Jewelry – Gem setting – Detachable
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-16
2004-05-04
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3677)
Jewelry
Gem setting
Detachable
C063S003100, C024S574100, C024S702000, C024S669000, C024SDIG009
Reexamination Certificate
active
06729159
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to the jewelry industry, specifically jewelry that employs the use of interchangeable jewelry segments and the mechanisms which allow those segments to be interchanged.
BACKGROUND—DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
The adornment of various parts of the body with jewelry is a concept that predates recorded history. In modern times, most jewelry designs include some sort of gemstone set in a mounting, and possibly associated with some sort of aesthetic design element (e.g. engraving, finish, etc.). The mounting, the gemstone, the aesthetic design, and the functional components (e.g. additional material to attach item to the body, etc.) are typically fashioned in such a way that they form a single static unit. That is, the gemstone is permanently set in the mounting, and the mounting is permanently attached to the rest of the piece (e.g. attached to a necklace chain or an earring post). This provides the jewelry wearer with one look for every item purchased. Thus, there is a need for a jewelry system which will allow for a more economic and personalized jewelry experience where one purchase can provide many looks.
Various enhancements to this static jewelry style have been proposed in the prior art. Many of the designs in the prior art focus on the exchange of the gemstone itself, and therefore modify the mechanical design of the mounting by adding some grasping mechanism to hold and release the gemstone. Generally speaking, this means that the jewelry user is manipulating loose gemstones, many of which are small and/or not colored (e.g. diamonds) and are therefore difficult to see and hold. Thus, this kind of design increases the likelihood that an expensive gemstone can be lost. Other prior art does focus on the interchangeability of larger sections of the jewelry piece, such as the mounting and the stone together in one unit. However, it is difficult to devise a mechanism which provides the interchangeability without affecting the aesthetic nature of the jewelry. Since jewelry is a fashion item, the look of the piece is very important, and any additional lines, creases, cracks, gaps, hinges, or clasping mechanisms, etc., which are visually present and/or obtrusive to the observer will detract significantly from the desirability, and thus the marketability, of the design.
Other designs, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,408, Gill (2000), attempt to change the look by adding moveable or changeable accessories. These designs, however, do not change the true nature of the jewelry, but rather seek only to adorn a static unit further. U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,104 (1999), Green, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,737 (2000), Domagala, both illustrate designs which create a more dynamic earring. Green's design employs a cylindrical earring in which attachments are added via a threaded screw mechanism. While unique, this design is very limited to static types of jewelry (i.e. where the jewelry attachments can't move with some independence from the base). Additionally, relying on screws to maintain the attachment leaves one vulnerable to either the screw becoming loose through movement and vibration, or requiring so much torque to tighten that the design is compromised. Domagala presents a design which is limited to vertical-type attachments via a sliding projection design. This limits the total number of attachments, creates a static design, and does not provide much mechanical stability.
Previous attempts have been made to create designs that provide more flexibility to the jewelry buyer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,351, Zeleny (2001), is an example of a design which resorts to clip mechanisms to hold both the center stone in its mount and an ornamental attachment to the side. The center stone can be taken out of the clips that hold it, which creates a dangerously unstable mounting, in which the center stone may inadvertently fall out. Prior art that focuses solely on the interchangeability of the center stone is much more reliable in this respect, but lacks the interchangeability of other jewelry sections and exhibits the detractions described above. The ornamental attachment in Zeleny is held by a curved arm mechanism which slips over the metal cage holding the gemstone. While perhaps unique in mechanical design, this does not provide for much stability or rigidity in a piece which could easily fall out.
The lack of a successful design for interchangeable jewelry which is both functional and aesthetically pleasing is made clear by research into the commercial jewelry market. To the applicant's knowledge, there are virtually no jewelry designs of this type being actively marketed and sold. This is because the jewelry user will not buy a piece that sacrifices look for function.
Lacking in all of the prior art is a jewelry concept that allows the jewelry user to mix and match segments of jewelry into any number of custom assemblies that conceal the attachment mechanisms sufficiently to maintain aesthetic appeal. Prior art focuses on the exchange of gemstones within a mounting, or on the addition of an extra ornament. Thus the need still exists for a system of interchangeable jewelry which the jewelry wearer will find flexible in final assembly, while retaining the visual appeal that is so important in this fashion conscious industry. This invention addresses those needs.
BACKGROUND—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present Patent Application of Laura J. Rose for “Interchangeable Jewelry System” are:
(a) to provide a system of jewelry with interchangeable segments which provides the most flexibility for creating personalized custom jewelry assemblies (i.e. maximizes number of possible combinations);
(b) to provide an interchangeable mechanism which allows for jewelry segments to be interchanged across jewelry styles (e.g. earring, bracelet, pendant, etc.);
(c) to provide a system of interchangeability which minimizes the aesthetic impact of the interchangeable mechanism (i.e. hidden from ordinary view);
(d) to provide an interchangeable system which is easy for an average person to use;
(e) to provide a jewelry system which is highly flexible in the types of final combinations that can be created;
(f) to provide an interchangeable mechanism which exhibits mechanical integrity and minimizes the stress on weight-bearing components of the design;
(g) to provide an interchangeable mechanism which is both durable and yet easy to replace should it somehow be broken;
(h) to provide all of the above advantages with an interchangeable mechanism that is easy to manufacture, so that cost savings can be passed to the consumer.
Further objects and advantages include:
1) the ability to interchange stone colors without resorting to complex and difficult to use gemstone grasping mechanisms;
2) the ability of the jewelry user to wear a piece created through this interchangeability design without the negative visual impact created by obtrusive hinges, clasps, creases, etc.;
3) the ability to create jewelry pieces unlimited in the total number of possible segments;
4) an interchangeable design which does not rely on a user's guess as to the tightness of the contact (e.g. screw/thread mechanism)—a successful closure can be felt/heard.
A significant object and advantage that should be elaborated upon is the unobtrusive nature of the interchangeable design, and particularly the substantial concealment of the connecting mechanisms. Most jewelry which contains gemstones leaves the back of the stone uncovered. That is, the gemstone is mounted with prongs holding it from the sides, or with a bezel, in which metal is surrounding the girdle of the gemstone. In both cases, and in most other mountings, the “backside”, or pavilion, of the gemstone is left exposed. This is due to the nature of the light/gemstone interaction which creates visual appeal. If an object were to intrude into or c
Ho Thomas
Swann J. J.
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