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

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.

1 . A pad system for wearing under sports clothing to produce an image through the sports clothing, the pad system comprising:
 a removable pad including a body having
 a front face including a fastener positioned thereon, and 
 a rear face configured to, in use, face a body part of a wearer, the rear face positioned on the opposite side of the removable pad from the front face; and 
   a three dimensional image element releasably secured to the fastener of the front face of the body, the three dimensional element including
 a back side releasably secured to the fastener, and 
 a front side extending outwardly from the front face of the removable pad; 
   whereby, when said removable pad is positioned underneath an exposed fabric area of the sports clothing, the front side of the three dimensional image element deflects the exposed fabric area outwardly to project an image outline through the exposed fabric area.   
     
     
         2 . The pad system of  claim 1 , wherein the three dimensional image element is in a shape of a number. 
     
     
         3 . The pad system of  claim 1 , wherein the three dimensional image element is in a shape of a logo. 
     
     
         4 . The pad system of  claim 1 , wherein the front side of the three dimensional image element is tapered outwardly from a central area toward an outer edge so that the central area projects a greater distance from said front face of the body than does the outer edge. 
     
     
         5 . The pad system of  claim 1 , wherein the back side of the three dimensional image element includes a background sheet. 
     
     
         6 . A football pants system, comprising:
 a pants body including a pocket for receiving a football pad;   a removable football pad, the removable football pad including a pad body having
 a front face including a fastener positioned thereon, and 
 a rear face configured to, in use, face a body part of a wearer; and 
   a three dimensional image element releasably secured to the front face, the three dimensional element including
 a back side releasably secured to the fastener, and 
 a front side extending outwardly from the front face of the removable football pad; 
   wherein the removable football pad is positioned in the pocket underneath an exposed fabric area of the pants body such that the front side of the three dimensional image element deflects the exposed fabric area outwardly to project an image outline through the exposed fabric area.   
     
     
         7 . The football pants system of  claim 6 , wherein the three dimensional image element is in a shape of a number. 
     
     
         8 . The football pants system of  claim 6 , wherein the three dimensional image element is in a shape of a logo. 
     
     
         9 . The football pants system of  claim 6 , wherein the front side of the three dimensional image element is tapered outwardly from a central area toward an outer edge so that the central area projects a greater distance from the front face of said body than does said outer edge. 
     
     
         10 . The football pants system of  claim 6  wherein the back side of the three dimensional image element includes a background sheet. 
     
     
         11 . The football pants system of  claim 6 , wherein the pocket is open at one end to allow the football pad to be inserted and removed from the pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The football pants system of  claim 6 , wherein the exposed fabric area is a first color and the front face of the three dimensional image element is a second, different color that is darker than the first color and shows through said exposed fabric area. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The football pants system of  claim 12 , wherein the first color is white. 
     
     
         15 . The football pants system of  claim 10 , wherein the exposed fabric area and the background sheet are a first color and the front face of the three dimensional image element is a second, different color that is darker than said first color and shows through said exposed fabric area. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of ornamenting a sports team uniform, comprising:
 attaching a three dimensional image element to a fastener on a front face of a removable pad, the three dimensional image element including a front side extending outwardly from the front face of the removable pad;   wearing the removable pad, with the three dimensional image element attached thereto, under an exposed fabric area of a sports team uniform body such that the front side of the three dimensional image element deflects the exposed fabric area outwardly to project an image outline through the exposed fabric area of the sports team uniform body overlying the removable pad.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , including providing the image element in a shape of a logo. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , including providing the image element in a shape of a player number. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises an adhesive fastener. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein wearing the removable pad comprises inserting the removable pad into a pocket formed into the sports team uniform body.