Abstract:
A mount for securing an image to fabric and fabric items including said mount. The mount is designed to secure, protect, enclose and display an image when attached to a fabric which can have significantly higher elasticity than the image. Portions of the mount may have an elasticity intermediate the elasticity of the fabric and the image. The mount may include reinforcing materials. The mount may be sewn, glued or otherwise bonded to fabric. The fabric may comprise an item of apparel, for example a wrist band, head band.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. Design patent application 29/385,773 entitled “CLOTH BAND” filed Feb. 18, 2011 (ATTY. DKT. POWER-01001US0) which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention provides a mount for securing an image to a fabric item. The mount can be utilized to secure an image to fabric incorporated in an item to be worn on the body. In particular, the mount is suitable for securing an image to fabric incorporated in an item to be snugly fit one the body. The fabric in such items is typically elastic/stretchable in order to achieve a tight fit thus benefiting from a mount which, in part accommodates the elasticity of the fabric, and in part protects the image/image enclosure from stretching which would damage or eject the image. The mount is suitable for securing and protecting images printed on an image medium. The image can be, for example, a pictorial, photographic, and/or holographic image. 
         [0003]    In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides a mount suitable for securing an image to fabric. 
         [0004]    In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention provides method for manufacturing a mount suitable for securing an image to fabric. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for securing an image to fabric. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention provides a fabric item incorporating a mount suitable for securing an image to fabric. 
         [0007]    In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides an item of apparel incorporating a mount suitable for securing an image to fabric. 
         [0008]    In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides an image sealed in a mount suitable for securing the image to fabric. 
         [0009]    Thus, components, finished items, and methods are provided in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and from the detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above and further features, advantages and benefits of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the present description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a wristband including a mount according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  shows a side elevational view of the wristband of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 1C  shows an end elevational view of the wristband of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 1D  shows a sectional view through the mount and one side of the wristband of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 1E  shows an exploded view of components of the mount of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternative mount according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternative mount according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2C  shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternative mount according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2D  shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternative mount according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2E  shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternative mount according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2F  shows a perspective view of a wristband including an alternative mount according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2G  shows a perspective view of a headband including an alternative mount according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The following description is of the best modes presently contemplated for practicing various embodiments of the present invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. It is to be understood that features described in reference to particular embodiments may be combined with features of other particular embodiments. The scope of the invention should be ascertained with reference to the claims. In the description of the invention that follows, like numerals or reference designators will be used to refer to like parts or elements throughout. In addition, the first digit of a reference number identifies the series of drawings in which the reference number first appears. 
         [0024]    The present invention is illustrated by reference to an embodiment of the invention in which a mount is utilized to secure an image to fabric incorporated in an item to be worn on the body. The image is a text, pictorial, photographic and/or holographic image reproduced on a thin sheet of a suitable medium. In the particular embodiment described, the mount is designed to secure an image to fabric incorporated in an item to be snugly fit one the body. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , the item of apparel is a wristband designed to be stretched over the hand and worn snugly about the wrist. The fabric of the wristband is elastic/stretchable in order to achieve a tight fit thus benefiting from a mount which, in part accommodates the elasticity of the fabric, and in part protects the image/image enclosure from stretching which would damage and/or eject the image. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a wristband including a mount according to the present invention.  FIG. 1B  shows a side elevational view of the wristband of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1C  shows an end elevational view of the wristband of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1D  shows a sectional view through the mount and one side of the wristband of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1E  shows an exploded view of components of the mount of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0026]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the wristband  100  comprises a tube of fabric  120 , and the mount  140 . The tube of fabric  120  has an opening  121  such that tube of fabric  120  can pass over the hand of a person to be worn around the wrist of the person. An image  160  is displayed on the outer surface  122  of the tube of fabric  120  and is secured in place by mount  140 . Mount  140  includes a dimensionally-stable enclosure for image  160 . Mount  140  is secured to the tube of fabric  120  by stitching  124  which passes through the periphery of mount  140  and through a portion of the tube of fabric  120 . 
         [0027]    Mount  140  includes a transparent lens  142 , a base  144 , and a housing  150 . Image  160  is positioned inside a peripheral rim  152  of housing  150  and under transparent lens  142 . Base  144  is in this embodiment the same shape as housing  150  (circular) and somewhat larger in size than housing  150 . Base  144  therefore protrudes from beneath housing  150  in the form of a bezel. Transparent lens  142  is in some embodiments, curved on the outward facing surface. In alternative embodiments, transparent lens  142  is a flat disc. Image  160  is visible through the transparent lens  142 . Transparent lens  142  is bonded to peripheral rim  152  thereby sealing image  160  into housing  150 . Transparent lens  142  and housing  150  together form a dimensionally-stable enclosure for image  160  thereby protecting image  160  from damage and/or ejection from the housing  150 . 
         [0028]    The image  160  is text, pictorial, photographic and/or holographic image reproduced on a thin sheet of a suitable medium. In particular embodiments, the image functions as a user ID, provides health information, or is ornamental. The image  160  is reproduced on a paper medium, polymer medium and or metal/metalized medium suitable for reproduction of the particular image. The image  160  can be bonded to housing  150  or can be free-floating between housing  150  and lens  142 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 1D  shows a sectional view through one side of wristband  100  along the axis D-D shown in  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIG. 1D , Housing  150  includes a back-plate  154  and rim  152 . Rim  152  runs around the periphery of back-plate  154  thereby defining a shallow cavity  156 . Shallow cavity  156  is preferably the same size and shape as image  160 . The depth of shallow cavity  160  is sufficient to receive image  160  and transparent lens  142 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 1D , image  160  is received in shallow cavity  156 . Transparent lens  142  covers image  160  and is bonded to rim  152  thereby securing and protecting image  160  within shallow cavity  156 . Transparent lens  142  and housing  150  together form a sealed enclosure for image  160  thereby protecting image  160  from damage and/or ejection from the housing  150 . In a preferred embodiment, housing  150  is made of a relative inelastic polymer so as to resist dimensional changes in shallow cavity  156  due the stretching of housing  150 . In a preferred embodiment, rim  152  and back-plate  154  are formed in one piece from a polymer. For example, rim  152  and back-plate  154  can be made from silicone using a suitably shaped mold. Back-plate  154  can optionally include a fabric/fiber reinforcing material (not shown). 
         [0031]    Referring again to  FIG. 1D , base  144  is a continuous planar structure which extends beneath housing  150 . Housing  150  is bonded or glued to base  144  over the entire area of contact between housing  150  and base  144 . In the embodiment shown, base  144  includes a sewing channel  146  around the periphery of base  144 . Sewing channel  146  serves as a guide for stitching  124  which passes through base  144  and outer layer  126  of fabric tube  120 . Alternative embodiments need not include sewing channel  146 , for example, where base  144  is to be bonded or glued to a fabric base rather than sewn. 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, base  144  is formed in one piece from a polymer. For example, base  144  is, in a preferred embodiment, made from silicone using a suitably shaped mold. In a preferred embodiment, base  144  is made of a polymer having more elasticity than housing  150 . For example, base  144  is, in a preferred embodiment, made from a silicone of lower durometer than the silicone used to manufacture the housing  150 . Base  144  can also optionally include a fabric/fiber reinforcing material. 
         [0033]    Referring again to  FIG. 1D , reinforcing stitching  128  is shown in outer layer  126  of fabric tube  120  beneath base  144 . Reinforcing stitching  128  is designed to reduce the elasticity of outer layer  126  of fabric tube  120  in the region beneath base  144  to strengthen the attachment of base  144  to outer layer  126  of fabric tube  120  by stitching  124 . In alternative embodiments, a layer of interface material can be stitched to either or both sides of outer layer  126  to further reduce stretch in the region beneath base  144 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , fabric tube  120  comprises an outer layer  126  and an inner layer  127 . After attachment of base  144  the ends of inner layer  127  are folded together and joined by seam  129 . Thus stitching  124  and reinforcing stitching  128  is not visible on the reverse side of outer layer  126  after completion of wristband  100 . 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, the stock material of fabric tube  120  is woven in a tube shape of the correct diameter for the application. The fabric of fabric tube  120  is in some embodiments elasticized woven cotton. The cotton is elasticized by the addition of, for example latex, spandex or the like. However, other stretchable fabrics, as described herein, can also be used depending on the application to which the item will be put. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1E  shows an exploded partial sectional view of the components of mount  140 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1E , housing  150  includes back-plate  154  and rim  152  around the periphery of back-plate  154 . Rim  152  is sufficiently deep to define shallow cavity  156  which can accommodate image  160  and transparent lens  142  (see  FIG. 1A ). Housing  150  is formed and then image  160  is placed within shallow cavity  156 . Shallow cavity  156  and image  160  are preferably designed to have congruent shapes such that image  160  spans the entirety of shallow cavity  156 . After image  160  is placed in shallow cavity  156 , image  160  is secured in place by transparent lens  142 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1E , transparent lens  142  can be formed in situ using a transparent liquid polymer  143  to fill shallow cavity  156  above image  160 . 
         [0036]    The physical and chemical properties of transparent liquid polymer  143  are selected to prevent damage to image  160 . In a preferred embodiment where housing  150  is made of silicone, a clear silicone is utilized to fill shallow cavity  156  above image  160  to form transparent lens  142 . In this embodiment, the clear silicone of transparent lens  142  bonds spontaneously with the silicone of rim  152  of housing  150  without the need for additional agents or techniques. In alternative embodiments, transparent lens  142  is formed as a separate component and subsequently bonded/adhered to rim  152  after placement of image  160  in shallow cavity  156 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 1E , base  144  includes a sewing channel  146  around the periphery of base  144 . Sewing channel  146  serves as a guide for stitching  124  (see  FIG. 1D  which passes through base  144  and outer layer  126  of fabric tube  120  (see  FIG. 1D ). In a preferred embodiment, base  144  is formed separate from housing  150 . Housing  150  is then mounted to the center of base  144  using an adhesive or bonding technology. For example, a silicone adhesive or liquid silicone can be utilized to bond housing  150  to base  144  before or after installation of image  160  and/or transparent lens  142 . 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment, the mount—including the lens, housing and base are made of silicone. The housing and base are made of a black, white or colored silicone and the lens is made from a transparent silicone. In alternative embodiments, the housing and base can also be made of a transparent silicone. As previously discussed, it is preferred that the elasticity of the base is higher than that of the housing so as to better accommodate stretch in the fabric to which the base is secured. The mount can alternatively be made from and/or include a wide range of materials including, but not limited to: natural and synthetic rubbers; Butadiene rubbers; Chloroprene rubbers; Butyl rubbers; Styrene-Butadiene rubbers; Nitrile rubbers; Ethylene-propylene rubber; Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber; Epichlorohydrin rubber; Polysulfide rubber; Polyacrylic rubber; Silicone rubber; Fluorosilicone Rubber; Fluoroelastomers; Perfluoroelastomers Polyether block amides; Chlorosulfonated polyethylene; Ethylene-vinyl acetate; resilin; elastin; and thermoplastic elastomers. The material of the mount is selected to have the mechanical properties necessary to protect the selected image and secure it to the selected fabric. The material of the lens is selected to protect the selected image and allow viewing of the selected image, i.e. the material should be transparent and/or translucent. 
         [0039]    The mount of the present invention can be made in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations. For example, the base can be made in a circular, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, hexagonal or other polygon-shaped configuration. Likewise, the housing can be made in a, circular, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, hexagonal or other polygon-shaped configuration. The base and the housing can have the same shape or different shapes.  FIGS. 2A-2G  illustrate some of the many possible variations and configurations. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2A , shows a perspective view of wristband  200   a  according to an embodiment of the invention. Wristband  200   a  comprises a tube of fabric  220   a , and a circular mount  240   a  including a circular housing  250   a  for holding a circular image  260   a  protected by a circular transparent lens  242   a . Circular housing  250   a  is mounted on a circular base  244   a . In this embodiment, mount  240   a  is not secured to the tube of fabric  220   a  by stitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or other bonding technique. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of wristband  200   b  according to an embodiment of the invention. Wristband  200   b  comprises a tube of fabric  220   b , and a square mount  240   b  including a square housing  250   b  for holding a square image  260   b  protected by a square transparent lens  242   b . Square housing  250   b  is mounted on a square base  244   b . In this embodiment, mount  240   b  is not secured to the tube of fabric  220   b  by stitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or other bonding technique. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2C  shows a perspective view of wristband  200   c  according to an embodiment of the invention. Wristband  200   c  comprises a tube of fabric  220   c , and an oval mount  240   c  including an oval housing  250   c  for holding an oval image  260   c  protected by an oval transparent lens  242   c . Oval housing  250   c  is mounted on an oval base  244   c . In this embodiment, oval mount  240   c  is not secured to the tube of fabric  220   c  by stitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or other bonding technique. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2D  shows a perspective view of wristband  200   d  according to an embodiment of the invention. Wristband  200   d  comprises a tube of fabric  220   d , and a hexagonal mount  240   d  including a hexagonal housing  250   d  for holding a hexagonal image  260   d  protected by a hexagonal transparent lens  242   d . Hexagonal housing  250   d  is mounted on a hexagonal base  244   d . In this embodiment, mount  240   d  is not secured to the tube of fabric  220   d  by stitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or other bonding technique. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2E  shows a perspective view of wristband  200   e  according to an embodiment of the invention. Wristband  200   e  comprises a tube of fabric  220   e , and a star-shaped mount  240   e  including a star-shaped housing  250   e  for holding a star-shaped image  260   e  protected by a star-shaped transparent lens  242   e . Star-shaped housing  250   e  is mounted on a star-shaped base  244   e . In this embodiment, mount  240   e  is not secured to the tube of fabric  220   e  by stitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or other bonding technique. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2F  shows a perspective view of wristband  200   f  according to an embodiment of the invention. Wristband  200   f  comprises a tube of fabric  220   f , and a diamond-shaped mount  240   f  including a diamond-shaped housing  250   f  for holding a diamond-shaped image  260   f  protected by a diamond-shaped transparent lens  242   f . Diamond-shaped housing  250   f  is mounted on a diamond-shaped base  244   f . In this embodiment, mount  240   f  is not secured to the tube of fabric  220   f  by stitching but is instead secured using an adhesive or other bonding technique. 
         [0046]    The mount of the present invention can be used to secure an image to a wide variety of fabric items. For example,  FIG. 2G  shows a perspective view of headband  200   g  according to an embodiment of the invention. Headband  200   g  comprises a tube of fabric  220   g , and a square mount  240   g  including a circular housing  250   g  for holding a circular image  260   g  protected by a circular transparent lens  242   g . Circular housing  250   g  is mounted on a square base  244   g . In this embodiment, mount  240   g  is secured to the tube of fabric  220   g  by stitching  224   g . As shown, the base and the housing can be different shapes. 
         [0047]    The mount of the present invention can be utilized to secure an image to fabric incorporated in an item to be worn on the body. In particular, the mount is suitable for securing an image to fabric incorporated in an item to be snugly fit on the body. The fabric in such items is typically elastic/stretchable in order to achieve a tight fit thus benefiting from a mount which in part accommodates the elasticity of the fabric and in part protects the image/image enclosure from stretching which would damage or eject the image. The mount is particularly suitable for attachment of an image to stretchable fabrics including, for example, wovens, knits, one-way stretch fabrics, two-way stretch fabrics, four-way stretch fabrics, cotton-wrapped elastics, stretchable natural fabrics, wools, cottons, silks, neoprene, spandex, elastane, LYCRA™, rayon, polyester, and nylons. 
         [0048]    Although illustrated in conjunction with wristbands and headbands, the mount is suitable for securing an image to fabric incorporated in a wide range of items to be worn on the body. In particular embodiments, the mount is used to secure the image to fabric items including, for example: pants, hats, belts, shoes, jackets, headbands, swimwear, socks, underwear, caps, beanies, fedoras, gloves, sports equipment, sports clothing, protective gear, climbing gear, ski wear, performance apparel, goggles, eyeglasses, sunglasses, pads, shoelaces, jewelry, traction pads (surfing), leashes (surfing), wetsuits, knee braces, wrist braces, back braces, compression wear, and watches. 
         [0049]    The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims and their equivalents.