Head covering apparatuses with accessory retention features

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to head covering apparatuses, such as hats and visors, which include features for holding other items such as sunglasses, reading glasses, eyeglasses, headbands, golf tees, pens, or any other accessory. Some embodiments include features for holding an item in place. Some embodiments are designed to be comfortable for extended wear, for example by reducing the pressure on a wearer's head associated with wearing multiple items, such as a hat and headband) at the same time. Some embodiments include features to ease placement of items, such as guides, permanent opens, elastic materials, and so forth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A head covering apparatus with integrated features for holding an accessory comprising:
 a crown portion;   a brim portion;   a bottom edge;   a channel integrated into the crown portion and configured to receive the accessory, the channel comprising:
 a forward opening positioned on a side of the crown portion and oriented substantially vertically with respect to the bottom edge; and 
 a rearward opening positioned on the side of the crown portion of oriented substantially vertically with respect to the bottom edge, 
 wherein the rearward opening is positioned farther from the brim portion than the forward opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crown portion comprises:
 a front panel;   a side panel; and   a rear panel,   wherein the front panel is mechanically coupled to the side panel,   wherein the side panel is mechanically coupled to the rear panel, and   wherein the channel comprises at least a portion of the side panel.   
     
     
         3 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second channel, the second channel oriented substantially vertically with respect to the bottom edge of the head covering apparatus,   wherein the second channel comprises a top opening having a top opening width and a bottom opening having a bottom opening width.   
     
     
         4 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel further comprises a receiving body disposed at the forward opening, the receiving body configured to hold forward opening in an at least partially open state. 
     
     
         5 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the receiving body comprises an outwardly arced surface, the outwardly arced surface positioned such that the forward opening is opened away from a head of a wearer when the head covering apparatus is placed on the head of the wearer. 
     
     
         6 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein in the at least partially open channel has an opening width of from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the receiving body comprises an outwarded arced surface and an inwardly arced surface,
 wherein the outwardly arced surface is positioned such that the forward opening is opened away from a head of a wearer when the head covering apparatus is placed on the head of the wearer, and   wherein the inwardly arced surface is positioned such that the forward opening is opened toward the head of the wearer when the head covering apparatus is placed on the head of the wearer.   
     
     
         8 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the receiving body comprises a facing surface that is exposed within the channel, wherein the facing surface comprises one or more retention features, the one or more retention features comprising at least one of: nubs, cones, spirals, or strips. 
     
     
         9 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the receiving body comprises at least one of: a polymer, leather, metal, fabric, or carbon composite. 
     
     
         10 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crown portion comprises a plurality of panels,
 wherein the channel is formed in a panel of the plurality of panels, wherein the panel comprises a different material than at least one other panel of the plurality of panels, and   wherein the material comprises an elastic material.   
     
     
         11 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a placement guide disposed on an exterior surface of the head covering apparatus and in proximity to the forward opening,
 wherein the placement guide comprises one or more of: a button, a bead, a jewel, a grommet, a rivet, or an embroidered pattern.   
     
     
         12 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the placement guide is disposed in forward of and below the forward opening. 
     
     
         13 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a size adjustment device for adjusting an opening size of the crown portion of the head covering apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more receiving bodies disposed on an outer surface of the head covering apparatus, the one or more receiving bodies each comprising a strip configured to receive at least a portion of an item. 
     
     
         15 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the channel is lined with a high friction material. 
     
     
         16 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the high friction material comprises one or more of leather, rubber, silicone, elastic, or nonskid fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the forward opening has a same opening height as the rearward opening, wherein the opening height is from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch. 
     
     
         18 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the forward opening has first opening height and the rearward opening has a second opening height, wherein the first opening height is great than the second opening height. 
     
     
         19 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the forward opening has first opening height and the rearward opening has a second opening height, wherein the first opening height is less than the second opening height. 
     
     
         20 . The head covering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rearward opening and the forward opening each have a semicircular shape.