GB2584657A

GB2584657A - Improvements in jewellery

Info

Publication number: GB2584657A
Application number: GB1908162.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Filipson Alice
Original assignee: Alice Jewels Ltd
Current assignee: Alice Jewels Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-07
Filing date: 2019-06-07
Publication date: 2020-12-16
Also published as: GB201908162D0

Abstract

A convertible piece of jewellery 10 having a main body 11 and a movable panel or flap 13 that enables attachment to multiple different carrier elements, such as a chain 18, a band of a ring, or an eyelet of an earring, and a latch 15, 16 to clamp the body 11 and panel 13 around the carrier element. The movable opposing surfaces may be joined by hinges (14, figure 2) and may pivot relative to each other. The latch 15, 16 may be a pin and socket mechanism. The mechanism allows the piece of jewellery to be transformed such that it is multifunctional jewellery and can be worn as a number of different items, such as a necklace (figure 9b), bracelet (figure 9e), earring (figure 8), ring (figure 7) or brooch (figure 9c).

Description

Improvements in jewellery This invention relates to jewellery.

The invention provides a system for multi-functional use of a piece of jewellery, wherein the piece of jewellery is provided with a connecting mechanism adapted for enabling its attachment to a chosen one of a number of different carrier elements, with the connecting mechanism comprising relatively movable opposing surfaces to receive a part of the carrier element, and a latching device for releasably holding the surfaces together with the carrier element part held therebetween.

By way of example, embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a form of jewellery piece according to the invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the jewellery piece of 20 Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the jewellery piece of Figure 1 in its open condition, Figure 4 illustrates the manner of connection of the jewellery piece 25 of Figure 1 to a chain, Figure 5 illustrates the manner of connection of the jewellery piece of Figure 1 to form a brooch, Figure 6 shows a carrier element in the form of a ring mounting, Figure 7 illustrates the manner of connection of the jewellery piece of Figure 1 to the carrier element of Figure 6 to form a ring, Figure 8 illustrates the manner of connection of the jewellery piece of Figure 1 to form an earring, and Figures 9a to 9f illustrate different optional uses of the jewellery 10 piece of Figure 1.

The jewellery piece 10 seen in the drawings is designed to be multi-functional, that is, to be capable of being worn in use as an item of personal adornment in a number of different ways. The piece 10 is shown for purposes of illustration: it will be understood that its design and configuration could be adapted in a great many different ways.

Here, the piece 10 consists of a main body 11 of generally circular outer profile, with a configuration that is slightly domed on its face and generally planar on its back. On its face, the piece 10 is mounted with an array of jewels 12. It will be seen that the convex shape of the main body 11 in this piece 10 creates a space behind the mounting of the jewels 12. This improves the passage of light through the jewels 12 and hence enhances their lustre. On its back, opposite to its face, the piece 10 has a connecting mechanism. As is explained below, the connecting mechanism is for enabling the piece 10 to be attached to a variety of different carrier elements.

The connecting mechanism includes a flap 13. As seen in Figure 2, the flap 13 is attached to the back of the main body 11 by means of a hinged connector 14, enabling it to be pivoted relative to the main body 11, as illustrated by arrows A and B. The back of the main body 11 and the flap 13 together provide a pair of opposing surfaces between which it is possible to hold a carrier element.

The connecting mechanism further includes a latching device for releasably locking the flap 13 to the main body 11 in a closed position.

The latching device here takes the form of a pin 15 extending out from the back of the main body 11, and a socket 16 in the flap 13 to receive it. Both the pin 15 and the socket 16 have respective latching surfaces. These latching surfaces are designed to interengage as the pin 15 enters the socket 16 when flap 13 is closed (in the direction of arrow A).

Together they act to hold the flap 13 in its closed position. The pin 15 is designed to have sufficient flexibility to allow it to flex as the respective latching surfaces move into engagement with one another. The latching device is releasable by flexing the pin 15, typically by using a fingernail, to cause the latching surfaces to be sprung out of engagement. This allows the flap 13 to pivot open (in the direction of arrow B).

A further preferred feature of the connecting mechanism 13 is that at least one of the surfaces on the flap 13 or the main body 11 has an area of resiliently deformable material. In this example, there is a single area, which is on the flap 13 and extends over substantially the whole of its surface. It takes the form of a thin film coating 17 of suitable elastomeric material.

The area of resiliently deformable material is designed to be sandwiched between the contact surfaces of the main body 11 and the flap 13 and hence provide a small amount of spring resistance to the closure between the two. This is helpful in ensuring that the carrier element to which the piece 10 is to be attached is held with sufficient force to keep it in position. It is also helpful in avoiding damage being caused to the carrier element. In this case, since the piece 10 has a domed configuration, the area of contact on the main body 11 is annular in shape (indicated by letter X in Figures 2 and 3).

It will be understood that the area of resiliently deformable material could be provided alternatively or additionally on the back of the main body. Also, it could be realised in a number of different ways, including for example by stippling or patterns of lines. It will also be understood that the area of contact between the main body 11 and the flap 13 could take different forms. For example, if the main body 11 is of a generally flat configuration, rather than being domed, then the contact area could be of a generally circular shape.

