Patent Publication Number: US-7913324-B2

Title: Headpiece

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed toward a headpiece, and more particularly to a novelty headpiece. 
     Novelty headpieces are known in the art. While these devices allow schools and organizations to support and promote their teams and products, these devices are complex in their construction, having many parts and pieces, are difficult to adapt from one group to another, and are generally cost prohibitive. As a result, a need exists in the art for a device that addresses these deficiencies. 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a headpiece that is of simple, one-piece construction that is easy to assemble. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a headpiece that is easy to adapt from one organization to another. 
     A still further objective is to provide a headpiece that is cost effective to produce. 
     These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based on the following written description, figures, and claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A headpiece having a first section and a second section separated along a fold-line. The sections have a decorative design printed thereon and are cut from a piece of material such that a top edge and bottom edge have the shape of the decorative design. The first section has a tab extending from the top edge that is received within a slit on the second section. A strap extends outwardly from the side edge of the second section and has at least one slit that receives a tab that extends outwardly from the side edge of the first section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a headpiece; and 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a headpiece. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the figures, the headpiece  10  is cut or blanked out of a rectangular sheet  12  of material. Preferably, multiple headpieces  10  can be cut out of a single sheet  12  depending upon the shape and design of the headpiece  10 . The material can be of any type but preferably is made of a plastic, cardboard, or heavy paper stock. Prior to cutting, a decorative design  14  is printed on the rectangular sheet  12 . The decorative design  14  is of many types including college and high school mascots and emblems, professional sports team mascots or emblems, animals such as those in a zoo, symbols or designs for corporate products, and the like. As an example, the decorative design  14  shown in the figures is that of a cardinal. 
     The decorative design  14  has a first section  16  and a second section  18  that are separated by at least one fold-line  20 . Both the first section  16  and the second section  18  have a first or top edge  22 , a second or bottom edge  24 , and a third or side edge  26 . The top edge generally has a decorative shape based upon the decorative design  14 . Extending outwardly from the top edge  22  of the first section  16  is at least one, and preferably a plurality of tabs  28 . The tabs  28  are of any shape and size, but preferably are t-shaped. 
     Positioned inwardly from the top edge  22  of the second section  18  is at least one, and preferably a plurality of slits  30  that are formed to receive tabs  28  when the headpiece  10  is folded along fold-line  20 . The slits  30  are positioned on the second section  18  such that they align with the tabs  28  when the headpiece  10  is folded. The bottom edge  24  of both the first section  16  and second section  18  is either straight or can be decoratively shaped based upon the decorative design  14 . Generally, regardless of the shape, the bottom edge  24  of both the first section  16  and the second section  18  angles upwardly from the fold-line  20  toward the top edge  22  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Adjacent the bottom edge  24  of the first section  16  and extending outwardly from the side edge  26  of the first section is a connecting tab  32 . The connecting tab  32  is of any size and shape, but preferably is t-shaped. Forming part of the bottom edge  24  and extending outwardly from the side edge  26  of the second section  18  is a strap  34 . The strap  34  has at least one and preferably a plurality of transverse slits  35  that are positioned to receive the connecting tab  32  such that the strap  34  fits around and is secured to an individual&#39;s head. Multiple slits  35  are positioned in spaced alignment along the strap  34  so that the headpiece  10  is adjustable for different sizes of heads. In one embodiment, the strap has a decorative design such as a sponsor&#39;s logo that when assembled is positioned at the back of a user&#39;s head and is cut to form a decorative shape. The connecting tab  32  and strap  34  are generally referred to as a fastening member  36 . While a strap  34  and tab  32  is the preferred means of attachment, other fastening members  36  such as a string that is tied, a hook and loop system, or the like may be used. 
     Removeably attached to the strap is a card  37  having printed indicia  38 . The card  37  can provide school information such as a team&#39;s schedule, can include a player&#39;s picture and statistics and be used as a trading card, or could be a coupon for a discount on a product for a company or sponsor. Preferably the card  37  is attached to the strap  34  along a perforated cut-line  39 . Also, along the strap are printed promotional indicia  40  of a sponsor. 
     Portions  42  of both the first section  16  and second section  18  are cut such that the portions extend or pop out from the planer surface of each respective section. For example, the eyes of the cardinal in the Figures could be cut such that they would extend out from the uncut portion of the section. Also, portions  44  of the decorative design can have additional fold-lines  46  that permit the portions to be folded and shaped giving the headpiece an additional distinctive look. 
     To create the headpiece  10 , first the rectangular sheet  12  is printed with a decorative design  14 . Once printed, the decorative design  14  is cut or blanked out of the rectangular sheet  12  such that the top edge  22 , the bottom edge  24 , and the side edge  26  take on the decorative shape of the design  14  and also includes the tabs  28  and  32 , the strap  34 , and the slits  30  and  35 . Once cut, the headpiece is folded along fold-line  20  and tabs  28  are inserted into slits  30  to connect the top edge of the first section  16  and the second section  18 . Any portions  42  are then pulled out and portions  44  are folded along fold-lines  46  to provide shaping for an additional distinctive look. Finally, strap  34  is folded such that tab  32  is inserted into slit  35  to fit snugly around an individual&#39;s head. 
     A headpiece  10  has been disclosed that at the very least meets all the state objectives.