CONNECTING AND STACKING EMBELLISHMENTS ONTO AN ACCESSORY
Embodiments of the present invention provide an attachment assembly comprising a decorative embellishment including a connector. The connector comprises a first mating portion. The assembly further comprises a mounting mechanism for attaching the decorative embellishment on to an accessory. The mounting mechanism comprises an interlocking portion for engaging with the first mating portion of the decorative embellishment.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/528,117, filed on Aug. 26, 2011, incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to connecting embellishments onto an accessory, in particular embellishments that may be stacked together.
2. Description of Related Art
Typically, personal accessories are sold without decorative items attached thereto. Such personal accessories include, for example, shoes, sandals, flip flops, headbands, barrettes, hats, bags, hair clips, and pet collars. Decorative items (e.g., a flower, a ribbon, etc.) can enhance the appearance of personal accessories and allow personalization of such personal accessories.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention provide an attachment assembly comprising a decorative embellishment including a connector. The connector comprises a first mating portion. The assembly further comprises a mounting mechanism for attaching the decorative embellishment on to an accessory. The mounting mechanism comprises an interlocking portion for engaging with the first mating portion of the decorative embellishment.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for attaching one or more decorative embellishments on to an accessory. The system comprises plural decorative embellishments. Each decorative embellishment includes a connector for engaging with a connector of another decorative embellishment, such that two or more decorative embellishments may be arranged as a stack of decorative embellishments. The system further comprises a mounting mechanism for attaching a decorative embellishment on to an accessory. The mounting mechanism comprises an interlocking portion for engaging with the connector of a decorative embellishment.
The present invention also provides a method comprising attaching a decorative embellishment on to an accessory via a mounting mechanism comprising an interlocking portion. The decorative embellishment includes a connector comprising a first mating portion for engaging with the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism. Further embodiments of the invention allow detachable attachment, engagement, and stacking of embellishments to accessories.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to connecting embellishments onto an accessory, in particular embellishments that may be stacked together. Further embodiments of the invention allow detachable attachment, engagement and stacking of embellishments to accessories.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides an attachment assembly comprising a decorative embellishment including a connector. The connector comprises a first mating portion. The assembly further comprises a mounting mechanism for attaching the decorative embellishment on to an accessory. The mounting mechanism comprises an interlocking portion for engaging with the first mating portion of the decorative embellishment.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for attaching one or more decorative embellishments on to an accessory. The system comprises plural decorative embellishments. Each decorative embellishment includes a connector for engaging with a connector of another decorative embellishment, such that two or more decorative embellishments may be arranged as a stack of decorative embellishments. The system further comprises a mounting mechanism for attaching a decorative embellishment on to an accessory. The mounting mechanism comprises an interlocking portion for engaging with the connector of a decorative embellishment.
The present invention also provides a method comprising attaching a decorative embellishment on to an accessory via a mounting mechanism comprising an interlocking portion. The decorative embellishment includes a connector comprising a first mating portion for engaging with the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism. Further embodiments of the invention allow detachable attachment, engagement, and stacking of embellishments to accessories.
A connector of each decorative embellishment further comprises a second mating portion for engaging with a first mating portion of another decorative embellishment. Two or more decorative embellishments can be arranged as a stack of decorative embellishments. The stack of decorative embellishments can be attached on to the accessory by engaging a first mating portion of a decorative embellishment of said stack with the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism.
For each decorative embellishment, a first mating portion of said decorative embellishment comprises a socket, wherein said socket has a barrel including a recess. A second mating portion of said decorative embellishment comprises a double stud, wherein said double stud includes a barrel and a protrusion. Said decorative embellishment has an aperture passing there through for receiving the protrusion of said double stud. Said socket receives the protrusion of said double stud after the protrusion has been inserted through the aperture of said decorative embellishment.
The mounting mechanism further comprises an eyelet, wherein said eyelet includes a protrusion. The interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism comprises a stud, wherein said stud has a barrel including a recess. Said stud receives the protrusion of said eyelet after the protrusion has been inserted through one of the following: an aperture of an accessory, or an aperture of a sleeve component.
