Apparatus for Improving the Noticeability of a Hat

Abstract

An apparatus is presented for improving the noticeability of a hat. The apparatus includes a light source configured to produce light upon receiving electrical energy. The apparatus also includes a mount coupled to the light source and configured to selectively attach to and detach from the hat. The mount, when attached to the hat, orients the light source to project light onto an exterior surface of the hat. The apparatus additionally includes a battery receptacle electrically-coupled to the light source and having electrical contacts for coupling to one or more batteries. Hats having improved noticeability and methods for improving the noticeability of a hat are also presented.

1 . An apparatus for improving the noticeability of a hat, the apparatus comprising:
 a light source configured to produce light upon receiving electrical energy;   a mount coupled to the light source and configured to selectively attach to and detach from the hat;   a battery receptacle electrically-coupled to the light source and having electrical contacts for coupling to one or more batteries; and   wherein the mount, when attached to the hat, orients the light source to project light onto an exterior surface of the hat.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises at least one of a refractive element, a reflective element, a diffractive element, and an optically-transmissive element. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mount comprises a clip configured to insert into an orifice of the hat. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the mount comprises a circumferential member configured to encircle a perimeter of the hat; and   wherein the exterior surface comprises a band encircling the hat.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a switch configured to regulate a flow of electrical energy from the battery receptacle to the light source.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a charging circuit electrically-coupled to the battery receptacle and configured to regulate at least one of a charging voltage and a charging current supplied thereto.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the battery receptacle is disposed within the mount. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the battery receptacle is configured to selectively attach to and detach from the mount. 
     
     
         9 . A hat having improved noticeability, the hat comprising:
 a light source coupled to the hat and configured to illuminate an exterior surface of the hat upon receiving electrical energy; and   a battery receptacle electrically-coupled to the light source and having electrical contacts for coupling to one or more batteries.   
     
     
         10 . The hat of  claim 9 , comprising:
 a mount coupling the light source to the hat and configured to selectively attach to and detach from the hat; and   wherein the mount, when attached to the hat, orients the light source to project light onto the exterior surface of the hat.   
     
     
         11 . The hat of  claim 10 , comprising an orifice for receiving a clip of the mount. 
     
     
         12 . The hat of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior surface of the hat comprises at least one of a left-side exterior surface and a right-side exterior surface. 
     
     
         13 . The hat of  claim 9 , wherein the exterior surface of the hat comprises a band encircling the hat. 
     
     
         14 . The hat of  claim 9 , wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light sources disposed along a perimeter of the hat. 
     
     
         15 . The hat of  claim 9 , wherein the battery receptacle is configured to selectively attach to and detach from the hat. 
     
     
         16 . The hat of  claim 9 , comprising:
 a charging circuit electrically-coupled to the battery receptacle and configured to regulate at least one of a charging voltage and a charging current supplied thereto.   
     
     
         17 . A method for improving the noticeability of a hat, the method comprising:
 producing light from a light source coupled to the hat;   orienting the light source such that light therefrom illuminates an exterior surface of the hat; and   wherein the light source is configured to produce light upon receiving electrical energy.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 while orienting the light source, distributing light across the exterior surface using at least one of a refractive element, a reflective element, a diffractive element, and an optically-transmissive element.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 altering an amount of electrical energy received by the light source to alter an intensity of light produced therefrom.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein altering the amount of electrical energy comprises:
 altering the amount of electrical energy in response to an intensity of ambient light measured by a photosensor.