US20050178154A1

US20050178154A1 - Decorative clasp system

Info

Publication number: US20050178154A1
Application number: US10/781,579
Authority: US
Inventors: Carol Horan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-17
Filing date: 2004-02-17
Publication date: 2005-08-18

Abstract

An appliance is provided for connecting one or more lengths of decorative material together so that such length or lengths may be worn as an ornament by people or animals. In some preferred embodiments of the invention, all of the lengths of decorative material are removably connected to the appliance and can be worn separately as independent ornaments. In other preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more decorative lengths are permanently attached to the appliance as a part thereof, while one or more other removable decorative lengths are removably connected to the appliance, so that the removable decorative lengths can be worn separately as independent ornaments. In yet other preferred embodiments of the invention, the appliance is constructed of at least two parts, which are removably connected together. In other preferred embodiments of the invention, the appliance has at least two parts that are removably connected to one another by magnetic force.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to ornaments that may be worn by people and animals and more specifically it relates to a decorative appliance that can be used for the wearing of lengths of decorative materials, where one or more of such lengths may also be worn as a separate ornamental item. Examples of such lengths of decorative material include chains, strands, ropes, cables, bracelets, necklaces, collars, anklets, links, strings and similar lengths constructed completely or in part of precious and semi precious metals, minerals, jewels and gems, cloth, fabrics, leather, beads, crystals, glass, wood, cork, bone, plastics, ceramics, stone, resins, rubbers, and other natural and synthetic ornamental materials.
There are decorative clasps known in the art that allow for the simultaneous wearing of multiple lengths of decorative material. A number of these clasps have means to connect to the decorative lengths where all of such means are of the same type. For example, all of the connectors on the clasp are rings, and all of the connectors on the decorative lengths are hooks. The decorative lengths used in conjunction with these types of clasps may not, however, usually be worn separately as independent ornaments because the connectors on the ends of each decorative length are adapted to be connected to the connectors on the clasp, but not to one another.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,316 discloses a fastener system with “male” and “female” connectors that may be used for simultaneous wearing of multiple ornamental chains in a “tangle-free concentric pattern” where such chains may also be worn separately as ornaments. The invention of such patent, however, lacks a number of features. First, the invention of such patent does not provide for an arrangement of connectors that will provide for other than concentric patterns of attachment of the lengths. Second, it does not provide for multiple types of connectors to be used simultaneously or for locating the connectors on any portion of the fastener system except the “side” thereof. Third, the invention provides only for a “closed ring” and “jump ring” connector system on the decorative lengths that connect to the fastener system. Fourth, the invention does not provide for the wearing of one or more additional lengths of decorative material that are permanently attached to the connector system. Fifth, the invention does not provide for multiple means of attachment of the portions of the connector system to one another. For example, the invention does not provide for connecting the two sides of the system using a magnetic means. Finally, the invention does not provide for connectors of a type other than of the “male” and “female” type used in conjunction with a “closed ring” and “jump ring” connector system. In particular, the invention does not provide for use of magnetic means to connect the ends of the decorative lengths to the connector system.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a decorative appliance that overcomes the shortcomings discussed above in the Background section. As described in greater detail below, the present invention, when used for its intended purpose, has many advantages over other decorative clasp systems known in the art, as well as novel features that result in a new decorative clasp system that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any prior art decorative clasp systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. Generally, the present invention is an appliance used to connect one or more lengths of decorative material together. In various embodiments of the present invention, as described in greater detail below, one or more decorative lengths may be removably attached to the appliance. In these embodiments, each of the removable decorative lengths may also be separately worn as an independent ornamental item. In other embodiments of the present invention, as described in greater detail below, one or more decorative lengths may also be permanently attached to the appliance as a part thereof. In either case, the appliance, as well as the decorative lengths to which it is attached, may be worn by a person or an animal.
An advantage of the appliance is that removable decorative lengths can be easily added to or removed from the appliance as a fashion factor. For example, decorative lengths used as a necklace can be mixed and matched for a unique look or color combination to coordinate with a specific outfit worn by the wearer. By adapting the appliance to the particular desired use, the wearer can simultaneously wear decorative lengths having almost any type of means used to connect the ends of each of the decorative lengths together. This ability to interchange decorative strands using the appliance allows the wearer to change the overall appearance of the ornament (which includes the appliance and all decorative lengths connected to it) without having to buy a separate ornament possessing each desired appearance.
Each length of decorative material, whether removably attached to the appliance or permanently attached as a part of the appliance, may be comprised of almost any material that is currently used for ornamental purposes or that may be developed for such use in the future. Examples of such lengths of decorative material include chains, strands, braids, lace, ropes, strings, cables, bracelets, necklaces, collars, anklets, links and similar lengths constructed completely or in part of precious and semi precious metals, minerals, jewels and gems, cloth, fabrics, leather, beads, crystals, glass, wood, cork, bone, plastics, ceramics, stone, resins, rubbers, and other naturally occurring or synthetic materials. Each length of decorative material generally has two end portions, which are referred to herein generally as “ends” or an “end” and “other end.” In the case of removable decorative lengths, each of such ends has a connecting means so that the ends can be removably connected to one another, allowing the length to be separately worn as an independent ornament. In some embodiments of the present invention, as described in greater detail below, these connecting means are magnetic in nature. In other embodiments of the present invention, as described in greater detail below, any type of connecting means used in the art, whether currently known or developed in the future, may be utilized for this purpose. Examples of such connecting means include hook and eye clasps, chain clasps, springing (spring ring and closed ring) clasps, lobster claw clasps, torpedo clasps, barrel clasps, fishhook clasps, and other ornamental clasps and fasteners.
A first version of the present invention is generally comprised of an appliance used to removably connect one or more lengths of decorative material by using magnetic means. Where only one decorative length is connected to the appliance, the appliance provides additional ornamentation to the decorative length. In this first version, the ends of each decorative length may also be removably connected together using magnetic force, so that each removable decorative length may also be separately worn as an independent ornament. In this first version, the appliance is comprised of a joining member having one or more first connecting portions and one or more second connecting portions. The joining member may be of almost any size, shape or configuration reasonably adapted for its intended purpose, the joining member generally having an inner surface facing the wearer, an outer surface approximately opposite the inner surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface approximately opposite the first lateral surface.
The joining member may be constructed as a single piece, or may be comprised of more than one part or piece. For example, the joining member may be comprised of a joining portion, which generally rests adjacent to the body or other surface of the wearer, and a decorative portion, which is attached to the joining portion. In this case, the joining portion generally has an inner surface facing the wearer, a joining portion outer surface approximately opposite the inner surface, a first lateral surface (which is also the first lateral surface for the joining member), and a second lateral surface approximately opposite the first lateral surface (which is also the second lateral surface for the joining member). In this case, the decorative portion generally has a decorative portion inner surface and an outer surface approximately opposite the decorative portion inner surface. The decorative portion inner surface is attached to the joining portion outer surface using joining portion attachment means, which are discussed in greater detail below. The surface of the decorative portion opposite the joining portion is thus generally the outer surface of the joining member.
One or more first connecting portions are located on or within a surface of the joining member. In embodiments of the invention where the joining member is comprised of ajoining portion and a decorative portion, each first connecting portion is generally located on or within a surface of the joining portion of the joining member. Each first connecting portion has magnetic properties and is adapted to be removably connected to one end of a length of decorative material, such end being generally comprised of a material so that such end may be removably connected to the joining portion by magnetic force. One or more second connecting portions are also located on or within a surface of the joining portion. In embodiments of the invention where the joining member is comprised of ajoining portion and a decorative portion, each second connecting portion is also generally located on or within a surface of the joining portion of the joining member. Each second connecting portion cooperates with one first connecting portion and is adapted to be removably connected to the other end of the removable length of decorative material that is removably connected to the cooperating first connecting portion, allowing the other end of the removable decorative length to also be removably connected to the joining member.
In a second embodiment of this first version of the invention, each first connecting portion is comprised of a first cavity having magnetic properties. Each first cavity is recessed into the joining portion and is adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as the end of the removable length of decorative material to which it is removably connected. This allows all or a portion of the end to be slideably inserted into and removed from such first cavity. While the end is inserted into the first cavity, the end is removably connected to the joining portion by magnetic force. Similarly, each second connecting portion is comprised of a second cavity having magnetic properties, which is also recessed into the joining portion. Each second cavity cooperates with one first cavity and is adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as the other end of the removable length of decorative material that is removably connected to the cooperating first cavity. Each second cavity operates in essentially the same manner as its cooperating first cavity, allowing the other end of such removable decorative length to also be removably attached to the joining portion by magnetic force. It is to be noted that each first cavity and each second cavity may be very slight in depth, so that only a very small portion of the end or other end of the decorative length is inserted into the joining portion, or of a depth great enough that the entire end or other end of the decorative length is completely inserted into the joining portion.
In a third embodiment of this first version of the invention, the one or more first cavities are located on the first lateral surface of the joining portion and the one or more cooperating second cavities are located on the second lateral surface of the joining portion. In a fourth embodiment of this first version of the invention, the one or more first cavities are located on the inner surface of the joining portion and the one or more cooperating second cavities are located on the inner surface of the joining portion. In a fifth embodiment of this first version of the invention, the appliance is approximately in the shape of a square, as viewed from above the outer surface of the joining member. In a sixth embodiment of this first version of the invention, each first cavity and its cooperating second cavity is adapted to receive ends and other ends, respectively, of removable lengths of decorative material, wherein such ends and other ends are approximately square or rectangular in shape. In a seventh embodiment of this first version of the invention, each first cavity and its cooperating second cavity is adapted to receive the end and other end, respectively, of a removable length of decorative material, wherein such end and other end are approximately circular in shape.
In a second version of the present invention, the appliance is comprised of a first joining member and a second joining member. The first joining member may be of almost any shape or configuration desired by the wearer, generally having a first inner surface facing the wearer, a first outer surface approximately opposite the first inner surface, a first lateral fastening surface, and a first lateral exterior surface. Similarly, the second joining member may be of almost any shape or configuration desired by the wearer, generally having a second inner surface facing the wearer, a second outer surface approximately opposite the second inner surface, a second lateral fastening surface, and a second lateral exterior surface. The first joining member and the second joining member are removably connected together by joining member fastening means, which are discussed in more detail below. In one embodiment of this second version of the invention, however, the fastening means is comprised of the first lateral fastening surface and the second lateral fastening surface, wherein both of such surfaces have magnetic properties and are adapted to be of a size and shape so that they are removably connected together by magnetic force when they are located immediately adjacent to one another.
