US20190239603A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20190239603A1
Application number: US16/384,350
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth Fogel; Abhay Javeri; Vedprakash Indramani Bind
Original assignee: KF Licensing Inc
Current assignee: KF Licensing Inc
Priority date: 2013-09-04
Filing date: 2019-04-15
Publication date: 2019-08-08

Abstract

A ring assembly including a shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, wherein the keyhole aperture defines an entrance to a cavity; and a head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the head to the shank. Methods for forming and demonstrating ring assemblies are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Continuation-In-Part Application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/133,172, filed on Sep. 17, 2018, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/477,225, filed on Sep. 4, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,076,165, which is a claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/873,614, filed on Sep. 4, 2013, the benefit of the contents of which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to jewelry. More particularly, the invention relates to bridal set jewelry with interchangeable heads, shanks and bands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One major problem in the retail fine jewelry industry is that inventory is very expensive and slow turning, making cost of inventory and old inventory a major cost component in selling fine jewelry. Bridal sets are particularly costly to stock, consisting of a matching engagement ring and wedding band, with the engagement ring including a head, which supports the diamond, and a shank, which is a band with a surface adapted to receive the head. As such, the set consists of three components, which makes it difficult for the jeweler to stock many combinations.

For example, if a jeweler wanted to stock complete bridal sets of 18 combinations of styles, this requires 18 varieties of heads, 18 varieties of shanks and 18 varieties of bands. There would be 5,832 possible combinations; that is, 5,832 bridal sets to stock. Until now, jewelers have had to compromise and sacrifice either cost or variety of selection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides customizable and interchangeable bridal sets to maximize choice and minimize inventory cost for the jewelry retailer and also allow for maximum ease of manufacturing many styles with minimal modeling and manufacturing costs. Accordingly, an attachment mechanism has been developed to allow customers to temporarily attach heads in and out of various shanks in a secure yet easily reversible manner. The attachment mechanism may be, for example, a screw mechanism, a key and lock mechanism, or selected from other various mechanisms similar to the following disclosure. This system allows for mass in-person customization of bridal jewelry sets, with customers as the ultimate designers of sets that appeal to their desire for a unique bridal set combination. As an added benefit, consumers design their bridal set by using actual jewelry pieces combined and viewed on their hand, instead of by viewing a CAD display on a computer screen. Actual jewelry pieces may be inexpensive display pieces used primarily within a business (e.g., jewelry store) or may be the final pieces sold to a customer for permanent ownership.

For example, during temporary display pieces, the attachment mechanism may allow for temporary attachment of a head to a shank, while after the final product sale the attachment mechanism may allow for either a tight attachment of a head to a shank or a permanent attachment of a head to a shank. A tight attachment may be performed by applying reversible fixing mechanisms with the attachment mechanism, such as, for example, by providing a post with external threads extending from the base of the head to mate with a corresponding threaded hole in the base of the shank, providing an interference fit with a key and lock mechanism, or the like. A permanent attachment may be performed by applying permanent fixing mechanisms with the attachment mechanism, such as, for example, welding or soldering along a joint between the head and the shank or from underneath at a joint between the post of a head and the inner surface of the band of a shank. The tight attachment provides the customer the ability to interchange different heads onto different shanks without the use of specialized tools while also providing assurance that the bridal set is connected as well as an integrally constructed bridal set. Likewise, the permanent fixing mechanism provides assurance to the customer that the final product is connected as well as an integrally constructed bridal set.

Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention, a ring assembly is provided including:

a shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the outer surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; and

a head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the head to the shank.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of forming a ring assembly with interchangeable heads and shanks.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a ring assembly kit for demonstrating various ring assembly combinations. The kit includes a plurality of the above-described shanks with each shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity. The kit further includes a plurality of the above-described heads with each head including a mount with a post extending from the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the head to the shank.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of demonstrating various ring assemblies comprising a head and a shank, the method includes selecting a first shank from a plurality of the above-described shanks, each shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; and selecting a first head from plurality of the above-described heads, each head including a mount with a post extending from the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity; and interlocking the key of the first head with the cavity to releasably secure the first head to the first shank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view an exemplary interchangeable bridal set in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of each of the separate components of an exemplary bridal set in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary tapping of the shank of exemplary bridal set ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary threading of the post of the head of the exemplary bridal set ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating alignment of the head with the shank of the exemplary bridal set.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view illustrating the head interconnected with the shank of the exemplary bridal set.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view illustrating the head fixed with the shank of the exemplary bridal set.

FIG. 8A is a top view illustrating the head mounting area of a band in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the post of a head in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8C is a sectional view of the head mounting area ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a top sectional view of the post ofFIG. 8B.

FIG. 8E is a side sectional view of the head mounting area and post ofFIGS. 8A and 8B in a pre-inserted orientation.

FIG. 8F is a side sectional view of the head mounting area and post ofFIG. 8E in an inserted orientation.

FIG. 8G is a side sectional view of the head mounting area and post ofFIG. 8F in a partial-rotated orientation.

FIG. 8H is a side sectional view of the head mounting area and post ofFIG. 8G in a fully-rotated orientation.

FIG. 8I is a perspective sectional view of the head mounting area and post ofFIG. 8G in the fully-rotated orientation.

FIG. 8J is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar toFIG. 8C illustrating a second species of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8K is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar toFIG. 8C illustrating a third species of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8L is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar toFIG. 8C illustrating a fourth species of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8M is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar toFIG. 8C illustrating a fifth species of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8N is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar toFIG. 8C illustrating a sixth species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, 9H and 9I are illustrations similar toFIGS. 8A-8I according to a seventh species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H and 10I are illustrations similar toFIGS. 8A-8I according to an eighth species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F, 11G, 11H and 11I are illustrations similar toFIGS. 8A-8I according to a ninth species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H and 12I are illustrations similar toFIGS. 8A-8I according to a tenth species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F and 13G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head having a pear shaped gemstone.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F and 14G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head having a round shaped gemstone and halo band.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15F and 15G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head having a main gemstone on a three gemstone setting.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E, 16F and 16G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head similar to that ofFIG. 15A-15G having an additional halo band.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17F and 17G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head similar to that ofFIG. 16A-65G having a pear shaped gemstone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplarybridal set10 in accordance with the invention includes anengagement ring12 and awedding band30. While the invention is described herein with respect to a bridal set, the invention is not limited to such and may encompass varies ring assemblies including an interconnected shank and head, with or without a complementary separate band, which may be used for any purpose, not just nuptials. The system described herein works equally well with any precious metal such as gold (9 to 24 kt., including white gold), platinum, silver, combinations thereof, non-precious jewelry metals, such as brass and other alloys, as well as the newer alternative metals used in bridal set, such as titanium, cobalt, palladium and the like.

Thewedding band30 of the illustrated first embodiment includes aband32 of a desired configuration. Preferably the jeweler will havemultiple wedding bands30 havingvarious band32 configurations. Preferably at least a group ofbands32 will have configurations which complement a corresponding group ofshanks14 such that they can be mixed and matched in a complementary manner.

Theengagement ring12, or ring assembly, includes ashank14 and ahead20. Theshank14 is defined by aband15 with ahead mounting area16. In the illustrated first embodiment, theband15 is continuous and thehead mounting area16 is defined within arecess17 of theband15. Thehead mounting area16 may have a base16aand sidewalls16b,16c. Theband15 may have various other configurations, and preferably, a jeweler would havemultiple shanks14 with different band configurations. A throughhole18 is defined through theband15 in thehead mounting area16, the throughhole18 preferably extending perpendicular to the axis of theband15. The throughhole18 may be formed during forming of theband15, e.g. casting of the band with a through hole, or may be formed utilizing a post-forming process, for example, drilling of theband15.

Thehead20 includes amount22 configured to maintain one or more diamonds or other jewels. Apost24 extends from a rear portion of themount22 and is configured to engage the throughhole18. To ensure a reliable interconnection between thehead20 andshank14 during viewing of thering assembly12, but to allow the components to be disassembled and arranged with other components, thehead20 andshank14 are provided with a complementary threaded interconnection.

An exemplary method of defininginternal threads19 in the throughhole18 andexternal threads25 on thepost24 will be described with respect toFIGS. 3 and 4. It is understood that the complementary threads may be otherwise formed. For example, theinternal threads19 andexternal threads25 may be formed during the formation of the respective components or may be formed during alternative post-formation methods.

Referring toFIG. 3, an exemplary method of forming theinternal threads19 within the throughhole18 will be described. The threads are created using athread tap40. The thread tap will generally comprise a hardened shaft42 with an external thread forming area44 and ahandle46 or tap handler. Thethread tap40 is selected such that its size complements the size of the throughhole18. Thethread tap40 is set relative to theshank14, which may be held in a vise (not shown) or the like, with the tap shaft42 preferably at 90 degrees relative to the axis of theband15. Thetap40 is then twisted using thehandle46 or handler such that the thread forming area44 engages within the throughhole18. Depending on the configuration of thethread tap40, the twisting motion may be in a continuous direction or an oscillation motion. Twisting is continued until the shaft42 passes through the throughhole18. Thetap40 is then removed and any shavings are wiped away from the through hole.

Referring toFIG. 4, an exemplary method of forming theexternal threads25 on thepost24 will be described. To begin, the tip of thepost24 may be sharpened and brushed with cutting oil. Thepost24 is set perpendicular to a threading die50 which has a through bore52 and an internal thread forming area54. The die50 may have an adjustment mechanism56 to adjust the diameter of the bore52. Thepost24 is twisted into the bore52 of thedie50. Depending on the configuration of the die50, the twisting motion may be in a continuous direction or an oscillation motion. Twisting is continued until a desired length ofthreads25 is achieved, which may be all or less than all of the length of thepost24. Thepost24 is removed from thedie50 and any shavings from thepost24 are wiped away. Theshank14 andhead20 may be treated, for example, chemically treated with rhodium.

With reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, once the

threads

19 and25 are formed, thehead20 may be temporarily interconnected to theshank14 by aligning thepost24 with the throughhole18 and rotating thehead20 relative to theshank14, as indicated by arrow A. The sides of thehead20 abut the sidewalls16b,16cwhen the bottom of thehead20 abuts the base16a. Thepost24 preferably has a length such that it will not extend beyond the thickness of theband15 when themount22 is seated on thehead mounting area16.

Such temporary interconnection allows a customer to physically see thering assembly12 including how thehead20 andshank14 look together and to view it on their hand for a true life experience. The customer may also look at an assembledring assembly12 in conjunction with variouscomplementary bands30. Trying of thehead20 with adifferent shank14, or vice versa, simply requires unthreading of thehead20 from theshank14 and rethreading in a different combination. This is helpful when the customer is considering various combinations in person. The system is also helpful for the customer that has picked what is believed to be the right combination in an electronic format, e.g. on-line or application based, and wants to confirm the combination in person. The threaded interconnection provides a secure structure which may be tried on and otherwise viewed in person.

Once a customer decides on a combination they like, the selectedhead20 may be permanently fixed to the selectedshank14, for example, via aweld material28 or soldering as illustrated inFIG. 7. It is believed that the threaded configuration also allows for a stronger welding or soldering operation to take place. Other means of providing the final ring assembly, including casting the selected mount and shank together as a single component, may alternatively be utilized.

Theengagement ring12, or ring assembly, according to the second embodiment also includes ashank14 and ahead20. Theshank14 is defined by aband15 with ahead mounting area83. In the illustrated second embodiment, theband15 is continuous and thehead mounting area83 is defined on the outer surface of theband15. In an alternate embodiment, the head mounting area may be recessed (not shown) similar toFIG. 1 or 2, but not as deeply cut to allow room for a cavity to engage a key extending from the bottom of a head.

As shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, thepost81 may have a key82 and thehead mounting area83 may have akeyhole aperture84. Acavity85 is defined within theband15 underneath thehead mounting area83. Thecavity85 may have anupper surface86 and alower surface87, which is substantially parallel to theupper surface86. Anoptional base hole88 may be aligned with thekeyhole aperture84 on the bottom surface of thecavity85. Thecavity85 may be formed during forming of theband15, e.g. casting of the band with a cavity, or may be formed utilizing a post-forming process, for example, drilling of theband15.

Thehead20 includes amount22 configured to maintain one or more diamonds or other jewels. Apost81 extends from a rear portion of themount22 and is configured to engage thekeyhole aperture84. To ensure a reliable interconnection between thehead20 andshank14 during viewing of thering assembly12, but to allow the components to be disassembled and arranged with other components, thehead20 andshank14 are provided with a complementary key and lock interconnection.

With reference toFIGS. 8E-8I, thehead20 may be temporarily interconnected to theshank14 by aligning thepost81 with thekeyhole84 and rotating thehead20 relative to theshank14. Thepost81 preferably has a length such that it will not extend beyond the thickness of theband15 when themount22 is seated on thehead mounting area83.

Such temporary interconnection allows a customer to physically see thering assembly12 including how thehead20 andshank14 look together and to view it on their hand for a true life experience. The customer may also look at an assembledring assembly12 in conjunction with variouscomplementary bands30. Trying of thehead20 with adifferent shank14, or vice versa, simply requires unlocking thehead20 from theshank14 and relocking in a different combination. This is helpful when the customer is considering various combinations in person. The system is also helpful for the customer that has picked what is believed to be the right combination in an electronic format, e.g. on-line or application based, and wants to confirm the combination in person. The key and lock interconnection provides a secure structure which may be tried on and otherwise viewed in person.

Once a customer decides on a combination they like, the selectedhead20 may be permanently fixed to the selectedshank14, for example, via aweld material28 or soldering as illustrated inFIG. 7. A weld may also be located on the inner surface where the bottom edge of the post adjoins the perimeter edge of theoptional base hole88. It is believed that the key and lock configuration also allows for a stronger welding or soldering operation to take place. Other means of providing the final ring assembly, including casting the selected mount and shank together as a single component, may alternatively be utilized.

As shown inFIGS. 8A-8I, the first species according to the second embodiment employs a square key82 on thepost81, which matches the square opening of thekeyhole84 and the inner walls of thecavity85. Thepost81 may be inserted into thekeyhole84 and then rotated 90° either clockwise or counterclockwise to a final orientation, as shown inFIGS. 8A-8I.

As shown inFIG. 8J, the second species according to the second embodiment may employ acavity85 allowing complete 180° rotation in either direction of thepost81. Essentially any degree of clockwise-or counterclockwise rotation may be used that served to provide a secure temporary attachment of the head to the band.

As shown inFIG. 8K, the third species according to the second embodiment may employ stippling89a(e.g., roughened surfaces) on theupper surface86, thelower surface87, or both. The stippling89ais located near the final rotation area of the key82 on thepost81. When the key82 is rotated to the final rotation area within thecavity85, the upper and/or lower edges of the key82 may press against the stippling89acausing an interference fit, which is able to be reversed without the use of specialized tools.

As shown inFIG. 8L, the fourth species according to the second embodiment may employdetents89b(e.g., shallow hemispheres) on theupper surface86, thelower surface87, or both. Thedetents89bis located near the final rotation area of the key82 on thepost81. When the key82 is rotated to the final rotation are within thecavity85, the upper and/or lower edges of the key82 may have matching projections (not shown) to press within thedetents89bcausing an interlocking fit, which is able to be reversed without the use of specialized tools.

As shown inFIG. 8M, the fifth species according to the second embodiment may employ acamming surface89c(e.g., wedge-shaped surfaces) on theupper surface86, thelower surface87, or both. Thecamming surface89cis located near the final rotation area of the key82 on thepost81. When the key82 is rotated to the final rotation area within thecavity85, the upper and/or lower edges of the key82 may press against thecamming surface89ccausing an interference fit, which is able to be reversed without the use of specialized tools.

As shown inFIG. 8N, the sixth species according to the second embodiment may employ a plurality ofbumps89d(e.g., raised projections) on theupper surface86, thelower surface87, or both. Thebumps89dare located near the final rotation area of the key82 on thepost81. When the key82 is rotated to the final rotation area within thecavity85, the upper and/or lower edges of the key82 may press against thebumps89dcausing an interference fit, which is able to be reversed without the use of specialized tools.

Likewise, a stippling89a,detent89b,camming surface89c, bumps89d, and/or other fixing mechanisms may be located on the outer surface of thehead mounting area83 to press against the bottom surface of thehead20.

As shown inFIGS. 9A-9I, the seventh species according to the second embodiment employs twosquare keys82 on opposite sides of thepost81, which matches the two square openings of thekeyhole84 and the inner walls of thecavity85. Thepost81 may be inserted into thekeyhole84 and then rotated 90° clockwise to a final orientation, as shown inFIG. 9C.

As shown inFIGS. 10A-10I, the eighth species according to the second embodiment employs a cylindrical key82 on thepost81, which matches the opening of thekeyhole84 and the inner walls of thecavity85. Thepost81 may be inserted into thekeyhole84 and then rotated 90° either clockwise or counterclockwise to a final orientation, as shown inFIG. 10C.

As shown inFIGS. 11A-11I, the ninth species according to the second embodiment employs a round key82 on thepost81, which matches the round opening of thekeyhole84 and the inner walls of thecavity85. Thepost81 may be inserted into thekeyhole84 and then rotated 90° either clockwise or counterclockwise to a final orientation, as shown inFIG. 11C.

As shown inFIGS. 12A-121, the tenth species according to the second embodiment employs tworound keys82 on opposite sides of thepost81, which matches the two round openings of thekeyhole84 and the inner walls of thecavity85. Thepost81 may be inserted into thekeyhole84 and then rotated 90° clockwise to a final orientation, as shown inFIG. 12C.

As shown inFIGS. 13A-13G, the second embodiment may be used with ahead20 having a pear shaped gemstone.

As shown inFIGS. 14A-14G, the second embodiment may be used with ahead20 having a round shaped gemstone and halo band.

As shown inFIGS. 15A-15G, the second embodiment may be used with ahead20 having a main gemstone on a three gemstone setting.

As shown inFIGS. 16A-16G, the second embodiment may be used with a head similar to that ofFIG. 15A-15G having an additional halo band.

As shown inFIGS. 17A-17G, the second embodiment may be used with a head similar to that ofFIG. 16A-65G having a pear shaped gemstone.

The system and method described herein uniquely allows for the adaptation of a wide variety of heads to a wide variety of shanks in a way that permits the adaptation of the head-shank combination to a wide variety of wedding or anniversary bands, regardless of whether the head is round, square, or some other geometric shape. Referring again to the example of 18 varieties, the present system allows a jeweler to stock one of each style ofhead20,shank14 andband30 as interchangeable parts that could be combined in the showroom to demonstrate any one of the 5,832 possible combinations. The 5,832 complete sets may be demonstrate while requiring the jeweler toonly stock 18 heads, 18 shanks and 18 bands, or 54 pieces of display inventory.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A ring assembly comprising:

a shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; and

2. A ring set comprising:

a ring assembly according toclaim 1; and

a separate band configure to be positioned adjacent the shank in a complementary manner.

3. The ring assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the cavity is formed after formation of the shank.

4. The ring assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the head is permanently affixed to the shank.

5. The ring assembly according toclaim 4 wherein the head is welded or soldered to the shank.

6. A ring assembly kit for demonstrating various ring assembly combinations comprising:

a plurality of shanks, each shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; and

a plurality of heads, each head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the respective head to the respective shank.

7. The ring assembly kit according toclaim 6 further comprising a plurality of separate bands configured be positioned adjacent to one or more of the plurality of shanks in a complementary manner.

8. A method of demonstrating various ring assemblies comprising a head and a shank, the method comprising:

selecting a first shank from a plurality of shanks, each shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; and

selecting a first head from plurality of heads, each head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key; and

interconnecting the key of the first head with the cavity of the first shank to releasably secure the first head to the first shank.

9. The method according toclaim 8, further comprising the steps of:

unlocking the first head from the first shank and thereafter locking the first head to a second shank from the plurality of shanks by interconnecting the key of the first head with the cavity of the second shank.

10. The method according toclaim 8 further comprising the steps of:

unlocking the first head from the first shank and thereafter locking a second head of the plurality of heads to the first shank by interconnecting the key of the second head with the cavity of the first shank.

11. The method according toclaim 8 further comprising the step of positioning a first complementary band selected from a plurality of complementary bands adjacent the interlocked first head and first shank.