Parachute Cord Accessories
A customizable accessory assembly having a first section of paracord, a second section of paracord, and at least one insignia. The first section of the paracord is mounted to an end member and the second section of paracord may be wrapped around the first section of paracord to produce a visually appealing, sturdy accessory. The insignia produces an image or various components including sports, logos, characters, or alpha or numeric symbol indicias and the accessory can be provided in many forms such as a bracelet, a pull, a keychain, or a lanyard for example.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/457,278 filed on Feb. 10, 2017 titled “Parachute Cord Accessories”, and to U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/554,927 titled “Parachute Cord Accessory”, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to personalizable accessories such as bracelets, pulls, keychains, and lanyards. More specifically, the present invention relates to a personalizable accessory that is made from one or more sections of paracord, such as two overlapping or interwoven sections of paracord, and various insignia, where the insignia cooperates with one or both of the paracord sections and is secured thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAn abundance of different pulls, lanyards, keychains, and bracelets are known in the prior art. Many individuals fasten pulls and lanyards to small items, including keys, in order to make the keys easier to access, more difficult to lose, and more readily capable of being connected to supporting structures such as bags, purses, apparel, etc. Oftentimes, these pulls or lanyards come in a variety of different configurations, colors, and shapes. For instance, there is a significant market for these types of accessories that are affiliated with an individual's interests, whether that be in sports, in a specific team, in a specific hobby, in characters from a particular movie, televisions show, or other popular culture item, or the like. On a related note, these types of accessories often come in various color schemes that reflect a given sports team, a region, or that an individual simply enjoys. Additionally, many times these accessories include alphanumerical components, which allow an individual to quickly and easily identify that the accessory is his or hers. Further still, like pulls and lanyards, bracelets are an easily-customizable accessory. Bracelets serve as a popular type of jewelry that allow an individual to express personal interests.
What is needed is an accessory that is durably made, yet aesthetically pleasing such that it can be used for an extended period of time without failure. What is further needed is an accessory that can include at least one indicia, and oftentimes a variety of different indicia, to allow an individual to express him or herself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention discloses a paracord accessory system or assembly and method of forming a paracord assembly that allows for the creation of a customizable paracord accessory, such as a pull, a lanyard, a keychain, or a bracelet.
One aspect of the application discloses a paracord accessory having an end member, a first section of paracord, a second section of paracord, and at least one insignia. The first section of paracord is secured to an end member and extends in a longitudinal direction therefrom. The second section of paracord is woven about the first section of paracord. This weave of the second section of paracord extends about the first section in the longitudinal direction. The at least one insignia has a post that cooperates with a portion of the first section of paracord and a portion of the second section of paracord to secure the insignia relative to the resultant accessory.
Another aspect of the application that is useable or combinable with the above features and aspects discloses that the end member is one of a keyring, a clasp, a buckle, or a selectively operable closure. Additionally, another keyring, clasp, or buckle may be secured to a second longitudinal end of the accessory by at least one of the first section of paracord and the second section of paracord.
Another aspect of the application that is useable or combinable with the above features and aspects discloses at least two insignia, where the at least two insignia are located at locations that are offset from one another in a longitudinal direction. Each of the insignia is selected from a group including a sport logo, a sport mascot, an institution logo, an institution mascot, an animated character, a symbol, a peace sign, and a dollar sign. Additionally, the insignia could be of an image of a dump truck, a fire truck, a police vehicle, an emergency vehicle, a cheese wedge, and a flag. Further still, the insignia may be a charm, at least one alphanumeric character, or a bead character. Understandably, the listing provided above is merely exemplary of various indicia and chasms associated with the present application and is in no way all-inclusive or exhaustive of envisioned forms of the insignia and/or charms.
Another aspect of the application that is useable or combinable with the above features and aspects discloses that the first section of paracord is secured to the end member with a knot. For instance, the first section of paracord may be secured using a cow's hitch knot. The second section of paracord is woven about the first section of paracord. For instance, the second section of paracord may be weaved about the first section of paracord using a cobra weave. The first section of paracord and the second section of paracord cooperate with one another so as to secure the indicia in place relative to the resultant assembly. Also, the first section of paracord and the second section of paracord are customizable, for instance, where each can be a different color. These colors could coordinate with another and/or with respective insignia. For instance, the color(s) may coordinate with a school, entertainment character, or institution color(s).
