Hands-free jewelry
Hands-free jewelry is provided. To adorn the jewelry pressure is applied to the center of the opened jewelry, causing the jewelry to close around a wrist or finger. The clasp comprises a tab and slot arrangement such that when the tab is inserted into the slot, it locks into place, securely holding the jewelry in a closed configuration. To open the jewelry, a button is provided that, when pushed against a surface, disengages the clasp and opens the jewelry for removal.
The present invention deals with jewelry and more specifically hands-free jewelry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBracelets and like jewelry are typically worn on the wrist or ankle, and must include a mechanism to secure the jewelry piece in place. Typically, there are two ways to attach a jewelry piece such as a bracelet to the wrist or ankle. First, the jewelry piece may separate and wrap around a wrist or ankle, in which case there must be a clasp mechanism to attach the ends together and secure the jewelry piece so that it remains in place. Second, the jewelry piece remains intact but is extendible to expand and slide over the hand or foot, then contract to remain in place on the wrist or ankle.
Clasps can be difficult to use especially for jewelry worn on the wrist since the clasp must be operated with one hand. Some users have difficulty with manual dexterity and may find any clasp difficult to operate. Virtually everyone has experienced the difficulty of closing a bracelet around one's own wrist. Whether young or old, ambidextrous or not, trying to put a bracelet on one's own wrist, or trying to take it off, is extremely difficult, requires total concentration and usually, a number of failed attempts. The elderly especially experience difficulty putting on and removing jewelry since they may experience arthritis and similar conditions that cause the loss of fine motor skills in the wrists, hands and fingers. Furthermore, it also is common for the elderly to have eye conditions which impair visual acuity, particularly at close distances.
Accordingly, there is a need for hands-free jewelry. At the time of this writing, there have been no attempts made to design or provide such jewelry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, hands-free jewelry is provided. The jewelry comprises a number of sections, preferably two, joined together by a hinge so that each section has a hinged end and a free end. A clasping mechanism on their free ends is constructed and arranged to removably attach the free ends together to maintain the jewelry in a closed position. At their hinged ends, each section has a lever extension providing the mechanism by which the jewelry is closed without using any hands. The lever extensions extend from opposite sides of the hinge in opposite directions so that a space is defined between them. Placing a bodily member, such as a wrist, into the space between the levers and onto the hinge to apply downward force, causes the sections to rotate about the hinge. With sufficient force and rotation, the free ends come into contact, causing the clasping mechanism to catch and join the free ends together.
To open the jewelry, a button is provided that, when pushed against a surface, disengages the clasping mechanism and opens the jewelry for removal.
In more detail, the hands-free jewelry clasp comprises a first section, a second section movably connected to the first section, a first lever connected to the first section, and a second lever connected to the second section. The levers are constructed and arranged so that a body member inserted between said first and second sections is able to move at least the first lever to rotate the first section into contact with the second section.
The jewelry further comprises a first free end on the first section having a slot, and a tab on a second free end of the second section wherein the tab and slot are constructed and arranged to removably attach to each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, hands-free jewelry is provided. The jewelry comprises a number of sections, preferably two, joined together by a hinge so that each section has a hinged end and a free end. A clasping mechanism on their free ends is constructed and arranged to removably attach the free ends together to maintain the jewelry in a closed position. At their hinged ends, each section has a lever extension providing the mechanism by which the jewelry is closed without using any hands. The lever extensions extend from opposite sides of the hinge in opposite directions so that a space is defined between them. Placing a bodily member, such as a wrist, into the space between the levers and onto the hinge to apply downward force, causes the sections to rotate about the hinge. With sufficient force and rotation, the free ends come into contact, causing the clasping mechanism to catch and join the free ends together.
The left side closing lever 18 and the right side closing lever 16 should be constructed and arranged to avoid contact and interference with each other during operation of the bracelet. In this example, the left side lever 18 is shaped like a tab, narrower than the right side lever 16 which is shaped like a U and positioned to surround either side of the slot or lever 16.
The left side 12 has a lever extension 18 extending passed its hinged end 12.1 and the hinge 20. The left lever 18 has a free end 18.1 and a base end 18.2. The base end 18.2 is attached to the hinged end 12.1 of the right side 14 and the free end 16.1 extends upwardly from the hinged end 14.1, passed the hinge 20. Movement of the lever 18 by manipulation of the free end 18.1 causes reciprocal movement of the left side 12 about the hinge 20. For example, pushing down on the free end 18.1 of the left lever 18 causes the left side 12 to swing up, around the hinge 20. Pulling up on the free end 18.1 of the left lever 18.1 causes the left side 12 to swing downwardly about the hinge 20.
The same is true of the right side 14, the right side 14 has a lever extension 16 extending passed its hinged end 14.1 and the hinge 20. The right lever 16 has a free end 16.1 and a base end 16.2. The based end 16.2 is attached to the hinged end 14.1 of the right side 14 and the free end 16.1 extends upwardly from the hinged end 14.1, passed the hinge 20. Movement of the lever 16 by manipulation of the free end 16.1 causes reciprocal movement of the right side 14 about the hinge 20. For example, pushing down on the free end 16.1 of the right lever 16 causes the right side 14 to swing up, around the hinge 20. Pulling up on the free end 16.1 of the right lever 16 causes the right side 14 to swing downwardly about the hinge 20. It is this hinge and lever arrangement depicted in
Each lever 16 and 18 is connected to its respective side 14 and 12 at its base end 16.2 and 18.2. The levers 16 and 18 may be soldered onto the hinged end 14.1 and 12.1 of the jewelry piece 14 and 12 or formed as a part of the piece 12 and 14. The hinge 20 is an ordinary pin hinge arrangement as is well known.
Referring back to
To apply force on the levers 16 and 18 and close the bracelet around a wrist (not shown), the wrist is inserted into the interior of the open bracelet, between the tab 22 and slot 24, usually sideways so that the side of the wrist rests in between the slot lever 16 and tab lever 18. Pushing down on the bracelet above the hinge 20 in the direction and position of arrow 100 causes the two sides to rotate about the hinge 20 and bring the tab 22 into the slot 24.
In further detail, the hinge 20 acts as a fulcrum point for the left side 12 and the right side 14. When force is applied in the direction and at the position of arrow 100, the left side 12 will move in the direction of the arrow 108 and the right side in the direction of the arrow 106. The left side closing lever 18 will move in the direction of arrow 104 and the right side closing lever 16 moves in the direction of arrow 102.
Alternatively, the bracelet can be turned so that the button is on the top of the hand. Operation is the same, the button is pressed against a surface and the clasp will automatically open, providing hands-free operation.
The principles disclosed herein may also be used for rings, eliminating the problems with ring removal. A ring made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention would work the same way and resemble a miniature version of the bracelet enclosed herein. The finger upon which the ring would be worn is pressed onto the center of the open ring, closing the ring around the finger in the same way the bracelet closes around a wrist. Removal is the same; the button is pushed against a structure, causing the tab to pull itself out of the slot.
It should be understood that other clasps and closure mechanisms may be used in conjunction with the hinge and lever arrangement disclosed herein. The tab and slot arrangement is only an example and meant to illustrate but one way to hold the jewelry in a closed position.
In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense.
Claims
1. An item of jewelry comprising:
- a first section;
- a second section movably connected to the first section;
- a first lever connected to the first section;
- a second lever connected to the second section;
- wherein said levers are constructed and arranged so that a body member inserted between said first and second sections is able to move at least the first lever to rotate the first section into contact with the second section.
2. The jewelry of claim 1 wherein the jewelry is a bracelet.
3. The jewelry of claim 1 wherein the jewelry is a ring.
4. The jewelry of claim 1 wherein the jewelry is an anklet.
5. The jewelry of claim 1 wherein the first section further comprises a first free end having a slot, and the second section further comprises a second free end having a tab wherein the tab and slot are constructed and arranged to removably attach to each other.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2005
Inventor: Joseph Rissin (Baldwin, NY)
Application Number: 10/864,649