U.S. patent application number 14/693257 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-26 for sport/utility cap.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chrome Dome, LLC. Invention is credited to Joseph P. Murphy, Ana Maria Zamingir.
Application Number | 20150335086 14/693257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54555107 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150335086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murphy; Joseph P. ; et
al. |
November 26, 2015 |
SPORT/UTILITY CAP
Abstract
A sport/utility or outdoor protective cap or hat is made of an
ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rated elasticated fabric which
has the ability to wick moisture from the head of the wearer in
addition to protecting the wearer's head covered by the cap from
the sun. The cap has a dome-shaped body portion and a lower band or
edge trim around the lower periphery of the dome-shaped portion.
The lower band is of varying height, with wider or taller side
portions to provide at least substantially full coverage for the
ears. The dimensions of the cap are selected so that the cap fits
closely and comfortably to the wearer's head with little or no
rucking.
Inventors: |
Murphy; Joseph P.;
(Carlsbad, CA) ; Zamingir; Ana Maria; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chrome Dome, LLC |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54555107 |
Appl. No.: |
14/693257 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62001465 |
May 21, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/171 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/12 20130101; A42B
1/041 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/04 20060101
A42B001/04 |
Claims
1. A sport/utility cap, comprising: a cap body configured to fit
closely over a wearer's head and cover at least a major portion of
the wearer's ears; the cap body being made of an elasticated fabric
which is wickable, breathable, and ultraviolet protection factor
(UPF) rated.
2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap body has a generally dome
shaped upper portion having a lower peripheral rim, and a lower
peripheral band extending around the lower rim, the lower
peripheral band having a front portion configured for extending
over a wearer's forehead above the eyes, opposite side portions
configured for extending over the sides of a wearer's head, and a
rear portion configured for extending over the nape of a wearer's
neck, the side portions of the peripheral band at ear covering
locations corresponding to a wearer's ears being wider than the
remainder of the peripheral band.
3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the peripheral band comprises a
double layer of said elasticated fabric.
4. The cap of claim 2, wherein the ear covering locations of the
peripheral band are of predetermined height configured to cover at
least a major portion of a wearer's ears.
5. The cap of claim 4, wherein the ear covering locations have a
height in the range from 2.25 inches to 2.50 inches in an
unstretched condition of the cap body.
6. The cap of claim 5, wherein the height of the front portion of
the peripheral band is approximately 1.75 inches.
7. The cap of claim 2, wherein the total height of the cap body in
an unstretched condition is in the range from approximately 7.5
inches to approximately 8.0 inches.
8. The cap of claim 7, wherein the cap body has a circumference
around the peripheral band of approximately 19 inches.
9. The cap of claim 1, wherein the elasticated fabric is made at
least partially from recycled material.
10. The cap of claim 9, wherein the recycled material is
polyamide.
11. The cap of claim 9, wherein the elasticated fabric includes
approximately 65% by weight of recycled material.
12. The cap of claim 1, wherein the elasticated fabric is UPF rated
to at least 50 for both A and B type UV rays.
13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the elasticated fabric is formed
from a composition of polyamide and elastane fabricated to provide
UVA and UVA blocking properties.
14. The cap of claim 2, wherein the cap body is formed from
multiple pieces of the elasticated fabric material sewn together
along seams of flat-seam construction.
15. The cap of claim 14, wherein the peripheral band is sewn to the
lower peripheral rim of the cap body along a seam of flat-seam
constructions.
16. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap body is formed from one or
more single layer pieces of said elasticated fabric material and
the peripheral band comprises a double layer of said elasticated
fabric material.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to sport/utility caps or
hats, also generally known as skull caps, for covering the head of
the wearer during outdoor sports, work, or other outdoor
activities.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Skull caps are small, close-fitting caps or hats without a
brim, which cover part of the head including at least the crown and
part of the side of the head, rear of the head, and forehead, and
are often used by indoor and outdoor activity enthusiasts such as
runners, hikers, swimmers, triathletes, cyclists, kayakers,
surfers, and the like. One problem with such caps is that they
sometimes do not fit well and may become loose or uncomfortable, or
even fall off during activity. Such caps often do not sufficiently
protect the head from harmful effects of the sun when outdoors.
