U.S. patent application number 11/184517 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for hats bearing related indicia.
Invention is credited to Marsh, M. Lou, Stolzenberg, Ruth Anne.
Application Number | 20050251894 11/184517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37522698 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050251894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marsh, M. Lou ; et
al. |
November 17, 2005 |
Hats bearing related indicia
Abstract
Caps and hats are constructed to focus attention on one of two
somehow related but different subjects. A baseball-style cap may
have two identical fixed visors or bills positioned opposite to
each other, a harlequin type of color scheme (front versus rear)
and permanently affixed front and rear indicia that depict two
opponents or contenders in a competition. It may also commemorate a
competition or game, as by one or more laterally placed event
indicia, and it may be adjustable to promote the fitting of
different head sizes through the use of stretchable material in the
lateral aspects of both the crown and the headband. By a simple
front to rear rotation of the cap, the wearer might reverse his or
her loyalty as, for example, should the team of preference suffer
defeat in the contest.
Inventors: |
Marsh, M. Lou; (Del Mar,
CA) ; Stolzenberg, Ruth Anne; (Del Mar, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James J. Schumann
Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery
Suite 1600
120 South LaSalle Street
Chicago
IL
60603-3406
US
|
Family ID: |
37522698 |
Appl. No.: |
11/184517 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11184517 |
Jul 19, 2005 |
|
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|
10693412 |
Oct 25, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/195.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20130101; A42B
1/22 20130101; A42B 1/248 20130101; A42B 1/0184 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/195.3 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable baseball-style competition cap comprising: a crown
portion that comprises a plurality of laterally seamed,
substantially triangular fabric panels including front, rear and
lateral panels, only said lateral panels being made of a
stretchable material that facilitates the accommodation of a
plurality of head sizes, said crown portion having a dome shape, a
lower, generally round to oval rim and inner and outer surfaces;
said crown portion's outer surface being divided into front half
and rear half sections, each of which sections represents, by
coloration of its fabric, one or the other of the two teams or
contenders in the subject competition; indicia that identify the
teams or contenders in the competition being affixed respectively
to the front or rear section of the outer surface of the crown,
which section is of the representative coloration; a headband
adjacent the inner surface thereof, which is circumferentially
attached to the rim of the crown portion, which headband is
composed of non-stretchable fabric except for two lateral segments
of stretchable material that further facilitate the accommodation
of a plurality of head sizes; and two substantially identically
shaped and sized visors of substantially rigid material attached to
the rim of the crown portion of the respective front and rear
sections, each visor having an upper surface, the color of which
depicts the same team color scheme as the section of the crown
portion to which it is attached, both visors being separated on
each side by a distance about equal to the lengths of the
respective stretchable segments of the headband, each visor
potentially providing shade for the wearer's eyes or nape while the
forward facing visor demonstrates support for the contender
identified by the associated indicia and color complex.
2. The cap of claim 1, wherein said lateral segments of the
headband comprise uni-axially stretchable material.
3. The cap of claim 2, wherein said lateral panels also comprise
uni-axially stretchable material.
4. The cap of claim 1, wherein both said lateral panels and said
lateral segments of the headband fabric comprise bi-axially
stretchable material.
5. An adjustable competition hat comprising: a non-domed crown
portion which includes a fabric top, a sidewall portion and a lower
rim; the outer surface of said crown portion being divided into
front half and rear half sections, each of said sections
representing, by coloration of its fabric, one or the other of the
two contenders in the subject competition; indicia that identifies
the name of one contender in the competition being affixed to the
front section of the crown in its appropriate coloration, indicia
that identifies the other contender being similarly affixed to the
rear section of the crown portion in its respective coloration; a
headband composed primarily of a non-stretchable fabric, which
incorporates lateral segments of stretchable material, being
circumferentially attached to the inner surface of the crown
portion at said rim; and a broad brim having a substantially round
to oval periphery that is reinforced by stiffeners that are
attached by concentric rows of stitching, which brim
circumferentially surrounds and is attached to said crown portion
at said rim, the colors of the upper surface of the front section
of said brim having the same coloration as the section of the crown
portion to which it is attached, and the color of the upper surface
of the rear section of said brim is of the same coloration as the
crown portion to which it is attached.
