GB2163940A

GB2163940A - Item of jewellery

Info

Publication number: GB2163940A
Application number: GB08422558A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Payton-Smith
Original assignee: Smith & Sons Joseph
Current assignee: Smith & Sons Joseph
Priority date: 1984-09-06
Filing date: 1984-09-06
Publication date: 1986-03-12
Also published as: GB8422558D0

Abstract

An item of jewellery is adapted to be attached to a collar of an article of clothing, to cover the point of the collar. The item of jewellery is formed from two parts stamped from metal, the first part 10 being folded to provide a body having a shape to enable it to be mounted over the point of the collar, so as to cover the point of the collar, and the second part 26 being folded to provide a clip which when mounted on the body may be used releasably to engage the collar to retain the jewellery item on the collar. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Item of jewellery This invention is concerned with improvement relating to items of jewellery.

A disadvantage in articles of clothing is that collars thereof tend, in use, to fray, the fraying occuring particularly at the point or tip area of the collar.

This is particularly the case for shirts and blouses, but also for other articles of clothing, e.g. jackets.

It is also becoming increasingly fashionable to apply items of jewellery to clothes.

According to this invention, there is provided an item of jewellery adapted to be attached to a collar of an article of clothing, to cover the point of a collar.

Preferably the item is of or comprises precious metal so as to provide, in addition to protection for the point of the collar, decoration to the collar. The item may itself be decorated, or may be inset with one or more precious or semi-precious stones.

Preferably the item comprises securing means by which the item may releasably be secured to the collar. Preferably the securing means is effective to secure the item to the collar without causing damage to the collar (such as penetration through the collar) at least on the outer side thereof which, in use, is visible.

Preferably the securing means comprises a clamping member movable between an inoperable position in which the item may be fitted over or removed from the point of a collar and an operative position in which it engages the underside of the collar. Preferably the clamping member is retained in its operative position by a snap-fit engagement with mounting parts of the item.

Advantageously the item is so designed as to enable it to be produced by a stamping and forming operation from strip metal.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a jewellery item which is a preferred embodiment of this invention, and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example. In the accompanying drawings: Figures 1 and 2 are views of blank pressings, used in the manufacture of the jewellery item; Figure 3 is a plan view of the jewellery item from above; Figure 4 is a plan view of the jewellery item from beneath; and Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 -of Figure 4.

The jewellery item which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is formed from two parts 6, 7 (Figures 1 and 2) stamped from metal, the first part 6 being folded to provide a body having a shape (shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5) to enable it to be mounted over the point of a shirt collar, and the part 7 being folded to provide a clip 8 which when mounted on the body may be used releably to retain the jewellery item on the point of the collar.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the body comprises a flat top surface 10, generally triangular in outline, although conveniently being cut away at 11 to provide an aesthetically appealing outline, side walls 12, and a bottom surface afforded by surface portions 14a, 14b.

In Figure 1, the portions of the blank which correspond to the various parts of the body are indicated by the use of similar numerals, with a prime sign, and the fold lines are indicated in chain-dot lines.

Extending at right angles to the surface portions 14a and 14b are spaced ears 16a, 16b, the ears lying in parallel planes and being provided with aligned apertures 18a, 18b respectively and with aligned protrusions 20a, 20b.

The clip 8 comprises a shank 26, from the side edges of which project tangs 28a, 28b, and an ear 29. The width of the shank 26, and the sizes of the tangs 28a, 28b is such as to enable the tangs to be located in the apertures 18a, 18b, allowing pivotal movement of the clip relative to the body between an inoperative position and an operative position (shown in Figure 5).

The location of the protrusions 20a, 20b and their spacing, when the ears are folded into parallel alignment, is such that on final movement of the clip into its operative position, the side walls of the shank engage the protrusions and deform the ears 16a, 16b outwardly as they pass, in this manner movement of the clip from its operative position being restrained.

In its operative position, serrations 27 of the shank are located between the top and bottom walls, 10, 12 of the body, pressing the collar against the top wall. In this position, the angle of the clip is such that the ear 29 lies in generally coplanar relationship with the bottom wall 12, i.e. flat against the underside of the collar.

Nonetheless, the clip may readily be removed by the slipping of a thumb nail between the ear 29 and the collar, to permit the shank 26 to be pulled past the protrusions 20a, 20b and the clip moved to its inoperative position.

As is shown in Figure 1, the portion 10' of the pressing may be apertured, as indicated at 30, enabling a precious or semi-precious stone 32 to be mounted on the top surface of the jewellery item.

Alternatively the surface 10' may be decorated by scrolling.

1. An item of jewellery adapted to be attached to a collar of an article of clothing, to cover the point of a collar.

2. An item according to Claim 1 which is of or comprises precious metal so as to provide, in addition to protection or the point of the collar, a decoration to the collar.