Another aspect of the application that is useable or combinable with the above features and aspects discloses an insignia having a presentation face portion, a post, and a channel. The post is rearwardly offset from the presentation face portion, and the channel is located between the presentation face portion and the post. The channel is configured to receive a portion of the first section of paracord, which is secured therein. A portion of the second section of paracord is secured around the insignia.
Another aspect of the application that is useable or combinable with the above features and aspects discloses a method of forming a paracord accessory that includes securing a base cord to an end member such that the base cord extends in a longitudinal direction from the end. An exterior cord is woven about the base cord such that a weave of the exterior cord extends in the longitudinal direction along the base cord. At least one alphanumeric character may be secured to the exterior cord. Also, a first insignia is disposed between opposing members of the base cord such that the base cord limits translation of the first insignia in a lateral direction and adjacent loops defined by the weave of the exterior cord limit longitudinal translation of the first insignia relative to the base cord. Thus, the base of the first insignia extends in a lateral direction through the base cord and the exterior cord. Additional insignia the same as or different from the first insignia may be secured to the accessory at a location that is longitudinally offset from the first insignia. Additionally, the base cord may be secured to the end member with a knot, such as a cow hitch knot.
These and various other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
The drawings show various paracord accessories that are constructed according to the present invention.
Bracelet 20 includes an indicia or insignia 44 that cooperates with paracord material sections 30, 32, such that insignia 44 is securely attached to bracelet 20 and is not removable therefrom without separation of the respective bracelet assembly 20 as is disclosed further below.
Accessory 22 is formed as a lanyard, a keychain, or a pull, such as a zipper pull, and includes an end connector 50 that is constructed to removably cooperate with an underlying structure—such as a backpack, duffle bag, luggage, a key, or the like. Lanyard 22 includes a first paracord material section 52 that is secured to connector 50 and which extends in a longitudinal direction relative to a longitudinal body 54 of lanyard 22. As disclosed further below, first paracord section 52 is secured to a clasp 56 defined by connector 50 via a cow hitch knot such that the opposite longitudinal free end portions 60, 62 of first paracord section 52 can be oriented at an opposite longitudinal end 64 of lanyard 22. One or more optional charms or beads 66, are associated with each of the opposite longitudinal ends 60, 62 associated with first paracord section 52 and located inboard relative to a respective knot, such as an overhand knot 68, to prevent removal of beads 66 from the supporting accessory. A second paracord material section 70 is woven, preferably in a cobra weave, along the longitudinal length defined by the first paracord section 52 so as to extend along a majority of the longitudinal length 54 of lanyard 22.
One or more indicia, such as beads or alphanumeric characters 72, are disposed along second paracord material section 70 and oriented along the longitudinal length of the longitudinal body 54 of lanyard 22. As disclosed further below, an indicia 74 such as a caricature or mascot is secured to lanyard 22 via cooperation of a post that extends in a rearward facing direction and extends through the first and second material paracord sections 52, 70 so as to prevent the removal of mascot 74 therefrom, as described further below. Additionally, a charm 75 may be mounted to the first paracord section 52.
Accessory 24 has a construction generally similar to accessory 22 albeit clasp 56 associated with end connector 50 of assembly 22 has been replaced by an end connector 76 in the form of a split or key ring. Unlike accessories 20, 22, accessory 24 includes a first insignia, indicia or caricature 80 and a second indicia, insignia, or caricature 82 that each cooperate with a first paracord material section 84 and a second paracord material section 86 to effectuate securing of respective caricatures or indicia 80, 82 relative to accessory 24. The first paracord material section 84 and the second paracord material section 86 are secured to one another like those for accessories 20, 22. Additionally, the first paracord material section 84 may have opposite longitudinal free end portions 83, 85 oriented at an opposite longitudinal end of lanyard 24.
Accessory 26 includes a construction generally similar to accessories 22 and 24 and includes a keyring shaped end connector 88, a first paracord material section 90 that is secured thereto via a knot, such as a cow's hitch knot, and a second paracord material section 92 that is woven, preferably in a cobra weave, about a portion, and more preferably about a majority, of a longitudinal length associated with first paracord material section 90. Opposite longitudinal free end portions 94, 96 of first paracord material section 90 include a knot that is formed thereat and one or more indicia, charms or decorations, such as beads 100, positioned proximate thereto. A terminal end portion 102 of accessory 26 has been unwoven such that an indicia, caricature, or insignia 104, has been removed therefrom. As explained further below, the terminal ends, 106, 108 associated with second paracord material section 92 have been unwoven to allow separation between the opposite longitudinal free end portions 94, 96 associated with first paracord material section 90 and the unweaving of the second paracord material section to a position proximate the insignia 104 to effectuate the removal of insignia 104 therefrom. Additionally, accessory 26 may have alphanumeric characters 110 secured thereon.
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Channel 236 is constructed to slideably cooperate with first longitudinal section 208 and second longitudinal section 210 of first paracord material section 202. Presentation face portion 230 and end face 248 preferably have a cross-sectional footprint that is sufficient to accommodate interfering engagement with the first paracord material section 202 and the second paracord material section 220 when the second paracord material section 220 is woven about the first paracord material section 202 relative to opposite longitudinal sides 241, 243 of indicia 224 associated with the longitudinal direction of first paracord material section 202.
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While the indicia 224, 260 are described as being secured to both the first paracord material section 202 and the second paracord material section 220, it should similarly be noted that the indicia 224, 260 could also be secured to only the second paracord material 220 during the weave process. Similarly, while the alphanumeric characters 246, 247, 250 are described to be secured by the free ends 252, 254 of the second paracord material portion 220, they could similarly be slid onto the first paracord material section 202, and then secured into place by subsequent weaves of the second paracord material section 220 about the first paracord material section 202.
Once all of the desired alphanumeric characters 246, 247, 250, indicia 224, 260, and/or ancillary decorations such as charms or the like are installed onto accessory 200, the weave associated with opposite longitudinal ends 252, 254 of second paracord material section 220 progresses along the longitudinal length defined by first and second portions 208, 210 associated with first paracord second material section 202 until the weave associated with accessory 200 is completed. Oftentimes, the accessory 200 is complete once the weave reaches the second support 214. However, depending on a user's desired configuration, the weave need not reach the second support 214, but instead only extend part of the way between the end connector 204 and the second support 214.
Upon completion, the opposite longitudinal terminal ends 252, 254 associated with second paracord material section 222 are cut at a desired length and the weave associated therewith is completed such that the opposite terminal ends 252, 254 of second paracord material section 220 are secured to accessory 200 by cooperation of the discrete terminal ends 252, 254 with the weave. Preferably, the distal terminal ends 252, 254 associated with second paracord material section 220 are heat-treated to form longitudinal free end portions and to mitigate separation of the paracord material and to provide a robust and secure termination associated with the opposite longitudinal ends 252, 254 of second paracord material section 200. Alternatively, adhesive, such as hot glue or the like, could be used to secure the alternate longitudinal terminal ends associated with the second paracord material section 220.
Upon completion of the weave portion associated with each discrete accessory 200, opposite longitudinal terminal ends associated with first and second longitudinal sections 208, 210 associated with the first paracord material section 202 can be removed from support post 214 shown in
It should be appreciated that the description and the methodology described above provides a system and method for forming various paracord accessories, having various indicia, signage, caricatures, and the like associated therewith and configured and constructed for use in various environments. For instance, it is appreciated that any of the insignia and/or charms associated with the various accessories disclosed above could be provided as animated characters, for instance as seen in
Further, although it is envisioned that the discrete paracord sections associated with the discrete accessories can be selected in colors that coordinate or correlate with a discrete intended use or insignia, it is further appreciated that such a correlation can include intentional clashing color paracord material sections. Additionally, although the first paracord material section 30, 52, 84, 90, 202 is disclosed as being secured to a respective end connector with a knot such as cows hitch knot 206 and the respective terminal ends of the first paracord material section 30, 52, 84, 90, 202 as terminating in an overhand knot configuration, other knots and methods of securing the discrete paracord material sections are envisioned and within the scope of the present invention. Also, although the second paracord material 32, 70, 86, 92, 220 is described as being weaved relative to the first paracord material 30, 52, 84, 90, 202 and more specifically weaved using a cobra weave, the second paracord material 32, 70, 86, 92, 220 could be weaved using other weaves. Similarly, the second paracord material 32, 70, 86, 92, 220 could also be associated with the first paracord material 30, 52, 84, 90, 202 in any way known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, additional paracord materials could be included with the accessory in addition to the first paracord material 30, 52, 84, 90, 202 and the second paracord material 32, 70, 86, 92, 220.
The present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment directed to an assembly as generally shown in the drawings. It is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, the summarized embodiments, or the embodiments shown in the drawings, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. The appending claims cover all such alternatives and equivalents.
Claims
1. A paracord accessory assembly comprising:
- an end member;
- a first section of paracord secured to the end member and extending in a longitudinal direction therefrom;
- a second section of paracord that is woven about the first section of paracord such that a weave formed by the second section of paracord extends about the first section of paracord in the longitudinal direction; and
- at least one insignia having a channel that cooperates with a portion of the first section of paracord and a portion of the second section of paracord to secure the at least one insignia relative to the accessory assembly.
2. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 1 wherein the end member is further defined as at least one of a keyring, a clasp, or a buckle.
3. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 2 further comprising another at least one of a keyring, clasp, or buckle secured to a second longitudinal end of the accessory assembly by at least one of the first section of paracord or the second section of paracord.
4. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 1 further comprising another insignia having a post with a channel that cooperates with the first section and the second section of paracord and is secured to the accessory assembly at a location offset in the longitudinal direction from the at least one insignia.
5. The paracord accessory, assembly of claim 1 wherein the insignia is selected from a group consisting of a sport logo, a sport mascot, an institution logo, an institution mascot, an animated character, a symbol, a peace sign, and a dollar sign.
6. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 5 wherein at least one of the first section of paracord and the second section of paracord are provided in colors that correlate to the least one insignia.
7. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 1 wherein the insignia is an image indicative of an object selected from a group consisting of a vehicle, a dump truck, a fire truck, a police vehicle, an emergency vehicle, a cheese wedge, and a flag.
8. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 1 wherein the first section of paracord is secured to the end member with a knot and the second section of paracord is woven about the first section of paracord in weave.
9. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 8 wherein the knot is a cow's hitch knot and the weave is a cobra weave.
10. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 1 further comprising an indicia that cooperates with the second section of paracord to secure the indicia to the accessory assembly.
11. The paracord accessory assembly of claim 10 wherein the indicia is selected from a group consisting of a charm, at least one alphanumeric character, and a bead character.
12. A method of forming a paracord accessory assembly, the method comprising:
- securing a base cord to an end member such that the base cord extends in a longitudinal direction from the end member;
- weaving an exterior cord about the base cord such that a weave of the exterior cord extends in the longitudinal direction along the base cord; and
- disposing a first insignia between opposing members of the base cord such that the base cord limits translation of the first insignia in a lateral direction and adjacent loops defined by the weave of the exterior cord such that the exterior cord limits longitudinal translation of the first insignia relative to the base cord and such that the base of the first insignia extends in a lateral direction through the base cord and the exterior cord.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising securing the base cord to the end member with a knot.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising forming the knot as a cow hitch knot.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising selecting end member from a group consisting of a keyring, a bracelet clasp, a buckle, and a selectively operable closure.
16. The method of claim 12 further comprising securing at least one alphanumeric character to the exterior cord.
17. The method of claim 12 further comprising securing a second insignia that is different than the first insignia at a location that is longitudinally offset from the first insignia.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising selecting each of the first insignia and the second insignia from a group consisting of a sport symbol, an institution mascot, an institution symbol, an athletic symbol, and an academic symbol.
19. The method of claim 12 further comprising selecting a color of the base cord and a color of the exterior cord to form a color pattern of at least one of the base cord or the exterior cord to coordinate with a school color, an entertainment character color, or an institution color.
20. A paracord accessory comprising:
- an end member;
- a first section of paracord secured to the end member and extending in a longitudinal direction therefrom;
- a second section of paracord that is woven about the first section of paracord such that a weave formed by the second section of paracord extends about the first section of paracord in the longitudinal direction; and
- at least one insignia comprising: a presentation face portion; a post rearwardly offset from the presentation face portion; and a channel located between the presentation face portion and the post;
- wherein a portion of the first section of paracord is secured within the channel and a portion of the second section of paracord is secured around the insignia.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 12, 2018
Publication Date: Jun 14, 2018
Inventor: Gerald J. Stock (Manitowoc, WI)
Application Number: 15/894,506