Abstract:
A self-locking clip assembly for decorating garment strap comprises a first piece and a second piece. The first piece comprises a first flat surface that serves as a platform to affix decorative ornaments, a bridge connected to the first flat surface and a channel. The second piece comprises a second flat surface and a third flat surface, wherein the third flat surface has a curved indentation that matches the shape of the bridge, such that the curved indentation is flush with the contour of the bridge to lock the assembly. The garment strap is allowed to slip through bridge of the first piece and rest in the channel of the first piece. As a person wears the garment strap, the wearer&#39;s body presses against the third flat surface, consequently pressing the second flat surface against the strap and the first flat surface to automatically lock the clip assembly in place.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Related Application 
         [0002]    This application claims the benefit of the provisional Patent Application No. 61/699,128 filed on Sep. 10, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0003]    2. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a removable self-locking clip for garment straps with a flat surface that allows decorative stones and gems to be affixed to the clip. 
         [0005]    The present invention also relates to a method of attaching decorative stones and gems to garment straps using a self-locking clip without the use of glue. 
         [0006]    3. Description of Prior Art and Related Information 
         [0007]    In fashion, arts and crafts industry, garments are often decorated with ornaments, stones and jewelry. For example, brassiere straps, shoe laces, purse straps, suspenders, sandal thongs, and fabric wrist bands are often decorated with acrylic stones and gems of different sizes and shapes for aesthetic purposes. 
         [0008]    Various methods to attach decorative ornaments on garments straps are known in the art. These methods typically employ the use of glue or sewing to attach ornaments such as stones or gems to the garment straps. Once glued or sewn, the stones and gems are permanently affixed to the straps and cannot be easily removed and interchanged to match outfits. Thus, consumers must purchase new garments with decorative designs that match particular outfits. Further, sewing ornaments onto fabric material requires a sewing skill, intensive labor time and penetration of the fabric, which may damage the fabric. 
         [0009]    The object of the present invention is to provide a removable self-locking clip that allows decorative ornaments of different styles, sizes and shapes to be attached to it, such that the ornaments can be used interchangeably on various garment straps. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides devices and methods of providing a self-locking clip assembly for decorating garment straps having a flat surface for affixing decorative ornaments that can be easily attached to and removed from the straps. 
         [0011]    In one aspect, a self-locking clip assembly for decorating a garment strap comprising a first piece and a second piece is provided. The first piece further comprises a first flat surface that serves as a platform to affix decorative ornaments, a bridge connected to the first flat surface and a channel separating the first flat surface and the bridge. The second piece further comprises a second flat surface and a third flat surface, wherein the third flat surface has a curved indentation that matches the shape of the bridge, such that the curved indentation is flush with the contour of the bridge to lock the assembly. To utilize the self-locking clip assembly on a garment strap, the first piece and the second piece are first disassembled. The strap is allowed to slip through the bridge and rest in the channel of the first piece. The second piece is inserted, or “clipped,” into the first piece, wherein the second flat surface is facing the garment strap and the third flat surface is facing outward. The second piece is oriented such that the contour of the bridge of the first piece and the curved indentation of the second piece are matched and movably flush against each other. The strap is now secure inside the channel of the clip assembly. As a person wears the garment strap (e.g., a brassiere), the wearer&#39;s body presses against the third flat surface, consequently pressing the second flat surface against the strap and the inside portion of the first flat surface to automatically lock the clip assembly in place. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect, a method of decorating a garment strap using a removable self-locking clip is provided. The method comprises providing a platform that allows ornaments to be affixed, wherein the platform further comprises a first piece having a first flat surface, a bridge connected to the first flat surface and a channel. Various jewelry, stones and gems can be glued on the first flat surface. The platform with the affixed ornaments is then placed on the garment strap by sliding the garment strap through the bridge and into the channel. Once the garment strap is placed in the channel, the platform is secured to the garment strap by providing a second piece having a second flat surface and a third flat surface with a curved indentation that matches the shape of the bridge to enclose the strap. After the second piece is inserted into the first piece, the clip assembly is automatically locked in place on the garment strap by pressing the second piece against the first piece. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of a removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the removable self-locking clip assembly as it is being assembled to be attached to a garment strap. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the removable self-locking clip assembly as it is attached to the garment strap. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective top view of a first piece of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective bottom view of the first piece of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top and side views of the first piece of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective top view of a second preferred embodiment of the first piece of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is perspective bottom view of the second preferred embodiment of the first piece of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective top view of a second piece of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a perspective bottom view of the second piece of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective bottom and side views of a second embodiment of the second piece of the removable self-locking clip assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a diagram of a preferred method of decorating a garment strap using a removable self-locking clip assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims. 
         [0029]    Throughout the specification, positional and directional terms below refer to the following:
       “Top” shall refer to the side or direction in which a first flat surface or a second flat surface is located.   “Bottom” shall refer to the side or direction in which a third flat surface is located.       
 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a removable self-locking clip assembly, or simply a clip assembly, is designated by a reference numeral  10 . Here, a perspective top view of the clip assembly  10  is shown. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the clip assembly  10  comprises a first piece  20  and a second piece  30  which are detachable from each other. The first piece  20  further comprises a first flat surface  22 , a bridge  24  connected to an underside  21  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the first flat surface  22 , and a channel  26 . Preferably, the first piece  20  comprises a pair of symmetrical bridges  24  located opposite of each other. From this perspective top view, the second piece  30  comprises a second flat surface  32  and a curved end  38 . According to a preferred embodiment, the second piece  30  comprises a pair of curved ends  38  positioned opposite each other (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). As assembled, the channel  26  creates a distance between the underside  21  of the first flat surface  22  and the second flat surface  32  to allow a garment strap  12  to slip through. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective bottom view of the clip assembly  10 . Here, the preferred embodiment of the pair of symmetrical bridges  24  located opposite of each other is shown. Each bridge  24  has a depth  23  and further comprises an elongated horizontal flat portion  25  that faces inward toward the center of the assembly. The second piece  30  is shown to further comprise a third flat surface  34  having a curved indentation  36  and the curved end  38 . According to the preferred embodiment, the third flat surface  34  comprises a pair of symmetrical curved indentations  36  and the pair of symmetrical curved ends  38  to resemble the shape of a wing. 
         [0034]    As the first piece  20  and the second piece  30  are assembled, the curved indentations  36  perfectly match the contour of the elongated horizontal flat portions  25  such that the curved indentations  36  are flush with the elongated flat portions  25 . Further, the channel  26  enables the first piece  20  and the second piece  30  to be movable in relation to each other along the depth  23 , to allow easy removal or placement of the clip assembly  10  along the garment strap  12 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , to utilize the self-locking clip assembly  10  on a garment strap  12 , the first piece  20  and the second piece  30  are first disassembled. The strap  12  is allowed to slip through the bridge  24  and rest in the channel  26  of the first piece  20 . The second piece  30  is inserted, or “clipped,” into the first piece  20 , wherein the second flat surface  32  is facing the garment strap  12  and the third flat surface is  34  facing outward. The second piece  30  is oriented such that the contour of the bridge  24  of the first piece  20  and the curved indentation  36  of the second piece  30  are matched and movably flush against each other. The strap  12  is now secure inside the channel  26  of the clip assembly  10 . The clip assembly  10  is automatically locked by pressing the first piece  20  and the second piece  30  toward each other. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in the cross sectional view of the clip assembly  10  in  FIG. 6 , to adjust the placement of the clip assembly  10  along the garment strap  12 , the wearer simply pulls the first piece  20  and the second piece  30  in opposite directions away from each other along the depth  23 , so as to widen the channel  26  and allow the clip assembly  10  to slide along the garment strap  12 . Once a desired location along the strap  12  is determined, the wearer can again fasten the clip assembly  10  on the strap  12  by pushing the first piece  20  and the second piece  30  in opposite directions toward each other to close the channel  26 . As in the case of a strap  12  for a brassiere, this can be done simply by allowing the clip assembly  10  to press against the body of the wearer, wherein the third flat surface  34  is pressed against the body of the wearer, consequently moving it along the depth  23  to close the channel  26  and pressing the second flat surface  32  against the strap  12  and the underside portion  21  of the first flat surface  22 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the first piece  20  of the clip assembly  10 . As shown here, the first piece  20  comprises the first flat surface  22 , the bridge  24  and the channel  26 . To use the first piece  20  as a platform for decorative ornaments, various jewelry, stones and gems (not shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ) are affixed to the first flat surface  22  using commonly known adhesives such as glue or  3 M backing tapes. The bridge  24  is connected to the underside  21  and further comprises the horizontal flat portion  25  that faces inward toward the center so as to form a hook or a clip. In  FIG. 8 , the horizontal flat portion  25  is shown to have an elongated shape. However, any shape that can function as a hook or a clip to attach the second piece  30  to the first piece  20  may be employed. Further, according to the preferred embodiment, the first piece  20  comprises the pair of symmetrical bridges  24  that are opposite each other, such that an opening or gap  27  is created between the bridges  24  to allow access for the garment strap  12  to slip through and be placed inside the channel  26 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , viewed from its side, the first flat surface  22 , the pair of symmetrical bridges  24  and the channel  26  according to the preferred embodiment resembles a “C” shape. Suitable diameters for the first piece  20  may include  8  mm,  12  mm and  15  mm. However, any diameter size may be used as desired. 
         [0038]    Although the first flat surface  22  is illustrated as having a round shape in  FIGS. 1-9 , any shape can be used to suit any decorative purpose. For example,  FIGS. 10-11  illustrate a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the first piece  20   a,  where elements of similar structure are designated by the same reference numerals followed by “a”. Here, the first piece  20   a  comprises a square first flat surface  22   a,  a bridge  24   a  and a channel  26   a.  Similar to the first preferred embodiment  20 , the bridge  24   a  is connected to the underside  21   a  and further comprises a depth  23   a  and a horizontal flat portion  25   a  that faces inward toward the center so as to form a hook or a clip. Preferably, the horizontal flat portion  25   a  includes an elongated shape, although any shape that can function as a hook or a clip may be used. Further, according to the preferred embodiment, the first piece  20   a  comprises a pair of symmetrical bridges  24   a  that are opposite each other, such that an opening or gap  27   a  is created between the bridges  24   a  to allow access for the garment strap  12  to slip through and be placed inside the channel  26   a.    
         [0039]      FIGS. 12-13  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the second piece  30  of the clip assembly  10 . As shown, the second piece  30  comprises the second flat surface  32  and the third flat surface  34 , wherein the third flat surface  34  further comprises the curved end  38  and the curved indentation  36 . The curved indentation  36  matches the contour of the elongated horizontal flat portion  25  of the first piece  20  such that the curved indentation  36  is flush with the elongated flat portion  25 . The curved indentation  36  provides for easy attachment and detachment of the first piece  20  by snapping the bridge  24  of the first piece  20  on or off the curved indentation  36 . Preferably, as stated above, the third flat surface  34  comprises the pair of symmetrical curved indentations  36  and the pair of symmetrical curved ends  38  to resemble the shape of a wing. 
         [0040]      FIG. 14  illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the second piece  30   a,  where elements of similar structure are designated by the same reference numerals followed by “a”. In  FIG. 14 , the second piece  30   a  comprises the second flat surface  32   a  and the third flat surface  34   a,  wherein the third flat surface  34   a  further comprises curved ends  38   a  and  38   a - 1 , and curved indentations  36   a.  The curved indentations  36   a  match the contour of the elongated horizontal flat portions  25  of the first piece  20  such that the curved indentations  36   a  are flush with the elongated flat portions  25 . Preferably, the third flat surface  34   a  comprises the pair of symmetrical curved indentations  36   a  and the pair of symmetrical curved ends  38   a  and  38   a - 1  to resemble the shape of a wing. Viewed from the side, it is shown that the curved end  38   a - 1  has a more tapered end than the curved end  38   a  so as to resemble a wedge. This configuration allows the second piece  30   a  to be easily inserted into the first piece  20 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 15  illustrates a preferred method  200  of decorating a garment strap using a removable self-locking clip assembly. The method  200  comprises a step  210  of providing a platform that allows ornaments to be affixed, wherein the platform comprises a first piece having a first flat surface, a bridge connected to the first flat surface and a channel, a step  212  of placing the platform with the affixed ornaments on the garment strap by sliding the garment strap through the channel, a step  214  of securing the platform on the garment strap, including providing a second piece having a second flat surface and a third flat surface with a curved indentation that matches the shape of the bridge to enclose the strap, and a step  216  of locking the clip assembly on the garment strap, including pressing the second piece against the first piece. 
         [0042]    The step  212  of providing a platform that allows ornaments to be affixed, wherein the platform comprises a first piece having a first flat surface, a bridge connected to the first flat surface and a channel further comprises providing symmetrical bridges with a depth and an opening in between the bridges to allow access for the garment strap to slip through. 
         [0043]    The step  214  of securing the platform on the garment strap, including providing a second piece having a second flat surface and a third flat surface with a curved indentation that matches the shape of the bridge to enclose the strap further comprises providing a third flat surface with a pair of curved indentations and a pair of curved ends to resemble the shape of a wing. Additionally, according to yet another preferred embodiment, the step  216  further comprises providing a curved indentation that is flush and movable in relation to the bridge to allow the channel to be widened or closed, consequently allowing the platform to be placed in any desired location along the garment strap. 
         [0044]    The step  216  of locking the clip assembly on the garment strap, including pressing the second piece against the first piece comprises allowing the clip assembly to press against the body of a garment strap wearer, wherein the third flat surface is pressed against the body of the wearer, consequently moving it along the depth of the bridge to close the channel and pressing the second flat surface against the strap and the underside portion of the first flat surface. 
         [0045]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
         [0046]    The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species. 
         [0047]    The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0048]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
         [0049]    The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.