Patent Application
20120103014
N/A
N/A
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in the art of jewelry adornment systems designed to beautify the head of a person utilizing it.
(2) Description of the Related Art
US Patent Citations
US patent application publication 2005/0066991 to Plocher published Mar. 31, 2005 from application Ser. No. 10/918,593 filed Aug. 12, 2004 discloses a forehead adornment system that does not encumber the wearer's choice of hairstyles and provides attachment that is hidden from the view of observer's. The forehead adornment system comprises hair attachers that suspend the adornment over the forehead. Preferably, transparent connectors are used to connect the adornment to the hair attachers that are placed in the hair and preferably covered by the hair. Plocher's teaches several different types of hair attachers including barrettes, a tensioned holder hair clip, a snap clip barrette, other tensioned clips such as alligator clips, claw clips, barrettes, jaw clips, comb clips. However, when a significant amount of jostling is applied to these, Plocher's hair attachers have the tendency to disengage somewhat from the hair of the user causing the suspended jewelry item to move to an inappropriate location on the forehead. This ruins the pleasant appearance that is wanted by a jewelry user. Additionally, the aforementioned hair attachers are not easy to remove from the hair of the user; thus, a solution to these problems is needed.
US patent application publication 2005/0252239 to Ward et al. published 11/172,005 from application Ser. No. 10/844,718 filed May 13, 2004 provides a jewelry system that is selectively configurable between a tiara configuration and a necklace configuration. In the tiara configuration, the jewelry system comprises a band member having decorative articles rotatably mounted thereon. The band member has band ends and defines a band plane. In the tiara configuration, the decorative articles are rotated to project generally laterally outwardly relative to the band plane such that the jewelry system may be worn as a tiara. In the necklace configuration, the jewelry system further comprises a pair of necklace extensions that are releaseably connectable to the band ends with the decorative articles being rotated so as to be generally aligned with the band plane. The necklace extensions are releaseably interconnected at extension ends to form a substantially continuous loop such that the jewelry system may be worn as a necklace. Ward's system does not effectively cover the majority of the forehead since it is intended only as a tiara and would extend only slightly over it. Additionally, it suffers from the deficiency of not having an easily releasing mechanism whereby a user can rapidly disengage a jewelry item.
Current Techniques: Over the years men and women have found many ways to decorate their bodies either by attaching items to their bodies or their clothing. In this fashion there are several factors that play into the choice of an adornment amongst these are appearance, satisfaction, and that the item worn can be applied and removed without much difficulty. It can be appreciated that decorating the forehead of a person is a particularly difficult location of the body to embellish. There is no simple way to attach items to the forehead nor does the outward curvature of its surface render the problem easier. In the past, men and women have used various typical methods to decorate the forehead including: bands of material wrapped around it and tied about the back of the head, adhesive application to attach a material to it or even the simple hanging of the material without any fixed connection. Each of these does not present a particularly satisfying solution since they all suffer from the inherent limitations to each approach. For example, bands of material about the head can easily come loose during the normal everyday activity of the user. Adhesives can cause rashes or leave chemical materials on the skin requiring cleansing of the affected skin. Finally, the most simple approach of simply letting the material hang there is particularly ineffective since men or women employing this approach will frequently have to reorient the material which would be a continuing nuisance to a user. Thus, what is needed is a solution that is easy to attach and remove and does not come off during regular use.
Hair Extension Technologies: There are many different types of clips that are specifically directed to extending a subject's hair. These type of clips, typically known as hair extension clip(s) or wig clip(s), are utilized to make a connection between to the person's hair by grabbing a group of hair filaments in the maw of the hair extension or wig clip and closing the clip upon that group. Then a set of synthetic or natural hair filaments extensions are sewn into the holes in and around the hair extension or wig clip(s); this has the effect of extending the length of a person's hair or adding a wig to the subject. Amongst these types of devices there are some that have a friction based plastic, rubber or silicone material inserted on a base portion of the clip.
Taught herein in an embodiment is a jewelry attachment device having: a carrying member having associated decorative jewelry; a connection device attached to the carrying member and further connected to a clamping device having an associated friction increasing device. It should be noted that the friction increasing device optionally further comprises a sheath made up of silicone, plastic, rubber or similar material and is arranged about one portion of a base portion of the clamping device. Additionally, the clamping device holds hair from a user when the two portions of the clamping device, the friction based and the hair holding are closed together with the hair in between. The friction-increasing device also optionally includes the application of silicone gel in combination with the sheath previously described or as a standalone friction device.
