Adjustable Jewelry Assembly

Abstract

An adjustable jewelry assembly includes an adjustable bail member adapted for connection to a flexible jewelry member, a primary pendant removably connected to the bail member and/or and a secondary pendant removably connected to the bail member behind the primary pendant. At least a portion of the secondary pendant is viewable through the primary pendant. The secondary pendant can be connected to the bail member with first and second decorative surfaces facing either forwardly or rearwardly. Each surface has one or more distinguishing visual features and multiple pendants can be interchanged, stacked on the pendant, and/or reversed to thereby accommodate a user's clothing type and fashion preferences with a minimum number of jewelry pieces.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to jewelry, and more particularly to a jewelry assembly having an adjustable bail member for receiving one or more pendant portions to thereby accommodate a user's clothing type and fashion preferences.

Necklaces typically comprise a length of flexible chain made from one or more precious and semi-precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, and so on. These chains are available in a wide variety of designs. The flexible chains are also commonly adorned with a pendant which generally comprise one or more precious stones, such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires, mounted in settings of precious metal and semi-precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, and so on.

Purchasers of jewelry currently select a pendant of a desirable style and size and either have it mounted on a flexible chain of a standard or custom length. Other pendants are permanently fixed to a length of chain and cannot be removed by the average person. If the popular fashion changes or if a certain clothing style, pattern or color is selected, it is often desired to change out the pendant or use another pendant/chain combination that more closely matches the clothing style, pattern, color or personal preference for a particular day or occasion. However, changing out the pendant often requires the services of a professional jeweler to remove the old pendant from the chain and mount a new pendant. Thus, mounting a new pendant on the chain can be inconvenient, time consuming and expensive. Accordingly, many persons have little choice but to purchase multiple chains and/or pendants, which can become quite costly. In many cases, the precious metal chain can cost more than the pendant itself.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable jewelry assembly according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an adjustable bail member adapted for connection to a flexible jewelry member; a primary pendant removably connected to the bail member; and a secondary pendant removably connected to the bail member behind the primary pendant. At least a portion of the secondary pendant is viewable through the primary pendant.

An adjustable bail member according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a front plate; a rear plate pivotally connected to the front plate between open and closed positions; and a mounting shank extending rearwardly from the front plate for receiving at least one pendant. The rear plate is adapted to retain the at least one pendant when in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an adjustable jewelry assembly showing an adjustable clasp and an adjustable bail member with multiple pendants mounted on a chain according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing first and second pendants rotationally displaced according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear perspective exploded view of the adjustable bail member;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the adjustable jewelry assembly with the bail in an open position for receiving one or more pendants;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the adjustable jewelry assembly with two pendants attached to the bail member;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the jewelry assembly with a single pendant attached to the bail member;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the jewelry assembly with one of the pendants having an offset mounting portion in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8A is a front elevational view of a primary pendant in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B is a front elevational view of a secondary or backing pendant in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8C is a rear elevational view of the secondary pendant of FIG. 8B;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of an adjustable jewelry assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of an adjustable jewelry assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view thereof;

It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict typical or exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, and to and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, an adjustable jewelry assembly 10 is illustrated. The assembly 10 preferably includes a flexible jewelry member 12, an adjustable bail member 14 slidably received on the jewelry member 12, one or more decorative ornaments or pendants 16, 18 removably connected to the bail member 14, and an adjustable jewelry clasp 20 slidably received on the flexible member 12. If desired, first and second end stops 22, 24 can be placed at the end of the flexible member 12 for preventing detachment of the clasp 20 and bail member 14. The flexible member 12 can be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, fabric, string, plastic or silicone, and is preferably formed as a jewelry chain of base metal such as stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, as well as semi-precious or precious metals such as such as gold, silver, platinum, various alloys thereof and so on, using methods that are well known in the art.

As shown, the flexible member 12 includes a loop portion 26 extending from one side of the clasp 20 and the bail member 14 and one or more primary pendants 16 and/or secondary pendants 18 extending from the loop portion 26. A pair of legs 28 and 30 extend from the opposite side of the clasp 20. The loop portion 26 can extend around the neck or other body part of a wearer (not shown) with the clasp 20 located behind the neck and the legs 28 and 30 extending generally downward from the clasp and with the one or more pendants 16, 18 hanging downwardly from the front of the neck or other body part. The leg 28 terminates in a first free end to which the first end stop 22 is attached by means well known in the art, such as soldering when the components are constructed of metal. The leg 30 terminates in a second free end to which the second end stop 24 is attached by similar means. The first and second end stops 26 and 28 can be fashioned in a wide variety of decorative and ornamental shapes and can also comprise precious stones, such as one or more diamonds, rubies, sapphires and so on. Alternatively, the flexible member 12 can be a single continuous length of material which itself forms a loop and which therefore would not have a first free end or a second free end. Thus, in this alternative embodiment, the first end stop 22 and second end stop 24 would not be present.

