Abstract
Disclosed is an indicating means that may be worn by a player or attached to a target when playing with non lethal projectiles to indicate when a player or a target has been struck by a projectile. The disclosed indicating means comprises a fabric containing sequins followed by a layer of padding beneath the fabric. Sequins are brushed into a first position at the start of game play. During game play, impact of a projectile onto the indicating means will be absorbed by the padding creating undulations radiating outwards from the point of impact causing the sequins to flip to a second position indicating that the player or target has been struck. The disclosed indicating means will work with any projectile, does not require an electrical charge to operate, is low cost, reusable, and durable.
Claims
1. An article of clothing constructed with an indicating means to indicate when the wearer of the article of clothing has been impacted by an object during during game play or sporting event, the construction of the article of clothing comprising: a plurality of sequins arranged in the fashion of a matrix having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an aperture proximate to its periphery and extending between the first and second surfaces; a layer of fabric; one or more threads to secure the sequins to the fabric by way of the aperture so that the sequin may flip between its first and second surface; and a layer of padding secured to the layer of fabric on the side opposite the sequins; so that when the fabric is impacted by an object during game play the padding will undulate and cause the sequins to flip between its surfaces about the point of impact.
2. The indicating means of claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a vest, tank top, short sleeve t-shirt, or long sleeve t-shirt.
3. The indicating means of claim 1 wherein the first surface and the second surface are of contrasting colors.
4. The indicating means of claim 1 wherein the object is a projectile.
5. The indicating means of claim 1 wherein the object is an opponent's body part.
6. The indicating means of claim 1 wherein an image is formed by a combination of sequins when displaying their first surface.
7. The indicating means of claim 1 wherein an image is formed by a combination of sequins when displaying their second surface.
8. A target constructed with an indicating means to indicate when the target has been impacted by a projectile during during game play or sporting event, the construction of the target comprising: a plurality of sequins arranged in the fashion of a matrix having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an aperture proximate to its periphery and extending between the first and second surfaces; a layer of fabric; one or more threads to secure the sequins to the fabric by way of the aperture so that the sequin may flip between its first and second surface; a layer of padding secured to the layer of fabric on the side opposite the sequins; and a layer of a durable material secured to the layer of padding opposite the fabric to form the target; so that when the fabric is impacted by a projectile during game play the padding will undulate and cause the sequins to flip between its surfaces about the point of impact.
9. A method of using the target of claim 8 comprising the following steps: brushing the sequins into a first position showing the first surface, firing a projectile at the target, determining if additional projectiles remain to continue firing projectiles until all projectiles have been fired, and awarding points to the player by observing the sequins that have flipped to a second position showing the second surface.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] The following detailed description of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0019] In the drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows an article of clothing having on its surface reversible sequins in a first position in accordance with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows an article of clothing having on a portion of its surface reversible sequins in a first position where the sequins in the first position are of different colors to indicate a point level.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows an article of clothing having on its surface reversible sequins in a second position where the sequins in the second position displays an image.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an article of clothing having on its surface reversible sequins generally in a first position and of a first color and a subset in a second position and of a second color to indicate that the wearer of the clothing has been struck by a projectile.
[0024] FIG. 5A shows an enlarged view of a portion of the article of clothing in FIG. 1 with the reversible sequins in their first position.
[0025] FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the sequins in a first position taken along line A-A of FIG. 5A.
[0026] FIG. 6A shows an enlarged view of a portion of the article of clothing in FIG. 1 with the reversible sequins in their second position.
[0027] FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the sequins in a second position taken along line B-B of FIG. 6A.
[0028] FIG. 7A shows an enlarged view of a portion of the article of clothing in FIG. 1 where sequins are in transition between positions.
[0029] FIG. 7B is a sectional view of the sequins transitioning between positions taken along line C-C of FIG. 7A.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a stationary disk having on its surface reversible sequins in a first position in accordance with the present invention displaying one or more targets.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart that describes a method for using the stationary disk of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.
[0033] For the purpose of this disclosure, sequins that are in their first position indicate that the wearer of the clothing or the stationary target has not been struck by a projectile in that region while sequins that are in their second position indicate that the wearer of the clothing or the stationary target has been struck by a projectile in that region. Also for the purpose of this disclosure the diameter of the sequins in the figures have been exaggerated so as to show detail. Additionally, reference number 14 and 16 both reference one or more sequins. In particular, reference number 14 indicates one or more sequins in its first position while reference number 16 indicates one or more sequins in its second position.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows preferred embodiment shirt 10a covered with sequins 14, minus the collar, in their first position indicating that the wearer has not been struck by a projectile. Although sequins 14 are shown arranged vertically so that they flip from one position to another in an up and down fashion, the sequins may also be arranged horizontally so that they flip from one position to another in a side to side fashion. Shirt 10a may be a shirt, vest, or any other type of wearable that may be worn by a player.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment shirt 10b partially covered with sequins 14 in their first position while the remaining portion 12 of shirt 10b is not covered with sequins. In addition, sequins 14 in their first position display a pattern to indicate varying point values. In FIG. 2 the pattern is of a traditional target with concentric circles. The innermost circle indicates the highest point value while portion 12 would indicate no point value given to the shooter of a projectile that struck the wearer of shirt 10b. Sequins 14 may be arranged in different patterns and in multiple locations on shirt 10b and may display any number of indicators for awarding a point value. Shirt 10b shows sequins arranged in a horizontal fashion so that sequins 14 flip from one position to another in a side to side fashion. Shirt 10b may be a shirt, vest, or any other type of wearable that may be worn by a player.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment shirt 10c covered with sequins 16, minus the collar, in their second position, that is the position the sequins flip to when being struck by a projectile. As is shown in FIG. 3 is that the sequins in their second position displays an image and, in the case of FIG. 3, the image being of the human organs found within the torso. The image may also be targets of varying values or size and shapes. When being struck by a projectile the sequins flip to their second position to display the significance of the projectile contact. Shirt 10c may be a shirt, vest, or any other type of wearable that may be worn by a player.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows shirt 10a with a portion of sequins in their second position as indicated by 16. The transition of the sequins from their first position to their second position is caused by the force of a projectile impacting the sequins. When a projectile impacts the wearer of shirt 10, the kinetic energy of the impact is absorbed by a layer of padding that is not shown and under shirt 10. The padding releases the absorbed energy by undulations radiating outwardly from the point of impact much like the waves that are created in a pool of water when a rock is dropped into the pool. The undulations will cause some of the sequins experiencing the undulations to change from their first position to their second position. The transition from the first to the second position does not radiate uniformly from the point of impact due to the orientation of how the sequins are hinged to the shirt and the contours of the human body but a sufficient number of sequins do transition from the first to the second position to clearly indicate that the wearer of shirt 10 or a target has been struck by a projectile.
[0038] FIGS. 5A and 5B shows a detail view of sequins 14 arranged in their first position on fabric 22. FIG. 5A shows an enlarged perspective top view of the sequins in their first position while FIG. 5B shows a section view taken along line A-A of FIG. 5A. Each sequin 14 is attached to fabric 22 at hinge 24. In FIG. 5A each sequin 14 displays an identical color but could, as a group, display an alternate color as shown by shirt 10b in FIG. 2 or an image as shown by shirt 10c in FIG. 3. At the start of play, the wearer will brush the sequins into their first position to indicate that they have not been struck by a projectile. Fabric 22 is attached to padding 23. Padding 23 is essential in causing one or more sequins to change from its first position to its second position. Padding 23 absorbs energy created by the impact of the projectile and directs the energy outward from the point of impact. As the energy radiates outwardly, padding 23 will undulate causing the sequins on fabric 22 to change position.
[0039] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a detail view of sequins 16 arranged in their second position on fabric 22. FIG. 6A shows an enlarged perspective top view of the sequins in their second position while FIG. 6B shows a section view taken along line B-B of FIG. 6A. Each sequin 16 is attached to fabric 22 at hinge 24. During play, if the wearer is struck by a projectile, the kinetic energy of the projectile will be transferred onto fabric 22 and onto padding 23. Padding 23 is essential in causing one or more sequins to change from its first position to its second position. Padding 23 absorbs energy created by the impact of the projectile and directs the energy outward from the point of impact. As the energy radiates outwardly, padding 23 will undulate causing the sequins on fabric 22 to change position.
[0040] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a detail view of sequins 14 and 16 as they are transitioning from one position to another on fabric 22. FIG. 7A shows an enlarged perspective top view of the sequins transitioning from one position to another while FIG. 7B shows a section view taken along line C-C of FIG. 7A. Each sequin 14 or 16 is attached to fabric 22 at hinge 24.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows another usage of the sequins of this disclosure wherein the sequins are used to cover target 40. Target 40 may be partially covered by sequins arranged as smaller subtargets 42 as shown here in FIG. 8 or the entire target 40 may be covered by sequins. The sequins of each subtarget 42 is brushed into the first position at the start of competition. As the sequins found on target 40 are struck by a projectile, they will change from the first position to their second position upon impact by the projectile as discussed in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. When the sequins of subtargets 42 are in their first position they display a pattern of concentric circles but may display any pattern that is appropriate for the competition. Furthermore, the layout and number of subtargets 42 may be changed as is appropriate for the competition. In addition to the layer of fabric 22 and padding 23, target 40 will further have a structure behind padding 23 to support fabric 22 and padding 23.
[0042] When utilizing target 40, play will be conducted as shown in FIG. 9. At the start of the game the player will first brush sequins into their first position to indicate that the target has not been struck by a projectile. Then the play will fire a projectile at the target and will continue to fire projectiles until all of the projectiles are expended. At that point the player or a referee will approach the target and award points to the player depending upon the sequins that are in their second position.
[0043] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
