Abstract:
The decorative fastener includes a base fitted with eyes or receptacles on the underside of the base and one or two straps that protrude from the lower portion of the base underside and which are fitted with hooks on their exposed ends. The straps wrap back over themselves, around any particular item of wear, and fasten using the hooks on the straps and the eyes on the underside of the base. The decorative fastener may also include a plurality of interchangeable decorative disc options, or removable strap options, thus allowing the wearer to change decorations easily and inexpensively.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claim priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/686,697 filed Apr. 11, 2012. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING DISC APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates, in general, to the field of fashion accessories. It is a versatile decorative fastener suitable for attachment to many different articles of clothing, mainly, but not limited to, shoes. 
     The invention is not a permanent accessory and may be removed from one article of wear and attached to another item. The invention includes an optional feature that may enable the decoration itself be changed and replaced with another. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The use of decorative accessories with interchangeable features for footwear and other items of wear, is known in the prior art. 
     By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,204 to Phillips discloses a sandal system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,698 to Edmark discloses an interchangeable decorative ornament. 
     Although these accessory devices are satisfactory for their particular purposes, they do not enable a user to have the versatility to use them on a plurality of applications such as an abundance of shoe styles, scarves, purses, clothing, hair ponytails and hatbands, already owned by the wearer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Individuals prefer to have a selection of ornamental fashion adornments when preparing to dress for social gatherings; however, they may be prohibited from purchasing numerous fashion items due to financial constraints. Therefore, a need exists to supply the public with inexpensive choices. Accessories that are removable, as well as, interchangeable, (i.e. a decorative element that is able to be changed with another decorative element within the fashion article itself) is highly desired. In addition, providing accessories that may be used on more than one type of clothing, accessory or footwear is even more desirable. 
     Currently, there are products which allow a wearer to purchase a specialized decoration that requires an expensive, specialized shoe, or other specific article, in order to attach the decoration before wearing; however, they limit the wearer to using the decoration only on that specific article because the decorations are not adaptable for attachment to any other article of clothing or accessory. 
     To eliminate the need to purchase expensive specialized items of wear, the decorative fastener has the ability to be worn on items of which an individual already owns. In addition, the decorative fastener has the option to be manufactured with the ability to replace one topical decoration with another. 
     The two-strap attachment device of the decorative fastener is intended to make using the decorative fastener on flip flops and strappy sandals easy. However, the decorative fastener may also be manufactured using only one strap. Offering a single strap option makes using the decorative fastener on items other than flip flops and strappy sandals easier for the consumer, although the basic purpose of the decorative fastener remains the same. 
     The decorative fastener consists of a base manufactured of a hard material, whether composite, metal, plastic or some other material, or a soft, yet firm material. The underside of the base has one or two straps extending from it. These straps are fitted with attachment devices at the exposed ends. The straps wrap back over themselves and the attachment device at the end of the straps join with their attachment counterpart; also located on the underside of the base. The straps wrap around any number of articles of wear to provide an element of fashion embellishment. 
     The top portion of the base may, or may not be manufactured with the capability to change-out a decorative piece. In other words; the base may be manufactured with a permanent embellishment or decoration, however; an embodiment of the decorative fastener includes the option to manufacture the top portion of the base with a coupling device that allows for a decorative piece to be removed and replaced with another decorative piece. 
     The embodiment of the decorative fastener includes the option to manufacture the base, or disc with the capability to completely remove the straps from the underside of the disc altogether, allowing them to be attached to the underside of another base, or disc that has a different decorative element on the topside. 
     The decorative fastener is a lightweight addition to a wearer&#39;s wardrobe. While worn, the owner will not be aware of extra weight or discomfort. It will be manufactured for durability so the wearer may expect to use it for years. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For full clarification of the decorative fastener, reference is made to the following description of the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a permanent strap version of the decorative fastener which is located and affixed to the underside of a decorated or plain base, showing how the device appears when the attachment pieces are connected. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a permanent strap version of a decorated or plain base, showing the attachment device on the underside as it lies while the attachment pieces are not connected.  FIG. 2  also shows an option for a three dimensional decoration on the top portion of the base. 
         FIG. 3  is a top planar view of the decorative fastener showing how it is to be wrapped around the straps of a sandal. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the topside of the decorative fastener&#39;s base showing how it looks on a sandal after the attachment device is completely fastened. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the decorative fastener&#39;s base and attachment device with an added optional feature of an interchangeable decorative disc that may be removed from the top portion of the base and replaced with another. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a removable strap version of the attachment device which is located on the underside of a decorative or plain base showing how the device appears when two, equally sized straps are placed in parallel formation and the straps are connected to the base. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the removable strap version of the attachment with the two equally sized straps removed and a singular, removable strap put in place and connected. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a view of an embodiment of a decorative fastener  10 . The decorative fastener  10  comprises a base  12 , two parallel placed straps  14 , a hook  16  at the exposed end of each strap  14 , two raised eyes  18  set side by side at the top portion of the underside of the base. 
