Abstract:
This application presents accessories that use fasteners and fashionable pieces to supplement clothing, such as pants or shirts; as well as other articles of apparel, such as footwear or hats. The fasteners connect to such apparel using either magnets or clips. Then the fashionable pieces connect to the fasteners using non-permanent adhesives, allowing the fashionable pieces to be easily attached or removed from the apparel. This can allow a single article of apparel to have many different looks depending on how many different fashionable pieces are owned and used with the apparel.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority from commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/634,654, entitled “Kabuki Boot Toppers” and filed on Mar. 5, 2012, which is fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Application 
         [0003]    This application is directed to fashion accessories and more specifically to outfit complements that fasten to clothing by use of magnetic and clip fasteners to provide a fashionable decorative look. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Disclosure 
         [0005]    Clothing and clothing accessories can be expensive and people are often limited in the quantity they can own. Often an article of apparel only allows the owner a single style, limiting the versatility of the article and the ability to wear it frequently with various fashion outfits. Also, if traveling, packing a large amount of different articles of clothing or accessories might be impractical. 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to have the ability to change the look or style of an article of clothing in a quick, practical, and cost effective way. Others have attempted to provide pseudo boot toppers, using socks that fold over the upper part of boots. Although such designs may save costs, it is useful for only certain types of footwear, specifically boots. Further, using socks or stretchable bands may allow slippage and limit the owner in adjusting the topper depending upon the position and look desired. 
         [0007]    Therefore, what is needed is a solution to at least some of these and other issues and/or disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In certain embodiments, an apparatus to accessorize apparel is disclosed that includes a fastener that removably attaches to the apparel using at least one magnet and a decorative portion that removably attaches to the fastener. The fastener can include a front side, the front side having an adhesive piece, and a back side, the back side having a material, wherein the at least one magnet is integrally attached near at least one end of the fastener. The decorative portion can include an exposed side, the exposed side having an ornamental design, and an inside, the inside having at least one adhesive strip. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, an apparatus to accessorize apparel is disclosed that includes a fastener that removably attaches to the apparel using at least one clip and a decorative portion that removably attaches to the fastener. The fastener can include a front side, the front side having an adhesive piece; and a back side, the back side having a material, wherein the at least one clip is affixed near an end of the fastener. The decorative portion can include an exposed side, the exposed side having an ornamental design, and an inside, the inside having at least one adhesive strip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary isometric view of a two-magnet bendable fastener according to certain embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary isometric view a four-magnet bendable fastener according to certain embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary side view of a four-magnet bendable fastener according to certain embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary side view of a single-clip fastener according to certain embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary side view of the opposite side of the  FIG. 4  fastener according to certain embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an exemplary isometric side view of a two-clip fastener according to certain embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an exemplary isometric side view of the opposite side of the  FIG. 6A  two-clip fastener according to certain embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an exemplary cut-away side view of the left half of a decorative portion according to certain embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7B  illustrates an exemplary cut-away side view of the right-half of the  FIG. 7  decorative portion according to certain embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary isometric side view of a two-magnet bendable fastener folded over the upper part of a boot according to certain embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary isometric side view of a single-clip fastener attached to a boot according to certain embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary isometric side view of a decorative portion connected to a boot, using two two-magnet bendable fasteners according to certain embodiments; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11A  illustrates an exemplary side view of a removable ribbon according to certain embodiments; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11B  illustrates an exemplary side view of the opposite side of the  FIG. 12A  removable ribbon according to certain embodiments; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary isometric view of a six-magnet bendable fastener applied to a shirt collar according to certain embodiments; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13A  illustrates an exemplary side view of a single-magnet segment according to certain embodiments; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13B  illustrates an exemplary side view of a magnetic button according to certain embodiments; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary isometric side view of a decorative portion applied to a boot using a single-magnet segment and a magnetic button according to certain embodiments; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “middle”, “right”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to certain embodiments as oriented in  FIG. 11  and described in further detail, below. However, it is to be understood that this application may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except if expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood the following detailed description and claims (comprising specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings as well as described in the following specification) is directed to certain embodiments. However, the disclosure can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and equivalents thereof. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like reference numerals throughout. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiment disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary isometric view of a two-magnet bendable fastener  100  according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 1 , bendable fastener  100  can include a general material  110  that can be made of a variety of materials, including leather, cotton, Nylon®, wool, felt, velvet, Velour®, rayon, acrylic or polyester. An adhesive piece  130  is attached to one-half of one side of bendable fastener  100 . Adhesive piece  130  can be a variety of different types, including hook-and-loop, tape, or ties. Further, it is to be understood that adhesive piece  130  can vary in size and orientation. In  FIG. 1 , a magnet  120 A, which is one part of a pair of magnets, is incorporated near one end of bendable fastener  100 , with another magnet  120 B, the other part of the pair of magnets, near the opposite end of bendable fastener  100 . Further, magnets  120 A and  120 B can be any type of magnet, including neodymium, neodymium-iron-boron, samarium-cobalt, ferrite, or vinyl magnets; as well as vary in size and orientation. Also, one of magnets  120 A and  120 B could be replaced with a piece of magnetic material, such as iron and the like. In addition, bendable fastener  100  can include certain embodiments that incorporate more than one magnet at each end, including a differing number and combination of magnets and magnetic materials, as explained elsewhere herein. 
         [0030]    In certain embodiments, bendable fastener  100  can be used with a typical boot  802  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Usually, the design of boot  802  is fixed and not changeable. This can limit the usability of boot  802  and limit its ability to match or be worn with some fashionable outfits. However, bendable fastener  100  can be used in order to fasten a decorative portion  700  (see  FIG. 10 ) to boot  802 , allowing boot  802  to be worn with varying outfits or to be changed for the same outfit. Also, it is to be understood that the use of bendable fastener  100  is not limited to boots, but can be used with apparel in general, including a pair of fashion shoes or pants, shirt collars, coat lapels, pockets, belts, hats or sleeves. In fact, the uses for the items described herein are only limited by the imagination of all potential users of the items (e.g., an equestrian user might use certain embodiment herein to decorate a bridle or saddle), which are too numerous to list in this application, and all such variations are meant to be within the scope of this application. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 8 , bendable fastener  100  is folded over an upper part  808  of boot  802 , so that magnets ( 120 A and  120 B) of bendable fastener  100  couple with each other through boot  802 . By folding over bendable fastener  100 , adhesive piece  130  faces outward (away from an exterior  806  of boot  802 ). 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary isometric view of a four-magnet bendable fastener  200  according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2 , bendable fastener  200  can be generally similar to bendable fastener  100 , with multiple magnets  220 A,  220 B,  220 C,  220 D near the ends of bendable fastener  200 , instead of two magnet  120 A and  120 B near each end of bendable fastener  100 . Bendable fastener  200  can be made of the same material  110  of bendable fastener  100 ; however, bendable fastener  200  can be made of a different material or combination of materials as well, including those listed herein for material  110 . Additionally, all magnets of either bendable fastener  100  or bendable fastener  200  could be any size as design constraints might dictate. Further, bendable fastener  200  functions in the same manner, providing the same fastening capabilities as bendable fastener  100  when used in combination with boot  802 . Accordingly, bendable fastener  200  functions in the same manner as bendable fastener  100 , but bendable fastener  200  could potentially provide more stability due to a larger quantity of magnets or larger surface area covered by the magnets. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , if a stronger or wider fastener is desired (perhaps because the thickness or length of a shirt collar  1202 ), six magnets ( 1220 A,  1220 B,  1220 C,  1220 D,  1220 E, and  1220 F) could be used near the ends of a bendable fastener  1200 , which may provide more stability due to the additional magnetic points that couple together through shirt collar  1202 . However, as explained elsewhere herein, it is to be understood that the number, size, and strength of any magnets, as well as the dimensions of any fastener can vary, and should not be limiting. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary side view of four-magnet bendable fastener  200  or  FIG. 2  according to certain embodiments. In  FIG. 3 , bendable fastener  200  is slightly folded to illustrate how it would fold over upper part  808  of boot  802 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary side view of a single-clip fastener  400  according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 4 , fastener  400  can include a material  410 , which can be the same as material  110 ; however, material  410  can also be made of a different material(s), including those listed herein for material  110 . Also, fastener  400  includes an adhesive piece  430  attached to one side of fastener  400  and a single clip  420  connected near one end of fastener  400 . Adhesive piece  430  can be the same type as adhesive piece  130 , but can also be a different adhesive, including those listed herein for adhesive piece  130 . Further, adhesive piece  430  can vary in size and orientation. Clip  420  can be any type of clip, including a shoe clip, paper clip, or a hair clip; as well as vary in size, strength, and orientation. Also, fastener  400  can have other certain embodiments that incorporate more than one clip, as explained elsewhere herein. 
         [0035]    In certain embodiments, clip  420  can be positioned on any fastener, so that it folds over upper part of a boot or shoe like a hinge. Additionally, any fastener described herein can include any combination of both clips and magnets. Clip  420  can be metal or custom manufactured. 
         [0036]    In certain embodiments, fastener  400  can include a material  440  that can be incorporated inside of fastener  400 , if needed, in order to potentially provide more rigidity or stability. However, material  440  can also be excluded and should not be limiting. Further, the orientation and dimensions of material  440  can vary. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary side view of the opposite side of fastener  400  or  FIG. 4  according to certain embodiments. All reference numbers in  FIG. 5  refer to the same reference numbers used in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 9 , fastener  400  is clipped to upper part  808  of boot  802 . Fastener  400  can be clipped to upper part  808  of boot  802  by opening clip  420 , sliding clip  420  down upper part  808  of boot  802 , and then pressing clip  420  to close. By clipping fastener  400  to boot  802 , adhesive piece  430  faces outward (away from exterior  806  of boot  802 ). 
         [0039]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate exemplary views of each side of a two-clip fastener  600  according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , fastener  600  can be generally similar to fastener  400 , except with multiple clips ( 620 A and  620 B) near an end of fastener  600  (instead of a single clip  420  of fastener  400 ). Fastener  600  can be made of material  410 , but can also be any made of any other material or combination of materials, including those listed herein for material  110 . Additionally, all clips of either fastener  400  or fastener  600  could be any size as design constraints might dictate. Further, fastener  600  can function in the same manner, providing the same fastening capabilities as fastener  400  when used in combination with boot  802 . However, fastener  600  could potentially provide more stability due to the use of additional clips, or by combining with at least one magnet, preventing a pivot point potentially encountered with fastener  400 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an exemplary side view of decorative portion  700  according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , decorative portion  700  can include a hook  750 A near the top-left section of decorative portion  700  or a hook  750 B near the bottom-right section of decorative portion  700 , either supplementing or substituting any fasteners used; that is, either potentially providing more stability (if used with any fasteners) or simply fastening decorative portion  700  to boot  802  (if used without any fasteners). Accordingly, it is to be understood either the inclusion or exclusion of hooks ( 750 A and/or  750 B) are not to be limiting. In  FIG. 10 , if used, hooks ( 750 A and  750 B) fit over upper part  808  of boot  802 . Further, if hooks ( 750 A and/or  750 B) are used alone (without any kind of fasteners), the ability to adjust the height or position of decorative portion  700  could be limited since hooks ( 750 A and/or  750 B) can remain in a fixed position on decorative portion  700 . Additionally, hooks ( 750 A and  750 B) can vary in size, orientation, or position as design constraints might dictate and can be any type of hook or clip, including those mentioned for clip  420 . 
         [0041]    In  FIGS. 7A and 7B , decorative portion  700  can include a left-aligned vertical adhesive strip  760 A, a center-aligned vertical adhesive strip  770 , and a right-aligned vertical adhesive strip  760 B. Vertical adhesive pieces ( 760 A,  770 , and  760 B) can be the same type as adhesive piece  130 , but can also be a different adhesive, including those listed herein for adhesive piece  130 . Further, the orientation and size of vertical adhesive strips ( 760 A,  770 , and  760 B) can vary as design constraints might dictate. In  FIG. 10 , decorative portion  700  is attached to boot  802  using bendable fastener  100  positioned on upper part  808  of boot  802  with adhesive piece  130  outwardly exposed, coupling with vertical adhesive strip  760 B of decorative portion  700 . One can then reposition the other fastener  100 , aligning it with one of the other vertical adhesive strips ( 760 A or  770 ). Further, one can adjust the height or position of decorative portion  700  on boot  802  by positioning adhesive pieces  130  of fastener  100  higher or lower on vertical adhesive strips ( 760 A,  770 , and  760 B). By coupling adhesive piece  130  of fastener  100  with vertical adhesive strips ( 760 A,  770 , or  760 B) of decorative portion  700 , decorative portion  700  is prevented from slipping down boot  802 . In certain embodiments, decorative portion  700  can include more or less vertical adhesive strips. Additionally, any amount of any fasteners or bendable fasteners can be used in combination with the vertical adhesive strips. 
         [0042]    In  FIGS. 7A and 7B , decorative portion  700  also can include a right horizontal top-aligned adhesive strip  780 B, a right horizontal bottom-aligned adhesive strip  784 B, a left horizontal top-aligned elastic strip  780 A and a left horizontal bottom-aligned elastic strip  784 A. As shown in  FIG. 7A , left horizontal top-aligned elastic strip  780 A can include an adhesive piece  790 A and an adhesive piece  790 B. Additionally, left horizontal bottom-aligned elastic strip  784 A can include an adhesive piece  790 C and an adhesive piece  790 D. Adhesive pieces ( 790 A,  790 B,  790 C,  790 D) and adhesive strips ( 780 B and  784 B) can be the same type as adhesive piece  130 , but can also be a different adhesive, including those listed herein for adhesive piece  130 . Elastic strips ( 780 A and  784 A) can be of any material that is at least partially elastic, including Nylon®, Tactel® Nylon®, Micro Nylon®, Microdenier Nylon®, microfiber, spandex, Lycra®, Lycra® spandex, polyester, cotton, acetate, rayon, viscose, or chenille. Further, the orientation and size any adhesive or elastic pieces or strips can vary as design constraints might dictate. In  FIG. 10 , one can connect the two ends of decorative portion  700  together by wrapping decorative portion  700  around upper part  808  of boot  802 . The ends of decorative portion  700  can be connected by coupling adhesive pieces ( 790 A and/or  790 B) of left horizontal top-aligned elastic strip  780 A with right horizontal top-aligned adhesive strip  780 B and also coupling adhesive pieces ( 790 C and/or  790 D) of left horizontal bottom-aligned elastic strip  784 A with right horizontal bottom-aligned adhesive strip  784 B. By connecting the ends of decorative portion  700  around boot  802 , decorative portion  700  is prevented from unwrapping. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate exemplary side views of both sides of a removable ribbon  1100  according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , ribbon  1100  can include a material  1110  and an adhesive piece ( 1130 A and  1130 B) near both ends. Material  1110  can be the same kind of material as material  110 , but can also be made of different materials, including those listed herein for material  110 . Adhesive pieces ( 1130 A and  1130 B) can be the same type as adhesive  130 , but can also be a different adhesive, including those listed herein for adhesive piece  130 . Ribbon  1100  can be added to decorative portion  700 , if desired, by coupling adhesive pieces ( 1130 A or  1130 B) to a left adhesive strip  782 A and a right adhesive strip  782 B of decorative portion  700 . If the removable ribbon  1100  is used, it can be tied into a bow or any other stylish form. In  FIGS. 7A and 7B , left and right adhesive strips ( 782 A and  782 B) can be the same type as adhesive  130 , but can also be a different adhesive, including those listed herein for adhesive piece  130 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 13A  illustrates an exemplary side view of a single-magnet segment  1300 A according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 13A , segment  1300 A can include a material  1310 A and a magnet  1320 A. Material  1310 A can be the same material  110 ; however, material  1310 A can be made of a different material or combination of materials, including those listed herein. 
         [0045]      FIG. 13B  illustrates an exemplary side view of a magnetic button  1300 B according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 13B , magnetic button  1300 A can include a button  1310 B and a magnet  1320 B. Magnets ( 1320 A and  1320 B) can be the same type as magnet  120 A, but can also be a different magnet, including those listed herein for magnet  120 A. Additionally, all magnets of either segment  1300 A or magnetic button  1300 B could be any size as design constraints might dictate. Moreover, one of magnets  1320 A and  1320 B could be replaced with a piece of magnetic material, such as a magnet metal. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 14 , segment  1300 A couples to magnetic button  1300 B, through a decorative portion  1400 , keeping decorative portion  1400  from unwrapping around a boot  1402 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , decorative portion  1400  can be generally similar to decorative portion  700 . In  FIG. 14 , segment  1300 A couples to magnetic button  1300 B through decorative portion  1400 , connecting the ends of decorative portion  1400  using magnets ( 1320 A and  1320 B) (instead of using adhesive pieces and strips ( 790 A,  790 B,  790 C,  790 D,  780 B, and  784 B), and elastic strips ( 780 A and  784 A) of decorative portion  700  to connect it). Additionally, the outside of decorative portion( 1400  is an ornamental design that can include a variety of decorations known to those skilled in the art, including fur, beads, lace, bangles, feathers, stones, rhinestones or any other decoration. However, as stated previously, it is understood that many decorations could be used alone or in combination. Furthermore, the size, length, and width of at least one decoration, as well as the size, length, and width of decorative portion  1400  can be varied to further provide different appearance (covering more or less of a general article of apparel). By owning several styles of decorative portion  1400 , one could have several different looks with a single article of apparel, such as a pair of fashion shoes or pants, shirt collars, coat lapels, pockets, belts, hats or sleeves. In fact, the uses for the items described herein are only limited by the imagination of all potential users of the items, which are too numerous to list in this application, and all such variations are meant to be within the scope of this application. This provides a simple, cost effective way to change looks. 
         [0047]    In certain embodiments, any clips, magnets, adhesive pieces or strips, or elastic strips, mention herein can be connected to any fastener, bendable fastener, or decorative portion by any means, including sewing, pinning, or the use of adhesives such as glue or tape.