U.S. patent application number 09/769045 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for reversible cap.
Invention is credited to Hong, Chung-Cheng.
Application Number | 20020095715 09/769045 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25084264 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020095715 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hong, Chung-Cheng |
July 25, 2002 |
Reversible cap
Abstract
A reversible cap is disclosed, having a concave crown section of
appropriate size to fit the head of a wearer. A flap is attached to
the concave crown section allowing a wearer to alter the appearance
of the cap.
Inventors: |
Hong, Chung-Cheng;
(Arlington, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attn: William P. Jensen
SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P.
Suite 1600
600 Travis Street
Houston
TX
77002-2911
US
|
Family ID: |
25084264 |
Appl. No.: |
09/769045 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/06 20130101; A42B
1/206 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.11 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cap comprising: (a) a concave crown section for covering the
head of a wearer; and (b) a flap attached to the concave crown
section for altering the appearance of the cap.
2. The cap of claim 1 further comprising a brim attached to an edge
of the crown, the brim extending outwardly from the edge and being
substantially horizontal.
3. The cap of claim 2 wherein the crown section includes an
adjustable edge section opposite the brim relative to a center of
the crown section for adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of
the wearer when the flap is attached to the outside of the crown
section.
4. The cap of claim 3 wherein the adjustable edge section includes
a pair of interlocking straps made of velcro.
5. The cap of claim 2 wherein the flap includes an adjustable edge
section opposite the brim relative to a center of the crown for
adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of the wearer when the
flap is attached to the inside of the crown section.
6. The cap of claim 5 wherein the adjustable edge section includes
a pair of interlocking straps made of velcro.
7. The cap of claim 5 wherein the adjustable edge section includes
a strap and clamp assembly.
8. The cap of claim 5 wherein the adjustable edge section includes
a perforated strip which interlocks with a corresponding notched
strip.
9. A method of making a cap, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a
concave crown section from a pliable fabric; and (b) attaching a
flap to the crown section for altering the appearance of the
cap.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of attaching
a brim to an edge of the crown section, the brim extending
outwardly from the edge and being substantially horizontal.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of forming
an adjustable edge section opposite the brim relative to a center
of the crown for adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of the
wearer when the flap is attached to the outside of the crown.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of attaching
a pair of interlocking straps made of velcro to the adjustable edge
section.
13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of forming
an adjustable edge section opposite the brim relative to a center
of the crown for adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of the
wearer when the flap is attached to the inside of the crown.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of attaching
a pair of interlocking straps made of velcro to the adjustable edge
section.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of attaching
a strap and clamp assembly to the adjustable edge section.
16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of attaching
a perforated strip with corresponding notched strip to the
adjustable edge section.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to the apparel industry. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a reversible cap or
the like for altering the appearance of the cap as desired by the
wearer.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Articles of apparel such as caps and the like have long been
known and used. Typically, they comprise a crown made of a soft and
pliable material such as fabric, often sewn together from several
pieces of fabric, a brim (visor) made of stiffer material extending
forwardly from the lower front of the cap, an opening at the back
of the crown, and size-adjusting straps bridging the gap and being
adjustable in length to fit the wearer. A cap may also be fitted,
thus, not having an opening in the back of the crown with the
size-adjusting straps bridging the gap. Alternatively, some caps
may have a perforated plastic strip attached to the bottom of one
side of the opening in the back of the crown and extending across
the opening. A second notched plastic strip with notches that
correspond to the holes in the perforated plastic strip is attached
to the opposite side of the opening in the back of the crown. These
plastic strips bridge the gap and allow for adjustment in the
circumference of the cap. Further, some caps may also have a
headband along the lower front inside of the crown or along the
entire lower periphery of the crown, except, of course, for the
opening at the back of the crown. This headband absorbs
perspiration from the wearer's head.
