US007040120B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Hunter
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,040,120 B2
`May 9, 2006
`
`(54) FLEXIBLE PIECE OF JEWELRY
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(76) Inventor: Roxanne A. Hunter, 1122 Sunnyside
`Dr» Cadillac, MI (Us) 49601
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`
`U~S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`330,214 A * 11/1885 Egge ........................... .. 59/91
`2,047,129 A *
`7/1936 Randall
`24/564
`2,138,596 A * 11/1938 Fassnachi ,,
`.... .. 63/23
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`2,355,944 A *
`
`8/1944 Beggs . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 59/83
`
`U_S_C_ 154(1)) by 51 days'
`
`(21) App1_NO_;10/405,023
`
`-
`_
`(22) Med‘
`
`Apr‘ 1’ 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`Us 2003/0233845 A1
`
`1336- 25, 2003
`
`3,386,240 A *
`3,733,852 A *
`3,877,250 A *
`4,282,733 A *
`5,516,114 A *
`
`. . . . .. 59/78
`6/1968 Blumstcin . . . . . .
`.... .. 63/37
`5/1973 Johnson ct al.
`4/1975 Musillo ....................... .. 63/23
`8/1981 Schmitt (Johnston)
`70/456 R
`5/1996 Michlin ct al. ........... .. 273/400
`
`5,553,363 A *
`9/1996 Chen .............. ..
`6,223,559 B1* 5/2001 Coleman
`
`24/353
`. 63/1.13
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`NHOM.org <http://www.nhom.org/results/1999/wolds99/
`spoil-dinner.htm> from Jul. 24, 2001.*
`
`Related U's' Apphcatlon Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/391,547, ?led on Jun.
`25, 2002.
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary ExamineriJack W. Lavinder
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A44C 5/02
`(52) us. Cl. ......................... .. 63/4; 63/9; 63/38; 63/40;
`59/78; 59/79); 59/80
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search .................... .. 59/3,
`59/80, 82*85, 87, 90, 93, 78, 79.2; 63/4,
`63/2li23, 18, 19, 3, 40, 9, 38
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`A ?exible piece of jewelry, such as a charm bracelet or
`necklace, that utilizes non-continuous chain links that con
`stitute the continuous chain of the piece of jewelry. This link
`design allows mere nen-eeminueus links re be added re the
`bracelet as the child grows and the need for a larger piece of
`jewelry evolves and minimizes damage to the Pieee ef
`jewelry caused by the addition of additional charms or links.
`
`6 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet
`
`LaRose Exh. 1013, p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 9,2006
`May 9, 2006
`
`US 7,040,120 B2
`US 7,040,120 B2
`
`
`
`LaRose Exh. 1013, p. 2
`
`

`

`1
`FLEXIBLE PIECE OF JEWELRY
`
`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`US 7,040,120 B2
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`The present application claims priority from US. provi
`sional application Ser. No. 60/391,547, ?led Jun. 25, 2002,
`and entitled “A Flexible Charm Bracelet.”
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates generally to jewelry and
`more speci?cally to ?exible pieces of jeWelry.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Current charm bracelets are Well knoWn. However, in
`order to add a charm to most current bracelets, a Wearer must
`take the bracelet to a jeWeler Who Will then secure the
`additional charm thereto, such as through standard soldering
`methods. This can also require the bracelet to be left With the
`jeWeler. Unfortunately, for many people it can take a good
`deal of time before they actually get around to taking the
`bracelet to the jeWeler to have the charm added, Which can
`result in loss of full enjoyment of the bracelet With the
`attached additional charm. Further, soldering also can be
`disadvantageous because the charm can become separated
`from the bracelet and lost if the solder joint is Weak. This can
`signi?cantly diminish the sentimental value of the bracelet.
`It is thus highly desirable to provide a charm bracelet that
`alloWs individuals to easily and securely add charms to a
`bracelet Without the need to take the bracelet to a jeWeler. It
`is also desirable that these charms can be added Without the
`need to damage the bracelet. It Would also be desirable to
`have the ability to add charm links to a charm bracelet easily
`as the need for a larger bracelet evolves or as additional
`charms are acquired.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a piece of j eWelry that is ?exible in that it alloWs for charms
`to be readily added Without the need to take the piece of
`jeWelry to the jeWeler.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`piece of jeWelry that minimiZes separation of a charm from
`the bracelet, by providing a more secure attachment.
`In one preferred embodiment, the continuous chain of the
`piece of jeWelry is formed from a plurality of non-continu
`ous bracelet links. Charms are added to one or more of the
`non-continuous links to form the charm bracelet. This link
`design alloWs more non-continuous links to be added to the
`bracelet as the child groWs and the need for a larger bracelet
`evolves.
`The non-continuous bracelet links can take on a variety of
`shapes, including triangular, circular, square, ?gure eight
`shaped or oval. Moreover, the links can be utiliZed for other
`pieces of jeWelry besides bracelets.
`Other objects and advantages of the present invention Will
`become apparent upon considering the folloWing detailed
`description and appended claims, and upon reference to the
`accompanying draWings.
