WO2005077215A1

WO2005077215A1 - Multi-purpose cap with detachable functional device

Info

Publication number: WO2005077215A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/003328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Woo-Soo Lee
Original assignee: Best Cap Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-01-27
Filing date: 2004-12-17
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: KR200347751Y1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a cap with a detachable functional device. A circular clip is formed at a lower end of an extension formed at a coupling portion of the movable adjustor member, so that the functional device having an elongated cylindrical form is detachably fitted in the clip. The functional device is a flash light or laser device and is provided internally with a battery and externally with an ON/OFF switch. The clip consists of a pair of pieces formed at both sides of the lower end of the extension formed at the movable adjustor member. With such a configuration, the functional device is able to be detachably attached to the cap with a simplified manner to thereby achieve a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the cap. Further, the attachment/detachment of the functional device is conveniently performed at an inner surface of a cap visor, resulting in good appearance of the cap.

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE CAP WITH DETACHABLE FUNCTIONAL DEVICE

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device, such as a flash light or laser device, and more particularly, to a multi- purpose cap which can permit a functional device, such as a flash light or laser device, to be attached to a cap visor in a freely detachable manner with a variable positional angle. In general, persons enjoying outdoor activities wear caps and sunglasses in order to shade or protect their eyes, nose and forehead from sunlight. Further, persons working at night wear the caps in order to protect their heads from exterior shock. In most cases, the persons working at night also carry a flash light, etc. Meanwhile, as for golfers, they have to wear the caps and sunglasses when they enjoy golf games in the field during the daytime. The golfers, especially, practice day and night in order to correct swing posture. The present invention has been developed in order to provide persons, enjoying outdoor activities or working at night, with a cap with a detachable functional appliance or device, such as a flash light or laser device.

[Background Art]

Persons enjoying climbing or fishing or working at night must carry a flash light in one hand in order to brighten their way or surroundings. However, in such a state of using one hand to grip the flash light, they cannot readily deal with unexpected, emergency situations, for example, the situation that they fall over or have to suddenly pull a fishing rod. Further, in the case of the persons working at night, they cannot effectively work since they cannot use one hand to grip the flash light. In order to solve the above problems, various caps, to which a flash light, i.e. lighting means, is attached to improve the convenience of use thereof, were developed and disclosed in many documents, for example, Korean Utility Application No. 02-16247 entitled "A cap with a bulb", Korean Utility Application No. 96-35598 entitled "A cap with a lighting device", Korean Utility Application No. 90-8088 entitled "A fishing cap with a lighting device", Korean Utility Application No. 03-15065 entitled "A bulb cap", and Korean Utility Application No. 01-33244 entitled "A cap visor with lighting means". However, the prior art caps as mentioned above have many problems as follows.

First, the installation structure of the lighting means is complex, and the prior art caps require installtion of a separate power source at one side of the cap or cap visor. Further, the lighting means to be attached to the cap is inconvenient in operation, and causes the appearance of the caps to be disordered since they are installed at the outer side of the cap visor. Furthermore, it is not easy to detach the lighting means after it is attached to the cap visor. Instead of the lighting means, other functional devices may be attached to the cap. For example, in the case of golfers trying to correct their swing posture by themselves without expensive professional assistance, they often use a mirror in order to confirm their swing posture upon practice. However, the method of using a mirror is ineffective since it hinders the golfers' ability to concentrate upon a golf ball.

[Disclosure] [Technical Problem] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device, including a flash light or laser device, capable of providing a wearer with convenient and effective usage of the functional device including correction of swing posture of golfers. It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose cap which can ensure free attachment/detachment of a functional device, such as a flash light or laser device, with a simplified attachment/detachment structure, resulting in a reduction in manufacturing costs of the cap.

[Technical Solution] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device comprising: a fixed member affixed to a cap visor; a movable adjustor member having a body and a coupling portion formed with an extension, the movable adjustor member being coupled to the fixed member so as to move along the fixed member; a pusher member to be coupled to the movable adjustor member to control movement of the movable adjustor member; a circular clip formed at a lower end of the extension of the coupling portion provided at the movable adjustor member; and the detachable functional device having an elongated cylindrical form suitable to be attached to or detached from the circular clip, the detachable functional device being provided internally with a battery and externally with an ON/OFF switch. Preferably, the multi-purpose cap with the detachable functional device may further comprise an angle adjustor assembly between the lower end of the extension and the circular clip used to detachably accommodate the functional device. Thereby, the functional device detachably attached to the cap is able to be positioned at different angles. Preferaby, the detachable functional device may be a flash light or laser device. Thereby, the flash light or laser device can be effectively used to brighten the way or surroundings or to sight a specific position. Preferably, the clip used to detachably accommodate the functional device may consist of a pair of pieces integrally formed at both sides of the lower end of the extension provided at the movable adjustor member, or may be a single piece formed at the lower end of the extension provided at the movable adjustor member. Preferably, the angle adjustor assembly may include: a hook member integrally formed at the lower end of the extension and having an upwardly opened groove; and a rotatable member integrally formed with the clip and having a rotating bar to be rotatably fitted in the groove. Preferably, the ON/OFF switch may be a toggle switch. In this case, the switch can be turned on and off as a toggle button thereof is repeatedly pressed through simple manual operation. [Advantageous Effects]

With the present invention, a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device, such as a flash light or laser device, comprises a clip which permits simplified detachment/attachment of the functional device. This has the effect of reducing the manufacturing costs of associated parts required for the detachment/attachment of the functional device. The clip according to the present invention also permits the attachment/detachment of the functional device to be conveniently performed at an inner surface of a cap visor, thereby providing for good appearance of the cap. As another effect, the cap with the detachable functional device, such as the flash light, can ensure free activities of both hands. When such a cap with the flash light is used by a person working at night, the wearer can improve working efficiency. As yet another effect, the cap with the detachable functional device, such as the laser device, can be effectively used upon practice of golf swing. When the golfer sights a laser beam from the laser device upon a golf ball, the golfer can easily discriminate whether or not his her neck is inappropriately turned upon swinging, thereby being capable of correcting swing posture.

[Description of the Drawings]

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a separated state of the functional device; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose cap with the detachable functional device shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a coupled state of the functional device; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the important parts of the multipurpose cap shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the important parts shown in FIG. 3, illustrating a state wherein some of the parts are coupled; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 6a and 6b are illustrative views explaining variation in the positional angle of the functional device, such as flash light or laser device, in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the important part of a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Best Mode]

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective view of a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrating a separated state of the functional device, while FIG. 2 illustrating a coupled state of the functional device. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the important parts of the multi-purpose cap shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the important parts shown in FIG. 3, illustrating a state wherein some of the parts are coupled. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the multi-purpose cap 11 with a detachable functional device comprises a fixed member 20 affixed to a cap visor 12, a movable adjustor member 30 to be coupled to the fixed member 20 so as to move along the fixed member 20, a pusher member 50 to be coupled to the movable adjustor member 30 so as to control movement of the movable adjustor member 30, an opened circular clip 43 coupled to a lower end of the movable adjustor member 30, and the detachable functional device 13 to be selectively attached to or detached from the clip 43. The fixed member 20 is mounted at a lower surface of the cap visor 12 so that it extends along a center axis in a forward or rearward direction by a long distance. The fixed member 20 includes a center longitudinal guide path 22 and longitudinal rails 21 located at opposite sides of the guide path 22. A plurality of semicircular protrusions 23 are equidistantly arranged on the rails 21 and are adapted to selectively support latches 57 of the pusher member 50, which will be described hereinafter. One end of the fixed member 20 defines an entrance 24 and the other end of the fixed member 20 defines an exit 25. The movable adjustor member 30 is divided into a body 31 and a coupling portion 41. The body 31 of the movable adjustor member 30 has a cut-away section 33 formed at the center of one side of a base portion 32. At a lower surface of the base portion 32 inward to the cut-away section 33 is defined a lower fixing recess 34, and a pair of lower guide walls 35 are defined at opposite sides of the lower fixing recess 34. At an upper surface of the base portion 32 inward to the cut-away section 33 is defined an upper fixing recess 36, and a pair of upper guide walls 37 are defined at opposite sides of the upper fixing recess 36. A pair of guides 38 protrude upward from the upper surface of the base portion 32 of the body 31 and serve to guide both the rails

21 of the fixed member 20. The coupling portion 41 of the movable adjustor member 30 has an extension 42 extending downward from a side of the lower surface of the base portion 32 and the clip 43 provided at a lower end of the extension 42. The clip 43 consists of a pair of opened circular pieces integrally formed at both sides of the lower end of the extension 42. The pusher member 50 includes a first member 51, a second member 53, a third member 55 and an elastic piece 56. The first member 51 is configured to be coupled to the movable adjustor member 30 so as to move along the upper guide walls 37 of the body 31. The first member 51 has an upper clamp 52 extending downward from a surface thereof facing the second member 53. The second member 53 is configured to be coupled to the movable adjustor member 30 so as to move along the lower guide walls 35. The second member 53 has a lower clamp 54 extending upward from a surface thereof facing the first member 51. The third member 55 is integrally connected to corresponding ends of both the first and second members 51 and 53 vertically spaced apart from each other. The third member 55 is detachably inserted in the cut-away section 33 of the base portion 32. The elastic piece 56 extends outward from both sides of the third member 55 in opposite directions, and serves to elastically support the first, second and third members 51,52 and 53 in an outward direction of the cut-away section 33. Here, when the pusher member 50 is coupled to the movable adjustor member 30, the upper clamp 52 of the first member 51 is clamped in and supported by the upper fixing recess 36 and the lower clamp 54 of the second member 53 is clamped in and supported by the lower fixing recess 34 of the movable adjustor member 30. In such a coupled state, if the elastic piece 56 is pressed at the center thereof, it is elastically deformed to permit both sides of the pusher member 50 to be guided along the upper and lower guide walls 37 and 35 of the movable adjustor member 30. The first member 51 includes a plurality of the latches 57 equidistantly arranged on an opposite surface of the clamp 52. When the pusher member 50 is pressed toward the movable adjustor member 30 in a coupled state thereto, the latches 57 are located to face the guide path 22 and the rails 21 of the fixed member 20. Simultaneous with the removal of press force applied to the pusher member 50, the elastic piece 56 is restored to permit the latches 57 to be seated, respectively, between the protrusions 23 of the fixed member 20. The detachable functional device 13, to be attached to the cap 11, has an elongated cylindrical form, and is provided internally with a battery and externally with an ON/OFF switch 13 a. In accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the functional device 13 is detachably attached to the clip 43 formed at the lower end of the extension 42 of the coupling portion 41 provided at the movable adjustor member 30. The ON/OFF switch 13a of the present embodiment, although not limited to the description, is a toggle switch which is repeatedly turned on and off as a toggle button thereof is repeatedly pressed. Such a detachable functional device 13 may be freely selected from among various kinds of articles so along as they are attachable to the cap 11 and can provide convenient and effective usage in real life situations and sports. In the present embodiment, the detachable functional device 13 is preferably a flash light or laser device having a size suitable to be attached to the cap 11. The attachment of the flash light to the cap 11 provides for convenience in night activities, and the above mentioned laser device is beneficial to sight a laser beam at a specific position. For example, where a golfer wears the cap 11 with the laser device and sights a laser beam from the laser device upon a golf ball, the golfer can easily discriminate whether or not his/her neck is inappropriately turned upon swinging. Thus, such a cap with the laser device is effective to correct the swing posture of the golfer. Considering the coupling procedure of the above described separate components of the multi-purpose cap 11 in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, first, the pusher member 50, which was originally separated from the movable adjustor member 30 as shown in FIG. 3, is slidingly inserted into and coupled to the movable adjustor member 30 as shown in FIG. 4. In such a coupled state, the pusher member 50 is elastically supported by the elastic piece 56 in an outward direction of the movable adjustor member 30. Further, the upper clamp 52 of the pusher member 50 is elastically supported in the upper fixing recess 36 of the movable adjustor member 30 and the lower clamp 54 of the pusher member 50 is elastically supported in the lower fixing recess 34 of the movable adjustor member 30. After completing the coupling of the movable adjustor member 30 and the pusher member 50, the functional device, i.e. flash light 13 is inserted and elastically coupled in the clip 43 formed at the lower end of the extension 42 of the coupling portion 41 provided at the movable adjustor member 30. In succession, the movable adjustor member 30, which was coupled with the pusher member 50 and the flash light 13, is coupled to the fixed member 20. For this, as shown in FIG. 4, both the guides 38 of the movable adjustor member 30 are positioned to face the rails 21 of the fixed member 20 in a pressed state of the pusher member 50. Then, the movable adjustor member 30 is coupled to the fixed member 20 so that the rails 21 are slidingly inserted through the guides 38. When the functional device 13 is attached to the cap 1 1 using the fixed member 20, movable adjustor member 30 and pusher member 50 as described above, a distance between the face of a wearer and the functional device 13, such as the flash light or laser device, is able to be appropriately adjusted and be continuously maintained through appropriate operation of the pusher member 50. In the case of the multi-purpose cap 11 with the detachable functional device 13 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clip 43 formed at the lower end of the extension 42 of the coupling portion 41 provided at the movable adjustor member 30 plays an important part to detachably attach the functional device 13, such as the flash light or laser device, to the cap 11. Through the use of the clip 43, the functional device 13, such as the flash light or laser device, is able to be freely attached to or detached from the cap 11 in a simplified manner. This is effective to reduce the manufacturing costs of the associated components required to attach the functional device 13 to the cap 11. Further, the clip 43 can provide for good appearance of the cap 11 because it permits the attachment/detachment operation of the functional device 13 to be performed at the inner surface of the cap visor 12. If it is unnecessary to use the functional device 13, such as the flash light or laser device, the functional device 13 is simply separated from the clip 43 of the coupling portion 41 provided at the movable adjustor member 30. The separated clip 43 is easy to carry and store. Therefore, the detachable functional device 13, such as the flash light or laser device, is elastically coupled to the clip 43 only when in use, so as to be usefully utilized for various activities, such as climbing, fishing, working at night as well as for the correction of swing posture of golfers. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is identical to the first embodiment of the present invention except for the fact that an angle adjustor assembly 65 is interposed between the lower end of the extension 42 and the circular clip 43. The angle adjustor assembly 65 permits the detachable functional device 13, such as the flash light or laser device, to be coupled to the clip 43 with a variable angle. In relation to the present embodiment, only the angle adjustor assembly 65 will be explained below without description of other parts identical to the first embodiment. The angle adjustor assembly 65 includes a hook member 61 integrally formed at the lower end of the extension 42 and a rotatable member 63 integrally formed at an upper end of the clip 43 to be rotatably caught by the hook member 61. The hook member 61 defines an upwardly-opened groove 61a at a lower end thereof, while the rotatable member 63 has a rotating bar 63 a sized and shaped to be fitted in the groove 61a. Thereby, as the rotating bar 63a of the rotatable member 63 is fitted in the groove 61a of the hook member 61, the rotatable member 63 is able to freely rotate upon receiving external force. As can be easily understood from this configuration as described above, when the detachable functional device 13, such as the flash light or laser device, is coupled to the clip 43 integrally formed with the rotatable member 63, the positional angle of the detachable functional device 13 is adjustable. FIGS. 6a and 6b are illustrative views explaining operation of varying the positional angle of the detachable functional device 13, such as flash light or laser device, using the rotatable member 63. Referring to FIG. 6a, the flash light or laser device, usable as the detachable functional device 13, sights a beam at a specific position when it is coupled to the clip

43 integrally formed with the rotatable member 63. Through rotation of the rotatable member 63, the sighting position of the flash light or laser device, usable as the detachable functional device 13, is variable as shown in FIG. 6b. Such a variation in the angle of the detachable functional device 13, such as the flash light or laser device, enables the wearer to freely adjust the position of light as occasion demands. Therefore, when the cap 11 with such an angle-adjustable functional device 13 is used at night, it enables convenient and effective activities. Further, when the wearer, i.e. golfer, sights a beam from the functional device 13 to a golf ball, the golfer can implement correction of swing posture. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the important part of a multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a single piece type clip 43' is formed at a lower end of an extension 42' of a coupling portion 41' provided at a movable adjustor member 30'. [Industrial Applicability]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a multipurpose cap with a detachable functional device, such as a flash light or laser device, which comprises a clip to permit simplified detachment/attachment of the functional device, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of associated parts required for the detachment attachment of the functional device. Such a clip also permits the attachment/detachment of the functional device to be conveniently performed at an inner surface of a cap visor, providing for good appearance of the cap. Further, the cap with the detachable functional device, such as the flash light or laser device, can ensure free activities of both hands. When such a cap with the flash light is used by a person working at night, it has the effect of improving working efficiency of the wearer. Furthermore, the cap with the laser device can be effectively used upon practice of golf swing. That is, when the golfer sights a laser beam from the laser device upon a golf ball, the golfer can easily discriminate whether or not his/her neck is inappropriately turned upon swinging. This is effective to correct swing posture of the golfer. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

[Claim 1] A multi-purpose cap with a detachable functional device comprising: a fixed member affixed to a cap visor; a movable adjustor member having a body and a coupling portion formed with an extension, the movable adjustor member being coupled to the fixed member so as to move along the fixed member; a pusher member to be coupled to the movable adjustor member to control movement of the movable adjustor member; a circular clip formed at a lower end of the extension of the coupling portion provided at the movable adjustor member; and the detachable functional device having an elongated cylindrical form suitable to be attached to or detached from the circular clip, the detachable functional device being provided internally with a battery and externally with an ON/OFF switch.

[Claim 2] The cap as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an angle adjustor assembly between the lower end of the extension and the circular clip used to detachably accommodate the functional device.

[Claim 3] The cap as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the detachable functional device is a flash light or laser device.

[Claim 4] The cap as set forth in claim 3, wherein the clip used to detachably accommodate the functional device consists of a pair of pieces integrally formed at both sides of the lower end of the extension provided at the movable adjustor member.

[Claim 5] The cap as set forth in claim 3, wherein the clip used to detachably accommodate the functional device is a single piece formed at the lower end of the extension provided at the movable adjustor member.

[Claim 6] The cap as set forth in claim 3, wherein the angle adjustor assembly includes: a hook member integrally formed at the lower end of the extension and having an upwardly opened groove; and a rotatable member integrally formed with the clip and having a rotating bar to be rotatably fitted in the groove.

[Claim 7] The cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ON/OFF switch is a toggle switch.