Abstract:
A method and apparatus for light transmission comprising a garment, covering, or clothing, combined with a light distribution system adapted for distributing a pattern of light over the garment covering, or clothing. The light distribution system may include a light source combined with a separate fluorescent or phosphorescent material.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (1) Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for combining light transmission with an article of clothing. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a kit and its method of use, where the kit contains one or more sources of illumination, one or more supporting devices for supporting each illumination source and one or more attaching devices. The attaching devices are employed according to the method in securing the supporting devices to an article of clothing where the supporting devices, once secured to the clothing, will support the illumination source on clothing thereby combining light transmission with the article of clothing. In the preferred embodiment the supporting device is designed to enable the illumination source to be easily removed from the supporting device and the article of clothing to which it is attached, or the attaching device is designed as a removably attachable attaching device whereby the supporting device and the illumination device it supports can be easily removed from the article of clothing for periodic cleaning of the article of clothing. 
   (2) Description of the Related Art 
   Either for safety or for entertainment purposes, there are situations where it is desirable to an individual to make their body more visible to others and/or make the body of their pet more visible to others. Examples of these situations include a child walking to school or waiting for a school bus in the pre-dawn hours of the winter months, a jogger jogging during pre-dawn hours, an individual walking their dog before sunrise or after sunset, or an individual that desires to add illumination to their body as part of a costume or for other similar entertainment purposes. Reflectors that reflect light have long been used for safety purposes on articles of clothing such as shoes, jogging pants and jackets and safety vests worn by highway work crews and others whose professions require them to be working along the roadways in dark conditions. However, these light reflective surfaces are typically permanently secured to the articles of clothing. Repeated cleaning of the clothing over time can have the effect of deteriorating the ability of the light reflective surface to reflect light. 
   It is has also been known to permanently secure a series of small electric lights connected by a length of wiring to an article of clothing such as pants or a shirt by sewing the length of wiring and the attached lights to the article of clothing. Again however, if it desired to clean the article of clothing it would be necessary to remove all of the thread holding the wiring and lights to the clothing in order to avoid the wiring and lights becoming damaged when the article of clothing is cleaned. Sewing the length of wiring and attached lights to the article of clothing and removing the sewing thread from the clothing to remove the length of wiring and attached lights each time the article of clothing is cleaned is very labor intensive and expensive. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes the above-described disadvantages of reflective or light transmitting components added to an article of clothing for a person or a pet by providing an apparatus and its method of use that easily attaches an illumination source to an article of clothing where the illumination source is also easily removed from the article of clothing for periodic cleaning of the clothing. In the preferred embodiment the illumination source is an elongate, flexible cord that communicates with a power source at one end of the cord through a switch. The switch can be manually operated to selectively illuminate the cord along its entire length. 
   One or more supporting devices are provided that can be removably attached to the illumination source cord to support the cord. The supporting device can have a variety of forms. For example, the support device could be a transparent length of tubular piping or a transparent tubular sleeve that is secured along a seam or is secured in a desired pattern on the article of clothing. The cord of the illumination source is extended through the interior of the piping or sleeve whereby the piping or sleeve supports the illumination source cord on the article of clothing. The support device could also have various other forms, for example eyelets or hoops that are attached to the clothing at various locations and through which the illumination source cord is inserted. Basically, anything that could function to support the illumination source cord in a desired pattern on the article of clothing could be included as a support device. 
   The support device is secured in its desired position on the article of clothing by an attaching device. The attaching device also can have many forms. For example, the attaching device could be a length of thread that sews the support device to the article of clothing in its desired position. In this example it would be necessary that the support device removably support the illumination source cord so that the cord could be separated from the article of clothing for periodic cleaning of the clothing. In other examples the attaching device could be a button, snap, zipper, or other fastener like a hook and loop fastener that removably attaches the support device to the article of clothing. In these examples the support device could be removed from the article of clothing with the illumination source cord still attached to the support device in order the clean the clothing. 
   In one embodiment of the invention the illumination source, the support device and the attaching device could be provided in combination with the article of clothing. In a preferred embodiment the illumination source, support device and attaching device is provided as a kit that is separate from an article of clothing with which the kit is to be used. The kit would also include the manually operable switch for controlling a supply of power to the illumination source, for example from separate batteries, as well as a set of instructions presenting a method on how to attach the illumination source in a desired pattern to a separate article of clothing employing the support device and attaching device. 
   From the description provided above it can be seen that the illumination source, support device and attaching device of the present invention, whether provided in combination with an article of clothing or provided in a kit to be used on a separate article of clothing provides for the attachment of an illumination source to an article of clothing for safety or entertainment purposes or both, where the illumination source can be easily removed from the article of clothing for periodic cleaning of the clothing and then easily reattached to the article of clothing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features of the present invention as set forth in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and in the following drawing figures wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention combined with an article of clothing, i.e. a pair of pants; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the invention combined with an article of clothing; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the invention combined with an article of clothing, i.e. a shirt; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the supporting device of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of the supporting device of  FIG. 4  attached to an article of clothing; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of the supporting device of  FIG. 5  supporting an illumination source; 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of the supporting device of  FIG. 5  supporting a further embodiment of the illumination source; 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the supporting device supporting a further embodiment of an illumination source on an article of clothing; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of the side view of  FIG. 8  along the line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the supporting device of  FIG. 9  supporting a further embodiment of the illumination source. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention provides an illumination source  12  that is supported by a supporting device  14  that in turn is attached by an attaching device  16  to an article of clothing.  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  are schematic representations of various embodiments of the illumination source  12  attached to articles of clothing  18 . The articles of clothing  18  shown in the drawing figures are only examples of articles of clothing to which the illumination source  12  of the invention could be attached and should not be interpreted as limiting. It is intended that the articles of clothing include anything that would typically be worn by a person (including articles like jewelry) or a pet. In addition, the particular configuration of the illumination source  12  disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that the illumination source  12  of the invention could have a variety of configurations different from those discussed. As discussed earlier, the illumination source  12  is attached to the article of clothing  18  for safety, entertainment and/or amusement purposes which will influence the particular article of clothing to which the illumination source  12  is attached and the configuration that the illumination source  12  has on the article of clothing. The illumination source  12  could be removably attached to the article of clothing  18  in the manners to be explained as an integral part of the article of clothing when the article of clothing is purchased. However, in the preferred embodiment the illumination source  12  is provided as part of a kit that also basically includes one or more supporting devices  14  for the illumination source  12  and one or more attaching devices  16  that attach the supporting device  14  to a separate article of clothing  18 . 
   In a first embodiment of the invention the illumination source  12  has a configuration of an elongate flexible cord or strip  22  having opposite proximal  24  and distal  26  ends. The illumination source cord could be constructed in a variety of manners. 
   The illumination source cord or flat strip  22  could be an electro-luminescent element that provides low temperature emission of light in response to application of an alternating current to a layer of phosphor that extends through the interior of the cord  22  between its proximal  24  and distal  26  ends. Electro-luminescent elements of this type are known in the art and examples are disclosed in the U.S. Patent of Voskoboinik, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,355 and the U.S. Patent of Baumberg, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930. The length of the cord or strip configuration of the electro-luminescent element may be cut adjacent its distal end  26  to adjust the length to a desired length to be attached to the article of clothing. Because the length of the electro-luminescent cord  22  is illuminated by application of an alternating current to the element, the element requires a small and portable power supply that is included as a component part of the kit. 
     FIG. 7  shows a schematic representation of a power supply  32  that, in the preferred embodiment, includes a power source of one or more DC batteries, a manually operable switch and an inverter/sequencer that converts the DC power of the batteries to AC power for the electro-luminescent cord  22 . The power source  32  can provide continuous current to the electro-luminescent element of the illumination source cord  22  to continuously illuminate the cord along its entire length. Alternatively, the power source  32  could be modified to intermittently interrupt the current supplied to the electro-luminescent element of the illumination source cord  22  to cause the length of the cord to blink. In the preferred embodiment conductors  34  that communicate the power source  32  with the proximal end  24  of the illumination source cord  22  would be provided with a releasable connection  36 , for example mating plugs, that enable the power source  32  to be disconnected from the length of the illumination source cord  22  when removing the power source and cord from the article of clothing  18  to which they are attached. 
     FIGS. 4–7  show an embodiment of a supporting device  14  that is secured by an attaching device  16  to an article of clothing  18 . The supporting device may be used in supporting the illumination source cord  22 .  FIG. 4  shows a tubular piping or sleeve  42  having a length and a hollow interior bore  44  that extends through the length of the piping. The piping  42  is preferably constructed of transparent material that will allow a portion of the illumination source  12  contained in the piping interior bore  44  to be visible through the piping. The piping  42  is provided with a flap  46  along its length that projects a short distance outwardly from the piping. The flap  46  is used with an attaching device for attaching the piping  42  to an article of clothing. 
     FIG. 5  shows the piping  42  attached to an article of clothing  48  which is shown only partially in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  shows a portion of the illumination source cord  22  inserted through the interior bore  44  of the piping segment  42 . In this manner, the piping  42  supports the illumination source cord  22  on the article of clothing. The piping  42  is shown as a single, short segment of the piping attached along a seam  52  of the article of clothing. The supporting device  14  could be provided by a plurality of piping segments such as the piping segment  42  shown in  FIG. 5  that are spatially arranged along the seam  52  of the article of clothing, for example being spatially arranged on a seam extending along a pant leg. Alternatively, the piping  42  could be one continuous segment that extends along the entire seam and along the entire length of the pant leg. Furthermore, the piping segments could be spatially arranged in a variety of different patterns on the article of clothing to support the length of the illumination source  12  in the pattern defined by the plurality of piping segments. Still further, a continuous length of piping could be arranged in a desired pattern on an article of clothing with the continuous length of piping supporting the length of the illumination source  12  on the clothing. 
   In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the piping segment  42  is secured to the article of clothing  48  by an hook and loop fastener  54  that removably attaches the piping flap  46  to the article of clothing  48 . The hook and loop fastener  54  is represented by the dashed line rectangle in  FIG. 5 . The hook portion of the fastener is attached to one of the article of clothing  48  and the piping flap  46 , and the loop portion of the fastener is attached to the other of the article of clothing and the flap. In this manner, the piping segment  42  is removably attached to the article of clothing  48  by the hook and loop fastener  54 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a segment of piping  42  supporting the illumination source cord  22  on the article of clothing  48  adjacent the cord proximal end  24 . Also shown in  FIG. 7  is the power source needed for the electro-luminescent illumination source cord. The power source  32  could be supported on the article of clothing  48  by a pocket  56  specifically designed to be added to the article of clothing to receive the power source. Alternatively, a removable pocket that is removably attached to the article of clothing, for example by the hook and loop fasteners  54  employed in removably attaching the piping  42  to the article of clothing  48  could also be used to secure the pocket to the article of clothing enclosing the power source  32  in the pocket. 
   The piping  42  described above is only one example of a supporting device  14  that can support the illumination source  12  from an article of clothing  18 . It should be understood that other types of tubular sleeves or pockets could be used as a supporting device  14 . In addition, individual eyelets or hooks or hoops could be removably attached to the article of clothing to function as the supporting device  14 . Still further, a strand of jewelry wire or thread could be wrapped around the length of illumination source cord  22  to function as the supporting device. 
   It should also be understood that the hook and loop fastener  54  described above as the attaching device is only one example of an attaching device that could be used with the illumination source  12  of the invention. Other attaching devices that could be used to removably attach the supporting device  14  to the article of clothing  18  could include buttons, snaps, grommets, zippers, magnets, clips, clamps, or two-sided tape, to name a few examples. 
   The illumination source cord  22  being an electro-luminescent element is only one example of an illumination source that could be employed with the present invention. Another example of an illumination source is a phosphorescent element having the elongate configuration of a phosphorus impregnated cord or strip. A phosphorescent element would also provide low temperature emission of light caused by the absorption of incident radiation at one wavelength followed by delayed re-radiation at a different wavelength that continues for a noticeable time after the incident radiation is removed. Illumination materials of this type are commonly referred to as “glow in the dark” materials. 
   Alternatively, the illumination source could be a florescent element provided in the elongated cord or strip configuration. A florescent element provides low temperature emission of light caused by absorption of incident radiation at one wave length followed by nearly immediate re-radiation at a different wave length that stops when the incident radiation stops. These materials are commonly referred to as “light reflective” materials. 
   Other examples of the illumination source include LEDs, very small light bulbs connected along a length of wiring that could be threaded through the supporting devices, or similar illumination devices. 
   Because the phosphorescent element and the florescent element would require no power source for illumination, it would not be necessary to accommodate a power source on the article of clothing when the illumination source is a phosphorescent element or a florescent element. 
   In a still further variant embodiment of the invention an electro-luminescent element could be combined with either a phosphorescent element or a florescent element in the illumination source of the invention. 
     FIGS. 3 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10  show a further embodiment of the illumination source, support device and attaching device of the invention. In this embodiment the illumination source can be an electro-luminescent element, a phosphorescent element, or a florescent element as in the earlier described embodiment. However, the illumination source is not configured as an elongate cord or strip  22 , but is configured as a flexible panel  62 . 
   When the illumination source panel  62  is constructed as an electro-luminescent element, it is necessary that the kit also include a power source for the illumination source panel  62 . As in the previously described embodiment, the power source  64  is comprised of one or more DC batteries that is connected through a manually operable switch to an inverter/sequencer. All of these component parts are included in the power source  64  schematically represented in  FIGS. 3 and 10 . The power source  64  communicates through electrical conductors  66  with the illumination source panel  62 . Releasable connectors  68 , for example, plug connectors, are provided along the electrical conductors  66  to selectively separate the power source  64  from the illumination source panel  62  when the power source and panel are removed from the article of clothing for cleaning of the article of clothing. 
   As with the first described embodiment of the illumination source, the illumination source panel  62  could alternatively be constructed of a phosphorescent element or a florescent element which would not require the power source  64  for illumination. In these variant embodiments of the invention the power source and its conductors and releasable connectors would be eliminated. 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  shows the supporting device configured as a pocket or enclosure  72 . As in the first embodiment, the pocket  72  would be constructed of a transparent material that would allow the illumination of the illumination source panel  62  to be viewed through the material of the pocket. The pocket  72  has a rectangular configuration and is secured along three sides  74 ,  76 ,  78  of the pocket to the article of clothing  82  which is shown partially in the drawing figures. The three sides,  74 ,  76 ,  78  of the pocket could be permanently attached to the article of clothing  82  by sewing or other means where the material of the pocket  72  could be cleaned with the article of clothing. Alternatively, the three sides  74 ,  76 ,  78  of the pocket would be attached by one of the attaching devices described earlier with reference to the first described embodiment of the invention. For example, the pocket  72  would be dimensioned slightly larger than the dimensions of the illuminations source panel  62  to provide three edge flaps along the three sides  74 ,  76 ,  78  of the pocket. Each of these edge flaps would have one portion of a hook and loop fastener secured to it with the other portion of the hook and loop fastener being secured to the article of clothing  82 . This would removably attach the pocket  72  to the article of clothing  82 . Alternatively, one of the other attaching devices described earlier with reference to the first embodiment could be employed to removably attach the pocket  72  to the article of clothing. This enables the pocket  72  to be removed from the clothing as well as the illumination source panel  62  being removed from the clothing for periodic cleaning of the clothing.  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  show how the illumination source panel  62  is inserted through the open side  84  of the pocket  74  into the interior volume of the pocket defined between the pocket  72  and the article of clothing  82 . And example of this type of illumination source panel  62  is shown used with a shirt in  FIG. 3  and with a pair of pants in  FIG. 2 . As represented in  FIG. 8 , the illumination source panel  62  may be employed with the article of clothing  82  not only as a safety means or an entertainment or amusement means, but could also be employed as an advertising means with the panel displaying a logo or trademark. 
   In accordance with the invention, a kit is provided to enable a person to add the illumination source to an article of clothing. The kit comprises at least one of each of the illumination source  12 , the supporting device  14  and the attaching device  16  as described above. The kit can also include a power supply  36  and a pouch  34  to hold the power supply. The kit can also include instructions and a template to create a design pattern (not shown). The kit can be housed in common packaging (not shown). 
   In operation, a person wishing to become more visible to others can wear clothing that incorporates a light source. The clothing can be provided with the component parts of the kit being integral with the clothing, or the kit as described above can be used to modify an existing article of clothing. Using the illumination source  12  provided in the kit, a desired location for the illumination source  12  can be determined and the illumination source can be trimmed to the appropriate dimensions. In the case of a cord shaped electro-luminescent element as the illumination source  12 , the trimmed element can be sealed using any acceptable means. The supporting device  14  from the kit is then assembled to the illumination source along its length. The attaching device  16  then attaches the supporting device and the illumination source to the article of clothing at the desired location. If the illumination source  12  includes an electro-luminescent element, the power supply  32  can be secured to the article of clothing using the pouch described earlier. The power supply is connected to the electro-luminescent element by turning the switch to the on position to provide illumination. With the switch turned to the off position the electro-luminescent element provides no illumination, but if the illumination source includes a re-radiation light source, it will provide additional illumination. 
   The combination illumination source and clothing can be useful in a variety of situations. For example, a combination according to the invention could be used to increase safety. In dark or dimly lit situations, pedestrians can benefit from being more easily seen. An illumination source supported by a supporting device and attached by an attaching device to an article of clothing can provide illumination of the pedestrian. Another example would be to enhance the visual appearance of a performer. The performer could be part of an event such as a stage performance or a theatrical production. The performer could also be part of a social gathering, such as a dance party. 
   After any of the uses described above, the illumination source can be removed from the article of clothing. The article of clothing can then be washed and used again. The illumination source on an article of clothing can also be switched for another illumination source. An electro-luminescent element of one color can be replaced with an electro-luminescent element of another color. An electro-luminescent element can be replaced with a phosphorescent or fluorescent element (re-radiant light source). 
   As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto.