HAT MOUNTED MUSIC SYSTEM

• US 20110286620A1
• Filed: 05/20/2010
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Flynn
• Original Assignee: Michael Flynn
• Inventors: Flynn, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,503,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/375
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/245 Means for mounting audio or communication systems

Abstract

A hat mounted music system includes a semi-rigid hatband and a flexible crown and hat bill mounted to the hatband. A retaining pocket is mounted to the hatband and is sized and shaped to hold a portable music player. First and second headphone mounts are located to align with the ears of a user. The mounts have first and second hinges. First portions of the hinges are attached to the hatband and second portions of the hinges are attached to the mounts. The hinges permit movement of the mounts from a first, open position to a second, listening position. First and second headphone modules are adapted to fit the headphone mounts. Connection wires connect the player to the headphone modules. The headphone mounts are spring-loaded and are retained in the second position by a latching mechanism. A release device allows the headphone mounts to return to the first, open position.

Claims

1. A hat mounted music system, comprising:

a semi-rigid hatband;

a flexible crown mounted to said hatband;

a hat bill mounted to said hat band;

a retaining pocket, said pocket being mounted to said hatband and being sized and shaped to hold a portable music player;

a portable music player, said player being sized and shaped to fit within said retaining pocket;

first and second headphone mounts, said headphone mounts being disposed to align with ears of a user of said system;

said mounts having first and second hinges, first portions of said hinges being attached to said hatband and second portions of said hinges being attached to said mounts, said hinges permitting movement of said mounts from a first, open position to a second, listening position;

first and second headphone modules, said modules adapted to fit said headphone mounts; and

connection wires, said wires connecting said player to said headphone modules.

2. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said headphone mounts further comprises:

a rotational coil spring, said spring urging said headphone mount upwardly, away from said ears of said user to said first, open position;

a latching mechanism, said latching mechanism retaining said headphone mount adjacent said ears of said user in said second, listening position;

a release device, said release device operating said latching mechanism and allowing said headphone mount to move upwardly to said first, open position when activated;

wherein said user pushes said headphone mount downwardly against urging of said coil spring and said latching mechanism retains said headphone mount in said second, listening position; and

wherein said user activates said release device and said latching mechanism permits said headphone mount to move upwardly to said first, open position.

3. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, wherein each of said headphone mounts further comprises:

an elastic member, said elastic member having a first end and a second end and being attached at said first end to said second portion of one of said first and second hinges at a point spaced from a pivot pin of said hinge and being attached at said second end to said headphone mount at a point spaced from said pivot pin; and

wherein tension on said elastic member is reduced when said headphone mount is in either of said first, open position and said second listening position and tension on said elastic member is at a maximum at a point between said first and said second positions.

4. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, wherein said retaining pocket is mounted at either of a central forward and a central rearward position on said hatband.

5. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, wherein said pocket further comprises a player restraint, said restraint preventing loss of said player during either of travel and activity.

6. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, wherein said flexible crown provides a channel for said connection wires.

7. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, wherein said hat bill further comprises:

a solar array, said solar array being sized, shaped and configured to provide a direct current to a control circuit;

said control circuit providing regulated voltage suitable for recharging batteries in said music player; and

connection wires, said connection wires connecting said control circuit to a power connection for said music player.

8. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, further comprising a microphone, said microphone being mounted to an underside of said hat bill.

9. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 8, further comprising controls and circuitry for wireless communication with a cellular telephone, said circuitry connected to said headphone modules and said microphone.

10. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, further comprising circuitry to provide an audio connection for a global positioning system to said headphone modules.

11. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 7, further comprising at least one flashlight module, said module having a light source, a switch and a battery, said battery being rechargeable by said solar array.

12. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 8, further comprising, a power source and circuitry for a two-way radio, said circuitry connected to said microphone and at least one of said headphone modules.

13. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 12, wherein said power source is a solar array mounted to said hat bill.

14. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 11, wherein said switch includes a resilient cover, said cover preventing entrance of moisture into said switch.

15. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 9, further comprising an antenna, said antenna being disposed in said semi-rigid hatband.

16. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 15, further comprising shielding between said antenna and said user.

17. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, wherein said headphone mounts further comprise movable shutters, said shutters controlling admittance of ambient sounds to said headphone modules.

18. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 17, wherein said movable shutters comprise at least one arcurate slot, said slot being removably covered by a rotating disk, said disk being rotatably mounted to each of said headphone module.

19. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 18, wherein rotation of said disk is controlled by a spring-loaded ball mounted to said headphone module, said ball bearing upon a series of notches, said notches disposed upon an underside of said disk.

20. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 12, further comprising either of a manual and a voice-activated switch for said two-way radio.

21. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, further comprising an audio volume adjuster, said adjuster modifying input to said headphone modules based upon ambient sound levels.

22. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 1, further comprising an audio cutout circuit for said portable music player, said cutout circuit being activated by input from an alternative audio source.

23. The hat mounted music system, comprising:

a semi-rigid hatband;

a flexible crown mounted to said hatband;

a hat bill mounted to said hat band;

a retaining pocket, said pocket being mounted to said hatband and being sized and shaped to hold a device providing audio input;

first and second headphone mounts, said headphone mounts being disposed to align with ears of a user of said system;

said mounts having first and second hinges, first portions of said hinges being attached to said hatband and second portions of said hinges being attached to said mounts, said hinges permitting movement of said mounts from a first, open position to a second, listening position;

first and second headphone modules, said modules adapted to fit said headphone mounts; and

connection wires, said wires connecting said device to said headphone modules.

24. The hat mounted music system, as described in claim 23, wherein said device providing audio input is selected from the group comprising:

cellular telephones, two-way radios and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).