Abstract:
The present invention relates to a curtain assembly having at least one connector that is either removably connected to the sheet material or is an integral part of the sheet material. The connector can be in any shape or form as desired. The connector has a front surface, a back surface, a first end, a second end, and has at least one opening which creates a joinable element. The opening on the front surface of the connector can either offset the back surface of the opening or aligned with the back surface of the opening. The joinable element of the connector forms two opposable surfaces that can be centered, off-centered, non-linear, vertical, diagonal in relation to a vertical plane. The two opposable surfaces can be joined to facilitate a stable coupling between a sheet material and a rod. The connector also has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter wherein the inner perimeter does not need to have the same geometric configuration as the outer perimeter. The connector can be in any shape or form the user may choose to have so long as it has a front surface and a back surface and an opening on both surfaces that either offset or align with each other to facilitate the connector to connect the sheet material to a substantially stationary object such as a rod.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding U.S. provisional application No. 61/580,618 filed Dec. 27, 2011 now U.S. Ser. No. 13/724,821 filed Dec. 21, 2012 and U.S. Ser. No. 13/723,795 filed Dec. 21, 2012, the entire contents of all three applications of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an assembly for hanging a sheet of material such as a curtain from a stationary object, such as a rod. More specifically, the invention relates to a connector and/or an assembly that can either be integral to the sheet material or the curtain or removably connected to the sheet material or the curtain, and configured to allow the sheet of material and/or the curtain to be hung from an object; this object can be a fixed or a non-fixed object, most commonly, it could be a rod. More specifically still, the invention relates to a hanging assembly having a connector that can be either removably connected to the sheet of material or be integral part of the sheet of material, this connector enables and/or allows a sheet of material, or a piece of fabric or a curtain to be hung from a rod without having to remove the rod off its position and/or without having to utilize a standalone and/or a separate and/or an independent connector according to the present invention. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Curtains are known to be used to cover an opening including but not limited to a door and/or a window and/or an entrance, for aesthetic reasons as well as to provide shielding or privacy within a building or other structure. For example, a curtain can be adapted to separate a bathing area from the remaining room or a living space. A typical privacy curtain in a structure are hung or suspended from an elongated support rod, permanently or temporarily fixed to a portion of a structure. A support rod, or curtain rod, in a typical installation may be an elongated cylindrical or tubular element adapted to span a width of an opening in a structure and remain fixed to a portion of the structure. Fixing the support rod to the structure may require brackets, fasteners, adhesive, or other fastening devices to fix the rod to the structure. Alternatively, the support rod may be fixed to the structure via tension applied internally from within the rod, or externally from the structure. 
         [0004]    Curtains are typically fabricated from flexible, sheet-like material, such as fabric or other woven materials, non-woven materials, natural or synthetic, polymeric materials formed into substantially flexible sheets, by known methods. For specific applications, specific materials may be required. In other applications, typical materials may require a different treatment to make the material suitable for the intended use. For example, in an application for using a curtain over a bathtub, because the curtain will likely come into contact with liquid, such as water, the material for the curtain may be required to be waterproof, or a non-waterproof material may be used if it receives a treatment, coating, additional layer, etc., to render the normally non-waterproof material waterproof or at a minimum the property to repel liquid. 
         [0005]    The curtains can be drawn partially or completely across the width of the opening to be covered when such coverage is desired and/or needed. When not needed or desired, the curtain may be drawn to one side or the other of the opening, providing open access through the opening. 
         [0006]    Typical curtains are hung from a support object using a type of connector that can connect between the curtain and the stationary object; the stationary object may be a rod. The connector can be an independent, standalone connector; it can be part of the rod; or it can be part of the curtain; the connector can be removably attached to the curtain, or integrally connected to the curtain. The connector is most often referred to generally as a curtain hook, which is adapted to connect between the first portion of the curtain, whereby the first portion of the curtain is located closest to the rod, or the support rod. Known curtain hooks and/or the connectors generally have at least one end, preferably two ends. The connector and/or the curtain hook is configured such that it has a first end and a second end whereby the first end is adapted to engage the first portion of a curtain and the second end is to engage a first surface of the curtain rod. Alternatively, known curtain hook may engage the curtain rod with its first end, either removably or permanently connected, and then having its second end engages the first portion of the curtain to the portion being closest to the rod. Traditional shapes for curtain hooks include but are not limited to ring shape, C- or S-shaped. While these curtain hooks provide the ability to attach and detach the curtain from the curtain rod, they also cause the curtain to inadvertently dislodge either from the hooks or from the rod, or from both because the connectors—namely, the curtain hooks—are isolated, separated and individual pieces that are incapable of providing stable connections. These curtain hooks also require considerable efforts to assemble by the user to first connect the curtain hooks to the curtain, then to hang the curtain to the curtain rod. Alternatively, the curtain hooks can first be hung on the curtain rod, and then hang the curtain directly on the hooks; this too requires considerable effort on the part of the user. The present invention remedies the shortcomings of using the independent and standalone curtain hooks to connect between a curtain and the rod by eliminating the two-step process. 
         [0007]    The connector according to the present invention has at least one opening through its inner and outer perimeters, thus creating a first and a second end. The circumference of the inner perimeter is generally smaller than the circumference of the outer perimeter, and the connector of the present invention can similarly be used as a connector to connect between a two objects, for example, a curtain and a rod. The connector according to the present invention may have a variety of shapes, both geometric and non-geometric. Geometric shapes include but are not limited to circular, square, rectangular, and triangular, amongst others. The inner and outer perimeters may be the same shape, or they may have different shapes. The inner shapes of the connector do not need to conform to the outer shapes of the connector in accordance with the present invention. Irrespective of the shapes of the inner and outer perimeters, as a result of the opening through the inner and outer perimeters, the connector in accordance with the present invention performs a function of connecting and/or attaching a sheet of material to a substantially stationary object such as a rod; the connector has at least one end, preferably two ends, namely, the first end and a second end. The first and the second ends of the connector are positioned to oppose each other and may be adapted to be rejoined. 
         [0008]    Other methods for hanging a curtain from a curtain rod include but are not limited to providing the curtain with fixed openings, apertures, gaps, passages or receptacles at or near the first portion and/or the top edge portion of the curtain. The openings or passages are an integral part of the curtain. For example, closed loops of material may be attached to the top edge portion of a curtain, with the loops spaced apart and arranged such that the open interior spaces of the loops are coaxial and aligned with the width of the curtain to span the opening to be covered. Some curtains include passages or holes located in the top edge portion of the curtain, spaced below the top edge. Providing these passages gives the curtain a more secure attachment to the curtain rod, thus decreasing the possibilities of the curtain separating from the rod, while still allowing the curtain to be easily drawn across the opening or to one side of the opening. 
         [0009]    In order to hang curtains with passages fixed thereto, the support rod must be removed from the structure and inserted through the passages and/or openings provided. With the curtains having fixed passages, the top edge of the curtain may be arranged in an accordioned or pleated manner such that the open interior of the passages are aligned. After the curtain rod is inserted appropriately through the openings, the rod is then re-installed in the correct location across the opening to be covered. Removing the curtain from the rod requires the same steps in reverse order. This, however is a rather cumbersome process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The known connectors in the market fail to provide a secure and/or stable connection between a sheet of material such as a curtain and a supporter for the curtain such as a rod that, when in use, namely, when the connector is connecting the sheet of material, namely, the curtain to the supporter, namely the rod. The known connector fail to provide a stable, strong and easy attachment and detachment between the curtain and the rod. Accordingly, it would be an advantage to the state of the art and would fulfill a long-felt need to provide a connector, whether it is integral to a sheet of material such as a curtain and/or removably connected to a curtain, that can facilitate a one step connection between a sheet of material such as a curtain and a substantially stationary supporter, such as a rod that would allow the curtain to be easily hung from a rod so the curtain can be opened and/or closed without the sheet of material being separated and/or becoming detached from the supporter such as the rod. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, the present invention relates to a novel connector and/or a curtain hanging assembly. The connector, by way of example will be described as a hanging assembly largely in terms of a shower curtain assembly with the understanding that the same assembly can be used in conjunction with other types of material, however, it is to be understood that the spirit of the invention is not to be limited to a shower curtain assembly. The present invention is a connector and it can be used to connect between two objects. 
         [0012]    One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a curtain having at least one opening along a first/top edge portion of the curtain, spaced away from the edge of the curtain. In the two outer perforations and/or apertures and/or cavities closest to the left and the right side edge of the curtain, a cut is extended from each of the outer openings to the top edge of the curtain. In the inner openings, a path is extended through the curtain between each pair of the inner openings. The cuts that extend from each of the outer openings to the top edge of the curtain and the path between pairs of the inner openings enable the engagement of the curtain onto the rod without removing the rod. 
         [0013]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the openings are reinforced by a curtain ring and/or a curtain hook and/or a curtain connector and/or a connector. Each of the connector has an interior passage of a size and shape so as to allow the passage of the curtain and when joined, the passages in the two elements are substantially coaxial and coextensive. Each element of the pair includes one opening through the element resulting in at least two free ends of similar or complementary cross section with portions of each free end in alignment with portions of the opposing free end or not in alignment with the portions of the opposing ends. These two free ends are joinable elements with each other. The path of the opening may be linear or non-linear, or partially linear and partially nonlinear; centered or off-centered; vertical or diagonal; and any combination thereof. 
         [0014]    According to embodiments of the present invention, each of the joinable elements in a pair has opposing surfaces adapted for engagement with each other. Such adaptation could include mutually engaging structures configured to join the elements together with at least a portion of the curtain edge placed between the opposing surfaces. The mutually engaging structures may permanently engage the elements or may removably engage the elements. The engaging structures establish rotational and translational position of one element with respect to the other. 
         [0015]    In an assembly according to embodiments of the present invention, a pair of joinable elements are placed, one on either side of a curtain, such that opposed surfaces face the curtain and such that the interior passage of each element is arranged in a coaxial manner and the passages are aligned with the passage in the top edge portion of the curtain. One element of the pair is arranged such that the free ends formed by the cut is aligned with the cut in the curtain. The other element of the pair is positioned such that the cut in that element is rotated from the cut in the curtain less than 15° in any direction, that is, the second element may be rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When joined, the elements are rotationally positioned such that the cut in the first element of a pair is rotationally offset from the cut in the second element of the pair by less than 15° in any direction. 
         [0016]    Once aligned, the opposing surfaces are urged together, with a portion of the top edge portion there between, such that the surfaces engage and are fixed in rotational and translational position with respect to each other and the curtain. 
         [0017]    The above and other objects, features, and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0018]    Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meaning explicitly associate herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. In the text, the terms “comprising”, “comprise”, “comprises” and other forms of “comprise” can have the meaning ascribed to the terms in U.S. Patent Law and can mean “including,” “include,” “includes,” and other forms of “include”. The phrase “an embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. In addition, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference; thus for example, “an embodiment” is not limited to a single embodiment but refers to one or more embodiments. As used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the terms “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0019]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the foregoing brief description and the following detailed description are exemplary (i.e., illustrative) and explanatory of the subject matter of the present disclosure, but are not intended to be restrictive thereof or limiting of the advantages which can be achieved by the present disclosure in various implementations. Additionally, it is understood that the foregoing summary and ensuing detailed description are representative of some embodiments of the present disclosure, and are neither representative nor inclusive of all subject matter and embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate embodiments of this disclosure, and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain principles of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0020]    Various features of novelty which characterize various aspects of the disclosure are pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the disclosure, operating advantages and specific objects that may be attained by some of its uses, reference is made to the accompanying descriptive matter in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which corresponding components are identified by the same reference numerals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The following detailed description, given by way of example, but not intended to limit the disclosure solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a curtain assembly of the prior art. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a curtain assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a curtain assembly hanging on a rod according to the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0025]      FIGS. 4-4E  illustrate a series of configuration of a first embodiment of the connector in accordance with the present invention where the connector has one opening resulting in a joinable element in which the opposable surfaces located at the end of the two joinable elements are non-linear.  FIGS. 4A through 4E  shows a various embodiments for the opposable surfaces. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 5-5D  illustrate a series of configuration of a second embodiment of the connector in accordance with the present invention where the connector has one opening resulting in at least two joinable elements in which the opposable surfaces located at the end of the two joinable elements are centered; off-center; vertical; or diagonal in relation to the vertical plane. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 6-6E  illustrate a series of configuration of a third embodiment of the connector in accordance with the present invention where the connector has one opening resulting in at least one joinable element wherein the connector has an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, and both perimeters are not circular. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 7-7C  illustrate a series of configuration of a fourth embodiment of the connector in accordance with the present invention wherein the connector has one opening having at least one joinable element, the connector having an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, wherein both perimeters are not circular, and in which the first end of the joinable element has an opposable surface that is diagonal and/or non linear with respect to a vertical plane. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 8-8A  illustrate a series of configuration of a fifth embodiment of the connector in accordance with the present invention wherein the connector has one opening having a joinable element having an inner and an outer perimeter in which the outer perimeter is a decorative shape that can be seasonal, in the shape of any animal of choice, whether real or imaginary, can be any plant or flowers, can be any stars, any modes of transportation such as airplanes, automobiles, motorcycles, or consistent for any holidays, birthdays or for any decor that the user may like. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 9-9A  illustrate examples of a connector of a sixth embodiment in accordance of the present invention having an inner surface, an outer surface, at least one joinable element disposed on the inner surface, at least one joinable element disposed on the outer surface, in which the opening in the outer surface is off-set with respect to the opening in the inner surface of connector causing the joinable element on the outer surface to not be aligned with the joinable element on the inner surface of the connector. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    As used herein, the term “curtain” is understood to mean generally a sheet-like structure having a first end, or a top edge, a portion extending downward from the first end and/or the top edge, and opposing side edge disposed at the opposite end of the first end forming the second end or the bottom edge. The distance between the left and the right side edges generally defines the width of the curtain. 
         [0032]    As used herein, “top edge” or the first end is understood to mean the uppermost part of the curtain when hung in a conventional manner for curtains and it also denotes the portion of the curtain closest in proximity to the stationary object the curtain is hung from. “Top” is intended to have its plain and ordinary meaning, including the highest or uppermost part or location that has the shortest distance to the supporting element such as the rod. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  illustrates a known curtain assembly including a sheet-like structure such as a curtain  10 , a horizontal supporting element such as a rod or curtain rod  12  which passes through openings/passages/apertures  14  forming a passage in the top edge or first end portion  16  of the curtain. The openings  14  are spaced a distance from the top edge of the curtain  18  in a direction away from the top edge/first end. Accordingly, in order to hang the curtain  10  from the rod  12 , the rod must be first removed from its stationary position, threaded through the openings/passages/apertures  14 , and reposition the rod  12  and at least the top edge portion of the curtain  18  arranged in an accordioned or corrugated fashion. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  illustrates a curtain according to an embodiment of the present invention. The curtain  10  has at least one opening: two outer openings  14   a  which are located on reinforcer and/or connector and/or ring  15 , and four inner openings  14   b  forming two pairs of inner openings in the top edge portion  18 . Six generally circular openings are shown for ease of illustration only, recognizing that more than or less than six openings may be used and shapes other than circular may also be used with similar results. Each opening  14   a  and  14   b  is preferably substantially surrounded by a reinforcing means such as a reinforcer and/or the connector and/or the ring  15  made of a resilient material to reinforce the openings  14   a  and  14   b  if the curtain  10  is susceptible to tearing and ripping. A resilient material is one that can be deformed to enable the curtain to be mounted onto and detached from the rod repeatedly while maintaining the shape of the openings sufficiently to retain the curtain on the rod. The resilient material can be made of any synthetic material or natural material such as fabric, plastic, or a resin, or metal, or a combination thereof, it can be water-resistant or water-repellant or any other suitable material constructed and shaped to achieve the goal of the present invention. The use of reinforcer  15  can also improve the movement of the mounted curtain  10  on the rod as well as improve the engagement/attachment/coupling of the openings  14   a  and  14   b  with the rod. The reinforcer and/or ring  15  can either be integral or removably coupled with the curtain  10  or can be formed from the same material as curtain  10  during the formation of the curtain  10 . 
         [0035]    The reinforcer and/or the connector and/or the ring  15  can have any shape compatible with the invention. Generally, the periphery of the openings  14   a  and  14   b  which actually engages the rod  12  (not shown) may be defined by the reinforcer and/or the connector and/or the ring  15  rather than the curtain  10 . No distinction between these is made herein. 
         [0036]    The two outer openings  14   a  formed on reinforcer and/or the connector and/or the ring  15 , include opening  20  which extends through the thickness of the curtain, starting from the top of the opening  14   a  and extending from the top edge of the curtain  18 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the opening  20  enables engagement of the curtain  10  onto the rod  12 . In the inner openings  14   b , there is a path between each pair of openings  14   b . The path between openings  14   b  in a pair further enables the engagement of the curtain  10  onto the rod  12 . This path is accomplished by slits  17   a  and  17   b  extending through the thickness of the curtain between each pair of openings  14   b . If openings  14   b  are reinforced with reinforcer and/or the connector and/or the ring  15 , the slits would also extend through the rings as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0037]    According to the present invention, each joinable element has two surfaces; for easy reference, these will be referred to as an inner surface and an outer surface. It is to be understood that in certain configurations, as for example when a curtain is used to separate two rooms, or to divide a room, either surface could be considered inner, and either surface could be considered outer. In one embodiment of the invention, each joinable element comprises a single element, such that the inner and outer surfaces of each joinable element are the inner and outer surfaces of the single element. In another embodiment, each joinable element comprises two or more concentric elements, such that one concentric element comprises the inner surface, and another concentric element comprises the outer surface. When the joinable elements comprise two or more concentric elements, the concentric elements may be formed from the same material, or they may be formed from different materials. As a non-limiting example, the outer element may be more decorative than the inner element. The inner and outer elements may be attached to one another by a variety of means know to those of skill in the art, including but not limited to screws, hooks, clips, rivets, and any commonly known fastening device and the like. 
         [0038]    As noted above, in an embodiment of the invention there is at least one opening through the joinable element, resulting in at least one free end, preferably two. In one embodiment of the invention, the opening through the outer element is in register with the opening through the inner element, resulting in two free ends. In another embodiment of the invention, the opening through the outer element is not in register with the opening through the inner element, such that the opening through the outer element is displaced with respect to the opening in the inner element (and vice versa). Such an embodiment results in four free ends, two free ends of the inner element, and two free end of the outer element. In embodiments in which the opening through the outer element is displaced with respect to the opening through the inner element, the free ends of the outer element are similarly displaced with respect to the free ends of the inner element. 
         [0039]    To install a curtain of the present invention on a curtain rod, it is necessary to temporarily create a space between the joinable elements with respect one another.  FIG. 9  shows an embodiment in accordance with the present invention in which joinable elements  91  and  93  are in a closed position.  FIG. 9A  shows an embodiment in which joinable elements  95  and  97  are in an open position. In those embodiments in which an opening through an outer element is displaced with respect to the opening in the inner element, as in  FIGS. 9 and 9A , the joinable elements can be readily separated in one direction, but not in the other direction. For example, in the embodiment shown  FIG. 9 , the elements can be separated by moving element  91  in the frontward direction, while moving element  93  in the rearward direction, or moving elements  91  and  93  in opposite directions. However, constant movement in the opposite direction, i.e.,  91  rearward and  93  frontward, is prevented by the overlap of the joinable elements. The overlap of the inner and outer surfaces of the joinable elements provides stability, thereby decreasing the likelihood of unintended disengagement of the curtain assembly of the invention, from the rod. 
         [0040]    The interface of the joinable elements need not have a linear configuration. As previously mentioned, the interface of the internal surface of the joinable elements can be linear or non-linear, the interface of the external surface of the joinable elements can be linear or non-linear, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the invention in which the joinable elements of the external surface have a non-linear configuration include but are not limited to those shown in  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 4D . For purposes of description, the joinable elements may be considered to have none, one or more male elements, and none, one or more female elements. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , one joinable element has a female (i.e., concave) semicircular element  40   a , and the other joinable element has a male (i.e., convex) semicircular element  40   b , such that when opposed at interface  40 , the male and female elements interlock A variation of this embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4A , in which joinable elements  42   a  and  42   b  each has a series of alternating male and female semicircular elements, such that the opposing surface of each joinable element has a scalloped appearance, and meet at interface  42 . 
         [0041]    Another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4B , wherein one joinable element  44   a  has a serrated female element, and the other joinable element  44   b  has a serrated male element, wherein the serrated male element interlocks with the female serrated element at interface  44 . 
