Patent Publication Number: US-9848663-B2

Title: Cap having striker surface

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject disclosure relates to a hat having an easy to reach striking surface and means for holding matches. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Matches are typically held in either matchbooks or boxes. Both usually have a match striking means, either a small, thin striking surface on an outer flap of a matchbook or a long striking surface on an outer face of a matchbox. 
     However, the problem many face with conventional matchbooks and matchboxes is that they are either difficult to use or to transport. While being small and easy to transport, matchbooks usually have a very small striking surface which is not convenient for most users. That is, the user must have more precision when aligning the match with the striking surface to cause ignition. In addition, the user must hold onto the matchbook with one hand while using their other hand to hold and strike the match itself. While the matchbook is small, it is not very convenient or easy to use. 
     The opposite problem is had with matchboxes. While having a large striking surface, matchboxes are typically too large to conveniently carry in a coat or pants pocket. Again, the user must hold the matchbox with one hand while striking the match with their other hand. Here, the matchbox is self contained but not portable or convenient to use. 
     Although various solutions have been proposed, none available have effectively solved this problem. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the subject disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects thereof. This summary is not an extensive overview of the various embodiments of the subject disclosure. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the subject disclosure nor delineate any scope thereof. The sole purpose of the subject summary is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented hereinafter. 
     One or more embodiments of the subject disclosure provide for a hat assembly and method of use. The hat assembly provides a striking surface for igniting a flammable instrument. The hat assembly may also provide a receptacle for storing flammable instruments. 
     While various aspects, features, or advantages of the subject disclosure are illustrated in reference to hats, such aspects and features also can be exploited in various other forms of headgear or clothing. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the subject disclosure comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of one or more embodiments of the disclosure. However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the subject disclosure may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the subject disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various example embodiments of the subject disclosure when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective of an exemplary hat assembly having a brim, crown, headband portion, striking surface and receptacle in accordance with aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 2  shows a bottom view of the hat assembly. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the hat assembly. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partial cross section view of the hat assembly about A-A in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the hat assembly. 
         FIG. 6  shows a front view of the hat assembly. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another example of the hat assembly having the striking surface on a bottom surface of the brim. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another example of the hat assembly having the striking surface on the headband portion. 
         FIG. 9  shows another example of the receptacle comprised of a band. 
         FIG. 10  shows an alternative example of the hat assembly having receptacles located within the brim. 
         FIG. 11  shows a side view of the hat assembly depicting the receptacle located within the brim. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a partial cross section view of the hat assembly about B-B in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  depicts an example configuration for a side surface of the brim having a receptacle. 
         FIG. 14  depicts another example configuration for a side surface of the brim having a receptacle. 
         FIG. 15  depicts yet another example configuration for a side surface of the brim having a receptacle. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates another example of the hat assembly comprised of a brim having a sandwich flap design to secure and ignite the flammable instrument therein, when the flap is in a closed position. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates the flap in an open position having a striking surface and a brim fastener. 
         FIG. 18  shows another example configuration for a receptacle having a flap in a closed position. 
         FIG. 19  shows the receptacle having the striking surface and the flap in an open position. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an alternative example of a hat assembly in the form of a visor having a brim and headband portion. 
         FIG. 21  depicts a two-step method of using the hat assembly for retrieving the flammable instrument from the receptacle. 
         FIG. 22  depicts sliding the flammable instrument against the striking surface. 
         FIG. 23  depicts the final ignition of the flammable instrument. 
         FIG. 24  depicts a one-step method for igniting the flammable instrument from the storage position of the flammable instrument with the hat assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject disclosure is described with references to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a hat assembly  10  having a brim  20 , a crown  30 , and a headband portion  40 . The hat assembly  10  includes a striking surface  60  material and a receptacle  70 . 
     The brim  20  is in the form of an outwardly projecting rim which includes a top surface  22 , a bottom surface  24 , side surfaces  26  and a front surface  28  extending contiguous with the side surfaces  26 . The brim  20  is attached to a lower edge  42  of the headband portion  40 . The brim  20  can take a variety of different shapes and may also be in the form of a complete annular rim, band, fringe, ridge, frame or other suitable configuration. The brim  20  can be made from a wide variety of materials, flat or curved, with various thicknesses. The hat assembly  10  may be worn facing any direction, but usually the brim  20  will point forward to shield the user&#39;s eyes from sunlight. 
       FIGS. 1-2  depict the crown  30  formed by a plurality of triangular, concave shaped panels  32 . When a first edge  34   a  of a first panel  32  adjoins a second edge  34   b  of another adjacent panel  32 , the plurality of panels  32  concentrically placed adjacent to each other form together at an apex  36 . An apex fastener  37  secures a top portion of each of the panels  32  to define an upper rounded portion of the crown  30 . Lower third edges  34   c  of the panels  32  form the lower edge  42  of the headband portion  40 . 
     A lining element  35  may be added over the adjoining first edge  34   a  and second edge  34   b  to further secure the two adjacent panels  32  together and cover the first edge  34   a  and second edge  34   b . Each panel  32  may have a vent hole  38  for facilitating the exchange of air flow from outside of the crown  30  to inside of the crown  30 . The crown  30  may also be formed as a singular unit, a cap, a smooth contour, a top with pleats, etc. Furthermore, the crown  30  may be shortened as in a headband visor, which will be discussed later in more detail. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of the hat assembly  10  showing the headband portion  40  having at least one slit or aperture  72  adapted to receive and secure a portion of a flammable instrument  50 , such as a matchstick or other incendiary device. As shown, a majority of a lower end or bottom portion  52  of the flammable instrument  50  is slid into the aperture  72  and captivated in the headband portion  40  of the cap assembly  10 . Alternatively, the flammable instrument  50  may be secured by an external pocket  75  disposed on the crown  30  of the hat assembly  10  as discussed in more detail below. The headband portion  40  may be constructed in the form of a continuous annular rim, or may have an adjusting mechanism  46  as also shown in  FIGS. 4-5  in more detail. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the headband portion  40  in more detail about section lines A-A in  FIG. 3 , wherein the headband portion  40  is comprised of an inner fold  44 . The upward turned inner fold  44  is attached to the lower edge  42  of the headband portion  40  via a lower end  44   a  or cupped end of the inner fold  44 . An inner compartment  40   a  capable of holding a flammable instrument  50  is constructed in this manner. Various other inner compartment shapes are possible. For example, the inner fold  44  may be a concentric inward fold around a lower end of the crown  30 . Alternatively, the fold  44  may be a smaller sub-section disposed in a similar location similar to the inner fold of  FIG. 4  adapted to receive the various flammable instruments  50 . Alternatively as also shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , an external pocket  75  may be constructed of one or more material strips and may be provided on the crown  30 , or other location, to define various sub-pockets  79  into which one or more of the flammable instruments  50  may be securely received. 
     When the flammable instrument  50  is in a storage position, the flammable instrument  50  is positioned through the aperture  72  and into the inner compartment  40   a . In the stored position, the bottom portion  52  (or alternatively, placed upside down, a reactive portion  54 ) of the instrument  50  is received by and held within the inner compartment  40   a  in place by the lower end  44   a  of the inner fold  44 . The distance between the inner fold  44  material and the lower edge  42  of the material of the headband portion  40  may be constructed substantially narrow to provide a friction fit between the inner surface of the bottom portion  52  of the flammable instrument  50  and the inner surface of the material defining the inner fold  44 . A headband pocket  74  enclosing the inner compartment  40   a  is formed by the lower edge  42 , the inner fold  44 , and the lower end  44   a . Referring to  FIG. 3 , various stitching elements  76  may be sewn into the inner fold  44  or the external pocket  75  of the various sub-pockets  79  into which one or more flammable instruments  50  may be securely received. 
     Likewise, the upper end  44   b  of the inner fold  44  may be attached to an underside of the crown  30  to close and secure the inner compartment  40   a  of the headband pocket  74 . The secure connection may be made by a stitching element  76   a . The internal compartment  40   a  may be lined with the striking surface  60  so that when the flammable instruments  50  are pulled from a head first inserted storage position the flammable instrument  50  can be ignited when pulled out of the headband pocket  74 . 
