(12) United States Patent
`Carruth et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,418,434 B1
`Apr. 16, 2013
`
`US008418434B1
`
`(54) FASHION ACCESSORY OF INTEGRATED
`CONTINUOUS UNITs AND METHODS OF
`MAKING THEREOF
`
`(76) Inventors: Jack Carruth, Woodstock, GA (US);
`Danielle Carruth, Woodstock, GA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`-
`-
`patent 1s extended or adjusted under 35
`U-S-C- 154(1)) by 35 days-
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/177,180
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul- 6, 2011
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`,
`
`,
`
`eu Z
`
`.
`
`.
`
`2/1918 Roach ............................. .. 59/90
`1,257,398 A *
`HKrOdgteS
`~~~~595/§/59<l>
`2 j
`7/1958 Keilbach .
`59/83
`2,840,983 A *
`4,056,928 A * 11/1977 de Vries ..
`59/83
`D33g,171 S *
`3/1993 Bichi ,,,, u
`, 1311/12
`5,426,788 A *
`6/1995 MeltZer ..... ..
`2/171
`5,636,506 A *
`6/1997 Yngvesson ..................... .. 59/80
`134507614 S
`11/2001 wllkleson
`6,880,364 B1
`4/2005 Vidolin et a1.
`7 040 120 B2
`500% Hunter
`7,293,429 B1
`11/2007 Reichert
`D592,537 S *
`5/2009 Darnell .......................... .. D11/3
`2002/0043077 A1
`4/2002 Boyadjian
`2008/0190137 A1
`8/2008 Grinstead
`2009/0255295 A1 10/2009 Lane
`* cited by examiner
`
`(60) g(r)o1\(/)1s1onal appl1cat1onNo. 61/361,990, ?led on Jul. 7,
`
`Primary Examiner i David B Jones
`
`(2006.01)
`(200601)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`F16G 13/16
`F16G 15/12
`(52) U-s- Cl-
`USPC ----------- -~ 59/83; 59/80; 59/85; 59/90; 1311/12;
`1311/13
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search .............. .. 59/78, 80,
`59/82, 83, 84, 85, 90, 91, 92; D11/3, 12,
`D1 1/13
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`429,174 A *
`6/1890 Ogilvy
`568,531 A *
`9/1896 Harthan
`
`.... .. 59/78
`
`.... .. 59/83
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A fashion accessory featuring a plurality of units connected
`together to form a continuous chain having a ?rst end and a
`second end. The ?rst end and second end are connected
`together via a locking means. Each unit is a loop. The units
`each occupy a folded con?guration. 1n the folded con?gura
`tion, the unit is folded in half to form a ?rst top are and a
`second top are that are positioned next to each other, and a ?rst
`bottom hook and a second bottom hook that are positioned
`across from each other. Adjacent units are fed through both
`bottom hooks and subsequently moved to occupy the folded
`con?guration.
`
`8 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`Tristar Ex. 1008, pg. 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 16,2013
`
`Sheet 1 012
`
`US 8,418,434 B1
`
`0 0 1
`
`Tristar Ex. 1008, pg. 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 16,2013
`
`Sheet 2 012
`
`US 8,418,434 B1
`
`Tristar Ex. 1008, pg. 3
`
`

`

`US 8,418,434 B1
`
`1
`FASHION ACCESSORY OF INTEGRATED
`CONTINUOUS UNITS AND METHODS OF
`MAKING THEREOF
`
`CROSS REFERENCE
`
`This application claims priority to US. provisional appli
`cation Ser. No. 61/361,990 ?led Jul. 7, 2010, the speci?cation
`of Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a fashion accessory,
`more particularly to an accessory made from integrated con
`tinuous units.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention features a novel fashion accessory,
`Which may be used for a variety of purposes and applications.
`For example, in some embodiments, the accessory of the
`present invention is used as a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet,
`a dog collar, a luggage tag holder, a headband, a hatband, an
`eyeglasses holder, a backpack accessory, a keychain, the like,
`or a combination thereof. The present invention is in no Way
`limited to the aforementioned applications.
`Any feature or combination of features described herein
`are included Within the scope of the present invention pro
`vided that the features included in any such combination are
`not mutually inconsistent as Will be apparent from the con
`text, this speci?cation, and the knoWledge of one of ordinary
`skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the
`present invention are apparent in the folloWing detailed
`description and claims.
`
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`25
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`35
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a fashion accessory of
`integrated continuous units and methods of making thereof.
`FIG. 2 is a top vieW of a fashion accessory of integrated
`continuous units and methods of making thereof.
`FIG. 3 is an exploded vieW of a fashion accessory of inte
`grated continuous units and methods of making thereof.
`FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of a fashion accessory of
`integrated continuous units and methods of making thereof.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring noW to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention features
`a novel fashion accessory 100. The accessory 100 of the
`present invention features a plurality of integrated continuous
`units 110, in some embodiments geometrically-shaped units.
`In some embodiments, the units are bands (e.g., similar to hair
`bands, Which are Well knoWn to one of ordinary skill in the
`art).
`As used herein, the term “connecting mechanism” refers to
`any appropriate linking, interlinking, looping, and interlop
`ing of the units 110.
`The accessory 100 of the present invention comprises a
`plurality of units 110, for example a ?rst unit 11011, a second
`unit 110b, a third unit 1100, a fourth unit 110d, a ?fth unit
`110e, etc. In some embodiments, the accessory 100 com
`prises three or more units 110. In some embodiments, the
`accessory 100 comprises four or more units 110. In some
`embodiments, the accessory 100 comprises ?ve or more units
`110. In some embodiments, the accessory 100 comprises six
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`65
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`2
`or more units 110. In some embodiments, the accessory 100
`comprises seven or more units 110. In some embodiments,
`the accessory 100 comprises eight or more units 110. In some
`embodiments, the accessory 100 comprises nine or more
`units 110. In some embodiments, the accessory 100 com
`prises ten or more units 110.
`The units 110 are loops. In some embodiments, the units
`110 have a generally rounded shape (prior to integration into
`the accessory), similar to hoW a hair band has a generally
`rounded shape. In some embodiments, the units 110 have an
`alternate general shape, for example a triangular shape, a star
`shape, a rectangle shape, a pentagon shape, a hexagon shape,
`an irregular shape, etc. The present invention is not limited to
`the aforementioned shapes.
`In some embodiments, the units 110 are ?exible. In some
`embodiments, the units 110 are rigid. In some embodiments,
`the units 110 are constructed from a material comprising
`elastic, alloWing for the units 110 to stretch.
`In some embodiments, a decorative component is disposed
`on one or more of the unit 110. Decorative components are
`Well knoWn to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in
`some embodiments, the decorative component is glitter, a
`bead, a sticker, a ?oWer, a boW, a key ring, a luggage tag, a dog
`tag, a locket, a picture, a gloW-in-the dark component, the
`like, or a combination thereof. The present invention is not
`limited to the aforementioned decorative components. The
`decorative components may be directly or indirectly attached
`to the units 110.
`The units 110 are interlocked to form a continuous chain
`(e.g., via a connecting mechanism). For example, as shoWn in
`FIG. 3, to form the chain, a ?rst unit 110a is folded (e.g., in
`half) in a folded con?guration, Wherein the folded con?gu
`ration has a ?rst top arc 210a and a second top arc 21019 that
`are positioned next to each other, and a ?rst bottom hook 220a
`and a second bottom hook 220b, Wherein the bottom hooks
`220 are positioned across from each other. A second unit 1101)
`is fed throughbothbottom hooks 220 of the ?rst unit 110, then
`the second unit 1101) is folded to the folded con?guration (as
`described above) . A third unit 1 1 0c is fed through both bottom
`hooks 220 of the second unit 110, then the third unit 1100 is
`folded to the folded con?guration (as described above). Addi
`tional units 110 are added as described until a desired length
`or number of units 110 is achieved.
`When the units 110 are interlocked to form a continuous
`chain, the accessory has a ?rst end 101 and a second end 102.
`The ?rst end 101 and second end 102 can be connected
`together via a locking means 150. The locking means 150
`may be one or more of any securing or locking devices Well
`knoWn to one of ordinary skill in the art, for example a
`mating-type engagement, e. g., a clip mechanism, a snap
`mechanism, a hook mechanism, a latch mechanism, a magnet
`mechanism, a hook-and-loop fastener mechanism, the like, or
`a combination thereof. Other similar mechanisms are Well
`knoWn to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodi
`ments, the ends 101, 102 are temporarily connected together
`or permanently connected together.
`As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus
`10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment
`Wherein the accessory 100 is about 10 inches in length as
`measured from the ?rst end 101 to the second end 102
`includes an accessory 100 that is betWeen 9 and 11 inches in
`length.
`The disclosures of the following US. Patents are incorpo
`rated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Design Pat.
`No. D450614; US. Pat. No. 6,880,364; US. Pat. No. 7,040,
`120; US. Pat. No. 7,293,429; US. Design Pat. No. D592537;
`
`Tristar Ex. 1008, pg. 4
`
`

`

`US 8,418,434 B1
`
`3
`Us. Patent Application No. 2002/0043077; U.S. Patent
`Application No. 2008/0190137; U.S. Patent Application No.
`2009/0255295.
`
`EXAMPLE 1
`
`Construction
`
`Example 1 describes an example of constructing the acces
`sory 100 of the present invention. In some embodiments, the
`accessory 100 of the present invention is constructed by link
`ing the units 110 through a predetermined looping or linking
`guide; hoWever, the present invention is not limited to this
`manufacturing or construction process or method. The guide
`may, for example, comprise a linear device continuous from a
`?rst end and a second end, Wherein the ?rst end and the
`second end are each open ends of the guide. The guide may be
`replaced With any other type device that services the same
`function as Would be evident and obvious to those of ordinary
`skill in the art.
`In some embodiments, a ?rst unit 11011 is placed against the
`guide such that the ?rst unit 11011 is folded substantially or in
`part back over on itself over a dominant axis of the guide,
`thereby creating a smaller area of overlapping enclosed space
`Within the band When vieWing from an axis perpendicular to
`the fold and Where such enclosed space is also partially
`de?ned by the guide (e.g., or if not guide is used, de?ned
`partially by the axis of the fold). A second unit 1101) is then
`placed through such neWly created smaller interior space of
`the ?rst unit 110a and the second band 110!) is similarly
`folded upon itself to create a smaller interior space While
`partially remaining Within the smaller created interior space
`of the ?rst unit 110a, thereby linking the ?rst unit 110a and
`the second unit 1101) Without compromising the continuity of
`the units 1 10. A third unit 1 1 0c is then placed Within the neWly
`created smaller interior space of the second unit 1101) along
`the same method as previously described. Similarly, the third
`unit 1100 is then folded upon itself While still remaining
`partially enclosed Within the smaller created enclosed interior
`space of the second unit 1101). More units 110 can be added
`depending on the desired length for the article.
`When the desired length and/ or desired number of units
`110 has been achieved, the accessory 100 has a ?rst end 101
`and a second end 102. The ?rst end 101 and the second end
`102 can be connected via a locking means 150. The locking
`means 150 may be one or more of any securing or locking
`devices Well knoWn to one of ordinary skill in the art, for
`example a mating-type engagement, e. g., a clip mechanism, a
`snap mechanism, a hook mechanism, a latch mechanism, a
`magnet mechanism, a hook-and-loop fastener mechanism,
`the like, or a combination thereof. Other similar mechanisms
`are Well knoWn to one of ordinary skill in the art.
`Various modi?cations of the invention, in addition to those
`described herein, Will be apparent to those skilled in the art
`from the foregoing description. Such modi?cations are also
`intended to fall Within the scope of the appended claims. Each
`reference cited in the present application is incorporated
`herein by reference in its entirety.
`Although there has been shoWn and described the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, it Will be readily appar
`ent to those skilled in the art that modi?cations may be made
`thereto Which do not exceed the scope of the appended
`claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be
`limited by the folloWing claims.
`The reference numbers recited in the beloW claims are
`solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and
`are exemplary, and are not intended in any Way to limit the
`
`20
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`30
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`35
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`4
`scope of the claims to the particular features having the cor
`responding reference numbers in the draWings.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A fashion accessory (100) comprising a plurality of units
`(110) connected together to form a continuous chain having a
`?rst end (101) and a second end (102), the ?rst end (101) and
`second end (102) are connected together via a locking means
`(150), Wherein a unit (110) is a generally round loop that is
`elastic and ?exible, Wherein the units (110) each occupy a
`folded con?guration, in the folded con?guration the unit
`(110) is folded in half to form a ?rst top arc (210a) and a
`second top arc (21019) that are positioned next to each other,
`and a ?rst bottom hook (220a) and a second bottom hook
`(22019) that are positioned across from each other, Wherein
`adjacent units (110) are fed through both bottom hooks (220)
`and subsequently moved to occupy the folded con?guration;
`Wherein the unit (110) is a ?exible, elastic hair band.
`2. The accessory (100) of claim 1 comprising six or more
`units (110).
`3. The accessory (100) of claim 1 comprising eight or more
`units (110).
`4. The accessory (100) of claim 1 comprising ten or more
`units (110).
`5. The accessory (100) of claim 1 comprising tWelve or
`more units (110).
`6. The accessory (100) of claim 1, Wherein a decorative
`component is disposed on one or more of the units (110).
`7. A fashion accessory (100) consisting of a plurality of
`units (110) connected together to form a continuous chain
`having a ?rst end (101) and a second end (102), the ?rst end
`(101) and second end (102) are connected together via a
`locking means (150), Wherein a unit (110) is a generally
`round loop that is elastic, and ?exible, Wherein the units (110)
`each occupy a folded con?guration, in the folded con?gura
`tion the unit (110) is folded in half to form a ?rst top arc
`(210a) and a second top arc (21019) that are positioned next to
`each other, and a ?rst bottom hook (220a) and a second
`bottom hook (22019) that are positioned across from each
`other, Wherein adjacent units (110) are fed through both bot
`tom hooks (220) and subsequently moved to occupy the
`folded con?guration;
`Wherein the unit (110) is a ?exible, elastic hair band.
`8. A method of forming a novel fashion accessory (100)
`from a plurality of ?exible, elastic hair band units (110)
`comprises:
`(a) obtaining a plurality of units (110);
`(b) folding a ?rst unit (11011) in half to a folded con?gura
`tion, Wherein the folded con?guration has a ?rst top arc
`(210a) and a second top arc (21019) that are positioned
`next to each other, and a ?rst bottom hook (220a) and a
`second bottom hook (22019) that are positioned across
`from each other;
`(c) feeding a second unit (1101)) through the ?rst bottom
`hook (220a) and the second bottom hook (22019) of the
`?rst unit 110;
`(d) folding the second unit (1101)) to the folded con?gura
`tion;
`(e) feeding a third unit (1 1 00) through the ?rst bottom hook
`(220a) and the second bottom hook (22019) of the second
`unit (110);
`(f) folding the third unit (1100) to the folded con?guration;
`(g) repeating the steps (c) through (f) of feeding, then
`folding, for additional unit (110) until a desired length or
`number of units (110) is achieved, Wherein the units 110
`are interlocked to form a continuous chain, Wherein the
`accessory has a ?rst end 101 and a second end 102;
`
`Tristar Ex. 1008, pg. 5
`
`

`

`US 8,418,434 B1
`
`5
`(h) connecting the ?rst end (101) and the second end (102)
`together Via a locking means (150).
`
`*
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`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`Tristar Ex. 1008, pg. 6
`
`