HEADWEAR SUPPORT

Abstract

A headwear support includes a slot into which a visor of a cap is receivable. The support is configured to be supported upon a limb of a human or other support structure by a retaining member. The headwear support may include visible indicia whether or not a cap is received in the slot.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments according to the present invention relate generally to storage devices and more particularly to systems and methods for supporting headwear, removed from the head of but proximate or supported by a wearer or used for display.

Baseball caps are a popular form of headwear for people of all ages. Such caps are generally identifiable with a paneled, domed crown and a generally flat, stiff brim or visor extending radially outwardly from the bottom of the crown, usually only in a single direction. This visor is sometimes plastically deformed by a user of the cap to a preferred bend.

Through the years, baseball caps have had a variety of fastening mechanisms provided along the back of the cap, coupled to the crown diametrically opposed from the brim. Adjustable fastening mechanisms have included plastic snapbacks featuring two overlapping straps usually made of plastic, where one strap includes a plurality of holes and the other strap features one or more pegs to be received within one or more of the holes. Other adjustable mechanisms have included straps featuring hook and loop material, and also frictional buckle arrangements.

In certain situations, however, it may be desirable or polite for a person to remove his or her cap. Temporary storage of a baseball cap has generally been left to a hat rack, such as a shelf on a coat rack, or horizontal surfaces such as a chair, desk, or table. However, hat racks are usually disposed near an exit door and may be out of view and unsecure. Additionally, placing a cap on a chair, desk, or table hinders the utilitarian function of such surfaces simply by taking up space.

Accordingly, the art of clothing storage could benefit from a device that supports a cap, preferably a baseball cap, proximate to a human body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that supports a cap, preferably a baseball cap, proximate to a human body.

According to an embodiment of a headwear support according to the present invention, the support may include a first panel and a second panel, coupled together so as to form a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of a visor of cap. The panels may be curviplanar (e.g., semi- or lesser portions of a substantially cylindrical form).

According to an aspect of an embodiment of a headwear support according to the present invention, the first panel and second panel each may extend between and include a bottom edge opposite a top edge, and a left edge opposite a right edge, the slot including an opening along the top edges of the panels. One or more of the panel top edges may be incurvate (e.g., curved inward towards the respective bottom edge).

According to another aspect of an embodiment of a headwear support according to the present invention, the coupling of the panels may be provided along at least one of their respective left edges, right edges, and bottom edges.

According to a further aspect of an embodiment of a headwear support according to the present invention, a strap is preferably coupled at a first end to the left edge(s) of the panel(s) and at a second end to the right edge(s) of the panel(s). The strap, which may include an elastic material, may be configured or situated so as to form a majority of a loop with one or both of the panels.

According to yet another aspect of an embodiment of a headwear support according to the present invention, each panel may include an inner surface disposed towards the slot and an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface. The inner surfaces are preferably disposed at least substantially parallel to each other along a majority of a length of the slot. Visible indicia (e.g., a logo) may be disposed on one or more of the outer surfaces of the panels. The visible indicia is preferably visible regardless of whether a cap visor is inserted into the slot.

According to still another aspect of an embodiment of a headwear support according to the present invention, at least a portion of a visor of a cap may be inserted into the slot in a slot direction, whereby the cap may be supported by the panels, such as by frictional contact between the visor and panel inside surfaces or by contact between a crown portion of the cap and a portion of one of the panels, such as the top edge of one of the panels.

According to an embodiment of a method according to the present invention, a device is provided, having a slot defined by at least two panels, which may be curviplanar. The slot is arranged proximate (e.g., next to and/or at least partially surrounding) a limb of a human body, such as an arm or leg. The panels are supported by the limb and at least a portion of a visor of a cap is inserted into the slot. If the limb comprises a human arm, the panels may be supported by securing a strap radially about a bicep crease of the arm. The strap may be coupled to at least one of the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side elevation view of a first embodiment of a headwear support according to the present invention supported by a human.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Turning first to FIG. 1, a first embodiment 100 of a headwear support according to the present invention is shown coupled to and supported by a human 200. Supported by the headwear support 100 is a piece of headwear clothing, namely a visored cap 300, such as a baseball cap. The headwear support 100 is preferably supported upon a limb of the person 200, such as a leg 210 or an arm 220. More preferably the support 100 may be secured about the arm 220 at the proximal bicep crease 222 or otherwise on the upper arm about the humerus (not shown).

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the headwear support 100 preferably comprises a front side 102 and a rear side 104 oppositely disposed the front side 102. The support 100 also includes a top side 106 and a bottom side 108 oppositely disposed along a height 107 from the top side 106. Further, the support 100 preferably has opposing left 110 and right 112 sides. Extending into and/or through the support 100 from the top side 106 is a slot 114 configured to receive a portion of a piece of headwear, such as at least a portion of and preferably a majority of only a visor of a baseball cap 300. The support 100 includes a retaining member 116 adapted to form a loop in conjunction with the rear side 104.

Disposed closer to the front side 102 than the rear side 104 is a first panel 118. The first panel 118 generally extends from the bottom side 108 and between the left side 110 and the right side 112. While the first panel 118 may be relatively flat, it is preferably a curviplanar panel having an inner surface 120 interfacing or disposed towards the slot 114 and an opposite outer surface 122. The first panel 118 may be substantially imperforate or alternatively include one or more holes formed through the inner surface 120 and/or outer surface 122. In a further embodiment (not shown), the first panel 118 may be a frame (i.e., having some or most of the panel 118 material removed from the center outward). The first panel 118 is preferably formed from a material that is plastically deformable, such as plastic, waxed cardboard, or lightweight metal, such as aluminum. Supported by the device 100 may be a logo or advertisement 124, which may be supported by the first panel 118, such as by being adhered or stitched to the outer surface 122 or printed directly thereon. The first panel 118 may have a variety of shapes, but it preferably has an incurvate top edge 126 formed with a radius (measured parallel to the panel 118) of about six inches to about nine inches, with about 6.5 inches to about 8 inches being most preferred.

Disposed closer to the rear side 104 than the front side 102 is a second panel 130. The second panel 130 generally extends from the bottom side 108 to the top side 106 and between the left side 110 and the right side 112.

While the second panel 130 may be relatively flat, it is preferably a curviplanar panel having an inner surface 132 interfacing or disposed towards the slot 114 and an opposite outer surface 134. The second panel 130 may be substantially imperforate or alternatively include one or more holes formed through the inner surface 132 and/or outer surface 134. In a further embodiment (not shown), the second panel 130 may be a frame (i.e., having some or most of the panel 130 material removed from the center outward. The second panel 130 is preferably formed from a material that is plastically deformable, such as plastic, waxed cardboard, or lightweight metal, such as aluminum. The second panel 130 is preferably formed from the same material as the first panel 118. Disposed on, adhered to, or otherwise formed as a portion of, the outer surface 134 may be a pad 136, which may cover a majority of the outer surface 134 or substantially all of the outer surface 134. The pad 136 may be formed from a desirable material, such as felt, rubber, or neoprene, for examples. The second panel 130 may have a variety of shapes. In one embodiment, the second panel 130 has an incurvate top edge 138 formed with a radius (measured parallel to the panel 130) of about six inches to about nine inches, with about 6.5 inches to about 8 inches being most preferred.

The first panel 118 and the second panel 130 are oriented to provide the slot 114 configured to receive a brim of a hat, such as a baseball cap 300. The first panel 118 is coupled to the second panel 130 to provide the slot 114. The coupling of the panels 118,130 may be achieved by one or more coupling straps 140. In one embodiment, a coupling strap 140 may be provided at each of the left side 110 and right side 112 of the headwear support 100. One or more additional straps 140 may be provided, such as being coupled to the panels 118,130 at the bottom side 108. Each strap 140 may be coupled to each panel 118,130 by a suitable strap fastener 142 (e.g., a rivet, a nut-bolt combination, a snap arrangement, a staple, an adhesive or heat weld, or hook-and-loop material). Alternatively, the strap 140 may be contiguously formed with one of the panels 118,130 and then fastened with a fastener 142 to the other panel 130,118. The straps 140 may be plastically deformable and/or relatively rigid (e.g., plastic or aluminum) or alternatively flexible (e.g., fabric or elastic). For ease of use with a single hand, rigid straps 140 may be preferred to maintain the slot 114 in a generally open configuration, even when empty.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the first panel 118 and the second panel 130 may be formed of a unitary piece of material, such as by being contemporaneously injection molded or by being stamped from a material and then bent to an arrangement to form the slot 114.

The support 100 further preferably includes a retaining member 116, configured to form a loop between itself and the second panel 130. The retaining member 116 is preferably a flexible strap 150, which may have an adjustment mechanism 152, such as a frictional buckle. The strap 150 may be non-destructively, removably coupled to either panel 118,130 at the left side 110 or right side 112 of the support 100. For instance, a D-ring 154 may be secured to one or both ends of the strap 150. The D-ring(s) 154 may interface to a corresponding catch 160 disposed at the left side 110 and/or right side 112 of the support 110. The catch 160 may be a substantially U-shaped hook member having a first leg 162 coupled to a panel 118,130 or a strap 140 and a second, free leg 164 configured to accept and engage the D-ring 154. The first leg 162 may be coupled to a panel 118,130 by a suitable fastener 166 (e.g., a rivet, a nut-bolt combination, a snap arrangement, a staple, an adhesive or heat weld, or hook-and-loop material). The free leg 164 is shown terminated in a square end, but it is to be understood that it may be preferable to chamfer or round off the free end of the free leg 164. Alternatively, the retaining member 116 may be coupled securely (i.e., requiring destruction or tool disassembly to remove) at one or both ends of the flexible strap 150 to either panel 118,130. Alternatively, the flexible strap 150 may be coupled securely at both ends and provided in a split, but overlapping relationship between the ends. Such overlapping relationship may then be secured by desired strap securing means, such as buckle, hook-and-loop material, one or more snaps, or a toggle arrangement.

With reference back to FIG. 1, to use a headwear support 100 according to the present invention, the outer surface 134 of the second panel 130 is disposed toward a limb 220 of a human 200, such as toward the lateral side of a bicep. The outer surface 134 (or pad 136) is placed against the bare or clothed limb 220, and the retaining member 116 is placed around the limb 220, such as proximate to a desired muscle (e.g., along the proximal bicep crease 222) securing the support 100 to the limb 220. A cap 300 is then inserted into the support 100, such as a visor of the cap 300 being inserted into the slot 114 in a slot direction between the panels 118,130. Generally, the crown of the cap 300 may be at least partially collapsed such that it may be positioned over a deltoid region of the human 200. The cap 300 may be supported by frictional contact between the cap visor and the inside surfaces 120,132 of the panels 118,130 or an extension thereof, contact of the top edge 126 of the first panel 118 and the crown of the cap 300, and/or contact of the visor of the cap 300 with one or more of the coupling straps 140. After a cap 300 is removed from the support 100, the support 100 may remain supported by the limb 220 for ease of transport, thereby displaying any logo 124 on the device. In any event, the logo 124 is preferably radially visible whether or not there is a cap 300 engaged with the support 100.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. For instance, a support 100 according to the present invention may be used to support caps 300 when strapped to a structure that is not a human body, such as in a retail setting, attached to a mannequin or support structure, such as a post. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a first panel; anda second panel coupled to the first panel, forming a slot disposed between the first panel and the second panel,wherein the slot is configured to receive at least a portion of a visor of a cap.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel are curviplanar.

3. A device according to claim 1, the first panel extending between and including a first panel bottom edge opposite a first panel top edge and a first panel left edge opposite a first panel right edge, the second panel extending between and including a second panel bottom edge opposite a second panel top edge and a second panel left edge opposite a second panel right edge,wherein the slot comprises an opening along the first panel top edge and the second panel top edge.

4. A device according to claim 3, the first panel top edge comprising an incurvate edge.

5. A device according to claim 4, the second panel top edge comprising an incurvate edge.

6. A device according to claim 3, wherein the first panel left edge is coupled to the second panel left edge, and the first panel right edge is coupled to the second panel right edge.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the first panel bottom edge is coupled to the second panel bottom edge.

8. A device according to claim 3, wherein the first panel bottom edge is coupled to the second panel bottom edge.

9. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a strap having a first strap end and a second strap end, the first strap end being coupled to at least one of the first panel left end and the second panel left end, and the second strap end being coupled to at least one of the first panel right end and the second panel right end.

10. A device according to claim 9, the first panel further comprising a first panel inner surface disposed toward the slot and a first panel outer surface disposed opposite the second panel inner surface, the second panel further comprising a second panel inner surface disposed toward the slot and a second panel outer surface disposed opposite the second panel inner surface, andthe strap and the second panel outer surface forming a majority of a loop.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the strap comprises an elastic material.

12. A device according to claim 1, the first panel further comprising a first panel inner surface disposed toward the slot and a first panel outer surface disposed opposite the second panel inner surface, the second panel further comprising a second panel inner surface disposed toward the slot and a second panel outer surface disposed opposite the second panel inner surface,the first panel inner surface being disposed at least substantially parallel to the second panel inner surface along a majority of a length of the slot.

13. A device according to claim 12, further comprising a visible indicia disposed on the first panel outer surface.

14. A device according to claim 13, further comprising: a cap having a visor,at least a portion of the visor of the cap being inserted into the slot in a slot direction, andthe indicia being visible from a viewing direction that is substantially perpendicular to the slot direction and radially inward towards the first panel outer surface.

15. A device according to claim 12, further comprising: a cap having a visor,at least a portion of the visor of the cap being inserted into the slot in a slot direction.

16. A device according to claim 15, the cap being supported by frictional contact between the visor and the first panel inside surface and between the visor and the second panel inside surface.

17. A device according to claim 15, the cap being supported by contact between an edge of the first panel and a crown portion of the cap.

18. A method comprising the steps of: providing a device comprising a slot defined by at least two panels;arranging the slot proximate a limb of a human body;supporting the two panels by the limb; andinserting at least a portion of a visor of a cap into the slot.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the panels are curviplanar.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the limb comprises an arm, and the supporting step comprises the step of securing a strap radially about a bicep crease of the arm, the strap being coupled to at least one of the panels.