Patent Publication Number: US-8122519-B2

Title: System and method for securing accessories to wearable items

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/408,130, filed on Apr. 20, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,698,836, entitled, “System and Method for Securing Accessories to Clothing,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/697,326, filed on Jul. 7, 2005, entitled, “Manufacturing and Marketing Method for Accessorizing Shoes,” and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/704,645, filed on Aug. 2, 2005, entitled, “Manufacturing and Marketing Method for Accessorizing Shoes,” and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/737,115, filed on Nov. 16, 2005, entitled, “Manufacturing and Marketing Method for Accessorizing Shoes;” and the present application is a continuation-in-part of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2006/026508, filed on Jul. 7, 2006, entitled, “System and Method for Securing Accessories to Clothing,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/697,326, filed on Jul. 7, 2005, entitled, “Manufacturing and Marketing Method for Accessorizing Shoes,” and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/704,645, filed on Aug. 2, 2005, entitled, “Manufacturing and Marketing Method for Accessorizing Shoes,” and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/737,115, filed on Nov. 16, 2005, entitled, “Manufacturing and Marketing Method for Accessorizing Shoes;” and the present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/793,319, filed on Apr. 19, 2006, entitled “Wearable Item With Expandable Holes for Personalization Using Removable Ornaments,” and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/796,815, filed on May 2, 2006, entitled “Wearable Item With Expandable Holes for Personalization Using Removable Ornaments.” Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     The present application is related to the following commonly owned and assigned applications: U.S. design patent application No. 29/258,101, filed on Apr. 17, 2006, entitled “Shoe Accessory,” U.S. design patent application No. 29/258,102, filed on Apr. 17, 2006, entitled “Shoe Accessory,” and U.S. design patent application No. 29/258,148, filed on Apr. 17, 2006, entitled “Shoe Accessory.” Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for securing accessories to clothing. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to systems and methods for securing accessories to wearable items with stretchable holes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Clothing manufacturers have recently begun manufacturing articles such as shoes and belts made from a stretchable material (e.g., foam). For example, shoe manufacturers have recently begun manufacturing molded shoes that include expandable holes in the upper portion of the shoe. These shoes are generally formed of a foam material with an outer protective layer. CROCS™, located in Niwot, Colo., is one manufacturer of these types of shoes.  FIG. 1  illustrates a typical molded shoe  100  with expandable holes  105  in the upper  110 . 
     Accessorizing these molded shoes has presented a significant challenge because of the proximity of the expandable holes  105  in the upper  110  to the wearer&#39;s foot. Moreover, these molded shoes are often used for outside activities, so durability of any accessory is important. In addition, children&#39;s and adults&#39; models of these molded shoes may have holes of different sizes, and the upper portions may be of different thicknesses. These differences make it difficult to design accessories that fit all types of shoes. The same challenges regarding different hole sizes and thicknesses of material apply to other articles of clothing such as belts or hats. 
     SUMMARY 
     Illustrative embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents, and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may include a system and method for securing accessories to wearable items. One illustrative embodiment is a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a shoe, the system comprising a shaft having first and second ends; a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through an expandable hole in an upper portion of the shoe and configured to engage an inner surface of the upper portion of the shoe; a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the shoe; and a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory. 
     Another illustrative embodiment is a system for securing a decorative accessory to a shoe, the system comprising a shoe having an upper portion, the upper portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one stretchable hole; a shaft having first and second ends; a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion into the at least one stretchable hole in the upper portion of the shoe and to engage the inner surface of the upper portion of the shoe; a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the shoe; and a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory. These and other embodiments are described in more detail herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention are described by reference to the following Detailed Description and to the appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a molded shoe with holes in the upper; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a molded shoe with an accessory installed in one of the upper holes, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item made of a relatively thicker material and having a relatively larger hole, in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item made of a relatively thinner material and having a relatively smaller hole, in accordance with yet another illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2E  illustrates the lateral cross-sectional shape of a first shoulder of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2F  illustrates the lateral cross-sectional shape of a first shoulder of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item, in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes two equally-sized shoulders; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes different sized shoulders; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes an adjustable barrel nut to accommodate varying material thicknesses; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes rounded shoulders of different sizes; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes male and female portions, respectively, of a button snap; 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes a locking fastener for which compressible clothing material acts as a spring; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes a shaft having two lip rings and a removable shoulder for variable thickness clothing material; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes a single-tab-and-slot bayonet-type fastener; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes a double-tab-and-slot bayonet-type fastener; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes a double-tab-and-slot bayonet-type fastener and a shoulder that snaps onto another shoulder; 
         FIGS. 13A-13D  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes a double-tab-and-slot bayonet-type fastener and a deformable shaft end; 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes a sliding fastener; 
         FIGS. 15A-15C  illustrate another embodiment of a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item that includes a snap fastener; 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  illustrate an embodiment of a wristband, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16C and 16D  illustrate another embodiment of a wristband, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16E and 16F  illustrate another embodiment of a wristband, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16G and 16H  illustrate another embodiment of a wristband, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates indentations formed adjacent to holes on the wristband of  FIGS. 16A and 16B , according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates various embodiments of wristbands, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19A  illustrates an embodiment of a decorative accessory, according to embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 19B and 19C  illustrate the decorative accessory of  19 A used to attach the wristband of  FIGS. 16E and 16F  to itself, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, where like or similar elements are designated with identical reference numerals throughout the several views, and referring in particular to  FIG. 2A , it illustrates a system  200  for attaching a decorative accessory  205  to a wearable item in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 2A , system  200  attaches decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  through one of the expandable holes  105 . Molded shoe  100  is shown in  FIG. 2A  for illustrative purposes only. In other embodiments, the shoe may be a type other than a molded shoe. In still other embodiments, system  200  can attach decorative accessory  205  to other articles of clothing or wearable items, including, without limitation, belts, hats, and scarves with stretchable holes for insertion of a securing portion of system  200 . For example, a belt or hat may be made of a foam material. A scarf may be knitted from a stretchable material such as yarn and have holes through which a securing portion of system  200  can be inserted. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a system  200  for attaching a decorative accessory  205  to clothing in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2B  shows a side view of system  200 . In this illustrative embodiment, system  200  includes a shaft  210 , a first shoulder  215  secured to one end of shaft  210 , a second shoulder  220  secured to the opposite end of shaft  210 , and a third shoulder  225  that is adjacent to second shoulder  220 . For reasons that will become apparent, first shoulder  215  may be termed an “inner shoulder,” and second and third shoulders ( 220  and  225 ) may be termed “outer shoulders.” 
     First shoulder  215  is configured for insertion through an expandable hole in a wearable item (e.g., an expandable hole  105  in molded shoe  100 ). Since first shoulder  215  is larger than the expandable hole when the expandable hole is in its unexpanded state, first shoulder secures system  200  to the wearable item. First shoulder  215  engages the inner surface of the wearable item material (e.g., the inner surface of molded shoe  100 ). Since, when attached to molded shoe  100 , first shoulder  215  is close to the wearer&#39;s foot, it is advantageous for first shoulder  215  to be a low-profile shoulder for greater comfort. In embodiments in which first shoulder  215  is removably secured to shaft  210 , shaft  210  may be inserted into expandable hole  105 , and first shoulder  215  may be placed on the inside of the wearable item and secured to shaft  210 . 
     Second shoulder  220  engages the wearable item (e.g., molded shoe  100 ), but how it engages the wearable item varies depending on the embodiment, as will be explained more fully in connection with  FIGS. 2C and 2D . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , third shoulder  225  is flush mounted to second shoulder  220 . Flush mounting can be accomplished in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, third shoulder  225  is glued to second shoulder  220 . In some embodiments, decorative accessory  205  is separate from third shoulder  225  and is attached to third shoulder  225  by a suitable chemical (e.g., glue) or mechanical fastener. In other embodiments, decorative accessory  205  is fully or partially integrated (e.g., molded) with third shoulder  225 . In some embodiments, third shoulder  225  and decorative accessory  205  are one and the same. For example, decorative accessory may be a design such as a “smiley face” that is stamped or embossed, optionally in relief, on the exposed surface of third shoulder  225 . 
     Shaft  210 , first shoulder  215 , second shoulder  220 , and third shoulder  225  may vary in their lateral cross-sectional shape, depending on the embodiment. For example, in embodiments in which third shoulder  225  and decorative accessory  205  are one and the same, third shoulder  225  may be in the shape of a frog, butterfly, heart, or any other decorative shape. In one embodiment, shaft  210  and second shoulder  220  are cylindrical in shape, and first shoulder  215  is circular and concave in shape, the bottom of the “dish” facing away from the inner surface of the wearable item.  FIGS. 2E and 2F  are bottom views of first shoulder  215  illustrating alternative lateral cross-sectional shapes, in accordance with other illustrative embodiments of the invention. In  FIGS. 2E and 2F , second shoulder  220  and third shoulder  225  have been omitted for clarity. 
     In some embodiments, shaft  210 , first shoulder  215 , second shoulder  220 , and third shoulder  225  (which may include decorative accessory  205 ) are all integrally formed as a single piece (e.g., they are molded from single piece of plastic). In other embodiments, either or both of first shoulder  215  and second shoulder  220  are removably secured to shaft  210 . In some embodiments, third shoulder  225  is removably secured to second shoulder  220 . In the embodiments having a removably-attached shoulder, the removable shoulder can be attached to shaft  210  by a snap fastener, adjustable barrel nut, bayonet fastener, or other suitable fastener. 
       FIG. 2C  shows system  200  after insertion of first shoulder  215  through an expandable hole in a wearable item, in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, second shoulder  220  is configured to fit within expandable hole  105  in its unexpanded state, allowing third shoulder  225  to engage the outer surface of the wearable item (e.g., the outer surface of upper  110  of molded shoe  100 ). The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2C  accommodates relatively thicker material and relatively larger-diameter expandable holes  105 , such as might be found in an adult-model molded shoe  100 . Since second shoulder  220  sits within expandable hole  105  in its unexpanded state, it provides additional lateral stability to system  200 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2C , second shoulder  220  and third shoulder  225  are secured to each other by a pin  230 . Third shoulder  225  is molded around a head portion  235  of pin  230 , and second shoulder  220  is molded around a needle portion  240  of pin  230  that forms a pop rivet during manufacturing. 
       FIG. 2D  shows system  200  after insertion of first shoulder  215  through an expandable hole in a wearable item, in accordance with yet another illustrative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, second shoulder  220  is larger than expandable hole  105  in its unexpanded state. Consequently, second shoulder  220  engages the outer surface the wearable item (e.g., the outer surface of upper  110 ), acting as a spacer. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2D  accommodates relatively thinner material and relatively smaller-diameter expandable holes  105 , such as might be found in a child-model molded shoe  100 . In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2D , second shoulder  225  is molded around a fourth shoulder  245  that extends from the top surface of second shoulder  220 . 
     The shoulders of system  200  can be made of any material, including without limitation plastic, metal, and rubber. Additionally, the shoulders can include without limitation an inner rigid portion, such as metal, and a softer outer portion, such as rubber, that provides increased comfort for the wearer. Further, shaft  210  can be made of any material, including plastic, metal, and rubber. The shaft  210  can include a rigid inner portion and a softer outer portion to provide the wearer with increased comfort. 
     In embodiments other than those illustrated in  FIGS. 2B-2D , system  200  may include only two shoulders (e.g., first shoulder  215  and second shoulder  220 ). In those embodiments, second shoulder  220  is analogous to third shoulder  225  in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 2B-2D . For example, decorative accessory  205  may be fully or partially integrated with second shoulder  220  in such two-shoulder designs. 
       FIGS. 3-15C  illustrate variations in the shape and size of the shoulders of a system for attaching a decorative accessory  205  to clothing and variations in how one or more shoulders of the system can be removably attached to shaft  210 , in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention. In most of the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 3-15C , only two shoulders are shown. A third shoulder can, of course, be added to those embodiments, if desired. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a system  300  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. This embodiment includes two equally-sized shoulders  305  and  310  at either end of shaft  210 . At least one shoulder ( 305  or  310 ) may be a low-profile shoulder. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a system  400  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In system  400 , shoulders  410  and  415  are different in size. In this illustrative embodiment, the larger shoulder  415  is a low-profile shoulder and is positioned on the inside of the article of clothing (e.g., molded shoe  100 ). The smaller shoulder  410  is configured to engage the outer surface of the wearable item or to fit within an expandable hole in its unexpanded state, as explained above. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a system  500  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. System  500  includes a barrel nut, which may be made of metal or other suitable material. The barrel nut includes two equally-sized shoulders  505  and  510 . One of the shoulders is part of the female portion of the barrel nut, and the other shoulder is part of the male portion of the barrel nut. The threaded barrel nut allows system  500  to be adjusted for different thicknesses of material. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , one or both shoulders of system  500  may be rounded in shape (see shoulder  505 ) or other shapes. In  FIG. 5 , the two portions of the barrel nut are shown screwed together. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a system  600  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. System  600  includes two unequally-sized shoulders  605  and  610 , at least one of which is rounded and at least one of which is a low-profile shoulder. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a system  700  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. System  700  includes a male portion  705  of a button snap ( FIG. 7A ) that includes one shoulder and shaft  210  and a matching female portion  710  of the button snap ( FIG. 7B ) that includes a second shoulder. 
       FIGS. 8A-8D  are schematics of a system  800  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. System  800  includes a locking fastener that uses the compressibility of the wearable item material (e.g., foam) itself as a spring.  FIG. 8A  illustrates, in cross section, a portion of system  800  that includes fixed shoulder  805  and shaft  210 . The fixed shoulder  805  could, as the inner shoulder, include a low-profile shoulder to minimize a wearer&#39;s discomfort. Alternatively, the fixed shoulder  805  could, as an outer shoulder, be attached to the decorative accessory  205  or be integrated with decorative accessory  205 . 
     In this embodiment, the end  810  of shaft  210  opposite fixed shoulder  805  includes a rectangular flange  815 . Rectangular flange  815  is configured to be inserted through a rectangular cutout in a mating receiver. When rectangular flange  815  is rotated (twisted) 90 degrees while the clothing material is slightly compressed, rectangular flange  815  engages a rectangular depression in the receiver. Releasing the pressure on the clothing material acts as a spring to lock flange  815  it into place and to establish the receiver as a second shoulder.  FIG. 8B  shows another side view of the portion of system  800  shown in  FIG. 8A . 
       FIG. 8C  illustrates, in cross section, a receiver  820  of system  800 . The receiver  820  is rounded to present a low-profile to the wearer&#39;s foot or other body part.  FIG. 8D  is a bottom view of receiver  820  that shows rectangular cutout  825  and rectangular depression  830 . 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate a system  900  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. System  900  includes lip rings  905  and  910  on shaft  210  ( FIG. 9A ) for engaging a removable shoulder  915  ( FIGS. 9B and 9C ). Removable shoulder  915  can be slid onto shaft  210  and forced past one or both lip rings ( 905  and/or  910 ), providing adjustability for different thicknesses of wearable item material. For example, the lower lip  905  can be used to secure system  900  to a thicker adult&#39;s molded shoe  100 . The upper lip  910  can be used to secure system  900  to a thinner child&#39;s molded shoe  100 . 
       FIG. 9C  is a side view of removable shoulder  915  illustrating that removable shoulder  915  may have a rounded shape on the bottom and that removable shoulder  915  may include a circumferential ridge  920  (see dashed lines in  FIG. 9C  indicating hidden lines) along the inside of a hole in its center. Circumferential ridge  920  can be forcefully slid past one or both lip rings ( 905  and/or  910 ) to secure removable shoulder  915  in place. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a system  1000  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 10A , system  1000  includes a single-tab-and-slot bayonet-type fastener. Shaft  210  with tab  1005  is inserted into hole  1007  and aligned with slot  1010  through sufficient compression of spring (e.g., piece of foam)  1015 . Rotating shaft  210  to bring tab  1005  to the limit of slot  1010  and releasing the compression of spring  1015  locks the fastener into place.  FIG. 10B  shows system  1000  after the two portions of system  1000  have been fastened together. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a system  1100  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 11A , system  1100  is similar to system  1000  above, except that system  1100  includes two tabs  1005  and two corresponding slots  1010 .  FIG. 11B  shows system  1100  after the two portions of system  1100  have been fastened together. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate a system  1200  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 12A , system  1200  is similar to system  1100  above, except that third shoulder  225  is attached to second shoulder  220  using a pop-rivet-like fastener that includes tab  1205  on third shoulder  225  and receiver portion  1210  in second shoulder  220 . The two portions of the pop-rivet-like fastener can be forcibly engaged to secure third shoulder  225  to second shoulder  220 .  FIG. 12B  shows system  1200  after the three parts of system  1200  have been fastened together. 
       FIGS. 13A-13D  illustrate a system  1300  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 13A , system  1300  is similar to system  1100  above, except that shaft  210  includes a set of slots  1305  that cause the end of shaft  210  opposite second shoulder  220  to be inwardly bendable when locked into the receiving portion that includes first shoulder  215 .  FIGS. 13B-13D  show additional views of system  1300  when the two portions of system  1300  are fastened together. 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate a system  1400  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 14A , system  1400  includes a sliding fastener. Second shoulder  220  is configured to slide onto a rim  1405  around the end of shaft  210  opposite first shoulder  215 .  FIG. 14B  shows system  1400  after the two portions of system  1400  have been fastened together. 
       FIGS. 15A-15C  illustrate a system  1500  for securing a decorative accessory  205  to a molded shoe  100  or other wearable item, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 15A , system  1500  includes a snap fastener different from the button snap shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The male portion that includes second shoulder  220  and shaft  210  is forcibly snapped into a receiving (female) portion that includes first shoulder  215 . To facilitate a sufficiently tight fit, shaft  210  includes male rim  1505 , and the receiving portion includes female rim  1510 .  FIG. 15B  shows additional hidden lines to clarify the structure of system  1500 .  FIG. 15C  shows system  1500  after the two portions of system  1500  have been fastened together. 
       FIG. 16A  shows one side of a wider style wristband made of a stretchable material. The stretchable material can be, without limitation, rubber, EVA, or PVC. The wristband in  FIG. 16A  has multiple expandable holes through which a securing mechanism of a removable ornament such as a Jibbitz® brand accessory or the like decorative accessory can be inserted, according to embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 16B  shows the other side of the wider style wristband shown in  FIG. 16A . The wristband of  FIGS. 16A and 16B  may be attached to itself by a snap which has a male snap component  1602  and a female snap component  1604 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16C  shows one side of a narrower style wristband made of a stretchable material. Again, the stretchable material can be, without limitation, rubber, EVA, or PVC. The wristband in  FIG. 16C  has multiple expandable holes through which a securing mechanism of a removable ornament such as a Jibbitz® brand accessory or like decorative accessory can be inserted, according to embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 16D  shows the other side of the narrower style wristband shown in  FIG. 16C . The wristband of  FIGS. 16C and 16D  may also be attached to itself by a snap, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 16E ,  16 F,  16 G, and  16 H depict various types of wristbands made from a stretchable material, which do not include snaps as shown in  FIGS. 16A-16D . Instead, one or more Jibbitz® brand or other decorative ornaments according to embodiments of the present invention may be used as the closure to attach or secure the wristband around the wrist of the wearer. For example, the holes of the ends of a wristband can be aligned, and then the decorative ornament can be inserted or otherwise secured through the aligned holes of both ends of the wristband to act as a closure.  FIGS. 16E and 16F  depict the front and back of a shorter wristband, and  FIGS. 16G and 16H  depict the front and back of a longer wristband, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the wristband of  FIGS. 16A and 16B .  FIG. 17  depicts dimples or indentations  1702  surrounding the holes in the wristband. Such indentations  1702  may serve to enhance desired placement of the shoulder  215  of a decorative ornament after the shoulder  215  of the decorative ornament has been placed through the hole; alternatively, such indentations  1702  may serve to receive and guide a shoulder  215  of a decorative ornament into the hole as the shoulder  215  is being placed through the hole, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates how information may be molded and/or imprinted on wristbands according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, patent information (e.g. “patent pending”) and size information (e.g. “S/M” or “M/L”) may be molded or otherwise imprinted onto a wristband made of a stretchable material, according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, the patent information may be printed in a circular fashion around a hole and/or around a snap. 
       FIG. 19A  illustrates an ornamental accessory according to embodiments of the present invention, and  FIGS. 19B-19C  illustrate the ornamental accessory of  FIG. 19A  applied to the wristband of  FIGS. 16E-16F . Two holes in the wristband of  FIGS. 16E-16F , such as, for example, two holes from different ends of the wristband, may be aligned, and then the ornamental accessory may be pushed through the expandable holes to attach the wristband onto itself After insertion through both holes, one shoulder of the ornamental accessory engages the inner surface  1904  of the wristband adjacent to the expandable hole, and another shoulder of the ornamental accessory engages the outer surface  1902  of the wristband adjacent to the other expandable hole, according to embodiments of the present invention. In this way, the ornamental accessory may act as a closure to a wristband, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     Although  FIGS. 16A-18  depict wristbands with certain hole placement and configurations, one of ordinary skill in the art, based on the disclosure provided herein, will recognize that various other hole placements, configurations, and numbers of holes may be employed. According to embodiments of the present invention, wearable items include, without limitation, hats, belts, shoes, bags, wristbands, clothing, or any other item which may be worn and which is made at least in part from a stretchable material having expandable holes. 
     In conclusion, embodiments of the present invention include, among other things, a system and method for securing accessories to shoes and other articles of clothing or wearable items. Those skilled in the art can readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as expressed in the claims.