Abstract:
A jewelry divider is provided which is designed to keep individual pieces of jewelry which are worn at the same time from becoming tangled with each other. The jewelry divider may also keep jewelry in a specific order or arrangement that a person desires. The divider includes several loops or openings, allowing each piece of jewelry to be hooked onto or passed through a separate loop to resist rotation and knotting of the jewelry.

Description:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a device for jewelry. More specifically, the present invention relates to a divider to prevent several pieces of jewelry which are worn at the same time from getting tangled together. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The ability to accessorize jewelry is important to many people. To match certain outfits, one must often coordinate jewelry with things like shoes, purses, clothing, hair style, and skin tone. It is often desirable to wear several pieces of jewelry at a time in order to look fashionable and allow for the best possible accessory coordination. 
         [0003]    One may often desire to wear several necklaces at the same time. For example, one necklace may be worn to bring out a subtle color in shoes, while another may match a purse. Alternatively, one necklace could be rather simple and used to complement another more ornate necklace. Still yet, one may desire to wear several necklaces of different lengths, like an opera-length necklace with matinee and princess-length necklaces for a sophisticated look. 
         [0004]    Likewise, it may be desired to wear several of the same necklaces for a layered, modern look. It is often preferred to have each necklace lay in a certain order on one&#39;s neck. For example, it often looks more polished to wear shorter necklaces closer to the neck than longer necklaces wore at the same time. However, it is difficult to keep necklaces in place on one&#39;s neck as they are free to rotate. 
         [0005]    For the same reasons as above, it is also often desirable to wear more than one bracelet at the same time for accessorizing. It may also be desired to wear more than one bracelet around the ankle, or anklet, at the same time. 
         [0006]    When more than one necklace or bracelet is worn at a time, there is a possibility of the necklaces or bracelets becoming tangled with each other. Usually, the longer necklaces are worn and the more movement a person does while wearing them, the more easily the necklaces are tangled. Several necklaces may often be worn to a party for numerous hours while the person must mingle and often dance. Even when necklaces are only wore for a short time they may become tangled as they are free to move and roll on the neck. If one wears several bracelets at the same time, the bracelets are easily tangled as one moves their arm up and down in daily tasks, such as shaking hands, lifting, typing, and writing. As bracelets roll up and down the arm, they become easily tangled. The same is true for anklets becoming tangled around the ankle. 
         [0007]    When pieces of jewelry become knotted or tangled together, the person wearing the jewelry is placed in a difficult situation. It is difficult to get the pieces untangled even with two free hands. To complicate matters, though, the person wearing the jewelry may not have both hands free. When a person is wearing a bracelet, they must try to get the knots and tangles out of the bracelets on one hand while using only their free hand, or get another person to help them. When the jewelry being worn is necklaces, a similar problem is presented. The necklaces are often difficult to reach for the person wearing them, and the person must attempt to manipulate the knots blindly behind their head. Often, they must seek help from a companion to remove the tangles and knots before the necklaces may be taken off. 
         [0008]    Thus it is desired to have an apparatus that may separate and hold in place several pieces of jewelry worn at the same time around the same body part, such as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. It is further desired that this apparatus resist rotation to prevent knotting and tangling between the several pieces of jewelry. Depending on the occasion, it may be desired for the apparatus to function discreetly, or be worn as an additional accessory. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for dividing several pieces of jewelry which are worn at the same time. 
         [0010]    According to the present invention, a jewelry divider is formed with a plurality of attachment points to which a piece of jewelry is connected. The divider helps to keep the pieces of jewelry from becoming tangled and make the jewelry easier to untangle in the event that tangling occurs. 
         [0011]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a jewelry divider is formed with several loops, each loop designed to house or attach to one strand of jewelry. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the invention, the jewelry divider may be fitted with beads to further separate each loop and accessorize the jewelry divider. 
         [0013]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, the jewelry divider may be designed with as many loops as desired for the number of pieces of jewelry to be worn. 
         [0014]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the jewelry divider may be designed with nearly any shape desired. 
         [0015]    These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in a jewelry divider as shown and described in the following figures and related description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a jewelry divider according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of a jewelry divider designed with beads according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of jewelry divider according to the present invention with three pieces of jewelry attached; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of a jewelry divider according to the present invention with three pieces of jewelry attached in an alternate manner; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative design for the jewelry divider according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows another alternative design for the jewelry divider according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows yet another alternative design for the jewelry divider according to the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows still another embodiment of a jewelry divider in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIG. 1A , a front view of a jewelry organizer or divider  10  according to the present invention is shown. The jewelry divider  10  is typically made in a similar fashion to jewelry itself so as to compliment the jewelry and not detract from it. As such, the jewelry divider  10  may be cast or otherwise formed from silver or gold, or may be plated in these metals according to the normal manufacture of jewelry. The jewelry divider  10  has three loops  12  which form three holes or openings  14 . The holes or openings  14  are closed by the surrounding loop  12  so that a necklace which is attached thereto cannot slip out of the opening  14 . The loops  12  are often spaced apart by body segments  16 . In many instances, it is desirable to use smaller loops  12  spaced apart by body segments  16  so that the spacing between openings  14  is maintained while constraining a necklace to a smaller location. 
         [0028]    As the jewelry divider  10  is typically used to space apart multiple necklaces or bracelets while these are worn by a person, the divider is sized to accomplish this. Thus, the openings  14  typically range in size between about 0.2 and 0.5 inches. The openings  14  may be made larger or smaller to accommodate different sizes of necklaces. Typically, the openings are about 0.25 inches in diameter. The loop  12  which forms the opening is usually about 0.03 inches thick and wide. This size of loop  12  will provide adequate strength while remaining unobtrusive and functional. The jewelry divider  10  is often between 0.5 and 1.5 inches wide. The total width of the divider (as measured across the most separated loops  12 ) may vary according to the number of loops  12 , the size of the loops  12 , and in some cases the desired amount of space between the loops  12 . The total width should remain small enough to not interfere with a person wearing the jewelry divider  10 . A typical jewelry divider may be about 1 inch wide. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1B  shows a front view of another jewelry divider according to the present invention. The jewelry divider  10  is formed with several loops  12  which are separated by body segments  16 . The loops  12  define openings  14 . In use, individual pieces of jewelry are attached to a separate loop  12 , keeping the jewelry separated and reducing the likelihood that the jewelry becomes tangled together. By attaching the jewelry to the loops  12 , a person may also keep the jewelry in place in a specific order or arrangement. While the jewelry divider of  FIG. 1B  is more ornamental than that of  FIG. 1A , the two maintain the same functionality. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of the jewelry divider of  FIG. 1B  with decorative beads  20  added thereto. Each bead  20  is positioned between the loops  12  of the jewelry divider. These beads can be added for extra ornamentation as desired. Additionally, the beads can allow the jewelry divider  10  to move up and down the neck, arm, etc., more easily and thereby minimize the risk of the necklaces becoming tangled. 
         [0031]    If a more discreet jewelry divider is desired, the beads  20  may be omitted. Different shapes, materials and designs of beads  20  could be used. It is desirable that the diameter of the bead is large enough to allow it to be placed on the body segment  16  and small enough that it does not slip past the loops  12 . 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a front view of a jewelry divider  10  with three necklaces  30  attached thereto is shown. The jewelry divider  10  is typically used by attaching each piece of jewelry to a separate loop  12  using the jewelry clasp. As shown, three necklaces  30  are each attached to separate loops  12 . Most necklaces and bracelets have an openable clasp  32  at one end and a closed ring  34  at the other end which are attached together to wear the necklace. Each necklace  30  may be attached to a loop  12  by first opening the clasp  32 , placing the loop  12  into the clasp  32 , placing the ring  34  into the clasp  32 , and closing the clasp. It is thus understood that it is desirable to form the jewelry divider of a sufficiently fine gauge of material that the necklace clasp  32  may be placed around the loop  12  if desired. 
         [0033]    It is appreciated that this same process works well for any other jewelry fitted with similar standard clasps, such as bracelets and anklets. Furthermore, if one wears the same combination of jewelry often, the clasp  32  can remain attached to its respective loop  12  on the jewelry divider  10  and the jewelry could be stored attached to the divider. The jewelry divider  10  and necklaces  34  can be hung together in a jewelry cabinet, making them less likely to become tangled during storage. Furthermore, when a person desires to wear the same combination of jewelry again, it is easier to put on the jewelry. The jewelry divider assists in keeping the jewelry untangled while being worn, and also assists in organizing the jewelry and keeping the jewelry in a predetermined arrangement. 
         [0034]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , another jewelry divider  10  according to the present invention is shown. Three necklaces  30  are attached to the jewelry divider  10 . These necklaces do not have standard clasps  32 . Each necklace  30  can be attached to a loop  12  on the jewelry divider  10  by threading the necklace through the openings  14 . If the jewelry divider is made from a bent piece of material, it may be formed such that the loops  12  are closed while leaving adjacent sections of material unattached. This may allow a person to bend the jewelry divider slightly and pass a piece of jewelry into the loop. The loop  12  is then allowed to close (for more elastic materials) or bent closed (for more malleable materials). This can be useful for necklaces which are continuous without any clasp. 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5 through 8 , various alternative designs for the present jewelry divider  10  are shown. Each jewelry divider  10  includes loops  12  which form openings  14  as previously discussed. Many of the jewelry dividers  10  have body segments  16  which space the loops  12  apart. These jewelry dividers  10  illustrate how various different numbers of loops  12  may be formed and how the divider  10  may be made in different cosmetic designs. 
         [0036]    Each of the jewelry dividers  10  may be formed from a flexible wire such as a precious metal wire or spring steel, or may also be cast or cut from sheet material. As has been discussed, forming the jewelry divider from a wire may allow a person to place a necklace which is formed in a continuous loop without a clasp into the openings  14 . A jewelry divider  10  which is cast or cut from a sheet of material may be stronger. 
         [0037]    There is thus disclosed an improved jewelry divider. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.