U.S. patent application number 10/445666 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-02 for sports fan headgear.
This patent application is currently assigned to FRANKLIN SPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Quinn, Charles T..
Application Number | 20040237172 10/445666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33450904 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040237172 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quinn, Charles T. |
December 2, 2004 |
Sports fan headgear
Abstract
Sports fan headgear as a multi-colored, logo bearing, pre-molded
stretchable face mask permanently affixed to a multi-colored, logo
bearing fabric cap. The headgear may be worn such that the face
mask fits over the face of the wearer or may be reversed and worn
such that the face mask covers the back of the head of the
wearer.
Inventors: |
Quinn, Charles T.; (Dover,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOSEPH B. BOWMAN
5441 EAST GLENEAGLES DRIVE
TUCSON
AZ
85718-1805
US
|
Assignee: |
FRANKLIN SPORTS, INC.
|
Family ID: |
33450904 |
Appl. No.: |
10/445666 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20130101; A42B
1/0186 20210101; A42B 1/004 20130101; A42B 1/0182 20210101; A41G
7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/209.13 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/24 |
Claims
Having thus described my invention, I claim:
1. In combination, sports fan headgear comprising: a pre-molded
face mask of elastically pliable material and sized to cover a
person's face from side to side and from forehead to at least
beneath the nose, said mask including a plurality of openings
therethrough to correspond to a person's eyes and nose; a scalp
cover of fabric material formed as a concave head covering; and
attachment material permanently connecting said scalp cover to said
face mask, whereby the scalp cover may be optionally positioned on
a person's head while the face mask covers the person's face, or
the scalp cover may be alternatively positioned on a person's head
while the face mask covers the back of the person's head.
2. The headgear as in claim 1, said face mask being multi-colored
of color fast colors and bearing colored indicia of a preselected
sports team.
3. The headgear as in claim 1, said face mask being imprinted with
the insignia of a preselected sports team.
4. The headgear as in claim 1, said face mask having side
peripheral edges which correspond roughly midway between the eye
and the ear on a person's head.
5. The headgear as in claim 4, said face mask also having a lower
peripheral edge which extends a short distance beneath the chin of
a person's head, and an upper peripheral edge which extends just
above the forehead of a person's head, and said mask also includes
an opening therethrough to correspond to a person's mouth.
6. The headgear as in claim 1, said scalp cover having a front
portion to which said face mask is secured and having a rear
portion to which is secured a visor member to extend outwardly from
said scalp cover in a direction away from said face mask.
7. The headgear as in claim 1, said scalp cover being multi-colored
of color fast colors and bearing colored indicia of a preselected
sports team.
8. The headgear as in claim 1, said scalp cover bearing the
insignia of a preselected sports team.
9. The headgear as in claim 1, said scalp cover having vent
openings therethrough to permit heat dissipation from a person's
head while the headgear is worn.
10. The headgear as in claim 1, said attachment material comprising
stitching securing said face mask to said scalp cover.
11. The headgear as in claim 1, said attachment material comprising
adhesive securing said face mask to said scalp cover.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to sports fan headgear to be worn by
as a combination face mask and cap a by individuals desiring to
show support for their favorite sports team. More specifically,
this invention relates to a one-size-fits-all face mask that is
attached to a cap, both of which can bear the colors and logos of a
sports team.
[0002] Sports fans will go to great lengths to show allegiance to
their favorite teams. A common sight at professional football games
is patrons proudly displaying the home team's colors on shirts,
sweatshirts, sweaters, and hats of all kinds. Many fans, however,
go well beyond wearing their team's logo on t-shirts or
sweatshirts; for them, team loyalty requires something more. These
die-hard fans don elaborate costumes sporting their team's colors
and employ face and body paint to complement the design. There is
no limit to the creativity of these enthusiasts.
[0003] Face and body paints present their own unique challenges,
however. The chosen design must be applied anew each time it is
worn. Depending on the complexity of the design, the process could
take a few minutes or much longer. Naturally, the paint must be
removed after each wear. In addition, weather conditions can
adversely affect the desired look as the paint may run in hot
weather due to temperature or perspiration, and may smear or
dissolve in wet conditions.
[0004] There are masks commercially available that provide many of
the advantages of face paint without requiring lengthy application
and removal efforts. These masks are not without disadvantages,
though. To stay in place on the wearer's head, masks must either
have some form of a strap that wraps around the head, or must be
designed to cover the entire head of the user.
[0005] Masks with straps can pinch or otherwise irritate the
wearer's ears. Moreover, they tend to move and obstruct vision
through the eye holes. Full head masks can be quite hot in warm
weather. Since they are usually made of material like latex, they
do not breathe. This creates an uncomfortable environment for the
user, regardless of the outside weather conditions. In addition,
full head masks normally cover the wearer's ears, reducing the
wearer's ability to hear outside events.
[0006] Moreover, neither type of mask readily allows the user to
wear a hat or cap sporting a team insignia. A mask held in place by
a strap does not accept a hat or cap without frequent adjustment to
maintain vision. The full head mask increases the circumference of
the wearer's head so much that many types of hats simply cannot be
worn with the mask. This is especially true with ball caps that are
sized to fit the user's head without the mask. Such caps will not
normally fit over a full head mask.
[0007] Commercially available caps come in at least two types:
sized to fit and one size fits all. As stated above, sized-to-fit
caps cannot be worn with a face mask because the added volume of
the mask renders the sizing of the cap inappropriate.
One-size-fits-all caps can sometimes be resized to accept the added
volume of a mask if the crown portion of the cap is sufficient to
accommodate the mask, but this entails manually readjusting the
sizing of the cap.
[0008] A need remains in the sports team apparel industry for a
one-size-fits-all combination mask and cap that will comfortably
allow sports fans to show their allegiance to their favorite team
without suffering the various drawbacks and disadvantages
associated with face paint and the fan masks currently available.
The primary objective of this invention is to meet this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide
a one-size-fits-all face mask and cap combination to be worn on the
head of the user.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a
one-size-fits-all face mask and cap fabricated of color fast
materials of construction so that various color combinations and
logos may be incorporated to represent sports team indicia.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a face mask
and cap combination of the character described wherein the face
mask and cap are fixedly joined so as to eliminate the potential of
loss or misplacement of either component.
[0012] An additional object of the invention is to provide a face
mask and cap combination of the character described which is
comfortable to wear and which fits most wearers without any
adjustment due to the elastic nature of the mask providing a slight
tension around the forehead of the user.
[0013] A corollary object of the invention is to provide a face
mask and cap combination of the character described which remains
in place on the wearer's head without hurting the wearer's ears or
obstructing vision or hearing.
[0014] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a face
mask and cap combination of the character described which remains
in place on the wearer's head, but still allows for ventilation of
the head and neck with an open back construction and a breathable
fabric cap portion.
[0015] A further object of the invention is to provide a face mask
and cap combination of the character described which is easily
reversible so that the user may wear the face mask to the front, or
may reverse the orientation to wear the face mask to the back of
the head when the user desires to have the advantages of a
conventional ball cap with a bill for sun protection or glare.
[0016] In summary, an object of the invention is to provide sports
fan headgear as a multi-colored, logo bearing, pre-molded
stretchable face mask permanently affixed to a multi-colored, logo
bearing fabric cap. The headgear may be worn such that the face
mask fits over the face of the wearer or may be reversed and worn
such that the face mask covers the back of the head of the
wearer.
[0017] Other and further objects of the invention, together with
the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the
description of the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the following description of the drawings, which form a
part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction
therewith, and in which like reference numerals are employed to
indicate like parts in the various views:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a combination fan mask
and cap constructed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the combination fan
mask and cap;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the combination fan
mask and cap;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the combination fan
mask and cap;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view taken along line 5-5
of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows to illustrate attachment
of the mask to the cap by stitching; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5,
but illustrating an alternative preferred embodiment of the
invention for attachment of the mask to the cap by adhesive.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Referring to the drawings in greater detail, attention is
first directed to FIG. 1 illustrating one preferred embodiment of
the sports fan headgear of this invention. The headgear 10 includes
in combination a face mask or cover, designated generally by the
numeral 12, and a cap or scalp cover, designated generally by the
numeral 14.