6. The hat of claim 5 wherein the laterally incorporated segments
of the headband comprise uni-axially stretchable material.
7. The hat of claim 5 wherein the laterally incorporated segments
of the headband comprise bi-axially stretchable material.
8. A cap designed to be worn so as to alternately focus attention
upon one of two related but different subjects, which cap
comprises: a crown portion that includes a plurality of laterally
seamed, substantially triangular fabric panels, which extend upward
from a lower rim portion of said crown portion which is divided
into front half and rear half sections, each said section being of
a different color, which coloration of fabric may be normally
associated with one of the two subjects; indicia representative of
one of said two subjects carried on said front half section of said
outer surface of said crown portion; indicia representative of the
other of said two subjects carried on said rear half section of
said outer surface of said crown portion; a headband
circumferentially attached to said crown portion at the interior of
said rim; and two substantially identically shaped and sized visors
of substantially rigid material attached to said rim respectively
along the front and rear sections of said crown portion.
9. The cap according to claim 8 wherein said visors are separated
from each other on each lateral side along said rim of the crown
portion.
10. The cap according to claim 9 wherein said headband includes
elastic sections located respectively at the locations of said
lateral separations.
11. The cap according to claim 10 wherein laterally located panels
adjacent to and above said elastic headband sections are made of
elastic fabric.
12. The cap according to claim 11 wherein said elastic headband
sections and panels comprise uni-axially stretchable material.
13. The cap according to claim 11 wherein said laterally located
elastic panels and said laterally incorporated sections of said
headband comprise bi-axially stretchable material.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S.
Ser. No. 10/693,412, filed Oct. 25, 2003, the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to hats that carry related indicia and
more particularly to such hats that can be worn to focus upon one
of such indicia, which indicia, for example, might commemorate a
particular sporting event or other competition, designating rivals
or contenders through the use of particular combinations of colors
and logos.
[0003] Hats serve many purposes and functions. They may be designed
to protect the wearer's head, eyes and nape from natural elements,
including wind, rain and sun, as well as from trauma of a blunt or
sharp nature. One such hat, a baseball-style cap, generally
consists of a hemispherical crown or dome portion that fits on the
wearer's head plus a single visor or bill that is attached to and
projects outwardly from the front region of the crown or dome. The
crown is commonly composed of a plurality of substantially
triangular fabric or leather sections or panels, called gores, that
are joined laterally by seams. A fabric headband is preferably
circumferentially attached along the inner base of the crown to
provide structural support while facilitating the engagement of the
wearer's head. Occasionally, the headband fabric is selected to
provide either absorption of forehead and scalp perspiration or
elasticity for adjustability of fit or both.
[0004] Such caps are commonly used by athletes in the course of
their games and often also by fans or supporters to demonstrate
their team loyalties or affiliations as best reflected in the use
of team colors and various indicia, usually located on the front of
the crown of the cap just above the insertion of the visor element
and/or on the upper surface of the visor itself. The economic
pressure to reduce marketers' inventory volumes has prompted the
evolution of many caps or hats that can be adjusted to fit a
plurality of head sizes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0005] For nearly a century, many patents have described the use of
caps, hats or visors, with or without nape coverings, to protect
wearers from the effects of the sun's glare and radiation. Rochet,
U.S. Pat. No. 822,986; Silverstein, U.S. Pat. No. 1,816,346;
Lipkin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,007; Shedd, U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,717;
Shorts, U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,259; and Oates, U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,995
disclosed caps with detachable nape or neck flaps. Klein, U.S. Pat.
No. 1,648,551; Leibson, U.S. Pat. No. 1,677,187; and Robinson, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,253,364 introduced caps and sun visors with single
visors or bills that were movable from the front to the rear of the
cap or sun visor. Oates, U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,995 describes a sports
cap having an attachable rear brim unit of open mesh material and a
partial crown which carries strips of Velcro that engage mating
strips interior the rear of the crown to enable installation of the
rear brim unit interior thereof.
[0006] Recent efforts to achieve cap adjustability have often
focused on the use of uni-axially or bi-axially expandable or
elastic materials: Lipkin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,007; Beckerman, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,615,415; Cho, U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,540; and Cunliffe,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,742 suggested that the rear gores of the crown
may consist of a uni-axially stretchable material. Beckerman, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,615,415; Cho, U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,540; and Green, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,632,046 disclosed headbands with a uni-axially
stretchable component, while Cunliffe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,742; and
Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,410 described a bi-axially stretchable,
sweat-absorbent headband. In all instances, headband elasticity
extended circumferentially, but did not include the area at the
front of the crown where the visor is attached.
[0007] Many cap wearers have chosen caps that are identified with a
particular competitive event and/or with a sports team or the like;
often such identification is by fabric colors, frequently with team
names and/or logos that are painted, embossed or otherwise affixed
to the front of the crown or to the upper surface of the visor. To
facilitate a wearer's ability to identify with more than one team
or more than one occasion, Proctor, U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,523; and
Tapia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,873,726 and 5,070,545 disclosed the use of
detachable indicia or logos on the front crown or visor of a cap,
which may also be a part of a modular headwear system. Connelly,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,761 described the placement of pictorial
displays on an insert located in the upper surface of the
visor.
[0008] None of the prior art has provided for a cap or hat that is
constructed in such a manner so as to allow it to be worn in a
manner to focus attention upon either of two related, but
different, persons, subjects, objects or events.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a cap or hat that is designed
so that it may be worn to focus attention upon either of two
related but different subjects, e.g., persons, subjects, groups,
teams, objects, events, etc. For example, it may commemorate a
special sporting event, such as the Super Bowl, or other such
competition and optionally indicate date (year) and location. It
may optionally further identify the two opponents/contenders in
such event or competition by their respective color(s), and/or
logos, each on one half of the crown of a baseball cap and the
particular visor attached to it. For example, it may embody a
harlequin or half and half color scheme and permanently mounted
logos that depict two opponents or contenders in such a
competition, which may also be memorialized by a third, laterally
placed event logo, and optionally, a fourth contra-laterally placed
event year and location marker. Preferably, the cap or hat adjusts
in size to accommodate a plurality of head sizes, wherein the
adjustable feature involves the use of stretchable material in the
lateral regions of both the crown and the headband.
[0010] In one particular aspect, the invention provides a
baseball-style cap or hat for an event that comprises a crown
portion, a headband and two visors, with the crown including
multiple substantially triangular fabric panels or gores that are
seamed together along their lateral edges to form a dome to fit
over the wearer's head. The laterally aligned gores may comprise
bi-axially stretchable material. The fabric of the front one half
of the crown is in the color(s) of one contender in the event,
while the rear half is in the color(s) of the opponent. A
non-stretchable fabric headband, with laterally incorporated
segments of a bi-axially stretchable material, is circumferentially
attached to the inner lower perimeter surface of the crown. Two
substantially identically shaped and sized visors or bills, made of
substantially rigid material, are positioned opposite to each
other, respectively at the front and at the rear base of the crown.
Their respective visor color(s) schemes are the same as those of
the respective crown regions to which they are attached. These
visors are separated on each lateral side by that portion of the
perimeter of the base of the crown that is faced with the
stretchable portions of headband. On the crown portion immediately
above the front visor, the indicia of the team or contender
represented by its respective color(s) is attached, painted,
embossed, monogrammed or otherwise non-detachably affixed; by
indicia is meant the name, logo, nickname emblem or such other
symbol that identifies that team or the like. Indicia
representative of the opposing team or contender is similarly
affixed to the crown portion above the rear visor. One lateral
aspect of the crown portion may optionally have the name and/or
symbol of the competition, e.g., the Super Bowl, attached, painted,
embossed, monogrammed or non-detachably affixed. On the opposite
lateral aspect of the crown portion, the date (year) and/or the
location of the competition may be similarly affixed. When
stretchable gores are incorporated, the name/symboVdate may be sewn
or embroidered with elastic thread.
[0011] In variations of the above, the laterally located gores
and/or the laterally incorporated segments of the headband may be
made of a uni-axially stretchable material or of non-elastic
material. The cap colors and the affixed name and/or logo may
represent different related subjects or different aspects of a
single team in a particular competition, with or without reference
to such particular competitive event.
[0012] In another particular aspect, the invention provides a hat
having a non-domed crown portion, a headband and a broad non-rigid
circumferential brim where the crown portion consists of a fabric
top and side cover, the interior base of which is attached
circumferentially to the fabric headband that laterally
incorporates segments of uni-axially or bi-axially stretchable
material. The exterior base of the crown portion is attached
circumferentially to a broad brim comprised of substantially oval
or circular shaped fabric that is reinforced by stiffeners which
may be attached by concentric rows of stitching. The fabric of the
front one half of the non-domed crown and of the broad brim is in a
color(s) representative of one contender team, subject, object,
etc., while the rear half is in a contrasting color, e.g. that of
an opponent or a different but related subject. On the front and
rear crown portions immediately above the broad brim, the name
and/or logo of the team, subject, object, associated with the
respective color(s) is attached, painted, embossed, monogrammed or
otherwise non-detachably affixed. Lateral aspects of the crown
portion, may optionally carry indicia as set forth above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cap embodying various
features of the present invention shown on a model's head.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of the cap of FIG. 1,
illustrating different logos and shaded and non-shaded regions
which represent different colors that distinguish two teams plus a
symbol of a subject competitive event.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cap of FIG. 2 demonstrating
the stretchable lateral segment of the headband and the stretchable
lateral gores of the crown portion of the adjustable cap.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of the cap shown in FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 5a is a front elevation view of the cap of FIG. 2,
illustrating the logo and coloring of one team or contender.
[0018] FIG. 5b is a rear elevation view of the cap of FIG. 2,
illustrating the logo and coloring of the other team.
[0019] FIG. 6a is a side elevation view of a hat embodying various
features of the present invention, illustrating logos and different
colors that distinguish the different teams, plus the symbol of the
subject event, as generally also shown on the cap in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 6b is a top perspective view of the hat shown in FIG.
6a illustrating the broad circumferential brim.
[0021] FIG. 6c is a bottom perspective view of the hat in FIG. 6a,
demonstrating the stretchable lateral segments of the headband.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front view similar to FIG. 5a, showing another
cap embodying various features of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the cap of FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the hat of FIG. 7.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a top view of the cap shown in FIG. 7.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a left side view of the cap of FIG. 7.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a rear view of the cap of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] FIGS. 1 through 5b of the drawings illustrate an adjustable
baseball-style, double-billed cap 1 embodying features of one
preferred embodiment of the present invention which is sometimes
referred to as a competition cap. The cap 1 comprises a crown
portion 2 that essentially covers or crowns the top of the wearer's
head, which may be generally hemispheric or of domed shape 8; it is
formed by laterally seaming, from apex to base, a plurality of
substantially triangular fabric panels or gores 3. The crown, at
its base, has a generally round to oval bottom opening along its
lower peripheral edge 7 which has both an outer or exterior surface
5 and an inner or interior surface 4. By generally round to oval is
meant a shape which is circular, oval, or between circular and
oval. The cap fabric is flexible so it can adapt to the shape of
the head of the wearer. An elongated fabric strip is
circumferentially attached thereto to form an interior headband 21.
As seen in FIG. 3, the fabric material of the headband is
preferably symmetrically interrupted in its lateral aspect by the
insertion of segments 22 of stretchable or elastic material to
facilitate the adjustment of the cap 1 to fit a plurality of head
sizes. Two lateral gores 11 on each side are also preferably made
of a stretchable material that further contributes to the
adjustability of the cap 1; the rear gores 13 and the front gores
12 are made of standard cloth material.
[0029] The stretchable materials making up the two laterally
inserted segments of the headband 22 and the two laterally
positioned gores 11 on each side are preferably bi-axially
stretchable, that is, simultaneously stretchable in a diagonal as
well as a horizontal direction; however, they may also be
uni-axially stretchable. Bi-axial stretchability of the material is
achieved when the fabric is woven from perpendicular warp and weft
yarns consisting of a variety of polyester and rubber blends. The
front 12 and rear 13 gore sections that comprise the front and rear
portions of the crown are preferably backed by one or more layers
of material to add support and shape to the front and rear sections
of the crown portion 2.
[0030] Two substantially identically shaped and sized visors or
bills 9, 10, made of substantially rigid material, are attached at
the lower peripheral edge of the crown 7 at positions exactly
opposite to each other, respectively at the front and at the rear
of the crown. The visors 9, 10 are separated on each side by the
two portions of the lower peripheral edge 7 of the crown 2 that are
faced with the stretchable portions 22 of the headband.
