Patent Publication Number: US-2010129144-A1

Title: Snap-Ring System For Connecting Separate Components

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system permitting separate products, objects, or implements to be removably connectable such that the products, objects, or implements can be securely connected, separated, and re-connected repeatedly throughout the useful life thereof. 
     By way of example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0208871 A1 and U.S. Design Pat. No. D499,635 S issued to Osborne disclose a support device having a suction cup that can be mounted on a wall of a shower, bath tub, sink, or the like for holding a cleaning sponge. The sponge can be removed from the support device, used, and re-hung on the support device to dry. In addition, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,464 issued to Cardarelli which discloses a suction cup device for use in securing a brush, sponge, cloth, or massaging device to a shower wall and U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,904 issued to Smith which discloses a bottle lifting device. 
     While the suction cup support devices and shower implements disclosed in the above referenced patents may be satisfactory for their intended purposes, there is a need for a universal snap-engagement system that permits products of all types to be hung, organized, stored, carried, secured and/or displayed in a convenient and novel manner. The system should permit products, objects and implements to be securely connected, separated, and re-connected repeatedly throughout their useful life. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a universal snap-engagement system for removably connecting separate components together. The first component has a wall defining a channel or recess with an array of flexible teeth extending from the wall into the channel or recess to at least partially obstruct the channel or recess. The teeth are spaced-apart and define open slots therebetween. A separate second component is removably connectable to the first component. The second component includes a connection peg that has a front wall and a longitudinally-extending sidewall. The sidewall has a groove that is spaced from the front wall and that extends transversely about the peg. The peg is of a size that is receivable within the channel or recess such that the flexible teeth are deflected by the peg and return to an original non-deflected position when seated within the groove to securely connect the first component to the second component. 
     As an alternative, the arrangement of the array of teeth on the wall of the first component and the groove on the peg of the second component can be reversed. Thus, the teeth can be provided on the sidewall of the peg and project outwardly therefrom, and an inwardly opening groove can be located on the wall of the first component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C are plan, perspective, and side elevational views, respectively, of a snap-ring according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2F  are plan views of alternate snap-rings according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a base unit on which a snap ring of  FIG. 1A  is releasably connected according to the present application; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an alternate base unit according to the present application; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side elevational and perspective views, respectively, of an alternate base unit according to the present application; 
         FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  are side elevational and perspective views of additional alternate base units according to the present application; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are plan and perspective views of an intermediate base unit according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 10A-11B  are plan and perspective views of alternate intermediate base units according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are side elevational and perspective views of an alternate peg of a base unit according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of an alternate snap-ring according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 14A-15B  are front elevation and perspective views of clamp and hook implements according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a squeegee according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16A-16D  are front elevational and perspective views of razors according to the present invention and  FIG. 16E  is a side elevational view of razor and container combination according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 17A-17C  are front and side elevational and perspective views of a toothbrush according to the present invention and  FIG. 17D  is a perspective view of toothbrush and container combination according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 18A-18F  are front, cross-sectional, and perspective views of bars of soap according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 19A-19D  are front elevational and perspective views of a soap dish and a towel rack according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 20A-20F  are front, cross-sectional, and perspective views of bottles according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 21A-21C  are front and side elevational and perspective views of a tube-shaped container according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 22A-22D  are elevational and perspective views of cleaning pads and brushes according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 23A-23D  are cross-sectional and front elevational views of a screw driver according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 24A-24D  are cross-sectional and front elevational views of a container according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 25A-25B  are cross-sectional and front elevational views of an alternate container supported on a base unit according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 26A-26D  are front elevational and perspective views of cosmetic compact cases and lip sticks according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 27A-27B  are front elevational views of a container and brush combination according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 28A-28C  are front, cross-sectional, and perspective views of a container according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 29A-29C  are perspective, plan, and side elevational views of a bottle cap according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 30A-30C  are perspective, plan, and front elevational views of a bottle topper according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 31A-31D  are elevational, perspective, and cross sectional views of a water bottle and carrier base unit combination according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 32A-32B  are elevational and perspective views of a kitchen utensil according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 33A-33G  are elevational and perspective views of flash lights according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 34A-34D  are plan and perspective views of dust pans and brooms according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 35A-35B  are elevational and perspective views of a pair of pliers according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 36A-36B  are elevational and perspective views of a tape measure according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 37A-37B  are elevational and perspective views of a pair of a shovel according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 38A-38B  are elevational and perspective views of a rake according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 39A-39B  are elevational and perspective views of a writing utensil according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 40A-40D  are elevational and perspective views of clip boards and notepads according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 41  is a wash cloth, towel, or cleaning rag according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 42A-42B  are product packaging according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 43A-43C  are elevational and cross-sectional views of a cell phone according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 44A-44B  are elevational and perspective views of a carrying case for a cell phone or the like according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 45A-45B  are elevational and cross-sectional views of a music playing device according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 46A-46B  are elevational and perspective views of a shower radio and music playing device according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 47-49  are a hair dryer, an illuminated snap ring, and a clock, respectively, according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 50A-50B  are elevational and perspective views of a picture frame according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 51A-51C  are elevational and perspective views of a watch or jewelry merchandise display according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 52A-52B  are elevational and perspective views of an air freshener according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 53A-53B  are elevational and perspective views of a hair brush according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 54  is an elevational view of a thermometer according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 55A-55C  are elevational and perspective views of a pill case according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 56A-56B  are elevational and perspective views of a bucket and shovel according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 57A-57B  are elevational and perspective views of a toy according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 58  is a side elevational view of a trailer hitch and attachment according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 59A-59E  are cross-sectional, side elevational, and front elevational views of an alternate snap ring and base unit combination according to the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 60A-60B  are side and front elevational views of a further alternate embodiment of a base unit according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system of connecting together two or more objects or the like for any of a variety of purposes including, storing, organizing, carrying, hanging, and displaying. Typically, a first component has a snap-ring element and a separate second component has a connection peg that is cooperatively received within the snap-ring and engaged by the snap-ring to secure the first component to the second component. As an example, the first component may be any type of hand-held implement, object, product, or device, and the second component can be a base unit for holding the first component. This attachment, or docking, of the first component to the second component is a snap-type or friction-type attachment and is not permanent. Rather, the first and second components are such that they can be repeatedly connected, disconnected, and then re-connected throughout the life of the components. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate a first embodiment of a snap-ring element  10  according to the present invention. The illustrated snap-ring element  10  has an annular wall  12  that defines a channel, or recess,  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the snap-ring element  10  is provided as a separate pre-manufactured ring  16  that is intended to be affixed to a separately manufactured first component. Alternatively, the annular wall  12  can be molded directly into the body of the first component. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the wall  12  is annular and provides a channel or recess  14  that is circular in plan. As an alternative, the channel or recess according to the present invention may be of any shape in plan including rectangular, triangular, oval, multi-sided, or the like. 
     An array of flexible teeth  18  extends from the annular wall  12  into the channel or recess  14  thereby partially obstructing passage through or into the channel or recess  14 . Preferably, the teeth  18  extend radially inward from the annular wall  12  into the channel or recess  14 , and the teeth  18  are spaced apart from one another forming radially-extending open slots  20  between each pair of adjacent teeth. The slots  20  provide the teeth  18  with space to flex. The number, shape and form of the teeth  18  can vary. For example, there are ten teeth  18  in the snap-ring  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1A , while the number of teeth in  FIGS. 2A-2F  range from two to nine. Of course, more than ten teeth can be utilized, if desired. 
     The teeth  18  are resiliently flexible.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate the normal positioning of the teeth  18 . The teeth  18  can be deflected from this normal position; however, the teeth  18  will resiliently return to the memorized normal position when able. As an example, the teeth can be made of an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a rubber, a styrenic block copolymer (SBC), polyisoprene, silicon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), a polycarbonate, polypropylene, or neoprene. Preferably, the annular wall  12  and ring  16  is made of a relatively rigid material, such as plastic, and a ring  22  of integral teeth  18  is embedded within the plastic ring  16 . For instance, see  FIG. 1C . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3B , the teeth  18  have a base section  24  adjacent the annular wall  12  and a free-ended tip section  26  remote from the annular wall  12 . Preferably, a thickness “T1” of the base section  24  is greater than the thickness “T2” of the tip section  26 . In addition, preferably the tip sections  26  define an unobstructed opening  28  within the channel or recess  14 . The unobstructed opening  28  can be centered within the channel or recess  14  (see  FIG. 1A ). Alternatively, the unobstructed opening can be offset relative to a center of the channel or recess. For example, see unobstructed opening  30  in snap ring  32  illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The offset can enable a certain area of the snap ring to be strengthened, if needed. 
     As stated above, the second component is typically a base unit on which the first component can be held, or docked. As an example,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  disclose one embodiment of a base unit  34 . The base unit  34  includes a connection peg  36  that has a front wall  38  and a longitudinally-extending sidewall  40 . The sidewall  40  has a groove  42  that is spaced from the front wall  38  and extends transversely, or circumferentially, about the peg  36 . 
     The shape and size of the peg  36 , such as its diameter, is provided such that a portion from the front wall  38  to the groove  42  of the peg  36  is receivable within the channel or recess  14  of the snap-ring element  10 . The resiliently flexible teeth  18  are deflected by the peg  36  when the peg is inserted into the channel or recess  14 . Upon sufficient insertion, the teeth  18  snap into the groove  42  and return to their normal non-deflected position. In this condition, the teeth  18  are seated within the groove  42  and are captured therein. Thus, the first component is removably connected to the second component in a manner providing easy on/off action. 
     The durometer or measure of hardness of the teeth  18  at least partially determines how much force is required for the on/off action between the first and second components. The teeth  18  can be provided at a particular durometer based on the intended end use of the first and second components. For objects, implements or like first components that are relatively lightweight and/or that will be frequently removed and attached to a base unit, the durometer of the teeth can be, for instance, in a range of about 30 to about 40. For example, if the first component is a tooth brush or squeegee, the teeth may be provided with a durometer of 30 to 40. Alternatively, objects, implements or like first components that are relatively heavy and/or that will be less frequently removed and attached to a base unit, the durometer of the teeth can be closer to 70. For example, if the first component is a soap dish which is removed less frequently only for cleaning purposes or if the first component is a shovel or relatively heavy implement, the teeth can be provided with a durometer of 70. 
     Preferably, the thickness “T2” of the tip sections  26  of the teeth  18  substantially matches or is only slightly less than a width “W” of the groove  42 . Thus, when the tip section  26  is seated within the groove  42 , the teeth  18  are snuggly engaged between the opposed walls  46  and  48  of the groove  42 . The depth “D” of the groove  42  can be, for instance, about 0.03125 to about 1.0 inch (0.08 to 2.54 cm), or any other size desired. 
     The peg  36  illustrated in  FIG. 3B  has an outwardly-extending peripheral ridge  50  adjacent the groove  42  on a side of the groove  42  opposite the front wall  38 . The ridge  50  functions as a backstop to prevent the snap ring  10  and teeth  18  from advancing beyond the groove  42  on the peg  36 . As an alternative, a peg can be used that has a plurality of grooves. For example, see  FIGS. 12A and 12B  which illustrate a peg  52  having three longitudinally-spaced grooves  54 . This enables multiple snap rings  10 , or first components, to be connected to the peg  52  in a back-to-back manner along the length of the peg  52 . 
     The pegs can carry indicia on their front wall. For example, peg  36  has a cap  56  on which a graphic  58  is displayed. The graphic can be provided by a sticker, printing, relief, or the like. The cap  56  can provide a flat front face or it can be rounded in the form of a dome  60  (See  FIG. 6 ). In addition, the dome  60  can be hinged to the peg providing a storage compartment in the front face of the peg. The storage compartment can house toys, cosmetics, or other consumer products. 
     If the second component is a base unit, it can have a mounting mechanism for securing the base unit to a desired surface. For example, base unit  34  in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  have a suction cup  62  for securing base unit  34  to a surface via suction. If a more permanent connection is desired, an adhesive can be applied or sprayed to the back of the suction cup  62  so that the suction cup  62  merely holds the unit in place while the adhesive is permitted to set or cure. 
     As an alternative mounting mechanism, the base unit  64  illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  has a mechanical fastener  66  for use in securing the base unit  64  to a surface. The mechanical fastener can be integrally formed on the base unit  64  or be provided by a headed fastener, such as a nail, screw bolt, drywall fastener or the like. These fasteners can be used in combination with an adhesive, if desired. 
     Another alternative of a mounting mechanism is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . In this example, the base unit  68  has a rear wall  70  that can be applied with an adhesive, a piece of double-sided adhesive tape, hook and loop fasteners, a magnet, or the like for securing the rear wall  70  to a surface. 
     Other examples of mounting mechanisms are disclosed in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In  FIG. 7 , the base unit  72  has a clip or belt clip  74  that can be clipped or clamped onto a desired surface or structure, such as a belt. In  FIG. 8 , the base unit  76  has an electric plug or prongs  78  for being connected and plugged into an electric wall socket. In this example, the first component can be an air freshener that attaches to base unit  76 . When plugged into an electric socket, the combination can cause scents to be released into the air from the air freshener. Alternatively, the base unit  76  can be part of a recharging unit for recharging the batteries within the first component. In this case, the base unit and first component would have engaging electrical contacts. 
     As thus far described, the system of the present invention includes a first component and a second component; however, the system can also include intermediate components. For example,  FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrated a bar-like intermediate member  80  that has multiple pegs  82  and multiple snap rings  10 . Accordingly, the intermediate member  80  can be connected to any of the above referenced base units by applying the snap rings  10  onto the pegs of the base units. In addition, first components having snap rings can be applied to the pegs  82  of the intermediate member  80 . Thus, the system can include a first component secured to an intermediate component which in turn is secured to a base component. Of course, arrangements having multiple intermediate components can also be utilized. 
     Another example of an intermediate component is illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . Intermediate member  84  has a pair of smaller snap rings  10  and a larger snap ring  86 . Thus, the size of the snap rings and pegs can be altered to provide extra strength as needed. 
       FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  14 A,  14 B,  15 A and  15 B illustrate examples of first components having snap rings  10  that connect to a base unit  34  and that, in turn, are used to hang other objects, products or the like therefrom. For example, the first component can be a plate-shaped support  88  having a snap ring  10  and an attachment eyelet  90 . Thus, when a base unit having a peg is secured to a desired surface and when the support  88  is connected to the base unit, objects having strings, rope, chains, key chains, hooks or the like can be extended through and attached to eyelet  90  for suspension therefrom. Alternatively, the support can have a clamp  92  or one or more hooks  94 . For example, the support can be secured to a base unit and hold a tube  96  or like product in the mouth of the clamp  92  or products can be simply hooked onto one of the hooks  94 . 
     The first components can also be hand held implements that have a handle. For example, a squeegee  98  (see  FIG. 15 ) can have a snap ring  10  enabling the squeegee to be removable connected to a base unit  34 . Thus, the base unit  34  can be connected to a wall of a shower, a mirror, a window or like surface and the squeegee  98  can be connected to the base unit  34  for storage purposes until use of the squeegee  98  is desired. 
     If desired, the snap ring can be located on the handle or a body portion of the first component. The snap ring can be located on the handle, for instance, for relatively lightweight products such as razors and toothbrushes. In contrast, heavier first components, such as hair driers or the like, may have snap rings on a body portion of the product to allow the handle to remain free for being gripped by a user to remove the first component from a base unit. Of course, the snap ring can be located on any part of the first component. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 16A-16D , the first component can be a razor  100  or  102  having a snap ring  10  in a handle portion thereof. The razors  100  and  102  can be secured to a base unit on a shower wall, minor or like surface or can be secured to a peg extending from packaging  104 , such as a bottle of shaving cream, lotion, or the like. See  FIG. 16E . The base units to which the razors  100  and  102  are connected can provide ready storage of the razors, for instance during travel, or can be used in connection with merchandise displays of the razors. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 17A-17C , the first component can be a toothbrush  106  having a snap ring  10  in a handle portion thereof. The toothbrush  106  can be hung on a base unit for ready availability and drying and can be secured to a peg extending from packaging  108 , such as a bottle of mouth wash, tooth paste, or the like. See  FIG. 17D . The snap ring  10  can provide a channel extending entirely through the handle of the toothbrush  106 , or it can form a recess opening only on one side of the handle of the toothbrush  106 . 
     Another bath care product that can have a snap ring  10  is a bar of soap. As shown in  FIGS. 18A-18C , the snap ring can be embedded in the soap  110  and be accessible via a recess  112  opening only on one side of the soap  110 . Alternatively, a channel  114  can extend entirely through soap  116 , and a snap ring  10  can be accessible from both sides of the soap as shown in  FIGS. 18D-18F . Also see cleaning pads  118  ( FIGS. 22A-22B ), cleaning brushes  120  ( FIGS. 22C-22D ), and towel, rag, wash cloth, automotive shami, or cleaning rag  204  ( FIG. 41 ) that can also have snap rings  10 . The pads  118  can be sponges, wash clothes, scrubbing pads, wire pads or the like. The cleaning brushes  120  can be connected to pegs on packaging, bottles of cleaning solutions, buckets, or any other surface. 
     Other bathroom accessories include a soap dish  122  ( FIGS. 19A-19B ) and a towel rack  124  ( FIGS. 19C-19D ). The soap dish  122  and towel rack  124  have snap rings  10  that can connect to the base unit  34 . These can be readily removed from shower walls, tubs, sinks, and the like to enable ready periodic cleaning of surfaces. 
     The snap rings  10  can also be utilized on bottles and tubes. For example, see bottles  126  and  128  and tube  130  illustrated in  FIGS. 20-20F  and  21 A- 21 C. As an example, the bottles  126 ,  128  can contain beverages or the like, and the tube  130  can contain sun blocks lotions, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, toothpaste, or the like. Alternative bottle types are illustrated in  FIGS. 24A-24D  and  FIGS. 25A-25B . The bottles  132  and  134  have snap rings  10  in a mid-section area of the bottle enabling the bottle to readily rotate about a peg. For example, bottles  132  and  134  can be spun on the peg to a dispensing position in which the mouth  136  of the bottle is directed downward, or a non-dispensing position in which the mouth  136  of the bottle is disposed in an upward direction. The bottle  138  has a snap ring  10  in a base thereof, and the bottle  138  can be snapped onto a base unit  140  and extend in an upright position. This prevents the bottles from falling off an edge of a shelf or the like. Another type of bottle or container is container  142  illustrated in  FIGS. 28A-28C . This container can be a deodorant container, spice container or the like. 
     Bottles can also form the second component, or base unit, and have pegs  36  to which snap rings  10  can be removably connected. For example, the bottle  144  has a peg  36  forming a dispensing mouth  146  of the bottle and a peg  36  extending from a side of the bottle  144 . See  FIG. 27B . As shown in  FIG. 27A , this enables a brush or the like to be secured to a side of the bottle  144 . In addition,  FIGS. 29A-29C  disclose bottle caps  44  that can be secured over the dispensing mouth  146  of the bottle  144  to close mouth  146 . Bottle caps or toppers  148  ( FIGS. 30A-30B ) can be also be used. The toppers  148  have decorative features  150  formed thereon. 
     A base unit can also be provided with a handle to enable ready carrying of first components. For example,  FIGS. 31A-31C  illustrate bottles  152  having snap rings  10  and a base unit  154  having pegs  36  and a handle  156 . The bottles  152  can be snapped to the base unit  154  and the handle  156  can be grasped to enable ready lifting and carrying of multiple bottles  152 . 
     Other products having snap rings  10  can include hand tools, such as screwdrivers  158  ( FIGS. 23A-23D ), cosmetic products, such as compacts  160  and lip stick  162  ( FIGS. 26A-26D ), kitchen utensils, such as spatula  164  ( FIGS. 32A-32B ), and industrial and medical products. Other kitchen utensils can include spoons, forks, tongs, cutters, strainers, peelers, measuring cups and the like. Other tools and utensils also include dust pans  166  and brooms  168  ( FIGS. 34A-34D ), shovels  170  ( FIGS. 37A-37B ), rakes  172  ( FIGS. 38A-38B ), pliers  174  ( FIGS. 35A-35B ), and tape measures  176  ( FIGS. 36A-36B ). Other hand tools can include power tools, tool cases, yard tools and the like. Other cosmetic products can include eye liner, lip gloss, mirrors, tweezers, powders, or the like. 
     The first component can also be a flashlight. In  FIGS. 33A-33E , flashlights  178  and  180  have snap rings  10  extending on rear walls thereof. The snap ring  10  of flashlight  178  extends laterally from the rear wall  182 , and the snap ring  10  of flash light  180  extends parallel to the rear wall  184 . In  FIGS. 33F and 33G , the flash light  186  has a snap ring  10  mounted to a rear wall  188  with a hinge  190 . Accordingly, the snap ring  10  on flash light  186  can be positioned laterally as shown in the drawings, or be pivoted to extend substantially parallel to the rear wall  188  (see arrow shown in  FIG. 33G ). The rear wall  188  has a peg  36  to which the snap ring  10  can be attached. For example, the snap ring  10  can be pivoted and locked to the peg  36  so that it is out of the way during use of the flashlight  186 . 
     The first component can also be stationary type supplies or packaging. For example,  FIGS. 39A-39B  illustrate a writing utensil  192  having a cap  194  with a snap ring  10 . The writing utensil can be a pen, pencil, mechanical pencil, marker, highlighter, white-out pen, or the like.  FIGS. 40A-40D  illustrate a clip board  196  and a notebook  198  having snap rings  10 .  FIGS. 42A-42B  illustrate packaging  200  having a snap ring  10 . For instance, the flap  202  of the packaging  200  can be made of cardboard or the like, and the snap ring can enable the packaging  200  to be hung from a merchandise display or the like. 
     The first component can also be electronic devices of various forms and types. A cell phone  206  is illustrated in  FIGS. 43A-43C . A snap ring  10  is located in a recess  208  formed in the back wall  210  of the cell phone  206 . Thus, the cell phone  206  can be removably secured to a base unit located in an automobile, on a desk, refrigerator, belt clip, brief case, or the like. Instead of a cell phone, the electronic device can be a BLACK BERRY device, an IPOD device, MP3 player, CD or DVD player, personal organizer, video game playing device, beeper, or the like. As illustrated in  FIGS. 44A-44B , a carrying case  212  for an electronic device or the like can have a snap ring  10  for releasable connection to a desired base unit. The electronic devices can also include a music playing device  214  ( FIGS. 45A-45B ), radio or shower radio  216  ( FIGS. 46A-46B ), hair dryer  218  ( FIG. 47 ) or clock  220  ( FIG. 49 ). 
     FIGS.  48  and  51 A- 51 C illustrate first components that can be illuminated. For example,  FIG. 48  illustrates a snap ring  222  connected to a battery  224  for illuminating the area  226  extending about the snap ring  222 . LEDs, electroluminescent wiring, fiber optics, and various other lighting elements can be arranged about the snap ring. The display device  228  illustrated in  FIGS. 51A-51C  has a snap ring  10  and a display ring  230  extending thereabout. The display ring  230  can be illuminated and or emit sound and can support a watch  232 , jewelry or other accessory for merchandise display or other display purposes. 
     The first component according to the present invention can also be a picture frame  234  ( FIGS. 50A-50B ) having a snap ring  10  for use in hanging a picture, an air freshener  236  ( FIGS. 52A-52B ) having a snap ring  10  for connection to an electrical or non-electrical base unit, a hair brush  238  ( FIGS. 53A-53B ) having a snap ring  10  in a handle thereof, and a thermometer  240  or like sensor, gauge, or control ( FIG. 54 ) having snap rings. Other hair care products that can have snap rings include combs, picks, scrunches, clips, and rollers. 
     The first component according to the present invention can also be a pill box  242  as illustrated in  FIGS. 55A-55C . The pill box has a snap ring  10  in a center thereof with a plurality of pill compartments  244  extending radially therefrom. Each compartment  244  has a lid  246  connected thereto via a live hinge  248 . The center location of the snap ring permits the pill box to be rotated about a peg of a base unit. Of course, the present invention can be used in connection with other products having live hinges, such as various products having storage compartment with closable lids. 
     The base unit of the present invention can be a bucket  250  having a peg  36  to which a shovel, cleaning cloth, brush or like implement is removably connected. The base unit can also be a trailer hitch  252  to which a sign  254  or the like can be connected. Finally, the first component can be a toy of any type. The toy  256  illustrated in  FIGS. 57A-57B  is a figurine having a snap ring  10 ; of course, the toy can be anything including letters, numbers, trains, or the like. If the toy is a bath toy, it can be readily hung on a base unit on the wall of a bath or shower to dry. 
     Finally, the arrangement of the teeth can be reversed such that the teeth extend from the peg instead of the snap ring. For example,  FIGS. 59A-59E  and  60 A- 60 B illustrate base units,  258  and  260 , that have pegs  262  with an integral array of resiliently flexible teeth  264  extending outwardly from the sidewall  266  of the peg  262 . A snap-ring element  268  is removably connectable to the pegs  262 . The snap ring  268  has a wall  270  that defines an open channel or recess  272  and that can have a groove  274  that opens inwardly toward the channel or recess  272 . Accordingly, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 59A-59C , the snap ring  268  can be pushed onto to the peg  262  such that the teeth  264  are captured within the groove  274 . Alternatively, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 59D-59E , the snap ring  268  can simply be inserted on the peg  262  beyond the teeth  264  and be captured on the peg  262  due to the presence of the teeth  264 . 
     The above referenced first components and base units can be interchangeable and sold in kits or packs. Thus, any of several selected implements can be secured to the same or different set of base units. The products may be provided in kits with a variety of related products and base units. For instance, a back-to-school pack may include various different back-to-school related implements all connectable to various base units, or a bathroom pack may be sold with various interchangeable bathroom implements, or a travel pack might include various travel implements with base units. 
     While preferred snap-engagement systems, snap rings, pegs, base units, first components having snap rings, second or base components have pegs, and intermediate components having pegs and snap rings have been described in detail, various modifications, alterations, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and components according to the present invention as defined in the appended claims.