EP1168939B1

EP1168939B1 - Method of manufacturing jewelry network structures and network structures obtained with such method

Info

Publication number: EP1168939B1
Application number: EP00909577A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniela Raccanello
Original assignee: D'Orica Srl
Current assignee: D'Orica Srl
Priority date: 2000-01-19
Filing date: 2000-03-21
Publication date: 2003-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-21
Also published as: HK1038681A1; WO2001052683A1; JP2003520083A; DE60006657D1; ITVI20000014A1; AU3185700A; TR200102640T1; ATE254413T1; EP1168939A1; IT1315172B1

Abstract

Method of manufacturing of goldsmith network structure including the steps of providing a longitudinal warp member (2) constituted by a chain formed by one or more lines of links or modular elements and provided with interstices (3) between the links or modular elements, providing a weft member (4) constituted by a flexible threadlike core, inserting the weft member (4) in the warp member (2) along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the latter, at locations at predetermined distance (P, P', P'') from each other. The goldsmith network structure includes a longitudinal warp member (2) comprising a chain formed by one or more lines provided with interstices (3) between adjacent links or modular elements, and a weft member (4) comprising a flexible thread-like core inserted in the warp member (2) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the latter at positions at predetermined distances (P, P', P'') from each other to define adjacent bights (6, 6') of the network structure.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing goldsmith network structures as well as goldsmith network structures obtained with such method.

State of the art

Jewellery in gold and other precious and semi-precious metals are currently made in goldsmith's art by coupling and interweaving a plurality of necklace lines of various shape and length.

The currently used manufacturing methods provide that coupling is accomplished by placing a plurality of necklaces in substantially parallel fashion, optionally connecting them either at the ends thereof where closures are attached, or at the central portion thereof where lockets are placed.

EP-A-0 495 100 discloses a metallic mesh for ornamental goods in which a large number of metallic wires are step to randomly intersect with each other. GB-A-2 294 863 describes an item of jewellery comprising a frame network and meshed items of jewellery and a net supported on the frame and formed by strings of pearls. Likewise, US-A-3 742 730 discloses a frame network formed by strings of pearls/beads.

However, heretofore nobody has ever designed to connect the necklace lines with each other or with other wire-like articles in substantially perpendicular direction in such a manner to provide a weft having a particularly pleasant, various and pretty aspect.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention is aimed at conceiving a method of manufacturing of goldsmith network structures starting from simple chains arranged in single or multiple lines in such a manner to confer to the whole structure a new and varied aspect, and which is at the same time particularly light and elegant.

In accordance with one preferred aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing goldsmith network structures that, in accordance with claim 1, comprises the following steps:

a) providing a warp member extending in a longitudinal direction, said element being constituted by a chain with one or more lines of links or modular elements, said chains having interstices between the links or modular elements;

b) providing at least a weft member constituted by a flexible threadlike core;

c) inserting said at lest one weft member in the interstices of said warp member along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the latter, at positions at predetermined distance from each other to form adjacent bights defining a network structure.

A further aspect of the invention provides a goldsmith network structure which, in accordance with claim 10, is characterised by a warp member extending in a longitudinal direction, said warp member comprising a chain formed by one or more lines provided with interstices between adjacent links or modular elements, and at least a weft member comprising a flexible thread-like core inserted in said warp member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of this latter at positions at predetermined distances from each other to define adjacent bights of said network structure.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in the light of the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiments of goldsmith network structures obtainable with the method according to the invention, illustrated by way of a non-restrictive example with the help of the appended drawings sheets in which:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of goldsmith network structure according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows an elevation view of the goldsmith network structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of goldsmith network structure according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows an elevation view of the goldsmith network structure of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a first step of the manufacturing method of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 shows a second step of the manufacturing method of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 shows a third step of the manufacturing method of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to the above mentioned figures, a goldsmith network structure according to the invention, generally indicated with reference numeral 1, comprises a member 2 which is hereinafter indicated as "warp" member, and is essentially constituted by one or more lines of chain in single, double or "twin" or multiple arrangement, each having a longitudinal extension and a nearly sinusoidal configuration.

The warp chain member 2 is formed by one or more lines of links or modular elements 2' reciprocally connected to define therebetween a plurality of interstices or cavities 3 along their longitudinal extension, for example in correspondence of the connecting points between the annular links or modular elements 2'.

According to the invention, there is provided a member 4 named hereinafter "weft" member which is essentially constituted by a flexible and extremely thin, thread-like core, for example a pressed or hammered "rolò" gold thread, that is attached at one end thereof to a needle 5 or similar tool, for example a goldsmith soldering wire.

Using the tool 5, the weft thread-like member 4 is inserted through the interstices 3 of the warp member 2 along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the latter, thus forming a network and hence a goldsmith network structure with adjacent bights or loops.

Advantageously, the thread-like core of weft member 4 is arranged to cross the chain warp member 2 at portions of the latter at predetermined distances of constant value P or variable value P', P" to define bights of equal span 6 or different span 6' as requested.

Additionally, the thread-like member 4 may have different plant shapes in such a manner to assume flower-like or similar configurations not shown in the figures.

Optionally, inside the bytes of the network structure there nay be inserted ornamental elements constituted e.g. by balls 7, tubular sleeves 8 or precious and semi-precious stones not shown in the figures.

Further, as mentioned before, the warp chain member 2 may be formed by a plurality of mutually parallel lines to thereby define concentric circular sectors of chain.

After having inserted the weft thread-like core member 4 in the recess of the warp chain member 2, end members not shown in the drawings may be inserted to provide mutual fixation of the two

members

2, 4 and to stabilise the structure as a whole.

The network structure 1 obtainable with the above described method of manufacturing is formed by the combination of the warp member 2 comprising a single or multiple lines chain each formed by a plurality of adjacent links or modular elements 2' mutually connected and provided with interstices 3 between the adjacent links or modular elements 2', and of a weft member 4 comprising a flexible thread-like core inserted into the interstices of the warp member 2 in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the longitudinal extension of the latter, at positions at predetermined mutual distances so as to form a network structure with adjacent bights.

Although the manufacturing method and the network structure according to the invention has been described with reference to the figures, they are susceptible of many modifications and variants all of which fall within the concept of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Method of manufacturing goldsmith network structures characterised in that it comprises the following steps:

a) providing a warp member (2) extending in a longitudinal direction, said warp member being constituted by a chain formed by one or more lines of links or modular elements, said chains having interstices (3) between the links or modular elements (2');

b) providing at least a weft member (4) constituted by a flexible threadlike core;

c) inserting said at least one weft member (4) in the interstices of said warp member (2) along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the latter, at positions at predetermined distance (P, P', P") from each other to form adjacent bights (6, 6') defining a network structure.
Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the distance (P) between the insertion positions is constant.
Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the distance (P', P") between the insertion positions is variable.
Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of ornamental elements (7, 8) are inserted in the adjacent bights of said warp member.
Method according to claim 4, characterised in that said ornamental elements comprise balls (7) or precious and semi-precious stones.
Method according to claim 4, characterised in that said ornamental elements comprises tubular sleeves (8) of precious or semi-precious materials.
Method according to claim 1, characterised in that said warp member (2) is a double chain with two side by side or "twin" lines.
Method according to claim 1, characterised in that said warp member is a chain with annular links.
Method according to claim 1, characterised in that said core defining the weft member (4) is a chain of "rolò" pressed-type.
Goldsmith network structure, characterised by a warp member (2) extending in a longitudinal direction, said warp member comprising a chain formed by one or more lines provided with interstices (3) between adjacent links or modular elements, and a weft member (4) comprising a flexible thread-like core inserted in said warp member (2) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of this latter at positions at predetermined distances (P, P', P") from each other to define adjacent bights (6, 6') of said network structure.