U.S. patent application number 11/910827 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for player's outfit.
This patent application is currently assigned to PUMA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT RUDOLF DASSLER SPORT. Invention is credited to Arne Etzold.
Application Number | 20080209610 11/910827 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34673518 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080209610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Etzold; Arne |
September 4, 2008 |
Player's Outfit
Abstract
The invention relates to a player's outfit for teams playing
ball games, especially soccer, rugby, handball, or basketball. Said
outfit comprises a top part and shorts, the top part and the shorts
being embodied as a single piece. In order to obtain an increased
level of comfort while making the outfit easy to handle and
esthetically appealing, the player's outfit further comprises a
piece that is worn over the shorts and is or can be joined to the
shorts and/or the top part.
Inventors: |
Etzold; Arne; (Zirndorf,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LUCAS & MERCANTI, LLP
475 PARK AVENUE SOUTH, 15TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10016
US
|
Assignee: |
PUMA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT RUDOLF
DASSLER SPORT
Herzogenaurach
DE
|
Family ID: |
34673518 |
Appl. No.: |
11/910827 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
March 28, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/002799 |
371 Date: |
October 5, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/70 ; 2/228;
2/236 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0015 20130101;
A41D 2400/70 20130101; A41D 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/70 ; 2/228;
2/236 |
International
Class: |
A41D 15/00 20060101
A41D015/00; A41D 1/06 20060101 A41D001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2005 |
DE |
20 2005 005 692.8 |
Claims
1. Sports clothing for team sports that use a ball, which clothing
comprises an upper part and a pair of shorts, with the upper part
and the pair of shorts being designed as a single piece, wherein
the sports clothing also has a shorts over-part, which is joined or
can be joined to the shorts and/or to the upper part.
2. Sports clothing according to claim 1, the shorts over-part is a
pair of over-shorts or an over-skirt.
3. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the join between
the upper part and the shorts is releasable.
4. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the join between
the shorts over-part and the upper part and/or between the shorts
over-part and the shorts is releasable.
5. Sports clothing according to claim 3, wherein the joining means
between the upper part and the shorts and/or between the shorts
over-part and the shorts are designed as a zip fastener.
6. Sports clothing according to claim 5, wherein a double or
multiple zip fastener, with which the upper part can be joined to
the shorts and the shorts over-part can be joined to the
shorts.
7. Sports clothing according to claim 5, wherein a double or
multiple zip fastener, with which the upper part can be joined to
the shorts and the shorts over-part can be joined to the upper
part.
8. Sports clothing according to claim 3, wherein the joining means
between the upper part and the shorts and/or between the shorts
over-part and the shorts are designed as a Velcro fastener.
9. Sports clothing according to claim 3, wherein the joining means
between the upper part and the shorts and/or between the shorts
over-part and the shorts are designed as a tie-up fastener.
10. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein two of the three
parts, the upper part, the shorts and the shorts over-part, are
permanently joined to one another.
11. Sports clothing according to claim 10, wherein two of the three
parts, the upper part, the shorts and the shorts over-part, are
joined to one another by heat sealing.
12. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein two of the three
parts, the upper part, the shorts and the shorts over-part, are
joined to one another by heat sealing or sewing and the third part,
which is not heat-sealed or sewn, is joined to the two heat-sealed
or sewn parts by means of a releasable join.
13. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the upper part
and the shorts are joined to one another by the heat sealing or
sewing and in that the shorts over-part is joined to the upper part
and the shorts by means of a releasable join.
14. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the upper part,
the shorts and the shorts over-part are permanently joined to one
another by heat sealing.
15. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein all the joining
means or joins between the upper part, the shorts and the shorts
over-part extend right around the hip region.
16. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein an elastic band
is arranged in the joining region between the upper part and the
shorts.
17. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the upper part
has at least one fastener, especially a zip fastener, a Velcro
fastener or a tie-up fastener, for opening the neck opening.
18. Sports clothing according to claim 17, the at least one
fastener extends in the shoulder region or along the spinal
column.
19. Sports clothing according to claim 17 wherein two fasteners,
especially zip fasteners, arranged in the shoulder region to the
sides of the neck opening.
20. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein an elastic band
is arranged in the neck region.
21. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the shorts
consist of elastic material and are cut in such a way that they lie
against the thighs of the wearer.
22. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the shorts
over-part is designed to be longer than the shorts.
23. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the upper part
and/or the shorts or the shorts over-part are provided with at
least one ventilation opening.
24. Sports clothing according to claim 1, wherein the upper part
and/or the shorts consist of highly elastic material.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to sports clothing for team sports
that use a ball, especially football, rugby, handball or
basketball, which clothing has an upper part and a pair of shorts,
with the upper part and the pair of shorts being designed as a
single piece.
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,963 discloses a one-piece sports suit
with an upper part and a pair of trousers. An elastic band is
incorporated in the hip region, in order that the sports suit lies
against the body in this region. For putting on and taking off the
sports clothing, a zip fastener extending from the neck region
vertically downwards over the chest region is used.
[0003] A sports suit, or strip, of the generic type is also known
for example from CH 515 693. Here, the garment is made up of two
pieces, namely an upper part and a pair of shorts or trousers, the
two parts being sewn together in the region of the belt line or
waist.
[0004] To some extent, the previously known garments of the said
type do not meet the requirements for wearing comfort and comfort
during use in the way that is today required or desired.
[0005] The invention is based on the object of developing sports
clothing of the generic type in such a way that it has an increased
level of comfort and is nevertheless easy to handle. Another aim is
for pleasing aesthetics of the garment. Finally, production of the
garment should also be possible cost-effectively, and consequently
at low cost.
[0006] The solution achieving this object as provided by the
invention is characterized in that the sports clothing also has a
shorts over-part, which is joined or can be joined to the shorts
and/or to the upper part. It is preferred in this case that the
shorts over-part is designed as a pair of over-shorts or as an
over-skirt.
[0007] A preferred development provides that the join between the
upper part and the pair of shorts is releasable. It is likewise
provided with preference that the join between the shorts over-part
and the upper part and/or between the shorts over-part and the
shorts is releasable.
[0008] One effect achieved by this design is that putting on and
taking off the sports clothing can be made easier if--by contrast
with previously known solutions--no sewing is provided between the
said parts.
[0009] It may be provided with preference that the joining means
between the upper part and the shorts and/or between the shorts
over-part and the shorts are designed as a zip fastener. A specific
design in this respect provides a double or multiple zip fastener,
with which the upper part can be joined to the shorts and the
shorts over-part can be joined to the shorts. It is also possible
to provide a double or multiple zip fastener with which the upper
part can be joined to the shorts and the shorts over-part can be
joined to the upper part.
[0010] An alternative design of the invention provides that the
joining means between the upper part and the shorts and/or between
the shorts over-part and the shorts are designed as a Velcro
fastener.
[0011] Furthermore, it may be provided as a further alternative
that the joining means between the upper part and the shorts and/or
between the shorts over-part and the shorts are designed as a
tie-up fastener.
[0012] As explained, therefore, with preference at least two of the
total of three parts of the sports clothing, that is the upper
part, the shorts and the shorts over-part, are joined or can be
joined releasably to one another by the said joining means. It may
be of advantage if this type of joining is restricted to two of the
three parts and the third part is unreleasably fixed to one of the
two other parts. Therefore, a development provides that two of the
three parts, the upper part, the shorts and the shorts over-part,
are permanently joined to one another. It is provided with
particular preference in this respect that this permanent join is
established by heat sealing or sewing.
[0013] A preferred design of this concept provides that two of the
three parts, the upper part, the shorts and the shorts over-part,
are joined to one another by heat sealing or sewing and the third
part, which is not heat-sealed or sewn, is joined to the two
heat-sealed or sewn parts by means of a releasable join. In
particular, it is provided in this respect that the upper part and
the shorts are joined to one another by the heat sealing or sewing
and that the shorts over-part is joined to the upper part and the
shorts by means of a releasable join.
[0014] An alternative design of the invention provides that the
upper part, the shorts and the shorts over-part are permanently
joined to one another by heat sealing. In this case, the sports
clothing comprises just one piece. The heat sealing may extend in
the hip region of the garment and join all three parts firmly to
one another.
[0015] It is provided with preference for all the solutions
mentioned that all the joining means between the upper part, the
shorts and the shorts over-part extend right around the hip
region.
[0016] A particularly good fit of the sports clothing can be
ensured if it is provided as a development that an elastic band is
arranged in the joining region between the upper part and the
shorts.
[0017] The upper part may have at least one fastener, especially a
zip fastener, a Velcro fastener or a tie-up fastener, for opening
the neck opening in order to make it easier for the clothing to be
put on and taken off. The at least one fastener may in this case
extend in the shoulder region or along the spinal column.
Furthermore, two fasteners, especially zip fasteners, may be
provided such that they are arranged in the shoulder region to the
sides of the neck opening.
[0018] An elastic band may be arranged in the neck region. With
preference, the shorts may consist of elastic material and be cut
in such a way that they lie against the thighs of the wearer. This
achieves the effect in a particularly advantageous way that the
thigh muscles of the player are supported and kept warm by exerting
a slight compression. It also advantageously achieves the effect
that it is made more difficult for an opposing player to take hold
of the shorts.
[0019] The shorts over-part is designed with preference to be
longer than the shorts, so the shorts do not protrude downwards
beyond the shorts over-part. The upper part and/or the shorts or
shorts over-part may be provided with at least one ventilation
opening. This ensures optimum through-ventilation. The ventilation
openings may be arranged in the upper part and extend substantially
horizontally. For visual reasons, it is recommendable when
arranging the ventilation openings in the shorts or in the shorts
over-part for them to be arranged in the lateral region of the
shorts or the shorts over-part and to extend substantially
vertically.
[0020] A highly elastic material advantageously comes into
consideration as the material for the upper part and/or the shorts
or shorts over-part, which offers the advantage that the sports
clothing lies closely against the body of the player and it becomes
particularly difficult for opposing players to take hold of the
sports clothing and pull on it. As a result of its elasticity, such
a yarn material also increases the mobility of the player, because
the sports clothing offers only low resistance to the movements of
the player. Yarns with the preferred elastic behaviour are known
for example under the trade name "Elasthan" or "Lycra".
[0021] Although the sports clothing is designed according to the
invention as one piece, in other words the upper part and the
shorts/shorts over-part are joined to one another, there is the
possibility of making the upper part and the shorts or shorts
over-part different colours, and consequently creating the visual
impression of classic sports clothing of a two-part design (upper
part and shorts). Therefore, the advantageous functionality of the
sports clothing according to the invention can be used without
abandoning the known appearance.
[0022] In an advantageous way, the proposal of the invention makes
it more difficult for the player to be held by the clothing, which
is very good in the case of team sports that use a ball.
Furthermore, the observance of existing rules for playing the game
is made easier with respect to the regulations for wearing the
sports clothing. The sports clothing remains in the prescribed
position without the player having to pay any particular attention
to it, in particular even under rough playing conditions.
Furthermore, an optimum fit of the sports clothing is maintained
under almost all conceivable conditions, which is of importance in
conjunction with the sports clothing as an advertising medium.
[0023] With the proposal of the invention, increased wearing
comfort and comfort during use of the sports clothing is achieved,
since at least two of the parts (shorts, shorts over-part and upper
part)--preferably all three parts--are releasably joined to one
another. The provided shorts over-part also makes it more easily
possible to maintain a high level of hygiene, since, for example,
if need be only one of the parts (shorts, over-shorts or upper
part) may be changed and cleaned.
[0024] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is represented in
the drawing, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows the front view of a football strip,
[0026] FIG. 2 shows the side view of the football strip,
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the view of the football strip from behind,
[0028] FIG. 4a shows the section A-B according to FIG. 1 for a
detail of the strip, namely for the hip region, and
[0029] FIG. 4b shows an alternative design to that of FIG. 4a.
[0030] The sports clothing 1--see FIGS. 1 to 3--is designed in the
exemplary embodiment as a football strip and comprises an upper
part 2, a pair of shorts 3 and a shorts over-part 10, designed as
over-shorts, which are joined to one another. The join is designed
in the present case as a zip fastener 4, which extends in the hip
region 5, to be precise in the form that the zip fastener 4 extends
right around the hips. In this region 5 there is also--though not
represented any more specifically--an elastic rubber band
integrated into the sports clothing, for example sewn into it,
which ensures that the sports clothing 1 is fixed in the hip region
5 of the player. Also arranged here--though it likewise cannot be
seen in FIG. 1--is a tie-up cord for manual adjustment.
[0031] Putting on and taking off the sports clothing can be
performed by putting on the parts that are separated from one
another by a zip fastener (on the one hand the upper part 2 and on
the other hand the shorts 3 together with the over-shorts 10),
which are then joined on the body by means of the zip fastener.
[0032] An alternative procedure for putting on and taking off the
sports clothing 1 is also to use two zip fasteners 6 and 7
extending to the sides in the shoulder region laterally of the neck
opening 8. When the zip fasteners 6 and 7 are open, the wearer of
the sports clothing 1 (with the upper part joined to the shorts
3/over-shorts 10) can put his/her feet into the sports clothing
through the enlarged opening that is obtained in the region of the
neck opening 8 and put on the sports clothing 1 in this way. Once
the player has put on the sports clothing 1, the zip fasteners 6, 7
are closed and, as a result, the sports clothing 1 lies against the
body of the player. An improved fit is achieved by an elastic band
9 being arranged in the neck region.
[0033] An important feature is that over the shorts 3 there is a
shorts over-part 10--designed here as over-shorts. The over-shorts
10 are joined or can be joined to the shorts 3. With preference, a
releasable join is provided between the shorts 3 and the
over-shorts 10, in just the same way as a releasable join is
provided between the shorts 3 or the over-shorts 10 and the upper
part 2.
[0034] Zip fasteners, Velcro fasteners or tie-up fasteners are used
with preference as releasable joins, although other releasable
joins are also conceivable. Not intended, however, in the solution
shown are permanent joins, i.e. that at least all three parts
(shorts 3, over-shorts 10 and upper part 2) are sewn to one
another. However, it may be provided that two of the parts (shorts
3, over-shorts 10 and upper part 2) are permanently joined to one
another, in particular heat sealed or sewn, while the third part is
then releasably fastened.
[0035] A combination of joins is also quite possible: for example,
the over-shorts 10 may be fastened to the shorts 3 by means of a
Velcro fastener, while the join between the unit then created by
the shorts 3 and the over-shorts 10 is fixed to the upper part 2 by
means of a zip fastener.
[0036] For improved through-ventilation of the sports clothing 1,
ventilation openings 11, 11', 11', 11''', 12 are provided. In the
exemplary embodiment, the ventilation openings 11, 11', 11'', 11'''
arranged in the upper part 2 extend substantially horizontally and
are arranged on both sides of the upper part 2.
[0037] Arranged in the over-shorts 10, on each of the two sides of
the shorts, there is a ventilation opening 12, these openings
extending substantially vertically.
[0038] The ventilation openings 11, 11', 11'', 11''', 12 are
designed in the present case as incisions or cut-outs in the upper
part 2 or in the over-shorts 10, over which a thin material with
good air-permeating properties is arranged.
[0039] The sports clothing 1 may have short or long sleeves 13, the
exemplary embodiment showing the short-armed variant.
[0040] In FIG. 4, two designs are illustrated, showing how the
joining of the upper part 2, the shorts 3 and the over-shorts 10
can be accomplished.
[0041] In FIG. 4a it can be seen that a zip fastener 4, which is
firmly arranged on the shorts 3 by means of sewing 14, is provided.
The zip fastener 4 is designed as a double zip fastener. An upper
zip fastener 4a joins the shorts 3 to the upper part 2. A further,
lower zip fastener 4b joins the over-shorts 10 to the shorts 3.
[0042] It may equally also he provided that the double zip fastener
is sewn to the upper part 2 and that the shorts 3 and the
over-shorts 10 are fixed by means of the zip fasteners 4a and
4b.
[0043] The alternative embodiment according to FIG. 4b provides
that the zip fastener has altogether three component zip fasteners,
namely the upper zip fastener 4a, the lower zip fastener 4b and a
third zip fastener 4c. The upper zip fastener 4a joins the upper
part 2 to the zip fastener 4 itself. On the lower side of the zip
faster 4, the lower zip fastener 4b joins the upper-shorts to the
zip fastener 4 and the third zip fastener 4c joins the shorts 3 to
the zip fastener 4.
[0044] As a result, a very flexible possible way of exchanging the
individual parts of the sports clothing 1 is created.
[0045] It should be noted that it is also quite possible to provide
a combination with other releasable joining means (Velcro fastener,
tie-up fastener) or unreleasable joining means (heat sealing,
sewing), which can be used as a substitute for some of the joins
provided by zip fasteners according to FIGS. 4a and 4b.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0046] 1 sports clothing or strip
[0047] 2 upper part
[0048] 3 shorts
[0049] 4 zip fastener
[0050] 4a upper zip fastener
[0051] 4b lower zip fastener
[0052] 4c third zip fastener
[0053] 5 hip region
[0054] 6 zip fastener
[0055] 7 zip fastener
[0056] 8 neck opening
[0057] 9 elastic band
[0058] 10 shorts over-part (over-shorts)
[0059] 11 ventilation opening
[0060] 11' ventilation opening
[0061] 11'' ventilation opening
[0062] 11''' ventilation opening
[0063] 12 ventilation opening
[0064] 13 sleeve
[0065] 14 seam
* * * * *