WO2013019538A1

WO2013019538A1 - System and method for just click charms

Info

Publication number: WO2013019538A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/048276
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico Margaritelli
Original assignee: Crown International Properties Establishment
Current assignee: Crown International Properties Establishment
Priority date: 2011-07-29
Filing date: 2012-07-26
Publication date: 2013-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-29

Abstract

A jewelry assembly including an upper band having a bezel contiguous to a top surface; a lower band connected to the upper band by fasteners, having at least two side openings that traverse a radial center of the lower band to communicate with each other; and a swing arm band with a hinge end portion that is secured to a side surface of the upper band, having a grip end portion and an engaging end portion at an opposite end from the hinge end portion, wherein the swing arm band is releaseably securable to the upper band by applying a force to the grip end portion to engage or disengage the engaging end portion with the upper band.

Description

System and Method For Just Click Charms

This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/513,098 filed on July 29, 2011, and is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for easily attaching or removing decorative charms to jewelry such as watches, brooches, or rings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of watch manufacturers have designed watches that allow the user to change certain aspects of the watch. For example, some watches have

interchangeable upper casings that can be placed around the top of the face of the watch or around the outside circumference of the watch. The casings may provide an alternative look and feel to the watch. However, the user does not currently have a way to decorate and personalize the watch beyond these accessories.

Charm bracelets remain a popular way for a user to personalize jewelry, but charms are usually fixed to bracelets by soldering and cannot be easily attached or removed. A system is needed to allow a user to easily attach or remove charms to a watch or other type of jewelry. Moreover, a system is needed that allows a user to change charms and affect the overall look of the jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method and system that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and

disadvantages of the related art. The present invention allows a user, for example, to attach or remove charms to a watch by sliding them onto or off of a swing arm band hinged to a watch. With the present invention, a user can open the swing arm member of the watch with just a finger. This system allows the swing arm band to align perfectly and open and close with just a click.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the method that is particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a jewelry assembly including an upper band having a bezel contiguous to a top surface; a lower band connected to the upper band by fasteners, having at least two side openings that traverse a radial center of the lower band to communicate with each other; and a swing arm band with a hinge end portion that is secured to a side surface of the upper band, having a grip end portion and an engaging end portion at an opposite end from the hinge end portion, wherein the swing arm band is releaseably securable to the upper band by applying a force to the grip end portion to engage or disengage the engaging end portion with the upper band.

Another aspect of the invention provides a watch assembly including an upper band, for housing the electrical and mechanical components of the watch, having a bezel contiguous to a top surface; a lower band connected to the upper band by fasteners, having at least two side openings that traverse a radial center of the lower band to communicate with each other; and a swing arm band with a hinge end portion that is secured to a side surface of the upper band, having a grip end portion and an engaging end portion at an opposite end from the hinge end portion, wherein the swing arm band is releaseably securable to the upper band by applying a force to the grip end portion to engage or disengage the engaging end portion with the upper band.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are understood to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention that together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a watch with a swing arm band of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a watch and swing arm band of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a watch and swing arm band illustrating a swing out position of the swing arm of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a watch and swing arm band illustrating a cut-out portion for receiving a uniball system located on the swing arm band of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is cross-section view of the uniball system of a swing arm band of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate front views of the watch with a swing arm band in various stages of access and with charms of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of a brooch and swing arm band of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of a ring and swing arm band of an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The present invention described below extends the functionality of the inventive system and method for just click charms.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a watch 100 with a swing arm band 200 of an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the watch 100 with the swing arm band 200 of an embodiment of the present invention. The watch may include a bezel 101, an upper band 102, a display 103, a hinge screw 104, and a lower band 107.

The upper band 102 encloses the electrical and/or mechanical components that execute the chronometer and other functions of the watch 100. The display 103 displays the data produced by the chronometer and other functions of the watch 100. The display 103 may include a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display, an analog display such as hands or dials, or any type of watch display known to those skilled in the art.

As shown in Fig. 3, the swing arm band 200 may include an L-shaped hinge end portion 201, a grip end portion 202, an engaging end portion 203, and at least one uniball system 500 including an inner spring and spherical ball. The ball of the uniball system may move in and out of the engaging end portion 203 as the swing arm band 200 is removed or clicked into place, as will be discussed later. Fig. 5 illustrates the uniball system. As shown in Fig. 5, the uniball system 500 may be a small cylinder 501 encompassing an inner spring 502 and spherical ball 503 that allows movement of the spherical ball in and out of the casing. The spherical ball generally protrudes from the engaging end portion 203. When the spherical ball 503 is pushed, the spring 502 allows the spherical ball to quickly move into the cylinder 501, thus becoming flush with the outer surface of the engaging end portion 203. Once pressure is released, the spherical ball again protrudes beyond the outer surface of the engaging end portion 203.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a watch embodiment of the present invention also may include an upper band 102 with bezel 101, that may include a jeweled surface 106 to partially surround the watch's crystal (not shown) on the top of the upper band 102. Connected to the upper band 102 by screws is the lower band 107. The lower band may include two void spaces 105 (see FIG. 2) traversing the radial center of the watch from opposite sides and communicating with each other. The void spaces 105 may be configured to receive a watch's wrist band 602 (see FIGS. 6A-6D) to secure the watch to a user's wrist.

FIG. 3 shows the top of the hinge screw 104 that secures the L-shaped hinge end portion 201 of the swing arm band 200 to the upper band 102. The swing arm band 200 is hinged to either swing open as shown in FIG. 3 or to click closed as shown in FIG. 1. Opposite to the hinge end portion 201, the grip end portion 202 and engaging end portion 203 are formed into a kidney-shaped protuberance. The grip end portion 202 may be contacted by the user to open and/or close the swing arm band. The grip end portion 202 extends beyond the outer circumference of the upper band 102 when in a closed position (see FIG. 1) for easy access by the user. The engaging end portion 203 is located underneath the bezel 101 and nearer to radial center of the watch than the grip end portion 202, when the swing arm is in the closed position.

The uniball system 500, located in the center of the engaging end portion 203, engages a cut-out portion 300 located underneath the bezel 101 in the upper band 102, and is centered along the same radius as the hinge screw 104. See FIGS. 1 and 4. The cut-out portion 300 may include an indentation 301, a ramp 302, a ceiling surface 303, and a perimeter wall 304 as shown in FIG. 4. The spherical ball 503 of the uniball system 500 strikes the ramp 302 of the cut-out portion thereby pushing the spherical ball against the spring 502 and into the cylinder 501, as the ball 503 becomes flush with the ceiling surface 303. When the swing arm band 200 is closed, the spherical ball 503 clicks into the indentation 301 of the cut-out portion 300, and the protuberance of the engaging end portion 203 is fit within the perimeter wall 304 of the cut-out portion 300. The spherical ball 503 may click into and out of the indentation 301 as the swing arm band 200 is opened or closed.

The opening and closing of the swing arm band 200 allows for the attachment and removal of jewelry to the watch by the user. FIGS. 6A-6D show four identical watches 600 in four different configurations. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate watches with the swing arm band closed 200, and FIGS. 6C and 6D illustrate the watches with the swing arm band open. Each figure shows the watches with either the swing arm band opened or closed, and with or without charms 601 slid onto their swing arm bands. The user may select a variety of charms 601 with which to decorate and personalize the appearance of a watch. While the figures of this embodiment illustrate a watch with a circular display 103 and upper band 102, the display and upper band may be of any shape. In a second embodiment, a brooch may include a swing arm band that holds any type of just click charm. Similar to the first embodiment, an engaging end portion may include a uniball system 500. The description of the uniball system is the same as given for the watch embodiment above.

FIG. 7 shows the brooch 700 of the present invention also may include an upper band 702 with a bezel 701 that is contiguous to a top surface. The bezel may be populated with jewels 706 or other decorative designs. Similar to the embodiment of the watch, the lower band (not shown) may be connected to the upper band 702 by fasteners and have at least two side openings (not shown) that traverse a radial center of the lower band to communicate with each other for insertion of a wrist band (not shown) to secure the brooch onto one's wrist. However, alternate configurations of the lower band may be provided to secure the brooch, for example, to clothing by a latching pin 708 arrangement. See FIG. 7.

The brooch may include the swing arm band 200 with a hinge end portion 201 that is secured to a side surface of the upper band 702. The swing arm band 200 may also have a grip end portion 202 and the engaging end portion 203 located opposite from the hinge end portion 201. The swing arm band 200 allows for the attachment and removal of decorative and personalized charms 709 to the brooch when in the open position. When a force is applied to the grip end portion 202 to close the swing arm band 200, the force pushes the engaging end portion 203 toward a cut-out portion's ramp 302 (not shown) and ceiling surface 303 (not shown), where the uniball system's inner spring 502 allows the spherical ball 503 to recede into the casing 501. Once the swing arm band 200 is closed (and pressure is released from the uniball system 500), the spring again pushes the spherical ball 503 out so that it protrudes into the cut-out portion's 300 indentation 301 (not shown). See FIG. 5. A force to open the swing arm band has the opposite effect.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment may be a ring having a releasably secureable swing arm band. FIG. 8 shows the ring 800 of the present invention also may include an upper band 802 with a bezel 801 that is contiguous to a top surface. The bezel may be populated with jewels 806 or other decorative designs. Similar to the embodiment of the watch, the lower band (not shown) may be connected to the upper band 802 by fasteners and have a circular band 808 to secure the ring onto one's finger.

The ring may include the swing arm band 200 with a hinge end portion 201 that is secured to a side surface of the upper band 802. The swing arm band 200 may also have a grip end portion 202 and the engaging end portion (not shown) located opposite from the hinge end portion 201. The swing arm band 200 allows for the attachment and removal of decorative and personalized charms 809 to the brooch when in the open position. When a force is applied to the grip end portion 202 to close the swing arm band 200, the force pushes the engaging end portion (not shown) toward a cut-out portion's ramp 302 and ceiling surface, where the uniball system's inner spring 502 allows the spherical ball 503 to recede into the casing 501. Once the swing arm band 200 is closed (and pressure is released from the uniball system 500), the spring again pushes the spherical ball 503 out so that it protrudes into the cut-out portion's 300 indentation 301 (not shown). See FIG. 5. A force to open the swing arm band has the opposite effect.

The foregoing description has been given in the context of watches, brooches, and rings. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention is applicable to other types of jewelry known to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments of this invention. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A jewelry assembly comprising:

an upper band having a bezel contiguous to a top surface;

a lower band connected to the upper band by fasteners, having at least two side openings that traverse a radial center of the lower band to communicate with each other; and

a swing arm band with a hinge end portion that is secured to a side surface of the upper band, having a grip end portion and an engaging end portion at an opposite end from the hinge end portion,

wherein the swing arm band is releaseably securable to the upper band by applying a force to the grip end portion to engage or disengage the engaging end portion with the upper band.

2. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, wherein the bezel of the upper band is absent in between the hinge end portion and the engaging end portion of the swing arm band.

3. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, wherein the grip end portion extends beyond an outer circumference of the upper band, when the swing arm band is in a closed position.

4. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging end portion and the hinge end portion are located underneath the bezel and along a same radial circumference, when the swing arm is in a closed position.

5. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a cut-out portion located underneath the bezel in the upper band, wherein the cut-out portion includes:

an indentation,

a ramp,

a ceiling surface, and

a perimeter wall.

6. The jewelry assembly of claim 5, wherein the cut-out portion receives the engaging end portion for closure of the swing arm band.

7. The jewelry assembly of claim 6, wherein the engaging end portion includes a uniball system to engage the ramp, ceiling surface, and indentation of the cut-out portion during closure of the swing arm band.

8. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper case includes jewels embedded therein.

9. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, wherein charms are attached or removed from the swing arm band, when the swing arm band is in an open position.

10. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, wherein the jewelry assembly is a watch.

11. The jewelry assembly of claim 1 , wherein the jewelry assembly is a brooch.

12. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, wherein the jewelry assembly is a ring.

13. A watch assembly comprising:

an upper band, for housing the electrical and mechanical components of the watch, having a bezel contiguous to a top surface;

14. The watch assembly of claim 13, wherein the bezel of the upper band is absent in between the hinge end portion and the engaging end portion of the swing arm band.

15. The watch assembly of claim 13, wherein the grip end portion extends beyond an outer circumference of the upper band, when the swing arm band is in a closed position.

16. The watch assembly of claim 13, wherein the engaging end portion and the hinge end portion are located underneath the bezel and along a same radial circumference, when the swing arm is in a closed position.

17. The watch assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

an indentation,

a ramp,

a ceiling surface, and

a perimeter wall.

18. The watch assembly of claim 17, wherein the cut-out portion receives the engaging end portion for closure of the swing arm band.

19. The watch assembly of claim 18, wherein the engaging end portion includes a uniball system to engage the ramp, ceiling surface, and indentation of the cut-out portion during closure of the swing arm band.

20. The watch assembly of claim 17, wherein the upper case includes jewels embedded therein.

21. The watch assembly of claim 17, wherein charms are attached or removed from the swing arm band, when the swing arm band is in an open position.