Attaching system for synthetic flower

Abstract

A flower construction having a synthetic material depicting the shape of a flower, the construction also having a metal plate attached to the synthetic flower. The construction further including a magnetic plate used to attach the flower construction to an article of clothing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/289,974, filed May 10, 2001.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a system for attaching a synthetic flower to clothing, and, more particularly, to an attaching system utilizing a magnetic structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In today's fashion industry, it has become desirable to accessorize clothing with various sorts of synthetic flowers. Such synthetic flowers take on the shape of roses, daisies, or any other suitable floral variety. Oftentimes, the synthetic flowers are reused with various clothing designs and outfits. Still further, such clothing is often of a designer variety and can be highly expensive to purchase.

[0005] In the past, synthetic flowers were attached via known attachment structures, for instance, utilizing a needle, pin, or other sharpened structure to pierce the clothing to attach the flower. As is apparent, such piercing attachment results in damage to the article of clothing. Still further, repeated attachment to the clothing can result in substantial damage due to the repeated piercing. Additionally, attachment via a pin structure through the back of a flower can oftentimes result in damage to the synthetic flower after repeated use.

[0006] A new attachment structure is needed for a synthetic flower which alleviates the disadvantages and drawbacks discussed above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and effective attaching structure for a synthetic flower.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an attaching structure for a synthetic flower which does not result in damage to the clothing item to which it is attached.

[0009] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an attaching structure which does not result in damage to the synthetic flower after repeated uses.

[0010] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an attaching structure which is at least partly hidden within the synthetic flower structure.

[0011] Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a synthetic flower attaching structure according to the present invention; and

[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view similar to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a synthetic flower attaching arrangement according to the present invention is shown and indicated by the reference numeral 10. In particular, a synthetic flower 12 is shown in the form of a rose. As is apparent, any other sort of synthetic flower or floral arrangement could be utilized. Synthetic flower 12 can be made of any suitable material, for instance, silk or nylon. With reference to FIG. 2, a metal plate 14 is attached to synthetic flower 12 via any suitable glue, adhesive, or other attaching structure. Thereafter, metal plate 14 is hidden via use of any sort of covering fabric material 16. Fabric covering 16 can be of any suitable shape, and can preferably be in the form of a flower petal which matches the arrangement of synthetic flower 12. Fabric covering 16 is also attached over metal plate 14 and to synthetic flower 12 via any suitable adhesive, glue, or other attaching structure. Thus, synthetic flower 12, attaching plate 14, and fabric covering 16, when assembled together, comprise one portion of the attachment structure 10.

[0016] The second portion of attachment structure 10 is magnetic plate 18. Magnetic plate 18 has thereon two spaced magnets 20. Magnets 20 are of a suitable variety such that they will firmly attach flower 12 to any clothing item by positioning the relevant clothing item between magnetic attachment plate 18 and fabric 16. More specifically, the magnetic field associated with magnets 20 is such that the imposition between plate 14 and plate 18 of covering fabric 16 and the fabric of the clothing item will still result in firm attachment of the flower in any desired place on the clothing item. As is apparent, plate 14 may also have a magnetic characteristic.

[0017] In operation, a user first positions the first piece of structure 10 which includes flower 12, plate 14, and fabric 16 at the desired location on the outside of the fabric associated with the clothing. Thereafter, on the inside surface of the fabric of the clothing, the user positions magnetic plate 18. The magnetic attraction between plate 14 and magnetic plate 18 secures flower 12 in position at the desired location on the clothing.

[0018] As is apparent from the above description, the structure of the present invention allows attachment and reattachment of flower 12 to various locations along the clothing in a very effective simple manner. Structure 10 does not result in any piercing of the clothing, thus resulting in no damage to the clothing, either through piercing or repeated piercing. Additionally, because there is no piercing of flower 12 by any needle structure, no damage results to flower 12 either. Still further, because no needle structure or pin structure is needed for attachment of flower 12, there is no chance of injury to the user due to an errant pinning attachment of flower 12.

[0019] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

[0020] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

[0021] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An artificial flower construction comprising:

synthetic material depicting a flower;

a first clothing attaching member attached to said flower, said first attaching member made of one of a magnetic material and a metal material; and

a second attaching member, said second attaching member made of one of a magnetic material and a metal material;

wherein said flower is attached to a wearer's piece of clothing by positioning the clothing between said first attaching member and said second attaching member.

2. The artificial flower construction of claim 1, further comprising a piece of covering material covering said first attaching member.

3. The flower construction of claim 2, wherein said covering material is in the shape of a flower petal.

4. The flower construction of claim 1, wherein said first attaching member is a metal plate and said second attaching member is a magnetic plate.

5. The flower construction of claim 4, wherein said magnetic attaching plate includes at least two separate magnets attached thereto.