Additionally, taught herein in an embodiment is a jewelry attachment device comprising a carrying member having associated decorative jewelry; a connection device having magnetic properties attached to the carrying member and further connected to a clamping device. The connection device having magnetic properties further comprises two magnetic attachment devices forming a north south connection wherein one of the two magnetic attachment devices is attached to the clamping device through another attachment device. This another attachment device is from the set of attachment devices of: a loop, a spring-activated jeweler's clasp having an associated integral loop, a beading wire and crimp bead and combinations of the foregoing. The other of the two magnetic attachment devices is attached to the carrying member of the decorative jewelry through the use of attachment devices from the set of attachment devices of: a jeweler's clasp, a loop, a spring-activated jeweler's clasp having an associated integral loop, a beading wire and crimp bead, and combinations of the foregoing. Optionally, the connection device having magnetic properties further comprises one magnetic attachment device and another device that is not magnetized but that is greatly attracted by the magnetic properties of the other attachment device. In this regard, the one magnetic attachment device has an integral flat portion that permits easy magnetic connection to another point of the non-magnetic member and has an integral loop for making the attachment to the attachment device that is from the set of attachment devices of: a loop, a spring activated jeweler's clasp, a beading wire and crimp bead, and combinations of the foregoing; and the non-magnetized device likewise has an integral flat portion to contact the magnetic member and has an integral loop for making the attachment to the attachment device that is from the set of attachment devices of: a clasp, a loop, a spring activated jeweler's clasp, a string, chain, elastic other material then beading wire, and combinations of the foregoing.
Taught herein in an embodiment is a jewelry attachment device comprising a carrying member having associated decorative jewelry having a connection device having magnetic properties attached to the carrying member and further connected to a clamping device having a friction increasing device. Further, the connection device having magnetic properties has attachment devices from the set of attachment devices of: two magnetized attachment devices and a single magnetized attachment device with a non-magnetized attachment device. In all of the previous three embodiment discussions, it should be clear that the carrying member optionally has more than one clamp(s) and attachment(s) according to the needs of the particular implementation. Further the various attachment devices are attached to the clamping devices herein through a structural embracing about some portion of the clamping device, or through the threading of the carrying member and or additional wiring through holes perforating the clip whether snap or hair extension clamping member and the wrapping of the wiring about those holes and associated parts of the clamping members. Further, items in one embodiment may be optionally applied to other embodiments so that the broadest application of the teachings herein may be realized. For example, the middle embodiment has specific attachment devices (jeweler's clasp etc. . . . ) that are to be optionally added to the features of the first and third embodiments as connection or attachment devices options. Next, any of the embodiments may have the optional application of a gel, typically of silicone, about all or a portion of the clamping device(s) so as to increase the friction on the clamping device. In the specification, the connection device(s) or member(s) are viewed as synonymous with the attachment device(s); also, in one specific usage the word connection is utilized to differentiate between the magnetic two-piece system herein and the individual attachment devices making up that connection magnetic two-piece system.
This is accomplished through the insertion of a silicone, rubber or plastic sheath 110 onto a portion of the base section of the clamping member. This sheath is a hollow flattened cylinder once it has been mounted on the base. However, before mounting it is a flat piece of material that is essentially a quadrilateral user folded about the base, bringing both ends of the material that run along the length of the base and then heat treating the ends to fuse them together and flattening them with the further application of heat if necessary. It is the friction created by this plastic, rubber or silicone sheath that further assists in holding the human air. As a result, it is nearly impossible to move the hair under the ordinary personal forces of hand movements or physical exertions that might jostle the same. Even when experiencing such forces, the novelties discussed herein react to hold the jewelry in place since one side of the clamping member 100 presses the hair against the sheath 110 and then against the other side of the clamping member. In this manner, one or more jewelry items are reliably held in place. It should be noted that the figure shows the preferred magnetic embodiment 160 and 170 in dual and single modes. The top right
As shown in
The primary connection device member(s) 120, 130, 140, 145 are attached to the carrying member that is typically made of a wire, chain, links or fabric material. It is this carrying member that is used to attach by threading, connecting or surrounding each of the one or more jewelry item(s) so as to present a pleasant decoration to the end user. The primary connection device member 120 in the preferred embodiment is a magnetic linking device made up of two complementary magnetic attachment device(s). These two complementary magnetic attachment device(s) 121 would preferably have magnetic domains that complement one another. Typically, the top one of the pair 121 would have a north domain and the bottom one would have a south domain or vice versa. Alternatively, one of the attachment device(s) 121 would not have a magnetic domain but rather would be made up of a material that has the property of being easily attracted by a magnetic material. Either the top or bottom attachment device(s) 121 are available to carry out this function as long as the other device fulfills the role of the magnetic domain. In this fashion, the instant embodiment teaches a novel connection mechanism using easy to detach attachment devices since the user only needs to pull forcefully on the attachment device(s) to remove it from the influence of the other one.
The magnetic attachment device(s) 121 taught so far need to be discussed further. Each of the aforementioned device(s) 121 has an integral loop on its associated end opposite the magnetic head. This loop acts as an attachment point for other attachment devices. It should be further noted that the primary connection device member 120 in the preferred embodiment has other attachment device(s) partaking of its function. These other attachment device(s) are shown in drawing 170 as a loop 123 and a crimp 124. The loop 123 is a typical jewelry loop made up of plastic, metal or similar manmade materials. The loop 123 is opened with a jeweler's tool and is threaded into the corresponding loop 122 at the end opposite the magnetic head of the top attachment device 121. Then the user threads the loop 123 into a hole pre-perforated in the edge strip of the clamping member 100 and closes the loop 123 by bringing both ends of loop 123 together. In this fashion, the top portion of 120 is attached to the clamping member 100. Similarly, the bottom magnetic attachment device 121 is attached to the carrying member through the use of a crimping device 124. One end of the carrying member is threaded through the loop 122 integral with the bottom attachment device 121. Then the end of the carrying member is brought back to a close portion of the carrying member and a crimping device 124 closes and locks the end of the carrying member with a close portion of the carrying member. This crimping device 124 is typically known in jewelry design stores as having locking properties activated by applying the crimp, a strip or circle of plastic, metal or similar material to the items to be locked together. Once arranged so that the crimp surrounds the items to be locked together physical force is applied to the crimp 124 collapsing the material and locking the items. In this particular case, the items to be locked are the end of the carrying member that has passed through the loop 122 integral with bottom attachment device member 121, and a close portion of the carrying member that are arranged so as to provide an easy to wear and comfortable connection. In other words, the carrying member hanging outside the crimp 124 is marginalized as much as possible so that it does not interfere with the user's wearing the jewelry 170 or 160 (top right) decoration.
Other jewelry attachment device are shown in the figures items 180 and 190. There are shown a direct crimp 140 attachment and a jeweler's latch attachment 130. A single metal loop as shown in 140 is opened using a jeweler's tool and is threaded into one of the pre-perforated holes that are arranged about the rim of the clamping member 100 as shown in 180. The loop is closed using the same jeweler's hand tool (pliers or similar tool) forming a solid connection to the clamping member 100. At this point, the free end of the carrying member holding the jewelry shown in 180 is threaded into the same loop that has passed into the pre-perforated hole. Then this end is folded back onto a close portion of the carrying member and a crimping attachment device is applied as described previously with regards to item 170. In the other example 190 of the carrying member is a metallic or plastic manmade material. A decoration is suspended from one end of the chain that has been arranged to wrap a wire support or wire wrapping about the decoration at the bottom. This wire wrapping or support itself has been threaded back through one of the chain links and locked into place using a loop locking method or the pressure of wound wiring. The other end of the chain carrying member 130 has a link that is opened and inserted into a loop integral with a spring activated jeweler's attachment device. The mouth of the jeweler's spring activated attachment device is passed through the pre-perforated hole in the clamping member(s) 100 such that a complete jewelry decoration is formed. This same scenario can be applied to a dual drop or a single drop adornment.
The instant embodiment once assembled from the various components taught herein is easy to attach to the hair of a user. Holding the one or more clamping member(s) 100, a user inserts an appropriate amount of hair between the base of the clamping member and the combing portion of the clamping member made up of teeth (comb) to assist in holding the hair in place. The user then clamps down on the hair by holding the base portion and applying a small amount of force to the combing portion collapsing the opening between the two portions closed and locking the hair to the clamping member once closed. As taught previously, the sheath 110 also increases the friction between hair and clamping member 100 thus greatly improving the holding strength of the device over other solutions. Additionally, the instant embodiment teaches a primary connection device member 120 that is preferably magnetic in connection properties. Thus, the user can attach the clamping member and associated half portion of the magnetic connection member 121 first and adjust the location of the same until an appropriate location for the clamping member 100 is situated according to user preferences. Then, it is a simple matter to connect the rest of the device including jewelry, carrying member and the other portion of the magnetic connection device member 121 because of the magnetic properties of the connection device members 121. These permit the user to glide the end attached to the jewelry into close proximity with the end attached to the clamping member 100 and allow the magnetic properties of the connection member 120 to take over thus bringing the two portions 120 together. Likewise it is a simple matter to remove and even replace the jewelry for the same reason. A small amount of force carefully applied to the magnetic portion 121 attached to the jewelry carrying member results in the release of the jewelry, carrying member and magnetic portion attached thereto from the magnetic portion 121 attached to the clamping member 100. In this fashion, the instant embodiment facilitates the removal, and replacement of other jewelry items since it is now a matter of bringing another jewelry item having a magnetic attachment device into close proximity with the magnetic attachment devices as taught herein. Of course, the placement and or removal works for sets that have more than one clamping device and connection devices attached thereto.
In particular,
These sheaths 320 cover the portion of the bottom horizontal structure where the teeth 310 and 315 impact the bottom horizontal structure of the hollow rectangular shape when it is closed to clamp the hair filaments between the teeth 310 and 315 and the bottom horizontal structures. Each of the sheaths 320 assist in providing greater friction to the clamping action of the hair extension clips; they are wrapped about the bottom portion of the horizontal structures of 300 and 305 by having an oblong piece of plastic, rubber or silicone arranged around the bottom horizontal structure and one side of the oblong piece(s) are glued to the other side or held together alternatively with an adhesive or through the agency of a heating gun making a heat bond one side to the other. Finally, the hair extension clips 300 and 305 have several holes perforating the rim of the rectangular member such that various attachment points are formed about the member for jewelry connections. It should be understood that the words ‘rectangular,’ ‘horizontal’ and similar terms are to be interpreted loosely and are indicated as a general guide to understanding the figure as opposed to a strict geometric explanation as to the nature of the pieces described herein. Finally, because of the use of the hair extension clips and the extra facility that they provide with their multiple attachment points a user can easily attach the jewelry to the hair of a user in a variety of configurations not taught by the prior art; each of the holes is threaded with an attachment device that is closed with a key-ring, loop, jeweler's clasp, wire (extra or carrying member) and crushed crimp, magnetic connection (with attachments).
As a further novelty, one or more snap clip(s) and or one or more hair extension clip(s) are provided connected into the user's hair so as to provide nodal points for the connection of support wires to and from an associated other snap clip(s) or extension clip(s) as well as for the support of jewelry local to that nodal point clip. The hair jewelry clips can be used in combination with the forehead jewelry system or can be used as a stand-alone hair jewelry system. That in the preferred embodiment one uses the clips with holes attachment points and associated connected jewelry to decorate the lateral or sides of the human face. One also has the option of decorating the front of the face using the hair jewelry system taught herein. The concept broadens to include on each hair extension clip (or snap clip) clamped to the hair, one or more attachment devices attached to the holes of the hair extension clip having an associated jewelry items and carrying member. Further, each hole of the hair extension clip may support plural carrying member(s), jewelry piece(s), and attachment device(s). Finally, the system envisions multiple hair extension clip(s) and or snap clip(s) connected with a single carrying member or one or more additional carrying member(s); this connection would be at the hole(s) connection point(s) or wrapped about some support location of the hair extension clip(s) and or snap clip(s). The additional carrying member(s) is attached to the primary carrying member through an attachment device taught herein or through wire wrapping and crimp bead.
There are many improvements and novelties that have been shown as a result of the novel teachings taught herein. Amongst these, the embodiments teach the easy removal and replacement of jewelry through the use of novel devices, for example, the magnetic components taught herein. They also teach an increase in the holding power of clamping devices over prior art references improving the strength of the connection to the hair so as to prevent unwanted motion of the connection in the hair. In the specification as disclosed, the words jeweler lock and jeweler clasp may be used interchangeably to mean various jeweler attachment devices. Additionally, it should be clear that the crimp bead and carrying member may work together to secure a connection point or may work in conjunction with other wire(s) to hold the jewelry.
