GB2521413A - Multifunctional jewellery set - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-functional reversible jewellery unit, which can be reconfigured into a bracelet, anklet or hand jewellery. The unit comprises a main body 2 having a clasp 1 at one end, and a hoop 8 at the other end, with first and second arms 3, 7 extending from the hoop 8. Arm 7 has a clasp 6 at its free end which can be fastened to hoop 4 at the free end of arm 3. The jewellery can be configured as a harem bracelet, Panja or similar by connecting the free ends of the arms around a wrist to form a bracelet and connecting the clasp 1 at the free end of the main body to a ring worn on a finger (see figure 4). The ring preferably has a hoop (see figure 2) to which the clasp 1 can fasten. The jewellery can alternatively be configured as a wrist or ankle bracelet by fastening the free ends of arms 3, 7 together to form a single strand, and fastening the free end of the single strand around a wrist or ankle to the clasp 1 of the main body (see figures 5 & 6).

Description

Multifunctional Jewellery Set In light of an ever-changing jewellery and fashion market, which endeavours to strike a balance between innovative jewellery and more traditional silversmith designs, the present invention offers a comfortable medium between the two, by pairing two modern jewellery forms (hand and anklet jewellery) with a more commercial jewellery design (bracelets).

Hand-jewellery, also referred to as Slave Jewellery, BRING (bracelet + ring), Harem Bracelet, Belly Dancer Bracelet, Panja and/or Hath Panjas, where a bracelet is attached to a hand-ring with a chain; and anklets in which the chain rests around the ankle of the foot and/or is attached to a toe ring, became popular in the United States and UK fashion markets in the early twentieth century. However, their commercial appeal has not yet matched that of more traditional forms of jewellery such as bracelets, necklaces etc. It is thought that one reason for this could be that they have been viewed previously as niche products.

To overcome this, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, provides a new multifunction, reversible, single jewellery unit that can be reconfigured into a bracelet, anklet and hand-jewellery. The present invention is not anticipated, suggested, or implied by any prior jewellery designs for hand-jewellery, anklets and bracelets, either alone or in any combination thereof.

The invention, with its added versatility, could draw more appeal and attracts those who are perhaps more conservative in their tastes but would like the flexibility to try another style of jewellery without making a separate purchase. Thus the present invention can consequently offer better value for money.

Considered broadly, the multifunctional jewellery unit is designed to allow its overall structure to be reconfigured, so that a single unit can be worn either as l.a stand-alone bracelet, 2.an anklet or 3.hand-jewellery (with the addition of a specially designed hand-ring). The design comprises of either a metal, cloth, plastic or leather bracelet, which in the hand-jewellery configuration, extends to the main body of the piece, which is the part that goes along the back of the hand and can be connected to the hand-ring. The main body of the design also describes the decorative part of the unit that comprise of a set of links, which vary in shape and size, thus making the design possibilities of this component of the invention, inexhaustible. The measurement of the main body and the two chains that form the bracelet and anklet, are fixed as this necessitates the flexibility of the three-way application of the unit. Careful consideration has been given to the positioning of the two clasps incorporated into the design of the unit; the addition of the clasp at the top of the main body, is highly unique to the invention and it is not suggested, or implied by any prior jewellery designs. The location of the two advantageously placed clasps, allows for the main body of the design to be attached to the second component of the multifunctional jewellery set: a specially designed hand-ring, band or cuff-ring, which has a catch positioned on the front of the ring, so that the clasp on the main body of the unit can be attached and detached from it. Most importantly, both components of the jewellery set remains fully intact during the reconfiguration process, and nothing is added or removed, apart from the hand-ring, to make it work as a reversible bracelet, anklet and hand-jewellery unit.

Once the main body has been removed from the hand-ring, the two chains, which are presently around the wrist, are unclasped. When the unit is off the wrist, the left and right bracelet chains are aligned and the clasp on the right-hand side of the bracelet is connected to the jump-ring or catch mechanism on top of the extendable chain found on the left-hand side of the bracelet. Once this has been done the unit will be in the bracelet and anklet configuration. The bracelet can now be placed on the wrist and/or ankle and the clasp at the top of the main body can be closed around the jump-ring/catch on the top of the extendable chain, which allows the bracelet to be adjusted depending on the wrist and ankle size.

The unit can be sold as l.a hand-ring, band and cuff-ring, 2.a bracelet 3.anklet and/or 4.a jewellery set.

The most important feature of the invention has thus been outlined, rather broadly, in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood and its contribution to present jewellery designs for bracelets, anklets and hand-jewellery appreciated more fully.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the multifunction, reversible bracelet and anklet and hand-jewellery of the present invention placed in the hand-jewellery configuration; 1. is the Clasp* with its open/close mechanism, positioned at the top-end of the main body of the design, which can be connected to the jump-ring /catch mechanism on the hand-ring, band or cuff-ring 2. is the Main Body of the unit that lies along the back of the hand and is attached to a Central Object/Shape** (8), which is connected to two, Left and Right Chains (3,7) that goes around the wrist and are secured with a jump-ring /catch and clasp mechanism (4/6) 3. is the Right Bracelet Chain*** at the base of the Main Body and the Central Object/Shape (8). The Left and Right Chains go around the wrist and are attached with a Clasp Mechanism (4/6) 4. is the Jump-Ring/Catch Mechanism at the end of the Right Bracelet Chain. The left and right chains are connected to form the bracelet component of the hand-jewellery and after reconfiguration they are aligned and connected to form the stand-alone bracelet 5. is the Extendable Chain***, which allows the bracelet to be extended to accommodate the wrist and ankle size. The chain ends with a circular pendant engraved with the name of the company 6. is the Clasp with its open/close mechanism positioned on the end of the left-hand bracelet chain. The clasp can be linked/connected to the jump-ring at the end of the right-hand chain to form the bracelet component of the hand-jewellery configuration.

7. is the left bracelet chain at the base of the Main Body and Central object/shape (8). The left and right chains go around the wrist and are connected with a clasp mechanism (4/6).

8. is the Central Object/Shape, which connects the main body to the left and right chains.

* The clasps and hinge mechanisms are functional components used to securely connect two ends of the jewellery. Some of the clasps used in the invention are there for function only, with a subdued appearance that keeps them from overpowering the rest of the design. Other clasps used in the unit are bold and are an important part of the jewellery's overall design. The following list identifies some of the clasps and hinges used in the present invention: I. A spring ring clasp (or bolt ring clasp), which when the lever is pushed, it slides along a circular ring and opens. When the clasp is open, it is possible to insert the chain or loop that is attached to the connecting piece into the open circle; once this has been done the lever can be released and closed. The spring inside the clasp puts pressure on the mechanism to keep the spring ring shut until it is reopened.

Spring ring clasps are commonly used to secure necklaces, bracelets and anklets, but it may be difficult to operating the very small spring ring clasps independently. However, clasps that are connected to a good-sized loop can be handled more easily II. A lobster claw clasp has a tiny spring mechanism that remains closed until the lever is pushed. Lobster claws are secure clasps that are used for bracelets, necklaces and anklets; they can be easier to open and close than the spring ring clasps, which means they can usually be worn unassisted Ill. A box clasp is a two-piece clasps that opens when the exterior lever of a wedge-shaped piece of metal is pushed, thus compressing the spring so that it slides out of the opening. The clasp clicks into place once it is pushed back together. Box clasps are easy to use, but often do not have as much strength as lobster claw clasps. Box clasps can either be plain or decorative and can also be found in a variety of shapes and sizes. A safety guard adds extra security to a box clasp IV. A toggle clasp is a two-piece clasps that is attached to opposite ends of the jewellery piece. One section of the clasp is formed into a circle or other shape with an open centre. The other side is a thick bar that is connected to the component at the other end. When the "T" is inserted into the circle (includes other shapes such as squares, hearts etc., it extends past the circle's edges to hold the jewellery piece together. Toggle clasps are widely used to secure bracelets and anklets and they are incorporated into the overall design. They are available in numerous sizes and designs. Toggle clasps are not as secure as other clasps that have a lock-type closure such as a spring or lobster clasp V. A hidden clasp merges in and combines when latched, which is advantageous as it allows gems and other aspects of the design to unify seamlessly. A safety latch provides additional security VI. A decorative clasp plays a major role in jewellery's overall design and can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes VII. A magnetic clasp snaps together quickly and easily when the two ends come close to each other. It easily connects but is not as durable and secure as other lock-type closure such as spring claps VIII. A screw clasp works by connecting one end of a screw thread that twists and screws into the other end.

The screw clasp is durable and secure, however, the ridges in the screw inside the mechanism can wear down over time IX. A curved hook clasp connects by attaching one end of the clasp onto a circular opening on the other.

The curved hook is easy to connect and can be done so independently. However, the curved hook can unhinge quite easily.

** The Central Object/Shape is characterised by any object that connects the main body to the left and right chains. The central object can be a functional object, which is quite simplistic in its appearance so as not to standout, or it can be bold and contribute to the design of the unit. This list below includes but is not restricted to, the various types of objects, shapes and links that can be used in the design to connect the two chains to main body of the invention: I. Various shapes formed using metal wire (square, round, rectangle etc.), of different sizes and 2D and 3D forms II. Objects with decorative surface designs (hammer, etchings etc.) Ill. Objects with gemstone settings IV. Objects with enamel decorative finishes V. Leather, fabric and plastics objects VI. Square, round, rectangle, triangular jump rings of different sizes VII. Hinge connections VIII. Numerical and letter formations.

*** The chains used for the jewellery unit are both functional and decorative components in the design of the unit. The following list identifies some of the chains used in the present invention: Anchor chain Anodised Chain Bar Chain iv. Barleycorn Chain v. Bead Chain vi. Beicher Chain vii. Bike Link Chain viii. Birdcage Chain ix. Boston Link Chain x. Box Chain xi. Briolette Chain xii. Byzantine Chain xiii. C Link Chain xiv. Cable Chains xv. Chain Maille Rosette Links xvi. Chainmail xvii. Charm Chain or Charm Bracelets xviii. Cobra Chain xix. Crimpable Chain xx. Curb Chains xxi. Elongated Cable Chain xxU. Espiga Chain xxUi. Fancy Chain xxiv. Figaro Chain xxv. Figure of Eight Chain xxvi. Filigree Chain xxvii. Flat Cable Chain xxviii. Foxtail Chain xxix. French Rope Chain xxx. Herringbone Chain xxxi. Hexagon Chain xxxU. Hook Chain xxxUi. Infinity Chain xxxiv. King's Braid Chain xxxv. Link And Bar Chain xxxvi. Long And Short Chain xxxvii. Marine Link Chain xxxviii. Mesh Chain xxxix. Nugget Chain xl. Omega Chain xli. Oval Fisheye Marquis Chain xlii. Panther Chain xliii. Peanut Chain xliv. Pelline Chain xlv. Popcorn Chain xlvi. Prince Of Wales Chain xlvii. Ring And Connector Chain xlviii. Rob Chain xlix. Rope Chain Round Link Chain Ii. San Marco Chain lii. Saturn Chain liii. Scroll Chain liv. Serpentine Chain lv. Simple loops lvi. Singapore Chain lvii. Snake Chain lviii. Spiga Chain lix. Square Link Chain lx. Tinsel Chain lxi. Trace Chain lxii. Venetian Chain lxiii. Wheat Chain lxiv. Wrapped bead link FIG. 2. is a top plan view of the present invention placed in the hand-jewellery configuration 1. shows the cuff-ring and hand-ring respectively, with a jump ring/catch mechanism soldered to the front-facing part of the ring, which allows a clasp mechanism on the main body (2)to be connected and/or detached from it.

FIG. 3. is a top plan view of the invention placed in the bracelet and/or anklet configuration. During the reconfiguration process (from hand-jewellery to bracelet and anklet) the clasp at the top end of the main body (FIG1/2) is detached from the jump-ring/catch on the hand-ring, band and/or cuff-ring (FIG2). The left and right chains (3/7) are then aligned and connected together with the clasp mechanism on the right chain to create symmetry. The clasped right and left chains is then connected to the clasp on the main body to form the standalone bracelet 1. shows the invention in the bracelet configuration and the clasp mechanism at the top end of the main body, which is connected to the jump ring/catch on the right-hand chain or any of the links on the extendable chain (4/5).

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the present invention placed in the hand-jewellery configuration.

FIG. S is a top plan view of the present invention placed in the bracelet configuration.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the present invention placed in the anklet configuration.