Patent Publication Number: US-2015067949-A1

Title: Hat with attachable and interchangeable hairpiece

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/875,318, filed Sep. 9, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to hairpieces and related accessories and in particular to a hat with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece. Many individuals are suffering from medical conditions such as alopecia, or taking medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy as a result of cancer, which cause substantial hair loss. Other users experience hair loss and thinning due to the aging process or may simply want to change their hairstyle temporarily. Particularly in the case of cancer patients, these individuals have no choice in the changes their bodies will go through, even to save their own lives. Loss of the ability to maintain their usual appearance and style lowers self-esteem and causes emotional depression, which only adds to the difficulties already faced by these individuals. A realistic system for restoring the appearance of these individuals would be well received. A hat with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece would help to resolve this problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the invention is directed to a hat with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece. The hat may be of any style and has one or more attachment points to which a hairpiece may be removably affixed. Hairpieces in various colors, lengths and styles may be provided, such that the user may interchange the styles with the hat to achieve varying looks. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a rear view of the hairpiece component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the hairpiece  10 , and the male attachment points  11 . 
         FIG. 2  shows a bottom perspective view of the hat component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the hat  12 , and the female attachment points  13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a hat  12  with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece  10 . The hat  12  may be of any style and has one or more female attachment points  13  to which a hairpiece  10  may be removably affixed. Hairpieces  10  in various colors, lengths and styles may be provided, such that the user may interchange the styles with the hat  12  to achieve varying looks. The hair styles contemplated include braided, curled, straight, or in a ponytail. Short and long length hair of varying hues is also contemplated. 
     The first exemplary embodiment consists of two or more components: the hat component, and one or a plurality of hairpiece components. The hat  12  may be of any style that is adequate to conceal the female attachment points  13 . The female attachment points  13  are preferably arranged in pairs, in a symmetrical horizontal row around the widest circumference of the user&#39;s head, covering at least the occipital and temporal areas of the user&#39;s head. The male attachment points  11  are provided in corresponding locations on the hairpiece  10  for a smooth and natural transition along the edge between the hairpiece  10  and the hat  12 . The female attachment points  13 , and the corresponding male attachment points on the hairpiece  10 , may be hook-and-loop fabric strips, metal or plastic snaps, or any other similar fastening device. 
     To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user selects a hairpiece  10 , and uses the male attachment points  11  to affix the hairpiece  10  to the hat  12 , at the female attachment points  13 . The user then puts on the hat  12 , adjusting both the hat  12  and hairpiece  10  as desired for a perfect fit and a natural appearance. 
     The hairpiece  10  is preferably manufactured from flexible, durable materials that closely simulate the user&#39;s natural human hair, such as human hair or acrylic fibers. The male attachment points  11  and female attachment points  13  are preferably manufactured from durable materials such as steel, aluminum, plastic, and nylon. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.