HAT VENTILATED THROUGH BRIM

Abstract

A ventilated hat is provided that includes a crown and a brim, the brim having air passages that extends from the front and/or sides of the brim, through the brim to the crown. Air is enters the air passages at the front or sides of the brim when the wearer moves or when any slight breeze blows into the brim, cooling the wearer's head. The hat can be constructed as a single unit or as a frame upon which replaceable hat covers are mounted.

Claims

1. A ventilated hat, comprising: a base frame including: a frame brim portion including a brim gap; and a frame crown portion including: a first side extension extending rearward on one side of the brim frame; and a second side extension extending rearward on the other side of the brim frame; and a removable cover, the removable cover including a cover crown portion and a cover brim portion, the cover brim portion covering the frame brim portion and the cover crown portion covering the side extensions and extending between the side extension portions over the top of the wearer's head; the brim gap having an opening to allow air to flow into the brim gap and from the brim gap into the first side extension and the second side extension, the ventilated hat lacking a fan.

2. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the rear of the brim gap opens into a space between the wearer's head and the removable cover to allow a portion of the air flowing through the brim to flow over the wearer's head.

3. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the frame brim portion includes: a lower brim element; and an upper brim element spaced apart from the lower brim element to form the brim gap between lower brim element and the upper brim element.

4. The ventilated hat of claim 3 in which the upper brim element, the lower brim element, or both the upper brim element and the lower brim element include a joint to facilitate bending the upper brim element, the lower brim element, or both the upper brim element and the lower brim element.

5. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the frame brim portion includes air flow guides.

6. The ventilated hat of claim 5 in which the air flow guides define air passages that decrease in cross section and then increase in cross section in the direction from the front of the brim to the rear of the brim.

7. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the base frame includes a crown stub positioned at the rear of the brim and including opening to pass air from the brim gap to the wearer's head.

8. The ventilated hat of claim 7 in which the first and second side extensions extend from the crown stub.

9. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the first side extension and the second side extension each includes: air passages for guiding air from the brim gap through a portion of each side extension; and holes for allowing air from the air passages to enter the space between the crown portion and the wearer's head.

10. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the cover brim portion includes a pocket for inserting the brim structure.

11. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the cover crown portion includes an opening for inserting the first side extension and an opening for inserting the second side extension.

12. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the removable cover is attached to the base frame using fasteners.

13. The ventilated hat of claim 12 in which the fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners or snap fasteners.

14. The ventilated hat of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional removable covers, the additional removable covers interchangeable to change the appearance of the hat.

15. The ventilated hat of claim 1 in which the brim frame portion or the brim cover portion includes a sheer fabric covering the brim gap.

16. A ventilated hat, comprising: a single brim including: a lower brim element; an upper brim element spaced apart from the lower brim element to create a brim gap between lower brim element and the upper brim element; and multiple brim air flow guides positioned in the brim gap to guide air flow in the brim gap from the front and/or sides of the brim to the crown; a crown including: an inner crown element; an outer crown element spaced apart from the inner crown element to create a crown gap between inner crown element and the outer crown element; and multiple crown air flow guides positioned in the crown gap to guide air flow in the crown gap; the brim air flow guides guiding air entering the front and/or sides of the brim toward the space between the inner crown element and the outer crown element and the crown airflow elements guiding the air adjacent the wearer's head.

17. The ventilated hat of claim 16 in which the hat includes one or more opening in the inner crown element, the opening allowing air entering the hat through the brim to flow towards the wearer's head.

18. The ventilated hat of claim 16 in which the multiple brim air flow guides comprise a corrugated material positioned between the upper brim and the lower brim.

19. The ventilated hat of claim 16 in which the multiple brim air flow guides define air flow passages, the air flow passages having a width defined as normal to the air flow, the width of at least one of the air flow passages decreasing and then increasing from the front of the brim and to the back of the brim.

20. The ventilated hat of claim 16 in which the brim is configured to provide airflow without having a fan.

21. A kit comprising: the ventilated hat of claim 16; and multiple hat covers for removably attaching to the brim of the ventilated hat to change the appearance of the brim.

22. A ventilated hat, comprising: a single brim including: a lower brim element; and an upper brim element spaced apart from the lower brim element, the upper element and the lower brim element defining a brim gap between lower brim element and the upper brim element and extending from the front of the brim to back of the brim; and a crown connected to the brim, the crown configured to allow air to flow from the brim gap to the wearer's head.

23. The ventilated hat of claim 22 in which the crown is removable.

24. The ventilated hat of claim 22 further comprising multiple brim air flow guides positioned in the brim gap to guide air flow in the brim gap.

25. The ventilated hat of claim 22 in which the brim further comprises a fastener for attaching the crown onto the hat.

26. The ventilated hat of claim 22 in which the multiple brim air flow guides define air flow passages, the air flow passages having a width defined as normal to the air flow, the width of at least one of the air flow passages decreasing and then increasing from the front of the brim and to the back of the brim.

27. The ventilated hat of claim 22 in which the brim is configured to provide airflow without having a fan.

28. A method of providing a wearer's head protection from the sun while keeping the wearer's head cool, comprising: providing a hat having a single brim and a crown, the brim having air passages that pass air from the front of the brim to the crown; and causing air to flow through the brim and into the crown without the use of a fan.

29. The method of claim 28 in which causing air to flow through the brim and into the crown comprises causing air to flow by the wearer moving while wearing the hat, by convection, or by a breeze.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] For a more thorough understanding of the present invention, and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a partial cutaway view of a cap embodying the invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 shows the cap of FIG. 1 with the brim removed;

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a cap;

[0023] FIG. 4A shows a bottom view of the inside of a hat of the present invention; FIGS. 4B and 4C shows alternative vent shapes that could be used in place of the vents in the hat in FIG. 4A;

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a hat with a portion of the upper brim element and the upper crown element removed to show the air guides;

[0025] FIG. 6A shows a base for supporting a removable hat cover; FIG. 6B shows a removable hat cover for use with the base of FIG. 6A; FIG. 6C shows the front of a hat brim including a brim gap; brim and side extension, the brim supporting hat having a replaceable brim cover;

[0026] FIG. 7A shows a base for supporting a removable hat cover; FIG. 7B shows a removable hat cover with the brim portion shown separated to show a brim pocket for insertion of the brim of FIG. 7A; FIG. 7C shows a removable hat cover for use with the base of FIG. 6A;

[0027] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show another embodiment of a hat that includes an air scoop for scooping up air into the interior of the hat and having holes for inserting the temple tips of sunglasses or other eye glasses to the hat;

[0028] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a hat over a wearer's head;

[0029] FIG. 10 shows a hat with a removable brim cover;

[0030] FIGS. 11A and 11B shows another embodiment of a base portion; and

[0031] FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the base portion of FIGS. 11A and 11B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Some embodiments effect little or no change to the aesthetics of a conventional hat. For example, in an embodiment that comprises a baseball cap-type hat with a brim through which air can flow, the gap in the brim through which air flows may be sufficiently thin that the brim appears to be a normal hat brim. The gap may be covered with a thin fabric that allows air to flow and that hides the gap, contributing to maintaining the appearance of a conventional hat. The gap height, that is, the distance between the bottom surface of the upper brim and the upper surface of the lower brim, through which the air can flow, can vary in different embodiments. A small gap provides a more conventional appearance of the hat which can improve the aesthetics of the hat. A larger gap height provides increased airflow. The invention is not limited to a particular gap height. In some embodiments, the gap may as small as ⅛ of an inch or smaller or as large as one inch or larger. A typical gap height would be between about ¼ inch to about ½ inch.

[0033] The brim comprises a single brim with a gap within the single brim. Single brim embodiments of the present invention include primarily a single upper surface exposed to the air and a single lower surface exposed to the air, with an interior gap between the upper surface and the lower surface. Minor variation in the lengths of the extension of the upper surface and the lower surface are still within the scope of the definition of a single brim. A “double brim” by contrast, such as the hat described in US Pat. Pub. 2012/0000006, includes two independent bills, each having an upper exterior surface and a lower exterior surface that are exposed to the environment. The single brim has a more pleasing appearance than the double brim hat, and appears more like a convention cap.

[0034] Moreover, the upper and lower elements of the brim extend outward from the wearer's head by the same amount or by approximately the same amount, that is, to within 1 inch, more preferably to within ½ inch, even more preferably to within ¼, and most preferably to within ⅛ of an inch. The upper and lower brim element of the single brim are approximately the same size, that is, the upper brim element and the lower brim elements have approximately the shape and are, but are displaced from each other by the brim gap. The distance between the upper and lower elements of the single brim is preferably approximately constant. The curvatures of the upper and lower brim elements are preferably approximately the same.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a partially cut-away view a cross section of a hat 100 that includes a brim 102 having a lower brim element 104 and an upper brim element 106 spaced apart from the lower brim element 104 to create a brim gap 108. Hat 100 includes a crown 120 including a lower crown ventilation portion 122 that includes multiple spacers 128 forming a crown gap 126 through which air flow can be guided by spacers 128. Air enters the brim gap 108 from the front and/or sides of the brim and at least some of the air is conveyed around the side and towards the rear of the wearer's head through lower crown ventilation portion 122. Between the brim 102 and crown 120 is a transition region 130 in which air from the brim moves into the lower crown ventilation portion 122 and/or toward the front of the wearer's head. Vent holes 132 allows air from lower crown ventilation portion 122 to exit toward the wearer's head.

[0036] In some embodiments, spacers or air flow guides within the brim or crown comprise a single material that extends through the brim and/or sides and into the crown. In other embodiments, the brim air flow guides stop at the back of the brim and crown air flow guides start at the front and/or side of the crown. Other embodiments may lack lower crown ventilation portion 122, and may deliver air at the rear of the brim directly to the wearer's head. Air flow through the brim may be caused by a breeze, by movement of the wearer, or by convection, rather than being driven by a powered device, such as a fan. In some embodiments, the entire hat 100, including brim 102 and crown 120, are permanently joined together. In other embodiments, brim 102 and lower crown ventilation portion 122 comprise one unit and a replaceable hat cover includes the remainder of the crown.

[0037] For aesthetic purposes, the crown 102 is relatively thin. Preferably less than ½″ thick, more preferably less than ⅜″ thick, and most preferably around ¼″ thick. Gap 108 can be covered with a mesh or cloth that is thin enough to pass air into the brim gap, but that hides the opening of gap 108. A sheer fabric, such as a diaphanous fabric which is made using thin thread and/or low density of knit can cover the gap.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows hat 100 with upper brim element 106 removed to show multiple spacers or brim air flow guides 210 positioned in the brim gap 108. The passages allow air to flow from the front or sides of the brim to the back of the brim and into the crown. Channels 212 are defined between the brim air guides 210. The air flow passages have a width defined in the direction normal to the air flow. In some embodiments, the width of at least one of the air flow passages decreases and then increases from the front of the brim and to the back of the brim. That is, channel 212 alternately narrows and then widens, which is thought to increase the air flow to the user's head. In other embodiments, the brim is formed of multiple parallel passage. The gap between the upper brim and the lower brim can be maintained, for example, by a corrugated material that provides multiple air passages using, for example, multiple thin members extending from upper brim to the lower brim. In other embodiments, the upper brim and lower brim elements are sufficiently rigid that the gap is maintained without the use of spacers or other spacers within the brim.

[0039] FIG. 4A shows a bottom perspective view of the inside of a hat 400. Brim 402 has air passages (not visible) that lead to air holes 404 under crown 406. Air from the brim travels through passages in the brim and exits through air holes 404 into a gap between the crown the wearer's head. In some embodiments, airflow guides in the crown channel the air from one or more vent holes 404 to spread the air around and over the wearer's head. FIG. 4B shows an alternative design of vents 410 at the inside front of the crown. FIG. 4C shows another alternative design in which the air holes comprise triangular vents 412. An opening 420 at the back of the hat and openings 422 in the crown allow air to exit. The embodiment of FIG. 4A does not include a lower crown ventilation portion 122, so all the air is delivered near the front of the crown.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows another hat 500 with a crown 502 having an upper crown portion 504 and a lower crown portion 506, and a brim 510 having a lower brim portion 514 and an upper brim portion, which has been removed to show air guides 516 that define air passage 518. Some of air guides 516 extend through the brim 510 and into the crown 502 to conduct air from the front or side of the brim through air passage and into brim air passage 518 around the wearer's head (not shown). Each guide can be constructed from a single length of material that extends through from the front of the brim and into the crown, or the brim guide can terminate at the end of the brim and the crown guides can be constructed of separate pieces of material in the brim, with the guides in the brim and the crown aligning to conduct air smoothly through the brim and into the crown. Hat 500 can be constructed as one piece or the upper crown portion 504 and upper brim portion can be formed as a removable hat cover

[0041] FIG. 6A shows an embodiment that comprises a base portion 600, referred to as a WindBrim™ over which a removable cover, 650 (FIG. 6B), referred to as a WindSkin™, is mounted. Base portion 600 includes a brim portion 602 and side extension portions 604 that extends from the brim portion 602 on either side of the wearer's head (not shown) toward the back. Brim portion 602 includes an upper brim portion 606 and a lower brim portion 608 separated by a spacer (not shown) to form a brim gap 610 having a front opening 612 and optional size opening 614. The spacer may comprise multiple air flow guides, examples of which are shown in FIG. 2. Air enters the brim gap 610 from the front or the side of the brim and at least some of the air travels through the side extensions 604 and out through holes 628.

