EP2524615B1 - Decorative objects with variable configuration - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to decorative objects, and more particularly but not exclusively, jewelry, watches and furniture.

At all times, designers have striven to make jewelry or original furniture capable of drawing the attention of the public to those who wear or own.

FR 2930409 describes an articulated jewel.

The invention aims to further expand the possibilities of creating jewelry or furniture, both aesthetic and original.

The invention thus has, according to one of its aspects, a decorative object comprising a plurality of links articulated to each other so as to allow the object to take at least a first annular configuration where the links each present a generally radially outward facing face and a second compact configuration, wherein the links are folded over each other so as to have all said face disposed on the same side of the object.

Thanks to the invention, the user benefits from an object that is capable of presenting an annular configuration, in which it forms for example a ring, a bracelet or a watch, and can be worn by the user, on a finger or around the handle, and a compact configuration where the object has a different aesthetic and allows for example to reveal a pattern that was not directly apprehensible in its entirety by an observer when the object was in its annular configuration.

In addition, the transformation of the object between its annular and compact configurations is playful and attractive.

In its compact configuration, the object may not have the same utility as in ring configuration.

The object, in its annular configuration, defines an axis about which it extends, and when this axis is oriented vertically, each link has an upper side and a lower side. The longitudinal axis of the object, in annular configuration, may follow a circular path or not, for example polygonal.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, at least three consecutive links of the object are articulated in pairs, for example at the level of their upper sides for the first and second links and their lower sides for the second and third links.

All the links can be articulated together. Alternatively, the object can be arranged to be open, two links can be separated, for example by the way in which the joint is made, or a link be split in half, for example halfway. This may allow for example to open the object to arrange around the neck or wrist. The object can then be provided with a clasp, the latter being for example located on one of the aforementioned long links, for example mid-length thereof.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the object comprises long links and short links.

In an exemplary embodiment, the object comprises two long links connected by two series of short links, the long links having a length substantially double that of the short links. Each series of short links is connected at its ends to the two long links. The series of short links are articulated on the same side of each long link. Each series of short links may have an even number of short links, preferably 2, 4 or 6.

The links may have decor elements arranged to reconstruct a pattern when juxtaposed when the object is in its compact configuration.

These decor elements may include printing, inlay, engraving, veneer, among other possibilities. For example, two links have features from printing or engraving that are positioned in continuity of each other in compact configuration.

The object can serve as a communication medium, the motif being for example a logo, an alphanumeric character, a word, a geometric figure, a representation of a character, a place, an object, among others.

The object can form a jewel such as a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, a watch, an earring or a pendant.

The object can, in compact configuration, serve as a pendant and ring ring configuration, bracelet, or ear ring.

The object can be a watch with several watch mechanisms integrated in different links and which can be set for example on different time zones.

In the embodiment where the decorative object is a watch comprising on the one hand magnets and on the other hand a watch mechanism, it is intended to arrange the watch mechanism and the magnets so that the said magnets do not adversely affect the operation of the watch.
For example the magnets are arranged so that in all configurations of the object according to the invention, there is a sufficient distance between the magnets and the elements of the watch typically the needles.

In a variant, the watch is antimagnetic, ie the needles are made of a non-magnetizable material such as a non-ferrous metal alloy, a plastic material advantageously reinforced with fibers such as carbon fiber, fiberglass or aramid.

The analog watch advantageously comprises needles and the associated mechanism arranged in a single link.
This link is advantageously provided with transparent lateral faces revealing the mechanism.
The transparent face is advantageously made of resistant materials, polycarbonate coated or uncoated, mineral glass or preferably sapphire.

The digital display watch has at least one screen on one of the links
Advantageously, the watch comprises a plurality of screens, each disposed on one of the links.
Advantageously, the watch comprises display control means forming a single image distributed over a plurality of screens at least in the compact configuration.
In the annular configuration the screens can repeat the same information or, preferably, additional information such as different time zones distributed in each link, hours and dates, think stupid to synchronize by a type connection, for example, "Bluetooth", IR link, USB, WIFI or the like.

The switching between the display of the single image distributes time display and / or additional information, is carried out either by manual activation of the press button type or by means of detection of the compact arrangement, ring or other of the watch.

In the case of a plurality of screens arranged in a plurality of links - each arranged in a different link - it is possible to provide connections between links comprising electronic modules or, on the contrary, entirely separate and autonomous electronic modules, each comprising all necessary elements including power supply (batteries, accumulator, solar panel, capacitor, pendulum or other).
The connected or independent modules are advantageously complementary to each other so as to perform a common display.

