Abstract:
A novelty jewelry item generally comprising tiles having any combination of characters, for example ASCII characters, other symbols, text messaging terminology, English language text, foreign language text, and arbitrary and/or graphical designs formed thereon. The tiles may be inserted into an accommodatingly shaped receptacle, which in turn is mounted on a jewelry item, for example a bracelet, necklace, or “dog tag” such that the user is able to create novelty jewelry displaying a user selected message.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    There are no related applications. 
         [0002]    STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
         [0003]    Not applicable. 
         [0004]    REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
         [0005]    None. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention generally relates to jewelry, and more particularly, to novelty jewelry, identification tags, bracelets and the like that may be customized by the user to display selected alphanumeric characters or combinations thereof, symbols, graphical designs, and the like representing text messages currently in use by the consuming public. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    People of all ages enjoy buying and wearing jewelry and other decorative articles. Additionally, novelty items reflecting current fads or trends are popular, particularly if they are available at nominal cost. Moreover, while these decorative articles generally serve an essentially ornamental purpose, they may also be used for purposes other than their ornamental aspects. For example, these otherwise decorative items may be used as an identifying device for one&#39;s person or luggage, or expressing one&#39;s convictions or presenting a personalized message to the public or a friend, etc. 
         [0008]    No longer a mere fad or trend, the twenty-first century has in fact become an age of instant communication. In particular, mobile means of communications have essentially become ubiquitous and it is believed that the great majority of Americans own or otherwise have access to mobile telephones. Interestingly, however, these handsets are being used less and less for voice communications. Rather, the Short Message Service (SMS) or so-called text messaging feature available in these handsets is quickly becoming the communications medium of choice for the young and old, whether male or female. In fact, text messaging has become sufficiently popular that a shorthand language has developed as a result of the limited message length (generally 160 characters or less) supported by this technology. Accordingly, “LOL” is now almost universally understood to represent the phrase “laugh out loud.” Similarly, “OMDB” is understood to represent the more ominous “over my dead body” and “MYOB” is understood to represent “mind your own business.” Multitudes of similar shorthand words now exist, for example, “LH6”, “WTF”, “KMA”, “KPC”, “SUX”, and the like. 
         [0009]    The combination of these two distinct phenomena, namely, the desire of the general public for jewelry and similar decorative items, and the ascendance of text messaging in lieu of voice communications, e-mail, instant messaging, and the like form the basis of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention contemplates the incorporation of text messages and the like into modular, novelty jewelry that may be customized as desired by the user. In a preferred embodiment the invention comprises a flexible rectilinear tile having a selected alphanumeric character string molded thereon. The alphanumeric characters are typically molded in a contrasting color. It is contemplated that the messages may comprise any combination of alphanumeric characters, including those defined by the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) and any other graphical representation or symbologies. In addition a receptacle frame is provided, sized to accommodate the tiles, and the receptacle frame in turn is aesthetically mounted or otherwise incorporated into a novelty jewelry item, for example a bracelet, necklace, luggage tag, or the like. 
         [0011]    It is an object of this invention to provide customizable jewelry presenting text messages. 
         [0012]    It is another object of this invention to provide novelty jewelry displaying a user selected text message. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide jewelry displaying text messaging terminology; and 
         [0014]    It is an object of this invention to provide jewelry that is constantly changeable or updatable with regard to phrases, messages, and the like. 
         [0015]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a bracelet embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the bracelet embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bracelet embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing the inventive device mounted on the wearer&#39;s wrist; and, 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a necklace embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . It may be manufactured from any flexible, formable and/or moldable material and in this preferred embodiment is manufactured from elastomeric materials such as plastic in various colors, textures, and designs. It is contemplated that the invention may be embodied in various forms, for example a bracelet, a necklace, a “dog tag”, luggage tag, and the like. While the invention is described in connection with these embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be so limited. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0021]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of a bracelet  10 . The invention includes a text tile  20  (shown in phantom) formed from a flexible material, for example an elastomeric plastic material. In this preferred embodiment the tile  20  is generally rectilinear in shape, measuring about 1.5 inches by about 0.75 inches. It is contemplated, however, that the tile  20  may be formed in any shape, for example in the form of a circle or oval, or an irregular shape. Alphanumeric characters  30  (shown in phantom) are formed on the tile  20  and may comprise any combination of characters, for example ASCII characters, other symbols, text messaging terminology, English language text, foreign language text, and arbitrary and/or graphical designs. In a preferred embodiment the aforementioned text  30  is formed in a color that contrasts with that of the tile  20 . For example, the tile  20  may be formed in a black elastomeric material while the text  30  may be formed in a contrasting primary color. Nearly infinite color combinations exist and may include different gradations of the same base color, metallic colors, and flat or glossy finishes. 
