Article of jewelry with interchangeable plaque

Abstract

A bracelet including a housing for supporting a removable plaque is disclosed. The housing is preferably connected at a first end and a second end to a strap. The housing may further include a base, and a pair of sidewalls which support the removable plaque in the engaged or secured position. The base may further support an element of an engagement member which secures the removable plaque to the base. In one embodiment, the engagement member includes a pair of magnets supported on an inner surface of the base and plaque, respectively, which are magnetically attracted to each other. The removable plaque preferably includes an inner surface which supports the magnet and an outer surface for receiving ornamentation, such as indicia thereon. The plaque may further include a pair of side walls which overlap the side walls of the housing in the engaged position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An article of jewelry comprising: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, a base and a pair of side walls supported by the base, the base further having an inner and an outer surface;    a plaque including a faceplate and a pair of side walls supported by the faceplate, the faceplate having an inner and an outer surface, the outer surface constructed and arranged to receive ornamentation thereon;    an engagement member including a first element and a second element, the first element being supported on the housing, and the second element being supported on the plaque; and    wherein in an engaged position the sidewalls of the plaque overlap the sidewalls of the housing and the first element and second element matingly engage in order to removably secure the plaque to the housing.    
     
     
         2 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein the first element is supported on the inner surface of the base and the second element is supported on the inner surface of the faceplate.  
     
     
         3 . The article of jewelry of  claim 2 , wherein the first element is a magnet and the second element is a magnet, the first and second magnets being magnetically attracted to each other.  
     
     
         4 . The article of jewelry of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement member comprises Velcro® material and includes a hook element and a corresponding loop element.  
     
     
         5 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein the first element is supported on the side walls of the housing and the second element is supported on the side walls of the plaque.  
     
     
         6 . The article of jewelry of  claim 5 , wherein the first element is a pair of indentations formed on the outer surface of the sidewalls of the housing and the second element is a pair of protrusions supported on the inner surface of the side walls of the plaque.  
     
     
         7 . The article of jewelry of  claim 5 , wherein the first element is a pair of protrusions formed on the outer surface of the sidewalls of the housing and the second element is a pair of indentations supported on the inner surface of the side walls of the plaque.  
     
     
         8 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap having a first member attached to the first end of the housing, and a second member attached to a second end of the housing.  
     
     
         9 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein the plaque substantially covers the housing in the engaged position.  
     
     
         10 . An article of jewelry comprising: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, a base and a pair of side walls supported by the base, the base further having an inner and an outer surface;    a plaque including a faceplate and a pair of side walls supported by the faceplate, the faceplate having an inner and an outer surface, the outer surface constructed and arranged to receive ornamentation thereon;    an engagement member including a first magnet element and a second magnet element, the first magnet element being supported on the inner surface of the base, and the second magnet element being supported on the inner surface of the plaque; and    wherein in an engaged position the housing is inserted within the plaque such that the sidewalls of the plaque overlap the sidewalls of the housing, and the first element and second element magnetically engage in order to removably secure the plaque to the housing.    
     
     
         11 . The article of jewelry of  claim 10 , wherein the plaque substantially covers the housing in the engaged position.  
     
     
         12 . An article of jewelry comprising: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, a base and a pair of side walls supported by the base, the base further having an inner and an outer surface;    a plaque including a faceplate and a pair of side walls supported by the faceplate, the faceplate having an inner and an outer surface, the outer surface constructed and arranged to receive ornamentation thereon;    an engagement member including a first element and a second element, the first element being supported on the outer surface of the side walls of the housing, and the second element being supported on the inner surface of the side walls of the plaque; and    wherein in an engaged position the housing is inserted within the plaque such that the sidewalls of the plaque overlap the sidewalls of the housing, and the first element and second element matingly engage in order to removably secure the plaque to the housing.    
     
     
         13 . The article of jewelry of  claim 12 , wherein the plaque substantially covers the housing in the engaged position.