US20220330668A1

US20220330668A1 - Charms, jewelry items with charms, and methods of manufacture and use thereof

Info

Publication number: US20220330668A1
Application number: US17/230,905
Authority: US
Inventors: Maria Tashjian
Original assignee: Venus by Maria Tash Inc
Current assignee: Venus by Maria Tash Inc
Priority date: 2021-04-14
Filing date: 2021-04-14
Publication date: 2022-10-20
Also published as: WO2022221588A1

Abstract

Generally, this disclosure enables various charms, jewelry items with charms, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. For example, some of these charms can be detachably attached (e.g., secured, clasped, connected, fastened, mated, interlocked, magnetized, latched, grasped, hook-and-looped) to a jewelry item (e.g., an earring, a navel piece) being worn on a body part (e.g., an ear, a navel) of a wearer (e.g., a person, a showcase head, a mannequin), without taking off the jewelry item from the body part. Therefore, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance quickly and easily, without taking off the jewelry item from the body part. For example, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance for (a) different occasions (e.g., a professional conference and a birthday party) or (b) matching with different items of clothing, without taking off the jewelry item from the body part.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to charms, jewelry items with charms, and methods of manufacture and use thereof.

BACKGROUND

A person often desires to wear different pairs of earrings for different occasions. For example, the person may wear a first pair of earrings with a first aesthetic appearance to a first event (e.g., a professional conference) and a second pair of earrings with a second aesthetic appearance, different from the first aesthetic appearance, to a second event (e.g., a personal party). However, such desire may be difficult to attain, especially without taking off the first pair of earrings. For example, the person may have nowhere to carry another pair of earrings, the person may have forgotten the second pair of earrings at home, the person may have lost or broke the second pair of earrings before the second event, the person may not want to remove the first pair of earrings to insert the second pair of earrings, the person may not be able to afford the second pair of earrings, or other reasons.

SUMMARY

Generally, this disclosure enables various charms, jewelry items with charms, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. For example, some of these charms can be detachably attached (e.g., secured, clasped, connected, fastened, mated, interlocked, magnetized, latched, grasped, hook-and-looped) to an earring (e.g., with a post, a clip-on) being worn on an ear (e.g., a lobe region, a conch region, a helix region) of a wearer (e.g., a person, a showcase head, a mannequin), without taking off the earring from the ear. Therefore, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance quickly and easily, without taking off the earring from the ear. For example, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance for (a) different occasions (e.g., a professional conference and a birthday party) or (b) matching with different items of clothing, without taking off the earring from the ear. Note that this disclosure is not limited to earrings and ears. As such, this disclosure can be applied to other jewelry items worn by the wearer in other regions of the wearer. For example, some of these charms can be detachably attached (e.g., secured, clasped, connected, fastened, mated, interlocked, magnetized, latched, grasped, hook-and-looped) to a jewelry item (e.g., a ring, a bar, a chain) being worn on a navel of the wearer, without taking off the jewelry item from the navel. Therefore, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance quickly and easily, without taking off the jewelry item from the navel. For example, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance for (a) different occasions (e.g., a birthday party and a beach party) or (b) matching with different items of clothing, without taking off the jewelry item from the navel.
In an embodiment, a method comprises: causing a clasp of a charm to be switched from a closed state to an open state while (a) a post of an earring extends between a frontal piece of the earring and a backing of the earring, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing; causing the post to extend through the clasp while the clasp is in the open state such that the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing; and causing the clasp to be switched from the open state to the closed state while (a) the post extends through the clasp and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing such that the backing prevents the clasp in the closed state from sliding off the post away from the obverse side and thereby detachably attaching the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, a method comprises: switching a clasp of a charm from a closed state to an open state while (a) a post of an earring extends between a frontal piece of the earring and a backing of the earring, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing; extending the post through the clasp while the clasp is in the open state such that the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing; and switching the clasp from the open state to the closed state while (a) the post extends through the clasp and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing such that the backing prevents the clasp in the closed state from sliding off the post away from the obverse side and thereby detachably attaching the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, a kit comprises: an earring including a front piece, a post, and a backing; and a charm including a clasp configured to: switch from a closed state to an open state while (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing; receive the post such that (a) the post extends through the clasp while the clasp is in the open state and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing; and switch from the open state to the closed state while (a) the post extends through the clasp and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing such that the backing prevents the clasp in the closed state from sliding off the post away from the obverse side and thereby detachably attaching the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, there is a device for use with an earring including a front piece, a post, and a backing while the earring is worn on an ear having a front side and an obverse side such that (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between the front side and the obverse side, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing. The device comprises: a charm including a clasp configured to: switch from a closed state to an open state while (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing; receive the post such that (a) the post extends through the clasp while the clasp is in the open state and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing; and switch from the open state to the closed state while (a) the post extends through the clasp and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing such that the backing prevents the clasp in the closed state from sliding off the post away from the obverse side and thereby detachably attaching the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, a kit comprises: an earring including a front piece, a post, and a backing; and a charm including a connector configured to: detachably attach to at least one of (a) the backing or (b) the post while (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing and thereby detachably attach the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, there is a device for use with an earring including a front piece, a post, and a backing while the earring is worn on an ear having a front side and an obverse side such that (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between the front side and the obverse side, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing. The device comprises: a charm including a connector configured to: detachably attach to at least one of (a) the backing or (b) the post while (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing and thereby detachably attach the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, a method comprises: causing an earring including a front piece, a post, and a backing to be worn on an ear having a front side and an obverse side such that (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between the front side and the obverse side, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing; and detachably attaching a connector of a charm to at least one of (a) the backing or (b) the post while (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing and thereby detachably attach the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, a device comprises: an earring including a frontal piece, a post, and a backing; and a charm including a clasp configured to: switch from a closed state to an open state while (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing; receive the post such that (a) the post extends through the clasp while the clasp is in the open state and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing; and switch from the open state to the closed state while (a) the post extends through the clasp and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the backing such that the backing prevents the clasp in the closed state from sliding off the post away from the obverse side and thereby detachably attaching the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, a device comprises: an earring including a frontal piece, a post, and a backing; and a charm including a connector configured to: detachably attach to at least one of (a) the backing or (b) the post while (a) the post extends between the frontal piece and the backing, (b) the post extends between a front side of an ear and an obverse side of the ear, and (c) the ear extends between the frontal piece and the backing and thereby detachably attach the charm to the earring.
In an embodiment, a method comprises: causing a charm to be detachably attached to an earring worn on an ear of a wearer without taking off the earring from the ear; and causing the charm to be attachably detached from the earing worn on the ear without taking off the earring from the ear.
In an embodiment, a device comprising: an earring configured to be worn on an ear of a wearer and hosting a charm detachably attached thereto such that the charm can be attachably detached therefrom without taking off the earring from the ear.
In an embodiment, a kit comprising: an earring configured to be worn on an ear of a wearer; and a charm configured to be detachably attached to the earring without taking off the earring from the ear such that the charm can be attachably detached from the earring without taking off the earring from the ear.
In an embodiment, a method comprising: causing a charm to be detachably attached to a jewelry item worn on a body of a wearer without taking off the jewelry item from the body; and causing the charm to be attachably detached from the jewelry item worn on the body without taking off the jewelry item from the body.
In an embodiment, a device comprising: a jewelry item configured to be worn on a body of a wearer and hosting a charm detachably attached thereto such that the charm can be attachably detached therefrom without taking off the jewelry item from the body.
In an embodiment, a kit comprising: a jewelry item configured to be worn on a body of a wearer; and a charm configured to be detachably attached to the jewelry item without taking off the jewelry item from the body such that the charm can be attachably detached from the jewelry item without taking off the jewelry item from the body.
In an embodiment, a method comprises: detachably attaching a charm to a jewelry item worn on a body of a wearer without taking off the jewelry item from the body; and attachably detaching the charm from the jewelry item worn on the body without taking off the jewelry item from the body.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing an embodiment of a charm on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing a set of embodiments of a set of charms on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing an embodiment of a charm on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an obverse side of an ear of a wearer through which a post of an earring extends and hosts a clasp of a charm thereon according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an obverse side of an ear of a wearer through which a post of an earring extends and hosts a clasp of a charm thereon according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing a set of charms on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing a set of charms on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a charm in a closed state according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a charm in an open state according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a charm in a closed state according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a charm in an open state according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a charm including a body with a clasp having an arm that pivots between a closed state and an open state and vice versa according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 13 to FIG. 19 illustrate an embodiment of a method of detachably attaching a charm to an earring according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a charm detachably attached to an earring according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of a charm detachably attached to an earring according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of a set of decorative portions of a charm according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of a set of decorative portions of a charm according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of a set of decorative portions of a charm according to various principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of a set of decorative portions of a charm according to various principles of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, this disclosure enables various charms, jewelry items with charms, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. For example, some of these charms can be detachably attached (e.g., secured, clasped, connected, fastened, mated, interlocked, magnetized, latched, grasped, hook-and-looped) to an earring (e.g., with a post, a clip-on) being worn on an ear (e.g., a lobe region, a conch region, a helix region) of a wearer (e.g., a person, a showcase head, a mannequin), without taking off the earring from the ear. Therefore, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance quickly and easily, without taking off or removing the earring from the ear. For example, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance for (a) different occasions (e.g., a professional conference and a birthday party) or (b) matching with different items of clothing, without taking off the earring from the ear. Note that this disclosure is not limited to earrings and ears. As such, this disclosure can be applied to other jewelry items worn by the wearer in other regions of the wearer. For example, some of these charms can be detachably attached (e.g., secured, clasped, connected, fastened, mated, interlocked, magnetized, latched, grasped, hook-and-looped) to a jewelry item (e.g., a ring, a bar, a chain) being worn on a navel of the wearer, without taking off the jewelry item from the navel. Therefore, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance quickly and easily, without taking off the jewelry item from the navel. For example, the wearer may change its aesthetic appearance for (a) different occasions (e.g., a birthday party and a beach party) or (b) matching with different items of clothing, without taking off the jewelry item from the navel. However, note that this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to various embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys various concepts of this disclosure to skilled artisans.
Various terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction. For example, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected,” or “coupled” to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected, or coupled to another element or intervening elements can be present, including indirect or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, then there are no intervening elements present.
As used herein, various singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include various plural forms (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, tens, hundreds, thousands) as well, unless specific context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, various presence verbs “comprises,” “includes” or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.
As used herein, a term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of a set of natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
As used herein, a term “or others,” “combination”, “combinatory,” or “combinations thereof” refers to all permutations and combinations of listed items preceding that term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. Skilled artisans understand that typically there is no limit on number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.
As used herein, unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in an art to which this disclosure belongs. Various terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with a meaning in a context of a relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
As used herein, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” can be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to an orientation depicted in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. For example, if a device in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings were turned over, then various elements described as being on a “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of other elements. Similarly, if a device in one of illustrative figures were turned over, then various elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” other elements. Therefore, various example terms “below” and “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.
As used herein, a term “about” or “substantially” refers to a +/−10% variation from a nominal value/term. Such variation is always included in any given value/term provided herein, whether or not such variation is specifically referred thereto.
Features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in or with various some embodiments in any permutational or combinatory manner. Different aspects or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, may be combined in a similar manner.
Although various terms first, second, third, and so forth can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from various teachings of this disclosure.
Features described with respect to certain example embodiments can be combined and sub-combined in or with various other example embodiments. Also, different aspects or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, can be combined and sub-combined in a similar manner as well. Further, some example embodiments, whether individually or collectively, can be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures can take precedence over or otherwise modify their application. Additionally, a number of steps can be required before, after, or concurrently with example embodiments, as disclosed herein. Note that any or all methods or processes, at least as disclosed herein, can be at least partially performed via at least one entity in any manner.
Example embodiments of this disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of this disclosure. As such, variations from various illustrated shapes as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, various example embodiments of this disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to various particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Any or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, or be separately manufactured or connected, such as being an assembly or modules. Any or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography, and so forth.
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a charm in a closed state according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a charm in an open state according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a charm in a closed state according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a charm in an open state according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a charm including a body with a clasp having an arm that pivots between a closed state and an open state and vice versa according to various principles of this disclosure. In particular, a charm 100 includes a body 102, a stationary portion 104, a first arm 106, a handle 108, a channel 110, a set of second arms 112, a first decorative piece 114, a set of rings 116, and a second decorative piece 118. The body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106 collectively form a clasp (e.g., a ring clasp, a lobster clasp) configured to detachably attach and attachably detach to an earring (or another suitable jewelry item), without taking off the earring (or another suitable jewelry item) from an ear (or another region) of a wearer, as disclosed herein. However, note that the clasp can be formed differently. For example, the clasp can be embodied as a bolo clasp, a barrel clasp, a box clasp, a hook clasp, a magnetic clasp, a toggle clasp, or other suitable clasps. As such, any mention of a clasp in this disclosure includes any suitable clasps (or other suitable connectors).
The body 102 is monolithic, but can be an assembly (e.g., fastening, mating, adhering). The body 102 includes a metal (e.g., gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium) or an alloy (e.g., stainless steel, brass), but can include other suitable materials (e.g., plastic, rubber).
The stationary portion 104 cantileveredly extends from the body 102 in an open shape (e.g., C-shape, U-shape, J-shape). The stationary portion 104 is monolithic with the body 102, but can be assembled therewith (e.g., fastening, mating, adhering). The stationary portion 104 includes a metal (e.g., gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium) or an alloy (e.g., stainless steel, brass), but can include other suitable materials (e.g., plastic, rubber).
The first arm 106 hosts the handle 108 cantileveredly extending therefrom. The first arm 106 is monolithic with the handle 108, but can be assembled therewith (e.g., fastening, mating, adhering). Each of the first arm 106 or the handle 108 includes a metal (e.g., gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium) or an alloy (e.g., stainless steel, brass), but can include other suitable materials (e.g., plastic, rubber).
The first arm 106 is pivotally attached (e.g., via a pin, a hinge, a bracket) to the stationary portion 104 such that the first arm 106 can pivot (or rotate, spin, swing, or otherwise move) between a first position (e.g., a closed state) and a second position (e.g., an open state), as shown in FIG. 12. For example, the first arm 106 can pivot between the first position and the second position, as being urged via the handle 108, whether via pushing or pulling thereof. When the first arm 106 is positioned in the first position, the first arm 106 contacts the body 102 and causes the channel 110 to be closed (e.g., the closed state). When the first arm 106 is positioned in the second position, the first arm 106 avoids contacting the body 102 and causes the channel 110 to be open (e.g., the open state). Note that this configuration can be reversed where the first arm 106 is stationary and the stationary portion 104 (and the body 102) pivots relative to the first arm 106, as disclosed herein.
As shown in FIG. 12, the first arm 106 can pivot between the first position and the second position in a range of motion 120 which can be varied, as needed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the range of motion 120 is between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees. However, the range of motion 120 can vary. For example, the range of motion 120 can be between about 0 degrees and about 180 degrees, or other suitable ranges of motion.
The first arm 106 is configured to avoid freely swinging. This can be accomplished in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the first arm 106 and the body 102 can mate with each other. In particular, the first arm 106 has a first mating (e.g., a female) interface 122 and the body 102 has a second mating (e.g., a male) interface 124. As such, the second mating interface 124 operates as a catch or a detent, thereby enabling the first arm 106 to securely mate with the body 102 via the first mating interface 122 and the second mating interface 124, as urged via the first arm 106 being pivoted via the handle 108. For example, when the first mating interface 122 mates with the second interface 124 or vice versa, there can be an audible sound (e.g., a click, a snap) resulting therefrom (e.g., from mechanical engagement of the catch or the detent), thereby enabling the wearer to know whether the first mating interface 122 has mated with the second interface 124 (e.g., closed state) or not (e.g., open state). Resultantly, the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, can be switched between the first position and the second position via the first mating interface 122 overcoming the catch or the detent, whether to open the clasp or close the clasp. Note that this configuration can be reversed, where the first arm 106 includes the first mating (e.g., a male) interface 122 can mate with the second mating (e.g., a female) interface 124 of the body 102. Regardless, as shown in FIG. 12, the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, can be springlessly switched between the first position and the second position. However, this configuration can vary. For example, the clasp can include a spring (or another suitable elastic member) that can be configured to enable the first arm 106 to avoid freely swinging. For example, the spring (e.g., a helical spring) can be attached to the body 102 and the first arm 106, thereby elastically biasing the first arm 106 to be in the first position, by default. Therefore, in order to switch the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, from the first position to the second position, a person may pull or push the handle 108 to urge the first arm 106 to pivot accordingly. Likewise, when the handle 108 is let go from the second position, then the first arm 106 can elastically pivot back to the first state, by default.
The body 102 has the set of second arms 112 branching therefrom. Each arm of the set of second arms 112 is monolithic with the body 102, but can be assembled therewith (e.g., fastening, mating, adhering). Each arm of the set of second arms 112 hosts a pin 126 (or a hinge or another suitable pivoting mechanism) monolithic therewith or assembled therewith (e.g., fastening, mating, adhering). Each of the pins 126 respectfully and pivotally hosts the first decorative piece 114 (e.g., an elongated bar) such that the first decorative piece 114 can respectfully and freely pivot (or rotate, spin, swing, or otherwise move) about that pin 126 relative to that pin 126 and relative to that respective second arm 112. This configuration allows that respective first decorative piece 114 to freely move relative to the body 102 when the charm 100 is worn. Further, that respective first decorative piece 114 is secured to that respective second decorative piece 118 (e.g., an elongated bar) via the set of rings 116, which enable that respective second decorative piece 118 to respectfully and freely pivot (or rotate, spin, swing, or otherwise move) relative to that respective first decorative piece 118. Note that each of that respective first decorative piece 114 and the second decorative piece 118 has its own respective ring 116, and those rings 116 are looped onto each other. Further, note that the respective first decorative piece 114 and the respective second decorative piece 116 can be identical or different from each other in geometry (e.g., a length, a width, a thickness), aesthetics, weight, volume, or other physical properties.
FIG. 13 to FIG. 19 illustrate an embodiment of a method of detachably attaching a charm to an earring according to various principles of this disclosure. In particular, an ear 300 of a wearer includes a front side (see FIGS. 1-3, 22-25) and an obverse side 302. Likewise, an earring 200 which includes a frontal piece (see FIGS. 1-3, 22-25), a post 204, and a backing 202. The frontal piece extends over the front side and can include a decorative member (e.g., a precious stone, a diamond). The post 204 extends (e.g., spans) between the frontal piece and the backing 202. For example, the backing 202 can be secured (e.g., releasably mounted) to the post 204. The post 204 extends between the front side of the ear 300 and the obverse side 302 of the ear 300. For example, the post 204 can be a rod (e.g., longitudinally rectilinear, arcuate, sinusoidal, helical) or a hollow tube (e.g., longitudinally rectilinear, arcuate, sinusoidal, helical) with an open end portion configured to threadably receive the rod. The post 204 has a cross-section that is circular, but this shaping can vary (e.g., polygonal, oval, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, square, rectangular, symmetrical, asymmetrical, open-shape, closed-shape). The port 204 includes an outer surface that is smooth, but can be non-smooth (e.g., rough, textured, knurled, bumped, spiked, depressed, threaded). The post 204 is rigid (e.g., unable to be manually bent), but can be flexible (e.g., able to be manually bent). The ear 300 extends between the frontal piece and the backing 202. Therefore, the clasp of the charm 100, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, can be switched from a closed state (e.g., the first position) to an open state (e.g., the second position) while (a) the post 204 of the earring 200 extends between the frontal piece of the earring 200 and the backing 202 of the earring 200, (b) the post 204 extends between the front side of the 300 ear and the obverse side 302 of the ear 300, and (c) the ear 300 extends between the frontal piece and the backing 202.
As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the clasp of the charm 100, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, is switched from the closed state (e.g., the first position) to the open state (e.g., the second position) via the first arm 106 being pivoted relative to the stationary portion 104, as urged via the handle 108, within the range of motion 120 such that the first mating interface 122 of the first arm 106 avoids mating or contact with the second mating interface 124 of the body 102 and the channel 110 changes from being closed to being open.
As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the charm 100 is then moved towards the post 204 along the obverse side 302 such that the post 204 extends through the channel 110 of the clasp, while the channel 110 is open based on the first arm 106 being pivoted from the closed state (e.g., the first position) to the open state (e.g., the second position). Therefore, since the channel 110 is open, i.e., the clasp is in the open state, the charm 100 is moved such that the post 204 extends through the channel 110 and the clasp extends between the obverse side 302 and the backing 202.
As shown in FIGS. 18-21, while the post 204 extends through the channel 110, the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, is switched from the open state (e.g., the second position) to the closed state (e.g., the first position) via the first arm 106 being pivoted relative to the stationary portion 104, as urged via the handle 108, within the range of motion 120 such that the first mating interface 122 of the first arm 106 mates or contacts the second mating interface 124 of the body 102 and the channel 110 changes from being open to being closed. The clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, extends between the obverse side 302 and the backing 202 such that the backing 202 prevents the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, in the closed state from sliding off the post 204 away from the obverse side 302 and thereby detachably attaching the charm 100 to the earring 200, without taking off the earring 200.
This process of detachably attaching the charm 100 to the earring 200, without taking off the earring 200 from the ear 300, can be reversed such that the charm 100 is attachably detached from the earring 200. This occurs when the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, is switched from the closed state (e.g., the first position) to the open state (e.g., the second position) while (a) the post 204 extends through the channel 110 and (b) the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106, extends between the obverse side 302 and the backing 202 such that the charm 100 can be attachably detached from the earring 200 by not extending the post 204 through the channel 110.
As shown in FIGS. 1-7, 13-25, the charm 100 can be detachably attached and attachably detached to the earring 200, while the earring 200 is worn on the ear 300, without taking off the earring 200 from the ear 200. Note that the earring 200 can be worn on various regions of the ear 200. For example, some of these regions include a helix region (e.g., the post 204 extends through the helix region), a concha region (e.g., the post 204 extends through the concha region), a lobe region (e.g., the post 204 extends through the lobe region), or others. For example, the regions of the ear 300 can include an earlobe (lobule), a helix, a concha, a superior concha, a crus, a superior crus, an antitragus, an antihelix, a scapha, a triangular fossa, a concha cymba, a tragus, or other suitable portions of the ear. The post 204 can extend through the regions of the ear 300 while the post 204 extends along at least one of a horizontal plane, a diagonal plane, a vertical plane, or a plane that is at least one of horizontal, diagonal, vertical, perpendicular, non-perpendicular, parallel, non-parallel to at least one of a sagittal plane of the wearer, a coronal plane of the wearer, or a transverse plane of the wearer. Likewise, note that the earring 200 may not have the post 204 extending through the ear 300. For example, the earring 200 may be a clip-on earring having a front wing and a back wing, where the front wing and the back wing are elastically pivoted to each other, where the charm 200 can detachably attach and attachably detach to the front wing or the back wing of the earring 200, without taking off the earring 200 from the ear 300, as disclosed herein. Similarly, note that the charm 100 can attach to any component of the earring 200, as disclosed herein. For example, the charm 100 can detachably attach to the frontal piece, the post 204, or the backing 202, as disclosed herein. For example, as show in FIG. 2, a single earring 200 can host a first charm 100 along the front side of the ear 300 and a second charm 200 along the obverse side 302 of the ear 300, where the first charm 100 opposes the second charm 200, with the ear 300 being interposed therebetween. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ear 300 may host a set of charms 100, whether at least two of the charms 100 being secured to a single earring 100 or different charms 100 being secured to different earrings 100 worn on the ear 300. For example, the charm 100 may be coupled to the post 204 or the backing 202, and the frontal piece may host or suspend another charm therefrom, whether identical to or different from the charm 100 in aesthetic appearance, materials, geometry, weight, volume, or other properties.
FIG. 1 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing an embodiment of a charm on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing a set of embodiments of a set of charms on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing an embodiment of a charm on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates an obverse side of an ear of a wearer through which a post of an earring extends and hosts a clasp of a charm thereon according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates an obverse side of an ear of a wearer through which a post of an earring extends and hosts a clasp of a charm thereon according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing a set of charms on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates a wearer having an ear and wearing a set of charms on the ear according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a charm detachably attached to an earring according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of a charm detachably attached to an earring according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of a set of decorative portions of a charm according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of a set of decorative portions of a charm according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of a set of decorative portions of a charm according to various principles of this disclosure. FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of a set of decorative portions of a charm according to various principles of this disclosure. In particular, as illustrated, in FIG. 1, the charm 100 includes a decorative portion that extends along a vertical plane past the ear 300 such that the decorative portion is visible to an observer facing the front side of the ear 300 while the post 204 extends through the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106. The decorative portion includes a first portion (the first decorative piece 114) and a second portion (the second decorative piece 118). The second portion is coupled to the first portion (e.g., via the set of rings 116) such that the second portion is able to freely move (e.g., pivot, rotate, swing) relative to the first portion while the post 204 extends through the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106. The second portion is visible to the observer facing the front side of the ear 300 while the post 204 extends through the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106. Note that the base 102 is coupled (e.g., extends, secured) to the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106. As such, the decorative portion (the first decorative piece 114) is coupled to the base 102 (e.g., via the pin 126) such that the decorative portion is able to freely move (e.g., pivot, rotate, swing) relative to the base 102 while the post 204 extends through the clasp, as collectively formed via the body 102, the stationary portion 104, and the first arm 106.
The charm 100 can be packaged in a kit, alone or in combination with the earring or another jewelry item, as disclosed herein. For example, the kit can include a package (e.g., an envelope, a box) containing the earring 200 (or another jewelry item) and the charm 100.
Various corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in various claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Various embodiments were chosen and described in order to best disclose various principles of this disclosure and various practical applications thereof, and to enable others of ordinary skill in a pertinent art to understand this disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to a particular use contemplated.
This detailed description has been presented for various purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be fully exhaustive or limited to this disclosure in various forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations in techniques and structures will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in an art without departing from a scope and spirit of this disclosure as set forth in various claims that follow. Accordingly, such modifications and variations are contemplated as being a part of this disclosure. Scope of this disclosure is defined by various claims, which include known equivalents and unforeseeable equivalents at a time of filing of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing a clasp of a charm having a decorative portion to be pivotally switched from a closed state to an open state while a post of an earring extends (a) through a concha region of an ear, (b) between a frontal piece of the earring and a back piece of the earring, and (c) between a front side of the ear and an obverse side of the ear without detaching the back piece from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side;

