Abstract:
An arm cover with an integral banner is presented that may be provided to sports fans, political fans, etch, as a novelty item. The arm cover includes a tubular member sized and shaped to comfortably fit over a person&#39;s forearm, wrist, hand and base of the fingers of a wearer. A banner is attached either temporarily or permanently to the tubular member and it can constitute a national/team flag, pennant, a logo, or provide other promotional information. In one embodiment of the invention, the banner is folded and tucked into a pocket or slit formed in the tubular member in order to hide it when it is not in use. The wearer can display the banner by pulling it out of the pocket or slit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   a. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to articles of accessories in general, and more particularly to an arm cover with an integral banner, the cover including a banner with alphanumeric characters and/or images, colors, representing a flag, pennant, slogan, logo, etc., which associates to the forearm and/or wrist and/or hand and/or base of the finger(s) of a wearer. 
   b. Description of Prior Art 
   The present invention is concerned with an expressive arm cover with an attached displayable national or team flag, banner or pennant. The novelty sport or event accessory is designed for use by a spectator or participant of a sporting, social, political and other event in which the cheering, belonging to a group, rallying for a cause, celebrating of an event, expressing citizenship of a country, and other is signaled by releasing and waving of the flag and/or banner and/or pennant attached to the back or side section of the arm cover. 
   Sports enthusiasts and participants of different events have long sought novel and eye-catching ways of expressing loyalty to their team, country, social or political groups by bearing banners, pennants, wearing T-shirts and carrying hand held flags of various sizes attached to a plastic, metal or wooden stick like handle. The advent of formal licensing programs by sport teams at all levels of competition, both amateur and professional, along with the increased following of team sports by the general population and participating at different international events have resulted in a proliferation of flag, banner and pennant bearing products associated with sport teams, international sporting events like Olympics, political and other events. Organizations, including various profit and non-profit organizations use various types of novelty items bearing their name, logo, or a message for promotional purposes. These items can be sold or given away to fans and spectators at sporting events, at various events, such as parades, etc. 
   Hand held products that are sports or national team or other event oriented, most notably conventional team banners, pennants, flags or national flags, usually display the color or colors of the team, or national flag along with the coat of arms or logo and/or team name, slogan or other messages. They are popular items which are carried, cheered with and/or displayed by both spectators and participants of any event around the globe. 
   Participants of such events enthusiastically select and carry their hand held flag, banner or pennant holding it interchangeably in their left or right hand and therefore at all time occupying one hand. It is not uncommon to see a spectator/participant to put the flag under his/her underarm or hold it with his/her teeth in order to free his/her hand and be able to applaud the liking of a team action, event or to attend to a needy child, youngster or spectator. Loosing or misplacing of flags, banners or pennants is a normal occurrence at any public event and by such happening there is more contribution to environmental pollution as well. Further, holding of a flag handle, banner or pennant limits the participant&#39;s ability to hold a child&#39;s hand, beverage, purse, ticket or use his/her hand in case of securing his/her safety i.e. holding on to railing. The handle, which usually is a wooden, plastic or metal calls for exercising caution on the part of user not to touch, poke or hurt the person standing next to, in front of or behind him/her. It is not uncommon that in case of enthusiastic following and participating in cheering of the game or event the adult participant can accidentally poke himself/herself with the handle attached to the flag, banner or pennant. 
   However, most dangerous waving or carrying of flags, banners or pennants attached to a wooden, plastic or metal handle/stick occurs when children or young adults make use of such hand held device. There were and are thousands of medical emergencies because of unsafe use, carrying, waving of the hand held pennant displayed on a stick handle resulting in injuries some of them rather serious. 
   A number of handheld flags, banners or pennant devices still are and have been provided in the past for various purposes. For example: U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,197 entitled Retractable flag hand held unit, describes a hand held unit which retracts and extends a flag into a hand held housing. 
   The Korean patent application number: KR20020012038 entitled Frame flag describes a flag with an inserted steel wire which is embedded to form a frame on one plane, enables to use the flag for cheering at an event and to be held by one or two hands. 
   The Japanese patent number JP3059592 is entitled Hand Flag for Signal. The objective of this hand held flag invention is to distinctly discriminate red or yellow by the silicone compound paint film positioned on the outside surface of the flag body under illumination. 
   The German Patent number DE202006001365U Hand-held flag consists of a length of textile with a hand-loop formed of e.g. a rubber band or a hook and loop fastening strap; The invented hand held flag and especially “rubber band or hook” attached to the wearer&#39;s hand is undesirable because it occupies the wearer&#39;s hand and especially his/her fingers. Further, the flag with the rubber band or a hook and loop fastening strap attached around the knuckles and/or fingers of the user renders the hand(s) of the user temporarily incapacitated. The use of the Hand-held flag with rubber band or a hook and loop fastening strap may be uncomfortable due to the strength of the rubber band or hook i.e. effecting the blood circulation of the user&#39;s hand and fingers. Moreover, if the rubber band or hook is to loose the flag may slip off the wearer&#39;s hand. 
   Dutch patent application number NL1008190C entitled Advertisement Pennant Fixed to Arm of a Sportsman, discloses plastic film or flexible fabric with a legend which is printed or woven onto the free flag part. The sleeve fits over the wearer&#39;s normal clothes and is secured with drawstrings, elastic or burr fastening strips. 
   PCT publication WO2006126878(A1) entitled Portable Optical Signalling Device, relates to an electronic portable device particularly to an item of clothing, a flag or torch containing a signaling component that can be switched between an initial state or a second state determined by the sensors. 
   With respect to forms of expression utilized by fans at sporting and social events, concerts and the like, fans and spectators often adorn themselves in a variety of ways. Conventional adornments include clothing Items such as t-shirts and jackets which contain the name or flag, banner or pennant of their selected team, national team, event or the like. At any rate, all of these forms of expression are designed to signify the wearer&#39;s support for their chosen team, country, band, player, event or the like. 
   While conventional sports team, national team and various event oriented hand-held flag, banner and pennant has tremendous market appeal, there is a need for a fresh and novel approach to flag, banner and pennant display demonstrating sports team, national team or community event loyalty. There is an unmet need for a novel safe to use flag, banner and pennant display for participants of any sporting or social event. There is an unmet need for easy to use and wear Arm cover with integral banner, flag or pennant on a wearer&#39;s hand, wrist and forearm in order to respond to safety, comfort and the ever growing all popular market demand. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is designed to provide a sporting spectator or any event participant with a safe-to-use, comfortable to wear, proud to display Arm cover with an integral banner. More particularly, the present invention provides an arm cover formed of a tubular member sized and shaped to be worn and to comfortably fit on the forearm, with at least one or more integrally attached banner, forming flag and/or pennant which can be easily displayed or stored by the wearer whenever he/she is at an event and enjoying the action. In one embodiment of the invention, the tubular member is formed with a rear opening and a front opening. The front opening being sized and shaped to allow some or all of the fingers and/or palm of the wearer to pass through, at the same time comfortably fit the contours or the wearers arm, wrist, palm, some or all knuckles and the base of some or all fingers near the knuckles. Moreover, in one embodiment, the tubular member is formed with a longitudinal slit that may be open permanently, or can be selectively closed. The banner is preferably attached to the tubular member along the slit, and can be selectively inserted through the slit when not in use. In one embodiment, an inner fabric as lining may be provided behind the slit or under the entire back of the hand part of the arm cover in order to form a pocket for the banner, flag or pennant. 
   In this manner, the arm cover described below in greater detail provides an accessory which not only conforms to the latest trend but most importantly it is comfortable and safe to use while the wearer is enjoying the chosen event. The accessory is preferably made of suitable fabric(s), two or more different fabrics and its surfaces are or may be provided with images and/or alphanumeric characters incorporating the colors of any national flag including a seal or coat-of arms where applicable and country name; describe an event such as the Olympics, a sport team including its colors and logos; names/words and/or logos associated with a profit or non-profit organization, any political or social event, etc. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a plan view of an arm cover constructed in accordance with this invention and worn on the forearm; 
       FIG. 1B  shows two different sheets of fabric of two dissimilar content and weave that are attached together and can be shaped, folded or attached to make an arm cover with an affixed integral banner; 
       FIG. 1C  shows another variation of two different sheets of dissimilar content and weave that are attached together and can be shaped, folded or attached to make an arm cover with an affixed integral banner; 
       FIG. 1D  shows a somewhat diagrammatic end view of the sheets of  FIG. 1C  folded to make the arm cover with an integral banner; 
       FIGS. 2-11  show various embodiments of the arm cover. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As shown in  FIG. 1A , an arm cover  100  with an integral banner is formed of a tubular member  102  and a banner  104  attached to the member  102  along a longitudinal line opening  106 . The longitudinal slit  106  may be closed with zipper  114  or other means of closing. The member  102  is sized and shaped to fit over the forearm of a wearer and is formed with a rear opening  108  and a front opening  110  so that the forearm can be inserted there through. Preferably the member  102  is long enough to extend from the elbow to the knuckles and base of the fingers, wrist or palm thereby providing support for a large banner  104 . The front opening  110  is provided with extension  112  or other attachment means that fit around the thumb and/or fingers and/or palm of the wearer as discussed in more detail below. A Velcro® strap or 10 mm hem with suitable elastic or other tightening means  109  is used to comfortably tighten the opening  108  in the proximity just below the elbow of the wearer. 
   In one embodiment, the banner  104  is attached to the tubular member  102  along opening line  106 . This can be accomplished by making the tubular member  102  of one fabric or two or more cuts of different fabrics and the banner  104  of another continuous fabric or more different fabrics. The provision means of attaching the banner  104  along line  106  may come about by techniques such as sewing, or a continuous or interrupted strip of Velcro® attachment  116 , a zipper, different fastening devices i.e. snap fasteners, etc. The latter attachment means allow the banner  104  to be selectively removed from storage, cleaning, replacement, etc. Moreover, the arm cover can be provided as a kit with one or more tubular member  102  and one or more banners  104  that can be attached to each other in any number of combinations. The arm cover  100  is formed for the left or right hand or both hands in order to accommodate suitable thumb and finger openings. The manufactured left hand cover with a banner should be worn on a left hand and the manufactured right hand cover with a banner should be worn on a right hand. Moreover, the pair hand cover with a banner can be worn on one or both hands if selected by the user. 
   The slit  106  is long enough to allow a wearer to slip or tuck the banner  104  through the slit into the space between the tubular member  102  and the skin of the wearer which creates a cavity on the back of the wearer&#39;s arm. In another embodiment, a pliable fabric lining is attached to the member  102  behind the slit  106  to form a pocket for the banner  104 . Further, the pliable fabric lining may be attached underneath the entire back hand portion of the arm cover in order to create a pocket as large as the entire arm cover on the back of the wearer&#39;s hand and arm. In one embodiment, the slit  106  is left opened. In another embodiment, closing means are provided to close the slit  106 . The closing means may include 114 zippers, buttons, Velcro®, snaps, etc. Moreover, the closing means may be configured so that they also form the attachment means attaching the banner  104  to the tubular member  102 . The above description is described for the right hand of the potential wearer. 
     FIGS. 1B-1D  show some typical configurations for implementing the invention in a different cut and configuration. 
   In  FIG. 1B , a single sheet of fabric  120  is provided with two opposing lateral edges  122 ,  124 . The fabric is provided with two sets of attachment or closing means, such as snaps, buttons, etc. The first set  126  is disposed along edge  122 . The second set  128  is disposed along the opposing edge  124 . There is another set of attachment means  130  along the fabric&#39;s outside edge  124  i.e. Velcro® or snaps between the second set of attachments  128  interchangeably attached for the purpose of attaching the  134  the banner. The sheet can be folded or rolled over with the attachments of set  126  engaging the attachments of set  128 . In the proximity of the center and about 10 mm from the edge of the fabric  120  there is an opening  138  to receive the wearer&#39;s thumb. In this configuration, the sheet  120  forms the tubular member  102  and zone  134  of different fabric forms the banner  104 . The banner  134  has a set of attachment means i.e. Velcro® or snaps  132  along the edge of  136  interchangeably attached for the purpose of engaging attachment means  130  and thus attaching the banner  134  to the tubular member. The banner can be tucked through the opening into a space created between the tubular member  120  and the skin on the back of the wearers hand for storage. Further, the banner can be tucked through the opening formed between the first and last attachments of set  126  and  128 . The banner can be narrower 10-15 mm on both sides so that it is easier to tuck in. 
   In  FIG. 1C  and  FIG. 1D  a single sheet of fabric  140  is provided with two opposing lateral edges  143 , and  149 . The fabric is provided with four sets of attachment or closing means, such as snaps, buttons, etc. The first set  142  is disposed along edge  143 . The second set of closing means  144  is disposed on the fabric in the proximity of a longitudinal line between the index and middle finger on the back of the right hand of the potential wearer. The third set of closing means  146  is disposed on the fabric in the proximity of a longitudinal line between the little and ring finger on the back of the right hand of the potential wearer. The fourth set of closing means  148  is disposed along edge  149  and thus defining zones  152 ,  154  and  156 . By folding or rolling over the fabric, zones  152 ,  154  and  156  form the tubular member  102 . First, attachment set  144  engages the attachment set  148 . Second, the attachment set of  142  engage the attachment set  146  and thus forms the tubular member  102 . Zone  152  overlap zone  156  and therefore forms a pocket for storing the banner  150  when not in use. In the proximity of one third of the fabric from side  143  and about 10 mm from the edge of the fabric there is an opening  160  to receive the wearer&#39;s thumb.  FIG. 1C  displays another set or attachment means  164  along the outside face of the fabric  140  and about 5 mm from attachment set  146 . Attachment  164  may be i.e. a continuous or interrupted Velcro®, or snap buttons along the set of attachments  146  that may be interchangeably or continuously placed for the purpose of engaging attachment means  162  a continuous or interrupted Velcro® on fabric  150  and thus attaching  104  the banner, flag or pennant. Fabric  140  forms the tubular member  102  and fabric  150  forms the attached banner  104 . The banner can be formed and tucked into the created pocket as described above. 
   The arm cover shown in  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1C ,  FIG. 1D , can be worn on the right or left hand interchangeably. When the arm cover with banner is worn on the right arm, hand, the i.e. snap closing buttons of  FIG. 1B  are on the back portion of the arm, hand, along the extended longitudinal line approximately between the ring finger and the little finger. When the same arm cover with the banner is worn on the left hand the i.e. snap closing buttons of  FIG. 1B  are on the inside of the arm, palm approximately along the extended line between the ring finger and little finger. When the arm cover with banner  FIG. 1C  is worn on the right arm, the i.e. snap closing buttons of  FIG. 1C  are on the back portion of the arm and hand. Further, the created cavity for storing the banner is approximately on the extended longitudinal line between the index finger and the little finger. When the same arm cover with the banner is worn on the left hand the i.e. snap closing buttons of  FIG. 1C  are on the inside of the arm, palm of the hand, approximately along the extended line between the index finger and the little finger. Wearing the arm cover with the banner, with snap buttons and/or other means of attachment and the cavity created for the banner on the back of the hand and arm is preferred for comfort and safety reasons. 
   The various elements of article  100  can be made from different types of fabrics as well. The fabrics of the accessory could be knit, woven or unwoven materials. Many different combinations of fabrics, materials and colors may be selected. In some embodiments of the invention discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-11 , the tubular member  102  extends from the elbow to the base of the fingers and partially covers the palm, and/or the back of the wearer&#39;s hand. For these embodiments, the accessory is made of at least two or several pieces of fabric that are cut and then sewn, attached together with different attachment means taking into account safety and comfort of the potential wearer. 
   The banner  104  may be used to present a national flag, pennant, team&#39;s or organization&#39;s logo, etc. If a nation flag consists of two or three colors, then the here said accessory especially on the back of the hand is made using two or more fabrics of the respective colors. The two or more colored fabrics are sewn or joined together to form the accessory elements described above. If there are two colors chosen for the article than formed line  106  is just about in the middle of the back of the hand. However, it can be also formed along the extended longitudinal line between the ring finger and the little finger or any part on the back of the arm and hand suitable for cutting the fabric based on the contours of human hand and in line for a manufacturing desire. In a different configuration a slit may be provided for forming a pocket-like opening with a 3-5 mm wide fabric overlap to cover the slit. 
   Suitable fabric for the manufacturing of the arm cover may be any one or a combination of the following: Jersey fashion knit of 94% polyester and 6% spandex; Santa Barbara 100% polyester mixed fibers; Pacific Stretch 92% polyester and 8% spandex; Diana knit prints 90% polyester and 10% spandex; Danielle Knits 100% mixed fiber; or other similar fabrics available for the accessory may be pre-manufactured print with flags printed on those fabrics in order to accommodate the cutting of the fabric. The fabric of  102  for the tubular member is a combination of fibers and spandex to ensure that the fabric closely but comfortably fits the contours of the wearer&#39;s arm, hand, wrist and bases of the fingers. For the palm part of the accessory a composition of fabric mentioned above with a variety of colors is suitable. Preferably, having a mesh weaving to accommodate air flow in order to reduce sweating of the palm in warm weather is favored. 
   Preferably the banner is made of different fabric than the tubular member. For example, the banner may be of 100% light silk or any 100% light polyester fiber with little or no wrinkling suitable for dyeing or printing the national, sports team, event flag, coat of arms and words, alphanumeric characters on successfully. It is imperative that the chosen fabric is light and flies in the air with a small arm motion or light movement of air. Suitable fabrics are i.e. Cameo Prints 100% polyester; or 100% silk Georgette; 100% polyester Georgette, or 100% polyester or silk Charmeuse, or 100% polyester Chiffon are best for 104 banner, flag, pennant. Other suitable fabrics may be considered by the potential manufacturer. 
   The size of the banner, flag or pennant should be from about 90 mm wide to 300 mm wide and from about 110 mm long to 400 mm long for the large size to allow for proper accommodation of the proportions of the flag. However the length of the flag, banner and/or pennant should not exceed the length of the wearers elbow bone for safety reasons. On a stretched out arm above the wearers head the banner should touch only the wearer&#39;s hair not to obstruct the wearer&#39;s view and/or vision. The accessory can be manufactured in all children&#39;s, junior and adult sizes and the banner should be sized accordingly. 
     FIGS. 2-11  show various embodiments and configurations of the invention. 
     FIG. 2  shows an arm cover  1  with a tubular member  6 . The back hand portion of the tubular member  6  is made from two pieces of fabric  9 A and  9 B with a longitudinal cut and stitch  5 . Another longitudinal cut  4  is to accommodate the opening for a cavity/pocket and extends along the longitudinal line of the little finger of the wearer. The tubular member  6  shows a lower opening  8  at the elbow through which a lining of a pliable fabric  7  is shown. The pliable fabric may be a lining suitable for inside layer preferably cotton, polyester and spandex combination to form a pocket or cavity. This pocket is accessible through a slit formed by a longitudinal opening and closed by zipper  10  for storing or releasing the banner/flag  2 . The banner  2  is attached to the tubular member with snap buttons  3  or other means of attachment. Alternatively, the portion  9 B of the arm cover  1  starting from the palm, continuing to  9 A overlaying the back of the wearer&#39;s hand can be made of a mesh fabric to prevent warming or sweating of the palm in hot weather. 
     FIG. 3  shows an arm cover  11  similar to the one in  FIG. 2  with the banner/flag/pennant  9  tucked into the cavity, with zipper  10  closed and extending over back of the hand  12 . 
     FIG. 4  In the embodiment arm cover is shown having two pockets  13  and  18  each being selectively closed with an optional closing means such as a zipper  13  or Velcro®  17 . Each pocket holds a banner/flag/pennant  14 ,  15 , respectively. The shorter pocket  18  could be used for banner  15  with a country name, logo, coat of arms, word, slogan etc. The longer pocket  13  is for a national or team flag, pennant or banner  14 . A strap Velcro® or appropriate fastening means  16  may be used to comfortably fit the arm cover to the forearm of the wearer to prevent sliding. A small pocket  19  opening is provided for storing small items, such as a ticket stub, etc. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , an arm cover similar to the one in  FIG. 4  is shown with banners  14 ,  15  tucked into the respective pockets  13  and  18  along with a small pocket opening  19  provided for storing small items and a strap Velcro® or appropriate fastening means  16  may be used to comfortably fit the arm cover to the forearm of the wearer to prevent sliding. 
   In all of the embodiments, the length of the zipper, zip lock, slit or pocket may extend from the proximity of the knuckle of the base of the middle finger to the end of the accessory, near the elbow of the wearer. The pocket may be shorter, smaller depending on the length of the respective banner. The invention may have an adjustable Velcro fastener to fit most sizes at the elbow of the accessory. 
     FIG. 6  shows a palm, inside of the arm view of the embodiments of Figs. For the palm and the inside arm  20  portion of the arm cover a mesh like woven fabric is preferred. Furthermore, the palm/front portion of the arm cover may be provided with one or more images  21  including logos, seals, coats-of-arms, and the like. 
     FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of an arm cover  22  with only one pocket  23  without a zipper or other closing means. 
     FIG. 8  shows an arm cover  24  having a slanted or diagonal slit  25  rather then a longitudinal one as shown in previous embodiments. The slit is disposed adjacent to the hand portion  26  of the arm/hand with a banner  27  tucked in. 
     FIG. 9  shows an arm cover with several diagonal slits  28 ,  29  oriented in an opposite direction to the one in  FIG. 8 . Each slit leads to a respective pocket  30  for a banner and a pocket  31  for small items like a ticket or other items. Each pocket may be provided with a closing means such as a zipper and the like. 
   As previously discussed, preferably the arm covers with banner here described extend to but do not necessarily cover the fingers. Therefore, the arm covers are provided with various sized and shaped finger openings to allow one, two or more of the fingers to extend there through.  FIGS. 10A-10D  and  11 A- 11 D show arm covers  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39  with various combinations of cuts or openings for thus purpose. The cuts may be provided at the base of the fingers, such as at  40 A in  FIG. 11A  or may be curved as at  41 A in  FIG. 11C . 
   The invention can be made of one continuous knit with an opening for the banner, the thumb and a banner attached to it as described above. 
   Obviously numerous modifications may be made to this invention without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims.