Patent Publication Number: US-6910226-B2

Title: Cap with opening in front

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/116,976, filed Apr. 4, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,553 and entitled “Cap with Opening In Front” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/963,476, filed Sep. 13, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/964,076, filed Nov. 3, 1997 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/600,344, filed Feb. 13, 1996, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to headwear such as caps for wearing on a head, and more particularly it concerns a brimmed cap provided with an unoccluded opening in or near the front for contemporaneously providing shade for a wearer&#39;s eyes and face, and allowing an accumulation of the wearer&#39;s bangs to extend through the opening. 
   Hats provided with openings for allowing a wearer&#39;s hair to extend therethrough are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,854 to Kronenberger discloses a head wear piece in the form of a baseball hat which has a bill joined to a crown configured to accommodate the head of a wearer. When in place on a wearer&#39;s head, the bill faces forwardly and an opening in the back of the hat is provided for allowing an accumulation of hair to pass therethrough and extend in a pony-tail fashion. 
   While Kronenberger attempts to solve the problem of enabling an individual with an accumulation of hair to wear a baseball hat, the attempt falls short of providing a truly versatile hat because Kronenberger is only concerned with allowing a wearer to extend their hair rearwardly of the hat. That is, a wearer of Kronenberger&#39;s hat would only be able to extend the hair on or near the rear part of their head through the opening provided therein. A person with an accumulation of front bangs would find Kronenberger&#39;s hat awkward to wear because they would have to either tuck their bangs up under the front of the cap (which maybe hot and uncomfortable), part their bangs on either side of the front of the cap (which would not necessarily keep their bangs out of their eyes), or crush/flatten the bangs down upon the forehead which would not only be uncomfortable, but would cause the forehead to sweat and leave a crease across the bangs when the hat was removed. Additionally, a person who desires to ventilate the front portion of their head for the purpose of remaining cool would be unable to do so with Kronenberger&#39;s hat. Furthermore, Kronenberger&#39;s hat does not shade a wearer&#39;s face and eyes and contemporaneously deflect their front bangs. 
   With the above shortcomings in mind, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a cap for wearing with an unoccluded aperture, or opening, allowing a wearer to extend their front bangs therethrough. The provided opening, therefore, exposes the bangs region of the wearer&#39;s hairline. 
   It is another object to provide a brimmed cap with an aperture for allowing a wearer to extend their front bangs therethrough, wherein the aperture is positioned so that the brim shields or protects a wearer from the sun, and contemporaneously deflects the wearer&#39;s bangs from around their face. 
   It is another object to provide a sports cap which provides an individual who is taking part in sporting events with increased visibility by shielding their eyes from sunlight and keeping their hair out of their eyes. 
   It is yet another object to provide a cap which is comfortable and stylish to wear, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
   The invention achieves these and other objects in the form of a cap which includes a crown defining an opening for receiving the head of a wearer, a brim having an edge which is connected to the crown, and an aperture in the crown adjacent the brim for allowing an accumulation of the wearer&#39;s hair to extend therethrough and be deflected, while contemporaneously providing shade for the wearer&#39;s face. 
