Patent Application
20220218079
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an article, such as in the form of a ring, earrings, pendant necklace, brooch, bracelet pin, cuff links, buttons, clasp (e.g., on clothing, hats, purses, bags and the like), configured to interchangeably receive a decorative element.
Normally, a decorative element, for example a jewel or gemstone, is permanently secured within an article, such as a ring. Thus, a person wishing to vary the look of his or her jewelry, clothing, purse, bag and the like is forced to purchase multiple different items, which can be expensive, particularly when the setting is made from a precious metal, such as gold, silver, titanium, or the like. In addition, in the event that the decorative element is damaged, the jewelry, clothing, purse, bag and the like could not be salvage and would have to be wholly discarded.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a mechanism that allows for quick and easy replacement and interchangeability of a decorative element.
An embodiment of the present invention relates to an interchangeable decorative element system comprising a decorative portion having a first side and an opposing second side, the first side being configured to hold a decorative element, the second side including a plate having a plurality of studs extending distally away from a surface of the plate, each stud including a shank connected to or formed integrally with the plate and a distal head, a diameter of the distal head of each shank being larger than a diameter of the shank; and a base portion having a plurality of first tracks, each first track having a guiding portion and an extension portion, the guiding portion having a first end of a first width and a second end of a second width, the first width being larger than the second width, a catch being formed at or proximate the second end of the guiding portion. In a first configuration of the interchangeable decorative element system, the decorative portion is aligned with the base portion, such that one stud of the plurality of studs of the decorative portion is received within the first end of the guiding portion of each first track of the base portion. Rotation of the decorative portion in a first direction relative to the base portion causes each stud received within the first end of the guiding portion of each first track to move along the guiding portion until the stud engages the respective catch, thereby transitioning the interchangeable decorative element system from the first position to a second position in which the decorative portion is assembled with the base portion.
The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the component and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “an” mean “at least one.”
The description of the invention provided herein is in terms of jewelry, and particularly a ring. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the description of the article and mechanism is equally applicable to any type of jewelry, clothing, bags and the like which include a decorative portion, such as, but not limited to, a jewel, gemstone, metallic decorative element and the like. For example, the present invention may be used for providing an interchangeable decorative element in a necklace pendant, an earring, a button, a brooch, a bracelet pin, a watch, cufflinks, a decorative clasp for a purse or bag and the like.
Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a mechanism or system which enables interchangeability of a jewel, gem, precious stone or other type of decorative element 12. The system comprises a base portion 10 and a decorative portion 15.
Referring to
The base plate 14 has a first or upper surface 50 and a second or lower surface 52. The base plate 14 is fixedly secured to or integrally formed with an upper side of the mounting base 20, such that the lower surface 52 of the base plate 14 contacts or engages the upper side of the mounting base 20. The base plate 14 may be secured to the mounting base 20 by a variety of securing mechanisms or processes, such as welding, soldering, adhesive, heat fusion, compression, interlocking fasteners, and the like. The base plate 14 is preferably made of a metal material, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, sterling silver, tarnish resistant silver (e.g., argentium silver), gold, platinum, titanium, or the like, but it will be understood that the base plate 14 may be made of a polymeric or metal composite material.
In one embodiment, the mounting base 20 includes a plurality of posts (not shown) adapted to cooperate with apertures or recesses formed in the base plate 14, as will be described in further detail herein. Alternatively, the base plate 14 may be cast or molded with the ring body 18 (or any other type of setting) as an integral component thereof.
The base plate 14 includes at least one first track 30 and at least one second track 40. More preferably, the base plate 14 includes a plurality of first tracks 30 and a plurality of second tracks 40. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of the first tracks 30 are provided and are positioned diametrically opposite of each other, and a pair of the second tracks 40 are provided and are position diametrically opposite of each other.
In a preferred embodiment, each first track 30 has a L-shaped, C-shaped, V-shaped or U-shaped profile, and more preferably a U-shaped profile. Each first track 30 includes a guiding portion 32 and an extension portion 34. The guiding portion 32 is configured to receive a corresponding stud 68 of the top plate 16, as will be described in more detailed herein. The guiding portion 32 has a first end 32a and an opposing second end 32b. At, proximate or adjacent to the second end 32b of the guiding portion 32, an inwardly extending catch 36 is formed. A width of the first end 32a of the guiding portion 32a is greater than a width of a reminder of the guiding portion 32.
A strip of material of the base plate 14 extends between the guiding portion 32 and the extension portion 34. The strip of material is a cantilevered and flexible arm 38 which can be deformed by the stud 68 as the stud 68 travels along the length of the guiding portion 32.
Each second track 40 preferably has a generally linear or slightly curved profile. Each second track 40 is formed of a guiding portion 42 having a first end 42a and an opposing second end 42b. Each guiding portion 42 of the second tracks 40 is configured to receive a corresponding stud 68 of the top plate 14, as described in greater detail herein. A width of the first end 42a of each guiding portion 42 is greater than a width of a reminder of the guiding portion 42.
The base plate 14 further includes a post 37 formed at a geometric center thereof. The post 37 extends distally away from the first surface 50 of the base plate 14. The post 37 has a generally cylindrical shape.
In one embodiment, as shown in
However, it will be understood by the skilled artisan that the base plate 14 may be secured to the mounting base 20 by a variety of other mechanisms, such that the corresponding structures of the peripheral apertures 44 and posts need not be included, and may even be cast or molded with the mounting base 20.
Again, a ring is just one example of the type of jewelry with which the present invention may be utilized. If the system were utilized with, for example, a necklace pendant, the base plate 14 would be fixedly secured to or integrally formed with a mounting base of the pendant. If the system were utilized with, for example, a purse clasp, the base plate 14 would be fixedly secured to or integrally formed with a mounting base of the clasp.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In one embodiment, within the cavity 60, there are formed a plurality of posts (not shown) adapted to cooperate with apertures or recesses formed in the cover plate 16, as will be described in further detail herein. Alternatively, the cover plate 16 may be cast or molded with the underside of the bezel 50 as an integral component thereof.
The cover plate 16 preferably includes an opening 66 formed at its geometric center. The opening 66 is configured to receive therein the post 37 extending from the first surface 50 of the base plate 14. As such, the opening 66 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the post 37, preferably a generally cylindrical shape, and has a diameter that is just slightly larger than a diameter of the post 37, such that the post 37 can be received within the opening 66 in an assembled configuration of the system.
The cover plate 16 preferably includes a plurality of studs 68 extending distally away from the first surface 62 and dispersed around the central opening 66. Each stud 68 is formed by a shank 70 and a head 72. Each stud 68 has a first, proximal end 70a where the shank 70 is connected to or formed integrally with the top plate 16 and an opposing second end 70b provided with the head 72. The distal head 72 of each stud 68 has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the shank 70. The distal head 72 of each stud 68 may a plate-like form of a certain thickness, or may more simply be in the form of a flattened boss.
Preferably, one pair of the studs 68 are provided at positions of the cover plate 16 which correspond to the locations of the first ends 32a of the guiding portions 32 of the first tracks 30 of the bottom plate 14, and a second pair of the studs 68 are provided at positions of the cover plate 16 which correspond to the locations of the first ends 42a of the guiding portions 42 of the second tracks 40. The diameter of the head 72 of each stud 68 of the first pair of studs 68 is slightly smaller than the width of the first end 32a of the guiding portion 32 of the respective first track 30, but at least slight greater than the width of a reminder of the guiding portion 32. The diameter of the shank 70 of each stud 68 of the first pair of studs 68 is slightly smaller than the width of the remainder of the guiding portion 32, such that the shank 70 of each stud 68 is slidable along the guiding portion 32. As such, the head 72 of each stud 68 of the first pair of studs 68 is sized to pass through the opening formed by the first end 32a of the guiding portion 32 of a corresponding first track 30, but as the stud 68 travels along the length of the guiding portion 32 from the first end 32a toward the second end 32b, the shank 70 is slidable along the track 30, but the stud 68 cannot be removed from the track 30, since the diameter of the head 72 is greater than the width of the remainder of the guiding portion 32.
The diameter of the head 72 of each stud 68 of the second pair of studs 68 is slightly smaller than the width of the first end 42a of the guiding portion 42 of the respective second track 40, but at least slight greater than a width of a reminder of the guiding portion 42. The diameter of the shank 70 of each stud 68 of the second pair of studs 68 is slightly smaller than the width of the remainder of the guiding portion 42. As such, the head 72 of each stud 68 of the second pair of studs 68 is sized to pass through the opening formed by the first end 42a of the guiding portion 42 of a corresponding second track 40, but as the stud 68 moves along the length of the guiding portion 42 from the first end 42a toward the second end 42b, the shank 40 is slidable along the track 40, but the stud 68 cannot be removed from the track 70, since the diameter of the head 72 is greater than the width of the remainder of the guiding portion 42.
In one embodiment, as shown in
However, it will be understood by the skilled artisan that the cover plate 16 may be secured to the bezel 50 by a variety of other mechanisms, such that the corresponding structures of the peripheral apertures 74 and posts need not be included, and may even be cast or molded with the bezel 50.
It will also be understood by the skilled artisan that the cover plate 16 and the baes plate 14 may be exchanged for each other. That is, the cover plate 16 may be provided on the base portion 10 and the base plate 14 may be provided on the decorative portion 15.
Again, a ring is just one example of the type of jewelry with which the present invention may be utilized. If the system were utilized with, for example, a necklace pendant, the top plate 16 would be fixedly secured to or integrally formed with the underside of the bezel of the pendant. If the system were utilized with, for example, a purse clasp, the top plate 16 would be fixedly secured to or integrally formed with the underside of the bezel of the clasp.
Referring again to the example of a ring, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
The ring base 18, bezel 50 and halo 80 are all preferably made from a precious metal, such as gold, silver, tarnish resistant silver (e.g., argentium silver), titanium, platinum, or the like, and are preferably made from the same material to provide the look of a conventional ring. In addition, the ring base 18, bezel 50 and/or halo 80 may, in some circumstances be plated, such as with rhodium or the like, to prevent tarnishing. The halo 80 also preferably includes a decorative design, which may be in the form of a raised or etched pattern (not shown) molded or welded on a visible surface of the halo 80, additional jewels (not shown) attached to the visible surface of the halo 80, or the like. Designs or patterns (not shown) may also be formed on a visible surface of the bezel 50 and/or ring base 18.
In another embodiment, as shown in
Referring to
Next, to transition the system to a second, assembled configuration, the user rotates the decorative portion 15 in a first direction, for example a counter-clockwise direction, relative to the base portion 10. The rotation of the decorative portion 15 in the first direction causes each stud 68 received in each first track 30 to move along the guiding portion 32 until the stud 68 passes the respective catch 36 of that track 30. The flexible arms 38 facilitate movement of the studs 68 within the guiding portions 32 of the first tracks. In this second configuration, the decorative portion 15 becomes assembled with the base portion 10 by the engagement of the studs 68 and the catches 36, and the engagement of the studs 68 and the catches 36 prevent unintentional removal of the decorative portion 15 from the base portion 10. The rotation of the decorative portion 15 also causes each stud 68 received in each second track 40 to move along the guiding portion 42 from the first end 42a toward the second end 42b, preferably until the stud 68 bottoms out against the second end 42b. The inclusion of the second tracks 40 and the studs 68 to be received therein relieves some of the tension which is exerted on the first tracks 30 by the movement of the studs 68 therein upon rotation of the decorative portion 15.
To disassemble the decorative portion 15 from the base portion 10, for example, in order to assemble a new decorative portion 15 having a different jewel 48 or appearance to the base portion 10, the user rotates the decorative portion 15 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, while simultaneously applying a degree of force, relative to the base portion 10. The torque applied to the decorative portion 15 in the second direction causes each stud 68 to pass back over the respective catch 36 of the respective first track 30 and each stud 68 then moves along the guiding portion 32 toward the first end 32a of the guiding portion 32, preferably until the stud 68 bottoms out against the first end 32a. Again, the flexible arms 38 facilitate movement of the studs 68 within the guiding portions 32 of the first tracks. The rotation of the decorative portion 15 also causes each stud 68 received in each second track 40 to move along the guiding portion 42 from the second end 42b toward the first end 42a, preferably until the stud 68 bottoms out against the first end 42a. Then, the decorative portion 15 may be lifted from the base portion 10 for changing of the decorative portion 15.
Referring to
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