     An inner lining of the headband pocket  74  or the external pocket  75  may include the striking surface disposed thereon. Therefore, when the reactive portion  54  of the flammable instrument  50  is placed within the pockets  74 ,  75  with the reactive portion  54  head first, the user may then remove the flammable instrument  50  from the pocket  74 ,  75  and simultaneously ignite the instrument  50 , as described in more detail below. Stitching elements  76 , as shown in dashed line, may be sewn between a top portion of the inner fold  44  and the lower edge  42  (and/or at the upper end  44   b  of the inner fold  44  as shown by  76   a ) to provide added protection (from heat and loose flammable material) from striking the user&#39;s head when igniting the flammable instrument  50  on the striking surface  60 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the adjustment mechanism  46  has a receiving strap  47  having a plurality of apertures  49   a  and a protruding strap  48  having a plurality of protrusions  49   b . The protrusions  49   b  are adjustably received by the apertures  49   a  and fix the relative position of the protruding strap  48  and receiving strap  47  at a predetermined length. Various alternatives may be embodied by a suitable adjustment mechanism. For example, the adjustment mechanism  46  may also be made employed with the use of VELCRO® buckles, and/or any other suitable adjustable fastening system. By varying the relative position of the receiving strap  47  and the protruding strap  48 , the user can adjust a circumference of the headband portion  40  to comfortable fit securely on a user&#39;s head. The adjusting mechanism  46  may also be made of a continuous length of elastic material which conforms to the shape of the user&#39;s head and/or any other suitable adjusting mechanism. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the reactive portion  54  of flammable instrument  50  is typically a mixture of phosphorus sesquisulfide and potassium chlorate. When the reactive portion  54  is struck or rubbed against the rough surface of a striking surface  60 , frictional heat causes the phosphorus sesquisulfide to ignite. The reactive portion  54  may include other alternatives, such as: antimony trisulfide, sulfur, powdered glass, inert fillers, a binder and/or any other suitable material to facilitate the ignition. The flammable instrument  50  may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to, a friction match, a safety match, etc. Alternatively, a lighter can be secured within a pocket constructed in the hat assembly  10 . 
     In the case of safety matches, the reactive portion  54  may require the reactive phosphorus sesquisulfide for ignition. Here, the phosphorus may be located on the rough surface and may ignite the potassium chlorate in the reactive portion  54  upon frictional heat. The position of the various compositions may be interchanged. 
       FIG. 6  shows two striking surfaces  60  extending along lateral edges  22   a  on the top surface  22  of the brim  20 . The striking surface  60  may be of any size and provided in any number of different orientations along the brim  20 , such as along a transverse edge  22   b  on the top surface  22  as shown in dashed line. Having the striking surface  60  on the top surface  22  of the brim  20  provides the added protection from heat and loose flammable material from striking the user&#39;s head and face when igniting the flammable instrument  50  on the striking surface  60 . Likewise, although the striking surface  60  is shown on the top surface  22 , the subject disclosure encompasses any number of striking surfaces  60  in various locations, in a variety of configurations, on any surface of the brim  20 , the crown  30 , or the headband portion  40 . 
     The material of the striking surface  60  can be made of any sufficiently rough material having a coefficient of friction to create frictional heat when struck by the reactive portion  54  to cause ignition of a flame. As mentioned previously, the striking surface  60  may also comprise phosphorous sesquisulfide, a metallic material, concrete and/or any other suitable rough composition to facilitate the ignition of the flammable instrument  50 . 
       FIGS. 7-8  illustrate alternative embodiments of the hat assembly  10 . In  FIG. 7 , the striking surface  60  is located on the bottom surface  24  of the brim  20 . It is to be understood that the striking surface  60  may be provided at various other positions on the hat assembly  10 , such as shown in dashed line on the crown  30  and on the headband portion  40 . 
     By way of example, the rough striking surface  60  may be embodied as a logo  200  or other indicia provided anywhere on the hat assembly  10 , such as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the striking surface  60  may be located on the headband portion  40 . Locating the striking surface  60  at the headband portion  40  facilitates rigidity and encourages ample striking force as the headband portion  40  is much more taut and/or rigid due to the headband portion  40  being compressed against the user&#39;s head when the hat assembly  10  is worn. The striking surface  60  can also be located on any surface of the hat assembly  10 . Each of these positions is easy to reach and provides a convenient location to strike and ignite the flammable instrument  50 . 
     In use, the user can lift the flammable instrument  50  out from the headband pocket  74  thru the aperture  72  by grabbing an exposed portion of the flammable instrument  50 . Similarly, when storing a flammable instrument  50  within the receptacle  70 , the user will push the bottom portion  52  of the flammable instrument  50  thru the aperture  72  and into the headband pocket  74 . This process can conveniently be performed with a single hand as described in more detail later. Likewise, this storage and retrieval process can be done with or without the hat assembly  10  being placed on the user&#39;s head. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , alternatively the receptacle  70  may be in the form of the external pocket  75 . In one construction, the external pocket  75  may have a first open edge  75   a , a closed edge  75   b , and closed side edges  75   c . Alternatively, the closed edge  75   b  may be open. When the flammable instrument  50  is stored, the bottom portion  52  of the instrument  50  is received by and held in place by the external pocket  75 . The distance between an inner surface of an outer panel  75   a  of the external pocket  75  and an adjacent facing inner surface of a panel  32  or headband portion  40  (against which the external pocket  75  lies) may be substantially narrow to provide a friction fit between the bottom portion  52  of the flammable instrument  50  and the outer panel  75   a  material defining the external pocket  75 . Moreover, the external pocket  75  may also be placed on an inner surface of the headband portion  40  adjacent to the head of the user when worn, in place of the externally provided pocket  74 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment in which the receptacle  70  that receives the flammable instrument  50  is composed of a band  73  formed by two parallel apertures  72  disposed in at least one panel  32 . As shown here, a portion of the flammable instrument  50  is held by the band  73 . The band  73  can also be formed separately from the panel  32  as well. The band  73  can be located at any point along the crown  30  or headband portion  40  and/or at various angles with respect to the headband portion  40 . 
       FIGS. 10-11  show another embodiment in which receptacles  70  are defined within a brim  120  to receive the various flammable instruments  50 . The receptacles  70  includes a plurality of apertures or slots  78  defined within side surfaces  126  and/or front surface  128  of the brim  120 . The slots  78  can be constructed in a variety of shapes that recess into the brim  120  between a top surface  122  and a bottom surface  124 . As described later, the flammable instruments  50  may be conveniently located head first with the bottom portion  52  of the flammable instrument  50  inward (as also shown in  FIG. 12 ), or disposed outward. The brim  120  can take a variety of different shapes, such as in the form of a complete annular rim, band, fringe, ridge, frame or other suitable configuration. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-section of the brim  120  showing the receptacle  70  about section lines B-B in  FIG. 11 . The various slots  78  are shown defined within the brim  120 . Each slot  78  includes an open end  78   a , a closed end  78   b , and elongated side walls  78   c . As shown, a majority of the lower end of the flammable instrument  50  is slid into the slot  78  and captivated within the brim  120  of the hat assembly  10  through a slip-fit grip. As mentioned previously and also shown in the alternative, an upper portion  54  of the flammable instrument  50  may be secured head first into the slot  78 . 
       FIGS. 13-15  shows front or outward views of the brim  120  having different embodiments for the slots  78 .  FIG. 13  depicts the slot  78  as a plurality of discreet cylindrical recess having a circular open end  77 .  FIG. 14  shows an alternative embodiment of a connected slot  178  including cylindrical recesses  178   a  laterally connected by flat or rectangular recesses  178   b . A height of the rectangular recess  178   b  is less than a diameter of the cylindrical recess  178   a .  FIG. 15  depicts yet another alternative embodiment of an elongated slot  278  constructed of a top wall  278   a , an equidistant bottom wall  278   b , a first side wall  278   c  and a second side wall  278   d . The slots  78 ,  178 ,  278  secure the flammable instrument  50  by way of a slip-fit grip between a portion of the flammable instrument  50  and the respective walls such as the inner wall  78 ,  178   a , top wall  278   a  and bottom wall  278   b.    
       FIGS. 16-17  show an alternative embodiment for a receptacle  270  in which the hat assembly  10  is composed of a split brim  220  having an upper front panel  222  and lower front panel  224 . The upper front panel  222  includes a top surface  222   a  and a bottom surface  222   b . The lower front panel  224  includes a top surface  224   a  and a bottom surface  224   b . The bottom surface  222   b  of the upper front panel  222  comes in contact with the top surface  224   a  of the lower front panel  224  and form a receptacle  270 . 
       FIG. 16  shows the receptacle  270  in a closed position. As shown in dashed line, a majority of an upper end  54  of the flammable instrument  50  is placed into the receptacle  270  and secured by a friction fit between the upper front panel  222 , the lower front panel  224  and the upper end of the instrument  50 . The upper front panel  222  may be in the form of a flap, pocket, cover, strip or other suitable configuration which would provide the friction fit grip of the flammable instrument  50  between the upper front panel  222  and lower front panel  224 . 
       FIG. 17  shows the receptacle  270  in an open position. The striking surface  60  may be located on either the bottom surface  222   b  or top surface  224   a , or both. The upper front panel  222  may be lifted to insert the flammable instrument  50  into the split brim  220 . Index tabs  272  may be added to facilitate aligning and securing the flammable instrument  50  in place and to form separate discrete compartments  279  for receipt of each of the flammable instruments  50 . Each separate compartment  279  would receive an upper portion  56  of the flammable instrument  50 . In addition, the index tabs  272  may act as a barrier and hinder the ignition of one flammable instrument  50  from igniting another nearby instrument  50 . The index tabs  272  may be made from a flame retardant material to block and further hinder the undesired ignition of adjacent flammable instruments  50 . 
     Furthermore, the upper front panel  222  and lower front panel  224  are securely connected to each other by a brim fastener  226 , which can be in the form of VELCRO®, snap-fit button, magnets, or any other affixing device or method. The brim fastener  226  may be provided along any area of the upper front panel  222  or lower front panel  224 . 
     For the configuration shown in  FIG. 16-17 , the user may remove the flammable instrument  50  from the receptacle  270 , while simultaneously igniting the instrument  50  by pulling on the bottom portion  52 , thereby causing frictional heat to ignite the flammable instrument  50 , as described in more detail below. 
       FIGS. 18-19  show another embodiment in which the hat assembly  10  includes a pocket flap receptacle  370  having an attachment layer  373  and a mating cover flap  374 . The attachment layer  373  can be fastened to the brim  20 , the crown  30 , the headband portion  40 , or any portion of the hat assembly  10  by a suitable attachment mechanism or method. The attachment layer  373  and the cover flap  374  may be fixed together by a flap fastener  376 , which can be in the form of VELCRO®, an adhesive, a snap-fit fastener, magnets, or any other suitable fastening device and/or method for securing the cover flap  374  to the attachment layer  373  to cause a friction fit of the flammable instrument  50  within the pocket flap receptacle  370 . The friction fit grip is provided between an inner surface of the flap  374  and an adjacent surface of the attachment layer  373  which secures and holds the flammable instrument  50  in a storage position. The receptacle  370  may also include a striking surface  360 , which would facilitate the ignition of the flammable instrument  50  when the instrument  50  is pulled out of the storage position. The receptacle  370  may be located on any surface of the hat assembly  10 , including but not limited to the top surface  22  or bottom surface  24  of the brim  20 , the crown  30  or the headband portion  40 . 
       FIG. 20  shows an alternative embodiment of a hat assembly  110  in the form of a visor, having a brim  20  and headband portion  40 . Again, the striking surface  60  and the various receptacles  70 ,  170 ,  270 ,  370  may be located in or on any surface of the hat assembly  110  as described above with respect to the hat assembly  10 . 
       FIGS. 21-24  illustrate methods by which the hat assembly  10  may ignite the flammable instrument  50 . An advantage of the subject disclosure is the use of only a single hand to cause the final ignition of the flammable instrument  50 , while conventional inefficient methods previously required the cumbersome use of two hands. 
       FIGS. 21-23  depict a one-handed two-step process comprised of: 1) gripping a portion of the flammable instrument  50  and pulling it out from the storage receptacle  70 ; and in a second step 2) striking the flammable instrument  50  over the striking surface  60  (as shown in  FIG. 22 ) to ignite the flammable instrument  50  as shown in  FIG. 23 . The receptacle  70  and striking surface  60  may be located on either side of the hat assembly  10 , which allows both right handed and left handed users to easily and conveniently reach and ignite the flammable instrument  50 . 
       FIG. 24  depicts another advantageous process for igniting the flammable instrument  50 . In this one-step process, the user grips and pulls the bottom portion  52  of the flammable instrument  50 . While the flammable instrument  50  is pulled out of and slides out of the receptacle  70 , the reactive portion  54  slides against the striking surface  60  within receptacle  70  to ignite the flammable instrument  50 . The frictional heat generated by the relative motion between the striking surface  60  and reactive portion  54  causes the ignition of the flammable instrument  50 . 
     As employed in this specification and annexed drawings, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     What has been described above includes examples of a hat assembly and method of use that provide advantages of the subject disclosure. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the subject disclosure, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.