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The present invention relates to an item of jewelry.
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As is known, the gold ware and costume jewelry sectors provide customers with vast and heterogeneous range of rings, which differ from each other in terms of materials, dimensions, gemstones or stones that adorn them, the shape, etc.
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In any case, these are objects that, after they have been purchased, effectively cannot be modified in any way except at the cost of laborious reworking, which requires the owner to pay a very high price, which can be higher than the purchase cost.
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In addition, such reworking operations must be carried out by a specialist jeweler, to which the item of jewelry must be entrusted for an adequate length of time, therefore temporarily depriving its owner of its availability.
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These facts constitute unwelcome drawbacks that manifest themselves increasingly often, in various different contexts and for many and varied reasons.
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For example in fact, over the course of the time the diameter of the finger of the owner of the ring can vary, and this requires an enlargement or reduction of the inside diameter. Likewise, it can happen that the gemstone that adorned the ring becomes severely damaged or lost, thus requiring the repair or the substitution thereof.
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More simply, the impossibility of making even minimal modifications to the ring (still less to the stones or gemstones) requires the purchase of a plurality of items of jewelry by anyone who becomes tired of of those already in their possession or who wants to be able to regularly and attractively vary their look, for example to match it to outfits and to other accessories worn from day to day.
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Lastly, it should be noted that the topics and the problems outlined above are not limited to rings, but can easily also involve bracelets, necklaces, diadems, earrings, and any type of item of jewelry, be it a product of gold ware or of costume jewelry.
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The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing an item of jewelry that can be easily adapted to the requirements of the user, both at an aesthetic level and at a functional or dimensional level.
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Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a ring or other item of jewelry that can be easily modified, even without resorting to qualified persons.
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Another object of the invention is to provide a ring or other item of jewelry that offers rapid and practical methods of modifying its appearance and/or its form.
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Another object of the invention is to provide an item of jewelry that ensures a high reliability of operation.
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Another object of the invention is to provide an item of jewelry that adopts an alternative technical and structural architecture to those of conventional items of jewelry.
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Another object of the invention is to provide an item of jewelry that can be easily implemented using elements and materials that are readily available on the market.
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Another object of the invention is to provide an item of jewelry that is low cost and safely applied.
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This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an item of jewelry, comprising at least one substantially annular body, which is substantially arranged along an ideal axis having an annular extension, characterized in that said body is substantially constituted by at least three mutually complementary elements, a first said element and a second said element, which are substantially aligned along said ideal axis of said body, being mutually detachably coupled by way of first retention means, a third said element, which is externally at least partially superimposed on either or both of said first element and said second element, being coupled detachably to either or both of said first element and said second element by way of second retention means.
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Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the item of jewelry according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the item of jewelry according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the item of jewelry of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the item of jewelry of Figure 1;
- Figure 4 is a side view of the item of jewelry of Figure 1;
- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4, taken along the line V-V;
- Figure 6 shows the cross-sectional view of Figure 5, with the item of jewelry partially exploded.
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With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an item of jewelry, which comprises at least one substantially annular body 2, which is arranged substantially along an ideal axis A having an annular extension (shown for the sake of simplicity only in Figures 3 and 5).
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In other words, the body 2 has a circular or in any case curved shape, can furthermore be "closed" (the ideal axis A is in this case a full circumference, an ellipse, an oval, or the like) or, preferably, "open" (as in the accompanying figure, recalling therefore a rotated "C" or "U"), while remaining within the scope of protection claimed herein.
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The body 2 can constitute or form part of a ring, as in the accompanying figures and in the preferred application of the invention, but can constitute or form part of any other jewelry object (gold ware or costume jewelry), and therefore for example of a bracelet, of an earring, of a diadem, of a necklace, etc. As will in fact be evident from the discussion that follows, the concepts and the teachings proposed below can be easily extended to any type of jewelry object.
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According to the invention, the body 2 is constituted substantially by at least three mutually complementary elements 3a, 3b, 3c; it should be noted in this regard that in the preferred embodiment, which is also illustrated in the accompanying figures, the body 2 is indeed composed of three elements 3a, 3b, 3c. Notwithstanding this, the body 2 can also be composed of a greater number of elements 3a, 3b, 3c. The fact that the elements 3a, 3b, 3c are complementary indicates that the shapes conferred on each one of them are chosen to be such as to complete each other, so as to indeed form, overall, the shape of the body 2.
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The first element 3a and the second element 3b are substantially aligned along the ideal axis A of the body 2 (preferably, the first element 3a and the second element 3b define overall the length of the item of jewelry 1, measured along the ideal axis A). Furthermore, the first element 3a and the second element 3b are mutually detachably coupled by way of first retention means 4.
