Patent Application
20060021382
The present invention relates to body jewelry, and more preferably to body jewelry to be worn in and/or hung from a pierced navel or other pierced body part.
Body piercing has become increasingly popular in the United States and abroad, and thus several jewelry designs have been developed for use at particular locations on the body. One common type of design is the captive bead ring which is particularly adapted for use in naval piercings. The design includes a bead having holes or dimples on opposite sides thereof that are adapted to seat opposed ends of a ring having an opening or break formed therein. The beads can have a variety of shapes and sizes, and they often include ornamental features, such as jewels, stones, and other accessories incorporated therein.
In use, the ring is placed through the pierced orifice in the navel, and the bead is then positioned between the ends of the ring. While many factors affect how tightly the bead is held in place with respect to the ring, most designs require pliers or some other tool for expanding the ring to release the bead. Such a tight fit will prevent the bead from accidentally falling off during use. However, the tight fit can also make it difficult for the user to remove the jewelry themselves, or to change the bead.
Another common design for use with naval piercings, as well as for use in other areas of the body, is the barbell design which includes a straight or curved rod having a ball on each end or a ball and a charm affixed thereto. Normally, one ball or a charm is fixedly attached to the rod and the other ball is adjoined to the rod by a screw to allow removal of the barbell from the pierced orifice. While the barbell design does provide an adequate body piercing jewelry style, they are limited by the amount, shape, and size of ornaments that can be implemented therewith. The removable ball on the barbell design can also be awkward and difficult to remove due to the small size of the ball.
Accordingly, there remains a need for improved body jewelry that is easy to insert and remove from a pierced orifice, and/or and that allows for simple changing of ornamentation.
The present invention generally provides body jewelry for wearing in a naval orifice or other pierced body part. While the body jewelry can have a variety of configurations, in one embodiment a ring-shaped member is provided and it includes a first substantially semi-circular member having first and second terminal ends, and a second substantially semi-circular member having a first portion that is hingedly connected to the first terminal end of the first semi-circular member and a second portion that is fixedly mated to the first portion and that includes a terminal end that is adapted to removably mate to the second terminal end of the first substantially semi-circular member. The second portion is preferably adapted to extend through a pierced body part, such as a naval orifice, and thus it preferably has a substantially cylindrical cross-section. The body jewelry can also include a coupling mechanism attached to one of the first semi-circular member and the first portion of the second semi-circular member. The coupling mechanism can be, for example, a hoop that is fixedly attached to one of the first semi-circular member and the first portion of the second semi-circular member.
In one aspect of the invention, the first semi-circular member has an arc length that is less than an arc length of the second semi-circular member, and more preferably the second portion of the second semi-circular member has an arc length that is greater than an arc length of the first portion of the second semi-circular member. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first substantially semi-circular portion can include an inward facing cavity formed therein and extending along at least a portion of a length thereof for receiving the terminal end of the second portion of the second substantially semi-circular portion.
In other aspects, the terminal end of the second portion of the second semi-circular member can include a projection formed thereon and the first semi-circular member can include a bore extending into the second terminal end thereof and including a recess formed therein for receiving the projection such that a snap-fit is provided between the second portion of the second semi-circular member and the first semi-circular member. The second portion of the second semi-circular member can optionally be flexible or it can include a biasing element to allow a force to be applied thereto to release the second portion of the semi-circular member from the first semi-circular member. The projection can be formed from a cut-out portion formed adjacent a terminal end of the second portion of the second semi-circular member.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a jewelry connector for coupling an ornament to body piercing jewelry disposed within a naval orifice or other pierced body part is provided. The connector can include a body having a top portion and a hook-shaped portion extending distally therefrom and having a terminal end. A lever is also preferably provided and includes a mid-portion that is coupled to the top portion of the body and that is movable between first and second positions. The top portion of the body can include a cavity formed therethrough for pivotally seating the mid-portion of the lever. The lever can also include an extension member formed on the mid-portion and extending from the mid-portion toward the terminal end of the hook-shaped portion such that, when the mid-portion is in the first position, the terminal end of the extension member is spaced a distance apart from the terminal end of the hook-shaped portion, and when the mid-portion is in the second position, the terminal end of the extension member engages the terminal end of the hook-shaped portion. The lever can also include a face plate formed on the mid-portion opposed to the extension member, and a biasing member adapted to bias the mid-portion to the second position. The face plate can have a variety of shapes and sizes. Suitable shapes include, by way of non-limiting example, a heart, a square, a circle, an oval, a rectangle, a star, a triangle, and a crescent.
The present invention also provides, in yet another embodiment, a barbell-type body jewelry device that is adapted to be worn in a naval orifice or other pierced body part. The ornament can have a variety of configurations, but it preferably has an elongate member having opposed first and second ends, a first body fixedly attached to the first end of the elongate member, and a second body removably coupled to the second end and having a size adapted to prevent passage thereof through a pierced naval orifice or other pierced body part. While various techniques can be used to removably coupled the second body to the second end of the elongate member, in one embodiment the second body can include a cavity formed therein and adapted to removably receive the second end of the elongate member. A clamping mechanism can be formed within the cavity and effective to clamp the second end of the elongate member, and an actuating mechanism can be coupled to the clamping mechanism and effective to release the clamping mechanism upon actuation thereof, thereby releasing the second end of the elongate member from the second body.
In other aspects of the present invention, a body jewelry device for wearing in a naval orifice or other pierced body part is provided having a body having a top portion with a cavity extending therethrough for receiving a portion of a ring disposed through a pierced naval orifice or other pierced body part, and a bottom J-shaped portion that is adapted to receive an ornament. A lever is pivotally coupled to the body and it is movable between an open position, in which the lever is spaced apart from the J-shaped portion of the body, and a closed position, in which the lever is in contact with the J-shaped portion of the body to retain an ornament therein. The device can also include a face plate coupled to the lever and adapted to move the lever between the open and closed positions.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention provides various jewelry devices that are configured for use in a naval orifice or other pierced body part, and in particular that are configured for easy insertion and removal from a pierced orifice or other pierced body part. The present invention also provides various jewelry devices that are configured for use in conjunction with jewelry worn in a naval orifice or other pierced body part.
While each semi-circular member 12, 14 of the hinged tension ring 10 can have a variety of configurations, in an exemplary embodiment, as shown, the first member 12 of the hinged tension ring 10 preferably has a substantially hollow cavity 12c formed within an inner portion thereof and extending along a length thereof. The cavity 12c allows at least a portion of the second member 14 to be positioned therein for mating the first and second members 12, 14, as will be discussed in more detail below. The cavity 12c can also be effective to reduce the overall weight of the hinged tension ring 10. The second member 14 can also have a variety of configurations, but in an exemplary embodiment, as shown, the second member 14 includes a first portion 14c adjacent the first terminal end 14a, and a second portion 14d adjacent the second terminal end 14b. The first portion 14c preferably has a hollow cavity 14e formed therein and extending along a length thereof, and the second portion 14d preferably has a substantially cylindrical cross-section. The first portion 14c can, however, have a solid cavity or it can other shapes and sizes to accommodate other elements, such as jewels, etc. The second portion 14d is preferably fixedly attached to the first portion 14c, and various techniques can be used to attach the portions 14c, 14d. In the illustrated embodiment, at least portion of the second portion 14d extends into the hollow cavity 14e of the first portion 14c. The two portions 14c, 14d can be welded or otherwise mated together to retain the second portion 14d within the hollow cavity 14e of the first portion 14c.
A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the first member 12 and/or the first portion 14c of the second member 14 can include a variety of other features, including decorative features such as jewels attached thereto or disposed therein, and the shape of each portion 12, 14c can vary depending on the decorative or ornamental features formed thereon.
In use, the second portion 14d of the second member 14 is preferably configured to extend through a pierced orifice, while the first portion 14c preferably has a size that prevents passage through a pierced orifice. In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion 14c has a substantially cylindrical cross-section that has a gauge that is greater than about 1 mm, and more preferably that is about 1.6 mm. The second portion 14d also preferably has an arc length L2 that is greater than an arc length L1 of the first portion 14c of the second member 14. The first and second portions 14c, 14d, e.g., the second member 14, can also have a combined arc length that is greater than an arc length L3 of the first member 12. Such a configuration allows the second portion 14d of the second member 14 to extend through a pierced orifice without significant rotating of the hinged tension ring 10, as the first member 12 and the first portion 14c of the second member 14 each preferably have a cross-sectional diameter that prevents passage thereof through the orifice. Such a configuration is further advantageous as it allows a coupling mechanism to be formed at a specific location on the hinged tension ring 10 for receiving an ornament, thus retaining the ornament in a substantially fixed position, as will be discussed in more detail below.
As previously stated, the first and second members 12, 14 are preferably movable coupled to one another at a first terminal end 12a, 14a thereof, and they are preferably removably matable to one another at a second terminal end 12b, 14b thereof. While various techniques can be used for mating the first terminal end 14b of the second member 14 to the first terminal end 12a of the first member 12, in an exemplary embodiment, as shown, the first terminal end 14a of the second member 14 is hingedly connected to the terminal end 12a of the first member 12. As shown in
A variety of techniques can also be used to removably mate the second terminal end 12b, 14b of each member 12, 14 to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, however, a friction fit or snap connection is used to mate the members 12, 14. By way of non-limiting example, the second terminal end 12b of the first member can include a ridge or protrusion (not shown) formed within the cavity 12c therein for engaging a corresponding detent or groove formed on and/or around the second terminal end 14b of the second member 14. In other embodiments, the cavity 12c, or at least a portion of the cavity 12c adjacent the terminal end 12b, can have an inner diameter di (
As previously indicated, the hinged tension ring 10 also preferably includes a coupling mechanism that is adapted to receive at least one ornament. While various coupling mechanisms can be used, in the illustrated embodiment a hoop 20 is formed on or fixedly attached to the device 10. More preferably, the hoop 20 is attached to the first portion 14c of the second member 14, such that, when the device is inserted through a pierced body part, such as a naval orifice, the hoop 20 is positioned on a lower portion of the device to allow charms or ornaments to extend therethrough and essentially dangle from the device 10. In other words, the hoop 20 is preferably co-planar with the hinged tension ring 10.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,
The body 112 can have a variety of shapes and sizes, but preferably the top portion 112a of the body 112 is adapted to movably receive the mid-portion 114a of the lever 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion 112a of the body 112 is substantially hollow or includes a cavity formed therein for seating the mid-portion 114a of the lever 114. The top portion 112a of the body 112 should allow the lever 114 to rotate with respect thereto to allow the lever 114 to be moved between the open and closed positions. In order to movably mate the lever 114 to the body 112, a pivot pin 116 can extend through the top portion 112a of the body 112 and through the mid-portion 114a of the lever 114. As previously stated, a biasing member, such as a spring, can also be provided for biasing the lever 114 to the closed position with respect to the body 112.
The top portion 112a of the body 112 is also preferably adapted to receive a jewelry device that is implanted in a pierced naval orifice or other pierced body part. While the connector 100 can be used with various jewelry devices, in an exemplary embodiment the connector 100 is coupled to a tension ring, preferably one that is implanted when the naval or other body part is first pierced. This allows the wearer to easily add various charms to the connector 100 without having to remove the tension ring from their naval or other body part. Various techniques can be used to mate the connector 100 to a tension ring, but in an exemplary embodiment the connector 100 includes an opening 113 that extends through the top portion 112a of the body 112 for slidably receiving the tension ring. The opening 113 allows some movement between the tension ring and the connector 100. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that various other techniques can be used to mate the connector 100 to a jewelry device inserted through a pierced naval orifice or other pierced body part.
The body 112 also includes a hook-shaped portion 112b that is configured to receive an ornament. The hook-shaped portion 112b preferably extends in a direction away from the face plate 114c of the lever 114 to allow an ornament to simply be placed through the terminal end 112c of the hook-shaped portion 112b without interference from the lever 114.
The lever 114, which is movably coupled to the body 112, can also have a variety of configurations, but in an exemplary embodiment, as shown, the lever 14 includes a mid-portion 114a that is configured to sit within the hollow region of the top portion 112a of the body 112. The extension member 114b extends from the mid-portion 114a toward the hook-shaped member 112b, and it preferably has a length such that the terminal end 114d of the extension member 114b contacts the terminal end 112c of the hook-shaped member 112b. This allows the extension member 114b and the hook-shaped member 112b to form an enclosed hoop when the lever 114 is in the closed position.
The face plate 114c on the lever 114 can also have a variety of configurations, shapes, and sizes, but it is preferably adapted to allow the lever 114 to be grasped and moved between the open and closed positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the face plate 114c is in the shape of a heart and it is formed on or fixedly attached to the mid-portion 114a of the lever 114. In use, when an ornament is attached to the hook-shaped member 112b of the body 112, the face plate 114c essentially hides the body 112 and the remainder of the lever 114, serving as a decorative feature. The face plate 114c also functions as a grasping element to allow a person to place one finger on the hook-shaped portion 112b of the body, while pulling the face plate 114c away from the body 112, thereby moving the lever 114 into an open position. Release of the face plate 114c will allow the lever 114 to return to the closed position. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the face plate 114c can have a variety of shapes and sizes. By way of non-limiting example, suitable shapes include, a heart, a square, a circle, an oval, a rectangle, a star, a triangle, and a crescent, and any other shape including irregular shapes.
In use, as previously indicated, the top portion 112a of the body 112 can be slidably coupled to a jewelry device that is inserted through a pierced naval orifice or other pierced body part. In particular, a tension ring (not shown) is preferably passed through the opening 113 in the top portion 112a of the body 112 prior to closing the tension ring to affix it within the pierced naval orifice or other pierced body part. The lever 114 can then be used to open and close the hook-shaped portion 112b to allow an ornament to be coupled to the connector 100.
Various techniques can be used to removably mate the second body 214, 314 to the elongate member 210, 310 of each device 200, 300. In one exemplary embodiment, shown in
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/592,974 filed on Jul. 30, 2004 and entitled “Body Jewelry,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60592974 | Jul 2004 | US |
