US20250302135A1

US20250302135A1 - Comprehensive sun protective head covering

Info

Publication number: US20250302135A1
Application number: US19/072,892
Authority: US
Inventors: Timo Kemilä
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-03-29
Filing date: 2025-03-06
Publication date: 2025-10-02
Also published as: AU2025201542A1

Abstract

A head covering including a cranial covering portion having a circumferential perimeter configured to encircle the head of a wearer and a flexible brim extending from the perimeter of the cranial covering portion. The brim extends incompletely around the perimeter of the cranial covering portion and having a depth no greater than 15 cm. The head covering also includes a bill extending from the perimeter of the cranial covering portion. The bill is configured to shade a face of the wearer. The bill is constructed from a rigid, bend-resistant material. The bill has a lower surface that is concave in a vertical plane.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to improvements in head coverings and sun protection wear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many conventional examples of hats and caps. Some hats have a side and rear brim portion. However, often these are made with either a uniform material rigidity, or where there are materials of different rigidity, such hats are in multiple separate parts. Hats with a uniform material (and rigidity) do not accommodate the needs of the user as well since some areas need greater rigidity than others to permit easier visibility. At the same time, arrangements that are constructed in multiple pieces are prone to greater structural weakness in adverse weather conditions, such as windy conditions. Extended use of such two or more piece arrangements also do not lend themselves to being washable, so that if the hat becomes dirty, it must be discarded if one wishes to keep their apparel in a clean manner. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an improved article of headwear less prone to problems such one or more of those mentioned above.
It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure in one preferred aspect provides for a head covering including a cranial covering portion having a circumferential perimeter configured to encircle the head of a wearer, and a flexible brim extending from the perimeter of the cranial covering portion, the brim extending incompletely around the perimeter of the cranial covering portion and having a depth no greater than 15 cm. The head covering further includes a bill extending from the perimeter of the cranial covering portion, the bill being configured to shade a face of the wearer, the bill being constructed from a rigid, bend-resistant material, the bill having a lower surface that is concave in a vertical plane.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. In the present specification and claims, the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers, but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. It will be appreciated that reference herein to “preferred” or “preferably” is intended as exemplary only.
The claims as filed and attached with this specification are hereby incorporated by reference into the text of the present description. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a head covering with a weather-resistant, sun-protective brim in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the head covering of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of an article of headwear 100 having a cranial covering portion 102, a flexible brim 104, and a visor or bill 106 extending from the perimeter of the cranial covering portion. The preferred elements of headwear 100 and their interrelationship are described below.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , headwear 100 includes cranial covering portion 102. Cranial covering portion 102 includes a plurality of generally triangular-shaped panels 108 that come together at the apexes to form the top of the headwear. The apexes are fastened together with a fastener 110 in a way that would be readily appreciated by those in the art.
As shown in FIG. 2 , brim 104 circumferentially encircles the central longitudinal axis CLA of the headwear. Preferably, brim 104 incompletely extends around the CLA, and is interrupted by bill 106 as further explained below. Preferably, brim 104 extends more than 75% around the CLA. Brim 104 includes an inner perimeter 112, an outer perimeter 114, and a depth between inner perimeter 112 and outer perimeter 114. FIG. 2 shows brim 104 having a substantially uniform depth around most of the circumference of brim 104. Preferably, inner perimeter 112 is fastened to the bottom segment of each panel 108, for example, by stitching where the material of headwear is configured for stitching. When assembled, brim 104 preferably has a depth no greater than 15 cm around the CLA. If desired, brim 104 may include a plurality of circumferential pleats 116 as shown in FIG. 1 .
With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , visor or bill 106 extends from the perimeter of cranial covering portion 102 at a forward position, configured above the face and forehead of the wearer when worn. Bill 106 is configured to be of a depth sufficient to adequately shade the face of the wearer in sunny conditions. Bill 106 includes an inner partial circumferential perimeter 118, an outer partial circumferential perimeter 120, and opposed sides 122. Bill also includes a lower surface 124.
To help maintain the extending nature of bill 106, the bill is preferably made from a more rigid material relative to the rest of headwear 100, or at least stiffer relative to brim 104. Bill 106 may be made more rigid compared to brim 104 by the inclusion of an insert (not shown). The insert may be fabricated from a cardboard material, plastic, and/or carbon fibre material. The insert is preferably configure so that bill 106 substantially maintains a concavity 126 as viewed in a vertical plane as shown in FIG. 2 . Concavity 126 helps maintain a clear line of sight for the wearer.
Preferably, headwear 100 is made from a material that is sun-resistant, for example, having a sun protection rating of UPF 50+.
Preferred dimensions of various elements of headwear 100 are set forth below, although it will be appreciated that the dimensions may be varied as suitable for the intended application. As shown in FIG. 1 , brim 104 and bill 106 preferably have substantially the same depth. The depth is preferably no greater than 15 cm, but can range between 4 cm to 15 cm. In one embodiment, the depth is no greater than 10 cm. The ranges described above may include a subset of ranges therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that these dimensions are representative only and may be varied as appropriate. The brim may have a variable depth around its circumference. For example, the brim may have a depth that is less than the depth of the bill, yet still of sufficient depth to adequately protect the wearer from significant sun exposure. The depth of the brim may be more narrow on the sides of the head covering to create a variable-depth brim circumferentially extending around the central longitudinal axis of the head covering.
Having described the preferred components of headwear 100, a preferred method of assembly will now be described with reference to FIG. 2 . Preferably, a piece of material, preferably fabric, is cut in a pattern so that an upper surface of what will eventually form bill 106, along with brim 104, and panels 108 may be arranged to permit panes 108 to vertically extend and be sewn together. A separate piece of fabric is attached to the upper surface of the bill by stitching together the lower and upper surfaces of the bill. Before stitching the inner perimeters of the upper and lower surfaces of bill together, an insert is inserted between the upper and lower surfaces. The insert may be made from a material such as cardboard, plastic, and/or carbon fibre, but is preferably of a stiffness to impart rigidity greater than brim 104.
An end of brim 104 is attached to one of sides 122 of bill 106 to create a circular opening to accommodate an average circumference of an upper portion of a human head. Panels 108 are then moved vertically upwards, with the apex of each panel being brought together and fastened with fastener 110.
It will be appreciated that the steps described above may be performed in a different order, varied, or some steps omitted entirely without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, where headwear 100 is meant to be constructed from a different material, such as nylon, stitching together panels may not be relevant if cranial covering portion is formed from a nylon fabric. This is also true if the cranial covering portion is made from a mesh material.
The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example only, the cranial covering portion may be made in with a singular covering rather than multiple panels (e.g., if fabricated with nylon).
The headwear may take the form of a hat, a cap, or any other similar article of head covering independently appliable to a person separate from other clothing.
The brim may include a plurality of integral stiffeners extending radially outward from the central longitudinal axis of the head covering. Stiffeners could alternatively be included that extend circumferentially around the central longitudinal axis of the headwear, such as pleats 116 shown in FIG. 1 . The stiffeners would assist in maintaining the brim extending outward, and not droop down towards the user's shoulders.
As mentioned above, the bill may include an insert made of cardboard, plastic or carbon fibre to provide a level of stiffness. In an embodiment not including an insert, the bill may be configured with a greater thickness compared to the brim. The bill may be made with a transparent material that can be shaded to afford a level of sun protection while allowing greater vertical visibility. The bill may be made of a rigid mesh of a stiffer material. The mesh would permit some air flow to help keep the wearer ventilated and cooler in warmer climates.
The headwear may be configured for different use environments, such as a sporting environment. For example only, the headwear may include a magnetic insert configured to retain a golf ball mark for use in a golfing environment.
The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure in a preferred form provides the advantages of greater durability and structural integrity for adverse environmental conditions, variable areas of rigidity to enhance sightlines, while being suitable for being cleaned (where desirable).
Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of forms of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A head covering, comprising:

a cranial covering portion having a circumferential perimeter configured to encircle the head of a wearer;

a flexible brim extending from the perimeter of said cranial covering portion, said brim extending incompletely around the perimeter of said cranial covering portion and having a depth no greater than 15 cm; and

a bill extending from the perimeter of said cranial covering portion, said bill being configured to shade a face of the wearer, said bill being constructed from a rigid, bend-resistant material, said bill having a lower surface that is concave in a vertical plane.

2. The head covering of claim 1, wherein said bill includes an insert constructed from cardboard.

3. The head covering of claim 1, wherein at least the cranial covering portion is constructed from a UPF 50+ sun resistant material.

4. The head covering of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic insert configured to retain a golf ball mark.

5. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the depth of said brim is equal to a depth of said bill around the entirety of said brim.

6. The head covering of claim 1, wherein said bill has a depth greater than the depth of said brim.

7. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the depth of said brim is no greater than 10 cm.