Abstract:
The technology disclosed herein provides a method and device for storing and transporting a hat that is compact and addresses the problem of attaching a hat to a carrier, for example a bag, without the primary use of friction or clamping force to secure the hat, as these tend to damage the hat. More specifically, the clipping apparatus attaches to the hat by utilizing features of the hat to create mechanical interlocks to secure the hat, as opposed to friction. Further the device is easily and repeatedly attachable and removable from a hat without causing damage to the hat.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to hat accessories for attaching a hat to another object. More particularly the technology relates to clip apparatuses removably attachable to a baseball style hat without causing damage to the hat and removably attachable to another object, for example a handle of a bag. 
         [0003]    Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Historically, great care was taken in the transport of hats due to their delicate nature and great cost. When not being worn hats were transported in large hat boxes which prevented the hats from being crushed and damaged. While hats have become relatively less expensive and less delicate, there is a still desire to prevent damage to hats during travel and storage. The desire to prevent damage to hats is especially true for collectors of baseball style hats who desire to maintain smooth brims and well shaped covering portions. 
         [0005]    Damage to the brim and covering portion of baseball style hats may occur if the hat is stowed or transported in a bag along with other contents. For example, the brim or fabric of the covering portion may be bent or crushed between two books in a backpack. As mentioned above, the use of a hat box would prevent this undesirable damage to baseball style hats. However, hat boxes are impractical because they are large, and would need to be stored and transported when the hat is being worn. Therefore, there exists a need of a way to transport a hat without damaging the hat that does not involve a large box. 
         [0006]    Attaching a hat to the exterior of a bag has been done using clamps and barbed slots, which prevents damage that would occur if the hat were placed inside the bag. However these devices pose the problem of creasing the fabric or causing damage to the fabric of the hat. For example, applying force to hat with a clamp may abrade the fabric as it is pulled through the closed clamp. Therefore, there exists a need of a way to attach a hat to a bag without the use of clamps, barbed slots, or other friction type devices. 
         [0007]    Therefore it is desirable to provide a method and device for storing and transporting a hat that is compact and leaves the hat free from creases of the fabric or brim, as well as damage to the fabric. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The technology disclosed herein provides a method and device for storing and transporting a hat that is compact and addresses the problem of attaching a hat to a carrier, for example a bag, without the primary use of friction or clamping force to secure the hat, as these tend to damage the hat. More specifically, the clipping apparatus attaches to the hat by utilizing features of the hat to create mechanical interlocks to secure the hat, as opposed to friction. Further the device is easily and repeatedly attachable and removable from a hat without causing damage to the hat. 
         [0009]    The clip apparatus includes a first body and a second body. The first body is connected to the second body with a hinge mechanism located at a mid-position of the first body. The clip apparatus utilizes the sweatband and/or a raised emblem on the hat to secure the hat. This allows the hat to be secured to baseball style hats because many baseball style hats include an emblem on the back and a sweatband. 
         [0010]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention can be seen on review of the drawings, the detailed description and the claims, which follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a rear side of a baseball style hat. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a bottom side of a baseball style hat. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1C  is a rear view of a baseball style hat. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional view of a baseball style hat. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a clip apparatus in an open position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of clip apparatus in a closed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2C  is a side view of a clip apparatus in the open position of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 2D  is a side view of a clip apparatus in the closed position of  FIG. 2B . 
           [0019]      FIG. 2E  is an end view of a clip apparatus in the close position of  FIG. 2B . 
