Abstract:
An accessory system can be used to decorate articles with ornaments. The system includes a button-snap connector. The button-snap connector includes a male portion and a female portion. The button-snap connector allows a user to select a particular ornament to be worn on an article of clothing or the like. Likewise, the button-snap connector allows a particular ornament to be used with different articles. The system also include an accessory that can be placed around the button-snap connector to further customize and decorate the article.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/305,343, filed Mar. 8, 2016. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The invention relates to fashion accessories and in particular to accessories using snap buttons. 
         [0007]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0008]    Fashion accessories modify and personalize the appearance of clothing and allow wearers to express their individual styles. Pins, appliques, and jewelry are examples of accessories that a given wearer can select to create new looks. If a fashion accessory or a line of accessories becomes popular, the accessory or accessories can form a fashion trend. 
         [0009]    Some clothes provide a location for easy attachment of accessories while others cannot be accessorized easily. For example, a lapel pin can be attached easily to a lapel. In contrast, a pin cannot be attached to a plastic hairband. Accordingly, fashion wearers need a standardized way to attach an accessory to different articles of clothing. 
         [0010]    Collectibles are another trend in children&#39;s accessories. Collectibles can be sold as a line of products. A particular product in a line of collectibles might be preferred by a particular person. For example, a fan of a particular sports team might prefer an accessory reflecting his or her favorite team. In addition, a supply of a particular accessory can be limited to create increased demand and pricing for the particular accessory. 
         [0011]    A collector of a line of collectibles may want to change an accessory being worn but may not want to change an underlying article. However, if the accessory is integral (i.e. permanently attached) with the article of clothing, the wearer will have to change both the accessory and the attached article. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, a need exists to provide an attachment device that can be attached to a variety of articles and that can be used to connect releaseably to a variety of accessories. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The invention encompasses an accessory system utilizing a snap button for decorating an article. An article can be a piece of clothing, a necklace, clothing accessory, or other item to be decorated. An object of the invention is to provide a system that allows a plurality of different ornaments to a plurality of articles by using a common (i.e. a standard) button-snap connector. 
         [0014]    The accessory system includes a first ornament, a second ornament that is different than the first ornament, and a button-snap connector for connecting the ornament to an article. The button-snap includes a stud portion (i.e. a male portion) and a socket portion (i.e. a female portion). The stud portion can be fixed to the ornament or the article; the socket portion can be fixed to the other of the ornament or the article. Whichever ornament the user prefers can be connected to an article. 
         [0015]    The snap button connector holds the ornament to the article securely enough that they stay connected during normal use. The snap button connector is weak enough that the article and the ornament can be separated using hand pressure to separate them. 
         [0016]    A further object of the invention is to provide a system that can be further decorated with an accessory. The accessory includes a loop that encircles the socket. The loop itself can be a decoration or can be attached to further decorations. The loop does not need to be circular; the loop can be shaped to complement the perimeter of the socket. While the loop will work as long as the loop can encircle the socket, the loop works better when the loop complements and fits around the perimeter of the socket. 
         [0017]    A further object of the invention is to provide a lapel-pin female snap-fastener assembly for connecting to a clothing ornament. The lapel-pin female snap-fastener assembly includes a plate, a female snap-fastener, and a pin. The plate has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface is on an opposing side of the plate than the exterior surface. The female snap-fastener part is disposed on the exterior surface. The female snap-fastener part has a socket formed therein. The socket is configured to receive a groove on the clothing ornament. The pin is connected to the interior surface. The pin is configured to pierce clothing. A butterfly clutch pin back is placed on the pin to secure the lapel-pin female snap-fastener assembly to the piece of clothing. Despite being called a “lapel-pin”, the pin can be attached to any article of clothing or fabric or the like. 
         [0018]    A further object of the invention is to provide an ornament that inhibits rotation of the ornament relative to the female snap-fastener part. The ornament can removably attach to a female snap fastener part. The female snap fastener part has a female-snap-fastener-part outer surface. The female-snap-fastener-part outer surface has a socket formed therein. A spring or springs can be disposed in the female-snap-fastener-part. The spring urges centerward with regard to the socket. The spring extends into a span of the socket when the spring is relaxed. The ornament has an exterior bearing a decoration, a flat interior surface opposing the exterior, and a groove. The groove is disposed on the flat interior surface. The groove has an overhang. The groove is sized small enough to seat in the socket with the flat interior surface abutting the female-snap-fastener-part outer surface. The groove is large enough to displace the spring when the groove is seated in the socket with the flat interior surface abutting the female-snap-fastener-part outer surface. The overhang is far enough from the flat interior surface to be held by said spring when the groove is seated in the socket with the flat interior surface abutting the female-snap-fastener-part outer surface. The overhang is close enough to the flat interior surface to prevent the flat interior surface from separating from the female-snap-fastener-part-outer surface when the groove is seated in the socket. 
         [0019]    Other features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0020]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an accessory system for decorating articles using a plurality of ornaments and a button-snap connector, the invention is not limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing from the invention and the equivalents of the claims. However, the construction and method of operation of the invention together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a socket of a button snap according to the prior art. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a stud of a button snap according to the prior art. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a post of a button snap according to the prior art. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of a first embodiment of an ornament according to the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  is a rear view of the first embodiment of an ornament, which is shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the first embodiment of an ornament, which is shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of a second embodiment of an ornament according to the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  is a rear view of the second embodiment of an ornament, which is shown in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of the second embodiment of an ornament, which is shown in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of an ornament according to the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the ornament, which is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a first embodiment of an accessory according to the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a second embodiment of an accessory according to the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an accessory being placed on a socket. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the accessory shown in  FIG. 10  with an ornament securing the accessory to the socket. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a front view of a necklace according to the invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13A  is a front view of a zipper pull tab according to the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the zipper pull tab shown in  FIG. 13A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a hairband according to the invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  is a top view of a bracelet according to the invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the bracelet shown in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 17  is a side view of an embodiment of an ornament that reduces rotation according to the invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of the ornament shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 19  is a side sectional view of the ornament shown in  FIG. 17  while attached to a female snap-fastener part. 
           [0045]      FIG. 20  is a front side view of a lapel-pin female snap-fastener part according to the invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the lapel-pin female snap-fastener part shown in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a lapel pin and a butterfly clutch pin back according to the prior art. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    Embodiments of the invention are described below and are shown in the figures of the drawing. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 1-3  show a snap button according to the prior art that can be included in the invention. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of a female snap-fastener part  10 . The female snap-fastener part  10  has an annular shape with a circular perimeter  14 . A socket  13  is formed in the female snap-fastener part  10 , which is configured to receive a groove as described below. A first spring  11  and a second spring  12  are disposed within the socket  13 . The springs  11  and  12  releaseably hold the groove when inserted. The springs  11  and  12  secure the groove with enough force that they will not release the groove during normal wearing. However, the springs  11  and  12  are light enough that the groove can be removed from the female snap-fastener part  10  by hand. 
         [0051]      FIG. 2  shows a male snap-fastener part  30 . The male snap-fastener part  30  includes an annular backing  36 . A cylindrical peg  34  extends from the backing  36 . A spherical groove  35  is disposed on the peg  34 . As mentioned, the groove  35  inserts in the socket  13  of the female snap-fastener part  10 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  shows a post  20 . The post  20  includes an annular head  21 . A shaft  22  extends from the center of the head  21 . The shaft  22  ends in a deformable tail  23 . The tail  23  can be inserted into the rear of a female snap-fastener part  10  or male snap-fastener part  30  and hammered to deform the tail  23  to form a rivet. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  show a first embodiment of an ornament  40 A. The ornament  40 A has an exterior  41 . The exterior  41  is visible when the ornament  40 A is added. Enamel  43  is painted on the exterior  41 . An interior  42  opposes the exterior  41 . A groove  35  is disposed on the interior  42 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  show a second embodiment of an ornament  40 B. The ornament  40 B is different than the ornament  40 A. The ornament  40 A can be exchanged with the ornament  40 B depending on the wearer&#39;s preferences. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 6-7  show how a preferred embodiment of a snap  30  attaches to an ornament  40 D. The male snap-fastener part  30  includes a groove  31 . A screw  32  extends from the groove  31 . The ornament  40  has a nut  48  disposed on the interior  42  of the ornament  40 . A threaded hole  47  is formed in the nut  48 . The screw  32  is screwed into the threaded hole  47 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show two embodiments of accessories  50 A and  50 B, respectively. Each accessory  50  includes a loop  53 . A dropper  51  is tied to the loop  53  at a first end and to an ornament  52  at a second end. A clasp  54  interconnects the dropper  51  and the ornament  52 . 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , to connect the accessory  50  to the female snap-fastener part  10 , the loop  53  fits over and encircles the female snap-fastener part  10 . An ornament  40  is snapped onto the female snap-fastener part  10  to secure the accessory  50 . To change or remove the accessory  50 , the ornament  40  is pulled from the female snap-fastener part  10  and the loop  53  is pulled from the female snap-fastener part  10 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 12  shows a necklace  110 . The necklace  110  includes a chain  111  that can be worn around one&#39;s neck. A pendant  112  is connected to two eyes  111 A and  111 B. The eyes  111 A and  111 B are connected to respective ends of the chain  111 . The pendent  112  has a female snap-fastener part  10  disposed thereon. Accessories  40  and/or  50 , which are not shown in  FIG. 12 , can be attached to the pendent  112  by snapping to the female snap-fastener part  10 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show a zipper pull tab  100 . The zipper pull tab  100  has a lobster claw  101  for attaching to zippers or other loops. A swivel  102  interconnects the lobster claw  101  to a tab  103 . A female snap-fastener part  10  is disposed on the tab  103 . Accessories  40  and/or  50 , which are not shown in  FIG. 13 , can be attached to the tab  103  by snapping to the female snap-fastener part  10 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 14  shows a hairband assembly  120 . The hairband assembly  120  includes a hairband  121 . A female snap-fastener part  10  is disposed on the hairband  121 . Accessories  40  and/or  50 , which are not shown in  FIG. 13 , can be attached to the hairband  121  by snapping to the female snap-fastener part  10 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 15-16  show a bracelet  130 . The bracelet includes a band with a band exterior  131  and a band interior  132 . A male snap  21  is placed on a first end of the band. A female snap  10  is disposed on a second end of the band. A female snap-fastener part  10  is disposed on the band exterior  13 . Accessories  40  and/or  50 , which are not shown in  FIGS. 15-16 , can be attached to the bracelet  130  by snapping to the female snap-fastener part  10 . 
         [0062]      FIGS. 17-19  show an embodiment an ornament  40 D that is configured to minimize rotation of the ornament  40 D when the ornament  40 D is installed in a female snap-fastener part  10  as shown in  FIG. 19 . In contrast to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , the groove sits flush against the interior  42  of the ornament  40 . The springs  11 - 12  are positioned contact the underside of the groove  31 , which pushes the interior  42  toward the exterior surface of the female snap-fastener part  10 . As the surfaces are pressed against each other, the ornament is prevented from rotating relative to the female snap-fastener part  10 . 
         [0063]      FIGS. 20-21  shown a lapel-pin female snap-fastener assembly. The lapel-pin female snap-fastener assembly includes a plate  142  having an exterior surface and an interior surface  143 . A female snap-fastener part  10  is disposed on the exterior surface. The female snap-fastener part  10  has a socket  13  formed therein. The socket  13  is configured to receive a groove on a clothing ornament.  FIGS. 4-5  show embodiments of clothing ornaments. A pin  144  is connected to the interior surface  143 . The pin  144  is configured to pierce clothing such as a lapel. 
         [0064]      FIG. 22  shows a lapel pin  152  according to the prior art. The lapel pin  152  has pin  154  disposed on a rear surface of the lapel pin  152 . A butterfly clutch pin back  150  seats on the pin  154  to secure the lapel pin  152  to a piece of clothing. 
         [0065]    Unless otherwise mentioned the reference numbers are used consistently throughout the figures.