Fashion Accessories and Entertainment Instruments with Personalized Appearances

Abstract

Fashion accessories and entertainment instruments where accessory pieces can be rearranged instantly on a support. Exemplary embodiments include a game board that can be curled up and wrapped around a wrist.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/102,932 (Attorney Docket No. 3032460 US01), filed on Oct. 6, 2008, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fashion accessories and entertainment instruments, games, books, stories, albums, memorabilia, collectibles and other related products and services.

Traditionally, fashion has always looked to coordinate certain well-established categories of accessories with the clothing that one wears. These accessories tend to be more permanent items of one's wardrobe and can be fairly expensive. These accessories include hats, handbags, purses, jewelry, gloves, and footwear. And traditional coordination efforts mainly address aesthetic concerns over color, pattern, and texture.

Recently, however, the internet age has made it much easier to network online, to publish work on line and to broadcast home-made videos to the world. With that, more and more people are looking for personal expressions in their appearances that keep pace with the fast-changing, rules-breaking internet age. The fashion business is also realizing the growing importance of market revenues from young adults, teenagers and children. Their needs for personalized, customizable, playful and maybe less permanent accessories, games, entertainment instruments, and venues of personal expression are not adequately addressed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention provides various instruments for personalized expression and entertainment. The invention provides detachable and re-attachable pieces that can be used to decorate and reconfigure various objects such as small fashion accessories (e.g., wristbands), game boards (e.g., puzzles), game frames, picture books (e.g., cartoons), furniture and so on. The re-attachable pieces are fashioned from various materials and rely on fasteners such as Velcro® (also known as hook-and-loop fastener) and the like to anchor and release them in such a way that they may be arranged, coordinated, reconfigured, traded, stored, and outfitted in different ways at different times to suit the owner.

The invention also provides packages and individual items that can be used for such expression or entertainment. Various re-attachable items can be personalized, purchased, traded, and collected. Related behavior-altering methods are also provided.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a reconfigurable band, said band comprising:

• • an elongated band body of a length and a width and two ends, said band body having an inner side and an opposing, outer side, said outer side comprising one or more loop-fastener pieces spanning substantially the entire length of said band body;
  • a pair of band fasteners, one at each end of said band body to form a loop sized to fit around a substantially cylindrical part of body; and
  • a plurality of accessory items each affixed with a hook-fastener piece, wherein said one or more loop-fastener pieces cooperate with said hook-fastener pieces to provide detachable and re-attachable fastening of said accessory items to said outer side of said band.

In some embodiments, the accessory item emits light, sound or scent. Some accessory items may include electronics. In one feature, an accessory item bears at least one image. The substantially cylindrical part of the body (e.g., a mammalian, human) that the band of the invention fits around may be selected from the group consisting of a limb, the head, the neck, the waist, the hip, and a finger.

The band body may comprise a flexible material and/or an elastic material. In an embodiment, the band body includes a sleeve. In another embodiment, the band body includes a substantially planar piece of board, e.g., a game board packed into a band. The band may be used with accessories such as game pieces. The board may illustrate a story or a theme.

In one feature, the one or more loop-fastener pieces of the reconfigurable band can be a single, continuous piece of loop fastener or multiple loop fastener pieces spaced out along substantially the entire length of the band body. The accessory item can bear at least one image selected from the group consisting of a character, an icon, a charm, a symbol, a letter, a word, a name, a number, a shape, a color, a setting, a photograph, a frame, an abstract image, a certificate, an award, a game piece, a medallion and a message.

In another aspect, the invention provides an instrument for viewing, reading or inspection, comprising:

• • a substantially planar piece of board comprising one or more loop-fastener pieces: and
  • multiple entertainment pieces each affixed to a hook-fastener piece, at least one of said entertainment pieces belonging to a theme or a story, wherein said one or more loop-fastener pieces cooperate with said hook-fastener pieces to provide detachable and re-attachable fastening of said multiple entertainment pieces to said board.

