Patent Application
20180360174
Necklaces and other jewelry donned with a chain, strap, or string (e.g., a bracelet, an anklet, etc.) are desirable for their beauty and their appearance enhancing characteristics. They can be selected and worn for purely ornamental and/or sentimental reasons. These and other jewelry articles can also express subtle and complex messages that reflect the views, opinions, attitudes, culture, religion, or background of the wearer.
Typically, articles of jewelry are not readily modifiable by the end user. If an owner of an article of jewelry desires to alter the appearance of the jewelry when worn, e.g., it is often necessary for a jeweler to make those adjustments, and such adjustments are not readily reversible. For example, if the end user desires to make a necklace chain longer or shorter than its current length, typically a jeweler is commissioned to add or remove links from the chain.
There is a need for necklaces and other chained or strapped/stringed jewelry whose worn appearance is readily adjustable.
In general terms the present disclosure is directed to adjustable jewelry devices and adjustable jewelry assemblies, and methods of arranging the jewelry devices and assemblies on a wearer.
According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a jewelry device includes a clip having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the clip having first and second shell pieces that are pivotally coupled to each other to pivot between the open configuration and the closed configuration. In the closed configured two shell pieces define an interior volume of the clip in which at least one gripping member is disposed, the at least one gripping member adapted to abut and frictionally hold one or more jewelry chains in place when the clip is in the closed configuration.
In some examples, each of the shell pieces defines an interior cavity, the interior cavities together forming the interior volume of the clip when the clip is in the closed configuration.
In some examples, the clip includes a terminal extending from one or both of the shell pieces, the terminal adapted to receive a portion of a jewelry chain, strap, string, etc. Chains, straps, and strings are terms used herein as non-limiting examples of elongated elements known in the art used to attach jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, to the wearer.
In some examples, the shell pieces are made of one or more precious metals, precious metals, and/or gem stones. In some examples, the at least one gripping member is made of a resiliently compressible material capable of regaining its uncompressed form when a compression force is released.
In some examples, the at least one gripping member is made from one or more of natural rubber, an elastomer, Teflon®, silicone, vinyl, foam rubber, and so forth. In some examples, the first shell piece includes a first locking element that is complementary to a second locking element on the second shell piece, the first and second locking elements adapted to mate with each when the clip is in the closed configuration.
In some examples, the shell pieces are pivotally coupled together with a hinge. In some examples, the hinge is partially or completely disposed within one or both of the cavities, and, correspondingly, partially or completely disposed within the interior volume when the clip is in the closed configuration.
According to further aspects of the present disclosure a jewelry device includes a clip having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the clip having first and second shell pieces that are pivotally coupled to each other. In the closed configuration, the shell pieces substantially define a tube having an interior volume extending longitudinally between opposing ends of the tube. The shape defined by the shell pieces in the closed configuration need not be perfectly tubular. For example, the inner surface and/or the outer surface of one or both of the shell pieces can include one or more flattened portions, one or more portions of smaller or larger curvature radius, one or more engravings, and/or one or more embossments.
In some examples, each shell piece has an inner surface that defines a cavity and an outer surface that substantially defines a portion of a surface of a longitudinally divided cylinder. Radial end faces perpendicular to the longitudinal direction extend between the inner surface and the outer surface at opposing longitudinal extremes of each shell piece. In the closed configuration two shell pieces define the interior volume of the tube.
In some examples, a gripping member is disposed in, and substantially fills each cavity, the gripping members having substantially planar surfaces adapted to abut each other or nearly abut each other when the clip is in the closed configuration, such that the gripping members substantially fill the interior volume when the clip is in the closed configuration. By “nearly abut” is meant that in some examples there can be a gap between the opposing substantially planar surfaces of the gripping members when the clip is in the closed configuration such that the shortest distance between the opposing substantially planar sides of the gripping members is less than a thickness of a chain or strap/string to be held between the gripping members. Thus, for example, the shortest distance between the opposing substantially planar surfaces of the gripping members when the clip is in the closed configuration can be, e.g., less than about 3 mm, less than about 2 mm, less than about 1 mm, less than about 0.5 mm, less than about 0.2 mm, etc. Larger or smaller distances may also be suitable.
In some examples, the clip includes a terminal extending from one or both of the shell pieces, the terminal adapted to receive a portion of a jewelry chain or strap/string. The terminal can be, e.g., a ring or other holed feature to which, e.g, a chain link or strap/string of a necklace or other article of jewelry can be attached. In some examples, one of the shell pieces includes a terminal base from which the terminal extends, such as a crossbar disposed at one of the end faces of the shell pieces and extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the shell piece. In some examples, a chain or strap/string of an article of jewelry is attached to the terminal to form a jewelry assembly together with the clip.
In some examples, the inner wall of one or both shell pieces substantially defines a portion of a cylinder. In some examples, each of the gripping members is shaped substantially as a half cylinder that at least substantially fills one of the cavities.
In some examples, the shell pieces are made of one or more metals, precious metals, and/or gem stones.
In some examples, each gripping member is made of a resiliently compressible material capable of regaining its uncompressed form when compression force is released. In some examples, the gripping members are made from one or more of natural rubber, an elastomer, Teflon®, silicone, vinyl, foam rubber, and so forth.
In some examples, the first shell piece includes a first locking element that is complementary to a second locking element on the second shell piece, the first and second locking elements adapted to mate with each other when the clip is in the closed configuration.
In some examples, the first and second shell pieces are pivotally coupled together with a hinge and the hinge is partially or completely disposed within one or both of the cavities and, correspondingly, partially or completely disposed within the interior volume when the clip is in the closed configuration.
In some examples, one or more chains and/or straps/strings are frictionally held between the two gripping members, the clip being in a closed configuration to form a further jewelry assembly together with the clip. In some example assemblies, one or more of the chains/straps/strings are also attached to the terminal.
In some examples, jewelry assemblies of the present disclosure include two or more of any of the clips disclosed herein, and one or more jewelry chains/straps/strings frictionally held by the two or more clips.
According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a method includes securing a chain, strap or string of a jewelry article to a terminal of a clip, the clip having features according to the present disclosure; and forming a loop in the chain/strap/string of a selectable length by closing the clip on a selectable segment of the chain/strap/string such that the one or more gripping members of the clip hold the selected segment in place.
According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a method includes placing a plurality of necklaces around a wearer's neck; closing each of the plurality of necklaces to form a loop around the wearer's neck; grasping two non-contiguous segments of each of the plurality of necklaces behind the neck, the segments being selected such that the plurality of necklaces appears at a front of the wearer in a desired layered arrangement; feeding the pairs of noncontiguous segments into a clip in an open configuration, the clip having features according to the present disclosure; and closing the clip on each pair of noncontiguous segments such that the one or more gripping members of the clip hold the selected segment in place and maintain the desired layered arrangement.
According to yet further aspects of the present disclosure, a method comprises placing first and second necklaces around a wearer's neck and closing each of the first and second necklaces to form a loop around the neck; feeding the first necklace into two clips in an open configuration, each of the clips having features according to the present disclosure, the clips being positioned one on either side of the user's neck; closing a first of the clips on a first segment of the first necklace such that the one or more gripping members of the first clip hold the first segment of the first necklace in place; closing a second of the clips on a second segment of the first necklace such that the one or more gripping members of the second clip hold the second segment of the first necklace in place; closing the first of the clips on a first segment of the second necklace such that the one or more gripping members of the first clip hold the first segment of the second necklace in place; closing the second of the clips on a second segment of the second necklace such that the one or more gripping members of the second clip hold the second segment of the second necklace in place, wherein for each of the necklaces the first and second segments are not contiguous, and wherein the first and second segments of each of the necklaces are selected to provide for a desired layered arrangement of the necklaces.
A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
Various embodiments are described herein in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
Referring to
The jewelry assembly 100 includes a clip 200 having terminal 202 and gripping members 204a and 204b. The assembly 100 further includes a chain 300. Although depicted as a chain 300 with chain links 302, it should be appreciated that other types of elongated elements known in the art to attach jewelry (e.g., a string, a strap, etc.) could substitute for the chain. A first end 312 of the chain 300 is attached to the terminal 202. A segment of the chain 300 that is noncontiguous with the end 312 is held between the two gripping members 204a and 204b, thereby providing for a loop 306 of the chain at one end 206 of the clip 200, and a tail 308 of the chain 300 extending from a second end 208 of the clip 200.
As shown in
Optionally, one or more adornments 310 (e.g., a charm, a pendant, etc.) can be attached to the second end of the chain 300, i.e., the end of the tail 308 that is farthest from the clip 200.
Optionally, one or more adornments 210 (e.g., an embossment, an engraving, a gemstone, etc.) can be provided on the clip 200.
Referring now to
In the closed configuration the clip 200 is defined by a longitudinal axis A (
The outer surfaces 218, 220 of the shell pieces 212 and 214, respectively, extend longitudinally between the first end 206 and the opposing second end 208.
The shell piece 212 extends radially inward (toward the longitudinal axis A) from the outer surface 218 to an inner surface 222. Similarly, the shell piece 214 extends radially inward from the outer surface 220 to an inner surface 224. At the ends 206 and 208, this radial extension defines end faces 207 and 209 of the clip 200, respectively, which are substantially planar and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
In this example, each of the inner surfaces 222 and 224 forms part of a wall of a cylinder that extends between the first end 206 and the second end 208 of the clip 200. Due to the concave curvature (relative to the longitudinal axis A) of the inner surfaces 218, 220, each of the inner surfaces 218, 220 defines a cavity 226, 228, respectively (
The hinge 216 is disposed within the interior volume of the clip 200.
In the example clip 200, a terminal base 230 supports the terminal 202. The terminal base 230 is a crossbar integrated with the first shell piece 212. The crossbar 230 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A between the inner surface 222 and the hinge 216, the crossbar 230 spanning the cavity 226 at the largest perpendicular distance between the inner surface 222 and the hinge 216. Alternatively, the terminal base and terminal can be integral with the second shell piece 214
It should be appreciated that the first shell piece, terminal, and terminal support can be a unitary structure, e.g., cast or machined as one piece and from the same material. Alternatively, these components can be manufactured separately and then assembled together, e.g., by soldering or welding. In this example, the terminal 202 is a ring having a hole 203, allowing, e.g., a clasp or a link of a necklace chain to couple to the ring. In addition, the terminal base can be any of a variety of suitable platforms suited to support the terminal.
The gripping member 204a substantially fills the cavity 226 and is therefore approximately half-cylindrical in shape, but sufficiently modified to accommodate the presence of the hinge 216, which abuts the gripping member 204a and juts into the cavity 226. The gripping member 204a thus has a substantially planar gripping surface 240 spanning the cavity 226 at the largest perpendicular distance between the inner surface 222 and the hinge 216, the substantially planar gripping surface 240 extending the longitudinal length of the gripping member 204a.
Similarly, the gripping member 204b substantially fills the cavity 228 and is therefore approximately half-cylindrical in shape, but sufficiently modified to accommodate the presence of the hinge 216, which abuts the gripping member 204b and juts into the cavity 228. The gripping member 204b thus has a substantially planar gripping surface 242 spanning the cavity 228 at the largest perpendicular distance between the inner surface 224 and the hinge 216, the substantially planar gripping surface 242 extending the longitudinal length of the gripping member 204b.
In some examples, the gripping members 204a, 204b are made of a resiliently compressible material capable of regaining its uncompressed form when compression force is released. Alternatively, the gripping members need not be resiliently compressible, but the gripping surfaces 240, 242 have one or more material characteristics or structural elements, such as grooves, ribs, nubs, or divots, that enable frictional holding of chains/straps/strings between the two gripping surfaces 240, 242 when the clip 200 is in the closed configuration. In some examples, the gripping members are made from one or more of natural rubber, an elastomer, Teflon®, silicone, vinyl, foam rubber, and so forth.
In the example clip 200 shown, surfaces 205a, 205b, 211a, 211b of the gripping members 204a, 204b are exposed to the exterior of the clip 200 when the clip 200 is in the closed configuration. Optionally, however, the end faces 207 and 209 can be extended to cover the surfaces 205a, 205b, 211a and 211b when the clip 200 is in the closed configuration.
In the closed configuration of the of the clip 200, in some examples, the gripping surfaces 240 and 242 abut each other and are sufficiently compressible to cooperate by sandwiching one or more chains/straps/strings therebetween without disturbing the substantially cylindrical nature of the clip 200. In other examples, there is gap between the gripping surface 240 and 242. In at least some of these examples, the gap is such that the shortest distance between the opposing substantially planar sides of the gripping members is less than a thickness of a chain or strap/string to be held between the gripping members. Whether or not there is a gap, the friction between the gripping surfaces 240, 242 and the chain/strap/string can help to prevent the chain/strap/string from moving about and, in the case of multiple chain/straps/strings held by the same clip 200, the friction between the gripping surface 240, 242 can help to prevent tangling of the chains/straps/strings in undesirable ways, thereby minimizing or preventing tarnishing or damage that may otherwise be caused by the chains/straps/strings' rubbing together.
The gripping members 204a and 204b can be affixed to the inner surfaces of their respective shell pieces (212, 214) through any suitable means, such as glue or other drying adhesive, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, and so forth.
In some examples, the first shell piece includes a first locking element 250 that is complementary to a second locking element 252 on the second shell piece, the first and second locking elements adapted to mate with each other when the clip is in the closed configuration to reduce the chances of the clip 200 undesirably opening from the closed configuration. Non-limiting examples of possible locking mechanisms that can be used to achieve this functionality include, e.g., snaps, latches, pins, screws, clasps, etc. In the example shown, the locking element 250 is a male component (latch) disposed on a shell piece 212 opposite the hinge 216 and frictionally mates with a second locking element 252, which is a complementary female component (groove) disposed on the shell piece 214 opposite the hinge 216.
Referring now to
Referring now to
It should be appreciated that the clip 200 and its features can be adjusted in size to accommodate more necklaces, thicker necklaces, etc.
Referring now to
It should be appreciated that the clips 200 and their structural features can be adjusted in size to accommodate more necklaces, thicker necklaces, etc. In addition, alternative jewelry assemblies can include three or more clips.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.
