Method of Messaging

Abstract

A method of conveying information or a message, wherein two articles of clothing on two wearers are used with the first part of a message and/or graphic on the first article of clothing, and the second part of the message and/or graphic on the second article of clothing. The messages and/or graphics can be on the front or back of the articles of clothing, and both the front and back of the articles of clothing may have complementary messages and/or graphics. The articles of clothing may also include orienting emblems on lateral sides of the articles of clothing. The orienting emblems indicating the proper relative orientation of the wearers to communicate the desired message.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/277,485 entitled “METHOD OF MESSAGING” filed on Mar. 24, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clothing systems for displaying coordinated messages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of patentable ideas have been associated with T-shirts, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,364, which featured a friendship band with exchangeable closed loop members. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,943,866 involved customized printing of messages. U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,233 disclosed a garment with various indicia. Further, various information was contained in U.S. Published Application Nos. 2005/0085189, 2004/0187184, and 2004/0216209.

Typically, T-shirts convey an individual message on an individual T-shirt. Of course, many T-shirts are identical, such as those produced to commemorate a race, for example. All participants may have the same shirt and will be identified as a participant in the particular race commemorated by the T-shirt.

In addition, T-shirts identified with a geographical region are popular. Whenever a person wears a T-shirt from such geographical region, it signifies to all who see the shirt that the wearer has been to the geographical place noted, or at least has an interest in such place. The same holds true for schools, favorite sports teams, and for many types of activities as well as products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the subject invention, articles of clothing can now create a method of togetherness and communicative expression heretofore unavailable. A first article of clothing for a first wearer may include a message or graphic which may or may not be a complete thought or object in itself. A second article of clothing may be provided for a second wearer which may include a compatible message or graphic. Each article of clothing may include an orienting emblem on at least one lateral side of each article of clothing. When the first and second articles of clothing are viewed together with the orienting emblems in a specific orientation, the messages or graphics on the articles of clothing form a complete word, thought, graphic or some improved intelligible idea that is lacking unless the two articles of clothing are observed together with the orienting emblems in a specific orientation to one another.

Further, the first and second articles of clothing may have messages on the front and back of the articles of clothing which are compatible in a variety of ways. For example, when the second wearer is standing with the first wearer, both facing the same way, a first message may be completed. If the second wearer is turned around so that the back of his or her article of clothing is viewed with the front of the first article of clothing, a different compiled message may be present, or if both wearers are facing away such that the backs of the article of clothing are together, a further compatible message may be delivered.

In this area of sequencing, puzzles or sophisticated advertising messages may be produced, to the entertainment and evocation of those who view the articles of clothing and to generate commercial appeal of products and/or services.

Entertaining, religious, commercial and political messages, and messages signifying unity and togetherness, are all available to be displayed such that this invention maybe used to fulfill friendship, communication, advertising and purely entertainment goals, all within the imagination of the producer.

In accordance with the above description, it is an object of the subject invention to provide compatible articles of clothing which together provide an interesting message or graphic.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide articles of clothing that can be worn by individuals such as to promote togetherness between the individuals.

It is but another object of the present invention to provide articles of clothing with commercial value that through compatible messaging and graphics provide names, graphics or thoughts which will serve to advertise certain products or services.

It is a further object of the subject invention to provide unintelligible information on one article of clothing which can only be made intelligible by viewing a second article of clothing in combination with the first article of clothing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a T-shirt with a message;

FIG. 2 is the front of a second T-shirt with a compatible message to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further embodiment shown as the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 2, with a further message;

FIG. 4 is a further embodiment shown as is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 1 with a message compatible to the message of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment showing a different back of the T-shirt of FIG. 2, providing a different message;

FIG. 6 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 1, also showing a different message, but one which is compatible with FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is the front of another T-shirt with an incomplete message;

FIG. 8 is the T-shirt of a second wearer, which completes in part the message of the T-shirt of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 8, which has another incomplete message;

FIG. 10 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 7, which completes the message of FIG. 9; and together completes a further message of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 combined;

FIG. 11 is the front of a T-shirt which produces a partial type of advertising;

FIG. 12 is the front of a further T-shirt which completes the message of FIG. 11 and creates an advertising purpose;

FIG. 13 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is the front of a T-shirt which shows an incomplete pictorial message;

FIG. 16 is the front of a further T-shirt which shows a further incomplete pictorial message, but when FIGS. 15 and 16 are seen together the pictorial message is completed;

FIG. 17 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a front view of a T-shirt with a message and an orienting emblem on the left lateral side;

FIG. 20 is the front of a second T-shirt with a compatible message to FIG. 19 and an orienting emblem on the right lateral side;

FIG. 21 is a front view of a T-shirt with a message and an orienting emblem on the right lateral side;

