Patent Publication Number: US-2015082831-A1

Title: Jewelry display system using universal accessory bar

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application entitled “Click Together Hold and Release System for Creating Jewelry Items” (Ser. No. 61/882,902) filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Sep. 26, 2013 the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to jewelry and more particularly to a jewelry display system using a universal accessory bar for enabling a user to selectively engage and disengage accessory bars to create, interchange and transform decorative jewelry pieces for wear by a user. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Jewelry is most commonly marketed to consumers in a singular fixed form and completely lacks the ability to be creatively customized, stacked, mixed or matched. Whether it is a bracelet, necklace, ring, anklet or earring, a user cannot easily transform the piece without breaking it apart. Pre-made jewelry sold as part of a jewelry design kit is available, however these kits typically includes small, easy to lose pieces that do not interconnect seamlessly or securely. Currently, there are no alternatives for jewelry display systems, which combine the ability to creatively customize, interchange, mix and match accessories. 
     It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a jewelry display system using a universal accessory bar for enabling a user to selectively engage and disengage accessory bars to creatively customize, interchange and seamlessly interconnect decorative jewelry pieces. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable linkable accessory bar having interconnecting means for matingly engaging more than one accessory bar together. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a body loop member connected to the interchangeable linkable accessory bar for securing the accessory bar to the body of the wearer. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable linkable accessory bar capable of selectively illuminating. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide pre-printed decorative labels and jewels for attachment to the interchangeable linkable accessory bar. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable linkable accessory bar capable of being decoratively customized by the user using pre-printed labels, markers, glitter, paint, beads, jewels, or other various ornaments. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable accessory bar capable of securely storing items therein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an interchangeable linkable accessory bar is provided having a housing element having at least one surface. The bar includes a decorative element mounted to the surface and means for interconnecting more than one accessory bar. The interconnecting means is substantially visually concealed when the bars are securely interconnected. 
     The housing element may include a top surface, opposed side walls, opposed ends between the side walls, and a substantially curved bottom surface. 
     The interconnecting means may include at least one or more of the following, an outwardly extending protrusion affixed to and protruding outwardly from the housing element, and a receiving opening extending through the surface of the housing element. The receiving opening of one accessory bar provides a secure link with the protrusion of another accessory bar to retain the protrusion. 
     The interchangeable linkable accessory bar may include means coupled to the housing element for displaying the decorative element, means for removably storing items within the housing element, and means for illuminating the decorative element, wherein the illuminating means is stored within the housing element. 
     The decorative element may be an electronic display. 
     The interchangeable linkable accessory bar may include a body loop member having means for securing the member to the accessory bar. 
     The housing element may be secured to any of several different body loop members of jewelry from the group consisting of a ring, necklace, bracelet, anklet or earring. 
     In accordance with an additional embodiment, a jewelry display system is provided including at least two interchangeable linkable accessory bars. The accessory bars have a housing element having at least one surface, opposed openings within the element, and means for interconnecting more than one bar together. The interconnecting means is substantially visually concealed. At least one decorative element is mounted to the surface of the housing element. A body loop member has means for securing the member to the accessory bar. The securing means transversely connects through the opposed openings of the bar. The interconnecting means includes at least one or more of the following, an outwardly extending protrusion affixed to and protruding outwardly from the housing element, and a receiving opening extending through the surface of the housing element. The receiving opening of one accessory bar provides a secure link with the protrusion of another accessory bar to retain the protrusion. 
     The jewelry display system may include means coupled to the housing element for displaying the decorative element. 
     The jewelry display system may include means for removably storing items within the housing element. 
     The jewelry display system may include means for illuminating the decorative element, wherein the illuminating means is stored within the housing element. 
     The housing element may be secured to any of several different body loop members of jewelry from the group consisting of a ring, necklace, bracelet, anklet or earring. 
     In accordance with an additional embodiment, a method for creating jewelry assemblies out of one or more interchangeable linkable accessory bars for wear on a body is provided. The bars have a housing element and at least one interconnecting means coupled to the housing element, wherein the interconnecting means includes a male protrusion and female opening. The steps include selecting more than one accessory bar, then arranging the accessory bars for dynamically creating a decorative element. Next, the user aligns the interconnecting means of each accessory bar and engages the accessory bars by inserting the protrusion of one accessory bar into the opening of another accessory bar, such that each protrusion is inserted securely into an opening and each opening securely receives a protrusion. Finally, the user adorns the assembly by securing the body loop member to the body. 
     The method may further include removing the assembly from the body, disengaging the accessory bars, rearranging the accessory bars. Next, aligning the interconnecting means of each accessory bar, engaging the accessory bars by inserting the protrusion of one accessory bar within the opening of another accessory bar, such that each protrusions is inserted into an opening and each opening receives a protrusion, and adorning the assembly by securing the body loop member to the body. 
     The method may further include storing items within the housing element. 
     The method may further include selectively illuminating the decorative element. 
     The method may further include decorating the housing element using pre-printed labels, markers, glitter, paint, beads, jewels, or ornaments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a jewelry display system using a universal accessory bar as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a jewelry display system having a universal accessory bar, showing a body loop member as a beaded bracelet threaded therethrough in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the top and side of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the bottom and opposed side of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the jewelry display system, showing an end bar and a wristband threaded therethrough in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the bottom and side of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of the bottom and opposed side of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of the end of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the bottom of a plurality of interconnected accessory bars in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  a perspective view of the top of a plurality of interconnected accessory bars in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the bottom of a plurality of interconnected accessory bars, showing end bars in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the top of a plurality of interconnected accessory bars, showing end bars in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the top of a pair of interconnected accessory bars, showing two end bars connected together in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the bottom of a pair of interconnected accessory bars, showing two end bars connected together in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top and side of the accessory bar, showing a top surface for providing a label thereon in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bottom and side of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of the accessory bar of the third embodiment taken along lines  6 C- 6 C of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top and side of the accessory bar, showing a top surface in the opened position for providing means for storing items within the housing element in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top and side of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bottom and side of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top and side of the accessory bar, showing the top surface in the closed position for securing stored items within the housing element in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top and side of the accessory bar, showing a top surface having means for illuminating a decorative element in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9B  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bottom and side of the accessory bar of the jewelry display system of  FIG. 9A ; and 
         FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional view of the accessory bar of the fourth embodiment taken along lines  9 C- 9 C of  FIG. 9A . 
     
    
    
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a jewelry display system  10  having a universal interchangeable linkable accessory bar  12  for creating, interchanging and transforming decorative jewelry pieces  14  for wear by a user.  FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate the universal accessory bar  12  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bar  12  includes a substantially hollow housing element  16  having a top surface  18 , a bottom surface  20 , opposed side walls  22 A,  22 B, and opposed ends  24 A,  24 B. In the preferred embodiment, the housing element  16  is substantially rectangular when viewed from the top and curved to rest on the wrist when viewed from the side. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a decorative element  30  is mounted to the top surface  18  of the bar  12  and may include jewelry design, stones, characters, figures, letters, numbers, symbols, or variety of combinations thereof and the like. 
     A body loop member  70  secures to the housing element  16  at an opening  13 . Preferably each opposed end  24 A,  24 B includes an opening  13 , thus creating a passage through the housing element  16  to thread a body loop member  70  therethrough. The body loop member  70  may include, but is not limited to, an elastic band, chain, wire, string, lace or other like means whereby a finger, wrist, neck or ankle may be inserted therethrough for wear on the body. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , the body loop member is a beaded bracelet  70 , whereas in  FIG. 2A  the body loop member is a band  72 , preferably made of silicon or rubber. In alternate embodiments, the body loop member may have additional means for attaching to the accessory bar  12  mounted thereto. The body loop member  70  is scaled in size, such that the user may adorn the jewelry piece  14  as a bracelet, necklace, ring, anklet or the like. 
     The opposed side walls  22 A,  22 B include means for interconnecting more than one accessory bar  12 . The interconnecting means is preferably an outwardly extending protrusion  32  or pair of protrusions substantially adjacent a receiving opening  34 . The protrusions are preferably substantially round heads  35  coupled to the accessory bar by an outwardly extending neck  37 . The protrusions  32 A of the first side wall  22 A are opposed the receiving opening  34 B of the second side wall  22 B, while the protrusions  32 B of the second side wall  22 B are opposed the receiving opening  34 A of the first side wall  22 A. 
     The protrusions  32  and openings  34  of each bar  12  are universally configured such that multiple accessory bars may be connected together, interchanged and mixed and matched to form unique designs combinations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2D , a second embodiment of the accessory bar  12  is illustrated, wherein the accessory bar  12  is further defined as an end bar  12 A. The end bars  12 A provide a finished look to each jewelry piece  14 . Each end bar  12  has one side wall substantially curved  22 C free from protrusions  32  and openings  34 . The end bars  12 A are preferably positioned at the end of each combination of accessory bars  12 , such that the side wall  22 C provides a tailored finished edge to the jewelry piece  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3B , multiple bars  12  are connected together to form the jewelry piece. The protrusions  32  of one bar  12  are inserted into the receiving openings  34  of another bar  12 . The protrusions  32  and openings  34  click and lock into position such that the heads  25  are secure within the housing element  16  and prohibited from easily falling out. A plurality of bars  12  may be connected together as shown to form a unique combination decorative display  30 , which is selectively interchangeable. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the decorative element  30  of the jewelry piece is finished when two end bars  12 C are connected to the ends of the jewelry piece. In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5A and 5B , two end pieces alone may be connected without additional bars  12  in between. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6C , a third embodiment of the accessory bar  12  is illustrated, wherein the accessory bar  12 B has a top surface  18 , which may be a removable lid  18 A, suitable for providing a pre-printed decorative label or other decorative design or ornament thereon, including but not limited to, beads and jewels. In this embodiment, the lid  18 A is preferably clear and suitable for custom decoration thereon. The pre-printed label or jewel can be applied during manufacture or alternatively provided as part of a do-it-yourself customization kit for users to create their own bars. In particular, users may decorate the housing element using items, not limited to, pre-printed labels, markers, glitter, paint, beads, jewels, or ornaments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7C  and  8 , a fourth embodiment of the accessory bar  12  is illustrated, wherein the housing element  16  of the accessory bar  12 C includes a removable top cover  42  having a top surface  44 . The removable top cover  42  of the present invention is preferably rotatably connected to one of the opposed ends  24 A via a hinge  46  or other like connecting means. The removable top cover has an opened position (shown in  FIG. 7A ) and a closed position (shown in  FIG. 8 ). When in the opened position, an interior  48  of the hollow housing element  16  is accessible and suitable for holding and storing items such as make-up, accessory and any other items desired. In alternate embodiments, the hinge may be connected to one of the opposed side walls  22 A,  22 B. In further alternate embodiments, the removable top cover  42  may connected to form the housing element  16  by sliding and connecting closed with the opposed side walls  22  and opposed ends  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9C , a fifth embodiment of the accessory bar  12  is illustrated, wherein the top surface  18  of the accessory bar  12 D includes an electronic display  50 . The housing element  16  includes a means for illuminating or an electrical means  52 , preferably at least one bulb  54  electrically connected to a power source  56 , here a battery. An on/off power switch  58  is located on the top surface  18  and in communication with the illuminating means  52  for selectively turning on/off the display  50 . The opposed ends  24 A,  24 B include a fastener means  60 , preferably a loop. Various other decorative and electronic displays are contemplated for inclusion on the top surface  18  including, but not limited to, other light displays, audio sounds, and watches. 
     The user may create jewelry assemblies out of one or more interchangeable linkable accessory bars for wear on the body. The user first selects more than one accessory bar and arranges the accessory bar for dynamically creating a combined decorative element. The user may also decorate the housing element using pre-printed labels, markers, glitter, paint, beads, jewels, or ornaments. Then the user aligns the interconnecting means of each accessory bar and engages the accessory bars by inserting the protrusion of one accessory bar into the opening of another accessory bar, such that each protrusion is inserted securely into an opening and each opening securely receives a protrusion. Finally, the user adorns the assembly by securing the body loop member to the body. 
     In conclusion, herein is presented a jewelry display system for creating, interchanging and transforming decorative jewelry pieces for wear by a user. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. 
     It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention. 
     While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.