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(11) | EP 0 686 356 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Swimming cap |
| (57) A swimming cap in which an outside part of a main body (1) of the cap covering a
head is formed with an air filling chamber (4) made of rubber or soft synthetic resin.
The present invention relates to the swimming cap which may actually realize its original
function as a swimming cap, protecting the head against solar beam of strong sunshine,
enable a person having no swimming capability to float on the water while the face
of the person is exposed out of the water surface and not immersed in the water and
further providing a playing fun and joy. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to a swimming cap for use in wearing at a head of a wearer when the wearer swims at a resort such as sea or lake and a swimming pool and the like.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] In general, a swimming cap wearer wears a swimming cap in order to protect a hair at the head against its disturbed state, prevent the head part from being wetted with sea water or water and further to prevent sea water or water from entering directly into ears.
[0003] In addition, the swimming cap of the prior art had no function acting as a floating bag and a floating bag made of rubber or soft synthetic resin was filled with air and then fitted to a waist part of a swimmer's body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the foregoing, the present invention is invented and it is an object of the present invention to provide a swimming cap which can realize its original function acting as a swimming cap, protect a head of a swimmer against a solar beam of strong sun shine, enables a person not capable of swimming to float on water surface while the person's face is projected out of the water surface against wetting with water and provides a playing fan and joy to the person wearing this swimming cap.
[0005] The swimming cap of the present invention is constructed such that an air filling chamber made of rubber or synthetic resin is formed at an outside part of a main body of the cap to cover the head part of the person.
[0006] In addition, the swimming cap of the present invention is constructed such that an air filling chamber made of rubber or soft synthetic resin is formed at an outside part of the main body of the cap covering the head and another air filling neck chamber made of the same material as that of the former so as to enclose the neck of the person wearing this cap.
[0007] Air is filled in the air filling chamber made of rubber or soft synthetic resin formed at an outside part of the main body of the cap so as to cause the entire cap to be expanded. Then, the expanded cap is fitted to the head. As the lower part than the head is immersed in the water, the air filling chamber receives a buoyancy and floats on the water, resulting in that the head part is not immersed in the water. At this time, the head part is protected by the air filling chamber filled with air, the air filling chamber is also cooled with water and the head can be effectively protected against heat beam and ultraviolet rays received from a strong direct sun shine.
[0008] In addition, as the person wearing this swimming cap turns over on the back (the backstroke), the person receives a high buoyancy from each of the air filling chambers at the back head and the side head, respectively, and the face of the person is not wetted with water and the person can float on the water easily.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0009] Fig.1 is a side elevational view in partial section for showing one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] Fig.2 is a side elevational view in partial section for showing another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring now to the drawings, one preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows. Fig.1 is a side elevational view in partial section for showing one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] Reference numeral 1 denotes the main body of the cap which is formed into a cap shape with rubber or soft synthetic resin such as vinyl chloride and the like being applied as its flexible material. The main body 1 of the cap is formed such that it may cover the entire head and both ears, and then a fastener 2 such as button, strap, velvet fastner, hook and the like is formed in such a manner that the main body 1 of the cap is not pulled out of the head when the cap is worn. In addition, the front surface of the main body 1 of the cap is formed with a flange 3 as
required so as to prevent a sun shine from striking against the face. The flange 3 may be formed to have a larger shape as required.
[0013] The outside part of the main body 1 of the cap is formed with the air filling chamber 4 made of the same rubber or soft synthetic resin as that of the main body of the cap. Although the air filling chamber 4 may be formed to have the same space thickness in section so as to cover the entire head, it may be constructed such that the upper space thickness of the head part is made thin and the space thickness is gradually increased as the head lower part is applied to enable a more large buoyancy to be received by it. The air filling chamber 4 is provided with an air opening 5 for use in filling air in it or discharging inner air out of the chamber and further it has a plug 6 for closing the air opening 5.
[0014] Fig.2 is a side elevational view in partial section for showing another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Although its fundamental configuration is similar to that of Fig.1, the different point consists in the fact that a neck air filling chamber 7 enclosing the neck is formed by the same material in cooperation with the aforesaid air filling chamber 4. This neck air filling chamber 7 is formed into a substantial doughnut shape divided at a front part of the neck. The neck air filling chamber 7 is filled with air, the neck air filling chamber 7 is engaged with the chin to produce a larger force for floating the head part over the water surface. It is quite natural to say that the neck air filling chamber 7 is also provided with an air opening 8 for use in filling air in the chamber or discharging the inside air out of the chamber, although the air filling chamber 4 and the neck air filling chamber 7 may be communicated to each other so as to use one air opening.
[0016] Air is filled in the air filling chamber 4 made of rubber or soft synthetic resin formed at the outside part of the main body 1 of the cap through the air opening 5, the entire cap is expanded and then the plug 6 is applied to the air opening 5. Then, the expanded cap is worn at the head and the cap is fastened by the fastener 2 such as a button, a strap, a velvet fastener and a hook and the like in such a way that the main body 1 of the cap may not be removed from the head part. As the lower part of the head is immersed in the water, the air filling chamber 4 receives a buoyancy to float on the water, thereby the head of the swimmer is not immersed in the water under this buoyancy action. At this time, the head part is protected by the air filling chamber 4 filled with air and the air filling chamber 4 is also cooled with the water, resulting in that the inside part of the air filling chamber 4 is not increased in its temperature to keep its proper temperature and then the head part can be effectively protected against heat beam and ultraviolet rays received from the strong sun shine. In addition, it is possible to enjoy comfortable swimming under a condition in which the formation of the flange 3 prevents the face from being exposed to the sun shine.
[0017] In addition, when the swimmer takes a rest at a pool side, a sea shore or a beach while wearing the cap of the present invention, the air filling chamber 4 just becomes a pillow for rest and increase a more comfortable feeling.
[0018] In addition, when the swimmer wears the cap of the present invention and turns over the back (the backstroke) on the water, each of the air filling chambers 4 positioned at the back head and the side head may receive a large buoynacy, respectively, resulting in that the swimmer can float easily on the water while the face is not being wetted with water.
[0019] In addition, the neck air filling chamber 7 is also filled with air through the air opening 8 and expanded, thereafter a plug 9 is applied to the air opening 8. The neck air filling chamber 7 filled with air is engaged with the neck part to increase a buoyancy, and then the cap provides a larger buoyancy as a whole together with the buoyancy of the air filling chamber 4 and a possibility that the face is immersed in the water is eliminated.
1. A swimming cap in which an outside part of a main body of the cap to cover a head
is formed with an air filling chamber made of rubber or soft synthetic resin.
2. A swimming cap according to Claim 1 in which a spacing thickness of said air filling
chamber over the head is formed thin and the spacing thickness is formed to be gradually
increased as it approaches the lower part of the head.
3. A swimming cap according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which a front surface of the main
body of said cap is formed with a sun visor flange.
4. A swimming cap in which an outside part of a main body of the cap covering a head
is formed with an air filling chamber made of rubber or soft synthetic resin and further
formed with a neck air filling chamber made of the same material as the former to
enclose a neck.