U.S. patent application number 12/589224 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for magnetically interchangeable jewelry with planar surfaces and recessed magnet.
Invention is credited to Anita Strawn Worth.
Application Number | 20100101274 12/589224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42116165 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100101274 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Worth; Anita Strawn |
April 29, 2010 |
Magnetically interchangeable jewelry with planar surfaces and
recessed magnet
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for magnetically
interchangeable jewelry that use planar surfaces and recessed
magnets so that planar metallic disks (or other shapes) can be used
as interchangeable ornamental features for the magnetically
interchangeable jewelry. The interchangeable elements formed of a
magnetically attractive material are releasably affixed to a base
containing a recessed magnet (e.g., neodymium). The base is
substantially flat other than an ornamental design and the
ornamental elements rely on the strength of the magnet to firmly
hold them in place rather than being recessed into the base or
snapped into place. Other shapes could also be used for the
interchangeable elements, if desired. The magnetically
interchangeable jewelry can take a variety of forms including
rings, bracelets, earrings, lanyards, multiple pendants on one
necklace and/or other jewelry embodiments.
Inventors: |
Worth; Anita Strawn;
(Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
O'KEEFE, EGAN, PETERMAN & ENDERS LLP
1101 CAPITAL OF TEXAS HIGHWAY SOUTH, #C200
AUSTIN
TX
78746
US
|
Family ID: |
42116165 |
Appl. No.: |
12/589224 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61197098 |
Oct 23, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
63/40 ;
29/896.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 25/001 20130101;
A63B 57/207 20151001; A63B 2209/08 20130101; Y10T 29/4959 20150115;
A44D 2203/00 20130101; A63B 57/353 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/40 ;
29/896.41 |
International
Class: |
A44C 25/00 20060101
A44C025/00; A44C 27/00 20060101 A44C027/00 |
Claims
1. A magnetic jewelry assembly, comprising: a base; a recess formed
within the base; a magnet positioned within the recess, the magnet
and the base forming a first planar surface; and an ornamental
element with a second planar surface, the ornamental element being
magnetically coupled to the magnet such that the second planar
surface of the ornamental element is engaged with the first planar
surface.
2. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 1, wherein the base has a
width along the first planar surface that is greater than the width
of the ornamental element along the second planar surface.
3. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 2, wherein the magnet has
a width along the first planar surface that is smaller than the
width of the ornamental element along the second planar
surface.
4. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 3, wherein the base and
the ornamental element are different shapes.
5. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 3, wherein the base and
the ornamental element are similar shapes.
6. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 5, wherein the ornamental
element is a disk and wherein the base has a circular outer
edge.
7. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 6, wherein the base
extends 2 mm or more past an outer edge of the disk when the disk
is centered on the base.
8. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 6, wherein the base
extends 5 mm or more past an outer edge of the disk when the disk
is centered on the base.
9. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 3, wherein the base
comprises ornamental features.
10. The magnetic jewelry assembly of claim 3, wherein the base is
configured to be a pendant for a necklace.
11. A method for assembling magnetically interchangeable jewelry,
comprising: providing a base having a magnet positioned within a
recess within the base, the base and magnet forming a first planar
surface; providing an ornamental element with a second planar
surface; and engaging the second planar surface of the ornamental
element with the first planar surface so that the ornamental
element is magnetically coupled to the magnet.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a base
having a width along the first planar surface that is greater than
a width of the ornamental element along the second planar
surface.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a magnet
having a width along the first planar surface that is smaller than
a width of the ornamental element along the second planar
surface.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a base and
an ornamental element having different shapes.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a base and
an ornamental element having similar shapes.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a circular
base and a disk as the ornamental element.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the base extends 2 mm or more
past an outer edge of the disk when the disk is centered on the
base.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the base extends 5 mm or more
past an outer edge of the disk when the disk is centered on the
base.
19. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a base
having ornamental features.
20. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a base
configured to be a pendant for a necklace and coupling the base to
a necklace.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to the following co-pending
provisional application: Provisional Application Ser. No.
61/197,098, filed on Oct. 23, 2008, and entitled "MAGNETICALLY
INTERCHANGEABLE JEWELRY WITH PLANAR SURFACES AND RECESSED MAGNET,"
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to magnetically
interchangeable jewelry.
BACKGROUND
[0003] While playing a round of golf, a golfer will typically
remove his or her golf ball from the putting green while the
opposing golfer putts. Some type of marker, generally, small and
flat, is placed on the spot where the golf ball was removed to
indicate where the golfer should replace his or her ball prior to
putting. Some golf ball markers are formed of a magnetic material
and attached to the brim of a golfer's hat by means of a magnetic
hat clip or to a magnetic divot tool. Magnetic golf ball markers
have also been attached to earring backings, as well.
[0004] Magnetically interchangeable jewelry has previously existed.
One prior solution provides a magnet coupled to a necklace or chain
on top of which is placed an ornamental piece having a metal
surface that is attracted to the magnet. Another solution provides
an ornamental piece that fits inside of a recess within a housing
and a magnet is located within the recess of the housing.
[0005] Prior jewelry solutions, however, have not recognized the
advantage of using a flat disk, such as golf ball marker style
magnetic disks, to form the ornamental piece of an interchangeable
jewelry solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Systems and methods are disclosed for magnetically
interchangeable jewelry that use planar surfaces and recessed
magnets so that planar metallic disks (or other shapes) can be used
as interchangeable ornamental features for the magnetically
interchangeable jewelry. The interchangeable disks formed of a
magnetically attractive material are releasably affixed to a base
containing a recessed magnet (e.g., neodymium). The base is
substantially flat other than an ornamental design and the disks
rely on the strength of the magnet to firmly hold them in place
rather than being recessed into the base or snapped into place.
Other shapes could also be used for the interchangeable elements,
if desired. Other features and variations can be implemented, if
desired, and related systems and methods can be utilized, as
well.
[0007] In one embodiment, a pendant for securing interchangeable
magnetically attractive circular golf ball markers to a necklace is
disclosed herein. The necklace includes a pendant with a recessed
magnet (e.g., neodymium) and interchangeable golf ball markers
formed of a magnetic material for the purpose of ornamental jewelry
rather than golf ball markers. Rather than being recessed into the
pendant or snapped into place, the golf ball markers lay flat on
the pendant for the purpose of easily and quickly interchanging
them, for example, by children and other persons.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] It is noted that the appended drawings illustrate only
exemplary embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to
be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to
other equally effective embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram for a necklace including a pendant
having a base with a recessed magnet and an interchangeable
ornamental disk.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a base with a recessed magnet and an
interchangeable ornamental disk removed from the base and
magnet.
[0011] FIG. 3 is side view of the base and recessed magnet with an
interchangeable ornamental disk affixed in place by the magnet.
[0012] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of an embodiment having a
different shape.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Systems and methods are disclosed for magnetically
interchangeable jewelry that use planar surfaces and recessed
magnets so that ornamental elements, such as ornamental disks, can
be used as interchangeable ornamental features for the magnetically
interchangeable jewelry.
[0014] In one embodiment, the magnetically interchangeable jewelry
described herein use a decorative golf ball marker as an ornamental
element that is magnetically coupled to a base with recessed
magnet. The bottom planar surface of the golf ball marker engages
the upper planar surfaces of the base and the magnet. This jewelry
assembly thereby provides an attractive and easily interchangeable
jewelry system that can be used by young children and adults.
[0015] Several objects and advantages of the present solution
include: (1) providing a method for forming a pendant necklace
whereby the ornamental design can be changed by affixing
interchangeable golf ball markers; and (2) providing a method for
forming a pendant necklace whereby the interchangeable pieces lie
flat rather than being recessed or snapped into place to provide
ease of use by children and other persons. In addition to pendant
necklaces, other jewelry can also be made to use the
interchangeable elements described herein.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram for an embodiment 100 including a
necklace 102 including a pendant having a base 104 with a recessed
magnet 110 and an interchangeable ornamental element or cover 106.
The pendant also includes a connection ring 108 through which the
necklace 108 can be inserted. It is noted that for FIGS. 1, 2 and
3, the ornamental cover 106 is in the form or a disk.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the base 104 with the recessed magnet
110 where the interchangeable ornamental disk 106 has been removed
from the base 104 and magnet 110.
[0018] FIG. 3 is side view of the base 104 and recessed magnet 110
with the interchangeable ornamental disk 106 affixed in place by
the magnet 110. The arrow 302 represents the intended viewing
direction for the jewelry. The surfaces of disk 106, base 104 and
magnet 110 can each be made ornamental, as desired. For example,
the base 104 can be provided with an ornamental feature, such as a
petal design, that faces the viewing direction 302. Similarly, the
magnet 110 can also have an ornamental feature facing the viewing
direction. However, the magnet 110 can also be left a consistent
color. The interchangeable disk 106 can have any of a wide range of
ornamental designs. And it is expected that users of the jewelry
described herein would acquire numerous different versions of
interchangeable disk 106 so that the user could readily change the
jewelry piece, as desired.
[0019] One significant advantage of the embodiments described
herein is that the magnet 110 is recessed into base 104 so as to
create a surface 304 that is substantially flat. While surface 304
could have slight variations due to ornamental features placed on
base 104 and/or magnet 110, these variations are preferably very
slight. By providing this substantially flat surface 204, the disk
106 can also have a flat surface 306 that engages with the flat
surface 304. These substantially flat surfaces allows for easy
attachment of the disk 106.
[0020] Another significant advantage of the embodiments described
herein is that the diameter of the disk 106 is made smaller than
the diameter of the base 104. As shown in FIG. 3, the edge 310 of
the base 104 extends further out than does the edge 312 of the disk
106. For example, the base 104 can have a diameter of 25 mm and the
disk 106 can have a diameter of 19 mm (e.g., about the width of a
standard golf ball marker). The difference 314 in these widths
provides an easier mechanism for a user's finger to engage the side
of the disk 106 thereby allowing the disk 106 to be easily pushed
or urged off of the base 104 and magnet 110. Other sizes could also
be used, while still taking advantage of the base 104 being wider
than the disk 106.
[0021] It is further noted that the magnet 110 can in turn be
configured so that the edge 320 for the magnet 110 is offset
towards the middle of the base 104 from the edge 312 of the disk
106. This difference 322 further provides for disk 106 to be more
easily removed from the base 104 and magnet 110 while still
providing a sufficiently magnet to secure the disk 106 in place.
For example, in the example above where the base 104 has a diameter
of 25 mm and the disk 106 has a diameter of 19 mm, the magnet can
have a diameter of 12.5 mm. Other sizes could also be used, while
still taking advantage of the base 104 being wider than the disk
106 and the disk 106 being wider than the magnet 110.
[0022] The disk 106 can also take a variety of shapes as desire. In
other words, any desired ornamental element or cover can be used
for disk 106. As such, the base 104, the recessed magnet 110 and
the ornamental cover 106 can be different shapes while still
maintaining the relationship that the edge of the base extends past
the edge of the ornamental cover 106 and while still maintaining
the planar relationship of the top surface of the base 104 and
recessed magnet 110 with the bottom surface of the ornamental cover
106.
[0023] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for an example embodiment
having a different shape from the circular shape depicted with
respect to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In particular, as shown, the base 104
and the ornamental cover 106 are relatively square in shape. And
the edges of the base 104 still extend past the edges of the
ornamental cover 106. As depicted, the magnet 110 is still circular
in shape. However, it is understood that the magnet 110 could also
be configured in a different shape, if desired. It is further noted
that the ornamental element or cover 106 and the base 104 can be
different shapes, if desired.
[0024] The interchangeable jewelry techniques described herein
could be used to form a wide variety of jewelry embodiments. For
example, rings, bracelets, earrings, lanyards, multiple pendants on
one necklace and/or other jewelry embodiments could be formed using
a base with a recessed magnet and an ornamental element or cover
where the connecting surfaces are substantially planar and where
the edges of the base extend beyond the edges of the ornamental
cover. In one configuration, the edges of the base can be made to
extend beyond the edges of the cover by at least 5 mm or more in
all directions when the cover is centered on the base. In other
configurations, the edges of the base can be made to extend beyond
the edges of the cover by at least 2 mm, 3 mm, and/or 4 mm or more
in all directions when the cover is centered on the base. Other
variations could also be implemented, as desired.
[0025] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of this
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of
this description. It will be recognized, therefore, that the
present invention is not limited by these example arrangements.
Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative
only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art
the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood
that the forms of the invention herein shown and described are to
be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Various changes
may be made in the implementations and architectures. For example,
equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and
described herein, and certain features of the invention may be
utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would
be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of
this description of the invention.
* * * * *