Hat with adjustable shading and related methods

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and related methods for adjustable shading.

1 . A shading apparatus operationally configured to transform into different shading configurations to accommodate a wearer's variable shading preferences comprising:
 a cap assembled to be worn over the wearer's head, said cap defined by a headband encircling the inner perimeter of the cap comprising an adjustable fabric so that the headband may be securely adjusted around the head and wherein the perimeter of the headband is adjusted through the clinching or loosening of a first cord attached to a first cord lock;   a brim with an extended covering to accommodate the contours of the human forehead and to shade a wearer's front face;   a havelock capable of variable shading configurations for adjustable shading coverage, said havelock defined by a cape draped around the edges of the cap, and a locking mechanism comprising a second cord pulled through a second cord lock in order to secure the havelock shading configuration,   and provided that the havelock may transform into different shading configurations suited to the wearer's shading preference by pulling or loosening the second cord, wherein pulling the second cord scrunches the cape along the sides of the cape to expose the wearer's neck and ears to the environment, and loosening the second cord unfurls and expands the surface area of the cape to provide variable shading coverage to cover the wearer's ears and neck from exposure to the environment.   
     
     
         2 . The shading apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first cord lock is selected from any of the group of materials consisting of either a toggle cord lock, snap, tie, hook and loop fastener, or belt to securely adjust the headband around the wearer. 
     
     
         3 . The shading apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second cord lock is selected from any of the group of materials consisting of either a toggle cord lock, snap, tie, hook and loop fastener or belt to securely adjust the headband around the wearer. 
     
     
         4 . The shading apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the brim is constructed of any of the group of materials consisting of fabric wrapped cardboard, plastics and metals to provide a rigid shading coverage for the wearer's front face. 
     
     
         5 . The shading apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cape draped around the edges of the cap is constructed of any of the group of materials consisting of mesh panels, eyelets and vented openings to provide circulation and ventilation of heat and moisture. 
     
     
         6 . The shading apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cape that extends over the sides of the brim is flipped either upwards or downwards to provide variable shading to the sides of the face while still permitting adjustable maximization of the peripheral vision as needed. 
     
     
         7 . The shading apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the cape is constructed of neoprene material. 
     
     
         8 . The shading apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cape is ten to thirty inches in width and three to ten inches in length from the back of the headband to provide variable shading coverage of the wearer's neck and ears from exposure to the environment. 
     
     
         9 . The shading apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a cut out opening is located at back of the cap and across from the brim so that a wearer's hair may be passed through the cut out. 
     
     
         10 . A method of protecting a face and neck from an environment with a shading apparatus capable of transforming into different shading configurations comprising:
 a. wearing a cap assembled to be securely placed over a wearer's head, wherein the cap is defined by a headband encircling the inner perimeter of the cap comprising: an adjustable fabric allowing the headband to be securely adjusted around the wearer's head as the pulling or loosening on a first cord pulled through a first cord lock adjusts the perimeter of the headband; a brim with an extended covering to accommodate the contours of the human forehead in order to provide shade coverage of a wearer's front face and a havelock capable of multiple configurations for adjustable shading coverage, wherein said havelock defined by a cape draped around the edges of the cap and a locking mechanism consisting of a second cord pulled through a second cord lock in order to secure the havelock shading configuration in place;   b. pulling the second cord to scrunch and pull the cape closer along sides of the cap so that the wearer's ears and neck are exposed to the environment; and   c. loosening the second cord to unfurl and expand the surface area of the cape in order to provide greater shading coverage of the wearer's ears and neck from exposure to the environment.   
     
     
         11 . The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of  claim 9  wherein securing and adjusting the headband around the wearer's head with a first cord lock selected from any of the group of materials consisting of either of toggle cord lock, snap, tie, hook and loop fastener and belt. 
     
     
         12 . The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of  claim 9  wherein loosening or scrunching the havelock with a second cord that is selected from any of the group of materials consisting of either of a toggle cord lock, snap, tie, hook and loop fastener, belt or any combination thereof to adjust and secure the shading coverage of the havelock. 
     
     
         13 . The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of  claim 9  wherein wearing a shading apparatus with the brim selected from any of the group of materials consisting of fabric wrapped cardboard, plastics and metals to provide a rigid shading coverage for the front face. 
     
     
         14 . The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of  claim 9  wherein wearing a shading apparatus with the cape draped around the edges of the cap selected from any of the group of materials consisting of mesh panels, eyelets and vented openings to provide circulation and ventilation of heat and moisture. 
     
     
         15 . The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of  claim 13  wherein wearing a shading apparatus where the cape is constructed of plastic neoprene material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of  claim 9  wherein flipping the sides of the cape which extends over the sides of the brim upward or downward will provide variable shading to the sides of the face while still permitting adjustable maximization of the peripheral vision as needed. 
     
     
         17 . The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of  claim 9  wherein the cape is ten to thirty inches in width and three to ten inches in length from the back of the headband to provide variable shading coverage of the wearer's neck and ears. 
     
     
         18 . The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of  claim 9  wherein placing a wearer's hair through a cut out located at back of the cap and across the brim.