Abstract:
A display band as described herein is a band which displays an indicium perpendicular to the sizable band that wraps around the head, arm, leg or any article that can accommodate a band. The band can be made for many sizes, from a child&#39;s head, to an arm, to large adult size leg or head, or an article such as a drill team boot. The band can be manufactured for many purposes of display, according to the desired indicia. This headband can be made of soft, flexible materials which can be easily folded for storage, and is lightweight and can display the indicia in an upright or a downward position perpendicular to the band.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/589,607. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a band with a display indicia. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Headbands are worn for personal decoration, for absorption of perspiration and sometimes for display of a name or sponsor. Most display headbands are not worn around the head, but across the top of the head from ear-to-ear. This is not very stable, nor very comfortable. A more comfortable way to wear a display headband is as, for example, a sizable band around the head, such as an absorbent sport band, or other type of stretchable or sizable band that is not necessarily absorbent, with an upright indicia display. Known sport headbands may have a display of an indicium on the portion of the headband that lies flat above or on the forehead. The display band presented herein is more useful than other display headbands, which also do not effectively display the indicia. When used as a headband, with an indicium displayed upright, the display band does not cover the face, and is not a mask. A display band as presented herein, when used as a headband, does not cover the head, and is not a hat. 
         [0004]    However, display bands can also be worn around the arms or legs, or can be used to decorate various articles, including, for example boots. In the case of boots, especially for members of a drill team or other team where identifying indicia may be part of the uniform or costume, having boots made with the desired indicia may be very costly. Use of a display band around the boot avoids the cost of having a special boot manufactured, and the team can simply use a display band around the boot to make the boot distinctive. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A display band as described herein is a band which displays an indicium perpendicular to the sizable band that wraps around the head, arm, leg or any article that can accommodate a band. This band is advantageous because it can be made of soft, flexible materials which can be easily folded for storage, and is lightweight but displays the indicia in an upright or downward position perpendicular to the band. Because the band is sizable, the band can adjust to many sizes, from a child&#39;s head to large adult-sized, as an armband, around the leg, or around an article. The band can be manufactured for many purposes of display, according to the desired indicia. The applicability of the band herein described is further exemplified in the accompanying drawings. It is hereby declared that depiction of some of the university letters and mascots or logos are protected by trademark and/or copyright laws, recognized herein, and are displayed as examples of possible headbands. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a headband with a fanciful university logo; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an example headband with the letter and logo of Stanford University; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of an example display band with the letter and logo of Stanford University; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of an example display band with the letter and logo of Stanford University; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Wisconsin; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Wisconsin; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Wisconsin; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a front view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Texas; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Texas; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Texas; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a front view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Miami; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Miami; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a rear view of an example display band with the letter and mascot of the University of Miami; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a front view of a flag display band; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a front view of a birthday cake display band; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a numbered birthday display band; 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a front view of a placard display band; 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a rear perspective view of a magnetic adjustable closure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a front view of a screened letter/logo for a display band; 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a front view of a screened mascot display band (Bowling Green Falcon example) 
           [0026]      FIG. 21A  is a front view of a screened letter/word display band (University of Michigan) 
           [0027]      FIG. 21B  is a rear view of the letter/word display headband in  FIG. 27A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    The display bands described herein can be worn to show support for the wearer&#39;s sport team, whether collegiate, other school, club or professional, in celebration of a birthday or other event, to support a cause, or clubs, such as sororities and fraternities, as an advertisement or to display any desired message. Display bands can also be prepared with indicia for children, such as Disney characters, comic book characters and superheroes, among others. 
         [0029]    The band is made of an adjustable band which can be worn around the head, arm, leg or for around an article, and a display indicium attached thereto. The adjustable band is adjustable by using any material which can be made to adjust to the circumference of the part of the body or article to be decorated, such as elastic, elasticized fabric, or non-elastic material such as leather, plastic, cardboard, thin foam, elasticized fabric, rope, twine, and combinations thereof which can be made to adjust with serially placed snaps, serially placed grippers, serially placed hooks and eyes, hook-and-loop fasteners, serially placed buttons with opposing buttonhole, magnetic strips, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the band is of a stretchable material, such as elasticized nylon, or a nylon-blend. 
         [0030]    Any number of indicia may be non-removably attached to the band. The indicia can be constructed of any material which can be made into indicia or which will support the imprint or screen of indicia such as stiffened fabric, thin wood, thin foam plastic, thin stiff plastic, moldable plastic, rubber, cardboard, and combinations thereof. Most preferably the indicium can be screen-printed onto a foam-type plastic material. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam of various thicknesses, for example, 2 mm, 4 mm and/or 6 mm is a useful material for making indicia. The indicia can be monograms, depictions of mascots, school letters, flags, names, logos, insignia, images, messages, banners, pictures, and combinations thereof. Non-removable attachment may be achieved by the use of glue, grommets, rivets, sewing (stitching), staples, or combinations thereof. Preferably, a fabric glue can be used to attach the indicium to the adjustable-size band. These display bands are advantageous for wearing at events attended by many fans. In addition to being attractive, they are practical in that the display is not hand-held. The wearer can display his or her loyalty without forgoing the opportunity to clap, perform the “wave” or use the hands for other activities, such as holding food or drinks The display bands described herein are light-weight, and do not impede the view of the wearer, or other attendees at the function when worn on the head, nor do they necessitate any paint or other coloring on the body to display loyalty. Yet the display is obvious. The display bands are foldable, and can be carried easily in a pocket or bag. Should wearers hug or display other contact, the softness of the display headbands would not cause injury to any party should they be knocked about during displays of enthusiasm. When the display band is worn on the head, it does not cover the head, and is not a hat or a mask, so neither the head nor the face is covered, and vision is not blocked. 
         [0031]    It is clear that the logos of many institutions are protected under trademark and copyright laws, and the figures included herein are as examples. Likewise, any descriptions of the display bands include such trademarked and copyrighted material strictly for purposes of exemplifying the numerous applications and uses of the display band. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OG THE FIGURES 
       [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a fanciful depiction of a display headband for a hypothetical state university (SU) for which a dragon is a mascot. The letter/mascot or logo,  1 , can be screened onto a single thickness of display material. This letter/mascot is then non-removably attached to an adjustable band,  2 , thereby forming a display band. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of a display headband for Stanford University. “S,” is the school letter, and the mascot is a cedar tree. The S is screened in red and the tree is screened in green on one piece of foam and this display indicium is then glued to the adjustable band. Alternatively, a red piece of foam can be printed with a green tree and the combination “S” and tree logo then cut out for attachment to the sizable band. In the rear views,  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it is seen that the band is attached to the bottom section of the letter/mascot. 
         [0034]    This same concept is used for the display headband for the University of Wisconsin. In this case, the mascot is a stylized Badger and the school letter is a stylized W. The Badger mascot picture, black on white, would be screened onto a red “W” of suitable material by an attachment means, such as glue. The full logo of the silk screened red “W” and black and white Badger would then be attached to a suitable red, black or white stretchable headband to form the wearable display headband.  FIGS. 5-7  show the views of such a Wisconsin display headband. The entire letter/mascot picture can be screened onto a single piece of suitable material which is then attached to the sizable band. 
         [0035]    The letters and logos of different universities present different types of display problems. For example, the University of Texas at Austin, in  FIGS. 8-10  shows how the Texas T and stylized longhorn profile can be screened on a rectangular piece of foam. In this case, to have the “T” stand upright requires more support by having the “T” and the stylized longhorn profile outlined on a rectangular piece of white background material,  3 , shown in rear view in  FIG. 10 , and then attached to the stretchable headband. Another example of a problematic display logo is the University of Miami Hurricanes. The open “U” for the university letter would probably not stand upright, but by having the Hurricane mascot placed in the middle of the “U”, the display works and can be advantageously used for a display band.  FIGS. 11-13  show the display headband for the University of Miami Hurricanes. In a preferred embodiment, the U and Hurricane logo would be screened onto a single thickness of display material, and then attached to the sizable band material. 
         [0036]    Another type of display band is, for example a flag indicium.  FIG. 14  shows a front view of an American flag display headband. The wearer need not use a hand-held flag to wave at an event, as the flag display headband is in a continuous wave, leaving the hands free to clap or hold anything from a cup of soda to a child&#39;s hand. It is a very effective method of waving a flag. As is apparent, any type of flag can be displayed on the display band. The flag of choice is screened onto one surface of the desired material, and the flag then attached to the sizable headband. 
