US7020900B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elastically retained hat and band
Assignee: Universal Hats and Caps Mfg Ltd
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Filing: 2003-04-11
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Granted: 2006-04-04
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Expires: 2023-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A hat includes an elasticized band that extends around the periphery of the hat's crown to retain the hat on the head of a wearer. The elasticity of the band in a longitudinal direction is not uniform across its width. Instead the elasticity is greater in one region proximate one edge of the band than it is in a second region proximate the opposite edge of the band. The band is comfortable for the wearer because it grips the wearer's head less tightly in the second region than in the first region. At the same time, the entire width of the band contributes to retaining the hat on wearer's head. The band can also be used to retain other garments on a wearer.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacky Ngan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:23
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B1/00; A42B1/22; A42C; A42C5/00; A42C5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A hat comprising: an elasticized band, having first and second opposing edges and a longitudinal extent, said elasticized band formed of a material to provide a first resiliency along a direction of said longitudinal extent, in a first region adjacent said first edge, and a second resiliency, differing from said first resiliency, along said longitudinal direction in a second region adjacent said second edge; a crown defining a cavity to accommodate a wearer's head and having an interior surface and a lower peripheral edge; said elasticized band attached proximate said lower peripheral edge, to extend along a periphery of said crown to elastically retain said hat when worn on a wearer's head and to grasp said wearer's head more tightly at said first region than at said second region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A hat comprising: an elasticized band, having first and second opposing edges and a longitudinal extent, said elasticized band formed of a material to provide a first resiliency along a direction of said longitudinal extent, in a first region adjacent said first edge, and a second resiliency, differing from said first resiliency, along said longitudinal direction in a second region adjacent said second edge; a crown defining a cavity to accommodate a wearer's head and having an interior surface and a lower peripheral edge; said elasticized band attached proximate said lower peripheral edge, to extend along a periphery of said crown to elastically retain said hat when worn on a wearer's head and to grasp said wearer's head more tightly at said first region than at said second region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hat of claim 1 , wherein said crown is made of a resilient fabric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The hat of claim 1 , wherein said first edge of said band is sewn to said lower peripheral edge and said elasticized band extends into said cavity, and said first resiliency is greater than said second resiliency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hat of claim 3 , wherein said band further comprises cotton material extending between said first and second opposing edges, for absorbing perspiration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hat of claim 4 , wherein said cotton material comprises cotton fibers and resilient fibers to provide resiliency at said band in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal extent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hat of claim 3 , wherein said band comprises approximately 42% polyester, 27% cotton, 19% elastic, and 12% nylon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hat of claim 1 , wherein said elasticized band contains a non-uniform distribution of an elastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hat of claim 7 , wherein said elasticized band contains rubber spandex strands.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The hat of claim 8 , wherein said first and second regions contain an equal number of said rubber spandex strands, and wherein said rubber spandex strands in said first region have a diameter greater than a diameter of said rubber spandex strands in said second region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hat of claim 9 , wherein, said diameter of said strands in said first region is approximately 0.47 millimeters, and said diameter of said strands in said second region is approximately 0.32 millimeters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The hat of claim 7 , wherein said first and second regions each occupy approximately one half the area of said band, and said second region comprises approximately 34% of said elastic material and said first region comprises approximately 66% of said elastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hat of claim 1 , further comprising: a fabric patch, having a thickness less than a thickness of said band, and connecting distal ends of said band.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hat of claim 12 , wherein said crown is formed of a plurality of gores, interconnected at seams, and wherein said fabric patch overlaps one of said seams to reduce a bulk of material at said one of said seams.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hat of claim 13 , wherein each of said gores is made of a resilient fabric.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hat of claim 8 , wherein said first region contains a higher number of said rubber spandex strands than said second band region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hat of claim 8 wherein, said first and second regions contain an elastic material, and said first region contains more of said elastic material than said second region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The hat of claim 12 , wherein said patch: has a width approximately equal to chat of said elasticized band, and a length of approximately 2.5 centimeters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
An elasticized band for retaining garments on a wearer, comprising: a first lengthwise extending band portion having a first elasticity in a lengthwise direction, and extending from a first edge of said band; a second lengthwise extending band portion, extending directly from said first band portion along its length to a second edge of said band, and having a second elasticity in a lengthwise direction; said first elasticity being of tighter contraction than said second elasticity; wherein said first and second band portions are of approximately equal widths.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
An elasticized band for retaining garments on a wearer, comprising: a first lengthwise extending band portion having a first elasticity in a lengthwise direction, and extending from a first edge of said band; a second lengthwise extending band portion, extending directly from said first band portion along its length to a second edge of said band, and having a second elasticity in a lengthwise direction; said first elasticity being of tighter contraction than said second elasticity; wherein said first and second band portions are of approximately equal widths.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
104 words
An elasticized band for retaining garments on a wearer, containing elasticized material, said band comprising: first lengthwise extending band portion having a first elasticity in a lengthwise direction, and extending from a first edge of said band; a second lengthwise extending band portion, extending directly from said first band portion along its length to a second edge of said band, and having a second elasticity in a lengthwise direction; said first elasticity being of tighter contraction than said second elasticity; wherein said first band portion comprises approximately 66% of said elastic material; and said second band portion comprises approximately 34% of said elastic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
An elasticized band for retaining garments on a wearer, containing elasticized material, said band comprising: first lengthwise extending band portion having a first elasticity in a lengthwise direction, and extending from a first edge of said band; a second lengthwise extending band portion, extending directly from said first band portion along its length to a second edge of said band, and having a second elasticity in a lengthwise direction; said first elasticity being of tighter contraction than said second elasticity; wherein said first band portion comprises approximately 66% of said elastic material; and said second band portion comprises approximately 34% of said elastic material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
112 words
A hat comprising: an elasticized band, having first and second opposing edges, a longitudinal extent and first and second distal ends, a crown defining a cavity to accommodate a wearer's head and having an interior surface and a lower peripheral edge, said elasticized band attached proximate said lower peripheral edge, to extend along a periphery of said crown to elastically retain said hat when worn on a wearer's head, a fabric patch, having thickness less than a thickness of said elasticized band, and connecting said first and second distal ends of said band, said fabric patch having a length of no more than 25% of said longitudinal extent of said elasticized band.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
112 words
A hat comprising: an elasticized band, having first and second opposing edges, a longitudinal extent and first and second distal ends, a crown defining a cavity to accommodate a wearer's head and having an interior surface and a lower peripheral edge, said elasticized band attached proximate said lower peripheral edge, to extend along a periphery of said crown to elastically retain said hat when worn on a wearer's head, a fabric patch, having thickness less than a thickness of said elasticized band, and connecting said first and second distal ends of said band, said fabric patch having a length of no more than 25% of said longitudinal extent of said elasticized band.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A hat according to claim 21 , wherein said crown is formed of a plurality of gores, interconnected at seams, and wherein said fabric patch overlaps one of said seams to reduce a bulk of material at said one of said seams.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-04-03 | 2009-10-03 | 2010-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-04-03 | 2013-10-03 | 2014-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-04-03 | 2017-10-03 | 2018-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |