Apparel – Head coverings – With sweats or other supplementary head engaging member
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-11
2001-07-17
Blefeld, Diana (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Head coverings
With sweats or other supplementary head engaging member
C002S171000, C002S181600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260206
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention pertains to a modular system of head coverings. More particularly, the invention pertains to a light-weight, easy to pack grouping of components that work together in combinations to provide protection to a person's head, neck, and throat from the damaging effects of exposure to sun, wind, dust, heat, cold, insects, and precipitation.
BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The prior art shows many head coverings. Most are designed for a single kind of use. Consequently, a person who wears hats needs many of them in order to be prepared for all eventualities. This is particularly true for people who work or recreate in the out-of-doors.
A modular or combination all-in-one head covering system was not discovered in the prior art. Also, in the field of outdoor recreation, the manufacturers have not produced an all-inclusive system. The use of a plurality of hats, each for a different condition, is ineffective and impractical for weight-conscious backpackers and travelers. In addition, people are becoming more environmentally conscious and concerned about the health impacts of sun exposure, insect bites, and heat and cold related illness.
The prior art discloses numerous head coverings that provide shade. However, not one has succeeded in providing sun protection to all areas of the head, neck, throat, and face regardless of the angle of the sun. Given the deleterious effects of sun exposure, a head covering is needed that conveniently offers a variety of options in response to differing qualities and angles of sunshine.
People who work or recreate outdoors encounter a variety of ever-changing environmental circumstances. These people need a comprehensive easy-to-use system for protection of the head, neck, and throat. Such a system has not yet been developed. The present invention seeks to address these and other deficiencies.
The most common sort of head covering is the baseball cap. These hats shade the eyes and offer limited protection for the rest of the face depending on the angle of the sun. Baseball caps have a fixed crown depth even if the cap's head-encircling member is adjustable. Some baseball caps have crown coverings which are separable or convertible. However, the beneficial effects of this versatility are limited to the top of the wearer's head.
Head coverings of the scarf or veil type with an attached visor provide some shade and insulation to the head and back of the neck. However, to secure them, the wearer must tie them to his or her head using strings attached on or near the visor or the corners of the scarf itself. This pulls back and flattens the visor and scarf leaving the sides of the face and neck exposed. A sun and wind protective scarf or veil detachable from an independently functional head-encircling member and visor was not found in a search of the prior art. A scarf-like head cover combined with a double flapped component was also not found in the prior art.
Caps with flaps, detachable or permanently attached, are known in the prior art. However, prior art shows no examples of side flaps which can be moved forward or backward to create more or less shade on the face and to offer protection to the nose and mouth. Also, all side flaps found in the prior art were either of one-piece construction or too small to create adequate shade except directly on the ears.
Also not found in the prior art are side flaps or scarf-like head coverings designed to function co-operatively with other components and modules in a comprehensive head covering system.
In the prior art of head garments for protection from biting insects, we find hooded garments, head nets, or hats with devices to keep the fabric up or off the skin. The hooded garments necessitate wearing the entire garment to protect the head if the hood is not detachable. Those that classify as head nets do not provide for easy access to the wearer's face unless one removes the entire head covering. Also, prior art does not disclose an insect-excluding head covering designed to provide the wearer with some control over ventilation or heat retention. Prior art also does not disclose an insect-excluding garment for the head and upper torso that is effective when worn with a backpack-like carrying device.
Further, the prior art does not disclose an insect-excluding head covering that is designed to function co-operatively with other modules in a comprehensive head covering system.
The prior art is replete with garments to protect the head from precipitation. Most common are hoods. Hoods drain water onto the shoulders of the user's coat. Eventually, water can saturate the fabric creating leaks, especially if any seams are exposed. Hoods are usually attached to coats which limits their mobility. This is because a hood stays in one position even if the head is rotated. Turning one's face to the side while wearing a hood can cause the sides of the face and the hair to get wet, a condition that is not only uncomfortable, but may contribute to hypothermia.
In the art of rain hats, most common is the wide-brimmed waterproof version of a cowboy-style hat. If the brim is not wide enough, these hats tend to drain water right down the back of the wearer's neck. If the brim is wide enough, it presents a different set of problems. Wide-brimmed hats must be removed to comfortably sit where space is limited behind the head, such as in a car or truck seat or when a backpack is worn.
Other attempts at waterproof head coverings include the umbrella-like modification of a hat or cape. These require additional parts or contraptions that make them cumbersome or impractical for the traveler or adventurer. Also, hooded cape-like rain gear is not practical for a person wearing a backpack.
Technological advances in the textile industry have produced many waterproof fabrics. Unfortunately, wherever a needle penetrates the fabric the waterproof properties are compromised and, if the seams will be exposed to direct precipitation they require sealing. The sealing process can be done by hand, which is inexpensive but time consuming, or by a seam sealing mechanism. Even sealed seams can eventually be compromised. A search of the prior art revealed no rain protective garments constructed so that no seams are presented to direct precipitation.
Finally, the prior art does not disclose a waterproof garment designed to function with other modules in a comprehensive head covering system.
Note to the Reader
This invention comprises three modules, one of which comprises four components. We have chosen, for the sake of clarity, to refer to these parts in the following way:
a) the word “module” refers to one of the three basic units that comprise the Modular Head Covering System: the temperature regulation module, the insect cover module, and the rain cover module, and
b) the word “component” refers to one of the four basic units that comprise the temperature regulation module: the visor, the headband, the headcover, and the side flaps.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
The main object of the invention is to provide a head covering system made up of lightweight, easy to pack and carry, and functionally compatible head covering modules and components.
Another object of the invention is to present modules and components that are variously and easily combined.
Another object of the Modular Head Covering System is to provide comfort and protection to the wearer in a wide range of weather and environmental conditions including heat, cold, wind, rain, dust, snow, direct sun from any angle, and insect infestation. The Modular Head Covering System is designed to meet the special conditions encountered while hiking, camping, mountaineering, climbing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, traveling, gardening, or survival activities.
Another object of the invention is to provide the wearer with a reduced risk from environmental hazards such as hypothermia, hyperthermia, sunburn, dust inhalation, insect poisoning and bite discomfort, and excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure which can contrib
Grace Lisa
MacDonald Alexandra
Blefeld Diana
Moran Katherine
LandOfFree
Temperature regulating modular hat does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Temperature regulating modular hat, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Temperature regulating modular hat will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2550423