Patent Publication Number: US-2011061207-A1

Title: Interchangeable Matchable Clothing Items

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
     This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning clothing or jewelry items. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     There are various devices known in the prior art for providing clothing or jewelry items. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     In one or more embodiments of the present invention an apparatus is provided which includes one or more clothing items, such as a first clothing item and a second clothing item. The first clothing item may be comprised of a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion of the first clothing item is configured so that it can be attached to or detached from the first portion of the first clothing item. The second clothing item may be comprised of a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion of the second clothing item is configured so that it can be attached to or detached from the second portion of the second clothing item. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the second portion of the first clothing item has a first design, and the second portion of the second clothing item has the first design. 
     The apparatus may be further comprised of a first alternate portion which can be attached to or detached from the first portion of the first clothing item in place of the second portion of the first clothing item. The apparatus may also be comprised of a second alternate portion which can be attached to or detached from the first portion of the second clothing item in place of the second portion of the second clothing item. Each of the first alternate portion and the second alternate portion may have a second design which is different from the first design. 
     Each of the first and second clothing item may be an item, such as for example, a cuff link, a tie knot cover, a button hole cover, a tie bar, a watch, a button stud, a bow tie knot cover, a ring, a necklace, or a bracelet. Each of the first clothing item and the second clothing item may be an item of jewelry. 
     One or more embodiments of the present application may also include a method comprising attaching a first clothing item to clothes on a person, and attaching a second clothing item to clothes on the person, while the first clothing item is attached to the person. The first and second clothing items may be as previously described. 
     The method may also include detaching the second portion of the first clothing item from the first portion of the first clothing item; and attaching a first alternate portion to the first portion of the first clothing item, wherein the first alternate portion can be attached or detached to the first portion of the first clothing item in place of the second portion of the first clothing item. The method may also include detaching the second portion of the second clothing item from the first portion of the second clothing item, and attaching a second alternate portion to the first portion of the second clothing item, wherein the second alternate portion can be attached or detached to the first portion of the second clothing item in place of the second portion of the second clothing item. The first alternate portion and the second alternate portion may be as previously described. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of first and second portions of a cuff link in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the first and second portions of the cuff link shown in a separated or disassembled state; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of the first and second portions of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A  in an assembled state; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a front view of the first portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a left side view of the first portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a top view of the first portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2D  shows a bottom view of the first portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a front view of the second portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the second portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3C  shows a bottom view of the second portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3D  shows a left side view of the second portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of the first and second portion of the cuff link of  FIG. 1A  in an assembled state; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a top view of a third portion which can replace the second portion to form an assembled cuff link in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a top view of a fourth portion which can replace the second portion to form an assembled cuff link in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  shows a front perspective view of a tie knot cover in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with the tie knot cover shown in a closed state; 
         FIG. 6B  shows a rear perspective view of the tie knot cover of  FIG. 6A , with the tie knot cover shown in a open state; 
         FIG. 6C  shows a rear perspective view of the tie knot cover of  FIG. 6A , with the tie knot cover shown in a closed state; 
         FIG. 6D  shows a left side perspective view of the tie knot cover of  FIG. 6A , with the tie knot cover shown in a closed state; 
         FIG. 7A  shows a front perspective view of a portion for attaching to the tie knot cover of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  shows a rear perspective view of the portion of  FIG. 7A  with a chain shown inserted through two loops or hooks connected to or part of the portion of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8A  shows a front perspective view of another portion for attaching to the tie knot cover of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  shows a front perspective view of yet another portion for attaching to the tie knot cover of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  shows a front perspective view of the portion of  FIG. 7A  attached to the tie knot cover of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 10A  shows a front view of a first portion of a tie tack shown in  FIG. 12B ; 
         FIG. 10B  shows a left side view of the first portion of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10C  shows a top view of the first portion of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10D  shows a bottom view of the first portion of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11A  shows a front view of a second portion of the tie tack shown in  FIG. 12B ; 
         FIG. 11B  shows a top view of the second portion of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11C  shows a bottom view of the second portion of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11D  shows a left side view of the second portion of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A  shows a perspective view of the first and second portions of the tie tack of  FIG. 12B  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the first and second portions shown in a separated or disassembled state; 
         FIG. 12B  shows a perspective view of the tie tack with the first and second portions in an assembled state; 
         FIG. 13A  shows a top view of a portion which can replace the second portion of  FIGS. 10A-D ; 
         FIG. 13B  shows a top view another portion which can replace the second portion of  FIGS. 10A-D ; 
         FIG. 14A  shows a front perspective view of a bow tie knot cover in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with the bow tie knot cover shown in an open state; 
         FIG. 14B  shows a rear perspective view of the bow tie knot cover of  FIG. 14A , with the bow tie knot cover shown in an open state; 
         FIG. 15A  shows a front perspective view of a portion which can be attached to the bow tie knot cover of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15B  shows a front perspective view of another portion which can be attached to the bow tie knot cover of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 16A  shows a perspective view of a tie bar and cover for attaching to a tie in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with the tie bar and cover shown in a separated or disassembled state; 
         FIG. 16B  shows a perspective view of the tie bar and cover of  FIG. 16A  with the tie bar and cover attached to one another; 
         FIG. 17  shows a front view of a tie attached to a collar of a shirt worn by an individual, with the tie knot cover of  FIGS. 6A-6D  and the first attachment device of  FIG. 7A  attached to a tie knot of the tie, so that the tie knot is covered, and with the tie bar of  FIG. 16A  attached to an elongated strip of the tie; 
         FIG. 18  shows a front view of a tie attached to a collar of a shirt worn by an individual, with the tie knot cover of  FIGS. 6A-6D  and the first attachment device of  FIG. 7A  attached to a tie knot of the tie, so that the tie knot is covered, and with the tie tack of  FIG. 12B  attached to an elongated strip of the tie, and with a first chain attached to the tie knot cover and a second chain attached to the tie tack, and also with matching collar buttons; 
         FIG. 19  shows a front view of an individual having the bow tie knot cover attached to a bow tie which is attached to a collar, button studs or covers with designs for tuxedo shirt button holes, the cuff link of  FIG. 1B  attached to a shirt, a watch, and a ring; 
         FIG. 20A  shows a perspective simplified view of a stud or button cover for use with one or more embodiments of the present invention, with the stud or button cover taken apart or in a disassembled state; and 
         FIG. 20B  shows the stud or button cover of  FIG. 20B  in an assembled state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a first portion  102  and a second portion  120  of a cuff link  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cuff link  100  is shown in a disassembled state in  FIG. 1A .  FIGS. 2A-2D  show front, left, top, and bottom views, respectively, of the first portion  102  of the cuff link  100  of  FIG. 1A .  FIGS. 3A-3D  show front, top, bottom, and left views respectively, of the second portion  120  of the cuff link  100  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 4  shows a front view of the portion  120  attached to the portion  100  to form an assembled cuff link  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-B  and  2 A-D, the first portion  102  includes base a  104 , members  106   a ,  106   b ,  108 ,  110   a , and  110   b . The first portion  102  may be made of a metal such as silver, gold, or any other metal used for jewelry. The members  106   a  and  106   b  along with the base  104  form a slot  107 . The members  110   a  and  110   b  along with the base  104  form a slot  111 . The first portion  102  also includes a post  112  which is attached substantially perpendicular to the base  104 . 
     The second portion  120  includes a base  121  on which is shown a design  122 , which in this case is a star. The second portion  120  also includes protruding edges or ridges  124  and  128 , and a slot  126 . 
     In operation the second portion  120  can be attached to the first portion  102  to form an assembled cuff link  100  as shown in  FIG. 1B . The edges  124  and  128  are slid or inserted into the slots  107  and  111  respectively to attach the second portion  120  to the first portion  102  and the member  108  is placed in the slot  126 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows a top view of a third portion  130  which can replace the second portion  120  to form an assembled cuff link in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The third portion  130  may be the same as the second portion  120  with the exception of a design  132  which is different from design  122  of the second portion  120 .  FIG. 5B  shows a fourth portion  140  which can replace the second portion  120  to form an assembled cuff link with the first portion  102  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The fourth portion  140  may be the same as the second portion  120  except that design  142  differs from design  122 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows a front perspective view of a tie knot cover  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with the tie knot cover  200  shown in a closed state.  FIG. 6B  shows a rear perspective view of the tie knot cover  200  of  FIG. 6A , with the tie knot cover  200  shown in a open state.  FIG. 6C  shows a rear perspective view of the tie knot cover  200  of  FIG. 6A , with the tie knot cover shown in a closed state.  FIG. 6D  shows a left side perspective view of the tie knot cover of  FIG. 6A , with the tie knot cover shown in a closed state. A right side perspective view of the tie knot cover  200  is not shown but would be a mirror image of  FIG. 6D . 
     The tie knot cover  200  is substantially coned shape so that it can cover a typical tie knot tied in a tie by an individual. The tie knot cover  200  has a peripheral wall  204 , which surrounds a chamber  204  in which a tie knot would reside. A opening  204   a  leads into the chamber  204  and an opening  204   b  leads out of the chamber  204 . The tie knot cover  200  includes attachment devices  206  and  208 . The attachment device  206  includes a surrounding member or sleeve  206   a  and a slot  206   b . The attachment device  208  includes a surrounding member or sleeve  208   a  and a slot  208   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the tie knot cover  200  includes protrusions or tabs  210   a  and  210   b  which can be inserted into slots  212   a  and  212   b , respectively, in order to close the tie knot cover into the state shown in  FIG. 6C . 
       FIG. 7A  shows a front perspective view of a portion  300  for attaching to the tie knot cover  200  of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7B  shows a rear perspective view of the portion  300  with a chain  320  shown inserted through two loops or hooks connected to or part of the first attachment device. 
     The portion  300  includes a peripheral wall  308  having ends  308   a  and  308   b  and a gap  310 . The portion  300  has a design  306  on the outside of the peripheral wall  308 . 
       FIG. 8A  shows a front perspective view of a portion  330  having a design  332 .  FIG. 8B  shows a front a front perspective view of a portion  240  having a design  342 . Portions  330  and  340  may be the same as portion  300  with the exception of the designs  332  and  342 , respectively, which differ from the design  306  of portion  300 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a front perspective view of the portion  300  of  FIG. 7A  attached to the tie knot cover  200  of  FIG. 6A . The ends  308   a  and  308   b  are inserted into the slots  206   b  and  208   b , respectively, in order to attach the portion  300  to the tie not cover  200 . Either of the portions  330  or  340  may replace the portion  300  and be attached to the tie knot cover  200 . 
       FIGS. 10A-D  show front, left, top, and bottom views of a first portion  402  of a tie tack  400  shown in  FIG. 12B .  FIGS. 11A-D  show a front, top, bottom, and left side views of a second portion  420  of the tie tack  400  shown in  FIG. 12B .  FIG. 12A  shows a perspective view of the first and second portions  402  and  420 , respectively, of the tie tack  400  of  FIG. 12B  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the first and second portions,  402  and  420 , respectively, shown in a separated or disassembled state.  FIG. 12B  shows a perspective view of the tie tack  400  with the first and second portions,  402  and  420 , respectively, in an assembled state. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10D  and  12 A- 12 B, the first portion  402  of the tie tack  400  includes members  406   a ,  406   b ,  408   a , and  408   b  which are attached or fixed to a base  404 . The members  406   a  and  406   b  and the base  404  form a slot  407  and the members  408   a ,  408   b , and the base  404  form a slot  411 . The first portion  402  also includes a pin member  410  having a sharp point  410   a . The first portion  402  may be made of metal or another rigid material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11D  and  12 A- 12 B, the second portion  420  may be a flat metal plate. The second portion  420  may have a design  422 , for example in the shape of a star as in  FIG. 11B  on a top surface  424   a . The second portion  420  may have sides  424   c ,  424   d ,  424   e , and  424   f , as shown in  FIG. 12A . The second portion  420  may have a bottom surface  424   b  in addition to top surface  424   a.    
     The tie tack  400  may be assembled by inserting the sides or edges  424   c  and  424   d  of the portion  420  into the slots  407  and  411  of the portion  402  as shown in  FIG. 12B . In the assembled form, the members  406   b  and  408   b  overlap a substantial portion of the portion  420  to hold the portion  420  in place. The tie tack  400  may include or may have attached thereto after being inserted into a tie, a stud  430  shown in  FIG. 12B . 
       FIG. 13A  shows a top view of a portion  440  which can replace the second portion  420  of  FIGS. 10A-D . The portion  440  has a design  442  which is different from the design  422  of portion  420 . The portion  440  may be otherwise the same as the portion  420 .  FIG. 13B  shows a top view another portion  460  which can replace the second portion  420  of  FIGS. 10A-D . The portion  460  has a design  462  which is different from the design  422  of portion  420  or design  442  of portion  440 . 
       FIG. 14A  shows a front perspective view of a bow tie knot cover  500  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with the bow tie knot cover  500  shown in an open state.  FIG. 14B  shows a rear perspective view of the bow tie knot cover  500  of  FIG. 14A , with the bow tie knot cover shown in an open state. The bow tie knot cover  500  may have a wall  502  which can be closed into a hollow cylindrical shape by pushing ends  502   a  and  502   b  together in order to attach attachment device  504   a  to attachment device  506   a  and in order to attach attachment device  504   b  and  506   b . The attachment devices  504   a  and  504   b  may be posts which can be inserted into openings in the attachment devices  506   a  and  506   b , respectively. 
       FIG. 15A  shows a front perspective view of a portion  520  which can be attached to the bow tie knot cover  500  of  FIG. 14A . The portion  520  may have a design  522 . The portion  520  may have a wall  524  may shaped in the form of a hollow cylinder with the exception of a gap  526 . The portion  520  can be slid over the knot cover  500  so that the wall  524  substantially over laps the wall  502  of the knot cover  500 . 
       FIG. 15B  shows a front perspective view of another portion  540  which can be attached to the bow tie knot cover  500  of  FIG. 14A . The portion  540  may have a design  542 . The portion  540  may have a wall  544  may shaped in the form of a hollow cylinder with the exception of a gap  546 . The portion  540  can be slid over the knot cover  500  so that the wall  544  substantially overlaps the wall  502  of the knot cover  500 . 
       FIG. 16A  shows a perspective view of an apparatus  600  comprised of a tie bar  602  a and cover  620  for attaching to a tie in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with the tie bar  602  and cover  620  shown in a separated or disassembled state.  FIG. 16B  shows a perspective view of the tie bar  602  and the cover  620  of  FIG. 16A  with the tie bar  602  and the cover  620  attached to one another to form apparatus  600 . 
     The tie bar  602  may include a plate  604  and a clip  606 . The tie bar  602  may be made of metal. The cover  620  may include members  622   a ,  622   b ,  626   a , and  626   b , and plate or base  624 . The members  622   a  and  622   b  form a slot  623  and the members  626   a  and  626   b  form a slot  627 . The cover  620  may include a design  628  which in this case is a star. 
     The cover  620  can be slid over the plate  604  so that edges or sides of the plate  604  lie inside of the slots  623  and  627  as shown in  FIG. 16B . 
     In one or more embodiments the cover  620  may be used to expand the size of the tie bar  602  by leaving the cover  620  only partially on the tie bar  602 . An additional cover, similar in appearance but slightly larger than cover  620  may then be placed over the cover  620  in an expandable tie bar embodiment. 
       FIG. 17  shows a front view of a tie  710  attached to a collar  702  of a shirt  700  worn by an individual, with the tie knot cover  200  of  FIGS. 6A-6D  and the portion or cover  300  of  FIG. 7A  attached to a tie knot  710   b  of the tie  710 , so that the tie knot  710   b  is covered, and with the tie bar apparatus  600  of  FIG. 16A  attached to an elongated strip  710   c  of the tie  710 . The tie includes a band  710   a  wound around a person&#39;s neck  700 . The collar  702  includes portion  702   a  and  702   b . The design  306  of the portion  300  attached to the tie knot cover  200  and the design  628  of the tie bar apparatus  600  are the same and/or are coordinated with each other. The portion  300  and the portion  620  of the tie bar apparatus  600  can be replaced with portions having different designs as previously described. In one or more embodiments, the designs selected for portion  300  and portion  620  or replacements for those portions can be coordinated, and in some embodiments they may not be coordinated. 
       FIG. 18  shows a front view of the tie  710  attached to the collar  702  of a shirt worn by an individual, with the tie knot cover  200  of  FIGS. 6A-6D  and the portion or cover  300  of  FIG. 7A  attached to the tie knot  710   b  of the tie  710 , so that the tie knot  710   b  is covered, and with the tie tack  400  of  FIG. 12B  attached to the elongated strip  710   c  of the tie  710 , and with a chain  320  attached to the tie knot cover  200  and cover or portion  300  and a second chain  800  attached to the tie tack  400 . The design  306  of the portion  300  attached to the tie knot cover  200  and the design  422  of the tie tack  400  are the same and/or are coordinated with each other. The portion  300  and the portion  420  of the tie tack apparatus  400  can be replaced with portions having different designs as previously described. In one or more embodiments, the designs selected for portion  300  and portion  420  or replacements for those portions can be coordinated, and in some embodiments they may not be coordinated. 
       FIG. 18  may also include tuxedo shirts collar button covers  712   a  and  712   b  having designs  713   a  and  713   b  which may be the same as the designs shown  422  and  306 . 
       FIG. 19  shows a front view of an individual having the bow tie knot cover  500  with the portion  520  attached to a bow tie  910  which is attached to a collar  902 , a pair of button covers  920  and  922  attached to buttons, not shown, the cuff link  100  of  FIG. 1B  attached to a shirt  904 , a watch  930 , and a ring  940 . The collar includes portions  902   a  and  902   b . The bow tie  910  includes triangular shaped end portions  910   a  and  910   c  and central or knot portion  910   b . The button covers  920  and  922  include designs  920   a  and  922   a , which in this example are the same and in this example is a star. The watch  930  includes attached design portions  932  and  936  which have the same star designs  932   a  and  936   a , in this example. The watch  930  includes a time piece  934  which may have hour, minute and second hands or may have a digital display for time. The ring  940  includes a design  940   a.    
     The designs  522 ,  920   a ,  922   a ,  122 ,  932   a ,  936   a , and  940   a  may be substantially the same and/or coordinated with each other. The portions or covers  520 ,  920 ,  120 ,  932 ,  936 , and  940  can be replaced with portions having different designs. In one or more embodiments, the designs selected for portions or covers  520 ,  920 ,  120 ,  932 ,  936 , and  940  or replacements for those portions or covers can be coordinated, and in some embodiments they may not be coordinated. 
     In one embodiment other items, such as other items of jewelry may be provided such as a necklace or a bracelet. The necklace and/or bracelet and/or other items may include designs which may be similar to or identical to the designs  522 ,  920   a ,  922   a ,  122 ,  932   a ,  936   a , and  940   a  referred to previously. Removable plates may be provided, for attaching or detaching from the necklace and/or bracelet. These removable plates and/or pendants, may have one or more designs which may match other clothing items and/or be coordinated with designs of other clothing items in one or more embodiments. 
       FIG. 20A  shows a perspective simplified view of a stud or button cover  1000  for use with one or more embodiments of the present invention, with the stud or button cover  1000  shown taken apart or in a disassembled state. The stud  1000  includes top portion  1002 , stud case  1010 , and bottom portion  1012 . The top portion  1002  includes a disk  1004  having a design  1008  which may be the same as the designs  522 ,  920   a ,  922   a ,  122 ,  932   a ,  936   a , and  940   a  shown in  FIG. 19 . The top portion  1002  also includes a stem or rod  1006 . The top portion  1002  may be replaced with other top portions having designs different from design  1008 . The stud case  1010  may be a rigid, metal hollow cylinder having an opening  1010   a  into which the stem  1006  can be inserted. The bottom portion  1012  may have a cylinder  1014  and a disk  1016 . The cylinder  1014  may have an opening  1014   a  into which the stem  1006  can be inserted. The cylinder  1014  can be inserted into the opening  1010   a  of the stud case  1010 . 
       FIG. 20B  shows the stud or button cover  1000  of  FIG. 20B  in an assembled state. In  FIG. 20B , the stem  1006  of the top portion  1002  has been inserted into the opening  1010 a and into the opening  1014   a . The stem  1014  has been inserted into the opening  1010   a  so that the stud case  1010  surrounds the stem  1014  of the bottom portion  1012 . The top portion  1002 , the case  1010 , and the bottom portion  1012  can be snapped together to form the assembled stud or button cover  1000 . The stud  1000  may be inserted into button holes of a shirt and may be used in place of covers  920  and  922 . 
     Each of the button covers  920  and  922  in  FIG. 19  may be or may be replaced by a button stud such as the button stud  1000  shown in  FIGS. 20A and 20B . The button stud  1000  may be inserted into a tuxedo shirt button hole. The top portion  1002  may be replaced by another top portion or stud head having a different design. The top portion  1002 , and other inter-changeable stud heads or top portions with different designs not shown, are configured so that they can detach and re-attach thru a shirt button hole and snap in place within a stud base or bottom portion, such as  1012 . Because of this function there is now a larger space in diameter on the stud head or top portion  1002 . 
     Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention&#39;s contribution to the art.