Abstract:
An adjustable jewelry assembly includes an adjustable bail member adapted for connection to a flexible jewelry member, a primary pendant removably connected to the bail member and/or and a secondary pendant removably connected to the bail member behind the primary pendant. At least a portion of the secondary pendant is viewable through the primary pendant. The secondary pendant can be connected to the bail member with first and second decorative surfaces facing either forwardly or rearwardly. Each surface has one or more distinguishing visual features and multiple pendants can be interchanged, stacked on the pendant, and/or reversed to thereby accommodate a user&#39;s clothing type and fashion preferences with a minimum number of jewelry pieces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to jewelry, and more particularly to a jewelry assembly having an adjustable bail member for receiving one or more pendant portions to thereby accommodate a user&#39;s clothing type and fashion preferences. 
         [0002]    Necklaces typically comprise a length of flexible chain made from one or more precious and semi-precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, and so on. These chains are available in a wide variety of designs. The flexible chains are also commonly adorned with a pendant which generally comprise one or more precious stones, such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires, mounted in settings of precious metal and semi-precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, and so on. 
         [0003]    Purchasers of jewelry currently select a pendant of a desirable style and size and either have it mounted on a flexible chain of a standard or custom length. Other pendants are permanently fixed to a length of chain and cannot be removed by the average person. If the popular fashion changes or if a certain clothing style, pattern or color is selected, it is often desired to change out the pendant or use another pendant/chain combination that more closely matches the clothing style, pattern, color or personal preference for a particular day or occasion. However, changing out the pendant often requires the services of a professional jeweler to remove the old pendant from the chain and mount a new pendant. Thus, mounting a new pendant on the chain can be inconvenient, time consuming and expensive. Accordingly, many persons have little choice but to purchase multiple chains and/or pendants, which can become quite costly. In many cases, the precious metal chain can cost more than the pendant itself. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An adjustable jewelry assembly according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an adjustable bail member adapted for connection to a flexible jewelry member; a primary pendant removably connected to the bail member; and a secondary pendant removably connected to the bail member behind the primary pendant. At least a portion of the secondary pendant is viewable through the primary pendant. 
         [0005]    An adjustable bail member according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a front plate; a rear plate pivotally connected to the front plate between open and closed positions; and a mounting shank extending rearwardly from the front plate for receiving at least one pendant. The rear plate is adapted to retain the at least one pendant when in the closed position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the drawings, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an adjustable jewelry assembly showing an adjustable clasp and an adjustable bail member with multiple pendants mounted on a chain according to the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing first and second pendants rotationally displaced according to the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged rear perspective exploded view of the adjustable bail member; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the adjustable jewelry assembly with the bail in an open position for receiving one or more pendants; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged side elevational view of the adjustable jewelry assembly with two pendants attached to the bail member; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the jewelry assembly with a single pendant attached to the bail member; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the jewelry assembly with one of the pendants having an offset mounting portion in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8A  is a front elevational view of a primary pendant in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8B  is a front elevational view of a secondary or backing pendant in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8C  is a rear elevational view of the secondary pendant of  FIG. 8B ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of an adjustable jewelry assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of an adjustable jewelry assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view thereof; 
       
    
    
       [0021]    It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict typical or exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to the drawings, and to and to  FIGS. 1 and 2  in particular, an adjustable jewelry assembly  10  is illustrated. The assembly  10  preferably includes a flexible jewelry member  12 , an adjustable bail member  14  slidably received on the jewelry member  12 , one or more decorative ornaments or pendants  16 ,  18  removably connected to the bail member  14 , and an adjustable jewelry clasp  20  slidably received on the flexible member  12 . If desired, first and second end stops  22 ,  24  can be placed at the end of the flexible member  12  for preventing detachment of the clasp  20  and bail member  14 . The flexible member  12  can be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, fabric, string, plastic or silicone, and is preferably formed as a jewelry chain of base metal such as stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, as well as semi-precious or precious metals such as such as gold, silver, platinum, various alloys thereof and so on, using methods that are well known in the art. 
         [0023]    As shown, the flexible member  12  includes a loop portion  26  extending from one side of the clasp  20  and the bail member  14  and one or more primary pendants  16  and/or secondary pendants  18  extending from the loop portion  26 . A pair of legs  28  and  30  extend from the opposite side of the clasp  20 . The loop portion  26  can extend around the neck or other body part of a wearer (not shown) with the clasp  20  located behind the neck and the legs  28  and  30  extending generally downward from the clasp and with the one or more pendants  16 ,  18  hanging downwardly from the front of the neck or other body part. The leg  28  terminates in a first free end to which the first end stop  22  is attached by means well known in the art, such as soldering when the components are constructed of metal. The leg  30  terminates in a second free end to which the second end stop  24  is attached by similar means. The first and second end stops  26  and  28  can be fashioned in a wide variety of decorative and ornamental shapes and can also comprise precious stones, such as one or more diamonds, rubies, sapphires and so on. Alternatively, the flexible member  12  can be a single continuous length of material which itself forms a loop and which therefore would not have a first free end or a second free end. Thus, in this alternative embodiment, the first end stop  22  and second end stop  24  would not be present. 
         [0024]    Due to the wide variety of body shapes and sizes, a necklace chain of a given length will hang differently from person to person. For example, an eighteen-inch necklace chain which hangs at a fashionable length on an average-sized person would not hang at the same fashionable length on a relatively larger or relatively smaller person. In some cases, such persons have been unable to wear necklaces and other jewelry at appropriate fashionable lengths. Moreover, the style and type of a person&#39;s clothing can interfere with the appearance of a necklace and affect the way the necklace hangs. For example, a pendant which hangs at approximately the same length as the neckline of the person&#39;s clothing can often be hidden from view by the clothing. Likewise, a pendant which hangs at a fashionable length when worn over light clothing may not hang at the same fashionable length when worn over relatively bulky clothing. Accordingly, the clasp  20  can be provided to permit adjustment of the hanging length of the one or more pendants  16 ,  18  according to a user&#39;s preference. Details of a suitable clasp  20  can be found in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,202,443 and 6,484,535 as well as U.S. Publication No. 2007/0251,269, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. It will be understood that the present invention can be used without the clasp  20  if desired. Those skilled in the art will also understand that the present invention is not limited to necklaces, but can also be readily applied to jewelry commonly worn elsewhere, such as around the waist, wrist and ankle. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the bail member  14  preferably includes a front plate  32  pivotally connected to a rear plate  34  via a hinge joint  36 . A mounting shank  38  extends rearwardly from the front plate  32  for receiving one or more pendants  16 ,  18 . 
         [0026]    The front plate  32  preferably includes a front wall  40  and a top wall  42  that curves rearwardly from the front wall. The hinge joint  36  preferably includes a first knuckle portion  44  formed at the end of the top wall  42  with a bore  46  extending therethrough for receiving a pivot pin  48 . A curved retaining member  50  preferably extends between the first knuckle portion  44  and the front wall  40  to create a space  52  for slidably receiving the flexible member  12  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0027]    The rear plate  34  is closest to the user&#39;s body when worn and preferably includes a rear wall  54  with a lower lip  55  that curves downwardly and rearwardly for manipulation by the fingernail or fingertip of a user for opening the bail member  14 . An opening  65  extends through the rear wall  54  for receiving the mounting shank  38 . The hinge joint  36  also preferably includes a pair of spaced knuckle portions  56 ,  58  extending upwardly from the rear wall  54  and bores  60 ,  62  extending through the knuckle portions for receiving the pivot pin  48 . 
