Protective cover

Abstract

A flexible protective cover for an article of headwear which has a crown and a visor. The cover includes a first portion formed to resemble the shape of the crown and an integral pocket formed to receive the visor. The first portion and the pocket are formed from a sheet of polyvinyl chloride material which has a thickness between about 0.008 inches and about 0.012 inches. An inhibitor added to the material during a polymerization process significantly reduces penetration of ultraviolet light rays. The cover can be folded for storage purposes without forming permanent fold marks. The first portion extends beyond a peripheral edge of the crown and can be folded over a portion of such crown adjacent the peripheral edge. The folded portion may be positively urged for contact with the crown by a variety of retaining members.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/568,367 filed on May 5, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a protective cover for an article of headwear and, more particularly, this invention relates to a flexible protective cover for a baseball style cap which reduces penetration of ultraviolet light rays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is generally well known, headwear, such as caps, hats and the like are frequently worn for casual, work and formal occasions. Baseball style caps, in particular, are frequently worn during recreational sporting events and/or work related conditions and can be easily soiled. They can also be left in the vehicle for extended periods of time exposing them to damage from ultraviolet (UV) light rays.

Baseball style caps are also frequently used as a medium to obtain autographs from sport stars and such autographed caps are treasured and proudly displayed in homes and various establishments. Such displayed caps are prone to attracting dust particles and are also prone to damage from UV light rays which cause fading of the color and various insignia over time. Such UV light rays are produced by high intensity and fluorescent lamps in addition to the sunlight. Some caps are kept in glass enclosures to protect them from dust accumulation, however use of these enclosures results in wasted space.

Prior art protective coverings have not successfully resolved the problem of storing such hats and has not addressed the problem of damage from UV light rays.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved protective cover for a baseball style cap which provides protection from dirt, dust and UV light rays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides a flexible protective cover for an article of headwear which has a crown and a visor. The protective cover includes a first portion formed to the shape of the crown and an integral pocket formed to receive the visor. The first portion and the pocket are formed from a sheet of polyvinyl chloride material which has a thickness between about 0.008 inches and 0.012 inches.

An inhibitor added to the polyvinyl chloride material during the polymerization process significantly reduces penetration of the ultraviolet light rays thus protecting the headwear from damage due to UV light rays.

The first portion extends beyond a peripheral edge of the crown and can be folded over a portion of such crown adjacent the peripheral edge. The folded portion may be positively urged for contact with the crown by a variety of retaining members including a clip like member and an elongated member formed from a thicker material and either permanently attached to the extension portion or adjustably formed for removable fit within the crown.

The cover can be folded for storage purposes without forming permanent fold marks.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is provided for an article of headwear that has only a crown portion. Accordingly, the protective cover includes only a first portion formed to the shape of the crown which can extend beyond the peripheral edge thereof and can be folded over such peripheral edge and positively retained in the folded condition.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is provided for an article of headwear that has a crown and a brim surrounding such crown and laterally extending therefrom.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a protective cover for an article of headwear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover which conforms to headwear shape.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover which is flexible and can be compressed for storing purposes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover which significantly reduces penetration of UV light rays.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover which can be folded over the headwear's edge and positively retained in such folded condition.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective cover of the present invention in combination with a baseball style cap;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the protective cover along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the protective cover particularly showing an alternative retaining means for securing the folded edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, to FIGS. 1 and 2. Therein shown is an article of headwear, generally designated 10, which is a well known baseball style cap 10, which has a generally convex crown portion 12 with a bottom edge 14 and a rigid visor 16 outwardly extending from the crown portion 12.

A protective cover of the present invention, generally designated 20, includes a first generally convex portion 22 having a first predetermined shape and a predetermined size and having an inner surface 24 preferably engaging the outer surface of the crown portion 12. The first predetermined shape of the first portion 22 is preferably identical to the shape of the crown portion 12 of the cap 10. The protective cover 12 also includes a second portion 30 extending outwardly from the first portion 22. Such second portion 30 has a second predetermined shape and at least partially surrounds a bottom edge of the first portion 22. The second predetermined shape of the second portion 30 is preferably identical to the shape of the visor 16. It will be appreciated that the protective cover 22 formed by a combination of the first portion 22 and the second portion 30 will protect the outer surface of the baseball style cap 10.

To protect the edge of the visor 16, the second portion 30 may be adapted with a peripheral edge portion 32 having a predetermined height. To further protect the bottom surface of the visor 16, the protective cover 20 may be adapted with a third portion 34 identical to the second portion 30, which in combination with the edge portion 32 forms a pocket which is partially open enabling insertion of the visor 16 thereinto.

The protective cover 20 is manufactured from a thin lightweight polymer material which has a first predetermined thickness and which is preferably transparent to substantially communicate appearance of the crown portion 12 and the visor 16. Such polymer material may be rigid or semi-rigid, and preferably is a flexible polymer including but not limited to polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, polyurethane and the like. The preferred material is the polyvinyl chloride with the protective cover 20 being formed from a sheet of such polyvinyl chloride material, preferably by a vacuum forming method.

It has been found to be absolutely critical, in order for the protective cover 20 to conform to the shape of the cap 12 and to compress into a generally flat shape for storage purposes without forming permanent fold marks, that the first predetermined thickness of the material must be between about 0.008 inches and less than about 0.012 inches. Preferably, to achieve an optimum performance this first predetermined thickness will be controlled as close as possible to be about 0.010 inches.

It has been found that when such first predetermined thickness is less than 0.008 inches, the protective cover exhibits permanent fold marks after it has been compressed or folded. It has also been found that when such first predetermined thickness is 0.012 inches or greater, the protective cover 20 loses its flexibility and cannot be compressed or folded when not in use.

The first portion 22 may be further adapted with an extension portion 22 extending beyond the bottom edge of the crown portion 12 of the baseball style cap 10. Advantageously, such extension portion 22 may be folded over the bottom edge 14, as best shown in FIG. 2, for protection thereof. Preferably, such extension portion 22 extends along the peripheral edge of the first portion 22 and terminates at the edges of the second portion 30.

Preferably, means, generally designated 40, are provided for securing such folded extension portion 26. Such means 40 is an elongated member having a second predetermined thickness, which is greater than the first predetermined thickness of the first portion 22, and is permanently attached to the extension portion 26 so that when such extension portion 26 is folded over the bottom edge 14, such elongated member 40 urges the extension portion 26 for engagement with the inner surface portion of the crown 12 disposed adjacent the edge 14.

Alternatively, such elongated member 40 may be adjustably formed to a third predetermined shape enabling such elongated member 40 to be removably fitted within the crown portion 12 and urge the extension portion 26 for engagement with the inner surface portion of the crown 12 disposed adjacent the edge 14.

Alternatively, such means 40, best shown in FIG. 3, includes at least one clamp like member 42 having a first portion 44 and an opposed second portion 46 disposed for urging the contact of the extension portion 26 and the first portion 22 with the crown portion 12 disposed adjacent the edge 14 thereof.

A means 50 engageable with the protective cover 20 may be provided for significantly reducing transmission of UV light rays though at least a portion of the baseball style cap 10. In the presently preferred embodiment such means 50 is any of the well known UV inhibitors incorporated into the material of the protective cover 20 during the polymerization process of such material. Alternatively, such means 50 may be a UV protective coating 50 applied to at least a portion of the first and second portions 22 and 32 respectively.

It will be appreciated that the protective cover 20 may further incorporate anti glare properties either incorporated into the material during the polymerization process or applied in a coating form to the surface of the protective cover 20.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of a baseball style cap, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be applied to other headwear types. For example, a second portion 32 may be a continuous portion disposed adjacent the edge of the first portion 22 for protecting a hat which has a continuous peripheral brim. The extension portion 26 may be then attached to such peripheral second portion 32 and folded under the bottom surface thereof for additional protection.

Furthermore, the protective cover of the present invention may be utilized for protecting a uniform cap generally characterized by a circular crown, side panels and a visor.

Additionally, a first portion 22 may be utilized for protecting a brimless hat or cap.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A protective cover for an article of headwear having a crown and a visor extending from such crown and partially surrounding thereof, said protective cover comprising:

(a) a first portion having a first predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such crown of such headwear;

(b) a second portion having a second predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such visor, said second portion extending from said first portion and partially surrounding a peripheral edge of said first portion; and

(c) said first portion and said second portion formed from a predetermined polymer material having a first predetermined thickness.

2. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover further includes a third portion having said second predetermined shape and spaced from said second portion at a predetermined distance, said second portion and said third portion joined by an edge portion to form a pocket which is open adjacent said peripheral edge of said first portion for receiving such visor.

3. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material is a polymer selected from the group consisting of a flexible, a semi-rigid and a rigid polymer.

4. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined thickness is between about 0.008 inches and about 0.012 inches.

5. The protective cover according to claim 4, wherein said first predetermined thickness is about 0.010 inches.

6. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein said protective cover further includes means for significantly reducing transmission of ultraviolet light rays through one of said first portion, said second portion and a combination thereof.

7. The protective cover according to claim 6, wherein said means for significantly reducing transmission of ultraviolet light rays is an inhibitor incorporated into said predetermined polymer material during a polymerization process.

8. The protective cover according to claim 6, wherein said means for significantly reducing transmission of ultraviolet light rays is a coating applied to one of said first portion and said second portion and said combination thereof.

9. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein said first portion further includes an extension portion extending past an edge of such crown and foldable over such edge.

10. The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein said protective cover further includes means for urging said extension portion for contact with an inner surface of such crown.

11. The protective cover according to claim 11, wherein said means for urging said extension portion is one of a clamp means having a first portion engaging said extension portion and a second portion engaging an outer surface of said first portion, an elongated member having a second predetermined thickness and permanently attached to said extension portion, and an elongated member adjustably formed to a third predetermined shape and removably fitted within said first portion at least partially engaging said folded extension portion.

12. A protective cover for an article of headwear having a crown, said protective cover comprising a first portion having a first predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such crown of such headwear, said protective cover is formed from a predetermined polymer material having a first predetermined thickness.

13. The protective cover according to claim 12, wherein said protective cover further includes a second portion having a second predetermined shape and extending from said first portion, said second portion at least partially surrounding a peripheral edge of said first portion, said second portion is formed from said predetermined polymer material.

14. A protective cover for an article of headwear having a crown and a brim laterally extending from such crown and surrounding thereof, said protective cover comprising:

(a) a first portion having a first predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such crown of such headwear;

(b) a second portion having a second predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such brim and extending from said first portion, said second portion surrounding a peripheral edge of said first portion; and

(c) said first portion and said second portion formed from a polyvinyl chloride material having a thickness of between about 0.008 inches and about 0.012 inches.