EP4302632A1

EP4302632A1 - Improved extensible jewellery item

Info

Publication number: EP4302632A1
Application number: EP23182016.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luca Iapichino
Original assignee: Elle Di Iapichino Luca Sas
Current assignee: Elle Di Iapichino Luca Sas
Priority date: 2022-07-05
Filing date: 2023-06-28
Publication date: 2024-01-10

Abstract

A jewellery item (1) comprises a plurality of link elements or modules (3) on an elastic annular element (2), connected to each other but which can be limitedly moved away from each other, there being provided for tubular constraint means (5) interposed between each pair of link elements or modules (3) adapted to allow said mutual limited moving away.

Description

Forming an object of the present invention is an extensible jewellery item according to the preamble of the main claim. Such preamble is disclosed in US2016/345690 and US2020/060391 .
As known, jewellery items or products, such as rings or bracelets may comprise a plurality of decorative elements arranged consecutively with respect to each other, but connected so as to form an annular-shaped body or product (the ring or the bracelet) . Such decorative elements or "link elements" may be fixed to each other, therefore the jewellery item has a predefined size, or they can be spaced apart from each other (while remaining constrained to each other) so as to allow to change the diameter of such product; so that the jewellery item can adapt to different users having, for example in the case of a bracelet, wrists of different sizes.
For example, there are known jewellery items or products where the link elements, movable with respect to each other, are fitted onto an annular elastic element which allows to change - even visibly - the diameter of the jewellery item. The text US2022/0079303 discloses, for example, such products or articles.
The present invention relates to products of this type.
With reference to this type of jewellery items, there are known solutions in which the link elements are all identical and they are coupled to each other through protrusion projecting from one side of a link element and adapted to penetrate and to be slidably locked in a seat of the adjacent link element.
Despite allowing to elastically change the diameter of the jewellery item (ring or bracelet), the known solutions often comprise a relatively high number of modules or link elements given that the methods and the means with which they are connected do not allow the relatively large dimensions thereof given that the latter could lead to breaking such connection means following the relative displacement of such modules, continued displacement over time with the subsequent uses of the jewellery item. In other words, the connection means used for connecting - in a manner such to be moved apart - the link elements have size and mechanical characteristics such to resist to limited axial and shear stresses caused by the moving apart of two adjacent modules that are small in size (for example axial length that is a long annular elastic element) measuring a few millimetres.
This limits the possibility of having graphical and/or aesthetic solutions of such modules or link elements, possibilities which could be definitely greater should each module have greater axial dimensions, up to one centimetre and above.
An object of the present invention is to provide a jewellery item of the type mentioned above which is improved with respect to the prior art solutions.
In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a jewellery item of the type mentioned above which offers a high variety of aesthetic and graphic combinations so as to be widely differentiable in different models.
Another object of the invention is to provide a jewellery item of the type mentioned above which is highly functional and significantly resistant, more than similar items already available in the market, to the stresses felt when changing the diameter.
These and other objects which shall be apparent to the person skilled in the art are attained by a jewellery item according to the attached claim.
For a better understanding of the present invention, the following drawings are attached hereto, purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

figure 1 is a front view of an example of a jewellery item according to the present invention in non-extended position;
figure 2 is a lateral view of the jewellery item of figure 1;
figure 3 is a front view of the jewellery item of figure 1 in extended position;
figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, on a plane parallel to the plane of the page, of the jewellery item of figure 3;
figure 5 is a view similar to that of figure 4, but of a part of the jewellery item in non-extended position;
figure 6 is a perspective view of the part indicated with A in figure 4;
figure 7, figure 8 and figure 9 are respectively a lateral view, a cross-sectional view and a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a terminal link element or module of the jewellery item of figure 1;
figures 10-26 show various steps for preparing part of the jewellery item of figure 1 for making such item.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, a jewellery item according to the invention is generally indicated with 1. Such expression ("jewellery item") is used to indicate both a product at least partly made of precious material (and sold in jewellery stores alone) or even made of less precious material and sold both in jewellery stores and in other stores. Such jewellery item 1 comprises an annular elastic element 2 (a metal tension spring) on which there are slidably arranged modules or link elements 3, coupled to each other, but capable of mutually moving so as to allow to change (widen) the diameter D of said item, which can be a ring or a bracelet. In this manner, the product, expanding (arrows F of figures 3 and 4 and 6), can adapt to fingers or wrists of one or more users of different sizes.
More particularly, the expansion of the jewellery items or product is obtained due to the connection members slidably associated with two modules 3 which are adjacent and also fitted into the annular elastic element 2. Such connection members are always connected to the adjacent modules or link elements 3 even when the jewellery items or product 1 has reached the maximum expansion still covering the annular elastic element 2.
There are two types of connection members: intermediate 5 and terminal 50. The members 5 are those interposed between generic modules or link elements 3 of the jewellery item, while the terminal members 50 are interposed between a closing module or link element 300 and the adjacent generic link elements 3, as described below. It should be observed that the expressions "generic link element" is used to indicate a link element inside the jewellery product or a link element other than the closing one.
Each module or link element 3 and 300 comprise a body 6, hollow in 7, of any shape; such body may be entirely made of a single material, comprise parts made of different materials or have one or more portions coupled to each other including at least one made of a metal material and at least another one defined by a precious or ornamental stone or another metal.
In the example of the figures, the body 6 is made of a single piece, single material and it has a portion 6A facing toward the external of the jewellery items or product 1 (with respect to the internal cavity 1A) thereof. Preferably, the body 6 has a wall (internal) 8 that is a wall facing toward the internal cavity 1A, and curved; this is especially true if the jewellery item 1 is a ring. Such wall 8 may be straight if such item or product 1 is a bracelet.
The body 6 comprises two opposite walls 9 and 10 integrally joined with the inner wall 8 and longitudinally spaced from each other. It should be observed that an axis lying on a plane containing the median axis W of the annular elastic element 2 is considered the longitudinal axis of the body 6 (even if the body 6 is arched) . The walls 9 and 10 are, in the figures, connected by external sides 11 and 12 and by the portion (upper or external) 6A of the body 6. In each wall 9 and 10 there is obtained a through hole 14 adapted to slidably house a connection member 5 and 50. From each wall 9 and 10, lastly, there extend - in the cavity 7 - two pairs of superimposed and parallel reliefs 16 (defining a groove), adapted to guide the movement of the pins 17 protruding from one end part or from opposite parts of a corresponding connection member 5 or 50. Such reliefs have an end-of-stroke 16A in the cavity 7.
Each connection member has a cylindrical (with circular cross-section, like in figures, but even polygonal) tubular body 19 , drilled 20 in proximity of at least the opposite ends 2 thereof. In each hole there is inserted a pin 17 which is welded, for example laser welded, to the body 19 or it is fixed to such body in any other known manner.
The pin is arranged in a corresponding deformable tab 24 of the tubular body 19 which can be folded towards the cavity 19A of such body so as to allow the introduction of the corresponding end 21 into the through hole 14 of the corresponding wall 9 or 10.
Figures 10 to 26 show the sequence for making a connection member 5 and the connection of each connection member to a module or link element.
Figure 10 shows how a hole 20 is made in the tubular body 19, in proximity of an end 21 thereof. In the case of intermediate connection members 5, after providing such holes 20 the pins 17 (figure 11) are inserted and fixed thereinto in proximity of both ends 21 of the body 19. The tabs 24 are subsequently made at the aforementioned pins (figure 12), using a circular saw 100.
Once the connection members have been obtained as stated above, they are approached to the corresponding walls 9 and 10 of a module or link element 3 (figure 13) or through any known sharp tool 150, only the tab 24 of the pair of tabs close to the same end 21 of the body 19 is folded towards the internal cavity 19A of such body. This is done so as to allow the insertion of such end 21 into the respective hole 14 of the hole 9 or 10 of the body 6 of the adjacent module 3; the insertion guide derives from the fact that the other pin 17, carried by the tab 24 - not folded - is inserted (inclining the body 19, see figure 14) between the reliefs 16 into the cavity 7 of the module 3 and sliding such pin between these parallel reliefs (defining a guide groove) after placing - once again - the body 19 coaxial to that 6 of the module 3 (see figure 15).
At this point, the aforementioned end 21 is inserted into the cavity 7 of the module or link element 3 and the body 19 of the connection member may be slid in such module.
Therefore, the previously folded tab 24 (figures 16 and 17) is lifted by inserting the tool 150 into the cavity 19A of the body 19 of the connection member 5. Therefore, also the second pin 17 close to the end 21 inserted into the body 6 of the module or link element 3 may be arranged between the reliefs 16 of the corresponding groove and the connection member may slide in the aforementioned hole 14 in a guided manner. Obviously, the pins 17 protrude from the body 19 of such member by more than the diameter of the hole 14, therefore after positioning the second pin between the corresponding projections 19, the connection member can no longer be detached from the wall 9 or 10 in whose hole it was inserted (figure 17).
The end-of-strokes 16A instead limit the insertion of the member 5 in each module and they are adjusted so as to have a wall support 9 and 10 between adjacent modules.
The process continues with similar methods even for a member 5 already associated with a (second) generic module or link element 3 which is introduced into the vacant hole 14, hole 14 of the link element 3 described above (or first link element) through the tool 150, as shown in figures 18 and 19, the tab is deformed 24 and the member 5 is constrained to the first link element 3.
The process continues in this manner for all the members 5 which mutually constrain the generic link elements 3 in succession.
Once through with this, the spring 2 is inserted and then it is associated with the assembly of modules or link elements 3, already constrained to each other, a last shown module or link element 300 as shown in figures 21-26.
In order to constrain the last link element or closing link element 300 to the spring 2 and to the other link elements 3, there are used two terminal connection members 50 shaped like equivalent members 5 only to their first end 50A (where the pins 17 and the corresponding tabs 24 are present) . Through this first end 50A, the terminal connection members 50 are associated, as already described for the members 5, with the modules or link elements 3.
The second end 50B of the terminal connection members 50 does not have the pins 17. On the contrary, in proximity of such second end 50B, each terminal connection member comprises a half-annular opening 55 adapted to house a polygonal body 56 (arrow M) which is arranged on the spring 2 transversely to the longitudinal axis W thereof, between the turns, constraining it. Each body 56 is arranged in proximity of ends 2A and 2B of the spring (see figures 21-23) .
Each polygonal body 56 protrudes from the surface 60 of the corresponding terminal connection member 50, but it however can be introduced into the cavity 7 of the closing link element 300 because - after being deformed so as to be folded/honed until it takes a transversal dimension almost corresponding to that of the terminal member 50 (to allow the insertion of the end 50B into the link element 300). This is shown in figures 24-26 and therefore such element 300 houses the ends 2A, 2B of the spring 2.
In the body 9 of each terminal connection member 50, distant from the second end 50B and in proximity of the opening 55, there are provided for two opposite coaxial holes 90 (only one of which is shown, for each member 50) ; such holes are coaxial with pairs of opposite coaxial holes 91 made in the walls 11 and 12 of the closing element 300 so as to able to house - together with the aforementioned holes 90 - rods 93 which block the members 50 in the element 300. The latter is indicated as the "closing" element specifically due to the fact that it allows to close the jewellery product as described.
Such rods 93 protrude from such closing link element 300 and they are cut and therefore welded to the respective walls 11 and 12.
The jewellery item is therefore closed.
The use of the connection members obtained as described allows to connect, in a manner such to be moved apart, up to a minimum of thirteen/fourteen modules or link elements 3. Therefore, this allows to provide an extensible jewellery item having a smaller spatial partition (that is a small number of modules or link elements) with respect to similar products already known, maintaining an optimal functionality. As a matter of fact, a bracelet or a ring with larger module (which allow the aforementioned lesser spatial partitioning of the product) is suitable for numerous aesthetic and graphic solutions which are not possible with the prior art solutions.
The invention is not defined by the description above, relating to an embodiment of the invention, but by the claims below.

Claims

Jewellery item (1) of the expandable type comprising an elastic annular element (2) on which there are slidably arranged modules or link elements (3, 300) coupled to each other, but capable of mutually moving so as to allow to change a diameter (D) of said item, there being provided for connection means (5, 50) adapted to mutually couple such modules or link elements (3, 300), but adapted to allow the aforementioned relative movement thereof, said connection means being a plurality of independent tubular connection members (5, 50) slidably associated with opposite ends of adjacent modules or link elements, said tubular connection members (5, 50) also being fitted into said elastic annular element (2), characterised in that each tubular connection member (5, 50) comprises a tubular body (19) having, at at least one end thereof (21), opposite protruding pins (17) integrally joined with opposite deformable tabs (24).
Jewellery item according to claim 1, characterised in that said pins (17) are fixed to the tubular body (19), preferably through laser welding.
Jewellery item according to claim 1, characterised in that the tubular connection members comprise intermediate tubular connection members (5) having pins (17) associated with deformable tabs (24) at both ends, and terminal tubular connection members (50) having the pins (17) at only one end (59A) thereof, in proximity of the opposite end (50A) having a half-annular opening (55) adapted to house a polygonal body (56) arranged orthogonally to the elastic annular element (2), in proximity of such half-annular opening (55) there being present a pair of opposite coaxial holes (90).
Jewellery item according to claim 3, characterised in that said polygonal bodies (56) penetrate into turns of the elastic annular element (2) and they are arranged orthogonally to a longitudinal axis (W) of such elastic annular element (2).
Jewellery item according to claim 3, characterised in that said intermediate tubular connection members (5) connect generic modules or link elements (3), the terminal tubular connection members (50) connecting a closing module or link element (300) and the adjacent generic modules or link elements (3).
Jewellery item according to claim 5, characterised in that the modules or link elements (3, 300) have a body (6), hollow (in 7), having opposite walls (9, 10) each comprising a hole (14) for the through-passing of the elastic annular element (2) and of a corresponding end (21,50B) of the tubular body of a tubular connection member (5, 50).
Jewellery item according to claim 6, characterised in that the generic modules or link elements (5), in their cavity (7) of the body (6) provide for opposite grooves at said hole (14) adapted to act as guides for the movement of the opposite pins (17) of said tubular connection member (5) .
Jewellery item according to claim 7, characterised in that said guide grooves are defined by parallel reliefs (16) ending in the cavity (7) of said module or link element (3) with an end-of-stroke (16A).
Jewellery item according to claim 1, characterised in that each connection member (5, 50) concealably covers the elastic annular element (2) when two adjacent modules or link elements (3, 300) are at their maximum distance.
Jewellery item according to claim 1, characterised in that said deformable tabs (24) are made as a single piece with the tubular body (19) of the connection member.
Jewellery item according to claims 3 and 6, characterised in that each terminal tubular connection member (50) comprises holes (90) adapted to cooperate with rods (93) inserted into holes (91) provided for in opposite walls (11, 12) of the closing link element, said rods locking the terminal tubular connection members (50) in the cavity (7) of such closing link element.