Charm Anchor

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO ANY RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present application comprises a continuation application of U.S. Design Application No. 29/876,466 filed on May 23, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that secures a charm to a ball or link chain such as a necklace or bracelet. Specifically, the invention relates to a component of jewelry that allows the wearer to change and choose the location of a charm on a chain. The use of the jewelry bail prevents the accumulation of charms on a chain allowing the wearer to display the charms clearly for a viewer to appreciate the beauty of each one.

The current commercially available jewelry bails are found in many configurations, such as round, oval, or triangular shapes, which are utilized to attach charms to a chain. Avid wearers of jewelry with chains such as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets often don charms for ornamental purposes. When the wearer desires to display one or more charms on a chain, gravity tends to pull the charms together resulting in a mass of ornamentation on one location of the chain. Therefore, the ornaments are not displayed separately and clearly. Moreover, the collection of charms can create tangles between the charms and the chain and between the charms on the chain.

Furthermore, the chain can migrate to undesired positions on the wearer. While other jewelry bails on the market prevent decorative chains from migrating around the wearer's neck, the present invention's novel shape successfully keeps the chain in the wearer's desired position. The present invention is utilized to prevent the migration of charms on a chain and to prevent the migration of the chain allowing the wearer to customize their jewelry.

Prior art US 2020/0000187A (Kimoto '187), titled “Ornament Components and Ornaments”, describes an ornament that enables a “string-like” member with a clasp to be worn without movement of the clasp around the wearer's neck. Furthermore, '187 is also described to “provide such an ornament”. Use of patent '187 is limited to a necklace, as insinuated by the mention of the “wearer's neck. The present invention's utility is not limited to a “string-like member” and may be used with any ball or link-styled chain. Additionally, the present invention's utility is not limited to the wearer's neck, as specified in the '187 patent. Here, the invention's utility can be applied to ball and link chains that may be donned on the neck, wrist, ankle, or ear (with an earring).

Moreover, patent '187 is utilized to be worn on a “string-like” member to hang from the “recessed portion” to allow the chain to fall into. The recessed portion is designed to keep the charm from shifting along the chain, but the size of the recessed portion in the '187 patent is wide and shallow. With a wide and shallow recessed portion, a chain, potentially, may lose contact with the wearer's movements. In contrast, the present invention's recessed portion has a pronounced rounded top followed by an elongated narrower portion. The configuration of the present invention allows for a chain to not only sit in the recessed portion with greater specificity, but the elongated portion allows for a decreased chance that the chain would dislodge from the recessed portion due to the movement of the wearer.

Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,275 (Towne '275) is a “Spring Bail” that functions to hold a chain stationary to prevent the clasp from moving about the wearer's neck. Patent '275 is a jewelry bail that requires the utilization of a spring to keep the bail in place along a chain. In the present invention, a spring device is not necessary to keep the charms from moving along a chain.

The Delano Patent U.S. Pat. No. 11,317,684 (Delano '684) is described as a “Necklace having integrated pendant anchor”. Patent '684 is a necklace with a divot that cannot be removed from the necklace. The divot comes in a variety of configurations to accommodate charms of different shapes. The links of the necklace are therefore interrupted by the divot because the necklace is attached to the opposing ends. In the present invention, the jewelry bail does not require a permanent attachment to a chain to be utilized. The bail can be affixed to the chain in more than one location of the chain, wherever the wearer desires.

Patent U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,900 (Beghetto '900) describes a “Means for securing a pendant to a chain, including means for blocking release thereof”. Patent '900 requires the use of a loop to thread a chain through and a clamping mechanism to keep the device from migrating along the chain when worn. The present patent does require the wearer to utilize a clamping mechanism to affix the jewelry bail on the desired location of a chain.

Patent U.S. Pat. No. 10,357,085B2 (Heller '085) is a “Jewelry enhancer” with a jewelry bail that allows the wearer to string multiple chains together, pin onto the wearer's clothing, and cover buttons. The jewelry bail in the '085 patent is specifically configured and used to attach the jewelry enhancer to a chain. Patent '085's large size only allows the wearer to use one jewelry enhancer per chain. The present invention allows the wearer to use multiple jewelry bails on the same chain to display more than one charm at once. Furthermore, contrary to '085, the present invention can be used to display different types of charms.