The first joining member and the second joining member may also each be constructed as a single piece, or each may be comprised of more than one part or piece. For example, in a manner similar to the joining member of the first version of this invention, the first joining member may be comprised of a first joining portion, which generally rests adjacent to the body or other surface of the wearer, and a first decorative portion, which is attached to the first joining portion by first joining portion attachment means, as described in greater detail below. Similarly, the second joining member may be comprised of a second joining portion, which generally rests adjacent to the body or other surface of the wearer, and a second decorative portion, which is attached to the second joining portion by second joining portion attachment means, as described in greater detail below.
In this second version of the present invention, two or more first connecting portions are located on or within a surface of the first joining member. Two or more second connecting portions, each of which cooperates with a first connecting portion, are located on or within a surface of the second joining portion. Each first connecting portion and its cooperating second connecting portion has magnetic properties and is adapted to be removably connected to the end and other end, respectively, of a removable length of decorative material in the same manner as in the first version of the invention discussed above, so that each such end and other end may be removably connected to the appliance by magnetic force. As in the first version of this invention, each removable length of decorative material may be separately worn as an independent ornament.
In a second embodiment of this second version of the invention, each first connecting portion is comprised of a first cavity having magnetic properties and its cooperating second connecting portion is comprised of a second cavity having magnetic properties. Each first cavity is recessed into the first joining member and its cooperating second cavity is recessed into the second joining member. Each first cavity and its cooperating second cavity are adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as the end and other end, respectively, of the removable length of decorative material to which they are removably connected in the same manner as in the first version of this invention. This allows the end and other end of each removable decorative length to be removably connected to the appliance by magnetic force.
In a third embodiment of this second version of the invention, the two or more first cavities are located on the first lateral exterior surface of the first joining member and each of the cooperating second cavities is located on the second lateral exterior surface of the second joining member. In a fourth embodiment of this second version of the invention, the two or more first cavities are located on the first inner surface of the first joining member and each of the cooperating second cavities is located on the second inner surface of the second joining member. In a fifth embodiment of this second version of the invention, the first outer surface of the first joining member and the second outer surface of the second joining member are in the shape of a square while removably connected together. In a sixth embodiment of this second version of the invention, each first cavity and its cooperating second cavity is adapted to receive the ends and other ends, respectively, of removable lengths of decorative material, wherein such ends and other ends are approximately square or rectangular in shape. In a seventh embodiment of this second version of the invention, each first cavity and it cooperating second cavity is adapted to receive the end and other end, respectively, of a removable length of decorative material, wherein such end and other end are approximately circular in shape. In an eighth embodiment of this second version of the invention, the appliance further comprises one or more fixed lengths of decorative material, wherein one end of each fixed length of decorative material is attached to the first joining member and the other end of such fixed length of decorative material is attached to the second joining member. The ends and other ends of the fixed decorative lengths are attached to the first joining member and the second joining member, respectively, by attachment means that are discussed in more detail below.
In a third and fourth version of the present invention, the appliance is comprised of a first joining member and a second joining member. The first joining member may be of almost any shape or configuration desired by the wearer, having a first inner surface facing the wearer, a first outer surface approximately opposite the first inner surface, a first lateral fastening surface, and a first lateral exterior surface. Similarly, the second joining member may be of almost any shape or configuration desired by the wearer, having a second inner surface facing the wearer, a second outer surface approximately opposite the second inner surface, a second lateral fastening surface, and a second lateral exterior surface. The first joining member and the second joining member are removably connected together by magnetic fastening means, which are discussed in greater detail below.
In the third version of the invention, the magnetic fastening means is comprised of a portion of the first joining member having magnetic properties and a portion of the second joining member having magnetic properties. For example, all or a portion of the first outer surface and all or a portion of the first lateral fastening surface of the first joining member have magnetic properties. In addition, a portion of the second inner surface and all or a portion of the second lateral fastening surface of the second joining member have magnetic properties. The first outer surface and the first lateral fastening surface of the first joining member are adapted to be of a shape and size so that the first outer surface and the first lateral fastening surface of the first joining member can be positioned immediately adjacent to the portion of the second inner surface and the portion of the second lateral fastening surface of the second joining member having magnetic properties, so that when such surfaces are placed immediately adjacent to one another the first joining member is removably attached by magnetic force to the second joining member.
In the fourth version of the invention, the magnetic fastening means is generally comprised of a fastening tab portion of the first joining member and a fastening cavity portion located in the second lateral fastening surface of the second joining member. Both the fastening tab portion and the fastening cavity portion have magnetic properties and are adapted to be of a shape and size so that the fastening tab portion can be slideably inserted into and removed from the fastening cavity portion. The first joining member and second joining member are removably held together by magnetic force while the fastening tab portion is inserted into the fastening cavity portion.
In the third and fourth versions of the invention, the first joining member and the second joining member may also each be constructed as a single piece, or each may be comprised of more than one part or piece. For example, in a manner similar to the joining member of the first and second versions of this invention, the first joining member may be comprised of a first joining portion, which generally rests adjacent to the body or other surface of the wearer, and a first decorative portion, which is attached to the first joining portion by first joining portion attachment means, as described in greater detail below. Similarly, the second joining member may be comprised of a second joining portion, which generally rests adjacent to the body or other surface of the wearer, and a second decorative portion, which is attached to the second joining portion by second joining portion attachment means, as described in greater detail below.
In the third and fourth versions of the invention, one or more first connecting members are attached to the first joining member. Each first connecting member is adapted to be removably connected to one end of a removable length of decorative material so that such end may be removably connected to the first joining member. Similarly, one or more second connecting members are attached to the second joining member. Each of such second connecting members cooperates with one first connecting member and is adapted to be removably connected to the other end of the removable length of decorative material that is removably connected to such cooperating first connecting member so that such other end may be removably connected to the second joining member. The first connecting members and the second connecting members may be of any type of connecting means used in the art, whether currently known or developed in the future, as long as they are adapted to be connected to the ends and other ends, respectively, of the decorative length. Examples of such connecting means include hook and eye clasps, chain clasps, springing (spring ring and closed ring) clasps, lobster claw clasps, torpedo clasps, barrel clasps, fishhook clasps, magnetic clasps, and other ornamental clasps and fasteners. In other embodiments of the third and fourth versions of the invention, one or more first cavities are also located in the first joining member, and one or more second cavities are located in the second joining member. Each first cavity cooperates with one second cavity, and the first cavities and second cavities operate, in the same manner as the first cavities and second cavities described above under the first and second versions of the present invention.
In yet other embodiments of the third and fourth versions of the invention, the appliance is also comprised of one or more fixed lengths of decorative material. In these embodiments, one end of each fixed decorative length is permanently attached to the first joining member and the other end of such fixed decorative length is permanently attached to the second joining member. The ends and other ends of the fixed decorative lengths are attached to the first joining member and the second joining member, respectively, by attachment means that are discussed in more detail below.
The above summary illustrates some of the advantages of the present invention over the prior art. For example, some embodiments of the present invention have an arrangement of connecting portions and connecting members that will provide for other than concentric patterns of attachment of multiple lengths of decorative material. The present invention may also be used to connect decorative lengths having any type of connecting means used in the art—it is not limited to any particular type of connecting means. In addition, other embodiments of the present invention provide for the use of multiple types of connectors simultaneously, so that decorative lengths having different types of connecting means (e.g., magnetic and hook and eyes clasps) can be worn simultaneously. Further, the present invention is not limited to an arrangement of connectors on the “side” thereof. Instead, the connecting portions and connecting members may generally be located on other portions of the appliance. Further still, some embodiments of the present invention provide additional ornamentation to the decorative lengths. The present invention also provides for the wearing of one or more lengths of decorative material that are permanently attached to the connector system—it is not limited to connecting removable decorative lengths alone. Finally, various embodiments of the present invention provide for multiple means of attachment of the first joining member and second joining member, while other embodiments provide for a magnetic means of such attachment.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more primary features of the present invention. There are additional features that are also included in the various embodiments of the invention that are described hereinafter and that form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. This invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but the drawings are illustrative only and changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1A is a plan view of an embodiment of the first version of the invention from above the outer surface thereof.
FIG. 1B is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1A, with the sectional break taken along the line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the first version of the invention from below the inner surface thereof.
FIG. 2B is a plan view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2A from below the inner surface thereof.
FIG. 2C is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2A taken along the line 2C-2C in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the joining portion of another embodiment of the first version of the invention from above the joining portion upper surface.
FIG. 3B is a plan view of the embodiment of the first version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3A from below the inner surface thereof.
FIG. 3C is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2A, with the sectional break taken along the line 3C-3C in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a second version of the invention from above the outer surface thereof, having the first joining member and the second joining member removably connected together.
FIG. 4B is a plan view of the embodiment of a second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A from above the outer surface thereof having the first joining member and the second joining member removably connected together.
FIG. 4C is a sectional perspective view of the second joining portion of the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A from above the second outer surface thereof and showing the second lateral fastening surface thereof taken along the line 4C-4C in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5A is a plan view of an embodiment of a third version of the invention from above the outer surface thereof, having the first joining member and the second joining member removably connected together.
FIG. 5B is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the third version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5A, with the sectional break taken along the line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A.
FIG. 6A is a plan view of an embodiment of a fourth version of the invention from below the inner surface thereof showing the fastening tab, the fastening cavity, the lip on the fastening tab, and the slot portion, having the first joining member and the second joining member removably connected together.
FIG. 6B is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the fourth version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6A, with the sectional break taken along the line 6B-6B in FIG. 6A, and also showing the end and other end of a removable decorative length slideably inserted into the first connecting portion and second connecting portion, respectively, and such view also showing the fastening tab removably inserted into the fastening cavity.
FIG. 6C is a plan view of the embodiment of the fourth version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A from above the outer surface thereof, having and showing the fastening tab and the fastening cavity each being of a smaller size, and having the first joining member and the second joining member removably connected together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred aspects, versions and embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred aspects, versions and embodiments, it is to be noted that the aspects, versions and embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to those aspects, versions and embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