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a ?exible charm bracelet
`according to a preferred embodiment of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is a side vieW of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective vieW of a non-continuous link for
`a charm bracelet according to a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention; and
`FIGS. 4 through 7 illustrate alternative embodiments of
`non-continuous links that may be used in addition to or in
`place of the non-continuous link of FIGS. 1 through 3.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`Referring noW to FIGS. 1 and 2, a ?exible piece of
`jeWelry, here a charm bracelet, according to a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention is shoWn and generally
`identi?ed by reference numeral 10. The charm bracelet 10
`consists of a plurality of non-continuous links 16, Which
`form a continuous chain. The continuous chain is formed by
`coupling each individual non-continuous link 16 on either
`side to an adjacent pair of non-continuous links 16 to form
`the continuous chain. While the shape of each individual
`non-continuous link 16 is shoWn herein as being substan
`tially oval shaped, it is understood that the shape of the
`non-continuous links 16, for purposes of the present inven
`tion, is not important and can vary as described beloW.
`Also shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bracelet 10 includes a
`charm 14 having an eyelet portion 18 and a charm portion
`19. The eyelet portion is then reversibly coupled to one of
`the non-continuous links 16. The design of the charm
`portion 19 may take on many forms having sentimental
`value to the Wearer as is appreciated by those of ordinary
`skill in the art. It Will also be understood that more than one
`charm 14 can be attached to the bracelet 10.
`As best shoWn in FIG. 3, the non-continuous link 16 is a
`continuous Wire-like segment forming a geometric perim
`eter. The non-continuous link thus has a ?rst, or outer end
`20, and a second, or inner end 22. An overlapping region 24
`is de?ned betWeen a closely coupled outer segment 26 and
`an inner segment 28 of the continuous Wire. Amiddle region
`30 is also de?ned Within the overlapping region 24 that is
`located approximately in the middle of the overlapping
`region 24 and preferably midWay along the length of the
`continuous Wire betWeen the inner end 22 and outer end 20.
`A center region 32 is de?ned Within the inner surface of the
`inner segment 28.
`The non-continuous link 16 may be formed of many metal
`materials, including precious metals such as gold, silver, or
`platinum. The links 16 may also be formed of strong, pliant
`non-metallic materials such as plastic. The links 16 can also
`be formed of a variety of other suitable materials. Further,
`the cross-sectional shape of the segments of the link 16 may
`take on a Wide of shapes.
`The charm 14 is introduced to the non-continuous link 16
`by introducing the eyelet 18 around the outer end 20 of the
`non-continuous chain 16 and sliding it along the outer
`segment 26 toWards the middle region 30. The eyelet 18 is
`then slid along the closely coupled outer segment 26 and into
`the overlapping region 24 to retain the eyelet 18. As this
`occurs, the inner segment 28 is forced inWard by the eyelet
`18 toWards the center region 32 and aWay from the outer
`segment 26. The eyelet 18 continues to move along the outer
`segment 26 to the middle region 30. The charm 14 is then
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
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`40
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`45
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
`
`LaRose Exh. 1013, p. 3
`
`

`

`US 7,040,120 B2
`
`3
`reversibly retained Within the middle region 30 between the
`inner segment 28 and the outer segment 26 of the non
`continuous link 16.
`To remove the charm 14 from the non-continuous link 16,
`simply reverse the process by moving the eyelet 18 from the
`middle region 30 along the outer segment 26 toWards the
`outer end 20. The eyelet 18 then moves toWards the outer
`end 20 and off of the non-continuous link 16, at Which time
`the inner segment 28 springs back toWards the outer segment
`26.
`Alternatively, the charm 14 could be introduced to the
`non-continuous link 16 by introducing the eyelet 18 around
`the inner end 22 of the non-continuous chain 16 and sliding
`it along the inner segment 26 and into the overlapping region
`24. As this occurs, the outer segment 26 is forced outWard
`aWay from the center region 32 and the inner segment 28.
`The eyelet continues to move along the inner segment 28 to
`the middle region 30. The charm 14 is then reversibly
`retained Within the middle region 30 betWeen the inner
`segment 28 and outer segment 26 of the non-continuous link
`16.
`While the non-continuous link 16, as shoWn in FIGS. 1
`through 3, is illustrated as being substantially triangular
`shaped, the overall design of the non-continuous link 16 may
`take on many different geometric and non-geometric con
`?gurations, as one of ordinary skill in the art Would recog
`niZe. For example, as shoWn in FIG. 4, the non-continuous
`link 16 may be circular. Similarly, as shoWn in FIG. 5, the
`non-continuous link 16 is illustrated as oval shaped or, as
`shoWn in FIG. 6, the non-continuous link may have a FIG.
`8 con?guration, or, as shoWn in FIG. 7, the non-continuous
`link 16 may be square shaped.
`The method for coupling non-continuous links 16
`together accomplished by ?rst reversibly securing one non
`continuous link to an adjacent non-continuous link 16 by
`pressing a portion of one of the non-continuous links 16
`betWeen the outer segment 26 and the inner segment 28 of
`the overlapping region 24 at a location near the outer end 20
`of an adjacent non-continuous link 16. At this point, the
`outer segment 26 and inner segment 28 move aWay from
`each other and de?ne an open position. The link 16 is then
`passed through the middle region 30 and toWards the inner
`end 22. The link 16 then passes out of the overlapping region
`24 at the inner end 22 and into the central region 32. The
`non-continuous link 16 is then retained Within the central
`region 32 of the adjacent non-continuous link 16. The
`process is then repeated by reversibly coupling another
`non-continuous link 16 to one of the tWo reversibly coupled
`links 16 to form a chain of reversibly coupled links 16. The
`end links, or ?rst and second outermost non-continuous
`links 16, of the chain are then reversibly coupled With each
`other to form a continuous chain.
`The overall siZe of the ?exible charm bracelet 50 thus
`depends upon the number of reversibly coupled links 16
`coupled Within the continuous chain. To increase the siZe of
`the charm bracelet 50 of FIG. 1, adjacent links 16 in the
`continuous chain are uncoupled and an additional non
`continuous link 16 is added betWeen the tWo uncoupled
`adjacent links 16 to form a neW larger continuous chain.
`Similarly, to decrease the siZe of the charm bracelet 50,
`simply reverse the process.
`As one of ordinary skill Would thus appreciate, the present
`invention introduces a simple method for adding or remov
`ing charms 14 from a charm bracelet or for increasing or
`
`20
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`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`4
`decreasing the siZe of a charm bracelet easily and quickly
`Without the use of a jeWeler. Further, the non-continuous link
`16 design addresses problems in the prior art associated With
`physically damaging the charm bracelet in order to add
`additional charms.
`Further, While the invention as described in FIGS. 1*6
`above depict a charm bracelet, it is understood by those of
`ordinary skill that the non-continuous link design may be
`used in forming other kinds of jeWelry. For example, a
`charm necklace may be formed from the non-continuous
`links 16 and charms 14 as described in FIGS. 1*6. Also, the
`present invention may be incorporated into other items of
`interest not speci?cally related to the jeWelry industry. For
`example, industrial chain applications may utiliZe one or
`more of the non-continuous links 16 described above.
`While the invention has been described in terms of
`preferred embodiments, it Will be understood, of course, that
`the invention is not limited thereto since modi?cations may
`be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the
`foregoing teachings.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A ?exible piece of jeWelry comprising:
`a continuous chain comprising a plurality of non-continu
`ous chain links, Wherein each of said plurality of said
`non-continuous chain links comprises a continuous
`Wire-like segment having an outer end, an outer seg
`ment extending from said outer end, an inner end, and
`an inner segment extending from said inner end and
`de?ning a central region, said inner segment being
`closely coupled to said outer segment and de?ning an
`overlapping region, said continuous Wire-like segment
`extending from said outer end to said inner end;
`Wherein each non-continuous chain link of said plurality
`of non-continuous chain links is coupled at either end
`to an adjacent one of said plurality of non-continuous
`chain links; and
`a charm reversibly coupled onto and around said continu
`ous Wire-like segment of one of plurality of said
`non-continuous links at either said inner end or said
`outer end and Within said overlapping region such that
`said charm displaces said inner segment aWay from
`said outer segment and toWards said central region.
`2. The ?exible piece of jeWelry of claim 1, Wherein said
`non-continuous link comprises a continuous Wire-like seg
`ment having a ?rst geometric shape.
`3. The ?exible piece of jeWelry of claim 2, Wherein said
`?rst geometric shape is selected from the group consisting of
`oval shaped, round shaped, square shaped, triangular shaped
`and ?gure eight shaped.
`4. The ?exible bracelet of claim 1, Wherein said charm
`comprises an eyelet portion and a charm portion.
`5. The ?exible bracelet of claim 4, Wherein said eyelet
`portion is reversibly coupled onto and around said continu
`ous Wire-like segment of one of plurality of said non
`continuous links at either said inner end or said outer end
`and Within said overlapping region such that said eyelet
`portion displaces said inner segment aWay from said outer
`segment and toWards said central region.
`6. The ?exible bracelet of claim 1, Wherein each non
`continuous chain link of said plurality of non-continuous
`chain links is reversibly coupled at either end to an adjacent
`one of said plurality of non-continuous chain links.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`LaRose Exh. 1013, p. 4
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`: 7,040,120 B2
`PATENT NO.
`APPLICATION NO. : 10/405023
`DATED
`: May 9, 2006
`INVENTOR(S)
`: Roxanne M. Hunter
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identi?ed patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`Insert item [76], Inventor’s Middle Initial: Delete “A.” replace with “M.”
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Eighteenth Day of July, 2006
`
`m Wall,”
`
`JON W. DUDAS
`Director afthe United States Patent and Trademark O?ice
`
`LaRose Exh. 1013, p. 5
`
`