U.S. patent application number 09/825402 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-03 for article of jewelry with interchangeable plaque.
Invention is credited to Marandola, Edward JR..
Application Number | 20020139142 09/825402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25243931 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020139142 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marandola, Edward JR. |
October 3, 2002 |
Article of jewelry with interchangeable plaque
Abstract
A bracelet including a housing for supporting a removable plaque
is disclosed. The housing is preferably connected at a first end
and a second end to a strap. The housing may further include a
base, and a pair of sidewalls which support the removable plaque in
the engaged or secured position. The base may further support an
element of an engagement member which secures the removable plaque
to the base. In one embodiment, the engagement member includes a
pair of magnets supported on an inner surface of the base and
plaque, respectively, which are magnetically attracted to each
other. The removable plaque preferably includes an inner surface
which supports the magnet and an outer surface for receiving
ornamentation, such as indicia thereon. The plaque may further
include a pair of side walls which overlap the side walls of the
housing in the engaged position.
Inventors: |
Marandola, Edward JR.;
(Newport, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jodi-Ann McLane
Salter & Michaelson
321 South Main Street
Providence
RI
02903-7128
US
|
Family ID: |
25243931 |
Appl. No.: |
09/825402 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44D 2203/00 20130101;
A44C 17/0216 20130101; A44C 15/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/22 |
International
Class: |
A44C 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An article of jewelry comprising: a housing having a first end,
a second end, a base and a pair of side walls supported by the
base, the base further having an inner and an outer surface; a
plaque including a faceplate and a pair of side walls supported by
the faceplate, the faceplate having an inner and an outer surface,
the outer surface constructed and arranged to receive ornamentation
thereon; an engagement member including a first element and a
second element, the first element being supported on the housing,
and the second element being supported on the plaque; and wherein
in an engaged position the sidewalls of the plaque overlap the
sidewalls of the housing and the first element and second element
matingly engage in order to removably secure the plaque to the
housing.
2. The article of jewelry of claim 1, wherein the first element is
supported on the inner surface of the base and the second element
is supported on the inner surface of the faceplate.
3. The article of jewelry of claim 2, wherein the first element is
a magnet and the second element is a magnet, the first and second
magnets being magnetically attracted to each other.
4. The article of jewelry of claim 2, wherein the engagement member
comprises Velcro.RTM. material and includes a hook element and a
corresponding loop element.
5. The article of jewelry of claim 1, wherein the first element is
supported on the side walls of the housing and the second element
is supported on the side walls of the plaque.
6. The article of jewelry of claim 5, wherein the first element is
a pair of indentations formed on the outer surface of the sidewalls
of the housing and the second element is a pair of protrusions
supported on the inner surface of the side walls of the plaque.
7. The article of jewelry of claim 5, wherein the first element is
a pair of protrusions formed on the outer surface of the sidewalls
of the housing and the second element is a pair of indentations
supported on the inner surface of the side walls of the plaque.
8. The article of jewelry of claim 1, further comprising a strap
having a first member attached to the first end of the housing, and
a second member attached to a second end of the housing.
9. The article of jewelry of claim 1, wherein the plaque
substantially covers the housing in the engaged position.
10. An article of jewelry comprising: a housing having a first end,
a second end, a base and a pair of side walls supported by the
base, the base further having an inner and an outer surface; a
plaque including a faceplate and a pair of side walls supported by
the faceplate, the faceplate having an inner and an outer surface,
the outer surface constructed and arranged to receive ornamentation
thereon; an engagement member including a first magnet element and
a second magnet element, the first magnet element being supported
on the inner surface of the base, and the second magnet element
being supported on the inner surface of the plaque; and wherein in
an engaged position the housing is inserted within the plaque such
that the sidewalls of the plaque overlap the sidewalls of the
housing, and the first element and second element magnetically
engage in order to removably secure the plaque to the housing.
11. The article of jewelry of claim 10, wherein the plaque
substantially covers the housing in the engaged position.
12. An article of jewelry comprising: a housing having a first end,
a second end, a base and a pair of side walls supported by the
base, the base further having an inner and an outer surface; a
plaque including a faceplate and a pair of side walls supported by
the faceplate, the faceplate having an inner and an outer surface,
the outer surface constructed and arranged to receive ornamentation
thereon; an engagement member including a first element and a
second element, the first element being supported on the outer
surface of the side walls of the housing, and the second element
being supported on the inner surface of the side walls of the
plaque; and wherein in an engaged position the housing is inserted
within the plaque such that the sidewalls of the plaque overlap the
sidewalls of the housing, and the first element and second element
matingly engage in order to removably secure the plaque to the
housing.
13. The article of jewelry of claim 12, wherein the plaque
substantially covers the housing in the engaged position.
Description
DESCRIPTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates generally to an article of jewelry
having a removable plaque and, more specifically, to an
identification-style bracelet having a removable and/or
interchangeable plaque.
[0003] 2. Background of Related Art
[0004] Identification-style bracelets are well known in the art of
jewelry. Such bracelets generally have a wrist band and include a
plate or plaque for carrying identifying information or indicia,
such as a person's name or initials, personal data and/or medical
information. Identification bracelets have been used for both
ornamentation and for providing information relating to an
individual's medical condition. While generally appealing, user's
may tire of the particular ornamentation of their identification
bracelet.
[0005] Jewelry having elements which can vary the overall "look" of
the article of jewelry are also known in the art. For example, an
identification bracelet having a removable and interchangeable
strap (12) is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,067 to Prout. U.S.
Pat. No. 2,749,634 to Billett et al. discloses an identification
bracelet watch which has a detachable housing where indicia
personal to the wearer may be attached and detached.
[0006] Accordingly, there is continued development in the art to
develop jewelry having elements which can be removed and/or
interchanged in order to vary the look of the article.
SUMMARY
[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide an article
of jewelry, for example an identification-style bracelet, having a
removable and/or interchangeable plaque. According to one
embodiment, the bracelet includes a housing for supporting the
removable plaque, an engagement member for removably securing the
plaque to the housing, and a wristband or strap for supporting the
bracelet around the wrist of a wearer. The housing may preferably
include a base, and a pair of sidewalls which support the removable
plaque in the engaged or secured position. The base of the housing
may also support the plaque, provide an attachment point for the
strap, and provide support for an element of the engagement member.
In one embodiment, the engagement member includes a pair of
magnets, one supported on an inner surface of the base of the
housing and the other supported on an inner surface of a faceplate
of the plaque, which are magnetically attracted to each other. The
removable plaque preferably includes an outer surface for receiving
ornamentation, such as indicia thereon, and a pair of side walls
which overlap the side walls of the housing in the engaged
position. The magnetic attraction between the first magnet
supported on the housing and the second magnet, supported on the
plaque, prevents accidental disengagement of the plaque from the
housing during use. When the wearer wishes to remove the plaque
from engagement with the housing, he or she simply applies a force
sufficient to break the magnetic bond between the first and second
magnets and lifts the plaque off the housing. In alternate
embodiments, the engagement member includes any two elements which
engage each other to removably secure the plaque to the
housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] It should be understood that the drawings are provided for
the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the
limits of the invention. The foregoing and other objects and
advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent
with reference to the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a first
embodiment of an identification bracelet having a removable and/or
interchangeable plaque;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the identification bracelet
of FIG. 1 with multiple, interchangeable plaques;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side, cross-sectional view of the identification
bracelet taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the
identification bracelet of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a second
embodiment of an identification bracelet having a removable and/or
interchangeable plaque;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the identification bracelet
of FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the identification
bracelet taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional view of the identification
bracelet showing an alternate engagement member to that of FIG.
7;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of a third
embodiment of an identification bracelet having a removable and/or
interchangeable plaque;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an exploded side view, in partial cross-section,
of the identification bracelet of FIG. 8; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view, in partial cross-section, of the
identification bracelet of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
[0020] An article of jewelry 10 having a removable plate or plaque
12 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-8. As used herein, the term "jewelry"
refers to any type or style of jewelry which may be worn as either
ornamentation or for a functional purpose, such as identification,
by a user. In the description which follows the article of jewelry
is described as a bracelet, however, this is not intended to limit
the scope of the application since the removable plaque may find
use with other types of jewelry, such as a necklace.
[0021] In the present embodiment, the article of jewelry 10 may be
a bracelet, for example an identification bracelet, and includes a
plaque assembly 11 having a housing 14 for supporting the removable
plaque 12, a band or strap 16, and a fastener or clasp 18 for
securing the strap around the wrist of a wearer. The housing 14 is
preferably supported at a first and a second end 20, 22 between a
first member 15 and a second member 17 of the strap 16. The strap
16 may be any conventional style strap or chain, and may be made of
any suitable material such as leather, metal, fibre, plastic, etc.
Likewise, the clasp 18 may be any conventional style and may be
made of any suitable material. In the present embodiment, the strap
is preferably made from a metal, for example stainless steel or
silver, and includes a plurality of links 24, a link being attached
to each of the first and second ends of the housing.
[0022] The housing may further include a base 26, and a pair of
sidewalls 28, 30 supported on and extending from the base along a
length, "l.sub.1", thereof. The side walls preferably support the
removable plaque in the engaged or secured position. The base may
preferably provide attachment points for the strap, and may
additionally provide support for an element of the engagement
member 32 which removably secures the plaque to the base. In the
present embodiment, the engagement member 32 includes a pair of
magnets 34, 36 supported on an inner surface of the base of the
housing and the plaque, respectively, the magnets being
magnetically attracted to each other in order to removably secure
the plaque to the housing.
[0023] The removable plaque 12 preferably includes an inner surface
38 which supports the magnet 36 and an outer surface 39 for
receiving ornamentation, such as indicia 40 thereon. The plaque 12
further preferably includes a pair of side walls 42, 44 which are
supported on and extend from a faceplate of the plaque, preferably
along a length, "l.sub.2", thereof. The sidewalls 42, 44 of the
plaque preferably substantially overlap the side walls 28, 30 of
the housing in the engaged position (FIG. 2) such that the plaque
substantially covers the housing and appears to be a single,
unitary member. The magnetic attraction between the first magnet 34
supported on the housing and the second magnet 36, supported on the
plaque, prevents accidental disengagement of the plaque from the
housing during use. When the wearer wishes to remove the plaque
from engagement with the housing, he or she simply applies a force
sufficient to break the magnetic bond between the first and second
magnets 34, 36 and lifts the plaque off the housing. The plaque
assembly 11 may have any suitable dimensions, as desired.
[0024] The engagement member 32 may be any of a variety of
engagement members, other than a pair of magnets, and may be
supported on the side walls instead of the inner surface of the
housing and plaque, as would be known to those of skill in the art.
For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7a, the
engagement member 132 may include a pair of indentations 146, 148
which matingly engage a pair of protrusion 150, 152. The
indentations and protrusions are preferably supported on the
sidewalls of the plaque and the housing. In the embodiment of FIG.
7, the indentations are formed on the outer surface of each of the
sidewalls 128, 130 of the housing 114, while the protrusions 150,
152 are formed on the inner surface of each of the sidewalls 142,
144 of the plaque. Alternatively, the indentations may be formed on
the inner surface of the side walls of the plaque, and the
protrusions may be formed on the outer surface of the side walls of
the housing. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the sidewalls
142, 144 of the plaque preferably substantially overlap the side
walls 128, 130 of the housing in the engaged position. The
engagement of the protrusions with their corresponding indentations
prevents accidental disengagement of the plaque from the housing
during use. When the wearer wishes to remove the plaque from
engagement with the housing, he or she simply applies a force
sufficient to disengage the protrusions from the indentations and
lifts the plaque off the housing. In a third, alternate embodiment
(FIGS. 8-10), the engagement member 232 may be made of Velcro.RTM.
material, with a hook element 254 being supported on the inner
surface of either the housing or plaque, and a corresponding loop
element 256 being supported on the inner surface of the other of
either the housing or plaque, as is conventional. The engagement of
the hook element with the loop element prevents accidental
disengagement of the plaque from the housing during use. When the
wearer wishes to remove the plaque from engagement with the
housing, he or she simply applies a force sufficient to disengage
the hook and loop elements, and lifts the plaque off the
housing.
[0025] Use of the article of jewelry 10 with a removable plaque 12
will now be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026] In use, the article of jewelry, such as identification
bracelet 10, is initially in a non-secured position where the strap
is fully extended and the clasp is unsecured. The housing 14 is
supported by the strap 16 and the user chooses which plaque 12 he
or she wishes to attach to the housing. The plaque is aligned with
the housing and the housing is inserted within the plaque by
placing the side walls 42, 44 of the plaque over the side walls 28,
30 of the housing and pushing the two together. The user applies a
force to the plaque and/or the housing until the element of the
engagement member supported by the housing engages the element of
the engagement member supported on the plaque, and the plaque is
secured to the housing. The engagement member may be any of a
variety of known members which are used to removably secure two
items together, as would be known to those of skill in the art. The
clasp and strap may then be secured around the wrist of the user.
In order to disengage and remove the plaque, the user simply
applies a force sufficient to disengage the engagement element
supported on the housing from the engagement element supported on
the plaque, as described above.
[0027] It will be understood that various modifications may be made
to the embodiment disclosed herein. For example, the article of
jewelry need not be a bracelet, the size, dimensions and geometric
configuration of the article may be varied, and various types of
materials may be utilized. In addition, the engagement member is
not limited to those described above, and may be varied as would be
known to those of skill in the art. Therefore, the above
description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as
exemplifications of a preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the
art will envision other modifications within the scope, spirit and
intent of the invention.
* * * * *