Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A 5~ ATBAND
This invention relates to an athletic sweatband
and more particularly to a sweatband which may be worn on
the wrist, head or ankle of a ~erson engaged in athletic
activity, such as jogging or playing any racke-t games, to
carry various articles, such as keys, coins and the like.
The invention further relates to such a sweatband which
includes a user identifica-tion means.
Most persons engaged in an athletic activity, such
as joggin~, tennis, squash, and handball, are attired in
brief clothing, such as shorts, T-shirts, sweatshirts and
the li~.e. ~ormally, such attire is lacking in pockets or
other means for carrying persona] effects, such as coins,
keys, bills and credit cards, and this often prevents such
persons from carrying these personal effects while they
pursue their sports activities. Often, such inability to
carry these personal effects is a hindrance and an inconvenience,
particularly if such persons are required to carry the
personal effects in their hands or to insert them in their
brief and usually loose clothinq which can inhibit their
movement or result in loss of such items. They may even
have to place the items in the corner of the court if they
are enqaged in an indoor court game, and these positioned
items can interfere with the game. It thus has been found
to be desirable to provide a means for athletes to carry
personal effects with them without unduly hindering or
inconveniencing them in their athletic activity.
S3
It has also been found to be desirable to provide
a means which the person engaged in athletic activity can
carry with him as he engages in the athletic activity and
which provides identifyin~ information about him. This is
important if the user overexerts himself or is injured
thereby requiring medical attention. Also, particularly
with joggers and runners, they may be injured by an automobile
as they are jogging along or across a road, or if in an
isolated area they may be assaulted. If they re~uire medical
attention it is important that the attending medical personnel
quickly have information about them such as their name,
address, phone number, blood type, allergies, religion, and
any special medical needs.
Accordingly, it is the principal object oE the
present invention to provide a means for persons engaged in
sports activities for carrying personal effects in a manner
which will not unduly hinder the persons' movements or be an
inconvenience.
Another object of the present invention is to
provice a novel piece of wearing apparel with which persons
engaged in sports activities may conveniently and securely
carry small personal effects such as coins, paper money,
keys, credit cards and the like.
A further object of the present invention is to
provide a means worn by such persons providing an identification
label containing vital user identification and medical
information.
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A still further object of the present invention is
to provide a novel sweatband ~hich is inexpensive and simple
to construct and includes a compartment for carrying small
personal effec-ts.
According to the p.resent invention there is provided
a sweatband compxising: an inner tube shaped band of material
disposable about a portion of the body of a user, said band
defining an interior compartment for holding small articles,
said band ha~ing an opening through which said interior
compartment communicates with the exterior, and an interlocking
means for interlocking opposed sides of said band opening.
A specific preferred embodiment of th~ present
invention is shown for illustrative purposes, in the
accompanying drawings, in whicha
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of
the invention shown being worn on a user's wrist.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a panel of
material from which the embodiment shown in Figure 1 may be
formed, illustrating an initial step in the process of
ma~ing such an embodiment.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a sequential
step in forming the embodiment shown in Figure 1, illustrating
the panel shown in Figure 2 in a sequential condition.
Figure 4 is a side view of a sequential condition
of the panel shown in Figures 2 and 3, illustrating the
formed panel in an inverted condition.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment
of Fiaure 4 having been inverted, and ill~strating in greater
detail the identification label.
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Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a
sweatband embodying the present invention shown generally at
10. Sweatband 10 includes a panel of stretchable, perspiration
absorbent material 12, a zipper 14 sewn to panel 12, and an
identification label 16 also sewn to panel 12.
Sweatband 10 is formed as follows: panel 12 is
formed through conventional means and it has end edges 18
and 20 and side edges 22 and 24. Panel 12 is folded whereby
side edges 22 and 24 are even. The adjacent side edges are
then stretched and sewn together along a seam 26 spaced
slightly from the edges. However, the edges are not sewn
along the entire seam but rather an opening along a middle
portion is left unsewn. Zipper 14 is inserted into this
opening, while stretching the opening at either ends and
holding it securely open, and is sewn into the opening.
Label 16 is then sewn underneath and to the cloth portion 28
of zipper 14 or, alternatively label 16 can be sewn into
cloth portion 28 as zipper 14 is sewn to panel 12.
~\ As best shown in Figure 3, a tube of material is
thereby formed. End edge 18 is inserted into the tube until
it is even with end edge 20. Then, while stretching the
material, a seam 30 is sewn in the joined edges, as best
shown in Figure 4. The sweatband is then inverted by ~ulling
the panel through the opening 32 of opened zipper 14.
An inner-tube or doughnut-shaped band of material
is thereby ~ormed having a continuous circular inner compartment.
~hen the zipper is open, the inner compartment communicates
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with the exterior and small articles, such as keys or money,
can be inserted or removed. After inserting these articles,
the zipper is zipped and the articles are securely held in
the inner compartment.
I-t has been found that a terry cloth type of woven
fabric consisting of 90% cotton yarn interwoven with 10%
elastomeric strands or a woven fabric consisting of 90~
synthetic yarn, such as ANTRON*yarn manufactured and sold by
the Dupont Company and 10% elastomexic strands are suitable
materials for panel 12.
Identification label 1~ is formed from a material
that is fle~ible enough to be easily inserted and removed
through opening 32 formed by opened zipper 14. It is
formed of a material which can be written clearly on with a
pen or pencil. It is further within the scope of the present
invention to include identified blanks 34 on the label, as
best shown in Figure 5. The sweatband manufacturer can also
imprint any advertising or instructional information it
wants on the label.
From the foregoing detailed description, it will
be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations
and modifications of the present invention whlch come within
the province of those persons having ordinary skill in the
art to which the aforementioned invention pertains. However,
it is intended that all such variations not departing from
the spirit of the invention be considered as within the
scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.
*Trade Mark
