Communication Bracelet

Abstract

A communication bracelet and method of using the same. The method includes providing a bracelet having a bracelet band. The bracelet band having a top surface and indicia on the top surface. The indicia at least including an indicator that a person wearing the bracelet is opening to talking with another.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to interpersonal communication and, more particularly, to a bracelet for signaling a desire to communicate with another person and a method of using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people are shy and worry about being rejected or dismissed when they approach another person to begin a conversation. Because of this, starting a new interpersonal communication with another person can be scary and challenging. Accordingly, there is a need and a desire for a device to be worn by a person that provides a visual que to others that the person wearing the device is open to an interaction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure describes embodiments of a bracelet that is worn by a person who wants to provide a visual que to others that he or she is open and desires to start an interpersonal communication with another. A purpose of the invention is to help solve problems related to racial and religious barriers, loneliness, and to minimize depression.

In aspects, the bracelet is configured to include indicia on a visible surface of the bracelet. The indicia can be, for example, the acronym “I.O.T.S.HI,” which means “It's Okay to Say Hi.” In aspects, the indicia, bracelet, or both can be glow-in-the-dark for increased visibility at night, for example.

In other aspects, the bracelet is configured to include additional indicia, such as a symbols or phrase, that indicates interests of the wear. For example, the indicia or symbols could indicate that the wearer is a vintage car lover, a single mother, a divorcee, a vehicle fanatic, a gym fanatic, or a movie fanatic, a sports fan, a hockey fan, a schools or college, a terminal illness survivor, a business owner, a grandparent, a person wanting to network, a person who is dating, a parent, GBLTQ, a golfer, a diver, a surfer, etc. Additionally, the bracelet may have on or more colors to indicate the wear's interests.

In other aspects, the bracelet may be provided with a color or symbol that indicates that the wearer is under or over a certain age. For example, the color or symbol could indicate that the wearer is underage, thereby providing a notice to an adult to not approach the wearer. Additionally, the bracelet may be provided with a color or symbol that indicates a particular age group that the user belongs so as to encourage communication with others amongst the same age group. For example, bracelets may be provided with a separate color or symbol that indicated the wearer is in one of the following age groups: 6-10, 12-15, 16-17, or 18 and over.

In other aspects, the bracelet may be provided with a serial number that a user may use in connection with a website or an application on a mobile computing device that allows the user to reorder the bracelet if it is lost.

In other aspects, a website or an application for a mobile computing device may be provided that allows the user to exchange the bracelet's serial number with another user's bracelet's serial number to allow communication through the website or mobile application without exchanging personal information, such as, for example, a telephone number. Such an anonymity may be desirable, for example, when meeting a new person that a user is uncomfortable sharing person information with, at least, perhaps initially.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in numerous ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

FIG. 1a is a diagrammatic top view a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1b is a diagrammatic side view of the bracelet of FIG. 1a showing the bracelet ends removably fastened together;

FIG. 1c is a diagrammatic top view of the bracelet of FIG. 1b;

FIG. 2a is a diagrammatic top view a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2b is a diagrammatic side view of the bracelet of FIG. 2a showing the bracelet band in a looped state;

FIG. 2c is a diagrammatic top view of the bracelet of FIG. 2b;

FIG. 3a is a diagrammatic top view a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3b is a diagrammatic side view of the bracelet of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic, partial view of a communication bracelet according to any communication bracelet discussed herein and having a unique identifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1a-1c, there is representatively illustrated a bracelet 10 that is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bracelet 10 has an elongated, strap-like body 12 having opposite ends 14 and 16, a top surface 18, and a bottom surface 20. The bracelet 10 further includes a cooperating fastener having fastener portions 22a and 22b disposed on ends 14 and 16, respectively. The body 12 is configured to be worn about the wrist or arm of a user with the ends 14 and 16 secured together by engagement between the fastener portions 22a and 22b.

The top surface 18 includes indicia 24 that is visible when the bracelet 10 is worn by a wearer. The purpose of the indicia 24 is to provide a visual que to others that the wearer has open to start an interpersonal communication. The indicia 24 may also provide an indication that the wearer has one or more interests that the wearer would like to talk about. Representatively shown, the indicia 24 includes the acronym the acronym “I.O.T.S.HI,” which means “It's Okay to Say Hi.”

Additionally, the indicia 24 may include one or more words and/or symbols that indicate the wearer's interests. As a non-limiting example, the word “surfer” could be provided to indicate that the wearer is interested in talking about surfing. The indicia 24 is not limited solely to surfing. As discussed previously, the indicia 24 could include words and/or symbols to indicate any possible interest that the wearer may like to talk about. Further, in addition to indicia 24, the bracelet body 12 may have one or more colors to indicate an interest of the wearer.

Further yet, the indicia 24 may include an indication of the wearers age or age group and/or the bracelet body 12 may have one or more colors to indicate the same. For example, the bracelet body 12 may have distinct colors to indicate that the wearer is underage or belongs to a particular age group, thereby indicating to others whether it is appropriate for a person to approach the wearer. In an aspect, the bracelet may have a distinct color for persons following into the following age groups: 6-10, 12-15, 16-17, or 18 and over.

Turning now to FIGS. 2a-2c, there is representatively illustrated a bracelet 10b that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Bracelet 10b is identical to bracelet 10a with the exception of the bracelet body 26 of bracelet 10b is constructed as a slap-type bracelet, which removes the need for the cooperating fastener to secure the bracelet body about a wearer's wrist or arm.

Turning now to FIGS. 3a-2b, there is representatively illustrated a bracelet 10c that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Bracelet 10c is identical to bracelet 10a with the exception of the bracelet body 28 of bracelet 10c is constructed as a continuous, closed loop band having a wrist or arm opening 30 through which a wearer may insert his or her hand to position the bracelet about the wearer's wrist or arm.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is representatively illustrated a bracelet 10d that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Bracelet 10d has the same function and purpose as bracelet 10a, discussed above, but is configured as a charm bracelet. Bracelet 10d includes a band 32 having a wrist or arm opening 34 through which a wearer may insert his or her hand to position the bracelet about the wearer's wrist or arm.

As representatively illustrated, band 32 is a closed-loop, wire-like band. However, band 32 could take on other constructions, such as, for example having ends that are secured together by a cooperating fastener. Bracelet 10d includes one or more charms, representatively, charms 36a and 36b that are secured to the band 32. In an aspect, charm 36a includes indicia 24 and charm 36b includes indicia 38. Indicia 38 can include a word, phrase, symbol or any combination that indicates an interest of the wearer. For example, as representatively shown, indicia 38 includes the word “surfer” that indicates the wearer wants to talk about surfing.

Alternatively, charms 36a could be replaced with several charms 37a-37e, each including indicia. For example, as depicted, charm 37a includes the letter “I”, charm 37b includes the letter “O”, charm 37c includes the letter “T”, charm 37e includes the letter “S”, and charm 37e includes the letters “Hi”.

With reference to FIG. 6, there is representatively illustrated a bracelet 10e that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Bracelet 10e is identical to bracelet 10a with the exception of the bracelet body 29 of bracelet 10e is constructed as an arm band. The arm band 29 is made from a stretchable fabric material allowing the arm band to expand about a wearer's arm.

Turning now to FIG. 7, any one of the foregoing described bracelets 10a-10d can include a serial number or unique identifier 40 that may be located on the band body of the respective bracelet. It is contemplated to provide a website and/or mobile device application that a user may use in connection with the bracelet. For example, the website or application could be configured to allow a user to reorder a bracelet using the unique identifier 40. Additionally, an electronic chat or messaging system may be provided by the website and/or mobile device application that allows users registered with the system using the unique identifier 40 to communicate with one another through the website and/or mobile application. The communication may be made anonymously so that a user's personal information, such as his or her telephone number does not need to be exchanged.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for interpersonal communication, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a bracelet having a bracelet band, said bracelet band having a top surface and indicia on said top surface, said indicia at least including an indicator that a person wearing the bracelet is opening to talking with another;

positioning said bracelet on the wrist or arm of a wearer with said top surface visible.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said indicia includes the following term: I.O.T.S.HI.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said indicia includes an indicator of a wearer's interest.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said bracelet band has opposite ends that are fastenable together with said bracelet band disposed about a wearer's arm or wrist.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said indicia includes the following term: I.O.T.S.HI.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said indicia includes an indicator of a wearer's interest.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said bracelet band is a closed-loop band.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said indicia includes the following term: I.O.T.S.HI.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said indicia includes an indicator of a wearer's interest.

10. A method for interpersonal communication, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a bracelet having a bracelet band and one or more charms attached to said bracelet band, at least one charm having a first indicia on a surface thereof, said indicia at least including an indicator that a person wearing the bracelet is opening to talking with another, wherein said first indicia includes the following term: I.O.T.S.HI;

positioning said bracelet on the wrist or arm of a wearer with said top surface visible.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one charm having a second indicia on a surface thereof, and wherein said second indicia indicates an interest of a wearer.