OPTICALLY AUGMENTED SPORTS APPAREL AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE

Abstract

Disclosed are garments for athletic wear, and more specifically to tank tops, vests or jerseys worn by athletes for athletic events such as soccer practices. The garments feature a neutral body and a vibrant upper which, when worn, draw the viewer's eye towards the vibrant color. The vibrant upper acts as a team identifier.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/126,126, filed Dec. 16, 2020, entitled Optically Augmented Sports Vest, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Field of the Invention: Disclosed are garments for athletic wear, and more specifically to tank tops, vests or jerseys worn by athletes for athletic events such as soccer practices.

[0003] Background: Athletes or players in soccer practices and matches often wear a vest or top made of an air-permeable mesh fabric (to allow easy cooling of sweating skin) having a uniform color or set of colors to identify the athlete's (or player's) team. Tank tops, vests or jerseys of different colors are used by different teams to allow players to identify their teammates.

[0004] However, in some settings, such as youth or amateur leagues, athletes may not yet be well practiced in keeping their eyes up to watch the action on the field, and be especially preoccupied with watching the play on the ground. When using garments of different colors to identify each team, an athlete can determine teammates without looking up at the field of play, since their peripheral vision can typically encompass the waist hem of a uniform to identify team membership. Players therefore remain less observant of their surroundings, and play can therefore suffer when using such uniforms. This may be especially true for intra-team practice, in which "teams" are formed by a random split, and practice garments of different colors are handed out to designate the newly formed "teams". No formal uniforms are therefore used, and it becomes even more important that a player identify their actual teammate vs. a temporary rival by quickly observing which garment is worn.

[0005] There is therefore a need for an athletic garment that carries team identification only in the upper portion of the garment, forcing the athlete to look up and look around to determine who is a teammate and who is a competitor, better enhancing their situational awareness. There is a further need for the team-identifying features, such as coloration, to be optically enhanced, so they can be clearly and rapidly determined once glimpsed.

SUMMARY

[0006] The invention disclosed in this Application relates to a garment for athletic wear having team-identifying colors and/or insignia only in the upper portion of the garment. Such a design requires other players to lift their heads and see the upper part of the garment to determine team affiliation. Such designs are also suitable for training younger or less experienced players by facilitating the player's tendency to keep her or his eyes on the head and shoulder region of other players in her or his vicinity.

[0007] In some embodiments, the main body of a garment according to the invention is fabricated from a neutral color (e.g. white, black, or grey), while the team-distinguishing portion of the garment is provided by a having a collar of a distinctive color. In some embodiments, the distinctive team-identifying color of the collar of a garment according to the invention may be provided by using a fabric colored with fluorescent dyes, so that they can be easily distinguished rapidly. In some embodiments, the distinctive team-identifying color of the collar may be provided by using a "shinier" fabric colored, i.e. one that has enhanced reflectivity relative to the main body of the garment.

[0008] In some embodiments, the distinctive team-identifying color in the upper part of a garment may be provided by printing team-designating colors and/or insignia onto the fabric of the upper portion of the garment using a sublimation process.

[0009] There are three panels to a vest: the body, the collar and the piping that ties the body and the collar together. A single sided garment has three panels of a single layer of material. A reversible garment can be single layer body and piping and two layers for the contrast portion.

[0010] An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a garment comprising: a body comprising a torso portion, an upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings; wherein the torso portion is configured to extend around a torso of a wearer, the torso portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a first textile, the first textile having a neutral color; further wherein the upper portion is configured to extend around a neck of the wearer, the upper portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a second textile, the second textile having a vibrant color, and further wherein the vibrant color is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color. The first textile and the second textile can differ only in color. Additionally, the first textile and the second textile can be selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber. At least one of the first textile and the second textile can be mesh. In some configurations, the garment further comprises a collar. The collar is a vibrant color. Additionally, a v-shaped notch in the neck opening can be provided. The upper portion of the garment has a first fabric layer in a first color and a second fabric layer in a second color different than the first color. At least some configurations of the garment can further comprise: a second body comprising a second torso portion, a second upper portion, a second waist opening, a second neck opening and a second pair of arm openings, wherein the second torso portion is configured to extend around the torso of the wearer, the second torso portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a third textile, the third textile having a neutral color; further wherein the second upper portion is configured to extend around the neck of the wearer, the second upper portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a fourth textile, the fourth textile having a vibrant color, further wherein the vibrant color of the fourth textile is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color, further wherein the body and the second body are secured together. The interior surface of the first textile and the exterior surface of the first textile can also be the same color or different colors. The interior surface of the second textile and the exterior surface of the second textile cane be the same color or different colors.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of making a garment comprising: selecting a first textile having a neutral color; forming a torso portion operable to extend around a torso of a wearer from the first textile wherein the torso portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface; selecting a second textile having a vibrant color; forming an upper portion operable to extend around a neck of the wearer from the second textile wherein the upper portion has a front panel and a back panel; and connecting the torso portion to the upper portion so that the garment has a body comprising the torso portion, and the upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings. The first textile and the second textile can differ only in color. Additionally, the first textile and the second textile can be selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber. At least one of the first textile and the second textile can be mesh. In some configurations, the garment further comprises a collar. The collar is a vibrant color. Additionally, a v-shaped notch in the neck opening can be provided. The upper portion of the garment has a first fabric layer in a first color and a second fabric layer in a second color different than the first color. At least some configurations of the garment can further comprise: a second body comprising a second torso portion, a second upper portion, a second waist opening, a second neck opening and a second pair of arm openings, wherein the second torso portion is configured to extend around the torso of the wearer, the second torso portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a third textile, the third textile having a neutral color; further wherein the second upper portion is configured to extend around the neck of the wearer, the second upper portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a fourth textile, the fourth textile having a vibrant color, further wherein the vibrant color of the fourth textile is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color, further wherein the body and the second body are secured together. The interior surface of the first textile and the exterior surface of the first textile can also be the same color or different colors. The interior surface of the second textile and the exterior surface of the second textile cane be the same color or different colors.

[0012] Still another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a reversible garment comprising: a body comprising a torso portion, an upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings, wherein the torso portion is configured to extend around a torso of a wearer, the torso portion having a front panel and a back panel comprised of a first textile, the first textile having a neutral color; further wherein the upper portion is configured to extend around a neck of the wearer, the upper portion having a front panel and a back panel comprised of a second textile, the second textile having a vibrant color, further wherein the vibrant color is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color, further wherein at least one of the neutral color and vibrant color on a first side of the garment is different than a second side of the garment. The first textile and the second textile can differ only in color. Additionally, the first textile and the second textile can be selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber. At least one of the first textile and the second textile can be mesh. In some configurations, the garment further comprises a collar. The collar is a vibrant color. Additionally, a v-shaped notch in the neck opening can be provided. The upper portion of the garment has a first fabric layer in a first color and a second fabric layer in a second color different than the first color.

[0013] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0014] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 2,369,416 A issued Feb. 13, 1945 to Solomon;

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 2,642,570 A issued Jun. 23, 1953 to Heilbronner;

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,024 B1 issued Oct. 23, 2001 to Schweer;

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,323 B2 issued Mar. 29, 2011 to Takamoto et al.;

[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 9,241,516 B2 issued Jan. 26, 2016 to Sokolowski et al.;

[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 10,251,432 B2 issued Apr. 9, 2019 to Kenney et al.;

[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 10,321,873 B2 issued Jun. 18, 2019 to Connor;

[0022] US 2007/0000007 A1 published Jan. 4, 2007 to MacDonald et al.;

[0023] US 2007/0016999 A1 published Jan. 25, 2007 to Harber et al.;

[0024] US 2007/0294801 A1 published Dec. 27, 2007 to Furgerson et al.; and

[0025] US 2010/0299810 A1 published Dec. 2, 2010 to Snyder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of an athletic garment such as a tank top;

[0028] FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a front view and a rear view of a garment according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0029] FIGS. 3A-B illustrate a front view and a rear view of another garment according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 4A-B illustrates a front view of a reversible garment according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0031] FIGS. 5A-B illustrates a front view and a rear view of another garment according to the disclosure; and

[0032] FIGS. 6A-C illustrates tags suitable for use with the athletic garments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Article of Manufacture

[0033] A typical athletic garment 100 for sports such as soccer is illustrated in FIG. 1. The garment 100 is often sleeveless, and is manufactured from a material of uniform color, usually representing a team color. A 2 cm wide hem 112, 122, 122', 132 is provided about the waist 110, the garment apertures for the arms 120, and the garment aperture for the neck 130. A typical garment 100 for soccer players may be made of mesh made of synthetic fibers such as polyester, or an elastic polyurethane fiber such as Lycra.RTM., or Spandex.RTM.. Sizes range for the garment, e.g., small (S), medium (M), large (L) and extra-large (XL), have a width W of from about 30 cm to 70 cm wide and length L of from about 40 cm to 75 cm long. A small size is typically for a player having a player height of less than 1.2 meters, a medium is typically for a player having a player height of between 1.2 meters and 1.5 meters, a large is typically for a player having a player height of more than 1.75 meters.

