U.S. patent application number 16/551411 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-19 for removable accessory mount.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ronald P. Nigro. Invention is credited to Ronald P. Nigro.
Application Number | 20190385494 16/551411 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58777984 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190385494 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nigro; Ronald P. |
December 19, 2019 |
REMOVABLE ACCESSORY MOUNT
Abstract
A removable accessory mount that includes and outside support on
the outside of an item that is secured to an inside support located
on an inner surface of the item. The inside and outside supports
are secured to one another via a support post that can be a
threaded post, a pin, etc. The outer surface of the outside support
attaches to accessories that can be removed from the outside
support and replaced with other items. Likewise, the accessories
can be moved to other accessory mounts. In addition, the accessory
mount can also be moved from one item to another without
substantial damage due to the small nature of the support post that
secures the inside and outside supports together.
Inventors: |
Nigro; Ronald P.; (Pembroke
Pines, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nigro; Ronald P. |
Pembroke Pines |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58777984 |
Appl. No.: |
16/551411 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15430435 |
Feb 10, 2017 |
10410555 |
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16551411 |
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14019464 |
Sep 5, 2013 |
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15430435 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 21/02 20130101;
G09F 21/023 20200501; G09F 3/12 20130101; G09F 2007/1852 20130101;
F16M 13/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G09F 21/02 20060101
G09F021/02; F16M 13/02 20060101 F16M013/02 |
Claims
1. An accessory mounting system, comprising: a) first circular disc
having: 1) a first side with a flat surface, 2) an orifice in a
middle of the first circular disc, and 3) a second side having a
threaded receptacle configured for accepting a threaded screw that
is inserted through the orifice; b) a second circular disc having:
1) a first side with a flat surface, 2) a threaded screw extending
outwards from a middle of the second circular disc, wherein when
the threaded screw is fully fastened to the threaded receptacle of
the first circular disc, the entire flat surface of the first side
of the second circular disc contacts the entire flat surface of the
first side of the first circular disc; 3) a second side with a flat
surface having a circular loop portion of hook and loop fabric
disposed on an entire area of the flat surface of the second side,
except for a peripheral edge, such that the hook and loop fabric
does not extend to an edge of the second side; 4) the peripheral
edge extending around a circumference of the flat surface of the
second side of the second circular disc; c) a circular fabric patch
having: 1) a decorative design on a first side; 2) a circular hook
portion of hook and loop fabric disposed on an entire area of a
second side; 3) wherein the fabric patch is sized to cover the
entire area of the flat surface of the second side, except for the
peripheral edge, such that the fabric patch does not extend to an
edge of the second side when the circular hook portion of hook and
loop fabric is placed on the second side of the second circular
disc.
2. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, further comprising an
audio video device having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the
audio video device for playing audio and video; 2) a circular hook
portion of hook and loop fabric disposed on an entire area of a
second side of the audio video device; 3) wherein the apparatus is
sized to cover an entire area of the second side of the second
circular disc when the circular hook portion of hook and loop
fabric of the audio video device is placed on the second side of
the second circular disc.
3. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, further comprising an
illumination device having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the
illumination device for producing light; 2) a circular hook portion
of hook and loop fabric disposed on an entire area of a second side
of the illumination device; 3) wherein the apparatus is sized to
cover an entire area of the second side of the second circular disc
when the circular hook portion of hook and loop fabric of the
illumination device is placed on the second side of the second
circular disc.
4. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a
Bluetooth device having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the
Bluetooth device for transmitting and receiving radio frequency
signals; 2) a circular hook portion of hook and loop fabric
disposed on an entire area of a second side of the Bluetooth
device; 3) wherein the apparatus is sized to cover an entire area
of the second side of the second circular disc when the circular
hook portion of hook and loop fabric of the Bluetooth device is
placed on the second side of the second circular disc.
5. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a
mobile phone having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the mobile
phone for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals; 2) a
circular hook portion of hook and loop fabric disposed on an entire
area of a second side of the mobile phone; 3) wherein the apparatus
is sized to cover an entire area of the second side of the second
circular disc when the circular hook portion of hook and loop
fabric of the mobile phone is placed on the second side of the
second circular disc.
6. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, further comprising an
audio speaker having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the audio
speaker for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals; 2)
a circular hook portion of hook and loop fabric disposed on an
entire area of a second side of the audio speaker; 3) wherein the
apparatus is sized to cover an entire area of the second side of
the second circular disc when the circular hook portion of hook and
loop fabric of the audio speaker is placed on the second side of
the second circular disc.
7. An accessory mounting system, comprising: a) a first shaped
element having: 1) a first side with a flat surface, 2) an orifice
in a middle of the first shaped element, and 3) a second side
having a threaded receptacle configured for accepting a threaded
screw that is inserted through the orifice; b) a second shaped
element having: 1) a first side with a flat surface, 2) a threaded
screw extending outwards from a middle of the second shaped
element, wherein when the threaded screw is fully fastened to the
threaded receptacle of the first shaped element, the entire flat
surface of the first side of the second shaped element contacts the
entire flat surface of the first side of the first shaped element;
3) a second side having a shaped loop portion of hook and loop
fabric disposed on an entire area of the second side; 4) a flat
edge extending around a circumference of the second shaped element;
and c) shaped fabric patch having: 1) a decorative design on a
first side; 2) a shaped hook portion of hook and loop fabric
disposed on an entire area of a second side; 3) wherein the fabric
patch is sized to cover an entire area of the second side of the
second shaped element when the shaped hook portion of hook and loop
fabric is placed on the second side of the second shaped
element.
8. The accessory mounting system of claim 7, wherein the first
shaped element, the second shaped element, shaped loop portion, the
shaped fabric patch and the shaped hook portion are all shaped like
one of: circle, square, triangle, ellipse, octagon, diamond, and
pentagon.
9. The accessory mounting system of claim 7, further comprising an
audio video device having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the
audio video device for playing audio and video; 2) a shaped hook
portion of hook and loop fabric disposed on an entire area of a
second side of the audio video device; 3) wherein the apparatus is
sized to cover an entire area of the second side of the second
shaped element when the shaped hook portion of hook and loop fabric
of the audio video device is placed on the second side of the
second shaped element.
10. The accessory mounting system of claim 7, further comprising an
illumination device having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the
illumination device for producing light; 2) a shaped hook portion
of hook and loop fabric disposed on an entire area of a second side
of the illumination device; 3) wherein the apparatus is sized to
cover an entire area of the second side of the second shaped
element when the shaped hook portion of hook and loop fabric of the
illumination device is placed on the second side of the second
shaped element.
11. The accessory mounting system of claim 7, further comprising a
Bluetooth device having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the
Bluetooth device for transmitting and receiving radio frequency
signals; 2) a shaped hook portion of hook and loop fabric disposed
on an entire area of a second side of the Bluetooth device; 3)
wherein the apparatus is sized to cover an entire area of the
second side of the second shaped element when the shaped hook
portion of hook and loop fabric of the Bluetooth device is placed
on the second side of the second shaped element.
12. The accessory mounting system of claim 7, further comprising a
mobile phone having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the mobile
phone for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals; 2) a
shaped hook portion of hook and loop fabric disposed on an entire
area of a second side of the mobile phone; 3) wherein the apparatus
is sized to cover an entire area of the second side of the second
shaped element when the shaped hook portion of hook and loop fabric
of the mobile phone is placed on the second side of the second
shaped element.
13. The accessory mounting system of claim 7, further comprising an
audio speak having: 1) an apparatus on a first side of the audio
speaker for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals; 2)
a shaped hook portion of hook and loop fabric disposed on an entire
area of a second side of the audio speaker; 3) wherein the
apparatus is sized to cover an entire area of the second side of
the second shaped element when the shaped hook portion of hook and
loop fabric of the audio speaker is placed on the second side of
the second shaped element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
15/430,435, filed on Feb. 10, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part
of application Ser. No. 14/019,464, filed on Sep. 5, 2013.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0003] Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] This invention relates to accessory mounting devices. More
particularly, this invention relates to removable accessory mounts
that can be relocated from one item to another, and which further
contain a variety of attachment surfaces for removably attaching an
accessory to the accessory mount.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Many individuals like to show their support for causes and
organizations they favor. For example, sports fans may wish to show
their support for their local team. Some may wish to show support
for their local community, or a community they have visited on
vacation, social issues they believe in, and/or political opinions,
etc. One form of showing their support is to use patches with
logos, insignias, colors, etc.
[0006] Unfortunately, the conventional method of simply sewing a
patch on an item, such as a cap, a shirt, a jacket, a backpack,
etc. creates a permanent attachment which limits the use of the
item to which the patch is attached. For example, an individual may
want to use a patch with a football team's logo during football
season and have a different patch during basketball season. The
same applies to political issues where an individual might wish to
tempo-rarily use a patch that supports. The disadvantage of sewing
on a patch is that it is permanent and cannot be changed depending
on the needs and wishes of the user. As a result, once an
individual, such as a sports fan, sews an insignia on a hat, that
that is not very useful for other sports in different sports'
seasons. It would be advantageous to have a method of changing the
insignia quickly and conveniently without the disadvantages of
permanently sewing on a patch.
[0007] In addition, there are other items aside from hats or caps
to which an individual may want to secure a patch. For example, the
individual may wish to secure a patch to a shirt, a jacket, a coat,
a backpack, etc. It would be advantageous to have a patch that can
be easily relocated from one type of item to another.
[0008] Another disadvantage associated with the prior art is that
attachment of patches often damages the item that the patch is
attached to. It would be desirable to have a method of removably
attaching a patch without causing any signifi-cant damage to the
item it is attached to, or preferably, not causing any damage
whatsoever to the item it is attached to.
[0009] Patches are only one type of item that an individual may
wish to attach to an object. In addition to patches, a user may
wish to attach any number of useful items to an object such as a
cap, a hat, backpack, etc. For example, verse objects, such as
printed material, decorative artwork, and even electronic devices
could be attached to an object. It would be desirable to have a
single type of support structure that could attach any number of
useful objects to an item.
[0010] An example of another type of item that a user may wish to
display is printed material. For example, a sports fan may wish to
display an item such as a baseball card, someone at a business
meeting may wish to display a business card or a card identifying
him by name and/or company, etc. For ease of discussion, the term
baseball card shall be used to describe any collectable card
related to any sport, and not limited to the game of baseball.
[0011] An individual may wish to have a convenient way to attach an
item such as an audio video device, and illumination device, such
as an LED light, or if not Blu-etooth device to allow audio data to
the output separate from the Bluetooth transmission device (e.g.,
iPod.TM., MP3 player, etc.).
[0012] The prior art has failed to provide method of attaching
useful items, such as patches printed materials, audio/video
devices, Bluetooth devices, illumination devices, and/or other
objects such that can be easily removed and transferred to other
items with minimal damage to the underlying support structure
(e.g., hat, luggage, backpack, etc.).
SUMMARY
[0013] The invention provides an accessory mount that includes an
outer support on the outside of an item that is secured to an inner
support located on an inner surface of the item. The outer and
inner supports are secured to one another via a support post that
can be a threaded post, a pin, a magnet, etc. The outer support of
the accessory mount attaches to items that can be detached from the
outer support and replaced with other items. Likewise, the items
can be moved to other accessory mounts. In addition, the accessory
mount can be moved from one item to another without substantial
damage due to the small nature of the support post that secures the
inner and outer supports together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a side plan view of the accessory mount
that shows the inside support, the outside support, the support
post, and hook and loop material extending from the outer surface
of the outside support.
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support whose surface is fabricated from hook and loop
material.
[0016] FIG. 1C illustrates an edge view of a patch that has hook
and loop material on one side that secures to the hook and loop
material on the outside support.
[0017] FIG. 2A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A in which an exterior rim is
added.
[0018] FIG. 2B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support whose surface is hook and loop material, and
which further has a rim extending around the perimeter of the
outside support.
[0019] FIG. 2C illustrates an edge view of the patch that has hook
and loop material on one side that secures to the hook and loop
material on the outside support.
[0020] FIG. 3A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A. This embodiment uses
magnetic surfaces on the outside support and on the patch to secure
the patch to the outside support in place of hook and loop
material.
[0021] FIG. 3B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support whose surface is magnetic material.
