A Modular Cap

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the disclosure relate to a modular cap. Some relate to a modular cap that allows for cooling of the wearer’s head.

BACKGROUND

Caps such as baseball style caps have a crown portion that sits on a user’s head and a visor portion than can be used to shield the wearer’s face.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to examples of the disclosure there is provided a modular cap comprising: a frame comprising a visor portion and a crown portion; a cover configured to be removably attached to the frame structure to provide an outer surface of the modular cap; and a lining configured to be removably attached to the frame structure to provide an inner surface of the modular cap.

The frame may comprise at least one member configured to extend around a side of a wearers head and at least one member configured to extend over a crown of a wearer’s head.

The frame may comprise an adjustable member.

The frame may comprise one or more ribbing structures configured to provide space between the frame and the cover.

The cover may comprise a crown portion for covering the crown portion of the frame.

The cover may comprise a visor portion for covering the visor portion of the frame. The cover may comprise one or more vents configured to provide a cooling air flow for a wearer of the modular cap.

The vents may be provided in a crown portion of the cover.

The cover may be formed from a rigid material.

The cover may be formed from re-cycled plastic.

The cover may comprise one or more recesses configured to receive corresponding projections of the frame so as to enable the cover to be removably attached to the frame.

The lining may comprise a crown portion for lining an inner surface of the crown portion of the frame.

The lining may comprise a visor portion for lining an inner surface of the visor portion of the frame.

The lining may be configured to be attached to the frame by hook and eye means.

The lining may comprise fabric.

According to examples of the disclosure there is provided a frame for use in a modular cap as described herein.

According to examples of the disclosure there is provided a cover for use in a modular cap as described herein.

According to examples of the disclosure there is provided a lining for use in a modular cap as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows an example frame for a modular cap;

Fig. 2 shows an example cover portion for a modular cap; and Fig. 3 shows an example lining for a modular cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the disclosure relate to a modular cap. The modular cap comprises a frame, a cover and a lining. The cover and the lining can be removably attached to the frame to enable the cover and the lining to be removed and/or replaced as desired by a wearer of the modular cap. The modular cap comprises a crown portion and a visor portion. The modular cap can comprise vents that enable an air flow to be directed towards the wearer’s head to help to cool the wearer when they are wearing the modular cap.

Fig. 1 shows an example frame 103 for a modular cap 100. The frame 103 comprises a crown portion 105 and a visor portion 107.

The crown portion 105 is sized and shape so as to fit over the crown of a wearer’s head. The visor portion 107 is attached to the front of the crown portion 105. The visor portion 107 extends out of the front of the crown portion 105. The visor portion 107 can be configured to shield the wearer’s face or eyes from bright light when the modular cap 101 is being worn. The crown portion 105 and the visor portion 107 can be shaped in the style of a baseball cap or in any other suitable shape.

In this example the frame 103 comprises a plurality of members 109. The members 109 comprise elongate members that are configured to form the shape of the crown portion 105 and the visor portion 107. The members 109 comprise rigid members, or substantially rigid members, that define the shape of the modular cap 101. The members 109 can be rigid so that they retain the shape of the modular cap 101 even when no other components are attached to the frame 103.

In this example the frame 103 comprises a perimeter member 109A that extends around the edge of the crown portion 105. The perimeter member 109A is sized and shaped so that when a wearer is wearing the modular cap 101 the perimeter member 109 extends around the circumference of the wearers head. The perimeter member 109A comprises side portions that fit along the side of a wearers head and also a rear portion that fits on the rear of the wearer’s head and a front portion that fits on the front of a wearer’s head. The side portion is curved so as to fit around a wearer’s ears when the modular cap 101 is being worn.

The frame 103 also comprises a plurality of crown members 109B. The crown members 109B are sized and shaped so as to fit over the crown of a wearer’s head. The crown members 109B extend from the perimeter member 109A and are sized and shape so as to fit over the crown of a wearer’s head when a wearer is wearing the modular cap 101.

In the example of Fig. 1 the frame 103 comprises two crown members 109B. A first crown member 109B extends from the front to the back of the frame 103 and a second crown member 109B extends from the left-hand side to the right-hand side of the frame 103. The first crown member 109B and the second crown member 109B intersect at the top of the frame 103. The first crown member 109B and the second crown member 109B intersect perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly to each other.

The frame 103 also comprise a plurality of frame members 109C 109D that are shaped to define the shape of the visor portion 107. The frame members 109C 109D that define the visor portion 107 comprise a first frame member 109C that defines the outer shape of the visor portion 107 and a second frame member 109D that provides a rigid support in the centre of the visor portion 107.

The frame members 109 have spaces between them. That is, the frame members 109 comprise elongate structures with gaps between them. This provides for a lightweight structure for the frame 103 and can allow for improved cooling of the wearer’s head.

The frame 103 is configured to provide a support for a cover 201 . An example cover 201 that can be removably attached to the frame 103 is shown in Fig. 2.

The cover 201 and the frame 103 are configured to enable the cover 201 to be removably attached to the frame 103. Any suitable means can be used to enable the cover 201 to be removably attached to the frame 103. The cover 201 can be removably attached to the frame 103 so that it can be removed without specialist tools or equipment. The cover 201 can be removably attached to the frame so that it can be removed and replaced with a different cover 201.

In the example of Fig. 1 the frame 103 comprises plurality of protrusions 111 that can be used to enable the cover 201 to be removably attached to the frame 103. In the example of Fig. 1 the protrusions 111 are provided at the front of the visor portion 107 and at the rear of the crown portion 105. The protrusions 111 can be located in different positions in other examples. The cover 201 can comprise corresponding recesses that are sized, shaped and located so as to enable the protrusions 111 to fit into the recesses and hold the frame member 103 in position with respect to the cover 201.

In the example of Fig. 1 the frame 103 also comprises plurality of recesses 113. The recesses 113 can also be used to enable the cover 201 to be removably attached to the frame 103. In the example of Fig. 1 the recesses 113 are provided on the perimeter member 109A of the crown portion 105 and the perimeter of the visor portion 107. The recesses 113 can be located in different positions in other examples. The cover 201 can comprise corresponding protrusions that are sized, shaped and located so as to enable the protrusions of the cover 201 to fit into the recesses 113 and hold the frame member 103 in position with respect to the cover 201.

In the example of Fig. 1 the frame 103 comprises both recesses 113 and protrusions 111 for attaching to the cover 201. In other examples the frame 103 could comprise only recesses 113 while the cover 201 comprises corresponding protrusions. In other examples the frame 103 could comprise only protrusions 111 and the cover 201 could comprise only corresponding recesses.

In the example of Fig. 1 the frame 103 comprises one or more ribbing structures 115. The ribbing structures 115 comprise rigid stubs that extend out of some of the frame members 109. In the example of Fig. 1 the ribbing structures 115 are provided on the central crown members 109B and central members 109D of the visor portion 107. The ribbing structures 115 can be provided in other locations in other examples of the disclosure. The ribbing structures 115 are configured to provide space between the frame 103 and the cover 201 when the cover 201 is attached to the frame 103. The space that is provided by the ribbing structures 115 can be configured to enable a cooling airflow between the cover 201 and the wearer’s head. The ribbing structures 115 can be configured to provide a gap of a few millimetres between the frame 103 and the cover 201.

The frame 103 can also be configured to enable a lining 301 to be attached to the frame 103. The frame 103 can be configured so that the lining 301 can be attached to the inside of the frame 103. For example, a hook and eye means such as Velcro™ could be provided on the inside of the frame 103. This can enable easy release of the lining 301.

The frame 103 can be made of any suitable material. In some examples the frame 103 could be made from a rigid material such as plastic. The plastic could comprise recycled plastic. Other recycled materials could be used in other examples. The material used to make the frame 103 frame 103 can be rigid so that the frame 103 retains the shape of the crown portion 105 and the visor portion 107 even when no other components are attached to the frame 103.

In some examples the frame 103 can comprise additional components that are not shown in Fig. 1. For example, the frame 103 could comprise one or more adjustable members. The adjustable members can be configured to enable the size of the frame 103 to be adjusted to fit comfortably on a wearer’s head and/or to fit onto different sized heads.

The adjustable members can comprise a member within the frame 103 that has an adjustable length so as to enable the perimeter of the frame 103 to be adjusted. In some examples the adjustable member can be provided at the rear of the frame 103.

The adjustable member can be configured so that a wearer can adjust the length of the adjustable member without any specialist tools or equipment. Fig. 2 shows an example cover 201 for a modular cap 101. The cover 201 can be configured to be removably attached to a frame 103 such as the frame 103 shown in Fig. 1. When the cover 201 is attached to the frame 103 the cover 201 provides an outer surface of the modular cap 101. The cover 201 is sized and shaped to fit over the frame 103. The frame 103 can fit inside the cover 201. The frame 103 can fit inside the cover 201 so that when a wearer is wearing the modular cap 101 the frame 103 is not in view.

In the example of Fig. 2 the cover 201 comprises a crown portion 203 for covering the crown portion 203 of the frame 103 and a visor portion 205 for covering the visor portion 107 of the frame 103.

In the example of Fig. 2 the cover 201 comprises a raised portion 209. The raised portion 209 is provided in the centre of the cover 201 . The raised portion 209 extends from the front of the visor portion 205 to the back of the crown portion 203. The raised portion 209 is slightly raised compared to the rest of the cover 201. The raised portion 209 is slightly raised compared to sides of the cover 201. The raised portion 209 could be a couple of millimetres higher than the rest of the cover 201 .

The raised portion 209 can be aligned with the ribbing structures 115 of the frame 103. That is the raised portion 209 can be positioned within the cover 201 so that when the cover 201 is attached to the frame 103 the ribbing structures 115 are underneath the raised portion 209 of the cover 201 .

In the example of Fig. 2 a logo 211 is provided on the raised portion 209. The logo 211 is provided on the front of the raised portion 209 so that is appears on the front of the modular cap 101 when a wearer is wearing the modular cap 101. The logo 211 could be provided in other locations in other examples of the disclosure.

The logo 211 can be printed onto the cover 201 or provided by any other suitable means.

Different logos or designs can be used in other examples. This can enable a user to customise or personalise the modular cap 101 . The cover 201 can comprise means for enabling the cover 201 to be removably attached to the frame 103. For instance, the cover 201 can comprise a plurality of recesses and/or protrusions that can be located and sized and shaped so as to fit into corresponding recesses and protrusions on the frame member 103. The recesses and/or protrusions are provided on the inner surface of the cover 201 and are not shown in Fig. 2.

The cover 201 comprises one or more vents 207. In the example of Fig. 2 the cover comprises a plurality of vents 207. The vents are positioned on the cover 201 so as to direct a cooling air flow towards the wearer’s head when a wearer is wearing the modular cap 101. The vents 207 are provided within the cover 201 so as to enable air to flow from the outer surface of the cover 201 , through the vents 207 and underneath the cover 201 towards the wearer’s head.

The vents 207 can be provided in any suitable location within the cover 201. In the example of Fig. 2 the vents 207 are provided in the crown portion 203 of the cover 201 . In some examples one or more vents 207 could be provided within the visor portion 205 of the cover 201 .

In the example of Fig. 2 a plurality of vents 207A are provided in the side of the crown portion 203. The vents 207A are provided both in the front of the crown portion 205 and in the rear of the crown portion 203. The vents 207A can be provided on both the right side of the cover 201 and the left side of the cover 201 . Only the vents 207A on the right side of the cover 201 are shown in Fig.2 due to the perspective view of the cover 201. Corresponding vents 207A would also be provided in corresponding locations on the left side of the cover 201.

In the example of Fig. 2 the cover 201 also comprises a vent 207B along the edge of the raised portion 209. The vent 207B enables air to flow under the raised portion 209 of the cover 201. The vent 207B enables air to flow from the outer surface of the cover 201 , through the vent 207B and underneath the raised portion 209 towards the wearer’s head.

In the example of Fig. 2 a vent207B can be provided on each side of the raised portion

209. That is a vent 207B can be provided on the left side and the right side. Only the vent 207B on the right side of the raised portion 209 are shown in Fig.2 due to the perspective view of the cover 201. A corresponding vent 207B would also be provided in a corresponding location on the left side of the raised portion 209.

In the example of Fig. 2 the vent 207B on the edge of the raised portion 209 extends over the crown portion 203 of the cover 201. In this example a single vent 207B is provided on each side of the raised portion 209. In other examples a plurality of vents 207B could be provided in each side of the raised portion 209.

The cover 201 can be formed from a rigid material. The cover 201 can be rigid so that it retains its shape even when it is not connected to the frame 103. The cover 201 can be rigid compared to the lining 301 . The cover 201 can comprise a thin layer of plastic or any other suitable material. The cover 201 can comprise recycled plastic or any other suitable type of plastic. Other recycled materials could be used in other examples.

Fig. 3 shows an example lining 301 for a modular cap 101. The lining 301 comprises a crown portion 303 and a visor portion 305. The lining 301 is sized and shape so at to fit inside the frame 103. When the lining 301 is attached to the frame 103 the lining 301 provides an inner surface of the modular cap 101. The lining 301 is sized and shaped to fit inside the frame 103. The lining 301 can fit inside the frame 103 and the cover 201. The lining 301 can fit inside the frame 103 and the cover 201 so that when a wearer is wearing the modular cap 101 the lining 301 is not in view. When a wearer is wearing the modular cap 101 the lining 301 may be in contact with the wearer’s head.

The lining 301 is configured to be removably attachable to the frame 103. The lining 301 can be removably attached to the frame 103 so that it can be removed and/or replaced by a wearer of the modular cap 101 without any specialist tools or equipment.

In some examples the lining 301 could comprise a hook and eye fastener such as Velcro™. This can enable easy release of the lining 301 . The hook and eye fastener could be provided on any suitable locations of the lining 301 and could be configured to be attached to corresponding portions of a hook and eye fastener on the frame 103. For instance, a portion of hook and eye fastener could be provided on the crown of the lining 301 and/or around the perimeter of the lining 301 and/or on the visor portion 305 of the lining 301 and/or in any other suitable locations.

The lining 301 can comprise fabric or any other suitable material. The lining 301 can comprise a material that enables the lining 301 to be washed. For example, the lining 301 could be washed with clothes or other laundry items.

In some examples the lining 301 could be made of a wicking material that can be configured to wick sweat away from the wearer’s head. The use of wicking material can help to cool the wearer of the modular hat 101.

The lining 301 can be made of a non-rigid material. The lining 301 can be made of a material such that the lining 301 does not retain the shape of the modular cap 101 when it is not coupled to the frame 103. This can enable the lining 301 to be washed in washing machine for example.

The frame 103, cover 201 and lining 301 as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 can be removably attached to each other to form a modular cap 101. The frame 103, cover 201 and lining 301 therefore provide different modules of a modular cap 101. The lining 301 can be attached to the inside of the frame 103 to provide an inner surface of the modular cap 101 and the cover 103 can be attached to the outside of the frame 103 to provide an outer surface of the modular cap 101 .

The cover 201 and the lining 301 can be removed from the frame 103 as a user’s chooses to. For example, different covers 201 can be attached to the frame 103 to enable a wearer to change the way the modular cap 101 looks. For instance, the wearer could choose to change the colour or other designs of the cover 201 . The wearer could choose to remove the lining 301 to enable the lining 301 to be washed and/or replaced with a fresh lining. The rigid frame can also be changed for other colours or other designs

The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one...” or by using “consisting”.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ‘example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.

The term ‘a’ or ‘the’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon. l/we claim: