well as with any other type of a headpiece not shown. The term “headpiece” as used herein is intended to include any type of a garment that is worn proximate (i.e., in contact with) the head of a person. 
   The headpiece ornament  10  is primarily intended to be installed at the factory during manufacture of the headpiece. If the headpiece ornament  10  is formed of a metal (gold, silver, platinum, or other types of metals or alloys), then it is inserted through a hole that is provided in any of the headpieces (or it is inserted through naturally occurring openings, for example in between the threads of a wool hat). 
   After insertion through the hole, the disparate ends of the ornament  10  are brought into contact with each other and are soldered or welded together so as to form a continuous loop. This ensures that the headpiece ornament cannot become lost, fall from the headpiece, or be misplaced. It remains with the headpiece. 
   As such, manufacturers of the headpiece will likely welcome the benefits that are provided by the headpiece ornament in that their product lines are intended to become more distinctive and appealing to consumers. 
   It is important that when the headpiece ornament  10  is installed on the headpiece that a continuous loop be attained. Ordinary jewelry (not shown) includes a clasp that can become opened and lost. This is not suitable for use with the headpiece ornament  10 . If the headpiece ornament  10  were to fall of the headpiece, the consumer would not likely purchase it or would purchase a less expensive version. Conversely, if the headpiece ornament  10  can never become separated apart from the headpiece, consumers are more apt to make such purchases, especially purchases that include more expensive variations of the headpiece ornament  10 . 
   However, virtually any other type of material, including plastics or composite materials can also be used to form the headpiece ornament  10 . If these are used, the ends are fused or glued together. 
   It is also possible to market the headpiece ornament  10  for retrofitting to existing headpieces (i.e., for after market sales). Because proper installation is important, the manufacturer of the headpiece ornament  10  may offer consumers the option to bring their favorite headpiece in to the ornament  10  manufacturer (or an authorized agent or representative of the ornament  10  manufacturer) for installation of the headpiece ornament  10  on their favorite headpiece in whatever location that they prefer. This provides great versatility to the consumer. 
   Installation of the ornament  10  on the headpiece is similar regardless of who installs it. The headpiece manufacturer must decide on the size, style, type, quantity, and location of the ornament  10  on the headpiece. The headpiece ornament  10  manufacturer, agent, or representative would assist the consumer in selecting the size, style, and material used for the headpiece ornament  10 . Then both the headpiece manufacturer or the headpiece ornament  10  manufacturer, agent, or representative would form the hole (or holes if more than one of the headpiece ornaments  10  is to be simultaneously applied, as is described below in greater detail) where desired in the headpiece or in the favorite headpiece and do so in as safe a way as possible while also ensuring that the hole is of the proper size. 
   For example, a punch could be used to perforate the headpiece with an opening (i.e., hole) size that is precisely suited for the size of the headpiece ornament  10  that is selected. A tight fit between the headpiece ornament  10  and the headpiece itself prevents movement of the headpiece ornament  10  with respect to the headpiece, which in turn decreases wear of both the ornament  10  and the headpiece proximate the opening. 
   The manufacturer of the headpiece or the headpiece ornament  10  manufacturer, agent, or representative would pass a first end of the headpiece ornament  10  through the opening and urge the first end adjacent to a second end of the ornament  10 . The body of the ornament  10  is then adjusted as necessary to ensure that the proper planar shape is attained, for example a circle, oval, triangle, or other polygonal shape. More complex shapes can also be included as part of the ornament  10 , if desired. 
   Finally, the headpiece manufacturer or the headpiece ornament  10  manufacturer, agent, or representative would attach the first and second ends of the headpiece ornament  10  together after insertion through the hole and secure each end together using whatever is the preferred method. Solder, silver solder, gold solder, welding, fusing, epoxy, glue, and other methods are all possible depending upon the material used to form both the headpiece ornament  10  and also taking into account limitations concerning the headpiece itself and the desired appearance of the finished article. 
   Clearly, many other changes will become apparent to those as a result of having benefited from the instant disclosure. For example, more than one of the headpiece ornaments  10  can be used on any given headpiece as mentioned hereinabove. When more than one headpiece ornament  10  is used on the same headpiece, the size and shape of each one can also vary. 
   Accordingly, a way to personalize and accent the headpiece is provided that allows individual expression. After having benefited from the instant invention, many of the headpieces tend to appear mundane, even boring, without benefit of the headpiece ornament  10 . 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 2 , is shown the headpiece ornament  10  on a rim  12  of a hat  14 , the hat  14  being a type of headpiece. 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 3 , is shown the headpiece ornament  10  on a beret  16 , the beret  16  being an alternative type of headpiece. 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 4 , is shown the headpiece ornament  10  on a bill  18  of a cap  20 , the cap  20  being an alternative type of headpiece. 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 5 , is shown the headpiece ornament  10  on a rolled brim  22  of a wool hat  24  the wool hat  24  being an alternative type of headpiece. 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 6 , is shown the headpiece ornament  10  on a turban  26 , the turban  26  being an alternative type of headpiece. 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 7 , is shown a smaller size of the headpiece ornament  10  on a cloth headpiece  28 , the cloth headpiece  28  being an alternative type of headpiece. 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 6 , is shown a larger size of the headpiece ornament  10  on the cloth headpiece  28  of FIG.  7 . FIG.  7  and  FIG. 8  show by way of comparison that different sizes of the headpiece ornament  10  can be used on any given type of headpiece. 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 9 , is shown the headpiece ornament  10  on a bill of a stylish cap  30 , the bill facing to the rear of the wearer and the stylish cap  30  being an alternative type of headpiece. 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 10 , is shown the headpiece ornament  10  on an edge of the stylish cap  30  of FIG.  9 . 
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 11 , is shown the headpiece ornament  10  on the body of the stylish cap  30  of FIG.  9 . 
   By way of comparison,  FIGS. 10-11  show how varying the location of the headpiece ornament  10  on the same headpiece can create and entirely different appearance or “look” thereby personalizing the appearance to match the mood of the wearer. 
   It is also noted that when the headpiece ornament  10  is inserted into a brim or edge of the headpiece, that only one hole is required in the headpiece to accept the ornament  10 . However, when the headpiece ornament  10  is inserted into the body of the headpiece (see FIG.  11 ), then two adjacent openings (i.e., holes) must be provided in the body, one to accept the entry of one side of the ornament  10  and the other to allow for its exit on the same side of the headpiece. 
   If desired, the two openings can be located on a protruding fold of the headpiece (so that the ornament  10  is flush with the surface of the headpiece) or the two openings can be spaced apart from each other any desired amount. 
   If desired, any other type of an item can also be attached to the headpiece ornament including items that are part of its structure or suspended from it. For example, precious stones, such as a diamond or diamonds, can be included with the headpiece ornament  10  as desired. 
   The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.