           [0020]      FIG. 2F  is a perspective view of a first body. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2G  is a perspective view of a second body. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2H  is an end view of a second body. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a clip apparatus attached to a hat. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-section of a clip apparatus in the open position receiving a hat. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3C  is a cross-section of a clip apparatus in the closed position attached to a hat. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a rectangular emblem and corresponding aperture. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4C  illustrates an aperture corresponding to a rectangular emblem receiving a button of a baseball style hat. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C  illustrate a shield shaped emblem and corresponding aperture. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  illustrate a shield shaped emblem and corresponding aperture. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an asymmetrical shaped emblem and corresponding aperture. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D  illustrate rectangular and circular emblems and a corresponding aperture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    The following description of the disclosure will typically be with reference to specific structural embodiments and methods. It is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specifically disclosed embodiments and methods, but that the disclosure may be practiced using other features, elements, methods and embodiments. Preferred embodiments are described to illustrate the present disclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of equivalent variations on the description that follows. Like elements in various embodiments are commonly referred to with like reference numerals. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1A-D  illustrate an example of a hat  100 , as shown a baseball style hat, that may be used with clip apparatuses, also referred to as hat attachment devices, disclosed herein. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the hat  100  includes a covering portion  102 , also referred to as a main hat body, suitable for being fit over a wearer&#39;s head. The hat further includes a brim  104  on a front side of the hat  100 , a raised emblem  106  on the lower backside of the hat, and a button  107 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The raised emblem is sometimes referred to as a puffed or 3D embroidery and comprises a foam core surrounded in hundreds or thousands of lines of embroidery thread. As shown the raised emblem is in the center of the back of the hat, however the raised emblem may be located anywhere along the lower edge of the hat, and a clip apparatus may be attached to the hat at a location corresponding to the location of the raised emblem. 
         [0034]    Further, as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1D , the lower portion of the covering portion  102  includes a sweatband  108  along at least portions of the head opening of the hat  100 . The sweatband includes an inner sweatband surface  110 , which contacts the wearer&#39;s head when the hat is worn, and an outer sweatband surface  112 . The covering portion  102  includes an inner covering surface  114 , which contacts the wearer&#39;s head when the hat is worn, and an outer covering surface  116 . The lower edge  117  of the sweatband  108  is attached to the lower edge  119  of the covering portion  102 . The sweatband  108  and covering portion  102  form a channel  111  between the inner covering surface  114  and outer sweatband surface  112  as shown in the cross-section of the hat  100  in  FIG. 1D . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1A-D  show a baseball style hat, however the clip apparatuses disclosed herein may be used with other types of hats, caps, and visors, without departing from the spirit of the technology. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of a clip apparatus  200  in an open position. The clip apparatus  200  comprises a first body  202  and a second body  204 . In the embodiment shown, the first and second bodies are substantially planar rectangular bodies, however other shapes and curvatures are envisioned. The first body  202  comprises a first end  206  including an attachment means for attaching the clip apparatus to a carrier article, for example a handle of a bag or a hook on a wall. In the embodiment shown the attachment means comprises a hook  208  and spring gate  210  forming a carabiner like attachment mechanism to attach the clip apparatus to a loop, for example the handle of a bag, a belt loop, or a belt. 
         [0037]    In embodiments the attachment means comprises an aperture, for example a circular hole for passing cord through, or a slit for passing webbing through. The cord or webbing may be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to a bag. For example, a loop of webbing sewn to a bag may pass through the slit of the attachment means, or a loop of webbing may pass through the slit of the attachment means and through a slit of a side release buckle. Further, in embodiments the attachment means comprise a portion of a side release buckle, or similar device, formed integrally with the first body. A complementary end portion of the side release buckle may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to a bag. Further, in embodiments, the attachments means comprises a slot configured to receive and attach to a belt, a waistband, a strap, or similar thin flat article. 
         [0038]    The first body  202  further comprises a top surface  211  and a second end  212 , located opposite the first end  206 . Extending from the top surface  211  at the second end  212  is a retainer  214 . The retainer  214  includes a first portion  216 , also referred to as a first leg, extending away from the top surface  211  and a second portion  218 , also referred to as a second leg, extending from the first portion  216  toward the first end  206  and forming a slot  220  between the top surface  211  of the first body  202  and the second portion  218 . The slot  220  is configured to receive the top edge  121  of the sweatband  108  of the hat  100  so that the second portion  218  is located within the channel  111  of the hat  100 , as will be discussed below. In embodiments, the slot  220  spans the width of the second body  204  and may range from 0.4 to 1.2 mm deep and from 1.2 to 2.0 mm between the second portion  228  and the top surface  211 . 
         [0039]    The first body  202  further comprises hinge elements located between the first end  206  and second end  212 . In the embodiment shown the hinge elements comprise hinge knuckles on the first body  202  including a first hinge post  222  and a second hinge post  224 , as shown in  FIG. 2F . The first and second hinge posts include sleeves  226  for receiving pins  228  to form a pivoting hinge connection between the second body  204  and the first body  202 . 
