Patent Abstract:
Provided are a size adjuster and a headwear using the same having advantages of increasing exterior aesthetical features and automatically adjusting a circumference of a wearing portion of a headwear. The size adjuster may include: a first guide having one end connected to the wearing portion; a second guide having one end connected to the wearing portion corresponding to a position of the first guide; a case having an inner portion connected to the respective other ends of the first and second guides and where the first and second guides move through; and an elastic band extended or contracted by connecting to the first and second guides.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a headwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to a size adjuster for automatically adjusting a size of a wearing portion of a headwear, and a headwear using the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Description of the Related Art 
       [0002]    A free-size headwear has been developed so as to be worn regardless a head size of various wearers. Such free-size headwear generally have an elastic band to be extended or contracted in a circumferential direction or a size adjusting portion for adjusting a head size in a circumferential direction, which are provided at a rear of a wearing portion put on a wearer&#39;s head 
         [0003]    However, in the case of using a size adjusting portion, it is difficult for the wearer to directly adjust the size adjusting portion because it is provided at the rear of the wearing portion. In addition, there is a problem in that the size adjusting portion must be manually adjusted, and also, it deteriorates an aesthetic aspect due to a deformation of the headwear. 
         [0004]    Meanwhile, in the case of using an elastic band so as to adjust the size of the headwear, there is a problem in that it deteriorates an appearance because the elastic band is exposed, thereby reducing market quality. 
         [0005]    The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a size adjuster and a headwear using the same having advantages of automatically adjusting a circumference of a wearing portion of a headwear. In addition, the present invention has been made in an effort to provide an automatic size adjuster and a headwear using the same having advantages of increasing market quality by maintaining a fine appearance. 
         [0007]    In addition, the present invention has been made in an effort to provide an automatic size adjuster, and a headwear using the same, having advantages of maximizing an advertisement effect by providing a design such as an ornament or an advertisement on a headwear&#39;s size adjusting portion. 
         [0008]    An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a size adjuster for automatically adjusting a size of a wearing portion. The size adjuster may include: a first guide having one end connected to the wearing portion; a second guide having one end connected to the wearing portion opposite to the first guide; a case having an inner portion connected to each other end of the first and second guides and where the first and second guides move through; and an elastic band extended or contracted by being connected to the first and second guides. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides a size adjuster for automatically adjusting a size of a wearing portion. The size adjuster may include: a second guide having one end connected to the wearing portion opposite to the first guide; a case having an inner portion connected to each other end of the first and second guides and where the first and second guides move through; and an elastic band extended or contracted along a longitudinal direction in an inner portion of the first and second guides and connected to the wearing portion. 
         [0010]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a headwear using an automatic size adjuster. The headwear may include: a wearing portion put on a head of a wearer; a first guide having one end connected to the wearing portion; a second guide having one end connected to the wearing portion opposite to the first guide; a case having an inner portion connected to each other end of the first and second guides and where the first and second guides move through; and an elastic band extended or contracted by being connected to the first and second guides. 
         [0011]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a headwear using an automatic size adjuster. The headwear may include: a wearing portion put on a head of a wearer; a first guide having one end connected to the wearing portion; a second guide having one end connected to the wearing portion corresponding to a position of the first guide; a case having an inner portion connected to the respective other ends of the first and second guides and where the first and second guides move through; and an elastic band extended or contracted along a longitudinal direction in an inner portion of the first and second guides and connected to the wearing portion. 
         [0012]    The case may include a base member having a first fastening portion and a cover member having a second fastening portion connected to the first fastening portion. 
         [0013]    The first fastening portion may include a groove opposed to each other along a longitudinal direction and the second fastening portion includes a protrusion sliding along the groove. 
         [0014]    The case may have an advertisement portion at an outer portion thereof. 
         [0015]    The first and second guides may respectively be sewn by a yarn at the one end to the wearing portion. 
         [0016]    The case may have a hooking protrusion therein and the first and second guides respectively have a hooking protrusion corresponding to the hooking protrusion of the case. 
         [0017]    The base member and cover member may respectively have a locking portion for locking a center portion of the elastic band therebetween. 
         [0018]    The first guide may include first and second members engaged with each other, and the first and second members fix one end of the elastic band. 
