Double helix band with attachable ornamental elements

Abstract

A helical band ( 15 ) comprising a first rail ( 16 a ) having a central longitudinal axis, a second rail ( 16 b ) having a central longitudinal axis, multiple rungs ( 17 ) extending between the first rail and the second rail and oriented generally transverse to the respective central longitudinal axes of the first and second rails, the central longitudinal axis of the first rail, the central longitudinal axis of the second rail, and the rungs configured and arranged in spacial relationship to each other such that the first rail and the second rail generally form a twisted circular double helix (FIG. 1 ), and an ornamental element ( 18 ) supported by at least one of the rungs.

1 . A helical band comprising:
 a first rail having a central longitudinal axis;   a second rail having a central longitudinal axis;   multiple rungs extending between said first rail and said second rail and oriented generally transverse to said respective central longitudinal axes of said first and second rails;   said central longitudinal axis of said first rail, said central longitudinal axis of said second rail and said rungs configured and arranged in spatial relationship to each other such that said first rail and said second rail generally form a twisted circular double helix; and   at least one ornamental element supported by at least one of said rungs.   
   
   
       2 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first rail, said second rail and said rungs comprise a thermoplastic elastomer material. 
   
   
       3 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first rail and said second rail each have a first end and a second end and said respective first and second ends of said first and second rails are detachably coupled together. 
   
   
       4 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first rail and said second rail each have a first end and a second end and said respective first and second ends of said first and second rails are fused together. 
   
   
       5 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said ornamental element comprises a first part and a second part adapted and configured to couple together around said rung. 
   
   
       6 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said rung has an outer diameter;   said ornamental element comprises a through opening having an outer diameter; and   said diameter of said through opening is greater than said diameter of said rung.   
   
   
       7 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said ornamental element comprises an opening;   said rung extends through said opening in said ornamental element; and   said ornamental element further comprises an outer surface and an ornamental decal adhesively bonded to said outer surface.   
   
   
       8 . The band set forth in  claim 5 , wherein:
 said first part of said ornamental element comprises an outer surface and an inner surface having a channel and a post;   said second part of said ornamental element comprises an outer surface and an inner surface having a channel and an orifice;   said channels of said respective first and second parts are configured and arranged to encircle said rung when aligned; and   said post and said orifice are configured and arranged to couple said first part and said second part together around said rung.   
   
   
       9 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , and comprising multiple different ornamental elements supported by said rungs. 
   
   
       10 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said ornamental element is a molded form. 
   
   
       11 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said ornamental element comprises a visual image. 
   
   
       12 . The band set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said rails are formed of a first material and said rung is formed of a second material different from said first material. 
   
   
       13 . The band set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said first material is more flexible than said second material. 
   
   
       14 . An ornamental band comprising:
 a first rail having a central longitudinal axis;   a second rail having a central longitudinal axis;   multiple rungs extending between said first rail and said second rail and oriented generally transverse to said respective central longitudinal axes of said first and second rails;   at least one ornamental element supported by at least one of said rungs; and   said ornamental element comprising a first part and a second part adapted and configured to couple together around said rung.   
   
   
       15 . The band set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said rung has an outer diameter;   said ornamental element comprises a through opening having an outer diameter; and   said diameter of said through opening is greater than said diameter of said rung.   
   
   
       16 . The band set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said ornamental element comprises an opening;   said rung extends through said opening in said ornamental element; and   said ornamental element further comprises an outer surface and an ornamental decal adhesively bonded to said outer surface.   
   
   
       17 . The band set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said first part of said ornamental element comprises an outer surface and an inner surface having a channel and a post;   said second part of said ornamental element comprises an outer surface and an inner surface having a channel and an orifice;   said channels of said respective first and second parts are configured and arranged to encircle said rung when aligned; and   said post and said orifice are configured and arranged to couple said first part and said second part together around said rung.   
   
   
       18 . The band set forth in  claim 14 , and comprising multiple different ornamental elements supported by said rungs. 
   
   
       19 . The band set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said ornamental element is a molded form. 
   
   
       20 . The band set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said ornamental element comprises a visual image. 
   
   
       21 . The band set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said rails are formed of a first material and said rung is formed of a second material different from said first material. 
   
   
       22 . The band set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said first material is more flexible than said second material. 
   
   
       23 . The band set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said ornamental element rotates about said rung.