Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering and protecting engagement regions of interconnecting straps employed with apparel. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sheath of material which is generally tubular in shape having a inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall of the tube defines a cavity therein. The sheath is sized to permit disposition of the sheath over at least a portion of interconnecting straps employed in conjunction with certain apparel. The sheath has a predetermined length which is selected to permit the sheath to cover at least a portion of engagement regions of the respective interconnecting straps when disposed thereon.

Abstract: An improved advertising nameplate is provided for a cap to be worn on a head of a person. The cap has a crown with a headband and a pair of adjustment straps at the back of the crown to adjust the size of the headband. The nameplate consists of a structure for concealing the pair of adjustment straps after the headband on the crown is adjusted. An apparatus is for removably mounting the concealing structure to the pair of adjustment straps, so that the concealing structure may be changed depending upon the preference of the person. A logo for advertising is disposed directly onto the concealing structure, so that the logo may be displayed therefrom.

Abstract: A cap strap cover device covers a sizing strap on a cap. The cap has a covering portion with a hemispheric opening adjacent the sizing strap. The cover device includes a padded structure having first and second portions formed by a hinge allowing the first and second portions to fold relative to one another. The first and second portions fold into a folded position around the cap sizing strap. The padded structure includes a perimeter and a display surface having indicia displayed thereon. The display surface is located on the padded structure so that the indicia is visible when the padded structure is in the folded position. A fastener is provided for holding the first and second portions of the padded structure in the folded position around the cap sizing strap. An appendage is coupled to the padded structure and extends beyond the perimeter of the padded structure.

Abstract: A head cap having an opening on its upper central or crown portion of the cap body, the opening being for receiving a "ponytail" hair style, with the walls around the opening providing lateral support to the ponytail. A neat and trim appearance of the ponytail extending through the opening is achieved, and the attractive vertical support is given to the ponytail even though given only by lateral support. In another embodiment, at least two openings are provided, spaced laterally of the median line of the cap body, accommodating a dual ponytail style.

Abstract: A headwear item, more particularly a baseball-style cap, having a hole at the top of the crown for a ponytail or braid to pass through and a removable closure that conceals the hole at the option of the wearer. The cap also has a pocket sewn on the inside of the crown to allow the stowage of the removable closure when it is not in use. This arrangement allows the cap to be worn by men and women with short hair as well as by those who wear their hair in a ponytail or braid.

Abstract: Ear muffs having an adjustable head band with ear pieces resembling a racing slick or monster truck tire. The ear pieces include removable hubcap discs on the outwardly facing sides thereof on which indicia may be applied in the nature of a race driver's name or the name of the racing establishment, for example. Ear cushions having a noise muffling material are removably attached to the inwardly facing sides of the tire ear pieces.

Abstract: A baseball cap configured to permit different logos to be interchangeably positioned on the cap. The cap includes a crown portion and a visor. The crown portion is comprised of a plurality of panels sewed onto a rib structure and a hat band. At least one of the plurality of panels define a front face of the cap, and the visor is attached to the crown portion of the cap adjacent the front face. The two panels defining the front face of the cap are made out of pile material and other panels of the crown portion, as well as the visor, can also be made out of pile material. The logos are equipped with hook fastener material which permits them to be detachably mounted on the cap. A piece of buckram material is positioned on the inside of the crown portion adjacent the panels forming the front face of the cap to maintain the front face in a shape where it is substantially perpendicular to the visor.

Abstract: A headgear having an attachable whistle, comprises a pair of perforations(2), a pair of protrudes(8) fixed on the inner part of the disc(3) to fit the disc with the cap(1), and a connecting mean(4) to connect the disc(3) with a flexible electric wire(6) of which a whistle(7) is suspended in one end, via a decoration clip(5) characterized in that, when an user blow up the whistle(7), it makes a sound like a harmonica or a whistle and on the other hand when the user press down a button(3b) of the electric disc(3) secured on one side of the cap(1), it make an electric sound and twinkled a lamp (3a) .

Abstract: A seal plate attachment for earmuffs. The seal plate attachment has a first and second portion including substantially flat surfaces, outer perimeters, and inner perimeters defining central openings. The first portion of the seal plate attachment includes a first channel extending around a section of the outer perimeter. The seal plate attachment second portion includes a rim, projecting inwardly from and extending around a section of the outer perimeter. The rim of the seal plate attachment second portion forms a second channel to oppose the first channel on the seal plate attachment first portion, allowing the second portion to be slidable relative to the first portion. An improved earmuff design includes rigid earcup elements, a connecting band, and soft sealing elements in combination with the seal plate attachments for earmuffs.

Abstract: Caps of the type used by baseball players but also used by other athletes and their fans have an opening at the back. A strap is attached to the headband of the cap on either side of the opening and the straps can be used to adjust the cap to fit the head size of the wearer by overlapping the ends of the straps to the necessary extent. One strap usually has spaced holes and the other spaced studs which fit into the holes. The present invention provides a panel which may carry the logo of a team, a merchandiser's advertisement or other design. The panel is secured to the overlapped straps in various ways described in detail.

Abstract: Disclosed is an all weather runner's hat, the design of which promotes airflow around the head and hair of a person while, at the same time, deflecting rain which comprises a generally hemispherical shell, a brim which is attached at an angle of about 15.degree. from horizontal and varies in width around the circumference, a number of vents positioned in the crown for ventilation, and a means of attaching the headband with spacers to create a novel air gap to allow air flow around the head and hair.

Abstract: An environmental shield secureable to a helmet, protecting a wearer. The helmet includes a rigid outer shell and a perforate liner positioned within the outer shell, leaving a space between a portion of the outer shell and the liner. The environmental shield can include a flexible sheet like main portion that shields the wearer when worn secured to the helmet. This shield includes an attaching portion of the main portion that is configured to secure the shield to the liner of the helmet in such a way that preserves the space between the liner and helmet so that air can flow into the helmet. Alternatively, the environmental shield can include a quadrilaterally shaped flexible sheet like main portion. This shield has two elongated flaps along one side of the main portion. Receded regions extend along adjacent sides from the flaps, and sloped so that the width of the shield increases. Shoulders protrude from the receded regions increasing the shield's width.

Abstract: A cap having an arrangement for shielding the ears of a wearer from direct sunlight by the use of a pair of generally elongate ear shades removably supported from the sides of the cap. This novel cap has a head-encircling portion and a crown portion as well as support devices for the ear shades. These support devices are mounted on opposite sides of the head-encircling portion, at locations generally corresponding to the temporal portions of a wearer's head. Each of the support devices is adapted for supporting one of the ear shades, with both of the ear shades being double-ended and of non-planar construction. A securing component is disposed on each end of each ear shade, adapted for engagement with the respective support device.

Abstract: A reversible hat includes a first crown portion and a second crown portion stitched to the first crown portion. A first brim section is stitched to a second brim section with a brim stiffener stitched therebetween. The first brim section stitches to the first crown portion, while the second brim section stitches to the second crown portion. An elastic band permits the expansion of the first and second crown portions to allow the reversible hat to fit the head of any wearer.

Abstract: A cap or hat having a visor for permitting a flow of air through the visor, thereby precluding unintentional removal of the cap by wind currents. The inventive device includes a cap having a visor;extending outwardly therefrom, with the visor having a semi-circular aperture extending therethrough. A venting assembly extends across the visor aperture and is secured to forward and lateral edges of the visor aperture only, thereby allowing a trailing edge of the venting assembly to be fluidly biased out of the plane of the visor such that a pressure differential across the visor is reduced. The device may take the form of an integrally molded vent having a predetermined shape and fixedly secured to the visor. In addition, mounting plates facilitating the retro-fitting of existing caps are also provided.

Abstract: A cap blocker provides for the maintenance of the shape of a billed, baseball type cap, particularly the shape of the front of the cap above the bill. The device is preferably formed of a flat, planar sheet of sturdy, relatively stiff material, which material allows at least some flexibility to adapt to the curvature of the band of a cap or the like. A vinyl plastic sheet material may be used, as well as other suitable materials. The cap blocker is inserted into the band of a cap, between the band and the outer cap material, where it extends upward into the front of the cap above the bill to prevent the collapse or deformation of that area of the cap. The blocker may also include relief areas along the upper edge, allowing the upper edge to be folded inward to accommodate the compound curvature of the top of the cap. Ventilation holes may also be provided for additional wearer comfort.

Abstract: An expandable baseball hat and cover adapted to expand and conform to differently shaped heads or protective devices. The hat includes a first flexible material which has an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge to form a skirt portion. The inner surface of the first material is provided with two tab members, each of which has coacting fastening means for releasable engagement with each other. The tab elements are engaged to gather the flexible material for a snug, conformed fit to the wearer's head. The expandable hat can be used in combination with a rigid shell, such as a batting helmet. The expandable hat is fitted over the shell for the skirt to snugly engage the peripheral edge of the shell without other fastening means. The skirt and inner surface of the shell are provided with second coacting fastening means in registration for releasable engagement.

Abstract: A sunglass system comprises a pocket releasably attached to the interior of a crown of a cap so as to present an access opening adjacent the cap visor. Upon cap positioning on the head of a user, a lens, positioned within the pocket, is user slidable between a first position above the eyes of the user and a second position below the cap visor and adjacent the eyes of the wearer. The lens is maintained at its second position by laterally extending tabs engaging the lower portion of the pocket and at its first position within the pocket by a releasable friction fit among the pocket, lens and cap crown.

Abstract: A sports hat construction includes a head covering portion having a lower opening defining a periphery. A brim portion is provided detachably secured to the head covering portion. An elongate band or strip, in the form of a male connector, is attached to the lower periphery of the head covering portion, while a female mating connector is secured to the brim. The male and female connectors are configurated and dimensioned to detachably engage each other in slidable relationship so that the brim can be slidably moved along the longitudinal length of the periphery of the cap. Advantageously, the head covering portion is selectively removable to permit the brim to continue to serve as a sun visor when the head covering portion is removed.

Abstract: A cap is disclosed which allows the wearer to display a photograph or other work of visual art through a transparent panel covering a cutout portion of the cap, providing protection for both the front and back surfaces of the photograph and having means for retaining the top and bottom of said photograph.