Abstract:
A jewelry piece employs interchangeable jewelry segments having features that allow the segments to be interchanged, replaced, reversed, removed and/or combined in various ways to provide a variety of different looks. The jewelry segments retain the visual appeal that is so important in such a fashion conscious industry, even when combined in various ways to provide a variety of different looks.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is directed to jewelry, and more particularly to a jewelry design that employs interchangeable jewelry segments and which has features that allow the segments to be interchanged, replaced, removed and/or combined in various ways. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Modern jewelry designs generally include some type of gemstone that is set into a mounting and that is often associated with some type of aesthetic design element. The mounting and gemstone, including functional elements necessary to attach the jewelry to a person&#39;s body are typically fashioned to form a single static unit. The gemstone, for example, is permanently set in the mounting; and the mounting is permanently attached, for example, to a necklace chain. Modern jewelry designs then provide a single look for every item purchased. 
         [0005]    In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous and beneficial to provide a jewelry design that has interchangeable, replaceable, reversible and removable elements that may be combined in various ways to provide a variety of different looks. It would be further beneficial if the jewelry elements retained the visual appeal that is so important in such a fashion conscious industry, even when combined in various ways to provide a variety of different looks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a jewelry piece that employs interchangeable jewelry segments and which has features that allow the segments to be interchanged, replaced, reversed, removed and/or combined in various ways to provide a variety of different looks. The jewelry segments retain the visual appeal that is so important in such a fashion conscious industry, even when combined in various ways to provide a variety of different looks. 
         [0007]    The jewelry piece allows the jewelry wearer to create, from the set of interchangeable jewelry segments, a unique custom jewelry assembly which can be coordinated to the user&#39;s desires. The segmenting of the jewelry sections and the design of the interchangeable segments affords the user flexibility while providing ease of use in a durable and affordable manner. 
         [0008]    According to one embodiment, a jewelry piece comprises at least one interchangeable segment, wherein the at least one interchangeable segment includes at least one periphery configured to substantially match a periphery associated with at least one different interchangeable segment such that the at least one interchangeable segment alone, or in combination with the at least one different interchangeable segment, forms the jewelry piece, wherein upon combining the at least one interchangeable segment and the at least one different interchangeable segment, the at least one periphery of the at least one interchangeable segment and the periphery of the at least one different interchangeable segment match and abut one another. 
         [0009]    According to another embodiment, a method of providing a jewelry piece comprises the steps of: providing at least one interchangeable and reversible segment having at least one through hole; and passing an attachment mechanism through the at least one through hole such that the at least one interchangeable and reversible segment can be combined with at least one different interchangeable and reversible segment to form the jewelry piece in a manner causing at least one periphery of the at least one interchangeable segment and a periphery of the at least one different interchangeable segment to match and abut one another. 
         [0010]    According to yet another embodiment, a jewelry piece comprises a set of interchangeable segments, wherein at least one periphery of each interchangeable segment within the set of interchangeable segments and at least one periphery of at least one different interchangeable segment within the set of interchangeable segments match and abut one another. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Other aspects and features of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an item of jewelry according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded assembly depicting interchangeable segments of the jewelry item shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3   a - c  are front plan views showing different looks provided when individually using each segment shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the jewelry item shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view showing a mechanism for retaining the structural integrity of the jewelry item shown in  FIG. 1  that employs all the interchangeable segments shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   i  illustrate a set of interchangeable segments suitable to implement an item of jewelry in the shape of a cross according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7   a - 7   i  illustrate a set of interchangeable segments suitable to implement an item of jewelry in the shape of a heart according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   i  illustrate a set of interchangeable segments suitable to implement an item of jewelry in the shape of a marquis according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 9   a - 9   h  illustrate a set of interchangeable segments suitable to implement an item of jewelry in the shape of an oval according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    While the above-identified drawing figures set forth a particular embodiment, other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents illustrated embodiments of the present invention by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a jewelry piece  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. Jewelry piece  10  includes three nested segments  12 ,  14  and  16  and may be combined to implement, for example, a necklace, a broach, a bracelet, or an earring, and the like. The present invention is not so limited however, and the number of segments depicted is only exemplary. Any desired number of nested segments may be employed, limited only by the feature set desired by the wearer of the necklace  10 . 
         [0023]    Jewelry piece  10  also includes an attachment element (i.e., chain, string, or filament, and the like)  18  that serves a dual purpose of binding the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  together to form a single unitary unit, and also of providing a mechanism for attaching the jewelry piece  10  to the wearer of the jewelry piece  10 . 
         [0024]    Each segment  12 ,  14 ,  16  preferably includes design features common to all of the individual segments. The segments  12 ,  14 ,  16 , for example, can be seen to each include a plurality of cylindrical posts interlaced with a plurality of circular holes. The present invention is not so limited however, and the design features shown are only exemplary. Each segment  12 ,  14 ,  16  could for example, instead include a set of gemstones set into a desired set of gemstone settings, and may even employ design features that are unique to one or more particular segments. 
         [0025]    Each segment  12 ,  14 ,  16  can be constructed using any one or more suitable fashion jewelry material, including but not limited to, metals, plastics and bone, among others. The particular materials selected to construct the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  are selectable by the wearer of the jewelry piece  10  so long as the particular materials are suitable to implement segment binding features having the requisite structural integrity when combined with the attachment element  18 . 
         [0026]    The binding features illustrated in  FIG. 1  include a symmetrical set of through holes  20  associated with each segment  12 ,  14 ,  16  such that when the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  are combined to form the jewelry piece  10 , each through hole  20  associated with each segment  12 ,  14 ,  16  will line up exactly with a corresponding through hole  20  associated with the immediately abutting segment. In this way, the attachment element  18  can pass through any desired matching set of through holes  20  to structurally bind the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  into a single unitary piece of jewelry. This binding feature advantageously eliminates the necessity for using conventional mounting hardware such as screws, bolts, nuts, washers, and the like that can come loose over time and compromise the structural integrity of the jewelry piece  10 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is an exploded assembly depicting the interchangeable segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  of the jewelry piece  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Segment  12  is seen to have a solid top surface including a plurality of cylindrical posts interlaced with a plurality of circular holes as discussed herein before. Segment  12  need not have a solid top surface however, but could just as easily be implemented using an open hoop design structure such as that associated with segments  14  and  16 , also shown in  FIG. 2 . Each segment  12 ,  14 ,  16  can be seen to also include a corresponding set of through holes  20 , also discussed herein before. 
         [0028]    Segment  12 , according to one embodiment, is configured to fit or nest into segment  14  that is configured to fit or nest into segment  16  to form a single unitary design structure. The present invention is not so limited however, and it shall be understood that segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  can be individually employed as a piece of jewelry, or can alternatively be employed in combination with any one or more of the group of segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  to form the jewelry piece  10 , so long as the selected segments fit into one another to form the jewelry. Further, the user can selectively reverse the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  and regroup to form a new jewelry group. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 3   a - c  are front plan views showing different looks provided when individually using each segment  12 ,  14 ,  16  shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3   a  illustrates attachment element  18  passing through segment  12  to implement a jewelry piece.  FIG. 3   b  illustrates attachment element  18  passing through segment  14  to implement a jewelry piece.  FIG. 3   c  illustrates attachment element  18  passing through segment  16  to implement a jewelry piece. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the jewelry piece  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The mating feature discussed herein before can be seen to selectively prevent gaps and increase the structural integrity between the individual segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  when the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  are fit together to form the jewelry piece  10 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a side view showing a mechanism for retaining the structural integrity of the jewelry piece  10  shown in FIG.  1  that employs all the interchangeable segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. Even when segments  12 ,  14  and  16  are rotated axially with respect to one another, an attachment mechanism  18  passing through a set of common through holes  20  prevents the segments  12 ,  14  and  16  from separating into separate elements. In this way, the attachment mechanism  18  binds the segments  12 ,  14 ,  18  into a single unitary piece of jewelry. 