FIG. 22 is the front of a second T-shirt with a compatible message with FIG. 21 and an orienting emblem on the left right lateral side;

FIG. 23 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 21, with a third message and the orienting emblem on the right lateral side (viewed from the back);

FIG. 24 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 22, with a message compatible with FIG. 23 and the orienting emblem on the left lateral side (viewed from the back);

FIG. 25 is a front view of a T-shirt with a message and an orienting emblem on the right lateral side;

FIG. 26 is the front of a second T-shirt with a compatible message with FIG. 21 and an orienting emblem on the left right lateral side;

FIG. 27 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 26, with a third message and the orienting emblem on the right lateral side (viewed from the back);

FIG. 28 is the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 25, with a message compatible with FIG. 27 and the orienting emblem on the left lateral side (viewed from the back).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a T-shirt 10 to be worn by one wearer. The T-shirt has a message, in this case the word “BEST” 12, which appears on the front of the T-shirt. In FIG. 2, there is the front of a second T-shirt 15, with the word “FRIEND” 17 on its front. Thus, when the wearer of T-shirt 10 is with the wearer of T-shirt 15, the message “BEST FRIEND” is conveyed to any onlookers as conveying togetherness between the wearer of T-shirt 10 and the wearer of T-shirt 15. Good friends, lovers, and parent and child will enjoy the message to each other and the message that they are then giving to onlookers when they wear the respective T-shirts 10 and 15 together.

FIG. 3 shows the back 20 of the T-shirt of FIG. 2, and on back 20 the message “BEST” 22 is emblazoned thereon by any of the known methods of T-shirt printing. FIG. 4 shows the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 1, and on this back 25 the message 27 “FRIEND” is also given. Thus, the T-shirts convey a completed thought when worn together with the individuals facing one way or the other. Likewise, if the T-shirt of either FIGS. 1 and 4 or FIGS. 2 and 3 is worn alone, there is still a completed message shown, i.e., “BEST FRIEND” reading from front to back or back to front, as the case may be.

In this type of situation, there is also the possibility of adding humor or confusing or entertaining messages of FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the back of T-shirt 30 of the T-shirt of FIG. 2. Here the word “WORST” 32 is shown. In FIG. 6 the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 1 is shown with the word “ENEMY” 37 on this back portion 35 of the T-shirt of FIG. 1. Thus, when the wearers of FIGS. 1 and 2 are faced, they convey the message of “BEST FRIEND”, but when they are turned away, their back messages are “WORST ENEMY”. In this manner, contrary or humorous messages can also be utilized and enjoyed by the wearers and the onlookers.

It is not necessary that the markings of one or the other T-shirt be intelligible in and of themselves. As shown in FIG. 7, the front of T-shirt 40 has the letters “HAP” 42, which does not have much meaning alone. When a wearer wears the T-shirt of FIG. 8, the front of which is shown as 45 with the letters “PY” 47, a complete word is fashioned to create a message.

That message can be further developed on the back of the respective T-shirts, as FIG. 9 shows the back 50 of the T-shirt of FIG. 8 with the words “CAM” 52. Likewise, the back of the T-shirt of FIG. 7 is shown as T-shirt 55 in FIG. 10 with the words “PER” 57 shown. Thus, the complete message of all four surfaces, i.e., when the front and back of each of the two T-shirts is read, the words “HAPPY CAMPER” are appreciated by onlookers, thus providing enjoyment to the wearers and the onlookers.

As shown in FIG. 11, the front of T-shirt 60 has the letters “CO” 62. In FIG. 12 T-shirt front 65 has the letters “LA” 67, thus completing the word “COLA”, which can be part of an advertising slogan for products shown in such a manner.

As shown in FIG. 13, in a further embodiment the back 70 of T-shirt 65 has the letters “CO” 72, which in combination with the letters “LA” 67 on the front side of T-shirt 65, can also complete the COLA message. Further, back 75 of t-shirt 60 in FIG. 14 can display the letters “LA” 77, and in combination with the letters “CO” 62 displayed on the front oft-shirt 60, can complete the COLA message.

As shown in FIG. 15, the front of T-shirt 80 has half of a heart 82 pictorially depicted. In FIG. 16, the front of T-shirt 85 has the other half of the heart 87 shown to match the depiction of FIG. 15. Thus, the wearers of the T-shirts of FIGS. 15 and 16 when seen together complete the heart 82 and 87 in the eyes of the observers.

In a further embodiment in FIG. 17, the back 90 of t-shirt 85 shows a half heart 92 which completes the half heart 87 from FIG. 16 and in FIG. 18 the half heart 97 of back 95 completes the message with half heart 82 of FIG. 15 and also with the half heart 92 of t-shirt 90 of FIG. 17.

