Interchanging and/or reversing various sections of articles made of fabric materials which causes partial alteration thereof

Abstract

An article of a fabric material having an outside surface, an inside surface, and an orifice, and an affixing means on the inside surface bordering the orifice and hidden from view when one views the orifice and the outside surface. Provided in conjunction therewith is an underlying section having an imprint, pocket or pouch on one side thereof, and an affixing means on a border region of said one side, outwards of the imprint, pocket or pouch. The underlying section can be affixed to the affixing means to be visible in the orifice when one views the orifice and the outside surface. The underlying section can further have an imprint, pocket or pouch on a second side thereof, and affixing means also on a border region of this second side, outwards of the imprint, pocket or pouch on the second side. This allows either side of the underlying section to be displayable in the orifice.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This present invention has relevance to articles made of fabric materials, and to their manufacturing.

2. Description of Related Art

The related art section will be described in two segments.

1) The first segment is about apparel which are manufactured to be worn with customized permanent imprints or imprinted patches that are painted or sewn directly on. Afterwards, I will touch upon the limitations of the construction.

2) The second segment is about apparel which are manufactured to be worn with removable and exchangeable panels or patches and pockets or pouches having various logos, insignias, names, visual illustrations and colors. Afterwards, I will discuss the existing flaws and limitations that are in these constructions.

First Segment

Previously, as well as now, there are numerous articles of apparel such as coats, jackets, jerseys, sport shirts, sneakers and hats and the like, which were manufactured to be worn with customized imprints or imprinted patches having logos, insignias, messages, or visual illustrations of various sorts that are designed and made according to one's preference. These desired designs and imprints, or imprinted patches can be permanently placed on any of the above articles of apparel on desired exterior sections by imprinting or sewing them directly on any suitable, selected section.

These previous art designs were and are limited in benefiting the manufacturer and consumer. To name one of their limitations, suppose you purchase a coat, jacket, jersey, sport shirt or cap, that was custom-made to display the team logo of a particular team, which happens to be one of your favorites. Once you have purchased one of the above articles, that is all you get. You are limited to that particular article. Let's say you have five other favorite teams, which are in different leagues. If you desire to purchase one of the above articles to display the custom-made logos of your five favorite teams, this will result in you having to purchase five of above articles. Purchasing five extra articles may be prohibitively costly for you because of a lack of financial resourses.

Yet another limitation is not being able to properly show your loyalty to all of your favorite causes or events because of inability or unwillingness to buy the requisite multiplicity of articles of clothing. It is well known that all true followers of favorite and noteworthy causes or events would like to display their loyalty to these causes or events via an article that is imprinted to depict these causes and events.

These limitations have caused others to discover and invent alternative methods whereby these limitations can be somewhat overcome, which will hereafter be briefly explained and described in the second segment.

Second Segment

In the past, many inventors have demonstrated alternative methods for manufacturing shirts, coats, jackets, caps, and the like, that allow their wearers to display a variety of removable and exchangeable panels or patches that would bear logos, insignias, names, messages, or visual illustrations. These new methods, as depicted in prior art, demonstrate a seeming solution in putting an end to the described limitations mentioned above.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,527,258 (KAHN), U.S. Pat. No. 2,647,261 (RASSNER), U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,690 (CHRISMAN), U.S. Pat. No. 3,484,974 (CULMONE), U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,848 (BOEHLAND), U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,355 (GALANTO), U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,981 (SANCHEZ), U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,043 (COLEMAN), U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,613 (LEVIN), U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,056 (BRAUN), U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,516 (BAXTER), U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,726 (KELLIN), U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,580 (FOO) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,734 (RATHBURN) are illustrations of such. These U.S. Patents show various articles of apparel which are manufactured to bear a waist band. The replaceable panel fits within an aperture in the garment body and is co-planar with the garment body. The panel is fastened by a zipper extending continuously from the lower marginal edge portions of the panel and at the one side thereof, upwardly and across the shoulder, then downwardly to terminate at the lower marginal edge portion at the opposite side of the panel. The zipper is concealed beneath marginal overfolds of the panel and jacket body. The panel of Kahn has to have a certain degree of bigness, in order to work.

Next, U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,726 (KELLIN), shows articles of apparel having one or more detachable decorative elements replaceably coupled thereto, the article having substantially all exposed cloth surfaces made of stretchable material having a multiplicity of loop elements, the detachable decorative elements engaging the hook elements of the loop elements of the material.

Finally U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,981 (SANCHEZ) teaches a flap hingedly applied along one edge to a garment and held to the garment on the other edges by hooks-and-loops fastening means. the underside of the opaque flap has insignia fixed thereon for exhibiting when the flap is opened. The section of the garment covered by the flap may also have insignia affixed thereto.

However, none of these prior inventions is without its flaws.

The patented systems mentioned earlier, with the exception of U.S. Pat. No. 2,527,258, have either fabric or clear plastic sheet overlays, patches or panels which are secured to the outer portion of the desired clothing by the means of Velcro.RTM. or snaps. As a result of this the fastening means which temporarily fastens the overlays or patches can obviously be seen by an on-looking viewer simply by looking at the fabric or clear plastic sheet overlays, patches or panels from a side or top view. These teachings do not give the fabric or clear plastic sheet overlays, patches or panels the appearance of a PERMANENTLY-AFFIXED-LOOK TO IT'S DISPLAY which is very important to the article appearance. Any on-looking viewer can readily perceive that the fabric or clear plastic sheet are indeed overlays, patches or panels bearing insignia that are detachable, this making them susceptible to theft. It can easily come apart by pulling on the VELCRO.RTM. or snap fasteners.

Two other flaws that exist in the teachings of the above inventions are:

The fabric or clear plastic sheet overlays, patches or panels bearing insignia are secured to the outer portion of a coat, jacket, hat and the like by way of VELCRO.RTM. or snap fasteners. The VELCRO.RTM. or snap fasteners can come apart without the wearer's knowledge. This would cause (1) the coat, jacket or hat to look incomplete and tacky; (2) also the fabric or clear plastic sheet overlays, patches or panels could become lost without the wearer's knowledge of them being lost. Later, in the SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION, it will be made obvious to those having expertise in the art, how the present invention overcomes all of the flaws mentioned above.

Now, removable and exchangeable pockets or pouches in prior art will be the subject matter for discussion. Prior art demonstrates a host of articles of apparel having constructions enabling one to remove and exchange the pockets or pouches section of the articles which are designed and constructed for incorporating such.

For example U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,108 (DANIELS), illustrates a pocket construction which includes a rear panel and a rectangular front panel connected along it's base and one side edge to the rear panel. Hooks and loops of gripper type fasteners are connected to the front panel rear top and free side borders and to the rear panel in positions concurring with the front panel fasteners.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,901 (EYSTER), shows another pocket construction that is capable of being positioned and mounted on or at any desired location of a garment which can be of various sizes, shapes and designs. The pocket comprises at least a front panel having a top edge for forming the access opening between the panel and garment, adhesive means applied to at least portions of the periphery on the back side of the panel so that the pocket is capable of being affixed to the garment at any desired location thereon.

Lastly as far as pocket or pouch constructions are concerned, U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,127 (ZEVCHAK), proclaims a system of interchangeable pockets which comprises a plurality of foundation pads attached to articles of clothing and a plurality of interchangeable pockets. The pockets are made interchangeable by attaching a first type of fastening material to the back of each pocket and corresponding to the second type fastening material on each foundation pad.

There are a number of flaws existing in the pocket constructions of these inventions which are the following:

These pocket constructions are overlays, patches or panels that are removably placed onto the outer portion of a desired garment. (1) The fastening means can be seen by an on-looker from side, top or bottom views. (2) The pocket could also come apart without the wearer's knowledge which would cause the desired apparel to look second-rate. (3) These pocket constructions do not give off a PERMANENTLY-AFFIXED-LOOK TO THEIR DISPLAY, which is important to the article appearance. An on-looking viewer would obviously see that the overlay, patch or panel pocket construction is detachable, therefore capable of being stolen. (4) Lastly, because these are indeed overlays, there is a great chance of them being lost by becoming detached. My invention includes pocket constructions that overcome these flaws, as discussed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hereafter, it will be self-evident that objects and advantages of the present invention include: the use of various designs and constructions whereby articles made of fabric materials, such as jackets, coats, pants, skirts, shorts, jerseys, jogging suits, books, duffle and tote bags, back packs, purses, sacks, gloves, caps or hats and the like, have sections that can be easily interchanged and/or reversed. Overall, this will partially alter the articles thereby creating novel effects in the articles.

For an example, if the article is a jacket, interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections of the invention bearing imprints, including pockets or pouches also bearing imprints can be designed and constructed to fit in any desired suitable section of the jacket. The interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections of the jacket may be more or less, depending on the manufacturer's preferences. There are no limits to the ways in which the invention can be applied.

These interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections can: exhibit imprints, such as various colors, imprinted logos, insignias, names, messages, visual illustrations, pockets or pouches exhibiting the same imprints on them; and are outfitted with suitable affixing means namely snaps, buttons, zippers, and hooks and loops VELCRO.RTM. band-type fasteners. "Imprints" as used herein is meant to include means of imprinting something visual, including printing, designs woven into the fabric, embroidering, embossing, puff embroidery, thermo-fused embroidery and applique-fabric.

The present invention offers a great deal of assistance in eliminating the existing limitations and flaws that exist in related art teachings, as described above in the section DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART. This has been achieved by designing and constructing the articles made of fabric materials and their interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections in a careful, unique manner.

For an example, in all prior inventions, the patches or panels bearing imprints and the pocket or pouch are actually overlays to be placed on the exterior of the apparel. My patches or panels or, more generally, interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections bearing imprints, and the pockets or pouches are designed and constructed to be, in fact, underlying sections, which are fitted within various geometrically shaped orifices, then underly on the back of creased borderlines of fabric, afterwards affixed onto the internal support structure, being fastened there by the utilization of suitable affixing means. The designs and constructions of the articles and the interchangeable and reversible underlying sections is described further below in the section DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION. However, I will touch upon it here briefly.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention are realized by providing the articles and their interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections, bearing various colors, imprints, pockets or pouches, with affixing means. Because of this, the articles can be partially altered, thereby bringing about novel effects. This will give the articles the capability of being many versions and/or the subtilty of one version. In other words, for example, if you like a particular football team, and if the article is a winter type sports jacket, it would be designed and constructed so that you could wear as many editions of that team's logos as you wish. Or let's say you also like a local hockey team, and a local baseball team, you can have the left and right sleeve sections of the jacket carry interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections displaying the hockey team's logo, the back section of the jacket carry interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section displaying the baseball team's logo, all at once, or, if you wish, all coordinating the same team logo today, then interchanging or reversing all interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections for a different edition of the same team logo tomorrow. Using team logos, for example, is just one of the many infinite features of this invention. Any known type affiliation, or preference, logo can be used to depict loyalty and also fashion. This feature can range from pictures of movies, to friends or family, or any artistic imprint. Because of the designs and constructions of the present invention, the above multitude of articles will always remain fresh and never out-dated, thus keeping pace with tomorrow's fashion trends and demands.

This feature would also cause a on-looking viewer to think that you have a variety of jackets bearing imprints, pockets or pouches on various sections of the jacket, when in reality you have only one jacket which has the capacity to be altered.

A few overall results will be:

1) Lessen the need for buying articles made of fabric materials every time old articles go out of style, thereby meeting and keeping up with the current fashion demands and styles.

2) Reducing the expense of articles made of fabric materials bearing customized patches.

3) Reduce the cost of manufacturing articles made of fabric materials.

4) Diminishing the need for retailers to carry limited articles made of fabric materials bearing customized imprints or imprinted patches. Often, retailers are not sure of which articles bearing imprints or imprinted patches the consumer likes and wants to purchase. Overall, the retailer can be overstocked with unsold articles which the consumer doesn't want, and because of this the prices on the articles will have to be reduced so that the retailer does lose too much money.

As was stated above, the present invention is designed and constructed in a unique manner. The articles made of fabric materials incorporate interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections bearing either imprints, or pockets or pouches with imprints on them. The articles and their interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections utilize various releasable fastening means to bring about the interchangeability, reversibility and alterability. This permits a user of the articles to implement the said underlying sections with the articles for a purpose or event and to interchange and/or reverse those sections from the articles and install another array of the said sections within them.

Another object is to provide a variety of interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections of various sorts of metal materials of various geometrical shapes and sizes. These include interchangeable and/or underlying sections bearing imprints that are designed and constructed of non-flexible materials, such as gold, brass, silver, copper, lead, tin, aluminum, steel, bronze or wood, as well as of various flexible materials, such as rubber or plastic.

These materials can be fastened to a fabric that has been outfitted with affixing means. The fabric acts as a backing support for the materials bearing imprints.

Another important object of this present invention is to conceive designs and constructions in articles made of fabric materials, whereby the fastening means systems on the main body and on the interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections would be completely masqueraded from view. This will provide the appearance that the articles are unitary articles, when in reality there are one or many interchangeable and reversible underlying sections incorporated into the articles.

These, along with other objects and various aimed advantages of this present invention, will become even more unmistakably clear when reference is made to the following descriptions coupled with and in association with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows, a back view of an article made of fabric materials (e.g. a jacket with a vented panel section);

FIGS. 2A-2H are enlarged, fragmentary views, that illustrate process steps for making a vented panel section of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3J illustrate process, steps for preparing an interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section for installation into the article's (jacket) vented panel section of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, which shows an assembly of the invention taken on line through 4--4, on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a pair of shorts;

FIG. 6 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a jersey;

FIGS. 7A-7B shows views of the invention in the embodiments of a cap and hat;

FIG. 8 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a back pack;

FIGS. 9A-9B shows views of the invention in the embodiment of two carrying bags;

FIG. 10 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a banner or flag;

FIG. 11 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a vest;

FIG. 12 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a pillow covering;

FIG. 13 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a tank top;

FIG. 14 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a jacket;

FIG. 15 shows a view of the invention in the embodiment of a pair of pants;

FIGS. 16A-16J show an alternative method of designing and constructing the present invention, more specifically the internal support structure;

FIGS. 17A-17E show yet an another alternative method of designing and constructing the present invention, more specifically the internal support structure;

FIGS. 18A-18H show yet an another alternative method of designing and constructing the present invention, more specifically the internal support structure;

FIGS. 19A-19J illustrate various geometrical shapes of the interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections, and also that of the articles made of fabric materials which are indicated by their numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning specifically now to the drawings, wherein like numerals denote like components, there is seen a back view of an article in the form of a jacket 90 made of fabric having a permanently affixed, vented, panel section 6 which enshrouds, upper sleeves and chest/back section. The vented panel section 6 as shown, has geometrically shaped (e.g. square) cut-out orifices 8a, 8b and 8c, at suitable locations. The vented panel section 6 also carries various internal support structures (to be described below) for admitting, affixing and enveloping geometrically shaped, interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections 16a-c. Each of the underlying sections 16a-c contains either one or more imprints 18, or one or more pockets or pouches 20 which can likewise have imprints 18.

In order to clearly comprehend the designs and constructions of the enshrouding vented panel section 6, the various geometrically shaped, cut-out orifices 8a, 8b and 8c, and the internal support structure, FIGS. 2A-2I, should now be taken into consideration.

FIGS. 2A-2H, as depicted, illustrate one of the various ways the present invention can be designed and constructed (other designs and constructions will be mentioned later on). FIGS. 2A-2E are views onto the inside face of panel section 6.

Geometrically shaped (e.g. square) orifice 8c of a desired measurement is cut in a desired fabric portion 2a (FIG. 2A) of panel section 6 to form a geometrically shaped fabric frame 4 as shown in FIG. 2B. Each corner of the orifice is cut on a 45 degree angle to form slits 84a-84d of desired length. This creates four flaps 6a-6d as shown in FIG. 2C. Next, each of the flaps 6a-6d are straightforwardly creased lengthwise, to become afterwards positioned as in FIG. 2D. Next, in FIG. 2E, the "hooks-part" segments 12a-12d of a two-part affixing fabric bands of hooks and loops, known as VELCRO.RTM., cut to desired measurements (four lengths as shown), and coated with fabric glue, such as Weldbond.RTM., on their back side, are each placed onto one of the flaps 6a-6d, spaced a desired distance X away from the geometrically shaped (e.g. square) orifice 8c. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2E, the ban of hooks 12a-12d are afterwards stitched with stitching 24a and 24b along their edges. The VELCRO.RTM. bands 12a-12d (affixing means) as shown, when placed and permanently affixed onto the surface of the flaps 6a-6d away from the borderlines, forms an "internal support structure" 10a of a geometrical shape similar to that of the cut-out orifice 8c, as shown in FIG. 2E.

FIGS. 2F-2H show views onto the outside face of the vented panel section. As seen in FIG. 2F, the hooks 12a-12d part of two-part affixing bands are hidden from view after they are stitched with stitching 24a and 24b to the flaps 6a-6d.

It is preferable to sew the row of stitching 24a and 24b in a circumferential manner spaced 3/4 to 11/2 inches outside of the geometrically shaped (e.g. square), cut-out orifices.

FIG. 2G shows a second fabric panel 2b shaped similarly to, but larger than, the orifice 8c.

The material 2a, with the cut-out orifice 8c and the internal support structure 10a, has stitched to it, with a row of stitching 24c, the second fabric 2b, as shown in FIG. 2H, a view onto the face of panel section 6.

The stitching 24c joins fabrics 2a and 2b together. It also helps to aid and add strength to the internal support structure 10a. As seen in FIG. 2H, fabric panel 2b lies behind fabric 2a.

Orifices 8a-8c and structure 10a are for admitting, affixing and enveloping interchangeable and/or reversible, underlying sections 16a-c bearing either imprints 18, or pockets or pouches 20 which can likewise have imprints 18.

FIGS. 3A-3J shows steps for designing and constructing an interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section 16a-16c. A panel 86a (FIG. 3A) is cut from fabric into a geometrically shaped (e.g. square) desired size, for instance following the outer perimeters of the hooks part 12a-12d as affixed in FIG. 2E. Another panel 86b (FIG. 3B) is cut to the desired same shape and measurements as the first 86a. A piece of iron-on transfer adhesive sheet 22 (FIG. 3C) is then cut to that of the exact shape and measurements of the first 86a and second 86b fabric materials. A suitable example of sheet 22 is Wonder Bond.RTM. or Heat and Bond.RTM.. As shown in FIG. 3D, the iron-on transfer adhesive sheet 22 is then ironed to one side of the first fabric material 86a, which may, or may not, have an imprint 18, or pocket or pouch 20 on it at that time, depending on the manufacture's preference. The second fabric 86b is then ironed onto the back (FIG. 3E) of the first fabric material 86a which has the iron-on transfer adhesive sheet 22 on it. Next, as shown in FIG. 3F-3G, the raw borderline fabric materials 86a and 86b are creased 1/4 of an inch in, then are sewn on all four sides with a row of stitching 24c. FIG. 3G shows just the creasing on the top side, by way of example; all sides are creased and sewn the same way.

The process of the previous paragraph is advantageous for fabrics that are not stiff. In other words, fabrics such as satin, velvet, nylon, some cotton, and the like require an additional, second fabric. This is preferable, because an additional fabric together-with another fabric that is not firm adds stiffness or firmness. Fabrics such as leather, canvas, heavy denim and the like are thick and somewhat firm; therefore, no additional fabric is required to add the stiffness that is preferred for the underlying sections 16a-16d.

As shown in FIGS. 3H and 3J, VELCRO.RTM. (two part affixing means) bands, this time in the form of four loops-part segments 14a-14d of desired measurement are supplied with glue on their backsides and afterwards placed and pressed along the border material on the frontside of the geometrically shaped (e.g. square), interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section 16c, which may, or may not, be carrying imprints 18 or a pocket or pouch 20 construction with imprints 18 on the pockets or pouches. Additionally, the VELCRO.RTM. segments 14a-14d (four of them) on the borderlines are then sewn in a circumferential manner with two lines of stitching 24e and 24f. When finished, a similar geometrical shape (e.g. square) has been fashioned to the appropriate size and geometrical shape (e.g. square) of each of the cut-out orifices 8a-8c and of the internal support structure 10a of the enshrouding, vented panel section 6.

Optimally, another four bands of loop material 14e-14h may be glued and sewed along the borders of the backside of underlying section 16c, as shown in FIG. 3I, and underlying section 16c may have an imprint, pocket or pouch on both sides. FIG. 3J shows a side view of underlying section 16c, with segments 14a-14h and stitching 24e-24f.

Affixing the geometrically shaped, interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section 16c onto the articles made of fabrics is very simple. All one has to do is insert the said underlying section 16c within the cut-out orifice 8c and between the fabrics 2a and 2b of the vented panel section 6 (i.e. the underlying section is inserted through the orifice), afterwards aligning the two part affixing means 12a-12d and 14a-14d of the internal support structure 10a and the said underlying section 16c, pressing them together making sure that there are no gaps or bad alignments. When finished, the geometrically shaped, interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section 16c should show the imprint 18, or a pocket or pouch 20 with imprint 18 facing through the geometrically shaped cut-out orifice 8c of the article. This resulting assembly is shown in the cross section of FIG. 4.

To remove the underlying section 16c from the article for the purpose of washing the article, or to reverse underlying section 16c, or interchange the underlying section 16c with a different underlying section 16c, simply pull completely apart the two part affixing means 12a-12d and 14a-14d, and afterwards remove the underlying section 16c from within the cut-out orifice 8c, then wash the article or interchange the underlying section 16c with a new one or reverse the underlying section 16c, afterwards affixing it back onto the article by following the above process.

As seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the fastening means 12a-12d and 14a-14d, respectively, on the vented panel section 6 and on the interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section 16a-16c, when fastened, is completely closed, and the said sections 16a-16c are, therefore, in no danger of being accidentally lost.

Although the invention has been illustrated in the form of a winter-type sports jacket with an enshrouded vented panel section 6, it is not to be limited to that particular article made of fabric materials. FIG. 5 thru FIG. 15 are illustrations of the present invention in various embodiments, namely, a pair of shorts 26 in FIG. 5, a jersey 28 in FIG. 6, a cap 30a and a hat 30b in FIGS. 7A-7B, a back pack or book bag 32 in FIG. 8, two carrying bags 34a and 34b in FIGS. 9A-9B, a banner or a flag 36 in FIG. 10, a vest 38 in FIG. 11, a pillow slip 40 in FIG. 12, a tank top 42 in FIG. 13, a jacket 44 in FIG. 14 and a pair of pants 46 in FIG. 15. Each of these FIGS. 5-15 shows that the article is an article of the invention, as indicated by the schematic symbol of a solidly outlined orifice surrounded by a dashed line of stitching. The field within the orifice may contain an underlying section imprinted or bearing a pocket or pouch.

FIGS. 16A-16J illustrate an alternative method for designing and constructing the present invention, more specifically by providing an internal support structure 10b. A geometrically shaped (e.g. square) cut-out panel 50b of a desired measurement is circumferentially cut from a desired fabric 50a. Then a geometrically shaped (e.g. square) cut-out orifice 50c is made in the center of geometrically shaped (e.g. square) fabric 50b to form a fabric frame 50d. This is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. Each of the corners of the square orifice is cut on a 45 degree angle to a desired depth of cut 84a-84d to create four flaps 88a-88d as shown in FIG. 16C. Next, each of the flaps 88a-88d are creased lengthwise, to be afterwards positioned as shown FIG. 16D. The hooks-part segments 12a-12d of a two-part affixing fabric band, known as VELCRO.RTM., are cut to desired measurements (four length as shown), then each of them is coated with fabric glue on the backside, afterwards placed and pressed against the flaps on the backside of the fabric frame 50d in a circumferential manner at desired distance away from the geometrically shaped (e.g. square) cut-out orifice 50c, afterwards stitched in the said manner along their inner and outer borderlines with stitching 24g and 24h (FIG. 16E). The VELCRO.RTM. bands 12a-d (affixing means) as shown, when placed and permanently affixed onto the flaps 88a-d away from the borderlines, will form a internal support structure 10b of a similar geometrical shape (e.g. square) to that of the cut-out orifice 50c. FIG. 16F shows the resulting assembly from the front side.

The panel 50b with the cut-out orifice 50c, onto which the internal support structure 10b is permanently affixed, is stitched with a row of stitching 24i (FIG. 16I) to a second geometrically shaped (e.g. square) panel 50f (FIG. 16H) that has been cut from a second fabric 50e (FIG. 16G). The internal support structure 10b will then at that time be facing inward to lie against panel 50f, and will be hidden from view, after the geometrically shaped (e.g. square) panel 50f is stitched to the first panel 50b (FIG. 16I). It is preferable to sew another row of stitching 24j 3/4 to 11/2 inches above the borderlines of the geometrical shape (square) cut-out orifice 8b in a circumferential manner. This row of stitching 24j helps to aid and add strength to the internal support structure 10b when an interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section 16 is affixed. When the second panel 50f is stitched 24i to the first 50b with the internal support structure 10b permanently affixed onto it, there is formed what I have named a "single-framing container" 52. The single-framing container 52 when finished can be permanently affixed on the surface of the articles made of fabric materials by way of either stitching it along the borderlines, or by some other permanently affixing process. As seen in the cross-sectional view FIG. 16J, the single framing container 52, is permanently affixed onto any suitable location of a fabric of an article made of fabric materials 92. After the single framing container 52 is permanently affixed onto the fabric of an article made of fabric base-material 92, an interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section 16c (not shown) is inserted within the geometrically shaped orifice 50c, fitting between the fabrics 50f and 50b afterwards, and affixed onto the internal support structure 10b, to thereafter be viewed in the orifice 50b when one views the orifice 50b from the outside.

FIGS. 17A-17E demonstrate another alternative method of designing and constructing the present invention, more specifically by providing the internal support structure. A geometrically shaped (e.g. trianglar) cut-out 54b (FIG. 17B) is made in a desired fabric 54a (FIG. 17A). Then, as shown in FIG. 17C, a geometrically shaped (e.g. trianglar) cut-out orifice 54c of desired measurement is also circumferentially made to form a fabric frame 56 within the center of the cut-out triangle 54b. The hooks-part segments 12a-12c of a two-part affixing fabric bands known as VELCRO.RTM. are cut to desired measurements (three as shown), then each of them is coated with fabric glue on the backside, afterwards, placed and pressed against the reverse surface of the fabric 54b as shown in FIG. 17D in a geometrically shaped (triangular) manner to desired distance e.g. 1/2 inch, away from the geometrically shaped (e.g. triangle) orifice 54c borderlines, then sewn with two lines of stitching 24l-24m in the said manner as for the other embodiments along the borderlines. The VELCRO.RTM. bands 12a-12c (affixing means as shown), when placed and permanently affixed onto the surface of the fabric 54b away from the borderlines of the fabric frame 56, will form an internal support structure 10c of a similar geometrical shape (triangular) to that of the cut-out orifice 54c.

The fabric 54b carrying the internal support structure 10c at this point can be placed onto a suitable location of a desired article made of fabric base-material 58 (as shown in FIG. 17E), afterwards, permanently affixed onto the article with stitching 24n. The reverse side of fabric 54b and the segments 12a-12c face fabric material 58. As in the other embodiments, an underlying section 16 bearing imprints 18 or pockets or pouches 20 can lastly be connected beneath the edges of the orifice.

FIGS. 18A-18H shows yet another alternative method of designing and constructing the present invention, more specifically by providing an internal support structure 10d. Three strips of fabric 60a-60c (FIG. 18E) are cut to desired length and width (FIG. 18A). Fold and iron each of the raw edges length wise upward and inward (as shown in FIG. 18B), then fold each of them at the center (FIG. 18C). The hooks-part 12a-12c of a two-part affixing fabric bands of hooks 12a-12c and loops 14a-14c, known as VELCRO.RTM., are cut a little shorter than the fabric strips 60a-60c, then coated with fabric glue on their backsides, following which, they are placed and pressed on the reverse surface side of fabric strips 60a-60c length wise 1/2 inch away from the fold at the center as shown in FIG. 18D, then stitching 24o-24p is sewn on the inner and outer edges in a circumferential manner. Then, add one row of stitching 24q along the folded edges, as shown in FIG. 18F. Three pieces of tubing 62a-62c (FIG. 18G) are then cut a little shorter than the three strips of fabric 60a-60c. Each of the tubings 62a-62c is then inserted within each of the fabric strips 60a-60c, being centered and positioned at the fold lengthwise, and afterwards held in place with a row of stitching 24r (FIG. 18F). Next, the three finished fabric strips 60a-60c, carrying the hooks-part 12a-12c of the two-part fabric bands commonly called VELCRO .RTM. bands on their underside, are placed and permanently affixed in a geometrically shaped (trianglar) manner onto a suitable location of the surface of an article made of fabric base-material 94 (as shown in FIG. 18H) by way of stitching 24s or some other permanently affixing process.

It is very important to note that the alternative designs and constructions of the present invention, more particularly the internal support structure, have a common concept with the first design and construction which was illustrated earlier above with reference to FIG. 2. The interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section is still inserted within the geometrically shaped orifice, fitting between the fabrics afterwards, and affixed onto the internal support structure, to thereafter be viewed in the orifice when one views the orifice from the outside.

FIGS. 19A-19J illustrate the various geometrical shapes that the interchangeable and/or reversible underlying sections 16 can have, in order to match correspondingly shaped orifice frames on articles made of fabric materials. There are: a circular shape 64 in FIG. 19A, a square shape 66 in FIG. 19B, a rectangle 68 in FIG. 19C, a rhombus 70 in FIG. 19D, a rhomboid 72 in FIG. 19E, a triangle 74 in FIG. 19F, a pentagon 76 in FIG. 19G, a hexagon 78 in FIG. 19H, a heptagon 80 in FIG. 19I and a octagon 82 in FIG. 19J. In each illustration, the loops part of the affixing system is shown in place on the perimeter of the shape. However, hooks-part can likewise be placed on the perimeter of the shape, and the loops-part can be placed on the shape of the orifice's internal support structure on the articles made of fabric materials.

While this present invention has been depicted in relationship with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that alterations, modifications and productions therein may be made by those in the art to which it pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, any type of fastening means could be implemented to affix the underlying sections to the article made of fabric materials, for instance fastening means such as snaps, mild adhesives, and the like. Also, instead of folding and sewing the raw edges of the orifices, and the interchangeable and/or reversible underlying section by way of stitching, a serging machine can be employed to serge them. The edges can also made to be hidden by sewing fabric bands around them. These applications can cause the orifice and underlying section to look neater, or varied, appearance wise. Accordingly, the scope of this present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims and any equivalents allowed by the law of patents.

Claims

1. An article comprising

a fabric material having an outside surface, an inside surface, and an orifice,

an affixing means on the inside surface bordering the orifice and hidden from view when one views the orifice and the outside surface, the affixing means being one part of a multi-part affixing means comprised of said one part and an other part, said one part being distributed on the inside surface bordering the orifice so as to obtain essentially complete closure when joined with a similarly distributed other part on the border of an underlying section, the affixing means providing interchangeable or reversible attachment of an underlying section,

and a panel or base-material (2b, 50f, 58, 94) permanently secured to the inside surface of the material around the orifice, outwards of the affixing means and extending across the orifice.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an underlying section affixed to the affixing means and visible in the orifice when one views the orifice and the outside surface.

3. An article as claimed in claim 2, the underlying section having an imprint, pocket or pouch on one side thereof, and an affixing means on a border region of said one side, outwards of the imprint, pocket or pouch, the imprint, pocket or pouch being visible in the orifice when one views the orifice and the outside surface.

4. An article as claimed in claim 3, the section further having an imprint, pocket or pouch on a reverse side thereof, and an affixing means on a border region of said reverse side, outwards of the imprint, pocket or pouch on the reverse side.

5. An article as claimed in claim 1, the orifice extending through the material between the outside surface and the inside surface.

6. An article as claimed in claim 5, wherein the panel or base-material is a panel (2b).

7. An article as claimed in claim 5, the orifice comprising a cut-out orifice in the material.

8. An article as claimed in claim 5, the material comprising a frame (5Od,56).

9. An article as claimed in claim 8, wherein the panel or base-material is a panel (50f), whereby a single-framing container (52) is formed.

10. An article as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a base-material (92), the single-framing container being permanently secured to the base-material (92) outwards of the affixing means.

11. An article as claimed in claim 8, wherein the panel or base-material is a base-material (58), the frame (56) being permanently secured to the base-material outwards of the affixing means.

12. An article as claimed in claim 5, the material comprising a plurality of assembled strips (60a-60c).

13. An article as claimed in claim 12, wherein the panel or base-material is a base-material (94), the assembled strips being permanently secured to the base-material outwards of the affixing means.

14. An underlying section having an imprint, pocket or pouch on one side thereof, and affixing means on a border region of said one side, outwards of the imprint, pocket or pouch, the affixing means on said one side being an other part of a multi-part affixing means comprised of a one part and said other part, said other part being distributed on the border region so as to obtain essentially complete closure when joined with a similarly distributed one part on an inside surface bordering an orifice of a material, the affixing means providing interchangeable or reversible attachment at such an orifice, farther having an imprint, pocket or pouch on a reverse side thereof, and an affixing means of the same characteristics on a border region of said reverse side, outwards of the imprint, pocket or pouch on the reverse side.

15. A method of using an underlying section having an imprint, pocket or pouch on one side thereof, and an affixing means on a border region of said one side, outwards of the imprint, pocket or pouch, said method comprising

inserting the underlying section through the orifice of an article comprising a fabric material having an outside surface, an inside surface, and an orifice, and an affixing means on the inside surface bordering the orifice and hidden from view when one views the orifice and the outside surface,

aligning the affixing means of the underlying section with that of the article, and

joining the two affixing means together, so that the imprint, pocket or pouch is displayed in the orifice when viewing the outside surface of the material.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, the affixing means permitting interchanging or reversing of the underlying section.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising interchanging the underlying section.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising reversing the underlying section.

19. A method as claimed in claim 16, the article further comprising a panel or base-material (2b, 50f, 58, 94) permanently secured to the inside surface of the material around the orifice, outwards of the affixing means and extending across the orifice.

20. An article comprising

a fabric material having an outside surface, an inside surface, and an orifice extending through the material between the outside surface and the inside surface,

an affixing means on the inside surface bordering the orifice, the affixing means being one part of a multi-part affixing means comprised of said one part and an other part, said one part being distributed on the inside surface bordering the orifice so as to obtain essentially complete closure when joined with a similarly distributed other part on the border of an underlying section, the affixing means providing interchangeable or reversible attachment of an underlying section,

and a panel or base-material (2b, 50f, 58, 94) permanently secured to the inside surface of the material around the orifice, outwards of the affixing means and extending across the orifice.