Interchangeable jewelry setting

• US 20050166634A1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Renee Lazega, Silas Lieberman
• Original Assignee: Renee Lazega, Silas Lieberman
• Inventors: Lazega, Renee, Lieberman, Silas
• Application Number:
  US11/059,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20050166634A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 63/26
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 17/0216 with automatic locking action, e.g. by using a spring

Abstract

An article of jewelry has a jewelry setting for removable engagement of a jewel from such article of jewelry. The jewelry setting enables biased engagement of the jewel with the article of jewelry in a secure manner, such that inadvertent separation of the jewel from the article of jewelry is prevented. A special tool for the engagement of the jewel with the jewelry article may be provided to enhance the secure connection between the jewel and article of jewelry. An interchangeable system of jewels, settings and articles of jewelry is also provided.

Claims

1. A system for the retention of a jewel in an article of jewelry adapted to decorate an item, whereby a plurality of jewels may interchangeably set in the article of jewelry, the system comprising:

a fixed portion housed within an article of jewelry, the fixed portion comprising a receiving chamber;

a removable portion adapted to retain a jewel, and

a facilitator tool configured to engage and displace the removable portion towards and away from the receiving chamber of the fixed portion, the facilitator tool being operative to insert and detachably couple the removable portion to the fixed portion.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the facilitator tool is operative to magnetically attract the removable portion, the facilitator tool and removable portion being disengaged upon coupling the fixed portion to the removable portion.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the facilitator tool includes a handle and a contact portion configured to engage the removable portion, the removable portion comprising an insertion member magnetically attractable to the facilitator and insertable into the receiving chamber of the fixed portion, the inserting member having a seat portion for receiving the jewel.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein at least the contact portion of the facilitator tool is made from a magnetizable material.

5. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the contact portion has at least one magnetic insert.

6. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the contact portion has a surface located adjacent to the insertion member during engagement between the facilitator tool and the removable portion and provided with a layer of the magnetizable material.

7. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the contact portion has a surface located adjacent to the insertion member of the removable portion and provided with a plurality of fingers, the fingers each being configured to engage a respective recess provided in the surface of the insertion member so that the facilitator tool and removable portion rotate synchronously relative to the fixed portion in response to a torque applied by the facilitator tool during coupling the fixed and removable portions.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the surface of the contact portion of the facilitator tool has a plurality of seats each configured to removably receive a respective one of the plurality of fingers and provided with a respective magnetic insert so that the respective magnetic insert is in contact with an inner end of the respective finger upon coupling the finger to the seat.

9. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the plurality of fingers each are fixedly mounted to the surface of the contact portion of the facilitator tool.

10. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the insertion member has a face opposing the surface of the contact portion of the facilitator tool during engagement between the facilitating tool and the removable portions, the face having a formation configured to engage the contact portion of the facilitator tool so that the facilitator tool and the removable portion are rotatably fixed relative to one another upon applying a torque to the facilitator tool.

11. A system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the formation includes a plurality of ledges extending outwards from the face of the insertion member and having inner surfaces, the inner surfaces being configured to engage an outer periphery of the contact portion in a rotatably fixed manner.

12. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the item is selected from the group consisting of handbags, buttons, zippers, shoes, boots, clothing, combs, brushes, hats, leatherwear, fashion jewelry, shopping bags, purses, key holders, pens, cuff links, card holders, frames for photographs and frames for paintings.

13. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the item is selected from the group consisting of mobile phones, cameras, CD players, laptops, lighters and electronics.

14. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fixed portion further comprising a biasing member, an outer end exposed during the wearing of the article of jewelry, an inner end hidden during the wearing of the article of jewelry, and an inner wall having securing means and being disposed between the inner end and the outer end;

the fixed portion adapted for passage of the insertion member through the inner end and into the receiving chamber for seating of the removable portion within the fixed portion and for displaying of the jewel seated within the seat portion adjacent the outer end, the fixed and removable portions extending along a longitudinal axis upon insertion of the insertion into the fixed portion, the removable portion being seated relative to the fixed portion through a rotatable engagement of the insertion member with the securing means on the inner wall of the fixed portion;

wherein the insertion member engages the biasing member upon rotation of the removable portion within the fixed portion, and the biasing member generates an axially longitudinally directed force for urging the fixed and the removable portions to remain seated so that the fixed and removable portions are prevented from axial displacement relative to one another while seated; and

wherein the insertion member has a predefined shape and the inner end has a plurality of passages that form a pattern of passages, each passage of the plurality of passages corresponding in shape to the shape of the insertion member.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the outer end and the inner end each have a diameter and the diameter of the outer end is less than the diameter of the inner end for preventing passage of the insertion member completely through the outer end.

16. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the insertion member of the removable portion is provided with a resilient element fixed to an inner surface of the insertion member and configured to retain the jewel within the insertion member.

17. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the resilient element is made from elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of engineering plastics and rubber.

18. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the insertion member of the removable portion is provided with a retaining element removably insertable into the insertion member and configured to retain the jewel within the insertion member.

19. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the insertion member is fin-shaped.

20. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the predefined shape and the pattern of passages are configured for unidirectional insertion of the insertion member into the receiving chamber.

21. A system in accordance with claim 17, wherein the elastomeric material includes silicon.

22. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the biasing member further comprises at least one chordal section.

23. A system in accordance with claim 22, further comprising at least one groove disposed on the at least one insertion member for biased engagement with the at least one chordal section.

24. An article of jewelry comprising:

a consumer item formed with a body having an outer face; and

a jewelry assembly embedded in the body of the consumer item and including

a retaining member provided with an outer end opening into the outer face of the body;

a biasing member disposed within the retaining member and spaced inwards from the outer opening;

a setting removably insertable into the retaining member and configured to selectively receive a plurality of jewels so that a received jewel extends towards the outer end opening and is displayed proximate to the outer face of the body upon inserting the setting into the retaining member, wherein the setting is removable from the retaining member to have the received jewel replaced with a new jewel for altering appearance of the consumer item upon inserting the setting with the new jewel into the retaining member,

wherein the retaining member and the setting extend along a longitudinal axis upon insertion of the setting into the retaining member, and the biasing member generates an axially directed force for urging the retaining member and the setting to remain engaged so that the retaining member and the setting are prevented from axial displacement relative to one another while engaged.

25. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 24, wherein the consumer item is selected from the group consisting of electronic consumer items, garment consumer items, kitchenware consumer items, and combinations of these.

26. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 24, wherein the electronic consumer items are selected from the group consisting of mobile phones, cameras, CD players, laptops desktop, flashlights, tape recorders, and radios.

27. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 24, wherein the garment consumer items are selected from the group consisting of handbags, buttons, zippers, shoes, boots, clothing, combs, brushes, hats, leatherwear, fashion jewelry, shopping bags, purses, key holders, pens, cuff links, pocket knives, nail clippers, and scissors.

28. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 24, wherein the furniture consumer items are selected from the group consisting of frames for photographs, frames for paintings, chairs, armchairs, carpets, tables, cabinets, stoves and coffee tables.

29. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 24, wherein the kitchenware items are selected from the group consisting of utensils, plates, cups, food product containers.

30. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 24, wherein the setting has

a jewel seat housing the received jewel,

a resilient element disposed in the jewel seat and configured to resiliently engage the received jewel so that the jewel is prevented from voluntary displacement from the jewel seat, and

an engaging portion having a plurality of insertion members for axial insertion through the retaining member for displaying the received jewel proximate to the outer opening of the retaining member.

31. An article of jewelry of claim 30, wherein the retaining member is configured with an inner end opening smaller than the outer end opening to arrest displacement of the setting so that the received jewel is displaced proximate to the outer face of the consumer item, prevent the setting from completely received jewel from falling out of the retaining member, the an inner end opening being provided with a plurality of passages that form a pattern of passages,

the engaging portion of the setting being provided with a plurality of insertion members for axial insertion through the plurality of passages of the inner end opening of the retaining member, each of the plurality of insertion members having a predefined shape that corresponds with the inner end opening passage, and the engagement portion engaging the retaining member through a rotation of the setting within the retaining member.

32. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 31, wherein the plurality of insertion members are symmetrically and radially disposed around the setting., the article of jewelry further comprising at least one additional setting comprising an additional jewel seated thereon and adapted for removable engagement with the retaining member.

33. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 24, further comprising a facilitator tool for engaging the setting and further displacing and removably axially inserting the setting the retaining member.

34. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 30, wherein the resilient element includes a washer or a spring.

35. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 30, wherein the resilient element is fixedly coupled to the jewel seat.

36. An article of jewelry in accordance with claim 33, wherein the facilitator tool is made from a magnetizable material.

37. A method for assembling an article of jewelry adapted to decorate an item, the article of jewelry comprising:

a retaining member having an axial inner passage; and

a setting member removably coupleable to the retaining member;

the method comprising the steps of;

a) coupling the retaining member to the item so that the axial passage opens into an outer side of the item;

a) selectively setting a plurality of jewels in the setting member;

b) engaging the setting member by a facilitator tool;

c) displacing the facilitator tool towards and axially aligning the facilitator tool with the retaining member;

d) axially displacing the facilitator tool towards the retaining member, thereby axially inserting the setting member into the inner passage of the retaining member;

e) applying a torque to the facilitator tool, thereby rotating the retaining and setting members relative to one another to a locking position, in which the jewel extends through the axial inner passage of the retaining member and terminates proximate to the outer side of the item.

38. The method in accordance with claim 37, wherein the setting member and facilitator tool are magnetically attractactable to one another.

39. The method in accordance with claim 37 further comprising applying an axial force to the facilitator tool, thereby disengaging the facilitator tool from the setting member.

40. The method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising

applying a countertorque to the facilitator tool, thereby unlocking the setting and retaining members from one another upon engaging the facilitator tool with the setting member;

and

axially displacing the facilitator tool with the setting member from retaining member; and

repeating the steps (a) through (d).

41. The method in accordance with claim 37 wherein the item is selected from the group consisting of handbags, buttons, zippers, shoes, boots, clothing, combs, brushes, hats, leatherwear, fashion jewelry, shopping bags, purses, key holders, pens, cuff links, card holders, frames for photographs, frames for paintings, mobile phones, cameras, CD players, laptops, lighters and electronics.

42. A kit for decorating a consumer item with a article of jewelry, comprising:

a fixed portion having a receiving chamber and configured to be embedded in the item so that the receiving chamber opens into an outer side of the consumer item;

a plurality of jewels;

a removable portion detachably coupled to the fixed portion and configured to interchangeably receive and retain the plurality of jewels; and

a facilitator tool adapted to engage, displace and axially insert the removable portion into the receiving chamber of the fixed portion, the facilitator tool further being adapted to apply a torque to the removable portion so that the removable portion rotates relative to the fixed portion between a locked position, in which a retained jewel extends through the outer side of the item, and an unlocked position, in which the facilitator tool is operative to pull the removable member with the retained jewel from the receiving chamber.

43. A kit in accordance with claim 42, wherein the facilitator tool is configured to magnetically attract the removable portion.

44. A kit in accordance with claim 42, wherein the removable portion has a resilient member fixedly attached an inner wall of the removable portions and configured to bias the retained jewel against voluntary displacement thereof from the removable portion.

45. A kit in accordance with claim 42, wherein the resilient member is made from silicon.

46. A kit in accordance with claim 42, wherein the item is selected from the group consisting of handbags, buttons, zippers, shoes, boots, clothing, combs, brushes, hats, leatherwear, fashion jewelry, shopping bags, purses, key holders, pens, cuff links, card holders, frames for photographs, frames for paintings, mobile phones, cameras, CD players, laptops, lighters and electronics.

47. A method of marketing comprising the steps of:

offering a consumer product or service to a consumer;

complimenting the offered consumer product or service with a piece of jewelry having a market value, the piece of jewelry comprising;

a fixed portion having a receiving chamber and configured to be embedded in an item so that the receiving chamber opens into an outer side of the consumer item,

a collection of jewels,

a removable portion detachably coupled to the fixed portion and configured to interchangeably receive and retain the plurality of jewels;

establishing a system of reward points based on a value of the purchased product or service by the consumer, whereas each subsequent purchase of the consumer product or service includes at least one component of the piece of jewelry having a higher market value than the market value of the piece of jewelry presented with a previous purchase of the consumer product or service; and

allocating a predetermined percentage of the market value of the purchased piece of jewelry to a manufacturer or retailer thereof.

48. A method in accordance with claim 47, wherein the consumer product has an insert provided with a logo of a manufacturer of the consumer product, the insert being removably embedded in the consumer product, the article of jewelry being shaped and dimensioned similarly to the insert, the method further comprising

removing the insert from the purchased consumer product, and

removably inserting the article of jewelry into the consumer product instead of the removed insert.

49. A method in accordance with claim 47, wherein the at least one component of the piece of jewelry is the setting provided with a new collection of jewels.

50. A method in accordance with claim 47, wherein the offered consumer product is selected from the group consisting of handbags, buttons, zippers, shoes, boots, clothing, combs, brushes, hats, leatherwear, fashion jewelry, shopping bags, purses, key holders, pens, cuff links, card holders, frames for photographs, frames for paintings, mobile phones, cameras, CD players, laptops, lighters and electronics.

51. A method in accordance with claim 47, wherein the offered service is selected from the group consisting of transportation fare, use of credit cards and electronic communication services, and combinations thereof.

52. A method of promoting an article of jewelry comprising

a fixed portion having a receiving chamber and configured to be embedded in an item so that the receiving chamber opens into an outer side of the item,

a collection of jewels,

a removable portion detachably coupled to the fixed portion and configured to interchangeably receive and retain the plurality of jewels;

the method comprising;

collecting reward points for purchasing the article of jewelry; and

receiving a new article of jewelry or a component thereof having a higher market value than the previously purchased article of jewelry upon collecting a predetermined amount of the reward points.