U.S. patent application number 12/916769 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-03 for reconfigurable jewelry and system and method thereof.
Invention is credited to Brian Le Gette, Eliza Graham, David Reeb.
Application Number | 20120103015 12/916769 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45995168 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120103015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Graham; Eliza ; et
al. |
May 3, 2012 |
Reconfigurable Jewelry and System and Method Thereof
Abstract
Reconfigurable jewelry, including rings, necklaces, pendants,
bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, tie clips, berets, belt buckles,
body piercing jewelry other than earrings, and watches. The jewelry
includes an enclosed globe portion that contains a liquid. The
jewelry may be reconfigurable in the sense that different globe
portions may be interchanged. The jewelry also may include a
receptacle for receiving an insert element. The jewelry is
therefore also reconfigurable in the sense that different insert
elements may be used.
Inventors: |
Graham; Eliza; (Monkton,
MD) ; Gette; Brian Le; (Severna Park, MD) ;
Reeb; David; (Sykesville, MD) |
Family ID: |
45995168 |
Appl. No.: |
12/916769 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/15 ;
29/896.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 9/0038 20130101;
Y10T 29/49588 20150115; A44C 9/02 20130101; A44C 9/0061 20130101;
A44C 25/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/15 ;
29/896.4 |
International
Class: |
A44C 9/02 20060101
A44C009/02; A44C 27/00 20060101 A44C027/00 |
Claims
1. A reconfigurable ring comprising: a ring base having a mounting
portion and a bifurcated portion extending from the mounting
portion, the bifurcated portion including a first arcuate arm and a
second arcuate arm arranged to form a generally circular opening in
front view, the opening being configured to receive a wearer's
finger; and a clear, generally hemispherical plastic portion
coupled to the mounting portion of the ring base, the hemispherical
portion being sealed with contents, the contents including a
non-toxic liquid and an air bubble; wherein a receptacle is formed
between the ring base and the hemispherical portion, the receptacle
being sized and shaped to receive and retain an insert element in a
friction-fit manner, wherein a metal wire is substantially encased
in the ring base and runs continuously from the first arcuate arm
to the second arcuate arm, wherein the first arcuate arm and the
second arcuate arm are adjustable to change an inner circumference
or diameter of the generally circular opening, wherein the first
arcuate arm has a first end portion and the second arcuate arm has
a second end portion, the first and second end portions being
offset from one another, and wherein at least one of the
hemispherical portion and its contents are configured to magnify at
or substantially at an upper surface of the insert element.
2. The reconfigurable ring according to claim 1, wherein the sealed
contents of the hemispherical portion further include visible
particulates.
3. The reconfigurable ring according to claim 2, wherein the
visible particulates include glitter.
4. The reconfigurable ring according to claim 1, wherein the sealed
contents are responsive to a temperature of the wearer's
finger.
5. The reconfigurable ring according to claim 1, wherein the sealed
contents are substantially unresponsive to temperature or weather
conditions.
6. The reconfigurable ring according to claim 1, wherein the insert
element is a tray.
7. The reconfigurable ring according to claim 1, wherein the first
and second end portions are entirely offset from one another.
8. The reconfigurable ring according to claim 1, wherein the
magnification is in a range of at or about 1.6 through at or about
1.65.
9. The reconfigurable ring according to claim 1, wherein the
hemispherical portion is coupled to the mounting portion of the
ring base via a substantially clear intermediate portion, the
hemispherical portion being fixedly and sealing coupled to the
intermediate portion and the intermediate portion being fixedly
attached to the mounting portion of the ring base to form the
receptacle.
10. A method of providing a reconfigurable ring, comprising:
providing a ring base having an upper portion and a lower portion
extending from the upper portion, the lower portion being
configured to receive a wearer's finger; and providing a liquid
containing portion physically coupled to the upper portion of the
ring base, the liquid containing portion having a transparent or
substantially transparent upper globe portion and a flat back
portion, the globe portion and back portion sealingly enclosing
liquid contents, wherein the ring is reconfigurable.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the liquid containing portion
is removably coupled to the ring base, and the method further
comprising reconfiguring the ring by removing the liquid containing
portion and replacing it with another liquid containing
portion.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a
receptacle configured to hold an insert element, the receptacle
being formed between the liquid containing portion and the ring
base.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the receptacle is accessible
via a side access in the ring such that the insert element can be
slid into the receptacle via the side access, and wherein at least
one of the transparent or substantially transparent upper globe
portion and the sealingly enclosing liquid contents are configured
to magnify an upper surface of the insert element when the insert
element is held in the receptacle.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the liquid containing portion
is removably coupled to the ring base, wherein the receptacle is
accessible via a top access of the ring base when the liquid
containing portion is removed from the ring base, and wherein at
least one of the transparent or substantially transparent upper
globe portion and the sealingly enclosing liquid contents are
configured to magnify an upper surface of the insert element when
the insert element is held in the receptacle and the liquid
containing portion is physically coupled to the ring base.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the ring is reconfigurable in
the sense that different insert elements can be removed from and
place in the receptacle.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the lower portion of the ring
base includes a first curved member and a second curved member,
wherein the first curved member has a first end portion and the
second curved member has a second end portion, the first and second
end portions being offset from one another in side and bottom view,
and wherein one or more of the first curved member and the second
curved member are movable to change a size of the ring base
associated with a wearer's finger.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one metal wire is
substantially enclosed by the lower portion, the first curved
member having a first portion of the at least one metal wire
associated therewith and the second curved member having second
portion of the at least one metal wire associated therewith, the
first portion being different from the second portion.
