FASHION SCARF WITH REMOVABLE EMBELLISHMENTS

Abstract

The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of the present invention and related disclosure includes a single piece of fabric material that is attached lengthwise forming an inner and outer surface. A series of attachment means are secured to each open end of the scarf and are concealed within the inside surface of the scarf. One set of attachment means is used to accommodate a starter bead assembly which consists of a ribbon with a plurality of decorative embellishments hanging from the bottom edge of the ribbon. The ribbon also contains a series of attachment means so that it can be removably secured to one or both ends of the scarf. A separate set of attachment means accommodates a plurality of single decorative embellishments that may be added and/or removed as necessary. The decorative embellishments may consist of charms, stones, gems or other decorative items. These decorative embellishments may be mixed and matched on either or both ends of the scarf to suit the taste of the user. A final set of attachment means is used to close off both open ends of the scarf. Another aspect of the invention is an earring adaptor that enables one to use one of the interchangeable decorative embellishments as an earring. The earring adaptor contains a decorative or ornamental portion, a post or wire adapted to be inserted into a pierced ear, and an adaptor mechanism that facilitates attachment of the interchangeable decorative scarf embellishment.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to provisional patent application 61/212,154 filed on Apr. 9, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fashion apparel and more specifically to women's scarves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Scarves have long been worn by both women and men as a part of their cold weather attire. Scarves may provide warmth and comfort to one's upper chest, neck and facial area. Scarves can also serve a dual purpose by providing warmth while also serving as a fashion statement. A scarf may also be worn solely as a fashion accessory and may serve to extend the versatility of and complement a woman's wardrobe. Scarves are available in many different colors, designs and material choices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of the present invention and related disclosure provides a new, novel, and relatively inexpensive way for women to accessorize.

In one embodiment the scarf is made of a fabric material having a length greater than its width, an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, wherein one of the first or second ends is open. The scarf further includes at least one attachment means and at least one closure means internally mounted within the at least one open end of the scarf and at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment attached to the at least one attachment means internally mounted within the at least one open end of the scarf.

In another embodiment, the scarf is made of a fabric material having a length greater than its width, an inner surface, an outer surface, a first open end and a second open end. The scarf further includes a first attachment means having a plurality of snap mechanisms internally mounted within the first and second open ends, a second attachment means having a plurality of split rings internally mounted within the first and second open ends, a closure means having a plurality of male and female snap mechanism internally mounted within the first and second open ends, and at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment attached to the first or second attachment means.

Another aspect of the present invention and related disclosure is an earring adaptor that enables a user to detach a beaded charm assembly from the scarf and wear it as an earring. A first embodiment of the earring adaptor includes a base having a front side and a back side opposite the front side, an ear wire connected to the back side of the base and adapted for insertion into a pierced ear; and a looped connector attached to the back side of the base and adapted to receive a beaded charm assembly. A second embodiment of the earring adaptor includes a decorative base having a front side and a back side opposite the front side, a stem extending from the back side of the decorative base in a perpendicular direction, a stem divider attached to the stem proximate to the decorative base, and a back that contains an aperture at its center for insertion of the stem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fashion scarf with removable embellishments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a close up view of the inside surface of one end of the fashion scarf of FIG. 1

FIG. 2B is a close up view of the outside surface of one end of the fashion scarf of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a beaded charm assembly.

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the beaded charm assembly of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an earring adaptor.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an earring adaptor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate the same or functionally similar elements throughout the several drawings and to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B in particular, the fashion scarf with removable embellishments 100 of the present invention and related disclosure includes a piece of fabric material 1 having a first end and a second end and having a length greater than its width. The material 1 is folded and closed along the long axis such that the scarf 100 has an inner surface and an outer surface and such that the first and second ends contain an opening along the edge of each end, resulting in a substantially rectangular, tubular piece of material. The fabric material 1 may be polyester, fleece, felt, cotton, or any other suitable material. The fabric 1 itself may be embellished or adorned with a decorative border or other decorative accents or printed designs. The scarf 100 may, but is not required, to be further adorned or embellished with removable, interchangeable decorative embellishments such as beads, charms or other suitable adornments attached at one or both open ends of the scarf 100. As a means of attaching said interchangeable adornments, attachment and/or closure mechanisms are located on the inside surface of both the first and second open ends of the scarf 100, which allow for the concealment of the attachment and/or for closure means. The closure/attachment mechanisms may be snaps, rings, Velcro or other suitable mechanisms that will allow for attachment and detachment of decorative embellishments and for closure of both open ends of the scarf. The closure and attachment means may be separate mechanisms or one mechanism that serves both purposes. The interchangeable decorative attachments will contain corresponding attachment hardware. The decorative attachments may be individual attachments, each having its own attachment mechanism, or the attachment may a single decorative piece having several integral decorative adornments. It should be understood that the present invention can be assembled in a variety of configurations. For example, different types and number of attachment mechanisms may be employed to attach the interchangeable decorative embellishments and to close the open ends of the scarf. The following description is intended to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the fashion scarf 100 of the present invention and is not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the raw fabric 1 is approximately 59 inches to 74 inches and is approximately 5¾ inches wide. With the fabric 1 laying flat with the inner surface of the material facing upward, the fabric 1 is folded in half lengthwise and steam pressed to create a center line. The fabric 1 is then unfolded with the inner surface of the material again facing upward. At both the first end and the second end, the fabric 1 is folded inward so that four inches of the material at each end is overlapping, creating a first end flap and a second end flap. Both flaps are steam pressed to create a crisp finished edge at each end of the fabric. There is a ⅜ inch seam allowance on both the right and left sides. Five female metal snaps 4 are stamped, sewn or otherwise attached to the first and second ends of the material, approximately 1 inch from the pressed end of the first and second end flaps and evenly spaced and centered between the centerline and the seam allowance line on the left side of the material 1. The snaps 4 are only attached through the layer of fabric 1 that comprises the 4-inch first and second end flaps. Six split rings 5 are sewn or otherwise attached to the first and second ends of the material 1, approximately ¾ inch from the pressed end of the first and second end flaps and evenly spaced between the center line and the seam allowance on the left side of the material 1. The rings 5 are only attached through the layer of fabric 1 that comprises the 4-inch first and second end flaps. The rings 5 are positioned such that a beaded charm assembly 10 hanging down through the open end of the scarf will not be blocked by the closure snaps 6, 7. Seven male metal snaps 6 are stamped, sewn or otherwise attached to the first and second ends of the material, approximately ½ inch from the pressed end of the first and second end flaps and evenly spaced and centered between the center line and the seam allowance line on the left side of the material 1. Seven female metal snaps 7 are stamped, sewn or otherwise attached to the first and second ends of the material, approximately ½ inch from the pressed end of the first and second end flaps and evenly spaced and centered between the center line and the seam allowance line on the right side of the material 1. The snaps 6, 7 should only be attached through the layer of fabric 1 that comprises the 4-inch first and second end flaps. Although male and female snap assemblies and hook rings have been described herein, any suitable releasable attachment mechanism may be used. Also, although five and seven snaps and six hook rings are described, any suitable number of attachment mechanisms may be employed.

A decorative trim 2 may be sewn or otherwise attached to the outside surface of the fabric 1 opposite the cut end of the 4-inch first and second flaps. This also serves to secure the first and second flaps to the scarf. The decorative trim 2 is between 1 and 1½ inches wide with a length that spans the entire width of the scarf 100. The trim 2 may be made of a different material than that of the scarf 100 itself and may be embellished, embroidered or otherwise decorated or adorned.

To complete the assembly of the scarf, with the outside surface of the material 1 facing upward, the material 1 is folded along the centerline and a seam is sewn or otherwise attached down the length of the open edges securing the two edges of the fabric. The seam has an approximately ⅜ inch seam allowance. Once the two edges of the fabric are attached, the scarf is then turned inside out, so the outside or finished surface of the fabric and the decorative trim 2 are shown. The inner seam and the various attachment mechanisms 4, 5, 6, 7 are now concealed within the inside surface of the scarf 100. The completed scarf 100 is steam pressed.

A starter bead assembly, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and indicated at reference numeral 8 contains a ribbon upon which a row of five male snaps 9 is stamped, sewn or otherwise attached. The five male snaps 9 are spaced such that they can be connected to the row of five female snaps 4 attached to the first and second ends of the scarf 100. The ribbon is approximately 2¾ inches long and approximately 4½ inches wide. Also attached to the ribbon is a series of charms or decorative assemblies that hang or dangle from the bottom edge of the ribbon. Each decorative assembly includes a piece of flexible jewelry wire threaded through a series of decorative embellishments A crimpable bead is used to secure the assembly. The decorative embellishments can include, but are not limited to beads, stones, gems and metal charms. The five male snaps 9 of the starter bead assembly 8 can be removably attached to the five female snaps 4 attached to the open first and second ends of the scarf 100.

