US20160095396A1

US20160095396A1 - Charms and Charm Jewelry For Children

Info

Publication number: US20160095396A1
Application number: US14/504,457
Authority: US
Inventors: Bradley D. Pedersen; Kyle Jeffs
Original assignee: Tech 4 Kids Inc
Current assignee: Basic Fun Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-02
Filing date: 2014-10-02
Publication date: 2016-04-07

Abstract

In one or more embodiments of the present invention there is provided a charm and toy system for use with a bracelet or necklace. The system includes a charm having a particular shaped body, a bottom section defined in the body, a stem extending from the bottom section, and a suction cup secured to the stem. The system further includes a charm link configured for attachment onto the bracelet or necklace, and a charm ring having a top portion configured for attachment to the charm link. The charm ring includes an attachment mechanism to removably secure the charm thereto. The attachment mechanism is further configured to position the charm inside the charm ring when secured thereto. As such when the charm is removed from the charm ring the suction cup is configured to allow the charm to be secured onto a surface for playful enjoyment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of jewelry for children, and more specifically to a toy that is capable of attaching to a ring, creating a charm to be worn on a bracelet or necklace.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art includes a wide variety of jewelry toys for children including charms and bracelets. However, there is always a continual need to improve upon the toys to increase the enjoyment. The present invention improves upon the prior art by being able to provide for a toy that is easily converted into a charm that is easily connected to a bracelet or necklace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one or more embodiments of the present invention there is provided a charm and toy system for use with a bracelet or necklace. The system includes a charm having a particular shaped body, a bottom section defined in the body, a stem extending from the bottom section, and a suction cup secured to the stem. The system further includes a charm link configured for attachment onto the bracelet or necklace, and a charm ring having a top portion configured for attachment to the charm link. The charm ring includes an attachment mechanism to removably secure the charm thereto. The attachment mechanism is further configured to position the charm inside the charm ring when secured thereto. As such when the charm is removed from the charm ring the suction cup is configured to allow the charm to be secured onto a surface for playful enjoyment.
The system further has the attachment mechanism defined to include a partial annual clasp having a pair of ends leading towards each other to create a gap there between. The partial annual clasp further includes an inner edge traversing thereon to create an opening towards the center thereof such that the stem of the charm can slide between the pair of ends through the gap and the stem is then engaged by the inner edge of the partial annual clasp with the suction cup fitting below the attachment mechanism.
The system may further define the charm ring to include inwardly extending arms leading into the attachment mechanism, such that outside edges of the suction cup can rest against the inwardly extending arms making the attachment of the charm to the charm ring more aesthetically pleasing and functionally fitting. The system can be further defined to position the attachment mechanism distal to the top portion. In another aspect, the top portion of the charm ring further includes an aperture for receipt of a bead extending from a portion of the charm link such that the bead and aperture form a snap fit engagement to secure the charm ring to the charm link.
The system may further define the attachment mechanism to include a base with an upwardly extending partial annual clasp. The partial annual clasp has a pair of ends leading towards each other to create an gap there between. The partial annual clasp further includes an inner edge traversing there around to create an opening towards the center thereof to easily secure around the stem of the toy such that the suction cup fits below the mechanism and above the base.
Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a charm and charm ring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a close perspective view of the attachment of the charm and charm ring illustrated from section 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the charm ring from FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a close perspective view of the attachment portion from the charm ring illustrated from section 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective assembled view an another embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a close view of the attachment portion of the charm ring illustrated in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated.
A first embodiment of the inventive concept(s) is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. A bracelet or necklace 100 is provided and illustrates the ability to attach various charms. One charm in particular, 120, is also capable of being a toy. The charm 120 has a particular shape, which in this example is a horse, however, the shape may change without deviating from the scope of the invention. The charm 120 includes a bottom section 122 with a stem 127 that extends between the bottom section 125 and a suction cup 125. The suction cup 125 allows the charm to be secured to various toy field embodiments (not shown) without falling or tipping over.
As illustrated, the charm 120 secures to a charm ring 130 that can be attached to the bracelet or necklace. The charm ring 130 includes a top portion 135 proximal to its attachment to the bracelet or necklace 100. The attachment at the top portion 135 may include a snap fit as illustrated. The snap fit may include an opening 140 in the top portion that is configured to receive a ball 145 extending from a portion of a charm link 150. The ball 145 fits through the opening 140 but has a larger diameter than the opening to help prevent it from slipping out. One enjoyable aspect of the ball/opening attachment is that it allows the charm ring 130 to spin when attached to the bracelet or necklace. In addition, the charm link 150 secures onto the bracelet or necklace.
Positioned on the charm ring 130 is a mechanism 155 to secure the toy 120. While the illustrations show the mechanism 155 being distal to the top portion 135, the exact placement of the mechanism may be moved without ruining the scope or spirit of the invention.
The mechanism 155 is preferably a partial annual clasp 160 that has a pair of ends 162 leading towards each other to create an gap 164 there between. In addition, the partial annual clasp 160 include an inner edge 166 traversing thereon to create an opening 168 towards the center thereof. This provides a mechanism 155 that easily secures around the stem 127 of the toy 100. The stem 127 slides between the pair of ends 162 (through the gap 164) and is engaged by the inner edge 166 of the partial annual clasp 160. The suction cup 125 fits below the mechanism 155.
In another aspect of the embodiment, the charm ring 130 includes inwardly extending arms 132 leading into the mechanism 155, such that the outside edges of the suction cup 125 can rest against the inwardly extending arms 132 making the attachment of the charm to the charm ring 130 more aesthetically pleasing and functionally fitting.
In some other aspects the stem may be a plastic to allow the toy to frictionally slide through the gap 164 and engage against the inner edge 166.
In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9, a similar concept is provided in that there is a toy FIG. 300 that is configured both as a toy and as a charm. As a charm, the toy FIG. 300 may be removably attached to a charm ring 200. The charm ring 200 includes an attachment mechanism 205 that is configured to secure around the stem 127 of the toy. The attachment mechanism 205 in this embodiment extends above and inwardly from the charm ring 200. The attachment mechanism 205 includes a base 210 with an upwardly extending partial annual clasp 212 that has a pair of ends 214 leading towards each other to create an gap 216 there between. In addition, the partial annual clasp 212 include an inner edge 218 traversing there around to create an opening 220 towards the center thereof. This provides an attachment mechanism 205 that easily secures around the stem 127 of the toy 300. The stem 127 slides between the pair of ends 214 (through the gap 216) and is engaged by the inner edge 218 of the partial annual clasp 212. The suction cup 125 fits below the mechanism 205 onto the base 210. As noted above, the pair of ends may traverse inwardly at an taper such that the outside edges of the suction cup 125 can rest against the pair of ends making the attachment of the charm to the charm ring 200 more aesthetically pleasing and functionally fitting.
From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it is observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A charm and toy system for use with a bracelet or necklace, the system comprising:

a charm having a particular shaped body, a bottom section defined in the body, a stem extending from the bottom section;

a charm link configured for attachment onto the bracelet or necklace; and

a charm ring having a top portion configured for attachment to the charm link, the charm ring includes an attachment mechanism to removably secure the charm thereto and the attachment mechanism is further configured to position the charm inside the charm ring when secured thereto.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is defined to include a partial annual clasp having a pair of ends leading towards each other to create a gap there between, the partial annual clasp further includes an inner edge traversing thereon to create an opening towards the center thereof such that the stem of the charm can slide between the pair of ends through the gap and is engaged by the inner edge of the partial annual clasp with the suction cup fitting below the attachment mechanism.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the charm ring further includes inwardly extending arms leading into the attachment mechanism, such that outside edges of the suction cup can rest against the inwardly extending arms making the attachment of the charm to the charm ring more aesthetically pleasing and functionally fitting.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the attachment mechanism is positioned about the charm ring at a position distal to the top portion.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the top portion of the charm ring further includes an aperture for receipt of a bead extending from a portion of the charm link such that the bead and aperture form a snap fit engagement to secure the charm ring to the charm link.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism extends inwardly from the charm ring.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a base with an upwardly extending partial annual clasp, the partial annual clasp has a pair of ends leading towards each other to create an gap there between, the partial annual clasp further includes an inner edge traversing there around to create an opening towards the center thereof to easily secure around the stem of the toy such that the suction cup fits below the mechanism and above the base.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the charm further includes a suction cup secured to the stem, such that when the charm is removed from the charm ring the suction cup is configured to allow the charm to be secured onto a surface for playful enjoyment when the charm is removed from the charm ring.

9. A charm and toy system for use with a bracelet or necklace, the system comprising:

a charm having a particular shaped body, a bottom section defined in the body, a stem extending from the bottom section, and a suction cup secured to the stem;

a charm ring having a top portion configured for attachment to the charm link, the charm ring includes an attachment mechanism to removably secure the charm thereto and the attachment mechanism is further configures to position the charm inside the charm ring when secured thereto, and

wherein the attachment mechanism is defined to include a partial annual clasp having a pair of ends leading towards each other to create a gap there between, the partial annual clasp further includes an inner edge traversing thereon to create an opening towards the center thereof such that the stem of the charm can slide between the pair of ends through the gap and is engaged by the inner edge of the partial annual clasp with the suction cup fitting below the attachment mechanism, and

wherein the suction cup is further configured to allow the charm to be secured onto a surface for playful enjoyment when the charm is removed from the charm ring

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the charm ring further includes inwardly extending arms leading into the attachment mechanism, such that outside edges of the suction cup can rest against the inwardly extending arms making the attachment of the charm to the charm ring more aesthetically pleasing and functionally fitting.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the attachment mechanism is positioned about the charm ring at a position distal to the top portion.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a charm link configured to attach the charm ring to the bracelet or necklace, and wherein the top portion of the charm ring further includes an aperture for receipt of a bead extending from a portion of the charm link such that the bead and aperture form a snap fit engagement to secure the charm ring to the charm link.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the attachment mechanism extends inwardly from the charm ring.

14. A charm and toy system for use with a bracelet or necklace, the system comprising:

a charm ring having a top portion configured for attachment to the charm link, the charm ring includes an attachment mechanism to removably secure the charm thereto and the attachment mechanism is further configures to position the charm inside the charm ring when secured thereto; and

wherein the attachment mechanism includes a base with an upwardly extending partial annual clasp, the partial annual clasp has a pair of ends leading towards each other to create an gap there between, the partial annual clasp further includes an inner edge traversing there around to create an opening towards the center thereof to easily secure around the stem of the toy.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the attachment mechanism is positioned about the charm ring at a position distal to the top portion.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a charm link configured to attach the charm ring to the bracelet or necklace, and wherein the top portion of the charm ring further includes an aperture for receipt of a bead extending from a portion of the charm link such that the bead and aperture form a snap fit engagement to secure the charm ring to the charm link.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the charm further includes a suction cup secured to the stem below the mechanism and above the base, such that when the charm is removed from the charm ring the suction cup is configured to allow the charm to be secured onto a surface for playful enjoyment when the charm is removed from the charm ring.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the charm ring further includes inwardly extending arms leading into the attachment mechanism, such that outside edges of the suction cup can rest against the inwardly extending arms making the attachment of the charm to the charm ring more aesthetically pleasing and functionally fitting.