Mount for securing an image to fabric

Abstract

A mount for securing an image to fabric and fabric items including said mount. The mount is designed to secure, protect, enclose and display an image when attached to a fabric which can have significantly higher elasticity than the image. Portions of the mount may have an elasticity intermediate the elasticity of the fabric and the image. The mount may include reinforcing materials. The mount may be sewn, glued or otherwise bonded to fabric. The fabric may comprise an item of apparel, for example a wrist band, head band.

1 . A mount adapted to enclose an image, the mount comprising:
 a base comprising a base silicone;   a housing comprising a housing silicone;   a lens comprising a transparent silicone;   the housing having a back-plate secured to the base;   the housing having a rim disposed around the periphery of the back-plate;   the rim defining a shallow cavity configured to receive the image; and   the lens positioned in the shallow cavity and attached to the rim and thereby configured to secure an image between the lens and the back-plate.   
     
     
         2 . The mount of  claim 1 , wherein the base silicone is more elastic than the housing silicone. 
     
     
         3 . The mount of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a peripheral sewing channel. 
     
     
         4 . The mount of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a reinforcing fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The mount of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the housing are circular. 
     
     
         6 . The mount of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal; and   the housing is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal.   
     
     
         7 . The mount of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal; and   the housing is the same shape as the base.   
     
     
         8 . The mount of  claim 1 , in combination with an item of apparel made of a fabric wherein the base is sewn to the fabric of the item of apparel. 
     
     
         9 . The mount of  claim 1 , in combination with an item of apparel made of a fabric wherein the base is bonded to the fabric of the item of apparel. 
     
     
         10 . The mount of  claim 1 , in combination with an item of apparel made of a fabric wherein the base is sewn to the fabric of the item of apparel and wherein the item of apparel is one of a wristband and a headband. 
     
     
         11 . An item of apparel comprising:
 a fabric surface;   a mount adapted to enclose an image, the mount including,
 a base; 
 a housing having a back-plate secured to the base; 
 the housing having a rim disposed around the periphery of the back-plate; 
 the rim defining a shallow cavity configured to receive the image, 
 a transparent lens positioned in the shallow cavity and attached to the rim and thereby configured to secure an image between the lens and the back-plate; and 
   wherein the base of the mount is secured to the fabric surface.   
     
     
         12 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein the base is made of a base material and the housing is made of a housing material and wherein the base material has an elasticity intermediate an elasticity of the housing material and the fabric surface. 
     
     
         13 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein the base comprises a peripheral sewing channel and wherein the base is sewn to the fabric surface with stitching which passes through the peripheral sewing channel and the fabric surface. 
     
     
         14 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein the base comprises a reinforcing fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein the base and the housing are circular. 
     
     
         16 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the base is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal; and   the housing is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal.   
     
     
         17 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the base is a shape selected from, round, triangular, oval, square, star-shaped, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal; and   the housing is the same shape as the base.   
     
     
         18 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein the base is sewn to the fabric of the item of apparel. 
     
     
         19 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein the base is bonded to the fabric of the item of apparel. 
     
     
         20 . The item of apparel of  claim 11 , wherein the item of apparel is an item selected from: a wristband; a headband; pants, hats, belts, shoes, jackets, headbands, swimwear, socks, underwear, caps, beanies, fedoras, gloves, sports equipment, sports clothing, protective gear, climbing gear, ski wear, performance apparel, goggles, eyeglasses, sunglasses, pads, shoelaces, jewelry, traction pads, leashes, wetsuits, knee braces, wrist braces, back braces, compression wear, and watches.