Methods and apparatus for jewelry

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for jewelry may comprise a locket system comprising first and second portions that may be attached to define an interior cavity. The locket system may be selectively coupled by a connector system. The connector system may comprise a pivotal connection configured to selectively pivot the second portion relative to the first portion to provide access to the interior cavity, a biasing mechanism adapted to substantially bias the first portion and the second portion into a closed position, and an engagement point adapted to constrain inadvertent movement of the first portion relative to the second portion when the first portion and the second portion are in a closed position. Methods and apparatus for jewelry may further comprise an insert system for insertion into a locket system adapted to retain a desired position within the interior cavity.

1 . A heart shaped locket system, comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion defining an interior cavity coupled by a pivotal connection, wherein:
 the first portion comprises:
 an interior surface; and 
 a mating surface, comprising:
 at least one magnet recessed in at least one aperture; and 
 
 
 the second portion comprises:
 an interior surface comprising a window; and 
 a mating surface adapted to releasably engage a portion of the 
 mating surface of the first portion to form the interior cavity; and 
 wherein; 
 
 each of the first portion and a second portion comprise:
 an exterior surface, comprising:
 a lower termination point; 
 an upper termination point; and 
 a pair of symmetrical sections, each comprising: 
  a first side portion and a second side portion extending between the lower termination point and the upper termination point, wherein: 
   each of the first side section and the second side section comprises: 
    a first sidewall element forming a generally straight surface extending between the lower termination point to a first radial point; 
    a first transition clement forming a generally curved surface extending between the first radial point to a second radial point; and 
    a second sidewall element forming a generally straight surface extending between the second radial point to the upper termination point. 
 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The heart, shaped locket system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the first portion comprises a window. 
     
     
         3 . The heart shaped, locket system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower termination points of each of the first portion and the second portion comprises a terminal apex forming an angle measuring between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 60 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower termination points of each of the first portion and the second portion comprises a terminal apex forming an angle measuring less than 45 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal, connection comprises a hinge assembly disposed within a recess proximate to the first radial element of at least one of the first side section and the second side section of at least one of the first portion and the second portion wherein the hinge assembly is configured to facilitate the movement of the first portion, relative to the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion, is adapted to pivot about a pivot axis defined through a hinge assembly over a limited angular range relative to a planar surface of the second portion while the second portion remains in a fixed position. 
     
     
         7 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 1 , wherein;
 the mating surface of the second, portion further comprises a hole, and   the mating surface of the first portion further comprises a stud sized and positioned to selectively engage the hole when the mating surface of the first portion and the mating surface of the second portion are in an engaged configuration to prevent inadvertent relative, movement of the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         8 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 7 , wherein;
 the stud and the hole are positioned substantially diagonally opposite the position of the pivotal connection when the mating surface of the first portion and the mating surface of the second portion are in an engaged configuration.   
     
     
         9 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 1 , further comprising a concave bevel formed in a surface of at least one of the first portion or the second portion, wherein:
 the concave bevel is positioned proximate to the engagement point and substantially diagonally opposite the position of the pivotal connection when the mating surface of the first portion and the mating surface of the second portion are in an engaged configuration.   
     
     
         10 . The heart shaped locket system of claim L wherein the mating surface of the second portion further comprises at least one oppositely positioned magnet recessed in at least one oppositely positioned aperture, wherein;
 the at least one oppositely positioned magnet is positioned to align with and engage the at least one magnet formed in the mating surface of the first portion when the first, portion and the second portion are in an engaged configuration.   
     
     
         11 . The heart shaped locket system of claim.  1 , wherein:
 the least one magnet recessed in at least one aperture of the mating surface of the first portion further comprises:
 a first magnet positioned at a midpoint of the first sidewall element; 
 a second magnet positioned at a midpoint of the first transition element; and 
 a third magnet positioned at a midpoint of the second sidewall element, wherein:
 the first magnet and the third magnet may be generally aligned along a vertical axis line; and 
 the second magnet may be generally aligned along a horizontal axis line substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis line and clockwise of the third magnet. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The heart shaped, locket system of  claim 11 , wherein the mating surface of the second portion further comprises at least one oppositely positioned magnet recessed in at least one oppositely positioned aperture, wherein the at least one oppositely positioned magnet comprises:
 a first oppositely positioned magnet positioned to engage the first magnet;   a second oppositely positioned magnet positioned to engage the second magnet; and   a third oppositely positioned magnet positioned to engage the third magnet, when the mating surface of the first portion and the mating surface of the second portion are in an engaged configuration.   
     
     
         13 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one magnet and the at least one oppositely positioned magnet comprise a magnetic field strength range of approximately 1500 Gauss to approximately 2000 Gauss. 
     
     
         14 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 12 , wherein the magnet field strength range is selected to substantially inhibit inadvertent detachment of the mating surface of the first portion and the mating surface of the second portion after engagement. 
     
     
         15 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 12 , wherein the magnet field strength range is selected to substantially bias the mating surface of the first portion and the mating surface of the second portion to an engaged configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic field strength range comprises approximately 1800 Gauss. 
     
     
         17 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 6 , wherein the angular range comprises a minimum angular range of approximately 30 degrees and a maximum angular range of approximately 180 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 6 , wherein the angular range comprises a minimum angular range of approximately 45 degrees and a maximum angular range of approximately 60 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 6 , wherein the maximum angular range is selected to substantially bias the mating surface of the first portion and the mating surface of the second portion to an engaged configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion comprises a decorative surface. 
     
     
         21 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 20 , wherein the decorative surface comprises a decorative object. 
     
     
         22 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity is configured to display an object. 
     
     
         23 . The heart shaped locket system of  claim 1 , may further comprise an interchangeable locket insert system comprising:
 a main body adapted for insertion info the interior cavity, wherein the main body comprises dimensions adapted;
 to be inserted into the interior cavity and snugly engage the interior cavity to substantially prevent inadvertent displacement.