Thus, the T-shirts of a first and second wearer will convey information when read together. This information can be expanded on by having similar or contrary messages on the backs of the T-shirts as well, so that the compatibility is furthered, or in some cases used for contrary and confusing messages to create a more humorous or thought evoking situation as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The information can be compiled so that the first and second wearer create a showing of togetherness, which may be appreciated both by the wearers and the onlookers. Further, various messages such as religious or political messages can be set forth, to the enjoyment, education, benefit, consideration or evocation of the wearers and the onlookers alike.

Further, educational or game-like messages can be produced which will have interesting content for the onlookers, thus providing enjoyment for the wearers.

As in the case of the T-shirt of FIGS. 1 and 4, a message may be conveyed from front to back of the same T-shirt. Thus, the T-shirt will have some meaning when worn by one person who is not in the company of the second person. Also, in the case of, for example, FIG. 8, a wearer of the T-shirt with the letters “PY” 47 on the front and “PER” 57 on the back, shows to onlookers that that person alone is incomplete, thus sending a message which may be perceived as loneliness when that person is in fact alone without the companion wearer.

As shown in FIGS. 19-24, the T-shirts may also include orienting emblems 105, 107. The orienting emblems 105, 107 maybe the same or different. The orienting emblems maybe on a first lateral half 101 or a second lateral half 103 of the T-shirt. For convenience, these halves may be referred to as a right half 101 or a left half 103, with the position relative to the wearer's right and left. The first orienting emblem 105 and the second orienting emblem 107 may independently be on either the right lateral half 101 or the left lateral half 103 of the first T-shirt 10 and second T-shirt 15, respectively.

The orienting emblems 105, 107 may by on opposite sleeves of the first and second T-shirts. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the first orienting emblem 105 may be on the left lateral side 103 of the first T-shirt 10, while the second orienting emblem 107 may be on the right lateral side 101 of the second T-shirt 15. When the first and second orienting emblems 105, 107 are adjacent to one another, as in FIGS. 19 and 20, the message “BEST FRIEND” will be conveyed to onlookers viewing individuals wearing the T-shirts 10, 15.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the first orienting emblem 105 may be on the right lateral side 101 of the first T-shirt 10 and the second orienting emblem 107 may be on the left lateral side 103 of the second T-shirt 15. When the first and second orienting emblems 105, 107 are opposite one another, as in FIGS. 21 and 22, the message “BEST FRIEND” will be conveyed to onlookers viewing individuals wearing the T-shirts 10, 15.

The inventive method and system may also include directions instructing the individuals wearing the T-shirts 10, 15 to remain oriented such that the first orienting emblem 105 is in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem 107. Depending on the location of the orienting emblems, the instructions may advise that the orienting emblems remain adjacent to one another, as in FIGS. 19 and 20, or opposite one another, as in FIGS. 21 and 22.

The orienting emblems and instructions may be used to produce creative combinations of phrases. For example, FIGS. 21-24 depict two T-shirts which, when positioned with the orienting emblems 105, 107 opposite one another, communicate “BEST FRIEND” on the front of the T-shirts. When positioned with the orienting emblems 105, 107 adjacent to one another, the backs of the T-shirts communicate “WORST ENEMY.” If, however, the wearers turn such that the orienting emblems 105, 107 are positioned to the same side, i.e. both to the left or both to the right, the T-shirts can communicate either “WORST FRIEND” or “BEST ENEMY.” This play on words, and other variants, will provide enjoyment for both the wearers and onlookers alike. Where the inventive method or system includes instructions, the instructions may provide instructions concerning various messages that will be displayed when the orienting emblems 105, 107 are in specified orientations relative to one another.

Yet another embodiment that includes a play on words is shown in FIGS. 25-28. In this embodiment, where the orienting emblems 105, 107 are opposite one another the T-shirts communicate “BEST FRIEND” on the front and “WORST ENEMY” on the back. When the individual wearing the “FRIEND” shirt turns around the orienting emblems 105, 107 are positioned to the same side and the T-shirts communicate “BEST WORST” when viewed from one direction and “FRIEND ENEMY” when viewed from the opposite direction.

Thus, through the means of compatible lettering on mating T-shirts, many messages of many different types may be utilized to cause enjoyment or provide education or evocation to onlookers while promoting togetherness of the wearers.

It is understood that T-shirts is being used broadly to also include any similar shirts such as Vee neck, spaghetti strap, long sleeve T-shirts, and muscle shirts. In addition, while T-shirts are use herein as exemplary articles of clothing, it is to be understood that the claimed method and system apply to other articles of clothing including, but not limited to, hooded shirts, sweat shirts, wind breakers, collared shirts, jackets, shorts, pants, hats, bathing suits and combinations thereof. Where the article of clothing is not a shirt, the messages will remain on the front or back of the clothing and the orienting emblem will be located on one of the lateral sides of the article of clothing.

In some embodiments, the orienting emblems may be located on the sleeve of a T-shirts, or another location, such as the shoulder, where the orienting emblem is visible from both the front and the back of the wearer. Where the article of clothing is not a T-shirt, the orienting emblem may also be located where the orienting emblem is visible from both the front and the back of the wearer. For example, the hip or leg of a pair of pants or the portion of a hat above the wearer's ear.

The orienting emblems may take any form that can be recognized by the wearers. The orienting emblems may be decorative, with their purpose of orientation unknown to everyone except the individuals wearing the articles of clothing.

This description has been by way of example of how the invention can be made and carried out. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various details maybe modified in arriving at the other detailed embodiments, and that many of these embodiments will come within the scope of the invention.

Therefore, to apprise the public of the scope of the invention and the embodiments covered by the invention, the following claims are made:

Claims

1. A method of creating togetherness comprising the steps of:

providing a first article of clothing for a first wearer, the first article of clothing displaying a first message on a front surface of the first article of clothing and a first orienting emblem on a first lateral half of the first article of clothing;

providing a second article of clothing for a second wearer, the second article of clothing displaying a second message on a front surface of the second article of clothing and a second orienting emblem on a second lateral half of the second article of clothing;

wherein said first and second messages are different, and wherein said first and second messages are compatible when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

2. The method of claim 1, including the further step of:

providing a third message on a back surface of the first article of clothing and a fourth message on a back surface of the second article of clothing, wherein the third and fourth messages are different and compatible when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second messages viewed together, the third and fourth messages viewed together, and the first, second, third and fourth messages viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem comprise an advertisement, a religious message, a political message, an educational message, a humorous message, a commercial message, or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite lateral halves of the first article of clothing and the second article of clothing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message on the first article of clothing is an incomplete graphic, the second message on the second article of clothing is an incomplete graphic and the combination of the first and second messages form a complete graphic when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

6. The method of claim 1, including the further step of:

providing a third message on a back surface of said first article of clothing which is identical to the second message on the second article of clothing.

7. The method of claim 6, including the further step of:

providing a fourth message on a back surface of said second article of clothing which is identical to the first message on the first article of clothing.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message on the first article of clothing is an incomplete word, the second message on the second article of clothing is an incomplete word, and the combination of the first message and the second message form a first complete word when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

9. The method of claim 8, further including the steps of:

providing a third message on the back surface of the first article of clothing, the third message displaying an incomplete word;

providing a fourth message on a back surface of the second article of clothing, the fourth message displaying an incomplete word;

wherein the combination of the third message and the fourth message form a second complete word when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second messages viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem comprise an advertisement, a religious message, a political message, an educational message, a humorous message, a commercial message, or a combination thereof.

11. A method of creating togetherness comprising the steps of:

providing a first article of clothing for a first wearer, the article of clothing displaying a third message on aback surface of the first article of clothing and a first orienting emblem on a first lateral half of the first article of clothing;

providing a second article of clothing for a second wearer, the second article of clothing displaying a fourth message on a back surface of the second article of clothing and a second orienting emblem on a second lateral half of the second article of clothing;

wherein said third and fourth messages are different, and wherein said third and fourth messages are compatible when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite lateral halves of the first article of clothing and the second article of clothing.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the third message on the first article of clothing is an incomplete graphic, the fourth message on the second article of clothing is an incomplete graphic when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the third message on the first article of clothing is an incomplete word, the fourth message on the second article of clothing is an incomplete word, and the combination of the third message and the fourth message form a first complete word when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the third and fourth messages viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem comprise an advertisement, a religious message, a political message, an educational message, a humorous message, a commercial message, or a combination thereof.

16. A system of displaying messages on a plurality of articles of clothing, comprising:

a first article of clothing having a first message on a front surface of the first article of clothing and a first emblem on a first lateral half of the first article of clothing;

a second article of clothing having a second message on a front surface of the second article of clothing and a second emblem on a second lateral half of the second article of clothing; and

wherein the first message and the second message are different, and wherein the first and second message are compatible when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising: instructions for wearers of the first and second article of clothing to remain oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem in order to render the first and second messages compatible.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite lateral halves of the first article of clothing and the second article of clothing.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a third message on a back surface of the first article of clothing and a fourth message on a back surface of the second article of clothing, wherein the third and fourth messages are different, and wherein the third and fourth messages are compatible when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first message is an incomplete message, the second message is an incomplete message and the combination of the first and second messages form a complete message when viewed together with the first and second wearers oriented with the first orienting emblem in a specific position relative to the second orienting emblem.