Patent Publication Number: US-11659875-B2

Title: Face covering hat assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The disclosure relates to face covering devices and more particularly pertains to a new face covering device for facilitating a user to wear a mask while wearing a hat. The face covering device facilitates the hat to be worn with or without the mask being worn. Moreover, the hat includes a storage area to store the mask when the mask is not being worn. 
     (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     The prior art relates to face covering devices including a variety of hats which have a face mask being integrated therein for covering a user&#39;s face. The prior art also discloses a variety of hats that include a face mask that is removably attachable to the hat and which pivotable on the hat. In no instance does the prior art disclose a hat that includes a storage pouch being integrated therein and a face mask that is attachable to the hat for covering a user&#39;s face and which can be stored in the storage pouch. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a hat for wearing on a user&#39;s head. The hat has a head portion and a flap that is coupled to the head portion. The flap is positionable in an exposing position having the head portion is exposed. A mask is provided for wearing on a user&#39;s face such that the mask covers the user&#39;s mouth and the user&#39;s nose. The mask is storable between the flap and the head portion of the hat when the mask in not is worn. A pair of first straps is each coupled to the mask and each of the first straps is releasably matable to the flap. A pair of second straps is each coupled to the mask and each of the second straps is extendable around then user&#39;s neck when the mask is worn. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a face covering hat assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a front in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a left side view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a right view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a flap in an exposing position. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a flap in an exposing position. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS.  1  through  8    thereof, a new face covering device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS.  1  through  8   , the face covering hat assembly  10  generally comprises a hat  12  that can be worn on a user&#39;s head  14 . The hat  12  has a head portion  16  and a brim  18  that is coupled to the head portion  16 . Moreover, the head portion  16  cover the user&#39;s head  14  having the brim  18  portion extending forwardly from the user&#39;s head  14  when the hat  12  is worn. The hat  12  has a flap  20  that is coupled to the head portion  16  and the flap  20  is positionable in a covering position having the flap  20  covering the head portion  16 . The flap  20  is positionable in an exposing position having the head portion  16  being exposed. 
     The head portion  16  has a top surface  22  and a perimeter edge  24 , and the top surface  40   22  is concavely arcuate with respect to the perimeter edge  24  such that the head portion  16  forms a bowl to fit over the user&#39;s head  14 . The brim  18  has a rear edge  26  and the rear edge  26  is coupled to the perimeter edge  24  having the brim  18  extending forwardly from the head portion  16 . The flap  20  has an outer surface  28 , an inner surface  30  and a bottom edge  32  extending therebetween. The inner surface  30  is concavely arcuate with respect to the bottom edge  32  such that the flap  20  forms a bowl. 
     The bottom edge  32  is coupled to the perimeter edge  24  of the head portion  16  at an attachment point  34  extending partially around each of the perimeter edge  24  and the bottom edge  32 . Additionally, the attachment point  34  is positioned on an opposite side of the perimeter edge  24  with respect to the brim  18 . The inner surface  30  of the flap  20  rests on the top surface  22  of the head portion  16  having the bottom edge  32  being aligned with the perimeter edge  24  when the flap  20  is positioned in the covering position. Additionally, the head portion  16  is comprised of a mesh material wherein the head portion  16  is configured to pass air therethrough. 
     A plurality of first mating members  31  is each attached to the top surface  24  of the head portion  16  and the first mating members  31  are spaced apart from each other and are distributed around the perimeter edge  24 . A plurality of second mating members  33  is each attached to the inner surface  30  of the flap  20  and the second mating members  33  are distributed around the bottom edge  32  of the flap. Each of the second mating members  33  is releasably matable to a respective one of the first mating members  31  when the flap  20  is positioned in the covering position to retain the flap  20  in the covering position. Each of the first mating members  31  and the second mating members  33  may comprise a hook and loop fastener or the like. 
     A pair of first fasteners  36  is each coupled to the outer surface  28  of the flap  20 , and each of the first fasteners  36  is positioned adjacent to the bottom edge  32 . Each of first fasteners  36  is positioned on opposite sides of the flap  20  with respect to each other. A mask  38  is provided that can be worn on a user&#39;s face  40  such that the mask  38  covers the user&#39;s mouth  42  and the user&#39;s nose  44 . Moreover, the mask  38  is comprised of an air permeable material to facilitate the user to breathe with the mask  38  is being worn. The mask  38  is storable between the flap  20  and the head portion  16  of the hat  12  when the mask  38  in not is worn. The mask  38  has an upper edge  46 , a lower edge  48 , a first lateral edge  50  and a second lateral edge  52 . 
     A pair of first straps  54  is each of the first straps  54  is coupled to and extends away from the mask  38 . Each of the first straps  54  is releasably matable to the flap  20  when the hat  12  being is being worn. In this way the first straps  54  retain the mask  38  on the user&#39;s face  40 . Each of the first straps  54  is positioned at an intersecting between the upper edge  46  and a respective one of the first lateral edge  50  and the second lateral edge  52  of the mask  38 , and each of the first straps  54  has a distal end  56  with respect to the mask  38  and a first surface  57 . 
     A pair of second fasteners  58  is each coupled to the first surface  40  of a respective one of the first straps  54  and each of the second fasteners  58  is positioned adjacent to the distal end  56  of the respective first strap  54 . Each of the second fasteners  58  releasably engages a respective one of the first fasteners  36  on the flap  20  portion of the hat  12  having the first straps  54  angling upwardly along a respective side of the user face  40 . Each of the first fasteners  36  and the second fasteners  58  may comprise a snap, a hook and loop fastener or other types of complementary, releasable fastener. 
     A pair of second straps  62  is each coupled to and extends away from the mask  38  to extend around then user&#39;s neck  64  when the mask  38  is worn. Each of the second straps  62  is matable to each other having the pair of second straps  62  forming a closed loop with the mask  38 . In this way the mask  38  is retained on the user&#39;s face  40  when the hat  12  is worn. Each of the second straps  62  is positioned at an intersection between the lower edge  48  and a respective one of the first lateral edge  50  and the second lateral edge  52  of the mask  38 , and each of the second straps  62  has a distal end  66  with respect to the mask  38 . 
     A button  68  is coupled to the distal end  64  of a respective one of the second straps  62 . A loop  70  is coupled to the distal end  64  of a respective one of the second straps  62  such that the loop  70  forms a closed loop  70  on the respective second strap  62 . Moreover, the button  68  is extendable through the loop  70  for mating the second straps  62  together. 
     In an alternative embodiment  72  as is most clearly shown in  FIG.  7   , the head portion  16  of the hat  12  comprises a band  74  that can be extended around the user′ head  14 . A mesh panel  76  is coupled to a bottom surface  78  of the brim  18  and the mesh panel  76  has a first edge  80  that is uncoupled from the bottom surface  78  of the brim  18  such that the mesh panel  76  forms a pocket for storing the mask  38 . 
     In an alternative embodiment  82  as is most clearly shown in  FIG.  8   , a neck strap  84  has a first end  86  and a second end  88 , and each of the first end  86  and the second end  88  of the neck strap  84  is coupled to an intersection between the lower edge  48  and a respective one of the first lateral edge  50  and the second lateral edge  52  of the mask  38  such that the neck strap  84  forms a closed loop  70  with respect to the mask  38  for wearing around the user&#39;s neck  64 . Continuing in the alternative embodiment  82 , an adjuster  90  is provided that has a pair of holes  92  each extending therethrough and the neck strap  84  extends through each of the holes  92 . The adjuster  90  is slidable on the neck strap  84  for adjusting a diameter of the closed loop formed between the neck strap  84  and the mask  38 . In this was the adjuster  90  facilitates the neck strap  84  to accommodate a variety of sizes of necks. 
     In use, each of the second fasteners  58  is coupled to the respective first fastener  36  to attach the mask  38  to the hat  12 . The hat  12  is worn and the mask  38  is positioned on the user&#39;s face  40 . Each of the second straps  62  is wrapped around the user&#39;s neck  64  and the button  68  is extended through the loop  70  to retain the second straps  62  around the user&#39;s neck  64 . In this way the user can conform to face mask requirements during pandemics. The face mask can be stored beneath the flap  20  and the hat  12  can be worn in the typical convention of wearing hats. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.