COMBINED CAP AND CARRYING BAG

Abstract

A cap having the ability to convert to a bag is disclosed herein. The cap comprising a crown having inner and outer surfaces and a lower edge from which the crown projects upwardly to accommodate the head of a wearer, including a band surrounding at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap where the band has opposing edge portions and a mechanical engagement attachment feature on the edge portions wherein the mechanical engagement attachment feature is configured to engage and form an internal storage compartment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of headgear and more directly to a cap having the ability to convert to a bag.

BACKGROUND

In U.S. Pat. No. 1,172,927, entitled “Bathing Cap” there is disclosure of a bathing cap that is convertible into a bag in which bathing garments, stockings and slippers may be carried and readily convertible again into a cap. The cap is described as having an opening in its crown and a means for closing said opening, and a lining member normally positioned within the crown but capable of withdrawal to form, with the cap, a bag or receptacle.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,944, entitled “Combined Cap and Carrying Bag” there is disclosure of a visored cap with a crown having an internal storage compartment when not being worn by the user. The cap is provided with an elongated or cutout opening in the visor for grasping as the carrying handle by the user. A detachable cover is carried about the sweatband of the cap crown for enclosing the internal storage compartment when used for storage.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,583, entitled “Sports Cap Having Pocket on Visor” there is disclosure of a sports cap having a stretchable pocket on the entire top surface of the visor and preferably worn on the head of a user while exercising, golfing, climbing or fishing. The cap has a visor integrated along the lower front edge of a crown into a single body through a sewing process, which pocket is provided on the entire top surface of the visor by sewing a stretchable pocket fabric along the rounded front edge of the visor.

A continuing need therefore exists to provide a cap which will serve as a head covering and which can also be relatively easily converted into a bag for the storage of a wearer's items.

SUMMARY

A cap capable of converting into a bag, comprising a crown having inner and outer surfaces and a lower edge from which the crown projects upwardly to accommodate the head of a wearer, including a band surrounding at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap where the band has opposing edge portions and a mechanical engagement attachment feature on the edge portions wherein the mechanical engagement attachment feature is configured to engage and form an internal storage compartment.

A cap capable of converting into a bag to provide an internal storage compartment, comprising a crown that defines a cavity and an aperture in communication with the cavity to receive and accommodate the head of a wearer within the cavity, a band surrounding at least a portion of an internal surface of the cap defining the cavity, wherein said band includes opposing edge portions, and a mechanical engagement attachment feature configured to selectively couple the opposing edge portions of the band to each other and at least partially close the aperture and define the internal storage compartment for storing one or more user items, and decouple the opposing edge portions of the band from each other to allow for removal of the one or more items stored in the internal storage compartment and/or to allow the aperture to receive and accommodate the head of the wearer within the cavity.

A cap capable of converting into a bag and providing an internal storage compartment, comprising a crown that defines a cavity and an aperture in communication with the cavity to receive and accommodate the head of a wearer within the cavity, a band surrounding at least a portion of an internal surface of the cap defining the cavity, wherein said band includes opposing edge portions, and means for at least partially closing the aperture of the crown and defining an internal storage compartment for storing one or more user items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cap of the present disclosure in the form of a cap.

FIG. 2 is a side-view of the cap shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cap of the present disclosure where the cap is in the form of a cap.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the cap of the present disclosure where the cap has been converted into a bag.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cap of the present disclosure where the cap has been converted to a bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a cap 10 consistent with the present disclosure. The cap 10 includes a crown portion 12 that can be worn on a wearer's head that is preferably in the form of a dome (semi-circular shape) and having inner and outer surfaces and optionally a visor 14 which projects/extends outwardly from the front of the cap 10. The visor 14 can be configured substantially flat, or include a curved profile depending on a desired configuration.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the crown portion 12 defines an aperture 3 in communication with a cavity 5 to receive and accommodated the head of a wearer within the cavity 5. The cavity 5 may be defined at least in part by inner surface(s) of the crown portion 12. The cavity 5 may also be referred to herein as an internal storage compartment (or receptacle), receptacle space, or simply a storage compartment, when the cap 10 is transitioned to a bag.

Preferably, at least the visor 14 of the cap 10 is formed of a rigid material comprising one or more layers of nylon, polyester, cardboard and/or plastic, such that the visor 14 provides structural support for one or more items stored in the cavity 5 of the cap 10, when the cap 10 converted to a bag. For example, a user may grip the visor 14, e.g., pinch opposing surfaces of the visor 14 between two or more of the user's fingers, and place one or more items, such as keys, wallet, and/or other objects such as a baseball within an otherwise unsupported crown portion 12 without the sidewalls forming the cap 10 deforming and potentially allowing objects to inadvertently fall out of the cap 10.

In this scenario, the visor 14 then preferably acts as a cantilever when gripped by a user to support the weight of the objects stored in the cap 10 and maintain the angle of the visor 14 relative to the unsupported crown portion 12 at substantially the same angle as when the cap 10 is without item(s) stored therein. For instance, the front (or logo) region of the crown portion 12 adjacent the visor 14, e.g., where words and logos are commonly emblazoned, can be configured to extend relative to the visor 14 at a desired angle to increase visibility of the logo region of the crown portion 12 and/or increase aesthetic appeal when used as a cap, with this angle being also referred to herein as a natural angle. When the cap 10 is converted to a bag, the visor 14 then preferably provides structural support to the cap 10 such that the angle of the visor 14 relative to the front region of the crown portion 12 remains substantially the same as the natural angle, e.g., within 1-20 degrees and preferably within 10 degrees, when storing a maximum predetermined amount of item weight within the cap 10. For example, one such natural angle for the visor 14 and logo region of the crown portion 12 is 90 degrees, and the cap 10 is preferably configured to substantially maintain the angle of the visor 14 relative to the logo region of the crown portion 12 between 70 and 90 degrees, and more preferably between 80-90 degrees, when storing an overall item weight within the cap 10 of 5 pounds (lbs) or less.

As generally referred to herein, item weight refers to the overall amount of weight introduced by items stored within the cavity 5 of the cap 10, and maximum item weight refers to the amount of item weight the cap 10 can store while substantially maintaining the natural angle of the visor 14 relative to the front region of the crown portion 12, e.g., when the visor 14 is pinched by a user's fingers and the crown portion 12 is otherwise unsupported. In one specific non-limiting example, the cap 10 is configured to preferably store and support at least 0.5 pound (lb) to 5 lb of maximum item weight in this manner, and more preferably, at least 1 lb of maximum item weight.

Note, the cap 10 may also be further reinforced by the materials chosen for the crown portion 12 and/or based on a mechanical engagement attachment feature, as discussed further below, that can both prevent items from falling out of the cap 10 when converted to a bag and increase structural integrity to allow for yet higher maximum item weight.

Preferably, the front region of the crown portion 12 is formed by one or more layers that cause the front region to be relatively less flexible than other regions of the crown portion 12, such as the regions adjacent adjustment band 18. For example, the front region of the crown portion 12 may be formed from one or more layers of fabric comprising nylon, cotton, polyester, and/or polyurethane, and can optionally include a reinforcement layer (e.g., formed from a plastic or other suitably rigid material) sandwiched between fabric layers forming the front region of the crown portion 12, or otherwise be coupled to the front region, to provide further reinforcement. On the other hand, other areas of the crown portion 12 can be formed from the same, or different materials relative to the front region, and in a configuration that results in greater flexibility relative to the front region of the crown portion 12. In this preferred example, the crown portion 12 may then provide a relatively rigid front region along with one or more additional flexible regions, e.g., at the back and/or sides of the cap 10, to increase user comfort while also providing structural support and rigidity.

The cap 10 may also optionally include an opening 16 and an adjustment band 18. The opening 16 can be configured to accommodate the hair of a wearer, such as to allow a ponytail to extend from the opening 16 when a user wears the cap 10. The cap 10 includes a lower edge portion 17 (also referred to herein as a crown lower edge) that generally defines the aperture 3 and from which the crown portion 12 projects upwardly to accommodate the head of a wearer/user. The cap 10 includes an interior band 20 that extends at least partially, and preferably, fully around the inner diameter of the crown portion 12. The band 20 may be made out of any natural or synthetic material and preferably fabric material formed from cotton, polyester, or a blend thereof. Optionally, the band 20 may be formed of other suitable materials such as leather. However, preferably, the band 20 may serve as a sweatband and be made of, for example, a moisture absorbing material such as cotton or other viscose-based fibers.

Other such examples of moisture absorbing material suitable for use as the band 20 may include, but are not limited to, terry cloth, which is a reference to a fabric with uncut loops, or pile, standing away from a base portion. The band 20 implemented as a so-called sweatband may therefore be made from one or more fabrics, including cotton, polyester and/or nylon fibers, for example.

The band 20, when formed of materials that absorb moisture, may alternatively or in addition, include “wicking” material(s) such as wicking yarn, where such materials are able to absorb moisture or otherwise communicate moisture away from the head of the wearer. The band 20 may also be preferably selected from stretchable type fibers, such as polyurethane fibers, spandex, or other synthetic fibers which will stretch and recover and provide such elastic properties to provide improved wearing comfort, and also to facilitate the ability of band 20 to form a bag defining an internal storage compartment or receptacle as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the band 20 surrounds at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap 10. The band 20 is also preferably configured such that all or a portion of the band 20 may engage and contact a wearer's head. The band 20 preferably extends from the lower edge 17, and is preferably configured to rest against the interior surface of the cap 10 when worn by the user. Preferably, when the cap 10 is in the configuration where it is worn on a user's head, the band 20 circumferentially surrounds the entire lower edge portion 17 of the crown portion 12, except for opening location 16 at the rear of the cap 10. However, it is contemplated that when the opening location 16 is not present, the band 20 may surround all or a portion of entire lower edge portion 17. See also FIG. 3. In addition, the band 20 is preferably attached to the cap 10 via the inside lower edge 17 of the cap interior.

As can also be seen, on an edge portion of the band 20 one now attaches or integrally forms a mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 so that opposing portions of the band 20 may be selectively removably coupled together by a user-supplied force. When the opposing portions of the band 20 are coupled together by the user-supplied force, the aperture 5 may then be at least partially closed to transition the cap 10 to a bag, with the bag providing an internal storage compartment or receptacle, e.g., based at least in part on the cavity 5, for carrying various items and preferably a predetermined maximum item weight as discussed above.

Stated differently, the mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 is preferably configured to selectively couple the opposing edge portions of the band 20 to each other and at least partially close the aperture 3 and define an internal storage compartment based on cavity 5 for storing one or more user items. This configuration may also be referred to as a closed configuration. The mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 is further preferably configured to decouple the opposing edge portions of the band 20 from each other to allow for removal of the one or more items stored in the internal storage compartment and/or to allow the aperture 3 to receive and accommodate the head of the wearer within the cavity 5. This configuration may also be referred to as an open configuration, or a wearable configuration.

Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 is in the form of a zipper provided by a zipper insert 36, and as can be seen in FIG. 1, the teeth shown generally at 22 of the zipper define a track and are preferably disposed and attached along opposing edge portions 24 and 25 (see FIG. 3) of the band 20.

The zipper may therefore be preferably attached to the opposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the band 20 by stitching a zipper insert 36 (See FIG. 5) to the edge portions 24 and 25, but it is contemplated that other attachment procedures may be utilized, including the use of adhesives. Preferably, the zipper is configured to extend substantially parallel with the visor 14 when the same is present in the cap 10 and when the zipper is in a closed configuration (See e.g., FIG. 5).

The zipper provided by the zipper insert 36 is therefore one preferable example means for at least partially closing the aperture 3, and thus by extension, for transitioning the cap 10 to a bag by defining an internal storage compartment for storing one or more user items based on cavity 5. Alternatively, or in addition to the zipper, a cap consistent with the present disclosure may utilize other types of mechanical connection structures to connect the opposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the band 20, such as snap connectors, button fasteners, overlapping fabric snaps, magnetic connectors, carabiner type connectors and/or hook and loop type fasteners. The present disclosure therefore also contemplates these additional structures as an alternative to, or to be used in combination with, the zipper to provide a suitable means for at least partially closing the aperture 3 and transitioning the cap 10 to a bag and defining an internal storage compartment for storing one or more user items based on cavity 5.

A side view of the cap 10 shown in FIG. 1 is next illustrated in FIG. 2. From this view, the cap 10 includes the band 20 within the interior of the cap 10, and more specifically, within the crown portion 12 (see FIG. 1), and the cap 10 appears to an observer as a conventional/standard cap, and importantly, hides or otherwise obscures to an observer that the cap 10 is capable of conversion to a bag that provides an internal storage compartment (or receptacle) to store and retain a user's items.

