U.S. patent application number 11/177833 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for cap with removable and rotatable visor.
Invention is credited to Jocelyn L. Harris, William C. Harris.
Application Number | 20070017003 11/177833 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37677680 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070017003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harris; William C. ; et
al. |
January 25, 2007 |
Cap with removable and rotatable visor
Abstract
A cap comprises a crown sized to fit on a wearer's head and a
visor. The cap includes a track mounted to the crown and a slide
member to which said visor is mounted. The visor can be removably
mounted in the slide member to allow for changing the cap's visor.
The slide member can move axially along the track, to allow for
selective positioning of the visor on the cap. Additionally, the
slide member can be an articulated slide member which allows for
altering the relative angular position of the visor relative to the
crown.
Inventors: |
Harris; William C.; (Alton,
IL) ; Harris; Jocelyn L.; (Alton, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSTER, LIEDER, WOODRUFF & LUCCHESI
12412 POWERSCOURT DRIVE SUITE 200
ST. LOUIS
MO
63131-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
37677680 |
Appl. No.: |
11/177833 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/195.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/0184
20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/195.1 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/00 20060101
A42B001/00 |
Claims
1. A cap comprising: a crown portion; a track on said crown
portion; a slide member received on said track to be movable along
said track; said slide member comprising a pair of vertically
spaced apart plates defining a gap therebetween; and a visor; said
visor being sized to be frictionally received in said slide member
gap between said slide member arms.
2. The cap of claim 1 wherein said slide member gap is at least in
part equal to, or slightly narrower than, the width of said
visor.
3. The cap of claim 1 wherein said visor is removably received in
said slide member gap and frictionally gripped by said slide member
plates.
4. The cap of claim 1 wherein said one of said track member and
slide member defines a male portion and the other of said track
member and slide member defines a female portion; said female
portion comprising a body defining defines a channel; and said male
portion comprising a bar sized and shaped to be received in said
channel for axial movement about said channel.
5. The cap of claim 4 wherein said bar include a plurality of
generally vertical spaced apart slits.
6. The cap of claim 4 wherein said bar and channel are shaped
complimentarily to each other; said bar and said channel being
sized and shaped to substantially prevent removal of said slide
member from said track member.
7. The cap of claim 6 wherein said female portion comprises at
least one flange which partially closes said channel; said at least
one flange defining an opening into said channel; said bar having a
width greater than the width of said opening into said groove;
whereby said bar and said at least one flange define an
interference fit to substantially prevent removal of said bar from
said channel.
8. The cap of claim 7 wherein in said male part includes at least
one flange extending towards said bar; said flange being spaced
vertically from said bar a distance sufficient to enable said
flange to ride on an outer surface of said female part.
9. The cap of claim 1 wherein said slide member is an articulated
slide member; said slide member comprising a first part and a
second part; said first part being slideably received by said track
to be moveable axially along said track; said second part
comprising said plates to receive said visor; said second part
being pivotally connected to said first part to allow for
selectively altering the angle of said visor relative to said cap
crown.
10. The cap of claim 9 wherein one of said slide member first part
and second part includes an axially extending tube; said tube
including an axially extending opening; the other of said slide
member first and second parts comprising a pivot bar which sized
and shaped to be received in said tube and to be pivotal relative
to said tube.
11. The cap of claim 10 wherein one of said tube and bar includes
at least one projection and the other of said tube and bar includes
at least one depression; said projection and depression being sized
and shaped to engage each other to maintain said visor in a desired
angular position relative to said cap crown.
12. The cap of claim 1 wherein said track extends fully around said
cap crown.
13. The cap of claim 12 wherein said track includes a nape section
at a back of said cap; said nape section defining an arch in said
track wherein said track is spaced from said crown.
14. A cap comprising: a crown portion; a track member on said crown
portion, said track extending around said crown portion; said track
member including a major portion in which said track is
substantially adjacent said crown and a nape portion in which said
track is spaced from said crown; a slide member received on said
track to be movable along said track; said slide member; and a
visor mounted to said slide member.
