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Patent Abstract
A method of making jewelry (10) incorporating a used part (12) of
a musical instrument (14). The method broadly includes the steps
of: obtaining a used part (12) of a musical instrument (14); and
making at least one item of jewelry (10) making the used part (12).
The performance is preferably by a famous musician, such that association
of the used part (12) of the musical instrument (14) with the musician
increases the value of the resulting jewelry (10) incorporating
the used part (12). In a first preferred embodiment, the musical
instrument (14) is a string instrument (14), and the used part (12)
is a used string (12). In a second preferred embodiment, the used
part (12) is a used pick (12).
Patent Claims
Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention,
what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent
includes the following:
1. A method of making jewelry comprising the steps of: obtaining
a used part of a musical instrument; and making at least one item
of jewelry incorporating the used part.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the musical instrument
was played by a famous musician.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the musical instrument
is a guitar.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the used part is a
used string.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the item of jewelry
is a necklace.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the used string is
incorporated as a string of the necklace.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the used string is
treated to resist breaking.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the used part is at
least one string from a bow used to play the musical instrument.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the used part is a
pick for playing the musical instrument.
10. A method of making jewelry comprising the steps of: obtaining
a musical instrument used by a musician in a performance; removing
a used part from the musical instrument; and making at least one
item of jewelry incorporating the used part.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the date and location
of the performance is documented and such documentation is included
with the item of jewelry.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a recording of the
performance is included with the item of jewelry.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the musical instrument
is played by a famous musician during the performance.
14. An item of jewelry comprising: at least one accessory; and
a used part of a musical instrument played by a musician, wherein
the used part cooperates with the accessory, such that the accessory
and used part form the item of jewelry.
15. The item of jewelry claimed in claim 14, wherein the musical
instrument is a guitar, and the used part is a used string of the
guitar.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the item of jewelry
is a necklace, the used string is a string of the necklace, and
the accessory is a clasp secured to the ends of the string for securing
the necklace around a wearer's neck.
17. The item of jewelry claimed in claim 14, wherein the item of
jewelry is selected from the group consisting of: a bracelet, a
watch, a headband, an ankle chain, a ring, earrings, a belt, a hair
barrette, and a pin.
18. The item of jewelry claimed in claim 14, wherein the used part
is formed to be an ornamental design on the item of jewelry.
Patent Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a nonprovisional and claims priority
benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, of an earlier-filed
U.S. provisional patent application titled "METHOD OF MANUFACTURING
JEWELRY WITH USED PARTS OF A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT", Ser. No.
60/464,326, filed Apr. 21, 2003. The identified earlier-filed application
is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to jewelry. More particularly,
the invention relates to a method of making jewelry incorporating
used parts of a musical instrument played by a musician.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Record companies and recording studios are increasingly
giving less of the revenue from music sales to the musicians themselves.
Moreover, many musicians are unable to sign recording deals at all,
and therefore must find alternative forms of revenue beyond album
sales. Many musicians often attempt to increase revenue through
merchandising. Such merchandise may include, for example, t-shirts,
caps, and mugs. Unfortunately, such merchandising efforts are largely
ineffective, because the amount a buyer is willing to pay for such
items is limited.
[0006] In contrast, many buyers are often willing to pay relatively
large sums for merchandise directly associated with the musician,
such as, for example, items signed by the musician or worn by the
musician. Such items are usually rare, which further increases their
value. Additionally, the sentimental value placed on these items
is often reflected in the monetary value a buyer is willing to pay
to own the item.
[0007] Unrelated to the need to increase revenue is the disposal
of used parts from musical instruments played by musicians. Used
parts of musical instruments that are continually used include strings
on a string instrument, picks, and reeds on a woodwind instrument.
Many musicians who play string instruments, for example, often discard
the used strings, which are considered as waste with little monetary
value. The used stings are commonly made of recyclable materials,
yet few used strings are recycled.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a method of increasing
revenue of musicians and other individuals that overcomes the limitations
of the prior art. Further, there is a need for a method of recycling
or reusing used strings and other parts from musical instruments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention solves the above-described problems
and provides a distinct advance in the art of making jewelry. More
particularly, the present invention provides a method for increasing
revenue for musicians and recycling a used part of a musical instrument
by incorporating the used part in the jewelry, wherein the musical
instrument is played by the famous individual in a performance,
and the jewelry incorporating the used part is accorded a higher
value because of the famous individual's association with the used
part.
[0010] The method of the present invention broadly includes the
steps of obtaining a used part of a musical instrument; and making
at least one item of jewelry incorporating the used part. The used
part may be, for example, a used string or a used pick from a musical
instrument. The used part is preferably obtained from the instrument
either by the musician donating the used part or by the musician
selling the used part. Once removed from the musical instrument,
the used part is incorporated into the item of jewelry. For example,
if the used part is the used string, then a necklace may be made,
wherein the used string is a string of the necklace. If the used
part is the used pick, the pick may be strung on a necklace and
serve as a pendant.
[0011] The method described herein has several advantages. First,
the present invention provides a method of generating revenue for
famous individuals by associating the used part of the musical instrument
played by the individual with the item of jewelry. Second, the present
invention recycles or reuses the used part, instead of merely disposing
of the used part, by incorporating the used part into the item of
jewelry. The item of jewelry has increased value due to the incorporated
used part's association with the musician.
[0012] These and other important aspects of the present invention
are described more fully in the detailed description below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0013] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting the method of making
jewelry incorporating used parts of a musical instrument;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a depiction of a musician playing the musical
instrument;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention illustrating a used string obtained from
the musical instrument, wherein multiple segments of the used string
are braided for incorporation in the jewelry;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the jewelry, specifically a necklace,
incorporating the used string having ornamental features secured
thereto;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bow used to play the musical instrument, wherein
the used strings of the bow are incorporated into the jewelry;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a second preferred embodiment
of the present invention illustrating a pick used to play the musical
instrument, wherein the pick is incorporated into the jewelry; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the jewelry illustrating an alternative
necklace incorporating the used string.
[0021] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Turning now to the drawing figures, and particularly FIGS.
1-3, a method of making jewelry 10 shown and described constructed
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the method of making jewelry 10 broadly
includes the steps of: obtaining a used part 12 of a musical instrument
14, as depicted in Box 1A; and making at least one item of jewelry
10 incorporating the used part 12, as depicted in Box 1B. Since
items touched, owned, or otherwise associated with a musician often
have increased monetary value, the present invention provides a
method for the musician to increase revenue. Further, the present
invention provides a method by which used parts 12 of the musical
instrument 14 may be recycled or reused.
[0023] Preferably, the musical performance is performed by the
musician, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Other famous or public individuals,
such as, for example, an actor, are also within the scope of the
present invention. The musical performance may be any performance
wherein the musical instrument 14 is played by the musician. For
example, the musical instrument 14 may be played during recording
of a song or during a concert. Alternatively, the musical instrument
14 may be owned and played by the musician, but not necessarily
during a public performance. As can be appreciated, used parts 12
from musical instruments 12 played during a significant or famous
performance may have increased value.
[0024] The musical instrument 14 is preferably a string instrument
14, such as, for example, a guitar, a violin, a cello, or a piano.
The musical instrument 14 need not be owned by the musician, nor
must the musical instrument 14 be the primary instrument 14 played
by the musician. However, if the particular musical instrument 14
played by the musician is also well-known, the used part 12 from
the particular musical instrument 14 may have increased value.
[0025] In a first preferred embodiment, the used part 12 is preferably
a used string 12 of the musical instrument 14 played by the famous
musician. It is within the ambit of the present invention that the
string 12 need be used only once to be accorded increased value
with respect to the string's association with the musician. The
used string 12 of the present invention may encompass a variety
of materials, shapes, and lengths. For example, guitar strings 12
may be made of nylon, stainless steel, bronze, phosphor-bronze,
silk, or nickel. Further, the used string 12 may be flat-wound,
semi-round, or round-wound. Many strings 12 are often comprised
of multiple strings (not shown) and are tightly wound to form one
larger diameter string 12. The present invention includes the used
string 12 being a single string and the used string 12 comprising
one or more strings formed to be one string.
[0026] The used string 12 may also be treated so as to resist corrosion
and general wear from the environment and the body oils produced
by a wearer of the jewelry 10. Additionally, the used string 12
may be coated, dyed, or otherwise colored to match a particular
color of the jewelry 10. Further, since many used strings 12 are
easily broken, the used string 12 may be treated to resist breaking.
The used string 12 may also be divided into a plurality of segments
for incorporation in a plurality of items of jewelry 10.
[0027] The used string 12 may also be obtained from a bow 16 of
the musical instrument 14, as illustrated in FIG. 5. For example,
violins, violas, cellos, and other similar instruments are normally
played with the bow 16. Since the strings 12 of the bow 16 are often
thin, multiple used strings 12 may be used to make or manufacture
the item of jewelry 10. The strings 12 from the bow 16 may also
be used to accentuate the ornamental effect of the jewelry 10. For
example, multiple bow strings 12 may be braided and then interwoven
amongst wire, cloth, or other common materials used for the particular
item of jewelry 10.
[0028] After the musician plays the musical instrument 14 in the
performance, the used string 12 is removed from the musical instrument
14. The used string 12 may be obtained in a variety of ways, including
being donated by the famous musician or being sold by the famous
musician. Preferably, the date and location of the performance or
the playing of the musical instrument 14 is documented, and such
information is included when selling the jewelry 10 having the used
string 12. The information may also be included in a certificate
of authenticity, and the certificate of authenticity may be signed
by the musician. Further, the performance of the musician playing
the musical instrument 14 may be recorded, both in audio and visual
form, and such recording may also be included with the jewelry 10.
[0029] Once removed from the musical instrument 14, the used string
12 is incorporated into at least one item of jewelry 10. The jewelry
10 may be any ornament intended to be worn on a person's body, including,
but not limited to, a necklace, a bracelet, a watch, a headband,
an ankle chain, a ring, earrings, a belt, a hair barrette, a pin,
etc. In preferable form, the jewelry 10 is manufactured to be substantially
comprised of the used string 12. For example, as illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 7, a necklace is substantially comprised of the used
string 12. Beads, pearls, gemstones, a pendant, or other ornamental
features 15 may be strung on or otherwise affixed to the used string
12.
[0030] Alternatively, multiple used strings 12 or multiple segments
of the used string 12 may be braided, roped, or otherwise formed
to be incorporated into the jewelry 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
As with the bow strings 12, the used string 12 may be interwoven
amongst wire, cloth, or other common materials used for the particular
item of jewelry 10.
[0031] The jewelry 10 may also include the used string 12 as an
ornamental piece or otherwise incorporate the used string 12 in
the jewelry 10. For example, the used string 12 or a portion thereof
may be braided, roped, or otherwise formed to be an ornamental design
on the jewelry 10. Alternatively, the used string 12 could be formed
as a pendant or charm. For example, the used string 12 could be
shaped in a particular form, such as a person's name, a symbol,
or other interesting shape.
[0032] In preferable form, the used string 12 is molded, formed,
secured to, or otherwise cooperating with at least one accessory
18. For example, if the used string 12 is made into a necklace,
the ends of the string 12 may be provided with a clasp 18, as illustrated
in FIGS. 4 and 7, for securing the necklace around a wearer's neck.
If, for example, the used string 12 is made into a ring, the string
12 may be molded or formed around a ring-shaped substrate 18 to
provide support for the string 12. If the string 12 is bent or formed
into a pendant, a securing loop 18 may be secured to the used string
12 through which a necklace may be strung for wearing the used string
pendant around a wearer's neck. Other examples of accessories 18
that the used string 12 may cooperate with are possible, and the
above examples are not intended to be limiting.
[0033] A second preferred embodiment is substantially similar to
the first preferred embodiment, except that other used parts 12
of the musical instrument 14 may be incorporated into the item of
jewelry 10, as opposed to the used string 12. The used parts 12
incorporated into the item of jewelry 10 may include used parts
12 for playing the musical instrument 14, such as a pick 14. For
example, the pick 14 may be used as a pendant on a necklace or a
belt, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the pick 14 may be
incorporated into a hair barrette. As with the previous embodiment,
the pick 14 may be obtained from the famous musician after the musician
has used the pick 14 in the performance. The item of jewelry 10
manufactured with the pick 14 preferably includes documentation
of the date and location the pick 14 was used in the performance.
[0034] Although the invention has been described with reference
to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing
figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions
made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as
recited in the claims. For example, other used parts 12 of the musical
instrument 14 other than the string 12 and pick 12 may be used,
such as a reed from a woodwind instrument. The reed may be inlaid
with other materials to form a pendant.
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