Abstract:
Various embodiments are directed to connecting devices that display indicia. A first device displays indicia and affixes to a surface of an object. A second device removable connects to the first device and also displays indicia. The second device is removable from the first device to change which indicia are displayed on the object.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Logos are used to identify companies, organizations, products, services, and even locations. Companies use logos as market and identify not only the company, but also specific products and services. 
     Since a company can sell a variety of products, multiple different types of logos are often used to accommodate the products. Multiple logos are used because different types of products have various textures, sizes, materials, etc. For example, a company that distributes cameras and printers can also distribute product lines of soft goods, such as apparel. In this instance, one type of logo is needed to affix to the hard surface of the printers while another type of logo is needed to affix to the soft surface of the apparel. 
     Multiple logo attachment methods may be fine aesthetically but result in higher costs due to multiple design, tooling and inventory and can create consistency problems in brands. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a logo system according to one exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a bottom portion of a logo system according to one exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of bottom and top portions of a logo system according to one exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a logo system according to one exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments are directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for logos. One embodiment provides a logo system having a first logo and a second logo that removably attaches to the first logo. The logo system is versatile and attachable to a variety of different product sizes, shapes, and materials. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second logos are formed of different materials. By way of example, the first logo is formed of a metal or hard plastic, and the second logo is formed of a soft pliable material. Forming the logos from different materials enables the logo system to be affixed to a variety of surfaces and textures, such as hard surfaces (example electronic devices) and soft surfaces (example apparel or soft flexible merchandise). 
     In one embodiment, the first and second logos are connected together to form a single logo or used separately as two independent logos. When the logos are connected together, the first logo connects on top of the second logo, and the two logos are affixed to the product. When the logos are used separately, each logo is independent affixed to the same or different products. 
     A single logo system is thus usable with both rigid and non-rigid products. The second logo or backer can be applied to either hard or rigid surfaces and soft or pliable surfaces. For instance, the backer can be stitched to soft products or adhered (example, with an adhesive) to hard surfaces. 
     The second logo or backer accepts plural different first logos or jewel logs. Each jewel logo can have different sizes, shapes, colors, materials, insignias, etc. For instance, the backer logo can connect to a jewel logo formed of metal or a jewel logo formed of polymer. Each jewel logo can be different to accommodate different product lines of a company. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a system  100  (example, a logo system) according to one exemplary embodiment for attaching two objects to a surface, substrate, or other item. For illustration, embodiments are discussed in connection with logos. Although the figures illustrate a logo being placed on a first portable binding device  120  and a second portable binding device  130 , exemplary embodiments are not limited to logos but also include other indicia such as, but not limited to, text, graphics, labels, warnings, instructions, etc. As used herein, the word “indicia” means a distinctive mark. In one embodiment, the first and second binding devices  120 ,  130  are placed or attached to a variety of objects such as, but not limited to, products, surfaces, items, objects, and apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, the logo system  100  includes a first binding device, logo or jewel logo  120 , a second binding device, logo or backer logo  130 , and a stiffener or plate  140 . The logo system  100  connects to a surface  148  of a product, substrate, or other item  150 . 
     Each of the first and second logos  120 ,  130  includes a graphic element, symbol, icon, trademark, or logo  160 A,  160 B. In one embodiment, the logos  160 A,  160 B are the same or identical, and in one embodiment the logos are different. For instance, the logos  160 A,  160 B are formed of different materials and/or have different shapes, sizes, colors, etc. 
     Looking to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the first logo  120  generally includes a body  168  having a top surface  170  with logo  160 A. Two elongated tabs  172 A,  172 B are oppositely disposed and extend downwardly from the body  168 . In one exemplary embodiment, the first logo  120  is formed of a hard material, such as metal or polymer. 
     Looking to  FIGS. 1-3 , the second logo  130  generally includes a body  190  having a top surface  192  with logo  160 B. The body includes a shoulder or wall  194  that extends around an outer periphery of the body. A channel or groove  196  extends between the logo  160 B and wall  194 . This channel  196  includes a bottom surface  198  having oppositely disposed holes or slits  200 A,  200 B. 
     The first logo  120  fits on top of the second logo  130  such that tabs  172 A,  172 B align with respect slits  200 A,  200 B. The tabs extend through the slits until an underside cavity  210  in the first logo  120  receives and engages with top surface  192 . In one embodiment, the size and shape of the cavity  210  matches the size and shape of body  190  having top surface  192 . 
     The logo system  100  connects to a variety of products and surfaces. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the product  150  has two oppositely disposed holes or slits  220 A,  220 B. Likewise, the stiffener  140  includes two oppositely disposed holes or slits  222 A,  222 B. In one embodiment, the first logo  120  fits on top off and connects to the second logo  130  to cover or conceal the logo  160 B. Slits  200 A/ 200 B,  220 A/ 220 B, and  222 A/ 222 B align such that the tabs  172 A,  172 B extend downwardly through the slits to secure the first and second logos  120 ,  130  to product  150 . 
     Once the first logo  120  is covering the second logo  130 , the logo  160 B is no longer visible. In this instance, logo  160 A is visible on the exterior surface of the product  150 . When the first logo  120  is removed, the logo  160 B is visible. The first logo  120  can thus be removed from the second logo  130  in order to change which logo  160 A or  160 B is visible. 
     The first logo  120  can be used independently (i.e., without the second logo  130 ). In one embodiment, the first logo  120  fits directly on top off the product  150 . For example, an underside or bottom surface of the first logo  120  includes or is provided with an adhesive to adhere to a top surface of the product. As another example, the tabs  172 A,  172 B extend downwardly through the slits  220 A,  220 B in the product to secure to the product. As yet another example, the tabs  172 A,  172 B extend downwardly through the slits  220 A,  220 B in the product and the slits  222 A,  222 B in the stiffener  140  to secure to the product. 
     In one embodiment, the stiffener  140  is formed of a hard, rigid material, such as polymer or metal. The stiffener provides a rigid surface on which to mount the first and/or second logos  120 ,  130 . Further, the stiffener  140  is optional and need not be used in some embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second logo  130  includes a bottom surface  248  that has an adhesive  250 . The adhesive  250  includes a compound to enable the second logo  130  to bond or adhere to the surface  248  of product  150 . For instance, when the second logo  130  is used independently without the first logo  120 , the second logo uses the adhesive to affix to surface  148  of product  150 . 
     In one embodiment, the second logo  130  is formed of a flexible or pliable material, such as vinyl, rubber, polymer, etc. The flexibility of the second logo enables it to be affixed to either rigid or non-rigid product surfaces. 
     In one embodiment, wall  194  and bottom surface  198  are formed of a material that can be stitched. Stitches  256  are placed along the bottom surface  198  and into a surface  148  of product  150  in order to affix the second logo  130  to the product. As shown in  FIG. 2 , stitches  256  are placed in channel  196  in order to stitch the second logo to the product. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the slits  200 A,  200 B include an alignment feature  270  for guiding ends of the tabs  172 A,  172   b  through openings in the slits. By way of example, the alignment features include a slanted or angled wall or surface  260 . 
     In one embodiment, the slits  200 A,  200 B are formed as the tabs  172 A,  172 B are pressed against and through the bottom surface  198 . For instance, the bottom surface  198  is perforated to form the slits as the tabs are pressed through the bottom surface. In another embodiment, the slits are formed of elastic or resilient material that separates as the tabs are pressed through the bottom surface. When the tabs are removed or not present, an opening through the slits is closed. As such, a user is unable to see through any openings at the slits so underlying product is not visible. 
     Looking to  FIG. 1 , the second logo  130  in one embodiment is formed of two of more different materials. For example, logo  160 B is formed of a hard, rigid material (such as metal or polymer) and the wall  194  is formed of flexible, stitchable material (such as rubber or an elastomeric material). Further, in one embodiment, the logo  160 B is formed of a translucent material to enable light to pass through the logo. 
     In one embodiment, the second logo  130  is formed of an injection molded rubber material that has an integrated logo molded in a contrasting opaque color. The wall  194  includes an area thin enough to be sewn onto cloth materials. The slits  200 A,  200 B allow tabs  172 A,  172 B to penetrate the wall and connect the first and second logos. By way of example, the logo  160 A is a metallic logo that is placed over logo  160 B if the product warrants a metal looking logo. The metallic logo is made from stamped aluminum or other suitable metals. The aluminum tabs go thru the slits in the second logo and are bent under the product to secure the first and second logos to the product. The aluminum logo does not need stitching or adhesive to secure to the product which saves on cost. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a logo system  300  according to one exemplary embodiment. The logo system includes plural first logos  310  (shown as second logo  1  to second logo N), a second logo  320 , and plural products  330  (shown as product  1  to product N). 
     In one embodiment, the first logos  310  are each different. For example, the first logos include different sizes, shapes, colors, etc. Further, the first logos are each formed of different materials, such a metal, polymer, etc. The products  330  also include different sizes, shapes, colors, etc. Further, the products are each formed of different material (such as cloth, metals, polymers, etc.) and include different surfaces (such a hard flat surfaces and pliable surfaces). 
     The second logo  320  connects to any one of the plural products  330  using, for example, any one of stitches, adhesive, or other permanent or non-permanent attachments. The second logo can remain permanently or temporary affixed to the product. Then, any one of the first logos  320  can be connected or removed to the second logo and replaced with another of the first logos. For example, the first logo is snap-fit, adhered (example, using adhesive), or connected with tabs to the second logo. 
     The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments. The terms first, second, bottom, and top are relative. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.