Contoured Swim Cap for People Having Long Hair, Braids, or Dreadlocks

Abstract

A swim cap (300) includes a body member (301) that defines a first cavity (302) and a second cavity (303). The first cavity (302) is for accommodating a swimmer's head (105), while the second cavity (303) is for accommodating a swimmer's hair (102), such as a ponytail, braids, extension braids, extensions, or dreadlocks. A head body portion (310) of the swim cap (300) sits about the swimmer's head (105), while a hair body portion (311) provides a compartment in which hair can be stowed without undue stretching or lumping.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/964,347, filed Aug. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to swimwear, such as caps or headwear worn while swimming, and more particularly to a contoured swim cap having a cavity to accommodate long hair.

2. Background Art

Swimmers often employ swim caps to cover their heads when swimming. Swim caps cover the swimmer's hair, thereby lessening drag and friction while the swimmer moves through the water. Additionally, some recreational swimmers wear swim caps to keep their hair from getting wet. The swimmer tucks his hair into the cap and then pulls the cap about the top of the head.

Prior art swim caps are often semi-spherical in shape. They are generally round and are formed so as to mimic the shape of a human skull. While older caps were made from a stretchable fabric, such as nylon or Spandex®, more modern caps are made from rubber-like materials, such as latex or silicone. Latex and silicone are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of manufacturability. Prior art silicone or latex swim caps tend to be relatively stiff so that they will retain their hydrodynamically beneficial properties while the swimmer is swimming.

Due to this relative rigidity and generally semi-spherical shape, prior art swim caps are not suitable for everyone. For example, turning to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is a female swimmer 100 with long hair 102 having hanging portions 103 configured as dreadlocks. Were this swimmer 100 to try and put her large amount of hair 102 beneath a prior art swim cap, it would most likely tear. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the swimmer 100 must wear the prior art swim cap 201 with her dreadlocks 103 hanging beneath. This configuration greatly compromises any hydrodynamic benefits of the swim cap 201. Even if the swimmer 100 can get most of her hair (102) into the swim cap 201 without tearing, it is likely to become lumpy and wrinkled due to the exaggerated stretching required. Further, a substantial portion of the swimmer's hair (102) will get wet.

There is thus a need for an improved swim cap suitable for use by swimmers with large amounts of hair, such as those with braids or dreadlocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a swimmer with long hair.

FIG. 2 illustrates a swimmer with long hair wearing a prior art swim cap.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a swim cap in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a swim cap in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front, right, top perspective view of a swimmer having long hair wearing a swim cap in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear, right, top perspective view of a swimmer having long hair wearing a swim cap in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate methods of using a swim cap in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. Further, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, reference designators shown herein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the one in discussion. For example, talking about a device (10) while discussing figure A would refer to an element, 10, shown in figure other than figure A.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a contoured swim cap that both fits over the head of the swimmer and that fits over a relatively large amount of the swimmer's hair. In one embodiment, when the swimmer gathers her hair into a ball or bun at the rear of the head, a swim cap having two distinct cavities can be placed over the head. A first cavity generally conforms to the swimmer's head, while a second cavity encapsulates the ball or bun of hair. Embodiments of the present invention include streamlined contours such that the swimmer's head and hair are accommodated without undue wrinkling or misshapenness that might cause adverse hydrodynamic effects. In addition to being used as a swim cap, embodiments of the invention can be used as a bathing cap or rain cap as well.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is one embodiment of a swim cap 300 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The swim cap 300 includes a body 301 that is contoured such that it defines at least two main cavities. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the swim cap 300 includes a first cavity 302 that is configured to accommodate a swimmer's head. The swim cap 300 also includes a second cavity 303 that is configured to accommodate a swimmer's hair. When in use, the swim cap 300 can prevent the swimmer's hair from touching the swimmer's neck when the swim cap 300 is placed with the first cavity 302 about the swimmer's head and with the swimmer's hair stowed in the second cavity 303.

In one embodiment, the body 301 comprises a unitary body member that is made from a single piece of a relatively thin, pliant, stretchable, and resilient material, such as silicone, or latex. Where such a material is used, the swim cap 300 can be manufactured using a thermal molding process where silicone or latex is disposed about a mold having a positive protrusion corresponding to the first cavity 302 and the second cavity 303 and then allowed to cool. Other manufacturing processes, such as dipping or injection molding, may also be used.

In one embodiment, a curvature portion 305 is disposed between the body portion defining the first cavity 302 and the body portion defining the second cavity 303. This curvature portion 305, which is concave relative to the exterior of the swim cap 300 and convex relative to the interior portion of the swim cap 300, may circumscribe the body as shown in FIG. 3. The curvature portion 305 provides the swim cap 300 with an hourglass shape. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the curvature portion 405 may only partially circumscribe the body 401, thereby leaving a base portion 408 of the swim cap with a flatter, smoother appearance. In this, embodiment, the swim cap takes on a semi-hourglass shape. Note that the opposite may also be true—the curvature portion 405 may partially circumscribe the body 401 along the base portion, which would leave the top portion 409 with a flatter appearance. The particular configuration can be chosen based upon hairstyle and optimum hydrodynamic properties.

Turning back to FIG. 3, the body 301 comprises a head body portion 310, the curvature portion 305, and the hair body portion 311. Just as swimmers can have different sized heads and different amounts of hair, the swim cap 300 can be designed with different sized head body portions 310 and hair body portions 311. For example, one head body portion 310 can be manufactured with different hair body portion 311 sizes, and vice versa. In one embodiment, the head body portion 310 may be larger in volume accommodation while the hair body portion 311 is smaller in volume accommodation. In another embodiment, such as one for swimmers with large amounts of hair or dreadlocks, the hair body portion 311 may be greater in accommodating volume than the head body portion 310.

Further, the swim cap 300 can be configured to accommodate variable amounts of hair by varying the thickness of the body 301. By way of example, in one embodiment, the head body portion thickness 306—which is the thickness of the body material in the head body portion—is thicker than the hair body portion thickness 307—which is the thickness of the body material in the hair body portion. A larger head body portion thickness can provide stability and help to retain the swim cap 300 on the swimmer's head. The larger head body portion thickness also helps to prevent unwanted folding or bulging. The smaller hair body portion thickness allows for greater flexibility and stretching of the body material, thereby making it easier to accommodate large amounts of hair in the hair body portion 311. In such an embodiment, the curvature portion 305 tapers in thickness from the head body portion 310 to the hair body portion 311, with thickness of material in the curvature portion 305 being greater near the head body portion 310 and lesser near the hair body portion 311.

Where the swim cap 300 is made from silicone or latex, exemplary thicknesses may range as follows: The head body portion thickness 306 can be less than 500 thousandths of an inch. For instance, the head body portion thickness 306 may range from 0.125″ to 0.250″. The hair body portion thickness 307 then is thinner, such as between 0.050″ and 0.125″. It will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that these measurements are illustrative examples only. Other measurements for these thicknesses can be chosen based upon head size, hair size, and application.

Where different thicknesses of material are used for the head body portion 310 and the hair body portion 311, each portion will have a different elasticity associated therewith. For instance, when the hair body portion thickness 307 is thinner than the head body portion thickness 306, the head body portion elasticity will be less than the hair body portion elasticity to the change in material thickness. Such a configuration is useful for retaining the swim cap 300 on the swimmer's head while providing additional “stretchability” in the hair body portion 311.

Optional accessories can be added to the swim cap 300 as well. For example, in one alternative embodiment, an optional gripping member 320 can be included. The gripping member 320, which can be an elastomer, an additional band of body material, or other friction-adding component, can be placed about the opening 304 to help retain the head body member 310 securely on the swimmer's head. In one embodiment, the gripping member 320 circumscribes the opening 304.

In another embodiment, an optional chin strap (illustrated in FIG. 4 as element 421) can be added to help retain the swim cap to the swimmer's head. As noted above, in one embodiment the swim cap is manufactured from latex or silicon. However, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that other materials—including nylon or Spandex®—may also be used to construct the swim cap. Where an alternative material, not having the frictional properties of latex or silicone is used, the optional chin strap 421 may be desired. The chin strap 421 can be made detachable with a fastening element 422. The fastening element 422 may be a snap, hook and loop fastener, or other coupling device.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrated therein is a swimmer 100 having long hair, such as braids or dreadlocks, wearing a swim cap 300 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. As shown with the cutaway section, the hanging portions 103 of the swimmer's hair (102) are positioned within the second cavity (303) such that the hair body portion 311 encapsulates the swimmer's hair (102). The swimmer's head 105 has been positioned within the first cavity (302) such that the head body portion 310 substantially covers the swimmer's head 105. The curvature portion 305 provides a smooth, concave surface running from the head body portion 310 to the hair body portion 311. The swim cap 300 substantially covers the swimmer's hair (102) to help prevent it from retaining water. Additionally, the swim cap 300 causes the swimmer's hair (102) to remain under the hair body portion 311 and off the swimmer's neck 106. Note that in FIG. 6, the dashed lines illustrate exemplary curvatures of the swim cap 300.

Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is one method of wearing or using a swim cap (300) in accordance with embodiments of the invention. At step 701, a swim cap (300) is provided. In one embodiment, the swim cap (300) includes a contoured body (301) that defines at least a first cavity (302) configured to accommodate the swimmer's head (105) and a second cavity (303) configured to accommodate hanging portions (103) of a swimmer's hair, which may be in the form of a pony tail, braids, extension braids, hair extensions, bun, or dreadlocks.

At step 702, the swimmer (100) gathers hanging portions (103) of her hair and forms the hanging portions (103) into a bun at the rear portion of her head. At step 703, the swimmer (100) places the bun in the second cavity (303) of the swim cap (300). At step 704, the swimmer (100) pulls the first cavity (302) about her head.

Turning now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is additional detail regarding the step (702) of gathering the swimmer's hair. Some swimmers may desire additional support, as the weight of hair can be quite heavy. Additionally, support for the bun of hair can make putting the swim cap (300) on simpler. As such, at step 801, the swimmer ties the hanging portions (103) of her hair into a bun with a hair holding device, such as a bobbie pin or elastic band.

Turning now to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is additional detail regarding the step (703) of placing the bun of hair into the second cavity (303). As noted above, in one embodiment the hair body portion (311) is configured to be thinner and lighter than the head body portion (310) to facilitate extra stretchability for the bulkiness and long lengths of hair belonging to some swimmers. As such, at step 901, the swimmer with longer hair stretches the second cavity (303) about the bun of hair. By placing the formed hair in the unique, sock-like second cavity (303), the user is able to keep hair off the neckline while swimming.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.

Claims

1. A swim cap, comprising a body, wherein the body defines at least two main cavities and an opening, wherein a first cavity is configured to accommodate a swimmer's head, further wherein a second cavity is configured to accommodate a swimmer's hair.

2. The swim cap of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is larger than the second cavity.

3. The swim cap of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is smaller than the second cavity.

4. The swim cap of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a contoured, unitary body member.

5. The swim cap of claim 4, wherein the body comprises a contoured body having a curvature portion, the curvature portion being concave relative to an exterior of the contoured body, and being disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity.

6. The swim cap of claim 5, wherein the swim cap is configured in one of an hourglass shape or a semi-hourglass shape.

7. The swim cap of claim 5, wherein the body comprises a head body portion defining the first cavity and a hair body portion defining the second cavity, wherein the curvature portion is disposed between the head body portion and the hair body portion.

8. The swim cap of claim 7, wherein the head body portion has a head body portion thickness and the hair body portion has a hair body portion thickness, wherein the head body portion thickness is greater than the hair body portion thickness.

9. The swim cap of claim 8, wherein the head body portion thickness is less than five hundred thousandths of an inch.

10. The swim cap of claim 7, wherein the curvature portion tapers in thickness from the head body portion to the hair body portion.

11. The swim cap of claim 7, wherein the head body portion has a head body portion elasticity associated therewith, further wherein the hair body portion has a hair body portion elasticity associated therewith, wherein the swim cap is configured such that the hair body portion elasticity is greater than the head body portion elasticity.

12. The swim cap of claim 4, wherein the body is constructed from one of latex or silicone.

13. The swim cap of claim 12, wherein the body comprises thermally molded silicone.

14. The swim cap of claim 1, wherein the swim cap further comprises a chin strap detachably coupled to the body.

15. The swim cap of claim 1, wherein the swim cap further comprises a gripping member, configured to retain the swim cap to the swimmer's head, wherein the gripping member is disposed so as to circumscribe the opening.

16. The swim cap of claim 1, wherein the swim cap is configured to prevent the swimmer's hair from touching a swimmer's neck when the swim cap is placed about the swimmer's head with the swimmer's hair stowed in the second cavity.

17. A method of wearing a swim cap, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the swim cap, wherein the swim cap comprises a contoured body defining at least a first cavity configured to accommodate a swimmer's head and a second cavity configured to accommodate a swimmer's hair;

gathering hanging portions of the swimmer's hair and forming the hanging portions into a bun at a rear portion of the swimmer's head;

placing the bun into the second cavity; and

pulling the first cavity about the swimmer's head.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the contoured body comprises a silicone body.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of tying the hanging portions into the bun with a hair-holding device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of placing the bun into the second cavity comprises stretching the second cavity about the bun.