Patent Abstract:
This invention is embodied in a wearable device for hiding keepsakes and valuables. The preferred embodiment of the device creates an internal hidden compartment formed between a first face, a second face and a channel-shaped retaining ring.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to wearable devices for hiding items, and more specifically to wearable jewelry for hiding keepsakes and other valuables. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A locket is a jewelry pendant that has been around a long time and is well-known in the art. A locket typically consists of a front face and a back face with a hinge on one side and a ring on the top to accept a necklace. The front and back faces are typically concave surfaces that, when mated, form a shallow internal compartment. This internal compartment is usually sized to hold something the thickness of a photograph or other thin item such as a lock of hair. 
     Some lockets are made with a clear front face (like glass) so that a person can see what is inside without opening the locket. Such lockets are generally used for items like locks of hair which could fall out and become lost if the locket were repeatedly opened. Other lockets, like a picture locket, are generally enclosed on all sides and the photographs are secured to the inside back face by an assembly to hold the photograph to the back face but allow a viewer to see the photograph when locket is opened. 
     One drawback with the well-known standard prior art lockets is that the front and back faces are permanently connected to the locket. So, the locket owner has no ability to change the outside look of a locket without buying a new locket. 
     Another drawback of well-known standard prior art lockets is that the interior space is similar to the interior of a clam shell. Such space is suitable for a pearl or small item. But such a space is not suitable for other shaped items. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is incorporated in a wearable device (the “device”)  10  for hiding keepsakes and valuables. The device  10  comprises a front face  12 , a back face  14 , and a channel-shaped retaining assembly  16  configured to create a vault  18  (i.e., an internal hidden compartment to store a keepsake (such as a recovery medallion or chip  24 , a small notepad or photo album, money, etc.) between the front face  12  and the back face  14 . 
     The front and back faces  12 ,  14  are preferably rigid, opaque and adorned with ornamental objects  30  or other decorations. Because the front and back faces  12 ,  14  are removable when the retaining assembly  16  is in the open position, the front and back faces  12 ,  14  are changeable by the user. 
     It is an object of this invention to create a locket that can be changed out to suit one&#39;s personal style and taste without having to switch to a completely different locket. Also, the internal hidden compartment is thick enough through the entire width of the piece to hold a coin or notepad or other keepsake thicker than standard photo paper. 
     The structure, overall operation and technical characteristics of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of a preferred embodiment and the illustration of the related drawing as follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OR PICTURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the wearable device  10  when the retaining ring  16  is in the open position. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the wearable device in the closed position. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates section view A-A from  FIG. 2 , showing an embodiment of the device  10  with an empty vault  18 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates section view A-A from  FIG. 2 , showing an embodiment of the device  10  with a coin-filled vault  24 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates section view A-A from  FIG. 2 , showing an embodiment of the device  10  with an empty vault  18  and a O-ring spacer  26  between the front and back faces  12 ,  14  which maintains the open void between the front and back faces  12 ,  14  when the locket is empty. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates section view A-A from  FIG. 2 , showing an embodiment of the device  10  with an empty vault  18  and a plurality of post spacers  28  secured to the outside edge of the back face  14  which maintains the open vault space  18  between the front and back faces  12 ,  14  when the locket is empty. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a partially transparent face  35 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the wearable device  10  having a partially transparent face and a backer  34 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Two optional embodiments for adding spacers between the front and back faces are shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the preferred device  10  comprises a front face  12 , a back face  14 , and a retaining assembly  16 . The front and back faces  12 ,  14  are preferably opaque. In addition, the front and back faces are the same size and are held in place by the sides (i.e., legs)  22  of the channel which is the retaining assembly  16  when hinge  20  is in the closed position (see  FIG. 2 ). When hinge  20  is in the open position, the front face  12  and back face  14  (and anything stored in the hidden compartment  18  between the front and back face) can be removed (and replaced) from the retaining assembly  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     It is preferred that the interior space between the legs  22  of the channel be wider than the thickness of the front and back faces  12 ,  14  to create a space (or vault) to hold items. Configuring a device in this way creates a vault  18  (or “internal hidden compartment”) to store a personal keepsake  24  (such as a recovery medallion or chip, a small notepad or photo album, money, etc.) between the front face  12  and the back face  14 . 
     One way to keep the perimeter of the front and back faces against the sides  22  of the channel of the retaining assembly  16  is to add a spacer to create an internal hidden vault  18 . This spacer is placed between the legs  22  of the channel. Contents placed in the vault created by the spacer will remain hidden from view. As seen in  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of a spacer is an O-ring  26 . Another embodiment of a spacer is one or more posts  28  as seen in  FIG. 6 . A personal keepsake  24  can be placed in the hidden vault that is created by the spacer. 
     The front and back faces  12 ,  14  are preferably rigid and adorned with ornamental objects or other decorations. The front and back faces  12 ,  14  can also been engraved, embossed, carved or any other method of adornment. Because the front and back faces  12 ,  14  are removable when the retaining assembly  16  is in the open position, the front and back faces are changeable by the user. The preferred method of securing the retaining assembly  16  is with a closing device, such as a standard lobster claw clasp (not illustrated) can be used to hold the device  10  in the closed position by connecting it to the bail  32  of the retaining assembly  16 . Other methods can be used such as a split ring, knotted cord or ribbon, or simply stringing a chain thru the bail  32  without the closing device. 
     In another embodiment, the front (or back) face can be transparent or partially transparent.  FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a partially transparent face  35 . If the user desires to employ a transparent or partially transparent face, but still wants to keep vault  18  hidden, the user can insert backer  34  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Backer  34  is preferably made of a colored material, but most any material of the right size will suffice. 
     While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those ordinarily skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0