[0026] The face cover 12 is constructed of latex or other suitably
elastic material in a pre-molded form to cover the wearer's
forehead, face, and chin. The face cover 12 is preferable
multi-colored in a variety of designs and patterns to represent the
colors of a particular sports team. The colors of the face cover 12
are color fast to resist fading due to sun or moisture. The
forehead portion of the face cover 12 may be imprinted with the
team logo or insignia, such as represented by the large arrow
designated by the numeral 16 in FIGS. 1 & 2 of the
drawings.
[0027] The face cover 12 also includes two eye holes 18, two
nostril openings 20 and a mouth opening 22 that correspond
generally to the location of the eyes, nostrils and mouth of the
wearer.
[0028] It should be noted the face cover 12 is sized such that the
peripheral side edges 24 of the face cover 12 end roughly midway
between the eye and the ear of the wearer. The lower peripheral
edge 26 of the face cover 12 extends a short distance beneath the
chin of the wearer and the upper peripheral edge 28, as indicated
by the broken line in FIG. 1 or by the break away view in FIG. 2,
extends just over the wearer's forehead. These features permit a
comfortable, form fitting mask for the wearer without excessive
material completely covering the head. It would, of course, be
possible to have the face cover 12 sized to cover only a portion of
the user's face such as from the forehead down to just over the
nose in the event it was desired to have the user's mouth and chin
exposed.
[0029] Attention is now directed to the cap or scalp cover 14. The
scalp cover 14 comprises a plurality of colored fabric panels 30a-f
seamed along the side edges thereof to form an oval, concave cavity
that corresponds generally to the shape of the top of the wearer's
head.
[0030] The panels 30a-f meet at a point over which a button 32 or
other decorative feature may be affixed. The lower edges of the
panels 30a-f are turned under and seamed in conventional manner to
form a headband or liner 34 as seen in FIGS. 5 or 6.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, the frontward panels 30a&b
have a contoured cut-out to frame the forehead portion of the mask
12 and the team logo 16 imprinted or otherwise affixed thereon.
[0032] As best shown in FIGS. 3 & 4, a cap bill 36 is stitched
or otherwise affixed to the rearward panels 30, such as at least
panels 30d&e, depending upon the size of the bill 36 in
relation to the panels 30. The bill 36 has the characteristic
curvilinear shape of a conventional ball cap in order to serve as
an effective sun shield if the wearer positions the bill 36 forward
on the head.
[0033] One or more of the panels 30 may include grommet openings 38
to serve as vents for the dissipation of heat from the wearer's
head.
[0034] On the fabric panels 30d&e, above the bill 36, may be
stitched or imprinted the team logo or insignia, such as
represented by the large arrow designated by the numeral 40 in
FIGS. 3 & 4 the drawings.
[0035] It should be understood that, like the face mask 12, the cap
14, bill 36 and team logo 40 may be multi-colored in a variety of
designs and patterns to represent the colors of a particular sports
team. The colors of the cap 14, bill 36 and team logo 40 are color
fast to resist fading due to sun or moisture.
[0036] To meet the objectives of this invention, it is important
that the face mask 12 be permanently affixed to the cap portion 14.
As shown in FIG. 5, one way to join the face mask 12 and the cap 14
is by stitching, such as indicated by the numeral 42, which
penetrates both the face mask 12 and the cap 14 as appropriate.
However, alternative means may be employed for joining the mask 12
and cap 14. FIG. 6, for example, illustrates bonding of the two
pieces with a layer of adhesive 44.
[0037] In operation, the sports fan headgear 10 fits snugly over
the user's face and scalp region. The cap 14 conforms to the shape
of the top of the wearer's head and face cover 12 generally
conforms to the shape of the wearer's face. Thus, the mask may be
comfortably kept in place without the need for straps or bands
around the ears and without the need of a pullover style mask. As
so constructed, the headgear 10 provides the user with a unique
opportunity to show allegiance to a favorite team without the
necessity of using face paint or suffering the drawbacks associated
with conventional masks. At the user's option, the headgear may be
reversed and worn such that the face mask covers the back of the
head of the wearer so that the wearer can enjoy the sun or glare
shielding advantage of a conventional ball cap.
[0038] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set
forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and
which are inherent to the invention.
[0039] It will be understood that certain features and
subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without
reference to other features and subcombinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
[0040] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention
without departing from the scope thereof, it is understood that all
matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to
be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *