US20060037358A1

US20060037358A1 - Charm holder

Info

Publication number: US20060037358A1
Application number: US10/920,979
Authority: US
Inventors: Maureen Zuffoletto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-18
Filing date: 2004-08-18
Publication date: 2006-02-23

Abstract

An ornamental charm device includes a filament shaped into a spiral, or helix, having a plurality of loops or coils. The spiral, or helix, includes an open end for enabling the filament to be threaded onto a garment strap or thong and the loops are spaced apart from one another for enabling suspension of charms therefrom in a spaced apart relationship.

Description

The present invention is generally directed to ornamental jewelry and is more particularly directed to an ornamental charm device for attachment to a user's clothing.
Many jewelry articles are placed for adornment through the use of clasps, or pins, or the like. Still other jewelry is adapted for fitting around a body part such as a wrist, or an ankle, or neck.
While suitable for many uses, pins and clasps and the like are not particularly suitable for the adornment of narrow straps, thongs, or belts, and the like.
The present invention is directed to an ornamental charm device which is suitable for easy attachment to and removal from strap or string material, for example, straps, or strings, of a bikini.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ornamental charm device in accordance with the present invention generally includes a filament shaped into a spiral having a plurality of loops with the spiral having open ends for enabling the filament to be threaded onto a garment strap. The loops are spaced apart for enabling suspension of charms therefrom.
In combination, the present invention further may include charms in combination with the filament. More particularly, end loops may be provided and interconnected with the loops with each end loop including a filament end disposed in a closed spaced apart relationship with the end loop for restricting movement of charms therepast. Preferably, the spacing is such that the charms may be added or taken off of the filament, but the end prevents inadvertent dropping of charms from the filament.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sub-loops may be provided, each subtending a corresponding loop and having a constriction therein before preventing inadvertent passage of charms therepast. This embodiment may be preferable when the filament is threaded onto a relatively vertical strap, such as a shoulder strap of a bra, thus enabling spaced apart dangling of charms therefrom.
In accordance with the present invention, the loops may be oval, circular, rectangular, or square, and be either equal or unequal in size.
The present invention may be otherwise described as a plurality of canted coils interconnected to form a three-dimensional curve.
Open-end coils may be provided and interconnected with the canted coils for enabling the canted coils to be threaded onto a garment strap, or string, or thong, and the coils are spaced apart for enabling suspension of charms therefrom in a spaced apart manner.
More particularly, the three-dimensional curve may be a helix.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention which includes a plurality of loops or canted coils formed from a filament having opened-end coils and a plurality of charms suspended therefrom as it may be installed on a relatively horizontal strap or thong;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention as it may be worn in various positions by a bikini wearer;
FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the various loop or coil configurations considered part of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention further including a plurality of sub-loops, or coils, for suspending charms in a relatively spaced apart configuration illustrating installation of the helical coils along a general vertical axis which can represent a bra strap or the like;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an ornamental charm device 10 in accordance with the present invention generally including a filament 12 shaped into a spiral, or helix, and having a plurality of spaced apart loops, or canted coils, 16 which can support a plurality of various charms 20, 22, 24, 26 in a spaced apart relationship, particularly when the coil 16 are threaded around a relatively horizontal strap represented by the centerline 30. Representative placement of the device 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2.
End loops, or coils, 30, 32 are interconnected with the loops 16 are provided for enabling a thread installation of the charm device 10 onto the strap 28.
In addition, the end loops 30, 32 include filament ends 36, 38 which are curved into a close spaced apart relationship with the end loops 30, 32 for restricting movement of the charm rings 42, 44, 46, 48 therepast. That is, the spaced apart relationship requires a manual force to pass the rings 42, 44, 46, 48 therepast, thus preventing inadvertent dropping of the charms 20, 22, 24, 26 from the loops, or coils, 16 and end coils 30, 32.
While shown in FIG. 1 as having generally equal shape, each of the coils 16 may be of different size or diameter and still be within the scope of the present invention.
It should be appreciated that the filament 12 and the coil 16 may be formed from any suitable material, however, a precious metal is preferred for decorative purposes.
In addition, coils of various cross section may be utilized. As shown in FIGS. 3-6 in coils 50, 52, 54, 56 have a circular, oval, or rectangular end square shape respectively.
With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown yet another embodiment of a charm device 60 in accordance with the present invention generally including a plurality of loops 62 formed from a filament in a spaced apart relationship and further including a plurality of sub-loops, or sub-coils, 64 subtending corresponding loops 62 for the suspension of charms 66, 68, 70, 72 therefrom in a spaced apart manner particularly when the coils 60 are threaded onto a relatively vertical thong or strap 76, see, for example, FIG. 2.
This embodiment is particularly effective in suspending the charms 66, 68, 70, 72 in a spaced apart relationship when the orientation of the charm holder 60, centerlines 76, or strap, is disposed and then generally vertical orientation.
Constrictions 76 between the sub-loops 64 and loops 60 may be provided for restricting movement of charm rings 78, 80, 82, 84 therepast, thus preventing inadvertent movement or loss of the charms 66, 68, 70, 72 from the device 60.
In addition, end loops 86, 88 may be provided with filament ends 90, 92 in a spaced apart relationship for again preventing loss of the charms from the charm holder 60.
Although there has been hereinabove described a specific charm holder in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ornamental charm device comprising:

a filament shaped into a spiral having a plurality of loops, said spiral having open ends for enabling the filament to be threaded onto a garment strap, said loops being spaced apart enabling the suspension of charms therefrom in a spaced apart relationship.

2. The charm device according to claim 1 further comprises at least one charm for suspension from said loop.

3. The charm device according to claim 1 further comprising end loops interconnected with said loops, said end loops each including a filament end disposed in a close spaced apart relationship for restricting movement of charms therepast.

4. The charm device according to claim 1 further comprises a plurality of sub-loops each sub-loops subtending a corresponding loop and having a constriction therein for restricting movement of charms therepast.

5. The charm device according to claim 4 wherein said sub-loop extends radially outward from a centerline of said spiral.

6. The charm device according to claim 1 wherein said loops are oval.

7. The charm device according to claim 1 wherein said loops are circular.

8. The charm device according to claim 1 wherein said loops are rectangular.

9. The charm device according to claim 1 wherein said loops are square.

10. The charm device according to claim 1 wherein said loops are equal in size.

11. An ornamental charm device comprising:

a plurality of canted coils interconnected to form a three-dimensional curve;

open-end coils interconnected to said canted coils for enabling the canted coils to be threaded onto a garment strap, said coils being spaced apart for enabling the suspension of charms therefrom.

12. The charm device according to claim 11 wherein said three-dimensional curve is a helix.

13. The charm device according to claim 11 further comprises at least one charm for suspending from one of the plurality of canted coils.

14. The charm device according to claim 11 wherein said end coil are each included on end disposed in a close spaced relationship with a portion of a corresponding end coil for restricting movement of charms.

15. The charm device according to claim 11 wherein the coils are oval.

16. The charm device according to claim 11 wherein the coils are round.

17. The charm device according to claim 11 wherein the coils are rectangular.

18. The charm device according to claim 11 wherein the coils are square.

19. The charm device according to claim 11 wherein the coils are equal in size.