         [0037]    The display band can be made for celebratory events, as well. Using materials of choice, the display can be for a birthday, such as shown in  FIG. 15  as a birthday cake display, for a special birthday, exemplified for age 21 in  FIG. 16 , or for a message one wishes to display, exemplified in  FIG. 17 . The display indicia may be of any shape to suit any occasion or whim. 
         [0038]    The display band can be made sizable by a number of methods. Adjustable closure methods are known, such as spaced buttons and a button hole on the opposite side of a band.  FIG. 18  shows how a headband of non -stretchable material is made sizable with a magnetic closure. A length of magnetic strip,  4 , long enough to offer varying possible sizes, is non-removably attached to one end of the sizable band, and another piece magnetic strip,  5 , with the opposite polarity to  4 , non-removably attached to the other side of the closure, is attached to the other end of the headband such that the magnets would close at a comfortable size around the circumference of the head, arm or leg of the wearer of the display band. 
         [0039]    A piece of EVA foam, such as shown in  FIG. 19 ,  6 , can be screened with an indicium,  7 , and subsequently cut out in the desired shape for attachment to a sizable band. 
         [0040]    As can be understood from the descriptions above, any display indicia can be screened or otherwise printed onto the display material to construct the display headband. Preferably, the indicium is screened onto EVA foam and then attached to the adjustable band element by means such as fabric glue. 
       EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
       [0041]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of a display headband for Stanford University. “S,” is the school letter, and the mascot is a cedar tree. The S is screened in red and the tree is screened in green on one piece of foam and this display indicium is then glued to the adjustable band. In the rear views,  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it is seen that the band is attached to the bottom section of the letter/mascot. A Stanford display headband was prepared from soft plastic foam and woven elastic. A piece of red 4 mm foam was shaped with the “S” for Stanford. The “S” was a block letter about six inches high and four inches wide. The green, stylized cedar tree shape, about six inches high and about three inches wide at its widest branch, tapering smaller to the top was screened or imprinted over the red “S” on a piece of thin foam plastic. A nylon stretchable band for circling the head was attached to the indicium by adhesive means. 
       Example 2 
       [0042]    A flag headband can be prepared from 2 mm EVA foam (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate foam) and a stretchable nylon headband. An American flag is silk screened onto white EVA foam using blue and red dye and a 4.25-inch by 5-inch die. This silk-screened flag is then glued onto a white 2-inch wide by 7-inch long (flattened size) stretchable headband. 
       Example 3 
       [0043]    A mascot only headband, for example the Bowling Green Falcon,  FIG. 20 , can be prepared by screening the picture of the falcon onto the 2 mm EVA foam, which is then glued onto a brown 2-inch wide by 7-inch long (flattened size) stretchable headband. 
       Example 4 
       [0044]    A letter-only display band, for example, for the University of Michigan,  FIGS. 21A and 21B , can be prepared by screening a yellow piece of foam in the shape of an “M” with “MICHIGAN” in blue for the logo, which is then glued onto a blue of yellow 2-inch wide by 7-inch long (flattened size) stretchable headband. 
       Example 5 
       [0045]    A display headband for a professional sports team is exemplified by a headband displaying the logo of the Boston Breakers Women&#39;s Professional Soccer Team. The Breakers logo is screen printed onto 2 mm EVA foam and this indicium is then glued onto a black 2-inch wide by 7-inch long (flattened size) stretchable headband. 
       Example 6 
       [0046]    A display band for a high school drill team&#39;s boot is prepared by positioning the indicium, the school&#39;s mascot and/or letter, in either a downward or upward position on the adjustable band such that, when the band is positioned on the upper portion of the boot a downward indicium will be upright on the front of the boot, or, when an upwardly positioned indicium on a display band is worn close to the foot part of the boot, the display indicium will be upright 
       Example 7 
       [0047]    A display band for cheerleaders, for example, to be worn on the thigh, is prepared by positioning the indicium, the school&#39;s mascot and/or letter, in a downward position on the adjustable band such that when worn on the thigh, the indicium will be upright when the display band is worn by the cheerleader. 
         [0048]    As is clear from the foregoing description, illustrative examples and the following claims, various modifications, additions and alternatives will be apparent to one of skill in the art and these would fall into the scope of the claims herein. All changes and variations are to be considered as equivalents, and would fall within the scope of these claims.