Device for attaching a retaining string to headwear
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to headwear and in particular to a device for attaching a &#34;stampede&#34; string or the like to headwear. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Headwear, such as Western hats, English hats and the like, is often worn by persons engaged in outdoor work, horseback riding and other outdoor activities. When engaged in these outdoor activities, it is common for a user to secure his headwear by means of a &#34;stampede&#34; string or the like. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     According to prior practice, such stampede strings are usually attached to the hat by running the free ends of the string through oppositely positioned holes in the brim of the hat adjacent to the crown portion of the hat and either wrapping a portion of the string at least partially around the crown portion of the hat or tying a knot on the top side of each hole. An adjustment member such as a ring or a clip joins the free portions of the string together. The adjustment member is usually pulled up tight under the wearer&#39;s chin to exert tension on the string and keep the hat tightly in place on the user&#39;s head. 
     One problem associated with such prior art strings is that holes must be formed in the brim of the hat to allow the strings to pass through the hat and be fastened around the user&#39;s head and under his chin. These holes not only deface the hat, but are also unsightly, particularly when the stampede string is not being used and the holes are clearly visible. The holes also allow water to seep through the brim when the hat is worn in inclement weather. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved device for attaching a retaining string or the like to headwear. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a device for attaching a retaining string to headwear without altering the appearance of the headwear. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a device for attaching a retaining string to headwear, which can be quickly and conveniently secured to and detached from the headwear without defacing it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the present invention wherein a device for attaching a retaining string or the like to headwear, having a crown portion for receiving the user&#39;s head, a flexible band around the inside of the crown portion for contacting user&#39;s head and a brim portion surrounding the crown portion, is provided. The device is comprised of first means for engaging the band to secure the device relative to the crown portion and second means connected to the first means for being coupled to the retaining string to attach the retaining string to the crown portion of the headwear. 
     In one embodiment the first means is comprised of first and second relatively flat tab members which are oriented along a common axis and the second means is comprised of a third relatively flat tab member which is oriented along an axis substantially orthogonal relative to the common axis of the first and second tab members. In another embodiment the band is attached to the crown portion by a plurality of stitches spaced at predetermined intervals around the inside of the crown portion and the third tab member is adapted for being inserted between adjacent ones of the stitches so that the third tab members disposed between the band and the inside of the crown portion and a portion of the third tab member extends below the band. The first and second tab members engage adjacent ones of the stitches to prevent the device from being disengaged from between the band and crown portion by movement along the axis of the third tab member in a direction toward the exterior of the crown portion. 
     In the preferred embodiment the portion of the third tab member which extends below the band is disposed distally with respect to the first and second tab members and is adapted for being coupled to one end of the retaining string. The coupling between the retaining string and the extension portion of the third tab member prevents the device from being disengaged from between the band and the inside of the crown portion by movement along the axis of the third tab member in a direction toward the interior of the crown portion. The extension portion preferably has an opening therein for receiving a clip member or the like attached to one end of the retaining string to couple the retaining string to the device. The first, second and third tab members are preferably substantially co-planar and the third tab member is substantially centrally located relative to the first and second tab members to define a substantially T-shaped device. The corresponding transition between the third tab member and each of the first and second tab members defines a corresponding curved edge. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a device for attaching a retaining string to headwear in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device, illustrating the attachment of the device to one end of the retaining string in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway sectional view of a portion of a hat, showing the device positioned between the band of the hat and the inside of the crown portion of the hat in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a Western hat with a retaining string attached thereto by means of a device according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings, respectively. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a device 10 for attaching a retaining string or the like to headwear is comprised of first and second relatively flat tab members 12 and 14 which are oriented along a common axis and a third relatively flat tab member 16 which is oriented along an axis substantially orthogonal relative to the common axis of first and second tab members 12 and 14. First, second and third tab members 12, 14, and 16 are substantially coplanar and third tab members 16 is substantially centrally located relative to first and second tab members 12 and 14 to define a substantially T-shaped device 10. The corresponding transitions between third tab member 16 and first and second tab members 12 and 14 define respective curved edges 18 and 20 to enhance the structural integrity of device 10. 
     Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, the end portion of third tab member 16 which is distally disposed with respect to first and second tab members 12 and 14 includes a relatively circular opening 21 therein for receiving a portion of a spring clip 22 therethrough. End portion 24 of spring clip 22 extends through opening 21, as best seen in FIG. 2 and the opposite end portion 26 of spring clip 22 is attached to one end of a retaining string 28 (e.g., a &#34;stampede&#34; string), so that retaining string 28 is connected to device 10 by means of spring clip 22. 
     Before spring clip 22 and retaining string 28 are connected to device 10, device 10 is first secured to the user&#39;s headwear, as best shown in FIG. 3. Referring also to FIG. 4, the typical Western hat 30 includes a central crown portion 32 for receiving the user&#39;s head, a flexible sweat band 34 around the inside of the crown portion 32 for contacting the user&#39;s head when hat 30 is being worn and a brim portion 36 surrounding crown portion 32. Third tab member 16 is adapted for being inserted between adjacent stitches 38, which attach sweat band 34 to inside portion 32A of crown portion 32. Thus, device 10 is disposed between band 34 and inside surface 32A of crown portion 32. Device 10 is inserted downwardly from inside crown portion 32 so that a portion of third tab member 16 extends below band 34, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. First and second tab members 12 and 14 engage stitches 38 to limit the movement of device 10 along the axis of third tab member 16 in a direction toward the exterior of crown portion 32, as indicated in FIG. 3. Until spring clip 22 is attached to third tab member 16, device 10 may be disengaged from between band 34 and inside surface 32A by moving device 10 along the axis of third tab member 16 in a direction toward the interior of crown portion 32. To facilitate the connection of spring clip 22, opening 21 extends below band 34. After one end of retaining string 28 is attached to spring clip 22, curved end 24 of spring clip 22 is passed through opening 21 to connect retaining string 28 to device 10. When this connection is made, device 10 cannot be disengaged from its position between band 34 and inside surface 32A of crown portion 32 by moving device 10 in either direction along the axis of third tab member 16. 
     To properly retain hat 30 on the user&#39;s head, a pair of devices 10, a pair of spring clips 22 and a pair of retaining strings 28 must be used. As best seen in FIGURE 4, two devices 10 are positioned diametrically opposite to one another and the pair of retaining strings 28 are attached to respective devices 10. Respective free ends 39 of retaining strings 28 are passed through an adjustment member 40, which is cinched up under the user&#39;s chin to secure hat 30 in place on the user&#39;s head. To disengage devices 10 from hat 30, one need only detach the corresponding spring clips 22 and manually move devices 10 upwardly in a direction toward the interior of crown portion 32 so that the respective third tab members 16 are moved from between the corresponding adjacent stitches 38. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a retaining string, such as a &#34;stampede&#34; string, can be quickly and conveniently attached to and detached from headwear without having to alter the appearance of the headwear. The device allows the stampede string to be wrapped around the user&#39;s head and chin so as not to be visible from on top of the hat because no portion of the stampede string is disposed on the outside of the hat brim. Because the major portion of the device is tucked behind the sweat band, the device is unobtrusive and does not detract from either the appearance or the comfort of the hat. 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that devices for attaching a retainer string to headwear may take various forms and sizes. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the device may overlap the inside of the sweat band, such that a portion of the device is inside the band and another portion is outside the band in order to secure the device to the headwear. 
     Various embodiments of the invention have now been described in detail. Since changes in and modifications to the above-described preferred embodiment may be made without departing from the nature, spirit and scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to said details, except as set forth in the appended claims.