Athletic garment with perspiration absorption towel

Abstract

A jersey for management of perspiration having a perspiration absorption towel. The perspiration absorption towel is removably or permanently affixed along the front interior of the collar of the jersey. The perspiration absorption towel has a collar-region width less than the collar width by an amount which optimizes access to and removability of the perspiration absorption towel. The perspiration absorption towel has a length which relative to the collar-region width which balances usefulness and ease of return to the non-use position of the perspiration absorption towel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/644,617 entitled “Athletic attire with integrated perspiration absorbing material” filed Jul. 7, 2017 by the present inventor, which in turn claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/440,996 filed Dec. 30, 2016 by the present inventor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to garments and apparel, more particularly sports/athletic garments and apparel, and still more particularly sports/athletic garments and apparel with perspiration control components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the present specification, the terms “garments” and “apparel” are used synonymously and interchangeably. Similarly, the terms “sports” and “athletic” are used synonymously and the terms “shirt” and “jersey” are used synonymously and interchangeably in the present specification. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the present invention may be used for perspiration-inducing recreational activities of any sort. Furthermore, it is to be understood that “towel” is meant to refer to any sort of moisture absorbing cloth or material.

Because of the high performance requirements of athletes, sports/athletic apparel must be designed for optimum functionality. This is particularly true for professional athletes who operate at the very limits of human capability where fractions of a second and/or fractions of an inch may mean the difference between success and failure, i.e., winning and losing. Factors which must be considered in the design of athletic garments and apparel include freedom of movement, ventilation, weight, heat retention, perspiration repellence or perspiration retention, durability, etc. Often these factors having competing needs or requirements and a balance must be found in their optimization.

A challenge athletes in many sports face is the management of perspiration during play or in intermissions. This is particularly an issue with perspiration on the brow and forehead which might drip into the eyes and obscure vision, thereby putting the player at a momentary disadvantage or possibly even producing a safety hazard. Traditionally, perspiration control has been managed by athletes excusing themselves from play to make use of a towel/cloth. However, this requires interruption of play—or if done without interruption of play, distracts the player from play. One sport where perspiration management is particularly an issue is basketball, where play is very active and continues uninterrupted for extended periods of time. In basketball, players will commonly use portions of their jersey to wipe perspiration from the vicinity of their eyes in the moments after points are scored or while jogging down-court. Typical jerseys are made of polyester, which is a non-absorbent material and somewhat abrasive, and repeated wiping may cause irritation to the skin around the eyes. It should also be noted that perspiration management can be a safety issue, such as in basketball where moisture on the playing surface may cause players to slip. One situation which is particularly problematic is at the free throw line in basketball, where players are required to stand for longer periods of time while shooting free throws, and so perspiration tends to drip from their body and face and accumulate on the playing surface there, presenting a particular slipping hazard at that location. But sports jerseys such as basketball jerseys are generally made of materials, such as 100% polyester fabric, having limited absorption capabilities. The absorption of typical jerseys is further reduced by the use of thin fabrics for their construction.

Various attempts have been made to provide means of perspiration control via implements attached to articles of clothing, and previously filed patents exist that describe such implements. However, these patents do not provide an adequate solution that combines the necessary and desirable features of accessibility, ease of use, effectiveness, unobtrusiveness and concealability. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,901 describes an athletic shirt wherein one or more pieces of absorbent material are permanently stitched or sewn into the inside of the garment, but the permanent nature of the installations requires the wearer to lift the entire garment above the face and makes reaching the head, neck, and arms impractical and revealing of the chest and other parts of the body, which would in many cases be undesirable, especially for female wearers. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,236 describes an article of lower body wear such as a skirt or shorts with a detachable sheet of absorbing material in the form of a towel. However, the placement of this towel on the lower part of the body requires that the sheet be completely detached in order to be used for the head, neck, face and arms, and then replaced, which can be impractical, requires the wearer to stop and focus on detaching the towel and replacing it when done, and poses a risk of the towel dropping to the ground and becoming soiled and/or posing a slipping or tripping hazard. U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,236 describes a towel-like appendage secured to the outside of an upper body garment at the back side whose placement presents a significant encumbrance to easily accessing the appendage for the wearer unless the appendage is of sufficient width to span the majority of the wearer's back, thereby requiring the appendage to be bulky and heavy. Placing the appendage on the back. also makes the appendage counterproductive to ameliorating perspiration since the wearer's back is now covered by an extra layer of material which promotes heat retention. Other patents describe athletic garments outfitted with non-removable strips or patches of hydrophilic material which serve to wick away moisture from the wearer's skin, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,769,716 and 8,360,816. However, such garments are of limited utility since the moisture wicking material must be integrated into the garment and be predominantly skin-tight to be effective and thus do not allow the wearer to use the garment to remove perspiration from areas such as the face and neck.

The present invention addresses these challenges by providing a towel designed for perspiration absorption which is attached to a sports garment in such a way as to be easily accessible, easy to use, effective, easily replaceable after use for subsequent use, concealability, and unobtrusiveness.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a towel for management or alleviation of the accumulation of perspiration.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a towel affixed to a sports garment for use in alleviation of the accumulation of perspiration.

Still more particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a towel for management of the accumulation of perspiration where such means is affixed to a shirt or jersey.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a towel affixed to a sports garment for management of the accumulation of perspiration which can be quickly and easily accessed and utilized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a towel affixed to a sports garment for management of the accumulation of perspiration which can be readily returned to a non-use position.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a perspiration absorption towel affixed to a sports garment where the perspiration absorption towel optimally wicks and/or absorbs, including strategic placement of non-absorbing or water-repellant or non-wicking regions.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a perspiration absorption towel affixed to a sports garment where the perspiration absorption towel has a shape and a size such that it is easily removable from the garment, easily and effectively used to remove perspiration from critical areas, and easily returned to the interior of the garment.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a perspiration management jersey for use in athletics having a jersey portion adapted to be worn as a shirt on a player, and a perspiration absorption towel attached at the collar, where the perspiration absorption towel has a width in the collar region which is less than the width of the collar.

Alternatively, the present invention is a perspiration management jersey for use in athletics having a jersey portion adapted to be worn as a shirt on a player, and a perspiration absorption towel attached at the collar, the perspiration absorption towel having two layers, a moisture absorption layer and a water-proof layer. When the perspiration absorption towel is hanging inside the jersey and worn by the player, the water-proof layer is located between the player and the moisture absorption layer to prevent perspiration on the player's chest from being absorbed by the moisture absorption layer. But when the perspiration absorption towel is pulled out of the jersey and upwards, the moisture absorption layer is located between the player and the water-proof layer so that the player can use the perspiration absorption towel to absorb moisture on the player's brow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an athletic shirt with an affixed perspiration absorption towel according to the present invention, where the perspiration absorption towel is in a non-use position inside the shirt and therefore not visible.

FIG. 2A shows an x-ray front view of an athletic shirt with a perspiration absorption towel having a plan design according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where the perspiration absorption towel in its non-use position is visible as a dashed contour.

FIG. 2B shows an x-ray front view of an athletic shirt with a perspiration absorption towel having a plan design according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where the perspiration absorption towel in its non-use position is visible as a dashed contour.

FIG. 2C shows an x-ray front view of an athletic shirt with a perspiration absorption towel having a plan design according to a third embodiment of the present invention, where the perspiration absorption towel in its non-use position is visible as a dashed contour.

FIG. 3A shows a warped-scale cross-sectional side view of a top portion of the shirt and perspiration absorption towel with the towel inside the shirt and against the chest of the player.

FIG. 3B shows a warped-scale cross-sectional side view of the top portion of the shirt and perspiration absorption towel with the towel of FIG. 3A outside the shirt and in the vicinity of the face of the player.

FIG. 4 shows an athlete wearing the athletic shirt of the present invention and utilizing the perspiration absorption towel to remove perspiration from the brow and forehead.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up x-ray view of a hand reaching into the shirt to grasp the perspiration absorption towel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A front view of an athletic jersey (100) with affixed perspiration absorption towel according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The towel is in a non-use position inside the jersey (100) and is therefore not visible. X-ray views of the jersey (100) of FIG. 1 are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C for the three preferred embodiments. The perspiration absorption towels (150a), (150b) and (150c) are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, respectively, in dashed lines because they are obscured by the jersey (100). (Perspiration absorption towels (150a), (150b), and (150c) will be referred to generically with the reference numeral (150).) The jersey (100) has a collar line (102), sleeves (105) and a bottom hem (110). In the x-ray views of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the perspiration absorption towel (150) is visible through the fabric of the jersey (100) for the purpose of illustration of the shape and position of the perspiration absorption towels (150a) and (150b) when not in use. The perspiration absorption towel (150) is affixed to the jersey (100) across an attachment region (170). In the attachment region (170) there is a bonding on the inside of the jersey (100) between the top border (169) of the perspiration absorption towel (150) and inside of the front collar (102). According to one preferred embodiment the perspiration absorption towel (150) is a microfiber cooling towel, such as those manufactured by Mission, LLC.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment mechanism is a removable attachment means, as might be provided by a hook-and-loop attachment, such as Velcro® brand fastener manufactured by Velcro of the United Kingdom. This provides the advantage of allowing the towel (150) to be separated from the jersey (100) and washed separately. This also provides the advantage that during a break in play, a towel (150) which is saturated with perspiration can be swapped for a fresh towel that has not yet absorbed perspiration. However, a possible disadvantage of using a hook-and-loop attachment means, such as Velcro®, is that this adds some bulk to the collar region (102) of the shirt (100).

An alternate removable attachment is a magnetic attachment, preferably using neodymium magnets or the like, which will reduce bulk relative to a hook-and-loop type attachment. Another alternate removable attachment is a buttons-type or snaps-type attachment. A buttons-type attachment will reduce bulk relative to a hook-and-loop type attachment, but creating the attachment or undoing it cannot be achieved as quickly.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the perspiration absorption towel (150) is sewn in the interior of the collar region (102) at the front of the jersey (100). The sewn attachment is non-removable, but the advantage of this sewn attachment is that it minimizes bulk in the collar region (170).

As shown in the x-ray view of FIG. 2A, according to a first embodiment of the present invention the perspiration absorption towel (150) has straight, parallel sides (151) and has a width W_T and a length L_T. It should be noted that the width W_T of the perspiration absorption towel (150) is less than the width W_C of the collar (102) of the jersey (100), i.e., W_T<W_C. Preferably W_T<W_C−2*W_x where W_x is an inset width from each side which is preferably between 3 cm and 7 cm, more preferably between 3.5 cm and 6.5 cm, and still more preferably between 4 cm and 6 cm. (According to a first preferred method, widths W_T and W_C are measured when the jersey (100) is flattened and viewed in plan view. According to a second preferred method, widths W_T and W_C are measured when the jersey (100) is worn and viewed from straight ahead.) Having the width W_T of the perspiration absorption towel (150) less than the width W_C of the collar (102), particularly by the amounts within the preferred ranges, is advantageous because, as shown in the close-up x-ray view of FIG. 5, this facilitates grasping of the perspiration absorption towel (150). In FIG. 5 the portion of the pointer finger (501) which would be obscured by the jersey (100) is shown in dashed lines, and the portion of the perspiration absorption towel (150) which would be obscured by the jersey (100) and the pointer finger (501) is shown in dashed lines. The player may for instance reach with his or her right arm across the chest and hook the left side of the perspiration absorption towel (150) with the pointer finger (501) and remove it from the interior of the jersey (100). Alternatively, another digit of the hand may be used. For instance, the thumb of the right hand may be used to hook the right side of the perspiration absorption towel (150) and remove it from the interior of the jersey (100).

As shown in the x-ray view of FIG. 2B, according to a second embodiment of the present invention the perspiration absorption towel (150) is flared. The perspiration absorption towel (150) has a narrower top region (151) having a top width W_T1 and a wider bottom region (152) having a bottom width W_T2. The perspiration absorption towel (150) has a length L_T. It should be noted that the top width W_T1 of the perspiration absorption towel (150) is less than the width W_C of the collar (102) of the jersey (100), i.e., W_T1<W_C. Preferably W_T1<W_C−2*W_x where W_x is an inset width from each side which is preferably between 3 cm and 7 cm, more preferably between 3.5 cm and 6.5 cm, and still more preferably between 4 cm and 6 cm. Having the top width W_T1 of the perspiration absorption towel (150) less than the width W_C of the collar (102), particularly by the amounts within the preferred ranges, is advantageous because this facilitates grasping of the perspiration absorption towel (150), as shown in the close-up x-ray view of FIG. 5 and discussed above.

As shown in the x-ray view of FIG. 2C, according to a third embodiment of the present invention the perspiration absorption towel (150) has an indent (180) on each side a short distance below the attachment region (170). The perspiration absorption towel (150) has a narrower top region (151) having a top width W_T1 and a wider bottom region (152) having a bottom width W_T2. The perspiration absorption towel (150) has a length L_T. It should be noted that the top width W_T1 of the perspiration absorption towel (150) is less than the width W_C of the collar (102) of the jersey (100), i.e., W_T1<W_C. Preferably W_T1<W_C−2*W_x where W_x is an inset width from each side which is preferably between 3 cm and 7 cm, more preferably between 3.5 cm and 6.5 cm, and still more preferably between 4 cm and 6 cm. Having the top width W_T1 of the perspiration absorption towel (150) less than the width W_C of the collar (102), particularly by the amounts within the preferred ranges, is advantageous because this facilitates grasping of the perspiration absorption towel (150), as shown in the close-up x-ray view of FIG. 5 and discussed above. Grasping of the perspiration absorption towel (150) is further facilitated by an indent (180) on each side of depth W_X2 of roughly 2.5 cm. The indents (180) begin at a length L_X of roughly 2 cm below the level of the bottom (103) of the collar (102).

FIG. 4 shows an athlete (400) wearing the athletic jersey (100) of the present invention and utilizing the perspiration absorption towel (150) to remove perspiration from the brow and forehead (21). In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C the length of the perspiration absorption towel (150) from the bottom (103) of the collar (102) to the bottom (155) of the perspiration absorption towel (150) is a towel length L_T. According to the present invention, the towel length L_T is preferably between 2 and 4 times the collar width W_C, and more preferably the towel length L_T is between 2.5 and 3.5 times the collar width W_C. These preferred ranges of the ratio of the towel length L_T to the collar width W_C generate the best balance of (i) providing sufficient material in the perspiration absorption towel (150) to absorb considerable perspiration, (ii) providing sufficient length of the perspiration absorption towel (150) to allow the perspiration absorption towel (150) to be used to reach critical areas in the vicinity of the eyes such as the brow (21), and (iii) being short enough so as to allow the perspiration absorption towel (150) to be easily returned to the interior of the jersey (100).

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional side view of the top portion of the jersey (100) with the perspiration absorption towel (150) according to the present invention hanging from the attachment region (170) on the inside of the jersey (100). As can be seen from FIG. 3A, the towel (150) has two layers (158) and (159). The layer (158) adjacent the jersey (100) is an absorption layer, and the layer (159) to the inside of the absorption layer (158) and adjacent the chest (10) of the player is a water-proof layer, i.e., a moisture impermeable layer. Having the water-proof layer (159) adjacent the chest (10) prevents perspiration from the player's chest from being absorbed into the absorption layer (158) when the towel (150) is in its non-use position inside the jersey (100). This extends the period of time the perspiration absorption towel (150) can be used. For instance, this keeps the absorption layer (158) dry until it is first needed for use.

FIG. 3B shows a warped-scale cross-sectional side view of the top portion of the jersey (100) and perspiration absorption towel (150) with the perspiration absorption towel (150) outside the jersey (100) and in the vicinity of the face of the player. The scale in FIG. 3B is warped in that the thickness of the jersey (100) and the towel (150) (as well as the layers (158) and (159) within the perspiration absorption towel (150)) is exaggerated for clarity of depiction. As can be seen from FIG. 3B, when the perspiration absorption towel (150) is pulled out of the jersey (100) the absorptive layer (158) is adjacent the face (20) of the player so the absorptive layer (158) can be used to absorb perspiration from the vicinity of the eyes, such as the brow (21), of the player.