         [0028]    The mounting shank  38  preferably includes a shaft  64  and a head  66  connected to the shaft at a forward end thereof. A plurality of spaced grooves  68  are preferably formed in the shaft  64 . The head  66  is preferably positioned within a depression  67  formed in the rear face of the front wall  40  through well-known connecting means such as soldering, adhesive bonding, and so on. The grooves  68  of the shaft  64  engage with a projection  70  located within the opening  65  of the rear wall  54  to create a tactile feel or “click” as the rear plate  34  is closed to one of a plurality of closed stop or detent positions depending on the number of pendants installed on the mounting shank  38  as well as the thickness of each pendant. The grooves  68  also serve to releasably lock the pendant(s) in place on the mounting shank  38 . Preferably, at least the top wall  42  is formed with a degree of elasticity that permits the projection  70  to engage one of the grooves  68  with a biasing force to provide the tactile feel when the rear plate  34  is being closed as well as resistance against the rear plate inadvertently opening. The mounting shank  38  is preferably sufficiently long to accept at least two pendants. However, it will be understood that the shank  38  can be shorter to accept only one pendant or longer to accept three or more pendants. 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the primary decorative pendant  16  preferably includes a heart-shaped border or frame  72  with decorative shapes, such as butterflies  74  and decorative elements  76 , located within the border  72 . A mounting ring  78  (shown in hidden line) is formed at an upper end of the border  72  and includes a mounting aperture  80  sized for receiving the shank  38  ( FIGS. 3-4 ) of the bail member  14 . The spaces between the butterflies  74  and decorative elements  76  are preferably left open so that the secondary pendant  18  can be viewed through the spaces. However, it will be understood that the spaces can be formed of transparent or translucent material. Where a secondary pendant will not be used, the spaces of the primary pendant can be opaque. 
         [0030]    The secondary decorative pendant  18  also preferably includes a heart-shaped border or frame  82  and an interior panel  84  located within the border  82 . A mounting ring  86  (shown in hidden line in  FIG. 2 ) is formed at an upper end of the border  82  and includes a mounting aperture  88  sized for receiving the shank  38  ( FIGS. 3-4 ) of the bail member  14 . Preferably, the primary and secondary pendants  16 ,  18  are of similar size and shape so that when viewed from the front, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the secondary pendant  18  is behind the primary pendant  16  with the panel  84  of the secondary pendant showing through the spaces of the primary pendant. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the primary and secondary pendants are free to rotate about a common axis defined by the aligned apertures  80 ,  88 . The front surface  90  of the interior panel  84  of the secondary pendant  18  can have different shapes, colors, patterns, artistic renderings, designs, combinations thereof, and so on, to thereby enhance the appearance of the primary pendant  16 , as well as to match the particular color, style, pattern, etc. of clothing or other accessories worn by a person. A rear surface (not shown) of the interior panel  84  can be different in color, pattern, and so on, than the front surface. In this manner, the secondary pendant  18  can be turned around or reversed so that the rear surface is exposed through the primary pendant to thereby create different visual effects with a single secondary pendant. It is contemplated that a wide variety of secondary pendants can be provided with a single primary pendant to thereby allow the user to select a number of different combinations for creating a wide variety of different visual effects. In this regard, a more expensive primary pendant can be used with a number of less expensive secondary pendants to thereby minimize costs. It will be understood that the secondary pendant can be formed with any known material such as plastics, precious and/or semi-precious metals, stainless steel or other non-precious metals, as well as combinations thereof. 
         [0031]    It will be understood that the present invention not limited to the particular shape, size, color or material of the primary and/or secondary pendants since these features can greatly vary. For example, a primary decorative pendant  92  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 8A , while the front and rear surfaces of a secondary decorative pendant  94  are shown in  FIGS. 8B and 8C  in accordance with further embodiments of the invention. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 8A , the primary pendant  92  preferably includes a circular-shaped border or frame  96  with a decorative shape  98 , shown here as a fleur-de-lis, located within the border  96 . A mounting ring  100  is formed at an upper end of the border  96  and includes a mounting aperture  102  sized for receiving the shank  38  ( FIGS. 3-4 ) of the bail member  14 . As in the previous embodiment, the spaces  104  between the decorative shape  98  are preferably left open so that the secondary pendant  94  can be viewed through the spaces. However, it will be understood that the spaces can be formed of transparent or translucent material. Where a secondary pendant will not be used, the spaces of the primary pendant can be opaque. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8B and 8C , the secondary pendant  94  also preferably includes a circular-shaped border or frame  106  and an interior panel  108  located within the border  106 . A mounting ring  110  is formed at an upper end of the border  106  and includes a mounting aperture  112  sized for receiving the shank  38  ( FIGS. 3-4 ) of the bail member  14 . A first surface  114  ( FIG. 8B ) of the interior panel  108  of the secondary pendant  94  can have different colors, patterns, artistic renderings, designs, combinations thereof, and so on, to thereby enhance the appearance of the primary pendant  92 , as well as to match the particular color, style, pattern, etc. of clothing or other accessories worn by a person. A second surface  116  ( FIG. 8C ) of the interior panel  108  can be different in color, pattern, and so on, than the front surface. In this manner, the secondary pendant  94  can be turned around and mounted on the bail so that the second surface is exposed through the primary pendant to thereby create different visual effects with a single secondary pendant. 
         [0034]    As in the previous embodiment, the primary and secondary pendants  92 ,  94  are preferably of similar size and shape so that when viewed from the front, the secondary pendant  94  is behind the primary pendant  92  with the panel  108  of the secondary pendant showing through the primary pendant. 
         [0035]    It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary pendants shown and described, since the primary and secondary pendants can greatly vary in size, shape, material, design, as well as other features. One or each of the pendants can include one or more settings with precious stones such as a diamonds, rubies, sapphires and so on. It is contemplated that one, two, three or more pendants can be mounted on the bail and each pendant can have a different shape, color, design, pattern, and so on. 
         [0036]    In use, and referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , a secondary pendant, such as pendant  94 , is installed on the bail  14  by rotating the rear plate  34  toward the open position ( FIG. 4 ), then sliding the mounting ring  110  over the mounting shank  38 . The primary pendant, such as pendant  92 , is then installed on the bail  14  by sliding the mounting ring  100  over the mounting shank  38 . The rear plate  34  is then rotated toward the closed position ( FIG. 5 ) until one of the grooves  68  of the shaft  64  engage with the projection  70  within the opening  65  of the rear wall  54  to releasably lock the pendants in place on the mounting shank  38 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pendants can swing laterally from side to side for a further visual effect. However, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the pendants can be fixed against relative pivoting motion for example by providing a non-circular or multi-sided shank and a correspondingly shaped mounting aperture (not shown). 
         [0038]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the retaining member  50  can be connected to one or both knuckle portions  56 ,  58  to rotate with the rear plate  34 . With this arrangement, the bail  14  can be removed from the flexible member  12  and installed on another flexible member when the rear plate  34  is in the open position. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a single primary or secondary pendant  114  can be installed on the bail  14  in a similar manner as previously described with the exception that the rear plate  34  is rotated toward the closed position until one of the grooves  68  located closer to the head  66  of the mounting shank  38  engages with the projection  70  within the opening  65  to releasably lock the single pendant in place on the mounting shank  38 . With this arrangement, the bail  14  is adaptable to snugly hold one or more pendants on the shank  38  depending on the preferences of the user. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a secondary pendant  116  preferably includes an offset mounting ring  117  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. When the primary pendant  118  and secondary pendant  116  are mounted on the shank  38  of the bail  14 , a gap  120  is formed therebetween so that the pendants  116 ,  118  are free to pivot about an axis of the shank  38 . This embodiment also helps to reduce wear on the pendants which may otherwise occur with relative pivoting motion, especially when a thin layer of precious or semi-precious metal is located on one or both pendants. 
         [0041]    With reference now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a jewelry assembly  130  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The jewelry assembly  130  preferably includes a flexible jewelry member  132 , an adjustable bail member  134  slidably received on the jewelry member  132 , and one or more primary and secondary decorative ornaments or pendants  136 ,  138  removably connected to the bail member  134 . 
         [0042]    As shown, the bail member  134  preferably includes a front wall  140  connected to a rear wall  142  via a curved top wall  144 , a bottom wall  146 , and an intermediate wall  148  that extends generally parallel with the bottom wall. The top wall  144  together with the intermediate wall  148  form a space  150  through which the flexible jewelry member  132  extends. A slot  152  extends through the rear wall  142  and bottom wall  146 . An enlarged opening  154  is formed at an upper end of the slot  152  while a step  155  on the bottom wall  146  is preferably formed at the other end of the slot  152 . 
         [0043]    The primary pendant  136  preferably includes a body portion  156  and a neck portion  160  extending upwardly from the body portion. A ball  162  is located at an upper end of the neck portion  160 . Likewise, the secondary pendant  138  preferably includes a body portion  158  and a neck portion  164  extending upwardly from the body portion  158 . A ball  168  is located at an upper end of the neck portion  160 . The body portions  156 ,  158  can be fashioned in a similar manner to the primary and secondary pendants as previously described so that the secondary pendant  138  is displayed behind the primary pendant  136 . 
         [0044]    In use, the primary pendant  136  is inserted into the bail member  134  by inserting the ball  162  through the opening  154  of the rear wall  142 , as shown in dashed line. The pendant  136  is then swung down until the ball  162  rests on the step  155  of the bottom wall  146  and the neck  160  extends through the slot  152  in a downward direction through the bottom wall. The secondary pendant  138  is installed in a similar manner. The enlarged ball  162  ensures that the pendant(s) will not inadvertently become dislodged from the bail member  134 . The pendants  136 ,  138  can be removed from the bail member  134  in the reverse order. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a jewelry assembly  170  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The jewelry assembly  170  is similar in construction to the jewelry assembly  130  as previously described and preferably includes a flexible jewelry member  132 , an adjustable bail member  174  slidably received on the jewelry member  132 , and one or more primary and secondary decorative ornaments or pendants  176 ,  178  removably connected to the bail member  174 . 
         [0046]    As shown, the bail member  174  preferably includes a slot  180  that extends through the rear wall  142  and bottom wall  146 . An elongated, traverse opening  182  is formed at an upper end of the slot  180 . A door  185  is pivotally connected to the rear wall  142  via a hinge joint  187  to thereby cover the slot  180  and traverse opening  182 . 
         [0047]    The primary pendant  176  preferably includes a cross piece  184  located at an upper end of the neck portion  160 . Likewise, the secondary pendant  178  preferably includes a cross piece  186  located at an upper end of the neck portion  164 . 
         [0048]    In use, the door  185  is swung to the open position ( FIG. 11 ) and the primary pendant  176  is inserted into the bail member  134  by inserting the cross piece  184  through the traverse opening  182  of the rear wall  142 , as shown in dashed line. The pendant  176  is then swung down until the cross piece  184  rests on the bottom wall  146  and the neck  160  extends through the slot  180  in a downward direction through the bottom wall. The secondary pendant  178  is installed in a similar manner. The door  185  is then swung to the closed position ( FIG. 12 ). The cross piece  184  together with the door  185  ensure that the pendant(s) will not inadvertently become dislodged from the bail member  134 . The pendants  176 ,  178  can be removed from the bail member  174  in the reverse order. 
         [0049]    While the invention has been taught with specific reference to the above-described embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. For example, the hinge joints in each of the above-described embodiments are not limited to knuckles and pins but can be constructed as living hinges or other types of mechanisms allowing one object to pivot, tilt or rotate with respect to another object. Thus, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.