Three dimensional sports pads and related methods for ornamenting a sports uniform

Abstract

A three dimensional pad for wearing under sports clothing to produce a desired image through the sports clothing includes a removable pad having a body with a front face and a rear face. A three dimensional image element is secured to the front face of the body whereby when the pad is positioned underneath an exposed fabric area of the sports clothing a desired image outline is produced.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A three dimensional pad for wearing under sports clothing to produce a desired image through said sports clothing, comprising:
 a removable pad including a body having a front face and a rear face;   a three dimensional image element secured to said front face of said body whereby when said pad is positioned underneath an exposed fabric area of said sports clothing an image outline is produced.   
     
     
         2 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is in a shape of a player number. 
     
     
         3 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is in a shape of a logo. 
     
     
         4 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is tapered outwardly from a central area toward an outer edge so that said central area projects a greater distance from said front face of said body than does said outer edge. 
     
     
         5 . The pad of  claim 1  wherein said three dimensional image element includes a background sheet. 
     
     
         6 . Football pants, comprising:
 a pants body including a pocket for receiving a football pad;   a removable football pad including a pad body having a front face, a rear face and a three dimensional image element secured to said front face whereby when said pad is positioned in said pocket underneath an exposed fabric area of said pants body an image outline is produced in said exposed fabric area.   
     
     
         7 . The football pants of  claim 6 , wherein said three dimensional image element is in a shape of a player number. 
     
     
         8 . The football pants of  claim 6 , wherein said three dimensional image element is in a shape of a logo. 
     
     
         9 . The football pants of  claim 6 , wherein said three dimensional image element is tapered outwardly from a central area toward an outer edge so that said central area projects a greater distance from said front face of said body than does said outer edge. 
     
     
         10 . The football pants of  claim 6  wherein said three dimensional image element includes a background sheet. 
     
     
         11 . The football pants of  claim 6 , wherein said pocket is open at one end to allow said football pad to be inserted and removed from said pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The football pants of  claim 6 , wherein said exposed fabric area is a first color and said image element is a second, different color that is darker than said first color and shows through said exposed fabric area. 
     
     
         13 . The football pants of  claim 12 , wherein said front face is also said first color. 
     
     
         14 . The football pants of  claim 13 , wherein said first color is white. 
     
     
         15 . The football pants of  claim 10  wherein said exposed fabric area and said background sheet are a first color and said image element is a second, different color that is darker than said first color and shows through said exposed fabric area. 
     
     
         16 . A method of promoting a sports team, comprising:
 wearing a pad with a three dimensional image element under sports clothing of said sports team;   producing a three dimensional image projecting through an exposed fabric area of said sports clothing overlying said pad; and   providing said image in a shape of a logo.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , including using said exposed fabric area of said sports clothing having a first color and said three dimensional image element having a second color that is darker than said first color and shows through said exposed fabric area. 
     
     
         18 . A method of ornamenting a sports team uniform, comprising:
 wearing a pad with a three dimensional image element under said sports team uniform; and   producing a three dimensional image projecting through an exposed fabric area of said sports team uniform overlying said pad.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , including providing said image element in a shape of a logo. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , including providing said image element in a shape of a player number. 
     
     
         21 . A kit for ornamenting a sports uniform, comprising:
 a three dimensional image element; and   a fastener that secures said image element to said sports uniform or a pad worn under said sports uniform.   
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 21  further including instructions. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 21  wherein said three dimensional image element is in a shape of a logo. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 21 , wherein said three dimensional image element is in a shape of a player number. 
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 22  including an adhesive fastener. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 22  including a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 22  further including a background sheet. 
     
     
         28 . A method of ornamenting a team uniform, comprising:
 purchasing a kit including a three dimensional image element having a shape selected from a group consisting of a player number, a logo and combinations thereof; and   securing said three dimensional element under an exposed fabric area of said team uniform.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  including securing said three dimensional element to a front face of a sports pad. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , including inserting said pad into a pad pocket in said team uniform so that said three dimensional image element projects an image through said exposed fabric area overlying said pad.