Multi-axially stretchable fabric cap
A stretchable cap made from multi-axially stretchable fabric is described herein. The cap is composed of a main body having a lower peripheral edge, wherein the main body is composed of a plurality of gores made of multi-axially stretchable material. Additionally, two gores or more gores may be formed from one or more layers of multi-axially stretchable material that are coupled together to form self-supporting gores. Alternatively, two gores may be made from multi-axially stretchable material having a greater thickness than the other gores that form the cap's main body. The cap also includes an elastic sweatband coupled to a lower peripheral edge.
Numerous types of caps have been available for a number of years, some having various adjustable features in order to fit a variety of head sizes. One of the more common caps generally includes a cut-out or gap in the back with a band that is adjustable by reason of a plurality of slots which are engagable with one of a plurality of protuberances in order to adjust the headband size of the cap. Alternatively, caps have been developed which utilize uni-axially stretchable fabrics. However, these caps and hats have not been altogether desirable from the aspect of being comfortably fitted to the head of the wearer. That is, many of the uni-axially stretchable caps are unable to stretch in a plurality or multiplicity of directions thereby causing undue pressure on the head of the wearer and possibly leaving a mark or certainly providing discomfort when wearing the cap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONExemplary embodiments relate to a woven fabric cap made of a plurality of gores wherein at least the majority of the gores making up the cap are axially stretchable in a plurality of directions so as to provide an easy fit for the head of the wearer. Additionally, at least two gores are formed from at least two layers of multi-axially stretchable material to form self-supporting gores. By coupling two layers of stretchable material together, the cap is provided with a front crown that is self-supporting. In another exemplary embodiment, the two front gores may be formed from multi-axially stretchable material having a greater thickness than the other gores that form the main body of the cap in order to form a self-supporting front crown. The cap may also be provided with an elastic sweatband coupled to the lower peripheral edge of the cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the exemplary embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized.
Turning to the drawings,
The gores 102, 103 on the front of the cap may be composed of one or more layers of multi-axially stretchable material that are adhered together. As shown in
According to another exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In one exemplary embodiment, the bill or visor 101 may be fashioned of molded plastic having a curvilinear design. In another exemplary embodiment, the bill or visor 101 may have a flat straight design. Overlying the plastic component is a fabric, which may be of the same color and/or construction with respect to stretchability as to the stretchable fabric of the cap 100. The bill or visor 101 is coupled to the main body of the cap 100 below the front gores 102, 103, which may be composed of two or more layers of stretchable fabric. Alternatively, the bill or visor 101 is coupled below the front gores 500, 501, which may be composed of a single, thicker layer of stretchable fabric.
According to one exemplary embodiment, the gores 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 are made of a fabric that is composed of cotton and is woven with a stretchable synthetic fiber such as, but not limited to, spandex, which is a synthetic fiber composed of a long chain polymer which adds elasticity to the fabric. The fabric may be woven with the stretchable synthetic fiber in both the warp and the weft of the fabric in order to provide stretchability in more than one axial direction of the fabric making up the cap. One exemplary fabric has the following characteristics:
Another exemplary fabric has the following characteristics:
The cap 100 is fabricated with the gores 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 being sewn together in usual fashion and has a depending peripheral edge 111 in which is secured an elastic sweatband 400. The thread that may be utilized in fabricating the cap 100 is a typical commercially available nylon elastic thread and is of appropriate thickness, as those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize. The thread may only be strong enough to withstand the stretching forces to which the components making up the cap 100 will be exposed. It is important, however, that the thread itself will be of sufficient elasticity so as to contribute to the overall conformability of the cap 100.
As shown in
While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described with regards to various embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.
Claims
1. A stretchable fabric cap, comprising:
- a main body having a lower peripheral edge, the main body comprising plurality of gores, wherein each gore is made of multi-axially stretchable material and the two front gores are self-supporting gores; and
- an elastic sweatband coupled to the lower peripheral edge.
2. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 1 wherein a visor is coupled to the self-supporting gores.
3. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 2 wherein the self-supporting gores comprise at least two layers of multi-axially stretchable material.
4. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 2 wherein the self-supporting gores comprise a single, thick layer of multi-axially stretchable material.
5. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 2 wherein the elastic sweatband is a single unfolded layer.
6. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 2 wherein the elastic sweatband is a folded sweatband.
7. A stretchable fabric cap, comprising:
- a main body having a lower peripheral edge, the main body comprising a plurality of gores, wherein each gore is made of multi-axially stretchable material, and the two front gores are self-supporting gores comprising first layer of multi-axially stretchable material coupled to a second layer of multi-axially stretchable material;
- a visor coupled to the self-supporting gores; and
- a single unfolded elastic sweatband coupled to the lower peripheral edge, wherein the elastic sweatband includes Spandex.
8. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 7 wherein the at least two layers of multi-axially stretchable material are glued together with an elastomeric adhesive.
9. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 8 wherein the adhesive is EVA.
10. A stretchable fabric cap, comprising:
- a main body having a lower peripheral edge, the main body comprising a plurality of gores, wherein each gore is made of multi-axially stretchable material, and wherein two front gores are self-supporting gores comprising first layer of multi-axially stretchable material coupled to a second layer of multi-axially stretchable material;
- a visor coupled to the self-supporting gores; and
- a folded elastic sweatband coupled to the lower peripheral edge, wherein the sweatband includes Spandex.
11. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 10 wherein the first layer of multi-axially stretchable material is coupled to the second layer of multi-axially stretchable material with an elastomeric adhesive.
12. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 11 wherein the adhesive is EVA.
13. The stretchable fabric cap of claim 10 wherein the gores positioned at a back of the cap are made of multi-axially stretchable fabric that is cut along a diagonal of the fabric.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 8, 2003
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2005
Inventor: Suen Yan (Carson, CA)
Application Number: 10/637,783