BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to the field of personal adornments, specifically an accessory system utilizing interchangeable embellishments.
2. Background
Personal adornments can allow for individual expression and self-confidence for a wearer. However, it can be burdensome and costly to purchase multiple personal adornment pieces in order to accommodate changes in a user's mood or clothing. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a system whereby multiple embellishments can be used interchangeably or in conjunction with one another to create several different looks while using one base accessory, such as a headband, bracelet, purse, lunch bag, backpack, article(s) of clothing, shoes or other personal item or accessory.
What is needed is a personal accessory system whereby several embellishments can be adapted to selectively engage a base accessory. The system should be easy to use and embellishments should be adapted for use with different base accessories. For example, a heart-shaped embellishment can be attached to a hair clip, but later attached to a shirt thereby achieving a different look with the same embellishment. The embellishments and base accessories can be sold as individual or multiple units, but in some embodiments the personal accessory system can be sold as a kit containing multiple base accessories, embellishments, or any other desired item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A depicts an embodiment of a personal accessory system comprising a base accessory coupled with an embellishment.
FIG. 1B depicts an embodiment of a base accessory coupled with a complementary fastening component.
FIG. 1C depicts a side view of an embodiment of the base accessory having a non-uniform width.
FIG. 1D depicts an embodiment of a complementary fastening component.
FIG. 2A depicts an embodiment of headband base accessory having a smaller width coupled with a bow embellishment.
FIG. 2B depicts an embodiment of a base accessory having a smaller width coupled with a complementary fastening component.
FIG. 2C depicts a side view of an embodiment of the base accessory having a uniform width.
FIG. 3A depicts an embodiment of a base accessory coupled with an embellishment.
FIG. 3B depicts an embodiment of a base accessory coupled with a complementary fastening component.
FIG. 4A depicts an embodiment of a base accessory being coupled with an embellishment having a flower shape.
FIG. 4B depicts a side view of an embodiment of complementary fastening components having male and female members.
FIG. 4C depicts a top view of an embodiment of complementary fastening components having male and female members.
FIG. 4D depicts a side view of an embodiment of complementary fastening components having male and female members, with the male member having two prongs.
FIG. 5 depicts an isometric view of an embodiment of a base accessory comprising multiple complementary fastening components that are reinforced with raised sections partially surrounding apertures.
FIG. 6 depicts an isometric view of an embodiment of a base accessory comprising multiple complementary fastening components that are reinforced with raised sections completely surrounding apertures.
FIG. 7A depicts a top view of an embodiment of a base accessory coupled with multiple types of embellishments.
FIG. 7B depicts a side view of an embodiment of a base accessory coupled with multiple types of embellishments.
FIG. 7C depicts a front view of an embodiment of a base accessory coupled with multiple types of embellishments.
FIG. 8A depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of an elastic band.
FIG. 8B depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a hair clip.
FIG. 8C depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a hair pin.
FIG. 8D depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a hat.
FIG. 8E depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a cap.
FIG. 9A depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a bracelet.
FIG. 9B depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a purse.
FIG. 9C depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a lunch bag.
FIG. 9D depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a backpack.
FIG. 9E depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of an article of clothing.
FIG. 9F depicts an embodiment of the base accessory in the form of a shoe.
FIG. 10 depicts a kit comprising a base accessory, a plurality of first embellishments, and a plurality of second embellishments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1A-1C depicts an embodiment of a personal accessory system 100. The personal accessory system 100 can be comprised of at least one base accessory 102 and at least one embellishment 106. The base accessory 102 and the embellishment 106 can each comprise one or more complementary fastening components 104. In some embodiments, a personal accessory system 100 can comprise a plurality of embellishments 106 that can be interchangeable and can be selectively coupled with the base accessory 102 via the complementary fastening components 104.
In some embodiments the personal accessory system 100 can be designed for use with hair or a person's head. In some embodiments, the personal accessory system 100 can be in the form of a headband, as shown in FIGS. 1-7. In other embodiments, the personal accessory system 100 can be an elastic band (FIG. 8A), a hair clip (FIG. 8B), a hair pin (FIG. 8C), a hat (FIG. 8D), a cap (FIG. 8E), or any other known and/or convenient accessory for use with hair and/or a person's head. In alternate embodiments, the personal accessory system 100 can be jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet; clothing, such as a belt or shoes; a bag, such as a purse, handbag, backpack, suitcase, or computer case; or any other known and/or convenient item that can be carried or worn by a user.
The base accessory 102 can be comprised of resin, plastic, metal, leather, polyvinyl chloride, fabric, polymer, silicone, or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, the base accessory 102 can be covered or wrapped in a different material. The base accessory 102 can have any shape or size. In some embodiments, the base accessory 102 can be in the form of a headband. In embodiments in which the base accessory 102 is a headband, the headband can have a width of 15 millimeters as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, a width of 5 millimeters as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, have any other known and/or convenient width, and/or have a variable width or thickness. Moreover, in some embodiments in which the base accessory 102 is a headband the width and/or thickness of the headband can be uniform along the entire length or circumference of the headband, as shown in the side view depicted in FIG. 2C. In other embodiments in which the base accessory 102 is a headband, the width and/or thickness of the headband can be varied at different points of the headband, as shown in the side view depicted in FIG. 1C. In alternate embodiments, the base accessory 102 can be in the form of any other item, such as a bracelet (FIG. 9A), purse (FIG. 9B), lunch bag (FIG. 9C), backpack (FIG. 9D), article(s) of clothing (FIG. 9E), shoes (FIG. 9F) and/or any other personal item or accessory.
The base accessory 102 can have a smooth surface or can have ridges, bumps, or any other desired texture. In some embodiments, the base accessory 102 can be coated with ultraviolet-resistant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and/or antifungal coating. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the base accessory 102 can comprise anti-slip coating, such as silicone.
As shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and 7, one or more embellishments 106 can be selectively coupled with the base accessory 102. The embellishments 106 can vary in size, shape and design. In some embodiments one or more embellishments 106 can be formed as a bow, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In other embodiments one or more embellishments 106 can be formed as a flower, as shown in FIG. 4. In still other embodiments, one or more embellishments can be formed as a letter, as shown in FIG. 7. In yet other embodiments, one or more embellishments can be formed as any other desired and/or aesthetically pleasing adornment. In some embodiments, the embellishment 106 can have a design and/or decoration, including gems, stones, sequins, glitter, ribbons, cartoon characters, monograms, or any other design, decoration or characteristic displayed in any artistic medium. In some embodiments, the embellishments 106 can have thread holes 110 that can allow any desired type of adornment to be sewn to the embellishment 106, such as the disc shaped embellishments 106 shown in FIG. 7. The one or more embellishments 106 can be made of resin, fabric, leather, silicone, metal, plastic, or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials.
Each base accessory 102 and each embellishment 106 can comprise one or more complementary fastening components 104. The complementary fastening components 104 can be configured such that one complementary fastening component 104 can selectively attach to a separate complementary fastening component 104. In some embodiments the complementary fastening components 104 can be snaps, as shown in FIGS. 1B-1D. In other embodiments, the complementary fastening components 104 can be male and female members. FIG. 4B depicts a side view of an embodiment of complementary fastening components 104 comprising male and female members. FIG. 4C depicts a top view of an embodiment of complementary fastening components 104 comprising male and female members. In some embodiments having male and female members, the male member can have one or more protrusions 112, such as bulbs, prongs or screws, and the female member can have one or more apertures 114 configured to accept the protrusions 112. In some embodiments having male and female members the one or more protrusions 112 can be snapped into the apertures 114, screwed into the apertures 114, turned into the apertures 114 in a quarter turn, half turn, three quarter turn, full turn, or any other turn, press fit into the apertures 114, friction fit into the apertures 114, or inserted into the apertures 114 in any other known or desired manner. As shown in FIG. 4D, in some embodiments having two or more protrusions 112, the two or more protrusions 112 can be inserted into a single aperture 114. In some embodiments the male and/or female members can have thread holes 110 such that the complementary fastening component can be sewn to an embellishment 106 or a base accessory 102. In yet other embodiments, the complementary fastening components 104 can be magnets, hook and loop members, buckles, reusable adhesive members, or any other known and/or convenient fastener 118, as shown in FIG. 3. The complementary fastening components 104 can be made of polyurethane, metal, plastic, resin, silicone, polyvinyl chloride, or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials.
One or more complementary fastening components 104 can be coupled with the base accessory 102. In some embodiments, the complementary fastening components 104 can be formed directly into the base accessory 102, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. In other embodiments, the complementary fastening components 104 can be sewn into the base accessory 102 by inserting thread, wire, or any other elongated member through thread holes 110 within the complementary fastening component 104. In still other embodiments, the complementary fastening components 104 can be coupled with the base accessory 102 by adhesives, screws, bolts, ironing, fusing, or any other convenient manner.
In some embodiments, the base accessory 102 can comprise one complementary fastening component 104, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In alternate embodiments, the base accessory 102 can comprise a plurality of complementary fastening components 104, as shown in FIGS. 4-7. In some embodiments having a plurality of complementary fastening components 104, the complementary fastening components 104 can be evenly spaced about the base accessory 102. In alternate embodiments having a plurality of complementary fastening components 104, the complementary fastening components 104 can be grouped together in any location on the base accessory 102 or be arranged in any other configuration. The complementary fastening components 104 can be located on the outer surface of the base accessory 102. In some embodiments in which the complementary fastening components 104 are male and female members, the male members can be coupled with the base accessory 102, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. In other embodiments in which the complementary fastening components 104 are male and female members, the female members can be coupled with the base accessory 102, as shown in FIGS. 5-7.
