Oh, patents! Lacoste improvements to sports caps (4)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Lacoste invented two improvements for sports caps: extra ventilation and an adjustable headband. These improvements are recited in the French patent, FR1259571A, titled Perfectionnement apporté aux casquettes et notamment aux casquettes de sport (Improvements to caps, in particular to sports caps). The patent was awarded on March 18th 1960, to Jean René Lacoste.

The patent Figures 1 and 2 were extracted and included on the right. The Figure 1 is a perspective view of the inside of the cap. The Figure 2 is a perspective view of the outside of the cap. The cap comprises triangle-shaped material 2a and 2b, connected at the top of the cap, under a button 1. The triangles 2a and  2b are seamed together with ribbons 3, leaving a radial opening 7 for ventilation on each side, in addition to more traditional eyelets 8 positioned on each triangle. 

The cap further comprises a headband 5, attached to the visor 4, at the front, and connected to the base of the triangles 2a and 2b. However, the headband is open. One end of the headband 5a is connected to a loop-side velcro strip 6a. At the other loose end of the headband 5b, a hook-side velcro strip 6b is connected, enabling adjustment of the band according to the circumference of the user’s head. 

The scope of the invention extends to other modes of adjusting the two ends of the headband 5a and 5b, according to the circumference of a user’s head. The scope of the invention also extends to additional modes of providing more ventilation, as shown in the image of the below-marketed Lacoste cap.

Reference

Lacoste
https://www.lacoste.com/us/