Concealment devices for fashion accessory closures

Abstract

This invention relates to concealment devices to conceal all or part of fastened closures associated with fashion accessories.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A concealment device for a fashion accessory closure when fastened, comprising:
 a workpiece having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein,
 an area of the outer surface is capable of concealing at least a portion of the fastened closure; and, 
 the inner surface is fixedly attached to a coupling member that is capable of firmly holding the workpiece in a concealing position over the fastened closure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The concealment device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member capable of firmly holding the workpiece in position over the fastened closure comprises a loop of elastic material, such that when loop is elastically stretched and positioned over the closure and the stretching force is removed, the loop is prevented from returning to its rest state by the closure and is thus held in place over the closure by the residual energy stored in the then partially stretched loop 
     
     
         3 . The concealment device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling member capable of firmly holding the workpiece in position over the fastened closure comprises a loop of flexible, non-elastic material, such that when the fastened closure is inserted through the loop such that the workpiece conceals the closure, the loop is distended such that an inner surface thereof contacts an outer surface of the closure and is frictionally held in place. 
     
     
         4 . The concealment device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when the closure is a hook and loop closure and a portion of the hook or loop segment of the closure is exposed when the closure is fastened, the coupling member comprises the complement to the exposed segment such that it can be securely coupled with the exposed segment.   
     
     
         5 . The concealment device of  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the hook and loop closure that is concealed by the workpiece is the exposed segment only. 
     
     
         6 . The concealment device of  claim 4 , wherein the portions of the hook and loop closure that are concealed are the exposed segment and at least a portion of the fastened hook and loop segment. 
     
     
         7 . The concealment device of  claim 1 , wherein the fashion accessory on which the closure is used is selected from the group consisting of a shoe, a boot, a belt and a hatband. 
     
     
         8 . The concealment device of  claim 7 , wherein the fashion accessory is a shoe and the closure comprises a hook and loop closure. 
     
     
         9 . The concealment device of  claim 8 , wherein the closure comprises an ankle strap. 
     
     
         10 . The concealment device of  claim 8 , wherein the closure comprises a vamp strap. 
     
     
         11 . The concealment device of  claim 8 , wherein the closure comprises an ankle strap and a vamp strap. 
     
     
         12 . The concealment device of  claim 7 , wherein the clothing or fashion accessory on which the closure is used is a belt and the closure is selected from the group consisting of a hook and loop, a hook and eye, a buckle, a slide, a clasp, a button and a press stud. 
     
     
         13 . The concealment device of  claim 7 , wherein the clothing or fashion accessory on which the closure is used is a hat band and the closure is selected from the group consisting of a hook and loop, a hook and eye, a buckle, a slide, a clasp, a button and a press stud. 
     
     
         14 . The concealment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a decorative feature permanently or removeably coupled to the outer surface of the workpiece.