LOGO ATTACHMENTS FOR APPAREL

Abstract

An apparel article and patch combination, wherein an apparel article (such as a hat/cap) includes a substantially fabric area configured to fit about a user and is provided with a first discrete area of hook material located on a portion of the fabric portion. At least two patches are provided whereby each of the patches have a first surface bearing visual indicia and a second surface covered with loop material. Each of the patches is connectable to the first discrete area of hook material of the apparel article wherein the at least two patches are configured to interlock with one another when connected to the first discrete area of hook material of the apparel article.

Claims

1. A hat and interlocking patch combination comprising: a substantially fabric hat having at least a crown, a visor connected to said crown, a first discrete area of hook material located on said crown and proximal to said visor; and at least two patches, each of said patches having a first surface bearing visual indicia and a second surface covered with loop material, each of said patches is connectable to said first discrete area of hook material of said hat wherein said at least two patches are configured to interlock with one another when connected to said first discrete area of hook material of said hat.

2. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 1, further including a second discrete area of hook material located on said crown, said crown including a lower substantially circular edge defining a hat circumference, said first discrete area of hook material separated from and located substantially opposite to said second discrete area of hook material across the hat circumference.

3. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the hat is provided with a storage component configured for accommodating one or more patches.

4. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 3, wherein the storage component is a pouch formed of a flexible material.

5. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 4, wherein the pouch is affixed to an interior portion of the hat.

6. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 4, wherein the pouch is affixed to a visor portion of a hat.

7. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 4, wherein the pouch is affixed to a visor portion of a hat.

8. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said first discrete area of hook material defines a rectangular shape.

9. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 1, wherein a plurality of patches configured to interlock with one another are provided.

10. The hat and patch combination as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of patches configured to interlock with one another are provided with indicia different than one another.

11. An apparel article and patch combination comprising: a substantially fabric area configured to fit about a user having a first discrete area of hook material located on a portion of the fabric portion; and at least two patches, each of said patches having a first surface bearing visual indicia and a second surface covered with loop material, each of said patches is connectable to said first discrete area of hook material of said apparel article wherein said at least two patches are configured to interlock with one another when connected to said first discrete area of hook material of said apparel article.

12. The apparel article and patch combination as recited in claim 11, wherein the apparel article is selected from the group consisting of: head ware; pants, shirts, jackets, sweaters, gloves, shoes, boots and other articles of clothing worn by a user.

13. The apparel article and patch combination as recited in claim 11, further including a second discrete area of hook material located on a said fabric portion of said apparel article, wherein said first discrete area of hook material is separated from said second discrete area of hook material.

14. The apparel article and patch combination as recited in claim 11, wherein a portion of the apparel is provided with a storage component configured for accommodating one or more patches.

15. The apparel article and patch combination as recited in claim 14, wherein the storage component is a pouch formed of a flexible material.

16. The apparel article and patch as recited in claim 15, wherein the pouch is affixed to an interior portion of the hat.

17. The apparel article and patch as recited in claim 15, wherein the pouch is affixed to a visor portion of a hat.

18. The apparel article and patch as recited in claim 15, wherein the pouch is affixed to a visor portion of a hat.

19. The apparel article and patch as recited in claim 11, wherein said first discrete area of hook material defines a rectangular shape.

20. The apparel article and patch as recited in claim 11, wherein a plurality of patches configured to interlock with one another are provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred illustrated embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hat and a two-panel interlocking patch according to an illustrated embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the hat of FIG. 1, with a circular interlocking patch attached to a rear portion of the hat according to another illustrated embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the hat of FIG. 1 illustrating a two-panel interlocking patch according to another illustrated embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of FIG. 3 illustrating removable affixation of interlocking logos to a crown portion of a hat in accordance with an illustrated embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a bottom-rear perspective view of another embodiment illustrating a storage assembly provided an interior portion of the hat; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom-rear perspective view of another embodiment illustrating a storage assembly provided on a bottom surface of the visor member of the hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Aspects of the disclosed embodiments are shown in the following description and related drawings directed to specific illustrated embodiments. Alternate preferred embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the illustrated embodiments. Additionally, well-known elements of the illustrated embodiments will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the illustrated embodiments.

