RECONFIGURABLE JEWELRY

Abstract

In an illustrative embodiment, a reconfigurable jewelry piece such as an earring comprises hinged, articulating segments. Adjacent segments can be opened about a hinge, and when fully open the jewelry piece appears to have multiple geometric shapes attached to each other with swinging movement. The adjacent segments can also be closed about the hinge, in which case a closed segment fits around (circumscribes) the adjacent, smaller segment, making them appear unitary.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable jewelry piece comprising: a central section having a facing side and an outer periphery; a first annulus comprising a first segment fixed to the central section, and a second segment hinged along a first hinge axis to the first segment, the first hinge axis perpendicular to a normal axis of the facing side, the first annulus configured such that, in a first stable configuration, the first annulus appears attached to and suspended below the central section, with free motion of the second segment in a first range about the first hinge axis, and in a second stable configuration, the second segment is rotated about the first hinge axis and secured to the central section such that the first annulus appears circumscribed about the outer periphery of the central section when viewing the facing side; and a second annulus comprising a third segment fixed to the second segment opposite the first segment, and a fourth segment hinged along a second hinge axis to the third segment, the second hinge axis perpendicular to the normal axis of the facing side, the second annulus configured such that, in a third stable configuration, the second annulus appears attached to and suspended below the first annulus, with free motion in a second range about the second hinge axis, and in a fourth stable configuration, the fourth section is rotated about the second hinge axis and secured to the first annulus such that the second annulus appears circumscribed about the first annulus when viewing the facing side of the central section.

2. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 1, wherein the outer periphery of the central section, an inner periphery of the first annulus, an outer periphery of the first annulus, an inner periphery of the second annulus, and an outer periphery of the second annulus are each polygons.

3. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 2, wherein the polygons are regular polygons having an even number of sides.

4. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 3, wherein the regular polygons are hexagons.

5. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 3, wherein the regular polygons are octagons.

6. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 2, wherein the polygons are hexagons or octagons.

7. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 1, wherein the first annulus and the second annulus each have substantially a same annular width.

8. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 7, the central section comprising a third annulus having an outer periphery that is substantially the outer periphery of the central section, the third annulus having substantially the same annular width as the first and second annuli.

9. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 8, the central section having a back side and further comprising a post affixed to the back side for attaching the earring through a body piercing of the wearer.

10. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 9, the central section comprising an inner body fixed to and lying within an inner periphery of the third annulus.

11. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 10, wherein the inner body, the third annulus, and the first segment are integrally formed.

12. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 10, the post fixed to the back side of the inner body.

13. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 10, the first, second, and third annuli having a first thickness normal to the face of the central section, the inner body having a second thickness less than the first thickness.

14. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 1, wearable in a first overall configuration comprising the first annulus in the first stable configuration and the second annulus in the third stable configuration.

15. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 14, wearable in a second overall configuration comprising the first annulus in the second stable configuration and the second annulus in the fourth stable configuration.

16. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 15, wearable in a third overall configuration comprising the first annulus in the second stable configuration and second annulus in the third stable configuration.

17. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 14, wearable in a third overall configuration comprising the first annulus in the second stable configuration and second annulus in the third stable configuration.

18. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 1, further comprising first complementary engagement features located respectively on the outer periphery of the central section and on an inner periphery of the second segment, the first complementary engagement features releasably engageable in the second stable configuration.

19. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 1, further comprising second complementary engagement features located respectively on the outer periphery of the first annulus and on an inner periphery of the fourth segment, the second complementary engagement features releasably engageable in the fourth stable configuration.

20. The reconfigurable jewelry piece of claim 1, configured as an earring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments. The accompanying drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Any values dimensions illustrated in the accompanying graphs and figures are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Where applicable, some or all features may not be illustrated to assist in the description of underlying features. In the drawings:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a jewelry earring, in a fully open configuration;

[0006] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the jewelry earring, in a fully closed configuration;

[0007] FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the jewelry earring, in a fully closed configuration;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a left top perspective view of the jewelry earring, an outer segment of the embodiment partially unfolded to show detail of a middle segment of the embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 5 is a left top perspective view of the jewelry earring, almost completely unfolded to show hinge points of the embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the jewelry earring, half unfolded to show detail of the middle segment of the embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 7 is a bottom left perspective view of the jewelry earring, almost completely unfolded to show hinge points of the embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the jewelry earring, half unfolded to show detail of the middle segment and inner section of the embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the jewelry earring, with the outer segment fully unfolded and the middle segment completely folded in a third wearing configuration;

[0014] FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the jewelry earring, with the outer segment fully unfolded and the middle segment completely folded in a third wearing configuration; and

[0015] FIG. 11 is a front left perspective view of the jewelry earing, with the outer segment almost fully unfolded and the middle segment completely folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended to be a description of various, illustrative embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Specific features and functionalities are described in connection with each illustrative embodiment; however, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be practiced without each of those specific features and functionalities.

[0017] Reference throughout the specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Further, it is intended that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter cover modifications and variations thereof.

[0018] FIGS. 1-11 show different perspectives of a first embodiment, and/or different hinge positions. Where one or more figures show the hinges in a unique positioning, those figures are enumerated as such (for instance, FIG. 1 shows a completely open configuration 100, and FIGS. 2 and 3 both show a completely closed configuration 200). Common reference numbers are used throughout the drawing to refer to common elements.

