Abstract:
A headwear item such as a cap, having a mutiaxially stretchable band is provided. The band comprises multiple layers of uniaxially or multiaxially stretchable material connected with elastic stitching for making the band multiaxially stretchable. Such biaxially stretchable band may utilize any fabric that is uniaxially or biaxially stretchable for the layers of the band, allowing for a wide variety of fabrics to be utilized. Additionally, the elastic stitching between the layers of the band provide for varying space between the layers, making the band lighter, and providing comfort and breathability to the wearer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to a headwear item which is adjustable to a user&#39;s head size.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    In the past, a various methods have been employed to construct a hat or other head worn items that are adjustable to fit a user&#39;s head size. For example, baseball caps have been constructed with an adjustable strap and closure mechanism, such as plastic snaps, VELCRO and metal buckles, usually located opposite the visor of the cap. Headwear constructed with such adjustable closure systems requires the user to adjust the headwear to fit his head. As such, an incorrect adjustment can be uncomfortable if too tight or may fall off the user&#39;s head if too loose. Additionally, the closing mechanism may come undone inadvertently.  
           [0005]    Various alternative arrangements utilizing a stretchable band for making a headwear item adjustable to fit a user&#39;s head have also been developed. (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,415 issued to Beckerman; U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,540 issued to Cho; U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,742 issued to Cunliff; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,213 B1 issued to Whang).  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides for a headwear item such as a cap, having a mutiaxially stretchable band comprising several layers of material which is at least uniaxially stretchable, connected with elastic stitching, making the band multiaxially stretchable. Such multiaxially stretchable band may utilize any fabric that is uniaxially or biaxially stretchable for the layers, allowing for a wide variety of fabrics to be utilized. Additionally, the elastic stitching between the layers of the band provide for varying space between the layers, making the band more comfortable and providing increased breathability.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide headwear items which are adjustable to a user&#39;s head size.  
           [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide headwear items which are comfortable to wear.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a headwear item utilizing a multiaxially stretchable band which provides for breathability to the user&#39;s head.  
           [0010]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a segment of a band according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the band of FIG. 1 worn on a user&#39;s head.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 a  is a perspective view of a cap incorporating the band of FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 b  is a bottom plan view of the cap of FIG. 3 a.    
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 c  is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 3 a  having a cut out portion, and incorporating the band of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a visor cap incorporating a band according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a multiaxially stretchable multilayer band  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Only a segment of the band is shown in the illustration, however, the band may be of any length “L” depending on the application. For example, the band may form a loop that can be worn around the head of a user, or may be incorporated into a headwear item either fully encircling the head or forming a partial segment covering only a part of the rim of the headwear item. While certain types of headwear items are illustrated, it is to be understood that a multiaxially stretchable multilayer band according to the present invention, may be incorporated in a variety of headwear items including caps, hats, visor hats, helmets and the like.  
         [0019]    The band has multiple layers of stretchable fabric  102 ,  104 ,  106  with elastic stitching  108 ,  110  between the layers securing the layers to each other in a parallel alignment. Although three layers are illustrated in the figure, any number of layers may be used, with two layers being the minimum.  
         [0020]    The layers  102 ,  104 ,  106  may be of any fabric that is uniaxially or multiaxially stretchable, as long as the layers are stretchable at least along the length “L” of the band. Sweat absorbent fabrics such as cotton, or may be especially desirable for headgear designed to be worn during exercise. The layers  102 ,  104 , and  106  are preferably of the same fabric each, but may also be of varying fabric types, or varying patterns and colors. Additionally, while the layers  102 ,  104 , and  106  are illustrated as being of approximately equal widths, they may also be of varying widths.  
         [0021]    The stitching  108 ,  110  between the fabrics  102 ,  104 ,  106  allows for the band  100  to stretch along the width “W” of the band, while maintaining the bands stretchability along the length L. The stitching also provides spacing between the layers giving the band breathability. Most commercially available elastic threads are suitable for the stitching. A highly porous and elastic fabric may also be sewn between the layers to achieve breathability and widthwise stretchability of the band. As with the fabric layers, the stitching  108  and  110  may be of a similar pattern or may vary. Additionally, different layers of stitching may provide varying degrees of spacing between the fabric layers.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 illustrates the band  100  worn around the head of a user  200 . In this embodiment, the band  100  forms an enclosed loop around the head. The multi layered band  100  may also be used to form a segment of the loop to be worn around the user&#39;s head while the rest of the loop may be formed from any other material which may be stretchable or unstretchable. Depending on the stretchability of the fabrics used, a band having an unstretched circumference of approximately 57-59 cm will stretch when worn on the head to accommodate a range of different head sizes.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 3 a - c  illustrate a cap  300  incorporating the band  100  for making the cap adjustable to fit a range of head sizes. The cap  300  is a typical baseball cap formed from a plurality of generally triangular panels or gores  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 , which are secured together (e.g. by sewing) along their adjacent side edges forming a crown  314  with their apices meeting at the top of the crown  316 . Additionally, the cap  300  has a visor  318 .  
         [0024]    The band  100  is preferably secured along the inner circumference  320  of the crown  314 , with a lengthwise edge of the band secured along the rim  322  of the crown. The band may be secured by stitching, lamination, or other suitable methods. The band  100  may extend along a segment of the circumference as shown in FIG. 3 b  or along the entire circumference.  
         [0025]    According to one embodiment, a band  100  covering a segment of the circumference is located opposite the visor  318 . The band may be secured by stitching the band to the crown at the outer edges of the band  324  and at locations where the gores intersect. The cap may utilize gores made from a fabric that is stretchable in the circumferential direction for at least the portion of the cap incorporating the band  100  (gores  304 ,  306 ,  308  and  310  for the cap of FIG. 3 b ) such that the cap will stretch with the band. Alternatively, the unstretched band length may be made smaller than the arc length of the rim portion to which the band is secured, such that the band has room to stretch without having to stretch the cap.  
         [0026]    According to another embodiment, the cap  300  may have a cut out portion  328  extending upwardly from the rim, and interrupting the continuity of the rim, opposite the visor  318 , with the band  100  being interiorly attached and covering the lower section of the cut out portion  328  to complete the continuity of the rim  322 , as illustrated in FIG. 3 c.    
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 illustrates a visor hat  400  incorporating the band  100 . The hat  400  has a visor  402  and an open portion  404  encircling the head and having a rim. As shown in the figure, the band may be secured to the inside circumference of the portion  404  forming a partial segment of the portion  404  preferably at a side opposite the visor  402 , making the visor hat stretchable to fit a user&#39;s head. Other embodiments of a visor hat incorporating a band such that it fully encircles the head are also contemplated.  
         [0028]    While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.