DRAWSTRING AGLET ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR CHARMS AND EMBELLISHMENTS

Abstract

An aglet includes a body and a clip. The body includes a cavity formed within the body and extending from a proximal end of the body down a length of the body, and an end opening formed in the proximal end of the body and providing access to the cavity. The clip is coupled to the body and includes a hook extending from a distal end of the body and forming an attachment space, and a clasp coupled to the distal end of the body. The clasp opens and closes to provide access to the attachment space.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to aglets for drawstrings, laces, and other cords.

BACKGROUND

Sweatpants and sweatshirts are comfortable and often include a drawstring or cord for tightening or loosening a part of the sweatpants or sweatshirts. The drawstrings are usually quite boring and visually bland. The drawstrings typically provide only one function, i.e., the tightening or loosening of the waistband of sweatpants, tightening or loosening of a hoodie of a sweatshirt, etc.

As can be seen, there is a need for drawstrings that provide additional functionality.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an aglet includes a body and a clip. The body includes a cavity formed within the body and extending from a proximal end of the body down a length of the body, and an end opening formed in the proximal end of the body and providing access to the cavity. The clip is coupled to the body and includes a hook extending from a distal end of the body and forming an attachment space, and a clasp coupled to the distal end of the body. The clasp opens and closes to provide access to the attachment space.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a drawstring system includes a cord and an aglet coupled to the cord. The aglet includes a body and a clip. The body includes a cavity formed within the body and extending from a proximal end of the body down a length of the body, and an end opening formed in the proximal end of the body and providing access to the cavity. The end of the cord is inserted into the cavity through the end opening. The clip is coupled to the body and includes a hook extending from a distal end of the body and forming an attachment space, and a clasp coupled to the distal end of the body. The clasp opens and closes to provide access to the attachment space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a drawstring system including an aglet, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the aglet of FIG. 1, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the aglet of FIG. 1, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the aglet of FIG. 1 with a clasp closed, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is another side view of the aglet of FIG. 1 with the clasp open, according to aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is section view of the aglet of FIG. 1, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the disclosure, since the scope of the disclosure is best defined by the appended claims.

As stated above, sweatpants and sweatshirts are comfortable, but the drawstrings are usually quite boring, visually bland, and provide a single function. The same drawbacks ally to other cording systems such as shoe strings. A drawstring typically includes a cord and an aglet or endcap formed on each end of the cord. The aglet provides a rigid structure at the ends of the cord that can prevent fraying of the cord. The aglet, however, provides no additional functionality. As such, most drawstrings perform a sole functionality.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a drawstring system and aglet that performs the functionality of traditional drawstrings but is built to be customized with jewelry, charms, tassels, whatever suits the wearers' tastes. By turning the drawstrings into fashion statements and/or jewelry pieces, it allows boring, off-the-rack sweatpants and sweatshirts to be customized with your own personal flair.

The drawstring system includes an aglet that is configured to allow the attachment of other items such as charms, tassels, etc. The aglet can slide over the existing aglet or raw string at the end of a drawstring. The aglet can include a screw which can pierce the drawstring once the drawstring has been inserted, to hold it securely in place. The aglet includes a spring-loaded clasp which allows charms to slide onto the end loop. The spring allows the clasp to open and shut. The pin slides through both the body of the aglet, the clasp, and the spring to hold them all securely in place.

Referring now to FIG. 1-6, FIG. 1 illustrates a drawstring system that includes an aglet 100. FIG. 2 illustrates the aglet 100 which can be included in the drawstring system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the aglet 100 can be attached to one or more ends of a cord 180. For example, the aglet 100 can be attached to both ends of a drawstring for a hoodie shirt. As such, the aglet 100 allows the attachment of other items such as charms, tassels, etc., thereby increasing the functionality of a conventional drawstring. While FIG. 2 illustrates various components of the aglet 100, additional components can be added, and existing components can be removed.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the aglet 100 includes a body 102 having a first side 104, a second side 106, a third side 108, and a fourth side 110. The body 102 also includes a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114. In some embodiments, the body 102 can have a rectangular shape, as further illustrated in FIG. 3, which is a top view. While the body 102 of the aglet 100 is illustrated having a rectangular shape, the body 102 of the aglet 100 can be formed in different shapes, e.g., cylindrical, ovoid, etc.

The aglet 100 includes a clip 120 that allows attachment of other items, e.g., jewelry, tassels, etc., to the aglet 100. The clip 120 is coupled to the distal end 114 of the body 102. The clip 120 includes a hook 122 and a clasp 125 that define an attachment space 126. In some embodiments, the hook 122 can be formed having a U-shape with the clasp 125 forming one side of the U. While the hook 122 of the clip 120 is illustrated having a U shape, the hook 122 of the clip 120 can be formed in different shapes. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the clip 120 can have a tapered shape that tapers from the distal end 114 of the body to the top of the hook 122.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, which is an exploded view of the aglet 100, the clasp 125 includes a latch 124 and a spring 132. The latch 124 includes a latch body 134 and a latch arm 136. The latch body 134 and the latch arm 136 include a spring cavity 130 for holding the spring 132. The latch body 134 also includes a pin hole 138. The latch 124 is coupled to the body 102 by a pin 140. The pin 140 is inserted through a body pin hold 142, the pin hole 138, and the spring 132 thereby securing them.

In operation, a latch 124 is movable between a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The pin 140 allow the latch 124 rotate about the pin 140 thereby allow the latch 124 to move between the open position and the closed position when an external force is applied or removed from the latch 124. When an external force is applied, the latch 124 rotates about the pin 140, and the spring 132 is compressed, as illustrated in FIG. 5. When the external force is removed, the spring 132 applies a force to the latch 124, and the latch 124 rotates about the pin 140 in the opposite direction. When in the closed position, a first end of the latch 124 contacts a first end of the hook 122 to close the attachment space 126, as illustrated in FIG. 4. When the latch is in the open position, the first end of the latch 124 is spaced a distance from the first end of the hook 122 to form a hook opening 128 to the attachment space 126. The spring 132 applies a force to the latch 124 to hold the latch 124 in the closed position in an absence of external forces.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the aglet 100 includes a screw 150 that is inserted into the body 102. The body 102 includes a cavity 162 that is accessible through an end opening 160 formed in the proximal end 112 of the body 102. In embodiments, the cavity 162 and the end opening 160 can be formed having a shape that accommodates the end of a cord of a drawstring system, with or without an existing aglet. For example, the end opening 160 can be formed having a circular shape, and the cavity 162 can be formed having a cylindrical shape. The screw 150 can include a screw head 152 and screw pin 154. The screw 150 can be inserted into the body 102 through a threaded hole 172, located adjacent to the proximal end 112 of the body 102. The body 102 can also include a recess 170 for accommodate the screw head 152 of the screw. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cord 180 of a drawstring system is inserted into the cavity 162 through the end opening 160. The screw 150 is inserted into the body 102 and through the cord of the drawstring system thereby securing the cord in the cavity 162. While the screw 150 is illustrated, other attachment devices and methods can be utilized in combination with or alternatively to the screw 150, for example, adhesives, or spring-loaded, serrated “jaws” triggered by a button in place of the screw.

In operation, the aglet 100 can be inserted securely over existing drawstrings, e.g., over ends with or without existing aglets, on sweatpants, hoodies, or shoes. A user can then open and close the clip 120 at the end by manipulating the clasp 125 with their fingertip to slide on (and later off) any jewelry items or charms they wish. As such, conventional drawstrings can be converted into items closer to jewelry, that show off items of beauty or meaning to them.

In embodiments, the components of the aglet 100 can be constructed of various materials, such as metal, metal alloys, plastics, wood, and combinations thereof. For example, one or more of the components of the aglet 100 could be milled from metals such as silver, aluminum, etc., and assembled.

In some embodiments, adhesives, e.g., glue, can be used to hold the drawstring in place instead of the screw. In some embodiments, the aglet 100 could be pre-glued to a drawstring and offered as a drawstring system. A user can remove an existing drawstring and thread the drawstring system into their existing pants and hoodies.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An aglet, comprising: a body comprising: a cavity formed within the body and extending from a proximal end of the body down a length of the body, andan end opening formed in the proximal end of the body and providing access to the cavity; anda clip coupled to the body and comprising: a hook extending from a distal end of the body and forming an attachment space, anda clasp coupled to the distal end of the body, wherein the clasp opens and closes to provide access to the attachment space.

2. The aglet of claim 1, wherein the clasp comprises: a latch movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein: when in the closed position, a first end of the latch contacts a first end of the hook to close the attachment space, andwhen the latch is in the open position, the first end of the latch is spaced a distance from the first end of the hook to form a hook opening to the attachment space; anda spring coupled to the latch and the body of aglet, wherein the spring applies a force to the latch to hold the latch in the closed position in an absence of external forces.

3. The aglet of claim 2, further comprising: a pin positioned through the body, the spring, and the latch, wherein: the pin secures the spring and the latch to the body, andan external force is applied to the latch, the latch rotates about the pin and compresses the spring between the latch and distal end of the body.

4. The aglet of claim 1, further comprising: a screw inserted through a hole in the body and into the cavity, wherein: the hole is positioned adjacent to the proximal end of the body.

5. The aglet of claim 1, wherein the hook has a U-shape.

6. The aglet of claim 1, wherein the end opening has a circular shape.

7. The aglet of claim 1, wherein the cavity has a cylindrical shape.

8. The aglet of claim 1, wherein the body has a rectangular shape.

9. A drawstring system, comprising: a cord; andan aglet coupled at end of the cord, the aglet comprising: a body comprising: a cavity formed within the body and extending from a proximal end of the body down a length of the body, andan end opening formed in the proximal end of the body and providing access to the cavity, wherein the end of the cord is inserted into the cavity through the end opening; anda clip coupled to the body and comprising: a hook extending from a distal end of the body and forming an attachment space, anda clasp coupled to the distal end of the body, wherein the clasp opens and closes to provide access to the attachment space.

10. The drawstring system of claim 9, wherein the clasp comprises: a latch movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein: when in the closed position, a first end of the latch contacts a first end of the hook to close the attachment space, andwhen the latch is in the open position, the first end of the latch is spaced a distance from the first end of the hook to form a hook opening to the attachment space; anda spring coupled to the latch and the body of aglet, wherein the spring applies a force to the latch to hold the latch in the closed position in an absence of external forces.

11. The aglet of claim 9, further comprising: a screw inserted through a hole in the body and into the cavity, wherein: the hole is positioned adjacent to the proximal end of the body, andthe screw couples to the cord.

12. The aglet of claim 9, wherein the end of the of the cord includes a second aglet.