GB2532182A

GB2532182A - Nopinz insignia panel

Info

Publication number: GB2532182A
Application number: GB1416312.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pond Blake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-16
Filing date: 2014-09-16
Publication date: 2016-05-18
Also published as: GB201416312D0

Abstract

An insignia panel in the form of a pouch that is suitable for attaching a document in the form of a number, identification or bib to a garment. The panel comprises a transparent front layer and a fabric rear layer. The transparent layer is mechanically fitted, bonded, sealed or secured around its periphery to the fabric panel to create a pocket or a window within which the document is stored. The fabric layer comprises a slot to allow the insertion of the document into the pocket, and the fabric layer also defines a border around the periphery of the transparent layer which allows the pouch to be tailored or embroidered onto a garment. The insignia panel may comprise a reflective strip and one or more drain holes.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1416312.5 RTM Date:10 March 2016 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

LYCRA

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo

SPORTS NUMBERS APPAREL IDENTIFICATION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to sports numbers and identification insignia and concerned with the provision of an improved means for attachment of numbers to sports garments and other apparel.

A person entering, for example a sporting event or is issued with a number that must be worn throughout the event. The current methods of attachment include the use of safety pins and or double sided adhesive tape.

Figures 1&2 of the accompanying drawings show the use of safety pins 10 for attaching a sheet 11 ( on which there will be a number) to the apparel of the sports person. Sports clothing is expensive and pinning numbers onto the clothing results in damage to the fabric eg; holes formed in the fabric or ripping of the fabric if the pin is placed under too much pressure.

It will also be appreciated from figure 2 that the aerodynamic efficiency is reduced by a loose or flapping number that creates extra drag by disrupting airflow over the wearer. As a result the wearers speed is reduced.

If a double sided adhesive tape is used, this initially sticks to the receiving fabric but as soon as the fabric becomes wet with sweat or moisture the adhesive can fail and becomes useless. In the event that double sided adhesive remains in place, some sports clothing can stretch up to 170% and the lack of flexibility of the adhesive can cause de-lamination of the adhesive where the clothing stretches but the adhesive does not.

It is therefore the objective of this invention to provide a means of attaching numbers, Identification etc to sports or other apparel.

Summary of the Invention

According to this invention there is provided means for attaching a number or identification to sports clothing or apparel by means of: A clear transparent breathable plastic / polyurethane / lycra panel assembly which has an internal slot at the rear of the panel for the number or identification to be placed. The clear panel at the front exterior is completely sealed at the periphery onto the polyurethane coated lycra in order to clearly display the contents. The panel will have sufficient and excess border of polyurethane coated lycra to be tailored into a garment or apparel.

For the avoidance of doubt this invention is for a single panel assembly which will subsequently be tailored / embroidered into a garment or apparel as a retro fitted option.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figures 1 and 2 have been referred to above.

Figure 3 shows a completed 'Insignia Panel Assembly' Figure 4 shows the number attached in its entirety inside the 'Insignia Panel' showing clean airflow.

Figure 5 shows the construction of the 'Insignia Panel'

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The Insignia panel is made of a single layer perforated polyurethane transparent membrane which is placed over a polyurethane coated lycra or lycra type product and bonded, sealed at the periphery to create a sealed pocket / window. There is sufficient polyurethane coated lycra around the border to be embroidered / tailored into the garment / apparel. Different garments may need different sizes of the polyurethane coated lycra. The Polyurethane coated lycra has a slot beneath the sealed pocket / window for insertion of the number / identification.

An important advantage of this invention is that it eliminates the need for pins, thus avoiding the possibility of damage to the wearer of the garment. The number / identification is enclosed in a custom made retro fit Insignia Panel that eliminates 'flapping' of the number / identification and provides improved aerodynamics as will be appreciated from a comparison of Figure 4 with Figure 2.

The Insignia Panel is fully breathable allowing moisture to travel away from the portion of the skin of the wearer where the number is attached. The Insignia Panel is fully flexible in all directions providing improved comfort.

The elimination of pins results in an improvement in a wearer "fall" situation as the pins can become embedded in the wearer flesh. There may be Emergency Contact Details section that can be applied. A reflective strip is an added feature for safety.

Claims

CLAIMSI. An insignia panel for attaching a number or identification to sports clothing, a garment or apparel, comprising a transparent layer and a fabric layer, the transparent layer being mechanically fitted, bonded or sealed at its periphery onto the fabric layer to create a pocket/window, the fabric layer comprising a slot for insertion of a number or identification to be displayed in the pocket/window, the fabric layer defining a border to permit tailoring/embroidering onto a garment or apparel.
2. A panel as claimed in claim I, in which the fabric layer is formed from a Lycra type product
3. A panel as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the fabric layer is formed from polyurethane coated Lycra.
4. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the panel is breathable.
5. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the panel is fully flexible in all directions.
6. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a reflective strip.
7. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more drain holes.
8. A panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
9. A retrofittable sports number attachment pouch comprising a clear front panel and a fabric rear panel, the front panel being secured around its periphery to the rear panel, the rear panel comprising a slot beneath the front panel, in which there is sufficient and excess border of the rear panel to be embroidered/tailored into sports clothing.
10. A garment or apparel fitted with one or more panels or pouches as claimed in any preceding claim.