In one embodiment, one or more decorative button caps are provided. Each decorative button cap comprises an eyelet including a protrusion, a button cap plate, and a socket, wherein said socket has a barrel including a recess. A decorative button cap further comprises a fabric piece and a button element.
For each decorative embellishment, a barrel of a double stud of said decorative embellishment can be received by, and detachably engaged with, a socket of another decorative embellishment, a socket of a decorative button cap, and the stud of the mounting mechanism.
The barrel of the stud of the mounting mechanism can be received by, and detachably engaged with, a socket of a decorative embellishment, and a socket of a decorative button cap.
In one embodiment, the mounting mechanism is permanently affixed to the accessory. In another embodiment, the mounting mechanism is permanently affixed to a sleeve component including a pair of opposing openings, wherein said pair of opposing openings allows the accessory to slide through said sleeve component.
The pattern, shape, color and size of a decorative embellishment 100 may vary. A decorative embellishment 100 may be shaped as a flower, a ribbon, or any other relatively flat trim piece of decorative item or fabric/textile. As described in detail later herein, each decorative embellishment 100 is adapted for detachable snap engagement with another decorative embellishment 100. Multiple decorative embellishments 100 may be detachably connected together to form a stack 60 of decorative embellishments 100.
The stack 60 of decorative embellishments 100 may be detachably attached to a front side 1F of the strap 1A via a mounting mechanism 30 (
In another embodiment, multiple decorative embellishments 100 may be permanently affixed together to form a stack 60 of decorative embellishments 100, and the stack 60 of decorative embellishments 100 may be permanently attached to the strap 1A of the flip flop 1.
The mounting mechanism 30 is adapted for detachable snap engagement with a decorative embellishment 100 or a stack 60 of decorative embellishments 100. The mounting mechanism 30 is further adapted for detachable snap engagement with a decorative button cap 200 (
The eyelet 30A comprises an eyelet base portion 30C and a protrusion (i.e., male component) 30P extending upwardly and outwardly from the eyelet base portion 30C. The stud 30B comprises a stud base portion 30D including an aperture 30H shaped to receive the protrusion 30P (
The barrel 30E is adapted to engage and mate with a first mating portion 20B (
As stated above, in one embodiment, the mounting mechanism 30 is permanently affixed to a portion of the accessory 50. As shown in
In one embodiment, to affix the mounting mechanism 30 to the center 1B of the strap 1A, the protrusion 30P of the eyelet 30A is inserted through the aperture 1H from the rear side 1R of the strap 1A. The stud 30B is then joined together with the eyelet 30A by mating the protrusion 30P of the eyelet 30A with the aperture 30H of the stud 30B. In another embodiment, to affix the mounting mechanism 30 to the center 1B of the strap 1A, a snap press machine may be used to crimp together the eyelet 30A and the stud 30B. Crimping together the eyelet 30A and the stud 30B rolls the protrusion 30P down, thereby tightening the eyelet 30A against the stud 30B.
In one embodiment, a decorative embellishment 100 includes a connector (i.e., connecting mechanism) 20 adapted for detachable snap engagement with another decorative embellishment 100, the mounting mechanism 30, or a decorative button cap 200. The connector 20 comprises a first mating portion 20B and a second mating portion 20A. In one embodiment, the connector 20 is a snap fastener comprising a double stud (i.e., gypsy stud) 20A and a socket 20B (
In one embodiment, the socket 20B has a barrel 20E. The barrel 20E comprises an aperture 20H shaped for receiving the protrusion 20P of the double stud 20A. The barrel 20E further comprises a recess 20RR.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the recess 20RR of the socket 20B is shaped for receiving the barrel 20D of the double stud 20A of another decorative embellishment 100. For example, stacking a first decorative embellishment 100 above a second decorative embellishment 100 involves inserting the barrel 20D of the second decorative embellishment 100 inside a recess 20RR of the first decorative embellishment 100. The barrel 20E of the first decorative embellishment 100 engages and holds the barrel 20D of the second decorative embellishment 100 within the recess 20RR of the first decorative embellishment 100.
The recess 20RR of the socket 20B is also shaped for receiving the barrel 30E of the stud 30B of the mounting mechanism 30. For example, connecting a decorative embellishment 100 to the mounting mechanism 30 involves inserting the barrel 30E of the mounting mechanism 20 inside the recess 20RR of the decorative embellishment 100. The barrel 20E of the decorative embellishment 100 engages and holds the barrel 30E of the mounting mechanism 30 within the recess 20RR of the decorative embellishment 100.
