TITLE

JEWELRY GUARD INVENTOR

Jan Lisi

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] The following application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 61/218,370, filed June 18, 2009, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of personal accessories, specifically a guard for preventing the loss of jewelry when being worn by a user. Background

[0003] Many people own jewelry and proudly exhibit their adornments on a regular basis. Whether it is a wedding ring, heirloom piece, or expensive gem, a piece of jewelry can be very valuable to its owner for both monetary and sentimental reasons. However, jewelry loss, especially when engaging in activities such as swimming, sports, vacationing, household chores, or in industrial occupations, is an increasingly common occurrence. Thus, it is desirable to have jewelry guard to prevent such loss.

[0004] What is needed is a tubular guard that can be placed over a finger or other body part after placement of jewelry, such that the jewelry cannot slip past the guard. The guard should be elastomeric such that it can be stretched over the knuckle or joint of a finger, the joint of a toe, a hand (for embodiments intended for wrist or arm use), or any other anatomical feature that would otherwise impede proper application. Additionally, the guard should be adapted to frictionally engage human skin and prevent slippage. In some embodiments, the guard should be able to expand and contract as a person's skin and/or body part changes size with temperature or other conditions, while remaining comfortable for the wearer and without interfering with blood circulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a jewelry guard having a substantially flat outer surface.

[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of jewelry guard having a curved outer surface.

[0007] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a jewelry guard having a substantially toroidal geometry.

[0008] FIG. 3 A depicts a cross-section of one embodiment of a jewelry guard.

[0009] FIG. 3B depicts cross-sectional views of other embodiments of a jewelry guard.

[0010] FIG. 3C depicts top planar view of one embodiment of a jewelry guard coupled with a tab member.

[0011] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a jewelry guard in use on a finger.

[0012] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a kit comprising a plurality of jewelry guard members.

[0013] FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a method for preventing jewelry loss using a jewelry guard.

[0014] FIG. 7A depicts one embodiment of an outer embellishment surrounding a tubular member.

[0015] FIG. 7B depicts a cross section of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a jewelry guard 100. A jewelry guard 100 can comprise a truncated tubular member 102 having an outer surface 104, an inner surface 106 and sides 108. An outer surface 104 and/or inner surface 106 can be substantially flat, as depicted in FIG. 1, or can be substantially curved, as depicted in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, an outer surface 104 and/or an inner surface 106 can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. In the embodiments depicted in FIGs. 1 and 2, sides 108 are substantially planar. However, in alternate embodiments sides 108 can be curved or can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. In yet alternate embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 3, a truncated tubular member 102 can have a substantially toroidal geometry. [0017] As depicted in FIGs. 1-3, the distance between the centroid of a tubular member 102 and each point on an inner surface 106 of a tubular member 102 can remain the same when moving radially about the z-axis. However, in alternate embodiments, a first distance between the centroid and a first point on an inner surface 106 of a tubular member 102 can be different than a second distance between the centroid and a second point on an inner surface 106. Similarly, the distance between the centroid of a tubular member 102 and each point on an outer surface 104 of a tubular member 102 can remain the same when moving radially about the z-axis. However, in alternate embodiments, a first distance between the centroid and a first point on an outer surface 104 of a tubular member 102 can be different than a second distance between the centroid and a second point on an outer surface 104. Moreover, in some embodiments and as depicted in FIG. 3 A, the outer surface 104 can have irregular geometrical characteristics, such that a latitudinal or longitudinal cross-section of a tubular member 102 results in a non-circular and/or non-symmetric outer surface 104 geometry. As depicted in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments a latitudinal or longitudinal cross- section of a tubular member 102 can reveal square or ovoid geometries. [0018] A tubular member 102 can have dimensions such that in use, its outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter of a user's ring, thereby preventing a user's ring from passing over a tubular member 102. Moreover, a tubular member 102 can have dimensions adapted to account for expansion and contraction of a user's finger due to temperature changes or other conditions. For example, if submerged in cold water, a user's fingers may get slightly smaller. A tubular member 102 can be adapted to contract as a user's skin contracts, while still maintaining an outer diameter greater than that of a user's ring, thereby preventing passage of a ring over a tubular member 102.

[0019] In some embodiments, a jewelry guard 100 intended for use on a finger can be manufactured in various sizes to accommodate various finger sizes. For example, in one embodiment, the inner diameter of a tubular member 102 can be 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 millimeters. In other embodiments, the inner diameter of a tubular member 102 can be less than 15 millimeters, greater than 20 millimeters, or any measurement between 15 and 20 millimeters. Moreover, the thickness of a tubular member 102, as measured from a center point on an inner surface 106 with respect to the z-axis, to a center point on an outer surface 104 with respect to the z-axis, can be 2, 3, or 4 millimeters. In other embodiments, the thickness of a tubular member 102 can be varied within a single tubular member 102, as depicted in FIGs 3B-3C. In alternate embodiments, the inner diameter of a tubular member 102 and/or the thickness of a tubular member 102 can have any other convenient or desired dimensions. Moreover, in some embodiments, a plurality of tubular members 102 of various sizes and dimensions can be grouped together to form a kit 500, as depicted in FIG. 5, such that a purchaser or user can have multiple sizes and/or options. In such an embodiment, a plurality of tubular members 102 can be grouped together in a container or vessel 502. In some embodiments, a container or vessel 502 can further comprise a label 504. [0020] A tubular member 102 can be elastomeric such that it can be stretched over a knuckle or other object having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of a tubular member 102. In some embodiments where the intended use is on a finger, a tubular member 102 can be adapted to selectively expand one or more standard ring sizes, however upon placement on a finger and release of external forces by a user, the tubular member 102 can contract to its natural state. In other embodiments where the intended use is on a toe, wrist, or other body part, a tubular member 102 can have similar properties. [0021] Upon placement on a finger, a tubular member 102 can be adapted to frictionally engage a user's skin such that it can resist slippage. To prevent such slippage and/or to provide desired elastomeric properties, a tubular member 102 can be made of silicone, silicone rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, neoprene, or any other known and/or convenient material having a high coefficient of friction with respect to human skin and/or having desired elastomeric properties. In other embodiments, a tubular member 102 can have any other known and/or convenient elastomeric and/or friction properties. Additionally, a tubular member 102 can have dimensions and properties such that it can remain frictionally engaged with a user's finger without being so tight as to be uncomfortable or to cut off circulation. In some embodiments, a tubular member 102 can be coupled with a tab member 302, as depicted in FIG. 3C. A tab member 302 can assist a user in pulling on or off a tubular member 102.

[0022] In yet alternate embodiments, a tubular member 102 can be at least partially coated with anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, ultraviolet protective, and/or anti-slip materials. In other embodiments, these properties can be inherent in the material of a tubular member 102. A tubular member 102 can be environmentally friendly, recyclable, hypo-allergenic, nontoxic, and/or can have any other known and/or convenient properties. Moreover, a tubular member 102 can be translucent, metallic, and/or can be any color and/or combination of colors. In some embodiments, the outer surface 104, inner surface 106, and/or sides 108 of a tubular member 102 can have a rough and/or grainy texture. In other embodiments, surfaces 104 and/or 106 can be smooth and/or can have any other known and/or convenient characteristics.

[0023] Referring to FIGs. 7 A, 7B, in some embodiments a tubular member 102 can further comprise an outer embellishment 702. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7A, an outer embellishment 702 comprises several tubular segments that can enwrap the entirety of a tubular member 102. In other embodiments, an outer embellishment 702 can comprise one or more tubular segments that only partially enwrap a tubular member 102. FIG. 7B depicts a latitudinal cross section (through 'a-a' of FIG. 7A) of a tubular member 102 surrounded by an outer embellishment 702. In some embodiments, an outer embellishment 702 can simply float around a tubular member 102, whereas in other embodiments, an outer embellishment 702 can be coupled with a tubular member 102 via adhesive or other bonding agent. An outer embellishment 702 can be made of fabric, rubber, silicone, neoprene, metal, or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, an outer embellishment 702 can have a metallic appearance so as to imitate the appearance of metal jewelry. In other embodiments, an outer embellishment 702 can have any other known and/or convenient visual characteristics. Moreover, an outer embellishment 702 can have the same or different coatings and/or frictional and/or elastomeric properties as a tubular member 102, as described above.

[0024] Referring to FIGs. 4 and 6, in use, a ring 400 can be placed over a user's finger 402 (step 602 in FIG. 6). Subsequently, a jewelry guard 100 can be placed over a user's finger 402 by sliding the guard over the finger 402 (step 604 in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, a user may need to pull the guard 100 radially outward in order to allow the guard 100 to pass over the joints of a finger 402. In yet other embodiments, a user can roll a guard 100 over a finger 402. A user can position the guard 100 proximate to a ring 400. When in place, a guard 100 can effectively prevent a ring 400 from slipping off a user's finger 402. In other embodiments, a jewelry guard 100 can be used to prevent slippage and/or loss of bracelets, toe rings, watches, or any other known and/or convenient type of substantially tubular jewelry. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a jewelry guard 100 can have dimensions such that it can be used with a person's wrist, toes, or any other convenient body part.

[0025] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.