Abstract:
A method of assembling a bracelet is provided. The method includes providing a display member having a first end, a second end, and at least two openings defined therein. The method further includes providing at least one band having a first end and a second end. The method also includes coupling the at least one band to the display member such that one end of the band is inserted into each of the at least two openings and such that a loop is formed around the second end of the display member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to jewelry and more specifically, to bracelets and methods of assembling such. 
         [0002]    Over the years, stories providing lessons have been passed down through the generations. For example, in one such story, a young child tied a string around one of their fingers to remind themselves of something that they should not forget. Over time, many of such stories and their lessons have evolved. Today, jewelry, such as bracelets, displaying a multitude of slogans, advertisements, and ornamentation are commercially available. For example, one well known bicyclist sponsors the commercial sale of rubber bracelets that display a slogan that the bicyclist wants to keep in the forefront of people&#39;s minds. Other individuals have been known to wear a rubber band around their wrist as a reminder of something they should or should not forget. 
         [0003]    While wearing such jewelry, in particular bracelets having elastic qualities, at least some individuals may pull a portion of the bracelet or rubber band away from their wrist and let the rubber band snap against their wrist. For example, some individuals may snap the bracelets as a nervous habit, while others may snap the bracelet as a reminder to stay focused and to prevent their minds from wandering. However, over time, the stretchable portions of such bracelets may break, wear out, or lose their stretchable characteristics. Moreover, depending on the circumstances, the individual may want to display different indicia. As such, to display different indicia, or once the stretchable portions of such bracelets have lost their stretchable properties and/or have broken, generally the user must buy a second bracelet. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a method of assembling a bracelet is provided. The method includes providing a display member having a first end, a second end, and at least two openings defined therein. The method further includes providing at least one band having a first end and a second end. The method also includes coupling the at least one band to the display member such that one end of the band is inserted into each of the at least two openings and such that a loop is formed around the second end of the display member. 
         [0005]    In a further embodiment, a method of assembling a bracelet is provided. The method includes providing a display member having a first end, a second end, and at least two openings defined therein, and providing at least one band having a first end and a second end. The method further includes coupling the at least one band to the display member such that one end of the band is inserted into one of the at least two openings and the other end of the band is inserted into a second of the at least two openings. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a bracelet assembly is provided. The bracelet assembly includes a display member including a body extending from a first end to an opposite second end. The body includes at least two openings defined therein. The bracelet assembly further includes at least one band including a first end and a second end. The at least one band is configured to be coupled to the display member such that one of the band first and second ends is inserted into each of the at least two openings and such that a loop is formed around the display member second end. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary bracelet assembly; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary display member that may be used with the bracelet assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary band that be used with the bracelet assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a partially assembled view of the bracelet assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an assembled view of the bracelet assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the bracelet assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is described below in reference to its application in connection with a bracelet assembly including a looped band as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a bracelet assembly  100 , and  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a display member  102  used with bracelet assembly  100 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary band  104  used with bracelet assembly  100 .  FIG. 4  is a partially assembled view of bracelet assembly  100 . 
         [0015]    In the exemplary embodiment, member  102  includes a body  101  that is substantially rectangular having four corners  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  connected together by four sides  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120 . Alternatively, body  101  may be formed with an non-rectangular shape. Member  102  has a length L 1  defined between opposite sides  116  and  120 , a height H 1  defined between opposite sides  114  and  118 , and has a thickness T 1  defined between an outer face  122  and an opposite inner face  124 . As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, assembly  100 , display member  102 , and band  104  may have any suitable size, shape and/or configuration that enables assembly  100  to function as described herein. 
         [0016]    In the exemplary embodiment, display member  102  includes a raised border  126  that extends outward from outer surface  122  along each side  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, border  126  substantially circumscribes outer surface  122 . Alternatively, display member  102  does not include border  126 . In the exemplary embodiment, display member  102  is fabricated from a metallic material. Alternatively, display member  102  may be fabricated from any material that enables bracelet assembly  100  to function as described herein, such as, but not limited to, a plastic material, a composite material, and/or a paper material. In an alternative embodiment, display member  102  is fabricated from a plurality of layers that provide structural strength to member  102 . 
         [0017]    Display member  102  includes at least two openings  130  and  132  defined therein. In an alternative embodiment, display member  102  includes any number of openings  130  and  132  that enables bracelet assembly  100  to function as described herein. Openings  130  and  132  are separated by a distance L 2 . In the exemplary embodiment, openings  130  and  132  each include a substantially circular portion  133  and  135 , and a slotted portion  139 , respectively. Alternatively, at least one of openings  130  and/or  132  includes only circular portion  133  or  135 . In another embodiment, at least one opening  130  and/or  132  only includes slotted portion  139 . 
         [0018]    In the exemplary embodiment, opening  130  is positioned proximate side  120 , and opening  132  is positioned proximate side  116 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, openings  130  and  132  are positioned a distance L 3  from side  114 , and a distance L 4  from side  118 , respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, distances L 3  and L 4  are approximately equal. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, each portion  133  and  135  has a diameter D 1 . Alternatively, one portion  133  or  135  has a larger diameter than the other portion  133  or  135 . In another embodiment, at least one of portions  133  or  135  is non-circular. In an alternative embodiment, openings  130  and  132  may have any suitable size, shape, orientation, and/or configuration that enables bracelet assembly  100  to function as described herein. 
         [0019]    In the exemplary embodiment, display member  102  also includes a raised border  134  that extends outward from outer surface  122  about each opening  130  and  132 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, border  134  circumscribes each opening  130  and  132 . In the exemplary embodiment, each border  134  provides structural strength and reinforcement to each opening  130  and  132 . Border  134  also facilitates retaining band  104  within openings  130  and  132  as described in more detail below. 
         [0020]    Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, display member  102  includes indicia  128  displayed thereon across surface  122 . In one embodiment, the indicia  128  communicates a phrase. For example, indicia  128  may include, but is not limited to including, printed text, designs, figures, ornamentation, and/or any combination thereof, that attract attention, enables a user to read indicia  128  while wearing bracelet assembly  100  and/or that reminds the user of something not to be, or to be, forgotten. In the exemplary embodiment, indicia  128  extends between openings  130  and  132 . In an alternative embodiment, indicia  128  may extend over any surface such as, but not limited to surfaces  122  or  124 , and/or portion of assembly  100  that enables assembly  100  to function as described herein. For example, in an alternative embodiment, band  104  includes indicia  128 . 
         [0021]    In the exemplary embodiment, display member  102  also includes at least one slot  136  defined therein. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, slot  136  is substantially linear and extends a length L 5  between an opening  130  and  132  and an outer side  114 ,  116 ,  118 , or  120  of display member  102 . Slot  136  has a width W 2  measured between opposing surfaces  122  or  124 , and extends at an angle θ with respect to side  118 . In the exemplary embodiment, angle θ is an acute angle. In an alternative embodiment, slot  136  may be oriented at any angle θ and have any size, shape, and/or configuration that enables bracelet assembly  100  to function as described herein. Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, display member  102  may include any number of slots  136  that enables bracelet assembly  100  to function as described herein. For example, display member  102  may include additional slots  136  extending from opening  130  and/or additional slots  137  extending from opening  132 . 
         [0022]    In the exemplary embodiment, band  104  is fabricated from a stretchable material, such as natural rubber or elastic material such that band  104  is flexible. For example, band  104  may be twisted and/or turned as band  104  is coupled to display member  102  as described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment, band  104  is a continuous loop that has a diameter D 2 . More specifically, band  104  is sized to enable at least a portion of band  104  to be inserted through slot  136  and/or openings  130  and/or  132 . In an alternative embodiment, band  104  is fabricated from a plurality of segments coupled together. In one embodiment, band  104  includes a mechanism (not shown) that enables the length of band  104  to be adjusted to accommodate individuals having different sized wrists and/or ankles to wear bracelet assembly  100 . Alternatively, band  104  may be fabricated from any material that enables assembly  100  to function as described herein. For example, band  104  may be fabricated from, but is not limited to being fabricated from, cloth, yarn, synthetic rubber, and/or any combination thereof. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an assembled view of bracelet assembly  100 . During assembly, band  104  is removably coupled to display member  102 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, band  104  is folded over itself, such that band  104  has length L 6  extending between a first end  146  and a second end  148 . First end  146  is inserted through opening  132  until a first loop  150  and a second loop  152  are each formed. A portion of loop  150  is then inserted through loop  152  and loop  150  is pulled in a direction  154 , away from display member  102 , until loop  152  is secured to display member  102 . End  146  of band  104  is then inserted into opening  130  by sliding loop  150  through slot  136 . Band  104  is then slid from side  118  towards opening  130  until band  104  is securely coupled within portion  133 . As such, a loop  156  is defined in band  104  when band  104  is fully coupled to display member  102 . A user  158  may insert their hand  160  through loop  156  such that bracelet assembly  100  is secured to the user&#39;s wrist  162 . While wearing bracelet assembly  100 , user  158  may pull a portion of band  104  a distance away from wrist  162  and let the rubber band snap against their wrist. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of bracelet assembly  100 . In an alternative embodiment, display member  102  includes openings  130  and  132  and slots  136  and  137 , respectively. Generally, slot  137  is similar to slot  136 , and like components are identified with like reference numerals. Slot  137  forms an angle γ with side  118  wherein angle γ is an acute angle. In an alternative embodiment, angle γ is any size angle. During assembly, a portion of band  104  is slid through slot  136  towards opening  130 , and a portion of band  104  is slid through slot  137  towards opening  132 . Band  104  is slid through slots  136  and  137  in direction  154 , away from display member  102 , until band  104  is securely coupled within openings  130  and  132 . When band is coupled to display member  102 , band  104  forms loop  156 . In this embodiment, a portion of band  104  extends along a portion and is substantially adjacent to second surface  124 . 
         [0025]    The above-described bracelet assembly may act as a reminder to individuals. At least some individuals may pull a portion of the bracelet or rubber band away from their wrist and let the rubber band snap against their wrist. For example, some individuals may snap the bracelets as a nervous habit, while others may snap the bracelet as a reminder to stay focused and to prevent their minds from wandering. As such, the above-described bracelet is a suitable replacement for users that typically wear rubber bands around their wrist as a self-imposed reminder. However, over time, the stretchable portions of such bracelets may break, wear out, or lose their stretchable characteristics. As such, the above-described bracelet assembly enables a user may easily replace the band and/or display member restoring the bracelet assembly to its original configuration. Also, the above-described bracelet assembly may display a multitude of slogans, advertisements, and ornamentation that are commercially available. As such, if the individual wants to display different indicia, the user may easily replace the band and/or the display member. 
         [0026]    An exemplary embodiment of a bracelet assembly is described above in detail. The bracelet assembly illustrated is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the assembly may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. 
         [0027]    While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.