US3407408A

US3407408A - Swimming cap

Info

Publication number: US3407408A
Application number: US571011A
Authority: US
Inventors: Vilena P Hansen
Original assignee: Vilena P. Hansen
Current assignee: VILENA P HANSEN
Priority date: 1966-08-08
Filing date: 1966-08-08
Publication date: 1968-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 1985-10-29

Description

Oct. 29, 1968 v P HANSEN I 3,407,408

SWIMMING CAP Filed Aug. 8, 1966 INVENTOR.

VILENA P. HANSEN TORNE S United States Patent 3,407,408 SWIMMING CAP Vilena P. Hansen, 4701 W. Kellogg, Wichita, Kans. 67209 Filed Aug. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 571,011 3 Claims. (Cl. 2-68) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A swimming cap having improved strength is provided having a perforated body formed of a plurality of layers of mesh-type material which are positioned on top of each other in an off-set position so that the openings therein are substantially reduced. Resistant, normally at opposed ear means are mounted on the exterior portion of the body and positioned so as to be adjacent the wearers ears so that upon applying external pressure to the ear means they conform to the wearers ears thus restricting rapid movement of fluid into the ears. Reinforcing means are secured to the outer periphery of the body to seal the outer periphery of the body and conform to the wearers head, and strap means are secured to the body for placement under the wearers chin to hold the cap in place. The resilient, normally at ear means are constructed so that when no external pressure is applied thereto they assume a normally flat position and thus allow the wearers hearing to be substantially unimpaired.

This invention relates to a protective covering, and, more particularly, to a protective cap for covering a persons head. Still, more specifically, this invention relates to a mesh-type protective swimming cap normally used to cover a females head to contain loose hairs thereabout.

Various types of swimming caps are known to the prior art which cover a persons head in a sealing relationship such as a conventional elastic rubber swimming cap. These prior art devices are substantially non-attractive, rather uncomfortable to wear due to the tight fitting and heat generated therein, frequently are dislodged during diving operations, and hinder considerably the wearers abiilty to hear.

In accordance with the present invention, a new protective cap for covering a persons head is provided having a mesh-type material forming a main body secured to an elastic strap for mounting purposes. The protective cap permits the free ow of air and water therethrough while retaining loose hairs and the like therewithin.

In preferred spciic embodiments of the invention, a protective cap is provided for swimmers to retain hairs adjacent the wearers head without hindering ones ability to swim, dive, and hear. The protective cap has a main body constructed of a plurality of layers of nylon mesh material joined together by elastic strips about the outer peripheral edge thereof. A chin strap secured to the elastic strips operates to hold the cap on the wearers head. A protective patch or strips secured to opposite sides of the main body operates to cover the ear area of the user to restrict fluid ow therethrough so as to protect ones eardrum from unhindered rapid fluid flow therein when external pressure is applied to the protective patch or strips such as during diving operations and the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and novel swimming cap overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a protective cap having a mesh-type main body held by an elastic chin strap on the wearers head and sealed thereto so as to freely permit the ow of fluid through the main body while preventing the movement of loose hairs therefrom.

3,407,408 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 Still, another object of this invention is to provide a protective cap constructed of a plurality of layers of meshtype material having opposed ear patches operable to restrict the movement of fluid into the wearers ear portions.

One other object of this invention is to provide a protective cap that is attractive in appearance, easy to use, economical to manufacture, and effective for the intended purpose.

Still, one other object of this invention is to provide a protective cap having a main body operable to achieve the normal function of a swimming cap, namely to maintain loose hairs and the like adjacent the wearers head, while permitting freedom of movement and unrestricted hearing resembling one not being hindered by the wearing of a swimming cap.

Still, another one of the objects of this invention is to provide a strong protective covering constructed of a lightweight, non-corrosive durable material forming a substantially permanent, economical to manufacture, swimming cap.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the protective cap of this invention illustrated as mounted upon a persons head;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the protective cap of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of an ear covering of the protective cap of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken along lines 4 4 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along lines 5 5 of FIG. 2.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new protective cap of this invention, such being made with reference to drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIG. 1, the swimming cap of this invention, indicated generally at 12, is illustrated in its normal usage as a covering for the head of a female swimmer to retain loose hairs thereabout so `as to prevent clogging up a conventional pool filtering system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the protective cap 12 includes a main body 14 secured about the outer peripheral edges -by reinforcing strips 15 and having a downward depending chin strap 17 for mounting lpurposes. The main body 14 as illustrated, preferably has three

layers

18, 20, and 22 of a net or mesh-like material constructed of nylon or the like. The

layers

18, 20, and 22 are mounted on top of each other in offset positions whereby the openings 24 in each layer are overlapped to achieve effective openings of a substantially one-third the size of each individual opening 24 and providing substantial increase in the strength of main body 14. It is seen, therefore, that the multiple layers cooperate to restrict the opening sizes to retain a persons hair therewithin while still permitting fluid such as water, air yand the like to flow therethrough substantially without restriction. The size and positions of the openings 24 can be varied in a multiple of ways whereas the mesh material achieves the appearance of a solid material from a distance for esthetic value.

The main body 14 is shaped to conform to the shape of a humans head with the peripheral edges to Ibe placed about the face and neck openings bound together by the reinforcing strips 15. These strips 15 are overlapped about the peripheral edges of the

layers

18 and 20 and 22 and secured thereto as by sewing as shown in FIG. 5. The reinforcing strips 15 are constructed of a high strength material and maybe made of an elastic type if desired so las to readily conform to the shape of the persons head. As shown in FIG. 2, the mesh material as used on the main body may be overlayed and shaped about the face opening in various ways to form a decorative design for appearance purposes.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chin strap 17 is preferably constructed of an elastic material and secured to the forward opposed edges of the strips 15 to hold the protective cap 12 in place. A bow 27 is illustrated secured to the chin strap; however, it is obvious that .any type of decorative attachment may be used or none as required and desired.

Mounted on the outer surface of the main body 14 are opposed pairs of protective ear coverings or

patches

29 and 31 each having overlayed

segments

33 and 34 to form a cross pattern. The

ear coverings

29 and 31 are positioned so as to be over the openings into a persons ear and function to prevent the rapid inflow of fluid therethrough during diving operations and the like. The

overlayed segments

33 and 34 are illustrated of a banner design; however, to achieve the desired function it is necessary to substantially cover the persons ears and many decorative designs thereof may be used. The

ear coverings

29 and 31 should be constructed of a resilient, normally dat material that will not permit fluid ow therethrough in order to achieve the desired temporary sealing function and material such as nylon, rubber and the like may be used.

In the use and operation of the protective cap 12 of this invention, the main body 14 is readily mountable yabout a persons head and held thereon by the strap 17 placed lunder the persons chin (FIG. l). It is obvious that the

mesh layers

18, 20, and 22 cooperate to retain loose hairs and the like therewithin while permitting the ilow of air and fluid therethrough. Additionally, the resilient, substantially flat ear coverings 29 and 31 'are movable against the persons ears under pressure such as found in diving to restrict the inow of uid into the persons eardrums `because the ear coverings 29 and 31 are moved against the wearers ears to substantially conform thereto. However, when no external pressure is applied to ear coverings 29 and 31 they are caused, through their resilient characteristics to withdraw from the wearers ears so that the wearers hearing is substantially unimpaired.

It is obvious that many different types and designs of swimming caps of this invention may be used achieving the novel aforementioned function and structure rising a mesh-like material having protective coverings to prevent damage to the users ears while permitting fluid flow and air flow through the greater portion thereof. The protective cap of this invention is extremely light in weight, economical to manufacture, and attractive in appearance.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the Iapplicants protective cap, relative simple and inexpensive means has been provided which is readily attachable to a persons head so as to provide a protective cap covering operable to achieve all the necessary functions of a conventional swimming cap plus the additional aforementioned advantages. Applicants construction solves problems involved in mounting -a swimming cap member, maintaining the cap member 4 upon a persons head, and providing a structure that is attractive in appearance and comfortable to wear.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferred specic embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate yand not to limit the scope of the invention, which is dcned by the following claims.

1. 'A swimming cap adapted to cover a wearers head,

comprising:

(a) a perforated body formed of a plurality of reinforcing layers of open mesh-type material, said layers interacting to substantially increase the strength of said body, said body being adapted to conform to the outer layer of the wearers head, and having neck and face openings, said layers of said body being mounted on top' of each other with the openings in each layer being off-set whereby the openings in said body are substantially reduced thus retaining the Wearers hair therein while still permitting iluid to ow therethrough substantially without restriction;

(b) reinforcing means secured to the outer periphery of said body;

(c) strap means secured to said body adapted to fit under the wearers chin and hold said cap in place; and

(d) resilient, normally flat ear protective means secured over the outer surface of the opposed sides of said body for protecting the entrance into the wearers ears from air, water, and the like by preventing rapid inflow of fluid therethrough whenever external pressure is applied to said protective means during diving operations and the like, whereby the wearers hearing is substantially unimpaired when no external pressure is applied to said ear protective means and said ear protective means is moved against the wearers ears to substantially conform thereto upon an application of said external pressure.

2. A swimming cap as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said reinforcing means and said strap means are yconstructed of an elastic material operable to seal the outer periphery of said body and conform to the wearers head, said reinforcing means 4and said strap means further functioning to maintain said swimming cap in place.

3. A swimming cap as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said protective means include crossed strips of impervious resilient material secured to said body to prevent fluid ow through this portion of said body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,616,800 2/1927 Hogan 2-174 XR 2,198,425 4/1940 Berg 132-49 2,367,459 l/ 1945 Corley 2-209 2,556,576 6/1951 De Carolis 2-174 XR 3,274,612 9/1966 Merriamy 2-68 FOREIGN PATENTS 508,767 7/1939 Great Britain.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

H. H. HUNTER, Assistant Examiner.