Baseball cap with modified brim

Abstract

A baseball cap having a modified brim that includes a rigid main visor and two rigid side panels that can be in a nested position within the rigid main visor or in an extended position outside of the rigid main visor, and a mechanism that permanently secures the two rigid side panels to the baseball cap.

1 . A brim comprising: a rigid main visor wherein the main visor has a front edge, two side edges and a back edge; wherein each side edge includes a side slot section for receiving a side panel, the side slot section comprising an open cavity having at least one stopping device, the stopping device permanently attached to the rigid main visor; two extendable/retractable rigid side panels, wherein each rigid side panel includes at least one elongated aperture for receiving the at least one stopping device; wherein each rigid side panel further includes a raised tab at a proximal end thereof, the proximal end being the end that can be grabbed by a hand when the rigid side panel is in a nested position within the open cavity; wherein the two rigid side panels are slideably nested within the two side slot sections; wherein the two rigid side panels have an extended position when removed from the nested position in the open cavity as by grabbing the tab sections and pulling outwardly; and wherein each rigid side panel is prevented from being completely removed from the rigid main visor by the at least one stopping device. 
     
     
         2 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the back edge of the rigid main visor can be attached to a generally dome shaped shell which fits over the upper portion of the head of a wearer. 
     
     
         3 . The brim according to  claim 2  wherein the rigid main visor extends from the generally dome shaped shell for a distance of about 3 inches to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the side slot section is about 2½ inches to about 4½ inches in length as measured along the side edge of the rigid main visor. 
     
     
         5 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the two rigid side panels are about 2½ to about 4½ inches in length. 
     
     
         6 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein each rigid side panel fits snugly into each side slot section. 
     
     
         7 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one stopping device is a generally cylindrical peg having a diameter of about ½ inch. 
     
     
         8 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one elongated aperture is about ½ inch in width and about 1¼ inch in length. 
     
     
         9 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the extended position of the two rigid side panels from the two side edges of the rigid main visor is about 1 inch to about 2 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the two rigid side panels are decorated with a team logo. 
     
     
         11 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the two rigid side panels are decorated with an advertising scheme. 
     
     
         12 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein the two rigid side panels are constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of an opaque material and a transparent material. 
     
     
         13 . The brim according to  claim 1  wherein each rigid side panel includes two elongated apertures, wherein each elongated aperture is associated with a stopping device. 
     
     
         14 . A baseball cap having a brim with extendable/retractable side panels to provide variable surface area, the brim integrally attached to a dome portion that covers the top of the head; the brim having a variably adjustable width; the brim including a first side panel, a second side panel and a main visor; wherein the first side panel includes a first raised tab at the proximal end thereof for grabbing by a hand; and wherein the second side panel includes a second raised tab at the proximal end thereof for grabbing by the hand; wherein the proximal end is the end that can be grabbed by the hand when the side panel is in a nested position; wherein the first and second side panels are non-pivotally mounted within the main visor panel; wherein the first and second side panels are movable between the nested position in which the panels are nested within the main visor panel, and an extended position in which the panels are extended from the main visor panel. 
     
     
         15 . The baseball cap of  claim 14  further comprising a mechanism that allows the first and second side panels to be extended and retracted in relation to the main visor. 
     
     
         16 . The baseball cap of  claim 15  wherein the mechanism includes an elongated aperture that can act as a guide, wherein the elongated aperture is located within the side panel, and a rivet extending through the main visor and within the elongated aperture; wherein the side panel slides along the rivet by means of the elongated aperture.