Device, system and method for arranging jewelry

Abstract

A device, system and method for layering individual jewelry articles in a desired order and configuration around a wearer and maintaining the jewelry articles in a desired layered arrangement about the wearer.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for layering a plurality of jewelry articles, the device having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the device further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the device is in the closed configuration, the device further comprising at least one gripping member for holding one or more jewelry chains in place, the at least one gripping member disposed on at least one of the upper member or the lower member. 
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1  further comprising a first gripping member on an upper side of the bottom member, and a second gripping member on a lower side of the upper member, the first and second gripping members configured to sandwich a plurality of necklace chains therebetween when the device is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein each of the first gripping member and the second gripping member has a length sufficient to sandwich at least two necklace chains therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . A jewelry system comprising:
 a plurality of chains; and   a first chain layering device, the first chain layering device having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the first chain layering device further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the first chain layering device is in the closed configuration, the first chain layering device further comprising at least one gripping member for holding the plurality of chains in place in a layered configuration, the at least one gripping member disposed on at least one of the upper member or the lower member.   
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 4 , further comprising a first gripping member on an upper side of the bottom member, and a second gripping member on a lower side of the upper member, the first and second gripping members configured to sandwich the plurality of chains therebetween when the device is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 5 , wherein each of the first gripping member and the second gripping member has a length sufficient to sandwich at least two necklace chains therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a second chain layering device, the second chain layering device having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the second chain layering device further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the second chain layering device is in the closed configuration, the second chain layering device further comprising at least one gripping member for holding the plurality of chains in place in a layered configuration, the at least one gripping member disposed on at least one of the upper member or the lower member. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 7 , further comprising a first gripping member on an upper side of the bottom member of each of the first and second chain layering devices, and a second gripping member on a lower side of the upper member of each of the first and second chain layering devices, the first and second gripping members configured to sandwich the plurality of chains therebetween when the first and second chain layering devices are in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein each of the first gripping member and the second gripping member of each of the first chain layering device and the second chain layering devices has a length sufficient to sandwich at least two necklace chains therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of chains is a necklace, wherein a first of the plurality of chains is shorter than a second of the plurality of chains, and wherein the first of the plurality of chains hangs lower down a front of a wearer of the system than the second of the plurality of chains when the system is worn by the wearer and the first and second chains are sandwiched in the first and second chain layering devices. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of chains is held in place by the first chain layering device in two positions on the chain, such that a U-shaped portion of each of the plurality of chains extends below the first chain layering device on a wearer of the system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least two of the plurality of chains have different lengths. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein at least two the U-shaped portions have different lengths. 
     
     
         14 . A method for layering a plurality of necklaces around a neck of a wearer, each of the plurality of necklaces comprising a chain, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. placing the plurality of necklaces around the neck;   b. closing each of the plurality of necklaces;   c. grasping each of the plurality of necklaces behind the neck at two positions on its chain, the two positions being selected such that the plurality of necklaces appears at a front of the wearer in a desired layered arrangement;   d. sandwiching the two positions of each of the plurality of necklace chains in between gripping members of a clip situated behind the neck of the wearer; and   e. closing and locking the clip such that the plurality of necklaces remain in place in the desired arrangement.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the clip has an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the clip comprises an upper member and a lower member pivotally attached to the upper member, the clip further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the upper member and the lower member together when the device is in the closed configuration, and wherein a first of the gripping members is disposed on an upper side of the bottom member and a second of the gripping members is disposed on a lower side of the upper member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first of the gripping members and the second of the gripping members has a length sufficient to sandwich at least two necklace chains therebetween.