CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/068,753, filed August 21, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/114,607, filed November 17, 2020, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an ornament that is attachable to an elongated member, and a method of attaching the same.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The attachment of ornaments to various objects is utilized in a variety of industries. One industry that commonly utilizes ornaments is the fashion industry. One example of the use of ornaments in the fashion industry is ornaments that attach to shoelaces. Such ornaments are referred to in the fashion industry as a lace lock but are also referred to by other names such as a dubrae, a shoelace tag, a shoelace jewel, and a decorative shoelace embellishment. The lace lock is mostly seen as decorative or aesthetic, but it also serves a function: dubreas keep laces tight and centered.

[0004] Lace locks are generally affixed to the first row of a laced sneaker, the row closest to the toe of the shoe between the first two eyelets. Currently a lace lock goes on to a sneaker through the following process: First, the laces must be completely removed from the sneaker or shoe. Second, the lace is threaded or woven through the lace lock, with the lace lock usually resting on the lace between the first two eyelets closest to the toe of the sneaker. Third, the sneaker is laced with the lace locked lace using traditional methods or patterns (i.e., through the eyelets of the sneaker). In order to change or replace the lace lock on a sneaker or shoe, the laces must be completely removed and/or replaced, which is time consuming. In another example, the lace lock is attached to the shoelace using a pin mechanism that perforates the shoelace. This method of installation requires good dexterity and generally offer minimal stability of the ornament. In another example, the lace lock is attached to the shoelace using some type of open-ended tension clip. However, this configuration allows for the potential of the ornament to slide off on the open-end. In another example, the lace lock is attached using a clasp combined with a hinge mechanism. However, this configuration requires good dexterity for installation, and the manufacture of a latching mechanism, which is typically complex.

[0005] As such, there is a need in the art for an ornament that addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to several aspects of the present invention, an ornament is attachable to an elongated member. The ornament comprises a base. The base comprises a bottom surface, a top surface spaced from the bottom surface, and a perimeter surface extending between the bottom and top surfaces. The base defines a channel having an access opening defined along the top surface and a pair of end openings at least partially defined by the perimeter surface and connected to the access opening, with the access opening arranged to lay the elongated member within the channel with the elongated member extending out of the pair of end openings. The ornament further comprises a plate selectively coupled to the base and arranged to cover at least a portion of the access opening to retain the elongated member in the channel. [0007] In one aspect, the ornament comprises a magnet disposed between the base and the plate and producing a magnetic force coupling together the base and the plate.

[0008] In another aspect, the magnet is fixed to one of the base and the plate and wherein at least a portion of the other one of the base and the plate comprises a ferrous material, with the magnet attracting the ferrous material toward the magnet with the magnetic force to couple together the base and the plate.

[0009] In another aspect, the magnet is further defined as a first magnet fixed to the base and the ornament further comprises a second magnet fixed to the plate, with the first and second magnets having opposing polarities and producing the magnetic force between one another to couple together the base and the plate.

[0010] In another aspect, the ornament further comprises a plurality of magnets spaced from one another and adjacent the perimeter surface, with the magnets producing a magnetic force coupling together the base and the plate about the perimeter surface.

[0011] In another aspect, the bottom surface partially defines the pair of end openings such that the pair of end openings extend from the perimeter surface to the bottom surface and truncate on the bottom surface spaced from one another.

[0012] In another aspect, each of the pair of openings along the bottom surface has a narrow portion adjacent the perimeter surface and truncates at a wide portion, with the narrow portion having a first width and with the wide portion having a second width greater than the first width, wherein the narrow portion facilitating placement of the elongated member into the wide portion while restricting movement of the elongated member out of the wide portion.

[0013] In another aspect, the base comprises a plurality of serrations extending into each of the pair of end openings, with the plurality of serrations arranged to puncture the elongated member to retain the ornament longitudinally on the elongated member. [0014] In another aspect, the serrations in one of the pair of end openings extends in a direction opposite the serration in the other one of the pair of end openings.

[0015] In another aspect, the pair of end openings oppose one another such that the channel extends longitudinally across the base.

[0016] In another aspect, the plate has a wall that extends into the channel and abuts the base within the channel to laterally retain the plate relative to the base.

[0017] In another aspect, the plate is further defined as a first plate and the ornament further comprises a second plate, with first and second plates interchangeably coupled to the base.

[0018] In another aspect, each of the first and second plates comprise a display surface arranged to face away from the base when coupled to the base, with the display surface of the first plate different than the display surface of the second plate.

[0019] In another aspect, the perimeter surface of the base has a quadrilateral configuration.

[0020] In another aspect, the perimeter surface of the base has a circular configuration.

[0021] In another aspect, the ornament further comprises a magnet disposed between the base and the plate and producing a magnetic force coupling together the base and the plate. The bottom surface partially defines the pair of end openings such that the pair of end openings extend from the perimeter surface to the bottom surface and truncate on the bottom surface spaced from one another. Each of the pair of openings along the bottom surface has a narrow portion adjacent the perimeter surface and truncates at a wide portion, with the narrow portion having a first width and with the wide portion having a second width greater than the first width, wherein the narrow portion facilitating placement of the elongated member into the wide portion while restricting movement of the elongated member out of the wide portion. The base comprises a plurality of serrations extending into each of the pair of end openings, with the plurality of serrations arranged to puncture the elongated member to retain the ornament longitudinally on the elongated member.

[0022] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, an ornament is attachable to a lace of a shoe. The ornament comprises a base. The base comprises a bottom surface configured to lay against a tongue of the shoe, a top surface spaced from the bottom surface, and a perimeter surface extending between the bottom and top surfaces. The base defines a channel having an access opening defined along the top surface and a pair of end openings at least partially defined by the perimeter surface and connected to the access opening, with the access opening arranged to lay the lace within the channel with the lace extending out of the pair of end openings. The ornament further comprises a plate selectively coupled to the base and arranged to cover at least a portion of the access opening to retain the lace in the channel.

[0023] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a method of attaching an ornament to an elongated member is disclosed. The ornament comprises a base. The base comprises a bottom surface, a top surface spaced from the bottom surface, and a perimeter surface extending between the bottom and top surfaces. The base defines a channel having an access opening defined along the top surface and a pair of end openings at least partially defined by the perimeter surface and connected to the access opening. The ornament further comprises a plate. The method comprises laying the elongated member into the channel through the access opening, with the elongated member extending out of the pair of end openings, covering at least a portion of the access opening with the plate, coupling together the base and the plate, and retaining the elongated member in the channel.

[0024] In one aspect, the ornament further comprises a magnet disposed between the base and the plate and producing a magnetic force, wherein coupling together the base and the plate is further defined as coupling together the base and the plate with magnetic force of the magnet. [0025] In another aspect, the plate is further defined as a first plate and the ornament further comprises a second plate. The method further comprises decoupling the base and the first plate, removing the first plate from the base, covering at least a portion of the access opening with the second plate, coupling together the base and the second plate, and retaining the elongated member in the channel.

[0026] In another aspect, the bottom surface partially defines the pair of end openings such that the pair of end openings extend from the perimeter surface to the bottom surface and truncate on the bottom surface spaced from one another, and wherein each of the pair of openings along the bottom surface has a narrow portion adjacent the perimeter surface and truncates at a wide portion, with the narrow portion having a first width and with the wide portion having a second width greater than the first width. The method comprises moving the elongated member through the narrow portion, placing the elongated member into the wide portion, and restricting movement of the elongated member out of the wide portion and into the narrow portion.

[0027] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0029] Figure 1 is an perspective view of one example of an ornament, showing a plate and a base connected. [0030] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ornament of FIG. 1, with the plate and the base disconnected.

[0031] Figure 3 is an perspective of the ornament of FIG. 1, showing a bottom surface of the base.

[0032] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the ornament of FIG. 1 and a shoe comprising laces, with the base disposed between the two eyelets of the shoe, and with the lace disposed within a channel of the base.

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the ornament of FIG. 1 and the shoe comprising the lace, with the plate coupled to the base.

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second plate.

[0035] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second plate of FIG. 6 coupled to the base on the lace of the shoe.

[0036] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another example of the ornament, showing the base comprising a serration.

[0037] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the ornament of FIG. 8, showing first magnets coupled to the base.

[0038] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the ornament of FIG. 8, showing second magnets coupled to the plate.

[0039] Figure 11 is a perspective view of another example of the ornament, with the plate comprised of a ferrous material.

[0040] Figure 12 is a perspective view of another example of the ornament, with the base and the plate having a circular configuration.

[0041] Figure 13 is a flow chart of one example of a method of attaching the ornament to an elongated member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

[0043] Referring to Figures 1-3 and 8-12, according to several aspects of the present disclosure, an ornament is shown generally at 20. The ornament 20 is attachable to an elongated member 22. In the example shown in the Figures, the elongated member 22 is a lace 24 of a shoe 26, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. However, the elongated member 22 may be any suitable component in the fashion industry, such as drawstrings, straps, and cords. Furthermore, the ornament 20 may find applicability to other elongated members 22 outside of the fashion industry. Other examples of the elongated member 22 include, but are not limited to, rope, string, twine, paracord, polymer cables, and metallic cables.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1-3 and 8-12, the ornament 20 comprises a base 27. The base 27 comprises a bottom surface 28 (configured to lay against a tongue 30 of the shoe 26), a top surface 32 spaced from the bottom surface 28, and a perimeter surface 34 extending between the bottom and top surfaces 28, 32. As shown in Figures 2, 9, and 12, the base 27 defines a channel 36 having an access opening 38 defined along the top surface 32 and a pair of end openings 40 at least partially defined by the perimeter surface 34 and connected to the access opening 38, with the access opening 38 arranged to lay the elongated member 22 within the channel 36 with the elongated member 22 extending out of the pair of end openings 40. The ornament 20 further comprises a plate 42 selectively coupled to the base 27 and arranged to cover at least a portion of the access opening 38 to retain the elongated member 22 in the channel 36. [0045] In the examples shown in the Figures, the base 27 defines the channel 36. However, the plate 42 may define the channel 36 or both the base 27 and the plate 42 may define the channel 36.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2, 8-10, and 12, the ornament 20 may comprise a magnet 44 disposed between the base 27 and the plate 42 and producing a magnetic force coupling together the base 27 and the plate 42. In one example, the magnet 44 is fixed to one of the base 27 and the plate 42. At least a portion of the other one of the base 27 and the plate 42 comprises a ferrous material, with the magnet 44 attracting the ferrous material toward the magnet 44 with the magnetic force to couple together the base 27 and the plate 42. More specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the magnet 44 is fixed to the base 27, with the plate 42 comprising the ferrous material. However, the magnet 44 may be fixed to the plate 42, with the base 27 comprising the ferrous material.

[0047] In one example, the magnet 44 is further defined as a first magnet 44A fixed to the base 27 and the ornament 20 further comprises a second magnet 44B fixed to the plate 42, as shown in Figures 2 and 8-10. The first and second magnets 44A, 44B have opposing polarities and produce the magnetic force between one another to couple together the base 27 and the plate 42. As such, the first and second magnets 44A, 44B are drawn toward one another and couple together the base 27 and the plate 42.

[0048] The ornament 20 may comprise a plurality of the magnets 44, as shown in Figures 2, 8-10, and 12. The magnets 44 are spaced from one another and adjacent the perimeter surface 34. The magnets 44 produce the magnetic force coupling together the base 27 and the plate 42 about the perimeter surface 34. As shown in the Figures, the magnets 44 may be embedded into the base 27 or the plate 42 (e.g., press-fit, overmolded, etc.). However, the magnets 44 may be affixed to the base 27 or the plate 42 by any suitable method, including adhesive and the like. The magnets 44 may vary in size, shape, and quantity. [0049] The plate 42 may have a wall 46 that extends into the channel 36 as shown in

Figures 8-12. The wall 46 abuts the base 27 within the channel 36 to laterally retain the plate 42 relative to the base 27. More specifically, at least a portion of the plate 42 may be recessed within the channel 36 of the base 27 to prevent the plate 42 from sliding off of the base 27. Although the base 27 and the plate 42 are coupled together with the magnets 44 shown in the Figures, it is to be appreciated that the base 27 and the plate 42 may be coupled to together by mechanical means, such as friction (e.g., a press-fit or snap-fit), springs (e.g., ball detents), and clasps.

[0050] In the examples shown in the Figures, the pair of end openings 40 oppose one another. As such, the channel 36 extends longitudinally across the base 27. Accordingly, the elongated member 22 extends longitudinally across the base 27 within the channel 36. However, the pair of me askew, with the channel 36 extending in a non-linear configuration across the base 27.

[0051] In the examples shown in Figures 8-12, the bottom surface 28 partially defines the pair of end openings 40 such that the pair of end openings 40 extend from the perimeter surface 34 to the bottom surface 28 and truncate on the bottom surface 28 spaced from one another. Each of the pair of openings along the bottom surface 28 has a narrow portion 48 adjacent the perimeter surface 34 and truncates at a wide portion 50. The narrow portion 48 has a first width W 1 and the wide portion 50 has a second width W2 greater than the first width Wl. The narrow portion 48 facilitates placement of the elongated member 22 into the wide portion 50 while restricting movement of the elongated member 22 out of the wide portion 50. More specifically, with the elongated member 22 configured as the lace 24, the lace 24 is capable of compressing and folding slide through the narrow portion 48 of the end openings 40 and into the wide portion 50. When disposed in the wide portion 50, the lace 24 expands. Expansion of the lace 24 exacerbated when placed under tension (such as when the shoe 26 is tied). As such, the necking down that occurs between the narrow and wide portions 48, 50 restricts movement of the lace 24 out of the wide portion 50, retaining the base 27 on the lace 24. Furthermore, expansion of the lace 24 in the wide portion 50 of the end opening 40 causes the lace 24 to exert a downward force on the base 27 toward the tongue 30 of the shoe 26 across a larger surface area of the base 27 than if the lace 24 was disposed in the narrow portion 48. The exertion of the force across the larger surface area stabilizes the base 27 to prevent the base 27 from rolling on the lace 24.

[0052] The base 27 may comprise a plurality of serrations 52 extending into each of the pair of end opening 40. The plurality of serrations 52 are arranged to puncture the elongated member 22 (e.g., the lace 24) to retain the ornament 20 longitudinally on the elongated member 22. Furthermore, the serrations 52 in one of the pair of end openings 40 may extend in a direction opposite the serration in the other one of the pair of end openings 40. As such, movement of the base 27 in either direction along the elongated member 22 causes the serrations 52 to dig into the elongated member 22 and inhibit further longitudinal movement of the base 27 along the elongated member 22.

[0053] The size and shape of the plate 42 and base 27 may vary in shape, material, and design. For example, the perimeter surface 34 of the base 27 may have a quadrilateral configuration as shown in Figures 1-3 and 8-11. In another example shown in Figure 12, the perimeter surface 34 of the base 27 has a circular configuration. However, any suitable shape may be utilized

[0054] The plate 42 and the base 27 may be attached to the lace 24 while laced to the shoe 26 (i.e., without removing the lace 24 from the shoe 26). As demonstrated in Figures 4- 7, the ornament 20 can be affixed to the already laced shoe 26 without having to remove and replace the lace 24. The ornament 20 is installed by first placing the base 27 between desired eyelets of the shoe 26 and underneath the lace 24 with the lace 24 resting within the channel 36 in the base 27. With the base 27 in the channel 36, the plate 42 can be set in place and will secure itself to the base 27 with the magnets 44.

[0055] The plate 42 may be further defined as a first plate 42A (as shown in Figures 4 and 5) and the ornament 20 may further comprise a second plate 42B (as shown in Figures 6 and 7), with the first and second plates 42A, 42B interchangeably coupled to the base 27. More specifically, the first and second plates 42A, 42B may easily be removed from the base 27 without removing the base 27 from the elongated member 22 (the lace 24 of the shoe 26). Accordingly, the first and second plates 42A, 42B (as well as any other plates 42) may be interchanged with the base 27. Each of the first and second plates 42A, 42B comprise a display surface 54 arranged to face away from the base 27 when coupled to the base 27, with the display surface 54 of the first plate 42A different than the display surface 54 of the second plate 42B. For example, the display surface 54 of the first plate 42A in Figures 4 and 5 is smooth while the display surface 54 of the second plate 42B in Figures 6 and 7 includes depictions of championship trophies. As such, the plate 42 of the ornament 20 may be swapped to meet the aesthetic preference of the user. Furthermore, with the plate 42 removed from the base 27, the elongated member 22 may be easily removed from the channel 36 of the base 27 by simply pulling the base 27 off the elongated member 22 (through the access opening 38). Therefore, the base 27 may be easily moved to attach to different elongated members 22 (e.g., different shoes 26 or between different eyelets on the shoe 26).

[0056] As demonstrated in Figures 4-7, the ornament 20 may be made in different aesthetic examples using different materials in different shapes. The plate 42 can be made to include various custom designs not limited to those illustrated. Moreover, one or both of the base 27 and the plate 42 may include embedded component disposed along an exterior, or encapsulated within, the plate 42 and/or the base 27. The embedded component may have any suitable use and configuration. For example, the embedded components may be a technological component, including but not limited to, a GPS chip, an NFC chip, an RFID chip, a digital display, and an illumination device. In another example, the embedded component may be a structural component for increasing the rigidity of the plate 42 and/or the base 27.

[0057] A method 200 of attaching the ornament 20 to the elongated member 22 is also disclosed herein and shown in Figure 13. The method 200 comprises laying the elongated member 22 into the channel 36 through the access opening 38, with the elongated member 22 extending out of the pair of end openings 40 as shown in box 202. The method 200 further comprises covering at least a portion of the access opening 38 with the plate 42 as shown in box 204, coupling together the base 27 and the plate 42 as shown in box 206, and retaining the elongated member 22 in the channel 36 as shown in box 208.

[0058] As described above, the ornament 20 further comprises the magnet 44 disposed between the base 27 and the plate 42 and producing the magnetic force. As such, coupling together the base 27 and the plate 42 (box 206) is further defined as coupling together the base 27 and the plate 42 with magnetic force of the magnet 44. As also described above, the plate 42 is further defined as the first plate 42A and the ornament 20 further comprises the second plate 42B. As such, the method further comprises decoupling the base 27 and the first plate 42A as shown in box 210, removing the first plate 42A from the base 27 as shown in box 212, covering at least a portion of the access opening 38 with the second plate 42B as shown in box 214, coupling together the base 27 and the second plate 42B as shown in box 216, and retaining the elongated member 22 in the channel 36 as shown in box 218.

[0059] As described above, the bottom surface 28 partially defines the pair of end openings 40 such that the pair of end openings 40 extend from the perimeter surface 34 to the bottom surface 28 and truncate on the bottom surface 28 spaced from one another. Each of the pair of openings along the bottom surface 28 has the narrow portion 48 adjacent the perimeter surface 34 and truncates at the wide portion 50, with the narrow portion 48 having the first width W 1 and with the wide portion 50 having the second width W2 greater than the first width Wl. The method further comprises moving the elongated member 22 through the narrow portion 48 as shown in box 220, placing the elongated member 22 into the wide portion 50 as shown in box 222, and restricting movement of the elongated member 22 out of the wide portion 50 and into the narrow portion 48 as shown in box 224.

[0060] The examples discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to any particular form. The terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

[0061] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.