Customisable jewellery

Abstract

A customisable item of jewellery comprises a grid with a plurality of openings defining a plurality of distinct closely contiguous adornment locations, and attachment means suitable for releasably retaining a pin of an adornment in each selected one of the plurality of openings, whereby once a plurality of adornments are attached to the attachment means, a cluster of releasable adornments is formed.

Claims

1. A customisable item of jewellery comprising: a grid with a plurality of openings defining a plurality of distinct closely contiguous adornment locations; an attachment means suitable for releasably retaining a pin of an adornment in each selected one of said plurality of openings; whereby once a plurality of adornments are attached to said attachment means, a cluster of releasable adornments is formed; wherein said attachment means comprises a layer of resilient material which is provided beneath said grid and which spans a plurality of said openings; and whereby said layer of resilient material is positioned to receive a pin of an adornment, the pin being retained by frictional contact between the pin and the resilient material when the pin is inserted into the resilient material; and an upstanding peripheral wall that substantially surrounds the grid where the plurality of adornment locations are provided.

2. An item according to claim 1, wherein said wall comprises a recessed channel located on the inside surface of said wall for receiving said grid.

3. An item according to claim 2, wherein said wall comprises one or more flanges for carrying said grid.

4. An item according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of adornments which incorporate a head, and a pin projecting from said head for releasable attachment to said attachment means.

5. An item according to claim 4, wherein said pin comprises a barb.

6. An item according to claim 1, wherein the resilient material comprises a viscoelastic material.

7. An item according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of grids which are located at different heights relative to the lower most extremity of the item.

8. An item according to claim 1, wherein said grid is domed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) By way of example only, an embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an item of jewellery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of the item of jewellery of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a first side view of the item of jewellery of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a second side view of the item of jewellery of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the separate components of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIG. 7 is a cross-section, cut-away view of the embodiment in FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 8 is cross-section perspective view of a dome-shaped embodiment of the invention;

(11) FIGS. 9A-9B show close-up perspective views of an embodiment of an adornment;

(12) FIG. 9C shows a side view of an embodiment of an adornment,

(13) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an item of jewellery according to an embodiment;

(14) FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

(15) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention in FIG. 11; and

(16) FIGS. 13A-13C show perspective views of different designs of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

(17) The Figures show various views of a customisable item of jewellery. FIGS. 1-4 show the item in the form of a ring 10. The ring 10 comprises a metallic band 12 that defines an opening 14 for receiving a finger. The ring 10 further comprises a customisable region surrounded by an upstanding peripheral metallic wall 16. Within the wall 16 is a metallic plate in the form of a grid 18, hereafter referred to as an upper grille 18 that provides a plurality of tessellating hexagonal openings 20. In this way, metallic upper grille 18 and openings 20 form an interconnecting web lattice.

(18) For the sake of clarity, only one of the openings 20 is indicated in the Figures. The openings 20 each define a location for respectively receiving an adornment 22. Only one exemplary adornment 22 is shown in FIG. 1, but it will be appreciated that several similar adornments would be provided in order to assemble the item of jewellery fully (FIGS. 9A-9C). In this embodiment, each adornment 22 comprises a decorative element 24 in the form of a semi-precious jewel, which is attached to an end of a pin 26. The other free end of the pin 26 is inserted through an opening 20 in the direction of the arrow. Just below the upper grille 18 there is provided a block of rubber material 28 (FIGS. 5-8) that axially receives the pin 26 of the adornment 22 and releasably retains the pin 26 by friction alone. The ring 10 can be customised by pushing the pins 26 of several other adornments 22 through the openings 20 into the rubber material 28. The resilience and viscoelasticity of the rubber material 28 ensures that the appearance of the ring 10 can be repeatedly altered by removing and changing or relocating the adornments 22.

(19) The rubber material 28 is shown clearly in FIGS. 5 to 8. The nature of the rubber material allows the pins 26 to be held securely in place by friction, without movement. However it is flexible enough that the pins can be easily inserted and removed by the consumer and without the need of a professional jeweller.

(20) FIG. 5 shows how the components of the item (an upper grille 18, rubber 28, lower grille 19 and back plate 32) are layered together within wall 16. The wall 16 has an inner ledge 17 within which the upper grille 18 is placed securely to be held within the outer wall 16. In this embodiment, the upper grille 18 comprises a plurality of pre-determined openings 20 being circular in this instance, although, it is to be appreciated that the openings can be of a variety of shapes (FIGS. 13A-13C). The rubber material is inserted within the outer wall 16 below the upper grille 18. The layer of rubber material 28 is preferably between 3 mm-4 mm thick and contains pre-defined longitudinal holes 30 distributed throughout the layer which correspond to align with the openings 20 of the upper grille 18. Only one of these holes 30 is indicated in the figures. The rubber layer 28 is capable of receiving the barb part 25 of a pin 26 (FIGS. 1 and 9) which can insert the full way through the rubber until reaching the backing plate 32. The purpose of the rubber material is to receive the barbs of the adornments in such a way that the adornments can be secured in place in a manner in which it is easily removable. The additional backing plate 32 provides a closure disk upon which the tip of the barb 25 of the pin 26 of the adornment 22, rests, providing additional retention means.

(21) In an additional embodiment, the jewellery item might also include a lower grille 19 which may have pre-determined openings 21 and which may be secured between rubber layer 28 and the backing plate 32. In this embodiment, essentially one rubber layer will be sandwiched between upper grille 18 and lower grille 19. In this embodiment adornments 22 can be inserted into either oppositely positioned upper grille 18 or lower grille 19.

(22) In a further embodiment, the back plate 32 may itself be secured to the rubber layer 28. In a further embodiment, the back plate 32 may incorporate apertures of the kind shown in lower grille 19 in order to allow adornments 22 to be secured on either side of the item. Either the lower grille 19 or the backing plate 32 may be used in preferred embodiments to hold the rubber layer 28 in position. In certain embodiments when a lower grille 19 is provided with apertures 21, a portion of the adornments 22 may protrude under the lower grille 19. Other embodiments may also include an adhesive or an adhesive layer between upper grille 18 or lower grille 19 and the rubber layer 28.

(23) In a further embodiment, there may be one or more small very low protrusions or tabs on the inside of the frame outer wall 16. These may be just above the final position required for the lower grille 19 (grille that is under the rubber in embodiment when a lower grille is used). These protrusions or tabs (not shown) may be on each inner face of the wall or spaced around the perimeter of the inside of the outer wall 16. When tabs are employed, they may stop the lower grille 19 from moving upwards and provide a bed to stop uneven positioning, compressing the rubber layer 28 or tilting of the grille or other unwanted movements. When it is assembled in manufacture, the upper grille 18 may advantageously have small matching cut out shapes on its edge removed to allow it to move past the protruding tabs when it is being inserted into the open back of the frame of the jewellery item.

(24) In a further embodiment where the upper grille 18 has a lower diameter or has an area of reduced dimensions when compared to the lower grille 19, the outer wall 16 may also have a smaller diameter or an area of reduced dimensions above the lower grille 19 so that the upper grille 18 may be tightly secured despite it itself having a smaller diameter than the lower grille 19. It will then be sufficient to only secure the lower grille 18 to the outer wall by fastening means such as a tab, a weld, a backing plate etc.

(25) When fully assembled, the components of FIG. 5 form a layered item as shown in FIGS. 6-8. FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the top of an upper grille 18 which has been filled with adornments 22. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the adornments 22 as arranged in FIG. 6 within the upper grille 18. Here it can be clearly seen how the adornment 22 extends though both the upper grille 18 and the rubber layer 28. The decorative element 24 rests above the upper grille 18 within the wall 16. The barb 25 can be seen to have been inserted the full way through the rubber layer 28 with the pointed tip resting upon backing plate 32. The backing plate 32 prevents the barb from going further than necessary. The rubber layer 28 retains the adornment by means of friction. The remainder of the pin 26 can be seen to extend fully through both the openings 20 in upper grille 18 and the holes 30 in the rubber layer 28.

(26) FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the grille 18 itself is dome shaped. In this embodiment it is thought that the material will also be of a flexible variety. The adornments 22 are placed within the upper grille 18 in the same form as the previous embodiment in FIG. 7 with the pin 26 and barb 25 extending through the openings 20 in the upper grille and through holes 30 in the rubber 28 until reaching the backing plate 32. Each layer in this embodiment follows the curve of the dome of the upper grille 18.

(27) A clear image of embodiments of an adornment 22 is shown in FIGS. 9A-9C. The adornment 22 comprises decorative element 24 attached to the pin 26. The pin 26 has a barb part 25 at the end of the shaft of the pin. The shaft has a region of greater diameter which corresponds preferably precisely to the size of the aperture 20 provided in the upper grille 18. The region of greater diameter also provides for a more robust structure suitable for withstanding insert and release from the item of jewellery. The decorative element 24 can be of any variety including precious gem stones, shaped stones, decorative jewels and any appropriate feature. The shaft of the pin 26 can be any cylindrical shape, as can the barb 25. FIG. 9C shows a simplified side-view of an embodiment of an adornment 22 where the pin 26 has a uniform circumference for the entire length and the decorative element 24 has a raised gem stone.

(28) The barb 25 is to be releasably inserted into the upper grille 18, with the barb part 25 inserting fully into the rubber material layer 28 beneath, with the decorative element 24 of the adornment 22 remaining above the upper grille 18, still contained within outer wall 16.

(29) It is thought that the fully comprised item can be attached to an item of such as a ring or earring, by a suitable attachment means. FIG. 10 shows one embodiment in which the item is moulded to a ring by a looped welding 34. In alternative embodiments there could be attachment to a pendant, broach earring, necklace bracelet or any suitable item of jewellery. The attachment means in FIG. 10 is a loop 34 welded to the frame of the ring 12, however alternative attachment means such as a clasp, hook fastener or permanent attachment means is envisioned (FIG. 11).

(30) In use, an owner of the piece of can obtain just one upper grille 18 and separate, multiple adornments 22 of their choosing of a variety to fit within the particular upper grille 18. The adornments 22 can be of a variety of decorative elements 24. An owner can releasably insert these adornments into the upper grille 18 to their own choice and timing. A professional jeweller is not required due to the ease and simplicity by which the adornments 22 can be inserted and removed because of the viscoelastic material of the rubber layer 28. The upper grille 18 can be either fully or partially filled with adornments 22 at any one time. To insert an adornment 22, the pin 26 of an adornment 22 is inserted through any of the openings 20 in the upper grille 18, barbfirst, the entire way through the rubber layer 28 until the tip of the barb 25 reaches the backing plate 32. The rubber material 28 contains holes 30 of a number in excess of the number of openings 20 in the upper grille 18, to allow for differing positions and angles if desired. However, all the holes 30 can correspond and be aligned to openings 20. Once in place, the adornment 22 is secured by the rubber layer 28, outer wall 16 and backing plate 32. The wall 16 can either extend above the decorative element 24, as in FIG. 6 to provide extra protection to the decorative elements 24, or the decorative elements 24 can rest on the upper grille 18 extending above wall 16, as in FIG. 8. The alternative embodiments are envisioned to provide the user with a degree of choice.

(31) To remove an adornment 22 and replace with another, the adornment 22 is simply gripped and lifted back through the rubber layer 28 and though the upper grille 18. This is possible due to the viscoelastic material and the opening. Removal of one adornment 22 allows for an alternative adornment to be put in its place or the opening 20 can remain unfilled. It is also envisioned that the rubber layer 28 can be replaced at any point in time if damage or rips occur, caused by the barb 25.

(32) In an alternative embodiment the inner ledge 17 of wall 16 is a groove or indentation within which the upper grille 18 is inserted. In an alternative embodiment, a flange is included to increase the securement to retain the upper grille 18 in place. It is also to be appreciated that wall 16 can be of any 2D shape. For instance the shape of a semi-circle, a heart or a butterfly as shown in FIGS. 13A-13C respectively.

(33) In a further alternative embodiment, there may be a plurality of upper grilles 18 which are located at different heights relative to the lower most extremity of the item. This embodiment can be seen in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. In this embodiment, each layer has its own upper grille 18 and rubber layer 28. FIG. 11 shows this embodiment as a side view whereas FIG. 12 shows this embodiment in the form of a ring 12.

(34) FIG. 13, as mentioned previously, shows alternative designs of both the wall 16 and of the upper grille 18 and openings 20. In these embodiments, the adornments 22 will be modified for a suitable fit.

(35) In a further alternative embodiment, the rubber material 28 may be of any other suitable material including foam. In the preferred embodiment, the rubber layer is between 3-4 mm as aforementioned, however alternative embodiments are envisaged whereby the rubber layer is only 2 mm thick or less, particularly for embodiments where the openings 20 within the upper grille 18 are larger than 2.5 mm thick.

(36) In a further embodiment, the adornments 22 could be inserted into a frame shaped around a pre-determined single row of openings 20 in order to create a line of adornments 22.

(37) In a further embodiment, there may be provided a pair of parallel rows of openings.

(38) In a further embodiment, the item may incorporate a grille which is part of a sphere, or a hollow shape with a thin sheet of metal with openings of the kind mentioned previously. The hollow formed then by the grille of this kind may be filled with rubber or another appropriate material in order to facilitate the receipt of adornments 22.

(39) In a further embodiment, fastening means may be provided in any of the preceding embodiment to prevent the rubber layer 28 moving underneath the upper grille 18, moving laterally, and so the holes 30 in the rubber layer 28 do not line up with the openings 20 on the grille 18. In a preferred embodiment, one or more pegs extending downwards whilst being attached to underneath of the upper grille 18, preferably as part of the upper grille 18 may be incorporated. These may be integral to the upper grille 18 and may be made by metal casting. These may even be in predetermined holes in the rubber layer 28, or, upwards from the lower grille 19 instead as extending from the upper grille 18.