U.S. patent application number 11/691265 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for device and method for displaying insignia.
Invention is credited to Timothy Francis Hall, Dwight David Harms.
Application Number | 20070186327 11/691265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38366774 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070186327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; Timothy Francis ; et
al. |
August 16, 2007 |
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING INSIGNIA
Abstract
A device for displaying insignia includes two parts. The first
part includes an array of flexible hooks formed on a hook substrate
that is fastened to a surface of the insignia. The second part
includes an article of clothing made of a looped material that
maintains a desired look and feel for the article of clothing when
the insignia is removed and that engages and releases the flexible
hooks when attaching and removing the insignia.
Inventors: |
Hall; Timothy Francis; (The
Colony, TX) ; Harms; Dwight David; (The Colony,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HIGGS, FLETCHER & MACK LLP
2600 FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
401 WEST "A" STREET
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101-7910
US
|
Family ID: |
38366774 |
Appl. No.: |
11/691265 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10449149 |
May 30, 2003 |
|
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|
11691265 |
Mar 26, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 18/00 20130101;
A41D 27/08 20130101; A42B 1/248 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Claims
1. A device for displaying insignia comprising: a first part
comprising an array of flexible hooks formed on a hook substrate,
the hook substrate fastened to a surface of an insignia; and a
second part comprising an article of clothing made of a looped
material for engaging the flexible hooks to attach the insignia to
the article of clothing and for releasing the flexible hooks to
remove the insignia from the article of clothing while maintaining
a desired look and feel of the article of clothing where the
insignia is removed.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising the insignia.
3. The device of claim 2 further comprising an adhesive for
fastening the hook substrate to the insignia.
4. The device of claim 3, the adhesive selected to withstand
temperatures between about (-30) to about (+110) degrees
centigrade.
5. The device of claim 3, the adhesive formulated for bonding to a
vinyl hook substrate.
6. The device of claim 2, the insignia comprising an embroidered
patch.
7. The device of claim 2, the insignia comprising molded
plastic.
8. The device of claim 2, the insignia comprising stamped
metal.
9. The device of claim 2, the article of clothing comprising one of
a hat, a shirt, a pair of shorts, a pair of pants, a pair of shoes,
a purse, a handbag, a backpack, a tote bag, and a pair of
gloves.
10. The device of claim 2, the article of clothing comprising one
of a cap, a baseball glove, a golf glove, a jersey, a team uniform,
an equipment bag, a duffel bag, a visor, and a pennant.
11. A method of displaying insignia comprising steps of: providing
an array of flexible hooks formed on a hook substrate; fastening
the hook substrate to a surface of an insignia; and providing an
article of clothing made from a looped material for engaging the
flexible hooks to attach the insignia to the article of clothing
and for releasing the flexible hooks to remove the insignia from
the article of clothing, the looped material maintaining a desired
look and feel for the article of clothing where the insignia is
removed.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of fastening
the hook substrate to the insignia by an adhesive.
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of selecting
the adhesive to withstand temperatures between about (-30) to about
(+110) degrees centigrade.
14. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of formulating
the adhesive especially for bonding to a vinyl hook substrate.
15. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of
embroidering the insignia as a patch.
16. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of molding the
insignia from plastic.
17. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of stamping
the insignia from metal.
18. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of making the
article of clothing as one of a hat, a shirt, a pair of shorts, a
pair of pants, a pair of shoes, a purse, a handbag, a backpack, a
tote bag, and a pair of gloves.
19. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of making the
article of clothing as one of a cap, a baseball glove, a golf
glove, a jersey, a team uniform, an equipment bag, a duffel bag, a
visor, and a pennant.
20. The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of applying
pressure to the insignia to remove air between the insignia and the
hook substrate.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising a step of applying
pressure to the insignia by drawing an edge at a non-vertical angle
over the insignia.
22. The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of applying
pressure to the hook substrate by drawing an edge at a non-vertical
angle over the hook substrate.
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising a step of applying
pressure to the hook substrate by drawing an edge at a non-vertical
angle over the hook substrate.
24. A device for displaying insignia comprising: a first part
comprising an array of flexible hooks formed on a hook substrate,
the hook substrate fastened to a surface of an insignia; and a
second part comprising an article of clothing made of a looped
material for engaging the flexible hooks to attach the insignia to
the article of clothing and for releasing the flexible hooks to
remove the insignia from the article of clothing without an
intermediate fastener between the article of clothing and the array
of flexible hooks.
25. The device of claim 24 further comprising the insignia.
26. A method of making a removable insignia comprising steps of:
providing an array of flexible hooks formed on a first surface of a
hook substrate and an adhesive applied to a second surface of the
hook substrate; providing an insignia; fastening the insignia to
the second surface of the hook substrate by the adhesive; cutting
the insignia and the hook substrate around a border of the
insignia; and removing air entrained between the insignia and the
second surface of the hook substrate.
27. A device for displaying insignia comprising: a first part
comprising an array of flexible hooks formed on a hook substrate,
the hook substrate fastened to a surface of an insignia; and a
second part comprising a surface made of a looped material for
engaging the flexible hooks to attach the insignia to the surface
and for releasing the flexible hooks to remove the insignia from
the surface while maintaining a uniform appearance and texture of
the surface over an area that includes and extends beyond an area
of the surface from which the insignia is removed.
28. The device of claim 27, the surface comprising a liner inside a
vehicle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/449,149, filed May 31, 2003, which
claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/384,937, filed
Jun. 1, 2002. This application claims the benefit of Provisional
Application No. 60/384,937, filed Jun. 1, 2002. Each of the above
applications is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to the field of removable
insignia. More specifically, but without limitation thereto, the
present invention is directed to a device for attaching and
removing insignia to articles of clothing.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,866 granted to French for METHOD AND
APPARATUS FOR A REMOVABLE NAMETAG AND INSIGNIA shows in FIG. 4
attaching an insignia such as a nametag on a uniform or other
garment by a hook and loop fastener. Typically, the hook fastener
is fastened to the insignia, and the loop fastener is sewn onto the
garment. The insignia may then be attached to the garment by
pressing the insignia onto the loop fastener and removed from the
garment by pulling the insignia away from the loop fastener.
Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,043 granted to Coleman for HAT AND
LOGO shows in FIG. 2 a hook and loop fastener for attaching and
removing insignia for a cap. Because the loop fastener is added to
the article of clothing and because the loop fastener is
intermediate between the article of clothing and the insignia, this
type of loop fastener is referred to herein as an intermediate loop
fastener.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment, a device for displaying insignia includes
an array of flexible hooks formed on a hook substrate. The hook
substrate is fastened to a surface of the insignia. The device also
includes an article of clothing made of a looped material that
maintains a desired look and feel for the article of clothing when
the insignia is removed. The looped material engages the flexible
hooks to attach the insignia to the article of clothing and
releases the flexible hooks to remove the insignia from the article
of clothing.
[0007] In another embodiment, a method of displaying insignia
includes steps of providing an array of flexible hooks formed on a
hook substrate, fastening the hook substrate to a surface of the
insignia; and making an article of clothing from a looped material
that maintains a desired look and feel for the article of clothing
when the insignia is removed. The insignia is attached to the
article of clothing by engaging the flexible hooks with the looped
material. The insignia is removed from the article of clothing by
releasing the flexible hooks from the looped material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The above and other aspects, features and advantages will
become more apparent from the description in conjunction with the
following drawings presented by way of example and not limitation,
wherein like references indicate similar elements throughout the
several views of the drawings, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a flexible hook of the
prior art that may be used to display insignia on an article of
clothing;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a magnified side view of a looped
material that may be used to engage the flexible hook of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a cap made of a looped material for
displaying insignia;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a glove made of a looped material for
displaying insignia;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates an insignia sewn on the same looped
material used to make the article of clothing to which the insignia
is to be attached;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of trimming thread
ends from the back of the insignia of FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a vinyl hook
substrate of the prior art for attaching the insignia of FIG. 6 to
an article of clothing;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of applying pressure
to the hook fastener to remove air between the insignia and the
hook substrate of FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of applying pressure
to the insignia to remove air between the insignia and the hook
substrate of FIG. 8;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of cutting the
insignia assembly of FIG. 9 around the border of the insignia;
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates applying pressure to the insignia with a
press to remove any remaining air between the insignia and the hook
substrate of FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of applying pressure
to the hook substrate with a press to remove any remaining air
between the insignia and the hook substrate of FIG. 11;
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates laminating an insignia made of
plastic;
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of fastening the hook
substrate to the back of the laminated insignia of FIG. 13;
[0023] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of applying pressure
to the insignia at an angle to remove air between the insignia and
the hook substrate of FIG. 14;
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of applying pressure
to the hook substrate at an angle to remove air between the
insignia and the hook substrate of FIG. 14;
[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of placing a die
around the border of the insignia and the hook substrate assembly
of FIG. 16;
[0026] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of cutting the
insignia and the hook substrate assembly with the die of FIG.
17;
[0027] FIG. 19 illustrates the completed insignia after cutting in
FIG. 18; and
[0028] FIG. 20 illustrates a flow chart of a method of displaying
insignia.
[0029] Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and
clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,
the dimensions, sizing, and/or relative placement of some of the
elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
elements to clarify distinctive features of the illustrated
embodiments. Also, common but well-understood elements that may be
useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often
not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of the
illustrated embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The following description is not to be taken in a limiting
sense, rather for the purpose of describing by specific examples
the general principles that are incorporated into the illustrated
embodiments. For example, certain actions or steps may be described
or depicted in a specific order to be performed. However,
practitioners of the art will understand that the specific order is
only given by way of example and that the specific order does not
exclude performing the described steps in another order to achieve
substantially the same result. Also, the terms and expressions used
in the description have the ordinary meanings accorded to such
terms and expressions in the corresponding respective areas of
inquiry and study except where other meanings have been
specifically set forth herein.
[0031] Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and
clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,
the dimensions, sizing, and/or relative placement of some of the
elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
elements to clarify distinctive features of the illustrated
embodiments. Also, common but well-understood elements that may be
useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often
not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of the
illustrated embodiments.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view 100 of a flexible hook of the
prior art that may be used to display insignia on an article of
clothing. Shown in FIG. 1 are a flexible hook 102, a hook substrate
104, a hook height 106, and a cusp depth 108.
[0033] The exemplary flexible hook 102 in FIG. 1 may be, for
example, a Velcro.TM. model HTH833. In a preferred embodiment, the
flexible hook 102 has a small hook height 106, for example, less
than 0.5 mm, and a cusp depth 108 that is less than one-third of
the hook height 106. An array of the flexible hooks 102 is
typically formed in an array on the hook substrate 104 to make a
hook fastener from a material such as vinyl. The hook fastener may
be permanently attached to insignia, for example, by an adhesive
applied to the back side of the hook substrate 104.
[0034] In one embodiment, a device for displaying insignia includes
an array of flexible hooks formed on a hook substrate. The hook
substrate is fastened to a surface of the insignia. The device also
includes an article of clothing made of a looped material that
maintains a desired look and feel for the article of clothing when
the insignia is removed. The looped material engages the flexible
hooks to attach the insignia to the article of clothing and
releases the flexible hooks to remove the insignia from the article
of clothing.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a magnified side view 200 of a looped
material that may be used to engage the flexible hook of FIG. 1. In
contrast to the prior art in which a separate loop fastener is sewn
onto the article of clothing, the looped material 200 performs two
functions: providing the desired look and feel of the article of
clothing and providing a loop fastener for engaging a hook
fastener. Not all fabrics used for making clothing may be used
effectively as a loop fastener. The inventor has found that only
certain materials, for example, polyester tricot and nylon tricot,
can bond to a hook fastener securely enough to withstand vigorous
movement of the article of clothing without separating from the
hook fastener. The term "tricot" as used herein means a warp-knit
fabric of a natural or a synthetic fiber having fine vertical ribs
on the facing surface and horizontal ribs on the back surface.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a cap 300 made of a looped material for
displaying insignia. Shown in FIG. 3 are a looped material 302 and
insignia 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312.
[0037] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, multiple insignia 304, 306,
308, 310, and 312 are attached directly to the looped material 202.
There are several advantages gained over the prior art by using the
looped material 302 both to provide the desired look and feel of
the article of clothing and to provide a loop fastener for
attaching and removing the insignia 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312. In
contrast to the looped material 302, an intermediate loop fastener
attached to the article of clothing does not maintain the desired
look and feel of the article of clothing where the insignia is
removed. For example, a loop fastener typically has a rough, patchy
appearance and is thicker and less flexible than the material to
which it is attached. Also, an added loop fastener typically does
not match the color of the article of clothing. However, the looped
material 302 maintains the desired look and feel of the article of
clothing where the insignia is removed, including the color,
texture, and thickness. Also, an intermediate loop fastener may
alter the shape, weight, and balance of the article of clothing,
which may be especially noticeable and annoying in headgear.
