Importance

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Abstract

An athletic band structure having a knitted-in distinct design and a method of manufacturing such a band are described. The athletic bands are knit using a jacquard patterning mechanism to form a patterned tubular structure having one or more individual courses, each of which have adjacent wales knit from visually distinct yarns. The tubular structure is formed into a finished band in one of several ways. In one method of the invention, the patterned tubular structure is folded axially and seamed to form a double layer structure. The seam can then be repositioned to a central portion of the athletic band where it is not visible when the band is worn. In the production of a high performance embodiment of the invention, upper and lower sections of the patterned tubular structure are knit from a specialty yarn such as a wicking or insulating yarn, which results in the completed athletic band having superior moisture absorption capabilities as well as an integrally formed design. In another method of the invention particularly useful in the production of headbands, a small diameter tubular structure is knit using a jacquard patterning mechanism to integrally form a defined design by causing one or more individual courses to have adjacent wales knit from visually distinct yarns. Opposite ends of the tubular structure are then secured together, to form a finished dual layer headband. In this form of the invention, a plurality of adjacent wales can be knit from a specialty performance yarn along one side of the tubular structure, to thereby form a headband which has superior performance capabilities as well as a defined integral design.

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First Claim