HEADWEAR CROWN COVER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

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. For a cap with a closure, 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.

Claims

1. A cap cover system comprising: a cap cover for a cap having a bill and a crown; said cap cover comprising at least one panel made of a flexible material, said cap cover shaped to resemble said crown of said cap; said cap cover comprising an opening to receive a button located atop said crown of said cap; and wherein said cap cover is configured to conceal said crown of said cap and securely cling to an exterior face of said crown, thereby completely obscuring said exterior face of said crown and altering the appearance of said cap without altering the appearance of the bill.

2. The cap cover system of claim 1, further comprising: said cap crown comprising six panels divided by six seams; and said cap cover comprising six panels divided by six seams.

3. The cap cover system of claim 1, further comprising: a first design element affixed to said cap crown; and a second design element distinguishable from said first design element affixed to said cap cover.

4. The cap cover system of claim 1, further comprising: said cap cover having a bottom edge comprising a seam; and an elasticized band located within said seam, said elasticized band configured to compress said cap cover against said crown.

5. A method of altering an outward appearance of a headwear item, the method comprising the steps: providing a headwear item comprising a crown and a bill; placing a cap cover over said crown, said cap cover comprising at least one panel made of a flexible material, and said cap cover shaped to resemble said crown of said cap; inserting a button located on top of said crown through an opening in said cap cover; and concealing said crown of said cap and securing said cap cover to an exterior face of said crown thereby completely obscuring said exterior face of said crown and altering the appearance of said cap while leaving said brim exposed.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: said cap crown comprising six panels divided by six seams; and said cap cover comprising six panels divided by six seams.

7. The method of claim 5, further providing the steps: providing a first design element affixed to said cap crown; and providing a second design element distinguishable from said first design element affixed to said cap cover.

8. The method of claim 5, further providing the steps: providing said cap cover with a bottom edge comprising a seam; and placing an elasticized band within said seam, said elasticized band configured to compress said cap cover against said crown.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

[0009] 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.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a right-side elevational view thereof, the left-side view being a mirror-image thereof.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional isometric view showing the preferred embodiment installed upon the environment of the cap crown.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view thereof.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a right-side elevational view thereof, the left-side view being a mirror-image thereof.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a top plan view thereof.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view thereof.

[0019] 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.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view thereof shown installed upon the environment of the cap crown and closure.

[0021] 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

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.