Patent Publication Number: US-2011048071-A1

Title: #1 Sports fan wristband and display board

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Sports fans, from the local high school teams to the professional leagues, enjoy displaying their support through the wearing of various team clothing and accessories. The sale of these items is a multi-billion dollar business throughout the world. This patent application pertains to the production of a soft wristband that can be worn by a fan of any age or gender to support their team while making a personal fashion statement. Additionally, the collection of the wristbands in different team names and colors can function as soft placards in a display case that allows the user to move the team wristband with ease through the sport play-offs until one team wins the championship. The wristbands double as team displays for the Play-Off Board that can be purchased separately to track a particular team&#39;s progress through the play-off system. The Wristband&#39;s dual function as both a fashion accessory and a team placard is what makes this concept unique for sports fans. 
     The difference between this wristband and other types of accessory items it is constructed using a Ponte Knit, team jersey material, in the specific colors of each team, lined with wide elastic for comfort and support, and secured with Velcro® and a half-inch hook for stability. The eight inch bracelet is adjustable to fit any size wrist. (See Attached  FIGS. 1-2 ). Other sports wristbands are either made of rubberized plastic, or are made of absorbent materials for physical activity like SR Sport Striped Wristbands with antimicrobial coating, (Patent Pending), to serve as a sweat absorber for the wrists or forehead. These types of wristbands are made from an absorbent cotton stretch material, completely different than the Ponte Knit proposed in this patent. Other wristbands such at Wristband, U.S. Pat. No. 680,477, serve an orthopedic function, unlike the Jersey Wristbands proposed in this offering. 
     The following provides a description of the wristband and its construction. The wristband pattern will be sold to a manufacturer that already has the legal right to use sports team names and logos through contracts with the different organizations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The Sports Fan Wristband is an accessory item that has no other purpose other than to support the chosen team. The unique design and construction from sports jersey material allows the wearer the comfort of displaying team support by wearing a team colors in a decorative fashion. The double closure concept of Velcro® and a standard half-inch hook, which helps to ensure the bracelet is not lost. The Velcro® also provides a method to display the bracelet in the case as the team advances in its pursuit for championship status. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     #1 Sports Fan Bracelet 
       FIG. 1  provides a detail of the wristband. ( 1 ) illustrates the Ponte Jersey material, the same material used in team jerseys, used for authenticity. ( 2 ) illustrates the Velcro ® clasp at each end to serve the dual purpose of stability and a method to attach to the board. The first closure is a hook and eye is added in ( FIG. 2 ) secured a quarter inch from the edge of the wristband using Number 10 thread (standard). The second closure, looped Velcro® is a half inch wide, secured with the same thread. The last part of the closure, is the soft end of the Velcro® strip and is a half-inch in width and two inches long to allow of adjustability. The hook fits into the holes of the material to help ensure security, as well as, securing the end from hanging loose after the wristband is adjusted to fit the wrist while the Velcro added security to the ends of the bracelet allowing for a more personalized fit. 
       FIG. 2  ( 1 ) illustrates the inner core, one inch elastic, for durability. The Ponte Jersey material is very light weight and would not hold up to use without the addition of the elastic. The elastic keeps the wristband pliable enough for comfort, but durable enough to take the machine stitching necessary for the team name and/or logo. The elastic can be of any commercial grade for the purpose of this wristband. ( 3 ) Delineates where the machine stitched team name is placed. The color of the thread and the jersey material will match the team colors for each individual team. 
     #1 Sports Fan Display Board 
     The display board is constructed from heavy cardboard 0.28 inches, covered in a colored felt material, 11 inches in height and 17 inches wide. The front of the board, ( FIG. 3 ), serves as a place to store the bracelets for everyday wear. The back of the Display Board ( FIG. 4 ) provides a guide to move each team bracelet through the brackets as they win and head of the championship play off games. (Teams that do not make it to the next round can be stored on the front of the board. The board adds an extra enthusiasm for the sports fan and allows them to follow their team through their victories.