EP2943087B1 - Annular piece of jewelry having coaxial ring elements that can be moved in a guided manner - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a ring-shaped piece of jewelry with a variable appearance, in particular a finger ring. The jewel consists of a plurality of interconnected and mutually movable coaxial ring elements, the ring elements comprising at least one inner ring element and two outer ring elements and wherein the inner ring element and the outer ring elements with respect to each other in changing the appearance of the jewel Move positions in which the outer ring elements each have different outer Cover peripheral surface portions of the inner ring member, the inner ring member is disposed in the axial direction between the two outer ring members or between parts of the outer ring members.

Such a ring-shaped piece of jewelry is from the EP 0 642 750 A1 known. This document describes an annular structure which is suitable for the production of jewelry. An annular piece of jewelery formed in this way has a multiplicity of annular elements, in particular of two annular elements which are successively arranged one inside the other, the diameters of these annular elements decreasing relative to one another so that the annular elements can be pushed into one another and pulled apart telescopically. For this purpose, the individual ring elements are connected to one another such that they are displaceable in the axial direction along a displacement, optionally in a position in which the outer ring element completely or at least partially covers the inner ring element received by it and in a position in which the inner ring element is completely or at least partially not covered by the outer ring element, so that the inner ring element is completely or at least partially visible. Due to the displacement movement, due to the telescopic design of this ring structure, the axial extent of the ring-shaped piece of jewelry thus formed changes disadvantageously.

Ring-shaped jewelery with only two coaxial ring elements, which can be moved in relation to each other in different positions in which the outer ring member covers different outer peripheral surface areas of the inner ring member, thereby providing different appearances of the jewelry piece, are further from the DE 201 11 802 U1 and the US 5 483 808 A known.

In the piece of jewelry from the DE 201 11 802 U1 the inner ring element has a smaller inner diameter than the outer ring element, so that after attaching the piece of jewelry on a body member, for example a finger in the case of a finger ring, only the inner ring member is supported on the body member. Thereby, the outer ring member can be moved in relation to the inner ring member in different positions without removing the piece of jewelry, However, it is considered disadvantageous that at one end of the jewelry piece between the outer ring member and the body member, an axially open gap is formed, in which dirt can easily accumulate.

In the piece of jewelry from the US 5 483 808 A the outer ring member at one end face an inwardly projecting collar whose inner diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the inner ring member, so that after the attachment of the jewel on a body member both the outer ring member and the inner ring member are supported on the body member. However, there is formed between the inside of the collar and the violin-facing end face of the inner ring member in a radially inwardly open gap, the width of which decreases as the inner ring member is moved further into the outer ring member. In order to avoid that this has a painful pinching of parts of the body member in the gap result, the piece of jewelry must be removed before such adjustment of the two ring elements is made.

A further disadvantage of the aforementioned pieces of jewelry in aesthetic terms is that they can not form mirror-symmetrical to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body member center plane, which is particularly desirable in finger rings of many customers.

Also the DE 42 10 982 A1 discloses a similar piece of jewelry which also presents a risk of pinching parts of the body member in an inwardly open gap between an annular outer member and an annular inner member when the two members are removed without removing the jewel be moved towards each other by a limb. The DE 42 10 982 A1 further discloses a piece of jewelry of the type mentioned, since there are many possible variations, if there are several outer parts that are displaceable on the inner part independently of each other as on an axis and selectively cover different areas of the outer wall of the inner part.

The EP2491808 reveals a piece of jewelry with a changing appearance.

Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to provide a ring-shaped piece of jewelry of the type mentioned above with a variable appearance, in which the ring elements can move on a body member in relation to each other without dirt between the ring elements and the body member can penetrate and preferably without the risk of pinching parts of the limb,

This object is achieved in that the two outer ring members and the inner ring member are coupled together so that move the inner ring member by rotating the one of the two outer ring elements with respect to the other of the two outer ring elements in the axial direction back and forth leaves.

By doing so, the outer ring members can be positioned at the opposite ends of the jewelry piece and sized so that they fit snugly against the body member, thereby preventing the ingress of dirt between the jewelry piece and the body member. According to the invention, it is thus provided that the two outer ring elements are coupled to one another by the inner ring element such that the inner ring element reciprocate in the axial direction by rotating one of the two outer ring elements relative to the other of the two outer ring elements leaves. In the course of the axial movement of the inner ring member are different parts of the inner ring member of the covered both outer ring elements, which maintain their axial position during the axial movement of the inner ring member. Thereby, the appearance of the piece of jewelry in a plugged onto the body member state can be changed solely by rotating one of the two outer ring members about the longitudinal axis of the body member.

For this purpose, the inner cross section or inner diameter of the outer ring elements or of parts of the outer ring elements is advantageously smaller than the inner cross section or inner diameter of the inner ring element,

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a spacer is arranged radially inwardly of the inner ring member, which holds the two outer ring elements in relation to each other in a predetermined axial position. It is thereby achieved that only the inner ring member moves in the axial direction of the body member when the ring members are placed on the body member with respect to each other in a different position, while an axial movement of the two outer ring members is avoided. In addition, the radially inwardly disposed from the inner ring member spacers can be readily formed so that it prevents pinching of parts of the body member between the inner ring member and the outer ring member in an axial movement of the inner ring member.

