Abstract:
A sports hat comprises a body including a domed portion having a narrow end and an open wide end, and a ring portion of variable diameter at the narrow end. An elasticized band is associated with the ring portion, as is a substantially non-stretchable elongate drawstring. The elongate drawstring is adjustable between a loosened position and a tightened position to limit the diameter of the ring portion.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to sports hats in general, and particularly to hats which may be useful to those engaging in water sports. The sports hat of the invention has particular application for surfers, although it is not, of course, confined to such users. 
     Preferably, the sports hat of the invention is designed to retain body warmth, and at the same time have properties whereby water within the fabric of which the sports hat is made is not retained, so that when the hat becomes fully or partially saturated with water, the water is quickly removed away from the user&#39;s head and/or ears, but at the same time, maintaining body heat. 
     Sports hats, caps and other forms of headgear are well known, and certain forms of headgear may be particularly adapted to specific activities and sports. Thus, for example, a range of different headgear may be available for skiers, in order to keep the head and ears warm and dry during skiing. Also well known in the art are swimming caps, donned by swimmers for their light weight properties, and to present a smooth rounded surface to reduce friction in the water. Further, headgear for use by boxers is designed to protect the ears and brain of the boxer from punishing blows and skin cuts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is designed for, and has features useful to, those involved in water sports. The sports hat of the invention has been designed with particular attention to surfers, and their need for headgear which not only retains body warmth to keep the head warm, but also resists or repels retention of water within the fabric constituting the sports hat so that the water, or a substantial part thereof, in the fabric easily flows out of or runs off the sports hat. 
     The sports hat of the invention incorporates various design features useful to swimmers and surfers. In this respect, the sports hat of the invention may be comprised of a series of segments forming a dome portion, the segments having a particular shape which enables the sports hat to be worn, if desired, over the forehead, but slightly elevated at the back of the head so as not to interfere with wet suits or other clothing items being worn by the user. Further, the sports hat may incorporate a headband which includes an elasticized portion, attachment or insert to ensure that the hat remains firmly on the head, especially during use in the ocean, where wave conditions may be sufficiently forceful to knock the hat right off the user&#39;s head. The headband may further incorporate an adjustable drawstring which can be used to further tighten, or loosen, the hat, so that the specifics of its fit can be adjusted or varied according to the outside conditions. 
     The sports hat of the invention may also incorporate a chin strap, preferably elasticized, and conveniently attached to the headband, and which can be easily placed under the chin of the user. When not in use, the chin strap can simply be tucked in to the hat itself. 
     It should also be noted that the materials which comprise the sports hat may be carefully chosen to prevent water retention, but also to retain the body heat of the user. Preferably, the sports hat of the invention may be comprised of Polartec™ (manufactured by Malden Mills) which is a fabric that rapidly syphons away moisture from the body, and dries quickly. Thus, even when the hat has been saturated with water, this water is quickly removed from the surfer&#39;s head, and body heat is maintained. Fabric which also “breathes” in that it permits an exchange or flow-through of air between the environment and the user&#39;s head, is preferable. So, too, is the use of a fabric which is light-weight in construction, and allows body moisture to pass through it to minimize sweat buildup within the hat. 
     It has been found that the use of a sports hat incorporating the various designed features, or at least some of them, mentioned above provides a comfortable and effective garment which keeps the head dry and warm, at the same time allowing breathability and sweat drainage. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a sports hat comprising: a body including a domed portion having a narrow end and an open wide end, and a ring portion of variable diameter at the narrow end; an elasticized means associated with the ring portion; and a substantially non-stretchable elongate member associated with the ring portion, the elongate member being adjustable between a loosened position and a tightened position to limit the diameter of the ring portion. 
     Preferably, the domed portion has a front and a rear, and the rear has a cutaway section at or near the wide end thereof. The domed portion may have a pair of front panels and a pair of rear panels, each panel comprising approximately one quarter of the domed portion. Each of the front panels may be substantially triangular in shape with a pair of substantially equal side edges and a base edge, and each of the rear panels is substantially triangular in shape with a longer and a shorter side edge and a base edge. The shorter side edges of adjacent rear panels may be fixed to each other, the longer side edge of a rear panel may be fixed to a side edge of the front panel, and the pair of front panels may be fixed to each other along adjacent side edges. The ring portion may be fixed to the base edges of the front and rear panels. 
     Preferably, the ring portion defines a circular channel therein and the elasticized means and the elongate member are at least partially located within the circular channel. The ring portion may have a pair of apertures near the rear thereof, and the elongate means has a closed-in portion freely contained within the circular channel and a pair of end portions each of which extends through one of the pair of apertures exteriorly of the circular channel. 
     A fastening member may be provided for clasping each end portion of the drawstring at different positions along the length thereof so that the diameter of the drawstring can be varied depending upon the position of the fastening member on the end portions to enable the diameter of the ring portion to be increased or reduced and thereby adjust the fit of the sports hat on a user&#39;s head. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the ring portion comprises a flat strip folded approximately in half lengthwise and fixed together at an open end to define the circular channel, the elasticized means comprises an elastic band stitched to the flat strip along substantially the entire length thereof; and the elongate member is a drawstring located in the circular channel between the elastic band and the flat strip. Alternatively, the drawstring can be located within the elastic band. 
     The sports hat preferably has a hook member attachable to a wet suit or other clothing worn by a user thereof, and a chin strap, conveniently an elasticized belt. 
     The sports hat may be comprised of a material which is impervious to water; material which resists water retention; material which maintains warmth produced by body heat of a user thereof; and/or a material which breathes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of sports hat of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing some of the various components of the sports hat of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of the sports hat of the invention shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the headband of the sports hat of the invention, when opened or separated, showing the contents and construction thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view showing the attachment of the chin strap to the inside of the sports hat of the invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the back portion of the sports hat showing the various controls and attachments. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The accompanying drawings show various embodiments and views of the sports hat of the invention, as well as the construction thereof. In FIG. 1, there is shown a sports hat  10  which comprises a domed portion  12  and a headband  14 . The domed portion  12  has two front panels  16  and  18 , and two rear panels  20  and  22 , the various panels  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  being stitched together, as will be described, to form the dome. The dome  12  has a lower peripheral edge  24 , and is somewhat triangular or pyramidal in shape, with a narrowed peak  26 . At the lower peripheral edge  24  of the domed portion, the headband  14  is attached. The headband  14  has a fixed outer edge  28  which is sewn to the domed portion  12 , and a hemmed edge  30 . As shown in FIG. 1, a chin strap  32  is provided, which is sewn onto the lateral portions of the headband  14 , to be described in a somewhat more detail below. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the various panels  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  and headband  14  of the hat  10  shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The two front panels  16  and  18  are shown individually, as are the two rear panels  20  and  22 . The elongate strip forming the headband  14  is shown, and has ends  34  and  36  which are sewn together to form a circular loop to which the various panels are attached. 
     As will be noted in FIG. 2, the two front panels  16  and  18  are substantially identical, and are of the approximate shape of an isosceles triangle, including a base  38  and sides  40 . The two rear panels  20  and  22  are also identical to each other, but are of a slightly different shape to the front panels  16  and  18 . Each rear panel  20  and  22  is triangular in shape, but has a base  42  which is inclined, or oblique. Each rear panel  20  and  22  has a long side  44  and a short side  46 . 
     In constructing the domed portion, the front panels  16  and  18  are assembled to each other along a side  40  thereof. Further, the rear panels  20  an  22  are assembled to each other by stitching them together along their short sides  46 . Finally, the rear panels  20  and  22  are stitched to the front panels  16  and  18  by connecting a long side  44  of panel  22  to side  40  of front panel  18 , and the long side  44  of panel  22  to the side  40  of front panel  16 . Connecting the panels in the manner indicated creates the domed portion  12 , to which the circularly constructed headband is attached. The bases  38  of front panels  16  and  18 , and bases  42  of rear panels  20  and  22  are stitched to the outer edge  28  of the headband  14 . 
     The effect of the cut-away or oblique base  42  on each of the rear panels  20  and  22  is to cause the hat  10 , when worn on the user&#39;s head, to be slightly elevated or raised at the back of the head. This is useful, particularly for a surfer, to ensure that the back of the hat does not constantly rub against, or be pushed upwardly by, a wet suit worn by the user, which often comes high on to the neck. The oblique cut-away portions are therefore designed to accommodate, without interference, the high collar portion of a wetsuit so as to be somewhat complementary therewith. 
     FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the sports hat  10  illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, and in which can be seen the two rear panels  20  and  22 , and the headband  14 . Further, the headband  14 , joined at its ends  34  and  36 , form the seam  46  shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. AS will be described with reference to FIG. 4, the headband  14  has a drawstring running through it, the drawstring having a first end  48  and a second end  50  extending through apertures  52  and  54  respectively in the headband  14 . The first end  48  and second end  50  are clamped together using a fastener  56 , which may comprise a barrel cinch, clasp or other mechanism which can hold the first and second ends  48  and  50  of the drawstring firmly with respect to each other, so that the drawstring can be tightened to the desired tension. The fastener  56  is, of course, adjustable so that it can be manipulated to either release the ends  48  and  50 , or grasp them, as needed. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 4 of the drawings which shows a detailed view of the headband  14 , which forms part of the hat  10 . The headband  14  comprises a thick band having a first elongate portion  60 , and a second elongate portion  62 , the first and second elongate portions  60  and  62  being separated by an approximately center fold  64 . The first and second elongate portions  60  and  62  are folded about the center fold  64 , and their free ends  66  and  68  substantially overlie each other, and are ultimately stitched closed. When stitched closed, the first  60  and second  62  elongate portions define a tubular or flat channel  70 . An elastic band or strip  72  is stitched to the second elongate portion  62 , and a drawstring  74  runs through the space between the elastic band  72  and the second elongate portion  62 . The portions projecting outwardly from this space are threaded through apertures  52  and  54  respectively, and, outside of the hat, constitute the first end  48  and second end  50 , shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the drawings. 
     The headband  14  in FIG. 4 would normally comprise a fabric which has some resilience and stretchability. The headband  14  can thus stretch, although, when in a somewhat stretched position, the elastic band  72  would provide additional pull or forces on the headband  14 , tending to make the loop defined by the headband  14  smaller, and so forming a stronger connection with the head to retain the hat on the head in more rough conditions. 
     The drawstring  74 , which is generally without stretching capabilities, is able to move freely in the space between the elastic band and the second elongate portion  62  and, therefore, pulling the first end  48  and second and  50  through the fastener  56  has the effect of further tightening, or loosening, the headband  14  when mounted on the head. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which shows a hook  78  attached to a length of cord or string  80 , with the end of the cord  80  remote from the hook  78  being suitably stitched to the headband at connection point  82 . In practice, the hook  78  can be attached to the user&#39;s wetsuit, or other clothing, thus providing an anchor or base for the sports hat  10  when not being worn by the user. The hook is useful in two conditions. First, if a forceful wave should knock the hat off the user&#39;s head, it will not be lost, but will remain attached to the wetsuit. Second, the user may simply decide to remove the hat, since it may be too warm, in which case he or she may simply pull the hat off and release it, without having to worry about storing it when not in use. 
     FIG. 5 of the drawings shows a detail of one embodiment of the chin strap  32  attached to the headband  14 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the chin strap  32  has a broader portion  84 , at each end thereof where it attaches to the headband  14  (only one such broader portion is shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings) and a narrower portion  86  which passes around the face and chin of the user, providing an additional base and mechanism whereby the hat can remain on the head. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it will be noted that approximately one third of the broader portion  84  overlaps with the front panel  18 , while about two thirds thereof overlaps with the rear panel  20 . 
     The chin strap  32  is an optional accessory for use by the user, and, if not desired, can simply be pushed into the hat to be stored without discomfort or inconvenience to the user. 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the back portion of the hat  10  showing a little more clearly the various components already illustrated in other drawings. Thus, the headband  14  contains the apertures  52  and  54  through which the first end  48  and second end  50  of drawstring  74  extend, and are held together in variously adjusted positions by the fastener  56 . The hook  78  is attached to cord  80 , which is firmly secured at connection point  82  to the back of the hat.