Abstract:
A system is provided for reversibly attaching decorative ornamentation to jewelry manufactured from compliant elastomeric material using a novel connecting device.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date under Title 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/967,313 filed on Mar. 14, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for reversibly attaching ornamentation to jewelry. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    One fashion trend that has gained wide popularity is customizable jewelry that a user may change depending on one&#39;s mood, current outfit, or any other reason. One widely known example is the ubiquitous Pandora® bracelet and charms where a metallic cord serves as a basic structure for one to place one or more beads and/or charms onto the cord. Other examples are lockets constructed of two pieces of hinged clear windows that may be opened and different ornaments placed inside for viewing pleasure. A distinct advantage of this type of fashion accessory is that the same piece of jewelry need not be worn time and time again thereby providing a level of uniqueness at a lower cost than purchasing multiple pieces of jewelry in the same class with redundant parts, i.e. the supporting cord/chain for bracelets and necklaces. 
       DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0004]    A device manufactured by Jibbitz LLC is well known and is described in several US patents. 
         [0005]    FIGS. 16-19B, column 8, lines 58-64; and column 9 lines 14-20 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,122,519 B2 to Schmelzer et al, disclose a strip of material having the ends fastened together with a Jibbitz device to form a non-continuous circle wearable wristband. 
         [0006]    Referring to column 4, lines 38, 45-52; and FIG. 2E of U.S. Pat. No. 8,782,814, and 7,698,836, both to Schmelzer et al, an elongated shaped first shoulder 215 having inwardly curved sides is disclosed. FIG. 2B and lines 45-52 of column 4 disclose a “first shoulder 215 as circular [viewed from the bottom] and concave in shape [viewed in profile], the bottom of the “dish” facing away from the inner surface of the clothing material [110]”, towards a wearer&#39;s body surface is best observed in FIG. 2C. Said first shoulder serves as a captive stop securing the device into a shoe. A disadvantage of the convex bottom of the “dish” is that it creates a pressure point upon a wearer&#39;s body leading to discomfort. A further disadvantage of the round first shoulder is it is difficult to insert into a molded shoe, elastomeric wearables or even cloth, a problem for the elderly, handicapped or very young. This is due to the large diameter of said first shoulder. In fact, some wearables may even be damaged by over stretching the mounting holes to accommodate the device. 
         [0007]    FIGS. 2-6 of U.S. Design Pat. D554,8475 disclose an upper ornamentation support and a shaft attached to the underside thereof. 
         [0008]    FIGS. 4, 28 and column 4 lines 9-13 of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,901,070; 8,622,540 and 7,588,331 to BURNSTEIN T. E. discloses a pin member having a flat disk shaped retainer member 44 (46?), cylindrical shaft member 42/502, and round head member 40. 
         [0009]    FIGS. 9A to 10B, and column 11 lines 1-12 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,069,538 to WILCOX, R. disclose a base portion 100 having a generally rectangular oblong shape as viewed from the top, a slightly curved profile, the top being convex and the bottom being concave. Such curvature is to promote a comfortable conforming fit upon the outside surface of a shoe, i.e the tongue. Said base 100 is further characterized by the presence of a plurality of holes or apertures 112 to receive shoe laces. Additionally, according to column 11, lines 9-12, the aspect ratio, length divided by width, of base 100 is 19 mm/8 mm=2.375. Such an aspect ratio is not characteristic of a long, narrow base, but is more shortened and wide. Base 40 has a similar shape as the device in the Schmelzer patents as seen in FIG. 3C. Base 40 has a small flat area on the bottom surface in contrast to the Schmelzer first shoulder that has a more pointed apex. The Wilcox base distributes any pressure a small amount possibly lessening discomfort, however it is likely insignificant. It is desirable to design a base that provided a wearer with no discomfort at all. Base 100 also has a coupling body 144 extending up from the upper convex surface. The Wilcox device is a multiple piece device as seen in the many drawings, FIG. 1 being exemplary, where a stem 24 is integral only to a top portion 20. 
         [0010]    FIGS. 7 and column 4, lines 30-31 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,151 to ROWLAND, M. C. discloses a multi-piece locking clip having a middle section 20 with a convex surface on a side that faces an outside surface of a shoe. 
         [0011]    FIGS. 15 to 18 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,163 to JOHNS S. disclose a snap-in logo plate 60 having a concave surface facing an outside surface of a head visor. 
         [0012]    FIGS. 2 and 7, column 3, lines 17-18 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,266,769 to MURRAY T. A. et al disclose an ornament 22 having a neck 50 and thin disk shaped lower support surface 54. Ornament 20 is designed to lock into base 24 to attach said ornament to a shoe. 
         [0013]    FIGS. 1A and 2, column 3 lines 23-44 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,341 to MacMaster A. disclose a multifunctional jewelry ring 100 having a ring band section 104 for receiving a base 106 which provides a surface for receiving a ring top 102. The &#39;341 patent does not employ a continuous jewelry ring as is used in the art of jewelry making, but only a small portion thereof. Base 106 is a short flat cylinder having holes and posts 112 for receiving and retaining a restraining device 108 such as a string. Base 106, restraining device 108, and shanks 120a/120b together form a multi-piece assembly to connect a ring top 102 or other ornamentation to a portion of a ring. It is desirable to provide a single piece assembly to accomplish this function that is not as difficult to use as the multifunctional jewelry ring 100. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a connecting device in accordance with the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   a  shows a side view of the inventive connecting device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of a connecting device as applied to a jewelry ring in accordance with the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a portion of a user&#39;s hand wearing an embodiment of a ring and connecting device in accordance with the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a connecting device as applied to a jewelry ring in accordance with the invention on a wearer&#39;s finger. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of a connecting device in accordance with the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5   a  is a bottom view of a base of another embodiment of a connecting device in accordance with the invention where the base is an elliptical shape having straight sides at the ends of the short axis. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   b  is a bottom view of a base of another embodiment of a connecting device in accordance with the invention where the base is an oval shape having a single axis of symmetry. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5   c  is a bottom view of a base of another embodiment of a connecting device in accordance with the invention where the base forms an ellipse having two axes of symmetry. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows one embodiment of a connecting device as it is inserted into a hole formed into a jewelry ring in accordance with the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a portion of a shoe formed from pliable material. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows one embodiment of a connecting device in accordance with the invention as applied to a portion of a shoe formed from pliable material. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The invention herein comprises customizable jewelry reversibly configurable by a wearer using a novel connecting device suitable to attach a charm or decoration to a ring. The connecting device is a single integral component that comprises an upper head or mechanical stop, a central support or shaft, and a lower base or second mechanical stop. The head and base are attached to opposite ends of the shaft. The base has an elongated shape such as oblong, elliptical or oval, and is bent into a curve such that the open side or concave portion faces away from the central support or shaft. The aspect ratio of the base, i.e. length divided by width is greater than one and in one embodiment is approximately 2.023. The upper convex surface of the base is designed to generally conform to the inside surface of a ring, whist the lower concave surface is designed to generally conform to a wearer&#39;s finger(s) providing a high degree of comfort. The ends of the base may be rounded to provide an even more comfortable fit to the wearer. 
         [0027]    A jewelry ring forming a part of the inventive system herein is formed from either a foamed or non-foamed compliant elastomeric material such as, but not limited to, a silicone compound that is a continuous circle and having a hole formed into a wide portion of the surface for receiving the novel connecting device. To attach the connecting device into the hole in said ring, one end of the elongated base is inserted into the hole and the compliant ring pulled such that the hole takes on a slight elongated shape and the other end of the elongated base is passed through, then the tension is relaxed on the ring. A charm, decoration or other ornamentation is optionally applied, i.e. using glue or epoxy to an outer surface of the head, preferably before attachment to the ring, but not necessarily so. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting device is made from a non-compliant material that may be plastic but not limited to ABS, polypropylene, nylon, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, acrylic or other non-fluorine based plastic. The invention herein may also be used with necklaces, bracelets and broaches manufactured from foamed or non-foamed compliant elastomeric material. 
         [0028]    An alternate embodiment of the invention uses a shoe formed from a foamed compliant material having holes formed there into. The novel connecting device is inserted in the same manner as described supra with the advantage that the holes in the shoe need not be stretched as wide as the prior art due to the unique shape of the base. This allows the shoe to be manufactured from a thinner and/or weaker material thereby saving manufacturing costs. The upper convex surface of the base is designed to generally conform to the inside surface of the ring or shoe, whist the lower concave surface is designed to generally conform to the top surface of a wearer&#39;s arch, finger or toe providing a high degree of comfort. The ends of the base may be rounded to provide an even more comfortable fit to the wearer. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring to the drawings, where like or similar elements may be designated with identical reference numerals throughout the multiple views, and referring in particular to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a connecting device  100  having an upper support member or head  110  with an ornament or other tangible object  115  mounted thereto, a central support  120  affixed to a lower surface of said upper support member or head  110 , and a base  130  affixed to said central support  120  at an end opposite said head  110 . The connecting device may be a single integrated piece with non-moving parts manufactured by plastic molding operations as are known. Head  110  comprises an outer surface  170  opposite the side to which central support  120  is affixed, and is designed for receiving ornamentation, decoration or charm attached thereto or formed into. A charm, decoration or other ornamentation is optionally applied using glue or epoxy to said outer surface  170 . Head  110  may be circular, with a diameter greater than its thickness. In one embodiment, a diameter to thickness ratio of about 3 is employed. Central support  120  is a cylinder, the length of which is defined by the type and thickness of the jewelry it will be used with (not shown). A common central axis  180  runs through the center of head  110 , central axis  120  and base  130  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Still referring to  FIG. 1 , base  130  is elongated in a plane perpendicular to common central axis  180 . Base  130  may be elongated into an oblong, elliptical, rectangular or oval shape as shown in  FIGS. 5-5   c . Oblong is defined as longer than wide. Oval is defined as having with two focal points and a single axis of symmetry in an x-y plane as shown in  FIG. 5   b  line x-x  660 , while line z-z  650  is an axis of non-symmetry. Though circular ends are shown in  FIG. 5   b , it is not a limitation to the invention herein. Elliptical is defined as having two axes of symmetry in an x-y plane,  680  and  690 , with two focal points as shown in  FIG. 5   a . Base  130  is also curvedly bent about an axis, perpendicular to said common axis  180  of the central support  120  as shown by the line “−Y” in  FIG. 6 , and lines y-y in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c . Throughout this description, when the plane of elongation is referred to, it is understood to be the plane before the base is bent. It is seen in  FIG. 1  that the length of said base  130  is longer than it is wide providing for an aspect ratio greater than one. In a preferred embodiment an aspect ratio of about 2.2:1 is employed. Aspect ratios greater than 1:1, but less than about 5:1 are in accordance with the invention herein and may be employed with bracelets and/or necklaces. Base  130  is also curvedly bent downward away from said central support  120  forming a convex surface  150  and a concave surface  140  on a side opposite said convex surface  150 . Referring to  FIG. 1   a , a side view of the inventive connecting device  100 , it is seen that a width of base  130  is slightly larger than central support  120 . In a preferred embodiment, a width of base  130  is approximately 10% wider than a diameter of central support  120 . Ends  160  of base  130  may be rounded, chamfered or straight edges as shown in  FIG. 5-5   c . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting device  100  is made from a non-compliant material that may be plastic, including but not limited to ABS, polypropylene, Nylon®, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, acrylic or other non-fluorine based plastic. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , connecting device  100  is seen positioned thru a hole  310  formed into jewelry ring  300  forming a jewelry system  400 . Ring  300  may also be a bracelet or necklace. In one embodiment of the invention hole  310  is of a diameter that creates a “close tolerance fit” with central support  120 , close tolerance being defined as +0.0000″, −0.0005″ as is known. Due to the unique shape of applicant&#39;s base  130 , the use of a close tolerance fit between hole  310  and central support  120  is now possible, a significant improvement over the prior art as will be explained infra. Applicant&#39;s invention allows for easier installation of ornaments, more tight fit when installed, and use of thinner/lower cost materials without danger of damage when installing/removing ornament mounted to applicant&#39;s invention. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the diameter of hole  310  may be larger than a maximum width of central support  120 , but less than the diameter of head  110 . In an alternative embodiment of the invention the diameter of hole  310  may be approximately the same as the diameter of central support  120 . The connecting device  100  is captivated in said hole  310  by head  110  acting as a first mechanical stop, and said base  130  acting as a second mechanical stop, whereas said central support  120  is located within said hole  310  as shown. Head  110  and base  130  are larger than hole  310  in at least one dimension. Convex surface  150  generally conforms to an inside concave surface  320  of ring  300 . Jewelry ring  300  is manufactured from a compliant elastomeric material such as, but not limited to, a non-foamed silicone and forms a continuous geometric circle. A novel advantage of the invention herein as it relates to customizable jewelry is inserting connecting device  100  into jewelry ring  300  requires less deformation of hole  310  in order to install said connecting device. This advantage over the prior art facilitates installing and changing ornamentation by the elderly, handicapped or very young. Additionally, applicant&#39;s unique base  130  also dramatically reduces the opportunity to damage wearables due to overstretching of hole  310 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , end  160  of connecting device  100  is inserted into hole  310  of jewelry ring  300 . Hole  310  is only slightly deformed such that only approximately 2/3 of the length of base  130  need pass thru. If the base were of round shape with a diameter equal to the length of base  130 , the entire round diameter of the base would have to pass thru hole  310  requiring much more effort and risk of damage to jewelry ring  300 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , jewelry system  400  is shown on a wearer&#39;s finger in sectional view.  FIG. 4  may also be a wearer&#39;s toe. Concave surface  140  of connecting device  100  generally conforms to a generally convex surface  500  of wearer&#39;s finger or toe  410  thereby providing a wearer a high degree of comfort. Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , connecting device  100  is shown inserted into hole  710  of shoe  700  formed of moldable foam or non-foamed material. Those skilled in the art of customizable shoes will recognize that inserting connecting device  100  into hole  710  of shoe  700 , requires less deformation of hole  710  in order to install said connecting device  100 . Prior art devices manufactured by Jibbitz LLC employ a round shoulder that requires hole  710  to be stretched significantly wider than what applicant&#39;s base  130  requires in order to insert a “Jibbitz”. Over stretching of hole  710  can lead to damage of the hole  710 , and/or some degree of difficulty especially for physically challenged, the elderly or young people, likely restricting sales. 
         [0030]    The present invention provides, among other things, a system and method for securing accessories to jewelry and shoes. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration and still achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as expressed in the claims.