Apparel – Head coverings – Combined with diverse article
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-08-28
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Head coverings
Combined with diverse article
C002S195100, C040S317000, C040S329000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279168
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention pertains to a wrapping device and to methods of making and using the same and more particularly to a versatile device that can be wrapped around a portion of an article, such as a hat strap, to cushion and otherwise condition the interface between such portion and the part of a user's body that would normally contact such portion and to methods for making and using such a device.
BACKGROUND
Certain articles that come into engagement with a user's body during use sometimes present an interface between the article and the user that is less than desirable. Such articles include wearing apparel that have straps, belts, or buckles that contact the body; various items that have handles such as tools, appliances, exercise equipment, and luggage; animal collars; and the like. Problems usually occur because of the pressure of sharp or uncomfortable edges or surfaces on the article, the temperature of the article, the coefficient of friction at the interface, or the like. The appearance of the interface may also be a negative factor.
An example of such a problem is when a baseball-type cap is worn backward, as is standard practice for a baseball catcher but has become very popular for many people in everyday wear. When so worn, the adjustable strap at the back of most caps engages the wearer's forehead, and the hard surfaces and edges of the strap or the buckle press tightly against the wearer's head. This interface may be uncomfortable during wear, and the straps may leave an impression or an abrasion on the forehead after the cap is removed, either as a result of wearing the cap or in putting it on or taking it off. Moreover, some adjustable straps have intermitting pegs and holes that provide a rough surface from the outside of the cap and may be regarded as unsightly.
The problems of discomfort and appearance with the adjustable straps of baseball caps have been addressed in such patents as those to U.S. Pat. Nos. to Peters et al. 5,315,714; Blosser 5,687,425; Christiansen et al. 5,287,559; and Miner 5,418,981. The Peters and Blosser devices are manufactured as tubes in a size intended fit over the straps. These straps are of different widths but even if a tube is sized to the particular width of a baseball cap strap, it cannot be tightly wrapped or wound about the strap and thus may not be remain in a desired position, especially as the cap is put on and off many times. Moreover, such tubular devices intended solely for baseball-type caps do not have the ability to wrap parts of other articles where interface problems exist and where the part is not made with separable segments allowing a tube to slip over them. The Christiansen and Miner devices fold over the hat strap but do not wrap tightly about the strap nor do they have the versatility to wrap around parts of a multitude of other articles.
SUMMARY
A wrap for conditioning the interface between a part of various articles and a user's body is provided and includes a flexible, resiliently compressible, elastic pad that is flexed into a tubular configuration for tightly wrapping around the part being wrapped so that the inside surface of the end segment at one end of the pad overlaps the outside surface of the end segment at the other end of the pad; an adjustable fastening strip interposed the overlapping ends that allows the pad to be wrapped about parts of various perimeters and provides stability at the interface being conditioned; and attaching members on the opposed surfaces of the pad and the fastening strip that releasably engage each other and tightly hold the pad in wrapped condition around the part being wrapped. A method of making and using the wrap is also provided.
An object of the present invention is to provide a wrap for cushioning or otherwise conditioning the interface between a part of an article and a user's body against which the part of the article would normally press.
Another object is provide a wrapping device that is adjustable for wrapping tightly about parts of articles of differing perimeters.
A further object is to provide an elastic, resiliently compressible wrapping device that can be stretched to wrap tightly about a part of an article and that still retains enough body to cushion the interface between the part of the article and the part of the user's body.
A still further object is to provide a wrap that functions to identify the user or a particular organization or that displays a message or other indicia.
An additional object is to provide an article wrapping device having inside and outside surfaces that have desirable coefficients of friction for conditioning the interface with a user's body and that mount Velcro-type hook and loop fasteners and further having an outside surface capable of being imprinted.
Yet another object is to provide a wrapping device for cushioning the interface between an article and a user of the article and that incorporates an adjustable fastener that allows the device to be wrapped tightly about a part being wrapped and that also serves to impart stability and additional body to such interface.
A further object is to provide a wrap that is versatile enough to wrap around the parts of many articles, such as the strap of a hat, the handle of a tool, the grip of a barbell, the handle of luggage, an animal collar, and many other articles.
More specific objects are to cushion the interface between the hat strap of a baseball-type cap and the wearer's forehead when the cap is worn backward; to cushion and enhance the grip of a user's hand on the handle of a tool, a barbell, or a handle of a piece of luggage; to alleviate the discomfort of a collar on an animal; to identify an owner of an article or animal; or to similarly condition a user/article interface and/or identify various other articles or animals.
Yet another object is to provide a method of making a wrap in various sizes and shapes.
A still further object is to provide a method that allows a user to acquire materials from which the elements of wraps of various sizes and shapes can be cut to enable wrapping and/or identifying various articles as the need arises.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4918758 (1990-04-01), Rendina
patent: 5003640 (1991-04-01), Pizzacar
patent: 5161259 (1992-11-01), Shorts
patent: 5287559 (1994-02-01), Christiansen et al.
patent: 5315714 (1994-05-01), Peters et al.
patent: 5418981 (1995-05-01), Miner
patent: 5428844 (1995-07-01), Dougherty
patent: 5517695 (1996-05-01), Murray
patent: 5600855 (1997-02-01), Ramirez
patent: 5687425 (1997-11-01), Blosser
patent: 5704259 (1998-01-01), Riehle
patent: 5857220 (1999-01-01), Erny et al.
patent: 5862524 (1999-01-01), Case
patent: 5918316 (1999-07-01), Nathanson et al.
patent: 5950242 (1999-09-01), Mahoney
patent: WO 97/06672 (1997-02-01), None
Calvert John J.
Costello Leo F.
Holms Adam M.
Moran Katherine
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