Miniaturized coupling for accessory parts

Abstract

A miniaturized coupling for a jewelry includes a male coupling and a female coupling, each of the male coupling and the female coupling being millimeter-scale or submillimeter-scale, and each of the male coupling and the female coupling being attached to or adapted to be attached to a respective jewelry component. The male coupling has a locking member configured to be inserted into the female coupling through an opening to an interior of the female coupling. A resiliently biased snap link is located in the interior of the female link, the snap link configured such that when a locking member is inserted into the female link, the locking member first moves and then is retained by the snap link. An actuation pin in the female coupling is configured to move the snap connection to release the locking member and thus disengage the male coupling and the female coupling from each other. The actuation pin has an outer surface accessible at the outer surface of the female coupling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to miniaturized coupling mechanisms, and more particularly to a coupling mechanism adapted to effect an almost invisible interconnection and / or reversible interlocking of jewelry components associated with necklaces, trinkets, bracelets, rings, earrings, wristbands, etc. in such a way as to provide a more secure and preferably single-step coupling mechanism and to allow for easy disassembly of the coupled jewelry components. The coupling mechanism of the present invention may be adapted to be used as a jewelry clamping mechanism and / or as a miniaturized coupling element that can be used in fields other than jewelry.

[0002] According to a preferred implementation form of the present invention, the coupling devices and mechanisms described herein are intended to serve as the core components behind a jewelry concept called Myriad by the present applicant. The coupling devices and mechanisms are intended to provide do-it-yourself (DIY) capabilities for creative and self-expressive individuals to create unique jewelry pieces assembled from different jewelry, thereby fabricating components such as findings, chains, beads, strands, trinkets, gemstones, etc., and the selection and end products are infinite. At the same time, the easy disconnection of the coupling devices also enables the same jewelry components to be reused repeatedly in different combinations, even daily in different combinations, to create jewelry assemblies for specific occasions, environments, individuals, and cultures. Background Art

[0003] The functions of jewelry coupling and closing mechanisms, etc. lie not only in making a preliminary contact between the ends of two jewelry components or allowing easy interchange of trinkets, beads, strands, and similar functional elements, but also in ensuring that the coupling and closing mechanisms remain secure, easy to use, and not prone to accidental opening, which may result in the loss of expensive jewelry.

[0004] There are a large number of clamping pieces and various closing and coupling pieces in the jewelry field, including in the patents of the assignee of the present invention as evidence. However, for the purposes of the present invention, the prior art closing pieces are generally large in size and too obvious. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry coupling mechanism and device that are smaller in size and less visible compared to prior art jewelry coupling mechanisms.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry coupling mechanism and device that are very small to reduce the adverse impact on the aesthetic design of the individual jewelry components being assembled.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornament coupling mechanism and device that are easy for non-professionals to use, decoratively compatible, highly reliable, and unlikely to lose their function with repeated use of the coupling mechanism.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornament coupling mechanism and device that are as strong, sturdy, and flexible as standard ornaments and have a good touch, including the touch of the coupling members, but can also be manufactured inexpensively and easily.

[0009] The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved according to several preferred embodiments of the present invention that have been put into practice, as shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a miniaturized coupling member for an ornament includes: a male coupling member and a female coupling member, each of the male coupling member and the female coupling member being millimeter-sized or sub-millimeter-sized, and each of the male coupling member and the female coupling member being attached to or adapted to be attached to a corresponding ornament part, the male coupling member having a locking member that is configured to be inserted into the female coupling member through an opening leading into the interior of the female coupling member; an elastically biased snap connection member that is located inside the female coupling member and is configured to hold the locking member after the locking member first moves when the locking member is inserted into the female coupling member; and an actuating pin that is located in the female coupling member and is configured to move the snap connection member to release the locking member and thus disengage the male coupling member and the female coupling member from each other, the actuating pin having an outer surface that can be touched at the outer surface of the female coupling member, and the outer surface of the actuating pin being configured to be actuated using a release tool having a needle-like insertion tip or a person's fingernail to move the snap connection member.

[0011] Preferably, the coupling member includes a surface decoration part and an overall shape part that helps the look and appearance of the coupling member blend into the corresponding look and appearance of the ornament part. When the male coupling member and the female coupling member are mated, the locking member is almost invisible. The coupling member includes a spring that engages with the locking element to push the locking element out of the female coupling member when the actuating pin is actuated. The snap connection member includes an inclined surface that is engaged by the locking member in such a way that the snap connection member is laterally displaced relative to the locking member as the locking element is pushed into the interior of the female coupling member, thereby enabling the locking member to move past the snap connection member. The snap connection member has a spring that biases the snap connection member to resist lateral movement when the inclined surface is engaged by the locking member.

[0012] Preferably, the locking member includes a pair of fingers, each of the pair of fingers having a respective distal end, wherein the distal ends are oriented towards each other, there is a gap between the distal ends, and the distal ends are configured to move past the snap connector and become locked inside the female connector. One or both of the male and female connectors have a cross-sectional dimension of less than six millimeters, even less than five millimeters. The outer surface of the actuating pin may be aligned with the outer surface of the female connector. The actuating pin is capable of moving in a direction leading into the interior of the female connector. Alternatively, the actuating pin is capable of moving towards or away from the opening in a direction generally parallel to the outer surface of the female connector. A safety latch may be included.

[0013] The pair of fingers of the male connector defines a space for the snap connector, which space is generally square or circular. The inclined surface may have a frustoconical shape. In an embodiment, the female connector includes: an outer receiving portion; a base that partially receives the snap connector within the receiving portion; and a cover that covers the base.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a conceptual perspective view showing the jewelry coupling mechanism of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 1A is an enlarged model view of a coupling in a locked state according to a first embodiment of the present invention and shows the features of the coupling.

[0017] Figure 1B is Figure 1A an exploded view of the components, the components including interlocking male and female coupling components.

[0018] Figure 1C shows a collection of body shapes and surface adornments of female coupling members of different shapes having single or two locking ports / openings.

[0019] Figure 1D shows a collection of body shapes of male coupling members (and some female coupling members) having single-sided or double-sided finger locking structures.

[0020] Figure 2 is an enlarged model view of a coupling in an unlocked state according to a first embodiment of the present invention and shows the features of the coupling.

[0021] Figure 3 shows the components of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 Shows additional components of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 Is a photograph of the coupling in the locked state as implemented according to the first embodiment of the present invention and shows exemplary dimensions of the coupling.

[0024] Figure 6 Is of the Figure 5 coupling in the unlocked state.

[0025] Figure 7 , Figure 7A , Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 Show the coupling according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 Show the coupling according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 16 , Figure 16A , Figure 16B , Figure 17 , Figure 18 , Figure 19 and Figure 20 Show the coupling according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 21A and Figure 21B Show jewelry components adapted to be interconnected using the coupling of the present invention to create DIY jewelry.

[0029] Figure 22 , Figure 23 , Figure 24 , Figure 25 and Figure 26 Show applications of the coupling concept of the present invention in a panel, chair, table, marine anchor, and glasses, respectively.

[0030] Figure 27 Shows a modified male coupling.

[0031] Figures 28A to 28D Shows a modified male coupling. Detailed Description

[0032] First, refer to Figure 1, the conceptual basis of the present invention can be clearly grasped. Therefore, the first jewelry piece or component 1a can be snap-connected to the second jewelry component 1b using a millimeter-level connector 9. The connector 9 includes a male connector 9a physically attached to the upper jewelry piece 1a and a female connector attached to the bottom jewelry 1b. As described in detail below, the snap connection can be released by inwardly pressing an actuation button ( Figure 1A the button 24 in

[0033] at the rear of the female connector 9b). The jewelry piece 1a can have a male or female connector attached to the jewelry piece 1a, such as the male connector 9a, or the jewelry piece 1a can have multiple connectors attached to the jewelry piece ( Figure 21A ), so that multiple jewelry components can be connected to the jewelry piece 1a. The outer surface 7b of the female connector 9b can have surface decorations formed thereon, and the outer shape of the outer surface 7b of the female connector 9b can be any desired shape, including circular, oval, triangular, and almost any desired shape. See Figure 1C for some examples. For the male connector 9a, similarly, although the lower half of the male connector 9a requires the shown shape to achieve the connection, the upper half of the male connector 9a can have a body shape that matches the female connector, so that when the two connector halves are interlocked, the appearance is a single continuous piece. The material of the connector can be any material, whether plastic, metal, precious metal, a combination of materials, or a precious metal-coated material, without limitation.

[0034] Turning to the specific embodiments, Figure 1A a connector 10 is shown, which includes a female connector 20 to which a jewelry chain 1 is attached at point 3, where a male connector 40 is locked to the body 22, and the other end of the jewelry chain holding the ring 4 is attached to the male connector 40. To release the male connector 40, the present invention provides a release tool 50 having a body 56 and an insertion distal end 52, which, when pushed against a release pin 24 located in an opening 37, causes the male connector 40 to separate from the female connector 20, as described more fully below. A stop strip 54 on the tool 50 is positioned to control the depth of insertion of the tool 50 into the cavity 37. Preferably, at least 75% of the distal end 52 must be inserted, for example, about 1 mm or 2 mm beyond the surface of the female connector, to separate the male connector from the female connector, thereby preventing the male connector from accidentally disengaging from the female connector. In an embodiment, the outer edge of the actuation pin can extend just beyond (less than a millimeter) the outer surface of the female connector, so that the position of the actuation pin can be quickly determined by finger touch.

[0035] Figure 1B and Figure 4 shows internal functional components located inside the female connector 20, the internal functional components including an internal space located inside the body 22, the body 22 having a first top-side opening 30a through which a first vertical spring 33 drops into a bottom cavity 30c. The internal space is also shaped for inserting a release tool 50. A side opening 30b is for inserting a sliding catch 35 during assembly, the front distal end of the sliding catch 35 including a release button 24 that is fitted into a front cavity 37, wherein a horizontal spring 30 is enclosed inside by an end cap 32 that is glued or welded flush with the outer surface of the body 22.

[0036] Referring Figure 3 , the sliding catch 35 has a body portion 26 having a height 25 and a thickness 29 and right and left inclined sliding surfaces 27 at a thickened portion 28, the body portion 26 also including a protrusion 32 for holding the spring 30. The spring 30 is supported at its opposite ends in a cavity 34 of the end cap 32. Also note the release button 24 that has been mentioned. After being assembled in this way, the female connector 20 ( Figure 2 ) is capable of receiving a male connector 40 into it through its upper opening 30a, the male connector having a body 42 having a shape partially defined by a pin 41. The male connector is formed by finger portions 44a, 44b that bend inwardly to form latching portions 46a, 46b, wherein the space 48 between the latching portions 46a, 46b is only slightly wider than the thickness dimension 29 of the sliding catch (or slider) 35 ( Figure 3 ). The finger portions 44a, 44b define a rectangular internal space 49, the extension of which in the direction of arrow 47 just exceeds the dimension 25 of the slider 35.

[0037] Thus, when the male connector 40 is pushed into the female connector, the finger portions 46a, 46b engage with the sliding surfaces 27 and are supported against the sliding surfaces 27, thereby overcoming the biasing force of the spring 30 to push the slider 35 laterally until these finger latching portions 46a, 46b slide past the slider 35 (below). Subsequently, the slider can slide back, thereby locking the finger portions 46a, 46b under the slider. In this position, the male connector is locked to the female connector, thereby ensuring that the jewelry components respectively attached to the connectors are firmly attached to each other, such as Figure 1AReleasing the lock is very simple and requires only briefly inserting the tip 52 of the release tool 50 into the cavity 37, so that the slide 35 is pushed backwards, which immediately causes the finger-like end of the male coupling 40 to be pushed outwards by the spring 33 ( Figure 1B ).

[0038] On the top Figure 1 In the male connector 9a (in Figure 1A 40) is fixed to the jewelry chain 1a, and the female connector 9b (in Figure 1A 20) is fixed to the jewelry strand 1b. Figure 21A In the embodiment of the present invention, the male connector 40 (identified by the two finger-like ends) is attached to the V-shaped chain (not labeled) at three locations. In any case, according to the present disclosure, a jewelry component such as a chain, ornament, strand, charm, etc. can have a male component or a female component attached to the jewelry component for freely and very interchangeably and easily interconnecting many different jewelry chains, strands, ornaments, etc. to each other.

[0039] To enhance this capability, Figure 1C and Figure 1D As shown in , the present invention provides a selection of female and male couplings, such as Figure 1C As shown in , the options include: square female coupling 20A, in which opening 30a and release button 24 perform the same functions as previously described; and spherical and trapezoidal female couplings 20B and 20C. Female couplings 20B and 20C are shown as forming a double female coupling, which has opposite openings 30a and 30a1 and corresponding release buttons 24 and 24a. The dual-port female coupling can be used to couple two jewelry parts to each other: these two jewelry parts only have male couplings at their distal ends, such as Figure 21A In addition, the slightly larger female coupling has an outer body surface 21, which is decorated with gemstones 22a and surface carvings represented by 22b, etc. The female coupling 20D is provided to illustrate that the body shape of the coupling can be asymmetrical to achieve any style and appearance required, such as a human face, an animal shape, or a flower shape or anything.

[0040] The same concepts described here for the female coupling also apply to Figure 1DMale connectors 40A, 40B, and 40C in various shapes as shown. Here, similarly, male connector 40A has opposite pairs of locking fingers 41A / 41B to enable locking of two jewelry components each having only female connectors. Male connector 40C has a group of four (4) locking fingers to enhance versatility and represents the concept of the present invention, which enables the connector to be both a functional and a decorative element and enables infinite combinations of jewelry components to create jewelry assemblies of personal preference or to adapt the worn jewelry to different occasions. One of the male connectors shown in this figure has multiple male connectors interconnected to each other by a chain link (not numbered), and the function of this connector is self-evident. Figure 1D Also shown are the shapes of various female connectors, and the shapes and functions of these female connectors are self-evident.

[0041] Figure 5 and Figure 6 are photographic reproductions of actual connectors, which are millimeter-scale and include a female connector 20 that interlocks with male connector 40. The female connector 20 is drawn against a ruler to show its comparative dimensions. Although not shown, it is easy to make the female connector large enough to allow multiple (spaced-apart) openings and snap members to be provided therein to receive and hold a corresponding number of male connectors.

[0042] The following refers to Figure 7 、 Figure 7A and Figures 8 to 10 to elaborate on a second embodiment of the present invention that is similar but implemented in a different way. Male connector 140 has a front opening 148 that is wider than the thickness 149 of slider 135. Thus, when male connector 140 is pushed into the top opening, the inwardly curved fingers of male connector 140 are supported against the inclined surface 127 of the thickened portion 128, thereby pushing slider 135 to the right and then snapping under thickened portion 127, as described above. In this embodiment, push rod 124 projects upward and can be engaged by a person's finger or the like to be pushed to the right to release male connector 140.

[0043] In Figure 7A 's exploded view, a hollow body 122 can be seen, which receives a base member 122a that provides space for a lateral spring 130 and a vertical spring 130a, and the lateral spring 130 and the vertical spring 130a provide the same functions as springs 30 and 33 of the first embodiment. Base member 122a also provides space for slider 135, which includes an upright release rod 124, to slide laterally. Thus, and as Figure 8As shown in [reference], releasing the male connector only requires sliding the rod to the right, thereby immediately causing the spring 130a to pop the male connector 140 upward because the thickened portion 128 is pushed away, as Figure 9 shown in Figure 9 should be compared with Figure 10 for comparison.

[0044] According to an alternative to the above modification of the second embodiment, as shown by the dashed line 124a, the height of the button 124 is made flush with the top surface of the cover 122b of the female connector 120. Instead of engaging with the slider 135 with a finger and sliding the slider 135, the tool 150 ( Figure 7A ) is provided with a needle-shaped end 158 having a narrowed diameter (pen tip size) that can be inserted into a circular slit 124b located in the release button 124 to slide the slider 135 to a position where the male connector will be popped out of the connector opening 111, thereby disengaging the connectors from each other.

[0045] Referring to Figures 11 to 15 The third embodiment of the present invention described includes a male connector 240, a female connector 220, a release button 224, and a release tool 50 that can be used to disengage the coupling elements from each other. As Figure 13 shown in [reference], the male connector 240 has a circular opening 249 that can be accessed via an opening 248 that is slightly wider than the diameter of the cylindrical central portion 236 of the slider 235. As in the previous embodiments, the slider 235 has a thickened portion 228 and a frustoconical portion 227. After the slider 235 is inserted into the internal space of the female connector through the opening 237, the positioning of the slider 235 within the female connector is fixed by a closing cylindrical member 232 that bears on the thickened portion 238 and biases the thickened portion 238 inwardly by a spring 230, similar to the previous embodiments. Also note the vertically oriented spring 230a inside the female connector.

[0046] Since the spring 230 is positioned on the thick side of the slider 235, the release button 224 can be pushed to the left such that the thickened portion 238 is biased to position itself within the opening into the female connector 220. When the male connector is pushed in, the fingers of the male connector laterally push the slider 235 until the fingers move past the slider, whereupon the slider returns to its position, thereby locking the male connector. Figure 14 and Figure 15Shows the use of the release tool 50 to release the locking retention. Ideally, a flat bottom surface can be provided for the slider 235 to prevent the slider 235 from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the slider 235 and to allow the latching fingers of the male connector to rest against the flat bottom of the slider portion 237. This will ensure that the male connector is not pulled out by applying hand force in the direction away from the female connector.

[0047] Reference is made below Figure 16 , Figure 16A , Figure 16B and Figures 17 to 20 to describe a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is similar in structure and function to the second embodiment in that the components of the fourth embodiment are inserted from the top side of the connector, which is ultimately covered by the top cover 332. The female connector 320 receives and locks the male connector 340 therein, and the male connector can be released by the release tool 50 in the following manner: inserting the release tool 50 into the opening 327 and pressing the release button 324.

[0048] Figure 16A The exploded view of Figure 16A shows the hollow body of the female connector, which has a receiving portion 320 sized to receive the base 322a, and the base 322a defines a space therein for the vertical spring 330a, the slider 335, and the lateral spring 330. The slider 335 is the same as some of the previous sliders in that the slider 335 includes a release button 324 and a thickened portion 328 that supports the sliding surface 327. The structural components are covered by the cover 332 and fitted into the hollow space 321. The male connector 50 can now be inserted into the female connector 320 and locked within the female connector 320. See Figure 20 .

[0049] Now referring to Figure 21A and Figure 21B , it can be clearly seen that there are many jewelry components 410a, 410b, which are assembled together using the connectors of the present invention to achieve the assembled jewelry piece 410. See also Figure 21BThe ornament piece 420 therein. Since the coupling member is very small, i.e., millimeter-sized, and the coupling member can have a body shape, metal type, and finish customized for many different applications, the coupling member can be incorporated into the entire ornament piece in an invisible manner and allows creative people to have great freedom and flexibility when creating ornament pieces for the present moment, occasion, mood, and desired style. Professional designers can use the concepts of the present invention to manufacture ornament pieces from basic stock components and to reuse and recycle ornament components. In another conceptualized form of the present invention, individual ornament components can be displayed on a computer monitor, and an application program providing computer options to the customer is provided to combine various pieces together to obtain the final style and appearance of the ornament. A customer who likes the ornament components visualized on the computer screen can then order all these ornament components with just a computer click and then receive the components and assemble them at home.

[0050] The coupling member utilizing the novel concepts of the present invention has been described above for ornaments. However, the inventors contemplate many other applications herein. Thus, in Figure 22 a panel 2210 or 2210(a) includes a female coupling member 2220 and a male coupling member 2240 located at the indicated positions within or on the panel. In one embodiment, each panel is provided with a pair (or more pairs) of female coupling members located on one mating edge and male coupling members located on the opposite mating edge. In another embodiment, the larger panel is provided only with male coupling members, and the connecting panel 2210(b) has embedded female coupling members. Preferably, the release pin for the female coupling member can have a screwing groove and can be turned in a threaded manner to lock or unlock the male coupling member.

[0051] In Figure 23 a chair 2310 has legs 2310(a), a seat 2310(b), and a backrest 2310(c), and the legs 2310(a), the seat 2310(b), and the backrest 2310(c) are all held together by the coupling members of the present invention (including coupling components 2320 and 2340) in the manner already described in detail.

[0052] In Figure 24 a table 2410 has a top 2410(b) and legs 2410(a), and the top 2410(b) and the legs 2410(a) are assembled and held together by a female coupling member 2420 and a male coupling member 2440. Similarly, in Figure 25In it, the anchor assembly 2510 of the ship includes a land-based anchor 2510(a) using a male connector 2540 and a female connector 2520, as well as a crank and spool 2510(b). Due to the size and strength of these components, the handle 2524 can be used to lock and unlock the male connector 2540. Similarly, Figure 26 The glasses 2610 in it have a frame 2610(a), and through the shown connectors 2620 and 2640, the frame 2610(a) is assembled with the rod-shaped member 2610(b) of the frame 2610(a) using the handle 2624.

[0053] Figure 27 and Figures 28A to 28D Additional modifications of the connectors themselves are shown in. In Figure 27 In it, the male connector has a structure with a short acting part 2740(a) or a longer acting part 2740(b). Figure 28A An "X"-shaped male connector is shown, while Figure 28B shows an "H"-shaped male connector 2840, which has an annular member 2837 for attaching to an ornament (or non-ornament) component. Figure 28C A similar male connector 2840(a) including a crossbar 2840(b) is shown in. Figure 28D The female connector of includes a cover 2824(a) for the release button 2824, but may include other elements that prevent or avoid accidental actuation of the release button.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments of the present invention, many other variations, modifications, and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, preferably, the present invention is not limited by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A jewelry assembly, comprising: a plurality of discrete jewelry components and a plurality of couplings that enable the jewelry components to be releasably interconnected in a desired combination and arrangement; The plurality of coupling members include: a male coupling and a female coupling, each male coupling including a pair of spaced apart fingers configured to be inserted into and substantially received and concealed within an interior space within the female coupling; The male coupling is configured to be inserted into an opening in the female coupling to achieve connection with the female coupling, and connection begins when the male coupling engages with a snap-fit ​​connector located in an interior of the female coupling, the snap-fit ​​connector being configured such that: the snap-fit ​​connector moves to accommodate the male coupling, and when the male coupling is fully inserted, the snap-fit ​​connector returns to an original position, thereby locking into a gap formed in the male coupling and forming a secure mechanical interlocking connection; and a release pin located within the female coupling, the release pin extending to a point outside the female coupling, the release pin being manipulable by external force applied to the release pin by a release tool alone to release the connection; and wherein A plurality of the female coupling members include a plurality of external body shapes so that the female coupling members appear to be part of the jewelry assembly and blend into the overall appearance of the jewelry assembly.

2. The jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The male coupling is physically and integrally connected to the jewelry component, and at least a portion of the female coupling is configured to receive a plurality of male couplings therein to effectuate a desired and releasable connection of the jewelry components to one another.

3. The jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The female coupling is physically and integrally connected to the jewelry components, and the male coupling is configured to be inserted into the female coupling to achieve a desired and releasable connection of the jewelry components to each other.

4. The jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The attachment and release of the male coupling to the female coupling is repeatable.

5. The jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein: One or both of the female coupling and the male coupling include a body surface decoration and an integral shape that helps the style and appearance of the coupling to blend into the corresponding style and appearance of the ornament component.

6. The jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein: When the male coupling and the female coupling are mated, the male coupling is almost invisible.

7. The jewelry assembly of claim 1, comprising a spring engaged with the male coupling to push the male coupling out of the female coupling when the release pin is actuated.

8. The jewelry assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The body surface decoration includes one or more of the following: precious or decorative gemstones, aesthetic surface shapes or patterns formed by engraving or embossing the body surface, decorative three-dimensional surfaces or facets, and body surface colors.

9. The jewelry assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The snap connection of the female coupling is less than six millimeters in width, length and height dimensions.

10. A miniaturized connector for an ornament, the miniaturized connector comprising: a multi-connection male coupling configured to couple and interconnect with a plurality of jewelry components, wherein each jewelry component includes or is associated with at least one female coupling including a locking receiving opening therein; The male coupling has a body and a plurality of locking members supported by the body, the locking members being spaced apart from one another and each of the locking members being configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the locking receiving openings of at least one of the female couplings; and The male coupling is configured to releasably interconnect at least three of the jewelry components to one another.

11. The miniaturized connector according to claim 10, wherein: Each locking member includes a pair of spaced apart fingers supported by the body, the fingers being configured to be inserted into and substantially received and concealed within an interior space within the female coupling.

12. The miniaturized connector according to claim 10, wherein: The overall shape of the body of the male coupling is one of square, rectangular, elongated, circular, spherical and chain-shaped.

13. The miniaturized connector according to claim 10, wherein: The male connector is interconnected with the female connector, and at least a portion of the female connector is configured to include a plurality of the locking receiving openings so that a plurality of pairs of the finger portions associated with different ones of the male connectors can be received in the plurality of the locking receiving openings.

14. The miniaturized connector according to claim 13, wherein: The female connector has a main body surface, and the main body surface has a main body surface decoration portion, which includes one or more of the following: precious or decorative gemstones, aesthetic surface shapes or patterns formed by engraving or embossing the main body surface, decorative three-dimensional surfaces or facets, and the color of the main body surface.

15. The miniaturized connector according to claim 13, wherein: Each of the female couplings has a corresponding body shape, which is one of a square, a rectangle, an elongate shape, a circle, a sphere, a truncated cone, and a trapezoid.

Images