US 2004OOO6809A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0006809 A1 Crenshaw et al. (43) Pub. Date: Jan. 15, 2004

(54) ADJUSTABLE APERTURE CONTAINING Publication Classification HAT APPARATUS (51) Int. Cl." ...... A42C 5/04; A42B 1/00 (76) Inventors: Debra Crenshaw, Bronx, NY (US); (52) U.S. Cl...... 2/209.3 Tajeiri S. Benton, (US) (57) ABSTRACT Correspondence Address: An adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a Debra Crenshaw head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the 1439 East Avenue, Apt. #1F head-covering portion, and an aperture Size adjustment Bronx, NY 10462-7562 (US) assembly attached to the head-covering portion, adjacent to the aperture portion, for adjusting the Size of the aperture portion. Preferably, the aperture portion is located at a top (21) Appl. No.: 10/392,466 central portion of the head-covering portion. Ordinarily, a (22) Filed: Mar. 19, 2003 hat brim is attached to the head-covering, but can be brimless. With using the adjustable aperture containing hat Related U.S. Application Data apparatus, a person's hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture (60) Provisional application No. 60/385,845, filed on Jun. Size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the 5, 2002. hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks). Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 1 of 4 US 2004/0006809 A1

Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 2 of 4 US 2004/0006809 A1

Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 3 of 4 US 2004/0006809 A1

Patent Application Publication Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 4 of 4 US 2004/0006809 A1

US 2004/OOO6809 A1 Jan. 15, 2004

ADJUSTABLE APERTURE CONTAINING HAT 0009. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus APPARATUS when used to accommodate hair braids, a ponytail, or dreadlockS greatly reduces frustration, Saves a great deal of CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED time, and is simple and easy to use. APPLICATIONS 0001) “NOT APPLICABLE” SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 0010. An adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus STATEMENT REGARDING FED SPONSORED includes a head-covering portion, an aperture portion R & D defined by the head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment assembly attached to the head-covering portion, 0002) “NOT APPLICABLE” adjacent to the aperture portion, for adjusting the size of the aperture portion. Preferably, the aperture portion is located REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A at a top central portion of the head-covering. Ordinarily, a TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING hatbrim is attached to the head-covering portion, but can be APPENDIX brimless. With using the adjustable aperture containing hat 0003) “NOT APPLICABLE” apparatus, a perSon's hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlockS can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlockS. 0004. A new and improved adjustable aperture contain ing hat apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of 0011. In accordance with a first embodiment of the inven the present invention wherein a person's hair braids, pony tion, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an tail, or dreadlocks can be threaded through the aperture expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts attached to the head-covering portion So as to circumscribe the aperture portion. An elastic cord is contained inside the around the bases of the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlockS. expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering. 0005. This new invention is designed as a convenience item to cover the head with a baseball-style cap or any Style 0012. In accordance with a second embodiment of the hat wherein long braids, ponytail, or dreadlockS can be invention, the aperture Size adjustment assembly includes an threaded through the adjustable/contractible aperture por expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering tion. This new invention may be called a “ponytail hat' attached to the head-covering portion so as to circumscribe because it allows the long hair to be gathered together on the the aperture portion. A drawstring is threaded through the top of the head in a ponytail Style fashion. The headwear expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering. A may be worn in all Seasons wearing a baseball-style cap or drawString adjustment lock, Supported by the drawstring, is a knit or fleece hat. provided for locking the drawstring in a Selected adjustment position. 0006 Hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks are uncom monly known to fit Securely under a cap or hat to be worn 0013 In accordance with a third embodiment of the on the head. To wear a cap or hat the hair braids, ponytail, invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a or dreadlockS must be worn hanging down, around, and to plurality of valve flaps. The valve flaps can be elastic and the back of the head. The adjustable aperture containing hat can form a normally closed aperture portion. apparatus allows the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks to 0014. In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a Size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the plurality of ribbon eyelets attached to the head-covering hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks allowing the head portion and extending circumferentially around the aperture covering to be lowered onto the person's head. The hair portion. An adjustment ribbon is threaded through the ribbon braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks will cascade over the adjust eyelets. able aperture containing hat apparatus forming a ponytail Style hair fashion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0007. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus fills the need for a baseball-style cap or any style hat that 0.015 The invention will be better understood and the provides a neat and attractive entryway for the passage of the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth hair of a longer hairstyle therethrough. An appropriate above will become more apparent after a study of the aperture Size adjustment assembly attached to the head following detailed description thereof. Such description covering is Sufficiently flexible to provide Substantial closure makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein: of the opening when it is not needed. The aperture portion 0016 FIG. 1 is an oblique front view of a first embodi and the aperture size adjustment assembly will provide ment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of resilient gripping of the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlockS when passed therethrough to provide stability for the hair the invention on a perSon's head who has braided hair. braids, ponytail, or dreadlockS and the baseball-style cap or 0017 FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the any Style hat. adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus shown in FIG. 0008. The components of the adjustable aperture contain 1. ing hat apparatus of the invention can be made from inex 0018 FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view pensive and durable clothe, rubber, and plastic materials. of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof. US 2004/OOO6809 A1 Jan. 15, 2004

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED pushes on the drawstring adjustment lock 24 to contract the EMBODIMENT aperture portion 14 So that the expandable/contractible aper 0.019 Aperture containing hat apparatus embodying the ture boundary covering 18 forms a tight fit around the bases principles and concepts of the present invention will be of the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks). described. 0025. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are two free ends 0020. In general, for all embodiments of the invention, an of drawstrings 22, and there are two drawstring adjustment adjustable aperture containing hat apparatuS 10 of the inven lockS 24 for contracting the aperture portion 14 and locking tion includes a head-covering portion 12, an aperture portion the drawstrings 22 to maintain the aperture portion 14 in the 14 defined by the head-covering portion 12, and an aperture contracted position. (There can be one free end of drawstring Size adjustment assembly attached to the head-covering and one drawstring adjustment lock for contracting the portion 12, adjacent to the aperture portion 14, for adjusting aperture portion and locking the drawstring to maintain the the size of the aperture portion 14. Preferably, the aperture aperture portion in the contracted position, drawing not portion 14 is located at the top central portion of the shown). head-covering portion 12. Ordinarily, a hat brim 16 is 0026. To expand the aperture portion 14, the drawstring attached to the head-covering portion 12, but can be brim adjustment lockS 24 are pulled outward towards the free leSS. ends of the drawstrings 22. 0021. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, for the first embodiment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the 0027. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for the third embodi invention, the aperture Size adjustment assembly includes an ment of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 the invention, the aperture Size adjustment assembly attached to the head-covering portion 12 So as to circum includes a plurality of valve flaps 26. The valve flaps 26 can scribe the aperture portion 14. An elastic cord 20 is con be elastic and can form a normally closed aperture portion tained inside the expandable/contractible aperture boundary 14. covering 18. 0028. To use the third embodiment of the invention, a 0022. To use the first embodiment of the invention, a person grasps the head-covering portion 12 or the hat brim person grasps the head-covering portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand, and the perSon positions the head-covering 16 in one hand, and the perSon positions the head-covering portion 12 above the person's head. Then, using the other portion 12 above the person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's hair braids 11 (ponytail or hand, the person pushes one's hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the aperture portion 14 as dreadlocks, not shown) through the aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus 10 is low the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatuS 10 is low ered onto the person's head. As a result, the hair braids 11 ered onto the perSon's head. As a result, the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture portion (ponytail, or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture portion 14. Moreover, the valve flaps 26 contract the aperture 14, as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, the elastic cord 20 inside portion 14 So that the valve flaps 26 press up against the hair the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks). contracts the aperture portion 14 So that the expandable/ 0029. As shown in FIG. 8, for the fourth embodiment of contractible aperture boundary covering 18 forms a tight fit the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the around the bases of the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dread invention, the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a locks). plurality of ribbon eyelets 30 attached to the head-covering 0023. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for the second portion 12 and extending circumferentially around the aper embodiment of the adjustable aperture containing hat appa ture portion 14. An adjustment ribbon 28 is threaded through ratus of the invention, the aperture Size adjustment assembly the ribbon eyelets 30. includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary cov ering 18 attached to the head-covering portion 12 So as to 0030 To use the fourth embodiment of the invention, a circumscribe the aperture portion 14. A drawstring 22 is person grasps the head-covering portion 12 or the hat brim threaded through the expandable/contractible aperture 16 in one hand, and the perSon positions the head-covering boundary covering 18. A drawstring adjustment lock 24, portion 12 above the person's head. Then, using the other Supported by the drawstring 22, is provided for locking the hand, the person pushes one's hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the aperture portion 14 as drawString 22 in a Selected adjustment position. the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus 10 is low 0024. To use the second embodiment of the invention, a ered onto the person's head. As a result, the hair braids 11 person grasps the head-covering portion 12 or the hat brim (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture portion 16 in one hand, and the perSon positions the head-covering 14. Then, the person grasps the free ends of the adjustment portion 12 above the person's head. Then, using the other ribbon 28 and pulls on those free ends. As a result, the hand, the person pushes one's hair braids 11 (ponytail or adjustment ribbon 28 pulls in the ribbon eyelets 30 so as to dreadlocks, not shown) through the aperture portion 14 as cause the aperture portion 14 to contract. In this way, the the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatuS 10 is low circumference of the aperture portion 14 can form a tight fit ered onto the person's head. As a result, the hair braids 11 around the bases of the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dread (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture portion locks). Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the free ends of the 14, as shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, free ends of the draw adjustment ribbon 28 can be tied into a bow 32 to lock the String 22, which is threaded through the aperture boundary adjustment ribbon 28 into the tightened condition around the covering 18, are grasped by the perSon, and the perSon hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks). US 2004/OOO6809 A1 Jan. 15, 2004

0.031) To loosen the contracted aperture portion 14, the Scribe the aperture portion. A drawstring is threaded bow 32 is untied, and the circumference of the aperture through the expandable/contractible aperture boundary portion 14 is stretched outward. covering. A drawstring adjustment lock, Supported by the drawstring, is provided for locking the drawstring 0.032 The components of the adjustable aperture contain in a Selected adjustment position. ing hat apparatus of the invention can be made from inex 4. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus pensive and durable clothe, rubber, and plastic materials. according to claim 1 wherein: 0033. The foregoing detailed description is considered as the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous of Valve flaps. The valve flaps can be elastic and can modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled form a normally closed aperture portion. in the art and therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention 5. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all Suitable modifications and according to claim 1 wherein: equivalents falling within the broad Scope of the Subject Assembly includes a plurality of ribbon eyelets attached matter described above may be resorted to in carrying out to the head-covering portion and extending circumfer the present invention. entially around the aperture portion. An adjustment We claim: ribbon is threaded through the ribbon eyelets. 1. A new and improved adjustable aperture containing hat 6. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus apparatus adapted for installation to a headwear article and according to claim 1 wherein: headwear accessory containing an entryway thereof for the the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus is Suffi passage therethrough of the hair braids (ponytail or dread ciently flexible to provide substantial closure of the locks), Such adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus opening when it is not needed to thread therethrough comprising: the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks). an adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a 7. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by according to claim 1 wherein: the head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjust the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus will pro ment assembly attached to the head-covering portion, vide resilient gripping of the hair braids (ponytail or adjacent to the aperture portion for adjusting the Size of dreadlocks) when passed therethrough to provide sta the aperture portion; bility both for the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) and the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus. preferably, the aperture portion is located at the top central 8. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus portion of the head-covering portion; according to claim 1 wherein: ordinarily, a hat brim is attached to the head-covering, but the headwear is Selected from the group consisting of can be brimless, closely fitting headwear Such as baseball-style caps, with using the adjustable aperture containing hat appara knit and fleece hats, skull caps, ski caps, tennis caps, tus, a person's hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) can cowboy hats, and any Style hat that can be worn with be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aper a brim or brimless to accommodate the wearing of hair ture size adjustment assembly contracts around the base braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) in a ponytail style of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks). fashion. 2. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus 9. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: according to claim 1 wherein: the aperture Size adjustment assembly includes an the components of the adjustable aperture containing hat expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpen attached to the head-covering portion So as to circum Sive and durable cloth, rubber, and plastic materials. Scribe the aperture portion. An elastic cord is contained 10. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus inside the expandable/contractible aperture boundary according to claim 1 wherein: covering. the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus worn to 3. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus accommodate hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) according to claim 1 wherein: greatly reduces frustration, Saves a great deal of time, the aperture Size adjustment assembly includes an and is simple and easy to use. expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the head-covering portion So as to circum k k k k k