SWIMMING HEAD CAP

Abstract

The present invention provides for a swimming head cap that is effectively and efficiently configured to couple with a user's head in a substantially watertight configuration unlike any known swimming head cap, while substantially maintaining the integrity of a user's hair disposed within the swimming head cap. The swimming head cap is defined by an inner layer comprising an annular shaped elastic band and an outer layer of an elastically deformable material. The material composition of the inner layer and the outer layer facilitates an easy and convenient removal process wherein no part of the swimming head cap painfully pulls or tugs the user's hair and scalp upon removal of the swimming head cap from the user's head.

Claims

1. A swimming head cap comprising: an inner layer having an annular shaped elastic band including an outer perimeter edge, an outer surface, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface and defining an enclosed cavity, the inner layer: of at least one of the following materials: silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic; and operably configured to directly couple to and, with the annular shaped elastic band, surround a user's head in a watertight configuration; and an outer layer of an elastically deformable material and having an outer surface, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface of the outer layer and directly coupled to the outer surface and the annular shaped elastic band of the inner layer, the outer layer of at least one of the following materials: nylon and spandex blend, a polyester and spandex blend, a cotton and spandex blend, and a regenerative fiber and spandex blend.

2. The swimming head cap according to claim 1, wherein: the inner layer is of a thickness ranging from 25-1110 microns and of a hardness ranging from 5-70 shore A.

3. The swimming head cap according to claim 1, wherein: the inner layer is of an elastically deformable material.

4. The swimming head cap according to claim 1, wherein: the outer layer may be laminated to a polyurethane film.

5. The swimming head cap according to claim 1, wherein: the outer layer is compliant with an ASTM D4964 test at 100 N or 22.5 lbs. and has the following properties or characteristics: 3 Flex. % Elongation length Range 20%-300%, % Elongation width Range 20%-300%.

6. The swimming head cap according to claim 1, wherein: The inner layer and the outer layer are directly coupled thereto through the use of an adhesive.

7. The swimming head cap according to claim 1, wherein: The inner layer and the outer layer are directly coupled and laminated thereto.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] 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 explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary swimming head cap, in accordance with the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a swimming head cap during use, in accordance with the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a bird's eye view of the inside cavity of a swimming head cap, in accordance with the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 4 is an elevational top view of the inside cavity of a swimming head cap, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a bird's eye view of the inside cavity of a swimming head cap, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 6 is an elevational top view of the swimming head cap, in accordance with the present invention; and

[0023] FIG. 7 is a close-up elevational top view of a swimming head cap, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

[0025] The present invention provides a novel and efficient swimming head cap of a material composition that prevents the painful pulling or tugging of a user's hair and scalp upon removal. In contrast to existing swimming head caps, the present invention achieves its intended function, e.g. providing a watertight seal that prevents water from seeping in and wetting the user's hair, while also sparing the user considerable physical pain and discomfort when the user removes the swimming head cap.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view of an exemplary swimming head cap 100. FIG. 1 shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a swimming head cap 100, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an inner layer 102 having an annular shaped elastic band 110 and an outer layer 104 of an elastically deformable material.

[0027] The continuous inner layer 102 is annular, or circular, in shape and form to facilitate a closer and more comfortable fit around the user's head. In other words, the annular shape of the inner layer 102 is designed to mirror the generally annular shape of a user's head. This configuration creates a closer fit between the swimming head cap 100 and the user's head, thereby reducing the amount of free space between the two. In turn, this allows the swimming head cap 100 to have a more effective grip on the user's head, providing a watertight seal around the user's head.

[0028] The annular shaped elastic band 110 likewise has this same circular shape and form, as it is also designed to encircle the user's head. In an exemplary embodiment, the annular shaped elastic band 110, when in use, will fall somewhere around the user's upper forehead and span around the circumference of the user's head. In other embodiments, the annular shaped elastic band 110, along with some or all of the elements of claim 1, may be approximately 0.25 inches to 3 inches in width, wrapping around the circumference of a user's head and serving the function of a headband that does not painfully pull or tug the user's hair and skin when in use or during removal.

[0029] The inner layer 102 also comprises an outer perimeter edge 112, an outer surface 400, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface 400 and defining an enclosed cavity 108. The inner surface 400 of the inner layer 102 is in direct contact with the user's head and hair during use. The enclosed cavity 108 is designed to store the user's head when the swimming head cap 100 is in use and to conveniently and selectively close when not in use. The entire swimming head cap 100 may be folded or laid down in a substantially planar form, wherein planar is defined as flat or two-dimensional.

[0030] The inner layer 102 is of at least one of the following elastically deformable materials: silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic. As used herein, elastically deformable is defined as flexible and capable of being reshaped. Silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic are materials characterized by a low coefficient of friction, wherein a low coefficient of friction is defined as one ranging approximately between 0.15 to 2.5, though this coefficient is subject to change in different embodiments of the present invention. A low coefficient of friction facilitates a more stable and consistent grip of the swimming head cap 100 on the user's head and hair, wherein the swimming head cap 100 remains securely on the user's head without slipping or sliding off. Silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic materials are conducive to maintaining the integrity of a user's hair. Said another way, the material of the inner layer 102 resists the possibility or occurrence of hair sticking to or rubbing against the head cap.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the inner layer 300 is depicted in a bird's eye view featuring the enclosed cavity 108, the outer surface 400 of the inner layer 300, an inner surface 302 opposing the outer surface 400 of the inner layer 300, and the annular shaped elastic band 110.

[0032] In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the inner layer 102 is operably configured to directly couple to and, with the annular shaped elastic band 110, surround a user's head in a substantially watertight configuration, i.e., resisting the transfer of water within the cavity of the cap where the user's head is placed.

[0033] In accordance with another feature, the outer layer 104 has an outer surface 500 (as best seen in FIG. 5), and an inner surface 502 opposing the outer surface 500 of the outer layer 104 and directly coupled to the outer surface 400 of the inner layer 102 and to the annular shaped elastic band 110 of the inner layer 102. The outer layer 104 is of at least one of the following materials: nylon and spandex blend, a polyester and spandex blend, a cotton and spandex blend, and a regenerative fiber and spandex blend. As used herein, spandex refers to the elastic synthetic fiber that is also generally known as lycra or elastane and is comprised of polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics; nylon refers to a family of synthetic polymers based on aliphatic or semi-aromatic polyamides; polyester generally refers to a type of polymer called polyethylene terephthalate.

[0034] After insertion of the user's head within the enclosed cavity 108, the distal end of the annular shaped elastic band 110 or inner layer 102 reduces in diameter and frictionally retains a circumference of a user's head (as those of skill in the art will appreciate).

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer 102 is of a thickness ranging from 25-1110 microns and of a hardness ranging from 5-70 shore A. In another embodiment, the inner layer 102 is of an elastically deformable material, as defined herein.

[0036] In yet other embodiments, the outer layer 104 may be laminated to a polyurethane film with a film thickness ranging from 25-500 microns, while in other embodiments, it may be outside of said range. The outer layer 104 may be compliant with an ASTM D4964 test at 100 N or 22.5 lbs. and have the following properties or characteristics: 3 Flex. % Elongation length Range 20%-300%, % Elongation width Range 20%-300%.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a zoomed in top view of the outer layer 104 of the swimming head cap 100 and features the outer layer 104, the outer surface 500 of the outer layer 104, and the inner surface 502 of the outer layer 104.

[0038] The inner layer 102 and the outer layer 104 may be directly coupled thereto through the use of an adhesive or they may be laminated thereto.

[0039] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.