Due to the wide variety of body shapes and sizes, a necklace chain of a given length will hang differently from person to person. For example, an eighteen-inch necklace chain which hangs at a fashionable length on an average-sized person would not hang at the same fashionable length on a relatively larger or relatively smaller person. In some cases, such persons have been unable to wear necklaces and other jewelry at appropriate fashionable lengths. Moreover, the style and type of a person's clothing can interfere with the appearance of a necklace and affect the way the necklace hangs. For example, a pendant which hangs at approximately the same length as the neckline of the person's clothing can often be hidden from view by the clothing. Likewise, a pendant which hangs at a fashionable length when worn over light clothing may not hang at the same fashionable length when worn over relatively bulky clothing. Accordingly, the clasp 20 can be provided to permit adjustment of the hanging length of the one or more pendants 16, 18 according to a user's preference. Details of a suitable clasp 20 can be found in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,202,443 and 6,484,535 as well as U.S. Publication No. 2007/0251,269, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. It will be understood that the present invention can be used without the clasp 20 if desired. Those skilled in the art will also understand that the present invention is not limited to necklaces, but can also be readily applied to jewelry commonly worn elsewhere, such as around the waist, wrist and ankle.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 5, the bail member 14 preferably includes a front plate 32 pivotally connected to a rear plate 34 via a hinge joint 36. A mounting shank 38 extends rearwardly from the front plate 32 for receiving one or more pendants 16, 18.

The front plate 32 preferably includes a front wall 40 and a top wall 42 that curves rearwardly from the front wall. The hinge joint 36 preferably includes a first knuckle portion 44 formed at the end of the top wall 42 with a bore 46 extending therethrough for receiving a pivot pin 48. A curved retaining member 50 preferably extends between the first knuckle portion 44 and the front wall 40 to create a space 52 for slidably receiving the flexible member 12 (FIG. 4).

The rear plate 34 is closest to the user's body when worn and preferably includes a rear wall 54 with a lower lip 55 that curves downwardly and rearwardly for manipulation by the fingernail or fingertip of a user for opening the bail member 14. An opening 65 extends through the rear wall 54 for receiving the mounting shank 38. The hinge joint 36 also preferably includes a pair of spaced knuckle portions 56, 58 extending upwardly from the rear wall 54 and bores 60, 62 extending through the knuckle portions for receiving the pivot pin 48.

The mounting shank 38 preferably includes a shaft 64 and a head 66 connected to the shaft at a forward end thereof. A plurality of spaced grooves 68 are preferably formed in the shaft 64. The head 66 is preferably positioned within a depression 67 formed in the rear face of the front wall 40 through well-known connecting means such as soldering, adhesive bonding, and so on. The grooves 68 of the shaft 64 engage with a projection 70 located within the opening 65 of the rear wall 54 to create a tactile feel or “click” as the rear plate 34 is closed to one of a plurality of closed stop or detent positions depending on the number of pendants installed on the mounting shank 38 as well as the thickness of each pendant. The grooves 68 also serve to releasably lock the pendant(s) in place on the mounting shank 38. Preferably, at least the top wall 42 is formed with a degree of elasticity that permits the projection 70 to engage one of the grooves 68 with a biasing force to provide the tactile feel when the rear plate 34 is being closed as well as resistance against the rear plate inadvertently opening. The mounting shank 38 is preferably sufficiently long to accept at least two pendants. However, it will be understood that the shank 38 can be shorter to accept only one pendant or longer to accept three or more pendants.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the primary decorative pendant 16 preferably includes a heart-shaped border or frame 72 with decorative shapes, such as butterflies 74 and decorative elements 76, located within the border 72. A mounting ring 78 (shown in hidden line) is formed at an upper end of the border 72 and includes a mounting aperture 80 sized for receiving the shank 38 (FIGS. 3-4) of the bail member 14. The spaces between the butterflies 74 and decorative elements 76 are preferably left open so that the secondary pendant 18 can be viewed through the spaces. However, it will be understood that the spaces can be formed of transparent or translucent material. Where a secondary pendant will not be used, the spaces of the primary pendant can be opaque.

The secondary decorative pendant 18 also preferably includes a heart-shaped border or frame 82 and an interior panel 84 located within the border 82. A mounting ring 86 (shown in hidden line in FIG. 2) is formed at an upper end of the border 82 and includes a mounting aperture 88 sized for receiving the shank 38 (FIGS. 3-4) of the bail member 14. Preferably, the primary and secondary pendants 16, 18 are of similar size and shape so that when viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. 1, the secondary pendant 18 is behind the primary pendant 16 with the panel 84 of the secondary pendant showing through the spaces of the primary pendant. As shown in FIG. 2, the primary and secondary pendants are free to rotate about a common axis defined by the aligned apertures 80, 88. The front surface 90 of the interior panel 84 of the secondary pendant 18 can have different shapes, colors, patterns, artistic renderings, designs, combinations thereof, and so on, to thereby enhance the appearance of the primary pendant 16, as well as to match the particular color, style, pattern, etc. of clothing or other accessories worn by a person. A rear surface (not shown) of the interior panel 84 can be different in color, pattern, and so on, than the front surface. In this manner, the secondary pendant 18 can be turned around or reversed so that the rear surface is exposed through the primary pendant to thereby create different visual effects with a single secondary pendant. It is contemplated that a wide variety of secondary pendants can be provided with a single primary pendant to thereby allow the user to select a number of different combinations for creating a wide variety of different visual effects. In this regard, a more expensive primary pendant can be used with a number of less expensive secondary pendants to thereby minimize costs. It will be understood that the secondary pendant can be formed with any known material such as plastics, precious and/or semi-precious metals, stainless steel or other non-precious metals, as well as combinations thereof.

It will be understood that the present invention not limited to the particular shape, size, color or material of the primary and/or secondary pendants since these features can greatly vary. For example, a primary decorative pendant 92 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 8A, while the front and rear surfaces of a secondary decorative pendant 94 are shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C in accordance with further embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the primary pendant 92 preferably includes a circular-shaped border or frame 96 with a decorative shape 98, shown here as a fleur-de-lis, located within the border 96. A mounting ring 100 is formed at an upper end of the border 96 and includes a mounting aperture 102 sized for receiving the shank 38 (FIGS. 3-4) of the bail member 14. As in the previous embodiment, the spaces 104 between the decorative shape 98 are preferably left open so that the secondary pendant 94 can be viewed through the spaces. However, it will be understood that the spaces can be formed of transparent or translucent material. Where a secondary pendant will not be used, the spaces of the primary pendant can be opaque.

Referring now to FIGS. 8B and 8C, the secondary pendant 94 also preferably includes a circular-shaped border or frame 106 and an interior panel 108 located within the border 106. A mounting ring 110 is formed at an upper end of the border 106 and includes a mounting aperture 112 sized for receiving the shank 38 (FIGS. 3-4) of the bail member 14. A first surface 114 (FIG. 8B) of the interior panel 108 of the secondary pendant 94 can have different colors, patterns, artistic renderings, designs, combinations thereof, and so on, to thereby enhance the appearance of the primary pendant 92, as well as to match the particular color, style, pattern, etc. of clothing or other accessories worn by a person. A second surface 116 (FIG. 8C) of the interior panel 108 can be different in color, pattern, and so on, than the front surface. In this manner, the secondary pendant 94 can be turned around and mounted on the bail so that the second surface is exposed through the primary pendant to thereby create different visual effects with a single secondary pendant.

As in the previous embodiment, the primary and secondary pendants 92, 94 are preferably of similar size and shape so that when viewed from the front, the secondary pendant 94 is behind the primary pendant 92 with the panel 108 of the secondary pendant showing through the primary pendant.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary pendants shown and described, since the primary and secondary pendants can greatly vary in size, shape, material, design, as well as other features. One or each of the pendants can include one or more settings with precious stones such as a diamonds, rubies, sapphires and so on. It is contemplated that one, two, three or more pendants can be mounted on the bail and each pendant can have a different shape, color, design, pattern, and so on.

In use, and referring to FIGS. 4-5, a secondary pendant, such as pendant 94, is installed on the bail 14 by rotating the rear plate 34 toward the open position (FIG. 4), then sliding the mounting ring 110 over the mounting shank 38. The primary pendant, such as pendant 92, is then installed on the bail 14 by sliding the mounting ring 100 over the mounting shank 38. The rear plate 34 is then rotated toward the closed position (FIG. 5) until one of the grooves 68 of the shaft 64 engage with the projection 70 within the opening 65 of the rear wall 54 to releasably lock the pendants in place on the mounting shank 38.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pendants can swing laterally from side to side for a further visual effect. However, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the pendants can be fixed against relative pivoting motion for example by providing a non-circular or multi-sided shank and a correspondingly shaped mounting aperture (not shown).

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the retaining member 50 can be connected to one or both knuckle portions 56, 58 to rotate with the rear plate 34. With this arrangement, the bail 14 can be removed from the flexible member 12 and installed on another flexible member when the rear plate 34 is in the open position.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a single primary or secondary pendant 114 can be installed on the bail 14 in a similar manner as previously described with the exception that the rear plate 34 is rotated toward the closed position until one of the grooves 68 located closer to the head 66 of the mounting shank 38 engages with the projection 70 within the opening 65 to releasably lock the single pendant in place on the mounting shank 38. With this arrangement, the bail 14 is adaptable to snugly hold one or more pendants on the shank 38 depending on the preferences of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a secondary pendant 116 preferably includes an offset mounting ring 117 in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. When the primary pendant 118 and secondary pendant 116 are mounted on the shank 38 of the bail 14, a gap 120 is formed therebetween so that the pendants 116, 118 are free to pivot about an axis of the shank 38. This embodiment also helps to reduce wear on the pendants which may otherwise occur with relative pivoting motion, especially when a thin layer of precious or semi-precious metal is located on one or both pendants.

With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a jewelry assembly 130 in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The jewelry assembly 130 preferably includes a flexible jewelry member 132, an adjustable bail member 134 slidably received on the jewelry member 132, and one or more primary and secondary decorative ornaments or pendants 136, 138 removably connected to the bail member 134.

As shown, the bail member 134 preferably includes a front wall 140 connected to a rear wall 142 via a curved top wall 144, a bottom wall 146, and an intermediate wall 148 that extends generally parallel with the bottom wall. The top wall 144 together with the intermediate wall 148 form a space 150 through which the flexible jewelry member 132 extends. A slot 152 extends through the rear wall 142 and bottom wall 146. An enlarged opening 154 is formed at an upper end of the slot 152 while a step 155 on the bottom wall 146 is preferably formed at the other end of the slot 152.

The primary pendant 136 preferably includes a body portion 156 and a neck portion 160 extending upwardly from the body portion. A ball 162 is located at an upper end of the neck portion 160. Likewise, the secondary pendant 138 preferably includes a body portion 158 and a neck portion 164 extending upwardly from the body portion 158. A ball 168 is located at an upper end of the neck portion 160. The body portions 156, 158 can be fashioned in a similar manner to the primary and secondary pendants as previously described so that the secondary pendant 138 is displayed behind the primary pendant 136.

In use, the primary pendant 136 is inserted into the bail member 134 by inserting the ball 162 through the opening 154 of the rear wall 142, as shown in dashed line. The pendant 136 is then swung down until the ball 162 rests on the step 155 of the bottom wall 146 and the neck 160 extends through the slot 152 in a downward direction through the bottom wall. The secondary pendant 138 is installed in a similar manner. The enlarged ball 162 ensures that the pendant(s) will not inadvertently become dislodged from the bail member 134. The pendants 136, 138 can be removed from the bail member 134 in the reverse order.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a jewelry assembly 170 in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The jewelry assembly 170 is similar in construction to the jewelry assembly 130 as previously described and preferably includes a flexible jewelry member 132, an adjustable bail member 174 slidably received on the jewelry member 132, and one or more primary and secondary decorative ornaments or pendants 176, 178 removably connected to the bail member 174.

As shown, the bail member 174 preferably includes a slot 180 that extends through the rear wall 142 and bottom wall 146. An elongated, traverse opening 182 is formed at an upper end of the slot 180. A door 185 is pivotally connected to the rear wall 142 via a hinge joint 187 to thereby cover the slot 180 and traverse opening 182.

The primary pendant 176 preferably includes a cross piece 184 located at an upper end of the neck portion 160. Likewise, the secondary pendant 178 preferably includes a cross piece 186 located at an upper end of the neck portion 164.

In use, the door 185 is swung to the open position (FIG. 11) and the primary pendant 176 is inserted into the bail member 134 by inserting the cross piece 184 through the traverse opening 182 of the rear wall 142, as shown in dashed line. The pendant 176 is then swung down until the cross piece 184 rests on the bottom wall 146 and the neck 160 extends through the slot 180 in a downward direction through the bottom wall. The secondary pendant 178 is installed in a similar manner. The door 185 is then swung to the closed position (FIG. 12). The cross piece 184 together with the door 185 ensure that the pendant(s) will not inadvertently become dislodged from the bail member 134. The pendants 176, 178 can be removed from the bail member 174 in the reverse order.

While the invention has been taught with specific reference to the above-described embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. For example, the hinge joints in each of the above-described embodiments are not limited to knuckles and pins but can be constructed as living hinges or other types of mechanisms allowing one object to pivot, tilt or rotate with respect to another object. Thus, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An adjustable jewelry assembly comprising:

an adjustable bail member adapted for connection to a flexible jewelry member;

a primary pendant removably connected to the bail member; and

a secondary pendant removably connected to the bail member behind the primary pendant, at least a portion of the secondary pendant being viewable through the primary pendant.

2. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein the secondary pendant comprises a panel with first and second surfaces, the first surface having at least one visually distinctive feature with respect to the second surface; and

the bail member being adapted to receive the secondary pendant to thereby expose either the first surface or second surface through the primary pendant to thereby cause a varying visual effect when the first and second pendants are viewed together.

3. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 2, wherein the primary pendant comprises a first border with at least one decorative shape located within the border and spaces between the decorative shape and frame through which the secondary pendant is exposed.

4. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 3, wherein the secondary pendant comprises a second border, the first and second borders being similarly shaped.

5. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary pendants are independently pivotal on the bail member.

6. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of the primary and secondary pendants are similar in shape.

7. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable bail member comprises:

a front plate;

a rear plate pivotally connected to the front plate between open and closed positions;

a mounting shank extending rearwardly from the front plate for receiving at least one of the pendants;

the rear plate being adapted to retain the at least one plate when in the closed position.

8. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 7, wherein the adjustable bail member further comprises an opening extending through the rear wall for receiving the mounting shank when the rear wall is in the closed position.

9. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 8, wherein the mounting shank comprises a plurality of grooves and the opening comprises a projection that engages one of the grooves to thereby create a plurality of detent locking positions for the rear plate with respect to the front plate.

10. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 9, wherein an upper portion of the front plate includes a curved section that extends rearwardly and is connected to an upper portion of the rear plate to thereby create a biasing force between the rear plate and the mounting shank during movement of the rear plate toward the closed position.

11. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 10, wherein the rear plate further comprises a lower lip that extends rearwardly to facilitate moving the rear plate to the open position by a user.

12. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 10, and further comprising a retaining member extending across the curved section to thereby form a space for slidably receiving the flexible jewelry member.

13. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 1, and further comprising a flexible jewelry member slidably connected to the adjustable bail member.

14. An adjustable jewelry assembly according to claim 13, and further comprising an adjustable clasp slidably connected to opposite end portions of the flexible jewelry member to thereby adjust a hanging length of the primary and secondary pendants.

15. An adjustable bail member for receiving at least one jewelry pendant, the bail member comprising:

a front plate;

a rear plate pivotally connected to the front plate between open and closed positions; and

a mounting shank extending rearwardly from the front plate for receiving at least one pendant;

the rear plate being adapted to retain the at least one jewelry pendant when in the closed position.

16. An adjustable bail member according to claim 15, wherein the adjustable bail member further comprises an opening extending through the rear wall for receiving the mounting shank when the rear wall is in the closed position.

17. An adjustable bail member according to claim 16, wherein the mounting shank comprises a plurality of grooves and the opening comprises a projection that engages one of the grooves to thereby create a plurality of detent locking positions for the rear plate with respect to the front plate.

18. An adjustable bail member according to claim 17, wherein an upper portion of the front plate includes a curved section that extends rearwardly and is connected to an upper portion of the rear plate to thereby create a biasing force between the rear plate and the mounting shank during movement of the rear plate toward the closed position.

19. An adjustable bail member according to claim 18, wherein the rear plate further comprises a lower lip that extends rearwardly to facilitate moving the rear plate to the open position by a user.

20. An adjustable bail member according to claim 19, and further comprising a retaining member extending across the curved section to thereby form a space for slidably receiving a flexible jewelry member.