[0042] Extensions 604 include air guides 622 that define air passages 626 to guide some of the air from the brim portion 602 toward holes 628 toward the rear of extensions 604. Removable cover 650 includes a brim portion 652 and a crown portion 654. The two extensions 604 are essentially mirror images of one another. Brim portion 652 includes a pocket (not shown) that slips over brim portion 602 of base 600. Brim portion 652 includes an opening in the front aligned with front opening 612 in brim portion 602 and optionally, openings in the sides aligned with side openings 614 of base 600. Alternatively, the portion of brim portion 652 that covers openings 612 and 614 may be constructed of a thin fabric that allows the passage of air, yet visibly obscures the openings in brim portion 602.

[0043] Crown portion 654 also include pockets (not shown) to accept extension portion 604. Brim portion 652 is preferably formed of a non-rigid material, such as an unreinforced fabric. Brim portion 602, which is more rigid, provides shape to, and supports, brim portion 652 when mounted. Similarly, crown portion is formed of a non-rigid material, such as an unreinforced fabric. Crown portion 654 may be similar in construction to the crown portion of a conventional cap, although crown portion 654 includes a pocket or other connector for connecting crown portion 654 to base 600.

[0044] Multiple replaceable covers 650 allow a user to change the appearance of a hat without having to replace the base 600.

[0045] FIG. 6C is a front view of an example of a brim opening 610, showing lower brim portion 606 and upper brim portion 608. Spacers 660 maintain the air gap 610. Spaces 660 are shown as corrugated. In other embodiments, spacers 660 may be solid. Spacers 660 not only maintain the gap 610, they may also direct air within brim 602. FIG. 3 is a front view of a hat 300 showing lower brim element 304, an upper brim element 306 spaced apart from the lower brim element by air flow guides 308 to create a brim gap 310.

[0046] FIG. 7A shows a base portion or a brim frame 700 similar to that shown in FIG. 6A and having a brim portion 702 and a crown base 704 that includes a crown stub portion 705 that extends upwards at an angle from the brim portion 702, and side extensions 706 that extend rearward toward the back of the wearer's head. An upper brim portion 720 and a lower brim portion 722 are separated by brim spacers 710 (shown in dotted lines as they are hidden by upper brim portion 720) to provide a brim gap 712. Similarly, crown base 704 includes an inner portion 726 and outer crown portion 728, separated by crown base spacers 714 (shown in dotted lines as they are hidden) to maintain a gap in the crown base 704. Brim spacers 710 may define air passages 711 with the brim gap 712 and crown base spacers 714 may define air passages 715 within the crown base gap. Air flows through brim portion 702 to crown base 704, some of the air flowing through side extensions 706 to the wearer's head and some of the air flowing through crown stub portion 705 to the wearer's head.

[0047] FIG. 7B a replaceable hat cover 740 with a brim portion 742 shown separated from a crown portion 744 to illustrate how the brim frame 700 is inserted into a “pocket” in the rear of brim portion 742. Arrows 750A of FIG. 7A and corresponding arrow 750B of FIG. 7B show the motion to insert the brim frame 700. Flap portion 746 of replaceable hat cover 740 can form a sleeve through which side extensions 706 can be inserted to attach replaceable hat cover 740 to a brim frame 700. The sleeve can be sown into flap portion 746 or the sleeve can be formed by attaching flap portion 746 to the inside of crown portion 744, such as by sowing or by using a fastener, such as Velcro® itself, so that the sleeve is formed between flap portion 746 and the inside of crown portion 744. The sleeve does not need to be closed for the entire length, as long as there is at least one closed loop through which extension portion 706 can be inserted. The sleeve preferably opens for easy insertion of the side extensions 706 after insert of brim portion 702 into the brim portion 742 and then closes to secure side extensions 706. FIG. 7C shows removable hat cover 740 with flap 746 and brim portion 742.

[0048] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show another embodiment of a hat 800 that includes an air scoop 802 for scooping up air into the interior of hat 800. Inside the hat, the air can be conducted through air passages, such as air passages 126 in FIG. 1 and air passages 626 in extension 604 (FIG. 6A). People who wear eyeglasses, including sunglasses, will sometimes rest their glasses on the top of a hat when not in use. Hole 804 provides a place for insertion of the temple tips of eyeglasses. This provides stability for the eyeglasses supported on the top of the hat.

[0049] Not every embodiment will include both side extensions and a crown portion to provide air both the top and to the side of the wearer's head. Embodiments can include one or both portions.

[0050] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a hat on a wearer's head. Items not labelled in FIGS. 9A and 9B are similar to those shown on earlier figures. FIGS. 9A and 9B show that the crown sits loosely and slightly away from the wearer's head, which allows air to flow over the wearer's head. Optionally, spacers 902 keep a portion of the crown off the wearer's head to allow air that has passed through the brim gap over the wearer's head. The crown stub portion 705 keep the cloth crown spaced from the wearer's head to provide space for air from the brim to flow between the crown and the wearer's head. That is, when the replaceable hat cover 740 is placed over the brim frame, the thickness of the crown stub portion of the brim frame keeps the hat cover offset from the wearer's head. Where the replaceable hat cover extends past the crown stub portion, the offset provides a gap 904 through which air can flow. Because the replaceable hat cover is flexible, the gap will not be uniformly maintained all around the wearer's head. The crown portion of the replaceable hat cover will likely contact the wearer's head in multiple places, but the fit between the crown portion of the replaceable hat cover and the wearer's head is sufficiently loose to provide gaps through which air can flow over the wearer's head. In some embodiments, spacers may maintain the crown portion of the replaceable hat cover off the wearer's head to provide space for airflow. In some embodiments, a lip or other structure at the rear of the brim keeps the crown portion away from the wearer's head to facilitate air flow over the wearer's head.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows a hat 1002 having a removable brim cover 1004 that attaches to the upper brim 1006 and is retained by retainers 1008, which can be, for example, hook and loop fasters, with the one element on the upper brim and the mating element on the brim cover. Interchangeable brim covers 1004 allow a user to change the aesthetics of the hat 1002.

[0052] FIGS. 11A and 11B are wire frame drawings that show another embodiment of a base portion 1100 that includes a brim portion 1102, a crown portion 1104 that extends upward from the brim portion and side portions 1106 that extend rearward from the crown portion 1104. FIG. 11B shows a portion of the base portion 1100 of FIG. 11A from a different angle. Like the base portions of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 9A and 9B, the base portion is configured to receive a replaceable hat cover, such as hat cover 740 (FIG. 7), which includes a portion for receiving brim portion 1102, covering crown portion 1104, and extending over the wearers head like a conventional cap. The base portion provides passages for air to flow from the front and/or sides of the brim onto the front and side of the wearer's head under the crown of the hat. In some embodiments, the hat cover is replaceable, allowing the appearance of the hat to be changed while retaining the base portion. In other embodiments, the hat portion is permanently attached to the base portion.

[0053] Brim portion 1104 includes air guide-spacers 1110 that separate an upper brim element 1111 from a lower brim element 1113 and guide airflow through a gap 1115 in the brim. Additionally, spacers 1112 at the front of brim portion 1102 assist in the separation of the upper brim element from the lower brim element. Spacers/air guides 1114 in the crown portion 1104 separate a front surface 1120 of crown portion 1104 from a rear surface 1122 of crown portion 1104 to provide a path for the passage of air. Air flows from the front and/or side of the brim, through the brim portion, and through the crown portion. Oval openings 1124 allow air to flow from crown portion 1104 and side portions 1106 to the wearer's head to cool the wearer. In manufacturing a cap, the crown portion is typically formed by sewing together multiple pie-shaped panels. Eyelets and a sweat band are typically sewed into the crown, which is then attached to the brim portion. The upper element of the brim and the lower element of the brim are typically parallel and spaced apart. When the brim is bent, the upper and lower portions would tend to converge, reducing or eliminating the gap between them and reducing the air flow through the brim. To prevent the constriction, one or more joints can be formed in the upper brim, the lower brim or both brims. Joint 1130 is shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 12 shows a base portion 1100 as seen from the bottom. Joint 1130 is visible in brim portion 1102 includes a joint 1204 to facilitate manufacturing. Oval opening 1124 are visible on the part of crown portion 1104 that faces the user's head.

[0054] The invention includes a method of providing a wearer's head protection from the sun while keeping the wearer's head cool, comprising providing a hat having a brim and a crown, the brim having air passages that pass air from the front and/or sides of the brim to inside of the crown; and causing air to flow through the brim and to the wearer's head inside of the crown.

[0055] An advantage of some embodiments of the invention is that the embodiments provide ventilation without significantly altering the aesthetics of the hat. The hat can appear from the outside like an unventilated hat, with only a small variation in the brim.

[0056] While the embodiment shown above comprises a cap, the invention can be implemented in other types of headwear having brims, such as cowboy hats and helmets.

[0057] Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.