Patent Publication Number: US-2011047669-A1

Title: Athletic apparel

Description:
PRIORITY 
     The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/238,736, filed Sep. 1, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Various articles of clothing, such as sports jerseys or other athletic apparel, are available having athlete&#39;s names, corresponding numbers, team logos, and other indicia printed thereon. If a customer purchases a football jersey relating to a particular player, for example, and the player retires or is traded, the customer may then desire to purchase a second jersey of a different player or the same player on a different team, for example. Long standing sports fans, through their lifetimes, may purchase several athletic jerseys over time to show their support for a player and/or a team. 
     The problem with such a process is that it is not only expensive, but also can cause clutter in a closet, for example. It would be desired to have a solution that would allow a customer to customize sports jerseys or other athletic apparel over time, so that as players change, team support changes, etc., the jerseys or apparel can be easily modified/updated. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The disclosure of the present application provides various athletic apparel systems, providing a customer/user of such systems virtually unlimited flexibility with respect to athletic jersey player and/or team affiliations. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first securing portion, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of the jersey. In various embodiments, the jersey comprises a sports jersey selected from the group consisting of a football jersey, a baseball jersey, a basketball jersey, a soccer jersey, a hockey jersey, and a rugby jersey. In another embodiment, the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped consistent with an indicia selected from the group consisting of a single number, multiple numbers, a single letter, multiple letters, and a logo. In yet another embodiment, the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding magnet to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch. In an additional embodiment, the corresponding magnet is either positioned within the jersey or coupled to the jersey. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding metal plate to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch. In an additional embodiment, the jersey further comprises a pouch coupled thereto, said pouch sized and shaped to receive the corresponding metal plate. In yet an additional embodiment, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a metal plate, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding magnet to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the first securing portion comprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the at least one removable patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so that the first fabric hook and loop fastener engages the second fabric hook and loop fastener, the at least one removable patch is removably coupled to the jersey. In another embodiment, the first securing portion comprises a transparent pocket, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within the transparent pocket. In yet another embodiment, the first securing portion comprises a first groove, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said groove. In an additional embodiment, the first securing portion comprises a metal thread, and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet. In various embodiments, the first securing portion comprises a panel, and wherein the panel has a configuration selected from the group consisting of one or more of a first fabric hook and loop fastener, a transparent pocket, a translucent pocket, a groove, a magnet, a metal plate, and a metal thread. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the at least one patch has a first indicia thereon. In various embodiments, the first indicia is selected from the group consisting of a team name, a team logo, a player name, a player number, a sponsor name, and a sponsor logo. In another embodiment, the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a player number indicia. In yet another embodiment, the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, wherein the first securing portion is located at a first side of the jersey, and wherein the second securing portion is located at a second side of the jersey. In an additional embodiment, the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a player number indicia, wherein the first securing portion and the second securing portion each comprise a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the first patch and the second patch each comprise a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the first patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so that the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the first patch engages the first fabric hook and loop fastener of the first securing portion and when the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the second patch is positioned upon the second securing portion so that the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the second patch engages the first fabric hook and loop fastener of the second securing portion, the first patch and the second patch are removably coupled to the jersey. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a sports jersey comprising a first securing portion and a second securing portion, a first removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of the jersey, the first removable patch having a number indicia thereon, and a second removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the second securing portion of the jersey, the second removable patch having a name indicia thereon, wherein the first removable patch and the second removable patch each comprise patch magnets, wherein said patch magnets are attracted to a metal plate or a jersey magnet positioned within or affixed to the jersey, whereby engagement of the first removable patch and the second removable patch to the jersey at or near the metal plate or the jersey magnet causes the first removable patch and the second removable patch to be removably coupled to the jersey. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels each comprising a first securing portion, each of the first and second panels configured to allow a patch to be removably coupled thereto, and a first removable patch and a second removable patch, the first removable patch sized and shaped to correspond with the first panel and the second removable patch sized and shaped to correspond to the second panel, the first removable patch and the second removable patch each comprising a magnet corresponding to a device positioned within or upon the jersey and capable of magnetically attracting to the magnet, the device selected from the group consisting of a metal plate and a jersey magnet. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising at least one panel comprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the at least one panel. In various embodiments, the at least one panel comprises one panel, and wherein the at least one patch comprises a patch with a first indicia. In another embodiment, the at least one panel comprises a first panel and a second panel, and wherein the at least one patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a player number indicia. In yet another embodiment, the at least one panel comprises a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel is located at a first side of the jersey, and wherein the second panel is located at a second side of the jersey. In an additional embodiment, the at least one panel comprises one panel and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises two removable patches. In yet an additional embodiment, wherein only one of the two removable patches may be removably coupled to the one panel. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the first securing portion of the at least one panel comprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the at least one removable patch is positioned about the at least one panel so that the first fabric hook and loop fastener engages the second fabric hook and loop fastener, the at least one removable patch is removably coupled to the at least one panel. 
