U.S. patent application number 11/512633 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for relationship indicator jewelry and method.
Invention is credited to Ronnie G. Burress.
Application Number | 20080053146 11/512633 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39149648 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burress; Ronnie G. |
March 6, 2008 |
Relationship indicator jewelry and method
Abstract
Relationship indicator jewelry (1) having a base (2) and a
colored status indicator insert (3). The base (2) has at least one
aperture (4) located thereon to permit viewing of the colored
indicator insert (3) and at least one slot (5) for insertion of the
insert (3). The colored insert (3) is used to indicate the
relationship status of a wearer. For example, a red insert (3) may
be used to indicate that the wearer is in a serious, committed
relationship and is not available; a yellow insert (3) may be used
to indicate that the wearer is currently dating but is still
looking to date other individuals; a green insert (3) may be used
to indicate that the wearer is not dating and is looking to date
and a multi-colored insert (3) may be used to indicate that the
wearer is seeking a same-sex relationship.
Inventors: |
Burress; Ronnie G.; (Naples,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARD M. LIVINGSTON, PA
963 TRAIL TERRACE DRIVE
NAPLES
FL
34103
US
|
Family ID: |
39149648 |
Appl. No.: |
11/512633 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 3/005 20130101;
G09F 21/02 20130101; A44C 5/0015 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/3 |
International
Class: |
A44C 5/00 20060101
A44C005/00 |
Claims
1. Relationship indicator jewelry comprising: a circular base
having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter; said
circular base having at least one slot located thereon; an insert
insertable into said circular base; said circular insert having a
predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter; said insert
thickness is less than said base thickness; said insert diameter is
less than said insert diameter; and said insert has at least one
predetermined color wherein said at least one predetermined color
indicates a wearer's relationship status when said insert is
located within said base.
2. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein: said base
has at least one aperture.
3. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein: said
insert has at least one design located thereon.
4. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 2 wherein: said
insert has at least one design located thereon.
5. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is red.
6. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 2 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is red.
7. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is green.
8. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 2 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is green.
9. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is multi-colored.
10. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 2 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is multi-colored.
11. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein: said
relationship indicator jewelry is worn on a person's finger.
12. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein: said
relationship indicator jewelry is worn on a person's arm.
13. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 further
comprising: at least one loop located on said base.
14. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 13 wherein: said
relationship indicator jewelry is worn on a necklace.
15. Relationship indicator jewelry comprising: a circular base
having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter; said
circular base having at least one slot located thereon; said base
having at least one aperture located thereon; an insert insertable
into said circular base; said circular insert having a
predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter; said insert
thickness is less than said base thickness; said insert diameter is
less than said insert diameter; and said insert has at least one
predetermined color wherein said at least one predetermined color
indicates a wearer's relationship status when said insert is
located within said base.
16. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 15 wherein: said
insert has at least one design located thereon.
17. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 15 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is red.
18. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 15 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is green.
19. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 15 wherein: said
insert at least one predetermined color is multi-colored.
20. A method for indicating a relationship status of a wearer using
jewelry comprising a circular base having a predetermined thickness
and a predetermined diameter; said circular base having at least
one slot located thereon; an insert insertable into said circular
base; said circular insert having a predetermined thickness and a
predetermined diameter; said insert thickness is less than said
base thickness; said insert diameter is less than said insert
diameter; and said insert has at least one predetermined color
wherein said at least one predetermined color indicates a wearer's
relationship status when said insert is located within said base,
said method comprising the steps of: a. inserting said insert into
said circular base; b. wearing said relationship indicator jewelry;
and b. viewing said insert wherein said insert indicates a wearer's
relationship status.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to jewelry, more particularly,
jewelry that indicates a wearer's relationship status.
[0002] The wearing of jewels or other decorative items has a
deep-seeded history that dates as far back as the earliest Egyptian
civilizations. Jewels and other trinkets were adorned by the
sophisticated and elite so as to impress upon others an aura of
wealth, power and high social status. Jewelry, especially ornate
jewelry, became so much of a status symbol that oftentimes the dead
were buried with their most valuable and prized jewelry.
[0003] However, as time progressed, the availability of jewelry to
the masses became commonplace. Although there are many degrees with
respect to the materials used in jewelry, which in turn affect the
ultimate cost, jewelry has become a staple in today's civilized
society. Both men and women alike wear jewelry for a variety of
reasons, including to make oneself more attractive, to express
one's personal style and even to indicate a person's relationship
status. The wearing of jewelry to indicate a relationship status
not only serves as a constant reminder to the wearer that he or she
is in a relationship, but also serves to ward off any unwanted
advances by other individuals.
[0004] However, in order to indicate a person's relationship
status, only one option is available: wearing a ring on a person's
ring finger on his or her left hand. The ring may be an engagement
ring (in the case of females) or a wedding ring. Although the
wearing of a ring on the ring finger of the left hand gives a clear
indication that a person is either engaged or married, many single
individuals who are dating are left in a conundrum as they are not
yet engaged or married, but are in a serious and committed
relationship wherein neither party is looking for other individuals
to date.
[0005] In addition, persons who are divorced or widowed oftentimes
find themselves in quandary as well as perhaps he or she is not yet
ready to start dating again but no longer wishes to wear a wedding
ring.
[0006] Moreover, many same-sex oriented individuals also find
themselves in a difficult situation wherein a dater, who is
interested in a same-sex relationship, makes advances or receives
advances from someone of the opposite sex.
[0007] Thus, a need exists for jewelry that serves as an indicator
of the wearer's relationship status and/or whether the person is
seeking a same-sex relationship.
[0008] The relevant prior art includes the following
references:
TABLE-US-00001 Patent No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor
Issue/Publication Date 6,715,314 Rose Apr. 06, 2004 5,355,698
Edmark Oct. 18, 1994 4,184,344 Pepin Jan. 22, 1980 4,077,237 Loper
Mar. 07, 1978 2,427,257 Campbell Sep. 09, 1947 5,109,789 Berman May
05, 1992 6,467,307 Watson Oct. 22, 2002 6,442,972 Watson Sep. 03,
2002 3,483,716 Stenzler Dec. 16, 1969 6,050,695 Fromm Apr. 18,
2000
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The primary object of the present invention is to provide
relationship indicator jewelry that indicates a wearer's
relationship status.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide
relationship indicator jewelry that indicates a wearer's sexual
orientation.
[0011] An even further object of the present invention is to
provide relationship indicator jewelry that is attractive.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide
relationship indicator jewelry that is interchangeable so as to
indicate different relationship statuses.
[0013] An even further object of the present invention is to
provide a method for indicating a wearer's relationship status when
wearing the present invention.
[0014] The present invention fulfills the above and other objects
by providing relationship indicator jewelry having a base and a
plurality of colored status indicator inserts. The base has at
least one aperture located thereon to permit viewing of the colored
indicator insert and at least one slot for insertion of the insert.
The colored insert is used to indicate the relationship status of a
wearer. For example, a red insert may be used to indicate that the
wearer is in a serious, committed relationship and is not
available; a yellow insert may be used to indicate that the wearer
is currently dating but is still looking to date other individuals;
a green insert may be used to indicate that the wearer is not
dating and is looking to date and a multi-colored insert may be
used to indicate that the wearer is seeking a same-sex
relationship. The present invention is preferably in the form of a
ring; however, the present invention may also be in the form of a
pendent that is worn on a necklace or bracelet or any other type of
wearable item wherein a base and inserts are used to indicate a
relationship status may be used.
[0015] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention should become even more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed
description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown
and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the following detailed description, reference will be
made to the attached drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of a base of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a front view of a first embodiment of an insert of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of inserting an insert of the
present invention into a base of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of an insert
the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the
terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the
drawings is as follows:
TABLE-US-00002 1. relationship indicator jewelry, generally 2. base
3. insert 4. aperture 5. slot 6. base thickness 7. base diameter 8.
insert thickness 9. insert diameter 10. design 11. band 12. first
color 13. second color 14. necklace 15. loop 16. striped
pattern
[0025] With respect to FIG. 1, a front view of the present
invention is shown. The relationship indicator jewelry 1 of the
present invention includes a circular base 2 and a circular insert
3, the latter of which has at least one color located thereon. The
base 1 has a predetermined base thickness 6, a predetermined base
diameter 7 and at least one aperture 4, which is preferably in the
shape of a human eye. When the insert 3 is encompassed within the
base 2, the insert 3, which may include a predetermined design 10
thereon, is viewable through the apertures 4. When the relationship
indicator jewelry 1 is worn, the color of the insert 3 serves to
indicate the relationship status of the individual. Preferably, the
most basic representative meanings of the insert colors are as
follows: red indicates that the wearer is not interested in dating
other individuals at this time and green indicates that the wearer
is interested in dating other individuals at this time. However,
other colors having other meanings may also be used as well, such
as a multi-colored insert 3 indicating that a person is interested
in a same-sex relationship.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The
insert 3 has a predetermined insert thickness 8 and a predetermined
insert diameter 9 wherein the predetermined insert thickness 8 and
insert diameter 9 are slightly smaller in size than the
predetermined base thickness 6 and base diameter 7, respectively.
In this manner, the insert 3 is easily insertable into the base
1.
[0027] In FIG. 3, a side view of a base of the present invention is
shown. The base 2 includes a slot 5 of a predetermined size which
permits a wearer to insert an insert 3 into the base 2 prior to
wearing the relationship indicator jewelry 1.
[0028] Next, FIG. 4 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an
insert of the present invention. The insert 3 is has a first color
12, which may be red (not interested in dating), green (interested
in dating), yellow (already in a relationship, but willing to
date), orange (seeking friendship only) or any other color. The
color of the insert 3 is of importance as it serves to indicate the
relationship status of an individual.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of inserting an insert of
the present invention into a base of the present invention. Because
the insert 3 is of a lesser size in insert thickness 8 and insert
diameter 9 as compared to the base thickness 6 and base diameter 7,
respectively, a person may easily slide the insert 3 into the slot
5 of the base 2 so as to have the insert 3 located within the base
2. When the base 2 and insert 3 are in proper alignment, meaning
that the insert 3 is located completely within the base 2, a person
may wear the relationship indicator jewelry 1.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an insert
the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, the second
embodiment of the insert 2 includes a first color 12. However, in
addition to having a first color 12, the insert also includes a
second color 13 and a multi-colored striped pattern 16. In this
manner, a person may rotate the insert 3 prior to wearing the
relationship indicator jewelry 1 so as to signify if he or she is
interested in dating other individuals, not dating or seeking a
same-sex relationship. The colors 12 and 13 and multi-colored
striped pattern 16 are preferably divided from one another via a
band 11.
[0031] Finally, FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention in
use. The relationship indicator jewelry 1 of the present invention
may be in the form of a ring, bracelet, necklace (wherein the
jewelry includes at least one loop 15 so as to suspend the
relationship status jewelry 1 from a necklace 14) or any other
wearable item.
[0032] Although the insert 3 has at least one color located
thereon, it is preferably to have the entire insert 3 made of the
same color for uniformity in appearance. However, the insert 3 may
include more than one color so as to permit a person to rotate the
insert 3 when his or her relationship status changes, thereby
eliminating the need to obtain an entirely new insert 3.
[0033] The use of the present invention will allow a person to
display his or her relationship status while wearing an attractive
item of jewelry.
[0034] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of
the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the
specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is
shown and described in the specification and drawings.
* * * * *