Protective cover

Abstract

A flexible protective cover for an article of headwear which has a crown and a visor. The cover includes a first portion formed to resemble the shape of the crown and an integral pocket formed to receive the visor. The first portion and the pocket are formed from a sheet of polyvinyl chloride material which has a thickness between about 0.008 inches and about 0.012 inches. An inhibitor added to the material during a polymerization process significantly reduces penetration of ultraviolet light rays. The cover can be folded for storage purposes without forming permanent fold marks. The first portion extends beyond a peripheral edge of the crown and can be folded over a portion of such crown adjacent the peripheral edge. The folded portion may be positively urged for contact with the crown by a variety of retaining members.

1 . A protective cover for an article of headwear having a crown and a visor extending from such crown and partially surrounding thereof, said protective cover comprising: 
 (a) a first portion having a first predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such crown of such headwear;    (b) a second portion having a second predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such visor, said second portion extending from said first portion and partially surrounding a peripheral edge of said first portion; and    (c) said first portion and said second portion formed from a predetermined polymer material having a first predetermined thickness.    
   
   
       2 . The protective cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said cover further includes a third portion having said second predetermined shape and spaced from said second portion at a predetermined distance, said second portion and said third portion joined by an edge portion to form a pocket which is open adjacent said peripheral edge of said first portion for receiving such visor.  
   
   
       3 . The protective cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined material is a polymer selected from the group consisting of a flexible, a semi-rigid and a rigid polymer.  
   
   
       4 . The protective cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined thickness is between about 0.008 inches and about 0.012 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The protective cover according to  claim 4 , wherein said first predetermined thickness is about 0.010 inches.  
   
   
       6 . The protective cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said protective cover further includes means for significantly reducing transmission of ultraviolet light rays through one of said first portion, said second portion and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The protective cover according to  claim 6 , wherein said means for significantly reducing transmission of ultraviolet light rays is an inhibitor incorporated into said predetermined polymer material during a polymerization process.  
   
   
       8 . The protective cover according to  claim 6 , wherein said means for significantly reducing transmission of ultraviolet light rays is a coating applied to one of said first portion and said second portion and said combination thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The protective cover according to  claim 1 , wherein said first portion further includes an extension portion extending past an edge of such crown and foldable over such edge.  
   
   
       10 . The protective cover according to  claim 9 , wherein said protective cover further includes means for urging said extension portion for contact with an inner surface of such crown.  
   
   
       11 . The protective cover according to  claim 11 , wherein said means for urging said extension portion is one of a clamp means having a first portion engaging said extension portion and a second portion engaging an outer surface of said first portion, an elongated member having a second predetermined thickness and permanently attached to said extension portion, and an elongated member adjustably formed to a third predetermined shape and removably fitted within said first portion at least partially engaging said folded extension portion.  
   
   
       12 . A protective cover for an article of headwear having a crown, said protective cover comprising a first portion having a first predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such crown of such headwear, said protective cover is formed from a predetermined polymer material having a first predetermined thickness.  
   
   
       13 . The protective cover according to  claim 12 , wherein said protective cover further includes a second portion having a second predetermined shape and extending from said first portion, said second portion at least partially surrounding a peripheral edge of said first portion, said second portion is formed from said predetermined polymer material.  
   
   
       14 . A protective cover for an article of headwear having a crown and a brim laterally extending from such crown and surrounding thereof, said protective cover comprising: 
 (a) a first portion having a first predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such crown of such headwear;    (b) a second portion having a second predetermined shape generally identical to a shape of such brim and extending from said first portion, said second portion surrounding a peripheral edge of said first portion; and    (c) said first portion and said second portion formed from a polyvinyl chloride material having a thickness of between about 0.008 inches and about 0.012 inches.