HEADWEAR CROWN COVER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a decorative device for a piece of headwear and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a headwear crown cover system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hats and caps, such as baseball caps, are common pieces of apparel worn by women, men, kids, and people young and old. These items often are emblazoned with logos or slogans that are important to the wearer and may be associated with sports teams, schools, groups, clubs, and other associations important to the item's wearer. However, these details are entirely permanent to the hat or cap and cannot be updated or altered easily without destroying the original. What is needed is a quick and easy solution that is uniformly applicable to all headwear which can update the outward appearance of the item.

Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a headwear crown cover system with the advantages and features of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a cover for a cap or hat, such as a baseball cap having a six-panel crown. The cover for such a cap would include six corresponding panels and a top opening to receive the top button of the cap crown. An embodiment of the cover could include a single congruous panel to cover cap crowns as well as an alternative design. The cover is only designed to be placed over the crown portion of the cap; no portion of the cover disguises the brim of the cap.

The cover includes a top opening to allow the button of the cap to pass through. An embodiment could cover the button as well to change the color to match the rest of the cap cover.

An embodiment of the cap cover could be used to cover a crown of a cap with a closure element, such as a snap back or a strap. A pair of loops located along an opening of the cap closure corresponding with an opening near the closure of the cap are designed to allow the straps to thread through the loops, securing the cap cover around the entirety of the crown.

Another embodiment of the cap cover could include an elasticized band around the base of the cover panel(s). This elasticized band would be stored within a seam of the cover panel(s) and increases the snugness of the fit of the cover against the crown of the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional exploded isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical environment being installed upon the crown of a fitted cap.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a right-side elevational view thereof, the left-side view being a mirror-image thereof.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional isometric view showing the preferred embodiment installed upon the environment of the cap crown.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a right-side elevational view thereof, the left-side view being a mirror-image thereof.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical environment being installed upon the crown of a cap having a closure element.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view thereof shown installed upon the environment of the cap crown and closure.

FIG. 13 is a three-dimensional isometric view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention shown installed upon a typical environment of a cap, the embodiment including an elasticized element about its base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Fitted Cap Cover System 2

As shown in FIGS. 1-10, the present invention includes a fitted cap cover system 2 wherein a cap cover 3 is placed over the crown of a baseball cap 4 having a fitted crown 6 and a bill 8. A typical baseball cap 4 is made from six panels 12 divided by seams 14, and the cap cover 3 has six corresponding panels 22 divided by corresponding seams 24, though a solid piece of fabric may suffice. The cap cover 3 is preferably made of a fabric that has some degree of elasticity; however, it may be of any suitable fabric to generally cover and cling to the exterior of the crown 6 of the cap 4.

When the cap cover 3 is placed over the crown 6 of the cap, it clings to the panels 12 of the cap and entirely replaces the color and design of the original crown 6 without completely replacing it. The cover 3 is removable and replaceable at any time.

As shown in FIG. 1, the baseball cap 4 may have a logo or design 18 on a portion of it. The cap cover 3 may also have a different or distinct logo or design 28 on it, which will cover and replace the existing logo or design 18 of the cap. A fan of multiple sports teams need only purchase a single cap 4 and multiple cap covers 3 to service their needs of representing multiple teams.

FIGS. 1-5 show the cap cover 3 being placed atop the cap 4, while FIGS. 6-10 show the cap cover 3 fully inserted atop the cap 4 crown 6. The fabric of the panels 12 (or, in an embodiment with a single panel, then entirety of the cover) clings to the exterior of the crown 6, either through the elastic properties of the fabric of the cover 3 panels 22 or simply through the friction between the fabrics. Hook and loop fasteners or other fasteners could also optionally be employed, but are not preferred. A bottom edge 26 of the cap cover 3 is designed to end in proximity with a bottom edge of said cap crown.

The top of the cap cover 3 has an opening 20 which is designed to snugly fit over the button 10 of the cap. The cap button is an iconic element of a baseball cap, and serves structurally to keep the cap together. An alternative embodiment could include a snug cover for the button to match the color or pattern of the cap cover 3.

III. Alternative Embodiment Cap with Closure Cover System 102

FIGS. 11-12 show a slightly alternative embodiment cap cover system 102 for a baseball cap 104 which has a closure 111 in the back of the crown 106, rather than including a fully fitted crown 6 as shown in the previous embodiment cap 4. As before, the cap 104 has a bill 108 and a crown 106 with multiple panels 112, the back of which have an opening 109 formed by a closure 111 such as a first strap 113 and second strap 115, which can be secured using snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, clasps, latches, or any other suitable closure fastener.

As before, the cap cover 103 has multiple panels 122, though the panels could be congruous. There is a top opening 120 to receive the cap's button 110. The rear of the cap cover has an opening 119 to match with the opening 109 of the cap. A first 123 and second 125 strap loop are located on either side of the opening 119. The first strap loop 123 receives the first strap 113 of the cap 104, and the second strap loop 125 receives the second strap 115 of the cap 105. This allows the cap cover to be fully secured to the cap 104 while allowing free use and adjustment of the closure 111. The two strap loops 123, 125 could be made from metal or plastic rings or brackets looped through the fabric of the cap cover 103, or could be formed from the fabric of the cap cover itself. As before, the bottom edge 126 of the cap cover 103 is designed to be placed in proximity with a bottom edge of the cap crown 106.

IV. Alternative Embodiment Cap with Closure Cover System 202

FIG. 13 shows another slight alternative embodiment to the original cap cover 3 above for a standard fitted cap 4. Here, as there, the cap cover 203 includes multiple panels 222 with seams 224 corresponding with the panels and seams of the cap to be covered. Unlike the previous embodiments, here the base of each of the panels 222, or in the case of a congruous piece of fabric, the entirety of the base 226 of the cap cover 203 has a seam 232 containing an elasticized band 230 which helps to secure the cap cover 203 to the cap crown more securely.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.