Illumination – With wearing apparel or body support – Head covering or clamp
Utility Patent
1999-08-03
2001-01-02
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With wearing apparel or body support
Head covering or clamp
C362S105000, C362S191000, C362S190000
Utility Patent
active
06168286
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention resides in the field of novelty items for spectator sporting events and more particularly relates to a brim mounted light for baseball style caps.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Head mounted lamps whether attached to a headband or a cap are well known in the prior art. Specific examples include coal miners lamps and other such devices which are worn for the purpose of illuminating a work area while leaving the hands free.
Other more modern designs combine a battery powered light with a cap for the purpose of illuminating a smaller area more proximate to the wearer for reading written materials and the like. Examples of these are U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,060, Johnson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,292, Sabalvars; jr.; and U.S. Pat. No. D387,184 Seidmeyer. et al.
In either case, all of the designs known to applicant are arranged to illuminate areas in front of, to the side of, or below the lamp as worn. In contrast, the present invention is intended for a different purpose, that is, to illuminate the cap itself. Also in contrast to the prior art, the lamp is intend to blink or flicker at a rapid rate.
Both the direction of illumination to the front of the cap and the flickering or pulsating light beams are intended to create a novelty effect by calling attention to the wearer's support for a particular team at a sporting event. In use, each cap may be specifically identified with a particular team insignia at the illumination point. Additionally, the light may be encased in a container of a shape relating to the game being played such as a baseball, football or the like or alternatively may have a team insignia placed on the face of the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention may be summarized as a novelty light for sports caps and the combination thereof wherein a flashing or flickering light is mounted on the cap brim and arranged to illuminate the front of the crown or head covering portion. A sport team insignia is preferably mounted on the front of the cap to receive and reflect the light creating a strobe or flashing insignia effect. The insignia may either be permanently attached by sewing for example, or contained in a holder mounted on the cap or semi-permanently attached by for example two sided adhesive tape.
The light consists of at least one light emitting diode (LED), a source of electrical power, a small battery for example, an electrical circuit to activate the diode and produce a rapid on-off switching cycle to provide the flicker or strobe effect, and a housing for the diode, power source, and circuitry. The housing may be in the form of a sports implement appropriate to the game at which the cap is worn, a game ball such as a basketball, baseball or football for example. Means to attach the housing to the brim are also provided.
The features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the description of the preferred embodiment and drawings which follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4406040 (1983-09-01), Cannone
patent: 5741060 (1998-04-01), Johnson
patent: 5921674 (1999-07-01), Koczi
Brandt John M.
O'Shea Sandra
Ton Anabel M
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