Abstract:
A bracelet includes a plastic body having socket portions. Customizing pieces, with or without underlying filling bodies, are lodged in the socket portions. The customizing pieces may be transparent. Visible or audible effects are provided by ornamental elements associated with the customizing pieces, the filling bodies, or both. Interactions of these structures; mutually or with supplied external bodies; optical, mechanical, or magnetic; augment the effects.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/706,942, filed 28 Sep. 2012, “Facebracelets,” inventor Thomas Michael MIHALYO. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of bracelets, more specifically to a bracelet with interchangeable pieces allowing a user to customize it. 
         [0004]    2. General Background and State of the Art 
         [0005]    Bracelets, though marketed with various styles, seem mostly limited to one specific look or limited in the customization the offer a user. The inventor surmised that consumers might well appreciate a bracelet which a user could customize, as with a variety of different pieces. 
       INVENTION SUMMARY 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a customizable bracelet or the like. 
         [0007]    In accordance with these objects and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of the bracelet in accordance with the present invention comprises a bracelet body having at least one socket portion and a customizing piece operatively coupled with said socket portion. 
         [0008]    An ornamental element may be operatively coupled with said customizing piece. A plurality of ornamental elements may be operatively coupled with said customizing piece and mutually operatively coupled. 
         [0009]    A filling body may be disposable within said socket portion and operatively coupled with said customizing piece. The ornamental element may be operatively coupled with said filling body. A least one of said plurality of ornamental elements may be operatively coupled with said filling body. 
         [0010]    A first and second plurality of ornamental elements may be mutually operatively coupled in manually manipulable rotational relation with visible optical effect, as, for example, in manually manipulable magnetic relation with visible optical effect. 
         [0011]    The filling body and said customizing piece may be mutually magnetically coupled with visible effect. 
         [0012]    Also in accordance with these objects and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of a bracelet or personal decorative amusement item in accordance with the present invention comprises a first body having at least one socket portion; a customizing piece operatively coupled with said socket portion; and a second body, in manipulable relation to said first body, said first and second bodies being mutually operatively coupled with visible effect on at least one of said bodies. 
         [0013]    The second body may be magnetically active (attractive) and an ornamental element may be disposed in said socket portion in operative relation with said customizing piece, said second body and said ornamental element being mutually magnetically coupled. 
         [0014]    A filling body may be disposed in said socket portion and be operatively coupled with said customizing piece. 
         [0015]    The second body may be magnetically active (attractive) and an ornamental element may be disposed in said socket portion in operative relation with said customizing piece, said second body and said ornamental element being mutually magnetically coupled. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bracelet in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an edgewise elevational view thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view thereof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial perspective view thereof; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are side sectional views of socket portions of embodiments thereof; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are side sectional views of components of embodiments thereof thereof; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a component thereof 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT of the bracelet in accordance with the present invention, shown generally at  20 , having a generally band-like bracelet body  22  which has a front surface  24 , a back surface  26 , lateral surfaces  28 , and at least one socket portion  30  (typically a plurality thereof) in which is disposed a customizing piece  32 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2 , an edgewise view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , shows the bracelet body  22 , back surface  26 , lateral surface  28 , front surface  24 , and socket portion  30  with customizing piece  32  disposed therein. The bracelet body  22  is formed of silicone rubber in sizes ranging from small (having six socket portions  30  spaced apart), medium (seven socket portions  30 ) and large (eight) to accommodate different wrist sizes and different preferences for looseness of fit. The bracelet body  22  has an overall thickness (front surface  24  to back surface  26 ) of between approximately 0.4 cm and approximately 1.0 cm and a width (lateral surface  28  to lateral surface  28 ) of between approximately 1.0 cm and approximately 5.0 cm. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3 , a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , shows the bracelet body  22 , front surface  24 , lateral surface  28 , and socket portion  30  with customizing piece  32 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4 , an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the bracelet body  22 , shows one socket portion  30 , the front surface  24 , lateral surface  28 , and customizing piece  32 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5 , a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , shows the bracelet body  22 , back surface  26 , and front surface  24 . The front surface  24  has a backward-recessed portion  25 , a sidewall  27  extending frontward from the backward-recessed portion  25 , and a retaining lip  29  extending centrally from the sidewall  27  to partially cover the backward-recessed portion  25 . The backward-recessed portion  25  has a diameter or overall size of between approximately 1.0 cm and approximately 4.5 cm. The sidewall  27 , which surrounds the backward-recessed portion  25 , has a height of between approximately 0.3 cm and 0.6 cm. The retaining lip  29  extends centrally from the sidewall  27  for between approximately 0.2 cm and approximately 0.5 cm and has a thickness of approximately 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm. The backward-recessed portion  25 , sidewall  27 , and retaining lip  29  together form a socket space pointed to by arrow  31 . A filling body  34  partially occupies the socket space. A customizing piece  32  partially occupies the socket space  31  above the filling body  34 . The retaining lip  29  and customizing piece  32  cooperate to achieve an interference fit which holds the customizing piece  32  and the filling body  34  in the socket space  31 . 
         [0029]    With continued reference to the side cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5 , the socket space  31 , filling body  34  and customizing piece  32  are shaped and sized so that, when the filling body  34  and the customizing piece  32  are placed together in the socket space  31  as shown, they are held securely therein. The filling body  34  as shown in this embodiment has a substantially cylindrical form, a diameter of between approximately 1.0 cm and approximately 4.5 cm, and a height of between 0.3 cm and 0.6 cm, and is formed of any material suitable for supporting the customizing piece  32  against the retaining lip  29 . Such materials include silicone rubber, thermoplastic or other resinous material, wood, paper, vitreous material, metal, and magnetic materials. The customizing piece  32  as shown in this embodiment has a somewhat lenticular discoid form, a diameter of between approximately 1.0 cm and approximately 4.5 cm, and a height of between 0.1 cm and 0.6 cm centrally, tapering to approximately 0.1 cm peripherally. In the embodiment shown, the customizing piece  32  is formed of a transparent resinous material. In alternative embodiments considered to be within the scope of the present invention, the socket space  31 , customizing piece  32 , and filling body  34  may take other shapes, such as ovoid, polygonal, or the like, and be dimensioned so that a good mutual fit is achieved. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6 , a side cross-sectional view of a SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT of the bracelet in accordance with the present invention, shows a bracelet body  22  having a lateral surface  28 , a back surface  26 , a front surface  24 , a backward-recessed portion  25  of the front surface  24 , a sidewall  27  extending frontward from the backward-recessed portion  25 , and a retaining lip  29  extending centrally from the sidewall  27  to partially cover the backward-recessed portion  25 . The backward-recessed portion  25 , sidewall  27 , and retaining lip  29  together form a socket space  31 . A customizing piece  32  occupies the socket space  31 . The retaining lip  29  and customizing piece  32  cooperate to achieve an interference fit which holds the customizing piece  32  in the socket space  31 . The customizing piece  32  in this second exemplary embodiment has the dimensions and other physical characteristics described herein with reference to the first exemplary embodiment of the bracelet in accordance with the present invention. The socket space  31  in this second exemplary embodiment has the dimensions described with reference to the first exemplary embodiment, except that sidewall  27  has a height of only between approximately 0.1 cm and approximately 0.4 cm, resulting in a somewhat flatter socket space  31  and potentially a flatter overall bracelet body  22 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 7 , a side cross-sectional view of a customizing piece  32  in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shows the customizing piece  32  having a displaying portion  36 , an ornament interfacing portion  38 , and a retaining portion  40 . The retaining portion  40  is indicated in this figure as being the periphery of the customizing piece  32 , consistent with an interference fit involving the sidewall  27 ; however, the operative coupling of the customizing piece  32  with the retaining lip  29  can be seen in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  to involve the displaying portion  36  peripherally as well. The displaying portion  36  is transmissive of light. Optionally, the displaying portion  36  includes a lensing feature such as, for example, a Fresnel lens, a plurality of miniature lenses, any combination of positive and negative cylindrical and spherical lenses, such as may economically be produced in the process of molding of a customizing piece  32  from a light-transmissive resinous or vitreous material. Also optionally, the displaying portion  36  may include a light-modifying feature such as a chemical optical filter, a polarizing filter, or a reflective, antifreflective or color-scattering interferometric optical coating, such as can be applied to or incorporated in the displaying portion  36  through common commercial methods. The ornament interfacing portion  38  is transmissive of light. Optionally, the ornament interfacing portion  38  includes a lensing or light-modifying feature as described herein with reference to the displaying portion  36 . An ornamental element  42  is operatively coupled with the customizing piece  32 . As shown in this figure, the ornamental element  42  is operatively coupled with the customizing element  32 , such as by being illuminated by ambient light through the displaying portion  36  and by being visible through the displaying portion  36 . The ornamental element  42  is operatively coupled with the ornament interfacing portion  38 , such as by adhesion thereto. The ornamental element  42  includes a sheet of metal, magnetic material, paper, resinous material, or other material and bears a graphic design or other visible feature or color. Alternatively, the ornamental element  42  includes a graphic or colored element printed directly on the ornament interfacing portion  38  or contained within the customizing piece  32 . Optionally, the ornamental element  42  may include a fluorescent or phosphorescent body or material. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8 , a side cross-sectional view of a customizing piece  32  in accordance with a THIRD EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT of the present invention and the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shows the customizing piece  32  having a displaying portion  36 , an ornament interfacing portion  38 , and a retaining portion  40 . The retaining portion  40  is indicated in this figure as being the periphery of the customizing piece  32 , consistent with an interference fit involving the sidewall  27 ; however, the operative coupling of the customizing piece  32  with the retaining lip  29  can be seen in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  to involve the displaying portion  36  peripherally as well. The displaying portion  36  is transmissive of light. Optionally, the displaying portion  36  includes a lensing feature such as, for example, a Fresnel lens, a plurality of miniature lenses, any combination of positive and negative cylindrical and spherical lenses, such as may economically be produced in the process of molding of a customizing piece  32  from a light-transmissive resinous or vitreous material. Also optionally, the displaying portion  36  may include a light-modifying feature such as a chemical optical filter, a polarizing filter, or a reflective, antifreflective or color-scattering interferometric optical coating, such as can be applied to or incorporated in the displaying portion  36  through common commercial methods. The ornament interfacing portion  38  is transmissive of light. Optionally, the ornament interfacing portion  38  includes a lensing or light-modifying feature as described herein with reference to the displaying portion  36 . 
         [0033]    With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , also shown is a filling body  34  having an ornament interfacing portion  38 . An ornamental element  42  is operatively coupled with the filling body  34  (such as by adhesion or even by mere confinement along with the filling body  34 ). The ornamental element  42  is operatively coupled with the customizing piece  32 , such as optically by virtue of incidence, reflection or emission of light. As shown in this figure, the ornamental element  42  is adherent to the ornament interfacing portion  38  of the filling body  34 , is illuminated by ambient light through the displaying portion  36  of the customizing piece  32 , and is visible through the displaying portion  36  of the customizing piece  32 . The ornamental element  42  includes materials, graphics, or the like as described elsewhere herein. 
         [0034]      FIG. 9 , a perspective view of a customizing piece  32  in accordance with the present invention, shows an ornamental element  42  (smiley face) visible through the displaying portion  36  of the customizing piece  32 . 
         [0035]    With dual reference to  FIG. 8  and to  FIG. 7 , the customizing piece  32  having ornamental element  42  as shown in  FIG. 7  is combinable with the filling body  34  having another ornamental element  42  as shown in  FIG. 8 , resulting in yet a FOURTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT of the present invention. In this embodiment, an operative relation may be established in the relative positions of the ornamental element  42  operatively coupled with the filling body  34  and the ornamental element operatively coupled with the customizing piece  32 , such that a user may alter the outwardly observable appearance of the customizing piece  32  by rotating same relative to the filling body  34 . 
         [0036]    The first through fourth exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be modified to result in a FIFTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT, in which the ornamental element  42  (wherever located), the filling body  32 , or the customizing piece  32  itself includes a cavity (not shown) and the cavity includes a gas, liquid, solid, liquid crystal, or other item for generating visual or audible effect (audible as, for example, granules or beads interacting with what confines it to make a rattling or jingling sound). 
         [0037]    In a SIXTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT of the present invention, the socket portion  30 , filling body  34 , customizing piece  32 , or any ornamental element  42  included therewith may include a magnetic body or magnetic material, or a magnetically attractable body, embedded or enclosed therein or adherent or adjacent thereto. Such included items (magnetic, magnetically attractable) may be present in various combinations in a plurality of these recited structures (socket portion  30 , filling body  34 , customizing piece  32 , any ornamental element  42 ), resulting in further operative coupling between said structures and between the items they enclose. For example, depending on the position of a visible, magnetically attractable body associated with one of these structures relative to a magnetic body associated with another of them, the visible body may alter its appearance. In particular, for example, iron filings or the like will organize themselves relative to a magnetic field. Additionally, magnetic interactions may enhance retention of the customizing piece  32  in the socket space  31 . Additionally, an external magnet or magnetically attractable body (visible or not) may be provided along with the bracelet in accordance with the present invention (such as, for example, by including a magnet in a ring to be worn on the opposite hand); a wearer may seek amusement by manipulating the external magnetic body relative to the bracelet to modify the behavior of items contained in one or both thereof. 
         [0038]    With reference to the first through sixth exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a user may procure a bracelet body  22 , at least one customizing piece  32 , and at least one ornamental element  42  (perhaps already incorporated in the customizing piece  32 ), may affix the ornamental element  42  to the ornament interfacing portion  38  of the customizing piece  32  if desired, and then may insert the customizing piece  32  in a socket portion  30  of the bracelet body  22  (along with a filling body, in the case of the first exemplary embodiment), resulting in a customized bracelet. 
         [0039]    As can be seen from the drawing figures and from the description, each embodiment of the bracelet in accordance with the present invention solves a problem by addressing the need to customize a bracelet in various ways with interchangeable components. 
         [0040]    While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept. 
         [0041]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve same purposes can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of various embodiments of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0042]    In the foregoing description, if various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure, this method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims, and such other claims as may later be added, are hereby incorporated into the description of the embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.