US20090113595A1

US20090113595A1 - Game day autograph apparel

Info

Publication number: US20090113595A1
Application number: US11/982,634
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward French Hooks, JR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-05
Filing date: 2007-11-05
Publication date: 2009-05-07

Abstract

Autograph Apparel, which is decorated to acclaim success in celebrity groups of one or more, said decoration comprising identifying images of persons in any group of celebrity status; a graphic depiction of an appropriate venue as background for the group of persons included in a particular collection of identifying images; the preferred embodiment including a group descriptor for identification of the included group members, comprising at least an established time frame and event or occasion for which said device was created by the collectible issuer, said Autogrpah Apparel may also include additional decoration including but not limited to trademark emblems for the purpose of identifying the collectible issuer and collection identity or marks of an event sponsor and not limited to any particular apparel location.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to printed matter and, more particularly, to apparel decorated with images, of sporting or other celebrities, which is used as an autograph medium during events creating a product segment for memorabilia collectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A popular method for collecting autographs since the early days of professional sports has been trading cards. Using professional baseball as an example, although the present invention is applicable to the plurality of sports and celebrity appearance events, the typical transaction involves getting the attention of a player then riffling through a stack of cards looking for the players face and name, to be presented for signing. Once signed, the cards are typically stored and not usually on display. The inventors of present invention believe that there is utility in this method of gaining autograph collections, as well as in the ability to wear the autographed apparel should the owner decide to do so. In gathering signatures with the present invention, the collector can be wearing the apparel can hand the player a pen and ask the player to Sign on his image. The apparel then becomes a wearable alternative to paperboard trading cards for game day or any other day.
It is therefore an object of the invention to create wearable autograph medium.
It is another object of the invention to make the collection of autographs at events where celebrities are in attendance more efficient.
It is another object of the invention to create a unique memorabilia niche for collectors of professional, semi-professional and amateur athletic objects as well as non-sporting celebrity areas.
It is another object of the invention to create special groupings of trading card equivalents, thereby leveraging the value of each individuals image for the memorabilia industry.
It is another object of the invention to create a unique fund raising opportunity for all levels of sporting organizations through sponsorship of limited edition collectible apparel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparel, decorated to acclaim success in celebrity groups of one or more person, said decoration comprising identifying images of persons in any group of celebrity status; a graphic depiction of an appropriate venue as background for the group of persons included in a particular collection of identifying images; the preferred embodiment including a group descriptor for identification of the included group members, comprising at least an established time frame and event or occasion for which said device was created by the collectible issuer, said Autograph Apparel may also include additional decoration including but not limited to trademark emblems for the purpose of identifying the collectible issuer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear detail view of an example of decoration for baseball team autograph collection apparel; and

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a baseball themed embodiment of the present invention.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a rear view of an example of decoration for baseball team autograph collection apparel. The Trademark 10 element is important to the device decoration for collectors, however is not a required elements for function of the wearable autograph apparel device. Additionally, the Trademark 10 element may be that of an event sponsor in support of the group. Identifying_image 20 elements for each persona included in the group create space and easy identification of the preferred autograph location when soliciting signatures from members of the group. The venue_image 30, a Baseball field in the present Figures, add visual cues as to the nature of the Autograph Apparel item and give the layout designer positioning reference points for the identifying images, in this case at normal player positions for the included group. The group_description 40 in FIG. 1 is also an important decoration for collectors, but could be optional for a casual autograph seeker focused on getting the names of personas that are well known to the autograph seeking fanatic.
FIG. 2 is the rear view of a Baseball Theme T-Shirt embodiment of the present invention, which includes all elements of FIG. 1, shown on a long sleeve Apparel_Item 50. The elements of FIG. 1 will be useful on the plurality of apparel_items for all weather and seasons.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Claims

1. A game day autograph apparel for the collection of autographs from athletes and celebrities, on apparel items, as wearable trading card collections, comprising:

means for visual identification of the persons engaged in giving the autographs, and creating visual space and location for the celebrity signature to occur;

means for group identification and orienting player or group members within a venue, as when performing a particular functional position to further aid identification, visually linked to said means for visual identification of the persons engaged in giving the autographs, and creating visual space and location for the celebrity signature to occur; and

means for enhancing the collectible appeal of the current embodiment by identifying the nature of the celebrity images in the group, such as this team or these top performers across a sport or activity; the sphere of achievement such as world champions or league leaders; and a referential time frame.

2. The game day autograph apparel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for visual identification of the persons engaged in giving the autographs, and creating visual space and location for the celebrity signature to occur comprises an identifying_image.

3. The game day autograph apparel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for group identification and orienting player or group members within a venue, as when performing a particular functional position to further aid identification comprises a venue_image.

4. The game day autograph apparel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for enhancing the collectible appeal of the current embodiment by identifying the nature of the celebrity images in the group, such as this team or these top performers across a sport or activity; the sphere of achievement such as world champions or league leaders; and a referential time frame comprises a group_description.

5. A game day autograph apparel for the collection of autographs from athletes and celebrities, on apparel items, as wearable trading card collections, comprising:

an identifying_image, for visual identification of the persons engaged in giving the autographs, and creating visual space and location for the celebrity signature to occur;

a venue_image, for group identification and orienting player or group members within a venue, as when performing a particular functional position to further aid identification, visually linked to said identifying_image; and

a group_description, for enhancing the collectible appeal of the current embodiment by identifying the nature of the celebrity images in the group, such as this team or these top performers across a sport or activity; the sphere of achievement such as world champions or league leaders; and a referential time frame.

6. The game day autograph apparel as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a trademark, for identify product creator, collection, or event sponsorship; while optional, its inclusion can affect a devices' valuation as memorabilia.

7. A game day autograph apparel for the collection of autographs from athletes and celebrities, on apparel items, as wearable trading card collections, comprising:

a trademark, for identify product creator, collection, or event sponsorship; while optional, its inclusion can affect a devices' valuation as memorabilia;