[0031] The fabric of the exterior surface 5 of the front one-half
section of the crown portion 2 and the upper surface of its
respective attached visor is in the color(s) 14 of one team or
contender; whereas the fabric of the exterior surface 5 of the rear
one-half section of the crown portion 2 and its attached visor is
in the color(s) 15 of the other team or contender. The color of the
fabric covering the undersurface 19 of the front visor 9 and the
rear visor 10 may optionally have a light-absorbing or reflecting
quality or may be the same as that of the respective upper
surface.
[0032] On the front section of the crown portion 2, centered above
the front visor 9, the name and/or logo (indicia) 16 of the team or
contender represented by its respective color(s) 14 is attached,
painted, embossed, monogrammed or otherwise non-detachably affixed.
The name and/or logo (indicia) 17 of the opposing team or contender
is similarly affixed to the rear section of the crown portion 2
centered above the rear visor 10.
[0033] On one lateral aspect of the crown portion 2, e.g. the left
side, the name and/or symbol 18 of the competitive event, e.g., the
Super Bowl, is attached, painted, embossed, monogrammed or
otherwise non-detachably affixed. Reference with respect to left
and right is based upon the front view of the cap 1 as shown in
FIG. 5a (not to the wearer). On the opposite lateral aspect of the
crown portion 2, as seen in FIG. 4, the date (year) 23 of the event
and/or the location 24 is similarly affixed.
[0034] As previously mentioned, although the laterally located
gores 11 are preferably made of bi-axially stretchable material,
they may optionally be made of uni-axially stretchable material.
Moreover, both the lateral gores 11 and the laterally incorporated
segments 22 of the headband may, if desired, be made of uni-axially
stretchable material. Furthermore, although such adjustability is
preferred, the cap may optionally be made non-adjustable, having
all gore panels, 11, 12 and 13, and the entire headband 21 made of
non-elastic material.
[0035] Although it has been convenient to illustrate the invention
by showing a competition cap designed to commemorate the 2003 Super
Bowl that was held in San Diego, and the two teams that
participated, it should be understood that, although competitive
sporting events are certainly one subject for which the invention
is extremely well suited, it is by no means restricted to such
events. Very generally, the cap or hat is conceptually designed so
that it may be worn to focus attention upon either of two related
but different subjects, for example persons, groups, teams,
subjects, objects, events or the like. By constructing such a cap
or hat so that, when worn with the front visor 9 above the face of
the wearer, the indicia 16 of that selected subject will be the
focus of attention, whereas the indicia and/or color representative
of the other different subject will be facing rearward in a manner
which indicates at least lack of present interest therefor and
perhaps might be viewed as exhibiting disdain, as for example where
athletic competition is involved. Thus, the construction of the hat
or cap is generally designed so as to allow focus upon one of two
different subjects, which are related or contrasting in some
fashion. Although they need not be contradictory or competitive,
such will often provide constructions of particular interest. For
example, the subjects might be different events, entities, brand
identities, images, institutions, personalities, places or
locations, slogans or the like. For example they might be related
personalities, such as a father and son auto racers, athletic teams
and a particular team member; a location or an institution and a
member thereof (e.g. Disneyland and Mickey Mouse); a city and its
athletic team or other attraction; a manufacturer and its product;
a sponsor or manufacturer and its spokesman; an event or
organization and a winner or champion; a country or company and a
leader or executive; current and nostalgic persons, mascots, or
logos of sports team; and the like. As can be seen, the list of
potential categories of subjects is nearly endless. The design of
the cap or hat is unique in that it permits the wearer to
alternatively direct his or her focus to one of two somehow related
subjects, or depending upon one's psychological viewpoint, to
provide an outward show of support for the one subject, i.e., one
competing team, and simultaneous disdain for the competing team.
Such focus is believed to be amplified through the employment of
contrasting colors for the front and rear halves of the hat or cap,
which colors are preferably chosen to be representative of team
colors, for example, or of colors that may be indicative of or
associated with a particular subject.
[0036] FIGS. 6a through 6c show another embodiment of an adjustable
hat 25 embodying features of the present invention, which is also
illustrated to commemorate the same competitive event as the FIG. 1
cap. The hat 25 comprises a non-domed, flat crown portion 26, an
interior headband 28, a broad, non-rigid annular circumferential
brim 27, which may have an oval or generally circular periphery.