At least one link may carry a gemstone, for example a diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald, turquoise, opal or a rhinestone, for example glass or zirconium.

In a first embodiment, the watch or the bracelet forming the object according to the present invention is closed (permanently) in the annular configuration.

In such a case the diameter of the ring formed by the radially inner faces is sufficient to allow the passage of the handle of the wearer.

Advantageously, the bracelet or watch, according to the present invention comprises a clasp facilitating their placement around the handle of the wearer.

In the case of an object according to the invention comprising short links and long links (for example a long link having the angular extension of two short links), the clasp is preferably arranged so as to link together, in the assembled position, two short links.

In this embodiment once assembled (closed) the two short links form a long link.

Advantageously, the clasp is radially opposite (relative to the axis of the ring) to a long link.

Alternatively, the object can form a piece of furniture. In this case, the object may comprise a precious wood, solid or veneer. Each link comprises for example a wooden body.

The links comprise, in embodiments of the invention, means for holding the object in an annular configuration and / or in a compact configuration, these holding means being, for example, chosen from magnets, mechanical fastening or elastic return members.

For example, each link or link in two has at its longitudinal ends magnets, two consecutive links preferably having on their opposite faces permanent magnets of opposite respective polarities, for example N-S or S-N.

At least one of the links, for example all links, can define a housing and be provided with a removable shutter element that allows the user to access this housing.

The removable closure member may define a portion of the outer surface of the article, for example on the upper or lower side of a link. The presence of an accessible housing is interesting especially when the object is of a size that allows the user to have at least a smaller item in the housing. The shutter member is for example a drawer or a door when the object forms a piece of furniture and can be a small hinged or sliding lid when the object forms a jewel.
The furniture is advantageously made of lightweight materials facilitating the transformation between the compact configuration in which it forms a storage cabinet and the annular configuration in which it forms a seat.
It is possible to use, for example, rigid materials forming, at least in part, the shell of the faces, for example made of wood, metal, and especially carbon fibers. plastics or cardboard, or a structure on which is stretched a flexible material, for example fabrics, paper, leather, rubber.
The furniture comprises either empty faces or retractable faces (typically sliding) allowing initially to access the internal storage space and in a second time masking and protecting the possibly stored content.
Advantageously, the access faces to the storage space are the faces which in the annular position are radial faces, for example external radial faces. In this case it is advantageous that the visible parts of the shutter doors slide in an arc of a circle, with a radius equal to or substantially equal to the outer radius of the ring.
Advantageously, such doors are flexible or articulated so as to allow their retraction inside the structure as and when they open.
Advantageously the furniture according to the invention comprises handles facilitating the unfolding or folding between the compact configuration and the annular configuration.
Advantageously, the annular configuration is obtained when the said compact configuration has undergone a tilting movement on the ground.

• un premier maillon comportant deux faces principales disposées en vis à vis, deux faces d'extrémité et deux faces latérales
• un deuxième maillon comportant deux faces principales disposées en vis à vis, deux faces d'extrémité et deux faces latérales
• une arête disposée entre la dite face latérale et la dite face d'extrémité
• une articulation entre les dits premier et deuxième maillon, une chaîne caractérisée en ce que la dite articulation est disposée parallèlement à la dite arête

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain comprising:

• a first link comprising two main faces arranged facing each other, two end faces and two lateral faces
• a second link comprising two main faces arranged facing each other, two end faces and two lateral faces
• an edge disposed between said lateral face and said end face
• an articulation between said first and second links, a chain characterized in that said articulation is arranged parallel to said ridge

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain according to the invention characterized in that said links have a constant thickness forming the distance between said main faces.

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain according to the invention characterized in that each link has a shape of an angular portion of a cylinder

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain characterized in that each link has the shape of a keystone

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain characterized in that it further comprises a third link and in that the links between successive links are arranged on said staggered edges.

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain characterized in that the hinge comprises a first axis passing through at least a first opening made in a first link and a second opening in a connecting piece in that the said hinge comprises a second axis parallel or substantially parallel to said first axis passing through at least a third opening in a second link and a fourth opening in said hinge.

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain characterized in that in a so-called unfolded position it has the shape of a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical ring.

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain characterized in that it comprises at least one first link of which at least one end face is capable of being disposed opposite an end face of a second link.
The end faces of these two links being devoid of joints so as to be able to move away said end faces may be arranged in opposite and in that they comprise lockable fastening means "said clasp" of these two links of the chain at these end faces may be disposed opposite.

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain characterized in that it comprises the end faces facing the two consecutive links comprising return means typically magnets attracting each other to a position of contact between said end phases in opposite.

An unclaimed aspect of the invention J also relates to a chain according to the invention, characterized in that each joint comprises two parallel or substantially parallel connecting pieces.
Each connecting piece having a first opening for receiving an axis made at a first end and a second opening for receiving an axis made at a second end and in that the said first openings, the said first and second pieces of link are aligned with each other and with receiving apertures corresponding axes made in the link receiving said ends of said connecting pieces.

An unclaimed aspect of the invention also relates to a chain according to the invention characterized in that it comprises a first link having a first angular extension and in that all the links have an angular extension which is a non-integer multiple. none of the angular extension of said first link

• la figure 1 représente en perspective un objet réalisé conformément à l'invention, dans sa configuration annulaire,
• les figures 2 à 6 illustrent le passage de l'objet de la configuration annulaire à la configuration compacte,
• la figure 7 illustre un détail de réalisation d'une articulation reliant deux maillons,
• la figure 8 illustre une variante de réalisation de l'articulation entre deux maillons,
• la figure 9 illustre une possibilité de réalisation des maillons, et,
• la figure 10 représente une variante de réalisation comportant un fermoir.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, examples of non-limiting implementation thereof, and the examination of the accompanying drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 represents in perspective an object made according to the invention, in its annular configuration,
• the Figures 2 to 6 illustrate the transition from the object of the annular configuration to the compact configuration,
• the figure 7 illustrates a detail of embodiment of an articulation connecting two links,
• the figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the articulation between two links,
• the figure 9 illustrates a possibility of making links, and,
• the figure 10 represents an alternative embodiment comprising a clasp.

The object according to the invention, represented on the Figures 1 to 6 comprises a plurality of articulated links, namely in the example in question two long links 11 and 12 and four short links 13 to 16.

When the object has its ring configuration, as shown in FIG. figure 1 , the links extend around an axis X of the object, following a path, for example substantially circular as illustrated. The links 11 to 16 have radially outer faces 11a to 16a that come, when the object passes in its compact configuration, as illustrated in FIG. figure 6 , position themselves on the same side of the article. Thus the observer can simultaneously observe all the faces 11a to 16a. The object then has, in the example under consideration, in planar projection, a substantially polygonal contour, for example square or rectangular. The set of faces 11a to 16a substantially reconstitutes a portion of a cylinder of revolution in the illustrated example.

The links 11 to 16 have side faces, preferably flat, arranged respectively upwardly and downwardly when the object is observed with the vertical axis X, as on the Figures 1 or 2 . The lower side faces are respectively referenced 11b to 16b for the links 11 to 16 and the upper side faces 11c to 16c for these same links.

The links 13 and 14 are articulated to one another on the side of their upper lateral faces 13c and 14c by a hinge 20.

The links 15 and 16 are articulated to each other on the side of their upper lateral faces 15c and 16c by a hinge 23 and are connected on the side of their lower lateral faces to the links 11 and 12 by respective hinges 24 and 25.

The links 13 and 14 are connected on the side of their lower side faces by respective links 21 and 22 to the links 11 and 12.

When passing from the annular configuration of the figure 1 to the compact configuration of the figure 6 the short links 14 and 16 fold against the long link 12. The short links 13 and 15 fold against the long link 11.

In compact configuration, the long links 11 and 12 extend parallel to each other and are separated by the short links 13 to 16 which form two rows extending parallel to the long links, and constituted respectively by the links 13 and 15 of a part and 14 and 16 on the other hand.

In compact configuration, all the faces 11a to 16a of the links 11 to 16 are located on one and the same side of the object, which can make it possible to reveal a pattern.

Decorating elements 40 are advantageously carried by the various links 11 to 16. In the example illustrated, these decorative elements 40 make it possible to reconstruct a planisphere in a compact configuration, but the invention applies to a wide variety of elements of decoration.

Holding means are advantageously provided for holding the object in at least one of the annular and compact configurations.

For example, all the links each comprise permanent magnets 30, visible on the figure 3 , which interact to keep the object in the annular configuration as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 . These magnets 30 are for example arranged on the end faces of two consecutive links, these faces overlapping substantially when the object is in its compact configuration.

Thus, the attraction of the magnets 30 opposes the pivoting movement of the links necessary for the transition from the annular configuration to the compact configuration. The user must overcome the attraction of the magnets 30 to rotate the links to bring them into the compact configuration.

Of course, holding means other than magnets may be used. For example, the end faces of the links comprise reliefs that cooperate by mechanical attachment, for example by snap-fastening or adhesive-type fastening sold under the trademark "Velcro"

The hinges allowing the articulation of different links between them can be provided with elastic return means such as springs tending to recall two links connected by the hinge in the position they take in ring configuration.

The articulation between two links can be achieved in various ways and for example using, as illustrated in FIG. figure 7 hinges, in which are engaged axes, with for example as illustrated in this figure an intermediate node on one of the links which engages between two nodes carried by the other link.

The joints can generally be detachable by the user or not, depending on the applications and the interest of allowing the detachment of the links. Preferably, the links are interconnected non-releasably by the user.

In the variant illustrated in figure 8 two adjacent links are connected by fasteners 47 which are engaged on two axes 48 carried by the links. This makes it possible to link the two links in an articulated manner around two geometrical axes of close and parallel rotations, with the advantage of avoiding making a hinge protruding from the apparent faces of the links.

We illustrated at the figure 9 the possibility for at least one of the links to be hollow, comprising for example a hollow body 50 on which is attached a closure member 51 such as a removable cover, held on the body 50 by any fastening means, for example using screws 52.

In a variant not shown, the closure member 51 is a hinged cover on the body 50 or a sliding drawer in or on the body 50.

The housing defined by the hollow body of a link may for example contain an accessory that becomes useful when the object is in one of its compact or annular configurations. For example, this accessory is a useful base to ensure the stability of the object in the compact configuration.

Of course, the links can be made with various shapes and in various materials without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The object can be made so that each link is articulated at both ends to other links, without the possibility of opening the chain formed by all the links.

In a variant, illustrated in figure 10 , the object comprises a clasp that opens the chain formed by the various links, for example to engage on a wrist or around the neck.

The clasp can be made at the mid-length of one of the long links 11 or 12. This clasp can comprise, as illustrated, an unlocking member 35 that the user can operate to separate in two the long link 12.

Of course, the invention is not limited to a jewel and the object can form a piece of furniture, for example for storing various articles inside at least one of the links. In this case, the device can for example pass from an annular configuration where it serves for example a seat or sofa or support to a coffee table top to a compact configuration where the object defines a piece of furniture such as a library for example. Storage of the furniture can be simplified.

At least one of the links of the object can accommodate a watch mechanism or various electronic components.

At least one of the links may accommodate one or more inlays 60 of precious stones, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 7 and 10 .

The object may comprise a connection element, not shown, which allows to connect it to a chain or to hook it to the ear.

The expression "comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one" unless the contrary is specified.

Claims (10)

1. A decorative object (10) including a plurality of links (11, ..., 16) articulated with respect to one another in such a way as to allow the object to adopt at least one first ring-like configuration in which the links each have a face oriented in a generally radial outward direction, and a second compact configuration, in which the links are folded over one another so that they all have said face (11a, ..., 16a) disposed on one and the same side of the object, characterized in that in its ring-like configuration, it defines an axis (x) around which it extends and wherein, when this axis is oriented vertically, each link has an upper side and a lower side, at least three consecutive links being articulated two-by-two, on their upper sides for the first and second links and on their lower sides for the second and third links.
2. The decorative object (10) including a plurality of links (11, ..., 16) articulated with respect to one another in such a way as to allow the object to take up at least one first ring-like configuration in which the links each present a face oriented in a generally radial outward direction and a second compact configuration, in which the links are folded over one another so as to all present said face (11a, ..., 16a) disposed on one and the same side of the object, characterized in that it includes two long links (11, 12) connected by two series of short links, the long links having a length substantially double that of the short links, each series of short links being connected at its ends to the two long links, the series of short links being articulated on one and the same side of each long link.
3. The object according to claim 1 or 2, all the links being articulated with one another two-by-two.
4. The object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, two links being configured to allow their separation or one link being configured to be able to be (12) split in two.
5. The object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including long links (11, 12) and short links (13, 14, 15, 16).
6. The object according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the links having decoration elements (40) disposed in such a way as to reconstitute a pattern when juxtaposed when the object is in its compact configuration.
7. The object according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the links including means (30) for holding the object in the ring-like configuration and/or compact configuration, these holding means being preferably magnets.
8. The object according to any one of claims 1 to 7, at least one of the links, preferably all the links, defining a housing and being provided with a removable obturating element which allows the user to access this housing.
9. The object according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes a clasp for securing two short links opposite a long link.
10. The object according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said object represents a jewel, a watch or an item of furniture.

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