Patent Publication Number: US-2022217949-A1

Title: Collars with interchangeable panels

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/199,556, filed Jan. 8, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to dog collars and, more particularly, to collars with interchangeable panels. 
     Fancy dog collars are expensive. Commercially available fancy collars are provided with only one design per collar. No other versions or combinations are available with a single collar. To achieve a different look, you must buy a new collar. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a versatile dog collar system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a dog collar system with interchangeable panels. The inventive system enables the user to switch between multiple designs without requiring the purchase of many collars. The inventive interchangeable panel format is more flexible in appearance than a currently commercially available collar, allowing the user to mix and match styles. In the long run, the inventive collars are cheaper than currently commercially available collars in that 1 base with 5 panels generally costs less than 5 different collars. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an interchangeable collar system is provided, comprising a base unit having an inward facing surface, an outward facing surface, a first tab, a second tab, and a coupling component operative to couple the first tab with the second tab; and a decorative panel removably fastened to the outward facing surface with fasteners. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of changing an appearance of a dog collar is provided, comprising providing a collar base unit having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface and a first decorative panel removably fastened to the outward facing surface; removing the first decorative panel from the outward facing surface; and fastening a second decorative panel to the outward facing surface. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dog collar according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in a use position; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view thereof, shown in a flat position; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view thereof, taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective view thereof, shown with an alternate panel; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a dog collar according to another embodiment according to the present invention, shown in use position; and 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view thereof, shown in a flat position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     As used herein, the term “collar” is not limited to an article worn about the neck. Rather, it refers to a band resembling a collar in shape and worn fastened around a part of an animal or human body. 
     Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is an interchangeable collar system comprising at least one collar base unit and at least one removably attached decorative panel. 
     A single panel may be used with multiple base collar styles (such as a collar having a buckle, Martingale collar, French Martingale collar, etc.) or multiple panels may be used with a single base. The inventive collar combinations may be selected to celebrate holidays, show different color combinations, allow for different design styles, etc. 
     The size and use of the interchangeable collar system are not particularly limited. In some embodiments, the inventive collar may be a dog collar. In other embodiments, the inventive collar may be a bracelet or cuff. In yet other embodiments, the inventive collar may be a belt. 
     In some embodiments, the base and/or the panel are prepared from a precise template to ensure a superior fit. Additional templates with different spacing may be provided. 
     In some embodiments, a plurality of mating fasteners, such as Chicago screws, snaps, or hook and loop fasteners may removably hold the panel to the base. The user may remove a panel and replace or swap panels as desired. 
     The method of manufacture is not particularly limited. The components may be laser cut or cut by hand. 
     The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. For example, the collar base, panel, and template may each be made from leather or another material, such as a coated polyester webbing marketed as BioThane®. 
     The collar system may be used by fastening a panel to a collar base and fastening the collar, for example, around a dog&#39;s neck. The user may change out the panel with another of the same size for different appearances. Additional types of collars may be made using a panel with different bases. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 ,  FIG. 1  illustrate a collar according to an embodiment of the present invention, having a panel  10  fastened to a base  12  with fasteners comprising a female component  16  and a male component  18 , as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The base  12  has an elongated, substantially rectangular central portion with an inward facing surface, facing the wearer, and an outward facing surface visible to an observer during use, tapering to a first tab  11  at a first end and to a second tab  13  at a second end. A coupling component or buckle  24  detachably couples the first tab  11  to the second tab  13 . In an open position, the buckle is operative to couple the first tab  11  with the second tab  13 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the panel  10  is substantially rectangular with angled corners and has a panel design area  14  displaying a decorative design  15 . The panel  10  may have a somewhat smaller length and width than the central portion of the base  12 . The panel  10  may be detached from the base  12  and replaced with an alternate panel  20  having an alternate panel design area  22 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In another embodiment, a leash  26  may be attached to a base  30  by tabs  28  adjacent to the panel  10 . The leash  26  may couple the tabs  28  together without a buckle. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.