Fashion is an artistic expression that lets users define a unique style through their apparel selections. Ball caps are a part of the available apparel that a user may adorn to express themselves. The conventional ball cap uses a sectional attachment of tapered fabric pieces to form a dome area and a hard bill that is either flat or curved across the front brim of the ball cap. The sections of the done are typically sewn together. Typically six sections are sewn together to form the dome section. The embellishments to a ball cap are usually found in the color selection, the addition of a logo or other surface printing, additional seams along the panels, pin holes around the top, or the button where the dome panels converge. However, the ball cap has not undergone much creative advancement over the years. Specifically, the design of the ball cap, including the profile that it defines has not been altered.
Exemplary embodiments described herein include caps having a domed section in which the dome may be created by one or more panels and the dome profile may be defined by one or more seams and by two or more darts. The one or more panels may include the one or more seams between terminal ends of respective panels. The seams may be between adjacent separate panels or between terminal ends of the same panel. The cap may include one or more darts to deform the panels and define a desired profile for the cap. A panel may have no darts, a single dart, two darts, three darts, four darts, or other combination of darts. The cap may also include a fitted mechanism at the back of the cap. The fitted mechanism may include a system for altering a circumferential length of the cap at the outer perimeter to accommodate various head sizes.
The following detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
Exemplary embodiments described herein include caps having a domed section in which the dome is created by one or more panels and the dome profile is defined by one or more seams and by two or more darts. The combination of seams and darts and their respective strategic position may define novel and unique cap profiles.
In an exemplary embodiment, a cap may be created by one or more panels of separate material sections coupled together. The one or more panels may include one or more seams between terminal ends of respective panels. The seams may be between adjacent separate panels or between terminal ends of the same panel. The cap may include two or more darts to deform the panels and define a desired profile for the cap. A panel may have no darts, a single dart, two darts, three darts, four darts, or other combination of darts. In an exemplary embodiment, a dart may be positioned between adjacent seams. For example, each panel may include a single dart and each panel coupled to an adjacent panel by a seam. The cap may include two or more darts between adjacent seams. For example, each panel may define two darts and be coupled to an adjacent panel by a seam.
Different combinations of panels may be used, such that adjacent panels may have the same or a different number of darts as an adjacent panel. In an exemplary embodiment, each panel is the same around the cap. In an exemplary embodiment, two configurations of panels may be used. The different configurations may be alternated between adjacent panels. For example, one configuration of panel may include a dart, while a second configuration of panel may not include a dart. The dart and non-dart panels may alternate around the circumference of the cap. The two configurations of panels may also be positioned adjacent to each other, such that a panel may have a first panel along one adjacent edge that is of the same configuration and a second panel along the other adjacent edge that is of a different configuration. A panel may also have both panels on opposing side where each panel is of the same configuration, while another panel of the cap may be coupled along one or both sides to another panel that is of a different configuration than itself. The pattern of panels including the same or different configurations may be symmetric about the center of the cap from front to back. The pattern of panels including the same or different configurations may be asymmetric about the center of the cap from front to back.
In an exemplary embodiment, the darts may extend along a length within a panel. The darts of a cap may all be of the same length of may be of different lengths. For example, a dart may extend approximately ⅕, ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, ¾, along the length of a panel between the top of the hat to a bottom exterior, terminal perimeter. A dart may also extend from a bottom exterior, terminal perimeter to the top of the hat, along the length of a panel or upward a partial distance toward the top of the hat. In an exemplary embodiment, the darts converge on a central, top of the dome section of the cap. The darts may meet at the center of the dome portion of the cap. In an exemplary embodiment the darts and seams converge toward the same point. In an exemplary embodiment, the darts terminate before a bottom exterior perimeter of the cap. In an exemplary embodiment, the darts extend from the bottom exterior perimeter of the cap.
The widths of the respective panels may be the same or different. For example, the panels with more darts may be wider around a circumference of the cap than other panels with fewer or no darts.
Exemplary embodiments illustrated in
The seam 24 and plurality of darts 25 may converge at a point and extend outwardly away from each other toward an exterior perimeter of the cap. The seam may extend from the point (under a button 26) to the exterior perimeter of the cap. The seam may traverse an entire surface length from the point to the exterior perimeter of the cap. The plurality of darts may extend from the point toward the exterior perimeter. The plurality of darts may terminate before the exterior perimeter of the cap. The plurality of darts may traverse only a partial surface length from the point to the exterior perimeter of the cap.
As shown in
As shown in
The cap may include embellishments or decorations. For example, the cap may include a cover at the convergence of the seam and darts. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover may be a button 26. However, other components may be used to cover the meeting of the panels defined by the seam and darts, or the convergence may remain visually exposed.
The cap may include a bill 28 as illustrated. The bill 28 may be generally planar or may be curved. The bill 28 may define an outer curved perimeter. The bill may couple to the exterior perimeter of the dome portion along a portion of the dome portion. The bill may extend outwardly from the dome portion generally perpendicular to a surface of the dome portion. Other bill configurations are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The bill may define an outer curved perimeter. The bill may define other geometric perimeters such as square, rectangular, ovoid, elliptical, and combinations thereof. The outer edge of the bill may define linear, curved, or curvi-linear sections along its length.
The cap may include a fitted mechanism at the back of the cap. The fitted mechanism may include a system for altering a circumferential length of the cap at the outer perimeter to accommodate various head sizes. The fitted mechanism may be, for example, buttons, buckle, tether, elastic, pull chord, and combinations thereof. Exemplary fitted mechanism is described in more detail with respect to
As shown, the seams may align along a width of the cap. The seams may be oriented along any diameter of the cap, such as from front to back, or side to side, or any orientation there between. In an exemplary embodiment, the seams may form a linear projection as seen from a top elevation above the top of the cap. The seams may be positioned approximately 180 degrees from an adjacent seam. The panels may therefore define a first side and a second side and be mirror reflections of the other panel. The sides may be a lateral sides, such as would correspond to the sides of a head of a user. The sides may be forward and backward, such as would correspond to the forehead and back of the head of a user.
In an exemplary embodiment, the seams do not align. For example, an acute angle may be defined between a first seam and the next adjacent second seam, or an obtuse angle may be defined between a third seam and the next adjacent fourth seam. The angles may be the rotational distance about the circumference of the cap from one seam to the next adjacent seam. The angles may also be seen as the angle between the seam lines when the cap is viewed in elevation from above the top of the cap (such as illustrated in
An exemplary cap may include a plurality of darts 35. As shown, the cap may include four darts 35. Each panel 32 may therefore have two darts 35. In an exemplary embodiment, two darts 35 may be positioned between two adjacent seams 34. In this case, as the cap is circumferentially traversed, the combination of seams and darts may look like seam-dart-dart-seam-dart-dart. Each panel 32 may include any number of darts 35. For example, each panel may include three darts, such that three darts are positioned between adjacent seams.
The positions of the seams and darts may be equidistantly arranged. For example, a seam or dart may be approximately 60 degrees from an adjacent seam or dart for the two seam, four dart configuration.
In an exemplary embodiment, the dome of the cap may be defined by a combination of six darts and seams. The six darts and seams may be positioned approximately 60 degrees away from an adjacent seam or dart. The six darts and seams may include at least two darts and at least one seam. The darts and seams may include, for example: one seam and five darts, two seams and four darts, three seams and three darts, four seams, and two darts. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one dart may be positioned between two seams.
In an exemplary embodiment, the dome of the cap may be defined by a combination of five darts and seams. The five darts and seams may be positioned approximately equidistantly away from an adjacent dart or seam, such as approximately 72 degrees away from an adjacent seam or dart. The five darts and seams may also be unequally spaced. For example, one spacing may be approximately 120 degrees while the remaining spacings between adjacent darts and/or seams is approximately 60 degrees. Other spacings may be used in any combination between adjacent darts and seams. For example, a dart may be positioned approximately 15, 30, 45, 50, 60, 72, or 75 degrees away from an adjacent dart or seam.
In an exemplary embodiment, a first seam may be aligned with a center of the cap from the center toward the front of the cap. A second and third seam may be positioned extending toward a rear of the cap and off-center from the first seam. As shown, none of the seams may linearly align as viewed from an elevation above the cap.
In an exemplary embodiment, a seam may align with a dart. The alignment may position the seam and dart within the same plane. A seen from an elevation above the cap, a dart may appear to be a linear extension of a seam. In an exemplary embodiment, each seam may have a corresponding dart extending form a terminal end thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, less each seam may not have a corresponding dart extending from a terminal end thereof.
In an exemplary embodiment, the panels are configured such that two darts appear to be extensions of two seams as described herein, and two of the seams appear to be linear extensions of each other. In an exemplary embodiment, a panel of the first configuration traverses a circumferential angle of the cap 120 degrees, while a panel of the second configuration traverse a circumferential angle of the cap 60 degrees. Each panel of the first configuration may include a dart approximately through the center of the panel or positioned approximately 60 degrees from a seam.
In an exemplary embodiment, two seams may appear to be extensions of each other such that the two seams traverse a diameter across the dome of the cap. As shown, two pairs of seams may define a linear projection across the cap as seen from an elevation above the top of the cap. In an exemplary embodiment, two pairs of seams and define two diameter extensions across the cap dome. The two diameter extensions may cross at a top of the cap dome. The diameter extension may define opposite angles that are approximately the same. The diameter extensions may define a first pair of opposite angles and a second pair of opposite angles. The first pair may or may not be the same angle as the second pair. In an exemplary embodiment, the first pair of angles is approximately 60 degrees, and the second pair of angles is approximately 120 degrees.
In an exemplary embodiment, adjacent panels may define different widths. For example, a panel of a first configuration may have a smaller width that a panel of a second configuration. The width of the panel of the second configuration may approximate a width of the bill. A panel of the second configuration may be positioned in the front portion of the cap, such that it is configured to cover a user's forehead, when in use. The second configuration may define a panel having one or more darts. The second configuration may define a panel have more darts than the first configuration. The first configuration may not have any darts.
Although embodiments of this invention have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of embodiments of this invention as defined by the appended claims. Specifically, exemplary components are described herein. Any combination of these components may be used in any combination. For example, any component, such as any dart, seam, or closure arrangement may be added, duplication, removed, or used in any combination and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments are exemplary only, and provide an illustrative combination of features, but are not limited thereto.
Exemplary embodiments may be described in terms of a seam. The seam may be a coupling of one panel to another panel. For example, seam may be at a terminal end of a material section to another terminal end of a material section along a length. The material section may be the same material section or may be different material sections defined by separate panels. The terminal end may be an end of a material section defining an exterior perimeter of the section. The terminal end may be distinguished from an end of a material section. For example, an end may be created within a material section by partially cutting a material section forming two ends within an interior portion of the material. The exterior perimeter may define terminal ends, while the cut through the interior may be considered an end of the material. The seam may extend along an entire length or side of a panel. The seam may also extend all of the way to a perimeter or terminal edge of the cap. For example, a seam may extend along an edge of a panel along a length from the top of the cap to the bottom perimeter of the cap. As shown by, for example,
Exemplary embodiments may be described in terms of a dart. A dart may be a coupling of material sections along a length. The dart may couple different portions of the same material section together. Therefore, a dart or different combinations of darts in strategic positions may be used to deform the material and define unique cap profiles. A dart, for example, may couple interior ends of a material section together, where an interior end is created by a cut in the interior of a material section. A dart may therefore extend from a terminal end of the material section to an interior region of the material section. The end of the dart may therefore terminate at a material. The dart may be created through a pleat or a cut and attachment of different material sections.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/625,284, filed Feb. 1, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62625284 | Feb 2018 | US |