[0038] Another advantage of the looped material 302 is that the
insignia 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312 may be placed at different
locations on the looped material 302 rather than only in a specific
area as in the case of a separate loop fastener. For example, if
the cap 300 is worn with the bill forward, the insignia 312 may be
attached to the front of the cap 300. On the other hand, if the cap
300 is worn with the bill in the back, the insignia 308 may be
attached to the back of the cap 300 so that the insignia 308 is in
front of the wearer. A further advantage to the combination of the
insignia 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312 and the looped material 302 is
the elimination of the step of sewing a separate piece of loop
material to the article of clothing at one or more locations to
mate with the insignia. This is important from a manufacturing
perspective not only because steps in the manufacturing process are
eliminated, but also because the machine work and inventories
required for maintaining a different shape of loop material for
each shape used for insignia are also eliminated. Reducing the
number of manufacturing steps and the number of pieces required to
assemble the article of clothing advantageously results in improved
quality and fewer manufacturing defects. Also, the article of
clothing may be purchased in large quantities without risk of
becoming obsolete when the insignia shape is changed.
[0039] In addition to the cap 300 illustrated in FIG. 3, other
articles of clothing and personal accessories used to display
insignia may be made in the same manner to practice various
embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly,
the term "article of clothing" is intended to include everything
that may be used to display insignia, including but not limited to
hats, shirts, shorts, pants, shoes, purses, handbags, backpacks,
tote bags, and gloves. Also included are sporting goods such as
caps, baseball gloves, golf gloves, jerseys, team uniforms,
equipment bags, duffel bags, visors, and pennants. The insignia may
serve as a billboard for advertising and may also be used to
display corporate logos and photographs.
[0040] In another embodiment, a calendar is made of the looped
material and used with insignia having the shapes of pieces of
clothing to assist autistic children in learning to dress
themselves. As each piece of clothing is put on, the corresponding
insignia is moved to the next day on the calendar until the space
for the current date is cleared. In other embodiments, game boards
for games such as tic-tac-toe are made by adhering the looped
material to a rigid surface such as plastic, wood, or cardboard and
played on with insignia having the shape, for example, of X's and
O's and other playing tokens.
[0041] In a further embodiment, the looped material may be a fabric
used, for example, for a surface such as a liner inside
automobiles, buses, trains, aircraft, and other vehicles. The
insignia may be used to display instructions, safety warnings, and
advertisements as well as various visual effects inside a vehicle
from the roof or other surfaces inside the vehicle without adding a
separate piece of looped material in the areas where the insignia
are attached. As a result, the appearance and texture of the
surface is maintained uniform over an area that includes and
extends beyond an area from which the insignia is removed. For
example, an insignia may be placed in various locations on the roof
inside an automobile without requiring a different material from
the liner in the area where the insignia is attached. When the
insignia is removed, the area from which the insignia is removed
has the same appearance and texture as the rest of the surface
outside the insignia.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a glove 400 made of a looped material for
displaying insignia. Shown in FIG. 4 are an insignia 402 and a
looped material 404. The insignia 402 may be made, for example, of
embroidered cloth, leather, plastic, or metal. The insignia 402 may
be used to display a name brand, a company logo, personalized
artwork, a photograph, a team logo, or other verbal and pictorial
content. The looped material 404 allows the insignia 402 to be
placed at a various locations on the looped material 404, and the
insignia 402 may be removed while maintaining the same look and
feel of the glove 400.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view 500 of an insignia sewn on the
same looped material used to make the article of clothing to which
the insignia is to be attached. Shown in FIG. 5 are a looped
material 502 and an embroidered insignia 504. The looped material
502 is embroidered according to well-known techniques to make the
embroidered insignia 504. In other embodiments, other fabrics of
various textures and colors may be used to make the embroidered
insignia 504.
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view 600 of trimming thread
ends from the back of the insignia of FIG. 5. Shown in FIG. 6 are a
looped material 502, an embroidered insignia 504, thread ends 602,
and scissors 604. The thread ends 602 are cut as closely as
possible to the looped material 502 with the scissors 604.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view 700 of a vinyl hook
substrate of the prior art for attaching the insignia of FIG. 6 to
an article of clothing. Shown in FIG. 7 are an adhesive surface
702, an array of flexible hooks 704, and a peel-away backing
706.
