Abstract:
An ornamental device includes a two-part curvilinear member, preferably having a band affixed to either end. Each band is provided with complementary fasteners to enable securing the device about a user&#39;s wrist, ankle, or arm. An inner side of the member is provided with a thin, transparent cover that is flexible and resilient. When the cover is pulled from the curvilinear member, the cover forms an arcuate shape that mirrors the arcuate shape of the curvilinear member while still being attached. In this position, it enables a user to insert a paper bearing a reading between the cover and curvilinear member. Forcing the cover back against the curvilinear member allows the cover to hold the paper reading in place.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no current pending applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an ornamental device that enables retention and display of interchangeable media panels, and is envisioned to be employed as a jewelry piece. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Individuals are continuously looking for new and better ways to express themselves. Whether ostentatious or modest, jewelry has long been the sinew of individualized artistic expression. Sporting a jewelry piece carries with it many connotations, ranging from unsophisticated to bourgeois and functional to fanciful. The manifestation of expression, coupled with the interpretations of that expression, is what makes jewelry such a prized possession. An individual can make a strong statement by artfully exploiting interpretations of expressive form and reducing them to a jewelry piece for display. A problem with most jewelry, however, is the lack of versatility. A jewelry piece is typically designed to make a single, or at least a very narrow, statement. It would be advantageous to have a jewelry piece that provides the versatility of making different statements, but without detracting from the perception of uniqueness. It would be further advantageous to enable a jewelry piece to display personalized messages in an artistic fashion, and interchange such messages at the discretion of the user. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     The invention is a device used to retain and display a media panel, such as a piece of paper bearing a reading. It is envisioned for the device to be used as a portion of a bracelet and worn about a user&#39;s wrist, ankle, or arm. The device comprises a two-member configuration, wherein a flexible film member is affixed to an inner surface of a rigid member. The inner surface has a curvilinear shape that is exploited to manipulate the film member into a convex bow shape or a concave bow shape. In a convex shape, the film exposes the inner surface so that a media panel may be inserted between the film and inner surface. In a concave shape, the film abuts the inner surface and retains the media panel that has been inserted. It is envisioned for the flexible film member and the rigid member to comprise a transparent material so as to display any writing or markings of the media panel. 
     Prior art in this field consists of bracelets and necklaces with interchangeable pendants and ornamental pieces. This prior art has a base structure that serves as the bracelet or necklace, and is provided with a fastening means to removably attach various designer ornaments to a surface of the base structure. Other prior art consists of bracelets and necklaces made from a plurality of interchangeable linkages that enable users to change the appearance of the jewelry piece by substituting one (1) linkage for another. 
     It is an objective of this invention to improve the versatility of a jewelry piece without detracting from its uniqueness by providing an ornamental device to be used as a piece of jewelry that enables a user to personalize the jewelry at the discretion of the user. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to provide a means to retain and display a media panel bearing personalized messages within the device. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to provide a means to quickly and easily interchange the retained medial panel at the discretion of the user. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to provide a border to a portion of the device that serves as a decoration and an open-assist to improve functionality. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a device configured to retain and display a media panel bearing a message. It is envisioned for this device to serve as a jewelry piece, preferably a bracelet; however, it is certainly not limited to such use. The device comprises a curvilinear plate with a film panel connected to a rear surface thereof. At least the rear surface of the curvilinear plate is provided with an arcuate shape, and the film panel is connected to the rear surface at the distal ends of each haunch section. The curvilinear plate is preferably a rigid, transparent material, whereas the film panel comprises a resilient, flexible material. It is envisioned for the curvilinear plate and the film panel to come in a variety of shapes; however, it is preferred that they share similar perimeter shapes. 
     The film panel is connected to the curvilinear plate at the distal ends of each haunch section of the arcuate shape by fasteners so as to secure them in a parallel manner and to create a bowing-effect upon the film panel. The compression force upon the film panel either forces the film panel to bow towards the curvilinear plate or away from the curvilinear plate. When the film panel is pulled away from the curvilinear plate, the compressive forces compel the film panel to bow away from the rear surface of the curvilinear plate, thereby exposing the rear surface. A media panel is then inserted between the rear surface and the film panel. The film panel is then pushed towards the curvilinear plate, whereby the compressive forces compel the film panel to bow towards the rear surface and pin the media panel between the two (2) surfaces. The preferred transparent nature of the curvilinear plate and the film panel enable display of the media message through the device. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a bracelet plate with a message holding means  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the bracelet plate  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a top view of the bracelet plate  10  depicting a closed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a top view of the bracelet plate  10  depicting an open state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an alternate bracelet embodiment  50  depicting the bracelet plate  20  affixed to bracelet sections  60   a ,  60   b , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  bracelet 
               20  plate 
               22  plate aperture 
               23  plate rear surface 
               24  plate indicia 
               25  plate front surface 
               30  film panel 
               32  film panel aperture 
               33  film panel rear surface 
               34  film panel border 
               35  film panel front surface 
               40  first ring 
               44  second ring 
               50  alternate bracelet embodiment 
               60   a  first bracelet section 
               60   b  second bracelet section 
               62  clasp 
               100  media panel 
               105  message indicia 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment  10 , herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3   b  and in terms of an alternate embodiment  50 , herein depicted in  FIG. 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a bracelet with message holding means (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a plate  20  and a film panel  30  configured to entrap a media panel  100  envisioned to contain an inspiring message or other uplifting visual message indicia  105  in a convenient location for viewing when desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , rear and front perspective views of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  includes a curvilinear plate  20  having a connected film panel  30 , where the film panel front surface  35  is positioned forcibly against a rear surface portion  23  of the plate  20  in a parallel manner, thereby clamping the inserted the media panel  100  between. 
     The plate  20  is envisioned to provide a curvilinear member having arcuate rear  23  surface being designed to comfortably partially wrap around a user&#39;s wrist area if so utilized (see  FIG. 4 ). The front surface  25  is preferably configured to also have an arcuate shape. The plate  20  is envisioned being made of a rigid plastic or metal material and is envisioned to include a printed, etched, or otherwise applied wrist plate indicia  24  upon a front surface portion  25 . The wrist plate indicia  24  is envisioned to provide decorative designs and patterns, as well as med-alert symbols, script or logos based upon a user&#39;s preference such as, but not limited to, sports names/logos, personal names, symbols, pictures, and the like, to further customize and personalize the device  10 . 
     The film panel  30  is envisioned to be made of flexible transparent plastic material such as extruded polycarbonate sheet or equivalent material and also includes a rear  33  and front  35  surface. The film panel  30  further includes a screen-printed or foil-stamped silver film panel border  34  intended to decoratively surround the message indicia  105  upon the media panel  100 . 
     A particular embodiment of the device  10  is illustrated here having rectangular-shaped plate  20  and film panel  30  portions; however, it is understood that the portions of the device  10  may be introduced having various perimeter shapes such as oval, elliptical, polygonal, and the like, without deviating from the teachings of the invention, and as such should not be interpreted as a limitation of scope. The plate  20  and the film panel  30  are to have similar perimeter shapes and are affixed to each other via a pair of metallic first rings  40   a  along one (1) side edge, and a pair of metallic second rings  40   b  located along an opposing side edge. The first  40   a  and second  40   b  rings pass jointly through respective pairs of plate apertures  22  and pairs of film panel apertures  32  to attach and position the film panel  30  in a parallel manner with regards to the plate  20 . The apertures  22 ,  32  and rings  40   a ,  40   b  are particularly positioned so as to create a compressing and bowing-effect upon the film panel  30 , thereby holding the film panel  30  in compression against the plate  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , top views of the device  10  depicting closed and open states, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  clamps the media panel  100  between the plate  20  and the film panel  30  and allows a user to observe a message indicia  105  printed upon the media panel  100 , when desired. The media panel  100  may be quickly replaced by manually flexing the film panel  30  away from the plate  20  to an open position as seen in  FIG. 3 b   ; inserting another media panel  100  containing a different message indicia  105 ; and, returning the film panel  30  to a closed state against the plate  20  as seen in  FIG. 3   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternate bracelet embodiment  50  depicting the device  10  affixed to bracelet sections  60   a ,  60   b , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. An alternate embodiment  50  of the device  10  is illustrated here having an affixed first bracelet section  60   a  at one (1) end portion being mechanically affixed to the first rings  40   a , and a second bracelet section  60   b  being affixed to an opposing end portion using the second ring portions  40   b . The bracelet sections  60   a ,  60   b  are illustrated here comprising a chain-link construction using plastic or metal link elements and being joined together by a clasp  62  or equivalent means; however, it is understood that the alternate bracelet embodiment  50  may include various styles of bracelet sections  60   a ,  60   b  based upon a user&#39;s preference such as beaded-type, strap-type, rigid ring-type, or others, without being interpreted a limitation of scope. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 3   b.    
     The method of installing and utilizing the preferred embodiment of the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the device  10  having a desired size, wrist plate indicia  24 , and perimeter shape; selecting and/or purchasing a media panel  100  containing an inspirational or motivational message indicia  105 ; flexing the film panel  30  outwardly away from the plate  20  using one&#39;s fingers until in an open state; positioning the media panel  100  against a rear surface  23  of the plate  20  with the message indicia  105  facing outward; pressing inwardly upon the film panel  30  to have the film panel front surface  35  retain the media panel  100  against the plate  20 ; placing the device  10  in a readily observable location such as on a desk-top, within one&#39;s purse, in one&#39;s pocket, or the like; observing the message media  105  when desired; and, being motivated, inspired, or uplifted by the media panel  100 , afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the alternative embodiment  50  of the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: installing a media panel  100  within the device  10  as described above; attaching the alternate bracelet embodiment portion  50  to one&#39;s wrist by wrapping the first bracelet section  60   a  and second bracelet section  60   b  around a user&#39;s wrist area; joining the bracelet sections  60   a ,  60   b  using the clasp  62 ; tilting the plate  20  outwardly from the user&#39;s wrist area to observe the message media  105  when desired to receive motivation, inspiration, or the like. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.