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  Sporting capsUSPTO Application #: 20060185061Title: Sporting caps Abstract: A method for constructing headwear improves upon the design and therefore the marketability of current headwear by fabricating components of headwear from materials which are the same as or substantially similar to those materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods and equipment. (end of abstract) Agent: Michael A. O'neil Michael A. O'neil, P.C. - Dallas, TX, US Inventor: Roger B. Wakefield USPTO Applicaton #: 20060185061 - Class: 002195100 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Head Coverings, Having Crown And Horizontally Extending Visor (e.g., Baseball Cap, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060185061. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 11/062,985 filed Feb. 22, 2005, currently pending, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates generally to headwear, and more particularly to a method for constructing baseball-style caps from materials which are the same as or substantially similar to those used in manufacture of the outer surfaces of sporting goods such as footballs, baseballs, basketballs, golf balls, etc.; sporting equipment such as NASCAR.RTM. (professional race car) tires, etc. in the fabrication of the bill and/or other components of the headwear. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] As is well known, sports memorabilia is an enormous industry worldwide. Fans of particular sporting activities, teams, or players often want to feel as though they themselves are participating in a sporting event. Fans will often have a ball or other piece of equipment on hand when they are watching a sporting event in order to better experience the environment of the sport. Additionally fans often purchase souvenirs that are constructed and fabricated substantially similarly to the equipment and apparel used in the sport; for example, authentic jerseys are available for purchase with either the team name and/or a particular athlete's name thereon. [0004] Headwear such as baseball-style caps, visors, etc. are among the most popular souvenirs and memorabilia sold and worn worldwide. Traditional sporting caps are primarily constructed from a variety of textiles including cotton, polyester, wool, and various other fabrics. The bill of the cap is generally constructed using a rigid material covered by a fabric. Heretofore headwear including one or more components constructed from components of sporting equipment have not been available. [0005] The present invention comprises an improvement over the design and construction of traditional sporting headwear. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, components of sporting headwear are constructed from materials that are the same as or substantially similar to materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of equipment used in the play or operation of the sport. The result is headwear having components that replicate the appearance of a particular sporting good or piece of sporting equipment. [0006] In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, a sporting cap representing a particular sport, team, or league has the bill constructed from the materials that are the same as or substantially similar to the materials used to construct a sporting good or an essential piece of equipment used in the represented sport. In addition to or alternative to the bill, panels of the cap may be constructed from materials that are the same as or substantially similar to those materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of equipment used in the play or operation of the sport. For example, a cap representing a NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.RTM. (professional football) team may have the bill and/or panels of the cap constructed from the same leather material used in the manufacture of footballs used in the play of the game. Alternatively a cap representing auto racing or a particular race driver may have the bill and/or panels of the cap constructed from a material representative of the rubber used in the fabrication of the tires used on race cars. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0007] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein: [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sporting cap of the present invention having the bill fabricated from materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a football; [0009] FIG. 2 is a view of the inside of the cap shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the bottom side of the bill fabricated from materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a football; [0010] FIG. 3 is view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternative construction of a sporting cap wherein the laces of a football are positioned transversely across the top side of the bill; [0011] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another alternative construction of a sporting cap wherein still other components of the cap are fabricated from materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a football; [0012] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing another alternative construction of a sporting cap wherein yet other components of the cap are fabricated from materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a football; [0013] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 wherein the bill of the cap is fabricated from materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a baseball; [0014] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 wherein the bill of the cap is fabricated from materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a basketball; [0015] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1 wherein the bill of the cap is fabricated from materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a golf ball; [0016] FIG. 9 is a view showing an alternative embodiment of the cap shown in FIG. 8; and [0017] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1 wherein the bill of the cap is fabricated from materials representative of those used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a NASCAR.RTM. (race car) tire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] Referring to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a cap 10 constructed in accordance with the method of the present invention. The cap is constructed by sewing a plurality of panels 12 together to form a dome-shaped crown 14. Attached at the base of the crown 14 is a bill 16 which protrudes substantially perpendicular therefrom. The panels 12 are fabricated from textile materials such as cotton, wool, polyester, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art for use in the manufacture of sportswear and apparel. The bill 16 comprises a top surface 18, a center deck 20, and a bottom surface 22. The top surface 18 is fabricated from a leather or leather-like material that is the same as or substantially similar to the materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a football. Sewn into the center of the top surface 18 are laces 24 simulating the lacing down the center of a football. The center deck 20 may be formed from any rigid material such as plastic, cardboard, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art for use in the manufacture of athletic caps and the like. [0019] The bottom surface 22 may be fabricated from a textile material such as cotton, wool, polyester, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art for use in the manufacture of sportswear and apparel. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface 22 may be fabricated from a leather or leather-like material that is the same as or substantially similar to the material used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a football and includes laces 24 identical to those sewn into the top surface 18. As will be understood the cap 10 may have a bill 16 wherein either the top surface 18, the bottom surface 22, or both are fabricated using a material that is the same as or substantially similar to those materials used in the manufacture of the outer surfaces of a piece of sporting equipment such as a football. Continue reading... Full patent description for Sporting caps Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sporting caps patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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