Attachable novelty item

Abstract

Disclosed is an attachable novelty item for use in connection with a person's apparel. The attachable novelty item includes an item surface and one or more attachment areas positioned on the item surface having one or more item contact surfaces disposed thereon. The item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting an attachment area with the surface of the apparel and/or an apparel contact surface. A kit for such a novelty item is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/491,654, filed Aug. 1, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related generally to novelty items, such as toys, dolls, plush objects and the like and, in particular, to an attachable novelty item for use in connection with a person's apparel, such as a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, a backpack, a bag, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

Novelty items, such as toys, dolls, stuffed animals, plush objects and the like, are used, collected and desired by children and adults around the world. For example, many novelty items are manufactured in a wide variety of unique shapes, sizes and forms, thereby allowing collectors and consumers alike to purchase a large variety and a large quantity of similar, yet unique, novelty items. Many children and adults collect these novelty items and either display, trade or sell them, providing a unique market of sellers and consumers.

Toys, dolls, novelty items and the like have been developed, which allow one portion of the toy to be attached to another portion of the toy, such as by Velcro® or the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,337 shows a baby doll with Velcro® in its mouth for attachment to the breast of a mother doll; U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,465 shows a stuffed fish toy with Velcro® in its mouth which attaches to a hook; U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,262 discloses an insect toy with a Velcro® mouth for attachment to its prey; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,067 teaches a stuffed toy puppy which attaches through Velcro® to its mother's teat. However, for each of these items, a two-part toy is provided, with one part of the toy attachable to a second part of the toy using some attachment means. Accordingly, while the toy is attachable and removable to and from itself, it is not intended for attachment to other objects.

Accordingly, these collectible novelty items must be either displayed on the shelf, placed on a table or otherwise positioned in the owner's pocket, a backpack, knapsack, shirt pocket, bag, etc. Therefore, the owner cannot effectively display the novelty item to others around them, which removes one of the main reasons the owner is collecting the items in the first place. In addition, many owners, and in particular children, would like to wear or otherwise attach the novelty item to his or her clothing or apparel, such that other children can see, enjoy and appreciate them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an attachable novelty item that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachable novelty item that can be displayed by the owner to those around him or her. It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachable novelty item that can be used in connection with a person's apparel. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an attachable novelty item that can be attached to a person's apparel, such as clothing, a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, pants, a skirt, shorts, a bag, a purse, a knapsack, a backpack and a strap.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a novelty item that is useable in connection with a person's apparel. The attachable novelty item includes an item surface and at least one attachment area positioned on the item surface and having at least one item contact surface disposed thereon. The item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting the attachment area with the surface of the apparel and/or an apparel contact surface.

The present invention is also directed to a kit for a novelty item. This kit includes a novelty item having an item surface with at least one attachment area having an item contact surface and positioned on the item surface. The kit also includes an apparel contact element having an apparel contact surface and attachable to a surface of a person's apparel. In particular, the item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting the attachment area with the apparel contact surface of the apparel contact element.

The present invention, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with the additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a further schematic view of an embodiment of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a further schematic view of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a further embodiment of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a novelty item according to the present invention as attached to a person's apparel, namely a backpack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

The present invention is directed to an attachable novelty item 10 and is illustrated in various embodiments in operative modes in FIGS. 1-7. Referring now to FIG. 1, the attachable novelty item 10 is for use in connection with a person's apparel 100. The person's apparel 100 includes an apparel surface 102. The novelty item 10 of the present invention includes an item surface 12 and one or more attachment areas 14 positioned on the item surface 12. In addition, the attachment area 14 includes one or more item contact surfaces 16 disposed thereon. In this manner, the item 10 is removably attachable to the surface 102 of the apparel 100 by contacting the attachment area 14, and thereby the item contact surface 16, with the surface 102 of the apparel 100 and/or an apparel contact surface 18.

In order to allow the item 10 to be removably attached to the apparel 100, the item contact surface 16 may include a removably attachable contacting surface 20 in various forms. For example, the removably attachable contacting surface 20 may be a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, an adhesive, a sticky contacting surface, a sticky material, etc. As specifically seen in FIG. 3, the item contact surface 16 is a plurality of hooks 22.

In order to achieve better engagement between the item 10 and the apparel 100, the apparel contact surface 18 may also include the removably attachable contacting surface 20, such as in the form of a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, an adhesive, a sticky contacting surface, a sticky material, etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the apparel contact surface 18 is a plurality of loops 24. Accordingly, the plurality of hooks 22 on the item contact surface 16 interengages with the plurality of loops 24 on the apparel contact surface 18. Therefore, the item 10 is removably attached to the apparel 100 via the apparel contact surface 18.

The apparel contact surface 18 may be affixed to a portion of the person's apparel 100. For example, as seen in FIG. 2, the apparel contact surface 18 can be attached to a person's shirt, such as near the breast portion, on a sleeve, etc. Further, the apparel contact surface 18 can be permanently, semi-permanently or removably affixed to a person's apparel 100, since a user may wish to move the apparel contact surface 18 to various areas and locations on various pieces of apparel 100.

In order to provide appropriate engagement, the item contact surface 16 and the apparel contact surface 18 may each include a complimentary interengaging structure that allows the item 10 to be removably attached to the apparel 100 by contacting the item contact surface 16 with the apparel contact surface 18. As discussed above, while the hook-and-loop structure is shown and illustrated in FIG. 3, any number of removably contacting surfaces, structures and arrangements are envisioned.

The item 10 may include one or more body portions 26 and one or more head portions 28. As best seen in FIG. 6, the attachment area 14 may be positioned on a surface 30 of the head portion 28. In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the head portion 28 includes a mouth area 32, and the attachment area 14 is positioned at least partially on or within this mouth area 32. Still further, in another embodiment, the mouth area 32 may include a first mutually opposing mouth surface 34 and a second mutually opposing mouth surface 36. In this case, the attachment area 14 would be positioned partially on a portion of each mouth surface 34, 36. See FIGS. 3 and 6. In addition, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, in order to contact and engage the item contact surface 16 with the surface 102 of the apparel 100 and/or the apparel contact surface 18, the first mutually opposing mouth surface 34 and the second mutually opposing mouth surface 36 are pushed together, as indicated by arrows A in FIG. 5. In essence, the user pinches or clamps the surface 102 and/or the apparel contact surface 18 between the first mutually opposing mouth surface 34 and the second mutually opposing mouth surface 36 in the mouth area 32. Such an action resembles a biting action, thereby allowing the novelty item 10 to bite and engage the apparel 100. It is also envisioned that each mouth surface 34, 36 may include individual attachment areas 14 that are removably engageable to each other. For example, the mouth surface 34 may include the hook structure, and the mouth surface 36 may include the loop structure, such that the mouth can be pressed together and closed. In operation, a user may place the mouth area 32 around a strap, a belt, etc. and attach the mouth surfaces 34, 36 together, which also results in this “biting” action. In this manner, the novelty item 10 would be attached to the apparel 100 by forming a loop with the mouth area 32 and attaching the mouth surfaces 34, 36 together. Any manner of attaching the novelty item 10 to the apparel 100 is envisioned.

The body portion 26 may include one or more appendages 38 extending therefrom, such as in the form of limbs, arms, legs, tails, etc. Similarly, the head portion 28 may also include appendages 38 extending therefrom, such as in the form of antennae, horns, ears, nose, hair, etc. Further, the attachment area 14 and item contact surface 16 may be placed on the body portion 26, the head portion 28, the mouth area 32, the appendages 38 or indeed on any portion or part of the item surface 12. In addition, there may be multiple item attachment areas 14 and item contact surfaces 16 to provide for a better engagement between the attachable novelty item 10 and the apparel 100.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the item surface 12 at least partially surrounds an inner area 40. This inner area 40 is at least partially filled with a material 42, such as cotton, a packing material, foam, down, batting, cellulose fiber, synthetic material, etc. In this manner, the attachable novelty item 10 becomes a stuffed animal, as is known in the art. Such items 10 are also known as plush toys and the like.

The novelty item 10 may be in the form of an animal, an insect, a person, an object, etc. As seen in FIGS. 2-6, the item 10 is often an animal, insect, or similar object having a head portion 28 and mouth area 32, such that the item 10 can “bite” the person's apparel 100 and/or the apparel contact surface 18. However, any representation or object may be used and manufactured in the form of this novelty item 10.

