Jewelry bail retainer

Abstract

A bail for securing a jewelry item on an elongated member includes a housing with a first portion for attachment of a jewelry item, a clamp portion supported by the housing, and a biasing member. The clamp portion is moveable between a free position and a secured position where the clamp portion is engaged with the elongated member and the biasing member is configured to force the clamp portion toward the secured position against a portion of the elongated member to maintain a relative position between the jewelry item and the elongated member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 449,114 filed Mar. 1, 2023.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to bail for securing a pendant or other jewelry item on a necklace or chain and more particularly to a bail retainer that holds a set position on the necklace or chain.BACKGROUND

[0003] A pendant or other jewelry item is often attached to a necklace and worn around a bearer's neck or wrist. Securement of the pendant or jewelry item may be as simple as an opening through the pendant. Alternatively, a closed ring (jewelry bail) may be attached to the pendant and provide an opening for the necklace. In such configurations, the pendant is free to move along the necklace and will typically settle at the lowest location along the necklace. The necklace typically includes a clasp to attach ends around a wearer's neck with the clasp worn out of sight behind the wearer's neck. However, the clasp has a tendency to migrate from behind the wearer's neck, down to and adjacent to the pendant. This is considered undesirable, requiring the wearer to grasp the pendant with one hand and slide the clasp back with the other hand to the desired position behind the neck. The retaining bail prevents the jewelry clasp from migrating from behind the wearer's neck to adjacent the pendant.

[0004] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting a context of this disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.SUMMARY

[0005] A retaining bail for securing a jewelry item on an elongated member according to an example embodiment of this disclosure includes, among other possible things, a housing including a first portion for attachment of a jewelry item, a clamp portion supported by the housing, and a biasing member. The clamp portion is moveable between a free position and a secured position where the clamp portion is engaged with the elongated member and the biasing member is configured to force the clamp portion toward the secured position against a portion of the elongated member to maintain a relative position between the jewelry item and the elongated member.

[0006] A jewelry assembly according to another disclosed example embodiment includes an elongated member, a retaining bail, and a jewelry item. The elongated member includes a first end securable to a second end with a clasp. The retaining bail is securable at a fixed location along the elongated member and includes a securement feature for holding the retaining bail in the fixed location along the elongated member. The jewelry item is attached to the retaining bail and held in a fixed location along the elongated member.

[0007] Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.

[0008] These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a jewelry item including an example retaining bail supporting a pendant.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example retaining bail embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another example retaining bail embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another example retaining bail embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example bail retainer embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of the example bail retainer embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a front view of the example bail retainer embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the example bail retainer installed as part of bail for a jewelry item assembled onto a necklace.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, an example jewelry item 20 includes a pendant 24 suspended on a chain 22. The pendant 24 is secured to the chain 22 with a bail 26. A ring 28 of the pendant 24 is secured to the bail 26 and the bail 26 is secured to the chain 22. The example bail 26 includes a locking feature that clamps onto the chain 22 to hold the pendant 24 in a desired location as indicated at 32. The chain 22 includes ends that are secured by a clasp 30. Although a chain 22 is shown and described by way of example, strings, bands, or any other elongated members worn around a person's neck or wrist could be utilized and is within the contemplation and scope of this disclosure.

[0018] Conventional devices for securing a pendant to a chain enable the pendant to slide freely. The free movement of the pendant 24 can present problems. For example, the clasp 30 may move downward toward the pendant 24. The low position of the pendant 24 provides a low point for the clasp 30 to move toward and against the pendent 24. Such a circumstance can detract from the joy of wearing jewelry. The example bail 26 locks onto the chain 22 to prevent and / or substantially limit relative movement between the chain 22 and the pendant 24. The locked pendent 24 and chain 22 maintains a desired orientation and can keep the clasp 30 spaced apart from the pendant 24.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2 with continued reference to FIG. 1, the example locking bail 26 includes a housing 34 with an opening 36 for attachment to a pendant. The opening 36 may be a closed opening or one with a clasp member to enable assembly of the pendant 24. The housing 34 further defines a cavity 38 with a clamp member 44. The clamp member 44 is slidable with the cavity 38 and is biased upward toward a top surface 46 by a spring 40. The spring 40 is supported on spring pin 42 within the cavity 38.

