Hat with adjustable length fastener

Abstract

A hat has a with a front part, a rear part, opposite side parts, and a lower peripheral edge extending along an arc length between an opening in the rear part. A pair of mating elements are structured to releasably couple at one or more length adjusting position and form a strap that bridges the opening in the rear part when the mating elements are coupled. Each mating element of the pair has a free end when uncoupled and an opposite end. Each opposite end is attached to the crown at a respective side part and spaced apart by an angle of 225° to 255°. Each mating element has an inelastic portion at the free end connected to an elastic portion at the opposite end. The elastic portion has a first segment and a second segment with elastic characteristics different from elastic characteristics of the first segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hat comprising:
 a crown portion shaped to fit over a wearer's head about a circumference, the crown portion having a front part, a rear part, opposite side parts, and a lower peripheral edge extending along an arc length between an opening in the rear part of the crown; and   a pair of mating elements structured to releasably couple at one or more length adjusting position and form a strap that bridges the opening when coupled, each mating element of the pair having a free end when uncoupled and an opposite end, each opposite end attached to the crown at a respective side part of the crown and spaced apart by an angle of 225° to 255°, each mating element comprising two portions with an inelastic portion at the free end connected to an elastic portion at the opposite end, the elastic portion having a first segment and a second segment different from the first segment.   
     
     
         2 . The hat of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment has a length that is at least twice a length of the second segment. 
     
     
         3 . The hat of  claim 2 , wherein the second segment has a thickness that is at least twice a thickness of the first segment. 
     
     
         4 . The hat of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vertically arranged cutouts of a rectangular shape that extend horizontally along a portion of a length of each inelastic portion at an end opposite the free end and proximate the elastic portion. 
     
     
         5 . The hat of  claim 1 , wherein the crown comprises a plurality of panels stitched together. 
     
     
         6 . The hat of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic portion is affixed to the hat by stitching. 
     
     
         7 . The hat of  claim 6 , wherein the elastic portion is affixed to the hat by stitching at a seam where two panels of the plurality of panels are joined together. 
     
     
         8 . The hat of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic portion is a band of elastic fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The hat of  claim 8 , wherein the inelastic portion comprises a cutout structured to receive the elastic band and the second segment forms a loop through the cutout. 
     
     
         10 . The hat of  claim 9 , wherein the band comprises stitching at a juncture of the first segment and the second segment to close the loop. 
     
     
         11 . The hat of  claim 8 , wherein the first segment has a single layer of the band and the second segment has a double layer of the band. 
     
     
         12 . The hat of  claim 11 , wherein the inelastic portion comprises a cutout structured to receive the elastic band and the second segment forms a loop through the cutout. 
     
     
         13 . The hat of  claim 12 , wherein the band comprises stitching at a juncture of the first segment and the second segment to close the loop. 
     
     
         14 . The hat of  claim 1 , wherein the inelastic portion comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         15 . The hat of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic portion comprises 70-85% polyester and 15-30% spandex. 
     
     
         16 . The hat of  claim 1 , wherein one inelastic portion of the pair of mating elements comprises a series of protruding elements equally spaced apart from each other along a length thereof and the other inelastic portion of the pair of mating elements comprises a series of holes equally spaced apart from each other along a length thereof and structured to receive one or more of the protruding elements in a releasable snap fit. 
     
     
         17 . The hat of  claim 1 , wherein the inelastic portions of the pair of mating elements comprise hook and loop fasteners, respectively.