Information
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Patent Grant
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6449773
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Patent Number
6,449,773
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Date Filed
Thursday, July 12, 200123 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, September 17, 200222 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 002 171
- 002 20912
- 002 20913
- 002 20914
- 002 1751
- 002 1951
- 002 1956
- 002 1957
- 040 329
- 040 586
- 040 312
- 040 662
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International Classifications
-
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Disclaimer
Terminal disclaimer
Abstract
A headgear and method for exhibiting displays, such as company logos, special events, messages, or just general advertisement on the bill of the headgear are provided. The bill, generally made from a stiff material, can be provided with a flexible and pliable insert to permit a display to be embroidered or sewn therethrough, while permitting the bill to maintain its shape.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to headgear, for examples caps and visors, and more particularly to headgear having a bill which permits exhibition of displays thereon.
BACKGROUND ART
Headgear, including caps and visors, have been in use for quite some time to display company logos, special events, messages, or just general advertisements. The exhibition of these displays have mostly been on the front of the cap or visor, and in particular, in the crown area of the cap or headband area of visor adjacent the forehead of the wearer, where the fabric is sufficiently soft to permit, for instance, embroidering, sewing or attachment of the display. Displays have also been provided at the back of the cap, for example, on the adjustable headband or the crown area immediately above it, since these areas are also sufficiently soft to permit embroidering, sewing or attachment of the display. To a certain extent, some of the displays have been provided on the bill of the cap or visor. Such displays, however, have mostly been embroidered or sewn on to the soft fabric covering the bill and not to the bill itself. One reason which may have prevented the display from being sewn or embroidered directly through the bill may be because most bills, being made from hard plastic or cardboard, are too stiff to permit sewing or embroidering of displays. Many commercially available caps and visors are designed to include a bill that is sufficiently stiff to permit the bill to maintain its shape when the cap or visor is worn. Such a bill may be adequate for many purposes and may be desirable in many situations. However, a stiff bill typically does not permit a display to be easily attached or embroidered therethrough.
The exhibition of displays on the bill of the headgear may also be an expensive procedure. In particular, as the fabric around the stiff bill has already been stretched tightly over the bill, manufactures cannot use the existing headgear in their warehouses, as is, to embroider the display onto the fabric around the bill. Instead, in one practice, the entire bill or the fabric over the entire bill must be removed, the display embroidered on to a new piece of fabric, and subsequently the bill be re-covered with the newly embroidered fabric. This process can be avoided if the headgear manufacturers is given sufficient notice. With notice, the manufacturers can modify the manufacturing process to accommodate the embroidering of the display onto the piece of fabric prior to covering the bill. Such modification of the hat making process, however, may require the fabric around the bill to be set aside for the embroidering, which again can be time consuming and may add unwanted expenses to the production of the headgear. As is more often than not, the amount of the order may not justify modification of the normal headgear manufacturing process. Accordingly, for those organizations wishing to have their logos, messages, or special events exhibited on the bill, unless the they can foresee a sufficient return on the sales of the headgear with such displays, many will forego the exhibition of the display on the bill of the headgear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, provides a headgear, for example, a visor or a cap which can exhibit displays, such as company logos, special events, messages, or just general advertisements. The headgear, as provided, can include a band for placement circumferentially about a head of a person. The headgear can also include a bill portion having distal end and a proximal end, which proximal end is attached to the band. The bill, in an embodiment of the invention, includes an insert made from a material that is sufficiently soft and flexible. By providing an insert of soft, flexible material, the bill is provided with an area that is sufficiently pliable to permit a display to be sewn, embroidered, or attached therethrough, while permitting the remainder of the bill to maintain its shape. The headgear may also include a crown portion defining a hat for placement on to the head of a person. The crown portion is preferably provided with a lower substantially circular periphery to which the band may be attached. As the head size may vary from person to person, the headgear of the present invention may include a band which permits adjustment of its circumference, so as to accommodate different size heads.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of exhibiting a display on a headgear is provided. The method may included providing a headgear having a headband and a bill portion that is attached at its proximal end to the headband. The bill portion, in one embodiment, includes an insert made from a soft flexible material. Subsequently, a display may be secured through the flexible insert on to the bill portion of the headgear either by embroidering, sewing or attaching, for instance, with a pin. Alternatively, only the bill portion of the headgear having the flexible insert is initially provided, to which the display is embroidered or sewn through the flexible insert. Thereafter, the bill portion is attached at its proximal end to the band. In either of these embodiments, a crown portion defining a hat and having a lower periphery may be provided for attachment to the band along the periphery.
In a further embodiment for exhibiting a display on a headgear, a headgear is provided with a crown portion and a bill portion attached at its proximal end to the crown portion. The bill portion, in one embodiment, includes an insert made from a soft flexible material. Subsequently, a display may be secured through the flexible insert on to the bill portion of the headgear either by embroidering, sewing or attaching with, for instance, a pin. In an alternate embodiment, only the bill portion of the headgear having the flexible insert is initially provided, to which the display is embroidered or sewn through the insert. Thereafter, the bill portion is attached at its proximal end to the crown portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A
illustrates a perspective upper frontal view a headgear in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1B
illustrates a bill portion of the headgear shown in
FIG. 1A
, which bill portion includes an insert therein.
FIG. 2
illustrates a perspective upper rear view of the headgear in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3A
illustrates an alternate embodiment of a headgear of the present invention.
FIG. 3B
illustrates a bill portion of the headgear shown in
FIG. 3A
, which bill portion includes an insert therein.
FIGS. 4-8
illustrate various embodiments for securely exhibiting a display on to the headgear of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a headgear which permits embroidering or sewing of displays, such as company logos, special events, messages, or just general advertisement, thereon. The headgear of the present invention may either be a visor or a cap.
In
FIGS. 1A-B
there is shown a cap
10
having a crown portion
11
and a bill portion
12
attached thereto. The crown portion
11
, in general, may be used for placement on to a head of a person. The bill portion
12
, on the other hand, may be characterized by a substantially stiff material, such as hard plastic or cardboard, with a soft, flexible insert
13
therein. The provision of a soft, flexible insert
13
in the bill portion
12
permits a display
14
to be sewn, embroidered or attached, for example, with a pin, through the flexible insert
13
, while permitting the bill portion
12
to adequately maintain its shape. To position the flexible insert
13
within the bill portion
12
, in one embodiment, an aperture
121
may be provided, for instance, by die-cutting, at a predetermined location on the bill portion
12
with a shape that complements the shape of the insert
13
. In this manner, insert may adequately fit within the aperture
121
and extends from an upper surface to a lower surface of the bill portion
12
. It should be appreciated that the insert
13
and aperture
121
may be located anywhere on the bill portion
12
, and may be designed to have any geometric shape, so long as the two complement one another for adequate fitting, such that a sufficiently soft and flexible section on the bill portion
12
may be provided for embroidering or sewing therethrough.
The flexible insert
13
may be maintained within the aperture
121
by any conventional means. In an embodiment, edges around insert
13
and aperture
121
may be sewn together using conventional threading. Alternatively, the edges of insert
13
may be glued to the edges of aperture
121
. In addition, as it may be desirable to minimize the appearance of a transition from the flexible insert
13
to the stiff bill portion
12
in finished cap
10
, the insert
13
and the aperture
121
may be provided with complementary non-linear edges, e.g., undulating or zig-zagging patterns.
The bill portion
12
, as shown in
FIG. 1
, includes a proximal end
15
and a distal end
16
. The proximal end
15
may be designed to have a curvature
17
which complements the curvature about the periphery of the crown portion
11
, so that the bill portion
12
may be closely attached at its proximal end
15
to the crown portion
11
. It should be appreciated that the curvature
17
may vary according to the size of the crown portion
11
, and in particular, the circumference of the crown portion
11
, so long as the curvature
17
is maintained in a manner which permits a complementary fit about the periphery of the crown portion
11
.
The bill portion
12
, in one embodiment, is preferably overlaid with a piece of covering
18
. To provide the covering
18
with a secure fit over the bill portion
12
, the covering
18
may be sewn directly on to the bill portion
12
. Alternatively, the covering
18
may be tightly stretched over the bill portion, and the covering
18
and bill portion
12
sewn to the crown portion
11
. If desired, the covering
18
may be of the same material and color from which the crown
11
is made. Otherwise, the covering
18
may be of a different material and color from which the crown
11
is made. In an embodiment, the material from which the covering
18
may be made includes cotton fabric, polyester fabric, plastic, or other commercially available material typically used in the manufacturing of headgear or clothes.
In order to provide the insert
13
with characteristics which permit a display
14
to be sewn, embroidered or attached therethrough, the material from which the flexible insert
13
may be made is provided with a range of density, so long as the flexible insert
13
maintains a shape similar to that of the bill portion
12
. In addition, depending on the thickness of the bill portion
12
, the insert
13
may vary in thickness according to the thickness of the bill portion
12
. Materials from which the inserts
13
may be made includes closed cell foam, such as, neoprene or polyolefin resin substance.