The spacer can either be formed by an additional spacer element which is inserted between parts, preferably inner peripheral portions, of the two outer ring elements and holds the two outer ring elements at a predetermined distance, or it can of parts, preferably inner peripheral portions, of the two outer ring elements are formed, which bear against each other with two opposite end faces and hold the two outer ring elements in the predetermined axial position.

A preferred development of the invention provides that the spacer is tube-shaped or sleeve-shaped and preferably has an abutting against the body member inside, so that the piece of jewelry abuts not only at the two ends but also radially inwardly from the spacer against the body member. To improve the wearing comfort of the piece of jewelry on a limb, in particular in the case of a finger ring, the inside of the spacer advantageously forms a coaxial to the two outer ring elements and the inner ring element smoothly generally cylindrical contact surface for the body member whose inner diameter is advantageously smaller than the inner diameter of is radially outward from the spacer arranged inner ring member and corresponds to the inner diameter of the entire piece of jewelry or the inner diameter of the two outer ring elements at the opposite ends of the jewelry piece.

To achieve this Zuf, the inner ring member is axially movable with respect to the two outer ring elements, but can be according to an advantageous variant of the invention rotate only with respect to one of the two outer ring elements, while firmly connected to the other of the two outer ring elements is. According to another variant of the invention, however, it can also be provided that the axial movement of the inner ring element is connected to a rotation of two parts of the inner ring element with respect to each other.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the inner ring member consists of at least two parts, which are preferably exchangeable, so that the design of the inner ring member can be varied many times by selecting different parts and also the aforementioned relative rotation of two parts of the inner Ring element is enabled.

Advantageously, the inner ring member is positively held in two end positions, so that it can not move out of the end positions readily, but only by a voluntary rotation of the two outer ring elements in relation to each other.

The coupling between the ring elements can be carried out according to a first advantageous variant of the invention by at least one additional in the radial direction inwardly of the inner ring member arranged annular or sleeve-shaped link element with a guide link in which at least one guide pin is guided movable fixed to one of the outer ring elements or can be firmly connected to the inner ring member. Advantageously, two ring-shaped or sleeve-shaped link elements are provided with different guide slots, wherein the at least one guide pin extends through the guide slot of a link element and projects with its free end into the guide slot of the other link element.

Alternatively, the coupling of the inner ring member with the outer ring elements according to a second advantageous variant of the invention, however, also be effected by a radially inwardly from the inner ring member arranged toothed ring element with a spur gear, which is in engagement with a spur toothing of an opposing toothed ring element, wherein the inner ring element is fixedly connected to one of the two toothed ring elements, wherein one of the two toothed ring elements can be rotated relative to the other toothed ring element by the rotation of the two outer ring elements, and wherein this rotation causes an axial movement of the toothed ring element connected to the inner ring element. In this variant of the invention, the piece of jewelry advantageously comprises a spring, which counteracts the axial movement of the toothed ring element connected to the inner ring element in one direction.

A third advantageous variant of the invention, however, provides that the inner

Ring member is connected to both outer ring elements by pivotable coupling members which are pivoted during a movement of the inner ring member relative to the outer ring members both relative to the inner ring member and relative to the outer ring members.

• Fig. 1a und 1b zeigen perspektivische Ansichten einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Schmuckstücks mit veränderlichem Erscheinungsbild in Form eines Fingerrings in einer ersten und in einer zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 2a und 2b zeigen Seitenansichten des Schmuckstücks in einer ersten und in einer zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine auseinander gezogene perspektivische Ansicht der Teile des Schmuckstücks;
• Fig. 4a und 4b zeigen Teile des Schmuckstücks in teilweise montiertem Zustand in der ersten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 5a und 5b zeigen Teile des Schmuckstücks in teilweise montiertem Zustand in der zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 6a zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht des Schmuckstücks in der ersten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 6b zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht des Schmuckstücks in der zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des Schmuckstücks nach dem Zusammensetzen der Teile;
• Fig. 8 zeigt eine auseinander gezogene perspektivische Ansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Schmuckstücks;
• Fig. 9a und 9b zeigen Seitenansichten des Schmuckstücks aus Fig. 8 in einer ersten und in einer zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 10a bis 10c zeigen Teile des Schmuckstücks aus Fig. 8 in teilweise montiertem Zustand in der ersten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 11a bis 11c zeigen Teile des Schmuckstücks aus Fig. 8 in teilweise montiertem Zustand in der zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 12a zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht des Schmuckstücks in der ersten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 12b zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht des Schmuckstücks in der zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 13 zeigt eine schematische Längsschnittansicht von Teilen des Schmuckstücks aus Fig. 8;
• Fig. 14 zeigt eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Ausschnitts XIV aus Fig. 13;
• Fig. 15 zeigt eine auseinander gezogene perspektivische Ansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Schmuckstücks;
• Fig. 16a und 16b zeigen Teile des Schmuckstücks aus Fig. 15 in teilweise montiertem Zustand in der ersten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 17a und 17b zeigen Teile des Schmuckstücks aus Fig. 15 in teilweise montiertem Zustand in der zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 18a zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht des Schmuckstücks in der ersten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 18b zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht des Schmuckstücks in der zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 19 zeigt eine auseinander gezogene perspektivische Ansicht einer vierten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Schmuckstücks;
• Fig. 20a zeigt Teile des Schmuckstücks aus Fig. 19 in der ersten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 20b zeigt Teile des Schmuckstücks aus Fig. 19 in der zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 21 a zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht des Schmuckstücks in der ersten Stellung des inneren Ringelements;
• Fig. 21b zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht des Schmuckstücks in der zweiten Stellung des inneren Ringelements.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to two embodiments shown in the drawing.