The non-domed crown portion 26 comprises a fabric top 34 and
sidewall 35. The interior headband 28 preferably incorporates
laterally disposed segments 29 of stretchable material and is
attached circumferentially to the interior of the crown portion 26
at its base 30. The broad brim 27 is circumferentially attached to
the base of the crown portion 26 along inner edge 31 of the brim.
The brim 27 is preferably reinforced by interior stiffening which
is secured in place by generally concentric rows of stitching 36.
The fabric of the front one half of the non-domed crown portion 26
and of the broad brim 27 is in the color(s) 32, of one contender,
while the fabric of the rear one-half of the crown 26 portion and
of the attached broad brim 27 is in the color(s) 33 of the
opponent. The different colors are represented in FIGS. 6a-6c by
shading or stippling and the absence thereof.
[0037] On the front of the sidewall of the crown portion 26,
immediately above the broad circumferential brim 27, indicia 16,
such as the name and/or logo of the team or contender represented
by its respective color(s) 32, is attached, painted, embossed,
monogrammed or otherwise non-detachably affixed. Similar indicia
17, such as the name and/or logo of the opposing team or contender
is similarly affixed to the rear surface of the sidewall 35 of the
crown portion 26.
[0038] To provide some adjustability in the hat 25, the lateral
segments 29 which are preferably uni-axially stretchable are
incorporated in the headband 28. However, if desired, the entire
headband 28 may be made of a non-stretchable material, or
bia-axially stretchable segments might be used.
[0039] To provide an example of another cap where the theme of the
related subjects is not one of competition, FIGS. 7 to 12 are
included. These figures show a commemorative or souvenir-type cap
40 where two related humans are presented as an example of another
situation of potential interest; in this case the well-known NASCAR
auto racers, Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. are portrayed
in the form of a baseball-style cap having front and rear slightly
curved visors 41, 43. The front half 45 of the crown and the
associated visor 41 may be in black color, whereas the rear half 47
of the crown and the associated visor is in red. It may have a
generally hemispherical button 49 on top, which is preferably the
color of the front half. The crown has an oval bottom opening 51
(see FIG. 9) at the bottom rim, and a headband/sweatband 53 is
affixed to the interior surface thereof along the bottom rim.
[0040] Indicia of the respective persons is appropriately affixed
centrally upon the front and read sections of the cap. In this
respect, indicia 55 in the form of the number "3", the race car
number made famous by Dale Earnhardt, is prominently affixed to the
front black half 45 of the crown. Similarly, indicia 57 in the form
of the number "8", the race car number of the vehicle currently
driven by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., is centrally prominently displayed
on the rear half 47 of the crown. Corresponding indicia 55b and 57b
are respectively provided on the under or lower surfaces of the
front brim 41 and the rear brim 43. As suggestive of such a
father-son relationship, the number "3" is shown morphing into the
number "8" in indicia 61 carried along the right side whereas, vice
versa, the numeral "8" morphs into the numeral "3" in indicia 63
carried along the opposite side. To provide some adjustability of
fit, the headband/sweatband 53 is preferably provided with
laterally disposed segments of stretchable material as described
hereinbefore. Optionally, the laterally located gores could also be
provided with stretchability, as discussed with respect to the cap
1 of FIG. 1 to 5b, in which case the lateral indicia 61, 63 would
also be made stretchable, as by embroidering with elastic thread,
for example. It should be understood that any or all of the
elements of construction hereinbefore described with regard to the
cap of FIGS. 1 to 5b could be incorporated into the cap 40.
[0041] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described with considerable specificity, which constitute the best
mode known to the inventor, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that modifications, changes and adaptations may be made
to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of
the invention which is to be determined by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents.
[0042] Although only a single non-competition type of cap/hat has
been shown, it should be understood that the list is nearly endless
of related subjects that might be incorporated as a part of such a
dual focus cap/hat. As previously mentioned, a prominent person and
his or her organization may be portrayed, as may an endless number
of subjects, for example, cats and dogs.
[0043] The descriptions of the previously mentioned U.S. patents
are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
[0044] Particular features of the invention are emphasized in the
claims that follow.
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