In one feature, the invention provides a wearable game instrument comprising:

• • a board comprising a flexible material, said board comprising a surface bearing a pattern or image for a game to be played thereupon, said board is adapted to be packed into an elongated body that can be wrapped around a substantially cylindrical part of body; and
  • a fastener associated with a first part of the board, said fastener fastens said first part to a second part of the board such that the board can be worn around the part of body.

In an embodiment, the fastener (e.g., a hook fastener) is permanently attached to a first end of the elongate body of the board and attaches said first end to a second end of the elongated body of the board. The instrument may further include a loop fastener to work in cooperation with a hook fastener. The instrument may include multiple game pieces. In some cases, the flexible material that makes up the board is cloth, plastic or rubber.

In another feature, the invention provides a wearable game instrument comprising:

• • a board comprising a flexible material, said board comprising a surface bearing a pattern or image for a game to be played thereupon, said board is adapted to be packed into an elongated body that can be wrapped around a substantially cylindrical pan of body; and
  • a sheath comprising a compartment for housing said elongated body of said board, said sheath is equipped to be worn around the part of body.

In an embodiment, the sheath further includes one or more loop fastener pieces on a surface. The embodiment may also include a plurality of accessory items each affixed with a hook-fastener piece, wherein said one or more loop-fastener pieces cooperate with said hook-fastener pieces to provide detachable and re-attachable fastening of said accessory items to said surface of said sheath. Multiple game pieces may be included as well.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for encouraging desired behavior in a person, said method comprising:

• • providing a person with a wearable band comprising an elongated band body having an inner side and an opposing, outer side, said outer side comprising one or more first fasteners:
  • providing multiple reward tokens each affixed to a second fastener, wherein said one or more first fasteners cooperate with said second fasteners to provide detachable and re-attachable fastening of said multiple reward tokens to said wearable band: and
  • adjusting reward tokens given to said person based on said person's behavior.
  • The person can be a child or in a penal system, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a band embodiment with a strip of hook-fastener spanning continuously the entire length of the band body.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another band embodiment with strips of hook-fasteners spanning intermittently the entire length of the band body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sleeve embodiment of the present invention fitted over a hair band with a strip of hook-fastener spanning continuously the entire length of the sleeve body.

FIG. 4A illustrates the front (face) of an example of a decorative/entertainment piece that can be attached to the band, sleeve, board and other embodiments shown in other figures herein.

FIG. 4B illustrates the back of the decorative/entertainment piece shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reconfigurable band embodiment that includes the band embodiment of FIG. 2 and multiple decorative/entertainment pieces attached thereon.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a game board rolled up as a closable wrist band.

FIG. 6B shows a person wearing the game board shown in FIG. 6A on her wrist.

FIG. 6C shows the game board in FIG. 6A unfurled and with game pieces attached to it.

FIG. 6D shows four game boards assembling into a larger piece.

FIG. 7A shows a front view of a storage case for the game board shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7B shows a side view of the storage case of FIG. 7A with additional fastening means for attaching to the back of the game board shown in FIG. 6C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the course of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

According to the invention, a base article is provided with detachable and re-attachable items or pieces such that its appearance can vary and be personalized. Various base articles are used to accept and hold one or more detachable and re-attachable items that are in the form of or bear an image of various objects including, but not restricted to: icons, characters, shapes, colors, settings, symbols, words, numbers, letters, awards, certificates, medallions, messages, pictures, picture frames and other objects.

The base article includes a “docking” means for the re-attachable pieces. In one feature, the base article is wearable. Examples of such base articles include but are not restricted to: bracelets, anklets, necklaces, bands, headbands, hairbands, rings, belts, hats, caps, collar, leash and so on. In various embodiments, the base article is a band that forms a loop that is sized to fit around a substantially cylindrical part of a person or an animal, such as a limb (e.g., arm, leg, wrist, and ankle), the neck, the waist or hip area, a finger or the head. In other embodiments, the loop is configured to fit over an object used in sports or leisure, e.g., sporting equipment, balls, dolls, backpacks, bicycles, skateboards, toys, hairpieces, combs, brushes, hats, clothing, electronics, mobile device holders, vehicles, and furniture (e.g., armrests and headrests in cars). The loop may be adjustable in size or of a fixed size. Configurations other than loops that allow fixation of the base article onto a person, an animal, or an object are also contemplated by the present invention. In one feature, the base article can be a substantially planar piece of board or material that is rolled up, folded up, compressed or otherwise packed into a band. The board surface may bear patterns and images, and serve as a game board or illustrates a story or a theme. In various embodiments, the base article is made of a flexible and/or elastic material, such as a fabric, a metal, a plastic, a polymer, a paper product, and so on.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, principles of the invention are now illustrated through examples of wearable bands such as wristbands and hairbands, but should not be construed to be limited to such. According to the present invention, bracelets or wristbands 10 and 30 are shown to each include an elongated band body 12 that is of a certain length and width. In general and depending on the person wearing it, the length of the band body 12 is selected such that the loop formed by the band body 12 fits over the wrist of the wearer. In one preferred embodiment, the band body 12 is made of an elastic material such that it can be expanded to fit over wrists of a range of sizes. In one feature, the band body 12 is made of a flexible material such that the contour of its loop can be altered to fit over the wrist comfortably. The two ends 14 and 16 of the band body 12 can be permanently joined to form a loop or reversibly joined through one or more band fasteners or links such as button(s), zipper, magnet(s), buckles, hook(s) and loop(s). Of course, the band body 14 may be of sufficient hardness that it forms part of a loop and is still wearable around part of a body, e.g., a limb.

In the specific example shown in FIG. 1, the two ends 14 and 16 of the band body 12 are reversibly fastened to each other through a pair of Velcro® fasteners (also known as hook-and-loop fastener). Specifically, on the inner side 18 of the band body 12 and close to one end 14 of the band body 12, is affixed a hook-fastener piece 20 which is a piece of fabric covered with tiny hooks. On the opposing outer side 22 of the band body 12, a strip of loop-fastener piece 24, the other half in a pair of Velcro® fasteners, spans substantially the entire length, e.g., 100%, or more than 90%, 80%, 70%, or 60% of the band body 12. In an embodiment, the material of the band body 12 itself has a texture that is sufficient for the hook-fastener piece 20 to attach thereon. The loop-fastener piece 24 may also span substantially the entire width of the band body 12. Accordingly, virtually the entire outer side 22 of the wristband 10 offers a docking or attachment surface for decorative or entertainment pieces to be described in further details below. The Velcro® fasteners are affixed to respective surfaces through any suitable means, e.g. sewing or gluing. Besides the Velcro® fasteners, other means of instant, reversible fastening means such as magnets, buttons, suction cups, weak glues, can also be used in the present invention to provide the docking surface.

In the specific example shown in FIG. 2, instead of having a single piece of loop-fastener, the outer side 22 of the band body 12 is covered with multiple pieces of loop fasteners 24a-24e that are spaced out throughout the entire length of the band body 12. While not uninterrupted, these loop fasteners 24a-24e effectively cover substantially the entire length and width of the band body 12. Accordingly, by “spanning substantially the entire length,” it is meant herein to include situations where the fasteners are spaced out.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the band body of the present invention can also be a sleeve, or forms a sleeve, such that it can be fitted outside all or part of a less flexible accessory. As shown here, a flexible band body 40 is a sleeve that slides over or is otherwise fitted over a hairband 42 made of hard plastic, wood, metal or other similar materials. Other inserts include but are not limited to bracelets, anklets, earrings, rings, and so on. The band body 40 has an outer side 44 that is generally the visible side when worn, and substantially the entire surface of the band body's outer side 44 is available for attaching, detaching and re-attaching decorative and entertainment pieces. In one embodiment, the band body's outer side 44 is affixed with at least one loop-fastener piece 46 in manners similar to embodiments described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an example of an accessory item 50 which can function as a decorative or entertainment piece according to the present invention is illustrated. The accessory item 50 has an outer side (or a front side) 52 for viewing. The outer side 52 bears or otherwise depicts an image including but are not limited to one or more characters (e.g., cartoon), icons, charms, symbols, letters, words, names, numbers, shapes, colors, settings, photographs, frames, abstract images, landscape images (e.g., national parks), citizenship, certificates, awards, game pieces, medallions, messages, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the image may be a cartoon character, in this case, the smiling face of a frog. Other examples of images are shown in FIG. 5, which include a baseball with bats (50a), a butterfly (50b), a girl's sandal (50c), a letter “A” (50d), and a number “2” or “3” (50e). In an embodiment, the accessory items 50 include random words so that they can be arranged and re-arranged on a base article to form sentences or poems. In an embodiment, the accessory item 50 includes a video clip.