It should also be noted that in the configuration of the cap 10 shown in FIG. 2, which is to say a wearable configuration provided by the aperture 3 being in an open configuration based on the mechanical engagement attachment feature 22, the user of the cap 10 will preferably not perceive or be aware of the cap's ability to convert to a bag, e.g., the user preferably does not feel the presence of the mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 between their head and the sidewalls forming the crown portion 12 of the cap 10. For example, when the band 20 is in its unassembled form (or open configuration), and with respect to the example of the cap 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 with a zipper providing the mechanical engagement attachment feature 22, the user will preferably not feel the presence of the zipper teeth shown generally at 22 or the zipper slider/head 29 (see FIG. 3) when the cap 10 is worn on the user's head.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cap 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. As can be better observed in this view, the mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 is implemented as a zipper and includes a head (or slider) 29 and a bottom stop 26 which can engage with pin 28. Pin 28 is attached to opposing edge 25 of the band 20. At 30 is a top portion of the zipper track 23 which serves as the location to stop the zipper once it has traveled along its track and brought together the opposing edges 24 and 25 of the band 20 to convert the hat into a bag defining a receptacle for a user's belongings, e.g., an example of which is further illustrated in FIG. 4.

Note that the bottom stop 26 and pin 28 may alternatively be disposed adjacent the visor 14 such that the zipper begins connecting opposing edge portions 24 and 25 adjacent the visor. In this configuration, the user may therefore grip tip 33 (which is discussed in further detail below) with a first hand while supplying a force to the slider 29 with a second hand to cause the slider 29 to travel towards the adjustment band 18 and connect together opposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the band 20.

More specifically, FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the cap 10 where the zipper is now fully engaged (or in a closed configuration) and opposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the zipper have been removably joined/coupled to provide a bag having a receptacle space 32 in the crown portion 12 based on cavity 5. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opposing edge portions 24 and 25 couple together and form an interface therebetween. The interface may be defined by the zipper and more specifically the zipper track 23, as shown, or by other suitable structures for selectively attaching the opposing edge portions 24 and 25 together as discussed above.

An imaginary line drawn along the interface thus extends substantially parallel with the visor 14, when the visor is present, or alternatively that extends from the front region to the back of the crown portion 12. Note, other configurations are within the scope of this disclosure and the opposing edge portions 24 and 25 may also be configured to form an interface when coupled together that extends substantially transverse relative to the visor 14, when the visor 14 is present, or alternatively that extends along a path that intersects with lateral sides of the crown portion 12. In any event, the user may now also rely upon the optional adjustment band 18 as a handle which may be readily grasped by a hand of the user. Also, as can be seen, there can be formation of a tip portion 33 as described more fully herein.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cap 10 wherein where the zipper is in the fully engaged (or closed) position/configuration. Opposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the band 20 are again shown as joined together by the zipper, and as can be seen, the band 20 now preferably defines a relatively planar surface extending across the aperture 3 of the cap 10 that would otherwise fit the user's head. In this configuration, the opposing edge portions 24 and 25 may also be described as covering/closing the aperture 3. Preferably, the relatively planer surface defined by the edge portions 24 and 25 extends across the aperture 3 and at least partially closes/covers the same, and preferably fully covers the same. This planar surface similarly defines the feature that the cap 10 has now been converted into a bag with a receptacle space 32 (see FIG. 4) based on cavity 5 where a user may now conveniently place their belongings for storage purposes. The inner surfaces of the band 20, and more specifically the opposing edge portions 24 and 25, at least partially define the receptacle space 32 in this configuration. As further shown, the planar surface preferably extends substantially parallel relative to visor 14.

Preferably, the band 20 includes a width as illustrated by arrow 34 in the range of 0.5″ to 5.0 inches. The width of the band 20 preferably remains relatively constant as the band 20 proceeds around all or a portion of the lower edge 17 of the cap 10 interior, e.g., the width for any selected width of the band 20 is in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 inches and does not vary by more than +/−0.1 inch, or +/−0.2 inch, or +/−0.3 inch. The width 38 of the zipper insert 36, which provides the zipper and slider 29, may preferably be in the range of 0.1 inch to 1.5 inch. It can therefore be appreciated that width 34 and/or width 38 may vary depending upon a particular size or geometry of the cap at issue.

As discussed above, and as shown in FIG. 5, when the opposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the band 20 are joined/coupled together, and when the band 20 has a relatively constant width as noted above, there is formation of a tip portion 33. Preferably, the tip portion 33 extends beyond the lower edge portion 17 such that the tip portion 33 can extend over the surface of the visor 14, when the visor 14 is present. This advantageously allows for the receptacle space 32 to have an increased overall volume for storing a user's items based on the tip portion 33 being elongated and providing additional headroom/space (e.g., see FIG. 4) to increase the overall storage capacity of the receptacle space 32.

As can therefore be seen from the above, the present disclosure relates to a cap having the ability to convert to a bag and provide an internal storage compartment or receptacle. The cap comprises a crown having inner and outer surfaces and a lower edge from which the crown projects upwardly to accommodate the head of a wearer, including a band surrounding at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap wherein the band preferably: (1) extends from the crown lower edge; and/or (2) rests against the interior surface of the cap; and/or (3) is configured to engage and contact with a wearer's head. The band includes opposing edge portions and a mechanical engagement attachment feature on the edge portions wherein the mechanical engagement attachment feature is configured to engage and covert the cap into a bag having an internal storage compartment.

The above particular embodiments have been shown and described and it can be appreciated that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the general configurations that have been disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A cap capable of converting into a bag to provide an internal storage compartment comprising: a crown having inner and outer surfaces and a lower edge from which the crown projects upwardly to accommodate the head of a wearer; anda band surrounding at least a portion of the inner surface of the cap, wherein said band includes opposing edge portions and a mechanical engagement attachment feature on said edge portions; andwherein said mechanical engagement attachment feature is configured to engage and form said internal storage compartment.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein said mechanical engagement attachment feature includes an open configuration to allow for said crown to be worn on the head of the wearer, and a closed configuration to removably couple said opposing edge portions to each other and define said internal storage compartment.

3. The cap of claim 1, wherein said mechanical engagement attachment feature comprises one or more of a zipper, snap connector, button fasteners, overlapping fabric snaps, magnetic connectors, carabineer type connectors, and/or hook and loop fasteners.

4. The cap of claim 1, wherein said band extending from said crown lower edge comprises a sweatband that is configured to absorb moisture.

5. The cap of claim 4, wherein said sweatband comprises terry cloth, cotton, polyester, polyurethane or nylon fibers.

6. The cap of claim 1, wherein said band rests against the inner surface of the cap and is configured to engage and contact the head of the wearer.

7. The cap of claim 1, wherein said band attaches to and extends from said crown lower edge.

8. The cap of claim 1, wherein said mechanical engagement attachment feature comprises a zipper provided by a zipper insert attached to said crown lower edge.

9. The cap of claim 8, wherein said zipper insert defines a tip configured to extend beyond the crown lower edge.

10. A cap capable of converting into a bag to provide an internal storage compartment comprising: a crown that defines a cavity and an aperture in communication with the cavity to receive and accommodate the head of a wearer within the cavity;a band surrounding at least a portion of an internal surface of the cap defining the cavity, wherein said band includes opposing edge portions; anda mechanical engagement attachment feature configured to selectively couple the opposing edge portions of the band to each other and at least partially close the aperture and define the internal storage compartment for storing one or more user items, and decouple the opposing edge portions of the band from each other to allow for removal of the one or more items stored in the internal storage compartment and/or to allow the aperture to receive and accommodate the head of the wearer within the cavity.

11. The cap of claim 10, wherein said mechanical engagement attachment feature comprises one or more of a zipper, snap connector, button fasteners, overlapping fabric snaps, magnetic connectors, carabineer type connectors, and/or hook and loop fasteners.

12. The cap of claim 10, further comprising a visor extending from the crown, and wherein the mechanical engagement attachment feature is configured to couple the opposing edge portions together and form an interface between the opposing edge portions, wherein an imaginary line drawn along the interface extends substantially parallel with the visor.

13. The cap of claim 12, wherein the mechanical engagement attachment feature comprises a zipper, the zipper providing a track that defines the interface at which the opposing edge portions couple together.

14. A cap capable of converting into a bag and providing an internal storage compartment comprising: a crown that defines a cavity and an aperture in communication with the cavity to receive and accommodate the head of a wearer within the cavity;a band surrounding at least a portion of an internal surface of the cap defining the cavity, wherein said band includes opposing edge portions; andmeans for at least partially closing the aperture of the crown and defining an internal storage compartment for storing one or more user items.

15. The cap of claim 14, wherein the means for at least partially closing the aperture is configured to removably couple the opposing edge portions together, the opposing edge portions at least partially defining the internal storage compartment.

16. The cap of claim 14, further comprising a visor extending from the crown.

17. The cap of claim 16, wherein the means for at least partially closing the aperture is configured to couple the opposing edge portions together and form an interface therebetween, and wherein an imaginary line drawn along the interface extends substantially parallel with the visor.

18. The cap of claim 16, wherein the means for at least partially closing the aperture is configured to couple the opposing edge portions together and form an interface therebetween, and wherein an imaginary line drawn along the interface extends transverse relative to the visor.