Accessory systems and methods

Abstract

There is disclosed a system comprising a decorative assembly comprising a connector, a first shoulder at a first end of the connector, and a second shoulder at a second end of the connector; an accessory assembly adapted to connect to the decorative assembly, the accessory assembly comprising a first arm and a second arm defining an opening between the arms, at least one of the first and second arms adapted to elastically deform to receive the connector of the decorative assembly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for assembling and wearing personal accessories.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0006502 discloses a system and method for securing accessories to shoes and other articles of clothing. A system is disclosed for attaching a decorative accessory to a shoe, the system comprising a shaft having first and second ends; a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through an expandable hole in an upper portion of the shoe and configured to engage an inner surface of the upper portion of the shoe; a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the shoe; and a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory. Another illustrative embodiment is a system for securing a decorative accessory to a shoe, the system comprising a shoe having an upper portion, the upper portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one stretchable hole; a shaft having first and second ends; a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through the at least one stretchable hole in the upper portion of the shoe and to engage the inner surface of the upper portion of the shoe; a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the shoe; and a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0006502 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0066462 discloses a hook and loop head band and associated accessories comprising: a strip of hook type fastening material approximately one half of one inch wide by twenty four inches long, said strip having a loop type fastening material on its reverse side, said strip capable of attaching its ends to itself at any desired circumference, and said strip capable of having attached to it, a variety of ornaments and or hair attachments. U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0066462 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,903 discloses a method for displaying accessories including providing a wearable body having a first side and a second side. The method also includes coupling to the wearable body at least one accessory using a cord adapted to be woven through a portion of the wearable body. In another embodiment, an accessory display holder includes a wearable body and a cord adapted to be woven through at least a portion of the wearable body. The accessory display holder also includes at least one accessory adapted to be releasably coupled to the cord. U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,903 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,611 discloses a banded clothing device, the band made of a tubular fabric structure having at least one pocket in the longitudinal plane the pocket providing a means for interchangeably receiving ornaments or other objects. Also disclosed is the method for making the device and manner of using the device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,611 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,158 discloses hair barrettes, more specifically, hair barrettes with removable clasps. The removable clasps may be attached to the barrette by a variety of different structure, including direct attachment and attachment through an intermediate universal adapter. The universal adapter allows the clasp to remain in the hair while simultaneously exchanging the ornamental component of the hair barrette. Furthermore, the universal adapter allows interchange of parts such that any size clasp may be used with any of the receiving ornamental components. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,158 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,585 discloses a hair ornament attachment system including a hair ornament having a decorative silk flower side and a back side to which the hook portion of a Velcro fastener is adhered. Alternatively, the hair ornament decorative side may consist of a piece of plastic formed to resemble a rare gemstone. The hair ornaments are small and lightweight, and the hook fastener portion may be intertwined in a user's hair thereby attaching the ornament for adornment. The attachment system also includes a display comprising a loop fastening area supported by a staff framework, to attractively store the ornaments not in use. Additionally, drop or dangling hair ornamentation includes a fibered material (on which beads may be strung), having one or both ends mounted to a two-sided hook portion which similarly may be intertwined into the user's hair. U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,585 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,371 discloses a hair clip including a low profile clip mechanism which translates linear pressure on the ends of the clip into rotational action for opening the curved comb moldings. Springs cause the clip to close when pressure on the clip ends is removed. The barrel of the clip may comprise sections which are fixed with respect to the clip ends and sections which are attached to the comb moldings, and which are rotated by the clip mechanism. Or, the barrel may comprise alternating sections attached to each comb molding. Removable decorative attachments attach to the fixed portions of the barrel of the clip, via magnets, snap on grips, velcro or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,371 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,123 discloses a headband kit having a base comprised of an open loop of resilient material adapted to fit over the top of the head of a wearer. A backboard extends upwardly from the top of the base, presenting a forwardly facing planar display surface. The kit includes a plurality of display panels interchangeably attachable to the display surface of the backboard, and each carrying a different design or display. U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,123 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

There are needs in the art for one or more of the following: apparatus and methods for changing design elements of accessories, which do not suffer from certain disadvantages of the prior art apparatus and methods; improved hair accessory devices with interchangeable design elements; devices suitable for use with a variety of design elements; and/or devices with ease of use.

These and other needs in the art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this specification, including its drawings and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of invention provides a system comprising a decorative assembly comprising a connector, a first shoulder at a first end of the connector, and a second shoulder at a second end of the connector; an accessory assembly adapted to connect to the decorative assembly, the accessory assembly comprising a first arm and a second arm defining an opening between the arms, at least one of the first and second arms adapted to elastically deform to receive the connector of the decorative assembly.

Another aspect of invention provides a system comprising a decorative assembly comprising a connector having a first diameter, a first shoulder at a first end of the connector having a second diameter, and a second shoulder at a second end of the connector having a third diameter; a hair accessory assembly adapted to connect to the decorative assembly, the hair accessory assembly comprising a body defining an opening having a fourth diameter adapted to elastically deform to receive at least one of the first shoulder and the second shoulder of the decorative assembly.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this specification, including its drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1b show a decorative assembly being connected to an accessory apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows a decorative assembly being connected to an accessory apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows an accessory apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows an accessory apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows a decorative assembly being connected to an accessory apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system comprising a decorative assembly comprising a connector, a first shoulder at a first end of the connector, and a second shoulder at a second end of the connector; an accessory assembly adapted to connect to the decorative assembly, the accessory assembly comprising a first arm and a second arm defining an opening between the arms, at least one of the first and second arms adapted to elastically deform to receive the connector of the decorative assembly. In some embodiments, the accessory assembly comprises a hair accessory. In some embodiments, the accessory assembly comprises an accessory selected from the group consisting of a barret, a clip, a headband, a piece of jewelry, a necklace, a bracelet, a pendant, a brooch, an earring, a ring, a charm, a charm holder, a shoe, and a shoe accessory. In some embodiments, the first shoulder comprises a decoration. In some embodiments, the second shoulder comprises a decoration. In some embodiments, the accessory assembly is adapted to receive multiple decorative assemblies at the same time. In some embodiments, the accessory assembly is adapted to interchangeably receive multiple decorative assemblies at different times.

In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system comprising a decorative assembly comprising a connector having a first diameter, a first shoulder at a first end of the connector having a second diameter, and a second shoulder at a second end of the connector having a third diameter; a hair accessory assembly adapted to connect to the decorative assembly, the hair accessory assembly comprising a body defining an opening having a fourth diameter adapted to elastically deform to receive at least one of the first shoulder and the second shoulder of the decorative assembly. In some embodiments, the fourth diameter is larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter and smaller than the third diameter. In some embodiments, the accessory assembly comprises an accessory selected from the group consisting of a barret, a clip, and a headband. In some embodiments, the first shoulder comprises a decoration. In some embodiments, the second shoulder comprises a decoration. In some embodiments, the accessory assembly is adapted to receive multiple decorative assemblies at the same time. In some embodiments, the accessory assembly is adapted to interchangeably receive multiple decorative assemblies at different times.

Referring now to FIG. 1a, there is illustrated system 100. System 100 includes connector 102 which connects shoulder portion 104 with shoulder portion 108. Shoulder portion 104 may be provided with a decorative piece 106.

Assembly 110 is provided with a side opening 112 adapted to receive and hold connector 102.

As shown in FIG. 1b, connector 102 may have a circular cross section. Alternatively, connector may be provided with alternative cross sections such as ovals, ellipses, triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons, or other geometric shapes.

Side opening 112 is shown as a c-shaped opening adapted to receive a round connector 102. Assembly may be designed so that opening 112 has a small elastic deformation to be further enlarged when connector is inserted or removed, then a subsequent small elastic deformation return to its normal size after connector has been fully inserted or removed. Side opening 112 is appropriately sized to provide an interference fit between round connector 102 and opening 112 so that connector does not fall out of opening 112. Although opening 112 is shown with sharp corners, it may be provided with rounded corners to prevent injury.

Suitable materials for connector 102 include metals, polymers, and composite materials, for example steel, aluminum, polyethylene, polypropylene, and other commercially available materials.

Connector 102 may be attached to shoulder portion 104 and shoulder portion 108 with any suitable mechanical connection such as gluing, welding, riveting, or they may be formed together in a single piece such as in a casting or molding process.

Decorative piece 106 may be permanently or temporarily attached to shoulder portion 104. Suitable permanent attachment mechanisms include glue, welding, riveting, or forming shoulder portion 104 and decorative piece 106 as a single piece.

Suitable assemblies with a connector 102, shoulder portion 104, shoulder portion 108, and decorative piece 106 include commercially available tuxedo type shirt buttons and Jibbitz™ brand decorations commercially available from Crocs, Inc.

Assembly 110 may be a hair accessory such as a barret, a clip, a headband, or other hair accessories; a piece of jewelry such as a necklace, bracelet, pendant, brooch, earring, ring, charm or charm holder or other jewelry; a shoe or shoe accessory; or other items to which it is desired to apply assembly 110.

A single assembly 110 may be used with multiple interchangeable decorative pieces 106 in order to vary the decorations of the assembly 110. Multiple assemblies 110 may be used with one or more decorative pieces 106 to vary the decorations of the assemblies 110.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated system 200. System 200 includes connector 202 which connects shoulder portion 204 with a second shoulder portion (not shown). Shoulder portion 204 may be provided with a decorative piece (not shown).

Assembly 210 is provided with an opening 212 adapted to receive and hold connector 202. Assembly is made of a suitably elastic material which can be elastically stretched to receive shoulder portion 204 and then return to its original shape to retain connector 202 and shoulder portion 204.

Connector 202 and shoulder portion 204 may have circular or other suitable geometric cross sections. Opening 212 may have dimensions larger than connector 202 and smaller than shoulder portion 204.

Referring now to FIG. 3, assembly 310 with opening 312 is shown attached to accessory 320. Accessory 320 may be a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, a headband, a pony tail holder, or other types of accessories.

Referring now to FIG. 4, assembly 410 with opening 412 is shown attached to accessory 420. Accessory 420 has arm 422 and arm 424 with biasing means 426 provided to force arms 422 and 424 together. Material 428 may be trapped between arms 422 and 424 to secure accessory 420 to material 428. Accessory 420 may be a barret, a hair clip, a paper clip, a binder clip, a clothes pin, a name tag, a safety pin, a shoelace holder, or other types of accessories. Material 428 may be hair, clothes, shoelaces, paper, or other materials.

As shown in FIG. 5, connector 502 may have a square cross section. Alternatively, connector may be provided with alternative cross sections such as ovals, ellipses, triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons, or other geometric shapes.

Side opening 512 is shown as a square shaped opening adapted to receive connector 502. Assembly may be designed so that opening 512 has a small elastic deformation to be further enlarged when connector is inserted or removed, then a subsequent small elastic deformation return to its normal size after connector has been fully inserted or removed. Side opening 512 is appropriately sized to provide an interference fit between round connector 502 and opening 512 so that connector does not fall out of opening 512.

While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described with particularity, it will be understood that various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions set forth herein but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all the features of patentable novelty which reside in the invention, including all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a decorative assembly comprising a connector, a first shoulder at a first end of the connector, and a second shoulder at a second end of the connector;

an accessory assembly adapted to connect to the decorative assembly, the accessory assembly comprising a first arm and a second arm defining an opening between the arms, at least one of the first and second arms adapted to elastically deform to receive the connector of the decorative assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory assembly comprises a hair accessory.

3. The system of one or more of claims 1-2, wherein the accessory assembly comprises an accessory selected from the group consisting of a barret, a clip, a headband, a piece of jewelry, a necklace, a bracelet, a pendant, a brooch, an earring, a ring, a charm, a charm holder, a shoe, and a shoe accessory.

4. The system of one or more of claims 1-3, wherein the first shoulder comprises a decoration.

5. The system of one or more of claims 1-4, wherein the second shoulder comprises a decoration.

6. The system of one or more of claims 1-5, wherein the accessory assembly is adapted to receive multiple decorative assemblies at the same time.

7. The system of one or more of claims 1-6, wherein the accessory assembly is adapted to interchangeably receive multiple decorative assemblies at different times.

8. A system comprising:

a decorative assembly comprising a connector having a first diameter, a first shoulder at a first end of the connector having a second diameter, and a second shoulder at a second end of the connector having a third diameter;

a hair accessory assembly adapted to connect to the decorative assembly, the hair accessory assembly comprising a body defining an opening having a fourth diameter adapted to elastically deform to receive at least one of the first shoulder and the second shoulder of the decorative assembly.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the fourth diameter is larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter and smaller than the third diameter.

10. The system of one or more of claims 8-9, wherein the accessory assembly comprises an accessory selected from the group consisting of a barret, a clip, and a headband.

11. The system of one or more of claims 8-10, wherein the first shoulder comprises a decoration.

12. The system of one or more of claims 8-11, wherein the second shoulder comprises a decoration.

13. The system of one or more of claims 8-12, wherein the accessory assembly is adapted to receive multiple decorative assemblies at the same time.

14. The system of one or more of claims 8-13, wherein the accessory assembly is adapted to interchangeably receive multiple decorative assemblies at different times.