         [0040]    The second body  204  comprises a hinge knuckle  230  on an end, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The hinge knuckle  230  includes one or more sleeves  232 , as shown in  FIG. 2G , and is configured to be placed between the first and second hinge posts  222   224 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . The sleeve  232  of the hinge knuckle  230  is configured to receive the pins  228  from the first and second hinge posts. The first and second hinge posts  222  and  224 , pins  228  and hinge knuckle  230  form the hinge mechanism of the device. The hinge mechanism allows for the second body  204  to pivot relative to the first body  202  from the open position shown in  FIG. 2A  to the closed position shown in  FIG. 2B . In embodiments, the pins are steel and the first and second bodies are ABS. In embodiments, the pins may be integrally formed with the hinge posts of the first body or the hinge knuckle of the second body. Further, in embodiments, the sleeves of the hinge posts or hinge knuckle may include an open side allowing a pin to be snapped into the sleeve through the open side. Further, embodiments may include different numbers of hinge posts and knuckles than shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-D . 
         [0041]    The hinge mechanism may further comprise one or more biasing or locking mechanisms. In embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , the hinge mechanism includes a clasp  232 . The clasp  232  is slidable between a disengaged position, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2C , and an engaged position as shown in  FIG. 2B . To place the clasp in the disengaged position, the clasp is slid toward the first end  206  and the second body  204  is free to pivot relative to the first body  202  between the open and closed positions. To place the clasp in the engaged position, the clasp is slid toward the second end  212  and the second body  204  is biased toward the closed position by the clasp  232  as shown in  FIG. 2B . The hinge mechanism may further include a biasing spring  234 . The biasing spring  234  is located between the first body  202  and the second body  234  and creates a biasing force to bias the second body  204  to be in the open position relative to the first body  202 . The biasing force of the biasing spring  234  is overcome by the clasp  232  in the engaged position of the clasp. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 2E , in the closed position the second body  204  forms a gap  240  between the second portion  218  of the retainer  214 . As will be discussed below the gap is beneficial in preventing damage to a hat attached to the clip apparatus. Further, as shown in  FIG. 2D , in the closed position a cavity is formed between the first body  202  and  204  which will receive a portion of a hat, which will be discussed below. 
         [0043]    As shown is  FIGS. 2A-2C , the second body  204  is a generally planar body. In embodiments, the second body has a width similar to the first body  202  and a length selected so that when in the closed position the ends of the first body and second body substantially align, as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2D . 
         [0044]    The second body  204  includes a top surface  242  and a bottom surface  244 , and further includes an aperture  246  through the second body  204  from the top surface  242  to the bottom surface  244 . In the closed position, the bottom surface  244  of the second body  204  faces the top surface  211  of the first body  202 . When the clip apparatus  200  receives a hat  100  in the cavity between the first body  202  and second body  204 , the bottom surface  244  of the second body  204  contacts or is directly adjacent to the outer covering surface  116  of the covering portion  102  of the hat  100 , as is shown in  FIG. 3B . The bottom surface  244  of the second body  204  and the top surface  211  of the first body  202  are free of barbs, sharp points and edges in order to avoid damaging portions of the hat received by the clip apparatus. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3A , shows a clip apparatus  200  attached to a hat  100  including a raised emblem  106 . To attach a hat  100  to the clip apparatus  200  the clip apparatus is placed into the open position and the hat is positioned in the clip apparatus so that the top edge of the sweatband  121  is within the slot  220  and the second portion  218  is within the channel  111 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . In this position, the inner surface of the inner sweatband surface  110  is facing and adjacent to the top surface  211  of the first body  202 , and the outer covering surface  116  and raised emblem  106  are facing the second body  204 . To secure the hat  100  to the clip apparatus  200 , the raised emblem  106  is aligned with the aperture  246  and the clip apparatus is placed into the closed position so that the raised emblem is received in the aperture as is shown in  FIG. 3A  and corresponding cross-section AA shown in  FIG. 3C . In the configuration shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3C  the combination of the raised emblem  106  in the aperture  246  and sweatband  108  in the slot  220  form two mechanical interlocks which prevent the hat  100  from being removed from the clip apparatus  200  in the closed position. This configuration does not include any substantial clamping or friction force to retain the hat in the clip apparatus because the cavity between the first body and second body is larger than the hat received therein. This frictionless attachment is beneficial in preventing damage to the hat. Further, in this configuration the emblem received in the aperture additionally restricts movement of the sweatband sliding around the clip apparatus in a direction parallel to the top edge of the sweatband. 
         [0046]    The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-C  includes two mechanical interlocks, however embodiments may include a single mechanical interlock to secure a hat to the clip apparatus. For example, an embodiment of a clip apparatuses may include an aperture on the second body and a first body without a retainer, or an embodiment may include a retainer on the first body and a second body without an aperture. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4A  shows a rectangular emblem  402 , and  FIG. 4B  illustrates a second body  204  including a rectangular aperture  404 . In embodiments, the aperture is sized to be slightly larger than the emblem which it is configured to receive. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the clearance between the sides of the emblem and the sides of the aperture may be 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm. In embodiments, the aperture may be configured to have a press fit with the emblem. For example, the aperture may be slightly smaller in dimension than the emblem and the resiliency of the raised emblem allows the emblem to slightly compress to be received in the aperture. In embodiments the second body may comprise a resilient material around the aperture to provide a press fit with the raise emblem. Further, in embodiments the aperture may have a shape which allows portions of the outline of the aperture to contact the raised emblem to form a press fit and the shape may also include portions that during normal conditions have a clearance with the raised emblem. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4C  illustrates the aperture  404  of  FIG. 4B  being used to create a press fit with the button  406  of a hat to attach a hat to the clip apparatus. In this configuration, the top surface  242  of the second body faces the outer covering portion of a hat, and attachment of the hat does not include a portion of the hat being received in the cavity between the first and second bodies. 
         [0049]    While the embodiment of the clip apparatus discussed thus far includes a rectangular aperture to be used to attach a hat with a rectangular raised emblem, in embodiments the aperture may be of other shapes to be used with raised emblems of corresponding shapes. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 5A-C  illustrate a shield shaped emblem  502  and two aperture shapes which may receive the shield shaped emblem. As shown, the shield shaped aperture  504  in  FIG. 5B  includes a shape closely corresponding to the shield shaped emblem  502 . However, in embodiments apertures may have a shape which less closely corresponds to the shape of emblem which the aperture is configured to receive. For example, the shape of the aperture may be a rough outline of the emblem and only include convex surfaces. For example,  FIG. 5C  illustrates an embodiment of a rounded shield shape aperture  506  which corresponds to the shield shaped aperture  504  of  FIG. 5A  and has a simplified shape which does not include features corresponding to the points of the shield shaped emblem  502 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate a shield shaped emblem  602  and two aperture shapes which may receive the shield shaped emblem, similar as discussed in  FIGS. 5A-C . The shield shaped aperture  604  in  FIG. 6B  includes a shape closely corresponding to the shield shaped emblem  602  and the rounded shield shape aperture  604  corresponds to the shield shaped aperture  604  and is configured to contact or be closely adjacent to the outside points of the shield shaped emblem  602 . 
         [0052]    While the raised emblems disclosed thus far have included symmetry in at least one direction, embodiments may include raised emblems and corresponding apertures without symmetry which form the mechanical interlock discussed above. For example,  FIG. 7A  includes an asymmetrical emblem  702  and  FIG. 7B  includes an asymmetrical aperture  704  to receive asymmetrical emblem  702 . 
         [0053]    In embodiments the aperture may have a shape capable of receiving and creating a mechanical interlock, as discussed above, for two or more differently shaped raised emblems. For example,  FIGS. 8A-D  show an embodiment including a rectangular emblem  702 , a circular emblem  703 , and an aperture  704  having a shape which can receive and create a mechanical interlock with both the rectangular and circular emblems. While the embodiment shown includes two simple shapes, an aperture may be shaped to receive more complex shapes, for example any combination of two or more of the emblems of  FIGS. 4A-7B . Further, in embodiments, the aperture may be shaped and sized to also be attachable to the button on a baseball style hat with a friction fit, as noted above. 
         [0054]    While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the preferred embodiments and examples detailed above, it is to be understood that these examples are intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense. It is contemplated that modifications and combinations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, which modifications and combinations will be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.