Patent Application
20190343247
Jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, typically includes one or more charms or other types of ornamental components. The ornamental components of jewelry can simply be decorative or may have different meanings or significance to the user. For example, the ornamental components can be used to mark an accomplishment, to express a personal sentiment to others, to commemorate a special occasion, or to merely provide stylistic enhancement.
Thus, the reason for selecting and wearing jewelry and its associated ornamental components can vary, but it is typically thoughtfully considered by the user. The significance associated with articles of jewelry can be further enhanced by providing ornamental components with inner charms that have a removable outer shell. These types of ornamental components could be used to motivate an individual that is pursuing a goal by having the individual expose the inner charms each time a particular milestone is achieved. Alternatively, the ornamental components having removable outer shells could be used to mark the countdown to a significant event or to commemorate collaborations with others. The applications for such ornamental components are wide-ranging.
Embodiments of the present technology address deficiencies of the art in respect to ornamental components for use with particular items of jewelry. The present technology provides an ornamental component that includes an inner element structured to attach to a jewelry item and an outer element that encapsulates the inner element. The outer element of the ornamental component can be configured to be removed (e.g. detached, broken apart, dissolved, or cracked) in order to reveal the inner element. The inner elements of the ornamental components can be used to mark milestones or as a method for tracking progress towards a particular goal.
Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 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 invention, as claimed.
For a better understanding of the embodiments described herein, reference will be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present technology, and in which:
Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the scope of the disclosure.
The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.
Jewelry 100 can have one or more ornamental components 104 that are strung along elongated member 102. Each ornamental component 104 can include an outer element 106 and an inner element 108. Outer element 106 can be a shell, coating, or housing that surrounds or encapsulates inner element 108. Inner element 108, depicted as a star in
In some embodiments, outer element 106 can be formed from a material that obscures visibility of inner element 108—either translucent or opaque. Alternatively, outer element 106 can be formed from a transparent material such that inner element 108 is visible while outer element 106 is present. In another embodiment, outer element 106 can be formed from a material that is initially opaque and obscures visibility of inner element 108 but becomes transparent after a certain amount of time or after certain amount of exposure to sunlight or water.
In some embodiments, outer element 106 can be an unadorned casing that functions to encapsulate inner element 108. Alternatively, outer element 106 can likewise be a charm or accessory having ornamental features. Outer element 106 can be configured to be removable such that inner element 108 is fully exposed. Embodiments of exemplary removal mechanisms for outer element 106 are discussed herein in connection with
Removal of outer element 106 can be permanent or temporary. In a temporary removal embodiment, outer element 106 can be configured to be reattached to ornamental component 104 and to re-encapsulate inner element 108. In a permanent removal embodiment, outer element 106 can be broken apart, dissolved, cracked, or otherwise destroyed to expose inner element 108.
In some embodiments, first member 202a and second member 202b can be joined together in a manner that creates an opening 204. Opening 204 can be used to thread or string through an elongated member of an article of jewelry such as a necklace or bracelet. While opening 204 is depicted in the center of ornamental component 200, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative embodiments are contemplated herein. Likewise, opening 204 is not limited in scope to a circular-like shape and alternative geometries and/or mechanisms (e.g. clasps, hooks, clips, clamps, etc.) are contemplated herein.
In one embodiment, first member 202a and second member 202b can include helical structure such as a matched pair of threads. This type of structure can facilitate attachment and detachment of the first member 202a and the second member 202b by using twisting/screwing action.
In another embodiment, the perimeter of a mating interface on first member 202a can include a recessed groove configured to couple with a complementary mating interface on second member 202b. That is, first mating member 202a and second mating member 202b can include mechanical features that facilitate engagement and disengagement by applying a small amount of pressure.
In another embodiment, first member 202a can include one or more clips configured to attach to second member 202b. In yet another embodiment, first member 202a and second member 202b can be attached to each other by using a tongue and groove type mechanical structure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative interlocking structures that permit engagement/disengagement of first member 202a and second member 202b are possible and contemplated herein.
Alternatively, outer element 201 can be formed from a material that can be broken or otherwise permanently removed to expose an inner element (see also
In some embodiments, first member 302a and second member 302b can include a mechanical linkage or pivot point such as hinge 306. In some embodiments, hinge 306 can provide a bias or force that maintains first member 302a and second member 302b in a closed position. Such bias or force can be overcome by exerting a nominal force that separates first member 302a from second member 302b.
In other embodiments, ornamental component 300 can also include a locking mechanism such as clip 304 that is configured to keep first member 302a and second member 302b in a closed position. Outer element 301 can be opened by disengaging clip 304 such that first member 302a and second member 302b can be taken apart. In addition, hinge 306 may provide a bias or force that drives outer element 301 to the open position when clip 304 is opened or removed. Alternatively, a bias or force to the open or closed position may be provided by a separate element such as a spring or coil (not illustrated).
Inner element 310 can be any type of charm, ornament, or trinket that can be displayed on an article of jewelry such as a necklace or bracelet. Inner element 310 can include an opening 312 to facilitate stringing or attachment to an article of jewelry. Alternatively, inner element 310 may include a clasp, hook, or other attachment mechanism (not illustrated) that can secure it to the article of jewelry.
An elongated member of the bracelet or necklace may be passed through opening 312 of inner element 310 as well as opening 308 of outer element 301. Thus, when outer element 301 is opened and removed, inner element 308 is exposed and remains securely attached to the article of jewelry.
Outer element 406 can be removed and reveal an exposed inner element 408c, which remains attached or mounted to elongated member 402. In some embodiments, outer element 406 can be re-attached to ornamental component 404 and once again encapsulate inner element 408a, 408b. Alternatively, outer element 406 can be destroyed or discarded after it is removed from ornamental component 404.
A user may utilize ornamental component 404 for different purposes. In one example, ornamental components provide different aesthetic characteristics than traditional jewelry items, and can therefore be used as a fashion article. As such, the user can selectively remove one or more outer elements 406 to reveal inner elements 408a, 408b and thus present different aesthetic combinations.
In another example, ornamental components 404 can be used as a method of tracking progress to a particular goal. For example, a user may have a goal of losing a predetermined amount of weight, and outer elements 406 can be removed as incremental milestones toward achieving the end goal. Alternatively, a user may be counting down time to a particular milestone such as a trip, wedding, birthday, anniversary, etc. Outer elements 406 can be removed with each passing day, week, month, or year to indicate progress toward the milestone.
The outer elements 406, the inner elements 408 both can bear indicia such as colors, shapes, letters, words or symbols that are representative of the milestones. For example, the inner elements can bear numbers that represent a countdown to a target date for an event or goal. As an example, inner element 408a bears the number “1” and inner element 408b bears the number “2.” The indicia on each inner element can be the same or can differ, such as count down numbers or aspirational messages, like “almost there.”
In yet another example, a user may give a gift of a bracelet to someone with inner elements 408 that have significance which is revealed as the outer elements 406 are removed.
In some embodiments, breakable outer shell 502 can include pre-arranged fractures that facilitate breakage 506 of outer shell 502. In some embodiments, the pre-arranged fractures may be visible to the user. Alternatively, the pre-arranged fractures may be in embedded inside of the material used to form outer shell 502 and not visible to the user. In some embodiments, the pre-arranged fractures can be used to ensure that breakage of outer shell 502 does not result in any jagged or sharp edges that could cut or otherwise harm a user.
Ornamental component 500 can also include an opening (not illustrated) or some other structure that facilitates threading or mounting on an article of jewelry such as a necklace or bracelet. In some embodiments, the opening can be formed as part of outer shell 502, which can correspond to an opening (not illustrated) on inner element 504. Alternatively, outer shell 502 may not include any openings and a user may be required to crack and remove outer shell 502 in order to expose the inner element 504 that is to be mounted on an article of jewelry.
The foregoing examples are provided for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure herein.
The above detailed description is intended to highlight various features and aspects of the invention by discussing specific attributes of particular embodiments of the invention. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the apparatuses, systems, and methods described herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/670,176 filed on May 11, 2018.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62670176 | May 2018 | US |
