Patent Application
20160029749
The present invention relates to jewelry, and more particularly, to a multi-substrate body having a primary substrate partially encapsulating and creating a frame about a periphery of a second substrate formed into a “C”-shape to be worn as a bracelet or similar accessory and a device and method of manufacturing the same.
Fashion is one means of expression for each individual. Fashion includes contributions from many segments, including apparel, such as dresses, shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, jackets, etc.; shoes; headwear, such as hats, scarves, etc.; and accessories, such as jewelry, handbags, etc. Each of these has many variants that appeal to each person's individual taste and style.
Jewelry, as one contributor to fashion, introduces multiple options for self-expression. Jewelry includes a wide variety of classifications, including necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, anklets, pins and broaches, and the like. Each of these examples can be designed in any of a variety of shapes, fabricated using any of a variety of materials or combinations of materials, and manufactured using processes such as sculpting, casting, drawing, soldering, and the like.
Bracelets are one distinct form of jewelry. The term “bracelet” can collectively refer to a bracelet that is worn around one's wrist; an ankle bracelet or anklet, which is worn around one's ankle; a boot bracelet, which is used to decorate a shaft of a boot; and other applications.
Bracelets can be manufactured from metal, leather, cloth, plastic or other materials and sometimes contain gemstones or jewels, rocks, wood, shells, crystals, metal or plastic hoops, pearls and many more materials. In addition to fashion, bracelets are also used for medical and identification purposes, such as allergy bracelets and hospital patient-identification tags and also bracelet tags worn for newborn babies.
Bracelets are commonly classified by the following styles:
a) Charm bracelets, which are designed in a variety of shapes and commonly carry personal charms, decorative pendants, or trinkets which are signifiers of important things in the wearer's life.
b) Bangles, which are rigid bracelets usually fabricated from metal, wood, plastic or any other suitable material.
c) Slap-bracelets, which are felt covered metal strips that curved around one's wrist when gently hit against it.
d) Beaded bracelets, which are usually manufactured from loose beads with a center hole and connected by a piece of string or elastic band through the holes.
e) Link bracelets, which are bracelets made from connecting or linking various or similar components or jewelry findings. Link bracelets can be made of a variety of materials included metals and gemstones.
f) Alternative health bracelets, which are a separate group not distinguished by their design but by the beneficial function claimed for them by their manufacturers and distributors.
g) Sports bracelets, which are fabricated of a colored short tubular silicone rubber having an embossed identification for promoting awareness of information and/or charity campaigns.
The fashion industry constantly strives for new and unique styles. Some styles are fads, such as the slap bracelets. Others become a fashion statement, such as sports bracelets. Thus there remains a need for an innovative bracelet.
It is known to create bracelets from metal. This creation is often done manually using a sharp implement to cut the metal, pliers to bend the metal, and a round tool to shape the metal into a wrist-shaped cuff. Crafters may enjoy the hands-on creative experience and buyers appreciate the handmade quality, but manually creating metal bracelets with standard tools is slow and cumbersome. Other metal bracelets are created with fully automated tools; this type of fabrication is faster, but removes the personal touch and creativity of the craftsman. There remains a needs for specialized tools for manually creating a metal bracelet in a more efficient manner, while retaining the artistry of the craftsman.
The present invention introduces a multi-substrate bracelet, a method of manufacturing the multi-substrate bracelet, and several tool assemblies used in the manufacturing process. The tool assemblies include a cutting table assembly, a forming-device assembly, and other manual tools. The cutting table assembly is utilized to create an encasement blank from a stock of encasement raw material. The forming-device assembly includes both an encasement blank-forming male die element and an encasement blank-forming female die element. The forming-device assembly is used to form a metal pre-formed encasement blank into a U-shape.
The bracelet comprises an insert retained within an encasement. The encasement is fabricated from an octagonally-shaped planar blank. Four frame segments are formed by bending the planar blank along each of four fold lines. Each fold line bisects two chamfered edges of the planar blank. The insert is centrally located between each of the four fold lines. Each frame segment is folded inward approximately 180 degrees to encase and retain each associated edge of the insert. The sections of the chamfered edge located at the ends of the frame segments form a miter at each frame segment abutment. The visible surface of the insert can be embellished with artwork or any other aesthetically enhancing element. The completed insert and encasement assembly is formed into a semi-circular shape having a gap between the transverse ends of the encasement for placement onto an individual's arm.
The invention also describes the multi-substrate bracelet and a method of manufacturing the bracelet. This method includes sizing a sheet of planar raw material to a predetermined length and width; chamfering each of four corners of the sheet of planar material; using the forming-device assembly to bend the sheet of planar material to form a pair of longitudinal fold lines; orienting an insert with a contact side facing the planar encasement material; bending each longitudinal frame segment of the pair of longitudinal frame segments inward to cover a peripheral portion of an elongated edge of the insert; bending the sheet of planar material to form a pair of transverse fold lines; bending each transverse frame segment of the pair of transverse frame segments inward and substantially parallel to the central section of the planar material so that each of the pair of transverse frame segments covers a peripheral portion of a transverse edge of the insert; and forming the length of the encasing into a semi-circular shape.
In another aspect, the step of sizing a sheet of planar material to a predetermined length creates two parallel transverse edges.
In yet another aspect, the step of sizing a sheet of planar material to a predetermined width creates two parallel longitudinal edges.
In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of rolling each of the pair of longitudinal frame segments to adequately seat the pair of longitudinal frame segments against the insert.
In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of rolling each of the pair of transverse frame segments to adequately seat the pair of transverse frame segments against the insert.
In yet another aspect, the steps of rolling each of the pair of frame segments is accomplished by employing a cylindrically-shaped radial surface of a curve-forming tool.
In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of chamfering each sharp corner or edge formed as a result of each folding step. The chamfering step can be accomplished by filing each sharp corner or edge.
In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of de-burring at least a portion of the edges of the sized sheet of planar material.
In yet another aspect, the step of forming the length of the encasing into a semi-circular shape is accomplished employing a curve-forming tool.
In yet another aspect, the insert is fabricated from a beverage container.
In yet another aspect, the insert is fabricated from an aluminum beverage container.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a multi-substrate bracelet 800, a method of manually manufacturing the multi-substrate bracelet assembly 800, and several tool assemblies used in the manufacture. The tool assemblies include a cutting table assembly 100, a forming-device assembly, and other manual tools. The cutting table assembly is utilized to create an encasement blank from a stock of encasement raw material. The forming-device assembly includes both an encasement blank-forming female die element 500 and an encasement blank-forming male die element 550. The forming-device assembly is used to form a metal pre-formed encasement blank into a U-shape.
The multi-substrate bracelet assembly 800, as illustrated in
The formed encasement blank 300 is fabricated from a planar sheet of material, referred to as an encasement raw material 200 (introduced in
An initial step of shaping the encasement raw material 200 into a formed encasement blank 300, as illustrated in
A second step of shaping the encasement raw material 200 into a formed encasement blank 300 is accomplished utilizing the width cutting station 140 as illustrated in
A third step of shaping the encasement raw material 200 into a formed encasement blank 300 is accomplished utilizing the corner chamfering station 160 as illustrated in
The corner chamfering station 160 is defined by a first elongate edge supporting element 162, a second elongate edge supporting element 166, and a chamfer location establishing element 172. A first elongate edge supporting surface 164 of the first elongate edge supporting element 162 defines a chamfer angle 169 (
The corner chamfering station 160 includes a chamfer location establishing element 172 having a chamfer location establishing abutment surface 174. The chamfer location establishing abutment surface 174 is distanced from shearing edge 199 the proper distance to establish the dimensions of each chamfer. The dimensions of the chamfers additionally define the width of each frame member (to be described in more detail later within this disclosure). The chamfer location establishing abutment surface 174 is preferably oriented at a right angle (90°) to the first elongate edge supporting surface 164 and second elongate edge supporting surface 168, resulting in a forty five degree (45°) angle of chamfer location establishing abutment surface 174 respective to the shearing edge 199. The current configuration of the exemplary encasement raw material 200 is a rectangular shaped planar stock of material. The encasement raw material 200 is seated between and abutting each of the first elongate edge supporting surface 164 and second elongate edge supporting surface 168. The encasement raw material 200 is slid towards the chamfer location establishing element 172 until the transverse edge of the encasement raw material 200 abuts the chamfer location establishing abutment surface 174. This establishes a process for repeatedly forming all four (4) chamfers having like dimensions. A first chamfered corner 262 is formed, as shown in the reference illustration of
Although the above presented steps describe a series of steps collectively characterizing a single exemplary process for manually defining a peripheral edge of the formed encasement blank 300, it is understood that any suitable process may be employed to create the desired outline of the formed encasement blank 300. This can include laser cutting, stamping, water-jet cutting, machining (such as end-milling), and the like.
