DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ARRANGING JEWELRY
A device, system and method for layering individual jewelry articles in a desired order and configuration around a wearer and maintaining the jewelry articles in a desired layered arrangement about the wearer.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/091,933 filed Dec. 15, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDLayered or compound articles of jewelry (e.g., necklaces) have become highly sought after as stylish and fashionable pieces of jewelry. In addition to their beauty and their appearance enhancing characteristics, layered jewelry are popular fashion statements capable of expressing subtle and complex messages that reflect the views, opinions, attitudes, culture, religion, or background of the wearer. They can also be selected and worn for purely ornamental or sentimental reasons.
With respect to layered necklaces in particular, in their typical form layered necklaces are conglomerations of multiple individual necklaces combined into a single unit that the wearer can don as he or she would a singular necklace. Typically, each necklace in the ready-made conglomeration has a specific length that differs from the lengths of the other necklaces in the conglomeration, such that the necklaces appear arranged in a layered or nested manner with the longest length necklace (as measured to include the length of its chain, if any) hanging at the bottom of the conglomeration and subsequent necklaces (including the lengths of their chains) getting progressively shorter from bottom to top.
Such ready-made or pre-assembled layered necklaces, however, suffer the disadvantage of their inability to be easily modified. It is difficult or impossible for the wearer to add necklaces to the conglomeration, remove necklaces from the conglomeration, replace necklaces, or change the order or lengths of the individual necklaces. These shortcomings stifle the wearer's creativity and ability to adjust and adapt a layered necklace for particular outfits, occasions, moods, or messages sought to be expressed.
A solution to the inadequacies of the typical pre-assembled layered necklace is for the wearer to don multiple necklaces from his or her own collection of individual necklaces. This allows the wearer to mix and match styles, lengths, colors, and so forth, to present different and unique looks depending on the particular combination of necklaces chosen. However, make-shift or impromptu layered necklaces derived from the wearer's own supply of singular necklaces are also problematic, as the necklaces chosen have not been designed to be worn together. This can result in necklaces being too long or too short to work with one another. Moreover, since the individual necklaces are loose and not coupled to one another, there is a tendency for them to tangle up or overlap one another in unappealing or otherwise undesirable ways, and for the necklaces to tarnish or become damaged from rubbing against each other during use.
Thus, there is a need for a device and improved method for wearing and arranging a plurality of individual necklaces into a desired layered or nested arrangement.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure is directed to a device, system and method for arranging articles of jewelry that overcome at least some of these challenges and drawbacks. Throughout this specification, the terms “clip” and “extender” will be used interchangeably with reference to the disclosed devices, systems, and methods.
In one aspect, a device for layering a plurality of jewelry articles is disclosed, the device having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the device further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the device is in the closed configuration, the device further comprising at least one gripping member for holding one or more jewelry chains in place, the at least one gripping member disposed on at least one of the upper member or the lower member.
In another aspect, a jewelry system comprises: a plurality of chains; and a first chain layering device, the first chain layering device having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the first chain layering device further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the first chain layering device is in the closed configuration, the first chain layering device further comprising at least one gripping member for holding the plurality of chains in place in a layered configuration, the at least one gripping member disposed on at least one of the upper member or the lower member.
In a further aspect, a method for layering a plurality of necklaces around a neck of a wearer, each of the plurality of necklaces comprising a chain comprises the steps of: placing the plurality of necklaces around the neck; closing each of the plurality of necklaces; grasping each of the plurality of necklaces behind the neck at two positions on its chain, the two positions being selected such that the plurality of necklaces appears at a front of the wearer in a desired layered arrangement; sandwiching the two positions of each of the plurality of necklace chains in between gripping members of a clip situated behind the neck of the wearer; and closing and locking the clip such that the plurality of necklaces remain in place in the desired arrangement.
In still a further aspect, a method comprises placing a first necklace around a user's neck and closing the first necklace; placing the first necklace in two jewelry clips, one on either side of the user's neck, each of the jewelry clips sandwiching the first necklace between corresponding gripping members disposed on the jewelry clips; placing a second necklace having two free ends and being shorter than the first necklace in the two jewelry clips, each of the jewelry clips grasping a portion at or near an end of the second necklace between corresponding gripping members such that the second necklace hangs lower on a wearer's front than the first necklace.
Various embodiments are described herein in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
The legs 12 and 14 of the jewelry clip or extender 10 can be made of any suitable material known in the art, including but not limited to a base metal or metal alloy, a precious metal, plastic, wood, glass, stone, and so forth.
The gripping members 20 and 22 can be made of any material suitable to keep the jewelry articles (e.g., necklace chains) in place on the gripping members 20, 22 when the clip 10 is closed. By way of example and without limitation, the gripping members 20 and 22 can be made of natural rubber, an elastomer, Teflon®, silicone, vinyl, foam rubber, and so forth. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each gripping member 20, 22 is a single, continuous element situated within the border of the top face 25 of the lower leg 14 and the bottom face 27 of the upper leg 12, respectively. The thickness of the gripping members 20 and 22 is such that when the clip 10 is in a closed position, the gripping members contact each other lightly (so as not to damage the jewelry), but with sufficient force to keep necklace chains sandwiched therebetween in place by friction. In alternative examples, multiple piece gripping members are used. In further alternative examples, a gripping member is placed on one but not both of the legs 12, 14 of the clip.
The gripping members 20, 22 are affixed to the legs 14, 12 (respectively) of the clip 10 through any suitable means, such as glue or other drying adhesive, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, and so forth.
Due to the flexible, compressible, gripping nature of the material of the gripping members 20, 22, once the clip 10 is locked or otherwise secured with the necklace chains sandwiched between the clip's legs, the chains are held in place by the frictional force generated from the pressure applied on the chains by the gripping elements. This prevents the necklaces from moving about or tangling in undesirable ways, and hinders or prevents tarnishing or damage that may otherwise be caused by the necklaces' and/or their chains' rubbing together.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking mechanism 18 is made from the same material as the clip 10 and can be manufactured/cast integrally with the clip 10. Alternatively, the locking mechanism 18 can be affixed to the legs 12 and 14 after the clip 10 is manufactured, through any suitable means such as soldering, glue, or so forth.
Alternatively or in addition, the appearance of the length of the necklace 92 can be further shortened relative to the appearance of the length of necklace 90 by feeding loops of slack of the chain of necklace 92 through one or more of the clips 10 in the manner described above with reference to
Likewise, it should be understood that additional necklaces can be added to the configuration shown on
In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, more than two (e.g., three or four) clips 10 are used simultaneously to create the desired layered or nested look of a plurality of necklaces.
In further embodiments, multiple locking devices are employed to secure the clip.
In further embodiments, one or more locking devices are disposed on the clip in locations other than the front of the clip, such as the side of the clip.
In further embodiments of the present disclosure, the length of the clip 10 or the length of the gripping members 20, 22 (as measured from their front 21 to their rear 23) is smaller or greater depending on the number of necklaces and/or the thickness of necklace chains to be engaged by the clip 10. For example, the clip 10 can be long enough to grasp two necklace chains, or alternatively three, four, or five necklace chains, and so forth. Similarly, a clip of greater length would be suitable for engaging relatively thick necklace chains, and a clip of shorter length would be suitable for engaging relatively thin necklace chains.
One exemplary method of using the jewelry clip 10 of the present disclosure includes the steps of placing the necklaces sought to be layered around the neck and closing them, grasping each necklace chain at two positions behind the neck, the positions being selected such that the necklaces fall down the front of the user in the desired arrangement/configuration, sandwiching the chains in a clip 10 designed in accordance with the disclosures herein behind the neck (e.g., by sandwiching the chains between corresponding gripping members 20, 22 disposed on the clip 10), and closing and locking the clip 10 such that the necklaces remain in place in the desired arrangement.
In another exemplary method of using two of the jewelry clips 10 of the present disclosure, a first necklace 92 (
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A device for layering a plurality of jewelry articles, the device having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the device further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the device is in the closed configuration, the device further comprising at least one gripping member for holding one or more jewelry chains in place, the at least one gripping member disposed on at least one of the upper member or the lower member.
2. The device as in claim 1 further comprising a first gripping member on an upper side of the bottom member, and a second gripping member on a lower side of the upper member, the first and second gripping members configured to sandwich a plurality of necklace chains therebetween when the device is in the closed configuration.
3. A device as in claim 2, wherein each of the first gripping member and the second gripping member has a length sufficient to sandwich at least two necklace chains therebetween.
4. A jewelry system comprising:
- a plurality of chains; and
- a first chain layering device, the first chain layering device having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the first chain layering device further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the first chain layering device is in the closed configuration, the first chain layering device further comprising at least one gripping member for holding the plurality of chains in place in a layered configuration, the at least one gripping member disposed on at least one of the upper member or the lower member.
5. The system as in claim 4, further comprising a first gripping member on an upper side of the bottom member, and a second gripping member on a lower side of the upper member, the first and second gripping members configured to sandwich the plurality of chains therebetween when the device is in the closed configuration.
6. The system as in claim 5, wherein each of the first gripping member and the second gripping member has a length sufficient to sandwich at least two necklace chains therebetween.
7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a second chain layering device, the second chain layering device having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the second chain layering device further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the second chain layering device is in the closed configuration, the second chain layering device further comprising at least one gripping member for holding the plurality of chains in place in a layered configuration, the at least one gripping member disposed on at least one of the upper member or the lower member.
8. The system as in claim 7, further comprising a first gripping member on an upper side of the bottom member of each of the first and second chain layering devices, and a second gripping member on a lower side of the upper member of each of the first and second chain layering devices, the first and second gripping members configured to sandwich the plurality of chains therebetween when the first and second chain layering devices are in the closed configuration.
9. The system as in claim 8, wherein each of the first gripping member and the second gripping member of each of the first chain layering device and the second chain layering devices has a length sufficient to sandwich at least two necklace chains therebetween.
10. The system as in claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of chains is a necklace, wherein a first of the plurality of chains is shorter than a second of the plurality of chains, and wherein the first of the plurality of chains hangs lower down a front of a wearer of the system than the second of the plurality of chains when the system is worn by the wearer and the first and second chains are sandwiched in the first and second chain layering devices.
11. The system as in claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of chains is held in place by the first chain layering device in two positions on the chain, such that a U-shaped portion of each of the plurality of chains extends below the first chain layering device on a wearer of the system.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein at least two of the plurality of chains have different lengths.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least two the U-shaped portions have different lengths.
14. A method for layering a plurality of necklaces around a neck of a wearer, each of the plurality of necklaces comprising a chain, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. placing the plurality of necklaces around the neck;
- b. closing each of the plurality of necklaces;
- c. grasping each of the plurality of necklaces behind the neck at two positions on its chain, the two positions being selected such that the plurality of necklaces appears at a front of the wearer in a desired layered arrangement;
- d. sandwiching the two positions of each of the plurality of necklace chains in between gripping members of a clip situated behind the neck of the wearer; and
- e. closing and locking the clip such that the plurality of necklaces remain in place in the desired arrangement.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the clip comprises an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the clip further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the device is in the closed configuration, and wherein a first of the gripping members is disposed on an upper side of the bottom member and a second of the gripping members is disposed on a lower side of the upper member.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the first of the gripping members and the second of the gripping members has a length sufficient to sandwich at least two necklace chains therebetween.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 10, 2015
Publication Date: Jun 16, 2016
Inventor: Courtney Lovett (West Hempstead, NY)
Application Number: 14/965,188