Sporting caps
A method for constructing headwear improves upon the design and therefore the marketability of current headwear by fabricating components of headwear from materials which are the same as or substantially similar to those materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods and equipment.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 11/062,985 filed Feb. 22, 2005, currently pending, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates generally to headwear, and more particularly to a method for constructing baseball-style caps from materials which are the same as or substantially similar to those used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods such as footballs, baseballs, basketballs, golf balls, etc.; sporting equipment such as NASCAR® (professional race car) tires, etc. in the fabrication of the bill and/or other components of the headwear.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAs is well known, sports memorabilia is an enormous industry worldwide. Fans of particular sporting activities, teams, or players often want to feel as though they themselves are participating in a sporting event. Fans will often have a ball or other piece of equipment on hand when they are watching a sporting event in order to better experience the environment of the sport. Additionally fans often purchase souvenirs that are constructed and fabricated substantially similarly to the equipment and apparel used in the sport; for example, authentic jerseys are available for purchase with either the team name and/or a particular athlete's name thereon.
Headwear such as baseball-style caps, visors, etc. are among the most popular souvenirs and memorabilia sold and worn worldwide. Traditional sporting caps are primarily constructed from a variety of textiles including cotton, polyester, wool, and various other fabrics. The bill of the cap is generally constructed using a rigid material covered by a fabric. Heretofore headwear including one or more components constructed from components of sporting equipment have not been available.
The present invention comprises an improvement over the design and construction of traditional sporting headwear. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, components of sporting headwear are constructed from materials that are the same as or substantially similar to materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of equipment used in the play or operation of the sport. The result is headwear having components that replicate the appearance of a particular sporting good or piece of sporting equipment.
In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, a sporting cap representing a particular sport, team, or league has the bill constructed from the materials that are the same as or substantially similar to the materials used to construct a sporting good or an essential piece of equipment used in the represented sport. In addition to or alternative to the bill, panels of the cap may be constructed from materials that are the same as or substantially similar to those materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of equipment used in the play or operation of the sport. For example, a cap representing a NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE® (professional football) team may have the bill and/or panels of the cap constructed from the same leather material used in the manufacture of footballs used in the play of the game. Alternatively a cap representing auto racing or a particular race driver may have the bill and/or panels of the cap constructed from a material representative of the rubber used in the fabrication of the tires used on race cars.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGA more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:
Referring to the Drawings, and particularly to
The bottom surface 22 may be fabricated from a textile material such as cotton, wool, polyester, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art for use in the manufacture of sportswear and apparel. Alternatively, as shown in
Instead of a crown, the cap 40 comprises one panel formed into a circular band 42 instead of a crown. The front of the band 42 is taller in height than the remaining circumference thereof. The band 42 may be a full circle, or may have a connector 43 between the ends of the band to facilitate a better fit to varying sizes of human heads. The connector 43 may be fabricated from an elastic material or another pliable material known to those skilled in the art as suitable for sizing baseball style caps.
The bill 16′ is attached at the front of the band 42 and protrudes substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The top surface 18′ is fabricated from one of the various synthetic material that are the same as or substantially similar to those used in the manufacture of the cover of golf balls such as urethane elastomer, surelyn, and other suitable materials used in the manufacture of the cover of a golf ball. The material used could vary depending on the type of ball the purchaser prefers, or the material could be the same as the ball used by a preferred professional golfer.
The present invention has been illustrated in the form of baseball-style caps and sun visors, however the method is equally applicable to other forms of headwear. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. An article of headwear comprising:
- a circular band having a base;
- a bill attached to the base of the circular band and having a top surface, a rigid center deck, and a bottom surface; and
- at least one surface of the bill comprising a material selected from the group consisting of materials identical to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods and materials substantially similar to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods.
2. The headwear of claim 1 wherein the surface of the bill comprises a material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a football.
3. The headwear of claim 1 wherein the surface of the bill comprises a material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a baseball.
4. The headwear of claim 1 wherein the surface of the bill comprises a material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a basketball.
5. The headwear of claim 1 wherein the surface of the bill comprises a material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a golf ball.
6. The headwear of claim 1 wherein the surface of the bill comprises a material simulating the material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a race car tire.
7. An article of headwear comprising:
- a plurality of panels sewn together to form a dome-shaped crown;
- a bill attached to the base of the crown and having a top surface, a rigid center deck, and a bottom surface; and
- at least one of the panels of the crown comprising a material selected from the group consisting of materials identical to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods and materials substantially similar to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods.
8. The headwear of claim 7 wherein the panel of the crown comprises a material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a football.
9. The headwear of claim 7 wherein the panel of the crown comprises a material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a baseball.
10. The headwear of claim 7 wherein the panel of the crown comprises a material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a basketball.
11. The headwear of claim 7 wherein the panel of the crown comprises a material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a golf ball.
12. The headwear of claim 7 wherein the panel of the crown comprises a material simulating the material used in the manufacture of the outer surface of a race car tire.
13. The headwear of claim 7 wherein at least one surface of the bill comprises a material selected from the group consisting of materials identical to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods and materials substantially similar to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods.
14. A method for constructing headwear of the type having a crown and bill having a top surface, a rigid center deck, and a bottom surface secured to the base of the crown comprising:
- providing a plurality of panels each having opposed edges;
- securing the plurality of panels together at the edges thereof to form a crown having a base;
- providing a bill having top and bottom surfaces;
- securing the bill to the base of the crown;
- selecting a material from the group consisting of materials identical to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods and materials substantially similar to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods; and
- fabricating a surface of the bill from the selected material.
15. The method for constructing headwear according to claim 14 further comprising fabricating the bottom surface of the bill from a material selected from the group consisting of materials identical to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods and materials substantially similar to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods.
16. The method for constructing headwear according to claim 15 wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of materials identical to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods and materials substantially similar to materials used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 6, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventor: Roger Wakefield (Sasche, TX)
Application Number: 11/327,774
International Classification: A42B 1/00 (20060101);