[0005] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art skull or sport/utility
cap 10 made of Lycra.RTM., which is an elastic polyurethane fabric.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cap 10 has an upper head covering
part 12 which is generally dome shaped, and a lower peripheral rim
or band 14 which is of uniform height around the entire periphery
of the cap. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cap when worn covers an
upper part of the wearer's ears 19.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, a sport/utility or skull cap or hat is made
of an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rated elasticated fabric
which is both wickable and breathable, so that it has the ability
to wick moisture or sweat from the head of the wearer in addition
to protecting the wearer's head covered by the cap from the sun.
The cap is designed to provide cool, wickable and breathable
headwear which fits closely and comfortably on the wearer's head.
This reduces sweat and increases radiative cooling. The cap is
designed to provide sun protection to the head area when a wearer
is outdoors, and has an edge trim or band around the lower
periphery which is of varying height, having wider or taller side
portions to provide full or substantially full coverage for the
ears, and may have more coverage at the nape of the neck. The
fabric may be partially or completely made of recycled
materials
[0007] In one embodiment, the elasticated fabric is made at least
partially from recycled material, and is UPF rated to 50+ for both
A and B type UV rays. In one embodiment, the fabric material is
formed from a composition of polyamide and elastane, fabricated or
treated to provide UVA and UVA blocking properties. The polyamide
may be a recycled material, and in one embodiment the cap material
includes around 65% recycled material.
[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The details of the present invention, both as to its
structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by study of the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like parts, and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a prior art skull
cap;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the prior art skull cap
of FIG. 1 in use;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective of one embodiment of an
outdoor protective, sport/utility cap or hat;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the sport/utility cap or
hat of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the sport/utility cap of
FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a right side elevation view of the sport/utility
cap of FIGS. 3 to 5, the left side elevation view being a mirror
image thereof; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the sport/utility cap
or hat of FIGS. 3 to 6 being worn, showing the increased coverage
over the prior art skull cap of FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for a
sport/utility cap or brimless hat designed to provide outdoor
protection to the head, and made of an ultraviolet protection
factor (UPF) rated elasticated fabric which is both wickable and
breathable, and which is designed to fit closely over the wearer's
head. In one embodiment, the cap has predetermined dimensions
designed to provide more coverage for the ears and the nape of the
neck of a wearer than the prior art sport/utility caps or skull
caps.
[0018] After reading this description it will become apparent to
one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various
alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However,
although various embodiments of the present invention will be
described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are
presented by way of example only, and not limitation.
[0019] As noted above, the prior art skull cap or brimless, head
fitting hat 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 has a lower peripheral rim or band
14 of uniform height. The cap is formed by sewn pieces of
Lycra.RTM. fabric, with the upper part 12 formed by four generally
triangular fabric pieces 15 sewn together along seams 16 which meet
at the apex 17 or crown of the cap. The lower rim or band 14 is
sewn to the lower edge of upper part 12 along seam 18. The band 14
is of uniform height around the entire periphery of the cap. The
dimensions of prior art cap 10 are as follows: [0020] Total height
of hat (A)=20 cm. (7.9 inches). [0021] Height of lower rim or band
(B)=5 cm. (2 inches). [0022] Diameter at lower edge (C)=24 cm. (9.4
inches). [0023] Width at lower end of triangle formed by seams
(D)=12 cm. (4.7 inches). [0024] Height from seam 18 to apex 17
(E)=15 cm. (5.9 inches).
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 2, edge trim 14 of cap 10 when worn
covers the upper part of the wearer's ears 19, but leaves the
majority of the ears exposed.
