Patent Publication Number: US-2003226193-A1

Title: Stretchable cap structure with expandable peak board

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention is related to a stretchable cap structure, and especially to such a cap structure with an expandable peak that, together with a plurality of stretchable panels and a stretchable sweatband, to provide a function of stretching for adjustment of the cap.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] Conventionally, there are two types of cap: adjustable caps and fixed-size caps. Adjustable caps use an adjustable-length closure at the bottom of the open area which is disposed at the rear of the cap to adjust the sizes; however, such type can only allow adjustment at the rear open area of the crown, the cap thereby is subjected to bunching up on the rear panels, hence impairs its aesthetic appearance.  
       [0005] There are two kinds of fixed-size cap: single-size caps and stretchable caps. A single-size cap is non-adjustable and non-stretchable which can only fit a very narrow rang of head sizes, and cap manufacturers have to produce a lot of different sizes of cap to satisfy wearer&#39;s demand, this may increase the cost of production. A conventional stretchable cap can fit a much wider range of head sizes than a single-size cap, however, its crown is only partially stretchable due to rigidity of the peak which is sewn in front portion of said crown at the lower peripheral edge on the outside of the cap, said peak of a conventional stretchable cap composed of a rigid peak board and outer cover layers of fabric material; hence a conventional stretchable cap can not reach the upmost stretchablility of a cap.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a stretchable cap structure, wherein, by a brand-new design of the peak, a large extent of stretch adjustment can be obtained.  
       [0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a stretchable cap structure, wherein, by providing an expandable peak and a crown made of elastic material, the entire cap can have an adjustment by stretching to suit a range of various head sizes and shapes of different wearers.  
       [0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a stretchable cap structure which can have an effect of larger stretch adjustment without changing the aesthetic appearance of the cap.  
       [0009] To get the above stated objects, the present invention is provided with a crown of elastic material and an expendable peak. By stretching of the peak as well as the crown, a cap can have a function of size adjustment not only to increase the applicability of the cap, but also will not affect the esthetic appearance of the entire cap.  
       [0010] The present invention will be apparent in its particular structure and characteristics after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the natural appearance of an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the natural appearance of the inner side of the embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the peak board of the embodiment of the present invention in the normal natural state;  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the peak board of the embodiment of the present invention in a stretched state;  
     [0015]FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the cap of the embodiment of the present invention in a stretched state. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0016] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, the stretchable cap structure of the present invention is comprised of a peak  1  and a crown  2  sewn together.  
     [0017] Referring firstly to FIG. 2, the crown  2  is comprised of a plurality of elastic panels  21  and an elastic band  22 . The elastic panels  21  are made of elastic fabric and are sewn together along their side edges with the apices meeting at the top of the crown  2 . The aforesaid elastic band  22  is a strip and is made of elastic material, which is sewn on the inner peripheral edge of the crown  2 .  
     [0018] Referring to FIGS.  2  to  5 , the peak  1  is formed from a peak board  11  covered with stretchable fabric  13 . The peak board  11  is provided on the edge thereof adjacent to the crown  2  with at least a cleft  12 , the fringe end of the cleft  12  is disposed at this edge of the peak board  11 ; said cleft  12  is closed when the peak board  11  is in its normal natural state, and is opened when the peak board  11  is in its stretched state. The extent of expansion of the cleft  12  depends on the strength of the external pulling force on the peak board  11 ; and the action of opening and closing occurs at the fringe end of the cleft  12  disposed at the edge of the peak board  11  adjacent to the crown  2 . When in opening, the edge of the peak board  11  adjacent to the crown  2  is spilt, while the elastic fabric  13  covered on the peak board  11  can make stretching in pursuance of opening and closing of the cleft  12 . Thereby, the cleft  12  can make adjustment of the size of the peak board  11 . And thereby, the peak board  11  can have the effect of stretching although it does not have elasticity to thus make the entire cap elastic to suit a various head sizes and shapes in pursuance of changing of stretching of the elastic panels  21  and the aforesaid of elastic band  22 . Further, at the end of each cleft  12  opposite to said fringe end is shaped with round hole  121  to prevent further splitting when said peak board is in its most stretched state.  
     [0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, under a stretched state as compared to the normal natural state of the stretchable cap of the present invention, the peak  1  and the crown  2  can allow stretching of the entire cap by providing the aforesaid at least a cleft  12  of the peak board  11 , the elastic panels  21  and the aforesaid at least a segment of elastic band  22 .  
     [0020] The elastic cap structure forming by the elements stated above is only for illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and not for giving any limitation to the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications or changes can be made to the elements of the present invention without departing from the spirit of this invention shall fall within the scope of the appended claims and are intended to form part of this invention.