U.S. patent application number 11/982534 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for jewelry assembly.
Invention is credited to Clara R. Williams.
Application Number | 20080127677 11/982534 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34700663 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080127677 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Clara R. |
June 5, 2008 |
Jewelry assembly
Abstract
A jewelry assembly has a receiving segment having a first and
second end, and a removable segment having a first and second end.
The first and second ends of the receiving segment each have a
magnetically attracted surface. The first end and the second end of
the removable segment each have a magnetically attracted surface.
The first and second ends of the receiving segment are removably
joined to the respective first and second ends of the removable
segment by the magnetically attracted surfaces.
Inventors: |
Williams; Clara R.;
(Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYNDAK & SURI LLP
200 W. MADISON STREET, SUITE 2100
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34700663 |
Appl. No.: |
11/982534 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10746679 |
Dec 26, 2003 |
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11982534 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
63/3.1 ;
63/29.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 5/2076 20130101;
A44C 15/005 20130101; A44D 2203/00 20130101; A44C 17/0216
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/3.1 ;
63/29.1 |
International
Class: |
A44C 5/00 20060101
A44C005/00; A44C 17/02 20060101 A44C017/02 |
Claims
1. A jewelry kit comprising: a receiving segment comprising a
receiving segment first end and a receiving segment second end,
wherein said receiving segment first end comprises a receiving
segment first magnetic surface disposed substantially normal to the
longitudinal section of the receiving segment and said receiving
segment second end comprises a receiving segment second magnetic
surface disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal section
of the receiving segment; a plurality of removable segments, each
different from one another and comprising a removable segment first
end and a removable segment second end, wherein said removable
segment first end comprises a removable segment first magnetic
surface disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal section
of the removable segment and said removable segment second end
comprises a removable segment second magnetic surface disposed
substantially normal to the longitudinal section of the removable
segment; wherein a selected one of each removable segment can be
connected end-to-end to said receiving segment to restrict lateral
movement and to form a loop.
2. The jewelry kit of claim 1 wherein each removable segment
comprises a different stone.
3. The jewelry kit of claim 1 wherein each removable segment is a
different pendant.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/746,679, filed on Dec. 26, 2003, pending, and the entire
disclosure of the foregoing application is hereby expressly
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to jewelry, and more
particularly, to jewelry with a removable segment attached using
magnets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Jewelry is considered desirable but is often expensive.
People wish to have multiple pieces of jewelry to wear with
different outfits and for different occasions. Typically, jewelry
cannot be recast or modified. Importantly, the decorative portion
of jewelry cannot be easily altered or substituted. For example, a
beaded necklace with a diamond pendant may be beautiful, but not be
very versatile. A need exists for a jewelry assembly that contains
a removable portion to permit the interchange of various jewelry
sub-components.
[0004] In order for a removable portion to be practical, it must be
easy to attach and detach. It is known to use a mechanical clasp to
secure a piece of jewelry on a person. It is also known to use
magnets to clasp opposing ends of a jewelry chain together. For
example U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,398 to Hoffman discloses using magnets
displaced in channels on opposed ends of a single piece of jewelry.
In Hoffman, the magnets help clasp a single piece of jewelry
together. However, nothing in Hoffman discloses a removable jewelry
portion or attaching a removable jewelry portion to a receiving
jewelry portion with magnets. A need exists for a jewelry assembly
that contains an easily attachable removable portion. A need also
exists for a jewelry assembly that uses magnets to attach a
removable portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is a jewelry apparatus with a
removable portion. The removable portion is attached to a receiving
portion using magnets. By use of magnets, the removable portion can
be easily attached and detached. The invention permits a person to
swap between multiple removable portions onto a single receiving
portion. By doing so, a person will be able to transform a smaller
jewelry collection into a seemingly larger one.
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
jewelry assembly is provided. The jewelry assembly has a receiving
segment with a first and a second end; and a removable segment with
a first and a second end. The first and second ends of the
receiving segment each have a magnetically attracted surface. The
first end and the second end of the removable segment each have a
magnetically attracted surface. The first and second ends of the
receiving segment are removably joined to the respective first and
second ends of the removable segment by the magnetically attracted
surfaces.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
necklace assembly is provided. The necklace assembly comprises a
first segment having opposed ends; a second segment having opposed
ends; a first connection assembly; and a second connection
assembly. Both the first and second connection assemblies each have
at least two magnets. The two magnets of the first connection
assembly removably join a first end of the first segment with a
first end of the second segment. The two magnets of the second
connection assembly removably join a second end of the first
segment with a second end of the second segment.
[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
removable segment of a necklace assembly is provided. The removable
segment comprises a first end; a second end; and an ornamental
portion positioned between the first and second ends. The first end
has a magnet that removably connects to a first end of a receiving
segment of a necklace assembly. The second end has a magnet that
removably connects to a second end of the receiving segment of a
necklace assembly.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a necklace of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the magnetic connection
assembly of the present invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two removable segment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with
the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered
as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiment illustrated.
[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a jewelry assembly is provided. The
present invention is preferably used with necklaces, although it an
also be used with bracelets, anklets, earrings and other items of
jewelry. The length of the jewelry assembly determines whether a
particular assembly is suited to be used as a necklace, bracelet or
other item. By jewelry, applicant is also including belts with
removable buckles, and the present invention is easily adaptable to
be used with belts.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, jewelry assembly 10 is shown on person
P. Jewelry assembly 10, in this case a necklace assembly, includes
receiving segment 12 and removable segment 14.
[0016] Receiving segment 12 is typically a flexible curvilinear
item. It can be made of cord, thread, metal (i.e., gold or silver)
or any other material as known to those in the art. As illustrated
in FIG. 1, ornament designs such as beads 16 can be part of
receiving segment 12. Preferably, receiving segment 12 is
continuous and uninterrupted.
[0017] Receiving segment 12 has a first end 18 and a second end 20.
In the illustrated embodiment, first end 18 and second end 20
appear in the form of portions of a bead. At first end 18 and
second end 20, there is a magnetically attracted surface such as a
magnet.
[0018] In FIG. 1, removable segment 14 is removably joined to
receiving segment 12. Removable segment 14 has a first end 22 and a
second end 24. In the illustrated embodiment, first end 22 and
second end 24 appear in the form of complementary portions of the
beads from ends 18 and 20. At first end 22 and second end 24, there
is a magnetically attracted surface such as a magnet. Removable
segment 14, in one embodiment, includes a decorative element 26
such as a precious or semi-precious stone, pendant or other jewel
or item. Decorative element 26 is positioned between opposed ends
22 and 24.
[0019] First and second ends 18 and 20 are capable of being joined
(and subsequently detached) to first ends 22 and 24 respectively by
the magnetically attracted surfaces. When joined, the jewelry
assembly looks seamless and as if it was one integral piece to a
casual viewer. As shown in FIG. 2, magnet 40 attaches to magnet 42.
The magnets may physically touch each other or at least be
sufficiently close (i.e., a thin film may be separating the
magnets) to keep the segments joined to each other. Magnet 40 is
within housing 44 and magnet 42 is within housing 46, which may be
a mirror-image of housing 44. Magnets 40 and 42 are connected to
cords 48 and 49, respectively, of the removable segment. Magnets 40
and 42 may have a circular, square, rectangular, triangular or
other fixed cross-sectional shape. Magnets 40 and 42 may be of
identical shape and dimensions. The magnetically attractive
surfaces of the receiving segment are cooperatively dimensioned to
mate with the magnetically attractive surfaces of the removable
segment.
[0020] The magnetically attractive surfaces of the receiving
segment may be set such that one of them is of positive polarity
and one of them is of negative polarity. Similarly, the
magnetically attractive surfaces of the removable segment may be
set such that one of them is of positive polarity and one of them
is of negative polarity. In this configuration, the magnetically
attractive portions of the removable segment may connect to each
other and form a smaller necklace, bracelet, anklet or other
jewelry. Along the same lines, the magnetically attractive portions
of the receiving segment may connect to each other to form a
bracelet or anklet. The polarity of the magnetically attractive
surfaces may be set up such that the removable segment must align
with the receiving segment in a way that the decorative element is
always facing out from the wearer. Said another way, the polarity
of the magnetically attractive surfaces of the removable segment
would only join with the receiving segment while the decorative
element was facing the right direction.
[0021] Alternatively, both ends of the receiving segment may be of
one polarity while both ends of the removable segment may be of the
other polarity. In such a setup, the receiving segment and the
removable segment cannot close on themselves because both ends of
each segment contain magnets of the same polarity. However, it
would be possible for a person to mistakenly connect the removable
segment to the receiving segment with any decorative element facing
the wrong direction.
[0022] The magnetically attractive surfaces may have strong enough
magnetic qualities to sufficiently prohibit lateral movement
between the receiving segment and the removable segment. Using such
a strong magnet has the advantage of making the joining of the
segments particularly easy. Alternatively, lateral movement of the
magnetically attractive surfaces when the receiving segment is
attached to the removable segment may be limited by stopping means.
These stopping means may include the magnetically attractive
surfaces being oriented with respect to each other in a tongue and
groove configuration or an intermeshing teeth configuration, or
with one surface having a divot and the opposing surface having a
complementary dimple.
[0023] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated two different
removable segments 30 and 50 of a necklace assembly. Removable
segment 30 has ends 32 and 34 and an ornamental portion 36
positioned between ends 32 and 34. Removable segment 50 has ends 52
and 54 and an ornamental portion 56 positioned between ends 52 and
54. Ornamental portions 36 and 56 may include multiple stone or
decorative items, and if desired, each being of different colors.
Ornamental portion 56 is illustrated with one jewel and multiple
beads of different diameters. Having different ornamental portions
permits the jewelry assembly to have a different look and feel when
the removable segments are swapped. Ends 32, 34, 52 and 54 each
have a magnet that removably connects to a magnet on a necklace
receiving segment. The magnets of ends 32, 34, 52 and 54 may be
wholly or partially encased by a decorative housing. For example,
ends 32 and 34 may be partially covered by roughly half of a bead,
the other half of the bead encasing the magnet on the necklace
segment. While beads have been used as an example, the decorative
housing may be of any aesthetically pleasing ornamental design.
[0024] Multiple removable segments 30 may be joined together, and
then removably attached to a receiving portion. For instance, end
32 of a segment 30 may be joined to end 54 of a segment 50. End 34
may be joined to one opposed end of a necklace segment.
Alternatively, a jewelry assembly may be formed using multiple
removable segments and no necklace segment. For example, seven
removable segments may be joined to form a necklace assembly.
[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the jewelry assembly is a
belt. The buckle of the belt is decorative and included within the
removable segment.
[0026] While the specific embodiment has been illustrated and
described, with respect to certain preferred embodiments, numerous
modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the
spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only
limited by the scope of the accompanying claims
* * * * *