• Fig. 1a and 1b show perspective views of a first embodiment of a jewel of the invention with a variable appearance in the form of a finger ring in a first and in a second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 2a and 2b show side views of the jewel in a first and in a second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the parts of the piece of jewelry;
• Fig. 4a and 4b show parts of the jewel in partially assembled state in the first position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 5a and 5b show parts of the jewel in partially assembled state in the second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 6a shows a cross-sectional view of the jewelry in the first position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 6b shows a cross-sectional view of the jewelry in the second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 7 shows a further perspective view of the piece of jewelry after assembling the parts;
• Fig. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the jewelry piece according to the invention;
• Fig. 9a and 9b show side views of the piece of jewelry Fig. 8 in a first and in a second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 10a to 10c show parts of the piece of jewelry Fig. 8 in partially assembled state in the first position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 11a to 11c show parts of the piece of jewelry Fig. 8 in partially assembled condition in the second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 12a shows a cross-sectional view of the jewelry in the first position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 12b shows a cross-sectional view of the jewelry in the second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 13 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of parts of the piece of jewelry Fig. 8 ;
• Fig. 14 shows an enlarged view of the section XIV Fig. 13 ;
• Fig. 15 shows an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the jewelry piece according to the invention;
• Fig. 16a and 16b show parts of the piece of jewelry Fig. 15 in partially assembled state in the first position of the inner ring member;
• Figs. 17a and 17b show parts of the piece of jewelry Fig. 15 in partially assembled condition in the second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 18a shows a cross-sectional view of the jewelry in the first position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 18b shows a cross-sectional view of the jewelry in the second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 19 shows an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the jewelry piece according to the invention;
• Fig. 20a shows parts of the piece of jewelry Fig. 19 in the first position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 20b shows parts of the piece of jewelry Fig. 19 in the second position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 21 a is a cross-sectional view of the jewel in the first position of the inner ring member;
• Fig. 21b shows a cross-sectional view of the jewelry piece in the second position of the inner ring member.

In the jewelry pieces 100 shown in the drawing; 200; 300; 400 in the form of a finger ring can change the external appearance, such as in Fig. 1a and 1b, Fig. 2a and 2b and Fig. 9a and 9b shown, without the need to put on a finger finger ring must be removed from the finger. The appearance of the finger ring can of course also be changed if it has been removed from the finger. Disassembly of parts of the finger ring to change the appearance is not required.

The illustrated finger rings 100; 200; 300; 400 each include two outer ring members 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404, which at the two ends of the finger rings 100; 200; 300; 400 are arranged, as well as a two-part inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 extending in the direction of a central axis M of the finger rings 100; 200; 300; 400 between the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 is arranged. These three ring elements 102, 104, 106; 202, 204, 206; 302, 304, 306; 402, 404, 406 are each coaxially aligned with respect to the center axis M. The inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 can be between the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 move in the direction of the central axis M in two different end or displacement positions, in each of which one of the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404, the inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 covered over half of its length, so that only half of it is visible. The inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 consists of two separate halves 108, 110; 208, 210; 308, 310; 408, 410, whose outer circumference is designed differently. The two in the direction of the central axis M arranged one behind the other halves 108, 110; 208, 210; 308, 310; 408, 410 of the inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 are individually interchangeable and apart identical from its outer periphery, so that a customer both halves 108, 110; 208, 210; 308, 310; 408, 410 to choose from a variety of different offers and in the finger rings 100; 200; 300; 400 can be used.

In the illustrated finger rings 100; 200; 300; 400 has one of the two halves 110; 210; 310; 410 along its outer periphery on a smooth metallic surface, while the other half 108; 208; 308; 408 along its entire circumference with cut jewelry or gemstones is occupied. However, a variety of other designs are possible, for example, designs in which at least one of the halves 108, 110; 208, 210; 308, 310; 408, 410 is provided along its circumference with patterns or engravings or consists of metals, in particular precious metals, of different colors.

In the finger rings 100 shown in the drawing; 200; 300; 400, the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 coupled together so that the inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 move from each of the two end or displacement positions in the other end or shift position by one of the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 by a predetermined angular extent about the ring axis M with respect to the other of the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 is rotated.