[0046] In the example of FIG. 7, the array of flexible hooks 702 is
Velcro.TM. HTH-833 supplied with a type 99 vinyl binder on a 6-inch
wide roll. The adhesive is Velcro.TM. type 75, which is preferred
for vinyl hook substrates and can withstand temperatures in the
range between (-30) and (+110) degrees centigrade without
delaminating from the insignia. The adhesive surface 702 is
protected by the peel-away backing 706 until the insignia is ready
to be bonded to the adhesive surface 702.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view 800 of applying
pressure to the hook fastener to remove air between the insignia
and the hook substrate of FIG. 7. Shown in FIG. 8 are embroidered
insignia 504, an array of flexible hooks 704, and a squeegee
802.
[0048] In FIG. 8, the array of flexible hooks 704 is pressed onto
the embroidered insignia 504. Air pockets between the embroidered
insignia 504 and the array of flexible hooks 704 are removed by
drawing the squeegee 802 across the top of the array of flexible
hooks 704 under pressure, preferably at an angle less than 90
degrees with respect to the plane of the embroidered insignia 504
and the array of flexible hooks 704 in the direction of motion of
the squeegee 802. The squeegee angle may be, for example, between
45 and 75 degrees.
[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view 900 of applying
pressure to the insignia to remove air between the insignia and the
hook substrate of FIG. 8. Shown in FIG. 9 are a looped material
502, an embroidered insignia 504, an adhesive surface 702, and a
squeegee 802.
[0050] In FIG. 9, the embroidered insignia 504 and the hook
substrate assembly is turned over, and air pockets between the
embroidered insignia 504 and the hook substrate are further removed
by drawing the squeegee 802 across the top of the embroidered
insignia 504 under pressure, preferably at an angle less than 90
degrees with respect to the plane of the embroidered insignia 504
and the hook substrate in the direction of motion of the squeegee
802.
[0051] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view 1000 of cutting the
insignia assembly of FIG. 9 around the border of the insignia.
Shown in FIG. 10 are a looped material 502, an embroidered insignia
504, and scissors 604.
[0052] In FIG. 10, the embroidered insignia 504 and the hook
substrate assembly is cut around the border of the embroidered
insignia 504 with the scissors 604. For large quantities, a die
cutter may be used for greater efficiency and precision. Insignia
made from a plastic such as vinyl may be cut with a die without a
cutting blade that applies sufficient pressure to the border of the
insignia to cut the plastic and the hook substrate. Metal and
leather insignia may be stamped with the hook substrate to finish
the edge of the insignia.
[0053] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view 1100 of applying
pressure to the insignia of FIG. 10 with a press to remove any
remaining air between the insignia and the hook substrate. Shown in
FIG. 11 are an embroidered insignia 504, a press plate 1102, and a
press column 1104. This step may also be used with plastic,
leather, and metal insignia.
[0054] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view 1200 of applying
pressure to the hook substrate with a press to remove any remaining
air between the insignia and the hook substrate assembly of FIG. 1.
Shown in FIG. 12 are array of flexible hooks 704, a press plate
1102, and a press column 1104. This step is preferably omitted for
stamped metal substrates to avoid damaging the stamped pattern.
[0055] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view 1300 of an insignia
made from vinyl plastic. Shown in FIG. 13 are a vinyl sheet 1302
and a laminate top coat roll 1304.
[0056] In FIG. 13, the vinyl sheet 1302 is preprinted, for example,
with personalized artwork, photographs, company logos, and so on.
The laminate top coat roll 1304 may be applied, for example, by a
laminating machine to make one or more insignia from the vinyl
sheet 1302.
[0057] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view 1400 of fastening the
hook substrate to the back of the insignia of FIG. 13. Shown in
FIG. 14 are laminated insignia 1402 and a hook substrate 1404.
[0058] In FIG. 14, the hook substrate 1404 may be, for example, the
vinyl hook substrate of FIG. 7. The hook substrate 1404 is placed
onto the laminated insignia 1402 in the same manner as described
for FIG. 8.
[0059] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view 1500 of applying
pressure to the insignia at an angle to remove air between the
insignia and the hook substrate of FIG. 14. Shown in FIG. 15 are
laminated insignia 1402 and a squeegee 802.
[0060] In FIG. 15, air pockets between the insignia 1402 and the
hook substrate 1404 are removed by drawing the squeegee 802 across
the top of the insignia 1402 in the same manner as described above
for FIG. 9.
[0061] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view 1600 of applying
pressure to the hook substrate at an angle to remove air between
the insignia and the hook substrate of FIG. 15. Shown in FIG. 16
are laminated insignia 1402, a hook substrate 1404, and a squeegee
802.
[0062] In FIG. 16, the insignia 1402 and hook substrate 1404
assembly is turned over, and air pockets between the laminated
insignia 1402 and the hook substrate 1404 are further removed by
drawing the squeegee 802 across the top of the hook substrate 1402
in the same manner as described above for FIG. 8.
[0063] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view 1700 of placing a die
for cutting the insignia assembly of FIG. 16 around the border of
the insignia. Shown in FIG. 17 are an insignia and hook substrate
assembly 1702, a die 1704, a press plate 1102, and a press column
1104.
[0064] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view 1800 of cutting the
insignia and the hook substrate assembly of FIG. 16 with a press.
Shown in FIG. 17 are an insignia and hook substrate assembly 1702,
a die 1704, a press plate 1102, and a press column 1104.
[0065] In FIG. 18, the insignia and hook substrate assembly 1702 is
cut around the border of each insignia with the die 1704.
[0066] FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view 1900 of the completed
insignia after cutting in FIG. 18. Shown in FIG. 19 are a hook
substrate assembly 1702 and a finished insignia 1902.
[0067] In another embodiment, a method of displaying insignia
includes steps of providing an array of flexible hooks formed on a
hook substrate, fastening the hook substrate to a surface of the
insignia; and making an article of clothing from a looped material
that maintains a desired look and feel for the article of clothing
when the insignia is removed. The insignia is attached to the
article of clothing by engaging the flexible hooks with the looped
material. The insignia is removed from the article of clothing by
releasing the flexible hooks from the looped material.
[0068] FIG. 20 illustrates a flow chart 2000 of a method of
displaying insignia.
[0069] Step 2002 is the entry point of the flow chart 2000.
[0070] In step 2004, an array of flexible hooks formed on a hook
substrate is provided. The hook substrate may be a commercially
available hook substrate such as the Velcro.TM. example in FIG. 6,
or the hook substrate may be formed according to well-known
techniques.
[0071] In step 2006, the hook substrate is fastened to a surface of
an insignia, for example, with an adhesive that can withstand the
extreme temperatures that may be encountered by the article of
clothing. For example, a cap may be worn outdoors in winter at the
cold temperature extreme and left on the dashboard of a locked car
in the summer at the hot temperature extreme.
[0072] In step 2008, an article of clothing is made from a looped
material that maintains a desired look and feel for the article of
clothing when the insignia is removed, which means that no
intermediate fastener appears on the article of clothing behind the
insignia when the insignia is removed. The looped material
preferably has low-profile loops such as found in polyester and
nylon tricot materials and has a look and feel that is designed to
be comfortable and attractive when made into garments. The loops in
the looped material attach the insignia to the article of clothing
by engaging the flexible hooks with the looped material. The
insignia may be removed from the article of clothing by pulling the
insignia away from the article of clothing to release the flexible
hooks from the looped material.
[0073] The insignia may be, for example, embroidered fabric,
stamped metal, stamped or sculptured leather, or laminated plastic.
The hook substrate should be fastened to the insignia by an
adhesive that will not separate or bubble when exposed to the
temperature extremes anticipated when wearing or storing the
article of clothing. Also, the process for fastening the hook
substrate to the insignia should avoid entraining air, and the back
surface of the insignia should be suitably prepared to ensure a
strong bond to the hook substrate. The insignia and hook substrate
assembly may be cut around the border of the insignia with a die.
Insignia made of hard materials such as metal should be cut from
the back side only to avoid damaging the insignia, while soft
materials may be sealed on both sides to thoroughly remove any air
between the insignia and the hook substrate.
[0074] Step 2010 is the exit point of the flow chart 2000.
[0075] Although the flowchart description above is described and
shown with reference to specific steps performed in a specific
order, these steps may be combined, sub-divided, or reordered
without departing from the scope of the claims. Unless specifically
indicated, the order and grouping of steps is not a limitation of
other embodiments that may lie within the scope of the claims.
[0076] The specific embodiments and applications thereof described
above are for illustrative purposes only and do not preclude
modifications and variations that may be made within the scope of
the following claims.
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