[0034] Turning to FIG. 2A-B, a garment 200 according the disclosure is illustrated from a front view (FIG. 2A) and a back view (FIG. 2B). The garment 200 has a main body 202 (which can be sleeveless and also made of mesh, similar to the garment described above in FIG. 1). The main body 202 of the garment 200 has a neutral color (typically grey, black, or white), and a colored team-identifying portion 204 only on the upper portion of the garment. The colored team-identifying portion 204 has a color that provides a vivid and stark color contrast from the main body 202 such that an observer's eye is drawn to the upper team-identifying portion 204 of the garment 200 where the colored team-identifying portion 204 is provided. Examples of suitable colors for the team-identifying portion 204 include, but are not limited to, magenta, blue, and any neon color.

[0035] A tag 208, such as a brand logo tag, may be attached at the waist and a neck element 206 can be provided such as a "v" shaped element in the neck hem.

[0036] Trim 212, such as a ribbed collar, can be provided around the neck opening and/or the arm openings. Trim 214 can also be provided between the main body and the colored team-identifying portion. Trim 216 can be provided around the apertures for the arms 130. The trim 212, 214, 216 can have a different color than the main body 202 and the team-identifying portion 204, or may have the same color as either the main body 202 or the team-identifying portion 204.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3A-B, the garment 200 has a team-identifying portion 204 and a collar 310 with a distinctive coloration attached to the garment 200. Such a collar 310 may have a width of around 1 to 2 inches, and with a hem at the neck and a seam attaching the collar to the main body of the garment. In such an embodiment, the main body 202 of the garment will also have a larger-than-normal neck opening 130, to allow for the additional material of the colored collar. The collar 310 can be provided in lieu of the team-identifying portion 204, or in addition to the team-identifying portion 204. The collar 310 can have a different color than the main body 202. In some configurations, the collar 310, has the same color as the team-identifying portion 204.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4A-B, the garment 200 has a team-identifying portion 204 that has a v-shaped lower edge 214. A first color can be used for an exterior facing team-identifying portion and another color can be provided on all or part of an interior surface of the garment, as illustrated. Additionally, the garment 200 is reversible so that the team-identifying portion 204 changes from a first color to a second color when the garment is reversed. The main body 202 can be the same color (as shown) or a different neutral color. The reversibility allows for greater flexibility in identifying a team during different games. Thus, for example, a exterior color combination could be neon pink for the team-identifying portion 204 and white for the main body 202, and neon green for the team-identifying portion 204 and black for the main body 202. Additionally, the style of the team-identifying portion can be different from one side to the other (e.g., mixing the curved shape in FIG. 2 for the angled shape in FIG. 4.

[0039] FIGS. 5A-B illustrate another shape for the garment 200, where the team-identifying portion 204 is, for example, the upper half or upper third of the garment 200 and the distinction between the team-identifying portion 204 and the main body 202 is a straight line, or substantially straight line, across the garment 200.

[0040] FIGS. 6A-C illustrate possible tags 208 for securement to the garment 200.

[0041] In these schematic illustrations, the overall structure and sizing of the garment resembles a standard garment, such the garment illustrated and described with respect to FIG. 1, and may be manufactured using a similar process. In some embodiments of the disclosure, a single seam around the neck will be replaced by a colored collar having a width greater than 1 inch and typically either 1.5 inches or 2 inches. The colored collar will have a hem at the neck, and may have a seam where the collar material is attached to the main body of the garment. The main body of the garment is, in turn, cut so that the opening for the neck is appropriately larger, anticipating the additional width of the collar.

[0042] The material of the colored collar may be a mesh fabric, such as used in the main body of the garment, with the main difference being that the mesh fabric for the color collar is brightly colored, so that players of different teams of may wear garments with different colored collars to allow team identification. Additionally, the material can have a first color on a first surface and a second color on a second surface to facilitate reversibility of the garment.

[0043] The colored collar may use colored dyes to allow team identification, but will preferably fluorescent or neon dyes to allow the "day-glow" nature of fluorescent colors to facilitate visibility, and allow rapid team identification at a glance.

[0044] In some embodiments, the material of the colored collar may use a mesh fabric of the same mesh dimension as the main body of the garment. In other embodiments, the material of the colored collar may use a mesh fabric of the smaller mesh dimension as the main body of the garment. In some embodiments, the material of the colored collar may use a mesh fabric of a larger mesh dimension as the main body of the garment.

[0045] In still other embodiments, the material of the colored collar may use a material with an enhanced surface reflectivity, making the material "shinier" and again facilitating visibility and more rapid team identification.

[0046] The material of the colored collar may also be contiguous with the main portion of the garment, and the team designation by colors in the upper portion of the garment is provided using a sublimation printing process to add color to the fabric directly. In the sublimation process, the colored pattern is printed using special dyes onto a special sheet, and then transferred to the garment fabric using a process involving heating and pressure. This may be better suited for embodiments in which the garment is fabricated using polyester, since sublimation printing dyes are generally better absorbed by synthetic fibers.

[0047] As illustrated in above figures, the garments are shown being sleeveless. However, in some embodiments, the upper-body team-identifying portion may be used with jerseys that have sleeves. In some embodiments of the invention, the sleeves may additionally carry team-identifying fabric such as about the shoulders (which may also be brightly colored or fluorescent) as well.

II. Manufacturing Process

[0048] To manufacture the garment, one process may include the following steps.

[0049] First, the main body of the garment is fabricated as a conventional garment would be, with hems at the waist and at the armholes (or at the sleeves, if a design with sleeves is used, with a seam connecting the sleeves to the main body of the garment). A conventional material having a neutral color (e.g. black, grey, or white) is preferred, and the material can be the mesh material typically used for sports garments. However, unlike the conventional garment, the neck of the main body according to some embodiments of the invention is designed to be larger than usual, and the edge of the fabric for the neck home remains un-hemmed.

[0050] Then, a collar material is prepared. The collar may also be fabricated using a mesh material, but will have a color distinct from the main body. The collar will typically 1 inch or more in width, and in some embodiments will be approximately 1.5 inches width, and in other embodiments 2 inches in width. The collar will be sewn to the neck hole of the main body of the garment, and the collar will then be hemmed at the neck.

[0051] In some embodiments, the loop of the collar may be closed by sewing a seam at the front of the neck to attach the two sides of the collar together. This seam may be accompanied with a cosmetic variation, such as the "V" shape shown in FIGS. 2-3. In some embodiments, the loop of the collar may be closed by sewing a seam at the rear of the neck to attach the two ends of the collar together. In some embodiments, the collar may collar may comprise two sections, one for the front of the garment and one for the rear, which are sewn together, and also attached to the main part of the garment, at the shoulders. In some embodiments, some or all of the hems and seams should be reinforced with woven tape. The collar can have a first color on a first surface and a second color on a second surface, such as where two fabrics are used to create the collar and the first fabric is a first color and the second fabric is a second color. The two colors operable to distinguish between a first side and a reversible side. In another configuration, the collar can be made of a single piece of reversible material having a first color on a first side and a second color, different from the first color on the second side.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a cosmetic "V" shape at the front may be cut into the collar and hemmed as part of the neck hem, to provide a design enhancement.

[0053] Additional variations may be imagined by those skilled in the art. For example, additional insignia such as a team logo may also be provided in the upper portion of the garment or on the front or back of the main body of the garment.

III. Use

[0054] The athletic garment 100 disclosed herein can be deployed in a team athletic setting (e.g. soccer) where both teams wear a garment 100 having the a main body 202 with the same color and a team-identifying portion 204 having a different eye catching color. By providing the same body 202 players are forced to bring their gaze upward to view the team-identifying portion 204 to determine which team another player is associated with.

[0055] However, as team insignia can be similar (e.g. outline drawings of in a circle or a shield shape), rapid identification is difficult. Thus using distinct fluorescent colors on all team-identifying portions of the garment 100 with similar neutral colors for the main body 202 allows more rapid team identification in the heat of play.

[0056] Use of the disclosed athletic garment 100 leads to enhanced visual awareness and better in-game performance by the player. Additionally, the reversibility facilitates a single player using a single garment instead of sharing garments with another player, thus reducing transmission of infectious diseases.

[0057] Additionally, the athletic garment 100 disclosed herein can be deployed in a training setting (e.g. soccer) where each team wears a garment 100 having different team-identifying portion 204 with a different eye catching color. Players can then engage in training drills (such as cone exercises) where the player approaches a line of players each having either the same team color or the opposing team color where the player navigates the ball according to the training drill while also identifying whether the immediately approaching player is on the same team or opposing team.

[0058] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims

1. A garment comprising: a body comprising a torso portion, an upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings; wherein the torso portion is configured to extend around a torso of a wearer, the torso portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a first textile, the first textile having a neutral color; further wherein the upper portion is configured to extend around a neck of the wearer, the upper portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a second textile, the second textile having a vibrant color, and further wherein the vibrant color is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first textile and the second textile differ only in color.

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first textile and the second textile are selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber.

4. The garment of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first textile and the second textile are mesh.

5. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a collar.

6. The garment of claim 5 wherein the collar is the vibrant color.

7. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a v-shaped notch in the neck opening.

8. The garment of claim 1 wherein the upper portion has a first fabric layer in a first color and a second fabric layer in a second color different than the first color.

9. The garment of claim 1 further comprising: a second body comprising a second torso portion, a second upper portion, a second waist opening, a second neck opening and a second pair of arm openings, wherein the second torso portion is configured to extend around the torso of the wearer, the second torso portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a third textile, the third textile having a neutral color; further wherein the second upper portion is configured to extend around the neck of the wearer, the second upper portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface comprised of a fourth textile, the fourth textile having a vibrant color, further wherein the vibrant color of the fourth textile is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color, further wherein the body and the second body are secured together.

10. The garment of claim 1 further wherein, the interior surface of the first textile and the exterior surface of the first textile are the same color.

11. The garment of claim 1 further wherein, the interior surface of the first textile and the exterior surface of the first textile are different colors.

12. The garment of claim 1 further wherein, the interior surface of the second textile and the exterior surface of the second textile are the same color.

13. The garment of claim 1 further wherein, the interior surface of the second textile and the exterior surface of the second textile are the different colors.

14. A method of making a garment comprising: selecting a first textile having a neutral color; forming a torso portion operable to extend around a torso of a wearer from the first textile wherein the torso portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface; selecting a second textile having a vibrant color; forming an upper portion operable to extend around a neck of the wearer from the second textile wherein the upper portion has a front panel and a back panel; and connecting the torso portion to the upper portion so that the garment has a body comprising the torso portion, and the upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first textile and the second textile differ only in color.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the first textile and the second textile are selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein at least one of the first textile and the second textile are mesh.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising securing a collar to the neck opening.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the collar is the vibrant color.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising a v-shaped notch in the neck opening.

21. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of selecting a third textile having a neutral color; forming a torso portion operable to extend around the torso of the wearer from the third textile wherein the torso portion has an interior surface and an exterior surface; selecting a fourth textile having a vibrant color; forming an upper portion operable to extend around the neck of from the fourth textile wherein the upper portion has a front panel and a back panel; connecting the third textile torso portion to a fourth textile upper portion to form a second body; and connecting the first body to the second body.

22. A reversible garment comprising: a body comprising a torso portion, an upper portion, a waist opening, a neck opening and a pair of arm openings, wherein the torso portion is configured to extend around a torso of a wearer, the torso portion having a front panel and a back panel comprised of a first textile, the first textile having a neutral color; further wherein the upper portion is configured to extend around a neck of the wearer, the upper portion having a front panel and a back panel comprised of a second textile, the second textile having a vibrant color, further wherein the vibrant color is operable to create an eye-catching contrast to the neutral color, further wherein at least one of the neutral color and vibrant color on a first side of the garment is different than a second side of the garment.

23. The reversible garment of claim 22 wherein the first textile and the second textile differ only in color.

24. The reversible garment of claim 22 wherein the first textile and the second textile are selected from the group comprising polyester, and an elastic polyurethane fiber.

25. The reversible garment of claim 22 wherein at least one of the first textile and the second textile are mesh.

26. The reversible garment of claim 22 further comprising a collar.

27. The reversible garment of claim 26 wherein the collar is the vibrant color.

28. The reversible garment of claim 22 further comprising a v-shaped notch in the neck opening.

29. The reversible garment of claim 22 wherein the upper portion has a first fabric layer in a first color and a second fabric layer in a second color different than the first color.