WO2025106711A1

WO2025106711A1 - Improved headwear with removable and/or reversible bill and methods of manufacture, assembly and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2025106711A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/055977
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wyatt LEATHERS
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-11-15
Filing date: 2024-11-14
Publication date: 2025-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-15

Abstract

Improved headwear and methods of manufacture, assembly and use thereof are provided. In various embodiments, a hat incudes a bill having an elongated receptacle and a crown including an elongated projection that is selectively releasably engageable with the elongated receptacle of the bill to secure the bill and crown together for use of the hat.

Description

IMPROVED HEADWEAR WITH REMOVABLE AND/OR REVERSIBLE BILL

AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND USE THEREOF

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 63/599,203 filed on November 15, 2023 and entitled “Systems, Apparatus and Articles of Manufacture for Reversing, Removing or Replacing a Bill of a Hat and Related Methods”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to improved headwear and methods of manufacture, assembly and use thereof and, in some embodiments, involve a hat with a reversible and/or removable bill.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The present disclosure relates to improved headwear. For the reader’s convenience, the terms “headwear” and “hat” are used herein interchangeably. The typical hat includes at least one “crown” and “bill”. The crown is normally the main part of the hat that engages, or at least partially covers, the user’s head and the bill often sticks out from the crown. The bill is also sometimes known as a brim or visor.

[0004] Traditionally, hats have a fixed bill which cannot normally be separated from the crown by the user. These are sometimes referred to herein as “fixed-bill” hats. Typically, the bill and crown of a fixed-bill hat are sewn together or otherwise interconnected or integrally formed, rendering it impractical to remove or replace either component or flip over the bill relative to the crown. The user of such headwear is thus essentially stuck with the fixed color scheme and patterns or other features on the bill and crown.

[0005] The ability to separate the bill and crown may be desirable, for example, to switch out the bill and/or crown with a replacement that offers different colors, patterns or other features, allowing modification or customization of the hat design. Another reason could be to replace the bill and/or crown if it becomes damaged, worn or soiled or reconnect the original bill and/or crown after one or both are cleaned or otherwise modified. For still a further example, it may be desirable to reverse, or flip over, the bill relative to the crown, to provide a different color, pattern, design or other features, and even go back and forth whenever desired. [0006] Presently known headwear having a separable bill and crown are believed to have one or more disadvantages. For example, the connection mechanism(s) between the bill and crown may not be sufficiently secure and come apart too easily, mistakenly or undesirably, fail or wear out prematurely, be bulky or heavier than the conventional hat, affect the normal balance, comfort or look and feel of the hat or include components (e.g., magnets) the user may not want near his/her head. In some instances, the connection mechanism(s) could create the potential for injury, such as if the mechanism includes metallic, stiff or rigid components that could cause injury if hit or otherwise contacted. For another example, the attachment mechanism or other added features may prevent or inhibit the normal or expected use of the hat, such as the ability of the user to curve, shape or bend the bill to his/her preference for personal style, appearance or comfort. In some instances, the normal features of the hat may be altered or removed. For example, the front part of the crown may be stiffer than normal or the smooth, continuous cushion band around the inside of the hat may be cut, altered, shortened or removed. For yet another example, the bill may not be reversible. [0007] Accordingly, there exists a need for improved headwear and methods of manufacture, assembly and use thereof having one or more of the attributes or capabilities described or shown in, or as may be apparent from, the various parts of this patent.

[0008] It should be understood that the above-described disadvantages, limitations, features, capabilities, examples, advantages and other details are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope or subject matter of this disclosure or the appended claims. Thus, none of the appended claims should be limited by the above discussion or construed to address, include or exclude each or any of the above-cited disadvantages, limitations, features, capabilities, examples, details or advantages merely because of their mention above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In various embodiments, the present disclosure involves a hat having a crown and bill which are separable and reconnectable without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing. The bill includes a receptacle having at least a first elongated slot and the crown includes an elongated crown-mounted flap. The crown-mounted flap is configured to be at least partially inserted into the first elongated slot of the receptacle without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing and then at least partially folded to secure the bill and crown together for use of the hat. The crown-mounted flap is also selectively removable from the first elongated slot to separate the bill from the crown.

[00010] The following features are optional. If desired, the receptacle and the crownmounted flap inserted at least partially therein are configured to retain the bill secured to the crown even after the bill is thereafter manually shaped or bent to a typical user’s preference. The bill may include first and second sides and be configured to be coupled to the crown in at least two configurations, a first configuration having the first side of the bill facing outward and a second configuration having the second side of the bill facing outward. The receptacle may include at least first and second elongated slots and the crown may include an interior comfort band extending around a perimeter of the crown. The interior comfort band may include a floating band section detached from a front of the crown and having an elongated band-mounted flap. After the crown-mounted flap is at least partially inserted into the first elongated slot of the receptacle and folded, the band-mounted flap may be configured to be at least partially inserted into the second elongated slot of the receptacle to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and to the bill.

[00011] In some embodiments, the present disclosure involves methods of selectively connecting and separating a bill and a crown of a hat without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing. The bill includes at least first and second elongated slots and the crown includes an elongated crown-mounted flap and an interior comfort band extending around a perimeter of the crown. The interior comfort band includes a floating band section detached from a front of the crown and having an elongated band-mounted flap. The method includes inserting at least part of the crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot of the bill to secure the bill to the crown. Thereafter, at least part of the band-mounted flap is inserted into the second elongated slot to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and the bill. The band-mounted flap may thereafter be removed from the second elongated slot and the crown-mounted flap from the first elongated slot to separate the bill from the crown.

[00012] The following features are optional. The bill may be reversible and include first and second sides and, after removing the band-mounted flap from the second elongated slot and the crown-mounted flap from the first elongated slot, the bill may be flipped over to feature the side of the bill not previously featured. At least part of the crown-mounted flap may be into the second elongated slot to secure the bill to the crown and feature the side of the bill not previously features. After inserting at least part of the crown- mounted flap into the second elongated slot, at least part of the band-mounted flap may be inserted into the first elongated slot to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and the bill. If desired, the first and second elongated slots of the bill may be provided in a receptacle that is moveable between at least a first position in which the first elongated slot faces up when the first side of the bill faces up and is desired to be featured and a second position in which the second elongated slot faces up when the second side of the bill faces up and is desired to be featured. Accordingly, before inserting at least part of the crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot, the receptacle may be flipped into its first position if it is not already therein. Likewise, before inserting at least part of the crown-mounted flap into the second elongated slot, the receptacle may be flipped into its second position if it is not already therein.

[00013] In some instances, after inserting at least part of the crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot and before inserting at least part of the band-mounted flap into the second elongated slot, at least part of the crown-mounted flap may be folded. If the first and second elongated slots of the bill are provided in a receptacle that can be flipped relative to the bill between at least a first position (in which the first elongated slot faces up) and a second position (in which the second elongated slot faces up), before inserting at least part of the crownmounted flap into the first elongated slot, the receptacle may be flipped into its first position if it is not already therein. After inserting at least part of the crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot and before inserting at least part of the band-mounted flap into the second elongated slot, the receptacle, with the crown-mounted flap engaged therewith, may be flipped into its second position, causing at least part of the crown-mounted flap to become folded.

[00014] The present disclosure also includes embodiments of a headwear system including a plurality of interchangeable crowns and bills. Each bill has a receptacle that includes at least a first elongated slot. Each crown has an elongated crown-mounted flap configured to be at least partially inserted into the first elongated slot of the receptacle of any of the bills and then at least partially folded to secure the corresponding bill and crown together. The crownmounted flap is configured to thereafter be removable from the first elongated slot to separate the corresponding bill and crown.

[00015] The following features are optional. The receptacle, with the crown-mounted flap inserted at least partially therein and at least partially folded, may be configured to retain the corresponding bill secured to the corresponding crown even after the bill is thereafter manually shaped or bent to a typical user’s preference. Each bill may include first and second sides and be configured to be coupled to any of the crowns in at least two configurations, a first configuration having the first side of the bill facing outward and a second configuration having the second side of the bill facing outward. The receptacle of each bill may include at least first and second slots and each crown may include an interior comfort band extending around a perimeter thereof. The interior comfort band may have a floating band section detached from a front of the crown and which includes an elongated band-mounted flap. After the crown- mounted flap of the selected crown is at least partially inserted into the elongated first slot of the selected bill and folded, the band-mounted flap of the selected crown may be at least partially inserted into the second elongated slot of the receptacle of the selected bill to secure the floating band section to the front of the selected crown and the selected bill.

[00016] In certain embodiments, methods of selectively connecting and separating any among a plurality of headwear bills and headwear crowns without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing are provided. Each bill includes at least first and second elongated slots and each crown includes an elongated crown-mounted flap and an interior comfort band extending around a perimeter of the crown. The interior comfort band includes a floating band section detached from a front of the crown and having an elongated band-mounted flap. These methods include inserting at least part of the crown-mounted flap of any of the crowns into the first elongated slot of any of the bills to secure the bill to the crown. Thereafter, at least part of the band-mounted flap of the selected crown is inserted into the second elongated slot of the selected bill to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and the bill. Thereafter, the band-mounted flap may be removed from the second elongated slot of the selected bill and the crown-mounted flap removed from the first elongated slot of the selected bill to separate the bill from the selected crown.

[00017] These features are optional. After inserting at least part of the crown-mounted flap of the selected crown into the first elongated slot of the selected bill and before inserting at least part of the band-mounted flap of the selected crown into the second elongated slot of the selected bill, at least part of the crown-mounted flap may be folded. If each bill is reversible and include first and second sides, after removing the band-mounted flap of the selected crown from the second elongated slot of the selected bill and the crown-mounted flap of the selected crown from the first elongated slot of the selected bill, the bill may be flipped over to feature the side of the bill not previously featured. At least part of the crown-mounted flap of the selected crown may then be inserted into the second elongated slot of the selected bill to secure the bill to the crown. Thereafter, at least part of the band-mounted flap of the selected crown may be inserted into the first elongated slot of the selected bill to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and the bill.

[00018] Accordingly, the present disclosure includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance headwear technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00019] The following figures are part of the present specification, included to demonstrate certain aspects of various embodiments of this disclosure and referenced in the detailed description herein:

[00020] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary hat showing the first side of the hat’s bill facing outward in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00021] Figure IB is a perspective view of the exemplary hat of Figure 1 A showing a second side of the bill facing outward in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00022] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the inside of the crown of the exemplary hat shown in Figure 1A having an exemplary first connector in the form of a crown-mounted flap in a first position (e.g., biased toward the inside of the crown) and an interior band (e.g., sweatband, cushion, padding, etc.) partially detached from the crown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00023] Figure 2B is another perspective view of the inside of the crown of the exemplary hat shown in Figure 1A taken from a different angle in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00024] Figure 2C is a front perspective view of the exemplary crown of the hat of Figure 1A being held upright by a user to show the floating section of the band thereof and an exemplary third connector in the form of a locking flap associated therewith in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00025] Figure 2D is a perspective view of inside of the exemplary crown of the hat of Figure 2C showing both the exemplary first and third connectors in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; [00026] Figure 2E is a perspective view of part of the exemplary crown of the hat of Figure

2C showing the floating band section and third connector in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00027] Figure 3 is a top view of the bill of the exemplary hat shown in Figure 1A in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00028] Figure 4 is a front view of the crown of the exemplary hat of Figure 1 A being held by a user to show the first connector thereof in an exemplary second position (e.g., projecting away from the crown) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; [00029] Figure 5A is a perspective view of the exemplary bill of Figure 3 showing the first side thereof facing outward and having an exemplary second connector in the form of a receptacle in a first position with a user holding open a first slot thereof in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00030] Figure 5B is a perspective view of the exemplary bill of Figure 5A showing the exemplary second connector flipped up with a user holding open a second slot thereof in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00031] Figure 6A is a perspective view of the exemplary hat of Figure 1A during an exemplary method of assembly just prior to the initial engagement of an exemplary first connector of the crown with an exemplary second connector of the bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00032] Figure 6B is a perspective view of the exemplary hat of Figure 6A showing engagement of the exemplary first connector of the crown with the exemplary second connector of the bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00033] Figure 6C is a perspective view of the exemplary hat of Figure 6B showing further engagement of the exemplary first connector of the crown with the exemplary second connector of the bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; [00034] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary hat of Figure 6C showing the relationship of various parts of the exemplary first and second connectors of the respective interconnected crown and bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00035] Figure 8 is another cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary hat of Figure 6C showing the exemplary interconnected first and second connectors of the respective crown and bill being moved into an exemplary locked position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00036] Figure 9 is another cross-sectional view of part of the exemplary hat of Figure 6C showing the exemplary interconnected first and second connectors of the respective crown and bill in an exemplary locked position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00037] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the exemplary bill of Figure 3 showing the exemplary second connector thereof in an exemplary first position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00038] Figure 11 is another perspective view of the exemplary bill of Figure 3 showing movement (e.g., pivoting) of the second connector thereof between positions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00039] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the exemplary bill of Figure 3 showing the exemplary second connector thereof in an exemplary second position in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00040] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the exemplary hat of Figure 6C after the exemplary interconnected first and second connectors are moved into an exemplary locked position (e.g., Figure 9) and showing initial engagement of the exemplary third connector of the floating band section with the exemplary second connector of the bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00041] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the exemplary hat of Figure 13 showing further engagement of the exemplary third connector of the floating band section with the exemplary second connector of the bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00042] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the exemplary hat of Figure 14 showing still further engagement of the exemplary third connector of the floating band section with the exemplary second connector of the bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00043] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the exemplary hat of Figure 15 showing yet further engagement of the exemplary third connector of the floating band section with the exemplary second connector of the bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00044] Figure 18 A is a perspective view of part of the inside of the hat shown in Figure 13 before engagement of the exemplary second and third connectors (e.g., Figure 13) and showing an end portion of the second connector in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00045] Figure 18B is a perspective view of hat shown in Figure 18 A after the exemplary end portion of the second connector is tucked under the exemplary floating band section in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00046] Figure 19 is a top view of the exemplary crown-mounted flap of Figure 4 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; [00047] Figure 20 is a top view of the exemplary second connector of the bill shown in

Figure 3 before it is folded and coupled to the bill in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00048] Figure 21 is a top view of the exemplary second connector shown in Figure 20 after it is folded in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00049] Figure 22 is an exploded view of part of the exemplary second connector of Figure 20 showing an exemplary slot wall panel and first and second supports in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00050] Figure 23 is a top view of the exemplary slot wall panel and first and second supports of Figure 22 show assembled in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00051] Figure 24 is a bottom view of the exemplary slot wall panel and first and second supports of Figure 22 show assembled in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[00052] Figure 25 is a top view of the exemplary third connector in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[00053] Characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and referring to the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the description herein and appended drawings are of exemplary embodiments and not intended to limit the claims of this patent (or any patent or patent application related hereto). On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure and the claims. Many changes may be made to the particular embodiments and details disclosed herein without departing from such spirit and scope.

[00054] In showing and describing preferred embodiments in the appended figures, common or similar components, features and elements are referenced with like or identical reference numerals or are apparent from the figures and/or the description, claims and other parts of this patent. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[00055] When reference numbers are followed by a lowercase letter (e.g., first and second connectors 117 A, 117B), they are each the same type of component or item (e.g., a connector 117) having the same features, but having a different location, use or other characteristic(s). In some instances, the drawings or discussion herein may include only reference numerals followed by lowercase letters (e.g., first and second connectors 117A, 117B), without any separate reference to the primary feature alone (e.g., connector 1 17). In those cases, it should be presumed that the referenced items (e.g., first and second connectors 117A, 117B) are examples of the primary feature (e.g., connector 117), even though the primary feature is not referenced or shown separately.

[00056] As used herein and throughout various portions (and headings) of this patent (including the claims), the terms "invention", "present invention" and variations thereof are not intended to mean every possible embodiment encompassed by this disclosure or any particular claim(s). Thus, the subject matter of each such reference should not be considered as necessary for, or part of, every embodiment hereof or of any particular claim(s) merely because of such reference.

[00057] The terms "including" and "comprising" are used herein and in the appended claims in an open-ended fashion and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to". Reference herein and in the appended claims to components, features, aspects, etc. in a singular tense does not necessarily limit the present disclosure or appended claims to only one such component, feature or aspect, but should be interpreted generally to mean one or more, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. Accordingly, the use of “a”, “an” or “the” before a noun refers to and should be interpreted to mean “one or more”, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise. For example, a recitation in the description or claims herein of “a connector coupled between X and Y” should be construed to mean that “one or more connectors is coupled between X and Y”, unless a different construction is expressly provided. Also, the use of “(s)” in reference to an item, aspect, component, feature, action, etc. (e.g., “surface(s)”) should be construed to mean “at least one”.

[00058] The use of “or” herein provides alternate possibilities, only one of which may be present. All such possibilities do not need to be available. For example, if an embodiment of a component is described as “having a collar or coupling", it may include only one or more collars, only one or more couplings or at least one of each. The use of “or” herein thus does not require all of the possibilities be available, just any one or more of them. Similarly, the use of “and/or” herein provides for numerous possibilities, only one of which may be present. All the possibilities do not need to be available - only any one of them. For example, if an embodiment of a component is described as “having a collar and/or a coupling”, it may include only one or more collars, only one or more couplings or at least one of each. Thus, the use of “and/or” herein does not require all the possibilities, just any one or more of them.

[00059] The phrase “at least one among” as used herein generally has the same meaning as “and/or”. For example, if an embodiment of a component is described as “having at least one among a collar, coupling and connector”, it may include only one or more collars, only one or more couplings, only one or more connectors or any combination thereof. Thus, the use of “at least one among" herein and in any appended claims does not require all those possibilities to be available, just any one or more of them.

[00060] The terms “for example”, “exemplary”, “e.g.”, “such as” and variations thereof are used herein to provide one or more possible examples of the referenced item, feature, detail, circumstance, etc. that may be present, possible or occur in some instances. Such examples are not exclusive, not the only possibilities and not required for every embodiment or any claims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

[00061] Certain terms are used herein and in the appended claims to refer to particular features and components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to a feature or component by different names and this document does not intend to distinguish between components and features that differ in name but not function. The following numerals are used herein for referencing the exemplary features, or components, of various embodiments associated therewith, but are not intended to and should not limit the scope of this patent or any appended claims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise. These terms are believed to have a sufficiently well-understood and definite meaning to persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art as the name for structure, except for those that do not refer to actual structure (e.g., items 98a-b, 102a-b, 107, 109, 1 12, 116, 122, 146a-d, 162a-d, 178, 182): [00062] 10 - hat

[00063] 14 - first configuration

[00064] 16 - second configuration

[00065] 20 - crown

[00066] 24 - outer side [00067] 28 - inner side

[00068] 32 - front

[00069] 36 - rear

[00070] 40 - lower end

[00071] 44 - perimeter

[00072] 48 - lower edge

[00073] 48a - front lower edge

[00074] 60 - bill

[00075] 62 - rear corner

[00076] 66 - first side

[00077] 70 - second side

[00078] 72 - front edge

[00079] 74 - rear edge

[00080] 76 - connector

[00081] 80 - first connector

[00082] 88 - second connector

[00083] 92 - projection

[00084] 96 - receptacle

[00085] 98a - first position

[00086] 98b - second position

[00087] 100 - flap

[00088] 101 - end

[00089] 102a - first position

[00090] 102b - second position

[00091] 105 - central portion [00092] 106 - panel

[00093] 107 - connector line

[00094] 108 - sheath

[00095] 109 - connector line

[00096] 110 - slot

[00097] 112 - path

[00098] 116 - locked position

[00099] 120 - main body

[000100] 121 - outside

[000101] 122 - midline

[000102] 124 - first side

[000103] 128 - second side

[000104] 129 - front edge

[000105] 130 - rear edge

[000106] 131 a - side edge

[000107] 131 b - side edge

[000108] 132 - sheet

[000109] 133a - long edge

[000110] 133b - long edge

[000111] 134 - first slot wall

[000112] 138 - second slot wall

[000113] 142 - slot wall panel

[000114] 142a - slot wall panel portion

[000115] 142b - slot wall panel portion

[000116] 144 - end [000117] 146a-d - connection lines

[000118] 150 - extension

[000119] 158 - support

[000120] 158a - first support

[000121] 158b - second support

[000122] 162a-d - connection lines

[000123] 166 - third connector

[000124] 170 - flap

[000125] 174 - panel

[000126] 176 - sheath

[000127] 178 - connection line

[000128] 180 - band

[000129] 182 - separation point

[000130] 184 - floating band section

[000131] 185 - corner

[000132] 186 - lower edge

[000133] 190 - strengthener

[000134] 192 - stitching

[000135] As used throughout and in all parts of this patent, the following terms have the following meanings, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise:

[000136] The terms “adjacent to”, “proximate to” and variations thereof refer to and include immediately next to and touching, immediately next to but not touching and near to but spaced away from. For example, a first item being adjacent to a second item does not require the first and second items to be touching one another, although they may touch one another in some cases. For another example, if it is said that a connector is proximate to the upper end of a wall, the connector could be at the upper end of the wall, beside the upper end of the wall or closer to the upper end than to the lower end of the wall.

[000137] The terms “compatible” and variations thereof mean interconnectable or having mating, complimentary or common connection mechanisms.

[000138] The terms “connector” and variations thereof as used herein mean and refer to a device, feature or component that is used to help connect or fasten whatever item it is associated with to another item, device, feature or component. For example, each half of a mating connection mechanism is a connector. Accordingly, a male/female connection mechanism would have a male connector and a female connector.

[000139] The terms “elongated” and variations thereof as used herein mean and refer to an item having an overall length (during the intended use of the item) that is at least three times greater than its average width.

[000140] The terms “facing up”, “outward”, “featured”, “displayed” and variation thereof, when referring to the bill of a hat or component or feature thereof, are used interchangeably to mean facing up when the hat is normally or typically worn by a user on his/her head.

[000141] The terms “flap” and variations thereof mean and include a flap, lip, panel, strip, fold-over member and the like. In some instances, including the present embodiment, the flaps 100, 170, may be thin flexible material hinged, coupled to or extending from a component at or along only on one side of the flap.

[000142] The “interior” and “exterior” of an item or component can include one or more surfaces, areas or features.

[000143] The terms “integral” and variations thereof mean and include formed as a single unit or not disconnectable without the risk of causing damage thereto. In some instances, integral features may be formed through a process such as heat sealing, welding, molding and the like. [000144] The terms “manually” and variations thereof are used interchangeably herein to include by one or more persons by hand as well as in an automated manner. Accordingly, if something can be done by hand (e.g., without the use of or need for tools), those manual action(s) can be made with automating equipment (e.g. robots, electronic components, Al, software, loT devices, etc.). Thus, equipment that merely automates manual actions is not considered as “tools” in the present disclosure.

[000145] The terms “minimal” and variations thereof will depend upon the type of component, application, circumstances of use, other variables or a combination thereof, as are and become further known to persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In the present embodiment, minimal generally means no more than 5-10%.

[000146] The terms “near”, “proximate to”, “adjacent” and variations thereof are used interchangeably herein to mean in the vicinity of or within a distance that allows the referenced items, features or components to operate as intended. It can include, but does not need to be, abutting.

[000147] The terms “perimeter” and variations thereof, when referring to the perimeter of the crown, generally mean the distance around the interior or exterior of the crown at, near or along the lower end or lower edge thereof, excluding where an adjustable strap (typically having two pieces of plastic that snap together) or other adjustment or sizing mechanism or any other device is located and where a band (e.g., cushion, sweatband, padding) cannot be, or is not normally, provided.

[000148] The terms “slot” and variations thereof can be a slot, pocket, slit, cavity, groove, sleeve, aperture, gap or opening and can have any desirable width and depth that allows the associated component(s) to operate as intended.

[000149] The terms “substantial” and variations thereof will depend upon the type of component, application, circumstances of use, other variables or a combination thereof, as are and become further known to persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In some instances, such when used to describe the amount or degree of something (e.g., ''substantial stress”), substantial may mean by at least approximately 75% and insubstantial being no more than about 25%.

[000150] The terms “universal” and variations thereof refer generally to a component or item having a standard construction or standardized units, features or dimensions for ease, flexibility or versatility in its use, interchangeability, replacement, interconnection, removal, any other purposes or a combination thereof. Multiple of the same type, model or version of a universal component or item may be interchangeable.

[000151] The terms “user”, “person”, “wearer” and the like and variations thereof refer to and include one or more humans or other animals, virtual entities, beings and avatars, robots and robotic components, artificial intelligence-driven or loT-driven components/circuitry, other entities and the like.

[000152] It should be noted that any of the above terms may be further explained, defined, expanded or limited below or in other parts of this patent. Further, the above list of terms is not all inclusive and other terms may be defined, used or explained below or in other sections of this patent.

[000153] Referring initially to Figure 1A, an exemplary hat 10 having a crown 20 and brim, or bill, 60 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The hat 10 can be any type of headwear that includes, or can include, at least one crown and at least one bill, such as a baseball cap or other sports hat, helmet, hunting hat, fishing hat, snapback hat, switchback hat, fitted hat, classic hat, sun-visor, 5-panel hat, 6-panel hat, structured hat, unstructured hat, military headwear, cowboy hat, flat-bill hat, party hat, augmented reality engagement hat, hat with limited-time designs or offers, Halloween and other holiday /special-occasion hats, cold- weather headgear, construction hat and helmet, safety and protective helmet and headgear, team-spirit hats, marketing or advertising hat, social media influencer hat, company hat, fedora hat, top hat, women’ s fashion hat, dad hat, trucker hat, etc. [000154] If desired, the bill 60 may be reversible, such as to customize the hat 10 with different designs, devices, functions or other features, display different styles, colors, patterns, etc. on the respective sides 66, 70 of the bill 60, allow the user to switch between sides 66, 70, expand the hat user experience, for any other reasons or a combination thereof. For example, the bill 60 of a hunting hat 10 may be have orange on one side 66 and camouflage on the other side 70, or different versions of camo on each side for different hunting scenarios; a sports hat 10 may be two-toned, having a team’s home color/pattem on one side 66 and away color/pattern on the other side 70; team hats 10 for games may have a first team color on one side 66 and a second team color on the other side 70. The bill 60 of a mood expression hat 10 may, for example, have dark and light sides 66, 70 or other features. The bill 60 of a company, brand promotion or advertising hat 10 may, for example, have different brands or products displayed on each respective side 66, 70. A fashion or birdwatching hat 10 may, for example, display different seasonal themes on each side 66, 70. Day-night transition hats 10 could have different colors, patterns or features on each side 66, 70. The hat 10 could be a travel hat, for example, having different features on each side of the bill 60 so a single hat can be packed for different uses, such as softball team colors on one side and a hunting pattern on the other, work graphics or colors on one side and casual or leisure colors or graphics on the other, and so on. [000155] Referring now to Figures 1A & 2A, the illustrated crown 20 generally has an outer side, or exterior, 24 and inner side, or interior, 28, a front 32 and a rear 36. The lower end 40 of the exemplary crown 20 is generally configured to engage, or extend at least partially around, a user’s head when the hat 10 is worn by the user. The illustrated crown 20 can be said to have a perimeter 44 extending generally and at least partially around its lower end 40 and at least one lower edge 48 extending at least partially along the perimeter 44. [000156] The exemplary bill 60 has at least one front edge 72 and rear edge 74 and first and second respective sides 66, 70 generally extending therebetween. In Figure 1A, the hat 10 is configured with the first side 66 of the bill 60 shown facing outwards (also referred to herein as “facing up”, “featured” or “displayed”), but can be manipulated to display either side 66, 70. For example, the exemplary crown 20 and bill 60 may be releasably engageable together in at least a first configuration 14 of the hat 10 having the first side 66 of the bill 60 facing outward and at least a second configuration 16 of the hat 10 having the second side 70 of the bill 66 facing outward (e.g., Figure IB). Changing the side of the bill 60 that is featured is sometimes referred to herein as “reversing” the bill 60. The bill 60 of the exemplary hat 10 can be reversed between one or more configurations 14, 16 repeatedly and whenever desired.

[000157] Referring briefly to Figures 3 & 4, in various embodiments, the bill 60 may be completely separable from the crown 20 then reconnected with the crown 20 or replaced with a different compatible bill 60 or used with another compatible crown 20, such as to switch out a crown 20 and/or bill 60 that becomes worn, soiled, damaged or otherwise undesirable, use the crown 20 or bill 60 with a different compatible partner (e.g., a longer bill 60, a different style crown 20, a crown 20 or bill 60 having a different design or multiple different design options), clean, modify the bill 60 or crown 20 and recouple them together, for any other reasons or a combination thereof. In such embodiments, the bill 60 could also, or not, be reversible. In fact, the bill 60 of any of the embodiments disclosed herein could be non- reversible. Thus, the present disclosure involves exemplary hats 10 having (i) a bill 60 and crown 20 that are separable and reengageable with one another or any other compatible bill 60 or crown 20, (ii) a bill 60 that is removable and not reversible, (iii) a bill 60 that is separable from the crown 20 and reversible, and (iv) a bill 60 that is reversible but not separable from the crown 20. In many embodiments, the crown 20 and/or bill 60 can be designed to be universal and interchangeable with other compatible crowns 20 and/or bills 60. In some instances, interchangeable families, or sets, of various different (reversible or non-reversible) bills 60 may be available for use with one or more crowns 20 and/or vice versa.

[000158] The bill 60 and crown 20 could be separable and interchangeable for any purpose, such as to use the same crown 20 with different bills 60 and/or vice versa. For example, a reversible bill 60 for a family of Disney® themed hats can be used with a Mickey Mouse®, Minnie Mouse® and Donald Duck® crown 20. Likewise, different interchangeable bills 60 and/or crowns 20 may be available for the exemplary Mickey Mouse®, Minnie Mouse® and Donald Duck® crowns 20. For other examples, a family of bills 60 and crowns 20 could or be used for different outdoor sports, such as having interchangeable hunting and fishing themed crowns 20 and bills 60, themed parties and costumes, political rallies or sports events or include memes or sports themes on one or both sides of bill 60 and/or on the crown(s) 20 (e.g., different team logos on different crowns 20 and different team slogans on each side of the bills 60), gaming merchandising, fashion themes, event promotion information, educational features, sun, wind or other weather protection on different parts of the hat 10 or any combination thereof.

[000159] Other possible examples of reversible and/or removable bill hats 10 include a multi-fandom support hat, scouting hat, gender reveal hat, artist collaboration or collectible hat, limited edition hat, movie hat, tv or social media merchandising hat, charitable cause awareness hat or political messaging hat. The crown 20 and/or bill 60 could have safety or reflective material (for runners, walkers, bikers, workers, etc.), water-resistant or heat-resistant material, one or more clips for sunglasses or other devices, camera, light or laser, radon or radiation reactive material or meters, GPS devices or displays, temperature, humidity or other weather related reactive features, devices or displays (e.g., changes color based on temperature or due point), map displays or devices, digital or LED displays or other technology, connectors or connection ports, dynamic or changeable displays or features, hidden compartments (e.g., for storing small items or emergency cash), safety goggles or eye shields, costume accessories or themes, glow in the dark features or material, QR codes or QR integration features, business promotions, jokes or punch lines, on-line challenges (e.g., social media challenges), messages (e.g., flip the bill 60 to reveal a surprising or humorous message or image), memory aids, elder care or medical information or devices, motivational messages, record keeping features, award displays or any combination thereof. Accordingly, the potential uses of and applications for the hat 10 are limitless and the present disclosure is not limited by the type, form, configuration, components or other details of the hat, other than having at least one crown 20 and at least one removable and/or reversible bill 60, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in a particular claim hereof and only for such reference or claim(s) and any claim(s) depending therefrom.

[000160] In many embodiments, the reversal (and/or removal) of the bill 60 can be made easily and quickly without sewing, stitching or the need for any tools. In some instances, the bill 60 can be removed or reversed between and secured in the first and second configurations 14, 16 of the hat 10 (or other configurations) manually in a matter of seconds (e.g., under sixty, thirty, fifteen seconds, or more or less) and securely worn during normal or expected use without substantial (or any) risk the bill 60 will loosen or separate from the crown 20.

[000161] Referring now to Figures 3 & 4, the bill 60 may be reversible in any suitable manner. For example, one or more connectors 76 may be engaged between the bill 60 and crown 20 to help secure the bill 60 to the crown 20 in at least the first and second respective configurations 14, 16 (Figures 1A-B), such as manually without the need for sewing, stitching or the use of tools (other than for automation of the manual actions). When included, the connector(s) 76 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction, components and operation. In some embodiments, the connector 76 may include at least one spring-loaded mechanism, such as a strip, wire, or line, connected to the crown 20 or bill 60 and which is retractable on a spool connected to the other component. For example, drawing the bill 60 away from the crown 20 (or vice versa) may extend out the wire, or line, and allow the bill 20 to be flipped over and returned back to the crown 20. For another example, the connector(s) 76 may include one or more ratchet-like mechanisms engaged between the crown 20 and bill 60 and which allow the bill 60 to be turned over. Other connectors 76 may have a snap button, door-hinge, zip-lock, zipper, belt buckle, brass fastener, spring-loaded, cable tie (zip-tie), push button, magnetic, threaded screw, lanyard clip, ratchet buckle, hook and loop, ball and socket, sliding lock, toggle clamp, button and hole, safety pin, quick release lever, swivel, claw clamp, detent pin and hole, and sliding rail and groove styles connectors, or the like or a combination thereof.

[000162] In many embodiments, the connectors 76 include at least a first connector 80 associated with the crown 20 and at least a second connector 88 associated with the bill 60, the connectors 80, 88 being selectively releasably interconnected to help secure the bill 60 and crown 20 together in at least the first and second configurations 14, 16 (Figures 1 A-B). When included, the first and second connectors 80, 88 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. For example, at least one among the first and second connectors 80, 88 may include at least one projection 92 and at least the other among the connectors 80, 88 may include at least one receptacle 96, the projection(s) 92 being insertable into or otherwise mateable, or engageable, with at least part of the receptacle(s) 96 to help secure the bill 60 to the crown 20 in at least the first and second respective configurations 14, 16.

[000163] Still referring to Figures 3 & 4, the projection(s) 92 may be associated with (e.g., provided on or coupled to) the crown 20 and the receptacle(s) 96 associated with the bill 60 or vice versa, or the crown 20 and bill 60 may each have at least one projection 92 and receptacle 96. When included, the projection 92 and receptacle 96 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and operation. In some embodiments, the projection 92 may include at least one pin and the receptacle 96 at least one socket; the projection 92 may include at least one rib and the receptacle 96 at least one groove; the projection 92 may include at least one flange and the receptacle 96 at least one recess; the projection 92 may include at least one male member, or extension and the receptacle 96 at least one female receiver; the projection 92 may include at least one snap projection and the receptacle 96 at least one snap receiver; the projection 92 may include at least one protrusion or other grippable feature, and the receptacle 96 at least one gripper, clamp, pincher, tensioner or the like; the projection 92 and receptacle 96 could include slidingly engageable members; or any combination thereof. While various possible examples of projections 92 and receptacles 96 and other types of connectors 76 are provided herein, the present disclosure is not limited to or by the type, or form, of the projection 92 or receptacle 96 (or other connectors 76), except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

[000164] Still referring to Figures 3 & 4, for another example, the projections 92 may be in the form of, or include, one or more flaps 100 and the receptacles 96 may include one or more slots 110, whereby the flap(s) 100 are releasably mateable with, insertable into or otherwise engaged in or by the slot(s) 110 (e.g., easily and quickly without sewing, stitching or the need for any tools). In the present embodiment, the crown 20 includes one or more elongated flaps 100 engageable with one or more elongated slots 110 (e.g., Figures 5A-5B) of the bill 60. However, the opposite configuration may be used, or both the crown 20 and bill 60 may have corresponding mateable flaps 100 and slots 110.

[000165] The projections 92, such as flaps 100 (e.g., crown-mounted flap 100, locking flap 170) and receptacles 96, such as slots 110, can provide one or more benefits, such as the projections 92 and receptacles 96, and thus the connectors 76, could be constructed with, and interconnected to form, primarily or entirely substantially flat, sometimes hidden, components that are as comfortable or feel the same as a conventional hat, or even unnoticeable to the user. For another example, the connectors 76 could include only fabric (or other desirable material) in the parts of the connectors 76 that may contact the user’s head for comfort and familiarity.

[000166] For yet other examples, the connectors 76 may not include bulky, solid, heavier, imbalancing or rigid hardware or other components that could be intrusive, awkward or uncomfortable to the user, increase the weight of or change the appearance of the hat 10 or limited the normal or expected use of the hat 10. In some instances, the connectors 76 may not substantially (or at all) increase the stiffness of the bill 60 or crown 20. For still a further example, the connectors 76 may not include components (e.g., magnets) that could be undesirable for other reasons. Another potential benefit of using projections 92 and receptacles 96 is that they may provide a particularly tight, secure or firm connection of the crown 20 and bill 60 (e.g., when folds are created in the interconnection of the projection(s) 92 and receptacle(s) 96), that cannot be easily pulled apart or mistakenly loosen during normal or expect use of the hat 10. For other examples, the connectors 76 may allow the hat 10 to be used as normal, such as providing a strong connection of the bill 60 and crown 20 even after the user curves, shapes or bends the bill 60 to his/her preference for personal style, appearance, comfort or other reason, adjusts the size or shape of the crown 20 or positions the hat 10 as desired, provide other benefits or any combination of any of the above or other benefits.

[000167] Still referring to Figures 3 & 4, in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the illustrated flap(s) 100 on the crown 20 (sometimes referred to herein as the “crown-mounted” flap 100) may be engageable with the receptacle(s) 96 in any suitable manner. For example, the illustrated crown-mounted flap 100 may be coupled to, or extend at least partially along or proximate to, a lower edge 48 of the crown 20 at, or proximate to, its front 32 (a.k.a. the front lower edge 48a). The exemplary slot(s) 110 may be coupled to, or extend generally along or proximate to, the rear edge 74 of the bill 60 and be configured to be alignable with the crown-mounted flap(s) 100. In the present embodiment, such as shown in

Figures 6A-C, the crown- mounted flap 100 is aligned with and inserted into the illustrated slot 110 to engage them together and interconnect the bill 60 with the crown 20 for use of the hat 10 with the desired side 66, 70 of the bill 60 facing outwards. However, the crown-mounted flap 100 or other projection(s) 92 and slot 110 or other component of one or more receptacles 96 may have any other desired placement and positioning.

[000168] In various embodiments, the crown-mounted flap(s) 100 may be configurable to at least temporarily project, or protrude, away from the crown 20 for engagement with, or into, at least one slot 110 of the bill 60 to secure, or help secure, the crown 20 and bill 60 together in at least the first and second configurations 14, 16 (Figures 1A-B). For example, the crownmounted flap 100 may be movable between at least a first position 102a abutting, facing or near the interior 28 of the crown 20 at its lower end 40 inside the front 32 thereof (e.g., Figures 2A-B) and at least a second position 102b at least partially extending, or projecting, away from the crown 20 (e.g., Figures 6A-B). In some instances, the crown-mounted flap 100 can be characterized as generally biased inwardly toward, at or adjacent to, the interior 28 of the crown 20 and pivotable (e.g., along or near the front lower edge 48a of the crown 20) outwardly therefrom. For example, the crown-mounted flap 100 may be moved (e.g., pivoted) from its first position 102a (e.g., Figure 2A) to its second position 102b (e.g., Figure 4) for engagement with one or more of the slots 1 10.

[000169] In many embodiments, the exemplary crown-mounted flap 100 is (e.g., thereafter) movable (e.g., pivotable) back to, or near, its first position 102a (e.g., Figure 9), such as to help secure its engagement with the receptacle 96, prepare the hat 10 to be worn by a user, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, when the crown-mounted flap 100 (engaged with the slot 110) is moved, or pivoted, back into or near its first position 102a, the crown-mounted flap 100, or one or more portions thereof, may become effectively folded within the connection, providing for a folded, more secure, locked connection.

However, any or all of these features of the crown-mounted flap 100 (e.g., projecting away from the crown 20, being moveable between positions, being folded) may be different or not included in other embodiments.

[000170] In yet another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the slot(s) 110 and/or other features of the receptacle 96 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction, location and operation and be useful to help configure the hat 10 in at least the first and/or second configurations 14, 16 (Figures 1A-B) in any suitable manner. Referring to Figures 10- 12, for example, the receptacle 96 of the bill 60 may include at least first and second slots 110a, 110b and be selectively configurable so that either slot 110a, 110b is accessible for engagement with the crown-mounted flap 100 (or other projection(s) 92). However, other embodiments of the receptacle 96 may include more (e.g., 3, 4, 5) or fewer (0, 1) slots 1 10.

[000171] In the present embodiment, the dual-slot receptacle 96 can be oriented in at least a first position 98a in which the first side 66 of the bill 60 faces up and the first slot 1 10a is accessible (e.g., from above) for engagement with the crown-mounted flap 100 (or other feature) and at least second position 98b in which the second side 70 of the bill 60 faces up and the second slot 110b is accessible (e.g., from above) for engagement with the crown-mounted flap 100 (or other feature). The receptacle 96 may, for example, be flipped or pivotable (e.g., Figure 11), or otherwise movable, relative to the bill 60 between at least its first and second positions 98a, 98b. When the exemplary hat 10 is assembled with the receptacle 96 in or near its first position 98a as shown in Figure 10 (with the first side 66 facing up), the first side 66 of the bill 60 will be featured (Figure 1A). Likewise, when the hat 10 is assembled with the receptacle 96 in or near its second position 98b as shown in the Figure 12 (with the second side 70 facing up), the second side 70 of the bill 60 will be featured (Figure IB). Accordingly, the exemplary receptacle 96 is placed in or near its first position 98a for coupling to the crown 20 when it is desired to feature the first side 66 of the bill 60 and in or near its second position 98b when it is desired to feature the second side 70.

[000172] Still referring to Figures 10-12, the exemplary receptacle 96 may be moveable at least between its first and second positions 98a, 98b in any suitable manner. In the present embodiment, the receptacle 96 includes a main body 120 pivotably coupled to the bill 60 along or near the rear edge 74 thereof. The exemplary main body 120 includes first and second sides 124, 128, the first slot 110a being provided on, or associated with, the first side 124 and the second slot 110b being provided on, or associated with, the second side 128. When the illustrated receptacle 96 is flipped, or pivoted, into its or near first position 98a and the first side 66 of the bill 60 faces up as shown in Figure 10, the first slot 110a is generally accessible from above (e.g., for engagement with the crown-mounted flap 100 or other feature). The same is true for the second slot 110b, that is, when the illustrated receptacle 96 is in or near its second position 98b and the second side 70 of the bill 60 faces up as shown in Figure 12, the exemplary second slot 110b is generally accessible from above (e.g., for engagement with the crownmounted flap 100 or other feature). However, in other embodiments, the receptacle 96 and/or slots 110 may be oriented or moveable in a different way or not movable.

[000173] Referring briefly back to Figures 6A-C, in another independent aspect of the present disclosure, in some embodiments, after the first and second connectors 80, 88 are interconnected, they may be further secured or releasably locked together, such as to tighten or secure their interconnection, help secure the crown 20 and bill 60 together throughout normal or expected use of the hat 10, provide a comfortable, seemingly normal fit, look, feel and/or weight of the hat 10 for the user, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. This may be accomplished in any manner. For example, when the connectors 76 include one or more projections 92 (e.g., crown-mounted flaps 100) and receptacles 96 (e.g., slots 110), the projection(s) 92 and receptacle(s) 110 may be tightened, secured, or locked together. [000174] In the illustrated embodiment, after the crown-mounted flap 100 is engaged with the slot 110a or 110b (e.g., Figure 6C) to couple the bill 60 to the crown 20, the interconnected projection 92 and receptacle 96 may be in or near the position shown in Figure 7. Here, since the first side 66 of the bill 60 is featured, the exemplary crown-mounted flap 100 in or near its second position 102b is engaged with the receptacle 96 in or near its first position 98a. Thereafter, the illustrated projection 92 (e.g., crown-mounted flap 100) and receptacle 96 may be movable into a “locked” position 116 (e.g., Figure 9).

[000175] Referring to Figures 8 & 9, for example, the receptacle 96 can be flipped, moved or pivoted into or near its second position 98b, which takes the crown- mounted flap 100 engaged therewith generally into or near its first position 102a. Moving the exemplary crownmounted flap 100, engaged with the receptacle 96, into or near its first position 102a effectively forms an at least partial fold in the crown-mounted flap 100 that can serve as a locking mechanism and create a stronger coupling (e.g., as compared to if the receptacle 96 and crown- mounted flap 100 are not moved into a locked position 1 16 or known conventional separable hats). At this stage, in the locked position 116 the illustrated receptacle 96 and crown-mounted flap 100 engaged therewith extend up inside the crown 20, potentially abutting, facing or being near the interior 28 of the crown 20 (at its lower end 40 inside the front 32 thereof). The same could be true when the second side 70 of the exemplary bill 60 is featured, except the receptacle 96 would move from its second position 98b (e.g., Figure 12) to its first position 98a. However, this capability, arrangement and feature is not required for all embodiments.

[000176] Referring now back to Figures 2A-E, in still a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, if desired, one or more additional or different features may be provided to help tighten, secure or lock the connectors 80, 88 together, secure the crown 20 and bill 60 together throughout normal or expected use of the hat 10, provide a comfortable, seemingly normal weight, look, feel and/or fit of the hat 10 for the user (e.g., with a continuous interior crown band 180), protect or shield the connectors 80, 88 (e.g., the projection(s) 92 and receptacle 96), for any other purposes or a combination thereof. This may be accomplished in any manner. For example, the crown 20 and/or bill 60 may include at least one other connector 76, such as a third connector 166, engageable with the first and/or second connectors 80, 88, another component or a combination thereof.

[000177] When included, the third connector(s) 166 may have any suitable form, configuration, components, location and operation. In the present embodiment, the third connector 166 takes the form of one or more flaps 100, referred to herein as “padding”, “locking” and “band-mounted” flaps 170, provide on, coupled to, or part of an interior panel, or band, 180 (sometimes referred to herein as the “comfort band”) at the lower end 40 of the crown 20. The interior band 180 may, for example, be a sweatband, padding, cushion or the like, which is often included in various types of hats 10. The illustrated band 180 is secured to the interior 28 of the crown 20 around the perimeter 44 thereof up to a separation point 182 at, or near, each respective end 101 of the crown-mounted flap 100. Between the separation points 182, the exemplary band 180 has a detached, or floating, band section 184 that generally coincides with the length of the crown-mounted flap 100 and which carries the padding flap(s) 170. Thus, instead of the band 180 attached to the entire inside of the crown 20 (like typical conventional caps), the exemplary band 180 is not attached to the crown 20 or bill 60 where the bill 60 meets the crown 20 at the front of the hat 10. Accordingly, there is a space or gap between the front lower edge 48a of the illustrated crown 20 and the floating band section 184 before the hat 10 is assembled. However, these may differ or not be included in other embodiments,

[000178] In the present embodiment, the floating band section 184 allows the placement and use of the crown-mounted flap 100 along the front edge 48a of the crown 20 and its interconnection with the receptacle 96, as well as the movement and positioning of the crown- mounted flap 100 and engaged receptacle 96 as desired (e.g., between their different positions).

When the hat 10 is assembled, the exemplary padding flap 170 secures the floating band section 184 (and band 180) to the bill 60 and crown 20 along the front 32 of the crown 20 and also serves to help lock, or secure, the engagement of the bill 60 and crown 20. However, in other embodiments, the locking flap(s) 170 may instead or also be included at one or more other locations on the crown 20 and/or bill 60, or may not be included.

[000179] Referring briefly to Figures 13-17, when the exemplary receptacle 96 and crownmounted flap 100 are in a “locked” position 116 (e.g., Figure 9), the locking flap 170 is alignable with the receptacle 96 and can be releasably engaged with, by or into one or more slots 110a, 110b of the receptacle 96 not occupied by the crown- mounted flap 100. This secures the exemplary locking flap 170 and floating band section 184 to the receptacle 96, securing the band 180 to the bill 60 and crown 20 at the front 32 of the crown 20. Consequently, the entire illustrated band 180 is now firmly secured to the crown 20 around (essentially) the entire perimeter 44 of the crown 20, providing a substantially or entirely continuous, comfortable, interior surface (e.g., the cushion or padding of the band 180) at the lower end 40 of the crown 20, similar to or which can be expected with various conventional headwear, helping secure the connectors 80, 88 together and the bill 60 to the crown 20, cover, shield and/or protect the receptacle 96 and crown-mounted flap 100, for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

[000180] Referring back to Figures 2C-E, when included, the exemplary locking flap(s) 170 may be engageable with the receptacle(s) 96 in any suitable manner. For example, the illustrated locking flap 170 may be coupled to, or extend at least partially along or near a lower edge 186 of the floating band section 184 and/or be configurable to at least temporarily project, or protrude, away from the floating band section 184 for engagement with, or into, at least one slot 110 of the receptacle 96 (e.g., Figure 13). [000181] In some embodiments, the locking flap 170 may be movable between at least a first position (e.g., Figure 2D) abutting, facing or near the interior of the floating band section 184 and at least a second position (e.g., Figure 2E) at least partially projecting away from the floating band section 184 for engagement with the receptacle 96. In assembly of the exemplary hat 10, the locking flap 170 may be situated in or near its second position for engagement with the slot 110 and thereafter end up in or near its first position. The locking flap 170 can be moved into or near its first position, for example, when the floating band section 184 naturally lays or drops into place, or is pushed or flattened, over the receptacle 96 inside the lower end 40 of the crown 20. The exemplary locking flap 170 thus helps secure, or provide a second lock to, the primary interconnection between the crown-mounted flap 100 and receptacle 96 and allows the floating band section 184 to form a continuous, smooth, unencumbered surface across the entirety of the band 180 inside the hat 10. However, the locking flap(s) 170, when included, may have any other construction, location and operation.

[000182] Referring specifically to Figure 2D, in a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, if desired, any parts of the crown 20 and/or bill 60 may be reinforced, such as at one or more locations that may be particularly susceptible to wear, damage or undesirable disconnection, to help preserve the integrity and longevity of the component or hat 10, provide extra strength or support, prevent damage or excessive wear, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. The crown 20 and/or bill 60 may be reinforced in any suitable manner. For example, one or more strengtheners 190 may be provided at select locations that may experience substantial tension (e.g., during pulling, twisting, pushing, flipping, handling) throughout the life and use of the hat 10.

[000183] When included, the strengthener(s) 190 may have any suitable form, configuration, construction, location and operation. In the present embodiment, one or more strengtheners 190 are provided at or near each separation point 182 of the band 180, which may experience substantial tension throughout the life of the hat 10 (e.g., as the floating band section

184 is manipulated during connection and disconnection of the bill 60 and crown 20). The strengthener 190 at or near each separation point 182 may, for example, include extra stitching 192 between the panel 180 and crown 20, such as to provide extra strength and support at those locations, reinforce the separation points 182, prevent tearing of band 180 or crown 20 thereabouts, preserve the integrity of the components, etc. In other embodiments, the strengthener 190 at or near the separation points 182, or other locations, could include wax, fabric, plastic, rubber or any other forms of material reinforcement or support, be treated with heat-welding, sealing or any other techniques for strengthening or reinforcing, or a combination thereof.

[000184] In still another independent aspect, various exemplary methods of assembly of the hat 10 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described. Referring back to Figures 6A-C, the bill 60 may be oriented with the desired side 66, 70 of the bill 60 facing up (outwards). In this instance, the first side 66 of the bill 60 is featured. Thereafter, the respective connectors 76 of the crown 20 and bill 60 are interconnected to secure the bill 60 to the crown 20. The hat 10 can then be used, displayed or whatever. To reverse the bill 60, the exemplary connectors 76 are disengaged from one another, the bill 60 is flipped over so the other side 66, 70 faces up (outwards), and the connectors 76 reengaged. In many embodiments, this may be accomplished any desired number of times manually without sewing, stitching or the need for tools. In some embodiments, the crown 20 and bill 60 can be completely separated so that, if desired, either component can be replaced or used with another crown 20 or bill 60 having one or more compatible connectors 76 or for any other purposes.

[000185] In the present embodiment, after the bill 60 is oriented with the desired side 66, 70 facing up, the first and second connectors 80, 88 are aligned and then interconnected to couple the bill 60 and crown 20. For example, when the first configuration 14 of the hat 10 is desired (Figure 1A), the bill 60 may be positioned as shown in Figure 10 with its first side 66 facing up and the first slot 110a of the receptacle 96 accessible for engagement with one or more projection(s) 92 (e.g., crown-mounted flap 100) of the crown 20 (Figure 6A). This may require orienting the exemplary receptacle 96 in or near its first position 98a (Figure 10), such as by flipping, biasing or pivoting the receptacle 96 to point downwards relative to the upright first side 66 of the bill 60 (e.g., path 112, Figure 11). Likewise, when the second configuration 16 is desired (Figure IB), the exemplary bill 60 may be positioned as shown in Figure 12 with its second side 70 facing up and the second slot 110b of the receptacle 96 accessible for engagement with the projection(s) 92 (e.g., crown-mounted flap 100) of the crown 20. This may require orienting the receptacle 96 in or near its second position 98b (Figure 12), such as by flipping, biasing or pivoting the receptacle 96 to point downwards relative to the upright second side 70 of the bill 60.

[000186] Referring again to Figures 6A-C, the exemplary crown-mounted flap 100 is thereafter engaged with the accessible, or adjacent, slot 110 of the receptacle 96. In this example, since the first side 66 of the bill 60 is featured, the accessible slot 110 is the first slot 110a. In the illustrated embodiment, the crown-mounted flap 100 may be oriented to at least partially project away from crown 20 in or near its second position 102b and aligned with, and then inserted into the slot 110. In Figure 6A, for example, first the left side of the bill 60 may be gripped with the left hand, as the leftmost comer of the crown-mounted flap 100 is inserted into the leftmost corner of the slot 110 with the right hand. Turning to Figure 6B, the left hand may then be used to secure that left-corner engagement by holding down the illustrated crown 20 and bill 60 at or near the left corner. Concurrently, the right hand can be used, if desired, to help align at least part of the remainder of the exemplary crown-mounted flap 100 across its length with the slot 110, then to insert the rightmost corner of the crown-mounted flap 100 into the rightmost corner of the slot 110.

[000187] In some instances, such as shown in Figure 6C, after both comers of the crownmounted flap 100 and slot 110 are engaged, it may be necessary or desirable to generally slide either or both thumbs at least partially across the front lower edge 48a of the crown 20 and rear edge 74 of the bill 60 to help align and/or insert the crown-mounted flap 100 across its length into the slot 110. At this stage in the exemplary assembly process, the illustrated crownmounted flap 100 and receptacle 96 may be positioned generally as reflected in Figure 7. The same exemplary steps as below could be employed when the second side 70 of the illustrated bill 60 is featured. In some embodiments, the hat 10 in this configuration can be used, displayed or whatever.

[000188] Turning briefly to Figures 8 & 9, in the present embodiment, the engaged crownmounted flap 100 and receptacle 96 can then be moved into a locked position 116, such as previously described. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, while the hat 10 is gripped as shown in Figure 6C (or similarly) having the left and right thumbs generally holding down the respective left and right comers of the front 32 of the crown 20 onto the bill 60, the left and right forefingers (or possibly other fingers) under the hat 10 can be used to push, pivot, flip or bias the receptacle 96 up into the interior 28 of the crown 20 (e.g., along path 112, Figure 8), such as into or near the “locked” position 116 shown in Figure 9 or a similar position. In various embodiments, the hat 10 may then be ready for use, display or whatever.

[000189] Referring now to Figures 13-17, in some instances, it may be desirable to engage one or more additional connectors 166 with the crown 20 and/or bill 60, such as previously described. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. In the present embodiment, after the receptacle 96 and crown-mounted flap 100 engaged therewith (e.g., Figure 6C) are moved into a locked or similar position (e.g., Figure 9), the hat 10 may be flipped over and the locking flap(s) 170 engaged with the receptacle 96 (e.g., Figure 13). Referring briefly to Figures 18A-B, if desired, the floating band section 184 of the exemplary band 180 may be wrapped around, or otherwise moved to cover, the comers 62 of the bill 60 and receptacle 96. For example, the receptacle 96 may include one or more end-portions, or extensions, 150 (e.g., Figure 5A) projecting outwardly from the exemplary bill 60 at or near its corners 62 which can be tucked under the corners 185 of the floating band section 184, such as to help align the locking flap(s) 170 with the receptacle 96, secure the bill 60 to the crown 20, provide a clean, appealing appearance, protect and shield the interconnected receptacle 96 and crown-mounted flap 100, provide a generally smooth surface (e.g., band 180) along the interior 28 of the crown 20 around its lower end 40, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. However, various embodiments may not require these steps.

[000190] Referring back to Figures 13-17, the exemplary locking flap 170 can be aligned with and then inserted into the accessible, or upwardly facing, slot 110 of the receptacle 96. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, as shown in Figure 1 , while the left hand generally grips the left comer 62 of the bill 60 and connected crown 20, the right hand may be used to insert the leftmost comer of the locking flap 170 into the left comer of the slot 1 10b in this case (since the first slot 110a has been engaged with the crown-mounted flap 100). Turning to Figure 14, the left hand may now be used to hold the left corner of the exemplary floating band section 184 (now engaged with the receptacle 96) along with the bill 90 and engaged crown 20 thereunder. Concurrently, the right hand can, if desired, be used to help align some or all of the remainder of the exemplary locking flap 170 with the slot 110 and insert the rightmost corner of the locking flap 170 into the rightmost corner of the slot 110.

[000191] Referring specifically to Figures 15-16, it may thereafter be necessary or desirable to slide either or both hands across the lower edge 186 of the floating band section 184 to help sufficiently or fully engage the locking flap 170 across its length into the slot 110.

At this stage, the receptacle 96 and crown- mounted flap 100 and locking flap 170 engaged therewith may be positioned generally as shown in Figure 17. The same exemplary steps as above may be employed when the second side 70 of the exemplary bill 60 is featured, in which case the locking flap 170 would engage the first slot 110a of the receptacle 96. The exemplary hat 10 is now fully assembled, with the floating band section 184 engaged with the bill 60 and crown 20 along the front 32 of the crown 20, providing a continuous band 180 around, and inside, at least part of the lower end 40 of the crown 20.

[000192] To reverse or disconnect the exemplary bill 60, some or all of the above steps can be undone. In the present embodiment, the locking flap 170, or other connector 166, (Figures 13-16) may be removed from the receptacle 96, then the receptacle 96 moved (e.g. pivoted) out of the locked position 116 (e.g., flipped from Figure 9 to Figure 7). The exemplary crown-mounted flap 100 (or other form of projections 92) may then be removed from the receptacle 96 (Figures 6A-C). The above exemplary methods of assembly and disassembly of the hat 10 can be repeated as desired to feature either side 66, 70 of the bill 60 and/or to replace the bill 60 or crown 20. However, other embodiments may involve different, fewer or more steps.

[000193] In another independent aspect of the present disclosure, the various components and features of the crown 20 and bill 60 may have any suitable form configuration, construction and components and be used to help configure the hat 10 in at least the first and/or second configurations 14, 16 (Figures 1A-B) in any suitable manner. For example, such as shown in Figure 19, the crown-mounted flap 100 may be, or include, at least one elongated panel 106. The illustrated panel 106 may be sufficiently strong and durable to withstand repeated, even extensive, handling and manipulation (e.g., pivoting, bending, engaging and disengaging the receptacle 96) throughout the expected life of the crown 20 or hat 10 without undesirable deformation, breaking, cracking or other premature failure. The exemplary panel 106 may be sufficiently elastic and flexible to flex or bend as needed, such as to conform to the shape of the slot(s) 110 (e.g., along the curved edge 74 of the exemplary bill 60, Figure 6A-C), bend as the hat 10 is used and/or the bill 60 (or crown 20) is bent or shaped by the user, and return to its normal shape thereafter, sufficiently rigid to engage and stay engaged in the slot 110 during assembly and use of the hat 10, have any other desired characteristics or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the panel 106 may be constructed of one or more semi-rigid, elastic materials, such as approximately 0.50 mm thick, polypropylene plastic (PP, #5) (e.g., presently commercially available Office Depot® folders, item # 647866). However, any other suitable form and size of material may be used.

[000194] Still referring to Figure 19, the exemplary panel 106 is shown encased by, coupled to, or encapsulated in a sheath 108 (e.g., flexible material, such as fabric, mesh, rubber, soft plastic, silicone, leather, foam, canvas or the like), to provide a desired appearance and/or conform to a desired color or pattern, help protect and preserve the integrity of the panel 106, dull or prevent sharp corners on the crown-mounted flap 100, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the sheath 108 may be stitched, sewn or otherwise coupled to the panel 106 to secure them together (e.g., along connection line 107, Figure 4), then stitched, sewn, or otherwise coupled to the crown 20 (e.g., along connection line 109, Figure 4) to secure them together. In the present embodiment, stitching along connection line 109 goes through both the sheath 108 and panel 106 to the crown 20, such as to help bias the crownmounted flap 100 toward the interior 28 of the crown 20 (e.g., Figure 2B), but could instead go through only the sheath 108 to the crown 20 to provide greater flexing of the crown- mounted flap 100 for movement between positions 102a, 102b and/or for any other purposes.

[000195] Other embodiments could have yet other configurations for coupling the sheath 108 and panel 106 together and/or the crown-mounted flap 100 to the crown 20 (or other component). Moreover, in still further embodiments, any among the crown-mounted flap 100, panel 106, sheath 108 and crown 20 may be welded, heat-sealed or otherwise coupled together or integrally formed. For example, the crown-mounted flap 100 (with or without one or more panels 106 and/or sheaths 108) or other form of projection(s) 92 may be integrally formed as part of the crown 20.

[000196] Referring still to Figure 19, the exemplary projection(s) 92 (e.g., crown-mounted flap 100) may be selectively shaped to effectively engage the receptacle 96 (e.g., slot 110, Figure 3) and stay engaged therewith during assembly and use of the hat 10 and/or for any other purposes. In the present embodiment, the crown-mounted flap 100 is wider along its central portion 105, such as in a generally quasi-crescent or trapezoidal shape, to ensure and maintain a good fit in the slot 110 (e.g., along the curved shape of the edge 74 of the bill 60, Figures 6A-C, during handling and use of the hat 10, etc.) and/or for any other purposes. For example, the larger central portion 105 of the slot 110 may be warranted to help ensure a good connection, for example, when the central portion of the slot 1 10 is looser or has more play and become effectively larger than the ends of the slot 110. However, the above features and details of the crown-mounted flap(s) 100 may not be included. Accordingly, the present disclose is not limited to the above features and details of the crown-mounted flap 100 or other forms of projections 92 or connectors 80, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

[000197] Referring now to Figures 20 & 21, when included, the main body 120 of the exemplary receptacle 96 may have any suitable form, configuration, components and construction. For example, the main body 120 may generally include one or more front edges 129 and a rear edge, or spine, 130, with its first and second sides 124, 128 therebetween. The illustrated main body 120 is formed of a flexible swath, or sheet 132, folded over at the spine 130 (e.g., along or near the midline 122) to form the first and second sides 124, 128. The long edges 133a, 133b of the exemplary sheet 132 (at the front edge(s) 129 of the main body 120) are configured to be coupled to, or near, the first and second sides 66, 70 of the bill 60, respectively (Figures 10 & 12). If desired, the side edges 131a, 131b of the sheet 132 (Figure 21) may each be sewn at least partially together or shut, such as along connection lines 135 for aesthetic appearance and/or any other purposes.

[000198] Referring still to Figures 20 & 21 , in the present embodiment, the main body 120 includes at least first and second slot walls 134, 138 associated with the first and second respective sides 124, 128 of the main body 120 to help form the first and second slots 110a, 110b and/or for any other purposes. For example, the slot walls 134, 138 may be part of a single elongated slot wall panel 142 (Figure 22) coupled to the outside 121 of the main body 120. To help form the slot walls 134, 138, the illustrated panel 142 may be wrapped at least partially around the outside 121 of the main body 120. For example, the panel 142 may be coupled to the main body 120 along or proximate to its ends 144 (e.g., along connection lines 146a, 146b) and also lengthwise proximate to its center (e.g., along connection lines 146c, 146d adjacent to but not engaging the supports 158a, 158b when included) on each respective side 124, 128 of the main body 120 to help form the respective slot walls 134, 138 after the main body 120 is folded at or proximate to its midline 122 or other location. The exemplary first slot 110a may be formed between the body 120 and a first panel portion 142a, while the second slot 110b may be formed between the body 120 and a second panel portion 142b.

[000199] In the present embodiment, the sheet 132 and panel 142 may be constructed of flexible material, such as fabric, mesh, rubber, soft plastic, silicone, leather, foam, canvas or the like, to provide a desired appearance and/or conform to a desired color or pattern, help protect and preserve the integrity of the sheet 132, panel 142 or main body 120, dull or prevent sharp corners at desired locations on the main body 120, allow sufficient flexing and/or pivoting of the main body 120 for movement between positions 98a, 98b an during handling and use of the hat 10, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. However, the sheet 132 and/or panel 142 may instead be constructed of semi-rigid, rigid or other material. Moreover, the main body 120 may be formed of additional or different components or be a single unitary item. Likewise, the receptacle 96 may have different components or be integral with the bill 60.

[000200] Still referring to Figures 20 & 21, if desired, the main body 120 and/or slot walls 134, 138 may be reinforced with one or more supports, or stiffeners, 158, such as to help form, define or provide strength or support to the slots 110a, 110b, provide sufficient rigidity to the main body 120, slot walls 134, 138 and/or slots 110a, 110b, provide resistance and stiffness across the main body 120 to assist movement of the receptacle 96 between and into the first and second positions 98a, 98b, help establish and/or maintain engagement with the crownmounted flap(s) 100 (or other features) during assembly and use of the hat 10, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. When included, the support(s) 1 8 may have any suitable form, configuration, location and operation. In the present embodiment, first and second elongated supports 158a, 158b are associated with the first and second slots 110a, 110b, respectively. For example, each support 158a, 158b may be affixed to, or integral with, the respective slot walls 134, 138 and/or the sheet 132.

[000201] Referring briefly to Figures 22-24, in the present embodiment, the supports 158a, 158b are secured (e.g., sewn along connection lines 162a-d) to the panel 142 in spacedrelationship with one another to ultimately position them as desired along the first and second respective sides 124, 128 of the main body 120 after the panel 142 is coupled thereto and the main body 120 is folded (e.g., Figures 20 & 21). In other embodiments, one or more supports 158 may extend across the panel 142 (e.g., across the spine 130 to support both slots 110a, 110b), be coupled to the sheet 132, integral with any desired component(s) or provided in a different manner.

[000202] Likewise, the support(s) 158 may be constructed of any suitable material. For example, each support 158 may be constructed of material sufficiently strong and durable to withstand extensive manipulation (e.g., flipping or pivoting of the receptacle 96, engagement and disengaged with connectors 76, 166) and handling throughout the expected life of the bill 60 or hat 10 without undesirable deformation, breaking, cracking or other premature failure. For another example, each support 158 may be sufficiently elastic and flexible to flex or bend as needed, such as to generally conform to the (e.g., curved) shape of the rear edge 74 of the bill 60 (e.g., Figures 6A-C) or other component, bend as the hat 10 is used and/or the bill 60 is bent or shaped by the user, and return to its normal shape thereafter, sufficiently rigid to provide the desired support for the receptacle 96 and to engage and stay engaged with the projection(s) 92 (e.g., crown-mounted flap 100) during assembly and use of the hat 10, have any other characteristics or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the support 158 may be constructed of one or more semi-rigid, elastic materials, such as approximately 0.50 mm thick, polypropylene plastic (PP, #5) (e.g., presently commercially available Office Depot® folders, item # 647866). However, any other desired material may be used.

[000203] It should be understood that the support(s) 158 may have any other form, quantity, location and construction or may not be included. Moreover, the main body 120 or receptacle 96 may be formed of additional or different components, or be a single unitary item with integral components, or may be integral to the bill 60. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the above form, configuration, construction, components, location, operation and other details of the receptacle(s) 96 or other forms of connectors 88, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. [000204] Referring now to Figure 25, the third connector(s) 166, such as the locking flap(s) 170, when included, may have any suitable form, configuration and construction. For example, the locking flap 170 may be, or include, at least one elongated panel 174. The illustrated panel 174 may be sufficiently strong and durable to withstand repeated, even extensive, handling and manipulation (e.g., pivoting, engaging and disengaging the receptacle 96) throughout the expected life of the crown 20 or hat 10, without undesirable deformation, breaking, cracking or other premature failure. The exemplary panel 174 may be sufficiently elastic and flexible to bend or flex as needed, such as to conform to the shape of the slot(s) 110 (e.g., along the curved edge 74 of the exemplary bill 60, Figure 13), bend as the hat 10 is used and/or the bill 60 is bent or shaped by the user, and return to its normal shape thereafter, sufficiently rigid to engage and stay engaged in the slot 110 during assembly and use of the hat 10, have any other desired characteristics or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the panel 106 may be constructed of one or more semi-rigid, elastic materials, such as approximately 0.50 mm thick, polypropylene plastic (PP, #5) (e.g., presently commercially available Office Depot® folders, item # 647866). However, any other desired material may be used.

[000205] Still referring to Figure 25, the exemplary panel 174 is shown encased by, coupled to, or encapsulated in a sheath 176 (e.g., flexible material, such as fabric, mesh, rubber, soft plastic, silicone, leather, foam, canvas or the like) to provide a desired appearance and/or conform to a desired color or pattern, help protect and preserve the integrity of the panel 174, dull or prevent sharp corners on the locking flap 170, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. For example, the sheath 176 may be stitched, sewn or otherwise coupled to the panel 174 to secure them together, then stitched, sewn, or otherwise coupled to the band 180 (e.g., along connection line 178, Figure 2E) to secure them together. In the present embodiment, stitching along connection line 178 goes through both the sheath 176 and panel 174 to the band 180, such as to help sufficiently secure the locking flap 170 to the band 180, but could instead go through only the sheath 176 to the band 180.

[000206] Other embodiments could have yet other configurations for coupling the sheath 176 and panel 174 together and/or the locking flap 170 to the floating band section 184 (or other component). Moreover, in still further embodiments, any among the locking flap 170, panel 174, sheath 176 and floating band section 184 may be welded, heat-sealed or otherwise coupled together or integrally formed. For example, the locking flap 170 (with or without one or more panels 174 and/or sheaths 176) or other form of connector(s) 166 may be integrally formed as part of the floating band section 184.

[000207] Still referring to Figure 25, if desired, the exemplary locking flap 170 (or other form of connector 166) may be selectively shaped to sufficiently engage the receptacle 96 (e.g. slot 110) and stay engaged therewith during use of the hat 10 and/or for any other purposes. In the present embodiment, the locking flap 170 is rectangular, but could be wider along its central portion, such as in a generally quasi-crescent or trapezoidal shape, to ensure and maintain a good fit in the slot 110 (e.g., along the curved shape of the edge 74 of the bill 60, Figure 3) and/or for any other purposes or have any other desired shape. However, the locking flap 170 may have any other form, location and construction or may not be included. Moreover, the locking flap 170 or other form of connector 166 may be formed of additional or different components, or be a single unitary item with integral components, or may be integral to the floating band section 184 or other component. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the above form, configuration, construction, components, location, operation and other details of the locking flap 170 or other forms of connectors 166, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. [000208] Referring back to Figures 1A-B, in some embodiments, the bill 60 and crown

20 of the hat 10 may be selectively interconnectable and/or separable to: switch out the bill 60 and/or crown 20 with a replacement that offers different colors, patterns or other features; allow modification or customization of the hat design; replace the bill 60 and/or crown 20 if it becomes damaged, worn or soiled; reconnect the original bill 60 and/or crown 20 after one or both are cleaned or otherwise modified; reverse, or flip over, the bill 60 relative to the crown 20 to provide two styles, colors, patterns, designs or other features with the one bill 20, and even go back and forth whenever desired; for any other purposes or a combination thereof.

[000209] The connection mechanism(s) (e.g., connectors 76) between the bill 60 and crown 20 may: be sufficiently secure to maintain the connection throughout typical or expected use of the hat 10; remain operable throughout the expected life of the bill 60 and crown 20; include at least one fold within the connection to strengthen and secure the engagement; not come apart easily, mistakenly or undesirably; not fail or wear out prematurely (before the bill 60 or crown 20); not be bulkier and/or significantly heavier than the conventional hat (e.g., not add more than the weight of the lighter of the conventional bill or crown); not even be noticeable to others when the hat 10 is worn; not affect the normal balance, comfort or look and feel of the hat 10; not include components (e.g., magnets) the user may not want near his/her head; not prevent or inhibit the normal or expected use of the hat, such as the ability of the user to curve, shape or bend the bill 60 to his/her preference for personal style, appearance, comfort or other reason (e.g., the typical user may roll, or pinch, the edges, or otherwise deform the bill, by up to approximately forty-five degrees (45°) on each side from horizontal); have any other characteristics or a combination thereof.

[000210] In various embodiments, the user of the hat 10 can easily reverse the bill 60 and go back-and-forth between featuring its sides 66, 70 as desired to switch between different color schemes, designs, functions or other features to match different preferences (e.g., outfit) or uses, increase the user’s options and customization of the hat 10, enhancing the hat’s usefulness and aesthetic appeal and the user experience, for any other purposes or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the user can instead, or also, separate the bill 60 and crown 20, such as to use different compatible partners with either. The connection mechanism could be simple, quick and user-friendly and not require the use of tools, stitching or sewing.

[000211] In some embodiments, the hat 10 may have a bill reversing mechanism that itself can be flipped over between positions. For example, a reversible connector 88 (e.g., dualpocket receptacle 96) can allow for two-layers of interconnection between the bill 60 and crown 20 and for the user to easily flip over and remove or replace the bill 60. If desired, the connector 88 could include two or more slots 110 engageable with two or more flaps 100 to provide multiple, or redundant, connections and firmly secure the bill 60 and crown 20 together. In various embodiments, the connection could include one or more folds (e.g., crown-mounted flap 100) to help form a strong, secure connection.

[000212] In some instances, such as shown in Figures 20-24, the exemplary receptacle 96 may include one or more supports 158 constructed of plastic (and/or other suitable materials) encased in one or more (e.g., fabric) panels 142. The exemplary panel(s) 142 could be attached to one or more (e.g., fabric) sheets 132 affixed to, or extending from, the sides 66, 70 of the bill 60 proximate to its rear edge 74. The exemplary crown 20 and padding band 180 could each have one or more (e.g., fabric encased plastic) flaps 100 that slide into slots 1 10 of the receptacle 96. The interconnected bill 60 and crown 20 could provide an uninterrupted, singlepiece cushion panel 180 extending around the front and sides of the interior 28 of the crown 20 at its lower end 40.

[000213] In various embodiments, the normal (conventional) features of the hat 10 may not be altered or removed. For example, the bill 60 and crown 10 may be no stiffer, unnoticeably stiffer or only minimally stiffer than normal. In the present embodiment, the connectors 76 are constructed of fabric and include a total of four thin, small (e.g., no more than up to approximately 1.25” wide) strips of flexible, elastic plastic and thus add minimal stiffness only at the front 32 of the crown 10 up a certain distance from the bill 60 (e.g., approximately 1” - 2.5” or less) that is unnoticeable to the user or viewers. For another example, the smooth, continuous cushion band 180 (around the inside of the conventional hat) is not cut, altered, shortened, interrupted or removed.

[000214] It should be noted that the flexibility, elasticity, rigidity and construction of the various components of the connectors 76 and other components or features of the exemplary bill 60 and crown 20 can vary from that described above or shown in the appended drawings based upon the material construction of the crown 20 and bill 60 or other variables. For example, a rigid plastic (e.g., safety, construction, sports) helmet may warrant the use of the same (or a similar) form of plastic for one or more components of the connectors 76 or other features of the crown 20 and/or bill 60. Moreover, the present disclosure and appended claims or the claims of any patents and patent applications related hereto are not limited to the type, form, quantity, size, configuration, construction, precise location, arrangement, orientation and operation of the exemplary components mentioned above or shown in the appended drawings, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in a particular appended claim and only for such claim(s) and potentially one or more claims depending therefrom.

[000215] Any of the processes, components described above, shown in the appended figures or which may be evident therefrom may be automated or electronically or remotely controlled, or operate autonomously, such as with any combination of computer software, one or more computer-based controllers, artificial intelligence, circuitry, PCB’s and other electronic components, loT technology, robotics and otherwise. The following are additional potential embodiments:

[000216] 17. A reversible-bill hat configurable with either side of the bill facing outward, the reversible-bill hat comprising: a crown having an exterior, interior, front and rear, a lower end configured to engage or extend at least partially around a user’s head when the hat is worn by the user, a perimeter extending at least partially around the lower end, a lower edge extending at least partially along the perimeter and an elongated crown-mounted flap; and a bill having first and second sides, front and rear edges and an elongated receptacle, wherein the elongated crown-mounted flap and receptacle are configured to be releasably engaged with one another to secure the bill and crown together in at least a first configuration having the first side of the bill facing outward and a second configuration having the second side of the bill facing outward, whereby the elongated crown-mounted flap and receptacle are manually engageable and disengageable with one another.

[000217] 18. The reversible-hill hat of embodiment 17 wherein the elongated crownmounted flap is configured to be selectively movable between at least a first position adjacent, or proximate, to the interior of the crown and at least a second position at least partially projecting away from the interior of the crown, the elongated crown-mounted flap in the second position being configured to engage the receptacle.

[000218] 19. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 18 wherein the elongated crownmounted flap is pivotable between the first and second positions thereof relative to the crown at or proximate to the lower edge thereof.

[000219] 20. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 18 wherein the receptacle is configured to be selectively movable relative to the bill between at least first and second positions, the receptacle in the first position being engageable with the elongated crownmounted flap. [000220] 21. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 20 wherein after the elongated crown-mounted flap is engaged with the receptacle, the engaged elongated crown-mounted flap and receptacle are configured to be movable together into a locked position in which the elongated crown-mounted flap is in or near its first position and the receptacle is in or near its second position.

[000221] 22. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 20 wherein after the elongated crown-mounted flap is engaged with the receptacle, the engaged elongated crown-mounted flap and receptacle are configured to be movable together into a locked position in which at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap becomes folded.

[000222] 23. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 22 further including an interior band coupled to and extending around the perimeter of the crown along its interior at the lower end thereof and having a floating band section detachable from the front of the crown, the floating band section including an elongated band-mounted flap, wherein after the engaged crown-mounted flap and receptacle are moved into or near their locked position, the elongated band-mounted flap is configured to engage the receptacle, securing the floating band section to the crown and bill along the front of the crown so the band is continuous around the perimeter of the crown.

[000223] 24. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 17 wherein the elongated crownmounted flap extends at least partially along the front of the crown at or near the lower edge thereof and the receptacle includes at least one slot positionable at or near the rear edge of the bill, whereby the elongated crown-mounted flap is configured to fit at least partially into at least one of the at least one slot.

[000224] 25. The reversible- bill hat of embodiment 24 wherein the receptacle includes at least two slots, further including an interior band coupled to and extending at least partially around the perimeter of the crown along its interior at the lower end thereof and having a floating band section detachable from the front of the crown, the floating band section including an elongated band-mounted flap, wherein after the elongated crown-mounted flap is engaged with at least one of the slots of the receptacle, the elongated band-mounted flap is configured to engage at least one other among the at least two slots of the receptacle.

[000225] 26. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 17 wherein the receptacle includes at least first and second slots, the first slot being configured to be engaged with the elongated crown-mounted flap when the first configuration is desired and the second slot being configured to be engaged with elongated crown-mounted flap when the second configuration is desired.

[000226] 27. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 26 wherein the receptacle is selectively movable relative to the rear edge of the bill between at least first and second positions, whereby when the receptacle is in or near its first position, the first slot is configured to be engaged with the elongated crown-mounted flap and when the receptacle is in or near its second position, the second slot is configured to be engaged with the elongated crown-mounted flap.

[000227] 28. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 27 wherein the receptacle is pivotable between the first and second positions thereof.

[000228] 29. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 26 further including an interior band coupled to and extending at least partially around the perimeter of the crown along its interior at the lower end thereof and having a floating band section detachable from the front of the crown, the floating band section including an elongated band-mounted flap, wherein after the elongated crown-mounted flap is engaged with one among the first and second slots of the receptacle, the elongated band-mounted flap is configured to engage the other among the first and second slots. [000229] 30. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 17 further including an interior band coupled to and extending at least partially around the perimeter of the crown along its interior at the lower end thereof and having a floating band section detachable from the front of the crown, the floating band section including an elongated band-mounted flap, wherein after the elongated crown-mounted flap is engaged with the receptacle, the elongated bandmounted flap is configured to engage the receptacle.

[000230] 31. A method of selectively reversing the bill of a hat, the bill being engageable with a crown of the hat, the bill having first and second sides, front and rear edges and an elongated receptacle and the crown having an exterior, interior, front and rear, a lower end configured to engage or extend at least partially around a user’s head when the hat is worn by the user, a perimeter extending at least partially around the lower end, a lower edge extending at least partially along the perimeter and an elongated crown-mounted flap, the method comprising: when the crown and bill are separated, without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, manually engaging the elongated crown-mounted flap of the crown with the elongated receptacle of the bill in a first configuration to secure the bill and crown together with the first side of the bill facing outward; when it is desired to thereafter reverse the bill so the second side thereof faces outward, manually disengaging the elongated crown-mounted flap from the elongated receptacle without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing; without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, manually engaging the elongated crown-mounted flap with the elongated receptacle in a second configuration to secure the bill and crown together with the second side of the bill facing outward; when it is desired to thereafter reverse the bill so the first side thereof faces outward, manually disengaging the elongated crownmounted flap from the elongated receptacle without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing; and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, manually engaging the elongated crown-mounted flap with the elongated receptacle in the first configuration to secure the bill and crown together with the first side of the bill facing outward.

[000231] 32. The method of embodiment 31 wherein the receptacle includes at least one elongated slot, further including the elongated crown-mounted flap at least partially extending into at least one of the at least one elongated slot of the receptacle to engage the elongated crown-mounted flap with the receptacle in each of the respective first and second configurations.

[000232] 33. The method of embodiment 32 wherein the receptacle includes at least two elongated slots, further including the elongated crown-mounted flap at least partially extending into at least one elongated slot of the receptacle to engage the elongated crownmounted flap with the receptacle in the first configuration and at least one other elongated slot of the receptacle to engage the elongated crown-mounted flap with the receptacle in the second configuration.

[000233] 34. The method of embodiment 32 wherein the elongated crown-mounted flap extends from front of the crown at or near the lower edge thereof and the at least one elongated slot is configured to extend at least partially along or near the rear edge of the bill, further including after the elongated crown-mounted flap is engaged with at least one elongated slot of the receptacle, moving the engaged elongated crown-mounted flap and receptacle into a locked position, which creates a fold in at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap between the crown and receptacle.

[000234] 35. The method of embodiment 32 wherein the receptacle includes at least first and second elongated slots, further including the elongated crown-mounted flap extending into the first elongated slot to engage the elongated crown-mounted flap with the receptacle in the first configuration, and the elongated crown-mounted flap extending into the second elongated slot to engage the elongated crown-mounted flap with the receptacle in the second configuration.

[000235] 36. The method of embodiment 35 wherein the hat further includes an interior band coupled to and extending at least partially around the perimeter of the crown along its interior at the lower end thereof and having a floating band section detachable from the front of the crown, the floating band section including an elongated band-mounted flap, further including after engaging the elongated crown-mounted flap with the receptacle in the first configuration and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, manually engaging the elongated band-mounted flap with the second elongated slot of the receptacle, securing the floating band portion to the bill and crown, and after engaging the elongated crown-mounted flap with the receptacle in the second configuration and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, manually engaging the elongated band-mounted flap with the first elongated slot of the receptacle, securing the floating band portion to the bill and crown.

[000236] 37. The method of embodiment 31 further including selectively moving the elongated crown-mounted flap from a first position adjacent, or proximate, to the interior of the crown and a second position projecting away from the interior of the crown, and engaging the elongated crown-mounted flap in or near its second position with the receptacle.

[000237] 38. The method of embodiment 37 further including pivoting the elongated crown-mounted flap relative to the crown at or proximate to the lower edge thereof between its first and second positions.

[000238] 39. The method of embodiment 38 further including selectively moving the receptacle relative to the rear edge of the bill between at least first and second positions, the receptacle is in its first position being engageable with the elongated crown-mounted flap.

[000239] 40. The method of embodiment 39 further including, after the elongated crown-mounted flap is engaged with the receptacle, moving the interconnected elongated crown-mounted flap and receptacle in unison into a locked position, the locked position reflecting the first position of the elongated crown-mounted flap and second position of the receptacle.

[000240] 41. The method of embodiment 39 wherein the elongated crown-mounted flap extends from front of the crown at or near the lower edge thereof, further including after the elongated crown-mounted flap is engaged with the receptacle, moving the interconnected elongated crown-mounted flap and receptacle in unison into a locked position, the locked position forming a fold in the elongated crown-mounted flap between the crown and receptacle. [000241] 42. The method of embodiment 31 wherein the receptacle includes at least first and second elongated slots, further including moving the receptacle relative to the rear edge of the bill between first and second positions, the receptacle in its first position allowing the first elongated slot thereof to be engaged with the elongated crown-mounted flap and the receptacle in its second position allowing the second elongated slot thereof to be engaged with the elongated crown-mounted flap.

[000242] 43. The method of embodiment 42 further including the elongated crownmounted flap engaging the first elongated slot of the receptacle when the first side of the bill faces outward, and the elongated crown-mounted flap engaging the second elongated slot of the receptacle when the second side of the bill faces outward.

[000243] 44. The method of embodiment 42 further including pivoting the receptacle between its first and second positions.

[000244] 45. The method of embodiment 31 wherein the hat further includes an interior band coupled to and extending around the perimeter of the crown along its interior at the lower end thereof and having a floating band section detachable from the front of the crown, the floating band section including an elongated band-mounted flap, further including after engaging the elongated crown-mounted flap with the receptacle in the first configuration and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, manually engaging the elongated bandmounted flap with the receptacle, securing the floating band portion to the bill and crown, making the band continuous around the perimeter of the crown, and after engaging the crownmounted flap with the receptacle in the second configuration and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, manually engaging the elongated band-mounted flap with the receptacle, securing the floating band portion to the bill and crown along the front of the crown, making the band continuous around the perimeter of the crown.

[000245] 46. A reversible-bill hat configurable with either side of the bill facing outward, the reversible-bill hat comprising: a crown having an exterior, interior, front and rear, a lower end configured to engage or extend at least partially around a user’s head when the hat is worn by the user, a perimeter extending at least partially around the lower end, a lower edge extending at least partially along the perimeter and at least a first connector; and a bill having first and second sides and at least a second connector, wherein the first and second connectors are configured to be releasably engaged with one another without stitching, sewing, or the need for any tools and the first connector is configured to be folded thereafter to secure the bill and crown together in at least a first configuration with the first side of the bill facing outward and second configuration with the second side of the bill facing outward, whereby the first and second connectors are configured to retain the bill secured to the crown after the bill is manually shaped or bent to a typical user’s preference after the first and second connectors are engaged. [000246] 47. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 46 wherein at least one among the first and second connectors includes at least one projection and at least the other among the first and second connectors includes at least one receptacle, the at least one projection being configured to be engageable with the at least one receptacle.

[000247] 48. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 47 wherein the at least one projection includes at least one flap and the at least one receptacle includes at least one slot. [000248] 49. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 48 wherein the at least one flap is a crown-mounted flap coupled to the crown at least partially along the lower edge thereof at or proximate to the front thereof and the at least one receptacle includes at least one slot coupled to the bill, whereby the crown-mounted flap is configured to fit at least partially into at least one of the at least one slot.

[000249] 50. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 49 wherein the crown-mounted flap is configured to rest along, or proximate to, the interior of the crown and be at least temporarily selectively movable therefrom away from the interior and project away from the crown.

[000250] 51. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 50 wherein the crown-mounted flap is pivotable relative to the crown at or proximate to the lower edge of the crown.

[000251] 52. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 49 wherein the at least one receptacle includes first and second slots, the first slot being configurable to face upwards and be accessible for engagement with the crown-mounted flap when the first side of the bill faces outward to help secure the bill and crown together in the first configuration of the hat and the second slot is configurable to face upwards and be accessible for engagement with the crownmounted flap when the second side of the bill faces upwards to help secure the bill and crown together in the second configuration of the hat.

[000252] 53. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 52 wherein the receptacle has a main body that is pivotable relative a rear edge of the bill between at least first and second positions, wherein when the main body is in the first position, the main body projects away from the first side of the bill and the first slot is accessible for engagement with the crownmounted flap, and when the main body is in its second position, the main body projects away from the second side of the bill and the second slot is accessible for engagement with the crownmounted flap. [000253] 54. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 53 wherein the main body of the receptacle is coupled to the bill at least partially along, or proximate to, at least one forward edge of the main body and at least partially along, or proximate to, the rear edge of the bill.

[000254] 55. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 49 wherein the interior of the crown includes a sweatband extending at least partially along the perimeter thereof, a first portion of the sweatband being detached from the front of the crown where the crown-mounted flap is located, further wherein the first portion of the sweatband includes at least one sweatband-mounted flap configured to engage at least one slot of the bill after the crownmounted flap is engaged with at least one flap of the bill to secure the first portion of the sweatband to the bill and help secure the bill to the crown.

[000255] 56. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 49 wherein the crown includes a sweatband extending at least partially around the perimeter thereof along or proximate to the interior of the crown, whereby a first portion of the sweatband is detached from the front of the crown, further wherein the at least one releasable lock is on the first portion of the sweatband. [000256] 57. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 47 wherein the at least one projection includes at least one pin and the at least one receptacle includes at least one socket. [000257] 58. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 47 wherein the at least one projection includes at least one rib and the at least one receptacle includes at least one groove. [000258] 59. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 47 wherein the at least one projection includes at least one flange and the at least one receptacle includes at least one recess.

[000259] 60. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 47 wherein the at least one projection includes at least one snap projection and the at least one receptacle includes at least one snap receiver. [000260] 61. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 47 wherein the at least one projection is associated with the crown and the at least one receptacle is associated with the bill.

[000261] 62. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 47 wherein the at least one projection is associated with the bill and the at least one receptacle is associated with the crown. [000262] 63. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 47 wherein the crown and bill each have at least one projection and at least one receptacle.

[000263] 64. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 46 wherein the first connector includes at least one mating fastener and the second connector includes at least one mating fastener, whereby the at least one mating fastener of the first connector is configured to be releasably mated with the at least one mating fastener of the second connector.

[000264] 65. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 46 wherein at least one among the first and second connectors includes at least one male coupling and at least the other among the first and second connectors includes at least one female coupling, the male and female couplings being configured to be releasably coupled together.

[000265] 66. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 46 wherein at least one among the first and second connectors includes at least one Velcro® panel with hook fasteners and at least the other among the first and second connectors includes at least one Velcro® panel with loop fasteners, the Velcro® panel with hook fasteners and Velcro® panel with loop fasteners being releasably engageable with one another.

[000266] 67. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 46 wherein at least one among the first and second connectors includes at least one gripper configured to releasably engage the other of the first and second connectors.

[000267] 68. The reversible-bill hat of embodiment 46 wherein at least one among the first and second connectors includes at least one protrusion and at least the other among the first and second connectors includes at least one indentation, the at least one protrusion and at least one indentation being configured to be releasably coupled together.

[000268] 69. A hat having a crown and bill that is reversible and separable from the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, the hat comprising: the crown having at least a first elongated connector; and the bill having first and second sides and at least a second elongated connector, the first and second elongated connectors being releasably engageable with one another without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing to secure the bill and crown together for use of the hat, wherein, before engaging the first and second elongated connectors together, at least one among the first and second elongated connectors is configured to flip up and down relative to the respective crown or bill to position the bill with the desired side facing up.

[000269] 70. The hat of embodiment 69 wherein the at least one of the elongated connectors is configured to be folded during engagement of the first and second elongated connectors.

[000270] 71. A hat having a crown and bill that is reversible and separable from the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, the hat comprising: the crown having at a first elongated connector means; and the bill having first and second sides and at least a second elongated connector means for being releasably engaged with the first elongated connector means without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing to secure the bill and crown together for use of the hat, wherein, before engaging the first and second elongated connector means together, at least one among the first and second elongated connector means is configured to flip up and down relative to the respective crown or bill to position the bill with the desired side facing up.

[000271] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure thus offer advantages over the prior art and are well adapted to carry out one or more of the objects of this disclosure. However, the present disclosure does not require each of the components and acts described above and is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments and methods of manufacture, assembly, use and operation. Any one or more of the above components, features, aspects, capabilities and processes may be employed in any suitable configuration without inclusion of other such components, capabilities, aspects, features and processes. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure may have any one or more of the features described or shown in this patent. Moreover, the present invention includes additional features, capabilities, functions, methods, uses and applications that have not been specifically addressed herein but are, or will become, apparent from the description herein, the appended drawings and claims.

[000272] The methods that may be described above, claimed herein or are apparent from this patent and any other methods which may fall within the scope thereof can be performed in any desired or suitable order and are not necessarily limited to any sequence described herein or as may he listed in any appended claims, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom. Further, the methods of various embodiments of the present disclosure may include additional acts beyond those mentioned herein and do not necessarily require use of the particular structure, form and configuration of components shown and described herein, but are equally applicable with any other suitable structure, form and configuration of components, except and only to the extent as may be expressly specified otherwise herein or in any particular claims hereof and only for such specific references or claims and other claims depending therefrom.

[000273] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, many variations, modifications and/or changes of the system, apparatus, articles of manufacture and methods of the present disclosure, such as in the features, components, details of construction and operation and arrangements thereof and the manufacture, assembly and use thereof, are possible, contemplated by the present patentee, within the scope of any appended claims, and may be made and used by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit, teachings and scope of this disclosure and any appended claims. Thus, all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and the scope of this disclosure and any appended claims should not be limited to the embodiments described or shown herein.

Claims

1. A hat having a crown and bill which are separable and reconnectable without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, the hat comprising: the bill having a receptacle, the receptacle including at least a first elongated slot; and the crown having an elongated crown-mounted flap, the elongated crown-mounted flap being configured to be at least partially inserted into the first elongated slot of the receptacle without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing and then at least partially folded without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing to secure the bill and crown together for use of the hat, the elongated crown-mounted flap further being selectively removable from the first elongated slot to separate the bill from the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing.

2. The hat of claim 1 wherein the receptacle, with the crown-mounted flap inserted at least partially therein and at least partially folded, is configured to retain the bill secured to the crown even after the bill is thereafter manually shaped or bent to a typical user’ s preference.

3. The hat of claim 1 wherein the bill includes first and second sides and is configured to be coupled to the crown in at least two configurations, a first configuration having the first side of the bill facing outward and a second configuration having the second side of the bill facing outward.

4. The hat of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes at least first and second elongated slots and the crown includes an interior comfort band extending around a perimeter of the crown, the interior comfort band including a floating band section detached from a front of the crown and having an elongated band-mounted flap, wherein after the elongated crownmounted flap is at least partially inserted into the first elongated slot of the receptacle and folded, the elongated band-mounted flap is configured to be at least partially inserted into the second elongated slot of the receptacle to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and to the bill without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing.

5. A method of selectively connecting and separating a bill and a crown of a hat, stitching or sewing, the bill including at least first and second elongated slots and the crown including an elongated crown-mounted flap and an interior comfort band extending around a perimeter of the crown, the interior comfort band including a floating band section detached from a front of the crown and including an elongated band-mounted flap, the method comprising: inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot of the bill to secure the bill to the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing; after inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap of the crown into the first elongated slot and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, inserting at least part of the elongated band-mounted flap into the second elongated slot to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and the bill; and removing the elongated band-mounted flap from the second elongated slot and the elongated crown-mounted flap from the first elongated slot to separate the bill from the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the bill is reversible and includes first and second sides, further including after removing the elongated band-mounted flap from the second elongated slot and the elongated crown-mounted flap from the first elongated slot, flipping the bill over to feature the side of the bill not previously featured, inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the second elongated slot to secure the bill to the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, and after inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the second elongated slot and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, inserting at least part of the elongated band-mounted flap into the first elongated slot to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and the bill.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first and second elongated slots of the bill are provided in a receptacle that is moveable between at least a first position in which the first elongated slot faces up when the first side of the bill faces up and is desired to be featured and a second position in which the second elongated slot faces up when the second side of the bill faces up and is desired to be featured, further including before inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot, flipping the receptacle into its first position if it is not already therein, and before inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the second elongated slot, flipping the receptacle into the second position if it is not already therein.

8. The method of claim 5 further including after inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot and before inserting at least part of the elongated band-mounted flap into the second elongated slot, folding at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first and second elongated slots of the bill are provided in a receptacle that can be flipped relative to the bill between at least a first position in which the first elongated slot faces up and a second position in which the second elongated slot faces up, further including before inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, flipping the receptacle into its first position if it is not already therein, and after inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot and before inserting at least part of the elongated band-mounted flap into the second elongated slot and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, flipping the receptacle into its second position with the elongated crown-mounted flap engaged therewith, causing at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap to become folded.

10. A headwear system including a plurality of interchangeable crowns and bills, the headwear system comprising: each among the plurality bills having a receptacle, the receptacle including at least a first elongated slot; and each among the plurality of crowns having an elongated crown-mounted flap, the elongated crown-mounted flap of each crown being configured to be at least partially inserted into the first elongated slot of the receptacle of any among the plurality of bills without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing and then at least partially folded without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing to secure the corresponding bill and crown together and is configured to thereafter be removable therefrom to separate the corresponding bill and crown.

1 1 . The headwear system claim 10 wherein each among the plurality of bills includes first and second sides and is configured to be coupled to any among the plurality of crowns in at least two configurations, a first configuration having the first side of the bill facing outward and a second configuration having the second side of the bill facing outward.

12. The headwear of claim 10 wherein the receptacle of each among the plurality of bills includes at least first and second slots and each among the plurality of crowns includes an interior comfort band extending around a perimeter of the crown, the interior comfort band having a floating band section detached from a front of the crown and including an elongated band-mounted flap, wherein after the elongated crown-mounted flap of the selected crown is at least partially inserted into the elongated first slot of the selected bill and folded and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, the elongated band-mounted flap of the selected crown is at least partially inserted into the second elongated slot of the receptacle of the selected bill to secure the floating band section to the front of the selected crown and the selected bill.

13. The headwear system of claim 10 wherein the receptacle of any among the plurality of bills with the crown-mounted flap of any among the plurality of crowns inserted at least partially therein and at least partially folded are configured to retain the corresponding bill secured to the corresponding crown even after the bill is thereafter manually shaped or bent to a typical user’s preference.

14. A method of selectively connecting and separating any among a plurality of headwear bills and any among a plurality of headwear crowns without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, each bill including at least first and second elongated slots and each crown including an elongated crown-mounted flap and an interior comfort band extending around a perimeter of the crown, the interior comfort band including a floating band section detached from a front of the crown and having an elongated band-mounted flap, the method comprising: inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap of any among the plurality of crowns into the first elongated slot of any among the plurality of bills to secure the bill to the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing; after inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap into the first elongated slot and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, inserting at least part of the elongated band-mounted flap of the selected crown into the second elongated slot of the selected bill to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and the bill; and removing the elongated band-mounted flap from the second elongated slot of the selected bill and the elongated crown-mounted flap from the first elongated slot of the selected bill to separate the bill from the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein each bill is reversible and includes first and second sides, further including after removing the elongated band-mounted flap of the selected crown from the second elongated slot of the selected bill and the elongated crown-mounted flap of the selected crown from the first elongated slot of the selected bill, flipping the bill over to feature the side of the bill not previously featured, inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap of the selected crown into the second elongated slot of the selected bill to secure the bill to the crown without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, and after inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap of the selected crown into the second elongated slot of the selected bill and without the need for any tools, stitching or sewing, inserting at least part of the elongated band-mounted flap of the selected crown into the first elongated slot of the selected bill to secure the floating band section to the front of the crown and the bill.

16. The method of claim 14 further including after inserting at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap of the selected crown into the first elongated slot of the selected bill and before inserting at least part of the elongated band-mounted flap of the selected crown into the second elongated slot of the selected bill, folding at least part of the elongated crown-mounted flap.