Moisture-Wicking Cover for Adjustable Hats

Abstract

A moisture-wicking cover that encircles the adjusting strap of an adjustable hat to wick moisture, such as sweat, away from the wearer of the hat. The cover is an elongate sleeve having an exterior surface formed from a moisture-wicking material. The adjusting strap is positioned in an inner lumen of the sleeve. A stitched ribbon formed in the sewing process is positioned in the inner lumen and acts as a lock to prevent the cover from rotating relative to the hat during use.

Claims

1. A moisture-wicking cover for an adjusting strap of an adjustable hat, the cover comprising: an elongate sleeve having an exterior surface and an inner surface such that the inner surface surrounds and defines an inner lumen configured for receiving at least a portion of the adjusting strap therein, wherein the sleeve comprises at least one stitched ribbon formed in a sewing process such that the at least one stitched ribbon is positioned in the inner lumen and a seam appears on the exterior surface, and wherein the stitched ribbon prevents the cover from rotating relative to the adjusting strap, and wherein at least a portion of the cover is formed from a moisture wicking material.

2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one stitched ribbon comprises a plurality of stitched ribbons.

3. The cover of claim 2, wherein each stitched ribbon of the plurality of stitched ribbons is formed from at least one row of stitching.

4. The cover of claim 3, wherein the at least one row of stitching comprises a plurality of rows of stitching.

5. The cover of claim 4, wherein each stitched ribbon of the plurality of stitched ribbons acts as a stop to prevent the cover from rotating relative to the adjusting strap.

6. The cover of claim 5, wherein the plurality of rows of stitching comprises a first row of stitching and a second row of stitching, and wherein the second row of stitching increases the strength of the stop.

7. The cover of claim 6, wherein the second row of stitching increases the strength of the stop relative to a stitched ribbon comprising only a single row of stitching.

8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the cover is formed from a single material such that moisture-wicking properties of the exterior surface are consistent along a perimeter of the cover.

9. The cover of claim 8, wherein the cover is formed from a plurality of materials such that moisture-wicking properties of the exterior surface are not consistent along a perimeter of the cover.

10. A method of adding moisture-wicking properties to an adjustable hat having an adjusting strap, the method comprising: providing a cover comprising: an elongate sleeve having an exterior surface and an inner surface such that the inner surface surrounds and defines an inner lumen configured for receiving at least a portion of the adjusting strap therein, wherein the sleeve comprises at least one stitched ribbon formed in a sewing process such that the at least one stitched ribbon is positioned in the inner lumen and a seam appears on the exterior surface, and wherein the stitched ribbon prevents the cover from rotating relative to the adjusting strap, and wherein at least a portion of the cover is formed from a moisture-wicking material; and positioning the adjusting strap in the inner lumen of the cover.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one stitched ribbon comprises a plurality of stitched ribbons.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein each stitched ribbon of the plurality of stitched ribbons is formed from at least one row of stitching.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one row of stitching comprises a plurality of rows of stitching.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein each stitched ribbon of the plurality of stitched ribbons acts as a stop to prevent the cover from rotating relative to the adjusting strap.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of rows of stitching comprises a first row of stitching and a second row of stitching, and wherein the second row of stitching increases the strength of the stop.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second row of stitching increases the strength of the stop relative to a stitched ribbon comprising only a single row of stitching.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cover is formed from a single material such that moisture-wicking properties of the exterior surface are consistent along a perimeter of the cover.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cover is formed from a plurality of materials such that moisture-wicking properties of the exterior surface are not consistent along a perimeter of the cover.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a first material of the plurality of materials has a high wicking ability.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a second material of the plurality of materials is a material that can be printed onto.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of a moisture-wicking cover for adjustable hats, according to one aspect;

[0012] FIG. 2a is a side view of the moisture-wicking cover of FIG. 1, in which the cover has one seam;

[0013] FIG. 2b is a side view of the moisture-wicking cover of FIG. 1, in which the cover has two seams;

[0014] FIG. 2c is a side view of the moisture-wicking cover of FIG. 1, in which the cover has two seams and each seam is formed from two rows of stitching;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a view of the moisture-wicking cover of FIG. 1, in which the cover is turned inside-out;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the moisture-wicking cover of FIG. 1, in which an exterior surface of the cover is formed from a plurality of materials;

[0017] FIGS. 5a-e are side elevational views of the moisture-wicking cover of FIG. 1, in which an exterior surface of the cover is formed from a plurality of materials; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the moisture-wicking cover of FIG. 1 positioned on an adjustable hat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, and claims, and their previous and following description. Before the present system, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0020] The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known aspect. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the aspects described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an element includes aspects having two or more such elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0022] Ranges can be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0023] As used herein, the terms optional or optionally mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0024] The moisture-wicking cover for adjustable hats is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, according to various aspects. In one aspect, the cover 10 can be an elongate sleeve 12 having an exterior surface 14. The cover 10 can comprise an exterior surface 14 and an inner surface 15 such that the inner surface 15 surrounds and defines an inner lumen 16 configured for receiving an adjusting strap 18 of a hat 20 therein, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The cover 10 can have a first end 22, a second end 24, and a central portion 26 extending between the first and second ends 22, 24.

[0025] In one aspect, the sleeve 12 can be sewn inside-out and then reversed so that the sleeve 12 appears to be substantially stitch-less when viewed from the outside. As can be seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the sleeve 12 can comprise at least one stitched ribbon 28 formed in the sewing process such that the at least one stitched ribbon 28 is positioned in the inner lumen 16 of the cover 10 and the seam 29 appears on the exterior surface 14. In use, the stitched ribbon 28 can act as a stop or wing to prevent the cover 10 from rotating relative to the hat 20. As can be appreciated, the cover 10 can be produced in a variety of sizes and colors to match the hat 20 and can be branded with a specific logo or artwork.

[0026] In one aspect, the at least one stitched ribbon 28 can comprise a plurality of stitched ribbons 28. For example and as shown in FIG. 2B, the at least one stitched ribbon 28 can comprise two stitched ribbons 28a, 28b. It is contemplated that the at least one stitched ribbon 28 can comprise, three, four, five or more than five stitched ribbons. In another aspect, the stitched ribbon 28 can be formed from at least one row 31 of stitching. For example, the at least one row 31 of stitching can comprise a single row 31 of stitching. Alternatively, the at least one stitched ribbon 28 can be formed from more than one row 31 of stitching. For example and as shown in FIGS. 2c and 3, the at least one row of stitching 31 can be formed from two rows 31a, 31b of stitching. It is contemplated that the stitched ribbon 28 can be formed from three, four, five or more than five rows 31 of stitching.

[0027] As seen in FIG. 2c, with two rows of stitching 31a, 31b, each stitched ribbon 28a, 28b can protrude into the inner lumen 16 of the cover 10. The second row of stitching 31b can increase the strength or sturdiness of the stop or wing relative to a stitched ribbon 28 comprising a single row of stitching 31. This sturdy stitched ribbon 28a, 28b can more readily prevent rotation of the cover 10 relative to the hat 20 than a stitched ribbon 28 comprising a single row of stitching 31.

[0028] In one aspect, the cover 10 can be formed from a single material so that the properties of the exterior surface 14 are consistent along the perimeter of the cover 10. In a further aspect, the cover 10 can be formed from a plurality of materials so that the properties of the exterior surface 14 are not consistent along the perimeter of the cover 10.

[0029] For example, the material of the cover 10 can have a wicking ability. That is, the material can be a moisture-wicking fabric such as polyester, wool, nylon, bamboo, spandex and the like. In one aspect, the material of the cover 10 can be formed from a blend of moisture-wicking fabrics, such as a blend of polyester, wool, nylon, bamboo, and/or spandex. Optionally, the material of the cover 10 can be formed from a material that is easy to print text or images onto. For example, the material of the cover 10 can be a material having a relatively smooth surface for printing on, such as synthetic leather, cotton and the like.

[0030] Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 4, the cover 10 can be formed from a first material 30 coupled to a second material 32. In this aspect, the first material 30 can form a first portion of the exterior surface 14 of the cover 10, and the second material 32 can form a second portion of the exterior surface 14. In another aspect, the first 30 material can have high moisture-wicking properties, and the second material 32 can be readily-printable onto.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the first material 30 can extend for about 180 degrees of the perimeter of the exterior cover 14, and the second material can extend for about 180 degrees of the perimeter of the exterior cover 14. That is, the first material 30 and the second material 32 can each form about one half of the cover 10.

[0032] Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first material 30 can extend for about 360 degrees of the perimeter of the exterior cover 14 (as illustrated in FIG. 5a), for about 350 degrees, about 340 degrees, about 330 degrees, about 320 degrees, about 310 degrees, about 300 degrees, about 290 degrees, about 280 degrees, about 270 degrees (as illustrated in FIG. 5b), about 260 degrees, about 250 degrees, about 240 degrees, about 230 degrees, about 220 degrees, about 210 degrees, about 200 degrees, about 190 degrees, about 180 degrees (as illustrated in FIG. 5c), about 170 degrees, about 160 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 90 degrees (as illustrated in FIG. 5d), about 80 degrees, about 70 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 10 degrees, and about 0 degrees (as illustrated in FIG. 5e).

[0033] Optionally, it is contemplated that the cover 10 can be formed from three, four or more than four materials positioned around portions of the exterior surface 14. At least one of the materials can have high moisture-wicking properties and/or at least one of the materials can be readily-printable onto.

[0034] In another aspect, the exterior surface 14 and the interior surface 15 of the cover 10 can be formed from a first material, and a second material can be positioned between the exterior surface 14 and the interior surface 15. For example, the exterior surface 14 and the interior surface 15 of the cover 10 can be formed from a blend of moisture-wicking fabrics, such as a blend of polyester, wool, nylon, bamboo, and/or spandex, and a foam core can be positioned between the exterior surface 14 and the interior surface 15

[0035] The cover 10 can have a length such that the entire adjusting strap 18 of the hat 20 is positionable in the inner lumen 16 of the cover 10. Alternatively, the cover 10 can have a length such that a portion of the adjusting strap 18 of the hat 20 is positionable in the inner lumen 16 of the cover 10.

[0036] In use, the cover 10 can make hats 20 both more comfortable to wear for the user and more equipped for athletic activities. The cover 10 can give the hat 20 sweat-wicking properties, as well as providing cushion to the user, and can be washed without destroying the hat 20. The exterior surface 14 of the cover 10 can be branded with various custom and/or stock artwork for fashion and marketability. Further, the cover 10 can give a less-expensive hat, like a snapback-cap, the look and feel of a higher end fitted hat 20.

[0037] Although several aspects of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific aspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention.