Abstract:
The present invention relates to an accessory that can be easily and efficiently attached to clothing apparel by using a fastener therefore. The present invention describes an accessory having: an accessory head; and a threaded body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is integrated into the accessory head; and a fastener having: a horizontal part; and a concave vertical part having an elastic member, wherein the vertical part is integrated with the horizontal part, wherein the fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel with the top of the concave vertical part being externally exposed.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority from the following commonly owned application: U.S. Provisional application No. (______), entitled ACCESSORY AND FASTENER THEREFORE, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The field of the invention relates to an accessory and a fastener therefore. More specifically, the present invention relates to an accessory that can be easily and efficiently attached to an object by using a fastener therefore. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    It has been known that objects such as clothing apparel can be altered and improved in appearance by attaching accessories. 
         [0004]    A typical example of how clothing apparel can be improved with an accessory includes a common metal or award. Metals are attached using a horizontal pin and hook arrangement. The problem with this arrangement is that the pin must be forced through two points of the clothing. This forcing of the pin may damage clothing, especially if it is continuously inserted and removed. 
         [0005]    Another typical example of how clothing apparel can be improved with an accessory includes a broach. Broaches are attached using a straight pin and clasp. Also, the problem with this arrangement is that the pin must be forced through the clothing and into the clasp. This forcing of the pin may damage clothing, especially if it is continuously inserted and removed. Another problem with this arrangement is that it is quite difficult to align the pin with the clasp. 
         [0006]    Another typical example of how clothing apparel can be improved with an accessory includes a name tag. Name tags are attached using a clamp. The problem with this arrangement is that the clamp pinches the clothing. This pinching of the clamp may damage clothing, especially if it is continuously clamped on and off. 
         [0007]    A more recent example of how clothing apparel can be improved with an accessory includes a one piece shoe charm. One piece shoe charms are attached by inserting a flat hook through a prefabricated hole in the shoe. The problem with this arrangement is that, once locked into position, it must be forcibly pushed from the inside out to remove. This forced action may significantly cause wear and tear of the prefabricated hole. Also, it is difficult to place one&#39;s finger inside the shoe, feel for and find the charm, and then force the charm out of the prefabricated hole. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]    An advantage of the invention is that it provides an accessory that can be easily and efficiently attached to an object by using a fastener therefore. 
         [0009]    In one aspect of the invention, an accessory includes: an accessory head; and a threaded body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is integrated into the accessory head. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the invention, clothing apparel includes: a fastener including: a horizontal part; and a concave vertical part having an elastic member, wherein the vertical part is integrated with the horizontal part, wherein the fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel with the top of the concave vertical part being externally exposed. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, clothing apparel includes: an accessory having: an accessory head; and a threaded body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is integrated into the accessory head; and a fastener having: a horizontal part; and a concave vertical part having an elastic member, wherein the vertical part is integrated with the horizontal part, wherein the fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel with the top of the concave vertical part being externally exposed, wherein at least a portion of the threaded body is inside the fastener. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the accessory and fastener of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory and fastener of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory and fastener of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory and fastener of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    The present invention is used in combination with clothing apparel. Examples of clothing apparel include hats, shirts, shoes, holed foam footwear, belts, bags, straps, mobile phone straps and the like. 
         [0018]    Now, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . The accessory of this embodiment includes an accessory head  1  and a threaded body  2 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a portion of the threaded body  2  is integrated with the accessory head  1 . This integration may be conducted by bonding the threaded body  2  into a concave portion of the accessory head  1 . 
         [0019]    The accessory head  1  may be made of PVC, plastic, metal and the like. The accessory head  1  may also include designs or patterns that alter the appearance of clothing apparel. Examples of the accessory head  1  include a charm, a metal, a broach a name tag, jewelry and the like. Also, the accessory head  1  may include eye loops and the like for attaching other objects thereto. The length and thickness of the accessory head  1  is in the range of about 10 to 20 mm and 5 to 10 mm, respectively. 
         [0020]    The threaded body  2  may be made of soft plastic, metal and the like. The thread of the threaded body  2  is formed in a substantially spiral manner. An example of the threaded body  2  includes a screw. The length of the threaded body  2  is in the range of about 2 to 5 mm. 
         [0021]    A fastener of this embodiment includes a horizontal part  3  and a vertical part  4 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a portion of the vertical part  4  is integrated with the horizontal part  3  in a T-shaped manner. These two parts may be formed together by injection molding or casting into one piece. 
         [0022]    The horizontal part  3  may be made of plastic, metal and the like. One side of the horizontal part  3  may be formed substantially flat. The flat side is fixed to clothing apparel  5  by bonding, gluing and the like. The length and thickness of the horizontal part  3  is in the range of about 10 to 20 mm and 2 to 4 mm, respectively. 
         [0023]    The vertical part  4  may be made of plastic, metal and the like. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the top of the vertical part  4  has an open concave section. The fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel  5  with the top of the concave vertical part  4  being externally exposed from a prefabricated hole in the clothing apparel  5 . In the concave section, an elastic member  6  is formed on the circumference of the concave portion. The elastic member  6  may be a diaphragm, deformable plastic member, hard rubber and the like. Also, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the top of the elastic member  6  is at a downward angle, and the bottom of the elastic member  6  is substantially flat. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the edge of the elastic member  6  is seated between the threads of the threaded body  2 . Since the top of the elastic member  6  is at a downward angle, the accessory can only be urged into the fastener in one motion, however, it cannot be simply pulled out of the fastener. The thickness of the elastic member  6  is in the range of about 0.1 to 1.0 mm. The angle of the top of the elastic member  6  is in the range of about 20 to 60 degrees. 
         [0024]    The method of inserting the accessory into the fastener is conducted as follows. First, the threaded body  2  of the accessory is aligned with the concave opening of the fastener. Next, the accessory is urged so that the threaded body  2  slides and squeezes past the elastic member  6  in a one touch motion. This one touch motion continues until the bottom of the accessory head  1  is substantially flush with the clothing apparel  5 . Although the accessory may be urged into the fastener in a one touch motion, the fastener may also be screwed in. 
         [0025]    The method of removing the accessory out of the fastener is conducted as follows. First, one holds the accessory with one&#39;s hand. Then, the accessory is screwed out by continuously turning until the entire threaded body  2  exits the fastener. 
       Other Embodiments 
       [0026]    Now, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . The accessory of this embodiment includes an accessory head  11  and a threaded body  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top surface of the threaded body  12  is integrated with the accessory head  11 . This integration may be conducted by bonding the top of the threaded body  12  to the substantially flat bottom the accessory head  11 . 
         [0027]    A fastener of this embodiment includes a horizontal part  13  and a vertical part  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a portion of the vertical part  14  is integrated with the horizontal part  13  in a T-shaped manner. These two parts may be formed together by injection molding or casting into one piece. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a hole is formed through the entire vertical part  14 . Although a hole is shown to go through the entire vertical part  14 , the hole may only be formed part way into the vertical part  14 . The fastener is integrated into the clothing apparel  15  with the top of the vertical part  14  being externally exposed from a prefabricated hole in the clothing apparel  15 . In the hole of the vertical part  14 , spiral elastic threads  16  are formed on the circumference of the vertical part  14  hole. These elastic threads  16  may be a deformable plastic member, hard rubber and the like. Since spiral elastic threads  16  are formed in the hole of the vertical part  14 , the threaded body  12  can be urged into position by a one touch or one push insert application until the bottom surface of the accessory head  11  is flush against the clothing apparel  15 . Once the threaded body  16  is inserted and seated between threads, it has to be screwed out to remove from the fastener. Any combination of construction material for the threaded screw or fastener which allows for a one touch insert and screw out removal is considered to be in the scope of this invention. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the elastic member  26  may be a slotted plastic diaphragm. This configuration allows for a one touch insert and screw out removal. Although a slotted configuration is shown, a non-slotted plastic diaphragm may be used as long as it allows for a one touch insert and screw out removal.