Cap With Aligned Illumination Device
A cap includes forward-looking illumination in the form of light beam emitted from at least one elongated flashlight of generally-cylindrical shape mounted to the visor of the cap. A clip includes adjacent semicircular and slot regions for holding the flashlight and engaging the visor respectively. The clip includes outwardly-displaceable free edges of the semicircular and slot regions for facilitating the ready installation of the flashlight and the mounting of the flashlight to the visor. Each flashlight is of the elongated type and arranged by means of an associated clip so that the light emitting end is remote from the skull-covering portion of the cap whereby light is projected along the field of view of the wearer.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to headgear. More particularly, this invention pertains to headgear that is not only protective and decorative but includes an illuminated viewing function.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The popular “baseball cap” is a generic term for a (generally fabric) headgear that includes a cover for a substantial upper portion of one's skull and a protruding visor that is joined to the lower edge of the skull cover. Many varieties of this work and recreational item are included almost universally in wardrobes, both male and female.
While normally considered an item of casual or functional dress, the baseball-style cap finds a place at both the upper and lower ends of the price scale. Additionally, it has gained acceptance not only at work and in the gymnasium, but also in restaurants of varying sophistication.
The proliferation of acceptable venues for wearers of the generic baseball-style cap means that a wearer may encounter numerous environmental situations while wearing one. A number of such “venues” may provide substandard lighting. Such venues may be work related, eating related, exercise related or simply lounging related.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention addresses the preceding and other shortcomings of the prior art by providing a cap. Such cap includes an upper skull covering portion having a lower edge. A visor is attached to and extends from the lower edge of the upper skull covering portion.
At least one elongated flashlight of generally-cylindrical shape is provided, each being capable of projecting a beam. A clip is provided for selectively securing at least one flashlight to the visor of the cap.
The preceding and other features of the invention will become further apparent from the detailed description that follows. Such description is accompanied by a set of drawing figures. Numerals of the drawings, corresponding to those of the written description, point to the features of the invention with like numerals referring to like features throughout both the written description and the drawings.
Turning now to the drawings,
As can be seen, particularly with reference to
The utility of the clip 10 for mounting a flashlight is illustrated in
The design of the clip 10 presumes that the flashlight 26 is generally of elongated cylindrical or barrel-like shape. Examples of commercially available flashlights of such shape and suitability for use in the present invention are those manufactured by Coast Products of Portland Oreg. and available through selected retailers in a variety of sizes and power. Examples of Coast flashlights that may be employed in a cap with illumination in accordance with the invention include those having product designations G10, G20, G45, HP2, HP3, HP4, PX20 and PX25. Each of such flashlights utilizes light emitting diode (LED) technology that offers modest to intense direct light. While Coast flashlights employing LED technology are suitable for use in the present invention, the invention is limited neither to LED technology nor to the products of such particular manufacturer. Rather, any flashlight of generally cylindrical shape and size for accommodation by a clip 10 as described above may be utilized in and form a part of a cap with illumination in accordance with the invention.
Comparing the embodiment of
In addition to a choice of flashlight mountings (above visor, below visor) and flashlight (and clip) sizes, one may mount either one or two flashlights to opposed portions of the peripheral edge 34 of the visor 30. This will reflect the preferences and needs of the wearer. A perspective view of a cap 28 with elongated flashlights 26, 26′ mounted to opposed sections of the common peripheral edge 34 of the visor 30 is illustrated in
By utilizing the teachings of the invention, the light emitted from a mounted flashlight follows the wearer wherever he looks, leaving his hands free. The invention is easy to use, making it convenient to do almost anything in dark/low light, including, but not limited to, walking around the house early in the morning or late at night without bothering others by turning on and off the lights, looking for missing objects, working on the car, checking the computer keyboard or when you just need extra direct light.
By employing a combination of elements in which the clip is separable from the flashlight, the wearer can readily remove the flashlight from the cap when it is advantageous to hold the flashlight rather than to leave it attached to the cap.
While the invention has been described with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it is not limited thereto. Rather, this invention is limited only insofar as it is defined by the following set of patent claims and includes within its scope all equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A cap comprising, in combination:
- a) an upper skull covering portion having a lower edge;
- b) a visor attached to and extending from said lower edge of said upper skull covering portion;
- c) at least one elongated flashlight of generally-cylindrical shape, each of said at least one flashlight being capable of projecting a beam; and
- d) a clip for selectively securing each of said at least one flashlight to said visor of said cap;
- e) said clip includes a semicircular portion for holding said flashlight adjacent a slot region for engaging said visor; and
- f) said slot region and said semicircular portion of said clip are side-by-side and share a common portion for positioning said flashlight adjacent a surface of said visor.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. A cap as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot region includes an outwardly-displaced free edge for facilitating engagement to said visor.
5. A cap as defined in claim 1 wherein said semicircular portion includes an outwardly-displaced free edge for facilitating engagement of said flashlight to said clip.
6. A cap as defined in claim 1 wherein:
- a) said visor has opposed upper and lower surfaces;
- b) said clip holds said flashlight; and
- c) said clip is selectively engageable to said visor for positioning said flashlight relative to said visor.
7. A cap as defined in claim 6 wherein:
- a) said flashlight is generally longitudinally elongated between opposed ends;
- b) said flashlight emits illumination from one end; and
- c) said clip is selectively engageable to said visor for positioning said flashlight relative to said visor so that said light emitting end is remote and said other end is proximal with respect to said upper skull covering portion of said cap.
8. A cap as defined in claim 7 wherein said flashlight is positioned by said clip to overlie the upper surface of said visor.
9. A cap as defined in claim 7 wherein said flashlight is positioned by said clip to lie under the lower surface of said visor.
10. A cap as defined in claim 7 further characterized in that:
- a) said cap includes two flashlights; and
- b) each of said flashlights is affixed to an opposed portion of a common peripheral edge of said visor by an associated clip.
11. A cap as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one flashlight is of the light emitting diode type.
12. A cap as defined in claim 1 wherein said clip is of resilient metallic composition.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 23, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 26, 2015
Inventor: Gregory G. Mascitti (North Hollywood, CA)
Application Number: 13/974,424