Wearer-activated apparel hidden display

• US 6,175,960 B1
• Filed: 05/10/1999
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Edward Knittel
• Original Assignee: Robert Edward Knittel
• Inventors: Knittel, Robert Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Hale, Gloria M.
• Application Number:
  US09/307,945
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 222/7, 222/8, 223/8, 211/5, 210/2, 210/8, 2 9/3, 2 9/4, 269/1, 2 8/5, 2 8/0, 2 8/3, 2 7/9, 224/4, 224/7-2-1, 405/86, 383/4, 383/38, 383/40
• US Class Current: 2/115
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/08 Trimmings; Ornaments

Abstract

An article of apparel including at least one predetermined segment which is capable of being opened furtively along at least a portion of its width by mechanical manipulation of a rigidifying material herein termed a stay (24). The stay (24) preferably comprises a pliable material. The stay (24) is affixed to the upper portion of the opening segment, which upper portion remains relatively static when the fabric is tensioned from a lower, middle or upper portion of the fabric whereby a display is revealed. The display may be on an insert (26) attached to the upper and lower edges of the opening segment and may also be provided without the insert (26) by an undershirt (40) in juxtaposition to the opening segment. A display may also be revealed on the epidermis of the wearer by the above mechanical manipulation.

Claims

1. An article of apparel providing a hidden display comprising:

a) an article of apparel including at least one predetermined segment which is capable of being opened furtively along at least a portion of its width by mechanical manipulation of a predetermined portion thereof and

b) said predetermined mechanically manipulatable portion of said segment comprising a rigidifying means including a stay and

c) a display means including an insert affixed to said segment by which means the furtive opening of said segment reveals said hidden display.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein said rigidifying means includes a member of pliable material.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein said pliable member comprises a plastic material.

4. The article of claim 3, wherein said plastic material is poly propylene.

5. The article of claim 3, wherein said plastic material is enclosed in fabric.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein said insert is affixed with releasable fasteners.

7. The article of claim 6 wherein said releasable fasteners are made of hooks and loops.

8. An article of apparel providing a hidden display comprising:

a) an article of apparel including at least one predetermined segment which is capable of being opened furtively along at least a portion of its width by mechanical manipulation of a predetermined portion thereof and

b) said predetermined mechanically manipulatable portion of said segment comprising a rigidifying means including a stay and

c) a display means comprising an article of apparel to which a display is affixed, said display being so positioned on article of apparel so as to be substantially in juxtaposition to said segment when worn under said article of apparel by which means the furtive opening of said segment reveals said hidden display.

9. The article of claim 8, wherein the rigidifying material includes a member of pliable material.

10. The article of claim 9, wherein said pliable member comprises a plastic material.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein said plastic material is poly propylene.

12. The article of claim 10, wherein said plastic material is enclosed in fabric.

13. The article of claim 8, wherein the loop side of a hook and loop fastener is attached for possible alternate use with an insert having the hook side of a hook and loop fastener attached.

14. An article of apparel providing a hidden display comprising:

a) an article of apparel including at least one predetermined segment which is capable of being opened furtively along at least a portion of its width by mechanical manipulation of a predetermined portion thereof and

b) said predetermined mechanically manipulatable portion of said segment comprising a rigidifying means including a stay and

c) a display means by which means the furtive opening of said segment reveals said hidden display.

15. The article of claim 14, wherein the rigidifying means includes a member of pliable material.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein said pliable member comprises a plastic material.

17. The article of claim 16, wherein said plastic material is poly propylene.