GB2426428A - Ventilated headwear - Google Patents

Abstract

Headwear that has a space between the headwear and the user's head and means to communicate fresh air into or out of the space thereby ventilating the headwear and increasing the comfort to the user. The headwear may have openings 1 on the exterior of the headwear eg. the crown of the headwear and channels 3 to facilitate the passage of air from the underside of the headwear to the space between the wearer's head and the headwear. The communications channels 2 may be located continuously or in clusters around the circumference of the head and may be rigid, soft or elasticated. Air may enter the channels pass through into the space and out though the ventilating openings 1 on the crown of the headwear. Alternatively air may be forced through the ventilation openings 1 into the space and out though the communication channels 2. Alternatively a mesh may be placed partially or completely between the head of the user to facilitate movement of air between the head of the wearer and the headwear.

Description

Comfortable headwear This invention relates the removal of warm air and water vapour from the head and the enclosed space under headwear such as a hat. The wearing of headwear such as hats, caps or helmets may prevent the cooling of the head by evaporation of sweat due to the saturation of the atmosphere above the head enclosed by the headwear leading to discomfort. This invention provides a means to facilitate the removal of water vapour and warm air from the head and the enclosed space, and to create a more desirable and a comfortable environment in this space leading to the overall comfort of the wearer. Headwear such as hats, caps and helmets may be worn to protect the head from inclement weather as for example, direct exposure to sun, or as a safety and protection headwear as for example, in construction site workers or in the sport of cricket. When headwear is worn, particularly in sunny conditions or exercise such as taking part in physically active sport, the sweat from the head may evaporate to begin with, however if the so evaporated water vapour is not removed from the immediate environment, the humidity may reach saturation impeding further evaporation thus causing discomfort. A method to remove humid air from this space is described in this invention. The provision of communicating means between the head and the headwear such as for example, hats, caps or helmets at the inner circumference of the headwear as shown in figurel 1 will facilitate the passage of air through channel means from the underside of the headwear into the enclosed space. That air being lighter will rise through the communicating means and escape to the outside environment through the ventilating openings in the upper part of the headwear, dragging with it the humid air in that space. Similarly, some or whole of the rising air may mix with the humid air in the enclosed space and carry away into the outside of the enclosed environment through the ventilating openings on the headwear.In certain other instances, the passage of air may be such that the direction of movement through the communicating openings is reversed as might be the case, for example, in the presence of wind. Whichever the case, the warm and humid air from the enclosed space above the head will be removed with greater efficacy than hitherto, thus providing a greater comfort to the wearer. Communicating means may be of variable height, shape and area of openings. They may be continuous completely or partially around the circumference of the head, or may be in clusters. Communicating means may be constructed from the headwear material itself or other. They may be rigid, soft or elasticised as to provide secure and comfortable wearing, and maintain their communicating integrity. Communicating means openings may also be placed in an alternative position or in combination as described above. That is, they may be placed or constructed on the lower upright peripheral region of the headwear as shown in figure 2. An alternative means of facilitation of air passage in the space between the head and the headwear is to employ a mesh as an integral part of the headwear positioned partially or completely in the space where the headwear would otherwise rest on the head thus providing communicating means for air to enter the space between the headwear and the head at the lower end of the headwear and exit through the ventilating openings in the upper part of the headwear. Key: 1. Ventilating opening 2. Communicating means 3. Communicating means openings

Claims (1)

1. Claims Claim 1 Communicating channel facilitates the passage of air into or out of the space enclosed by the body of the headwear and the head. Claim 2 Communicating channel opening facilitates entry or exit of air into the communicating channel. Claim 3 Communicating channel opening facilitates entry or exit of air into the space enclosed by the body of the headwear and the head. Claim 4 Communicating channels have their external openings below the brim as in figure 1 or above the brim as in figure 2 of the headwear such as a hat with a brim. Claim 5 Communicating channel openings in claim 4 may have their external openings in a mix of above the brim or below the brim. Claim 6 Ventilating openings facilitates exit or entry of air into the enclosed space between the headwear and the head. Claim 7 Ventilating openings may be of any shape or size sufficient to ensure passage of air. Claim 8 Ventilating openings may be placed anywhere in the upper parts of the headwear.