GB2611280A

GB2611280A - Improvements in or relating to sports equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2611280A
Application number: GB2111583.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Carr Harry; Matthew Barker James; Carr Christopher; Jackson Paul
Original assignee: Hard Yards Sports Ltd
Current assignee: Hard Yards Sports Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-12
Filing date: 2021-08-12
Publication date: 2023-04-05
Also published as: GB202111583D0

Abstract

A tubular sweatband for wearing on a limb comprises an internal stretchable sleeve 18, an outer stretchable sleeve 16, where a pocket 26 suitable for receiving a protective guard or personal item is formed between the two sleeves, where an opening 27 for the pocket is formed in the inner sleeve, where the pocket opening has a length (Y, figure 5) perpendicular to the length of the sleeve (X, figure 5), and where the outer sleeve is formed from a water absorbent material. Preferably there is a cuff 20, 22 at each end. Preferably the opening to the pocket is covered by a flap 24 and comprises a securable closure such as a hook-and-loop fastening 32, 34 and a stiffening interlining 36 such that the opening can hinge open 25. Also claimed is a template for the construction of, and a method of manufacture of, the above.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SPORTS EQUIPMENT

[1] The present invention relates to a sweatband having an internal pocket for receiving a protective guard and/or a personal item.

[2] Both sweatbands and protective guards are commonly used in sports such as cricket where a batsman (or woman) faces a hard leather ball bowled at them at over 80 mph (129 kph). Protective guards are typically formed from a hard plastic material or stiff high-impact foam and provide little comfort to players who may be batting for hours in sunshine with little shade. Protective armguards may also be useful in other hard-ball sports such as field hockey, lacrosse, and baseball. In addition, armbands with pockets can also be found worn by runners or festival goers who wish to carry small personal items in a concealed and safe manner.

[3] According to the invention there is provided a tubular sweatband for wearing on a limb which has a length wherein the sweatband comprises an internal stretchable sleeve and an external stretchable sleeve; wherein a pocket for receiving a protective guard or personal item is formed between the external and internal sleeves; wherein an opening for the pocket is formed in the internal stretchable sleeve; wherein the pocket opening has a length which in use is substantially perpendicular to the length of the limb; wherein the external stretchable sleeve is formed from a water absorbent material.

[4] According to the invention there is also provided a protective sweatband kit comprising a sweatband according to the invention and one or more protective guards for insertion in the pocket of the sweatband.

[5] According to the invention there is further provided a single-piece sweatband template for use in forming a sweatband according to the invention wherein the template comprises a first part of an internal stretchable sleeve, an external stretchable sleeve, and a second part of an internal stretchable sleeve.

[006] According to the invention there is also provided a method of forming a sweatband according to the invention which method comprises the steps of (a) providing a sweatband template according to the invention; and (b) partially circumferentially sewing an outer end of the first part of the internal stretchable sleeve to an outer end of the second part of the internal stretchable sleeve such that a pocket is formed which has an opening.

[007] Advantages of the invention include that the sweatband provides a housing for a protective guard or small personal item which may be worn on a player's arm or leg wherein the sweatband also provides comfort to the player as it may be used to wipe sweat off their face. As the pocket has an opening, the protective guard is replaceable allowing players to change the size, shape, and/or thickness of protection provided or the colour of the sweatband without having to buy a whole new product. The sweatband may be replaced if it wears out. Advantages of having the pocket opening perpendicular to the length of the limb include that it is possible to form the sweatband from a single sleeve by partially joining each end of the sleeve together. Furthermore, it is easier to insert a guard or a personal item along a length of the sweatband body and the guard and/or the personal item are more securely stored [8] In some embodiments, the sweatband may comprise a sweatband body with a sweatband cuff at one or each end. In some embodiments, each sleeve of the sweatband may be formed from a tubular material. In some embodiments, the sweatband may be formed from a natural material (such as cotton and/or bamboo) and/or a synthetic material (such as elastane, polyester, and/or a polyamide (e.g. Nylon (registered trademark)). Advantages of forming the sweatband from a natural and/or synthetic material may include that the sweatband is washable. In some embodiments, the water absorbent material may be formed from terry cloth (or towelling), jacquard, ribbed material, striped material, a brushed material, a fleece material, and/or a microfibre material. In some embodiments, the sweatband may be knitted.

[9] In some embodiments, the sweatband may include one or two cuffs at one or both ends. In some embodiments, the template may include one or two cuffs. In some embodiments, the template may include a cuff between the first part of the internal stretchable sleeve and the external stretchable sleeve and/or a cuff between the external stretchable sleeve and the second part of the internal stretchable sleeve. In some embodiments, the or each cuff may be formed from an external stretchable cuff sleeve and an internal stretchable cuff sleeve. In some embodiments, the internal and external sleeves may be knitted.

[0010] In some embodiments, each cuff may be joined to the internal and external sleeves (or sweatband body) by an inner seam which joins the external sleeve and internal sleeve together. In some embodiments, the inner seam may also join an external cuff sleeve and internal cuff sleeve together.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pocket opening may be covered by a flap. In some embodiments, the flap may be a lower flap which is formed on a lower side of the internal sleeve or an upper flap which is formed on an upper side of the internal sleeve. In some embodiments, the flap may be securable to the internal sleeve by a flap closure system. In some embodiments, the flap closure system may be a hook and loop system, a zipper, a press stud system, or a button and eye system. In some embodiments, a part of the flap closure system may be supported on the flap by a stiffening interlining. In some embodiments, the flap may be hinged to the internal sleeve at a fold which is substantially perpendicular to the length of the sweatband.

[0012] In some embodiments, the template consists of a flap, a first part of the internal stretchable sleeve, a first cuff, an external stretchable sleeve, a second cuff, and a second part of the internal stretchable sleeve. In some embodiments, the second part of the internal stretchable sleeve forms the flap. In some embodiments, the inner stretchable layer is formed from two parts where the first part is a pocket forming inner layer and where the second part is a flap forming inner layer wherein the pocket opening is formed between the first and second parts. In some embodiments, the first and second parts of the inner stretchable layer of the sweatband are connected by a partial circumferential join (e.g. a seam).

[0013] In some embodiments, the sweatband may be formed from the sweatband template. In some embodiments, the sweatband may comprise a first part of an internal stretchable sleeve, an external stretchable sleeve, and a second part of an internal stretchable sleeve wherein the first and second parts of an internal stretchable sleeve are partially circumferentially sewn together to form the opening.

[0014] The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention: FIGURE 1 shows a schematic illustration of the sweatband according to a first embodiment of the invention worn on an arm where the opening flap rests on the internal surface of the band against the arm; FIGURE 2 shows a schematic illustration of the sweatband according to a first embodiment of the invention worn on the lower leg where the opening flap rests on the internal surface of the band against the leg; FIGURE 3 shows a schematic plan view of the sweatband according to a first embodiment of the invention and indicates by dashed line A-A' the plane of the cross-section shown in Figure 4 and by dashed line B-B' the plane of the cross-section B-B' shown in Figures 6 and 8; FIGURE 4 shows a schematic transverse vertical cross-sectional view of the sweatband according to a first embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by A-A' on Figure 3 and indicates by dashed line C-C' the plane of the cross-section shown in Figure 5; FIGURE 5 shows a schematic longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view of the sweatband according to a first embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by C-C' on Figure 4; FIGURE 6 shows a schematic longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the sweatband according to a first embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by B-B' on Figure 3; FIGURE 7 shows a detailed partial schematic longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the sweatband according to a first embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by B-B' on Figure 3; FIGURES shows a schematic longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the sweatband according to a second embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by B-B' on Figure 3; FIGURE 9 shows a detailed partial schematic longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the sweatband according to a second embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by B-B' on Figure 3; FIGURE 10 shows a schematic longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the sweatband according to a third embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by B-B' on Figure 3; FIGURE 11 shows a schematic longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the sweatband according to a fourth embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by B-B' on Figure 3; FIGURE 12 shows a schematic plan view of the internal stretchable body sleeve for use with the sweatband according to a fourth embodiment of the invention across the plane indicated by B-B' on Figure 3; and FIGURE 13 shows a schematic plan view of a sweatband template for use in forming a sweatband according to the first or second embodiment of the invention.

[0015] A first embodiment of a sweatband according to the invention is indicated generally at 10 on Figures 1 to 7. Sweatband 10 is tubular and is suitable for wearing along a length of a limb as shown on Figures 1 and 2 where it shown worn on an arm L1 and a lower part of leg L2, respectively. As shown on Figure 3, sweatband 10 comprises a sweatband body 12 with a sweatband cuff 14 at each end. The sweatband body 12 has a length X as shown on Figure 5 which is substantially parallel to the length of each limb L1,L2 in use. As shown on Figures 4-7, each sweatband cuff 14A,14B is formed from an external stretchable cuff sleeve 20A,20B and an internal stretchable cuff sleeve 22A.

[0016] The sweatband body 12 is formed from an external stretchable body sleeve 16 and an internal stretchable body sleeve 18. At least the external stretchable body sleeve 16 is formed from a water absorbent material such as terry cloth (or towelling), jacquard material, ribbed material, striped material, a brushed material, a fleece material, and/or a microfibre material. The sweatband 10 may be knitted.

[0017] The sweatband 10 may be formed from a single piece sweatband template 80 as described below in relation to Figure 10. In an alternative embodiment, the sweatband 10 may be formed by sewing together a kit comprising the cuffs 14A,14B, the internal body sleeve 18, and the external body sleeve.

[0018] Between the external stretchable body sleeve 16 and the internal stretchable body sleeve 18, an elongate pocket 26 is formed. Internal stretchable body sleeve 18 is formed from two parts which are a pocket forming inner layer 18A and a flap forming inner layer 18B between which a pocket opening 27 is formed. The internal stretchable body sleeve 18 is formed by joining first inner layer 18A to second inner layer 18B by partial circumferential seam 19. Circumferential seam 19 is partial because seam 19 starts on one side of pocket opening 27 and ends on the other side.

[0019] The pocket opening 27 has a length Y which is substantially perpendicular to the length X of the sweatband body 12 (or to the length of limb L1,L2 when the sweatband 10 is in use). A lower flap 24 extends from pocket opening end of the flap forming inner layer 18B on its lower side such that the lower flap 24 overlaps pocket forming inner layer 18A and faces limb L1,L2 in use. Pocket 26 is accessible by the pocket opening 27 which is covered by lower flap 24. On Figures 6 and 7, pocket 26 is shown as containing an elongate protective guard 30. In an alternative embodiment, the pocket 26 may be used to store a personal item such as valuables, e.g. currency, credit card(s), and/or keys.

[0020] Lower flap 24 is securable to the lower side of pocket forming inner layer 18A by a flap closure 32,34 in the form of a hook and loop system. In an alternative embodiment, the flap closure may be a zipper, a press stud system, a button and eye system, or compression against the wearer's limb under normal operating conditions may be used to secure the lower flap 24. A first part 32 (e.g. the hook part) of the hook and loop system is placed on the upper side of an end of the flap 24. A second part 34 (e.g. the loop part) of the hook and loop system is placed on the lower side of the internal stretchable body sleeve 18. The first part 32 of the hook and loop system is supported on flap 24 by stiffening interlining 36. In an alternative embodiment, the first part 32 of the hook and loop system may be the loop part and the second part 34 may be the hook part.

[0021] A second embodiment of a sweatband according to the invention is indicated generally at 110 on Figures 8 and 9. Like features to those of the sweatband 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention are identified by like reference numerals. Pocket 26 is accessible by upper flap 124 which extends from the upper side of pocket opening end of the flap forming inner layer 18B which faces the pocket 26 in use such that upper flap 124 is arranged within elongate pocket 26.

[0022] Upper flap 124 is securable to the upper side of the internal stretchable body sleeve 18 by a hook and loop system 32,34. A first part 32 (e.g. the hook part) of the hook and loop system is placed on the lower side of an end of the flap 124. A second part 34 (e.g. the loop part) of the hook and loop system is placed on the upper side of the internal stretchable body sleeve 18. The first part 32 of the hook and loop system is supported on flap 124 by stiffening interlining 36.

[0023] Flap 24,124 is hinged to the internal stretchable body sleeve 18 at fold 25 which is substantially perpendicular to the length X of the sweatband body 12. The length Xis parallel to the length of a limb L1,L2 when the sweatband 10,110 is in use.

