Stackable Hat Holder Arms for Portable Brim Shape Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hat holding devices are not portable, consume significant space, and fail to maintain the curved shape of baseball caps when stored or traveled with.
Innovation Solution
A hat holding device with pivotally secured arcuate arms and gripping members that can be secured in a closed configuration using a loop, allowing multiple hats to be stacked and maintaining their shape, along with a hook for easy hanging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional hat holding devices are used, then hats can be stored, but they consume significant space and are not portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing one arm inside the other arm when the device is not in use, significantly reducing the device's volume and improving portability. This nested configuration allows the hat holder to be easily stored in luggage or carried without occupying excessive space, while still maintaining the capability to hold hats securely when deployed
2Reliability
If hats are placed in a suitcase without a holding device, then space is saved, but the brim bends or flattens and loses its curved shape
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed to nest within each other when not in use, minimizing the volume occupied by the hat holding device during travel. This allows the device to be easily stored in luggage without consuming excessive space, while still providing the necessary support to maintain hat brim shape when hats are placed in the suitcase
3Quantity of substance
If a securing means is added to hold multiple hats, then hat storage capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the arms serve both as structural support elements and as hat-holding components. The securing means is integrated into the arm structure itself rather than being a separate complex mechanism, allowing multiple hats to be held securely while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and easy to understand
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a hat holding device having a pair of arms pivotally secured to a housing such that the arms can pivot towards or apart from one another. The opposing ends of the arms attach to gripping members adapted to support the brims of one or more hats arranged in a stacked configuration. A rectangular loop is disposed around the arms of the hat holding device and is used to maintain the holding device in a closed or open configuration. The arms include exterior ridges therealong and are curved such that they are further apart from one another at the gripping member ends. By sliding the loop along the arms and towards the gripping members, the gripping members are forced together in a closed configuration and the ridges resist movement of the loop once positioned. Further provided is a hook pivotally secured to the housing for hanging the device.