15. The cap of claim 14 including a band which is secured to said
crown; said band having a length substantially equal to the length
of said major portion of said track member; said band being
positioned between said track member major portion and said
crown.
16. The cap of claim 15 wherein said track member and said band are
formed as a unitary, one-piece member.
17. The cap of claim 14 wherein said track member major portion
comprising a channel and at least one flange which partially closes
said channel; said nape portion comprising a connector which
extends from the between opposite ends of said at least one flange,
such that said flange effectively extends the full length of said
track member.
18. The cap of claim 14 wherein said track member is provided as
flexible member having a first end and a second end; there being a
connector half at each of said first and second ends; said
connector halves being connectable together to form a continuous
track member about said cap crown.
19. The cap of claim 18 wherein said connector halves are provided
along an inner surface of said track member and are positioned to
be in the nape portion of said track member.
20. A cap comprising a crown portion, a visor; and an articulated
connector for mounting said visor to said crown portion; said
connector comprising a first part and a second part; said first
part being mounted to said crown portion; said visor being
connected to said second part; said second part being pivotally
connected to said first part to allow for selectively altering the
angle of said visor relative to said cap crown.
21. The cap of claim 20 wherein one of said connector first part
and second part includes an axially extending tube; said tube
including an axially extending opening; the other of said slide
member first and second parts comprising a pivot bar which sized
and shaped to be received in said tube and to be pivotal relative
to said tube.
22. The cap of claim 21 wherein one of said tube and bar includes
at least one projection and the other of said tube and bar includes
at least one depression; said projection and depression being sized
and shaped to engage each other maintain said visor in a desired
angular position relative to said cap crown.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to caps or hats, such as baseball
caps, and in particular to caps with visors that can be rotated and
removed to be replaced with a different visor.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A cap comprises a crown portion and a visor. The visor is
mounted to the crown portion by a track member and a slide member
to allow the visor to be moved circumferentially about the cap
crown. As will be apparent from the description below, the track
can be provided on a fitted cap, on a cap the flexes or stretches
to fit a small range of sizes, or a cap provided with a sizing band
to enable the cap to fit a broad ranges of sizes (a
one-size-fits-all cap).
[0005] The slide member includes a pair of vertically spaced apart
plates defining a gap therebetween, the slide member gap is at
least in part equal to, or slightly narrower than, the width of the
visor such that the visor is frictionally received between the
plates. The visor can be removably received in the slide member gap
between the plates or permanently fixed to the slide member.
[0006] In one variation, the slide member is articulated to allow
for altering of the angular position of the visor relative to the
crown. That is, the visor can be pivoted up and down. In this
embodiment, the slide member comprises a first part and a second
part. The first part is slideably received by the track to be
moveable axially along the track and the second part includes the
plates to receive the visor. The second part is pivotally connected
to the first part to allow for selectively altering the angle of
the visor relative to the cap crown. To allow for pivotal movement
of the visor, one of the slide member first part and second part
includes an axially extending tube having an axially extending
opening and the other of the slide member first and second parts
includes a pivot bar which sized and shaped to be received in the
tube and to be pivotal relative to the tube. At least one
projection is formed in either the tube or on the bar, and at least
one groove or depression is formed on the other of the tube and
bar. The projection and depression are sized and shaped to engage
each other to maintain the visor in a desired angular position
relative to the cap crown.
[0007] The a track member track extends fully around the crown
portion. The track member includes a major portion which is
substantially adjacent the crown and a nape portion which is spaced
from the crown. Preferably, the nape portion is at the back of the
crown. The track member is flexible, and the provision of the nape
portion allows for small adjustments in the circumference of the
crown, thereby enabling people having differing sized heads to wear
the cap. A band, which may be integrally formed with the track
member, is positioned between the track member and the crown. The
band has a length substantially equal to the length of the major
portion of the track member, and extends from one end of the major
portion to the opposite end of the major portion. The track member
includes a channel which is partially closed by at least one
flange--the flange defining an opening into the channel. The
channel extends at least the length of the track member major
portion. Although the channel preferably does not, but can, extend
through the nape portion. By omitting the channel from the nape
portion, the track member is more flexible in the nape portion,
allowing the shape of the track to more easily change when the
circumference of the cap is changed, for example, when the cap is
stretched. When the channel is omitted, the nape section is defined
by the flanges, and, the flange in the nape section defines a
connector which extends between the flanges of the opposing ends of
the channel.
[0008] The track member is preferably provided as a strip having a
first end and a second end. The major portion of the track member
is defined by the center of the strip or band, and the nape section
is defined by the opposite ends of the strip or band. Preferably
one-half, of the track member nape portion is formed at each end of
the strip or band. The track member strip is provided with a
connector half at each of the ends which are connectable together
to form a continuous track member about the cap crown. Preferably,
the connector halves are provided along an inner surface of the
track member, so as not to interfere with the track channel.
Additionally, because the track member nape portion is formed by
the ends of the strip, the connector halves will not interfere with
the securement of the track member to the cap crown.
[0009] As noted, the track member includes a channel and at least
one flange which partially closes the channel to define an opening
into the channel. The slide member comprises a bar sized and shaped
to be received in the channel for axial movement about the channel.
The bar is provided with a plurality of generally vertical spaced
apart slits to enhance the flexibility of the bar. The bar and
channel sized and shaped to substantially prevent removal of the
slide member from the track member. The bar has a width greater
than the width of the opening into the groove. Hence, the bar and
the at least one flange define an interference fit to substantially
prevent removal of the bar from the channel. Preferably, the bar
and channel are shaped complimentarily to each other.
[0010] The slide member also includes at least one flange extending
towards the bar. The slide member flange is spaced vertically from
the bar a distance sufficient to enable the flange to ride on an
outer surface of the track member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective exploded view of an
illustrative embodiment of a cap of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective exploded view of the cap;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan exploded view of the cap;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cap;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the cap;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the crown of
the cap showing in detail the track along which the visor can
move;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the track showing
the connection of the ends of the track to form a continuous
track;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the track ends;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a slide member which is
received in the track and to which the cap visor is connected;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the slide member;
[0021] FIG. 10a is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the slide member;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the slide member
with a visor received therein and connected to the track;
[0023] FIG. 12 is an exploded top plan view of an articulated slide
member for use with the track member and which allows for the visor
to be rotated upwardly and downwardly;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a first half of the
articulated slide member;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a second half of the
articulated slide member;
[0026] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the cap of the
present invention incorporating the articulated slide member of
FIGS. 13 and 14; and
[0027] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the cap incorporating
the articulated slide member of FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0028] Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the
several figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The following detailed description illustrates the invention
by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description
will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the
invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations,
variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what
we presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the
invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited in its application to the details of construction
and the arrangements of components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0030] An illustrative embodiment of a cap 10 of the present
invention is shown generally in FIG. 1. The cap 10 includes a crown
12 which is sized to fit on a wearer's head. The crown 12 can be
made in any conventional manner. For example, the crown 12 can be
made of individual sections 14 which are connected together to form
the crown, and which is topped by a button 16. A track member 18 is
fixed to the crown 12 near the bottom of the crown. Preferably, a
band 19 is interposed between the track member 18 and the crown 12.
As seen in FIG. 3, the band 19 extends most of the way about the
cap crown 12. The track member 18, on the other hand, extends all
the way around the cap crown 12. A slide member 20 is slidably
received by the track 12 and can slide around the track 12. A visor
22 is received in the slide member 20. As will be described in more
detail below, the visor 20 can be permanently fixed to the slide
member, but is preferably removably received in the slide
member.
[0031] The track member 18 (shown in more detail in FIG. 6) is
preferably made from a flexible material, such as a flexible
plastic. It extends around the full circumference of the crown 12.
The track member 18, in fact, has a length slightly greater than
the crown circumference to form a nape section 24 which, as seen in
FIG. 3, is bowed away from the crown 12. The bowing of the nape
section 24 is exaggerated in FIG. 3 for purposes of illustration.
