GB2026845A

GB2026845A - Armlet

Info

Publication number: GB2026845A
Application number: GB7927338A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: PAGANOTTO F
Current assignee: PAGANOTTO F
Priority date: 1978-08-08
Filing date: 1979-08-06
Publication date: 1980-02-13
Also published as: FR2432847A1; FR2432847B3; DE2930147A1; IT7884936A0

Abstract

An armlet for containing objects such as make-up, perfumes, money, pills and the like, having an armlet member (1), either endless or closable into endless form, the armlet member (1) delimiting one or more compartments (6, 7), for containing objects, each compartment being provided with a respective mobile wall (8, 9), acting as lid. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Armlet This invention relates to an armlet for containing make-up, perfumes, money, pills and the like.

A flat box-like container for use by women, commonly known as a make-up case, is already avaiiable commercially and is divided internally into a number of compartments. Each compartment is designed to contain an object such as a mirror, a comb, lipstick, powder case or the like. However, this make-up case is becoming increasingly less used for practical reasons.

One object of the present invention is to provide an armlet comprising several compartments which is easy and comfortable to use, and which besides being attractive and elegant can also house make-up or similar objects.

A further object of the present invention is to make said armlet of small overall size and relatively easy to produce.

These and further objects are attained by an armlet according to the present invention, consisting of an armlet member which is either endless or can be closed into endless form, and comprises at least one compartment for containing objects, the compartment or each compartment having a respective mobile wall for providing access to its interior.

The mobile wall of the compartment or each compartment is preferably a lid hinged to the armlet member.

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an armlet according to the invention with two compartments shown open; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view, to an enlarged scale, of a seven-element hinge used in the armlet of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, to an enlarged scale, of a coupling/uncoupling device used in the armlet of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view, with parts removed, of another embodiment of the armlet according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the armlet according to the present invention; Figure 6is a sectional diagrammatic elevation, taken on a vertical plane, showing a further embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 is a sectional diagrammatic elevation, taken on a vertical plane, showing a further embodiment of the invention.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the reference numeral 1 indicates overall an armlet comprising two semicircular elements 2 and 3 which are hinged along an axis 4 and can be removably coupled to each other by a coupling/uncoupling device 5, by pushing their ends together. Each armlet element 2, 3 has a respective box portion 6 and 7, which can be closed by suitable lids 8 and 9 hinged on the axis 4, and a tubular portion 10, 11,the interior of which is accessible from the side of the respective box portion.

The hinge having the axis 4 (Figure 2) has a pair of hinge elements constituted by two appendices 8a of the lid 8, a pair of intermediate hinge elements constituted by two appendices 9a of the lid 9, a pair of inner hinge elements constituted by two appendices 7a of the box portion 7, and a central hinge element constituted by an appendix 6a of the box portion 6. Each lid 8, 9 comprises lateral side walls 8b and 9b which, when the lid is closed, are in contact with respective lateral walls 6b and 7b of the box portions 6 and 7.

At their end adjacent to the respective tubular portion 10, 11, the box portions 6 and 7 each comprise two inner appendices Sc and 7c (only one of which is visible on the drawing), which are designed to snap-engage with the inner faces of the side walls of the respective lid to keep this latter removably locked in its closed position.

The coupling/uncoupling device 5 (Figure 3) comprises a stop tooth 12 projecting from the free end, for example of the box portion 11, an aperture 13 provided in the free end of the box portion 10, a profiled cross bar 14 slidably mounted in the element 3 and comprising a notch 15 displaced in front of the aperture 13, and a spring 16 for loading the bar 14. The bar 14 projects at its two ends from the box portion 11, one of its ends 17 being shaped as a pushbutton for urging the bar to move transversely against the action of the spring 16, while its other end 18 acts as a stop. Preferably, the bar 14 comprises a flattened portion in which the notch 15 is formed, and a portion of round cross-section on which the spring 16 is mounted.

The stop tooth preferably comprises an inclined face 19 for slidably engaging with the notch 15, and for providing snap-operation for the bar 14.

On forcing the tooth 12 into the aperture 13 which is partly obstructed by the bar 14, the tooth penetrates gradually into the notch 15 so forcing the bar to move in such a direction as to compress the spring 16, which when the tooth 12 has completely entered the aperture 13 causes the bar 14 to snap back and lock the tooth in its notch 15. To release the tooth 12, the pushbutton 17 is pushed back until the bar 14 becomes uncoupled from the tooth.

