US20080053146A1

US20080053146A1 - Relationship indicator jewelry and method

Info

Publication number: US20080053146A1
Application number: US11/512,633
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronnie G. Burress
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-30
Filing date: 2006-08-30
Publication date: 2008-03-06

Abstract

Relationship indicator jewelry (1) having a base (2) and a colored status indicator insert (3). The base (2) has at least one aperture (4) located thereon to permit viewing of the colored indicator insert (3) and at least one slot (5) for insertion of the insert (3). The colored insert (3) is used to indicate the relationship status of a wearer. For example, a red insert (3) may be used to indicate that the wearer is in a serious, committed relationship and is not available; a yellow insert (3) may be used to indicate that the wearer is currently dating but is still looking to date other individuals; a green insert (3) may be used to indicate that the wearer is not dating and is looking to date and a multi-colored insert (3) may be used to indicate that the wearer is seeking a same-sex relationship.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to jewelry, more particularly, jewelry that indicates a wearer's relationship status.
The wearing of jewels or other decorative items has a deep-seeded history that dates as far back as the earliest Egyptian civilizations. Jewels and other trinkets were adorned by the sophisticated and elite so as to impress upon others an aura of wealth, power and high social status. Jewelry, especially ornate jewelry, became so much of a status symbol that oftentimes the dead were buried with their most valuable and prized jewelry.
However, as time progressed, the availability of jewelry to the masses became commonplace. Although there are many degrees with respect to the materials used in jewelry, which in turn affect the ultimate cost, jewelry has become a staple in today's civilized society. Both men and women alike wear jewelry for a variety of reasons, including to make oneself more attractive, to express one's personal style and even to indicate a person's relationship status. The wearing of jewelry to indicate a relationship status not only serves as a constant reminder to the wearer that he or she is in a relationship, but also serves to ward off any unwanted advances by other individuals.
However, in order to indicate a person's relationship status, only one option is available: wearing a ring on a person's ring finger on his or her left hand. The ring may be an engagement ring (in the case of females) or a wedding ring. Although the wearing of a ring on the ring finger of the left hand gives a clear indication that a person is either engaged or married, many single individuals who are dating are left in a conundrum as they are not yet engaged or married, but are in a serious and committed relationship wherein neither party is looking for other individuals to date.
In addition, persons who are divorced or widowed oftentimes find themselves in quandary as well as perhaps he or she is not yet ready to start dating again but no longer wishes to wear a wedding ring.
Moreover, many same-sex oriented individuals also find themselves in a difficult situation wherein a dater, who is interested in a same-sex relationship, makes advances or receives advances from someone of the opposite sex.
Thus, a need exists for jewelry that serves as an indicator of the wearer's relationship status and/or whether the person is seeking a same-sex relationship.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:


Patent No.
(U.S. unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date

6,715,314	Rose	Apr. 06, 2004
5,355,698	Edmark	Oct. 18, 1994
4,184,344	Pepin	Jan. 22, 1980
4,077,237	Loper	Mar. 07, 1978
2,427,257	Campbell	Sep. 09, 1947
5,109,789	Berman	May 05, 1992
6,467,307	Watson	Oct. 22, 2002
6,442,972	Watson	Sep. 03, 2002
3,483,716	Stenzler	Dec. 16, 1969
6,050,695	Fromm	Apr. 18, 2000

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide relationship indicator jewelry that indicates a wearer's relationship status.
A further object of the present invention is to provide relationship indicator jewelry that indicates a wearer's sexual orientation.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide relationship indicator jewelry that is attractive.
Another object of the present invention is to provide relationship indicator jewelry that is interchangeable so as to indicate different relationship statuses.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a method for indicating a wearer's relationship status when wearing the present invention.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing relationship indicator jewelry having a base and a plurality of colored status indicator inserts. The base has at least one aperture located thereon to permit viewing of the colored indicator insert and at least one slot for insertion of the insert. The colored insert is used to indicate the relationship status of a wearer. For example, a red insert may be used to indicate that the wearer is in a serious, committed relationship and is not available; a yellow insert may be used to indicate that the wearer is currently dating but is still looking to date other individuals; a green insert may be used to indicate that the wearer is not dating and is looking to date and a multi-colored insert may be used to indicate that the wearer is seeking a same-sex relationship. The present invention is preferably in the form of a ring; however, the present invention may also be in the form of a pendent that is worn on a necklace or bracelet or any other type of wearable item wherein a base and inserts are used to indicate a relationship status may be used.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a base of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a first embodiment of an insert of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of inserting an insert of the present invention into a base of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of an insert the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:


	1.	relationship indicator
		jewelry, generally
	2.	base
	3.	insert
	4.	aperture
	5.	slot
	6.	base thickness
	7.	base diameter
	8.	insert thickness
	9.	insert diameter
	10.	design
	11.	band
	12.	first color
	13.	second color
	14.	necklace
	15.	loop
	16.	striped pattern

With respect to FIG. 1, a front view of the present invention is shown. The relationship indicator jewelry 1 of the present invention includes a circular base 2 and a circular insert 3, the latter of which has at least one color located thereon. The base 1 has a predetermined base thickness 6, a predetermined base diameter 7 and at least one aperture 4, which is preferably in the shape of a human eye. When the insert 3 is encompassed within the base 2, the insert 3, which may include a predetermined design 10 thereon, is viewable through the apertures 4. When the relationship indicator jewelry 1 is worn, the color of the insert 3 serves to indicate the relationship status of the individual. Preferably, the most basic representative meanings of the insert colors are as follows: red indicates that the wearer is not interested in dating other individuals at this time and green indicates that the wearer is interested in dating other individuals at this time. However, other colors having other meanings may also be used as well, such as a multi-colored insert 3 indicating that a person is interested in a same-sex relationship.
FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The insert 3 has a predetermined insert thickness 8 and a predetermined insert diameter 9 wherein the predetermined insert thickness 8 and insert diameter 9 are slightly smaller in size than the predetermined base thickness 6 and base diameter 7, respectively. In this manner, the insert 3 is easily insertable into the base 1.
In FIG. 3, a side view of a base of the present invention is shown. The base 2 includes a slot 5 of a predetermined size which permits a wearer to insert an insert 3 into the base 2 prior to wearing the relationship indicator jewelry 1.
Next, FIG. 4 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an insert of the present invention. The insert 3 is has a first color 12, which may be red (not interested in dating), green (interested in dating), yellow (already in a relationship, but willing to date), orange (seeking friendship only) or any other color. The color of the insert 3 is of importance as it serves to indicate the relationship status of an individual.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of inserting an insert of the present invention into a base of the present invention. Because the insert 3 is of a lesser size in insert thickness 8 and insert diameter 9 as compared to the base thickness 6 and base diameter 7, respectively, a person may easily slide the insert 3 into the slot 5 of the base 2 so as to have the insert 3 located within the base 2. When the base 2 and insert 3 are in proper alignment, meaning that the insert 3 is located completely within the base 2, a person may wear the relationship indicator jewelry 1.
FIG. 6 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an insert the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the insert 2 includes a first color 12. However, in addition to having a first color 12, the insert also includes a second color 13 and a multi-colored striped pattern 16. In this manner, a person may rotate the insert 3 prior to wearing the relationship indicator jewelry 1 so as to signify if he or she is interested in dating other individuals, not dating or seeking a same-sex relationship. The colors 12 and 13 and multi-colored striped pattern 16 are preferably divided from one another via a band 11.
Finally, FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention in use. The relationship indicator jewelry 1 of the present invention may be in the form of a ring, bracelet, necklace (wherein the jewelry includes at least one loop 15 so as to suspend the relationship status jewelry 1 from a necklace 14) or any other wearable item.
Although the insert 3 has at least one color located thereon, it is preferably to have the entire insert 3 made of the same color for uniformity in appearance. However, the insert 3 may include more than one color so as to permit a person to rotate the insert 3 when his or her relationship status changes, thereby eliminating the need to obtain an entirely new insert 3.
The use of the present invention will allow a person to display his or her relationship status while wearing an attractive item of jewelry.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. Relationship indicator jewelry comprising:

a circular base having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter;

said circular base having at least one slot located thereon;

an insert insertable into said circular base;

said circular insert having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter;

said insert thickness is less than said base thickness;

said insert diameter is less than said insert diameter; and

said insert has at least one predetermined color wherein said at least one predetermined color indicates a wearer's relationship status when said insert is located within said base.

2. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein:

said base has at least one aperture.

3. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein:

said insert has at least one design located thereon.

4. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 2 wherein:

said insert has at least one design located thereon.

5. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is red.

6. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 2 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is red.

7. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is green.

8. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 2 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is green.

9. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is multi-colored.

10. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 2 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is multi-colored.

11. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein:

said relationship indicator jewelry is worn on a person's finger.

12. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 wherein:

said relationship indicator jewelry is worn on a person's arm.

13. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one loop located on said base.

14. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 13 wherein:

said relationship indicator jewelry is worn on a necklace.

15. Relationship indicator jewelry comprising:

a circular base having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter;

said circular base having at least one slot located thereon;

said base having at least one aperture located thereon;

an insert insertable into said circular base;

said insert thickness is less than said base thickness;

said insert diameter is less than said insert diameter; and

16. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 15 wherein:

said insert has at least one design located thereon.

17. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 15 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is red.

18. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 15 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is green.

19. The relationship indicator jewelry of claim 15 wherein:

said insert at least one predetermined color is multi-colored.

20. A method for indicating a relationship status of a wearer using jewelry comprising a circular base having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter; said circular base having at least one slot located thereon; an insert insertable into said circular base; said circular insert having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter; said insert thickness is less than said base thickness; said insert diameter is less than said insert diameter; and said insert has at least one predetermined color wherein said at least one predetermined color indicates a wearer's relationship status when said insert is located within said base, said method comprising the steps of:

a. inserting said insert into said circular base;

b. wearing said relationship indicator jewelry; and

b. viewing said insert wherein said insert indicates a wearer's relationship status.