HEADWEAR INCLUDING CROWN HAVING AN OPENING FOR HAIR

Abstract

Headwear provides a comfortable fit and hair protection for individuals having hairstyles with significate hair volume (e.g., ponytails, braids, dreadlocks, twists, etc.) that traditional headwear is unable to accommodate. The headwear includes a crown without a small button (i.e., squatchee) having an opening configured to allow an accumulation of hair to pass through the crown, where the opening has a non-circular shape. The non-circular shape may include an elongated ellipse-like shape, a V-shape, a narrow-elongated ellipse-like shape, and a broad-elongated ellipse-like shape.

Claims

1. A headwear comprising: a crown configured to cover a portion of a person's head, the crown includes a front, a rear disposed opposite of the front, a center positioned an equal distance from the front and the rear, a centerline axis transversing from the front through the center to the rear, an opening configured to allow an accumulation of hair to pass through the crown, the opening has a non-circular shape having an axis of symmetry superposing a segment of the centerline axis and is positioned such that the center superposes a portion of the opening.

2. The headwear of claim 1, the crown further including a hair protector defining a periphery of the opening, the hair protector is connected to the crown and is configured to allow the accumulation of hair to pass through the crown.

3. The headwear of claim 2, the crown further including a plurality of panels connected to form the opening and an enclosure configured to cover the portion of the person's head, each panel in the plurality of panels has a proximal end and a distal end, where the opening is located at the distal end and the enclosure is located at the proximal end of each panel.

4. The headwear of claim 3, the hair protector envelops the distal end of each panel in the plurality of panels.

5. The headwear of claim 4, the hair protector includes a hair-sensitive fabric having a smooth surface for reducing friction against the accumulation of hair.

6. The headwear of claim 5, the hair-sensitive fabric includes satin, polyester, nylon, spandex, or a combination thereof.

7. The headwear of claim 4, the hair protector includes a flexible material configured to expand the opening resulting from the accumulation of hair exerting a force on the hair protector.

8. The headwear of claim 2, each panel having an exterior surface and an interior surface, where the exterior surface includes a fabric material and the interior surface includes a fabric material.

9. The headwear of claim 8, the fabric material includes satin, polyester, nylon, spandex, or a combination thereof.

10. The headwear of claim 1, the crown further including a closure having a fastening mechanism system configured to secure the headwear to the person's head.

11. The headwear of claim 10, a fastening mechanism is selected from a group of the following: buckle closure, hook-and-loop fastener, Velcro closure, snapback closure, elastic band, strap and buckle, drawstring, or stretch fit.

12. The headwear of claim 2, further including a brim connected to the crown and disposed adjacent to the front of the crown.

13. The headwear of claim 1, the non-circular shape of the opening is selected from a group of the following: an elongated ellipse-like shape, a V-shape, a narrow-elongated ellipse-like shape, or broad-elongated ellipse-like shape.

14. A headwear comprising: a crown including: a front, a rear disposed opposite of the front, a center positioned an equal distance from the front and the rear, a centerline axis transversing from the front though the center to the rear, an opening having a non-circular shape with an axis of symmetry superposing a segment of the centerline axis and is positioned such that the center superposes a portion of the opening, a one or more panels connected to form the opening and an enclosure configured to cover the portion of a person's head, each panel has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the opening is located at the distal end and the enclosure is located at the proximal end of each panel, and a hair protector defines a periphery of the opening, the hair protector is connected to and envelops the distal end of each panel, the hair protector is configured to allow an accumulation of hair to pass through the crown.

15. The headwear of claim 14, further comprising a brim connected to the crown and disposed adjacent to the front of the crown.

16. The headwear of claim 14, the non-circular shape of the opening is selected from a group of the following: an elongated ellipse-like shape, a V-shape, a narrow-elongated ellipse-like shape, or broad-elongated ellipse-like shape.

17. The headwear of claim 14, the crown further includes a closure having a fastening mechanism system configured to secure the headwear to a person's head.

18. A headwear comprising: a crown including: a front, a rear disposed opposite of the front, a center positioned an equal distance from the front and the rear, a centerline axis transversing from the front though the center to the rear, an opening having a non-circular shape with an axis of symmetry superposing a segment of the centerline axis and is positioned such that the center superposes a portion of the opening, a plurality of panels connected to form the opening and an enclosure configured to cover the portion of a person's head, each panel in the plurality of panels has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the opening is located at the distal end and the enclosure is located at the proximal end of each panel, a hair protector defines a periphery of the opening, the hair protector is connected to and envelops the distal end of each panel in the plurality of panels, the hair protector is configured to allow an accumulation of hair to pass through the crown; and a brim connected to the crown and disposed adjacent to the front of the crown.

19. The headwear of claim 18, the non-circular shape of the opening is selected from a group of the following: an elongated ellipse-like shape, a V-shape, a narrow-elongated ellipse-like shape, or broad-elongated ellipse-like shape.

20. The headwear of claim 18, the crown further includes a closure having a fastening mechanism system configured to secure the headwear to a person's head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a headwear including an opening having an elongated ellipse-like shape, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0030] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a headwear including an opening having a V-shape, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates a headwear including an opening having a narrow-elongated ellipse-like shape, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a headwear including an opening having a broad-elongated ellipse-like shape, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following detailed description of example embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0034] Traditional headwear is not designed for a person who has a significant hair volume. Instead, designs of traditional headwear typically focus on providing a crown that fits comfortably and securely on a person's head.

[0035] The crown for traditional headwear is the central, top portion of a hat that covers and protects a person's head and is typically made of multiple fabric panels stitched together to create the hat's distinctive shape. Located at the crown's apex, or where the fabric panels meet, is a small button known as a top button or squatchee. The small button stabilizes and reinforces the hat's structure. Without the small button, the structural integrity of the crown would eventually deteriorate with continuous use of the hat.

[0036] Traditional headwear may be designed for ponytail hair styles. For those types of designs, the headwear has a ponytail opening behind the small button in the rear portion of a hat. Because the small button restricts the size and location of the ponytail opening, these types of designs limit the location and size of ponytail on a person's head. For example, a person having a high ponytail hairstyle would be unable to wear a hat design for ponytail hairstyles.

[0037] Traditional headwear is not designed for haircare. The materials used may include cotton, polyester, wool, and or a combination thereof. These materials may damage a person's hair in a variety of ways. For example, the friction between the hair and the material may cause hair breakage, split ends, frizz, and knots, where hair damage caused by the friction may occur by the user's general movements while wearing the traditional headwear. Or, these materials may absorb the hair's moisture and natural oils, leaving the hair dry and prone to breakage.

[0038] The embodiments, described herein, discloses a headwear that provides a comfortable fit and hair protection for individuals having hairstyles with significate hair volume (e.g., ponytails, braids, dreadlocks, twists, and/or the like) that traditional headwear is unable to accommodate. The headwear also provides a comfortable fit and hair protection for various hair textures (e.g., thin/fine, medium, medium/thick, thick, coarse, and/or the like) or hair types (e.g., straight, wavy, curly, coily, kinky, and/or the like). The present disclosure describes a headwear featuring a crown without a small button (i.e., squatchee) having an opening configured to allow an accumulation of hair to pass through the crown, where the opening has a non-circular shape. Having a non-circular shape provides the person wearing the headwear with a comfortable fit absent of wrinkles and puckering of the headwear. Additionally, the non-circular shape prevents the gapping in the rear of headwear caused when a person straps the headwear down too tight.

[0039] FIGS. 1-4 illustrates a headwear 10 including an opening 30 having an elongated ellipse-like shape, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the headwear 10. FIG. 2 shows a top view of the headwear 10. FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the headwear 10. FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the headwear 10.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the headwear 10 may include a crown 20 having an opening 30 and brim 40 connected to the crown 20. The crown 20 may include a plurality of panels 22 connected to form an enclosure, such that the crown 20 is configured to cover a portion of a person's head. Each panel 22 includes an exterior surface and interior surface. The exterior surface and the interior surface may contain the same or different fabric materials. For example, the fabric materials may include satin, polyester, cotton, wool, spandex mixture, acrylic mixture, and/or the like. Each panel 22 may include one or more layers of material stacked together.

[0041] The crown 20 includes a front 12 disposed adjacent to the brim 40 and a rear 14 disposed opposite of the front 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the crown 20 has a centerline axis 15 transversing from the front 12, through a center 15, to the rear 14. The crown 20 has a perpendicular axis 16 intersecting the centerline axis 15 at the center 21.

[0042] The crown 20 may include a hair protector 24 and an opening 20 configured to allow an accumulation of hair to pass through the crown 20. The accumulation of hair is a collection, group, or bundle of strands of hair. The accumulation of hair may be natural, artificial, or a combination thereof. The accumulation of hair may include, but is not limited to, the following hair styles: excess bundle of hair (e.g., hair tied in a bun or a ponytail), or large hair styles (e.g., braids, dreadlocks, or twists).

[0043] The hair protector 24 protects hair using a hair-sensitive fabric having a smooth surface for reducing friction against the hair. The hair-sensitive fabric may promote hair moisture retention, prevent knots and tangles, and preserve hairstyles by reducing disruption and flattening of hairstyles. Examples of hair-sensitive fabrics include, but are not limited to, satin, polyester, nylon, spandex, and/or the like.

[0044] The hair protector 24 defines the periphery (or perimeter) of the opening 30 and may be located within the interior, exterior, or a combination of the interior and exterior of the crown 20. By positioning the hair protector 24 on the exterior of the crown 20, the hair protector 24 provides additional hair protection while the hair is pulled through the opening 30. The hair protector 24 provides structural support for crown 20 by connecting or operably connecting the plurality of panels 22.

[0045] The hair protector 24 may include a flexible material configured to expand the opening 30 resulting from the accumulation of hair exerting a force on the hair protector 24. Examples of flexible materials include, but are not limited to, cotton, wool, felt, straw, polyester, nylon, leather, synthetic blends, and/or the like.

[0046] The opening 30 has an elongated ellipse-like shape having an axis of symmetry superposing a segment of the centerline axis 15 and is positioned such that the center 21 superposes a portion of the opening 30. Although the opening 30 has an elongated ellipse-like shape, the opening 30 may have different non-circular shapes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6-8.

[0047] The opening 30 is configured for various types of hair types, textures, and styles. Examples of hair types may include, but are not limited to, straight, wavy, curly, coily, and kinky. Examples of hair textures may include, but are not limited to, thin/fine, medium, medium/thick, thick, and coarse. Examples of hairstyles may include, but are not limited to, ponytails, braids, dreadlocks, twists, natural, blow out, and silk press.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the crown 20 may include a plurality of tapings 28, a sweatband 29, and a closure 26. Each taping 28 is configured to fasten or connect the adjacent panels 22 by sewing, using a hook-and-loop-fastener, or by using fastening means known in the art. Each taping 28 may be made of fabric, such as satin, cotton, and/or the like. The tapings 28 may provide hair protection when hair-sensitive fabric is used, for example, satin.

[0049] The sweatband 29 is configured to absorb moisture (i.e., sweat) perspiring from a person's head. The sweatband 29 may be made of fabric or moisture-wicking material. The sweatband 29 may be sewn into or removably attached to the inner circumference of the crown 20.

[0050] The closure 26 is a fastening mechanism system configured to adjust the fit of the headwear 10 and to secure the headwear 10 to a person's head. The closing 26 may include, but is not limited to, buckle closure, hook-and-loop fastener, Velcro closure, snapback closure, elastic band, strap and buckle, drawstring, stretch fit, and/or the like.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the crown 20 may include a secondary opening 32 disposed above the closure 26. The secondary opening 32 may provide additional ventilation for the person wearing the headwear 10.

[0052] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a headwear 10 including an opening 30 having a V-shape, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. For brevity, the same elements described and depicted in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 of headwear 10 will not be repeated.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the opening 30 has a V-shape having an axis of symmetry superposing a segment of the centerline 15 and is positioned such that the center 21 superposes a portion of the opening 30. The opening 30 having V-shape allows a person to display more of the person's hair style as compared to the opening 30 having an elongated ellipse-like shape in FIGS. 1-4.

[0054] FIG. 7 provides a rear view of the headwear 10 of FIGS. 5-6. The crown 20 may include a closure 26 made of fabric configured to expand depending on the space requirement of a person's hairstyle. The expansion of closure 26 may increase the opening 30. For example, a person with dreadlocks would have a larger opening 30 than a person with a ponytail because the accumulation or volume of hair differs between the two hairstyles.

[0055] FIG. 8 illustrates a headwear 10 including an opening 30 having a narrow-elongated ellipse-like shape, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 8 shows the rear view of the headwear 10. The opening 30 with a narrow-elongated ellipse-like shape may be suitable for various types of hair types, textures, and styles.

[0056] FIG. 9 illustrates a headwear 10 including an opening 30 having a broad-elongated ellipse-like shape, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 9 shows the rear view of the headwear 10. The opening 30 with a broad-elongated ellipse-like shape may be suitable for various types of hair types, textures, and styles.

[0057] Examples of hair types may include, but are not limited to, straight, wavy, curly, coily, and kinky. Examples of hair textures may include, but are not limited to, thin/fine, medium, medium/thick, thick, and coarse. Examples of hairstyles may include, but are not limited to, ponytails, braids, dreadlocks, twists, natural, blow out, and silk press. The foregoing examples may apply to the narrow-elongated ellipse-like shape of FIG. 8 and broad-elongated ellipse-like shape of FIG. 9.

[0058] Although not explicitly shown in FIGS. 1-9, the crown 20 may include a low crown, mid crown, or high crown. The low crown describes an unstructured, relaxed-fitting headwear 10 that includes one or more of the following features: flexible, lightweight, and low profile. The mid crown describes a semi-built, casual-fitting headwear 10 that includes, but is not limited to, a mid-height profile and a softer top. The high crown describes a structured, high-profile headwear 10 that maintains the shape of the headwear 10 and provides for sufficient space (i.e., roomy) behind the bill (i.e., brim 40) of the headwear 10.

[0059] The dimensions of the crown 20 may vary, depending on the style of the headwear 10. For example, the height of the crown 20 may range from about 4.5 inches to about 7.5 inches. The height of the crown 20 may be less than 4.5 inches or may be greater than 7.5 inches. For example, the circumference of the opening 30 may range from about 9 inches or less. The circumference of the opening 30 may exceed 9 inches.

[0060] The dimensions of the opening 30 may vary depending on the style of the headwear 10. For example, the opening 30 may have a length ranging from about 4 inches to about 8.5 inches and a width ranging from about 2.5 inches to about 4.5 inches. The range for both the length and width may be lower or greater than the values provided in the example. Since the opening 30 has a non-circular shape, the length and width of the opening 30 are not equivalent or equal.

[0061] In terms of ratios of length to width, the preferred ratio range is about 1.6 to about 2. This ratio range provides users with the headwear 10 that provides a comfortable fit and hair protection for individuals having hairstyles with significate hair volume without wrinkles, puckering, or gapping of the headwear 10.

[0062] The terms comprising, including, having are inclusive and therefore specific the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term or includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term any of is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including any one of the referenced items. A, an, the, at least one, and one or more are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items in present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions), unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about whether or not about actually appears before the value. A component that is configured for performing or configured to perform a specified function is capable of performing the specified function after further modification. In other words, the described component, when expressly configured to perform the specified function, is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function.

[0063] While various embodiments have been described, the description in intended to be exemplary, rather that limiting, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodiments are not be restricted except in light of the attached claims or their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims. Although several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range or alternative embodiments that an ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize as implied by, structurally and/or functionally equivalent to, or otherwise rendered obvious based upon the included content, and not as limited solely to those explicitly depicted and/or described embodiments.