Patent Publication Number: US-2006010566-A1

Title: Specialty hat

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      (1) Field of the Invention  
      The present invention pertains to a specialty hat that is constructed with one or more holes through the hat, and decorations that are positioned adjacent the holes. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a hat having a crown with one or more holes through an upper portion of the crown, where the holes are dimensioned to receive a portion of the hat wearer&#39;s hair that is positioned through the hole. In addition, decorations are interchangeably and selectively removably attached to the crown adjacent the holes where the decorations appear to be attached to the hair positioned through the holes.  
      (2) Description of the Related Art  
      Casual hats such as baseball-type caps and golf visors are often worn by individuals when participating in or observing sporting events, or as part of their casual attire. Wearers of such caps and visors that have longer hair often bundle their hair up beneath the crown of the cap, or wear their hair in a ponytail. Hat wearers having ponytails often wear their hat with the hat band extending over the ponytail. However, this can detract from the usual comfortable feeling of the hat on the wearer&#39;s head. In addition, the hat band engaging around the ponytail often detracts from the secure fit of the hat on the wearer&#39;s head. This can result in the hat being easily blown from the wearer&#39;s head by a sudden gust of wind.  
      As a result of the uncomfortable feeling of a hat band engaging around a wearer&#39;s ponytail, and the insecurity of the hat being easily blown from the wearer&#39;s head, hat wearers that keep their hair in a ponytail often resort to the baseball-type cap that has an opening in the hat band at the rear of the cap, and adjustable straps that extend across the opening. This type of cap is worn on the wearer&#39;s head with the ponytail extending through the back opening and over the adjustable straps. However, this type of cap is considered by many to be less attractive in appearance than the conventional, fitted-type baseball cap that does not have the back opening.  
      What is needed to overcome the above-described disadvantages of casual hats for hat wearers having longer hair is a hat designed to easily accommodate the wearer&#39;s hair kept in a ponytail or pigtails, where the hat also has a more decorative or appealing appearance than the conventional baseball-type hat.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a casual hat, for example a baseball-type cap or a bucket hat, that is specifically designed to be comfortably worn by a wearer having longer hair that desires to wear their hair in a ponytail or pigtails. In addition, the hat is provided with a variety of different types of decorations that are removably attachable to the hat where the decorations appear to be attached to the hair of the hat wearer.  
      In the various configurations of the hat, for example a baseball-type cap configuration or a bucket hat configuration, the hat is basically comprised of a crown constructed of flexible material. A hat band surrounds an opening of the crown that is dimensioned to receive a portion of the hat wearer&#39;s head. The crown has an interior surface surrounding an interior volume of the hat, and an opposite exterior surface.  
      In a baseball-type cap configuration, a bill projects from the hat band. In a bucket hat configuration, a brim extends around the hat band.  
      One or more holes are provided through the hat crown. In the preferred embodiment, each hole is spaced from the crown peripheral edge and is positioned more toward a central portion of the crown than the crown peripheral edge. Each hole is dimensioned to receive a portion of the wearer&#39;s hair positioned through the hole, enabling the wearer to pass a ponytail through the hole of a hat having only one hole, or pass pigtails through the holes of a hat having a pair of holes.  
      A plurality of various different types of decorations are provided that are removably attachable to the hat crown. Two-part fasteners, for example snap fasteners or hook and loop type fasteners removably attach the decorations to the hat crown. A first part of the fastener is attached to the crown exterior surface adjacent the hole in the crown. The second part of the fastener is attached to the decoration. Connecting the first and second parts of the fastener removably attaches the decoration to the crown in a position adjacent the crown hole where the decoration appears to be attached to the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair passed through the crown hole.  
      In one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of decorations are formed as bows of ribbon or other similar material. The bows are removably attached to the crown exterior surface at a position adjacent the crown hole where the bows appear to be attached to the portion of the hat wearer&#39;s hair positioned through the crown hole. By providing the decorations as a plurality of ribbons or other similar types of decorations, the decorations can be removably and interchangeably attached to the hat as desired by the hat wearer to give the hat a plurality of different appearances.  
