Patent Publication Number: US-10779599-B2

Title: Bump cap

Description:
CLAIM OF BENEFIT TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Application No. 29/619,071 filed Sep. 26, 2017; and such application is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to protective headwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable Bump Cap. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bump Caps are useful for protecting the wearer&#39;s head from bumps, cuts and bruises as a result of contact with objects such as overhead pipes, low ceilings and other objects. They are most often worn under a personal hat, uniform cap, baseball hat or other non-protective headwear. 
     There are many different types of non-protective headwear, such as the so-called trucker&#39;s hat, which tends to be of a taller dimension, and a variety of baseball type hats that can be structured, unstructured, low profile and higher profile. There are also a variety of other personal hats, such as Trilby, Fedora, bucket, cowboy and stocking hats. Because of the variable dimensions of these hats there is a current and unfulfilled need for a Bump Cap that can be adjusted to accommodate the various hat dimensions. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention provides a Bump Cap to be worn under a variety of hats that can be flexible to allow for horizontal variations in hat dimensions, and trimable to allow for variation in the vertical variations in hat dimensions. 
     This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or describe each embodiment, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is right side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a left side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, which many uses and design variations are possible for the adjustable Bump Cap disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of the preferred embodiment will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to the disclosed Bump Cap. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The Bump Cap is preferably injection molded from a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other rigid materials that have at least some flexibility may also be used. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-7 , the various features of Bump Cap  90  are shown. Bump Cap  90  is comprised of crown  92  right side portion  94 , left side portion  96 , visor portion  98  and rear flap portion  100 . Vents  114 ,  116  and  118  provide left side portion  96  ventilation, whereas vents  122 ,  124  and  126  provide right side portion  94  ventilation. Vents  110  and  99  provide crown  92  ventilation. One skilled in the art will understand that more or fewer vents may be required, and placement may be varied, according to environmental conditions or users&#39; requirements. 
     Flex joints  138 ,  112 ,  128  and  130  allow Bump Cap  90  to flex when inserted into a hat to allow for variations in the hat&#39;s horizontal dimensions and to aide it securing Bump Cap  90  in place. Flex joints  138 ,  112 ,  128  and  130  also may supply additional ventilation. 
     Trim grooves  120  and  132  are located on the lower perimeter  121  of left side portion  96  and lower perimeter  123  on right side portion  94 . Trim groove  120  runs horizontally along lower perimeter  121  on the left side portion  96 . Trim groove  132  runs horizontally along lower perimeter  123  on right side portion  94 . Trim grooves  120  and  132  allow sections of Bump Cap  90  to be removed by hand, box knife, scissors or other means. Removal of sections of Bump Cap  90  via trim grooves  120  and  132  allow the vertical dimensions of Bump Cap  90  to be adjusted so as to remain secure and hidden under a user&#39;s hat. One skilled in the art will appreciate that more than one trim groove may be incorporated into Bump Cap  90  to allow for greater vertical dimension adjustment. 
     Trim notches  134  and  136  assist the user in removing a portion of Bump Cap  90  at the trim groves  120  and  132 . More trim notches may be used to accommodate a greater number of trim grooves. Trim grooves and respective trim notches may also be incorporated into leading edge  140  of visor portion  98  to allow for the vertical adjustment of visor portion  98  (grooves not shown). 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.