However, the bowed nape section 24 of the track allows for slight
expansion of the cap to allow for cap to fit a range of sizes. The
bowed nape section can also be used as a hanging element to hang
the cap on a hook when the cap is not being worn.
[0032] Turning to FIG. 5, the band 19 forms a base for the track
member 18. Hence, the band 19 is secured to the cap crown 12, and
the track member 18 is fixed to the band 19. The track member and
band can be formed as a one-piece integral unit, or can be formed
in two pieces. In the former instance, the securing of the band 19
to the crown will also secure the track member to the crown. The
band 19 can be secured to the crown by gluing, sewing, or riveting
of band to the cap crown. Of course, any other conventional manner
can be used to secure the band 19 to the crown 12. If the track
member 18 is separate from the band 19, the track member 18 can be
fixed to the band 19 by gluing, sewing, riveting, ultrasonic
welding or any other conventional method.
[0033] The track member 18 extends forwardly from a forward surface
of the band 19 and includes a body 32 comprising upper and lower
surfaces 34. Flanges 35, having facing sloped surfaces 36a, extend
inwardly from the ends of the upper and lower surfaces 34. The
inner surfaces 36b of the flanges 35 are generally cylindrical.
Upper and lower sloped conical surfaces 37 extend inwardly toward a
cylindrical wall 38. The conical surfaces 37 extend from a larger
diameter adjacent the flange surface 36a to a smaller diameter at
the base wall 38. surfaces 36, in connection with the surface 38 of
the track body 32 define a groove 40. The surfaces 36b, 37 and 38
define a track channel 40; and the space between the sloped
surfaces 36a of the flanges 35 define a sloped entrance or opening
into the channel 40. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the surfaces which
define the channel 40 give the channel a generally trapezoidal
shape in cross-section. The flanges 35 are sized to allow for
slight flexing of the flanges away from each other to allow for
receipt of the slide member 20.
[0034] The track member 18 is preferably provided as a flat band
which is then formed or curved around the cap crown 12. The track
member band is provided with connectors 42a,b, as seen in FIGS. 3,
7 and 8, at opposite ends of the track band. The connectors 42a,b
include mating portions which form an interference fit with each
other, so that the connector ends cannot be pulled apart. When the
track member 18 is secured to the crown, the connectors 42a,b are
mated together to form a continuous track. Preferably, the
connectors are permanently connected together, for example, by the
use of glue or by welding, or by any other conventional method. As
best shown in FIG. 3, the connectors 42a,b are formed on an inner
surface of the track member 18, and at the nape section 24 of the
track, so that the connectors 24 will not interfere with the
securement of the track member 18 to the cap crown 12 or with the
track channel 40.
[0035] The slide member 20 is shown in detail in FIGS. 9 and 10.
The slide member 20 has a side-to-side dimension generally equal to
the side-to-side width of the cap visor 22, such that there is a
single slide element per visor. However, if desired, the slide
element can be shorter than the visor. If desired, the slide
element can be substantially shorter than the visor width, and two,
three, or more slide elements can be provided to hold the visor in
place on the track element 30.
[0036] The slide member 20 includes a base 50 having sloped upper
and lower surfaces 50a. The slope of the surfaces 50a corresponds
generally to the slope of the surfaces 36 of the track member
flanges 35. A upper an lower walls 52 extend vertically away from
the forward edge of the base 50. Upper and lower flanges 54 extend
rearwardly from the opposite ends of the walls 52. The distance
between the inner surfaces of the flanges 54 is slightly greater
than the distance between the upper and lower surfaces 34 of the
track member 18 (as seen in FIG. 11), such that the inner surfaces
of the flanges 54 ride on the upper and lower surfaces 34 of the
track member 18.
[0037] As seen, the slide member body 50 is generally trapezoidal
in shape, having an inner end that is shorter than its outer end. A
block or bar 58 extends from the inner end of the body 50. The bar
58 is sized and shaped complementarily to the channel 40, as seen
in FIG. 11. The channel 40 is shown in FIG. 6 to be generally
trapezoidal, hence the bar 58 is also shown to be trapezoidal. The
bar 58, as seen, has an outer surface 58a which is greater than the
opening into the channel 40. Hence, as seen in FIG. 11, the bar
outer surface 58a will engage the inner surface 36b of flange 35,
and the flange 35 will prevent inadvertent removal of the slide bar
58 from the track channel 40.
[0038] A pair of generally horizontal plates 60 extend from the
slide base front surface 50b. The plates 60 are vertically spaced
apart from each other to define a gap 62 between the plates 60. The
gap has a vertical height sized such that the inner surfaces 60a of
the plates will frictionally engage the visor 22, and hence, the
visor 22 will be securely received between the plates 60. To
provide for the frictional grip of the visor 22 by the plates 60,
the gap 62 has a height which is approximately equal to even
slightly less than the top-to-bottom width of a cap visor 22. The
gap 62 can, for example, be about 0.1875''. The plates 60 are also
sufficiently long such that the plates will prevent the visor 22
from falling out of the gap. For example, the plates can be in the
range of about 0.5'' to about 1''. The visor 22 can be held between
the plates 60 by only the frictional grip of the plates on the
visor 22. Alternatively, the visor can be fixed between the plates,
for example, by sewing, gluing, riveting, or by any other
conventional means. In the former, the visor can be removed from
between the plates 60 by pulling the visor out, and a new visor 22
can be inserted between the plates 60. Hence, the visor 22 is
removable and replaceable. In the latter alternative, the visor is
not removable from between the plates, and is permanently fixed to
the slide member 20. The visor can be fixed between the slide
member plates 60 via other means as well. For example, the plates
60 could be provided with barbs on their inner surfaces and in the
gap 62 which would catch the upper and/or lower surfaces of the
visor to prevent removal of the visor.
[0039] A filler 64 can be provided between the plates 60 if
desired. The filler 64 is positioned adjacent the forward surface
50b of the slide member body 50. The filler 64 can be made from any
compressible material, such as a foam, and is used to cushion the
end of the visor 22 which is received between the plates to protect
the end of the visor 22.
[0040] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the slide member 20
extends the full width of the visor 22. As can be appreciated, to
allow the slide member 20 to move around the track, and especially
around the track nape section 24, the slide member 20 must be
flexible. To facilitate the flexibility of the slide member, the
slide member bar 58 is provided with vertical notches, slices or
grooves 65 along the inner surface of the bar 58. A plurality of
the grooves 65 are formed in the bar 58 and are preferably evenly
spaced along the inner surface of the bar 58.
[0041] The slide member 20 shown in FIG. 10 is open on the opposite
sides of the plates 60. Hence, the gap 62 of the slide member 20 is
open on three sides. In FIG. 10a, a slide member 20a is shown in
which the gap 62a between its plates 60a is closed along its sides
by a wall 66. Hence, in FIG. 10a, the gap 62a is open only along
one side, namely, the front side of the gap 62a.
[0042] The plates 60 have a width which allows the plates to flex
slightly relative to each other and to the slide member base 50.
The plates are generally parallel to each other, but may be
slightly angled towards each other to increase the frictional grip
of the plates 60 on the visor 22.
[0043] As noted above, the slide member 20 can slide in the track
18. To mount the slide member 20 on the track 18, the slide member
bar 58 is passed between the track flanges 35. As the slide member
bar 58 passes through the opening between the track flanges 35, the
bar 58 will spread the flanges apart. When the bar 58 fully passes
the flanges, and is received in the channel 40, the flanges 35 will
snap back into place over the bar surface 58a. Also, when the bar
58 is received in the channel 40, the slide member flanges 54 will
be positioned on the outer (i.e., upper and lower) surfaces 34 of
the track member 18, thereby preventing the track flanges from
spreading apart more than a nominal amount. Hence, the slide member
is substantially secured in place on the track 18 and cannot be
removed from the track 18. While the dimensions of the slide member
elements relative to the track member elements prevent the slide
member from being removed from the track member, the slide member
can move axially along the track member. Hence, the visor 22 can be
rotated about the cap, even while the cap is being worn.
[0044] As noted above, the track member 18, in the illustrative
embodiment shown, extends fully around the circumference of the cap
crown 12. To allow for the cap to fit a range of sizes, the cap is
slightly stretchable or expandable. To enable the stretching or
expanding of the cap, the track, as noted above, is provided with
the nape section 24. The track nape section is not directly secured
to the cap, and is preferably bowed slightly from the cap as seen
in FIG. 3. As noted above, the track member is flexible. The
provision of the nape section 24 allows for the cap crown to flex
slightly when worn on heads of different sizes. To further enhance
the flexibility of the track member 18 at its nape section 24, the
track at the nape section 24 is comprised of the track flanges 35.
The inner portion of the track member which defines the surfaces 37
and 38 (and hence the channel 40) can, but preferably do not,
continue through the nape section 24. Omitting the channel 40 from
the nape section and leaving only the flanges makes the nape
section more flexible. The increased flexibility of the nape
section allows for easier changes in shape of the nape section as
the circumference of the cap crown changes when the crown size is
changed. If desired, the channel 40 could be continued through the
nape section.
[0045] Although some of the surfaces of the track channel are
removed at the nape section, the slide member 20 cannot be removed
from the track member 34. First of all, the slide member 20 has a
side-to-side length greater than the length of the nape section 24.
Further, the track flange 35 in the nape section 24 will be
sandwiched by the forward surface 58a of the slide member bar and
the inner surface of the walls 52. Hence, the slide member will not
be able to move radially relative to the track.
[0046] The track member can be divided into a major portion (which
includes the channel) and the nape portion (which does not include
the channel). Here, the nape portion is defined by a continuation
of the flanges 35, and the flanges 35, in effect, form connectors
which the connect opposite ends of the track member major portion.
As can be appreciated, if the channel is continued through the nape
portion, then the entire track member will be of a substantially
uniform shape or cross-sectional configuration.
[0047] In another embodiment of the cap shown in FIGS. 12-16, the
cap is provided with an articulated slide member 70 which allows
for the cap visor to be pivoted upwardly and downwardly. The
articulated slide member 70 includes a first part 72 which is
received in the track member 18 and a second part 74 which can
pivot relative to the first part 72 and which receives the cap
visor 22. Thus, in this embodiment, the visor can be moved
circumferentially about the cap crown and can be pivoted to alter
the angle of the visor relative to the cap crown.
[0048] The articulated slide member first part 72 is substantially
similar to the slide member 20. It includes a body 50' having walls
52' with rearwardly extending flanges 54' and a bar 58'. The
articulated slide member first part, however, does not have the
plates 60 (FIG. 10) that receive the visor 22. Rather, the
articulated slide member first part is provided with a generally
cylindrical tube 76 having an opening 78 at the front thereof. The
opening 78 effectively divides the tube 76 into upper and lower
arced surfaces. The upper and lower surfaces are slightly flexible,
so as to be movable away from each other, as will be described
below. A projection 80, which can be in the form of a rib is formed
along the inner surface of the tube 78. The projection 80 is shown
to be at the base of the tube opposite the opening 78, but could be
positioned in any desired location along the inner surface of the
tube 76.
[0049] The second part 74 of the articulated slide includes a
generally vertical wall 82 having a forward and a rear surface.
Vertically spaced apart plates 84 extend forwardly from the wall
forward surface to define a gap 86 which receives the visor 22 and
the optional filler 64. The plates 84 are identical in shape and
function to the plates 60 of the slide member 20. A generally
cylindrical bar 90 extends along the rear surface of the wall 82.
The cylindrical bar 90 is sized and shaped to be rotatably received
within the tube 76 of the slide member first part 72. The bar 90 is
provided with grooves 92 which extend the length of the bar. The
grooves are sized and shaped to engage the projection 80 in the
slide member first part 72. Two grooves 92 are shown. However, more
grooves could be provided if desired. Upper and lower arced
surfaces 94 extend from the rear surface of the wall 82 spaced
above and below the bar 90. The curvature of the surfaces 94
corresponds to the curvature of the tube 76 of the slide member
first part 72. The space between the surfaces 94 and the bar 90 of
the slide member second part 74 is slightly greater than the width
of the slide member first part tube.
[0050] To connect the two portions of the slide member 70 together,
the bar 90 of the second portion 74 is urged through the opening 78
in the tube 76 of the first portion 72. As the bar 90 passes
through the tube opening, the opposite sides of the tube will flex
apart. When the bar passes the half-way point, the opposite sides
of the tube 76 will snap back into place to secure the bar 90
within the tube 76. The surfaces 94 of the slide member second
portion 74 will surround the first portion tube 76 to prevent the
two opposed surfaces of the wall from flexing relative to each
other. Hence, the bar 90 will be secured in the tube against
removal therefrom.
[0051] To provide a finished appearance to the slide member 70, the
slide member second portion 74 is provided with visor arms 98 at
opposite sides thereof. The visor arms extend straight back, rather
than radially, as seen in FIG. 12 and are positioned such that the
will be on opposite sides of the slide member first part 72 when
the articulated slide member 70 is assembled. The visor arms 98
have a length, such that, when the articulated slide member is
assembled, the visor arms 98 will extend substantially to the cap
crown 12. When a visor is received in the slide member 70, the
visor arms will give the appearance that the visor extends all the
way back to the cap crown.
[0052] The bar 90 and surfaces 94 are sized and shaped relative to
the tube 76 to enable slide member second portion to rotate or
pivot relative to the slide member second portion. When assembled,
the projection 80 of the first part will engage the groove 92 of
the second part to maintain the visor in a selected position
relative to the cap crown. The groove 92 can be disengaged from the
projection 80 by urging the visor upwardly or downwardly with
sufficient force to overcome the engagement of the projection with
the groove. When this occurs, the slide member second portion (and
hence the visor) will rotate relative to the slide member first
portion (and hence the cap crown) until the second groove engages
the projection. The grooves 92 and projection 80 are sized and
shaped such that a significant amount of force is not required to
move the visor from one position to another. If desired, the
grooves and projection could be removed from the articulated slide
member, and frictional engagement between the tube 76 and the bar
90 and surfaces 94 could be relied upon to hold the visor in a
desired position. This would allow for the visor to be moved to any
desired position. However, it would also require a tighter fit
between the first and second portions of the articulated slide
member, making it more difficult to pivot the second portion
relative to the first portion.
[0053] The components of the second portion 74 of the slide member
70 will need to flex as they are pivoted relative to the slide
member first portion 72. To facilitate this, the second portion is
produced from a material, preferably a plastic, which will
withstand such flexion.
[0054] As can be appreciated, the cap of the present invention
allows for a wearer to move the cap's visor about the circumference
of the cap crown without moving the crown. That is, the wearer,
while wearing the cap, can simply grasp the visor and move the
visor, for example, from the front to the back or side of the
crown, while the cap crown remains substantially stationary
relative to the wearer's head. Because the cap crown will not
rotate, an insignia on a cap, such as a team logo, will remain in
the front of the cap while the cap is being worn.
[0055] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended
that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense. For example, although the channel 40 and bar
58 are shown to be generally trapezoidal, they could be any desired
shape. Preferably, the channel 40 and bar 58 are shaped
complimentarily to each other, and preferably, the track includes
flanges which partially close the channel 40 to prevent the removal
of the slide bar 58 from the channel. Although the invention is
shown and described with the groove on the track member and the bar
on the slide member, it will be appreciated that these could be
reversed, such that the bar 58 and flanges 54 are on the track
member and the groove 40 is on the slide member. The same variation
can be applied to the articulated slide member of FIGS. 12-16--the
tube 76 could be provided on the second part of the articulated
slide member and the bar 90 and the curved surface 94 could be
provided on the first part of the articulated slide member. The
projection and grooves of tube and bar of the articulated slide
member could be reversed, such that the projection is provided on
the bar and the grooves are provided on the tube. Further, the bar
could be provided with only one of either the projection or groove,
and the tube could be provided with two or more of the other of the
These examples are merely illustrative.
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