Arm stockinette and method of using the same

• US 6,405,381 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ProSleeves, LLC
• Original Assignee: Omer A. Bowman Jr
• Inventors: Bowman, Omer A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US09/682,020
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 2 1/6, 2 5/9, 215/9, 215/8, 216/11, 216/2, 217/0, 446/26, 446/327, 405/86
• US Class Current: 2/170
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0051 Decorations
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/08 Trimmings; Ornaments
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/10 Sleeves; Armholes
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/02 by a carrier person or animal

Abstract

Arm coverings (12, 14, 22-27) are provided which include an elongated, tubular, fabric body (28, 52, 66, 84, 94) presenting upper arm-receiving openings (30, 54, 68, 86, 96) as well as lower sections (36, 64, 72, 90, 98) which envelop an area in proximity to a user'"'"'s wrist. Each covering (12, 14, 22-27) includes words or other indicia on the tubular bodies (28, 52, 66, 84, 94). In some forms, the words or indicia is located on the undersides of the tubular bodies (28, 52, 66, 84, 94) and becomes visible when the user'"'"'s arms (16,18) are raised. Some coverings include couplers (34, 56, 70, 82, 90) which serve to hold the arm coverings in position. The coverings (12, 14, 22-27) may be worn by sports enthusiasts or others wishing to express themselves at a sporting event or the like by raising their arms.

Claims

1. An arm covering comprising an elongated, tubular fabric body having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end presenting an upper opening sized to envelop the upper arm of a user between the user'"'"'s elbow and shoulder, said lower end presenting a lower section dimensioned to envelop the wrist of said user, a first coupler operable to maintain the covering in place on the user'"'"'s arm, and indicia provided on the body between said upper end and said lower section.

2. The covering of claim 1, said indicia being located on the underside of said body such that said indicia become visible when the user'"'"'s arm is raised.

3. The covering of claim 1, said first coupler being adjacent said upper opening.

4. The covering of claim 1, said first coupler comprising a band of elastic material.

5. The covering of claim 1, said first coupler comprising mating velcro sections.

6. The covering of claim 1, said first coupler comprising stretch material integrated into at least 35% of the total area of said body.

7. The coupler of claim 6, said stretch material being integrated into at least about 50% of the total area of said body.

8. The covering of claim 1, said lower end presenting a lower opening adjacent said lower section, said lower opening permitting a portion of the user'"'"'s hand to extend outwardly from the lower opening.

9. The covering of claim 8, including a thumb hole adjacent said lower opening.

10. The covering of claim 1, said lower end including a glove section adapted to receive the hand of the user.

11. The covering of claim 1, including a second coupler adjacent said lower section.

12. The covering of claim 11, said second coupler comprising an elastic band.

13. The covering of claim 1, said body comprising a material selected from the group consisting of cloth materials, polyester materials, elastic materials, insulated materials, water repellant materials, and combinations thereof.

14. A method of expression comprising the steps of donning the arm covering of claim 2, and raising the arm to render visible said indicia.

15. A method of expression comprising donning the arm covering of claim 1 and rendering the indicia thereon visible.

16. A unitary tubular body of elastic material having an inside and an outside, said body encircling the arm of a wearer with said inside proximate to the arm, said body further having a first end and an opposed second end, said first end including an opening adapted for the insertion of a wearer'"'"'s arm therein;

said body extending between a wearer'"'"'s wrist and a, said indicia being oriented each that upon a wearer raising their arms, said indicia becomes visible location between the wearer'"'"'s shoulder and elbow and further including indicia thereon.

17. The body of claim 16, said body comprising at least about 50% stretchable material.

18. The body of claim 16, said second end being glove-shaped.

19. The body of claim 16, said second end including an opening adapted for the insertion of a wearer'"'"'s arm therethrough.

20. The body of claim 16, said first end including a coupler.

21. The body of claim 16, said second end including a coupler.