   These and additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood after a consideration of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation of a cap (headwear) constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the cap constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in place on the head of a wearer W. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the cap shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation showing a second embodiment of the cap of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevation showing a third embodiment of the cap of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 6-7  are side elevational views like that of the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , except that each figure shows how the visor or brim section of the cap is movable bidirectionally vertically via the novel attachment location of the head-covering section relative to the visor. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged, fragmentary section of the cap shown in FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevation showing a fourth embodiment of the cap of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation showing only the head-covering section of the fourth embodiment of the cap of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevation showing an alternate version of the head-covering section of the fourth embodiment of the cap of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a side elevation showing only the visor section of the fourth embodiment of the cap of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and specifically to  FIGS. 1-3 , a cap or hat is shown generally at  10  being constructed according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. For reasons to be described below, cap  10  is preferably a baseball-style sports hat and is useful for wearer W (see  FIG. 2 ) who participates in outdoor sports such as golf and tennis. It will be understood, however, that while cap  10  is described in the context of sports settings, the cap derives utility in many other sports and non-sports settings which will also be evident from the description below. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , cap  10  includes a head-covering section or crown  12  defining a generally circular opening  14  for receiving the head of a wearer W. Crown  12 , which is designed to fit snuggly against the head as shown in  FIG. 2 , includes a front  16  ( FIG. 1 ) and a back, or rear,  18  (FIG.  3 ), and is preferably a dome-like structure formed from a plurality of panels, such as those representative ones shown at  20   a  through  20   d  in FIG.  1 . The panels are joined or connected together, such as by suitable stitching, in a side-by-side fashion and each panel includes a bottom edge, the collective edges defining, in part, opening  14 . Preferably, the panels are generally triangularly-shape so that when they are joined together in side-by-side fashion, the apexes of each triangle converge to define the top of cap  10  where a suitable button  22  anchors the panel apexes or tips together. It will be appreciated, however, that the panels may be any suitable shape, and even more generally, they may be eliminated all together in favor of a generally integrally-formed dome-like structure. In the first preferred embodiment, the panels are formed from any suitable fabric material from which baseball-style caps are usually formed, such materials being readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Additionally, the panels may or may not be formed from the same type of fabric material. For example, panels of varying fabric type would provide a unique and changing-textured surface which might be desirable for certain wearers. Additionally, panels may be formed from different types of material such as plastic webbed material or mesh for providing not only a lightweight construction but increasing the cap&#39;s ventilation. 
   Crown  12  additionally includes in its front what is referred to herein as elongate edge structure  13 . Opposite ends of edge structure  13  are located at regions shown at  15  and  17  in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
   Preferably, cap  10  includes a conventional visor or brim structure  24  having a brim portion  26  and a lip, or band portion,  26   a . Brim structure  24  is joined to crown  12  adjacent the crown&#39;s front, such as by stitching. It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable manner of joining or connecting the brim will suffice. As shown in  FIG. 3 , brim, or brim structure,  24  extends forwardly of crown  12  and defines the front of the cap. Lip  26   a  extends generally upwardly from a region of joinder  26   b  with brim portion  26  and stabilizes the cap, as well as supporting wearer W&#39;s front bangs as will become evident below. It will be understood, however, that brim structure  24  may extend further around the cap than is shown, and may, for example, extend completely around the cap for contemporaneously shading the wearer&#39;s eyes, ears, and neck. The upper edge  26   c  in lip  26   a  constitutes what is referred to herein as elongate rear, or inner, edge structure in brim structure  24 . Edge structure  26   c  includes opposite ends which meet contactively as shown at regions  15 ,  17  with the opposite ends of edge structure  13 . A front or outer edge structure in brim  24  is shown at  27 , spaced from rear inner edge structure  26   c.    
   An unoccluded aperture  28 , which is defined and bounded by edge structures  13 ,  26   c  is provided in the front of crown  12  near and preferably adjacent brim structure  24  for allowing an accumulation of a wearer&#39;s hair, and more specifically a wearer&#39;s front bangs from the bangs region of the wearer&#39;s hairline, to extend therethrough for a purpose which is described in more detail below. In the first preferred embodiment, aperture  28  is elongate, and one of the long sides thereof extends generally along a substantial length of brim  24 , the aperture being sized and configured to allow an accumulation of hair, e.g. the wearer&#39;s front bangs, to extend therethrough. The aperture may be any suitable shape such as circular, triangular, rectangular, star-shaped, or any other desirable shape dimensioned for allowing wearer W&#39;s front bangs to extend therethrough. However, in the first preferred embodiment the aperture assumes the shape shown, which might be characterized as being defined by a generally flat side (corresponding to that portion of the aperture which lies adjacent brim  24 ), and a generally arcuate side connected to the ends of the flat side, and spaced therefrom in a direction away from brim  24 . 
   In the first preferred embodiment, aperture  28  is formed by portions of panels  20   a-d  which have been removed. Such removed portions may either be removed after the cap&#39;s panels have been joined together, or before the panels are joined together. That is, the panels may be first joined together, and then have a portion cut away to form the aperture, or portions of panels  20   a-d  may be specifically formed with corresponding portions removed for defining the aperture. 
   An important consequence of the contact meeting, at regions  15 ,  17 , of the opposite ends of edge structures  13 ,  26   c  is that when cap  10  is worn, these edge structures will lie directly against the head, effectively to seal the perimeter of opening  28  against airflow through the cap, and inside thereof over and around the head. They provide this seal while still allowing the bangs of a wearer to extend freely through opening  28 . 
   As will be seen, all other embodiments of the invention shown and described herein possess this same important “edge-end-meeting” structural feature, including embodiments wherein a crown and brim structure are selectively separable (i.e., coupleable and uncoupleable). A simple look at other embodiments of the invention pictured in the other drawing figures herein still to be discussed will clearly show the presence of this aperture/opening-related feature. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  show an adjustable member  30  in the form of a standard two-part mated strap which includes a portion  32  having plural apertures therein (FIG.  1 ), and a portion  34 . 
   In Operation 
     FIG. 3  shows cap  10  in place on the head of a wearer who is indicated in phantom lines. Cap  10  is placed on the head much like any baseball-style cap with one important difference. When placing cap  10  on the head, the wearer should ensure that their front bangs are allowed to extend through aperture  28  so that they are not mashed down by the front of the cap. In  FIG. 3 , the wearer&#39;s bangs may be seen to extend through aperture  28  adjacent brim  24 . When cap  10  is on the head of a wearer, brim  24  is positioned for not only providing shade for the wearer&#39;s face and eyes, but deflecting an accumulation of hair extending from aperture  28 . That is, because of the aperture&#39;s proximity to brim  24 , the brim is positioned for contemporaneously providing shade for the wearer&#39;s face and eyes, as well as deflecting the wearer&#39;s hair from around their face and eyes. 
   This is important for a number of reasons. First, wearer&#39;s taking part in athletics such as golf and tennis usually do so outside where it may be sunny and bright. It is desirable when taking part in such activities, to have one&#39;s eyes and face shaded so that, for example, a golf shot or a tennis shot may be made, free from the distracting glare of the sun. Second, it is desirable when taking part in such activities, to do so without one&#39;s hair falling into one&#39;s face and providing a distraction. The present invention provides a cap which not only shades a wearer&#39;s eyes and face from the sun&#39;s distracting glare, but it also prevents a wearer&#39;s hair from interfering with their view. Furthermore, aperture  28 , with its defining edges seated against the head, provides a ventilation port for keeping the front of a wearer&#39;s head cool when participating in outdoor activities on hot days while at the same time effectively being sealed around its perimeter against airflow through the aperture to the inside of the cap. In addition, because the front bangs of the wearer are left substantially unencumbered, there is no crease left in the wearer&#39;s bangs when the hat is removed. Furthermore, the cap shades the top of the wearer&#39;s head from the sun while allowing the front part of the head to remain cool. This is most important when outdoor activities are undertaken during mid-day when the sun is most dangerous. 
   With that, it should be apparent that the above-described cap is useful in any setting where it is desirable to shade one&#39;s eyes or face from the sun and deflect one&#39;s bangs from adjacent one&#39;s face. Further, the cap is useful in settings where it is desirable to shade one&#39;s eyes or face from the sun and ventilate the front part of one&#39;s head to remain cool. Such settings may include recreational settings such as fishing and camping settings, or work settings where individuals are required to work outside for long periods of time, such as road or home construction. Needless to say, there are simply many settings and environments in which the above-described cap finds utility. 
   While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it is to be understood by those of skill in the art that other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.