CAP WITH MULTI-POINT LOCKING STRAP TO ADJUST THE SIZE

The present invention is used to adjust the size of a cap that has approximately half-circle of no cap material in the rear of the cap. There are two fixed multi-point locking straps and each is attached to the inside of the sweatband on each side of the approximately half circle of no cap material. There is one removable multi-point locking strap across the space between the sides of the half-circle of no cap material in the rear of the cap. The ends of the removable strap are attached to the fixed straps by inserting one or more protrusions into one or more holes. In one embodiment, the fixed straps are male multi-point locking straps with protrusions and the removable strap is a female multi-point locking strap with holes. In another embodiment, the fixed straps are female multi-point locking straps with holes and the removable strap is a male multi-point locking strap with protrusions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention uses multi-point locking straps to adjust the size of a cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Caps need a way to adjust the cap to fit different size heads. A number of caps exist on the market that use a variety of mechanisms to change and adjust cap size. One type of mechanism uses interlocking plastic straps commonly known as a “snap-back.” There are problems with the mechanism that uses interlocking plastic straps for adjusting the size of the cap. The first problem is the mechanism causes irritation and discomfort to the user due to the overlapping straps that create a protruding ridge. A second problem is the mechanism is visually unappealing because of the visible holes and overlapping plastic straps that create a cluttered appearance. The present invention corrects these problems by utilizing a flat and smooth visible surface. In addition, the blank strap surface allows for a variety of colors, designs, and messages. The cap can have more than one strap with the present invention with a different graphic on each one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Caps with interlocking straps to adjust the cap size have a design with approximately a half-circle of no cap material in the rear of the cap. A mechanism changes the size of the cap by pulling the left and right sides of the half-circle toward each other which reduces the circumference of the cap. The present invention uses the same design for the cap with the approximately half-circle of no cap material in the rear of the cap with a new mechanism for pulling the left and right sides of the half-circle toward each other.

The present invention uses two fixed straps and each is attached to the sweatband of the cap on the inside of the sweatband. The fixed straps are attached to the sweatband on both sides of the approximately half-circle of no cap material using either sewing or adhesive. There is one removable strap that is placed across the space between the sides of the half-circle of no cap material in the rear of the cap. The ends attach to the fixed straps between the sweatband and the cap outside material.

The fixed straps can be either a female multi-point locking strap or a male multi-point locking strap. The removable strap can be either a female multi-point locking strap or a male multi-point locking strap. If the fixed strap is a female multi-point locking strap, the removable strap is a male multi-point locking strap. If the fixed strap is a male multi-point locking strap, the removable strap is a female multi-point locking strap.

The removable strap is attached to the fixed straps on both sides of the cap by inserting one or more protrusions on the male multi-point locking strap into the holes in the female multi-point locking strap. The holes and protrusions are positioned for the protrusions to be in the same pattern and aligned with the holes. The attachment remains permanent until the user pulls the straps apart to adjust the size of the cap. There is no damage to the straps when they are pulled apart.

The size of the cap is changed by changing the position of the removable strap based on where it is attached to the fixed straps. The removable strap will usually be moved an equal position on each side of the cap to have the center point of the removable strap in the center of the back of the cap. Changing the position of the removable strap occurs when the ends of the removable strap are moved and the protrusions are inserted into different holes. Moving the ends toward the front of the cap will shorten the removable strap and decrease the size of the cap and moving the ends away from the front of the cap will lengthen the removable strap and increase the size of the cap.

The removable strap can be customized in a variety of colors and can have different designs, graphics, images, and words printed on them.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Caps with interlocking plastic straps used as a mechanism to adjust the size of a cap have a design with a space of approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10. The interlocking plastic straps pull the left and right sides toward each other to adjust the size of the cap. The present invention uses the same design for the cap10with a space of approximately half-circle with no cap material21in the rear of the cap10and there is a new mechanism for pulling the left and right sides of the half-circle toward each other to adjust the size of the cap10.

The present invention uses two types of straps which are a male multi-point locking strap4and a female multi-point locking strap7. Both of these straps can be used as a fixed strap27and a removable strap25.FIG.1is a schematic front view of the male multi-point locking strap4as a removable strap25. It shows protrusions5on the surface at the ends of the male multi-point locking strap4.FIG.2is a schematic front view of the male multi-point locking strap4as a fixed strap27. It shows protrusions5on the surface of the male multi-point locking strap4.FIG.3is a schematic front view of the female multi-point locking strap7as a removable strap25. It shows holes8on the surface at the ends of the female multi-point locking strap7.FIG.4is a schematic front view of the female multi-point locking strap7as a fixed strap27. It shows holes8on the surface of the female multi-point locking strap7.

The present invention has a fixed strap27attached to the inside wall of the sweatband23and the side that makes contact with the removeable strap25is the side not in contact with the sweatband23and the fixed strap27is attached on the left side and on the right side of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10. The fixed strap27is attached to the sweatband23and does not change position. The width of the fixed straps27is in a substantially vertical plane.

The present invention uses a removable strap25and the ends are placed inside the sweatband23between the fixed strap27and the cap outside material21on both sides of the approximately half-circle with no cap material21in the rear of the cap10. The width of the removable strap25is in a substantially vertical plane. The removable strap25can change position to adjust the size of the cap10.

The female multi-point locking strap7and the male multi-point locking strap4can be used for both the fixed strap27and the removable strap25. If the female multi-point locking strap7is used for the fixed strap27, the male multi-point locking strap4is used for the removable strap25, and if the male multi-point locking strap4is used for the fixed strap27, the female multi-point locking strap7is used for the removable strap25.

If the male multi-point locking strap4is used for the fixed strap27, there are one or more protrusions5in the male multi-point locking strap4and there are one or more holes8in the female multi-point locking strap7which is used as the removable strap25and they are located in the ends of the female multi-point locking strap7. If the male multi-point strap4is used for the removable strap25, there are one or more protrusions5at the ends of the male multi-point locking strap4and there are one or more holes8in the female multi-point locking strap7that is used as the fixed strap27. The protrusions5are inserted into the holes8to attach the two ends of the removable strap25to the fixed strap27. The protrusions5are in the same pattern and alignment with the holes8to allow the protrusions5to be inserted into the holes8.

The present invention places the straps with the protrusions5and holes8inside the sweatband23and they are not visible to give the cap a better aesthetic appearance. The fixed strap27with either protrusions5or holes8is not visible because the fixed strap27is hidden in the sweatband23. It is only the removable strap25that has the possibility of having the protrusions5or holes8visible. The protrusions5and holes8on the removable strap25are positioned to insure they are not visible. In one embodiment, the protrusions5and holes8are placed on the ends of the removable strap25to insure they are hidden between the sweatband23and the material21on the outside of the cap10.

The mechanism for adjusting the size of the cap for the present invention requires that the male multi-point locking strap4and the female multi-point locking strap7attach to each other when adjusting the size of the cap. The straps are attached by pressing the protrusions5on the male multi-point locking strap4into the holes8of the female multi-point locking strap7. This mechanism keeps the straps attached to each other for as long as the user wants them attached but can be separated if the user wants to separate them by pulling them apart. Adjustments can be repeated multiple times without damaging the multi-point locking mechanism.

There are different embodiments for attaching the fixed strap27to the inside of the sweatband23. In one embodiment, the fixed strap27is adhered to the sweatband23by sewing the fixed strap27to the sweatband23. In another embodiment, the fixed strap27is adhered to the sweatband23with adhesive.

The method of sewing the fixed strap27may be difficult because it may be difficult for a needle to penetrate the fixed strap27. In one embodiment, there are small rectangular holes around the perimeter of the fixed strap27. In another embodiment, there are small circular holes around the perimeter of the fixed strap27. In another embodiment, there are small oval holes around the perimeter of the fixed strap27.

There are 2 embodiments for the orientation of the female multi-point locking strap7and the male multi-point locking strap4in the cap10. In the first embodiment, the fixed strap27is the male multi-point locking strap4and the removable strap25is the female multi-point locking strap7. In the second embodiment, the fixed strap27is the female multi-point locking strap7and the removable strap25is the male multi-point locking strap4. These 2 embodiments are discussed below.

FIG.5shows a schematic diagram of the first embodiment with a view of the inside of the rear of the cap10.FIG.5shows the approximately half circle with no cap material21in the rear of the cap10and the sweatband23turned 180 degrees. The male multi-point locking strap4is the fixed strap27. The female multi-point locking strap7is the removable strap25but it is not shown. The male multi-point locking strap4is attached to the inside of the sweatband23on both sides of the approximately half circle with no cap material21with the protrusions5facing away from the sweatband23. The width of the male multi-point locking strap4is in a substantially vertical plane after the sweatband23is turned 180 degrees to its normal orientation. The ends of the female multi-point locking strap7are inserted between the male multi-point locking strap4and the cap outside material21with the entrance to the holes8facing the male multi-point locking strap4. One or more protrusions5of the male multi-point locking strap4are inserted into one or more holes8of the female multi-point locking strap7on each side of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21.

FIG.6shows a schematic diagram of the second embodiment with a view of the inside of the rear of the cap10. It shows the approximately half circle with no cap material21in the rear of the cap10and the sweatband23turned 180 degrees. The female multi-point locking strap7is the fixed strap27. The male multi-point locking strap4is the removable strap25but it is not shown. The female multi-point locking strap7is attached to the inside of the sweatband23on both sides of the approximately half circle with no cap material21with the entrance to the holes8facing away from the sweatband23. The width of the female multi-point locking strap7is in a substantially vertical plane after the sweatband23is turned 180 degrees to its normal orientation. The ends of the male multi-point locking strap4are inserted between the female multi-point locking strap7and the cap outside material21with the protrusions5facing the female multi-point locking strap7. One or more protrusions5of the male multi-point locking strap4are inserted into one or more holes8of the female multi-point locking strap7on each side of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21.

FIG.7is a schematic side view of the back of the cap10of the above first embodiment with the cap material21on the right side and the sweatband23on the left side. It shows the male multi-point locking strap4as a fixed strap27attached to the sweatband23. It shows the female multi-point locking strap7as a removable strap25attached to the male multi-point locking strap4. It shows one protrusion5on the male multi-point locking strap4inserted into one hole8in the female multi-point locking strap7.

FIG.8is a schematic side view of the back of the cap10of the above second embodiment with the cap material21on the right side and the sweatband23on the left side. It shows the female multi-point locking strap7as a fixed strap27attached to the sweatband23. It shows the male multi-point locking strap4as a removable strap25attached to the female multi-point locking strap7. It shows one protrusion5on the male multi-point locking strap4inserted into one hole8in the female multi-point locking strap7.

The protrusions5in the male multi-point locking strap4can have different shapes. In one embodiment, the protrusions5are cylinders. In another embodiment, the protrusions5are two or more cylinders of different diameter on top of each other with the diameter of each cylinder smaller than the previous cylinder as the protrusion5enters the hole8. In another embodiment, the protrusions5are made of two or more cylinders of different diameter on top of each other with the diameter of each cylinder larger than the previous cylinder as the protrusion5enters the hole8. In another embodiment, the protrusions5are cylinders with a partial sphere at the end that first enters the hole8. In another embodiment, the protrusions5are cylinders with a partial sphere at the end that last enters the hole8. In another embodiment, the protrusions5are truncated cones with a larger diameter at the end that first enters the holes8. In another embodiment, the protrusions5are truncated cones with a smaller diameter at the end that first enters the holes8. In another embodiment, the protrusions5are truncated cones with a partial sphere at the end with the smaller diameter of the truncated cone and the partial sphere is at the end that first enters the hole8. In another embodiment, the cross section of the protrusions5are square. In another embodiment, the cross section of the protrusions5are rectangular. In another embodiment, the cross section of the protrusions5are oval. In another embodiment, the cross section of the protrusions5are triangular. In another embodiment, the cross section of the protrusions5are multisided.

The protrusions5can have different sizes. In one embodiment, the protrusion5is a cylinder and the diameter of the cylinder can vary between 1/64″ and ⅝″ and the length of the protrusion5can vary between 1/32″ and ⅝″. In another embodiment, the protrusion5is a truncated cone and the smallest diameter is the first part of the truncated cone to enter the hole and the diameter of the truncated cone that is first to enter the hole can vary between 1/64″ and ½″ and the diameter of the end that is the last to enter the hole can vary between 1/32″ and ¾″ and the length of the truncated cone can vary between 1/16″ and ⅝″.

The shape and dimensions of the holes8in the female multi-point locking strap7have the same pattern and alignment as the protrusions5in the male multi-point locking strap4and have a shape and size that will allow the protrusions5to be inserted into the holes8and keep the straps attached and not disengage unless there is an intentional pulling of the straps to disengage them. In one embodiment, the bottom of the holes8is at the bottom surface of the female multi-point locking strap7. In another embodiment, the bottom of the holes8is above the bottom surface of the female multi-point locking strap7.

In one embodiment, the holes8in the female multi-point locking strap7have dimensions and shape that allows for the protrusion5to be easily pushed into the hole8but it takes more force to remove the protrusion5from the hole8. In one embodiment, the protrusion5has a circular shape part that can be pushed through a circular hole8in the female multi-point locking strap7with a substantially equal diameter as the circular shape part on the protrusion5. The protrusion can be inserted into the hole because the disc will either compress or fold slightly when the protrusion5is pushed into the hole8. The dimensions of the protrusion5and the hole8will keep the protrusion5from coming out of the hole8unless there is a deliberate effort to pull the protrusion5out of the hole8.

In one embodiment, the shape of the hole8in the female multi-point locking strap7has a circular opening. The protrusion5is a truncated cone that is inserted into the hole8. The smaller diameter end of the truncated cone is the first end to be inserted into the hole8and the diameter of the first end to be inserted is smaller than the diameter of the circular opening of the hole8. The diameter of the end of the truncated cone that is the last end to be inserted into the hole8is larger than the diameter of the circular opening in the hole8which keeps part of the protrusion5from being inserted into the hole8.

In another embodiment, the shape of the hole8in the female multi-point locking strap7has two different diameter circular openings with the smaller diameter being the diameter at the entrance of the hole8and the shape of the protrusion5on the male multi-point locking strap4has two different diameter cylinders with the larger diameter protrusion5being the first part of the protrusion5to enter the hole8and the diameter of the protrusion5to first enter the hole8is approximately equal to the diameter of the entrance of the hole8.

The male multi-point locking strap4and the female multi-point locking strap7can be made with different materials. In one embodiment, they are made with cotton. In another embodiment, they are made with a synthetic material which can include polyester, nylon, polyester, rayon, polyethylene, and polypropylene. In another embodiment, they are made of plastic. In another embodiment, they are made of natural or synthetic rubber.

There can be more than one material attached together to make the male multi-point locking strap4and the female multi-point locking strap7. In those embodiments, there is one material in the area of the strap that includes the protrusions5or holes8and one material for the balance of the strap. In one embodiment, the male multi-point locking strap4is made with two or more materials attached together. In another embodiment, the female multi-point locking strap7is made with two or more materials attached together. The attachment of the different materials can be with sewing, clasps, and adhesive.

The protrusions5can be made with different materials. In one embodiment, they are made with a synthetic material which can include polyester, nylon, polyester, rayon, polyethylene, and polypropylene. In another embodiment, they are made of plastic. In another embodiment, they are made of natural or synthetic rubber. In another embodiment, they are made of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, nickel, or a steel alloy.

In one embodiment, the removable strap25is a male multi-point locking strap4made with two materials. The ends with the protrusions5are made of plastic and the protrusions are made of plastic and the strap between the ends with the protrusions5is made with a synthetic material. The synthetic material is attached to the plastic material on the ends of the male multi-point locking strap4by sewing. In another embodiment, the removable strap25is a female multi-point locking strap7made with two materials. The ends with the holes8are made of plastic and the strap between the ends with the holes8is made with a synthetic material. The synthetic material is attached to the plastic material on the ends of the female multi-point locking strap7by sewing.

The male multi-point locking strap4and the female multi-point locking strap7can have different degrees of flexibility. In one embodiment, they have high flexibility. In another embodiment, they have medium flexibility. In another embodiment, they have low flexibility.

The length and width of the fixed strap27and removable strap25can have different dimensions and shapes. In one embodiment, the top view of the fixed strap27has a rectangular shape. In another embodiment, the top view of the fixed strap27has a parallelogram shape. In another embodiment, the top view of the fixed strap27has a trapezoid shape. In another embodiment, the top view of the fixed strap27has an oval shape. In another embodiment, the top view of the fixed strap27has an elongated oval shape. In one embodiment, the top view of the removable strap25has a rectangular shape. In another embodiment, the top view of the removable strap25has a parallelogram shape. In another embodiment, the top view of the removable strap25has a trapezoid shape. In another embodiment, the top view of the removable strap25has an oval shape. In another embodiment, the top view of the removable strap25has an elongated oval shape and this is shown inFIG.9.

The male multi-point locking strap4and the female multi-point locking strap7can have different thicknesses. In one embodiment, they have a thickness of less than 1/16″. In another embodiment, they have a thickness of 1/16″ to less than ⅛″. In another embodiment, they have a thickness of ⅛″ to less than ¼″. In another embodiment, they have a thickness of ¼″ and larger.

The male multi-point locking strap4and the female multi-point locking strap7can have different widths. In one embodiment, they have a width of less than ½″. In another embodiment, they have a width of ½″ to less than ⅞″. In another embodiment, they have a width of ⅞″ and larger. The male multi-point locking strap4and the female multi-point locking strap7can have different lengths. In one embodiment, the length of the fixed strap25is 1″ to 1½″. In another embodiment, the length of the removable strap25is 2″ to 6″.

There are numerous embodiments of the pattern of the protrusions5in the male multi-point locking strap4and the pattern of holes8in the female multi-point locking strap7. The pattern and alignment of the protrusions5and holes8match with each other and the protrusions5can be inserted into the holes8. In one embodiment, the pattern of protrusions5is a single line of 1-10 protrusions5with equal distance between the protrusions5. In another embodiment, there is a single line of 1-10 protrusions5with unequal distance between the protrusions5. In another embodiment, there is a single line of 1-10 protrusions5that are in contact with each other with no distance between the protrusions5. There are embodiments with a pattern of a double line of protrusions5. In one embodiment, the pattern of protrusions5is a double line of 1-10 protrusions5in each line with equal distance between the protrusions5. In another embodiment, there is a double line of 1-10 protrusions5in each line with unequal distance between the protrusions5. In another embodiment, there is a double line of 1-10 protrusions5in each line that are in contact with each other with no distance between the protrusions5.

FIG.10is a view of the rear of the cap10. The removable strap25is shown across the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10.FIG.11is a top view of the bottom of the cap10. The removable strap25is shown from one edge to the other edge of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10. The fixed straps27are not visible and are inside of the sweatband23on each side of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10in bothFIG.10andFIG.11.

The upper corner of the sweatband23next to the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10on both sides of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21is fastened to the edge of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10to keep the sweatband23in a vertical position. In one embodiment, the sweatband23is fastened by sewing the upper corner of the sweatband23to the edge of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21on both sides of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10. In another embodiment, the upper corner of the sweatband23is fastened with a clasp to the edge of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21on both sides of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10. In another embodiment, the upper corner of the sweatband23is fastened with adhesive to the edge of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21on both sides of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10.

The size of the cap10is adjusted by changing the position of the removable strap25. When moving the position of the removable strap25, the ends of the removable strap25are detached from the fixed straps27by removing the protrusions5from the holes8and inserting the protrusions5into different holes8. Moving the ends of the removable strap25toward the front of the cap10will decrease the length of the removable strap25between the sides of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10and decrease the size of the cap10. Moving the ends of the removable strap25away from the front of the cap10will increase the length of the removable strap25between the sides of the approximately half-circle of no cap material21in the rear of the cap10and increase the size of the cap10.

The removable strap25can be customized in a variety of colors and can have different designs, graphics, images, and words printed on it. There can be more than one movable strap25for a cap10with a different graphic on each one.