Abstract:
The ornamental article is a bangle or ring which can house a watch or item of jewelry. The article has two or more planar portions fixed at a 90° angle and a display area that spans the surface of at least two of the planar portions to form a continuous angled display area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (1) Field of Invention 
   The present Invention relates to an ornamental article for personal use which can be worn on the wrist, ankle or finger. More particularly, the present Invention relates to a bracelet, anklet, wrist watch or ring which is worn on the wrist, ankle, finger or toe. 
   (2) Related Art 
   Bracelets and anklets are ornamental bands or chains which are worn around the wrist or ankle, respectfully. They can take a variety of shapes. 
   Wrist watches are generally circular in shape and comprise a single planar housing which houses the watch mechanism and a band which is coupled at both ends of the housing and is used to secure the watch to the wrist of the user. Rings are generally circular in shape and are worn on the finger or the toe, but can take on other shapes besides circular. 
   There is always a need for a new and useful ornamental article that can be worn on the wrist, ankle, finger or toes. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A new ornamental article for personal use in displaying useful or decorative matter has now been invented. The article of the present Invention has at least two planar portions which are rigidly affixed to one another at a selected angle wherein at least two of the planar portions have an outward facing display area for displaying useful and/or decorative matter. Affixed to the planar portions is a band which is used to couple the planar portions to the wrist, ankle, finger or toe of the user. The band or coupling means can be continuous or have a latch mechanism that opens and closes. The ornamental article of the present Invention can be called a bangle. 
   Preferably, there are three planar portions each of which are rigidly connected to each other at selected rigid angles relative to each other, however, two planar portions may be easier for manufacturing and therefore also preferred. Preferably the rigid angle is about 90°. 
   It is also preferred that the display area which is on the outside of the planar portion extend from one planar portion onto another of the planar portions so as to create a single, angled display area which forms approximately a 90° angled display area. The display area can also extend onto a third planar portions and thereby form an inverted U-shaped display area which spans three planar portions. 
   The display areas on the article suitably display gemstones, an ornamental design, the face of an electronic apparatus such as a watch, cell phone or calculator or display other ornamental matter such as a precious metal or a favorite picture or saying. 
   The planar portions have a thickness which is suitable for housing the working mechanisms of the electronic apparatus or simply for providing an appearance to the ornamental design itself. The thickness, however, can be relatively thin to highlight that portion of the user&#39;s body on which it is worn. 
   The width of the planar portions can likewise vary depending on the display or decorative portion which is being displayed. For example, in the case of a watch face, the width would be on the order of 3 centimeters so as to fully display the watch face. 
   The coupling means, which are used to affix the planar portions to the user&#39;s body, are attached at each side of the planar portions so as to form a continuous loop. The coupling means is preferably flexible so as to conform to the user&#39;s body, however, the coupling means can also be rigid. The coupling means may include, for example, a leather or cloth band which is affixed at both ends to the planar portions or it may be divided in half and affixed at one end to the planar portions and a latch mechanism at the other end for forming the continuous loop. The latch mechanism may be open/snap closure, a hook and eye, or other conventional watch/jewelry latch mechanisms. 
   The present Invention can also be defined as a watch, comprising 
   a housing; 
   a crystal disposed in said housing, having a first planar portion and a second planar portion, wherein the first and second planar portions are affixed to each other at an angle of about 90°; and 
   a band coupled to said housing. 
   The watch can have a flexible band or a rigid band. 
   The watch can further comprise a hinge, wherein said hinge couples said band to said housing. The band can be substantially U-shaped. 
   These and other aspects of the present Invention can be more fully understood by reference to one or more of the following drawings which are chosen for illustration purposes only. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present Invention as a watch; 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of the present Invention as a ring; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a variation of the present Invention; 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate yet another variation of the present Invention; 
       FIG. 5  illustrate a further variation of the present Invention; and 
       FIGS. 6-11  illustrate back, front and side views of the present Invention of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 6  as a back view. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As shown in  FIG. 1A , a wrist watch made in accordance with one embodiment of the present Invention is illustrated. The article of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated with three planar portions, top planar portion  10 , front planar portion  12  and back planar portion  14 . Both front planar portion  12  and top planar portion  10  have display areas, namely, top display area  16  and front display area  18 . In  FIG. 1A , these display areas illustrate the face of a watch, however, other ornamental or decorative elements  11  can be displayed in these display areas. 
     FIG. 1B  illustrates a ring with precious metal in the display areas. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the planar portions are rigidly fixed to one another at approximately 90°. 
   Band  20  is a flexible band which is used to attach the planar portions to the wrist of the user. Band  20  is attached to the planar portions by back hinge  22  and front hinge  24 . Band  20  is divided into two half bands, back half band  26  and front half band  28 , by latch  30 . Latch  30  allows for opening and closing of the band. 
   Watch stem  32  is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  for adjusting the hands of the watch. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a variation to the ornamental article of the present Invention in that band  20  is connected by back hinge  22  directly to top planar portion  10 , instead of back planar portion  14  as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a variation of the present Invention wherein band  20  is rigid and latch  30  has replaced front hinge  24 .  FIG. 3  illustrates latch  30  and band  20  in a closed position. Latch  30  is pressed to open, and  FIG. 4  illustrates latch  30  and band  20  in an open position. 
   The thickness of top planar portion  10  can vary depending on the mechanism which it is intended to house. FIGS.  1 A and  2 - 11  illustrate a watch mechanism which may be housed in planar portion  10  and, thus, the thickness is such so as to facilitate the watch mechanism. Naturally, the thickness can vary depending on the mechanism housed or the aesthetic image which is displayed in the displayed areas. 
   The width of the planar portions can likewise vary depending on the display area and what items are to be displayed. In the case of a watch face, the size will vary in order to facilitate the face of a watch. In the case of an item of jewelry like a gemstone or precious metal, the width can vary depending on the amount or size of the gems or precious metal which is to be displayed. 
   Band  20  can take on a variety of shapes and configurations as shown in the Figures. Preferably, band  20  is flexible in order to conform to a portion of the user&#39;s body to which it is affixed. An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 5 , in which band  20  is fixedly attached to the planar portions such that it forms a solid article which slips onto the user&#39;s wrist or finger. 
   Suitably, the outside of band  20  is decorated in such a manner as to match the outside of the planar portions. 
   It will be understood that the claims are intended to cover all changes and modifications of the preferred embodiments of the Invention herein chosen for purposes of illustration which do not constitute a departure from the spirit or scope of the Invention.