Wearable accessory and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A decorative wing assembly includes a connector (110) having a body (111) with a first side (112) and a second side (113) and containing a drive assembly (300). The connector further includes a first moveable arm (115) coupled to the first side, and a second moveable arm (116) coupled to the second side. The decorative wing assembly further includes a first wing (120) or other extension coupled to the first moveable arm, a second wing (130) or other extension coupled to the second moveable arm, and a harness (210) coupled to the connector. The drive assembly is capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to decorative accessories, and relates more particularly to costume accessories with moveable parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Decorative ornaments and accessories designed to enhance, conceal or otherwise alter a person's appearance are commonly used at costume parties, theatrical productions, holiday celebrations, and the like. A wide variety of such ornaments and accessories are available, including such items as decorative wing assemblies that may be attached to a wearer so as to extend away from the wearer's back in order to resemble butterfly or other insect wings, bat wings, fanciful wings such as fairy wings or angel wings, or the like. None of the existing wing assemblies, however, are capable of movement, including the sort of movement exhibited by wings seen in nature, but such movement can be desirable in order to more closely approximate or more readily call to mind the particular winged creature which the wearer of the wing assembly is seeking to imitate. Accordingly, there exists a need for a decorative wing assembly that allows movement of the wings and that is capable of being worn on a person's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a face-on elevational view of a decorative wing assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the decorative wing assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a drive assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a moveable arm and a portion of a wing showing a mechanism for coupling together the moveable arm and wing according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a decorative wing assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical, mechanical, or other manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In one embodiment of the invention, a decorative wing assembly in the form of a wearable or mountable accessory comprises a connector comprising a body having a first side and a second side, a first moveable arm coupled to the first side, and a second moveable arm coupled to the second side. The decorative wing assembly further comprises a first wing or other extension coupled to the first moveable arm, a second wing or other extension coupled to the second moveable arm, and a harness coupled to the connector. The body comprises a drive assembly capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm.

As an example, the decorative wing assembly might be worn by an attendee at a costume party or by a participant in Halloween or Mardi Gras festivities. As another example, the decorative wing assembly might be worn by a cast member in a play or other theatrical production to depict a fairy, a butterfly, a bat, a bird, or another winged creature.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a face-on elevational view of a decorative wing assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, decorative wing assembly 100 comprises a connector 110 comprising: a body 111 having a side 112 and a side 113; and a moveable arm 115 coupled to body 111. Connector 110 can be an articulated connector having hinges, joints, or the like capable of accommodating movement of the moveable parts of connector 110. Decorative wing assembly 100 further comprises a wing 120 coupled to moveable arm 115. In one embodiment, moveable arm 115 is formed in such a way that wing 120 or another extension is an integral part of moveable arm 115. As an example, moveable arm 115 can be formed in the shape of wing 120, thus eliminating the need for a separate extension coupled to moveable arm 115. Thus, all references herein to an extension, whether a wing or some other extension, coupled to or otherwise associated with a moveable arm should be taken to include embodiments where a portion of the moveable arm itself acts as the extension.

A method for coupling wing 120 to moveable arm 115, as well as various methods for moving moveable arm 115, will be described below. In a particular embodiment, moveable arm 115 is coupled to side 112 of body 111, connector 110 further comprises a moveable arm 116 coupled to side 113 of body 111, and decorative wing assembly 100 further comprises a wing 130 coupled to moveable arm 116. In the same or another embodiment, moveable arm 115 extends substantially perpendicularly away from body 111 in a first direction, and moveable arm 116 extends substantially perpendicularly away from body 111 in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. Moveable arm 116 can be similar to moveable arm 115.

Moveable arm 115 has a length 181 and a width 191, moveable arm 116 has a length 182 and a width 192, and body 111 has a length 183. In the illustrated embodiment, length 183 is greater than length 181, length 182 and length 181 are substantially equal to each other, width 191 is less than length 181, and width 191 and width 192 are substantially equal to each other. In another embodiment, length 183 is less than length 181 and length 182.

