Configurable Jewelry Article

Abstract

A configurable jewelry article such as a pendant, broach, ring, bracelet or earring that is alterable to include additional settings and to allow an even or an odd number of settings to be aesthetically pleasing. The settings may be positioned so that they are centered or symmetrically positioned regardless of whether an even or odd number of settings are mounted. The settings are formed with a mount or beam that is received in one of a number of positions within the jewelry. Typically, the setting mount is retained between upper and lower frames. The setting positions are typically within a central channel and the setting positions include a central setting position, suitable for mounting a single setting and two setting positions equidistant from the central setting position. The setting positions may be equally spaced as the distance from the central positions increases or the spacing may increase as the distance from the central positions increases. The configurable jewelry may be an ideal application for mother's jewelry, since it may be updated for the births of additional children in the future.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A configurable jewelry article comprising:
 a first frame section,   a second frame section, the first and second frame sections being mated to define a channel having a plurality of setting positions to retain at least one jewelry setting;   the setting positions being grouped into two groups,
 the first group centered on a central setting position and a plurality of pairs of setting positions spaced from said central position, and 
 the second group centered on a pair of setting positions equidistant from the central setting position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the channel shape is selected from the group consisting of straight, triangular, square, circular, arcuate, heart-shaped, rectangle, V-shaped or any portion thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the beam has a predetermined cross-sectional shape and the indentations have a substantially equal and opposite cross-sectional shape to receive the beam. 
     
     
         4 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined cross-sectional shape is selected from the group consisting of rectangular, circular, square, trapezoidal, triangular and portions thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hinge connecting the first and second frame sections.   
     
     
         6 . A configurable jewelry article comprising:
 a first frame section, defining a channel, and having a number of paired indentations on either side of said channel,   a second frame section, fixed to said first section,   at least one setting mounted on a beam, the beam being received within the paired indentations of the first frame section.   
     
     
         7 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the paired indentations being aligned in two groups,
 the first group centered on a central setting position and a plurality of pairs of setting positions spaced from said central position, and 
 the second group centered on a pair of setting positions equidistant from the central setting position. 
   
     
     
         8 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 7 , wherein the first group of paired indentations are substantially equally spaced from adjacent paired indentations. 
     
     
         9 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 6 , wherein the channel shape is selected from the group consisting of straight, triangular, square, circular, arcuate, heart-shaped, rectangle, V-shaped or any portion thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 6 , wherein the beam has a predetermined cross-sectional shape and the indentations have a substantially equal and opposite cross-sectional shape to receive the beam. 
     
     
         11 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined cross-sectional shape is selected from the group consisting of rectangular, circular, square, trapezoidal, triangular and portions thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a hinge connecting the first and second frame sections.   
     
     
         13 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a mount for connection with another jewelry article.   
     
     
         14 . A jewelry article comprising:
 first and second frame sections defining a jewelry display channel   at least one jewelry setting having a beam, said beam having a predetermined cross-sectional shape   a first set of beam receivers, having a central beam receiver, formed into at least one of said first and second frame sections, the central beam receiver positioned at the midpoint of said channel;   a second set of beam receivers, having a central pair of beam receivers, formed into at least one of said first and second frame sections, the central pair of beam receivers of said second set of beam receivers being equally spaced from the central beam receiver of the first set.   
     
     
         15 . The jewelry article of  claim 14 , wherein the first set of beam receivers is formed in the first frame section and the second set of beam receivers is formed in the second frame section. 
     
     
         16 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 15 , wherein the first set of beam receivers are substantially equally spaced from adjacent beam receivers. 
     
     
         17 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 14 , wherein the channel shape is selected from the group consisting of straight, triangular, square, circular, arcuate, heart-shaped, rectangle, V-shaped or any portion thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 14 , wherein the beam has a predetermined cross-sectional shape and the indentations have a substantially equal and opposite cross-sectional shape to receive the beam. 
     
     
         19 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 18 , wherein the predetermined cross-sectional shape is selected from the group consisting of rectangular, circular, square, trapezoidal, triangular and portions thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The configurable jewelry article of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a hinge connecting the first and second frame sections.