Patent Application
20230397703
Embodiments of the invention are directed, in general, to valuables enclosures and, more specifically, to retention devices and methods of using the same.
Jewelry is small, valuable, and easy to lose. Because of its value, jewelry is often a target for theft. Active people may wish to remove jewelry during activities to prevent its damage or loss. For example, when working out at a gym or going for a run, an athlete may wish to remove jewelry to prevent personal injuries, or damage to the jewelry. One problem facing active people, is what to do with the jewelry once it is removed. If the jewelry is left in a locker it may be at risk of theft. If it is placed in a pocket it may be lost. Similarly, other valuables may be easy to lose and difficult to retain, including for example, medications, coins, etc.
Ring cases have previously been designed, but fail to adequately protect jewelry sufficiently to meet the needs of active persons. One previous ring case included a base and a standard over which a ring could rest. A portion of the standard included an abrasive material. The problem with this solution was than the ring case was not easily manageable or attachable to any sort of securing device, such as a clamp, clip, keychain, etc. Because the case was not substantially larger than the ring itself, the entire case and ring may be relatively easy to misplace. Additionally, the base did not lock into the cap. Rather, it simply screwed in to the cap, which could be easily displaceable.
Another prior solution involved a locket-type ring case attached to a necklace. This locket included a front and a back portion which were connected by a hinge. The front did not lock to the back with any sort of positive locking mechanism, which makes the locket-type case unsuitable for use in physical activities.
Another prior device included a ring case with a top and a bottom, which were simply pressed together. The bottom has a loop for attaching a keychain, etc., but does not operate to lock the top to the bottom in any way. Further, the ring case allows jewelry to move freely within the case, which can cause rattling, and or damage to the jewelry. For example, the rattling could loosen jewels or jewel settings, such as prongs on a ring. The ring case does not have the ability to hold jewelry in the ring case in a locked position.
Embodiments of a retention device are described. In an embodiment, the retention device includes a retention base having a stem protruding outwardly from a first surface of the retention base. Additionally, the retention device may include a retention closure configured to engage the retention base, the retention closure having a hole for receiving the stem. The retention device may also include a receiver coupled to the stem, the receiver configured to receive a retention member for retaining the retention closure in engagement with the retention base.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art may be able to use the various embodiments of the invention.
Jewelry 102 may be a ring as illustrated in
In an embodiment, the retention base 104 may include, a stem 110, and a flange 114. The retention base 104 may be configured to receive jewelry 102. For example, the retention base 104 may be cylinder shaped, box shaped, egg shaped or other various shapes configured to receive various shapes of jewelry 102, or other valuables. In an embodiment, the retention base 104 may be made from various types of plastic. In such embodiments, the retention base 104 may be injection molded from a thermosetting polymer. In other embodiments, the retention base 104 may be manufactured from metals, such as aluminum, brass, steel, or the like. In such an embodiment, the retention base 104 may be forged from aluminum. In another embodiment, the retention base 104 may be machined from stainless steel stock, or stamped from steel or other metals and metal alloys.
In an embodiment, the retention closure 106, when engaged with the retention base 104 and seated upon the flange 114, may contain the jewelry 102. The retention closure 106 can be manufactured in similar ways as discussed above according to the retention base 104.
In an embodiment, the stem 110 may extend outwardly from the retention base 104. The stem 110 may extend far enough outwardly that it protrudes from the retention closure 106. The stem 110 may include a receiver 112. The receiver 112 may receive a retention member 108 locking the engagement of the retention closure 106 and the retention base 104. The stem 110 can be manufactured in similar ways as discussed above according to the retention base 104.
In an embodiment, the receiver 112 may be a hole in the portion of the stem 110 that is protruding from the retention closure 106. The receiver 112 may receive a retention member 108 locking the engagement of the retention closure 106 and the retention base 104 securely locking in the jewelry 102 inside the retention device 100. The retention member 108 may include various diverse embodiments, such as the examples described below with relation to
One of ordinary skill will recognize that the first surface 402 of the retention base 104 may have various outer dimensions and geometries. For example, the first surface may be generally round, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, etc. Similarly, one of ordinary skill will recognize that the retention closure 106 may similarly have various dimensions and geometries. Indeed, the geometries may be varied, so long as the retention base 104 and the retention closure 106 are configured to engage.
In further embodiments, forming the retention device 100 may include steps for injection molding the retention base and stem, and the retention closure from polymer or other plastics materials. In another embodiment, the retention device 100 may be manufactured from metal materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, metal alloys, etc. In come embodiments, the components of the retention device 100 may be cast in molds. Alternatively, a forging or stamping process may be used. In still other embodiments, a combination of manufacturing processes and materials may be used. For example, in a further embodiment, some or all of the components may be formed by casting or molding silicon in molds, or the like. One of ordinary skill will recognize a variety of alternative materials and methods which may be used to manufacture the present embodiments.
The liner 1104 may be a spray-on material, such as silicon or rubber. Alternatively, the liner 1104 may be glued on. The liner 1104 may be manufactured from a variety of materials, including felt, neoprene, or other protective materials.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/188,528, filed on Jun. 24, 2016, entitled “Retention Device,” the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62188528 | Jul 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17480149 | Sep 2021 | US |
| Child | 18225743 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15202491 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Child | 17480149 | US |
