Head Covering Apparatuses with Accessory Retention Features

This application is related to headwear. Some embodiments include features for retaining accessories, such as decorative accessories, headbands, eyeglasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, or other accessories.

A wide variety of headwear exists. However, existing headwear can present problems when an individual desires to wear multiple headwear items simultaneously. Headwear may also have limited functionality. Accordingly, there is a need for improved headwear.

For purposes of this summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize the disclosures herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one or more advantages taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

All of the embodiments described herein are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. These and other embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, having reference to the attached figures. The invention is not intended to be limited to any particular disclosed embodiment or embodiments.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus with integrated features for securely holding a decorative headband device including: a crown portion; a brim portion; a bottom edge; a channel integrated into the crown portion and configured to receive the decorative headband device, wherein the channel includes a top opening having a top width and a bottom opening having a bottom width, wherein the channel is vertically oriented with respect to the bottom edge of the head covering apparatus such that at least one of the top opening or the bottom opening are substantially horizontally oriented.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, further including a size adjustment device.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the crown portion includes one or more panels.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the one or more panels include: a front panel; a side panel; and a rear panel, wherein the front panel is mechanically coupled to the side panel, wherein the side panel is mechanically coupled to the rear panel, and wherein the channel includes at least a portion of the side panel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the side panel includes at least a portion of the channel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the channel includes an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface includes a low friction material.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, further including: a display, wherein the display is mechanically attached to a brim of the head covering apparatus.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the display is rotatably coupled to a top surface of the brim of the head covering apparatus.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the display is rotatably coupled to a bottom surface of the brim of the head covering apparatus.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the decorative headband device includes a display.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the display includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the channel includes a holding band.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein a band portion of the decorative headband device extends through the channel and below a bottom edge of the head covering apparatus.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the top width of the channel is greater than the bottom width of the channel, wherein the bottom opening of the channel operates as a pivot point for the decorative headband device.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the bottom width of the channel is greater than the top width of the channel, wherein the top opening of the channel operates as a pivot point for the decorative headband device.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein a front end of the channel is disposed posterior to an ear of a user when the head covering apparatus is placed on a head of the user.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, further including an attachment feature disposed in the crown portion of the head covering apparatus and configured to removably attach a decorative item thereto.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the attachment feature disposed in the crown portion of the head covering apparatus includes a first permanent magnet configured to magnetically couple to a permanent magnet or ferromagnetic material disposed in or on the decorative item.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the attachment feature disposed in the crown portion of the head covering apparatus further includes a second permanent magnet, wherein the first permanent magnet has a north pole facing an exterior surface of the head covering apparatus, wherein the second permanent magnet has a south pole facing the exterior surface of the head covering apparatus, wherein the first permanent magnet is configured to couple to a south pole of a first decorative item permanent magnet of the decorative item, wherein the second permanent magnet is configured to couple to a north pole of a second decorative item permanent magnet of the decorative item.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the brim portion includes one or more holes configured to couple a decorative item to the brim portion of the head covering apparatus.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, further including: a band disposed at the bottom edge of the crown portion, wherein the channel is formed by a top panel and a bottom panel, wherein a portion of the bottom panel overlaps the top panel to form the channel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the channel is disposed above the band.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a head covering apparatus, wherein the bottom panel overlaps the top panel by from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches or from about 0.1 inches to about 0.9 inches or from about 0.2 inches to about 0.8 inches.

In some embodiments, a headband securement head covering apparatus, that can, for example, take the form of a hat, can include a head covering apparatus comprising a bottom circumferential (or substantially circumferential) band portion for receiving a head of a user. In some embodiments, the headband securement head covering apparatus can be coupled with a separate decorative headband device, wherein the head covering apparatus includes one or more holes, openings, bands, slits, overlaps, enlarged buttonholes, or any combination thereof configured to receive a portion of the decorative headband device, for example, the end portions of the decorative headband device. In some embodiments, a bottom circumferential band portion of the head covering apparatus can include a gap area or portion or surface where the decorative headband device contacts a portion of the head covering apparatus and/or a head of a user when the head covering apparatus and the decorative headband device are on the head of the user at a same time. The advantage of the gap area or portion or surface in the bottom circumferential band portion is it allows there to be decreased pressure on the user's head at the areas where the decorative headband device contacts the user's head when a portion of the head covering apparatus contacts the decorative headband device to secure the decorative headband device to the head of the user. In some embodiments, the decorative headband device can comprise an interior surface that can contact the head of the user. In some embodiments, the decorative headband device can comprise an exterior surface that can contact an interior surface of a gap area or portion or surface in the bottom circumferential band portion. In some embodiments, the bottom circumferential band portion can comprise at least two elastic portions that are coupled to the head covering apparatus wherein one or more gap areas or portions or surfaces exists between the at least two elastic portions. In some embodiments, the one or more gap areas or portions or surfaces are formed between the at least two elastic portions and by a portion of the interior surface of the head covering apparatus where the exterior surface of the decorative headband device contacts the interior surface of the head covering apparatus. In some embodiments, the one or more gap areas or portions or surfaces exert reduced or little or no pressure on the decorative headband device such that the decorative headband device does cause pressure or pain on the user's head while the decorative headband device is worn simultaneously with the head covering apparatus but allows for the decorative headband to be secured to the user's head and/or the head covering apparatus. In some embodiments, the enlarged buttonholes embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with the embodiments relating to the one or more gap areas, portions, or surfaces that are formed between the at least two elastic portions coupled to the bottom circumferential band portion. In some embodiments, enlarged buttonholes embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with embodiments relating to the bottom circumferential band portion that does not comprise gap areas or portions or surfaces, such that the bottom circumferential band portion contacts the user's head directly via an interior surface of the bottom circumferential band portion and the exterior surface of the bottom circumferential band portion contacts an interior portion of the decorative headband device, and the exterior surface of the decorative headband device contacts an interior surface of the head covering apparatus. In some embodiments, the endpoints of the decorative headband device can be positioned between the bottom circumferential band portion and a portion of the head covering apparatus. In some embodiments having the decorative headband device positioned over the bottom circumferential band portion can cause pressure and/or discomfort on the user's head, and in some embodiments, it may be more preferable to have one or more gap areas, portions, or surfaces in the bottom circumferential band portion such that the decorative headband device is not sandwiched between the head covering apparatus and the bottom circumferential band portion, but rather the decorative headband device is positioned directly on the user's head and a portion of the head covering apparatus is positioned over an exterior portion of the decorative headband device. In some embodiments, the head covering apparatus can fit loosely or snugly over a portion of the decorative headband device so as to not apply significant pressure on the decorative headband device to cause pressure or discomfort on the user's head but sufficient to help secure the decorative headband device to the head covering apparatus.

In some embodiments, the decorative headband device, the head covering apparatus, or both can comprise one or more decorative feature portions that can be removably coupled or otherwise secured to the decorative headband device, the head covering apparatus, or both, and the foregoing feature can be combined with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the one or more decorative feature portions can be removably coupled or otherwise secured to the decorative headband device, the head covering apparatus, or both by a securing mechanism including, for example and without limitation hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, glue, straps, ties, friction fits, wrappings, or the like. The one or more decorative feature portions can include for example and without limitation, sequins, synthetic hair, trains, wedding trains, horns, floppy and/or pointed ears, lights, electronics, signs, materials, cloths, text, patterns, one or more pictures, embroidery, and/or any other decoration to be removably coupled to the decorative headband device, the head covering apparatus, or both.

In some embodiments, a head covering apparatus includes a crown portion. In some embodiments, the crown portion includes: front panels; back panels; and side panels. The side panels each can include a posterior side panel portion and an anterior side panel portion, the posterior side panel portion having a channel, wherein the channel is formed by a top part of the posterior side panel portion and a bottom part of the posterior side panel portion, and wherein the top part of the posterior side panel portion and the bottom part of the posterior side panel portion overlap by a depth of the channel, and wherein a seam between the posterior panel portion and the anterior side panel portion is aligned with an ear of a user such that when a decorative headband is inserted through an opening of the channel, a band portion of the decorative headband in posterior to the ear of the user.

The technologies described herein will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from studying the Detailed Description in conjunction with the drawings. Embodiments or implementations describing aspects of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and the same references can indicate similar elements. While the drawings depict various implementations for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative implementations can be employed without departing from the principles of the present technologies. Accordingly, while specific implementations are shown in the drawings, the technology is amenable to various modifications.

Although several embodiments, examples, and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art the disclosed technology extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples, and illustrations and includes other uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodiments can comprise several novel features, and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the technology described herein.

When children or other users wear a decorative headband device, such as ears, horns, frog eyes, and so forth, the decorative headband device cannot be worn simultaneously with a head covering apparatus (e.g., a hat), such as a hat, without the decorative headband device easily sliding on a user's head, exerting significant pressure on the user's head, or both. Thus, users are forced to choose between appearing stylish while wearing a decorative headband device or being protected from the sun's damaging UV light rays while wearing a head covering apparatus (e.g., a hat). Similarly, difficulties can arise when a user wishes to use sunglasses and a hat simultaneously. Additionally or alternatively, an individual may want to use their hat for storing one or more items such as golf tees, cigarettes, matches, a flashlight, and so forth, but conventional hat designs are ill-suited to such uses. In some embodiments, these and other issues can be reduced or eliminated by securing the decorative headband to the head covering apparatus such that the decorative headband and the head covering apparatus can be comfortably and stably worn simultaneously.

In some cases, individuals may want to wear a hat and sunglasses, or a hat with another head-worn accessory, such as a headband. For example, in outdoor, bright environments, both a hat and sunglasses may be desirable. At times, for example when an individual is in a shaded area, walks indoors, and/or the like, the individual may want to remove their sunglasses. In some cases, a wearer may place their sunglasses at least partially on top of the hat, either while the wearer is wearing the sunglasses or whenever the wearer wants to remove the sunglasses. However, there may be insufficient friction between the hat and the sunglasses to maintain the sunglasses in position. Thus, for example, if the individual looks down, rapidly moves their head, etc., the sunglasses can slip off or slide out of position. It can be significant to retain sunglasses and/or other accessories in a desired position with respect to a head covering apparatus (e.g., a hat) and/or with respect to a wearer's head. In some embodiments, some movement of an accessory is possible with respect to the head covering apparatus, but the head covering apparatus can generally serve to limit the movement of the accessory such that the accessory is unlikely to become separated from the head covering apparatus and/or the wearer during typical circumstances. In some embodiments, a head covering apparatus is configured to keep accessories from falling off the wearer's head under circumstances such as while riding rides at a theme park.

In some embodiments, a head covering apparatus (e.g., a hat) that includes securement features for an accessory such as sunglasses, a headband, a decoration, a golf tee, a pen, and/or the like is provided. In some embodiments, the head covering apparatus can enable the secure placement of sunglasses and/or other accessories, such that the sunglasses and/or other accessory are less likely to slip or slide off of the head covering apparatus.

In some embodiments, a securement feature can include a patch and one or more openings. In some embodiments, the securement feature can include three outer-facing openings (e.g., three openings that are visible when an outward-facing surface of the head covering apparatus is viewed. For example, in some embodiments, a head covering apparatus and securement feature can include a forward-positioned opening, a rearward-positioned opening, and an upward-positioned opening. In some embodiments, a user can slide a pair of sunglasses or another accessory through the forward-positioned opening, through the rearward-positioned opening, and/or through the upward-positioned opening. In some embodiments, a user can slide the pair of sunglasses or another accessory through a single opening. In some embodiments, a user can slide the pair of sunglasses or another accessory through two openings (e.g., through the forward-positioned opening and the rearward-positioned opening). Being able to slide through two outwardly-exposed openings can allow the head covering apparatus to accommodate a wide variety of accessories of different lengths and/or that are placed in different positions.

In some embodiments, a head covering apparatus and securement feature includes an inner opening. For example, an inner opening can be configured to receive a temple or portion thereof of a pair of sunglasses or another portion of an accessory that passes through an upward-positioned opening. In some embodiments, the inner opening can be configured to pass the temple (also referred to herein as a leg) (or any extension of any other accessory) behind a sweatband of the head covering apparatus. That is, for example, the leg (or any other extension of any other accessory) can be positioned between the user's head and the sweatband of the head covering apparatus. Such a configuration can reduce the pressure exerted on the user's head by the accessory relative to the pressure that would be experienced if the leg or other accessory extension were placed over an outer surface of the sweatband, which can lead to improved user comfort.

In some embodiments, a user can place one accessory through the forward-positioned and/or rear-positioned openings, and can simultaneously place another accessory through the upward-positioned opening and the inner opening. For example, a user can place a headband through the upward-positioned opening and the inner opening and can place a leg of a pair of sunglasses through the forward-positioned opening and/or the rearward-positioned opening.

In some embodiments, a patch includes a logo. In some embodiments, the logo is a removable logo. For example, in some embodiments, the logo is sewn to the patch, and in other embodiments, the logo is attached via hook and loop fastener(s), magnet(s), button(s), or another removable coupling device. In some embodiments, the patch is configured to or is capable of having any of a variety of accessories attached thereto, such as a charm, button, pin, etc.

In some embodiments, the patch includes interfacing material. The interfacing can provide structural integrity to the patch. In some embodiments, as described herein, the patch is formed by folding a piece of fabric such that there is a smooth internal surface, which can reduce the likelihood that an accessory snags on the patch while being inserted or removed.

A significant issue with passing legs of sunglasses or other another accessory or portion thereof into an opening of a hear covering apparatus is that the legs can, in some cases, slip past the opening rather than entering the opening. Many head covering apparatuses are constructed of flexible material such as cotton fabric, nylon, polyester, and so forth. While a head covering apparatus may have some structural features such as backings, plastic bands, and so forth, openings may under some circumstances take on a shape that is not conducive to easily receiving sunglasses or another accessory. For example, an opening that lacks any rigid or semi-rigid structure elements may be closed or substantially closed, making it difficult to utilize the opening. This can present significant difficulty or frustration to users. The difficulty can be enhanced as the head covering apparatus is typically on the wearer's head when attempting to place an accessory at least partially through an opening of the head covering apparatus. Thus, the user is often unable to see the current state of an opening (e.g., if the opening is open, collapsed, etc.) at times when the user is likely to want to make use of the opening. The user may not have a good sense of where the opening is located with respect to a leg of an accessory. Such difficulties can make wearers less likely to take advantage of the utility provided by the head covering apparatuses described herein.