[0019] A general description will first be made with reference to FIG. 1, which shows an embodiment in an open configuration 100 from a facing side (the side seen of an earring when looking at the side of the head of the wearer). In an open configuration, the earring appears as three attached regular hexagons, arranged smallest to largest when viewed top to bottom. The top hexagon comprises a hexagonal annulus 110 and an inner body 112. In this embodiment, inner body 112 is a polished planar section, which is integrally formed (e.g., cast or milled) with annulus 110, which generally has a thicker cross-section than the inner body. The middle hexagon comprises a top segment 114 and a bottom segment 120, which are hinged together. The lower hexagon also comprises a top segment 124 and a bottom segment 130, which are also hinged together. Note that top segment 114 is actually fixed to annulus 110the two may be cast together (in which case a scribe line or other feature may serve to camouflage that the two pieces are one), or soldered or otherwise joined after separate fabrication. Similarly, top segment 124 of the lower hexagon is fixed to bottom segment 120 of the middle hexagon.

[0020] The two hinged joints may be formed by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as pins placed through the hinged parts, cast pins on the ends of one hinged piece that are captured by complementary depressions in the mating pieces during assembly, etc. The hinge axis for each hinge is perpendicular to a normal axis of the facing side of the earring. Generally, in the open configuration of the earring, the hinges allow the bottom segments to swing freely about the hinge axis with respect to the paired top segments, at least within a normal range that would be expected with head movement of the wearer.

[0021] Also depicted in FIG. 1, a small semicircular nubbin 116 is cast along the upper leg of the periphery of annulus 110. This is an engagement feature which will be used to hold segment 120 and segment 110 together in a closed configuration, as will be depicted next. A complementary semicircular depression (not visible in this view, visible as 128 in FIG. 8) is disposed along an inner periphery of the lower leg of segment 120. These two engagement features click together to releasably secure 110 and 120 together in a stable closed configuration.

[0022] Turning now to FIG. 2, the facing side of the same earring embodiment is depicted in a closed configuration 200. In the closed configuration 200, segment 120 has been folded about its hinge point with segment 114 until flush with the facing side of upper hexagon 110. Nubbin 116 (not visible) has been engaged with depression 128 (also not visible) to secure 110 and 120 together. Likewise, segment 130 has been folded about its hinge point with segment 124 until flush with the facing side of segment 120. An additional nubbin and depression secure the two together (not visible here, but will be shown below).

[0023] FIG. 3 also shows the closed configuration 200, but from the back side of the earring. The opposite side of each of the folding features is visible here. Also, a post 140 is visible in end view, affixed to inner body 112. The post can be inserted in a wearer's piercing (and captured from the back of the ear by an earring back, not shown) to hold the earring in place in either of configurations 100 or 200.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows the earring in a transitional configuration 400, where segment 130 is partially open, allowing a view from the side of many parts of the earring, including post 140. Newly visible is a nubbin 126 on the outer periphery of segment 120, which serves as an engagement feature to secure segments 120 and 130 together when folded.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates an open configuration 500, but showing each of segments 120 and 130 with a small amount of swing about their respective hinge points, as might exist intermittently as a wearer moves their head.

[0026] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show additional transitional articulated configuration views 600, 700, and 800, respectively. Nubbin 126 is visible in FIG. 8, which engages with a depression 138 (visible in FIG. 11) on the inner periphery of segment 130 to secure segment 130 to segment 120 in a closed position.

[0027] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an additional wearable configuration 900 that is half open and half closed. In this configuration, segment 120 is folded closed and segment 130 remains open. FIG. 11 also shows this third wearable configuration as a transitional configuration 1100, but illustrates the articulation of the lower hexagon present

[0028] Faces of the annular sections of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 are depicted with ornamental jewels fixed thereto, which are optional in a particular embodiment and not necessary to the structural and utilitarian features described herein. Also, inner body 112 may itself be optionalin some embodiments, a post or other attachment means can be fixed to the back side of annulus 110, e.g., in the top middle, and the inner body 112 omitted.

[0029] Although the annular sections depicted in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 are regular hexagons, many other geometric configurations are possible. These include other polygons, such as trapezoids, rectangles, squares, irregular hexagons, and higher-order regular or irregular polygons, such as octagons and decagons. Embodiments are also envisioned wherein the annular sections comprise at least some curved segments. Although three reconfigurable sections are depicted, a given embodiment could include four or more sections.

[0030] Although the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 is configured for wearing through an ear piercing via a post affixed to the back side of the earring, other configurations are contemplated. These include configurations adapted for piercings other than ear piercings. These also include jewelry worn via a clip or chain or other attachment/suspension means.

[0031] Reference throughout the specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Further, it is intended that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter cover modifications and variations thereof.

[0032] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context expressly dictates otherwise. That is, unless expressly specified otherwise, as used herein the words a, an, the, and the like carry the meaning of one or more. Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as left, right, top, bottom, front, rear, side, height, length, width, upper, lower, interior, exterior, inner, outer, and the like that may be used herein merely describe points of reference and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, terms such as first, second, third, etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components, steps, operations, functions, and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular configuration or orientation.

[0033] All of the functionalities described in connection with one embodiment are intended to be applicable to the additional embodiments described, except where expressly stated or where the feature or function is incompatible with the additional embodiments. For example, where a given feature or function is expressly described in connection with one embodiment but not expressly mentioned in connection with an alternative embodiment, it should be understood that the inventor intended that that feature or function may be deployed, utilized or implemented in connection with the alternative embodiment unless the feature or function is incompatible with the alternative embodiment.

[0034] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosures. Indeed, the novel apparatuses described herein can be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the apparatuses described herein can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosures. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosures.