US20050022554A1

US20050022554A1 - Bracelet with interchangable adornments

Info

Publication number: US20050022554A1
Application number: US10/630,331
Authority: US
Inventors: Amy Davidson; Dianne Dwyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-30
Filing date: 2003-07-30
Publication date: 2005-02-03

Abstract

The invention is a bracelet with interchangeable adornments for storing medications, hygiene products, or food. The bracelet with interchangeable adornments has a strap and a container. The container attaches to the strap via a fastening means. Furthermore, the container has a base and a lid. The lid is coupled to the base via a movable member. The movable member prevents the lid from detaching from the base while enabling the lid to open and close. The base is hollow and is generally geometric in shape or generally represents an object that is flower-like, person-like, or animal-like.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to jewelry, and, more particularly, the invention relates to bracelets.

STATEMENT OF A PROBLEM ADDRESSED BY THIS INVENTION

Interpretation Considerations
This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Statement of a Problem Addressed by This Invention is to be construed as prior art
Discussion
Carrying small items such as cosmetics, medications, hygiene products, or food is difficult without the aid of a pocket, purse, container, or bag. Unfortunately, most feminine clothing does not have a pocket of sufficient size to carry containers for most of these items, and most men would not be caught dead with them. In addition, it is difficult to carry and/or keep track of containers during physical activities such as sports, hiking, or just hanging out, therefore requiring a person to store small items in a location that is not on their person and not accessible during physical activities. Accordingly, the inability to carry small items can lead to inconveniences such as unavailable cosmetics, and more seriously, missed or lost medications. Accordingly, there is a need for devices that allow a person to conveniently transport small items with them.

SELECTED OVERVIEW OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

This invention provides technical advantages as a bracelet with interchangeable adornments that aids in carrying small items attached to a body portion. The bracelet with interchangeable adornments eliminates the need for a person to store small items in unnecessary large bags or containers in a location that is not easily accessible. Small items such as, medications, hygiene products, or food may be carried directly on their person. Preferably, the bracelet attaches interchangeable adornments to a wrist.
The bracelet with an interchangeable adornment has a strap and a container. The container attaches to the strap via a fastening means. The container has a base and a lid. The lid is coupled to the base via a movable member. The movable member prevents the lid from detaching from the base while enabling the lid to open and close. The base is hollow and is generally geometric in shape or generally represents an object that is flower-like, person-like, or animal-like.
Of course, other features and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. After reading the specification, and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiment, these persons will recognize that similar results can be achieved in not dissimilar ways. Accordingly, the detailed description is provided as an example of the best mode of the invention, and it should be understood that the invention is not limited by the detailed description. Accordingly, the invention should be read as being limited only by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, as well as at least one embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE. To better understand the invention, the EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE should be read in conjunction with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an interchangeable adornment attached to a bracelet;
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an interchangeable adornment attached to a bracelet;
FIG. 3 illustrates a bracelet with two interchangeable adornments;
FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an inner adornment container; and
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an inner adornment container.

AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE

Interpretation Considerations
When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.
Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.
Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.
Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”). Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for -functioning-” or “step for -functioning-” in the Claims section.
Discussion of the Figures
Accordingly, the invention can be characterized as a bracelet with interchangeable adornments for storing and carrying small items. Small items may include medications, hygiene products, or food. The invention has a strap that attaches at least one hollow container to a body portion. In a preferred embodiment, the container is generally geometric in shape and attaches to a wrist. In alternative embodiments, the container may generally represent an object that is flower-like, person-like, or animal-like and attach to an arm, leg, or ankle.
Features and advantages of the invention can be better understood by reviewing FIG. 1, which illustrates a bracelet with an interchangeable adornment 100. The bracelet may be of any type of strap 110 that secures a container 120 to a body portion 130 such as a chain, belt, or string, for example. The body portion 130 may be any portion of the body that is capable of receiving the strap 110 such as an arm, wrist, leg, or ankle, for example. In a preferred embodiment, the strap 100 is attached to the wrist.
The strap 110 may be any type of material that secures the container to a body portion 130. In a preferred embodiment, the strap is made of a flexible material such as elastic. In an alternative embodiment, the strap may be made of an alloy, precious metal, or plastic, for example.
The container 120 may be any type of hollow storage compartment that attaches to the strap 110. In a preferred embodiment, the container 120 may attach to a strap 110 via a fastening means 140, such as a bracket, for example. In alternative embodiment, the container 120 may attach to a strap 110 via a fastening means, such as a snap, clip, or Velcro, for example.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a bracelet with an interchangeable adornment 200 having a strap 210, such as a leather band, and a container 220. The container 220 has a fastening means 230, a hollow base 240 having a bottom portion 242 and a top portion 244, a lid 250, and a movable member 260. The bottom portion 242 is coupled to the fastening means 230. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means 230 is a bracket. The strap 210 is threaded through the bracket to secure the container 220 to a body portion 270. In an alternative embodiment, the strap 210 may be coupled to the fastening means 230 whereby the fastening means 230 removably attaches to the container 220 via a snap, magnet, or Velcro, for example.
The base 240 is hollow and generally extends vertically from a bottom portion 242 opening to a top portion 244. In one embodiment, the shape of the base 240 is generally geometric. Geometric shapes may include ovals, rectangles, or circles, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the shape of the hollow base 240 may be generally representative of an object that is flower-like, person-like, or animal-like, for example.
The lid 250 is coupled to the base 240 via a movable member 260 such as a hinge, string, or belt, for example. The movable member 260 is any means that prevents the lid 250 from becoming detached from the base 240 while enabling the lid 250 to open and close. In a preferred embodiment, the movable member 260 is a hinge.
Additionally, the lid 250 may be similar in shape to the top of the base 244 whereby, the perimeter of the lid 250 is at least equal to the perimeter of the top of the base 244. In a preferred embodiment, the lid 250 is identical in shape to the top of the base 244 and the perimeter of the lid 250 is greater than the perimeter of the top of the base 244.
Furthermore, the container 220 may have a locking element (not shown) to prevent the lid 250 from opening unexpectedly and allowing contents stored within the base 240 an opportunity to escape. The locking element may be any means that secures the lid 250 to the base 240 such that the container 220 remains closed. The lid 250 may be secured to the base 240 via a magnet, clip, clasp, or hook, for example.
FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a bracelet with two interchangeable adornments 300 having a strap 310, a generally geometric shaped container 320, and a flower-like shaped container 330 with a watch 332. The containers 320,330 are attached to the strap 310 via a bracket that is secured to a wrist 340. The base of the containers 320, 330 is hollow and may be used to store medications, hygiene products, or food, for example.
FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an inner adornment container 400. The adornment is generally rectangular in shape and the inside comprises a top portion 410 having a mirror 412 and a seal 414, and a bottom portion 420 having at least one compartment 422 housing cosmetics. The mirror 412 may be any type of reflective tape, paper, glass, or any other reflective material that accomplishes the same function known to those skilled in the art. The seal 414 may be any type of rubber like material, such as a gasket, for example, that prevents dust or dirt from entering the inside of the container when the container is closed. In a preferred embodiment, the seal 414 is water proof. In addition, the seal 414 may be resistant to extreme water or air pressure.
The bottom portion 420 has at least one compartment 422. In a preferred embodiment, the compartment 422 will store two removable, replaceable, and disposable cosmetic trays 424. Cosmetic trays may hold mascara, lip balm, eye shadow, and lotion, for example. Furthermore, at least one compartment 422 may be integrally formed within the bottom portion 420, wherein a cosmetic such as lip balm, eye shadow, or lotion, for example, may be directly stored.
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an inner adornment container 500. The adornment is generally circular in shape and the inside comprises a top portion 510 having a mirror 512 and a seal 514, and a bottom portion 520 having at least one compartment 522 for housing cosmetics or a cosmetic tray, and a tray fastening means 524. The mirror 512 may be any type of reflective tape, paper, glass, or any other reflective material that accomplishes the same function known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the top portion may have a watch that is embedded within the outer surface of the top portion 510. The seal 514 may be any type of rubber like material, such as a gasket, for example, that prevents dust or dirt from entering the inside of the container when the container is closed.
The bottom portion 520 has at least one compartment 522 for housing at least one cosmetic tray. Cosmetic trays (not shown) are removable and replaceable. In a preferred embodiment, cosmetic trays may be secured to the bottom portion 520 via a fastening means 524 that is integrally formed within the compartment 522 of the bottom portion such as a screw, snap, or clip, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the cosmetic tray may be removably attached via a fastening means 524 such as Velcro, adhesive, or tape, for example directly to any portion of the compartment 522.
Thus, though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A bracelet having at least one interchangeable adornment comprising;

a strap; and

a container having a hollow base, and

the container attaching to the strap via a fastening means.

2. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the strap is worn on a body portion.

3. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the strap is a chain.

4. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the strap is elastic.

5. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the container is generally geometric.

6. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the container is generally shaped like an object.

7. The bracelet of claim 6 wherein the object is person-like.

8. The bracelet of claim 6 wherein the object is animal-like.

9. The bracelet of claim 6 wherein the object is flower-like.

10. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the fastening means is a bracket.

11. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the fastening means is Velcro.

12. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the perimeter of the lid is equal in size to the perimeter of the hollow base.

13. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the perimeter of the lid is greater in size than the perimeter of the hollow base.

14. The bracelet of claim 1 whereby the movable member is a hinge.

15. The bracelet of claim 14 wherein the hinge is made of plastic.

16. The bracelet of claim 14 wherein the hinge is made of fabric.

17. A bracelet having at least one interchangeable adornment comprising;

a strap; and

a container having a hollow base, the base attaching to the strap via a fastening means; and

a lid, the lid coupling to the base via a movable member; and

a locking element, the locking element securing the lid to the base via a securing means.

18. The bracelet of claim 17 whereby the securing means is a magnet.

19. The bracelet of claim 17 whereby the securing means is a clasp. 20. A bracelet having at least one interchangeable adornment comprising:

a strap, the strap attaching to a wrist; and

a container, the container having a hollow base comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the base attaching to the strip via a bracket; and

a lid, the lid perimeter greater than the perimeter of the top of the base, and the lid coupling to the base via a hinge.