A cap protector includes a unitary rigid shell having an open rear in communication with an interior chamber that is dimensioned and configured to receive the crown portion of a cap. Integrally extending from the lower, front portion of the shell is a substantially planar panel configured to resemble the cap's bill. The panel includes a slot in communication with an interior cavity that is dimensioned to firmly receive the cap bill. On the upper surface of the shell is a grommet with a locking mechanism that grips the cap's crown button.
1. A cap protector comprising:
a shell having an upper surface, a front surface and an open rear in communication with an interior chamber, said interior chamber dimensioned and configured to receive a crown portion of a cap;
a panel extending from the front surface of said shell, said panel having a slot in communication with an interior cavity that is dimensioned to receive a bill of the cap;
a grommet on the upper surface of said shell, said grommet dimensioned to receive a crown button on said cap.
2. The cap protector according to claim 1 wherein said shell is constructed with a rigid material that prevents the cap enclosed within the cap protector from being crushed when stored.
3. The cap protector according to claim 1 further comprising a button retainer within said grommet, said button retainer including a pair of resilient, biased fingers that separate when subjected to force but return to an original position when released to firmly grip a lower surface of the crown button.
4. A combination of a cap protector and a cap, the cap comprising a bill, a crown, a peripheral portion and a button on said crown; the cap protector comprising a shell having an upper surface, a front surface and an open rear in communication with an interior chamber, said interior chamber receiving said crown; and a panel extending from the front surface of said shell, said panel having a slot in communication with an interior cavity, said bill received within said cavity, and a grommet on the upper surface of said shell, said button received within said grommet.
5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said shell is constructed with a rigid material that prevents the crown and said bill from bending or contorting.
6. The combination according to claim 4 further comprising a button retainer within said grommet, said button retainer including a pair of resilient, biased fingers that separate when subjected to force but return to an original position when released to firmly grip a lower surface of said button.