REVERSIBLE HEADWEAR AND METHOD OF USE

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to headwear, and more specifically, to headwear having a backstrap and a crown with a visor.

A cap or hat is headwear that made its first appearance as early as 3,200 BC. Caps and hats can be designed for warmth and can incorporate a visor to shield the wearer's eyes from the sun.

Conventionally, a person's choice of a hat or headwear limits that person to the style and/or the configuration of the particular hat or headwear the person chose to wear.

SUMMARY

Besides giving the choice of wearing or sporting a ballcap or, if in the mood, a bandana, the headwear of the present invention is interchangeable, meaning it provides a person with even more choices or options via the ability to mix and match a front part of the head cap with a back part of the head cap.

The present invention provides a head apparatus with removable backstraps and method of use that uses different backstraps and headcaps with visors interchangeably.

To achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in part, there is provided in one embodiment a head cap with a removable backstrap adapted to be worn by a user, comprising a crown adapted to partly cover the user's head on a front side, wherein the crown comprises one panel or multiple panels attached together in a preconfigured pattern, a visor in a curved configuration attached to and extending out in front of the crown, and at least one removable back strap comprising a first end, a second end, and one or more stretchable components, wherein the removable back strap is removably attached to the crown using one or more fastening mechanisms, wherein the stretchable components facilitate wearing the head cap around the user's head and helps prevents the head cap from moving around by providing a snug fit around the user's head.

In at least one embodiment, a reversible headwear includes a crown including one or more panels adapted to only partly cover the user's head. The crown has an inner side adapted to face the user's head and an opposing outer side, a first crown end portion and a second crown end portion, and an inner band extending from the first crown end portion to the second crown end portion. A visor is attached to and extends outwardly from a bottom edge of the crown. A removable headband, which includes one or more stretchable components, is removably attached to the first and second crown end portions by one or more fastening mechanisms. The reversible headwear is adapted to be selectively worn in either a forward position in which the crown is positioned on the user's forehead or a reverse position in which the removable headband is positioned on the user's forehead.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are outlined in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head cap with a removable backstrap in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the head cap with a removable backstrap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the head cap of FIG. 1 with the back strap in a partially detached configuration;

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the head cap of FIG. 1 with the back strap in a fully detached configuration;

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the head cap of FIG. 1 with the back strap in a fully detached configuration according to another embodiment.

While the head cap with a removable backstrap and method of use and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the head cap with a removable backstrap and method of use and the method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The head cap with a removable backstrap and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with head accessories. Specifically, the head cap with removable backstrap and method of use of the present invention facilitates users to use the head cap in a normal fashion, thus using the visor to shield their eyes from the sun. Moreover, the head cap of the present invention can be worn in a bandana style or fashion by simply turning it around and wearing the head cap of the present invention backwards. These and other unique features of the head cap with removable backstrap and method of use and its method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The head cap with removable backstrap of the present invention is a two-piece attachable/detachable, and therefore interchangeable, head apparatus. Said differently, Part 1 is a front ball cap-style head apparatus that, via the use of various attachment mechanisms, attaches or detaches to Part 2 of the head cap of the present invention. Part 2 is the backstrap (e.g., bandana) that serves as a backstrap when the head cap of the present invention is worn in: (1) a forward frontal position-ball cap style with visor in a position to block sun from eyes; or (2) as a bandana when the head cap of the present invention is reversed or simply turned around on one's head and worn backwards or Bandana style.

The head cap with a removable backstrap and method of use of the present invention will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the head cap with removable backstrap and method of use are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments are expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-5 depict various views of a head cap with a removable backstrap 100 and method of use in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that the head cap with a removable backstrap 100 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with head accessories. In addition, it should be appreciated that more or fewer of such components may be included in different embodiments of the head cap with a removable backstrap 100.

In the contemplated embodiment, the head cap with a removable backstrap 100 includes a crown 101 comprised of one or more panels on the front side and an inner band on the back side as shown in FIGS. 2-5, a visor 102, and one or more back straps or bandanas 103 with a first end and a second end, wherein the back strap or bandana 103 is removably attached to the crown 101 (e.g., to the inner band) using one or more fastening mechanisms 104. The crown 101 partly covers the head on the front side and is made of one or more panels stitched together in a preconfigured pattern such that it fits snugly around the head. The crown 101 has an attached visor 102 in a curved configuration extending out in front of the crown 101. The crown 101 may further include a plurality of eyelets.

The back strap 103 further includes one or more stretchable components 105 to facilitate wearing the cap around the head and preventing it from moving around by providing a snug fit around the head. The back strap 103 can be a single unit or multiple units adjoined with stretchable components 105. Alternatively, the entire back strap 103 can be constructed with stretchable material. The stretchability of the material used for the back strap 103 and/or the stretchable components 105 will affect the overall length of the back strap 103. For example, the higher the stretchability of the material used for the back strap 103, the shorter the backstrap can be.

The stretchable components 105 can be any size, but in one preferred embodiment they are 1.5″ long and 2″ wide, and can be sewn to the first end and second end of the back strap 103. Further, as discussed above, the entire back strap 103 can be constructed with stretchable material.

The back strap 103 can be of any length or width, but in one preferred embodiment it is 15″ long overall and 2.375″ wide, in the center, and 1″ long and 2″ wide at the first and second ends.

The crown 101 can be any shape or size, but in one preferred embodiment is 4″ high with a set of complementary components of the fastening mechanism affixed on the inside of the crown. In some embodiments, the set of complementary components of the fastening mechanisms are disposed in, on, and/or through the inner band; in other embodiments, the set of complementary components of the fastening mechanisms are disposed in, on, and/or through the crown 101, but not the inner band of crown 101. For example, the set of complementary components of the fastening mechanisms can be disposed above the inner band of crown 101.

In one preferred embodiment, the first and second ends of the back strap include a set of complementary components of the fastening mechanism, to fit the other set of complementary components of the fastening mechanism affixed to the inside of the crown 101, as shown in FIGS. 2-5.

In one preferred embodiment, one or more back straps or bandanas 103 and one or more crowns 101 can be interchangeably used as a cap or bandana on the forehead as needed.

In one preferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism 104 can include, but is not limited to, one or more snap-fit fasteners, snap-on fasteners, buttons, hook-and-eye fasteners, clasp, buckles, hook-and-loop (e.g., Velcro®) fasteners, and/or hook-and-chain fasteners. In some embodiments, one or more of fastening mechanisms 104 can include a screw. For example, in one embodiment, one or more of fastening mechanisms 104 can include a binding post and corresponding screw. In this embodiment, a binding post having an enlarged head and an orthogonal post having a threaded internal bore can be inserted in openings through backstrap 103 and crown 101 (and, optionally, the inner band of crown 101) from an inner side of crown 101. The enlarged head of the binding post prevents the binding post from being pulled through the openings in crown 101 and backstrap 103. A corresponding screw with a mating thread can be threadedly received in the internal bore of the binding post from the outer side of crown 101 to removably attach an end potion of backstrap 103 to crown 101. A concho or other decorative element can be integral with and/or attached to a head of the screw.

In one preferred embodiment, the head cap with a removable backstrap 100 can be worn as a regular cap or can be worn in reverse as a bandana on the forehead.

In one preferred embodiment, the method of use of the head cap with a removable backstrap 100 involves attaching and detaching the backstrap 103 as desired using the fastening mechanism 104.

The head cap with a removable backstrap 100 can be in different colors, with one or more logos, one or more designs, or one or more indicia on the crown, visor, or backstrap, and can be made of any suitable material including but not limited to fabric, canvas, plastic, metal, acrylic, or a composite or blend of one or more materials. Multiple removable and interchangeable back straps 103 can be provided, each in different colors, with one or more logos, one or more designs, or one or more indicia.

It is also contemplated and will be appreciated that the head cap with a removable backstrap 100 facilitates the use of the cap for different occasions and activities, and allows one to sport or display whatever logo the occasion calls for.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. For example, although in some embodiments visor 102 may have a curved configuration, in other embodiments visor 102 may have a substantially flat or planar configuration at least at a point of sale. As another example, although the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 depicts visor 102 being coterminous with the crown end portions at the left-hand and right-hand sides of crown 101, in other embodiments the crown end portions can extend beyond the extent of visor 102 or vice versa. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as outlined in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.