Patent Application
20150289629
The present invention relates generally to a wearable assembly with removable and interchangeable decorative items, and more particularly relates to a wearable assembly including a wearable item having attachment features and at least one decorative item with a mating attachment feature for selective attachment to the wearable item in order to alter the appearance of the wearable item.
Many consumers desire the ability to change the appearance of their wearable items, such as clothing, accessories, bags, footwear, and the like. However, many ornaments and embellishments that are provided on functional wearable items are permanent. For example, a backpack with a child's favorite cartoon character is typically integrated into the backpack as a permanent, integral decorative feature. An attempt to change the decorative feature would most likely damage, or permanently alter the backpack. This does not allow the child to selectively alter the appearance of the backpack in an interchangeable manner in order to satisfy the desire for variety.
One solution is to purchase a multitude of the same type of wearable item, such as a multitude of bags, with each bag having a different appearance. Thus, the consumer is able to switch out bags on different days in order to satisfy the desire for variety and match the bag to the particular outfit worn on any particular day. Unfortunately, this can be very costly as it requires purchasing many bags. Also, this requires the additional steps of having to remove all of the items in the bag and then transfer them to the other bag, which can be time consuming and inconvenient.
Some users desire the ability to incorporate an element of entertainment and amusement in a functional wearable item. In particular, many children and teenagers desire the ability to combine their functional wearable items with decorative and/or entertaining ornaments and embellishments. However, many functional wearable items do not provide a method of entertainment therein.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.
The invention provides a wearable assembly with interchangeable decorative items that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that allows users to selectively remove and interchange a plurality of decorative items on a wearable item.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a wearable assembly having a wearable item including a coupling member; and a decorative ornament including a coupling surface substantially opposite a decorative surface thereof; and a mating coupling member coupled to the coupling surface, the mating coupling member adapted to selectively, removeably couple to the coupling member of the wearable item such that the decorative surface is visible in an assembled configuration of the wearable assembly.
In accordance with another feature, the wearable item is a backpack, the backpack comprising a backpack main body including a front panel opposite a rear panel and defining a storage compartment.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the coupling member is a magnet attached to the front panel and the mating coupling member is a mating magnet sized and configured to magnetically couple to the magnet on front panel of the backpack main body.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the mating coupling member is formed as a hook and the backpack main body further includes a slit through a front surface of the front panel, the slit defining an opening sized and configured to receive the hook for hanging the decorative ornament on the front panel.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the backpack further includes a shoulder strap having a shoulder strap front panel and a shoulder strap rear panel, the shoulder strap front and rear panels defining an opening therethrough; and the mating coupling member is formed as a clip having a pair of fingers adapted to fasten onto the shoulder strap by sliding the clip into the opening such that each finger frictionally grips the shoulder strap rear panel.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the decorative surface and the coupling surface forms a pocket for receiving and storing small items in the decorative ornament.
In accordance with a further feature, the decorative ornament is formed as a puzzle assembly including a plurality of puzzle pieces, each of the plurality of puzzle pieces shaped so that when the puzzle pieces are assembled together edge-to-edge in an assembled configuration, a decorative feature on the decorative surface is formed.
In accordance with another feature, at least one of the plurality of puzzle pieces includes an arm extending from a side of the puzzle piece, the arm sized and shaped to matingly engage arm-receiving apertures defined by an adjacent one of the plurality of puzzle pieces in the assembled configuration.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the backpack main body further includes a plurality of magnets attached to the front panel and a plurality of mating magnets is coupled to a rear surface of each of the plurality of puzzle pieces, each of the plurality of mating magnets sized and configured to magnetically couple to a respective magnet on front panel of the backpack main body.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the wearable item is a backpack, the backpack including a flap and a backpack main body, the backpack main body including a front panel opposite a rear panel and defining a storage compartment, and the flap coupled to and extending around a peripheral edge of the front panel such that when the flap is folded downward toward the front panel, the flap engages and couples to the decorative ornament.
In accordance with another feature, the decorative ornament is formed as a decorative panel comprising material that is configured to receive and display markings from at least one of: ink, crayon, and paint.
In accordance with yet another feature, the backpack main body further includes a plurality of fasteners attached to an interior flap surface, opposite the exterior flap surface; and the decorative panel includes a plurality of mating fasteners positioned such that when the decorative panel is placed on top of the front panel and the flap is folded downward toward the front panel, the plurality of fasteners on the interior flap surface fastens to the plurality of mating fasteners on the decorative panel for securing the decorative panel to the backpack main body.
In accordance with a further feature, the wearable item is a shoe and the mating coupling member is formed as a clip having a pair of fingers adapted to fasten onto a peripheral top edge of an opening of the shoe by sliding the clip onto the top edge such that each finger frictionally grips opposing sides of the top edge.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the shoe includes a slit through a surface of the shoe, the slit defining an opening sized and configured to receive the mating coupling member of the decorative ornament therethrough.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a backpack assembly having a backpack main body including a front panel opposite a rear panel and defining a storage compartment; and a decorative ornament having a main body, a decorative feature, and a coupling member for coupling the decorative ornament to the front panel in an assembled configuration.
In accordance with another feature, an exterior front panel defining an outer visible surface of the backpack assembly when the exterior front panel is placed on a top surface of the front panel in an assembled configuration; and wherein the coupling member is formed as a hook and the exterior front panel includes a slit through a front surface thereof, the slit defining an opening sized and configured to receive the hook for hanging the decorative ornament on the front panel.
In accordance with the present invention, a method for selectively, interchangeably decorating a backpack assembly includes providing a backpack assembly having a backpack main body having a front panel opposite a rear panel and defining a storage compartment; and a plurality of decorative ornaments, each of the plurality of decorative ornaments having a main body, a decorative feature, and a coupling member for coupling the decorative ornament to the front panel in an assembled configuration, where at least one of the plurality of decorative ornaments is different in appearance from a second one of the plurality of decorative ornaments. The method further includes coupling the at least one of the plurality of decorative ornaments to the front panel; after coupling the at least one of the plurality of decorative ornaments, removing the at least one of the plurality of decorative ornaments from the front panel; and after removing the at least one of the plurality of decorative ornaments, coupling the second one of the plurality of decorative ornaments to selectively alter the visual appearance of the backpack main body.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a wearable assembly with interchangeable decorative items, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
a is an enlarged perspective front view of a strap of the backpack assembly of
b is an enlarged perspective rear view of the strap of the backpack assembly of
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.
The present invention provides a novel and efficient wearable assembly that includes interchangeable decorative items that can be attached and removed from a main body of the wearable assembly. Embodiments of the invention provide a backpack assembly with decorative ornaments that can be attached to and removed from a front panel of the backpack. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide a decorative ornament that is configured to be selectively attached to other wearable items, such as footwear.
Referring now to
The backpack main body 110 is a wearable item that defines a main storage compartment 134 for storing items, such as books, laptops, note pads, and the like. The backpack main body 110 includes a front panel 112 opposite a rear panel 132 of the main body 110. The front panel 112 supports attachment of the main body decorative ornament 140. There can be a multitude of decorative ornaments 140a-n supported on the front panel 112, where the number of decorative ornaments 140 between “a” through “n” can be any number. The front panel 112 defines a cutout 118 having an opening 120 at a front surface 116 of the front panel 112, the cutout 118 being sized and configured to receive and house an attachment feature of the main body decorative ornament 140. A main body magnet 122 can be provided on the front panel proximate to the cutout 118. The main body magnet 122 can be sown, coupled, attached, adhered with an adhesive, or otherwise fastened onto, supported by, or integrated into the front panel 112. As illustrated in
The exterior front panel 114 can be a separate panel, apart from the front panel 112 of the main body 110. The exterior front panel 114 provides an outer surface that is visible to individuals when the backpack assembly 110 is assembled. The exterior front panel 114 defines a slit 126 through a front surface 124 of the exterior front panel 114, the slit 126 defining an opening 128 sized and configured to receive an attachment feature of the main body decorative ornament 140.
The decorative ornament 140 includes a main body 141, a decorative feature 146, a coupling member 148, and a mating magnet 150. The main body 141 can be fabric, plastic or other polymer material, and the like. The main body 141 defines a pocket 152 for receiving and storing small items in the decorative ornament 140 that are retrievable without having to open the main storage compartment of the backpack assembly 100. The decorative feature 146 is a small ornament supported by and coupled to a front surface 142 of the main body 141, the front surface 142 being a decorative surface of the decorative ornament, which is substantially opposite a rear, coupling surface 144 of the decorative ornament 140. In other embodiments, the decorative feature 146 can be a plush toy, a ribbon, a bow, a jewel, a small charm, an image applied to the front surface 142 of the main body 141, a logo, a cartoon character, and the like. The coupling member 148 is operably configured to couple the decorative ornament 140 to the backpack main body 110. In one embodiment, the coupling member 148, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
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The flap 614 is coupled to and extends around a peripheral edge 620 of the main body front panel 612. In one embodiment, the flap 614 can be a thin piece of fabric that is sown around the peripheral edge of the main body front panel 612. In the exemplary embodiment, the flap 614 is segmented into a plurality of flap panels, each of the plurality of flap panels coupled to a peripheral edge 620. In other embodiments, the flap 614 can be formed as a unitary panel that is coupled to the peripheral edge 620 in a continuous manner around the length of the peripheral edge 620. A plurality of fasteners 622 are attached to an interior flap surface 616, opposite an exterior flap surface 618. The fastener 622 is formed as a snap fastener. In other embodiments, the fastener 622 can be a hook or loop strip of a hook-and-loop attachment system, a clip, a clamp, a tie, and the like. The flap 614 is preferably sized and configured to support and couple to the selected fastener type. The plurality of fasteners 622 can be arranged along a length of the flap 614 in a linear manner and being equally spaced apart from one another. The plurality of fasteners 622 are positioned on the flap 614, such that when the decorative panel 640 is positioned on top of the main body front panel 612 and, subsequently, the flap 614 is folded downward, toward the main body front panel 612, the flap 614 engages and substantially covers an outer edge 644 of the decorative panel 640 and the plurality of fasteners 622 engages and fastens to a plurality of mating fasteners 650 positioned along the outer edge 644 of the decorative panel 640.
The decorative panel 640 further includes a decorative feature 646. In some embodiments, the decorative feature 646 can be an image painted, sown, printed, or otherwise applied to a front surface 642 of the decorative panel 640. The decorative panel 640 can be shaped substantially circumscribing the shape of the main body front panel 612. For example, if the main body front panel 612 is square-shaped, the decorative panel 640 is formed as a square shape. The image can be a logo, a cartoon character, a sports team logo, an ornamental design, and the like. In other embodiments, the decorative feature 646 can be a plush toy, a ribbon, a bow, a jewel, a small charm, and the like. In one embodiment, the decorative feature 646 is formed as an outline of an image and the decorative panel 640 is comprised of a writeable material configured to receive and display markings from one of a group of ink, crayon, and paint. Accordingly, the user can color the image for display on the backpack assembly 600, and when the user desires visual variety and entertainment, the user can obtain a second decorative panel 640 having a different image to color and display.
The plurality of mating fasteners 650 on the decorative panel 640 are sized and configured to mate with the plurality of fasteners 622 attached along the interior flap surface 616. The plurality of mating fasteners 650 are coupled to the front surface 642 of the decorative panel 640 in a placement pattern matching the placement pattern of the plurality of fasteners 622 on the flap 614. The plurality of mating fasteners 650 can be sown into the decorative panel 640, attached to the panel 640 with an adhesive, integrated into the panel 640, and the like. In use, the user can fold the flap 614 downward such that the plurality of fasters 622 engages the plurality of mating fasteners 650 for fastening and securing the decorative panel 640 to the backpack main body 610, as illustrated in
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The puzzle assembly 840 can be coupled to the exterior front panel 812 of the main backpack body 810 with magnets, similar to the magnets discussed above. Each of the plurality of puzzle pieces 840a-n can further include a magnet 852 coupled to a rear surface 848 of the main body 841 of the puzzle piece 840. A respective mating magnet 824 is coupled to the exterior front panel 812 of the main backpack body 810. Placement of the magnets 852, 824 on the puzzle pieces 840a-n and front panel 812, respectively, is configured such that when the plurality of puzzle pieces 840a-n are in an assembled configuration, the magnet 852 and the respective mating magnet 824 are magnetically coupled to secure the puzzle assembly 840 to the main backpack body 810. In other embodiments, the puzzle assembly 840 can be secured to the main backpack body 810 by hooks, as explained above with respect to
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An assembly has been disclosed that provides selectively removeable and interchangeable decorative features coupled to a display surface of a wearable item, for providing visual variety and entertainment to wearable items, while reducing costs associated with purchasing several wearable items in order to obtain user desired variety.
