Article of jewelry

Abstract

An article of manufacture comprising a chain component having ends with the means to fasten the ends and close and secure the chain. Also provided are one or more character elements, such as a charm or some other form of pendant or the like, and a means attached to or integrally formed with each character element adapted to facilitate the placement and removal of the character elements relative to the chain component. The invention also enables a plurality of the character elements to be placed in abutting relation along particular sections of the chain component to allow the formation of the character elements in a desired and aesthetically attractive sequence.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the area of jewelry and, more particularly, to an improved article of jewelry comprising a chain for use as a necklace, bracelet and the like in combination with charms or similar items that can be placed and manipulated upon the chain in a facilitative manner.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Chains of all types used as a component of an article of jewelry are well known in the prior art. These chains can be made from a variety of materials, including metals or metal alloys, e.g., gold, silver, and stainless steel, a synthetic composition, e.g. plastic, or some other resilient material, or even fabric. The designs, dimensions, and textures of the chains also can vary. Coupling mechanisms provided to join the ends and close the chain are employed using a variety of mating components, including a clasp, buckle, clip and other suitable fasteners.

[0005] The drawbacks associated with the prior art devices regard the attempts, usually unsuccessful, at conveniently and easily uniting a chain with a conventional coupling device and a charm or some other character element of the type and size used in conjunction with the present invention. Most, if not all, coupling mechanisms in common use presently are simply too large or cumbersome in structure to enable a charm or a series of charms, particularly letters of an alphabet of any language intended to form a word, to be placed easily onto the chain and manipulated there, or to be easily removed from the chain to be replaced or repaired. Efforts to place one or several charms onto a chain where they can easily be moved around and maneuvered into the proper sequence are often stifled or prevented by such obstacles as the shape, size, or design of the chain and/or the particular charm or character element involved. A charm, which often has certain size limitations, with a tab or similar component attached to the top or back of the item to enable it to join with a chain is difficult to work with if the chain coupling components are not sufficiently accommodating in terms of their own size or shape.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an article of jewelry comprising a chain, a device suitable in shape and size that joins and fastens the chain ends together, and a charm or a series of charms, particularly those with certain desirable size limitations, with means integrally formed therewith to facilitate the placement of the charms onto the chain, the formation of the charms on the chain in a desired sequence and/or combination and the removal of the charms from the chain for replacement or repair. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a chain component having ends with the means to fasten the ends and close and secure the chain. Also provided are one or more character elements, such as a charm or some other form of pendant or the like, and a means attached to or integrally formed with each character element adapted to facilitate the placement and removal of the character elements relative to the chain component. The invention also enables a plurality of the character elements to be placed in abutting relation along particular sections of the chain component to allow the formation of the character elements in a desired and aesthetically attractive sequence and/or combination.

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry with a chain component that is easily combined with a wide variety of charms, pendants and the like.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry that facilitates the placement of a charm or a series of charms or pendant components onto a chain, particularly charms or pendants with certain size limitations.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry that facilities the formation of the charms or pendants in a desired and aesthetically attractive sequence and/or combination along sections of the chain.

[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry that facilitates the removal of the charms or pendants from the chain for replacement or repair.

[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry with mating coupling components attached to respective ends of the chain that are appropriately shaped and sized to accommodate the charms and pendants, particularly those with certain size limitations, and enable the chain and charms (or pendants) to easily engage and disengage from one another.

[0013] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry that is easy and cost effective to manufacture.

[0014] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry that is easy to use and manipulate.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specifications when considered in light of the attached drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the article of jewelry in accordance with the present invention, showing the individual charm or character components being slidable along and supported by the chain.

[0017] FIG.2 is an enlarged view of a section of the article of jewelry in accordance with the present invention illustrating the manner in which the chain and the charm or character element engage.

[0018] FIG.3. is an enlarged view of a section of the article of jewelry in accordance with the present invention illustrating the closure of the chain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] The preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, provides an article of jewelry 10 that includes a chain component 12 and one or more character elements 14 thereon. Chain component 12 may be made of any suitable material, including gold or silver, any other metal or metal alloy, or any resilient synthetic or natural material. The material may be formed in any desirable and appropriate length, thickness, shape, color and texture. However, the size of many conventional chains used as necklaces, bracelets or the like range in thickness from est. {fraction (1/32)} to {fraction (1/16)} of an inch. Affixed at each end of charm component 12 are means to close and secure the chain, including any suitable clip, clasp, buckle or the like. FIG. 1 illustrates fastener 16, which includes plunger 18 and receptacle 20, which are typically size-appropriate relative to the diameter of the chain component 12. Receptacle 20 is attached to chain component 12 by ring 22 and eyelet 24 combination.

[0020] Character elements 14 can comprise a wide variety of shapes, designs, colors and indicia, including letters of the English or any other alphabet, as illustrated in the drawings, Arabic or Roman numerals, or graphics or shapes of any suitable nature, embellished or otherwise. Each character element 14 has a front surface 26 and a back surface 28. Although size may vary, the typical dimensions of the charm or character element 14 used in conjunction with the present invention are est. {fraction (1/4″)} in height, {fraction (1/4″)} in width and {fraction (1/16″)} in depth. Front surface 26 typically supports the graphics or embellished indicia, such as encrusted semi-precious stones 30. Affixed to back surface 28 are the means to engage the plunger 18 to facilitate the placement of one or more character elements 14 onto chain component 12. The structure of plunger 18 enables the component to easily thread such means, including, for example, the loop 32 illustrated in FIG.2, and facilitate the placement of the character element 14 or a series of such elements onto the chain. Loop 32 includes an opening 33 measuring est. {fraction (1/16″)} in diameter that is size appropriate to the dimensions of character element 14 and is accommodating to the size and shape of plunger 18. Also provided is the means to easily form a series of these character elements in the desired and attractive sequence and/or combination, such as by employing individual letters of an alphabet on the chain to spell a word or a person's name or charms with different or interesting shapes, e.g. hearts or stars. The ability to remove a character element 14 from the chain to repair or replace it is also facilitated.

[0021] While the invention will be described in connection with a certain preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that particular embodiment. Rather, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An article of jewelry, comprising:

a chain member, said chain member having a first end and a second end,

said first end of said chain member having a male component and said second end of said chain member having a female component, said male component and said female component being adapted to be joined to enable said chain member to close,

one or more character elements, each of said character elements having means integrally formed therewith to enable said chain member to engage and support said character element,

said male component being adapted to facilitate the placement and removal of said character element relative to said chain member and to enable a plurality of character elements to be placed along sections of said chain member to enable the formation of said character elements in a desired and aesthetically attractive sequence.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said character element is adapted in size to accommodate said means integrally formed therewith to enable said chain member to engage and support said character element, said means having an opening adapted in size for permitting entry of said male component.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said male component comprises a plunger element and said female component comprises a tubular receptacle for receiving said plunger in releasable engagement therewith.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means integrally formed with said character element comprises one or more tabs affixed to said character element and defining an opening therein.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said character element has a back surface and a front surface, said front surface having decorative indicia thereon.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said back surface comprises the support base for said tab.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said character element is in the shape of a letter of the English alphabet.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said character elements are placed in abutting relation along said chain member.