Interchangeable band coupling and clasp system

Abstract

A coupling and clasp system includes: a first clasp portion; a second clasp portion configured for releasable engagement with the first clasp portion; and multiple bands, each band including a first end having a first band coupling dimensioned to be releasably retained by the first clasp portion and a second end having a second band coupling dimensioned to be releasably retained by the second clasp portion. The first clasp portion, second clasp portion, and multiple bands form a closed-loop wearable item when: the first band coupling of each band is retained by the first clasp portion; the second band coupling of each band is retained by the second clasp portion; and the second clasp portion is engaged with the first clasp portion. The multiple bands, configured to be selectively arranged by a user, vary by color, material, texture and mounted items.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coupling and clasp system comprising:
 a first clasp portion;   a second clasp portion configured for releasable engagement with the first clasp portion; and   multiple bands, each band including a first end having a first band coupling dimensioned to be releasably retained by the first clasp portion and a second end having a second band coupling dimensioned to be releasably retained by the second clasp portion,   wherein the first clasp portion, second clasp portion, and multiple bands form a closed-loop wearable item when:
 the first band coupling of each band is retained by the first clasp portion; 
 the second band coupling of each band is retained by the second clasp portion; and 
 the second clasp portion is engaged with the first clasp portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 1 , wherein the first clasp portion comprises a first loading door having an open position, in which the first loading door permits loading and unloading of the first clasp portion with the first band couplings, and a closed position, in which the first loading door prevents loading and unloading of the first clasp portion with the first band couplings. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 2 , wherein the second clasp portion comprises a second loading door having an open position, in which the second loading door permits loading and unloading of the second clasp portion with the second band couplings, and a closed position, in which the second loading door prevents loading and unloading of the second clasp portion with the second band couplings. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first clasp portion comprises a rail; and   the second engagement side comprises an engagement channel that receives the rail when the second clasp portion is engaged with the first clasp portion.   
     
     
         5 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one magnet that assists in aligning the second clasp portion with the first clasp portion for establishing engagement. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first clasp portion has a first slot through which each band extends proximal the first end thereof when the first band coupling thereof is retained by the first clasp portion; and   the second clasp portion has a second slot through which each band extends proximal the second end thereof when the second band coupling thereof is retained by the second clasp portion.   
     
     
         7 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first slot opens in a first direction;   the second slot opens in a second direction; and   the first direction is opposite the second direction when the second clasp portion is engaged with the first clasp portion.   
     
     
         8 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said multiple bands comprises, between the first band coupling and second band coupling thereof, at least one decorative item. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple bands are configured to be selectively arranged by a user. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 1 , wherein said multiple bands comprise at least one first band and at least one second band different from said first band by at least one of: color; material; texture; number of layers; and at least one mounted item. 
     
     
         11 . A coupling and clasp system comprising:
 a first clasp portion having a first operable closure element and a first engagement side;   a second clasp portion having a second operable closure element and a second engagement side, the second engagement side configured for releasable mutual engagement with the first engagement side of the first clasp element;   multiple first band couplings each configured to be releasably received in the first clasp portion via the first operable closure element; and   multiple second band couplings each configured to be releasably received in the second clasp portion via the second operable closure element.   
     
     
         12 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 11 , wherein the first operable closure element comprises a first loading door hingedly connected to the first clasp portion, the first loading door being pivotable between an open position, in which the first loading door permits loading and unloading of the first clasp portion with the first band couplings, and a closed position, in which the first loading door prevents loading and unloading of the first clasp portion with the first band couplings. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 12 , wherein the second operable closure element comprises a second loading door hingedly connected to the second clasp portion, the second loading door being pivotable between an open position, in which the second loading door permits loading and unloading of the second clasp portion with the second band couplings, and a closed position, in which the second loading door prevents loading and unloading of the second clasp portion with the second band couplings. 
     
     
         14 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first engagement side comprises a protruding element; and   the second engagement side comprises a receiving feature that that receives the protruding element when the second engagement side is engaged with the first engagement side.   
     
     
         15 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the protruding element comprises a rail; and   the receiving feature comprises an engagement channel.   
     
     
         16 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one magnet that positions the rail to be slideably engaged with the engagement channel and assists in maintaining releasable mutual engagement of the second engagement side with the first engagement side. 
     
     
         17 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 14 , wherein the protruding element comprises a trapezoidally shaped rail. 
     
     
         18 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 11 , further comprising multiple bands, and wherein each first band coupling is connected to a particular second band coupling by one of said bands. 
     
     
         19 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first clasp portion has a slot that opens in a first direction opposite the first engagement side;   the second clasp portion has a slot that opens in a second direction opposite the second engagement side; and   the first direction is opposite the second direction when the first and second engagement sides are mutually engaged.   
     
     
         20 . The coupling and clasp system of  claim 19 , further comprising multiple bands, wherein each first band coupling is connected to a particular second band coupling by one of said bands such that the coupling and clasp system forms an encircling apparel item when:
 the first band couplings are received in the first clasp portion;   the second band couplings are received in the second clasp portion; and   the first and second engagement sides are mutually engaged.