Abstract
An interchangeable jewelry device includes a locket including a body and a cover. The body defines a cavity, and the cover attaches to the body by a hinge. A case includes a socket sized to receive the body of the locket. A first magnet is positioned on an exterior surface of the body of the locket. A second magnet is positioned on an interior surface of the socket of the case that mates with the first magnet of the body of the locket when the locket is positioned in the socket of the case.
Claims
1. An interchangeable jewelry device comprising: a locket including a body and a cover, wherein the body defines a cavity, and wherein the cover attaches to the body by a hinge; a case including a socket sized to receive the body of the locket; a first magnet positioned on an exterior surface of the body of the locket; and a second magnet positioned on an interior surface of the socket of the case that mates with the first magnet of the body of the locket when the locket is positioned in the socket of the case.
2. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 1, wherein the case includes a securing mechanism that engages with the item of jewelry.
3. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 2, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a bail.
4. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 3, wherein the bail receives a chain of a necklace.
5. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 2, wherein the securing mechanism comprises at least one pair of lugs, each lug including an embedded hole for receiving a link.
6. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 5, wherein the at least one pair of lugs of the case component receives a link of a watch.
7. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 5, wherein the at least one pair of lugs of the case component receives a link of a bracelet.
8. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cases, wherein each case component includes a socket sized to receive the body of the locket, and a plurality of second magnets, each second magnet positioned on an interior surface of each socket of each case that mates with the first magnet of the body of the locket when the locket is positioned in a socket of the case.
9. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lockets, each locket including a body and a cover, and a plurality of first magnets, where each first magnet is positioned on an exterior surface of the body of each locket.
10. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 1, wherein a surface defining the socket of the case includes at least one channel, and wherein the body of the locket includes at least one post that engages with the at least one channel of the surface.
11. An interchangeable jewelry device comprising: a locket including a body and a cover, wherein the body defines a cavity, wherein the cover attaches to the body by a hinge, and wherein the body of the locket includes at least one post; a case including a socket sized to receive the body of the locket, wherein a surface defining the socket of the case includes at least one channel; wherein the at least on post engages the at least one channel of the surface of the case.
12. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 11, wherein the case includes a securing mechanism that engages with the item of jewelry.
13. The interchangeable jewelry device of claim 12, wherein the securing mechanism comprises one of a lug and a bail.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of an interchangeable jewelry device including locket having a cover in an open position and a case of the present application.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the jewelry device of FIG. 1 showing the cover of the locket in the closed position.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the jewelry device of FIG. 1 showing the locket within the case.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of the locket of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of the locket having the cover in the open position of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIGS. 6A-6D are the perspective view of the front, the perspective view of the back, the front elevational view, and the side elevational view of the locket of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIGS. 7A and 7B are plan views of the locket of FIG. 1 with and without the cover, respectively, showing dimensions.
[0032] FIGS. 8A-8D are the perspective view of the front, the perspective view of the back, the front elevational view, and the side elevational view of the case of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the case of FIG. 1 showing dimensions.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of the case and a perspective view from below of the locket of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate various embodiments of securing mechanisms of the case of the present application.
[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates alternative embodiments of the jewelry device of present application used with a variety of items of jewelry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the interchangeable jewelry device 100 of the present application includes a locket 102 with a body 104 and a cover 106 that is received into a socket 108 of a case 110. The case 110 can be integrated into various items of jewelry 112 such as a necklace, a bracelet, a watch, or a brooch such as those shown in FIG. 13. Similarly, the locket 102 within the case 110 is interchangeable so that the user can select a locket 102 from a variety having different designs, stones, or appearances.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6A-6D, the body 104 of the locket 102 defines a cavity 114 for storing items such as keepsake photos, scent pads or makeup, personal items, or a watch or mirror. The cover 106 attaches to the body 104 by a hinge 116 and clasp 118. The socket 108 of the case 110 is sized to receive the body 104 of the locket 102. In one example, the locket 102 has dimensions noted in Table 1 and as seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Sample dimensions for the locket 102 Reference Nominal Dimension (FIGS. 7A and 7B) (mm) A 28.68 B 22.39 C 28.66
[0039] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate an embodiment of the case 110 including the socket 108. In one example, the case 110 has dimensions noted in Table 2 and as seen in FIG. 9.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Sample dimensions for the case 110 Reference Nominal Dimension (FIG. 9) (mm) D 38.60 E 27.14 F 11.50 G 2.57
[0040] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the locket 102 is held within the case 110 through the use of corresponding magnets 120, 122. A first magnet 120 is positioned on an exterior surface 124 of the body 104 of the locket 102. A second magnet 122 is positioned on an interior surface 126 of the socket 108 of the case 110. The second magnet 122 mates with the first magnet 120 of the body 104 of the locket 102 when the locket 102 is positioned in the socket 108 of the case 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnets 120, 122 are positioned within an inset cavity so that the magnet 120, 122 is flush with the adjacent surface 124, 126. Any number of magnets 120, 122 may be used. Further, the magnets 120, 122 may be adhered atop the surface 124, 126 or the magnetic properties may be formed integral with the surfaces 124, 126.
[0041] The locket 102 may also be further secured within the case 110 through a post 128 and channel 130 connection as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The body 104 of the locket 102 includes one or more outwardly extending posts 128. A surface 132 of the case 110 defining the socket 108 includes one or more channels 130 for receiving the one or more posts 128 of the locket 102. The channels 130 have a series of steps so that the post(s) 128 of the locket 102 move through the vertical portions 130a of the channel 130 as the locket 102 is inserted into the socket 108 and then the post(s) 128 of the locket 102 move through the horizontal portion 130b of the channel 130 as the locket 102 is rotated within the socket 108. In other embodiments, the channel may Other mechanical means for securing the locket 102 within the case 110 may be used in lieu of or in combination with the post 128 and the channel 130 configuration.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the case 110 may also include a securing mechanism 134 for attaching to a bracelet, a necklace, a brooch, or other items of jewelry. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, 8A-8D, and 11B, the securing mechanism 134 includes first and second pairs of lugs 136, each lug 136 including an embedded hole 138 for receiving one of a link and a hinge of an item of jewelry 112 as shown in FIG. 13. A bracelet or watch may connect to the pair or pairs of lugs 136. FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a case 110 including first and second pairs of lugs 136 that extend downwardly from the case 110 so as to curve along with the user's wrist when worn as a bracelet or watch 112. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, the securing mechanism 134 is a bail 140 with an opening 142 for stringing through a chain or pin in the case of necklaces and brooches. Other types of securing mechanisms may be used as preferred or required by the corresponding item of jewelry.
[0043] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.
