Jewelry Box

Abstract

A jewelry box removably coupled to a handset for recording the image of a person opening the jewelry box or a person to whom the open jewelry box is presented.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a jewelry box, such as a ring box, which is removably coupled to a handset that is capable of recording audio, photographs and/or videos.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jewelry boxes, such as ring boxes or bracelet boxes, are known throughout the world and are used for giving gifts of jewelry. One of the most common uses of a jewelry box is for a marriage proposal, wherein a first person presents an opened ring box containing a ring to a second person. During the marriage proposal, but in all instances involving the giving a jewelry box, it is desirable to record the reaction of the person to whom the ring box is presented.

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,225, the prior art discloses a jewelry box with a built in recording device. However, the jewelry box of the prior art has several drawbacks. First, a jewelry box is generally only given or presented to a recipient a single time. Thus, a jewelry box with a built-in recording device is expensive and wasteful for an item having a single one-time use. Moreover, and especially in the case of a marriage proposal, the jewelry box of the prior art has no means, such as a viewfinder or digital display, for the person giving or presenting the jewelry box to ensure that the recipient of the jewelry box is actually in frame of the camera. This is particularly detrimental in the case of a marriage proposal where the reaction of the person being presented with the ring box cannot be reproduced if it is not captured by the recording device on the first attempt.

Accordingly, there is a need for a jewelry box capable of recording the image of the person opening the box, or the person to whom the open jewelry box is presented, which is economical and provides improved control over the recording process to the person giving or presenting the jewelry box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is capable of capturing the image of a person opening a jewelry box or a person to whom an open jewelry box is presented.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an apparatus employing a jewelry box which can be removably coupled to a handset capable of recording audio, photographs and/or video.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus employing a jewelry box capable of recording the image of a person opening the jewelry box, or a person to whom the open jewelry box is presented, which does not employ built-in hardware for recording audio, photographs and/or video such as a display screen, microphone, camera and related circuitry.

Additional objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

The present invention is directed generally to an apparatus having a jewelry box and a handset capable of recording audio, photographs and/or video. The jewelry box is adapted to allow for a handset to be removably coupled to the jewelry box. Thus, in use, the handset will be coupled to the jewelry box when it is desired to record the reaction of a person opening the jewelry box or a person to whom the open jewelry box is presented, and thereafter, the handset can be detached from the jewelry box. The handset is removably coupled to the jewelry box such that when the jewelry box is in an opened position, the audio, photograph and/or video recording device of the handset will be in a position capable of recording the audio and/or image of a person opening the jewelry box or a person to whom the open jewelry box is presented.

The present invention is also directed generally to a jewelry box which is adapted to be removably coupled to a handset capable of recording audio, photographs and/or video.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a jewelry box.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a jewelry box of the present invention with rails and a clamp.

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention having a handset removably coupled to a jewelry box with rails and a clamp.

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention having a handset removably coupled to a jewelry box with rails and a clamp.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a jewelry box of the present invention with clips.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention having a handset removably coupled to a jewelry box with clips.

FIG. 3b is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention having a handset removably coupled to a jewelry box with clips.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a jewelry box of the present invention with a coupling system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a jewelry box of the present invention with a strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a jewelry box 10 has a base 11 and a lid 12 connected by a hinge 13. The lid 12 has an outer side 14 and an inner side 15. The hinge 13 allows the lid 12 to be moved between an opened and closed position. In an embodiment of the present invention, a side of the lid 12, preferably the outer side 14, is adapted to allow for a handset 23 to be removably coupled to the lid 12. However, it is also contemplated by the present invention that the handset 23 can be coupled to the base 11 and one or more mirrors can be employed to give a recording device of the handset a line of sight to the person opening the jewelry box 10 or the person to whom the open jewelry box 10 is presented.

The figures of the present application depict various methods to removably couple a handset 23 to the lid 12, however, it should be understood that other methods may also be employed to couple the handset 23 to the lid 12, which would be apparent to, and well within the abilities of, a person of ordinary skill in the art.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2, 2a and 2b, the lid 12 of the jewelry box 10 is adapted to be removably coupled with a handset 23 using rails 17. The rails 17 preferably run along the outer side 14 of the lid 12 along two non-adjacent edges of the lid 12, however, it is also contemplated by the present invention that the rails 14 may run along the inner side 15 of the lid 12 along two non-adjacent edges. In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3, 3a and 3b, the lid 12 of the jewelry box 10 is adapted to be removably coupled with a handset 23 using clips 19. The clips 19 preferably run along the outer side 14 of the lid 12 along two non-adjacent edges of the lid 12, however, it is also contemplated by the present invention that the clips 19 may run along the inner side 15 of the lid 12 along two non-adjacent edges.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the rails 17 or clips 19 can be spaced apart a specific and fixed distance to accommodate a particular handset. In such an embodiment, the distance between the rails 17 or clips 19 should be approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, a dimension of a particular handset. Common dimensions for handsets are about 1.5 inches, about 2.2 inches, about 2.31 inches, about 2.75 inches, about 2.875 inches, about 4.5 inches, about 4.87 inches, about 5.375 inches and about 5.5 inches. Thus, the rails 17 or clips 19 should be spaced apart from about 1.5 inches to about 5.5 inches, preferably, about 2 inches to about 3 inches, most preferably about 2.2 inches to about 2.875 inches. The rails 17 or clips 19 may optionally contain slots or cut-outs so that any buttons on the sides of the handset can be pressed while the handset is coupled to the jewelry box.

Alternatively, rails 17 or clips 19 can be used for a variety of handsets of varied dimensions by employing one or more clamps 18 which are attached to one or more of the rails 17 or clips 19 (the clips 19 are not depicted in the figures with clamps 18, however, it should be understood that clamps 18 may also be employed with clips 19). In this embodiment, the rails 17 or clips 19 should be spaced apart by any of the common dimensions for handsets described above, preferably, about 2 inches to about 3 inches, most preferably about 3 inches. Each clamp 18 employed should extend from the rail 17 (or clip 19) to which it is attached on an axis perpendicular to, and towards, the other rail 17 (or clip 19). The clamps 18 can be made to extend by screws, springs, ratchets and the like. The handset 23 is thus secured by being compressed between two clamps 18 or between one clamp 18 and one rail 17 (or clip 19). Therefore, it is desirable for the clamps 18 to be made from, or contain, a gripping material such as rubber, polyurethane, silicone and the like.

Additionally, as an alternative to clamps 18, one or more rails 17 or clips 19 can be made to be slidable on an axis perpendicular to the other rail 17 or clip 19 or perpendicular to itself. In general, this will be an axis that is parallel with the hinge 13. The rails 17 or clips 19 can be made slidable by employing a groove, slot or track which allows the rail 17 or clip 19 to be slid back and forth on an axis perpendicular to the other rail 17 or clip 19. As a further alternative to clamps 18, one or more rails 17 or clips 19 can be removably coupled to the lid 12 using a coupling system selected from hook and pile fasteners, magnets, snaps, ball and socket fasteners, screws, buckle fasteners, clasps and the like, with one member of the coupling system being on the rail 17 or clip 19 and one or more of the other member of the coupling system being on the lid 12 at relevant intervals, such as the spacing distance between the rails 17 and clips 19 described above. Thus, to accommodate a wider handset 23, the rails 17 or clips 19 can be removably coupled to the lateral edges of the lid 12, whereas if a narrower handset 23 is being employed, the rails 17 or clips 19 can be removably coupled closer to the lateral center of the lid 12. It is also envisioned that a combination of rails 17 and clips 19 can be employed in the present invention.

As seen in FIG. 2b, the handset 23 is coupled to the jewelry box 10 such that the audio, photograph and/or video recording device 24 of the handset 23 is positioned beyond an edge of the lid 12 such that when the lid 12 is opened, the recording device 24 has a mostly unobstructed view or line of sight to a person opening the jewelry box 10 or a person to whom the open jewelry box 10 is presented. It is preferred that the recording device 24 is positioned beyond the edge of the lid 12 opposite the hinge 13. As seen in FIG. 3, an aperture 16 is used to allow the recording device 24 to have a mostly unobstructed view or line of sight a person opening the jewelry box 10 or a person to whom the open jewelry box 10 is presented. The aperture 16 may be a void space or it may contain a transparent material such as glass, acrylic or plastic. The width of the aperture 16 is from about 0.25 inches up to about the width of the lid 12 preferably between about 1 inch to about 2 inches, most preferably about 2 inches. The height of the aperture 16 is from about 0.25 inches up to about the height of the lid 12 preferably between about 0.5 inch to about 1 inch, most preferably about 0.5 inches.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 4, a coupling system is employed wherein the lid 12 has a first member 20 that removably couples with a second member 21, the second member 21 additionally having means for removably attaching a handset such as clips, rails, clamps, straps or a pocket. As depicted in FIG. 4, the second member 21 employs clips 19 as the means for removably attaching a handset. The coupling system can be any method for removably coupling two items known in the art such as hook and pile fasteners, magnets, snaps, ball and socket fasteners, screws, buckle fasteners, clasps and the like. As depicted in FIG. 4, the coupling system is buckle fasteners with the female members of the buckle fasteners being the first member 20 on the lid 12 and the male members of the buckle fasteners being present on the second member 21. It is also contemplated that the coupling system can employ a second member 21 without the need for a first member whereby the second member 21 is strapped, clipped or clamped to the lid 12.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 5, the handset can be coupled to the lid 12 using one or more straps 22. The one or more straps 22 extend between two non-adjacent edges of the lid 12. It is preferred that the one or more straps 22 are on the outer side 14 of the lid 12, but the present invention also contemplates placing the one or more straps 22 on the inner side 15 of the lid 12. It is desirable for the straps 22 to be made from, or contain, a gripping material such as rubber, polyurethane, silicone and the like.

As discussed above, various embodiments of the present invention employ an aperture or position the handset beyond an edge of the lid in order to provide the recording device of the handset with a mostly unobstructed view or line of sight to a person opening the jewelry box or a person to whom the open jewelry box is presented. However, it should be understood that the aperture can be substituted or combined with positioning the handset beyond an edge of the lid, and thus, the embodiments of the invention described above are not limited to use only with an aperture/positioning the handset beyond an edge of the lid. In addition, it should be understood that if the handset is coupled to the inner side of the lid the handset need not be placed beyond an edge of the lid nor is an aperture necessary.

The jewelry box 10 of the present invention may be made of any rigid material such as wood, plastic, cardboard or metal. In a preferred embodiment the jewelry box 10 is made of plastic. The jewelry box 10 can be a ring box, bracelet box, earring box, watch box, necklace box or any box, wherein it is desirable to capture by audio, photograph and/or video, the reaction of a person opening the box or the person to whom the open box is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the jewelry box 10 is a ring box.

The handset 23 of the present invention is any device capable of capturing audio, photographs and/or video which can be held in the hand of a person. Suitable handsets for use in the present invention include digital cameras, cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches and tablets. In a preferred embodiment, the handset is a smartphone having storage, a camera, microphone, a display capable of displaying images captured by the camera and optionally a camera flash or light.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the handset is coupled to the jewelry box in a manner such that the flash or light of the handset can illuminate the inside portion of the jewelry box, and particularly, can illuminate the inner side of the base when the jewelry box is opened. By doing so, the jewelry in the jewelry box will be illuminated, which is visually pleasing, especially when the jewelry contains diamonds. In this embodiment the handset can be coupled to the jewelry box in any of the manners described above. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the lid of the jewelry box have an aperture and the handset is coupled to the jewelry box such that the flash or light of the handset is aligned with the aperture so that when the jewelry box is opened, the flash or light of the handset has a mostly unobstructed view or line of sight to the inside portion of the jewelry box. In certain embodiments, this may require that a small mirror be placed on or above the aperture in a position near the flash or light in order to reflect/redirect the flash or light toward the inside portion of the jewelry box.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a handset having a display can be coupled to the lid of the jewelry box such that the display of the handset is facing toward a person opening the jewelry box or the person to whom an open jewelry box is presented, i.e., the display of the handset is facing the same direction as the inner surface of the lid. In this embodiment the handset can be coupled to the jewelry box in any of the manners described above. It is preferred in this embodiment that the lid has an aperture which is void space or filled by a transparent material, and the display of the handset is aligned with the aperture so that when the jewelry box is opened, the display of the handset has a mostly unobstructed view or line of sight to the person opening the jewelry box or the person to whom the open jewelry box is presented. In this embodiment, the aperture is preferably approximately the dimensions of the display of the handset. Common dimensions of handset displays are between about 4 inches and about 6 inches diagonally, about 3.5 inches diagonally, about 4 inches diagonally, about 4.8 inches diagonally and about 5 inches diagonally. The handset can be preloaded with audio, image(s), video(s) or graphics which become audible and/or visible on the display and/or speakers of the handset to a person opening the jewelry box or a person to whom the open jewelry box is presented. Thus, in this embodiment, rather than recording an image of the person opening the jewelry box or the person to whom the open jewelry box is presented, the person opening the jewelry box or the person to whom the open jewelry box is presented will see an image, video or other graphic on the display of the handset when the jewelry box is opened by them or presented to them.

It is also contemplated that the handset of the present invention may be loaded with software to control the functions of the handset, particularly the audio, photograph and/or video functions of the handset. Most modern handsets are equipped with sensors to detect acceleration and light. Thus the software can monitor the handset's sensors for acceleration indicative of the opening motion of the jewelry box and/or light to detect when the jewelry box is being opened and thereafter trigger the handset's audio, photograph, flash/lighting and/or video recording or playback device or otherwise launch a software application on the handset which can perform any number of these functions.

The present invention also encompasses a method of recording the image of a person opening a jewelry box or a person to whom an open jewelry box is presented by employing an apparatus comprising a jewelry box and a handset removably coupled to the jewelry box and activating the photo or video recording device of the handset prior to, or contemporaneously with, the opening of the jewelry box.

Variations, modifications and alterations to the above detailed description will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations, modifications and/or alternatives are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, limited only by the claims. All cited patents and publications are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a jewelry box having a base and a lid with an inner side and an outer side, and a handset capable of recording one or more of audio, photographs and video, wherein the handset is removably coupled to the jewelry box.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handset is removably coupled to the jewelry box by rails, clips, one or more straps, a pocket or a coupling system.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rails, clips, one or more straps, or pocket is affixed to a side of the lid of the jewelry box.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the side of the lid of the jewelry box is the outer side.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the rails, clips or one or more straps are affixed to non-adjacent edges of the lid.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rails or clips are removably coupled to the jewelry box.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one rail or at least one clip is slidable on an axis perpendicular to itself.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the handset is removably coupled to the jewelry box by rails or clips and wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more clamps.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the coupling system comprises a first member and a second member and wherein the lid of the jewelry box comprises the first member of the coupling system and the second member of the coupling system has means for removably attaching a handset.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the jewelry box has an aperture in the lid.

11. A jewelry box having a base and a lid with an inner side and an outer side wherein the jewelry box comprises rails, clips, one or more straps, a pocket or a coupling system.

12. The jewelry box of claim 11 wherein the rails, clips, one or more straps, or pocket is affixed to a side of the lid of the jewelry box.

13. The jewelry box of claim 12 wherein the side of the lid of the jewelry box is the outer side.

14. The jewelry box of claim 13 wherein the rails, clips or one or more straps are affixed to non-adjacent edges of the lid.

15. The jewelry box of claim 11 wherein the rails or clips are removably coupled to the jewelry box.

16. The jewelry box of claim 11 wherein at least one rail or at least one clip is slidable on an axis perpendicular to itself.

17. The jewelry box of claim 11 wherein the jewelry box comprises rails or clips and further comprises one or more clamps.

18. The jewelry box of claim 11 wherein the jewelry box has an aperture in the lid.

19. The jewelry box of claim 11 wherein the coupling system comprises a first member and a second member and wherein the lid of the jewelry box comprises the first member of the coupling system and the second member of the coupling system has means for removably attaching a handset.