WRAP AND METHODS OF USING AND MAKING THE SAME

Abstract

A decorative and/or practical wrap according to the present invention comprises an elongated strip of material having opposed ends and a central portion in between, a body providing a slot therethrough, the width of the slot at least equal to the width of the strip, and portions of both ends of the strip secured to the body with the central portion extending through the slot slidable therein, thereby forming two loops wherein increasing the size of one loop decreases the size of the other loop.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present Application claims priority from U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/477,780, titled “Decorative Wrap,” filed Dec. 26, 2103, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Fashion accessories are worn for many reasons and are generally used to enhance appearance and self-expression. There are numerous fashion accessories including jewelry, belts, scarves and hats. Depending on the accessory, it can be embellished with any combination of colors or materials, such as, for example, jewels, chains, stones, cords, leather, plastic, precious jewels or metals. Generally, there is limited use for an article of clothing or accessory item for at least three reasons; (i) damage from continuous wear, (ii) not all fashion accessories are appropriate for a particular event and (iii) the constantly evolving fashion industry can make it unaffordable and challenging to keep pace with.

Currently, there are ways to modify the way an article of clothing or accessory item appears and usually it involves altering the article in a permanent manner by sewing, using fasteners or glue which can damage apparel. A simple temporary accessory item can reinvent an article of clothing or extend the life of a fashion product.

Therefore, it is desirable to have an adjustable, multifunction accessory item that quickly alters ones appearance and instantly expands the depth of any wardrobe.

SUMMARY

A wrap or knot (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as a knot for convenience purposes) having features of the present invention will address these issues. The decorative and/or practical wrap according to the present invention comprises an elongated strip of material having opposed ends with a central portion in between, a body providing a slot therethrough, the width of the slot at least equal to the width of the strip, and portions of both ends of the strip secured to the body with the central portion extending through the slot slidable therein, thereby forming two loops wherein increasing the size of one loop decreases the size of the other loop.

The wrap can be formed in a plurality of ways. However, in a preferred embodiment the elongated strip of material and body are formed in a single length of material. Regardless of the manner in which the wrap is formed, the adjustment of the loops is inversely proportional, that is, when one loop increases in size the other loop decreases and vice versa. All of the wraps disclosed herein have a similar appearance and ease of altering the size of the loops. Optionally, additional bodies and loops can be added to the wrap.

The utilitarian or decorative uses for the wrap of the present invention are limitless. However, in one embodiment the wrap can be used as a shoe strap. All too often, women's shoes whether flats or high heels can be a challenge to wear comfortably. If the shoe is too tight it hurts the wearer's foot and if the shoe is too loose the shoe falls off with every step. There may be activities as well, such as dancing, where the wrap can provide increased support and security. The wrap provides a fashionable choice that can be configured to appear like the wrap is actually part of the shoe or alternatively complement the shoe's style. For example, if the shoe is black the wrap can also be formed with a black material. Or to make the wrap more noticeable, a color or patterned material can be used. If the wearer prefers the wrap go unnoticed, the wrap can be formed with a clear material, like plastic.

In addition to being worn on the foot, the wrap can also be used to secure hair. Therefore, in another embodiment the wrap can be used as a hair tie. When the wrap is being used to secure something in place, such as hair or shoes, an elastic material can be used. The elasticity in the material creates tension when the loops surround the object to be secured. The pre-formed wrap can additionally be lined with a non-slip resistant material that will hold the loops in place yet still allow the size and/or position of the loops to be altered.

In still another embodiment the wrap can be used as a scarf. When configured as a scarf, the width of the elongated strip can be from 2 to 4 inches for a fashionable scarf or from 6 to 9 inches for an outerwear scarf. The user simply places one of the loops over the head then the second loop can be placed over the head. The size of the loops can then be adjusted to form the scarf into a perfect shape. In this configuration the user may select a material such as silk or cashmere to form the wrap.

There are a variety of ways to fashion the wrap. For example, the body of the scarf may be the same color as the elongated strip or a different color for contrast. The wrap can also be modified with a number the ornamental elements comprising any combination of jewels, chains, stones, cords, leather, plastic, metal, precious jewels, precious metals, diamonds, crystals, cloth, silver and gold. The ornamental elements can either be attached permanently to the wrap or via a temporary fastener. The ornamental elements can provide additional style.

The wrap can be made from a variety of textiles such as fabric, ribbon, elastic, cord, leather, rope, and the like and its configuration will likely depend on its intended use. In some instances it may be appropriate to form the wrap with a washable material. If the wrap were configured with jewels and metals, in another embodiment the knot can be used as a bracelet.

In a further embodiment the wrap can be configured with more than one body and more than two loops. This changes the appearance and functionality of the wrap. A user can also wear multiple wraps at one time by layering the wraps.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided methods for making the wrap. A first method comprises taking an elongated strip of material having opposed ends with a central portion in between, creating a body with a slot therethrough, the width of the slot at least equal to the width of the strip, and securing the portions of both ends of the strip to the body with the central portion extending through the slot slidable therein, thereby forming two loops wherein increasing the size of one loop decreases the size of the other loop. A second method comprises having two elongated strips of material with opposed ends and a central portion in between, creating a two bodies with slots therethrough, the width of the slots at least equal to the width of the strips, and securing portions of both ends of the strips to the body with the central portion extending through the slots slidable therein, and forming three loops wherein increasing the size of one loop decreases the size of the other loops.

As described above, the wrap can be used in a variety of manners. It can easily be changed by adding to the basic wrap to dress up or alter an appearance.

DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein where:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of the wrap according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the wrap shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3E are diagrammatic views illustrating sequential steps that may be performed in making the wrap;

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate one embodiment of the wrap in use;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the wrap in use;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of the wrap;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the embodiment of the wrap in FIG. 8 in use;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the wrap;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the wrap in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates the embodiment in FIGS. 10 and 11 in use;

FIG. 13 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 7 in use; and

FIG. 14 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 7 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed toward a decorative or utilitarian wrap and methods of making and using the same. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

Definitions

It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. Thus, for example, reference to “a compound” includes two or more different compounds. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or other items that can be added to the listed items.

As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising,” “comprises” and “comprised” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Thus, throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise”, “comprising” and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.”

As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the method steps disclosed are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is essential to the method or that each step must occur in the order disclosed.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a wrap 10 according to the present invention. The wrap 10 comprises an elongated strip of material 12 having opposed ends 14 and a central portion 16 in between, a body 18 providing a slot 20 therethrough, the width of the slot 20 at least equal to the width of the strip 12, and portions of both ends 14 secured to the body 18 with the central portion 16 extending through the slot 20 slidable therein, thereby forming two loops 22 wherein increasing the size of one loop 22 decreases the size of the other loop 22. FIG. 2 illustrates the top of the wrap in FIG. 1.

The wrap 10 can be formed in a plurality of ways. However, in a preferred embodiment the elongated strip 12 and body 18 are formed in a single length of material. One of the ways to form the wrap using a single length of material is illustrated in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3E. To make the wrap, simply take an elongated strip of material 12 having opposed ends 14 with a central portion 16 in between. Create a body 18 with a slot therethrough, the width of the slot is at least equal to the width of the strip 12. Portions of both opposed ends 14 are secured to the body 18 with the central portion 16 extending through the slot 20 slidable therein. This forms two loops 22 wherein increasing the size of one loop 22 decreases the size of the other loop 22. It is contemplated that there are other ways to form the wrap 10 including formation of the wrap 10 using more than one length of material.

When the wrap 10 is configured for use as a shoe accessory and configured with a single length of material, the length of material is to 15 to 25 inches and in a preferred embodiment 20 to 22 inches for an adult. For a child the single length of material is 10 to 20 inches and in a preferred embodiment 14.5 to 17 inches for a child. A preferred width of the elongated strip 12 for a shoe strap is ½ inch to 3 inches. The wrap 10 can be formed out of a variety of textiles and generally the intended use for the wrap 10 will dictate the type of textile used. In a preferred embodiment, when the wrap 10 is used as a shoe strap, the textile will be a material with elasticity. The interior of the elongated strip 12 can also be lined with a non-slip coating or material to increase the security in use.

FIGS. 4-6, demonstrate the wrap 10 in use as a shoe ornament in one embodiment of the present invention. One of the loops 22 can be positioned around the ankle of the wearer while the other loop 22 is placed around the foot. Alternatively, both loops 22 can be positioned around the foot with either the body 18 positioned on top of the foot as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 or under the foot as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the wrap 10 having the option of attaching (either temporarily or permanently) an ornamental element(s) 24 to the wrap 10. Ornamental elements 24 can be attached anywhere on the wrap 10 including the body 18 or the elongated strip 12. Some examples of ornamental elements can be jewels, chains, stones, ribbons, leather, precious jewels or metals. The wrap 10 can also be modified so that the color of the body 18 is different from or matches the elongated strip 12. The materials used for the body 18 and the elongated strip 12 can also be different.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the wrap 10. In this configuration when forming a wrap 30, the opposed ends 14 of the elongated strip 12 are left untucked from the body 18 making them unsecured ends 26. In this embodiment, the wrap 30 can be used as a scarf as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. When the wrap 30 is configured as a scarf with a single length of material, the length of the elongated strip is 3 to 9 feet long and in a preferred embodiment 6.5 to 7.5 feet long. The width of the wrap 10 may vary depending on use; however, for a scarf a width of 2 to 26 inches is preferred. For comfort reasons in use, a softer or warm material such as cashmere or wool can be used to make the wrap 30 or for more formal occasions a silk material may be preferred.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention in which a wrap 60 can be configured with more than one body 18 and more than two loops 22. In this configuration the wrap has a first body 32 and second body 34, two outside loops 36 and a center loop 38. For example, when the wrap 60 is configured as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, more the one elongated strips of material are required. For example, a 33-inch length single strip of material 40 can be cut into two pieces, a 26-inch strip and 7-inch strip. Opposed ends 42 of the smaller strip are then partially secured to the opposed ends 42 of the longer strip. The first body 32 is configured with a slot 44 therethrough, the width of the slot is at least equal to the width of the strip of material 40 and second body 34. Portions of both opposed ends 42 of both strips are secured to the bodies 32 and 34 with central portions 46 extending through the slot 44 slidable therein. This forms two outside loops 36 and a center loop 38 wherein increasing the size of any loop decreases the size of the other loops. It is contemplated that there are other ways to form the wrap 60. FIG. 11 shows the back side of the wrap in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12 illustrates the wrap 60 in FIGS. 10 and 11 in use.

The adjustable loops and multifunctional aspects of all of the embodiments of the present invention make it useful for a variety of purposes including decorative or practical. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the wrap 10 in FIG. 7 being used as a hair tie or bracelet.

Materials and Methods

Methods and materials are described herein. However, methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be also used to obtain variations of the present invention. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Incorporation by Reference

Throughout this application, various publications, patents, and/or patent applications are referenced in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. The disclosures of these publications, patents, and/or patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties, and for the subject matter for which they are specifically referenced in the same or a prior sentence, to the same extent as if each independent publication, patent, and/or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Other Embodiments

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A wrap comprising:

an elongated strip of material having opposed ends and a central portion in between, a body providing a slot therethrough, the width of the slot at least equal to the width of the strip, and portions of both ends of the strip secured to the body with the central portion extending through the slot slidable therein, thereby forming two loops wherein increasing the size of one loop decreases the size of the other loop.

2. The wrap according to claim 1, wherein the wrap is formed with a single length of material.

3. The wrap according to claim 2, wherein the length of the elongated strip is between 13 to 23 inches.

4. The wrap according to claim 2, wherein the length of the elongated strip is between 3 to 9 feet.

5. The wrap according to claim 1, wherein the wrap is placed on a shoe.

6. The wrap according to claim 1, wherein the wrap is placed around a neck of a user.

7. The wrap according to claim 1, wherein the wrap is placed in hair.

8. The wrap according to claim 1, further comprising an ornamental element attached to the body.

9. The wrap according to claim 1, further comprising an ornamental element attached to the elongated strip.

10. The wrap according to claim 1, further comprising a second body and at least a third loop.

11. A method of making a wrap, the method comprising:

a. having an elongated strip of material with opposed ends and a central portion in between;

b. creating a body with a slot therethrough, the width of the slot at least equal to the width of the strip; and

c. securing portions of both ends of the strip to the body with the central portion extending through the slot slidable therein; and

d. forming two loops wherein increasing the size of one loop decreases the size of the other loop.

12. A method of making wrap, the method comprising:

a. having two elongated strips of material with opposed ends and central portions in between;

b. creating a two bodies with slots therethrough, the width of the slots at least equal to the width of the strips; and

c. securing portions of both ends of the strips to the body with the central portions extending through the slots slidable therein; and

d. forming three loops wherein increasing the size of one loop decreases the size of the other loops.

13. A method of securing a shoe to a wearer comprising:

a. providing the wearer with the wrap of claim 1;

b. placing at least one of the loops over the wearer's foot; and

c. adjusting the placement and size of the loop on the foot.

14. A method of securing hair on a wearer comprising:

a. providing the wearer with the wrap of claim 1;

b. placing at least one of the loops over the wearer's hair; and

c. adjusting the placement and size of the loop on the hair.