Patent Abstract:
A wristband with a removable indicia includes a band having a first end, a second end, an inside surface for making contact with an appendage of a user, an opposing outside surface, and at least one removable indicia, capable of displaying a marking.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/461,595 filed on Jan. 21, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to fashion accessories, and more particularly to a wristband capable of allowing a user to add, remove and display any number of unique indicia to suit the users&#39; personal preferences. 
         [0003]    For centuries people have adorned themselves with various types of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and tiaras. Jewelry can be custom made or mass produced, and is usually constructed from various types of precious and non-precious metals and gemstones. Typical gemstones used in jewelry designs have included diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, pearls and opals. Typical precious metals used in jewelry designs have included gold, silver and platinum. Although these precious materials are aesthetically pleasing, they can be impractical to wear during the everyday functions of active adults and children, for fear of damage or loss. 
         [0004]    More recently, fashion accessories such as wristbands and ankle bands made from nonprecious materials have become popular. These accessories are typically constructed from rubber, nylon or other composite materials and often include a color scheme or permanent engraving for identifying a charity, sports team or other such group. Unlike traditional jewelry, these items are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, making them suitable for active adults and children. However, these fashion accessories suffer from a lack of individuality as they do not allow a user to customize the look and feel of individual items to suit their particular fashion styles. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a fashion accessory wristband that can display a plurality of indicia that conform to the individual taste of the user in a customizable manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a wristband with removable indicia. One embodiment of the device includes a band having a first end, a second end, an inside surface configured to contact with an appendage of a user, and an opposing outside surface, and at least one removable indicia, capable of displaying a marking. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of the device can include a band constructed from a pair of elongated pieces of hook and loop material capable of being removably secured to a plurality of indicia. 
         [0008]    Yet another embodiment of the device can include a continuous generally circular elastic main body having a plurality of embedded magnetic elements configured to be removably secured to one or more indicia. 
         [0009]    This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a wristband with removable indicia that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a wristband with removable indicia in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of a wristband with removable indicia in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   b  is a cutout view of a band connector in accordance with the preferred embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front view of removable indicia in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a back view of removable indicia in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of removable indicia in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a wristband with removable indicia in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0020]    For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0021]    As described throughout this document, a wristband with removable indicia can include a wristband configured to display any number of specific indicia based on the personal preferences of the user. Moreover, although described as a wristband, one of skill in the art will recognize that the described invention can also function as an ankle band and/or necklace by adjusting the dimensions of the band. Accordingly, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not to be construed as limited in scope to any particular appendage. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a wristband  10  having a main body  11  and indicia connectors  15   a  that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the wristband  10  can include a main body  11  having a generally circular shape configured to be secured to an appendage of a user. As shown, the main body  11  can include an inside surface  11   a  configured to make contact with the arm or leg of a user, an outside surface  11   b  configured to face away from the arm or leg of the user, a top surface  11   c , a bottom surface  11   d,  and a pair of opposing ends  11   e  and  11   f  configured to be removably secured together via a band connector  12  having opposing halves. Such a feature can allow the band  10  to be sized to fit the particular shape/dimension of the user&#39;s appendage. 
         [0023]    As described herein, the main body of the band  10  can be constructed from any number of known rigid, flexible, or semi-flexible materials such as rubber, plastic, nylon, or elongated strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®) for example, that are capable of conforming to the shape of the arm or leg to which it is attached. Although illustrated as including a cylindrical shape, one of skill in the art will recognize that the band  10  can be constructed, packaged and shipped in a flat orientation, and can be conformed to the shape of the users arm prior to wearing. 
         [0024]    The band connector  12  can include any number of known devices capable of securing two items together in a removable manner. Several examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®), magnetic elements, and compression fittings such as snaps and buttons. Each of these items can be permanently secured to each end of the main body  11  by a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example. 
         [0025]    The indicia connectors can act to secure the indicia  40  to the band  10  in a removable manner. As such, indicia connectors can also comprise opposing halves of any number of known devices capable of securing two items together in a removable manner. Several non-limiting examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®), opposing magnetic elements, and compression fittings such as snaps and buttons, for example. Each half of the indicia connector  15   a  and  15   b  can be secured to the main body  11  and indicia  40 , respectively via any number of conventional means such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example. As shown, the indicia connector can be secured to any surface of the band  11   a,    11   b,    11   c,    11   d,    11   e  and  11   f,  in order to allow the removable indicia to be positioned along any surface of the band itself. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the wrist band  10  described above. As shown, wristband  10  can include a main body  20  constructed from a single piece of natural or blended fabric having excellent elastic characteristics and that are configured to stretch/contract around the appendage of the user to which it is ultimately attached. The resilient quality of elastic materials will thus allow the wristband to be worn without exhibiting signs of continued wear. Additionally, a plurality of connectors  25  comprising magnetic elements can be integrated into the construction of the band  10  according to known construction techniques. To this end, the connectors  25  can act in a virtually identical manner as connectors  15   a  described above, while remaining invisible to the user. As such, the device  10  will allow the user to add and position any number of removable indicia  40  having an opposing magnetic element ( 15   b ) as will be described below in detail. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate one preferred embodiment of a wristband band  10  that includes a main body constructed from two elongated strap members  31  and  32 . The exterior strap member  31  can preferably be constructed from a continuous strip of flexible Velcro Brand One Wrap® hook and loop fastening material having the soft loop portion on the outside facing surface  31   a  and the hard hook portion on the opposing inside facing surface  31   b.  The interior strap  32  can preferably be constructed from a continuous strip of flexible Velcro Brand One Wrap® loop fastening material having the soft loop portion on both the inside facing surface  32   a  and the outside facing surface  32   b.    
         [0028]    As shown, the outside facing surface  32   b  and inside facing surface  31   b  can be aligned so as to secure the straps  31  and  32  together to form a single band. Additionally, optional adhesive (not shown) such as glue, for example can also be utilized to prevent the straps  31  and  32  from separating. As further illustrated, outside band  31  can be slightly longer than the inside band  32 . As shown in  FIG. 3   b , this non-overlapping section can thus be removably inserted between the opposing ends of the wristband (see arrow A) so as to act as an integrated band connector. 
         [0029]    By constructing the main body of the wristband  10  in this manner, the hook and loop material of the band itself can act as an integrated indicia connector  15   a  for interacting with the opposing indicia connector  15   b  of the indicia  40  described below. Moreover, because the hook and loop engagement is on four surfaces (i.e.,  31   a,    31   b,    32   a  and  32   b ), there is essentially a doubling of the engagement area as compared with a conventional Velcro® type strap, resulting in a far more secure attachment when being worn by a user. Additionally, because the structure requires no stitching, or buckles, band  10  can be cut by the user to any desired length. To this end, a single band  10  can be manufactured in any number of different widths and lengths, which can then be further reduced by the end user without affecting the performance and/or operation of the band itself. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 4-6  illustrate various examples of interchangeable indicia  40  which can be used with the wristband  10  described above. Each indicia  40  can include a main body having an unlimited number of shapes, designs, characters, dimensions and geometric figures, and will preferably be constructed from a flexible material such as rubber or vinyl, for example. Each indicia  40  can include a front surface  40   a  configured to display any number of customizable markings M in accordance with the likes of the user. These markings can include characters such as numbers, letters, geometric shapes, words and color schemes. Additionally, the front surface  40   a  can include any number of images such as computer generated graphics, photographs and the like which can be etched into the surface  30   a  itself, or applied thereon utilizing a permanent adhesive. The back surface  40   b  of each indicia can include a connector  15   b  suitable for mating with an opposing indicia connector  15   a  of the band, as described above. 
         [0031]    Although described above as including pre-manufactured shapes, sizes and colors, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. In one alternate embodiment, each the indicia  40  can include a large block configured to be cut by the user into any number of unique shapes. Additionally, the front surface can be blank in order to allow users to engrave or affix their own markings thereon. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a wristband with removable indicia kit  100  that includes the wristband  10  and a plurality of indicia  40 , as described above. In this preferred embodiment, the outside facing surface  31   a  will be constructed from hook and loop material and will therefore allow the indicia connector  15   b  (in this instance an opposing strip of hook and loop material) of each indicia  40  to be secured thereon (See arrow B) in any number of unique configurations. To this end, the wristband with removable indicia can be customized to fit the size and tastes of an individual user in a fun and novel manner. 
         [0033]    As described herein, one or more elements of the wristband with removable indicia  10  can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, glue, fusible webbing and fabric adhesives, among others. Moreover, although each of the wristbands  10  and indicia  40  have been described as being constructed by separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that the wristband  10  (including all sub components) and the indicia  40  (including all sub components) can be formed as single continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as stitching, gluing, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof. 
         [0034]    As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0035]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0036]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0