Referring now to
FIG. 2
, the cap
10
may also include a band
20
, secured to the crown portion
11
, and designed for placement circumferentially about a head of a person (not shown). To allow attachment of the band
20
to the crown portion
11
, in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2
, the crown portion
11
may include a lower periphery
21
against which the band
20
may be secured. The band
20
may include opposing ends
22
designed to engage one another. By providing the band
20
with opposing ends
22
, different size heads may be accommodated when the ends
22
are adjusted relative to one another. Engagement of the opposing ends
22
may be accomplished by any conventional fasteners known in the art. Examples of fasteners include those that have plastic rivets on one end and complementary holes on the other, hooks on one end and loops on the other, and a lead on one end and a clip on the other. It should be noted that although a band
20
is provided, the cap
10
of the present invention does not necessarily require a band in such a manner. Instead, an elastic loop, or a draw string along the lower periphery
21
of the crown
11
may be used to accommodate different head sizes.
In
FIG. 3
, there is shown a visor
30
, an alternate embodiment of the headgear of the present invention, which includes a band
31
and a bill portion
32
attached to the band
31
. Attachment of the bill portion
32
to the band
31
may be accomplished by means known in the art, including sewing of a covering
36
over the bill portion
32
directly to the band
31
. It should be appreciated that the band
31
and bill portion
32
of visor
30
are substantially similar to the band
20
and bill portion
12
of the cap
10
shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
. In particular, the band
31
includes opposing ends
35
, which when adjusted relative to one another, vary the circumference of the band
31
to permit accommodation of different head sizes. Engagement of the ends of the band
31
may be accomplished with fasteners similar to those described in connection with the band
20
of cap
10
. In one embodiment, the band
31
may include a covering
36
similar in pattern and color to that provided on the bill portion
32
. In this manner, the bill portion
32
and band
31
may match for aesthetic purposes. Of course the coverings on the band
32
and
32
may have different patterns and colors if so desired.
The bill portion
32
, as shown in
FIG. 3B
, may include a soft, flexible insert
33
having characteristics similar to that of the flexible insert
13
in the cap
10
. Specifically, the flexible insert
33
is preferably sufficiently pliable to allow a display
34
to be sewn, embroidered or attached therethrough, while the remainder of the bill portion
32
, made from a stiff material, acts to adequately maintain the shape of the bill. To this end, the flexible material
13
may be provided with any density and thickness sufficient to accomplish the intended purposes. Materials which can exhibit these characteristics may be made generally from closed cell foam, for example, neoprene or polyolefin resin substance.
The exhibition of a display on the bill of the headgear will now be discussed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Although reference is hereinafter made to the cap
10
, it should be understood that the discussion is similarly applicable to the visor
30
. To exhibit a display
40
, such as that shown in
FIG. 4
, by embroidering, the location of the flexible insert
13
on the bill portion
12
is determined. Subsequently, the bill portion
12
, and a machine (not shown) for embroidering the display
40
are engaged at the insert
13
. The machine is thereafter initiated to permit embroidering needle
41
to penetrate through the insert
13
along with threading
42
. The machine is permitted to continue until the desired display
40
is completed.
To exhibit the display
40
, for example, by sewing, the display
40
, as shown in
FIG. 5
, may initially be placed directly on the area of the flexible insert
13
on the bill portion
12
. Subsequently, engagement between the display
40
, as it is positioned on flexible insert
13
, and a machine (not shown) for securely attaching the display
40
to the bill portion
12
is initiated. The machine is thereafter activated to permit sewing needle
51
to penetrate through the flexible insert
13
along with threading
52
. The machine is permitted to continue until the display
40
is securely attached through the bill portion
12
.
To exhibit display
40
by attachment, in the instance wherein the display
40
is, for example, a pin, as illustrated in
FIG. 6
, pin
61
on display
40
may be pushed directly across the soft flexible insert
13
to extend to an underside of the bill portion
12
. Subsequently, the display
40
may be secured to the insert
13
by positioning, in one embodiment, a clip (not shown) onto pin
61
.
It should be appreciated that the processes provided in connection with
FIGS. 4 and 5
may be modified, so that the securing of the display
40
may be accomplished during the hat manufacturing process. Specifically, the embroidering or sewing of the display
40
through the bill portion
12
may be accomplished prior to the attachment of the bill portion
12
, at its proximal end, to the crown
11
of the cap
10
or band
32
of the visor
30
. In this manner, the present invention also contemplates that a plurality bill portions
12
, each exhibiting a different display
40
, may be provided for a headgear designed with a removable bill portion
12
, such that depending on the mood of the wearer or the occasion encountered, the bill portion
12
with one display
40
may be interchanged with another bill portion
12
having another display
40
, so as to exhibit different displays that are appropriate for the specific occasions. The headgear having a removable bill may include any means known in the art, for example, hook and loop fasteners, for removable attachment of the bill to the headgear.
While the invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention, including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A headgear for exhibiting a display, the headgear comprising:a crown portion for placement on to a head of a person; a bill portion being attached at its proximal end to the crown portion and having an upper surface and a lower surface; and an insert positioned within the bill portion and extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the bill portion, the insert being made from a flexible material to permit a display to be secured thereon.
- 2. A headgear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flexible material has a density and thickness sufficient to permit securing of display thereon.
- 3. A headgear as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flexible material from which the bill is made is closed cell foam.
- 4. A headgear as set forth in claim 3, wherein the closed cell foam is one of neoprene and polyolefin resin material.
- 5. A headgear as set forth in claim 1, further including an adjustable band attached to a lower portion of the crown to accommodate different size heads.
- 6. A headgear for exhibiting a display, the headgear comprising:a band for placement circumferentially about a head of a person; a bill portion being attached at its proximal end to the band and having an upper surface and a lower surface; and an insert positioned within the bill portion and extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the bill portion, the insert being made from a flexible material to permit a display to be secured thereon.
- 7. A headgear as set forth in claim 6, wherein the flexible material has a density and thickness sufficient to permit securing of display thereon.
- 8. A headgear as set forth in claim 6, wherein the flexible material from which the bill is made is closed cell foam.
- 9. A headgear as set forth in claim 8, wherein the closed cell foam is one of neoprene and polyolefin resin material.
- 10. A headgear as set forth in claim 6, wherein the band is an adjustable band to permit adjustment of its circumference so as to accommodate different size heads.
- 11. A method for exhibiting a display on a headgear, the method comprising:providing a headgear having a crown portion for placement on to a head of a person, a bill portion being attached at its proximal end to the crown portion, and an insert extending from an upper surface to the lower surface of the bill portion, the insert made from a flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit a display to be secured thereon; and securing a display through the flexible insert.
- 12. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step of securing includes embroidering the display.
- 13. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step of securing includes:placing a display directly on to the flexible insert; and sewing the display through the flexible insert.
- 14. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step of securing includes:placing a display having a pin thereon; and pushing the pin through the flexible insert.
- 15. A method of exhibiting a display on a headgear, the method comprising:providing a headgear having a headband, a bill portion being attached at its proximal end to the headband, and an insert extending from an upper surface to the lower surface of the bill portion, the insert made from a flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit a display to be secured thereon; and securing a display through the flexible insert.
- 16. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the step of securing includes embroidering the display.
- 17. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the step of securing includes:placing a display directly on to the flexible insert; and sewing the display through the flexible insert.
- 18. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the step of securing includes:placing a display having a pin thereon; and pushing the pin through the flexible insert.
- 19. A method of exhibiting a display on a headgear, the method comprising:providing a bill portion of a headgear, the bill portion having an upper surface, a lower surface and an insert extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the bill portion, the insert made from a flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit a display to be secured thereon; securing a display through the flexible insert; providing a band for placement circumferentially about a head of a person; and attaching the bill portion at its proximal end to the band.
- 20. A method of exhibiting a display on a headgear, the method comprising:providing a bill portion of a headgear, the bill portion having an upper surface, a lower surface and an insert extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the bill portion, the insert made from a flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit a display to be secured thereon; securing a display through the flexible insert; providing a crown portion for placement on to the head of the person; and attaching the bill portion at its proximal end to the crown portion.
- 21. A method for manufacturing a headgear for exhibiting a display, the method comprising:providing an insert made from a flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit a display to be secured thereon; cutting through a bill portion of the headgear so as to generate an aperture extending from an upper surface to a lower surface of the bill portion and having a shape to complementarily receive the insert therein; securing the insert within the aperture, such that the insert extends from the upper surface to the lower surface of the bill portion.
US Referenced Citations (11)