Hat with opening to accommodate hair style

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved head covering and, more specifically, to a hat having a crown with an enlarged rear opening and wide adjustable device to allow the long accumulated hair of the wearer to be easily threaded through and to be comfortably worn. Wherein the wide adjustable device is wider than traditional bands to provide a better fit and to secure the hat from moving forward on the wearer's head during athletic and non-athletic activities.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A hat for accommodating a hair style, the hat comprising:
 a ring of one or more side panels stitched edge to edge, a circular flat top panel stitched to the top edge of the side panels, and one or more thin strips of material stitched to the bottom edge of the side panels forming a flat-topped crown having a front, a rear, a first closed side, and a second open side, wherein the second open side defines an opening to engage the head of a wearer, wherein the center point of the flat-topped crown is located at the center point of the circular flat top panel;   a bill located generally at the front of the hat and extending forwardly from the flat-topped crown;   an band located generally at the rear of the flat-topped crown, wherein a first edge of the band coincides with a bottom edge of the second open side of the flat-topped crown and terminates at a second edge and wherein the width of the band from the first edge to the second edge is from about 0.75 inches to about 3 inches; and   an opening through the rear of the flat-topped crown having a first leg, a second leg, and an apex, and further having a lower boundary defined by the second edge of the band, wherein the apex is from about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches behind the center point, and wherein the rear opening is positioned to allow the accumulated hair of the wearer to be threaded through the opening.   
     
     
         18 . The hat of  claim 17 , wherein the band comprises elastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The hat of  claim 17 , wherein the band comprises a band of material and a sliding buckle. 
     
     
         20 . The hat of  claim 17 , wherein the wide band has a width from first edge to second edge of approximately 1.0 inch to 2.5 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The hat of  claim 17 , wherein the wide band has a width from first edge to second edge of 2.0 inches when the hat is not being worn. 
     
     
         22 . The hat of  claim 17 , wherein the apex of the rear opening is located between approximately 1.0 inch to 2.5 inches behind the center point of the flat-topped crown. 
     
     
         23 . The hat of  claim 17 , wherein the apex of the rear opening is located 1.75 inches behind the center point of the flat-topped crown.