TOKEN SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a token system for a shirt. The token system has a connector or eyelet that is integrated into the shirt. A chain or flexible connector is connected to the connector or eyelet and also to a wood token. In some iterations of the token system, the connector or eyelet is positioned in a lower corner of the shirt and more particularly, some embodiments position the eyelet on or near the hem and seam of the shirt. In this way, the token system provides for convenient access to knock on wood to increase a person's luck.

Claims

1. A token system comprising: an eyelet having an aperture and a wood token having an aperture; a chain forming a continuous loop passed through the aperture of the eyelet and the aperture of the wooden token such that the connector is connected to the wood token by way of the chain; the eyelet integrated into a piece of clothing.

2. The token system of claim 1 wherein the clothing is a shirt.

3. The token system of claim 2 wherein the eyelet is positioned in a lower corner of a bottom portion of the shirt.

4. The token system of claim 3 wherein the eyelet is positioned on a front piece of cloth of the shirt.

5. The token system of claim 3 wherein the eyelet is positioned within 0.25 inches of a hem and a seam of the shirt.

6. The token system of claim 3 wherein the eyelet is partially positioned on a hem of the shirt.

7. The token system of claim 1 wherein the continuous loop is formed by connecting opposing ends of the chain to a connecting link of the chain.

8. The token system of claim 1 wherein the chain is approximately 2.0 inches in length.

9. The token system of claim 2 wherein the chain is a sufficient length to allow a distance between the bottom portion of the shirt and the wood token.

10. The token system of claim 1 wherein the aperture of the wood token is positioned adjacent a top end such that a majority of the wood token extends below the aperture.

11. A token system comprising: a connector connected to a flexible connector; the flexible connector connected to a wood token; and the connector integrated into a piece of clothing.

12. The token system of claim 11 wherein the clothing is a shirt and the connector is positioned in a lower corner of a bottom portion of the shirt.

13. The token system of claim 12 wherein the connector is positioned within 0.25 inches of a seam and a hem of the shirt.

14. The token system of claim 12 wherein the connector is at least partially positioned on a hem of the shirt.

15. A token system comprising: a eyelet having an aperture; a flexible connector forming a continuous loop passed through the aperture of the eyelet and connected to the wooden token; and the eyelet integrated into a piece of clothing.

16. The token system of claim 15 wherein the clothing is a shirt and the connector is positioned in a lower corner of a bottom portion of the shirt.

17. The token system of claim 16 wherein the connector is positioned within 0.25 inches of a seam and a hem of the shirt.

18. The token system of claim 16 wherein the connector is at least partially positioned on a hem of the shirt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view of a token system;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a back view of a token system; and

[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of a token system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] With reference to the Figures a token system 10 is provided that has a connector or eyelet 12, a flexible connector or chain 14, and a wood token 16. As seen in the Figures, the token system 10 is integrated into a shirt 18adaptation of the token system 10 for other pieces of clothing is contemplated.

[0023] The shirt 18 is any conventional shirt 18 that is typically comprised of a front or first piece of cloth 20 and a back or second piece of cloth 22 that are connected to one another along a seam 24. The front piece 20 of cloth has a front 26A and a back 28A and the back piece of cloth 22 has a front 26B and a back 28B.

[0024] A top portion 30 of the shirt 18 is a collar 32 that forms a top opening 34 for a person's head. At opposing sides 36 of the top portion 30 are arm openings 38 for a person's arms. A bottom portion 40 of the shirt 18 has a bottom opening 42 that a person's torso extends through. A hem 44 extends around the bottom opening 42.

[0025] The eyelet 12 of the token system 10 is circular, but can be other suitable shapes, and is attached to and through the front piece of cloth 20, such that an aperture 46 is formed through the front 26A and the back 28A of the front piece of cloth 20. As shown in the illustrative embodiment, the eyelet 12 is positioned in a lower corner 48 of the bottom portion 40 of the front piece of cloth 20. In this way, the token system 10 will be readily accessible as it positions the token system 10 near a person's hand when the arm is at the person's side. This positioning also results in a location where the shirt 18 conventionally overlaps with another piece of clothing 50 (not shown), such as a pair of jeans, pants, or shorts, which prevents the token system 10 from rubbing against a person's skin thereby avoiding skin irritation. This position also allows for designs or indicia 52 to be placed on front side 26A of the front piece of cloth 20 without the token system 10 obstructing or otherwise distracting from the design or indicia.

[0026] In one embodiment, the eyelet 12 is positioned within 0.25 inches or less from both the adjacent seam 24 and the hem 44. This positioning reduces the likelihood of tearing the shirt 18 if the token system 10 were to snag on an object due to the reinforcement from the seam 24 and the hem 44. In one particular embodiment, the eyelet 12 is at least partially positioned on the hem 44, the seam 24, or both to obtain the advantage of superior reinforcement

[0027] Although the eyelet 12 is shown in one embodiment on the left side of the shirt 18, the eyelet 12 can also be positioned on the right side of the shirt 18 and can also be similarly positioned on the back piece of cloth 22.

[0028] The chain 14 of the token system 10 is passed through the aperture 46. The chain 14 is continuous and thereby forms a loop or flexible ring 54 that forms around the eyelet 12 and hem 44. In the illustrative embodiment, the continuous form of the chain 14 is achieved by a connecting link 56 that connects opposing ends 58 of the chain 14. In some embodiments, the connecting link 56 is a clasp that allows for easy removal of the chain 14 from the eyelet 12 and thus the shirt 18.

[0029] The flexible characteristic of the chain 14 allows the token system 10 to hang from the shirt 18 without twisting or otherwise contorting, thereby preventing the token system 10 from pulling or twisting the shirt 18 in an unappealing fashion. In one particular embodiment, the chain 14 is approximately 2.0 inches in length, which allows the loop 54 to hang down below the bottom opening 42 of the shirt. In the embodiment presented, the flexible connector 14 is a metal chain although other materials are contemplated, however, the durability, washability, lightweight, and aesthetic of a metal chain 14 is advantageous.

[0030] The chain 14 passes through an aperture 60 of the wood token 16. As seen in the Figures, the aperture 60 in some embodiments is positioned adjacent a top end 62 of the wood token 16 such that the majority of the wood token 16 extends below the aperture 60. In the depicted arrangement, the length of the chain 14 is sufficient to pass through the aperture of the eyelet 12 and the aperture 60 of the wood token 16 while allowing a distance between the bottom portion 40 of the shirt 18 and the wood token 16. Also in this arrangement, the wood token 16 extends closer to the natural resting position of a person's hand while standing. Other positions of the aperture 60 are, however, contemplated.

[0031] The wood token 16, in one embodiment, is approximately 2.0 inches in length from the top end 62 to a bottom end 64 and has a width of approximately 0.5 inches or less. In this arrangement, the wood token 16 has the shape of an elongated rectangle. In this way, the wood token 16 is closer to a person's hand while standing and is easily grabbed or held, while avoiding a shape that is easily broken and does not add sufficient weight to pull on the shirt 18. Other arrangements are, however, contemplated where the size and shape varies.

[0032] In operation, the token system 10 hangs from the shirt 18 thereby literally making the shirt 18 a lucky shirt due to the presence of the token system. While worn, the person cannot accidentally leave the token system 10 behind due to integration with the shirt 18 and when not worn the likelihood of losing a shirt 18 is substantially lower due to the size, shape, and nature of the shirt 18.

[0033] When needed to increase a person's luck, the person simply reaches down without searching to touch the wood token 16, holds the wood token 16, or raps the person's knuckles on the wood token 16 to literally knock on wood. The position of the token system 10 shown in the Figures facilitates knocking as the wood token 16 is conveniently positioned to rest on or near a person's hip. However, the token system 10 is positioned to overlay other articles of clothing 50 so that no part of the token system 10 makes direct contact with a person's skin. At the same time, the positioning itself is aesthetically pleasing and permits other indicia 52 on the shirt 18 without obstruction.

[0034] When the shirt 18 is washed, the connecting link 56 is used to remove the opposing ends 58 of the chain 14 so that the chain 14 and the wood token 16 can be separate from the shirt 18. The integrated nature of the eyelet 12, in some embodiments, requires that the eyelet 12 remain present in the shirt 18. However, due to the size, structure, and location of the eyelet 12 limits, if not eliminates, the possibility of the shirt 18 being damaged due to the presence of eyelet 12. Once washed, the chain 14 is reconnected to the eyelet 12 as described herein.

[0035] Therefore, a token system 10 has been provided that is readily available to a person without searching, combines with a lucky piece of clothing, is not easily lost, is convenient, does not cause skin irritation, is fashionable, and improves upon the art.

[0036] From the above discussion and accompanying figures and claims it will be appreciated that the token system 10 offers many advantages over the prior art. It will be appreciated further by those skilled in the art that various other modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby. It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in the light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included in the spirit and purview of this application.