Patent Publication Number: US-2003233696-A1

Title: Detachable and stretchable rear belt band sports cap

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates to a detachable and stretchable rear belt band sports cap that has a unique uniaxial stretch mechanism so that the constructed cap fits the head of the individual wearer without the fastener becoming loose. The cap includes a multi-gore shell forming a crown portion and a bill portion connected to the crown. Moreover, the rear belt band allows easy detachment for custom embroidering of designs and logos that was once unable to be performed.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] In the past, attempts have been made to provide a cap which can fit wearers in a range of sizes. Such well known caps have used a plastic adjustable-band strap, placed at the bottom back of the cap for adjustment by the wearer. An open aperture area is disposed above the portion of the cap where the plastic adjustable-band strap is placed. This allows the wearer to make any necessary adjustments without any significant bunching of the cap. Examples of such caps are shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. These caps are commonly referred to as multi-sized caps and are worn widespread among cap wearers.  
       [0005] More often than not, multi-sized caps include a variable plastic adjustable-band fastening arrangement by where the strap consists of holes that snaps directly onto a receiving snap receiver. The holes in these straps are specifically placed and measured in increments of no wider than ⅛ inches to accommodate the head size of the wearer. Typically, a variable plastic adjustable-band fastener do not fit exactly to someone whose head size is between two size numbers. An improper size to the wearer lacks comfort and with time changes the shape of the cap. Past multi-sized caps with the plastic adjustable-band fasteners have been unable to be completely detachable and unable to be embroidered on the request of the wearer. Retailers often had to discourage customers from having designs embroidered at the rear belt band.  
       [0006] Better fasteners have been available in the prior art. Velcro fasteners that uses the hook and loop mechanism have been introduced to provide a lightweight form of fastening mechanism for individuals whose head sizes are between two sizes. It has also eased some of the pain and pressure on the wearers head. A disadvantage with the velcro strap fastener is that not only is it bothersome, but the fastened element is more often than not undone inadvertently, causing the cap to fall off from the individuals head. Also, once the cap falls off of the individuals head, the cap body wrinkles and distorts the cap. Like the plastic adjustable-band, having a logo embroidered on the velcro fastener was a question still to be solved.  
       [0007] Other fasteners used by everyday common multi-sized caps are that shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 respectively. The buckle and the single belt buckle fastener are both improvements made on the original plastic adjustable-band fastener (FIG. 2) to provide maximum harness onto the individual wearer. Unlike the original plastic adjustable-band fastener, the buckle and single belt fasteners are lightweight and do not inadvertently undo themselves because the fasteners are tightly fastened to the belt band regardless of excessive sweat caused from physical activities. Although discomfort and some pressure can be sensed by the wearer, this is only minimal compared to the original plastic adjustable-band fastener.  
       [0008] One example of a known multi-sized cap that has made great strides in foreseeing the problem of eliminating the pressure on the wearers head is Cho (U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,540). According to Cho&#39;s patent, a free size cap is disclosed to have a woven material that uniaxially stretches in one direction. Cho&#39;s patent solves the problem of detracting the aesthetic value of the cap. Typically, caps that have been made to a single fixed size have the problem of individuals with head size between two variable numbers that do not provide with the exact fit. An improper adjustment in size lacks comfort and with time, alters the overall shape of the cap. In such cases, stores stocking such single size caps are then required to carry a substantial stock of caps with different sizes. Although Cho&#39;s patent argues the problem of providing an exact fit for individuals whose head sizes lies between two size numbers; the patent makes no references to the detachability of the rear band for custom embroidery. Moreover, Cho&#39;s patent gets rid of the fastening mechanism all together for a single uniaxially stretchable material that is sewn along the circumference of the cap.  
       [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,514 to Woehl references to a cap having a rear gore in the crown of a stretchable material to provide size adjustment or spanned by a tab which may be an elastic band, a hook and loop fastener or a plastic adjustable-band fastener to variable lengths. In this patent, the tab to which may be a velcro fastener or a plastic adjustable-band fastener provides the feature to fit a variety of head sizes. However, Woehl makes no references to in alleviating the pressure at the back of the individuals head. Additionally, the cap size adjustment used in Woehls&#39; patent may require an increased manufacturing cost compared to other common caps.  
       [0010] Yan (U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,202) also foresees the problem by making the cap multi-axially stretchable. The patent claims to have some of the plurality of gores composed of multi-axially stretchable fabric having a stretchable synthetic fiber woven in the warp and weft of the said fabric. Although Yan improves the patent made by Cho, Yan does not argue the developments from the cap from falling down. During all physical exercise, the individual wearing the cap must be able to concentrate the activity he or she is pursuing without the worries of the cap from falling down from the individuals&#39; head. Yan argues only to the point of alleviating the pressure on the individuals&#39; head.  
       [0011] Past fastening mechanism such as the hook and loop fastener (velcro fastener), plastic adjustable-band fastener and the aforementioned Cho&#39;s, Woehls&#39; and Yan&#39;s patents have failed to solve the problem of having custom embroidery done along the rear belt band of the fastener. The fastening mechanism used by today&#39;s common multi-sized caps have only solved the problem of allowing individuals whose head size is between two sizes a better and exact fit and alleviating any pressure along the circumference of the wears head.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012] The present invention is a sports cap that consists of a detachable and stretchable rear belt band that is configured to cover the entire head of the wearer with the improvements being made at the bottom back of the cap that gives a unique fastening stretch mechanism to fit multiple head size. The invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of known multi-sized caps and of fixed caps. The belt band attached to the right and left belt buckle allows easy detachment for custom embroidering of designs and logos that was once unable to be performed. Moreover, the present invention eliminates excess hair from being tangled with the fastener as the cap is worn by the individual. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a side view of a regular sports cap;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a rear view of a regular sports cap with a plastic adjustable fastener;  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a rear view of a regular sports cap with a velcro fastener;  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a rear view of a regular sports cap with a buckle fastener;  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a rear view of a regular sports cap with a single belt buckle fastener;  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a rear view of a regular sports cap with the double belt buckle fastener and belt band for this invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a rear view of FIG. 6, the invention in question, but without the attachment of the belt band.  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a front view of the belt band.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0021] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is that of a sports cap with the improvements being made on the fastener that provides a fit for various head sizes and comfort while the individual pursues physical activities. The fastening mechanism consists of a right belt buckle (Number  26 ) and a left belt buckle (Number  14 ). A fixing band on the right (Number  28 ) is fixated to the right belt buckle and a fixing band on the left (Number  12 ) is fixated to the left belt buckle. The detachable belt band (Number  35 ) is removable by undoing the right and left belt buckles for custom designs preferred by the individual wearer. A right belt pocket (Number  27 ) adjacent to the right belt buckle and a left belt pocket (Number  13 ) adjacent to the left belt pocket houses the excess belt band.  
     [0022] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated for purposes of clarity and example, it should be understood that many changes, substitutions and modifications to the described embodiment will be apparent to those having skill in the art in light for the foregoing disclosure without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention that is defined by the claim that will follow.