In the in the FIGS. 1 to 7 . 8 to 13 and 15 to 17 finger rings 100 shown; 200; 300 performs the rotation of one of the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304 with respect to the other that the inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 its rotational position about the ring axis M with respect to one of the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304 while maintaining its rotational position with respect to the other of the two outer ring members 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304 changed according to the rotation. In the in the FIGS. 18 to 21 Finger ring 400 shown performs a rotation from one of the two outer ring members 402, 404, however, to the fact that the rotational position of the two halves 408, 410 of the inner ring member 406 changed with respect to each other.

During the rotation of one of the outer ring members 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 or during the resulting axial movement of the inner ring element 106; 206; 306; 406 changes in all finger rings 100; 200; 300; 400, the distance or the position of the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 with respect to each other in the direction of the ring axis M not, as best by comparing the FIGS. 2a and 2b . 9a and 9b is apparent.

The constant axial distance of the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 is applied to all finger-rings 100; 200; 300; 400 achieved in that between the two outer ring elements 102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404 not only the inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 is arranged, but that also radially inwardly from the inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406, a spacer 112; 212; 312; 412, which ensures that the axial length of the finger rings 100; 200; 300; 400 remains constant and also during an adjustment of the inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 not changed. The spacer 112; 212; 312; 412 has a ring-shaped or sleeve-like shape and separates the inner ring element 106; 206; 306; 406 from the finger on which the finger ring 100; 200; 300; 400 is plugged, whereby pinching of parts of the finger in an adjustment of the inner ring member 106; 206; 306; 406 is prevented.

How best in Fig. 3 shown, consists in the FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrated finger ring 100 substantially of the two outer ring members 102, 104, consisting of the two halves 108, 110 inner ring member 106, and a first and a second sleeve-shaped link element 114, 116, each having a guide slot for three guide pins 122.

The two generally rotationally symmetrical to the ring axis M outer ring elements 102, 104 are each integrally formed, each consisting of a hollow cylindrical outer peripheral portion 124, a hollow cylindrical inner peripheral portion 126 and an arranged between the peripheral portions 124, 126 annular bottom portion 128 consisting of rounded transitions is connected to the two peripheral portions 124, 126 and respectively forms an end face of the finger ring 100. In the planes spanned by the ring axis M, the outer ring elements 102, 104 have a channel-shaped cross-sectional shape. In the one ring member 102, the inner peripheral portion 126 has the same axial length as the outer peripheral portion 124, while in the other ring member 104 by half the width of the inner ring member 106 longer than the outer peripheral portion 124 and also in the protruding part with three radial holes 130 is provided. By means of these mentioned length dimensions, on the one hand, the inner circumferential sections 126 of the two ring elements 102, 104 abut each other after assembly of the finger ring 100 with their opposite end faces and form the ring-shaped or sleeve-shaped spacer 112, which is responsible for a constant axial length of the finger ring 100 cares. On the other hand, after assembly of the finger ring 100 between the two outer peripheral portions 124, a radially outwardly open gap 132 is formed, the width of which corresponds to half the width of the inner ring member 106, so that in each end position of the inner ring member 106 only one of its halves 108, 110 is visible through the gap 132, as best shown in FIG Fig. 1 and 2 shown. However, the two inner peripheral portions 126 are not connected to each other, so that let the two outer ring members 102, 104 after assembly of the finger ring 100 to the ring axis M rotate against each other.

The smooth cylindrical inner side of the inner peripheral portions 126 of the ring elements 102, 104 forms the contact surface with which the finger ring 100 rests against the finger after being placed on a finger.

The first sleeve-shaped or hollow-cylindrical guide element 114 has an inner diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the inner peripheral portion 102 of the outer ring element 102 and is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner peripheral portion 126 of the outer ring element 104, so that the guide element 114 during assembly of the Finger ring 110 can be pushed axially on the two peripheral portions 126 and is held radially outward from the hollow cylindrical spacer 112 between the two outer ring members 102, 104. The link 114 is fixedly connected to one outer ring member 102 while being rotatable about the ring axis M with respect to the other outer ring member 104. In the first link element 114, the guide slot consists of three in the middle of the link element 114 in the circumferential direction extending guide slots 134 which each extend over a circumferential angle of about 90 to 100 degrees and are separated by material bridges 136. In the area of the material bridges 136, the link element 114 has in each case an outwardly projecting flat projection 138 with a constant radial height and a rectangular outline, which adjoins the end face of the link element 114 adjacent to the outer ring element 102. In the area of one of the three protrusions 138 (in Fig. 3 above), the link element 114 has a slot 140 open on one side to this end face. The slot 140 serves to receive a protruding inwardly over the bottom portion 128 of the ring member 102 nose 142, which acts as anti-rotation in the slot 140 when the link element 114 attached to the peripheral portion 126 of the ring member 102 and, for example, by laser welding firmly with the outer ring member 102nd is connected.

