Wind-stabilized baseball cap

Abstract

A baseball cap including features for stabilizing the cap in a moving stream of air. The cap includes a modified bill having a downforce generator configured to create a relatively stagnate recirculation zone between the downforce generator and the head covering. This recirculation zone tends to negate the lifting effect found in prior art bills. The invention preferably also includes a vent through the bill. The vent is located behind the downforce generator, so as to connect the underside of the bill to the recirculation zone formed in the wake of the downforce generator. The vent is selectively closed by a flexible flap. The flap remains closed to prevent rain from passing through the vent. However, if pressure beneath the bill significantly exceeds pressure above the bill, the vent opens to equalize the pressure. This action prevents the creation of a net lifting force which might lift the cap off the wearer's head.

1 . A baseball cap, comprising:
 a. a head covering, including a forward region;   b. a bill extending outward from said forward region of said head covering, said bill having a leading edge distal to said head covering and a trailing edge proximal to said head covering;   c. a downforce generator, extending upward from said bill, wherein said downforce generator extends only part of the way from said leading edge of said bill to said forward region of said head covering, thereby creating a gap between said downforce generator and said forward region of said head covering; and   d. a vent, extending through said bill into said gap.   
   
   
       2 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible flap covering said vent. 
   
   
       3 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 2 , wherein:
 a. said flexible flap has a leading edge and a trailing edge;   b. said leading edge of said flexible flap is secured to said bill; and   c. said trailing edge of said flexible flap is free.   
   
   
       4 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. said downforce generator has a middle portion, a first side extreme, and a second side extreme;   b. said downforce generator has a splitter located in said middle portion, with said splitter being configured to divide said air flow into a first portion directed toward said first side extreme and a second portion directed toward said second side extreme.   
   
   
       5 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 2 , wherein:
 a. said downforce generator has a middle portion, a first side extreme, and a second side extreme; and   b. said downforce generator has a splitter located in said middle portion, with said splitter being configured to divide said air flow into a first portion directed toward said first side extreme and a second portion directed toward said second side extreme.   
   
   
       6 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 3 , wherein:
 a. said downforce generator has a middle portion, a first side extreme, and a second side extreme;   b. said downforce generator has a splitter located in said middle portion, with said splitter being configured to divide said air flow into a first portion directed toward said first side extreme and a second portion directed toward said second side extreme.   
   
   
       7 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said downforce generator is a thin structure attached along said leading edge of said bill, thereby forming a cavity between said downforce generator and said bill. 
   
   
       8 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said downforce generator is a thin structure attached along said leading edge of said bill, thereby forming a cavity between said downforce generator and said bill. 
   
   
       9 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said downforce generator is a thin structure attached along said leading edge of said bill, thereby forming a cavity between said downforce generator and said bill. 
   
   
       10 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said downforce generator is a thin structure attached along said leading edge of said bill, thereby forming a cavity between said downforce generator and said bill. 
   
   
       11 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a drain passing through said downforce generator, thereby draining said cavity. 
   
   
       12 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a drain passing through said bill, thereby draining said cavity. 
   
   
       13 . A baseball cap, comprising:
 a. a head covering, including a forward region;   b. a bill extending outward from said forward region of said head covering, said bill having a leading edge distal to said head covering and a trailing edge proximal to said head covering;   c. a downforce generator, assuming the form of an inclined wall sloping upward and rearward from said leading edge of said bill and being attached thereto;   d. wherein said inclined wall extends only part of the way from said leading edge of said bill to said forward region of said head covering, thereby creating a gap between said downforce generator and said forward region of said head covering; and   e. a vent, extending through said bill into said gap.   
   
   
       14 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a flexible flap covering said vent. 
   
   
       15 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 14 , wherein:
 a. said flexible flap has a leading edge and a trailing edge;   b. said leading edge of said flexible flap is secured to said bill; and   c. said trailing edge of said flexible flap is free.   
   
   
       16 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 13 , wherein:
 a. said downforce generator has a middle portion, a first side extreme, and a second side extreme; and   b. said downforce generator has a splitter located in said middle portion, with said splitter being configured to divide said air flow into a first portion directed toward said first side extreme and a second portion directed toward said second side extreme.   
   
   
       17 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said downforce generator is a thin structure attached along said leading edge of said bill, thereby forming a cavity between said downforce generator and said bill. 
   
   
       18 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said downforce generator is a thin structure attached along said leading edge of said bill, thereby forming a cavity between said downforce generator and said bill. 
   
   
       19 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a drain passing through said downforce generator, thereby draining said cavity. 
   
   
       20 . A baseball cap as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a drain passing through said bill, thereby draining said cavity.