Alternately, the scarf 100 may also accommodate separate beaded charm assemblies, which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and indicated by reference numeral 10. A beaded charm assembly 10 includes a metal clasp 11, a length of flexible jewelry wire 16, a series of decorative embellishments 13, 14, 15, and a crimpable bead 12. Similar to the starter bead assembly 8, the flexible jewelry wire 16 is threaded through an aesthetic series of decorative embellishments 13, 14, 15 and then each end is looped through the metal clasp 11 and back down through the crimpable bead 12, which is then crimped to secure the assembly. The decorative embellishments can include, but are not limited to: beads; stones; gems; and metal charms. The entire beaded charm assembly 10 is approximately two inches in length. In this embodiment, up to six beaded charm assemblies 10 can be removably attached to the open first and second ends of the scarf 100. A user may choose six identical beaded charm assemblies 10 to attach to each or only one of the open ends of the scarf 100. Alternately, a user may choose up to six different beaded charm assemblies 10 per open end.

Inside the first and second open ends of the scarf, the row of seven male snaps 6 located on the left side of the centerline and the seven female snaps 7 located on the right side of the center line may be attached to close the open first and second ends of the scarf 100. These snaps may be opened and closed as necessary to add, remove or change the starter bead assembly 8 and/or different beaded charm assemblies 10.

The beaded charm assembly 10, as described above, can also be adapted so that it can also be worn as an earring. A first embodiment of an earring adaptor is shown in FIG. 4A. It contains an ornamental portion 17 having a decorative front surface (not shown) and an ear wire 21 and a looped connector 22 attached to the back side. The clasp mechanism 11 located on the beaded charm assembly 10 is attached to the adaptor via the looped connector 22. The beaded charm assembly 10 hangs or dangles from the earring adaptor and the connecting mechanisms are concealed behind the ornamental portion 17. A second earring adaptor is shown in FIG. 4B. This adaptor contains an ornamental portion 17, a post divider 18, a post 19 and a back 20. Similar to the first embodiment, the clasp mechanism 11 located on the beaded charm assembly 10 can be attached to the post 19 between the ornamental portion 17 and the post divider 18. The beaded charm assembly 10 hangs or dangles from the post 19 and the clasp 11 is concealed behind the ornamental portion 17 of the earring.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Other features and aspects of this invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Such features, aspects, and expected variations and modifications of the reported results and examples are clearly within the scope of the invention where the invention is limited solely by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A fashion scarf with removable embellishments comprising:

a fabric material having a length that is greater than its width, an inner surface and an outer surface, a first end and a second end wherein at least one of the first and second ends is open;

at least one closure means internally mounted within the at least one open end;

at least one attachment means internally mounted within the at least one open end;

at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment attached to the at least one attachment means internally mounted within the at least one open end.

2. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 1, wherein the at least one closure means and the at least one attachment means are the same mechanism.

3. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 1, wherein both the first and second ends of the fabric material are open and wherein each open end contains at least one closure means and at least one attachment means.

4. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 3, wherein both the first and second ends contain at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment attached to the at least one attachment means.

5. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 1, wherein the at least one closure means and the at least one attachment means are male and female snap mechanisms.

6. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 1, wherein the at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment is a starter bead assembly.

7. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 1, wherein the at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment is a beaded charm assembly.

8. A fashion scarf with removable embellishments comprising:

a fabric material having a length greater than its width, an inner surface and an outer surface, a first open end and a second open end;

a first attachment means having a plurality of female snap mechanisms internally mounted within the first and second open ends;

a second attachment means having a plurality of split rings internally mounted within the first and second open ends;

a closure means having a plurality of male and female snap mechanism internally mounted within the first and second open ends;

at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment attached to the first or second attachment means internally mounted within the at least one open end.

9. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 8, wherein the at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment is a starter bead assembly.

10. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 8, wherein the at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment is a beaded charm assembly.

11. The fashion scarf with removable embellishments of claim 8, wherein the at least one interchangeable decorative embellishment is a plurality of beaded charm assemblies.

12. An earring adaptor comprising:

an ornamental portion having a front side and a back side opposite the front side;

an ear wire connected to the back side of the ornamental portion and adapted for insertion into a pierced ear; and

a looped connector connected to the back side of the ornamental portion and adapted to receive a beaded charm assembly;

13. An earring adaptor comprising:

an ornamental portion having a front side and a back side opposite the front side;

a post mounted to the back side of the ornamental portion adapted for insertion into a pierced ear;

a post spacer attached to the stem positioned in order to form a mounting area for at least one beaded charm assembly; and

a back having an aperture located at the center for insertion onto the post.