US20150101158A1

US20150101158A1 - Jewelry Article

Info

Publication number: US20150101158A1
Application number: US14/513,385
Authority: US
Inventors: Antonio Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-10-14
Filing date: 2014-10-14
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: WO2015057651A1

Abstract

A jewelry article includes a body, a ring, and clasps. The body has first and second ends. The ring is disposed on the first end of the body, and the clasps are disposed on the body between the first end and the second end.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 61/890,549, filed on Oct. 14, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a jewelry article configured for hanging on an article of clothing or a handbag.

BACKGROUND

Jewelry articles are small decorative items used for adorning the body. Jewelry items come in many different forms, such as pendants, necklaces, earrings or bracelets. They are often made of metal and gemstones and may be worn on the body, attached to an article of clothing, or attached to personal items.
Pendants are one of the earliest types of jewelry articles. Primeval man used to insert a string made of grass or vine into a small hole within a rock, a shell, or any other indigenous material to wear as a necklace. Modern pendants consist of jewelry articles hanging from a necklace, bracelet, or clothing. Pendants serve several functions, such as to display awards, identification, ornamentation or self-affirmation. Pendants come in different shapes, colors, and sizes.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a jewelry article that includes a body, clasps, and a ring. The body has first and second ends, and the ring is disposed on the first end of the body. The clasps are disposed on the body between the first and second ends.
Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. In some implementations, the body of the jewelry article defines a track that extends from the first end to the second end of the body. The track slidably receives the clasps and allows the clasps to slide along the track between the first and second ends of the body.
In some implementations, the jewelry article further includes a retainer that is disposed on the track and is configured to prevent the clasps from sliding off the track. Additionally or alternatively, each clasp of the jewelry article may include a clasp body and a fastener. The clasp body has a first and second end. The first end defines a complementary shape of a cross-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track. The fastener is disposed on the second end of the clasp body.
In some implementations, the first end of the clasp body swivels with respect to the second end of the clasp body. The ring may be configured to receive a pendant having a core diameter of less than 4.5 millimeters.
The jewelry article may include a ring connector disposed on the first end of the body. The ring connector allows for a releasable connection of the ring to the body and has an unlocked and a locked state. When the ring connector is in the unlocked state, it receives the ring for connection to the body. When the ring connector is in the locked state, it retains the ring while allowing movement of the ring with respect to the body (e.g., a swivel movement, a back-and-forth movement, or a combination of both). Additionally or alternatively, the ring connector may receive one or more pendants while unconnected to the body. In some implementations, the ring is a non-circular ring. Additionally or alternatively, the ring may be a rigid ring or a malleable ring.
In some examples, the body of the jewelry article includes at least one of an elongated body, a rectangular body, an elliptical body, or a square body. The jewelry article may further include a body connector disposed on the second end of the body. The body connector releasably attaches to an object. In some examples, the clasp is fixed on the body.
Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of using a jewelry article. The method includes releasing a ring disposed on a first end of a body of the jewelry article and receiving one or more pendants along the ring. The method also includes connecting the ring to the first end of the body of the jewelry article. The connected ring prevents escapement of one or more pendants from the ring. The method also includes actuating a clasp from a closed state to an open state. The clasp is disposed on the body between the first and second ends of the body. The method further includes placing a pendant on the clasp while the clasp is in its open state, allowing the clasp to return to its closed state, and attaching a body connector disposed on the body of the jewelry article to an object.
In some implementations, the method includes sliding the clasp along a track defined by the body. The track extends from the first end to the second end of the body. The track is configured to slidably receive clasps, allowing the clasps to slide along the track between the first and second ends of the body.
In some examples, the method further includes actuating a retainer disposed on the track to move from a locked state to an unlocked state. The retainer prevents clasps from sliding off the track while in its locked state and allows the addition of clasps to the track while in its unlocked state. The method further includes placing the clasp on the track. The first end of the body defines a complementary shape of a cross-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track.
The method may include moving a ring connector disposed on the first end of the jewelry article body from a locked state, which retains the ring connected to the body to an unlocked state, and allowing disconnection of the ring from the body. The method further includes releasing the ring from the ring connector, adding one or more pendants on the disconnected ring, reconnecting the ring to the ring connector, and moving the ring connector from its unlocked state to its locked state to reconnect the ring to the body.
In some examples, the method includes the ring connector retaining the ring while allowing movement of the ring with respect to the body while in its locked state. Additionally or alternatively, the method may further include moving the released ring from a closed loop configuration to an open loop configuration, before adding one or more pendants on the disconnected ring.
Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a jewelry article including a body, a ring and first and second groups of clasps. The body has first and second ends. The body is defined by a height extending from the first end to the second end of the body, a length extending from a first side to a second side of the body, and a width extending from a third side to a fourth side. The height is at least double the length and at least triple the width. The length is greater than the width. The ring is disposed on the first end of the body. It has a core diameter of between 2 mm and about 10 mm, and a ring diameter of between about 2 cm and about 10 cm. The first group of clasps is disposed on the first side of the body, and the second group of clasps is disposed on the second side of the body. The first side and second side are positioned opposite each other. The first group and the second group of clasps are disposed on the body between the first and the second ends.
In some examples, the body defines a track extending from the first end to the second end of the body. The track is configured to slidably receive the clasps, allowing the clasps to slide along the track between the first and second ends of the body. Additionally or alternatively, the jewelry article may include a retainer disposed on the track, configured to prevent the clasps from sliding off the track.
The jewelry article may have clasps that include a clasp body having a first end and a second end. The first end defines a complementary shape of a cross-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track. A fastener is disposed on the second end of the clasp body.
In some implementations, the jewelry article includes a ring connector disposed on the first end of the body, allowing releasable connection of the ring to the body. The ring connector has an unlocked state and a locked state. When it is in the unlocked state, the ring connector receives a ring for connection to the body. When it is in the locked state, the ring connector retains the ring while allowing movement of the ring with respect to the body.
The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having an elongated body with pendants attached thereon.

