Headgear with stretchable headband

Abstract

The present invention is an article of headwear that is adjustable so as to accommodate a wide range of head sizes comprised of at least a crown portion that substantially covers scalp of the wearer. Proximate the lowest edge of the crown portion is a headband permanently affixed thereto that is stretchable in all directions. The headband is comprised of a ribbon of stretchable rubber that may be fully or partially enclosed within one or more pieces of the same or different strength stretchable material. In all embodiments of the present invention, the ends of the rubber band and stretchable material may be attached so as to make a complete circumference around the lowest edge of the crown portion of the headgear.

1 . An article of headgear capable of adjusting to the size of the wearer's head, comprising:
 a crown portion having a peripheral edge,   a headband comprising an inner piece of rubber ribbon having first and second ends; and a first stretchable absorbent fabric into which the rubber ribbon is substantially enclosed,   whereby the headband is stretchably affixed to the peripheral edge of the crown so that it is located within the crown portion such that any of the exposed rubber ribbon faces the interior of the crown so that it is not immediately visible to the wearer and the first stretchable absorbent fabric will contact the head of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , in which the headband further comprises a second stretchable fabric substantially enclosing the rubber ribbon within the first stretchable absorbent fabric, such that there is no exposed rubber ribbon. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the headband is affixed to the peripheral edge of the crown by stitching that will not come undone due to the headband being stretched around the head of the wearer. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising a visor which is fixed to the front of the crown portion proximate the front peripheral edge, whereby the headband is affixed to the portion of the visor proximate the peripheral edge of the visor where the crown portion is attached to the visor. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first stretchable fabric is polyester. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein the second stretchable fabric is comprised of nylon and spandex. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising a label whereby when the first and second ends of the headband are affixed to each other, the seam created thereby is concealed by a label affixed thereover. 
     
     
         8 . A baseball hat comprising:
 a crown portion having a peripheral edge;   a visor having a first edge;   a headband comprised of an inner piece of rubber ribbon having first and second ends; and a first stretchable absorbent fabric into which the rubber ribbon is substantially enclosed,   whereby the headband is stretchably affixed to the peripheral edge of the crown and the first edge of the visor so that it is substantially located within the crown portion such that any of the exposed rubber ribbon faces the interior of the crown and the first stretchable absorbent fabric will contact the head of the wearer.   
     
     
         9 . The baseball hat of  claim 8  in which the headband further comprises a second stretchable fabric substantially enclosing the rubber ribbon within the first stretchable absorbent fabric, such that there is no exposed rubber ribbon. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 8  wherein the headband is affixed to the peripheral edge of the crown by stitching that will not come undone due to the headband being stretched around the head of the wearer. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the first stretchable fabric is polyester. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 9 , wherein the second stretchable fabric is comprised of nylon and spandex. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 8 , further comprising a label whereby when the first and second ends of the headband are affixed to each other, the seam created thereby is concealed by a label affixed thereover.