[0024] A third embodiment of a sweatband according to the invention is indicated generally at 210 on Figure 10. Like features to those of the sweatbands 10,110 according to the first and second embodiments of the invention are identified by like reference numerals. Pocket 26 contains a small personal item 130 which is shown in the form of a credit card and which is small enough to fit within the pocket 26. In an alternative embodiment, the small personal item 130 may be one or more keys, bank notes, and/or coins.

[0025] A fourth embodiment of a sweatband according to the invention is indicated generally at 310 on Figures 11 and 12. Like features to those of the sweatbands 10,110,210 according to the first, second, and third embodiments of the invention are identified by like reference numerals. Sweatband 310 lacks an upper flap 124 or lower flap 24. Instead, pocket 26 is accessible by pocket opening 27 which is closable by means of zip closure 124. Pocket 26 contains a small personal item 230 which is shown in the form of a bank note which is small enough to fit within the pocket 26. In an alternative embodiment, the small personal item 130 may be one or more keys, credit cards, and/or coins.

[0026] The pocket opening 27 has a length Y which is substantially perpendicular to the length X of the internal stretchable body sleeve 18 (or to the length of limb LUZ when the sweatband 10 is in use). The internal stretchable body sleeve 18 is formed by joining first inner layer 18A to second inner layer 18B by partial circumferential seam 19. Circumferential seam 19 is partial because seam 19 starts on one side of pocket opening 27 and ends on the other side.

[0027] A first embodiment of a sweatband template according to the invention is indicated generally at 80 on Figure 13. Sweatband template 80 is tubular and is suitable for forming a sweatband 10,110 according to a first or second embodiment of the invention. Sweatband template 80 is formed a plurality of panels of material which are suitable for forming: flap 24,124, a flap forming inner tubular layer 18B, internal stretchable cuff tubular sleeve 22B, external stretchable cuff tubular sleeve 20B, external stretchable body tubular sleeve 16, external stretchable cuff tubular sleeve 20A, internal stretchable cuff tubular sleeve 22A, and pocket forming inner tubular layer 18A. Each pair of external stretchable cuff sleeve 20A,20B and internal stretchable cuff sleeve 22A,22B are separated by indentation 82A,82B which marks a fold line to ensure alignment of the cuff 14A,14B in the formation of the sweatband 10,110 according to the invention. Pocket forming inner layer 18A forms a flat knit area 84 adjacent its outer end 88. Flat knit area 84 has a thinner depth and so is shaped to receive flap 24,124.

[0028] Each sweatband cuff 14A,14B is formed from an external stretchable cuff sleeve 20A,20B and an internal stretchable cuff sleeve 22A,22B. The sweatband body 12 is formed from the external stretchable body sleeve 16 and a two-part internal stretchable body sleeve 18 which consists of a pocket forming inner layer 18A and a flap forming inner layer 18B from which flap 24,124 extends. The outer end of the pocket forming inner layer 18A is a pocket end 88 of the inner layer 18A. The outer end of the flap forming inner layer 18B is a flap end 86 of inner layer 18B.

[0029] The sweatband template 80 is arranged such that ends 86,88 form the outer ends 86,88 of the template 80. Thus, the sweatband template 80 has a layout such that external stretchable body sleeve 16 is central and at each of its outer edges 90,4,90B, the external stretchable cuff sleeve 20A,20B for each cuff 14 is provided. At each outer edge 82A,82B of the external stretchable cuff sleeves 20A,20B, each internal stretchable cuff sleeve 22A,20B is provided. At each respective outer edge 92A,92B of each internal stretchable cuff sleeve 22A,22B, the pocket forming inner layer 18A and flap forming inner layer 18B are provided. At the outer edge 86 of the flap forming inner layer 18B, flap 24,124 is provided.

