Steven J Morose

US Patent:

54288436, Jul 4, 1995

Filed:

Jun 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/084567

Inventors:

J. Michael Clowers - Longview TX
L. Don Hutson - Longview TX
Steven J. Morose - Chesterfield MO

International Classification:

A42B 122

US Classification:

21952

Abstract:

A cap which is self-adjusting within a predetermined range of hat sizes, includes a crown having a dome and a continuous lower rim formed of a flexible substantially inelastic material. The crown has a front portion and a rear portion together having a fully expanded size corresponding to a maximum size at least as large as a largest hat size within the predetermined range of hat sizes. An elastic strip having a rear portion is attached to the front portion of the rim so that an unstretched rear portion produces an elastic loop. The size of the loop and the front portion of the rim combine to form an unstretched size which is at least as small as a minimum hat size within the predetermined range of hat sizes. The elastic strip has a partially stretched length resulting in a size together with the front rim portion, which corresponds to the maximum size of the lower rim which is at least as large as the largest hat size within the range of hat sizes. A plurality of uniformly spaced stitches connect the rear portion of the elastic strip along the rear portion of the lower rim when the elastic is in its partially stretched condition corresponding to the maximum size at least as large as the maximum hat size within the range of hat sizes so that the rear portion of the lower rim collapses uniformly and expands uniformly with the uniformly stitched elastic strip as the cap automatically adjusts to sizes within the range of hat sizes.