[0022] FIG. 3C illustrates an edge view of a patch that has
magnetic material on one side that secures to the magnetic material
on the outside support.
[0023] FIG. 4A illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of
the accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A. This embodiment uses
adhesive to secure the patch to the outside support.
[0024] FIG. 4B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support.
[0025] FIG. 4C illustrates an edge view of a patch that has
adhesive on one side that secures to the outer surface of the
outside support.
[0026] FIG. 5A illustrates a further alternative embodi-ment of the
accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the
patch is an integral part of the outside support.
[0027] FIG. 5B illustrates a surface view of the sports logo forms
the outer surface of the outside support and is an integral part
thereof.
[0028] FIG. 6A illustrates a still further alternative embodiment
of the accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment,
the patch has an irregular shape.
[0029] FIG. 6B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support.
[0030] FIG. 6C illustrates a surface view of the patch that has an
irregular shape and is of a different size than the outside
support.
[0031] FIG. 6D illustrates an edge view of a patch has mounting
material that secures to the outer surface of the outside
support.
[0032] FIG. 7A illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of
the accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the
support post extends from the inside support instead of the outside
support.
[0033] FIG. 7B illustrates a surface view of a patch having a
sports logo that is intended for attachment to the outside
support.
[0034] FIG. 8A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 6A.
[0035] FIG. 8B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support.
[0036] FIG. 8C illustrates a surface view of the patch. In this
embodiment, the patch is a transparent sleeve that is designed to
hold insertable printed material. In this example, the sleeve holds
a baseball card.
[0037] FIG. 8D illustrates an edge view of a patch that has
mounting material that secures to the outer surface of the outside
support.
[0038] FIG. 9A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, an
audio/video device is used.
[0039] FIG. 9B illustrates a surface view of an audio/video
device.
[0040] FIG. 10A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, a
Bluetooth receiver and output device is used.
[0041] FIG. 10B illustrates a surface view of the Bluetooth output
device.
[0042] FIG. 11A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, an LED
lamp is used as the output device.
[0043] FIG. 11B illustrates a surface view of the LED lamp output
device.
[0044] FIG. 12A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount. In this figure, the inside half of a magnetic
attachment is used in place of the post used in the previous
embodiments.
[0045] FIG. 12B illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount. In this figure, the outside half of the magnetic
attachment is used in combination with the inside half of the
magnetic attachment shown in FIG. 12A.
[0046] FIG. 12C illustrates sample patch that can be used with the
accessory mount.
[0047] FIG. 12D illustrates the sample patch secured to the outside
half of the magnetic attachment used by the accessory mount.
[0048] FIG. 12E is a side edge view that illustrates the inside and
outside halves of the accessory mount secured to an item. This view
illustrates a patch positioned within a peripheral edge of the
outside half of the accessory mount.
[0049] FIG. 12F is a side edge view that illustrates the inside and
outside halves of the accessory mount secured to an item. This view
illustrates a patch positioned on the surface of the accessory
mount.
[0050] FIG. 13A is a front view that illustrates the outside half
of the accessory mount. This view illustrates a patch attachment
surface for securing a patch.
[0051] FIG. 13B is a rear view of a patch. This view illustrates
the patch attachment surface for securing the patch to the
accessory mount.
[0052] FIG. 14 illustrates the accessory mount, displaying a patch
on an item.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] In regard to FIG. 1A, this figure illustrates a side plan
view of the accessory mount 1 that shows the inside support 2, the
outside support 3, the support post 5, and hook and loop material 4
extending from the outer surface of the outside support 3. Also
shown it is the threaded channel 6 that accepts support post 5 when
the outside support 3 is secured to the inside support 2. For ease
of illustration, the support post 5 is not drawn to scale. Further,
those skilled in the art will recognize that while a threaded
support post 5 can be used, any suitable attachment method can be
used, including pins, clamps, magnetic attachment devices etc. The
figure also shows hook and loop material 4 extending from the outer
surface of the outside support 3. The layer of hook and material 4
on the outside support 3 can be conventional hook and loop
material, or it can be molded as part of the outside support 3.
[0054] When an individual desires to attach a removable item to a
garment, backpack, etc., the support post 5 is pressed through the
garment, backpack, etc., and secured to the inside support 2. In
practice, the support post 5 would be very narrow whether it is a
threaded post or a pin. By using a very narrow support post 5, only
minimum damage will be done to the item. Once the accessory mount 1
is secured to the garment, backpack, etc., a patch 7 (or other
item) can be secured to the accessory mount 1. When the user
decides to change the patch 7 or other item, the patch 7 is merely
peeled off and replaced with a new patch 7. Likewise, the accessory
mount 1 can be removed altogether.
[0055] FIG. 1B shows a surface view of the outer surface of the
outside support 3 whose surface is hook and loop material 4. As
mentioned above, the hook and loop material 4 can be a conventional
piece of hook and loop material that is commonly marketed as
Velcro.TM.. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the outside support 3 can be molded such that the hook and loop
material 4 is an integral part of the outside support 3.
[0056] FIG. 1C illustrates an edge view of the patch 7 that has
hook and loop material 8 on one side that secures to the hook and
loop material 4 on the outside support 3.
[0057] As can be seen, once the accessory mount 1 is secured, a
variety of patches 7 (or other items) can be quickly and easily
substituted for one another depending on the needs of the user.
[0058] FIG. 2A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount 1, illustrated in FIG. 1A, in which an exterior rim
8 is added. The rim 8 provides a neater appearance, and also makes
it easier to align the patch 7 with the edge of the outside support
3.
[0059] FIG. 2B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support 3 whose surface is hook and loop material 4,
and which further has a rim 8 extending around the perimeter of the
outside support 3.
[0060] FIG. 2C illustrates an edge view of the patch 7 that has
hook and loop material 8 on one side that secures to the hook and
loop material 4 on the outside support 3. In this embodiment, the
hook and loop material 8 does not extend to the edge of the patch 7
such that it does not interfere with contact between the patch 7
and the rim 8. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the
patch 7 can alternatively be sized such that it fits within the rim
8. In that case, the hook and loop material 8 would extend to the
edge of the patch 7.
[0061] FIG. 3A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A. This embodiment uses
magnetic surfaces 10-11 on the outside support 3 and on the patch 7
to secure the patch 7 to the outside support 3 in place of hook and
loop material 4, 8.
[0062] FIG. 3B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support 3 whose surface is magnetic material 10. Any
magnetic material that is suitable for the purpose of this
invention can be used.
[0063] FIG. 3C illustrates an edge view of a patch 7 that has
magnetic material 11 on one side left secures to the magnetic
material 10 on the outside support 3.
[0064] FIG. 4A illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of
the accessory mount 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A. This embodiment uses
adhesive 13 to secure the patch 7 to the outer surface 12 of the
outside support 3.
[0065] FIG. 4B illustrates a surface view of the mounting surface
12 of the outside
[0066] FIG. 4C illustrates an edge view of a patch 7 that has
adhesive 13 on one side that secures to the outer surface 12 of the
outside support 3. Those skilled in the art will recognize that
adhesive layer 13 can be located on the patch 7, or on the outer
surface 12. Likewise, any adhesive 13 that is suitable for the
purpose at hand can be used.
[0067] FIG. 5A illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the
patch 7 is an integral part of the outside support 3. A user may
have multiple patches 7 that have preselected indicia or logos of
some kind. In practice, the user would merely remove the outside
support 3 with one type of indicia, and replace it with a
substitute outside support 3 that has a different logo or
indicia.
[0068] FIG. 5B illustrates a surface view of a sports logo 14 that
is an integral part of, and forms the outside surface of, the
outside support 3. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the
sports logo 14 can be fabricated from any suitable material, such
as fabric, ceramics, wood, metal, etc.
[0069] FIG. 6A illustrates a still further alternative embodiment
of the accessory mount 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this
embodiment, the patch 7 has an irregular shape. In addition, it can
be a different size and shape than the outside support 3, and is
illustrated that way.
[0070] FIG. 6B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface 12
of the outside support 3. In this and the preceding embodiments,
the outside support 3 has been illustrated as a circular platform.
This was done for convenience, but those skilled in the art will
recognize that patch support 3 can take any desired shape.
Likewise, any of the embodiments can be implemented with or without
the rim 8. Still further, the outside support 3 can be shaped in
the same configuration as the item it is attached to, or it can
keep a standard shape, such as the circle illustrated.
[0071] FIG. 6C illustrates a surface view of the patch 7 that has
an irregular shape and is of a different size than the patch
support 3 shown in FIG. 6B.
[0072] FIG. 6D illustrates an edge view of a patch 7 has mounting
material 15 that secures to the mounting surface 12 of the patch
support 3. Mounting material 15 can be any material suitable for
securing the patch 7 the patch support 3, such as hook and loop
material 4, 8, adhesive 13, magnetic material 10-11, etc. As
indicated in this figure, the mounting material 15 would be sized
to fit the outer surface 12 of the outside support 3.
[0073] FIG. 7A illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of
the accessory mount 1 illustrated in figure IA. In this embodiment,
the support post 5 extends from the inside support 2 instead of the
outside support 3.
[0074] FIG. 7B illustrates a surface view of a patch 7, having a
sports logo 14.
[0075] In regard to FIG. 8A, this figure illustrates a variation of
the embodiment of the accessory mount 1 illustrated in FIG. 6A. In
this embodiment, that patch 7 is replaced by a transparent sleeve
16 (shown in FIG. 8C) that holds printed material 17 (shown in FIG.
8C).
[0076] FIG. 8B illustrates a surface view of the outer surface of
the outside support 3. The outside support functions in the same
manner as the patch support 3 in FIGS. 6A-D.
[0077] FIG. 8C illustrates a surface view of the patch 7. In this
embodiment, the patch 7 is a transparent sleeve 16 that is designed
to hold insertable printed material 17. In this example, the
insertable printed material 16 is a baseball card.
[0078] FIG. 8D illustrates an edge view of a patch 7 that has
mounting material 15 that secures to the outer surface 12 of the
outside support 3.
[0079] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the attachment
of the patch 7 to the outside support 3 in the various embodiments
is interchangeable. Any suitable means, such as hook and loop,
adhesive, magnets, etc., can be used.
[0080] FIG. 9A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the
accessory is an audio/video device 18. The audio/video device 18
secures to the outside support 3 in the same manner as the other
embodiments. Audio/video device 18 incorporates a video display 20,
an audio speaker 21, a power source 19, and a control unit 22. The
control unit includes storage for video and/or audio data that is
displayed on the video display 20 and/or output via audio speaker
21. The audio/video device 18 can be preprogrammed or have the
capability of updating or modifying the audio/video data on a
dynamic basis through known techniques. This allows the user to
display any message they desire in an entertaining manner.
[0081] FIG. 9B illustrates a surface view of the audio/video patch
18 and shows the display 20. The audio speaker 21 can optionally be
placed on the surface or on the side of the audio/video patch
18.
[0082] FIG. 10A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the
accessory is a Bluetooth audio device 23. The Bluetooth audio
device 23 secures to the outside support 3 in the same manner as
the other embodiments. Bluetooth audio device 23 incorporates an
audio speaker 24, and a receiver 25. The receiver 25 includes a
power supply, and an on/off switch that were omitted from the
drawing for ease of illustration. The Bluetooth audio device 23 can
play audio data on a dynamic basis through known techniques using a
variety of Bluetooth capable devices (e.g., iPod.TM., Smart phone,
MP3 device, etc.) as a music data source. This allows the user to
play a wide variety of music of their choice.
[0083] FIG. 10B illustrates a surface view of the Bluetooth audio
device 23 and shows the audio speaker 24. The audio speaker 24 can
optionally be placed on the surface or on the side of the Bluetooth
audio device 23.
[0084] FIG. 11A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the
accessory is an LED lamp. This embodiment allows the user to
convert a conventional hat into a hat with an integral light to aid
when working in dark environments.
[0085] FIG. 11B illustrates a surface view of the LED lamp 26.
[0086] FIG. 12A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
accessory mount 1. In this figure, the inside half 27 of the
accessory mount 1 contains a magnet 29. In addition, support
surface 28 is also shown. The support surface 28 provides
additional mechanical support for the outside half 30 of the
accessory mount 1. The preferred embodiment envisions a magnet with
a 38 mm diameter with a 3 mm thickness. However, those skilled in
the art will recognize that the dimensions of the magnet can vary
based on the magnet strength.
[0087] FIG. 12B illustrates the outside half 30 of the accessory
mount. In this figure, the outside half 30 of the accessory mount 1
is used in combination with the inside half 27 of the accessory
mount 1 shown in FIG. 12A. The outside half 30 of the accessory
mount 1 also contains a magnet 32 that corresponds with magnet 29
on the inside half 27. The magnets 29, 32 have sufficient strength
to hold themselves together when placed on opposite sides of an
item 35 (shown below in FIGS. 12E, 12F and 14). An advantage of
using a magnetic structure instead of a pin structure, as discussed
above in regard to the previous embodiments, is that the magnets
29, 32 do not do any damage to the surface of an item 35 that they
are secured to. The outside half 30 also shows the patch mounting
surface 31 and an optional peripheral edge 33.
[0088] For ease of illustration, both the inside half 27 and the
outside half 30 are illustrated. However, those skilled in the art
will recognize that the invention can also be implemented using a
single magnet in either the inside half 27 or the outside half 30,
as long as the other half is fabricated from material that can be
held in place by a magnet.
[0089] FIG. 12C illustrates patch 34 that can be used with the
accessory mount 1. The patch 34 can be any ornamental design, such
as patriotic, religious, athletic, commercial, aesthetic symbols,
social message, etc. For ease of illustration, the patch 34, as
well as the accessory mount 1, are illustrated as having a circular
design. However, as was the case with the forgoing embodiments, the
patch 34 and the accessory mount 1 can be fabricated in any desired
shape.
[0090] FIG. 12D illustrates the patch 34 secured to the outside
half of the accessory mount. In this figure, an optional peripheral
edge 33 is shown. However, those skilled in the art will realize
that the optional peripheral edge 33 can be eliminated so that the
patch 34 can extend to cover the outside half 30 of the accessory
mount 1.
[0091] FIG. 12E is a side edge view that illustrates the inside and
outside halves 27, 30 of the accessory mount 1 secured to an item
35. This view illustrates a patch 34 positioned within a peripheral
edge 33 of the outside half 30 of the accessory mount 1.
[0092] FIG. 12F is a side edge view that illustrates the inside and
outside halves 27, 30 of the accessory mount 1 secured to an item
35. This view illustrates the patch 34 positioned on the surface of
the accessory mount 1, but does not have the peripheral edge
33.
[0093] FIG. 13A is a front view of the accessory mount 1 that
illustrates the outside half 30 of the accessory mount 1. This view
illustrates a patch attachment surface 36 for securing a patch 34
to the outside half 30 of the accessory mount 1. The attachment
surface can be hook and loop material, adhesives, double stick
tape, or any other suitable material.
[0094] FIG. 13B is a rear view of a patch 34. This view illustrates
the patch attachment surface 37 for securing the patch 34 to the
accessory mount 1. As noted above, the attachment surface can be
hook and loop material, adhesives, or any other suitable material.
In addition, if the patch 34 is fabricated with magnetic material,
it can also be secured in place by the magnet 32 in the outside
half 30 of the accessory mount 1.
[0095] FIG. 14 illustrates the accessory mount 1, displaying a
patch 34 on an item 35. While a conventional backpack is
illustrated as the item 35, the accessory mount 1 can be used with
any type of item, such as clothing, luggage, purses, etc.
[0096] As can be seen, this embodiment can be used without risk of
causing any damage to an item.
[0097] The forgoing embodiments have been discussed in term of a
mounting accessory 1 that supports a separate patch 34. However,
the patch 34 can alternatively be an integral component of the
outside half. This would eliminate the need for securing a separate
patch 34 to the accessory mount 1.
[0098] While the present invention has been described in its
preferred form in terms of certain embodiments with a certain
degree of particularity, alterations and permutations of these
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, its understood that the above descriptions of
exemplary embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure,
and that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made
only by way of example and that numerous changes, substitutions,
and alterations in the details of construction and the combination
and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *