Abstract:
A cap comprises a crown sized to fit on a wearer&#39;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&#39;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.

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. 10   a  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&#39;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  36   a , extend inwardly from the ends of the upper and lower surfaces  34 . The inner surfaces  36   b  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  36   a  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  36   b ,  37  and  38  define a track channel  40 ; and the space between the sloped surfaces  36   a  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  42   a,b , as seen in  FIGS. 3, 7  and  8 , at opposite ends of the track band. The connectors  42   a,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  42   a,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  42   a,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  50   a . The slope of the surfaces  50   a  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  58   a  which is greater than the opening into the channel  40 . Hence, as seen in  FIG. 11 , the bar outer surface  58   a  will engage the inner surface  36   b  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  50   b . 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  60   a  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  50   b  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. 10   a , a slide member  20   a  is shown in which the gap  62   a  between its plates  60   a  is closed along its sides by a wall  66 . Hence, in  FIG. 10   a , the gap  62   a  is open only along one side, namely, the front side of the gap  62   a.    
         [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  58   a . 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  58   a  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&#39;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&#39;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.