Convertible Hat Mask with Elastic Retention Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals often forget to carry a separate face mask, especially when in a hurry, which can be a concern for personal safety and health, especially in environments where face masks are recommended or required.
Innovation Solution
A novel hat design that includes a conversion member with a horizontally oriented retaining strap and upwardly extending retaining straps, allowing the hat to be quickly converted from a hat configuration into a face mask configuration and back, providing a better fitting face mask than traditional one-size-fits-all designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individuals carry a separate face mask, then face mask availability is improved, but device complexity and convenience of carrying are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a face mask and hat into a single integrated device. The hat structure incorporates a face mask portion with filtering elements, and the conversion member allows transformation between hat and face mask configurations. This merging eliminates the need to carry separate face masks while maintaining both functions in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The hat is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be worn as a conventional hat for sun protection or style, transformed into a face mask for respiratory protection, or configured to provide both head and face coverage simultaneously. The conversion member enables the device to adapt between different functional states based on user needs.
2Device complexity
If a one-size-fits-all face mask is used, then device complexity is reduced, but fitting quality and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The face mask portion incorporates adjustable straps that can be customized to fit different head sizes and shapes. The filtering elements are positioned to conform to facial contours, and the straps allow individual adjustment at different locations (head circumference, chin area, ear loops) to achieve a proper fit for each user rather than using a uniform one-size design.
Solution Approach 2:
The face mask includes adjustable and flexible components such as elastic straps and movable filtering elements that can adapt to different facial geometries. The conversion member itself is flexible, allowing the device to conform to various head shapes while maintaining structural integrity and proper filtration positioning.
3Loss of time
If the hat is quickly converted to face mask configuration, then response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion member is pre-positioned and pre-configured within the hat structure, with straps and fastening elements already in place. The filtering elements are pre-positioned to align with facial features. This preliminary arrangement allows the user to quickly transform the device without complex assembly steps, reducing conversion time while maintaining a manageable level of complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the conversion member with straps, the filtering elements, and the fastening systems. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted or positioned, simplifying the conversion process and reducing the complexity of any single moving part while enabling quick transformation through coordinated adjustment of multiple simpler elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A hat capable of also be used as a face mask. The hat can include a front portion and a conversion member comprising a horizontal retaining strap and a single upwardly extending strap whose both ends are attached to the horizontal strap or a pair of separate straps with a first end of each of the separate straps being secured to the horizontal strap and the second ends of the separate straps being positioned or secured at a top area of the front portion of the hat. The straps can be elastic or stretchable. The horizontal strap has a first end secured to a left lower area of the front portion of the hat and a second end secured to a right lower area of the front portion of the hat. When moving the front portion of the hat over the mouth and nostril area of the wearer in the face mask configuration: (1), where a single upwardly extending strap is provided, a first portion of the single strap is positioned over a left ear area of the wearer and a second portion of the single strap is positioned over a right ear area of the wearer and the elongated member extends along a back area of the wearer's head and a first portion of the elongated member is positioned underneath the left ear area of the wearer and a second portion of the elongated member is positioned under the right ear area of the wearer; or (2) where two separate and independent upwardly extending straps are provided, a first portion of the first strap is positioned over a left ear area of the wearer and a first portion of the second strap is positioned over a right ear area of the wearer and the elongated member extends along a back area of the wearer's head and a first portion of the elongated member is positioned underneath the left ear area of the wearer and a second portion of the elongated member is positioned under the right ear area of the wearer.