Method and apparatus for customizing goods

Abstract

The present invention includes a base or first portion connectable with a cap or second portion through an article of clothing. The first portion includes an area for several styles of indicia, including raised gems or ornaments, an appliqué, or etchings into the second portion. The second portion is easily changeable with another second portion to better coordinate with the underlying article, or to portray a particular style or fashion statement. The second portion may include a recessed circular area for receiving the appliqué therein and to provide an alignment mechanism for properly positioning the appliqué.

1 . A method for customizing goods comprising the steps of:
 securing a first member on the goods by penetrating the goods with a post of the first member;   removably attaching a second member on the post of the first member by a snap-fit connection; and   providing an exposed surface on the second member displaying a decorative design.   
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1  including the step of matching the decorative design of the second member with an article of clothing. 
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 2  including the step of removably attaching the decorative design on the exposed surface of the second member. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further including the step of disposing the decorative design in a circular recess defined by the exposed surface of the second member. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the decorative design is a circular appliqué having an indicia disposed thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  including the step of selecting the goods from a group including jeans, bags and animal collars. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of disposing alternating projections and recesses around the periphery of the second member. 
     
     
         8 . A decorative assembly comprising:
 a base comprising:
 a backing portion; and 
 a threaded stud extending from the backing portion; and 
   a cap comprising:
 a first portion having a front surface, a back surface, and a peripheral surface extending therebetween; 
 a second portion extending from the back surface; and 
 a threaded recess defined by the second portion and sized to rotatably receive the threaded stud therein. 
   
     
     
         9 . The decorative assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the threaded stud is adapted to extend from an article of clothing to be received in the threaded recess. 
     
     
         10 . The decorative assembly of  claim 9 , further including a circular recess defined by the front surface and an appliqué for disposal therein. 
     
     
         11 . The decorative assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the appliqué includes a first surface having an adhesive disposed thereon and a second surface having an indicia disposed thereon. 
     
     
         12 . The decorative assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the cap includes alternating projections and recesses around the periphery of the first portion. 
     
     
         13 . A method for customizing an article of goods comprising the steps of:
 extending a portion of a base from the article;   selecting a cap from a plurality of caps, each cap having different indicia displayed thereon; and   rotatably mating the selected cap with the portion of the base to removably secure the cap to the article.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , whereby the portion is a threaded stud. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , whereby the threaded stud is rotatably received in a threaded recess defined by the cap. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , whereby the threaded recess is defined by a connector plate extending outwardly away from a rear surface of the cap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of adhering an appliqué in a recess defined by the cap. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , whereby the appliqué is generally circular in shape and the recess is generally circular in shape. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of forming a set of alternating projections and recesses around the periphery of the cap. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of color coordinating the indicia with the article.