Patent Publication Number: US-9883707-B2

Title: Headwear support system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/513,787 filed on Oct. 14, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,565, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a headwear support system and, more particularly, to a sports cap support system that can be used to protect the cap&#39;s integrity during transportation or storage. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Any golfer who has travelled to play golf has probably encountered the issue of how to pack their caps so that they do not get smashed or lose their shape and/or integrity during transportation. Whether it&#39;s packing them within luggage or to the outside of a golf travel case, this is often a big issue. Some pack the inside of the caps with apparel such as socks and underwear. Some just “fold in” the back of the cap toward the front. And some carry them separately in a carry-on bag. The same issue may apply to other types of headwear, such as baseball caps or non-sports related headwear. 
     SUMMARY 
     A headwear support system includes a support base having a shape that is generally one-half of a hemisphere. The support base includes a front projection extending outwardly therefrom, a rear connection rib coupled to a top rear of the support base, and two diametrically-opposed apertures on a bottom rear of the support base. The headwear support system further includes a first elastic member having opposed ends, each end configured to be coupled to respective ones of the diametrically-opposed apertures and wherein the first elastic member is configured to selectively secure the headwear to the support base. The headwear support system also includes a second elastic member configured to be coupled to the rear connection rib and configured to be selectively coupled to a button of the headwear. A clip member is also included in the system and is configured to be coupled to the rear connection rib and configured to be selectively coupled to a travelling case. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the rear connection rib defines a pair of opposed inward projecting ribs extending to a bottom rear of the support base and defining two diametrically-opposed tabs and a pair of opposed apertures disposed therethrough. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the headwear support system further comprises a third elastic member having opposed ends configured to be coupled to one of respective ones of the diametrically-opposed tabs or respective ones of the opposed apertures disposed through the inward projecting ribs. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the support base may be formed from a polymer material. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, the front projection has a shape that is either flat or curved. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, the first elastic member and the second elastic member is either a bungee cord or an elastic band. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, the rear connection rib includes three apertures, a first aperture for coupling the clip member thereto, and second and third apertures disposed on either side of the first aperture for coupling the second elastic member thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a headwear support system coupled to a golf travel bag and having a golf cap mounted thereon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of the headwear support system of  FIG. 1  with the golf cap (shown in phantom) mounted thereon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of the headwear support system of  FIG. 1  with the golf cap removed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a headwear support system having a flat front projection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a headwear support system  10  coupled to a travelling case  12  and having headwear  14  mounted thereon according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Generally, headwear support system  10  functions to protect the integrity of headwear  14  during transportation or storage of headwear  14  and is configured to be selectively coupled to travelling case  12  via a clip member  34 . Embodiments of headwear support system  10  are described below in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A through 3 . 
     Although travelling case  12  is depicted in  FIG. 1  as a golf travel bag, travelling case  12  may be any suitable travelling case, such as luggage, a golf bag, a sports bag, a car seat, a backpack, or other suitable travel baggage. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , headwear  14  is depicted as a golf cap; however, headwear  14  may be any suitable headwear, such as a baseball cap, a fedora, a cowboy hat, a bucket hat, or other suitable apparel that can be worn on a head of a human (or any suitable animal if one so desires). Headwear  14  includes a crease  19  formed by an intersection of a crown  17  and a brim  13 . Headwear  14  typically has some stiffness that allows it to take a particular form so as to be worn on a head. This form is desired to be kept intact so that it does not lose its integrity in some way that will either prevent a user from wearing it or diminish its aesthetic value. During transportation, such as when travelling with luggage, headwear  14  can lose its integrity if not stored or packed properly. According to the teachings of the present disclosure, headwear support system  10  is utilized to transport headwear  14  so that it maintains its integrity during transportation using travelling case  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in one embodiment, headwear support system  10  includes a support base  20  having a front projection  22  extending outwardly therefrom, a rear connection rib  24  coupled to a rear of support base  20  and having a pair of inward projecting lateral portions  60  extending from a bottom rear of support base  20  (shown best in  FIG. 2B ), and two diametrically-opposed apertures  26  on a bottom rear of support base  20  (shown best in  FIG. 2B ). Two diametrically-opposed inward projecting tabs  62  are defined by lateral portions  60  adjacent a bottom of support base  20  and a pair of apertures  42   a ,  42   b  are defined through respective lateral portions  60  above tabs  62  (shown best in  FIG. 2B ). Headwear support system  10  further includes a first elastic member  48  having opposed ends, wherein each end is configured to be coupled to respective ones of the diametrically-opposed apertures  26 , a second elastic member  32  configured to be coupled to rear connection rib  24  and further configured to be selectively coupled to a button  15  of headwear  14 , and a third elastic member  28  having opposed ends, wherein each end is configured to be coupled to respective ones of either tabs  62  or apertures  42   a ,  42   b . A clip member  34  may also be included with headwear support system  10  and is configured to be coupled to an aperture  36  disposed through rear connection rib  24  and further configured to be selectively coupled to travelling case  12 . Aperture  36  may have any suitable size and shape depending on the type of clip member  34  utilized. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2B , clip member  34  is illustrated as a simple latch mechanism so that it is configured to be selectively coupled to rear connection rib  24  via aperture  36  and further configured to be selectively coupled to travelling case  12 . The present disclosure also contemplates that clip member  34  may be permanently affixed to rear connection rib  24  with the use other types of features or no features at all. Clip member  34  may be any suitable latching mechanism that opens and closes so that it can be coupled to travelling case  12 , such as straps, belts, strings, Velcro® fasteners, Velcro® loops, Velcro® hook and loop fasteners and closures, etc. Clip member  34  may also be formed from any suitable material. The present disclosure also contemplates that headwear support system  10  come without clip member  34 . In this embodiment, a separate clip member or latch, such as one associated with travelling case  12 , may be utilized. 
     One advantage of headwear support system  10  is that it is easy to use, lightweight, compact, and durable, which makes it desirable for use in travelling. In one embodiment, support base  20  is constructed of dishwasher-safe material. In one particular embodiment, support base  20  is formed from a suitable polymer; however, other suitable materials are contemplated by the present disclosure, such as lightweight metals and composites. In the illustrated embodiment, the shape of support base  20  is generally one-half of a hemisphere so that it substantially conforms to the inside volume of headwear  14  (which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a golf cap); however, support base  20  may take on other suitable shapes depending on the inside volume of headwear  14  that a user is trying to protect. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2A , front projection  22  extends outwardly from support base  20  and functions to support brim  13  of headwear  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). Front projection  22  may have any suitable shape; however, in one embodiment, front projection  22  has a shape that is curved to complement the curvature of a curved brim. In other embodiments, such as that shown in  FIG. 3 , a front projection  50  has a flat shape so that it complements a flat brim. Front projections  22 ,  50  may be formed integral with or selectively coupled to support base  20 , and may have any suitable size or extend from support base  20  any suitable distance depending on how much support is desired for brim  13 . One can envision many different front projections depending on the type of headwear  14 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2B , rear connection rib  24 , in the illustrated embodiment, may also include apertures  38  for the coupling of an optional second elastic member  32  thereto. Apertures  38  may also have any suitable size and shape depending on the type of second elastic member  32  utilized. The present disclosure also contemplates that the ends of second elastic member  32  be permanently affixed to rear connection rib  24  with the use other types of features or no features at all. Rear connection rib  24 , which may be formed integral with or selectively coupled to the top rear of support base  20 , may have any suitable size and shape depending on the type of clip member  34  and second elastic member  32  utilized. 
     Referring now to both  FIGS. 2A and 2B , first elastic member  48  includes a main portion  49   c  extending between connector ends  49   a ,  49   b  and is configured to be selectively engaged with diametrically-opposed apertures  26  of support base  20  via connector ends  49   a ,  49   b , respectively. Apertures  26  may be disposed in any suitable location on the bottom rear of support base  20 . One or both of connector ends  49   a ,  49   b  may be any suitable connection mechanisms, such as clips, latches, loops, or anchors. In some embodiments, first elastic member  48  is permanently affixed to support base  20  in the vicinity of apertures  26  with the use other types of features or no features at all. First elastic member  48  functions to secure headwear  14  to support base  20  during transport by selectively coupling main portion  49   c  to crease  19  of headwear  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). When headwear  14  is mounted on support base  20 , crease  19  generally coincides with the intersection of support base  20  and front projection  22  so as to secure headwear  14  thereto and preserve its integrity during transport or storage. In one embodiment, first elastic member  48  is a bungee cord; however, other suitable elastic members, such as an elastic band or spring, may be utilized. 
     Referring to both  FIGS. 2A and 2B , second elastic member  32  is configured to be selectively engaged with apertures  38  of rear connection rib  24  via its ends  33   a ,  33   b , respectively. In some embodiments, second elastic member  32  is permanently affixed to rear connection rib  24  in the vicinity of apertures  38  with the use other types of features or no features at all. Second elastic member  32  functions to provide additional securing of headwear  14  to support base  20  during transport by selectively coupling to button  15  or other suitable feature of headwear  14 . In one embodiment, second elastic member  32  is a bungee cord; however, other suitable elastic members, such as an elastic band or spring, may be utilized. 
     Referring again to both  FIGS. 2A and 2B , third elastic member  28  includes a main portion  29   c  extending between connector ends  29   a ,  29   b  and is configured to be selectively engaged with tabs  62  and/or apertures  42   a ,  42   b  via connector ends  29   a ,  29   b , respectively. Connector end  29   b  is depicted in  FIG. 2B  as a simple hook-type mechanism; however, one or both of connector ends  29   a ,  29   b  may be any suitable connection mechanisms, such as clips, latches, loops, anchors, Velcro® fasteners, Velcro® loops, Velcro® hook and loop fasteners and closures, etc. In some embodiments, third elastic member  28  is permanently affixed to support base  20  in the vicinity of tabs  62  or apertures  42   a ,  42   b  with the use other types of features or no features at all. Third elastic member  28  functions to secure headwear  14  to support base  20  during transport by selectively coupling main portion  29   c  to a front-half of the crown  17  of headwear  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, third elastic member  28  is a bungee cord; however, other suitable elastic members, such as an elastic band or spring, may be utilized. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , support base  20  is illustrated to include a plurality of openings  40  therein that are configured to reduce the weight of support base  20 . In one embodiment, openings  40  reduce the weight of support base  20  by at least 25%. As can be understood by one skilled in the art, the use of openings  40  is optional. Openings may be any suitable size and shape. 
     In operation of one embodiment of headwear support system  10 , headwear  14  is “folded in” by pushing in the back-half of crown  17  and then placed on support base  20  by a user. While the user is holding headwear  14  in place with one hand, first elastic member  48  is manipulated by the user with his or her other hand near main portion  49   c  and stretched over crown  17  to engage main portion  49   c  with crease  19  of headwear  14  to secure headwear  14  to support base  20 . Third elastic member  28  may then be manipulated by the user by grabbing end  29   a  (which in the illustrated embodiment is the “free end”) and wrapping it around crown  17  to couple end  29   a  to tab  62 , thus engaging main portion  29   c  with a front portion of crown  17  to further secure headwear  14  to support base  20 . Optionally, headwear  14  may be further secured to support base  20  by coupling second elastic member  32  to button  15  of headwear  14 . Clip member  34  is then used to attach headwear support system  10  to travelling case  12 , such as luggage, a gym bag, a golf bag or any other suitable travelling case. As understood by one skilled in the art, headwear support system  10  may be attached to travelling case  12  prior to securing headwear  14  to support base  20 . 
     Although embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of illustration and description, the inventive apparatus is not to be construed as limited thereby. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to the foregoing embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.