NOVELTY CAP HAVING FAN-LIKE STRUCTURE |
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申请号 | EP01916211.4 | 申请日 | 2001-02-23 | 公开(公告)号 | EP1333732B1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2008-07-09 |
申请人 | Fleming, Ward; | 发明人 | FLEMING, Ward; | ||||
摘要 | A novelty cap is provided having a strip of fabric with an accordion folding defined by a plurality of pleated fin-like members (34). The strip can be made to close or open to a fan-like structure while mounted on top of the head of a wearer. The rearmost fin is weighted, i.e., comprises a metal bar (16) which serves to keep the fan-like structure in fully opened position. | ||||||
权利要求 | |||||||
说明书全文 | This invention relates generally to a novelty device and is particularly related to a novelty cap or hat having a fan-like structure mounted on the cap, which can be readily opened and closed as desired. The fan novelty cap not only attracts attention but also has entertaining, promotional and marketing values. Various novelty hats are available and have been used for the purpose of attracting attention or for promotional and marketing purposes in the fields of sports and social or political activities. One such novelty hat is described in United States Patent No. The present invention provides a novelty cap with a fan-like structure which varies in its construction from the novelty hat described in said patent, and which may also be used for the purpose of attracting attention, or for promotional and marketing purposes. The novelty hat of the present invention constitutes a variation from and/or improvement over the heretofore-used novelty hats, including the novelty hat described in the aforementioned patent. The present invention provides a novelty device having a fan-like structure pivotally mounted at the top of a dome-shaped body, e.g., a cap, to create a pivot point at the rear of the cap. The fan-like structure is formed by a strip of fabric having an accordion folding defined by a plurality of fin-like members pivotally attached at the rear end of the cap. In closed position, the strip rests conformally on top of the cap. When the person wearing the cap tilts his or her head backward, the accordion folding opens into a fan-like structure. The bottom most fin-like member is weighted, i.e., is provided with a weight such as, e.g., a metal bar, which serves to maintain the fan-like structure in fully open position. It may be returned to its closed position by hand or by bending the head forward to counteract the effect of the weighted fin-like member. If desired, the cap with the fan-like structure mounted thereon can be worn in combination with a mask, such as a mask used for Halloween or at Mardi Gras. Moreover, the fan-like structure may be mounted on a backpack or a bag with sewn in zip pockets designed to releasably retain the fan-like structure. The fan-like structure may bear a slogan or promotional material which becomes visible when the structure is in open position. The dome-shaped body on which the fan-like structure can be mounted is not limited to hats and caps, but may be an attachment to an eraser that fits on the end of a pencil. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts:
In the ensuing description, the present invention will be illustrated and described with reference to a dome-shaped body of particular construction, i.e., a cap of the type worn by some men in the armed forces of the United States. It must be understood, however, that the fan-like structure described herein is not limited in use with such caps but, in general, can be used for similar purposes on other dome-shaped devises as well. Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in The fan-like structure used in the novel cap of the present invention is shown in As it can be seen from the foregoing description and While the cap has been illustrated and described with reference to a specific construction, it can be understood that it can assume other shapes and configurations, yet the fan-like structure may nevertheless be mounted thereof for the same purpose and with the same entertaining and marketing values. For example, the fan-like structure may be shaped by cutting the tips of the fin-like member to form a semicircular, arched or even a flat shape, if desired. In addition, the fan-like structure may have various slogans or other indicia printed thereon which become visible when the fan-like structure is in open position. If desired the cap with the fan-like structure mounted thereon can be used in combination with a face mask, which can by simply attached to the cap. Also, the fan-like structure may be mounted on backpack or a bag provided with sewn in zip pocket which serves to releasably hold the fan-like structure and which can be opened and closed by bending backward to open the fan and then forward to return it to its closed position with or without the use of the hands. The cap with the fan-like structure may also be used with different articles of clothing with the same effect and appearance as herein described. Other obvious modifications are obvious and are suggested from the foregoing detailed description. |