The second sleeve-shaped or hollow-cylindrical link element 116 has a width which corresponds to the width of the inner ring element 106, an outer diameter which corresponds to the inner diameter of the inner ring element 106, and an inner diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the first link element 114. The second link element 116 has three peripheral sections 144 which each extend over a circumferential angle of approximately 110 degrees and are separated from one another by narrow material bridges 146. In the gate element 116, the guide slot consists of three slot-shaped passage openings 148, each of which is arranged in one of the three peripheral sections 144. Each through opening 148 comprises two circumferentially extending straight sections 150 and an inclined section 152 disposed therebetween. The two circumferentially extending sections 150 are bounded on one side by an elongate tongue 154 which extends approximately parallel to the through opening 148 and by a narrower, towards the end of section 150 towards open slot 156 is separated from the rest of the link element 116. The free end of the tongue 154 is slightly bent in the direction of the adjacent portion 150 of the passage opening 148, so that this has a slightly smaller width at unloaded tongue 154 at its end. In the area of the material bridges 146, the link element 116 in each case has an open-edged rectangular recess 158 towards the outer ring element 102, the positions and dimensions of the openings 158 corresponding to the positions and dimensions of the projections 138 of the first link element 114.

Due to the dimensions of the second link element 116, during assembly of the finger ring 100, the two halves 108, 110 of the inner ring element 106 can be slid onto the link element 116 until they completely cover it. Subsequently, the two halves 108, 110 of the inner ring member 106 are rigidly connected, for example by laser welding or soldering, to the second gate element 116, which is then located radially inward of the inner ring element 106. Thereafter, the second link element 106 on pushed the first link element 114, which has been previously firmly connected to the outer ring member 102. The protrusions 138 are inserted into the recesses 158, as best shown in FIG Fig. 4b and 5b shown.

In this state, the second link element 116 and thus also connected to the second link element 116 inner ring member 106 move only in the direction of the ring axis M on the first link element 114, but do not rotate about the ring axis M, as this by the in the Recesses 158 engaging projections 138 is prevented.

Subsequently, the outer ring member 104 is mounted by its inner peripheral portion 126 is inserted until it abuts against the peripheral portion 126 of the outer ring member 102 into the interior of the first link element 114. Thereafter, the pins 122 are inserted from the inside of the peripheral portion 126 of the outer ring member 104 into the holes 130 until they project from the inside through the guide slots 134 of the link element 114 into the through holes 148 of the link element 116, as in Fig. 4b and 5b shown. Finally, the pins 122 are fixed in the holes 130 of the outer ring member 104, whereby the two ring elements 102, 104 are held together axially immovable, since the pins 122 are fixedly connected to the outer ring member 104 and through the only circumferentially extending guide slots 134th of the first link member 114 which is fixedly connected to the other outer ring member 102.

In order to change the appearance of the assembled finger ring 100, the inner ring member 106 may intervene between the two in FIG Fig. 2a and 2b shown end positions are moved back and forth, in each of which only one half 108 and 110 of the inner ring member 106 through the gap 132 between the outer peripheral portions 124 of the two outer ring elements 102, 104 is visible. For this purpose, the one outer ring member 104 opposite the other outer ring member 102 is rotated by a rotation angle of about 90 to 110 degrees. In this case, the pins 122 move both along the guide slots 134 of the first link element 114 and along the through holes 148 of the second link element 116. When the inner ends of the pins 122 move through the oblique portions 152 of the through holes 148, the second link element 116 together moved with the inner ring member 106 on the first link member 114 in the axial direction in the other end position. In this case, the inner ring member 106 rotates with respect to the outer ring member 102, but not in relation to the outer ring member 104. In the two end positions, the pins 122 are frictionally clamped by the resiliently biased resilient tongues 154, so that the inner ring member 106, the two end positions can not leave automatically.

How best in Fig. 8 shown, consists in the FIGS. 8 to 15 shown finger ring 200 substantially of the two outer ring members 202, 204, which consists of the two halves 208, 210 inner ring member 206, and a first and a second sleeve-shaped link element 214, 216, each having a guide slot for three guide pins 222. Same or functionally identical parts are in the FIGS. 8 to 15 Apart from the first digit with the same reference numerals as in the FIGS. 1 to 7 designated.

The two outer ring elements 202, 204 correspond to the outer ring elements 102, 104 described above, except that in the case of both ring elements 202, 204, the inner circumferential sections 206 are shorter than the outer circumferential sections 204 and have a peripheral latching or joining groove 260 on their inner side. The nose 242 projects here into a slot opening (not visible), which is open towards the ring element 102, of the second link element 216, which is non-rotatably connected to the outer ring element 102.

The inner ring member 206 corresponds to the inner ring member 106 described above, except that at the opposite end sides of the two halves 210 and 208 semi-cylindrical blind holes 262 are arranged at equal angular intervals of 120 degrees and that in the blind holes 262 of one half 210 cylindrical guide pins 222 fixed are slightly beyond the cylindrical inner surface of the ring member 206. In addition, the ring member 206 is not fixedly connected to the radially inwardly disposed link element 216, but is rotatable relative to the link element 216 about the ring axis M.

