Patent Application
20180035767
This presentation relates to jewelry, and in particular to a jewelry piece capable of removably carrying beads.
Bead-carrying jewelry, such as necklaces or bracelets, have been known since antiquity. Traditional bead carrying jewelry pieces comprise at least one thread on which one or more beads are threaded. The ends of the at least one thread are traditionally attached together permanently to prevent the one or more beads from falling off.
A drawback of the bracelet 10 is that flexible elongated member 14 must have a length adapted to the wrist size of the user of the bracelet. If flexible elongated member 14 is too long, the bracelet 10 can be too loose for the wrist of a given user and if flexible elongated member 14 is too short, the bracelet 10 can be too tight for the wrist of the user. This requires a retailer that sells bracelet 10 to store an assortment of flexible elongated members 14 of different length, so as to cater to most of the potential users. Storing an assortment of flexible elongated members 14 creates a number of inconveniences for the retailer, including the requirement of additional secured storage space, immobilization of investment, etc.
Another drawback of bracelet 10 is due to the fact that the end 18 of elongated member 14 is attached to the clasp 20. The beads 12 can have each a different appearance, and one may want to rearrange the beads, or to introduce a new bead on the bracelet at any given position between the existing beads 12. If one wants to rearrange a bead close to the end 18 of elongated member 14 one must, after opening clasp 20, remove all the beads arranged between said position and the end 16 of member 14 before threading the new bead and then re-threading all the beads previously removed.
There exists a need for a jewelry piece such as a bracelet, capable of removably carrying beads and that does not require storage of an assortment of flexible elongated members of different sizes.
An embodiment of this presentation comprises a jewelry piece having a first flexible elongated member having first and second ends; a second flexible elongated member having first and second ends; a third flexible elongated member having first and second ends; a first clasp removably attaching the second end of the first flexible elongated member to the first end of the second flexible elongated member; a second clasp removably attaching the second end of the second flexible elongated member to the first end of the third flexible elongated member; and a slider slidably coupling the first flexible elongated member to the third flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, said first and third flexible elongated members pass through said slider such that the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the third flexible elongated member are arranged on a same side of the slider.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, said first and third flexible elongated members pass through said slider such that the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the third flexible elongated member are arranged on a different side of the slider.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, said slider is arranged to slide along said first flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, said slider can be slid along a full length of the first elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, said slider is arranged to slide along each of said first and third flexible elongated members.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, said slider can be slid along a full length of the first and third elongated members.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first clasp is arranged such that opening the first clasp allows detaching the second end of the first flexible elongated member from the first end of the second flexible elongated member and allows passing the first end of the second flexible elongated member through the lumen of a bead provided for being threaded on the second flexible elongated member, and the second clasp is arranged such that opening the second clasp allows detaching the second end of the second flexible elongated member from the first end of the third flexible elongated member and allows passing the second end of the second flexible elongated member through the lumen of a bead provided for being threaded on the second flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the jewelry piece comprises at least a bead threaded on the second flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first, second and third flexible elongated members have each a same structure.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first and third flexible elongated members have a same first structure and the second flexible member has a second structure.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first and third flexible elongated members have a same length.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the second flexible elongated member has a diameter comprised between 1.5 and 5 millimeters.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the second flexible elongated member comprises one of a mesh chain and a snake chain.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first, second and third flexible elongated members are made of precious metal.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first and second clasps comprise each a hinged clasp.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, each of the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the third flexible elongated member comprise a stopper that prevents the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the third flexible elongated member from passing through the slider.
An embodiment of this presentation comprises a jewelry piece having a first flexible elongated member having first and second ends; a second flexible elongated member having first and second ends; a clasp removably attaching the second end of the first flexible elongated member to the first end of the second flexible elongated member; and a slider slidably coupling the first flexible elongated member to the second flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first and second flexible elongated members pass through said slider such that the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the second flexible elongated member are arranged on a same side of the slider.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first and second flexible elongated members pass through said slider such that the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the second flexible elongated member are arranged on a different side of the slider.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the slider comprises a friction element that holds the slider to an adjustable position along at least one of said first and second flexible elongated members.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the slider comprises a friction element that holds the slider to an adjustable position along each of said first and second flexible elongated members.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the clasp is arranged such that opening the clasp allows detaching the second end of the first flexible elongated member from the first end of the second flexible elongated member and allows passing the first end of the second flexible elongated member through the lumen of a bead provided for being threaded on the second flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the jewelry piece comprises at least a bead threaded on the second flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, at least one washer element is arranged at an adjustable position along the second flexible elongated member, said at least one washer element preventing the bead from being slid past said at least one washer element along the second flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the slider can be slid along a full length of the first elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the slider can be slid along a portion of the second elongated member starting from the second end of the second flexible elongated member and having the length of the first elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first and second flexible elongated members have a same structure.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first flexible elongated member has a first structure and the second flexible elongated member comprises: a first portion, from its first end to a junction point, the first portion having a second structure; and a second portion, from its second end to said junction point, the second portion having said first structure.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the jewelry piece comprises at least a bead threaded on the first portion of the second flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first flexible elongated member and the second portion of the second flexible elongated member have a same length.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the slider is capable of sliding along the full length of the first elongated member and the full length of the second portion of the second flexible elongated member.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first portion of the second flexible elongated member has a diameter comprised between 1.5 and 5 millimeters.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first portion of the second flexible elongated member comprises one of a mesh chain and a snake chain.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first and second flexible elongated members are made of precious metal.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the clasp comprises a hinged clasp.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, each of the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the second flexible elongated member comprise a stopper that prevents the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the second flexible elongated member from passing through the slider.
These and other features and advantages will become further apparent from the detailed description and accompanying figures that follow. In the figures and description, numerals indicate the various features, like numerals referring to like features throughout both the drawings and the description.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, a first clasp 44 removably attaches the second end 30 of the first flexible elongated member 26 to the first end 34 of the second flexible elongated member 32; and a second clasp 46 removably attaches the second end 36 of the second flexible elongated member 32 to the first end 40 of the third flexible elongated member 38. According to an embodiment of this presentation, a slider 48 slidably couples the first flexible elongated member 26 to the third flexible elongated member 38.
As illustrated in
According to an embodiment of this presentation slider 48 comprises a first lumen (not shown) capable of receiving the first flexible elongated member 26 and a second lumen (not shown) capable of receiving the third flexible elongated member 38. Each lumen can comprise a friction element (not shown), such as an O-ring of resilient material maintained in a radial groove of the lumen. The friction elements exert a friction force on the flexible elongated members in the lumens. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the friction force is weak enough to allow a user to slide along the flexible elongated members so that a desired section of the elongated members is maintained in the lumens, and strong enough to hold the desired section of the elongated members in the lumens, thus holding the slider 48 in a desired position along the elongated members when the user does not slide the slider 48 along the flexible elongated members.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the slider 48 can be slid along both flexible elongated members at the same time, or it can be slid along one only of the flexible elongated members.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the slider 48 can alternatively comprise a single lumen (not shown) capable of receiving both the first and third flexible elongated members 26 and 38. The single lumen can comprise a friction element (not shown), such as a ring of resilient material maintained in a radial groove of the lumen and having a function similar to the function of the friction elements previously discussed. Slider 48 is represented in the figures as having a spherical shape, but slider 48 can have any appropriate shape, including a shape having a flattened cross section or a carved shape such as an Ojime bead.
As illustrated in
As outlined above, opening the clasp 44 allows freeing the first end 34 of the second member 32 and threading one or more beads 24 on the first end 34 of the second flexible elongated member 32, or alternatively removing from the first end 34 of the second flexible elongated member 32 one or more beads 24 already threaded on the second flexible elongated member 32.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, clasp 46 can have the same structure as clasp 44, be fixedly attached to the first end 40 of the third elongated member 38 and removably attached to the second end 36 of the second flexible elongated member 32 (by a protrusion not shown); and be arranged such that opening the clasp 46 allows freeing the second end 36 of the second member 32 and threading one or more beads 24 on the second end 36 of the second flexible elongated member 32; or alternatively removing from the second end 36 of the second flexible elongated member 32 one or more beads 24 already threaded on the second flexible elongated member 32.
As illustrated in
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the beads 24 capable of being removably carried by jewelry piece 22 comprise each a lumen (not shown) having a diameter sufficiently large to allow threading bead 24 on the second flexible elongated member 32 by its first or second ends 34, 36. According to an embodiment of this presentation, a bead 24 can comprise in its lumen a friction element (not shown) that holds the bead to an adjustable position along the second flexible elongated member 32. Such a friction element can be a resilient O-ring maintained in a radial groove of the lumen.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the outer diameter of the receiving rings of the clasps 44, 46 is small enough to pass through the lumen of the beads 24. According to an embodiment of this presentation that is not illustrated, miniature lobster clasps capable of passing through the lumen of the beads 24 can alternatively be attached to the ends of the flexible elongated member 32.
According to an embodiment of this presentation that is not illustrated each of clasps 44, 46 can alternatively comprise a first cylindrical portion attached to an end of the first or third elongated members 26, 38 and a second cylindrical portion attached to an end of the second elongated member 32, where the first cylindrical portion comprises an axial protrusion provided for locking into a corresponding recess in the second cylindrical portion. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the axial protrusion can comprise a male threading and can lock into a female threading in the corresponding recess in second cylindrical portion. According to an embodiment of this presentation, axial protrusion can also be magnetic and magnetically lock into the corresponding recess in the second cylindrical portion. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the diameter of the second cylindrical portion is such that it can pass through the lumen of the beads 24. The first and second cylindrical portions can be cylindrical or they can have any suitable shape; for example conical shapes, or hemispherical shapes.
According to an embodiment of this presentation that is not illustrated, each of clasps 44, 46 can alternatively comprise a spring ring clasp that comprises a spring ring portion, attached to an end of the first or third elongated members 26, 38, and a ring portion attached to an end of the second elongated member 32, where spring ring portion is provided for clasping the ring portion. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the diameter of the ring portion is such that it can pass through the lumen of the beads 24.
According to an embodiment of this presentation the slider 48 can be slid along a full length of the first and third elongated members 26, 38. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the flexible elongated members 26, 32 and 38 have a same diameter and a same structure, for example mesh chain or snake chain, for example in a precious metal such as gold or silver, the diameter being comprised between 1.5 and 5 millimeter; preferably between 2 and 4 millimeter, and preferably of 3 millimeter. The clasps and slider can also be made of precious metal.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the second elongated member 32 can comprise a solid chain such as a snake chain or a hollow chain such as a mesh chain. End pieces such as cylindrical caps can be welded to the ends of the elongated members for ease of connection to the clasps.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the second elongated member 32 can have a length between 8 and 20 cm; preferably between 10 and 18 cm, preferably between 12 and 16 cm, and preferably 13 cm. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first and third elongated members 26, 38 can have a length between 3 and 8 cm; preferably between 4 and 7 cm; and preferably 5 cm.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, each of the first end 28 of the first flexible elongated member 26 and the second end 42 of the third flexible elongated member 38 comprise a stopper 49 that prevents the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the third flexible elongated member from passing through the slider 48.
As illustrated in
According to an alternative embodiment that is not illustrated, the first 60 and second 66 flexible elongated members can pass through the slider 74 such that the first end 62 of the first flexible elongated member 60 and the second end 70 of the second flexible elongated member are arranged on opposite sides of the slider 74 (“east-west” slider). According to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, the east-west slider 74 can be fixedly coupled to the first end 62 of the first flexible elongated member 60, thus slidably coupling the length of the second flexible elongated member 66; and a further east-west slider can be fixedly coupled to the second end 70 of the second flexible elongated member 66, so as to slidably couple the length of the first elongated member 60.
The slider 74 and clasp 72 are essentially identical to the slider 40 and the claps 44 or 46 detailed previously. Thus, opening clasp 72 allows threading beads 24 on, or removing beads 24 from, second elongated member 66 by its first end 68. Further, slidably positioning the slider 74 along the length of the first elongated member 60, and for example along a corresponding length of second elongated member 66, allows adjusting the effective circumference of jewelry piece 22′.
As illustrated in
According to an embodiment of this presentation the slider 74 can be slid along a full length of the first elongated member 60. According to an embodiment of this presentation the slider 60 can be slid along a portion of the second elongated member 66 that extends from the second end 70 of the second flexible elongated member and has the length of the first elongated member 60. The washer element 76 can for example be positioned on the second elongated member 66 at a distance from the second end 70 equal to the length of the first elongated member 60.
According to another embodiment of this presentation, the slider 74 can be slid along a portion of the second elongated member 66 that extends from the second end 70 of the second elongated member and has a length different from the length of the first elongated member 60.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the first flexible elongated member 60 has a first structure, and can for example comprise anchor chain, or for example any structure that can be bent freely without exerting a resistance force. The first flexible elongated member 60 can have a diameter comprised between 1.5 and 5 millimeter; preferably between 2 and 4 millimeter, and preferably of 3 millimeter.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, the second flexible elongated member 66 comprises a first portion 78 that extends from first end 70 to a junction point, for example positioned on the second elongated member 66 at a distance from the second end 70 equal to the length of the first elongated member 60, and a second portion 80 that extends from second end 68 to the junction point.
According to an embodiment of this presentation that is not illustrated, the first portion 78 of the second flexible elongated member 66 has the same structure and diameter as the first flexible elongated member 60 and the second portion 80 of the second flexible elongated member 66 has a structure different from the structure of the first flexible elongated member 60. Second portion 80 can also have a diameter different from the diameter of the first flexible elongated member 60 and first portion 78. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the second portion 80 can comprise mesh chain or snake chain, and have a diameter comprised between 1.5 and 5 millimeter; preferably between 2 and 4 millimeter, and preferably of 3 millimeter
According to an embodiment of this presentation that is not illustrated, portion 80 can comprise a hollow structure (such as a mesh chain or a snake chain), with end pieces such as cylindrical caps welded to the ends of the hollow structure. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the diameter of the portion 80 can be larger than the diameter of first flexible elongated member 60 and first portion 78. According to an embodiment of this presentation, the beads 24 are threaded or positioned on the portion 80 of the second flexible elongated member 66.
According to an embodiment of this presentation that is not illustrated, portion 80 can comprise a stopper that cannot be passed by the beads, for example at the junction point.
According to an embodiment of this presentation and as illustrated in
As for jewelry piece 22, the slider permits to adjust the circumference of a single sized jewelry piece 22′ to the wrist of most users. The ability to use a single sized jewelry piece 22′ advantageously allows avoiding storage of an assortment of flexible elongated members of different sizes.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, portion 80 can have a length between 8 and 20 cm; preferably between 10 and 18 cm, preferably between 12 and 16 cm, and preferably 13 cm. According to an embodiment of this presentation, portion 78 (and member 60) can have a length between 3 and 8 cm; preferably between 4 and 7 cm; and preferably 5 cm.
According to an embodiment of this presentation, each of the first end 62 of the first flexible elongated member 60 and the second end 70 of the second flexible elongated member 66 comprise a stopper 82 that prevents the first end of the first flexible elongated member and the second end of the second flexible elongated member from passing through the slider 74.
Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the present invention to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed herein.
The foregoing Detailed Description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art.
No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom. Applicant has made this disclosure with respect to the current state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and that adaptations in the future may take into consideration of those advancements, namely in accordance with the then current state of the art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claim element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor method or process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or step is explicitly recited in the Claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for . . . ” and no method or process step herein is to be construed under those provisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using the phrase “comprising the step(s) of . . . .”
