U.S. patent application number 10/125875 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for fashion bracelet.
Invention is credited to Andersen, Sheila D..
Application Number | 20020162355 10/125875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26824042 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020162355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andersen, Sheila D. |
November 7, 2002 |
Fashion bracelet
Abstract
A fashion bracelet having an elongated flexible strap and a
case. The elongated flexible strap has two securable ends and an
aperture formed therein. The case includes a base wall and a side
wall defining a partially enclosed area with at least one
indentation that is adapted to receive and secure at least one
interchangeable cosmetic item. The partially enclosed area is
enclosed by a cover pivotally mounted to the side wall, and the
base wall and side wall are adapted to secure the case to the
aperture of the flexible strap.
Inventors: |
Andersen, Sheila D.; (Pine
Springs, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON, THUENTE, SKAAR & CHRISTENSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
26824042 |
Appl. No.: |
10/125875 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60285253 |
Apr 20, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
63/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 5/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/18 |
International
Class: |
A44C 015/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fashion bracelet comprising: an elongated flexible strap with
two securable ends and an aperture formed therein; and a case
comprising a base wall and a side wall defining a partially
enclosed area with at least one indentation that is adapted to
receive and secure at least one interchangeable cosmetic item,
wherein the partially enclosed area is enclosed by a cover
pivotally mounted to the side wall, and the base wall and side wall
are adapted to secure the case to the aperture of the flexible
strap.
2. The fashion bracelet of claim 1, wherein the case further
comprises a lip extending from the case proximate the intersection
of the base wall and the side wall, the lip adapted to be received
by a channel formed in the flexible strap proximate the
aperture.
3. The fashion bracelet of claim 1, wherein the case has a
substantially cylindrical configuration.
4. The fashion bracelet of claim 1, wherein the two securable ends
of the flexible strap further comprise an attachment mechanism.
5. The fashion bracelet of claim 4, wherein the attachment
mechanism comprises a hook and latch type configuration.
6. The fashion bracelet of claim 4, wherein the attachment
mechanism comprises a buckle configuration.
7. The fashion bracelet of claim 1, wherein the cover further
comprises a tab and an extension, the tab extending from the
flexible strap proximate the aperture and adapted to retain the
cover in a closed position, and the extension extending from the
cover and adapted to facilitate the opening and closing of the
cover.
8. The fashion bracelet of claim 7, wherein the cover further
comprises an inner surface adapted to receive a mirror.
9. The fashion bracelet of claim 7, wherein the cover further
comprises an inner surface adapted to receive a photograph or other
visual item.
10. The fashion bracelet of claim 7, wherein the cover further
comprises an outer surface that has a convex shape, the outer
surface adapted to include a design thereon.
11. The fashion bracelet of claim 10, wherein the design on the
outer surface comprises a photograph, textual passage or a company
trademark.
12. The fashion bracelet of claim 10, wherein the design on the
outer surface comprises a clock.
13. The fashion bracelet of claim 1, wherein the case is fabricated
from injection-molded plastic.
14. The fashion bracelet of claim 1, wherein the case is fabricated
from steel or aluminum.
15. The fashion bracelet of claim 1, wherein the at least one
interchangeable cosmetic item comprises an external facial cosmetic
such as lip balm, lip gloss, lipstick, eye color, cheek color,
powder, perfume, moisturizer, or cosmetic glitter.
16. The fashion bracelet of claim 15, wherein the at least one
interchangeable cosmetic item further comprises a convenience item,
such as gum, breath freshener, pills, or money.
17. The fashion bracelet of claim 16, wherein the at least one
interchangeable cosmetic item is packaged in a closable container
adapted to be received and secured by the at least one indentation
in the case.
18. A method of storing a cosmetic item in a fashion bracelet
comprising: forming the fashion bracelet comprising an elongated
flexible strap and a case, wherein the flexible strap has two
securable ends and an aperture formed therein, and wherein the case
comprises a base wall and a side wall defining a partially enclosed
area with at least one indentation that is adapted to receive at
least one cosmetic item, wherein the partially enclosed area is
enclosed by a cover pivotally mounted to the side wall, and wherein
the base wall and side wall are adapted to secure the case to the
aperture of the elongated flexible strap; opening the cover of the
fashion bracelet and accessing the partially enclosed area;
inserting the at least one cosmetic item into a partially enclosed
area of the fashion bracelet and securing it by at least one
indentation adapted to partially conform to a surface of the at
least one cosmetic item; closing the cover of the fashion bracelet;
attaching the fashion bracelet to a wrist by extending a flexible
strap with two securable ends around the wrist and securing the two
securable ends; and accessing the cosmetic item at will while
wearing the fashion bracelet by opening the cover.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein attaching the fashion bracelet
further comprises attaching the fashion bracelet to another part of
the body by extending a flexible strap with two securable ends
around the wrist and securing the two securable ends.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/285,253, filed Apr. 20, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a fashion
bracelet. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
fashion bracelet that is capable of holding at least one cosmetic
item.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fashion bracelets designed to function dually as storage
devices are known in the art.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 1,727,001 to Weaver discloses a bracelet
vanity case. The bracelet may be made up of an attaching base to
which a vanity box is detachably secured and a trap for fastening
to the arm or leg of the wearer.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,714,732 to Schneider discloses a bracelet
vanity case. The case is formed in a plurality of parts that are
hinged together and provided with a suitable wrist band.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 1,670,720 to Gross discloses a compact
retainer whereby a conventional compact can be detachably connected
with the strap of a wrist watch or to any desired portion of the
clothes of the wearer.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,644,404 to Squier discloses a vanity case.
The vanity case has a cosmetic applicator slidably received within
and removable from it.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 1,609,481 to McCarthy et al. discloses a wrist
vanity case. The case is capable of holding two different kinds of
cosmetics.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 1,584,205 to Zaldo discloses an ornamental
wrist mirror and vanity case with a safety attaching means for
securing the article upon a bracelet or wristband.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,298 to Benton discloses a chambered
bracelet wherein the bracelet has one or more normally concealed
chambers in which such things as folded paper money or pills or the
like can be stored. Alternatively, the chambers can be used as
personal cigarette ash receptacles.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,972 to Benton discloses a wrist watch
wallet with a main band designed to store in a concealed manner
such items as currency, keys, and event tickets.
[0012] While such items are known in the art, none offer the
desired option of easy interchangeability. It is often desired to
temporarily store a cosmetic or other item in a fashion bracelet
and retain the ability to remove the item and replace it with
another quickly and easily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The problems outlined above are addressed and overcome by
the present invention. The present invention is directed to a
fashion bracelet that is capable of holding at least one
interchangeable and modular cosmetic item. The cosmetic item may be
secured within the bracelet and then easily removed and replaced
with an alternate item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fashion bracelet.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of the fashion bracelet in an open
position.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the fashion bracelet in a
closed position taken along a line 3-3 in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the fashion bracelet in an
open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present invention is a fashion bracelet, as most clearly
illustrated at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fashion bracelet 10 is
designed for wearing on an arm of a person (not shown).
[0019] The fashion bracelet 10 has a recess 12 formed therein that
is adapted to receive at least one cosmetic product 14 therein. The
fashion bracelet 10 thereby permits the at least one cosmetic
product 14 to be easily carried and then accessed when it is
desired to use the at least one cosmetic product 14.
[0020] The fashion bracelet 10 generally includes a case 20 that is
removably mounted in a strap 22. The case 20 preferably has a
substantially cylindrical configuration. The case 20 has a base
wall 24 and a side wall 26 that extends from the base wall 24. The
base wall 24 and the side wall 26 thereby define a partially
enclosed region 28 that is adapted to receive the at least one
cosmetic product 14.
[0021] Proximate the intersection of the base wall 24 and the side
wall 26, the case 20 has a lip 30 extending therefrom. The lip 30
retains the case 20 in a fixed position with respect to the strap
22.
[0022] In the partially enclosed region 28, the case 20 preferably
includes at least one indentation 32 formed therein. The at least
one indentation 32 is adapted to partially conform to a surface of
the at least one cosmetic item 14. The at least one indentation 32
thereby assists in retaining the at least one cosmetic item 14 at a
fixed position in the case 20. Preferably, the case 20 has a pair
of indentations 32 that are oriented in a substantially parallel
relationship to each other. Depending on the products that are to
be retained in the indentations 32, the indentations 32 may both
have the same size and shape or different sizes and shapes.
[0023] The strap 22 includes an aperture 40 formed therein that is
adapted to receive the case 20. The aperture 40 preferably
substantially conforms to the side wall 26 to assist in retaining
the case 20 in a fixed position with respect to the strap 22. A
channel 41 is formed in the strap 22 proximate the aperture 40. The
channel 41 is adapted to receive the lip 30.
[0024] The strap 22 has two ends 42 extending therefrom. The ends
42 are designed to extend around a person's wrist to facilitate
attaching the fashion bracelet 10 to the person's wrist. Opposite
the aperture 40, the ends 42 include an attachment mechanism for
attaching the ends 42 to each other to thereby retain the fashion
bracelet 10 on the person's wrist.
[0025] The attachment mechanism (not shown) may include a hook and
latch type configuration, which is sold under the designation
VELCRO. Alternatively, the attachment mechanism may have a buckle
configuration.
[0026] The fashion bracelet 10 also preferably includes a cover 50
that is pivotally mounted to the strap 22 proximate the case 20.
When the cover 50 is in a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 3,
the cover 50 substantially seals the case 20 to thereby retain the
at least one cosmetic item 14 in the case 20. When the cover 50 is
in an open position as illustrated in FIG. 4, it is possible to
access the at least one cosmetic item 14 in the case 20.
[0027] The cover 50 is preferably retained in a closed position
with a tab 52 that extends from the strap 22 proximate the aperture
40. To facilitate opening and closing of the cover 50, the cover 50
preferably includes an extension 54 extending therefrom.
[0028] An inner surface 56 of the cover 50 may include a mirror 58
to facilitate using of the at least one cosmetic item 14.
Alternatively, the inner surface 56 may include a photograph.
[0029] An outer surface 60 of the cover 50 has a convex shape and
may include a design (not shown) thereon. The design may be a
photograph, a textual passage or a company's trademark. The outer
surface 60 may also include a clock that is similar to a
conventional watch.
[0030] The components of the fashion bracelet 10 are preferably
fabricated from injection molded plastic. A person of ordinary
skill in the art will also appreciate that the concepts of the
present invention may also be utilized with components formed from
other materials such as steel or aluminum.
[0031] The at least one cosmetic item 14 may include a variety of
products that may be changed depending on the occasion at which the
fashion bracelet 10 is to be worn. For example, lip balm may be
placed in the fashion bracelet 10 when participating in outdoor
activities and breath freshener and lipstick may be placed in the
fashion bracelet 10 at more formal occasions. The at least one
cosmetic item 14 may also include breath freshener, gum, coins or
pills.
[0032] Each of the at least one cosmetic items 14 is preferably
packaged in a closable container that permits the cosmetic item to
be retained in the enclosure when not in use and also permits the
cosmetic item to be readily accessed when it is desired to use the
item.
[0033] The modular nature of the at least one cosmetic item 14 also
permits replacement items to be sold separate from the fashion
bracelet 10.
[0034] While it is described that the fashion bracelet 10 is worn
on a person's wrist, a person of ordinary skill in the art will
also appreciate that the concepts of the present invention may be
used to attach cosmetic products on other parts of the body.
[0035] It is contemplated that features disclosed in this
application, as well as those described in the above applications
incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit
particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
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