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The third element 3c is externally at least partially superimposed on either or both of the first element 3a and the second element 3b: as can also be seen from the accompanying figures, "external" superimposition means that the third element 3c is arranged on the opposite side with respect to the area of space that is at least partially enclosed by the ideal axis A. If the item of jewelry 1 is a ring it can therefore immediately be seen that the third element 3c is intended to be kept visible (for the user and other people) on the back of the finger: this element in particular (but optionally also the other elements) will be designed to bear particular decorations or to be adorned with gemstones or stones.
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Furthermore, the third element 3c is detachably attached to either or both of the first element 3a and the second element 3b by way of second retention means 5.
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By virtue of the means 4, 5, which determine a coupling of the removable type between the elements 3a, 3b, 3c, the item of jewelry 1 can be easily dismantled (temporarily) in order to substitute for example only one element 3a, 3b, 3c with another with a different appearance (and therefore vary the overall appearance of the item of jewelry 1 in a very rapid and practical manner) and/or in order to repair a damaged component more easily. This makes it possible therefore from this point onward to achieve the set aim.
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It should likewise be noted that the means 4, 5 can be of any type, according to the specific requirements, and can be chosen from among those of the same type or of a different type, while remaining within the scope of protection claimed herein.
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The description of specific embodiments that will be provided in the following (and also illustrated in the accompanying figures), for the first means 4 and the second means 5, is therefore to be understood to be merely illustrative but not limiting the scope of protection claimed herein.
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In particular, in the preferred embodiment the first retention means 4 are configured for detachable shape coupling between the first element 3a and the second element 3b.
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Such shape coupling can be obtained in any way; in the preferred embodiment (and in the accompanying figures), the first means 4 comprise an elongated pin 6, which is formed by the first element 3a and which extends substantially perpendicular to the plane that contains the ideal axis A. Such plane effectively coincides with the plane identified by the line V-V in Figure 4 and therefore with the plane on which the cross-section of Figure 5 lies.
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Furthermore, the first means 4 comprise a seat 7 which is shaped correspondingly to the pin 6, and is formed by the second element 3b.
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The pin 6 is slideably and detachably inserted (plugged) into the seat 7 (in particular when the body 2 and therefore the item of jewelry 1 are assembled), in order to provide the detachable coupling between the first element 3a and the second element 3b.
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In order to counter the relative rotation of the second element 3b with respect to the first element 3a, about the longitudinal axis B of the pin 6, the first element 3a and the second element 3b have respective planar surfaces 8 that rest against each other, when the pin 6 is inserted into the seat 7. It should be made clear that the same result can be obtained in an entirely equivalent manner by giving the pin 6 and the seat 7 (mutually corresponding) cross-sections in the shape of a polygon or a beveled circle (instead of giving them a substantially cylindrical shape, as in the accompanying figures).
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With further reference to the preferred (non exclusive) embodiment, the second retention means 5 are configured for the detachable coupling of the magnetic type between the third element 3c and either or both of the first element 3a and the second element 3b.
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More specifically, and while not ruling out other practical methods of obtaining the retention of the magnetic type, the second means 5 comprise at least one first magnet 9 accommodated in the third element 3c and at least one second magnet 10 which faces toward the first magnet 9 and is accommodated in either the first element 3a or the second element 3b.
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The first magnet 9 and the second magnet 10 are configured for mutual attraction (in particular when the body 2 and therefore the item of jewelry 1 are assembled) and the consequent detachable coupling between the third element 3c and indeed either or both of the first element 3a and the second element 3b.
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In other words, the mutual placement of the magnets 9, 10 is chosen to be such as to ensure that, when the third element 3c is superimposed on either or both of the other two elements and makes up the body 2, at least the south pole of one magnet 9, 10 faces toward the north pole of the other magnet 10, 9, so as to generate a force of mutual attraction (which supports them and keeps them in mutual contact or in any case prevents their mutual separation).
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Even more specifically, and as the solution shown in the accompanying figures illustrates, the second means 5 comprise two first magnets 9: one of these faces toward a second magnet 10 accommodated in the first element 3a, and the other instead faces toward a second magnet 10 accommodated in the second element 3b, so as to determine the detachable coupling of the third element 3c both with the first element 3a and with the second element 3b.
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Usefully, in order to contain the encumbrances and facilitate practical maintenance activity, repair and substitution (if necessary), each magnet 9, 10 is constituted by a disk which is accommodated in a cylindrical recess 11 provided in the respective element 3a, 3b, 3c.
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Advantageously, the third element 3c is superimposed on respective lowered terminal tabs 12 of the first element 3a and of the second element 3b, which are provided with respective recesses 11 and which extend along the ideal axis A.
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Thus, in fact, in the preferred solution the first element 3a and the second element 3b are substantially mirror-symmetrical and both are shaped like a shaped strip (with an oval-shaped cross-section as in the accompanying figures, or a cross-section of another type) of practically equal length (measured along the ideal axis A) and with a reduced transverse dimension (effectively, the thickness) at a terminal portion, where the tongue 12 is defined, which is intended to be "completed" by the third element 3c. With regard indeed to the length, it should be noted that in substituting only either the first element 3a or the second element 3b, and optionally the third element 3c, with other elements of different length, it is possible to obtain a variation of the overall size of the body 2, for example in order to adapt it to a changed size of the finger that is to wear it (if obviously the body 2 is a ring).
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To ensure a compact and effective design, while at the same time hiding from view the components responsible of the mutual couplings (and the first means 4 in particular), advantageously the third element 3c is provided with a hollow 13 shaped at least partially complementarily to a stud 14 which is provided with the seat 7 and is shaped by a terminal portion of the tab 12 of the second element 3b.
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Thus, when the third element 3c is superimposed on the other two elements, in order to make up the body 2, the stud 14, with the pin 6 inside it, is inserted into the hollow 13 and then the third element 3c in fact renders it inaccessible from outside.
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Use of the item of jewelry according to the invention is the following.
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When the body 2 is assembled (the elements 3a, 3b, 3c are mutually coupled) the item of jewelry 1 can be used in manners that are traditional, thus adorning a finger (if the item of jewelry 1 is a ring), an arm (a bracelet), the neck (necklace or diadem), an ear (an earring), etc. As has already been seen, the body 2 can constitute the entire item of jewelry 1 or a part thereof, according to the specific requirements.
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The body 2 is composed of three or more elements 3a, 3b, 3c which are mutually detachably coupled, and therefore can be temporarily dismantled in order to proceed with the substitution of only one of these and then rapidly reassembled.
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In more detail, during assembly (or reassembly) it is sufficient to insert the pin 6 into the seat 7 (in the stud 14) in order to obtain the mutual coupling between the first element 3a and the second element 3b: in such configuration as has been seen at least one planar surface 8 of either the first element 3a or the second element 3b comes to abut against (rest on) a planar surface 8 of the other element, in order to prevent any relative rotation.
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The stability of the coupling (and completion of the assembly) is obtained by applying the third element 3c to the lowered terminal tabs 12 of the first element 3a and of the second element 3b: in this manner the magnets 9, 10 are brought into contact or in any case into mutual proximity. The magnetic force of attraction thus generated completes the coupling, while guarding against the danger of accidental decoupling.
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Conversely, when it is decided to dismantle the body 2, it is sufficient to repeat the simple operations just described in reverse order.
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After the disassembly, the user can send only one of the elements 3a, 3b, 3c for repair and/or can reassemble the body 2 after having substituted only one of these elements.
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Whatever the specific method of providing the mutual couplings between the elements 3a, 3b, 3c and the reasons that lead to disassembly and to reassembly, it should be noted that these latter activities entail tasks that are absolutely simple and easily carried out by the user of the item of jewelry 1 himself or herself or in any case by persons without specialist training.
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This makes it possible to rapidly and easily make modifications to the shape, to the color, to the materials, to the decorations, thus making available to the user a number of variants that is practically unlimited and dependent on the taste of the end user. The invention therefore makes it possible to provide an item of jewelry 1 that can be easily adapted to the requirements of the user, both at an aesthetic level and at a functional or dimensional level.
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In order to obtain such result in fact, while with the known solutions every change makes it necessary to select a new item of jewelry, with the item of jewelry 1 it is sufficient to have available several variants of the same individual element 3a, 3b, 3c, which the user will be able to substitute on his or her own.
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Therefore for example, if the user notes that the third element 3c in a ring is the one that preferably is kept visible on the back of the finger, the user can simply have several variants of the latter (different decorations, colors, set stones or gemstones) in order to rapidly vary the overall appearance of the entire ring and have available, at every substitution, effectively a "new" item of jewelry 1.
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This represents a clear saving of cost for those who want to regularly change their look, as they only have to have several variants of the third element 3c (for example). As well as in economic terms, this also constitutes an undoubted benefit for those who wish to change the appearance of their items of jewelry 1 during a trip or in any case a more or less extended stay, since they will need to bring items of lesser value with them (several third elements 3c instead of several rings or other items of jewelry 1).
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At the same time, as already anticipated, by changing for example the size of the third element 3c and of one of the other elements, it is possible to vary the breadth of the curve described by the body 2 (by the ideal axis A), thus making it possible for it to fit on fingers of different sizes.
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Differently from conventional items of jewelry, which are static and effectively not modifiable, the invention makes it possible to obtain a ring (or other item of jewelry 1) which by virtue of the elements 3a, 3b, 3c and the retention means 4, 5 enables a greater creative dynamic. Furthermore, the peculiarities of the invention listed in the foregoing pages, and with them the benefits explained above, can be easily extended to other types of jewelry, like bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc., thus offering almost infinite possibilities for customization for any type of gold ware or costume jewelry product.
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The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent ones.
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In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be substituted with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.
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Purely as an example, there is the possibility that the elements 3a, 3b, 3c could be made of silver or of an alloy of silver, and in particular made of 925 or sterling silver, but in practice the materials used, and also the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
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The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
102019000021516 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
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Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