[0030] The sweatband template 80 may be used to form a sweatband body 12 with a sweatband cuff 14A,14B at each end by (a) rolling the flap forming inner layer 18B over external body sleeve 16 such that cuff 14B is folded at indentation 82B; (b) rolling the pocket forming inner layer 18A over external body sleeve 16 such that the other cuff 14A is folded at indentation 82A; (c) circumferentially sewing the outer end 86 of flap forming inner layer 18B to the outer end 88 of pocket forming inner layer 18A apart from in the region of flap 24,124 to form inner seam 19 (as shown on Figure 5) such that the template 80 is still tubular and such that a pocket opening 27 is formed (which is covered by the flap 24,124); (d) circumferentially sewing the outer end 90B of the external body sleeve 16 to the inner end 92B of flap forming inner layer 18B to form cuff inner seam 13B; and (e) circumferentially sewing the outer end 90A of the external body sleeve 16 to the inner end 92A of pocket forming inner layer 18A to form cuff inner seam 13A. In an additional step (ft), where the flap 24,124 is a lower flap 24, a first part 32 of a hook and loop system may be placed on an upper side of the flap 24 and a second part 34 of the hook and loop may be placed on a lower side of flat knit area 84. In an alternate additional step (f2), where the flap 24,124 is an upper flap 124, a first part 32 of a hook and loop system may be placed on a lower side of the flap 124 and a second part 34 of the hook and loop may be placed on an upper side of flat knit area 84.

[0031] At least the external stretchable body sleeve 16 is formed from a water absorbent material such as terry cloth (or towelling), jacquard material, ribbed material, striped material, a brushed material, a fleece material, and/or a microfibre material. The template 80 may be knitted.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tubular sweatband for wearing on a limb which has a length wherein the sweatband comprises an internal stretchable sleeve and an external stretchable sleeve; wherein a pocket for receiving a protective guard or personal item is formed between the external and internal sleeves; wherein an opening for the pocket is formed in the internal stretchable sleeve; wherein the pocket opening has a length which in use is substantially perpendicular to the length of the limb; wherein the external stretchable sleeve is formed from a water absorbent material.
2. A sweatband as defined in Claim 1 which comprises a sweatband body formed from the internal and external stretchable sleeves with a sweatband cuff at each end.
3. A sweatband as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the water absorbent material comprises a natural material and/or a synthetic material.
4. A sweatband as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which comprises one or two cuffs at one or both ends; preferably the or each cuff comprises an external stretchable cuff sleeve and an internal stretchable cuff sleeve.
5. A sweatband as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which is knitted.
6. A sweatband as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the water absorbent material is formed from terry cloth (or towelling), a jacquard material, a ribbed material, a striped material, a brushed material, a fleece material, and/or a microfibre material.
7. A sweatband as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the opening is covered by a flap.
8. A sweatband as defined in Claim 7 wherein the flap is a lower flap which is formed on a lower side of the internal sleeve or an upper flap which is formed on an upper side of the internal sleeve.
9. A sweatband as defined in Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the flap is securable to the internal sleeve by a flap closure system; preferably the flap closure system is a hook and loop system, a zipper, a press stud system, or a button and eye system.
10. A sweatband as defined in Claim 9 wherein a part of the flap closure system is supported on the flap by a stiffening interlining.
11. A sweatband as defined in any one of Claims 7 to 10 wherein the flap is hinged to the internal sleeve at a fold which is substantially perpendicular to the length of the sweatband.
12. A sweatband as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the inner stretchable layer is formed from two parts where the first part is a pocket forming inner layer and where the second part is a flap forming inner layer wherein the pocket opening is formed between the first and second parts; preferably the first and second parts of the inner stretchable layer of the sweatband are connected by a partial circumferential join.
13. A sweatband as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which is formed from a sweatband template as defined in any one of Claims 15 to 17.
14. A protective sweatband kit comprising a sweatband as defined in any one of the preceding claims and one or more protective guards for insertion in the pocket of the sweatband.
15. A single-piece sweatband template for use in forming a sweatband as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 13 wherein the template comprises a first part of the internal stretchable sleeve, a cuff, an external stretchable sleeve, and a second part of the internal stretchable sleeve.
16. A sweatband template as defined in Claim 15 which includes one or two cuffs; preferably the template includes a cuff between the first part of the internal stretchable sleeve and the external stretchable sleeve and/or a cuff between the external stretchable sleeve and the second part of the internal stretchable sleeve.
17. A sweatband template as defined in Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein the template consists of a flap, a first part of the internal stretchable sleeve, a first cuff, an external stretchable sleeve, a second cuff, and a second part of the internal stretchable sleeve.
18. A method of forming a sweatband as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 13 which method comprises the steps of (a) providing a sweatband template as defined in any one of Claims 15 to 17; and (b) partially circumferentially sewing an outer end of the first part of the internal stretchable sleeve to an outer end of the second part of the internal stretchable sleeve such that a pocket is formed which has an opening.