Patent Publication Number: US-2016242481-A1

Title: Adjustable hat

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the claimed subject matter relate to headwear such as hats, visors and caps, and more particularly to adjustable caps having adjustable brims that can be used for shading the side, rear and forward portions of the wearer&#39;s head area from direct sunlight and/or other environmental conditions. 
     SUMMARY 
     The inventive subject matter relates to headwear such as hats, visors and caps, and more particularly to adjustable caps having adjustable brims that can be used for shading the side, rear and forward portions of the wearer&#39;s head area from environmental elements such as rain, snow, hail and direct sunlight. Various sizes and adjustable brim portion configurations are available for the wearer to choose the fit and style so that the cap can be configured to a form most suitable for the user. 
     In one form or embodiment, the adjustable hat or headgear includes a head cover or head covering portion comprising: a front portion; a back portion; an interior including a forward portion and an exterior including a rearward portion. The head covering portion is constructed of a fabric material. Also included is a brim portion constructed of a fabric material joined thereto along the exterior lower side of the peripheral edge of the head covering portion having a first and second rear flaps, ends or edges, a first fastener portion positioned on the head covering portion surface, and a second fastener positioned on the exterior surfaces of the edges of the brim. The first fastener can be adjusted and joined thereto along either side of the peripheral edges of the head covering portion so that the head covering portion is fastened. The second fastener can be adjusted and joined thereto along either side of the peripheral edges of the brim so that the brim&#39;s peripheral edges are fastened together. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the inventive subject matter, and, together with the description, further explain the inventive subject matter. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an embodiment of the inventive subject matter; 
         FIG. 1A  is another illustration of an embodiment of the inventive subject matter; and 
         FIG. 2  is another illustration of an embodiment of the inventive subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     According to various embodiments or alternative forms of the inventive subject matter, the above described drawing figures help illustrate each of the same.  FIG. 1  shows a cap apparatus  10  comprising a head covering portion  12  constructed of a fabric material for covering a portion of a wearer&#39;s head and a brim portion  14  constructed of a fabric material joined thereto along the exterior lower side of the peripheral edge of the head covering portion  12 . The brim portion  14  also includes a first flap  22  and a second flap  24  which are removably fastened together with fastener  18 , shown in the figure as a rectangular shaped hook and loop portion affixed to the exterior top surface of the first flap  22 . 
     In one form or embodiment, the head covering portion  10  includes a crown comprising: a front portion; a back portion; an interior including a forward portion; an exterior including a rearward portion; and a brim  14  having a first end flap  22 , a second end flap  24 , and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, wherein the first end flap  22  extends outward from the exterior rearward portion of the brim  14 , and wherein the second end flap  24  extends outwards from the other exterior rearward portion of the brim  14 , and wherein the intermediate portion can be closed with fastener  18  fastening the first end flap  22  with the second end flap  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a fastener  18  is positioned on the outer exterior area of the first end flap  22  of head covering portion  12  of headwear  10 . In these Figures, the peripheral edge of the head covering portion  12  is normally positioned around a wearer&#39;s head generally above the wearer&#39;s eyes and ears when the head covering portion  12  is fitted on the top of the wearer&#39;s head. The brim  14  is positioned around the head covering portion  12  along the lower peripheral edge of portion  12  extending forwardly of the wearer&#39;s head for protection against environmental elements. 
     The fasteners  16  and  18  and other additional fastener may be constructed of polyethylene, fabric, a snap, or any combination of the foregoing in addition to any other suitable fastener known to those skilled in the art, for example fasteners made from Velcro® brand strips. In several embodiments, the fasteners  16  and  18  may be made of a strap with a buckle or an amount of hook and loop material affixed to the exterior or interior sections of the head covering portion  12 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a portion of a second fastener  18  constructed of hook or loop material positioned on the upward facing exterior side towards the end or edge of first flap  22  of brim  14 . The corresponding hook or loop material (not shown) is positioned on the downward facing exterior side of the corresponding edge of second flap  24  of brim  14 . The first and second fastener portions  22  and  24  can be joined thereto along either side of the peripheral edges of the brim portion so that the brim portion is fastened together. The user can adjust the brim  14  of the hat  10  to his or her head by fastening one or both the first  16  and second  18  fasteners. One or more additional fasteners (not shown) may be positioned at the periphery of the brim  14  or any other suitable location on the surface of the brim  14  so that alternate configurations of the brim  14  in relation to the head covering portion  12  can be used. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a headwear  10  article is adapted so that the head covering portion  12  provides a continuous lower peripheral edge at the base of portion  10 , which is interrupted by the fastener  16  at the rear of the head covering portion  12 .  FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of this area also showing ends  22  and  24  not being fastened by either fasteners  16  or fastener  18 .  FIG. 2  shows ends  22  and  24  fastened together with fastener  18 .  FIG. 2  also shows fastener  18  fastening the rear area of the head covering portion  12 . 
     In use, the brim  14  or the ends  22  and  24  may be folded upwardly tightly against the head covering portion  12  so that the headwear  10  may be worn or stored in alternate configurations. 
     Although the foregoing embodiments or forms have been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teaching of this inventive subject matter that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed subject matter.