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  Tube hatUSPTO Application #: 20060179544Title: Tube hat Abstract: A tube hat is described which is constructed from at least one collapsible, generally tubular member having two open ends, one end thereof being adapted to fit over the head of a person. The other open end may be gathered to form a smaller opening through which a ponytail or braid may be passed, or closed for warmth or style. In another embodiment of the invention, the tube hat may include a headband/ear warmer and a head-covering portion. The headband/ear warmer may be constructed such that the head-covering portion may be stowed therein when weather conditions warrant the use of ear protection, but not a head covering. If the temperature drops, the head-covering portion may be deployed with the now empty head band remaining useful as an ear protector. Some embodiments of the tube hat may be reversible, showing different patterns or colors for the exposed surfaces. (end of abstract) Agent: Cochran Freund & Young LLC - Fort Collins, CO, US Inventor: Janet A. Knievel USPTO Applicaton #: 20060179544 - Class: 002181000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Head Coverings, With Sweats Or Other Supplementary Head Engaging Member The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060179544. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/652,926, entitled "Tube Hat", filed Feb. 14, 2005, by Janet A. Knievel, the entire disclosure of which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference for all that it discloses and teaches. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to hats and, more particularly, to hats having a generally tubular shape. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Reversible headwear, having different colors and/or patterns for each of the exposed headwear versions, is often desirable for fashion-conscious individuals interested in displaying matching clothing items which include a head covering. [0004] Additionally, it is desirable to have headwear which can accommodate wearer ponytails and braids by permitting such hairstyles to pass through the headwear for purposes of style or convenience. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,145 for "Cap with Opening Having a Removable Closure" which issued to Karen L. Stevenson et al. on Apr. 23, 1996, a baseball-style cap having a hole at the top of the crown for a ponytail or braid to pass through and a removable closure that conceals the hole at the option of the wearer, is described. [0005] Some head coverings are too tight, and flatten a wearer's hair. Other head coverings may be too warm in some conditions, when ear protection is all that is desired, especially if the wearer has thick hair. However, if the temperature drops, a full head covering may again be preferred. [0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide headwear which serves either as an ear warmer or a conveniently accessible hat which continues to provide warmth to one's ears. [0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide headwear which allows a ponytail or braid to pass therethrough. [0008] Yet another object of the invention is to provide headwear which can be reversed. [0009] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with its purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the tube hat hereof includes: a collapsible, generally tubular member having a first open end adapted to fit on the head of a person, and a second open end disposed opposite to the first open end; and means for restricting or closing the opening of the second open end. [0011] In another aspect of the invention and in accordance with its objects and purposes, the tube hat hereof includes: a collapsible, generally tubular member having a first open end, and a second open end disposed opposite to the first open end; and a headband adapted to fit on the head of a person, having a third open end and a fourth open end disposed opposite to the third open end, wherein the third open end is fastened to the tubular member in the vicinity of the first open end thereof. [0012] In still another aspect of the invention and in accordance with its objects and purposes, the hat hereof includes: a collapsible tubular member having a first open end and a second open end disposed opposite to the first open end, and capable of being placed over the head of a person; and a headband attached to the tubular member in the region of the first open end thereof, including: an inner portion adapted to fit over the head of a person and to cover the ears thereof, having a third open end generally opening toward the neck of the person when worn, and a fourth open end disposed opposite to the third open end; an outer portion approximately coextensive with the inner portion and joined thereto in the region of the third open end of said inner portion, forming thereby an annular pouch into which the tubular member can be placed; and fastening means for holding the inner portion and the outer portion together in the region of the fourth opening thereof. [0013] In yet another aspect of the invention and in accordance with its objects and purposes, the hat hereof includes: a collapsible tubular member having a first open end and a second open end disposed opposite to the first open end, and capable of being placed over the head of a person; and a headband attached to the tubular member in the region of the first open end thereof, including: an inner portion adapted to fit over the head of a person and to cover the ears thereof, having a third open end generally opening toward the neck of the person when worn, and a fourth open end disposed opposite to the third open end, the tubular portion further being attached in the region of the third open end of the inner portion; an outer portion approximately coextensive with the inner portion and joined thereto in the region of the third open end of said inner portion, forming thereby an annular pouch into which the tubular member can be placed; and fastening means for holding the inner portion and the outer portion together in the region of the fourth opening thereof. [0014] Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing a hat which is reversible, allows a wearer having longer hair to pass a braid or a ponytail through the fabric thereof as an option, and allows a wearer to tuck the head-covering portion of the hat into the headband, thereby providing ear covering without the warmth of a hat while retaining the head-covering option in the event that the temperature drops. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: [0016] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the collapsible tube hat of the present invention shown in place on the head of a wearer thereof having head-covering portion with one open end loosely draped over the wearer's neck, FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of the collapsible tube hat shown in FIG. 1A hereof showing the open end of the head-covering portion gathered by an elastic band or other fabric gathering means, and FIG. 1C is a schematic representation of the collapsible tube hat shown in FIG. 1A hereof showing a ponytail passing through the gathered open end of the head-covering portion. [0017] FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the collapsible tube hat of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A hereof showing a flattened or collapsed condition thereof, and illustrating a headband portion for providing ear warmth and protection, a head-covering attached thereto, and a gathering device attached to the fabric portion, while FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of the embodiment of the collapsible tube hat shown in FIG. 2A hereof showing the opposite side of the collapsed tube hat from that shown in FIG. 2A. [0018] FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the headband/ear warmer portion of the tube hat of the present invention, while FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of the headband/ear warmer of FIG. 3A covering the ears of a wearer. [0019] FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of a top projection view of the headband/ear warmer shown in FIG. 3A hereof, illustrating the partially opened pocket closure in the top portion thereof, and a small portion of the head-covering portion of the hat tucked into the pocket formed in the headband/ear warmer; FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of a cross section of the headband/ear warmer shown in FIG. 3A, illustrating the head-covering portion of the hat tucked into the pocket; FIG. 4C is a schematic representation of a cross section of the headband/ear warmer shown in FIG. 3A illustrating the head-covering portion as being fully deployed and attached to the headband/ear warmer in the vicinity of the open end thereof facing away from the neck of a wearer thereof; FIG. 4D is a schematic representation of a cross section of the headband/ear warmer shown in FIG. 3A illustrating the head-covering portion as being fully deployed and attached to the headband/ear warmer in the vicinity of the open end thereof facing the neck of a wearer thereof; and FIG. 4E is a schematic representation of a side view of the headband/ear warmer shown in FIG. 3A in its collapsed condition, illustrating the head-covering portion as being fully deployed and the headband portion being fully opened. 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