In another embodiment where each decorative embellishment 100 does not have a socket 20B, the recess 20R of the double stud 20A is shaped to receive the protrusion 20P of the double stud 20A of another decorative embellishment 100. For example, stacking a first decorative embellishment 100 above a second decorative embellishment 100 involves inserting the protrusion 20P of the first decorative embellishment 100 inside the recess 20R of the second decorative embellishment 100 such that the barrel 20D of the second decorative embellishment 100 engages and mates with the flange portion 20C of the first decorative embellishment 100.
In yet another embodiment where each decorative embellishment 100 does not have a socket 20B, the protrusion 20P of the double stud 20A is shaped to be received by the recess 30R of the stud 30B of the mounting mechanism 30. For example, connecting a decorative embellishment 100 to the mounting mechanism 30 involves inserting the protrusion 20P the decorative embellishment 100 inside the recess 30R of the mounting mechanism 30 such that the barrel 30E of the mounting mechanism 30 engages and mates with the flange portion 20C of the decorative embellishment 100.
The recess 200RR of the decorative button cap 200 is shaped for receiving a barrel 20D of a double stud 20A of a decorative embellishment 100. For example, stacking a decorative button cap 200 above a decorative embellishment 100 involves inserting the barrel 20D of the decorative embellishment 100 inside the recess 200RR of the decorative button cap 200. The barrel 200E of the decorative button cap 200 engages and holds the barrel 20D of the decorative embellishment 100 within the recess 200RR of the decorative button cap 200.
The recess 20RR of the decorative button cap 200 is also shaped for receiving the barrel 30E of the stud 30B of the mounting mechanism 30. For example, connecting a decorative button cap 200 to the mounting mechanism 30 involves inserting the barrel 30E of the mounting mechanism 20 inside the recess 200RR of the decorative button cap 200. The barrel 200E of the decorative button cap 200 engages and holds the barrel 30E of the mounting mechanism 30 within the recess 200RR of the decorative button cap 200.
The button cap plate 200B includes an aperture 200H shaped to receive the protrusion 200P of the eyelet 200A. The barrel 200E of the socket 200C also includes an aperture 200HH shaped to receive the protrusion 200P of the eyelet 200A.
To form the button cap 200, the protrusion 200P of the eyelet 200A is inserted through the aperture 200H of the button cap plate 200B, such that the eyelet base portion 200F rests directly above the button cap plate 200B. The socket 200C is then joined together with the button cap plate 200B and the eyelet 200A by mating the protrusion 200P of the eyelet 20A with the aperture 200HH of the socket 200C.
In one embodiment, the button cap 200 further comprises a fabric piece 200D and a button element 200G for concealing the eyelet 200A. As shown in
For example, as shown in
A decorative button cap 200 may be detachably connected to the topmost decorative embellishment 100 of the stack 60. As shown in
The second decorative embellishment 100 may be stacked below the first decorative embellishment 100 by detachably connecting a bottom side 100B of the first decorative embellishment 100 with a top side 100A of the second decorative embellishment 100. Specifically, the double stud 20A of the second decorative embellishment 100 is engaged and mated with the socket 20B (shown in ghost lines) of the first decorative embellishment 100.
A decorative button cap 200 may be detachably connected with a decorative embellishment 100 of the stack 60. For example, the decorative button cap 200 may be stacked above the first decorative embellishment 100 by interlocking the double stud 20A of the first decorative embellishment 100 with the socket 200C of the decorative button cap 200. Specifically, the barrel 20D of the first decorative embellishment 100 is inserted into the recess 200RR of the decorative button cap 200. The recess 200RR receives the barrel 20D, and the barrel 200E of the decorative button cap 200 engages and retains the barrel 20D within the recess 200RR.
The stack 60 of decorative embellishments 100 may be detachably attached to a mounting mechanism 30 by interlocking the stud 30B of the mounting mechanism 30 with the socket 20C of the second decorative embellishment 100. Specifically, the barrel 30E of the mounting mechanism 30 is inserted into the recess 20RR of the second decorative embellishment 100. The recess 20RR receives the barrel 30E, and the barrel 20E of the second decorative embellishment 100 engages and retains the barrel 30E within the recess 20RR.
A decorative button cap 200 may be detachably connected with the first decorative embellishment 100 of the stack 60. As shown in
To detachably attach the stack 60 to a mounting mechanism 30, the barrel 20E of the second decorative embellishment 100 engages and mates with the barrel 30E of the mounting mechanism 30.
As shown in
The felt pieces 300A and 300B are then sewn together to form the sleeve component 300. An opening 300H (
The stack 60 of decorative embellishments 100 may be detachably attached to the mounting mechanism 30 of the sleeve component 30 by detachably connecting a bottom side 100B of the bottommost decorative embellishment 100 of the stack 60 with the mounting mechanism 30. Specifically, the stud 30B of the mounting mechanism 30 is engaged and mated with the socket 20C (
In one example, a top side 100A of a first decorative embellishment 100 may be detachably connected with a bottom side 100B of a second decorative embellishment 100 by engaging and mating a double stud 20A of the first decorative embellishment 100 with a socket 20B of the second decorative embellishment 100. In another example, a bottom side 100B of a first decorative embellishment 100 may be detachably connected with a top side 100A of a second decorative embellishment 100 by engaging and mating a socket 20B of the first decorative embellishment 100 with a double stud 20A of the second decorative embellishment 100. In yet another example, a top side 100A of a first decorative embellishment 100 may be detachably connected with a decorative button cap 200 by engaging and mating a double stud 20A of the first decorative embellishment 100 with a socket 200C of the decorative button cap 200.
In process block 402, it is determined whether another decorative embellishment 100 is to be included in the stack 60. If another decorative embellishment is to be included in the stack 60, proceed to process block 403 wherein another decorative embellishment 100 is detachably connected with either the bottommost or the topmost decorative embellishment 100 of the stack 60.
In one example, a top side 100A of another decorative embellishment 100 may be detachably connected with a bottom side 100B of the bottommost decorative embellishment 100 by engaging and mating a double stud 20A of the other decorative embellishment 100 with a socket 20B of the bottommost decorative embellishment 100. In another example, a bottom side 100B of another decorative embellishment 100 may be detachably connected with a top side 100A of a topmost decorative embellishment 100 by engaging and mating a socket 20B of the other decorative embellishment 100 with a double stud 20A of the topmost decorative embellishment 100.
If the stack 60 is complete (i.e., no other decorative embellishments to include in the stack 60), proceed to process block 404 wherein the stack 60 is detachably attached on to an accessory 50 using a mounting mechanism 30. The mounting mechanism 30 is adapted to detachably connect to the bottommost decorative embellishment 100 of the stack 60. In one example, a bottom side 100B of the bottommost decorative embellishment 100 may be detachably connected to the mounting mechanism 30 by engaging and mating a socket 20B of the bottommost decorative embellishment 100 with a stud 30B of the mounting mechanism 30.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims
1. An attachment assembly, comprising:
- a decorative embellishment including a connector, wherein said connector comprises a first mating portion; and
- a mounting mechanism for attaching said decorative embellishment on to an accessory, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises an interlocking portion for engaging with the first mating portion of said decorative embellishment.
2. The attachment assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- plural decorative embellishments;
- wherein a connector of each decorative embellishment further comprises a second mating portion for engaging with a first mating portion of another decorative embellishment.
3. The attachment assembly of claim 2, wherein:
- two or more decorative embellishments can be arranged as a stack of decorative embellishments;
- wherein said stack of decorative embellishments can be attached on to the accessory by engaging a first mating portion of a decorative embellishment of said stack with the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism.
4. The attachment assembly of claim 3, wherein:
- for each decorative embellishment: a first mating portion of said decorative embellishment comprises a socket, wherein said socket has a barrel including a recess; and a second mating portion of said decorative embellishment comprises a double stud, wherein said double stud includes a barrel and a protrusion; wherein said decorative embellishment has an aperture passing there through for receiving the protrusion of said double stud; and wherein said socket receives the protrusion of said double stud after the protrusion has been inserted through the aperture of said decorative embellishment.
