US20080028498A1

US20080028498A1 - Hat visor

Info

Publication number: US20080028498A1
Application number: US11/882,573
Authority: US
Inventors: Yetonde C. Beheton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-02
Filing date: 2007-08-02
Publication date: 2008-02-07

Abstract

Headgear having a visor or brim which is aerodynamically designed to obviate the affects of air or wind resistance. The invention also incorporates a logo on the visor or brim.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/834,745, filed Aug. 2, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to apparel. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to headwear that incorporates an aerodynamically shaped visor or brim.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many activities that involve vigorous movement such as running, jumping, etc., which activities include wearing some form of headgear. In sports such as tennis, baseball, volleyball, distance running and the like, participants are either required or choose to wear a sports cap having a brim or visor to shield the participant's eyes from the direct glare of the sun or stadium lights. Conventional caps present a problem in that the visors or brims may provide a resistant barrier to the air currents created by the rapidly moving participant. This phenomenon often impacts on performance in that it can function to slow the participant or cause distraction by dislodging the cap. In sports even the slightest impediment can affect the outcome of the event or game. This analogy is applicable to activities other than sports. The art would certainly embrace an improved cap or headgear that would obviate the above-described scenario while also incorporating a pleasing logo inscribed in the brim or visor.
There are many visors or brims of various designs disclosed in the related art. Pertinent examples of such related art are cited and identified in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the cited and identified related art discloses an aerodynamically designed visor or brim or an inscribed logo as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to a headgear having a visor or brim, which visor or brim is aerodynamically designed to obviate the affects of air or wind resistance. The invention also includes a logo inscribed on the brim. As contemplated, the logo will be etched or embossed. Though conventionally positioned on the brim or visor, it is recognized that the logo may be positioned on any exterior surface. Although illustrated herein as a baseball-type cap, it should be recognized that the inventive concept is applicable to all types of headgear that include a visor or brim.
Accordingly the invention presents headgear having a visor or brim that minimizes air resistance as the wearer moves in any direction (forward, rearward, side-to-side, up and down). The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, top view of a first embodiment of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, bottom view of a first embodiment of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, top view of a second embodiment of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, bottom view of a second embodiment of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, top view of a third embodiment of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective, top view of a fourth embodiment of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective, top view of a fifth embodiment of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective, top view of a sixth embodiment of an aerodynamically shaped cap visor according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 wherein the visor (or brim) of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. Visor 10 is attached to the crown of a cap 12. Visor 10 can be permanently fixed to cap 12 or it may be made to be detachable. As indicated above, visor 10 is designed to mitigate the affects of air currents on the cap as the wearer W moves in any direction and can be fabricated from any suitable material.
As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 in a first embodiment, visor 10 spans the forward portion of cap 12 and defines smoothly-curved lateral edges 10 a, 10 b and smoothly-curved front edge 10 c. The undersurface of visor 10 is configured so that a trough 10 d is formed therein, the trough extends from the front edge of the visor to the rear edge where the visor is attached to the crown. This configuration permits air currents to flow over the visor in a manner to mitigate drag and minimize flow resistance.
In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 4 and 5, lateral edges 14 a and 14 b take on an inwardly contoured configuration and a trough 14 c is formed in the top surface of the visor.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 portrays lateral edges 16 a and 16 b that are substantially parallel. Two troughs 16 c, 16 d are formed in the top surface of the visor. FIG. 6 also discloses a logo 18 inscribed in the upper surface of the visor. Logo 18 can comprise virtually any figure, character, design, etc. Logo 18 is inscribed in a manner that would appear as if it were directly engraved, heat pressed, molded, cold pressed or fused into the fabric of the visor. It is obvious that the logo can be applied to any and all embodiments.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4 except that edges 20 a and 20 b have a more subtle contour and trough 20 c is wider and less pronounced.
The embodiment featured in FIG. 8 shows contoured sides 22 a, 22 b and a contoured front 22 c. Two troughs 22 d are formed on the under surface of the visor.
The embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 9 incorporates parallel sides 24 a, 24 b. At least three troughs 24 c are formed in the visor.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An aerodynamically configured headgear comprising:

a crown member having a forward portion;

a visor attached to said forward portion of said crown member said visor having lateral edges, a front edge, a rear edge, an undersurface, an upper surface; and

structure for minimizing the effect of air resistance incorporated in said visor.

2. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 1, wherein said structure includes lateral edges configured as smooth curves and a trough formed in the undersurface and in the center of said visor, said trough extending from said front edge to said rear edge of said visor.

3. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 2, including a logo inscribed in the upper surface of said visor.

4. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 1, wherein said structure includes lateral edges that are inwardly contoured and a trough formed in the upper surface and in the center of said visor, said trough extending from said front edge to said rear edge of said visor.

5. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 4, including a logo inscribed in the upper surface of said visor.

6. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 1, wherein said structure includes parallel lateral edges and a pair of parallel troughs formed in the upper surface of said visor, said pair of parallel troughs extending from said front edge to said rear edge of said visor.

7. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 6, including a logo inscribed in the upper surface of said visor.

8. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 1, wherein said structure includes inwardly contoured lateral edges and a pair of parallel troughs formed in the undersurface of said visor, said pair of parallel troughs extending from said front edge to said rear edge of said visor.

9. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 8, including a logo inscribed in the upper surface of said visor.

10. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 1, wherein said structure includes parallel lateral edges and three parallel troughs formed in the undersurface of said visor, said three parallel troughs extending from said front edge to said rear edge of said visor.

11. The aerodynamically configured headgear according to claim 10, including a logo inscribed in the upper surface of said visor.