US20050022286A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20050022286A1
Application number: US10/902,996
Authority: US
Inventors: David Noble; Thomas Mosser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-01
Filing date: 2004-07-30
Publication date: 2005-02-03

Abstract

Disclosed is an attachable novelty item for use in connection with a person's apparel. The attachable novelty item includes an item surface and one or more attachment areas positioned on the item surface having one or more item contact surfaces disposed thereon. The item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting an attachment area with the surface of the apparel and/or an apparel contact surface. A kit for such a novelty item is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/491,654, filed Aug. 1, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related generally to novelty items, such as toys, dolls, plush objects and the like and, in particular, to an attachable novelty item for use in connection with a person's apparel, such as a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, a backpack, a bag, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

Novelty items, such as toys, dolls, stuffed animals, plush objects and the like, are used, collected and desired by children and adults around the world. For example, many novelty items are manufactured in a wide variety of unique shapes, sizes and forms, thereby allowing collectors and consumers alike to purchase a large variety and a large quantity of similar, yet unique, novelty items. Many children and adults collect these novelty items and either display, trade or sell them, providing a unique market of sellers and consumers.

Toys, dolls, novelty items and the like have been developed, which allow one portion of the toy to be attached to another portion of the toy, such as by Velcro® or the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,337 shows a baby doll with Velcro® in its mouth for attachment to the breast of a mother doll; U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,465 shows a stuffed fish toy with Velcro® in its mouth which attaches to a hook; U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,262 discloses an insect toy with a Velcro® mouth for attachment to its prey; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,067 teaches a stuffed toy puppy which attaches through Velcro® to its mother's teat. However, for each of these items, a two-part toy is provided, with one part of the toy attachable to a second part of the toy using some attachment means. Accordingly, while the toy is attachable and removable to and from itself, it is not intended for attachment to other objects.

Accordingly, these collectible novelty items must be either displayed on the shelf, placed on a table or otherwise positioned in the owner's pocket, a backpack, knapsack, shirt pocket, bag, etc. Therefore, the owner cannot effectively display the novelty item to others around them, which removes one of the main reasons the owner is collecting the items in the first place. In addition, many owners, and in particular children, would like to wear or otherwise attach the novelty item to his or her clothing or apparel, such that other children can see, enjoy and appreciate them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an attachable novelty item that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachable novelty item that can be displayed by the owner to those around him or her. It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachable novelty item that can be used in connection with a person's apparel. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an attachable novelty item that can be attached to a person's apparel, such as clothing, a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, pants, a skirt, shorts, a bag, a purse, a knapsack, a backpack and a strap.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a novelty item that is useable in connection with a person's apparel. The attachable novelty item includes an item surface and at least one attachment area positioned on the item surface and having at least one item contact surface disposed thereon. The item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting the attachment area with the surface of the apparel and/or an apparel contact surface.

The present invention is also directed to a kit for a novelty item. This kit includes a novelty item having an item surface with at least one attachment area having an item contact surface and positioned on the item surface. The kit also includes an apparel contact element having an apparel contact surface and attachable to a surface of a person's apparel. In particular, the item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting the attachment area with the apparel contact surface of the apparel contact element.

The present invention, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with the additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a further schematic view of an embodiment of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a further schematic view of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a further embodiment of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a novelty item that is usable in connection with a person's apparel according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a novelty item according to the present invention as attached to a person's apparel, namely a backpack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

The present invention is directed to anattachable novelty item10 and is illustrated in various embodiments in operative modes inFIGS. 1-7. Referring now toFIG. 1, theattachable novelty item10 is for use in connection with a person'sapparel100. The person'sapparel100 includes anapparel surface102. Thenovelty item10 of the present invention includes anitem surface12 and one ormore attachment areas14 positioned on theitem surface12. In addition, theattachment area14 includes one or moreitem contact surfaces16 disposed thereon. In this manner, theitem10 is removably attachable to thesurface102 of theapparel100 by contacting theattachment area14, and thereby theitem contact surface16, with thesurface102 of theapparel100 and/or anapparel contact surface18.

In order to allow theitem10 to be removably attached to theapparel100, theitem contact surface16 may include a removablyattachable contacting surface20 in various forms. For example, the removably attachable contactingsurface20 may be a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, an adhesive, a sticky contacting surface, a sticky material, etc. As specifically seen inFIG. 3, theitem contact surface16 is a plurality ofhooks22.

In order to achieve better engagement between theitem10 and theapparel100, theapparel contact surface18 may also include the removably attachable contactingsurface20, such as in the form of a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, an adhesive, a sticky contacting surface, a sticky material, etc. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, theapparel contact surface18 is a plurality ofloops24. Accordingly, the plurality ofhooks22 on theitem contact surface16 interengages with the plurality ofloops24 on theapparel contact surface18. Therefore, theitem10 is removably attached to theapparel100 via theapparel contact surface18.

Theapparel contact surface18 may be affixed to a portion of the person'sapparel100. For example, as seen inFIG. 2, theapparel contact surface18 can be attached to a person's shirt, such as near the breast portion, on a sleeve, etc. Further, theapparel contact surface18 can be permanently, semi-permanently or removably affixed to a person'sapparel100, since a user may wish to move theapparel contact surface18 to various areas and locations on various pieces ofapparel100.

In order to provide appropriate engagement, theitem contact surface16 and theapparel contact surface18 may each include a complimentary interengaging structure that allows theitem10 to be removably attached to theapparel100 by contacting theitem contact surface16 with theapparel contact surface18. As discussed above, while the hook-and-loop structure is shown and illustrated inFIG. 3, any number of removably contacting surfaces, structures and arrangements are envisioned.

Theitem10 may include one ormore body portions26 and one ormore head portions28. As best seen inFIG. 6, theattachment area14 may be positioned on asurface30 of thehead portion28. In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, thehead portion28 includes amouth area32, and theattachment area14 is positioned at least partially on or within thismouth area32. Still further, in another embodiment, themouth area32 may include a first mutually opposingmouth surface34 and a second mutually opposing mouth surface36. In this case, theattachment area14 would be positioned partially on a portion of eachmouth surface34,36. SeeFIGS. 3 and 6. In addition, and as illustrated inFIG. 5, in order to contact and engage theitem contact surface16 with thesurface102 of theapparel100 and/or theapparel contact surface18, the first mutually opposingmouth surface34 and the second mutually opposing mouth surface36 are pushed together, as indicated by arrows A inFIG. 5. In essence, the user pinches or clamps thesurface102 and/or theapparel contact surface18 between the first mutually opposingmouth surface34 and the second mutually opposing mouth surface36 in themouth area32. Such an action resembles a biting action, thereby allowing thenovelty item10 to bite and engage theapparel100. It is also envisioned that eachmouth surface34,36 may includeindividual attachment areas14 that are removably engageable to each other. For example, themouth surface34 may include the hook structure, and the mouth surface36 may include the loop structure, such that the mouth can be pressed together and closed. In operation, a user may place themouth area32 around a strap, a belt, etc. and attach the mouth surfaces34,36 together, which also results in this “biting” action. In this manner, thenovelty item10 would be attached to theapparel100 by forming a loop with themouth area32 and attaching the mouth surfaces34,36 together. Any manner of attaching thenovelty item10 to theapparel100 is envisioned.

Thebody portion26 may include one ormore appendages38 extending therefrom, such as in the form of limbs, arms, legs, tails, etc. Similarly, thehead portion28 may also includeappendages38 extending therefrom, such as in the form of antennae, horns, ears, nose, hair, etc. Further, theattachment area14 anditem contact surface16 may be placed on thebody portion26, thehead portion28, themouth area32, theappendages38 or indeed on any portion or part of theitem surface12. In addition, there may be multipleitem attachment areas14 and item contact surfaces16 to provide for a better engagement between theattachable novelty item10 and theapparel100.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, theitem surface12 at least partially surrounds aninner area40. Thisinner area40 is at least partially filled with amaterial42, such as cotton, a packing material, foam, down, batting, cellulose fiber, synthetic material, etc. In this manner, theattachable novelty item10 becomes a stuffed animal, as is known in the art.Such items10 are also known as plush toys and the like.

Thenovelty item10 may be in the form of an animal, an insect, a person, an object, etc. As seen inFIGS. 2-6, theitem10 is often an animal, insect, or similar object having ahead portion28 andmouth area32, such that theitem10 can “bite” the person'sapparel100 and/or theapparel contact surface18. However, any representation or object may be used and manufactured in the form of thisnovelty item10.

As discussed above, theapparel contact surface18 may be removably attachable to thesurface102 of the apparel. For example, theapparel contact surface18 may be in the form of a strip of material, a patch, etc., and theapparel contact surface18 would be sized and shaped so as to compliment the size and shape of theitem contact surface16 on theitem10. In addition, theattachment area14 of thenovelty item10 may be attached to, removably attached to and/or integrally formed with theitem surface12. Also, as shown inFIG. 7, the present invention is not limited to clothes as the form ofapparel100. Instead, theapparel100 may be clothing, a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, pants, a skirt, shorts, a bag, a purse, a knapsack, a backpack, a strap, etc.

The present invention is also directed to a kit for anovelty item10. This kit includes thenovelty item10 having theitem surface12 with one ormore attachment areas14 having item contact surfaces16 and positioned on theitem surface12. The kit includes anapparel contact element44, which is in the form of theapparel contact surface18 discussed above. Theapparel contact element44 is attachable to a surface of a person'sapparel100. As discussed in detail above, theitem10 is removably attachable to asurface102 of theapparel100 by contacting theattachment area14 with theapparel contact element44 and with theapparel contact surface18 that is part of or associated with theapparel contact element44.

In this manner, anattachable novelty item10 is provided that allows the user or owner to display the attachable novelty item to those around him or her. In addition, the present invention provides anattachable novelty item10 that can be used in connection with a person'sapparel100. For example, theitem10 can be attached to a person'sapparel100, such as clothing, a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, pants, a skirt, shorts, a bag, a purse, a knapsack, a backpack, a strap, etc.

This invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

1. An attachable novelty item for use in connection with a person's apparel, the novelty item comprising:

an item surface; and

at least one attachment area positioned on the item surface and including at least one item contact surface disposed thereon,

wherein the item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting the attachment area with at least one of the surface of the apparel and an apparel contact surface.

2. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the item contact surface includes at least one of a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, an adhesive, a sticky contacting surface, a sticky material and a removably attachable contacting surface.

3. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the apparel contact surface includes at least one of a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, an adhesive, a sticky contacting surface, a sticky material and a removably attachable contacting surface.

4. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the apparel contact surface is affixed to at least a portion of the person's apparel.

5. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the item contact surface and the apparel contact surface each include a complimentary interengaging structure configured to removably attach the item contact surface to the apparel contact surface.

6. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the item contact surface includes at least one of a plurality of hooks and a plurality of loops, and the apparel contact surface includes a complimentary plurality of hooks and a plurality of loops, wherein the item contact surface is removably attachable to the apparel contact surface.

7. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the item includes at least one body portion and at least one head portion.

8. The item ofclaim 7, wherein the attachment area is positioned on a surface of the head portion.

9. The item ofclaim 8, wherein the head portion includes a mouth area, the attachment area positioned at least partially on the mouth area.

10. The item ofclaim 9, wherein the mouth area includes a first mutually opposing mouth surface and a second mutually opposing mouth surface, the attachment area positioned at least partially on at least a portion of each mouth surface.

11. The item ofclaim 7, wherein the body portion includes at least one appendage extending therefrom.

12. The item ofclaim 7, wherein the head portion includes at least one appendage extending therefrom.

13. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the item surface at least partially surrounds an inner area.

14. The item ofclaim 13, wherein the inner area is at least partially filled with a material.

15. The item ofclaim 14, wherein the material is at least one of cotton, a packing material, foam, down, batting, cellulose fiber and a synthetic material.

16. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the novelty item is a representation of at least one of an animal, an insect, a person and an object.

17. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the apparel contact surface is removably attachable to the surface of the apparel.

18. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the apparel contact surface is in the form of at least one of a strip of material and a patch.

19. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment area is at least one of attached to, removably attached to and integrally formed with the surface of the item.

20. The item ofclaim 1, wherein the apparel is at least one of a clothing, a shirt, a collar, a sleeve, pants, a skirt, shorts, a bag, a purse, a knapsack, a backpack and a strap.

21. A kit for a novelty item comprising:

a novelty item having an item surface with at least one attachment area having an item contact surface and positioned on the item surface; and

an apparel contact element having an apparel contact surface and attachable to a surface of a person's apparel;

wherein the item is removably attachable to a surface of the apparel by contacting the attachment area with the apparel contact surface of the apparel contact element.