Abstract:
An athletic numbering attachment apparatus and method of use is defined. The apparatus includes a pinning area, pinning regions within the pinning area, and pinning regions including inlet and outlet regions. A method of attaching athletic numbering involving the steps of passing a safety pin through an athletic number, passing the safety pin through an inlet region of a pinning region, passing the safety pin through an outlet region of the pinning region and securing the safety pin.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to athletic apparel. More particularly, the present invention relates to the attachment of athletic numbering to athletic apparel. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Many athletic governing bodies require competing athletes to wear identification numbers (made either of paper or Tyvek®) during competition. The athletic identification numbers vary in size and color. Presently, athletes and participants are issued numbers at the registration check-in of events and are given pins to attach the assigned numbers to their garments. Rules or event promoters require the proper number location placement on an athlete&#39;s garment. However, new athletes are not aware of the number placement rules and are either penalized or given embarrassing verbal warning at starting lines. The starts of races or events are delayed due to participants not attaching their numbers properly. Athletic preparation at competitive events includes the inconvenience of pinning their assigned numbers on their garments. Many an athlete has stuck their finger(s) with a safety pin due to pre-race nervousness. This only adds to the frustration of pre-race preparation. Improper number attachment can cause an athlete not to be credited for a performance (result scoring) or not to be accounted for during an event. 
         [0005]    In some cycling, running and skiing competitive events, only hundredths-of-a-second separate competitors at the finish line. Therefore, many finishes are recorded via digital cameras and it is critical that identification numbers are readable. Athletic governing bodies dictate identification numbers cannot be taped-on, wrinkled and folded or else the digital camera will not be effective in picking up the reflectiveness of the tyvek paper. Great effort is made by manufactures of athletic clothing to design aerodynamic apparel for such events. Currently, identification numbers are often not under sufficient tension when attached to clothing, and tend to billow or act as a parachute creating aerodynamic drag. Often, increasing the tension to improve aerodynamics of the attached number is completed with the head portion of the pin on the apparel side, resulting in tears to the apparel material. 
         [0006]    Non-for-profit organizations hold fund raising events (running races, bike tours, walks, etc.) and require participants to wear identification numbers. The organizers of such events use the number identifications for ensuring all participants are safely accounted for at the end of their events and to record race results. 
         [0007]    Therefore, what is needed is a device to attach athletic numbering to athletic apparel appropriately, uniformly, aerodynamically, and effectively. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, an athletic numbering attachment apparatus is provided. This apparatus comprises a pinning area positioned on an item of athletic apparel. A pinning region is located within the pinning area and defines a perimeter of the pinning area. The pinning region further comprises an inlet region and an outlet region. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a device to facilitate the attachment of athletic numbering to athletic apparel is provided. This device comprises an item of athletic apparel having a pinning area. The pinning area has a plurality of pinning regions that serve to define an outer perimeter of the pinning area. Each of the plurality of pinning regions comprises an inlet region and an outlet region. Stitching is disposed about perimeters of each inlet region and each outlet region. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a method of attaching athletic numbering is provided comprising the steps of passing a safety pin through an athletic number, passing the safety pin through an inlet region of a pinning region, passing the safety pin through an outlet region of the pinning region, and securing the safety pin. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments consistent therewith, which description should be considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention with a pinning area disposed on a rear of an item of athletic apparel. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention with a pinning area disposed on a rear of an item of athletic apparel with an athletic number attached. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1C  provides a detailed close-up illustration of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention with a pinning area disposed on a rear of an item of athletic apparel. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention with a pinning area disposed on a front of an item of athletic apparel. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  provides an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention with multiple pinning areas disposed on the item of athletic apparel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. 
         [0020]    Generally, the present invention concerns an apparatus that facilitates attachment of athletic numbering by utilizing a defined pinning area or areas located on an item of athletic apparel. The athletic numbering is typically in the form of a paper or Tyvek® sheet with identification numbers printed thereon, designed to be attached to athletic apparel by being pinned at its corners with safety pins. In the present invention, the pinning area provides an area to place the athletic numbering and attach it to the athletic apparel. 
         [0021]    The pinning area is comprised of at least one pinning region. Preferably, multiple pinning regions are arranged in a pinning area. This embodiment may increase versatility by allowing different sized numbers to be attached securely. In one embodiment, there are eight pinning regions arranged in a rectangle forming the pinning area. 
         [0022]    The pinning areas may be located at any position on any type of athletic apparel. For example, pinning area locations may include the front or back of a shirt, the sleeve of a shirt, a lower center portion of a shirt, a rear, front or leg portion of a pair of shorts or a pair of pants, the front, back or sleeve or a jacket. Further, in one embodiment an item of athletic apparel may have more than one pinning areas to increase the versatility of the apparatus. 
         [0023]    The present invention may allow a user to attach the number in a tighter, flatter manner, thereby decreasing the aerodynamic drag while not hindering readability by a digital camera. The present invention sets up a template on the user&#39;s apparel, allowing the pinning to be conducted in a reverse order compared to the prior art. The head of the safety pin preferably is configured to rest on the number instead of the apparel. This configuration will lessen or eliminate the tearing of the apparel. Further, the tension on the number can easily be increased or decreased using this configuration. 
         [0024]    A root cause of the billowing or parachuting problem of the prior art is a user not knowing where the pin should be placed in the apparel and how the number will line up. By providing a visual and tactile guide for pinning, the present invention obviates this problem. Also, if the user so chooses, safety pins can be left in the pinning regions of the apparel between events for changing of new numbers or even washing. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the pinning regions of the present invention may be defined and reinforced by stitching around a perimeter of the pinning region. The pinning regions may be of any size and shape that facilitates the attachment of athletic numbering to athletic apparel. 
         [0026]    Each pinning region may comprise an inlet region and an outlet region, the inlet region serving to act as an entry point of a pin end of a safety pin, the outlet region serving to act as an exit point of a pin end of a safety pin. The inlet region and outlet region may be of any size and shape that may receive, or act as an exit for, a pin end of a safety pin. For example, the inlet and outlet regions may be substantially circular, or the inlet and outlet regions may be shaped as oval or rectangular slots, forming slot-shaped regions. 
         [0027]    The inlet region and outlet region are separated from each other at least by stitching, and preferably a portion of the athletic apparel. The stitching may reinforce the athletic apparel at portions that receive stress from forces caused by the safety pin holding and securing the athletic numbering. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the inlet region and outlet region are defined by stitching on the surface of the athletic apparel. In another embodiment the inlet region and outlet region of the pinning regions may be formed as athletic apparel-defined apertures, which further comprise stitching around the perimeters of the apertures. 
         [0029]    The stitching adds effectiveness to the pinning regions because it serves to reinforce the athletic apparel, and also acts as a visual and tactile guide to aid the user in attaching athletic numbering. It should be understood that the stitching may be of any suitable material to be stitched into athletic apparel that is capable of reinforcing the pinning regions and capable of withstanding repeated stresses caused during athletic activities. Further, it should be understood that the color and stitch size of the stitching may vary without straying from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0030]    Different embodiments of the present invention may involve varying sizes of the pinning regions, inlet and outlet regions and pinning area, without straying from the scope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, slot shaped rectangular inlet and outlet regions may be approximately 5 mm long by 2 mm wide, and separated from each other by a 10 mm portion of athletic apparel material. Such sizing is optimal for attachment of athletic numbering using a 3 cm safety pin. In the event that a large safety pin is used, additional separation of the inlet and outlet region may be preferable. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment, circular inlet and outlet regions may be approximately 5 mm in diameter, with a 10 mm portion of athletic apparel material separating the two regions. In a further embodiment the pinning area may be sized to receive a 3 inch by 4 inch athletic numbering. In still another embodiment, the pinning area may be sized to receive an 8 inch by 11 inch athletic numbering. 
         [0032]    The present invention utilizes the pinning regions to facilitate the attachment of athletic numbering by safety pin. In operation, a safety pin is run through the inlet region of the pinning region, run through the outlet region of the pinning region, passed through a piece of an athletic number, and the pin is secured. This process may be repeated depending on the configuration of the athletic numbering and how many pins are required for attachment. It should be noted that these steps may be reversed or alternated without straying from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  provide a rear view of one embodiment of the present invention. The athletic apparel A, shown in  FIG. 1A  as a short sleeved shirt, has a pinning area  1  defined by a plurality of pinning regions  2 . The pinning regions  2  further comprise an inlet region  21  and outlet region  22 .  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show the inlet region  21  and outlet region  22  as substantially circular in shape. It should be noted that the inlet region  21  and outlet region  22  may be interchanged depending on how the user chooses to insert a safety pin  3 .  FIG. 1B  further shows a plurality of safety pins  3  inserted through the pinning regions  2  attaching the athletic numbering  5  to the athletic apparel A. The preferred embodiment is shown here with head portions of the safety pins  3  being oriented to lie flat on the athletic numbering  5 . However, the safety pins  3  may be oriented in various positions without straying from the scope of this invention. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1C  provides a detail view of one embodiment of the present invention focusing on a particular pinning region. In this embodiment, the stitching  4  of the pinning region  2  can be seen. The safety pin  3  can be seen entered into the inlet region  21  and exited from the outlet region  22 . When latched and run through the athletic numbering  5 , the safety pin  3  and the pinning region  2  serve to attach the athletic numbering  5  to the athletic apparel. The stitching  4  serves to act as a visual and tactile guide for the attachment, to enhance the visual appeal of the apparel, and to increase durability, among other things. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  provides a rear view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the pinning area  1  is positioned on the lower rear portion of the athletic apparel A shown in  FIG. 2  as a short sleeved shirt. The pinning area  1  is defined by a plurality of pinning regions  2 . The pinning regions  2  further comprise an inlet region  21  and an outlet region  22 . The inlet region  21  and outlet region  22  here are substantially circular 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  provides a front view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the pinning area  1  is positioned on the center front portion of the athletic apparel A, shown in  FIG. 3  as a tank top. The pinning area  1  is defined by a plurality of pinning regions  2 . The pinning regions  2  further comprise an inlet region  21  and an outlet region  22 . Each inlet and outlet regions  21 ,  22  are shown as being oval or slot shaped. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  provides a rear view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of pinning areas  1  are shown on the athletic apparel A, shown in  FIG. 4  as a long sleeved shirt. These pinning areas  1  are defined by a plurality of pinning regions  2 . The pinning regions further comprise an inlet region  21  and an outlet region  22 , which are substantially circular. 
         [0038]    While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.