Interchangeable nail system

Abstract

A nail system includes a nail component; and a base component. The nail component is configured to attach to the base component, and the base component is configured to attach to a nail plate of a person's digit. The nail component has an upper, outer nail surface that is configured to cover a nail plate and the base component for providing a desired aesthetic presentation of the digit when the nail component is attached to the base component and the base component is attached to the nail plate. In some embodiments, the nail component is configured to detach from the base component for use of another nail component with the base component. The nail component preferably is configured to detach from the base component while the base component is attached to the nail plate for interchanging the nail component with another nail component having a different aesthetic appearance.

1 . A nail system comprising:
 (a) a nail component; and   (b) a base component;   (c) wherein the nail component is configured to attach to the base component, and the base component is configured to attach to a nail plate of a person's digit; and   (d) wherein the nail component comprises an upper, outer nail surface that is configured to cover a nail plate and the base component for providing a desired aesthetic presentation of the digit when the nail component is attached to the base component and the base component is attached to the nail plate.   
     
     
         2 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the base component comprises a recess within which a protuberance of the nail component is received. 
     
     
         3 . The nail system of  claim 2 , wherein when positioning the protuberance within the recess, the nail component requires a degree of flexion or bending that creates tension in the nail component, which tension is maintained when the protuberance is received within the recess for attachment of the nail component in a fixed disposition on top of the base component. 
     
     
         4 . The nail system of  claim 3 , wherein the nail component defines a recess within which a front of the base component is received for retaining the nail component in a fixed position relative to the base component. 
     
     
         5 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail component is configured to detach from the base component for use of the nail component with another base component. 
     
     
         6 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail component is configured to detach from the base component while the base component remains attached to a nail plate for interchanging the nail component with another nail component having a different aesthetic appearance. 
     
     
         7 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the different aesthetic appearance comprises a difference in one or more of length, contour, color, or material. 
     
     
         8 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail component interlocks in its attachment with the base component. 
     
     
         9 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail component is placed on top of and latches in tension onto the base component. 
     
     
         10 . The nail system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive pad or strip for attaching the base component to a nail plate. 
     
     
         11 . The nail system of  claim 10 , wherein the adhesive pad or strip comprises a pull tab for releasing attachment of the adhesive pad or strip. 
     
     
         12 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail component is mechanically latched or locked to the base component. 
     
     
         13 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail component is attached to the base component through a friction joint. 
     
     
         14 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail component fits over and snaps onto the base component. 
     
     
         15 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The nail system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the nail component and base component comprises one or more recesses and the other of the nail component and the base components comprises one or more protuberances each being received in a said recess when the nail component has been positioned on top of and in covering relation to the base component for latching or locking engagement of the nail component in said position relative to the base component. 
     
     
         27 . The nail system of  claim 26 , wherein, in positioning a said protuberance within a said recess, the nail component requires a degree of flexion or bending that creates tension in the nail component, of which tension at least some is maintained when the protuberance is received within the recess for retaining the nail component in fixed position on top of the base component. 
     
     
         28 . The nail system of  claim 26 , wherein a snap or click is generated upon the protuberance being received within the recess because of said tension. 
     
     
         29 . The nail system of  claim 26 , wherein a shallow groove assists in guiding of the protuberance toward the recess as the nail component is positioned on top of the base component into the fixed position. 
     
     
         30 - 50 . (canceled)