U.S. patent application number 15/813291 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-16 for utility cap and utility cap reinforcing member.
The applicant listed for this patent is Christopher Hardy. Invention is credited to Christopher Hardy.
Application Number | 20190142093 15/813291 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66431546 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190142093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hardy; Christopher |
May 16, 2019 |
Utility Cap and Utility Cap Reinforcing Member
Abstract
A utility cap and utility cap reinforcement member is provided.
The utility cap has a number of sidewalls forming a perimeter and a
visor attached to a front side or a back side of the crown. The
utility cap reinforcement member includes sections in an end-to-end
arrangement on a single plane. The utility cap reinforcement member
is adapted to be positioned within the utility cap along the
perimeter, wherein the utility cap reinforcement member stiffens an
appearance and a rigidity of the perimeter. In one embodiment, the
utility cap reinforcement member forms a closed loop. In an
alternative embodiment, the utility cap reinforcement member
includes a gap that forms an open loop.
Inventors: |
Hardy; Christopher; (La
Mesa, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hardy; Christopher |
La Mesa |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66431546 |
Appl. No.: |
15/813291 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/175.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/02 20130101; A42B
1/002 20130101; A42B 1/062 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/00 20060101
A42B001/00; A42B 1/02 20060101 A42B001/02 |
Claims
1) A utility cap reinforcement member, comprising: a plurality of
sections in an end-to-end arrangement wherein the utility cap
reinforcement member is configured to be disposed within an
interior volume of a utility cap, wherein each of the plurality of
sections are configured to provide support to a perimeter of the
utility cap, wherein the utility cap reinforcement member stiffens
an appearance and a rigidity of the perimeter.
2) The utility cap reinforcement member of claim 1, wherein the
utility cap reinforcement member is dimensioned and biased to
impart an outward force to the perimeter of the utility cap.
3) The utility cap reinforcement member of claim 1, wherein the
plurality of sections include eight sections forming a continuous
loop.
4) The utility cap reinforcement member of claim 1, wherein the
plurality of sections include eight sections and a gap forming an
open loop.
5) The utility cap reinforcement member of claim 1, wherein the
circumference of the plurality of sections is greater than the
circumference of the perimeter of the utility cap.
6) The utility cap reinforcement member of claim 1, wherein the
plurality of sections comprises tubular metal wire.
7) The utility cap reinforcement member of claim 1, wherein
adjacent sections of the plurality of sections forms an interior
angle, wherein each interior angle is between 120 degrees and 150
degrees.
8) A utility cap having a utility cap reinforcement member,
comprising: a crown including a plurality of sidewalls forming a
perimeter; a visor attached to a front side or a back side of the
crown; the utility cap reinforcement member disposed within the
crown; wherein the utility cap reinforcement member comprising a
plurality of sections in an end-to-end arrangement; wherein the
plurality of sections are configured to provide support to the
perimeter, wherein the utility cap reinforcement member stiffens an
appearance and a rigidity of the perimeter.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a utility cap reinforcing
member. More specifically, the present invention provides a utility
cap reinforcing member including a plurality of sections in linear
arrangement forming interior angles, wherein the utility cap
reinforcement member is configured to be positioned and/or inserted
within a utility cap. Each of the plurality of sections are
configured to provide support to the perimeter of the utility cap,
such that the perimeter and sidewalls are stiff and appear
stiff.
[0002] Organizations such as the military, police, and emergency
services utilize strict guidelines and dress codes for proper
attire, including the shape of the caps. Typically, these caps have
a crown forming points around the perimeter. However, these points
can deform over time if not properly maintained, leading to a
sloppy appearance and possible noncompliance with dress codes.
[0003] Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to
a utility cap reinforcing member. These include devices that have
been patented and published in patent application publications.
These devices in the known art have several known drawbacks. For
example, a shaper or former may have an elastic band that stretches
over the cap to retail the shape of the cap. However, these shapers
can damage the cap from excessive stretching and may require
constant adjustments.
[0004] In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is
submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in
design elements from the devices in the known art and consequently
it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to
existing utility cap reinforcing member devices. In this regard the
instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of utility cap reinforcing member now present in the art, the
present invention provides a new utility cap reinforcing member
wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the
user when wearing a utility cap that is required to conform with
certain dress codes.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved a utility cap reinforcing member
comprising a plurality of sections in linear arrangement, wherein
the utility cap reinforcement member is configured to be positioned
and/or inserted within a utility cap. Each of the plurality of
sections are configured to provide support to the perimeter of the
utility cap, such that the perimeter points and edges are
stiff.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
utility cap reinforcing member that can be quickly and easily
reshape a cap without stretching or damaging the cap.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
utility cap reinforcing member that can be removed from the cap for
cleaning or transporting.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
utility cap reinforcing member that protects the cap and shapes the
crown of the hat during use.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
utility cap reinforcing member that may be readily fabricated from
materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with
durability.
[0011] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the utility cap with the
utility cap reinforcing member.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an underside view of the utility cap with the
utility cap reinforcing member.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of one embodiment of the
utility cap reinforcing member.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows an overhead view of an alternative embodiment
of the utility cap reinforcing member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the utility cap reinforcing member. For the
purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present
invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for
keeping the shape of utility caps. The figures are intended for
representative purposes only and should not be considered to be
limiting in any respect.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a perspective
view of the utility cap with the utility cap reinforcing member,
and an underside view of the utility cap with the utility cap
reinforcing member, respectively. The utility cap reinforcement
member 11 is configured to be positioned within or inserted within
a utility cap 21, so as to provide support to the perimeter of the
utility cap 21. The utility cap reinforcing member 11 provides for
a utility cap 21 to maintain a desired shape that aesthetically
looks clean. The utility cap reinforcement member 11 includes a
plurality of sections 12 disposed in a linear arrangement along a
same plane forming interior angles between each section 12. Herein,
"linear arrangement" is synonymous with "end-to-end arrangement"
which refers to a first end of a first section of the plurality of
sections 12 affixed to a second end of a second section of the
plurality of sections 12.
[0019] In the shown embodiment, utility cap reinforcement member 11
is disposed within an interior volume of the utility cap 21, and
flush therewith. The utility cap 21 comprises a crown 22 affixed to
a visor 23, wherein the visor extends outwardly from a lower end of
the crown 22. The visor 23 includes a generally planar member that
is dimensioned to cover a face of a user wearing the utility cap
21. The crown 22 comprises a plurality of sidewalls 26 that extend
vertically from the visor 23 disposed on the lower end. An upper
panel 25 covers the upper end of the crown 22, opposite the visor
23. The upper panel 25 joins each of the plurality of sidewalls 26
at an upper perimeter 24. The perimeter 24 is an edge formed by
each of the sidewalls 26 and the upper panel 25.
[0020] In one embodiment, the utility cap reinforcing member 11 is
selectively positioned within the crown 22 of the utility cap 21 so
as to be disposed adjacent the perimeter 24. The utility cap
reinforcing member 11 comprises a material having properties that
stiffen the appearance and the rigidity of the perimeter 25. In
this way, the utility cap reinforcing member 11 provides actual
resistance to deformation of the perimeter 24, and gives an
aesthetically clean look. The utility cap reinforcing member 11 is
further dimensioned to have a circumference to be equal or greater
than the circumference of the perimeter 24. Thus, the utility cap
reinforcement member is dimensioned and, in some embodiments,
biased to impart an outward force to the perimeter of the utility
cap.
[0021] In one exemplary use, the utility cap reinforcing member 11
allows each sidewall 26 of the utility cap 21, commonly known as an
8-point utility cap as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to form generally
flat sidewalls 26 on the crown 22 and to form angles between
adjacent sidewalls 26 having equal degree amounts.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown an overhead view
of one embodiment of the utility cap reinforcing member and an
overhead view of an alternative embodiment of the utility cap
reinforcing member, respectively. The utility cap reinforcing
member 11 comprises a plurality of sections 12 in linear
arrangement integrally formed and disposed on a same plane. The
plurality of sections 12 form interior angles 13 that may range
from between 120 and 150 degrees. In an alternative embodiment, the
interior angles 13 may have any suitable angle configured to causes
the perimeter of the utility cap to be or appear stiff.
Additionally, in the shown embodiment of FIG. 3, the sections 12
are tubular members have the same dimensions and form a continuous,
closed loop. However, in alternative embodiments, the dimensions of
each of the sections 12 may vary in relationship with the
corresponding utility cap.
[0023] In the shown embodiment of FIG. 4, a gap 15 disposed between
two of the sections of the plurality of sections 12 form an open
loop. Further, one or more of the plurality of sections 12 are
curved sections 12A that are biased outward from a center point of
the utility cap reinforcing member 11. The center point is disposed
generally equidistant from a midpoint of each of the plurality of
sections 12 and on a same plane thereof. The curved sections 12A
with outward bias provide additional stiffness and provide for an
aesthetically clean look in certain utility caps with additional
rigidity.
[0024] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0025] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
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