Molded Plastic Lace Accessory with Frictional Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative and promotional accessories, such as bracelets, have limited versatility and are not suitable for all occasions, particularly in settings where jewelry is prohibited, and they can only be worn in one place.
Innovation Solution
A molded plastic accessory with a longitudinally extending passage that secures to shoe laces or cap brims, featuring indicia on its surface, allowing for frictional or resilient attachment, providing a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and versatile promotional item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bracelets are used as promotional accessories, then they can convey socially conscious messages and promote awareness, but they have limited versatility and cannot be worn in all circumstances such as schools or athletic events where jewelry is prohibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the accessory from a single-use bracelet into a multi-functional item that can be attached to various objects including shoe laces, hat brims, backpacks, and belts. This universality allows the promotional message to be displayed in settings where traditional jewelry like bracelets would be prohibited, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and wearing restrictions
2Adaptability or versatility
If bracelets are used as promotional accessories, then they can be worn to promote awareness, but they can only be worn in one place and in one way
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory is designed with multiple attachment mechanisms including friction fit for shoe laces, resilient grip for hat brims, and magnetic attachment for metal surfaces. This multi-functionality enables the same accessory to be worn in multiple locations and ways, resolving the contradiction between wearing locations and attachment methods
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory is divided into distinct functional components: a body portion for displaying the promotional message, a passage for lace attachment, a slot for brim attachment, and optional magnetic elements. This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity of the design
3Ease of manufacture
If low-cost promotional accessories are provided, then they can be used for fundraising and promotional purposes, but they may lack high quality and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory body is made from molded plastic material that provides durability and structural integrity. The combination of different materials (plastic body, elastic components for resilient grip, magnetic elements) creates a composite structure that maintains high quality and reliability while remaining cost-effective for mass production
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The accessory offers a high-quality, affordable, and versatile promotional item that can be easily attached to various items like shoe laces or cap brims, enhancing awareness and visibility for causes or brands, suitable for diverse occasions and events.
Implementation Method 1
The passage is sized and shaped to receive the lace therethrough and to frictionally secure the body in a desired position along the lace
Implementation Method 2
The slot is sized and shaped to receive the cap brim therein to resiliently grip the bill and removably secure the body in a desired position along the cap bill
Data Source
AI summary
A decorative and/or promotional accessory to be secured to a lace such as a shoe lace includes a molded plastic body having a passage longitudinally extending therethrough from a first opening to a second opening. The passage is sized and shaped to receive the lace therethrough and to frictionally secure the body in a desired position along the lace. The accessory also includes indicia provided on an exterior surface of the accessory which can be in the form of any desired message, name, number, logo, graphic, or the like. An alternative embodiment of the accessory is disclosed which is to be secured to a cap bill. This embodiment includes a slot radially extending to the passage which is sized and shaped to receive the cap brim therein and to resiliently grip the bill and removably secure the accessory in a desired position along the bill.