EP2417866A1 - Jewellery item - Google Patents

Abstract

The object has an ornamental body (2) and a supporting body detachably coupled with one another by magnets (3), locking pins (5) and locking grooves. Quarter-turn rotation or full-turn rotation is performed for fixing the locking pins of the ornamental body relative to the supporting body. The locking pins and the locking grooves are used for providing a bayonet connection or a screw connection. A pin (8) is engaged in a recess of the supporting body. The pin is equipped with a sleeve (9), where the sleeve surrounds one of the magnets.

Description

The invention relates to an ornament, with a support body, and with a decorative body, which is magnetically and additionally mechanically detachably connected to the support body.

Such jewelry items may be rings, brooches, etc. In addition, both one-part and multi-part embodiments of the ornamental body is included. In the latter case, the ornamental body may be equipped with a base member and a cover member. The base element may be made in one piece with the support body, as a whole in the EP 1 810 587 B1 the applicant is described.

A generic jewelry item is in the US Pat. No. 3,509,734 described. Here are magnetically attractive surfaces on the one hand on a decorative body and on the other hand realized at the foot of a recess in the support body. In addition, the known teachings resort to pins that provide positioning and alignment of the ornamental body relative to the support body. The cited prior art can not convince in all aspects. So will be part of the EP 1 810 587 B1 propagated a magnetic plug-in device, which already combines a relatively secure hold with the simultaneous possibility of easy replacement of the ornamental body relative to the support body.

However, in such jewelry basically the risk that the ornamental body is stripped from the support body. Such is also in the generic US Pat. No. 3,509,734 Generally possible, however, is limited by the provided at this point additional pins or positioning pins. However, the pens in question complicate the assembly the well-known jewelry item and do not allow a frequent and easy replacement of the ornamental body.

In fact, in the various jewelery articles described above, there is a constant need for the owner to selectively replace the ornamental body. For this purpose, a matching support body is often supplied with different decorative bodies, which are combined depending on the wishes of the operator in each case with the support body. As a result, very different jewelry items can be created without each time a separate support body is required, made and adapted. The diversity of the various embodiments is therefore comparable to that which would be achieved if each ornamental body were equipped with its own support body. By realized at this point releasable connection and the ability to combine the desired ornamental body optionally with the support body, a comparable variability is observed at significantly reduced costs. However, at this point, operators are - rightly - demanding a simple, easy and fast handling. At the same time the loss of the ornamental body should be avoided. These conflicting objectives have so far been insufficiently served in the prior art. This is where the invention starts.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such an article of jewelery so that a simple operation is combined at the same time with a secure hold of the ornamental body on the support body.

To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes in a generic jewelry item that the mechanically detachable connection a rotary / plug connection is provided.

In the context of the invention, therefore, a quasi-double releasable connection between on the one hand the support body and on the other hand the ornamental body is propagated. In fact, mostly magnets on the one hand in the support body and on the other hand in the ornamental body first of all ensure that the ornamental body and the support body are magnetically detachable connected to each other. So that this temporary magnetic connection does not break off or the ornamental body can be unintentionally stripped off the support body, a mechanically releasable coupling between the support body and the ornamental body is additionally provided. This mechanically releasable coupling is designed in the context of the invention as a rotary / plug connection. That is, in contrast to the generic state of the art according to the US Pat. No. 3,509,734 the invention does not rely on a simple plug connection, but a combined rotary / plug connection.

This composite rotary / plug connection is generally produced by carrying out at least one quarter turn of the ornamental body relative to the support body for its attachment. In other words, the ornamental body and the supporting body are first inserted into each other and additionally undergo a rotating coupling by means of at least one engaging in a recess pin. At the end of this process are regularly the two magnets, on the one hand in the ornamental body and on the other hand, the one in the support body or in the recess, directly opposite, so can develop a maximum magnetic attraction.

Basically, it has proved to be favorable for reasons of ease of use, when determining the turn / plug connection of the ornamental body relative to the support body performs a maximum of one full turn. That is, between a quarter turn and one full turn are basically any intermediate stages in the rotating coupling between ornamental body and Supporting body possible and conceivable. In general, there will be no provision for more than one full turn between the ornamental body and the supporting body, so as not to force an operator or user to make unnecessary screwing movements. These are basically not required because the combined rotary / connector usually only serves to approximate the two magnets on the one hand the decorative body and on the other hand, the support body and prevent stripping of the ornamental body from the support body. All of this succeeds considering a simple, inexpensive and functional design.

In detail, the rotary / plug connection is designed as a bayonet connection, screw or the like. Regularly, an additional connector is provided or a complementary plug-in required.

It is particularly preferred if the magnetic connection via the two magnets in one part of the ornamental body and on the other hand the support body and in addition the mechanical rotary / plug connection are combined. Then a coupling of ornamental body and support body by a combined magnetic / rotary / plug connection, and that is releasable. This combined magnetic / rotary / plug connection generally has at least the pin engaging in the recess and additionally at least one locking pin arranged on the outside of the pin. The locking pin generally engages in the assembled state in a locking groove in the recess in rotation.

As a rule, the pen is equipped with a magnet inserted at the front. In addition, the recess has a magnet, which is generally embedded in the recess at the bottom. As soon as the pin is inserted into the recess and then the already described Rotation, the two magnets approach, so that at the end of the rotary joint, the desired maximum attractive force between the two magnets is observed.

The pin is generally equipped with two preferably diametrically opposed locking pins. The locking pins usually engage in corresponding locking grooves in the recess. If the coupling of ornamental body and support body is accomplished only by a substantially quarter turn, it is possible to work with two independently designed locking grooves on the outer circumference of the recess. In this case, a respective locking groove acts to receive the associated locking pin.

In general, an embodiment of the locking groove has proven to be in which in side view an approximately Z-shaped profile is observed. As a result, the locking groove on the front side of the recess has an insertion region. This plug-in area is followed by a subsequent turning area. The rotation range is predominantly horizontal and along an edge of the recess. The rotation area is finally followed by a fixing area. In this case, the design is usually made such that the insertion region and the fixing region are oriented predominantly vertically or in the insertion direction of the pin engaging in the recess. In contrast, the rotation range has a more or less horizontal extent.

In addition, it has been proven that the fixing range extends approximately to the bottom of the recess. As a result, at the end of the combined rotary / plug connection, the two magnets then directly adjoining each other develop their maximum attractive force. Because in the bottom of the recess of the magnet is embedded in the support body. This is the front in the Pin in the case directly opposite, when the pin with the one locking pin or the two locking pin in the fixing and immersed to about the bottom of the recess.

For the union of ornamental body and support body so the first pin is inserted into the recess, and in fact by the two locking pins dive into the first passed insertion in the recess. Since the vertical extent or the length of the insertion region in question is limited in the insertion direction of the pin, the two locking pins move against the locking groove, which merges into the essentially horizontally arranged rotational region following the insertion region. Subsequent to the first insertion process, the ornamental body must therefore be rotated relative to the support body or vice versa, predominantly by a quarter turn. As a result, the two locking pins move along the associated rotation range.

At the end of the rotation range, the locking pins can then continue to move in the fixing direction in the insertion direction or vertically extending fixing until the pin rests with its front side at the bottom of the recess. This process is further supported by the fact that during the movement of the locking pin in the fixing area and even before the two already approximated magnets generate an increasing magnetic attraction. As a result, the pin is usually tightened at the latest then towards the bottom of the recess as soon as the one locking pin or the two locking pins have reached the fixer area. Conversely, the release of ornamental body and support body against each other requires that the pin is moved beyond the fixing area up to the rotation range, so that it is not immediately attracted back into abutment against the bottom of the recess.

From a manufacturing point of view, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if a sleeve is provided with molded-on locking pin, which encloses the magnet of the pin and / or the pin as a whole. In this case, the pin is generally cylindrical. The recess has a largely hollow cylindrical structure adapted to the pin size.

The respective magnet can be adhesively connected to the pin, or the recess. In most cases, adhesive bonds have proven to be favorable. For example, a conceivable solder joint leads to elevated temperatures at this point, which may possibly reduce the magnetic attraction of the thus built-in magnet. Incidentally, the one or both magnets can be equipped with a metallic coating to adapt to the overall tracked appearance of the jewelry item. For example, it is conceivable to equip the respective magnet with a silver coating, a gold coating or the like. Finally, it is recommended from the production point of view, to perform the locking pin and / or the locking groove each as a laser processing elements. In other words, the one or more locking pins as well as the one or more locking grooves are predominantly introduced by means of a laser into a corresponding workpiece.

As a result, a jewelry item is provided, which is characterized by a functionally appropriate and easily detachable connection between the ornamental body and the support body. All of this succeeds considering a simple and cost-effective expansion. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

den erfindungsgemäßen Schmuckgegenstand in der Ausführungsform als Ring in schematischer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

den Zierkörper in vergrößerter Darstellung in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

eine Aufsicht auf den Tragkörper im Bereich der Ausnehmung und

Fig. 4

die Verriegelungsnut im Innern der Ausnehmung schematisch.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

the jewelery article according to the invention in the embodiment as a ring in a schematic side view,

Fig. 2

the ornamental body in an enlarged view in side view,

Fig. 3

a plan view of the support body in the region of the recess and

Fig. 4

the locking groove in the interior of the recess schematically.

In the figures, a jewelry item is shown, which is evidenced by the Fig. 1 is designed as a ring. Basically, the jewelry item may also be a pendant, a brooch, a bangle, etc. All conceivable embodiments have in common that they are essentially equipped with a support body 1 and a decorative body 2. The ornamental body 2 in turn can be designed one or more parts, for example, as in the introductory already referred to EP 1 810 587 B1 to which reference is expressly made.

The ornamental body 2 is releasably connected to the support body 1, so that different and changing ornamental body 2 can be optionally combined with a consistently maintained support body 1. In fact, at this point a magnetically and additionally mechanically detachable connection between the support body 1 and the ornamental body 2 is used. For this purpose, the mechanically releasable connection according to the invention is designed as a rotary / plug connection. That is, the support body 1 is connected to the ornamental body 2 not only detachably connected by magnetic attraction forces, which are constructed by two magnets 3, 4 on the one hand in the ornamental body 2 and on the other hand in the support body 1. But it is additionally realized a mechanically releasable rotary / plug connection between the ornamental body 2 and the support body 1, which manifests itself in the core in the form of locking pin 5 on the ornamental body 2, which engage in associated locking grooves 6 in a recess 7 in the support body 1, such as will be explained in more detail below.

Laying down the rotary / plug connection performs the ornamental body 2 relative to the support body 1 at least a quarter turn, which is based on the Fig. 4 becomes clear. In fact, the shows Fig. 4 the recess 7 of the support body 1 from the inside and provided at this point locking groove 6, in which the respective locking pin 5 engages. It can be seen that the locking groove 6 covers approximately an angular range of about 90 ° corresponding to a quarter turn.

The turn / plug connection is designed as a bayonet connection 5, 6. In addition, a plug connection is still realized, which is explained by the special shape of the locking groove 6, as will be explained in more detail below.

In fact, the ornamental body 2 and the support body 1 by a combined magnetic / rotary / plug connection 3, 4; 5, 6 releasably connected to each other. The magnetic connection is represented by the two magnets 3, 4. The additional mechanical rotary / plug connection is reflected in the form of the two locking pins 5, which engage in the associated locking grooves 6 in the sense of a combined rotary and plug connection. For this purpose, a pin 8 on the decorative body 2 on the outside respectively outer peripheral side with the two locking pin 5 is equipped. The two Locking pin 5 are shown to be the Fig. 2 diametrically opposite. In addition, the two locking pin 5 are connected to the front of the pin 8. In the area of this front side and the magnet 3 of the ornamental body 2 is provided. In fact, the magnet in question 3 is embedded in the front of the pen 8 and anchored in the pin 8 accordingly.

For this purpose, the pin 8 is equipped in the embodiment with a sleeve 9. The sleeve 9 encloses the magnet 3. In addition, the sleeve 9, the two molded locking pin 5. In the course of a particularly accurate production, it has proved in this context to be favorable when the locking pin 5 are defined by a laser processing in or on the sleeve 9. The pin 8 is designed predominantly cylindrical. The recess 7 has a largely hollow cylindrical structure and is adapted in size to the pin 8 received in the interior.

It can be seen that the predominantly hollow cylindrical recess 7 for receiving the pin 8 on the surface side of the support body 1 merges into an angular, in particular rectangular to square centering region 10. This centering region 10 is adapted in terms of its dimensions to a centering pin 11. The centering pin 11 connects to the upper side of the sleeve 9. Sleeve 9 and centering pins 11 together form the pin 8. The pin 8 in turn rests on a cover element 12, which may have a special external design in the sense of a design, embedded stones, etc.

As already explained, the two locking pins 5 interact on the pin 8 of the ornamental body 2 with two locking grooves 6 in the interior of the recess 7 of the support body 1. Of these two locking grooves 6 is in of the Fig. 4 only a locking groove 6 is shown. In fact, the two locking grooves 6 as opposed to the two locking pins 5 are diametrically opposed to a rotational symmetry axis R. One recognizes by means of the side view in Fig. 4 in that the respective locking groove 6 has an approximately Z-shaped profile. In fact, the locking groove 6 is frontally of the recess 7 designed with a plug-in 6a. The plug-in area 6a is adjoined by a turning area 6b. The rotation region 6b is finally followed by a fixing region 6c, which extends approximately to a bottom of the recess 7. In the bottom of the recess 7, the magnet 4 is embedded.

The insertion region 6a and the fixing region 6c of the locking groove 6 are each arranged in the insertion direction S of the pin 8 (parallel to the rotational symmetry axis R) in the recess 7. The insertion direction S coincides regularly with the vertical direction. In contrast, the rotation range 6b has a predominantly horizontal or perpendicular to the direction of insertion S alignment. The two magnets 3, 4 are each adhesively connected on the one hand to the support body 1, as described in the bottom of the recess 7 embedded. On the other hand, there is an adhesive connection of the magnet 3 with the sleeve 9 of the pin 8 on the ornamental body 2. The locking groove 6 as well as the two locking pin 5 may each be made and defined by means of a laser, so as the two locking pin 5 as a laser processing element designed.

The operation is as follows. For the union of ornamental body 2 and support body 1 of the ornamental body 2 is first placed with the pin 8 on the support body 1 or connected to this, that the two opposite locking pin 5 front of the pin 8 in the particularly in Fig. 3 to be recognized respective insertion regions 6a of the locking grooves. 6 can dive. Following this plug movement, a rotational movement of the ornamental body 2 with respect to the support body 1 is required by the locking pin 5 wander in this rotational movement along the respective rotation range 6b. After about a quarter turn of the ornamental body 2 relative to the support body 1, the rotational movement is completed, because then dip the two locking pin 5 in the fixing area 6c.

In this phase, the attractive forces between the two magnets 3, 4, which are already considerably approximated in this way, are usually so great that the pin 8 is attracted directly to the bottom of the recess 7. At the end of this process, the positioning pin 11 on the ornamental body 2 is at least partially immersed in the centering recess 10, which adjoins the recess 7 on the upper side.

In order to be able to detach the ornamental body 2 from the supporting body 1, the two magnets 3, 4 must be separated from one another along the fixing region 6c and the locking pins 5 dipped into the rotating region 6b. Now, the pin 8 can no longer be attracted magnetically unintentionally in the direction of the bottom of the recess 7, and can the ornamental body 2 and the support body 1 by a continuous rotational movement easily separate.

Claims (15)

Jewelery article, with a support body (1), and with a decorative body (2), which is magnetically and additionally mechanically detachably connected to the support body (1), characterized in that the mechanically detachable connection a rotary / plug connection (5, 6) is provided. Jewelery item according to claim 1, characterized in that for fixing the rotary / plug connection (5, 6) of the ornamental body (2) relative to the support body (1) performs at least a quarter turn. Jewelery item according to claim 2, characterized in that for determining the rotary / plug connection (5, 6) of the ornamental body (2) relative to the support body (1) performs a maximum of one full turn. Jewelery item according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotary / plug connection (5, 6) as a bayonet connection (5, 6), screw connection or the like, including additional plug connection is formed. Jewelery article according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ornamental body (2) and the support body (1) by a combined magnetic / rotary / plug connection (3, 4, 5, 6) are releasably coupled together. Jewelery article according to claim 5, characterized in that the combined magnet / rotary / plug connection (3, 4, 5, 6) with at least one in a recess (7) of the support body (1) engaging pin (8) on the decorative body (2 ) and additionally at least one on the pin (8) arranged on the outside locking pin (5) is fitted, which in the assembled state in a locking groove (6) in the recess (7) rotatably engages. An article of jewelery according to claim 6, characterized in that the pin (8) is equipped with two preferably diametrically opposite locking pins (5), which engage in corresponding locking grooves (6) in the recess (7). An article of jewelery according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the locking groove (6) has an approximately Z-shaped profile in a side view with a front side of the recess (7) provided insertion region (6a), a subsequent rotation region (6b) and finally a fixing region ( 6c) is equipped. An article of jewelery according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixing region (6c) extends approximately to a bottom of the recess (7). Jewelery article according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the pin (8) is equipped with a front side embedded magnet (3). Jewelery article according to claim 10, characterized in that a sleeve (9) with the molded-on locking pin (5) surrounds the magnet (3). An article of jewelery according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the recess (7) is equipped with a magnet (4) embedded in the base. Jewelery article according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the pin (8) is predominantly cylindrical and the recess (7) is formed largely hollow cylindrical with the pin (8) adapted size. Jewelery article according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the respective magnet (3, 4) is adhesively connected to the ornamental body (2) or the support body (1). Jewelery article according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the locking pin (5) and / or the locking groove (6) are formed as laser processing elements.

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