Patent Publication Number: US-2010122399-A1

Title: Sports hat side clip

Description:
This application claim priority of U.S. provisional 61/199,708 filed Nov. 19, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to promotional clip-on accessories for attachment to clothing and, more particularly, to a clip-on accessory for sport hats that provides an integral display panel for promotional purposes as well as functional capability for useful accessories. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Retailers often promote their products with colorful advertisements or logos. One example of that is by use of advertising clips attached to baseball hats. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,316 to Nathansen describes a promotional clip-on accessory that is adapted to fold around a hat strap to carry a display panel for displaying promotional material. The clip-on accessory is die cut from a vinyl plastic or cardstock sheet and is pre-scored to include two bi-fold hinges defining a central display panel and two opposite folding panels that are folded around the hat strap. 
     A number of other patents also focus on attaching various devices to a baseball hat strap. While functional, these devices are limited to the hat adjusting strap, which in normal baseball hats are limited to the back of the hat. In addition many of these devices lack functionality for a variety of applications. 
     It would be much more advantageous to provide a sports hat side clip that can provide easily mounted promotional and/or decorative materials as well as very functional accessories that can easily be added to the hat. How this can be accomplished is explained below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This need is met by a sports hat side clip assembly that provides integral displays including at least: a base component comprising; a clip portion and a plate portion, each having a first end and a second end, the clip and plate portions aligned in an approximately parallel configuration to fit on either side of a sports hat sweatband; the clip portion having a hook component on its first end for hooking over the inside of the sports cap headband; wherein the clip portion and the plate portion are fixedly joined at their respective second ends, forming a base component end; and a lanyard eyelet built into the base component end for attaching accessories; an attachable coverlet for attaching to exterior side of the plate portion facing out from the sports hat. 
     In another aspect of the invention the sports hat side clip assembly of further includes at least a wall portion having a first end and a second end, the wall portion fixedly joined at the second end to the base component end and extending in a configuration approximately parallel to and exterior to the plate portion. 
     In another aspect of the invention the attachable coverlet can be a outwardly curved surface which can be used for a variety of decorative purposes. It can also be transparent to allow images to be placed behind it for viewing. 
     In another aspect the sports hat side clip assembly can be used with a variety of accessories that are easily attached. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a coverlet for a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a sports hat side clip assembly illustrating a 3-D effect. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a clip portion of a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a coverlet for a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a sports hat side clip assembly. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a sports hat side clip assembly attached to a hat. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates from the underside of a hat the attachment to a sweatband. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     An understanding of the sports hat side clip proposed could be gained by reference to the figures that make up this disclosure. There are four sports hat side clip assemblies disclosed here but they are all part of the same inventive concept. 
     The proposed sports hat side clip assemblies are made of plastic or light weight metal (aluminum, titanium) that clips to the side of a hat. They are secured to the hat by a hook that hooks over the sweatband (inside). Four clips of different shapes are disclosed herein. Each clip has a removable coverlet that is removed by pressing down on the coverlet and lifting one side. 
     The sports hat side clip assemblies are created to provide two capabilities; a promotional/decorative one, and a functional one. The functional capability provides the possibility of easily adding certain functional accessories as well as multiple decorative possibilities. 
     The sports hat side clip assemblies become promotional when a sports team, organization, business or university logo is printed on the clip, or the coverlet. In addition to printing (pad and screen printing) they may be customized (decorated) with pressure sensitive labels, pressure sensitive rhinestones or crystal decals, fabric designs, etc. 
     The coverlets function is to provide a curved surface for printing and to provide a 3-dimensional effect when a clear or slightly tinted coverlet is used. This will enable the user to see two printed sources (coverlet and clip surface beneath). The third function of the coverlet is to provide individualization of the coverlet by using the photo insert slots built into the underside of the coverlet surface. 
     Referring now to the FIG.  1 —the shield shaped side clip assembly  100 , is seen in a side view. In its assembled version it is made up of a base component  105 , which has a printable surface, and a separate attachable coverlet or exterior printable surface  110 . Printable surface  110  faces out from the hat. The base component is made up of a plate portion  106  and a clip portion  107  that are fixedly joined at the base component end  108 . Shield side clip assembly  100  is secured to the sports hat side wall  115  by a hook  120  that hooks over the sweatband  125  on the inside of the sports hat. At the base component end  108  of shield clip  100  is a lanyard eyelet accessory port  130 —to allow the attachment of various accessories to the clip. The coverlet or front printable surface  110  becomes promotional when a sports team, organization, business or university logo is printed on it. In addition to printing (pad and screen printing) they may be customized (decorated) with pressure sensitive labels, pressure sensitive rhinestones or crystal decals, fabric designs, etc. Any of the sports hat side clips of the instant invention may be made of plastic or lightweight metal (aluminum, titanium) that clips to the side of a hat. 
     The printable surface  110  functions to provide a curved surface for printing and to provide a 3-dimensional effect when a clear or slightly tinted surface is used. This will enable the user to see two printed sources (the exterior surface  110  or the underlying clip surface  105 ). The third function of printable surface  110  is to provide individualization by using the photo insert slots built into the underside of printable surface  110 . Printing surface  110  can be opaque or clear.  FIG. 2 , shown generally as  160 , is a top view of the front printable surface (coverlet)  110  of the shield side clip assembly. Slots  170  are the photo insert slots that allow inserting die-cut photo-sheets that face outward through a clear covering. The clear version can also used when the underlying base piece is printed, allowing for a 3-dimensional effect.  FIG. 3  illustrates the 3-dimensional effect, in which the coverlet exterior printable surface  180  (showing the number 9) might be a clear or tined polycarbonate and the underlying base showing through has an underlying display—in this case a star. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a second embodiment of the sports hat side clip—referred to here as a shuffle clip, devoted entirely to holding an MP3 player such as an IPod Shuffle. The base component, shown generally as  200  is similar to base component  105  of the shield assembly in  FIG. 1  but now the plate portion has an upper section  210 , to which a printable surface can be attached and a lower section  220  designed to accept an MP3 player. A hook  225  is still included near the top of the clip portion that hooks over the sweatband on the inside of the hat as in the shield assembly of  FIG. 1 . A lanyard eyelet accessory port  230  can be used for attaching various accessories to the clip. The clips may be made of plastic or lightweight metal (aluminum, titanium) that clips to the side of a hat. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an assembled shuffle assembly  250 , with the upper curved printable surface  260  now attached. The upper printable surface  260  (or coverlet) becomes promotional when a sports team, organization, business or university logo is printed on it. As in the shield assembly, the coverlet can be opaque or clear. In addition to printing (pad and screen printing) they may be customized (decorated) with pressure sensitive labels, pressure sensitive rhinestones or crystal decals, fabric designs, etc. The coverlet can also provide a curved surface for printing and to provide a 3-dimensional effect when a clear or slightly tinted coverlet is used. This will enable the user to see two printed sources (coverlet and clip surface beneath). Surface  220  is an attaching surface for an MP3 player.  FIG. 6  shows a top view of coverlet  260  of  FIG. 5  illustrating the photo insert slots  270  that allow inserting die-cut photo-sheets that face outward through a clear covering. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a third embodiment of the sports hat side clip—referred to here as the utility assembly is shown. The utility assembly has the same design features as the shield assembly except the shape is different and there is a third surface available for the attachment of modules. The utility assembly has a hook  310  serving the same function as the hook in the shield and shuffle assemblies, namely for attachment to a sports hat sweatband. A plate portion  320  extends up the middle and provides a place for attachment of a coverlet or upper printable surface  330 . The third surface  340  also can be printed or decorated as well as have additional modules attached to it. At the bottom of the utility clip is shown the accessory port  350 —for attaching various modules to the clip. The clips may be made of plastic or lightweight metal (aluminum, titanium) that clips to the side of a hat. 
       FIG. 8 , shown generally as the numeral  400 , is an assembled utility assembly, with the upper printable surface (coverlet)  330  and the third surface  340 . Surface  340  becomes promotional when a sports team, organization, business or university logo is printed on it. In addition to printing (pad and screen printing) they may be customized (decorated) with pressure sensitive labels, pressure sensitive rhinestones or crystal decals, fabric designs, etc. 
     The coverlet or upper printable surface  330 , functions to provide a curved surface for printing and to provide a 3-dimensional effect when a clear or slightly tinted coverlet is used, as described earlier in the description of the shield assembly. This will enable the user to see two printed sources (coverlet and clip surface beneath). The third function of the coverlet is to provide individualization of the coverlet by using the photo insert slots (identical to the slots shown in earlier embodiments in  FIGS. 2 and 6 ) built into the underside of the coverlet surface. The coverlet can be opaque or clear. A clear coverlet is used when the underlying base piece is printed, allowing for the 3-dimensional effect. The 3-dimensional effect was shown earlier in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a fourth embodiment of the sports hat side clip—the jumbo assembly is shown. The purpose of the Jumbo is to provide a larger surface area printable surface (coverlet). The side view  500  includes, as in other embodiments, a plate portion  510  and a clip portion  520  with a hook  530  on the clip portion serving the same function as the hook in the shield, utility, and shuffle assemblies, namely for attachment to a sports hat sweatband. Attached to the front or exterior side of plate portion  510  is a printable surface or coverlet  540 . An eyelet lanyard accessory port  545  is incorporated into the base component end. 
     An assembled jumbo assembly  600  is shown in a front perspective view in  FIG. 10 . The previous disclosures in the other embodiments regarding the possibilities for all types of labels, decals, decorations and 3-dimensional effects also apply to the jumbo assembly. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a jumbo style clip assembly  710  attached to a baseball type hat  700 .  FIG. 12  illustrates that same clip from the underside of the hat showing the sweatband  810  and the clip part of the clip assembly  820  that is hooked over the sweatband. 
     Some of the attachable accessories are as follows. One of the assemblies, referred to here as the shuffle assembly, is devoted to holding an iPod Shuffle MP3 player. This accessory comes with two custom ear buds that eliminate the long cords associated with most iPods. Three other accessories that might go with the shuffle assembly are headbands, hats, and a wiring assembly that are designed specifically for use with the shuffle assembly and the iPod Shuffle. 
     Sunglass lanyards can be attached to the bottom of the clips and earplugs for ear protection can be dangled from the bottom of a clip attached to each side of the hat. These are for use for shooting or working around power equipment. 
     Other accessories include custom die-cut photo sheet (previously mentioned), adapter pin for converting a side clip to a lapel pin, a side clip with an attached EZ mark golf ball marker and divot tool. 
     Another embodiment of this disclosure is the use of custom die-cut photo sheets to provide photographs, nametags, badges, or any small quantity of personalized exhibits. A photo sheet can be printed on multicolor printer or photo printer and individual inserts can then be perforated out and inserted into any of the coverlets previously described and then be held in place by the photo slots shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . 
     Although certain embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described herein in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the processes, machines, manufactures, means, methods and steps described herein. As a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from this disclosure, other processes, machines, manufactures, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to include within the scope such processes, machines, manufactures, means, methods or steps.