DECORATIVE PATCH JEWELRY RETAINER

Abstract

There is provided by this invention a decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing that is generally comprised of a decorative patch material disposed to be attached to a garment to both provide a decorative and ornamental design to the garment and support jewelry items wherein the jewelry items are attached to the patch to embellish the garment in a decorative fashion. Another embodiment of this invention may provide a patch that is formed on the garment by embroidery having retainers in the patch that support jewelry items wherein the patch and the jewelry items embellish the garment in a decorative fashion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This present invention relates generally to jewelry, and more particularly, to support mechanisms such as patches on garments for attaching jewelry utilized to embellish a person's clothing such as pants, sweaters, or tops.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

For centuries people have decorated their bodies and clothing with ornaments and different types of jewelry. Traditionally, jewelry may directly attach to a person such as earrings attached by a clip or post type pins. Broaches and pins are also used to attach jewelry to clothing. Bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and rings are worn by the user to accessorize his or her person. Most of the jewelry used today such as broaches and pins are attached to clothing by puncturing the fabric which may cause permanent damage to the clothing item.

Although, patches have been used in the past to embellish garments with decorative designs such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,702 wherein a decoration or accessory for clothing consisting of two die cut pieces of material laid on top of one another. In one embodiment a paper coated adhesive is coated on the facing sides of each piece of material. The two pieces of material each have a mating central aperture and are joined together along the edge of the central aperture by sewing, stitching or the like.

See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,900 which discloses an interchangeable decorative patch or emblem for an article of clothing or footwear which is inexpensive, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing. The patent discloses a means that enables an individual to interchange his/her favorite decals with different articles of clothing and footwear.

It is well known to place a plurality of decorative patches on a garment by either sewing or adhering them utilizing some sort of glue or other adhesive for enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the garment. See U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,030 wherein there is disclosed a logo patch arrangement for a piece of garment that includes a background patch made of non-fabric materials, an affixing element, and a logo patch.

Also, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,345 that discloses a decorative patch design for garments comprising a soft, flexible patch which may be ironed on to the softest garments.

It would be desirable if there were provided a decorative patch design that embellished clothing and included the additional feature of attaching jewelry to the decorative patch that further embellished the decorative look without permanently altering or damaging the fabric and that supplied secure support for the jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided in this application a decorative patch which facilitates attachment of jewelry to clothing without regard to the type of garment and that minimizes the damage to the underlying fabric. A decorative jewelry retainer is provided which enhances and decorates a garment and in addition has a support member to attach jewelry to further enhance the decorative design of the patch. The retainer has retainers that secure jewelry such as chains or beads to the retainer. The decorative patch may have an adhesive to attach to fabric or other surfaces including human skin. In addition it may be attached to fabrics by ironing, sewing, or using hook and loop material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of patch jewelry retainer attached by an adhesive incorporating the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the patch jewelry retainer that is sewn-on incorporating the principles of this invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of patch jewelry retainer attached by hook and loop material incorporating the principles of this invention

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a patch jewelry that incorporates the principles of this invention. A fabric 10 which may be part of a garment or piece of clothing that has attached thereto a decorative patch jewelry retainer 12. The patch 12 may not be of the same fabric as 10 but has an adhesive backing not shown but well known to those skilled in the art that allows the patch to be applied to the fabric 10 by heat or pressure. The patch 12 has the type of adhesive backing that does not stick or stay on garment or cause any harm or damage to the fabric surface 10 of garment. Attached to the patch 12 is a jewelry retainer 14 upon which may be attached decorative jewelry 18 utilizing a decorative chain such as 16. Other types of decorative jewelry may also be attached to the retainer 14 of the patch 12.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the patch jewelry retainer that is sewn-on incorporating the principles of this invention. The fabric 10 of this embodiment has a decorative patch 20 that has an edge 22 that is disposed to be stitched or sewn to the fabric 10 for permanent attachment to the fabric. The pattern 20 may be cut from a die in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Retainers 24 and 26 are sewn to the patch 20 to allow decorative chains or beads 28 to hang there from and support decorative ornaments such as 30.

The decorative patch may also be formed on the fabric 10 by embroidery which further enhances the decorative appearance of the patch jewelry retainer attachment 20 and attaches the patch to the fabric in a manner such that the patch will have resistance to curling and inadvertent detachment from the fabric 10.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the patch jewelry retainer that is attached to the garment by hook and loop material incorporating the principles of this invention. In this embodiment a decorative patch jewelry retainer 38 is secured to the garment 10 by hook and loop fastening elements similar to those sold under the trademark Velcro. The hook and loop fastening elements 34 and 36 are attached to both the patch retainer 38 and the fabric 10 in a manner not shown but well known to those skilled in the art. Apertures 40 and 42 in the patch 38 allow decorative chains, beads, or other jewelry such as 46 and 48 to be supported by the patch 38 attached to the garment 10.

The decorative patch jewelry retainers described herein are disposed to be attached to clothing and other garments for support of jewelry accessories. However, those skilled in the art may recognize this concept may be utilized in clothing manufacture to attach decorative jewelry retainers by other methods without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing, comprising:

a patch disposed to be attached to a garment; and

the patch is further comprised of retainers connected thereto disposed to support jewelry items wherein the patch and the jewelry items embellish the garment in a decorative fashion.

2. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 1 wherein the patch is attached to the garment by an adhesive.

3. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 1 wherein the patch is attached to the garment by sewing the patch to the garment.

4. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 1 wherein the patch is attached to the garment by hook and loop fastener material.

5. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing, comprising:

a decorative patch formed on the garment by embroidery;

the patch is further comprised of retainers connected thereto disposed to support jewelry items wherein the patch and the jewelry items embellish the garment in a decorative fashion.

6. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 1 wherein the retainers are apertures disposed to support jewelry such as chains and beads.

7. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 1 wherein the retainers are hooks disposed to support jewelry such as chains and beads.

8. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 1 wherein the retainers are clips disposed to support jewelry such as chains and beads.

9. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 5 wherein the retainers are apertures disposed to support jewelry such as chains and beads.

10. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 5 wherein the retainers are hooks disposed to support jewelry such as chains and beads.

11. A decorative patch jewelry retainer for supporting jewelry items to embellish clothing as recited in claim 5 wherein the retainers are clips disposed to support jewelry such as chains and beads.