     In another embodiment, the first securing portion of the at least one panel comprises a transparent pocket, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said transparent pocket. In yet another embodiment, the first securing portion of the at least one panel comprises a first groove, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said groove. In an additional embodiment, the at least one patch is sized and shaped consistent within any number of indicia, such as single numbers, multiple numbers, single letters, and/or multiple letters, including words. In various embodiments, the at least one patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the at least one patch may be removably coupled to the jersey by way of a corresponding magnet. In another embodiment, the corresponding magnet is either positioned within the jersey or coupled to the jersey. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels each comprising a first securing portion, the first and second panels configured to each allow a patch to be removably coupled thereto, and a first removable patch and a second removable patch, the first removable patch sized and shaped to correspond with the first panel and the second removable patch sized and shaped to correspond to the second panel. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the jersey. 
     In at least one embodiment of a jersey of the present disclosure, the jersey comprises at least one panel comprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto. 
     In at least one embodiment of a jersey of the present disclosure, the jersey comprises a first securing portion configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel kit of the present disclosure, the kit comprises a jersey comprising at least one panel comprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the at least one panel. 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel kit of the present disclosure, the kit comprises a jersey comprising a first securing portion configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the first securing portion. 
     In at least one embodiment of a removable patch of the present disclosure, the patch is configured to be removably coupled to at least one jersey. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary athletic apparel system, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  show embodiments of an athletic apparel system comprising various securing portions, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary athletic apparel system comprising a groove positioned thereon, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary athletic apparel system with two patches removably affixed to the front of a jersey, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a front of a jersey with three panels positioned thereon according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows an exemplary embodiment of a front of a jersey with three patches removably affixed thereto, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows an additional exemplary athletic apparel system according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  show exemplary embodiments of a patch according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8C  shows an exemplary embodiment of a corresponding magnet according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8D  shows an exemplary embodiment of a patch comprising one or more magnets coupled thereto, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8E and 8F  show exemplary embodiments of corresponding magnets, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8G and 8H  show exemplary embodiments of a patch according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8I  shows an exemplary embodiment of a patch comprising one or more metal plates coupled thereto, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8J ,  8 K, and  8 L show an exemplary embodiments of corresponding metal plates according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8M  shows an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure whereby pockets are affixed to the inside of a jersey to receive corresponding magnets or corresponding metal plates; 
         FIG. 9  shows an exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show an exemplary embodiments of portions of a system of the present disclosure using metal thread. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended. 
     An exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure is shown  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the exemplary athletic apparel system  100  comprises a jersey  102  and at least one panel  104  affixed thereto. Panel  104 , in an exemplary embodiment, is sized and shaped to receive at least one patch  106  as shown in  FIG. 1 , whereby the at least one panel  104  configured to allow at least one patch  106  to be removably coupled thereto. In addition, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , patch  106  may comprise a first indicia  108 . In the exemplary embodiment of athletic apparel system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , jersey  102  comprises two panels  104  and two patches  106  for removable coupling thereto. 
     Additional embodiments of an exemplary athletic apparel system  100  of the present disclosure are shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . As shown in  FIG. 2A , athletic apparel system  100  comprises jersey  102 , panels  104 , and a first securing portion  200  at or near the site of panel  104 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , the first securing portion  200  comprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener  202  (such as Velcro®), and patch  106  comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener  204  corresponding to the first fabric hook and loop fastener  202  of jersey  102 . The second fabric hook and loop fastener  204 , as shown in  FIG. 2B , may be referenced to generally herein as a second securing portion  205 . Joining the first fabric hook and loop fastener  202  to the second fabric hook and loop fastener  204  allows a user to removably affix patch  106  to panel  104  of jersey  102 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows an additional embodiment of athletic apparel system  100  of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 2B , a first securing portion  200  of panel  104  comprises a pocket  206 . Pocket  206 , and at least one embodiment, comprises a transparent or translucent pocket  206 . In such an embodiment, patch  106  made be sized and shaped to fit within pocket  206  so that patch  106  may be removably coupled to jersey  102  by way of pocket  206  so that indicia  108  present upon patch  106  remains visible. 
     An additional embodiment of an athletic apparel system  100  of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , jersey  102  comprises a first groove  300  as an exemplary first securing portion  200 . In such an embodiment, patch  106  may be sized and shaped to fit within groove  300  so that patch  106 , and any indicia  108  imprinted thereon, may be visible upon jersey  102 . Various additional securing portions  200  are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, jersey  102  may comprise snaps, buttons, magnets, strings (for tying), and/or any number of other securing mechanisms known in the art. In at least one embodiment of a system  100  of the present disclosure, system  100  may comprise a pocket  206  and groove  300 . 
     An exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system  100  with patches  106  affixed thereto is shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , athletic apparel system  100  comprises jersey  102  and two patches  106  affixed thereto. In such an embodiment, indicia  108  upon patches  106  comprise a player name and a player number. Indicia  108  may include, but are not limited to, various indicia  108  such as a team name, a team logo, a player name, a player number, a sponsor name, a sponsor logo, and/or any other indicia  108  desired by a user of athletic apparel system  100 , and may be provided upon patches  106  in various orientations. In addition, jersey  102 , as shown within the various figures of the disclosure of the present application, may comprise any number of jerseys  102 , including sports jerseys. Sports jerseys  102  may be selected from any number of sports, including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, rugby, or any other jersey  102  useful within the present disclosure. 
     Patches  106 , and their corresponding panels  104 , may be positioned at any location about jersey  102 . For example, and as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , patches  106  may be affixed upon panels  104  on the back of jersey  102 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , for example, patches  106  may be removably coupled to panels  104  on the front of jersey  102  and/or the sleeves  500  of jersey  102 . For example, and as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , an exemplary athletic apparel system  100  of the present disclosure may comprise panels  104  and corresponding patches  106  on the back of jersey  102 , wherein a first patch  106  comprises a player name indicia  108 , and wherein a second patch  106  comprises a player number indicia  108 . The front of such an exemplary jersey  102  may comprise a panel  104  with a patch  106  removably affixed thereto, wherein patch  106  comprises a player number indicia  108 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , additional patches  106 , with for example player number indicia  108 , may be positioned on sleeves  500  of jersey  102 . Removal of said patches  106  from the front of jersey  102  would result in jersey  102  without patches  106  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In an additional embodiment of an athletic apparel system  100  of the present disclosure, jersey  102  may comprise one panel  104  and two patches  106 , wherein panel  104  is sized and shaped to receive both patches  106 . 
     The disclosure of the present application, including the various athletic apparel systems  100  referenced herein, may be viewed or referred to as an “interchangeable jersey,” whereby any number of patches  106  may be positioned upon panels  104 , or, in the alternative, positioned upon jersey  102  directly as shown in the exemplary athletic apparel system  100  shown in  FIG. 7 . In such an embodiment, for example and as described in further detail herein, various second securing portions  205  may be positioned directly to jersey  102  without the use of a panel  104 , such as a second fabric hook and loop fastener  204 , pocket  206 , groove  300 , and/or other mechanisms described herein. 
     Additional embodiments of patches  106  of the present disclosure are shown in  FIGS. 8A-8D . As shown in  FIG. 8A , patch  106  may be sized and shaped consistent with, for example, any number of indicia  108  as referenced herein including, but not limited to, single numbers, multiple numbers, single letters, and/or multiple letters, including words. 
       FIG. 8A  shows the front of an exemplary patch  106  of the present application sized and shaped as a number. Such a patch  106  may comprise fabric, a magnet, a fabric covered magnet, a patch with a magnet affixed thereto, a metal plate, and/or any number of other securing mechanisms (generally referred to as a second securing portion  205 ) as referenced herein.  FIG. 8B  shows an exemplary embodiment of the back of a patch  106  of the present disclosure, wherein patch  106  comprises a second securing portion  205  comprising a magnet  800  (also referred to herein as a “patch magnet”). The exemplary patches  106  shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  may correspond to a corresponding magnet  802  (also referred to herein as a “jersey magnet”) as shown in  FIG. 8C , whereby a patch  106  may be positioned on the outside of a jersey  102  and removably secured to jersey  102  by way of corresponding magnet  802  positioned on the inside of jersey  102  or coupled directly to jersey  102 . 
     An additional embodiment of a patch  106  of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 8D . As shown in  FIG. 8D , patch  106  may comprise one or more second securing portions  205  that are smaller than patch  106  itself. Such a patch  106  and/or other patches  106  of the present disclosure comprising a magnet  800  may be removably secured to a jersey  102 , as referenced above, by way of a corresponding magnet  802 , which may be sized and shaped to correspond to patch  106  (as shown in  FIG. 8C ) or sized and shaped differently than patch  106  (as shown in  FIG. 8E ). Corresponding magnet  802  may, in at least one embodiment, be at least partially covered by a cover  804  as shown in  FIG. 8F , which may comprise, for example, fabric. In at least one embodiment, corresponding magnet  802  is coupled directly to jersey  102 . In at least another embodiment, magnet  800  and/or corresponding magnet  802  comprise ferromagnets and/or rare earth magnets. 
       FIG. 8G  shows an additional embodiment of the front of an exemplary patch  106  of the present application sized and shaped as a number, with  FIG. 8H  showing the back of said patch  106 , wherein patch  106  comprises a second securing portion  205  comprising a metal plate  806 . The exemplary patches  106  shown in  FIGS. 8G and 8H  may correspond to a corresponding magnet  802  as shown in  FIG. 8C , whereby a patch  106  may be positioned on the outside of a jersey  102  and removably secured to jersey  102  by way of corresponding magnet  802  positioned on the inside of jersey  102  or coupled directly to jersey  102 . 
     An additional embodiment of a patch  106  of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 8I . As shown in  FIG. 8I , patch  106  may comprise one or more second securing portions  205  that are smaller than patch  106  itself. Such a patch  106  and/or other patches  106  of the present disclosure comprising a metal plate  806  may be removably secured to a jersey  102 , as referenced above, by way of a corresponding magnet  802 , which may be sized and shaped to correspond to patch  106  (as shown in  FIG. 8C ) or sized and shaped differently than patch  106  (as shown in  FIGS. 8E and 8F . 
     Exemplary patches  106  having a magnet  800 , such as shown in  FIG. 8B , may be removably affixed to an exemplary jersey  102  by way of magnetism to a corresponding plate. As shown in  FIG. 8J , corresponding metal plate  808  may be sized and shaped similar to a corresponding patch  106 , or as shown in  FIGS. 8K and 8L , corresponding metal plate may be sized and shaped differently than patch  106 . Corresponding metal plate  808  may, in at least one embodiment, be at least partially covered by a cover  804  as shown in  FIG. 8L , which may comprise, for example, fabric. In at least one embodiment, corresponding metal plate  808  is coupled directly to jersey  102  or positioned on the inside of jersey  102 . 
     In addition to the foregoing, and in at least one embodiment, corresponding magnet  802  or corresponding metal plate  808  may be either positioned within a pouch on jersey  102 , sewn into jersey  102 , or otherwise removably or securedly affixed to jersey  102 . As shown in  FIG. 8M , for example, jersey  102  comprises one or more pouches  810  sized and shaped to receive corresponding magnet(s)  802  and/or corresponding metal plate(s)  808 . Pouch  810 , in at least one embodiment, is positioned on the inside of jersey  102 , but in various embodiments of systems  100  of the present disclosure, pouch  810  may be positioned on the outside of jersey  102 , similar to pocket  206 . In at least one embodiment, pouch  810  and pocket  206  refer to the same pocket/pouch. 
     An additional exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system  100  is shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , athletic apparel system  100  comprises jersey  102  and an exemplary embodiment of a patch  106  as shown in, for example,  FIG. 8A . Patch  106 , in such an embodiment, is removably coupled to jersey  102  by way of a corresponding magnet  802  positioned within jersey  102  or coupled to jersey  102 . As referenced above, any number of patches  106  sized and shaped as numbers, letters, and/or logos, for example, may be positioned about jersey  102  at any number of locations about jersey  102 , including the front, back, and/or sleeves of jersey  102 , of which the front or back of jerseys  102  may be referred to herein as the corresponding “sides” of jerseys  102 . 
     In at least one additional embodiment, such as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , portions of an exemplary system  100  may utilize a metallic thread  1000  in/on jersey  102  and/or patch  106 . In an exemplary embodiment whereby metallic thread  1000  is used in/on jersey  102 , patch  106  would comprise a magnet  800 , and in an exemplary embodiment whereby metallic thread  1000  is used in/on patch  106 , jersey  102  would have a corresponding magnet  802  positioned therein or coupled thereto. 
     Such athletic apparel systems  100  may be, for example, provided or sold as kits. Such a kit may, for example, comprise jersey  102  and one or more patches  106 . Conversely, jersey  102 , suitable for removably receiving one or more patches  106 , may be provided or sold separately from patches  106 . For example, a customer may purchase jersey  102  without patches  106 , and may purchase patches  106  corresponding to, for example, various athletes and/or teams of interest to that particular customer. Patches  106  positioned upon panels  104  (and/or upon jersey  102  directly) may be geared toward multiple players and/or teams to, for example, represent a player or team “rivalry,” whether professional, collegiate, high school, or any other type of sport. 
     Advantages to various athletic apparel systems  100  of the present disclosure may include the following. A customer/“fan” can purchase, for example, one jersey  102 , and not be limited to a particular player&#39;s name, number, team, etc., as patches  106  of the present disclosure are interchangeable and not permanently affixed to panels  104  and/or jersey  102 . If a player retires or is traded, for example, a customer can switch out patches  106  for another player if desired. Said patches  106  may also be personalized to a particular customer by, for example, including indicia  108  of the customer&#39;s name or nickname about patch(es)  106 . This not only provides a customer with virtually unlimited flexibility, but also may save the customer money by not needing to purchase multiple player jerseys. Such flexibility may include, for example, the ability to “make” a jersey  102  with player patches  106  and indicia  108  otherwise unavailable in the marketplace (for example, lesser known athletes and/or retired athletes to make “throwback” jerseys). 
     In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system  100  of the present disclosure, jersey  102  and patches  106  comprise the same or similar material, and may comprise the same or similar color(s). For example, jersey  102  may be a navy blue football jersey comprising a mesh fabric typically used with football jerseys, and patch  106  may comprise a navy blue patch with white indicia  108  of the same or similar fabric. In addition, jerseys  102  of the present disclosure may also comprise any number of other features commonly used with jerseys, including, but not limited to, buttons and tags. 
     As referenced in detail herein, the disclosure of the present application includes various systems  100  comprising an interchangeable jersey  102 , whereby names and numbers can be removably affixed thereto. The terms “removably affixed” and “interchangeable” refer to systems  100  whereby a user can easily change patches  106  without the need to sew the patches to the jersey all around and without the need for special fabric adhesives that allow patches to be affixed to clothing using an iron to melt the adhesive, as the requirement to sew around a perimeter of a patch, or the residue or potential ruining of clothing when attempting to remove an adhered patch, would not be within the scope of “easily” changing a patch  106 . As disclosed herein, magnets  800  and corresponding magnets  802  may be used alone and/or with metal plates  806  and/or corresponding metal plates  808  so that patches  106  affix to jerseys  102  via magnetism. Various names affixed to a magnetic name plate and various magnetized numbers will be able to be removed from the garment and be replaced with other names and/or numbers. One method of securing the removable names and numbers will be using magnets embedded in or affixed to a name plate or number, which attracts to a magnet or other ferromagnetic material in a pocket on the back of the number and the name plate, for example. The magnets may be aligned with other magnetic or ferromagnetic material under the jersey and the magnets can be easily removed as they are interchangeable. Such a concept will allow sports fans at any level to purchase multiple names and numbers for a team without having to buy a new jersey, including any sport where a jersey is worn, such as collegiate and professional sports. 
     While various embodiments of athletic apparel systems have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered by way of non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments, the disclosure may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. Other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.