US3414906A - Cap - Google Patents

Description

Dec. l0,` 1968 C; BoNk ETAL 3,414,906

CAP

Filed Feb. 24, 1965 Vfpm j /GL INVENTOR CHA /M BOA/ff .5A/w 05A A Fon/f rz TTORNI Y HG. 5 BY @eX/LM United States Patent C) 3,414,906 CAP Chaim Bonk, 1916 Morgan Ave., and Samuel Rafowitz, 1922 Morgan Ave., both of St. Paul, Minn. 55116 Filed Feb. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 434,888 2 Claims. (Cl. 2-172) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cap having a body portion terminating in a common plane along its lower edge. An annular flap adapted to encircle the head of a wearer is connected to the lower edge of the cap by flexible tape wide enough to support the flap beneath the plane of the cap lower edge when in lowered position. The cap being foldable into the cap body when not in use. The flap is formed of two layers of resilient woven material. Plastic foam material is laminated to the inner surface of at least one of these layers.

This invention relates to an improvement in caps, and deals particularly with a cap having an ear flap structure adapted to resiliently t the sides of a persons head when the ear flap structure is in the extended position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means whereby the ear flap structure when in the extended position will snugly encircle the portions of a persons head.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means connecting the ear flap structure to the cap body wherein the thickness of the cap body with the ear ap structure folded into the body is substantially the same from the lower edge of the body to the point where the edge of the ear ap terminates.

While ear flaps have been known for a considerable period of time, two major disadvantages have consistently existed throughout the years. One, consisted of the greater thickness of the cap body along its terminal edge when the flap was folded inside the body. This tended to cause a reduction in circulation, proved generally uncomfortable, and in many instances left a mark around the persons head. In the event that the person purchased a cap which fitted snugly with the ear flap folded, the cap tended to t rather loosely when the ear iiaps were unfolded. As a result, the purchaser was forced to decide whether he wanted a cap which would fit properly with the ear flaps up, or with the ear ilaps down. Second, a continuing fault has existed with ear aps in the unfolded or downward position in that there normally was an opening or gap between the persons head and the flaps adjacent the temple. As a result, cold air could enter along the sides of the head resulting in discomfort.

We have found that the bulkiness along the lower edge of the cap body could be overcome by providing a tape secured adjacent the lower edge of the cap body to which the ear flap structure was also secured. In other words, an elongated tape is secured along one longitudinal edge adjacent the terminal edge of the cap body and secured along its other longitudinal edge to the ear flap structure. It will be understood that generally the cap bodies are made in such a way that the outer covering is turned inwardly and upwardly at its lower edge. If a single piece of cloth is used, at the point where the cloth is folded inwardly and upwardly, the edge is then doubled in bulk. If, therefore, ear flaps are secured to the cap body adjacent this lower terminal end, the bulk at the lower terminal edge of the cap body includes the thickness of the folded material, together with the thickness of the ear ap structure. It is this particular bulkiness which the present application has eliminated.

As will be understood, by providing a tape of at least a length conforming to the length of the ear ap strucrice ture and of a width suiiicient to enable the ap structure to be folded inwardly above the ends of the material forming the cap body, the bulkiness is avoided.

As will be understood further, we provide resilient means whereby the terminal edges of the downwardly extending ilap structure snugly encircle the portions of the head to which they are adjacent. This is accomplished by providing a resilient member of a length corresponding generally to the length of the terminal edge of the downwardly extending flap. The resilient member urges the flap structure into contacting relation along the sides of the head so as to avoid the problems which have been heretofore existent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cap having ear ap structure adapted to snugly t the head of a person having a resilient member along the terminal edge of the flap structure whereby the ap structure is urged into contact with the head.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ear Hap structure which may be used with a variety of cap structures including at least those having a visor such as hunting caps and the like, and further including those which might be termed to be pillbox in shape.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide an ear flap structure which may be of varying widths and which may encircle at least the major portion of the cap body.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide ear ilap structure connected to a cap body in which the ear ap structure may be made of any suitable material, such as nylon, tricot, acetates, foam laminated materials, and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cap having ear flap structure which is attractive in appearance, and which is more comfortable to wear than caps previously have been. Obviously, when the flap structure is folded upwardly to encircle the sides and other interior portions of the cap body, the cap is similar in appearance to any cap of the same general shape. At the same time, however, the cap while tting the persons head with the flap structure folded upwardly, nevertheless, has the advantage of being capable of fitting the head snugly when the flap structure is folded downwardly.

ln the preferred construction, the flexible resilient insert member which extends along the terminal edge of the flap is enclosed in material which corresponds to the rest of the flap. In other words, the ap is similar in appearance throughout its length if desired, or obviously, contrasting materials and colors can be utilized to envelop the 4resilient member of the terminal edge.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the facility of the flap to be made in different widths whereby it is possible to have the flaps extend lower at the back and sides of the head, and to be relatively narrow adjacent the forehead. This is an obvious advantage, as it is usual that the portion of the head which is of greatest circumference insofar as the cap is concerned, is usually located toward the rear of the cap. As a result, the flap can be of sufficient length to cover the ears and lower portions of the head snugly, while at the same time snugly encircling the forward portions of the head.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a conventional cap with the ear aps folded downwardly.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the cap shown in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View through a cap with the ear flap folded upwardly.

FIGURE 4 is a section of the cap with the flaps in the lowered position.

FIGURE 5 is a section taken along the lines 5 5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a section taken along thelines 6 6 of FIGURE 1.

The cap which is illustrated in the drawings is illustrative of the preferred construction of the present invention.

The cap A includes a generally elongated teardrop shapedcrown 10, which may be made of any desired material such as fabric, leather, imitation leather, laminates, nylons, tricot, acetates and the like.

Thecrown 10 is marginally secured by parallel rows ofstitching 12 and 14 to a dependingskirt portion 16, which is generally elliptical in shape, and which extends throughout a major portion of the circumference of the crown. It is obvious that the crown together with the skirt defines the depth of the cap body. If preferred, the generally cylindrical body portion of the cap can be formed in a substantially one-piece construction in the form of a pillbox.

Theforward portion 18 of the cap body is secured along a seam generally numbered 20 to a visor 22, which normally includes an upper layer, a lower layer, and an intermediate stifener which is noted in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. An elongated tape 24 extends along the outer periphery of thevisor 20 and is secured in desired relationship to the visor by stitching 26.

The remainder of the lower edge of the cap body is connected to anear muff structure 28, which includes side members such as theflap 30. As can be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the ear muif structure might more properly be termed a warming band as in the preferred construction thisband 28 encircles the head. The band tapers in depth .l

at the forward end as indicated at 32. Theforward end 32 is normally the narrowest depth of the warming band, the band being of greater depth at the rear 34, and in the preferred construction of greatest depth at theintermediate point 36 of the sides of the band.

The band may be of any desired material to conform or contrast with the cap body. For example, the band may be a knitted structure having foam laminated thereon, where alternatively fur or other warm material may be used.

We have found that an extremely attractive warming band is provided by having two layers of knitted material to which foam is laminated secured together with the foam portions in face relation so as to have the knitted portions exposed. This provides warmth as well as an attractive appearance. It will be understood that preferably themui structure 28 should be stretchable to some extent at least in longitudinal direction. Preferably, the muff or band is resilient in order to retain its shape. The mulf or band acts as a protector for the ears, back of the head and temple portion of the head when the band is lowered, and are within the cap body when the flaps are raised.

As may be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the warming band is secured to the cap body by means of atape 38. The connectingtape 38 extends in connecting relation between the warming band and thelower edge 40 of the cap body. Thetape 38 is of a length corresponding to the length of the warming band. The tape is in preferred construction folded in half so as to be generally U-shaped throughout its length. The tape is secured along its upper edge to the cap body by stitching 42. The warming band is secured between the lower ends 44 and 46 of the tape by stitching 48.

Turning to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that in the usual cap construction, theterminal end 40 of the cap body is formed by folding over the ends of the material as indicated at 50. Accordingly, theterminal end 40 is of double thickness as compared to upper portions of the skirt. This double thicknessv provides a ridge of material which encircles the head and actually is the determinant of the cap size. In most caps, some effort is made to eliminate this unsightly ridge by use of a liner of some type 0r another. The usual construction providing ear laps merely increases the bulk along this terminal edge, thereby even more tending to reduce the diameter of the terminal edge as compared to the diameter of upper portions of the cap body. However, as may be seen in FIGURE 4, thetape 38 is secured in any desirable way, such as by stitching to the foldedterminal edge 40. At this point, the thickness of the terminal edge includes the folded skirt portion which makes up the terminal edge and the upper edge of thetape 38. As may be seen in FIGURE 3, when the warming band is folded into the interior of the cap body, the thickness at the terminal edge corresponds to the thickness at the upper tape ends 44 and 46, substantially to the other portions of the warming band as well.

Turning again to FIGURE 4, we provide aresilient member 52, which extends along the lower terminal end of the warmingband 28. In the preferred construction, this resilient member preferably includes aninsert 54, which is held in secured relation along theedge 56 of the warming band by suitable stitching such as overlaid work which corresponds to the other portions of the band. Theresilient member 52 is adapted to stretch conformably to the shape of the head upon which the cap is worn and to snugly hold the warming band in engagement against the portions of the head. When the cap is removed from the head, the resilient member causes the band to return to its original shape. In the view pictured in FIGURE 4, theinsert 54, is overlain by knitting so as to conform to the other portions of the band. Again, it is obvious that contrasting colors may be used. The insert member may be of rubber-like material and generally cylindrical outline, although obviously, resilient members of other suitable geometric shapes could be used equally as well. The shape of the resilient member will depend upon the outline desired along the lower or terminal edge of the warming band.

Turning again to FIGURE 3, it will be observed that the comparative thickness of the resilient member, together with the depending skirt against which it resides when the warming band is folded into the cap body, is substantially equal to the thickness at theterminal edge 40. In other words, we have provided a substantially uniform thickness throughout the interior of the cap by our construction.

As may be seen in FIGURE 6, acrown 10 is secured to the dependingskirt 16 along aseam line 58. To provide thisseam 58, theedge 60 of the crown is folded over and secured to a cooperable edge 62 by stitching 64. The ends of the folded-overportions 60 and 62 are secured by generally parallel rows of stitching 14 and 12. In order to provide a finished appearance thetape 66 is in over lying relation to the turned edges 60 and 62, and secured by the rows of stitching 12 and 14.

In the event that a liner is used in the interior of the cap, the liner is secured in position under thetape 66.

The construction of the cap where the visor is secured to thefront 18 of the cap may be clearly seen in FIGURE 5. The terminal edge 68 of the crown is folded over in a manner similar to other edges which have been previously described. The upper and lower covering portions of the visor 70 and 72 extend into overlying relation to the ter- -minal edge 68 of the crown, where they are held in stitched relation along theseam 20.

If desired, a sizing band may lbe used in addition. As will be understood, a sizing band would extend in encircling relation `along the inner lower terminal edge of the cap body to act as a stiffener end backing, as well as to provide a definite sized relationship.

It will be observed in FIGURE 5, as in the preceding figures, that when the warming band is in a folded up* ward relation, that the thickness of material through the cap is substantially uniform. It will be further understood that as the connectingtape 38 is flexible, it will give in order to provide the uniformity and positioned relationship `between the folded edges of material.

It is a matter of importance that a variety of materials can be utilized in a particular cap construction without depriving the user of the desired advantages. While there are obvious advantages from the standpoint of the user, from the standpoint of the manufacturer there are even greater advantages. The manufacturer now, of course, can use a variety of materials in the same cap to provide even a greater range of color and beauty, -as `well as usefulness.

Returning to FIGURES 1 and 2, it -will be observed that .as the 'band has stretchability and resilience, that the band will not tend to deform when on the head of the wearer and will return to its usual shape upon removal from the head. In addition, this enables the band to snugly engage not only at the rear of the head iin conformance to that curvature, but in addition, to snugly tit across the ears and upwardly towards the temples. Obviously, the greatest stretch of the material should be along a front to back line as much as it is desired that the band hold its shape in an upward and downward direction as nearly as possible, in order to provide the greatest coverage of the head Iwhen unfolded.

It is obvious, therefore, that the purchaser of the cap may purchase a cap to t his head 4with the warming band folded inwardly and be assured that the cap will tit as desired, when the farming band is unfolded. In addition, the ypurchaser is assured that the warming band will fit snugly around the head to prevent the former drafts which occurred from entering along the sides of his head as in earlier construction.

In `accordance with the patent statutes, the principles of construction and operation of this improvement in caps have been described, and while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, it should lbe understood that changes may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A cap including:

a cap body having a crown, :and front, rear and side portions `connected to the marginal edges of said crown and having a continuous inwardly folded lower edge with the fold thereof bein-g in a substantially common plane,

an annular flap adapted to encircle the head of a wearer,

an annular tape having one longitudinal edge secured to, and inwardly of, said inwardly' folded lower edge of said cap body, and having its other longitudinal edge secured to the one edge of said Hap which is below the opposite edge of the said ap when the flap is `within said cap body,

said annular tape Vbeing of sufficient width to support sa'id one edge of said ap to which it is secured below said common plane when said ap is folded downwardly from said folded edge and the intermediate portion of said tape Ibetween said longitudinal edges thereof is adapted to fold beneath the folded edge of said cap body when said cap is worn with the flap in lowered position,

an eongated longitudinally stretchable member extending along said opposite edge of said flap which is uppermost when said flap is within said cap body and lowermost when said flap is folded down out of said cap body,

stretchable means enclosing said elongated lon-gitudinally stretchable member and sercuring it to said opposite edge of said flap,

said flap being formed of two layers of resilient woven material and a layer of plastic foam material with at least one of said two layers laminated to said plastic foam, the plastic foam being between said layers.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the other of said two layers of resilient woven material is laminated to said plastic foam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,379,142 5/1921 Wallace 2-172 1,380,703 6/1921 Carlson 2-192 1,462,279 7/ 1923 Guinzburg 2 197 X 2,462,258 2/1949 Dannenberg 2--172 2,717,394 9/1955 Portis 2-172 2,885,683 5/1959 Lipkin 2-172 705,068 7/1902 Gordon 2-172 1,350,869 8/1920 Kornfeld 2-172 2,634,725 4/1953 Lo Presti 2-174 X JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

G. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner.

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