ARTICLES OF JEWELRY WITH PROVISION FOR MAGNETIC INTERACTION

Abstract

An article of jewelry, e.g. necklace, bracelet or the like, comprising a flexible strand and one or more ornaments shaped, configured and dimensioned to be slidably retainable on the strand; one or more spaced apart magnetic components associated with (e.g. embedded) inside the strand; and a magnetic insert embedded in at least one of the ornament or ornaments which magnetic insert is attractable to the magnet components, whereby the one or more ornaments can be releasably retained on the strand by the force of magnetic attraction. Some examples of the strand can also have no ornaments and be stackable together using the force of magnetic attraction, and also a magnetic connector assembly comprising a first part coupled to a first end of the strand, and a second part coupled to a second end of the strand, each part having a magnetic component attractive to each other, the first and second parts being adapted to releasably connect together to form the strand into an endless loop.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to articles of jewelry, and more particularly, to articles to jewelry having magnetic elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles of jewelry are known comprising multiple precious or semi-precious stones, beads, charms or other ornamental objects strung on a strand, such as a necklace, bracelet or anklet chain. In some instances, the placement of the strung objects is not secure and there is a risk of damage to the objects through contact with neighbouring strung objects. Furthermore, in some jewelry, there is no provision for keeping a strung object in a selected position on the strand, with the result that the wearer is constantly in need of moving the object, such as a pendant, back to the desired location.

Different approaches have been developed to limit the movement of objects along a strand of jewelry, including the use of clasps, glue, and knots, such as knots used in a string of pearls to keep the pearls in place on the strand.

The use of clasps or keepers to keep various beads in place on a piece of strand jewelry is documented in U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,507 to Enevoldsen (owned by Pandora Jewelry LLC). This patent discloses bracelet and necklace systems that employ spacers and clips to prevent the bunching of strung jewelry beads, bangles and baubles.

United States Patent Publication No. 2007/0084241 to Kretchmer et al. teaches a jewelry article comprising at least two magnetic jewelry forming components which repulse each other with a magnetic strength that can be overcome by a person's hand strength such that the components can be placed in different positions relative to each other. The disclosed embodiments require the magnetic components to be positioned on a rigid rod. Without the rigid rod, neighbouring magnetic elements would tend to flip over to orient north and south poles together.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,490,429 B2 to Huynh discloses an article of jewelry including a plurality of precious or semi-precious objects movably positioned along a pliable strand. Each object includes a magnetic insert extending between opposing surfaces. The insert is formed from two magnets separated by a magnetic stabilizer and aligned so that the opposing ends of the magnetic inserts of adjacent objects on the strand create repulsive forces that function to repulse adjacent objects on the strand to keep the objects apart.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,654,929 to Feibelman teaches a separable magnetic connector for bracelets and the like which include mechanical connector elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,546 A to Bey discloses a magnetic connector assembly for connecting objects such as a key or a jewelry clasp, and which allows the objects to be pulled apart.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,063 B1 to Pearl discloses an arrangement of stringed magnetic and non-magnetic beads worn as a necklace or bracelet in loops that are formed by the contact of the magnetic beads.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,335 to Hart teaches a necklace or the like comprised of discrete beads and selectively positioned magnetized pieces. The magnetized pieces can be placed into contact with each other using the force of magnetic attraction to allow the user to wear the necklace in one of a number of different configurations.

While prior art approaches may be satisfactory, the present invention is intended to provide new articles of jewelry that are easy to use and can be easily customized to create unique and multiple looks.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one aspect, the invention provides an article of jewelry comprising a strand, which may be flexible, for encircling a body part of a wearer, and a magnetic component associated with the strand, e.g. releasably or fixedly attached to the strand, for use in connecting the strand to another article of jewelry comprising its own magnetic component. The other article of jewelry may be another strand, as in the case of stacking bracelets or necklaces, for example, or one or more ornaments to be retained on the strand.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a a magnetic connector assembly comprising a first part coupled to a first end of a flexible strand, and a second part coupled to a second end of the flexible strand, each part having a magnetic component for use in releasably connecting the two ends of the strand together to form the strand into an endless loop around a wearer's neck, wrist, ankle, etc.

The magnetic component may be embedded wholly inside the strand or retained externally on the strand. When a plurality of magnetic components are employed, they may be arranged in a spaced apart relationship. Ornaments may be shaped, configured and dimensioned to be slidably retainable on the strand, and comprise a magnetic component attractive to the magnetic component of the strand, whereby the ornament can be maintained in a selected position on the strand.

The magnetic component of the strand and/or ornament may be a magnet or a ferromagnetic material attractive to a magnet. In the case of ornaments, the ornament may define a bore or a hook dimensioned and shaped to slidably receive the strand therethrough and the magnetic component may be adjacent to the bore or hook opening of the hook.

The ornament may also comprise two halves which together define a bore, each half incorporating a magnetic component attractive to each other for connecting the two halves together to form a whole, whereby the ornament can be attached to the strand when it is formed as an endless loop by prying the two halves apart and connecting them together around the strand using the force of magnetic attraction.

Regarding the connector assembly, the first part may comprise first and second members, the first member being coupled to the first end of the strand and having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore of the ornament such that the ornament can be slid over the first member onto the strand, the second member being releasably attachable to the first member and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the bore, whereby the second member can act as a stop to prevent the ornament from sliding off the first end of the strand. The first member may have an externally threaded shaft, and the second member may have a complementary internally threaded bore whereby the second member can be screwed onto the first member. The second part may have an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of the bore of the ornament to prevent the ornament from sliding off the strand at the second end. The first and second parts may also have a mutually complementary, interlocking shape, and may be configured to be movable between unlocked and locked positions, whereby in the locked position, the parts cannot be pulled axially apart or rotated axially relative to one another. For example, the first part may have a longitudinally extending tongue and groove, and the second part may have a complementary longitudinally extending groove and a tongue that mates with the tongue and groove of the first part when the first and second parts are moved transversely together.

The invention allows users to removably affix one or more decorative elements (e.g. ornaments) to a strand in one or more positions to create a variety of looks. When positioned in a spaced apart relationship, the ornaments can avoid getting damaged by rubbing together. The simplified connector assembly, e.g. clasp or closure mechanism, allows the user to easily put on and remove the strand and to replace, remove, and/or add ornaments. Bracelets, necklaces, anklets and the like may be stacked together to create thicker articles of jewelry. Still other embodiments of the invention can employ magnetic components providing magnetic therapy and health benefits to the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood with reference to the following description of various embodiments and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bracelet according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bracelet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the bracelet of FIG. 1. in cross-section taken along the plane of the bracelet;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bracelet of FIG. 1 with components removed;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged, partial, perspective and exploded view showing the magnetic connector assembly of the bracelet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along the plane of the bracelet;

FIG. 5C is a partial, perspective view showing the magnetic connector assembly from another vantage point;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial, side views showing the generally hemispherical members of the magnetic connector assembly in open and closed positions, respectively;

FIGS. 7A-7C are side views of bracelets according to various embodiments of the invention wherein the shape of the magnetic connector assembly is varied;

FIG. 8 is a partial, perspective, view of a magnetic ornament according to one embodiment of the invention on a strand, with portions of the strand and ornament removed to show internal structure;

FIG. 9 is a partial, perspective view illustrating a two-part, detachable, external magnetic attractor that can be mounted on a strand;

FIG. 10 is a partial, perspective view, showing both a unitary external magnetic attractor and two-part detachable external magnetic attractors, each with a borehole, strung on a strand;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a two-part detachable magnetic ornament that can be mounted to a strand that is in the form of a permanently endless loop;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are front and side views of a cubical magnetic ornament according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are front and side views of a pyramidal magnetic ornament according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are front and side views of a “clamp” magnetic ornament according to yet another embodiment;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are sectional views of a bracelet according to another embodiment having, amongst other things, singular and multiple external magnetic attractors, respectively;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of multiple bracelets varied from the versions shown in FIGS. 1-3, showing the stacking feature of the bracelets using external magnetic attractors as well as non-magnetic ornaments.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a bracelet, i.e. bangle, according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the bangle of FIG. 17, taken along the plane thereof, showing an internal magnetic component;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of multiple bangles of the type shown in FIG. 17 having a circular profile in transverse section, shown stacked together;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of multiple bangles according to another embodiment having a square profile in transverse section, shown stacked together; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of multiple bangles according to another embodiment having a triangular profile in transverse section, shown stacked together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In this patent application, wearable jewelry including bracelets, necklaces, anklets, waist chains and other similar products may also be called “stranded jewelry”. Chains, cables, strands, strings, chords and other similar items may also be called “strands”. Magnetic components means components that are magnets or which can be magnetically charged to form a magnetic field, e.g. components made of ferromagnetic materials such iron, chrome, and the like.

Magnetic components can pertain to the strand, and such will may herein also be called “attractors.” Ornaments such as beads, baubles, charms and the like, incorporating magnetic components may herein also be called “attractor ornaments.”

FIGS. 1-3 show an article of jewelry according to one embodiment of the invention in the form of a bracelet 1 comprising a flexible strand 30 for encircling a body part (i.e. wrist) of a wearer. The bracelet 1 has multiple magnetic components comprising internal magnetic attractors 40 embedded inside the strand 30 and external magnetic attractors 42 mounted to the surface of the strand 30. These magnetic attractors 40, 42 are used to connect the strand 30 to another article of jewelry comprising its own magnetic component or components, as will be further described.

Referring now also to FIGS. 4 and 8, the internal magnetic attractors 40 are magnets embedded wholly inside the strand 30 in a spaced apart manner. Ornaments 50 each have a bore 52 that is dimensioned and shaped to slidably receive the strand 30 therethrough, and a magnetic insert 54 adjacent to the bore 50 that allows the ornaments to be retained on the strand 30 around the internal magnetic inserts 40 by the force of magnetic attraction. Thus, one or more ornaments 50 can be retained on the strand in one or more selected positions, and the ornaments can be rearranged as desired to create different looks. For example, FIG. 4 shows the bracelet 1 with only a single ornament 50 mounted thereon.

In this embodiment, the magnetic insert 54 is made of metal, but the insert 54 can also be a magnet with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the magnetic attractors 40. Similarly, the magnetic attractors 40 can be made of any ferromagnetic material and function to attract ornaments wherein the magnetic insert 54 is a magnet.

Referring now too to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the bracelet 1 also includes a magnetic connector assembly in the form of a “clasp” 11 comprising first and second parts 8, 9 that are releasably connectible together. The first part 8 comprises a first member in the form of an internally threaded, magnetic, generally hemispherical first half 16 that can be coupled to a first end of the strand 30 by being screwed onto a second member in the form of a threaded shaft 19. The second part 9 comprises a magnetic, generally hemispherical second half 12 that, in this embodiment is rigidly coupled to a second end of the strand 30, by way of a fixed coupling 13. Each of the first and second halves 16, 12 has a magnetic component 15 attractive to each other, and a mutually complementary, interlocking shape. The first and second halves 16, 12 are configured to be movable between unlocked (FIG. 6A) and locked (FIG. 6B) positions, whereby in the locked position, they cannot be pulled axially apart or rotated axially relative to one another. More specifically, the first and second halves 16, 12 can be slid together transversely (as shown in FIG. 6A) such that the longitudinally extending tongue 16A/12A of one half 16, 12 slides into the respective groove 12B/16B of the other half 16, 12. The magnets 15 in the two halves 16, 12 make it easier to connect and keep them together. The magnetic connector assembly thus described is very easy to use and simplifies the process of wearing and removing jewelry.

As best shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when it is desired to add, change, or remove ornaments 50, the first half 16 can be unscrewed from the threaded shaft 19. Because the threaded shaft has a diameter (external dimension) that is smaller than the diameter of the bores 52 of the ornaments 50, the ornaments can be strung on the strand when the first half 16 removed. When the first half 16 is screwed back on the threaded shaft 19, it acts as a stop to prevent ornaments from sliding off the first end of the strand 30 because it has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the bores 52. Likewise the second half 12 also acts as a stop to prevent ornaments from sliding off the strand and the second end. Thus, when the first and second parts 8, 9 of the magnetic connector assembly are apart, the ornaments will not fall off the strand provided that the first half 16 is screwed on the threaded shaft 19.

While in this embodiment, the internal magnetic attractors 40 are permanently fixed within the strand, in other embodiments, they can be made to move inside the strand, such as would be desirable, for example, when there is no need to mount ornaments in a spaced-apart relationship.

Magnetic connector assemblies according to the invention can be varied in a number of ways including by changing their shapes. For example, FIG. 7A depicts a circular shape for the two halves 16, 12, while FIGS. 7B and 7C depict square and pyramidal shapes, respectively. It will be apparent that other shapes and complementary mating configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict alternative embodiments of external attractors and their use in stacking multiple bracelets together. FIG. 9 shows an external attractor 43 that is made in two parts that have opposite polarity and which therefore can be connected together around the strand 30 using the force of magnetic attraction. FIG. 10 shows the use of unitary and two-part external magnetic attractors 42, 43 in connecting (stacking) together multiple strands 30. See also FIG. 16 for another example of bracelets employing external attractors 42 that can be stacked and held together by the force of magnetic attraction between external attractors 42 on adjacent bracelets.

The ornament 50 described above can be varied in a number of ways. For example, the ornament can be made in two parts—see ornament 150 of FIG. 11. The ornament 150 has a bore 152 and magnetic insert 154 similar to the ornament 50 described above. However, ornament 150 is made of two halves with each half incorporating a magnetic component attractive to each other for connecting the two halves together to form a whole, whereby the ornament can be attached to the strand when it is formed as an endless loop by prying the two halves apart and connecting them together around the strand using the force of magnetic attraction. This embodiment is particularly useful for strands that do not employ connector assemblies (e.g. clasp mechanisms). By forming the ornaments in two halves, the ornaments can be mounted to strands that are permanent endless loops, e.g. bangles. The magnetic insert 154 allows the ornament to be retained in position on the strand around an internal magnetic attractor, similar to the magnetic ornament 50 described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 11, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B, the magnetic ornament can take various shapes. A square ornament 250 is depicted in FIGS. 12A, 12B, a pyramidal ornament 350 is depicted in FIGS. 13A, 13B, and a hook-shaped ornament 450 is shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. The hook-shaped ornament 450 comprises a hook 451 defining a hook opening 452 that is shaped and dimensioned to receive the strand 30 therethrough. As in the case of the ornament 50, the hook-shaped ornament 450 has a magnetic insert 454 that allows the ornament to be attracted to an internal attractor 40 of the strand 30.

FIGS. 15A and 15B, are still further embodiments of the invention. Here, a bracelet 500 is shown having a single (FIG. 15A) or multiple ornaments (FIG. 15B). The bracelet 500 employs a thinner strand 530 on which is mounted one or more magnetic external attractors 542 for use in retaining magnetic ornaments 550, each having a bore 552 and a magnetic insert (now clearly shown but similar to the magnetic insert 54 of the ornament 50 described above).

Bracelets and other strand jewelry can be made to incorporate internal attractors having opposite polarities so that the strand jewelry can be stacked together and held together by magnetic force. The internal attractors may also extend the full length of the strand. For example, see the bangles 630 having internally embedded magnetic attractors 640 in FIGS. 17 and 18 and the stacking of the bangles 630 in FIG. 19. FIGS. 20 and 21 show bangles having different transverse sectional profiles, e.g. square bangles 730 and triangular bangles 830. Each of these differently shaped bangles are also constructed to include internally embedded magnetic attractors that have opposite polarities to allow them to be retained together through the force of magnetic attraction.

Clearly, other variations to the aforedescribed embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below. There can be any number of external magnetic attractors 42, 43, which can come in various shapes and sizes and can be mounted in different locations on the strand. The external magnetic attractors 42, 43 can also be made to move freely or be secured on the strand 30 by magnetic attraction to an internal magnetic attractor 40, in the same way that magnetic ornaments (e.g. ornament 50) can remain secured. Likewise, there can be any number of internal magnetic attractors 40, which can also come in various shapes and sizes (to match the surrounding strand) and can move freely and/or be spaced apart at differing intervals.

The tranverse cross-sectional shape of the strand can be varied, as can be the length and diameter or thickness of the strand. The shape, size, pattern, ornamentation and configuration of the ornament can also be varied within functional limits, as will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

As depicted in FIG. 16 non-magnetic ornaments can be strung on a strand in the presence of magnetic components, such as the external magnetic attractors 42 shown. While FIG. 16 shows similar bracelets stacked together, different bracelets having different ornaments can also be stacked together to create unique and new looks.

These and other variations to the embodiments described above are within the scope of the invention herein described and claimed.

Claims

1. An article of jewelry comprising a strand for encircling a body part of a wearer, and a magnetic component associated with the strand, for use in connecting the strand to another article of jewelry comprising its own magnetic component.

2. An article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein the strand is in the form of an endless loop.

3. An article of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic component is embedded wholly inside the strand.

4. An article of jewelry according to claim 3, wherein the strand is flexible and has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the article of jewelry further comprising a magnetic connector assembly comprising a first part coupled to the first end of the strand, and a second part coupled to the second end of the strand, each part having a magnetic component attractive and being adapted to releasably connect together to form the strand into an endless loop.

5. An article of jewelry according to claim 4, further comprising an ornament shaped, configured and dimensioned to be slidably retainable on the strand, the ornament comprising a magnetic component attractive to the magnetic component of the strand, whereby the ornament can be maintained in a selected position on the strand.

6. An article of jewelry according to claim 3, wherein the strand comprises a plurality of spaced apart magnetic components.

7. An article of jewelry according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of ornaments, each ornament comprising a magnetic component attractable to a magnetic component of the strand.

8. An article of jewelry according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic component of the strand is a magnet.

9. An article of jewelry according to claim 5, wherein the ornament comprises a bore dimensioned and shaped to slidably receive the strand therethrough.

10. An article of jewelry according to claim 5, wherein the ornament comprises a hook defining a hook opening that is shaped and dimensioned to receive the strand therethrough.

11. An article of jewelry according to claim 9, wherein the ornament further comprises a magnetic insert adjacent to the bore.

12. An article of jewelry according to claim 10, wherein the ornament further comprises a magnetic insert adjacent to the hook opening.

13. An article of jewelry according to claim 5, wherein the ornament comprises two halves which together define the bore, each half incorporating a magnetic component attractive to each other for connecting the two halves together to form a whole, whereby the ornament can be attached to the strand when it is formed as an endless loop by prying the two halves apart and connecting them together around the strand using the force of magnetic attraction.

14. An article of jewelry according to claim 3, further comprising a magnetic component releasably or fixedly attached to an external surface of the strand for use in attracting a magnetic component of another article of jewelry.

15. An article of jewelry according to claim 4, wherein the first part of the connector assembly comprises first and second members, the first member being coupled to the first end of the strand and having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore of the ornament such that the ornament can be slid over the first member onto the strand, the second member being releasably attachable to the first member and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the bore, whereby the second member can act as a stop to prevent the ornament from sliding off the first end of the strand.

16. An article of jewelry according to claim 15, wherein the first member has an externally threaded shaft, and the second member has a complementary internally threaded bore whereby the second member can be screwed onto the first member.

17. An article of jewelry according to claim 4, wherein the second part has an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of the bore of the ornament to prevent the ornament from sliding off the strand at the second end.

18. An article of jewelry according to claim 4, wherein the first and second parts have a mutually complementary, interlocking shape, and are configured to be movable between unlocked and locked positions, whereby in the locked position, the parts cannot be pulled axially apart or rotated axially relative to one another.

19. An article of jewelry according to claim 18, wherein the first part has a longitudinally extending tongue and groove, and the second part has a complementary longitudinally extending groove and a tongue that mate with the tongue and groove of the first part when the first and second parts are moved transversely together.

20. An article of jewelry comprising:

a. a flexible strand having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

b. a magnetic connector assembly comprising a first part coupled to the first end of the strand, and a second part coupled to the second end of the strand, each part having a magnetic component attractive to each other, the first and second parts being adapted to releasably connect together to form the strand into an endless loop;

c. an ornament shaped, configured and dimensioned to be slidably retainable on the strand;

d. a plurality of spaced apart magnets embedded inside the strand; and

e. a magnetic insert embedded in the ornament and attractable to the magnets, whereby the ornament can be releasably retained on the strand in one of a plurality of positions by the force of magnetic attraction between the magnetic insert and a selected magnet in the strand.

21. An article of jewelry according to claim 20, wherein the first part has a longitudinally extending tongue and groove, and the second part has a complementary longitudinally extending groove and a tongue that mate with the tongue and groove of the first part, and wherein the first and second parts are movable transversely together into a locked in which the tongue and groove of the first part is mated with the groove and tongue of the second part such that the first and second parts cannot be pulled axially apart or rotated axially relative to one another.