US20060248629A1

US20060248629A1 - Removable clip on jewelry and thong

Info

Publication number: US20060248629A1
Application number: US11/123,640
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Barkman; Andrew Page
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-06
Filing date: 2005-05-06
Publication date: 2006-11-09

Abstract

An item of apparel that includes: (a) a lower undergarment having a horizontal torso band and a traversing center member, wherein the horizontal torso band and the traversing center member create two leg openings; and, (b) a jewelry device removably attached to the lower undergarment. The lower undergarment is typically underwear bottoms of a male or female type, preferably female underwear bottoms, constructed of fabric such as cotton, silk, synthetics, etc. These may be modest or risque. The lower undergarment and/or the jewelry has an attachment mechanism for attachment and removal of one from the other as desired.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to thongs and similar lower underwear (undergarments) that utilizes jewelry for ornamentation and art. The present invention more specifically involves the use of various types and designs of jewelry that include removable, reattachable features, and, in some embodiments, include interchangeable and modular jewelry. In some cases, the present invention jewelry has an attachment means, in other cases, the underwear has the attachment means, while in others, each of the jewelry and the underwear includes a component of the attachment means.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The following prior art references relate to the subject matter oft his invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,818 B1 to Gerhard Fildan et al. describes a link having snap-fitted parts that is provided with selected stones having different appearances to render the link highly versatile. The garment link, for brassieres, lingerie and the like, can use a perfume stone with laser-perforated capillaries communicating with a cavity from which scent may be released and which serves to draw a perfume liquid into the cavity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,663 to Luis Alvarez Fernandez describes a feminine garment with sexual stimulation effect characterized in that it is worn on the waist, buttocks and pubis of a woman, including a piece that surrounds the waist, provided with a ring at a front central part to which is joined or attached the front extremity of a perineal necklace having one or more rows of beads passing over the pubis between the legs and buttocks of a woman, the rear extremity being linked to the center of the rear art of the woman's back. The walking motion or the movement of the legs causes a friction on the external genital parts, thereby producing sexual stimulation on the wearer. The garment is intended to provide sexual, ludic or erotic therapy.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an item of apparel that includes:
(a) a lower undergarment having a horizontal torso band and a traversing center member, wherein the horizontal torso band and the traversing center member create two leg openings; and,
(b) a jewelry device removably attached to the lower undergarment.
The lower undergarment is typically underwear bottoms of a male or female type, preferably female underwear bottoms, and are constructed of fabric such as cotton, silk, synthetics, etc. These may be modest, meaning having significant amount of lower torso area coverage (buttocks, waist, front and underside cover, for example) or risque, meaning little or no coverage except for bands that are straps or strings, with or without additional panel(s). In other words, these lower undergarments range from long boxers to tight cotton boxers, to briefs, to skimpies, to thongs with one or more of a bottom panel, bottom/front panel, thongs with or without a back panel, to string thongs with no panels. The undergarments may have continuous loop waistbands (horizontal torso bands) and traversing center members, or they may have separable elements as some are now commercially available with fasteners and come apart and fasten together, e.g., in the back middle area. In those cases where there is no front and/or back panel, the jewelry is removably attached to the band, string or strap.
Of the many types of undergarments, thongs are preferred, and it is anticipated that female thongs will be the predominant apparel from a commercial and functional standpoint. Females have and appreciate jewelry more than men and may be more interested in jewelry on their thongs and other underwear, especially where it is fashionable to have the top front and/or top back of lower underwear exposed above pants, skirt, dress or shorts.
In some embodiments, the jewelry device includes attachment means having an attachment mechanism for removable attachment thereof to the lower undergarment. In other embodiments, the lower undergarment includes attachment means having an attachment mechanism for removable attachment of the jewelry device to it. Thus, an attachment mechanism could be on one of either the jewelry or the undergarment. In other embodiments, the jewelry device includes a first component of an attachment means for removable attachment thereof to the lower undergarment, and the lower undergarment includes a second component of an attachment means for interconnection with the first component for removable attachment of the jewelry device. Thus, both may have attachment mechanisms or complementary components thereof.
