This invention is directed toward a fabric garment that allows audio recordings to be played within the garment. More specifically, the invention relates to a circuit housed within a waterproof bladder, which in turn fits within a garment.
Novelty garments represent a growing and viable component of the clothing industry. More specifically, consumers enjoy purchasing various t-shirts (and related items) that feature the logos, slogans and other indicia that either define their lifestyles or alternatively their current situations in life. As for lifestyle, this may include a particular collegiate or professional sporting team that the consumer supports.
A growing component of these novelty garments relates to event specific clothing. For example, a consumer may purchase a t-shirt (or other clothing item) that relates to a particular city that they are visiting. Alternatively, the consumer may want to purchase a clothing item at a vacation destination such as a resort, theme park or spectacle (i.e., a Las Vegas show, a Broadway musical, or a related musical or theatrical production). For example, a visitor to a theme park may want to don a t-shirt that relates to a specific thrill ride they experienced in order to add to the enjoyment and participation of their vacation.
Often such novelty clothing will not only include graphics in the form of silkscreen printing, but also other indicia. Traditionally, this indicia has included various LED lights connected to an internal battery supply which may illuminate and light up upon pressing a switch. In addition, more recent advances have included the use of pre-recorded audio recordings. Thus, upon pressing a button a sound recording may emanate from the garment that typically matches the theme of the t-shirt (or related clothing item). These novelty garments are especially popular with young adults and children, in addition to adults traveling and participating with families.
There exist multiple drawbacks in the current design and functionality of typical garments that allow for the playing of pre-recorded sound recordings. One example of a rudimentary known garment is found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/653,431 filed on Sep. 2, 2003 entitled “Children's dress up toy capable of outputting a sound” to Nasstrom. The Nasstrom reference teaches a toy garment containing a sound garment device having one or more actuator switches and an outer housing. However, the sound generating device is bulky and heavy requiring it to be worn proximate the hips. Moreover, the device is not waterproof such that it cannot be washed within the garment but instead must be removed.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a durable and integrated novelty garment that allows for performance of an audio recording. Such novelty garment should preferably include a waterproof audio component that need not be removed prior to washing. This is especially needed in light of the fact that such novelty garments absorb water during outdoor events, like visiting a resort, beach or water park. Moreover, the electronic components of such item may be easily overlooked when laundering the item along with other articles of clothing.
The instant invention solves many of the limitations found in current novelty garments that allow for performance of an audio recording. Moreover, the invention allows for an integrated sound generating assembly within a clothing article that is waterproof and durable. Accordingly, the invention allows use of the novelty garment in outdoor events such as visiting a beach or resort, or alternatively enjoying a water park. Moreover, the device can be laundered.
One embodiment of the invention may be described as a novelty garment comprising a clothing article having an outside and an inside. Such article of clothing is selected from a group consisting of a t-shirt, button down shirt, tank top, halter-top, and a swimsuit cover-up. An annular sleeve may be attached to the inside of the clothing article sleeve having a first end, a corresponding second end, a right side and a corresponding left side. Positioned within the annular sleeve is a circuit board having a processor, a memory device, a power source, and a speaker. Optionally, the circuit board may also include an amplifier.
A waterproof bladder of sufficient size and dimension to maintain the circuit board may be employed to ensure the clothing article is washable and capable of use in a variety of outdoor activities. The waterproof bladder also has a sufficient size and dimension to fit within the annular sleeve. Preferably, the first end of the annular sleeve includes an opening capable of removing and inserting of the waterproof bladder containing the circuit board. Such opening may include a hook and loop fastener.
The circuit board may have a variety of triggering mechanisms to tell the processor to play a sound recording. This may include a magnetic strip, in the form of an RFID Tag capable of sending a signal to the processor when the magnetic strip passes through a detector. Another functionality may include a WIFI receiver capable of receiving instructions from a network and reporting these instructions to the processor.
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, in which:
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
While
Optionally, the annular sleeve 110 may include an opening 118 to allow access to the components of the novelty shirt 100. Such opening 118 is preferably at the first end 111 (or alternatively as the second end 112) of the annular sleeve 110. The opening 118 may be secured and sealed through use of a fastener 119, which may be a hook-and-loop fastener, zipper, or related system.
While
The sheets 121 and 122 of the waterproof barrier 120 are of a sufficient size and dimension to be housed and maintained within both panels 116 and 117 of the annular sleeve 110. Optionally positioned between the first sheet 121 and the first panel 116 is a first foam layer 123. Conversely, a second foam layer 124 may be placed between the second sheet 122 and the second panel 117. Both foam layers 123 and 124 are sufficient to provide additional padding such that the user does not feel the circuit board 130 while conversely not affecting the ability to broadcast sound recordings. Alternatively, both foam layers 123 and 124 may be placed within the waterproof bladder 120 to surround the circuit board 130.
The invention contemplates a number of devices to engage the processor 131 for the flat speaker 136 to provide a sound recording for the novelty garment 100. This includes the pressure switch 135. Through the user either physically pressing the pressure switch 135 (or alternatively some third-party force engaging the clothing article 101) a signal is sent to the processor 131 to broadcast.
A second option to trigger the processor 131 is use of an RFID tag 138 (or similar tag device). Such RFID tag 138 is specifically directed toward using the novelty garment 100 at an event or a theme park. Through walking through a scanning device, the RFID tag 138 electrical properties are such that they will provide a signal to the processor 131 when passing certain portions of a theme park ride (or portion of the theme park) such that cause a sound recording to be performed. More specifically, a series of sound recordings may be stored on the memory device 134. By passing the novelty garment 100 through different strength electrical fields, magnetic by way of example, the RFID tag 138 sends different signals to the processor 131 that in turn provide different pre-specified sound recordings.
Yet a third option to engage the processor 131 to perform a sound recording is through a WIFI receiver 139. Based upon receiving a signal, the WIFI receiver 139 may instruct the processor 131 to perform a specified sound recording. This again would be advantageous at a theme park or other related event. Throughout a period of time (such as at a performance or on a theme park ride), a WIFI signal could be directed to the WIFI receiver 139 to play a specific series of sound recordings stored on the memory device 134. For example, during a performance every user wearing a novelty shirt 100 could perform a specific number of sound recordings to complement the entertainment.
The invention is also directed toward a method of providing sound broadcasts through the novelty garment 100.
The method next calls for sending (at 240) these instructions (from any of the above mentioned receiving devices) to a processor 131 of the circuit board 130. This next triggers the sending (at 250) of one or more sound recordings stored in the memory device 134. This may also call for receipt of electricity to power (at 255) both the processor 131 and the memory device 134. The sound recordings are then processed (at 260) through an amplifier 137. Such audio files then go from the amplifier 147 to the flat speaker 138 where they are performed (at 270). The system then loops back and the process begins anew.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/352,076 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and herein in its entirety all commonly owned.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61352076 | Jun 2010 | US |