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the ring of FIG. 1 at 1B-1B.

FIG. 1C is a side view of an exemplary jewelry article with clasps disposed vertically along a vertical axis.

FIG. 1D is a side view of an exemplary jewelry article body with clasps disposed horizontally along a vertical axis.

FIG. 1E is a side view of an exemplary jewelry article having two groups of clasps.

FIG. 1F is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having an elongated body with pendants attached thereon in an unlocked state.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having an elongated body.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having an elongated body with pendants attached thereon.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having a square shaped body with pendants attached thereon.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having an elongated body with pendants and keys attached thereon

FIG. 6A is a side view of an exemplary jewelry article showing a track for receiving slidable clasps.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the jewelry article shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a side view of an exemplary clasp used in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front views of a purse having an exemplary jewelry article attached thereon.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an exemplary arrangement of operations for using a jewelry article.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Jewelry items, such as brooches and buckles, were initially used as purely functional items. These items have evolved to include a decorative aspect while still holding garments together in the case of a brooch, or fastening two loose ends in the case of a buckle. Jewelry articles may also be symbolic of a wearer's group membership, (e.g., Christian crucifix, Jewish Star of David), interests and hobbies (e.g., a purse pendant or a shopping cart pendant symbolizing the wearer's interest in shopping, or a tennis racket that indicates the wearer's interest in tennis), or charities among other things. Therefore, in some examples, a jewelry article gives a person a glimpse of a wearer's life. A wearer may have several pendants that he/she may want to display at the same time. Placing all those pendants on a wearer's necklace may be distracting or noisy when a wearer moves because the pendants may move as well. Therefore, a jewelry article 100 that allows a wearer to display all his/her pendants and place the jewelry article 100 on a bag or a handbag 200 fulfills a need for the wearer to portray a particular persona. Moreover, the jewelry article 100 allows a wearer to customize the jewelry article 100 with different pendants, or use the same jewelry article 100 on different handbags giving each handbag a unique personalized look with the personalized jewelry items.
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, in some implementations, a jewelry article 100 includes a body 110, a ring 120, and clasps 130. The body 110 may be one of an elongated body (FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7B), a rectangular body (FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-7B), an elliptical body (FIG. 3), a square body (FIG. 4), or a circular body (not shown). Other shapes are possible as well. The body 110 may be made from different materials including, but not limited to, metal (e.g., stainless steel, brass, copper, nickel, or precious metals (e.g., gold, silver, platinum)), glass (e.g., fused-glass or enamel), wood, or plastic. In some examples, the body 110 includes engravings 112 by carving a design on the body 110. The engravings 112 may be a design, a drawing, a word, or a phrase. Different engraving techniques may be used to accommodate the different materials being used for the body 110. The body 110 includes a first end 114 and a second end 116.
In some implementations, the ring 120 is disposed on the first end 114 of the body 110. The ring 120 may be any of the materials listed above with respect to the body 110. The ring 120 may be a malleable ring or a bendable ring (e.g., a chain, a link ring made from connecting or linking various similar components). In other examples, the ring 120 is a rigid or hard ring. The ring 120 is configured to receive a pendant or charm 122. The pendant 122 may be a dangling pendant 122 a or a separation pendant 122 b for separating two other pendants 122 (e.g., dangling pendant 122 a). In some examples, the pendant 122 is a dangling separation pendant 122 c, being a separation pendant 122 a with a dangling pendant 122 b attached thereon. The ring 120 may be a circular ring or a non-circular ring. In the examples shown, the ring 120 has a core