Methods and apparatus for coupling an accessory to clothing items
A coupling element adapted to couple an accessory to a clothing item includes including an external surface and an internal surface surrounding an opening. The external surface is adapted to fixedly attach to the clothing item, and the opening and the internal surface are adapted to receive, engage and detachably couple with the accessory. Numerous other aspects are provided.
The present invention relates to apparel, and in particular, relates to a method and apparatus for coupling an accessory to clothing items such as footwear.
BACKGROUNDClothing items including footwear may be provided with ornamental features known as accessories. Examples of such accessories include embroidery, patches, pins, jewelry, pendants, Swarowski-crystal patterns, etc. Typically, such accessories are integrated (e.g., sewn in) with the clothing items or footwear (‘clothing items’ as used hereinafter includes footwear), making it difficult to add or change an accessory without changing the entire clothing item. Furthermore, in order to keep the accessories and thus the total cost of the clothing item at a reasonable level, accessories often are made from the least expensive materials available, and are often not of the quality as they are intended to be, reducing the attractiveness of the clothing items of which they are a part.
According to the present invention, a coupling element is provided which allows accessories, such as embroidery, patches, pins, jewelry, pendants, etc., to be coupled to a clothing item for adornment while allowing the accessory to be easily detached and removed from the coupling element and clothing item. The coupling element may comprise a loop, a strap or a patch made of fabric, although other shapes and materials may be used. The coupling element may have an external surface adapted to be fixedly attached to a clothing item, for example, by sewing or gluing, and may have an internal surface adapted to contact and secure a fastening element of an accessory, such as a clip. In this manner, an accessory may be detachably coupled to the coupling element, allowing the accessory to be easily removed and, if desired, replaced with a different accessory. The coupling element may be formed so that it matches and blends well aesthetically with the clothing item to which it is attached so that the appearance of the clothing item is not adversely affected by the attachment of the coupling element when an accessory is not used and the coupling element is exposed. Furthermore, the incorporation of a coupling element on a clothing item may insulate the wearer from direct contact with an accessory, minimizing discomfort and/or abrasion that might otherwise be caused by attachment of accessories.
It is to be appreciated that the examples above in which a loop-shaped coupling element is used with a thong sandal, and a pocket-shaped coupling element is employed with a brassiere are merely exemplary, and that there is no limitation as to the types of coupling elements that may be used with a given clothing item. For example, a loop-shaped coupling element 100 may also be used with a brassiere.
The foregoing description discloses only exemplary embodiments of the invention. Modifications of the above disclosed apparatus and methods which fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A coupling element adapted to couple an accessory to a clothing item, comprising:
- a loop or an enclosure including an external surface and an internal surface surrounding an opening; and
- wherein the external surface is adapted to fixedly attach to the clothing item, and the opening and the internal surface are adapted to receive, engage and detachably couple with the accessory.
2. The coupling element of claim 1, wherein the coupling element comprises a loop.
3. The coupling element of claim 2, wherein the coupling element includes a plurality of loop sections.
4. The coupling element of claim 1, wherein the coupling element comprises a pocket.
5. The coupling element of claim 1, wherein the coupling element is formed so as to blend in appearance with the clothing item.
6. The coupling element of claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a fastening element, the fastening element being insertable into the opening and adapted to engage with the internal surface of the coupling element.
7. A clothing item adapted to include a removable accessory comprising:
- at least one clothing surface;
- a coupling element including an external surface and an internal surface surrounding an opening; and
- wherein the external surface of the coupling element is fixedly attached to at least one clothing surface and the opening and the internal surface are adapted to receive, engage and detachably couple with the accessory.
8. The clothing item of claim 7, wherein the clothing item comprises footwear.
9. The clothing item of claim 8, wherein the clothing item comprises a thong sandal having a thong portion and the external surface of the coupling element is coupled to the thong portion.
10. The clothing item of claim 7, wherein the coupling element is formed so as to blend in appearance with the clothing item.
11. The clothing item of claim 7, wherein the coupling element comprises a loop having a plurality of loop sections including a first end section, a middle section and a second end section.
12. The clothing item of claim 11, wherein the first and second end sections are fixedly coupled to clothing surfaces of the clothing item, and the middle section is adapted to receive the accessory.
13. A method of providing a clothing item with an accessory comprising:
- attaching a coupling element to the clothing item, the coupling element having an opening and a surface for receiving and engaging a fastening element of the accessory;
- inserting the fastening element of the accessory into the opening of the coupling element such that it couples to the surface of the coupling element in a detachable manner.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupling element is attached to the clothing item in a location that promotes display of the accessory.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupling element is formed so as to blend in appearance with the clothing item.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupling element comprises a loop or enclosure having an opening.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2008
Publication Date: May 21, 2009
Inventors: Dianne Caezza (Farmington, CT), Jelica Maricevic (West Hartford, CT)
Application Number: 12/288,869
International Classification: A45F 5/02 (20060101); A43C 1/04 (20060101);