Adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus

Abstract

An adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment 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 central portion of the head-covering portion. Ordinarily, a hat brim is attached to the head-covering, but can be brimless. With using the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus, a person's hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks).

We claim:  
     
         1 . A new and improved adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus adapted for installation to a headwear article and headwear accessory containing an entryway thereof for the passage therethrough of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks), such adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus comprising: 
 an adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment 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 the top central portion of the head-covering portion;    ordinarily, a hat brim is attached to the head-covering, but can be brimless;    with using the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus, a person's hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the base of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks).    
     
     
         2 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion. An elastic cord is contained inside the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering.  
 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion. A drawstring is threaded through the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering. A drawstring adjustment lock, supported by the drawstring, is provided for locking the drawstring in a selected adjustment position.  
 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of valve flaps. The valve flaps can be elastic and can form a normally closed aperture portion.  
 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 Assembly includes a plurality of ribbon eyelets attached to the head-covering portion and extending circumferentially around the aperture portion. An adjustment ribbon is threaded through the ribbon eyelets.  
 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus is sufficiently flexible to provide substantial closure of the opening when it is not needed to thread therethrough the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks).  
 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus will provide resilient gripping of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) when passed therethrough to provide stability both for the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) and the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus.  
 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the headwear is selected from the group consisting of closely fitting headwear such as baseball-style caps, knit and fleece hats, skull caps, ski caps, tennis caps, cowboy hats, and any style hat that can be worn with a brim or brimless to accommodate the wearing of hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) in a ponytail style fashion.  
 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the components of the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable cloth, rubber, and plastic materials.  
 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus worn to accommodate hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) greatly reduces frustration, saves a great deal of time, and is simple and easy to use.