18. A ring base comprising: a body portion; a first curved arm
portion; and a second curved arm portion, wherein the first and
second curved arm portions have respective ends thereof, said ends
being offset with respect to one another in side and bottom views
such that, and wherein each of the first and second curved arm
portions is configured such that the associated end can move inward
and outward to change a size of the ring base.
19. The ring base of claim 18, wherein, each of the first and
second curved arm portions is configured such that when their
respective end is moved inward from a base position the ends of the
first and second curved arms overlap in front and back view.
20. The ring base of claim 18, further comprising a metal wire
embedded in the ring base, the metal wire running continuously from
a portion of the first curved arm portion to a portion of the
second curved arm portion.
21. The ring base of claim 18, wherein no portion of one of the
ends overlaps any portion of the other of the ends in side and
bottom views.
22. A ring comprising: a ring base configured to receive a wearer's
finger; and a clear, generally hemispherical plastic portion
coupled to the ring base, the hemispherical portion being sealed
with contents, the contents including a liquid, wherein a
receptacle is formed between the ring base and the hemispherical
portion, the receptacle being sized and shaped to receive and
retain an insert element in a friction-fit manner, and wherein at
least one of the hemispherical portion and its contents magnify an
upper surface of the insert element when the insert element is in
the receptacle.
23. A reconfigurable ring comprising: a ring base having a mounting
portion and a bifurcated portion extending from the mounting
portion, the bifurcated portion including a first curved arm and a
second curved arm arranged to form a generally circular opening in
front view, the opening being to receive a wearer's finger; and a
clear, generally hemispherical plastic portion coupled to the
mounting portion of the ring base, the hemispherical portion being
sealed with contents, the contents including a liquid, wherein a
metal wire is substantially encased in the ring base and runs from
the first curved arm to the second curved arm, wherein the first
curved arm and the second curved arm are adjustable to change a
size of the ring, wherein the first curved arm has a first end
portion and the second curved arm has a second end portion, the
first and second end portions being offset from one another, and
wherein at least one of the hemispherical portion and its contents
are configured to magnify at or substantially at an upper surface
of an insert element arranged below the hemispherical plastic
portion.
24. A reconfigurable ring comprising: a ring base having a mounting
portion and a bifurcated portion extending from the mounting
portion, the bifurcated portion including a first arcuate arm and a
second arcuate arm arranged to form a generally circular opening in
front view, the opening being configured to receive a wearer's
finger; and a clear, generally hemispherical plastic portion
coupled to the mounting portion of the ring base, the hemispherical
portion being sealed with contents, the contents including a
liquid, wherein a receptacle is formed between the ring base and
the hemispherical portion, the receptacle having a geometry to
receive and retain an insert element in a friction-fit manner,
wherein a metal wire is substantially encased in the ring base and
runs continuously from the first arcuate arm to the second arcuate
arm, wherein the first arcuate arm and the second arcuate arm are
adjustable to change an inner circumference or diameter of the
generally circular opening, wherein the first arcuate arm has a
first end portion and the second arcuate arm has a second end
portion, the first and second end portions being offset from one
another.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The disclosed subject matter relates to reconfigurable
jewelry, including rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, tie
clips, berets, earrings, cufflinks, belt buckles, body piercing
jewelry other than earrings, and watches.
SUMMARY
[0002] Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed
generally to reconfigurable jewelry and systems and methods
thereof. As used herein, the phrase "various embodiments" is
intended to mean an embodiment, at least one embodiment, some
embodiments, and/or all embodiments without limitation.
[0003] Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter involve
a reconfigurable ring comprising (i.e., including): a ring base
having a mounting portion and a bifurcated portion extending from
the mounting portion, the bifurcated portion including a first
arcuate arm and a second arcuate arm arranged to form a generally
circular opening in front view, the opening being configured to
receive a wearer's finger; and a clear, generally hemispherical
plastic portion coupled to the mounting portion of the ring base,
the hemispherical portion being sealed with contents, the contents
including a non-toxic liquid and an air bubble. A receptacle is
formed between the ring base and the hemispherical portion, the
receptacle being sized and shaped to receive and retain an insert
element in a friction-fit manner, a metal wire is substantially
encased in the ring base and runs continuously from the first
arcuate arm to the second arcuate arm, the first arcuate arm and
the second arcuate arm are adjustable to change an inner
circumference or diameter of the generally circular opening, the
first arcuate arm has a first end portion and the second arcuate
arm has a second end portion, the first and second end portions
being offset from one another, and at least one of the
hemispherical portion and its contents are configured to magnify at
or substantially at an upper surface of the insert element.
[0004] Various embodiments can also include a method of providing a
reconfigurable ring, comprising: providing a ring base having an
upper portion and a lower portion extending from the upper portion,
the lower portion being configured to receive a wearer's finger;
and providing a liquid containing portion physically coupled to the
upper portion of the ring base, the liquid containing portion
having a transparent or substantially transparent upper globe
portion and a flat back portion, the globe portion and back portion
sealingly enclosing liquid contents, wherein the ring is
reconfigurable.
[0005] Various embodiments also can include a ring base comprising:
a body portion; a first curved arm portion; and a second curved arm
portion. The first and second curved arm portions have respective
ends thereof, said ends being offset with respect to one another in
side and bottom views, and each of the first and second curved arm
portions is configured such that the associated end can move inward
and outward to change a size of the ring base. Optionally, the
overlapping can be such that no portion of one of the ends overlaps
any portion of the other of the ends.
[0006] Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can
include a ring comprising a ring base configured to receive a
wearer's finger; and a clear, generally hemispherical plastic
portion coupled to the ring base, the hemispherical portion being
sealed with contents, the contents including a liquid. A receptacle
is formed between the ring base and the hemispherical portion, the
receptacle being sized and shaped to receive and retain an insert
element in a friction-fit manner. At least one of the hemispherical
portion and its contents magnify an upper surface of the insert
element when the insert element is in the receptacle.
[0007] Various embodiments also can include a reconfigurable ring
comprising: a ring base having a mounting portion and a bifurcated
portion extending from the mounting portion, the bifurcated portion
including a first curved arm and a second curved arm arranged to
form a generally circular opening in front view, the opening being
to receive a wearer's finger; and a clear, generally hemispherical
plastic portion coupled to the mounting portion of the ring base,
the hemispherical portion being sealed with contents, the contents
including a liquid. A metal wire is substantially encased in the
ring base and runs from the first curved arm to the second curved
arm. The first curved arm and the second curved arm are adjustable
to change a size of the ring, the first curved arm has a first end
portion and the second curved arm has a second end portion, the
first and second end portions being offset from one another, and at
least one of the hemispherical portion and its contents are
configured to magnify at or substantially at an upper surface of an
insert element arranged below the hemispherical plastic
portion.
[0008] Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also are
directed to a reconfigurable ring comprising: a ring base having a
mounting portion and a bifurcated portion extending from the
mounting portion, the bifurcated portion including a first arcuate
arm and a second arcuate arm arranged to form a generally circular
opening in front view, the opening being configured to receive a
wearer's finger; and a clear, generally hemispherical plastic
portion coupled to the mounting portion of the ring base, the
hemispherical portion being sealed with contents, the contents
including a liquid. A receptacle is formed between the ring base
and the hemispherical portion, the receptacle having a geometry to
receive and retain an insert element in a friction-fit manner. A
metal wire is substantially encased in the ring base and runs
continuously from the first arcuate arm to the second arcuate arm,
wherein the first arcuate arm and the second arcuate arm are
adjustable to change an inner circumference or diameter of the
generally circular opening, and the first arcuate arm has a first
end portion and the second arcuate arm has a second end portion,
the first and second end portions being offset from one
another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter. The disclosed subject matter will be best
understood by reading the ensuing specification in conjunction with
the drawing figures, in which like elements are designated by like
reference numerals, and wherein:
[0010] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E show perspective, front, side,
overhead, and bottom views, respectively, of reconfigurable jewelry
in the form of a reconfigurable ring according to various
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a reconfigurable jewelry
system including the reconfigurable ring shown in FIG. 1 and an
insert element in the form of a tray according to various
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
[0012] FIG. 3A is an overhead view of the tray shown in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 3B is a side view of the tray shown in FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4A is a semi-transparent view of a portion of an
adjustable ring base for the reconfigurable ring shown in FIG. 1
according to various embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter.
[0015] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the
adjustable ring base shown in FIG. 3A.
[0016] FIG. 4C is an exploded view of a portion of the adjustable
ring base shown in FIG. 3A.
[0017] FIG. 4D is an overhead perspective view of a ring base
according to various embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter.
[0018] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are exploded, front, side, and
perspective views, respectively, of a reconfigurable jewelry system
including a ring and an insert element in the form of a tray
according to various embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter.
[0019] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are exploded, front, side, and
perspective views, respectively, of a reconfigurable ring with a
receptacle having a side opening for receiving an insert element
according to various embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter.
[0020] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are exploded, front, side, and
perspective views, respectively, of a reconfigurable ring with a
receptacle having a top opening according to various embodiments of
the disclosed subject matter.
[0021] FIGS. 8A and 8B are basic overhead and side views,
respectively, of reconfigurable jewelry in the form of a
reconfigurable necklace or pendant according to various embodiments
of the disclosed subject matter.
[0022] FIGS. 9A and 9B are basic overhead and side views,
respectively, of reconfigurable jewelry in the form of a
reconfigurable necklace or pendant according to various embodiments
of the disclosed subject matter.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a method according to various embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The disclosed subject matter relates to reconfigurable
jewelry, including rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings, cufflinks,
tie clips, berets, belt buckles, body piercing jewelry other than
earrings, watches, and bracelets (including charm bracelets with
multiple reconfiguration portions).
[0025] Generally speaking, various embodiments of the disclosed
subject matter involve reconfigurable jewelry having a sealed
transparent or semi-transparent globe portion filled (completely or
partially) with a liquid or a semi-liquid. Though the term globe is
used herein, the transparent or semi-transparent portion can be
globe-shape, generally globe-shape, hemispherical, about
hemispherical, or otherwise generally "rounded." In various
embodiments, the transparent or semi-transparent portion may be a
combination of two hemispherical portions, for example.
[0026] The liquid or semi-liquid may be any suitable substance and
can have any suitable composition and/or characteristic, such as
transparent, semi-transparent, non-toxic, anti-freeze, and/or
nonevaporative. In various embodiments, the liquid or semi-liquid
can include water with glycerol derived additive. Further, material
may be added to the liquid or semi-liquid, such as glitter of any
suitable size, shape, and/or mixture. In various embodiments, the
reconfigurable jewelry and in particular the contents of the sealed
globe portion may act like a "lava lamp," wherein the sealed
contents of the globe portion may react to the jewelry wearer's
body heat, such as heat emitted by the wearer's finger in the case
of a reconfigurable ring.
[0027] The liquid or semi-liquid (and any other materials) can be
added to the globe portion in any suitable way. For example, a port
may be used to fill (completely or partially) the globe portion and
then sealed with a plug. Alternatively, the globe portion may be
filled prior to an intermediate portion or base portion being
fixedly and sealingly attached thereto during the manufacturing
process.
[0028] As noted above, the globe portion may be partially or fully
filled with a liquid or semi-liquid and then sealed. In the case of
partial filling, an air bubble or air bubbles may be present. An
air bubble or air bubbles can be provided so that when the jewelry
is rotated, for example, the air bubble or bubbles may move and
thereby "catch the eye" of an observer. That is to say, the air
bubble or bubbles may contribute to first-order motion perception
and/or second-order motion perception.
[0029] Reconfigurable jewelry according to various embodiments of
the disclosed subject matter can be made of any suitable material
or combination of materials, by any suitable process or processes,
such as injection molding, comolding, etc. In various embodiments,
all or substantially all of the jewelry is made of plastic, such as
a simple polycarbonate. Optionally, some of the plastic, such as
the globe portion can be a clear polycarbonate. Alternatively, all
of the plastic can be clear polycarbonate. In various embodiments,
the jewelry can be comprised of rubber and plastic portions.
[0030] In various embodiments, the globe portion may be fixedly
attached or coupled to a base portion of the jewelry using any
suitable material, such as glue, epoxy, etc. or by any suitable
practice, such as by welding or molding. In various embodiments,
fixedly attaching or coupling the globe portion to a base portion
is intended to be permanent or substantially permanent. Further, in
various embodiments the globe portion may be permanently or
substantially permanently affixed to an intermediate portion, which
can in turn be permanently or removably coupled to the base
portion. Alternatively, the globe portion itself can be removably
coupled to the base portion. In the case of a removably coupled
globe portion and/or intermediate portion, such removably coupling
can be performed in any suitable way, such as by friction fit, snap
fit, cooperating threads, screw-lock, etc.
[0031] Thus, reconfigurable jewelry according various embodiments
of the disclosed subject matter can be reconfigured in the sense
that different globe portions (with or without corresponding
intermediate portions) may be used with a same base portion. More
specifically, a globe portion can be removed or detached from the
base portion and another globe portion may be coupled to the base
portion in place of the first globe portion. A globe portion may be
replaced for any suitable reason, such as when a globe portion
becomes damaged or based on a wearer's preference for a differently
configured or style of globe portion. Such reconfiguring can be
performed in the case of fixedly and removably coupled globe
portions.
[0032] Optionally or alternatively, reconfigurable jewelry
according to various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter
can have a receptacle to receive an insert element. Thus,
optionally or alternatively, the jewelry can be reconfigured in the
sense that different insert elements or different insert element
configurations can be placed in the receptacle and removed and
replaced by another insert element and/or another insert element
configuration (e.g., a picture, a photograph, or other image or
wording may be removed from the insert element in exchange for
another one of the foregoing items).
[0033] The insert element can be held in the receptacle by any
suitable means, such as by friction fit using runner lines, for
example, by one or more retaining teeth, or the like. In various
embodiments, the globe portion (and optional intermediate portion)
may have to be removed to access the receptacle and thus
reconfigure the jewelry with another insert element.
[0034] The insert element can be any suitable insert sized and/or
shaped to fit in the jewelry's receptacle. For example, insert
element may be a tray having a picture, photograph, or other image
or wording placed on or in, affixed to, or otherwise formed on or
as part of the tray. Alternatively, insert element may be only a
piece of paper or the like in the form of a picture, a photograph,
or with an image or wording (i.e., without a tray, for
example).
[0035] In various embodiments, the globe portion and/or its
contents may magnify an upper face of an insert element when the
insert element is inserted into the jewelry's receptacle. More
specifically, an index of refraction of the contents of the sealed
globe portion, the curvature/convex shape of the globe portion,
and/or the location of the focal point can be provided to magnify
the upper face of the insert element. Any suitable magnification
can be provided. In various embodiments, the magnification can be
at or about 1.65 times magnification, or at or about 1.6 times
magnification. Alternatively, the globe portion and/or its contents
may magnify an upper face of a sealing body that seals the globe
portion, wherein the upper face can have thereon a picture, a
photograph, or with an image or wording, for example, and the
sealing body can be one or the base portion, the intermediate
portion, or some other sealing portion.
[0036] Reconfigurable jewelry according to various embodiments of
the disclosed subject matter may have a continuous or discontinuous
"band" portion. Further, reconfigurable jewelry according to
various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, such as a
reconfigurable ring or bracelet, may include an adjustable base
portion that can be adjusted to fit a wearer's body part, such as a
finger or a wrist. In various embodiments, the adjustable portion
may be a bifurcated portion of a base portion of the jewelry, with
one or more of the branches or arms being adjustable to change an
inner circumference or diameter thereof associated with the
corresponding body part of the wearer for sizing, for example. For
instance, ends of the branches or arms may be offset with respect
to each other in order to facilitate adjusting of the branches. In
various embodiments, the offset ends of the branches may be slid
next to each other in order to change the inner circumference or
diameter of the base portion. Alternatively, the ends (offset or
otherwise) may be slid such that one is on top of the other to
change the inner circumference or diameter of the base portion.
Optionally, a metal wire may be provided inside the base portion,
with a corresponding portion of the metal wire being associated
with each branch of the base portion. The metal wire may assist
with repositioning of the branches to change an inner circumference
or diameter of the base portion. In various embodiments the metal
wire can be bendable, but sufficiently rigid to keep each branch at
one of any number of positions. Alternatively, more than one metal
wire may be provided, with each branch of the base portion having
associated therewith at least one of the metal wires.
[0037] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E show perspective, front, side,
overhead, and bottom views, respectively, of a reconfigurable ring
100 according to various embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the reconfigurable ring 100
shown in FIG. 1 with an insert element in the form of a tray 200.
Note that though FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E show lines in the base
portion, the base portion may be smooth without lines, such as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0038] Ring 100 shown in the aforementioned figures includes a
globe portion 110, an intermediate portion 120, and a base portion
130. Globe portion 110 can be transparent or semi-transparent and
made out of a polished, plastic material, for example. Globe
portion 110 can be fixedly and sealingly attached to intermediate
portion 120 to form a liquid-tight seal and an inner volume 112. In
various embodiments, globe portion 110 can be fixedly and sealingly
attached to an upper face of a rim 121 and on the outside of a
continuous ridge 122 of the intermediate portion 120. Globe portion
110 can be fixedly and sealingly attached to the upper face of rim
121 and/or the outside of the continuous ridge 122 by any suitable
means, such as using glue and/or friction fit. Alternatively,
intermediate portion 120 and globe portion 110 can have cooperating
threaded portions that can be mated together to sealingly connect
the two pieces to form the inner volume 112.
[0039] Not explicitly shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E, the
sealed inner volume 112 formed by the globe portion 110 and
intermediate portion 120 can include a liquid or semi-liquid
material and optionally additional material as described herein.
The contents of the inner volume 112 may be visible through the
globe portion 110. Further, the inner volume 112 can be filled
partially or fully with the liquid or semi-liquid. As indicated
previously, in the case of partial filling, an air bubble or air
bubbles may be present. An air bubble or air bubbles can be
provided so that when the ring 100 is rotated, for example, the air
bubble or bubbles may move and thereby "catch the eye" of an
observer, thereby contributing to first-order motion perception
and/or second-order motion perception.
[0040] Intermediate portion 120 can be fixedly attached to base
portion 130 to form a receptacle 125 with a side opening. A
transparent or semi-transparent central body 123 of the
intermediate portion 120 can form the bottom of the globe portion
110.
[0041] Receptacle 125 can be configured (i.e., sized and shaped) to
removably and slidably receive tray 200 via its side opening. As
noted above, insert elements can be held in a corresponding
receptacle by any suitable means, such as by friction fit, by one
or more retaining teeth, or the like. Tray 200 of FIG. 2, for
example, is slid into the receptacle 125 via its side opening along
runner lines 131 and held in a friction fit manner by the runner
lines 131. Of course, any suitable retaining means may be used to
hold tray 200 in the receptacle 125. Additionally, tray 200 can
abut a raised wall 132 of the base portion 130 that forms back and
sidewalls of the receptacle 125. Of course embodiments are not
limited to the particular friction fit arrangement shown in the
figures and any suitable friction fit arrangement can be
implemented. In various embodiments, tray 200 may be held in and
released from receptacle 125 by a locking mechanism and a release
mechanism, respectively. An audible "click" may represent that the
tray 200 is properly locked into place in the receptacle 125.
[0042] FIGS. 3A and 3B are overhead and side views, respectively,
of tray 200. Tray 200 can be of any suitable configuration and can
be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, rubber, or
combination thereof. For example, tray 200 can be clear, opaque,
black, for example. In various embodiments, tray 200 can include a
frame 201 and a body 202 circumscribed by the frame 201 in plan
view. Frame 201 can include a grip portion 203 which can be used
for insertion and/or removal of the tray 200. In various
embodiments, grip portion 203 may include a downward facing lip 204
that can be used to initiate removal of the tray 200 from
receptacle 125 by a wearer's fingernail, for example. Grip portion
203 also may be used to fully or partially remove the tray 200 from
receptacle 125.
[0043] Not explicitly shown, tray 200 can include a picture, a
photograph, or other image or wording placed on or in, affixed to,
or otherwise formed on or as part of the tray 200. For example, the
picture, photograph, or other image or wording may be on an upper
face of the body 202 of the tray 200. Alternatively, the picture,
photograph, or other image or wording may be formed in or as part
of the body 202 so as to be viewable from the upper face of the
body 202 of the tray 200. Thus, in various embodiments, the
picture, photograph, or other image or associated with the upper
face of the body 202 can be visible through the globe portion 110,
the contents of the globe portion 110, and the intermediate portion
120. Further, the picture, photograph, or other image or wording
may be viewable from multiple angles from the globe portion 110 of
the ring 100. Moreover, in various embodiments, the globe portion
110 and/or its contents can magnify the picture, photograph, or
other image or wording associated with the tray 200 when the tray
200 is inserted into the receptacle's side opening.
[0044] Base portion 130 can be fixedly or removably coupled to
intermediate portion 120 and can be of any suitable
configuration.
[0045] As noted above, base portion 130 can include runner lines
131 at opposite sides thereof and a raised wall 132 around a
portion of the base portion that form part of the receptacle 125.
The receptacle 125 also can be formed in part by a substantially
flat portion 133 of the base portion 130. In various embodiments,
base portion 130 also can include a cut-out portion 134, which may
assist with insertion and/or removal of the tray 200 from
receptacle 125. Optionally, base portion 130 may have locking
mechanism (not shown) to hold tray 200 in place. Base portion 130
also may have a release mechanism (not shown) to release the tray
200 so that it can be removed from receptacle 125.
[0046] Base portion 130 includes or discontinuous, bifurcated
"band" portion having a first generally inwardly curved arm 135 and
a second generally inwardly curved arm 136. The curved arms 135,
136 can be adjusted so as to change an inner circumference or
diameter 137 thereof to fit fingers of different sizes. First and
second arms 135, 136 have respective end portions 138, 139 that are
offset with respect to each other. Such offsetting of end portions
138, 139 may facilitate adjusting of the arms, whereby the offset
end portions 138, 139 can be slid next to each other in order to
change the inner circumference or diameter 137 of the base portion
130.
[0047] Optionally, a metal wire 140 may be provided inside the base
portion 130, with a corresponding portion of the metal wire 140
being associated with each of the first arm 135 and the second arm
136. FIG. 4A is a semi-transparent view of a portion of base
portion 130 showing the metal wire 140, FIG. 4B is a
cross-sectional view of a portion of base portion 130 with the
metal wire 140, and FIG. 4C is an exploded view of a portion of
base portion 130 with the metal wire 140. FIG. 4D is an overhead
perspective view of the base portion 130. Note that the base
portion 130 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4D does not show metal
register hole 141 on surface 133.
[0048] The metal wire 140 may assist with repositioning of the
first and second arms 135, 136 to change an inner circumference or
diameter 137 of the base portion. In various embodiments the metal
wire 140 can be bendable, but sufficiently rigid to keep each arm
135, 136 at one of any number of positions. Accordingly, the metal
wire 140 can allow the arms 135, 136 to be "shaped" to fit fingers
of different sizes.
[0049] Metal wire 140 can be of any suitable configuration and made
of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, etc. Further, a
base portion 130 that includes metal wire 140 can be formed in any
suitable way. FIG. 2, for example, shows metal register holes 141
used to hold the metal wire 140 as the base portion 130 is formed
around it. Note that any suitable number of metal register holes
141 may be used, at any suitable location, not just the number and
locations shown in FIG. 2.
[0050] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are exploded, front, side, and
perspective views, respectively, of a reconfigurable ring 500 and
an insert element in the form of a tray 550 according to various
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
[0051] Reconfigurable ring 500 is similar to reconfigurable ring
100 discussed above, but without a separate intermediate portion.
That is to say, reconfigurable ring 500 essentially has a base
portion 530 that fixedly and sealingly mates directly with globe
portion 510 to seal the contents of the globe portion 510 in an
inner volume 512. Globe portion 510 can be fixedly and sealingly
attached to an upper face of a rim 521 and on the outside of a
raised portion 522 of the base portion 530. Globe portion 510 can
be fixedly and sealingly attached to the upper face of rim 521
and/or the outside of raised portion 522 by any suitable means,
such as using glue and/or friction fit. Alternatively, raised
portion 522 and globe portion 510 can have cooperating threaded
portions that can be mated together to sealingly connect the two
pieces to form the inner volume 512.
[0052] Similar to above, receptacle 525 may be sized and shaped to
receive tray 550, but receptacle 525 is formed entirely by the base
portion 530. Further, tray 550 may be slightly different from tray
200 discussed above. In various embodiments, tray 550 can include a
frame 551 and a body 552 circumscribed by the frame 551 in plan
view. Frame 551 can include a grip portion 553 which can be used
for insertion and/or removal of the tray 550. In various
embodiments, grip portion 553 may include a protrusion 554 on a
bottom side thereof that can be used to initiate removal of the
tray 550 from receptacle 525 by a wearer's fingernail, for example.
Grip portion 553 also may be used to fully or partially remove the
tray 550 from receptacle 525. Further, protrusion 554 may form a
part of a locking mechanism with cut-out portion 534 of base
portion 530. In various embodiments, the locking mechanism may
produce an audible and/or tactile response, such as a "click" when
the tray 550 is fully seated and locked in receptacle 525.
[0053] Not explicitly shown, tray 550 can include a picture, a
photograph, or other image or wording placed on or in, affixed to,
or otherwise formed on or as part of the tray 550. For instance,
the picture, photograph, or other image or wording may be on an
upper face of the body 552 of the tray 550. Alternatively, the
picture, photograph, or other image or wording may be formed in or
as part of the body 552 so as to be viewable from the upper face of
the body 552 of the tray 550. Thus, in various embodiments, the
picture, photograph, or other image or associated with the upper
face of the body 552 can be visible through the globe portion 510,
the contents of the globe portion 510, and a transparent or
semi-transparent central body 523 of the base portion 530. Further,
the picture, photograph, or other image or wording may be viewable
from multiple angles from the globe portion 510 of the ring 500.
Moreover, in various embodiments, the globe portion 510 and/or its
contents can magnify the picture, photograph, or other image or
wording associated with the tray 550 when the tray 550 is inserted
into the receptacle's side opening.
[0054] Reconfigurable ring 500 is also different from
reconfigurable ring 100 described above in that its "band" portion
535 is continuous. In various embodiments the band portion 535 may
not be adjustable. Furthermore, band portion 535 may not include a
metal portion in the inside thereof. Of course the reconfigurable
ring 500 is not limited to a continuous band portion 535 and may
have a bifurcated band portion with first and second arms as
described above. Likewise, reconfigurable ring 100 may
alternatively have a continuous band portion similar to
reconfigurable ring 500.
[0055] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are exploded, front, side, and
perspective views, respectively, of a trayless reconfigurable ring
600 with a receptacle 625 according to various embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter.
[0056] Reconfigurable ring 600 is similar to reconfigurable ring
500 discussed above, but receptacle 625 is designed for use without
a tray. Instead, receptacle 625 is designed for use with an insert
element in the form of a picture, photograph, or other image or
wording in a thin paper, plastic, or chip format, such as a paper
photograph. The picture, photograph, or other image or wording in a
thin paper, plastic, or chip format may be sized so as to be able
to be slid into a first side opening 626 of the receptacle 625 such
that the insert element is positioned in receptacle 625, below and
in substantially aligned fashion with a transparent or
semi-transparent central body 623 of the base portion 630, in an
image compartment, for example. In various embodiments, retaining
teeth 645 may be provided to hold the insert element in the
receptacle 625. Optionally or alternatively, a lip can be placed at
the mouth of the first side opening 626 enabling a slight friction
fit for the inserted element. In various embodiments a second side
opening 627 with access to receptacle 625 may be provided, thereby
enabling a user or wearer to insert an article, such as the tip of
an ink pen or the like to stab or push into the underside of the
insert element to slide or push the insert element toward and out
of the first side opening 626.
[0057] As with above, the picture, photograph, or other image or
wording (i.e., the insert element) may be viewable from multiple
angles from the globe portion 610, and the globe portion 610 and/or
its contents can magnify the picture, photograph, or other image or
wording.
[0058] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are exploded, front, side, and
perspective views, respectively, of a reconfigurable ring 700
according to various embodiments of the disclosed subject
matter.
[0059] Ring 700 can include a globe portion 710, a clear or
semi-clear intermediate portion 720, and a base portion 730. Globe
portion 710 is fixedly and sealingly coupled to intermediate
portion 720 to form an inner volume 712 with contents substantially
as described herein. Globe portion 710 and intermediate portion 720
can be detachable and/or interchangeable with other globe portions
(and corresponding intermediate portions). Globe portion 710 and
corresponding intermediate portion 720 can be removable coupled to
base portion 730 by any suitable means. As shown in FIG. 7A,
intermediate portion can include notch 724 (only one shown in FIG.
7A) for twist- or screw-locking with corresponding grooves 731 and
channels 732 of base portion 730. Other removably coupling means
may be used, such as snap-fit options, threads, etc.
[0060] Optionally, ring 700 can include a receptacle 725 formed by
an overhead opening when the intermediate portion 720 and globe
portion 710 are removed. Receptacle 725 can be configured to
receive an insert element in the form of a picture, photograph, or
other image or wording in a thin paper, plastic, or chip format,
such as a paper photograph. Thus, in various embodiments, the
receptacle 725 of ring 700 may be considered a fixed tray, with the
insert element being placed on the fixed tray. The picture,
photograph, or other image or wording of the insert element may be
visible, from multiple angles, for example, through the globe
portion 710 and the intermediate portion 720. Further, the picture,
photograph, or other image or wording of the insert element may be
magnified by the globe portion 610 and/or its contents, and/or the
intermediate element 720. For example, in various embodiments,
intermediate element 720 may itself function as a magnifying
lens.
[0061] FIGS. 8A and 8B are basic overhead and side views,
respectively, of reconfigurable jewelry 800 in the form of a
reconfigurable necklace or pendant according to various embodiments
of the disclosed subject matter. Jewelry 800 can have a base
portion 830 and a globe portion 810 coupled to the base portion.
Note in particular that base portion 830 has a back portion that is
substantially flat and an attachment portion 835 with an aperture
836 for attaching a chain, for example, for wearing around a
wearer's neck. Jewelry 800 may be reconfigured substantially as
described above. For example, globe portion 810 may be detached
from base portion 830 (e.g., by unscrewing, twist-unlocking, etc.)
in order to reconfigure the base portion 830 with another globe
portion 810 of different color, internal configuration, etc.
Optionally, a receptacle to receive an insert element may be
provided between globe portion 810 and base portion 830. Thus,
jewelry 800 may also be reconfigurable in this sense.
[0062] FIGS. 9A and 9B are overhead and side views, respectively,
of reconfigurable jewelry 900 in the form of a reconfigurable
necklace or pendant according to various embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter.
[0063] Jewelry 900 can have a base portion 930 and a globe portion
910 coupled to the base portion 930. Note in particular that base
portion 930 has a back portion that is substantially flat. Jewelry
900 may be reconfigured substantially as described above. For
example, a receptacle 935 to receive an insert element may be
provided in base portion 930. Optionally, globe portion 910 may be
detached from base portion 930 (e.g., by unscrewing,
twist-unlocking, etc.) in order to reconfigure the base portion 930
with another globe portion 910 of different color, internal
configuration, etc. Thus, jewelry 900 may also be reconfigurable in
this sense.
[0064] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for a method 1000 according to
various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
[0065] Method 1000 can begin at S1002 and proceed to S1004 wherein
a globe portion as described herein according to various
embodiments can be provided. Method 1000 can proceed to S1006,
whereby a base portion as described herein according to various
embodiments can be provided. Optionally, providing a base portion
can include providing an intermediate portion as described herein
according to various embodiments. Optionally, at S1010 an insert
element as described herein according to various embodiments may be
provided. The method may end at S1010.
[0066] While the disclosed subject matter has been described in
conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly,
Applicants intend to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,
equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of
the disclosed subject matter described herein.
* * * * *