Other Classes:
2/175.100, 2/209.130, 220/252, 206/8, 220/23.400
Field of Search:
2/175,199,185R,195,2,3,177,179,180,192,171.2,196,171.3 220/1R,18,23.4,DIG.13,32
Claims:
I claim
1. A ring-shaped hollow container for surrounding a crown of a hat:
2. The container set forth in claim 1 in further combination with radial partitions extending between said side walls of said container for dividing said container into a plurality of compartments.
3. The container set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a pair of arcuate parts forming together the ring-shaped configuration, each of said parts being hingedly connected to the other along their juxtapositioned edges to define two separate cover members, each individually capable of being opened.
4. The container set forth in claim 2 wherein said cover comprises a plurality of individual covers, one for each of said compartments,
5. The container set forth in claim 3 wherein said means comprises:
6. The container set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is of a transparent lightweight plastic.
7. The container set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
8. The container set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration.
9. The container set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has a square cross-sectional configuration.
10. A hard hat comprising:
11. The hard hat set forth in claim 10 in further combination with radial partitions extending between said side walls of said container for dividing said container into a plurality of compartments.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to hat-mounted containers for fitting around the crown of the hat and more particularly to compartmentized containers particularly adapted for housing small lightweight accessories for various sports and specialized types of work.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is particularly directed to the sportsman, and more particularly the fisherman, who is accustomed to carrying fishing equipment on his hat, although any sportsman or worker who needs ready access to particular lightweight objects and wears a hat may utilize this disclosure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore the fisherman's hat has been provided with an indentation in the crown to hold a box for maintaining leaders in a moist condition. Additionally, bands have been provided around the hat for holding flies, hooks or the like. Further, means have been provided for holding cigarettes and spinner boxes on top of the rim of the hat. A need exists for a container fitting over and around the crown of the hat for lightweight accessories, which container is adaptable for hats commonly found in the marketplace without modification or change.
One of the significant contributions of this invention is the fact that the container disclosed serves as a storage compartment when not in use and is readily adapted to be hat-mounted without disturbing the container contents when the fisherman or worker is engaged in his regular activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention claimed, a new and improved accessory container is provided which is detachably mounted to surround the crown of a hat without the need for special hat construction or fastening means.
It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new and improved hat-mounted accessory container.
Another object of this invention is to provide a hat-mounted container for surrounding its crown.
A further object of this invention is to provide a storage container for fitting around the crown of a fisherman's hat, having like or different size compartments for different size fish hooks, sinkers, swivels and the like, and to provide each compartment with individual or common closures without changing the basic design of the container.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a circular doughnut-shaped container for fitting over and around the crown of a fisherman's hat which is adapted for construction from transparent plastic material so that its contents may be visible through the walls of the container.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hat supporting a rim-mounted container and embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3 -- 3;
FIG. 4 is a top view of a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1-3 and showing the invention forming a part of a hard hat with a portion broken away; and
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along the line 5 -- 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of the reference, FIGS. 1-3 disclose a hat such as, for example, a fisherman's hat 10 having a rim or brim 11 from which protrudes a crown 12. The hat 10 may be made of any material desired which supports the crown. Although hat 10 is defined as a fisherman's hat the inventive concept disclosed is readily applicable and useful on most worker's, military or sportsman's hats where the wearer needs readily accessable lightweight accessories.
In accordance with the invention claimed, a lightweight doughnut-shaped container 15 is adapted for surrounding the crown 12 of hat 10 resting on its brim 11. Container 15 comprises a ring shaped trough opening upwardly for surrounding the crown of hat 10. The container may be defined as having a U-shaped, square or rectangular cross sectional configuration and defining a bottom 16 resting on brim 11 and extending in circular configuration around the hat and of a width less than the brim of the hat, and two spacedly arranged concentric side walls 17 and 18 extending substantially upwardly from the bottom 16. Bottom 16 and sides 17 and 18 may be formed as one continuous piece.
A cover 20 is provided for container 15 for closing the compartment formed by bottom 16 and sides 17 and 18 of the container and, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, comprises two parts 21 and 22. These parts are provided with a hinge means 23 along a diameter of the configuration formed by the cover. Although this hinge means may comprise any suitable structure, it is shown in FIGS. 1-3 as comprising a pair of cylindrical parts 25 and 26, one on each of the juxtapositioned edges on the parts 21 and 22. These cylindrical parts are provided with axially aligned openings 27, 27' for receiving pins 28 about which the cylindrical parts 25 and 26 of the hinge rotate in the usual manner.
A pair of similar clasps 29 are arranged one on each of the parts 21 and 22 of cover 20 for engaging with protrusions 30 for locking the covers in their closed positions.
Container 15 may be divided by radial partitions 31 to provide smaller spaces 32 for containing small accessories such as lines, sinkers, plugs, flies and like devices needed periodically by the fisherman.
FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1-3 wherein the inventive concept is shown as forming a part of a hat 34 worn by a construction worker and commonly known as a hard hat. Hat 34 has a rim or brim 35 and crown 36 extending upwardly therefrom in the usual manner with an elastic strap 37 formed therein to adapt the hat to various sized heads in the usual manner. Hat 34 is formed of hard, form-retaining plastic.
Container 38 forming a unitary part of rim 35 of hat 34 is similar to container 15 in that it comprises a unitary arcuate configuration, except that its cover comprises a plurality of individual covers 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g and 42h, each covering and sealing a different compartment 43. Each compartment is formed by radial partitions 44 in the same manner as partitions 31 of FIGS. 1-3.
Covers 42a-42h are each provided with a flange 45 extending downwardly therefrom around its periphery, which fits snugly over the upper edges of radial partitions 44 and sides 40 and 41 of each compartment 43 to close the compartment. The user merely prys open the cover to get at and remove the contents of that particular compartment. The cover is easily replaced by pressing it back on the edges of the container in the usual way. Although eight compartments are shown, any number may be formed in container 38 and having covers to fit them.
It should also be recognized that such a container, made of transparent material or not, could readily be used on military hats such as the military helmet, with the container being adapted to fit the outer contour of its inner liner and mounted on this lining along the surface of the crown.
If so desired, the radial partitions 31 of FIGS. 1-3 may be increased in number and press fitted covers of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 adapted to fit each space 32 of container 15. Further, means may be provided for fastening the container to the substantially vertical sides of the crown of the hat instead of the rim of the hat particularly for small rim or rimless hats.
Although but two embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.