Patent Document

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120 
       [0001]    The present Application is a continuation-in-part application of, and claims priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/337993 entitled “Baseball Style Cap with Amplified Stereo Speakers” filed Jan. 25, 2006, and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to combined headgear and electronic means to provide music. More specifically, the invention relates to a combined baseball type cap and music signal provided to the speakers integrated as part of the cap. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    U.S. Design Pat. 321,581 to Li discloses an ornamental combined cap and radio. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,746 to Gelber discloses headgear, such as a cap having a crown, a brim and an internal sweatband or flap, combined with an electronic receiving device, such as a radio, which is connected to the inner surface of the flap by a first double sided adhesive strip. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,961 to Peng discloses a cap structure with sound recording and generating means and warning lights includes digitalized sound recording and releasing means and light emitting diodes on a visor. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat No. 7,031,068 to Himmele disclose a hands-free binocular visor headgear for viewing sporting and other events where it is desirable to use binoculars but also have the free use of the hands. 
         [0007]    When using mobile audio devices, it is helpful to deliver the sound as close as possible to the user&#39;s ears for better audio perception. However, using earbuds or headphones to deliver the sound also tends to block the listener from perceiving other sounds, such as emergency alarms, phone rings, or another person&#39;s words. Consequently, such conventional forms of audio delivery may place the user (and others around him/her) in danger if a warning or alarm is not heard due to the use of earbuds or earphones. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    One novel embodiment provides a baseball-style cap having amplified stereo speakers. The baseball cap includes a crown adapted to fit a head of a user, a horizontally extending brim/bill attached to the crown, and a sweatband secured to an inner surface of the crown by at least one edge. Additionally, a contoured pliable battery holder having an opening therethrough may be positioned within the inner surface of the crown above the area of attachment of the horizontally extending brim/bill. The contoured pliable battery holder may comprise a flat surface and a convex surface, the flat surface facing inward and the convex surface facing outward. The flat surface may be adapted to substantially rest adjacent to a forehead of a user. In one example, the contoured pliable battery holder is approximately hemispherical-shaped. A flat surface of the contoured pliable battery holder may be adapted to substantially rest adjacent to a forehead of a user. The contoured rigid battery holder may be contoured to the shape of a forehead of the user. 
         [0009]    A contoured rigid battery holder may be positioned within the opening of the contoured pliable battery holder. A flap having a first end and a second end may be included within the crown, where the first end is secured to the inner surface of the crown at the area of attachment of the horizontally extending brim/bill, and the second end is removably secured to the inner surface of the crown at an area above the contoured pliable battery holder by attaching means. A stand-alone amplifier may be positioned within the sweatband configured to amplify audio signals originating from an adjacent external signal source. At least two stand-alone speakers may be integrated within the brim/bill with their direction of sound propagation pointed downward from the brim/bill. The speakers may have a thickness equal to or less than the thickness of the brim/bill so that the speakers are concealed within the thickness of the brim/bill. 
         [0010]    The baseball style cap may be adapted to receive a signal from an external music signal generator. For instance, the speakers may be connected by wire means to the amplifier. The battery holder is connected to the amplifier by wire means. The stand-alone amplifier may include a receiver to wirelessly receive the audio signals from the adjacent external signal source. Additionally, the amplifier may include an ON/OFF switch located on the side of the amplifier, the ON/OFF switch protruding through an edge of the sweatband. The amplifier may also include an LED light protruding through the edge of the sweatband, the LED light adapted to illuminate a blue light when the ON/OFF switch is turned ON. The amplifier may also include a female stereo audio jack connector, the female stereo audio jack connector configured to connect to a male connector of an external music signal generator. The external signal generator may include stereo audio cable means, the stereo audio cable means having a male connector to fit in the female stereo audio jack connector on the amplifier. A stereophonic signal is provided to the amplified stereo speakers to provide stereophonic music. The external music signal generator may be one of a compact disc player, MP3 player, AM/FM radio, a device with a 3.5 mm jack or a device that can provide stereophonic music signal. 
         [0011]    Another embodiment may provide a baseball style cap having integrated stereo speakers. The cap may include a crown adapted to fit a head of a user, a horizontally extending brim/bill attached to the crown, a sweatband secured to an inner surface of the crown by at least one edge, a contoured pliable battery holder having an opening therethrough, the contoured pliable battery holder positioned within the inner surface of the crown above the area of attachment of the horizontally extending brim/bill. Additionally, a contoured rigid battery holder may be positioned within the opening of the contoured pliable battery holder. A flap having a first end and a second end may also be included within the crown, where the first end is secured to the inner surface of the crown at the area of attachment of the horizontally extending brim/bill, and the second end is removably secured to the inner surface of the crown at an area above the contoured pliable battery holder by attaching means. At least two stand-alone speakers may be integrated within the brim/bill with their direction of sound propagation pointed downward from the brim/bill. The speakers may have a thickness equal to or less than the thickness of the brim/bill so that the speakers are concealed within the thickness of the brim/bill wherein the baseball style cap is adapted to receive a signal from an external music signal generator. The cap may further include means to provide external audio signals to the speakers and means for amplifying audio signals originating from an adjacent external signal source prior to reaching the speakers. The contoured pliable battery holder may comprise a flat surface and a convex surface, the flat surface facing inward and the convex surface facing outward. The flat surface may be adapted to substantially rest adjacent to a forehead of a user. The contoured rigid battery holder may be contoured to the shape of a forehead of the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a baseball-style cap and stereo combination according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a left-side view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a right-side view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5A-5B  are top and bottom views of a contoured pliable battery holder for use with the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a contoured rigid battery holder for use with the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section of the baseball-style cap combination of  FIG. 7  taken along lines  8 - 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1  with a flap extended. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a circuit for use with the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a baseball-style cap and stereo combination according to an embodiment of the invention. The baseball-style cap combination  16  includes a crown  16   a , an amplifier  12 , a battery holder  13  with the batteries  19  in phantom, and stereo low profile micro-miniature speakers  14  and  15  within brim/bill  17 . The cap may be of any conventional design and manufacture and includes a cap crown  16   a , a brim/bill  17  and a peripheral sweatband  18 . In one embodiment, only one edge of the sweatband  18  is sewn to the crown enabling the sweatband  18  to be pulled away from the crown  16   a  to enable access to the inner surface therein. This enables the wires from the battery holder  13  to allow threading in the sweatband  18  to the amplifier  12 . This also allows wires from the amplifier  12  to the speakers  14  and  15 . The ON/OFF switch  10  of the amplifier  12  is also shown in this view as the LED light  11  that when illuminated indicates that the amplifier is turned ON. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, speakers  14  and  15  are enclosed by the cloth that covers the brim/bill  17  during assembly. In some embodiments, speakers  14  and  15  are “low profile micro miniature speakers” with rare earth magnets. Also shown are the battery holder  13 , the amplifier  12 , the sweatband or flap  18 , the cap crown  16   a , and the brim/bill  17 . The speakers  14  and  15  may be sufficiently thin to fit completely within the thickness of the brim/bill  17 . For example, the brim/bill  17  may be between ⅛ and 3/16 of an inch thick. Due to their thinness, the speakers  14  and  15  may be completely concealed within the brim/bill  17  and may be covered by an exterior cloth of the brim/bill  17 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a left-side view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . As shown,  FIG. 3  illustrates baseball-style cap combination  16  including stereo speaker  15 , the amplifier  12 , the ON/OFF switch  10 , audio stereo jack  10   a , and the LED light  11  that, when illuminated, indicates when the amplifier  12  is turned ON.  FIG. 3  also illustrates the crown  16   a , the brim/bill  17 , the connecting wire  20 , and speaker  15 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a right-side view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . As shown,  FIG. 4  illustrates baseball-style cap combination  16  including stereo speaker  14 , the battery holder  13  with the batteries  19  in phantom. In this view there is also seen brim/bill  17  and the top of the stereo speaker  14 . The wires  22  connecting speaker  14  is also seen in this view. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 5A-5B  are top and bottom views of a contoured pliable battery holder for use with the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention. The contoured pliable battery holder  13  may generally comprise a contoured surface and a flat surface. That is, the contoured pliable battery holder  13  may be approximately hemispherical-shaped. In one embodiment, the contoured surface may be approximately convex and include an opening adapted to hold a battery holder  19  (explained in more detail below). Generally, the flat surface faces the inner part of the baseball-style cap combination  16  (i.e., inward) while the contoured surface faces the outer part of the baseball-style cap combination  16  (i.e., outward). In one embodiment, the contoured pliable battery holder  13  may be positioned in a front portion of the baseball-style cap combination  16  approximately above the brim/bill  17 ; however, the contoured pliable battery holder  13  may alternatively be positioned at any location about the crown  16   a  of the baseball-style cap combination  16 . The contoured pliable battery holder  13  may be made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam or an equivalent material. 
         [0027]    Advantageously, the shape and configuration of the contoured pliable battery holder  13  substantially aligns with the contour of the baseball-style cap combination  16  resulting in a low- to no-profile of the contoured pliable battery holder  13 . In this manner, an on-looker will likely not be able to observe the contoured pliable battery holder  13  within the baseball-style cap combination  16 . Also, the foam acts a cushion to the forehead of a user and it is anticipated that the user will likely not feel the battery holder/forehead cushion  13  when wearing the baseball-style cap combination  16 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a contoured rigid battery holder for use with the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the contoured rigid battery holder  19  includes a convex surface and a concave surface. That is, the contoured rigid battery holder  19  is substantially contoured to simultaneously fit the curvature of a forehead of the user and the curvature of, for example, the baseball-style cap combination  16 . The contoured rigid battery holder  19  may be made of injected plastic and may hold a plurality of batteries. In one embodiment, the contoured rigid battery holder  19  holds one or more batteries (e.g., four AAA-size batteries). In some embodiments, the contoured rigid battery holder  19  is configured to be approximately the same size as the opening in the contoured pliable battery holder  13 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1 . As shown,  FIG. 7  illustrates the baseball-style cap combination  16  including the cap crown  16   a  and the brim/bill  17 . Also shown are the contoured pliable battery holder  13  and the battery holder/forehead cushion  19  in phantom. Advantageously, the speakers  14  and  15  cannot be viewed by an on-looker because they are low profile micro miniature speakers and substantially or completely incorporated within the brim/bill  17 . Additionally, another benefit is that the speakers  14  and  15  will not block the view of the user when wearing the baseball-style cap combination  16  due to their low- to no-profile configuration (see  FIG. 8  and accompanying text). 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section of the baseball-style cap combination of  FIG. 7  taken along lines  8 - 8 . As shown,  FIG. 8  illustrates the brim/bill  17  having an inner portion  17   a  and an outer portion  17   b . In some embodiments, inner portion  17   a  comprises injected plastic or equivalent and outer portion  17   b  comprises a covering such as porous audio cloth or equivalent. In one method of manufacturing, plastic is injected into a molding to form the brim/bill  17  leaving an opening for a speaker to be positioned therein.  FIG. 8  illustrates the speaker  14  within inner portion  17   a  of the brim/bill  17 . As shown, the speaker  14  is substantially or completely confined within inner portion  17   a . Also, because the speakers  14  and  15  are positioned within the brim/bill  17 , the projection of sound emanating therefrom is generally towards the front of the user&#39;s face rather than adjacent to the user&#39;s ears. In this respect, the user&#39;s ears are protected from sounds with too high of a frequency or decibel which may cause damage to the user&#39;s ears. 
         [0031]    One advantage of positioning the speakers  14  and  15  in the brim/brill  17  is that the user&#39;s ears are not blocked or obstructed by earbuds or earphones. Therefore, the user can listen to desired audio via the speakers  14  and  15  while still being able to hear alarms, warnings, and/or another person&#39;s voice. For example, while a user is bicycling he/she may listen to music over the speakers  14  and  15  while still being able to listen to listen to ambulance sirens and car warning honks. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1  with a flap extended. As shown,  FIG. 9  illustrates the baseball-style cap combination  16  including the crown  16   a , the brim/bill  17 , the sweatband  18 , the ON/OFF switch  10 , an audio stereo jack  10   a  and speakers  14  and  15  (in phantom). In some implementations, the cap may further include a wireless receiver, such as a Bluetooth connection that allows reception of audio signals, e.g, from a nearby digital music device. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  also illustrates the contoured pliable battery holder  13  housing the contoured rigid battery holder  19  with a flap  21  in an open position therefrom. Generally, the flap  21  is capable of moving from an open position to a closed position. In the open position (as shown), the flap  21  reveals the battery holder/forehead cushion  13  housing battery holder  19 . The flap  21  may be moved to the open position when a user is changing the batteries in the battery holder  19 . In the closed position (not shown), the flap  21  conceals the battery holder/forehead cushion  13  housing battery holder  19 . The flap  21  may be moved to the closed position when the baseball-style cap combination  16  is being worn by the user. The flap  21  may include attaching means such as VELCRO or equivalent for securing the flap  21  to the crown  16   a  in the closed position. Advantageously, the flap  21  is made of a soft material, such as EVA foam or equivalent which further serves to cushion the forehead of a user, i.e., in addition to the cushioning effect of the contoured pliable battery holder  13 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  illustrates a circuit for use with the baseball-style cap and stereo combination of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown,  FIG. 10  illustrates a circuit  12  including the ON/OFF switch  10  and the audio stereo jack  10   a . In one embodiment, the circuit  12  is configured to fit within the sweatband  18  of the baseball-style cap  16 . Such size allows for concealment (and therefore protection from the elements and protection from bodily fluids, e.g., sweat from the user) of the circuit  12  while providing an adjustable means to amplify sound emanating from the speakers  14  and  15 . 
         [0035]    While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention is not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 1