5. The attachment assembly of claim 4, wherein:
- the mounting mechanism further comprises an eyelet, wherein said eyelet includes a protrusion; and
- the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism comprises a stud, wherein said stud has a barrel including a recess;
- wherein said stud receives the protrusion of said eyelet after the protrusion has been inserted through one of the following: an aperture of an accessory, or an aperture of a sleeve component.
6. The attachment assembly of claim 5, further comprising:
- one or more decorative button caps;
- wherein each decorative button cap comprises: an eyelet including a protrusion; a button cap plate; and a socket, wherein said socket has a barrel including a recess.
7. The attachment assembly of claim 6, wherein:
- a decorative button cap further comprises a fabric piece and a button element.
8. The attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein:
- for each decorative embellishment, a barrel of a double stud of said decorative embellishment can be received by, and detachably engaged with, a socket of another decorative embellishment, a socket of a decorative button cap, and the stud of the mounting mechanism.
9. The attachment assembly of claim 8, wherein:
- the barrel of the stud of the mounting mechanism can be received by, and detachably engaged with, a socket of a decorative embellishment, and a socket of a decorative button cap.
10. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism is permanently affixed to the accessory.
11. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- the mounting mechanism is permanently affixed to a sleeve component including a pair of opposing openings, wherein said pair of opposing openings allows the accessory to slide through said sleeve component.
12. A system for attaching one or more decorative embellishments on to an accessory, comprising:
- plural decorative embellishments, wherein each decorative embellishment includes a connector for engaging with a connector of another decorative embellishment, such that two or more of said decorative embellishments may be arranged as a stack of decorative embellishments; and
- a mounting mechanism for attaching a decorative embellishment on to an accessory, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises an interlocking portion for engaging with the connector of said decorative embellishment.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein:
- a connector of each decorative embellishment comprises a first mating portion and a second mating portion, wherein said first mating portion can be engaged with a second mating portion of another decorative embellishment; and
- a stack of decorative embellishments may be detachably attached on to the accessory by engaging a first mating portion of a decorative embellishment of said stack with the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein:
- for each decorative embellishment: a first mating portion of said decorative embellishment comprises a socket, wherein said socket has a barrel including a recess; and a second mating portion of said decorative embellishment comprises a double stud, wherein said double stud includes a barrel and a protrusion; wherein said decorative embellishment has an aperture passing there through for receiving the protrusion of said double stud; and wherein said socket receives the protrusion of said double stud after the protrusion has been inserted through the aperture of said decorative embellishment.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein:
- the mounting mechanism further comprises an eyelet, wherein said eyelet includes a protrusion; and
- the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism comprises a stud, wherein said stud has a barrel including a recess;
- wherein said stud receives the protrusion of said eyelet after the protrusion has been inserted through one of the following: an aperture of an accessory, or an aperture of a sleeve component.
16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:
- one or more decorative button caps;
- wherein each decorative button cap comprises: an eyelet including a protrusion; a button cap plate; and a socket, wherein said socket has a barrel including a recess.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein:
- for each decorative embellishment, a barrel of a double stud of said decorative embellishment can be received by, and detachably engaged with, a socket of another decorative embellishment, a socket of a decorative button cap, and the stud of the mounting mechanism; and
- the barrel of the stud of the mounting mechanism can be received by, and detachably engaged with, a socket of a decorative embellishment, and a socket of a decorative button cap.
18. A method, comprising:
- attaching a decorative embellishment on to an accessory via a mounting mechanism comprising an interlocking portion;
- wherein said decorative embellishment includes a connector comprising a first mating portion for engaging with the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
- arranging two or more decorative embellishments as a stack of decorative embellishments, wherein a connector of each decorative embellishment further comprises a second mating portion for engaging with a first mating portion of another decorative embellishment; and
- attaching said stack of decorative embellishments on to the accessory by engaging a first mating portion of a decorative embellishment of said stack with the interlocking portion of the mounting mechanism.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
- connecting a decorative embellishment with a decorative button cap by engaging the second mating portion of said decorative embellishment with a socket of said decorative button cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 24, 2012
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2013
Inventor: Kimberly D. Gervase (Holly Springs, NC)
Application Number: 13/594,065
International Classification: A44B 17/00 (20060101);