      In a further embodiment of the invention, the decoration is provided as a decorative cord having an elastic length between opposite first and second ends of the cord. Each of the first and second ends of the cord is removably attachable to a post positioned on a central portion of the hat crown. The length of the cord can be extended around the crown hole, with the cord opposite ends being removably attached to the post. This gives the appearance of the cord extending around the portion of the hat wearer&#39;s hair positioned through the crown hole. In addition to the cord decorating the portion of the hat wearer&#39;s hair, the cord also functions to support the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair so that the portion of the hair extends outwardly from the crown hole.  
      The specialty hat of the invention has a simplified construction that enables manufacturing the hat in a minimum number of manufacturing steps. Basically, the hat is formed from a piece of flexible material positioned on a hat block to form the material into the crown of the hat. The material is held in the crown configuration by a band positioned around the hat block, as is conventional.  
      These steps are performed by an embroidery machine that has been modified with a surging apparatus used to cut the hole or holes through the hat crown. A novel feature of the specialty hat&#39;s simplified method of construction involves performing both a cutting operation forming the hole through the hat crown, and a stitching operation embroidering the edge of the crown hole on the same manufacturing apparatus. In prior art hat constructions having holes such as vent holes, the surging and boring, or cutting and stitching steps were performed in two separate steps on the crown material as it lay flat. The material was then subsequently formed into the crown. The method of the invention enables these two steps in the hat&#39;s manufacturing to be performed at the same manufacturing site, thereby simplifying the manufacturing method.  
      Once the crown hole or holes have been manufactured, the removable decorations are then added to the crown exterior, completing the manufacturing of the hat of the invention. One or more different types of decorations can be provided with each hat as a kit, thereby adapting the hat for having many different appearances depending on which decorations are selectively, removably attached to the hat. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Further features of the present invention are set forth in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, and in the following drawing figures wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the specialty hat of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the hat of  FIG. 1 , with the removable decoration removed;  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the hat similar to that of  FIG. 2 , but showing the removable decoration attached;  
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the specialty hat with a removable decoration attached; and  
       FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the hat of  FIG. 4  showing a pair of removable decorations attached. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  show a first embodiment of the special hat  10  of the present invention. The hat  10  is a casual hat or a baseball-type cap that incorporates the novel features of the invention. It should be understood that the baseball-type cap shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  is illustrative only of one type of hat with which the novel features of the invention may be employed. The baseball-type cap shown in the drawing figures should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.  
      Many of the structural features of the hat  10  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  are typical in the conventional construction of baseball-type caps, and therefore will not be described in detail. The hat  10  is basically comprised of a crown  12 , a hat band  14 , and a bill  16 .  
      The crown  12  is constructed of a plurality of panels  18  of a flexible material typically employed in constructing hats. The panels  18  are secured together by stitching  20  to form the crown  12 . The crown is formed with a generally convex exterior surface  22 , and an opposite, generally concave interior surface  24 . The interior surface  24  surrounds an interior volume of the hat  10  that is dimensioned to receive a portion of the head of a wearer of the hat.  
      The hat band  14  extends around the periphery of the crown  12 . The hat band  14  is secured to the crown  12  by stitching or other conventional means. A bottom edge  26  of the hat band  14  surrounds the opening to the interior volume of the hat. The band bottom edge  26  also defines the peripheral edge of the crown  12 , and separates the crown interior surface  24  from the crown exterior surface  22 .  
      The bill  16  is secured to the hat band  14  and projects in a forward direction from the hat band. The bill  16  is secured to the hat band  14  by stitching or other conventional means.  
      The construction of the specialty hat  10  described to this point is conventional. The construction of the hat  10  differs from that of prior art hats in that a hole  30  is provided through an upper portion of the crown  12 . As seen in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , the hole  30  is spaced upwardly from the crown peripheral edge  26 , and is positioned closer to a center point  32  of the crown than the crown peripheral edge  26 . In the embodiment of the hat  10  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , the hole  30  is positioned at a rearward portion of the hat crown  12  on an opposite side of the hat center point  32  from the hat bill  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the hole  30  is dimensioned sufficiently large to enable a wearer of the hat to pass a portion of their hair, for example a ponytail, through the hole  30 . Thus, the hole  30  has a significantly larger diameter dimension than would a typical venting hole in a baseball-type cap. As only an example, the hole  30  could have a diameter dimension of one or two inches. This would provide sufficient area in the hole  30  for the hat wearer to reach through the hole from the exterior of the crown  12 , grasp a portion of the wearer&#39;s hair, and pull a portion of the hair through the hole  30  positioning the hair, for example kept in a ponytail, in the crown hole  30 .  
      The peripheral edge  34  of the hole  30  is defined by embroidered stitching of the crown material surrounding the hole  30 . The stitching of the peripheral edge  34  enhances the aesthetic appearance of the hat and strengthens the material of the crown  12  surrounding the hole  30 .  
      A post  38  is secured to the hat crown  12  at the crown center point  32 . The post is positioned on an opposite side of the hole  30  from the crown peripheral edge  26 . The post  38  has a necked down shank  40  that projects upwardly from the crown  12  to an enlarged head  42  of the post. The post  38  functions as a first fastener part of a two-part fastener that is employed to removably attach a decoration to the hat  10 , as will be explained. Other types of equivalent fasteners, for example snap fasteners or hook and loop fasteners could also be employed to removably attach the decoration to the hat.  
      A decorative cord  46  is employed as one type of decoration that may be removably attached to the hat  10 . The cord  46  has a length with opposite to first  48  and second  50  ends. The length of the cord  46  is dimensioned to extend the cord around the crown hole  30  and around a portion of the hat wearer&#39;s hair pulled through the crown hole. The decorative cord  46  is constructed of a flexible material and in the preferred embodiment is elastic. A variety of different types of materials may be employed in constructing the cord  46  to enhance the decorative appearance of the hat  10 . The cord  46  has a first loop  52  provided at the first end  48  of the cord length, and a second loop  54  provided at the second end  50  of the cord. Both the first and second loops  52 ,  54  are dimensioned to be removably attached to the post  38  by stretching the loops over the enlarged head  42  of the post and positioning the loops on the post shank  40 .  
      In use of the embodiment of the hat  10  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , the hat wearer first positions the hat  10  on the wearer&#39;s head with the bill  16  directed forwardly, as is typical. The wearer then reaches through the crown hole  30  and grasps the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair kept in a ponytail. The portion of the hair is then pulled through the crown hole  30 , positioning the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair extending through the crown hole  30  with the hat  10  worn on the wearer&#39;s head.  
      Either before or after the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair is positioned in the crown hole  30 , the loop  52  at the first end of the decorative cord  46  is removably attached to the post  38 . The length of the cord  46  can then be extended around the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair positioned in the crown hole  30 . The second loop  54  at the free end of the decorative cord  46  is then attached to the post  38 . This positions the decorative cord  46  extending around the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair positioned in the crown hole  30 . In addition, the elasticity of the cord  46  supports the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair positioned in the crown hole  30 , causing the portion of hair to extend upwardly and outwardly from the crown hole  30 .  
      As desired, any one of a plurality of decorative cords  46  having different decorations can be removably attached to the post  38  on the hat  10  to decorate the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair positioned in the crown hole  30 , and support the portion of the wearer&#39;s hair extending upwardly and outwardly from the crown hole.  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show a further embodiment of the hat  60  of the invention. The hat  60  is a casual hat or bucket hat that incorporates the novel features of the invention. As in the previously described embodiment, it should be understood that the bucket hat shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  is illustrative only of one type of hat with which the novel features of the invention may be employed. The bucket hat shown in the drawing figures should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.  
      Many of the structural features of the hat  60  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  are typical in the conventional construction of bucket hats, and therefore will not be described in detail.  
      The hat  60  includes a crown comprised of a generally cylindrical side wall  62  and a generally circular top wall  64  that are both formed from a flexible material typically employed in hat constructions. The side wall  62  is secured to the top wall  64  by stitching, or other equivalent means. Together the side wall  62  and top wall  64  give the hat crown a generally convex exterior surface  66  and an opposite, generally concave interior surface  68 . The interior surface  68  surrounds an interior volume of the hat  60  that is dimensioned to receive a portion of the head of a wearer of the hat.  
      The crown side wall  62  has a bottom, peripheral edge  70  that separates the crown interior surface  68  from the crown exterior surface  66 .  
      A brim  72  is secured to the crown bottom edge  70  by stitching or other equivalent means. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the brim  72  is formed of pleaded material and extends entirely around the crown bottom edge  70 .  
      The construction of the bucket hat  60  described to this point is conventional. The construction of the hat  60  differs from that of prior art bucket hats in that a pair of holes  74  are provided through an upper portion of the crown. As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the holes  74  are spaced upwardly from the crown bottom peripheral edge  70 , and are positioned closer to a center point  76  of the crown than the crown peripheral edge  70 . In the embodiment of the hat  60  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the pair of holes  74  are positioned primarily in the circular top wall  64  of the crown on diametrically opposite sides of a central portion of the top wall  64 . In the preferred embodiment, the holes  74  are dimensioned sufficiently large to enable a wearer of the hat  60  to pass a portion of their hair, for example pigtails, through the holes  74 . Thus, the holes  74  have a significantly larger diameter dimension than would a typical venting hole of a casual hat. As an example, the holes  74  could have a diameter dimension of 1 or 2 inches. This would provide sufficient area in each of the holes  74  for the hat wearer to reach through the hole from the exterior of the crown, grasp a portion of the wearer&#39;s hair, and pull the portion of the hair through the holes  74  positioning the hair in the crown holes  74 .  
      The peripheral edges  78  of the holes  74  are defined by embroidered stitching of the crown material surrounding the holes  74 . The stitching of the peripheral edge  78  enhances the aesthetic appearance of the hat and strengthens the material of the crown surrounding the holes  74 .  
      First fastener parts  82  are secured to the crown adjacent the holes  74 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first fastener parts  82  are parts of two-part snap fasteners that are employed to removably attach decorations to the hat  60 , as will be explained. Other types of equivalent fasteners, for example hook and loop fasteners could also be employed to removably attach the decorations to the hat. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the first fastener parts  82  are secured to the crown top wall  64  at positions adjacent the holes  74  and on opposite sides of the holes from the crown peripheral edge  70 .  
      In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , decorations  84  for the hat  60  are provided in the form of bows tied from ribbons. Other types of decorations  84  may also be employed. The second part  86  of the two-part snap fasteners are secured to each of the decoration bows  84 . Furthermore, a variety of different types of decorations  84  may be provided with each decoration having a second fastener part  86  to removably attach the decorations  84  on the hat  60  at the first fastener parts  82 . The second fastener parts  86  are releasably connectable to the first fastener parts  82  to removably attach the decorations  84  to the crown of the hat  60 . Due to the positioning of the first fastener parts  82  on the hat  60 , when the second fastener parts  86  are releasably connected to the first fastener parts  82 , the decorations  84  appear to be attached to the portions of the wearer&#39;s hair that passes through the holes  74 . By providing the hat  60  with a variety of different types of decorations  84 , each of which is removably attachable to the hat adjacent the holes  74 , the decorations can be removably and interchangeably attached to the hat as desired by the hat wearer to give the hat and the portions of the wearer&#39;s hair positioned through the hat holes  74  a plurality of different appearances.  
      In each embodiment of the specialty hat  10 ,  60  of the invention, the hat has a simplified construction that enables manufacturing the hat in a minimum number of manufacturing steps. Basically, each embodiment of the hat  10 ,  60  is formed from one or more pieces of flexible material that are secured together, for example by sewing, and are positioned on a hat block to form the crown of the hat. The material is held in the crown configuration by a hat band positioned around the material on the hat block.  
      The novel and simplified method of constructing the hats  10 ,  60  involves performing both a cutting operation that forms the holes through the hat crowns, and a stitching operation that embroiders the peripheral edges of the holes in the same manufacturing apparatus. The same apparatus is capable of both cutting or surging the holes in the hat crowns, and loop stitching or boring the peripheral edges of the holes. These steps are performed on the finished crown by an embroidery machine that has been modified with a surging apparatus. Thus both the hole cutting and hole periphery stitching are performed by the same machine on the formed crown.  
      In an alternate embodiment of the specialty hat, the hat crown need not be finished. The surging and boring steps are still performed by the embroidery machine that has been modified with a surging apparatus, but the steps are performed on pieces of material that are later formed into the hat crown.  
      Once the crown holes have been manufactured into the hats, the removable decorations  46 ,  84  are then added to the crown exteriors, completing the manufacturing of the hats. As stated earlier, one or more different types of decorations can be provided with each hat as a kit, thereby adapting the hat for having many different appearances depending on which decorations are selectively, removably attached to the hat.  
      Although the specialty hat of the invention has been described above by reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that variations and modifications could be made to the specialty hat without departing from the scope of the following claims.