DECORATIVE STUDS ATTACHED TO GIFT ITEMS

Abstract

A sign that incorporates decorative studs that are affixed into holes or recesses in the sign. The studs have a uniform base portion, and have different decorations on their heads. Another embodiment is a plush toy having buttonholes in various locations for inserting decorative studs.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is in the field of signs and toys having removable decorative studs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Plaques, wooden boards, picture frames, signs, and the like have long been crafted to be aesthetically pleasing, and are often given as gifts. Plush toys, such as stuffed animals, are also aesthetically pleasing and are often given as gifts. Once given they never change, even though the owner may change his or her feelings or mood or attitude. The value of the object could be enhanced if there were some way the owner could modify some aesthetic property of the object. What is needed, therefore, is an aesthetically pleasing object that can be customized by the owner to suit his or her wants.

SUMMARY

The invention is an apparatus that satisfies the need for an aesthetically pleasing object that can be customized by the owner to suit his or her wants. One embodiment of the invention is a plaque, wooden board, picture frame, or sign that incorporates decorative studs that are removably affixed into holes or recesses. The studs have a uniform base portion, and have different decorations on their heads. Another embodiment is a plush toy having buttonholes in various locations for inserting decorative studs. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sign having recesses for decorative studs according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a picture frame having recesses for decorative studs according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a chalkboard having recesses for decorative studs according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plush toy having buttonholes for decorative studs according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a book having recesses for decorative studs according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a decorative stud according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another decorative embodiment of the stud according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is the sign of FIG. 1 with decorative studs installed.

FIG. 9 is the picture frame of FIG. 2 with decorative studs installed.

FIG. 10 is the chalkboard of FIG. 3 with decorative studs installed.

FIG. 11 is the plush toy of FIG. 4 with decorative studs installed.

FIG. 12 is the book of FIG. 5 with decorative studs installed.

DESCRIPTION

I. Signs with Studs

General Description

This invention is for a sign which can include boards, picture frames, plaques and the like that will be referred to in this application as signs. These signs can be made of wood, metal, ceramics, plastic, or other similar material. These signs will incorporate studs, buttons, pegs and the like for decorative purposes to be referred to in this application as studs. The decorative studs would be affixed to the signs by providing holes or recesses in the sign to receive the studs. In use, the users would want to apply and change the studs based on their mood, occasions, special events, holidays and the like without limitation and that way it provides a unique aesthetic appeal.

In a preferred embodiment, the studs are JIBBITZ decorative objects made by Jibbitz, LLC, though other studs could be used. The studs have a uniform attachment portion for attaching to the sign, but can have many different decorative designs on the heads of the studs. Examples are flowers, butterflies, and the like.

Manner and Process of Making

One method of making said signs out of a wood object would be to drill holes or recesses in a piece of wood, the holes or recesses sized to accommodate the stud so that it does not fall out in normal use.

Use

In use, the user would select one or more from a variety of studs having different decorations on them to express the user's want, mood, and aesthetic desires.

II. Plush Toy with Studs

This invention is for a plush toy such as a stuffed animal to be decorated with button-like objects or studs, as with the version for signs. The studs can be the same as with the signs above.

The plush toy is provided with buttonholes, e.g., slits or holes, adapted to receive and secure the studs.

Manner and Process of Making

One method of making plush toys suitable for the present invention is to provide a pre-fabricated plush toy, and then make buttonholes with a buttonhole machine and a knife or scissors to make slits or holes in several locations on the toy. The buttonhole machine provides stitching that reinforces the buttonhole. However, buttonholes can also be provided without stitching if desired.

Use

In use, the user would select one or more from a variety of studs having different decorations on them to express the user's want, mood, and aesthetic desires.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, a sign 102 that may or may not have writing or decoration on it can be provided with at least one hole or recess 101 where one may later put studs. In FIG. 2, the holes or recesses 101 are put in a picture frame 103. FIG. 3 shows holes or recesses 101 put in a chalkboard 104. FIG. 4 shows another embodiment, wherein buttonholes 101 are put in a plush toy 105. A last example, FIG. 5, shows holes or recesses 101 put in a book cover, photo album, journal or the like 106. These are meant to be examples of the different contexts that the invention can be used in, and should not be construed as limiting the invention to these contexts only.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show details of the studs 107A and 107B. The head of the stud 107A has a butterfly on it, and the base of the stud is a standard size for fitting into standard holes or recesses. The head 110 of the other stud 107B has a flower on it, and it also has a standard base. The typical standard base comprises a shaft 112 and a tip 114. The tip 114 preferably has a larger diameter than the shaft 112 so that it can be removably secured like a button in a buttonhole. Therefore, the diameter of the tip 114 should be slightly smaller than the length of a buttonhole it will be used with. The tip 114 and shaft 112 should also be sized to correspond to or be in communication with the recesses or holes of the other embodiments so they can be removably secured to them. For example, the tip can be spherical or conical or other shape, and fit tightly into a round recess. Any number of different designs for the studs can be provided, and are not limited to only those shown in the drawings.

FIGS. 8 through 12 show the various contexts of FIGS. 1 through 5 respectively, but with the studs 107 attached at the hole or recess locations. The aesthetic benefits of the present invention are evident in these drawings.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

at least one decorative stud, the stud comprising: a decorative head; a shaft to which the decorative head is secured; and a tip at the end of the shaft; and

an object to be decorated having at least one recess sized to receive a corresponding stud.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tip and shaft are round and the tip has a diameter larger than that of the shaft.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decorated is a picture frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decorated is a chalkboard.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decorated is a book.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decorated is a plaque.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decorated is a sign.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decorated is a photo album.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decorated is a journal.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the recess is a buttonhole sized to fit tightly with a corresponding stud.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the object to be decorated is a plush toy.

12. A kit for making a decorated object having changeable decorations when assembled, the kit comprising:

a plurality of decorative studs, the studs comprising: a decorative head; a shaft to which the decorative head is secured; and a tip at the end of the shaft; and

an object to be decorated having at least one recess sized to receive a corresponding stud.

13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the tip and shaft are round and the tip has a diameter larger than that of the shaft.

14. The kit of claim 12, wherein the object to be decorated is a picture frame.

15. The kit of claim 12, wherein the object to be decorated is a chalkboard.

16. The kit of claim 12, wherein the object to be decorated is a book.

17. The kit of claim 12, wherein the object to be decorated is a plaque.

18. The kit of claim 12, wherein the object to be decorated is a sign.

19. The kit of claim 13, wherein the recess is a buttonhole sized to fit tightly with a corresponding stud.

20. The kit of claim 13, wherein the object to be decorated is a plush toy.