Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LINKABLE-SHARED FRIENDSHIP OBJECTS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Serial No.
10/662,327, filed September 16, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
1o The invention relates to two or more friendship objects that may be sold
together, wherein one object may be kept by one person and a second object may
be given to a second person. Each object may comprise a connector to enable
multiple friendship objects to be linked or otherwise connected together to
form
jewelry, chains or other linked objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Friendship bracelets per se are known. Typically these items are given by
one friend to another and worn as a symbol of friendship. Generally, each item
is
created and exists in isolation.
2o Other types of friendship objects are also known. For example, with some
friendship objects, two halves of one object may be joined together to
complete the
object. In these instances, each of two friends may keep one of the two
objects and
when the two friends get together, they can join the two objects together. For
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example, friendship rings are known. With friendship rings, each person has a
single ring. When the rings are brought together, some synergistic result
occurs.
This pair of objects may be created and exist in an isolated pair.
Charm bracelets are also known. With charm bracelets, a person may
typically collect a number of charms. Each charm is usually connected to a
bracelet, but not to each other. While a first fiiend could give a charm to a
second
friend, there is typically no corresponding charm kept by the first fiiend.
Other types of fi~iendship tokens exist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, two or more fi~endship objects
may be sold together, wherein a first person keeps one of the objects and
gives a
second object to a second person (e.g., a fizend, team mate, co-worker,
customer or
other person) that keeps the second object. Each of the friendship objects may
be
substantially identical or complimentary. Each preferably has a connecting
mechanism associated with it so that a person can collect and link together
friendship objects given to, or received from, a number of friends. In this
way,
multiple pairs of friendship objects may be created and used together.
According to other embodiments, more than two friendship objects may be
2o created and packaged together. In this way, more than two friends can
"share"
similar or complimentary fi-iendship objects. Thus, two or more fi-iends can
share
multiple objects and link together the multiple friendship objects.
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According to some embodiments, the friendship objects may be adapted to
enable the linked objects to form a necklace, a bracelet, or other item of
jewelry, or
a belt, or other object that may typically be worn by an individual. According
to
other embodiments, the objects may be linked together to form chains or other
linked structures. These structures may be attached to bookcases, knapsacks,
or
other structures.
According to one embodiment, the objects may be substantially identical
such that each friend has a substantially identical replica of what the other
friend
has. Alternatively, the objects may be complimentary so that, when the objects
are
1o brought together, some synergistic effect occurs. For example, each of the
objects
may individually include a portion of a visual message so that when the
objects are
brought together, the entire message is visible, either in a static or dynamic
manner
(as discussed below). Audible and other forms of synergistic cooperation may
be
implemented.
The connecting mechanism may include one or more of a jewelry clasp, a
hook and loop fastener (e.g., VelcroT""), a clip, ox any other suitable
connecting
mechanism. In some embodiments, the friendship objects may be directly
connected to one another. In other embodiments, they are indirectly connected
(e.g., through a chain or other intermediate connector portion).
2o In various embodiments, the friendship objects may be made of a variety of
materials and may comprise any one of a variety of shapes or configurations.
According to one embodiment, the friendship objects may be plush objects such
as
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stuffed animals or other stuffed objects. In other embodiments, the friendship
objects may comprise more rigid objects. Alternatively, the objects can be
shapes
(e.g., hearts or other shapes), fruits, flowers, automobiles, characters,
sports-related
objects, hobby-related objects, logos, mascots, or any other suitable shape.
According to another embodiment, the friendship objects may be adapted to
enable various forms of personalization. For example, the personalization may
be
in the form of a written message, an engraved or embroidered message, or other
visual message. According to other embodiments, the personalization may be in
the
form of a personal voice message (e.g., recorded on a voice chip), a pre-
recorded
1o message or other audible personalization. Various combinations of
personalization
techniques may be used.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent through the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the
drawings attached hereto. It is also to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and
not
restrictive of the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a package including a pair of friendship
objects, according to an embodiment of the invention.
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FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a friendship object having a connecting
mechanism oriented along its vertical axis, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a friendship object having a connecting
mechanism oriented along its horizontal axis, according to an embodiment of
the
invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a plurality of friendship objects linked
together, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a friendship object including a personalized
to message, according town embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. SA-5B illustrate side and front views, respectively, of an object body,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5C is an illustration depicting how one or more appendages or
extensions may be coupled to an object body, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate exemplary front and side views, respectively, of a
friendship object resembling a dog, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate exemplary front and side views, respectively, of a
friendship object resembling a bird, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
FIGS. ~A-~B illustrate exemplary front and side views, respectively, of a
friendship object resembling a horse, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
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FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate exemplary front and side views, respectively, of a
friendship object resembling a zebra, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
FIGS. l0A-lOB illustrate exemplary side and front views, respectively, of
two friendship objects nested together for packaging purposes, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate exemplary front and side views, respectively, of
two connected friendship objects, according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
to One aspect of the invention relates to at least a pair of (or more)
friendship
objects that may be created, packaged and/or sold together. Preferably, one
person
may keep one of the friendship objects and give a second friendship object to
a
second person. As illustrated in FIG. l, a package 100 may include at least a
pair
of friendship objects (102, 104). Each of the friendship objects (102, 104)
may be
substantially identical or complimentary. Each friendship object (102, 104)
may
include one or more connecting mechanisms, generally designated 106. According
to one embodiment, the connecting mechanism may include a first connection
component 106a and a second connection component 106b. The, connecting
mechanism (andlor connection components) may be used to connect together or
link multiple friendship objects, so that multiple friends can share and link
together
multiple friendship objects. In one embodiment (not shown), the connecting
mechanism may include a jewelry clasp. For example, a first connection
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component 106a of a first object may be a substantially solid ring (or other
shape)
and a second connection component 106b may include a latch that can be opened,
connected to the first connection component of second friendship object, and
closed. In another embodiment, the connecting mechanism 106 may include a
hook and loop fastener material (e.g., VelcroT""). Any suitable connecting
mechanism may be used such that the objects are linked together.
According to one embodiment, a connection component (e.g., 106a) of a
friendship object may be directly coupled to a connection component (e.g.,
106b)
of another friendship object. According to another embodiment, connection
to components (106a, 106b) of a pair of friendship objects (e.g., 102, 104)
may be
coupled via an intermediate connector, for example, a chain, or any suitable
structure.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illus~ate friendship object 102 having connection
components (106a, 106b) for linking to one or more other friendship objects.
According to one embodiment, friendship object 102 may include one or more
connection components (106a, 106b) oriented along any axis or orientation. For
example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, friendship object 102
may include one or more connection components (106a, 106b) oriented along the
vertical axis of object 102. In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2B,
2o friendship object 102 may include one or more connection components (106a,
106b) oriented along the horizontal axis of object 102.
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As illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of friendship objects (e.g., 102, 112,
114,
116) may be linked together. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of
friendship objects (e.g., 102, 112, 114, 116) may include a connector 108
coupled
to connection components (106a, 106b). Connector 108 may enable linking one
friendship object to another friendship object. In other embodiments, each of
the
plurality of friendship objects (e.g., 102, 112, 114, 116) may be directly
linked
together via connection components (106a, 106b) without intermediate connector
108. '
In one embodiment, a plurality of friendship objects (e.g., 102, 112, 114,
l0 116) may be adapted to enable the linked objects to form a necklace,
bracelet,_
anklet, belt, or other item of "jewelry" that may typically be worn by an
individual.
In another embodiment, a plurality friendship objects (e.g., 102, 112, 114,
116)
may be linked together to form zipper pulls, key chains or other objects that
may be
attached to structures such as bookcases, knapsacks and other structures.
According to one embodiment, the friendship objects (e.g., 102 and 104)
may be substantially identical so that each friend has a substantially
identical
replica of what the other friend has. According to another embodiment, the
friendship objects may be complimentary so that when the objects are brought
together some synergistic effect occurs. For example, each of the objects may
2o contain a portion of a visual message so that when they are brought
together the
entire message is visible. Other forms of synergistic cooperation can be
implemented.
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As opposed to this static synergistic effect, a dynamic synergistic effect
may occur. For example when one object is brought close to or in contact with
a
second object, that triggering activity may cause at least one (or more) of
the
objects to exhibit a dynamic behavior. The dynamic behavior may include
causing
an audible message or other sound to occur, causing a visual display or other
visual
effect to occur, or to cause some other dynamic effect to occur. One example
is
shown in U.S. Patent 6,050,695, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference
in its entirety.
According to another embodiment, the friendship objects may be adapted to
l0 enable various forms of personalization. For example, the personalization
may be
in the form of a written message, an engraved or embroidered message, or other
visual message. As illustrated in FIG. 4, friendship object 102 may include a
personalized message 120 engraved or embroidered on its surface.
The personalization may also be in the form of one or more personal or pre-
recorded voice message (e.g., recorded on a voice chip 122), or other audible
personalization. In some embodiments, friendship object 102 may include a
voice
recording and a playback mechanism to enable a friendship object to be
personalized by recording or re-recording on a voice chip one or more audible
messages. In one embodiment, friendship object 102 may be personalized by a
first
2o person before receipt by a second person. According to another embodiment,
the
personalization may occur when both friends are present.
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The friendship objects can be made of a variety of materials and can be in
any one of a variety of shapes or configurations. According to one embodiment,
the friendship objects may be plush objects such as stuffed animals or other
stuffed
objects. Alternatively, the objects can be shapes, including but not limited
to
hearts, fruits, trees, automobiles, planets, houses, people, logos, or
mascots.
The connecting mechanism may be located on the friendship object in a
location and/or orientation to enable or facilitate the linking of certain
types of
objects for certain purposes. For example, in one embodiment, as shown for
example in FIG. 4, the first connection component and ~ second connection
to component extend along an axis that is substantially vertical with respect
to object
102. In other embodiments, the connection components may be located on an axis
substantially perpendicular to that axis. For the particular object shown, the
height
(along what was referred to as the vertical axis) is less than the length
(along a
perpendicular axis). If it is desired to maximize the length of a link, it may
be
desirable to locate connection components along a longer axis of the
friendship
objects. If it is desired to increase the number of objects that can be linked
in a
given length, it may be desirable to locate the connection components along a
substantially shorter axis of the friendship objects.
In other embodiments, more than one set of connection components can be
located on a friendship object, along substantially perpendicular axes or
otherwise.
According to another embodiment, the shape, color or other characteristics
of object 102 can have significance. For example, a common designator may be
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used to indicate whether an object was one that the person received from a
particular person or if it corresponds to an object that the person received
from a
different friend. In this way, friends can "compete" to see who can collect
the most
of a particular type of friendship object. Therefore, a common designator may
makes an object recognizable from a specific person.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the various friendship obj ects
disclosed herein may be fabricated from a common manufacturing blank or object
body. FIGS. SA-SB illustrate side and front views, respectively, of an object
body
200 that may be manufactured into a friendship object.
io According to one embodiment, object body 200 may comprise a pair of
front legs 205 (or other appendages or extensions) and a pair of back legs 210
(or
other appendages or extensions). Each pair of legs (205, 210) may be integral
with
and fixed relative to object body 200, or may pivot or bend at a point where
they
are coupled to object body 200 via a hinge or other known attachment
mechanism.
i5 In some implementations, the front pair of legs 205 may be Mendable while
the
back pair of legs 210 may be fixed relative to object body 200, or vice versa.
Other
configurations are possible.
Object body 200 may comprise any type of plastic, wood, metal, fabric, or
other material, and may be produced using any known manufacturing technique
20 (e.g., injection molding). Object body 200 may further comprise a first
location
220 where a head (or other appendage or extension) may be attached to object
body
200, and a second location 240 where a tail (or other appendage or extension)
may
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be attached to object body 200. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated,
object body 200 may comprise integral head and/or tail pieces that may be
machined during the manufacturing process to resemble a particular animal or
other
friendship object. Similar to the legs (205, 210), the head and/or tail pieces
may
also be moveable with respect to object body 200. For example, a head may
rotate
about its connection point (220) to object body 200, while a tail may bend at
the
point 240 where it is attached to object body 200 using known attachment
mechanisms (e.g., a hinge). Other configurations are possible.
As illustrated in FIG. 5C, for example, object body 200 (resembling a dog)
to may comprise a recess 204 (at first location 220) adapted to receive a post
202 that
is integral with head 224. Post 202 may further comprise a bulbous head
adapted
to "snap-in" to recess 204 so as to create a snug fit, yet enable head 224 to
rotate
relative to object body 200 in a direction illustrated by arrows "A." Such a
coupling may generally be referred to herein as a ball and socket joint. Other
known coupling mechanisms may be used. Similarly, object body 200 may further
comprise a recess 208 adapted to receive a post 206 that is integral with leg
212.
Post 206 may also comprise a bulbous head adapted to "snap-in" to recess 208
so
as to create a snug fit, yet enable leg 212 to rotate relative to object body
200 in a
direction illustrated by arrows "B." This coupling may also be generally
referred to
2o as a ball and socket joint. Although only the attachment (or coupling)
mechanisms
for head 224 and leg 212 are illustrated, the tail and remaining three legs
may also
be coupled to object body 200 in a similar manner.
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Fabricating a plurality of friendship objects from a common manufacturing
blank or object body 200 is advantageous, as it facilitates the manufacturing
process by reducing and/or eliminating the need to utilize a variety of
different
fabrication techniques and orlequipment depending on what form the friendship
object is to take. Other benefits may be realized. As an example, FIGS. 6-9
each
illustrate different animals that may be fabricated from common object body
200.
FIGS. 6A-6B are exemplary front and side view illustrations, respectively,
wherein object body 200 is fabricated to resemble a dog. A dog head may be
attached to, or formed integrally with, object body 200 at location 220, and a
dog
1o tail may be attached to, or formed integrally with, object body 200 at
location 240.
FIGS. 7A-7B are exemplary front and side view illustrations, respectively,
wherein object body 200 is fabricated to resemble a bird. A bird head may be
attached to, or formed integrally with, object body 200 at location 220, and a
bird
tail may be attached to, or formed integrally with, object body 200 at
location 240.
FIGS. 8A-8B are exemplary front and side view illustrations, respectively,
wherein object body 200 is fabricated to resemble a horse. A horse head may be
attached to, or formed integrally with, object body 200 at location 220, and a
horse
tail may be attached to, or formed integrally with, obj ect body 200 at
location 240.
Similarly, FIGS. 9A-9B are exemplary front and side view illustrations,
2o respectively, wherein object body 200 is fabricated to resemble a zebra. A
zebra
head may be attached to, or formed integrally with, object body 200 at
location
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220, and a zebra tail may be attached to, or formed integrally with, object
body 200
at location 240.
Although FIGS. 6-9 illustrate animals, the friendship objects of the
invention may, as described above, comprise any number of shapes or
configurations. As such, FIGS. 6-9 should not be viewed as limiting.
In addition to facilitating the manufacturing process, fabricating friendship
objects from a common manufacturing blank or object body 200 (FIGS. 5A-SB) is
also advantageous for packaging purposes. For example, as illustrated in FIGS.
10-
lOB, a pig and a tiger fabricated from an identical object body 200 are
to complimentary shaped, thus enabling the pig and the tiger to be easily
"nested" or
stacked together. This is advantageous for reducing the size of a product
package
in which these two friendship objects may be sold. It also enables more
friendship
objects (e.g., animals) to be packaged together than would otherwise be
possible
with articles of varying shapes and sizes. Additionally, the ability to stack
or nest
various friendship objects together facilitates the task of storing and/or
keeping
track of numerous friendship objects.
As recited above and illustrated in, for example, FIGS. 1-4, a connecting
mechanism may be positioned on a friendship object in any number of locations
and/or orientations to enable or facilitate the linking together of various
friendship
objects, and may further comprise one or more connection components. According
to one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11B, two
friendship
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objects (e.g., a dog and a horse) are illustrated, each having a first
connection
component 310 and a second connection component 320.
According to an embodiment of the invention, first connection component
310 may comprise a ring (e.g., an eyelet) which may be integral with the
friendship
object, or screwed into a threaded bore (not illustrated) provided in the top
of the
friendship object and positioned along its' vertical axis. First connection
component 310 may be made of any material (e.g., wood, plastic, metal, etc.),
may
have any shape or design, and may extend upward from an upper surface of the
object body at an approximate midpoint between the head and the tail. First
1o connection component 310 may also be positioned at any other position on
the
object body (e.g., FIG. 2B). Other configurations are possible.
Second connection component 320 may comprise a strip of fabric, which
may further comprise a hook and loop fastener (e.g., VelcroTM). Connection
component 320 may extend downward from a lower surface of the object body at
an approximate midpoint between the front pair of legs and the back pair of
legs.
Second connection component 320 may also be positioned at any other position
on
the object body (e.g., FIG. 2B). Other configurations are possible. Although
the
foregoing and following description each refer to a hook and loop fastener,
any
type of fastening device, in any shape, comprised of any material may also be
2o utilized to achieve the functionality of second connection component 320.
According to one embodiment, a portion of hook material 315a and a
portion of loop material 315b may be positioned along strip 320. In operation,
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material 315b may mate with hook material 315a when strip 320 is fed through
connection component 310 (the ring) and folded back over itself in the
direction of
arrow "A," as illustrated. In this regard, two or more friendship objects may
be
quickly and conveniently secured to one another. It should be recognized that,
in
an alternative embodiment, hook material 315a and loop material 315b may be
reversed on strip 320. Other fasteners may be used.
According to one embodiment, each friendship object may fiu~ther comprise
an additional portion of either hook or loop material (not illustrated)
mounted on
(or integral with) the lower or other surface of the object body to enable
either the
to , portion of hook material 315a or the portion of loop material 315b to be
secured to
the lower or other surface of the object body if second connection component
320
is not being used to connect to another friendship object. In this regard, the
last
friendship object of a "chain"' of friendship objects may not have second
connection
component 320 dangling free beneath itself.
Alternatively, rather than providing an additional portion of either hook or
loop material mounted on (or integral with) the lower or other surface of each
friendship object, multiple friendship objects may be packaged together and
sold as
a kit or collection, wherein one of the friendship objects is not provided
with a
second connection component 320. In this regard, the friendship object that is
not
2o provided with second connection component 320 may be designated as the last
friendship object of the "chain" of friendship objects provided in the
package.
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In yet another alternative embodiment, friendship objects not having a
second connection component 320 may be packaged individually and sold or
provided as designated friendship objects to be used at the end of a
friendship
object chain. Other configurations are possible.
Other erribodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the
invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary
only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited
only by
the following claims.
to
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