Interchangeable Jewelry System

Abstract

An interchangeable jewelry system is provided. An article of jewelry such as a bracelet, earring, ring, anklet, toe ring or necklace, among others, may each comprise at least one end terminating in a threaded post configured to securely, yet removably, receive a bauble or charm by way of a threaded female portion integrated thereon. A variety of baubles, charms, and even articles of jewelry may be provided so that each charm or bauble may be optionally and alternatively secured to any of the possible articles of jewelry as desired.

Claims

1. An interchangeable jewelry system, comprising: at least one article of jewelry, the at least one article of jewelry having at least one end terminating in a threaded post; and a plurality of selectable one-piece baubles, each bauble defined by a three-dimensional body, the body further comprising a single threaded female portion configured to partially penetrate the body, wherein the threaded female portion is configured to threadedly receive the threaded post of the at least one article of jewelry.

2. The interchangeable jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the at least one article of jewelry is selected from the group consisting of a bracelet, necklace, ring, earring, toe ring, anklet, and cuff.

3. The interchangeable jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the at least one article of jewelry is formed as an at least semirigid cuff having a first end and a second end.

4. The interchangeable jewelry system of claim 3, wherein at least the first end terminates in the threaded post.

5. The interchangeable jewelry system of claim 3, wherein the semirigid cuff is sized to receive a wrist.

6. The interchangeable jewelry system of claim 3, wherein the semirigid cuff is sized to receive a finger.

7. The interchangeable jewelry system of claim 3, wherein the semirigid cuff is sized to receive a toe.

8. The interchangeable jewelry system of claim 3, wherein the semirigid cuff is sized to be threadable through a pierced ear hole.

9. The interchangeable jewelry system of claim 3, wherein the semirigid cuff is configured to be clipable to an ear lobe.

10. A kit comprising: at least one article of jewelry, the at least one article of jewelry having at least one end terminating in a threaded post; and at least one selectable one-piece bauble defined by a three-dimensional body having a single threaded female portion configured to partially penetrate the body, wherein the threaded female portion is configured to threadedly receive the threaded post of the at least one article of jewelry.

11. An article of jewelry, comprising: an at least semirigid cuff having a first end and a second end, at least one end terminating in a threaded post, wherein the threaded post is configured to threadedly mate with one of a plurality of selectable one-piece baubles, each bauble defined by a three-dimensional body defining a single threaded female portion partially penetrating the body, wherein the threaded female portion is configured to threadedly receive the threaded post.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of some exemplary, assembled elements comprising the interchangeable jewelry system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the interchangeable jewelry system of FIG. 1 being disassembled.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of an interchangeable jewelry system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of an interchangeable jewelry system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0020] The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1 one embodiment of an article of jewelry in accordance with the invention is an at least semirigid cuff 10 which may be variously sized in terms of length and width to accommodate a wearer's neck, wrist, or finger. Of course, the size may even vary to accommodate differently sized wearer's in general as well. The cuff 10 may comprise a first and second end 12a, 12b, A first and a second bauble 14a, 14b may be disposed respectively on the first and second ends 12a, 12b.

[0023] Turning to FIG. 2, it may be seen that at least the second bauble 14b may be removed from the second end 12b to reveal that the second end 12b terminates in a threaded post 16. More particularly, the second bauble 14b may define a three-dimensional body, such as the generally spherical globe shown, further defining a threaded female portion 18 configured to at least partially penetrate the three-dimensional body. The width of the threaded post 16 and threaded female portion 18 may be complementary so that each element may become securely, yet removably, threadably engaged with the other.

[0024] In some embodiments, removing a bauble may enable someone to thread or slide additional charms, beads, or baubles onto the length of cuff to further personalize the article of jewelry. Replacing a bauble on the end of such cuff may retain the additional charms, beads, or baubles along the cuff.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first bauble 14a may be similarly removable from the first end 12a of the cuff 10 to reveal another threaded post. However, it is also contemplated that one or more baubles may be permanently secured to the cuff. This may be desirable, for example, if the first bauble 14a comprises some indicia of branding that a seller might desire to be permanently displayed on an article of jewelry.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 3, the one or more articles of jewelry may take additional or alternative forms without departing from the invention. For instance, one embodiment of a necklace 20 is shown. The necklace may comprise a chain 22 or cord securable around the neck of a wearer by way of any desirable clasp 24. In addition, the necklace may comprise an end 26 terminating in a threaded post 28 operative to threadably mate with a bauble, such as the second bauble 14b as described above. Additionally, it may be seen that a nonlimiting variety of desirably shaped baubles may be threadably secured to the necklace instead. For instance, a three dimensional heart 32, horseshoe 34, and star 36 are each shown to define a threaded female portion 18 operative to threadbly mate with the threaded post 28 of the necklace 20. Such variously formed baubles may comprise embellishments, such as the crystals 38 embedded on the second bauble 14b, though the appearance of the baubles, including texture, color, and arrangement of any embellishments if at all, will not limit the invention. Thus, any bauble may optionally and alternatively replace another on the end 26 of the necklace 28. Indeed, it is even contemplated that a variety of baubles may be threadably secured to another article of jewelry such as the cuff described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 above. Thus the system may be fully interchangeable.

[0027] Another alternative form for the article of jewelry may be seen in FIG. 4, though such article operates according to the same principles described above. An earring 40, here shaped like a hoop or cuff, may be provided which may be threadably received through a pierced portion of a wearer's ear 42. Other embodiments are of course contemplated. As one nonlimiting example, the earring may comprise a post including a downward facing end defining the threaded post operative to threadably mate with any desirable bauble. Of course, any baubles applicable to an earring in accordance with the invention may be similarly secured and interchanged with others, and even applied to additional articles of jewelry, as described above.

[0028] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

[0029] Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0030] While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

[0031] The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0032] Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the interchangeable jewelry system with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the interchangeable jewelry system to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the interchangeable jewelry system is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

[0033] While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

[0034] While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system, and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the interchangeable jewelry method.