[0017] The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term illustrated embodiments does not require that all illustrated embodiments include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the illustrated embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising,, includes and/or including, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0019] It is to be appreciated and understood that while the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a baseball style hat 10, the embodiments are not to be understood to be limited to a baseball style hat 10 for applying a plurality of interlocking logos, as other embodiments encompassed by the illustrated embodiments may include interlocking logos being applied to any suitable apparel article designed to be worn by a user, such as a shirt, pants, wool hat, sweater, headband, gloves, etc. For ease of description and illustration purposes only, an illustrated embodiment is provided below with reference to a baseball style cap 10.

[0020] FIGS. 1 and 3 show a front perspective view of a hat 10 including inter-locking first 20a,33a and second 20b,33b logo patches bounded by a border according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention. The hat 10 may be configured in multiple embodiments, including as a six-panel baseball-style cap having a crown portion, as shown for example in FIGS. 1-6. According to the preferred embodiment, the cap 10 is fabricated from any suitable material, such as for example a woven textile or fabric.

[0021] It is to be appreciated the inter-locking patches (e.g., 20a, 20b, and 33a, 33b) are not to be understood to be limited to two patches as they may encompass any number of plurality of interlocking patches. Also, the inter-locking configuration (e.g., 27a and 27b, as best shown in FIG. 4) defined by each patch (e.g., 20a and 20b) is not to be limited to what is show in the drawings of the illustrated embodiments as any suitable inter-locking configuration may be used.

[0022] The cap 10 may also include bill or visor 16 and a size-adjusting mechanism 17. A first area of hook material 50 may have a contour matching a contour of the inter-locking patch 20a, 20b, and may be permanently attached to the front of the cap 10, as shown in FIG. 4. In certain illustrated embodiment, a second inter-locking patch 30a, 30b may cover a second area of hook material (not shown) that may be permanently attached to the rear portion of the cap 10 (as well as side portions (not shown)), as shown in FIG. 2. According to a preferred embodiment, a contour of the second area of hook material matches the contour of rear facing inter-locking patch 20a, 20b. Each of the front facing and rear facing inter-locking patches 20a, 20b and 33a, 33b (and 30a and 30b) provide a user changeable billboard effect.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the first area of hook material (not shown) may be integral to the cap 10. The first area of hook material 50 may be bounded by a border of material. The border may be double-stitched thread, triple-stitched thread, or an embroidered edge of thread. It is also contemplated to provide a border of paint that adheres to the cap's fabric. The border provides a billboard effect of contrasting color that enhances the visibility of a patch connected to the hat, and a non-hook area is provided to facilitate placement and removal of the patch with respect to the hat.

[0024] In other words, the non-hook area provided by the border ensures that the loop material along the edges of the patch that overlay the border do not contact hook material and act as a lip that may be easily grasped to remove a patch from the hat. Further, the difference in material, i.e., hook material, the border material, and the fabric of the cap, readily provides tactile feedback, so the user may properly align a patch without viewing the cap.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment 10 of a six-panel hat having interlocking patches 20a and 20b (which may be shaped in any desired suitable configuration, e.g., oval) covering a rectangular first area of hook material 50 (FIG. 4) bounded by a border of stitching or paint. As shown, interlocking patches 20a and 20b are configured to have an end portion shaped with an interlocking configuration 27a and 27b designed to interlock with one another when applied to the front panels 11a, 11b of the hat 10.

[0026] With reference now to FIG. 1, illustrated is another embodiment of a six-panel hat and a spanning interlocking rectangular patches 33a and 33b that respectively terminate at respective edges of the front panels (11a, 11b) of the cap 10. Inter-locking patches 33a and 33b preferably cover an identically shaped spanning rectangular first area of hook material (not shown). Although this embodiment omits the border, it is within the scope of the embodiments to provide a border on an area of hook material with any of the illustrated embodiments, when the billboard or enhanced feel and look is desired. It should be understood that the addition of the border reduces the amount of functional hook material, as the border contacts the hook material, and the paint or stitching precludes the covered portion of hook material from functioning as a fastener.

[0027] All embodiments of the cap 10 preferably include a first area of hook material (but they are not to be restricted thereto). It is to be appreciated and understood that the use of hook material on the cap 10 provides the advantage of a neater appearance, as the hook material provides less contrast with the remainder of the cap 10 than loop material.

[0028] It is to be further understood and appreciated that the use of hook material should be tailored to the function provided by the hat 10. For example, the two-panel construction shown in FIG. 1 (33a, 33b) and FIG. 3 (20a, 20b) permit the simultaneous display of a plurality of patches on the respective hook area, when a single identically contoured patch is not used.

[0029] According to the preferred embodiment, hook material should only be placed in locations on the cap where a user is likely to apply a patch or patches. The hook material is likely to gather lint or thread, which results in an unsightly appearance. By minimizing the location of hook material on the hat or cap ensures that large areas of the cap are not susceptible to gathering lint or thread. Further, the minimized area of hook material requires less cleaning effort than a larger area, i.e., the entire cap covered with loop material.

[0030] It is to be understood and appreciated that the inter-locking patches (e.g., 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, and 33a, 33b) may be configured according to any predetermined shape. For instance, it may be preferred that circular or rectangular patches are used to replicate a conventional pack of trading cards. In the illustrated embodiment a user may wish to cheer for a particular baseball team. For instance, inter-locking patches (e.g., 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, and 33a, 33b) may be provided with a team name and colors. For instance, each of a plurality of thin, planar patches may bear a likeness of a player for a team. Inter-locking patches (e.g., 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, and 33a, 33b) may include a first surface bearing a likeness of a player. A second surface (not shown) opposite the first surface may be covered with loop material.

[0031] With reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, shown is another illustrated embodiment of the cap 10, which is now additionally provided with a storage component 70 to store logos (e.g., 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, and 33a, 33b) when not applied to the apparel (e.g., hat 10). In accordance with certain embodiments, the logo storage component 70 is integrated with the apparel (e.g., hat 10) the removable logos (e.g., 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, and 33a, 33b) may be removably affixed to. It is to be appreciated and understood, this storage component 70 may be configured as a pouch member (which may be formed of flexible material) that is affixed to either an inner surface 80 of the apparel (e.g., the inner crown portion of a cap 10, as shown in FIG. 5) or on a bottom surface 90 of the bill portion 16 a cap 10), or to an exterior surface of the cap (e.g., a backside or side portion of the cap) (not shown).

[0032] In yet another illustrated embodiment, the above-described apparel having interlocking patches/logos is packaged as a kit that preferably includes an apparel component (e.g., a hat) and a plurality of interlocking patches/logos. Thus, the kit may be sold to supporters of a particular sports team, such that an apparel (e.g., a hat) can be customized with particular logos focused upon a particular game (e.g., home or away game) and a particular players jersey/player number. For instance, a left-hand logo (e.g., 20a, 30a, 33a) may represent home or away team indica, while a right-hand logo (e.g., 20b, 30b, 33b) may represent a particular team jersey/player number.

[0033] It is to be understood that the illustrated embodiments are not limited to the preferred embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

[0034] With certain illustrated embodiments described above, it is to be appreciated that various non-limiting embodiments described herein may be used separately, combined or selectively combined for specific applications. Further, some of the various features of the above non-limiting embodiments may be used without the corresponding use of other described features. The foregoing description should therefore be considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.

[0035] It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the illustrated embodiments. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the illustrated embodiments, and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.