         [0022]    A receptacle frame  40  is provided, sized to accommodate and secure the tile  20  by its exterior margin such that the alphanumeric characters or text  30  is clearly visible. In this embodiment, the receptacle  40  includes a retaining lip  50  defining an opening  55  in the receptacle  40  having dimensions slightly smaller than the dimensions of the tile  20  such that a tile  20  may be pressed into the receptacle  40  in such a manner that the retaining lip  50  will secure the tile  20  therein. Those skilled in the art will understand that numerous retention mechanisms are known and are implicitly incorporated herein. 
         [0023]    The rectilinear frame receptacle  40  is mounted to a bracelet  60  comprising a strap  65  having female snap closure  70  mounted at a first end  66  and a plurality of male snap closures  75  mounted at the second, opposing end  67 . In use the female snap closure  70  may be mated to any of the plurality of male closures  75  in order to accommodate any wrist size. It is also understood that numerous closure mechanisms are known and those skilled in the art will understand that any such closure mechanism may be used with equal success herein. Such mechanisms include but are not limited to hook and loop closures, buckles, and free ends that are simply tied to one another. Additionally, the bracelet  10  may be formed in a continuous conformation similar to, for example, a rubber band such that the apparatus is simply slipped over the hand (or foot) and worn about the wrist (or ankle). 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows the bracelet  10  invention of the present application in place, being worn about the wrist  100  (shown in phantom) of the wearer. In use, it is contemplated that numerous combinations of tiles  20  having an essentially unlimited variety of text  30  messages, designs, etc. will be available. Moreover, the design of the present invention  10  facilitates constant updating whereby text  30  not yet in use may be incorporated into additional tiles  20  as desired, with the result that the wearer and device will continue to be up-to-date indefinitely. The wearer simply selects the tile  20  of her or his choice according to their mood, whim, and desire and thereafter simply inserts same into the receptacle  40  in order to create a unique, custom, novelty jewelry item. 
         [0025]    Turning to  FIG. 4  another embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of a necklace  110 . The invention includes a text tile  120  (shown in phantom) formed from a flexible material, for example an elastomeric plastic material. In this preferred embodiment the tile  120  is generally rectilinear in shape, measuring about 1.5 inches by about 0.75 inches. It is contemplated, however, that the tile  120  may be formed in any shape, for example in the form of a circle or oval, or an irregular shape. Alphanumeric characters  130  (shown in phantom) are formed on the tile  120  and may comprise any combination of characters, for example ASCII characters, other symbols, text messaging terminology, English language text, foreign language text, and arbitrary and/or graphical designs. In a preferred embodiment the aforementioned text  130  is formed in a color that contrasts with that of the tile  120 . For example, the tile  120  may be formed in a black elastomeric material while the text  130  may be formed in a contrasting primary color. Nearly infinite color combinations exist and may include different gradations of the same base color, metallic colors, and flat or glossy finishes. 
         [0026]    A receptacle frame  140  is provided, sized to accommodate and secure the tile  120  by its exterior margin such that the alphanumeric characters or text  130  is clearly visible. In this embodiment, the receptacle  140  includes a retaining lip  150  defining an opening  155  in the receptacle  140  having dimensions slightly smaller than the dimensions of the tile  120  such that a tile  120  may be pressed into the receptacle  40  in such a manner that the retaining lip  150  will secure the tile  120  therein. Those skilled in the art will understand that numerous retention mechanisms are known and are implicitly incorporated herein. The rectilinear frame receptacle  140  is subsequently mounted to a necklace chain, lanyard, or the like  165 . 
         [0027]    The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims: