Patent Application
20200367615
Kits that include materials for making a uniquely colored bracelet or necklace have always enjoyed some popularity. However, such kits usually just include the raw materials such as different colored threads and beads and rely on the individual's skill and talent to construct a usable and desirable item.
A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. Elastic bands can be utilized to form such links. An example disclosed charm can be linked into a series of such elastic bands. The example disclosed charm includes at least one alignment feature for aligning adjacent charms.
Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.
These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
Referring to
Each Brunnian link 12 is formed by capturing ends 20 of one elastic band 14 with a mid-portion 22 of another elastic band 14. Each link 12 depends on the previous and subsequent links 12 to maintain the desired linked article as shown. Although a bracelet 10 is shown by way of example, other articles can be formed utilizing different Brunnian link structures and are within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure.
The example bracelet 10 includes charms 24 that are assembled into the links 12 to provide an additional aesthetic variation to the completed bracelet. In this example, four charms 24 are secured within in links 12 between a single row of elastic bands 14, however, other numbers, spacing and orientations of the example charms 24 are possible and within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure.
Referring to
The charm portion 26 is a decorative symbol, character, letter, number, or any other decorative feature. In this example, the charm portion 26 is a smiley face, however other symbols and shapes are possible within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure. For example, a combination of letters spelling a name, location or word could be formed by combining the proper characters in an adjacent manner within the linked item.
The example mount portion 30 includes a first side 38 and a second side 40. In the disclosed example embodiment, the sides 38, 40 are flat and parallel to each other. The flat sides 38, 40 enable adjacent charms 24 to be orientated relative to each other in an aligned manner as is shown in
The example mount opening 32 includes flat portions 37 that substantially follow the outer periphery of the mount portion 28. In this example, the mount portion 28 includes the flat sides 38, 40 with a rounded top and bottom sides 34, 36.
A length 45 of each of the flat sides 38, 40 is equal in this example. Moreover, the length 45 of the flat sides 38, 40 could be longer or shorter than the entire mount portion 28. The length 45 is provided for the flat sides 38, 40 to align adjacent charms 24 and may be different sizes that provide the alignment function.
The example charm 24 is a one piece integral structure formed of an elastic material. The charm 24 includes a thickness 44 that is provided to enable durability and a width of the flat sides 38, 40. The width 44 of the flat sides 38, 40 is provided to provide sufficient contact area between adjacent charms 24 to provide the desired alignment. A front face 42 and back face 43 are substantially identical for the example charm 24. However, other charm portion 26 shapes and sizes may have different shapes, sizes and textures for the front and back faces 42, 43 depending on the specific shape of the charm portion 26.
Referring to
The charms 24A-C are aligned matter to prevent rotation about a point 94 as is indicated by arrows 92. The side walls 38, 40 abut each other such that the charms 26A-C do not rotate about each respective point 94 relative to an adjacent charm. Moreover, the thickness 44 (
It should be appreciated, that the example walls 38, 40 are disclosed as continuous straight and flat sides. However, the example walls 38, 40 may be shorter, segmented, or disposed at an angle to provide different aligned orientations. Moreover, other alignment structures that enable setting of a desired relative orientation are within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As is appreciated, the disclosed charms 24, 50, 60 and 74 are examples of shapes that are possible within the contemplation of this disclosure. Each charm embodiment includes a charm portion, mount portion and an alignment portion to provide a desired orientation with an adjacent charm. The specific configuration and shape may vary to provide different desired looks when interwoven into a completed linked item. Moreover, the material may also vary in color and texture. The charm 24 may be formed from elastic material to provide a flexible part similar to the elastic bands. The charm 24 may also be formed of a rigid material such as plastic or metal. Moreover, while the disclosed example charms 24, 50, 60 and 74 are all integral one piece parts, it is also within the contemplation of this disclosure that the charms could be formed as a mulita-piece assembly.
Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, no part of this disclosure is intended, either explicitly or implicitly, as any disclaimer or narrowing of claim scope. The description of any one embodiment is not intended, either explicitly or implicitly, as limiting the plain and ordinary meaning set out in the following claims. The example embodiment is only one of many possible structures and methods that are properly within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this invention.
