Hands-Free Hat

Abstract

A new hat that holds objects. The structure of the present invention may comprise a pincushion that may be attached to the top of the bill of the hat and may include pockets on the bottom of the bill of the hat. Users will be able to accomplish a diverse range of professional and recreational activities while leaving their hands free and also be able to reach objects that have been placed or attached to this new hat in a safe, secure and in an accessible manner

Claims

1. A hat for holding objects, comprising; a crown, a bill attached to said crown, wherein said bill protrudes away from said crown; and a pincushion, wherein said pincushion is attached to said bill of said hat.

2. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion comprises of silicone.

3. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion comprises of rubber.

4. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion composes the shape of said bill.

5. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion comprises a substantially rectangular shape.

6. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion is 1 millimeter thick.

7. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion comprises at least one ridge along a perimeter of said pincushion. 8, The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion comprises at least one ridge along a perimeter of said pincushion with a height of 4 millimeters and an width of 5 millimeters.

9. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion comprises at least one indentation in said pincushion.

10. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion is sewn into said bill of said hat.

11. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion is attached to said bill of said hat by velcro.

12. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion is attached to said bill of said hat by adhesive.

13. The hat of claim 1, wherein said pincushion is attached to the top of said bill of said hat.

14. The hat of claim 1, wherein said hill comprises of a material with magnetic properties.

15. A hat for holding objects, comprising: a crown, a bill attached to said crown, wherein said bill protrudes away from said crown; and at least one pocket, wherein said at least one pocket is affixed to said bill of said hat.

16. The hat of claim 15, wherein the opening of said pocket faces the opening of another said pocket.

17. The hat of claim 15, wherein the opening of said pocket faces away from the opening of another said pocket.

18. The hat of claim 15, wherein said at least one pocket comprises of a material with magnetic properties.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus;

[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a pincushion;

[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates a back to front view of one embodiment of a pincushion;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the hat apparatus;

[0017] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus;

[0018] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus;

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom-up view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus;

[0020] FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom-up view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus;

[0021] FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom-up view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention is explained in further detail below with references to the drawings.

[0023] The components of the present invention are generally described and illustrated in the figures. However, the figures may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description provided of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but only a representation of some embodiments of the invention.

[0024] The characteristics or features of the present invention throughout this specification may be combined within any reasonable manner with one or more embodiments. Hence, statements such as “example embodiments”, “example of the embodiment” or other similar language in the specification should be understood to mean that a particular characteristic or feature described concerning an embodiment may be included in at least one possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the hat may include a crown 101. The crown may include a top portion 102 and a bottom portion 103 that is near the opening in the crown 101. The crown 101 may be made of one or more segments 104, 105, 106 that may form a dome-like structure that may fit over a user's head. The segments 104, 105, 106 in some embodiments may be constructed from many different materials or fabrics that would be appreciated by one having skill with this art. In an example embodiment, one or more of the segments 104, 105, 106 of the crown 101 may contain an adjustment means 107 located near the lower portion 103 of the crown 101. This adjustment means 107 allows the crown 101 of a hat apparatus 100 to fit a variety of head sizes. The adjustment means 107 may include a band that may hold into one or more positions with the aid of another band, a belt, velcro or a like means as would be appreciated by those having skill in the art.

[0026] An example embodiment of the hat apparatus 100 may include a bill 108 where the bill 108 may be attached to the lower portion 103 of the crown 101. The bill may be fabricated from a similar material or fabric as the crown 101 however in other embodiments the crown 101 may be made from other materials or fabrics that would be appreciated by those having skill in the art. In some embodiments the bill 108 protrudes away from the crown 101 at an incline. In other embodiments the bill 108 may be a curved plane. In some embodiments the bill 108 may be a flat plane.

[0027] In one embodiment, the hat apparatus 101 may include a pincushion 109. In an example embodiment, the pincushion 109 may be permanently attached by being sewn to a location on the hat apparatus 101. In some embodiments, the pincushion 109 is sewn onto the fabric that is attached to the top of the bill 109. The pincushion 109 may also be permanently attached by the use of an adhesive to a location on the hat apparatus 101. In another embodiment the pincushion 109 may be removable or detachable from the hat apparatus 101. There are multiple advantages in a removable pincushion 109 that include but are not limited to cleaning or replacing the pincushion 109. The removable pincushion 109 may be achieved by having the pincushion 109 connected to the bill 109 by adhesive, velcro, material with magnetic properties, or other similar means that would be appreciated by those having skill in the art. In some embodiments there may be more than one pincushion 109 located on the hat apparatus 100 in multiple locations.

[0028] In some embodiments, the function of the pincushion 109 is to provide a surface where objects can be placed, stored or attached. In an embodiment, the pincushion 109 is resilient, durable and flexible and may be made of rubber or silicone or materials with similar properties. Materials such as rubber or silicone are ideal to hold or attach various objects of distinct shapes and sharpness because of their durability. Silicone, rubber and other similar materials can be compressed without deforming its size and shape. Another advantage of materials such as rubber or silicone is that they can be easily cleaned and are resistant to staining. As an example, this would be of benefit if an ink pen spills its contents on the pincushion 109 and the user desires to clean the ink off. Those familiar with the art would appreciate that other similar materials could be used to achieve this particular function.

[0029] In some embodiments, the pincushion 109 is attached to the bill 108. In some embodiments, the pincushion is attached to the top of the bill 108. In some embodiments, the pincushion 109 is located on the top of the bill 108 touching or close to the bottom portion 103 of the crown 102 however the pincushion 109 could be located in multiple locations on the hat apparatus 100. The pincushion 109 could be located on any location such as a the crown 101, in the middle of the bill 108, or on the side of the bill 108, or on the bottom of the bill 108. The pincushion 109 may be rectangular in shape, but in other embodiments the pincushion may have other shapes such as a circle or a shape fitting the contour of the bill which may be, but is not limited to a curve.

[0030] In some embodiments, a ridge 110 forms a border around the pincushion 109. In some embodiments, the ridge 110 is elevated above the pincushion 109. In some embodiments the ridge 110 is elevated above its surroundings such as the bill 108. The ridge 110 creates a barrier that allows objects to be placed or attached with lower chances that they will fall off the pincushion 109. The ridge 110 also allows objects to be placed or attached in a manner that the objects rest against the ridge 110 making them easier to organize and retrieve thus reducing the chance of injury or damage. The pincushion 109 described in the various example embodiments may store or hold, but is not limited to storing or holding, objects and objects such as, clothing pins, needles, thumbtacks, bulletin board pins, bullets, fishing flies, hooks, nails, screws, and also objects that are sharp or magnetic.

[0031] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of one example embodiment of a pincushion 200. In some embodiments the hat apparatus may contain a pincushion 109. In some embodiments the pincushion 109 may have a back edge 201 and a front edge 202 that are found on opposite sides of the surface 203 of the pincushion 109. In some embodiments the pincushion 109 may include a ridge 204. In some embodiments the ridge 204 rises above the surface 203.

[0032] The inventor contemplates various possible heights and widths for the ridges on various embodiments. As an example embodiment, the ridge 204 may have a height of four millimeters and a width of five millimeters. In another example embodiment, the ridge may have a height of 6 millimeters and width of three millimeters. The listed heights and widths should not limit other possible heights and widths as those having skill in the art will appreciate that many ridge heights and widths are possible. Factors that may vary the height and width of the ridge are the materials the ridge is composed of and also the type, size and shape of objects placed or attached to the pincushion 109.

[0033] In one embodiment the ridge is attached to the outer edge 202 of the base of the pincushion 109. In other embodiments the ridge 204 is integrally created as a part of the pincushion 109 near the outer edge 202. Various embodiments may have one ridge or multiple ridges that may be attached or integrally created to the back edge 201, front edge 202, or other side or sides of the pincushion 109.

[0034] The ridge 204 may allow users to have a safety barrier that allows them to place objects with a reduced risk the objects will fall off the pincushion 109. The ridge 204 may also allow users to attach objects to the surface 203 such that the objects will lean against the ridge 204 at different angles allowing the user to conveniently retrieve the objects attached to the ridge 204.

[0035] FIG. 2B illustrates a back-front view of one embodiment of a pincushion 200. In some embodiments the hat apparatus may contain a pincushion 109. In some embodiments the pincushion 109 rises above the structure on which it is connected. The pincushion 109 may include a ridge 204. The ridge 204 may rise to a certain height 205 that will vary in different embodiments and the ridge may have a certain width 206 that will vary in different embodiments. In some embodiments the ridge 204 is integrated to the surface 203 of the pincushion 109. The material used to create the ridge 204 may be the same as the other parts of the pincushion 109 or it may vary in other embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the hat apparatus 300. Referring to FIG. 3, the hat may include a crown 301. The crown 301 may include a top portion 302 and a bottom portion 303 that is near the opening of the crown 301. An example embodiment of the hat apparatus 300 may include a bill 304 where the bill 304 is attached to the lower portion 303 of the crown 301. In some embodiments the bill 304 protrudes away from the crown 301.

[0037] In some embodiments, the hat apparatus 300 may include a pincushion 109. In some embodiments, the pincushion 109 is attached to the bill 304. In some embodiments, the pincushion is attached to the top of the bill 304. The size of the pincushion 109 may vary in size in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the pincushion is the same size or almost the same size as the bill 304 thus providing a large surface area of the pincushion 109 to place or attach objects, whereas in other embodiments, the pincushion 109 is smaller than the bill 304. In some embodiments the shape of the pincushion 109 resembles the shape of the outer edge of the bill 304 such that it may form curved sides, however the pincushion 109 in other embodiments may have various different shapes. In some embodiments the pincushion 109 is located closer to the crown 301. The advantages of placing a pincushion 109 closer to the crown 301 is that the objects placed on the pincushion 109 will not be subject to as much wind or other objects that could dislodge objects off the hat. In some embodiments, the hat apparatus 300 may contain materials with magnetic properties such as a magnetic sheet in proximity to the pincushion 109. In some embodiments the bill 304 may be fabricated out of materials that are coated with substances with magnetic properties or the bill 304 may be fabricated out of materials with magnetic properties. The advantage of placing materials with magnetic properties in proximity of the pincushion 109 is that if objects that are attracted to magnetic forces are placed on the pincushion 109, they will be attracted to the materials with magnetic properties therefore making it difficult to dislodge such objects off the pincushion 109 thus reducing the risk of them falling off the hat apparatus 300.

[0038] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B each illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus 400. Apparatus 400 may include features similar to those in apparatus 100 and apparatus 300 as explained previously in the diagrams. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, some embodiments of the pincushion 109 may have multiple ridges 402. Having the pincushion 109 split into various segments separated by ridges 402 may allow the user of the hat apparatus 400 to place different types of objects in the different sections of the surface 404 of the pincushion 500. The user will be able to comfortably and accurately retrieve the objects that have been attached or placed on the pincushion 109. The surface 404 of the pincushion 109 may also have varying heights or thickness in various embodiments. In an example embodiment, the height or thickness of the surface 404 material of the pincushion is one millimeter. A height of one millimeter may be used to attach small and sharp items. Factors that may vary the height and thickness of the surface 404 of the pincushion 109 are the materials the pincushion 109 is composed of and also the type, size and shape of objects placed or attached to the pincushion 109.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, some embodiments of the hat apparatus 400 may have one or more indentations 403 in the surface 404 of the pincushion 109. In some embodiments, the indentations 403 are cut into the surface 404 of the pincushion 109. In various embodiments the widths and depths of the indentations may vary. In some embodiments, the shapes, configurations and patterns of the indentations may vary. The width and depth of the indentations 403 may vary in various embodiments depending on the shape of the objects the user desires to place on the surface 404 of the pincushion 109. For example, a user may wish to hold or attach screws on the pincushion 109 so the indentations 403 would have to accomodate the type and size of the screw to create a secure and snug fit. In an example embodiment the surface 404 height of the pincushion 109 material is three millimeters and the depth of the indentation is 1.5 millimeters

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom-up view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus 500. Referring to FIG. 5, the hat may include a crown 501. The crown 501 may include a front portion 502 and a back portion 503. The crown 501 may be made of one or more segments or pieces 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 that may form a dome-like shape that may fit over a person's head. The segments or pieces 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 in some embodiments may be constructed from different materials or fabrics that would be known to those having skill in the art.

[0041] One or more of the segments or pieces 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 of the crown 501 may contain an adjuster 511 located near the back portion 503 of the crown 501 to allow the crown 501 to fit a variety of head sizes. The adjuster 507 may include a band that may hold into one or more positions with the aid of another band, a belt, or the like as would be appreciated by those having skill in the art.

[0042] Some embodiments of the hat apparatus 500 may include a bill 512 where the back portion 513 of the bill 512 is attached to the front portion 502 of the crown 501. The bill is fabricated from materials that would be known to those skilled in the art. In an embodiment, the bill 512 protrudes away from the crown 501 at an incline. In another embodiment the bill 512 may be a curved plane. In some embodiments the bill 512 may be a flat plane.

[0043] In one embodiment, the hat apparatus 500 may include one or more pockets 515, 516, 517, 518. In an embodiment, the pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 may be permanently attached to the hat apparatus 500 by being sewn to a location on the hat apparatus 500. In some embodiments the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 are sewn onto the fabric or material located at the top of the bill and in other embodiments the pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 are sewn onto the fabric or material located at the bottom of the bill 512. The pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 may also be sewn onto the crown 501 in some embodiments.

[0044] Having pockets located at the bottom of the bill is advantageous if a user is outdoors and it is raining because the top of the bill will deflect the rain water and the bottom of the bill 512 will be dry or drier therefore the objects stored in the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 on the bottom of the bill will be dry or drier. In some embodiments the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 are fabricated from waterproof or water resistant materials. Waterproof or water resistant materials may be used to fabricate the pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 in various locations on the hat apparatus in some embodiments. The pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 may be of different shapes and sizes because the pockets are contemplated to store and hold a diverse array of objects. The pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 described in the various example embodiments may store or hold, but are not limited to storing or holding, objects such as, money, credit cards, identification cards, bullets, hunting call, golf ball marker, keys, usb drives, pens, pencils, papers, paperclips and also objects that have magnetic properties.

[0045] The pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 may be found in several and different locations on the hat apparatus 500 including, the crown 501 and the bill 512. In some embodiments, a pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 are located on opposite sides on the bill 512. It is beneficial to have the accessible objects placed on the bill because the objects are further away from the user's face hence reducing the chance of injury from contact or from objects falling out of the user's hands during the removal process or if an object gets dislodged. In some embodiments, a pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 are located near the outer edge of the bill 512. In some embodiments the opening of a pocket 515 may face the opening of a pocket 518 that is located on the opposite side. This orientation is beneficial for visibility of the surroundings of the user as the accessible object is not blocking the user's view. In other embodiments the openings may face away from the opening of pockets located on the opposite side.

[0046] In some embodiments, the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 are located on the bottom of the bill 512. In an embodiment, the material used to fabricate the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 is the same as the materials used to make the bill 512. In another embodiment a stronger material is used to make the pockets 515, 516, 517, 518. Each pocket may be created from similar material as that located on other parts of the hat apparatus 500. The pocket may be made from elastic, form fitting, somewhat rough material similar to plastic, fabric, silicone, rubber or any type of material that avoids objects from falling out of the pockets. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that many different materials could be used to achieve this particular function.

[0047] In some embodiments, the hat apparatus 500 may contain materials with magnetic properties in proximity or integrally connected to the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 . The advantage of placing materials with magnetic properties in proximity or integrally connected to the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 is that if objects attracted to magnetic forces are placed in the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518, they will be attracted to the materials with magnetic properties therefore making it difficult to dislodge such objects and reducing the risk of objects falling of the hat apparatus 500.

[0048] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B each illustrate a bottom-up view of one embodiment of a hat apparatus 600. Apparatus 600 may include features similar to those in apparatus 500 and apparatus 100 as explained previously in the diagrams. As illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, some embodiments of the apparatus 600 may contain pockets 602,603, 604 located on the bottom of the bill 605 which is the side of the bill 605 that faces the opening of the crown 606.

[0049] Some embodiments may have multiple pockets 602,603, 604 where the opening of a pocket 602 faces the opening of another pocket 603 such that the pockets face each other. The size, shape, number and orientation of the pockets may vary in the embodiments depending on the objects stored in the pockets. An embodiment may contain pockets 602, 603, 604 of different sizes on either side of the apparatus 600. In some embodiments, pockets 603, 604 will be separated into smaller pockets using stitching or similar means 607 and the sizes for each pocket and stitching that separates each pocket into smaller pockets may vary. In an example embodiment the opening of a pocket is one centimeter and the opening of another pocket is six centimeters. The length or depth of a pocket can also vary in the embodiments depending on the various items that may be placed in the pockets 602, 603. In an example embodiment, two pockets 602, 603 on the opposite sides that face each other are 3.5 centimeters in depth. However those having skill in the art will appreciate that various pocket opening widths and pocket depths will be placed on the hat apparatus 600.

[0050] Embodiments of the hat apparatus may include features described or similar to those in apparatus 100, 300, 400 and combine them with features described or similar to those in apparatus 500 and 600. An example embodiment may contain a bill 108 with a pincushion 109 as well as pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518. In an example embodiment, a hat apparatus contains a pincushion 109 on top of the bill 108 and also contains a pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 on the bottom of the bill 512.

[0051] A hat apparatus containing both a pincushion 109 on top of the bill 108 and a pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 on the bottom of the bill 512 may be manufactured by sewing a pincushion 109 to fabric that will be attached to the top of the bill 108, sewing the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 onto the fabric that will cover the bottom of the bill 512, sewing the fabric with the attached pincushion 109 to the fabric with the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 so they connected, sliding the connected piece of fabric composed of the fabrics containing the pincushion 109 and pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 onto the bill, sewing the bill onto the crown 101. In other embodiments the bill 108 may be attached to the crown 101 before sliding the connected piece of fabric composed of the fabrics containing the pincushion 109 and pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 onto the bill.

[0052] A hat apparatus containing both a pincushion 109 on top of the bill 108 and a pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 on the bottom of the bill 512 may also be manufactured by sewing a pincushion 109 to fabric that will be attached to the top of the bill 108, sewing the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 onto the fabric that will cover the bottom of the bill 512, sewing the fabric with the pincushion to the top of the bill 109 and sewing the fabric with the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 to the bottom of the bill, sewing the bill onto the crown 101.

[0053] The methods described above are some methods that allow stitching that attaches both the pincushion 109 and the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518 to the bill in a manner that does not disrupt the utility of the pincushion 109 or the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518. It may not be effective to attach the fabric on the bottom of the bill 108 first if the pincushion 109 is sewn to the bill 108 because the stitching may penetrate through to the bottom of the bill 108 which may disrupt the shape or utility of the pocket or pockets 515, 516, 517, 518. However this possible issue with sewing and stitching may not be relevant in embodiments where velcro or an adhesive is used to attach the pincushion 109 to the hat apparatus. These are some possible methods to sew and attach components of the hat apparatus, however persons having skills in the art will appreciate that other methods may be utilized to achieve the manufacturing objectives.