In accordance with the present invention, an appliance is provided that allows people and animals to wear one or more lengths of decorative materials, such as chains, strands, braids, lace, ropes, strings, cables, bracelets, necklaces, collars, anklets, links and similar items, where one or more of such decorative lengths may also be worn separately as an independent ornament or other piece of jewelry. An embodiment of a first version of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A. A sectional perspective view of this first version of the invention, with the sectional break taken along the line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A, is shown in FIG. 1B. This first version of the invention is generally comprised of a joining member 20, which has one or more first connecting portions 51 having magnetic properties and one or more second connecting portions 61 having magnetic properties. Although the joining member 20 may be used to removably connect one or more lengths of decorative material 80 to the joining member 20, the embodiment of the first version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B has one first connecting portion 51 and one second connecting portion 61. Generally, each decorative length 80 has two end portions. The end portions of decorative lengths are generally referred to herein as “ends” or an “end” and “other end.” In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, one end 91 of the decorative length 80 is removably connected to one first connecting portion 51 and other end 96 is removably connected to one second connecting portion 61. The end 91 and the other end 96 of the decorative length 80 also have magnetic properties and are adapted to be removably connected together by magnetic force so that the decorative length 80 can be separately worn as an independent ornament. The magnetic properties of the end 91 and other end 96 may be produced by any means currently known (which are so well known that additional description is not required here) or hereafter developed in the art. Preferably, the magnetic properties of the end 91 and other end 96 of the decorative length 80 are produced by two magnets or by one magnet and one member comprised of material that may be attracted by a magnet.
In the embodiment of the first version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the joining member 20 is generally comprised of two parts. This is the preferred type of construction of the joining member 20. The first part is a decorative portion 30, which generally has an outer surface 31 (which is also the outer surface of the joining member 20), and a decorative portion inner surface 32, which is approximately opposite the outer surface 31. The second part is a joining portion 40. In this embodiment of the first version, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the joining portion 40 is generally in the shape of a square having an inner surface 41 facing the wearer of the appliance (which is also the inner surface of the joining member 20), a joining portion outer surface 42, a first lateral surface 43 (which is also the first lateral surface of the joining member 20), and a second lateral surface 44 (which is also the second lateral surface of the joining member 20). In other embodiments of the invention, the joining member 20 may be constructed from a single piece of material, so that it is comprised of a single piece rather than two parts.
The decorative portion 30 may be of almost any size, shape or configuration reasonably adapted to be worn by the wearer, as long as the decorative portion inner surface 32 is adapted to be of a size and shape to be placed immediately adjacent to and attached to the joining portion outer surface 42. For example, the decorative portion may be in the shape of a circle, sphere, disc, rectangle, square, parallelogram, ring, orb, spiral, crescent, arc, coil, cone, curl, curve, knot, loop, rainbow, ring, wave, animate object, inanimate object, or almost any other decorative shape or combination of shapes depending upon the taste of the wearer. Preferably, the decorative portion inner surface 32 and the joining portion outer surface 42 are both flat surfaces. As illustrated in FIG. 11A and 1B, the outer surface 31 of the decorative portion 30 may be comprised of a raised square section 31 a of a size less than the size of the square bounded by the decorative portion inner surface 32, the raised square 31 a being generally in the center of the square bounded by the decorative portion inner surface 32 and having surfaces that generally slope from the four edges of the raised square section 31 a to the four edges of the square section bounded by the decorative portion inner surface 32. In another embodiment of this version of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B (which is a plan view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2A from below the inner surface thereof), and FIG. 2C (which is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 2A, with the sectional break taken along the lines 2C-2C in FIG. 2A), the decorative portion 130 is in the shape of a heart.
The decorative portions 30, 130 may be constructed of almost any material currently known or hereafter developed in the art that is used for ornamental purposes. For example, the decorative portions 30, 130 may be constructed completely or in part of precious and semi-precious metals, minerals, jewels, and gems, cloth, fabric, leather, beads, crystals, glass, wood, cork, bone, plastics, ceramics, stone, resins, rubbers, and other naturally occurring or synthetic ornamental materials. The decorative portions 30, 130 may be constructed using any means of construction currently known in the art (which are so well known that additional description is not required here) or that may be developed in the art in the future. The decorative portions 30, 130 may also be hollow or homogeneous in their structure. The decorative portion inner surfaces 32, 132 of the decorative portions 30, 130, respectively, are either permanently or removably attached to the joining portion outer surfaces 42, 142, respectively, of the joining portions 40, 140, respectively, using joining portion attachment means. Any means of attachment currently known (which are so well known that additional description is not required here) or hereafter developed in the art may be used as the joining portion attachment means. For example, permanent means of attachment may include glues, adhesives, pastes, cements, epoxies, screws, clips, pins, rivets, bolts, nuts, tapes, stitching, dowels, fasteners, hinges, welding, brazing, and other means of permanent attachment used for ornamental purposes. Examples of removable attachment means include hook and loop fasteners (such as that commonly sold under the trademark VELCRO), clips, latches, clasps, and other means of removable attachment used for ornamental purposes. Where removable means of attachment are used to attach the decorative portions 30, 130 to the joining portions 40, 140, respectively, the wearer can change the decorative portions 30, 130 from time to time to suit his or her personal tastes.
Each first connecting portion 51, 151, 152 and each second connecting portion 61, 161, 162 may be of almost any size, shape and configuration reasonably adapted to receive, and be removably attached by magnetic force to, the ends 91, 191, 192 and the other ends 96, 196, 197, respectively, of lengths of decorative material 80, 180, 181, respectively. In the embodiment of the first version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 are cavities recessed into the inner surface 41, as well as the first lateral surface 43 and the second lateral surface 44, respectively, of the joining portion 40. The first cavity 51 (the first connecting portion 51) and the second cavity 61 (the second connecting portion 61), which both have magnetic properties, are generally in the shape illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. This shape allows for the end 91 and the other end 96 of a length of decorative material 80, each of such ends being circular in shape, to each be completely inserted into the first cavity 51 and the second cavity 61, respectively. It is to be noted that the first cavity 51 and the second cavity 61 may be of any reasonable shape and depth and need not be deep enough for the entire end 91 and other end 96, respectively, to be slideably inserted into the first cavity 51 and the second cavity 61, respectively. For example, another alternative cavity shape and depth is illustrated in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B (which is a plan view of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 3A), and FIG. 3C (which is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 3A, with the sectional break taken along the lines 3C-3C in FIG. 3A), where the first connecting portion 251 and the second connecting portion 261 are each a cavity that has approximately a V-shape, so that the end 291 and the other end 296 of decorative length 280, both of which are generally square in shape, are slideably inserted approximately half way into the first cavity 251 of the connecting portion 251 and the second cavity 261 of the second connecting portion 261, respectively. Examples of first connecting portions 151, 152 and second connecting portions 161, 162 that have a cavity of minimal depth or no cavity at all are illustrated in FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C. In these embodiments of the first version of the invention, the first connecting portions 151, 152 and second connecting portions 161, 162 are comprised of magnets embedded in the first lateral surface 143 and the second lateral surface 144, respectively, of the joining portion 140 with the surface of the magnets being flush with or slightly recessed within the first lateral surface 143 and the second lateral surface 144, respectively. This allows for ends 191, 192 and other ends 196, 197, which in this embodiment have a magnetic connecting surface on the distal portion thereof that generally faces in a direction opposite the surface of the end and other end, respectively, to which the decorative length is connected, to be removably connected to the joining portion 140.
It is also to be noted that the first connecting portions and the second connecting portions may be located in any reasonable position on any surface or surfaces of the joining portion. For example, the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 61 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B may be located on the inner surface of the joining portion 40, as well as on the first lateral surface 43 and second lateral surface 44, respectively. This would allow the end 91 and other end 96 of the decorative length 80 to be inserted into the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 61, respectively, by way of the inner surface 41 or the first lateral surface 43 or second lateral surface 44, respectively, of the joining portion 40. Another example is illustrated in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, where the first connecting portion 251 and the second connecting portion 261 are placed approximately mid-way between the inner surface 241 and the joining portion outer surface 242 on the first lateral surface 243 and the second lateral surface 244, respectively. It is also to be noted that different shapes and depths of first connecting portions and second connecting portions may be used with any joining member. For example, although the first connecting portions 151, 152 and second connecting portions 161, 162 of the embodiment of the first version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C are both of the same type (i.e., magnet recessed into the joining portion 140), the first connecting portions 151, 152 and second connecting portions 161, 162 could be of any type or combinations of types of connecting portions. Thus, in some embodiments of this first version of the invention, the first connecting portion 151 or second connecting portions 161 illustrated in FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C could be of the cavity type of connecting portion illustrated in FIG. 1A (and FIG. 1B) or FIG. 3A (and FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C).
In this first version of the invention, the joining portion 40, 140, 240 may be of any size, shape or configuration reasonably adapted to enclose and/or hold the first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251, as the case may be, and the second connecting portions 61, 161, 162, 261, as the case may be, while providing adequate strength to endure normal use in the application for which the appliance is intended, but being as thin as reasonably possible to reduce the weight the wearer must bear. Preferably, the joining portion 40, 140, 240 is in the shape of a square or rectangle having a size and thickness great enough to enclose and/or provide the magnetic properties for the first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251 and the second connecting portions 61, 161, 162, 261, as the case may be. The joining portion 40, 140, 240 may be constructed of rigid or semi-rigid material currently known or hereafter developed in the art. For example, the joining portion 40 may be constructed of wood, plastic-type, metallic, or other natural or synthetic materials. The joining portion 40, 140, 240 must, however, have magnetic properties for proper operation of the first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251, as the case may be, and second connecting portions 61, 161, 162, 261, as the case may be, that are a part thereof. The joining portion 40, 140, 240 may be hollow or homogeneous in its structure. The joining portion 40, 140, 240 may also be constructed using any means of construction currently used in the art (which are so well known that additional description is not required here) or that may be developed in the art in the future. For example, the joining portion 40, 140, 240 may be constructed of a single piece of material that possesses magnetic properties. In such case, the joining portion 40, 140, 240 may be cast as a single piece of material having magnetic properties with the first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251, as the case may be, and the second connecting portions 61, 161, 162, 261, as the case may be, included as a part of such casting. Alternatively, the first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251, as the case may be, and the second connecting portions 61, 161, 162, 261, as the case may be, may be created by machining the joining portion 40, 140, 240. This method is particularly suited to the embodiment of the first version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C, where the cavities for the first connecting portions 151, 152 and the second connecting portions 161, 162 may be prepared by machining the appropriate portions of a joining portion 140 constructed of polyvinyl chloride. In this embodiment, a disc-shaped magnet is inserted into each cavity for the first connecting portions 151, 152 and each cavity for the second connecting portions 161, 162, the surface of each of the magnets being flush with or recessed slightly below the first lateral surface 143 and the second lateral surface 144, as the case may be. As another example, the joining portion may be constructed in layers, as illustrated in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C. In this case, the layer 246 having the joining portion outer surface 242 and the layer 247 having the inner surface 241 are in the shape of a square. The third layer 248 is in the shape of a square with cut-out portions representing the first connecting portion 251 and the second connecting portion 261. The layers 246, 247, 248 may all be constructed of materials having magnetic properties, but need not be as long as at least one of the layers 246, 247, 248 is constructed of a material having magnetic properties. Further, in all embodiments of this first version of the invention, the portion of the joining portion 40, 140, 240 having magnetic properties must have a magnetic field strength and polarity sufficient to hold the ends 91, 191, 192, 291, as the case may be, and other ends 96, 196, 197, 296, as the case may be, to the first connecting portion 51, 151, 152, 251, as the case may be, and the second connecting portion 61, 161, 162, 261, as the case may be, of the joining portion 40, 140, 240 during anticipated use, but also allow for the removal of the end 91, 191, 192, 291, as the case may be, and other end 96, 196, 197, 296, as the case may be, from the joining portion 40, 140, 240 with a reasonable amount of force.
An embodiment of a second version of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B (which is a plan view of the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A from above the outer surface thereof, having the first joining member 320 and the second joining member 325 removably connected together), and FIG. 4C (which is a sectional perspective view of the second joining portion 325 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A from above the second outer surface 327 thereof and showing the second lateral fastening surface 328 thereof). In this embodiment of the second version, the appliance 315 includes a first joining member 320, which has a first inner surface 321 facing the wearer, a first outer surface 322 approximately opposite of the first inner surface 321, a first lateral fastening surface 323, and a first lateral exterior surface 324. It also includes a second joining member 325, which has a second inner surface 326 facing the wearer, a second outer surface 327 approximately opposite of the second inner surface 326, a second lateral fastening surface 328, and a second lateral exterior surface 329. The first joining member 320 is removably connected to the second joining member 325 by using the joining member fastening means described in greater detail below. In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, the first joining member 320 is generally a mirror image of the second joining member 325 illustrated in FIG. 4C.
As illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, in this embodiment of the second version, each first joining member 320 has two or more first connecting portions 351, 352 having magnetic properties. Each second joining member 325 has two or more second connecting portions 361, 362 having magnetic properties. When removably connected together, the first joining member 320 and the second joining member 325 allow two or more lengths of decorative material 380, 381 to be worn together simultaneously. Generally, each of the decorative lengths 380, 381 has two ends, with ends 391, 392 being removably connected to first connecting portions 351, 352, respectively, and the other ends 396 and 397 being removably connected to second connecting portions 361, 362, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, this embodiment of the second version of the invention has two first connecting portions 351, 352 and two second connecting portions 361, 362, but there may be fewer or more first connecting portions and second connecting portions to suit the taste of the wearer. The end 391 and the other end 396 of the decorative length 380 have magnetic properties and are adapted to be removably connected together by magnetic force so that the decorative length 380 can be separately worn as an independent ornament. Similarly, the end 392 and the other end 397 of the decorative length 381 also have magnetic properties and are adapted to be removably connected together by magnetic force so that the decorative length 381 can be separately worn as an independent ornament. The magnetic properties of the ends 391, 392 and other ends 396, 397 may be produced by any means currently known (which are so well known that additional description is not required here) or hereafter developed in the art. Preferably, the magnetic properties of the ends 391, 392 and other ends 396, 397 are each produced by two magnets or one magnet and one member comprised of material that may be attracted by a magnet.
In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, the first joining member 320 and the second joining member 325 generally have the same features as the joining members 20, 120, 220 of the first version of the invention, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C, and FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, as if the joining members 20, 120, 220 of the first version have each been approximately divided into two parts. Thus, the first joining member 320 may be constructed of a first decorative portion 330 and a first joining portion 340, or as a single piece, in the same manner as the joining members 20, 120, 220 of the first version of the invention. Similarly, the second joining member 325 may be constructed of a first decorative portion 335 and a first joining portion 345, or as a single piece, in the same manner as the joining members 20, 120, 220 of the first version of the invention. Further, the first decorative portion 330 and the second decorative portion 335 may be of almost any size, shape, structure or configuration in the same manner as the decorative portions 30, 130, 230 illustrated and described above in conjunction with the first version of the invention, provided that the first decorative portion 330 is adapted to be attached to the first joining portion 340, the second decorative portion 335 is adapted to be attached to the second joining portion 345, and the first decorative portion 330 and the second decorative portion 340 are adapted to be of a size, shape and configuration to allow the first joining portion 320 and the second joining portion 325 to be removably connected together. In addition, the first decorative portion 330 and the second decorative portion 335 may be constructed of the same materials and in the same manner as the decorative portions 30, 130, 230 illustrated and described above in conjunction with the first version of the invention. The first joining portion attachment means used to attach the first decorative portion 330 to the first joining portion 340, and second joining portion attachment means used to attach the second decorative portion 335 to the second decorative portion 345, are the same as the joining attachment means used to attach the decorative portions 30, 130, 230 to the joining portions 40, 140, 240, respectively, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with the first version of the invention.
In addition, in the embodiment of this second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, each first connecting portion 351, 352 and each second connecting portion 361, 362 generally have the same features as first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251 and second connecting portions 61, 161, 162, 261, as the case may be, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with the first version of the invention. Thus, each first connecting portion 351, 352 and each second connecting portion 361, 362 may have the same magnetic properties and may be of almost any size, shape, structure, position and configuration reasonably adapted to receive, and be removably attached by magnetic force to, ends 391, 392 and other ends 396, 397, respectively, of the decorative lengths 380, 381, respectively, in the same manner that the first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251 and second connecting portions 61, 161, 162, 261 are adapted to receive and be removably attached to ends 91, 191, 192, 291 and the other ends 96, 196, 197, 296, respectively, of lengths of decorative material 80, 180, 181, 280, respectively, all as illustrated and described above in conjunction with the first version of the invention. Similarly, there may be any reasonable number of first connecting portions and cooperating second connecting portions, as determined by the taste of the wearer. In addition, the orientation of each of the first connecting portions 351, 352 and second connecting portions 361, 362 on the first joining portion 340 and the second joining portion 345, respectively, may be in any combination. For example, first connecting portion 351 and second connecting portion 362 could be V-shaped to receive ends 391, 396, respectively, that are square-shaped, while first connecting portion 352 and the second connecting portion 361 could be of the shape of first connecting portion 251 and second connecting portion 261, respectively, illustrated in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, to receive ends 392, 397, respectively, that are circle-shaped. This configuration would also allow for overlapping decorative lengths 380 and 381.
In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, the first joining portion 340 and the second joining portion 345 generally have the same features as the joining portions 40, 140, 240 of the first version of the invention, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C, and FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, as if the joining portions 40, 140, 240 of the first version have each been approximately divided into two parts. Thus, the first joining portion 340 and the second joining portion 345 may have the same magnetic properties and may be of almost any size, shape, structure, position and configuration as the joining portions 40, 140, 240 illustrated and described above in conjunction with the first version of the invention, provided that the first lateral fastening surface 323 of the first joining member 320 is adapted to be removably attached to the second lateral fastening surface 328 of the second joining member 325 using the joining member fastening means described below. In addition, the first joining portion 340 and the second joining portion 345 may be constructed of the same materials and in the same manner as the joining portions 40, 140, 240 illustrated and described above in conjunction with the first version of the invention.
In this second version of the invention, the joining member fastening means used to removably connect the first joining member 320 to the second joining member 325 may be any fastening means currently known or hereafter discovered in the art. Such fastening means may include any type of clasp-type or fastener-type of device. For example, the first joining member 320 may be removably connected to the second joining member 325 by using hook and eye clasps, chain clasps, springing (spring ring and closed ring) clasps, lobster claw clasps, torpedo clasps, barrel clasps, fishhook clasps, magnetic clasps, and other similar clasps and fasteners. These types of clasps and fasteners may be used in conjunction with chains, straps, and other lengths of decorative materials that are used to connect the clasps or fasteners to the first joining member 320 and the second joining member 325. Although any surface of the first joining member 320 may be removably connected to any surface of the second joining member 325, the preferable means is to removably connect the first lateral fastening surface 323 of the first joining member 320 to the second lateral fastening surface 328 of the second joining member 325 by using such fastening means, as illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C.
In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, a magnetic connecting means is used to removably connect the first joining member 320 to the second joining member 325. In this embodiment, a first magnetic strip 371 is attached to the first lateral fastening surface 323 of the first joining member 320 and a second magnetic strip 372 is attached to the second lateral fastening surface 328 of the second joining member 325. The first magnetic strip 371 and the second magnetic strip 372 are comprised of a material having magnetic properties, which have a magnetic field strength great enough to hold the first joining member 320 to the second joining member 325 during the anticipated use of the invention, but that also allows for the separation of the first joining member 320 from the second joining member 325 with a reasonable amount of force when the wearer decides to remove the invention. In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, the first magnetic strip 371 is recessed into the first lateral fastening surface 323 of the first joining member 320 and the second magnetic strip 372 is recessed into the second lateral fastening surface 328 of the second joining member 325, but this need not be the case in all embodiments of the invention. In addition, the polarity of the first magnetic strip 371 and the second magnetic strip 372 is such that the strips attract one another, rather than repel one another, when they are intended to be removably connected together.
An embodiment of a third version of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B (which is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5A, with the section break taken along the line 6B-5B of FIG. 5A). In this embodiment of the third version, the appliance 415 includes a first joining member 420, which generally has a first inner surface 421 facing the wearer, a first outer surface 422 approximately opposite of the first inner surface 421, a first lateral fastening surface 423, and a first lateral exterior surface 424. The appliance 415 also includes a second joining member 425, which generally has a second upper inner surface portion 426 a facing the wearer, a second lower inner surface portion 426 b facing the wearer, a second outer surface 427 approximately opposite of the second upper inner surface portion 426 a and the second lower inner surface portion 426 b, a second lateral fastening surface 428, and a second lateral exterior surface 429.
In this embodiment of the third version of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the first joining member 420 is removably connected to the second joining member 425 by using magnetic fastening means comprised of a portion of the first joining member 420 having magnetic properties and a portion of the second joining member 425 having magnetic properties. In the embodiment of the third version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, all or a portion of the first outer surface 422 and all or a portion of the first lateral fastening surface 423 of the first joining member 420 have magnetic properties. In addition, all or a portion of the second upper inner surface portion 426 a and all or a portion of the second lateral fastening surface 428 of the second joining member 425 have magnetic properties. The first outer surface 422 and the first lateral fastening surface 423 of the first joining member 420 are adapted to be of a shape, size and configuration so that the first outer surface 423 and the first lateral fastening surface 425 of the first joining member 420 can be positioned immediately adjacent to all or a portion of the second upper inner surface portion 426 a and all or a portion of the second lateral fastening surface 428 of the second joining member 425, respectively, so that when such surfaces are placed immediately adjacent to one another the first joining member 420 is removably attached by magnetic force to the second joining member 425. Although all of such surfaces may be of any size, shape, or configuration desired by the wearer, all of such surfaces are preferably flat. The magnetic properties for such surfaces may be provided in any manner currently known (which are so well known that additional description is not required here) or hereafter developed in the art. Preferably, a thin strip of metallic or other material having magnetic properties may be attached to, or be slightly recessed into, each of such surfaces. The means of such attachment may be any of those currently known in the art (which are so well known that additional description is not required here) or developed in the art in the future. The preferred means of attachment is a glue or other adhesive. Alternatively, all or a portion of the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 may be constructed of a metallic or other material having magnetic properties. In all embodiments of this third version of the invention, the portions of the first joining member 420 having magnetic properties and the portions of the second joining member 425 having magnetic properties must together have a magnetic field strength and polarity sufficient to hold the first outer surface 422 and the first lateral fastening surface 423 of the first joining member 420 to the first upper inner surface portion 426 a and the second lateral fastening surface 428 of the second joining member 425 during anticipated use, but also allow for the removal of the first joining member 420 from the second joining member 425 with a reasonable amount of force when the wearer desires to remove the invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, in this embodiment of the third version, the first joining member 420 has two or more first connecting members 451, 452, which are of a size, shape, configuration and type adapted to be removably connected to one end 491, 492, respectively, of a removable length of decorative material 480, 481, respectively. The second joining member 425 also has two or more second connecting members 461, 462. Although there may be more or fewer than two first connecting members and two second connecting members, the embodiment of the third version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B has two first connecting members 451, 452 and two second connecting members 461, 462. Each of such second connecting members 461, 462 cooperates with one first connecting member 451, 452, respectively, such second connecting members 461, 462 being of a size, shape, configuration and type adapted to be removably connected to the other end 496, 497, respectively, of the removable length of decorative material 480, 481, respectively, that is removably connected to the cooperating first connecting members 451, 452, respectively. For example, in this embodiment of the third version of the invention, first connecting member 451 is adapted to be removably connected to the end 491 of decorative length 480, and second connecting member 461 cooperates with first connecting member 451, so that second connecting member 461 is adapted to be removably connected to other end 496 of decorative length 480. Thus, when removably connected together, the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 allow two or more lengths of decorative material 480, 481 to be worn together simultaneously. The end 491 and the other end 496 of the decorative length 480 are adapted to be removably connected together by conventional means so that the decorative length 480 can be separately worn as an independent ornament. Similarly, the end 492 and the other end 497 of the decorative length 481 are also adapted to be removably connected together by conventional means so that the decorative length 481 can be separately worn as an independent ornament. Such conventional connecting means includes all means currently known in the art (which are so well known that additional description is not required here) or developed in the art in the future that may be used to removably connect together the ends of ornaments and jewelry. Examples of such conventional means used for ornaments and jewelry include hook and eye clasps, chain clasps, springing (spring ring and closed ring) clasps, lobster claw clasps, torpedo clasps, barrel clasps, fishhook clasps, magnetic clasps, and other similar clasps and fasteners.
In addition, the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 may be of almost any size, shape, structure and configuration reasonably adapted for its intended purpose and may be constructed of almost any material suitable for their intended purpose of supporting the first connecting members 451, 452 and the second connecting members 461, 462, respectively, so that the decorative lengths 480, 481 may be worn together. For example, all or part of the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 may be constructed of precious and semi precious metals, minerals, jewels and gems, cloth, fabrics, leather, beads, crystals, glass, wood, cork, bone, plastics, ceramics, stone, resins, rubbers, and other suitable naturally occurring or synthetic materials, provided that there are sufficient materials having magnetic properties to accomplish the fastening means described above and sufficient strength to accomplish their purpose of connecting the decorative lengths 480, 481, 482 together. Similarly, the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 may be hollow or homogeneous in their structure. In addition, the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 may be constructed in one or more parts. For example, the second joining member 425 may have a decorative portion 430 and a joining portion 440, which have features similar to, and may be attached together (the second joining portion attachment means) in a manner similar to, those of the decorative portions 330 and joining portions 340, respectively, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with the second version of this invention. The first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 may be constructed in the same general manner as the first joining member 320 and the second joining member 325, as illustrated and described above in the second version of this invention. The preferred materials and means of construction of the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 are dependent upon the individual tastes of the wearer. More preferred, at least the portions of the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 that are attached to the first connecting members 451, 452 and the second connecting members 461, 462, respectively, are constructed of rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as a metallic material.
In the embodiment of the third version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, first connecting members 451, 452 and second connecting members 461, 462 are attached to the first lateral exterior surface 424 and second lateral exterior surface 429, respectively. It is be noted, however, that one or more of the first connecting members 451, 452 may be attached to the first inner surface 421 or the first outer surface 422 of the first joining member 420 in other embodiments of the invention. In still other embodiments of this third version of the invention, one or more of the second connecting members 461, 462 may be attached to one or more of the second lower inner surface portion 426 b, the second outer surface 427, or any other surface of the second joining member 425 in any desired combination. It is be noted, however, that it is not necessary that any second connecting member 461, 462 be located on the same surface or opposite surface of its cooperating first connecting member 451, 452 or any other second connecting member 461, 462. Preferably, the first connecting members 451, 452 are connected to the first lateral exterior surface 424 and the second connecting members 461, 462 are connected to the second lateral exterior surface 429.
First connecting members 451, 452 may be constructed of almost any material suitable for their intended purpose of being a part of or attached to the first joining member 420 or second joining member 425, as the case may be, at one end of such first connecting member 451, 452, and to the ends 491, 492 of decorative lengths 480, 481, respectively, at the distal end of such first connecting members 451, 452. For example, all or part of the first connecting members 451, 452 may be constructed of metal (with or without magnetic properties), wood, plastic, glass, ceramic, and other suitable materials. Preferably, at least the portion of the first joining member 420 or second joining member 425, as the case may be, that is in contact with the first connecting members 451, 452 is constructed of a metallic substance. More preferably, the connecting members 451, 452 are constructed of a metallic substance and coated with a precious or semi-precious metal alloy. Second connecting members 461, 462 may generally be constructed of the same materials suitable for construction of first connecting members 451, 452, as described above. Preferably, each second connecting member 461, 462 is constructed of the same material or materials as its cooperating first connecting member 451, 452, respectively.
The first connecting members 451, 452 may be connected to the first joining member 420 using almost any suitable means known (which are so well known that they do not require additional description here) or hereafter discovered in the art. For example, where the first joining member 420 and the first connecting members 451, 452 are constructed of a metallic substance, the first connecting members 451, 452 may be cast as a part of the first joining member 420 or may be soldered, welded, or bronzed to the first joining member 420. Other examples of such connecting means include use of glues, adhesives, cements, epoxies, screws, clips, pins, rivets and other fastening means now known or hereafter developed in the art. Preferably, the first connecting members 451, 452 are cast as a part of the first joining member 420 or the second joining member 425, as the case may be, or are soldered, welded, or bronzed to the first joining member 420 or the second joining member 425, as the case may be. Each of the second connecting members 461, 462 may be attached to the second joining member 425 in the same manner as the first connecting members 451, 452 may be attached to the first joining member 420, as described above. Although it is not necessarily the case in all embodiments, each second connecting member 461, 462 is preferably attached to the second joining member 425 in the same manner as its cooperating first connecting member 461, 462, respectively.
Each of such first connecting members 451, 452 is adapted to be removably connected to one end 491, 492, respectively, of a length of decorative material 480, 481, respectively, allowing each of such ends 491, 492 of the decorative lengths 480, 481, respectively, to be removably connected to the first joining member 420. It is also to be noted that the first connecting members 451, 452 may all have the same type of means to connect to the ends 491, 492, respectively, of the decorative lengths 480, 481, respectively. For example, all of the first connecting members 451, 452 may be of the springing clasp type. Alternatively, the first connecting members 451, 452 may be in any combination of one or more types of connectors. An example of this case is illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, where first connecting member 451 is of the lobster clasp type and first connecting member 452 is of the hook and eye clasp type. Similarly, in other embodiments of this third version of the invention, the first connecting members 451, 452 may be placed in any order or orientation on the first joining member 420. For example, another embodiment of the third version of the invention may have the order of the first connecting members 451, 452, as illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, changed so that first connecting member 451 is of the springing clasp type and first connecting member 452 is of the barrel clasp type. Further, it is not necessary that any second connecting member be in the same orientation as its cooperating first connecting member. For example, another embodiment of this third version of the invention is obtained by changing the embodiment of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B so that the first connecting member 451 cooperating with second connecting member 461 is located in the position occupied by first connecting member 452 in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, and the first connecting member 452 cooperating with second connecting member 462 is located in the position occupied by first connecting member 451 in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. This positioning would provide for an overlapping-type orientation, as opposed to a concentric circles-type orientation, of the decorative lengths 480, 481 when worn by the wearer.
It is also to be noted that there may be as many first connecting members and second connecting members present as is reasonably practical and desired by the wearer. For example, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B has two first connecting members 451, 452, but other embodiments of the invention may have three, four, five or more first connecting members. The preferred number of first connecting members, type of means of connecting each first connecting member to its respective decorative length, and means of arrangement of the first connecting members on the first joining member is dependent upon the individual tastes of the wearer with respect to types and orientation of the decorative lengths to be worn by the wearer.
In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, other embodiments of this third version of the invention may have one or more lengths of decorative material 482 permanently attached to the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425. In these embodiments, one end 493 of each permanently attached length of decorative material 482 is permanently attached to the first joining member 420 and the other end 498 of such decorative length 482 is permanently attached to the second joining member 425. In other embodiments of this third version of the invention, the end 493 may be attached to any exposed surface of the first joining member 420 and the other end 498 may be attached to any exposed surface of the second joining member 425. The means of attachment may be any means used in the construction of jewelry and ornaments currently known in the art (which are so well known that they do not require additional description here) or discovered hereafter in the art. For example, such means may include soldering, welding, bronzing and use of glues, adhesives, cements, epoxies, screws, clips, pins, rivets and other fastening means now known or hereafter developed in the art. The preferred means of attachment is dependent upon the nature of the construction of the length of decorative material 482, which is dependent upon the individual taste of the wearer. It is to be noted that permanently attached decorative lengths may also be used in conjunction with the first and second versions of this invention in the same general manner as described above.
In other embodiments of this third version of the invention, the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425 may each also have one or more magnetic connecting portions similar to the first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251 and second connecting members 61, 161, 162, 261, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with the first and second versions of the invention.
A fourth version of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6A (which is a plan view from below the inner surface 521, 526 of the appliance 515), FIG. 6B (which is a sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6A, with the section break taken along the line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A, and also showing the end 592 and other end 597 of a removable decorative length 581 slideably inserted into the first connecting portion 552 and second connecting portion 562, respectively, and such view also having the fastening tab 571 removably inserted into the fastening cavity 572), and FIG. 6C (which is a plan view from above the outer surface 522, 527 of the appliance 515, having and showing the fastening tab 571 a and the fastening cavity 572 a each being of a size smaller than the fastening tab 571 and the fastening cavity 572 of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B). The embodiment of the fourth version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6A through FIG. 6C includes a first joining member 520, which generally has a first inner surface 521 facing the wearer, a first outer surface 522 approximately opposite of the first inner surface 521, a first lateral fastening surface 523, and a first lateral exterior surface 524. It also includes a second joining member 525, which generally has a second inner surface 526 facing the wearer, a second outer surface 527 approximately opposite of the second inner surface 526, a second lateral fastening surface 528, and a second lateral exterior surface 529.
