Veil Hat Shield

Abstract

A hat or other article of apparel worn on the head having a brim which includes a transparent, impermeable veil hanging down from the brim on all sides such that the veil surrounds the head, face, neck and upper shoulder region of the wearer. As such, the present invention may prevent the spread of any droplets between inside and outside of the veil's covered area, instead causing droplets to drop down to the ground.

Claims

1. An article of apparel to be worn by a wearer comprising: a hat having a brim; and a veil having a bottom edge attached to the brim, wherein the veil comprises a transparent, impermeable material, wherein the veil is configured to cover a head, a neck, and an upper shoulder area of a wearer, wherein the veil is further configured to completely surround the wearer's head, wherein the veil is further configured to remain open at the bottom edge.

2. The article of apparel of independent claim 1, wherein: the transparent, impermeable material is a non-toxic plastic.

3. The article of apparel of independent claim 1, wherein: the veil has a length as measured from a location at which the veil attaches to the brim and extending down to the bottom edge of the veil, wherein the length is substantially equal to a foot.

4. The article of apparel of independent claim 1, wherein: the veil is attached to the brim via a fixed attachment fastener.

5. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein: the fixed attachment fastener is at least one of a thermal adhesive, an ultrasonic weld, a chemical adhesive, and a sown stitch.

6. The article of apparel of independent claim 1, wherein: the veil is attached to the brim via a detachable fastener.

7. The article of apparel of claim 6, wherein: the detachable fastener is at least one of a hook and loop fastener, a button, a snap, and an interlocking slide fastener.

8. The article of apparel of claim 6, wherein: the veil is washable, and wherein the use of the detachable fasteners enables the veil to be removed for washing.

9. The article of apparel of independent claim 1, further comprising: a set of strings attached to the hat, wherein the set of strings are configured to enable the wearer to tie the strings under a chin of the wearer in order to secure the hat to the wearer's head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 3 provides a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Some embodiments of the present invention are described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be defined by the description itself. The claimed subject matter may be embodied as to include different features, elements, components, steps, or combinations of steps, similar to those described herein, and in combination with other existing or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step” might be used to connote different elements of the methods employed, this term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except the order of individual steps is explicitly described or required.

[0013] The present invention is directed towards a hat having a brim which includes a veil made of transparent, impermeable material, for example, a clear non-toxic plastic material. One having skill in the arts will recognize which materials would be suitable for this purpose. The veil may hang down from the brim such that the veil surrounds the head, neck, and upper shoulder of the wearer in 360 degrees around the hat. The veil may remain open at the bottom edge allowing for actions, including but not limited to eating and drinking, that require access to the wearer's mouth and/or the rest of the face. The word “hat”, as used herein, refers to any article of apparel that may be worn on the head. The word “brim”, as used herein, refers to any structural element of a hat that extends outward for the hat, away from the wearer as worn.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the length of the veil may be such that it covers the entire face, neck, and upper chest of the wearer. In some embodiments of the present invention, this may constitute a veil of around one (1) foot long, though the optimal length may be dependent on characteristics of the intended wearer, such as the wearer's height. This length provides superior protection as compared to any such veil or barrier that fails to cover all of the face, neck, and upper chest. Additionally, the 360-degree coverage of the veil in some embodiments of the present invention provides superior protection that fails to provide such complete coverage, such as a protective barrier that only covers the front of the face and fails to cover the ears and back of the head.

[0015] FIG. 1 provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, the hat 104 has a brim 108 to which the veil 112 attaches. In some embodiments, the veil 112 may be attached to the brim 108 via a fixed attachment fastener, which may include, but is not limited to, thermal adhesive, ultrasonic welding, chemical adhesive, a sown stitch or the like. In other embodiments, the veil 112 may be attached to the brim 108 via detachable fastener, which may include, but is not limited to, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), buttons, snaps, interlocking slide fastener (e.g., zipper), or the like, such that the detachable means can be reattached, allowing the veil 112 to be removed and replaced multiple times with ease. In such embodiments, the removable veil may be easily cleaned and/or replaced as necessary.

[0016] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the hat 104 includes strings 116 that may be tied under the wearer's chin in order to secure the hat to the wearer's head.

[0017] FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 2, the hat 204 has a brim 208 from which the veil 212 hangs down.

[0018] FIG. 3 provides a front view of an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 3, the hat 304 has a wide brim 308 from which the veil 312 hangs down. As is more readily seen from this front view, the bottom edge 316 of the veil 312 hangs well below the upper shoulder region of the wearer 320. Thus, the present invention may provide greater protection against the spread of droplets than a shorter veil or faceguard may provide.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention have been described, as required by statute, to be illustrative, but should not be interpreted to be restrictive. One having skill in the art will recognize that many different arrangements of the various components depicted are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below, as well as arrangements including components not explicitly shown.

[0020] One having skill in the art will understand that certain combinations and/or sub-combinations of elements and features are of utility and may be employed without reference to other combinations and/or sub-combinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.