WO2009041756A1

WO2009041756A1 - Portable accessory with replaceable exterior frame

Info

Publication number: WO2009041756A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001443
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung Hoon Lim
Original assignee: Minco Ls Inc.
Priority date: 2007-09-28
Filing date: 2008-03-14
Publication date: 2009-04-02
Also published as: KR100828475B1

Abstract

A portable accessory includes a main body having an engagement groove along its circumferential surface and having a content to be accommodated therein and a replaceable exterior frame having an engagement portion to be engaged with the engagement groove. An iron core is inserted into the engagement portion so as to prevent the main body from being deformed. Further, the exterior frame has a fastening through-hole therein. The portable accessory further includes a fastening string for hanging the portable accessory on an article, one end thereof being fixedly inserted into the fastening through-hole.

Description

PORTABLE ACCESSORY WITH REPLACEABLE EXTERIOR

FRAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a portable accessory that is connected to an article, such as a cellular phone, or is used as a key holder, and more particularly, to a portable accessory with a replaceable exterior frame, in which various exterior frames having different shapes or colors are replaceably attached to a main body. Background Art

[2] As shown in FIG. 1, a general key holder or a general accessory attached to a cellular phone includes a case 10 formed of hard synthetic resin or transparent acryl. Inside the case 10, a character, a slogan, or a photograph is provided. In addition, a loop 12 is formed at the top of the case 10, and a fastening string 20 is connected to the loop 12. Then, the accessory is used as it is or mounted on a cellular phone.

[3] In such a portable accessory, the case 10 protects the content therein and also allows a user to enjoy beautiful design.

[4] In view of the characteristics of the portable accessory, the beautiful design or color of the case is important for marketing, and is increasingly demanded so as to attract people to purchase the portable accessory.

[5] However, in all of the general portable accessories, the case is a fixed type. Accordingly, the user cannot replace the case as desired, and cannot change its color.

[6] For this reason, when the user purchases the portable accessory and uses it for a long time, he/she sometimes feels boring. In this case, the user wants to purchase a new portable accessory, but he/she feels financial stress.

[7] Accordingly, there is a problem in that it is not possible to positively meet various tastes or demands of consumers. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a portable accessory with a replaceable exterior frame that provides a replaceable exterior frame as occasion demands, thereby positively meeting a consumer's taste. Technical Solution

[9] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a portable accessory including: a main body having an engagement groove along its circumferential surface and having a content to be accommodated therein; and a replaceable exterior frame having an engagement portion to be engaged with the engagement groove.

Advantageous Effects

[10] As described above, according to the portable accessory with a replaceable exterior frame of the present invention, various exterior frames having different shapes or colors are detachably mounted on the main body as occasion demands, thereby meeting the consumer's tastes or demands. Therefore, the usability of the portable accessory is increased. As a result, from a viewpoint of a manufacturer, an increase in sales can be achieved, and from a viewpoint of a consumer, accessories can be used variously at low cost. Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a general accessory;

[13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable accessory in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[14] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the portable accessory in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable accessory in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[16] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the portable accessory in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[17] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings which form a part hereof.

[18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable accessory in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the portable accessory in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable accessory in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the portable accessory in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[19] A portable accessory with a replaceable exterior frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention primarily includes a main body 100 or 110, and a replaceable exterior frame 200 or 210 that is detachably mounted at the outer edge of the main body 100 or 110.

[20] The main body 100 or 110 is in a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or a character shape, and is preferably manufactured by molding using hard synthetic resin. [21] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body 100 has flat housing grooves 102 at both surfaces at a predetermined depth. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the main body 110 has a housing portion 112 therein.

[22] In each of the housing grooves 102 of the main body 100 in accordance with the first embodiment, a content 104 of a sheet type or a cubic type is provided. The content 104 is delicate and beautiful such that the consumer wants to carry with him/her. As the content of the sheet type, an image, a photograph, a charm, a decorative pattern, a hologram, a cross-stitch, a gold or silver foil, or an advertising design may be exemplified. As the content of the cubic type, a commemorative coin, a natural matter, such as a pressed flower, a carving, a cleaning pad, formed of a microfiber, for simply cleaning a liquid crystal screen or key buttons of a cellular phone, a mirror, and a scented member may be exemplified.

[23] At this time, the content 104 may be mounted with a rubber magnet or a double- side tape. As occasion demands, a cleaning patch is attached or thermally welded.

[24] In addition, a chip for a public transportation system or an RF (Radio Frequency) chip for authentication may be the content of the accessory. The RF chip may be provided when the main body 100 is manufactured by molding.

[25] An engagement groove 106 is formed along the outer edge of the main body 100.

The engagement groove 106 preferably has a "U" shape.

[26] A magnet (not shown) is provided inside the main body 100 such that the portable accessory may be used as a memo holder.

[27] In the second embodiment, the main body 110 is hollow, and the hollow portion forms a housing portion 112. An opening 114, through which an article is housed in the housing portion 112, is formed at the outer edge of the main body 110.

[28] In the housing portion 112, a coin, a chip for a public transportation system, or an RF

(Radio Frequency) chip for authentication may be housed.

[29] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exterior frame 200 is formed of a soft rubber material, and has a tire shape to enclose the main body 100 inwardly. An engagement portion 204 is formed to protrude along the inner circumferential surface of the exterior frame 200 so as to position and fix the engagement groove 106 of the main body 100.

[30] The exterior frame 200 has the same ring shape as the main body 100, but it may have various shapes according to the shape of the main body 100.

[31] A fastening through-hole 206 is formed in the exterior frame 200, and one end of a fastening string 300 for hanging the portable accessory on an article is inserted into the fastening through-hole 206. Then, a knot portion 302 is positioned and fixed at the inner end of the fastening through-hole 206.

[32] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the exterior frame 210 is formed of a soft rubber material, and an engagement portion 214 is formed to protrude along the inner circumferential surface of the exterior frame 210 so as to position and fix an engagement groove 116 of the main body 110.

[33] A fastening through-hole 216 is formed in the exterior frame 210, and one end of a fastening string 300 for hanging the portable accessory on the article, such that a knot portion 302 is positioned and fixed at the inner end of the fastening through-hole 216.

[34] An iron core 220 may be inserted into the engagement portion 204 or 214 so as to prevent the exterior frame 200 or 210 from being deformed.

[35] The exterior frame 200 or 210 itself may be used as an accessory.

[36] Hereinafter, the utilization of the portable accessory with a replaceable exterior frame will be described.

[37] The same description is applied to the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS.

3 and 5, respectively. First, one end of the fastening string 300 for hanging the portable accessory on the article (not shown), such as a cellular phone, is inserted into the fastening through-hole 206 or 216 of the exterior frame 200 or 210. Then, the knot portion 302 of the fastening string 300 is positioned at the inner end of the fastening through-hole 206 or 216 so as not to be separated from the exterior frame 200 or 210.

[38] Next, the main body 100 or 110, in which the content 104 is attached to the housing groove 102 or a coin is housed in the housing portion 112, is positioned inside the exterior frame 200 or 210.

[39] At this time, the main body 200 or 210 is forcibly fitted into the exterior frame 200 or

210, and the engagement portion 204 or 214 is engaged with the engagement groove 106 or 116, such that the main body 100 or 110 is fixed in the exterior frame 200 or 210.

[40] Then, the user can hang the accessory, which includes the main body 100 or 110 and the exterior frame 200 or 210 connected to the main body 100 or 110, on the article, and can carry it with him/her.

[41] The exterior frame 200 or 210 is replaceable. In general, the user feels boring when he/she uses the portable accessory for a long time. In order to solve this problem, the exterior frame 200 or 210 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention is configured to be attached and detached to and from the main body 100 or 110 as occasion demands. In addition, since the exterior frame 200 or 210 has various colors or is formed of various materials, the user does not feel boring.

[42] While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventing as defined in the following claims.

Claims

[1] A portable accessory comprising: a main body having an engagement groove along its circumferential surface and having a content to be accommodated therein; and a replaceable exterior frame having an engagement portion to be engaged with the engagement groove. [2] The portable accessory of claim 1, further comprising an iron core inserted into the engagement portion so as to prevent the main body from being deformed. [3] The portable accessory of claim 1, wherein the exterior frame has a fastening through-hole therein, further comprising a fastening string for hanging the portable accessory on an article, one end thereof being fixedly inserted into the fastening through-hole. [4] The portable accessory of claim 1, wherein the main body has housing grooves at upper and lower surfaces thereof to accommodate the content, respectively. [5] The portable accessory of claim 1, wherein the main body has a housing portion at an inside thereof to accommodate the content.