GB2414375A

GB2414375A - Decorative articles

Info

Publication number: GB2414375A
Application number: GB0516830A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karen Wilbourn; Fiona Oxley
Original assignee: LELLO Ltd
Current assignee: LELLO Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-17
Filing date: 2005-08-17
Publication date: 2005-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-17
Also published as: GB0516830D0; GB2414375B

Abstract

The present invention provides a decorative article such as a flower accessory (30, fig.3) that can be releasably secured to a buckle (40, fig.4) for fastening the free end 42a of a belt or strap. The buckle has a frame 46 with first and second opposite edges 46a and 46b and a pivotally mounted prong 50. The decorative article also includes a flexible strip 34 having a first end (34a, fig.3) and a hole 36. To releasably secure the decorative article to the buckle, the prong 50 of the buckle is received through the hole 36 in the strip 34 and the first end of the strip can be tucked underneath the first edge 46a of the frame. A second end 34b of the flexible strip can be tucked underneath the second edge 46b of the frame. A sticky or adhesive layer may be provided on the flexible strip 34.

Description

24 1 4375

TITLE

Decorative articles

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to decorative articles, and in particular to decorative articles that can be temporarily attached to a buckle. The buckle may form part of an item of clothing or footwear such as a dress or skirt, a pair of trousers, sandals (flip flops) or evening shoes, or an accessory such as a belt, handbag or dog collar, for

1 0 example.

Background Art

Buckles are a well known type of adjustable fastening and can be used to releasably secure a free end of a belt, strap or the like. The decorative articles of the present invention are intended to be attached to two types of buckle that are widely used because of their simple construction.

With reference to Figure 1, a first type of buckle includes a frame 2 (often of a substantially square or rectangular shape but not limited to this) defining opposite edges 2a and 2b and a prong 4 that can pivot relative to the frame. The prong 4 can be pivotally mounted to a crosspiece 6 that extends across length of the frame 2 between the opposite edges. However, the prong 4 can also be formed as an integral part of the crosspiece 6, in which case the crosspiece is pivotally mounted to the frame 2. The crosspiece 6 can be fixedly secured to one end oi'a belt 8 (or a strap) by looping it around the crosspiece and then stitching the overlapping parts together. An opening l 0 can be provided in the looped part of the belt 8 for receiving the prong 4.

I'he crosspiece 6 can be secured directly to an item ol' clothing or the like using a suitable method of fixing such as sewing, gluing, stapling or riveting, for example.

The crosspiece 6 can also be secured to the item using a loop of tape or material.

In use, the free end ha of the belt (or the free end of a separate strap) is passed underneath the first edge 2a of the frame and over the crosspiece 6. If necessary, the - 2 prong 4 can be pivoted out of the way as the free end of the belt 8 passes through the opening 12 between the crosspiece 6 and the edge 2a. A series of spaced holes 14 are provided in the free end 8a of the belt for receiving the prong 4. The prong 4 is therefore inserted though a selected one of the holes and the free end of the belt 8 is passed under the second edge 2b of the frame so that it lies on top of the other end of the belt (or the strap) that is fixedly secured to the crosspiece 6. The prong 4 must be sufficiently long to rest against the first edge 2a of the frame. The contact between the end of the prong 4 and the frame 2 prevents the belt 8 from slipping off the prong and provides a secure fastening. The length of the belt 8 can be easily altered by unfastening the buckle and then refastening it by passing the prong 4 through a different hole 14 in the free end. If the buckle is used to fasten together two separate straps then the combined length of the two straps can be altered in the same way.

The second type of buckle is very similar to the first type shown in Figure 1 but the frame only has a single edge. With reference to Figure 2, the second type of buckle includes a frame 20 (often of a substantially square or rectangular shape but not limited to this) defining a first edge 20a and a prong 22 that can pivot relative to the frame. The prong 22 can be pivotally mounted to a crosspiece 24 of the frame 2().

However, the prong 22 can also be formed as an integral part of the crosspiece 24 in which case the crosspiece 24 is pivotally mounted relative to the rest of the frame 20.

The crosspiece 24 can be fixedly secured to one end of' a belt 26 (or a strap) by looping it around the edge and then stitching the overlapping parts together. An opening 28 can be provided in the looped part of the belt 26 for receiving the prong 22.

A retaining loop 26b is provided adjacent the buckle and is preferably secured to the belt 26 (or the strap).

In use, the free end 26a of the belt (or the free end ol a separate strap) is passed underneath the first edge 20a of the frame and over the crosspiece 24. A series of spaced holes 14 are provided in the free end 26a ol'the belt for receiving the prong 22.

l'he prong 22 is therefore inserted through a selected one of the holes and the free end of the belt 26 is passed through the retaining loop 26b so that it lies on top of the other end of the belt (or the strap) that is fixedly secured to the crosspiece 24. The prong 22 must be sufficiently long to rest against the first edge 20a of the frame. The contact between the end of the prong 22 and the frame 20 prevents the free end 26a of the belt Leroy slipping off the prong and provides a secure fastening.

It will be readily appreciated that the buckles shown in Figures l and 2 are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to restrict the scope of the invention in any way. In particular, the buckle can be of any size and shape and can be formed from any suitable material. 'I'he buckle may also have two or more prongs with a corresponding series of holes being provided in the free end of the belt or strap.

Summarv of the Invention The present invention provides a decorative article that can be releasably secured to a buckle for fastening the free end of a belt or strap, the buckle having a frame with an edge, a crosspiece and a pivotally mounted prong, wherein the decorative article includes a flexible strip having a first end and a hole such that in use, the prong of the buckle is received through the hole in the strip and the first end of the strip is located in a space between the prong and the free end of the belt or strap.

The prong will normally extend across the width of the buckle so that its free end is in direct contact with the edge of the frame. To attach the decorative article to the buckle, the prong is first pivoted away from the edge of the frame and received through the hole in the flexible strip. The first end of the strip is tucked down past the prong towards the free end of the belt or strap. Finally, the prong is allowed to pivot back to contact the edge of the frame so that the first end of the strip is located in the space between the prong and the belt or strap. The flexible strip is held in place quite securely as long as the prong romaine in contact with the edge of the frame. This is because it cannot slide past the underside of the prong and the upper surface of the frame edge. To remove the article, it is a relatively simple matter to pivot the prong away from the edge of the frame to release the first end of the strip and then slide the flexible strip off the prong.

It is generally preferred that the first end of the flexible strip is actually tucked u1derneatll the edge of the frame so that it is firmly held between the frame edge and the Lee end ol'tl1e belt or strap. The flexible strip can also be provided with a sticky or adhesive layer to allow it to be releasably secured to at least one ol'tllc edge reef the frame and the free end of'the belt or strap.

A wide variety of different items can be glued or otherwise secured to the flexible strip to enhance the visual appearance of the buckle. Suitable items might include artificial flowers or garlands, textile trims, embellishments, name lags and accessories, for example. It is also possible to secure a lacing plate ol' metal or plastics material to the flexible strip so that a conventional belt buckle can be covered with dl'ferent facing plates.

'l'he flexible strip may also be restrained in use to lie substantially adjacent the crosspiece. In practice, a second end of the strip can be received through a retaining loop located adjacent the crosspiece. Alternatively, if the frame ol' the buckle includes a pair ol' opposite edges with the crosspiece located between them then a second end ol'the flexible strip can he located u'1derneatll the other edge ol'the fran1e.

The present invention further provides a method of releasably securing a decorative article to a buckle having a frame with an edge, a crosspiece and a pivotally mounted prong, wherein the decorative article includes a flexible strip having a first end and a hole, the method including the steps of: passing the prong ol' the buckle through the hole in the strip; and locating the first cud ol'the strip in a space between the prong and the i'ree end ol'the belt or strap.

Drawings l'igure I shows a first type of conventional buckle; Figure 2 shows a second type of'conventonal buckle; I'igures 3 to 7 show a series of' steps for attaching a Flower acces.sory according to the present invention to a buckle; and leisure X is a cross section view through the flcwcr accessory and hucllc af'tcr the flower accessory has been attached.

With rei'ercoce to l'igure 3, a l1Ower accessory 3() is assembled together by glumly an 0 artificial flower part 32 to a central region ova flexible strip 34. It will he understood that the artif'iciai flower part 32 can he secured to the strip 34 by any suitable method such as stitchh1g or riveting, Ior example. 'I'hC strip 34 is nade from a flexible plastc.s matcral and includes a First end 34a and a second end 34h. A hole 3(, Is Iorn1cd In the ilexhle strip 34 towards the first end 34a.

I4';urc 4 shows a hr.clile 4() that is used to' fasten a first strap 42 to a second strap 44 The straps 42 find 44 are the straps ova sandal (f1ip-Rop) and are secured to a sole (not shown). ''he ltekle 4() includes a flame 46 having a I'irst ecige 46a anti a second edge 46h A crosspieee 48 (figure X) lies between the edges 46a and 46h and is stapled dreetly to the second strap 44. A prong 5() Is pvotaIly mounted on the crosspieee 4X and ecntaets the upper strI'ace oi'tl1e thirst edge 4(ja. 'I'he free end 42a ol'tl1e first strap 42 passes undcrneatl1 tile I'irst edge 46a of the frame, over the crosspieee 48 anti tndcn1eatl1 the second edge 46b of'the frame. The prong 50 is received In one of' a series oI'spaeed holes 52 provided its the free end 42a of the first strap.

With reference to l'igures 5 and 6, to secure the t1Ower accessory () (the flower part 2 h1 Figures 5 7 is shown in dasilecl lines to Improve the clarity oi'tl1e ctrawings) to the buckle 4(), the flower accessory 3() is t'irst of all positioned over the buckle. 'I'he prying 5(! is pi;oicd away from the first edge 46a c'I'tl1e Iran1e. The tlexibie strip,4 is slid ouster the prong 5() so that the prong extends tilrougl1 the!-:olc 3(, anti th_ fist c lit! 34a of the Jexibic strip 34 is tucked underneath tile First edge 46a of' tile I'ame so that it cstencis throtgl1 a space 54 (Figrrc g) hetwcon the prong 5() and the f'rce cHct 42a of' ( the first strap. The best end 34a is therefore held firmly in place between the frame 46 and the first strap 42.

l'inally, the second end 34h of' the flexible strip 34 Is tricked nderneat1l tile second edge 4(jb ol'tile frame as shown in Tire 7. In the CaSL' whole the frame ol the bucicie does not have a second ecipc 46h linen the second eked 34h al' the llexhle strip 34 can lee tucicetl throb a regaining loop.

ho r emove the flower accessory 3() the steps set out above are carricLl out In reverse.

l.'igure 8 is a cross sccti-,n view througl1 the flower accessory 3() and the heckle 4() and clearly shows how the ends of the flexible strip 34 are tuc.lced.ulderneatil Ille edges ol' the ligate 42. 'T'he first earl 34a exteocis trough the ahove-mentioned space 54 that lies hctwee' the prong 50 and the upper surl:ace of the IIC2L' end 42a ol'tile strap. 'he first end 34a is theretLlre trapped and cannot slide off the prong 5() as long as the prong remains hl contact with the first edge 46a ol'the frame Moreover' even iL'tilc prong does pivot away t'rom the first cdge 46a then the first end 34a ol'thc strip is still held in position between the thirst edge Blithe franc and the l'ree end ol'tile strap 42. - 7

Claims

C,LAIMS I. / decorative article that can be relea.c,ably secured to a

buckle for fastening the flee end ol a heit or strap, the buckle]laVing a 1rame with an edge, a crosspiece and a pvoLally mounted prong, wherein Il1e decorative article includes a llcxbie strip having a first end and a hole such that in use, the prong ol the huclile is received througl the hole in the strip and the iirsL end of the strip is located h1 a space between the prong and the flee end of the belt or strap.

9. A decorative article accordh1g lo claim 1, wherehl in use the first end ol the 0 st.rp extencis between the edge of the flame and the flee end of the heft or strap.

. A dc-coratve article according to' claim I car claim 9, wherein t.hc flexible strip Is provided with a sticky or adhesive layer to allow the first end Lo l e releasahly secured to at least one ol the eclge ol the ii-ane and the fires end Cal the heft or strap.

4. A decorative article according to any precedhg clahn, wherein the flexible Includes a second end and the flexible strip is restrained in use Lo lie substantially ad jaccnt the erosspiece.

(a. A ciccoraLive article substantially as herein described and with rclerence to the cl-cw'g,s.

7. iN method of releasably securing a decorative article to a buckle having a firame with an edge, a crosspiece and a pivotally mounted prong, wherein the decorative artieie includes a flexible strip having a first end anti a llole, the method ncluclng the steps of passing the prong calf the buckle through the hole in the strip; and locath1g the first end of the strip us a space between lee prong and the flee end of the heft or strap.

Amendments to the claims have lien filed as follows

]. A decorative article that can be releasably secured to a buckle for fastening the free end of a belt or strap, the buckle having a frame with an edge, a crosspiece and a pivotally mounted prong, wherein the decorative article includes a flexible strip having a first end and a hole such that in use, the prong of the buckle is received through the hole in the strip and the first end of the strip is located in a space between the prong and the free end of the belt or strap.

2. A decorative article according to claim 1, wherein in use the first end of the strip extends between the edge of the frame and the free end of the belt or strap.

3. A decorative article according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the flexible strip is provided with a sticky or adhesive layer to allow the first end to be releasably secured to at Icast one of the edge of the frame and the free end of the belt or strap.

4. A decorative article according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible strip includes a second end and the flexible strip is restrained in use to lie substantially adjacent the crosspiece.

6. A decorative article substantially as herein described and with reference to the drawings.

7. A method of releasably securing a decorative article to a buckle having a frame with an edge, a crosspiece and a pivotally mounted prong, wherein the decorative article includes a flexible strip having a first end and a hole, the method including the steps of: passing the prong of the buckle through the hole in the strip; and locating the first end of the strip in a space between the prong and the free end of the belt or strap.

L102 003