Patent Publication Number: US-2019166961-A1

Title: Communication Bracelet

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to interpersonal communication and, more particularly, to a bracelet for signaling a desire to communicate with another person and a method of using the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many people are shy and worry about being rejected or dismissed when they approach another person to begin a conversation. Because of this, starting a new interpersonal communication with another person can be scary and challenging. Accordingly, there is a need and a desire for a device to be worn by a person that provides a visual que to others that the person wearing the device is open to an interaction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure describes embodiments of a bracelet that is worn by a person who wants to provide a visual que to others that he or she is open and desires to start an interpersonal communication with another. A purpose of the invention is to help solve problems related to racial and religious barriers, loneliness, and to minimize depression. 
     In aspects, the bracelet is configured to include indicia on a visible surface of the bracelet. The indicia can be, for example, the acronym “I.O.T.S.HI,” which means “It&#39;s Okay to Say Hi.” In aspects, the indicia, bracelet, or both can be glow-in-the-dark for increased visibility at night, for example. 
     In other aspects, the bracelet is configured to include additional indicia, such as a symbols or phrase, that indicates interests of the wear. For example, the indicia or symbols could indicate that the wearer is a vintage car lover, a single mother, a divorcee, a vehicle fanatic, a gym fanatic, or a movie fanatic, a sports fan, a hockey fan, a schools or college, a terminal illness survivor, a business owner, a grandparent, a person wanting to network, a person who is dating, a parent, GBLTQ, a golfer, a diver, a surfer, etc. Additionally, the bracelet may have on or more colors to indicate the wear&#39;s interests. 
     In other aspects, the bracelet may be provided with a color or symbol that indicates that the wearer is under or over a certain age. For example, the color or symbol could indicate that the wearer is underage, thereby providing a notice to an adult to not approach the wearer. Additionally, the bracelet may be provided with a color or symbol that indicates a particular age group that the user belongs so as to encourage communication with others amongst the same age group. For example, bracelets may be provided with a separate color or symbol that indicated the wearer is in one of the following age groups: 6-10, 12-15, 16-17, or 18 and over. 
     In other aspects, the bracelet may be provided with a serial number that a user may use in connection with a website or an application on a mobile computing device that allows the user to reorder the bracelet if it is lost. 
     In other aspects, a website or an application for a mobile computing device may be provided that allows the user to exchange the bracelet&#39;s serial number with another user&#39;s bracelet&#39;s serial number to allow communication through the website or mobile application without exchanging personal information, such as, for example, a telephone number. Such an anonymity may be desirable, for example, when meeting a new person that a user is uncomfortable sharing person information with, at least, perhaps initially. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in numerous ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a diagrammatic top view a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a diagrammatic side view of the bracelet of  FIG. 1 a    showing the bracelet ends removably fastened together; 
         FIG. 1 c    is a diagrammatic top view of the bracelet of  FIG. 1   b;    
         FIG. 2 a    is a diagrammatic top view a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a diagrammatic side view of the bracelet of  FIG. 2 a    showing the bracelet band in a looped state; 
         FIG. 2 c    is a diagrammatic top view of the bracelet of  FIG. 2   b;    
         FIG. 3 a    is a diagrammatic top view a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a diagrammatic side view of the bracelet of  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a communication bracelet constructed in accordance with the principals of another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic, partial view of a communication bracelet according to any communication bracelet discussed herein and having a unique identifier. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 a -1 c   , there is representatively illustrated a bracelet  10  that is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bracelet  10  has an elongated, strap-like body  12  having opposite ends  14  and  16 , a top surface  18 , and a bottom surface  20 . The bracelet  10  further includes a cooperating fastener having fastener portions  22   a  and  22   b  disposed on ends  14  and  16 , respectively. The body  12  is configured to be worn about the wrist or arm of a user with the ends  14  and  16  secured together by engagement between the fastener portions  22   a  and  22   b.    
     The top surface  18  includes indicia  24  that is visible when the bracelet  10  is worn by a wearer. The purpose of the indicia  24  is to provide a visual que to others that the wearer has open to start an interpersonal communication. The indicia  24  may also provide an indication that the wearer has one or more interests that the wearer would like to talk about. Representatively shown, the indicia  24  includes the acronym the acronym “I.O.T.S.HI,” which means “It&#39;s Okay to Say Hi.” 
     Additionally, the indicia  24  may include one or more words and/or symbols that indicate the wearer&#39;s interests. As a non-limiting example, the word “surfer” could be provided to indicate that the wearer is interested in talking about surfing. The indicia  24  is not limited solely to surfing. As discussed previously, the indicia  24  could include words and/or symbols to indicate any possible interest that the wearer may like to talk about. Further, in addition to indicia  24 , the bracelet body  12  may have one or more colors to indicate an interest of the wearer. 
     Further yet, the indicia  24  may include an indication of the wearers age or age group and/or the bracelet body  12  may have one or more colors to indicate the same. For example, the bracelet body  12  may have distinct colors to indicate that the wearer is underage or belongs to a particular age group, thereby indicating to others whether it is appropriate for a person to approach the wearer. In an aspect, the bracelet may have a distinct color for persons following into the following age groups: 6-10, 12-15, 16-17, or 18 and over. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 a -2 c   , there is representatively illustrated a bracelet  10   b  that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Bracelet  10   b  is identical to bracelet  10   a  with the exception of the bracelet body  26  of bracelet  10   b  is constructed as a slap-type bracelet, which removes the need for the cooperating fastener to secure the bracelet body about a wearer&#39;s wrist or arm. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 a -2 b   , there is representatively illustrated a bracelet  10   c  that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Bracelet  10   c  is identical to bracelet  10   a  with the exception of the bracelet body  28  of bracelet  10   c  is constructed as a continuous, closed loop band having a wrist or arm opening  30  through which a wearer may insert his or her hand to position the bracelet about the wearer&#39;s wrist or arm. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , there is representatively illustrated a bracelet  10   d  that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Bracelet  10   d  has the same function and purpose as bracelet  10   a , discussed above, but is configured as a charm bracelet. Bracelet  10   d  includes a band  32  having a wrist or arm opening  34  through which a wearer may insert his or her hand to position the bracelet about the wearer&#39;s wrist or arm. 
     As representatively illustrated, band  32  is a closed-loop, wire-like band. However, band  32  could take on other constructions, such as, for example having ends that are secured together by a cooperating fastener. Bracelet  10   d  includes one or more charms, representatively, charms  36   a  and  36   b  that are secured to the band  32 . In an aspect, charm  36   a  includes indicia  24  and charm  36   b  includes indicia  38 . Indicia  38  can include a word, phrase, symbol or any combination that indicates an interest of the wearer. For example, as representatively shown, indicia  38  includes the word “surfer” that indicates the wearer wants to talk about surfing. 
     Alternatively, charms  36   a  could be replaced with several charms  37   a - 37   e , each including indicia. For example, as depicted, charm  37   a  includes the letter “I”, charm  37   b  includes the letter “O”, charm  37   c  includes the letter “T”, charm  37   e  includes the letter “S”, and charm  37   e  includes the letters “Hi”. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , there is representatively illustrated a bracelet  10   e  that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Bracelet  10   e  is identical to bracelet  10   a  with the exception of the bracelet body  29  of bracelet  10   e  is constructed as an arm band. The arm band  29  is made from a stretchable fabric material allowing the arm band to expand about a wearer&#39;s arm. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , any one of the foregoing described bracelets  10   a - 10   d  can include a serial number or unique identifier  40  that may be located on the band body of the respective bracelet. It is contemplated to provide a website and/or mobile device application that a user may use in connection with the bracelet. For example, the website or application could be configured to allow a user to reorder a bracelet using the unique identifier  40 . Additionally, an electronic chat or messaging system may be provided by the website and/or mobile device application that allows users registered with the system using the unique identifier  40  to communicate with one another through the website and/or mobile application. The communication may be made anonymously so that a user&#39;s personal information, such as his or her telephone number does not need to be exchanged. 
     Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.