Ball cap shield

Abstract

A shield adapted for use with a baseball cap or caps used in other sports is disclosed to protect a pitcher or fielder from a batted or thrown baseball or softball. A panel is shaped to conform with a front surface of a ball cap and is secured with straps or other means on the outer surface of the ball cap or, alternatively, on the inner surface of the ball cap. The shield is formed of a sheet or panel of impact absorbing plastic that protects the user from trauma in the event of a collision with a traveling ball or other object.

1 . A ball cap shield comprising a curved protective overlay adapted to conform with a frontal surface of a ball cap, further comprising rearwardly extending peripheral flaps integrally appended to said curved protective overlay.  
   
   
       2 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  including a first strap extending rearwardly and connecting respective ends of said peripheral flaps.  
   
   
       3 . The ball cap shield of  claim 2  further comprising a second strap extending perpendicular to said first strap and terminating at an uppermost portion of said ball cap shield.  
   
   
       4 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  wherein said peripheral flaps are resiliently biased inward to bear against the user's head when worn by a user.  
   
   
       5 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  including complimentary hook and loop fastener material disposed on the inner surface of said ball cap shield.  
   
   
       6 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  including complimentary hook and loop fastener material disposed on the outer surface of said ball cap shield.  
   
   
       7 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  further comprising a matching insignia on an outer surface thereof corresponding with an insignia on the outer surface of said ball cap.  
   
   
       8 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  wherein said shield is transparent to reveal an insignia on said ball cap therethrough.  
   
   
       9 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  further comprising padding disposed under said overlay portion of said ball cap.  
   
   
       10 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  including an eyeguard extending downward to protect the user's eyes.  
   
   
       11 . The ball cap shield of  claim 1  further comprising a forwardly projecting bill overlay coinciding with the bill of said ball cap.