US20140189933A1

US20140189933A1 - Visor with interchangeable cloth headpiece

Info

Publication number: US20140189933A1
Application number: US14/216,250
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian R. Toronto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-22
Filing date: 2014-03-17
Publication date: 2014-07-10

Abstract

A visor system with an easily removable cloth headpiece is disclosed. A visor is provided with clips or other attachments for receiving a fabric or sheet headpiece that covers at least the head and back of the neck of a wearer. In some embodiments, the headpiece is provided with sides that protect sides of the neck and face of the wearer. In other embodiments, a neck protector is provided that is held in place by the visor strap, and which covers the back and sides of the neck of the wearer. The headpieces may be constructed of fabric, plastic sheet material or even a thick absorbent paper material, and may have advertising or other printed material thereon.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of Applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/301,693, filed Nov. 21, 2011, incorporated herein by reference, which claimed the benefit of Applicant's U.S. provisional application No. 61/416,293, filed Nov. 22, 2011, also incorporated herein by reference. This application further claims the benefit of Applicant's U.S. provisional application No. 61/799,652, filed Mar. 15, 2013, also incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to headwear, and particularly to a visor system wherein a visor is provided with clips or clamps to hold a cloth, fabric or other sheet material in place over the head and neck of a wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Visors are popular among many people engaged in various diverse outdoor activities, such as sports, gardening and farming, construction and so forth. In general, a visor blocks sunlight and glare form the eyes, and further protects the forehead area and area around the eyes from sunburn. During inclement weather, a visor can protect the eyes from rain, snow and the like. However, a visor will not protect the neck, particularly the back of the neck, and top of the head of a wearer, particularly one who is bald or has thinning hair, from sunburn. For those who are typically outdoors, such as construction workers, athletes and others, use of a visor requires application of sunblock on the neck and sides of the face in order to prevent sunburn and dangerous levels of exposure to sunlight that could cause melanoma and other skin ailments.
In other situations, the weather is typically warm where people would wear a visor. Where a visor is configured having an inner absorptive fabric liner where the visor fits the head above the eyes, such a liner may serve as a sweatband to absorb sweat and prevent it from running into the eyes of a wearer. However, this does nothing to absorb sweat from the face and neck of a wearer, which may require the wearer to carry a towel, or use a shirt sleeve or shirt tail in order to wipe sweat from a wearer's face.
Accordingly, there is a need for a visor that includes a fabric or flexible sheet portion that at least covers the back of the neck of a wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of my new visor and sun protection system.

FIG. 2 is a view showing construction details of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of my new visor and sun protection system.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of yet another embodiment of my new visor and sun protection system.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of my new sun protection system as it appears in use.

FIG. 6 is a view showing one possible configuration of a neck protector connectable to a visor of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A visor and sun protection system having a removable and interchangeable headpiece or sheet material is disclosed. It is contemplated that a visor of the instant invention have a removable cloth, fabric or other sheet material headpiece that is removably attached to the visor with at least one connector, snap, clamp, clip or the like, and which covers at least the top of the head, and in some embodiments, the back of the neck of the wearer. In some embodiments, the headpiece may also extend downward over sides of the face. In these embodiments, sides of the headpiece may have openings that allow the sides of the headpiece to slide onto or be fitted to the strap of the visor. Removability of the headpiece from the visor is such that the headpiece is easily removed and replaced. This provides several advantages to Applicant's visor system. One advantage is that the headpiece may be used as a towel to wipe sweat from the wearer's head, face and neck. Another advantage is that reusable headpieces may be removed from the visor and washed without destroying the visor. This allows for a wearer who is a construction worker, athlete or the like to have several headpieces that may be changed as they become soiled. In some embodiments, the headpieces may be constructed of spun bonded absorbent material, or even a thick paper towel material such as the extra-thick, blue paper towels used by mechanics, so as to be disposable, and changed as needed. In this instance, the headpieces could be supplied in bulk packaging. Another advantage is for advertising and promotion purposes where advertising is printed on the back of the headpiece. Here, an advertiser who operates a restaurant or club located at or near a beach may give away inexpensively produced visors or sell them at a reduced price, with a purchase, such as a food or drink purchase, and also give away or otherwise make available headpieces with a variety of different advertisements, logos, novelty themes or the like to customers. In this instance, the headpieces may be inexpensively constructed of thin, flexible plastic sheet material that protects the head and neck from the elements, particularly the sun, and upon which the printed material is placed. Consumers could then collect and change the headpieces as desired.
As noted, the headpiece may be configured of a thin material, such as a plastic sheet material or thin artificial fabric material, such as a spun bonded material from which thin windbreakers and protective clothing are constructed of, simply to block the sun, rain, snow, cold wind and windborne debris, or anything else from protected areas of the wearer. In other embodiments, the headpiece may be of a thicker absorbent material, such as material similar to a terrycloth or Microfiber™ towel, so that the headpiece may be removed and used as a towel or other applications. In some embodiments, a water repellant may be applied to the headpiece fabrics to block rain or spray, and in other embodiments an antibacterial coating or the like may be applied to a fabric material of the headpiece. Of course, both may be used. In yet other embodiments, and as noted, advertising, school logos, insignia and the like may be printed on the headpiece for advertising purposes, to show team loyalty or to identify or distinguish a supervisor or other person in a crowd or group of people.
It is contemplated that, in some embodiments of the invention, an individual would purchase the visor, and use any fabric of any shape of his/her own choosing to use as a headpiece that covers at least the head of the wearer. In this regard, anything from a hand towel to a piece of fabric cut from a T-shirt could be used as a headpiece. As such, Applicant's visor is constructed to use any fabric that can be clamped or clipped to the visor, and of almost any shape. The only requirement is that the fabric or sheet material be sufficiently large so that it may be clamped in Applicant's visor and cover portions of the head and neck that the wearer desires to be covered. As such, it should also be apparent that a headpiece of the invention could be specifically configured to fit the head of an individual in a similar manner as a “do rag”, with depending portions extending downward over at least the back of the neck, and possibly sides of the neck, of a wearer.
Referring to FIG. 1, a visor 10 of the instant invention is shown. Visor 10 is constructed with a bill 12 that conventionally extends over a top of the front of a wearer's face, and which is attached to a brim 14 that is generally perpendicular to bill 12 along a lower edge thereof, and in the embodiment shown, the brim also extending around and beyond bill 12 to approximately the temples of a wearer's head. In other embodiments, the brim may not need to extend as far as the temples of the wearer, but may only extend as far as necessary around the forehead to be over a face of the wearer. A visor strap 16, which may be adjustable by buckles or the like, (only 1 shown, cut away and diagrammatically illustrated) is configured to snugly encircle the back of a wearer's head and hold the visor and headpiece to the wearer's head. In other embodiments, the strap 16 may be more rigid and non-elastic, but conformed to fit a person's head and be adjustable, as by one or more pins on one portion of the strap that fit into a series of holes on the other portion of the strap. In other embodiments, snaps, buckles or any other way of adjusting the strap may be used. In yet other embodiments, the visor strap may be stretchable elastic that stretches only in a lengthwise direction, and in other embodiments, such an elastic strap may stretch in both length and width.
Visor 10 is provided with clips 18, 20 on opposed sides of the exterior of brim 14, and which removably hold the headpiece (shown in dashed lines) 22 in place, as by having a clamping surface or edge 24 that is biased by a spring 26 so that surface or edge 24 of the clip compressably bears against sides of bill 14. As such, the headpiece is held clipped or clamped in place on each side of the temples of the wearer, with a front edge 24 of the headpiece (dashed lines) extending over and around the front of the brim, as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1. Thusly, the headpiece is held in place on both sides of the brim 14, and extends around a front thereof. In some embodiments, a third clip 26 may be integrated in generally a center region of brim 14, and serve to hold the headpiece in place at generally a center of brim 14. From the foregoing, it should be apparent that other forms of clips may be used, such as a “clothespin” type clip having a pivot point generally in the middle thereof, and which opens on one end to receive the headpiece when the other end is compressed together. In other embodiments, a clip may be positioned on the upper side of bill 12. In any case, spring tension of a spring loaded clip of the invention would be selected so as to suitably clamp the headpiece in place, and resist at least light to moderate winds, perhaps up to about 20 MPH or so, such as those found in a beach or other environment. As noted, teeth may be formed between clamping surfaces in order to better hold the headpiece in place. In yet other embodiments, rather than a spring clip, plastic clips, such as L-shaped clips wherein the long portion thereof bears directly against brim 14, may be constructed integral with brim 14, and which simply are pulled back against the bias of the plastic, and the headpiece slipped under the plastic clips. In these embodiments, and as noted, teeth may be provided on the clamping regions of the clips and brim to better hold the sheet material of the headpiece in place. In yet other embodiments, hooks or tabs may be located along brim 14, with the headpiece configured having an elastic region along a front edge thereof that when stretched, is fitted over the hooks or tabs and released, the elastic engaging the hooks to hold the headpiece in place. In yet other embodiments, the headpiece may be configured having eyelets or grommets along a front edge thereof, the eyelets or grommets engaging hooks or tabs along brim 14 or bill 12 to hold the headpiece in place. An elastic region may be employed in the headpiece between the hooks to apply a slight bias between the hooks to assist in holding the headpiece on the hooks.
FIG. 2 shows a closer view of one type of clip that may be used with the instant invention. Here, the clip 30 has an edge 32 biased by a spring 34 to bear against the outside of bill 36, which holds the headpiece (dashed lines and cut away) in place.
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention where knobs 40 (only 1 shown) are provided in brim 14 approximately where a wearer's temples would be on both sides of the visor, i.e. approximately where clips 20, 26 are located in FIG. 1, and which serve as attachment points for a rubber or elastic band, strap, cord or the like 41. Here, a front edge 42 of the headpiece is placed as shown by dashed lines over the front of and across brim 14, and the material of the headpiece bunched around the exterior of each of knobs 40. The rubber band or the like is then placed over knobs 40 and stretched therebetween, holding the front of the headpiece in place. In this embodiment, a thinner fabric may be held in place over the knobs 40 than a thicker band. However, the knobs may be configured somewhat larger than shown in order to hold thicker materials. In some instances, where there is no concern with respect to the headpiece, holes may be cut into the fabric thereof, and the holes of the fabric inserted through knobs 40. The rubber band or cord may then be looped over knobs 40, securely holding the headpiece in place. As should be apparent, a particular headpiece may have eyelets, buttonholes or grommets provided for knobs 40.
In yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the visor may be constructed having a spring biased, semi-circular fabric holder 50 that is configured to closely fit against brim 14 and hold a headpiece (shown in dashed lines and cut away) in place. In use, fabric holder 50 would be retracted against the bias of spring 52, and a front edge of the headpiece placed between the fabric holder and brim 14, and the fabric holder released to hold the headpiece in place. Ridges or teeth may be provided on the inner portion of the fabric holder to assist in gripping the fabric of the headpiece. Likewise, ridges or teeth may be provided on the brim where it is contacted by fabric holder 50.
FIG. 5 shows how one embodiment of a visor and headpiece of the instant invention may appear in use. Here, it is seen that a visor 50 is conventionally worn, with a headpiece 52 clipped by clips 54 (only 1 shown) as described above to the visor. As shown, headpiece 52 covers a head of the wearer, and extends behind the wearer to cover at least the back of the wearer's neck. In other embodiments, the downwardly depending portion of the headpiece may extend around the head and neck to approximately where clip 54 is located, i.e. between the eyes and ears of the wearer, thus protecting sides of the face and neck up to that point without interfering with the wearer's peripheral vision.
It is again emphasized that any fabric of any configuration chosen by the wearer that may be fitted into whichever fabric holding configuration that is disclosed herein may be used with Applicant's visor. Further, for winter use, the elastic band or strap that holds the visor in place, or rigid ends of the visor itself, may also incorporate protectors for ears of the wearer, such as earmuff-like ear protectors, or possibly relatively heavy flaps that shield the side of the face and ears from cold wind, rain, snow and such.
In yet another embodiment, a face shield or shaded sheet of material configured similarly to sunglasses may be configured to slide over bill 12, and have extensions that attach to the visor by clips 20, 26 or knobs 40. Here, the top or upper end of such a sheet material would have a slit for bill 12 to protrude through, and depend downward in front of the face and/or eyes of the wearer. Such an embodiment would be useful in protecting the eyes against bright sunlight, as in snowy or beach environments, and in windy and sandy environments.
In another embodiment of a headpiece of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 6, a neck protector 56 is provided, and which has two earpieces 58 that Mover ears of the wearer in the same manner as spectacle earpieces. Also similar to spectacle earpieces, edges 60 that fit over and contact ears of a wearer are padded or cushioned so as to prevent chafing of the ears. Between earpieces 58 is provided a sun block 60 that blocks sun from the back of the neck, and when worn, typically would extend down to about where the collar of a shirt would be. Lobes or regions 62 on sun block 60 extend slightly around the sides of the neck of a wearer to a position generally behind and below ears of a wearer, affording protection for those portions of the side of the neck covered by lobes 62. In some embodiments, a tab 64 may be provided for slipping between the band of a visor and head of a wearer, for holding neck protector 56 in place. In other embodiments, a connector may be provided for attaching the rear of protector 56 to the band of a visor, such as a hooked or looped portion 66 on tab 64. As should be apparent, other connectors may be used, such as snaps, pins, buttons and the like, all of which serving to attach neck protector 56 to the rear band of a visor, and functioning to hold neck protector 56 in place. In other embodiments, neck protector 56 may be used in conjunction with a baseball hat, and attach to the rear adjustment strap thereof in a similar manner. Significantly, neck protector 56 is fabricated from a relatively stiff plastic sheet material, or in some embodiments a stiff paper material, and contoured so that it closely fits around the back of the neck of a wearer. Where the neck protector is fabricated from a relatively stiff paper or thin cardboard material, a conforming wire 68 may be incorporated in or glued as shown to one surface of the material, and which when bent, holds its shape. Thus, such a neck protector may be manufactured as being flat, and bent as desired to conform to a neck of a wearer. In other embodiments, the sheet material of neck protector 56 may be selected to hold its shape when bent, such as a thermoplastic that may be bent to a desired configuration, such as when heated by a hair drier or heat gun, or manufactured having a predetermined curve that would fit around most people's neck.

Claims

Having thus described my invention and the manner of its use, it should be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that incidental modifications may be made thereto that fairly fall within the scope of the following appended claims, wherein I claim:

1. A sun and weather protection system comprising:

a visor,

a sun-blocking material,

at least one connector for removably holding said sun-blocking material to said visor.

2. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one connector further comprises a first clip on one side of said visor, and a second clip on an opposite side of said visor.

3. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said sun-blocking material is a flexible sheet of material of a sufficient size to cover at least the head of a wearer.

4. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sun-blocking material extends downward along a rear side thereof to cover at least a back of a neck of a wearer.

5. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said flexible sheet of material is configured to extend around at least sides of a face and sides of a neck of a wearer.

6. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible sheet of material is a fabric material.

7. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible sheet of material is a disposable paper material.

8. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible sheet of material is a flexible sheet of material is a flexible sheet plastic material.

9. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sun-blocking material extends around a back of a neck of a wearer, with said connector removably holding said sun-blocking material to a rear strap of said visor.

10. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said sun-blocking material is a relatively rigid material that holds its shape when formed.

11. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 10 further comprising earpieces that rest over ears of a user.

12. A sun and weather protection system as set forth in claim 11 further comprising regions that extend generally to behind and below ears of a wearer.