Articles adapted to releasably receive interchangeable ornaments and system therefor

Abstract

A sandal can include a sole, one or more straps each having at least one end that is operationally connected to the sole, and a fastening member for releasably receiving an ornament comprising one or more protruding members. The fastening member can be coupled to at least one of the one or more straps and can include an inner cavity and a housing at least partially enclosing the inner cavity. An opening can be disposed in and through an upper portion of the housing in such a way that the opening leads to the inner cavity. One or more projections can be joined with the housing and can extend into the inner cavity. Each of the one or more projection can be situated at a position along a path of motion of at least one of the one or more protruding member from an unfastened position to a fastened position.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . An article, comprising a fastening member for releasably receiving an ornament comprising one or more protruding members, wherein the fastening member comprises:
 an inner cavity and a housing at least partially enclosing the inner cavity;   an opening disposed in and through an upper portion of the housing in such a way that the opening leads to the inner cavity, the opening having one or more portions that are shaped to receive the one or more protruding members of the ornament; and   one or more projections joined with the housing and extending into the inner cavity, each of the one or more projection being situated at a position along a path of motion of one of the one or more protruding member from an unfastened position to a fastened position; wherein the one or more projections have a flexibility sufficient to deform in response to a force by the protruding member of the ornament.   
     
     
         31 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein the article is a purse. 
     
     
         32 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein the one or more projections are joined with the housing on an inner face of the upper portion of the housing. 
     
     
         33 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein the fastening member further comprises one or more stopping members extending into the cavity and joined with the housing. 
     
     
         34 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein the fastening member is coupled to a portion of the article in an operationally permanent manner. 
     
     
         35 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein the housing comprises a base portion. 
     
     
         36 . The article of  claim 35 , wherein the base portion comprises a tapered flange. 
     
     
         37 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein the fastening member further comprises one or more spaces for releasably securing the one or more protruding members in a fastened position. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the one or more projections comprises a first sloped portion and a second sloped portion that slopes in an opposite direction longitudinally from the first sloped portion. 
     
     
         40 . The article of  claim 39 , wherein the first sloped portion has a first slope and the second sloped portion has a second slope that is the same or different from the magnitude of the first slope. 
     
     
         41 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the one or more projections comprises a first sloped portion and a second portion that is perpendicular to an inner face of the upper portion of the housing. 
     
     
         42 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A purse, comprising a fastening member for releasably receiving an ornament comprising one or more protruding members, wherein the fastening member comprises:
 an inner cavity and a housing at least partially enclosing the inner cavity;   an opening disposed in and through an upper portion of the housing in such a way that the opening leads to the inner cavity, the opening having one or more portions that are shaped to receive the one or more protruding members of the ornament; and   one or more projections joined with the housing and extending into the inner cavity, each of the one or more projection being situated at a position along a path of motion of one of the one or more protruding member from an unfastened position to a fastened position; wherein the one or more projections have a flexibility sufficient to deform in response to a force by the protruding member of the ornament.   
     
     
         45 . The purse of  claim 44 , wherein the one or more projections are joined with the housing on an inner face of the upper portion of the housing. 
     
     
         46 . The purse of  claim 44 , wherein the fastening member further comprises one or more stopping members extending into the cavity and joined with the housing. 
     
     
         47 . The purse of  claim 44 , wherein the fastening member is coupled to a portion of the article in an operationally permanent manner. 
     
     
         48 . The purse of  claim 44 , wherein the housing comprises a base portion. 
     
     
         49 . The purse of  claim 48 , wherein the base portion comprises a tapered flange. 
     
     
         50 . The purse of  claim 44 , wherein the fastening member further comprises one or more spaces for releasably securing the one or more protruding members in a fastened position. 
     
     
         51 . The purse of  claim 44 , wherein at least one of the one or more projections comprises a first sloped portion and a second sloped portion that slopes in an opposite direction longitudinally from the first sloped portion. 
     
     
         52 . The purse of  claim 44 , wherein at least one of the one or more projections comprises a first sloped portion and a second portion that is perpendicular to an inner face of the upper portion of the housing.