Abstract:
An audio system and hat connection assembly incorporated into or adapted for connecting to a hat and comprising a first connection plate and corresponding second connection plate that connect through or to the bill or hat material wherein the first section is adapted for storing the audio circuit and speaker components and connects to the second section in a manner that grips the hat material and provides access to the audio controls. In an alternative embodiment, the connection assembly may comprise a clip that secures the audio system to the hat without penetrating it. The assembly includes storage space for securing at least one speaker and audio system, which may be adapted for storing other items, such as money and keys.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/438,623 filed Jan. 8, 2003. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   N/A 
   COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
   A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to a storage and connection system for hats or visors, and more particularly, to a radio, speaker and connection assembly that connects to a hat, such as the bill of a baseball cap, and that may be adapted for other accessories such as a flashlight or rotatable sun shield. 
   2. Description of the Background Art 
   Baseball caps and portable radios are well known and popular. Existing baseball caps comprise a bill and head cover. Portable radios known in the art include those adapted into headsets or sold under the trademark Walkman. Although awkward, oftentimes people simultaneously wear baseball caps and portable radios. This, however, can be uncomfortable and dangerous. Portable radios and headsets typically fit up against the ear or in the ear in a manner that drowns out ambient noise. Consequently, outside noises that would typically warn of potential danger go unnoticed, which can result in life threatening accidents. In addition, existing portable radio devices are not always adapted for convenient hands-free portability and use. Moreover, it is sometimes desirable to have an additional storage place for personal items, such as keys and money, and, or other accessories, such as a flashlight and, or sunshield, conveniently available. Additional accessories such as these would be conveniently available if embodied in a hat, such as a baseball cap. There are no known audio assembly systems for hats or baseball-styled caps having these attributes. 
   The background art discloses various devices that are connectable to a hat, however they fail to adequately address the foregoing as contemplated by the instant invention. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,759, issued to Anderson, discloses a timekeeping cap with a crown portion placed on the head of a human, a visor portion extending from the crown portion for shade which has a cavity which opens to the lower surface of the visor portion, and a clock which is positioned within the cavity which includes a clock face through which time may be viewed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,139, issued to Benitez, discloses retractable binoculars, used in combination with and attached to a visor, the binoculars structured and fitted to be positioned under the side of the visor, or may be extended in a viewing position where an individual may look through the binoculars supportably attached to the visor being worn. U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,746, issued to Gelber, discloses a cap having a crown, a brim and an internal sweatband or flap, combined with an electronic receiving device, such as a radio, which is connected to the inner surface of the flap by a double-sided adhesive strip. A battery holder is mounted to the flap on the other side of the brim by a second double sided adhesive strip and a second backing element. Earphones are connected to the radio by wires on the opposite side of the radio. U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,698, issued to Burton, discloses a wearable audio reception device with a flexible enclosure removably attachable to an article of clothing, the radio also being removably attachable to the flexible enclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,092, issued to Streb, discloses a cap with sleep posture alarm comprised of a cap adapted for receiving a user&#39;s head, alarm circuitry for generating an alarm signal when electrically energized, at least one speaker for transmitting an alarm based upon receipt of an alarm signal, and a power source for providing electrical energy to the alarm circuitry. U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,807, issued to Peterson, discloses headgear including a light-filtering visor which may be used with caps, hats, and headbands. The light-filtering visor may be flipped downward to an operative position, or upward to an inoperative position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,413, issued to Bower, discloses an eye shield for a visor or cap bill which may be removably attached to the bill of a visor or cap by pressing clips onto the right edge and the left edge of the bill. U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,060, issued to Johnson, discloses a combination baseball style cap and light assembly. The cap has a crown, a bill extending from the crown, a sweatband liner circumscribing the bottom edge of the cap, and a reinforcing crown liner, and a double light and switch assembly comprising two lamp sockets affixed to a mounting plate on each side of a sealed sub-mini micro switch also affixed to the mounting plate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,160, issued to Sheppard, discloses a cap having a tape playing apparatus, and at least one speaker positionable near the ear openings of the wear for playing desired tapes while the wearer is sleeping. The tape playing apparatus is positioned at the crown of the cap to allow the user to sleep comfortably when the cap is in use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,337, issued to Dudley, discloses a flexible mirror that can be attached to a variety of items of apparel. The mirror includes a low strength magnet and a hinge member, which pivotally secures the flexible mirror to a flexible surface of an item of apparel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,640, issued to Ryder, discloses a visor and eyeshield combination which allows the wearer to adjust the eyeshield by flipping the eyeshield up to a rest position or down to an in-use position. By adjusting the distance of the eyeshield downward from the visor, in order to accommodate eyeglasses and/or facial contours. U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,291, issued to Asenguah, discloses an apparatus providing solar powered air circulation to the face and upper body of the user. Mounting photoelectric cells to the apex of the top of a hat is provided which cells are connected by wire to a directionally selective fan which is located under the brim of the hat. U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,198, issued to Burton, discloses a mirror attachment for eyeglasses, which is a lightweight rectangular mirror attached to the temple piece of a pair of eyeglasses by a hinged arm. The mirror may be folded to a closed position generally parallel to the temple piece when not in use, and extended to a vertical plane of the eyeglass lens when in use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,992, issued to Bondy, discloses an eye shield assembly for use in conjunction with a hat having a brim. The assembly includes a frame and a lens mounted to the frame. The opposite sides of the frame are pivotally secured to the hat brim so that the frame is movable between a storage position and an operational position. 
   Based on the foregoing, the background devices fail to disclose an audio assembly system for a hat or hat-like device having or being adaptable for having a built in radio/player and speaker assembly with the option for additional accessories, such as storage, flashlight and, or sunshield, as contemplated by the instant invention. If a device and, or system existed that could conveniently combine a hat, such as a baseball cap or visor, with a hands-free audio assembly system that can be heard without blocking ambient noise it would be well received. Such a device would also be well received with additional accessories. The instant invention addresses this unfulfilled need in the prior art by providing a radio and connection system that is adapted for attachment to the bill of a baseball cap. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connection system that is adaptable for mounting to a hat, such as a baseball cap or visor, and for storing items such as a radio, player, speaker system, personal items, flashlight and, or sun shield. 
   It is another object of the instant invention to provide a stereo-hat system that is adaptable for mounting to a hat, such as a baseball cap or visor, and, or includes a hat having a stereo or comparable player attached or attachable thereto. 
   It is also an object of the instant invention to provide a stereo-hat system that is lightweight so as to not affect the comfort of the hat. 
   In light of these and other objects, the instant invention comprises an audio system and hat connection assembly incorporated into or adapted for connecting to a hat, such as the bill or rim of a baseball cap or visor. In the preferred embodiment, the invention includes a connection system that secures at least one speaker and radio receiver, or other player, to the bill of a baseball cap or other hat having a rim or material that can be utilized with the invention. The invention may also include the hat or cap and, or a hat or cap having a prefabricated aperture formed in the bill for mounting the connection and radio-speaker assembly. The connection assembly is designed to secure a speaker system, audio receiver or other player with control knobs to the bill, rim or material of a hat. The connection assembly comprises a first connection plate and corresponding second connection plate that connect through or to the bill or hat material. One plate is adapted for storing the audio circuit and speaker components while the other plate is adapted for connecting to the first one wherein one plate at least partially extends through the hat allowing the second plate to connect to it thereby gripping the hat to secure the assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the connection assembly may comprise a clip that secures the audio system to the hat without penetrating it. The connection assembly may also accommodate and secure accessories, such as a personal items, keys, money, flashlight, amplifier, infrared receiver, microphone, strobe light, batteries, magnifying lens, rear view mirror and, or rotatable sunglass shield. The audio system accommodates the storage and securing of at least one speaker system and audio receiver or player. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the audio system may provide just speakers and a wire assembly or harness that extends outside the connection assembly for plugging into an auxiliary radio or player. In another embodiment, the radio or player may be provided and secured in the connection assembly. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the audio hat assembly in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the audio hat assembly in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the audio hat assembly in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the audio hat assembly without the hat in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the audio hat assembly without the hat illustrating the connection between the first and second plate in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the audio hat assembly attached to the bill of a baseball cap in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the audio system attached to the bill of a baseball cap in accordance with the another embodiment of the instant invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the audio system attached to the bill of a baseball cap in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a top perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the audio system with a rotatable shield in accordance with the another embodiment of the instant invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom elevational view of the second plate of the audio system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the audio system in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 12  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the audio hat assembly having a mounting clip in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 13  is an elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the audio hat assembly shown in  FIG. 12  mounted to a hat in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the audio hat assembly having a mounting clip in accordance with the instant invention. 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the audio hat assembly having a mounting clip in accordance with the instant invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference to the drawings,  FIGS. 1–15  depict the preferred and alternative embodiments of the instant invention which is generally referenced as an audio hat assembly and, or by numeric character  10 . The audio hat assembly  10  generally comprises a connection assembly  12  adapted for attachment to a hat and for securing at least one audio system  30  to a hat, such as the bill or rim of a cap  1 . The invention  10  may also include a conventional hat having at least one prefabricated aperture formed in a bill or rim for mounting the connection assembly  12 . The audio hat assembly  10  accommodates the storage and securing of at least one audio system  30  comprising speakers  33 , audio player  41 , preferably an audio receiver, control knobs or buttons  34 , batteries  31  and other electronics required to run and operate the audio player  41 . In an alternative embodiment, the audio hat assembly  10  may provide speakers  33  and a wire assembly or harness that extends outside the connection assembly  12  for plugging into an auxiliary radio or player. In another embodiment, the audio hat assembly  10  may include a headphone receptacle  45 , shown in  FIG. 4 , adapted for mechanically and electrically connecting a set of headphones to the assembly  10 . When using a set of headphones, the speakers  33  may be disabled. 
   In another alternative embodiment, the connection assembly  12  may be adapted for storing personal items, such as keys and money and may also accommodate and secure other accessories, such as a flashlight  50 , global positioning system (GPS), compass, survival items, pre-recorded tapes, discs or chips, amplifier, infrared receiver, microphone, strobe light, batteries, magnifying lens, rear view mirror and, or rotatable sunglass shield  60 . A separation plate  15  may be provided and inserted in the cavity  40  of the second plate  16  to separate personal items from the audio components. The cavity walls may include ridges  35  for supporting the plate  15 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1–15 , the connection assembly  12  comprises a first connection plate  14 , second connection plate  16 , interlocking system  17 – 21  for connecting the first and second plates  14 ,  16  together, audio receiver storage cavity  40  and structure for mounting the assembly  12  to a hat. With reference to  FIG. 3 , in the preferred embodiment, an aperture  18  is required in the hat to facilitate interlocking the first and second connection plates  14 ,  16 . In an embodiment having a hat, the hat comprises at least one receptacle  18  for receiving and securing the first and second plates  14 ,  16 . One plate defines an interlocking channel  19  while the other plate defines the corresponding locking flange  17 , which interlocks with the channel  19 . For instance, the first plate  14  may define the interlocking channel  19  and the second plate  16  may define the interlocking flange  17 . The second plate  16  includes a projecting plug or walls  21  that define the interlocking flange  17  around its perimeter. The plug  21  may be described as the walls  21  of the second plate  16  that help define a storage cavity  40  in the second plate  16 . The first plate  14  is adapted for receiving and securing the plug  21  in a manner that facilitates the interlocking of the flange  17  and channel  19  and the sandwiching of the hat material around the peripheral edges of the first and second plates  14 ,  16 . The first and second plates  14 ,  16  preferably snap together through at least one receptacle  18  formable or preexisting in the rim or bill  2  of a hat. The width and length of the plug  21  is substantially the same as the width and length of the receptacle  18  to facilitate a snug fit. The first plate  14  preferably defines the interlocking channel  19 , which is formed in the interior surface, and the lower plate  16  defines a corresponding interlocking flange  17  around the plug  21 , as shown in  FIGS. 3–5 . Alternatively, the plug  21  may define the channel  19  and the first plate  14  may define the interlocking flange  17 . The flange  17  and channel  19  releasably snap together when the plug  21  is inserted in the first plate  14  and release when the plates  14 ,  16  are pulled apart. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1–6 ,  8  and  10 , the audio system  30  comprises audio components that are stored and secured in the cavity  40  defined by the second plate  16 . The audio system  30  may comprise speakers  33 , audio player  41 , such as a receiver or CD player, batteries  31  and other required components known in the art. The controls  34 , player  41  and display are preferably viewable and accessible from the lower surface of the hat&#39;s bill or rim to provide convenient access and viewing for the user. Compartments for batteries  31  and a recharging cord may also be formed in the connection assembly  12 . The connection assembly  12  also accommodates controls, such as volume, receiver, tuning, bass, treble, balance and, or other common controls  34 . Although the instant invention is described with reference to accommodating a radio receiver  41 , it may also be adapted for storing and securing other audio equipment, such as an MP3 player, cellular components, CD player or tape player, without departing from the scope and spirit of the instant invention. 
   In an alternative embodiment, a biasing tab, such as those known in the art, may be hingedly formed with or attached to one plate  14  or  16  such that it releasably interlocks with the groove. The tab is urged outward when the first and second plates  14 ,  16  are being joined and returns toward its resting position after bypassing a biasing ridge. The tab is pulled back to disconnect the plates  14 ,  16 . 
   In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 12–15 , the connection assembly  12  may comprise a biasing clip  39  for mounting the assembly  10  to a hat without the need for an aperture  18 . This embodiment makes the invention  10  accessible for use without having to modify the hat. The clip  39  comprises a biasing member that may be urged from a resting position and returns to the resting position when released. The energy stored and released by the clip  39  when biased and released causes it to grip the hat 1 , thereby securing the assembly  10 . The lower tab of the clip  39  may be sandwiched between the first and second plates  14 ,  16  or affixed to the upper surface of the top plate  14  with conventional hardware, adhesive, hook-and-loop or other attaching devices known in the art. 
   In another alternative embodiment, the invention  10  the first plate  14  and second plate  16  may comprise cooperating magnetic fields that magnetically attract the first plate  14  and second plate  16  together. The invention  10  may alternatively comprise hook-and-loop fasteners for mounting the assembly  10  to a hat. 
   To use the instant invention  10 , an aperture  18  of a predetermined size is first formed in the bill  2  of the cap  1 . The aperture should have a circumference that is smaller than the connection mechanism  12  so that the bill  2  is sandwiched between the first and second plates  14 ,  16 . Alternatively, the invention  10  may include a baseball cap  1  having the aperture preformed in the bill  2 . To attach the audio system  10  to a cap  1 , the first and second plates  14 ,  16  are aligned on the top and bottom of the bill  2  and the plug  21  is inserted into the receptacle  18  until the interlocking ridge  17  and groove  19  interlock. To remove the audio system  10 , the first and second plates  14 ,  16  are pulled apart. In the embodiment employing the clip  39 , the first and second plates  14 ,  16  are snapped together and the clip  39  is slid over the bill or rim of the hat. 
   With reference to  FIG. 6 , the connection assembly  12  may be adapted for and, or include at least one accessory  50  such as a flashlight, infrared receiver, strobe light and, or microphone. A separate cavity may be formed for storing, securing and, or accommodating one or more of these accessories along with a power source, such as batteries and a switch. The audio system  10  may include a solar panel  19  on the top plate for recharging the battery source, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . In an alternative embodiment, the instant invention  10  may include an adapter  45  for mechanically and electrically connecting headphones to the assembly  12 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 5 , the connection assembly  12  may be adapted for securing and, or including pivoting accessories  60 , such as a sun shield, magnifying glass or rear view mirror. In this embodiment, either the first or second plate  14 ,  16  include a securing aperture for rotatably receiving and supporting pins  62 . 
   The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.