The accessory item 50 may vary in size and dimension, and may be made from any suitable material such as fabrics, cloth, plastic and metal. In one embodiment, the accessory items 50 is edible. In some embodiments, the accessory item 50 assumes largely a flat or two-dimensional appearance. In an embodiment, the accessory item 50 includes a reflective surface, e.g. for safety purpose. In other embodiments, the accessory item 50 assumes a three-dimensional appearance. For example, the eyes 53 of the frog image in FIG. 4A can consist of two convex surfaces. The accessory item 50 can also include texture variations on its front surface 52. Similar images may vary in color (e.g., pink vs. blue), appearance, material and/or function to indicate a gender preference. Further, the accessory item 50 can include features such as luminescence, fluorescence, smell, and sound (e.g., music). For example, the accessory item 50 may be a scented piece of various fragrances. In an embodiment, the accessory item 50 has insect repellant, and can be used on pet collars or regular bands worn by humans. In some embodiments, the accessory item 50 and/or the band body 12 are made of or coated with a waterproof material, and some of these embodiments float in water.

In an embodiment, the accessory item 50 functions as a badge or token of game-playing skill or accomplishment. For example, the accessory item 50 may function as a certified medallion symbolizing a level or feat for playing a video-game such as the X-Box® (Microsoft, WA) games, PlayStation® games (Sony) or Nintendo® games. The medallion may bear an image of a particular game, level, character, or weaponry, and may be obtained only through accomplishing a certain level of play or through a purchase.

In one feature, the accessory item 50 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) or the band body 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes electronics. In an embodiment, the electronics emits signals and is used as a locator in case the wearer (e.g., a child or pet) is lost. In another example, the electronics emits a signal, e.g., a chirping sound, in response to another signal and can also be used to locate the wearer. In yet another embodiment, the accessory item 50 includes electronics equipped with wireless technologies such as the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technology that reacts to a control. In a further embodiment, the accessory item 50 includes an altimeter, a locator chip, a tracking device (e.g., GPS, telemetry), a computing chip or microchip. Multiple accessory items 50 may be packaged and sold as a series or a collection.

As shown by above-described embodiments having embedded electronics, the accessory item 50 may have additional functions besides being decorative and entertaining. Additional examples of the accessory item 50 and/or parts of the band body 12 include:

• • timepiece, such as a clock or stopwatch;
  • reminder piece;
  • laser piece: devices that generate laser:
  • foghorn piece;
  • proximity piece: the piece reacts to other pieces/games etc. based on distance in between;
  • radio piece: live radio broadcast;
  • canvas piece: durable piece for painting;
  • compartment piece, e.g., scalable or lockable (key or combination code activated) containers: for holding small items;
  • locking bands: can be linked to form “bike lock” style device (e.g., unlocked by combination or key);
  • temperature piece: reports temperature or reacts to temperature change by changing color;
  • mood piece: changes color by reacting to changes in body temperature;
  • atmospheric piece: react to humidity, air pressure, etc;
  • detector piece: function as indicators that react to certain chemicals;
  • identity piece: with names, address, etc;
  • medical alert piece: displays existing medical conditions to alert first responders;
  • label piece: label and display injuries, conditions, status, medications of or for an unconscious patient, e.g., when in ambulance;
  • partial piece: each being a portion of a total image or idea where multiple pieces can be reunited to form the complete concept;
  • whistle: e.g., dog whistle or human whistle.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the inner side (or the back side) 54 of the accessory item 50 is affixed with an anchoring means, e.g., a hook-fastener piece 56, which would cooperate with the docking means in the base article, e.g., the loop-fastener piece 24 and 24a-24e described above, to provide detachable and re-attachable fastening. Other anchoring means that provides instant; reversible fastening such as magnets, buttons, suction cups, weak glues, can also be used in the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a reconfigurable band 55 includes the band body 12 with docking means, specifically in this embodiment, multiple loop-fastener pieces 24a-24c and beyond (some not visible in this view). A plurality of accessory items 50a-50e, each with a hook-fastener backing (not shown), are attached to the loop-fastener pieces. These accessory items 50 can serve a decorative or entertainment purpose, and can be easily rearranged, coordinated, removed, traded, replaced, or stored away at different times such that the band 60 would have a different look to suit the owner. For instance, a child can have multiple sets of charms to put on the band 60, such that it can have different themes: sports, nature, animals, occasions (e.g., birthdays), favorite cartoon characters, and so on. In an embodiment, the reconfigurable band 55 is designed for animal, e.g., a pet, to wear. Examples include animal leashes or collars that have accessory items on them with inset repellant, reflectors, electronic doggy door opener, or locators. In one embodiment, the accessory item has a location chip or GPS beacon, or identification tag.

A wearable base article can embody other entertainment purposes, for example, as a game board, the background for a story or a theme or setting, e.g. a theatrical or artistic scene. FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example. In FIG. 6A, a wearable band 60 is shown with an elongated band body 62 flanked by two ends 64 and 66. The band body 62 unfurls into an overhang strip 61 attached to a planar board 70 (FIG. 6C). There is a strip of hook-fastener piece 68 on one end 66 of the overhang strip 61, and a corresponding loop-fastener piece (not shown) on the back of the other end 64. The fastener pieces can be on the same side of the overhang strip 61 or opposite sides as is shown in FIG. 6C. The band body 62 is made of flexible materials, such as a cloth or fabric, plastic, or rubber, so that the band 60 can be wrapped around a substantially cylindrical pan of a body for wearing. As shown in FIG. 6B, the particular example shown can be wrapped twice around a person's wrist before one end is fastened to the other through the hook-and-loop fasteners or other fastening means. The fastener does not necessarily have to be on the end, as long as it fastens one pan of the board to another part such that it forms a loop, in other words, such that it can be worn around a part of the body.

The band body 62 can be unpacked, in this case, unfurled, into a substantially planar piece of board 70 (FIG. 6C). The board can be used as a variety of entertainment instruments. e.g., game boards, background for puzzles, books, illustrations and other art projects. The board 70 can be packed into a band or an otherwise elongated body in a variety of ways, e.g., curled into a roll, folded, or compressed together. The board may bear patterns and/or images for a game to be played upon. In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the board 70 bears the pattern of a checker game board, which is basically 8×8 squares or rectangles of alternating colors (e.g., black and white). Other examples of the board 70 include but are not limited to: tic-tac-toe, chess, checkers, go, goose, Oware, memory games, counting games, spelling games, Sugoroku, backgammon, Patolli, Daldos, and Sowing. The board 70 may also represent miniature athletic fields, courts or rinks.

Accessory pieces of the invention described herein can be attached, removed and reattached to the board 70 through a variety of fastening means including Velcro fasteners. Accessory/game pieces 72 (soccer balls) and 74 (baseballs) with hook-fasteners (not shown) on the back, for example, can be used as entertainment pieces, specifically game pieces, on the board 70. The board 70, in one embodiment, is made of a fabric such that hook-fasteners can be attached to it as the hooks grab onto the textured board surface. In another embodiment, the board surface has one or more fastener pieces (e.g., loop fastener pieces or magnets) for attaching multiple game pieces. The hook-fasteners can also be easily removed and reattached so that a player can move the game piece.

The board 70 may be played upon by itself or, as shown in FIG. 6D, may have fastening means or mounts 63 thereon to attach to another board in order to combine to form a larger game surface, on their reverse or in different patterns. The board 70 can also be attached to more rigid or stable “game frames.” game albums, collector sets or common items to make playing and storage easier. Different individuals may each carry or wear a game board 70 rolled up into a band 60, and combine or assemble them into a larger game board. In one embodiment, the board 70 has different images or patterns on two sides, for example, a checkerboard on one side and a different game on the other. The image or pattern can be such that it requires other images or patterns on other boards to assemble into a functional piece, e.g., for a game.

Specifically, as a simple illustration and referring to FIG. 6D, each band 60 can have, on a first overhang strip 61a, a mounting means 63a such as a strip of hook-fastener piece. Similarly, on a second overhand strip 61b, there may be amounting means 63b. e.g., also a strip of hook-fastener piece. A game board 70 spreads out between the two overhand strips. Those mounting means 63a and 63b allow the band 60 to attach to a corresponding mounting means at the back of a frame or another band, e.g., strips of loop-fastener piece. As a result, multiple numbers of game boards 70, e.g., four as shown in FIG. 6D, can be easily assembled during travel, with or without a frame 71. Again, each board 70 may have a different image or pattern on the reverse side. In some embodiments, such image or pattern combines with those born on other boards to form a functional piece for games when the images are pieced together correctly.

The board 70 may have different wearable configurations. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in some embodiments, the board 70 is stored in a separate sheath 80 that secures the board and the game pieces in an inner compartment and attaches itself as a wearable accessory with the help of fastening means 82 (e.g., Velcro). The sheath 80 may have a closure means 83 such as a zipper or Velcro. Some boards have additional fastening means or clasps 84 (e.g., loop fastener pieces) attached directly on them. These clasps 84 allow them to be stacked together or attached to the back of the game board 70 so that they stay together when the board is taken out for use. Accessory items described herein such as the decorative and entertainment pieces may be attached to the clasps 84 when they are not attached to other clasps. The sheath 80 may be a stand-alone instrument or part of a larger piece of clothing. e.g., a jacket.

Examples of such wearable accessories include bracelets, necklaces, headbands, belts, anklets, suspenders, hats, straps, armbands, fringe, trim and/or combinations of such. Many would be able to wear differently and could be used as the desired accessory then changed or combined to be worn as another. Again, the size, coloring, material, luminescence, smell, sound, embedded technology and textures of the board 70 and attached accessory pieces can be varied.

All or part of the items described herein as part of the invention may be offered in packages with multiple items, with either receiving pieces or docking objects or both, by theme, color, variety, context, setting, sport, activity, animal taxonomy, ecosystem, celestial relationships, abstract concept, fictional creations or ideas or based upon varying themes. They may be sold with or without supplemental material such as storage albums, game boards or books that can receive and bind the objects for later use or for use within the supplemental materials.

The instruments of the present invention may be used to as a reward/punishment system to encourage certain behavior. In one embodiment, certain instruments of the invention are supplied exclusively to certain organizations, e.g., law enforcement, educators, emergency services, and retirement homes, to establish authority or trust with the instruments, and are not sold to the general public.

In an embodiment, instruments of the present invention are used to encourage certain behavior in a person. Such a person can be a student, a child, a patient, or a member of an organization, club or group. For example, a child can be provided with a wearable base article of the invention, e.g. a wearable band described in connection with FIGS. 1-3. The band has a fastening means such as a loop-fastener piece on its outer surface. The person, upon his or her action/behavior, is rewarded or punished by receiving or losing one or more accessory item of the invention as reward or accomplishment tokens. Such reward tokens can be, for example, the accessory items described in connection with FIGS. 4A and 4B. The reward tokens, by virtue of its material (e.g., textured fabric) or an associated fastener (e.g., a hook-fastener piece), can be attached and removed from the wearable base article. A display of the wearable base article indicates a status or accomplishment. The reward tokens can be used as a currency to earn rewards or privileges. A group of persons wearing such base articles will encourage them to compete for the reward tokens and hence certain behavior or achievement.

For example, a group of children can each be given to wear a wristband of the invention. The teacher rewards a token (e.g., a gold star) for certain good behavior like completing a particular task or particular goal, e.g. solving a puzzle, so that the child can place the token on his or her wristband as a badge of honor. Optionally, after accumulating a number of (e.g., 5) such tokens, the child is rewarded with a prize. If the child does not behave, the teach may remove a token from the wristband as a punishment. Similar academic-related reward tokens can be rewarded for good academic performance. e.g., perfect attendance, completion of home work, or making the honor roll. A similar award/punishment system can also be set up in a penal system to encourage good behavior among the incarcerated.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the structures and methods disclosed herein and as illustrated in the drawings, it is not confined to the details set forth and this invention is intended to cover any modifications and changes as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable band, said band comprising:

an elongated band body of a length and a width and two ends, said band body having an inner side and an opposing, outer side, said outer side comprising one or more loop-fastener pieces, wherein said band body comprises a substantially planar piece of board packed into a band configuration;

a pair of band fasteners, one at each end of said band body to form a loop sized to fit around a substantially cylindrical part of body; and

a plurality of accessory items each affixed with a hook-fastener piece, wherein said one or more loop-fastener pieces cooperate with said hook-fastener pieces to provide detachable and re-attachable fastening of said accessory items to said outer side of said band.

2. The reconfigurable band of claim 1, wherein said substantially cylindrical part of body is selected from the group consisting of a limb, the head, the neck, the waist, the hip, and a finger.

3. The reconfigurable band of claim 1 wherein said band body comprises a flexible material.

4. The reconfigurable band of claim 1 wherein said band body comprises an elastic material.

5. The reconfigurable band of claim 1 wherein said band body comprises a sleeve.

6. (canceled)

7. The reconfigurable band of claim 1 wherein said board bears at least one pattern or one image.

8. The reconfigurable band of claim 1 wherein said board comprises a game board.

9. The reconfigurable band of claim 8 wherein said accessory items function as game pieces.

10. The reconfigurable band of claim 1 wherein said board illustrates a story or a theme.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. The reconfigurable band of claim 1 wherein said accessory item bears at least one image selected from the group consisting of a character, an icon, a charm, a symbol, a letter, a word, a name, a number, a shape, a color, a setting, a photograph, a frame, an abstract image, a certificate, an award, a game piece, a medallion and a message.

14-34. (canceled)

35. A wearable game instrument comprising:

a board comprising a flexible material, said board comprising a surface bearing a pattern or image for a game to be played thereupon, said board is adapted to be packed into an elongated body that can be wrapped around a substantially cylindrical part of body; and

a fastener associated with a first part of the board, said fastener fastens said first part to a second part of the board such that the board can be worn around the part of body.

36. The wearable game instrument of claim 35 wherein the substantially cylindrical part of body is selected from the group consisting of a limb, the head, the neck, the waist, the hip, and a finger.

37. The wearable game instrument of claim 35 wherein the fastener is permanently attached to a first end of the elongate body of the board and attaches said first end to a second end of the elongated body of the board.

38. The wearable game instrument of claim 35 wherein the fastener is a hook fastener and wherein said wearable game instrument further comprises a loop fastener that cooperates with said hook fastener.

39. (canceled)

40. The wearable game instrument of claim 35 further comprising multiple game pieces.

41. The wearable game instrument of claim 40 wherein said multiple game pieces each comprises a reversible fastening means to attach to the board surface.

42. The wearable game instrument of claim 35 wherein said board surface further comprises one or more fastener pieces for attachment of multiple game pieces.

43. The wearable game instrument of claim 35 wherein said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of cloth, plastic, and rubber.

44. A wearable game instrument comprising:

a board comprising a flexible material, said board comprising a surface bearing a pattern or image for a game to be played thereupon, said board is adapted to be packed into an elongated body that can be wrapped around a substantially cylindrical part of body;

a sheath comprising a compartment for housing said elongated body of said board, said sheath is equipped to be worn around the part of body.

45. The wearable game instrument of claim 44 wherein said sheath further comprises one or more reversible fastening means on a surface.

46. The wearable game instrument of claim 45 further comprising a plurality of accessory items each affixed with a fastener that cooperates with said reversible fastening means to provide detachable and re-attachable fastening of said accessory items to said surface of said sheath.

47. The wearable game instrument of claim 44, further comprising multiple game pieces.