Abstract:
An interchangeable jewelry system includes an interchangeable setting and a main body to selectively mount the interchangeable setting, the main body includes a band portion designed to be worn by a wearer, and a base portion to receive the interchangeable setting, the base portion includes a receiving platform to receive the coupler, an open cage extending from the platform to partially surround the interchangeable setting, and an openable cover movably coupled to the open cage to partially surround the ornamental item, wherein the openable cover moves between an open position and a closed position, the interchangeable setting is mounted to the main body when the openable cover is in the open position to dispose a main portion of the ornamental item above the open cage, and the openable cover partially surrounds the ornamental item in the closed position when the coupler is coupled to the main body.

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION 
       [0001]    This application includes material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an interchangeable jewelry system, and more particularly, to a ring capable of receiving a plurality of interchangeable settings. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Most conventional jewelry items are formed by mounting a gemstone or other ornamental item to a ring, necklace, or similar item designed to be aesthetically pleasing. For example, a gold ring can be provided with a setting to hold a precious gem, such as a diamond, to create a jewelry item. The mounted gemstone, the ring, and any other components of the jewelry item are usually static. That is, the gemstone is permanently set to a mount, and the mount is permanently attached to the rest of the jewelry item. Accordingly, the aesthetic appearance of the jewelry item is limited to a single “look” since the gemstone is permanently mounted to the jewelry item. Thus, there is a need for a jewelry item capable of having a variety of possible aesthetic appearances. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a ring capable of receiving a plurality of interchangeable settings. 
         [0007]    The present invention also provides a self-stopping platform to prevent the over-coupling of the interchangeable setting. 
         [0008]    The present invention also aligns the interchangeable setting in a desired alignment. 
         [0009]    The present invention also provides an openable cover to secure the interchangeable setting. 
         [0010]    The present invention also provides an interchangeable jewelry system allowing simple and quick interchange of a setting or ornamental item with a circular band member (ring) or other jewelry item, such as a necklace or brooch. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides an interchangeable jewelry system where a set of different interchangeable settings having different appearances can be mounted on a jewelry item. Further, the set of interchangeable settings can be mounted on a plurality of compatible jewelry items. 
         [0012]    Additional aspects and advantages of the present general invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general invention. 
         [0013]    The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the present general invention may be achieved by providing an interchangeable jewelry system, including an interchangeable setting including an ornamental item and a coupler, and a main body to selectively mount the interchangeable setting. The main body includes a band portion designed to be worn by a wearer, and a base portion to receive the interchangeable setting. The base portion includes a receiving platform to receive the coupler, an open cage extending from the platform to partially surround the interchangeable setting, and an openable cover movably coupled to the open cage to partially surround the ornamental item, wherein the openable cover moves between an open position and a closed position. The interchangeable setting is mounted to the main body when the openable cover is in the open position to dispose a main portion of the ornamental item above the open cage, and the openable cover partially surrounds the ornamental item in the closed position when the coupler is coupled to the main body. 
         [0014]    The receiving platform may include an inversion line along a central portion of the receiving platform to serve as a coupling stop for the interchangeable setting and to define two lateral sides of the platform, and a receiving end defined in a center of the receiving platform to receive the coupler. The coupler may include a contact ridge defined along a bottom surface of the coupler to interact with the inversion line. 
         [0015]    The contact ridge may include a raised surface along a central portion of the bottom surface to interact with the receiving platform when disposing the setting on the receiving platform. Alternatively, the contact ridge may include a small projection, such as one or more metal balls, in addition to and on the raised surface. 
         [0016]    The coupler may include a threaded stem and the receiving end may include a threaded bore, and a height of an upper surface of the lateral sides may gradually cooperatively increase to prevent over-tightening of the threaded stem into the threaded bore. 
         [0017]    A length of the coupler may be such that the ornamental item is disposed at a predetermined height when coupled, and wherein at least one of the contact ridge on the bottom surface of the coupler and the inversion line on the platform may serve to align the interchangeable setting in a predetermined alignment when coupled. 
         [0018]    The open cage may extend from the platform to a first frame, and the openable cover is coupled to the first frame. 
         [0019]    The first frame may be square-shaped, and the openable cover may include an open frame shaped to correspond with the first frame. 
         [0020]    The open frame may be dimensioned to minimize a space between the ornamental item and the open frame when the openable cover is in the closed position. 
         [0021]    The ornamental item may not fully turn when the openable cover is in the closed position. 
         [0022]    The predetermined height may dispose the ornamental item above the open cage, and the openable cover partly surrounds the ornamental item in the closed position. 
         [0023]    The coupler may be directly coupled to the ornamental item. 
         [0024]    The interchangeable setting may further include a setting to support the ornamental item, and the coupler may be connected to the setting. 
         [0025]    The interchangeable jewelry system may include an interchangeable ring, and the band portion may be a ring band. 
         [0026]    The band portion may be one of a necklace, a chain, a bracelet, and a band. 
         [0027]    The interchangeable setting may include a plurality of compatible interchangeable settings, and any of the compatible interchangeable settings can be mounted on the main body. 
         [0028]    The main body may include a plurality of compatible main bodies, and the interchangeable setting can be mounted on any of the compatible main bodies. 
         [0029]    The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the present general invention may also be achieved by providing an interchangeable ring, including an interchangeable setting, and a main ring body, wherein the interchangeable setting is selectively coupled to the main ring body, and the main ring body includes a platform to receive the interchangeable setting, a cage extending from the platform to define a first frame, and an openable cover hingedly coupled to the first frame to move from an open position to a closed position, wherein the interchangeable setting is mounted to the main body when the openable cover is in the open position, and the openable cover partially surrounds the ornamental item in the closed position. 
         [0030]    The platform may include an inversion line defined along a central portion of the platform and dividing the platform into cooperating lateral sides, wherein a height of an upper surface of the lateral sides gradually cooperatively increases to prevent over-coupling of the interchangeable setting, and to set the interchangeable setting at a predetermined height and alignment. 
         [0031]    The interchangeable setting may include a contact ridge defined on a bottom surface thereof to interact with the inversion line in the platform to align and lock the interchangeable setting on the platform. 
         [0032]    The contact ridge may include a raised surface defined along a central portion of the bottom surface. 
         [0033]    The contact ridge may include one or more projections defined on the bottom surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an interchangeable setting ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plurality of interchangeable settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates a detail view of a interchangeable setting ring body according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate open and closed positions for an openable cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  illustrates an interchangeable setting ring with a trilliant ornamental item according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0040]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  illustrates an interchangeable setting ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. While  FIG. 1  illustrates a ring as an exemplary jewelry item, the present invention is not limited thereto, and alternative designs can be embodied as other jewelry items, such as necklaces, brooches, pins, etc. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an interchangeable setting ring [ 1 ] may include a ring body [ 10 ] and an interchangeable setting [ 20 ]. 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] may include an ornamental item [ 21 ] and a setting [ 22 ]. 
         [0043]    The ornamental item [ 21 ] may be fixedly coupled to the setting [ 22 ]. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a gemstone [ 21 ] may be mounted in a prong setting [ 22 ]. The setting [ 22 ] may be open or closed, and may be, for example, a tension or frustum type setting. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a variety of other types of settings [ 22 ] may be used to mount the ornamental item [ 21 ]. 
         [0044]    It will be understood that the ornamental item [ 21 ] may be a stone, gem, emblem, or any other ornamental item typically found on jewelry.  FIG. 3  illustrates a variety of interchangeable settings [ 20 A- 20 F] which can be mounted on the ring body [ 10 ]. 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the setting [ 22 ] may include a coupler [ 22   a ] to removably couple the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] to the ring body [ 10 ]. The coupler [ 22   a ] may be provided as a threaded stem coupler [ 22   a ] defined on the setting [ 22 ]. The threaded stem coupler [ 22   a ] may couple with a corresponding receiving end [ 13 ] defined in the ring body [ 10 ]. The receiving end can include a receiving socket [ 13 ] to enable a threaded coupling of the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] and the ring body [ 10 ]. Alternatively, the stem coupler may be defined on the ring body [ 10 ], and the coupler [ 22   a ] may be defined as a corresponding receiving end [ 22   a ] defined in the setting [ 22 ]. 
         [0046]    In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the coupler [ 22   a ] may be directly disposed on the ornamental item [ 21 ] without a setting [ 22 ] to form an interchangeable setting [ 20 ], such as interchangeable settings [ 20 D- 20 F]. 
         [0047]    Under the current general inventive concept, the coupler [ 22   a ] is not limited to a threaded stem. Instead, the coupler [ 22   a ] may also comprise any structure to allow for the removable coupling of the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] to the ring body [ 10 ] or to other similarly compatible jewelry items. For example, the coupler [ 22   a ] may include other mechanical, chemical, or magnetic couplers that allow for the removable coupling of the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] and one or more pieces of compatible jewelry. 
         [0048]    As described above, the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] can be removably coupled to a compatible jewelry item, such as the ring body [ 10 ]. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the ring body [ 10 ] may include a band portion [ 11 ] and a base portion [ 12 ]. 
         [0049]    The hand portion [ 11 ] allows placement of the interchangeable setting ring [ 1 ] on a wearer&#39;s finger. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the band portion [ 11 ] can include an uninterrupted band. However, the band portion [ 11 ] can also be partially open or may include one or more ring bands. Furthermore, as described above, the present invention is not limited to a ring configuration, but may be embodied as other types of jewelry items. In such cases, the band portion [ 11 ] may be configured differently, so long as it allows a wearer to wear the base portion [ 12 ]. For example, the band portion [ 11 ] can be configured as a chain connected to a base portion [ 12 ] embodied as a pendant when the jewelry item is a necklace, or the band portion [ 11 ] may be configured as a pin and clutch when the jewelry item is embodied as an earring or pin. 
         [0050]    The base portion [ 12 ] can be fixably or removably connected to the band portion [ 11 ]. The base portion [ 12 ] is designed to couple with the interchangeable setting [ 20 ]. 
         [0051]    As illustrated on  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the base portion [ 12 ] may include a receiving end [ 13 ], a platform [ 14 ], an open cage [ 15 ], and an openable cover [ 16 ]. 
         [0052]    The platform [ 14 ] is connected to the band portion [ 11 ] and may form an upper part of the band portion [ 11 ]. The receiving end [ 13 ] may be formed in a center portion of the platform [ 14 ]. The receiving end [ 13 ] may be embodied as a threaded bore to releasably engage a threaded stem coupler [ 22   a ] of the interchangeable setting [ 20 ]. 
         [0053]    An upper surface of the platform [ 14 ] may also define an inversion line [ 17 ]. The inversion line [ 17 ] may include an indented area on the upper surface of the platform [ 14 ], and can serve to partition the surface of the platform [ 14 ] into two lateral sides [ 14   a  and  14   b ]. The inversion line [ 17 ] can act to prevent over-tightening of the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] when the threaded stem is screwed into the receiving end [ 13 ]. For example, stripping of the threaded stem coupler [ 22   a ] may occur if it is over-tightened when screwed into the receiving socket [ 13 ]. 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a contact ridge [ 27 ] may be defined on a bottom surface of the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] to interact with the inversion line [ 17 ]. The contact ridge [ 27 ] may be a raised surface along a central portion of the bottom surface ( 20 A) and may comprise one or more projections, such as small metal balls [ 22   b ], formed on the bottom surface ( 20 C). When the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] is screwed into the receiving end [ 13 ], the contact ridge [ 27 ] contacts the inversion line [ 17 ] to align and secure the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] in place. 
         [0055]    Alternatively, the contact ridge [ 27 ] may be formed on the platform [ 14 ] to interact with an inversion line [ 17 ] defined on the bottom surface of the setting [ 20 ]. 
         [0056]    A plurality of ribs [ 15   a ] may extend upwards from the platform [ 14 ] to a first frame [ 15   b ] to define the open cage [ 15 ]. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the open cage [ 15 ] can have an open framework to allow light into the ornamental item [ 21 ], such as a gemstone to reflect and sparkle, when the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] is mounted on the ring body [ 10 ]. 
         [0057]    An openable cover [ 16 ] can be coupled to the open cage [ 15 ]. The openable cover [ 16 ] may include a second frame [ 16   b ] corresponding to the first frame [ 15   b ]. For example, the first and second frames [ 15   b  and  16   b ] can be corresponding square-shaped frames, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0058]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the openable cover [ 16 ] can be connected by a hinge, such as a hidden hinge [H], to a portion of the first frame [ 16   b ] to move between an open position and a closed position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , respectively. 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the invention is designed to have the ornamental item [ 22 ] position above the first frame [ 15   b ] and partially protruding above the second frame [ 16   b].    
         [0060]    In the open position, a coupling and uncoupling of the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] to the ring body [ 10 ] is facilitated in various advantageous ways. 
         [0061]    The openable cover [ 16 ] allows an interchangeable setting [ 20 ] with a larger ornamental item or stone [ 22 ] to be accommodated. For example,  FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] includes a large trilliant (triangular) cut gemstone. 
         [0062]    If the openable cover [ 16 ] was instead a fixed feature of the open cage [ 15 ], the size of the trilliant cut gemstone would need to be reduced so that it could clear the sides of the second frame [ 16   b ] as the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] was screwed to the ring body [ 10 ]. Alternatively, a longer stem could be used to place the larger gemstone above the second frame [ 16   b ] when the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] is screwed into the ring body. However, this would require a deeper open cage [ 15 ] to accommodate the longer stem and a deeper receiving end [ 13 ] to allow enough rotations to secure the threaded stem. Still, because the gemstone would be set above the second frame [ 16   b ], the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] would be exposed to accidental uncoupling as described below. In contrast, the present invention uses an openable cover [ 16 ]. With the openable cover [ 16 ] in the open position, a larger sized stone can be mounted on the ring body [ 10 ]. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] is coupled to the ring body, the ornamental item [ 22 ] sits above the first frame [ 15   b ]. Accordingly, the ornamental item [ 22 ] does not need to clear the sides of the first frame [ 15   b ] while the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] is coupled to the ring body [ 10 ]. 
         [0063]    As described above, the coupler [ 22   a ] is coupled to the receiving end [ 13 ] in the platform [ 14 ]. When the coupler [ 22   a ] is embodied as a threaded stein coupler [ 22   a ], the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] is turned to screw the threaded stem coupler [ 22   a ] into a threaded receiving socket [ 13 ]. The interchangeable setting [ 20 ] is turned until it contacts the inversion line [ 17 ], and is thus prevented from over-turning. The inversion line [ 17 ] can be designed to set the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] at a desired height and alignment once it is stopped from turning. 
         [0064]    Once the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] is coupled to the ring body [ 10 ], the openable cover [ 16 ] can be moved to the closed position. Because the ornamental item [ 22 ] does not need to clear the sides of the second frame [ 16   b ] while being coupled, the interchangeable setting ring [ 1 ] can accommodate a larger sized gemstone. Accordingly, the size of the gemstone can be as large as that which can be accommodated in the second frame [ 16   b ] without turning, and a clearance distance between the outer edges of the gemstone and the interior edges of the second frame [ 16   b ] can be minimized. 
         [0065]    Additionally, the use of an openable cover [ 16 ] also allows for the open cage [ 15 ] to be fairly shallow and still allow a threaded stem coupler [ 22   a ] to turn 3-4 rotations to secure the interchangeable setting [ 20 ]. 
         [0066]    In the closed position, the open cage [ 15 ] and the open cover [ 16 ] partially surround the interchangeable setting [ 20 ] to protect the ornamental item [ 21 ] from contact and help prevent the accidental uncoupling of the interchangeable setting [ 20 ]. A length of the coupler [ 22   a ] can be predetermined to dispose a main portion [M] of the ornamental item [ 21 ] above the second frame [ 16   b ] while allowing the second frame [ 16   b ] to partially surround the interchangeable setting [ 20 ]. 
         [0067]    A top surface of the openable cover [ 16 ] can be fitted with a plurality of decorative elements. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the top surface of the openable cover [ 16 ] can be fitted with a plurality of decorative gemstones [ 16   d ]. Additional decorative elements may also be included in the interchangeable ring [ 1 ], such as a pair of gemstone encrusted ring band extensions [ 11   a  and  11   b ] illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0068]    In other envisioned embodiments, the present invention may be easily adapted to other (non-ring) jewelry items. The present invention can be readily adapted to provide interchangeable settings for necklaces, watches, pins, earrings, and other related pieces of jewelry. Further, the interchangeable settings described herein can also be exchange between different types of compatible jewelry. For example, the same interchangeable setting may be mounted on a compatible ring or necklace. 
         [0069]    Although a few embodiments of the present general invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.