Headwear fitting system

Abstract

A headwear fitting system includes an article of headwear having a circumferential edge configured to encircle at least part of a wearer's head. A passive member, such as a substantially flat elastic band, is disposed along at least a portion of the circumferential edge. In certain embodiments, a circumferential channel is formed along the circumferential edge and contains an active member with a portion protruding through an opening, typically at the back of the headwear. A fastening tab coupled to the protruding portion adjusts the length extending through the opening to control fit. The passive member may be continuous or segmented, sewn into or forming part of the circumferential channel, and configured to distribute tension. The system accommodates varying head sizes and shapes while providing secure and comfortable wear.

1 . A headwear fitting system comprising an article of headwear, with the article of headwear comprising a circumferential edge, a circumferential channel, an active member, and a fastening tab,
 a) with the article of headwear configured to be worn on a wearer's head, and having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side;   b) with the circumferential edge defining a boundary of the article of headwear and configured to encircle at least a portion of the wearer's head along a front-to-occiput line extending from the wearer's frontal region to the occiput;   c) with the circumferential channel formed along at least a portion of the circumferential edge, with the circumferential channel comprising an opening disposed approximately at the back side of the article of headwear;   d) with the active member disposed within the circumferential channel;   e) with a portion of the active member having a protruding portion;   f) with the protruding portion protruding through the opening of the circumferential channel;   g) with the fastening tab coupled to the protruding portion and configured to control a length of the protruding portion protruding through the opening of the circumferential channel.   
     
     
         2 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 1 ,
 a) with the active member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, with the middle portion positioned between the first and second ends;   b) with the protruding portion being the middle portion.   
     
     
         3 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a passive member disposed along the circumferential edge, with the passive member being a substantially flat elastic band. 
     
     
         4 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 3 , with the passive member having an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, with the upper perimeter sewn to an interior portion of the circumferential edge and the lower perimeter sewn to an exterior portion of the circumferential edge. 
     
     
         5 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 3 , with the passive member having a first end and a second end, with the first end sewn to a first part of the circumferential edge and the second end sewn to a second part of the circumferential edge. 
     
     
         6 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 3 , with the passive member disposed along at least a back portion of the circumferential edge. 
     
     
         7 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 3 , with the passive member forming part of the circumferential channel. 
     
     
         8 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 3 , with the passive member disposed within the circumferential channel. 
     
     
         9 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 3 , with the passive member being segmented and attached at multiple points along its length to distribute tension uniformly. 
     
     
         10 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 3 , with the passive member comprising a continuous elastic ring having no free ends, disposed throughout the circumferential edge. 
     
     
         11 . A headwear fitting system comprising an article of headwear, with the article of headwear comprising a circumferential edge and a passive member;
 a) with the article of headwear configured to be worn on a wearer's head, and having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side;   b) with the circumferential edge defining a boundary of the article of headwear and configured to encircle at least a portion of the wearer's head along a front-to-occiput line extending from the wearer's frontal region to the occiput;   c) with the passive member being a substantially flat elastic band;   d) with the passive member disposed along at least a portion of the circumferential edge.   
     
     
         12 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 11 ;
 a) with the circumferential edge comprising a folded hem;   b) with the upper perimeter of the passive member sewn to a folded-over interior portion of the circumferential edge;   c) with the lower perimeter of the passive member sewn through the hem into the exterior portion of the circumferential edge.   
     
     
         13 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 11 ;
 a) further comprising an active member disposed within a circumferential channel formed along at least a portion of the circumferential edge;   b) with the circumferential channel comprising an opening disposed approximately at the back side of the article of headwear;   c) with a portion of the active member having a protruding portion protruding through the opening.   
     
     
         14 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 13 ;
 a) with the active member having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion positioned between the first and second ends;   b) with the protruding portion being the middle portion.   
     
     
         15 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 13 ;
 a) further comprising a fastening tab coupled to the protruding portion and configured to control a length of the protruding portion protruding through the opening of the circumferential channel.   
     
     
         16 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 13 , with the passive member and the circumferential channel overlapping at least partially along the circumferential edge. 
     
     
         17 . A headwear fitting system comprising an article of headwear, with the article of headwear comprising a circumferential edge, a passive member, a circumferential channel, an active member, and a fastening tab;
 a) with the article of headwear configured to be worn on a wearer's head, and having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side;   b) with the circumferential edge defining a boundary of the article of headwear and configured to encircle at least a portion of the wearer's head along a front-to-occiput line extending from the wearer's frontal region to the occiput;   c) with the passive member being a substantially flat elastic band disposed along at least a portion of the circumferential edge;   d) with the circumferential channel formed along at least a portion of the circumferential edge and comprising an opening disposed approximately at the back side of the article of headwear;   e) with the active member disposed within the circumferential channel and having a portion protruding through the opening;   f) with the fastening tab coupled to the protruding portion and configured to control a length of the protruding portion protruding through the opening of the circumferential channel.   
     
     
         18 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 17 , with the passive member being sewn into the circumferential channel. 
     
     
         19 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 17 , with the passive member forming part of the circumferential channel. 
     
     
         20 . The headwear fitting system of  claim 17 , with the passive member and the circumferential channel overlapping at least partially along the circumferential edge.