Player's clothing
2. Predetermined tear lines and plastic deformation
Shirt with predetermined tear lines (DE 298 14 273 U1)
Predetermined tear lines may be designed in a large variety of ways, as shown in the following examples. In DE 296 09 165 U1 the inventor proposes that parts of the shirt that are often pulled by opponents, such as the arms should only be fastened by weak seams or hook and loop fasteners. The idea of applying hook and loop fasteners is also used in DE 198 27 784 A1.
In addition it describes a whole shirt corset made of hook and loop fasteners.
Other fastenings that are released when pulled are made of thin twine threaded through eyelets oa. or press buttons (eg. DE 298 14 273 U1, see Figure).
DE 299 03 344 U1 proposes to fasten separate, tear-off parts of material to an inner basic shirt. This invention prevents the player from having to stand on the pitch in nothing but his underwear, a situation that might happen in extreme cases if the other ideas were implemented.
DE 200 23 058 U1 intends to limit the use of such shirts to strikers since, due to their exposed position, strikers are most frequently attacked by opposing players in the above mentioned way. The name of the player, team number, name of the sponsor or team can be printed on those parts of the shirt which will be detached when a pulling force is exerted. After the game or when a player tears his shirt off during the match, each separate part might be lucratively sold in the fan shop. However, this would be the end of the popular shirt swapping.
DE 201 00 890 U1 describes a shirt made of two types of fibres with differing tear-resistance. Shirt parts prone to being grabbed are made of a weaker fibre so that pieces of material may be torn off the shirt (however this will rather contribute to public entertainment than to compliance with rules).
DE 698 19 170 T2 is an example of another method, mentioned above, to help the referee to notice an offence. Due to the elasticity of the material used, the attempt to hold the opponent will lead to permanent deformation ? ie. plastic deformation ? of the shirt, which documents the offence.
| Publication number | Year | Title | Brief description |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE 201 00 890 U1 | 2001 | Sportbekleidung mit Sollreißstellen | Athletic shirt made of two types of fibres with differing durability allowing to tear off pieces of material to document offences |
| DE 200 23 058 U1 | 2000 | Stürmertrikot | Football shirt with predetermined tear lines for strikers; relevant data of the player/ sponsor/ team are printed on the separate parts of the shirt which can be bought in the fan shop after the game |
| DE 299 03 344 U1 | 1999 | Trikot, insbesondere für Fußballspieler | Athletic shirt with tear-off textile patches, indicating the tugging or holding of a player in a tackle |
| DE 298 14 273 U1 | 1998 | Sporthemd | Athletic shirt with predetermined tear lines, formed by hook and loop fasteners or press buttons |
| DE 198 27 784 A1 | 1998 | Textiles Sportbekleidungsstück | Athletic shirt with a corset of hook and loop fasteners constituting predetermined tear lines; fasteners open when a player is tugged and held in tackle helping to indicate offence |
| DE 698 19 170 T2 | 1998 | Short und/oder Hemd mit hoher Elastizität | Highly elastic clothing that is permanently deformed when pulling offence is committed during the match |
| DE 296 09 165 U1 | 1996 | Sportbekleidung | Athletic shirt with hook and loop fasteners constituting predetermined tear lines; fasteners open when a player is tugged and held in tackle helping to indicate offence |