One objective of the present invention prevents the migration of the charm from moving away from the desired positioning around the wearer's neck. Moreover, the invention allows the wearer to display charms on specific locations of a chain without the influence of gravity causing the charms to collect on the center or lowermost position of the chain. The invention also functions to allow the wearer to customize their jewelry by changing the location of the charms on a chain. The invention can be used for the customization of necklaces, anklets, bracelets, or any decorative jewelry with a chain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The anti-slip jewelry bail of the present invention is utilized to prevent the movement of a charm on a chain. For example, during use, charms tend to fall to the lowest point on the necklace. The user may desire to position the charm at a specific point along the necklace other than the lowest point. Additionally, the anti-slip jewelry bail also keeps the clasp centered behind the wearer's neck. When the wearer desires to display charms along the chain, the weight and the gravitational pull of the charm on the anti-slip jewelry bail prevents the locking mechanism of the chain from migrating to the front of the wearer. The fact that the anti-slip jewelry bail keeps the chain's locking mechanism from migrating to the front of the wearer is essential because the locking-mechanism is not for the purpose of display, but for the sole purpose of functioning to lock the ends of the chains together.

In one example embodiment, the anti-slip jewelry bail includes the ornament portion, elongated portion, latching portion, and ball chain. In another example embodiment, the anti-slip jewelry bail includes the ornament portion, elongated portion, latching portion, and link chain. Both embodiments are utilized in the same manner, but each embodiment is configured for different types of chains.

The first example embodiment is utilized by threading a ball chain through the ornamental portion of the jewelry bail. The ball chain is passed through by lifting the region between the balls on the ball chain inside the elongated portion of the opening within the jewelry bail. Once the region between the balls on the ball chain reaches the latching portion of the jewelry bail, the ball is pushed into the latching portion and locked in place. While the ball is locked into the latching portion of the ball chain, the rest of the jewelry bail hangs from the chain. A charm can be attached to the ornament portion, which is the part of the jewelry bail furthest from the chain.

When the second example embodiment is in use, a link chain is threaded through the ornament portion of the jewelry bail. Most linked chains comprise links that are attached in alternating horizontal and vertical positions. A vertical link of the chain is lifted through the elongated portion of the jewelry bail. When the vertical chain link reaches the latching portion, the vertical link is rotated to a horizontal position as the latching portion is adapted to horizontally positioned chain links. Once the vertical link is turned to a horizontal position, the jewelry bail is locked in position between the junctions where the vertically positioned links on either side of the horizontal link are joined. The ornament portion of the jewelry bail is used to attach a charm.

In a third embodiment, the jewelry bail prevents the chain, usually a necklace, from moving around the wearer's neck. The third embodiment is especially essential because the clasp of the necklace that connects the two ends of the chain

is normally worn at the back of the wearer's neck. Movement of the clasp from the back of the wearer's neck to the front is a common issue that the necklace wearer experiences. The clasp is not a portion of the necklace that wearers desire to display. The weight of the hanging jewelry bail prevents the movement of the chain preventing the clasp from moving from the wearer's desired position.

The jewelry bail can be removed from a location on a chain and relocated to another region of the wearer's choosing on the same chain. To move the jewelry bail to another location on the chain in the first example embodiment, the ball, on the ball chain would be pushed out of the latching portion. The anti-slip jewelry bail, hanging in the region between the balls of the ball chain, would be lifted to allow the region between the balls to pass through the elongated portion. The wearer would slide the jewelry bail across the chain so the chain passes through the ornament portion until the wearer chooses a place to affix the bail.

In the second example embodiment, the wearer can remove the jewelry bail by lifting the horizontal link until the link touches the top of the latching portion. The wearer would slide the jewelry bail toward the neighboring vertically positioned link to allow the link to slide in between the elongated portion towards the ornament portion. The wearer can relocate the jewelry bail by allowing the chain to pass through the ornament portion along the chain to the next desired location.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball chain necklace using the anti-slip jewelry bail of the present invention in the locked position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1 in the moveable position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the lower right of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the lower left of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the upper left of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the upper right of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1

FIG. 9 is a right-side view of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1

FIG. 10 is a left-side view of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the anti-slip jewelry bail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a link chain necklace using an alternative embodiment of the anti-slip jewelry bail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The anti-slip jewelry bail 100 of the present application is used to prevent the migration of a charm attached to a chain from moving around a wearer's neck during use. The anti-slip jewelry bail 100 is also used to affix charms on a chain to prevent the charms from gathering in one location on the chain. Referring to FIG. 1, the first embodiment of the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 secures a charm 102 to a ball chain necklace 104. The ball chain 104 includes a series of spheres 106 that are individually connected by a chain portion 108. FIG. 13 illustrates a second embodiment of the anti-slip jewelry bail 200 securing a charm to a link chain necklace 204.

During use, the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 moves between a locked position (See FIG. 1) and a moveable position (See FIG. 2) on the ball chain necklace 104. In the locked position, a locking portion 112 rests on the chain portion 108 of the necklace 104 after the chain portion 108 has been passed through an elongated portion 110 of the bail 100. The locking bail 100 is secured between two adjacent spheres 106 of the ball chain necklace 104 because the elongated portion 110 prevents movement of the jewelry bail 100 along the length of the chain 104.

