WO2003037133A2

WO2003037133A2 - Reversible jewelry fastener permitting selective illumination

Info

Publication number: WO2003037133A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/028435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen K. Ohlund
Original assignee: Calypso Worlwide Marketing, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-10-15
Filing date: 2001-10-15
Publication date: 2003-05-08
Also published as: AU2002249753A1; WO2003037133A3

Abstract

A fastening mechanism that allows illuminated jewelry to be worn in either an energized or de-energized state. The jewelry takes the form of a necklace (10) with an illuminated pendant (20). First (34) and second (36) electrical leads allow the necklace (10) to be worn around the neck of a user. Each of the leads (34, 36) includes a connector (44, 46) at its distal end. Preferably, the connectors (44, 46) are electrical connectors with two coupling orientations. In the first orientation, the circuit is energized and illuminated. In the second orientation, the circuit is de-energized and not illuminated. Thus, the necklace can be worn around a user's neck in either an illuminated or non-illuminated state.

Description

REVERSIBLE JEWELRY FASTENER PERMITTING SELECTIVE

ILLUMINATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to illuminated jewelry and, more

particularly, to a reversible fastener that permits the jewelry to be selectively illuminated depending upon the fastener orientation.

Description of the Background Art

Illuminated jewelry is known in the art. Typically, the illumination is achieved by incorporating a small lighting element and power source into an

otherwise ordinary piece of jewelry. The effect, however, is anything but ordinary. Daytime use of illuminated jewelry creates a unique visual appearance

and draws attention to both the ornament and its wearer. The effect is even

more dramatic during evening hours or in dimly lighted environments. Different colors can be selected to generate an even more unique visual appearance.

An example of illuminated jewelry is provided in U.S. Patent 4,262,324 to Murphy. Murphy discloses a necklace with a pendant and a power pack. The

pendant houses an incandescent lamp and the power pack houses a dry cell

battery. The lamp may be selectively illuminated by either taking apart the battery holder or by operating a switch.

Additional illuminated jewelry is illustrated in this inventor's prior patent, U.S. Patent 5,477,433. Ohlund discloses a necklace including a pendant,

an illuminated element (such as a lamp or L.E.D), and a power source. The necklace also includes mutually engagable and alternately disengagable clasp

elements for placing the necklace around, and alternately removing the necklace from, a person's neck.

U.S. Patent 5,722,260 to Mangano discloses a reversible jewelry clasp for

necklaces. The clasp includes a pair of clamshell-like halves pivotally joined

together. The ends of a necklace can be attached to hooks mounted on the inner side of one of the halves. Thereafter, the halves can be closed to secure the

necklace. The clasp has a decorative front and back such that it can be flipped

without losing its stylized look.

Although each of the above described jewelry articles achieves its individual objective, none of the articles employs a reversible fastener that

allows for the selective illumination of jewelry. More specifically, none of the

above described jewelry articles allows its user to easily and efficiently wear the article in either an illuminated or non illuminated state.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an

improvement, which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides a significant contribution to the advancement of jewelry

fasteners.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry

that can be efficiently and easily worn in either an illuminated or non illuminated state. An additional object of the present invention is to enable illuminated

jewelry to be turned off without the use of an electrical switch or without

requiring that the jewelry be removed.

Still another object of the present invention is to utilize a jewelry fastener

as both a mechanical coupling and an electrical connector.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated jewelry piece that stores one or more batteries within one of its

fastening elements.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an article of

jewelry with an electrically conductive band that acts both as a means for

mechanically securing the batteries and as an electrical conductor.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a necklace

capable of selective illumination. The necklace includes an ornament to which is

connected an illumination source capable of directing light into the ornament.

Power is delivered to the illumination source by way of electrical contacts and

first and second electrical leads. The first and second leads have distal ends to which are connected a female and male electrical connector, respectively. The

female electrical connector has opposing major faces and peripheral sidewalls

therebetween. The connector is further defined by a rectangular body, an opened

second end, and an internal cavity. The male electrical connector is defined by first and second ends, and first and second opposing major faces with peripheral sidewalls therebetween. A battery is removably secured within the male connector. The distal end of the second electrical lead is interconnected to the

first end of the male connector and is in electrical communication with the battery. The male and female connectors are adapted to be mechanically coupled

in one of two orientations. The first coupling orientation completes a circuit

between the first lead, the contacts of the illumination source, the second lead,

and the battery to illuminate the ornament. The second coupling orientation de- energizes the circuit.

The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention.

These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more

prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other

beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure.

Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of

the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the

claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of summarizing this invention, the invention relates to a

necklace capable of selective illumination. The necklace includes a translucent

ornament, which can exhibit a design or surface indicia. The ornament is lit by

way of an interconnected illumination source. This illumination source has

electrical contacts and first and second electrical leads that allow for the delivery of electrical power.

Electrical connectors are formed at the distal ends of the electrical leads

and serve as a means for both mechanical and electrical coupling. A male

connector is formed at the end of the second lead, and a female connector is

formed at the end of the first lead. The female electrical connector is defined by opposing major faces, peripheral sidewalls, and a first tapered end formed about an aperture. The female connector is further defined by an opened second end and a rectangular internal cavity into which the male connector is adapted to be

inserted. The first lead is interconnected to the female connector through the

aperture, with the aperture being formed adjacent one of the major faces of the

connector. Additionally, first and second openings are formed through the peripheral sidewalls adjacent the opening of the female connector. These openings are employed in connecting the male and female connectors.

The male electrical connector is defined by first and second ends, opposing

major faces, and peripheral sidewalls. A battery is positioned within the connector and is secured by a removable band. An arcuate opening is formed through the peripheral wall of the second end adjacent to one of the major faces.

The opening exposes the battery for the purpose of completing the circuit. The

distal end of the second electrical lead is interconnected to the first end of male

connector and is in electrical communication with the battery. A channel is

formed within the first end and defines a resilient catch with a detent formed

thereon. The detent is adapted to be selectively received within either the first or

second rectangular openings of the female connector to thereby mechanically

couple the male and female connectors. With the detent in the first opening, the

battery is placed in electrical communication with the first lead to complete a

circuit and illuminate the ornament. Alternatively, when the detent is in the

second aperture, the battery is isolated from the first electrical lead and the circuit is de-energized.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description

of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present

contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the

invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the

conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a

basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same

purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in

the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the

invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in

connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the necklace of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the necklace with the male and

female connectors coupled with one another.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of the ornament and housing.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the ornament and housing.

Fig. 5 is a view of the ornament detached from the housing.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the male and female connectors.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the male and female connectors.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the male and female connectors.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the male and female connectors.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to illuminated jewelry. More

specifically, the present invention relates to a fastening mechanism that allows

illuminated jewelry to be worn in either an energized or de-energized state. In the preferred embodiment, the jewelry takes the form of a necklace with an

illuminated pendant. First and second electrical leads allow the necklace to be

worn around the neck of a user. Each of the leads includes an electrical connector

at its distal end. Preferably, the connectors are electrical connectors with two

coupling orientations. In the first orientation, the circuit is energized and illuminated. In the second orientation, the circuit is de-energized and not

illuminated. The various components of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

With reference now to Fig. 1, the necklace 10 is shown in its entirety and in its uncoupled state, for example, prior to being placed around the

neck of a wearer. The ornament 20 represents one of the major necklace components. In the preferred embodiment, as is more closely illustrated in Fig. 3, this ornament 20 takes the form of a circular pendant with a surface design or

indicia 22. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize

different ornaments with the necklace of the present invention. Additionally, it

is within the scope of the present invention to employ various other types of designs or indicia beyond the specific design depicted in Fig. 3. The ornament 20 is preferably transparent and constructed from clear plastic. It has been found

that by using a transparent ornament unique luminary effects are achieved. Other lighting effects can be achieved by making part of the ornament opaque or

by utilizing different translucent colors.

Figure 5 illustrates the interconnection between the housing 26 and

the ornament 20. Specifically, a recess 18 is formed about the upper extent of

the ornament 20. A corresponding ridge 16 is formed within the internal wall of

the housing 26. The upper extent of the ornament can be inserted within the housing 26 such that the ridge 16 fits into the corresponding recess 18 in a snap

fit manner. When so oriented (note Fig. 3) a positive mechanical connection

between the ornament 20 and housing 26 is provided. Nonetheless, the

connection allows a user to manually separate the ornament 20 from the housing

26. This allows different types of ornaments to be employed with the necklace of the present invention. Consequently, the ornaments themselves can become

collector items for use with one necklace arrangement.

Figure 3 contains a partial sectional view illustrating the light source 24 employed in the necklace. The light source 24 depicted is a small

incandescent lamp which is positioned in a housing 26 immediately above the ornament 20. Other light sources are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the light source may be a light emitting diode. Whichever illumination source is utilized, electrical contacts 28 are provided for delivering

electricity to the light source 24 and generating light. A sheath 32 forms part of the housing 26 of the light source 24. As is illustrated, this sheath 32 may be opaque for use in directing light from the lamp into the ornament 20.

Alternatively, the sheath 32 may be transparent for use in generating additional unique optical effects. This sheath 32 is employed in both interconnecting the

ornament 20 to the housing 26 and protecting the light source 24.

The straps of the necklace are formed from first and second

electrical leads, 34 and 36 respectively. The leads, in turn, are formed from

insulated metallic wires. Each of these leads has a proximal and distal end (38 and 42, respectively) with the proximal ends 38 of each of the leads being in

electrical communication with the electrical contacts 28 of the light source 24. The relationship between the proximal ends 38 of the electrical leads (34 and 36)

and the light source 24 is best illustrated with reference to the partial sectional

view of Fig. 3. This connection allows electricity to be delivered to the lamp. The

surrounding sheath 32 is preferably formed from a non-electrically conducted material, and thus, functions as an insulator.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the first electrical lead 34 includes a female

electrical connector 44 formed at its distal end 42. Likewise, the second lead 36

includes a male electrical connector 46 formed at its distal end 42. Figs. 6-9 are

detailed illustrations of the male and female electrical connectors. With reference now to Figs. 6-9, the female electrical connector 44 will be described. The female connector 44 is defined by opposing major faces 48 and three

peripheral sidewalls 52 which extend therebetween. The female connector 44

also includes a first tapered end 54 which is formed about a tubular aperture 56. The function of this tubular aperture 56 will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The female connector 44 is further defined by a rectangular body 58, an open second end 62, and a rectangular internal cavity 64. As can be appreciated, the internal cavity 64 accepts the male connector 46 when the two

connectors are coupled. Although the female connector 44 is being described and

depicted as rectangular, other connector geometries are within the scope of the

present invention. For example, the female connector may be cylindrical in

shape. The first lead 34 is connected to the female connector 44 via the tubular

aperture 56. The lead 34 extends into the cavity 64 from the aperture 56 and functions in completing an electrical circuit. Moreover, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 7, the tubular aperture 56 is formed adjacent one of the major faces 48 of the

connector 44. In other words, the tubular aperture 56 and lead 34 are offset to

one side of the housing 44. The purpose of this offset orientation will be

described in greater detail hereinafter. With reference now to Figs. 6 and 8, the first and second connecting openings (66 and 68, respectively) of the female

connector 44 are depicted. These openings take the form of elongated slots, or apertures, which are formed through the peripheral sidewalls 52 of the housing

44 at diametrically opposed locations. These openings (66 and 68) function in

interconnecting the male and female connectors (44 and 46) in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter.

With continuing reference to Figs. 6-9, the male electrical connector 46 is described. The male connector 46 is defined by first and second ends (72

and 74, respectively) and opposing major faces 76 and peripheral sidewalls 78.

As is illustrated, at least one battery 82 is positioned within the connector 46. In the preferred embodiment, two 3 volt batteries are utilized. The batteries are secured within the connector 46 by way of a removable electrically conductive band 84. The band 84 includes three legs. The first base leg 86 is electrically

connected to the distal end 42 of the second lead 36. The two remaining legs 88

are removably secured over the peripheral sidewalls 78 of the connector housing.

The band 84 has two functions: first, the band 84 secures the battery or batteries 82 within the connector housing; secondly, the band 84 serves in forming an

electrical interconnection between the second lead 36 and the negative terminal

of the battery 82, with the negative terminal of the battery visible in Fig. 6. Access to the positive terminal of the lower battery is achieved by way of an

opening 92 formed within the connector housing. The opening 92 is preferably arcuately shaped and extends along the second end 74 of the peripheral wall 78

and along one of the major faces 76. Thus, in a manner to be described more

fully hereinafter, the male and female connectors (44 and 46) can be engaged in such a manner that the opening 92 is aligned with the tubular aperture 56 and

lead 34 of the female connector 44. Thus, with the connectors so aligned, the first lead 34 can be brought into electrical communication with the positive

terminal of the battery 82. In this orientation, a circuit is completed and the

light source 24 is illuminated. Finally, although the batteries have been described as positioned within the male connector, it is within the scope of the present invention to include the batteries within the female connector.

The male and female connectors (44 and 46) are preferably mechanically coupled through a resilient spring biased detent. Specifically, as is

illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8, a channel 94 is formed within the first end 72 of the

connector housing. This channel 94 serves to define a resilient catch or arm 96. The arm 96 further includes a detent 98 formed along its length which is

specifically sized to fit within either the first or second rectangular opening (66

or 68) of the female connector 44. More specifically, the male connector 46 is inserted into the female connector 44 by resiliently depressing the arm 96

downwardly, thereby allowing the detent 98 to slide into one of the openings (66

or 68). Thereafter, the detent 98 is retained within the opening by the resilient

nature of the arm 96. This forms a mechanical connection between the male and female connectors (44 and 46) and prevents inadvertent uncoupling of the

necklace 10. Thereafter, the connectors (44 and 46) can be uncoupled by depressing the arm 96 downwardly and pulling the elements apart. By way of

this connection, a user may couple the two leads (34 and 36) together about their neck in one of two axially distinct orientations. The first orientation completes

an electrical circuit and illuminates the ornament 20. The second orientation de- energizes the circuit and leaves the ornament 20 non-illuminated. In other words, with the detent 98 in the first rectangular opening 66, the axially offset

battery opening 92 is placed in electrical communication with the axially offset

electrical lead 34 to thereby complete a circuit and illuminate the ornament 20 .

Alternatively, when the detent 98 is secured within the second aperture 68, the axially offset battery opening 92 is isolated from the axially offset electrical lead 34 and the circuit is de-energized. Thus, a user may secure the necklace about

their neck in either an illuminated or non-illuminated state.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is

understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only

by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and

the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A necklace capable of selective illumination comprising:

a translucent ornament having indicia formed thereon;

an illumination source removably interconnected to the ornament and

capable of directing light into the ornament, the illumination source having

electrical contacts for use in powering the illumination source;

first and second electrical leads, each in electrical communication with the

contacts of the illumination source, the first and second leads having distal ends;

a female electrical connector having opposing major faces and peripheral sidewalls therebetween, a first tapered end formed about an aperture, a rectangular body, an opened second end, and a rectangular internal cavity, the

first lead being interconnected to the connector through the aperture, the

aperture being formed adjacent one of the major faces of the connector, first and

second openings formed through the peripheral sidewalls adjacent the opening of the connector;

a male electrical connector having first and second ends, first and second

opposing major faces and peripheral sidewalls therebetween, a battery

positioned within the connector and secured by a removable band, an arcuate

opening formed through the peripheral wall of the second end, along one of the major faces, the opening exposing the battery, the distal end of the second electrical lead interconnected to the first end of the connector and in electrical communication with the band and battery, a channel formed within the first end

and defining a resilient catch with a detent formed thereon, the detent adapted to be selectively received within either the first or second opening of the female

connector to thereby mechanically couple the male and female connectors, with

the detent in the first opening, the battery is placed in electrical communication

with the first lead to complete a circuit and illuminate the ornament, with the

detent in the second opening, the battery is isolated from the first electrical lead

and the circuit is de-energized.

2. A necklace capable of selective illumination comprising: an ornament;

an illumination source interconnected to the ornament and capable of

directing light into the ornament, the illumination source having electrical

contacts for use in powering the illumination source; first and second electrical leads, each in electrical communication with the

contacts of the illumination source, the first and second leads having distal ends; a female electrical connector having an opened second end, and an

internal cavity, the first lead being interconnected to the connector;

a male electrical connector having first and second ends and a spring biased detent, wherein the male and female connectors are adapted to be

releaseably coupled to selectively complete a circuit and wherein a battery is stored within one of the electrical connectors.

3. The necklace as described in claim 2 wherein the battery is interconnected to the male connector, and wherein the distal end of the second electrical lead is interconnected to the first end of the male connector and in electrical communication with the battery, the male and female connectors adapted to be mechanically coupled in one of two orientations, with the first

orientation completing a circuit between the first lead, the contacts of the illumination source, the second lead and the battery to illuminate the ornament,

the second orientation de-energizing the circuit.

4. The necklace as described in Claim 2 wherein the ornament is

translucent and has indicia formed thereon.

5. The necklace as described in Claim 3 wherein the battery positioned

within the male electrical connector is secured by way of a removable band.

6. The necklace as described in Claim 3 wherein the male and female

connectors each include opposing major faces and peripheral sidewalls and

wherein the female connector includes a first tapered end formed about an aperture wherein the aperture is formed adjacent one of the major faces of the connector, and wherein an opening is formed through the peripheral wall of the

second end of the male electrical connector adjacent one of the major faces, the

opening functioning to expose the battery.

7. The necklace as described in Claim 6 wherein the female electrical connector includes first and second openings formed through the peripheral sidewalls adjacent the opening of the connector, and wherein the male connector

includes a resilient catch with a detent formed thereon with the detent adapted

to be selectively received within either the first or second rectangular opening of

the female connector to thereby mechanically couple the male and female connectors, with the detent in the first aperture, the battery is placed in electrical communication with the first lead to complete a circuit and illuminate the ornament, with the detent in the second aperture, the battery is isolated

from the first electrical lead and the circuit is de-energized.

8. A reversible fastener for an electrically powered article of jewelry,

the fastener comprising:

a female connector interconnected to a first electrical lead;

a male connector interconnected to a second electrical lead; the male and female connectors capable of mechanical interconnection to

complete an electrical circuit and wherein one of the connectors houses at least one battery.

9. The fastener as described in claim 8 wherein the first electrical lead

is offset with respect to an axis of the female connector.

10. The fastener as described in claim 9 wherein the battery is

positioned within the male housing and wherein access to the battery is achieved by way of an opening offset with respect to an axis of the male connector.

11. The fastener as described in claim 10 wherein the battery is

removably secured by way of a detachable electrically conductive band.

12. The fastener as described in claim 8 wherein the female connector includes two diametrically opposed elongated openings and wherein the male connector includes a resilient detent which is adapted for selective engagement

in one of the two openings of the female connector, thereby allowing the male and female connectors to be mechanically coupled in one of two axially distinct

orientations.

13. The fastener as described in claim 10 wherein the female connector includes two diametrically opposed elongated openings and wherein the male

connector includes a resilient detent which is adapted for selective engagement

orientations.