US20170295878A1

US20170295878A1 - Head covering with removable hair piece

Info

Publication number: US20170295878A1
Application number: US15/374,424
Authority: US
Inventors: Reberta L. Cobb; Shardae M. Porter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-18
Filing date: 2016-12-09
Publication date: 2017-10-19

Abstract

The present invention provides a combined head covering and removable hair piece apparatus. The apparatus includes a head covering having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and first means for fastening, the first means for fastening being secured to the interior surface of the head covering. The apparatus further includes a hair piece removably attachable to the head covering. The hair piece includes second means for fastening and a plurality of hair strands having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each one of the plurality of hair strands being secured to the second means for fastening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a completion application which claims the priority benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/323,924, filed Apr. 18, 2016, for “Head Covering with Removable Hair Piece,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including the drawing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to head coverings. More particularly, the present invention pertains to head coverings having means for removably attaching a hair piece. Even more particularly, the present invention pertains to a combined head covering and a removable hair piece.

2. Description of Related Art

Many people, both men and women, seek to alter their hair style for any number of reasons. One reason in particular is to conceal hair loss as a side effect of chemotherapy, vitamin deficiencies, surgery, and/or age. While it may not be an issue to some of these people, many choose to conceal their hair loss as they feel it can be unsightly and embarrassing. The most common solution to hair loss is the use of a removable hair piece such as a toupee, for those with only minimal baldness, or a larger hair piece such as a full wig or plurality of hair extensions if the hair loss is more substantial.
For those people that choose to wear a hair piece, it can be a difficult task to maintain the hairstyle throughout the day as it gets shifted out of place or falls off entirely by the wind or normal, everyday activities. One potential solution to this problem is to wear a head covering, such as a hat, over the hair piece in order to secure its position on the wearer's head. In doing so, a wearer puts on and styles the hair piece and, thereafter, places the head covering atop to prevent any unwanted movement during the course of the day.
The issue one finds in wearing a head covering and hair piece is that the hair piece can be shifted out of place as the wearer occasionally adjusts the head covering. Furthermore, it becomes a cumbersome two-step process if the wearer decides to temporarily remove the hair piece. In order to do so, the wearer must remove both components separately. Then to reapply each, the wearer must spend time restyling the hair piece to the original style and carefully place the head covering on top ensuring not to ruin the hair piece.
A solution to this problem is a head covering wherein a hair piece is removably attached to the head covering such that the hair piece does not move independently.
It is to this to which the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a combined head covering and removable hair piece assembly. The assembly, generally, comprises: (a) a head covering including: (i) an interior surface; (ii) an exterior surface; and (ii) first means for fastening a hair piece thereto, the first means for fastening being secured to the interior surface of the head covering; (b) a hair piece including: (i) second means for fastening the hair piece to the first means for fastening; and (ii) a plurality of hair strands having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each one of the plurality of hair strands being secured to the second means for fastening, and wherein the hair piece is removably attachable to the head covering.
The head covering may comprise either a hat, helmet, religious head covering, or the like. The head covering will be referred to specifically as a “hat” throughout, but it is understood that the present invention can apply to a variety of other head coverings. Furthermore, while the hair piece may comprise either a full wig, individual hair extensions, braids, beads, or the like, all reference throughout the present application and appended claims will be made to a “hair piece,” generally.
Preferably, the first means for fastening and second means for fastening each comprise at least one hook and loop fastener, at least one snap, or any combination thereof.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing and detailed description. In the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts through the several views, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the first embodiment used in the practice of the present invention herein;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the head covering thereof without the hair piece;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the hair piece thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the hair piece thereof;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the present invention showing a head covering without a hair piece;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the hair piece used in the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a third embodiment of the present invention showing a head covering without a hair piece; and

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the hair piece used in the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, and in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention and with reference to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawing, the present invention, generally, denoted at 10, comprises: (a) a head covering 11; and (b) a removable hair piece 30.
The head covering 11, such as a hat 11′ and referred to as such throughout, comprises: (a) a hemispherical crown 12 having an open interior 14; and (b) first means for fastening 22 disposed within the open interior 14 of the crown 12.
As stated above, the hat 11′ includes the crown 12 having an interior surface 16 and an exterior surface 18, the interior surface 16 defining the open interior 14. The interior surface 16 faces inwardly towards the open interior 14 while the exterior surface 18 faces outwardly. The interior surface 16 and the exterior surface 18 radiate downwardly where they terminate at a lower perimetral edge 20. The perimetral edge 20 encircles the crown 12 defining a circular opening 21 situated to fit over the head of the wearer. The crown 12 also includes a front portion 15 a, a rear portion 15 b, and two opposing sides 15 c interconnecting the front portion 15 a and the rear portion 15 b.
In this first embodiment, FIG. 3 shows the first means for fastening 22 horizontally disposed along the opposing sides 15 c and the perimetral edge 20 of the crown 12. The first means for fastening 22 is secured to the interior surface 16 of the hat 11′ either by being glued, sewn, ultrasonic welded, or other suitable means. The first means for fastening 22 comprises any suitable means, such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, an adhesive, or the like, for attaching the hair piece 30 to the crown 12, as described below. Preferably, the first means for fastening 22 comprises hook and loop fasteners such as those sold commercially under the mark Velcro™.
While the first means for fastening 22 in FIG. 3 appears on the sides 15 c of the crown 12 proximate the perimetral edge 20, it may be desirable that the first means for fastening 22 be positioned at various other locations on the interior surface 16 of the crown 12. For example, the first means for fastening 22 may be positioned at a distal location from the perimetral edge 20 as opposed to being located proximate the perimetral edge 20. Modifying the location of the first means for fastening 22 must be done during the manufacturing process as the first means for fastening 22 is not ordinarily able to be repositioned once installed. Additionally, as the first means for fastening 22 appears as a pair of individual strips in FIG. 3, it may be desirable that the first means for fastening 22 comprises at least one larger sheet of hook and loop fasteners covering a larger portion of the interior surface 16 of the crown 12. Placing a larger first means for fastening 22 at various locations on the interior surface 16 allows the wearer to situate the hair piece 30 in multiple positions.
The hat 11′ may further include various other elements commonly found in a head covering such as a rim 38 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. A rim 38 may be formed solely on the front portion 15 a of the crown 12 along the perimetral edge 20 to block sunlight from the field of view of the wearer. Alternatively, the rim 38 may form a complete 360-degree frame encircling the crown 12 along the entire perimetral edge 20. Either design does not impede the overall purpose of the present invention.
Furthermore, the crown 12 may also include an adjustable band 40 for appropriately sizing the circular opening 21 to fit the head of the wearer. The band 40 may be adjustable by utilizing a slidable adjuster to increase and decrease the length of the band 40, buttons, hook and loop fasteners to mate opposing halves of the band 40, or any other suitable methods commonly used in adjusting the size of the hat 11′ to fit the wearer.
With respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, the hair piece 30 is shown in its assembled form. The hair piece 30, such as a full wig, individual hair extensions, braids, beads, or the like, preferably, comprises: (a) a plurality of hair strands 24 joined together to form a unitary structure having a front surface 32 and a back surface 34; and (b) second means for fastening 36 disposed on the back surface 34 of the strands 24, the second means for fastening 36 cooperating with the first means for fastening 22 to removably secure the hair piece 30 to the crown 12 as described below.
The hair strands 24 may be either synthetic hair, actual hair, or a combination of the two. The hair strands 24 each have a top or proximal end 26 and a bottom or distal end 28. The hair strands 24 are then arranged in a sheet like manner, or as desired to replicate actual hair, and secured at the proximal end 26 of the hair strands 24.
The number of hair strands 24 chosen to comprise the hair piece 30 depends on the goal of the wearer. If only a small hair piece 30 is desired to fill a single spot, fewer strands of hair are required, thus the hair piece 30 would have a thinner width. Alternatively, if the wearer desires to utilize a hair piece 30 that will encircle a larger portion of the wearer's head, a hair piece 30 having a wider diameter, and thus more hair strands 24, is required.
The second means for fastening 36 is permanently secured to the back surface 24 of the hair piece 30 proximate the proximal end 26 of the hair strands 24. The second means for fastening 36 corresponds to the first means for fastening 22 such that both comprise the same matingly attachable materials and can be aligned with one another upon being combined. Preferably, the second means for fastening 36 comprises hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro™, corresponding to the first means for fastening 22. More particularly, when Velcro™ is used for both of the first means for fastening 22 and the second means for fastening 36, it is desirable that the first means for fastening 22 comprises the soft, loop surface while the second means for fastening 36 comprises the abrasive, hook surface.
It is to be understood that where the hair piece 30 includes a fully enclosed top as exhibited in an actual wig or other fuller hair pieces, as opposed to an open top hair piece described above, the second means for fastening 36 may be positioned in any desired location without restriction.
In removably attaching the hair piece 30 to the crown 12, the hair piece 30 is positioned within the open interior 14 and along the interior surface 16 such that the second means for fastening 36 of the hair piece 30 mate with the first means for fastening 22 of the hat 11′. Where the first means for fastening 22 is larger than the second means for fastening 36, there is more flexibility as to the positioning of the hair piece 30 within the hat 11′. Once the hair piece 30 is attached to the hat 11′, the hair piece 30 does not move out of place in relation to the hat 11′ when either is adjusted. When the wearer desires to remove the hat 11′, the hair piece 30 is simultaneously removed providing a one-step removal process.
Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, in a second embodiment, the present invention comprises: (a) a head covering 111; and (b) a removable hairpiece 130.
Similar to the previous embodiment described above regarding the head covering 11, the head covering 111 may be a hat 111′ comprising a hemispherical crown 112, an open interior 114, and first means for fastening 121 disposed within the open interior 114 of the crown 112. The crown 112 also includes a front portion 115 a, a rear portion 115 b, and two opposing sides 115 c interconnecting the front portion 115 a and the rear portion 115 b.
In this second embodiment, the first means for fastening 121 comprises a combination of a first pair of opposing hook and loop fasteners 122 and a first snap 123.
As shown in FIG. 6, the first pair of hook and loop fasteners 122 are disposed on the open interior 114 of the crown 112 proximate each side 115 c. The first snap 123 is disposed proximate the rear portion 115 b of the crown at an intermediate point between each of the first pair of hook and loop fasteners 122.
The hair piece 130 comprises a substantially similar structure to the hair piece 30, described above, wherein the hair piece 130 includes a plurality of hair strands 123, each having a proximal end 126, a distal end 128, a front surface (not shown), and a back surface 134. A binding 136 is adhered, by any suitable means such as gluing, sewing, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method, to the back surface 134 of the hair strands 124 proximate the proximal end 126 of the hair strands 124.
Second means for fastening 137 is then disposed on a side of the binding 136 opposite the hair strands 124. The second means for fastening 137 comprises a combination of a second pair of opposed hook and loop fasteners 138, corresponding to that of the first pair of hook and loop fasteners 122 on the hat 111′, and a second snap 140, corresponding to the first snap 123 on the hat 111′. The second pair of hook and loop fasteners 138 are distally spaced apart from one another at opposing ends of the binding 136 which provides a spacing for the second snap 140 to be disposed therebetween.
In this second embodiment, the hair piece 130 is attached to the hat 111′ such that the second pair of hook and loop fasteners 138 on the hair piece 130 mates with the first pair of hook and loop fasteners 122 on the hat 111′. Similarly, the second snap 140 on the hair piece 130 aligns with the first snap 123 on the hat 111′ further securing the hair piece 130 to the hat 111′.
While only a single first snap 123 and a single second snap 140 are shown, it is to be understood that any number of first snaps 123 and second snaps 140 may be employed to further secure the hair piece 130 in various positions and locations.
Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in a third embodiment, the present invention comprises: (a) a head covering 211; and (b) a removable hairpiece 236.
Similar to the previous embodiments described above regarding the head coverings 11, 111 of the first and second embodiments, respectively, the head covering 211 may be a hat 211′ comprising a hemispherical crown 212, an open interior 214, an adjustable band 216 for adjusting the size of the hat 211′, a cutout 218 formed in the crown 212 between the band 216 and the rear portion 215 b of the crown 212, and first means for fastening 219 disposed within the open interior 214 of the crown 212. The crown 212 also includes a front portion 215 a, a rear portion 215 b, and two opposing sides 215 c interconnecting the front portion 215 a and the rear portion 215 b.
In this third embodiment, the first means for fastening 219 comprises a combination of a first hook and loop fastener strip 222 and a first snap strip 230.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first hook and loop fastener strip 222, including a bottom edge 226 and a top edge 228, is secured to the open interior 214 of the crown 212 proximate each side 215 c and the rear portion 215 b. The first hook and loop fastener strip 222 further includes an indentation 228 which conforms to the cutout 218 in order to conceal the first hook and loop fastener strip 222 from view when the hat 211′ is worn.
As noted above, the first means for fastening 219 further includes the combination of the first hook and loop fastener strip 222 with the first snap strip 230. The first snap strip 230 includes a top edge 232 and a bottom edge 234, wherein the bottom edge 234 of the first snap strip 230 is secured to the top edge 226 of the first hook and loop fastener strip 222 by any suitable means, such as gluing, ultrasonic welding, sewing, or the like. The first snap strip 230 itself is also secured to the open interior 214 of the hat 211′.
The first snap strip 230 further comprises at least one first snap 235 disposed on the first snap strip 230 for attaching the hair piece 236 to the crown 212, as described below. Preferably, the first snap strip 230 comprises a plurality of equally spaced apart first snaps 235 disposed along the first snap strip 230.
The hair piece 236 comprises a substantially similar structure to the hair pieces 30, 130 of the first and second embodiments, respectively, wherein the hair piece 236 includes a plurality of hair strands 238, each having a proximal end 240, a distal end 242, a front surface (not shown), and a back surface 244.
The hair piece 236 further comprises second means for fastening 237, corresponding to the first means for fastening 219, including a second hook and loop fastener strip 246 and a second snap strip 254, as described below.
The second hook and loop fastener strip 246 is adhered, by any suitable method such as gluing, sewing, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method, to the back surface 244 of the hair strands 238 proximate the proximal end 240 of each of the hair strands 238.
The second means for fastening strip 246 corresponds to the first hook and loop fastener strip 222 on the hat 211′. Thus, the second hook and loop fastener strip 246, having a bottom edge 248 and a top edge 250, similarly includes an indentation 248 formed in the bottom edge 248 thereof in order to be concealed above the cutout 218 when attached to the hat 211′ and worn.
The second snap strip 254 includes a top edge 256 and a bottom edge 258, the bottom edge 258 being secured to the top edge 250 of the second hook and loop fastener strip 246 by any suitable means, such as gluing, sewing, ultrasonic welding, or the like. The second snap strip 254 further comprises at least one second snap 260 disposed on the second snap strip 254 which facilitates securing the hair piece 236 onto the hat 211′. Preferably, the second snap strip 254 comprises a plurality of equally spaced apart second snaps 260 disposed along the second snap strip 254.
In this third embodiment, the hair piece 236 is attached to the hat 211′ such that the second hook and loop fastener strip 246 on the hair piece 236 mates with the first hook and loop fastener strip 222 on the hat 211′. Similarly, the second snap strip 254 on the hair piece 236 aligns with the first snap strip 230 on the hat 211′ further securing the hair piece 236 to the hat 211′.
While it is preferred that the hair piece 236 be attached to the hat 211′ along the rear portion 215 b, a plurality of hair pieces 236 of various dimensions may be disposed on the hat 211′ at desired positions or locations to provide a more customizable hair style.
Providing this combined head covering and hair piece offers a solution to the problem facing those who wear a hair piece under a hat where they find the hair piece constantly losing its position when the wearer adjusts the hat. Having a hair piece that is removably attached to the hat allows the wearer to adjust the hat and ensure that the hair piece remains in place.
Moreover, as noted above, the present invention is not limited to a single head covering nor a single hair piece. Any combination of a variety of head coverings and hair pieces having first means for fastening and second fastenings means, respectively, may be used in combination with one another. This provides a number of combinations such as wearing a braids and/or beads under a skull cap, hair extensions under a burka, a full wig under a bike helmet, and countless other possibilities without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the wearer may choose to create a variety of designs and styles of hair pieces to be used simultaneously in conjunction with the same head covering.
From the above, it is to be appreciated that defined herein is a new and unique head covering that allows the wearer to removably attach and secure various hair pieces, thus maintaining the style of the hair piece during the course of wearing the head covering.
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Head covering and a removable hair piece
11 Head covering
11′ Hat
12 Crown
14 Open interior
15 a Front portion of crown
15 b Rear portion of crown
15 c Sides of crown
16 Interior surface of crown
18 Exterior surface of crown
20 Perimetral edge of crown
21 Circular opening
22 First means for fastening
24 Hair strands
26 Proximal end of hair strands
28 Distal end of hair strands
30 Hair piece
32 Front surface of hair piece
34 Back surface of hair piece
36 Second means for fastening
38 Rim of hat
40 Band
111 Head covering
111′ Hat
112 Crown
114 Open interior
115 a Front portion of crown
115 b Rear portion of crown
115 c Sides of crown
121 First means for fastening
122 First pair of hook and loop fasteners
123 First snap
124 Hair strands
126 Proximal end of hair strands
128 Distal end of hair strands
130 Hair piece
134 Back surface of hair piece
136 Binding
137 Second means for fastening
138 Second pair of hook and loop fasteners
140 Second snap
211 Head covering
211′ Hat
212 Crown
214 Open interior
215 a Front portion of crown
215 b Rear portion of crown
215 c Sides of crown
216 Band
218 Cutout
219 First means for fastening
222 First hook and loop fastener strip
224 Bottom edge of first hook and loop fastener strip
226 Top edge of first hook and loop fastener strip
228 Indentation in first hook and loop fastener strip
230 First snap strip
232 Top edge of first snap strip
234 Bottom edge of first snap strip
235 First snap
236 Hair piece
238 Hair strands
240 Proximal end of hair strands
242 Distal end of hair strands
244 Back surface of hair strands
245 Second means for fastening
246 Second hook and loop fastener strip
248 Bottom edge of second hook and loop fastener
250 Top edge of second hook and loop fastener
252 Indentation in second hook and loop fastener
254 Second snap strip
256 Top edge of second snap strip
258 Bottom edge of second snap strip
260 Second snap

Claims

1. A combined head covering and removable hair piece assembly comprising:

(a) a head covering including:

(i) an interior surface;

(ii) an exterior surface; and

(iii) first means for fastening a hair piece thereto, the first means for fastening being secured to the interior surface of the head covering;

(b) a hair piece including:

(i) second means for fastening the hair piece to the first means for fastening; and

(ii) a plurality of hair strands having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each one of the plurality of hair strands being secured to the second means for fastening, and

wherein the hair piece is removably attached to the head covering.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the head covering is a burka.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the head covering is a hat having a hemispherical crown, the crown including a front portion, a rear portion, and a pair of opposing sides interconnecting the front portion and the rear portion,

the first means for fastening being disposed proximate the sides and the rear portion of the crown.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the hat comprises:

(a) an adjustable band; and

(b) a cutout formed in the crown between the band and the rear portion.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the first means for fastening includes an indentation formed therein corresponding to the cutout in the crown.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the first means for fastening includes at least one first hook and loop fastener.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first means for fastening includes at least one first hook and loop fastener.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first means for fastening includes at least one first snap.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first means for fastening includes a combination of at least one first hook and loop fastener and at least one first snap.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first means for fastening includes a first hook and loop fastener strip, the first hook and loop fastener strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a first snap strip, the first snap strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge of the first snap strip being secured to the top edge of the first hook and loop fastener strip, the first hook and loop fastener strip and the first snap strip being secured to the interior surface of the head covering.

11. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the second means for fastening includes a second hook and loop fastener cooperating with the first hook and loop fastener, the second hook and loop fastener having an indentation formed therein corresponding to the cutout in the crown.

12. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the second means for fastening includes at least one second hook and loop fastener cooperating with the first hook and loop fastener.

13. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the second means for fastening includes at least one second snap cooperating with the first snap.

14. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the second means for fastening includes a combination of at least one second hook and loop fastener and at least one second snap cooperating with the at least one first hook and loop fastener and the at least one first snap, respectively.

15. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the second means for fastening includes a second hook and loop fastener strip being securable to the first hook and loop fastener strip, the second hook and loop fastener strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a second snap strip being securable to the first snap strip, the second snap strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge of the second snap strip being secured to the top edge of the second hook and loop fastener strip.

16. A head covering assembly comprising:

(a) an interior surface;

(b) an exterior surface; and

(c) means for fastening for providing the removable attachment of a hair piece to the interior surface of the head covering, the means for fastening including a hook and loop fastener strip, the hook and loop fastener strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a snap strip, the snap strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge of the snap strip being secured to the top edge of the hook and loop fastener strip, the hook and loop fastener strip and the snap strip being secured to the interior surface of the head covering.

17. A hair piece assembly comprising:

(a) means for fastening, the means for fastening enabling the removable attachment of the hair piece to a head covering, the means for fastening including a hook and loop fastener strip, the hook and loop fastener strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a snap strip, the snap strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge of the snap strip being secured to the top edge of the hook and loop fastener strip; and

(b) a plurality of hair strands having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each one of the plurality of hair strands being secured to the means for fastening.