Self-tightening hat

#The present invention relates generally to hats, and more particularly, relating to a hat that is self-tightening to resist undesired removal from the wearers head due to wind.

#Hats often include a brim that protrudes horizontally from a portion of the hat to shield a wearer from sun or rain. For the best sun and rain blocking, brims are generally formed from a solid material. Because brims are formed from a solid material, they have a tendency to retain air below the lower face of the brim which can force the hat from the wearer's head.

#Hats with brims are generally available in multiple sizes or are adjustable for the size of the wearer's head to ensure a proper fit. A properly fitted hat with a brim resists being blown off of the user's head in a slight wind, but does not resist a fast moving stream of air such as high winds or when the wearer is exposed to the air while using a form of conveyance. If a hat with a brim were to be worn tight enough to resist a fast moving stream of air, it would become uncomfortable for the wearer within a short period of time, if not immediately.

#The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is an upper, front perspective view of a self-tightening hat constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, showing a magnet catch;

#Initially, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8, there is representatively illustrated a new self-tightening hat 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The self-tightening hat 10 includes a body 12 having a circular opening 13 that encircles a wearer's head in a conventional manner. As a non-limiting example, body 12 may take the form of a ball cap (as shown in FIG. 1) or a visor (as shown in FIG. 5). A brim support 14 is attached to and extends forwardly from the body 12. The brim support 14 defines an aperture 16 which may be formed wholly within the brim support 14 or may be formed by a combination of the brim support 14 and the body 12. The aperture 16 may also be more than one opening formed in the brim support 14 or by the brim support 14 in combination with the body 12.

#The brim support 14 has a brim cover 18 affixed thereto. Together, the brim support 14 and the brim cover 18 form a brim 20. The brim cover 18 is substantially the same size as the brim support 14 and is affixed near the forward edge 22 of the brim support 14. When the brim cover 18 is placed over the brim support 14, it covers the aperture 16. The brim cover 18 may be affixed to the brim support 14 in any manner known in the art which allows for the brim cover 18 to move in a tilting motion relative to the brim support 14, thereby uncovering the aperture 16. The brim support 14 may be, but need not be, rigid during the tilting motion of the brim cover 18. The brim support 14 may bend to facilitate the tilting motion of the brim cover 18. Bending of the brim support 14 will generally be a function of the elasticity of the material forming the brim support 14.

#The brim cover 18 may be affixed through the use of a hinge 28 where a bottom portion of the hinge 30 is connected to the brim support 14 and an upper portion of the hinge 32 is connected to the brim cover 34. The brim cover 18 may also be affixed to the brim support 14 with a thread 34 stitched through both the brim cover 18 and the brim support 14. The thread 34 may be manufactured from any material known in the art. The thread 34 may be stitched using any technique known in the art.