System and method for securing accessories to jewelry

Abstract

A system is provided for reversibly attaching decorative ornamentation to jewelry manufactured from compliant elastomeric material using a novel connecting device.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for connecting two objects, said device comprising:
 an upper member for receiving a first object;   a central support having a first end connected to a bottom surface of said upper member and a second end connected to an upper convex surface of an oblong base;   wherein said upper member, said central support, and said base share a common central axis;   wherein said base is curved in a downward direction away from said central support about an axis perpendicular to said common axis of said central support thereby forming a concave lower surface opposite said upper convex surface of said base;   wherein said upper member, said central support, and said oblong base are a single piece integral construction for connecting said first object to a second object; and   wherein said oblong base is a uniform thickness, solid material free from holes.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said oblong base is elliptically shaped wherein sides of said elliptically shaped oblong base are outwardly curved. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said oblong base is elliptically shaped having two opposing sides at both ends of a short axis, said two opposing sides straight and parallel to each other for at least one quarter the length of said oblong base. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said oblong base is oval shaped having a single axis of symmetry about a long axis of said oblong base. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said oblong base is rectangular shaped and has an aspect ratio of about 2.0. 
     
     
         6 . The connecting device of  claim 1  wherein said base has an aspect ratio selected from the group consisting of about 2.03, between 1.0 and 2.3, and between 2.4 and 5.0. 
     
     
         7 . A system for attaching ornamentation to a continuous jewelry ring, the system comprising:
 a jewelry ring having at least one hole formed therein;   an upper member for receiving ornamentation;   a central support having a first end connected to a bottom surface of said upper member and a second end connected to an upper convex surface of an oblong base;   wherein said upper member, said central support, and said base share a common central axis;   wherein said base is curved in a downward direction away from said central support about an axis perpendicular to said common axis of said central support thereby forming a concave lower surface opposite said upper convex surface of said base;   wherein said upper member, said central support, and said oblong base are a single piece integral construction for attaching ornamentation to said jewelry ring;   wherein said oblong base is a uniform thickness, solid material free from holes, said oblong base and at least a portion of said central support insertable thru said at least one hole in said jewelry ring;   wherein said lower concave surface of said base directly contacts and generally conforms to a body surface of a wearer's finger or toe; and   wherein said upper convex surface of said base directly contacts and generally conforms to an inside surface of said jewelry ring.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said oblong base is elliptically shaped wherein sides of said elliptically shaped oblong base are outwardly curved. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said oblong base is elliptically shaped having two opposing sides at both ends of a short axis, said two opposing sides straight and parallel to each other for at least one quarter the length of said oblong base. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said oblong base is oval shaped having a single axis of symmetry about a long axis of said oblong base. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said oblong base is rectangular shaped and has an aspect ratio of about 2.0:1. 
     
     
         12 . The connecting device of  claim 7  wherein said central support has a diameter creating a close tolerance fit with said at least one hole. 
     
     
         13 . A system for connecting a decorative accessory to a wearable item, the system comprising:
 a wearable item having at least one hole formed therein;   a upper member for receiving a decorative accessory;   a central support having a first end connected to a bottom surface of said upper member and a second end connected to an upper convex surface of an oblong base;   wherein said upper member, said central support, and said base share a common central axis;   wherein said base is curved in a downward direction away from said central support about an axis perpendicular to said common axis of said central support thereby forming a concave lower surface opposite said upper convex surface of said base;   wherein said upper member, said central support, and said oblong base are a single piece integral construction for connecting a decorative accessory to said wearable item;   wherein said oblong base is a uniform thickness, solid material free from holes, said oblong base and at least a portion of said central support insertable thru said at least one hole;   wherein said lower concave surface directly contacts a surface of a wearer's body; and   wherein said upper convex surface of said base directly contacts an inside surface of said wearable item.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said oblong base is elliptically shaped wherein sides of said elliptically shaped oblong base are outwardly curved. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said oblong base is elliptically shaped having two opposing sides at both ends of a short axis, said two opposing sides straight and parallel to each other for at least one third the length of said oblong base. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said oblong base is oval shaped having a single axis of symmetry about a long axis of said oblong base. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said oblong base is rectangular shaped and has an aspect ratio of about 2.0:1. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said wearable item is a bracelet, necklace or ring. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said wearable item is comprised of a compliant elastomeric material. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said wearable item is a shoe comprised of a compliant elastomeric material.