Abstract:
A removable cover for a mortarboard or graduation cap is disclosed that allows the mortarboard to be customized based upon the desire of the person wearing the mortarboard. The cover may be cosmetic with floral or other pattern or the cover may include a slogan, logo, or other unique indicia. The form fitting removable cover consists of a flexible sleeve or folded fabric where the mortarboard is slid into the cover and Velcro or similar temporary fastening means are used to secure the cover on to the mortarboard. The cover fits over and around the flat portion of the mortarboard leaving the head retaining portion of the mortarboard exposed. A method of constructing the mortarboard cover is also disclosed to provide disclosure on a method of making the cover.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an aftermarket cosmetic covering for a graduation cap or mortarboard. More particularly, the present invention relates to fabric, vinyl, leather or similar flexible material that can be placed over or around a standard graduation cap to provide a different color or appearance than is available with a standard graduation cap.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Several patents have been issued that provide some of the features proposed, but none provide all the features that can be found in the proposed application. Typical graduation caps are manufactured in large volume with a mono-chrome colored fabric covering the graduation cap. Other inventions have been manufactured to offer a rain protective covering for a hat to prevent damage of the hat from the elements. Usually this covering is clear with an elastic band around the exterior of the covering to cover the hat and to keep the rain protector in place.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,987,731 issued to R. M. Mills et al on Jun. 13, 1961 discloses a graduation cap or mortarboard. This patent describes the cap as having a flat top that is substantially rectangular or square in shape, with draped cloth protruding from the underside of the flat portion of the cap that maintains the cap on the head of the wearer. In the construction of this cap the fabric is sewn onto the cap in a permanent manner. This type of cap forms the basic construction that the proposed application is used with. Since each cap is constructed in large volume there are little or no options for variation in the material that is used in the construction of the cap. The temporary and or removable covering of the cap is not proposed or suggested in this issued patent.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,028 issued to Andrew A. Leopardo on Jan. 9, 1968 discloses a weather shield headpiece. The headpiece described in this patent is for placement on the head of a user to provide protection from rain sunlight or other environmental elements. It is not intended to be a fabric or other type flexible covering that goes on or around a graduation cap, nor is it constructed to be removable from a graduation cap.  
         [0005]     Design Pat. No. D352,596 issued to Williams, Jr on Sep. 21, 1992 discloses a collapsible hat. The collapsible hat is intended to be warn and then folded for easier storage. The hat shown and described in this patent is for placement on the head of the user to provide protection from environmental elements. It is not intended to be a fabric or other type flexible covering that goes on or around a hat or a graduation cap, nor is it constructed to be removable from a cap or hat.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,493 issued to Proctor Jun. 30, 1998 discloses a head wear accessorization system. The system consists of a baseball type hat with multiple accessories such as coverings for the cap and changeable hat adjustment devices. The accessories also include various devices that can be screwed into the top of the hat such as small baseballs, letters or jewels. This patent discloses covers for baseball type hats, but it is not intended for use with a flat type or graduation hat, nor does it fold around the hat to retain the hat on the user. This patent also has one side of the fastening mechanism on the hat, and the other fastening mechanism on the cover for the hat.  
         [0007]     What is needed is a simple cosmetic cover for a graduation cap that can be easily attached and removed from the cap to allow customization. The proposed invention provides this solution by providing a fabric sleeve that is wrapped around the flat portion of a graduation cap to provide color and uniqueness to a single cap or multiple graduation caps. The proposed device satisfies these needs.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present application relates to a cosmetic covering for a graduation cap that allows each cap to be unique. The instant application describes a temporary and removable covering for the flat portion of the mortarboard, thus allowing each graduate or a group of graduates to customize their cap(s).  
         [0009]     It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a temporary covering for a mortarboard that allows customization of a standard mortarboard for one or for multiple graduates.  
         [0010]     Another object of the application is to provide a reusable fastening mechanism to attach the cover onto the mortarboard.  
         [0011]     Another object of the application is to provide a method of producing the fabric pattern and for preparing the fabric pattern of a mortarboard. This method allows for preparing the pattern to wrap over the edges of the mortarboard and form around the head covering portion of the mortarboard.  
         [0012]     Another object of the application is to allow for a temporary fastening mechanism in the mortarboard cover to allow temporary fastening of the cover on the mortarboard.  
         [0013]     Another object of the application is to provide a fabric pocket that allows a mortarboard to slide into the pocket and cover the flat portion of a mortarboard.  
         [0014]     Another object of the application is to provide an opening in top of the mortarboard cover that allows the button and or tassel to extent out from.  
         [0015]     Still another object of the application is to provide for a supplemental material covering of a mortarboard to create a unique covering for each or a collective group of users or graduates.  
         [0016]     Still another object of the application is to provide for a supplemental material covering of a mortarboard that will extend the useful lifetime by protecting the mortarboard.  
         [0017]     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of the mortarboard cover shown on a graduation cap.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of the mortarboard cover shown on a graduation cap.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the mortarboard cover shown with the flap open.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the mortarboard cover shown with the flap open and a mortarboard positioned to be slid into the mortarboard cover.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a view of the underside of the fabric pattern that makes a mortarboard cover.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a view of the topside of the fabric pattern that makes a mortarboard cover.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a view of one of the fabrication steps used to make a mortarboard cover.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a view of a finished mortarboard cover viewed from the underside of the mortarboard.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown a graduation cap cover  10  or mortarboard with the cover placed over the flat portion of the graduation cap. From this figure the top of the graduation cap  12  is shown with a flowered cosmetic fabric covering the top of the graduation cap. An opening in the top of the graduation cap cover allows for the button and  30  or other similar to features to protrude through the graduation cap cover. The material from the cover wraps around the sides, shown on one side as item  15 . The material wraps under the graduation cap to the underside  14 . The portion of a standard graduation cap that wraps around the head of the user can be seen, as a dashed line, as item  20 . In this figure as in many other figures that described the graduation cap cover the material is shown as a flowered fabric. This material shows only one possible embodiment of the graduation cap cover while other embodiments may include but not be limited to plaid stripes or other colorful types of covering that allow each cap or a group of caps to be distinctive.  
         [0027]     While fabric has been listed as the preferred material that will be used with the graduation cap, other materials could be used to satisfy the requirement of covering the graduation cap. These materials may include but not be limited to leather, vinyl, paper, felt, cloth, metal or combinations thereof. It is further contemplated that members of a particular paternity, sorority, sports group, or collective organization may have covers for their caps that are similar in color or design. Each of these groups may place onto the graduation cap cover a particular insignia trademark or other indicia that identifies the graduate. It is also contemplated that individual graduates may cover the graduation cap with a unique cover or marching that allows a parent relative or other family or friend to identify them in the middle of all the other graduates.  
         [0028]     One of the main purposes for the graduation cap cover is to allow a standard graduation cap to be modified without causing damage to a standard graduation cap. This is accomplished by providing a temporary attachment mechanism that allows the graduation cap cover to be installed on a standard graduation cap and can easily be removed. If we look now to  FIG. 2  one can see the method of providing a temporary attachment to the graduation cap. From this figure is seen the turned up edges  40  and  45  of the graduation cap with Velcro, or other similar hook and loop fastening component, attached to the turned up sides. In this view a portion of the Velcro is displayed as items  50  and  55 . In this embodiment, the Velcro is made from a ½ inch wide and a 3 inch long strip(s). The preferred temporary attachment embodiment is shown with the use of Velcro to provide temporary attachment of the graduation cap cover, but other temporary attachment methods and apparatus are contemplated. The Velcro may also be attached using adhesives, tape or pins. These other methods of providing a temporary fastening or closing mechanism include but are not limited to buttons, snaps, two-sided tape, safety pins, or if the covering of the graduation cap is made from a semi rigid material such as aluminum foil the structural strength of the aluminum foil can provide the retention on the graduation cap.  
         [0029]     Velcro pieces  50  and  55  are shown sewn onto a folded over ½ inch fold of fabric. In this description of the construction of the mortarboard cover various dimensions are indicated. The dimensions are for general construction purposes and are not to be considered as specific dimensions as the only contemplated embodiment. In  FIGS. 5, 6 , and  7  dashed lines are shown in a diamond pattern indicating fold lines where the edges of the mortarboard will be positioned when it is secured inside the mortarboard cover. These marking provide one possible embodiment for the construction of the mortarboard cover, and should be treated as a guide for one possible embodiment instead of the only embodiment that is contemplated.  
         [0030]     In  FIG. 2  the fabric that is used to retain the graduation cap on the head of the user is shown as dashed lines as item  20 . While it is contemplated that this portion of the graduation cap can also be covered with a unique marking or fabric, it is not being covered with the product disclosed in this application.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  one can see the graduation cap cover without being installed upon the graduation cap. The operation of sliding  60  the graduation cap into the graduation cap cover is shown in  FIG. 4 . The two different components of the Velcro are shown as items  40 ,  45 ,  50  and  55 . In particular  FIG. 3  shows the flap  25  of the graduation cap cover  10  in an open orientation. The aperture  30  for the button or tassel to be passed through can be seen in the figures. In the preferred embodiment the aperture  30  is ¾″ in diameter. Other sizes such as half-inch or 1 inch can be used, and the possibility of a cap cover with no aperture is contemplated. It should be noted here that the button is a component of the base graduation cap. Installation of the cover on the graduation cap  5  is simply a matter of sliding  60  the graduation cap through the opening of the graduation cap cover  10  until it becomes completely seated inside the graduation cap cover. Once the graduation cap is completely within the graduation cap cover the flap  25  is folded over the edge  15  of the graduation cap and is secured with the Velcro or other similar temporary fastening mechanism. The portion of the graduation cap  20  that encircles the wearer&#39;s head also protrudes through the elliptical, oval or round opening  22  in the graduation cap cover. A stitched overlock seam is sewn around the arc or curve  22  and all the remaining three places where this arc exists. The stitched seam insures that the fabric the mortarboard cover is made does not unravel.  
         [0032]     Refer now to  FIGS. 5 through 8  to identify a method of fabricating the graduation cap cover. Referring first to  FIGS. 5 and 6  in which  FIG. 5  shows the underside of other fabric patterned with the Velcro pieces  40 ,  45 ,  50 ,  55  prior to sewing the corners of the mortarboard cover  10 . In  FIG. 6  shows with a cosmetic side of the mortarboard cover with the Velcro pieces  40 ,  45 ,  50 ,  55  installed before the corners are sewn. Fabric from the cover is folded where Velcro pieces  50  and  55  are placed. These two pieces of the Velcro are sewn on the soft or loop strip matching the folded edge of fabric with the long edge of the Velcro loop strip. The strip(s) then are then sewn in place. The hook pieces of Velcro  40  and  45  are sewn onto the topside of the fabric matching the edge of the fabric with the long edge of the hook side of the Velcro pieces.  
         [0033]     The hole for the button that is on top of the mortarboard is shown as item  30  in both these figures also. The elliptical or oblong arc  25  is shown on the four corners in these figures. This arc allows clearance for the portion of the mortarboard that wraps around the wearer&#39;s head. Several sets of diagonal dashed lines indicate where the mortarboard cover will fold around the edges of the mortarboard.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 7  one of the corners  70  is shown folded diagonally. A Tab on this corner  72  will be sewn on to tab  78 . This will also take place for tab  71  that will be sewn on to tab  73 . When these two sets of Tabs are sewn together the mortarboard cover will appear as it does in  FIG. 3 . The remaining tab  80  can be tucked under and the Velcro pieces can be temporarily connected.  
         [0035]     While in this preferred embodiment Velcro is shown and described as the temporary retaining mechanism that keeps the mortarboard cover on the mortarboard, various other types of retaining mechanisms are contemplated that include but are not limited to buttons snaps safety pins and tape.  
         [0036]     Thus specific embodiments and applications for a graduation cap cover have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.