3. An item according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 which is itself decorated or inset with one or more precious or semi-precious stones.

4. An item according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 comprising securing means by which the item

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Item of jewellery This invention is concerned with improvement relating to items of jewellery. A disadvantage in articles of clothing is that collars thereof tend, in use, to fray, the fraying occuring particularly at the point or tip area of the collar. This is particularly the case for shirts and blouses, but also for other articles of clothing, e.g. jackets. It is also becoming increasingly fashionable to apply items of jewellery to clothes. According to this invention, there is provided an item of jewellery adapted to be attached to a collar of an article of clothing, to cover the point of a collar. Preferably the item is of or comprises precious metal so as to provide, in addition to protection for the point of the collar, decoration to the collar. The item may itself be decorated, or may be inset with one or more precious or semi-precious stones. Preferably the item comprises securing means by which the item may releasably be secured to the collar. Preferably the securing means is effective to secure the item to the collar without causing damage to the collar (such as penetration through the collar) at least on the outer side thereof which, in use, is visible. Preferably the securing means comprises a clamping member movable between an inoperable position in which the item may be fitted over or removed from the point of a collar and an operative position in which it engages the underside of the collar. Preferably the clamping member is retained in its operative position by a snap-fit engagement with mounting parts of the item. Advantageously the item is so designed as to enable it to be produced by a stamping and forming operation from strip metal. There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a jewellery item which is a preferred embodiment of this invention, and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example. In the accompanying drawings: Figures 1 and 2 are views of blank pressings, used in the manufacture of the jewellery item; Figure 3 is a plan view of the jewellery item from above; Figure 4 is a plan view of the jewellery item from beneath; and Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 -of Figure 4. The jewellery item which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is formed from two parts 6, 7 (Figures 1 and 2) stamped from metal, the first part 6 being folded to provide a body having a shape (shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5) to enable it to be mounted over the point of a shirt collar, and the part 7 being folded to provide a clip 8 which when mounted on the body may be used releably to retain the jewellery item on the point of the collar. As can be seen from Figure 3, the body comprises a flat top surface 10, generally triangular in outline, although conveniently being cut away at 11 to provide an aesthetically appealing outline, side walls 12, and a bottom surface afforded by surface portions 14a, 14b. In Figure 1, the portions of the blank which correspond to the various parts of the body are indicated by the use of similar numerals, with a prime sign, and the fold lines are indicated in chain-dot lines. Extending at right angles to the surface portions 14a and 14b are spaced ears 16a, 16b, the ears lying in parallel planes and being provided with aligned apertures 18a, 18b respectively and with aligned protrusions 20a, 20b. The clip 8 comprises a shank 26, from the side edges of which project tangs 28a, 28b, and an ear 29. The width of the shank 26, and the sizes of the tangs 28a, 28b is such as to enable the tangs to be located in the apertures 18a, 18b, allowing pivotal movement of the clip relative to the body between an inoperative position and an operative position (shown in Figure 5). The location of the protrusions 20a, 20b and their spacing, when the ears are folded into parallel alignment, is such that on final movement of the clip into its operative position, the side walls of the shank engage the protrusions and deform the ears 16a, 16b outwardly as they pass, in this manner movement of the clip from its operative position being restrained. In its operative position, serrations 27 of the shank are located between the top and bottom walls, 10, 12 of the body, pressing the collar against the top wall. In this position, the angle of the clip is such that the ear 29 lies in generally coplanar relationship with the bottom wall 12, i.e. flat against the underside of the collar. Nonetheless, the clip may readily be removed by the slipping of a thumb nail between the ear 29 and the collar, to permit the shank 26 to be pulled past the protrusions 20a, 20b and the clip moved to its inoperative position. As is shown in Figure 1, the portion 10' of the pressing may be apertured, as indicated at 30, enabling a precious or semi-precious stone 32 to be mounted on the top surface of the jewellery item. Alternatively the surface 10' may be decorated by scrolling. CLAIMS

4. An item according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 comprising securing means by which the item may releasably be secured to the collar

5. An item according to Claim 4 wherein the securing means is effective to secure the item to the collar without causing damage to the collar (such as penetration through the collar) at least on the outer side thereof, which in use, is visible.

6. An item according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the securing means comprises a clamping member movable between an inoperative position in which the item may be fitted over or removed from the point of a collar and an operative position in which it engages the underside of the collar.

7. An item according to Claim 6 wherein the clamping member is retained in its operative position by a snap-fit engagement with mounting parts of the item.

8. An item according to any one of the preceding Claims which is so designed as to enable it to be produced by a stamping and forming operation from strip metal.

9. An item of jewellery substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of protecting and/or decorating a collar of an article of clothing wherein an item of jewellery adapted to be attached to the collar is attached to the collar to cover the point of the collar.

11. A method of protecting and/or decorating a collar of an article of clothing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.