ATHLETIC APPAREL

Abstract

In an exemplary athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first securing portion and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of the jersey.

Description

PRIORITY

The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/238,736, filed Sep. 1, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Various articles of clothing, such as sports jerseys or other athletic apparel, are available having athlete's names, corresponding numbers, team logos, and other indicia printed thereon. If a customer purchases a football jersey relating to a particular player, for example, and the player retires or is traded, the customer may then desire to purchase a second jersey of a different player or the same player on a different team, for example. Long standing sports fans, through their lifetimes, may purchase several athletic jerseys over time to show their support for a player and/or a team.

The problem with such a process is that it is not only expensive, but also can cause clutter in a closet, for example. It would be desired to have a solution that would allow a customer to customize sports jerseys or other athletic apparel over time, so that as players change, team support changes, etc., the jerseys or apparel can be easily modified/updated.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosure of the present application provides various athletic apparel systems, providing a customer/user of such systems virtually unlimited flexibility with respect to athletic jersey player and/or team affiliations.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first securing portion, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of the jersey. In various embodiments, the jersey comprises a sports jersey selected from the group consisting of a football jersey, a baseball jersey, a basketball jersey, a soccer jersey, a hockey jersey, and a rugby jersey. In another embodiment, the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped consistent with an indicia selected from the group consisting of a single number, multiple numbers, a single letter, multiple letters, and a logo. In yet another embodiment, the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding magnet to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch. In an additional embodiment, the corresponding magnet is either positioned within the jersey or coupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding metal plate to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch. In an additional embodiment, the jersey further comprises a pouch coupled thereto, said pouch sized and shaped to receive the corresponding metal plate. In yet an additional embodiment, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a metal plate, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding magnet to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the first securing portion comprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the at least one removable patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so that the first fabric hook and loop fastener engages the second fabric hook and loop fastener, the at least one removable patch is removably coupled to the jersey. In another embodiment, the first securing portion comprises a transparent pocket, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within the transparent pocket. In yet another embodiment, the first securing portion comprises a first groove, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said groove. In an additional embodiment, the first securing portion comprises a metal thread, and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet. In various embodiments, the first securing portion comprises a panel, and wherein the panel has a configuration selected from the group consisting of one or more of a first fabric hook and loop fastener, a transparent pocket, a translucent pocket, a groove, a magnet, a metal plate, and a metal thread.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the at least one patch has a first indicia thereon. In various embodiments, the first indicia is selected from the group consisting of a team name, a team logo, a player name, a player number, a sponsor name, and a sponsor logo. In another embodiment, the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a player number indicia. In yet another embodiment, the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, wherein the first securing portion is located at a first side of the jersey, and wherein the second securing portion is located at a second side of the jersey. In an additional embodiment, the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a player number indicia, wherein the first securing portion and the second securing portion each comprise a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the first patch and the second patch each comprise a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the first patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so that the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the first patch engages the first fabric hook and loop fastener of the first securing portion and when the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the second patch is positioned upon the second securing portion so that the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the second patch engages the first fabric hook and loop fastener of the second securing portion, the first patch and the second patch are removably coupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a sports jersey comprising a first securing portion and a second securing portion, a first removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of the jersey, the first removable patch having a number indicia thereon, and a second removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the second securing portion of the jersey, the second removable patch having a name indicia thereon, wherein the first removable patch and the second removable patch each comprise patch magnets, wherein said patch magnets are attracted to a metal plate or a jersey magnet positioned within or affixed to the jersey, whereby engagement of the first removable patch and the second removable patch to the jersey at or near the metal plate or the jersey magnet causes the first removable patch and the second removable patch to be removably coupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels each comprising a first securing portion, each of the first and second panels configured to allow a patch to be removably coupled thereto, and a first removable patch and a second removable patch, the first removable patch sized and shaped to correspond with the first panel and the second removable patch sized and shaped to correspond to the second panel, the first removable patch and the second removable patch each comprising a magnet corresponding to a device positioned within or upon the jersey and capable of magnetically attracting to the magnet, the device selected from the group consisting of a metal plate and a jersey magnet.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising at least one panel comprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the at least one panel. In various embodiments, the at least one panel comprises one panel, and wherein the at least one patch comprises a patch with a first indicia. In another embodiment, the at least one panel comprises a first panel and a second panel, and wherein the at least one patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a player number indicia. In yet another embodiment, the at least one panel comprises a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel is located at a first side of the jersey, and wherein the second panel is located at a second side of the jersey. In an additional embodiment, the at least one panel comprises one panel and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises two removable patches. In yet an additional embodiment, wherein only one of the two removable patches may be removably coupled to the one panel.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the first securing portion of the at least one panel comprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the at least one removable patch is positioned about the at least one panel so that the first fabric hook and loop fastener engages the second fabric hook and loop fastener, the at least one removable patch is removably coupled to the at least one panel.

In another embodiment, the first securing portion of the at least one panel comprises a transparent pocket, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said transparent pocket. In yet another embodiment, the first securing portion of the at least one panel comprises a first groove, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said groove. In an additional embodiment, the at least one patch is sized and shaped consistent within any number of indicia, such as single numbers, multiple numbers, single letters, and/or multiple letters, including words. In various embodiments, the at least one patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the at least one patch may be removably coupled to the jersey by way of a corresponding magnet. In another embodiment, the corresponding magnet is either positioned within the jersey or coupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels each comprising a first securing portion, the first and second panels configured to each allow a patch to be removably coupled thereto, and a first removable patch and a second removable patch, the first removable patch sized and shaped to correspond with the first panel and the second removable patch sized and shaped to correspond to the second panel.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of a jersey of the present disclosure, the jersey comprises at least one panel comprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto.

In at least one embodiment of a jersey of the present disclosure, the jersey comprises a first securing portion configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel kit of the present disclosure, the kit comprises a jersey comprising at least one panel comprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the at least one panel.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel kit of the present disclosure, the kit comprises a jersey comprising a first securing portion configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the first securing portion.

In at least one embodiment of a removable patch of the present disclosure, the patch is configured to be removably coupled to at least one jersey.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary athletic apparel system, according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show embodiments of an athletic apparel system comprising various securing portions, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary athletic apparel system comprising a groove positioned thereon, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary athletic apparel system with two patches removably affixed to the front of a jersey, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a front of a jersey with three panels positioned thereon according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a front of a jersey with three patches removably affixed thereto, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows an additional exemplary athletic apparel system according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show exemplary embodiments of a patch according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8C shows an exemplary embodiment of a corresponding magnet according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8D shows an exemplary embodiment of a patch comprising one or more magnets coupled thereto, according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8E and 8F show exemplary embodiments of corresponding magnets, according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8G and 8H show exemplary embodiments of a patch according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8I shows an exemplary embodiment of a patch comprising one or more metal plates coupled thereto, according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8J, 8K, and 8L show an exemplary embodiments of corresponding metal plates according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8M shows an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure whereby pockets are affixed to the inside of a jersey to receive corresponding magnets or corresponding metal plates;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system according to the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an exemplary embodiments of portions of a system of the present disclosure using metal thread.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

An exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the present disclosure is shown FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the exemplary athletic apparel system 100 comprises a jersey 102 and at least one panel 104 affixed thereto. Panel 104, in an exemplary embodiment, is sized and shaped to receive at least one patch 106 as shown in FIG. 1, whereby the at least one panel 104 configured to allow at least one patch 106 to be removably coupled thereto. In addition, and as shown in FIG. 1, patch 106 may comprise a first indicia 108. In the exemplary embodiment of athletic apparel system 100 shown in FIG. 1, jersey 102 comprises two panels 104 and two patches 106 for removable coupling thereto.

Additional embodiments of an exemplary athletic apparel system 100 of the present disclosure are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown in FIG. 2A, athletic apparel system 100 comprises jersey 102, panels 104, and a first securing portion 200 at or near the site of panel 104. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the first securing portion 200 comprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener 202 (such as Velcro®), and patch 106 comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener 204 corresponding to the first fabric hook and loop fastener 202 of jersey 102. The second fabric hook and loop fastener 204, as shown in FIG. 2B, may be referenced to generally herein as a second securing portion 205. Joining the first fabric hook and loop fastener 202 to the second fabric hook and loop fastener 204 allows a user to removably affix patch 106 to panel 104 of jersey 102.

FIG. 2B shows an additional embodiment of athletic apparel system 100 of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2B, a first securing portion 200 of panel 104 comprises a pocket 206. Pocket 206, and at least one embodiment, comprises a transparent or translucent pocket 206. In such an embodiment, patch 106 made be sized and shaped to fit within pocket 206 so that patch 106 may be removably coupled to jersey 102 by way of pocket 206 so that indicia 108 present upon patch 106 remains visible.

An additional embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, jersey 102 comprises a first groove 300 as an exemplary first securing portion 200. In such an embodiment, patch 106 may be sized and shaped to fit within groove 300 so that patch 106, and any indicia 108 imprinted thereon, may be visible upon jersey 102. Various additional securing portions 200 are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, jersey 102 may comprise snaps, buttons, magnets, strings (for tying), and/or any number of other securing mechanisms known in the art. In at least one embodiment of a system 100 of the present disclosure, system 100 may comprise a pocket 206 and groove 300.

An exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 with patches 106 affixed thereto is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, athletic apparel system 100 comprises jersey 102 and two patches 106 affixed thereto. In such an embodiment, indicia 108 upon patches 106 comprise a player name and a player number. Indicia 108 may include, but are not limited to, various indicia 108 such as a team name, a team logo, a player name, a player number, a sponsor name, a sponsor logo, and/or any other indicia 108 desired by a user of athletic apparel system 100, and may be provided upon patches 106 in various orientations. In addition, jersey 102, as shown within the various figures of the disclosure of the present application, may comprise any number of jerseys 102, including sports jerseys. Sports jerseys 102 may be selected from any number of sports, including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, rugby, or any other jersey 102 useful within the present disclosure.

Patches 106, and their corresponding panels 104, may be positioned at any location about jersey 102. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4, patches 106 may be affixed upon panels 104 on the back of jersey 102. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, patches 106 may be removably coupled to panels 104 on the front of jersey 102 and/or the sleeves 500 of jersey 102. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, an exemplary athletic apparel system 100 of the present disclosure may comprise panels 104 and corresponding patches 106 on the back of jersey 102, wherein a first patch 106 comprises a player name indicia 108, and wherein a second patch 106 comprises a player number indicia 108. The front of such an exemplary jersey 102 may comprise a panel 104 with a patch 106 removably affixed thereto, wherein patch 106 comprises a player number indicia 108. As shown in FIG. 6, additional patches 106, with for example player number indicia 108, may be positioned on sleeves 500 of jersey 102. Removal of said patches 106 from the front of jersey 102 would result in jersey 102 without patches 106 as shown in FIG. 5.

In an additional embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 of the present disclosure, jersey 102 may comprise one panel 104 and two patches 106, wherein panel 104 is sized and shaped to receive both patches 106.

The disclosure of the present application, including the various athletic apparel systems 100 referenced herein, may be viewed or referred to as an “interchangeable jersey,” whereby any number of patches 106 may be positioned upon panels 104, or, in the alternative, positioned upon jersey 102 directly as shown in the exemplary athletic apparel system 100 shown in FIG. 7. In such an embodiment, for example and as described in further detail herein, various second securing portions 205 may be positioned directly to jersey 102 without the use of a panel 104, such as a second fabric hook and loop fastener 204, pocket 206, groove 300, and/or other mechanisms described herein.

Additional embodiments of patches 106 of the present disclosure are shown in FIGS. 8A-8D. As shown in FIG. 8A, patch 106 may be sized and shaped consistent with, for example, any number of indicia 108 as referenced herein including, but not limited to, single numbers, multiple numbers, single letters, and/or multiple letters, including words.

FIG. 8A shows the front of an exemplary patch 106 of the present application sized and shaped as a number. Such a patch 106 may comprise fabric, a magnet, a fabric covered magnet, a patch with a magnet affixed thereto, a metal plate, and/or any number of other securing mechanisms (generally referred to as a second securing portion 205) as referenced herein. FIG. 8B shows an exemplary embodiment of the back of a patch 106 of the present disclosure, wherein patch 106 comprises a second securing portion 205 comprising a magnet 800 (also referred to herein as a “patch magnet”). The exemplary patches 106 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B may correspond to a corresponding magnet 802 (also referred to herein as a “jersey magnet”) as shown in FIG. 8C, whereby a patch 106 may be positioned on the outside of a jersey 102 and removably secured to jersey 102 by way of corresponding magnet 802 positioned on the inside of jersey 102 or coupled directly to jersey 102.

An additional embodiment of a patch 106 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 8D. As shown in FIG. 8D, patch 106 may comprise one or more second securing portions 205 that are smaller than patch 106 itself. Such a patch 106 and/or other patches 106 of the present disclosure comprising a magnet 800 may be removably secured to a jersey 102, as referenced above, by way of a corresponding magnet 802, which may be sized and shaped to correspond to patch 106 (as shown in FIG. 8C) or sized and shaped differently than patch 106 (as shown in FIG. 8E). Corresponding magnet 802 may, in at least one embodiment, be at least partially covered by a cover 804 as shown in FIG. 8F, which may comprise, for example, fabric. In at least one embodiment, corresponding magnet 802 is coupled directly to jersey 102. In at least another embodiment, magnet 800 and/or corresponding magnet 802 comprise ferromagnets and/or rare earth magnets.

FIG. 8G shows an additional embodiment of the front of an exemplary patch 106 of the present application sized and shaped as a number, with FIG. 8H showing the back of said patch 106, wherein patch 106 comprises a second securing portion 205 comprising a metal plate 806. The exemplary patches 106 shown in FIGS. 8G and 8H may correspond to a corresponding magnet 802 as shown in FIG. 8C, whereby a patch 106 may be positioned on the outside of a jersey 102 and removably secured to jersey 102 by way of corresponding magnet 802 positioned on the inside of jersey 102 or coupled directly to jersey 102.

An additional embodiment of a patch 106 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 8I. As shown in FIG. 8I, patch 106 may comprise one or more second securing portions 205 that are smaller than patch 106 itself. Such a patch 106 and/or other patches 106 of the present disclosure comprising a metal plate 806 may be removably secured to a jersey 102, as referenced above, by way of a corresponding magnet 802, which may be sized and shaped to correspond to patch 106 (as shown in FIG. 8C) or sized and shaped differently than patch 106 (as shown in FIGS. 8E and 8F.

Exemplary patches 106 having a magnet 800, such as shown in FIG. 8B, may be removably affixed to an exemplary jersey 102 by way of magnetism to a corresponding plate. As shown in FIG. 8J, corresponding metal plate 808 may be sized and shaped similar to a corresponding patch 106, or as shown in FIGS. 8K and 8L, corresponding metal plate may be sized and shaped differently than patch 106. Corresponding metal plate 808 may, in at least one embodiment, be at least partially covered by a cover 804 as shown in FIG. 8L, which may comprise, for example, fabric. In at least one embodiment, corresponding metal plate 808 is coupled directly to jersey 102 or positioned on the inside of jersey 102.

In addition to the foregoing, and in at least one embodiment, corresponding magnet 802 or corresponding metal plate 808 may be either positioned within a pouch on jersey 102, sewn into jersey 102, or otherwise removably or securedly affixed to jersey 102. As shown in FIG. 8M, for example, jersey 102 comprises one or more pouches 810 sized and shaped to receive corresponding magnet(s) 802 and/or corresponding metal plate(s) 808. Pouch 810, in at least one embodiment, is positioned on the inside of jersey 102, but in various embodiments of systems 100 of the present disclosure, pouch 810 may be positioned on the outside of jersey 102, similar to pocket 206. In at least one embodiment, pouch 810 and pocket 206 refer to the same pocket/pouch.

An additional exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 is shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, athletic apparel system 100 comprises jersey 102 and an exemplary embodiment of a patch 106 as shown in, for example, FIG. 8A. Patch 106, in such an embodiment, is removably coupled to jersey 102 by way of a corresponding magnet 802 positioned within jersey 102 or coupled to jersey 102. As referenced above, any number of patches 106 sized and shaped as numbers, letters, and/or logos, for example, may be positioned about jersey 102 at any number of locations about jersey 102, including the front, back, and/or sleeves of jersey 102, of which the front or back of jerseys 102 may be referred to herein as the corresponding “sides” of jerseys 102.

In at least one additional embodiment, such as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, portions of an exemplary system 100 may utilize a metallic thread 1000 in/on jersey 102 and/or patch 106. In an exemplary embodiment whereby metallic thread 1000 is used in/on jersey 102, patch 106 would comprise a magnet 800, and in an exemplary embodiment whereby metallic thread 1000 is used in/on patch 106, jersey 102 would have a corresponding magnet 802 positioned therein or coupled thereto.

Such athletic apparel systems 100 may be, for example, provided or sold as kits. Such a kit may, for example, comprise jersey 102 and one or more patches 106. Conversely, jersey 102, suitable for removably receiving one or more patches 106, may be provided or sold separately from patches 106. For example, a customer may purchase jersey 102 without patches 106, and may purchase patches 106 corresponding to, for example, various athletes and/or teams of interest to that particular customer. Patches 106 positioned upon panels 104 (and/or upon jersey 102 directly) may be geared toward multiple players and/or teams to, for example, represent a player or team “rivalry,” whether professional, collegiate, high school, or any other type of sport.

Advantages to various athletic apparel systems 100 of the present disclosure may include the following. A customer/“fan” can purchase, for example, one jersey 102, and not be limited to a particular player's name, number, team, etc., as patches 106 of the present disclosure are interchangeable and not permanently affixed to panels 104 and/or jersey 102. If a player retires or is traded, for example, a customer can switch out patches 106 for another player if desired. Said patches 106 may also be personalized to a particular customer by, for example, including indicia 108 of the customer's name or nickname about patch(es) 106. This not only provides a customer with virtually unlimited flexibility, but also may save the customer money by not needing to purchase multiple player jerseys. Such flexibility may include, for example, the ability to “make” a jersey 102 with player patches 106 and indicia 108 otherwise unavailable in the marketplace (for example, lesser known athletes and/or retired athletes to make “throwback” jerseys).

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 of the present disclosure, jersey 102 and patches 106 comprise the same or similar material, and may comprise the same or similar color(s). For example, jersey 102 may be a navy blue football jersey comprising a mesh fabric typically used with football jerseys, and patch 106 may comprise a navy blue patch with white indicia 108 of the same or similar fabric. In addition, jerseys 102 of the present disclosure may also comprise any number of other features commonly used with jerseys, including, but not limited to, buttons and tags.

As referenced in detail herein, the disclosure of the present application includes various systems 100 comprising an interchangeable jersey 102, whereby names and numbers can be removably affixed thereto. The terms “removably affixed” and “interchangeable” refer to systems 100 whereby a user can easily change patches 106 without the need to sew the patches to the jersey all around and without the need for special fabric adhesives that allow patches to be affixed to clothing using an iron to melt the adhesive, as the requirement to sew around a perimeter of a patch, or the residue or potential ruining of clothing when attempting to remove an adhered patch, would not be within the scope of “easily” changing a patch 106. As disclosed herein, magnets 800 and corresponding magnets 802 may be used alone and/or with metal plates 806 and/or corresponding metal plates 808 so that patches 106 affix to jerseys 102 via magnetism. Various names affixed to a magnetic name plate and various magnetized numbers will be able to be removed from the garment and be replaced with other names and/or numbers. One method of securing the removable names and numbers will be using magnets embedded in or affixed to a name plate or number, which attracts to a magnet or other ferromagnetic material in a pocket on the back of the number and the name plate, for example. The magnets may be aligned with other magnetic or ferromagnetic material under the jersey and the magnets can be easily removed as they are interchangeable. Such a concept will allow sports fans at any level to purchase multiple names and numbers for a team without having to buy a new jersey, including any sport where a jersey is worn, such as collegiate and professional sports.

While various embodiments of athletic apparel systems have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered by way of non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Further, in describing representative embodiments, the disclosure may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. Other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An athletic apparel system, comprising:

a jersey comprising a first securing portion; and

at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of the jersey.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the jersey comprises a sports jersey selected from the group consisting of a football jersey, a baseball jersey, a basketball jersey, a soccer jersey, a hockey jersey, and a rugby jersey.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped consistent with an indicia selected from the group consisting of a single number, multiple numbers, a single letter, multiple letters, and a logo.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding magnet to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the corresponding magnet is either positioned within the jersey or coupled to the jersey.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding metal plate to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the jersey further comprises a pouch coupled thereto, said pouch sized and shaped to receive the corresponding metal plate.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a metal plate, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises a corresponding magnet to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion comprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the at least one removable patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so that the first fabric hook and loop fastener engages the second fabric hook and loop fastener, the at least one removable patch is removably coupled to the jersey.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion comprises a transparent pocket, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within the transparent pocket.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion comprises a first groove, and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said groove.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion comprises a metal thread, and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion comprises a panel, and wherein the panel has a configuration selected from the group consisting of one or more of a first fabric hook and loop fastener, a transparent pocket, a translucent pocket, a groove, a magnet, a metal plate, and a metal thread.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one patch has a first indicia thereon.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first indicia is selected from the group consisting of a team name, a team logo, a player name, a player number, a sponsor name, and a sponsor logo.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a player number indicia.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, wherein the first securing portion is located at a first side of the jersey, and wherein the second securing portion is located at a second side of the jersey.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the jersey further comprises a second securing portion, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a player number indicia, wherein the first securing portion and the second securing portion each comprise a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the first patch and the second patch each comprise a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the first patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so that the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the first patch engages the first fabric hook and loop fastener of the first securing portion and when the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the second patch is positioned upon the second securing portion so that the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the second patch engages the first fabric hook and loop fastener of the second securing portion, the first patch and the second patch are removably coupled to the jersey.

19. An athletic apparel system, comprising:

a sports jersey comprising a first securing portion and a second securing portion;

a first removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of the jersey, the first removable patch having a number indicia thereon; and

a second removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the second securing portion of the jersey, the second removable patch having a name indicia thereon;

wherein the first removable patch and the second removable patch each comprise patch magnets, wherein said patch magnets are attracted to a metal plate or a jersey magnet positioned within or affixed to the jersey, whereby engagement of the first removable patch and the second removable patch to the jersey at or near the metal plate or the jersey magnet causes the first removable patch and the second removable patch to be removably coupled to the jersey.

20. An athletic apparel system, comprising:

a jersey comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels each comprising a first securing portion, each of the first and second panels configured to allow a patch to be removably coupled thereto; and

a first removable patch and a second removable patch, the first removable patch sized and shaped to correspond with the first panel and the second removable patch sized and shaped to correspond to the second panel, the first removable patch and the second removable patch each comprising a magnet corresponding to a device positioned within or upon the jersey and capable of magnetically attracting to the magnet, the device selected from the group consisting of a metal plate and a jersey magnet.