In the embodiment of this fourth version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the first joining member 520 is removably connected to the second joining member 525 by using magnetic fastening means comprised of a fastening tab 571 protruding from the first lateral fastening surface 523 of the first joining member 520 and a fastening cavity 572 located in the second lateral fastening surface 528 of the second joining member 525. The fastening tab 571 and the fastening cavity 572 are adapted to be of a shape, size and configuration so that all or a portion of the fastening tab 571 can be slideably inserted into and removed from the fastening cavity 572. All or a portion of the fastening tab 571 and all or a portion of the fastening cavity 572 have magnetic properties, so that the first joining member 520 and second joining member 525 are removably held together by magnetic force while the fastening tab 571 is inserted into the fastening cavity 572. Preferably, all of the fastening tab 571 is inserted into the fastening cavity 572 when the first joining member 520 is removably connected to the second joining member 525. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the second inner surface 526 of the second joining portion 525 may have a slot portion 573, which is an opening in or portion cut away from the remainder of the second inner surface 526, and the fastening tab 571 may have a lip 574 protruding therefrom in the area of the slot portion 573 (when the fastening tab 571 is fully inserted into the fastening cavity 572) to assist in the removal of the fastening tab 571 from the fastening cavity 572. For example, by placing his or her thumb on the lip 574 and exerting force on the lip 574 in a lateral direction along the first inner surface 521 opposite from the direction of the fastening cavity 572, the wearer can obtain additional leverage in slideably removing the fastening tab 571 from the fastening cavity 572.
The fastening tab 571 and the fastening cavity 572 may extend almost the entire width of the first lateral fastening surface 523 and second lateral fastening surface 528, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. Alternatively, the fastening tab 571 a and the fastening cavity 572 a may extend substantially less than the entire width of the first lateral fastening surface 523 or second lateral fastening surface 528, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 6C. For example, to make more room available for the first connecting portions 551, 552 and second connecting portions 561, 562, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the fastening tab 571 a and the fastening cavity 572 a may extend only a limited distance along the width of the first lateral fastening surface 523 or second lateral fastening surface 528 in a manner so that the boundaries of the fastening cavity 572 a do not intersect any boundary of the first connecting portions 551, 552 and second connecting portions 561, 562, when viewed from above the first inner surface 521 and second inner surface 526. The fastening cavity 572 is generally an indentation in the second joining member 525 (or if utilized, the second joining portion 545), which may be constructed in any manner currently known or hereafter developed in the art. Preferably, the cavity is formed during construction of the second joining member 525 or the second joining portion 545, as the case may be, using any means described in greater detail above.
It is to be noted that in this fourth version of the invention the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 may be of almost any size, shape, structure and configuration reasonably desired by the wearer, provided that the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 are removably connected together using a fastening tab and fastening cavity in the manner described above. For example, the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 may have the same general configuration as the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B and the third version of the invention.
In the fourth version of the invention, the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 may be constructed of almost any material suitable for construction of the first joining member 420 and second joining member 425, respectively, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B and the third version of the invention, provided that there are sufficient materials having magnetic properties to accomplish the fastening tab and fastening cavity means described above. Similarly, the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 may be hollow or homogeneous in their structure. In addition, the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 may be constructed in one or more parts. For example, the first joining member 520 may have a first decorative portion 530 and a first joining portion 540 and the second joining member 525 may have a second decorative portion 535 and a second joining portion 545, which have features similar to, and may be attached together in a manner similar to, those of the first joining member 420 and the second joining member 425, respectively, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B and the third version of this invention, and similar to those of the first joining member 320 and the second joining member 325, respectively, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C and the second version of this invention. The first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 may be constructed in the same general manner as the first joining member 320 and the second joining member 325, as illustrated and described above in conjunction with the second version of this invention. The preferred materials and means of construction of the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 are dependent upon the individual tastes of the wearer. More preferred, the first joining portion 540 and the second joining portion 545 are constructed of rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as a metallic or plastic-type material.
The fastening tab 571, 571 a may be constructed of any material and using any means suitable for its intended purpose, which are generally the same materials and means that are suitable for construction of the first joining member 520, or if a first joining portion 540 is used, materials and means that are suitable for construction of the first joining portion 540. Preferably, the fastening tab 571, 571 a is constructed of the same material as the first joining member 520 or the first joining portion 540, as the case may be, so that the fastening tab 571, 571 a can constructed as a part of the first joining member 520 or the first joining portion 540, as the case may be. Alternatively, the fastening tab 571, 571 a can be constructed of the same or a different material as the first joining member 520 or the first joining portion 540, as the case may be, and be attached to the first joining member 520 or the first joining portion 540, as the case may be. Any means currently known or hereafter discovered in the art are generally suitable as the means of such attachment. For example, such means may include soldering, welding, bronzing and use of glues, adhesives, cements, epoxies, screws, clips, pins, rivets and other fastening means now known or hereafter developed in the art.
The magnetic properties for the fastening tab 571, 571 a may be provided in any manner currently known or hereafter developed in the art. For example, the fastening tab 571, 571 a may be constructed in two parts. In such case, the body of the fastening tab 571, 571 a may be constructed of almost any material known or hereafter discovered in the art, such material not having magnetic properties, and a thin strip of metallic or other material having magnetic properties may be attached to, or be slightly recessed into, a surface of the fastening tab 571, 571 a. The means of such attachment may be any of those currently known (which are too well known to require additional description here) or hereafter developed in the art in the future. The preferred means of attaching such strip is a glue or other adhesive. Alternatively, and preferably, the fastening tab 571, 571 a is constructed of a material having magnetic properties. Similarly, the magnetic properties for the fastening cavity 572, 572 a may be provided in any manner currently known (which are so well known that they do not require additional description here) or hereafter developed in the art. For example, the second joining member 525 may be constructed in at least two parts. In such case, the second joining member 525 or second joining portion 545, as the case may be, may be constructed of almost any material known or hereafter discovered in the art, such material not having magnetic properties, and a thin strip of metallic or other material having magnetic properties may be attached to, or be slightly recessed into, a surface of the portion of the second joining member 525 adjacent to the fastening cavity 572, 572 a. The means of such attachment may be any of those currently known (which are so well known that they do not require additional description here) or hereafter developed in the art. The preferred means of attaching such strip is a glue or other adhesive. Alternatively, and preferably, the second joining member 525 or at least the portion of the second joining member 525 immediately adjacent to the fastening cavity 572, 572 a is constructed of a material having magnetic properties. In all embodiments of this fourth version of the invention, the portions of the fastening tab 571, 571 a having magnetic properties and the portions of the second joining member 525 having magnetic properties must together have a magnetic field strength and polarity sufficient to hold the first lateral fastening surface 523 of the first joining member 520 to the second lateral fastening surface 528 of the second joining member 525 during anticipated use, but also allow for the removal of the first joining member 520 from the second joining member 525 with a reasonable amount of force when the wearer wants to remove the appliance 515.
In the embodiment of the fourth version of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6A through FIG. 6C, each first joining member 520 has two or more first connecting portions 551, 552. Each second joining member 525 also has two or more second connecting portions 561, 562. When removably connected together, the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525 allow two or more lengths of decorative material 580, 581 to be worn together simultaneously. Generally, each of the decorative lengths 580, 581 has two ends, with ends 591, 592 being removably connected to first connecting portions 551, 552, respectively, and the other ends 596, 597 being removably connected to second connecting portions 561, 562, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 6C, this embodiment of the fourth version of the invention has two first connecting portions 551, 552 and two second connecting portions 561, 562, but there may be more or fewer first connecting portions and second connecting portions in other embodiments of this fourth version of the invention. Each first connecting portion 551, 552 and each two second connecting portion 561, 562 may generally have the same features and limitations as the first connecting portions 51, 151, 152, 251, 351, 352 and second connecting portions 61, 161, 162, 261, 361, 362, as illustrated and discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C, FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C, and the first and second versions of this invention. Generally, each of the decorative lengths 580, 581 and their ends 591, 592 and other ends 596, 597, respectively, have the same features and limitations as decorative lengths 80, 180, 181, 280 and their ends 91, 191, 192, 291, respectively, and other end 96, 196, 197, 296, respectively, as illustrated and discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C, FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, and the first version of this invention, so that each of the decorative lengths 580 and 581 can each be separately worn as an independent ornament.
It is to be noted that in this fourth version of the invention first joining member 520 may have one or more first connecting members that have the same features and limitations as first connecting members 451, 452, and the second joining member 525 may have one or more second connecting members that have the same features and limitations as second connecting members 461, 462, as illustrated and discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, and the third version of this invention. As illustrated and discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, and the third version of this invention, the first connecting members and the second connecting members in embodiments of the fourth version may all have the same type of means to connect to the ends of the decorative lengths removably connected to the first joining member and second joining member, respectively, or they may be of different types, orientations and configurations. For example, all of such first connecting members may be of the springing clasp type, or such first connecting members may be of the lobster clasp and hook and eye clasp types. It is also to be noted that there may be as many first connecting portions 551, 552, first connecting members, second connecting portions 561, 562, and second connecting members present as is reasonably practical and desired by the wearer. The preferred number of first connecting portions, first connecting members, second connecting portions, and second connecting members, as well as type of means of connecting each the same to its respective decorative length, and means of arrangement of the same on the first joining member 520 or second joining member 525, as the case may be, is dependent upon the individual tastes of the wearer with respect to types and orientation of the decorative lengths to be worn by the wearer. The preferred means of attaching any first connecting members to the first joining member 520 and of attaching any second connecting members to the second joining member 525 is the same as described above for first connecting members 451, 452 and second connecting members 461, 462, respectively, as illustrated and discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, and the third version of this invention.
Finally, other embodiments of this fourth version of the invention may have one or more lengths of decorative material permanently attached to the first joining member 520 and the second joining member 525. In these embodiments, one end of each permanently attached length of decorative material is permanently attached to the first joining member 520 and the other end of such decorative length is permanently attached to the second joining member 525 in the same manner as illustrated and described above in conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, and the third version of this invention.

Claims

1. An appliance for connecting one or more removable lengths of decorative material worn by a wearer, wherein each of such removable lengths of decorative material has two ends and such ends are adapted to be removably connected to one another, such appliance comprising:

(a) a joining member, such joining member having;

(i) one or more first connecting portions, wherein each of such first connecting portions has magnetic properties and is adapted to be removably connected by magnetic force to one end of a removable length of decorative material, such end being comprised of a material that may be connected to such first connecting portion by magnetic force, so that such end may be removably connected to the joining member; and

(ii) one or more second connecting portions, wherein each of such second connecting portions has magnetic properties and cooperates with one first connecting portion and is adapted to be removably connected by magnetic force to the other end of the removable length of decorative material that is removably connected to such cooperating first connecting portion, such other end being comprised of a material that may be connected to such first connecting portion by magnetic force, so that such other end may be removably connected to the joining member;

(b) wherein each of such removable lengths of decorative material has two ends and such ends are adapted to be removably connected to one another by magnetic force.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the joining member is further comprised of:

(a) a joining portion having an inner surface facing the wearer, a joining portion outer surface approximately opposite the inner surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface approximately opposite the first lateral surface;

(b) a decorative portion having a decorative portion inner surface and an outer surface approximately opposite the decorative portion inner surface; and

(c) joining portion attachment means for attaching the decorative portion inner surface to the joining portion outer surface.

3. The appliance of claim 2, wherein:

(a) each first connecting portion is comprised of a first cavity recessed into a surface of the joining portion, such first cavity having magnetic properties, wherein each such first cavity is adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as the end of the removable length of decorative material to which it is removably connected, so that all or a portion of such end may be slideably inserted into and slideably removed from such first cavity; and

(b) each second connecting portion is comprised of a second cavity recessed into a surface of the joining portion, such first cavity having magnetic properties, wherein each such second cavity is adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as the other end of the removable length of decorative material to which such second cavity is removably connected, so that all or a portion of such other end may be slideably inserted into and slideably removed from such second cavity.

4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the one or more first cavities are located on the first lateral surface of the joining portion and the one or more second cavities are located on the second lateral surface of the joining portion.

5. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the one or more first cavities are located on the inner surface of the joining portion and the one or more second cavities are located on the inner surface of the joining portion.

6. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the joining portion is approximately in the shape of a square.

7. The appliance of claim 3, wherein each first cavity and its cooperating second cavity are adapted to receive the end and other end, respectively, of a removable length of decorative material, wherein such end and other end are approximately square or rectangular in shape.

8. The appliance of claim 3, wherein each first cavity and its cooperating second cavity are adapted to receive the end and other end, respectively, of a removable length of decorative material, wherein such end and other end are approximately circular in shape.

9. An appliance for connecting lengths of decorative material worn by a wearer, wherein one or more of such lengths of decorative material has two ends and such ends are adapted to be removably connected to one another, such appliance comprising:

(a) a first joining member, comprised of:

(i) a first inner surface facing the wearer, a first outer surface approximately opposite the first inner surface, a first lateral fastening surface, and a first lateral exterior surface; and

(ii) two or more first connecting portions, wherein each of such first connecting portions has magnetic properties and is adapted to be removably connected by magnetic force to one end of a removable length of decorative material, such end being comprised of a material that may be connected to such first connecting portion by magnetic force, so that such end may be removably connected to the first joining member;

(b) a second joining member, comprised of:

(i) a second inner surface facing the wearer, a second outer surface approximately opposite the second inner surface, a second lateral fastening surface, and a second lateral exterior surface; and

(ii) two or more second connecting portions, wherein each of such second connecting portions has magnetic properties and cooperates with one first connecting portion and each such second connecting portion is adapted to be removably connected by magnetic force to the other end of the removable length of decorative material that is removably connected to such cooperating first connecting portion, such other end being comprised of a material that may be connected to such second connecting portion by magnetic force, so that such other end may be removably connected to the second joining member; and

(c) joining member fastening means to removably connect the first joining member to the second joining member;

(d) wherein each of such removable lengths of decorative material has two ends and such ends are adapted to be removably connected by magnetic force to one another.

10. The appliance of claim 9, wherein:

(a) the first joining member is further comprised of:

(i) a first joining portion;

(ii) a first decorative portion; and

(iii) first joining portion attachment means for attaching the first decorative portion to the first joining portion; and

(b) the second joining member is further comprised of:

(i) a second joining portion;

(ii) a second decorative portion; and

(iii)second joining portion attachment means for attaching the second decorative portion to the second joining portion.

11. The appliance of claim 9, wherein:

(a) each first connecting portion is comprised of a first cavity recessed into the first joining member, wherein each such first cavity has magnetic properties and is adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as the end of the removable length of decorative material to which it is removably connected, so that all or a portion of such end may be slideably inserted into and slideably removed from such first cavity; and

(b) each second connecting portion is comprised of a second cavity recessed into the second joining member, wherein each such second cavity has magnetic properties and is adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as the other end of the removable length of decorative material to which it is removably connected so that all or a portion of such other end may be slideably inserted into and slideably removed from such second cavity.

12. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the joining member fastening means is comprised of the first lateral fastening surface of the first joining member being adapted to be removably connected to the second lateral fastening surface of the second joining member by magnetic force, wherein the first lateral fastening surface and the second lateral fastening surface have magnetic properties.

13. The appliance of claim 11, wherein the two or more first cavities are located on the first lateral exterior surface of the first joining member and the two or more second cavities are located on the second lateral exterior surface of the second joining member.

14. The appliance of claim 11, wherein the two or more first cavities are located on the first inner surface of the first joining member and the two or more second cavities are located on the second inner surface of the second joining member.

15. The appliance of claim 11, wherein the first joining member and the second joining member are in the shape of a rectangle.

16. The appliance of claim 11, wherein each first cavity and its cooperating second cavity are adapted to receive ends and other ends, respectively, of removable lengths of decorative material wherein such ends and other ends are approximately square or rectangular in shape.

17. The appliance of claim 11, wherein each first cavity and its cooperating second cavity are adapted to receive ends and other ends, respectively, of removable lengths of decorative material wherein such ends and other ends are approximately circular in shape.

18. The appliance of claim 11, further comprising one or more fixed lengths of decorative material, wherein one end of each fixed length of decorative material is attached to the first joining member and the other end of such fixed length of decorative material is attached to the second joining member.

19. An appliance for connecting lengths of decorative material worn by a wearer, wherein each of such lengths of decorative material has two ends, such appliance comprising:

(a) a first joining member, comprised of:

(i) a first joining member having a first inner surface facing the wearer, a first outer surface approximately opposite the first inner surface, a first lateral fastening surface, and a first lateral exterior surface; and

(ii) one or more first connecting members attached to the first joining member, wherein each of such first connecting members is adapted to be removably connected to one end of a removable length of decorative material so that such end may be removably connected to the first joining member; and

(b) a second joining member, comprised of:

(ii) one or more second connecting members attached to the second joining member, wherein each of such second connecting members cooperates with one first connecting member and each such second connecting member is adapted to be removably connected to the other end of the removable length of decorative material that is removably connected to such cooperating first connecting member so that such other end may be removably connected to the second joining member;

(c) magnetic fastening means to removably connect the first joining member to the second joining member by magnetic force;

(d) wherein each of such removable lengths of decorative material has two ends and such ends are adapted to be removably connected to one another.

20. The appliance of claim 19, wherein the magnetic fastening means is comprised of:

(a) a fastening tab portion of the first joining member, such fastening tab having magnetic properties; and

(b) a fastening cavity portion of the second joining member, such fastening cavity portion having magnetic properties and being recessed into the second lateral fastening surface of the second joining member;

(c) wherein the fastening tab portion and the fastening cavity portion are adapted to be of a shape and size so that the fastening tab portion can be slideably inserted into and slideably removed from the fastening cavity portion and the first joining member and second joining member are removably connected together by magnetic force while the fastening tab portion is inserted into the fastening cavity portion.

21. The appliance of claim 19, wherein the magnetic fastening means is comprised of:

(a) the first joining member, wherein the first outer surface and the first lateral fastening surface of the first joining member have magnetic properties; and

(b) the second joining member, wherein a portion of the second inner surface and the second lateral fastening surface of the second joining member have magnetic properties;

(c) wherein the first outer surface and the first lateral fastening surface of the first joining member and such portion of the second inner surface and the second lateral fastening surface of the second joining member are adapted to be of a shape and size so that the first outer surface and the first lateral fastening surface of the first joining member can be positioned adjacent to such portion of the second inner surface and the second lateral fastening surface of the second joining member, so that when such surfaces are placed adjacent to one another the first joining member is removably connected by magnetic force to the second joining member.

22. The appliance of claim 19, wherein:

(a) the first joining member is further comprised of:

(i) a first joining portion;

(ii) a first decorative portion; and

(b) the second joining member is further comprised of:

(i) a second joining portion;

(ii) a second decorative portion; and

(iii) second joining portion attachment means for attaching the second decorative portion to the second joining portion.

23. The appliance of claim 19, further comprising:

(a) one or more first cavity portions recessed into a surface of the first joining member, wherein each such first cavity portion has magnetic properties and is adapted to be removably connected by magnetic force to one end of a removable length of decorative material, such end being comprised of a material that may be connected to such first cavity portion by magnetic force, and wherein each such first cavity portion is adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as such end so that all or a portion of such end may be slideably inserted into and slideably removed from such first cavity portion; and

(b) one or more second cavity portions recessed into a surface of the second joining member, wherein each such second cavity portion has magnetic properties and cooperates with one first cavity portion and each such second cavity portion is adapted to be approximately of the same size and shape as the other end of the removable length of decorative material that is removably connected to such cooperating first cavity portion, such other end being comprised of a material that may be connected to such second cavity portion by magnetic force, and wherein all or a portion of such other end may be slideably inserted into and slideably removed from such second cavity portion so that such other end may be removably connected by magnetic force to the second joining member;

(c) wherein each of such removable lengths of decorative material has two ends and such ends are adapted to be removably connected to one another by magnetic force.

24. The appliance of claim 19, further comprising one or more fixed lengths of decorative material, wherein one end of each fixed length of decorative material is attached to the first joining member and the other end of such fixed length of decorative material is attached to the second joining member.