Some embodiments include features for causing one or more openings of a head covering apparatus to remain in an at least partially open state to facilitate insertion of an accessory (e.g., legs of a pair sunglasses or headband). For example, a rigid or semi-rigid structure can be integrated into a head covering apparatus or patch at or near an opening to cause the opening to remain at least partially open to facilitate receipt of an accessory or portion of an accessory.

In some embodiments, an opening or passageway includes retention features, such as relatively high friction materials, prongs, etc., to help retain an accessory when the accessory is inserted into one or more openings of a head covering apparatus.

In some cases, if the user wears a head covering apparatus with a decorative headband device, the decorative headband device can apply a force to the head covering apparatus and the user's head which can cause the user to be uncomfortable after a short period of time. In some cases, the applied force to the user's head may not be uncomfortable, but the decorative headband device can easily fall off the user's head due to material of the head covering apparatus between the decorative headband device and the user's head. In some cases, the decorative headband device may exert an uncomfortable force on the user's head but may nonetheless still easily fall off the user's head, for example because of low friction between the decorative headband and the head covering apparatus, limited contact area between the decorative headband and the head covering apparatus, or both.

Both decorative headbands and head covering apparatuses may be worn for expressive or appearance purposes. In some cases, a head covering apparatus and one or more accessories (e.g., headbands) may match each other. For example, both the head covering apparatus and the headband (or other accessory) may be themed in the same color scheme, the same media franchise, etc. However, in some cases, a decorative headband (or other accessory) and head covering apparatus may not match. For example, the head covering apparatus may not match one or more colors, designs, etc., of the decorative headband device.

In some embodiments, a head covering apparatus with one or more securement features, holes, slits, openings, bands, overlaps, buttonholes, or any combination thereof can be securely worn with the decorative headband device such that the decorative headband device does not easily fall off the user's head. Additionally, the head covering apparatus can protect the user's head, face, and/or neck from sunburn while wearing the decorative headband device. Additionally, one or more colors or designs of the head covering apparatus can match, complement, and/or contrast one or more colors of the decorative headband device or designs of the decorative headband device.

In some embodiments, a portion of a bottom circumferential band portion of the head covering apparatus can be removed, or the bottom circumferential band portion of the head covering apparatus can include a gap surface where the decorative headband device contacts the head covering apparatus when the user wears both the decorative headband device and the head covering apparatus at the same time. The removed portion or the gap can minimize or reduce the pressure or force applied to the user's head when the user wears both the decorative headband device and the head covering apparatus at the same time. In some embodiments, the decorative headband device can include an interior surface that can contact the head of the user. In some embodiments, the decorative headband device can include an exterior surface that can contact the gap surface. In some embodiments, the bottom circumferential band portion includes at least two elastic portions, wherein a gap surface exists between the at least two elastic portions, wherein the gap surface is a portion of the interior surface of the head covering apparatus where the exterior surface of the decorative headband device contacts the interior surface of the head covering apparatus.

A head covering apparatus, as the term is used herein, can include for example and without limitation a cap, a balaclava, a beret, a boater hat, a bonnet, a bucket hat, a cloche, a cowboy hat, a deerstalker hat, a derby hat, a fedora, a Gatsby hat, a Panama hat, a pillbox hat, a sombrero, a straw hat, a visor, a beanie hat, a knitted hat, and/or any other type of head covering apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more of the characteristics, features, elements, and/or limitations of the various embodiments disclosed herein of the head covering apparatus are applied to or incorporated into another garment or accessory, such as a shirt, shoes, a belt, glasses, pants, shorts, a bag, a purse, and/or any other apparel or clothing items.

In some embodiments, the head covering apparatus includes a crown portion. The crown portion can include one or more panels that are coupled together to form the head covering apparatus. One or more of the one or more panels may be split into two or more portions. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more panels is split horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or any combination thereof to form the two or more portions, or a panel is formed from two or more portions of fabric, which may or not overlap. In some embodiments, the one or more panels of the head covering apparatus are split into two portions, for example, a forward panel portion and a rear panel portion or a top portion and a bottom portion.

One or more panels and/or any other components of any of the head covering apparatuses, visors, and so forth described herein can include denim, canvas, straw, cotton, twill, terry, linen, polyester, nylon, acrylic, silk, wool, leather, plastic, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the one or more panels and/or any other components of the head covering apparatus, visors, and so forth described herein include a UV-reflective material or a UV-absorbing material. In some embodiments, a panel or other component are layered, and the UV-reflective or UV-absorbing material is included as a layer within a plurality of layers.