The tubular spacer 212 in this case is formed by the first link element 214 which is inserted between the inner peripheral portions 226 of the two outer ring members 202, 204, one of its tapered front ends 266 fixed to the ring member 204 and the other 264 rotatable with the ring member 202 is connected, so that let the two outer ring members 202, 204 after assembly of the finger ring 200 about the ring axis M against each other rotate. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the locking engagement of the tapered ends 264 and 266 of the link element 214 in the locking or joining grooves 260 of the inner peripheral portions 226 of the ring member 202 and 204, wherein the locking connection between the ring member 204 and the front end 266 of the link member 214 is fixed by laser welding or soldering ( in Fig. 13 not shown). The link element 214 holds the two ring elements 202 and 204 together after assembly and thus also holds the inner ring element 206 and the two link elements 214 and 216 between the ring elements 204 and 206 fixed.

The smooth cylindrical inner side of the link element 214 and the short peripheral portions 226 of the two ring elements 202, 204 here forms the smooth cylindrical contact surface with which the finger ring 200 rests against a finger after being placed on it.

The sleeve-shaped or hollow-cylindrical link element 214 has at its outer circumference three at equal angular intervals of 120 degrees arranged guide grooves 268 extending in the axial direction of the link element 214 almost over its entire width and radially outward from the tapered end face 264 to the ring member 202 are open so that the inner ends of the guide pins 222 can be inserted into the grooves 268 during assembly of the finger ring 200.

The sleeve-shaped or hollow-cylindrical second link element 216 has an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first link element 214, so that the link element 216 can slide onto the link element 214 such that the two link elements 214, 216 surround the ring axis M to turn against each other. The shape and the guide slot of the link element 216 are similar to the shape and the guide slot of the link element 116 of the finger ring 100, except that neither the recesses 158 nor the material bridges 146 are present and the three slot-shaped through holes 248 of the guide slot on the front side adjacent to the ring member 204 axial slot openings 270, through which the guide pins 222 can be inserted into the through holes 248.

During assembly, the link element 216 is first pushed onto the peripheral portion 226 of the ring element 202 and firmly connected to the ring element 202. Then, the two halves 208 and 210 of the ring member 206 are moved together, so that the guide pins 222 project beyond the inside of the ring member 206. Subsequently, the ring element 206 is pushed onto the link element 216, wherein the guide pins 222 are inserted through the slot openings 270 in the passage openings 248. Thereafter, the link element 214 is rotatably connected to the ring member 204 before it is finally inserted into the link element 216 and aligned with the ring member 202 after aligning the guide pins 222 and the grooves 268.

In order to move the inner ring member 206 between its end positions, the outer ring member 204 is rotated together with the link member 214 relative to the outer ring member 202 and the link member 216, wherein the guide pins 222 move along the through holes 248 of the second link member 216. When the inner ends of the pins 222 pass the inclined portions 252 of the through holes 248, the inner ring member 206 is moved on the first link member 214 in the axial direction in the other end position. In this case, the inner ring member 206 rotates with respect to the outer ring member 202, but not in relation to the outer ring member 204. In the two end positions, the pins 222 are again clamped by the resiliently biased resilient tongues 254, so that the inner ring member 206, the two end positions can not leave automatically.

How best in Fig. 15 shown, consists in the FIGS. 15 to 17 shown finger ring 300 substantially of the two outer ring members 302, 304, consisting of the two halves 308, 310 inner ring member 306, a first and a second toothed ring member 313 and 315, which can be rotated about the ring axis M against each other, wherein their axial total length changes, as well as a helical compression spring 317. Same or functionally identical parts are in the FIGS. 15 to 17 apart from the first paragraph 3 with the same reference numerals as in the FIGS. 1 to 14 designated.

The two outer ring members 402, 404 correspond to the outer ring members 102, 104 described above, except that in both ring members 302, 304, the inner peripheral portions 326 are slightly longer than the outer peripheral portions 324 so as to be in the assembled state in the axial center of the finger ring 300 abut each other with their opposite end faces. The nose 342 protrudes here in a ring member 302 towards open slot opening (not visible) of the second toothed ring member 315, which is rotatably connected to the outer ring member 302 here.

The abutting inner peripheral portions 326 of the two ring members 302, 304 together form the tubular spacer 312, which provides a constant axial length of the finger ring 300 and the outwardly open gap 332 between the two outer peripheral portions 324, the width of which is also half the width of the inner ring member 306 corresponds. The two inner peripheral sections 326 are not connected to one another at the end faces, so that the two outer ring elements 302, 304 can be rotated relative to one another after the mounting of the finger ring 300 about the ring axis M.

Unlike the outer ring members described above, the outer ring member 304 also has three tongues 319 projecting axially inwardly beyond the bottom portion 328 between the peripheral portions 324 and 326. The tongues 319 serve to non-rotatably and axially slidably connect the first toothed ring element 313 to the ring element 304 and to center the helical compression spring 317 arranged between the toothed ring element 313 and the bottom section 328 of the ring element 304 between the inner peripheral section 326 of the ring element 304 and the tongues 319 and hold on.

The inner ring element 306 corresponds to the inner ring element 106 described above. The ring element 306 is pushed onto the first toothed ring element 313 arranged radially inwards from the ring element 306 and firmly connected to the toothed ring element 313.

The first toothed ring element 313 consists of two annular parts 321 and 323 with different diameters, which are firmly connected to each other. The inner and outer diameters of the part 321 adjacent to the ring member 304 correspond to the inner and outer diameters of the second one Tooth ring member 315 and the radial distance of the inner and outer surfaces of the tongues 319 of the ring axis M. This is achieved on the one hand that the tongues 319 project in both end positions of the inner ring member 306 in complementary, the ring member 304 towards edge-open recesses 325 of the part 321 how best in Figs. 17a and 17b shown, and so prevent rotation of the toothed ring member 313 with respect to the ring member 304. On the other hand, the opposite end faces of the two toothed ring elements 313 and 315 are pressed against each other by the helical compression spring 317, which bears against the ring element 304 and abuts against the part 323 of the toothed ring element 315 whose inner and outer diameters correspond to the inner and outer diameters of the helical compression spring 317 ,

The part 321 of the first toothed ring element 313 has at its end facing the toothed ring element 315 a toothed contour with three elevations 333 arranged at equal angular intervals and three larger depressions 335 arranged between the elevations 333, between which oblique flanks are arranged.

The second toothed ring element 315 has, at its front end facing the first toothed ring element 315, a toothed contour with three elevations 327 arranged at equal angular intervals and three larger depressions 329 arranged between the elevations 327, between which oblique flanks are likewise arranged. The elevations 327 are each provided at their vertices with a smaller recess 331.

The toothed contours of the two toothed ring elements 313, 315 are adapted to one another in such a way that, in the one end position of the inner ring element 306, they butt against each other except in the area of the smaller depressions 331, as in FIG Fig. 16b represented, while in the other end position, the projections 327 engage with their tips in the smaller recesses 331 at the apexes of the elevations 327, as in Fig. 17b shown.

When the two outer ring members 302 and 304 in the in Fig. 16a and 16b shown end position of the inner ring member 306 are rotated about the ring axis M against each other, the ring gear member 313 is moved against the force of the helical compression spring 317 in the direction of the ring member 304 until the tips of the elevations 327 in the in Figs. 17a and 17b illustrated end position of the inner ring member 306 in the smaller recesses 331 at the apexes of the projections 327 engage. Together with the toothed ring element 313, the inner ring element 306 fixedly connected to the toothed ring element 313 is also displaced in the direction of the outer ring element 304.

When the two outer ring members 302 and 304 in the in Figs. 17a and 17b shown end position of the inner ring member 306 are slightly rotated about the ring axis M against each other until the tips of the protrusions 327 emerge from the recesses 331 at the apexes of the elevations 327, the force of the biased helical compression spring 317 presses the ring member 306 together with the ring gear member 313 again in the in Fig. 16a and 16b shown end position back.

Both times, the inner ring member 306 rotates with respect to the outer ring member 302 but not with respect to the outer ring member 304.

How best in Fig. 19 shown, consists in the FIGS. 18 to 21 shown finger ring 400 substantially of the two outer ring members 402, 404, consisting of the two halves 408, 410 inner ring member 406, and a total of six coupling members 480, of which three between the inner ring member 406 and each of the outer ring members 402, 404 are arranged. Same or functionally identical parts are in the FIGS. 18 to 21 Apart from the first paragraph 4 with the same reference numerals as in the FIGS. 1 to 17 designated.

The two outer ring members 402, 404 correspond to those previously described with reference to FIGS FIGS. 15 to 17 described outer ring members 302, 304, except that in each of the inner peripheral portions 426 of the ring members 402, 404 three equiangularly and in an axial plane arranged holes 482 are provided, in each of which a radially aligned thin cylindrical pivot pin 484 is inserted.

The ring members 402 and 404 abut against each other with the end surfaces of their inner peripheral portions 426, the latter together forming the spacer 412 and bearing against the finger with their smooth cylindrical inner sides. Further, the two ring members 402 and 404 are coupled together by the coupling members 480 and by the inner ring member 406 so that they rotate about the ring axis M with respect to each other by a limited angular extent, said rotation an axial displacement of the inner ring member 406 between causes two end positions, the in Fig. 20a or 20b are shown. In both end positions of the inner ring member 406, the pivot pins 484 of the two ring members 420 and 404 are circumferentially offset from each other, as best in Figs. 20a and 20b shown.

The inner ring member 406 corresponds to the inner ring member 106 described above, except that after the mounting of the finger ring 400, the two halves 408, 410 are rotatable relative to each other about the ring axis M, that their outer peripheral surface a greater radial distance from the outer peripheral portion 424 of the ring elements 402, 404, and that on the two opposite end faces of the two halves 408, 410 each have three bearing lugs 486 and in the circumferential direction on one side of each bearing eye 486 a small indentation 488 are provided. Each bearing eye 486 is slightly thinner than the ring member 406, projects axially beyond the outer circumference of the ring member 406, and has a radially aligned bore which serves to receive a thin cylindrical pivot pin 492 from one of the coupling members 480. The bearing eyes 486 at the two opposite end faces of the ring member 406 are each in the circumferential direction at the same point.

The coupling members 480 each include a thin elongated plate 494, the ends of which are formed by two flared eyes. In one of the eyes, a thin cylindrical pivot pin 496 is inserted, which can be inserted from the inside into the bore of one of the bearing eyes 486. The other eye has a bore into which one of the pivot pins 484 can be inserted from the inside, which project beyond the inner circumferential sections 426 of the ring elements 402, 404.

After the two halves 408 and 410 of the ring member 406 coupled via the associated coupling members 480 with the adjacent outer ring member 402, 404 and the ring member 406 in the in Fig. 18 and Fig. 20a has been moved, the coupling members 480 are on the ring member 402 opposite side of the ring member 406 against the adjacent end face of the half 410, as in Fig. 20a in that the one extended eye of each element 480 is partially received by one of the indentations 488. In contrast, the coupling members 480 are axially aligned on the side of the ring member 406 adjacent to the ring member 404.

If, in this state, the two outer ring members 404 and 406 are rotated about the ring axis M against each other, the ring member 406 moves in the in Fig. 20b illustrated other end position. In this end position, the coupling members 480 bear against the adjacent end face of the half 408 on the side of the ring element 406 opposite the ring element 404, as in FIG Fig. 20b in which the one extended eye of each element 480 is again partially received by one of the indentations 488. The coupling links 480 on the side of the ring element 406 adjacent to the ring element 402 are then aligned axially.

Claims (14)

1. Annular piece of jewelry with a plurality of coaxial ring elements connected to each other and moveable in relation to each other, wherein the ring elements comprise an inner ring element and two outer ring elements, and wherein the inner ring element and the outer ring elements can be moved in relation to each other into various positions, in which the outer ring elements cover different outer circumference surface regions of the inner ring element, and wherein the inner ring element (106; 206; 306; 406) is arranged in axial direction between the two outer ring elements (102,104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404) or between parts (124, 128; 224, 228; 324, 328; 428) of the outer ring elements (102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404), characterized in that the two outer ring elements (102,104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404) and the inner ring element (106; 206; 306; 406) are coupled to each other in such a manner that the inner ring element (106; 206; 306; 406) can be moved in axial direction by rotating one of the two outer ring elements (102; 202; 302; 402) in relation to the other one of the two outer ring elements (104; 204; 304; 404).
2. Annular piece of jewelry according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner cross section or inner diameter of the outer ring elements (102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404) or of parts (126; 226; 326; 426) of the outer ring elements (102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404) is smaller than the inner cross section or inner diameter of the inner ring element (106; 206; 306; 406).
3. Annular piece of jewelry according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner ring element (106; 206; 306; 406) consists of at least two parts.
4. Annular piece of jewelry according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner ring element (106; 206; 306; 406) is held In a force-fitting manner in two axial final positions.
5. Annular piece of jewelry according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that a spacer (112; 212; 312; 412) is arranged radially inwards from the inner ring element (106; 206; 306; 406), which holds the two outer ring elements (102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304; 402, 404) in an predefined axial position.
6. Annular piece of jewelry according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner side of the spacer (112; 212; 312; 412) forms a contact surface for a body part.
7. Annular piece of jewelry according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact surface is a smooth, generally cylindrical contact surface.
8. Annular piece of jewelry according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the spacer (112; 212; 312; 412) is formed by either at least one inner circumferential surface region (126; 226; 326; 426) of the two outer ring elements (102, 104; 302, 304; 402, 404) or a spacer element (214) inserted in between the inner circumferential surface region (226).
9. Annular piece of jewelry according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner ring element (106; 206; 306) is axially moveable and non-rotatable in relation to one (104; 204; 304) of the two outer ring elements (102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304) and is, in relation to the other one (102; 202; 302) of the two outer ring elements (102, 104; 202, 204; 302, 304), axially moveable and rotatable.
10. Annular piece of jewelry according to one of the previous claims, characterized by at least one additional annular or sleeve-like guiding element (114, 116; 214, 216) with a guidance (134, 148; 268, 248) being arranged in radial direction inwards from the inner ring element (106; 206).
11. Annular piece of jewelry according to claim 10, characterized by two annular or sleeve-like guiding elements (114, 116; 214, 216) with different guidances (134, 148; 268, 248).
12. Annular piece of jewelry according to one of the previous claims, characterized by a toothed ring element (313) arranged in radial direction inwards from the inner ring element (306), which engages an opposing toothed ring element (315) and which can be moved by a rotation of the two outer ring elements (302, 304) together with the inner ring element (306).
13. Annular piece of jewelry according to claim 12, characterized by a spring (317), which counteracts the movement of the toothed ring element (313) in one direction.
14. Annular piece of jewelry according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner ring element (406) is connected to the outer ring elements (402, 404) by pivotable coupling parts (480), which, during a movement of the inner ring element (406) in relation to the outer ring elements (402, 404), are pivoted in relation to the inner ring element (406) as well as in relation to the outer ring elements (402, 404).

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