U.S. patent application number 13/940086 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for methods and apparatus for jewelry.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tyson H. Basha, Christian H. Weems. Invention is credited to Tyson H. Basha, Christian H. Weems.
Application Number | 20150013384 13/940086 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52276029 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150013384 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weems; Christian H. ; et
al. |
January 15, 2015 |
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR JEWELRY
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for jewelry may comprise a locket system
comprising first and second portions that may be attached to define
an interior cavity. The locket system may also comprise a seal
adapted to seal the interior cavity.
Inventors: |
Weems; Christian H.;
(Gilbert, AZ) ; Basha; Tyson H.; (Chandler,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Weems; Christian H.
Basha; Tyson H. |
Gilbert
Chandler |
AZ
AZ |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52276029 |
Appl. No.: |
13/940086 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 13/00 20130101;
A44C 25/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/18 |
International
Class: |
A44C 25/00 20060101
A44C025/00 |
Claims
1. A locket system, comprising: a first portion, comprising: an
interior surface; a first threaded surface; and a forward facing
surface; a second portion, comprising: a window; a second threaded
surface adapted to engage the first threaded surface; and a rear
facing surface; wherein the first portion and the second portion
define an interior cavity.
2. The locket system of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of
the first portion comprises a window.
3. The locket system of claim 1, wherein the rear facing surface of
the second portion comprises a milled groove adapted to receive a
sealing element from the first portion.
4. The locket system of claim 1, wherein the second threaded
surface comprises a male screw head and the first threaded surface
comprises and female screw head.
5. The locket system of claim 1, wherein the first threaded surface
comprises a male screw thread and the second threaded surface
comprises a female screw thread.
6. The locket system of claim 1, wherein the forward facing surface
of the first portion comprises a milled groove adapted to receive
an elastomeric element.
7. The locket system of claim 6, wherein the elastomeric element is
an o-ring.
8. The locket system of claim 1, wherein the rear facing surface of
the second portion comprises a milled groove adapted to receive an
elastomeric seal.
9. The locket system of claim 8, wherein the elastomeric seal is
adapted to inhibit penetration of moisture into the interior
cavity.
10. (canceled)
11. The locket system of claim 10, wherein the interior cavity is
configured to store an object.
12. The locket system of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity is
configured to display the object.
13. The locket system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first
portion and the second portion comprises a decorative surface.
14. The locket system of claim 13, wherein the decorative surface
comprises a decorative object.
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. A locket system connectable to a linking clement, comprising: a
back portion, comprising: an interior surface; a threaded surface;
and a forward-facing perimeter surface a front portion, comprising:
a window; a threaded surface adapted to engage the back portion
threaded surface, wherein the interior surface of the back portion
and the window at least partially define an enclosure; and a
rear-facing perimeter surface; a resilient o-ring seated in a
groove defined in at least one of the forward-facing perimeter
surface and the rear-facing perimeter surface.
18. The locket system of claim 17, wherein the enclosure is
configured to store an object.
19. The locket system of claim 17, wherein the enclosure is
configured to display an object.
20. The locket system of claim 17, wherein the interior surface of
the back portion comprises a window.
21. The locket system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the back
portion and the front portion comprises a decorative surface.
22. The locket system of claim 21, wherein the decorative surface
comprises a decorative object.
23. The locket system of claim 17, further comprising a connection
point attached to at least one of the back portion and the front
portion.
24. The locket system of claim 17, wherein at least the other of
the forward-facing perimeter surface and the rear-facing perimeter
surface of the rear portion and the front portion comprises a
milled groove adapted to receive a sealing element from the other
of the rear portion and front portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a modular
interchangeable jewelry system and specifically to a modular
interchangeable jewelry system comprised of one or more
interconnecting and exchangeable modular components.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
[0002] Human use of jewelry extends beyond memory, tradition or
recorded history. Throughout recorded history, jewelry has been
used for many purposes. Like painting or poetry, jewelry may be
used as a form of expression or assertion of a user's personality,
feelings or ideas, demonstrating the uniqueness of a user. Jewelry
may simultaneously be used to provide a functional way of storing
personal effects in a meaningful way.
[0003] Jewelry is generally designed to form a single invariable
unit of static design, preventing a user from customizing the
jewelry to different parts of the user's body, or to serve
different functional purposes. While various modular jewelry
designs, including lockets, have been proposed in the prior art,
much of the prior art focuses on either functionality or artistic
need but not both.
[0004] A need exists for a customizable jewelry system with
interconnecting and exchangeable modular components adapted to
substantially easily attach and detach to and from any one or more
of the other modular components in matter of seconds without any
particular training, tools, or effort, while still fulfilling a
desired functional purpose. A customizable jewelry system allows
the user to build or alter the various modular components according
to individual or personalized specifications and functions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Methods and apparatus for jewelry may comprise a locket
system comprising first and second portions that may be attached to
define an interior cavity. The locket system may also comprise a
seal adapted to seal the interior cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0006] A more complete understanding of the claimed invention may
be derived by referring to the detailed description of exemplary
embodiments and claims in connection with the following
illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference
numbers ordinarily refer to similar elements and steps.
[0007] FIG. 1A-B representatively illustrate modular
interchangeable jewelry systems in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 2A-B representatively illustrate a locket system in
assembled and exploded views, respectively;
[0009] FIG. 3A-C are front, side, and close-up cross-sectional
views of a first portion of a locket system;
[0010] FIGS. 4A-C are front, side, and close-up cross-sectional
views of a second portion of a locket system;
[0011] FIG. 5 representatively illustrates a side view of a locket
system with a clip-lock attachment interface;
[0012] FIGS. 6A-B representatively illustrate front and side views
of a locket insert;
[0013] FIG. 7 representatively illustrates an o-ring;
[0014] FIGS. 8A-B representatively illustrate a front view and
close-up cross-sectional view of a locket front portion with a
decorative surface including an embedded decorative object; and
[0015] FIGS. 9A-B representatively illustrate a clip in open and
closed position.
[0016] The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not
intended to limit the scope of the disclosed embodiments in any
way. The drawings illustrate only selected embodiments and not all
possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope
of any of the various embodiments. The drawings may not be drawn to
scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Various aspects of the present invention may be described in
terms of functional block components and various processing steps.
Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components
configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the
various results. For example, exemplary embodiments of the present
invention may employ various locket systems, linking elements, and
seals, e.g., interchangeable locket elements, chains, strands,
inserts, interfaces, and the like, which may carry out a variety of
functions. In addition, various aspects of the present invention
may be practiced in conjunction with any number of jewelry systems,
and the apparatus and methods described are merely exemplary
applications for the invention. Further, exemplary embodiments of
the present invention may employ any number of conventional
techniques for assembly, disassembly, and the like.
[0018] Methods and apparatus for jewelry may operate in conjunction
with a jewelry system. Certain representative implementations may
include, for example, lockets, bracelets, broaches, necklaces, and
the like. The jewelry system may be coupled to any appropriate
portion of the user's body to display the components and any
elements attached, adhered, embedded, or otherwise disposed on or
within the modular components. For example, the jewelry system may
be attached to a limb or adjacent a neck, for example around the
user's wrist or finger. The jewelry system may comprise any shape
or size suitable to couple the components to a portion of the
user's body and/or to display the various components. For example,
the jewelry system may comprise a loop, lariat, or the like. In
various embodiments, the jewelry system may comprise a looped
article of wearable apparel, such as a necklace, bracelet, choker,
belt, or the like.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1A-B, an exemplary embodiment of a
jewelry system 100 may comprise a modular interchangeable jewelry
system comprising any number of interconnecting selectable and
exchangeable modular components adapted to substantially easily
attach and detach for assembly into a single article of wearable
apparel. The modular interchangeable jewelry system may comprise
one or more modular locket systems adapted to substantially easily
attach to and detach from the one or more modular locket systems,
linking elements, and/or any other modular component.
[0020] For example, the modular interchangeable jewelry system may
comprise a locket system 105 and a linking element 110. At least
one of the locket system 105 and linking element 110 may comprise a
connection point 115 adapted to substantially easily attach and
detach to and from at least one of the locket system 105 and
linking element 110. In various embodiments, the modular
interchangeable jewelry system may comprise the multiple locket
system 105A-C and linking elements 110. The locket systems 105A-C
and linking elements 110 may include connection points 115 adapted
to easily attach to, and possibly detach from, at least one of the
other locket systems 105 and linking elements 110.
[0021] The interconnecting and exchangeable modular components may
be adapted to substantially easily attach and detach to and from
any one or more of the other modular components in matter of
seconds without any particular training, tools, or effort.
[0022] The connection points 115 interconnect, couple, link,
fasten, secure, and/or support the one or more locket systems 105
and/or linking elements 110. The connection point 115 may comprise
any suitable element to attach, adhere, or otherwise interconnect
one or more of the linking elements 110, the locket systems 105,
and/or other modular components of the modular interchangeable
jewelry system 100 in any suitable manner to form a single article
of wearable apparel. In various embodiments, the connection points
115 easily attach to, and possibly detach from, other elements of
the jewelry system. For example, the connection point 115 may
comprise one or more of a clip, buckle, magnet, hook-and-loop
fastener, hook, clasp, snap, and/or a loop.
[0023] In one embodiment, the connection point 115 may comprise a
spring-biased clip attached to the linking element 110 and adapted
to be coupled to the locket system 105, such as via a bail loop on
the locket system. In an exemplary embodiment, referring to FIGS.
9A-B, one of or each end of the linking element 110 may include a
clip 900. The clip 900 may comprise a pair of arms 905A-B, a hinge
910, and a latch 915. To assemble an item, the clip 900 may be
opened and positioned around an attachment point on another element
such as a bail, and released to releasably connect to the bail. To
disassemble the item, the clip 900 may be re-opened and removed
from the bail.
[0024] The linking element 110 links various other elements of the
jewelry system to one another. In various embodiments, the linking
element 110 may comprise an elongate member having a pair of distal
ends, such as a chain, band, string, thread, strap, or the like. In
one embodiment, the linking element 110 comprises a decorative
chain comprising any desired style, length, thickness, material,
color, texture, and/or features and having spring-biased clips or
other suitable connection points 115 at each end. The linking
element 110 may link the locket system 105 and/or other modular
components of the jewelry system 100 in any suitable manner to form
a single article of wearable apparel.
[0025] The linking element 110 may further comprise an adjustment
mechanism (not shown). In various embodiments, the adjustment
mechanism may comprise any mechanism adapted to adjust one or more
of the length, angle, tilt, and/or configuration of one or more
modular components relative to another modular component. For
example, the adjustment mechanism may function to shorten and/or
lengthen the space between various modular components of the
modular interchangeable jewelry system 100.
[0026] The modular interchangeable jewelry system may further
comprise a charm 120, such as an insert, backdrop, ornament,
keepsake, dangle, amulet, talisman, or decorative item. In various
embodiments, the charm 120 may be adapted to substantially easily
attach to, and possibly detach from, one or more linking elements
110 and/or locket systems 105. For example, the charm 120 may
include a connection point 115, such as a clip to connect to a link
in a chain. In other embodiments, the charm 120 may be adapted to
be attached, adhered, embedded, or otherwise positioned in the
jewelry system, such as within an interior cavity of the locket
system 105 and/or attached to one or more of the modular components
of the modular interchangeable jewelry system via a connection
point 115.
[0027] In various embodiments, the modular interchangeable jewelry
system may operate in conjunction with a large collection of
different elements to allow a user to design a vast array of
different items, limited only by the creativity of the user. For
example, the modular interchangeable jewelry system may operate in
conjunction with a collection of multiple different types of
linking elements, such as chains of various sizes, lengths, links,
etc. The modular interchangeable jewelry system may also operate in
conjunction with hundreds or thousands of different charms that may
be selected or created by the user. Further, the modular
interchangeable jewelry system may operate in conjunction with a
variety of different locket systems 105, such as modular or
nonmodular lockets, which may have single or multiple points for
connection to other items, such as bails, connection points 115,
interior cavities, and the like. By selecting among the various
jewelry elements and assembling them according to the user's
desire, the variations and possibilities for creativity approach
the infinite.
[0028] A locket system 105 according to various aspects of the
present jewelry system comprises a case, such as a small ornamental
case worn as a pendant or bracelet, for storing one or more charms
120, photographs, curls of hair, keepsakes, or other items. The
locket system 105 may include an interior cavity, such as an
environmentally-controlled interior cavity, with at least one
substantially transparent or translucent window to display the
interior cavity and its contents. In addition, the locket system
105 may include small door or cover over the window that may open
to reveal the contents of the locket system 105 without opening the
interior cavity in which the contents are stored. The locket system
105 may be configured in any suitable shapes, such as ovals,
hearts, and circles, and may comprise any suitable materials, such
as plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, precious metals, and the like.
The locket system 105 may include a connection point 115 and/or may
be adapted to connect to a connection point 115. For example, the
locket system 105 may include one or more bails, either fixed or
configured to spin or otherwise move.
[0029] The locket system 105 may comprise any suitable case, such
as a nonmodifiable case that cannot be easily modified (other than
its contents) or a modular case that may be easily modified. For
example, referring to FIGS. 2A-B, a locket system 105 according to
various aspects of the present jewelry system may comprise a
modular locket system 200. The modular locket system 200 may
comprise any number of interconnecting selectable and exchangeable
modular components adapted to substantially easily attach, and
possibly detach, for assembly into a single locket system 105. The
modular locket system 200 allows the locket system 200 to be
assembled according to the user's wishes, such as by selecting
elements from collections of different components according to the
user's desires and intent to create unique locket systems 105.
[0030] For example, in one embodiment, the modular locket system
200 may comprise a first portion 205 and a second portion 210, such
as a back portion and a front portion. The first portion 205 and
the second portion 210 may be attached, and possibly detached, for
example via an attachment interface 245, 215. The attachment
interface 245, 215 couples the first portion 205 and the second
portion 210 to create an interior cavity 220.
[0031] The modular locket system 200 may also comprise one or more
connection points 115 or attachment points adapted to mate with a
connection point 115, such as a bail 225, to facilitate attachment
to, and possibly detachment from, another jewelry system element.
For example, in one embodiment, the modular locket system 200 may
be configured as a pendant comprising a single bail oriented
perpendicular to the plane of the modular locket system 200 to
receive a connection point 115, chain, or other linking element
110. On another embodiment, the modular locket system 200 may be
configured as a bracelet or other contiguous jewelry element having
two opposing bails oriented parallel to the plane of the modular
locket system 200.
[0032] The first portion 205 and the second portion 210 may be
configured in any suitable manner to define the interior cavity
220. The interior cavity 220 may be adapted for storage and display
of any material and/or an object attached, adhered, embedded, or
otherwise disposed within the interior cavity 220 to provide a
changeable display of the material and/or object, such as the charm
120. The interior cavity 220 may comprise any dimensions adapted to
store and display the material and/or object. In various
embodiments, the interior cavity may comprise a hermetically sealed
interior cavity to create a controlled internal environment. For
example, the interior cavity may be airtight and/or waterproof.
[0033] In various embodiments, the first portion 205 forms the back
portion of the locket system 105 and may comprise an interior
perimeter 230. The first portion 205 may also comprise a window
235. In an alternative embodiment, the first portion includes a
solid, nontransparent surface defining the back of the locket
system 105. Likewise, the second portion 210 may comprise an
interior perimeter 250 and a window 235 to facilitate viewing of
the contents of the locket system 105.
[0034] The window 235 may comprise any suitable material configured
to display the interior cavity 220 of the modular locket system
200, and any material and/or objects attached, adhered, embedded,
or otherwise disposed within the interior cavity 220. For example,
the window material may be glass, plastic, and the like. In
accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the window material
may be opaque, transparent, semi-transparent and/or substantially
transparent. In various embodiments, the windows 235 may be
permanently affixed to the other elements of the locket system 105
to create a seal between the external environment and the interior
cavity 220.
[0035] The attachment interface 245, 215 couples elements of the
locket system 105 to each other. In one embodiment, the attachment
interface 245, 215 couples the first portion 205 and the second
portion 210 to create the interior cavity 220. The attachment
interface 245, 215 may comprise any appropriate system for coupling
the locket system 105 elements, such as one or more clamps,
magnetic couplings and/or closures, threaded surfaces, hinges,
springs, locks, connectors, clips, bolts, screws, friction
fittings, rivets, adhesives, and the like.
[0036] For example, the attachment interface 245, 215 may comprise
threaded surfaces configured to engage one another. Referring to
FIG. 3A-C, in an exemplary embodiment, the first portion 300 may
comprise an interior surface 305 and a collar 310. The collar 310
may comprise a threaded attachment interface surface 315 and
forward-facing perimeter surface 320. Referring to FIG. 4A-C, the
second portion 400 may comprise an interior surface 405 and a
collar 410. The collar 410 may comprise a second threaded
attachment interface surface 415 and a rear-facing perimeter
surface 420. The threaded attachments interface surfaces 315 and
415 may be screwed together to attach the second portion 400 to the
first portion 300. As the threaded attachment interface surfaces
315 and 415 are screwed together, the forward-facing perimeter
surface 320 and the rear-facing perimeter surface 420 may approach
and abut each other.
[0037] The attachment interface 245, 215 may comprise, however, any
appropriate system for joining the elements of the locket system
105. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the attachment interface
245, 215 may comprise a locking mechanism biased to inhibit
inadvertent detachment. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism
comprises a stud 505 attached to the second portion 510 configured
to engage a groove 515 formed in an interior surface of the first
portion 520. The stud 505 travels through the groove 515 as the
second portion 510 rotates relative to the first portion 520. At
the end of the groove 515, a spring 525 biases the stud 505 into a
detent to inhibit inadvertent reversal of the stud 505 through the
groove 515.
[0038] The interior cavity 220 of the locket system 105 may be
sealed, for example to maintain the integrity of the contents,
prevent loss of the contents (especially liquid or gaseous
contents), and/or maintain a particular environment within the
interior cavity 220. In various embodiments, the seal may comprise
a hermetic seal, a water resistant seal, and/or a seal against
particular elements.
[0039] The seal may be created and maintained in any suitable
manner, such as by adding one or more sealing elements to the
locket system 105 and/or integrating one or more sealing elements
to the locket system 105. The sealing element may comprise any
suitable material and/or configuration, such as grease, wax,
o-rings, encapsulated o-rings, sealing rings, sealing sleeves,
sealing tape, and/or resin string.
[0040] For example, in various embodiments, at least one of the
first portion 205 and the second portion 210 may further comprise a
sealing element 240 disposed within a groove 255 in the attachment
interface 215 of the second portion 210 and between the attachment
interface of the first portion 205 and the second portion 210 (FIG.
2B). The sealing element 240 may inhibit penetration of
contaminants, moisture, and/or air into the interior cavity 220.
For example, the sealing element 240 may comprise an o-ring, such
as a conventional resilient deformable o-ring formed of rubber or a
comparable synthetic material.
[0041] More particularly, referring to FIGS. 3A-C and 4A-C, the
attachment interface surface 315 of the first portion 205 (300) may
comprise a threaded mating surface 350 and the forward-facing
perimeter surface 320. A groove 355 may be defined in the
forward-facing perimeter surface 320, which may provide a seat to
receive the sealing element 240, such as the resilient deformable
o-ring. In one embodiment, the groove 355 may comprise a milled
groove. Likewise, the attachment interface surface 415 of the
second portion 210 (400) may comprise a threaded mating surface 425
and the rear-facing perimeter surface 420. The rear-facing
perimeter surface 420 may comprise another groove 430 adapted to
seat the sealing element 240. The threaded mating surface 350 may
be adapted to engage the threaded mating surface 425, allowing the
first and second portions 205, 210 to be screwed together so that
the interior surface 305 of the first portion 300 and the interior
surface 405 of the second portion 325 at least partially define a
sealed interior cavity 220, and the sealing element 240 forms a
seal around the interior cavity 220. In addition, the first and
second portions 205, 210 may be unscrewed to gain access to the
interior cavity 220.
[0042] The jewelry system may further comprise elements adapted for
insertion into the interior cavity 220. For example, such elements
may have appropriate dimensions to be inserted into the interior
cavity 220 and fit relatively snugly to maintain position in the
interior cavity 220. For example, referring to FIGS. 6A-B and FIG.
7, an interchangeable locket insert system 600 may include a main
body 605 adapted for insertion into the interior cavity 220. The
interchangeable locket insert system 600 may further comprise a
rotation inhibitor 710 to substantially control or prevent rotation
of the main body 605 within the interior cavity 220.
[0043] The main body 605 may comprise an element to be inserted
into the interior cavity, such as a decorative item. In one
embodiment, the main body 605 comprises a rim 615 comprising an
outside edge slightly smaller than the interior wall of the locket
system 105. The main body 605 may further comprise an inner design
element 620 disposed interior to the rim 615. The inner design
element 620 may comprise any dimension adapted to be disposed
interior to the rim 615.
[0044] The rim 615 and the inner design element 620 may define at
least one aperture 625, wherein the aperture 625 is sized to
transmit a substantial amount of light through the interchangeable
locket insert system. In various embodiments, the aperture 625 may
be adapted to display the interior cavity 220 of the locket system
105, and any design elements attached, adhered, embedded, or
otherwise disposed within the interior cavity.
[0045] Without the rotation inhibitor 710, the main body 605 might
inadvertently rotate within the interior cavity 220. The rotation
inhibitor 710 may comprise any appropriate system for maintaining
the position of the main body 605 within the interior cavity 220,
such as to substantially control or prevent rotation of the main
body 605. For example, the rotation inhibitor 710 may comprise a
friction element, a brake, a stop, a lock, or other suitable
mechanical system. In various embodiments, the interchangeable
locket insert system 500 may further comprise an operable member
adapted to substantially easily attach and detach from the locket.
In one embodiment, the operable member is a pull tab.
[0046] In one embodiment, the outside edge of the rim 615 may
define a cylindrical surface having a groove 630 adapted to receive
a frictional resilient o-ring 710 such that the o-ring protrudes
beyond the sides of the groove 630 and the outer cylindrical
surface of the rim to engage the interior wall of the locket. When
the o-ring 710 is seated in the groove 630, the locket insert
system 600 may be inserted into the interior cavity 220 and the
o-ring 710 may frictionally engage the interior surface of the
locket system 105. The o-ring 710 may comprise any suitable
material, such as rubber or silicone.
[0047] The various modular components of the modular
interchangeable jewelry system may comprise any suitable additional
elements and features. For example, referring to FIGS. 8A-8B, the
locket system 105 may include a decorative surface 800. The
decorative surface 800 may comprise etched detailing, embedded
objects, and the like. In one embodiment, the decorative surface
800 may comprise at least one of a decorative object 810. The
decorative object 810 may comprise rhinestones, beads, diamonds, or
the like comprising any suitable cut, facet, or the like. For
example, the at least one decorative object 810 may comprise a
round cut.
[0048] The decorative object 810 may be adhered to, attached to or
otherwise embedded in or on one or more of the linking elements
110, locket systems 105, and/or charms 120 in any suitable manner.
For example, the one or more surfaces may be adapted to receive the
at least one decorative object 810.
[0049] In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the
modular components of the modular interchangeable jewelry system
may comprise any suitable material adapted for interconnecting,
coupling, linking, fastening, securing, pulling, sealing,
adjusting, and/or supporting the one or more linking elements,
locket systems, connection points, and/or any other modular
components of the modular interchangeable jewelry system. For
example, the material may comprise stainless steel, glass,
titanium, rubber, silicone, neoprene, plastic, fabric, and the
like. In various embodiments, the material may comprise any
suitable material adapted to be bendable, twistable, linked, and
the like to conform to a particular part of a user's body.
[0050] The particular implementations shown and described are
illustrative of the invention and its best mode and are not
intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present invention in
any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional
manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional
aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Furthermore,
the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to
represent exemplary functional relationships and/or steps between
the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional
relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical
system.
[0051] In the foregoing description, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various
modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing
from the scope of the present invention as set forth. The
description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative
manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be
determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal
equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described
above. For example, the steps recited in any method or process
embodiment may be executed in any appropriate order and are not
limited to the explicit order presented in the specific examples.
Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any system
embodiment may be combined in a variety of permutations to produce
substantially the same result as the present invention and are
accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in
the specific examples.
[0052] Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any
benefit, advantage, solution to problems or any element that may
cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to
become more pronounced, however, is not to be construed as a
critical, required or essential feature or component.
[0053] This description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no
way intended to limit the various embodiments or their application
or uses. The phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be
construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive
logical "or." The phrase "A, B and/or C" should be construed to
mean (A, B, and C) or alternatively (A or B or C), using a
non-exclusive logical "or." Unless otherwise stated or apparent
from the context, steps within a method may be executed in
different order without altering the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0054] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any variation
thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such
that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements
recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed
or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or
apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the
above-described structures, arrangements, applications,
proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice
of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically
recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to
specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design
parameters or other operating requirements without departing from
the general principles of the same.
[0055] The present invention has been described above with
reference to an exemplary embodiment. However, changes and
modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiment without
departing from the scope of the present invention. These and other
changes or modifications are intended to be included within the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *