US20140304897A1

US20140304897A1 - Touchdown Belt

Info

Publication number: US20140304897A1
Application number: US14/249,783
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Acton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-10
Filing date: 2014-04-10
Publication date: 2014-10-16

Abstract

The invention provides a spectator accessory in the form of a belt having a central emblem adorned with a screen printed image of a sport team's logo. The emblem contains a battery which powers an array of LED lights. On the bottom of the emblem is a toggle switch to turn on the lights when appropriate.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/810,652 filed Apr. 10, 2013, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Touchdown Belt.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of sports, and more specifically to the field of light emitting accessories for sports fans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for light emitting accessories. Among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,206 to Claude Deutsch describes an electrically controlled optical display apparatus for embellishing or decorating a design on a garment. A removable display apparatus has lamps and electrical connectors disposed in a composite removable patch on an inside the garment. The lamps project outside the garment and are held by elastic clamping members surrounding the luminous heads of the lamps.
US Patent to 2005/0030612 to Shunpei Yamazaki and Noriko Shibata describes a process of successively forming from an EL layer, a cathode, a barrier layer and a cover layer in the same multi chamber. The EL layer, cathode, barrier layer and cover layer are formed in the same multi chamber in succession by using a same film deposition method to form the EL layer and the cover layer. A sealed structure of an EL element is formed.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,543 to Michael Larry Ritter describes a light emitting head accessory including an array of light emission devices positioned on a front surface of a strip of flexible material, a logic circuit, a power source, and an input device. The logic circuit is connected to the array of light emission devices and programmed to create arrangements on the array of light emission devices by illuminating a plurality of light emission devices in the array of light emission devices. The power source provides power to the array of light emission devices and the logic circuit. The input device is connected to and instructs the logic circuit to display various arrangements on the array of light emission devices.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to ,provide a spectator accessory in the form of a belt to show support for a favorite team.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prototypical illustrative top view showing an elastic belt, belt clips, a team emblem and name, and team colors lighting up from a center to an outer edge.

FIG. 2 is a prototypical front view showing a team emblem, lights and front facing edges of the belt clips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Showing support for one's favorite team is an engrossing part of any sports fan's regular routine. People advertise their support of different teams and players, a behavior which allows an ardent fan to develop a specific personal relationship with the involved team. All types of different promotional ephemera related to sporting teams have developed as a result of this infatuation, from giant foam fingers and banded sports jerseys to posters and bobble head dolls honoring prolific players. Tuning into the pervading ethic of one's team is a great way to find recognition in an existent community and to encourage one's family, friends and coworkers to get on the bandwagon. Supporting a local team is an important part of integrating oneself into a community at large. As cheering on sports teams during regular events is an important part of social construct in many different jurisdictions, participation in this regular exuberance is an emotionally beneficial pastime for all manner of committed fans.
Celebrating scoring is perhaps the most exuberant part of any sports fanaticism. Whenever a favored team manages to secure one or more points, its fans are programmed to celebrate with one another in the stands or in front of their television sets at home. Further encouragement like fireworks, sirens, flashing lights and other distractions are built right into the fabric of the game, encouraging an attitude of rampant celebration whenever scoring occurs. This persistent stimulation leads fans to embrace all manner of useful devices capable of further broadcasting their ebullient exhilaration to everyone in the local vicinity. From compressed air powered horns to large and gaudy banners, these devices help to reinforce the attitude that winning is everything and the selected team is ultimately destined to win. Encouraging fan participation in goal celebrations is an important part of inculcating a codependent relationship between players and fans. Every professional sports team benefits from encouraging greater and more effervescent celebration by its supporters whenever a goal is secured.
The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Touchdown Belt, provides dedicated fans with a simple and effective accessory to broadcast their celebration upon witnessing a scoring. Wearing a Touchdown Belt emits a spectacular and topical light show to all members within the wearer's immediate vicinity. The Touchdown Belt provides an appealing and visible way for sports fans to show support for their selected team and to vibrantly participate in post goal or post game celebrations. The Touchdown Belt incorporates the latest in modern light emitting diode technology to ensure that fan celebration is easily and effectively broadcast to anyone in visible range.
The highly visible and functional Touchdown Belt is constructed from plastic, elastic, nylon or leather with a two secure metal or plastic clasps or clips 16. The central emblem 20 is adorned with a screen printed image of the team's logo. This emblem 20 contains a small recessed compartment capable of holding a lithium battery. This compartment is protected by a small snap on closure that is easily opened, so a battery is replaced easily by hand. Power leads from this small battery are connected to small toggle switch 12 on the lower face of the emblem's front which is connected to four strands of high power light emitting diodes 14 extending away from the emblem 20 in both directions on the upper and lower edges of the belt's material. These LED arrays 14 are woven directly into the material of the belt 18, but are exposed enough to remain visible to onlookers. They colors of the various LEDs in the design are selected to match the dominant colors of the team being promoted. The LEDs are wired to light up in sequence, moving from one to the next, which creates the illusion of movement from the belt emblem out to the edges of the arrangement. Various different patterns of flashing and movement are possible. These patterns are swapped by simply flipping the present invention's toggle switch back and forth. Each time the present invention is turned on, it cycles to the next available display pattern, ensuring that those who are observing the user never find the display monotonous or annoying.
Using the Touchdown Belt is relatively easy. First, the user locates and purchases a belt that is appropriately adorned to recognize the prowess of whichever team the user supports. These belts are available at a fan store in a local area or an online retailer specializing in sports fan paraphernalia. The Touchdown Belt is available in extra small, small, medium, large and extra large sizes. Once an appropriately sized Touchdown Belt is acquired, a user purchases batteries and secures them in the battery compartment on the rear of the belt buckle. Once the belt is thus arrayed, it is secured about one's waist. The Touchdown Belt is worn inside the belt loops of a regular pair of pants. Relying on simple tension to keep it properly located on a user's frame, the present invention also is wearable on the outside of one's outfit.
With the belt so attached, the user now is ready to participate in observing a game, either in person at a sports arena or from a comfortable seat in front of a television at home or with friends. Whenever the user's favored team scores a goal, the wearer flips the Touchdown Belt's toggle switch 12, causing a cascade of delightful colors to flow forth and illuminate the immediate area and encouraging a general level of exhilaration throughout the gathered celebrants. Once the celebratory moment has waned, the wearer switches the toggle switch 12 to its “Off” position and the belt's vibrant light display ceases. Upon the next scoring incidence, the wearer switches the belt to an “On” position again, causing pulsing and flashing in a different yet equally celebratory manner.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A spectator accessory in the form of a belt to show support for a favorite team, comprising: a belt having a central emblem adorned with a screen printed image of a team logo, wherein the emblem contains a recessed compartment capable of holding a battery, and wherein the compartment is protected by a small snap on closure that is easily opened and battery replaced.

2. The spectator accessory of claim 1 wherein power leads from the compartment are connected to a toggle switch on the lower face of the front of the emblem, wherein the emblem is connected to strands of light emitting diodes forming LED arrays extending away from the emblem in both directions on the upper and lower edges of the belt.

3. The spectator accessory of claim 2 wherein the LED arrays 14 are woven directly into the belt and are exposed enough to remain visible to onlookers.

4. The spectator accessory of claim 2 wherein the LED arrays are colors of the dominant colors of a sports team.

5. The spectator accessory of claim 2 wherein the LED arrays are wired to light up in sequence, moving from one to the next, which creates the illusion of movement from the belt emblem out to the edges of the arrangement.

6. The spectator accessory of claim 2 wherein the belt is constructed from plastic, elastic, nylon or leather.

7. The spectator accessory of claim 6 wherein the belt further comprises two secure metal or plastic clasps or clips.