pendant

Abstract

Offering pendants, jewelry, or collectibles featuring metal components. These metal components possess their original color. The metal components are either coated with a material that intentionally alters their original color visually, or set with gemstones, or both, to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The metal components can be oriented or retained as desired. The pendants can be made hypoallergenic and associated with, for example, "permanence" through electropermanence.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing of related cases

[0002] This case claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 107,065, filed February 8, 2023, by Bentz et al., which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 142,414, filed by Bentz et al., which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 959,305, filed by Bentz et al. The disclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporated, by reference in their entirety and optional portions. Background Technology

[0003] This invention generally relates to luxury goods in the form of charms, for example, charms that can take the form of tokens / staples. More specifically, this invention relates to metal-based charms that can be optionally shiny and sparkly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] As a first embodiment, a charm is provided. The charm / token comprises a metal element. Although the metal element has a natural color, it is coated with a material, typically a multi-element metal alloy, that visually alters (in selectable portions or entirely) the natural color of the metal element. For example, the natural color can be altered so that the charm can be partially (selectively, randomly, and / or artistically) or entirely gold, silver, and / or black. The charm is held in place by a pedestal that holds the charm in a desired orientation or manner, for example, face up for viewing. Thus, a sense of luxury, goodwill, commitment, and / or collectability is associated with the charm.

[0005] The metal parts can take many forms. The original color of the metal parts may be copper or its alloys. In other cases, the original color of the metal parts may be nickel, aluminum, iron, or the color of their alloys / compounds. Other metal parts may be associated with, for example, European countries (e.g., the United Kingdom), a group of European countries, or Asian countries (such as India, China, and Japan). However, considering large cruise ships (luxury or other types) that visit Antarctica, whether through in-person physical access or through marketing materials (e.g., electronically or online), it is unclear whether the currency has penetrated markets across all seven continents. This invention is particularly suitable for resorts and vacation homes where goodwill and a promise of revitalizing relaxation may be offered. This invention can also serve as a tangible souvenir or memento of fond memories.

[0006] The appearance of metal parts / pendants can be enhanced by coating them with precious metals such as gold (e.g., 10, 14, 18, 22, or 24 karat gold), silver, platinum, and palladium. Rhodium and / or iridium can also be used as a protective coating because, like gold, silver, and platinum, rhodium and / or iridium generally do not cause any allergic reactions when applied to human tissue for extended periods. As a possible working definition of "extended time period," it means that the pendant of the present invention can be worn as a pendant on a necklace around a person's neck without causing irritation or any allergic reaction for at least about one day to a week or longer.

[0007] In other words, hypoallergenicity is a key feature of this invention. It is "desirable" if no allergic reaction or adverse chemical reaction and / or adverse biological reaction occurs. This is crucial to the invention because hypoallergenic metals and / or alloys (e.g., covering the entire or substantially the entire surface of the pendant of this invention) provide improved comfort. That is, the pendant of this invention must not contain irritating surface materials.

[0008] When gold or its alloys are used in the practice of this invention, aesthetically pleasing hues can be obtained. Therefore, this invention may relate to coatings such as platinum, gold, and rose gold.

[0009] In some cases, metal parts may be coated with a darker color (such as black) of a non-native material to achieve a masculine appearance. The coating compound may include elements from the same column of the periodic table, such as Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and / or Zn. However, caution must be exercised when using Ni, for example, because nickel can sometimes irritate human skin, such as when used as posts or hooks for earrings intended for pierced ears. Therefore, even surgical-grade stainless steel may sometimes be unsuitable for use in this invention.

[0010] Therefore, the metals associated with this invention should not leave marks on human tissue during prolonged wear. This means that certain metals and alloys should be excluded from this invention because the tarnishing properties of metals would diminish the luxurious aspect of the invention. Since chromium is kinetically ideal in terms of its resistance to tarnishing, a high chromium content may be desirable in practice.

[0011] Further embellishment can be achieved by setting jewels (e.g., one or more crystals) onto the charm. Optionally, jewels can be set on either side (front and / or back) of the charm and / or around its edges. Further optionally, the charm may also include a pedestal fixed to the metal piece, wherein the pedestal may be set with gemstones or crystals, for example, in a pavé style. Sometimes, only the jewels are set on the pedestal, while the metal piece itself is not set with jewels. The pedestal itself can also be considered a key aspect of the invention, for example, with jewels set around its edges, adapted and / or configured to orient or otherwise present the metal piece in a desired manner without fixing the metal piece to the pedestal. The pedestal can permanently or releasably hold the metal piece.

[0012] In another embodiment, the charm includes a metal piece, wherein the charm is inlaid with jewelry.

[0013] The charm may also be physically associated with trademarks, such as those associated with U.S. Trademark Registration No. 6026798 or U.S. Trademark Serial Nos. 98130098 and 98130101. Alternatively, the charm of this invention may also be associated with other trademarks and / or service marks, as trademarks are generally legal issues governing goodwill in a commercial sense. The USPTO is organized as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

[0014] In another embodiment, the jewelry or collectible includes metal pieces with a natural color, wherein the metal pieces are coated with a material that visually alters the natural color of the metal pieces, and / or the metal pieces are inlaid with jewelry. Such jewelry or collectibles may take the form of pendants, rings, earrings, dangling ornaments, ornaments, or bracelets, and are lightweight enough not to cause discomfort.

[0015] Other embodiments of the present invention are described herein. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 The "front" or front view of the pendant of the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The "back" or reverse side of the ornament shown.

[0018] Figure 3A and Figure 3B (collectively referred to as Figure 3) shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The pendant is inlaid with jewels along its edges.

[0019] Figure 4 An embodiment of the invention in the form of a pendant is shown.

[0020] Figure 5A and Figure 5B (Collectively referred to as Figure 5) illustrates how a metal piece with a through hole can be used to form part of the pendant of the present invention. Figure 5A The front of the metal part that forms the pendant is shown. Figure 5B The back of the metal piece that forms the pendant is shown.

[0021] Figure 6A and Figure 6B (Collectively referred to as Figure 6) illustrates how a metal piece with a two-tone surface can be used to form part of the pendant of the present invention. Figure 6A The front of the metal part is shown. Figure 6B The back of the metal part is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Before describing the invention in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to specific luxury goods, as these luxury goods may vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0023] Furthermore, as used in this specification and the appended claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular articles “a” and “the” include both single and multiple indicators. Thus, for example, a reference to “a pendant” includes multiple pendants as well as a single pendant, a reference to “a crystal” includes a single crystal as well as a combination of crystals, and so on.

[0024] Furthermore, terms indicating or implying a specific spatial relationship between elements of the invention should be interpreted in a relative rather than an absolute sense, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, the terms "upper" and "lower" used to describe the spatial orientation of a facet of the pendant of the invention do not necessarily indicate that a particular facet of the pendant is located above another facet.

[0025] In this specification and the appended claims, the terms used shall be defined as having the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

[0026] The term "array" is used to refer to an ordered (or at least somewhat disordered) sequence or arrangement of items, such as crystal or jewelry. The array of the present invention can be circular, semi-circular, linear, ordered, etc.

[0027] The term "pendant" is used in its general sense and usually refers to an item, such as a small ornament that can be strung on a necklace or bracelet.

[0028] The terms “electronic,” “electronic ground,” etc., are used in their general sense and relate to structures that provide controlled conduction of electrons, holes, and / or other charge carriers, such as semiconductor microstructures. For example, the term “electronic encryption means” can refer to the use of electronic and / or encrypted metal components in conjunction with the present invention, in a manner that relates to controlling the conduction of electrons in a digital and / or analog manner.

[0029] The terms “magnificent” and “glamour” are used in this article in their general sense in the fields of jewelry, fashion, accessories and haute couture, and to mean amazingly good, wonderful, mythical, marvelous, exquisite, top-notch, first-class, stunning, enormous and / or extraordinary excellence.

[0030] The term "quartz" is used to refer to a homogeneous solid substance with a regular geometric shape, having symmetrically arranged planes and / or curved surfaces. For example, highly transparent glass with a high refractive index and / or dispersion index can be used to form quartz beads. Quartz is generally considered beautiful, not ugly. Examples of quartz can be found at www.swarovski.com. Other examples of quartz can take the form of beads, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, topaz, citrine, amethyst, quartz, etc.

[0031] The term "gemstone" is used in its general sense and refers to precious or semi-precious gemstones, especially when cut and polished or carved. The gemstones and crystals of this invention can be natural, synthetic, or lab-grown. Oxide gemstones, such as sapphire, ruby, silicates, etc., are included, regardless of whether their microstructure is completely ordered, partially ordered, or amorphous. Preferably, lab-grown or synthetic carbide or carbon-rich gemstones, such as diamonds, can be used.

[0032] This invention can also use natural materials, such as tanzanite or jade. Since natural materials may exhibit some imperfections, these imperfections may make the pendant of this invention even more captivating.

[0033] Therefore, this invention can use any of a variety of gemstones / stones associated with a birthday and / or birth month. The table below lists the birthstone, guardian angel birthstone, and special apostle birthstone for each of the twelve months of the solar calendar, organized by month:

[0034]

[0035] Similarly, this invention can utilize stones, gemstones, and compounds associated with the Five Elements in Eastern culture. The Five Elements in Eastern culture are: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Jade is the king of gemstones in Eastern culture, therefore this invention can incorporate jadeite and / or nephrite. These Eastern stones, gemstones, and compounds can be combined in various ways to display one or more colors of the rainbow. Translucent green jade is often coveted, but violet jade also symbolizes goodwill and commitment.

[0036] The terms "jewelry" and "jewel-set" are used in their general sense and refer to precious stones, crystals, and / or gemstones, typically a single crystal or a hard, lustrous, or translucent mineral, cut into a flat shape or polished for use as jewelry. Therefore, an "ornament-set" item refers to an item covered or decorated with jewels.

[0037] The jewelry and / or gemstones of this invention can exhibit a single color or multiple colors, such as in the case of a rainbow. Exemplary colors include transparent (colorless), pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, etc. The jewelry and / or gemstones of this invention can also have a refractive index and / or dispersion similar to that of diamonds and / or leaded glass. Jewelry and gemstones are often used to represent / provide a sense of goodwill and / or commitment.

[0038] Additionally, when this invention is provided in wearable form, different colors may evoke different emotions. For example, clear crystal may evoke hope and associated feelings such as divine connection, wisdom, oneness, healing, solidarity, guidance, truth, protection, and / or intuition. Pink crystal may evoke piety and associated qualities such as love, friendship, compassion, honesty, romance, health, generosity, kindness, and / or faith. Vermilion crystal may evoke qualities of red such as passion, excitement, sensuality, strength, courage, positivity, vitality, power, and / or leadership. Flame orange crystal may evoke happiness, vitality, joy, adventure, fun, security, strength, enthusiasm, and / or optimism. Brilliant topaz citrine may evoke personal strength, joy, wisdom, new beginnings, clarity, enthusiasm, new awakening, wisdom, and / or spiritual enlightenment. Evergreen or fern green crystal may evoke healing energy, deep commitment, love, abundance, gentleness, peace, tranquility, personal growth, and / or patience. Skyla sapphire blue crystal may evoke justice, trust, compassion, loyalty, calmness, growth, willpower, peace, and / or dedication. Royal iris amethyst may evoke generosity, compassion, loyalty, intuition, empathy, vision, psychic abilities, spirituality, and / or openness. When these colors combine into a set of sparkling rainbow crystals, they represent and / or offer commitment, emphasizing hope, new beginnings, harmony, peace, love, balance, leaps of faith, purpose, and / or tranquility.

[0039] The term "native" in "native color of metal parts" refers to the color and / or hue or other inherent characteristics of metal parts associated with the casting of metal parts.

[0040] As used herein, the terms “optional” and “optional” refer to the presence or absence of a term. Therefore, when the invention is embodied in a form including optional elements, those elements may or may not be present, depending on the context in which the terms are used.

[0041] The terms “permanent” and “lasting” are used in their general sense and refer to a state or quality that remains unchanged for an extended period or indefinitely. For example, the present invention may have electronic and / or other substantial qualities that allow at least one aspect of it to have excellent, indeterminate, continuous, durable (or unchanging or immutable) qualities.

[0042] The term “commitment” is used in its general sense and refers to a statement or guarantee that someone will do something or that something will happen.

[0043] The term "substantially identical" used to describe multiple items indicates that the items are largely the same, but not necessarily identical. For example, when saying that beads have "substantially identical optical properties," the beads may look identical or close enough that any differences in their appearance are essentially negligible, as in the case of diamonds and cubic zirconia crystals. The terms "substantially" and "basically" are used similarly in other contexts involving similar definitions.

[0044] As used herein, the term "token" refers to something that is a visible and / or tangible representation of a fact, quality, feeling, etc. Tokens can sometimes be redeemed for goods or services, and are typically given as gifts or offered as part of promotional offers. The pendant of this invention can take the form of a token.

[0045] Therefore, in general, this invention relates to pendants formed from metal parts. These tokens are associated with expectations and goodwill. The pendants of this invention are generally beautiful in nature and can exhibit colors and luster different from the original surface properties of the metal parts that form them.

[0046] Figure 1 Figures 3 to 3 depict an exemplary pendant of the present invention. As shown, the pendant 1 is formed of a metal part 3. Figure 1 The front 5 (or front view) of the pendant 1 is shown. Figure 2 The back 7 (or reverse side) of the pendant 1 is shown.

[0047] The pendant 1 is formed by fixing a metal piece 3 relative to a bracket 9, which forms a border around the metal piece 3. The bracket 9 can be formed from a variety of materials. Typically, the bracket 9 is inherently metallic and can be made conductive to the pendant for processing steps such as electroplating, evaporation, sputtering, or other ionic and / or vapor deposition of the metal thereon. Physical coating / floating techniques can also be used. Depending on the specific processing steps used to form the pendant 1, the metal piece 3 and the bracket 9 can have the same or different colors and / or luster.

[0048] Figure 3 shows the outer edge 11 of the pendant 1. The edge 11 is set with a circular array of gemstones 13 in the form of Swarovski® crystals, but other types of crystals, jewels, and / or gemstones may also be used. As shown, the gemstones 13 are substantially identical in shape, form, and composition, but this similarity is essential. Generally, the arrangement of the gemstones enhances the beauty and luxury of the pendant 1.

[0049] As shown in the figure, the entire first side of the metal part, i.e., the "front" side, is exposed. Therefore, the front side of the metal part is facing upwards, or in other words, the desired orientation. Only the center of the second side (i.e., the "back" side) of the metal part is exposed. Therefore, the front side is exposed to a greater extent than the back side. The outer diameter of the support is larger than the outer diameter of the metal part. That is, the outer diameter of the support is approximately 2.1 cm to approximately 3 cm, and the inner diameter is approximately 1.6 cm to approximately 0.1 cm.

[0050] In some cases, the front (front side) of the metal part may be completely exposed, while the back (reverse side) may be completely covered by the bracket 9. In this case, the portion of the bracket closest to the back of the metal part can be inlaid with jewelry, for example, a gemstone or crystal can be set in the center of the back of the bracket. Alternatively, text or other engravings can be engraved on the back of the bracket. Such text or other engravings may represent the trademark of the pendant maker.

[0051] A particular best practice / mode associated with this invention allows the pendant to exhibit a structural orientation such that any linguistic / numerical aspect of the metal pieces is displayed upright and / or without skew, regardless of the precise linguistic and / or numerical conventions physically embodied in the metal pieces, for example, regardless of whether the metal pieces originate from Europe, Asia (e.g., China, Japan, Korea, etc.), or any other continent. For metal pieces printed with characters not found in the English alphabet, the characters should be naturally upright relative to the uppermost reference point. In other words, when this invention is used in a gravitational environment (e.g., Earth), the metal pieces of the pendant of this invention appear "face up" rather than "inverted."

[0052] The following is about Figure 1The manufacturing process of the charm shown in Figure 3 will be explained. First, a metal part 3 in the form of a metal component is provided. Typically, the surface of the metal part 3 is clean. Alternatively, the metal part can be cleaned by immersing it in a cleaning solution (e.g., a weak acid) to ensure that the surface of the metal part is sufficiently free of impurities, thereby allowing for the deposition and / or acceptance of coatings of different materials in a manner that produces a sufficiently strong adhesion, to ensure the charm's durability.

[0053] The metal part is then secured in the bracket 9 to allow for the deposition of gold or a gold alloy, such as 18 to 24 karat gold, or other precious metals. In some embodiments, the metal deposition can be performed via electroplating. In this case, the metal part 3 and the bracket 9 can be made electrically conductive to each other during the securing step, for example, by welding or some other type of metal-to-metal bonding.

[0054] In other embodiments, vapor deposition or some other deposition technique (such as impregnation) can be used for deposition, which makes the pendant particularly beautiful. In any case, during the formation step, it may or may not be necessary to make the metal part and the bracket electrically conductive to each other.

[0055] Care must be taken during gold plating to prevent residual toxic substances from entering the final product. For example, cyanide electrochemical baths can be used for gold plating. The pendant of this invention should not contain cyanide or other chemicals that may impair its hypoallergenic properties.

[0056] In a variant implementation, the metal part 3 and the support 9 can have different surface materials. Therefore, the pendant may come in a variety of different colors.

[0057] The surface material can be selected to provide properties that effectively reduce wear and tear during rough use of the physical embodiments of the invention. Therefore, while gold can be used near or on the surface of the charm of the invention, a substantially invisible and tough layer of material can be coated over the entire exterior of the charm to provide a protective coating for the charm itself.

[0058] The substantially entire exterior of the pendant of the present invention can be composed of a composition of approximately one substance, for example, a gold alloy of approximately 18K to approximately 23.9K, because pure gold may not exhibit sufficient mechanical toughness suitable for the practice of the present invention. That is, contrary to intuition, pure gold may not be suitable for the optimal practice of the present invention, depending on any of a variety of use factors. Some optically interesting coatings, such as those associated with chromium oxide, rhodium oxide, indium tin oxide, and / or nitrides (such as titanium nitride, e.g., hypoallergenic TiN), can enhance the optimal practice of the present invention. The use of hexavalent chromium should be avoided at all costs. The harmful effects of hexavalent chromium are well known, and its dangers were depicted in the 2000 film *Erin Brockovich*, starring Oscar winner Julia Roberts.

[0059] Incidentally, rhodium is considered a precious metal (such as gold, silver, and platinum), so other precious metals can be used, depending on the specific application requirements of the pendant of this invention.

[0060] Figure 4 The pendant 15 of the present invention, using a process similar to that described above, is depicted. As shown, the pendant includes a ring 17 through which a chain or cord can pass, allowing the user to wear the pendant as a necklace.

[0061] Therefore, it is possible to obtain charms or similar items (such as jewelry and other collectibles) that exhibit stunning beauty, for example, through appropriate lighting in a display case or gift box. In other words, the charms of this invention are particularly suitable for display in the environment of jewelry stores or other jewelers, where electric lights (e.g., wired and / or battery-powered lights) can be used to display them. Survey results show that even those who had not previously seen the charms of this invention generally found them breathtakingly beautiful and desirable.

[0062] Incidentally, besides being purely decorative jewelry, the charm of this invention can also be incorporated into various fashion or wearable accessories. For example, the charm of this invention can be used as a means of covering the body, such as when used as navel piercing jewelry to cover a person's navel.

[0063] Similarly, the charm of the present invention can also have a practical function. For example, cufflinks, tie pins, tie clips, studs, and belt buckles can all be incorporated into the charm of the present invention. Likewise, studs used to fasten shirt parts suitable for morning dress, white ties, or black ties can also be incorporated into the charm of the present invention. The present invention can also be used as a bow tie, hanging loop, etc.

[0064] When the charms of this invention are provided alone or in pairs, symmetry may need to be considered. For example, the charms of this invention, when presented in pairs, typically exhibit bilateral symmetry and / or mirror symmetry. This, of course, means that the charms of this invention may exhibit a preference for the dominant hand. Left-handed individuals may prefer the left-hand charm, while right-handed individuals may prefer the right-hand charm. For mixed use, a person can wear the left-hand charm as an earring on his / her right ear, while wearing the right-hand charm as a ring on his / her left ring finger.

[0065] Figure 5 illustrates how a metal piece with a through hole can be used to form part of the pendant of the present invention. Figure 5A The front of the metal part is shown. Figure 5B The back of the metal piece is shown. Because the metal piece 3 has a through hole 19, gemstones such as diamonds can be embedded within it. Such gemstones have intrinsic value, supporting the pendant's ability to convey a sense of expectation, goodwill, and / or commitment.

[0066] Figure 6 illustrates how a metal piece with a two-tone surface can be used to form part of the pendant of the present invention. Figure 6A The front of the metal part is shown. Figure 6B The back of the metal part is shown. When coated with materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and / or rhodium, the original color of the metal part changes. That is, the original two-tone state of the metal part can be transformed into a single-color state, a three-color state, a rainbow state, or other aesthetically pleasing variations.

[0067] The original color of the metal parts suitable for this invention can be altered by depositing a silver or actual elemental gold coating thereon. Copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) may cause allergies. Some people may also be allergic / hypersensitive to Zn and Mn. Therefore, this invention should contain only small amounts of non-hypoallergenic surface materials. That is, the exterior of the pendant of this invention should be composed of or substantially composed of undesirable materials (such as non-hypoallergenic or harmful chemicals).

[0068] Furthermore, brass typically tarnishes over time, while gold usually does not. Therefore, in light of the foregoing disclosure, the gender, nationality, and / or ethnicity of the charm of this invention can be selected and customized. This invention is suitable for boys and girls of all ages (and others).

[0069] For those skilled in the art, variations of the invention will be readily apparent from the disclosure herein. For example, the invention may be constructed to include or exclude specific features according to its intended use. In some cases, the invention may have no visible solder and / or weld marks. Additionally, the metal parts and / or brackets may be engraved with auspicious phrases conveying goodwill, good fortune, and wealth. The invention can also serve as a talisman for spirituality, faith, kindness, and unlimited customization.

[0070] Similarly, this invention can provide personalized implementations based on the concept of personal taste, goodwill, and / or commitment. For example, the invention can be practiced by producing charms in a "limited edition" manner. For instance, charms can be sequentially numbered according to their production order, allowing customers to order charms with specific numbers associated with goodwill and / or commitment. For example, the number 1 is a unique number because many people consider it a prime number mathematically; however, 1 is not a prime number. Similarly, 6 and 28 are both mathematically perfect (and magical) numbers. Techniques associated with personalized numerology can be used in conjunction with this invention.

[0071] Therefore, it should be apparent that many of the magical and lucky number embodiments of the present invention can be mass-produced while retaining the luxurious aspect of the invention to provide a sense of exclusivity. That is, the invention can exhibit an exclusive nature, for example, associated with one or more limited-edition works of art. Remarkably, both odd and even numbers can express goodwill, commitment, and luxury.

[0072] Furthermore, the expression of goodwill and / or commitment can be further amplified through sports, such as team sports like football, baseball, and basketball. For example, fans of the San Francisco 49ers football team could use a version of the invention corresponding to the color scheme (electronic or other form) associated with the table below:

[0073]

[0074] Oakland Athletics fans may use color schemes (or approximations thereof) associated with the following specifications in the context of this invention:

[0075] Sacramento State Green - Hexadecimal: #003831, RGB: (0, 56, 49), CMYK: (1, 0, 0.125, 0.780)

[0076] White -- Hexadecimal: #FFFFFF, RGB: (255, 255, 255), CMYK: (0,0,0,0)

[0077] Orange-yellow -- Hexadecimal: #EFB21E, RGB: (239, 178, 30), CMYK: (0, 0.255, 0.874, 0.062)

[0078] Golden State Warriors fans may use color schemes (or their substantial equivalents) associated with the following in the context of this invention:

[0079] Warrior Blue - Hexadecimal color: #1d428a, RGB: (29,66,138), CMYK: (100,78,0,18)

[0080] Golden yellow -- Hexadecimal color: #ffc72c, RGB: (255,199,44), CMYK: (0,19,89,0)

[0081] It should be understood that although the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention. Various alternatives and equivalents exist that do not depart from the above-described invention.

[0082] For example, any embodiment of the invention (e.g., the embodiment depicted in any of the accompanying drawings) may be modified to include or exclude features of other embodiments. The inventors also envision wearable garment items, such as belts, wallets, backpacks, briefcases, etc., to complement the physical manifestation of the invention. That is, the invention may include aesthetically pleasing metal charms that come into physical contact with or are close to leather goods (such as wallets and crystal straps / belts). Wallets may be associated with the brand and trademarks behind the charm. Different variations of the invention may be accompanied by different catalogues associated with them. Alternatively, a catalogue may be provided for each charm. The different aspects of the invention described above synergistically contribute, for example, to an enhanced sense of collectability, goodwill, and commitment through tangible and / or intangible means.

[0083] The invention may also address trade dress issues when the charm is associated with other commercial items, such as alternative items sold in intrastate, interstate, and / or international trade.

[0084] It is worth noting that this invention can be used as an origin indicator, just as it can be used as a pendant on a tangible article having trademark / service mark characteristics. Therefore, this invention also covers an article physically close to a metal piece having its original color, and further, wherein the orientation and / or manner in which the metal piece is presented (held by an optional pedestal) may lead others to misidentify the origin or manufacturer of the article. That is, this invention can also serve as a potential means of enforcing anti-counterfeiting / anti-counterfeiting / trade dress rights.