[0020] The spring 40 forces the clamp member 44 upward against a chain 22 that is received through the cavity 38 in a space between the clamp member 44 and the top surface 46. The biasing spring 40 generates an upward force indicated by arrow 48 against the chain 22. The upward force provides sufficient friction to prevent substantial relative movement between the chain 22 and the bail 26, and thereby the pendent 24.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, with continued reference to FIG. 1, another example retaining bail is indicated at 50 and includes a housing 52 that defines an opening 54 for receiving a portion of the pendant 24 or other locking securement member, such as a closeable ring or chain link. The housing 52 further defines a clamp area 66 disposed between a fixed jaw portion 56 and movable jaw portion 58. The fixed jaw portion 56 includes serrations 70 for gripping onto a portion of a chain 22. A locking arm 68 includes serrations 72 on a jaw member 60 that correspond with the serrations 70 to grip against the chain 22. The locking arm 58 is pivotally attached to the housing 52 by a pivot 62. The pivot 62 provides for movement of the locking arm 58 for insertion of the chain 22 between the serrations 70, 72. A biasing member schematically shown at 64 is configured to bias the locking arm 58 in a direction indicated by arrow 68 toward the fixed jaw portion 56. The biasing member 64 may be within an internal space of the housing 52 are integrated into the pivot 62. Moreover, the biasing member 64 may be of any other configuration providing for forcing of the locking arm 58 against the fixed jaw portion 56.

[0022] In operation, the locking arm 58 is pulled back against the force of the biasing member 64 to create a space for receiving the chain 22 between the serrations 70, 72. Upon release of the locking arm 58, the biasing member 64 forces the locking arm 58 against the chain 22 such that the chain 22 is held in place. The serrations 70, 72 prevent and / or substantially reduce any relative movement between the chain 22 and any pendant or jewelry member supported on the bail 50.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, another retaining bail 74 is shown and includes an outer body portion 76 and an inner securement portion 78. The securement portion 78 is a flexible material with an opening 82 for a chain or other necklace form. The securement portion 78 will expand to accept the chain, but will maintain frictional contact that prevents movement. In one example embodiment, the securement portion 78 is a silicon material adhered to an inner periphery 84 of the body portion 76. The opening 82 is sized to provide an interference fit with a chain or other necklace form. The opening 82 may be round at is shown in this disclose example, or of other shapes that provide for an interference fit with a chain or other necklace form.

[0024] A loop 80 extends from the body portion 78 to provide for attachment of a pendant or other jewelry item. The shape of the loop 80 may vary from that shown to provide both attachment and a desired appearance. The loop 80 may also includes an opening (not shown) to provide for attachment of charm or pendent. The opening would then be closed to maintain the charm and pendent in place.

[0025] Additionally, the body portion 76 is shown as a circular form with a circular inner periphery 84. However, the body portion 76 could be of other shapes to provide a desired appearance. The example body portion 76 is made from metal, but may also be made from other materials and remain within the contemplation and scope of this disclosure.

[0026] The example retaining bails, 26, 50, 74 provide for securement of a jewelry item to a chain in a manner that prevents relative movement to maintain a desired relative position and substantially eliminate any readjustment to increase enjoyment to the wearer of the jewelry items.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, a bail retainer 86 is shown and is formed from a pliant material and insertable into a bail structure 100 for a jewelry item. In one disclosed example, the jewelry item is a pendant 104 that is secured to a bail 100. The bail 100 is a structure through which the necklace 102 extends. The example bail 100 is teardrop shaped with a uniform radius at a top that transitions into a slender region at a bottom that is attached to the pendant 104.

[0028] The bail retainer 86 includes a wall 98 with an outer surface 92 and an inner surface 88. The wall 98 includes a split 90 at one location 112. The one location 112 in the example bail retainer 86 is at a bottom side 116. The split 90 enables the bail retainer 86 to compress to fit with the bail structure 100 and around the necklace 102. The split 90 is set to provide sufficient compression to fit within a corresponding bail structure 100 and around the necklace 102.

[0029] The bail retainer 86 is shaped to conform to the shape of a bail structure 100. The example bail retainer 86 is teardrop shaped. However, other shapes that conform to other bail structure shapes are within the contemplation and scope of this disclosure.

[0030] The example bail retainer 86 includes a maximum width 108 at a top 114 and a minimum width 110 at the bottom 116. The width tapers from the maximum width 108 toward the minimum width 110 as is best shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, a front side 94 and a back side 96 are tapered from the maximum width 108 at the top to the minimum width 110 at the bottom 116.

[0031] The inner space 106 of the bail retainer 86 is sized based on the diameter of the necklace 102. The size of the inner space 106 may be varied to accommodate necklaces of different diameters by increasing or decreasing a thickness 122 of the wall 98. Moreover, the overall size of the bail retainer 86 is adjusted and modified to accommodate different sizes and shapes of the bail structure 100.

[0032] As is shown best in FIG. 7, the bail retainer 86 is generally teardrop shaped with the top portion 114 having a constant and uniform radius 118. The bottom portion 116 has a non-uniform radius 120 that varies to provide the teardrop shape as shown. The example radii 118 and 120 are measured from a common center axis 124.

[0033] In one example operational embodiment, with the pendant 104 and bail 100 already disposed on the necklace 102, the bail retainer 86 is added to substantially prevent and / or inhibit movement along the necklace 102. The split 90 allows the bail retainer 86 to open sufficiently to be assembled to the necklace 102. The bail retainer 86 is than slid along the necklace 102 and into the bail structure 100. The bail retainer 86 is formed from a pliant material and therefore is easily compressed to fit within the bail structure 100. Compression of the bail retainer 86 provides for insertion into the bail structure 100 while simultaneously compressing in an interference fit manner around the necklace 102. The interference fit provides sufficient frictional engagement with the necklace 102 to prevent free sliding of the pendant 104. However, the pendant 104 may be moved along the necklace 102 with the application of sufficient force. The force required to move the pendant 104 with the bail retainer 86 assembled within the bail structure 100 is significantly more than would enable free movement of the pendant 104. Accordingly, once the pendant 104 is moved to a desired location on the necklace 104, it will remain in place in the absence of any outside application of force.

[0034] Accordingly, the locking bails and bail retaining elements disclosed by way of example provides for fixing a jewelry item or pendant in place on a necklace, bracelet, or other elongated member of a jewelry item.

[0035] Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that this disclosure is not just a material specification and that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A retaining bail for securing a jewelry item on an elongated member, the retaining bail comprising:a housing including a first portion for attachment of a jewelry item;a clamp portion supported by the housing, the clamp portion moveable between a free position and a secured position where the clamp portion is engaged with the elongated member; anda biasing member configured to force the clamp portion toward the secured position against a portion of the elongated member to maintain a relative position between the jewelry item and the elongated member.

2. The retaining bail as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a cavity and the clamp portion is movable within the cavity and biased toward a clamp surface to engage the elongated member.

3. The retaining bail as recited in claim 2, wherein the biasing member comprises a compression spring supported within the cavity.

4. The retaining bail as recited in claim 3, including a spring pin disposed within the cavity and supports the compression spring within the cavity.

5. The retaining bail as recited in claim 3, wherein the clamp comprises a plate slidable within the cavity and biased toward an inner surface of the cavity.

6. The retaining bail as recited in claim 2, wherein first portion comprises an opening defined within the housing separate from the cavity.

7. The retaining bail as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a fixed jaw portion and the clamp portion comprises a movable locking arm portion biased toward the fixed jaw portion for capturing a portion of the elongated member therebetween.

8. The retaining bail as recited in claim 7, wherein the movable locking arm portion is pivotally attached to the housing and is biased toward the fixed jaw by the biasing member.

9. The retaining bail as recited in claim 8, including a pivot located proximate a side of the housing corresponding with the movable locking arm.

10. The retaining bail as recited in claim 8, including a biasing member disposed between the movable locking arm and the housing.

11. The retaining bail as recited in claim 7, wherein the fixed jaw and the movable locking arm portion includes matted serrated edges between which the elongated member may be captured.

12. The retaining bail as recited in claim 9, wherein the first portion comprises an opening for receiving a securement member associated with the jewelry item.

13. A jewelry assembly comprising:an elongated member having a first end securable to second end with a clasp;a bail securable at a fixed location along the elongated member, the bail including a securement feature for holding the bail in the fixed location along the elongated member; anda jewelry item attached to the bail.

14. The jewelry item as recited in claim 13, wherein the bail includes a housing defining an opening for securing the jewelry item and a cavity within which the elongated member is disposed.

15. The jewelry item as recited in claim 14, further including a clamp portion that is actuatable to trap the elongated member therebetween.

16. The jewelry item as recited in claim 15, wherein the clamp comprises a plate slidable within the cavity and biased toward an inner surface of the cavity.

17. The jewelry item as recited in claim 15, wherein the clamp portion comprises a fixed jaw portion and a movable locking arm portion biased toward the fixed jaw portion for capturing a portion of the elongated member therebetween.

18. The jewelry item as recited in claim 14, wherein the cavity includes an inner securement portion, the securement portion comprising a flexible material with an opening for the elongated member, the inner securement portion configured to generate an interference engagement around the elongated member for holding the bail in a desired location on the elongated member.

19. The jewelry item as recited in claim 13, further comprising a bail retainer that is securable within the bail, the bail retainer comprises a flexible material that is disposed between inner surface of the bail and the elongated member for creating an interference fit against the elongated member to inhibit free movement of the bail along the elongated member.

20. The jewelry item as recited in claim 13, wherein the elongated member comprises at least one of a necklace, bracelet, chain, string, band, thread, or other flexible member.

21. A bail retaining member for a jewelry item comprising:a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface;an inner space defined within the wall; anda split at one location that extends between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the wall comprises a pliant material that exerts a biasing force when compressed.

22. The bail retaining member as recited in claim 21, wherein the bail retaining member includes a width between a front side and a back side, wherein the width tapers from a greatest width to a smallest width.

23. The bail member as recited in claim 22, wherein the smallest width is disposed at the one location including the split.

24. The bail member as recited in claim 21, wherein the retaining bail includes a top portion where the outer surface and the inner surface are of a common uniform radius and a bottom portion where the outer surface and the inner surface are of a non-uniform radius.

25. A jewelry item including a bail for supporting a pendant on an elongated member and a bail retaining member as recited in claim 21 disposed within the bail for inhibiting movement of the pendant along the elongated member.

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