The two elements 2 and 3 of the armlet can then be rotated about the axis 4 to withdraw their ends from each other, to "open" the armlet.

As can be seen, the box portion 6 and 7 together with their respective lids 8 and 9 define compartments or containers for housing articles such as make-up, bank notes and the like. The box portion 10 and 11 can advantageously be in communication, and be accessible from the box portions 6 and 7, to define containing "pockets".

Figure 4 shows an armlet comprising two unequal elements 40 and 41 hinged along an axis 42. The element 40 comprises two adjacent box portions 43 and 44 divided into compartments by dividing walls 45. Each box portion can be closed by a respective lid 46 and 47 hinged at 48 and 49. The lids 46 and 47 can be provided with a closure system comprising a wire spring 50 which tends to close the lid. The spring 50 has one end fixed to the lid and the other to the element 40. The wire spring 50 could however be replaced by a flat spring (not shown) fixed to the hinge element rigid with the element 40 and acting on a cam tooth comprising a lobe disposed on the hinge element fixed to the lid. In this manner, the flat spring acts both to close the lid and to keep it open once the cam lobe has been overcome.

Figure 5 shows a one-piece endless rectangular armlet with radiused corners, which is provided with four containing compartments 51-54 each having a respective lid 55, the compartments 51 and 53 being equal to each other and larger than the compartments 52 and 54, which are also equal to each other.

The lids 55 are hinged along axes longitudinal to the armlet instead of transversal as in Figures 1 and 4.

Each compartment can be divided into two by a dividing wall 56. The lids 55 can be closed by any spring or snap system.

Figure 6 shows an endless armlet formed from a plurality of elements 60-65 held together by hinges 66-71. Each element 60-65 comprises internally a compartment 60a-65a which can be closed by a respective lid 72-77 hinged longitudinally.

Figure 7 shows an endless rectangular armlet formed from two elements 80 and 81 hinged together at 82. Each element 80,81 is divided into compartments 82-88 closed by lids 89 hinged transversely to the armlet at 90-93.

Typically, and by way of example, the compartments in the armlet according to the present invention can have depth from 2 to 6 mm, a width from 20 to 30 mm and a length from 15 to 60 mm.

The lids can be slidable instead of hinged.

The containing compartments could alternatively be in the form of drawer elements extractable from the armlet member.

If required, the lids could comprise mounted precious stones to improve the appearance of the armlet.

The armlet according to the invention can be constructed either of metal (in particular precious metal) or of synthetic material.

The armlet heretofore described is susceptibie to numerous modifications all of which fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the following

Claims

claims. CLAIMS

1. An armlet having an armlet member which is either endless or can be closed into endless form, comprising at least one compartment for containing objects, the compartment or each compartment comprising a respective mobile wall for access to its interior.

2. An armlet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mobile wall is constituted by a lid hinged to the armlet member.

3. An armlet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said armlet member comprises a first and second armlet element, two compartments for containing objects, hinge means for connecting together the first and second armlet element at one end, and means for mutually coupling/uncoupling the other end of the first and second armlet element.

4. An armlet as claimed in claim 3, wherein said two compartments are provided one in said first and the other in said second armlet element on opposite sides of said hinge means, said hinge means comprising a single hinge pin for said first and second armlet element and for the lids of said two compartments.

5. An armlet as claimed in claim 3, wherein said coupling/uncoupling means comprise a stop tooth projecting from the end of said first armlet element, and on to the end of said second armlet element, said means comprising an aperture into which said stop tooth penetrates, an interception bar for said stop tooth mounted slidably trasnversely to the aperture, and a loading spring for said bar, so that when the tooth is inserted into the aperture, the bar is moved against said spring and said tooth then becomes coupled to said bar, the subsequent uncoupling of the tooth from the bar being possible by moving the bar against said spring.

6. An armlet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said armlet member is rigid and of rectangular configuration, comprising four compartments with respective lids hinged along hinging axes parallel to the sides of a rectangle.

7. An armlet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said member is formed from a plurality of armlet elements hinged to each other, each element comprising a respective compartment.

8. An armlet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lid or each lid is held in its closed and open position by a flat spring acting at one end on said armlet member and at the other end on cam means disposed on the lid.

9. An armlet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lid or each lid is kept in its closed position by a wire spring.

10. An armlet substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

11. Any novel element, or combination of elements, herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawing, irrespective of whether the present claim is within the scope of, or relates to the same invention as, any of the preceding claims.