U.S. patent application number 14/804199 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for grid of fasteners with removable and interchangeable decorative modular tiles for use with accessories and apparel items.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cuttlebag, Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is Cuttlebag, Inc. Invention is credited to Darya Stefanovic.
Application Number | 20160015101 14/804199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55073445 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160015101 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stefanovic; Darya |
January 21, 2016 |
GRID OF FASTENERS WITH REMOVABLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE DECORATIVE
MODULAR TILES FOR USE WITH ACCESSORIES AND APPAREL ITEMS
Abstract
A customizable product includes an at least one of a base
accessory and a base apparel item, the at least one of the base
accessory and the base apparel item including an outer layer. A
plurality of fasteners are affixed to the outer layer of the at
least one of the base accessory and the base apparel item. An at
least one modular tile is removeably attached to at least one
fastener of the plurality of fasteners.
Inventors: |
Stefanovic; Darya; (Chicago,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cuttlebag, Inc |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cuttlebag, Incorporated
|
Family ID: |
55073445 |
Appl. No.: |
14/804199 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62027094 |
Jul 21, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 3/08 20130101; A45C
13/08 20130101; A41D 27/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/08 20060101
A41D027/08 |
Claims
1. A customizable product comprising: an at least one of a base
accessory and a base apparel item, the at least one of the base
accessory and the base apparel item including an outer layer; a
plurality of fasteners affixed to the outer layer of the at least
one of the base accessory and the base apparel item; and an at
least one modular tile, the at least one modular tile removeably
attached to at least one fastener of the plurality of
fasteners.
2. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the at least one
modular tile includes an at least one point of contact, the at
least one point of contact configured to removeably attach the at
least one modular tile to at least one fastener of the plurality of
fasteners.
3. The customizable product of claim 2, wherein the at least one
modular tile includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and
wherein the at least one point of contact is attached to the inner
surface of the at least one modular tile.
4. The customizable product of claim 2, wherein the at least one
point of contact forms a disk with a first metal stud and a second
metal stud, the first metal stud extending away from one size of
the disk and the second metal stud extending away from another size
of the disk.
5. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the at least one of
the base accessory and the base apparel item includes soft
materials.
6. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
fasteners are affixed to an exterior surface of the at least one of
the base accessory and the base apparel item.
7. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
fasteners are arranged rectilinearly.
8. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the fasteners of
the plurality of fasteners are arranged in substantially vertical
rows and horizontal columns, a distance between adjacent columns
equal to a distance between adjacent rows.
9. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
fasteners are magnetic fasteners.
10. The customizable product of claim 8, wherein the distance
between adjacent columns of the plurality of fasteners is one
inch.
11. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein each fastener of
the plurality of fasteners include a female end of a magnetic
fastener, and the at least one modular tile includes a male end of
a magnetic fastener.
12. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the at least one
modular tile is of a single layer of uniform material.
13. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the at least one
modular tile includes a first layer and a second layer, the first
layer including a base material and a second layer including a
finish material, wherein the second layer is attached to an
exterior face of the first layer.
14. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the outer surface
of the at least one modular tile is flat.
15. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the at least one
modular tile is rectilinear in shape.
16. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the at least one
modular tile includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the
outer surface forming a smooth texture.
17. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the at least one
modular tile includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the
outer surface forming a printed image.
18. The customizable product of claim 1, wherein the at least one
modular tile forms rounded corners.
19. A method for changing an appearance of an at least one of a
base accessory and a base apparel item, the method comprising:
producing the at least one of the base accessory and the base
apparel item, the at least one of the base accessory and the base
apparel item including an outer layer; affixing a plurality of
fasteners to the outer layer of the at least one of the base
accessory and the base apparel item; removably attaching a first
modular tile to at least one fastener of the plurality of
fasteners; and replacing the first modular tile with a second
modular tile, the second modular tile having a different at least
one of a color, size, shape, material, pattern, and texture, than
the first modular tile.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein each fastener of the plurality
of fasteners is a magnetic fastener.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/027,094, filed Jul. 21, 2014,
which is incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to fashion accessories or
apparel, and more particularly to fashion accessories or apparel
having an interchangeable exterior.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The current state of products such as fashion accessories
and apparel is such that the design of the products generally is
dictated during manufacturing and is not fully customizable by the
customer after the manufacturing is complete. Typically, exterior
colors, textures, and patterns are permanently applied to the
products without a way for the customer to replace them. As a
result, the design of fashion accessories and apparel remains
static and cannot be readily changed to create different looks. A
customer becomes a passive user of the product and cannot actively
participate in the design, re-design, or alteration of the
products.
[0004] It will be appreciated that this background description has
been created by the inventors to aid the reader, and is not to be
taken as an indication that any of the indicated problems were
themselves appreciated in the art. While the described principles
can, in some respects and embodiments, alleviate the problems
inherent in other systems, it will be appreciated that the scope of
the protected innovation is defined by the attached claims, and not
by the ability of any disclosed feature to solve any specific
problem noted herein.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] The disclosure describes a customizable product that
includes an at least one of a base accessory and a base apparel
item. A plurality of fasteners are affixed to the at least one of
the base accessory and the base apparel item. An at least one
modular tile is removeably attached to at least one fastener of the
plurality of fasteners.
[0006] In another aspect, the disclosure describes a method for
changing the exterior appearance of an at least one of a base
accessory and a base apparel item. A plurality of fasteners are
affixed to an at least one of the base accessory and the base
apparel item. A first modular tile is removeably attached to at
least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners. The first modular
tile is replaced by a second modular tile, the second modular tile
having a different at least one of a color, size, shape, material,
pattern and texture, than the first modular tile.
[0007] These and other advantages of the present disclosure will
become apparent through the detailed descriptions below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a base accessory in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a base accessory with modular tiles in
accordance with the disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 3a is a section view of an embodiment of a modular tile
fastened to a customizable product in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 3b is a section view of another embodiment of a modular
tile fastened to a customizable product in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 4a illustrates a base accessory with modular tiles
fully covering a plurality of fasteners in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4b illustrates a base accessory with modular tiles
partially covering a plurality of fasteners in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a base accessory with variations of
modular tiles in accordance with the disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a base accessory with printed modular
tiles in accordance with the disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 7a illustrates a rectangular modular tile in accordance
with the disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 7b illustrates a square modular tile in accordance with
the disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 7c illustrates an octagonal modular tile in accordance
with the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 7d illustrates a triangular modular tile in accordance
with the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 7e illustrates a circular modular tile in accordance
with the disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 7f illustrates an oval shaped modular tile in
accordance with the disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 7g illustrates a non-rectilinear modular tile in
accordance with the disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 8a illustrates an embodiment of an arrangement of
points of contact on a modular tile in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 8b illustrates another embodiment of an arrangement of
points of contact on a modular tile in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 9a illustrates an embodiment of an arrangement of a
plurality of fasteners in accordance with the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 9b illustrates another embodiment of an arrangement of
a plurality of fasteners in accordance with the disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 10a illustrates an embodiment of an arrangement of a
plurality of fasteners, where the fasteners are equally spaced in
accordance with the disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 10b illustrates an embodiment of an arrangement of a
plurality of fasteners, where the fasteners are not equally spaced
in accordance with the disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 10c illustrates another embodiment of an arrangement of
a plurality of fasteners, where the fasteners are not equally
spaced in accordance with the disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 11a is an isometric view of a base apparel item in
accordance with the disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 11b is an isometric view of a base apparel item with an
embodiment of a modular tile in accordance with the disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 11c is an isometric view of a base apparel item with
another embodiment of a modular tile in accordance with the
disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 12 illustrates another base apparel item with
embodiments of modular tiles in accordance with the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0034] The disclosure generally concerns a plurality of fasteners
that are affixed to a customizable product. The customizable
product is at least one of a base accessory and a base apparel
item. Non-limiting examples of a base accessory include handbags,
clutches, wallets, and shoes. Non-limiting examples of a base
apparel item includes hats, shirts, jackets, scarves, and pants. An
at least one modular tile of a various size, shape, material,
color, texture and pattern removeably attaches to at least one of
the plurality of fasteners to create a customizable pattern or
image. The modular tile may be reusable and interchangeable. The
plurality of fasteners may be universal, meaning that the modular
tiles may be shared among a variety of customizable products. This
allows a user to accumulate modular tiles over time and use them
interchangeably between the products that contain the same
universal plurality of fasteners. The amount of fasteners that
comprise the plurality of fasteners may also scale based on the
size of the customizable product. For example, a customizable
product includes several sizes of a handbag. Larger handbags may
have more rows and columns of fasteners than smaller handbags,
while spacing between adjacent fasteners for both larger and
smaller handbags remains the same. This allow for the modular tiles
to be shared between different size base items as well as to be
shared between different types of the base item.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a base accessory, in this embodiment, a handbag
100. The handbag 100 may be made of soft or hard materials,
non-limiting examples of which include fabric, vinyl, leather,
canvas, and wood. The handbag 100 may be different sizes, such as
but not limited to, small, medium, and large. The handbag 100
includes a front exterior surface 102 and a back exterior surface
106. A plurality of fasteners 104 is connected to at least one of
the front exterior surface 102 and the back exterior surface 106.
The plurality of fasteners 104 includes fasteners that are arranged
into substantially vertical columns and substantially horizontal
rows to form a grid. The plurality of fasteners 104 may include as
few as two fasteners. Non-limiting examples of fasteners include
magnets, snaps, rivets, common sense fasteners, studs, and rails.
Although not limited, the plurality of fasteners 104 typically
consist of a single fastener type per item.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of four point modular tiles 108
removeably connected to the handbag 100. The four point modular
tile 108 is configured to cover four fasteners 104, and the four
point modular tile 108 includes at least one point of contact 109.
In this example, the four point modular tile 108 includes four
points of contact 109. Each point of contact 109 is configured to
removeably attach the four point modular tile 108 to a fastener 104
via a connection path 110.
[0037] The point of contact for the modular tile may be, but is not
limited to, openings that fit over fasteners, such as snaps, or at
least one of an extruded and an intruded feature of the modular
tile. The extruded or the intruded feature can consist of
off-the-shelf fastener parts of various materials, such as metal or
plastic and affixed onto the tiles, or they can be manufactured as
an integral part of the modular tile, for example molded together
with the modular tile from the same material. The extruded or the
intruded features may protrude away from the inner surface of the
modular tiles in either direction. If the plurality of fasteners
104 on the customizable product include a male part of a fastener
system, the at least one modular tile will include a female part of
the fastener system. Conversely, if the plurality of fasteners on
the customizable product include a female part of a fastener
system, the at least one modular tile will include a male part of
the fastener system.
[0038] FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of two fasteners 104, where each
fastener 104 removeably attaches to a modular tile 308 via a point
of contact 109 by way of a snap fastener system. FIG. 3a also shows
an embodiment of the fasteners 104 permanently affixed to a
customizable product 302. It should be appreciated that each
fastener 104 and each point of contact 109 is substantially
identical to the other fastener 104 and the other point of contact
109, respectively, and therefore, only one fastener 104 and one
point of contact 109 will be described in detail herein. The
fastener 104 includes a front portion 332 and a rear portion 334.
The front portion 332 of the fastener 104 forms a first disk 312
with a central bore 342 and with a snap 314 extending away from the
first disk 312. The snap 314 generally forms a hollow circular
cross section that varies in diameter as it extends away from the
first disk 312. At a point where the snap 314 interfaces with the
disk 312, the inner diameter of the snap 314 corresponds with a
diameter of the central bore 342. The hollow circular cross
sections of the snap 314 form a hollow portion 344. The rear
portion 334 of the fastener 104 forms a second disk 336 with a post
338 extending away from the second disk 336. The post 338 generally
forms a hollow cylinder. The post 338 includes a top portion 354
and a pair of diametrically opposed indents 352 near a top portion
354.
[0039] The customizable product 302 includes an outer layer 350,
the outer layer 350 including an outer surface 346 and an inner
surface 348. The outer layer 350 forms a hole 340 roughly the
diameter of the post 338 extending from the outer surface 346 to
the inner surface 348. The post 338 is configured to extend through
the hole 340 of the outer layer 350 and extend through the central
bore 342 of the first disk 312 and into the hollow portion 344 of
the snap 314. In operation, pressure is applied to squeeze the post
338 into the hollow portion 344 of the snap 314. Further in
operation, the pressure on post 338 near the indents 352 cause the
post 338 to deform, increasing a diameter of the top portion 354.
As a result, the front portion 332 is configured to lock with the
rear portion 334. The outer layer 350 is configured to be
sandwiched between the front portion 332 and the rear portion
334.
[0040] The point of contact 109 forms an opening 304 through the
modular tile 308. The outer diameter of the snap 314 at a location
where the outer diameter is largest is slightly greater than the
diameter of the opening 304. In operation, the fastener 104 passes
through the opening 304 and the snap 314 exerts pressure on the
inside wall 316 of the opening 304 to secure the modular tile 308
to the customizable product 302.
[0041] FIG. 3b shows an embodiment of two fasteners 104, where each
fastener 104 attaches to a modular tile 308 via a point of contact
109 using a magnetic fastener. The fastener 104 is configured to
form a female part of a magnetic fastener system. The point of
contact 109 is configured to form a male part of the magnetic
fastener system. It should be appreciated that each fastener 104
and each point of contact 109 is substantially identical to the
other fastener 104 and the other point of contact 109,
respectively, and therefore, only one fastener 104 and one point of
contact 109 will be described in detail herein. The fastener 104
includes a front portion 332 and a rear portion 334. The front
portion 332 forms a disk shaped body 356 and forms a central bore
326 adjacent an outer rim 328 and extending towards the
customizable product 302. The central bore 326 does not extend all
the way through the fastener 104. The front portion 332 further
forms a pair of prongs 358 extending from a rear surface 360 and
away from the outer rim 328. The rear portion 334 of the fastener
104 is generally disk shaped and forms a pair of openings 364, the
pair of disk openings 364 sized and located to correspond with a
size and location of the prongs 358.
[0042] The customizable product 302 includes an outer layer 350,
the outer layer 350 including an outer surface 346 and an inner
surface 348. The outer layer 350 forms a pair of slits 362, a size
and distance between the pair of slits 362 corresponding with a
size and distance between the pair of prongs 358 and a size and
distance between the pair of disk openings 364. The prongs 358 are
configured to pass through the outer layer 350 and the rear portion
334 of the fastener 104. In operation, the prongs 358 are folded
inwards over each other after they pass through the rear portion
334 of the fastener 104 to permanently affix the fastener 104 to
the customizable product 302.
[0043] The point of contact 109 includes a disk 320, a first metal
stud 306 extending away from one side of the disk 320, and a second
metal stud 368 extending away from another side of the disk 320. A
modular tile 308 includes an inner surface 310 and an outer surface
330. The modular tile 308 forms a cutout 366 adjacent the inner
surface 310 and extending towards the outer surface 330. The cutout
336 is configured to accommodate the second metal stud 368 and
prevent lateral motion of the second metal stud 368 with respect to
the modular tile 308. The second metal stud 368 is affixed to at
least one wall 370 of the cutout 366. A rear end 322 of the disk
320 is affixed to the inner surface 310 of the modular tile 308.
The first metal stud 306 is configured to fit within the central
bore 326 of the fastener 104. In operation, the magnetic properties
of the fastener 104 attract at least one of the first metal stud
306 and the metal disk 320 to removeably attach the modular tile
308 to the customizable product 302. The central bore 326 forms a
wall 324. The wall 324 substantially retains the first metal stud
306 within the central bore 326 when the first metal stud 306 is
connected to the fastener 104. In embodiments, the fastener 104 may
be a male part of the magnetic fastener system, and the point of
contact 109 may be a female part of the magnetic fastener
system.
[0044] FIG. 4a shows the handbag 100 with four point modular tiles
108 fully covering the plurality of fasteners 104. FIG. 4b shows
the handbag 100 with four point modular tiles 108 covering a
portion of the plurality of fasteners 104 and arranged in a
checkerboard pattern, leaving uncovered fasteners 104 exposed.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows a variety of modular tiles removeably connected
to the handbag 100. The four point modular tile 108, includes four
points of contact 109, and is configured to cover four fasteners
104. An eight point modular tile 112 is configured to cover eight
fasteners 104 and includes eight points of contact 109. The sixteen
point modular tile 116 is configured to cover sixteen fasteners 104
and includes sixteen points of contact 109. Modular tiles 108, 112,
and 116 are generally flat, or two-dimensional. A three-dimensional
modular tile 114 forms a generally flat interior surface, the
interior surface facing the fastener 104, and an exterior surface
120 that is not flat. The exterior surface 120 extends away from
the interior surface and the customizable product at varying
distances to form a three-dimensional shape. In this example, the
three-dimensional modular tiles 114 include four points of contact
109. All of the modular tiles, 108, 112, 114, 116, connect to the
fasteners 104 on the handbag 100 via their respective points of
contact 109.
[0046] All of the modular tiles may be formed of various materials
and veneers, non-limiting examples of which include plastic,
acrylic, wood, metal, leather and vinyl. These materials may either
be structurally self-supportive, forming a single layer modular
tile or they may be applied as outermost finishes onto a base
structural layer of the tiles, forming a multilayer modular tile.
The base layer, or first layer, can consist of, but is not limited
to, acrylic, plastic, cork, wood, metal and rubber. A second layer,
or finish layer, can consist of, but is not limited to, acrylic,
plastic, cork, wood, metal, rubber, cardboard, paper, vinyl,
acetate, wood, fabric, leather or paint. The second layer attaches
to an exterior face of the first layer to form a multilayer modular
tile. In addition to different materials and finishes, modular
tiles can also come with a printed image in black and white,
grayscale or color. The image can be printed directly onto the
first layer or first printed onto a finish material, or second
layer, and then laminated onto the exterior face of the first
layer. Each modular tile may contain its own independent image or a
portion of an image that has been divided over a plurality of
modular tiles. Such independent image tiles, when combined with
other independent image tiles, can comprise a series of images,
such as, but not limited to, stop-motion animation. Image tiles can
also be combined in a set with non-image tiles. Although a certain
image can imply a direction, the tiles themselves are
non-directional, adding to customization of a pattern. In addition
to printed images, images and patterns can also be engraved or
scored into the structural tiles or into laminated finish material,
such as wood or metal, and used interchangeably with similar or
different type tiles. The images and photographs can be original
images, mass-produced or custom ordered. For example, a family
photograph may be printed on an image modular tile.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows the handbag 100 with a plurality of four point
image modular tiles 140 attached to the handbag 100. Each image
modular tile 140 contains a portion of an image that has been
divided over the plurality of image modular tiles 140. The handbag
100 also includes one four point modular tile 108 and two eight
point modular tiles 112. In this example, the four point modular
tile 108 is a dark color and the eight point modular tiles 112 are
a light color.
[0048] Modular tiles may include but are not limited to straight,
rounded or faceted corners. Modular tiles may be rectilinear
(square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, parallelogram,
pentagons, hexagons, octagons, etc.) or non-rectilinear (round,
oval, or atypical non-geometric shapes). As shown in FIG. 7a,
modular tile 700 forms a rectangular shape with rounded corners 705
and includes six points of contact 109. As shown in FIG. 7b,
modular tile 108 forms a square shape with rounded corners 705 and
includes four points of contact 109. As shown in FIG. 7c, modular
tile 706 forms an octagonal shape with straight corners 707 and
includes four points of contact 109. As shown in FIG. 7d, modular
tile 708 forms a triangular shape with rounded corners 705 and
includes three points of contact 109. As shown in FIG. 7e, modular
tile 702 forms a circular shape and includes four points of contact
109. As shown in FIG. 7f, modular tile 704 forms an oval shape and
includes six points of contact 109. As shown in FIG. 7g, modular
tile 710 forms an amorphous non-rectilinear shape and includes ten
points of contact 109. Three-dimensional modular tiles may also be
rectilinear or non-rectilinear in shape.
[0049] As previously disclosed, a modular tile includes at least
one point of contact 109. As shown in FIG. 8a, the point of contact
109 is configured to attach the modular tile 108 to a fastener 104
on a customizable product 101 via connection path 110. The
locations of the points of contact 109 are configured to coincide
with the locations of the fasteners of the plurality of fasteners
104. The spacing between adjacent points of contact 109, however,
may or may not coincide with the spacing between adjacent fasteners
of the plurality of fasteners 104. A four point modular tile 108 is
configured to cover four fasteners 104 and may require four points
of contact 109 to provide adequate support. In this case, the
spacing between adjacent points of contact 109 on the four point
modular tile 108 will coincide with the spacing between adjacent
fasteners 104. On the other hand, for larger modular tiles, the
spacing between points of contact may not coincide with the spacing
between adjacent fasteners 104 as long as adequate support is
provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 8b, a twelve point modular
tile 800, while covering twelve fasteners 104, includes six points
of contact 109, the location of each point of contact 109
coinciding with the location of the fasteners 104.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 9a, in one embodiment, the fasteners 104
are arranged in a rectilinear pattern on a customizable product
101. The fasteners 104 form columns C1, C2, C3, and C4. The
fasteners 104 form rows R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6. The fasteners
104 are located at the intersections of each column with each row.
Columns C1, C2, C3, and C4 are parallel to each other and form
straight lines. Rows R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are parallel to
each other and form straight lines.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 9b, in another embodiment, the fasteners
104 are not arranged in a rectilinear pattern on the customizable
product 101. The fasteners 104 form columns C5, C6, C7, and C8. The
fasteners 104 form rows R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, and R12. The
fasteners 104 are located at the intersections of each column with
each row. While columns C5, C6, C7, and C8 are parallel to each
other, they do not form a straight line, but rather form a curved
profile. Rows R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, and R12 are parallel to each
other and form straight lines.
[0052] FIGS. 10a, 10b, and 10c show a plurality of fasteners 104
connected to a customizable product 101, where the fasteners are
arranged in substantially vertical columns and substantially
horizontal rows. FIG. 10a shows a fastener arrangement where a
distance between adjacent columns 150 is equal to a distance
between adjacent rows 152. The distance between adjacent columns
150, for example, may be one inch. FIG. 10b shows a fastener
arrangement where a distance between some adjacent columns 154 is
equal to a distance between adjacent rows 156, while a distance
between some adjacent columns 158 is greater than the distance
between adjacent rows 156. The adjacent rows are equally spaced.
FIG. 10c shows a fastener arrangement where a distance between
adjacent columns 160 is equal to a distance between some adjacent
rows 162, while a distance between some adjacent rows 164 is
greater than the distance between adjacent columns 160. The
adjacent columns are equally spaced.
[0053] FIG. 11a shows an isometric view of a base apparel item, in
this embodiment, a hat 200. The hat 200 includes a rim portion 220
and a cap portion 212, the rim portion 220 extending off of the
base of the cap portion 212. A plurality of fasteners 204 is
affixed to the cap portion 212. A variety of modular tiles, as
previously disclosed, may be connected to the hat 200 via the
plurality of fasteners 204. For example, FIG. 11b shows an exploded
view of the hat 200 with two four point modular tiles 108. The four
point modular tiles each include four points of contact 209. Each
point of contact 209 is configured to connect the four point
modular tile 108 to a fastener of the plurality of fasteners 204
via connection path 210. In another example, as shown in FIG. 11c,
an eight point modular tile 112 is connected to the plurality of
fasteners 204 on the hat 200 via points of contact 209. In other
embodiments, the plurality of fasteners 204 may be connected to the
rim portion 220 of the hat 200.
[0054] FIG. 12 shows a base apparel item, in this embodiment, a
jacket 400. A plurality of fasteners 404 is affixed to a front
surface 402 of the jacket 400. A plurality of four point modular
tiles 408 and a plurality of six point modular tiles 412 are
removeably attached to the plurality of fasteners 404. The four
point modular tiles each include four points of contact 409. Each
point of contact 409 is configured to connect the four point
modular tile 408 to a fastener of the plurality of fasteners 404
via connection path 410. A variety of modular tiles, as previously
disclosed, may be connected to the jacket 400 via the plurality of
fasteners 404.
[0055] The final pattern for the customizable product may consist
solely of a plurality of modular tiles or a combination of a
plurality of modular tiles and exposed portions of the plurality of
fasteners. A pattern consisting of modular tiles may consist of
modular tiles with various sizes, colors, shapes, materials,
patterns, and textures. It should be noted that the above stated
examples are only used to illustrate a few possible scenarios of
modular tile arrangements.
[0056] A method for changing the exterior appearance of an at least
one of a base accessory and a base apparel item includes producing
an at least one of an accessory and apparel item. A plurality of
fasteners are affixed to the at least one of the base accessory and
the base apparel item. A first modular tile is removeably attached
to at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners. The first
modular tile is replaced by a second modular tile, the second
modular tile having a different at least one of a color, size,
shape, material, pattern and texture, than the first modular
tile.
[0057] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its
intended advantages.
[0058] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and "at least
one" and similar referents in the context of describing the
invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are
to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless
otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The
use of the term "at least one" followed by a list of one or more
items (for example, "at least one of A and B") is to be construed
to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any
combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless
otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The
terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to
be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not
limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0059] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *