US2869134A - Adjustable headwear - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 20, 1959 Filed April 17, 1957 M. J. MILSTEIN ADJUSTABLE HEADWEAR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MO RRIS J. MILSTEIN ATTORNEYS Jan. 20, 1959 MILSTEIN 2,869,134

ADJUSTABLE HEADWEAR Filed April 1'7, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 28 INVENTOR MORRIS J. MIL STEIN ATTORNEYS Jan, 20, 1959 MIJ. MlLSTElN 2,869,134

, v ADJUSTABLE HEADWEAR Fixed April 17, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 so so s 32 s2 s2 32 so 4 4s 54 so I INVENTOR- MORRIS J. MILSTEIN BY. f

ATTORNEYS 7 Jan. 20;-1 9 59 Filed April 1'7, 1957 M. J. MlLS'l-EIN ADJUSTABLE HEADWEAR 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BY A p/Mm MORRIS J. MILSTEIN ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1959 .M. J. MlLSTEl-N ADJUSTABLE HEADWEAR Filed. April 17, 1957 1 s Sheets-Sheet 5 J I U l6 O 12 J a j: "2

' 'I'TORNEY United States Patent ADJUSTABLE HEADWEAR Morris J. MilsteimRichinond, Va.

"Application Again, 1951, Serial No. 653,708 3 Claims. (c1. 2-172 This inventionrelates'to adjustable headwear. More specifically, it is concerned with head-size adjustable caps Caps'of the convertible lapel typeare'well known and "are-made ina variety of styles and shapes. For example,

although most caps'of this type are'provided with visors,

some are made without them. Likewise, although such caps can be made"unlined,"most of them contain a lining.

Also, while the head portio'n of the cap is 'usuallymade 'of cloth or fabric and the'lapel portion either is in whole 'or in part of cloth with either'cloth or furear muffs, the

caps sometims'are made entirely of fur.

Since this style'of caphas'acquir ed such a variety in its construction, "merchants handling them are confronted with serious inventory problems -in order to'meet and satisfy the demands of the purchasing public, i. e., the

so-called dealers depth of stock. To further add to the 'merchants problems, not only do the caps come in avariety'of styles and materials, but each cap of'a particular material or style generally must be carried in a number of different colors.

Because styles change from time to time, it is a distinct disadvantage to merchants to carry large inventories. Hence, there has been a great demand for a long time-on the part of merchants and other parties dealing in'this type of wearing apparel for a practical and satisfactory solution to this'inventory problem. Of course, the problem could be solved to a large measure by having all cap manufacturers make only one standard form or style of the caps in a minimum number of colors. However, this does'not offer a-practicalsolution because of competitive factors and the buying habits and tastes'of the purchasing public. On the other hand, the inventory problem can also be mitigated if caps are made to fit a number of sizes of heads, so thatinstead of the merchant having to have a separate cap for each size head, it is possible to stock one cap in a particular style'or color 'to fit various'size heads of prospective purchasers.

In addition to the inventory problem associated with thesale of headwear, there is also the so-called return order problem. This is experienced to a large extent by mail order houses, but is not, by any means, limited to such merchants, since direct purchase department stores, dry goods stores, and the like, also have trouble with return orders. This difliculty arises when a buyer decides that a cap to be purchased should be, forexample, size 7, but when the'cap is received through the mail or is again tried on at home after being purchased from a local store, the buyer finds that the cap is too loose or too tight for proper wear. As a'result, the buyer either sends the hat back to the mail order house or returns it to the local store to obtain a replacement. In-

Patented Jan. 20, 1959 2 variably, thisleads to buyer dissatisfaction and to added expense on the .part'of the merchant, even though-the original 'rnisfit'inthecap was due-entirely to the buyers mistake.

As is 'well known, the present construction of caps and hats does not permit'much leeway for mistakes in ordering headwear. In other words, present cap constructions require the purchaser of a cap to pick out the precise size hat for; his head in making a purchase, or else the-productwhichis bought will be unsuitable, i. e-., a mistake'of A; head size is sufiicient to cause lapel caps of prior known types to be either too small or too large for satisfactory-wear. "Hence, if any mistake in size is made either'by the buyer or the seller when such caps are purchased, it leads to -customer dissatisfaction and business losses for the seller. Accordingly, if greater fiexibilityor adjustability -of caps can be madepossible .in a-practicaland satisfactory way, the return order problem will be to a large'extent solved for'merchants and there willbe a better acceptance of the products on thepartof the consumer.

Still another problem is experiencedon the part of buyers 'in t-he :purchase of caps, particularly those for children. Thus, in the purchase of childrens wearing apparel, it is desirable to have theproducts so designed that several years wear can be obtained, even though the child may undergo considerable -cha'ng'e in size during that period. Some-progress along this line has been made in a variety of childrens clothing, but lapel-caps have not heretofore "fallenirlto this'impr'ove'd category. In other words, in order to have the prior known lapel caps fit properlyfand not 'be so loose as to readily fall oif, or so tight as to' be uncomfortable, it was necessary to buy a cap to'a pr'ecise head size. Consequently, since children grow considerably in a period of one year, it was found that the cap was unsuitable for wear when the next season came around. i p

p The concept'of asize-adjustable cap has been recognized for many years as a possible solutionto the various problems of cap manufacturers, merchants and pinchasers, discussed above. Moreover, adjustable caps of various forms (for example, see U. S. Patents 1,156,980; 1,712,290; 1,805,522 and 2,698,945) have been known for some time. Nevertheless, size adjustable caps of the convertible lapel type of satisfactory form have not been devised heretofore. This has been apparently due to the failure of prior designers and manufacturers of-lapel-caps to'make a size adjustable product with a neat and satisfactory appearance on which, at the same "time, the cap lapel can be folded back andforth between an up and down position. I

Objects A principal object of this invention is the provision of new improvementsin adjustable headwear.

Further objects include:

(1) The provision of new constructions for caps of the convertible lapeltype.

(2') The'provisionof caps-of the convertible lapeltype which maybe worn by different persons of 'varying size heads within a reasonable range, which caps have aplea'sing and attractive appearance and may be worn with complete comfort, although including a head adiustability feature.

(3) The provision of new caps of the subjectty'pe, so constructed that the cap lapel can 'be-folded back and forth between an up and downposition so the capcan be worn with the lapel in either of-th-esepositions "without detracting from the aesthetic appearanceof thecap, or without annoying the wearer or interfering with the useof the cap.

(4) The provision of 'newand'improved lapel'ca'ps for winter wear by men and children which will greatly reduce or eliminate the return order problem previously associated with the sale of such caps.

The provision of new forms of convertible lapel earfiap caps which will permit merchants to maintain an adequate depth of stock without requiring the merchants to maintain on hand an undesirably large number of caps.

(6) The provision of new lapel caps which will have a better general acceptance by consumers and which will eliminate a number of the common difiiculties experienced by merchants in the sale of such products.

(7) The provision of new caps of the convertible lapel carflap type, which will adjust themselves to changes in size due to childrens growth, thus enabling a cap purchased for a child to be worn through several seasons.

(8) The provision of new type of headwear construction which may be incorporated in all varieties of convertible lapel type headwear to make the headwear automatically adjust to a plurality of different headsizesg Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, is given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

General description These objects are accomplished according to the present invention by forming convertible lapel caps with a cutaway section in the rear of the cap which extends from the lower edge of the lapel portion through the sweatband, up partway into the head portion of the cap, and fixing an elastic fabric portion across the cutaway section to the edges of the cap portions which define the periphery of the cutaway section. The way in which this basic construction is incorporated into the lapel caps so as to provide the-new and improved adjustable caps, can be more fully appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable cap made in accordance with the invention, showing the cap with a lapel portion of the outer-band style folded up, the cap being viewed from beneath and to the side.

Fig. 2 is a perspective side view of the cap with the lapel portion thereof folded down.

Fig. 3 is a perspective rear view of the cap with the lapel portion folded up, showing the relative arrangement of crown panel, side panel, earfiaps and adjustment unit of the new caps when they are not being worn or are being worn by someone with a small size head.

Fig. 4 is a perspective rear view'of the cap similar to the view of Fig. 3, but showing the appearance of the cap when worn by a person having a large head size.

Fig. 5 is a perspective rear view of the cap similar to the view of Fig. 3, but with the cap lapel portion folded down.

Fig. 6 is a perspective rear view of the cap and bears the same relationship to Fig. 5 as Fig. 4 does to Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the inside of the cap, looking toward the rear bottom section of the cap.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along the line 1010 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a modified form of cap,

showing a lapel retaining device snapped into place on a fastener located on the under side of the cap visor.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the modified cap of Fig. 12, showing the retaining device folded back against the cap lapel to a position where the lapel portion of the cap can be folded up.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view of the cap of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified cap showing an additional type of device for retaining the lapel portion in an up or down position, the cap in the figure being shown with the cap lapel down.

Fig. 16 is a rear view of a modified form of a cap of this invention, this cap being of the inner band style.

Fig. 17 is a side view for still another modified form of the new caps.

Fig. 18 is a front view of the cap of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a perspective side view of the cap of Fig. 17 with its inner band convertible lapel folded down.

Fig. 20 is a perspective side view of the cap of Fig. 17 with its outer knit band folded down.

Detailed description and modifications Referring in detail to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1 to 9, the new adjustable caps basically comprise a head portion 2, a lapel portion 4, an adjustment portion 6, a visor portion 8, and lapel retaining means 10.

The head portion 2 includes a crown panel 12 having a front extension 12a which forms the forehead part of the cap joined to visor portion 8. Although the crown panel can be made of one piece, the specific cap style illustrated in the drawings has a crown panel 12 made of right and left portions joined along a center seam 14.

The head portion 2 of the cap also includes a s de panel 16 which depends from the crown panel beginning at the arcuate seam 18, joining with the crown panel extension 12a at the forehead part of the cap.

Thev lapel portion 4 of the cap is fixed to the head portion 2 along seam 20, which defines the bottom edge of head portion 2. The lapel 4 includes a left earfiap 22 and a right earfiap 24. The earflaps in turn have fixed thereto their respective earmuff portions 26 and 28.

Viewed from the inside, as in Fig. 7, the lapel portion of the cap includes the same components as viewed from the outside, namely, the earfiaps and afiixed earmuffs. On the other hand, the head portion 2, when viewed from the inside, includes some additional items besides those described for the outside, i. e., a lining 30 and a sweatband 32. As shown in Fig. 7, the lining 30 is quilted by the stitching 34, although it will be understood that the new caps can be satisfactorily made with unquilted lining if desired.

The adjustment portion 6 of the cap includes a cutaway section 36 defined by a periphery 38 at the back of the cap extending from the lower edge 40 of the lapel portion, completely up through the lapel portion, beyond the lower edge 42, of the side panel 16, which is defined 'by the stitching 44, and up towards the crown panel 12, so that the uppermost extension 45 of the cutaway section 36 lies somewhere between lower edge 42 of the side panel and the arcuate or top seam 18. In the cap style of Figs. 1 to 9, the cutaway section 36 is semielliptical in shape, and although this is the preferred shape for such cutaway sections, because it affords the most desirable adjustability for the caps, it will be understood that such cutaway sections can assume other geometric forms, such as a rectangle, a rectangle topped by a triangle, a trapezoid or the like, or the special form as in the cap of Fig. 16.

Although the size of the cutaway section 36 is important to proper construction of the new caps, its size may be varied as Well as its shape. Best results are obtained, however, when the Width of the section 36 measured at the side panel edge of the head portion is between and the distance around the cap at the bottom edge 42 of material, giving a double thickness.

the headp cii'tion 2, and preferably between% and i igof ment 46 fixed across the'cutaway section 36'to the-inside edges of the earflaps 22ja'n'd and theedgesof' hea'd portion 2 which define the periphery of the cutaway section '36.

Thefact'that anel astic element is fixe d'into the cap, while at the same time, a rigid 's'weatband arrangement and shit lower edge 42 is maintained, -s that the lapel pfortion'4 can'be ioldedup 'and down around lower edg'e "42, an important feature of the new caps. Interna l'det'ails er construction in this region of the caps is not apparent from the plan or perspectiveviews, but can befobtaihed by reference to'the sectional diagrams '811,

inclusive.

"In thecap as illustrated, theelastic fabric 46 is made fof'single thickness'material, whereas theearflap portions 22 21111124 of lapel portion '4 are made of folded over Thus, 4 suitably shaped fabric for the earflapsis folded-over at the lower edge '40 to g'ivean outside layer 48 and an inside layer 50. Both of these layers are folded back along the periphery 38 of thecut-out section 36, givingfolded edges 52 and 5h. The elastic fabric46 is'joined to the earflap portions so formed by'means of'stitching 56, which passes throughjthe in-turned edges of layers 48 and 50 and throughjthe elastic fabric '46. V I 7 As shown'in'Fig. '7, thefsweatband 32 does notextend across thefcutaway section'36. Otherwise, thes we'atband is eontignous, :extriding around 'the entire inside of the head portionofthecap, with the lower-edge of the sweathandcoincidifi'gwith the lower edge 42 of the head portion 2. As can be seen'inFig. 10, the materials constituting the sweatband 32 and side panel 16 are folded back upon themselves at the cutaway section periphery 38 forming edges 58 and '60'on theside panel and the sweatband respectively. The elastic fabric is joined at this locationin the cap t'othejperipheral'edgesof the-cutaway section 36 by stitching 62, which passes through both the "face and intu'rned layers or swe'atb'and "material 32, through the elastic fabric 46 and through the in turned layer of the side panel 16.

The cutaway section 36, where his presen't'in'the head portion 2 of the caps, extends not only through the side panel'16, but also throughthedinin g-30. Preferably, the periphery 38"of the cutawaysectio-n '36 in the "lining 30 coincides with the'peripheral'portion 38in the side panel 16. However, this coincidence ofthe periphery between lining-andside panel is not essential, particularly forthat portion of the cutaway section existing in the lining 30 above the upper edge64 of theswe'atband-3'2. Thus, as canbe seen by "reference to Figs. 8 and 9, there is no direct connection b'etweenthe lining 3'0 and the remaining-part'of the cap, except the stitching66, which joins the bottom portion of thelining 30 to the sweatband-32 at approximately the top edge 64 of th'es'weatband. Consequently, there is no fixedconnection between theelastic fabric 46 and the lining-30 in that region ofthecap above the top edge'64 of the sweatband. The arcuate portion of cutaway section '36 defined by'the lining 30 is finished by a strip of binding material 67, which is stitched over the edge of this cutaway section of the lining 30.

The material of which side panel 16 is formedis turned under at the edge defining the'cutaway section 36'to form the edge 70, and the side panel 16 is then'fixedto the elasticfabric 46 by stitching 72, which passes through the elastic fabric 46 and the under-turned portion of side pa el 16.

Although it does not appear in any'of the drawings except Fig. 9, the caps include areinforcement band or strip 74, which'runs around the inside of the cap contigubus with the sweatb'and @2, adjacent the bottom edgef42 of 'the head portion 2. Thisreinforceineiitband, which is of relative narrow widthand'preferably made of heavy 'gaugematerial giving an appreciable degree of stiffness, is fixed to an underturnedportion 76of side panel 16 by stitching 78. Then, 'as can be seen in 'Fig. 9 the sweatband 32, inner layer and outer layer 48'o'f the earflap, underturned portion 76, reinforcement band 74,

and sidepanel 16'are'all joined together by s'titching'44.

Visor portion 8 of the capscoinprises a substantially rigidmulti-layer (not shown) 'arcuate section 32edged with binding material 84. The visorportion 8 is fixed to thecap'head portion 2"at the scarn'86, which extends around the foreheadlower'ed'ge of head portion 2 from the front edge of earflap-24, to "the front edge of earflap 22, i. e., the front part of the bottom edge 42 of the head portion 2. g p

A forehead'strapf83 may be fixed across the front of "the cap, primarily 'for'orn'amentation purposes, between the opposed sections ofjthe seam 18, where the crown panel 12 and sidepanel 16 meet in the foreheadregion of the cap.

The lapel retaining means '10 of the cap form shown inFigs. 1-7 comprises a chin strap 'fixed at one end to'the earflap 22. Slidably carried on thestrap 90 is a buckle type snap fastener 92, which can be snapped into fastening engagement with the snap button 94'fixed upon the earflap 24. V I p A different type of lapel retaining arrangement is employed in the modified form of the caps shown in Figs. 12 to 14 and 17 to 20. InFig's. l2 to 14, the retai'ning device 10 comprises a gusse 96 whichis stitched to the earflap 24 along the seam 98. There is a corres ponding gussets'titched to the'left earflap 22, and both have a snap fastener 100 fixed to their free end. The snap fastener 100 is employed with one of two snap buttons, the first being button 102 which is fixed 'upon the same earflap as the gusset, and back from the seam 98 just far enough so that when the snap fastener [00 is snapped over the button Hi2, the gusset 96 lays flat against the earflap. In this way, the lapelportion "'4 can befoldedup and the gussets 96 on'both sides of'the hat'will be hidden behind the up-turned earflaps.

The secondsnap button with which the lapel retaining gusset cooperates is fixed upon the under side of 'the visor 82, and although this snap button does not show in the drawings, it lies directly below the snap fastener 100 in Fig. 14.

A still different type of lapel-retaining arrangement for the new caps is shown in Fig. 15. Here, the retaining device 10 comprises a gusset'104 made of elastic fabric, the gusset being somewhat triangular in shape and being stitched to the head portion of the cap along the seam 86', and to the lapel portionof the cap along the seam 98. The remaining edge of the triangular gusset 104 is unattached, so that the lapel portion can be folded down, as shown in Fig. 15, with the'gusset holding the earflaps against the head of the wearer. In turn, the lapel "portion can be folded up, and when this is done, the triangular gusset 104 again retracts sufiiciently to retain the earflaps snugly against the side of the 'cap. If'desired, the visor 82 maybe bowed-in slightly at its back'edg'e in this modified form of cap in order to better accommodate the gusset 104. g p

The capssh'own' in Figs. 1 to 9 areof the outer band style,'i. e., the convertible lapel folds around the'outside of 'the cap when in the up position. In contrast, the caps show'nin Figs. 16 to 20 are of the inner band s'tyle,'i. e., the convertible lapel folds around the inside:

when'the lapel is in either position even though conversion from one position to the other creates an appreciable change in the total mass of material at the sweatband region. As is well known, the sweatband size in sub stance determines the size of the lapel caps.

As can be seen from Fig. 16, the lapel portion 4 is sewed into the side panel 16 so that the lapel portion has the tendency to turn up and inwardly rather than up and outwardly as is the case with the caps of Figs. 1 to 9. The caps of Fig. 16 are also distinguished from the other caps by the fact that the top section 106 of the cutaway section 36 is not contiguous with the bottom section 108 thereof. The contiguous construction shown in Fig. 5 is preferred, but Fig. 16 shows a modified form of cap which utilizes the principles of this invention.

The caps of Figs. 17 to 20 also include an inner band style of lapel. This makes it possible for the cap to have an outer band 110 of knit or other elastic material. This knit band 110 is stitched onto the cap along one of its edges completely along the side panel edge 42 and the seam 86. This knit band serves several purposes. First, although the cap can be worn with the lapel portion down and knit portion up (as shown in Fig. '19), the elastic feature of band 110 can serve to hold the downturned lapel tightly against the wearers head if it is -turned down as shown in Fig. 20. Secondly, when both are turned down as in Fig. 20, the knit band 110 gives added protection against the weather to the wearer. Finally, by using knit material of contrasting or variegated color for the band 110, this knit portion creates a very pleasing decorative flair to the caps.

As can be seen from Figs. 19 and 20, the cutaway section 36 does not extend through the knit external band 110. Since the band 110 is stitched into the cap completely around the back, only the lower part 112 of the cutaway section 36 will show (as in Fig. 19) when the band is up and the lapel is down, while only the top part 114 of section 36 will show when both the band 110 and lapel 4- are turned down.

It will be immediately recognized by cap manufacturers and designers that a variety of different materials can be used in making the new adjustable caps of this invention. For example, a typical cap could be made with head portion 2 and lapel portion 4 of cotton gabardine fabric, a lining 30 of quilted plain weave nylon or rayon cloth, a sweatband 32 of ribbed rayon ribbon, a visor 82 of cotton gabardine covering a cardboard form and edged with a leather or plastic binding tape 84. For the same cap, the earmuffs 26 and 28 would be made of dyed mouton, the ornament strap 88 and chin strap 90 would be made of leather or plastic, and the elastic fabric 46 would be a worsted knitted material.

The above is simply one example of a cap construction and, as indicated, materials may be substituted for any of the indicated materials in the new caps. For example, elastic fabric inserts 46, gussets 104 and bands 110, instead of being of knitted wool, may be made of stretch nylon, rubberized cloth or the like. Similarly, worsted wool, piled fabric, fur, woven or unwoven fabrics of rayon, synthetic fibers, cotton or the like can be used in forming the head and earflap portions of the cap. Likewise, visor portion 8 can be made of plastic material, woven or unwoven fabrics, or the like.

With the modified form of the cap shown in Figs. 12-14, the gusset 96 is preferably made of a flexible fabric similar to the insert 46, although an elastic material is unnecessary and the gusset can be made of the same material as the earflap or head portion of the cap. Similarly, the sweatband 32 can be made of cloth, leather, artificial leather, absorbent woven or non-woven fabrics or the like. Likewise, the earfiaps can be made without separate earmutfs so that the entire earfiaps from edge 38 straight through to the front edge 98 would be of one single material.

Description of use Caps of the convertible lapel earfiap type are usually stored with the lapel portion in an up position, as shown in Fig. 3, when not in use. If the cap includes a chin strap 90, this is folded over the top of the crown portion 12, as shown in Fig. 3, with the snap buckle 92 fastened to snap button 94. In this position, the cap can be Worn with comfort and presents an attractive appearance. If the cap is worn by a person with a small head, in the range for which the cap is to be used, e. g., by a person having a head size of 6% with a cap which will adjust over a range of 6% to 7%, the cap when worn, would appear when seen from the rear as shown in Fig. 3. On the other hand, if a person with a larger head, e. g., 7%, would wear this particular cap with the lapel portion up, the cap would have the appearance shown in Fig. 4 when viewed from the rear. This illustrates how the elastic fabric insert ,46 expands outwardly in the sweatband portion of the cap to accommodate the larger head size.

Of course, one of the principal purposes for having a convertible cap is to permit the cap to be changed over for wear in more severe Weather in order to protect the ears and neck of the user. To accomplish this, the snap buckle 92 is unfastened from the snap button 94, the chin strap is thrown over the crown panel 12, and the lapel portion is folded down into the position shown in Fig. 5. Again, Fig. 5 represents the rear appearance of the cap when worn by a person with a head size at the lower range of adjustability. For comparison, Fig. 6 shows the rear appearance of the cap when worn by a person of larger head size, and this Fig. 6 should be compared with Fig. 4. As can be seen, the elastic fabric 46 in the adjustment section 6 of the cap again expands in the sweatband portion of the cap to assume an oval shape. By such action, the adjustment section 6 not only permits the caps to adjust to a number of head sizes, but at the same time provides for a snug fit of the lapel portion at the base thereof, around the neck and lower ears of the wearer.

When caps of the modified forms shown in Figs. 12-- 14 are used, there is no strap to go over the crown panel to help hold the lapel portion in an up position. The lapel portion can be satisfactorily held in the up position by employing a suitable reinforcing material 74 in constructing the caps. With this modified form of cap, when the lapel portion is moved into the down position, the gusset 96 will be folded back initially, as shown in Fig. 13. The fastener 10 is unsnapped from the button 102 and snapped onto the button carried by the visor 82, so that the cap then appears as shown in Fig. 12. The tension created between the visor portion 8 and the lapel portion 4 by the gussets 96 at each side of the cap, serve to hold the earflaps sufiiciently tight at the forward section of the cap.

With the modified form of caps shown in Fig. 15, the

gusset portion 104 serves to hold the lapel portion both in an up and down position. As such, the gusset is a complete substitute for the more common chin strap, but it requires no snap manipulation for its use.

The modified forms of lapel retaining devices, i. e., elements 96, 104 and serve as substitutes for the chin strap arrangement shown in Figs. 1-7, which is considered by many manufacturers and cap wearers to be an annoying and undesirable method for retaining the earflaps against the head at the front when the cap is worn with the lapel portion in a down position.

Conclusions New forms of caps of the convertible lapel earfiap type have been described above, together with their method of production and manner of use. The caps are characterized by their ability to adjust to a number of head sizes and still afford the wearer with a snug fit, whether the convertible lapel is in an up or down position. At the same time, the new caps present an attractive and neat appearance, regardless of whether the cap is being worn with the lapel either up or down. In addition, new lapel retaining devices for this type of cap have been described.

All of these new basic concepts in the construction of this type of cap can be adapted to the manufacture of caps from practically all materials used heretofore in the production of this type of headwear. When these new improvements are used in producing lapel caps, they make possible the reduction or elimination of much of the existing inventory and return order problems of cap sellers and create better consumer acceptance of this type product.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application S. N. 588,280, filed May 31, 1956, now abandoned.

I claim:

1. A cap of the convertible lapel type comprising a visor, a head portion including a crown panel which has a front extension that forms the forehead part of the cap joined to the visor and a side panel which depends from the crown panel at the sides and back and joins with said crown panel extension at the forehead part of the cap, an arcuate cutaway section at the back of the cap extending from the lower edge of the side panel up toward the crown panel so the apex of the section lies between said edge and crown panel, a lining which conforms in shape to said head portion and includes a rear arcuate cutaway section corresponding to the one aforesaid, a sweatband which has its bottom edge coincident with the lower edge of said head portion and which extends from one edge of said side panel cutaway section around the inside of the cap to the other side of the section, said lining being held in said cap by connection to the upper part of said sweatband with the cutaway section of the lining mating with the cutaway section of the side panel, a lapel portion fixed to the lower edge of said head portion extending from the one rear side of said visor around the back of the cap and joining with the other rear side of the visor, said lapel portion comprising two separate earfiaps, rear vertical edges on said earflaps which constitute an extension of said cutaway section so that it extends from the bottom edge of the lapel portion up through the swe'atband to said apex, and an elastic web fixed across said cutaway section to the edges of the side panel and lapel portion which define the periphery of said section, whereby the cap may be worn with the lapel portion either in an up or down position without interfering with the head adjustability afforded by said elastic web.

2. A cap of the convertible lapel type comprising a visor, a head portion, a lapel portion including two separated earflap sections depending from said head portion, a band fixed to the base of said head portion, the bottom edge of said band coinciding with the lower edge of said head portion, said lapel portion being foldable upwardly about said lower edge to fit against the head portion, a cutaway'section defined by vertically extending edges in the rear of the head portion, said section extending from said lower edge part way up the back of the head portion, said band extending from one vertically extending edge of said cutaway section around the cap to the opposite vertically extending edge of said cutaway section, a lining which conforms in shape to said head portion and includes a rear cutaway section as aforesaid, rear vertical edges on said earfiap sections, said rear edges being spaced apart from one another defining a cutaway section in said lapel portion beneath said cutaway section of said head portion, and an elastic web portion fixed across said cutaway sections, the cap being adjustable to a plurality of head sizes when worn with the lapel portion either in an up or down position.

3. A cap as claimed in claim 2 wherein said head portion includes a crown panel and a depending side panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 33,900 Pascal Dec. 10, 1861 344,231 Arnheim June 22, 1886 657,530 Gordon Sept. 11, 1900 1,156,980 Coppers Oct. 19, 1915 1,380,703 Carlson June 7, 1921 1,442,071 Jacobs Ian. 16, I923 1,670,972 Martz May 22, 1928 2,052,123 Adamson Aug. 25, 1936 2,449,633 Albert et al. Sept. 21, 1948 2,462,258 Dannenberg Feb. 22, 1949

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