HEADWEAR PIECE AND METHOD OF CONFIGURING AND/OR USING A HEADWEAR PIECE

Abstract

The invention is directed to a headwear piece with a body to engage a wearer's head with the headwear in an operative state. First and second accessories are provided and are interchangeably placeable in an opening in a wall on the body to be exposed for viewing in conjunction with another part of the body. The interchangeable accessories may have different appearances and/or functions. The invention is also directed to a method of configuring a headwear piece including the step of directing an accessory into an opening in the body wall, removing the same, and replacing it with another accessory.

Claims

1. A headwear piece comprising: a body configured to engage a wearer's head to maintain the headwear piece in an operative state with respect to a wearer's head wherein a portion of the body remains exposed to view, the body having a wall with oppositely facing surfaces and at least a first opening in the wall; a first accessory, the first accessory and body configured so that the first accessory can be placed into an operative position by moving a first part of the first accessory into the first opening as an incident of which another part of the first accessory is exposed at the first opening to be viewed in conjunction with the exposed portion of the body; and a second accessory, the second accessory and body configured so that the second accessory can be placed into an operative position in place of the first accessory by moving a first part of the second accessory into the first opening as an incident of which another part of the second accessory is exposed at the first opening to be viewed in conjunction with the exposed portion of the body, wherein the another parts of the first and second accessories at least one of: a) have a different appearance; and b) perform a different function, whereby by interchangeably placing the first and second accessories in the operative position at least one of: a) a desired appearance; and b) a desired function can be achieved through a selected one of the first and second accessories.

2. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the wall, where the first opening is located, has a first surface facing a wearer's head with the headwear piece in the operative state and an oppositely facing second surface.

3. The headwear piece according to claim 2 wherein with the first accessory in the operative position and the headwear piece in the operative state, a part of the first accessory is captive between the first wall and the wearer's head.

4. The headwear piece according to claim 3 wherein with the first accessory in the operative position and the headwear piece in the operative state, the captive part of the first accessory is directly exposed to the wearer's head.

5. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein with the first accessory in its operative position, the another part of the first accessory projects a substantial distance away from the body wall.

6. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the first accessory and body are configured so that the first accessory is maintained in its operative position as an incident of the first accessory being directed from a starting position, fully separated from the body, into the operative position for the first accessory.

7. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the first accessory and body are configured so that the first accessory is changeable back and forth between a position fully separated from the body and its operative position without requiring use of any separate fasteners.

8. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein there are hook-and-loop type fastener components on the body and first accessory that cooperate to maintain the first accessory in its operative position.

9. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the body is configured so that the first opening can be selectively enlarged.

10. The headwear piece according to claim 6 wherein the wall of the body defines a cup-shaped crown that has inside and outside surfaces where the first opening is located, with the inside surface bounding a head receptacle, and the body and first accessory are configured so that the first accessory can be directed from the starting position from within the head receptacle into the first opening and into its operative position.

11. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the wall has a second opening spaced from the first opening and the first and second accessories and body are configured so that the first and second accessories cooperate with the body at the second opening in a same way the first and second accessories cooperate with the body at the first opening.

12. The headwear piece of claim 1 wherein the headwear piece is in the form of one of: a) an endless band; b) a cup shape without a rim; c) a cup shape with a rim extending fully around the cup shape; d) a cup shape with a rim extending only partially around the cup shape; e) a clip shape; f) a head engaging part with an open top; and g) a visor.

13. A headwear piece comprising: a body configured to engage a wearer's head to maintain the headwear piece in an operative state with respect to a wearer's head wherein a portion of the body remains exposed to view, the body having a wall with oppositely facing surfaces and at least a first opening in the wall; a first accessory, the first accessory and body configured so that with the first accessory in a starting position fully separated from the body: a) the first body can be directed into the first opening first through one of the oppositely facing surfaces and thereafter through the other of the oppositely facing surfaces into an operative position whereby a part of the first attachment projecting beyond the other of the oppositely facing surfaces is exposed and viewable in conjunction with the portion of the body exposed to view; and b) the first attachment is maintained in the operative position as an incident of the first attachment moving from the starting position into the operative position, whereby the part of the first attachment projecting beyond the other of the oppositely facing surface performs an aesthetic function and/or a function other than the aesthetic function.

14. The headwear according to claim 13 wherein the body defines a cup-shaped crown that has inside and outside surfaces where the first opening is located, the inside surface bounding a head receptacle, and the body and first accessory are configured so that the first accessory can be directed from the starting position from within the head receptacle into the first opening and into its operative position.

15. The headwear according to claim 13 wherein there are cooperating connectors on the body and first accessory that engage as the first accessory is moved from the starting position into the operative position to thereby maintain the first accessory in the operative position.

16. The headwear according to claim 13 further in combination with a second accessory that is different from the first accessory in appearance and/or function and that is configured to cooperate with the body at the first opening in a same way that the first accessory cooperates with the body at the first opening to thereby allow the first and second accessories to be interchangeably placed in respective operative positions.

17. The headwear according to claim 16 wherein the body has a second opening spaced from the first opening and the body and first and second accessories cooperate at the second opening in a same way the first and second accessories cooperate with the body at the first opening to thereby allow the first and second accessories to be interchangeably mounted in corresponding operative positions at the second opening.

18. A method of configuring a headwear piece, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining the headwear piece of claim 1; with the first accessory initially in its operative position, separating the first accessory from the body; and after separating the first accessory from the body, placing the second accessory in its operative position.

19. The method of configuring a headwear piece according to claim 18 wherein the wall has a second opening spaced from the first opening and further comprising the step of directing a wearer's hair through the second opening with the headwear piece in the operative state.

20. The method of configuring a headwear piece according to claim 18 wherein the wall has a second opening spaced from the first opening and further comprising the step of placing one of the first accessory or another accessory, that is configured to cooperate with the body at the second opening in a same way the first accessory is configured to cooperate with the body at the first opening but having at least one of a different function and appearance than the first accessory, in an operative position at the second opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a headwear piece, according to the invention, and including a body with first and second selectively usable accessories;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of one exemplary type of headwear piece, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, and in the form of a baseball-style cap;

[0030] FIGS. 3-7 are perspective views of different types of headwear pieces, within the generic showing of FIG. 1, and successively in the form of: a) a cup shape without a rim; b) a cup shape with a rim extending fully around the cup shape; c) a visor: d) a clip shape; and e) an endless band;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a wall on the headwear piece in FIG. 2, taken along lines 8-8 therein, and with a first accessory in an operative position and the headwear piece in an operative state on a wearer's head, and additionally showing a second accessory that can be interchanged with the first accessory;

[0032] FIG. 9 is a view as in FIG. 8 wherein the reconfigured first accessory is being directed from a separated starting position in an outside-in direction towards its operative position of FIG. 8;

[0033] FIG. 10 is a view as in FIG. 9 wherein the first accessory, reconfigured in a different manner, is directed in an inside-out direction through the opening and towards the operative position of FIG. 8;

[0034] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative form of accessory in an operative position and having an exposed, ornamental appearance at the outside of the opening;

[0035] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a wall with an opening with the first accessory and wall, shown separated from each other, incorporating cooperating connectors to maintain the first accessory in its operative position;

[0036] FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a body on a headwear piece with an opening for an accessory that has a variable configuration;

[0037] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of one specific form of variable configuration opening, as in FIG. 13, wherein an elastic layer bounds the opening;

[0038] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a wall of a headwear piece around an accessory opening, as in FIG. 14, wherein the wall has multiple layers with an outside layer incorporating the elastic opening bounding layer;

[0039] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view of a wall wherein a zipper is incorporated to provide another form of the variable configured opening of FIG. 13;

[0040] FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a wall with a variable configuration opening, as in FIG. 13, formed at least in part by cooperating flaps;

[0041] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view of a wall made of an elastic material with a slit therein that defines another form of variable configuration opening, as shown generically in FIG. 13;

[0042] FIG. 19 is an elevation view of an alternative form of accessory, as in FIG. 8, wherein the exposed part of the accessory performs a function apart from aesthetics;

[0043] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a wall with an opening in which accessories can be placed and with a discrete quantity of a user's hair directed therethrough; and

[0044] FIG. 21 is a flow diagram representation of a method of configuring a headwear piece, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0045] As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the invention is directed to a headwear piece 10 having a body 12 configured to engage a wearer's head to maintain the headwear piece in an operative state with respect to the wearer's head, wherein a portion of the body 12 remains exposed to view. The body 12 has a wall 14 with at least one opening 16 therein.

[0046] A first accessory 18 is provided to be placed into an operative position on the body 12. The first accessory 18 and body 12 are configured so that the first accessory 18 can be placed into its operative position by moving a first part 20 of the first accessory 18 into the opening 16, as an incident of which another part 22 of the first accessory 18 is exposed at the opening 16 to be viewed in conjunction with the exposed portion of the body 12.

[0047] A second accessory 24 can be placed into an operative position on the body 12 in place of the first accessory 18. The second accessory 24 and body 12 are configured so that the second accessory 24 can be placed into its operative position by moving a part 26 of the second accessory 24 into the opening 16, as an incident of which another part 28 of the second accessory 24 is exposed at the opening 16 to be viewed in conjunction with the exposed portion of the body 12. The parts 22, 28 of the first and second accessories 18, 24, respectively, at least one of: a) have a different appearance; and b) perform a different function. Thus, by interchangeably placing the first and second accessories 18,24 in respective operative positions, at least one of: a) a desired appearance; and b) a desired function can be achieved through a selected one of the first and second accessories 18, 24.

[0048] The generic showing of the components in FIG. 1 is intended to encompass the specific forms described hereinbelow and virtually an unlimited number of variations of those components and their interaction.

[0049] For example, in FIG. 2, one exemplary form of the headwear piece 10 in FIG. 1 is shown as a style typically referred to as a baseball-style cap with a body 12 defining a cup-shaped crown 30 and a forwardly projecting rim/bill 32. The wall 14 of the body 12 has at least one opening 16.

[0050] The headwear piece 10, and particularly the body 12, as shown in FIG. 1, may take the form of any body that is engageable with a wearer's head to be maintained in an operative state. The specific style shown in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting. Certain alternative headwear styles, which are not all-inclusive, are shown in FIGS. 3-7.

[0051] In FIG. 3, a headwear piece 10a is shown with a body 12a having a cup shape without a rim. One or more openings 16 are provided in a wall 14a of the body 12a.

[0052] In FIG. 4, a headwear piece 10b is shown with a body 12b having a cup-shaped portion 34 with a rim 36 extending fully around the cup shape. At least one opening 16 is provided in a wall 14b of the body 12b.

[0053] In FIG. 5, a visor-type headwear piece is shown at 10c with a body 12c defining a band 38 from which a rim/bill 40 projects forwardly. The band 38 may be continuous as shown, or interrupted as by eliminating a segment as shown at 42 between the dotted lines 44. As depicted, the rim/bill 40 extends only partially around the band 38 that is either continuous or interrupted. At least one opening 16 is provided in a wall 14c of the body 12c.

[0054] In FIG. 6, a headwear piece 10d is shown with a body 12d in the form of a U-shaped clip that captively and frictionally embraces oppositely facing surfaces on a wearer's head. At least one opening 16 is provided in a wall 14d of the body 12d.

[0055] In FIG. 7, a headwear piece 10e is shown with a body 12e in the form of a continuous band that may be extendible or substantially inelastic. At least one opening 16 is provided in a wall 14e of the body 12e.

[0056] For purposes of simplicity, the bodies 12, 12b, 12c are considered to include the rims/bills 32, 36, 40, successively.

[0057] Each of the headwear pieces 10, 10a-10e is constructed to engage a wearer's head in conventional fashion to maintain the headwear piece in its respective operative state with respect to a wearer's head. In each style, a portion 48, 48a-48e of the body remains exposed to view with each headwear piece in its operative state. Essentially, any part of the headwear piece that does not directly overlie part of a wearer's head remains exposed to view with the headwear piece in its operative state.

[0058] In FIG. 8, one exemplary form of the first and second accessories 18, 24 will be described as part of the headwear piece 10, as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 8, a portion of the wall 14 defining the crown 30 is shown where it engages a wearer's head 50 with the headwear piece 10 in its operative state. The wall 14 has oppositely facing inside and outside surfaces 52, 54, with the inside surface 52 directly engaging the wearer's head 50 such that the surface 54, at the location of the opening 16, is exposed to view.

[0059] With a significant accumulation of hair on the wearer's head 50, the wall surface 52 may not directly engage the wearer's head, but rather bears against an accumulation of hair. For purposes of simplicity, in the description and claims herein, the wearer's hair will be considered part of the wearer's head 50 which the different styles of headwear engage when being worn.

[0060] In this embodiment, the wall region at the opening 16 is shown as a single layer, which is not a requirement. The opening 16 extends fully through the wall 14 and the surfaces 52, 54 thereon.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first accessory 18 and second accessory 24 are primarily decorative components. The first accessory 18 is shown in an operative position on the body 12, wherein the part 20 resides within the opening 16 and the part 22 defines a decorative animal ear shape.

[0062] A mounting part 56 resides between the inside wall surface 52 and the wearer's head 50 and by reason of this captive arrangement, maintains the first accessory 18 in the operative position shown.

[0063] The first accessory 18 can be directed into its operative position of FIG. 8, from an initial starting position, fully separated from the headwear piece 10, in different manners as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting part 56 is reconfigured, as being bent into a V or U shape that reduces the effective diameter thereof whereby the mounting part 56 can be advanced from the starting position depicted, in the direction of the arrow 58, to allow the mounting part 56 to pass through the opening 16 into the FIG. 8 position, whereupon the mounting part 56 can spring back to, or be manually shaped into, its initial, undeformed state.

[0065] Alternatively, the part 22 can be collapsed as shown in FIG. 10, whereby it can be directed in an inside-out direction, as indicated by the arrow 60, from the starting position in FIG. 10 to the operative position of FIG. 8, whereupon again the part 22 will either naturally spring back or can be reshaped once the first accessory 18 is in the operative position. In this operative position, the part 22 extends a substantial distance outwardly from the wall surface 54 in the vicinity of the opening 16.

[0066] The first accessory 18 may be made from any material. To allow assembly in the manner shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, at least parts of the first accessory 18 might be made from a readily deformable material, which may or may not be elastic.

[0067] The first accessory 18 can be maintained in its operative position in different manners. For example, the wall 14 in FIG. 8 may be captively maintained between the projecting part 22 and the mounting part 56 which have an effective diameter greater than that of the opening 16.

[0068] The accessory part 20 and surface 62 surrounding the opening 16 may also be constructed so that the part 20 is frictionally maintained within the opening 16.

[0069] Additionally, with the mounting part 56 against the inside surface 52, the first accessory is blocked from being pulled outwardly through the opening 16. With the headwear piece 10 in the operative state, the mounting part 56 is captive between the wearer's head 50 and the wall surface 52 to thereby positively maintain the operative position for the first accessory 18.

[0070] For more positive securement, the mounting part 56 may bridge, or fully cover, the diameter of the opening 16, though this is not a requirement. So long as any part of the mounting part 56 is captive between the wearer's head and inside surface 52, the operative position may be positively maintained.

[0071] In this embodiment, the second accessory 24 has essentially the same construction as the first accessory 18, with the exception that the projecting part 28 has an ornamental heart shape. The part 26 on the second accessory 24 functions as the part 20 on the first accessory 18, with a mounting part 64 on the second accessory 24 performing the same function as the mounting part 56 on the first accessory 18.

[0072] Accordingly, the first and second accessories 18, 24 can be interchangeably press fit into their operative positions from an initial starting position in either and inside-out or outside-in direction through the opening 16.

[0073] The particular type of ornamentation depicted for the first and second accessories 18, 24 in FIG. 8 is exemplary in nature. Any exposed or projecting type of shape with an ornamental appearance might be used. To have a different appearance, the first and second accessories 18, 24 may have different shapes or the same shape but different colors or textures.

[0074] Accordingly, a user of the headwear piece 10 may keep on hand a multitude of different accessories that can be simply interchanged to change the overall appearance at the whim of the user.

[0075] In a further modification as shown in FIG. 11, an accessory 18, 24 may have a mounting part 56, 64 and a part 20, 26 that is extended into the wall opening 16 so that an exposed surface 66 is substantially flush with or projects only slightly from the wall surface 54. The surface 66 can have different ornamentation, including designs, or may simply be contrasting with the surface 54 as by texture, color, etc. A multitude of accessories as shown in FIG. 11 might be provided with different appearances at the surface 66 to allow selection of overall headwear appearance by a supplier and/or end user.

[0076] In all embodiments, there is no limitation as to the number of openings 16 provided in the headwear piece or the number of interchangeable accessories capable of being operatively positioned thereon.

[0077] In FIG. 12, a modified form of structure is shown to more positively maintain the operative position for the exemplary first accessory 18 with respect to the wall 12. In this embodiment, cooperating components 68, 70, respectively on the first accessory 18 and body 12, cooperate to firmly maintain the first accessory 18 in its operative position. The components 68, 70 may be cooperating hook-and-loop type fasteners. By using the loop fastener as the component 70, the component 70 will not tend to be uncomfortable when placed against the wearer's head in the event that there is no accessory in an operative position at the opening 16.

[0078] In each embodiment described above, the first and second accessories 18, 24 are preferably configured so that they are maintained in their operative position as an incident of their being directed from a starting position, fully separated from the body 12, into the respective operative positions. While multiple different potential structures are shown to cooperate between the accessories 18, 24 and the body 12, to maintain the accessories 18, 24 in their operative positions, as described above, any one, or any combination of these structures, may be utilized.

[0079] It is possible that the arrangement of FIG. 12 could effect a permanent connection between the first accessory 18 and the body 12. However, this precludes interchangeability which is a desirable feature.

[0080] In an alternative form, the body 12 can be made with a variable configuration opening 16, as shown in schematic form in FIG. 13. This facilitates placement of the desired accessory in its operative position.

[0081] In one form, as shown in FIG. 14, the opening 16 in the wall 14 of the body 12 may be surrounded by an elastic component 72 that allows the effective diameter of the opening 16 to be enlarged as to allow passage therethrough of a part of an accessory advanced either in an inside-out or outside-in direction. The deformed elastic component 72 may then tend towards its undeformed state to reduce the effective diameter of the opening 16. This facilitates placement of the accessories 18, 24, as depicted in FIG. 8, and other forms thereof.

[0082] The ability to enlarge the opening may also be beneficial to allow placement of a part of the exemplary accessory in an opening 16, as shown in FIG. 15, wherein the wall 12 on the body 14 at which the accessory is to be placed has a primary wall part 74 and a backing wall 76. An elastic component 72 may be deformed so that a mounting part 56, on the first accessory 18, might be squeezed into the dotted line position without significantly deforming the mounting part 56. Thus, the mounting part 56 might be made with a more rigid construction and placed in the operative position by principally deforming the elastic component 72. The mounting part 56 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 15 captive between a part of the primary wall part 74 and the backing wall 76 with the accessory 18 in the operative position.

[0083] In an alternative form as shown in FIG. 16, the variable configuration opening 16 may be defined by a conventional type zipper component 78 on the wall 14. By sliding a tab 80 to different positions, an effective diameter of the opening 16 is changed.

[0084] In an alternative form shown in FIG. 17, the body 12.sup.4 of the wall 14.sup.4 may have an opening 16.sup.4 bounded in part by joinable flaps 82, 84 that can be joined in different relationships to change an effective diameter of the opening 16.sup.4 bounded at least in part by the flaps 82, 84. The flaps 82, 84 may be releasably connected as by hook-and-loop type fasteners, snaps, etc., to be maintained in different relationships.

[0085] As a further alternative, rather than incorporating an elastic component as shown in FIG. 14, the wall 14 on the body 12, as shown in FIG. 18, can be made in large part, or entirely, from an elastic material through which the opening 16.sup.5 is defined, whereby it is inherently capable of being enlarged by manually drawing opposite edge portions away from each other. The opening 16.sup.5 may be defined by a cutout or a simple slit 86, as shown in the elastic fabric 88 making up the body 12.

[0086] Generally, with the above-described constructions, a headwear piece can be made with a body having one opening or a multitude of openings at which accessories can be interchangeably placed. Users and/or manufacturers/suppliers can keep on hand a multitude of different types of accessories that allow different looks or functions, as described below, to be incorporated at time of manufacture or by an end user. The accessories can be offered in a kit form whereby end users have the flexibility of reconfiguring headwear pieces as desired.

[0087] As noted above, the accessories may afford different ornamental looks, thereby performing an aesthetic function, or might incorporate different non-aesthetic functional features. As just one example, as shown at FIG. 19, the accessory 18.sup.5 has a mounting part 56.sup.5 and a part 20.sup.5 that is directed into a headwear piece opening 16. The part 22.sup.5 is in the form of a loop that might function as a hanger for a loose object that might be permanently or temporarily stored thereon. The generic showing of the accessories is not intended to limit the function to any specific form, as virtually any function that might get incorporated into the combined parts 56.sup.5, 20.sup.5 is contemplated.

[0088] With the inventive structure, each of the accessories may be changeable back and forth, between a position fully separated from their respective body and an operative position, without requiring use of any separate fasteners.

[0089] With the baseball-style headwear piece 10, one preferred form allows the selected accessory 18, 24 to be directed from within a head receptacle 90 (FIG. 8) defined by the body 12, in an inside-out direction through the opening 16 into the operative position. While not required, with this arrangement, at least part of the accessory 18, 20 resides within the receptacle 56 and is captive between the wearer's head 50 and the inside wall surface 52 with the headwear piece in the operative state on a user's head.

[0090] Preferably, the accessory 18, 24 and body 12 are configured so that the accessory 18, 24 is maintained in its operative position as an incident of moving from its starting position into its operative position. As noted, this position can be maintained by simple frictional forces, captive engagement with the wall 14, and/or through the use of connectors, with an exemplary form thereof shown in FIG. 12. Other connectors are contemplated, such as snaps, etc.

[0091] Another contemplated function for the openings is to accept discrete amounts of a wearer's hair 92, as shown in FIG. 20. An accumulation of the hair 92 can be directed inside-out through the opening 16 in the wall 14. The diameter of the opening 16 may be selected to accommodate different volumes of hair. The use of a variable configuration opening affords greater flexibility in terms of accommodating different accumulations of hair.

[0092] Further, the openings 16 can be strategically located to allow discrete quantities of the wearer's hair 92 to project outwardly therefrom at two or more spaced locations.

[0093] As noted above, the exposed parts 22, 28 may have any look that is simply decorative, imitates the appearance of an object or part of a being, etc. As just examples, the parts 22, 28 may be made to depict animal ears, flowers, hearts, sports team logos and identifications, cartoon characters, artificial hair, etc.

[0094] With the inventive structure, a method as shown in flow diagram form in FIG. 21 can be carried out. As shown at block 94, a headwear piece is obtained, as described above, including a body and at least one or a plurality of accessories.

[0095] As shown at block 96, at least one of the accessories is placed in the operative position.

[0096] As shown at block 98, the one accessory is separated from the body of the headwear piece.

[0097] As shown at block 100, a second accessory is directed into its operative position in place of the one accessory.

[0098] The method may also include the step of directing hair through one of the openings, as shown at block 102. With the headwear piece in its operative state, a combination of at least one accessory and a discrete amount of hair can be directed into separate openings.

[0099] The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.