CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.

62/875,896 filed on July 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a jewelry piece, and, more particularly, to a jewelry piece to provide for multi-configuration use applications.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the jewelry industry, there are various types of banded jewelry, such as bracelets and necklaces. Even though banded jewelry is worn as an everyday accessory, banded jewelry is typically only worn for aesthetic purposes without any other configurations or uses. This prompts the need for a jewelry piece that is aesthetically pleasing and has multi configuration use applications.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention provides a multi-configuration jewelry piece which overcomes the deficiencies described above, and has other advantages.

[0005] In one embodiment, a multi-configuration jewelry piece is provided. The jewelry piece includes a band with a first end and a second end, a first housing, and a second housing. The first housing couples to the first end. The second housing couples to the second end. Each of the first housing and the second housing have a cavity defined by a top wall, a sidewall, and a bottom wall. The top wall and the bottom wall secure to the sidewall. The cavity houses a first magnet and a second magnet configured to join the first housing to the second housing. Each of the first magnet and the second magnet have a north pole and a south pole. The north pole of the first magnet and the south pole of the second magnet are adjacent to the top wall. The south pole of the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet are adjacent to the bottom wall.

[0006] In another embodiment, a multi-configuration jewelry piece is provided. The jewelry piece has a band with a first end and a second end, a first housing, and a second housing. The first housing couples to the first end and defines a first cavity. The second housing couples to the second end and defines a second cavity. Each of the first cavity and the second cavity house a first magnet and a second magnet. The first magnets and the second magnets are configured to join the first housing to the second housing. Each of the first magnet and the second magnet have a north pole and a south pole. The north pole of the first magnet and the south pole of the second magnet face a first direction. The south pole of the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet face a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0007] In an additional embodiment, a multi-configuration jewelry piece is provided. The jewelry piece has a band with a first end and a second end, a first housing, and a second housing. The first housing couples to the first end and defines a first cavity. The second housing couples to the second end and defines a second cavity. Each of the first cavity and the second cavity house a first magnet and a second magnet. The first magnets and the second magnets are configured to join the first housing to the second housing. The orientation of the first magnet and the second magnet of the first cavity and the orientation of the first magnet and the second magnet of the second cavity create magnetic attraction when the first housing is near the second housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings included with this application illustrate certain aspects of the embodiments described herein. However, the drawings should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00010] FIG. 2 is a top view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece with lobster clasps in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00012] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the housing in FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00013] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the housing in FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00014] FIG. 5A is a top view of a first housing joined to a second housing in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00015] FIG. 5B is a side view of a first housing joined to a second housing in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00016] FIG. 6 is a top view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece with bands tapered to a point in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00017] FIG. 7 is a top view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece with multiple bands in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure [00018] FIG. 8 is a front view of two multi-configuration jewelry pieces used as a belt in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure

[00019] FIG. 9 is a top side view of two multi-configuration jewelry pieces used as an overlapping bracelet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00020] FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of two multi-configuration jewelry pieces used as a necklace in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00021] FIG. 11 is a front view of two multi-configuration jewelry pieces each used as an individual earring in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00022] FIG. 12 is a back perspective view of a multi-configuration jewelry piece with the band removed such that the housings can be used as earring attachments in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00023] The present disclosure describes a multi-configuration jewelry piece suitable for multiple applications. The disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to these detailed descriptions. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.

[00024] With reference to FIGS. 1-7, a multi-configuration jewelry piece is illustrated and generally designated by the numeral 10. Multi-configuration jewelry piece 10 is shown only in top view by the FIGS because the bottom views are of mirror images of the top views. As shown by the figures, the general form of jewelry piece 10 includes a band 20, a first housing 30, a second housing 40, two or more magnets 50, and connectors 60. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, jewelry piece 10 includes more than one band 20.

[00025] Band 20 includes a first end 22 and a second end 24. In some embodiments, first end 22 and second end 24 are squared-off, i.e. ends 22, 24 are perpendicular to the length of band 20. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, first end 22 and second end 24 taper to a point. In some embodiments, band 20 is removeable and replaceable. Such embodiments allow for interchangeability of band 20 for functionality purposes and/or aesthetic purposes. For example, for functionality purposes, as shown in FIG. 12, band 20 is removed from jewelry piece 10 such that first housing 30 and second housing 40 can be affixed to the ear of a user 70. Once affixed, the hoop portion of first housing 30 is used to attach a standard earring 72. In additional configurations, for aesthetic purposes, band 20 is removed and replaced with a different band 20 made of a different material and/or having a different color.

[00026] Band 20 is comprised of a pliable material. For example, in some embodiments, band 20 is sterling silver, copper, brass, plastic, rubber, fabric cord, or silicone. However, one skilled in the art understands that band 20 may be manufactured from a number of different types of durable and pliable material. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5A, 6, 9, 10, and 11, band 20 may be a braided or crocheted material. [00027] First housing 30 couples to first end 22. Second housing 40 couples to second end

24. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, first housing 30 and second housing 40 each include a top wall 32, 42, a sidewall 34, 44, and a bottom wall 36, 46. Top walls 32, 42 and bottom walls 36, 46 secure to sidewalls 34, 44 through methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, top walls 32, 42 and bottom walls 36, 46 can be glued or soldered to sidewalls 34, 44. Top walls 32, 42, sidewalls 34, 44, and bottom walls 36, 46 define a cavity 38, 48. Cavity 38, 48 house at least two magnets 50.

[00028] Magnets 50 allow for joining of first housing 30 to second housing 40. Magnets 50 each have a north pole 52 and a south pole 54. The orientation and number of magnets 50 in each housing 30, 40 may be varied. The sole requirement with regard to the orientation of magnets 50 in each housing 30, 40 being the creation of magnetic attraction when housing 30 is placed next to or along side of housing 40.

[00029] In most embodiments, each cavity 38, 48 of housing 30, 40 houses two magnets 50. In housing 30, one magnet 50 housed in cavity 38 has north pole 52 facing a first direction while the other magnet 50 housed in cavity 48 has south pole 54 facing the first direction. To provide for magnet attraction between housings 30 and 40, housing 40 also has two magnets 50 in cavity 48. One magnet 50 has north pole 52 facing the first direction while the other magnet 50 in cavity 48 has south pole 54 facing the second direction. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 5B when housings 30 and 40 are placed over one another, at least one pair of opposing poles of magnets 50 in separate housings 30 and 40 align to provide for magnetic attraction. For example, one magnet 50 housed within each cavity 38, 48 has north pole 52 adjacent to top walls 32, 42 of housings 30, 40 and the south pole 54 adjacent to bottom walls 36, 46 of housings 30, 40. The other magnet 50 housed within each cavity 38, 48 has south pole 54 adjacent to top walls 32, 42 of housings 30, 40 and north pole 52 adjacent to bottom walls 36, 46 of housings 30, 40. Having a north pole 52 and a south pole 54 adjacent to top walls 32, 42 of housings 30, 40 allows for a number of various uses of multi-configuration jewelry piece 10 and for quicker and easier joining of first housing 30 to second housing 40. The quicker and easier affixation allows for multi-configuration use applications of band 20.

[00030] Connectors 60 couple first housing 30 to first end 22 and second housing 40 to second end 24. Connectors 60 may be any number of coupling mechanisms known to those skilled in the art. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5A, and 8, connectors 60 are split ring clasps. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5B, and 7, connectors 60 are lobster clasps. As shown in FIGS. 6, 9, 10, and 11, connectors 60 are ring and hoops. Other examples of suitable connectors 60 include hook and eye clasps and spring ring clasps.

[00031] The configuration of jewelry piece 10 allows for various applications. For example, FIG. 8 shows two jewelry pieces 10 configured as a belt on user 70. FIG. 9 shows two jewelry pieces 10 configured as a multi-layered bracelet on user 70. FIG. 10 shows two jewelry pieces 10 configured as a necklace on user 70. FIG. 11 shows two jewelry pieces 10 configured as earrings on user 70 where one jewelry piece 10 is the right earring and one jewelry piece 10 is the left earring. FIG. 12 shows band 20 removed from jewelry piece 10 such that first housing 30 and second housing 40 can be affixed to the ear of user 70 and standard earring 72 attached to the hoop coupling of first housing 30. In other embodiments, not shown, multi-configuration jewelry piece 10 is configured on user 70 as a dress clip, hair clip, curtain clip, sleeve clip, hat clip, sunglass clip, halter top clip, sari clip, muumuu clip, scarf clip, bracelet, necklace, choker, earrings, anklet, thigh/garter belt, arm band, wristband, mask closure, costume closure, tie clip, cuff link, table cloth clip/weight, chip clip, ponytail holder, eyeglass holder, drink charm, belt, hand cuffs, fridge magnet, ID badge holder, paperweight, paper clips, headphone holders, earbuds, phone holders, watchband, t-shirt clip, purse charm, key chain, charm bracelet, shoelaces, shoe closure, headband, bib closure, onesie closure, pacifier clip, blanket clip, cummerbund closure, bow tie closure, glove clip, backpack clip, swimsuit closure, coat/jacket closure, or hair bows.

[00032] Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative examples disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. While apparatus and methods may be described in terms of “comprising,”“containing,”“having,” or“including” various components or steps, the apparatus and methods can also, in some examples,“consist essentially of’ or“consist of’ the various components and steps. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the specification.