Patent Publication Number: US-10772370-B2

Title: Party hat

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/437,513, filed Dec. 21, 2016, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/440,220, filed Dec. 29, 2016, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to party supplies, and more particularly to party hats. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Party supplies are commonly used to enhance party experiences of attendees at parties. For example, various types of party hats are commonly used at parties to enhance the party atmosphere. Party hats can be used at various types of parties, such as birthday parties and holiday parties. Party hats can also be used in other environments, such as sporting events, parades, and other events. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a hat for a head of a person includes a hat body having a first end portion configured to rest on the head of the person. The hat body extends upward from the first end portion. The hat body has a hollow interior above the first end portion. An illumination system includes a light source. The light source is supported by the hat body. The light source is arranged to illuminate the hollow interior of the hat body. The hat body includes at least one section of light-transmissible material configured to permit light from the light source to pass from the hollow interior to the exterior of the hat body to be visible from the exterior of the hat body. 
     In another aspect, a noise maker is wearable on a head of a person. The noise maker includes a mouth piece configured for being engaged by a mouth of the person and for receiving gas from the mouth of the person. The noise maker includes a noise generating device configured to generate sound waves. The noise generating device is positioned with respect to the mouth piece to generate sound waves in response to the gas from the mouth of the person. A sound wave guide is operatively connected to the mouth piece. The sound wave guide is configured for guiding the sound waves produced by the noise generating device. The sound wave guide is configured to fit on a head of a person for wearing the noise maker as a hat. A securing device is operatively connected to the sound wave guide. The securing device is configured for securing the sound wave guide and mouth piece on the head of the person as a hat. 
     In another aspect, a noise maker is wearable on a head of a person as a hat. The noise maker includes a mouth piece configured for being engaged by a mouth of the person and for receiving gas from the mouth of the person. A noise generating device is configured to generate sound waves. The noise generating device is positioned with respect to the mouth piece to generate sound waves in response to the gas from the mouth of the person. A sound wave guide is operatively connected to the mouth piece. The sound wave guide has an interior defining a sound wave passage. The sound wave guide is configured for guiding the sound waves produced by the noise generating device along the sound wave passage. The sound wave guide has an inlet end defining an inlet of the sound wave passage and an outlet end defining an outlet of the sound wave passage. The outlet end is sized larger than the inlet end. The outlet end is sized to fit on the head of the person. A chin strap is operatively connected to the sound wave guide. The chin strap is configured for reception under a chin of the person when the outlet end of the sound wave guide is received on the head of the person for securing the noise maker on the head of the person as a hat. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of using a noise maker includes holding the noise maker in a hand of a person and blowing gas from a mouth of the person through the noise maker to generate noise. The method includes placing the noise maker on a head of the person. The method further includes securing the noise maker on the head of the person by engaging a securing device of the noise maker with the head of the person. 
     Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective of one embodiment of a party hat of the present disclosure shown on a head of a person; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective of the party hat of  FIG. 1  having a portion of a hat body broken away to expose components of an illumination system; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of the illumination system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevation of another embodiment of a party hat of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation of another embodiment of a party hat of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation of the party hat of  FIG. 5  having a portion of a hat body broken away to show an illumination system; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial section of another embodiment of a party hat of the present disclosure, a hat body of the hat being shown in section and an illumination system and a securing device of the hat not being shown in section; 
         FIG. 7A  is a partial section of multiple party hats of  FIG. 7  nested together; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic of an illumination system of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective of another embodiment of a party hat of the present disclosure, the party hat being a noise maker party hat; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective of the noise maker party hat of  FIG. 9  shown on a head of a person; and 
         FIG. 11  is a section of the noise maker party hat taken in a plane including line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a hat of the present disclosure is designated generally by the reference number  10 . As will become apparent, the hat  10  may be referred to as a party hat and can be used for enhancing a party atmosphere of a party or other event. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hat  10  is configured for wearing on a head of a person. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the hat  10  generally includes a hat body  12 , an illumination system  14 , and a securing device  16 . The hat body  12  is configured for resting on the head of the wearer. The securing device  16  is optionally provided for securing the hat body  12  on the head of the wearer. As explained below, the hat body  12  can be illuminated by the illumination system  14  to enhance the visual attractiveness of the hat. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hat body  12  is configured for resting on the head of the person. The hat body includes a lower end portion  20  configured for engaging the head of the person and includes an opposite upper end portion  22  spaced from the lower end portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the hat body  12  has a generally conical shape. The lower end portion  20  is wider than the upper end portion  22 , which forms a tip of the conical hat body. The lower end portion  20  has an opening for receiving the head of the person. It will be understood that in use, very little of the head of the person may be received in the opening, depending on the size of the opening and the size of the person&#39;s head. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the hat body  12  has a hollow interior  24  having a generally cone shape corresponding to the shape of the hat body. The hollow interior  24  extends upward from the opening at the lower end portion  20 . 
     The hat body  12  includes a crown portion crown  30  which extends upward from the lower end portion  20  of the hat body and houses the hollow interior. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower end portion  20  of the hat body  12  is a peripheral edge of the hat body around the opening, and the crown  30  has a generally conical shape and forms most of the hat body  12 . Other configurations of hat bodies can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the hat body can be cylindrical, rounded, domed, or have another shape. Moreover, the crown may not form such a large percentage of the hat body. For example, other hat bodies can include other hat body structure, such as a brim, a bill, a side band, ear flaps, and/or other structure mounted on the crown, etc. 
     Desirably, the hat body  12  includes at least one section of light-transmissible material configured to permit light from the illumination system  14  to pass from the hollow interior  24  to the exterior of the hat body to be visible from the exterior of the hat body. As used herein, the term “light-transmissible” means transparent or translucent. The term “transparent” means transmitting light without appreciable scattering. Transparent materials include materials that do not absorb light in the visible range, and materials that absorb light in the visible range so long as at least some visible light is transmitted. The term “translucent” means transmitting light with appreciable scattering. Translucent materials include materials that do not absorb light in the visible range, and materials that absorb light in the visible range so long as at least some visible light is transmitted. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hat body  12  is formed of a light-transmissible material, such as a plastic material. Thus, the entire crown  30  is formed of light-transmissible material. In this embodiment, a section of light-transmissible material forms substantially all of the exterior of the crown  30 . The light-transmissible material extends around the hat body  12  (around front, rear, left, and right sides of the hat body) and extends substantially the full height of the hat body. For example, the light-transmissible material can be said to extend around the crown at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the circumference of the crown. In one example, the light-transmissible material is a single color, such as white, red, green, or blue, etc. The light-transmissible material can be translucent or transparent. In other examples, there can be multiple sections of light-transmissible material of different colors (e.g., tie-dyed, or colored sections arranged in other patterns). Multiple sections of light-transmissible material can form different areas of the exterior of the crown  30 . In still other examples, the light-transmissible material can form a lesser percentage of the exterior of the crown, such as at least about 80%, at least about 70%, at least about 60%, at least about 50%, or at least about 40% of the exterior of the crown. In such cases, one or more sections of opaque material can form the remainder of the exterior of the crown. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the illumination system  14  includes a light source  40 . The light source  40  is provided for illuminating the hollow interior  24  of the hat body  12  such that light from the hollow interior can be seen from the exterior of the hat body through the light-transmissible material. The light source  40  can include one or more light emitting elements, such as LEDs. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source includes a light source housing  42  and a lens  44  that together house the light emitting elements. The light source housing  42  is mounted (e.g., adhered, fastened, etc.) adjacent the top of the crown  30  and has a tapering side wall for corresponding to the tapering inside surface of the upper end of the crown adjacent the tip of the cone shape. The light source  40  being adjacent the top of the crown  30  permits the light source to illuminate a vast majority of the hollow interior  24  of the crown. A power source (e.g., one or more batteries) is housed in a power source housing  52  spaced from the light source housing  42 . The power source housing  52  is mounted on the hat body  12  closer to the lower end  20  portion of the hat body. Electrical wiring  54  electrically connects the power source and the light emitting elements. A switch  56  on the power source housing  52  is provided for selectively turning the light source  40  on and off. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch  56  is provided in the form of a button (e.g., a “clickie” button) that can be pressed a first time to turn the light source  40  on and pressed a second time to turn the light source off. 