[0026] FIGS. 3 to 7 illustrate one embodiment of an improved
sport/utility cap or brimless hat 20 which has a generally
dome-shaped upper portion 22 and a lower rim or band 24 of varying
height. Sport/utility or skull cap 20 is made of an ultraviolet
protection factor (UPF) rated elasticated fabric which is both
wickable and breathable, so that it has the ability to wick
moisture from the head of the wearer in addition to protecting the
wearer's head covered by the cap from the sun, while the
breathability keeps the head cool. Lower band 24 around the lower
periphery of cap 20 is of varying height, having wider or taller
side portions 25 to provide full coverage for the ears, and
narrower front and rear portions 26, as can be seen in FIG. 7 and
as described in more detail below. The band may also be designed to
provide more coverage at the nape of the neck than prior art cap
10.
[0027] In one embodiment, the elasticated fabric is UPF rated to
50+ for both A and B type UV rays, and may be a composition of
polyamide and elastane. In one example, the composition was 65%
polyamide and 35% elastane, where the elastane provides compression
characteristics to help the cap to stay tight on the wearer's head.
In one embodiment, the fabric is made from woven fibers of
polyamide/elastane composition, with the fiber structure, density
of weave, or other characteristics designed such that the material
is wickable and breathable, and has an ultraviolet protection
factor (UPF) of 50 or more. The polyamide may be made of recycled
material, so that the cap is at least 65% recycled material. In one
embodiment, the fabric had a weight of 285 g/m.sup.2 and was
elastic or stretchable in both directions. Stretch to dynamometer
was 70% width and 75% length. Resistance to pilling was 4%. This
fabric has been certified and tested by Standards Australia
(AS/NZS) to the standard AS/NZS 43399:1996 and has also been tested
to the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for textile products, and adheres to
international guidelines for ultraviolet protection factors (UPF)
with a rating of 50+. In one embodiment, the fabric used to make
the cap was J1 RENEW PRIME, manufactured by Jersey Lomellina SpA of
Carvico, Italy.
[0028] In one embodiment, the upper portion 22 of the cap 10 is
made from four generally triangular pieces 27 of the elasticated
fabric, sewn together along adjacent seams 28 meeting at the crown
or apex 30 of the cap. The lower band may be formed from a double
layer of the elasticated fabric material, i.e. an elongated strip
folded in half lengthwise or two superimposed strips of the
material secured together along a lower seam located inside the cap
and not visible in the drawings. Opposite ends of the lower band 24
are sewn together at seam 33 (see rear view of cap in FIG. 5) to
form a circle of predetermined circumference to fit closely around
the head when positioned as in FIG. 7, and the band is then sewn to
the lower edge of the upper, dome-shaped portion along seam 32. In
one embodiment, flat lock and overstitch sewing methods were used
on a flatlock, cover stitch and bar tack machine to form all seams,
so as to provide comfort and enhanced compression in the cap. In
one embodiment, all joining seams 28, 32, 33 are of flat-seam
construction so as to minimize chafing and increase comfort. All
logos and user instructions are applied using heat transfer rather
than embroidery which could cause chafing, which also helps to make
the cap more comfortable to wear. In one embodiment, the logo is
applied using heat transfer on the outer layer of band 24 to ensure
that the inside layer of the band contacting the head is completely
smooth.
[0029] In one embodiment, the dimensions of various parts of a
one-size adult cap or hat 20 as marked on FIG. 4 in the
non-stretched state may be in the following ranges: [0030] A=Total
height at widest part of band=Around 7.5 inches to around 8.0
inches. [0031] B=Height of lower band at widest part 25=Around 2.25
inches to around 2.50 inches. [0032] C=Height of lower band at
narrowest part 26=Around 1.75 inches to around 2.00 inches. [0033]
D=Width of triangle=Around 4.75 inches to around 5.00 inches.
[0034] E=Height of triangle or seam 16=Around 5.25 inches to around
5.50 inches. [0035] F=Total height at center front (narrowest part
of band)=Around 6.75 inches to around 7.25 inches. [0036] G=Total
circumference of cap at band seam 32=Around 19 inches to around 20
inches. In one specific example, the non-stretched cap dimensions
were as follows: [0037] A (total height)=Around 7.5 inches. [0038]
B (widest part of band)=Around 2.25 inches. [0039] C (narrowest
part of band)=Around 1.75 inches. [0040] D (width of
triangle)=Around 4.75 inches. [0041] E (height of triangle)=Around
5.25 inches. [0042] F (total height at center front)=Around 7
inches. [0043] G (total cap circumference at band seam 32)=Around
19 inches.
[0044] The above dimensions are for a one size, adult cap or hat.
Dimensions D and E are selected so that the dome shaped part 22 of
the cap above the band is slightly smaller than dome shaped part 12
of the prior art cap of FIGS. 1 and 2, and fits more closely to the
average adult head then part 12 of the prior cap, without being too
tight. This reduces or minimizes rucking up of the cap to produce a
more streamlined appearance than the slightly larger dome part of
the prior art cap. The band is positioned around the head as
indicated in FIG. 7 to cover most or all of the wearer's ears.
However, the cap or hat may also be provided in different sizes,
for example scaled down for a child and in different adult sizes
such as a scaled up adult large size for wearers with larger heads.
The following dimension ranges are suitable for a child size cap:
[0045] A (total height)=Around 7.0 to 7.5 inches. [0046] B (widest
part of band)=Around 2.25 inches. [0047] C (narrowest part of
band)=Around 1.75 inches. [0048] D (width of triangle)=Around 4.5
inches. [0049] E (height of triangle)=Around 4.75 to 5.25 inches.
[0050] F (total height at center front)=Around 6.5 to 7.0 inches.
[0051] G (total cap circumference at band seam 32)=Around 18
inches. The main difference in dimensions for a child size hat is
circumference at the band. The band itself has around the same
height at the widest and narrowest part as the adult cap or hat,
and covers the ears in exactly the same way as the adult hat when
worn.
[0052] A large or extra-large size adult hat or cap may have the
following dimensions: [0053] A (total height)=Around 8.0 to 8.5
inches. [0054] B (widest part of band)=Around 2.25 inches. [0055] C
(narrowest part of band)=Around 1.75 inches. [0056] D (width of
triangle)=Around 5 inches. [0057] E (height of triangle)=Around
5.75 to 6.25 inches. [0058] F (total height at center front)=Around
7.5 to 8.0 inches. [0059] G (total cap circumference at band seam
32)=Around 20 inches.
[0060] FIG. 7 illustrates cap or hat 20 worn on the head 34 of a
user. As illustrated, the widest or tallest portions 25 of the
lower band 24 are located on opposite sides of the hat and are
designed to cover most or all of the wearer's ears, unlike the
prior art cap 10 shown worn in FIG. 2 with most of the ear 19
exposed. Thus, the ears are protected from the sun in this
embodiment by double layer of certified UVF 50+ protection provided
by the fabric from which the cap is made. This is an advantage,
since it is difficult to adequately protect the ears from the
damaging UVA and UVB radiation of the sun using sunscreen alone.
The fabric area may also be stretched or increased in dimensions to
cover more of the upper neck area than the prior art cap, which is
another region typically susceptible to sun damage.
[0061] The cap or hat described above in connection with FIGS. 3 to
7 is designed for anyone to wear when outdoors to protect the head
and ears from sun damage. Regardless of the amount of hair, the
scalp is still susceptible to sun damage when exposed to the sun
over significant periods of time. The cap may be worn during any
outdoor activities including running, walking, cycling, swimming,
surfing, working, and the like. The cap may be particularly helpful
in providing outdoor protection for sun sensitive skin on the heads
of individuals who are bald as a result of hair loss due to aging,
shaving the head, or illness.
[0062] The material and construction is designed both to provide
certified UVF 50+ protection and also to create a cool,
comfortable, wickable, and breathable product. The material allows
the heat produced by the head to be wicked away, reducing sweat and
increasing radiation cooling to the head and body, creating a much
more comfortable and sustainable workout. The shape and dimensions
of the band are arranged so that the wearer's ears are
substantially or completely covered by the larger height band
portions, further increasing comfort and sun protection.
[0063] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented
herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention
and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is
broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further
understood that the scope of the present invention fully
encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those
skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is
accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
* * * * *