         [0042]    A further embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4C , wherein the joinable elements  46   a  and  46   b  each have a series of alternating male and female serrated elements, such that each opposable surface of the joinable elements has a “zig-zag” appearance; when the two elements meet at interface  46 , the alternating male and female triangular elements of one joinable element interlock with the alternating male and female triangular elements of the other joinable element. 
         [0043]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4D , one joinable element  48   a  has a rectangular female element, and the other joinable element  48   b  has a rectangular male element, wherein the rectangular male element of one joinable element interlocks with the female rectangular element of the other joinable element at interface  48 . A variation of this embodiment is on in which the male and female elements are square, rather than rectangular. 
         [0044]    An additional embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4E , wherein joinable elements  49   a  and  49   b  each have a series of alternating male and female square or rectangular elements, such that alternating male and female square or rectangular elements of one joinable element interlock with the alternating male and female square or rectangular elements of the other joinable element, at interface  49 . 
         [0045]    In the embodiments shown in  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 4D , the inner and outer perimeters of the curtain openings are circular. The invention also embodies openings in which the inner perimeter, outer perimeter, or both perimeters, have shapes other than circular and although not illustrated, it is important to note that the inner and the outer perimeter of the connector in accordance with the present invention can be of the same geometric shape or different throughout all of the embodiments. 
         [0046]    The opposing surfaces of the joinable elements may be vertical as shown in  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 4D . The invention also embodies opposing surfaces which are oriented diagonally with respect to the vertical plane, as well as opposing surfaces which are off-center. Also embodied are any combination of these orientations (vertical or diagonal) or positions (center or off-center). Whether oriented vertically or diagonally, or whether centered or off-center, the opposing surfaces can take a variety of forms, including but not limited to those shown in  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 4D . 
         [0047]      FIG. 5A  shows an embodiment in which the opposable elements of the external surface are off-center. Element  50   a  comprises one female serrated element, and element  50   b  comprises one male serrated elements, wherein the male and female elements meet at interface  50 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5B  shows another embodiment of the invention in which the opposable elements are off-centered. In this embodiment, opposable elements  52   a  and  52   b  each contain multiple rectangular elements, which meet at interface  52 . A variation of this embodiment is one in which the elements are square, rather than rectangular. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5C  shows another embodiment of the invention in which the interface  54  between elements  54   a  and  54   b  is linear, and off center. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5D  shows yet another embodiment of the invention in which the interface  56  of the opposable elements  56   a  and  56   b , are linear and diagonal. 
         [0051]    As noted above, additional embodiments of the invention are those in which the outer perimeter of the joinable elements, or the inner perimeter of the joinable element, or both outer and inner perimeters o the joinable elements, are shapes other than circular. In such embodiments, the inner and outer perimeters may be the same shape, or may have different shapes from one another. Additionally, in such embodiments, the interface of the joinable elements may be linear or non-linear, centered or off-center, vertical or diagonal, or any combination thereof. One such embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6 , in which the inner perimeter  60   d  is square and the outer perimeter  60   a  is circular. In this particular embodiment the interface  60  of opposable elements  60   a  and  60   b  is linear, centered, and vertical, but other configurations are and can be embodied by the invention. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6A  shows an embodiment in which the inner perimeter  62   c  is triangular and the outer perimeter  62   d  is circular. In this particular embodiment the interface  62  of opposable elements  62   a  and  62   b  is linear, centered, and vertical, however, the configuration between the inner and the outer perimeters can be interchanged without departing from the spirit of the present invention and other configurations are and can be embodied by the invention. 
         [0053]    Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 6B , in which the inner perimeter  64   c  is circular and the outer perimeter  64   d  is square. In this particular embodiment the interface  64  of opposable elements  64   a  and  64   b  is linear, centered, and vertical, but other configurations are embodied by the invention. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6C  shows an embodiment in which the inner perimeter  66   c  is square and the outer perimeter  66   d  is also square. In this particular embodiment the interface  66  of opposable elements  66   a  and  66   b  is linear, centered, and vertical, but other configurations are embodied by the invention. 
