US20050170743A1

US20050170743A1 - Attachment device and method

Info

Publication number: US20050170743A1
Application number: US11/047,403
Authority: US
Inventors: Cheryl Wells
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-25
Filing date: 2005-01-31
Publication date: 2005-08-04

Abstract

An attachment combination includes an article, which may include a frame, for attachment having a body and a fabric-covered portion of at least one of a vehicle interior and a wall of a dwelling. A micro-hook material is configured for securing to fabric materials, which may be a low-pile fabric material, and is secured to the body for releasably coupling the article to the fabric of the fabric-covered portion.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/730,446, filed Dec. 8, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,966, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/023,050, filed Dec. 15, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,389, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/300,688, filed Jun. 25, 2001, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to devices for attachment to fabric surfaces of various structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a visual stimulation attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention secured to the interior ceiling of a vehicle above a car safety seat;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of the visual to stimulation attachment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the visual stimulation attachment of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a visual stimulation attachment according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a frame for framing objects constructed according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a side-elevational view of the frame of FIG. 5, shown partially cross-sectioned;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sunshade constructed according to an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cubicle or carrel having a frame and a holding or container device attached according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-8 of the drawings. Like numerals may be used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, a visual stimulation attachment 10 is shown in the context of a child safety seat 12 that is resting on a portion of a vehicle passenger seat 14. Child safety seat 12 is shown secured to seat 14 by safety belt 16. In this rear-facing position, an infant within child safety seat 12 is limited to looking at the vehicle's ceiling 18 or the front 20 of seat 14. (Note: While one embodiment is envisioned for use with an infant in a child seat as shown in FIG. 1, it may also be used to amuse children who are not in a car or child safety seat).
To entertain, educate, and amuse the infant while riding in child safety seat 12 or child when seated on seat 14, the visual stimulation attachment 10 is provided and secured to an interior portion of ceiling 18 above the infant or child. The visual stimulation attachment 10 may include a background member 22 that is releasably attached by an attachment device 24 to the interior of ceiling 18. The background member 22 is made of any relatively soft or lightweight material that remains safe in the event that it falls on the infant or child or if it is involved in an accident. As a few examples, member 22 could be made of cloth, vinyl, open or closed cell foam, padded foam, craft foam, plastics, paper, paper mache, cardboard, STYROFOAM®, multicellular expanded synthetic resinous material, soft wood, composite materials, etc.
The attachment device 24 can be any attachment means that allows for the background member 22 to be releasably secured to the interior portion of ceiling 18. The attachment device 24 may include a micro-hook material or friction fastener material, e.g., a micro version of a VELCRO® fastener, that when pressed against a headliner material on ceiling 18 engages it: forms a hook-and-loop connection. An example of a suitable material is the hook portion of material HTH 830 from VELCRO USA, Inc., Manchester, N.H.; it is a made with a standard polypropylene resin. Other examples from VELCRO USA, Inc. are model HTH 811 and 833, which is a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and HTH 706, 707, and 708. The micro-version of the hook material readily engages the material used on the low-pile fabric material of most headliners. An example of micro-hook material for engaging low-profile or low-pile fabric or loop material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,315,740 and RE38,652, which are herein incorporated by reference. Such materials may be used with low-pile fabric materials having loop heights of less than 0.1 inches, 0.075 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.04 inches, 0.03 inches, 0.025 or 0.02 inches. The attachment device 24 could also be strong, imbedded magnets that are attracted to the metal of the vehicle's roof or could be safety pins placed along the periphery of the background member 22.
One or more decorative attachments 26 are preferably attached to the background member 22 by adhesive or other means. The visual arrangement of background member 22 and the decorative attachments 26 provides visual stimulation for the infant or child on seat 14, and they will typically form a theme or motif. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the background material 22 may be a black material that represents a night sky and the decorative attachments 26 can be stars and a moon. Numerous possible themes exist and additional examples are given further below. Bright colors and expressive characters may be used for the background material 22 and/or decorative attachments 26.
In another embodiment, the decorative attachments 26 may be omitted and the entire visual stimulation provided by the background member 22, which may have a picture or figure on it. The picture can be added by transfer or ink or other means. On both the background member 22 and the decorative attachments 26, glow-in-the-dark paints or materials may be used to provide stimulation during night trips. In another alternative embodiment, the decorative attachments 26 can be used without a background member 22 by directly attaching an attachment device to the decorative attachment. With this alternative, a group of decorative attachments 26 may be placed directly on a headliner 44 to form a theme independent of any background member 22.
Continuing with the description of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, one or more tether lines 28, each having a first end 30 and second end 32, can be structurally coupled to the background member 22 (or the decorative attachment). “Structurally coupled” means that in one way or another the support forces are communicated to the member. The structural coupling may be accomplished with knots, adhesives, or other suitable means for securing. The tether lines 28 can be made of cloth, cord, a spring material (e.g., rubber) or other soft material. The first end 30 is structurally coupled to the background member 22. A dangling member 34 is attached to the second end 32 of tether line 28.
The dangling members 34 can be made of the same type of materials as used for the background member 22, e.g., foam, cloth, etc. or can be other items such as light-weight stuffed dolls. Dangling members 34 can be sized, shaped, and colored to help visually stimulate the infant in seat 12. Examples of the many types of dangling members 34 include stars, balls, mirrors, bells, stuffed toys, teething rings, rattles, a pocket or sleeve for photographs, small lights, or possibly a music device. In the alternative design mentioned above, a decorative attachment such as a baseball glove may have a tether line hanging from it that has a baseball attached to it as the dangling member. These are only illustrative examples; there are many other possibilities.
The length of tether lines 28 can be short (1 to 2 inches; 2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) merely to provide movement of dangling members 34 in response to motion of the car or can be lengthier so that they swing just out of reach of the infant located in seat 12. In other embodiments, the tether line 28 could be made long enough for the dangling member 34 to be reached by a child. The preferred length for use in most cars is about 1.5 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 centimeters). The tether lines 28 may be of different lengths or may be the same length. With reference to the night sky theme, the dangling members could be stars, and in this scenario might be glow-in-the-dark stars to provide stimulation during night trips. The movement of the dangling members 34 contributes significantly to the amusement value of stimulation attachment 10. By hanging from a tether line 28, the dangling members 34 are free to move in three-dimensions in response to movement of the car.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a portion of the visual stimulation attachment 10 is shown secured to ceiling 18 of the vehicle. In this view, the ceiling 18 is shown as being made up of the exterior roof 40, which has a first side 42, and a headliner 44, which has a first side 46 and a second side 48. The second side 48 is attached to the first side 42 of roof 40 by an adhesive 50. The attachment device 24 has a first side 52 and a second side 54. The background member 22 has a first side 56 and a second side 58. The second side 58 of the background member 22 is secured by an adhesive 60 (e.g., could be a high tack, pressure sensitive strip or an epoxy or adhesive means) to the first side 52 of the attachment device 24. In this embodiment, attachment device 24 is attached directly to headliner liner 44 by miniature-, low-profile or micro-hooks (not explicitly shown) that engage the material of headliner 44 (the headliner functions as the loop portion of the hook-and-loop connection) to provide a releasable connection.
The decorative attachment 26 has a first side 62 and a second side 64. The second side 64 is attached to the first side 56 of the background material 22 by an adhesive 66. The first end 30 of the tether line 28 is attached to the first side 56 of the background member 22 by an adhesive, a micro-hook material or by going through an aperture 70 in the background material 22 and being secured on the second side 58 with a knot 71 (this is what is shown in FIG. 2), adhesive, or by other means (e.g., thermal, ultrasonic weld, staples, clips, etc.).
Referring to FIG. 3, a plan view of one possible scene on attachment 10 (shown as an infant in car seat 12 might view it) is shown with the exception that the dangling members and tether lines have been removed. The background member 22 is preferably sized to occupy the space on the ceiling 18 (see FIG. 1) above the infant or child. For example, background member 22 could be 8 inches by 10 inches (20.3 centimeters by 25.4 centimeters) or could be 16″×12″ (40.6×30.4 centimeters) to name only two possibilities. An unlimited number of themes for attachment 10 are possible. Examples of themes include the following: alphabets, numbers, barnyard, cartoon character scenes, an underwater scene, Noah's ark, flowers, sports, animals, nature, tea cups, doll houses, gardens, ballerinas, angles, circuses, outer space, and seasonal and holiday designs (Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc). etc. The background member 22 might also be a simple map of the United States, world, or other entertaining educational objects.
Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of another embodiment of a visual stimulation attachment 80 is presented. The background member 82 is shown with a sea-life theme and includes decorative attachments of fish 84 and 86 and an octopus 88. A first tether line 90 supports a dangling member 92 in the form of a fish, and a second tether line 94 supports a three-dimensional stuffed doll 96 in the form of a scuba diver. The dangling members 92 and 96 can be substantially two-dimensional items (e.g., fish 92) or three-dimensional items (e.g. doll 96).
Numerous other embodiments of the visual stimulation attachment are possible. In another embodiment of the invention, the background material can be a photograph or photographs or alternatively the decorative attachments or dangling members could be photographs or photograph frames. In another embodiment, the background member can be a lightweight flat visual screen that provides moving images (video or computer output) for the infant to view. A soft material to make it safe in the event of an accident preferably would surround the screen. Similarly dangling members might include lights or small flat screens (in that case tether might include wires). The attachment device might also include speakers providing entertaining sound or contain lights among other variations; a short sound recording might be especially useful to distract infants while the infant is being loaded into the car seat. Sound playback device could be added to virtually any embodiment. In different embodiments, the attachment might be used for other applications such as holding a memo pad or photo frame or other items on the ceiling for an adult in the vehicle, but it is primarily intended for use with a child infant seat or child. In the latter situation for a picture frame, it would be the same type of set up using a micro-hook material on the back (i.e. attachment device) of a piece of material to which a photo or other item is attached.
In one possible embodiment, the decorative attachments are attached to the background member with a hook-and-loop connection to allow for easy moving of the decorative items on the background. In this way, the scene can be readily changed to provide more variety for the infant or child. In addition, this approach might allow different decorative attachments to be added to the theme at later times; for example, the attachments could be given out with entertainment meals as a promotional campaign for a fast-food establishment. In a related embodiment, the decorative attachments might be game pieces that can moved on the background or directly on the headliner; for example, the background could include a tic-tac-toe grid and the decorative attachments could be Xs and Os.
Referring to FIG. 5, a picture frame 100 is shown that is attached to a sun visor 102 of an automobile or other vehicle. As used herein, the term “vehicle” may include any type of device used for transporting people, such as an aircraft, automobile, a locomotive, boat, etc. The frame 100 may be used as a visual stimulation attachment for infants or children, as has already been discussed, or in non-child-related applications, such as for decoration or display functions.
Referring to FIG. 6, a partially sectioned side view is shown of the frame 100. The frame 100 may include an attachment device 104, similar to the attachment device 24 previously discussed. The components of the frame 100, as discussed herein, may be constructed from similar materials as discussed for the attachment 10. In non-child-related applications, other materials that may not be soft or lightweight for safety purposes, may be used in addition to the materials discussed for attachment 10. These may include materials such as metal, hard plastic and wood, glass, etc.
The attachment device 104 may include a micro-hook material, as previously described. The attachment device 104 may be attached by a layer of adhesive (not shown) or otherwise secured to one side of a background member 106. For ease of illustration, the layers of adhesive are not shown in FIG. 6. The attachment device 104 may be coextensive with the background member, or may be in strips, sections, etc. that may be continuous or non-continuous and non-coextensive. As shown, the micro-hook material of the attachment device 24 engages and releasably couples to the surface of a fabric layer 107, which may be a low-pile fabric material, of the visor 102 or other structure.
The background member 106 may be similar to the background member 22, and may have a flat, planar configuration. Secured to the other side of the background member 106 opposite the attachment member 104 is a framing member 108. The framing member 108 extends generally around the perimeter of the background member 106 and is secured to the member 106 by adhesive or other means. The framing member 108 may have partition members 109.
A visually transparent panel or member 110 may be provided over the framing member 108 to define a compartment 112. The panel 110 may be attached to the framing member 108 by adhesive or other means. The panel 110 may be rigid or flexible, and may be formed from glass, plastic, or other material. The panel 110 may be tinted or non-tinted and may be provided with printing or indicia (not shown).
Positioned over the panel member 110 is a second framing member 114. The framing member 114 also extends generally around the perimeter of the background member 106. The second framing member 114 may have one or more partition members 116. The partition members 109, 116 of the framing members 108, 114, respectively, define openings 118, 120 for receiving and displaying objects, such as photos, pictures, mirrors, calendars, diplomas or certificates of achievement, maps, printed textual or non-textual matter, etc., that may be displayed with the frame 100. The frame 100 may be used to display promotional or advertising material.
Decorative objects or attachments, such as the objects 122, 124, may be provided on the frame 100, such as on the framing member 114, as shown. These may be attached by adhesive or other means. Additionally, dangling objects (not shown) may be tethered to the frame 100.
Printing of various types may be provided on the exposed surfaces of the components of the frame 100.
Displayed objects may be received in the compartment area 112 through openings that may be provided, such as at 126, 128, at the ends of the frame 100. The openings 126, 128 may be formed by providing non-bonded or non-secured areas between the background member 106 and framing member 108 or between the framing member 108 and panel 110.
The background member 106 and framing members 108, 114 may be of slightly different sizes to provide a stepped appearance, as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the outer edges of the adjacent underlying member are exposed. The members forming the frame may be of different colors, materials or otherwise have a contrasting appearance.
Although the frame 100 is shown in a generally rectangular shape, it may have a variety of other different shapes or configurations, which may approximate or represent other articles or objects.
In use, the frame 100 may be positioned on any structure having fabric-covered portions for engaging with the micro-hook material of the attachment member 104. This may include the visor 102 or headliner of an automobile or other vehicle or a fabric covered wall of a dwelling, etc. The micro-hook material of the frame 100 allows it to be readily secured and removed from the fabric material, as desired.
Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a sunshade 130 is shown. The sunshade 130 includes a body portion 132, which may be a flexible sheet-like material, such as a layer of fabric material, although a lightweight rigid material may be used, as well. The material may be provided with a reflective coating or surface to reflect sunlight. Additionally, it may be a tinted transparent material or be provided with a see-through mesh pattern to allow visual perception therethrough, will still providing a degree of shading. The surface may also be provided with visible ornamentation, text or other indicia.
The sunshade 130 includes an attachment portion 134, which may be in the form of a section or strip 136 of the body portion 132, such as along a side edge. A micro-hook material 138 is provided on the section 136, such as by adhesive, stitching or other fastening means.
The sunshade 130 may be secured over a window 140 or other area to block sun or other light. In the embodiment shown, the window 140 is a side window of an automobile. The attachment portion 134 is secured to a headliner 142 of the automobile above and adjacent to or in near proximity to the window 140. The micro-hook material 138 engages the fabric material of the headliner 142 so that it releasably couples thereto, with the body 132 hanging downward to cover the window 140.
The sun-shade may be configured in size and shape to correspond to the shape of the window for which it is to be used. Because the sunshade 130 secures to the headliner, which usually extends beyond the dimensions of the window, instead of the window itself, the shade 130 may cover the entire window and not just a portion, as in prior art sunshades that utilize suction cups and the like for attachment directly to the window.
The sunshade may be provided with a retraction mechanism (not shown) that may allow the body 132 to be extended and retracted from a rolled configuration. In such instances, the attachment portion may be formed from the retraction mechanism provided with the micro-hook material.
The attachment devices of the present invention may be used for attachment to a variety of different fabric covered objects, including fabric covered walls or structures of a building or dwelling. In particular, the devices may be used on the interior walls of a building or dwelling. Referring to FIG. 8, an office cubicle or carrel 150 is shown. The cubicle or carrel 150 is provided with partition walls 152, 154. All or a portion of the walls 152, 154 may be covered with a fabric material, which may be a low-pile fabric material. The fabric material may be the panel cloth materials commonly used with interior partitions and the like, such as the panel cloth marketed and available from Burch Fabrics Group.
A frame 156 is shown attached to the wall 152. The frame 156 may be similar in construction to the frame 100, previously described. Other attachment devices may be attached to the fabric covered walls, as well. A pocket, holder, box or other container represented at 158 having a body 159 is shown attached to the wall 154. The device 158 may include one or more sleeves, formed from a flexible material such as paper, fabric, leather or flexible polymeric material, etc. The device 158 may also included a container or box formed from a generally structurally rigid material, such as cardboard, wood, composite material, rigid plastic or lightweight metal, such as aluminum, etc. The device 158 forms an enclosure or rest for holding articles and may have at least one opening, such as the opening 160, for passage of the articles therethrough. A closure or lid (not shown) may also be provided to cover or enclose the articles held by the device 158. The body 159 of the device 158 may have a variety of configurations, including those formed from planar and curved or non-planar shapes and should not be limited to any particular shape or configuration.
The device 158 also includes an attachment device 162 formed from a micro-hook material that is secured to the body 159 of the device 158. The micro-hook material is similar to that previously described and is secured to at least a portion of one side of the body 159 by adhesive or other means.
The holding or container device 158 may be used for holding or displaying a multitude of different articles, such as pens, pencils, rulers, notepads, erasers, compact disks, identification, etc.
The device 158 may be used on fabric covered interior walls of dwellings, such as those of the cubicle or partition walls, which may be movable or stationary. The holding or container device 158 may also be used in the interior spaces of vehicles, such the headliner or visor of an automobile, the bulkhead or walls of an aircraft, etc.
Because the attachment devices of the invention releasably couple to fabric covered portions of structures, as has been described herein, they may readily attached and removed, moved and repositioned. This may be beneficial in many circumstances. For instance, in work stations that are shared by employees of different shifts or temporary study carrels for students, users may want to position personal effects in the area for display during their shift or activity, but remove them after they are through. The devices allow personal photos, pictures and other belongings to be displayed or held, such as on the walls 152, 154 of the cubicle 150 and then readily removed as desired.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of invention as defined by the appended claims. The term “about” as used in the claims is intended to imply a relatively broad interpretation of any range that it modifies; it is intended to be a flexible word with a meaning similar to “approximately” or “nearly.

Claims

1. An attachment combination comprising:

an article for attachment having a body;

a fabric-covered portion of at least one of a vehicle interior and a wall of a dwelling; and

a micro-hook material configured for securing to low-pile fabric materials, the micro-hook material secured to the body for releasably coupling the article to the fabric of the fabric-covered portion.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

the article is selected from a group consisting of a display, a frame, a sunshade, a pocket, a holder, a box or a container.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

the article is a frame that includes a transparent panel for overlaying an object of the frame.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

the article is a frame having decorative objects provided thereon.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

the article is a frame formed from a resilient foam material.

6. A display device comprising:

a frame having a frame body having a first and second side, the frame body having a opening for displaying an object of the frame; and

a micro-hook material secured one of the first and second sides of the frame body for releasably coupling the frame to fabric-covered surfaces.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the frame includes a transparent panel for overlaying an object of the frame.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the frame has decorative objects provided on the other of the first and second sides.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the frame is formed from a resilient foam material.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein:

there are at least two openings for displaying at least two objects of the frame.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the object is selected from a group consisting of a photo, a picture, a mirror, a diploma or certificate of achievement, a map, a calendar and a printed text.

12. A method of displaying an article, the method comprising:

providing a micro-hook material on a portion of the article; and

applying the article to the surface of a fabric-covered portion of at least one of a wall of a dwelling and an interior of a vehicle so that the micro-hook material releasably engages the fabric material to form a releasable hook-and-loop connection with the fabric of the fabric-covered portion.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

14. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the fabric-covered portions are selected from a group consisting of a wall of a cubical or carrel, a room partition, a headliner and a sun-visor of a vehicle.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein:

16. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the article is a frame having decorative objects provided thereon.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the article is a frame formed from a resilient foam material.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the fabric-covered portion is formed from a low-pile fabric material.