Abstract:
A baseball cap designed to be collapsible in order to be compact enough to conveniently fit in a shirt pocket or a pair of pants. A retractable element of the membrane in the frame of the cap allows the cap to return to its recognizable baseball shape, when the cap is not restricted in its compacted form.
Abstract:
A hat assembly capable of being repeatedly, easily and selectively oriented either in a compact, collapsed position for convenient storage and transport, or in an outwardly expanded position for wearing. The hat assembly includes a head engaging portion which at least partially encloses a portion of the head of a wearer, and an outwardly extending brim, both preferably made of a soft, flexible cloth material. The brim is structured to extend outwardly a significant distance from the head of the wearer so as to offer some protection to the wearer's face, neck and shoulders from the sun, by maintaining these areas in a shaded position. The hat assembly also includes a shaping frame in the form of a continuous, closed loop of flexible material secured to a outer periphery of the brim. In the expanded position, the hat assembly is defined by the shaping frame assuming a single substantially circular configuration and exerting a radially directed tensioning force on the brim so as to maintain it in a substantially planar orientation in surrounding relation to the wearer's head. The collapsed position is defined by twisting or other manipulation of the shaping frame to orient and dispose the shaping frame in a plurality of attached, substantially concentrically oriented loops with the material defining the brim and the head engaging portion disposed in folded over relation about the loops.
Abstract:
Expanded structures are formed by cutting a series of concentric rings or sections from a single block or sheet of solid material. The "rings" need not be circular, but may be any regular or irregular geometric or other shape as desired, so long as they are substantially concentric with one another. The cuts are made so that they angle outwardly from the upper to the lower surface of the block or sheet, and pass completely through the sheet or block. This provides a series of concentric sections, with each section having a lower, outer periphery which is at least slightly larger than the upper, inner periphery of the next larger adjacent section. This allows each section to be stacked atop a larger adjacent section, with the lower outer edge surface of each smaller section resting upon the upper inner edge surface of the larger section immediately therebelow. Alternatively, the tapered outer and inner walls or faces of adjacent sections may be wedged together, with an adjacent inner section protruding somewhat from the plane of its adjacent outer section. Such structures may be formed in virtually any practicable size, from utility sheds including door and window openings formed therein, to smaller household containers, works of art, etc. as desired. The structures may be made permanent by coating with a suitable material (e.g., glass fiber and resin, etc.) if so desired. Different colors of materials may also be assembled together, to produce structures having alternating bands of colors therein.
Abstract:
A foldable umbrella fan is constructed of a form-retaining pleated shield and a protective support binder. The pleated shield of the umbrella fan may be fanned open 360.degree. into a full circle for use as an umbrella. Alternatively, the pleated shield may be fanned partially open for use as a fan. The pleated shield also may be fully collapsed to store the closed umbrella fan in a briefcase, handbag, or pocket.
Abstract:
A high quality, ultra-lightweight headgear and method of displaying and storing the headgear in a rolled up format. The headgear is adapted for folding and rolling into a tight compact unit for ease in packaging, product display, travel and storage. The headgear, when unrolled and unfolded, returns to its original and natural shape maintaining its rigidity and new appearance. The headgear may be a visor, ball cap and the like and is made of cloth fabric with a fabric covered soft bill of different shapes. The bill is characterized by being made of closed cell, chemically crosslinked, polyolefin foam with an average cell size of not more than, 0.008 inches and a density range of 5 to 12 pcf. The bill, by the nature of the polyolefin foam construction, won't break or crease when folded or crushed. The bill has a thickness in a range of 3/32 to 1/8 inches and a compression set in a range of 6 to 10% of its thickness. The closed cell polyolefin foam structure of the bill is more rigid and has a higher tensile strength and modulus which makes it a firmer cap bill and also allows its use in a much thinner skiving without the bill having a floppy appearance. The headgear also includes hook and loop fasteners which allow the item to be adjustable to any size head. Further, the headgear includes a headband covered with cloth fabrics The headband is made of an open cell foam material and is designed to absorb perspiration and be self wicking.
Abstract:
Headwear, such as visor or cap, which has a bill for shielding the wearer's face, which bill extends from the headband that encircles the wearer's head. The bill is attached to the headband along its inner edge and has a wire-like, flexible member which extends along the outer edge or periphery of the bill. The wire-like member serves to maintain the bill in a fully extended condition when worn but has sufficient flexibility to permit the bill and headband to be folded into a compact, collapsed condition and to fit into a small pouch or pocket for storage.
Abstract:
A folding hat includes a crown and a brim which extends around the entire periphery of the crown. The brim is relatively stiff and flat so that it extends outwardly from the crown. The brim is provided with a hinge for folding the brim into a compact configuration for storage.
Abstract:
This invention is an improved collapsible cap that may be easily opened and closed so that when the cap is in a closed position the cap will be of relatively uniform height allowing the cap to be easily packed and stored. The apparatus of this invention accomplishes the foregoing by encapsulating the opening and closing mechanism of the cap, i.e., a hinge having a pivot pin in a plastic material and attaching one portion of the plastic material to the cap frame and another portion of the plastic material to a folded over encircling fabric tape containing a circular wire grommet.
Abstract:
A cap has a releasable rear portion of a crown which is swept forward while the crown is compressed to convert the cap to a sunvisor. A tab connected to the rearward edge of the crown has a fastener at its distal end to connect with a fastener on the visor to convert the cap to a sunvisor.
Abstract:
A sunshade has ribs which emanate from a hub and are connected intermediate their ends to struts which are in turn connected to a center sleeve. When the sleeve is remote from the hub, the ribs and struts lie alongside each other in a collapsed position in which they are generally parallel to the axis of the hub. However, as the sleeve is moved upwardly toward the hub, the struts swing outwardly and push the ribs outwardly. Indeed, the struts pass through an over center position before the sleeve comes against the hub, and when the sleeve is against the hub, the ribs are in an extended position wherein they radiate from the hub. Each rib at its outer end has a rib extension connected to it, and these rib extensions fold between extended positions, wherein they form continuations of their respective ribs, and folded positions wherein they lie alongside their respective ribs. A fabric cover is connected to the ribs and rib extensions and folds with them. Some of the ribs have legs depending from them, and a head band is attached to the lower ends of these legs.