The attachment mechanism on the jewelry may be selected from the group consisting of a clip, a snap clip, a spring clip, a pin and a stud post and stud, or other known fastener. The attachment mechanism on the garment may be selected from the group consisting of a clip, a magnet and a post. If both the jewelry and the undergarment have attachment capabilities, they may be any of the above, for example the first component includes one of a hook pad and a loop pad located on a back portion of the jewelry device and the second component includes the other of a hook pad and a loop pad. In another embodiment, the first component includes one of a button and button hole on a back portion of the jewelry device and the second component includes the other of a button and button hole. In many embodiments, the first component includes one of a male connector and a male-receiving female connector on a back portion of the jewelry device and the second component includes the other of a male connector and a male-receiving female connector. In some embodiments, the first component includes a magnet on a back portion of the jewelry device and the second component includes a magnet attracting metal member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention should be more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a front view of present invention thong and removable jewelry device;
FIG. 2 shows a back view of a different present invention thong and removable jewelry device with the jewelry device located on the back;
FIG. 3 illustrates another present invention item of apparel;
FIG. 4 shows a present invention jewelry device that has a spring clip attachment mechanism;
FIG. 5 shows s side partial cut view of a present invention undergarment with a snap male section and a jewelry device with a snap female section for attachment thereof to the undergarment male section;
FIG. 6 shows a side partial cut view of another present invention item of apparel with an undergarment and jewelry device having magnet and metal plate attachment means;
FIG. 7 shows a side view of a present invention jewelry device component with a spring two portion snap clip;
FIG. 8 illustrates a side partially cut view of a modular jewelry device having attachment means for connecting to an undergarment and it has a base component and a screw-in decorative component that may be interchangeable with different decorative components;
FIG. 9 shows a stud jewelry device; and,
FIG. 10 shows a “velcro” type fastening arrangement for a present invention item of apparel in a side partially cut view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In FIG. 1, the present invention item of apparel 100 is shown in an oblique view. It includes an undergarment, in this case, thong 101, and a jewelry device 110. The thong 101 has a horizontal torso band 102 with back 111 and sides such as side 113, and a traversing center member. This includes a front panel 103 that extends down into an underpanel 105 and back vertical strip 109. The thong 101 thus has opposing leg openings between bottom panel 105 and the band sides. Center back area 115 may be sewn or otherwise permanently connected or may be a snap buckle or other fastener for opening and closing.
Jewelry device 110 is a rigid metal plate with raised decorative representation, and is pinned on by a conventional parallel pin and receiver (not shown) as are used for military awards. Alternatively, the jewelry device 110 may be removably attached by any mechanism described above or otherwise shown.
FIG. 2 shows a back view of another present invention item of apparel 200. Here, thong 201 has a center member 203 that traverses torso band 205 to create leg/butt openings, and jewelry device 207 is attached to the back at the intersection of the torso band 205 and the traversing center member 203.
In FIG. 3, undergarment 301 of present invention item of apparel 300 may be a man's or a woman's brief and it may be shown in front or back view. Jewelry device 305 is attached at the top area so as to maximize its exposure.
FIG. 4 shows a side view of present invention item of apparel jewelry device 400. It has a base 401, a jewel 403, such as a synthetic ruby, and a spring clip 405, for easy attachment and removal to and from an undergarment. It is recognized that jewelry exists and undergarments exist, but that the combination is novel and unobvious. Novelty is established because it is new. Unobvious because jewelry is usually worn at or near eye level for everyone to see. Attaching removable jewelry to bottoms is contrary to the intended use of jewelry. The present invention combination of jewelry and underbottoms allows for public display (dropped waistlines/high bottoms) or, alternatively, for private enjoyment by a partner during disrobing, etc.
FIG. 5 shows bikini bottom 511 with jewelry device 501 to create a present invention item of apparel. Attached to the outside of bikini bottom 511 is a plate 513 with a male snap-in component 515. Jewelry device 501 has a base 503, jewels 505 and a back tube 507 with receiver spring 509 for attachment to male snap-in component 515. Thus, jewelry device 501 can easily be removably attached to bikini bottom 511. (Alternatively, the female section could be on the undergarment and the male section on the back of the jewelry.)
FIG. 6 shows jewelry 601 with base 605 and designer front member 603. Brief 611 has a two ply fabric with layers 613 and 615 sewn together or heat sealed 617 with plate 619 sewn or sealed in. One of jewelry base 605 and plate 619 is magnetic and the other is magnetic attracting. With this arrangement many different jewelry devices with magnetic or magnetic attracting bases may be used.
FIG. 7 shows jewelry 701 with base 703 and polished stone 705, on its back 707 is a bar 709 with swivel spring biased snap clip 711.
In FIG. 8, a two piece modular jewelry device 801 includes a base 811 with a threaded female recess 809, as well as an attachment mechanism of any described type 813. Separate front piece 803 has a jewel 805 and a screw 807 for connection to threaded female recess 809. Although one front piece is shown, modular units having different jewelry designs and presentations may be deployed.
Jewelry device 901 includes a base 913 with an opal 905 and a stud 907. Stud clasp 908 can be used inside a bottom undergarment with stud 907 piercing from outside to removably fasten the jewelry device 901 to the undergarment.
FIG. 10 shows bikini bottom 1011 in a partial cut view with a hook pad 1013. Jewelry device 1001 has a base 1003 and a cameo 1005, with loops 1007 on the back. Together with bikini bottom 1011, they form a hook and loop fastening mechanism.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. An item of apparel, which comprises:

(a) a lower undergarment having a horizontal torso band and a traversing center member, wherein said horizontal torso band and said traversing center member create two leg openings; and,

(b) a jewelry device removably attached to said lower undergarment.

2. The item of apparel of claim 1 wherein said jewelry device includes attachment means having an attachment mechanism for removable attachment thereof to said lower undergarment.

3. The item of apparel of claim 1 wherein said lower undergarment includes attachment means having an attachment mechanism for removable attachment of said jewelry device to it.

4. The item of apparel of claim 1 wherein said jewelry device includes a first component of an attachment means for removable attachment thereof to said lower undergarment, and said lower undergarment includes a second component of an attachment means for interconnection with said first component for removable attachment of said jewelry device.

5. The item of apparel of claim 2 wherein said attachment mechanism is a selected from the group consisting of a clip, a snap clip, a spring clip, a pin and a stud post and stud.

6. The item of apparel of claim 3 wherein said attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a clip, a magnet and a post.

7. The item of apparel of claim 4 wherein said first component includes one of a hook pad and a loop pad located on a back portion of said jewelry device and said second component includes the other of a hook pad and a loop pad.

8. The item of apparel of claim 4 wherein said first component includes one of a button and button hole on a back portion of said jewelry device and said second component includes the other of a button and button hole.

9. The item of apparel of claim 4 wherein said first component includes one of a male connector and a male-receiving female connector on a back portion of said jewelry device and said second component includes the other of a male connector and a male-receiving female connector.

10. The item of apparel of claim 4 wherein said first component includes a magnet on a back portion of said jewelry device and said second component includes a magnet attracting metal member.

11. An item of apparel, which comprises:

(a) a thong lower undergarment having a horizontal torso band and a traversing center member, wherein said horizontal torso band and said traversing center member create two leg openings; and,

(b) a jewelry device having a rigid component removably attached to said lower undergarment.

12. The item of apparel of claim 11 wherein said jewelry device includes attachment means having an attachment mechanism for removable attachment thereof to said thong.

13. The item of apparel of claim 11 wherein said thong includes attachment means having an attachment mechanism for removable attachment of said jewelry device to it.

14. The item of apparel of claim 11 wherein said jewelry device includes a first component of an attachment means for removable attachment thereof to said thong, and said thong includes a second component of an attachment means for interconnection with said first component for removable attachment of said jewelry device.

15. The item of apparel of claim 12 wherein said attachment mechanism is a selected from the group consisting of a clip, a snap clip, a spring clip, a pin and a stud post and stud.

16. The item of apparel of claim 13 wherein said attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a clip, a magnet and a post.

17. The item of apparel of claim 14 wherein said first component includes one of a hook pad and a loop pad located on a back portion of said jewelry device and said second component includes the other of a hook pad and a loop pad.

18. The item of apparel of claim 14 wherein said first component includes one of a button and button hole on a back portion of said jewelry device and said second component includes the other of a button and button hole.

19. The item of apparel of claim 14 wherein said first component includes one of a male connector and a male-receiving female connector on a back portion of said jewelry device and said second component includes the other of a male connector and a male-receiving female connector.

20. The item of apparel of claim 14 wherein said first component includes a magnet on a back portion of said jewelry device and said second component includes a magnet attracting metal member.