METHOD AND GARMENT FOR DISPLAYING COMPOSITE IMAGES
A garment includes two or more subordinate images which may be visually superimposed to display a composite image by placing a part of the garment with a subordinate image across another part with another subordinate image, with parts of both subordinate images aligned from a viewing direction toward the front of the garment. By positioning different subordinate images on the back sides of both sleeves of a garment with long sleeves and another subordinate image on a front side of the garment, a plurality of composite images may be displayed. Selectively forming a sequence of composite images corresponds to a simple form of animation, in which a dynamic subject changes position relative to a static subject, or alternately in which a dynamic subject is represented at different instants of time. Subordinate images may optionally include text for creating selected sequences of words in corresponding sequences of composite images.
The present invention relates in general to a method and a garment for displaying images in which an image on a part of the garment is aligned by a person wearing the garment with an image on another part of the garment to display a composite image, and more specifically to a method and a garment for displaying dynamic composite images.
BACKGROUNDGarments with static images such as pictures, symbols, text, artistic designs, and so on, have long been available. Images may be part of the construction of the garment, for example by weaving an image into the fabric of a garment. Or, images may be added to garments by various printing processes, by creating an image with stitching, by sewing or gluing pieces of fabric to the garment, by painting an image onto the garment, and by many other means. The resulting garment has one or more static images, that is, the content of the images are fixed and the images appear to remain stationary relative to the garment.
Garments adapted for selectively concealing and revealing images are known. For example, some garments have a flap or panel which may be opened or closed to selectively reveal or conceal an image under the flap. Other garments have an image which is revealed when the garment's wearer changes a body position, for example raising an arm to reveal an image on the underside of a sleeve. In such garments, the images are static, that is, the images are selectively revealed or concealed, and the content of the images is not altered.
Other garments combine static images with motions of a person wearing the garment to impart motion to the image. A garment may include, for example, images of an animal with parts of the animal made to move by motions of the wearer. With such garments, the wearer's motions mimic a motion of the animal in the image, such as opening and closing the animal's jaws by moving a sleeve having an image of the animal's upper jaw and a sleeve having an image of the lower jaw. As with the examples above, the viewable image is static relative to the garment. That is, the content of the image does not change from the perspective of a person viewing the image, even when parts of the image change position relative to other parts of the image by movements of the garment. Furthermore, the illusion of motion between related parts of an image may be limited to a particular viewing direction, even though all the parts of the image are visible from other directions. Patent D575,030 to Bengyak is an example of such a garment and image.
What is needed is a method for dynamically changing the content of an image on a garment by selectively positioning parts of the garment. What is also needed is an effective method for creating an illusion of movement in an image on a garment in which parts of the image are altered in content to simulate motion of the subject of the image. What is further needed is a method for creating a changeable image which may be seen over a wide range of viewing angles relative to the front side of a garment.
SUMMARYEmbodiments of the invention include a garment adapted for displaying dynamic composite images and a method for displaying dynamic composite images with the garment. Subordinate images are visually superimposed into composite messages by placing a part of the garment with a subordinate image above another part of the garment with another subordinate image. The resulting composite image includes elements from the subordinate images and may represent static subjects, dynamic subjects, or combinations of static and dynamic subjects. In a preferred embodiment, each subordinate image to be combined in a composite image includes a static element in common with other subordinate images to facilitate visual alignment of the subordinate images.
A simple form of animation may be displayed by selecting a sequence of composite images and static images. In a first animation example, a position of a dynamic element is changed relative to a static element in each of several different subordinate images. By adjusting parts of the garment to form composite images in a selected sequence, the dynamic element appears to move relative to the static element. Alternatively, a dynamic element may be shown at different instants of time in different subordinate images, or a dynamic element may be shown at different instants of time and in different positions relative to a static element in different subordinate images. By adjusting parts of the garment in a selected sequence, the dynamic element appears to change with time, or alternately to change position and change with time.
A method for displaying composite images includes selecting a set of subordinate images to be combined into composite images, affixing the subordinate images to selected locations on a garment, and positioning the garment to superimpose selected subordinate images over other subordinate images. The method and related variations are useful for sending visual messages which may be adapted to particular circumstances, for entertainment, or for coordinating the movements of people performing cheers at athletic events, dancing, exercise, and the like.
This section summarizes some features of the embodiments of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and upon reference to the following drawings, wherein:
The present invention includes a garment and a method for displaying dynamic composite images. A garment in accord with the invention includes at least two separate images on different parts of the garment. A person wearing the garment selectively combines the separate images by placing corresponding parts of the garment on top of or alternately next to each other to form one or more composite images. The content of a composite image may optionally be changed according to the individual images selected for forming the composite image.
An image adapted for combination with other images, referred to herein as a subordinate image, optionally includes a subject which may be given an illusion of motion by varying a position of the subject in sequentially displayed composite images. Alternatively, subordinate images include a subject which is given an illusion of motion by sequentially displaying the subject at different instants of time in different composite images, or a subject may be shown at different instants of time without any implied motion, for example by changing colors associated with the subject.
Subordinate images may optionally include, but are not limited to, pictures of objects, people, animals, or plants, graphic designs, geometric shapes, drawings, sketches, symbols, words or phrases, and areas of uniform or mixed colors. Subordinate images may be permanently or removably attached to the garment and may be formed by, for example but not limited to, painting, printing, stitching, appliqué, knitting, weaving, or combinations thereof. Subordinate images may optionally include static subjects, dynamic subjects, or a combination of static and dynamic subjects. A static subject is one which does not change location relative to the underlying part of the garment from one composite image to another. A dynamic subject is one which changes shape, size, color, location, or combinations thereof, from one composite image to another.
Garments suitable for displaying dynamic composite images include, but are not limited to, shirts, blouses, sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, overcoats, and the like, preferably with long sleeves. Other suitable garments include trousers, dresses with sleeves, and skirts that are full enough to permit a person wearing the skirt to fold part of the skirt over another part of the skirt. Furthermore, belts, scarves, and other clothing accessories could optionally include subordinate images for combining with subordinate images on a garment to display dynamic composite images.
Embodiments of the invention are well suited for displaying composite images including static and dynamic subjects, for example, a sequence of words forming a phrase, a ball bouncing across a field, a person performing a sport-related activity, a moving animal, a movable part of a machine, a vehicle traversing a segment of road, a time-lapse sequence, and the like. Advantages of the disclosed method and garment include selective communication of changeable images for safety, education, or entertainment reasons. Other advantages include displays of composite images coordinated with music, cheers, chants, and so on, either by one person or in group activities related to education, entertainment, or exercise.
An example of a garment in accord with an embodiment of the invention is shown in
Subordinate images from the example of
The right sleeve 106 is shown at an acute angle across the front side 102 of the shirt 100 in
Variations of sleeve positions relative to the front side of the shirt 100 give at least six optional composite images, plus one image on the front side of the shirt, for a total of a least seven different images. Two different composite images may be formed by superimposing an image on either the right sleeve or the left sleeve over an image on the front of the shirt. Two more composite images may be formed by either crossing the left sleeve over the right sleeve or by crossing the right sleeve over the left sleeve. Another composite image may be formed by placing the sleeves in contact with each other and approximately parallel to each other across the front of the shirt, and yet another composite image may be formed by placing the sleeves approximately parallel to each other but separated to show in the space between them part of an image on the front of the shirt.
By rapidly repositioning the sleeves of the shirt 100 in
An animation made from a sequence of three subordinate images is shown in the example illustrated in
In the example of
Animation of a dynamic subject continues in
Composite images in the examples described herein are visible and effective for conveying dynamic and static subjects over a wide range of viewing angles. For example, the composite images shown in
A method for displaying composite images with a garment begins with the step of creating a group of related subordinate images to be visually superimposed in one or more composite images as in, for example,
After images are affixed at selected locations on the garment, a person wearing the garment (the “wearer”) selects a first composite image to be displayed from among the set of composite images available with the garment. Next, the wearer moves one, or alternately both, sleeves to create the selected composite image. Optionally, the wearer may then reposition one, or alternately both, sleeves to create another composite image. A composite image may optionally be displayed to present a subject that differs from a subject in any of the subordinate images from which the composite image is made. A composite image may optionally be displayed to show a subject of the image displaced from a position in one image to another position in another image, as in the example of
The present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative rather than as limiting the scope, nature, or spirit of the subject matter claimed below. Numerous modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying the disclosure, including use of equivalent functional and/or structural substitutes for elements described herein, use of equivalent functional couplings for couplings described herein, or use of equivalent functional steps for steps described herein. Such insubstantial variations are to be considered within the scope of what is contemplated here. Moreover, if plural examples are given for specific means, or steps, and extrapolation between or beyond such given examples is obvious in view of the present disclosure, then the disclosure is to be deemed as effectively disclosing and thus covering at least such extrapolations.
Unless expressly stated otherwise herein, ordinary terms have their corresponding ordinary meanings within the respective contexts of their presentations, and ordinary terms of art have their corresponding regular meanings.
Claims
1. A garment for displaying composite images, comprising:
- a first subordinate image affixed to the garment at a first selected location; and
- a second subordinate image affixed to the garment at a second selected location,
- wherein a first composite image is visible when said first subordinate image and said second subordinate image are visually superimposed by placing a part of the garment at said first selected location over a part of the garment at said second selected location.
2. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 1, further comprising:
- a third subordinate image affixed to the garment at a third selected location,
- wherein a second composite image is visible when said third subordinate image and said second subordinate image are visually superimposed by placing a part of the garment at said third selected location over the part of the garment at said second selected location.
3. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of subordinate images, wherein selected pairs of said subordinate images may optionally be visually superimposed to create a plurality of composite images.
4. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 2, wherein selected groups of three of said subordinate images may optionally be visually superimposed to create a plurality of composite images.
5. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 2, wherein said first, second, and third subordinate images comprise a static subject and a dynamic subject, and said first and second composite images are formed by positioning parts of the garment so as to visually superimpose said static subjects.
6. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 5, wherein said first subordinate image shows said dynamic subject at a first position relative to said static subject, said second subordinate image shows said dynamic subject at a second position relative to said static subject, said third subordinate image shows said dynamic subject at a third position relative to said static subject, and sequentially superimposing said subordinate images displays corresponding sequential changes in position of said dynamic subject in said composite images.
7. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 5, wherein said first subordinate image shows said dynamic subject at a first instant in time, said second subordinate image shows said dynamic subject at a second instant in time, said third subordinate image shows said dynamic subject at a third instant in time, and sequentially superimposing said subordinate images displays corresponding time-related changes in said composite images.
8. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 5, wherein the garment has long sleeves.
9. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 8, wherein the garment is a shirt.
10. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 9, wherein said first subordinate image is positioned on a back side of a right sleeve.
11. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 9, wherein said second subordinate image is positioned on a back side of a left sleeve.
12. The garment for displaying composite images of claim 9, wherein said third subordinate image is positioned on a front side of the garment.
13. A method for displaying composite images with a garment, comprising:
- forming a plurality of subordinate images at a corresponding plurality of locations on the garment;
- selecting a first subordinate image from among the plurality of subordinate images;
- selecting a second subordinate image from among the plurality of subordinate images; and
- placing a part of the garment to which the first subordinate image is affixed over a part of the garment to which the second subordinate garment is affixed, thereby visually superimposing the first and second subordinate images into a composite image visible from a selected viewing direction.
14. The method for displaying composite images with a garment of claim 13, further comprising forming the subordinate images from a combination of at least one static subject and at least one dynamic subject.
15. The method for displaying composite images with a garment of claim 14, further comprising superimposing two selected subordinate images by visually aligning parts of a static subject in a first subordinate image with parts of a static subject in a second subordinate image.
16. The method for displaying composite images with a garment of claim 15, further comprising placing a dynamic subject in different selected positions relative to a static subject in different subordinate images, thereby forming a set of subordinate images for animation of the dynamic subject in a set of composite images.
17. The method for displaying composite images with a garment of claim 15, further comprising placing a dynamic subject at different instants in time in different subordinate images, thereby forming a set of subordinate images for animation of the dynamic subject in a set of composite images.
18. The method for displaying composite images with a garment of claim 16, further comprising positioning parts of the garment in a selected sequence to create a corresponding animation sequence.
19. The method for displaying composite images with a garment of claim 17, further comprising positioning parts of the garment in a selected sequence to create a corresponding animation sequence.
20. The method for displaying composite images with a garment of claim 15, wherein the first subordinate image includes a first text message, the second subordinate image includes a second text message, and composite images may optionally be formed in a selected sequence.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 12, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 16, 2010
Inventor: Johnny C. Martinez (Hayward, CA)
Application Number: 12/403,305
International Classification: A41D 27/10 (20060101); A41D 27/08 (20060101);