Multi-function jewelry chain primarily for supporting an upper torso garment

• US 7,406,840 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Creative Mines LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Creative Mines LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Brancato, Theresa M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder; Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US10/209,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20040020240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,197 Days
• Field of Search: 63/11.1, 63/11.6, 63/3, 63/31, 63/32, 63/4, 63/11.7, 63/41, 63/38, D11/3, D11 11- 13, 230/1, 230/8, 233/9, 59/78, 59/80, D27/00, 450/1, 450/86, 450/88
• US Class Current: 63/4
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 15/002 separable or adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 11/005 with friction boxes adjustments
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 11/007 Tennis type
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/00 Other forms of jewellery
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/001 Jewels transformable into other jewels, e.g. finger rings transformable into ear-rings

Abstract

A length adjustable, multi-function chain composite for use in the apparel, jewelry, and accessory industries. The length adjustable, multi-function chain composite includes at least two chain segments that are separate and independent of each other, and apparatus that is operatively connected to the at least two chain segments and replaceably attaches the at least two chain segments end-to-end collinearly so as to allow the length adjustable, multi-function chain composite to be reconfigurable for being multi-functional.

Claims

1. A kit comprising a reconfigurable jewelry chain for being multi-functional, comprising:

a) at least two chain segments being separate and independent of each other;

each chain segment having a pair of terminal ends; and

b) first means for replaceably attaching said at least two chain segments end-to-end collinearly, said first means includes a connecting mechanism having a male portion and a female portion;

wherein said pair of terminal ends on one of said at least two chain segments has said male portion of said connecting mechanism and said female portion of said connecting mechanism thereon, respectively, and said pair of terminal ends on another one of said at least two chain segments has said male portions of said connecting mechanisms thereon, respectively, so as to allow said jewelry chain to be reconfigurable for being multi-functional; and

wherein all said male portions of said connecting mechanisms on said one of said at least two chain segments and on said another one of said at least two chain segments are substantially similar to each other.

2. The kit as defined in claim 1, further comprising second means for replaceably attaching said at least two chain segments to an item.

3. The kit as defined in claim 2, wherein said second means is a closure type mechanism.

4. The kit as defined in claim 2, wherein said closure type mechanism is a secondary clasp.

5. The kit as defined in claim 2, wherein one terminal end of one chain segment is attached to an adjacent terminal end of an adjacent chain segment by said first means so as to form a combined chain segment;

wherein said combined chain segment has terminal ends;

wherein said combined chain segment is for suspending from around the neck of a wearer, over the front of the wearer; and

wherein one terminal end of said combined chain segment has said second means thereat for replaceably attaching to the front of an upper torso garment and the other terminal end of said combined chain segment has another said second means thereat for replaceably attaching to the front of the upper torso garment so as to form a halter strap.

6. The kit as defined in claim 2, wherein one terminal end of a first chain segment has said second means thereat for attaching to a front of an upper torso garment and the other terminal end of said first chain segment has another said second means thereat for attaching to a rear of the upper torso garment so as to form a first shoulder strap;

and

wherein one terminal end of a second chain segment has another said second means thereat for attaching to the front of the upper torso garment and the other terminal end of said second chain segment has another said second means thereat for attaching to the rear of the upper torso garment so as to form a second shoulder strap.

7. The kit as defined in claim 6, wherein one terminal end of a third chain segment has said first means thereat that is attached to said first chain segment, with said third chain segment extending therefrom transversely to said second chain segment where the other terminal end of said third chain segment has another said first means thereat that is attached to said second chain segment, thereby having said third chain segment extend across the back of a wearer.

8. The kit as a defined in claim 7, wherein one terminal end of a fourth chain segment has another said first means thereat that is attached to said first chain segment, with said fourth chain segment extending transversely therefrom, below said third chain segment, to said second chain segment where the other terminal end of said fourth chain segment has another said first means thereat that is attached to said second chain, thereby having said fourth chain segment extend across the back of the wearer.

9. The kit as defined in claim 2, wherein one terminal end of a first chain segment has said second means thereat for attaching to a front of an upper torso garment and the other terminal end of said first chain segment has another said second means thereat for attaching to a rear of the upper torso garment so as to form a first shoulder strap;

and

wherein one terminal end of a second chain segment has another said second means thereat for attaching to the front of the upper torso garment and the other terminal end of said second chain segment has said first means thereat that is attached to an intermediate point of said first chain segment on the back of a wearer so as to form a second shoulder strap having a Y-configuration along the back of the wearer.

10. The kit as defined in claim 1, wherein each chain segment is comprised of an item selected from the group consisting of a precious metal, a decorative stone, a semi-precious metal, a precious gem, a semi-precious gem, an artificial gem, a pearl, an ornamental clip, a diamond, a bead, a precious stone, a semi-precious stone, a crystal, a stone bead, a glass bead, and combinations thereof.

11. The kit as defined in claim 1, wherein each chain segment is made of a metal.

12. The kit as defined in claim 11, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of copper, brass, silver, gold, platinum, titanium, and combinations thereof.

13. The kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least two chain segments are one of a same length and different lengths.

14. The kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting mechanism includes adjacent terminal ends of adjacent chain segments.

15. The kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting mechanism includes a pair of loops.

16. The kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting mechanism includes a primary clasp and a pair of loops.

17. The kit as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of chain segments are attached to each other end-to-end collinearly by at least one said first means so as to form a combined chain segment having terminal ends;

and

wherein one terminal end of said combined chain segment has another said first means thereat that forms a buckle that is attached to an intermediate point along a chain segment so as to form a loop allowing one of a belt and a lariat to be formed with a portion of said combined chain segment dangling free.

18. The kit as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of chain segments are attached to each other end-to-end collinearly by at least one said first means so as to form a combined chain segment having terminal ends;

and

wherein one terminal end of said combined chain segment has another said first means thereat that is attached to the other terminal end of said combined chain segment so as to form a closed ring, thereby forming one of a necklace, a bracelet, an ankle bracelet, and a belly chain, depending upon amount of chain segments used.

19. A kit comprising a reconfigurable jewelry chain for being multi-functional comprising:

a) at least two chain segments being separate and independent of each other;

each chain segment having a pair of terminal ends;

b) first means for replaceably attaching said at least two chain segments end-to-end collinearly, said first means includes a connecting mechanism having a male portion and a female portion; and

c) second means for replaceably attaching said at least two chain segments to an item;

wherein said pair of terminal ends on one of said at least two chain segments has said male portion of said connecting mechanism and said female portion of said connecting mechanism thereon, respectively, and said pair of terminal ends on another one of said at least two chain segments has said male portions of said connecting mechanisms thereon, respectively, so as to allow said jewelry chain to be reconfigurable for being multi-functional;

wherein said second means is a closure type mechanism; and

wherein said closure type mechanism is a secondary clasp.