Figures 4 to 8 show how the piece 10 can be connected to various different carrier elements. In Figure 4, the carrier element is in the form of a chain 18. The connecting mechanism is used to clamp a section of the chain 18 to the piece 10. The latching device operates to hold the flap 13 closed with the chain 18 clamped between it and the main body 11. The force with which the connecting mechanism clamps the chain 18 is designed to provide sufficient frictional force to hold the piece 10 in position on the chain. The area of resiliently deformable material 17 is particularly helpful in this regard, because it enables the chain 18 to be gripped strongly but without causing damage to it.

When attached to the chain 18, the piece 10 can be worn as a necklace (see Figure 9b), a bracelet (see Figure 9e) or a wrist/finger ornament (see Figure 91). It could also be worn as an ankle bracelet. 5 In an alternative manner of use, the piece can be worn as a brooch. This is seen in Figures 5 and 9c. In this case, the carrier element to which the piece 10 is to be connected is in the form of a pin and clasp device 23, as seen in Figure 5. The device 23 has a construction that is similar to a safety pin, and the connecting mechanism acts to clamp one of its legs 24 between the flap 13 and the main body 11, leaving the other leg 25 free to be pushed through an item of clothing and locked by clasp 26.

In another alternative manner of use, the piece 10 can be worn as a ring. This is seen in Figures 7 and 9d. In this case, the carrier element to which the piece 10 is to be connected is in the form of a band 19, as seen in Figure 6. The band 19 is shaped to go over a finger, like a conventional ring. In addition, however, it is provided with a specially shaped mount which is designed to be engageable by the connecting mechanism. The mount includes a flat strip 20 that is designed to be clamped between the flap 13 and the main body 11 of the piece 10. The flat strip 20 terminates at either end in an upturned flange 21, with the main body 11 of the jewellery piece 10 fitting snugly between them. The band 19 also incorporates rounded spurs 22, as seen in Figure 6. These are spaced from the flat strip 20 by a gap for receiving the flap 13 of the jewellery piece 10. When attached together, the piece 10 and band 19 form an integral assembly that can be worn like a conventional ring. The purpose of the spurs 22 is to make the assembled ring comfortable to wear.

In a further alternative manner of use, the piece can be worn as an earring. This is seen in Figures 8 and 9a. In this case, the carrier element to which the piece is to be connected takes the form of an eyelet link 27, as seen in Figure 8. This link 27 is shaped like a figure of eight, with two holes 28, 29. The link 27 is attachable to the piece 10 using the connecting mechanism, by fitting it to the pin 15 via one of its holes 28 and clamping it in position between the flap 13 and the main body 11. Its other hole 29 is designed to extend clear of the piece 10, where it is able to be attached to a wearer's ear by means of a conventional stud 30 and butterfly 31.

As noted above, the piece of jewellery may be designed in many different ways. For example, instead of its outer profile being generally circular, it could be oval or pear-shaped or heart-shaped or star-shaped or have a geometric pattern such as square or rectangular. Also, its configuration could be varied. For example, instead of its main body being convex, its could be generally flat or concave. Also, the piece could be designed to be double-sided, that is, to be capable of being worn either way round. In this case, the piece would not have a "face" and a "back", but effectively two alternative faces. Further, the adornment on the piece can be varied in many different wyas. For example, in addition to the gemstones in the piece described above, or as an alternative, the piece could feature engraving or etching or any other kind of embellishment.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for multi-functional use of a piece of jewellery, wherein the piece of jewellery is provided with a connecting mechanism adapted for enabling its attachment to a chosen one of a number of different carrier elements, with the connecting mechanism comprising relatively movable opposing surfaces to receive a part of the carrier element, and a latching device for releasably holding the surfaces together with the 10 carrier element part held therebetween.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the surfaces has an area of resiliently deformable material for providing spring resistance to the holding of the carrier element part.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the piece has at least one face and the connecting mechanism is provided on the opposite side of the piece to said at least one face.
4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said surfaces of the connecting mechanism are arranged to be movable relative to each other in a pivotal manner.
S. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of said surfaces is on a main body of the piece, and the other is on a flap hingedly connected thereto.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the contact area between the surfaces is of annular shape.
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the latching device includes a resiliently flexible pin.
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim and including a carrier element in the form of a chain, enabling the piece of jewellery to be worn in use as a necklace, bracelet, headband or anklet.
9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the connecting mechanism is designed to hold the chain by a section of its length.
10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim and including a carrier 10 element in the form of a band, enabling the piece of jewellery to be worn in use as a ring.
11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the part of the band to be held by the connecting mechanism is a specially shaped mount.
12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim and inculding a carrier element in the form of an eyelet device, enabling the piece of jewellery to be worn in use as an earring.
13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the eyelet device has a hole for receiving a stud for attachment of the piece of jewellery to an ear by a conventional form of stud and butterfly fastener.
14. A system as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the eyelet device has a hole that enables it to be fitted over the resiliently flexible pin.
15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the piece of jewellery is designed with two faces to enable it to be worn optionally either way round.