Expandable locket

Abstract

A locket having a hub, a lock and a plurality of successive hingedly connected panels is provided. The hub comprises a locking cavity having an upper wall and a lower wall. The lock has an upper biasing member and a lower biasing member. The upper biasing member and the lower biasing member are connected at a lock tip and biased away from each other. The lock is releasably, frictionally engageable with the locking cavity. The plurality of successive hingedly connected panels extends between the hub and the lock. The first panel of the successively hingedly connected panels is hingedly connected to the hub. The last panel of the successively connected panels is hingedly connected to the lock. At least one of the panels in the plurality of successive hingedly connected panels is adapted to retain a presentment therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Design Application No. 29/213,103, filed Sep. 13, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jewelry and ornamental apparel. Specifically, the present invention relates to lockets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For millennia, people have adorned themselves with decorative jewelry. It has been the practice of some to wear jewelry that contains the image or likeness of another, such as a loved one or family member, within. A specific type of jewelry that is used for this purpose is a locket. Lockets have been designed in many shapes and sizes. One of the most traditional designs for a locket is a simple two piece locket that opens and closes in a manner similar to that of a clam shell. The image or likeness of a person would be kept inside of the locket and would be displayed when the locket was opened and covered when the locket was closed or locked.

It is often desirable to locket wearers that the locket be able to hold more than one image or likeness. This issue has been addressed by placing at least one image or likeness on both of the inner panels of a traditional clamshell locket. The issue has also been addressed by developing lockets which have a plurality of hingedly connected panels. The hingedly connected panels are expanded and condensed in the style of an accordion. Generally, with accordion style lockets, there are two decorative outer panels that close together to form the outer surfaces of the locket when the locket is disposed in a closed or compacted state.

There have been various different types of accordion style lockets. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,915 (the '915 patent) discloses an accordion style locket having circular interior panels and generally bowl shaped outer panels. The locket disclosed in the '915 patent is an accordion style locket that closes into the shape of a ball for general wearing as ornamental jewelry. The locket disclosed in the '915 patent is held in a closed position by two clamping arms that frictionally engage the lower bowl shaped outer panel, thereby restraining the lower outer panel in close proximity to the upper outer panel with the interior panels compressed between the two outer panels. Some problems with earlier locket design were their bulk and their lack of reliable fasteners to keep them in a closed position. Furthermore, it is desirable that the locket have ornamental designs on the back side of the interior panels of the locket.

It would be beneficial to provide a locket that combined a compact shape, accordion design, ornamental panels and a secure locking mechanism into a decorative piece of jewelry.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention provides a releasably lockable locket having a hub, a lock and an expandable plurality of panels extending between the lock. The hub comprises a locking cavity having an upper wall and a lower wall. The lock has an upper biasing member and a lower biasing member. The upper biasing member and the lower biasing member are connected at a lock tip and biased away from each other. The lock is releasably, frictionally engageable with the locking cavity. The plurality of successive hingedly connected panels extends between the hub and the lock. The first panel of the successively hingedly connected panels is hingedly connected to the hub. The last panel of the successively connected panels is hingedly connected to the lock. At least one of the panels in the plurality of successive hingedly connected panels is adapted to retain a presentment therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a locket according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the locket in a open position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the locket of FIG. 1 with the locket in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a hinge portion of the locket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded view, in section, of panels of the locket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the locket of FIG. 1, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the locket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a lock and locking cavity of a locket, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

In referring to the invention, a locket 100 as shown in FIG. 1 in an open position, the term “top” shall refer to the direction that is closest to the chin of a wearer (not shown) when the locket 100 is suspended from a necklace worn around a wearer's neck. The top of the locket is disposed at the left side of the locket 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The term “bottom” shall refer to the direction away from the wear's chin, when the locket 100 is suspended from a necklace worn around a wearer's neck. The bottom of the locket 100 is disposed at the right side of the locket 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The term “rear,” when referring to the locket 100, shall refer to the direction that is closest to the wearer's body when the locket 100 is suspended from a necklace worn around a wearer's neck. The rear of the locket is disposed at the lower part of the image as shown in FIG. 1. The term “front,” when referring to the locket 100, shall refer to the direction away from the wearer's body, when the locket 100 is suspended from a necklace worn around a wearer's neck. The front of the locket 100 is disposed at the upper part of the locket 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

The locket 100 includes a hub 104 that is located at the top of the locket 104. The locket 100 comprises a plurality of panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e. Connecting the plurality of panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e to each other is a corresponding plurality of hinges 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d and 112e. A lock 124 is located at the bottom of the locket 100.

When viewed from the side, as shown in FIG. 1, the hub 104 has a generally semicircular profile, including a semicircular surface 120 and a flat surface 122. A ring 106 is fixedly connected to the hub 104. Preferably the ring 106 is located at the top of the hub 104. The ring 106 is used to suspend the locket 100 on the wearer from a chain, bracelet or other appendage (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 2, the ring 106 is comprised of a first and a second vertical post 107a, 107b, fixedly attached to the top of the hub 104 and a horizontal post 107c, fixedly attached to the first and second vertical posts 107a, 107b. The first and second vertical posts 107a, 107b, the horizontal post 107c and the top of the hub 104 define an opening, through which a necklace, bracelet or other suspension means is threaded. While a rectangular shaped ring 106 is disclosed here, those skilled in the art will recognize that the ring 106 may be any shape that will facilitate suspending the locket 100 on the wearer's person.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a hub hinge 108 is attached to the hub 104 at the corner of the hub nearest a front portion 116 of the hub 104 where the semicircle surface 120 of the hub 104 meets the flat surface 122 of the hub 104. The hub hinge 108 hingedly connects the hub 104 to a front panel 114. The front panel 114 has a front surface 115 that is worn at the front of the locket 104, when the locket 104 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, and suspended from a necklace worn around the wearer's neck. Preferably, the front surface 115 is decorated with an ornamental design or otherwise engraved with a significant messages (not shown), such as a person's initials, a date or other indicia. Referring now to FIG. 1 only, the front panel 114 is connected to a first panel 110a of a plurality of panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e via a first hinge 112a. The plurality of panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e are connected in succession, with a first panel 110a being closest to the hub 104 and a fifth panel 110e being disposed closest to the lock 124.

A second hinge 112b, is shown in FIG. 3. The second hinge 112b connects the first panel 110a to a second panel 110b. The second hinge 112b shown in FIG. 3 is exemplary of the hinges 108, 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d and 112e and 128 used throughout the locket 100. The first panel 110a has a first right hinge protrusion 151a and a first left hinge protrusion 150a extending from the first panel 110a towards the second panel 110b. The second panel 110b has an second central hinge protrusion 152b extending from the second panel 110b towards the first panel 110a, and between the first right and left hinge protrusions 151a, 150a. The first left hinge protrusion 150a has a first left hinge passageway 153a extending laterally therethrough. The second central hinge 152b has a second central hinge passageway 154b extending laterally therethrough. The first right hinge protrusion 151a has a first right hinge passageway 155a extending laterally therethrough. When assembled, preferably the first left hinge passageway 153a, the second central hinge passageway 154b and the first right hinge passageway 155a are co-axially aligned in order to facilitate the insertion of the second hinge 112b therethrough.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view, in section, of the first, second and third panels 110a, 110b and 110c, from right to left, as well as the first, second, third and fourth hinge 112a, 112b, 112c, and 112d. The first panel 110a has a first hub end 141a, disposed at the portion of the first panel 110a that is closest to the hub 104 when the locket 100 is in the open position. Likewise the second and third panels 110b, 110c have second and third hub ends 141b, 141c that are disposed on the second and third panels 112b, 112c respectively, closer to the hub 104 when the locket 100 is in the open position. The first panel 110a also has a first lock end 139a that is disposed in the portion of the first panel 110a that is closest to the lock 124 when the locket 100 is in the open position shown in FIG. 1. Likewise the second and third panels 110b, 110c have second and third lock ends 139b, 139c that are disposed on the second and third panels 112b, 112c respectively, closer to the lock 124 when the locket 100 is in the open position. Each of the plurality of panels 110a, 110b, 110c has a viewing face 137a, 137b, 137c on the side of the panels 110a, 110b, 110c that faces the rear of the locket 100 when the locket is in the open position as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the plurality of panels 110a, 110b, 110c also has a backing face 135a, 135b, 135c, 135d and 135e on the side of the panels 110a, 110b, 110c that faces the front of the locket 100 when the locket 100 is in the open position.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first left hinge protrusion 150a is disposed at the first lock end 139a, on a side of the first panel 110a that is away from the backing face 135a of the first panel 110a. A first central hinge protrusion 152a is disposed at the first hub end 141a, away from a viewing face 137a of the first panel 110a. A second central hinge protrusion 152b is disposed on the second panel 110b at the second lock end 139b away from a second backing face 135b. A second left hinge protrusion 150b is disposed at the second hub end 139b, on a side of the second panel 110b that is away from the viewing face 135b of the second panel 110b. The second hinge 112b hingedly connects the first left hinge protrusion 150a to the second central hinge protrusion 152b and the first right hinge protrusion 151a (shown in FIG. 3). A third central hinge protrusion 152c is disposed on the third panel 110c at the third hub end 141c, away from the third viewing face 137c. The third central hinge protrusion 152c is hingedly connected to the second left hinge protrusion 150b and the second right hinge protrusion (not shown) via the third hinge 112c. A third left hinge protrusion 150c is disposed at the second lock end 139c and away from the third backing face 135c. The third left hinge protrusion 150c is hingedly connected to a fourth central hinge protrusion (not shown) and a third right hinge protrusion (not shown) via the fourth hinge 112d. A similar hinge arrangement is preferred for successive panels. The hinges 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d and 112e are disposed, with respect to each panel 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e, to allow approximately 180 degrees of rotation for the panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e about each hinge 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d and 112e. The range of rotation for each panel 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e about their respective hinges 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d and 112e allows for the accordion style expansion of the locket 100 from the closed position shown in FIG. 2 to the open position shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are preferably an odd number of panels in the plurality of panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e. While five panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e are shown, those skilled in the art will recognize that only 3, as well as 7, 9, 11 panels may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each of the panels in the plurality of panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e is constructed to retain a presentment (not shown). The presentment may be a photo, drawing, note, clipping, lock of hair, artifact, piece of memorabilia or any other item that would fit within the panel 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e. Each panel of the plurality of photo panels 110 has a cavity for retaining a presentment (not shown) therein. Preferably, the panel 110 has a backing panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e. Each backing panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e is generally rectangular in shape. Each backing panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e may be solid, engraved or carved in the shape of a letter, a design or some other indicia. Preferably, a photo frame 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d and 136e is fixedly attached to each backing panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e around the perimeter the side of each back panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e where the presentment is retained. A retaining frame 138a, 138b, 138c, 138d and 138e is fixedly connected to each photo frame 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d and 136e, respectively. Each retaining frame 138a, 138b, 138c, 138d and 138e is disposed on the opposite side of the photo frame 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d and 136e than the back panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e. Preferably, each backing panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e, each photo frame 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d and 136e and each retaining frame 138a, 138b, 138c, 138d and 138e have generally the same length ‘L.’

For insertion, each presentment (not shown) is manipulated, by the inserter, in order to fit the presentment through the opening defined by each retaining frame 138a, 138b, 138c, 138d and 138e, having a length “o.” Preferably, each presentment would then be inserted through the opening defined by retaining frame 138a, 138b, 138c, 138d and 138e and deposited against each backing panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e. Each presentment is then be released by the inserter and allowed to expand between each respective retaining frame 138a, 138b, 138c, 138d and 138e and the back panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e. After expansion to its original state, each presentment would then be frictionally retained within each panel 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e, between the panel's 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e respective retaining frames 138a, 138b, 138c, 138d and 138e and backing panel 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a presentment may be inserted into the panels in other ways, such as through a slot in a side of each panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e, or through an opening in each of the backing panels 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d and 134e.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 at the bottom of the fifth panel 110e, the panel that is located furthest from the hub 104, a lock hinge 128 connects the fifth panel 110e to a lock 124. The lock 124 consists of a V-shaped wedge 125 and a compression tab 126. The V-shaped wedge 125 of the lock 124 comprises an upper biasing member 161 and a lower biasing member 162. The biasing members 161, 162 are joined together at the tip 160. Preferably, the upper biasing member 161 and the lower biasing member 162 are compressably biased away from each other. Preferably, the lock 124 is constructed of a material that facilitates return to its original shape after biasing, such as spring steel. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the lock 124 may be made from other materials and may be plated in precious metals or adapted to conform with the design of the locket 100.

When the locket 100 is disposed in the closed position, the V-shaped wedge 124 is frictionally retained within a locking cavity 130 of the hub 104. The locking cavity 130 is disposed within the hub 104, preferably in the bottom portion of the hub 104. Preferably, the locking cavity 130 has an opening 132 in the rear of the hub 104. The locking cavity 130 extends from the rear opening 132 forward towards the front of the hub 104. Both the opening 132 of the locking cavity 130 and the lock 124 are preferably centered on the locket 100 to facilitate the insertion of the lock 124 into the locking cavity 130. Preferably, when viewed from the rear of the locket 100, as seen in FIG. 6, the locking cavity 130 is generally rectangular in shape, having a width “w” and a height “h.” Preferably, the locking cavity 130 has a constant height and width throughout its length. Preferably, the width “w” of the locking cavity 130 is slightly larger than the width of the lock 124. Preferably, the height “h” of the locking cavity 130 is slightly smaller than that of the V-shaped portion 125 of the lock 124, when the upper biasing member 161 and the lower biasing member 162 are in their unbiased position. Preferably, the height “h” of the locking cavity 130 is slightly larger than that of the V-shaped portion 125 of the lock 124, when the upper biasing member 161 and the lower biasing member 162 are biased towards each other. The top of the locking cavity 130 is defined by an upper wall 166 and the bottom of the locking cavity 130 is defined by a lower wall 168.

Preferably, the locking cavity 130 is sized to frictionally retain the lock 124 therein. During insertion, the user will insert the tip 160 of the V-shaped portion 135 of the lock 124, through the opening 132 and into the locking cavity 130. To lock the locket 100 closed, the lock 124 is inserted, tip 160 first, into the locking cavity 130 until the compression tab 126 engages the hub 104, thereby preventing the lock 124 from being further inserted into the locking cavity 130.

Preferably, when the V-shaped portion 125 is inserted into the locking cavity 130, the upper biasing member 161 and the lower biasing member 162 are compressed towards each other by the upper wall 166 and the lower wall 168 of the locking cavity 130. This compression of the V-shaped portion 125 increases the frictional engagement between the lock 124 and the upper and lower wall 166, 168 of the locking cavity 130, thereby retaining the lock 124 within the locking cavity 130.

The locket 100 is unlocked by pressing the compression tab 126 towards the fifth panel 110e, thereby compressing the upper biasing member 161 towards the lower biasing member 162 and releasing the V-shaped portion 125 from the frictional engagement of the locking cavity 130. The lock 124 is released from the locking cavity 130 by pulling the compression tab 126 away from the hub 104, thereby withdrawing the lock 124 from the locking cavity 130.

In a second preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 7, lock retaining nubs 164a, 164b are disposed on the upper biasing member 161 and the lower biasing member 162 respectively. Cavity retaining nubs 166a, 166b are disposed on the upper wall and lower wall respectively. When the lock 124 is fully inserted into the locking cavity 130, the lock retaining nubs 164a, 164b are disposed closer to the front portion 116 of the hub 104 than the cavity retaining nubs 166a, 166b and frictionally retained there while the lock 124 is inserted in the locking cavity 130.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locket, comprising:

a hub having a locking cavity, the locking cavity comprising an upper wall and a lower wall;

a lock having a upper biasing member connected at a lock tip to a lower biasing member, the upper biasing member being biased away from the lower biasing member, wherein the lock is releasably, frictionally engageable within the locking cavity; and

a plurality of successive hingedly connected panels extending between the hub and the lock; wherein a first panel of the plurality of successive hingedly connected panels is hingedly connected to the hub; wherein a last panel of the plurality of successive hingedly connected panels is hingedly connected to the lock; and wherein at least one panel of the plurality of panels is adapted to retain a presentment therein.

2. The locket according to claim 1, wherein the upper biasing member is releasably, frictionally engageable with the upper wall and the lower biasing member is releasably, frictionally engageable with the lower wall.

3. The locket according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of successive hingedly connected panels is expandable.

4. The locket according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels comprises a picture frame.

5. The locket according to claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining nub disposed on each of the upper biasing member and the lower biasing member, wherein the at least one retaining nub on the upper biasing member is juxtaposed away from the at least one retaining nub on the lower biasing member.

6. The locket according to claim 1, wherein the locket is suspendable from a piece of jewelry.

7. The locket according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of successive hingedly connected panels comprises an even number of panels.

8. The locket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one panel adapted to retain a presentment therein comprises an odd number of panels.

9. The locket according to claim 1, wherein the at least one panel adapted to retain a presentment therein comprises an even number of panels.

10. The locket according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels is adapted to fold in an accordion type manner.

11. A locket comprising:

a hub, wherein the hub includes a front portion having a first hinge and a rear portion having a locking cavity;

a first panel hingedly connected to the first hinge and having a second hinge disposed distal from the first hinge;

a plurality of successive hingedly connected panels hingedly connected to the second hinge, wherein a last of the plurality of successive hingedly connected panels is hingedly connected to a locking tab, wherein the locking tab is removably insertable into the locking cavity such that the locking tab releasably secures the last of the successive hingedly connected panels to the hub.

12. The locket according to claim 1, wherein the upper biasing member is releasably, frictionally engageable with the upper wall and the lower biasing member is releasably, frictionally engageable with the lower wall.

13. The locket according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of successive hingedly connected panels is expandable.

14. The locket according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels comprises a picture frame.

15. The locket according to claim 11, further comprising at least one retaining nub disposed on each of the upper biasing member and the lower biasing member, wherein the at least one retaining nub on the upper biasing member is juxtaposed away from the at least one retaining nub on the lower biasing member.

16. The locket according to claim 11, wherein the locket is suspendable from a piece of jewelry.

17. The locket according to claim 11, wherein the at least one panel adapted to retain a presentment therein comprises an even number of panels.

18. The locket according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of panels is adapted to fold in an accordion type manner.

19. A method for opening a locket comprising:

providing a locket having a hub, comprising a locking cavity; a lock, comprising; an upper biasing member having an upper open end and an upper joined end, the upper open end having a tab, a lower biasing member having a lower open end a lower joined end, said upper joined end being fixedly connected to said lower joined end and said upper open end being biased away from said lower open end; a plurality of hingedly connected panels extending between the hub and the lock; wherein the lower open end of the lower biasing member is hingedly connected to the plurality of panels and the hub is hingedly connected to the plurality of panels; wherein the plurality of panels is arranged in stacked succession; and wherein the lock is frictionally retained within the locking cavity, the upper and lower joined ends being furthest inserted into the locking cavity and the tab and upper and lower open ends extending slightly outside of the locking cavity;

pressing the tab toward the lower open end;

pulling the tab and lock away from the hub; and

extending the plurality of panels from a position of stacked succession to a position of elongated succession.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising closing the locket by;

folding the plurality of panels from a disposition of elongated succession to a disposition of stacked succession wherein the lock is moved towards the locking cavity;

inserting the lock into the locking cavity by first inserting the upper and lower joined ends into the locking cavity and pressing the lock into the locking cavity until the tab engages the hub.