MODULAR INTERCHANGEABLE JEWELRY

Abstract

A jewelry kit having a shape having at least one side wall with at least one side wall, a front side and a back side. The at least one side wall has a corresponding grooved rim forming at least one edge. The at least one edge spans the length of each side wall. The edges form at least one interior portion for receiving a plurality of objects. The kit also has at least one bale. The at least one bale has a jagged strip extending from the front side of the shape having the at least one side wall and culminating in a looped piece on the back side of the shape having the at least one side wall. The jagged strip attaches to the at least one edge of any of the at least one side walls. The looped piece culminating in a securing means for attaching the at least one bale to the shape having the at least one side wall.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims no priority to any patent or patent application.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The field of the embodiment of the present invention relates to kits for making jewelry.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

There is an unmet need for creating original jewelry without having to use or learn to use a torch or solder. There is an unmet need for creating original jewelry without having to use or learn to use a torch for soldering or metalsmithing skills for original fabrication. Also, consumers have to spend a lot of money to buy alternative designs of jewelry especially if they want to change their jewelry often. With the present invention, these unmet needs are met and these problems solved.

A review of the related art and technologies reveals the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,413 relates to a system of interconnected ornamental rings which convey a definite and clear message regarding the existence of an interpersonal relationship which, when worn by an individual, cannot be mistaken in the culture. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive system of interconnected ornamental rings comprises a pair of separate finger rings, each having a connection point at which there is attached a decorative chain interconnecting the separate rings. The system of interconnected rings can be worn on two fingers of the hand, with a finger in-between them, so that the decorative chain is prominently displayed. The message conveyed by such a pair of interconnected ornamental rings is very clear, indicating an interpersonal relationship with another, with the decorative chain which enhances the message with its particular type of decorative style. The system of interconnected ornamental rings provides several functions, including an indication function acceptable in the culture, by indicating an existing interpersonal relationship. It will be clear to all who notice the inventive jewelry ornament that the wearer has an existing interpersonal relationship. The system of ornamental rings provides a way of representing the object of the wearer's affections, and these may even be toward a favorite pet.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,840,983 pertains to a plurality of links interconnected to form a resilient self-coiling chain construction, each link including an under-looped portion and an upper-looped portion extending to overlie said under-looped portion, the latter extending beyond said upper-looped portion, a bight means interconnecting said under-looped and upper looped portions and having folded leaf spring properties, said upper-looped and under-looped portions each having end sections extending through the bight means of an adjoining link forming a double eye-coupling, said loop sections being in a predetermined spaced relation to each other, said bight means serving to resist pressure forces applied to bring said end sections closer together, said bight means of one link and end sections of an adjoining link being so constructed and arranged to permit maximum spacing of said loop sections of said first link when the links are disposed at less than degrees providing the self-coiling action of the chain construction and movement of the links toward a 180 degree uncoiling relation causing compression of said sections within said bight means applying a resilient force for returning the chain construction to said self-coiling condition.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,103 pertains to a clasp formed of beveled members, one a male member and the other a female member, which inter-engage together and are retained in their connection through capillary and frictional forces. The female member may contain a slot, to facilitate its resilient widening, to receive the male member, once inserted. The male member may include, at its frontal portion, a slot, to provide for its compression, and formation of a bevel proximate its front end to facilitate its interconnection with the female member into the beveled clasp. A modification includes a beaded type connector that interconnects together through the formation of a bead, interiorly of the female member, and a complementary groove, formed proximate the beveled front end of the male member, to facilitate the interconnection of the clasp together, and to sustain its hold during coupling.

United States Patent No. 5,632,164 pertains to a jewelry pendant assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a frame member having an outside edge and an inside edge, the latter defining a window there through. Also provided is a series of interrelated and interconnected jewelry stones mounted together in a substantially planar array and which are mounted behind said frame member.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,815 relates to a modular jewelry item, particularly a ring, an earring, a pendant, or a timepiece such as a watch, consisting of at least one hollow portion and one central portion complementary in shape to the hollow portion, said central portion being detachable from the hollow portion.

European Patent Application No. EP1767113A relates to an ornament consisting of a number of interchangeable decorative modules that can be worn or used on their own or grouped together. Each module has two contact surfaces, one of which is studded with equally-spaced permanent magnets, while the other is of a ferromagnetic material for the magnets to adhere to. The modules can be decorated, for example with gems, precious metals or enamel.

Various systems and methodologies are known in the art. However, their structure and means of operation are substantially different from the present disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure. At least one embodiment of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In general, the present invention and its embodiments teach and describe a jewelry kit having a shape having at least one side wall, a front side and a back side. The at least one side wall has a corresponding grooved rim forming at least one edge. The at least one edge spans the length of each side wall. The edges form at least one interior portion for receiving a plurality of objects. The kit also has at least one bale. The at least one bale has a jagged strip extending from the front side of the shape having the at least one side wall and culminating in a looped piece on the back side of the shape having the at least one side wall. The jagged strip attaches to the at least one edge of any of the at least one side walls. The looped piece culminating in a securing means for attaching the at least one bale to the shape having the at least one side wall wherever the user desires.

The present invention also teaches the jewelry kit's shape having the at least one side wall being comprised of a plurality of sizes such that the shape having the at least one side wall can be received on the interior portion of another shape having the at least one side wall. The jewelry kit has a shape having the at least one side wall is snapped into a second shape having at least one side wall. The jewelry kit has a shape wherein the at least one side wall is glued into a third shape having at least one side wall. The jewelry kit has shape having at least one side wall is attached to a fourth shape having at least one side wall. The interior portion of the shape having at least one side wall is further split into separate compartments by the at least one bale. The plurality of objects includes gems, precious stones, design elements or craft materials. The jagged strip is adjustable in size as is the bale. The at least one interior portion may be further split into multiple interior portions via the at least one bale. The jewelry kit also comprises at least one ring piece for securing additional objects. The additional object comprise at least one of beads crystals and pendants.

The present invention and its embodiments teach and describe a jewelry kit having a shape having at least one side wall, a front side and a back side. The at least one side wall has a corresponding grooved rim forming at least one edge. The at least one edge spans the length of each side wall. The edges form at least one interior portion for receiving a plurality of objects. The kit also has at least one bale. The at least one bale has a jagged strip extending from the front side of the shape having the at least one side wall and culminating in a looped piece on the back side of the shape having the at least one side wall. The jagged strip attaches to the at least one edge of any of the at least one side walls. The looped piece culminating in a securing means for attaching the at least one bale to the shape having the at least one side wall anywhere on the shape having the at least one side wall. The jewelry kit also has at least one magnet used for securing the shape having the at least one side wall to another shape having at least one side wall. The at least one magnet further secures to another magnet located on the at least one side wall.

It is an object of the present invention that the shape having the at least one side wall is comprised of at least one of a square, rectangle, and triangle.

It is an object of the present invention that the shape having the at least one side wall further comprises a plurality of shapes.

It is another object of the present invention that the plurality of shapes includes at least one of an oval, diamond, half moon, half circle, and pie slice.

It is an object of the present invention that the jagged strip is comprised of plastic or composite materials.

It is a further object of the present invention that the shape having the at least one side walls comprised of metal, plastic or composite materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shape having at least one side wall of the jewelry kit with bale attached.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the shape having the at least one side wall of the jewelry kit with bale attached.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the shape having the at least one side wall of the jewelry kit with bale attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shape having the at least one side wall of the jewelry kit with split bale attached.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the shape having the at least one side wall of the jewelry kit with split bale attached.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the shape having the at least one side wall of the jewelry kit with split bale attached.

FIG. 7A-7R are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the jewelry kit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the indent for the magnet.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a single bale.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a double bale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 1, which shows the shape having at least one side wall of the jewelry making kit. In a preferred embodiment, the shape having the at least one side wall is square shaped bezel with the bale in place. The bale extends down the front and is easily adjustable to fit any bezel. A user of the kit simply needs to cut or clip the jagged strip of the bale that is extra, or to fit the bale into a smaller space, or make more room for a stone or gem. The single bale is further shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 2 shows the side view of the shape having the at least one side wall and FIG. 3 shows the rear view of the shape having the at least one side wall.

FIG. 4 shows a double bale which splits the square bezel into two separate compartments. This double bale is further shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 5 shows a side view of this embodiment and FIG. 6 shows the rear view of this embodiment.

FIG. 7A-7R show various views of various different configurations and shapes of the square bezels and their interior compartments. These views show how the final piece of jewelry looks with magnets that hold other bezels of different shapes in place. FIG. 7A, the magnets are placed to hold 2 triangle bezels together. The bottom triangle can pull off creating a totally different look. A jump ring has been added to the bottom triangle so other embellishments like beads, crystals and pearls can be dangled. In FIG. 7B, two square bezels are snapped in to a bigger square bezel creating four individual areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. In FIG. 7C, two pie shape having the at least one side walls have been glued into a square bezel creating three different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. In FIG. 7D, a square shape having the at least one side wall has been glued within a larger square bezel creating two different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. In FIG. 7E, three triangle pieces have snapped into a square bezel with magnets holding shapes in place creating six individual areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. A jump ring has been added to the bottom triangle so other embellishments like beads, crystals and pearls can be dangled. In FIG. 7F, two polygonal rectangular shaped pieces or bezels are held together with magnets and the bottom rectangle can pull off creating a totally different look. A jump ring has been added to the bottom triangle so other embellishments like beads, crystals and pearls can be dangled. In FIG. 7G, a single rectangular bezel has been put into a square bezel and is held by magnets. Three jump rings have been added to the bottom triangle so other embellishments like beads, crystals and pearls can be dangled. In FIG. 7H, three triangular bezels have been snapped into a square bezel. Magnets are used to hold pieces in place as shown in FIG. 8. As shown the largest triangle is upside down in the drawing showing that you can flip pieces over and just let the metal show as a flat surface. In FIG. 7I magnets are used to connect a half circle to a triangle with two smaller triangles fitted into the bigger triangle creating four different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. The bottom section can be removed from the top half circle to change out different looks of design combination.

In FIG. 7J, one triangle bezel shape with a bale is shown. In FIG. 7K, a half-moon shaped shape having the at least one side wall is connected to a circle bezel that can be pulled apart and changed out or left as is thereby creating 2 different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. In FIG. 7L, a pie shaped bezel is connected to a circle bezel creating two different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. A single jump ring has been added to the bottom triangle so other embellishments like beads, crystals and pearls can be dangled. In FIG. 7M, two pie shaped bezels have been placed in a circle bezel creating four different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. In FIG. 7N, a square bezel is glued or secured in the middle of a circle bezel creating two different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. In FIG. 7O, a half circle bezel has been placed inside a circle bezel thereby creating two different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. Three jump rings may be added to the bottom triangle so other embellishments like beads, crystals and pearls can be dangled. In FIG. 7P, six half-moon bezel shapes are held together with magnets creating six different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. In FIG. 7Q, four half-moon bezel shapes and one circle bezel are held together with magnets, thereby creating five different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials. In FIG. 7R, a circle bezel containing a square bezel is placed inside an oval bezel, thereby creating three different areas to add color and/or design elements/craft materials plus one jump ring may be added to the bottom triangle so other embellishments like beads, crystals and pearls can be dangled.

In FIGS. 7A, 7E, 7F, 7G, 7O, 7L, and 7R the ring that hangs from the bottom of each bezel must look like a mini version of the top bale, showing the adjustable tab lying flat against the bezel back. It works and looks the exact same way as the bale on top. The kit for making jewelry is equipped with a wide variety of bezel shapes. The shapes are designed to work together making endless combinations. Ovals, circles, squares, rectangles and more fit together perfectly side by side or embedded into one another. A user of the kit needs a design and then can pick for an assortment of bales. The bales are fully adjustable and have a spring action mechanism which secures the bale to the bezel wherever a user desires. The kit for making jewelry also comprises a spring loaded jump ring which can be secured to the bezels or shape having the at least one side walls. These jump rings can hold other pieces of jewelry or stones that can dangle. There is no solder or heat required to secure any bale to any shape having the at least one side wall or any shape having at least one side wall to another shape having at least one side wall. The bales and jump rings can fit into a variety of configurations as the bales and jump rings are comprised of an adjustable jagged strip. The bales can either be a single jagged strip as shown in FIG. 9 or a double jagged strip as shown in FIG. 10. The double jagged strip allows for the interior compartment of the shape having the at least one side wall to be split into different compartments. These compartments allow a user to style and design all sorts of unique pieces of jewelry.

The interior compartments can receive magnets (as best shown in FIG. 8) for further securing Powerful “rare earth” magnets that easily embed in your art materials.

Traditional bezels may be shaped into the size and shape of the gem and then a bale and/or jump rings soldered into place. The prepared stone is then placed into the bezel and the metal is pressed down over the edges of stone, locking it into place. This bezel kit eliminates all those steps. A user may choose from a variety of interlocking bezel shapes to create endless combinations of designs. With the present invention, the user can simply place into the pre-done bezels a huge assortment of materials, with the ability to place the bale and jump rings wherever the user wishes, plus the ability to change the look of the jewelry piece even after fabrication, without soldering.

One advantage of the “bezel setting” as compared to a “prong setting” is that whatever “art” or “fabrication” that is used in the bezel is better protected from accidental rubbing and is less likely to scratched or damaged. The bezel setting is also more secure, so objects set are less likely to be dislodged by the wearer's activity. All the shapes are designed to work with each other, designed in scale and proportion. All shapes having the at least one side walls are able to fit perfectly inside each other creating a multitude of designs. Shapes can be used in a reverse portion with metal side up as well creating even more design possibilities. The bezels in this kit are made from a variety of metals, from base metal to precious metal.

A bale (or bail, used interchangeably in the present application) are the top loop on a pendant that the chain, leather or any type of necklace, slides through. A bale is a component of certain types of jewelry, mostly necklaces, that is used to attach a pendant or stone so the piece can be easily added to a chain or other form of necklace like leather. The bail normally comes placed in the center of the bezel pendant where the pendant hangs. The bails in the present invention are made so that they can be attached wherever the user wishes. This creates endless options for the user in their designing of a piece of jewelry. For example, a user, instead of using a pre-formed oval bezel that has the bail placed on the long side of the bezel, can instead place the bail on the short side of the oval, hanging the bezel in a horizontal instead of vertical manner.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bale expand the jewelry-making options by making it possible for focal pieces to be easily transformed into pendants without the use of metalsmithing or soldering equipment, or glues. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bale is designed with spring loaded adjustable tongue, that can be cut to fit the size needed, so they can attach to any polygonal bezel piece, anywhere desired. There is also a split double bale the can be used to join two bezels together creating even more possible design combinations for the user. This allows the user to design easily without any extra tools. Where a user places the bale on a pendant can make a big difference in design aesthetics and creative choices.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a smaller bale or jump ring may be used. The jump rings are designed with spring loaded adjustable tongue so they can attached to any bezel at any location giving the user endless options for adding embellishments like beads, crystals or other decorative media to complete the user's designs. Normally, just like bails, soldering or glue would be needed, but not with the present invention's jump rings or bales. This allows the user to design easily without any extra tools.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnets used may be rare-earth magnets, which are strong permanent magnets made from alloys of rare earth elements. The type of magnets used in the present invention are neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets are a member of the rare earth magnet family. They are called “rare earth” because neodymium is a member of the “rare earth” elements on the periodic table. Neodymium magnets are the strongest of the rare earth magnets and are the strongest permanent magnets in the world. They are extremely strong for their small size. Each bezel piece in the present invention's kit has a notched out area that matches the size of the neodymium magnets to fit snuggly and securely. When a magnet is put into place and covered with any variety of craft supplies, it retains its magnetic ability. This makes it uniquely easy to change out different bezels even after the piece is completely designed and fabricated to take on a totally different look.

A user can use all sorts of materials in conjunction with the present invention. These materials can be used within the interior portions of the shape having at least one side walls or as applied to the side walls of the shape having at least one side walls or bezels. Materials include, resins, concrete, acrylic paints, polymers, paper clays, glass embellishments, glitters, powder coatings and fibers. For example, resin can be used to embed or encase almost any object in crystal clear plastic. Clear polyester casting resin is an exciting and fun craft that allows a user to embed or encase almost any object in crystal clear plastic as well as resin that has been colored. Color dyes and pigments are optional and can be used to create a variety of special effects, colors and backgrounds. Concrete is lighter then stone, resin or metal of comparable size, making it perfect to use in this kit. Concrete is so strong one can use it in a bezel. Gems, crystals, metal clay, polymer clay and found objects may be placed into the concrete for a permanent cold-connected piece using the kits' bezels. Micro nuts and bolts may be placed into the concrete creating ways to attach other elements to your piece. The bezels of the present invention can be painted with acrylic and specialty paints. Acrylic paints can create background colors and textures in the bezels. Acrylic paint can be can be applied with a brush or dropper or poured directly from the bottle into the bezel. Polymer clay is a type of hardenable modeling clay based on the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Polymer clay is generally used for making arts and craft items, and is also used in commercial applications to make decorative parts. Polymer clay is a pliable, bendable polymer compound for artists and crafters. Polymer clay can easily fill a bezel as well as hold embeddables like crystals, stones, or glass ephemera. Paper clay is a unique air hardening modeling material that requires no firing in a kiln or baking in an oven. It is clean, odorless and easy to use. It feels similar to an earthen clay; however, it contains no clay in it at all. A user can also add color. Paper clays can be sculpted, molded or shaped while it's moist and it accepts and retains fine details. It can be used beautifully with the present invention as an additional medium to use/create a personalized piece of jewelry. Fibers can also be featured in any of the bezels in this kit. Glass embellishments and glitters can be encased in the bezels and held with glues. Powder coating can be easily added to the outside of the bezels and baked in toaster over changing the color of the metal from its original color to an array of powder coating colors. The bezels can be put in a toaster oven without any coating and at a low temperature create a colored patina to the metal surface. Crystal embellishments can be attached or secured to the shape having at least one side wall without heat or glue. A user can snap on an adjustable jump ring and then add a variety of embellishments such as pearls, crystals, or beads.

In another embodiment, the materials used would be precious metals such as sterling silver or gold or even Lucite and plastics. In another embodiment, the kit would come with materials to fill the bezels. In yet another embodiment, written, video and audio instructions could be downloaded for additional ideas. In another embodiment, the kit could come with a variety of ready to wear necklaces such as fabric ribbons and chains and leathers, where the bezel could be slipped on when completed. In another embodiment, the kit may contain metals that may be applied with a patina, wherein the finish of the metal is changed. In another embodiment bezels with stone settings may be included that could accommodate faceted stones like diamonds.

In another embodiment, slots or slits in the side of the bezel may be configured where a bale with a “biscuit” end could be inserted. In another embodiment, a “frame” with the bale may be attached. In this embodiment, the bezel would pop or snap into the frame and the bezel could be rotated where desired. In another embodiment, glue may be used on bales which contain recessed areas. In yet another embodiment, small holes in bezels with bales that have a matching size pin that could be pushed in like a rivet. In yet another embodiment, a bezel may be configured with multiple bales attached and a user may cut off the ones not needed or desired.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts; and the use of an infinite variety of symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A jewelry kit comprising:

a shape having at least one side wall,

a front side;

a back side; and wherein the at least one side wall is comprised of a corresponding grooved rim forming at least one edge; said at least one edge spanning a length of each side wall; said edge forming at least one interior portion for receiving a plurality of objects;

at least one bale; said at least one bale comprising a jagged strip extending from the front side of the shape having the at least one side wall and culminating in a looped piece on the back side of the shape having the at least one side wall; and wherein said jagged strip attaches to the at least one edge of any of the at least one side wall; and wherein said looped piece culminating in a securing means for attaching the at least one bale to the shape having the at least one side wall.

2. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one shape is comprised of a plurality of sizes such that one shape can be received on the interior portion of another shape having at least one side wall.

3. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the shape having at least one side wall is snapped into a second shape having at least one side wall.

4. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the shape having the at least one side wall is glued into a third shape having at least one side wall.

5. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the shape having at least one side wall is attached to a fourth shape having at least one side wall.

6. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the interior portion of the shape having the at least one side wall is further split into separate compartments by the at least one bale.

7. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of objects includes gems or precious stones.

8. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the shape having the at least one side wall is comprised of at least one of a circle, square, rectangle, and triangle.

9. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the shape having the at least one side wall is further comprising a plurality of shapes.

10. The jewelry kit of claim 9, wherein the plurality of shapes includes at least one of an oval, diamond, half moon, circle, half circle, and pie slice.

11. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the jagged strip is comprised of plastic or composite materials.

12. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the shape having the at least one side wall comprised of metal, plastic, or composite material.

13. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the jagged strip is adjustable.

14. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the bale is adjustable.

15. The jewelry kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one interior portion is further split into multiple interior portions via the at least one bale.

16. The jewelry kit of claim 1, further comprising an at least one ring piece for securing additional objects.

17. The jewelry kit of claim 17, wherein the additional object comprise at least one of beads crystals and pendants.

18. A jewelry kit, comprising:

a shape having at least one side wall, a front side and a back side; and wherein the at least one side wall is comprised of a corresponding grooved rim forming at least one edge; said at least one edge spanning the length of each side wall; said edge forming at least one interior portion for receiving a plurality of objects;

at least one bale; said at least one bale comprising an jagged strip extending from the front side of the shape having the at least one side wall and culminating in a looped piece on the back side of the shape having at least one side wall; and wherein said jagged strip attaches to the at least one edge of any of the at least one side wall; and wherein said looped piece culminating in a securing means for attaching the at least one bale to the shape having the at least one side wall; and at least one magnet; said at least one magnet used for securing shape having at least one side wall to another shape having the at least one side wall.

19. The jewelry kit of claim 18, wherein the at least one magnet further secures to another magnet located on the at least one side wall.

20. The jewelry kit of claim 18, wherein the at least one magnet is a neodymium magnet.

21. The jewelry kit of claim 18, wherein the at least one side walls comprise an indent for receiving the at least one magnet.