CH717457B1 - Jewelry item. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an article of jewelry, comprising: a ring provided with an annular indentation with an opening oriented towards an exterior side, and a plurality of added elements (31), housed in the indentation, with at least one element insert (31) of the plurality of inserts (31) comprising a decorative element (32).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to an article of jewelry, a ring to wear on the finger in particular.

State of the art

[0002] It is known to propose in the prior art articles of jewelery such as that described in the document EP 0 737 428 B1. On the other hand, this system has in particular the disadvantage of not allowing high customization without requiring changing the general shapes of the components and therefore of all the manufacturing tools.

Disclosure of Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to respond to the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to propose an article of jewelery which can be modified or personalized without however requiring to change all production lines.

[0004] For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to an article of jewelry, comprising: a ring provided with an annular indentation with an opening oriented towards an outer side, and a plurality of inserts, housed in the cutout, with at least one insert of the plurality of inserts comprising a decorative element. The added elements can be easily interchanged, without requiring modification of the general structure of the ring.

[0005] Advantageously, the annular indentation is a groove. Preferably, the annular notch is open in a radial direction of the ring and/or can form a peripheral groove of revolution which extends in a direction tangential to an axial direction of the ring.

[0006] In other words, the indentation is an opening towards the outside, provided on an outer wall of the article of jewelry, for example on a side wall, or radial (that is to say in the latter case in a direction opposite to the inner face facing the finger). In the case of the notch open in the radial direction, the added elements are perfectly visible.

[0007] Advantageously, the annular indentation is continuous along the periphery of the ring.

[0008] Advantageously, the added elements are movable relative to the ring (or at least a part of it).

[0009] Advantageously, the ring is a closed ring. Alternatively, the ring is an open ring.

[0010] Alternatively, the annular indentation is discontinuous. In other words, the outer radial surface of the ring comprises one or more indentation(s) or groove portions. It is possible to envisage a succession of notches or cavities along the periphery of the ring, each housing one or more added elements, for example in the case of an article of jewelery which would be an open ring.

[0011] Advantageously, at least one insert is mounted free to rotate relative to the ring, preferably along a pivot connection. The insert is mounted free in rotation and can be completely free in rotation, or be mounted on a rotation shaft or pivot, and in this case, it can only pivot about a single axis of rotation.

[0012] Advantageously, the ring has an axial direction, and the attached element mounted free to rotate has an axis of rotation, or a direction of rotation, parallel to the axial direction of the ring.

[0013] For example, in a plane containing the axial direction and the axis of rotation or the direction of rotation, the axial direction and the axis of rotation are parallel to within ±15°.

[0014] Advantageously, the added element mounted free in rotation has an axis of revolution and an axis of rotation, or a direction of rotation, passing through the axis of revolution of the added element. Typically, the added element mounted free in rotation is a cylinder of circular section, and it is mounted in a pivot connection to pivot about an axis of rotation which passes through the center of the circular section.

[0015] Advantageously, at least one added element is spherical. Preferably, a majority of the inserts are spherical.

[0016] Advantageously, at least one added element is cylindrical (ie having an external lateral surface formed by parallel generatrices which follow a base curve, preferably a circle). Preferably, a majority of the inserts are cylindrical. Preferably, the added element, or the majority of added elements are straight cylinders (that is to say with bases perpendicular to the generatrices of the lateral external surface).

[0017] Advantageously, the attached element mounted free in rotation has an imbalance, so as to cause the attached element mounted free in rotation to pivot and orient, depending on the position of the ring relative to the earth's gravitation.

[0018] Advantageously, the ring comprises at least one first magnet, and the attached element mounted free in rotation comprises a second magnet or a portion made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material, so as to cause a movement and/or to guarantee a position particularity of the attached element mounted free in rotation.

[0019] In other words, at least one of the ring and of the added element mounted free in rotation comprises a magnet or a portion made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material, to guarantee a particular position of the added element mounted free in rotation.

Advantageously, the ring comprises an outer annular part and an inner annular part, the outer annular part having the annular notch, and being mounted on the inner annular part.

Advantageously, the outer annular part comprises a first outer annular part and a second outer annular part, the first outer annular part being separated from the second outer annular part, so as to form the notch.

Advantageously, the first outer annular part and the second outer annular part are separated by a distance less than an outer dimension of the added elements, such as a diameter in the case of spherical added elements, or a length in the case of cylindrical inserts.

[0023] Advantageously, at least one added element of the plurality of added elements is rotatably mounted around a pivot shaft, inserted between the first part and the second part.

[0024] Advantageously, the outer annular part is mounted free to rotate with respect to the inner annular part.

[0025] Advantageously, at least one added element of the plurality of added elements is in contact with the inner annular part. Preferably, at least three, and more preferably at least four, added elements are in contact with the inner annular part, so as to form a guide of the ball bearing or roller bearing type.

Advantageously, at least one added element of the plurality of added elements is made of a material chosen from among metals, or among ceramics or among stones, for example ornamental. For example, silver, gold, steel, stainless steel, ceramics, stones such as malachite, opal, turquoise, pearl/mother-of-pearl... ornamental opaque or translucent stones used in jewelry, for sculpting objects or for decoration.

[0027] For example, a first part of the plurality of added elements is made of a first material, and at least a second part of the plurality of added elements is made of a second material.

[0028] For example, a part of the plurality of added elements is made in a first shape or geometry, and at least another part of the plurality of added elements is made in a second shape or geometry.

[0029] Advantageously, the decorative element comprises at least one precious and/or semi-precious stone, and/or an ornamental stone. Precious stones are diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. We mean by fine stones, or semi-precious or semi-fine stones, the category which concerns all the gems which do not appear in the precious stones: garnet, lapis lazuli, carnelian, jasper, etc... We mean by stones ornamental opaque or translucent stones used in jewelry, for sculpting objects or for decoration. Ornamental stones are not transparent.

[0030] Advantageously, the precious and/or semi-precious stone and/or an ornamental stone is embedded in the element by means of a bezel.

[0031] Advantageously, the decorative element comprises an enamel.

[0032] Advantageously, the decorative element is in the form of an engraving or a distinctive sign (logo).

Description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, wherein :

[0034] [fig. 1] shows a perspective view of an article of jewelery according to the invention, in the form of a ring to be worn on the finger;

[0035] [fig. 2] represents a section along a plane comprising an axial direction of the article of jewelery of FIG. 1;

[0036] [fig. 3] represents an exploded view of the article of jewelery of figure 1.

Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0037] Figure 1 shows an article of jewelry according to the invention, in the form of a ring to be worn on the finger, which comprises a ring formed here by the assembly of an inner annular part 10 and an outer annular part 20 The outer annular part 20 itself comprises a first outer annular part 21 and a second outer annular part 22.

The ring comprises an annular notch formed between the first outer annular part 21 and the second outer annular part 22, in which are housed a plurality of inserts 31, here in the form of balls or spheres. In Figure 1, we see that three of the added elements 31 include a decorative element 32, in particular, two added elements 31 with a decorative element 32 are separated by three added elements 31 without decorative element 32.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a section of the jewelry article of Figure 1, along a plane including the axial direction A of the ring. Indeed, the inner annular part 10 is arranged to receive a finger of a user and therefore has an axial direction A. For this purpose, according to the example of Figure 2, the inner surface of the inner annular part 10 is elongated and almost cylindrical to define the axial direction A. However, other shapes are possible, and even a partially toroidal inner surface or a surface defined by a crimped wire makes it possible to define a cylindrical surface (representing the user's finger ) and an axial direction A.

The notch formed between the first outer annular part 21 and the second outer annular part 22 therefore makes it possible to accommodate the inserts 31. According to the implementation shown, the inserts 31 are all mounted free in rotation relative to the ring. However, it is possible to provide for mounting only some free in rotation.

In detail, pivot shafts 33 are provided between the first outer annular part 21 and the second outer annular part 22, to carry each of the inserts 31 and thus define a pivot connection. It can be noted that the direction of the pivot shafts 33 is parallel or substantially parallel to the axial direction, and the direction of the pivot shafts 33 passes or coincides with an axis of revolution of the spheres (the same implementation is possible with cylinders).

[0042] Furthermore, the pivot shafts 33 (or at least a part) are driven out, screwed, glued or force-fitted according to any other means to achieve an embedding connection in the first outer annular part 21 and in the second annular part exterior 22, so that these two parts are interlocked with respect to each other and cannot be disassembled freely and form the outer annular part 20.

[0043] To hide the mounting of the pivot shafts 33, lateral grooves are provided in each of the first outer annular part 21 and of the second outer annular part 22, so that the visible width of the notch is less than the diameter reported elements 31.

Two types of assembly of the outer annular part 20 relative to the inner annular part 10 are possible.

[0045] The outer annular part 20 can be fixed relative to the inner annular part 10, that is to say that a stop in rotation can be provided (for example an index, splines, a pin, a mounting by force of at least one of the first outer annular part 21 and of the second outer annular part 22 on the inner annular part 10, etc.). In this case, each of the added elements 31 mounted free in rotation can pivot on itself.

Alternatively, the outer annular part 20 can be rotatable relative to the inner annular part 10. In other words, a minimal clearance is provided between the inner annular part 10 and each of the first outer annular part 21 and of the second outer annular part 22, to allow relative movement. In this case, each of the added elements 31 mounted free in rotation can pivot on itself, and/or at least some of the added elements 31 can roll on the inner annular part 10, to provide a mounting of the "ball bearing" type. .

Provision can be made to use inserts 31 made of metal, ceramic or stone. Advantageously, if some of the inserts 31 are mounted free to rotate and in contact with the inner annular part 10, then it may be advantageous to provide metal such as steel, preferably stainless steel or ceramic, to combine resistance over time, wear resistance, and dimensional accuracy.

In this last case, it is possible to provide that only some of the added elements 31 are in contact with the inner annular part 10 (at least three added elements 31 will for example have a first diameter), and the other added elements 31 will not be in contact with the inner annular part 10 (with for example a second diameter smaller than the first diameter). This implementation (with only a few of the added elements 31 in contact with the inner annular part 10) makes it possible to limit the risk of jamming or hyperstatic mounting.

The insert 31 in the upper part of Figure 2 comprises a decorative element 32. This is a decorative element 32 formed by a cut stone and can be provided, as shown in Figure 2 , a bezel 34 to hold the decorative element 32.

The decorative element 32 can be, as here, a stone, a precious, semi-precious or ornamental stone. We can also provide an email or an enamel piece. In order not to cause interference with the inner annular part 10, it is possible to provide for the decorative element 32 to be set back from the envelope surface of the rest of the insert 31 which carries it. In other words, it is possible to provide a distance from the outer surface of the decorative element 32 to the axis of rotation that is less than the radius of the added element 31. However, it will be considered that the general shape remains spherical.

[0051] Due to the density differences of the materials between the decorative element 32 and the base material of the insert 31, a rotational movement can be caused by changing the position of the article of jewelery with respect to the vertical. It is also possible to insert a ferromagnetic part in each of the added elements 31 which include the decorative element 32 (opposite to the latter) and a magnet at the bottom of the groove forming the indentation to ensure that the decorative element 32 will always be visible, even if the rest of the added elements rotate.

[0052] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the jewelry article according to the present invention. About twenty added elements 31 are provided, with five added elements 31 which include a decorative element 32. Each added element 31 is mounted on a pivot shaft 33, and one can note the presence of blind holes in the first annular part outer 21 to receive each pivot shaft 33. At least a part of these pivot shafts 33 are tightly mounted in the first outer annular part 21.

[0053] The inner annular part 10 comprises: a central groove which forms a rolling track for the inserts 31 which are in contact with the inner annular part 10 (not necessarily all the inserts 31), and two lateral grooves or relief, which define lateral bearings to minimize the friction surfaces with the first outer annular part 21 and the second outer annular part 22.

[0054] The pivot shafts 33 are typically pins, solid pins or cotter pins can be provided, in whole or in part.

[0055] With the proposed assembly, it is easy to offer variations of the same basic jewelry item, by changing some or all of the added elements 31, their decorative element 32, or the external shape of the first part. outer annular part 21 or of the second outer annular part 22. Customization is improved.

It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

In particular, as shown in Figure 1, the first outer annular part 21 and the second outer annular part 22 have an inclined and grooved surface, but other embodiments are possible.

The figures show a ring to be worn on a finger in the form of a closed ring, but the invention can be implemented for a bracelet, a necklace in the form of an open ring such as a torque, for example, a bezel watch or jewelry watch, for example. In any case, an open ring can be provided, with only the added elements (or at least a part) mobile on themselves.

The figures show spherical inserts 31, but any type of shape can be proposed: circular cylindrical, prismatic cylindrical, prismatic, ellipsoid, etc. In addition, several different shapes can be provided on the same item of jewelry.

[0060] The added elements 31 mounted free in rotation are mounted on pivot shafts 33, but a ball cage or a roller cage can be provided, and in this case, the rotation is not necessarily around a predefined axis.

[0061] Furthermore, the figures show an article of jewelery in the form of a ring to be put on a member of the user, but it is possible to envisage that the ring provided with the indentation is a secondary form of the article of jewelry. For example, one can envisage, in the case of an article of jewelry with a free end (a necklace or a rigid open bracelet), to provide the ring placed at this end, at the end and perpendicular to the general line of the item of jewelry.

Claims (16)

1. Item of jewelry, including: – a ring provided with an annular indentation with an opening oriented towards an outer side, and - a plurality of inserts (31), housed in the cutout, with at least one insert (31) of the plurality of inserts (31) comprising a decorative element (32). 2. Article of jewelry according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one insert (31) is mounted free to rotate relative to the ring, preferably according to a pivot connection. 3. Article of jewelry according to claim 2, characterized in that the ring has an axial direction (A), and in that the insert (31) mounted free in rotation has an axis of rotation parallel to the axial direction (A) Ring. 4. Article of jewelery according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the insert (31) mounted free in rotation has an axis of revolution and an axis of rotation passing through the axis of revolution of the insert ( 31). 5. Article of jewelry according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the insert (31) mounted free in rotation has an imbalance. 6. Article of jewelry according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the ring comprises at least one magnet, and that the insert (31) mounted free in rotation comprises a portion of magnetic or ferromagnetic material . 7. Article of jewelery according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ring comprises an outer annular part (20) and an inner annular part (10), the outer annular part (20) having the annular indentation, and being mounted on the inner annular piece (10). 8. Article of jewelry according to claim 7, characterized in that the outer annular part (20) comprises a first outer annular part (21) and a second outer annular part (22), the first outer annular part (21) being separated of the second outer annular part (22), so as to form the notch. 9. Article of jewelry according to claim 8, characterized in that the first outer annular part (21) and the second outer annular part (22) are separated by a distance less than an outer dimension, such as a diameter, added elements (31). 10. Article of jewelry according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least one added element (31) of the plurality of added elements (31) is rotatably mounted around a pivot shaft (33), inserted between the first outer annular part (21) and the second outer annular part (22). 11. Article of jewelry according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the outer annular part (20) is mounted free to rotate relative to the inner annular part (10). 12. Article of jewelry according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one added element (31) of the plurality of added elements (31) is in contact with the inner annular piece (10). 13. Article of jewelery according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one added element (31) of the plurality of added elements (31) is made of a material chosen from metals, or from ceramics or among ornamental stones. 14. Article of jewelery according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decorative element (32) comprises at least one precious stone or an ornamental stone mounted on the insert (31). 15. Article of jewelry according to claim 14, characterized in that the precious stone is embedded in the added element (31) by means of a bezel (34). 16. Article of jewelry according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decorative element (32) comprises an enamel.