Abstract:
A sleeve to be worn on a forearm of a person, the sleeve including a fabric dimensioned to cover the forearm, the sleeve also including at least one indicia pattern imprinted the fabric, an opening in the fabric dimensioned to envelop the forearm near the elbow, another opening to envelop the wrist, and wherein the fabric is a material having substantially 80% polyester and 20% spandex to provide resistance to ink fade of the indicia patterns, and wherein the fabric provides a form fitting article extending from the wrist to below the elbow for displaying an indicia pattern according to forearm movement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    This invention pertains to a sleeve to be worn on the forearm of a person. More particularly, this invention pertains to a decorative or fashion sleeve that covers the forearm of a person and is suitable for being worn at sports and entertainment events such as soccer, football, concerts, automobile racing, and the like. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Many types of sports apparel provide for expression by sports fans in celebration of and/or support for their favorite team. Similarly, fans of entertainers, such as bands and other performers, participate in many forms of expression to show their enthusiasm for their favorite act. One form of expression includes waving one&#39;s arms in support or celebration. Often fans grip items such as foam fingers, foam tomahawks, towels, lighters, and many other items to wave during the excitement that often occurs somewhat spontaneously. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A sleeve that is worn on the forearm of a person is disclosed. The sleeve provides a decorative or fashion statement and also covers the forearm of a person. The forearm sleeve is suitable for being worn at sports and entertainment events such as soccer, football, concerts, automobile racing, and the like. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a forearm sleeve for participating in fan celebrations without the problems that occur because the fan happens to be holding another item at the moment that the cause for celebration occurs. For example, it is desirable for a fan to be able to lift or wave their arms in celebration without concerns for spilling their drink on themselves or on adjacent fans. With the present invention, the fan is wearing the support item on their arm. The forearm sleeve is worn on the arm and fits snugly around the forearm between the elbow and the wrist. 
         [0009]    The forearm sleeve includes indicia imprinted on one or both sides of the sleeve so that the team logo or other team support item of choice is always present on the fan&#39;s arm. When cause for celebration occurs, the fan may simply lift or wave their arm in celebration while continuing to grip whatever item they happen to be holding. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sleeve to be worn on the forearm of a person is provided. The sleeve includes a fabric sized to cover the forearm of the person, at least one indicia pattern imprinted on the fabric, a first opening in the fabric sized to envelop the forearm near the elbow, a second opening sized to envelop the wrist, and wherein the fabric is a material having substantially 80% polyester and 20% spandex to provide resistance to ink fade of indicia patterns, and wherein the fabric provides a form fitting article extending from the wrist to below the elbow for displaying at least one indicia pattern according to forearm movement. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the fabric is a one-piece fabric without need for fasteners of any kind. In various embodiments, the indicia pattern is a nickname, a slogan, a logo, and/or sports related indicia. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, a sleeve to be worn on the forearm of a person provides a form-fitting fabric to cover the forearm and extends from wrist to elbow without covering the elbow, at least one indicia pattern imprinted on the form-fitting fabric, a first opening in the form-fitting fabric corresponding to the forearm and near the elbow, a second opening corresponding to the wrist, and formed from a material that provides resistance to ink fade of indicia patterns, and providing for displaying at least one indicia pattern according to forearm movement. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a method for wearing a forearm sleeve to display imprinted indicia includes (1) inserting the hand through a first opening in the forearm sleeve, that is a fabric dimensioned to cover the forearm, the first opening dimensioned to envelop the forearm near the elbow, and the fabric is a material having substantially 80% polyester and 20% spandex to provide resistance to ink fade of indicia patterns, (2) extending the hand through the body of the forearm sleeve and through a second opening, that is dimensioned to envelop the wrist, so that the forearm sleeve fits snugly to the forearm, (3) adjusting the position of the forearm sleeve to fit between the wrist and elbow, and (4) moving the arm(s) in an extended motion indicative of and consistent with the imprinted indicia on the forearm sleeve. 
         [0014]    The arm movement includes a waving motion, a chopping motion, and extending the arms to emphasize the imprinted indicia. 
         [0015]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The above-mentioned features will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description read together with the drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fan wearing the forearm sleeve; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an arm illustrating use of the forearm sleeve of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the forearm sleeve; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a view from the small end of the forearm sleeve; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the forearm sleeve; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a view from the large end of the forearm sleeve; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an unassembled view of the forearm sleeve; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a pair of forearm sleeves that include imprinted indicia. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    A sleeve that is worn on the forearm of a person is disclosed. The sleeve provides a decorative or fashion statement and also covers the forearm of a person. The forearm sleeve is suitable for being worn at sports and entertainment events such as soccer, football, concerts, automobile racing, and the like. 
         [0026]    Many types of sports apparel provide for expression by sports fans in celebration of and/or support for their favorite team. Similarly, fans of entertainers, such as bands and other performers, participate in many forms of expression to show their enthusiasm for their favorite act. One form of expression includes waving one&#39;s arms in support or celebration. Often fans grip items such as foam fingers, foam tomahawks, towels, lighters, and many other items to wave during the excitement that often occurs somewhat spontaneously. 
         [0027]    The present invention provides a forearm sleeve for participating in fan celebrations without the problems that occur because the fan happens to be holding another item at the moment that the cause for celebration occurs. For example, it is desirable for a fan to be able to lift or wave their arms in celebration without concerns for spilling their drink on themselves or on adjacent fans. With the present invention, the fan is wearing their support item on their arm. The forearm sleeve is worn on the arm and fits snugly around the forearm between the elbows and the wrists. 
         [0028]    The forearm sleeve includes indicia imprinted on one or both sides of the sleeve so that the team logo or other team support item of choice is always present on the fan&#39;s arm. When cause for celebration occurs, the fan may simply lift or wave their arm in celebration while continuing to grip whatever item they happen to be holding. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fan wearing the forearm sleeve  100 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an arm illustrating use of the forearm sleeve  100  and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the forearm sleeve  100  without an arm present. The forearm sleeve  100  includes a body  110  with a first end  112  and a second end  114 . The first end  112  includes a first opening  312  dimensioned to envelop or enclose the forearm proximate the elbow of the person wearing the forearm sleeve  100 . Similarly, the second end  114  includes a second opening  314  dimensioned to envelop or enclose the wrist area distal to the elbow and near to the hand of the person wearing the forearm sleeve  100 . 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the forearm sleeve  100  includes imprinted indicia  116  on at least a portion of the body  110 . The imprinted indicia  116  includes ink that is applied to the body  110  in varying colors, shapes, and styles. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the body  110  includes imprinted indicia  116  with the phrase “Go Team.” The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes imprinted indicia  116  with the phrase “State” on the body  110 . It will be readily appreciated that the imprinted indicia  116  can take many forms to suit the particular fans, teams, and or personalities involved. For example, in various embodiments the imprinted indicia  116  may include team nicknames (Dawgs, Vols, Gators), team slogans (Sic &#39;em Dawgs, Go Vols, Roll Tide), team logos or artifacts (tomahawk, cowbell, team emblem), or any other paraphernalia commonly associated with the team. Similarly, the imprinted indicia  116  may include a race car number such as in automobile racing, a player number, a performer&#39;s name or other identifying mark, or even advertising slogans and trademarks. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the forearm sleeve  100  includes a body  110  designed to enclose the forearm from the wrist to below the elbow. In one embodiment, the body  110  is a one piece fabric material having substantially 80% polyester and 20% spandex. Spandex is a synthetic fiber (polyurethane-polyurea copolymer) having exceptional elasticity and is also known by the names elastane and lycra, among others. The polyester spandex combination for the material provides an essentially form fitting article of clothing that fits snugly and securely to the forearm of the wearer. The snugness of the polyester spandex combination also eliminates the need for elastic or specialty fastening devices at either end of the forearm sleeve  100  while providing for an article that maintains its position and does not slide around on the arm. 
         [0032]    One desirable characteristic of the forearm sleeve  100  is the capability to include imprinted indicia  116  such as for sports teams, for example, so that the wearer can readily extend and/or wave their arms in celebration or excitement. The combination of polyester and spandex provides a fabric that reduces or eliminates the likelihood of ink imprinted on the body  110  fading over time. In such an embodiment, the imprinted indicia  116  maintains its color and vibrancy so that the forearm sleeve provides reliable use at sports or entertainment events well beyond the life of typical sporting attire. 
         [0033]    The forearm sleeve  100  is placed on the arm of the wearer by simply inserting the arm, hand first, through the first opening  312  of the forearm sleeve  100 . The arm is then extended through the body  110  of the forearm sleeve  100  until the hand protrudes through the second opening  314 . Adjustments are made to the fit by simply pulling from either end of the forearm sleeve  100  until the body  110  fits snugly and securely from the wrist to near the elbow. Adjustments are made to the location of the imprinted indicia  116  by simply turning the body  110  while pulling from either end to keep or maintain the general location of the forearm sleeve  100 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a view from the small end or the second end  114  of the forearm sleeve  100 .  FIG. 5  is a side view of the forearm sleeve  100 .  FIG. 6  is a view from the large end or the first end  112  of the forearm sleeve  100 . The body  110  of the forearm sleeve  100  includes a first hem  512  proximal to the first end  112  of the forearm sleeve  100 , that is near the elbow of the wearer. 
         [0035]    Similarly, the body  110  includes a second hem  514  distal to the first end  112 , that is near the second end  114  and thus near the wrist of the wearer. Additionally, the forearm sleeve  100  is a one piece fabric and is sewn together along the seam  610 . The seam  610  extends from the first end  112  to the second end  114  of the body  114 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an unassembled view of the forearm sleeve  100 . The first end  112  and the second end  114  form the fold lines for each end of the forearm sleeve  100 . The first material end  712  of the body  110  is folded over the first end  112  (first end fold line) toward the first hem  512  line. This fold makes the first end fold line  112  become the first end  112 . Similarly, the second material end  714  of the body  110  is folded over the second end  112  (second end fold line). This fold makes the second end fold line  114  become the second end  114 . The first and second hems  512 ,  514  are made via sewing near the first material end  712  and the second material end  714  to secure the first end  112  and the second end  114  of the forearm sleeve  100 . 
         [0037]    Fold line  730  and the edges of the body  110  (seam lines  610   a,    610   b ) are shown for illustrative purposes to indicate how the body  110  is assembled into the forearm sleeve  100 . The edges  610   a,    610   b  (seam line  610 ) extending between the first material end  712  and the second material end  714  are joined together to form the seam line  610 . 
         [0038]    The illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  also illustrates two exemplary indicia regions  720   a,    720   b.  These are typical regions where imprinted indicia  116  are applied to the body  110  of the forearm sleeve  100 . Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that imprinted indicia  116  may be placed at virtually any location of the body  110  of the forearm sleeve  100 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a pair of forearm sleeves  100  that include imprinted indicia  116 . The forearm sleeves  100  are used in pairs and can also be used singly. The illustrated embodiment shows both sides of the pair of forearm sleeves  100 . That is, one side of the forearm sleeves  100  shown in  FIG. 8  shows imprinted indicia  116  that indicates “Go Team” while the opposite side of the same forearm sleeve  100  shows imprinted indicia  116  that indicates “State”. Of course, the actual imprinted indicia  116  will vary as great as the numbers of sports teams, entertainers, and the like. 
         [0040]    From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a forearm sleeve  100  has been disclosed. The forearm sleeve  100  provides for covering the forearm of a person while also providing a decorative or fashion statement. The forearm sleeve  100  is suitable for being worn at sports and entertainment events such as soccer, football, concerts, automobile racing, and the like. 
         [0041]    While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.