WO2018152591A1

WO2018152591A1 - Headgear

Info

Publication number: WO2018152591A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/050165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Wayland; Bec FURRAWAY
Original assignee: Indisun Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Indisun Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-02-27
Filing date: 2018-02-26
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-27
Also published as: WO2018152591A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to headgear and more specifically to soft headgear wearable by participants in water sports such as surfing and swimming, in which the wearer's activities take place at on just below the water surface and where drag from water friction and impact tends to cause headgear to be displaced from the wearer's head. It provides headgear having fastening means extending from the wall for fastening behind a wearer's head. The fastening means in an embodiment comprises strips of material extending rearwards from opposite locations of the wall to be tied together behind the head.

Description

H EADG E AR

F ield of invention

[001] The present invention relates to headgear and more specifically to soft headgear wearable by participants in water sports such as surfing and swimming where the wearer s activities are at on just below the water surface.

Bac kground to the invention

[002] Many forms of headgear are known to be used in water and outdoor activities. Many of these are made from synthetic materials that are water- impervious. For activities in which immersion is not constantly required, they can lead to perspiration and heat build-up. T hey tend to require a tight fit to stay on, or the use of chin strap for heavy conditions.

[003] There currently exists no form of soft cap, hat or other headwear that offers UV protection and is designed specifically to stay securely on the wearer s head when worn in the water while the wearer is engaging in activities such as swimming, surfing (including kite surfing), board sailing, water skiing and a range of other water and sporting activities in which the participant undergoes occasional or regular head immersion.

Objects of the invention

[004] It is an object of this invention to address the shortcomings of the prior art and, in doing so, to provide a headgear for aquatic activities that at least will alleviate some of the above drawbacks.

[005] The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of the present application. [006] Further, and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense - that is, in the sense of "including, but not being limited to" - as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense - that is, meaning "including this and nothing else".

Summary of Invention

[007] This invention provides soft headgear has been specially configured to stay securely on the head during water sports, while providing protection from ultra-violet (UV) rays on the head down to the wearer's eyebrows, tops of the ears and back of the neck.

[008] The headgear of the invention comprises a fabric wall defining a head- receiving cavity, fastening means extending from the wall for fastening behind a wearer's head, whereby the headgear is securable against displacement by water contact, and a tail portion depending from the wall and being eatable in use to extend down the back of a user's neck, defining a barrier to incident solar ultraviolet radiation.

[009] In a preferred form of the invention, the fastening means comprises tie means. The tie means may be in the form of an elongate strip of material. Preferably, the tie means comprises a pair of elongate strips of material being extending portions of a band of material attached to the wall and defining a hem of the wall.

[0010] In an embodiment the fastening means comprises hook and loop fastening means.

[0011 ] Preferably, the headgear is in the form of a rimless cap, defined by a top elongate panel of soft, UV-blocking fabric, and the fastening means extending laterally from a rim thereof.

[0012] In an embodiment, the cap has a peak. The peak extends forward when worn, providing a shield above a wearer's eyes.

[0013] Preferably, the fabric comprises a fabric having a UPF rating sufficient to meet the "excellent protection" standard of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. The fabric preferably is selected from textiles having a UPF rating of at least 40.

[0014] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an item of headgear comprising a fabric wall defining a head-receiving cavity and tie means extending from the wall for tying behind a wearer's head, whereby the headgear is securable against displacement by water contact.

[0015] Preferably, the headgear is configured to be loosely fitting on the wearer's head unless otherwise secured by said tie means.

[0016] In a preferred form of the invention, the headgear comprises a tail portion eatable in use to extend down the back of a user's neck defining a barrier to UV radiation. The tail portion is preferably in the form of a flap.

[0017] The tie means are preferably fastenable together over the tail portion, the tail portion then being between wearer's neck and the tie portion. The tail portion has in inner surface that then rests against the skin of the wearer's neck.

[0018] In a further preferred form of the invention, the headgear comprises a central elongate panel, from which said tail portion extends.

[0019] Preferably, the headgear further comprises left and right side panels connected to the central panel to hang therefrom, covering a wearer's respective ears when operatively worn.

[0020] Further, the headgear is configured to define a gap between the tail portion and the locality from which the respective tie means extend from the side panels. The fastening together of the tie means over the tail portion narrows the respective gaps substantially.

[0021 ] The headgear is further configured to that the fastening together of the tie means over the tail portion creates a gusseted effect between the tail portion and the respective side panels.

[0022] In an embodiment, the headgear further comprises a peak portion operatively extending above a wearer's eyes.

[0023] Preferably, the peak portion lacks rigidity. [0024] In a still further preferred form of the invention, the headgear is made from a fabric having a UPF rating of at least 40. Preferably the fabric comprises woven natural fibres.

[0025] In preferred embodiment, the fabric comprises cotton in major proportion. Further preferably, the fabric comprises 100% by weight cotton. The peak may, in an embodiment, be of cotton.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] In order that the invention may be readily understood, and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures. Thus:

Figure 1 is an upper front perspective view of headgear of the invention

according to a preferred embodiment, in the form of a cap.

Figure 2 is a left perspective view of the headgear of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a rear view of the headgear of Figure 1 .

Figure 4 depicts in plan view the panels that are assembled together to provide the headgear of the invention in the preferred embodiment of Figure 1. Here (a) is the top panel of material that starts at the front of the wearer's skull, goes over the top of the head, and hangs down as a flap covering the neck; (b) is the wrap-around tie panel tape that is sewn over the top and bottom of the material all the way around the brim of the left, right and top panels and has opposite free ends hanging down at the back, behind the wearer's ears, to tie securely under the base of the skull; (c) is the left panel of material that is sewn into the top panel to cover the left side of the head; and (d) is the right panel of material that is sewn into the top panel to cover the right side of the head.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the headgear of Figure 1 being worn untied on the head of a wearer.

Figure 6 is a rear view of the headgear of Figure 1 being worn on the head of a wearer with the ties bound in a half bow knot. Figure 7 is a side view of the headgear of Figure 1 secured to the head of a wearer by means of a half bow knot.

Figure 8 is a perspective upper front view of an alternative embodiment of the headgear of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0027] Referring to Figure 1 , in a preferred embodiment of this invention, a headgear item made according to the invention is generally denoted by the number 10 and shown in front upper perspective view. The headgear is in the general form of a cap having a fabric wall 12, defining within it a cavity 14 of a shape suitable for receiving a portion of the head of a wearer (not shown) in a moderately loose and comfortable fit.

[0028] With further reference to Figure 2, the cap has a front end 16, which is worn with its hem 18 located just above the line of the wearer's eyebrows, providing cover over the forehead. The hem is defined by a band 20 of fabric tape that is sewn to wall 12 by means of stitching (not shown) and extends around from a front end 16 of the cap, to end in a pair of loosely hanging left and right ties 22, 22'. Extending from the rear end 24 of the cap is a tail portion 26.

[0029] In the embodiment here illustrated, cap wall 12 comprises three panels sewn together to form a single structure. There is an elongate central panel 28, bounded by left and right side panels 30 and 32, sewn to the central panel along seams depicted by broken lines 30', 32'. These seams may not be shown in other Figures referred to in this description. Figure 3 shows the rear of the headgear of Figures 1 and 2 with fastening straps 22, 22' hanging free.

[0030] Tail portion 26 is an extension of central panel 28. In other embodiments, it may be provided as a separate panel.

[0031 ] Figure 4 sets out illustrations of blanks formed into the panels of the cap of the preferred embodiment. Features mentioned above are like numbered.

[0032] Figure 4(a) shows the top panel of material 28 that starts at the front 16 of the wearer's skull, goes over the top of the head, tapering to a wider mid- portion 36, before tapering down to a narrower tail portion 28, hanging down as a flap covering the neck. Figure 4(b) shows the wrap-around tie panel tape or band 20 that is folded axially and sewn over lower rim of the material at the front end 16 of panel 28, and the rims of side panels 30 and 32, to define a continuous hem which extends from a point behind one ear 40, passes around the forehead and ends to the rear of the opposite ear. As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, when the headgear is worn, the hem is located above the eyebrows 42 and covers a portion of the ears 40 of the wearer.

[0033] Band 20 continues on both sides after the hem terminates to the rear of ears 40, so that it has opposite free ends 22, 22' hanging down at the back, behind the wearer's ears, to be available for tying securely under the base of the skull in a half-bow knot 44 as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7.

[0034] Figure 4(c) is the left panel 30 of material that is sewn into the top panel to cover the left side of the head; and Figure 4(d) shows the right-hand side panel 32 of material that is sewn into the top panel to cover the right side of the head.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the tail flap 28 rests at the base of the wearer's neck and approximately in line with the shoulders 46.

[0036] The tying of band ends 22, 22' into knot 4 brings the rear-most parts of side panels 30, 32 toward each other over tail flap 28, at least partially closing gaps 38, 38' that exist between the band and the tail flap when the hanging end portions are untied. The at least partial closing of the gaps creates a gusseted effect 48 as shown in Figure 6. This aids in ventilation.

[0037] To tie the cap shown in Figure 5, the neck flap or tail portion 28 is placed against the back of the wearer's neck underneath the rear ends of the left and right side panels, which the user pulls rearwardly, over the neck flap. This allows the cap to be tied on without undue scrunching up, while giving the head full coverage around forehead and at least partially over the ears. The tie can be worn tightly or loosely knotted to make it as comfortable as the wearer chooses.

[0038] The cap is preferably made from 100% cotton. However, other materials can also be used, provided they have adequate friction when wet to enable the tie to stay secure once knotted at the back. The soft cotton provides comfort and does not rub on the skin with water drag-movement. Extra strong cotton thread is used for triple stretch stitching, which runs from the tip of the tie 22 right around the forehead 16 to the other tip of the tie 22' in continuous parallel lines. Stitching is three straight line parallel stretch stitches.

[0039] The cap is found to remain on the head - even under extreme wave pressure in the water. This is made possible by the tension of ties, when tied, sitting under the base of the skull. The slim, long ties, when tied, rest at the base of the skull holding the cap on tightly and in place under extreme pressure in the ocean, for example while the wearer is being dumped, rolled and tumbled in strong surf. Once the cap is secured on, it stays in place and the wearer does not need to reach to adjust it. The knot is preferably tied in a half bow; however other knots may be used to secure the cap, depending on the wearer's ability to tie knots.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the ties 22, 22' are dispensed with, being replaced by shorter strips of fabric tape material, extending from the band 20. The shorter strips are not knotted together but are fitted with mating hook and loop fastener pads proximate the ends. The pads are preferably sewn on to the strips but may be attached by adhesive means impervious to salt water and perspiration.

[0041 ] It will be appreciated that the headgear may vary in specific form without departing from the scope of the invention. An example is shown Figure 8, in which like numbering is used to identify features referred to in the previous figures. In this embodiment, an item of headgear 50 has a peak 52 extending from the front end 16, above the wearer's eyes, providing a degree of shielding from the direct rays of the sun. The peak is of the same material as used for the band 20, which leads back to ties 22, 22'. As such, peak is not rigidly self- supporting in the way a cardboard- or plastics-reinforced peak would be and is integrally formed with the band.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the headgear is equipped with a rigid peak of rigid materials of the kind referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph, or of a textile reinforced with such materials. [0043] In further embodiments, the cap is made from two panels joined at a central seam. The seam may run from front to rear or from side to side. The tail flap portion may be made of a separate panel that is joined to each half panel in the embodiment in which the seam between the side panels is directed from front to rear (or vice versa). Although straight line parallel stretch stitching is preferred, other stitching methods suitable for wet use may be substituted.

[0044] These embodiments merely illustrate examples of the headgear of the invention providing protection from the elements for participants engaging in water-related activities. However, it will be appreciated that the present headgear is not restricted to activities where water immersion is expected. With the insight gained from this disclosure, the person skilled in the art is well placed to discern further embodiments by means of which to put the claimed invention into practice.

Claims

1. Headgear comprising a fabric wall defining a head-receiving cavity, fastening means extending from the wall for fastening behind a wearer's head, whereby the headgear is securable against displacement by water contact, and a tail portion depending from the wall and being locatable in use to extend down the back of a user's neck, defining a barrier to incident solar ultraviolet radiation.

2. Headgear according to claim 1 configured to be loosely fitting on the wearer's head unless otherwise secured by said fastening means.

3. Headgear according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fastening means are fastenable together over the tail portion, the tail portion then being between wearer's neck and the fastening means.

4. Headgear according to claim 3, comprising a central elongate panel from which said tail portion extends.

5. Headgear according to claim 4 comprising left and right side panels connected to opposite sides of the central panel to hang therefrom.

6. Headgear according to claim 5 wherein the side panels in use extend

downwardly from the central panel to cover a wearer's respective ears at least partially.

7. Headgear according to claim 6 having a gap between the tail portion and the side panels.

8. Headgear according to claim 7 wherein fastening together of the fastening means over the tail portion narrows the respective gaps substantially.

9. Headgear according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein fastening together of the fastening means over the tail portion creates a gusseted effect between the tail portion and the respective side panels.

10. Headgear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means comprises knottable tie means,

1 1. Headgear according to claim 10, wherein the tie means are adapted for tying together proximate the base of the wearer's skull.

12. Headgear according to claim 1 1 , wherein the tie means comprises a pair of elongate strips of material being extending portions of a band attached to the wall and defining a hem of the wall.

13. Headgear according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the fastening means comprises hook and loop fastener means.

14. Headgear according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a peak portion operatively extending above a wearer's eyes.

15. Headgear according to claim 14 wherein the peak portion lacks rigidity.

16. Headgear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fabric comprises a textile selected from textiles having a UPF rating of at least 40.