U.S. patent application number 12/618593 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-11 for apparel having removably supporting communication elements.
Invention is credited to Natasha Lee.
Application Number | 20100058511 12/618593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41797939 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100058511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Natasha |
March 11, 2010 |
APPAREL HAVING REMOVABLY SUPPORTING COMMUNICATION ELEMENTS
Abstract
Apparel comprising communications elements which are removably
attachable to the apparel, and which may be dynamic in nature. The
apparel may comprise fasteners such hook and loop material, snap
fasteners, buttons, magnets, and others. The communications
elements may comprise graphic elements such as letters, numbers,
symbols, and depictions of people, animals, recognizable objects,
light emitting elements, sound emitting elements, and any
combination of the foregoing elements. The communications elements
may comprise corresponding fasteners that enable attachment to and
ready removal from the apparel. Light and sound emitting elements
may be provided with variable output features, such as variation in
light and sound levels, frequency of intermittent operation, and
the like. Control of variation may be at the discretion of the
person wearing the apparel bearing such light and sound emitting
elements.
Inventors: |
Lee; Natasha; (Sunland,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ITALIA IP
3500 WEST OLIVE AVE., SUITE 300
BURBANK
CA
91505
US
|
Family ID: |
41797939 |
Appl. No.: |
12/618593 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 ; 2/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/085
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 ; 2/244 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00; A41D 27/08 20060101 A41D027/08 |
Claims
1. In combination, an article of apparel and selectively removable
associated communications elements, comprising an article of
apparel having an outer surface and at least one first fastener
disposed selectively to engage and release an object; and at least
one communications element having at least one second fastener
which is engageably compatible with the first fastener, wherein at
least one of the at least one communications element is disposed to
emit at least one of light and sound.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least one said
communications element is disposed to emit light at a plurality of
selectively variably characteristics.
3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the communications element
is disposed to emit light in intermittent pulses, and the
selectively variable characteristics comprise frequency of pulses
of emitted light.
4. The combination of claim 2, further comprising a manual
controller disposed on one of the article of apparel and a said
communications element, wherein the manual controller is disposed
to control variation of the selectively variable characteristics of
emission of light from the communications element.
5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the manual controller is a
pushbutton.
6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first fastener comprises
a plurality of strips of hook and loop material disposed on the
exterior surface of the article of apparel, and wherein each said
strip of hook and loop material is spaced apart from every other
strip of hook and loop material.
7. The combination of claim 2, wherein the communications element
comprises an electrical power source and at least one light
emitting diode connected to the electrical power source.
8. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least one said
communications element is disposed to emit sound at a plurality of
selectively variably characteristics.
9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the selectively variable
characteristics comprise frequencies of emitted sounds.
10. The combination of claim 9, further comprising a manual
controller disposed on one of the article of apparel and a said
communications element, wherein the manual controller is disposed
to control variation of the frequency of emitted sounds from the
communications element.
11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the manual controller is a
pushbutton.
12. In combination, an article of apparel and selectively removable
associated communications elements, comprising an article of
apparel having an outer surface and at least one first fastener
disposed selectively to engage and release an object; and a
plurality of communications elements each having at least one
second fastener which is engageably compatible with the first
fastener, wherein the communications elements are dimensioned and
configured to be mountable simultaneously to the article of
apparel.
13. The combination of claim 12, wherein each one of the
communications elements is one of the group comprising letters,
numbers, graphic representations of known objects, and conventional
symbolic shapes.
14. The combination of claim 12, wherein the communications
elements comprise a selection of letters which when appropriately
ordered spell out words.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to apparel, and more
particularly, to apparel having fasteners for removably mounting
communication elements such as indicia and light and sound emitting
elements to the apparel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Apparel bearing communications elements such as lettering
and light emitting elements are known. For example, messages have
long been printed on apparel. Also, appliques bearing messages have
been sewn to articles of apparel. Flashing lights have been
incorporated into apparel such as shoes. Apparel has been provided
with fasteners such as hook and loop material.
[0003] There exists room in the art of apparel for more dynamic
communications to be incorporated into apparel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides communications elements for
apparel, which communications elements are both removable
attachable to apparel and are more dynamic in nature than
previously known communications elements which have been used with
apparel. The apparel may have incorporated thereinto fasteners such
a hook and loop material, snap fasteners, buttons, magnets, and the
like. Communications elements, which may take the form of graphic
elements such as letters, numbers, symbols, and depictions of
people, animals, and recognizable objects, as well as light
emitting elements, sound emitting elements, and any combination of
the foregoing elements, may have corresponding fasteners that
enable attachment to and ready removal from the apparel.
[0005] Light and sound emitting elements may be provided with
variable output features, such as variation in light and sound
levels, frequency of intermittent operation, and the like. Control
of variation may be at the discretion of the person wearing the
apparel bearing such light and sound emitting elements.
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes
described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
[0007] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the
present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a shirt according to at least one
aspect of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of devices in the form of letters
which may be attached to apparel such as the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of a device configured as a symbol
such as a star, which may be attached to apparel such as the shirt
of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of another device configured as a
symbol, such as a heart, which may be attached to apparel such as
the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of another device, configured to
depict a tool in silhouette, which may be attached to apparel such
as the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of another device, configured to
depict a horse shoe in silhouette, which may be attached to apparel
such as the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front view of another device, configured to
depict crossed swords in silhouette, which may be attached to
apparel such as the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view of another device, configured to
depict crossed tennis rackets in silhouette, which may be attached
to apparel such as the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a front view of another device, configured to
depict the Eiffel Tower in silhouette, which may be attached to
apparel such as the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a front view of another device, configured to
depict the head of an animal in silhouette, which may be attached
to apparel such as the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic of illuminating elements
which may be incorporated into a device such as those shown in
FIGS. 2-10 which may be attached to apparel such as the shirt of
FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 12 is an electrical schematic of audible elements which
may be incorporated into a device such as those shown in FIGS. 2-10
which may be attached to apparel such as the shirt of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring first to FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect
of the invention, there is shown a shirt 10 which may form part of
a combination including an article of apparel such as the shirt 10,
and one or more selectively removable associated communications
elements, to be described hereinafter. The shirt 10 may have an
outer surface 12 bearing a plurality of fasteners 14A, 14B, 14C for
engaging and releasing other objects. In the example of FIG. 1, the
fasteners 14A, 14B, 14C each comprise a strip of one type of hook
and loop material. The precise type of fastener is not critical to
the invention, and others such as buttons, snap fasteners, magnets
embedded in or attached to the shirt 10, and others may be used
thereinstead. As shown the three fasteners 14A, 14B, 14C are
arrayed as parallel, spaced apart strips.
[0022] At least one communication element is provided for
releasable attachment to the shirt 10. A communication element, for
the purposes of this invention, is a device which bears a message
capable of being communicated to others in the vicinity of the
shirt 10 by direct observation or hearing, and which comprises a
second fastener which is engageably compatible with and releasable
from the fastener of the shirt 10, such as the fasteners 14A, 14B,
14C. In the example of hook and loop fastener material, the
fasteners 14A, 14B, 14C may comprise loop elements. The engageably
compatible fastener of the communication element would in this case
be hook or barb elements.
[0023] A communication element may be configured as a letter, such
as the letters 16A, 16B, 16C shown configured in silhouette in FIG.
2 for example. Each communication element such as the communication
elements 16A, 16B, 16C may have hook or barb elements 18 of hook
and loop fastener material located on the rear side of the
respective communication element 16A, 16B, or 16C. A communication
element such as the communication elements 16A, 16B, 16C may be
removably mounted to the shirt 10 by contacting the fasteners 14A,
14B, 14C with the corresponding fasteners 16A, 16B, 16C.
[0024] A single communication element such as any of the
communication elements 16A, 16B, 16C may comprise not only
individual letters as depicted in FIG. 2, but may comprise plural
letters, words, partial words, and the like (these options are not
shown). Numerals, letters of foreign alphabets, and other
recognizable symbols may also be used in place of letters of the
Roman alphabet. It should be understood that depiction of the
specific letters "U", "S", and "A" in FIG. 2 is only
representative, and that any letter or any combination or number of
letters may be selected as the subject matter of one or more
communication elements such as the communication elements 16A, 16B,
16C. For example, letters provided by plural communications
elements may comprise a selection of letters which when
appropriately ordered spell out words.
[0025] A communications element may comprise any graphic depiction
that when observed, conveys a recognizable thought or concept. Any
well known symbol may be utilized in place of or in addition to
letters, numerals, and the like. Communications elements may be
configured as that 20 depicting a conventional symbolic shape such
as a star (FIG. 3) or as that 22 depicting a heart (FIG. 4).
Graphic representations of well known objects may also be the
subject of communications elements according to further aspects of
the invention. For example a communications element 24 may depict a
hammer in silhouette (FIG. 5). Another communications element 26
may depict a horseshoe (FIG. 6). Another communications element 28
may depict crossed swords (FIG. 7). Still another communications
element 30 may depict sports equipment such as crossed tennis
racquets (FIG. 8). A communications element 32 may depict a famous
landmark such as the Eiffel Tower (FIG. 9). A communications
element 34 may depict an animal, such as the head of cattle seen in
silhouette in FIG. 10. Many other objects or symbols may be the
subject of other communications elements (not shown) according to
the present invention. Subject matter of other communication
elements may include known logos, names, or other graphic
depictions. Regardless of the subject matter selected for
depiction, a communications element such as the communications
elements 16A, 16B, 16C, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 will be
understood to be dimensioned and configured so as to be mountable
on an associated article of apparel such as the shirt 10. Mounting
may be of individual communications elements, or alternatively, of
plural communications elements which are dimensioned and configured
to be mountable simultaneously to the article of apparel, such as
the shirt 10. Alternatively stated, communications elements are
sized so that where plural communications elements are mounted on
the apparel as a group, they are appropriately sized so as to fit
in the available space on the front surface 12 or other surface of
the apparel which has been selected for displaying the content of
the communications element or elements.
[0026] It is contemplated that a communications element according
to any aspect of the present invention may be substantially flat
and of only nominal thickness, such as an embroidered applique (not
shown). The communications element may have additional thickness
where necessary to accommodate apparatus for emitting light or
sound (or, of course, both).
[0027] FIG. 11 shows an electrical schematic of apparatus which may
be incorporated into a communications element associated with the
shirt 10, such as a communications element which in other ways may
be essentially similar to the communications elements 16A, 16B,
16C, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34. The apparatus of FIG. 11
includes an electrical power source such as a cell or battery 36, a
controller such as a pulse width modulated controller 38 disposed
to transmits electrical power in pulses, an illumination source
such as a light emitting diode 40, and a manual controller such as
a pushbutton 42. The battery 36, the controller 38, the light
emitting diode 40, and the pushbutton 42 are mutually connected by
suitable circuitry generally indicated as lines 44. Circuitry is
shown in representative capacity herein, and will be understood to
include numbers and arrangements of individual electrical
conductors, electrical insulation, and additional electrical
components as may be necessary to achieve operability as described
herein. This applies both to the circuitry shown in FIG. 11 and
also to the circuitry shown in FIG. 12.
[0028] Referring specifically to FIG. 11, the controller 38 may be
of any suitable type which causes the light emitting diode 40 to
emit light at a plurality of selectively variably characteristics.
In the specific example of FIG. 11, connecting electrical power to
the light emitting diode 40 in intermittent pulses will result in a
flashing effect visible to observers. The pushbutton 42 may
directly make and break the circuit to effect flashing, or
alternatively, the pushbutton 42 may be replaced by another
pushbutton (not shown) which is mounted on the controller 38 and
controls pulse timing or other characteristics of electrical
signals to the light emitting diode so that a desired effect is
achieved. Illustratively, frequency of pulses and hence of flashing
may be increased and decreased at will by pressing a pushbutton
(not shown). In the scheme actually depicted, flashing may be
manually controlled as to frequency and also timing and duration of
illumination of the light emitting diode 40. For example, a skilled
operator could utilize the light emitting diode 40 to transmit
Morse code signals by appropriate manipulation of the pushbutton
42. Of course, it would be possible to incorporate a suitable
microprocessor (not shown) which controls pulsing of electrical
power, with the pushbutton 42 controlling the microprocessor to
select a desired flashing scheme.
[0029] Other illumination characteristics which could be
controllably varied may include brightness, selection of color or
hue, and focus or direction of projection of light.
[0030] FIG. 12 shows an arrangement wherein illumination is
replaced by sound. That is, a communications element, such as a
communications element which in other ways may be essentially
similar to the communications elements 16A, 16B, 16C, 20, 22, 24,
26, 28, 30, 32, and 34, may be fitted with a generator of sounds,
such as a music or speech synthesizer 46. In the arrangement of
FIG. 12, power may be supplied by a cell or battery 48. Power from
the cell or battery 48 may be pulsed or otherwise controlled by a
suitable controller 50, which may for example, be similar to the
controller 38 of FIG. 11. Power passing through circuitry 52 may be
controlled in on-off fashion by a pushbutton 54. As with the
arrangement of FIG. 11, the controller 50 may have an integral
pushbutton or a microprocessor (not shown) for controlling sounds
emitted by the music or speech synthesizer 46.
[0031] The music or speech synthesizer 46 may be disposed to emit
sound at a plurality of selectively variably characteristics. One
such variable characteristic is frequency or timing of sounds. For
example, a communications element depicting a heart, such as the
communications element 22, could be modified to have the circuitry
shown in FIG. 12. The speech synthesizer 46 could be disposed to
issue the sound of a beating heart. Depressing a manual controller
such as the pushbutton 54 could increase frequency of audible
simulated heart beats emitted from the communications element, as
desired by the user.
[0032] The shirt depicted in FIG. 1 represents one of many examples
of apparel which may be improved according to the present
invention. The present invention may be applied to any type of
apparel, not only the shirt as shown and described herein. For
example, the invention may be applied to pants, sweaters, socks,
any foundation garment, shoes, coats, protective apparel, hats,
uniforms, gloves, and others (none shown).
[0033] Although the invention has been described in terms of
certain components being referred to in either the singular or the
plural, other arrangements are possible. For example, it is to be
understood that due to the conceptual description presented herein,
components presented in the singular may be provided in the plural.
Illustratively, the light emitting diode 40 of FIG. 11 may be
replaced by plural light emitting diodes (not shown), which may be
either individually controlled or controlled as a group.
[0034] The present invention is susceptible to modifications and
variations which may be introduced thereto without departing from
the inventive concepts. For example, if desired, some electrical
components of the described circuitry could be incorporated into
the apparel, such as the shirt 10. The circuitry could be modified
such that electrical continuity is assured between the apparel and
each communications element requiring power to operate.
Illustratively, metallic or other conductive snap fasteners could
be used both for mechanical mounting of a communications element or
of plural communications elements to an associated article of
apparel, and also to complete electrical circuitry spanning the
communications element or elements and the associated article of
apparel.
[0035] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is
not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to
cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and
scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended
claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent
arrangements which are possible.
* * * * *