# US 5,701,609 A · Protective drape for hard hats and the like

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- Number: US 5,701,609 A
- Document ID: US5701609A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/529,367
- Filed: 1995-09-18
- Granted: 1997-12-30
- Earliest claimed: 1995-09-18
- Inventors: Karin Hoherchak Bridges
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5701609A

## CPC

- A42B 3/16: Ear protection devices
- A42B 3/105: {with additional protection for the neck (protective garments for neck or shoulder area A41D13/0512)}
- A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00)

## Abstract

A substantially rectangular, protective drape which is selectively attachable to a hard hat, preferably includes a strip of "hook and loop" fastener along one edge. A complementary strip of "hook and loop" fastening material is attached to the inner wall of the hard hat. The drape is used to protect the neck and, selectively, the ears, of the user from the elements.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An article of protective headgear comprising:
(a) a protective hat consisting of two components, the first component being a hard shell, said hard shell being formed of a solid material, said hard shell having an inner wall and an outer wall, said outer wall being the outermost portion of said protective hat;
(b) the second component of said protective hat being an adjustable internal structure attached to said inner wall, said adjustable internal structure being adapted to adjust to and retain the head of the wearer and to space the back of the head of the wearer away from said inner wall;
(c) a retaining means attached to said inner wall, said retaining means being separate from and displaced from said internal structure and being completely within said hat; and
(d) a drape comprised of a cloth material having an attachment means affixed to an edge thereof, said attachment means being selected to be selectively attached to said retaining means, whereby said drape may be selectively attached to said protective hat, and whereby said attachment means remains separate and displaced from said internal structure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The article of protective headgear of claim 1 in which said internal structure comprises an adjustable web which can be fitted to the head of a wearer, said adjustable web being attached to support webbing within said hat, said adjustable web being spaced from the inner wall of the rear of said hat, whereby said retaining means is spaced from said adjustable web.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The article of protective headgear of claim 2 in which said attachment means is comprised of an elongated strip of hook and loop material, and said retaining means is comprised of an elongated strip of a complementary piece of hook and loop material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The article of protective headgear of claim 2 in which said attachment means is comprised of a plurality of strips of hook and loop material, and said retaining means is comprised of a plurality of complementary strips of hook and loop material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The article of protective headgear of claim 2 in which said attachment means is comprised of a plurality of snaps, and said retaining means is comprised of a plurality of complementary snap retainers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The article of protective headgear of claim 1 in which said adjustable internal structure comprises at least one pad which is attached to the inner wall of said hat, said at least one pad having a thickness which is greater than the combined thickness of said drape, said attachment means, and said retaining means, whereby the thickness of said at least one pad spaces the rear of the hat away from head of a wearer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The article of protective headgear of claim 6 in which said attachment means is comprised of an elongated strip of hook and loop material, and said retaining means is comprised of an elongated strip of a complementary piece of hook and loop material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The article of protective headgear of claim 6 in which said attachment means is comprised of a plurality of strips of hook and loop material, and said retaining means is comprised of a plurality of complementary strips of hook and loop material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The article of protective headgear of claim 6 in which said attachment means is comprised of a plurality of snaps, and said retaining means is comprised of a plurality of complementary snap retainers.