     An embodiment of the base  12  may be manufactured of a hard material, whether composite, metal, plastic or some other material, or a flexible, yet firm material that may comprise any decorative shape and may have a decorative design permanently applied, or embedded upon the top portion. Two straps, placed in a parallel formation  14  protrude from slotted openings  20  which are then clamped to secure the straps  14  to the underside of the base  12 . Each of the straps  14  has a hook  16  affixed to their exposed ends. The straps  14  fold back upon themselves in order that the hooks  16  may be connected to the raised eyes  18  which protrude from the underside of the base  12  thus creating the shape of a loop. It should be understood that the straps  14  may be made of any material; and, by way of example and not limitation, may include; whether singularly or in combination, rubber, silicone and polyester, or any other material known to those skilled in the art. Further, it should be understood that the raised eyes  18  may or may not be a formation of the actual base  12 . By way of example; the raised eyes  18  may be separate pieces that are affixed to the base  12 . 
     Finally, other means for fastening the exposed ends of the straps  14  to the base  12  that are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be used in place of the hooks  16  and eyes  18 . For example, hook and loop tape, two sets of male and female snap fasteners, hooks and rubber loop combinations, or any other mechanism known to those skilled in the art. 
     Any means for fastening the unexposed ends of the straps  14  to the base  12  that are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be used in place of slotted, then clamped openings  20  in the base  12 . For example, the straps  14  may be held fast using a strong adhesive or covering that would ensure a tight hold. 
     In addition to producing the decorative fastener  10  with two parallel straps  14 , it may also be produced using only a single strap  14 . Producing an optional decorative fastener  10  with a single strap  14  will make it easier for the user to attach the device to certain articles of wear. 
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the attachment device showing the base  12 , the two parallel straps  14 , the hooks  16  attached at the exposed end of the straps  14 , the raised eyes or receptacles  18  and an example of a decorative feature  22 , which may or may not be applied to the top portion of the base  12 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top planar view of the underside of the decorative fastener  10  showing the two, parallel straps  14  as they wrap around sandal straps  24 . The hooks  16  will attach to the raised eyes  18  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is top perspective view showing the decorated side of the base  12  as it sits completely affixed to the sandal straps  24 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the decorative fastener  10  with an optional, interchangeable decorative disc feature  26 . The interchangeable disc  26  could be fitted with a strong magnet  28  on the underside. The base  12  could be made of metal or fitted with a strong, metal piece  30  which would attract to the magnet  28  on the interchangeable disc  26 . Other means for fastening the interchangeable disc  26  to the base  12  that are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be used in place of the magnet  28  and metal piece  30 . For example, the interchangeable disc  26  and the base  12  may comprise hook and loop tape, a male and female snap fastener, a male and female screw assembly, a hook and eye configuration, a post and clasp assembly, or any other mechanism known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 6  shows the embodiment of a decorative fastener  10  wherein the straps  14   a  of the device have the capability of being completely removed from a base  12 . 
     The base  12  may comprise any decorative shape and may have a decorative design permanently applied, or embedded upon the top portion. Said base  12  comprises one set of two eyes  18 , or some other fastener set side by side at the upper portion of the underside of the base  12  and one set of two eyes  18 , or some other fastener, set side by side at the lower portion of the underside of the base  12 . Said base  12  may also comprise one eye  18 , or some other fastener on the left portion of the underside of the base  12  and one eye  18  or some other fastener on the right portion of the underside of the base  12 . 
     Two, separate straps of equal length  14   a  are fitted with hooks  16  or some other fastener on each exposed end. One hook  16  at one end of each strap  14   a  would connect with one of the eyes  18  at the upper portion of the underside of the base  12  and one hook  16  at the opposite end of each strap  14   a  would connect with one of the eyes  18  at the lower portion of the underside of the base  12  creating loops that would wrap around the straps of sandals or some other item of wear. 
       FIG. 7  shows the embodiment of the attachment device  10  using only one, completely removable strap  32 . Said strap  32  is fitted with hooks  16 , or some other fastener on each exposed end. One hook  16  at one end of the strap  32  would connect with the eye  18  on the left portion of the underside of the base  12  and the hook  16  on the other end of the strap  32  would connect with the eye  18  on the right portion of the underside of the base creating one loop that would wrap around an item that may require only one strap  32  such as a scarf or hair ponytail. 
     Further, it should be understood that the decorative fastener as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  may have the same interchangeable decorative disc options as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Although all versions of the decorative fastener have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.