         [0032]    Although the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  have been described herein before in association with necklace type jewelry, the present invention is not so limited; and it shall be understood the segments  12 ,  14 ,  16  can also be combined in various fashions to implement other items of jewelry including, but not limited to, for example, broaches, earrings and bracelets, among other types of jewelry, as stated herein before. Further, segments  12 ,  14  and  16  can be formulated using any number of desired shapes such as, but not limited to, those shapes depicted in  FIGS. 6-9  described herein below. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   i , for example, illustrate a set of interchangeable segments suitable to implement an item of jewelry in the shape of a cross according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  illustrate three cross-shaped segments  30 ,  32 ,  34  that can be nested in various ways to implement a desired jewelry item. Segments  30 ,  32 ,  34  are nested, for example, as shown in a top view depicted in  FIG. 6   d  to implement a substantially solid cross figure.  FIG. 6   g  is a perspective view of segment  30 ;  FIG. 6   h  is a perspective view of segment  32 ; and  FIG. 6   i  is a perspective view of segment  34 .  FIG. 6   e  is a simplified top view depicting segments  30  and  34  combined into a cross figure.  FIG. 6   f  is a side view illustrating a set of through holes  36  that are configured to be aligned with one another to accept a desired retaining mechanism, such as attachment element  18  discussed herein before, when one or more of the segments  30 ,  32 ,  34  are combined to formulate an item of jewelry. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 7   a - 7   i  illustrate a set of interchangeable segments suitable to implement an item of jewelry in the shape of a heart according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c  illustrate three heart-shaped segments  40 ,  42 ,  44  that can be nested in various ways to implement a desired jewelry item. Segments  40 ,  42 ,  44  are nested, for example, as shown in a top view depicted in  FIG. 7   d  to implement a substantially solid heart figure.  FIG. 7   g  is a perspective view of segment  40 ;  FIG. 7   h  is a perspective view of segment  42 ; and  FIG. 7   i  is a perspective view of segment  44 .  FIG. 7   e  is a simplified top view depicting segments  40  and  44  nested into a heart figure.  FIG. 7   f  is a side view illustrating a set of through holes  46  that are configured to be aligned with one another to accept a desired retaining mechanism, such as attachment element  18  discussed herein before, when one or more of the segments  40 ,  42 ,  44  are combined to formulate an item of jewelry. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   i  illustrate a set of interchangeable segments suitable to implement an item of jewelry in the shape of a marquis according to still another embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b  and  8   c  illustrate three marquis-shaped segments  50 ,  52 ,  54  that can be nested in various ways to implement a desired jewelry item. Segments  50 ,  52 ,  54  are nested, for example, as shown in a top view depicted in  FIG. 8   d  to implement a substantially solid marquis figure.  FIG. 8   g  is a perspective view of segment  50 ;  FIG. 6   h  is a perspective view of segment  52 ; and  FIG. 6   i  is a perspective view of segment  54 .  FIG. 8   e  is a simplified top view depicting segments  50  and  54  combined into a marquis figure.  FIG. 8   f  is a side view illustrating a set of through holes  56  that are configured to be aligned with one another to accept a desired retaining mechanism, such as attachment element  18  discussed herein before, when one or more of the segments  50 ,  52 ,  54  are combined to formulate an item of jewelry. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 9   a - 9   h  illustrate a set of, interchangeable segments suitable to implement an item of jewelry in the shape of an oval according to still another embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b  and  9   c  illustrate three oval-shaped segments  60 ,  62 ,  64  that can be nested in various ways, or used individually, to implement a desired jewelry item as shown in  FIGS. 9   d - h.    
         [0037]    The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.