Abstract:
A process for making a wearable personal ornament utilizing an inexpensive animal product or byproduct involves obtaining hoof material, typically cleaning, sanitizing and shaping the hoof material, applying a decorative coating to surfaces of the hoof material, and attaching the hoof material to a wire, metal collet, metal plate, ring, screw-eye, cord or chain.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to ornaments and jewelry, and more particularly to ornaments and jewelry incorporating hoof material. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Personal ornamentation or jewelry is often made from precious metals and/or gem stones. However, less expensive materials derived from stones, plants, animals, etc. have been employed. Nevertheless, it is believed that personal ornamentation derived from animals has been limited to personal ornamentation fashioned from pearls, shells, ivory, bones, teeth, skin, hair and horn. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention provides inexpensive or low-cost personal ornamentation derived from hoof material, and personal articles or jewelry incorporating an ornament derived from hoof material. 
         [0004]    There is also provided a process for preparing an ornament from hoof material. 
         [0005]    These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a ring on which is mounted an ornament derived from hoof material. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a necklace to which is attached an ornament derived from hoof material. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a bracelet or anklet to which is attached an ornament derived from hoof material. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a brooch to which is attached an ornament derived from hoof material. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows an earring to which is attached an ornament derived from hoof material. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a belt buckle to which is attached an ornament derived from hoof material. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows an amulet or charm incorporating an ornament derived from hoof material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    The various aspects of the invention involve the use of hoof materials as ornamentation, such as for jewelry. The term “hoof material” as used herein refers to the horny covering or structure at the end of the foot of an ungulate mammal, and more particularly the keratinized (cornified) structure surrounding a distal phalanx or phalanges of an ungulate mammal. Examples of ungulate mammals from which hoof material may be obtained for use in accordance with various aspects of this invention include the horse, zebra, donkey, cow, rhinoceros, camel, hippopotamus, goat, sheep, giraffe, deer, antelope and gazelle. Suitable hoof material for use in the invention may be obtained, for example, as products or byproducts from animal processing facilities, or from clippings, such as horse hoof clippings, which are generally regarded as a byproduct of normal equine care and maintenance. 
         [0014]    In general, the ornaments in accordance with the invention include hoof material having a decorative coating, i.e., a coating that provides an aesthetic or decorative function, but which may also provide a protective function. Suitable coatings for use in the invention include coatings that impart a glossy finish, a semi-gloss finish, a satin finish, or a matte finish. Such coatings may be clear, tinted or pigmented. In general, the coatings may be applied to a surface of the hoof material in a liquid form, such as by spraying, brushing or dipping. After application, the liquid coating is typically dried, such as by evaporation or curing, to form a film that is tenaciously bonded or adhered to a surface of the hoof material. Suitable decorative coating compositions typically contain a natural or synthetic polymer having film-forming properties. Various paints, varnishes and the like may be employed, such as a resin varnish, shellac, an alkyd varnish, a polyurethane varnish or an acrylic varnish. 
         [0015]    Generally, before applying a decorative coating to a surface of the hoof material, the hoof material is processed to remove contaminants (generally any material that is not the actual hoof material), including feces, soil, insects, etc. Various conventional means for removing contaminants may be employed, such as high pressure water sprayed onto hoof material residing on a screen, or by scrubbing, etc. 
         [0016]    It may also be desirable to sanitize (e.g., remove microorganisms from or kill microorganisms on) the surfaces of the hoof material prior to applying the decorative coating. Conventional techniques, such as steam sterilization, chemical sanitizing, radiation sterilization, heating, and the like may be employed. 
         [0017]    Generally, hoof material obtained from hoof clippings, animal processing facilities, or other sources, will be cut into pieces suitable for incorporation as ornaments such as in jewelry, and will typically be subjected to shaping operations, which may include cutting, grinding, trimming, smoothing, and polishing operations. 
         [0018]    After the processed hoof material has been provided with a desired ornamental coating, the resulting ornament may be incorporated into a wearable personal ornament (e.g., jewelry) such as a finger ring, earring, necklace, brooch, bracelet, anklet or belt buckle. Typically, this may be achieved by attaching the hoof ornament (hoof material having a decorative coating) to a wire, metal collet, metal plate, ring, screw-eye, cord or chain. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a ring  10  on which is mounted, such as with an adhesive, an ornament  20  derived from hoof material in accordance with the invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a necklace  30  comprising a cord or chain  40  to which there is attached an ornament  50  derived from hoof material in accordance with the invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a bracelet or anklet  60  comprising a cord or chain  65  to which is attached an ornament  68  derived from hoof material in accordance with the invention. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a brooch  70  comprising an ornament  72  derived from hoof material in accordance with the invention which is attached to a metal collet  75 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows an earring  80  including an ear wire or hook  82  attached to an ornament  83  derived from hoof material in accordance with the invention. Ear hook  82  may be attached to ornament  83  by drilling an appropriate hole into ornament  83  and inserting an end of ear hook  82  into the opening. The attachment may be achieved by a combination of friction or interference fit and with an adhesive. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a belt buckle  85  comprising a metal plate  86  to which ornament  87  derived from hoof material in accordance with the invention is mounted. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  shows an amulet  90  including a wire  92  attached to ornament  94  derived from hoof material in accordance with the invention, and defining an eyelet or miniature ring  95  at an end of the wire  92  opposite ornament  94 . 
         [0026]    Screw-eyes may be inserted into the hoof material to provide a means of connecting the ornament to the necklace, anklet, etc. Wire split rings may be incorporated in the attachment means for connecting portions of the ornament carrier to a screw-eye or other device connected to the hoof material. 
         [0027]    The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiment(s) only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiment(s) shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.