         [0055]    Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 6D , in which the inner perimeter  68   c  is circular and the outer perimeter  68   d  is rectangular. In this particular embodiment the interface  68  of opposable elements  68   a  and  68   b  is linear, centered, and vertical, but other configurations are embodied by the invention. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6E  shows an embodiment in which the inner perimeter  69   c  is circular and the outer perimeter  69   d  is triangular. In this particular embodiment the interface  69  of opposable elements  69   a  and  69   b  is linear, centered, and vertical, but other configurations are embodied by the invention. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment in which the inner perimeter  70   c  is circular and the outer perimeter  70   d  is square. In this particular embodiment the interface  70  of opposable elements  77   a  and  77   b  is linear, centered, and diagonal, but other configurations are embodied by the invention. 
         [0058]    Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 7A , in which the inner perimeter  72   c  is circular and the outer perimeter  72   d  is squarer. In this particular embodiment the interface  72  of opposable elements  72   a  and  72   b  is comprised of interlocking serrated elements which are centered and vertical, but other configurations are embodied by the invention. 
         [0059]      FIG. 7B  shows an embodiment in which the inner perimeter  74   c  is circular and the outer perimeter  74   d  is square. In this particular embodiment the opposable element  74   a  is concave and opposable element  74   b  is convex, and the two elements meet at interface  77 , which is centered. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7C  shows an embodiment in which the inner perimeter  76   c  is circular and the outer perimeter  76   d  is square. In this particular embodiment opposable elements  77   a  and  77   b  each comprise a single serrated elements, which meet at interface  77 , which is centered. 
         [0061]    The invention embodies configurations in which the inner or outer perimeter are any geometric shape, including but not limited to circle, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, trapezoid, etc., or any non-geometric shape. The inner and outer perimeters can be the same shape, or different shapes. Irrespective of the shape of the inner and/or outer perimeters, the opposable surfaces may be linear or non-linear, vertical or diagonal, centered or off-centered, and they may comprise a single or multiple male and female elements. All possible combinations of shapes of the inner and outer perimeters, and all possible shapes, orientations and configurations of the opposable surfaces, are encompassed by the invention. 
         [0062]    In other embodiments, the outer perimeter may be a complex shape, which may be decorative or symbolic. For example, the outer perimeter may be in the shape of an animal, for example, a car, dog, horse, or “Teddy Bear,” or any other animal.  FIG. 8  shows an embodiment in which the inner perimeter  80   c  is circular and the outer perimeter  80   d  is in the shape of a bear. In this particular embodiment, interface  80  between opposable elements  80   a  and  80   b  is linear, centered, and vertical, though other configurations are encompassed by the invention. The invention also embodies outer perimeters in the shape of other animals, either real or imaginary. 
         [0063]    In other embodiments, the shape of the outer perimeter may have religious symbolism, for example a cross, or a Star of David, or A Buddha, any other shape with religious or spiritual significance.  FIG. 8A  is an embodiment in which the inner perimeter  95   c  is circular, the outer perimeter  85   d  is in the shape of a star. In this particular embodiment the opposable elements  85   a  and  85   b  meet at interface  80  which is linear, centered, and vertical, though other configurations are encompassed by the invention. 
         [0064]    In yet other embodiments, the outer perimeter may have a seasonal shape, including but not limited to Santa Claus, a snowman, a snowflake, or an Easter Bunny. In each case, the inner perimeter may be any geometric shape, including but not limited to circle, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, trapezoid, etc., or any non-geometric shape. The outer perimeter can be any shape, and is not limited to seasonal shapes. Irrespective of the shape of the inner and/or outer perimeters, the opposable surfaces may be linear or non-linear, vertical or diagonal, centered, off-centered and they may comprise a single or multiple male and female elements. All possible combinations of shapes of the inner and outer perimeters, and all possible shapes, orientations and configurations of the opposable surfaces, are encompassed by the invention. 
         [0065]    Having thus described in detail embodiments of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the subject matter disclosed by the foregoing paragraphs is not to be limited to particular details and/or embodiments set forth in the above description. For example, particular numerical values or ranges are provided by way of illustration for clarity of exposition, and are not intended to limit the possible values or ranges that may be implemented in accordance with the present disclosure. Additionally, the present disclosure may be practiced without necessarily providing one or more of the advantages described herein or otherwise understood in view of the disclosure and/or that may be realized in some embodiments thereof. Accordingly, it is understood that many modifications and variations of the embodiments and subject matter disclosed herein are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.