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Patent Abstract
A pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus for representing a genetic
make-up of a family and being capable of representing a family with
multiple children and/or multiple generations is provided. In one
embodiment, a pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus comprises a first
horizontal jewelry pendant member representing a first generation
of a family and having a first end and a second end to couple to
a piece of jewelry which represents at least one member in the first
generation of the family; a second horizontal jewelry pendant member
representing a second generation of the family and having at least
one end to couple to a piece of jewelry which represents at least
one member in the second generation of the family; and a vertical
jewelry pendant member connecting to both the first and second horizontal
jewelry pendant members. The first end of the first horizontal jewelry
pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a male sex, and the
second end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected
to a birthstone of a female sex.
Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus for representing a genetic
make-up of a family being capable of representing the family with
multiple children and/or generations.
2. A pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus, comprising: a first horizontal
jewelry pendant member representing a first generation of a family
and having a first end and a second end to couple to a piece of
jewelry which represents at least one member in the first generation
of the family; a second horizontal jewelry pendant member representing
a second generation of the family and having at least one end to
couple to a piece of jewelry which represents at least one member
in the second generation of the family; and a vertical jewelry pendant
member connecting to both the first and second horizontal jewelry
pendant members, whereby a cross is formed between the first horizontal
jewelry pendant member and the vertical jewelry pendant member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first end of the first
horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of
a male sex, and the second end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant
member is connected to a birthstone of a female sex.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vertical jewelry pendant
member includes a first end connected to a necklace, earring, brooch,
or other jewelry item, and a second end connected to the second
horizontal jewelry pendant member.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one end of the second
horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of
a child of the male sex and the female sex, thereby representing
the second generation of the family.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second horizontal jewelry
pendant member includes a horizontal bar having at least two ends
connected to birthstones of at least two children of the male sex
and the female sex.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a second vertical jewelry
pendant member is connected to one end of the horizontal bar, and
the second vertical jewelry pendant member is connectable to a third
horizontal jewelry pendant member, thereby representing a third
generation of the family.
Patent Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/532,469, entitled "Pedigree Jewelry Pendant
Apparatus and Method", filed on Dec. 24, 2003, the subject
matter of which is hereby incorporated therein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a jewelry pendant
apparatus and a method thereof, and more particularly, the present
invention relates to pedigree jewelry pendant apparatuses and methods
of configuring a jewelry pendant to represent a pedigree arrangement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Jewelry which "tells a story" has traditionally
been very popular. As well, jewelry which denotes the pride of parenthood
has developed a large market. Notable examples of this phenomenon
include the "Mother's ring" containing the birthstones
of each child and the "Mother and Child" pendant design.
These designs have become a popular gift items at the birth of a
child of for Mother's Day. The design presented serves both of these
roles, denoting the pride of a parent while displaying the "story"
of the family unit by representing each parent's and each child's
gender and birthstone, and the birth order of the children. The
format in which the birth order and other details (such as twin
births) are represented is in the widely utilized "Pedigree
Chart" notation. One way of depicting a family-tree commonly
utilized by physicians and geneticists in order to clearly and quickly
display important family connections is as follows:
1 1 Normal female 2 Normal male 3 Sex unknown 4 Single bar indicates
mating 5 Normal parents and normal offspring, two girls and a boy,
in birth order indicated by the numbers; I and II indicate generations
6 Single parent as presented means partner is normal or of no significance
to the analysis 7 Double bar indicates a consanguineous mating (mating
between clase relatives) 8 Fraternal twins (not identical) 9 Identical
twins
[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to have a jewelry pendant to
represent a genetic make-up of a family, and accordingly, there
is a need for a pedigree jewelry pendant capable of representing
a family with multiple children and/or multiple generations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a pedigree jewelry pendant
apparatus which can be used to represent a genetic make-up of a
family and is capable of representing a family with multiple children
and/or multiple generations.
[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, a pedigree jewelry
pendant apparatus comprises a first horizontal jewelry pendant member
representing a first generation of a family and having a first end
and a second end to couple to a piece of jewelry which represents
at least one member in the first generation of the family; a second
horizontal jewelry pendant member representing a second generation
of the family and having at least one end to couple to a piece of
jewelry which represents at least one member in the second generation
of the family; and a vertical jewelry pendant member connecting
to both the first and second horizontal jewelry pendant members,
whereby a cross is formed between the first horizontal jewelry pendant
member and the vertical jewelry pendant member.
[0007] Still in one embodiment of the present invention, the first
end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected
to a birthstone of a shape denoting the male sex, and the second
end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected
to a birthstone of a shape denoting the female sex.
[0008] Additionally in one embodiment of the present invention,
the vertical jewelry pendant member includes a first end connected
to a necklace, and a second end connected to the second horizontal
jewelry pendant member.
[0009] Further in one embodiment of the present invention, the
one end of the second horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected
to a birthstone of a child of the male sex and the female sex, thereby
representing the second generation of the family.
[0010] In a second embodiment of the present invention, the second
horizontal jewelry pendant member includes a horizontal bar having
at least two ends connected to birthstones of at least two children
of either sex.
[0011] In a third embodiment of the present invention, a second
vertical jewelry pendant member is connected to one end of the horizontal
bar. The second vertical jewelry pendant member is connectable to
a third horizontal jewelry pendant member, thereby representing
a third generation of the family.
[0012] Accordingly, one of the advantages of the present invention
is that a jewelry pendant can be used to represent a family with
multiple children and/or multiple generations.
[0013] Another advantage of the present invention is that the jewelry
pendant can be used to represent a genetic make-up of a family,
while also recognizing the paternal side of the family, or to denote
many other features, such as twins, triplets, etc. of a family.
It is appreciated that the above and other advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. As it
will be realized, the present invention is capable of modifications
in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
[0014] Yet in one embodiment of the present invention, a line of
jewelry comprises of bezel or prong set birthstones of each parent
and child. The shapes of the stones can be square, round or any
other suitable shape to denote the gender of a person represented
and arranged using the symbols and in the configuration utilized
in a pedigree chart.
[0015] It is appreciated that a pedigree jewelry apparatus in accordance
with the principles of the present invention can be adapted to many
configurations, including pendants, brooches, earrings, bracelets,
finger rings, and charms, etc. Also, it is appreciated that the
pedigree jewelry apparatus of the present invention can be cast
or fabricated from many suitable jewelry stone materials, such as
precious metal, base metal, wood, ivory, bone, clay, glass, or plastic,
etc. Further, the setting for the jewelry stone can be created to
accept cabochon or faceted calibrated stones, or custom-made for
irregularly sized stones.
[0016] These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description, wherein it is shown and described illustrative
embodiments of the invention, including best modes contemplated
for carrying out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention
is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative
in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one exemplary embodiment
of a pedigree jewelry pendant with a configuration of birthstones
representing a one-child family, in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of one exemplary embodiment
of a pedigree jewelry pendant with a configuration of birthstones
representing three-child family, in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of one exemplary embodiment
of a pedigree jewelry pendant shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a configuration
of birthstones representing parents, in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of one exemplary
embodiment of a pedigree jewelry pendant as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2 with a configuration of birthstones representing parents, in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of one exemplary embodiment
of a 3-child add-on bar of a pedigree jewelry pendant shown in FIG.
2, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of one exemplary
embodiment of a 3-child add-on bar of a pedigree jewelry pendant
shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of one exemplary embodiment
of the pedigree jewelry pendant shown in FIG. 2 with a configuration
of a birthstone representing male, in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of one exemplary
embodiment of the pedigree jewelry pendant shown in FIG. 2 with
a configuration of a birthstone representing male, in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of one exemplary embodiment
of a 2-child add-on bar of a pedigree jewelry pendant, in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of one exemplary
embodiment of a 2-child add-on bar of a pedigree jewelry pendant,
in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 7A illustrates a front view of one exemplary embodiment
of the pedigree jewelry pendant shown in FIG. 2 with a configuration
of a birthstone representing female, in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of one exemplary
embodiment of the pedigree jewelry pendant shown in FIG. 2 with
a configuration of a birthstone representing female, in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a pedigree jewelry
pendant apparatus 100 representing a genetic make-up of a family
of two parents in a first generation and one child in a second generation,
whereas FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a pedigree jewelry
pendant apparatus 200 representing a genetic make-up of a family
of two parents in a first generation and three children in a second
generation.
[0030] The descriptions of an exemplary pedigree chart of symbols
and configurations used in FIGS. 1 and 2 are as follows:
[0031] In FIG. 1, the pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus 100 comprises
a first horizontal jewelry pendant member 102 representing a first
generation 104 of a family. The first horizontal jewelry pendant
member 102 includes a first end 106 and a second end 108 to each
couple to a piece of jewelry 110, 112 which represents at least
one member in the first generation 104 of the family. The apparatus
100 further comprises a second horizontal jewelry pendant member
114 representing a second generation 116 of the family. The second
horizontal jewelry pendant member 112 includes at least one end
to couple to a piece of jewelry 120 which represents at least one
member in the second generation 112 of the family. The apparatus
100 also comprises a vertical jewelry pendant member 122 connecting
to both the first and second horizontal jewelry pendant members
102, 114, whereby a cross is formed between the first horizontal
jewelry pendant member 102 and the vertical jewelry pendant member
122.
[0032] Still in FIG. 1, the first end 106 of the first horizontal
jewelry pendant member 102 is connected to a birthstone, e.g. the
jewelry 110, of a male sex, and the second end 108 of the first
horizontal jewelry pendant member 102 is connected to a birthstone,
e.g. the jewelry 112, of a female sex.
[0033] In FIG. 1, the vertical jewelry pendant member 122 includes
a first end 124 connected to a necklace 126, and a second end 128
connected to the second horizontal jewelry pendant member 114. The
one end 118 of the second horizontal jewelry pendant member 114
is connected to a birthstone, e.g. the jewelry 120, of a child of
either sex (this example depicts a female child), thereby representing
the second generation 116 of the family.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the pedigree jewelry
pendant apparatus 200, in accordance with the principles of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the second horizontal jewelry
pendant member 114 includes a horizontal bar 130 having at least
two ends 132, 134 connected to birthstones, e.g. jewelry 136, 138
of at least two children of the male sex and the female sex. In
FIG. 2, the parents have three children, two girls represented by
two round birthstones 136, 138, and one boy represented by a square
birthstone 140.
[0035] It is appreciated that the pendant apparatus may include
more generations of a family, i.e. vertically including more horizontal
jewelry pendant members. For example, the apparatus 200 may include
a second vertical jewelry pendant member (not shown) connected to
one end, e.g. 132, 134, etc., of the horizontal bar 130. The second
vertical jewelry pendant member is connectable to a third horizontal
jewelry pendant member (not shown), thereby representing a third
generation of the family.
[0036] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate front and perspective views of the
first generation 104 of the pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus 100,
200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a configuration of birthstones 110,
112 representing parents, in accordance with the principles of the
present invention.
[0037] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate front and perspective views of one
exemplary embodiment of the horizontal bar 130 for a 3-child pedigree
jewelry pendant apparatus as shown in FIG. 2.
[0038] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate front and perspective views of one
exemplary embodiment of a configuration of the square birthstone,
e.g. jewelry 110, 140, representing male sex.
[0039] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate front and perspective views of one
exemplary embodiment of a horizontal bar for a 2-child pedigree
jewelry pendant apparatus, similar to the horizontal bar 130 for
the 3-child pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus 200 as shown in FIG.
2.
[0040] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate front and perspective views of one
exemplary embodiment of a configuration of the round birthstone,
e.g. jewelry 112, 136, 138, representing female sex. |