Patent Application
20240237789
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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights and trade dress rights whatsoever.
The disclosed subject matter relates generally to jewelry and, more particularly, to jewelry with interchangeable decorative elements.
Humans have been enhancing their appearance with jewelry since their earliest days. Jewelry has, and still, serves as a symbol of the wearer's status and wealth and permits the wearer to express their individuality. As a result, jewelry is found across many cultures, genders, and even age groups and can provide insight into the wearer's way of life and tastes and preferences.
While ancient and modern jewelry range from common, low-value pieces to more rare, expensive pieces, the appearance of most jewelry is largely limited or preset. For example, Neolithic necklaces, ancient Egyptian faiences, Dacian bracelets, royal family crown jewels, and even modern engagement rings are all set in appearance by a jeweler. Jewelry has been customizable in a number of conventional ways such as by adding and/or removing pendants and charms to chains. In addition, the wearer may change the overall look by stacking and layering multiple pieces of jewelry. Nevertheless, each piece remains largely the same as it had been set or designed by the jeweler. This necessitates jewelry in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, each piece limited to its set characteristics. As such, many people own a variety of similar jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, that have one or two minor aesthetic differences from another. This is often costly, given the cost of precious metals, jewels, maintenance, and insurance, and requires the wearer to have ample room to store the jewelry without tangling and tarnishing the jewelry.
As a result, there is a need for jewelry with interchangeable aesthetic elements that permits its wearer to customize the jewelry. Various suggestions for interchangeable jewelry elements have been provided, however, none in existence teach the characteristics of the present invention.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,536 to Masterson, U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,582 to Carter, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,357 to Arnone teach customizable jewelry that comprises attaching multiple strands to a base element to create layered jewelry. While these permit the customization of the overall look of the jewelry, these proposals merely provide an alternative means of layering jewelry. As such, these proposals are limited in their customization ability.
Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,357 to Arnone teaches interchangeable jewelry using beaded links that extend from a base element, such as a chain or earring stud. This creates dangling jewelry elements that are easily snagged and may create an undesirable cluttered effect, similar to layered jewelry.
Another proposed solution is to allow the changing of the jewel or embellishment in the jewelry. For example, U.S. Patent No. to Nevatia et al., U.S. Pat. No. 11,388,962 to Roi-Sanginario, and U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2017/0224068 filed by Williams, all teach jewelry that permits the interchanging of jewels integrated into the body of the jewelry. However, these proposals teach clasping mechanisms where the jewel is clasped between two pieces, precariously securing valuable jewels within the jewelry. As a result, there remains a need for improved securement of interchangeable components in jewelry.
Thus, although various proposals have been made to improve the interchangeability of jewelry elements, none in existence combine the characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, there remains a need for interchangeable jewelry, and in particular, an assembly and a kit with secure interchangeable elements.
The present disclosure is directed to interchangeable jewelry elements. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to interchangeable jewelry kits and an assembly for interchangeable jewelry.
For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described. It is to be understood that not all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all advantages as may be taught or suggested.
In accordance with one embodiment, the jewelry assembly may comprise a main portion and an interchangeable portion configured to removably secure with one another.
In some embodiments, the main portion may be configured as one or more strands or lengths of metal, cord, cloth, string, or other material—beaded, linked, or otherwise—which may be utilized as jewelry. Therefore, such main portion, configured as a strand, may be defined by opposing ends, such as a first and a second end. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a plurality of strands may be combined to practice the invention, and therefore that increasing the number of ends of the main portion will not deviate from the disclosure. The following discussion will be limited to a main portion defined by a first and second end in the interest of brevity and not for limitation.
Each end of the main portion may terminate in a locking member. That is, in one embodiment, the first end may terminate in a first locking member, and the second end may terminate in a second locking member. Of course, the locking members may be located at any point along the main portion as needed or desired.
In an embodiment, the interchangeable portion may comprise a first and second end, each end defining a connection site. In some embodiments, the connection sites may be located at any point on the interchangeable portion between the first and second end.
The connection sites may be any means operative to secure the interchangeable portion to the main portion, discussed in more detail below. In one embodiment, each of the connection sites may comprise two extending members and a connection bar. The two extending members may extend from the interchangeable portion and the connection bar may extend between the two extending members to define the connection site. Of course, any connection site that may be needed or desired is may be utilized.
Likewise, the locking members may be any means capable of securing the interchangeable portion to the main portion. In one embodiment, each at least first and second locking members may comprise a proximal portion having a distal end and a proximal end and a distal portion having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end of the proximal portion may be hingedly connected to the first or second end of the main portion, as the case may be, and the proximal end of the distal portion may be hingedly connected to the distal end of the proximal portion.
It is contemplated that each locking member may comprise an open position and a closed position. When in the open position the locking members may be unlocked and thus not secured with the interchangeable portion. In such a state, the distal end of the distal portion may be proximal to the distal portion. For the sake of clarity the distal and proximal ends will be identified by their locations when in the open position, however, it is recognized that their actual location may vary during use. The closed position may correspond with the interchangeable portion being secured to the main portion. In the closed position, the distal end of the distal portion may hingedly rotate about the proximal end of the distal portion such that the distal end of the distal portion is now adjacent to the distal end of the proximal portion.
In some embodiments, each of the locking members may comprise at least one securement means. In one embodiment, the at least one securement means may comprise a flange extending from the distal portion of the locking member. The flange may be configured such that when the main portion and the interchangeable portion are secured, the flange may secure with one of the connection sites on the interchangeable portion. In one embodiment, the flange may, in the closed position, be located at a proximal side of the connection site's connection bar, and the hinged connection between the first and distal portion may be on the distal side of the connection bar. Of course, in another embodiment, the flange may contact the interchangeable portion in another manner to secure the pieces.
In one embodiment, the locking members may be fold-over claps. It is contemplated that the fold-over clasps may permit the wearer to single-handedly secure the locking members. Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other locking members known in the art, including, for example, box clasps, lobster claw clasps, magnetic clasps, barrel clasps, and spring ring clasps, may be utilized. Thus, the fold-over clasps discussed throughout are offered by way of example only and not limitation.
A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the at least one securement means may be any means operative to secure the locking members, and the aforementioned are provided as examples only.
In another embodiment, each end of the main portion may further comprise a keeper configured to secure with the locking member in the closed position. The keeper may, in one embodiment, be an arm extending across each end of the main portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the distal portion of the locking member may be operative to secure with the keeper when the locking member is in the closed position. Of course, a person of ordinary skill will recognize that any keeper, as needed or desired, may be utilized without deviating from the invention.
In some embodiments, the connection sites of the interchangeable portion may be configured to secure with the locking members of the main portion to form a loop. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that jewelry loops comprise many types of jewelry, including, and without limitation to, bracelets, necklaces, watches, rings, belts, and headpieces, any of which may be worn as an uninterrupted loop, or, depending on length, may be wrapped upon themselves to appear as a plurality of loops. In the interest of brevity, exemplary jewelry loops may be referred to in the following disclosure as bracelets, however, any form of jewelry loops may be utilized to practice the invention.
In some embodiments, the main portion may be flexible. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that jewelry may be flexible to permit the wearer to wrap the jewelry around a desired area of their body, such as their wrist, ankle, and/or neck. Of course, the main portion may be rigid, elastic, at least semi-flexible, or may comprise any other properties as needed or desired. It is contemplated that the main portion may be formed of any materials suitable to form jewelry, including, for example, and without limitation, gold, silver, aluminum, titanium, leather, cotton, nylon, and any other metal, plastic, woven or not woven cloth or material as desired. In some embodiments, the main portion may comprise an aesthetic design. For example, the main portion may comprise jewels, beads, braiding, or any other aesthetic design that may be desired.
In one embodiment, the interchangeable portion may be rigid. In another embodiment, the interchangeable portion may be at least semi-flexible. In some embodiments, the interchangeable portion and the main portion may comprise the same properties, such as rigid or at least semi-flexible.
In one embodiment, the interchangeable portion may comprise an aesthetic element, such as at least one jewel, a design, a literary element, or any other aesthetic element that may be needed or desired. In another embodiment, the interchangeable portion may be designed to match any aesthetic design of the main portion so that when combined, the interchangeable portion is secured it creates an aesthetically homogenous jewelry member.
It is contemplated that a jewelry kit may comprise at least one main portion and at least one interchangeable portion. In some embodiments, each of the at least one main portion may comprise different properties and/or aesthetic designs from another of the at least one main portion. In another embodiment, any of the at least one main portions may comprise the same properties and/or aesthetic designs as another of the at least one main portions. In one embodiment, each of the at least one interchangeable portions in the kit may comprise different properties and/or aesthetic elements from one another. However, in another embodiment, any of the at least one interchangeable portions may comprise the same property and/or aesthetic element as another of the at least one interchangeable portions.
It is contemplated that providing the interchangeable jewelry kit and assembly according to the disclosure and claims provided below may allow the wearer to interchange portions of their jewelry. Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide interchangeable jewelry to permit its user to customize their jewelry.
It is an object of the invention to disguise the jewelry locking member and connection sites to create a uniform and aesthetically pleasing jewelry assembly.
It is another object of the invention to provide a dual locking system that disguises the locking member and connection sites in order to reduce the likelihood that the main portion and interchangeable portion may be undesirably disconnected.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a locking means that may be secured using only one hand.
One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certain alternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to the attached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limited to any particular embodiment disclosed.
The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but not mechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical, electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.
Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
With reference to
The main portion 100 may comprise a length defined as the distance between the first end 102a and the second end 102b and may be any length as needed or desired. For example, and without limitation, the length may be from about 1 inch to about 60 inches, from about 3 inches to about 40 inches, or from about 5 inches to about 10 inches. A person of ordinary skill will recognize that jewelry comes in many sizes and the provided lengths are provided as non-limiting examples only.
In the embodiment of the main portion 100 shown in
Returning to the embodiment illustrated in
It is contemplated that the hinged connections of the proximal portion 210 and the distal portion 220 may permit the locking member 110 to have multiple states. The state shown in
Continuing with the embodiment shown in
It is contemplated that the interchangeable portion 400a may come in any size as needed or desired. In one embodiment, the interchangeable portion 400a may be from about 0.025 inches to about 30 inches in length. In another embodiment, the interchangeable portion 400a may be from about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches in length. Of course, the interchangeable portion 400a may be any length as needed or desired.
In the interest of brevity, the first end 502a and first locking member 503a will be referred to, however, the second end 502b and the second locking member 503b are contemplated for the embodiments discussed hereto.
The first locking member 503a may comprise a proximal portion 510a and a distal portion 520a. The proximal portion 510a may be hingedly connected to the first end 502a and the distal portion 520a may be hingedly connected to the proximal portion 510a. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the first locking member 503a and second locking member 503b may comprise any of the elements discussed in terms of the locking member 110 discussed in
Returning to
In the embodiment of the main portion 501 illustrated in
Returning to the embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
Returning to the embodiment illustrated in
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the interchangeable jewelry assembly is shown as one main portion and one interchangeable portion, any number of main portions and interchangeable portions may be secured to form the interchangeable jewelry assembly. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).
The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the interchangeable jewelry assembly and kit with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the interchangeable jewelry assembly and kit to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the interchangeable jewelry assembly and kit is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.
While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system, and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the interchangeable jewelry assembly and kit.