In the moveable position, the chain portion 108 of the necklace 104 is threaded through the elongated portion 110 of the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 and moved into an ornament portion 114 of the jewelry bail 100, and the jewelry bail 100 can move freely along the necklace.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of the anti-slip jewelry bail 100. The cavity 124 extends between a front, first surface 116 and a rear, second surface 118 of a bail body 126 and defines the latching portion 112 and the ornament portion 114 connected by an elongated portion 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching portion 112 is smaller in diameter than the ornament portion 114.

The ornament portion 114 is configured to receives the charm 102. The first and second surfaces 116, 118 face outwardly, transverse to a surface facing away from the wearer. (See FIG. 1). The ball chain 104 is threaded through the ornament portion 114. The chain portion 108 between the spheres 106 slides within the cavity 124 between the elongated portion 110 of the ball chain 104, as shown in FIG. 2. A sphere 106 or link 120 of a chain sits in the latching portion 112 which allows the wearer to hang the jewelry bail 100 from the chain portion 108 without the bail 100 migrating along the chain 108. Referring to the second embodiment of FIG. 13, a vertically positioned link 220 of a link chain necklace 222 extends through the cavity 224 of the elongated portion 210 to the latching portion 212.

Similar to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 depicts a lower perspective view of a first embodiment of the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 of the present application. Here, the cavity 124 extends between a first surface 116, and a second surface 118 of the bail body 126. The latching portion 112 is sized to receive a sphere 106 of a ball chain 104. The ornament portion 114 is used to affix charms 102.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view from the upper left of an anti-slip jewelry bail 100. The second surface 118 of the bail body 126 includes a latching portion 112, an elongated portion 110, and an ornament portion 114. A cavity 124 extends between the second surface 118 and the first surface 116. The latching portion 112 is configured to a sphere 106 of a ball chain 104. The sphere 106 is pushed through the latching portion 112. The latching portion 112 hangs from the chain portion 108. The ornament portion 114 is used to affix charms 102.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the upper right of the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 of FIG. 1. The anti-slip jewelry bail 100 is depicted with a first surface 116 including a latching portion 112, an elongated portion 110, and an ornamental portion 114. Here, the cavity 124 extends between a first surface 116 and a second surface 118.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevational view of the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 of FIG. 1. The jewelry bail 100 includes a latching portion 112, an elongated portion 110, an ornament portion 114, and a first surface 116. The cavity 124 extends between a first surface 116 and a second surface 118.

Depicted in FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of an anti-slip jewelry bail 100 of FIG. 1. Here, the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 includes a latching portion 112, an elongated portion 110, an ornament portion 114, and a second surface. The cavity 124 extends between a first surface 116 and a second surface 118.

FIG. 9 illustrates the right-side view of the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 of FIG. 1. The anti-slip jewelry bail 100 depicts a latching portion 112 and an ornament portion 114. A latching portion 112 is configured for a ball chain 104 or link chain 122. An ornament portion 114 is adapted for charms 102.

Illustrated in FIG. 10 is an anti-slip jewelry bail 100 depicted in a left-side view. The anti-slip jewelry bail 100 includes a latching portion 112 and an ornament portion 114.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an anti-slip jewelry bail 100 (See FIG. 1). Depicted are a latching portion 112 and an ornament portion 114. A latching portion 112 is configured for a ball chain 104 or link chain 122. An ornament portion 114 is configured for a charm 102.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the anti-slip jewelry bail 100 of FIG. 1. Depicted is an ornament portion 114 configured for a charm 102.

FIG. 13 depicts an alternative embodiment of the anti-slip jewelry bail 200 on a link-chain necklace 222 that includes links in alternating vertical and horizontal orientations. In the moveable position, the link chain 222 of the necklace 220 is passed through the ornament portion 214 of the anti-slip jewelry bail 200, enabling the jewelry bail 200 and the charm 102 connected thereto to move along the length of the necklace 220.

In FIG. 13, a vertically-oriented link 220 of the link chain 222 is slid through the elongated portion 210 of the cavity 224 towards the latching portion 212. When the vertically-positioned link 220 reaches the latching portion 212, the necklace 222 is manipulated such that the vertical link 220 is rotated in a horizontal position or the jewelry bail 222 is slid over to the adjacent horizontally-oriented link 220, so that a horizontally-positioned link 220 is positioned within latching portion 212.

During use, several anti-slip jewelry bails 100 and charms 102 may be attached to the link chain necklace 220. Though gravity pulls on the jewelry bails 100 affixed to the link chain 122 necklace worn around the wearer's neck, the locking mechanism between the horizontally positioned link 120 and the latching portion 112 prevents the jewelry bail 100 from migrating to multiple positions on the link chain 122 necklace. Moreover, the charms 102 are affixed to the ornamental portion 114 which allows the charms 102 to hang away from the necklace to be displayed.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different embodiments. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.