Patent Application
20190166961
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.
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.
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.
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:
Referring initially to
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
Turning now to
With reference to
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
Turning now to
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.
