Patent Application
20240298727
The present invention relates generally to the use of inspirational phrases or images, and more particularly, to a sacred article comprising a concealed sacred element for private use by an individual, and a method of making such a sacred article.
Many people find inspiration, solace, and even focus, in various words, phrases, images and the like. Various specific words, phrases, pictures and even colors have been used for centuries to enliven, strengthen, or raise up an individuals or groups spirit or focus. This is especially true in times of distress or need.
The various types of affirmations, motivational or inspirational words or phrases may include sayings such as “I am worthy”, “live and let live”, “one day at a time”, etc. Some people have or develop a favorite word or phrase over time.
In addition to relying on words or phrases for inspiration and guidance, many people engage in various forms of meditation to relieve stress and refocus thoughts. During most types of meditation, the practitioner focuses on one thing to the exclusion of all else. The practitioner focuses on a sound, sight or thought over a period of time. Practiced consistently over time, meditation calms and rests the mind.
Mantras or repetitive sayings, visions or sounds are often employed in meditation as a focal point for the mind. Alternatively, the practitioner may focus on various energy points in the body. Termed “Chakras” in Sanskrit, the seven chakras refer to the specific energy points in the body. The seven chakras are, the crown chakra, the third eye chakra, the throat chakra, the heart chakra, the solar plexus chakra and the sacral chakra. The chakras are used in both meditation as focal points and in yoga to move energy within the body.
Interestingly, specific colors are associated with the individual chakras and may be used as a reminder for the specific chakra. The colors associated with the seven chakras are violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red.
During times of stress, an individual or meditative practitioner my temporarily forget the word, phrase or color used for inspiration, affirmation, meditative focus and the like. Moreover, many people like to seek solace, inspiration, meditative relief, etc. in private and thus may need to be clued into the focal words, phrases or color in private. For example, a person may meditate at a desk during a lunch break or in public places and need to refer to a specific clue to get started.
Likewise, many people wear clothing with slogans or sayings that are positioned on the exterior portion of the shirt for others to see. Wearing a t-shirt with a visible slogan would benefit those passing by who see the shirt. But the attention from others feeds the ego of the wearer; they're seen by others making a statement to the outside world. This can be problematic because it feeds an unhealthy need for attention and seeking approval from others rather than from themselves.
Accordingly, there is need for a solution to at least one of the aforementioned problems. For instance, there is an established need for a method of privately providing a clue or focal word, phrase, image or color to an individual.
The present invention is directed to a method of imparting a sacred element to an area of clothing or other item that is generally only visible to the individual wearing or using the article of clothing or item. The method includes choosing a sacred element, exposing a generally hidden area of the article of clothing or item and imparting the sacred element to the hidden area of the article of clothing or item. The sacred element may be imparted to a substrate which is then affixed to the article of clothing or item or may be imparted directly to the hidden area of the article of clothing or item. As used herein the term “sacred” means that which has particular significance to the individual viewing that which is termed sacred and not, necessarily, to items or phrases of religious significance. Further, as used herein the term “comprising” can also encompass the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”.
In an implementation of the invention, an article may include a main body, configured to adopt a functional position in which the main body provides a utility to a user. The main body may comprise at least one surface which is concealed when the main body is arranged in the functional position. The article may further include a sacred element, carried by the main body and located on the at least one surface of the main body. The article may be configured to adopt a first, usage configuration in which the main body is arranged in the functional position, and the sacred element is concealed, and further in which the utility provided by the main body is unaltered by the sacred element.
In a second aspect, the article may be an article of clothing. The main body may be arrangeable in the functional position by wearing the main body on the user's body. The utility may consist of covering at least part of the user's body.
In another aspect, the sacred element may be provided on an inner surface of the main body of the article of clothing, the inner surface configured to face said at least part of the user's body when the main body is arranged in the functional position.
In another aspect, the sacred element may be provided on a foldable portion of the main body. The article may be further configured to adopt a second configuration in which the foldable portion of the main body is folded outward and away from said at least part of the user's body with respect to the usage configuration, and further in which the sacred element is exposed and visible by the user.
In another aspect, in the second configuration, the sacred element may be readable by the user.
In another aspect, the sacred element may be provided on an inner surface of a waistband of the main body of the article of clothing. The waistband may be foldable outward and downward from the first configuration to the second configuration about a hinge portion of the main body. In the first and second configurations, a top edge of the waistband may be arranged above and frontward of the hinge portion, respectively.
In another aspect, when the article is arranged in the usage configuration, the sacred element may be located adjacent to an area of the user's body associated with a chakra.
In another aspect, the article of clothing may include a cap.
In another aspect, the article of clothing may include a jacket.
In another aspect, the article of clothing may include a pair of pants.
In another aspect, the article may be a cup. The main body may be arrangeable in the functional position by resting a bottom portion of the cup on a surface. The utility may consist of retaining a substance inside the cup.
In another aspect, the sacred element may be attached to the main body.
In another aspect, the sacred element may be provided on a substrate, the substrate and sacred element forming a patch. The patch may be attached to the main body.
In another aspect, the sacred element may include a textual sacred element.
In another aspect, the sacred element may include a pictorial sacred element.
In another aspect, the sacred element may include a color.
In another aspect, the color may be associated with a chakra.
In another implementation of the invention, a method of imparting a sacred element to an article in a private location thereof may include the steps of:
In another aspect, the step of imparting the sacred element to said at least one surface of the article may include imparting the sacred element to a substrate and attaching the substrate to said at least one surface of the article.
In yet another implementation of the invention, a method of imparting a sacred element to an article of clothing in a private location may include the steps of:
In a further implementation of the invention, a method of imparting a sacred element to an item in a private location may include the steps of:
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a method of imparting a spiritual or sacred element to an item for private use by an individual.
Referring initially to
The textual sacred element 100 may include phrases of affirmation such as, but not limited to, “I am strong”, “I am worthy”, “I am good”, etc. These textual sacred elements 100 relating to phrases of affirmation can aid an individual while going through various struggles throughout life. As used herein the term “sacred” means that which has particular significance to the individual viewing that which is termed sacred and not, necessarily, to items or phrases of religious significance. It should be noted that the subconscious mind, during meditation, can affect the conscious mind to raise both good and bad things, thus the term “sacred” can refer to negative words, phrases, symbols as well as positive words, phrases, symbols, etc.
Alternatively, the textual sacred element 100 may include various mantras such as those used in meditative practices. Examples of such sacred element 100 relating to mantras may include words, or words representing sounds, which are spoken in Sanskrit, and which are repeated to assist an individual in focusing on a particular meditative idea or movement.
Further, the textual sacred element 100 may include words or phrases related to various chakras which relating to energy points within the body. Examples of such textual sacred element 100 relating to chakras include Crown, Third Eye, Throat, Heart, Solar Plexus, Sacral, Root, etc. The textual sacred elements 100 may remind an individual to focus on the various chakras while meditating or performing other enlightening activities.
Referring to
The textual sacred element 100 can be imparted to the substrate 110 in various manners. For example, the textual sacred element 100 can be printed, dyed, silk screened, heat transferred, laser-printed, etc. onto the substrate 110. Alternatively, the textual sacred element 100 can be sewn into the substrate 110, for example, embossed into the substrate, etc.
All the methods of embodying the textual sacred element 100 into or onto the substrate 110 may be done in various colors, alphabets, text fonts, etc. For example, the color of the textual sacred element 100 may enhance or further define its meaning. Different alphabets may bring life to the textual sacred elements 100. For example, using Chinese characters, Hangul characters, Sanskrit characters, etc. may focus the individual on the philosophical background and basis for the textual sacred element 100 to further enhance its beneficial effect.
Referring now to
The waistband 210 has an outer surface 218 and an inner surface 220. When donning the pair of pants 200, the outer and inner surfaces 218 and 220 face towards and away from the body of the individual 1000, respectively. The waistband 210 may include an outer or top edge 226 and an inner edge or hinge portion 228. The textual sacred patch 120 is positioned on the inner surface 220 of the waistband 210 of the pair of pants 200, the textual sacred element 100 thereby being positioned in a location that is generally private and visible only to the individual 1000 when desired.
The textual sacred element 100 may be positioned on the inner surface 220 of the waistband 210 of the pair of pants 200 by securing the substrate 210, containing the textual sacred element 100, to the inner surface 220 of the waistband 210. The substrate 210 can be secured to the inner surface 220 of the waistband 210 by sewing, gluing, etc. the substrate 210 to the inner surface 220. It should be noted that, by first positioning the textual sacred element 100 on the substrate 200 to form the textual sacred patch 120, the textual sacred element 100 is not visible through the waistband 210 of the pair of pants 200 and thus hidden from public view.
When the pair of pants 200 are being worn normally, the outer surface 218 of the waistband 210 is visible to the public while the textual sacred element 100 remains hidden on the inner surface 220 of the waistband 210. When the individual 1000 desires or needs to be inspired, reminded, or otherwise elevated in mood or thought, the individual 1000 merely need bend or fold the waistband 210 of the pair of pants 200 outward in the direction of arrow “A”, about the hinge portion 228, to reveal the textual sacred element 100 on the inner surface 220 of the waistband 210. In the outward folded position, shown in
It should be further noted that, in this method of privately displaying the textual sacred element 100, the textual sacred patch 120 may be positioned on other inner surfaces of the pair of pants 200 such as, but not limited to, an inner surface of the pocket 216 or an inner surface of an end of one of the first and second pants legs 212 and 214, respectively. Additionally, the textual sacred patch 120 may be positioned on the inner surface 220 of the waistband 210 of the pair of pants 200 other than the illustrated front 222 of the waistband 210. Furthermore, the disclosed method of privately displaying the textual sacred element 100, in the form of the textual sacred patch 120, may be applied to other items such as, but not limited to, towels, pillow cases, etc.
Referring now to
With specific reference to
As best shown in
While not specifically disclosed in
In a further application of the disclosed method, the pictorial sacred patch 320 may be affixed to an underside 424 of the brim 414 of the cap 400. The pictorial sacred element 300 would be visible to the individual wearing the cap 400 either by directly looking up or by tilting the cap 400 down while hiding the pictorial sacred element 300 from the view of others.
Turning now to
With reference to
The colored sacred element 500 may be incorporated into the substrate in a variety of ways. For example, the colored sacred element 500 may be in the form of a colored thread, different from a color of the substrate 510, sewn into the substrate 510. Alternatively, the colored sacred element 500 may be incorporated into the substrate by silk screening, painting, dyeing, etc. the color of the colored sacred element into the substrate 510 to form the colored sacred patch 520.
As best shown in
As shown, the colored sacred patch 520 is affixed to an inner surface 620 of the body portion 610 of the jacket 600. As with previous embodiments, in normal wearing conditions, i.e., with the individual 1000 wearing the jacket 600 normally, the colored sacred patch 520 is concealed and faces towards the body of the individual 1000. The colored sacred patch 520 is hidden from public view but readily available for viewing by the individual 1000 wearing the jacket 600 by turning or folding the body portion 610 outward in the direction of arrow “B” to expose the colored sacred patch 520 affixed to the inner surface 620 of the body portion 610.
Turning for the moment to
A third eye chakra 2012 is associated with a face 1012 of the individual 1000 and is represented by the color indigo. The third eye chakra 2012 represents the idea “I See”. A Throat chakra 2014 is associated with a throat area 1014 of the individual and is represented by the color blue. The throat chakra 2014 represents the idea “I Talk”. A heart chakra 2016 is associated with a heart area 1016 of the individual 1000 and is represented by the color green. The heart chakra 2016 represents the idea “I Love”.
A solar plexus chakra 2018 is associated with a solar plexus area 1018 of the individual 1000 and is represented by the color Yellow. The solar plexus chakra 2018 represents the idea “I Do”. A sacral chakra 2020 is associated with a lower belly or sacral area 1020 of the individual 1000 and is represented by the color orange. The sacral chakra 2020 represents the idea “I Feel”. Finally, a root chakra 2022 is associated with a base of the spinal area 1022, is represented by the color red and represents the idea “I am”.
Any of the chakras 2000, in the form of the various colors representing the chakras 2000 may be incorporated into the substrate 510 to form the colored patch 520. For example, the crown chakra 2010 represented by the color violet may be incorporated into the substrate 510 to form the colored patch 520a and incorporated into the inner surface 420 (
Referring now to
The cup 700 generally includes a body portion 710 having a cylindrical upper portion 712 and a handle 714 extending from the cylindrical upper portion 712. The illustrated cup 700 further has a bottom portion 720 having an underside or undersurface 722. The sacred element, illustrated as pictorial sacred element 300, is imparted directly onto the undersurface 722 of the bottom portion 720 of the cup 700. Thus, when the cup 700 is placed on a surface, in accordance with a normal or functional operation of the cup 700 (i.e. so that liquids/solids contained in the cup 700 do not fall out through a top opening of the cup 700 and thus remain contained within the body portion 710 of the cup 700), the sacred pictorial element 300 is not visible. When the cup 700 is raised up, the individual using or owning the cup may view the pictorial sacred element 300 as needed. It should be noted that, while the sacred element imparted to the article or item is shown as the pictorial sacred element, the textual sacred element 300 and/or colored sacred element 500 may also be used. Further, the sacred element may be imparted to a substrate, such as, but not limited to, sticker, label or decal material, prior to being attached to the undersurface 722 of the cup 700.
Turning now to
As shown, the pictorial sacred element 1100 “Lorem Ipsum” is imparted directly onto or into an inner surface 820 of the body portion 810 of the jacket 800. Thus, the pictorial sacred element 1100 is hidden from public view but readily available for viewing by the individual 1000 wearing the jacket 800. This is accomplished by turning the body portion 810 outward in the direction of arrow “C” to exposed the pictorial sacred element 1100 on the inner surface 820 of the body portion 810.
Referring to
Alternatively, the sacred element can be directly imparted at step 950 to the article of clothing or other item of use without the use of an intermediate substrate in the form of a patch, decal or other item to be attached to the item of clothing or other item. As noted above, the positioning of the pictorial sacred element 1100, along with the other disclosed pictorial or colored sacred elements or patches on the inside or otherwise not readily visible areas of items mimics the mentally internal and private use of a sacred element or message by a user of spiritual purposes.
Accordingly, the present invention focuses on the individual wearer of the clothing and materials, based not on what is on their outside but rather what they feel on the inside. When a slogan or saying is placed someplace on or near the person, in a secret, private or meaningful location, it is less about the ego, and more about the soul, spirit, or subconscious mind. This in turn makes the slogan or saying more meaningful and powerful. The ego/conscious mind looks to the outside world and from others for what it needs, like reassurance, confirmation, bolstering, and comfort. By focusing inward, the person is in a better place mentally when seeking positive change not only for themselves but also for others.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/450,737, filed on Mar. 8, 2023, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/610,464, filed on Dec. 15, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63450737 | Mar 2023 | US | |
| 63610464 | Dec 2023 | US |
