FITTED TIARA

Abstract

A tiara for wearing on a human head includes a base member and ornamentation. The arcuate base member has a front portion and side portions. The front portion is positioned on top of the head when the tiara is worn, the front portion lying in a plane. The side portions extend along the sides of the head. The ornamentation is coupled to the base member and extends above the base member front portion. The side portions have rear ends that are below the front portion plane. The side portion rear ends extend inwardly toward the head when the tiara is worn.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jewelry and more specifically, tiaras that are worn on the head a person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tiaras and crowns are ornamental objects worn on the head. A crown typically has a closed base in the shaped of a circle or oval, with ornamentation extending up from the base. The ornamentation on a crown, which includes gem stones and precious metal designs, extends all the way around the base. A crown sits on top of a wearer's head.

A tiara has an open base, with a front section and side sections, and is shaped similar to the letter “C”. The back of the tiara is open. The front section typically rests on the top front portion of the head in the hair, above the forehead. The side sections extend from the front section along the sides or the head. As with a crown, ornamentation extends up from the base. With a tiara, the ornamentation tends to be located above the front section. The ornamentation tapers on the side sections, which serve to secure the tiara to the head. The side sections extend from the top of the head along each side of the head, ending behind each ear.

Headbands are also worn on the top of the head. Headbands are typically “C” shaped and lay flat on the head in order to keep the hair out of the wearer's eyes and face. In order to control the hair, headbands are worn further back from the forehead than a tiara. Headbands are made of fabric, plastic or in some cases, non-precious metal. Headbands may be decorative.

While headbands are worn primarily to control hair on the head, tiaras are worn to display ornamentation. The ornamentation of a tiara extends up and is more noticeable to an observer, rather than lay flat as a headband. Also, at special occasions and events, tiaras are preferred For a more formal or glamorous look than headbands.

There is a difference between a jewelry tiara and a costume jewelry tiara. A costume jewelry tiara is typically made of plastic and is light in weight. The base, the costume stones and/or the remaining ornamentation are made of plastic. In some instances, a lightweight wire is used for the base or to support the costume stones to the base. It fits to the head by friction, with the side sections pressing into the sides of the head. Short spike projections can be provided on the inside of each of the side sections to prevent slipping in the hair.

In contrast, a jewelry tiara is typically made of precious metals and may include precious gems or stones. Such precious metals include alloys of platinum, gold and silver (for example, sterling silver). The precious gems or stones include diamonds, topazes, opals, lapis stones, etc. A jewelry tiara is much heavier than a costume jewelry tiara and naturally costs more.

When fitting a jewelry tiara onto a wearer's head for the first time, care is taken to achieve a comfortable and secure fit. An improperly fit jewelry tiara quickly becomes uncomfortable due to the heavy weight. Also, an improperly fit jewelry tiara may dislodge and fall off the head.

To achieve a proper fit, the base can be manipulated. The base is typically made of wire or thin metal and can be bent to a certain degree. Fitting a jewelry tiara may take several attempts. A properly fitted tiara fits firmly and securely onto the head, but does not exert excessive pressure on the sides of the head. The fitting of a tiara, which is typically performed by a jewelry professional, adds to the overall cost. Even once properly fitted, the tiara may need to be secured by pins, etc. Some tiaras are provided with loops on the side sections, which loops receive pins.

There is thus a need for a tiara that fits properly without excessive manipulation, and is simple to wear, without the need for pins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tiara for wearing on a human head, having a top, sides and ears, comprises an arcuate base member having a front portion and side portions. The side portions are integral to the front portion. The base member has an open back. The front portion is positioned on top of the head when the tiara is worn. The front portion lies in a plane. The side portions extend along the sides of the bead when the tiara is worn. Ornamentation is coupled to the base member and extends above the base member front portion. The side portions have rear ends that are below the front portion plane. The side portion rear ends extend inwardly toward the head and behind the ears when the tiara is worn.

In one aspect, the side portion rear ends are shaped like ear ends.

In another aspect, the front portion is shaped like a rod.

In still another aspect, the rear ends of the side portions are angled 30-60 degrees below the front portion plane.

In still another aspect, the rear ends of the side portions are angled 40-50 degrees below the front portion plane.

In still another aspect, the rear ends of the side portions are located behind ears on the head when the tiara is worn.

In still another aspect, the ornamentation is symmetric with respect to the side portions.

In still another aspect, the ornamentation is asymmetric with respect to the side portions.

In still another aspect, the ornamentation comprises precious metals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tiara of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, worn on the head of a person.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the tiara of FIG. 1, the right side view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tiara of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the tiara of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the tiara of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the tiara of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the tiara of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tiara, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the tiara of FIG. 8, the left side view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view or the tiara of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the tiara of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the tiara of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the tiara of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a perspective side view of the tiara, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a left side view of the tiara of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the tiara of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the tiara of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the tiara of FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the tiara of FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the tiara of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The jewelry tiara 11 of the present invention provides a unique base that fits the head 15 of a wearer well and with little or tai manipulation required. In addition, little or no pinning or other anchoring is required to secure the tiara to the head.

Furtherstill, several unique designs of tiaras are provided.

In the discussion herein, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “upper” and “lower” may be used. These terms are used with reference to the orientation of the tiara on the wearer's head, shown in FIG. 1. The wearer's head has a top 17, sides 19, and ears 21.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the tiara 11 includes a base member 23 and ornamentation 33.

The base member 23 has a front portion 25 and side portions 27. The front portion 25 is curved so as to fit on top 17 of the wearer's head. In the preferred embodiment, the front portion 25 has a substantially constant radius, although this need not be the case for all embodiments. The two side portions 27 join with the front portion and extend along the sides 19 of the wearer's head. The side portions 27 are also curved, but at a different radius, or bend, than the front portion 25. The side portions 27 generally curve inward toward the wearer's head. The side portions need not be curved at a fixed radius, but may have a variable radius. The radiuses of the front and side portions can vary according to the shape of the specific head 15. Each side portion 27 has a rear end 31, which is free. Each side portion has a front end that merges with the front portion.

The side and front portions 25, 27 form a continuous, curved, integral piece that is aesthetically pleasing.

When viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 2, the front portion 25 and the front ends of the side portions lie in the same plane A, and as such are coplanar. The rear ends 31 of the side portions however curve lower and beneath the plane. The rear ends thus form an angle B with the plane A. The angle B can be 30-60 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle B is 40-50 degrees. The rear ends 31 are shaped like ear ends in eyeglass frames.

In the preferred embodiment, the base member 23 is shaped like a rod along much of its length, with the exception of the rear ends. The base member need not be circular in transverse cross section, but can be oval or some other shape. In addition, the thickness, or diameter, and the shape of the base member need not be constant along the length. In many tiara designs, the base member is minimized so as not to interfere visually or aesthetically with the ornamentation 33.

The ornamentation 33 is attached to and supported by the base member 23. In general, the ornamentation projects or extends in an upward direction from the base member. When the tiara is worn on the head, the ornamentation extends vertically or nearly so. This causes the ornamentation to extend above the head and be seen by others.

The ornamentation can vary greatly in design. FIGS. 1-7 show one design, FIGS. 8-13 show another design and FIGS. 14-20 show still another design. In FIGS. 1-7, the design has plural three sided elements arranged in an overlapping manner. One of the sides of each element is formed by the base member, with the other two sides formed by side members 41. The elements are mostly triangular, with at least one element shaped like an “X” when viewed from the front (see FIG. 3). The side members are coupled to the base members.

In FIGS. 8-13, another ornamentation design is shown. The ornamentation includes plural rods 43 that are located above the front portion of the base member, with the rods generally having the curvature and orientation of the base member. The rods are spaced apart in the front portion and may be interwoven. The rods join together and with the base member along the side portions. The design is symmetrical in the sense that at the front portion, the right and left section are of the same height above the base member.

In FIGS. 14-20, still another ornamentation design is shown. This design is similar to the design of FIGS. 8-13, but is asymmetrical when viewed from the front.

In the designs shown herein, the ornamentation extends along the front portion 25 of the base member. The ornamentation may also extend along the front ends of the side portions. In the preferred embodiments, the ornamentation does not extend along the rear ends 31 of the side portions.

The tiara can be made of precious metals, such as sterling silver, platinum and gold. The ornamentation can be made of precious metals and may include gems or precious stones.

Referring to FIG. 1, when fitting the tiara to the head, the tiara is placed on top of the head, above the forehead. A common location is above the hairline a short distance. In this regard, the tiara is worn closer to the forehead than is a headband, which is located further toward the back of the head. The side portions of the tiara extend down along the sides of the head and toward the rear, with the rear ends located behind the ears. The tiara is sized to the head so as to fit snugly, yet comfortably. The jewelry tiara is made of precious metal and consequently is heavy. The combination of its weight and the rear ends fitting behind the ears serves to securely mount the tiara to the head. The ornamentation extends up vertically form the head to as to be more readily seen.

It should be known to those skilled in the art that the foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A tiara for wearing on a human head, the head having a top, sides and ears, comprising:

a) An arcuate base member having a front portion and side portions, the side portions being integral to the front portion, the base member having an open back, the front portion positioned on the top or the head when the tiara is worn, the front portion lying in a plane, the side portions extending along the sides of the head and behind the ears when the tiara is worn;

b) Ornamentation coupled to the base member and extending above the base member front portion;

c) The side portions having rear ends that are below the front portion plane, the side portion rear ends extending inwardly toward the head when the tiara is worn.

2. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 1 wherein the side portion rear ends are shaped like ear ends.

3. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 2 wherein the front portion is shaped like a rod.

4. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 1 wherein the rear ends of the side portions are angled 30-60 degrees below the front portion plane.

5. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 1 wherein the rear ends of the side portions are angled 40-50 degrees below the front portion plane.

6. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 1 wherein the rear ends of the side portions are located behind ears on the head when the tiara is worn.

7. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 1 wherein the ornamentation is symmetric with respect to the side portions.

8. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 1 wherein the ornamentation is asymmetric with respect to the side portions.

9. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 1 wherein the ornamentation comprises precious metals.

10. The tiara for wearing on a human head of claim 1 wherein:

a) the side portion rear ends as shaped like ear ends;

b) the side portion rear ends are located behind ears on the head when the tiara is worn;

c) the side portion rear ends are angled 30-60 degrees below the front portion plane;

d) the ornamentation comprises precious metals.