As discussed above, the apparel contact surface 18 may be removably attachable to the surface 102 of the apparel. For example, the apparel contact surface 18 may be in the form of a strip of material, a patch, etc., and the apparel contact surface 18 would be sized and shaped so as to compliment the size and shape of the item contact surface 16 on the item 10. In addition, the attachment area 14 of the novelty item 10 may be attached to, removably attached to and/or integrally formed with the item surface 12. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the present invention is not limited to clothes as the form of apparel 100. Instead, the apparel 100 may be clothing, a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, pants, a skirt, shorts, a bag, a purse, a knapsack, a backpack, a strap, etc.

The present invention is also directed to a kit for a novelty item 10. This kit includes the novelty item 10 having the item surface 12 with one or more attachment areas 14 having item contact surfaces 16 and positioned on the item surface 12. The kit includes an apparel contact element 44, which is in the form of the apparel contact surface 18 discussed above. The apparel contact element 44 is attachable to a surface of a person's apparel 100. As discussed in detail above, the item 10 is removably attachable to a surface 102 of the apparel 100 by contacting the attachment area 14 with the apparel contact element 44 and with the apparel contact surface 18 that is part of or associated with the apparel contact element 44.

In this manner, an attachable novelty item 10 is provided that allows the user or owner to display the attachable novelty item to those around him or her. In addition, the present invention provides an attachable novelty item 10 that can be used in connection with a person's apparel 100. For example, the item 10 can be attached to a person's apparel 100, such as clothing, a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, pants, a skirt, shorts, a bag, a purse, a knapsack, a backpack, a strap, etc.

This invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

1. An attachable novelty item for use in connection with a person's apparel, the novelty item comprising:

an item surface; and

at least one attachment area positioned on the item surface and including at least one item contact surface disposed thereon,

wherein the item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting the attachment area with at least one of the surface of the apparel and an apparel contact surface.

2. The item of claim 1, wherein the item contact surface includes at least one of a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, an adhesive, a sticky contacting surface, a sticky material and a removably attachable contacting surface.

3. The item of claim 1, wherein the apparel contact surface includes at least one of a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, an adhesive, a sticky contacting surface, a sticky material and a removably attachable contacting surface.

4. The item of claim 1, wherein the apparel contact surface is affixed to at least a portion of the person's apparel.

5. The item of claim 1, wherein the item contact surface and the apparel contact surface each include a complimentary interengaging structure configured to removably attach the item contact surface to the apparel contact surface.

6. The item of claim 1, wherein the item contact surface includes at least one of a plurality of hooks and a plurality of loops, and the apparel contact surface includes a complimentary plurality of hooks and a plurality of loops, wherein the item contact surface is removably attachable to the apparel contact surface.

7. The item of claim 1, wherein the item includes at least one body portion and at least one head portion.

8. The item of claim 7, wherein the attachment area is positioned on a surface of the head portion.

9. The item of claim 8, wherein the head portion includes a mouth area, the attachment area positioned at least partially on the mouth area.

10. The item of claim 9, wherein the mouth area includes a first mutually opposing mouth surface and a second mutually opposing mouth surface, the attachment area positioned at least partially on at least a portion of each mouth surface.

11. The item of claim 7, wherein the body portion includes at least one appendage extending therefrom.

12. The item of claim 7, wherein the head portion includes at least one appendage extending therefrom.

13. The item of claim 1, wherein the item surface at least partially surrounds an inner area.

14. The item of claim 13, wherein the inner area is at least partially filled with a material.

15. The item of claim 14, wherein the material is at least one of cotton, a packing material, foam, down, batting, cellulose fiber and a synthetic material.

16. The item of claim 1, wherein the novelty item is a representation of at least one of an animal, an insect, a person and an object.

17. The item of claim 1, wherein the apparel contact surface is removably attachable to the surface of the apparel.

18. The item of claim 1, wherein the apparel contact surface is in the form of at least one of a strip of material and a patch.

19. The item of claim 1, wherein the attachment area is at least one of attached to, removably attached to and integrally formed with the surface of the item.

20. The item of claim 1, wherein the apparel is at least one of a clothing, a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, pants, a skirt, shorts, a bag, a purse, a knapsack, a backpack and a strap.

21. A kit for a novelty item comprising:

a novelty item having an item surface with at least one attachment area having an item contact surface and positioned on the item surface; and

an apparel contact element having an apparel contact surface and attachable to a surface of a person's apparel;

wherein the item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting the attachment area with the apparel contact surface of the apparel contact element.