AU2017202456A1 - Jewellery with magnet head assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An item of jewelry having a magnetic head assembly comprising a base, a shank coupled to the base, and a removable head. The shank comprises a void into which a first magnet is secured. The first magnet is sized such that the top surface of the magnet is depressed from the top edge of the void wall. The head comprises a cavity on the underside of the head into which a second magnet is secured. Second magnet is sized such that the bottom surface of the second magnet protrudes from the cavity. The head further comprises on its top side an embellished portion comprising one or more precious or semiprecious stones or other ornamental composite materials. Second magnet and first magnet are assembled into cavity and void, respectively, such that the two magnets have opposing polarities facing one another to ensure a strong connection between the head and the shank. The magnet configuration provides an assembly where the walls of the cavity and the void are flush when the head is mounted to the shank, presenting a clean and smooth appearance between the head and the shank. Accordingly, the head can be easily removed from shank and replaced with any variety of heads having different embellished portions. In alternative embodiments, embellished portions can have varying shapes, and in further alternative embodiments jewelry can have multiple shanks for removably attaching multiple heads. 42 44 22- 28 <>4 25

Description

JEWELLERY WITH MAGNET HEAD ASSEMBLY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority benefit of India Application No. 201621013508 filed, April 18, 2016, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to jewelry, and more particularly, this invention relates to a magnet head assembly for jewelry items such as pendants, rings, earrings, or other jewelry items.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many pieces of jewelry are not easily modified without the assistance of a jeweler or special tools. For example, a ring may include a precious stone that is set in a mount having bent prongs to hold the stone in the mount. The bent prongs are not intended to be reopened by a wearer of the ring during normal use. To change the precious stone of such a ring to another stone generally requires the assistance of a jeweler, which adds cost and inconvenience to an owner of the jewelry piece. Moreover, if an owner of the ring wishes to restore the original stone to the ring, additional cost and inconvenience are incurred in re-using the services of a jeweler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a magnetic head assembly on a jewelry item such as a pendant, ring, or earring which allows a user to easily change the head of the item with a variety of settings such as precious and non-precious stones, and other composite ornamental materials. Certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention go some way to overcoming the above-described disadvantages and/or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, an item of jewelry having a magnetic head assembly comprising a base, a shank coupled to the base, and a removable head is provided. The shank comprises a void into which a first magnet is secured. The first magnet is sized such that the top surface of the magnet is depressed from the top edge of the void wall. The head comprises a cavity on the underside of the head into which a second magnet is secured. Second magnet is sized such that the bottom surface of the second magnet protrudes from the cavity. The head further comprises on its top side an embellished portion comprising one or more precious or semiprecious stones or other ornamental composite materials. Second magnet and first magnet are assembled into cavity and void, respectively, such that the two magnets have opposing polarities facing one another to ensure a strong connection between the head and the shank. Further, because the bottom surface of the second magnet protrudes from the cavity when secured therein, and because the top surface of the first magnet is depressed from the top edge of the void wall when glued therein, the second magnet fits into the space in the void. This provides a configuration where the walls of the cavity and the void are flush when the head is mounted to the shank. This presents a clean and smooth appearance between the head and the shank. Accordingly, the head can be easily removed from shank and replaced with any variety of heads having different embellished portions. In alternative embodiments, embellished portions can have varying shapes, and in further alternative embodiments jewelry can have multiple shanks for removably attaching multiple heads thereto.

[0006] For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, which are illustrative but should not be limiting of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 1 is perspective view of one example of a ring, one preferred embodiment of jewelry with a magnetic head in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of a ring with a magnetic head; [0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a ring with a magnetic head; [0011] FIG. 4 is an opposing exploded perspective view of a ring with a magnetic head; [0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of a ring with a magnetic head; [0013] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a ring with a magnetic head; [0014] FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a ring; [0015] FIG. 8 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 7; [0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7; [0017] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7; [0018] FIG. 11 is an opposing exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7; [0019] FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of a ring with two magnetic heads; [0020] FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 12; [0021] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 12; [0022] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 12; [0023] FIG. 16 is an opposing exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 12; [0024] FIG. 17 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an earring with two magnetic heads; [0025] FIG. 18 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 17; [0026] FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 17; [0027] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 17; and [0028] FIG. 21 is an opposing exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Certain embodiments and examples of jewelry with a magnetic head are described herein. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein disclosed should not be limited by any particular embodiments described herein.

[0030] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an item of jewelry with a magnetic head assembly configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure. In this embodiment and the alternative embodiments shown herein, the items of jewelry are rings and earring, but other items such as necklaces, brooches and the like are contemplated for use with the disclosed aspects and advantages herein. As seen in FIGS. 1-2, in a preferred embodiment a ring 10 includes a base portion 30 which fits on a user’s finger, a shank portion 40, and a detachable magnetic head 20. Base 30 can be comprised of any precious or non-precious metals, and as well as any base metals with micron coating such as pink or yellow gold or the like.

[0031] As seen in FIG. 3, shank 40 comprises a void 42 into which a correspondingly-shaped first magnet 44 is securely fit. First magnet 44 is secured into the void 42 using a suitable adhesive, such as resin or another suitable gluing agent to ensure a strong bond between the bottom surface 46 of the first magnet 44 and the void 42. First magnet 44 is a powerful neodymium disc magnet or another suitable natural or artificial magnet sized to fit in the void 42. First magnet 44 is sized such that the top surface 45 of the magnet 44 is depressed from the top edge of the void 42 wall.

[0032] As seen in FIG. 4, the head 20 comprises a cavity 22 on the underside of the head 20 into which a correspondingly-shaped second magnet 24 is securely fit.

Second magnet 24 is secured into the cavity 22 using a suitable adhesive, such as resin or another suitable gluing agent to ensure a strong bond between the top surface 25 of the second magnet 24 and the cavity 22. Second magnet 24 is a powerful neodymium disc magnet or another suitable natural or artificial magnet sized to fit in the cavity 22. Second magnet 24 is sized such that the bottom surface 26 of the second magnet 24 protrudes from the cavity 22. The head 20 further comprises on its top side an embellished portion 28 comprising one or more precious or semiprecious stones or other ornamental composite materials.

[0033] Second magnet 24 and first magnet 44 are assembled into cavity 22 and void 42, respectively, such that the two magnets 24, 44 have opposing polarities facing one another to ensure a strong connection between the head 20 and the shank 40. Further, because the bottom surface 26 of the second magnet 24 protrudes from the cavity 22 when glued therein, and because the top surface 45 of the first magnet 44 is depressed from the top edge of the void 42 wall when glued therein, the second magnet 24 fits into the space in the void 42 above the top surface 45 of the first magnet 44. This provides a configuration where the walls of the cavity 22 and the void 44 are flush when the head 20 is mounted to the shank 40, as seen best in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. This presents a clean and smooth appearance between the head 20 and the shank 40, such that it is not readily apparent that the jewelry 10 consists of multiple components.

[0034] Accordingly, head 20 can be easily removed from shank 40 and replaced with any variety of heads 20 having different embellished portions 28. A user thus need only purchase one base 30 onto which a large variety of heads 20 having various embellished portions 28 can be easily changed. This saves cost to the user in that entire rings of different designs need not be purchased, but rather only the head 20 of the ring 10.

[0035] An alternative embodiment of a ring 110 is shown in FIGS. 7-11. The ring 110 includes a base portion 130, a shank portion 140, and a detachable magnetic head 120, with an alternative flower-shaped embellished portion 128 comprising one or more precious or semiprecious stones or other ornamental composite materials. The head 120 comprises a cavity 122 on the underside of the head 120 into which a second magnet 124 is securely fit, and the shank 140 comprises a void 142 into which a first magnet 144 is securely fit. Magnets 124, 144 are secured into the cavity 122 and void 142 using a suitable adhesive, such as resin or another suitable gluing agent to ensure a strong bond between the bottom surface 146 of the magnet 144 and the void 142 and the top surface 125 of the magnet 124 and the cavity 122. Second magnet 124 and first magnet 144 are assembled into cavity 122 and void 142, respectively, such that the two magnets 124, 144 have opposing polarities facing one another to ensure a strong connection between the head 120 and the shank 140. Further, because the bottom surface 126 of the second magnet 124 protrudes from the cavity 122 when glued therein, and because the top surface 145 of the first magnet 144 is depressed from the top edge of the void 142 wall when glued therein, the second magnet 124 fits into the space in the void 142 above the top surface 145 of the first magnet 144. This provides a configuration where the walls of the cavity 122 and the void 142 are flush when head 120 is mounted to shank 140, as seen best in FIGS. 8 and 9. This presents a clean and smooth appearance between the head 120 and the shank 140.

[0036] Another alternative embodiment of a ring 210 is shown in FIGS. 12-16. In this embodiment, ring 210 includes two magnetic head assemblies. The ring 210 includes a base portion 230, two shank portions 240a, 240b, and two detachable magnetic heads 220a, 220b, each with an embellished portion 228a, 228b comprising one or more precious or semiprecious stones or other ornamental composite materials. The heads 220a, 220b each comprise a cavity 222a, 222b on the underside of the head 220a, 220b into which second magnets 224a, 224b are securely fit, and the shanks 240a, 240b each comprise a void 242a, 242b into which first magnets 244a, 244b are securely fit. Magnets 224a, 224b and 244a, 244b are secured into the cavities 222a, 222b and voids 242a, 242b, respectively, using a suitable adhesive, such as resin or another suitable gluing agent to ensure a strong bond between the bottom surface 246a, 246b of the first magnets 244a, 244b and the voids 242a, 242b and the top surface 225a, 225b of the second magnets 224a, 224b and the cavity 222a, 222b. Second magnets 224a, 224b and first magnets 244a, 244b are assembled into cavities 222a, 222b and voids 242a, 242b, respectively, such that the two sets of magnets 224a, 224b and 244a, 244b have opposing polarities facing one another to ensure a strong connection between the heads 220a, 220b and the shanks 240a, 240b. Further, because the bottom surfaces 226a, 226b of the second magnets 224a, 224b protrude from the cavities 222a, 222b when glued therein, and because the top surfaces 245a, 245b of the first magnets 244a, 244b are depressed from the top edged of the void 242a, 242b walls when glued therein, the second magnets 224a, 224b fit into the spaces in the voids 242a, 242b above the top surfaces 245a, 245b of the first magnets 244a, 244b. This provides a configuration where the walls of the cavities 222a, 222b and the voids 242a, 242b are flush when heads 220a, 220b are mounted to shanks 240a, 240b, as seen best in FIGS. 13 and 14. This presents a clean and smooth appearance between the heads 220a, 220b and the shanks 240a, 240b.

[0037] Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 17-21, an earring 310 with two magnetic head assemblies. The earring 310 includes a base portion 330, two shank portions 340a, 340b, and two detachable magnetic heads 320a, 320b, each with an embellished portion 328a, 328b comprising one or more precious or semiprecious stones or other ornamental composite materials. The heads 320a, 320b each comprise a cavity 322a, 322b on the underside of the head 320a, 320b into which a second magnet 324a, 324b is securely fit, and the shanks 340a, 340b each comprise a void 342a, 342b into which a first magnet 344a, 344b is securely fit. Second magnets 324a, 324b and first magnets 344a, 344b are secured into the cavities 322a, 322b and voids 342a, 342b, respectively, using a suitable adhesive, such as resin or another suitable gluing agent to ensure a strong bond between the bottom surface 346a, 346b of the first magnets 344a, 344b and the voids 342a, 342b and between the top surface 325a,325b of the second magnets 324a, 324b and cavities 322a, 322b . Second magnets 324a, 324b and first magnets 344a, 344b are assembled into cavities 322a, 322b and voids 342a, 342b, respectively, such that the two sets of magnets 324a, 324b and 344a, 344b have opposing polarities facing one another to ensure a strong connection between the heads 320a, 320b and the shanks 340a, 340b. Further, because the bottom surfaces 326a, 326b of the second magnets 324a, 324b protrude from the cavities 322a, 322b when glued therein, and because the top surfaces 345a, 345b of the first magnets 344a, 344b are depressed from the top edges of the void 342a, 342b walls when glued therein, the second magnets 324a, 324b fit into the spaces in the voids 342a, 342b above the top surfaces 345a, 345b of the first magnets 344a, 344b. This provides a configuration where the walls of the cavities 322a, 322b and the voids 342a, 342b are flush when heads 320a, 320b are mounted to shanks 340a, 340b, as seen best in FIG. 17. This presents a clean and smooth appearance between the heads 320a, 320b and the shanks 340a, 340b.

[0038] It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. Further, nothing in the foregoing disclosure is intended to imply that any particular component, characteristic or process step is necessary or essential.

Claims (7)

1. What is claimed:

   1. An item of jewelry with a magnetic head assembly, the jewelry comprising: a base portion; one or more shank portions coupled to the base portion, the or each shank portion comprising a void defined by a void wall for receiving a first magnet; one or more head portions, the or each head portion comprising a cavity defined by a cavity wall for receiving a second magnet and further comprising an embellished portion on the opposite side of the cavity; wherein the or each first magnet is secured into the or each void with a first polarity facing outward, and the or each and second magnet is secured into the or each cavity such that an opposing polarity is facing outward, the or each first and second magnets providing a detachable magnetic connection such that or each head portion is removably connectable to the or each shank portion.
2. 2. The jewelry of claim 1: wherein the or each first magnet is depressed from a top edge of the void wall when secured therein, defining a space between the top edge and the first magnet; wherein the or each second magnet protrudes from a top edge of the or each cavity wall when secured therein; and wherein when the or each head is connected to the or each shank, the protruding portion of the or each first magnet fits into the space, and the top edge of the or each void wall and the top edge of the or each cavity wall are flush.
3. 3. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnets are neodymium disc magnets.
4. 4. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the or each first and second magnets are secured to the or each void and the or each cavity using an adhesive resin.
5. 5. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises one or more of: precious metal, or non-precious metal, or a base metal with a micron coating.
6. 6. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein the or each embellished portion comprises one or more of: precious stones, semi-precious stones, or composite materials.
7. 7. The jewelry of claim 1 wherein the item is one of: a ring, a pair of earrings, a necklace, a pin, or a hair accessory.