GB2462310A

GB2462310A - An identification band for head wear

Info

Publication number: GB2462310A
Application number: GB0814132A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neville Bagnall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-01
Filing date: 2008-08-01
Publication date: 2010-02-03
Also published as: GB0814132D0

Abstract

An identification band for head wear such as a hat or cap, the band comprises two reflective material panels connected together via elasticated material thereby forming a circumference band. The reflective material may have a textual, picture or logo. The band may stretch to accommodate varying configurations of head gear. The band may be joined together by a releasable fastener such as a hook and loop fastening means, where the ends of the band are adjustably fastened together. The rear of the reflective material may be covered with a releasable fastener such as a hook or loop fastener to allow the band to be detachably secured to a corresponding fastening means on the head gear. The reflective material may be made from nylon, neoprene or a similar material.

Description

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION OF: Band'

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an identity hat band for placing onto a hat, cap or other form of head gear or similar and to be used by work, sports, leisure or other role-specific personnel or affiliation or association as a means of clear and visible identification. The identity hat band encompasses a two pieces of reflective material to both the front and rear of the band with elasticated [or similar material] attached to either end of the reflective material and so creating a band of circumference. The reflective material and text inscription and/or diagram/picture symbol and/or company logo or similar can be configured in optional colours andlor combinations of colours. The inscription print is used to indicate roles, affiliations andlor associations or similar, such as: site agent/foreman; first alder; contracts manager; fire marshall or officer or warden; banksperson; tradesperson; drivers; sports coach; manager; steward; company name; club name; sponsorship and; any other role-specific and/or affiliation and/or association or similar undertaking in a variety of work, sport and leisure environments in such industries as construction; petrochemical; oil; sports; leisure and; other associated work, sports and leisure-related areas and activities. These are areas whereby the necessity for identification can be utilised and a form of visible communication thereby reducing the possible confusion as to who has the role responsibility and/or affiliation and/or association or similar within any of the aforementioned industries and environments.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] As part of the general work, sports and leisure activities and/or operations whereby there is the need for role and/or affiliation and/or association identification within such industries as construction; petrochemical; oil; sports; leisure and; other associated work, sports and leisure-related areas and activities. The identity hat band apparatus relates to an identification of individuals and their respective roles, affiliations and/or associations whereby the types of identification have traditionally been in the form of arm bands; labels; badges; embroidery and/or print upon a garment or similar wear item; andlor other similar forms of displaying such identification and are the major sources of identification with the risk of non-identification due to lack of visibility and/or clarity causing particular concern. Additionally, the identification of personnel may be relayed by means of induction andlor instruction and/or knowledge and familiarization and in direct assistance to, and compliance of, current legislative requirements this method of identification is generally inadequate in terms of all round visibility and lack of clarity from a distance and/or in crowded situations and areas. The identity hat band affords and contributes, in an obvious physical object manner, to the awareness and simultaneously informs and identifies the individual and all other personnel to the immediate and surrounding vicinity/area, leading to the ever-present identification.

[0003] The present invention aims at providing an improved identification system for identifying individuals to their roles and/or affiliations and/or associations within and around the environment of the activities and/or operations so as to reduce and avoid any inadvertent confusion or uncertainty of the designated individuals' role and/or affiliation and/or association, thereby meeting the high visibility requirements, but which does not rely on the process of induction and/or instruction and/or knowledge and familiarization alone. Furthermore, the identity hat band fitment does not impede upon the personnel, usage, structure and integrity of the head gear and the head gear person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides in a first aspect an identity hat band system for work, sports and leisure-related activity and/or operational area(s) therein, said identity hat band system comprising:-an elasticated band [or similar construction or material], having means for securing between the front and rear reflective covering at either side of the hat, cap or similar head gear. The identity hat band provides for maximum fitment with sufficient stretchable elasticated band to increase the band circumference(s) and offer flexibility to contort and fit to the varying configurations of head gear; a reflective covering [nylon, neoprene or similar construction and/or material] with a Velcro backing, to attach to the elasticated band to the front and rear of the hat band and having means for reflective properties to the covering with same reflective text inscription print and/or diagram/picture with secure fitment around the elasticated band; an identity hat band as a unit' can be configured as a single circumference band or a single length of band with the facility to create a circumference configuration by means of affixing both ends of the band together. This can be conducted in a variety of manners such as Velcro type [or similar] attachment; clip and/or hook attachment or similar means of connecting both ends of the band [with adjustment overlap of both ends] to form the circumference i.e. to fit the formation of the hat, cap or similar head gear or head; a securing clip or hook or other similar means of attachment between the reflective covering and the hat, cap or similar head gear.

The identity hat band is designed for filment with sufficient band circumference and flexibility to contort and fit to the varying configurations of head gear and/or heads; an identity hat band provides for maximum visibility and clarity with selective colour(s) covering [optional covering band sizes in width, depth and circumference] and text and/or diagram and/or symbol or similar configurations and optional combinations therein; an optional plurality of coloured coverings [with unlimited combinations of colours and/or text and/or diagrams and/or symbols or similar] for optional selection of colour coded schemed identification and/or instructions; an elasticated [or similar material construction] band, having means for ease of application and operation and provides for ease of flexible fitment; a covering, of a material specification commensurate with that of a hat band attire [for both indoor and outdoor usage and durability] in the form of nylon, neoprene, or similar.

The reflective covering is designed to incorporate the attachments of the identity hat band i.e. an attachment clip, hook or similar; a separate Velcro strip to attach to the hat and then affix by hook and look to the rear of the reflective covering or an attachment clip, hook or similar [as an optional additional to securing the identity hat band to the head gear and removeable if not required] is designed to incorporate the additional securing of the identity hat band to the head gear and relative to the function and operation of the identity hat band at the extreme base of the identity hat band relative to the head gear.

[0005] In another aspect, the invention provides for inbuilt optional variations in configurations for a dual role/affiliation/association within the identity hat band system according to the first aspect, with the said kit comprising of the same items.

[0006] In a further aspect, the invention provides a means of changing the identification of the individual having operation therein an identity hat band system according to the first aspect.

[0007] It will be appreciated that the various aspects of the present invention can be combined together.

[0008] By means of the invention, an identity hat band system is provided which not only meets legislative requirements by being reflective, visible and clear in all areas at all times but which has the additional advantages, compared to existing systems, that it does not rely for its operation on the lower body level visibility of other means of identification e.g. arm band, and that the unit does not disrupt or impede upon the operational aspects of the individual wearer and improves upon the visibility and clarity between all personnel in the surrounding area(s) of the operational activities underway.

[0009] The safety and/or awareness system, according to the invention, provides a practical and cost-effective solution to the problem of improving the identification of role-specific, affiliation andlor association of personnel which makes use of existing identification industry technology, materials and attachments and the unit can readily be stored and carried in readiness for immediate use.

[0010] Particularly advantageously, the identity bat band, according to the invention, may be used as an emergency identification measure, an alertness to the surrounding environment that the operation/situation is in place, thereby providing for a combined operational and emergency unit system and according to the invention each element of the unit may be used independently and in isolation or in a variety of different combinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In the identity hat band system, according to the invention, the outer material covering [nylon, neoprene or similar material and construction] is designed and proportioned to incorporate, a print inscription or similar [text and/or diagrams andlor symbols or similar]; an attachment clip, hook or similar [attached to base of unit' for connecting and fixing between covering and base of head gear thereof]; an optional plurality of inscription prints and; a plurality of clip attachments [situated and attached to various optional parts of the unit'].

It will be appreciated that when the level of personnel can invariably and constantly change their roles, affiliations and/or associations, whether it is during and/or on completion of activities and/or operations or similar scenarios [or any varying combinations of such activities and/or operations] the identity hat band system according to the invention may be adapted to incorporate the differing operational configurations by means of using a selection of the aspects to suit the environment so as to constantly provide identification of the personnel within the area(s).

[00 12] The unit' covering, as part of the identity hat band system according to the present invention has a means for attaching and affixing the associated parts list items to the head gear.

[0013] An identity bat band, according to the present invention is placed upon the hat, cap or similar head gear or directly on the head and is to ensure light and equal weight considerations and distribution and aids ease of manual handling application of the unit'.

[0014] It will be appreciated that depending on the intended use of the identity hat band the combinational optional variations in settings and configurations of the unit' may be adopted to suit the changing requirements and environmental aspects and so as to maintain the principle of providing sufficient identification so as to prevent confusion and provide for visibility and clarity of the identity hat band and their respective identification purpose.

[0015] The identity hat band system according to the present invention can be made up of variations of elasticated type materials and construction associated items for the operational functions of the unit' i.e. elasticated band; reflective covering; inscription print; Velcro attachments, hooks or similar and; attaching/securing clips, hooks or similar. Additionally, the covering can be configured in many forms and/or configurations to incorporate the fitment criteria and for ease of fitment and adjustment and integrated as part of the associated head gear. The elasticated band and covering may be made of any material which is sufficiently strong to withstand the forces to which the unit' would be typically subjected to. Suitably, the covering of the identity hat band system according to the present invention are made of nylon, neoprene or other such similar materials.

[0016] In order to meet HSE guidelines, the identity hat band system of the present invention is suitably configured to satisfy the operational aspects of the principle of identification, particularly within hazard areas and to identify the personnel and can be applied within the general confines of the associated regulations and guidance notes.

[0017] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting examples. Generally speaking the invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings). Moreover unless stated otherwise, any feature disclosed herein may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same or a similar purpose.

[0018] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which:-FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an identity hat band system according to the present invention wherein the detail includes the functional aspects of the elasticated band; reflective covering with Velcro backing or similar; print inscription and; Velcro strip or similar.

[0019] Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like reference itemized numerals have been used throughout the various figures to designate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an identity bat band system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The identity hat band system comprise a elasticated bands (1) (as shown in FIG. 1) attached to reflective coverings (2) (as shown in FIG. 1) with a Velcro backing or similar (4) and the inscription print (3) on the surface of the reflective covering (2) (as shown in FIG. 1). The identity hat band system further comprises of Velcro strips or similar (5) (as shown in FIG. 1) for attaching and securing the reflective covering (2) to the head gear.

[0020] The configuration and construction of the identity hat band provides for a strong, flexible and robust unit' with optional Velcro strips, clip, hook or other similar means of attachment and the identity hat band is of a suitable robustness with the use of industry technology and materials incorporated into its manufacture i.e. of elasticated type [or similar construction and material] band and nylon or neoprene or similar reflective covering (or other type of industrial materials and form).

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is, Identity hat band': 1. An identity hat band system for operational use by work, sports, leisure or other role-specific personnel or affiliation or association as a means of clear and visible identification work-related environments therein, said identity hat band system [herein after referred to as the unit'] comprising:-an elasticated band [or similar construction or material], having means for fitting, attaching and securing itself between the reflective coverings on either side of the hat, cap or similar head gear. The identity hat band provides for maximum fitment with sufficient band circumference and flexibility to contort and fit to the varying configurations of head gear and/or heads; a reflective covering [with Velcro backing or similar] to the front and rear of the headgear [nylon, neoprene or similar construction and/or material [with optional colours and/or combinations of colours]], having means for reflective properties to the covering with same reflective text inscription print and/or diagram/picture symbol or similar; a plurality of Velcro strips or similar or clip and/or hook attachments or similar means of connecting both ends of the band [with adjustment overlap of both ends] and having means to forming the circumference i.e. to fit the formation of the hat, cap or similar head gear; a plurality of inscription print text and/or diagrams and/or pictures/symbols and/or company logo or similar to indicate roles, affiliations and/or associations or similar; a plurality of Velcro strips, clips or hooks or other similar means of attachment having means to securing and creating attachment between the reflective covering and the hat, cap or similar head gear.
2. An identity hat band system according to claim 1, wherein the means for operating the unit' encompasses the differing operational options and/or combinations of the same comprising of optional colours and/or combinations of colours and/or optional inscription print text and/or diagrams and/or pictures/symbols and/or company logo or similar for both implementing and isolating the various combinations of operation with the inbuilt facility to change configurations to suit the changing activity and/or operational and environmental conditions.
3. An identity hat band system according to claim 2, wherein the covering having a means to change its display configuration to suit the identification criteria whilst maintaining its high visibility and clarity of identification purpose.
4. An identity hat band system according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the functions are simultaneously operational.
5. An identity hat band system according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the one or more functions can be operating independently and in the same context can be independently isolated with prompt reinstatement of its operational function.
6. An identity hat band system according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit' can be stored and carried by the operator.
7. An identity hat band system according to any preceding claim, wherein the independent high visibility and identification aspect of the unit' may be integrated and affixed as one unit application purpose and maintain its functionality and independence as both an identification badge or similar and a high visibility band.
8. An identity hat band system comprising of an identification and high visibility system according to any one of claim 1 to 7.10. An identity hat band system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.