Pack for Carrying Hat

Abstract

A case or pack for carrying one or more hats include a base and cover hingedly attached together at their bottom ends. An attachment device, such as a zipper, can open and close the inner edges of the base and cover together to open and close the compartment for holding the hats in the case. At least one or a pair of shoulder straps is attached to the base of the case and is adjustable so the wearer can hold the case centered on the wearer's back hands-free. The base of the case can include a handle at the top end for also carrying the case. Internally, the case can include one or more structured inserts of foam or the like for accommodating and supporting the hat(s) in the compartment of the case.

1 . A pack worn by a user for carrying one or more hats hands-free, the pack comprising:
 a base having a first surface and having a first surrounding sidewall disposed about the first surface, the first surrounding sidewall and the first surface defining a first portion of a compartment of the pack to hold the one or more hats;   a handle attached outside the first surrounding sidewall toward a top of the pack;   a cover having a second surface and having a second surrounding sidewall disposed about the second surface, the second surrounding sidewall and the second surface defining a second portion of the compartment of the pack to hold the one or more hats;   a hinge attaching a first portion of the first surrounding sidewall to a second portion of the second surrounding sidewall toward a bottom of the pack;   an attachment disposed between edges of the first and second surrounding sidewalls and being movable to connect and disconnect the edges; and   at least one strap for fitting over at least one shoulder of the wearer, the at least one strap having first and second ends, the first end affixed toward the top of the pack, the second end adjustably affixed by a buckle toward the bottom of the pack.   
     
     
         2 . The pack of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap comprises a pair of the at least one strap for fitting over the shoulders of the wearer, each of the straps having the first and second ends, each of the first ends affixed toward the top of the pack, each of the second ends adjustably affixed by the buckle toward the bottom of the pack. 
     
     
         3 . The pack of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment comprises one or more zippers movably along tracks on the edges of the edges of the first and second surrounding sidewalls. 
     
     
         4 . The pack of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the first and second surrounding sidewalls define flats toward the bottom of the pack on which the pack can stand. 
     
     
         5 . The pack of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises an external pliable sheet affixed externally across the edges between the portions of the first and second surrounding sidewalls. 
     
     
         6 . The pack of  claim 5 , wherein the hinge comprises a plurality of fasteners affixing the external pliable sheet to the portions of the first and second surrounding sidewalls. 
     
     
         7 . The pack of  claim 5 , wherein the hinge comprises an internal pliable sheet affixed internally across the edges between the portions of the first and second surrounding sidewalls. 
     
     
         8 . The pack of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle comprises a loop attached to the external side of the first surface toward the bottom of the pack, the second end of the strap passed through the loop and folded to fit between one or more bands on the strap. 
     
     
         9 . The pack of  claim 8 , wherein a folded strip passed through the loop is affixed to the external side of the first surface with one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The pack of  claim 8 , wherein the buckle comprises a nodule disposed on a surface of the strap and being insertable in one of a plurality of adjustment holes defined in the folded second end of the strap. 
     
     
         11 . The pack of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a plurality of cross straps disposed across the first surface in the first portion of the compartment, ends of the cross straps being connectable together to hold the hat in the pack. 
     
     
         12 . The pack of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises one or more pockets disposed on the second surface in the second portion of the compartment. 
     
     
         13 . The pack of  claim 1 , further comprising a pocket disposed on the external side of the first surface. 
     
     
         14 . The pack of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first ends of the straps passes through a loop affixed to the external side of the first surface, the folded first end affixed to itself about the loop. 
     
     
         15 . The pack of  claim 14 , wherein a folded strip passed through the loop is affixed to the external side of the first surface with one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         16 . The pack of  claim 15 , wherein the external side of the first surface comprises a reinforcement sheet of material affixed to the external side against which the folded strip and fastener attach. 
     
     
         17 . The pack of  claim 14 , wherein the folded first end is affixed to itself with one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         18 . A pack worn by a user for carrying one or more hats hands-free, the pack comprising:
 a base having a first surface and having a first surrounding sidewall disposed about the first surface, the first surrounding sidewall and the first surface defining a first portion of a compartment of the pack to hold the one or more hats;   a cover having a second surface and having a second surrounding sidewall disposed about the second surface, the second surrounding sidewall and the second surface defining a second portion of the compartment of the pack to hold the one or more hats;   a hinge attaching a first portion of the first surrounding sidewall to a second portion of the second surrounding sidewall toward a bottom of the pack;   an attachment disposed between edges of the first and second surrounding sidewalls and being movable to connect and disconnect the edges; and   at least one strap for fitting over at least one shoulder of the wearer, the at least one strap having first and second ends, the first end affixed toward the top of the pack, the second end adjustably affixed by a buckle toward the bottom of the pack.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of constructing a pack according to  claim 1 .