Bump Caps are useful for protecting the wearer's head from bumps, cuts and bruises as a result of contact with objects such as overhead pipes, low ceilings and other objects. They are most often worn under a personal hat, uniform cap, baseball hat or other non-protective headwear.
There are many different types of non-protective headwear, such as the so-called trucker's hat, which tends to be of a taller dimension, and a variety of baseball type hats that can be structured, unstructured, low profile and higher profile. There are also a variety of other personal hats, such as Trilby, Fedora, bucket, cowboy and stocking hats. Because of the variable dimensions of these hats there is a current and unfulfilled need for a Bump Cap that can be adjusted to accommodate the various hat dimensions.
The invention is defined in claim 1. Further developments are given in the dependent claims. The invention provides a Bump Cap to be worn under a variety of hats that can be flexible to allow for horizontal variations in hat dimensions, and trimable to allow for variation in the vertical variations in hat dimensions.
This summary is not intended to limit the invention, or describe each embodiment, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, which many uses and design variations are possible for the adjustable Bump Cap disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of the preferred embodiment will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to the disclosed Bump Cap. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
The Bump Cap is preferably injection molded from a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other rigid materials that have at least some flexibility may also be used.
With reference to
Flex joints 138, 112, 128 and 130 allow Bump Cap 90 to flex when inserted into a hat to allow for variations in the hat's horizontal dimensions and to aide it securing Bump Cap 90 in place. Flex joints 138, 112, 128 and 130 also may supply additional ventilation.
Trim grooves 120 and 132 are located on the lower perimeter 121 of left side portion 96 and lower perimeter 123 on right side portion 94. Trim groove 120 runs horizontally along lower perimeter 121 on the left side portion 96. Trim groove 132 runs horizontally along lower perimeter 123 on right side portion 94. Trim grooves 120 and 132 allow sections of Bump Cap 90 to be removed by hand, box knife, scissors or other means. Removal of sections of Bump Cap 90 via trim grooves 120 and 132 allow the vertical dimensions of Bump Cap 90 to be adjusted so as to remain secure and hidden under a user's hat. One skilled in the art will appreciate that more than one trim groove may be incorporated into Bump Cap 90 to allow for greater vertical dimension adjustment.
Trim notches 134 and 136 assist the user in removing a portion of Bump Cap 90 at the trim groves 120 and 132. More trim notches may be used to accommodate a greater number of trim grooves. Trim grooves and respective trim notches may also be incorporated into leading edge 140 of visor portion 98 to allow for the vertical adjustment of visor portion 98 (grooves not shown).
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims
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