CN111616470A

CN111616470A - Jewel ornament connecting piece

Info

Publication number: CN111616470A
Application number: CN202010130942.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 汉娜·瓦西切克
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-28
Filing date: 2020-02-28
Publication date: 2020-09-04
Also published as: GB2583573A; AU2020201497A1; GB202002858D0; SG10202001842XA

Abstract

An elastic bracelet ornament attachment (1) has an elastic wire loop (2), the elastic wire loop (2) being formed from a length of wire having a predetermined diameter (3). The eyelet (2) has a predetermined eyelet diameter (4) and circumference and includes a turn of the spiral shape (5) such that the ends (6) of the length of wire overlap by an amount of 15% to 40% of the eyelet circumference. The metal ring gap 7 is positioned in the middle of the overlapping part of the metal wires, and the size of the metal ring gap corresponds to the diameter of the elastic band of the ornament bracelet. The size of the gap of the metal loop is preferably 50% or less of the diameter of the elastic wire forming the loop, while the diameter of the metal loop is 3 to 10 times the diameter of the elastic wire forming the loop (2).

Description

Jewel ornament connecting piece

Technical Field

The present invention relates to jewelry, and more particularly to jewelry connectors.

The invention is primarily intended for use in connection with elastic bracelets and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular use.

Background

Bracelets have been worn on the wrist of a wearer. The bracelet, when in use, forms a closed loop that can rotate in a limited manner around the wrist. The closed loop of some types of bracelets includes a clasp or other mechanical attachment means that allows the bracelet to be releasably attached to form a loop. In this case, the bracelet is generally a chain of some descriptive nature made of metal or alloy.

The ornament is a small token or a small ornament that can be attached to the chain of a metal bracelet. When a plurality of appliques are added to the bracelet, the appliques are spaced apart along the length of the chain and a number of appliques can be added as desired. The charm itself typically includes a loop attachment or other feature to allow the charm to be attached to a chain bracelet. Simple rings or rings are commonly used to interconnect the charms with the links of the bracelet. The ring, e.g. a split ring, may simply be clamped to the ring under spring force or the like, or the ring may be welded.

In another alternative, the ring may be attached to the ornament and bracelet at the same time and then slightly overlapped and clamped together to lock the ring and ornament to the links on the bracelet. In other cases, the ornament may also be attached to the links of the bracelet by using a small clasp, for example formed by a movable arm spring-biased to the closed position. In these embodiments, the jewelry may be removed and replaced as desired by toggling the clasp.

Other types of bracelets include elastic bracelets. They are made of elastomeric material and are usually in the form of a permanently closed loop formed by one or more elastic threads. The ring is radially stretchable a predetermined amount to enable it to be placed through a wearer's hand and around the wrist. The elastic loop may include beads or other decorative items worn on the loop. The beads may be formed of any preferred material including metal alloys, plastics or natural products such as fibres or pearls.

In this way, the beads cover the elastic loop and abut against the wrist area of the user. The total number of beads is generally limited by the resting dimension of the elastic ring, with the threaded beads each having an annular thickness. Where the bracelet is an elastic bracelet, these are often advantageous for wearers who may be subject to physical damage to the bracelet (e.g. damage caused by stretching of a child). In contrast to metal link chain bracelets, which may lose their ability to telescope at the weakest connection, for example, when hooked or inadvertently caught on an object, the metal link bracelet has a very limited ability to telescope. However, an advantage of elastic bracelets is the ability to stretch and better resist such physical damage.

It is also known that metal, plastic or other ornaments can be used with the elastic bracelet. In addition to using clasps and metal snap springs in the form of clamps, welds or slight press fits, the ornament is attached to the elastic bracelet by a simple tie. Here, a string is bound between the ornament and the elastic loop next to the bead.

Unfortunately, each of the known methods of attaching ornaments suffer from various disadvantages. For example, it is known that circlips stretch and break from a chain or elastic ring and that some precision is required to engage them between a bracelet and a bracelet when the circlips are manually operated. This is particularly the case when the ornament is inadvertently caught or entangled on an object. Although the clasps are difficult to remove, they are relatively large and include complex mechanisms that are prone to breaking, particularly resilient biasing means such as spring arms. When welding circlips or split rings they provide a relatively robust solution, but require very precise welding and almost lose their ability to interchange ornaments after they have been welded on.

Cause of the invention

The cause of the present invention is to provide a resilient bracelet strand attachment which overcomes one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an elastic bracelet strand attachment comprising an elastic eyelet formed from a length of wire of a predetermined diameter, the eyelet having a predetermined eyelet diameter and circumference, the eyelet having a helical turn such that the ends of the length of wire overlap by an amount of 10% to 40% of the eyelet circumference; and a wire loop gap between the overlapping portions of the wire, the wire loop gap being configured to have a size corresponding to a diameter of the elastic band of the bracelet.

Preferably, the resilient wire is metal or coated metal. It is also preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the elastic wire is circular, elliptical or polygonal, and the elastic wire loop is circular, elliptical, triangular or polygonal.

In a preferred embodiment, the ends of the end wires overlap by an amount of 20% to 35% and the size of the gap of the wire loop is 50% or less of the diameter of the resilient wire forming the loop.

Preferably, the diameter of the metal loop is 3 to 10 times the diameter of the elastic wire forming the loop.

It can thus be seen that there is advantageously provided a charm attachment for an elastic bracelet which is relatively strong with respect to external forces removing it from the charm of the bracelet and which can also be attached to and removed from the elastic bracelet with relative ease and without the use of auxiliary tools such as soldering irons or pinchers.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a bracelet strand attachment in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the bracelet attachment of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a top view of the jewelry mounted on the jewelry attachment of fig. 1;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of an ornament attached to the ornament attachment of fig. 1;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of an ornament attachment according to another preferred embodiment; and

figures 6 and 7 are different perspective views of an elastic bracelet attached to the ornament connection of figure 1.

Detailed Description

Unless otherwise explicitly indicated, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts in each of the drawings of the preferred embodiments.

Referring generally to fig. 1 and 2, there is shown in various views an ornamental bracelet attachment 1 of a preferred embodiment. The bracelet strand 1 comprises a resilient metal loop 2 having a diameter 4 and a corresponding circumference.

The eyelet 2 is formed from a predetermined length of wire having a wire diameter 3. The wire diameter 3 is about 2.5mm and preferably between 1mm and 5mm, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the diameter 3 may be any desired diameter. The ferrule 2 is formed of a metal wire or alloy wire, for example, a noble metal or a base metal, as required. It may also be made of a strong plastic.

As best shown in figure 1, the eyelet 2 has a helical turn (indicated by 5 in the drawings) in which the end portion 6 of the wire overlaps the adjacent portion of the eyelet 2 by approximately 20% of the circumference of the eyelet 2. That is, rather than forming a single closed loop where the ends 6 meet, the wire extends continuously in helical turns over approximately 20% of the circumference of the eyelet 2. Preferably, the end portion 6 of the eyelet 2 overlaps between 10% and 40% of the circumference of the eyelet.

A bead gap 7 is provided between the overlapping portions of the wire ends 6. The wire gap 7 is sized to accommodate the elastic of the elastic bracelet 20 passing therethrough, substantially in the plane of the jewellery attachment 1. In a preferred embodiment, the wire gap 7 is about 1mm, which is about 40% of the diameter 3 of the eyelet 2. In this way, the eyelet gaps 7 accommodate the elastic bands of the bracelet passing therethrough, being thus constrained by the wires forming the eyelets. To remove the jewellery attachment 1, a reverse action is taken to remove the elastic of the bracelet between the loop gaps 7 between the ends 6 of the wire.

This allows relatively simple and quick attachment and removal of charms to and from the elastic bracelet 20 without the use of external tools. The eyelet gap 7 prevents the bracelet strand from moving through it unless the eyelet 2 is specifically aligned so that the strand can move between the end 6 of the wire and the eyelet 2 when the strand is stretched by a certain amount.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter 3 of the eyelet 2 is preferably about 3-20 times the diameter of the wire forming the eyelet 2. Preferably, the size of the eyelet clearance 7 is half or less than half the diameter 3 of the wire used to form the eyelet 2. Most preferably, the eyelet clearance 7 is about 30% to 40% of the diameter 3 of the wire used in the eyelet 2, but this is dependent on the diameter of the elastic band (not shown) of the elastic bracelet 20. That is, the eyelet clearance 7 is sized to allow the elastic of the bracelet 30 to pass through, thereby joining the two together.

It should also be noted that the eyelet gaps 7 need not simply depend on the diameter of the elastic bands of the elastic bracelet 20 in a relaxed state, but may also be determined to coincide with the expected diameter of the elastic bands of the elastic bracelet 20 when stretched some predetermined amount. In this way, the elastic of the elastic bracelet 20 cannot pass through the eyelet clearance 7 unless it is stretched.

It should also be noted that although the ends 6 of the wires of the preferred embodiment may overlap by an amount of about 20% of the circumference of the eyelet 2, it should be understood that the amount of overlap may be between 20% and 35% of the circumference of the eyelet 2. Furthermore, it should be understood that in other preferred embodiments, the end 6 of the eyelet 2 may overlap between 15% and 40% of the circumference of the eyelet 2. In use, the jewellery attachment 1 of this configuration can be attached to the elastic strap of an elastic bracelet relatively easily and is not easily removed accidentally.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described with reference to a jewellery attachment 1 formed from metal or alloy wire, it will be appreciated that metal coated with plastic or plastic itself having suitable mechanical properties, such as polyoxymethylene, may also be used.

Although not shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the metal eyelet 2 may have a non-circular shape such as an oval or polygon. In such an embodiment, the diameter 3 of the eyelet 2 may be defined as the widest point across the eyelet 2, such as the diagonal of a square or the major axis of an ellipse. Similarly, the wire forming the eyelet 2 is preferably substantially circular, but may be oval, polygonal or triangular if desired.

Turning now to figures 3 and 4, there are shown top and perspective views of an ornament 10 made of metal or alloy, wherein the ornament 10 is attached to a bracelet ornament attachment 1. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by attaching the ring 11 to the ornament 10. Like the ornament 10, the ring 11 is also made of metal or alloy. The ring 11 is welded to the ornament 10, but it is also possible to mechanically connect the ring 11 and the ornament 10 by any preferred means.

The ring 11 of the ornament 10 comprises a central hole 12, through which hole 12 the ornament attachment 1 is threaded and attached. Typically, the ornament attachment 1 may be wound onto the loop 11, the eyelet gap 7 increasing during the winding process and the eyelet gap 7 loosening once the ornament attachment 1 is wound onto the loop 11. In this way, the eyelet clearance 7 may be smaller than the diameter of the material forming the loop 11 and move elastically to accommodate the loop 11 received through the clearance 7 before allowing the clearance 7 to close.

Referring now to fig. 5, there is shown another preferred embodiment of the charm bracelet attachment 1. In this embodiment, the bracelet link 1 is similar to that shown in figures 1 and 2, except that a ring or closed loop 8 is fixedly attached to the eyelet 2 to attach a bracelet ornament or other object to the eyelet 2. Most preferably, the closing ring 8 is identical to the metal ring 2, both made of the same material, wherein the closing ring 8 is welded in place to the metal ring 2. The diameter of the ring 8 is preferably one tenth to one sixth of the diameter 4 of the eyelet 2. In use, the ornament 10 is attached to the ring or closure ring 8 and is not engaged with the ornament attachment 1.

Fig. 6 and 7 show the elastic bracelet 20 in a relaxed state. The elastic bracelet 20 in these figures comprises a textile outer portion disposed around an elastic band (not shown) which forms a closed loop. The ornament bracelet link 1 is arranged around the elastic band of the bracelet 20. Here, the elastic band and the fabric outer portion of the bracelet 20 are received through the eyelet gap 7 when tensioned, but cannot pass back and forth through the eyelet gap 7 when it is not in the tensioned state, thereby retaining the ornament bracelet link 1 on the elastic bracelet 20. It will be appreciated that the ornament may be attached directly to the attachment member 1, or may be attached via an intermediate ring or rings 8. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that once the elastic ornament attachment 1 is attached to the elastic bracelet 20, the elastic bracelet may still be opened and closed, i.e. moveable between a stretched and unstretched state, such that the user may place the elastic bracelet over a part of the body, most preferably the wrist or ankle.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term "comprising" (and grammatical variants thereof) as used herein is used in an inclusive "including" or "having" rather than an exclusive "consisting only of.

Claims

1. An elastic bracelet ornament attachment comprising:

a resilient eyelet formed from a length of wire of a predetermined diameter, said eyelet having a predetermined eyelet diameter and circumference, said eyelet having a helical turn such that the ends of the length of wire overlap by an amount of 15% to 40% of the eyelet circumference; and

a wire loop gap between the overlapping portions of the wire, the wire loop gap being configured to have a size corresponding to a diameter of the elastic band of the bracelet.

2. The jewelry linkage of claim 1, wherein said resilient wire is a metal or metal alloy.

3. The jewelry linkage of claim 1 or 2, wherein said resilient wire has a cross-sectional shape of a circle, an ellipse or a polygon.

4. The jewelry linkage of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resilient metal ring is circular, oval, triangular or polygonal.

5. The jewellery attachment of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ends of the length of wire overlap by an amount of from 20% to 35%.

6. The jewellery attachment of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gap of the wire loop is of a size of 50% or less of the diameter of the resilient wire forming the loop.

7. The accessory attachment of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the diameter of the loop is from 3 to 10 times the diameter of the resilient wire forming the loop.

8. An accessory attachment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a rigid closure ring fixedly attached to the ferrule.