Moveable arms 115 and 116 of decorative wing assembly 100 have thus far been described as having wings, such as butterfly or fairy wings, coupled thereto. In other embodiments, however, extensions of other kinds are coupled to moveable arms 115 and 116. Accordingly, the word “wing” herein is used to encompass any kind of extension, and in fact may at times herein be used interchangeably with the word “extension.” As an example, in one embodiment wings 120 and 130 take the form of human or animal ears, in which case decorative wing assembly 100 may be worn on a person's head. In another embodiment, wings 120 and 130 take the form of human or fanciful arms, insect legs, or the like. Many other extension styles are also possible.

Although the description of the preceding paragraphs encompasses both single-wing and double-wing embodiments, a double-wing embodiment is likely to be preferred by a majority of those who use decorative wing assembly 100 because a double-wing embodiment more closely resembles the way in which wings are most often presented in nature. Thus, although those users wishing to depict a creature having a broken or missing wing or some other deformation may be accommodated by the single-wing embodiment, decorative wing assembly 100 will hereinafter be described in terms of the double-wing embodiment unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, the term “connector” will be used for the element referred to above as connector 110 even in those embodiments where decorative wing assembly 100 has only a single wing, even though in those single-wing embodiments connector 110 may not technically be connecting the single wing to anything. In a particular embodiment, such as a single-wing embodiment, a decorative wing assembly comprises only a single moveable arm, which can be similar to moveable arm 115 and/or moveable arm 116. In that embodiment, the moveable arm is capable of being flexed such that the extension coupled to the moveable arm can be moved relative to the wearer of the decorative wing assembly.

Body 111 of connector 110 further comprises a surface 141 and a surface 142, both of which are between side 112 and side 113. Surface 141 is substantially opposite surface 142. In one embodiment, surface 141 is substantially flat, so as to fit comfortably against the back or other portion of a wearer's body against which surface 141 is positioned when decorative wing assembly 100 is being worn.

Each of wings 120 and 130 can comprise multiple sections. In the illustrated embodiment, wing 120 comprises a wing section 121 and a wing section 122. Wing 130 comprises a wing section 131 and a wing section 132. Wing sections 121 and 122 can be separate pieces that are physically separated from each other, or can be separate lobes or portions of a single piece. Similarly, wing sections 131 and 132 can be separate pieces that are physically separated from each other, or can be separate lobes or portions of a single piece.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, wing 120 comprises a frame 123 and wing 130 comprises a frame 133. Frame 123 and frame 133 can be formed of plastic, wire, or the like. Frame 123 supports wing 120, and frame 133 supports wing 130. The support offered by frame 123 and frame 133 is such that the frames physically support wings 120 and 130 so as to lend structure to the wings, bear the weight of the wings, or the like. As an example, frames 123 and 133 can be such that they form a perimeter of wing 120 and of wing 130, respectively, with wing material 125 and 135 being mounted on, across, over, or around the frames. Wing material 125 and 135 can be stretched taut or hung loosely on frames 123 and 133. As another, non-illustrated, example, frames 123 and 133 can form cross pieces for wings 120 and 130, comprising a vertical piece and a horizontal piece, two or more diagonal pieces, or some other configuration, with wing material 125 and 135 being mounted to the frames as above. Frames 123 and 133 can be coupled to moveable arms 115 and 116 with an adhesive, by wrapping a length of wire around both frame and moveable arm, or in any other suitable fashion.

As a further example, instead of comprising a full perimeter as illustrated in FIG. 1, frame 123 can comprise merely a portion 126 of the full frame 123, as indicated by the arrows next to wing section 121 in FIG. 1, and wing material 125 would hang from portion 126. Similarly, frame 133 can comprise merely a portion 136 of the full frame 133, as indicated by the arrows next to wing section 131 in FIG. 1, and wing material 135 would hang from portion 136. If desired, wing material 125 and/or 135 can be provided with a weight at its lower extremity such that wing material 125 and/or 135 tends to hang more stably from portions 126 and 136.

Wing material 125 and 135 can be any of a variety of materials, including, for example, fabric or another lightweight and/or see-through material, cardboard or another stiff and/or opaque material, paper or another thin, flexible material, or wood, metal, or another sturdy, solid material. Where wing material 125 and 135 is a stiff, sturdy, or solid material, frames 123 and 133 may be superfluous, and can be omitted. Wings 120 and 130 themselves can be fabricated in a variety of sizes, from small, compact, and/or delicate wings, to large, bulky, and/or elongated wings. Such a size range allows decorative wing assembly 100 to better imitate or call to mind a wider range of winged characters and creatures, or to better accommodate a wider range of users and their sizes, body types, and personal wishes relative to the appearance of decorative wing assembly 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, wing 120 has a perimeter 128 comprising a proximal edge 151 and a distal edge 152, and wing 130 has a perimeter 138 comprising a proximal edge 161 and a distal edge 162. In that embodiment, moveable arm 115 is coupled to wing 120 at proximal edge 151, and moveable arm 116 is coupled to wing 130 at proximal edge 161, while distal edge 152 extends beyond moveable arm 115 and distal edge 162 extends beyond moveable arm 116, as shown. In another embodiment, moveable arms 115 and 116 extend all the way across wings 120 and 130 to distal edges 152 and 162. In still another embodiment, moveable arms 115 and 116 extend all the way across wings 120 and 130 and beyond distal edges 152 and 162.

Wing material 125 can be attached to frame 123, and wing material 135 can be attached to frame 133, in a variety of ways. As an example, an edge of the wing material can be wrapped around the frames to form a loop, and the wing material can then be sewn together so as to trap a portion of the frames inside. As another example, the wing material and the frames can be attached to each other with a suitable adhesive, with staples, or in similar fashion. In at least one embodiment, such as where the frames are formed of wire, frames 123 and 133 are bendable, flexible, and/or malleable, including a particular embodiment where frames 123 and 133 can be bent into a desired shape and stay in that shape until bent into a different shape.

Referring still to FIG. 1, body 111 comprises, and, in one embodiment, contains or encloses, a drive assembly capable of moving or driving moveable arm 115 and moveable arm 116. By way of example, the drive assembly is capable of moving moveable arms 115 and 116 in unison, in alternate fashion where one arm moves first followed by the other arm, or where one arm moves forward or in a first direction, while the other arm moves backward or in a second direction, or in some other manner. The drive assembly can be powered by a battery, a wind-up spring or other spring mechanism, or any other suitable power source. Furthermore, the drive assembly can, as known in the art, comprise a series of drive shafts connected by gears, a gear and spring arrangement, or some other driving assembly as known in the art. One embodiment of the drive assembly will be described in detail below.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, or in one or more other embodiments, the drive assembly can be capable of moving moveable arm 115 and moveable arm 116 in one or more of a variety of motions, as will now be further described using body 111 as a point of reference. Moveable arms 115 and 116 can: (a) move perpendicularly toward and away from sides 112 and 113 of body 111 such that wings 120 and 130 alternately move closer to and farther away from body 111; (b) move through an arc having as an origin a point on body 111 such that wings 120 and 130 mimic the motion of a swinging door with a hinge located on body 111; (c) move forward and backward parallel to and along the length of body 111; and (d) rotate about an axis of rotation running perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly through body 111 and through each wing. Additional motions are also possible. At least some of the foregoing motions mimic the appearance of the back and forth or flapping motion of the wings of real birds or insects.

Connector 110 of decorative wing assembly 100 comprises an on/off switch 140. As illustrated in FIG. 1, on/off switch 140 is a slide switch, but it could also be a push-button switch, a rotatable knob, or the like. Although on/off switch 140 is illustrated as being located at a surface 143 of body 111, on/off switch 140 could also be located elsewhere on connector 110. As an example, on/off switch 140 could be located at a surface 144 of body 111 so as to be within easy reach of a person wearing decorative wing assembly 100. In another embodiment, on/off switch 140 is located on or at the end of a strap, string, harness, or the like extending away from connector 110. As an example, such a strap, string, or harness can be draped over the shoulder of a wearer of decorative wing assembly 100 so as to again place on/off switch 140 within easy reach of the wearer.

In one embodiment, the drive assembly is capable of operating at multiple speeds and/or in directions. In that embodiment, on/off switch 140 may have multiple settings or positions, each setting or position corresponding to a particular speed or direction. To achieve such settings or positions, a slide switch may be slid in succession to a series of stops, a push-button switch may be pushed multiple times, and a rotatable knob may be rotated in succession to a series of stops, all of which is known in the art. As an example, placing on/off switch 140 in a first position can activate moveable arms 115 and 116 such that they begin moving in a first direction at a first speed, placing on/off switch 140 in a second position can cause moveable arms 115 and 116 to move in the first direction and a second speed, and placing on/off switch 140 in a third position can deactivate moveable arms 115 and 116 such that they stop moving. Additional speed settings are also possible such that moveable arms 115 and 116 move at more than just the two speeds described above. It should be noted that for some embodiments, the motion of moveable arms 115 and 116 includes movement in two opposing directions. In those embodiments, a “reverse” setting for on/off switch 140 may be superfluous or inappropriate. In one embodiment, each one of moveable arms 115 and 116 has its own on/off switch such that moveable arms 115 and 116 are independently operable.

Various methods for moving moveable arms 115 and 116 using the drive assembly have been described. It should be understood that moveable arms 115 and/or 116 may also be moved using other methods. In one non-illustrated embodiment, for example, decorative wing assembly 100 may have a manually operated drive assembly comprising a string coupled to a spring-loaded moveable arm. In order to move the moveable arm in this embodiment, a wearer of decorative wing assembly 100 would pull and release the string.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of decorative wing assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, moveable arm 115 is shown in a swept back position, perpendicular to surface 141 (see FIG. 1) of body 111, whereas in FIG. 1 moveable arm 115 was shown in a forward position where it was substantially parallel with surface 141. As illustrated in FIG. 2, decorative wing assembly 100 further comprises a harness 210 coupled to connector 110. Harness 210 allows a person to wear decorative wing assembly 100, for example as part of a costume or as a costume accessory. In the illustrated embodiment, harness 210 comprises shoulder straps 211 that function like the straps on a backpack to allow decorative wing assembly 100 to be positioned on the torso of a wearer. In a non-illustrated embodiment, harness 210 can comprise a headband for wearing decorative wing assembly 100 about the head, an armband or a leg band for wearing decorative wing assembly 100 on those respective parts of the body, or some other fastening piece to allow decorative wing assembly 100 to be worn in some other manner. Shoulder straps 211 as well as the other fastening pieces mentioned above can all be adjustable so as to allow decorative wing assembly 100 to be comfortably worn by people across a broad range of sizes and body types.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a drive assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, drive assembly 300 comprises a housing 310 having a section 311 and a section 312. In one embodiment, housing 310 can be similar to connector 110, first shown in FIG. 1. Under normal operation, section 311 and section 312 of housing 310 are joined together, with screws or the like, such that most or all of the further elements of drive assembly 300 to be described below are hidden from view and protected inside housing 310. Section 311 contains a battery compartment 313 having a lid 314 that snaps on, screws on, or is otherwise fastened to or over battery compartment 313 in order to secure in place the batteries (not shown) that act as a power source for drive assembly 300. A slot 317 in section 311 of housing 310 allows a harness (not shown in FIG. 3) or a portion thereof to be fastened or secured to housing 310. As illustrated, a similar or identical slot 317 is located in section 312 of housing 310. As an example, the harness can be similar to harness 210, shown in FIG. 2.

A moveable arm 315, which can be similar to moveable arm 115 (FIG. 1), and a moveable arm 316, which can be similar to moveable arm 116 (FIG. 1), extend from housing 310. An aperture 318 in moveable arm 315 and an aperture 319 in moveable arm 316 function to couple extensions to moveable arms 315 and 316 in a manner that will be explained below. Moveable arms 315 and 316 are each coupled to a collar 371. The purpose of collars 371 will also be explained below.

Drive assembly 300 further comprises a motor 320 which is coupled via a coupler 321 to a gear assembly 330. Gear assembly 330 comprises a series of gears 331 arranged on shafts 332. An on/off switch 340, which can be similar to on/off switch 140 shown in FIG. 1, is located on housing 310. When on/off switch 340 is placed in an on position, wires 345 carry an electric current from the batteries in battery compartment 313 to motor 320, in response to which motor 320 turns coupler 321, which in turn drives gear assembly 330. One of gears 331 comprises an extension 333 that extends into an aperture 351 of a wheel 350. A stabilizer plate 355 is located between gear assembly 330 and wheel 350. A pin 352 attached to wheel 350 extends into an elongated aperture 361 on a yoke 360. Yoke 360 further comprises protrusions 362 that are coupled to collars 371. As illustrated, collars 371 each contain an elongated aperture 372 which receives one of protrusions 362.

