Ventilated head covering

Abstract

The invention relates to a ventilated head covering having a band adapted to encircle a wearer's head; a plurality of longitudinal supports extending away from the band in a direction substantially perpendicular to the band, each support having a proximal end affixed to the band and a distal end a distance away from the band; a sun shield support affixed to the distal ends of two or more longitudinal supports and substantially perpendicular thereto; a substantially planar sun shield disposed across the sun shield support; wherein the distance between the distal end of the longitudinal support and the band is sufficient to hold the sun shield away from a wearer's head, and wherein the longitudinal supports are space apart sufficiently to allow substantially unrestricted air flow between them and across the head of a wearer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A head covering comprising: 
 a band adapted to encircle a wearer's head;    a plurality of longitudinal supports extending away from the band in a direction substantially perpendicular to the band, each support having a proximal end affixed to the band and a distal end a distance away from the band;    a sun shield support affixed to the distal ends of two or more longitudinal supports and substantially perpendicular thereto;    a substantially planar sun shield disposed across the sun shield support; wherein the distance between the distal end of the longitudinal support and the band is sufficient to hold the sun shield away from a wearer's head, and wherein the longitudinal supports are space apart sufficiently to allow substantially unrestricted air flow between them and across the head of a wearer.    
     
     
         2 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between distal and proximal end of the longitudinal support is adjustable.  
     
     
         3 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a flexible core surrounded by a fabric.  
     
     
         4 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the band and one or more longitudinal supports are integral.  
     
     
         5 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sun shield support and one or more longitudinal supports are integral.  
     
     
         6 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the band, the sun shield support, and one or more longitudinal supports are integral.  
     
     
         7 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sun shield comprises a fabric or film capable of reflecting at least a portion of light incident upon it.  
     
     
         8 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein each pair of longitudinal supports has an opening between them, which is wider than the width of each support.  
     
     
         9 . The head covering of  claim 1 , further comprising a bill or brim extending substantially laterally from the band away from the head of the wearer.