INTERCHANGEABLE JEWELRY BEAD SYSTEM

Abstract

An interlocking bead-plug system in which the beads are rubber or silicone and can be plugged together to create a chain. Each bead may have a female end with a hole and a male end with a protruding plug on opposing ends. The plug may be circular, elevated, and rubber. The hole can be stretched so that a second interlocking bead can fit through. The plug of the interlocking bead fits securely into the hole of the originating bead, creating the chain of beads.

Claims

1. A jewelry system, comprising: a plurality of pliable individual bead bodies, wherein each bead body contains two outward protrusions on each opposing end of the bead body wherein: a. one plug protrusion is elevated from the bead body; and b. an opposing receiver protrusion includes a cavity in a center of the receiver protrusion; such that when the cavity is stretched by a tensile force, the elevated plug protrusion of a different bead body can be securely plugged within the cavity of the receiver protrusion thereby forming an endless customizable chain.

2. The jewelry system according to claim 1, wherein the bead body further comprises a silicone material.

3. The jewelry system according to claim 1, wherein the bead body further comprises an elastomeric material.

4. The jewelry system according to claim 1, wherein the bead body further comprises a material having a hardness of Shore A 10-35.

5. The jewelry system according to claim 1, wherein the bead body further comprises a material having a hardness of Shore A 20-30.

6. The jewelry system according to claim 1, wherein the bead body further comprises a material having a hardness of Shore 00 45-86.

7. The jewelry system according to claim 1, wherein the bead body further comprises a material having a hardness of Shore 00 55-76.

8. The jewelry system according to claim 1, wherein the cavity further comprises a circular perimeter forming cylinder.

9. A jewelry system comprising: a plurality of resilient bead bodies, wherein each bead body contains two outward circular protrusions on each opposing end of the bead body wherein: a. one circular protrusion is elevated from the bead body; and b. an opposing circular protrusion includes a cavity in a center of the circular protrusion; such that when the cavity is stretched by an tensile force, the elevated circular protrusion of a different bead body can be securely plugged within the cavity of the bead body forming an interlocking bead system adapted for wear.

10. The jewelry system according to claim 9, wherein the bead body further comprises a silicone material.

11. The jewelry system according to claim 9, wherein the bead body further comprises an elastomeric material.

12. The jewelry system according to claim 9, wherein the bead body further comprises a material having a hardness of Shore A 10-35.

13. The jewelry system according to claim 9, wherein the bead body further comprises a material having a hardness of Shore A 20-30.

14. The jewelry system according to claim 9, wherein the bead body further comprises a material having a hardness of Shore 00 45-86.

15. The jewelry system according to claim 9, wherein the bead body further comprises a material having a hardness of Shore 00 55-76.

16. The jewelry system according to claim 9, wherein the cavity further comprises a circular perimeter forming cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from the following more particular description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like references characters refer to the same parts through the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon the principles of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a top-perspective view of a single bead body according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the portion of the bead body shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the same bead body from the side perspective with the front female end closest to the viewer according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the same bead body from the side as shown in FIG. 3 except, the back male end is closest to the viewer according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the same bead body of FIG. 1 from a side perspective with the front female end on the left and the back male end on the right according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the same bead body, where the back-male protruding end is above the front female end according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of a bead body, where the back protruding male end is below the front female end according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates the interlocking process of two beads bodies through the use of a tool according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates a construction of interlocked chain of beads customized according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative construction of interlocked chain of beads utilized and customized according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 11 illustrates yet another alternative construction of interlocked chain of beads utilized and customized according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] As illustrated through FIGS. 1-11, in accordance with various constructions, an interlocking bead system and, more specifically, a customizable interlocking bead-plug system, as an article of chain jewelry, can be adapted for wear around a portion of a human body. A plurality of interlocking rubber plugs in an interlocking arrangement in which the plugs have a loop and an elevated platform. One end includes a loop which can expand to pull another plug's platform through to create a chain which can be in the form of an accessory to be worn around various areas of the human body, animal, or employed for similar decorative uses. These plugs interlocked in such a manner that a chain of jewelry is created.

[0030] Adapted for wear can contemplate some amount of adjustment or additional configuration such as opening and/or closing and/or some amount of expansion such as one or more elastic regions and/or tight and loose-fitting regions. Accordingly, the configuration of the wearable devices and the manner in which the wearable device is worn by an individual may vary.

[0031] Within the following description of the illustrative constructions, there is reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is shown through illustration, a bracelet. In other constructions, the interlocking bead system can be used to create a band, chain, hoop, or the like that can be worn or used for similar decorative purposes. Other constructions can be utilized and modified while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1-11, the bead body does not particularly have a front and back end. However, for purposes of ease of explanation, the front of the bead is the female end with a gap/cavity and the back of the bead is the male end with a protrusion. Moreover, the top of the bead, for purposes of clarification, is the view where the male end sticks out and the bottom view of the bead is where the male end protrudes below.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, each unitary bead body 60 contains a circular male end 40 (e.g., plug protrusion) and circular female end 27 (e.g., receiver protrusion) on the opposite side of the bead body 60. The male end 40 and female end 27 may be connected by a straight segment of silicone/rubber 20, 25, 26. The height of hole 5 is measured to fit firmly around the elevated separation beneath the plug 51. The plug 40 which is elevated off the surface of the bead 51 wherein the hole 10 can be looped through by pulling and stretching the rim 6 around the plug 40 by virtue of the pliable bead body material to provide a snug-fit.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-11, generally, each bead body 60 is designed to have the same/equal measurement to enable the support of the other bead bodies 51. However, the size of each bead is not limited to size so long as each bead and pod is of the same form and symmetry.

[0035] As seen in FIGS. 8 and 7, the interlocking system places the top female end of the originating bead 27 and the bottom male end of the interlocking bead 41 in direct contact, forming the chain of jewelry.

[0036] According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, the female end 27 is circular and on the same plane as the connective piece 20, 26. The hole 6 in the female end 10, can be expanded by pulling on the inner portion of the hole 6. The male end 30, does not have a gap and extends away 50 from the connective silicone run 20, 25, 26. The circular head of the male end 30, 40 is of the same size as the female end.

[0037] In this way, the gap 10 in the female end can be expanded by pulling on the inner opening 6. The female end 27 of another beadthe interlocking bead (plugging bead)can then be pulled through the opening 10 of another bead as indicated in FIG. 8. The female end 27 of the interlocking bead can be pulled through the expanded gap 10 of the originating bead until the underbelly of the male end of the interlocking bead 41 fits squarely on top of the female end 27 of the original bead, effectively plugging the two beads together. It should be noted that the female end 27 of the interlocking bead may pass through the top female end 27 of the originating bead and not through the female underbody of the originating bead 28.

[0038] According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, the bead body 60 may be made of a silicone material or elastomeric material. As some more specific examples, the bead body 60 may be made from a polymeric, such as ethylvinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane, and/or thermoplastic materials. EVA is an elastomeric polymer that produces materials which are rubber-like in softness and flexibility. The material has good clarity and gloss, low-temperature toughness, stress-crack resistance, waterproof properties, and resistance to UV radiation.

[0039] In some implementations, the bead body 60 may be formed of a material having a hardness of Shore A 10-35 (extra soft to soft) or a hardness of Shore 00 45-86. Preferably, bead body 60 may be formed of a material having a hardness of Shore A 20-30 or a hardness of Shore 00 55-76. These softness ranges enable the bead body 60 to be stretched and urged to interlock together to form an interlocking bead system.

[0040] According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, FIG. 8 represents the interlocking process in which the female end 27 of the R beadthe interlocking beadis pulled through the expanded gap 6, 10 of the P beadthe originating bead. The underbelly of the male end 41 of the interlocking R bead will then side firmly on top of the top of the female end 27 of the originating P bead. The female end of the R bead is connected to the P bead by expanding the female end of the P bead and pulling the female end of the R bead through the female end of the P bead. The beads lock when the female end of the R bead plugs into the female end of the P bead. The male end of the R bead acts as a plug and connects the beads together to form a chain.

[0041] Turning to FIGS. 8, upon completion of interlocking two beads, the male underbelly of the interlocking bead 41 will touch the top of the female end 27 of the originating bead. This plugging process can continue to form a unique chain. The originating bead and the final bead of the chain can be connected to make a hoop or left open and create a chain as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Various other embodiments, modifications, and variations will occur to individuals of ordinary skill in the art after a review of this disclosure.

[0042] According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, an interlocking bead system may include an individual silicone bead body 60 wherein each bead body contains two outward circular protrusions on each opposing end of the bead body wherein: One circular protrusion is elevated from the bead body. The opposing circular protrusion includes a cavity in a center of the circular protrusion; such that when the cavity is stretched, the elevated circular protrusion of a different bead body can be securely plugged within the cavity of another bead body thus allowing for an endless customizable chain.

[0043] According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, an interlocking bead plug system may include a plurality of resilient or pliable beads 60 wherein each bead contains two circular projections on a single bead. The two circular projections are on the ends of each bead and connected by a unitary piece of silicone. The circular projection is elevated while the other is not elevated and contains a cavity 10 in the center. The elevated circular projection can plug into the cavity of a different bead when the cavity is expanded. After expansion, the elevated circular projection securely fits within the cavity of the other bead, allowing for an endless, customizable chain.

[0044] According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, an interlocking chain system includes individual pieces of silicone. Each silicone piece 60 has one male and one female end, which are connected by a straight connecting silicone piece. The male end is circular and ejects upwards and out. The female end is circular and is level with the connecting silicone piece. The female end has a circular hole in the center of it. When the circular hole is expanded, the elevated circular part of another bead can plug into the hole in another.

[0045] According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, an interlocking rubber jewelry plug arrangement wherein each unitary bead 60 has a hole 10 and a plug 40 on opposing ends. The plug may be circular or other shapes, elevated, and rubberized. The hole 10 of one bead fits over the plug 40 of another bead. The hole 10 can be stretched over the plug 40 of another bead 60 to form the chain of beads. In the alternative, the elevated plug 40 can be pushed through a second beads hole to form the interlocking chain of jewelry. Through looping or forcing the plug 40 into a second beads hole the two beads are then securely fit together.

[0046] According to one or more constructions of the described technologies, a chain or wire interlocking jewelry system in which the interlocking jewelry system can be formed or adapted to be worn on various portions of the human body or animal, including but not limited to the ankle, wrist, neck, waist, etc. The rubber beads 60 may be an interlocking chain that fit into one another to form the jewelry that can be worn on various portions of the body. The rubber beads each have a hole 10 on one end and an elevated plug 60 on the other. The plug on one end of the bead is elevated and formed to fit within the hole of a second bead. The hole can be expanded and stretched over the elevated plug 40 of another bead or the elevated plug can be pushed through the hole of a second bead. Through the repetition of plugging one bead into another or stretching the hole of one bead over the others plug the chain is formed and can be fit to be worn on different portions of the body.

[0047] While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0048] The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent disclosure. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent disclosure, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent disclosure. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent disclosure, as amended during prosecution of this patent disclosure, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent disclosure. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0049] The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one exemplification of the disclosure, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

[0050] The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent disclosure, to adequately provide background information for this patent disclosure. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent disclosure, as amended during prosecution of this patent disclosure, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent disclosure. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0051] All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various exemplifications may be used with at least one exemplification or all of the exemplifications, if more than one exemplification is described herein.

[0052] The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent disclosure, to adequately summarize this patent disclosure. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent disclosure, as amended during prosecution of this patent disclosure, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent disclosure. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0053] The details in the patents, patent disclosures and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

[0054] The purpose of the title of this patent disclosure is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent disclosure. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0055] The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. section 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. section 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

[0056] Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0057] The embodiments (may be alternatively used as exemplifications) of the present disclosure described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and not intended to be limiting. Additionally, the words including, having, and variants thereof (e.g., includes and has) as used herein, including the claims, shall be open-ended and have the same meaning as the word comprising and variants thereof (e.g., comprise and comprises).

[0059] The embodiments of the disclosure as described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0060] Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.