diameter D configured to receive the pendants 122. The core diameter D may be less than 4.5 millimeters to accommodate different pendants 122. In some examples, the core diameter is between 2 mm and about 10 mm and a ring diameter R_Dis between about 2 cm and about 10 cm. The core diameter D and/or the ring diameter R_Dmay have different sizes. Moreover, the ring 120 may fit more than one pendant 122. In some examples, the ring 120 is sized to receive keys 126, as shown in FIG. 5. A wearer may detach the ring 120 from the body 110 and insert the pendants 122 individually. The wearer may create a design with the pendants 122. In some examples, the wearer adds pendants 122 to create a word or phrase (e.g., each pendant 122 may be a letter pendant 122).
A ring connector 124 may be disposed on the first end 114 of the body 110 to allow releasable connection of the ring 120 to the body 110. The ring connector 124 has an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state (FIG. 1F), the ring connector 124 receives the ring 120 for connecting to the body 110; while in the locked state (FIG. 1A-1E), the ring connector 124 retains the ring 120 while allowing movement of the ring 120 with respect to the body 110. In some examples, the movement may be a swivel movement within 360 degrees. Moreover, in the unlocked state, the ring 120 can receive at least one pendant 122.
One or more clasps 130 may be disposed on the body 110 between the first end 114 and the second end 116. The clasps 130 are configured to receive a dangling pendant 122 a or a separation pendant 122 b. In some examples, the clasps 130 are fixed on the body 110 and do not move from their position. Clasps 130 that may be used include, but are not limited to, a spring ring, a lobster claw, a bayonet, a barrel, a magnetic clasp, a pearl clasp, or a catch clasp.
Referring to FIGS. 1C-1D, the body 110 defines a transverse axis X and a longitudinal axis Y. In some examples, each clasp 130 is positioned along the longitudinal axis Y, and all the clasps are positioned along the longitudinal axis Y, as shown in FIG. 1C. Each clasp 130 may be arranged horizontally in a direction parallel to the transverse axis X in a straight line along the longitudinal axis Y, as shown in FIG. 1D. In other examples, the clasps 130 may be divided into groups 132. A first group 132 a separated from the second group 132 b by a distance as shown in FIG. 1D. In some examples, the clasps 130 are arranged at an angle with respect to the transverse axis X or the longitudinal axis Y.
Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in some examples, the body 110 defines a track 140 that extends from the first end 114 to the second end 116 of the body 110. The track 140 is configured to slidably receive the clasps 130. The clasps 130 may slide freely along the track 140 between the first end 114 and the second end 116 of the body 110. The track 140 includes an opening 142 that extends from the first end 114 to the second end 116 of the body 110. The opening 142 allows the view of the clasps 130 contained within the track 140. A retainer 144 may be disposed on the track 140 to prevent the clasps 130 from sliding off the track 140. In some examples, the first retainer 144 a is disposed on a first end of the track 140 a and a second retainer 144 b is disposed on a second end of the track 140. A wearer may releasably detach the retainer 144 to add or remove clasps 130.
Referring to FIG. 6C, the clasp 130 may include a clasp body 133 having a first end 134 that defines a complementary shape of a cross-sectional shape of the track 140. A fastener 138 may be disposed on the second end 136 of the clasp body 133. The fastener 138 is configured to receive a pendant 122. The fastener 138 may swivel about the first and second ends 134, 136 of the clasp body 133 allowing for the swiveling of the attached pendant 122. The first end 134 of the clasp body 133 may swivel with respect to the second end 136 of the clasp body 133.
Referring back to FIGS. 6A-6C, in some implementations, the body 110 has a first end 114 and a second end 116, a first side S1, a second side S2, a third side S3, and a fourth side S4. The body 110 defines a height H that extends from the first end 114 to the second end 116. The body also defines a length L that extends from the first side S1 to the second side S2 of the body 110, and a width W that extends from the third side S3 to the fourth side S4 of the body 110. A first group of clasps 132 a is disposed on the first side S1 of the body, and the second group of clasps 132 b is disposed on the second side S2 of the body 110 (see FIG. 1 for a front view). In some examples, the height H is at least double the length L and at least triple the width W, and the length L is greater than the width W. In other examples, the length L is substantially equal to the width W, and the height H is at least double the sum of the length L and the height H. In yet another example, the height H is substantially equal to the length L which is also substantially equal to the width W, therefore, forming a body 110 having a cube shape. The clasps 132 may be positioned on any one or all of the first, second, third, and fourth sides S1-S4. In some implementations, the body 110 includes more than four sides; therefore, the body 110 provides more space to place the clasps 132 and the pendants 122 attached thereon.
In some examples, the jewelry article 100 may be attached to an object 200 (as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B). The object 200 may include, but is not limited to handbags, backpacks, shoulder bags, purses, and clutches, which have long been used to carry personal goods (e.g., makeup, snacks, handkerchief, eyeglasses, money, keys, tablets, portable computers). Along with serving a functional purpose, these bags may serve as fashion accessories. Fashion accessories serve to contribute to a wearer's outfit. Many people choose to adorn their personal bags or clothing with pendants to further compliment their clothing.
A body connector 150 may be disposed on the second end 116 of the body 110. The body connector 150 may releasably attach to an object 200. The body connector 150 may be malleable or a bendable connector (e.g., a chain, a link ring made from connecting or linking various similar components), or may be a rigid, hard connector.
FIG. 8 provides a method 800 for using a jewelry article 100. The method 800 includes releasing 802 a ring 120 disposed on a first end 114 of a body 110 of the jewelry article 100 and receiving 804 one or more pendants 122 along the ring 120. The method 800 also includes connecting 806 the ring 120 to the first end 114 of the body 110 of the jewelry article 100. The connected ring 120 prevents escapement of one or more pendants 122 from the ring 120. The method 800 further includes actuating 808 a clasp 130 from a closed state to an open state. The clasp 130 is disposed on the body 110 between the first and second ends 114, 116 of the body. The method 800 further includes placing 810 a pendant 122 on the clasp 130 while the clasp 130 is in its open state, allowing 812 the clasp 130 to return to its closed state. The method also includes attaching 814 a body connector 150 disposed on the body 110 of the jewelry article 100 to an object 200. Clasps 130 that may be used include, but are not limited to, a spring ring, a lobster claw, a bayonet, a barrel, a magnetic clasp, a pearl clasp, or a catch clasp.
In some implementations, the method 800 includes sliding the clasp 130 along a track 140 defined by the body 110. The track 140 extends from the first end 114 to the second end 116 of the body 110. The track 140 is configured to slidably receive clasps 130, allowing the clasps 130 to slide along the track 140 between the first and second ends 114, 116 of the body 110. The clasps 130 are configured to receive pendants 122.
In some examples, the method 800 further includes actuating a retainer 144 disposed on the track 140 to move from a locked state to an unlocked state. The retainer 144 is configured to prevent clasps 130 from sliding off the track 140 while in its locked state and allowing the addition of clasps 130 to the track 140 while in its unlocked state. The method 800 further includes placing the clasp 130 on the track 140. The first end 114 of the body 110 defines a complementary shape of a cross-sectional shape of the track 140 for receipt by the track 140.
The method 800 may include moving a ring connector 124 disposed on the first end 114 of the jewelry article body 110 from a locked state, which retains the ring 120 connected to the body 110 to an unlocked state (FIG. 1F), which disconnects the ring 120 from the body 110. The method 800 further includes releasing the ring 120 from the ring connector 124, adding one or more pendants 122 on the disconnected ring 120, reconnecting the ring 120 to the ring connector 124, and moving the ring connector 124 from its unlocked state to its locked state to reconnect the ring 120 to the body 110.
In some examples, the method 800 includes the ring connector 124 retaining the ring 120 while allowing movement of the ring 120 with respect to the body 110 while in its locked state. The method 800 may further include moving the released ring 120 from a closed loop configuration to an open loop configuration (FIG. 1F), before adding one or more pendants 122 on the disconnected ring 120.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A jewelry article comprising:

a body having first and second ends;

a ring disposed on the first end of the body; and

clasps disposed on the body between the first and the second ends.

2. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the body defines a track extending from the first end to the second end of the body, the track configured to slidably receive the clasps, allowing the clasps to slide along the track between the first and second ends of the body.

3. The jewelry article of claim 2, further comprising a retainer disposed on the track and configured to prevent the clasps from sliding off the track.

4. The jewelry article of claim 2, wherein each clasp comprises:

a clasp body having a first end and a second end, the first end defining a complementary shape of a cross-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track; and

a fastener disposed on the second end of the clasp body.

5. The jewelry article of claim 4, wherein the first end of the clasp body swivels with respect to the second end of the clasp body.

6. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the ring is configured to receive a pendant having a core diameter of less than 4.5 millimeters.

7. The jewelry article of claim 1, further comprising a ring connector disposed on the first end of the body and allowing releasable connection of the ring to the body, the ring connector having an unlocked state and a locked state, wherein in the unlocked state, the ring connector receives the ring for connection to the body, and wherein in the locked state, the ring connector retains the ring while allowing movement of the ring with respect to the body.

8. The jewelry article of claim 7, wherein the ring can receive one or more pendants while unconnected to the body.

9. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the ring is a non-circular ring.

10. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one of an elongated body, a rectangular body, an elliptical body, or a square body.

11. The jewelry article of claim 1, further comprising a body connector disposed on the second end of the body, the body connector configured for releasable attachment to an object.

12. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the clasp is fixed on the body.

13. A method of using a jewelry article, the method comprising:

releasing a ring disposed on a first end of a body of the jewelry article;

receiving one or more pendants along the ring;

connecting the ring to the first end of the body of the jewelry article, the connected ring preventing escapement of the one or more pendants from the ring;

actuating a clasp from a closed state to an open state, the clasp disposed on the body between first and second ends of the body;

placing a pendant on the clasp while the clasp is in its open state;

allowing the clasp to return to its closed state; and

attaching a body connector disposed on the body of the jewelry article to an object.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising sliding the clasp along a track defined by the body, the track extending from the first end to the second end of the body, the track configured to slidably receive clasps, allowing the clasps to slide along the track between the first and second ends of the body.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

actuating a retainer disposed on the track to move from a locked state to an unlocked state, the retainer configured to prevent clasps from sliding off the track while in its locked state and allowing addition of clasps to the track while in its unlocked state; and

placing the clasp on the track, the first end of the body defining a complementary shape of a cross-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

moving a ring connector disposed on the first end of the jewelry article body from a locked state, which retains the ring connected to the body, to an unlocked state, which allows disconnection of the ring from the body;

releasing the ring from the ring connector;

adding one or more pendants on the disconnected ring;

reconnecting the ring to ring connector; and

moving the ring connector from its unlocked state to its locked state to reconnect the ring to the body.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the ring connector retains the ring while allowing movement of the ring with respect to the body while in its locked state.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising moving the released ring from a closed loop configuration to an open loop configuration before adding one or more pendants on the disconnected ring.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the ring is a non-circular ring.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the clasp is fixed on the body.

21. A jewelry article comprising:

a body having first and second ends, the body defining:

a height extending from the first end to the second end of the body;

a length extending from a first side to a second side of the body; and

a width extending from a third side to a fourth side;

wherein the height is at least double the length and at least triple the width, and the length is greater than the width;

a ring disposed on the first end of the body, the ring having a core diameter of between about 2 mm and about 10 mm and a ring diameter of between about 2 cm and about 10 cm; and

first and second groups of clasps, the first group of clasps disposed on the first side of the body and the second group of clasps disposed on the second side of the body, the first side and the second side are positioned opposite each other, the first group and the second group of clasps are disposed on the body between the first and the second ends.

22. The jewelry article of claim 21, wherein the body defines a track extending from the first end to the second end of the body, the track configured to slidably receive the clasps, allowing the clasps to slide along the track between the first and second ends of the body.

23. The jewelry article of claim 22, further comprising a retainer disposed on the track and configured to prevent the clasps from sliding off the track.

24. The jewelry article of claim 22, wherein each clasp comprises:

a fastener disposed on the second end of the clasp body.

25. The jewelry article of claim 21, further comprising a ring connector disposed on the first end of the body and allowing releasable connection of the ring to the body, the ring connector having an unlocked state and a locked state, wherein in the unlocked state, the ring connector receives the ring for connection to the body, and wherein in the locked state, the ring connector retains the ring while allowing movement of the ring with respect to the body.