Abstract:
Jewelry is provided with a tether (e.g., chain, band, belt, fish line) that can be varied in length by a user. Excess portions of the tether are stored in the jewelry&#39;s housing and, in some embodiments, is self-retractable. Alternatively, a tether may be retracted into the jewelry housing via manual interactions with the jewelry or an electric motor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to jewelry, such as pendants, with a tether, such as a chain, rope, belt, fish line or the like, that can be manually adjusted to better fit a user.  
         [0002]     Pendants have been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. A user that owns multiple pendants will sometimes store these pendants in the same container such as in a jewelry box. When stored in the same location, however, the chains of the pendants will occasionally tangle, thus becoming difficult to separate. Additionally, if enough pieces of jewelry are tangled together then it may be difficult to locate a specific piece of jewelry. It is therefore desirable to create a piece of jewelry, such as a pendant, with a chain that will not tangle with nearby jewelry chains.  
         [0003]     Traditional jewelry chains are of a fixed size. If a pendant chain does not have the appropriate length then the user has to either add/remove links in the chain or purchase a new chain of the appropriate length. It is therefore desirable to create a pendant with a chain that has an adjustable length.  
         [0004]     Watch housings are tethered to a user by means of a band. This band is adjustable. More particularly, the band has female connectors (i.e., holes in the band) that receives a male connector connected to the watch (e.g., metal prong extending from a watch buckle) to securely tether the watch housing to user&#39;s having different wrist sizes. However, watches are deficient in that the number of female connectors are spaced far apart and are limited in number. It is therefore desirable to provide a jewelry tether that can be adjusted to any length that is not limited to spaced-apart predetermined lengths.  
         [0005]     Additionally, when a watch band is tethered to a user, an unused portion of the band will extend out of the watch&#39;s buckle. This unused portion is the portion of the band from the end of the band to the female connector being used by the buckle. This unused portion only detracts from the watch&#39;s visual appeal and can occasionally be physically troublesome to the user. For example, if the unused portion is long enough it can wipe against the user&#39;s wrist and irritate it. For this reason, a securing loop is occasionally provided on the watch band to secure the unused portion of the band. This securing loop only increases the cost of the watch. It is therefore desirable to provide a watch, or other types of jewelry housing, that do not have unused portions that are visible, or can be psychically irritating, to the user. It is also therefore desirable to eliminate the need for a securing loop on the exterior of a watch band.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to realize jewelry with retractable, custom-fit tethers. Such tethers could include any mechanically flexible material such as, for example, a band, belt, fish line, chain (e.g., a chain made up of non-mechanically flexible links), or rope. Jewelry that may benefit from the retractable, custom-fit tethers may include, for example, pendants, watch housings, necklaces, anklets, rings, bracelets, and any other type of jewelry or device that is occasionally attached to a user&#39;s body (e.g., cellular phone).  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, a pendant is provided with a chain that can self-retract into the pendant. To obtain a chain of any particular length, the user may pull the chain out from inside the pendant and initiate a locking mechanism that locks the chain at a particular length so that the chain neither self-retracts or can extend further from the pendant. The user can then attach the loose end of the chain to the pendant itself. In this manner, a stable and strong loop is formed that properly can fit around (e.g., tether itself to), for example, the user&#39;s neck, wrist, or ankle. When a user is finished wearing the pendant, the user can release the locking mechanism and the chain self-retracts into the pendant. A user may also adjust the length of the pendant&#39;s chain while the user is wearing the pendant. In such a scenario, the user can release the locking mechanism, use physical force to overcome any self-retracting forces pulling the chain (e.g., if the length of the chain needs to be increased), draw the chain to a new length, and then switch the locking mechanism back ON.  
         [0008]     The pendant may alternatively include components to allow the pendant&#39;s chain to be manually wined into a storage compartment residing in the pendant itself. Such embodiments will typically not have self-retracting forces present when the chain is extended and the self-locking mechanism is turned OFF.  
         [0009]     As in yet another embodiment, the chain may be stored in a storage compartment that resides in the pendant itself and that is accessible to a user (e.g., a user can open the storage compartment). Fastening mechanisms are placed in the pendant that can attach to a portion of the pendant&#39;s chain. In this manner, a chain of a fixed length may be adjusted by a user by adjusting which portions of the pendant&#39;s chain are attached to the fixing mechanisms. The storage area then holds the unused portion of the pendant&#39;s chain so that it is not visible, or physically irritating, to the user. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:  
         [0011]      FIGS. 1A-1C  are perspective views of a pendant with a self-retractable chain constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are perspective views of a pendant with a manually-retractable chain constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and  
         [0013]      FIGS. 3A-3B  are perspective views of a pendant with fasteners constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a pendant with an electric motor constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  shows pendant  100  in which self-retractable chain  102  resides. Chain  102  may be pulled out of pendant  100  (or a chain  102  housing internal to pendant  100 ), through aperture  101 , and attached to fixture  104  by attachment  103 . Locking mechanism  105  may be included that controls when the length of chain  102  is locked in place or extendable from outside aperture  101  (i.e., adjustable).  
         [0016]     Locking mechanism  105  may have an ON and OFF position. When locking mechanism  105  is ON, for example, additional portions of chain  102  may not be removed from, or self-retracted into, aperture  101 . When locking mechanism  105  is OFF, for example, addition portions of chain  102  may be removed from, or self-retracted into, aperture  101 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 1B  shows the general internal components of pendant  110 . More particularly, pendant  110  includes self-retracting mechanism  116  that rotates around axle  117 . Chain  111  is preferably attached to self-retracting mechanism  116  at one end and spooled around self-retracing mechanism  116 . Self-retracting mechanism  115  may be operable to allow chain  111  to be pulled through aperture  113  such that chain  111  unspools around axle  117  in direction  115 . Self-retracting mechanism  116  is configured to self-retract in the direction opposite to direction  115  such that chain  111  respools around axle  117 .  
         [0018]     Locking switch  114  controls when the length of chain  111  outside of aperture  113  is locked in place and cannot be removed from or self-retracted into pendant  110 . Locking switch  114  may be mechanical in nature such that switch  114  physically locks a portion of chain  111  about sidewalls  112  that create aperture  113 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous types of mechanical and electrical locking mechanisms may be employed in pendant  110 . One example of an electrical locking mechanism may be an electrical switch that controls an electrical motor that rotates axle  117 . In such an embodiment, switch  114  may have three positions that each relate to a different functionality. One position may be associated to a LOCK function that locks axle  117  in place. A second position may be associated to a RETRACT function in which a motor spools chain  111  around axle  117 . A third position may be associated to, for example, a FEED function in which a motor unspools chain  111  from axle  117 .  
         [0019]     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that chain  111  does not have to be a chain. Instead, chain  111  may be any type of tether such as, for example, a belt, band, chain, or rope. Additionally, pendant  110  may be provided in any shape. For example, pendant  110  may be provided in any shape (e.g., a heart, diamond, or sphere). Additionally, self-retracting mechanism  116  may be either mechanically or electrically driven. Attachment  119  may be attached to fixture  118 . Attachment  119  and fastener  118  may be, for example, a clip and a clip-fastener. However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that attachment  119  and fastener  118  may be a variety of mechanisms that can be temporarily attached together. For example attachment  119  and fastener  118  may be employed as a buckle.  
         [0020]     One example of a locking mechanism formed from sidewalls  112  and switch  114  is shown in locking mechanism  130 . Here, sidewall  114  catches teeth on switch  114  as portion  121  of switch  114  slides across guide rail  122 . Switch  114  may be unlocked when a user presses down against spring  124  and slides switch  114  away from chain  111  (with the help of optional spring  126 ). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any type of locking or securing mechanism may be utilized to lock chain  111  in place. For example, a switch may be included to simply stop axle  117  from rotating.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1C  shows pendant interior  120  that is defined by housing  129  that provides storage space  128 . Pendant interior  120  illustrates one example of a mechanical self-retracting system. This mechanical self-retracting system is based on the employment of spiral spring  121 . As chain  126  is pulled out from pendant interior  120 , spiral spring  121  stores energy as it compresses towards axle  123 . Spiral spring  121  is attached at one end to axle  123  and to spool housing  125  at the other end (at point  124 ).  
         [0022]     Chain  126  is attached at end  130  to spool  125 . Thus, as chain  126  is pulled from interior housing  128 , spool  124  rotates around axle  123  and spiral spring  124  starts to compress about axle  123 . If enough of chain  126  is pulled from interior housing  128  then spiral spring  121  may reach a compression about axle  123  such that a majority of spiral spring  121  is compressed within compression area  122 . If a user lets go of the chain (and the locking mechanism is OFF) then a force will not be exerted on chain  112  to overcome the force created by the energy stored in spiral spring  121 . As a result, spiral spring  121  will begin to uncompress (unspiral) and will release any stored energy by bringing spool  125  back to a neutral position (i.e., a position when no energy is stored in spiral spring  121 ). While spool  125  is returning to a neutral position, chain  126  will self-retract around spool  125 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 2A  shows pendant  200  with a manually retractable chain  220 . Clip  230  is attached to one end of chain  220  and may be fasted to fixture  240 . Chain  220  may be removed from pendant  200  through aperture  210  and may contain a locking mechanism (not shown) that will prevent chain  220  from either being removed from, or fed back into, the pendant.  
         [0024]     Pendant  220  includes a manual winding mechanism  201  that can be turned to spool chain  220  around an axle (not shown). By spooling chain  220 , chain  220  will be pulled into the pendant and the length of chain  220  outside of the pendant will be reduced. For example, manual retracting mechanism  201  may be configured such that rotating mechanism  201  in direction  203  will reduce the length of chain  220  outside of the pendant. To assist in turning mechanism  201 , grip  204  may extend from mechanism  201 . Alternatively, impression  212  may exist on mechanism  212  to assist a user trying to rotate mechanism  212 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 2B  shows pendant interior  240  for a pendant with a manually retractable chain. Spool  254  is, preferably, mechanism  202  from  FIG. 2A . Thus, turning mechanism  202  from  FIG. 2A  turns spool  254 . Chain  254  is attached at one end to spool  254 . Clip  255  is preferably larger than aperture  254  such that chain  254  does not retract completely into pendant interior  250 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 3A  depicts pendant  300  that does not have a retracting mechanism. Pendant  300  allows for the length of chain  304  outside of pendant  300  to be adjusted by merely adjusting washers  309 . Washers  309  are preferably rubber and constructed to fit tightly around chain  304  such that they are only moved when a user directly exerts force to move them. Washers  309  are also preferably larger than apertures  308  such that washers  309  stop chain  304  from exiting pendant  350  through apertures  308  at the point in which washers  309  are fixed to chain  304 . Alternatively, apertures  308  may be formed by housing  301  and housing portions  306 . In this manner, chain  304  may not be detached from pendant  350 . However, aperture  308  may also be formed by housing  301  (without portions  306 ) and pendant lid  305 .  
         [0027]     Housing  301  includes storage space  302  in which excess portions of chain  304  that are not being used by the user are stored. Housing  301  and lid  305  may be attached by, for example, hinge  303  and may be locked together by a locking mechanism (not shown).  
         [0028]      FIG. 3B  shows pendant  350  which opens across hinges  353  and contains a storage area in housing  351  similar to pendant  300  of  FIG. 3A  to store chain  352 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative means of determining the length of chain  352  may be included instead of washers  309  from  FIG. 3A . For example, a locking mechanism may be incorporated about the apertures formed around hinges  353  to lock chain  352  in place when pendant  350  is closed.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4 . shows jewelry  400  with chain  402  that is extendable around axle  404  by an electric motor. Chain  402  is attached to spindle  403  at point  401  and is extendable through aperture  405  by means of electric motor  453 . Motor  453  is powered by battery  451  and is turned ON and OFF by switch  452 . When motor  453  is turned ON, axle  454  may begin to turn. Axle  454  may, in turn, may directly turn axle  404  either by itself or with the inclusion of one or more gears (not shown).  
         [0030]     Alternatively, aperture  406  may be defined in spindle  403  such that it is in line with axle  404  such that axle  454  rotates spindle  403  about axle  404 . In such an embodiment, for example, axle  404  is not necessary because axle  454  becomes the axle upon which spindle  403  rotates upon.  
         [0031]     Chain  402  can attach to the exterior of housing  407  by means of connector  406 . Indentations  409  may be included in the exterior of housing  407  to form a structure upon which connector  406  may attach to. For example, rod  410  may be formed.  
         [0032]     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that no locking mechanism is necessary in jewelry  400 . To retract chain  402 , motor  453  may be configured to rotate axle  454  in a direction opposite that when axle  454  extends chain  402 . In this embodiment, switch  454  may have more than two positions. Switch  454  may have an EXTEND, RETRACT, and OFF position. To reverse the direction that motor  453  is moving, for example, the terminals of motor  453  that battery  451  is touching may be reversed (electrical configuration not shown) such that motor  453  receives an opposite polarity. Alternatively, a second battery (not shown) may be selectable through a switch that provides an opposite polarity of voltage across the power terminals of motor  453 . A second spindle and chain  475  may also be included that is also extendable with a tether that can be connected to chain  402 . In including a second chain, the power of each motor (or the size of each spiral spring) is reduced.  
         [0033]     From the foregoing description, persons skilled in the art will recognize that this invention provides jewelry with chains that can be resized. These principles may be employed in any type of wearable jewelry. For example, these principles may be applied to wrist watches to embody a wrist watch with a retractable chain. In addition, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the various configurations described herein may be combined without departing from the present invention. For example, a piece of jewelry may be configured to include both a self-retracting mechanism and a manual-retracting mechanism without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0034]     It will also be recognized that the invention may take many forms other than those disclosed in this specification. Accordingly, it is emphasized that the invention is not limited to the disclosed methods, systems and apparatuses, but is intended to include variations to and modifications thereof which are within the spirit of the following claims.