Abstract:
A display headband is a band which displays an indicium perpendicular to the sizable band that wraps around the head. The headband can adjust to many sizes, from a child&#39;s head to large adult size. The headband can be manufactured for many purposes of display, according to the desired indicia. This headband can be made of soft, flexible materials which can be easily folded for storage, and is lightweight but displays the indicia in an upright position perpendicular to the band around the head.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a headband with a display indicia. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Headbands are worn for personal decoration, for absorption of perspiration and sometimes for display of a name or sponsor. Most display headbands are not worn around the head, but across the top of the head from ear-to-ear. This is not very stable, nor very comfortable. A more comfortable way to wear a display headband is as, for example, a sizable band around the head, such as an absorbent sport band, or other type of stretchable or sizable band that is not necessarily absorbent, with an upright indicia display. Known sport headbands may have a display of an indicium on the portion of the headband that lies flat above or on the forehead. The headband presented herein is more useful than other display headbands, which also do not effectively display the indicia. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A display headband as described herein is a band which displays an indicium perpendicular to the sizable band that wraps around the head. This headband is advantageous because it can be made of soft, flexible materials which can be easily folded for storage, and is lightweight but displays the indicia in an upright position perpendicular to the band around the head. Because the band is sizable, the headband can adjust to many sizes, from a child&#39;s head to large adult size. The headband can be manufactured for many purposes of display, according to the desired indicia. The applicability of the headband herein described is further exemplified in the accompanying drawings. It is hereby declared that depiction of some of the university letters and mascots or logos are protected by trademark and/or copyright laws, recognized herein, and are displayed as examples of possible headbands. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a headband with a fanciful university logo; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an example headband with the letter and logo of Stanford University; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an example headband with the letter and logo of Stanford University; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3   a  is an exploded side view of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of an example headband with the letter and logo of Stanford University; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of an example headband with the letter and logo of Stanford University; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Wisconsin; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Wisconsin; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Wisconsin; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Wisconsin; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Texas; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is as side view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Texas; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Texas; 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a rear view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Texas; 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a front view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Miami; 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a side view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Miami; 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Miami; 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  is a rear view of an example headband with the letter and mascot of the University of Miami; 
           [0022]      FIG. 18  is a front view of a flag headband; 
           [0023]      FIG. 19  is a front view of a birthday cake headband; 
           [0024]      FIG. 20  is a front view of a numbered birthday headband; 
           [0025]      FIG. 21  is a front view of a placard headband; 
           [0026]      FIG. 22  is a rear view in perspective of a hook-and-loop adjustable closure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 23  is a rear perspective view of a magnetic adjustable closure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 24  is a front view of a screened letter/logo headband; 
           [0029]      FIG. 25  is a rear perspective view of a screened letter/logo or placard headband showing the sizable adjustment section attached to the screened material in the rear. 
           [0030]      FIG. 26  is a front view of a screened mascot display headband (Bowling Green Falcon example) 
           [0031]      FIG. 27A  is a front view of a screened letter/word display headband (University of Michigan) 
           [0032]      FIG. 27B  is a rear view of the letter/word display headband in  FIG. 27A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The display headbands described herein can be worn to show support for the wearer&#39;s sport team, whether collegiate, other school, club or professional, in celebration of a birthday, to support a cause, or clubs, such as sororities and fraternities, as an advertisement or to display any desired message. Display headbands can also be prepared with indicia for children, such as Disney characters, comic book characters and superheroes, among others. 
         [0034]    The headband is made of an adjustable band worn around the head and a display indicium attached thereto. The adjustable band is adjustable by using any material which can be made to adjust to a person&#39;s head circumference, such as elastic, elasticized fabric, or non-elastic material such as leather, plastic, cardboard, thin foam, elasticized fabric, rope, twine, and combinations thereof which can be made to adjust with serially placed snaps, serially placed grippers, serially placed hooks and eyes, hook-and-loop fasteners, serially placed buttons with opposing buttonhole, magnetic strips, and combinations thereof. 
         [0035]    Any number of indicia may be removably or non-removably attached to the headband. The indicia can be constructed of any material which can be made into indicia or which will support the imprint or screen of indicia such as stiffened fabric, thin wood, thin foam plastic, thin stiff plastic, moldable plastic, rubber, cardboard, and combinations thereof. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam of various thicknesses, for example, 2 mm, 4 mm and/or 6 mm is a useful material for making indicia. The indicia can be monograms, depictions of mascots, school letters, flags, names, logos, insignia, images, messages, banners, pictures, and combinations thereof. Non-removable attachment may be achieved by the use of glue, grommets, rivets, sewing (stitching), staples, or combinations thereof. Removable attachment may be achieved by the use of snaps, grippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons and buttonholes, magnetic strips, reusable adhesives or combination thereof. These display headbands are advantageous for wearing at events attended by many fans. In addition to being attractive, they are practical in that the display is not hand-held. The wearer can display his or her loyalty without forgoing the opportunity to clap, perform the “wave” or use the hands for other activities, such as holding food or drinks. The display headbands described herein are light-weight, and do not impede the view of the wearer, or other attendees at the function, nor do they necessitate any paint or other coloring on the body to display loyalty. Yet the display is obvious. The headbands are foldable, and can be carried easily in a pocket or bag. Should wearers hug or display other contact, the softness of the display headbands would not cause injury to any party should they be knocked about during displays of enthusiasm. 
         [0036]    It is clear that the logos of many institutions are protected under trademark and copyright laws, and the figures included herein are as examples. Likewise, any descriptions of the display headbands include such trademarked and copyrighted material strictly for purposes of exemplifying the numerous applications and uses of the display headband. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a fanciful depiction of a display headband for a hypothetical state university (SU) for which a dragon is a mascot. The letters SU can be formed from plastic, and the dragon mascot can be formed of plastic of the same or different thickness on which its eyes, claws and other line characteristics can be screened or printed. The mascot is non-removably attached to the letters with glue, staples, sewing stitches, rivets, or other attachment means. Alternatively, the letter/mascot or logo can be screened onto a single thickness of display material. This letter/mascot is then removably or non-removably attached to an adjustable headband, thereby forming a display headband. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of a display headband for Stanford University,  1 . “S,”  2  is the school letter, and the mascot is a cedar tree,  3 . The S is formed of red 4 mm plastic foam, and the tree is formed from 2 mm green plastic foam. The tree is glued to the S, and this display combination is then glued or sewn to the adjustable headband,  1 .  FIG. 3  shows in a side view that the display indicium is two-layered, and attached to the horizontal adjustable headband,  4  in a perpendicular direction,  5 , so that the indicium stands up from the wearer&#39;s head. The exploded view,  FIG. 3   a  shows the individual layers. In the rear views,  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it is seen that the headband is attached to the bottom section of the letter/mascot. 
         [0039]    This same concept is used for the display headband for the University of Wisconsin. In this case, the mascot is a stylized Badger and the school letter is a stylized W. The Badger mascot picture, black on white, would be screened onto a first surface of a suitable material of a suitable size. This mascot piece would then be attached to a red “W” of suitable material by an attachment means, such as glue or stitching, or other suitable type of attachment. The full logo of the red “W” and the silk screened Badger would then be attached to a suitable red, black or white stretchable headband to form the wearable display headband.  FIGS. 6-9  show the views of such a Wisconsin display headband. Alternatively, the entire letter/mascot picture can be screened onto a single piece of suitable material which is then attached to the sizable band. 
         [0040]    The letters and logos of different universities present different types of display problems. For example, the University of Texas at Austin, in  FIGS. 10-13  shows how the stylized longhorn profile can be attached to the Texas T. In this case, to have the “T” stand upright may require more support by having the “T” outlined on a rectangular piece of white background material, and then attached to the stretchable headband. Another example of a problematic display logo is the University of Miami Hurricanes. The open “U” for the university letter would probably not stand upright, but by having the Hurricane mascot placed in the middle of the “U”, the display works and can be advantageously used for a display headband.  FIGS. 14-17  show the display headband for the University of Miami Hurricanes. In one embodiment, the Hurricanes mascot would be screened onto the thinner foam before attachment to the “U”. In another embodiment, the U and Hurricane logo would be screened onto a single thickness of display material, and then attached to the sizable band material. 
         [0041]    Another type of display headband is, for example a flag indicium.  FIG. 18  shows a front view of an American flag display headband. The wearer need not use a hand-held flag to wave at an event, as the flag display headband is in a continuous wave, leaving the hands free to clap or hold anything from a cup of soda to a child&#39;s hand. It is a very effective method of waving a flag. As is apparent, any type of flag can be displayed on the display headband. The flag of choice is screened onto one surface of the desired material, and the flag then attached to the sizable headband. 
         [0042]    The display headband can be made for celebratory events, as well. Using materials of choice, the display can be for a birthday, such as shown in  FIG. 19  as a birthday cake display, for a special birthday, exemplified for age  21  in  FIG. 20 , or for a message one wishes to display, exemplified in  FIG. 21 . The display indicia may be of any shape to suit any occasion or whim. 
         [0043]    The headband can be made sizable by a number of methods. Adjustable closure methods are known, such as spaced buttons and a button hole on the opposite side of a band.  FIG. 22  shows how a headband of non-stretchable material is made sizable with a hook-and-loop closure. A length of the “hook” side of the closure,  6 , long enough to offer varying possible sizes, is attached to one end of the headband, and a shorter piece of the “loop” side of the closure,  7 , is attached to the other end of the headband such that the “loop” would attach to the “hook” at a size around the circumference of the head of the wearer at a place comfortable for the wearer of the display headband. 
         [0044]    As can be understood from the descriptions above, any display indicia can be screened or otherwise printed onto the display material to construct the display headband. It is not necessary that the indicia be multi-dimensional, although, the multi-dimensional mode is one of the embodiments. 
       EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
       [0045]    A Stanford display headband was prepared from soft plastic foam and woven elastic. The “S” for Stanford was shaped and cut out of 4 mm-thick red soft plastic foam. The “S” was a block letter about six inches high and four inches wide. The tree was shaped and cut out of 2 mm-thick green soft plastic foam. The tree was a stylized cedar tree shape about six inches high and about three inches wide at its widest branch, tapering smaller to the top. A band for circling the head was cut as a 4 cm (1¾ inch) wide and 47 cm (18¾ inch) long piece of 2 mm-thick gray soft plastic foam. The tree was attached to the “S” with craft glue, both in an upright position, and this combination was then attached with the same glue to the center of the gray foam band. To adjust for the size of the wearer&#39;s head, the ends of the gray band were each stapled to a length of 2-inch wide woven elastic (a sewing notion). The length of this elastic may be between about 4 inches and about 6 inches, and adjusts to various head circumferences. 
       Example 2 
       [0046]    A Stanford display headband was prepared from soft plastic foam and a stretchable nylon headband. The “S” for Stanford was shaped and cut out of 4 mm-thick red soft plastic foam. The “S” was a block letter about six inches high and four inches wide. The tree was shaped and cut out of 2 mm-thick green soft plastic foam. The tree was a stylized cedar tree shape about six inches high and about three inches wide at its widest branch, tapering smaller to the top. The tree was attached to the “S” with craft glue, both in an upright position. The nylon headband has an eighteen-inch circumference without stretching, and can be stretched to at least twenty-five inches, generally considered a “one-size-fits-all” headband. The “S”/tree logo was then sewn to a black nylon headband with black thread. The sewing can be performed using a sewing machine, or stitched by hand. 
       Example 3 
       [0047]    A flag headband can be prepared from 2 mm EVA foam (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate foam) and a stretchable nylon headband. An American flag is silk screened onto white EVA foam using blue and red dye and a 4.25-inch by 5-inch die. This silk-screened flag is then sewn onto a white 2-inch wide by 7-inch long (flattened size) stretchable headband. 
       Example 4 
       [0048]    A mascot only headband, for example the Bowling Green Falcon can be prepared by screening the picture of the falcon onto the 2 mm EVA foam, which is then glued onto a brown 2-inch wide by 7-inch long (flattened size) stretchable headband. 
       Example 5 
       [0049]    A display headband for a professional sports team is exemplified by a headband displaying the logo of the Boston Breakers Women&#39;s Professional Soccer Team. The Breakers logo is screen printed onto 2 mm EVA foam and this indicium is then sewn onto a black 2-inch wide by 7-inch long (flattened size) stretchable headband 
         [0050]    As is clear from the foregoing description, illustrative examples and the following claims, various modifications, additions and alternatives will be apparent to one of skill in the art and these would fall into the scope of the claims herein. All changes and variations are to be considered as equivalents, and would fall within the scope of these claims.