Pin Display Device

Abstract

The pin display device is a layered band or strap of material that integrates multiple clutch fasteners to accept, secure and release ornamental pins having one or more prongs for display and can be used as a wristband, hatband, or component of a belt or carry bag. The pin display device can be integrated into animal equipment such as horse halters or dog collars to sort and identify animals or distinguish certified service animals.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/214,229, filed on Sep. 4, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device displaying pins that are usually used for decoration, to show an emblem of a nation or other organization, as a badge of merit or accomplishment, as an official emblem, or as a badge or insignia of military rank, office, or membership of an organization.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Decorative or ornamental pins, such as for example lapel pins, are usually used for decoration, to show an emblem of a nation or other organization, as a badge of merit or accomplishment, as an official emblem, or as a badge or insignia of military rank, office, or membership of an organization. Many people take great pride in displaying their pins to show their pride in and devotion to their country or an organization of which they are a member. An example of this type of pin is the lapel pins that display a national flag. People also take pride in displaying pins that were awarded to them to recognize them for their achievements or accomplishments, or for their distinguished service, rank, or office. Some pins may show ornate logos or trademarks or they may simply be for decorative or ornamental purposes. Some pins may be collectable. Such ornamental pins usually have an ornamental body, which may be highly ornate or colorful, and one or more prongs or pins projecting from the back of the ornamental body. The prongs are sharp enough to penetrate through one or more layers of clothing. Ornamental pins having a single prong are common. Clutch fasteners, usually one for each prong, engage the prongs to secure the ornamental pins to clothing by capturing the layers of clothing between the ornamental body of the ornamental pin and the clutch fastener.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,344, issued to Baughman on Mar. 26, 1985, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, shows an example of an ornamental pin. Many types of clutch fasteners are known that work with most common types of pins or prongs. Examples of clutch fasteners suitable for use with the pins or prongs of ornamental pins can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,118,025, issued to H. Levin on Nov. 24, 1914, U.S. Pat. No. 1,192,612, issued to R. Fischer on Jul. 25, 1916, U.S. Pat. No. 1,281,844, issued to L. J. Roy on Oct. 15, 1918, U.S. Pat. No. 1,489,778, issued to E. Merzinger on Apr. 8, 1924, U.S. Pat. No. 2,308,412, issued to F. A. Ballou, Jr., et al. on Jan. 12, 1943, U.S. Pat. No. 2,354,638, issued to Okerholm et al. on Jul. 25, 1944, U.S. Pat. No. 2,551,196, issued to F. A. Ballou, Jr., on May 1, 1951, U.S. Pat. No. 2,621,386, issued to D. H. Bowder on Dec. 16, 1952, U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,295, issued to Mervyn V. T. Haines on May 7, 1963, U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,044, issued to Chernow on Oct. 17, 1972, U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,824, issued to Roberts on Nov. 7, 1978, U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,715, issued to Huddon on Oct. 6, 1981, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,050, issued to Fountoulakis on Feb. 26, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,344, issued to Baughman on Mar. 26, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,974, issued to Hernandez on Nov. 15, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,569, issued to Erickson on Mar. 24, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,718, issued to Kelly on Nov. 23, 1999, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Wearable straps such as belts or wrist bands that carry ornaments or other indicia are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,596,884, issued to Bailen on May 13, 1952, shows a belt that is divided into compartments. One side of each compartment in the belt of Bailen is transparent for displaying block letters, numbers, or photographs. U.S. Pat. No. 3,585,743, issued to Jeffers on Jun. 22, 1971, shows a dog collar with a holder for an identification tag or license that provides the dog owner's name and address. U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,856, issued to McManus on Feb. 11, 1975, shows a watch band having a compartment for carrying a card with emergency information such as medical information. U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,036, issued to Krug on Oct. 7, 1980, shows a hospital identification bracelet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,258, issued to Morse et al. on Jun. 11, 1985, shows a belt with flashing light emitting diodes for improving the visibility of pedestrians at night. U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,460, issued to Kohl on Sep. 8, 1987, shows a decorative plaque for belts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,067, issued to Prout on Mar. 3, 1992, shows a wrist band carrying an identification plate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,982, issued to Lynch on Jun. 17, 2003, shows a strap-like apparel with lighted studs. U.S. Pat. No. 8,166,689, issued to Emshoff on May 1, 2012, shows an enclosure for displaying decorative pins that resembles a pocket watch and can be used for shelf-top display. U.S. Pat. No. 8,776,271, issued to Randolph on Jul. 15, 2014, shows a strap with compartments that hold magnets; the magnets then magnetically hold ornaments against the exterior of the strap. However, none of the aforementioned straps are suitable for displaying ornamental pins. The need persists in the art for a strap-like device to securely display ornamental pins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a strap-like device for displaying decorative or ornamental pins such as lapel pins and the like. The display device is constructed of an outer band, a middle band, and an inner band. The outer band has holes to allow the prongs of the ornamental pins to pass through the outer band and engage clutch fasteners that are held captive between the inner and outer bands while being received at least in part within openings provided in the middle layer. A buckle or other means is provided for attaching the free ends of the strap-like device to each other.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a pin display device for use with one or more ornamental pins, each ornamental pin having an ornamental body and at least one prong, the ornamental body having a back side and the prong projecting from the back side of the ornamental body, the pin display device comprising:

an outer band having first and second free ends;

means for releasably securing together the first and second free ends of the outer band;

an inner band;

a middle band coextensive with a portion of the outer band, the middle band also being coextensive with at least a portion of the inner band, the middle band being positioned between the outer band and the inner band, the middle band, the outer band, and the inner band being attached together with the middle band being captured between the outer band and the inner band, the middle band having one or more openings; and

one or more clutch fasteners each being received at least in part within a respective one of the one or more openings of the middle band, the middle band, the outer band, and the inner band cooperatively securing each of the one or more clutch fasteners in position relative to the respective one of the one or more openings of the middle band,

wherein each of the one or more clutch fasteners can receive at least a portion of the prong of a respective ornamental pin through the outer band to thereby releasably secure the respective ornamental pin to the pin display device.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a pin display device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention as set forth previously, wherein there are a plurality of the clutch fasteners and a plurality of openings in the middle band of the same number as the plurality of clutch fasteners.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a pin display device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention as set forth previously, wherein the middle band, the outer band, and the inner band are attached together by stitching.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a pin display device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention as set forth previously, wherein the means for releasably securing together the first and second free ends of the outer band comprises:

a buckle having a prong provided at the first free end of the outer band; and

a plurality of holes provided along a portion of the outer band proximate the second free end of the outer band for selective engagement by the prong of the buckle for releasably securing together the first and second free ends of the outer band.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a pin display device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention as set forth previously, wherein the outer band is provided with one or more prong passage holes equal in number to the one or more openings of the middle band, each of the one or more prong passage holes being in registry with a respective one of the one or more openings of the middle band, wherein each of the one or more prong passage holes allows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through the outer band and engage a respective one of the one or more clutch fasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pin display device.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a pin display device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention as set forth previously, wherein the inner band is provided with one or more fastener access holes equal in number to the one or more openings of the middle band, each of the one or more fastener access holes being in registry with a respective one of the one or more openings of the middle band, wherein each of the one or more fastener access holes allows a user to operate a respective one of the one or more clutch fasteners to allow removal of the prong of a respective ornamental pin from the respective one of the one or more clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove the respective ornamental pin from the pin display device while the respective one of the one or more clutch fasteners remains captured at least in part by the inner band.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be made clearer upon study of the detailed description of the invention provided below and the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 are views of a first embodiment of a pin display device in accordance with the present invention showing decorative or ornamental pins mounted thereto.

FIGS. 3-4 are exploded views of the first embodiment of a pin display device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer band of the pin display device in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 6-7 are views of the first embodiment of a pin display device in accordance with the present invention showing decorative or ornamental pins mounted thereto and the ends of the device disconnected.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of second embodiment of a pin display device in accordance with the present invention showing an alternative buckle design.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a clutch fastener for use with a pin display device in accordance with the present invention.

The same reference characters denote the corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the present invention is directed to a strap-like device 100 for displaying decorative pins 101 such as lapel pins or the like. The display device 100, also referred to herein as a pin band, is a layered band of material that integrates multiple vertical spring clutch fasteners to accept, secure and release single prong lapel pins for display as a wristband, hatband, or component of a belt or carry bag.

The pin band 100 can be integrated into animal equipment such as horse halters or dog collars to sort and identify animals or distinguish certified service animals.

The pin band 100 is constructed of an outer band 102, a middle band 104, and an inner band 106. The outer band 102 has holes 108 to allow pin prongs 110 to pass through the outer band 102. The middle band 104 has holes or openings 112 each of which receives at least a portion of a corresponding clutch fastener 114 in registry with a corresponding hole 108 of the outer band 102 to allow a pin prong 110 to enter the clutch fastener 114 and be releasably captured by the clutch fastener 114. Accordingly, at least a portion of each pin prong 110 is received in the corresponding clutch fastener and in the corresponding opening 112 of the middle band 104 when the corresponding decorative pin is mounted to the pin display band 100. Preferably, the middle band 104 forms a pad of sufficient thickness to accommodate and conceal at least a portion of the corresponding clutch fastener 114 and allows the decorative pin ornament 116 to lie flat against the outer band 102. Depending on the type of clutch fastener 114, each opening 112 may receive the cylinder of the corresponding clutch fastener 114.

The inner band 106 contains the clutch fasteners 114 securely within the openings 112 of the middle band 104 while still allowing for clutch fasteners to function properly. Depending on the type of clutch fastener used the inner band 106 may completely close off the corresponding opening 112, or the inner band 106 may be provided with one or more openings 118 that are in registry with one or more corresponding openings 112 of the middle band 104. The openings 118 are sized to allow a user access to the clutch fasteners 114 for operating the clutch fasteners, at least for performing the release function of the clutch fastener, while securely holding or capturing the clutch fastener 114 in position at least in part within its corresponding opening 112 of the middle band 104. In one preferred embodiment, the openings 118 allow a user access to the clutch fasteners 114 for operating the clutch fasteners by providing for at least the head portion or knob 120 of the clutch fastener 114 to project outward from the back side of the inner band 104, where it can be easily accessed by the user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clutch fasteners 114 are of the type that has a head portion or knob 120 and a hollow body 122, which contains the clutch mechanism. The clutch fasteners 114 form the mechanism by which the decorative pins are secured to and released from the pin display band 100. Referring to FIG. 9, the hollow body 122 of the clutch fastener 114 has a dome portion 124 that receives the knob 120 and a cylinder 126 which contains the clutch mechanism. The knob 120 is gripped to release the decorative pin 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the clutch, fasteners 114 are of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,621,386, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The knob 120 is biased by spring 128 to push a cage 130 into a tapering cup 132. The cage 130 carries ball or roller bearings 134. As the cage 130 is pushed into the tapering cup 132 by the pressure of the spring 128, the tapering walls of the cup 132 force the ball bearings 134 against the prong 110 of the decorative pin 101 to frictionally secure the prong 110 within the clutch fastener 114. In turn, once the prong 110 is secured within the clutch fastener 114, the decorative pin 101 will be secured to the pin display band 100. Pulling the knob 120 outward away from the hollow body 122 moves the ball bearings 134 along with the cage 130 to a wider portion of the tapering cup 132, where the tapering walls of the cup are farther apart, which allows the ball bearings 134 to move away from and release the prong 110. Once the prong 110 is released the decorative pin can be removed from the pin display band 100.

In use, the prong 110 of the decorative pin 101 is inserted through the outer band 102, passing through at least a portion of the middle band 104 where the prong 110 is received in the corresponding clutch fastener 114. The decorative pin 101 can be removed from the band 100 by gripping and pulling the knob 120 of the clutch fastener 114 and placing an opposing pulling force on the decorative pin 101.

The free ends 136 and 138 of the outer band 102 can be releasably secured to each other by any appropriate means. In the illustrated example, a buckle 140 is provided at the first free end 136 of the outer band 102. The buckle 140 includes a frame 142 and a prong 144. The buckle 140 is engageable with any one of a plurality of holes 146, as selected by the user, provided in a portion 148 of the outer band 102 proximate the second free end 138 to secure the free ends 136 and 138 to each other. A Keeper 150 helps keep the portion 148 of the outer band 102 proximate the second free end 138 from disengaging from the buckle 140 accidentally.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the buckle 140 may be replaced with a buckle 152 that has a prong 154 that is pivotally attached to a center post 156 in the frame 158 rather than to one side of the buckle frame as in the buckle 140. The use of the keeper 150 would be optional with the buckle 152 as the rear member 160 of the buckle frame 158 can act as a keeper. Other means that can be used for releasably securing the free ends 136 and 138 of the outer band 102 include, but are not limited to, complementary hook and loop fastener portions provided on the portions of the outer band 102 proximate the free ends 136 and 138, single or double rings that one free end of the outer band 102 can be looped through, snap hooks and any other means suitable for connecting the ends of a strap or straps.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clutch fasteners 114 are positioned in their respective openings 112 in the middle band 104, with the knobs of the fasteners 114 protruding from the respective openings 118 in the inner band 106, and the bands 102, 104, and 106 are sewn or stitched together by stitching along or near their coextensive borders and at the ends of the inner band 106 to assemble the pin display band 100 together. Alternatively, the middle and outer bands 104 and 102 only may be stitched together at or near their coextensive borders, while the inner band 106 is stitched at least to the outer band at its ends. The inner band 106 can then be securely held against the middle band 104 all along the length of the middle band by a hook and loop fastener arrangement. This arrangement allows the inner band 106 to be pulled away from the middle ban 104 when needed in order to allow repair or replacement of the clutch fasteners 114.

The pin display band 100 provides means to display several decorative pins in a grouping. The pin display band 100 can be personalized by removing and inserting various decorative pins. The pin display band 100 secures the decorative pins in a location to decrease the risk of loss. The pin display band 100 provides means to display decorative pins without causing damage to clothing. The pin display band 100 provides increased visibility of decorative pins to enhance marketing efforts of companies and organizations. The pin display band 100 provides means to display additional achievement recognition decorative pins while adhering to organizational dress codes. For example, the Future Farmers of America (F.F.A.) dress code prohibits more than your top three achievement pins to be displayed on your lapel at one time.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pin display device for use with one or more ornamental pins, each ornamental pin having an ornamental body and at least one prong, the ornamental body having a back side and the prong projecting from the back side of the ornamental body, the pin display device comprising:

an outer band having first and second free ends;

means for releasably securing together said first and second free ends of said outer band;

an inner band;

a middle band coextensive with a portion of said outer band, the middle band also being coextensive with at least a portion of said inner band, said middle band being positioned between said outer band and said inner band, said middle band, said outer band, and said inner band being attached together with said middle band being captured between said outer band and said inner band, said middle band having one or more openings; and

one or more clutch fasteners each being received at least in part within a respective one of said one or more openings of said middle band, said middle band, said outer band, and said inner band cooperatively securing each of said one or more clutch fasteners in position relative to said respective one of said one or more openings of said middle band,

wherein each of said one or more clutch fasteners can receive at least a portion of the prong of a respective ornamental pin through said outer band to thereby releasably secure the respective ornamental pin to the pin display device.

2. The pin display device according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of said clutch fasteners and a plurality of openings in said middle band of the same number as said plurality of clutch fasteners.

3. A pin display device according to claim 1, wherein said middle band, said outer band, and said inner band are attached together by stitching.

4. A pin display device according to claim 1, wherein said means for releasably securing together said first and second free ends of said outer band comprises:

a buckle having a prong provided at said first free end of said outer band; and

a plurality of holes provided along a portion of said outer band proximate said second free end of said outer band for selective engagement by said prong of said buckle for releasably securing together said first and second free ends of said outer band.

5. A pin display device according to claim 1, wherein said outer band is provided with one or more prong passage holes equal in number to said one or more openings of said middle band, each of said one or more prong passage holes being in registry with a respective one of said one or more openings of said middle band, wherein each of said one or more prong passage holes allows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through said outer band and engage a respective one of said one or more clutch fasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pin display device.

6. A pin display device according to claim 1, wherein said inner band is provided with one or more fastener access holes equal in number to said one or more openings of said middle band, each of said one or more fastener access holes being in registry with a respective one of said one or more openings of said middle band, wherein each of said one or more fastener access holes allows a user to operate a respective one of said one or more clutch fasteners to allow removal of the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one of said one or more clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove the respective ornamental pin from the pin display device while said respective one of said one or more clutch fasteners remains captured at least in part by said inner band.

7. A pin display device according to claim 2, wherein said middle band, said outer band, and said inner band are attached together by stitching.

8. A pin display device according to claim 7, wherein said means for releasably securing together said first and second free ends of said outer band comprises:

a buckle having a prong provided at said first free end of said outer band; and

a plurality of holes provided along a portion of said outer band proximate said second free end of said outer band for selective engagement by said prong of said buckle for releasably securing together said first and second free ends of said outer band.

9. A pin display device according to claim 8, wherein said outer band is provided with a plurality of prong passage holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, each of said plurality of prong passage holes being in registry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band, wherein each of said plurality of prong passage holes allows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through said outer band and engage a respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pin display device.

10. A pin display device according to claim 9, wherein said inner band is provided with plurality of fastener access holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, each of said plurality of fastener access holes being in registry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band, wherein said plurality of fastener access holes allows a user to operate a respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners to allow removal of the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove the respective ornamental pin from the pin display device while said respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners remains captured at least in part by said inner band.

11. A pin display device according to claim 2, wherein said means for releasably securing together said first and second free ends of said outer band comprises:

a buckle having a prong provided at said first free end of said outer band; and

a plurality of holes provided along a portion of said outer band proximate said second free end of said outer band for selective engagement by said prong of said buckle for releasably securing together said first and second free ends of said outer band.

12. A pin display device according to claim 11, wherein said outer band is provided with a plurality of prong passage holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, each of said plurality of prong passage holes being in registry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band, wherein each of said plurality of prong passage holes allows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through said outer band and engage a respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pin display device.

13. A pin display device according to claim 12, wherein said inner band is provided with plurality of fastener access holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, each of said plurality of fastener access holes being in registry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band, wherein said plurality of fastener access holes allows a user to operate a respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners to allow removal of the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove the respective ornamental pin from the pin display device while said respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners remains captured at least in part by said inner band.

14. A pin display device according to claim 2, wherein said outer band is provided with a plurality of prong passage holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, each of said plurality of prong passage holes being in registry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band, wherein each of said plurality of prong passage holes allows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through said outer band and engage a respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pin display device.

15. A pin display device according to claim 14, wherein said inner band is provided with plurality of fastener access holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, each of said plurality of fastener access holes being in registry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band, wherein said plurality of fastener access holes allows a user to operate a respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners to allow removal of the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove the respective ornamental pin from the pin display device while said respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners remains captured at least in part by said inner band.

16. A pin display device according to claim 7, wherein said outer band is provided with a plurality of prong passage holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, each of said plurality of prong passage holes being in registry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band, wherein each of said plurality of prong passage holes allows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through said outer band and engage a respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pin display device.

17. A pin display device according to claim 16, wherein said inner band is provided with plurality of fastener access holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, each of said plurality of fastener access holes being in registry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band, wherein said plurality of fastener access holes allows a user to operate a respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners to allow removal of the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove the respective ornamental pin from the pin display device while said respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners remains captured at least in part by said inner band.