# US 7,743,471 B2 · Removable hat accessory

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- Number: US 7,743,471 B2
- Document ID: US7743471B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/438,046
- Filed: 2006-05-19
- Published: 2006-12-28
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2003-08-21
- Assignees: Namkung Promotions Inc.
- Inventors: James R. Rogers
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743471B2

## CPC

- A42B 1/24: with means for attaching articles thereto, e.g. memorandum tablets or mirrors
- A44B 1/04: Ornamental buttons
- A44B 1/14: with replaceable {or protective} coverings {(removable fabric coverings A44B1/123; sleeve-links concealing a sewed-on button A44B5/007)}
- Y10T 24/13: Article holder attachable to apparel or body
- Y10T 24/1394: Article held by clip
- Y10T 24/3672: Metal or plastic caps
- A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00)
- A44B: BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE (fastenings specially adapted for footwear A43C)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

An attaching device for removably attaching various types of display objects to a hat. The attaching device has a fastener for engaging with the display object and a spring member for retaining the fastener therein and attaching to a button of the hat. The fastener is in the form of a plastic ring with a plurality of tabs projecting from a bottom rim thereof. The spring member has an upper spring portion, a lower spring portion and a joint spring portion connecting the upper and lower spring portions. The upper spring portion has an inner perimeter substantially the same as the maximum radial extent of the tabs, such that the plastic ring can be inserted therein. A plurality of protrusions is formed to extend inwardly from the inner perimeter of the upper spring portion. The protrusions are outline with a profile mating that of the tabs, such that the plastic ring can be secured interlocked with the spring member. The lower spring portion has an open end split into two parallel leaves, such that, by bending the joint spring to open the space between the upper and lower spring portions, the spring member can slide towards the button to receive the button within the space between the upper and lower spring portions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A hat accessory, comprising:
a spring member, comprising:
an upper spring portion defining first and second portions;
a lower spring portion underlying the upper spring portion, wherein the lower spring portion has one end split into two parallel leaves and the other end connected to the upper spring portion; and
a joint spring portion for connecting the other end of the lower spring portion to one end of the upper spring portion; and
a display object comprising first and second mating parts detachable from each other, wherein the first mating part has a first bottom portion defining a first slot, the second mating part has a second bottom portion defining a second slot, the first and second slots of the first and second mating parts simultaneously receiving first and second portions of the upper spring portion for embedding the upper spring portion of the spring member to the display object.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The hat accessory of claim 1, wherein each of the mating parts further comprises a side surface and a plurality of latching structures protruding from an interior side of the side surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The hat accessory of claim 2, wherein the latching structures includes a plurality of protruding posts formed in one of the mating parts and a plurality of receiving sleeves formed in the other mating parts.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The hat accessory of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of the upper spring portion has a generally flat configuration.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The hat accessory of claim 4 wherein the upper spring portion is generally parallel to the lower spring portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The hat accessory of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of the upper spring portion fits snugly within the first and second slots of the first and second mating parts to mitigate against movement of the spring member and the display object during use.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The hat accessory of claim 1 wherein the upper spring portion is disposed directly above the lower spring portion.