During operation of drive assembly 300, and with coupler 321 and gear assembly 330 in motion as described above, extension 333 undergoes a circular motion and causes wheel 350 to rotate. Pin 352, because it is attached to a point on wheel 350 other than the center of wheel 350, undergoes a circular motion of its own. This circular motion imparts a linear motion to yoke 360 because of the elongated shape of aperture 361. As yoke 360 moves back and forth, protrusions 362 slide back and forth within elongated apertures 372 in collars 371, thus causing the flapping motion of moveable arms 315 and 316 that was described above. During such movement, cylinders 373 of moveable arms 315 and 316 rotate on posts 374 extending from section 312 of housing 310.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of moveable arm 315 and a portion of wing 120 according to an embodiment of the invention. Moveable arm 315 was first shown in FIG. 3, and wing 120 was first shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 depicts a mechanism for coupling wing 120 to moveable arm 315 according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, wing 120 comprises a coupling mechanism 410 to which wing material 125 is attached. (For reasons of clarity and simplicity, coupling mechanism 410 is omitted from the depiction of wing 120 in FIG. 1.)

Coupling mechanism 410 comprises a surface 401, sidewalls 402, and a latching mechanism 420. When moveable arm 315 is coupled to wing 120, surface 401 rests against a surface 451 of moveable arm 315, and sidewalls 402 tend to hold moveable arm 315 in place within coupling mechanism 410. Latching mechanism 420 comprises a latch 421 suspended at the end of a cantilever arm 422 over a channel 423 in surface 401. An upper surface of cantilever arm 422 is a portion of surface 401. Latch 421 has a surface 424, a surface 425, and a surface 426. Surface 424 is sloped with respect to surface 401, or comprises a portion that is sloped with respect to surface 401, while surface 425 is substantially perpendicular to surface 401. Subsequent references herein to surface 424 should be interpreted, where appropriate, as references to the sloped portion of surface 424.

In order to couple wing 120 to moveable arm 315, moveable arm 315 is introduced to coupling mechanism 410 by inserting moveable arm 315 between sidewalls 402 in the direction of an arrow 430 in FIG. 4. As a result of such motion of moveable arm 315 in the direction of arrow 430, a leading edge 452 of moveable arm 315 encounters surface 424 of latch 421. Surface 424, being sloped as discussed above, acts as a ramp which leading edge 452 can climb during the coupling of wing 120 and moveable arm 315. As motion in the direction of arrow 430 continues, leading edge 452 passes over surface 426, then over cantilever arm 422, and finally runs into a back wall 403 of coupling mechanism 410, at which point moveable arm 315 is fully seated in coupling mechanism 410 and the coupling of moveable arm 315 and wing 120 is complete. With moveable arm 315 in the fully-seated position just described, latch 421 fits snugly within aperture 318, with a wall 441 of aperture 318 resting against surface 425 and a wall 442 of aperture 318 resting against surface 424. Because surface 425 is substantially perpendicular to surface 401, as described above, wall 441 and surface 425 cannot move past each other unless one is moved out of the way of the other. More specifically, the mere application of a force in a direction opposite that of arrow 430 will be insufficient to cause wall 441 to climb from its fully seated position to a level above that of surface 426. Moveable arm 315 is thus locked in place.

To disengage aperture 318 and latching mechanism 420, in order to remove moveable arm 315 from coupling mechanism 410, a force tending to move surface 426 toward surface 451 must be applied to latch 421. In FIG. 4, such a force would be directed into the page, or would have a component directed into the page. As an example, the force can be applied by using a finger to press down on latch 421. Such a force causes cantilever arm 422 to bend slightly, which in turn causes surface 426 of latch 421 to dip below surface 451, which means that surface 451 will temporarily be located above the top of surface 425. Moveable arm 315 may then be removed from coupling mechanism 410 by pulling it in a direction opposite that of arrow 430.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 of manufacturing a decorative wing assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. A step 510 of method 500 is to provide a connector comprising: a body having a first side and a second side and containing a drive assembly; a first moveable arm coupled to the first side; and a second moveable arm coupled to the second side. As an example, the connector can be similar to connector 110, the body can be similar to body 111, the first side can be similar to side 112, the second side can be similar to side 113, the first moveable arm can be similar to moveable arm 115, and the second moveable arm can be similar to moveable arm 116, all of which were first shown in FIG. 1.

A step 520 of method 500 is to couple a first wing to the first moveable arm. As an example, the first wing can be similar to wing 120, first shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, step 520 comprises: providing a first frame; providing a first wing material; mounting the first wing material on the first frame; and coupling the first frame to the first moveable arm. As an example, the first frame can be similar to frame 123, and the first wing material can be similar to wing material 125, both of which were first shown in FIG. 1.

A step 530 of method 500 is to couple a second wing to the second moveable arm. As an example, the second wing can be similar to wing 130, first shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, step 530 comprises: providing a second frame; providing a second wing material; mounting the second wing material on the second frame; and coupling the second frame to the second moveable arm. As an example, the second frame can be similar to frame 133, and the second wing material can be similar to wing material 135, both of which were first shown in FIG. 1. Step 530 may be omitted in embodiments where the decorative wing assembly is to have only a single wing.

A step 540 of method 500 is to couple a harness to the connector. As an example, the harness can be similar to harness 210, first shown in FIG. 2. Step 540 may be omitted in embodiments where the decorative wing assembly is intended for use as a wall-mounted or other decoration not worn on the body.

A step 550 of method 500 is to bend the first frame and the second frame into a desired shape. Step 550 may be omitted if the original shapes of the first and second frames are acceptable.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Various examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the decorative wing assembly discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, and may disclose alternative embodiments of the invention.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the invention claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A wearable accessory comprising:

a connector comprising: a body having a first side and a second side and comprising a drive assembly; a first moveable arm coupled to the first side; and a second moveable arm coupled to the second side;

a first extension coupled to the first moveable arm;

a second extension coupled to the second moveable arm; and

a harness coupled to the connector,

wherein: the drive assembly is capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm.

2. The wearable accessory of claim 1 wherein:

the first moveable arm has a first length, the second moveable arm has a second length, and the body has a third length;

the third length is greater than the first length; and

the first length and the second length are substantially equal to each other.

3. The wearable accessory of claim 2 wherein:

the first moveable arm has a first width and the second moveable arm has a second width;

the first width is less than the first length; and

the first width and the second width are substantially equal to each other.

4. The wearable accessory of claim 3 wherein:

the first extension comprises a first wing; and

the second extension comprises a second wing.

5. The wearable accessory of claim 1 wherein:

the drive assembly is capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm in unison.

6. The wearable accessory of claim 5 wherein:

the drive assembly is capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm toward and away from each other.

7. The wearable accessory of claim 6 wherein:

the drive assembly is capable of operating at multiple speeds.

8. The wearable accessory of claim 5 wherein:

the harness comprises at least one shoulder strap.

9. The wearable accessory of claim 8 wherein:

the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm extend substantially perpendicularly away from the body.

10. The wearable accessory of claim 9 wherein:

the first extension has a first perimeter comprising a first proximal edge and a first distal edge;

the second extension has a second perimeter comprising a second proximal edge and a second distal edge;

the first moveable arm is coupled to the first extension at the first proximal edge;

the second moveable arm is coupled to the second extension at the second proximal edge;

the first distal edge extends beyond the first moveable arm; and

the second distal edge extends beyond the second moveable arm.

11. A decorative wing assembly comprising:

an articulated connector comprising: a body having a first side and a second side; a first moveable arm coupled to the first side; and a second moveable arm coupled to the second side;

a first wing coupled to the first moveable arm;

a second wing coupled to the second moveable arm; and

a harness coupled to the articulated connector.

12. The decorative wing assembly of claim 11 wherein:

the harness comprises at least one shoulder strap.

13. The decorative wing assembly of claim 12 wherein:

the shoulder strap is adjustable.

14. The decorative wing assembly of claim 11 wherein:

the body further comprises a first surface and a second surface;

the first surface and the second surface are between the first side and the second side; and

the first surface is substantially flat.

