Ball cap holder

Abstract

A storage frame for ball caps. It is a form that has a flat base that is formed into the general shape of a large ball cap. Spines extends upward from the base in a semi-circular form around the back of the base. A semi-circular form holds the rear spines, and provides a finished look to the device. On the base, flexible pieces of plastic make a smaller form, in the shape of a ball cap. This lower form is used to hold the caps, which can be stacked up as desired. The rear four pieces are secured at the tops of the bowed pieces with a screw and nut.

Claims

1. A hat holder comprising: a) a continuous planar base having a perimeter and a shape having a first semi-circular section at a rear of the base and a second semi-circular section at a front of the base, wherein the first semi-circular section is larger than the second semi-circular section; b) a plurality of spokes each having a top and a bottom, wherein the spokes extend upwardly from the rear of said base and forms a semi-circular pattern about the perimeter of the rear of said base; c) a semi-circular shaped top ring, wherein the top ring has an opening at a front portion of the top ring, said top ring being attached to the tops of said plurality of spokes; and d) an inner hat form attached to said base and being positioned between corresponding pairs of spokes from said plurality of spokes; wherein the inner hat form is configured to hold a plurality of stacked hats thereon; wherein the inner hat form comprises: i) a plurality of first inverted U-shaped hoops, wherein each of the first inverted U-shaped hoops have a top portion and a pair of opposed end portions, wherein the end portions of the first inverted U-shaped hoops are radially spaced apart and fixed to the base, wherein the top portions of the first inverted U-shaped hoops are connected to each other in an overlapping manner; ii) a second inverted U-shaped hoop, wherein the second inverted U-shaped hoop is fixed to the second semi-circular section and spaced from the plurality of first inverted U-shaped hoops; wherein the second inverted U-shaped hoop is smaller than each of the first inverted U-shaped hoops.

2. The hat holder of claim 1, wherein the shape of the base corresponds to a shape of the hats.

3. The hat holder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spokes each extends upwards from said base at a slightly outward angle.

4. The hat holder of claim 3, wherein the tops of said plurality of spokes form a first arc that has a first diameter and the bottoms of said plurality of spokes form a second arc that has a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.

5. The hat holder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first inverted U-shaped hoops are each made of plastic, wherein the end portions of each first inverted U-shaped hoop are inserted in holes in the base respectively, wherein a fastener secures the top portions of each first inverted U-shaped hoop together.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a right front perspective view of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of the screw and nut that secures the four plastic hoops.

(4) FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of the invention with a hat installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of the invention 10. FIG. 2 is a right front perspective view of the invention. As shown, the invention 10 has a base 11 that is made up of a single piece that has a large semi-circular form 11a in the rear and a smaller semi-circular form 11b in the front. This figure approximates the shape of a baseball cap. At the rear portion of the large semi-circular form 11a, is a series of spokes 12. These spokes extend upwards at a slight outward angle to vertical. The size of this angle is not overly important, except that it be close to vertical and that it places the spokes so that the tops are wider in diameter than their bottom. This outward angle allows caps to be stacked up, as discussed below, without being squeezed into the device. This effect is clearly shown in FIGS. 1-2. At the top of the spokes 12 is a top ring 13. Note that the top ring 13 is open at the front as shown. This allows for a user to place the caps into the device and to remove them. The spokes are placed into holes drilled into the top ring. If the holes are drilled completely through the top ring, plugs 13a are used to fill the holes and leave a pleasing appearance. It is possible to drill blind holes in the bottom of the ring; however, this is more difficult and time consuming. The resulting structure forms a frame around which the hats can be placed (see, e. g, FIG. 4 below). To ensure the hats stay in place and maintain their form, an inner hat form 14 is used. The form 14 consists of four hoops 15 of plastic that are bent as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These hoops are placed in holes cut into the base 11 and are secured with glue. The tops of the hoops are secured at the point 16 with a number 4 bolt and nut 16a and 16b. See, FIG. 3 for a detail view. In addition, an outer hoop 15a is secured to the base in the same manner as the inner hat form 14. This outer hoop is positioned in front of the inner hat form and is perpendicular to the front hoop portion, and to the longitudinal axis of the base, as shown. The outer hoop is used to support the brim when a hat is placed in the device.

(6) FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of the screw and nut that secures the four plastic hoops. In this view, the bolt 16a and nut 16b are shown securing the plastic hoops 15.

(7) FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of the invention with a hat installed. As shown. A cap 100 is placed in the holder. The crown of the cap fits over the inner hat form 14 and the brim rests on the smaller semi-circular form 11b in the front. Additional caps can be stacked over the cap 100 to safely and neatly store caps using the device.

(8) The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.