Patent Publication Number: US-9402432-B2

Title: Sun protection device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/650,034, filed May 22, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/712,901, filed Oct. 12, 2012. All of the foregoing patent applications are incorporated by reference as if set forth herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to sun protection, and more particularly to a sun protection device which is attachable to a hat, where the device shades a person&#39;s head, neck and ears from the sun. 
     2. Related Art 
     People often wear hats to protect themselves from the sun. Many types of hats have brims that extend outward from the hat to shade the wearer&#39;s head and face. In some cases, the brim extends all the way around the hat, providing shade for not only the face, but also the ears and neck. In other cases, the brim extends only part-way around the hat and provides shade for only a part of the wearer&#39;s head. For example, one of the most popular types of hats—a baseball cap—has a brim that extends from the front of the cap and consequently only shades the wearer&#39;s face. 
     It is therefore apparent that a hat such as a baseball cap may not provide adequate protection from the sun, and may allow a wearer&#39;s ears and neck to become sunburned. Even hats that have brims which extend all the way around the hat may not provide adequate sun protection, as the wearer may hold his or her head in such a position that shade from the brim does not fall on the wearer&#39;s ears and neck. For instance, the wearer may be working in a garden and looking downward, so that the brim on the back of the hat extends upward to some degree. 
     One solution to this problem is a drape, or piece of fabric, that is attached to the sides and back of a hat. When the hat is placed on the wearer&#39;s head, the drape hangs down over the wearer&#39;s ears and neck, protecting them from the sun, even if the wearer tilts his or her head. The drape may also provide the benefit of shielding the wearer&#39;s ears and neck from insects. Hats with these types of drapes may have their own drawbacks, however. For example, hats with drapes may not be considered fashionable, and there are typically very few of these types of hats from which to choose. Still fewer have removable drapes. In some cases, a drape is attachable to a specific hat by a zipper, snaps, Velcro or other means which are provided specifically for the purpose of attaching the drape to the hat. In other cases, a drape is made to be attachable to various hats by clips or other means. All of these means for fastening drapes are referred to herein as “drape fasteners”. Commonly, the drapes make the hats quite unattractive. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide a sun protection device for use with various different types of hats that overcomes one or more of the problems described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for sun protection that solve one or more of the problems discussed above. In one particular embodiment, a sun protection device includes a frame and a drape attached to the frame, where at least a portion of the frame can be removably positioned between the crown and the sweatband of a hat. When the frame is positioned between the crown and sweatband of the hat, the drape hangs downward from the crown, thereby shading at least a portion of a wearer&#39;s neck. In one embodiment, the frame and the drape extend around at least one half (and preferably about two-thirds) of the circumference of the crown of the hat, allowing the drape to shade the wearer&#39;s neck and ears. In one embodiment, the upper edge of the drape is stitched to the upper edge of the frame. The drape may be any suitable fabric, and is preferably capable of blocking at least a portion of the sun&#39;s UV rays. 
     In one embodiment, the frame is an elongated piece of semi-rigid plastic that is sized to fit between the crown and sweatband of the hat. The frame may be, for example, approximately 0.023 inch thick, 0.5 inch high, and 13 inches long. The frame may have one or more slits or cut-outs in its lower edge to accommodate stitches between the crown and sweatband of the hat when the frame is positioned between the crown and sweatband of the hat. In one embodiment, the frame has a narrow middle portion and two wider end portions on opposite sides of the middle portion, so that when the end portions are positioned between the crown and sweatband of the hat, the middle portion extends between the end portions, but does not extend between the crown and sweatband of the hat, allowing the frame to fit adjustable-back hats. In an alternative embodiment, the middle portion may be wider, so that it extends upward above the end portions, thereby covering the opening in the back of the adjustable hat. The frame may have one or more non-slip surfaces which increase friction between the frame and either the crown or the sweatband, thereby maintaining the frame&#39;s position between the crown and the sweatband. 
     One alternative embodiment comprises a hat having a removable drape. In this embodiment, the frame is removably positioned between the crown of the hat and the sweatband of the hat. The drape is attached to the frame. The frame and the drape extend around at least one half (and preferably about two-thirds) of the circumference of the crown of the hat. The drape hangs downward from the crown, thereby shading at least a portion of a wearer&#39;s neck and/or ears. 