     The illumination system  14  can be configured to illuminate the interior of the crown  30  in various ways. For example, the illumination system  14  can have an illumination system controller housed in the light source housing  42  or the power source housing  52  programmed to control the light source  40  to emit different colors one after another from the light source. For example white, red, blue, and green light emitting elements can be provided in the light source housing  42 , and the illumination system controller can be programmed to energize the light emitting elements one at a time in succession. The illumination system controller can also be programmed to control the light source  40  to emit flashing light from one or more of the light emitting elements. These and other modes of the light source  40  may be cycled through by pressing the button  56  multiple times. Accordingly, when the light source  40  is turned on, light from the light source illuminates at least some of the hollow interior and is visible from the exterior of the hat body through the light-transmissible material. Thus, the hat has a desirable visual appearance. 
     Illumination systems having other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the power source and switch may be housed in the light source housing instead of providing the separate power source housing. In such an example, the lens of the light source could be pushable as a button to turn the light source on and off. 
     The securing device  16  is configured for securing the hat body on the head of the person. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing device  16  is configured for reception under a chin of the person. More specifically, the securing device is provided in the form of a chin strap  16 . The chin strap  16  has opposite end portions connected to the hat body  12 . The opposite end portions are connected to opposing sides of the hat body  12  at the lower end portion  20  of the hat body. In one example, the chin strap  16  comprises an elastic member sized for stretching to fit under the chin of the person. The chin strap  16  can be connected to the hat body  12  in any suitable manner, such as by stapling, tying, adhering, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the end portions of the chin strap include transverse retainers  60  that once inserted through a hole in the hat body  12  obstruct removal from the hole. Other configurations and arrangements of securing devices can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the securing device may be omitted. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of a hat of the present disclosure is indicated generally by the reference number  110 . The hat  110  has essentially the same construction as the hat  10  discussed above, except as explained hereafter. For example, the hat  110  has a hat body  112  including a lower end portion  120  configured for resting on a person&#39;s head, and includes a crown  130  having a generally conical shape extending upward from the lower end portion. The hat  110  also includes a securing device  116 . Although not shown, an illumination system like the illumination system  14  discussed above is provided in the hollow interior of the hat body. In this embodiment, the hat  110  has an American flag theme. The crown  130  includes a plurality of sections  170  of light-transmissible material forming stars on an upper portion of the crown, and includes a plurality of sections  172 ,  174  of light-transmissible material forming side-by-side stripes on a lower portion of the crown. The stars can be formed of separate white colored translucent sections of light-transmissible material. A section  176  of blue colored translucent light-transmissible material separates the stars from each other. The stripes are formed by separate sections  172 ,  174  of white and red translucent light-transmissible material arranged in alternating fashion. The stars and stripes pattern extends around the hat body  112  across the front, rear, left, and right sides of the hat body. When the light source is on, illuminating the hollow interior, the various sections  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  176  of light-transmissible material are illuminated, and provide a desirable visual appearance to the hat. The hat body  112  can be manufactured by forming a sheet having the stars and stripes pattern and rolling the sheet into the cone shape, or the cone shape can be molded and have the stars and stripes pattern applied to it. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , another embodiment of a hat of the present disclosure is indicated generally by the reference number  210 . The hat  210  has essentially the same construction as the hats  10 ,  110  discussed above, except as explained hereafter. For example, the hat  210  has a hat body  212  including a lower end portion  220  configured for resting on a person&#39;s head, and includes a crown  230  having a generally conical shape extending upward from the lower end portion. The hat  210  has a securing device  216 . In this embodiment, the hat  210  has a birthday theme. The majority of the exterior of the crown  230  is formed by a section  280  of opaque material. The opaque material serves as a background for multiple sections of light-transmissible material. For example, a first set of sections  282  of light-transmissible material form the numbers “1” and “0” and are arranged side by side to form the number “10.” This could indicate the age of the person having the birthday. Several additional sections  284  of light-transmissible material form letters arranged in rows forming the words “HAPPY” and “BIRTHDAY.” Additional sections  285 ,  286 ,  288  of light-transmissible material form images such as balloons, a cake (birthday cake), and a firework (exploded). The sections of light-transmissible material  282 ,  284 ,  285 ,  286 ,  288  can be transparent or translucent and can all be the same color or can be different colors. For example, the words may be blue, the number may be red, the balloons may be yellow, and the cake and firework may be white. In this embodiment, the section  280  of opaque material borders and surrounds all of the sections of light-transmissible material. The section of opaque material  280  forms the entire rear side of the hat body  212  and thus the majority of the exterior of the hat body. The hat body  212  can be manufactured in various ways, such as those described above. As another example, a cone of opaque material can be formed having openings corresponding to the shapes of the numbers, letters, and images therein, and film of light-transmissible material can be secured to the cone of opaque material for forming the sections  282 ,  284 ,  285 ,  286 ,  288  of light-transmissible material having those shapes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the illumination system  214  of this embodiment of the hat  210  has a different configuration. The illumination system  214  includes a light source  240  mounted in a different location. More specifically, the light source housing  242  is mounted on an inside rear surface of the hat body  212  opposite and across the hollow interior  224  from the plurality of sections of light-transmissible material. In this embodiment, the light source housing  242  houses not only the light emitting elements  290 A- 290 D, but also the illumination system controller, the power source, and the switch. The lens  244  of the light source can be pressed like a button to actuate the switch to cycle between an off state and several different on states. Four light emitting elements  290 A- 290 D (e.g., LEDs) are provided. In one example, the light emitting elements are configured for emitting different colors, such as red, blue, green, and white. In another example, the light emitting elements are the same color. 
     The illumination system  214  can be configured to illuminate the interior of the crown in various ways. For example, the illumination system controller can be programmed to control the light source  240  to emit different colors one after another from the light source. For example the illumination system controller can be programmed to energize the red, blue, green, and white light emitting elements  290 A- 290 D one at a time in succession. The illumination system controller can also be programmed to control the light source  240  to emit flashing light from one or more of the light emitting elements  290 A- 290 D. These and other operating modes of the light source  240  may be cycled through by pressing the lens  244  of the light source as a button multiple times. Accordingly, when the light source  240  is turned on, light from the light source illuminates some or all of the hollow interior  224  and is visible from the exterior of the hat body  212  through the light-transmissible material. Thus, the hat has a desirable visual appearance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of a hat of the present disclosure is indicated generally by the reference number  310 . The hat  310  has essentially the same construction as the hats  10 ,  110 ,  210  discussed above, except as explained hereafter. For example, the hat  310  has a hat body  312  including a lower end portion  320  configured for resting on a person&#39;s head, and includes a crown  330  having a generally conical shape extending upward from the lower end portion. The hat  310  has a hollow interior  324  and has a securing device  316 . The hat body  312  is shown in section to show the hollow interior  324  and to fully show the illumination system  314 . It will be understood the hat body  312  can have any suitable construction, such as any of the constructions disclosed above. For example, the hat body can include one or more sections of light transmissible material. 
     In this embodiment, the illumination system  314 , and in particular the light source  340 , has a different configuration. The light source  340  is mounted on the hat body  312  adjacent an upper end of the crown  330 . The light source housing  342  houses not only the light emitting elements (e.g., one or more light emitting elements), but also the illumination system controller, the power source, and the switch  356 . In the illustrated embodiment, the light source housing  342  and the lens  344  together house the light emitting elements. The light source housing  342  is mounted (e.g., adhered, fastened, etc.) adjacent the top of the crown  330  and has a tapering side wall for corresponding to the tapering inside surface of the upper end of the crown. The hat body  312  has an opening at the upper end of the hat body. The light source housing  342  is received in the opening for mounting the light source on the hat body  312 . For example, in manufacture, the light source  340  can be inserted through the larger open bottom end of the hat body  312  and moved through the hollow interior  324  of the hat body until the light source housing  342  becomes seated in the upper end of the hat body and protrudes from the upper opening in the hat body. The light source housing  342  has a lower housing portion  342 A that has the shape of a truncated cone for corresponding to the interior surface of the hat body  312 . The light source housing  342  has an upper housing portion  342 B having a cylindrical shape that is sized to fit in the opening in the upper end of the hat body  312 . For example, an adhesive can be used to secure the light source housing  342  in position at the upper end of the hat body  312  by adhering the lower and/or upper housing portions  342 A,  342 B to the hat body. In an alternative example, all or part of the light source body can be formed as one piece with the hat body or a component thereof. The light source  340  being adjacent the top of the crown  330  permits the light source to illuminate a vast majority of the hollow interior  324  of the crown. 
     The switch  356  is provided in the form of a button on a top of the light source housing  342 . The button  356  of the light source  340  can be pressed to actuate the button to cycle between an off state and several different on states. For example, four light emitting elements (e.g., LEDs) can be provided as in the light source  240  described above. In one example, the light emitting elements are configured for emitting different colors, such as red, blue, green, and white. In another example, the light emitting elements are the same color. The illumination system  314  can be configured to illuminate the interior  324  of the crown  330  in various ways. For example, the illumination system controller can be programmed to control the light source  340  to emit different colors one after another from the light source  340 . For example the illumination system controller can be programmed to energize the red, blue, green, and white light emitting elements one at a time in succession. The illumination system controller can also be programmed to control the light source  240  to emit flashing light (e.g., strobe) from one or more of the light emitting elements. These and other operating modes of the light source  340  may be cycled through by pressing the button  356  of the light source  340  multiple times. Accordingly, when the light source  340  is turned on, light from the light source illuminates some or all of the hollow interior  324  and is visible from the exterior of the hat body  312  through the one or more sections of light-transmissible material. Thus, the hat  310  has a desirable visual appearance. 
     It will be understood that multiple hats  310  may be stored together by stacking or nesting the hats  310  one on top of the other, as shown in  FIG. 7A . The lower housing portion  342 A and/or lens  344  can be suitably configured to receive the button  356  of a nested hat such that the button of the nested hat is not pressed by the lower housing portion  342 A and/or lens  344 . For example, the lower housing portion  342 A and/or lens  344  can be configured to rest on the upper housing portion  342 B of the nested hat and not rest on the button  356 . Alternatively, the button  356  can be flush with or recessed in the upper housing portion  342 B such that the button will not be pressed when nested in another hat. Accordingly, the light source  340  will not be inadvertently turned on while the hat is in storage. 
       FIG. 8  shows a schematic of an illumination system  414  that can be used in any of the hats  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310  disclosed herein. The illumination system  414  includes four light emitting elements  490 A- 490 B, such as LEDs of the same or different colors. A power source  491  (e.g., one or more batteries) provides power to the illumination system  414 . The switch  456  permits the user to turn the light emitting elements  490 A- 490 B on and off and operate the light emitting elements in different modes, such as described above. The switch  456  can be a button or any other suitable switch. The illumination system controller  493  is configured for controlling operation of the light emitting elements  490 A- 490 B responsive to user input via the switch  456 . The illumination system controller  493  stores and executes programmed modes of operation such as those described above. Interconnections electronics  454  (e.g., electrical wiring, electrical contacts, and/or printed circuit boards, etc.) electrically connect the components of the illumination system  414 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , another embodiment of a hat of the present disclosure is indicated generally by the reference number  510 . The hat  510  is a noise maker party hat. As will become apparent, the noise maker party hat  510  can be used for enhancing a party atmosphere of a party. The noise maker party hat can be used as both a noise maker and as a party hat and can be referred to as a combination noise maker party hat. However, the noise maker party hat  510  will be referred to hereafter as a noise maker with the understanding that the noise maker is configured for wearing on the head of a person as a hat when not being used as a noise maker. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the noise maker  510  generally includes a mouth piece  512 , a sound wave guide  514 , and a securing device  516  for securing the noise maker on a head of a human. The noise maker  510  has a generally conical shape, with the mouth piece  512  defining a relatively smaller end of the noise maker having a tip, and the sound wave guide defining an opposite relatively larger, open end of the noise maker larger than the tip. As explained in further detail below, the securing device  516  is configured for securing the sound wave guide  514  on the head of a person with the relatively large open end on the top of the person&#39;s head, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the mouth piece  512  is configured for being engaged by a mouth of the person and for receiving gas from the mouth of the person when the mouth is engaging the mouth piece. The mouth piece includes a housing  520  including an inlet end  520 A having a gas inlet and including an outlet end  520 B having a gas outlet. The inlet end  520 A defines the tip of the smaller end of the noise maker  510  and is positioned at a top of the noise maker when worn as a hat, as shown in  FIG. 10 . To make noise with the noise maker, the person applies their mouth to the mouth piece  512  and blows gas into the inlet of the mouth piece. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 11 , the noise maker includes a reed  530  (broadly, “noise generating device”) configured to generate sound waves. The reed  530  is positioned in the interior of the mouth piece  512  such that gas from the mouth of the person flows over the reed to generate sound waves. More specifically, the reed  530  is positioned and arranged to vibrate as the gas flows over the reed, and the vibration of the reed produces sound waves. In the illustrated embodiment, the reed  530  is cantilevered and has a free end pointing toward the mouth piece inlet. The mouth piece  512  includes a wall  536  protruding into its interior that directs gas flow in a manner that facilitates vibration of the reed  530 . 
     The mouth piece  512  and reed  530  can be made of plastic or any other suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the reed  530  is formed as one piece with the mouth piece  512 , such as by injection molding. Mouth pieces and sound generating devices having other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The sound wave guide  514  is configured for guiding the sound waves produced by the reed  530 . The sound wave guide  514  includes a body  540  having an inlet end  540 A and an outlet end  540 B. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the inlet end  540 A has an inlet, and the outlet end  540 B has an outlet. The body defines a sound wave passage  542  extending between the inlet and outlet. The sound wave passage  542  is arranged for receiving the sound waves produced by the reed  530 . The outlet end  540 B of the sound wave guide  514  defines the larger open end of the noise maker  510 . In the illustrated embodiment, the body  540  of the sound wave guide  514  has a generally conical shape. The inlet end  540 A of the sound wave guide  514  is secured to the mouth piece  512 , and the outlet end  540 B is opposite the mouth piece. The sound wave guide  514  can be operatively connected to the mouth piece  512  in various ways, such as by adhering or mechanically fastening the inlet end  540 A of the sound wave guide to the mouth piece. Alternatively, the sound wave guide  514  can be operatively connected to the mouth piece  512  by forming the sound wave guide and mouth piece together as one piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet end  540 A of the sound wave guide  514  is adhered to the inside of the outlet end  520 B of the mouth piece  512 . The sound wave guide  514  can be formed of any suitable material, such as paper, cardboard, and/or plastic, etc. Other configurations of sound wave guides and arrangements of the sound wave guide with respect to the mouth piece and reed can be used without departing form the scope of the present invention. 
     The sound wave guide  514  is configured to fit on a head of a person for wearing the noise maker  510  as a hat. Desirably, the outlet end  540 B of the sound wave guide is sized to fit on the head of the person. For example, the opening or outlet at the outlet end  540 B is at least 3 inches wide, at least 4 inches wide, at least 5 inches wide, or at least 6 inches wide. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet end  540 B defines a round opening and the width corresponds to the diameter of the round opening. Other configurations, such as other dimensions, and outlets having other constructions can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The securing device  516  is configured for securing the sound wave guide  514  and mouth piece  512  on the head of the person as a hat. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing device  516  is configured for reception under a chin of the person. More specifically, the securing device  516  is provided in the form of a chin strap. The chin strap  516  has opposite end portions secured to the sound wave guide. The opposite end portions are operatively connected to opposing sides of the sound wave guide adjacent the outlet  540 B. The chin strap  516  can be secured to the wave guide  514  in any suitable manner, such as by stapling, tying, adhering, etc. Alternatively the securing device  516  can be operatively connected to the sound wave guide  514  by forming the securing device and sound wave guide together as one piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the end portions of the chin strap  516  include transverse retainers  552  ( FIGS. 9  and  11 ) that, once inserted through a hole in the sound wave guide, obstruct removal from the hole. In one example, the chin strap includes an elastic member  550  sized for stretching to fit under the chin of the person. The resilient elasticity of the elastic member  550  can securely hold the wave guide in position on the head of the person. Other configurations and arrangements of securing devices can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the securing device need not be configured to extend under the person&#39;s chin. Moreover, the securing device may include multiple securing members, such as hair clips, head clamps, etc. 
     In use, a person can choose to use the noise maker  510  as a noise maker or to wear the noise maker as a hat. While the noise maker is used as a noise maker, the wave guide  514  or mouth piece  512  may be held in the hand of the person, and they can blow gas through the mouth piece to direct sound waves in the direction in which the sound wave guide is pointing. When the noise maker  510  is worn as a hat, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the sound wave guide  514  is seated on the head of the person, the mouth piece  512  is positioned at the top of the noise maker  510 , and the securing device  516  secures the sound wave guide on the person&#39;s head. 
     It will be appreciated that hats having other designs and/or other themes can be constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure. For example, hats themed for various holidays, party occasions, and other events can be provided using principles disclosed herein. 
     Having described the embodiments of hats in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 
     As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.