WO2010148475A1 - Ornament, system including the ornament and arrangement and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An ornament is disclosed and comprises first and second pieces. The first piece can be a male piece having an enlarged head and a shaft extending from the head. The second piece can be a female piece and be adapted to receive the first piece by means of a socket for receiving the shaft. Once the first piece is received by the second piece, the second piece can grip the shaft of the first piece in a secure, non-reversible locked-together relationship. The ornament can be used as part of a system. The system can include decoration receivers selected from the group consisting of bracelets, tags and pendants, each receiver having one or more apertures therein, each aperture being sized to permit throughpassage of the shaft of any one of the ornaments but resist throughpassage of the second piece and of the head of the first piece thereof.

Description

ORBAMENT, SYSTEM INCLUDING THE ORNAMENT AND ARRANGEMENT AND

METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of retailing and personal ornaments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Decorative accessories such as charm bracelets are well-known in the art. In recent years, elastomeric clog-type shoes have become popular, and it has become popular for children and adults alike to decorate such shoes with charms which can be press-fit through apertures provided in such shoes for the purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ornament forms one aspect of the invention. This ornament comprises a first piece and a second piece. The second piece is adapted to receive the first piece. The first piece and the second piece are adapted such that, once the first piece is received by the second piece, the first piece and the second piece are disposed in a secure, non-reversible, locked-together relationship. At least one of the first piece and the second piece is ornamental.

The ornament can form part of a system, which forms another aspect of the invention. In this system, the first pieces are ornamental and decoration receivers are provided. The decoration receivers are selected from the group consisting of bracelets, tags and necklace pendants. Each receiver has one or more apertures therein. Each aperture is sized to permit throughpassage of the shaft of any one of the ornaments but resist throughpassage of the second piece and of the head of the first piece thereof. According to another aspect of the invention, the system can further comprise decorative elements each having an aperture therein, each aperture being sized to permit throughpassage of the shaft of any one of the ornaments but resist throughpassage of the second piece and of the head of the first piece thereof.

An arrangement for retailing the system forms another aspect of the invention. The arrangement comprises presentation apparatus for displaying: a plurality of first pieces, in more than one variety; a plurality of decoration receivers, in one or more varieties; and optionally, a plurality of decorative elements, in one or more varieties.

A retail method using this arrangement forms yet another aspect of the invention. This method comprises the steps of: providing public access to the presentation apparatus, to permit potential consumers to pick and choose from the display; and providing restricted access to the second pieces.

According to another aspect, the second pieces can be sold and the first pieces dispensed freely. Alternatively, one second piece can be dispensed free-of-charge by the retailer for each first piece sold.

According to another aspect, the arrangement can further comprise a mechanism for automatically dispensing second pieces.

A retail method using this latter arrangement forms yet another aspect of the invention. This method comprises the steps of: providing public access to the presentation apparatus, to permit potential consumers to pick and choose from the display; and providing restricted access to the second pieces. In this method, the mechanism automatically dispenses one second piece for each first piece sold. Advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings and photographs, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows the components of an ornament according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the encircled structure 2 of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the structure of Figure 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of encircled structure 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of encircled structure 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view of the structure of FIG. 3 disposed within the structure of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view of the components of a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a kiosk apparatus which forms part of an exemplary embodiment of a retail arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a container used in an exemplary embodiment of the retail method of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 9 in an open configuration; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8, showing another retail arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the ornament, system, retail arrangements and retail methods are hereinafter described in detail.

Reference is initially made to Figure 1, which shows the components of the exemplary ornament, namely, a first piece 20 and a second piece 22.

With reference to FIG. 3, the first piece 20 is a male piece having an enlarged ornamental head 24 and a shaft 26. The head 24 includes a steel base plate 27 from which the shaft 26 extends, the shaft 26 also being steel. A decorative/ornamental cover 28 is permanently secured by adhesive to the base plate 27.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second piece 22 has a socket 30 for receiving the shaft 26 of the first piece 20. Interiorly of the socket 30 is a plurality of resilient steel flanges 32. The flanges 32 are adapted such that, if the shaft 26 is inserted into the socket 30, the flanges extend radially outwardly, to permit insertion of the shaft 26. Once the shaft has been inserted, the flanges grip the shaft, as shown in FIG. 6, such that the first piece and the second piece are disposed in a secure, non-reversible, locked- together relationship. In this description and the appended claims, this should be understood as implying that the parts are locked together with some permanency, but it will be appreciated that the parts might theoretically be separated, for example, using special tools, pliers, etc. The exemplary system includes, in addition to a variety of ornaments 20 of the above type, a plurality of decoration receivers 34A-34L and decorative elements 36A-36D, all as shown in FIG. 7 .

The decoration receivers include leather bracelets 34A-34G, leather tags 34H-34I and leather necklace pendants 34J-34L , of various colors, shapes and styles. Each receiver has one or more apertures 38 therein, each aperture 38 being sized to permit throughpassage of the shaft 26 of any one of the ornaments but resist throughpassage of the second piece 22 and of the head 24 of the first piece 20 thereof.

The decorative elements 34A-36D are leather die cuts, of various colors, shapes and styles. Each element has an aperture 38 therein, each again being sized to permit throughpassage of a shaft 26 but resist throughpassage of the second pieces 22 and of the heads 24 of the first pieces 20.

A user obtains a decoration receiver, one more fasteners and optionally, one or more decorative elements. Each fastener has its shaft fitted within a respective aperture and thence into the socket of a respective second piece. Where a die cut decorative element is used, the shaft also passes through the die cut before entry into the socket. Normally, the decorative elements and ornamental ends are all disposed on the same side of the decoration receiver. The bracelet indicated as 34E in FIG. 7 is fully decorated and can be worn in a conventional manner.

An exemplary arrangement for retailing the system comprises a kiosk apparatus 40, shown in FIG. 8, for displaying a plurality of first pieces, in more than one variety; a plurality of decoration receivers, in one or more varieties; and optionally, a plurality of decorative elements, in one or more varieties. This arrangement can be used in a retail method, whereby the public is provided access to the kiosk 40, to permit potential consumers to pick and choose from the display. The kiosk 40 would normally be disposed in a retail environment, such as a store. In this method, access to the second pieces is restricted, by positioning the second pieces at the cash register. The retail price structure can vary. For example, the second pieces can be sold by counter staff, and first pieces can be dispensed freely, as there is no use for first pieces otherwise than with second pieces. Alternatively, one second piece can be dispensed free-of-charge by the retailer for each first piece sold.

These mechanisms enable customers to be given relatively free, unsupervised access to the first pieces, with relatively little concern about shrinkage, since there is no use for the first pieces without the second pieces.

A container 42 which can be left at the counter, to permit the retailer to dispense second pieces, is shown in FIG.9 and FIG. 10.

As another example, the arrangement can also include a mechanism for automatically dispensing second pieces, as shown in FIG. 11. Mechanism 44 can be coupled directly to the cash register, and dispense:

i. one second piece for each second piece sold (i.e. rung-in); or

ii. one second piece for each first piece sold.

Apparatus (i) could, for example, be embodied as a conventional vending machine.

As an alternative, the cash register could issue tickets or tokens, which could be fed into the mechanism to dispense second pieces. Automation would ensure that the dispensing function did not slow down operations at the cash register.

While but several embodiments of the present invention have been herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes may be made.

For example, whereas the exemplary ornament is indicated to be constructed out of steel, and to have four flanges, other construction materials can be utilized, and other mechanism can be employed to provide for the secure locking relationship.

As well, whereas the bracelets are indicated to be leather, along with the die cuts, tags and pendants, other materials could be utilized. Further, bracelets should be understood to encompass bracelets, anklets and watch straps.

Further, whereas specific pricing structures are described, other variations are possible.

Yet other changes are also possible.

Accordingly, the invention should be understood as limited only by the claims appended hereto, purposively construed.

Claims

1. An ornament comprising:

a first piece; and

a second piece, the second piece being adapted to receive the first piece,

wherein

the first piece and the second piece are adapted such that, once the first piece is received by the second piece, the first piece and the second piece are disposed in a secure, non-reversible, locked-together relationship; and

at least one of the first piece and the second piece is ornamental.

2. An ornament according to claim 1, wherein:

the first piece is a male piece having an enlarged head and a shaft extending from the head;

the second piece is a female piece and is adapted to receive the first piece by means of a socket for receiving the shaft; and

once the first piece is received by the second piece, the second piece grips the shaft of the first piece to provide said secure, non-reversible locked-together relationship.

3. A system comprising:

ornaments according to claim 2, wherein the first pieces are ornamental; and

decoration receivers selected from the group consisting of bracelets, tags and pendants, each receiver having one or more apertures therein, each aperture being sized to permit throughpassage of the shaft of any one of the ornaments but resist throughpassage of the second piece and of the head of the first piece thereof.

4. A system according to claim 3, further comprising decorative elements each having an aperture therein, each aperture being sized to permit throughpassage of the shaft of any one of the ornaments but resist throughpassage of the second piece and of the head of the first piece thereof.

5. An arrangement for retailing the system of claim 4, the arrangement comprising:

presentation apparatus for displaying

a plurality of first pieces, in more than one variety;

a plurality of decoration receivers, in one or more varieties; and

optionally, a plurality of decorative elements, in one or more varieties.

6. A retail method using the arrangement of claim 5, comprising the steps of:

providing public access to the presentation apparatus, to permit potential consumers to pick and choose from the display; and

providing restricted access to the second pieces.

7. A retail method according to claim 6, wherein second pieces are sold and first pieces are dispensed freely.

8. A retail method according to claim 6, wherein one second piece is dispensed free-of-charge by the retailer for each first piece sold.

9. An arrangement according to claim 5, further comprising a mechanism for automatically dispensing second pieces.

10. A retail method using the arrangement of claim 9, comprising the steps of:

providing public access to the presentation apparatus, to permit potential consumers to pick and choose from the display; and

providing restricted access to the second pieces,

wherein the mechanism automatically dispenses one second piece for each first piece sold.