Flexible hat with compressible padded insert

Abstract

A flexible hat or cap-like assembly having a compressible doughnut shape memory substance or padding disposed within and is worn on a person's head for cushioning an object or load such as sheetrock which is carried or supported on the head during drywall installation of a ceiling. The doughnut style padding places the pivot area of the object off the crown of the person's head and places the pivot area around the outer parameter of the head. This increases the pivot area of the load to equal the circumference of the compressible substance. The larger pivot area increases balance and stability of the load and reduces side loading and thrust on the person's neck which is associated with prior art devices having a centralized load pivot point.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to devices worn by a person for lifting, carrying, and supporting of sheetrock while installing a ceiling. In its most preferred embodiment, this invention relates to a cushion or padding of compressible substance attached beneath the top of a flexible hat or cap-like assembly which is worn on a person's head.[0003]2. Description of Prior Art[0004]Construction workers have always carried large objects such as sheetrock, ply board, etc, on their heads. Hardhats are not always comfortable or required in drywall construction and can even damage the sheetrock when sheetrock is carried on top of the hardhat. Existing flexible hats and caps provide no provisions for softening the effects of hard material pressed against a person's head and heavy materials can cause the person to experience injury or temporary pain from the object being carried.[0005]U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,245 to Nearhood 1991 dis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]a) to provide a flexible hat or cap which will establish a load bearing pivot point dispersed evenly around the crown of a person's head for lifting, carrying, balancing, or supporting of an object on the person's head.

[0010]b) to provide a flexible hat or cap which will protect a person from injury or temporary pain associated with carrying building materials on their head.

[0011]c) to provide a flexible hat or cap which will protect building materials such as sheetrock from possible damage which may accrue from conventional hats or hardhats.

[0015]In still a further aspect, the person wearing the hat places an object or load on top of the hat. The compressible substance or padding having the hole, flat member, or indention disperses the pivot point of the object or load off of the crown or top most part of the person's head and distributes the load evenly about the outer circumference of the padding and person's head. The larger pivot area increases balance and stability of the load and reduces side loading and thrust on the person's neck which is associated with prior art devices having a centralized load pivot point.

Problems solved by technology

After observing the prior art devices used for supporting a ceiling during installation, it becomes apparent that these devices either load the crown of a person's head which creates an unstable central pivot point of the load being carried or sits well above the crown of the person's head which changes the pivot point and center of gravity of the load, thus either way significantly increases the side loading and thrust on the person's neck.

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