Patent Application
20250040668
The field of disclosure generally relates to an interlocking bead jewelry system and, more specifically, a customizable interlocking bead-plug system.
Many types of customizable jewelry require a third object connective device to connect the beads, such as a string or chain. For example, someone making jewelry will need to find a way to connect the pieces together so that they can make a chain that can be worn or hung. In addition, the jewelry designer may want to reuse the piece to make other pieces of jewelry. However, doing so would require the jewelry designer to break the connective device to free the pieces for future use.
Jewelry is known in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 10,537,160B1, “Jewelry Device,” discloses an “interlocking chain of pods . . . configured to provide a dual axis view of ornamental stones” which “enables each pod to hold a diamond/gemstone from both opposing ends and enable[s] light to pass through the light admitting gemstones” creating a “light tube feature . . . ” U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,887, “Magnetic Jewelry Chain Closure,” discloses a “jewelry chain having a pair of ends and a closure” which connect through a “magnetic material project[ing] upward.” U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/388,962B2, “Jewelry Piece with a Magnetic Closure for an in Interchangeable Ornament,” discloses a “jewelry piece having a body or housing that defines a cavity sized and shaped to removably receive an interchangeable ornament and a cover or back” where the “body and cover magnetically and mechanically engage when the jewelry piece is closed to secure the ornament.” This bead system requires “at least one magnet.”
Prior mechanisms for creating jewelry by securing individual pieces require a third aspect to connect them, which may be a string, chain, magnetic and the like. Furthermore, prior mechanisms are a metal or similar hard material meant to hold a stone or ornament. Additionally, the jewelry may be loud, rattled, or dislodged over time.
In light of the foregoing background, the following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate the scope of the disclosure. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an article of an interlocking bead system and, more specifically, a customizable interlocking bead-plug system that does not require a string/chain or similar third connecting apparatus to connect the beads. In some implementations, the described technologies provide an article of chain jewelry adapted for wear around a portion of a human body or animal, or employed for decorative uses on other objects. A plurality of interlocking rubber plugs in an interlocking arrangement provides that the plugs have a loop and an elevated platform. One end includes a loop which can expand to pull another plug's platform through to create a chain which can be in the form of an accessory to be worn around various areas of the human body, animal, or employed for similar decorative uses.
In some implementations, the described technologies provide a jewelry system that also includes a plurality of pliable individual bead bodies, wherein each bead body contains two outward protrusions on each opposing end of the bead body wherein: one plug protrusion is elevated from the bead body; and an opposing receiver protrusion includes a cavity in a center of the receiver protrusion; such that when the cavity is stretched by a tensile force, the elevated plug protrusion of a different bead body can be securely plugged within the cavity of the receiver protrusion thereby forming an endless customizable chain.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an interlocking bead system that also includes a plurality of resilient individual bead bodies, wherein each bead body may include two outward circular protrusions on each opposing end of the bead body in which one circular protrusion is elevated from the bead body; and an opposing circular protrusion includes a cavity in a center of the circular protrusion; such that when the cavity is stretched by an tensile force, the elevated circular protrusion of a different bead body can be securely plugged within the cavity of another bead body thereby allowing for an endless customizable chain.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features, the interlocking bead system wherein the bead body further may include a silicone material. The bead body further may include an elastomeric material. The bead body further may include a material having a hardness of shore a 10-35. The bead body further may include a material having a hardness of shore a 20-30. The bead body further may include a material having a hardness of shore 00 45-8. The bead body further may include a material having a hardness of shore 00 55-76. The cavity further may include a circular perimeter forming cylinder.
In one configuration, an article of jewelry manifests a bead body wherein one end contains a circular hole wherein an elevated plug/protrusion can be plugged into the hole of another bead body creating the chain of an opposing-interlocking arrangement.
In another aspect of the article of jewelry, each of the bead bodies has a plug which is elevated to a particular length wherein the hole of one bead can be stretched to fit over said plug. One bead can be stretched over the plug, or the plug can be erupted through the hole of another bead.
In some implementations, the described technologies provide that the repetition of plugging or stretching the beads over one another forms the longitudinal axis which can be formed into a chain. In yet another aspect of the article of jewelry, the plug and hole of a bead can be seen in one configuration.
In one configuration, an article of jewelry may include an elevated plug that protrudes the bead extending out on one half, and a complimentary opening on the opposite side. In operation, when one bead is looped over another, the protrusion is fitted with the hole of a second bead. Likewise, the protrusion can be plugged into the complimentary hole of another bead.
In some implementations, the described technologies provide that the plug and hole manually engage when the beads are plugged or looped over one another securing a chain or jewelry piece for various areas of the body without the need for excessive force or any additional tools.
In some implementations, the described technologies an interlocking bead system comprising an individual silicone bead body wherein each bead body contains two outward circular protrusions on each opposing end of the bead body wherein: a. One circular protrusion is elevated from the bead body. The opposing circular protrusion includes a cavity in a center of the circular protrusion; such that when the cavity is stretched, the elevated circular protrusion of a different bead body can be securely plugged within the cavity of another bead body, allowing for an endless customizable chain.
Aspects of the present disclosure provide an interlocking bead system that can stretch, without a tool, and plug into another bead easily and quickly without a third-party connector, especially for customizable beads that spell out a word or words.
The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from the following more particular description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like references characters refer to the same parts through the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon the principles of the disclosure.
As illustrated through
“Adapted for wear” can contemplate some amount of adjustment or additional configuration such as opening and/or closing and/or some amount of expansion such as one or more elastic regions and/or tight and loose-fitting regions. Accordingly, the configuration of the wearable devices and the manner in which the wearable device is worn by an individual may vary.
Within the following description of the illustrative constructions, there is reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is shown through illustration, a bracelet. In other constructions, the interlocking bead system can be used to create a band, chain, hoop, or the like that can be worn or used for similar decorative purposes. Other constructions can be utilized and modified while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.
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According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, the female end 27 is circular and on the same plane as the connective piece 20, 26. The hole 6 in the female end 10, can be expanded by pulling on the inner portion of the hole 6. The male end 30, does not have a gap and extends away 50 from the connective silicone run 20, 25, 26. The circular head of the male end 30, 40 is of the same size as the female end.
In this way, the gap 10 in the female end can be expanded by pulling on the inner opening 6. The female end 27 of another bead—the interlocking bead (plugging bead)—can then be pulled through the opening 10 of another bead as indicated in
According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, the bead body 60 may be made of a silicone material or elastomeric material. As some more specific examples, the bead body 60 may be made from a polymeric, such as ethylvinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane, and/or thermoplastic materials. EVA is an elastomeric polymer that produces materials which are “rubber-like” in softness and flexibility. The material has good clarity and gloss, low-temperature toughness, stress-crack resistance, waterproof properties, and resistance to UV radiation.
In some implementations, the bead body 60 may be formed of a material having a hardness of Shore A 10-35 (extra soft to soft) or a hardness of Shore 00 45-86. Preferably, bead body 60 may be formed of a material having a hardness of Shore A 20-30 or a hardness of Shore 00 55-76. These softness ranges enable the bead body 60 to be stretched and urged to interlock together to form an interlocking bead system.
According to one or more constructions of the described technologies,
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According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, an interlocking bead system may include an individual silicone bead body 60 wherein each bead body contains two outward circular protrusions on each opposing end of the bead body wherein: One circular protrusion is elevated from the bead body. The opposing circular protrusion includes a cavity in a center of the circular protrusion; such that when the cavity is stretched, the elevated circular protrusion of a different bead body can be securely plugged within the cavity of another bead body thus allowing for an endless customizable chain.
According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, an interlocking bead plug system may include a plurality of resilient or pliable beads 60 wherein each bead contains two circular projections on a single bead. The two circular projections are on the ends of each bead and connected by a unitary piece of silicone. The circular projection is elevated while the other is not elevated and contains a cavity 10 in the center. The elevated circular projection can plug into the cavity of a different bead when the cavity is expanded. After expansion, the elevated circular projection securely fits within the cavity of the other bead, allowing for an endless, customizable chain.
According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, an interlocking chain system includes individual pieces of silicone. Each silicone piece 60 has one male and one female end, which are connected by a straight connecting silicone piece. The male end is circular and ejects upwards and out. The female end is circular and is level with the connecting silicone piece. The female end has a circular hole in the center of it. When the circular hole is expanded, the elevated circular part of another bead can plug into the hole in another.
According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, an interlocking rubber jewelry plug arrangement wherein each unitary bead 60 has a hole 10 and a plug 40 on opposing ends. The plug may be circular or other shapes, elevated, and rubberized. The hole 10 of one bead fits over the plug 40 of another bead. The hole 10 can be stretched over the plug 40 of another bead 60 to form the chain of beads. In the alternative, the elevated plug 40 can be pushed through a second beads hole to form the interlocking chain of jewelry. Through looping or forcing the plug 40 into a second beads hole the two beads are then securely fit together.
According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, a chain or wire interlocking jewelry system in which the interlocking jewelry system can be formed or adapted to be worn on various portions of the human body or animal, including but not limited to the ankle, wrist, neck, waist, etc. The rubber beads 60 may be an interlocking chain that fit into one another to form the jewelry that can be worn on various portions of the body. The rubber beads each have a hole 10 on one end and an elevated plug 60 on the other. The plug on one end of the bead is elevated and formed to fit within the hole of a second bead. The hole can be expanded and stretched over the elevated plug 40 of another bead or the elevated plug can be pushed through the hole of a second bead. Through the repetition of plugging one bead into another or stretching the hole of one bead over the others plug the chain is formed and can be fit to be worn on different portions of the body.
While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.
The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent disclosure. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent disclosure, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent disclosure. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent disclosure, as amended during prosecution of this patent disclosure, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent disclosure. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one exemplification of the disclosure, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.
The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent disclosure, to adequately provide background information for this patent disclosure. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent disclosure, as amended during prosecution of this patent disclosure, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent disclosure. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various exemplifications may be used with at least one exemplification or all of the exemplifications, if more than one exemplification is described herein.
The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent disclosure, to adequately summarize this patent disclosure. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent disclosure, as amended during prosecution of this patent disclosure, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent disclosure. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
The details in the patents, patent disclosures and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.
The purpose of the title of this patent disclosure is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent disclosure. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. section 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. section 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
The embodiments (may be alternatively used as exemplifications) of the present disclosure described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and not intended to be limiting. Additionally, the words “including,” “having,” and variants thereof (e.g., “includes” and “has”) as used herein, including the claims, shall be open-ended and have the same meaning as the word “comprising” and variants thereof (e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”).
The embodiments of the disclosure as described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the disclosure.
Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
