Abstract:
A baseball styled cap that retains an elasticized sleeve on the inside, front wall of the cap. A portable audio player or radio can be inserted into the sleeve and connected to a pre-installed wiring and speaker system that is integrated into the fabric seams of the cap. This unitary configuration allows the cap with audio system to be worn and used in comfort, with little or no limitation on the physical activity of the wearer.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to hats and caps and, more particularly, to hats and caps designed to retain an audio system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable radios and music players with miniature speakers are widely distributed among the U.S. consumer public. These devices are especially popular with sports enthusiasts, who often carry them when they exercise or attend sports events. They are also commonly used by persons who engage in repetitive work, as they provide an entertaining distraction from what would otherwise be a boring routine, whether at the workplace or at home. 
     The popularity of portable audio devices has increased markedly with the advent of digital technology, which has allowed them to become ever smaller and lighter; today, some are scarcely more than an ounce in weight and have a surface area that is smaller than a credit card. The companion speakers, which can be inserted directly into the ears, are scarcely larger than pencil erasers. Among these audio devices are ones known to the public by the trade names MP3, NANO and iPod. 
     A number of prior inventions attempt to integrate these types of devices with articles of clothing, particularly hats, caps and other forms of head gear, with the intent of allowing a person to use an audio device while engaged in exercising, working, commuting or other activities. Moreover, stealing audio devices has become a significant problem, due to the fact that such devices tend to be very small and easily removed. In fact, the term for such theft is “i-jacking.” 
     As example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,615 to Gesten for AUDIO ASSEMBLY AND CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR HATS shows a container apparatus attached to the visor of a standard baseball cap. The container is sized to accept a small radio or audio player, with a secondary compartment for keys, money or other small items. While this design might have some utility for joining an audio device to a cap, any vigorous activity, or even brisk walking, would tend to tilt the cap forward because of the load factor on the cap&#39;s visor. For this reason, the Gesten apparatus is not desirable for normally active persons. 
     A number of patents show a head band styled garment fabricated to retain an audio device or apparatus. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,903 to Schultz et al. for HEADBAND WITH ADJUSTABLE SPEAKER SUPPORTING MEANS discloses a wearable band which encircles the head in a belt like manner. The band retains two compartments which register with the ears of the user. Audio speakers can be inserted in these compartments, with their respective wires threaded out the rear portion of the head band to a separate audio playing device, which is carried in a jacket or other garment pocket, or in the hands of the user. 
     In a similar design, U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,698 to Burton et al. for WEARABLE AUDIO RECEPTION DEVICE shows a head band garment which has attachment means for securing an audio playing device directly to the rear portion of the head band. This apparatus does not cover or in any way register with the ears of the user. Rather, it allows the wearer to utilize standard speaker components which insert into the ears, with their respective connecting wires freely suspended and attached to the audio player. 
     The above patents have the disadvantage of being too warm for some wearers to use comfortably in mild weather. Additionally, they provide none of the sun shade benefits which are provided by caps or hats with visors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,026 to Mo for CAP WITH HEADPHONES ASSEMBLY shows a cap with headphone assembly, whereby the headphones are attached to pivotal arms which are secured to opposing sides of the cap. The headphones can thus be swiveled downward to cover the ears of the user, or swiveled upward when not in use. A first headphone retains a radio, which is electrically connected to speakers in each of the headphones. The chief disadvantage of this device is the fact that it is aesthetically conspicuous and ungainly, with the headphones appearing and performing substantially as ear muffs, albeit ear muffs with sound. Also, the pivotal apparatus renders the cap too heavy and awkward for vigorous sports activity. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,160 to Sheppard for CAP WITH AUDIO SYSTEM discloses a cap with opposing tabs extending downward in proximity to the user&#39;s ears. A fabric pocket on the inside of the cap allows the placement of an audio player, with speakers attached to the aforementioned tabs. Designed for use while the wearer is at rest or asleep, this device has little utility for persons participating in sports, exercise or even light physical activity like walking. 
     All of the above patents combine audio apparatus with caps or headbands, but each combines the components in a way that is either cumbersome, impractical, visually ungainly or some combination thereof. As will be shown, the invention described herein avoids these limitations by providing a hat and audio system that are integrated in a manner that is stylistically discreet, as well as functionally and ergonomically efficient. 
     What is needed is a garment for carrying portable, miniature radios and music players that is both comfortable and inconspicuous. Moreover, the garment should be easily used, so that the wearer may insert and remove the earphones in a short time without becoming entangled in wires. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a baseball styled cap that is fitted with an inside sleeve which nests against the front wall of the cap. The sleeve comprises an elasticized fabric, and is proportioned to accept a variety of commonly used, portable audio players or radios. 
     The cap is pre-wired with a speaker assembly comprising two earplug speakers and a connector plug which inserts into the audio player/receiver device. The cap has an inside cuff which extends along the length of the inside rim. This cuff creates a narrow channel in which to thread the wires of the speaker assembly. It also allows the wires to be discreetly contained, so that the only portions visible are short lengths, one each for the two earplug speakers. 
     The elasticized sleeve is positioned directly above the inside rim of the cap. This position allows it to occupy the void space that exists between the cap&#39;s lower rim—which rests on the forehead just above the eyebrows of the user—and the top front portion of the cap. Though small, this void space is sufficient to accommodate a late generation, miniature digital audio player or radio. This positioning, and the placement of wiring in the fabric seams of the cap, allow the entire audio system to be worn and used in comfort, with little or no limitation on the physical activity of the wearer. Moreover, the hat or cap earplugs can be inserted into and removed from the user&#39;s ears easily and even unobtrusively. 
     As will be seen in greater detail, no other invention disclosed or yet discovered combines the above cited advantages of style, comfort and operational performance in one unitary system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cut-away side view of the invention showing basic components; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a cut-away front view of the invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a cut-away front view of another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a cut-away side view of the invention showing the invention worn by a user; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a cut-away side view of the invention showing the invention worn in an alternate manner by a user; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a top view of an isolated component; and 
         FIG. 4   b  is a top view of the invention showing a diagram of the wire circuitry. 
     
    
    
     Like components or process steps have identical reference numbers throughout the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4   b , the invention is shown to comprise a cap  10  such as a baseball cap in the preferred embodiment, having a visor  12 . Of course, other types of hats or caps can be used with the invention. A sleeve  14  is attached to the inside of cap  10  by means of a fastener  16  well known to those of skill in the art. Audio device  18  inserts into sleeve  14 , which has an elasticized fabric that gathers securely around an audio device  18 , such as a miniature radio or music player (e.g., iPod, MP3 player, etc.). It should be understood that, in addition to elasticized fabric, cotton, wool, synthetic blends, nylon, fleece, corduroy, or denim can be used. 
     Connector plug  20  inserts into audio device  18 . Connector plug  20  is attached to a dual wire  42 , which splits to form speaker wires  22  and  24 . Speaker wires  22  and  24  are threaded through holes  32  and  34 , respectively, in a cuff  30 , and then extend to their respective terminations at speakers or earphones or buds  26  and  28 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2   a , cuff  30  extends along the circumferential bottom of cap  10 . Cuff  30  creates a channel  36  along which speaker wires  22  and  24  are lain. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2   a , fastener  16  is attached to opposing ends of sleeve  14 . Fastener  16  affixes to inside of hat  10  by means of Velcro® adhesion. Although a Velcro adhesion means is preferred for the embodiment described herein, other fastening means could also be utilized, including but not limited to buttons, snaps, adhesive tape, magnets, pins, and cord ties. 
     Cuff  30  is pressed against the sidewalls of cap  10  by fastener  31 . Fastener  31  utilizes Velcro° adhesion, which allows cuff  30  to be separated from sidewall of cap  10  to allow for adjustment or storage inside of hat  10  of speaker wires  22  and  24 , and for storage of connector  20  and dual wire  42  when those components are not in use. 
     The sum of these features and advantages is contained in one another embodiment of the invention ( FIG. 2   b ), which allows for an alternate placement of the aforementioned sleeve  14  and audio device  18 . In this embodiment, sleeve  14  is aligned down the center axis of cap  10 , with the open end of sleeve  14  oriented towards the crown of cap  10  and the closed end oriented towards visor  12 . This allows the invention to be worn in a backwards position, which, for stylistic reasons, is the favored position for some users. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3   a , sleeve  14  and audio player device  18  occupy a void space  44  that occurs when hat  10  sits upon the head  42  of a user  40 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3   b , hat  10  can be adjusted on the head of the user  40  into a forward tilted position so as to allow audio device  18  to rest upon, and thereby be supported by, the forehead of user  40 . This provides a secure foundation for the audio device  18 , as well as the system as a whole, thus allowing the user  40  to comfortably engage in vigorous activities like jogging, biking or other forms of exercise. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3   b , speaker wires  22  and  24  extend from connector plug  20  in audio device  18  and run along cuff channel  36  through holes  32  and  34  to terminate at respective speakers  26  and  28 , which are inserted into the ears of user  40 . Holes  32 ,  34  can be formed by any method known in the art, including riveting with suitable rivet tools. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4   a , dual wire  42  extends from connector  20 . Dual wire  42  splits to form speaker wires  22  and  24 , which terminate at speakers  26  and  28  respectively. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4   b , dual wire  42  splits a short distance (approximately 2 inches) from connector  20  at audio device  18 . Though equal in length, speaker wires  22  and  24  have different passage lengths along cuff channel  36  before exiting respectively through holes  32  and  34 . Because speaker wire  24  has only a short passage to exit hole  32 , it is shirred to take up the excess wire, with the shirred coils tucked into cuff channel  36 . Alternatively, speaker wire  24  may be cut to appropriate length. This allows the invention to be worn more comfortably, and without the encumbrance of dangling excess wires or other components. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , speaker wires  22  and  24  ( FIG. 1 ) suspend from hat  10  at a position located to the rear of the user&#39;s  40  ears. This location allows the speaker wires  22 ,  24  to be partially tucked behind the ear lobes of the user  40 , thus helping to constrain wires  22 ,  24  during vigorous activity. Additionally, this location provides stylistic advantages, because it serves to mask the visual impact of the speaker wires  22 ,  24  to a degree that renders them virtually invisible to all but the most preternaturally curious observers. 
     When the audio playing system is not in use, audio device  18  may be unplugged from connector  20  and completely removed from sleeve  14 . Connector  20  and dual wire  42  may then be tucked into cuff channel  36  for storage until further use. Similarly, speakers  26 ,  28  and their respective wires  22 ,  24  may also be tucked into channel  36  for convenient, out of the way storage until further use. In this manner, the invention may perform all the functions of a hat, but without the unsightly adornments associated with electrical wiring and apparatus. 
     The above advantages and comforts, combined with the discreet and secure containment of the major audio. components when the invention is used for audio play or reception, distinguishes the invention from other known patents. In summary, no other invention allows a hat to perform all the functions of style and utility for which a hat is desired while providing a secure platform for an audio system. 
     Since other modifications are changes varied to fit particular operating conditions and environments or designs will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the examples chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true scope of this invention. 
     Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.