Each embellishment 106 can comprise one or more complementary fastening components 104. The complementary fastening components 104 can be located on the underside of the embellishment 106, on the side of the embellishment 106, or at any other location on the embellishment 106. In some embodiments, each embellishment 106 can comprise one complementary fastening component. In other embodiments, an embellishment 106 can comprise more than one complementary fastening component 104 spaced apart such that they can attach to more than one complementary fastening component 104 on the base accessory 102. In some embodiments in which the complementary fastening components 104 are male and female members, the female members can be coupled with the embellishment 106, as shown in FIG. 4A. In other embodiments in which the complementary fastening components 104 are male and female members, the male members can be coupled with the embellishment 106, as shown in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the complementary fastening components 104 can be formed directly into the embellishment 106. In other embodiments, the complementary fastening components 104 can be sewn into the embellishment 106 by inserting thread, wire, or any other elongated member through thread holes 110 within the complementary fastening component 104. In still other embodiments, the complementary fastening components 104 can be coupled with the embellishment 106 by adhesives, screws, bolts, ironing, fusing, or any other convenient manner.
In some embodiments, the base accessory 102 can comprise one or more attachment sections 108, as shown in FIG. 1B. An attachment section 108 can comprise an area immediately surrounding a complementary fastening component 104. In some embodiments, the attachment section 108 can be comprised of a reinforced version of the same material as the material that comprises the rest of the base accessory 102. In other embodiments, the attachment section 108 can be comprised of a material different from that of the rest of the base accessory 102. In some embodiments, the attachment section 108 can be comprised of a textured material so as to provide more friction when in contact with the embellishment 106, thereby preventing slippage or movement of the embellishment 106. In other embodiments, the attachment section 108 can be a removable piece of material comprising the complementary fastening component 104, such that the attachment section 108 can be moved to any desired point on the base accessory 102. In some embodiments, the attachment sections 108 can be raised portions of the base accessory 102 that surround or partially surround the apertures 114 of the female members of the complementary fastening components 104, as shown in FIGS. 5-7.
FIG. 4A depicts the operation of the personal accessory system 100. In use, a user can select a desired embellishment 106 and removably couple the selected embellishment 106 with the base accessory 102 by attaching a complementary fastening component 104 on the selected embellishment 106 to a complementary fastening component 104 on the base accessory 102. In embodiments in which the base accessory 102 comprises multiple complementary fastening components 104, the user can choose to attach the embellishment 106 to any of the complementary fastening components 104 on the base accessory 102. When a user desires the personal accessory system 100 to have a different appearance, the user can attach a different embellishment 106 to a separate complementary fastening component 104 on the base accessory 102, and/or remove an already-attached embellishment 106 from the base accessory 102 and attach a different embellishment 106 to the base accessory 102 at the same complementary fastening component 104 on the base accessory 102. The user can also choose to remove an embellishment 106 attached to one base accessory 102 and attach the embellishment 106 to a different base accessory 102.
FIGS. 7A-7C depict a top view, a side view, and a front view of an embodiment of a base accessory 102 in use with multiple types of embellishments 106. The user can choose to attach different types of embellishments 106 to different complementary fastening components 104 on the base accessory 102. By way of a non-limiting example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A-7C, an embellishment 106 in the shape of a stylized letter B can be attached to the complementary fastening component 104 on the left side of the base accessory 102, while embellishments 106 in the shape of a disc can be attached to the complementary fastening components 104 on the top and top right sections of the base accessory 102.
As shown in FIG. 7C, in some embodiments items other than embellishments 106 can be attached to the base accessory. In some embodiments one or more plugs 116 can be coupled with one or more complementary fastening components 104 on the base accessory 102. The plug 116 can be coupled with the base accessory 102 at a complementary fastening component 104 such that the plug 116 covers the complementary fastening component 104, thereby making the complementary fastening component 104 less noticeable to a viewer. In some embodiments the plug 116 can be made of the same material as the base accessory 102. In other embodiments the plug 116 can be made of a different material than the base accessory 102. In some embodiments the surface of the plug 116 can have the same pattern, texture, or color as the base accessory 102. In some embodiments, the plug 116 can comprise a complementary fastening component 104 of the same type as the embellishments 106. In some embodiments, the plug 116 can be flush with the surface of the base accessory 102 when inserted into the complementary fastening component 104. In other embodiments, the plug 116 can extend from the surface of the base accessory 102 when inserted into the complementary fastening component 104. The plug 116 can be a size and shape such that when the plug 116 is inserted into the complementary fastening component 102, it can cover the complementary fastening component, cover the attachment section 108, or have any other shape or size.
FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a personal accessory system kit 1000. Any form and any number of the base accessories 102 and embellishments 106 can be grouped together and sold as a kit 1000. By way of a non-limiting example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a base accessory 1002 formed as a headband can be grouped into a kit 1000 with a first plurality of embellishments 1004 formed as bows, and a second plurality of embellishments 1006 formed as flowers. In some embodiments, the kit can comprise multiple forms of base accessories 1002. In some embodiments, the kit can comprise a first plurality of embellishments 904 and a second plurality of embellishments 1006. In alternate embodiments, the kit 1000 can comprise any number of embellishments 106. The embellishments 106 in the kit 1000 can be all of the same type, or a variety of types.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