Although the perspiration absorption towel (150) of the present invention, and particularly the absorption layer (158), are described as being absorptive, it should be noted that the perspiration absorption towel (150) may also include a wicking layer or wicking materials. For instance, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the absorption layer (158) may be located between a wicking layer (not shown) and the water-proof layer (159). Or alternatively, the perspiration absorption towel (150) may not include a water-proof layer (159). It should be understood that what is important is that the perspiration absorption towel (150), whether made of a wicking material or an absorbent material, has hydrophilic properties which allows it to remove perspiration from the wearer.

It should be noted that neither the parent application to the present application nor any of the references cited in the parent application teach the disclosed relationships between the width of the collar (102) and dimensions of the towel (150). This is because these ranges are the result of not routine experimentation, but rather insight and hundreds of hours of use and refinement by applicant

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it should be understood that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Many other variations are possible. For example: the perspiration absorption towel may be longer than the length depicted, such as extending to the bottom hem of the jersey; the shirt/jersey may or may not have sleeves; the perspiration absorption towel may have a shape other than what is described; the perspiration absorption towel may have be of only a single layer; perspiration absorption towel may have more than two layers; the perspiration absorption towel may not be attached to the shirt at the collar; the present invention may be applied to football jerseys where shoulder pads would make access to the perspiration absorption towel easier; the present invention may be adapted for use with a sports bra; the present invention may be adapted for use with a unitard; a portion of the perspiration absorption towel may be made of a material which can provide cooling; a portion of the perspiration absorption towel may be located to the outside of the garment; the colors of the perspiration absorption towel may match the colors of the jersey; the bottom of the perspiration absorption towel may extend to nearer the bottom hem of the jersey; the invention may be used in non-sports, non-athletic, or non-recreational settings; the invention may be applied to a garment such as a tank top, polo-style button collared shirt, tube top or halter top shirt, military uniform, and so on; the perspiration absorption towel may have a length allowing it to absorb moisture on the top of the head, back of the head, shoulders and/or arms; the perspiration absorption towel may be on the exterior of an interior garment; the perspiration absorption towel may include a string or strip of material on one or both sides which extends from the top of the perspiration absorption towel to the bottom to facilitate removal of the entirety of the perspiration absorption towel, and particularly the bottom of the perspiration absorption towel, from the jersey; etc.

Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated or the physical analyses motivating the illustrated embodiments, but rather by the appended Claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A perspiration management jersey for use in athletics, comprising:

a jersey portion adapted to be worn as a shirt on a player and having a collar, and

a perspiration absorption towel attached at said collar, said perspiration absorption towel having a towel collar-region width in a region near said collar, said towel collar-region width being less than said collar width.

2. The perspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said perspiration management jersey is attached inside said jersey portion.

2. The perspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said said towel collar-region width being less than said collar width by twice an inset width where said inset width is between 3 cm and 7 cm.

3. The perspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said said towel collar-region width being less than said collar width by twice an inset width where said inset width is between 3.5 cm and 6.5 cm.

4. The perspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said said towel collar-region width being less than said collar width by twice an inset width where said inset width is between 4 cm and 6 cm.

5. The perspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said towel has a towel length from a top point which reaches said collar to a bottom point, said towel length being between 2 and 4 times said towel collar-region width.

6. The perspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein said towel has a towel length from a top point which reaches said collar to a bottom point, said towel length being between 2.5 and 3.5 times said towel collar-region width.

7. The perspiration management jersey of claim 1 wherein colors of said towel match colors of said jersey portion.

8. A perspiration management jersey for use in athletics, comprising:

a jersey portion adapted to be worn as a shirt on a player and having a collar, and

a perspiration absorption towel attached at said collar, said perspiration absorption towel having two layers, a moisture absorption layer and a water-proof layer, when said perspiration absorption towel is hanging inside said jersey and worn by said player, said water-proof layer being located between said player and said moisture absorption layer to prevent perspiration from the chest of said player from being absorbed by said moisture absorption layer, and when pulled out of said jersey and upwards, said moisture absorption layer is located between said player and said water-proof layer so as to allow said player to absorb moisture on the player's brow with said moisture absorption layer.