Abstract:
A hat adapted to catch flying insects. A hat with fasteners is described that removably attaches to a backing having and adhesive layer bordered by a margin. The margin provides a place for the user to handle the device. Once the adhesive has been used to catch bugs it can be discarded. New adhesive and backing assemblies are stored in impermeable containers that are easy to store and thus are always available. Enhancements to the adhesive include the use of attractants or repellants. The adhesive and backing can be removed from the hat assembly for washing or for normal, non-insect-catching uses.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to clothing, and more particularly, to a hat adapted to catch flying insects while worn by a person. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Several designs for worn insect catching devices have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes an easily replaceable adhesive trap that is affixed to a hat that can catch flying insects while flying around the users head yet avoids entanglement of the wearer and contact from other objects. 
         [0005]    Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/651,356 filed by Humiston. However, it differs from the present invention because the present invention includes a margin around an adhesive area that facilitates the sanitary removal of a device after use. Further, the present invention has a means to release the device easily from the hat so that the hat can be used with the adhesive assembly yet be quickly removed for normal use of the hat avoiding the necessity of a single purpose hat. 
         [0006]    Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a device that can aid an outdoorsman easily eliminate bothersome flying insects. 
         [0008]    It is another object of this invention to provide an insect mitigation method that does not require the application of chemicals to the skin or clothes thereby avoiding contamination and irritation associated with other commonly used insect treatments. 
         [0009]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tool-less means to apply a new adhesive assembly to a hat and then remove and reapply a clean and fresh adhesive assembly that won&#39;t dry out and can endure extended storage periods. 
         [0010]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
         [0011]    Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of a fully assembled device as might be in use. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an example of an adhesive assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded elevation view of an example of several components of the device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a representation of a bottom side perspective view of an example of an adhesive layer. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a hat assembly with an adhesive assembly removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    Enjoying outdoor recreation often involves interacting with nature and by extrapolation, also insects. Hunters, fisherman and hikers can all attest to encountering flying insects from time to time. While often not enough to stop a particular outdoor activity, bugs can reduce the pleasure of natural surroundings. Sometimes flying insects can sting, contaminate the eyes, create an inhalation hazard and otherwise interfere with being in the great outdoors. 
         [0019]    For years insect repellants have been available to consumers. These are typically aerosol or liquid sprays and creams that are applied to the skin. Any time a chemical is applied to the human skin there is risk of poisoning, irritation and other untoward effects. Some of these chemicals are environmentally dangerous as well. 
         [0020]    Skin applied insect repellants can easily enter the eyes by dripping sweat or wiping one&#39;s face. This can obviously damage the eyes as well as immediately hinder eyesight. Navigating the outdoors frequently requires keen eyesight and true senses to avoid dangers from terrain, equipment, animals and other people. Besides, getting insect spray in the eyes really hurts. 
         [0021]    Some outdoorsmen prefer a physical barrier such as a fine mesh mosquito netting. This is a cumbersome method that reduces the ability to see well through the netting. The netting tears and is not easily washed further creating hygienic problems. Also a small tear in the netting can render it useless. 
         [0022]    Some other insect mitigation ideas have included sticky or adhesive components that trap bugs. These are mostly directed to crawling insects and do not address the most irritating flying critters around the face, ears and eyes. For example, bands of adhesive substances may be worn about the legs or feet to ensnare tics or other crawlers that are encountered on the ground. These can damage clothes and irritate the skin onto which these are placed. 
         [0023]    Therefore, a more desirable solution to avoiding flying insects while enjoying the outdoors is needed. The present solution does not require caustic or irritating chemicals, it allows easy removal of captured bug without complication and is always at the ready and will not break or otherwise fail under the harsh conditions that outdoorsmen frequently find themselves. 
         [0024]    The claimed invention is sometimes referred to in the specification as the device and invention. The feminine is intended to include the masculine and neuter as appropriate. The singular may also include the plural as required by context. This description is merely an example of the distinguishing features of the device and variations not specifically described herein are not necessarily excluded when those variations could manifest in obvious substitutions or alternate configurations from those specifically enumerated. 
         [0025]    Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed in the several figures that it basically includes a hat  12 , a brim  14 , an adhesive  16 , a backing  17 , a margin  18 , a first fastener  20  a second fastener  22 , a third fastener  25  and fourth fastener  26 . 
         [0026]    Generally, the invention includes a hat  12  as the basic structure onto which the balance of the elements are affixed. Any variety of hat may be effectively utilized such as, by way of example only, a painters-style hat, a knit hat, other fabric hats, helmets of virtually any variety, a sun shade hat, a rain resistant hat or any other hat that may be available or become available from time to time. 
         [0027]    In a preferred example, as demonstrated in  FIG. 1 , the hat  12  includes an integral brim  14 . Obviously, the brim  14  is optional but is included as preferred as brims are preferred in many outdoor sport activities. The brim  14  may also act as a physical divider or barrier that nudges flying insects encountered by the wearer above the brim  14  and nearer the upper elements of the invention on the top side of the hat  12  assembly. 
         [0028]    Also shown in  FIG. 1 , but not identified by numeral, is a size adjusting means on the rear portion of the hat  12 . In some versions it is preferred that the hat  12  be adjustable in size so that it can fit different size human heads. However, in other versions or for other applications and uses, a custom fit and sized hat  12  for a single wearer is preferred by users of the device. 
         [0029]    In another important embodiment the hat  12  may bear markings or decorations of brands or sports teams. These features don&#39;t necessarily improve the utility of the device but may improve the desirability or aesthetics of the hat  12 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows in more detail an isolated combination of the adhesive  16  layer, margin  18  around the adhesive  16  and the backing  17  that holds the adhesive  16  and margin  18  together and relative to each other while in use. Generally, the margin  18  is provided so that the user has a place to hold the device without entangling the user into the adhesive  16  layer. 
         [0031]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the backing  17  is generally a rigid member. The backing  17  may be made of, for example, cardboard, cardstock, plastic, metal, fabric or a combination of any of these. Preferably the backing  17  is stiff yet is able to conform to the shape and configuration of the top of the hat  17 . Preferably, the backing  17  will also take and hold slight bending and shaping so that it can conform to any shape of hat  12  or head of the wearer. 
         [0032]    Now referring to  FIG. 3  where an exploded view of the essential elements of a preferred version of the device is demonstrated and shown relative to one another. Not described in detail supra are the fastener  20 , fastener  22 , fastener  24  and fastener  26 . In a preferred version these fasteners  20  and  22  and again  24  and  26  are complementary hook and loop fasteners (sometimes referred to as Velcro™). 
         [0033]    A first side of the hook and loop combination are embodied in fastener  22  that is affixed onto a first side of the hat  12  and fastener  26  affixed onto a second side of the same hat  12 . The complementary element of the hook and loop combination, to with the fastener  24  and fastener  20 , are adhered onto an underside of the backing  17  to mate with the corresponding fasteners  22  and  26  so that the backing  17  and hat  12  are temporarily connected. 
         [0034]    It should be noted that other connection means between the backing  17  and hat  12  may be possible and effective yet still generally referred to as fasteners  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26 . For example, magnets, adhesives, zippers, clips, snaps or other commonly available means may be equally effective, sometimes depending on the application and/or the materials utilized for the elements of the device. 
         [0035]    Also, the number of fasteners may be adjusted (increased or decreased) depending on the application of the invention. For example, if the device is used on a smooth fiberglass helmet then an adhesive might be a better embodiment of the fasteners  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26 . Alternatively, if the hat  12  is manifested in a fuzzy material, such as an insulated knit cap, the possibly only the hook portion of the hook and loop combination may be required. By way of yet another example, magnets may be preferred if the device is merely temporarily affixed to a hat that cannot be modified with corresponding fasteners. 
         [0036]    The fasteners  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  may be permanently or temporarily affixed to the respective hat  12  and substrate  17 . These fasteners may preferably be removable when the hat  12  is washed or used for purposes which do not require the beneficial qualities of the device, specifically, capturing insects. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 4 and 5  should be read together as they show the two main sub-assemblies of the device separated slightly as they might be prior to use.  FIG. 5 , upon cursory inspection, is a typical appearing hat  12 , except for the addition of fastener  22  and fastener  26 . Fasteners  22  and fastener  26  are aligned to mate with fastener  20  and fastener  24 , respectively. And, when combined form the device substantially as depicted in  FIG. 1  and described supra. 
         [0038]    The sub-assembly shown in  FIG. 4  may be separated from the sub-assembly shown in  FIG. 5  when not in use capturing insects. In the  FIG. 5  configuration the hat  12  can be worn as discretely as any other hat could be worn. 
         [0039]    In a preferred version, the sub-assembly shown in  FIG. 4  is fully disposable and biodegradable. For example, the backing  17  can be made of a paper based product and the adhesive  16  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is also easily broken down while in the proper waste container. That is to say that simply discarding the device outside of a waste receptacle is not recommended. 
         [0040]    The  FIG. 4  sub-assembly is generally not reusable. Fresh adhesive  16  and backing  17  sub-assemblies are to be commonly made available. Generally, the adhesive  16  and backing  17  combination are provided individually in sealed packs that resist moisture, light degradation and oxygen degradation. Boxes of a plurality of adhesive  16  and backing  17  combinations, each individually sealed, are also made available as a bulk pack. 
         [0041]    In this fashion the device is always ready for optimal operation. For example, a sealed adhesive  16  and backing  17  sub-assembly pack may be indefinitely stored in a pocket, glove box, tackle box or backpack. The sealed pack can be opened immediately prior to use and adhered to a hat  12  for on the spot bug catching. 
         [0042]    The adhesive  16  is preferably very sensitive to light contact by an insect so that the bug is permanently adhered. Once stuck, that bug no longer will be able to fly and sting. A thick gelled adhesive  16  is preferred. A moist adhesive  16  is generally superior as the insect is more likely to become permanently trapped even with glancing contact to the adhesive  16  layer. 
         [0043]    In some versions it may be optional to include a mild attractant or pheromone that specific insects are sensitive to so that the insect is more likely to contact the adhesive  16  than the wearer. Of course an attractant would have to be specific to the insect so that insects are not drawn to the area of the wearer. Similarly, some colors, like white, or other fluorescence may attract some bugs and direct them to the adhesive  16 . Some insects also show that they will not be attracted to certain colors so that insects are not unnecessarily drawn to the wearer. 
         [0044]    In a preferred variation a mild repellant may be incorporated into the adhesive. For example, an herbal mixture or citronella oils may be incorporated to repel some bugs away while the ones that don&#39;t leave are captured. 
         [0045]    It will be appreciated by a technical of average skill in the art that shapes other than oval, as shown in the figures, may be equally effective. For example, a more rectangular or amorphous shape can be adapted to better cover some types of hats. 
         [0046]    A preferred version of the present invention can be fairly described as an apparatus for catching flying insects that is worn on the head of a person comprising a hat assembly and an adhesive assembly. The adhesive assembly is comprised of a backing, possibly made of cardboard or similarly performing material and an adhesive layer to which the insects will ultimately be fatally adhered. The backing has a perimeter edge, a first top side and a second bottom side. The perimeter edge provides a gripping surface that the user can use to install and remove the adhesive assembly from the top of the hat. On the top side of the backing is affixed the adhesive layer that remains a fixed distance from the perimeter edge resulting in a margin between the perimeter edge and the adhesive layer. Essentially this provides a surface that can be gripped by the user. To connect the adhesive assembly to the hat is a first fastener, for example a Velcro or other hook and loop fastener, is affixed onto the bottom side of the backing. The top of the hat includes a complementary second fastener that is removably attachable to the fastener on the backing. By this method the adhesive assembly can be easily attached and removed from the hat assembly. 
         [0047]    Important variations of the invention include that the adhesive includes an insect repellant or attractant. Also, it may be preferred that the hat includes a visor to provide shade and direct flying bugs to the top of the hat where they will be captured. To keep the adhesive layer fresh and to keep it from sticking to other objects during storage and transport it can includes a removable layer that covers the adhesive layer. This removable layer may be a wax paper, plastic or other similarly performing thin layer material. 
         [0048]    The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.