[0007] Reversible caps are also known in the art. Ordinarily,
reversible caps alter the appearance of the cap design for both
functional and aesthetic purposes. For example, a hunter may desire
one side of a hat to be camouflaged to allow him to hide in the
brush. Alternatively, he may wish to be clearly seen to avoid being
harmed by other hunters in the area. A reversible cap could be
utilized to accomplish both of these purposes. Further, some
wearers may simply desire alternative designs or logos on their
caps for aesthetic reasons.
[0008] Typically, reversible caps require that the entire crown be
turned inside out to reverse the cap which requires the wearer to
remove the cap. A major disadvantage encountered by this type of
reversible cap is that the bill is rigidly formed to fit only one
way or must be rebent each time the cap is reversed. Further,
conventional reversible caps which must be turned inside out
require a headband to be placed on both the inside and outside
periphery of the cap or omitted altogether. Finally, conventional
reversible caps of this type are cumbersome to use in particular
situations when the cap must be removed from the wearer's head. For
example, a hunter may wish to quickly reverse his hat during a hunt
to camouflage himself. If he is holding a rifle, he would have to
place it on the ground in order to have both hands available to
remove his cap and turn it inside out. This takes additional time
and creates additional distraction which may prevent him from
having a successful hunt.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a reversible cap which can
be reversed while still on the wearer's head. There is also a need
for a reversible cap which does not require the wearer to reshape
the bill of the cap each time the cap is reversed. Finally, there
is a need for a reversible cap which allows the wearer to utilize a
single headband regardless of which side of the cap is being
worn.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a
reversible cap which can be reversed while still on the wearer's
head.
[0011] An advantage of the present invention eliminates the need to
reshape the brim of the cap each time it is reversed.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention permits a
headband to be used on the interior of the cap regardless of which
side is being worn.
[0013] A preferred embodiment of the reversible cap thus described
comprises a concave crown section for covering the head of a wearer
and a flap attached to the concave crown section for altering the
appearance of the cap. Another embodiment of the cap further
comprises a brim attached to an edge of the crown which extends
outwardly from the edge and is substantially horizontal. In another
embodiment of the cap, the crown section includes an adjustable
edge section opposite the brim relative to a center of the crown
for adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of the wearer when
the flap is attached to the outside of the crown section. The
adjustable edge section may include a pair of interlocking straps
made of velcro. Alternatively, the adjustable edge section could be
comprised of a strap and clamp assembly. In yet another embodiment,
the adjustable edge section could include a perforated strip which
interlocks with a corresponding notch strip.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the flap may include an
adjustable edge section opposite the brim relative to a center of
the crown for adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of the
wearer when the flap is attached to the inside of the crown
section. The adjustable edge section may include a pair of
interlocking straps made of velcro. Alternatively, the adjustable
edge section may include a strap and clamp assembly or a perforated
strip which interlocks with a corresponding notched strip. A
headband may be included either along the front inner edge of the
crown or along the entire perimeter of the inside edge of the crown
except, of course, along the adjustable edge section.
[0015] A method of manufacturing the present invention comprises
the steps of forming a concave crown section from a pliable fabric
and attaching a flap to the crown section for altering the
appearance of the cap. The method may also further comprise the
step of attaching a brim to an edge of the crown wherein the brim
extends outwardly from the edge and is substantially horizontal. An
additional step involves including an adjustable edge section in
the crown opposite the brim relative to the center of the crown for
adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of the wearer when the
flap is attached to the outside of the crown section. This method
can further comprise the step of attaching a pair of interlocking
straps made of velcro, a strap and clamp assembly, or a perforated
strip with interlocking corresponding notched strip to the
adjustable edge section.
[0016] Alternatively, yet another method of making the present
invention may comprise the steps of including an adjustable edge
section on the flap opposite the brim relative to a center of the
crown for adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of the wearer
when the flap is attached to the inside of the crown section.
Likewise, this method may further include the step of attaching a
pair of interlocking straps made of velcro, a strap and clamp
assembly or a perforated strip which interlocks with a
corresponding notched strip to the adjustable edge section. All of
these methods may further comprise the step of attaching a headband
to the entire interior perimeter of the crown or flap.
Alternatively, the method may involve attaching a headband to only
the inside front portion of the crown.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of the reversible cap illustrating the
flap attached to the outside of the crown section.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the reversible cap
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a back view of the reversible cap illustrating one
embodiment when the flap is attached to the inside of the crown
section.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a back view of the reversible cap illustrating
another embodiment when the flap is attached to the inside of the
crown section.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a back view of the reversible cap illustrating
another embodiment when the flap is attached to the inside of the
crown section.
[0022] FIG. 6. is a back view of the reversible cap illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of the reversible cap
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of the reversible cap
illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 or 5.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the reversible cap illustrated in
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, a preferred embodiment of
the reversible cap (10) of the present invention comprises a
concave crown section (16) for covering the head of a wearer and a
flap (14) attached to the concave crown section (16) for altering
the appearance of the cap (10). This embodiment of the cap (10)
further comprises a brim (12) attached to an edge (18) of the crown
section (16) which extends outwardly from the edge (18) and is
substantially horizontal.
[0027] As best shown in FIG. 9, the crown section (16) can include
an adjustable edge section opposite the brim (12) relative to a
center of the crown section (16) for adjusting the cap (10) to
accommodate the head of the wearer when the flap (14) is attached
to the outside of the crown section (16). In FIG. 9, the adjustable
edge section includes a pair of interlocking straps (30 and 32).
FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 show that a headband (22) may be included along
the entire perimeter of the inside edge of the crown section (16)
except, of course, along the adjustable edge section.
[0028] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 8, the flap
(15) may include an adjustable edge section opposite the brim (12)
relative to a center of the crown section (16) for adjusting the
cap (10) to accommodate the head of the wearer when the flap (15)
is attached to the inside of the crown section (16). As shown in
FIG. 5, the adjustable edge section may include a pair of velcro
interlocking straps (28 and 29). Alternatively, the adjustable edge
section may include a strap (26) and clamp (27) assembly as shown
in FIG. 4 or a perforated strip (24) which interlocks with a
corresponding notched strip (23) as shown in FIG. 3.
[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9, the method of
making the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises
the steps of forming a concave crown section (16) from a pliable
fabric and attaching a flap (14) to the crown section (16) for
altering the appearance of the cap (10). This preferred method
further comprises the step of attaching a brim (12) to an edge of
the crown section (16) with said brim (12) extending substantially
horizontally outwardly from the crown section (16).
[0030] As best illustrated in FIG. 9, an additional step can
include adding an adjustable edge section in the crown section (16)
opposite the brim (12) relative to the center (20) of the crown
section (16) for adjusting the cap (10) to accommodate the head of
the wearer when the flap (14) is attached to the outside of the
crown section (16). FIG. 9 also shows that a pair of velcro
interlocking straps (30 and 32) can then be attached to the
adjustable edge section. FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 show that this method
may further comprise the step of attaching a headband (22) to the
entire interior perimeter of the crown section (16) except, of
course, along the adjustable edge section.
[0031] Alternatively, FIG. 8 shows another method of making the
present invention comprising the steps of including an adjustable
edge section along the perimeter of the flap (15) opposite the brim
(12) relative to the center (20) of the crown section (16) for
adjusting the cap to accommodate the head of the wearer when the
flap (15) is attached to the inside of the crown section (16).
Likewise, this method may further include the step of attaching a
pair of velcro interlocking straps (28 and 29) as shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 4 illustrates yet another alternative which includes the step
of adding a strap (26) and clamp (27) assembly. Alternatively, a
perforated strip (24) which interlocks with a corresponding notched
strip (23) can be attached to the adjustable edge section as shown
in FIG. 3.
[0032] Although the cap (10) and the method of making it have been
described in terms of preferred structures and processes, it should
be understood that various alterations and modifications can be
made without departing from the invention and that such alterations
and modifications are intended to be considered to be within the
scope and spirit of the invention which is defined by the appended
claims.
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