15. The decorative wing assembly of claim 11 wherein:

the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm extend substantially perpendicularly away from the body.

16. The decorative wing assembly of claim 15 wherein:

the first wing has a first perimeter comprising a first proximal edge and a first distal edge;

the second wing has a second perimeter comprising a second proximal edge and a second distal edge;

the first moveable arm is coupled to the first wing at the first proximal edge;

the second moveable arm is coupled to the second wing at the second proximal edge;

the first distal edge extends beyond the first moveable arm; and

the second distal edge extends beyond the second moveable arm.

17. The decorative wing assembly of claim 11 wherein:

the first wing comprises a first frame;

the second wing comprises a second frame;

the first frame physically supports the first wing; and

the second frame physically supports the second wing.

18. The decorative wing assembly of claim 17 wherein:

the first frame and the second frame are bendable.

19. The decorative wing assembly of claim 18 wherein:

the body contains a drive assembly; and

the drive assembly is capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm.

20. A decorative wing assembly comprising:

a connector comprising: a body having a first side and a second side; and a first moveable arm coupled to the body; and

a first wing coupled to the first moveable arm.

21. The decorative wing assembly of claim 20 further comprising:

a second wing;

wherein: the first moveable arm is coupled to the first side of the body; the connector further comprises a second moveable arm coupled to the second side of the body; and the second wing is coupled to the second moveable arm.

22. The decorative wing assembly of claim 21 wherein:

the first wing comprises a first frame;

the second wing comprises a second frame;

the first frame physically supports the first wing; and

the second frame physically supports the second wing.

23. The decorative wing assembly of claim 22 wherein:

the first wing has a first perimeter and the second wing has a second perimeter;

the first perimeter is formed by the first frame; and

the second perimeter is formed by the second frame.

24. The decorative wing assembly of claim 22 wherein:

the first wing has a first upper portion and the second wing has a second upper portion;

the first frame is located only at the first upper portion; and

the second frame is located only at the second upper portion.

25. The decorative wing assembly of claim 21 wherein:

the first frame and the second frame are bendable.

26. The decorative wing assembly of claim 21 wherein:

the body comprises a drive assembly; and

the drive assembly is capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm.

27. The decorative wing assembly of claim 26 wherein:

the drive assembly is capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm in unison.

28. The decorative wing assembly of claim 26 wherein:

the drive assembly is capable of moving the first moveable arm and the second moveable arm toward and away from each other.

29. The decorative wing assembly of claim 26 wherein:

the drive assembly comprises an on/off switch.

30. The decorative wing assembly of claim 29 wherein:

the drive assembly is powered by a battery.

31. The decorative wing assembly of claim 26 wherein:

the drive assembly is capable of operating at multiple speeds.

32. The decorative wing assembly of claim 21 wherein:

the first wing comprises multiple sections, including at least a first wing section and a second wing section; and

the second wing comprises multiple sections, including at least a third wing section and a fourth wing section.

33. The decorative wing assembly of claim 32 wherein:

the first wing section and the second wing section are separate from each other; and

the third wing section and the fourth wing section are separate from each other.

34. A wearable accessory comprising:

a moveable arm;

an extension coupled to the moveable arm; and

a harness coupled to the moveable arm;

wherein: the harness is capable of attaching the wearable accessory to a body of a wearer; and the moveable arm is capable of being flexed such that the extension can be moved relative to the wearer.

35. A method of manufacturing a decorative wing assembly, the method comprising:

providing a connector comprising: a body having a first side and a second side and containing a drive assembly; a first moveable arm coupled to the first side; and a second moveable arm coupled to the second side;

coupling a first wing to the first moveable arm; and

coupling a second wing to the second moveable arm.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

coupling a harness to the connector.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein:

coupling the first wing to the first moveable arm comprises: providing a first frame; providing a first wing material; mounting the first wing material on the first frame; and coupling the first frame to the first moveable arm; and

coupling the second wing to the second moveable arm comprises: providing a second frame; providing a second wing material; mounting the second wing material on the second frame; and coupling the second frame to the second moveable arm.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

bending the first frame and the second frame into a desired shape.