causing the post to extend through the concha region and the clasp without the back piece being detached from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while the clasp is in the open state such that (a) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the back piece and (b) the decorative portion extends away from the post along the obverse side past the ear; and

causing the clasp to be pivotally switched from the open state to the closed state without the back piece being detached from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while (a) the post extends through the concha region and the clasp and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the back piece such that (c) the decorative portion extends away from the post along the obverse side past the ear and (d) the back piece prevents the clasp in the closed state from sliding off the post away from the obverse side and thereby detachably attaching the charm to the earring.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the clasp includes a catch or a detent, wherein the clasp is pivotally switched between the open state and the closed state via overcoming the catch or the detent without the back piece being detached from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the clasp is springlessly pivotally switched between the open state and the closed state without the back piece being detached from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the clasp is elastically biased to be in the closed state without the back piece being detached from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the clasp is at least one of a ring clasp or a lobster clasp.

6-8. (canceled)

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the charm is a first charm, wherein the frontal piece includes a second charm.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the decorative portion includes an end portion distal to the clasp, wherein the end portion avoids extending underneath the frontal piece based on the decorative portion being still at that time and the decorative portion extends along a vertical plane along the obverse side past the ear such that the decorative portion is visible to an observer facing the front side while the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the decorative portion includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is coupled to the first portion such that the second portion is able to move relative to the first portion while (i) the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp and (ii) the second portion is visible to the observer facing the front side.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the charm includes a base coupled to the clasp such that the base extends between the clasp and the decorative portion, wherein the decorative portion is coupled to the base such that the decorative portion is able to move relative to the base while the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the clasp to be pivotally switched from the closed state to the open state without the back piece being detached from the post while (i) the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp and (ii) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the back piece such that the charm can be attachably detached from the earring by not extending the post through the clasp.

14. A method comprising:

pivotally switching a clasp of a charm having a decorative portion from a closed state to an open state while a post of an earring extends (a) through a concha region of an ear, (b) between a frontal piece of the earring and a back piece of the earring, and (c) between a front side of the ear and an obverse side of the ear without detaching the back piece from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side;

extending the post through the concha region and the clasp without detaching the back piece from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while the clasp is in the open state such that (a) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the back piece and (b) the decorative portion extends away from the post along the obverse side past the ear; and

pivotally switching the clasp from the open state to the closed state without detaching the back piece from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while (a) the post extends through the concha region and the clasp and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the back piece such that (c) the decorative portion extends away from the post along the obverse side past the ear and (d) the back piece prevents the clasp in the closed state from sliding off the post away from the obverse side and thereby detachably attaching the charm to the earring.

15-30. (canceled)

31. The method of claim 14, wherein the clasp includes a catch or a detent, wherein the clasp is pivotally switched between the open state and the closed state via overcoming the catch or the detent without the back piece being detached from the post while the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp.

32. (canceled)

33. The method of claim 38, wherein the clasp includes a catch or a detent, wherein the clasp is pivotally switched between the open state and the closed state via overcoming the catch or the detent without the back piece being detached from the post while the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp.

34-35. (canceled)

36. The method of claim 38, wherein the decorative portion includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is coupled to the first portion such that the second portion is able to move relative to the first portion while (i) the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp and (ii) the second portion is visible to an observer facing the front side.

37. The method of claim 38, wherein the charm includes a base coupled to the clasp such that the base extends between the clasp and the decorative portion, wherein the decorative portion is coupled to the base such that the decorative portion is able to move relative to the base while the post extends (a) through the concha region, (b) between the front side and the obverse side, (c) between the frontal piece and the back piece, and (d) through the clasp.

38. A method comprising:

providing a charm including a clasp and a decorative portion to a user having an ear with a front side, an obverse side, and a concha region such that the user:

pivotally switches a clasp of a charm having a decorative portion from a closed state to an open state while a post of an earring extends (a) through a concha region of an ear, (b) between a frontal piece of the earring and a back piece of the earring, and (c) between a front side of the ear and an obverse side of the ear without detaching the back piece from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side;

extends the post through the concha region and the clasp without detaching the back piece from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while the clasp is in the open state such that (a) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the back piece and (b) the decorative portion extends away from the post along the obverse side past the ear; and

pivotally switches the clasp from the open state to the closed state without detaching the back piece from the post as the frontal piece extends along the front side while (a) the post extends through the concha region and the clasp and (b) the clasp extends between the obverse side and the back piece such that (c) the decorative portion extends away from the post along the obverse side past the ear and (d) the back piece prevents the clasp in the closed state from sliding off the post away from the obverse side and thereby detachably attaching the charm to the earring.

39. A method of changing an appearance of an earring worn within a region of an ear having an obverse side, wherein the earring having a post, a front piece, and a back piece, wherein the method comprising:

accessing a charm with a clasp and a decorative portion;

opening the clasp;

placing the clasp that is opened around the post without removing the back piece, wherein the clasp is located between the obverse side and the back piece; and

closing the clasp such that the decorative portion extends away from the post.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the charm includes a stationary portion, an arm, and a pin, wherein the arm is pivotally attached to the stationary portion via the pin such that the arm can pivot between the open state and the closed state to switch the clasp between the open state and the closed state.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the charm is configured such that the arm avoids freely swinging relative to the stationary portion.