CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appl. 62/789,894 filed 08-JAN- 2019, which was filed concurrently with U.S. Design Appl. 29/676,106 entitled "Hat Carrying Pack,” which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to a case or a pack for carrying one or more hats. The case can be worn by a traveler to carry one or more hats on the traveler’s back, leaving the traveler’s arms free to handle luggage and other items.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Transporting a hat while travelling can be cumbersome. The traveler may wear the hat while travelling, but this may not always be practical or even desirable, especially if the traveler has multiple hats to carry. The hat could be placed inside baggage with other items of clothing, shoes, or the like. However, the hat will likely be crushed and damaged. Finally, the hat can be placed by itself in a separate hat box so the hat is not damaged when transported. Unfortunately, this requires the traveler to carry and keep track of yet another item of luggage as the traveler gets into and out of vehicles, cabs, airplanes, etc.

[0004] What is needed is a device that protects one or more hats and that allows a traveler to carry the one or more hats hands-free and easily while travelling. The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 shows an elevational view of a front of a case or a pack for carrying one or more hats according to the present disclosure. [0006] Fig. 2 shows an elevational view of a back of the case.

[0007] Fig. 3 shows an elevational view of a side of the case.

[0008] Fig. 4 shows an elevational view of another side of the case.

[0009] Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a top of the case.

[0010] Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a bottom of the case.

[0011] Fig. 7 shows the interior of the case when opened.

[0012] Fig. 8 shows another view of the case having a secondary compartment.

[0013] Figs. 9A-9B show features of the buckles for adjusting the straps on the case.

[0014] Figs. 10-11 show additional embodiments of buckles for adjusting the straps on the case.

[0015] Figs. 12-13 show elevational views of internal support structures for inserting in the main compartment of the case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0016] Referring to Figs. 1-7, a structured case or pack 10 is used for

carrying/transporting one or more hats (not shown) or other such items, especially for ease of travel when a traveler has multiple baggage pieces. The case 10 is light-weight and hands-free, allowing the traveler to wear the case 10 by placing the case 10 (with the hat(s) inside) behind the traveler’s back, allowing hands-free carrying of the case 10.

[0017] The case 10 includes a cover 20, a base 30, a pair of straps 40, a handle 50, an attachment device 60, and a hinge 62. The figures include Figs. 1-2 showing the front and back of the case 10 according to the present disclosure. For example, Fig. 1 is a front view of the case 10, showing the cover 20 of the case 10, and Fig. 2 is a back view of the case 10, showing the base 30 of the case 10 having the adjustable shoulder straps 40. Figs. 3-4 are side views of the case 10, showing the attachment device 60 between inner edges of the cover 20 and the base 30. Finally, Fig. 5 is a top view of the case 10, showing the handle 50 attached to the case 10, and Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the case 10, showing the hinge 62 connected between the cover 20 and the base 30.

[0018] The cover 20 and the base 30 enclose a storage compartment (12: Fig. 7) for holding one or more hats (not shown) in the case 10. The cover 20 and base 30 are attached at their bottom ends by the hinge 62 so they can be opened and closed to insert and remove the hat(s) from the inner storage compartment (12: Fig. 7). Overall, the diameter (D: Fig. 1) of the case 10 and its width (Wl: Fig. 4) can vary depending on the size and types of hats to be carried. Typical sizes would include a diameter D of up to about 16-inches or 17-inches and a width Wl of about 6 to 8-inches, such as a width of 7-inches. Other dimensions are possible.

[0019] As best shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the base 30 has a base surface 32 and has a surrounding base sidewall 34 disposed about the base surface 32. The surrounding base sidewall 34 and the base surface 32 define a first portion of the compartment 12 of the case 10 to hold the hat(s).

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1-5 and 7, the handle 50 is attached outside the surrounding base sidewall 34 toward the top of the case 10. The handle 50 can be mounted to the top end of the case 10 to permit the case 10 to be carried or hung when it is not being worn by the straps 40. Rivets or the like can be used to attach the handle 50 to the base sidewall 34. The overall width (W2: Fig. 2) between the attachments of the handle 50 to the base sidewall 34 can be about 13-inches. Other dimensions can be used.

[0021] As best shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the cover 20 is comparable to the base 30. The cover 20 has a cover surface 22 and has a surrounding cover sidewall 24 disposed about the cover surface 22. In this way, the surrounding cover sidewall 24 and the cover surface 22 define a second portion of the compartment 12 of the case 10 to hold the hat(s).