         [0019]    The first and second members may respectively have a locking portion at a portion corresponding to each other, and the locking portion including a groove or a protrusion inserted into the corresponding groove and fixing the one end of the elastic band therebetween. 
         [0020]    The first and second members may respectively have a hooking protrusion and a hooking hole for engaging the first and second members with each other. 
         [0021]    The second guide may include third and fourth members engaged with each other, and the third and fourth members fix the other end of the elastic band. 
         [0022]    The third and fourth members may respectively have a locking portion at a portion corresponding to each other, and the locking portion including a groove and a protrusion inserted into the corresponding groove and fixing the other end of the elastic band therebetween. 
         [0023]    The third and fourth members may have a hooking protrusion and a hooking hole for engaging the third and fourth members with each other. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a headwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view viewed  FIG. 3  in an opposite direction. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view for showing a wearing state of a headwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a headwear according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a visor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a headwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  illustrates a size adjusting portion of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are exploded perspective views of  FIG. 2 . Specifically,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate a size adjusting portion  3  connected to a wearing portion  1 . 
         [0034]    The size adjusting portion  3  is used to automatically adjust a circumferential length of the wearing portion  1 . 
         [0035]    In this embodiment, the headwear includes a general cap or a visor for shielding sunlight, whatever is put on a head of a wearer. 
         [0036]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wearing portion  1  may be a crown portion for being worn on the head of the wearer. Such a wearing portion  1  may be combined with a visor portion  5  for shielding sunlight at a front portion thereof. 
         [0037]    The wearing portion  1  has the size adjusting portion  3  connected at a rear portion thereof. The size adjusting portion  3  improves an external appearance and adjusts automatically the circumference of the wearing portion  1 . A structure of the size adjusting portion  3  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 . 
         [0038]    The size adjusting portion  3  includes a case  11 , a first guide  31 , a second guide  51 , and an elastic band  71 . 
         [0039]    The case  11  has both end portions opened such that the both end portions are communicated with each other. That is, the case  11  is formed as a substantially rectangular box having open end portions, and it has a cavity therein. In addition, the case  11  has a base member  13  and a cover member  15  engaged with each other. 
         [0040]    The base member  13  is covered with the cover member  15  at an internal portion of the wearing portion  1 . The base member  13  has a cavity therein, and also, has a fastening groove  13   a  opposed along a longitudinal direction. 
         [0041]    The cover member  15  has a fastening protrusion  15   a  corresponding to the fastening groove  13   a . The fastening protrusion  15   a  may be slid along the fastening groove  13   a . The fastening protrusion  15   a  is formed at an edge portion along a longitudinal direction of the cover member  15 . Accordingly, when the fastening protrusion  15   a  may be slid along the fastening groove  13   a , the base member  13  may be covered with the cover member  15 , thereby forming the case  11 . 
         [0042]    The case  11  formed in this manner has an open structure in which both end portions thereof are open and has a cavity therein. It is one example that the base member  13  and the cover member  15  are engaged in this manner, thereby forming the case  11 . Alternatively, the groove may be formed on the cover member  15  and the protrusion may be formed on the base member  13 . 
         [0043]    In addition, the base member  13  and the cover member  15  respectively have a locking groove  13   b  or locking protrusion  15   b  at the center portions thereof such that the locking groove  13   b  and the locking protrusion  15   b  press the elastic band  71  therebetween and maintain the same at a center portion thereof. The locking groove  13   b  may be substantially formed in a slit shape and the locking protrusion  15   b  may be substantially formed in a tooth shape, opposed to each other. For example, the locking groove  13   b  and the locking protrusion  15   b  are formed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (along Z-axis direction in  FIG. 3 ). They function to prevent the elastic band  71  from being moved. 
         [0044]    That is, since the locking groove  13   b  and the locking protrusion  15   b  press the elastic band  71  perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction at the center portion thereof, the elastic band  71  may have a bilaterally equal elasticity from the center thereof in a circumferential direction of the wearing portion  1 . In addition, although the elastic band  71  is repeatedly extended or contracted, the locking groove  13   b  and locking protrusion  15   b  may prevent the elastic band  71  from being twisted and may maintain an initial setting state thereof. 
         [0045]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base member  13  includes a first hooking protrusion  13   c  (see  FIG. 5 ). The first hooking protrusion  13   c  is protruded from both end portions of the bottom of the base member  13  toward the cover member  15 . 
         [0046]    The first hooking protrusion  13   c  is formed perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction (an X-axis direction of  FIG. 3 ). In addition, a plurality of first hooking protrusions  13   c  may be disposed in parallel along a Z-axis direction (see  FIG. 3 ). Such a hooking protrusion  13   c  prevents at least one end of the first and second guides  31  and  51  from being deviated from the case  11 . 
         [0047]    Meanwhile, the base member  13  may include an advertising portion  13   d  at an outer portion thereof such that a character or an ornamental design may be viewed. The advertising portion  13   d  may be caved into one surface of the base member  13 . 
         [0048]    It is one example that the advertising portion  13   d  is caved into one surface of the base member  13 . The advertising portion  13   d  may be formed in a plane, so that an advertising copy is printed thereon, or printed matter, a character or an ornamental design may be attached or engraved. Such an advertising portion  13   d  can enhance an advertising impact of an enterprise because the advertising portion  13   d  maintains the fine appearance of the headwear. 
         [0049]    Meanwhile, the first and second guides  31  and  51  are respectively disposed at both end portions of the case  11 . The first and second guides  31  and  51  respectively have a free end sliding into the case  11  and a fixed end enough thin to be sewn with the wearing portion  1 . 
         [0050]    The first guide  31  may be sewn by a yarn  32  at the fixed end in the wearing portion  1  and the second guide  51  may be sewn in parallel to the first guide  31  by the yarn  32  at the fixed end in the wearing portion  1  in the above manner. At this time, the fixed end may preferably be thinner than other parts and the elastic band  71  may also be sewn by the yarn  32  at both sides thereof along with each fixed end of the first and second guides  31  and  32 . In addition, the first and second guides  31  and  51  may cover the elastic band  71  such the elastic band  71  is not exposed. 
         [0051]    For end, the first guide  31  includes first and second members  33  and  35  engaged by an interference fit with each other. That is, the first member  33  is formed to have a cavity therein and the second member  35  is sliding into the first member  33 , and accordingly, the second member  35  closes one surface of the first member  33 . The second member  35  may be sewn by the yarn  32  (see  FIG. 6 ) at the fixed end thereof to the wearing portion  1 . 
         [0052]    Of course, it is one example that the second member  35  is sewn by the yarn at the fixed end hereof to the wearing portion  1 . Accordingly, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first member  33  may be combined to the wearing portion  1  when either the first member  33  is extended to have the fixed end. 
         [0053]    The first guide  31  may have a hooking protrusion  33   a  at the first member  33  and a hooking hole  35   a  at the second member  35 . Accordingly, when the hooking protrusion  33   a  is inserted into the hooking hole  35   a , the first member  33  may be engaged with the second member  35 . 
         [0054]    The first guide  31  may have a plurality of a band-locking protrusion  33   b  or a band-locking groove  35   b  opposed to each other at each fixed end of the first and second members  33  and  35 , so that the band-locking protrusion  33   b  and the band-locking groove  35   b  may fix the one end of the elastic band  71 . The band-locking protrusion  33   b  and the band-locking groove  35   b  are engaged with each other by an interference fit, with the band-locking protrusion  33   b  and the band-locking groove  35   b  having the elastic band  71  therebetween, and accordingly, they may fix the one end of the elastic band  71 . 
         [0055]    That is, the first and second guides may prevent the elastic band  71  from being exposed when extended or contracted, allow the elastic band  71  to be automatically extended or contracted, and improve the appearance of the headwear. 
         [0056]    The second guide  51  disposed opposite to the first guide  31  has third and fourth members  53  and  55  engaged with each other. That is, the third member  53  has a cavity therein, and the fourth member  55  is sliding into the third member  53  and closes one surface of the third member  53 . The fourth member  55  has a fixed end sewn by the yarn  32  (see  FIG. 6 ) to the wearing portion  1  corresponding the second member  35  of the first guide  31 . 
         [0057]    Of course, it is one example that the fixed end of the fourth member  55  is sewn by the yarn  32  to the wearing portion  1 . Accordingly, the third member  53  of the second guide  51  may be extended and connected by the yarn to the wearing portion  1 . 
         [0058]    The second guide  51  has a hooking protrusion  53   a  at the third member  53  and a hooking hole  55   a  at the fourth member  55 . When the hooking protrusion  53   a  is inserted into the hooking hole  55   a , the third member  53  is engaged with the fourth member  55 . The second guide  51  may have a band-locking protrusion  53   b  and a band-locking groove  55   b  opposed to each other at each fixed end of the third and fourth members  53  and  55 , so that the band-locking protrusion  53   b  and the band-locking groove  55   b  may fix the other end of the elastic band  71 . The band-locking protrusion  53   b  and the band-locking groove  55   b  are engaged with each other by an interference fit, and accordingly, with the band-locking protrusion  53   b  and the band-locking groove  55   b  having the elastic band  71  therebetween, and accordingly, they may fix one end of the elastic band  71 . 
         [0059]    In addition, the first and third members  33  and  53  respectively have a plurality of hooking protrusions  33   c  and  53   c  (see  FIG. 5 ) at the free end thereof opposite to the band locking protrusions  33   b  and  53   b.    
         [0060]    These hooking protrusions  33   c  and  53   c  may be engaged with the hooking protrusions  13   c  formed on the respective end of the base member  13  of the case  11 , such that they limit the movement of the first and second guides  31  and  51  in the case  11 . That is, even if the elastic band  71  is extended sufficiently in a circumferential direction, the first and second guides  31  and  51  are moved in the case  11 , and accordingly, the first and second guides  31  and  51  are prevented from being deviated from the case  11 . Such a structure allows an adjuster to be stably operated. 
         [0061]    The elastic band  71  is preferably made from materials having excellent elasticity in a longitudinal direction. 
         [0062]    How the headwear to be expanded or contracted according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
         [0063]    When the wearer puts the headwear on their head, the wearing portion  1  is extended such that it fits the head size of the wearer. At this time, the elastic band  71  is extended along a circumferential direction (longitudinal direction). And then, the first and second guides  31  and  51  are slid and extended along with the elastic band  71  and moved in the case  11 . On the other hand, when the headwear is taken off, the elastic band  71  is contracted along a circumferential direction (longitudinal direction). And then, the first and second guides  31  and  51  are slid and contracted along with the elastic band  71  and moved in the case  11 . 
         [0064]    As the first and second guides  31  and  51  surrounding the elastic band  71  are moved together in response to the extension or contraction of the elastic band  71  in this manner, the elastic band  71  may be prevented from being exteriorly exposed. Accordingly, the wearer may comfortably put the headwear on their head because the circumference of the wearing portion  1  is automatically extended or contracted, and also, the exterior aesthetical features may be maintained because the elastic band  71  is prevented from being exteriorly exposed. 
         [0065]    In addition, since the exterior of the case  11  maintains a constant shape, the advertising design provided on the case  11  can be always viewed. Accordingly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the advertising impact of an enterprise such as a sports marketing may be maximized by the headwear. 
         [0066]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a headwear according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the engagement of the elastic band  71  and the wearing portion sewn by the yarn  32  is illustrated. Such structure has the same actions as the above-noted exemplary embodiment. That is, the present invention may have various applications. The headwear according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 7  has the same structure as the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  except that the elastic band  71  is connected to the wearing portion. Accordingly, the same parts are not described for brief and convenient description. 
         [0067]      FIG. 8  shows a visor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the headwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a cap, a visor, and anything to be put on the head of a wearer. 
         [0068]    As such, since the headwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a structure automatically extended or contracted along a circumferential direction of the wearing portion thereof, a free-size headwear may be conveniently put on a head. 
         [0069]    In addition, since the headwear according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has no elastic band exposed, the exterior aesthetical features may be maintained. 
         [0070]    In addition, since a character or design for ornamenting the headwear or advertising an enterprise may be provided on the size adjusting portion of the headwear, the advertising impact may be maximized. 
         [0071]    While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
         [0072]    Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8