[0085] It should also be noted that the colors associated with this invention may also represent variations of the invention. Black and orange are commonly associated with Halloween. The term "Halloween" is well known to derive from the term "holy night," and October 31st is Halloween. Interestingly, Halloween falls on November 1st each year. Therefore, this invention can utilize the goodwill associated with these holy days / festivals.

[0086] For example, the invention can be formed using a coating on a copper metal part that prevents the copper from discoloring. Copper is typically orange. Alternatively, the base can be coated with a black material, such as spinel. When orange crystals and / or gemstones are attached to the charm of the invention, the resulting black and orange charm becomes, non-obviously, a token of "goodwill and / or commitment" associated with Halloween Eve and Halloween.

[0087] Given that traditional Christmas colors also include red and green, the present invention includes pendants coated with silver and / or gold, with red and green gemstones and / or crystals fixed to the pendants.

[0088] Furthermore, red is considered an auspicious color in Chinese culture. It is most commonly seen during the Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival. Festivals based on the lunar calendar are closely associated with "goodwill and / or commitment."

[0089] In addition, white, blue, and yellow (optional) may correspond to the Chinese cultural concept of celebration. Related. For example, the color white is associated with the inevitable passing of human life.

[0090] Pink is the color associated with the birth of girls in the United States. Therefore, pink is closely associated with goodwill and commitment in the birth of a girl.

[0091] The flags of Ireland and Brazil both feature green. Therefore, green is associated with the goodwill and commitment of these beautiful countries.

[0092] Green and gold are the colors of the University of San Francisco. San Francisco is a major city in California, but it is named after Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals. Therefore, green and gold as a whole are imbued with goodwill and commitment to education, California, and animals.

[0093] Interestingly, gold is often presented as yellow on computers and other electronic devices. Therefore, when the pendant used in this invention is a generally circular array of yellow crystals around the outer edge of the pendant (with an additional crystal at the center of the base on the back of the base), yellow also imbues the pendant of this invention with a sense of goodwill and / or commitment.

[0094] As mentioned above, purple (violet) has been the color of royalty in many jurisdictions and eras.

[0095] Similarly, purple has long been associated with royalty, initially because Tyrian purple dye, made from the secretions of sea snails, was extremely expensive in ancient times. Purple was the color worn by Roman magistrates; it became the royal color worn by the rulers of the Byzantine and Holy Roman Empires, and later by Roman Catholic bishops. Likewise, in Japan, the color is traditionally associated with the emperor and nobility. Therefore, purple is considered to convey a sense of "goodwill and commitment."

[0096] Therefore, the color or material of the present invention can be matched to the precise materials used in the physical embodiments of the invention. For example, Tahitian pearls are typically associated with a gray / black form of nacre, but saltwater and freshwater pearls from China may exhibit one or more colors, such as white, black, pink, silver, gold, etc. Incidentally, the present invention can utilize materials such as mother-of-pearl from mollusks such as oysters, mussels, and / or abalone. The present invention can also use artificial and / or synthetic nacre.

[0097] In any case, this invention does not claim any religious mythology. Those skilled in the art will understand the clarity and feasibility of this invention upon reviewing the written description accompanying this specification.

[0098] Therefore, this invention can combine tangible, calculable, and cyclical aspects of Western and Eastern philosophy, as well as their descriptions and / or images. For example, the lunar year 2023 can be either the Year of the Tiger or the Year of the Rabbit. Thus, the invention can celebrate the qualities of both the tiger and the rabbit. The West is associated with the following zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Animals associated with the East include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake (small dragon), horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

[0099] Furthermore, the structural aspects of the present invention will become apparent through visual, tactical, photonic, and / or atomic analysis of the pendant. For example, portions of the pendant may exhibit a mirror-like smooth finish, reflecting light aesthetically. Alternatively, portions and / or the entirety of the pendant may exhibit a matte finish. Those skilled in the art can determine the precise finish of the pendant and the degree of "desirability" it brings through conventional experiments. Such experiments can be performed by repeatedly flipping the pendant and counting the number of times the pendant is face up and face down. The present invention may also relate to the power of personality rights and / or individuality, as well as the power of celebration and / or celebrity. Personal names, nicknames and / or initials, dates (such as birthdays), etc., may also be used in the present invention, for example, in a commemorative and desirous manner.

[0100] Manufacturing and quality issues can also affect the durability of the invention. For example, as mentioned above, the invention may be placed in prolonged contact with human skin or other tissues, such as as a pendant or other form of jewelry. Therefore, the pendant of the invention should have an external coating that allows the manufacturer to guarantee and / or ensure the quality of the workmanship, enabling users of the invention to take feasible remedial measures in case of problems occurring during the manufacturing process. That is, the external coating should have one or more qualities and thicknesses such that, under normal use conditions, the coating will not show any noticeable signs of wear, for example, within one year.

[0101] Therefore, for pendants worn around a user's neck on chains of different metals, the general conditions of use include dry, damp, and humid conditions. Human skin is most comfortable when dry and clean. However, human sweat is known to consist primarily of water and sodium chloride (salt). Salt water can be considered inherently corrosive. Therefore, the pendants of the present invention should be sold in a form that minimizes the possibility of unacceptable abrasion from corrosive, chemical, electrochemical, or other aspects. At the very least, the user need not worry about wearing the pendants of the present invention on a chain while bathing. The same manufacturing considerations apply to other forms of pendants of the present invention, such as pierced earrings. Four Sigma, Five Sigma, or Six Sigma defect-free manufacturing practices can be employed when manufacturing the pendants of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that Six Sigma (6σ) is a set of techniques and tools for process improvement.

[0102] Furthermore, the invention may be durable, thereby enhancing the goodwill and commitment of the invention. For example, the invention may be accompanied by an optional certificate of authenticity with a unique number. This certificate may be provided in tangible form, such as a printed paper and / or in electronic format.

[0103] Similarly, the present invention can employ micro-engraving techniques that effectively mark one or more components of the physical embodiments of the invention. For example, the unique micro-engraved gemstones, metal parts, and / or supports of the present invention can associate the physical embodiments of the invention with electronic identification. Subsequently, stolen pendants of the present invention may be identified and returned to their rightful owners. Therefore, the present invention also provides an effective and causally-enhancing self-enforcing means of justice to deter and punish theft.

[0104] The pendant of this invention is a tangible form of an item. Therefore, the invention has been described in this document in a manner that meets all objective criteria, thereby making it functional, novel, non-obvious, clear, and implementable in a descriptive written form, while aiming for a more elegant form, lower cost, and haute couture-like simplicity, and also possessing timelessness, timeliness, and timelessness.

[0105] Regardless, this invention should attract collectors worldwide, particularly those interested in pendants. Over time, this invention may take on different collectible forms. That is, collectibles of this invention may include different metal pieces from around the world, optionally with different casting dates. This invention may or may not be commemorative in nature. In some cases, this invention may commemorate certain events, such as births, birthdays, baptisms, confirmations, admonitions, initiations, graduations, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, other times / places, etc., through words, images, symbols, designs, logos, and / or combinations thereof. National and / or personal slogans may also be used.

[0106] Other aspects, advantages, and modifications within the scope of this invention will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A pendant (1), comprising: A metal part (3) having an original color, wherein the metal part (3) is coated with a material that visually alters the original color of the metal part (3) in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The metal element (3) is held in a desired orientation and / or manner by a support (9) such that the pendant (1) is at least hypoallergenic and / or the pendant (1) is permanently associated with an electron, optionally by means of a material coating from the metal element (3).

2. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary color is the color of copper or its alloy.

3. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desired direction emphasizes the front-facing direction.

4. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the material is a precious metal selected from gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, their alloys, and layers of any of the aforementioned materials.

5. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pendant is inlaid with jewelry.

6. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pendant comprises one or more crystals (13).

7. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 6, comprising an array of multiple crystals (13).

8. The charm (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the charm has a front and a back (5, 7) and has a trademark associated with the back (7).

9. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pendant is inlaid with jewelry around its edge (11).

10. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal part (3) is fixed to the bracket (9), and the bracket (9) covers more of the back (7) of the metal part (3) than the front (5) of the metal part (3).

11. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the base (9) is inlaid with jewelry.

12. The charm (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charm attracts at least one collector.

13. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pendant is in the form of a token, a ring, a pendant (15) or a bracelet.

14. The pendant (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal element is geographically associated with the Americas, Australia, Asia, and / or Europe.

Images