[0022] The hinge 62 attaches a first portion of the surrounding base sidewall 34 to a second portion of the surrounding cover sidewall 24 toward the bottom of the case 10. As best shown in Fig. 6, the hinge 62 can include a flexible piece of material, such as leather or external pliable sheet, attached to the bottom ends of the cover 20 and base 30 across their inner edges. The hinge 62 can use a plurality of fasteners affixing the external pliable sheet to the portions of the sidewalls 34, 24. For example, rivets can be used to affix the flexible material of the hinge 62 to the cover 20 and the base 30. Metallic and mechanical forms of hinges could be used. Moreover, feet (not shown) can be provided on the bottom of the case 10 for standing up the case 10. [0023] Meanwhile, the attachment device 60 is affixed around the inner edges of the surrounding sidewalls 34, 24. The attachment device 60 is movable along the edges for connecting and disconnecting the cover 20 and base 30 together when opening and closing the case 10. For example, the attachment device 60 can include one or more zippers 61 movable along a track between the inner edges of the surrounding base and cover sidewalls 34, 24 for completely or partially opening the case 10.

[0024] Finally, the pair of adjustable straps 40 are provided for fitting over the shoulders of the wearer. As best shown in Figs. 2-6, for example, the base 30 has the two adjustable shoulder straps 40 that can be used to support the case 10 on the traveler’s back. The two adjustable shoulder straps 40 fit over the traveler’s shoulders, centering the case 10 over the traveler’s back and allowing the hat(s) to be carried out of the way for convenience and protective purposes. For example, the case 10 can be stowed behind the traveler’s back so the traveler has his or her arms free to manage all the other baggage during travel. The width (W3: Fig. 2) between the upper

attachments of the straps 40 on the base 30 can be about 7.5-inches, whereas the width (W4: Fig. 2) between the lower attachments of the straps 40 to the base 30 can be about 8.5-inches. Other dimensions can be used.

[0025] Each of the straps 40 has a long strap piece 42 with first and second ends 44a- b. Each of the first, upper ends 44a of the long strap pieces 42 is affixed to an external side of the base surface 32 toward the top of the case 10, and each of the second, lower ends 44b of the long strap pieces 40 is adjustable by a buckle 48 and is affixed toward the bottom of the case 10. In general, each of the ends 44a-b of the long strap pieces 42 can be affixed toward the top and bottom of the base 30 using rivets, other fasteners, or the like and/or may be covered and sewn to the base 30 with additional material 45.

[0026] As best shown in Fig. 2, however, each of the upper ends 44a of the long strap pieces 42 passes through an upper loop 49 a affixed to the external side of the base surface 32. The folded upper end 44a is affixed to itself about the upper loop 49a with one or more fasteners, such as rivets. A folded strip 46a of material is also passed through the upper loop 49a and is affixed to the external side of the base surface 32 with one or more fasteners or rivets. The external side of the base surface 32 can further include a reinforcement sheet 45 of material affixed against which the folded strips 46a and fasteners attach.

[0027] As also shown in Fig. 2, each of the lower ends 44b of the long strap pieces 42 passes through a lower loop 49b affixed to the external side of the base surface 32. The folded lower end 44b connects to itself by an adjustable buckle 48 or the like. As shown, folded strips 46b of material are also passed through the lower loops 49a and are affixed to the external side of the base surface 32 with one or more fasteners to hold the loops 49a. Rivets or other fasteners may affix the bottom strap pieces 46 to the back of the base 30. Although not shown, the external side of the base surface 32 can further include a reinforcement sheet of material affixed against which the folded strips 46b and fasteners can attach.

[0028] As best shown in Figs. 2-3, the adjustable buckle 48 preferably includes the lower loop 49b attached to the bottom strap piece 46b. The long strap piece 42 is looped through the lower loop 49b, and one or more bands 49c hold the folded over portion(s) of the long strap piece 42 together. A number of adjustment holes 43 are provided in the long strap piece 42 to receive a nodule 49d on the piece 42 to adjust the looped length of the strap 40. For further detail, Fig. 9A shows the lower loop 49b, which is attached to the bottom strap piece 46b and through which the long strap piece 42 loops. For additional detail, the folded-over end 44b of the looped strap piece 42 is shown in a face view and a cross-sectional view in Fig. 9B. The adjustment holes 43 in the strap piece’s looped end 44b can be slotted and can receive an oversized nodule 49b therein. As shown, the nodule 49b is mounted on the strap piece 42 and has a bulbous head. Such an arrangement is often referred to as a screw stud belt strap fastener, sam browne stud, button stud, or the like. These features of the buckle 48 are preferably used toward the bottom of the straps 40 so smooth sections of the straps 40 can be present on the wearer’s shoulders.

[0029] Other conventional buckles 48 can be used. As shown in Fig. 10, for example, another type of buckle 48 for strap pieces 46b can be a slip lock buckle that allows the length of the long strap pieces 42 to be adjusted by loosening and pulling. Alternatively, the buckle 48 for the strap pieces 46b can use a pair of gripping rings for this purpose.

In alternative as shown in Fig. 11, another type of buckle 48 can be a frame and a prong on the bottom strap piece 46b to engage the long strap piece 42 having adjustment holes (43) for the prong. Snap-fit buckles and others known in the art could be used.

The inner surface of the long strap pieces 42 can be textured to prevent them from sliding while worn.

[0030] Preferably, the cover 20 and base 30 are formed of a rigid or a semi-rigid substrate material that keeps its shape. The substrate material can include boarding, leather, padded fabric, plastic, foam, acrylic, polyvinyl, or the like, and the substrate material can be covered with a durable outer material, such as leather, fabric, canvas, nylon, or the like. The straps 40 and handle 50 are preferably formed of a flexible and durable material, such as leather, rubber, or plastic.

[0031] As shown throughout the drawings and as best shown in Fig. 7, the cover 20 and the base 30 can be halves of a cylindrical shape so the case 10 can store and protect hats of various types. For instance, the cover 20 as shown in Fig. 7 can have the circular flat surface 22 with the outer sidewall 24 extending cylindrically from the surface’s rim. The base 30 as shown in Fig. 7 can be similarly formed having the circular flat surface 32 with the outer sidewall 34 extending cylindrically from the surface’s rim. Internally as shown in Fig. 7, the hinge 62 can include an internal pliable sheet affixed internally across the edges between the portions of the surrounding base and cover sidewalls 24, 34.

[0032] As shown in Figs. 1-2, the bottom ends of the outer sidewalls 22, 32 may each have a flat section 26, 36 where the cover 20 and the base 30 are hinged together by the hinge 62. These flat sections 26, 36 can facilitate the opening and closing of the hinge 62, while also allowing the case 10 to stand upright when placed on the ground or table.

[0033] Internally, the case 10 as shown in Fig. 7 can include a number of features 28, 29, and 38 for holding hat(s) and other items in the case 10. The base 30 comprises a plurality of cross straps 38 disposed across the base surface 32 in the first portion of the compartment (12), and ends of the cross straps 38 are connectable together to hold the hat(s) in the case 10. For example, Fig. 7 shows a number of leather cross straps 38 that run across the inside surface 32 of the base 30. Ends of these cross straps 38 can fit together with holes and nodules 39, snaps, buckles, or the like. The cross straps 38 can be used to hold hat(s) (not shown) or other item(s) against the surface 32 of the base 30.

[0034] The cover 20 can include one or more pockets disposed on the cover surface 22 in the second portion of the compartment (12). For example, the cover’s inner surface 22 can include a pouch compartment 28 that snaps closed and can include a pocket compartment 29 that has a folded opening that snaps closed.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 8, the case 10 can further include one or more secondary storage compartments 14 defined on at least one of the cover 20 and the base 30. The secondary storage compartment 14 can be a pocket on the outside of the base 30 or cover 20 to store items independent of the inner storage compartment (12) for the hat(s). For example, a zippered pocket 14 can be placed on the outside of the base 30 and can be used for storing papers, money, or other flat articles, which will set against the back of the traveler when wearing the case 10. A zippered pocket 14 or the like could also be place on the outside of the cover 20. Moreover, a zippered pocket 14, pouch, or the like can also be placed inside one or both of the cover 20 and the base 30 to hold additional flat articles inside the compartment 12.

[0036] As also shown in the alternative in Fig. 8, the case 10 can include at least one strap 40’ that crosses over the back of the case 10 and that has an adjustable buckle 48. The cross-over strap 40’ can pass over one of the shoulder’s of the traveler. The cross over strap 40’ can have the same features as discussed above. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that the places where the strap 40’ attaches to the case 10 may need to be more or less diagonally placed on the back of the base 30 so the case 10 can be worn comfortably. In the end, the cross-over strap 40’ will also allow the travelers to wear the case 10 hands-free on their back to carry hat(s) or other items.

[0037] Internally, the internal compartment 12 between the cover 20 and the base 30 can include internal structures to support the hat(s) or item(s) therein. The internal structures can include foam inserts or the like that are either permanent or removably affixed inside the compartment 12. For example, the foam inserts may fit with an interference fit inside the compartment or may affix with latch and hoop fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or other fasteners. [0038] As shown in Fig. 12, one of the internal structures 70a can include a dome structure 72 placed centrally in the base of the compartment 12. The headband of the hat can be placed on this dome 72 so the crown of the hat can be supported. Another of the internal structures 70a shown in Fig. 12 can include a circumferential spacer 74 placed around the inside of the cover (20) to support the brim of the hat. As shown in Fig. 13, the internal structures 70b can be configured in the particular shape of the hat to be stored in the case (10). For example, a countered bottom support 72 and/or a countered top support 74 can be used to support the hat in the compartment (12) and can be countered to the shape of the hat. Additional support structures, such as internal draw bands (not shown), can be attached inside the compartment (12) for holding down the hat in the base (30).

[0039] The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter so hands free carrying is acheived.

[0040] In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the

Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.