     Another alternative embodiment comprises a method for protecting a person from the sun. In this method, a hat having a crown a sweatband is provided. The hat has no drape fasteners that are designed specifically for the purposes of attaching a drape. A drape which is attached to a frame is also provided. At least a portion of the frame is positioned between the crown of the hat and the sweatband of the hat, so that the drape extends around a portion of the circumference of the crown of the hat and hangs downward from the crown. The hat with the attached drape can then be placed on a wearer&#39;s head, thereby shading at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s neck and/or ears. The method may also include removing the frame from between the crown and sweatband, thereby detaching the drape from the hat. 
     Numerous other embodiments are also possible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of a sun protection device in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrations of a sun protection device attached to a baseball cap in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the manner in which the sun protection device is attached to a hat in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of an alternative frame design that provides an upper extension to cover an opening in an adjustable hat in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of an alternative frame design that in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a non-slip surface on a frame in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a sun protection device in accordance with an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and the accompanying detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment which is described. This disclosure is instead intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more embodiments of the invention are described below. It should be noted that these and any other embodiments described below are exemplary and are intended to be illustrative of the invention rather than limiting. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention described herein provide a means to attach a sun-protection drape to many different types of hats. The drape provides the benefits discussed above, but is attachable to and removable from virtually any hat without the need for special attachment means on the hat, such as snaps or hook-and-loop (Velcro) attachment points that are permanently sewn onto the hat. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an exemplary sun protection device  100  is shown. Device  100  includes a frame  110  and a drape  120 . In this embodiment, an upper edge  121  of drape  120  is stitched to an upper edge  111  of frame  110 , although it may be glued or attached by other means. 
     Frame  110  is semi-rigid. In other words, frame  110  is stiff enough to provide structural support to attached drape  120 , but is flexible enough to allow it to be curved to conform to the contours of a hat. In one embodiment, the frame is made of a thin strip of a plastic such as high density polyethylene. In one embodiment, the strip of plastic is 0.01-0.05 inches thick, 0.5-2 inches high, and 10-16 inches long. (These ranges are intended to be exemplary, and some embodiments of the invention may have dimensions that fall outside these ranges.) Frame  110  may alternatively be made of belting or another material that is thin and flexible, yet stiff enough to support the drape. 
     Drape  120  is a piece of fabric that blocks at least a portion of the sun&#39;s harmful (e.g., ultraviolet, or UV) rays. The material of drape  120  may be selected to block all of these rays, or only a portion of the rays. The material may be formed of natural fibers, such as cotton, or synthetic fibers that may provide enhanced performance in blocking the sun&#39;s rays, faster drying, etc. In some embodiments, the material may be selected for other characteristics, such as the ability to absorb water for purposes of cooling the wearer, or the ability to shed water if the drape is intended to be used for protection against rain as well as sun. The drape may also be designed to provide protection from insects (e.g., it may be treated with insect repellant). In another alternative embodiment, the fabric may be fleece, microfleece, or other materials that are intended to keep the wearer&#39;s neck warm in cooler weather. 
     The design of drape  120  may vary, depending upon the needs or desires of the user. For instance, the specific shape of the drape may be longer or shorter to achieve a desired appearance. The material may be selected for its unobtrusiveness, or it may be selected to make a fashion statement. The drape could even consist of hair (as in a wig) so that the device could be used as part of a costume, rather than for sun protection. Because frame  110  supports drape  120  across its length, the fabric of the drape tends to lie flat on the back of the wearer&#39;s head and may provide an ideal location for an advertiser&#39;s logo, a sporting team&#39;s logo, or the like. 
     In one embodiment, frame  110  is long enough to extend approximately ⅔ of the way around the wearer&#39;s head, so that attached drape  120  will cover the wearer&#39;s ears and neck. In the case of a baseball cap, frame  110  and drape  120  will extend along the portion of the cap&#39;s lower edge that does not have a brim (See  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). In one embodiment, the length of frame  120  is approximately 13 inches, but it may vary from one embodiment to another. In this embodiment, drape  120  is a rectangular piece of fabric approximately 11 inches high and 20 inches wide. The dimensions of the drape may also vary from one embodiment to another. As noted above, the upper edge of drape  120  is stitched to the upper edge of frame  110 , so it is necessary in this embodiment to “bunch” the 20-inch fabric edge evenly along the 13-inch length of the frame. Bunching the fabric in this manner allows drape  120  to extend outward from the cap to more loosely cover the wearer&#39;s ears and neck. In an alternative embodiment, the drape may have extensions at the ends (see dashed lines in  FIG. 2A ) which can wrap around the front of the wearer&#39;s face and thereby provide protection for the wearer&#39;s face, as well as neck and ears. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a diagram illustrating the attachment of the sun protection device to a hat is shown. In this figure, it can be seen that the lower edge of a sweat band (or hat band)  310  of a hat is attached to the lower edge of the crown (outer portion)  320  of the hat. The lower portion of frame  110  is positioned in the space between sweat band  310  and crown  320 . The stitched upper edge of frame  110  extends slightly above the upper edge of sweat band  310 . Drape  120  hangs down from the upper edge of frame  110 , extending downward beyond the bottom of the hat, so that it can cover the wearer&#39;s ears and neck. Preferably, frame  110  and drape  120  are sufficiently thin that they do not significantly affect the fit of the hat on the wearer&#39;s head. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , it can be seen that frame  110  is slightly curved. This causes the frame to be tilted inward slightly at the top when attached to a hat. This allows the frame to better conform to most hats, the crowns of which likewise taper inward at their bottom edges. It can also be seen in the figure that there is a notch  112  in frame  110 . The notch allows the device to be attached to hats in which the sweat band does not extend all the way around the inside of the hat. For instance, many baseball caps are adjustable and their sweat bands do not extend across the adjustment band at the back of the cap (see, e.g., adjustment band  210  in  FIG. 2B ). Even if the sweat band in a hat extends all the way around the inside of a hat, the notched frame depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  provide sufficient support in the center of the frame to prevent drape  120  from drooping below the bottom of the hat. 
     It should be noted that some hats have sweat bands that are attached (e.g., stitched) to the crown in several spots. The material of frame  110  is preferably thin enough that it can be easily trimmed (for instance, by cutting slits or notches in the frame) to avoid these spots, allowing the frame to be slipped between the sweat band and crown despite these stitched spots. Alternatively, various slits or notches may be pre-cut in the frame to allow it to be positioned between a sweat band and crown that are stitched together at various places. 
     The frame may have other features as well. For example, while the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2B , the frame goes straight across the center of the back of the hat. As shown in  FIG. 2B , this may leave an exposed area ( 220 ) when the device is used with an adjustable hat. Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternative frame design provides an upper extension  410  at the center of frame  400 . Extension  410  extends upward to cover the portion of a wearer&#39;s head that would otherwise be exposed by the opening at the back of an adjustable hat. Conventionally, even hats with drapes may leave this portion of the wearer&#39;s head exposed, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,535. The specific shape of the frame may vary in different embodiments. 
     Another alternative embodiment of the frame is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In this figure, frame  500  is slightly curved, similar to the other frames, but it does not have a notch (e.g.,  112  or  410 ) in the center of the frame. Because it does not include a notch, frame  500  may be more suitable for use with hats or caps that do not have an opening at the back (e.g., one-size-fits-all caps that stretch to fit the wearer&#39;s head, rather than having an adjustable band, such as band  210  in  FIG. 2B ). Frame  500  may be constructed using a thin sheet of plastic or other suitable material, and may be slit or otherwise trimmed to allow the frame to fit into the hat, despite stitches or other obstructions between the sweat band and crown of the hat. Although the frame consists of a single piece in the foregoing embodiments, an alternative embodiment may have multiple pieces. For example, the wider end-portions of the frame may be separate, so that the center portion of the drape is not attached to the frame, but is instead simply stretched between the two frame pieces. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , one side of a frame  600  is shown. In this embodiment, a non-slip surface  610  is provided on the lower portion  620  of frame  600 . Non-slip surface  610  may be formed in a variety of ways, such as roughening the frame surface, applying a high-friction material to the frame or perforating the frame material in a manner that leaves small points on the surface (similar to a fine cheese grater). The non-slip surface may be formed on either side, or both sides, of frame  600  to help secure it in place between the sweat band and crown of a hat. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , another alternative embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, a sun protection device  700  has a frame  710  and a drape  720  attached to the frame. Since the device may be used with a hat that has an adjustment band (see  FIG. 2B ), the frame may be visible through the exposed area of the hat (e.g.,  220 ). Because this may not be desirable, sun protection device  700  provides a small flap of fabric ( 730 ) which is attached to the top of frame  710  and folds over the frame to cover the portion of the frame that shows through the exposed area of the adjustable hat. 
     The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the embodiments. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.