Abstract:
A system for creating a lighted apparel design includes a light element and a securing member for securing the light element to the apparel item. The securing member is an adhesive. The securing member secures the light element to an associated apparel item at a desired location on the apparel item to create a lighted design on the apparel item.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/855,356, filed Aug. 12, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to illuminated apparel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and system for creating self-designed illuminated apparel. 
     Costuming and the like is a wide-spread activity. Whether it is for Halloween, parties, celebrations, sporting events, dance recitals, theatrical events or the like, costumes have become a part of everyday life. 
     Often, the most attractive and “best” costumes are those that are created by individuals. Such self-made costumes are often the most creative, most bold and aesthetically pleasing costumes at a gathering. 
     One way in which to make a costume or an individual stand out is to use illumination to show off the costume or parts of the costume or an individual in a darkened area. This can be done in a number of way. Blinking LED buttons or the like can be attached to the costume. While these LEDs have wonderful effects, they are small and limited in their light output and the effects that they provide. 
     Elongated light elements, such as chemiluminescent light sticks or lights of all types attached in an elongated manner such as strings of lights, strands, or electro-luminescent wire can also provide stimulating effects. However, to date, the only way in which to affix the light elements is to sew the elements directly to the costume. Although the effects are outstanding, the only way in which to change or modify the costume is to cut the stitching and re-sew or re-stitch the light element to the costume. This is both time consuming and can be destructive to the costume. Moreover, on certain apparel items such as hats, caps, belts or the like, it may be difficult or just not feasible to attach the elements by sewing or stitching. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a device that permits mounting light elements to apparel items. Desirably, such a device is readily applied to the apparel item without sewing, stitching or the like. More desirably still, such a device is removable and re-applicable to redesign or remake the lighting effects on the apparel item. Still more desirably, such a device permits quickly and efficiently accomplishing such removal and application or reapplication of , the light elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system for creating a lighted apparel design includes a light element and a securing member. The securing member has a base and a capture portion. The capture portion is located, at least in part, attached to the base and is preferably configured to releasably secure the light element therein. The securing member is secured to the apparel item to create a lighted design, symbol or the like on the apparel item. 
     The capture portion is on a front surface of the base and the securing member includes a releasable securing element on a rear surface thereof. Alternately, the capture portion is on a side surface of the securing member. The releasable securing element can be an adhesive, a pin, such as a pin having a closure to enclose an end of the pin, or a magnet and a magnetic element for magnetically attracting the magnet, a snap, a hook and loop-type mechanical fastening system, or the like. 
     Alternately, the securing member can be a glue or adhesive, such as a liquid or spray adhesive or a tape, such as a single sided tape or double sided tape. 
     A lighted apparel item is also disclosed. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a costume, on a user, having multiple light elements mounted thereto; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one securing device for securing the light elements to an apparel item; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of an embodiment of a securing device that includes an adhesive securing element; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a securing device that includes a pin securing element; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of still another embodiment of a securing device that includes a magnetic securing element; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of still another embodiment of a securing device that includes a capture portion mounted to the side of the base and further includes a mechanical snap securing element; 
         FIG. 7  is another illustration, on a user, having multiple, shorter light elements mounted to the user&#39;s apparel; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of light elements on an apparel item using and an alternate mounting embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the light elements mounted to the apparel item using an adhesive or glue; and 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate the light elements mounted to the apparel item using a tape. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein. 
     Referring to the figures and in particular,  FIG. 1 , there is shown a device and system  10  for illuminated apparel. The system  10  includes one or more light elements  12  and one or more securing devices or members  14  for securing the light elements  12  to an apparel item  16 . The light elements  14  can include, for example, chemiluminescent light sticks or ropes, elongated light emitting diode (LED) strings or elements, strings of lights, strands, electro-luminescent wire and the like. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the wide variety of light elements  12  that can be used to decorate or embellish the apparel item  16 . 
     The securing members  14  are configured to be removable and re-applicable to the apparel item  16 . The securing members  14  each include a base portion  18  and a capture portion  20 , by which the light element  12  is captured or secured. The securing element  14  illustrated in  FIG. 2  has a U-shaped capture portion  20  that is open to or separated from the base  18  at one end  22  (a free end), and is formed connected to or with, e.g., integral, the base  18  at an opposite end  24 . The capture portion  20  defines a capture region  21 . The illustrated securing member  14  is formed as a molded product from, for example, a plastic material, and as such the capture portion  20  is formed unitary with the base  18 . It will, however, be appreciated that the capture portion can be formed separate from the base and subsequently affixed or joined thereto, in a permanent or a temporary manner, for example, to permit applying or reapplying only the capture portion to a base. The light element  12  is described as releasably secured in the capture region  21 . By releasably secured, it is to be understood that the light element  12  can be readily inserted or fitted into the securing region  21  and removed from the securing region  21 . Accordingly, it will be understood that the securing members  14  can be applied to and removed from the apparel item  16  and the light elements  12  can be inserted into and removed from the securing region  21 . 
     It will also be appreciated that the capture portion  20  can be fully connected, e.g., at both ends, to the base  18 . A contemplated securing member  14  is made from a material that provides some resistance to pulling or loosening of the light element  12  once it is secured therein. That is, the securing element  14  is formed such that the light element  12  can be readily pulled or positioned between the capture portion  20  and the base  18  (as by urging the light element  12  under the free end  22  into the capture region  21 ), but will not inadvertently loosen or fall out of the securing member  14 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated capture portion  20  can be shaped in any manner, such as the illustrated rounded shape, a hook shape, a twisted, e.g., figure-8 shape or the like, such shapes being functionally adapted to secure a light element  12  therein. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the securing member  14  can be configured with a securing element  25 , such as an adhesive or like element  26 , on a rear surface  28  thereof, to secure the member  14  to the apparel item  16 . Preferably, such an adhesive  26  can be applied to the apparel item  16 , removed from the item  16  and reapplied, without the reapplication of adhesive. Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the securing member  14  securing element  25  can include a pin  30  or like mechanical element on the rear surface  28  which can be affixed to the apparel item  16 . A hinge-type pin  30  or the like, with a closure  32  to enclose the pin end  34  is contemplated. Alternately still, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the securing element  14  can include a magnet or a magnetic backing  36  and a suitable magnet  38  or backing can be provided to secure the member  14  to the apparel item  16 . Alternately still, as seen in  FIG. 6 , a mechanical snap element  40  with one portion  40   a  affixed to the securing member  114  and the other portion  40   b  affixed to the apparel item  16  can be used. Other contemplated securing elements  25  include hook and loop-type mechanical fasteners, such as VELCRO® brand fasteners and the like. Such securing elements  25  can be located anywhere on the member  14 ,  114  to permit the member  14 ,  114  to be secured to the apparel item  16 . 
     It will also be understood that the capture portion  120  can be positioned on a side  119  of the securing member base  118 , such as that illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In the illustrated alternate securing member  114 , the capture portion  120  can be configured as a tab-like element mounted to the side  119  of the base  118 , extending upward. The capture region  121  can be configured as a hole or opening in the tab  120  for securing a light element  12  therein. Such alternate configurations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     It will be appreciated that the above-described configurations provide a securing member  14 ,  114  that can be applied to an apparel item  16  to allow the user to use their creativity in creating a wide variety of different designs and aesthetics as desired. Advantageously, the securing members  14 ,  114  can be applied and reapplied to and reused with the same or a different item as desired. 
     The light elements  12  can be, as shown in  FIG. 1 , elongated light elements, such as. chemiluminescent sticks or ropes, or can be shorter sticks-like elements, as desired. It will be appreciated that although chemiluminescent elements, LED and other strings of lights, electro-luminescent wires and the like are shown or described, any number of different items having flexible or rigid characteristics, as desired, can be used with the present securing members  14 . 
       FIGS. 8-10B  illustrate an embodiment in which the light elements  12  (chemiluminescent elements, LED and other strings of lights, electro-luminescent wires and the like) are secured to an apparel item  16  using alternative securing means. As seen in  FIG. 9 , the securing means can be a glue, an adhesive spray or liquid  150 , or as seen in  FIGS. 10A , a tape  152 , such as a single-sided or double-sided tape. When a single sided tape is used, the tape can be affixed to the light element with for example, a glue or adhesive, and the other (adhesive) side of the tape can be provided with a covering, such as a release layer. The release layer can be removed and the light element applied to the apparel item. When a double-sided tape  152  is used, one side  154  of the tape can be affixed to the light element  12 , and the opposing side  156  of the tape  152  can be provided with a covering such as a release layer  158  that is removed for applying to the apparel item  16 . 
     All patents referred to herein, are incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure. 
     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
     From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred.