PERSONALIZEABLE WEARABLE AND DISPLAYABLE ITEMS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of United States Patent Application

Serial No. 1 1/773,306 filed on My 3, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to personal items, such as glasses, hats, and the like, which can be worn or displayed and which have means for being decorated (i.e. personalized) according to one's personal taste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are a variety of wearable and displayable products on the market which individuals make or purchase and which are selected at least in part due to their style and/or visible effect. These products include wearable items such as hats, gloves, glasses, shirts, shoes, jackets and other items of clothing. These products also include products purchased or acquired primarily for display purposes but which also have utility and are put into use by the purchaser. These products include wall hangings, pottery, accessories and the like.

[0004] Most of these items, however, have their individual aesthetics and style as purchased, that is, the products are made or manufactured to have a certain look or style, and to provide a certain visual effect. It is uncommon to provide products or other items which can be easily changed by the user to either personalize them or change their visual effect to fit a certain or changed mood or "style moment."

[ 0005] One product currently on the market which allows the purchaser to individualize them and change their looks or visual appearance are the Croc shoes. These products can be individualized with Jibbitz accessories, which are popular today.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide numerous unique products which can be worn or displayed and which can be individualized as desired by the wearer or owner. It is another object of the present invention to provide products which have utility and also which can be visually changed as needed or desired to provide different visual effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007 ] The present invention provide a unique series of products which are wearable, or displayable, or both, and which can have their visual effect and aesthetics easily changed or altered to fit the user (owner's) style and/or mood. One product comprises a pair of glasses which have a plurality of holes or sites in which decorative-type accessories can be affixed. The glasses preferably are made of a soft material and are anti-microbial. The decorative-type accessories comprise pin members, which are positioned in the holes or attached to the sites. The pin members can have any individual type of decorative head member thereon which can be colorful or have a logo, initial, etc. that the wearer wants to display. The head member can also be a precious or semi-precious stone. [0008 ] Pin members can also be used to hold the temple members to the frames in pairs of glasses.

[0009 ] The present invention also includes wearable products such as headbands, visors, hats, belts, animal collars and the like. The present invention also includes utilitarian personalizable display products such as children's growth charts, flower pot and/or covers, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, luggage tags, school supplies, memorabilia, and the like.

[0010] The various products may have holes strategically manufactured and positioned, or that allow the wearer to create the holes on his/her own. This allows the end users/consumers to personalize and individualize their look at any given moment of any given day.

[0011] One of the main purposes of the invention is to allow the needs, desires, or creativity of the end user/consumer to be expressed. That expression allows for the re-use/interchangeability of pin members, for the updating of looks, for information dissemination and recyclability of products, and ultimately, for the preservation of the Earth.

[0012] The present invention also facilitates the desire for learning, and the engaging and expansion of ideas. One such example is the creation of 3D educational tools, such as maps containing geographical terrain that can now be viewed in 3D capacity and used in schools around the world. The pin members allow the decorated design supporting the graphic to be held in place until popped out and maybe re-inserted at a later date. This allows for an exchange of ideas and factual information for purposes of education, conferences, mapping, strategic planning, and the like. It also allows teachers to use pin members for their students all year long by way of inserting initials, symbols or written names (depending on how elaborate or how many holes or pin members one chooses to use). Events, tests and achievements can now be tracked in 3D format. At the end of their instructions and uses, the pin members can be popped out and re-inserted in a diffei ^* ent way, for different purposes and for different looks for the next class, term or year. With the invention, interchanges between parent/child, educator/student, professional to professional, and manager to underling can be facilitated. The consumer can become an advertisement for corporate branding or information dissemination and yet the vehicle can be revised from the beginning (i.e. the pin members on a hat with a symbol, logo or words can be popped out re-inserted and therefore re-used).

[0013] Some of the items in and on which the current invention can be used

(but not limited to) include: hats, sweatbands, sun visors, growth charts, rulers, dog/pet collars, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, combs, watch bands, belts, luggage straps, name tags, baggage tags, personal identification tags, game boards, travel game boards, educational devices, business devices, infoπnation storage boxes,

notebooks and items that are wearable and/or displayable whereby the end user or consumer can chose to identify, educate, decorate, design or disseminate a message publicly and which, if the consumer chooses to do so, can also be done simultaneously on the same vehicle with other known methods (one such example is a baseball hat with or without a corporate logo and with one or more holes for insertion of some type of pin member),

[0014 ] Other benefits and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in accordance with the following description and drawings, as well as the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIGURE 2 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017 ] FIGURE 3 is a close-up of a portion of the embodiment depicted in

Figure 2.

[0018] FIGURE 4 is an embodiment of a pin member in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIGURES 5-8 depict additional embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] FIGURE 9 illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention.

.0021] FIGURES 10 and 11 illustrate the use of the present invention on non-wearable products.

[0022 ] FIGURES 12 and 13 illustrate additional embodiments of the present invention when used with glasses.

[00233 FIGURES 14 and 15 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention wherein a hole punch can be used to individualize a product. [0024] FIGURES 16 and 17 illustrate embodiments of the present invention which utilize straps to hold pairs of glasses on wearer's heads. [0025] FIGURES 18-28 illustrate still further products showing examples of products in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Although the present invention is described herein with specific reference to particular wearable and displayable items, it is to be understood that the present invention has applicability to a wide variety of wearable and displayable products, including any that would be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the present description and drawings.

[ 0027 ] Also, the preferred material for the wearable and displayable items described herein is a soft elastomeric material, particularly one which would act to hold pin members in place when inserted through a hole in the material. It is also preferred that the material be a material which allows the product to float if dropped in a lake or other body of water, and which is anti-microbial. It is to be understood, of course, that other materials can be utilized for the products in accordance with the present invention, these other materials being anything that would be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, or which are in common use for other models of the particular products discussed herein, such as leather, cloth materials, etc. In addition, the products may instead be made from a harder plastic material, e. g. in order to more securely hold semi-precious stones and other jewels.

[00283 Figure 1 schematically depicts a pair of glasses 20 in accordance with the present invention. The glasses have a front frame member 22 and a pair of ear piece members 24 and 26. Each of the members 22, 24 and 26 have a plurality of openings or holes 30 for placement of decorative pin members, a few of which 32, 34 are shown.

[0029 ] The glasses 20 preferably have "living hinge" connections 25 or a crimp between the front frame member 22 and the ear piece members 24 and 26. Preferably a natural fold is provided between the frame member and the temple members in order for the temples to be folded co-planar with the frame for transport and storage.

[0030] The pin members have a decorative head member 40, a shaft member 42, and a retainer member 44. The shaft member is adapted to be pushed into a hole 30 and held in place by positioning the retainer member 44 on the opposite side of the head member. The shaft member can also have threads thereon and be screwed into the holes, or have a nut to hold it securely in place.

[0031] For convenience, but not by way of limitation, these members will be referred to by the same term "pin members". The pin members can have a wide

variety of sizes and shapes so long as they are usable in accordance with the features and benefits of the present invention.

[0032] In order to assist in inserting the decorative pin members in the holes 30, small slits or slots 46 can be provided, as shown in Figure 3. The pin members are preferably held in place simply from the push lock.

[0033] The head members 40 can have any size, shape, color or decoration that appeals to the wearer. The head member and the pin members shown in Figure 1 have circular or triangular shapes. It is also possible to affix jewels or other precious or semi-precious stones on the head members, such as a diamond 50 shown in Figure 4. Small screws can be inserted into the base of a diamond stud if necessary.

[0034 ] The size and number of holes in the front frame members and ear piece members is a matter of choice. It is also possible to only provide holes in areas A in Figure 1 , rather than around the entire perimeter of the front frame member.

[0035] The present invention also can be utilized with rimless glasses. This is shown in Figure 9. The glasses 60 have holes or openings 62 only in the two ear piece members 64 and 66. Pin members 68 can be positioned in all or none of the holes 62.

[0036] Figure 2 and 3 schematically depict another embodiment of the invention. In this pair of glasses 70, the ear piece members 72 and 74 are attached to the front frame member 76 by one of the pin members 78. The front frame member 76 has flap members 77 which mate with recesses 79 in the ear piece members.

[ 0037] In another embodiment 150 as shown in Figure 12, the two temple members 152 are the same. The temple members 152 have prongs or male members 154 which can be inserted into slots 156 in the front frame member 158. The temple members are held in place by pin members 160 which are inserted through aligned openings 162, 164 in the temple member and frame member.

[00383 With the use of "universal" or interchangeable temple members, the wearer has more choices to individualize his/her glasses. For example, the temples can be different colors or have different shapes and designs. By "interchangeable", it is also meant that the same temple member could be used on either side of the frame member.

[0039 ] Also, as shown in embodiment 170 in Figure 13, the frame member

172 can be attached to the temple members 174 by separate connector members 176. The ends 175 of the temple members fit within sockets 178 in the connector members 176, and the connector members in turn are held in place by being inserted in slots 180 in the frame member 172. Again, with this embodiment, the two temple members are interchangeable and the glasses can be personalized and individualized with temple members having different colors and/or shapes. [0040] In still another embodiment as shown in Figure 14, the product, such as a frame member or temple member 190, can be provided without any holes 192 or with a minimum number of holes. In this manner, the wearer can use a hole- making tool, such as a hole punch 200 depicted in Figure 15, and select and make the number of holes and in a unique pattern or arrangement. For example, sites 202 could be utilized for additional holes 192.

[0041] in order to hold the glasses more firmly on the head of the wearer, a strap member 210 can be provided. This is shown in Figure 16. The strap member can be attached to the ends of the temple members 212 with a pin member 214. If a heel strap from a Crocs shoe is utilized as the glasses strap, and if it is too short to extend across the back of the wearer's head, then a pair of straps can be attached together with a pin member and used in this manner.

[0042] Also, as shown in Figure 17, a one or two-piece strap member 220,

222 can be attached directly to a frame member 224. This embodiment can be used with children, for example, where temple members are not comfortable or practical. [0043 ] Where a single strap is utilized, it can be cut to length and a new hole formed for the pin member. Similarly, if two straps need to be utilized, one or

both can be cut to form a strap of the requisite length. Where the two straps meet and are fastened together, the mating end portions can be crimped to seal the edges if necessary and to facilitate the overlapping relationship. Also, with two straps, the straps can be provided of different sizes or colors in order to add individuality to the glasses.

[0044] The possibilities for the sizes, shapes, types and colors of pin connector members which can be used with the present invention are limitless. Kits of pin connector members can be provided for special occasions, holidays, political parties, etc.

[0045] One of the aspects or embodiments of the present invention relates to kits, kits of products or pieces, and with a plurality of pin members. One kit, for example, can include a frame member, a pair of interchangeable temple members, and a plurality of different pin members. Additional temple members and pin members could be marketed and purchased separately. The temple members and pin members could also be traded among wearers. Another kit could include the same pieces but without any holes, and instead include a hole punch.

[0046] Figures 5-8 depict other embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a visor 80 which has a plurality of holes or openings 82 along the band 84. The wearer can place pin members in one or more of the holes to individualize and accessorize the visor. It is also possible to include additional holes or openings 80 on the bill 86 of the visor, similar to the situation shown in Figure 7.

[0047] Figure 6 illustrates a headband 90 with a plurality of holes or openings 92 in it. The holes or openings 92 can extend the entire length of the headband as shown, or be positioned only at pre-selected portions thereof. Also, the headband 90 as shown has a C-shape and preferably has a "springiness" to it to help hold it in place on the head of the wearer. It is also possible, however, for the headband structure to extend in a complete circle. In the latter case, it is preferable that the headband material have some stretch or resiliency to it so it can be easily

positioned on the head of the wear and will stay in place during use. As with the other embodiments of the invention, decorative pin members 94 can be positioned in the holes or openings 92 in order to individualize the headband.

[0048] The headband can also be a sweatband preferably having a cover made from an absorbent material. If the headband is not extendable, then a latching mechanism, such as are shown in Figure 8, can be utilized. Overlapping end members having Velcro fasteners on them can also be utilized to hold the headband/sweatband in a circular shape on the head of the wearer. Holes or openings for pin members can be provided at certain positions or locations on the headband, or provided throughout the entire length of the headband.

[0049] The present invention also allows updating of information or design elements on the products. In addition, the end user and/or owner could display any type of desired information,

[0050] Figure 7 depicts a hat or cap 100 which has a plurality of holes or openings 102 on the brim (or "bill") 105 of the cap. In the cap shown, each of the holes or openings is filled with a jewel-type pin member 104. It is also possible to have additional holes or openings at other areas on the cap, such as holes 107 along the rim 106 or adjacent to the rim, which provide sites or additional pin members.

[ 0051] Figure 8 shows a belt or a dog collar 110 with a series of holes or openings 1 12, each filled with a pin member 1 14. The belt/collar can use a snap closer 116 to keep it in place when it is being worn. If desired, one or more of the pin members could contain the address or telephone number of the dog's owner in case the dog became lost.

[0052 ] Figure 10 and 1 1 depict non- wearable embodiments of the invention which are used to display pin members in a useful or decorative manner. These embodiments are only exemplary of the numerous non-wearable products in which the present invention can be utilized. Other non-wearable products include, for example, key chains, pencil holders, and notebooks.

[0053] Figure 10 depicts a children's growth chart 120. The chart has holes or openings 122 spaced every inch apart. As the child grows, an additional pin member 124 can be positioned at the appropriate height. In the example shown, the child is 3 feet 2 inches in height (38 inches),

[00543 Figure 1 1 depicts a cover member 130 for a flower pot 132 or the like. The cover member 130 has a plurality of holes or openings 134 in which pin member 136 can be positioned. The cover member 130 can have holes or openings over its entire surface (as shown), or the holes or openings can be positioned only in certain areas or in certain patterns (such as stripes or a design). [0055] Still additional products can be provided and individualized in accordance with the present invention. These products include toothbrushes 300 decorated by pin member 302 in holes 304 as shown in Figure 18, hairbrushes 310 decorated by pin members 312 in holes or openings 314 as shown in Figure 19, or watches 320 decorated by pin members 322 in holes 324 in the watchband or holes 326 in the watch member itself, as shown in Figure 20. Other products which can be similarly individualized and embellished include cosmetic-type kits, luggage tags, name tags 330 (Figure 21), school supplies, notebooks, rulers 340 (Figure 22), picture frames 350 (Figure 23), time capsules, memorabilia-type kits, combs, office supplies, suitcase straps, suspenders 360 (Figure 24), lamps, gloves 320 (Figure 25), carrying bags 380 (Figure 26), gift bags, pillows, handkerchiefs, cigarette cases, decorative boxes, wall hangings, and the like. The types of products with which the present invention can be utilized are virtually endless. [ 0056] The present invention also can be used relative to various games and game boards, such as travel games. Board games with movable playing pieces are difficult to use in situations where the base is not stable, such as moving vehicles, or where environmental conditions are involved, such as outside in windy conditions or in swimming pools.

[ 0057] Game boards for games such as tic tac toe, scrabble, chess, checkers and the like are made from the same or similar material as the other products

identified above. The material is a plastic foam material which is lightweight, waterproof and is light enough to float in water. The material also preferably is supplied with openings for the pin members, or it can be supplied with a hole punch, such as shown in Figure 15, for making the holes where desired or needed. The pin members which are supplied with head members usable with the rules and objects of the game. For example, with a tic tac toe game 400, as shown in Figure 27, the heads of the pin members 402 are marked either with a "x" or an "o", 404, 406. The pin members are inserted into holes or openings 408 in the game board 400.

[0058] With other games, the heads of the pin members can be provided with alphabet letters (scrabble), certain colors (checkers), or pictures of objects (chess).

[0059] It is also possible to provide a crossword puzzle board with pin members having alphabet letters on them. Different sets of word clues can then be provided for the board,

[0060] Educational work or game boards made of the same or similar materials can also be provided in accordance with the present invention. The boards can have openings or holes as prespecified locations for mounting of pin members with certain head designs. For example, educational boards having mathematical equations or problems, geometric shapes, geography themes, marine life themes, solar systems, etc. can be provided. For example, with a geography theme utilizing a map of the United States 400 as shown in Figure 28, the pin members 502 can have state capital names on the heads 504 in order to teach the user the names and spelling of the capital cities,

[0061] For the teachings of geometric shapes, the names or shapes can be provided on the heads of the pins. For mathematical equations or problems, the numbers and mathematical systems can be shown on the heads of the pin members. Similarly, for marine life themes, the names or pictures of the various marine mammals, fish and other creatures can be provided on the heads.

[ 0062] The game boards can also be provided or packaged with other products made in accordance with the present invention, such as sunglasses, hats, sun visors, and the like.

[0063 ] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described herein but instead limited to the terms of the appended claims.