Abstract:
A perspiration band for a headgear formed from a moisture-absorbing material for protecting forehead and temples of the user from contact with the non-absorbent headband. The perspiration band has an irregularly-shaped unitary body defined by a first straight edge and an opening edge that has an outwardly extending tab. The perspiration band is adapted for positioning over a headband of the headgear when folded lengthwise and with the securing members engaged.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to headgear accessories, and more particularly to a band for absorbing perspiration of a user who wears hardhat, welding shield, and the like. 
   Various industrial fields require workers to wear special head-protective headgear, such as hard hats or welding shields during working hours. The hard hats and welding shields are conventionally provided with a flexible, non-absorbing headgear band made of plastic. The headgear band is positioned in the interior of the hardhat and encircles the interior wall of the hardhat, allowing the user to adjust the circumference of the band for a better fit. 
   The headgear band contacts the skin of the user and, when user perspires, does not absorb the perspiration. As a result, the user may develop a rash, itch, and redness of the skin in the areas, where the plastic band rubs against the forehead. The headgear band is usually secured inside the hardhat with the help of upwardly extending segments that are connected together at the apex of the headgear. 
   Various solutions have been offered to help absorb perspiration when wearing a hardhat. One such solution is disclosed in our earlier Pat. No. Re. 33,430 issued on Nov. 13, 1990. Another solution is shown in our U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,095 issued on Oct. 22, 2002. 
   While the perspiration bands in accordance with the above patents work satisfactorily in many cases, it has been observed that the design of the perspiration band shown in the prior patents may not be particularly beneficial in all hardhat applications. 
   The present invention contemplates provision of a perspiration band that provides better fit and adaptability to headgear headbands now used in hardhats and other similar headgear. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a moisture-absorbent perspiration band that can be used with a wide variety of headgear. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a moisture absorbing perspiration band that is easy to position and easy to remove for regular cleaning and washing. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved moisture-absorbent perspiration band for headgear, wherein headgear has four upwardly extending strips that secure the circular band inside the headgear. 
   These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through a provision of a flexible body made from moisture-absorbing material adapted for positioning on the headband of a headgear. The flexible body has a unitary construction; its periphery is defined by a first elongated straight edge, a pair of straight sides and a second edge opposite the first edge. The second edge has a first straight portion, a second straight portion and a central tab that extends outwardly from the first portion and the second portion. 
   A plurality of mating securing members, such as snaps or hook-and-loop fasteners, are secured along the edges of the flexible body; the securing members are engaged together when the flexible body is positioned over the headband of a headgear and is folded lengthwise. 
   The linear dimension of the second edge is greater than the linear dimension of the first straight edge to accommodate for the curvature of a standard headband without forming wrinkles in the perspiration band. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals and wherein 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of the perspiration band in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a detail view showing positioning of the perspiration band of the present invention in relation to the circular headgear headband. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the perspiration band of the present invention positioned in a hardhat. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral  10  designates the moisture-absorbing perspiration band of the present invention. As can be seen in the drawings, the perspiration band  10  comprises a unitary body of an irregular shape. The perspiration body is defined by a first edge  11 , a second edge  13 , a first side  21  and a second side  23 . The sides  21  and  23  extend at an obtuse angle in relation to the first edge  11 . The second edge  13  has greater linear dimension than the first edge  11 . 
   The second edge  13  is divided into roughly three portions: a central tab  17 , a first portion  19 , and a second portion  20 . The first portion  19  and the second portion  20  are defined as straight edges extending in a substantially parallel relationship to the first edge  11 . The portions  19  and  20  form acute angles with the sides  21  and  23 , respectively. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the central tab  17  is defined by an arcuate edge and extends outwardly from the main body of the band  10  and outwardly in relation to the first portion  19  and the second portion  20 . The outer edge of the central tab  17  need not be arcuate although it is preferred that it extend at least some distance outwardly from the main body of the band  10 . The central tab  17  has a sufficient extension to accommodate the upward curvature of the headgear within which the headband  10  is to be positioned. 
   The perspiration band  10  further comprises means for securing the band on the headgear headband. A plurality of mating securing member are attached to the body  10  along the edges and sides of the perspiration band  10 . A plurality of securing members  14  is attached along the edge  11 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there are four securing members  14  attached along the first edge  11 . Two of the securing members  14  are located in the corners of the perspiration band  10  between the sides  21  and  23  and the edge  11 . Two central securing members  14  are positioned adjacent an imaginary center line passing across the perspiration band  10 . 
   A plurality of mating securing members  12  are mounted along the edge  13 . A pair of securing members  12  are located in the corners of the band  10  between the first portion  19  and the second portion  20 , and the sides  21  and  23 , respectively. A pair of central securing members  12  are also located in the central tab  17  at location further from the imaginary center line than the mating securing members  14 . The distance between the securing members  12  and the imaginary center line is greater than the distance between the securing members  14  and the imaginary center line to better accommodate the curvature of the headband  18  of the headgear  22 . The variable distance between the mating securing members  12  or  14  and the center of the perspiration band  10  also facilitates a wrinkle-free mounting of the perspiration band  10  on the headband  18 . 
   In operation, the user folds the perspiration band  10  approximately in half lengthwise and positions the perspiration band  10  around the headband  18  of the headgear  22 . The edge  11  and the edge  13  are brought together allowing the mating securing members  12  and  14  to be secured above the headband  18 , as shown in FIG.  2 . 
   Then, the user engages the securing members  12  and  14  together. The central securing members  12  located in the tab  17  are secured with the central securing members  14  located along the edge  11 , enclosing the parts of the headband  18  where it contacts the forehead of the user. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the perspiration band  10  is placed above the headband  18  without interfering with the upwardly extending strips  24  of the hardhat  22 . 
   It is preferred that the perspiration band  10  be formed from soft, flexible, moisture-absorbing material, for instance terrycloth, cotton, or cotton jersey. The securing members  12  and  14  may be snaps or pieces of hook and loop fasteners, if desired. The perspiration band  10  may be impregnated with anti-bacterial solution or a moisturizing cream to prevent skin irritation of the user, especially in an environment such as construction sites, where sand and dust are present. 
   Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. We, therefore, pray that our rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.