Features of the formed encasement blank 300 are referenced in
As seen in
A pair of perpendicularly formed longitudinal frame segments 322 are formed using an encasement blank-forming female die element 500 in combination with an encasement blank-forming male die element 550 as illustrated in
The encasement blank-forming female die element 500 is fabricated having an upper surface 521 configured with a die surface, lower surface 525 (
The concave U-shaped central channel of encasement blank-forming female die element 500 is defined by a pair of female die engaging guide surfaces 522, a pair of female die blank edge-forming tongues 520, a pair of female die blank edge-forming surfaces 524, and a blank supporting surface 530. The two female die engaging guide surfaces 522 are parallel in arrangement and define the outer edges of the inverted U-shaped channel. The distance from the upper surface 521 of the encasement blank-forming female die element 500 to the female die blank edge-forming tongue 520 defines a depth of the U-shaped channel. The distance between each of the pair of female die engaging guide surfaces 522 defines a channel span 529. The channel span 529 is approximately equal to the encasement substrate blank transverse width 249 (
The encasement blank-forming male die element 550 is fabricated having an upper die striking surface 560, a lower tongue distal surface 570 opposite the striking surface 560 that is configured with a die surface, opposing end surfaces 566, and opposing longitudinally-extending side surfaces 563. The die surface forms a U-shaped die that mimics the shape of the die surface of the encasement blank-forming female die element 500. A width of the encasement blank-forming male die element 550 spans between a pair of male die engaging guide surfaces 562. The pair of male die engaging guide surfaces 562 is parallel in arrangement and defines a male die width 579. The male die width 579 is substantially equal to the channel span 529 providing a snug fit when the encasement blank-forming male die element 550 is inserted into the U-shaped channel. The die portion of the encasement blank-forming male die element 550 includes a pair of projecting legs, each leg being defined by a male die blank edge-forming surface 574, a portion of the male die engaging guide surface 562 opposite the male die blank edge-forming surface 574 and a tongue distal surface 570 extending between the male die blank edge-forming surface 574 and the associated section of the male die engaging guide surface 562. A recess or clearance is created between each of the pair of legs. The recess or clearance is defined by a combination of the pair of male die blank edge-forming surface 574 and a male die vertical surface stop 580 extending therebetween.
The forming surface of the encasement blank-forming female die element 500 and the forming surface of the encasement blank-forming male die element 550 differ slightly in dimension to accommodate for a thickness of the formed encasement blank 300, wherein the thickness is defined as the distance between the encasement blank exposed surface 310 and the encasement blank concealed surface 312. The length of the blank supporting surface 530 (referenced as a blank supporting platform width 539) defines the finished width of the bracelet assembly 800 as well as the width of each of the perpendicularly formed longitudinal frame segments 322.
In use, the formed encasement blank 300 is placed into the U-shaped channel of the encasement blank-forming female die element 500 oriented where the encasement blank concealed surface 312 contacts the blank supporting surface 530. Each longitudinal edge 320 of the formed encasement blank 300 contacts each respective female die engaging guide surface 522, centering the formed encasement blank 300 within the U-shaped channel. The encasement blank-forming male die element 550 is inserted into the U-shaped channel. Each male die engaging guide surface 562 slidably engages with the associated female die engaging guide surface 522, aligning each leg of the encasement blank-forming male die element 550 with the associated downward opening in the encasement blank-forming female die element 500. The corner defined by the intersection between the female die blank edge-forming surface 524 and the blank supporting surface 530 provides a break location, which forms a longitudinal edge break 321 (
The encasement blank-forming female die element 500 and encasement blank-forming male die element 550 are separated from one another and the “U”-shaped formed encasement blank 300 is removed from the forming tool set.
For completion of the next steps, the “U”-shaped formed encasement blank 300 is placed upon a frame segment forming station 600 as illustrated in
As seen in
The curve-forming tool 900 is preferably a suitable cylindrical body having a distance between a curve-forming tool first end wall 910 (
A final step for fabricating the bracelet assembly 800 would be to form the planar assembly into a semi-circular assembly, as illustrated in
The bracelet assembly 800 is presented as one exemplary embodiment. It is understood that the exemplary bracelet assembly 800 can be modified based upon the original disclosure submitted herein. For example, although the exemplary formed encasement blank 300 includes a pair of acutely angled longitudinal frame segment 324 and a pair of transverse frame segment 344, it is understood that the formed encasement blank 300 may be limited to a pair of acutely angled longitudinal frame segment 324. The formed encasement blank 300 can be shaped including a pair of elongated edges and a pair of transverse edges, wherein the edges can be of any suitable shape, such that when folded forming the respective frame segments, the elongated edges and the transverse edges provide a shaped inner frame edge. The exemplary formed encasement blank 300 includes chamfered corners. In an alternative embodiment, the formed encasement blank 300 can exclude chamfering.
It is understood that the bracelet assembly 800 can be adorned with any of a variety of ornamental items. Although it is not shown, it is understood that chains or other features can be attached to each of the pair of transverse frame segments 344 in a manner extending therebetween. The bracelet assembly 800 can be adorned with studs, stones, rhinestones, glitter, paint, carvings, etching, shaped metal attachments, selective or complete plating, and the like and any combination thereof.
Each of the tools can be customized, adjustable, or adaptable to create custom sized and/or shaped bracelets 800. For example, spacer blocks can be employed to adjust the length of the corner chamfering station 160 or the angles produced by the various tools can be modified.
It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular embodiments, features, or elements. Specific structural and functional details, dimensions, or shapes disclosed herein are not limiting but serve as a basis for the claims and for teaching a person of ordinary skill in the art the described and claimed features of embodiments of the present invention. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
Thus the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
