Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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JEWELRY WITH INTERCHANGEABLE SETTINGS AND ATTACHABLE CHARMS
AND METHODS FOR THEiR USE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates broadly to jewelry. More particularly, this
invention
relates to rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and pendants having
interchangeable
and/or movable settings and attachable charms.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] Jewelry is a very popular accessory, particularly among women and
girls.
Finger rings, bracelets and necklaces are the most popular jewelry items.
Rings
typically have one or more settings which carry precious or semi-precious
stones.
Bracelets and necklaces sometimes have hanging pendants or charms. Charm
bracelets are unique in that one typically collects charms to be added to the
bracelet
over time. The charms usually commemorate some event, holiday, milestone, etc.
Once added to the bracelet, however, charms generally are not easiiy removed.
Eventually, the bracelet becomes full of charms and no more can be added.
SUMMARY OF THE 1NVENTION
[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and
interesting
item of jewelry.
[0004] It is another object of the invention to provide an item of jewelry
which
combines features of bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, and pendants.
[0005] It is a further object of the invention to provide an item of jewelry
which is
easily adaptable to suit the whim of the wearer.
[0006] In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below,
an
item of jewelry according to the invention includes a removable or movable
setting
and a charm coupled to a short chain which is captured by the setting. The
setting is
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removably or movably coupled to a ring, a pendant, a bracelet, an earring, or
a
necklace. According to one embodiment, the setting is removably threaded and
the
item of jewelry includes a threaded post which mates with the setting. In this
embodiment the charms are coupled to washers or loops which fit over the
threaded
post. The presently preferred washers have ears so that multiple charms can be
attached to the post with the washers lying flat relative to each other. In
another
embodiment, a safety catch is provided to prevent the setting from
accidentally
disengaging from the threaded post. The threaded post may be part of a ring, a
pendant, a bracelet, an earring, or a neckiace. The removable setting is
preferably
interchangeable with other settings. The interchangeable charms are preferably
provided in a wide range of designs, including, but not limited to holiday
themes,
religious themes, astrological signs, varsity letters, graduation year,
wedding themes,
commercial characters such as Disney characters, TV characters, messages such
as
"I Love You", etc. The interchangeable settings may include different color
stones to
match different color clothing, birth stones, etc., or may provide different
motifs such
as initials.
[0007] According to a second embodiment, the removable setting is cylindrical
with
peripheral bayonet lock slots. The item of jewelry includes a slotted cylinder
with a
pair of interior bosses which are arranged to engage the bayonet lock slots on
the
setting. Charms are provided with ball (or other engagement shape) and chain.
The=
balls are arranged inside the slotted cylinder with the chains extending
through the
slots. The balls and slots are dimensioned to prevent passage of the balls
through the
slots. After the charms are so arranged, the setting is attached. Preferably,
a spring is
arranged between the setting and the slotted cylinder.
[0008] According to a third embodiment which is similar to the second
embodiment, the setting is not removable but is simply movable. In this
embodiment,
the setting is provided with a post and the item of jewelry is provided with a
cylinder
which receives the post. The cylinder is provided with an interior groove and
the post
is provided with an orthogonal boss which engages the groove. A spring is
arranged
around the cylinder and biases the setting away from the item of jewelry.
Rotating the
setting in one direction unlocks the setting and permits the setting to move
up relative
to the item of jewelry, making room for the balls of the charms to be placed
in the
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slots. The setting may be moved against the spring to close over the slots
capturing
the balls of the charms. Rotation of the setting in the opposite direction
locks the
setting relative to the item of jewelry.
[0009] According to a fourth embodiment which is similar to the third
embodiment,
the setting post is actualiy a cylinder and the spring is contained therein so
that it is
not visible. The fourth embodiment operates in the same manner as the third
embodiment.
[0010] According to a fifth embodiment, the setting is removably coupled to
the
jewelry via one or more magnets.
[0011] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent
to
those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in
conjunction
with the provided figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded side elevation view of a ring according
to a
first embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation view of a charm according to the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the charm attached to the
ring;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing multiple charms attached to
the
same ring.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevation view of another charm according to
the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of three washers according to the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is schematic side elevation view of a pendant according to the
invention with a removable setting removed;
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[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded orthogonal view of the pendant and removable
setting;
[0020] F1G. 9 is a schematic side elevation view of a necklace according to
the
invention with removable settings removed;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an exploded orthogonal view of a portion of the necklace and
a
removable setting;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded side elevation view of a second
embodiment of a ring according to the invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of the ring of Fig. 11 with the setting
and
charm removed;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a schematic transparent exploded view illustrating a third
embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a section taken along line A-A in Fig. 13;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a section taken along line B-B in Fig. 13;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a section taken along line C-C in Fig. 13;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a schematic transparent side elevation view of the third
embodiment assembled and with the setting moved to the upward open position;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a schematic transparent side elevation view of the third
embodiment assembled and with the setting moved to the downward closed
position;
[0030] FIG. 19 is a schematic transparent exploded view illustrating a fourth
embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 20 is a schematic transparent side elevation view of the fourth
embodiment assembied and with the setting moved to the upward open position;
[0032] FIG. 21 is a schematic side elevation view of a fifth embodiment
wherein
the removable setting is coupled to the article of jewelry by one or more
magnets;
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[0033] FIG. 22 is a schematic side elevation view of another pendant according
to
the invention;
[0034] FIG. 23 is a schematic side elevation view of an earring according to
the
invention; and
[0035] FIG. 24 is a schematic side elevation view of a bracelet according to
the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0036] Turning now to Fig. 1, a finger ring 10 according to the invention
includes a
closed loop 12 which is dimensioned to fit comfortably over the wearer's
finger, a
radially outward extending threaded post 14, and a setting 16 having internal
threads
18. The setting 16 preferably receives and holds a precious or semi-precious
stone
19. As used herein, the term "stone" means something held by a setting for
display. It
is not necessarily a precious or semi-precious gemstone or even a simulation
of a
gemstone, as it may be a precious or other metal providing a decoration or
motif,
glass, crystal, etc. If desired, a safety latch (not shown) can be provided to
latch the
setting to the ring and/or stem.
[0037] From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
setting 16
is removable from and attachable to the post 14. Thus, a plurality of settings
holding
different stones may be interchangeably attached to the post 14 resulting in
different
style rings. The stones in the interchangeable settings may include different
color
stones to match different color clothing, birth stones, etc., or a metal
"stone" with a
motif or decoration. Settings which hold multiple stones may also be used. The
settings are preferably made from a precious metal such as silver, gold, or
platinum.
However, in order to provide a ring affordable by teenage or younger girls,
the settings
can be made of "white metal" and the stones can be made of inexpensive
materials
inciuding metal, glass or plastic.
[0038] Referring now to Fig. 2, a charm 20 according to the invention includes
a
loop 22 coupled by one or more chain links or loops 24 to a charm element 26.
According to the invention, the charms are preferably provided in a wide range
of
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designs, including, but not limited to holiday themes, religious themes,
astrological
signs, varsity letters, graduation year, wedding themes, commercial characters
such
as Disney characters, TV characters, messages such as "I Love You", etc.
[0039] Turning now to Fig. 3 and with reference to Figs. I and 2, according to
the
methods of the invention, the setting 16 is separated from the post 14 as
shown in
Fig. 1. The loop 22 of the charm 20 is placed over the post 14 and the setting
is 16 is
reattached to the post as shown in Fig. 3. The chain link(s) 24 form(s) a
chain which is
preferably short enough so that when it is attached to the post, the charm
does not
hang between the wearer's fingers. According to the preferred methods of the
invention, up to three or more charms may be attached to the ring at any one
time.
Fig. 4 shows a ring with two charms 36 and 46 each coupled to a chain link 34,
44
coupled to a loop 32, 42. The loops 32, 42 are positioned over the post as
shown with
the setting on top. It will be appreciated that in order to accommodate
multiple
charms, the post may need to be elongated beyond the depth of the internal
threads
in the setting. If this is the case, blank spacer loops (i.e. without a charm)
may be
provided to cover exposed portions of the stem when fewer than the maximum
number of charms are attached.
[0040] Fig. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of a charm 120. The charm includes
a loop 122 coupled by a link 124 to a charm element 126. According to this
embodiment, the loop 122 has an ear 123 through which the link 124 extends.
This
ear allows the stacking of several loops on a post as shown for example in
Fig. 6 (with
the charm elements and links removed for clarity). There it can be seen that
three
loops having ears 123, 123, and 123" are placed over post 14 with the ears
circumferentially spaced apart. This arrangement allows the loops 122 to lie
flat
without the links 124 interfering.
[0041] Figs. 7 and 8 schematically illustrate a pendant 200 according to the
invention, The pendant includes a neck chain 202 and a pendant element 204
attached to the chain 202 by a link or loop 206. According to this embodiment,
the
pendant element 204 has a threaded post 214 similar to the post 14 described
in Fig.
1. A setting 16 like the setting described in Fig. I is adapted to threadably
engage the
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post 214. Charms (20 in Fig. 2 or 120 in Fig. 5) can be placed on the post 214
and
secured by attaching the setting 16.
[0042] Fig. 9 shows another example of neckwear according to the invention. A
necklace 300 according to the invention includes a rigid or semi rigid neck
ring 302
supporting three threaded posts 314, 314', and 314". Three settings 16 (Fig.
10) are
provided and charms are attached to the posts as described above. As with the
ring
and pendant embodiments, the setting 16 can be interchanged with other
settings
having different aesthetic appeal, complimenting the charms, individualized
for a
birthstone, zodiac symbol, monogram, etc. In other words, jewelry according to
the
invention (e.g, rings, neckwear, bracelets and earrings) can be assembled as a
system of settings, charms and jewelry items to which the settings and charms
can be
mixed and matched.
[0043] Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a second embodiment of a ring and charm
assembly according to the invention. The assembly 400 includes a closed loop
(ring)
412 which is dimensioned to fit comfortably over the wearer's finger. A
substantially
cylindrical "basket" 414 is mounted radially relative to the loop 412, The
basket has a
plurality of circumferential slots 415 and a pair of diametrically opposed
interior
bosses 417 (Fig. 12). A removable setting 416 is provided with a lower
cylinder 407
having an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the basket
414. The
cylinder 407 has a pair of diametrically opposed bayonet slots 418 which are
dimensioned to receive respective bosses 417 on the basket 414 and a spring
419
having a diameter smaller than the interior diameter of the cylinder 407 is
also
provided. A charm 420 includes a mounting ball 422 coupled by one or more
links 424
to a charm element 426. The mounting ball 422 has a diameter larger than the
width
of the slots 415 and the link 424 immediately connected to the ball 422 has a
dimension which is narrower than the width of the slots 415. From the
foregoing,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that the ring and charm(s) are
assembled by
placing the ball(s) 422 in slot(s) 415, placing the spring 419 into the basket
414,
placing the cylinder 407 over the spring 419, pressing the setting 416 into
the basket
with the opening to the bayonet slots 418 receiving the bosses 417, then
turning the
setting 416 until the bayonet slots 418 fully engage the bosses 417. When the
setting
416 is released, the spring 419 will force the setting up slightly, thereby
engaging the
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bosses in the vertical ends of the slots 418. ln order to remove the setting,
it must be
pushed against the spring and turned in the opposite direction. So long as the
setting
is captured by the bosses, the ends of the slots 415 are covered by the
setting and
the charm(s) 420 are securely attached to the ring. It will also be
appreciated that this
arrangement of a slotted basket spring and bayonet lock can be applied to
pendants
and necklaces as well.
[0044] Figs. 13 through 18 illustrate a third embodiment of a ring assembly
500
according to the invention. The assembly includes a closed loop (ring) 512
with a
frustroconical basket 514 mounted thereon. The basket 514 is provided with a
plurality
of slots 515 like the slots 415 in the third embodiment and they are
dimensioned to
capture charms of the type 420 (Fig. 11). A frustroconical setting 516 has a
lower lip
516a which has a slightly larger diameter than the top of the basket 514. The
setting
516 has an upper decorative stone 516b and a lower downward extending stem
507.
A smai4 cylinder 518 is provided with a radial boss 518a and a spring 519 is
also
provided. The bottom of the basket 514 has a keyhole 514a as shown in Fig. 14.
A
first disk 514b with a similar keyhole 514c is located inside the basket
spaced up from
the bottom of the basket. A second disk 514d having a circular hole 514e is
located
inside the basket 514 between the first disk 54b and the slots 515. The
keyholes 514a
and 514c are dimensioned to allow the passage of the cylinder 518 and boss
518a.
The circular hole 514e is dimensioned to allow the passage of the cylinder 518
but not
the boss 518a. The stem 507 is dimensioned to fit through all of the holes
514a, 514c,
514e an into the cylinder 518.
[0045] The ring assembly 500 is put together by placing the spring 519 into
the
basket 514 where it rests upon the disk 514d. The stem 507 of the setting 516
is then
inserted through the spring and through the hole 514e. The setting is pressed
down
against the spring until the stem 507 extends through the hole 514c and into
the hole
514a. The length of the stem is preferably long enough to lie flush with the
botfiom of
the basket but not pass through it. The cylinder 518 with its boss 518a is
then pressed
through the keyhole 514a and onto the bottom of the stem 507. The cylinder is
secured to the stem by any one or more of: force fitting, welding, gluing,
etc. With the
cylinder 518 securely coupled to the stem 507 of the setting, the setting can
be
released and, if the boss 518a is aligned with the keyway in the hole 514c,
the spring
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519 will lift the setting up to the position shown in Fig. 17 with the boss
abutting the
underside of the disk 514d. Pushing the setting down with the boss aligned
with the
keyway in the hole 514c will locate the boss beneath the disk 514b as shown in
Fig.
18. Turning the setting so that the boss is no longer aligned with the keyway
will trap
the boss beneath the disk 514b. In this position, the lip 516a of the setting
overlies the
top of the basket 514.
[0046] it wiii be appreciated that in the embodiment pictured and described,
the
setting is free to rotate 360 . According to a preferred reaiization of this
embodiment,
rotation of the setting is limited to about 90 from an open to ciosed
position. This is
accomplished by placing rotation limiting structures (not shown) on the disks
514b and
514d.
[0047] Fig. 19 shows a fourth embodiment of a ring assembly according to the
invention. The assembly includes a closed loop (ring) 612 and a basket 614
having
slots 615. The setting 616 has a centrally located downward extending hollow
post or
cylinder 618 with a radial opening 618a dimensioned to receive a radial boss
618b.
The basket 614 is provided with a central cylinder 614a which has a bayonet
slot
614b. The bayonet slot is preferably L-shaped, J-shaped, or boomerang shaped.
A
spring 619 is provided and is dimensioned to fit inside the post 618. The
cylinder
614a, the hollow post 618, and the boss 618b are dimensioned such that the
post 618
fits inside the cylinder 614a and the boss 618b extends into the slot 614b.
[0048] The assembly 600 is put together inserting the spring 619 into the post
618,
inserting the post and spring into the cylinder 614a, and inserting the boss
618b
through the slot 614b into the radial hole 618a in the post 618. An alternate
assembly
method is to continue the slot 614b to the top of the cylinder 614a so that
the post 618
with the boss 618acan be inserted into the cylinder and slot and then sealing
off the
top of the slot by welding or the like. Still another assembly method is to
pull the boss
out of the post into the slot after it is in the cylinder.
[0049] When the assembly is put together as shown in Fig. 20, the setting 616
is
biased upward and can be turned with the boss riding in the bayonet slot to an
upward
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open position (shown) or to a downward closed position (not shown). This
embodiment uses the same type of charms (420 in Fig. 11) as described above.
[0050] Fig. 21 shows a ring 700 according to the invention where the setting
716
has a magnetic post 718(or a magnet attached to the post) andlor a magnet is
disposed inside the basket 714.
[0051] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the rings according to
the
invention all define a finger axis at the center of the closed loop and a
setting axis
which is perpendicular to the finger axis. Charms are attached to the rings
(captured
by the settings) on an axis substantially perpendicular to the setting access
(not
accounting for the flexibility of the link(s) coupled to the charms).
[0052] Fig. 22 shows another pendant according to the invention having a
setting
816 which is movable or removable and one or more interchangeable charms 820.
[0053] Fig. 23 shows an earring 900 according to the invention having a
setting
916 which is movable or removable and one or more interchangeable charms 920.
[0054] Fig. 24 illustrates a bracelet 1000 according to the invention having
one or
more settings 1016 which are movable or removable and one or more
interchangeable charms 1020 associated with each setting.
[0055] There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of
an item of jewelry and methods of assembling it. While particular embodiments
of the
invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be
limited thereto,
as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will
allow and that
the specification be read likewise. Thus, while a ring with up to six charms
has been
disclosed, the maximum number of charms could be greater or fewer. Also while
charms have been shown with a chain or chain link connecting them to an end
which
is captured by a charm capturing fixture (e.g. threaded post or slot in a
basket), the
charms could be coupled by any flexible or rigid member to an end which is
captured
by a charm capturing fixture. Moreover, while the ca[ptured ends of charms
have
been illystrated and described as "balls", it will be appreciated that other
shapes which
perform the same function could be used. Ifi will therefore be appreciated by
those
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skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided
invention
without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.
