U.S. patent application number 13/656526 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-02 for magnetic assembly and display.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dizzi Ribbons, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Dizzi Ribbons, LLC. Invention is credited to Amy Jo Lillich.
Application Number | 20130108884 13/656526 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48141428 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130108884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lillich; Amy Jo |
May 2, 2013 |
MAGNETIC ASSEMBLY AND DISPLAY
Abstract
Stacking magnets affixed to various decorative designs, such as
ribbons, bows, flowers, to name a few, are provided that create
interchangeable, multilayer, stackable adornments that may be worn
by a person, on either her body or hair, or affixed to clothing,
shoes or other accessory item. In one example, the product may
include interchangeable bows comprised of multiple layers. A base
magnet for attaching the stackable layers is provided that may be
affixed to hats and headbands, hair clips, rubber bands, bracelets,
necklaces, shoes, belts or other accessories.
Inventors: |
Lillich; Amy Jo; (Shawnee,
KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dizzi Ribbons, LLC; |
Mission |
KS |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dizzi Ribbons, LLC
Mission
KS
|
Family ID: |
48141428 |
Appl. No.: |
13/656526 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61549167 |
Oct 19, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/542.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2008/004 20130101;
A45D 8/00 20130101; A45F 5/08 20130101; A44D 2203/00 20130101; A44C
25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/542.2 |
International
Class: |
A44C 25/00 20060101
A44C025/00 |
Claims
1. A magnet assembly is provided that includes a grommet having a
magnet permanently affixed to the center of the grommet, the
grommet and magnet assembly being affixed to a device to be worn by
a person or to be affixed to a persons' clothing, shoes or other
accessory.
2. A decorative item is provided that has a grommet affixed to the
center of the item, the grommet having a magnet permanently affixed
at its center.
3. A adornment system is provided comprising: a. magnet assembly
that includes a grommet having a magnet permanently affixed to the
center of the grommet, the grommet and magnet assembly being
affixed to a device to be worn by a person or to be affixed to a
persons' clothing, shoes or other accessory; and b. a decorative
item is provided that has a grommet affixed to the center of the
item, the grommet having a magnet permanently affixed at its
center, whereby the decorative item may be secured to the magnet
assembly.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/549,167, filed on Oct. 19, 2011, titled
MAGNETIC ASSEMBLY AND DISPLAY, which application is incorporated in
its entirety by reference in this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This application relates to a method and system for stacking
interchangeable adornments to be worn by users on their body,
person or clothing as an accessory item.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Women and children, especially young girls, enjoy wearing
accessories and adornments in their hair and on their clothing,
including, but not limited to, bows and ribbons. These types of
products can be expensive, and generally come in select colors,
shapes and designs and are made to be worn for particular purposes.
Not all adornments will match all clothing. Thus, girls and women
often purchase a wide variety of accessories or adornments to be
able to be coordinated. A need continues to exist for decorative
accessories that can be utilized and worn in variously locations,
on various body parts and on various types of clothing. A need
further continues to exist for adornments to be interchangeable
with respect to color, pattern and size to allow the adornments to
be worn with different clothing, on different occasions, or to
different events, all while allowing the adornments to color
coordinate and match with other accessories worn by the user.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention relates to the use of unique stacking
magnets affixed to various decorative designs, such as ribbons,
bows, flowers, to name a few, to create an interchangeable,
multilayer, stackable adornment that may be worn by a person, on
either her body or hair, or affixed to clothing, shoes or other
accessory item. In one example, the product may include
interchangeable bows comprised of multiple layers. The bows may be
sold separately or as part of a set. A base magnet for attaching
the stackable layers is provided that may be affixed to hats and
headbands, hair clips, rubber bands, bracelets, necklaces, shoes,
belts or other accessories. In one example, a unique system is
provided that allow users to removeably affix the stackable
adornments to flip flops or shoes.
[0007] Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and
advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one
with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and
detailed description. It is intended that all such additional
systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected
by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] The invention may be better understood by referring to the
following figures. The components in the figures are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like
reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the
different views.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an implementation of the
layered magnetic system of the present invention, as used in a
stacked bow arrangement.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates the back view of the stacked bow
arrangement of FIG. 1, which illustrates a clip magnetically
affixed to the stacked bow arrangement.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded illustration of the component parts of
the stacked bow arrangement of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear image of one of the stacked bows
of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates the stacked bow arrangement with the rear
clip and top disc removed.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates six magnets stacked, to demonstrate the
use of the magnet assembly in connection with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a grommet and magnet, which illustrates one
implementation of the magnetic unit of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates an assembled magnetic unit with the
magnet positioned in the center of the grommet.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates one example of a stacked bow that may be
utilized in the stacked bow arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates the top side of one example of a stacked
bow.
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates the bottom side of one example of a
stacked bow.
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates three magnetic units joined by flexible
cording.
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates one example of the use of the magnetic
units joined by the flexible cording to attach adornments to a
shoe, for example.
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates the adornment affixed to a shoe
utilizing the magnetic assembly illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13
above.
[0023] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a stacked bow arrangement
attached to a hat.
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a headband having a
magnetic unit affixed thereto for receiving a stacked bow
assembly.
[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates the headband of FIG. 16 having a stacked
bows assembly affixed to the headband.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an implementation of the
layered magnetic system 100 of the present invention, as utilized
in a stacked bow arrangement 105. The layered magnetic system 100,
as will be further illustrated below, consists of stackable
magnetic units 108 that permit items, such as bows 102 to be
affixed to the magnetic units 108 to be stackable and
interchangeable for adornment purposes.
[0027] The layered magnetic system 100 may be utilized in a wide
variety of applications to create various interchangeable
adornments to be worn on a person's body, clothing and/or footwear,
to name a few examples. As illustrated in FIG. 1, one example of an
implementation of the layered magnetic system may include stacked
bows 102 that are affixed together by magnetic units 108. The
stacked bow arrangement 105 may include at its back, as illustrated
in FIG. 2, a clip 106 for securing the bow arrangement to clothing,
hair or other objects. In FIG. 1, the stacked bow arrangements 105
includes four stacked bows 102 having magnetic units 108 affixed
either through center of the bows or having magnetic units 108
affixed to both the front and back of the bows 102. An ornament
disc 104 is further provided to cover the top exposed magnetic unit
108 on the center of the top stacked bow 102.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates the back view of the stacked bow
arrangement 105 of FIG. 1, which illustrates a clip 106
magnetically affixed to the stacked bow arrangement 105. Like the
stacked bows 102, the method for securing the stacked bows 102 to a
person may also be removeable and interchangeable. As such, the
stacked bow arrangement 105 may be magnetically affixed to a number
of different items, including a clip 106, as illustrated in FIG. 2,
which would permit the stacked bow arrangement 105 to be affixed
easily, for example, to clothing or to the hair of a wearer.
[0029] FIG. 3 is an exploded illustration of the component parts of
the stacked bow arrangement 105 of FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG.
3, the stacked bow arrangement 105 consists of four stacked bows
102 having magnetic units 108 positioned at the center of each
stacked bow 108. Further included in the stacked bow arrangement
105 of FIG. 1 is a clip 106 also having a magnetic unit 108 affixed
to the clip 106 to allow the clip 106 to be removeably secured to
the back of the stacked bow arrangement 105. Optionally, the
stacked bow arrangement 105 may include an ornamental disc 104
having a magnet position on the back side of the disc 104 to affix
the disc 104 on the top of and create a finished look on, the
stacked bow arrangement 105.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear image of one of the stacked bows
102 of FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4 each stacked bow 102 also
includes a magnetic unit 108 affixed through its center.
Alternatively, the magnetic units 108 may be affixed to each side
of the stacked bow 102 in a manner such that the magnets 125 (FIG.
7) in the magnet units 108 arranged polar opposite to one another
and attract one another when affixed to the bows 102.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates the stacked bow arrangement 105 with the
rear clip 106 and top disc 104 removed. As illustrated in FIG. 5,
the stacked bows 102 are stacked together and secured through the
magnetic units 108 positioned on each bow 102. The clip 106
includes a magnetic unit 108 that can be secured to the back of the
stacked bow assembly 105. Similarly, a disc or other ornamental
device 104 may be used having a magnet 125 (see FIG. 7) positioned
on the back of the disc 104, which can be placed upon the open
front magnet on the bow assembly 105. The use of the disc 104 is
optional.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates six magnet units 108 stacked together,
absent any adornments attached to the magnetic units 108 to
demonstrate the use of the magnet units 108 in assembled form to
stack and connect adornments. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the
magnetic units 108 are affixed to one another in the same manner
and in the same direction having one pole positioned on the top
side the opposing magnetic pole on the bottom side of the assembly
such that the units 108, when positioned and stacked, attract one
another rather than repel one another.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a grommet 120 and magnet 125, which in one
implementation is used to create the magnetic unit 108 of the
present invention. The magnetic unit 108 may be, for example,
comprised of a #2 (3/8'') grommet and a 3/8'' dia..times. 1/16''
thick Grade N42--Nickel Plated magnet and epoxy resin. Depending on
the product, the component may be made as an individual magnetic
unit 108 that may then be secured, by glue for example, to the
adornment. The magnetic unit 108 may be secured to opposing sides
of an adornment or a hole may be punched in the adornment and the
magnetic unit 108 may be is secured to the opening (in which case
only one magnetic unit 108 is required to be used).
[0034] To produce an individual magnetic unit 108, a grommet
machine (not shown) may be utilized to compress the two pieces of
the grommet 120 together. Once compressed, the magnet 125 may be
positioned in the center hole of the grommet 125. The grommet
machine may be utilized again to further press the grommet 125 to
further maintain the magnet 125 in the hole of the grommet 120. The
magnet 125 may also be glued with an adhesive, such as metal epoxy,
to the adornment. The same adhesive may also be used to secure the
magnetic unit 108 to an adornment, clip or other element used in
the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the magnetic unit 108,
once fully assembled is then enabled to be positioned on the
adornments for purposes of stacking.
[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates one example of a stacked bow 102 that may
be utilized in the stacked bow arrangement 105 illustrated in FIG.
1. The stacked bow 102 is merely fabric constructed and arranged in
the form of the bow which may be glued, taped or affixed together
to create the bow. Thereafter, the magnetic units 108 may be
assembled and affixed to the center of the bow to create the
stacked bow 102 used in the stacked bow arrangement 105, or
alternatively may be adhered to each side of the stack bow 102 in
polar alignment.
[0036] To construct the bow, ribbons are first cut to a specific
length depending on the width of the ribbon, which also determines
the size of the resulting product and creates a layered effect when
stacked. Ribbons can be flat, curly or twisted to create different
looks. The ribbon can then be placed in a stack of 3 or more
individual ribbons of the same size. To hold the ribbons in place,
a brad may be placed thru the center of the stack of ribbons. A
template may be used to make the ribbons look like a star and then
glued to the center to hold them in place. The "star" may then be
folded such that each end of the ribbons is placed onto the brad,
the brad is opened to hold them in place and then closed with a
clear sticker, tape or other adhesive placed on top to additionally
hold the ribbons in place, as illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0037] Once this process is completed. if the magnetic unit 108 is
being placed in the center of the bow 102, a grommet machine may be
used, with, for example, a 3/8'' hole punch die to punch out the
brad and make a 3/8'' circle. The grommet machine may then be used
to place a 3/8'' grommet 120 in the hole effectively holding the
bow together. Once this process is completed a magnet 125 is placed
in the grommet and smashed in further with an arbor press. In this
application, the magnetic unit 108 is formed in conjunction with
the formation of the stacked bow 102.
[0038] Each magnet unit 108 (stand alone or secured in a product)
may be secured with a small amount of epoxy resin, or other
adhesive, on the back side to ensure the magnet 125 does not come
loose or fall out. Once the epoxy resin is in place, at least one
side of the unit can be marked with, for example, a logo sticker
for purposes of identifying the magnetic poles and/or for branding
or creating additional ornamental product features.
[0039] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrates a stacked bow 102 having a
magnetic assembly 108 placed through a hole in the center of the
bow. FIG. 10 illustrates the top side and FIG. 11 illustrates a
bottom side. Thus, the stacked bow 102 includes only one magnetic
assembly 108. The grommet 120 is secured at its perimeter to a hole
punched in the bow, as described above.
[0040] Alternatively, magnet units 108 may be positioned on each
side of the adornment to enable the adornments to be stacked. When
two magnetic units 108 are used, the magnets 125 are positioned in
a manner that attracts one to the other and that will allow the
finished adornment to have one pole at the top of the bow and
another magnetic pole position at the bottom of the bow to attract
other magnets in a stacked assembly 105.
[0041] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrates three magnetic units 108 joined
by flexible cording 130, which is another example of how the
stacked magnet units 108 may be used to affix themselves through
the stacking mechanism to clothing, such as shoes 115, for
example.
[0042] In this implementation, the cording between the magnet units
108 allow the magnet units 108 to be stacked while being wrapped
around an element such as the strap of the flip flop shoe 115. As
illustrated in FIG. 13, the center magnet unit 108a may be
positioned where the adornment is desired to be located on the shoe
115. The cord between the center magnet 108a and one end magnet
unit 108b may then be used to wrap around the strap of the flip
flop and allow the magnetic unit 108b to be attached atop the
magnetic unit 108a. The magnetic unit 108c may then also wrap the
cord around the strap of the shoe 115 and attach atop of the
magnetic unit 108b creating a stack 108a, b or c that permits an
adornment to be affixed to a shoe 115. FIG. 14 illustrates the
adornment 105 affixed to a shoe utilizing a magnetic unit assembly
illustrated and described in FIGS. 12-13 above. In a similar manner
that the corded magnetic unit 108 a, b and c can be affixed to the
strap of a flip flop, the same unit may also affix to other
articles, like shoe laces, belts, clothing straps, etc.
[0043] Many other uses of the magnetic units are also possible.
Including the attachment of adornments to clothing, hats, socks,
bracelets, necklaces, animal collars and clothing. FIGS. 15-17
illustrate other such examples. FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a
stacked bow arrangement 105 attached to a hat 130. FIG. 16
illustrates an example of a headband 140 having a magnetic unit 108
affixed thereto for receiving a stacked bow assembly 105. FIG. 17
illustrates the headband 140 of FIG. 16 having a stacked bows
assembly 105 affixed to the headband.
[0044] By using the magnetic unit 108 within each component,
individuals can choose an accessory, multiple layers and optional
adornments to create and build various stacked bow assemblies. This
allows for an endless number of combinations to create bow
assemblies to accessorize for various events, occasions and color
coordinate.
[0045] The foregoing description of implementations has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise
form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light
of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the
invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *