Integrated Headwear with Fold-Down Goggle Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cap and goggle arrangements for winter sports fail to provide effective protection against wind, rain, and snow due to gaps between the goggle and the hat, leading to discomfort and potential frostbite, and are often inconvenient to use and store.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece adjustable hat with an integrated fabric fold-down or outerband that incorporates a goggle section, allowing it to pivot upward or downward for protection, using a button or Velcro attachment system, and featuring a chord lock mechanism for a snug fit, eliminating gaps and preventing separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional cap and goggle arrangement is used, then the goggle can be worn over the cap for eye protection, but gaps exist between the goggle and cap allowing wind, rain, and snow to reach the wearer's face
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cap and goggle into a single integrated headwear unit where the goggle is permanently attached to the cap structure. This merging eliminates the gaps between separate components while reducing the overall complexity of managing two separate items, directly resolving the technical contradiction between protection effectiveness and device complexity.
2Temperature
If a ski mask is worn under the goggle to provide warmth, then face warmth is improved, but the goggle cannot fit properly against the face and breath condenses to fog the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated headwear incorporates an adjustable outerband with cinchcord and chord lock mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the fit around the wearer's head and face. This dynamic adjustment capability enables proper goggle positioning against the face regardless of whether a ski mask is worn, while maintaining warmth without causing lens fogging from trapped breath.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional separate cap and goggle are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but they must be separately carried and stored leading to misplacement
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the goggle and cap into a single unit, the patent eliminates the need to separately carry and store two items, directly addressing the convenience issue. The integrated design maintains the functional optimization of both components while ensuring they remain together as one item, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If the goggle is attached to the cap using Velcro, then attachment is simple, but the Velcro wears out over time causing the goggle to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural curvature and folding structure of the cap's outerband to create a mechanical attachment system where the goggle is secured through the fold-down mechanism rather than relying on adhesive Velcro. This structural attachment method is more durable and reliable while maintaining ease of manufacture through the folding construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A hat or cap includes a main hat portion and an outerband or fold-down portion secured to the main hat portion in a manner that permits the outerband to be moved upward and downward with respect to the main hat portion from a first position, in which the outerband lies over the main hat portion and away from the wearer's face and eyes, to a second position in which the outerband covers and protects a part of the wearer's face including the eyes. A lens or goggle portion, which is integrated into and attached to an opening in the outerband, is positioned over the wearer's eyes when the outerband is in its second, lower position.