WO2001070067A1

WO2001070067A1 - Ornamental item in the shape of a ring with variable configuration

Info

Publication number: WO2001070067A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/003167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ezio Genero
Original assignee: Ezio Genero Srl
Priority date: 2000-03-21
Filing date: 2001-03-20
Publication date: 2001-09-27
Also published as: AU4421401A; ITVI20000048A1; IT1315298B1

Abstract

An ornamental item in the shape of a ring (10) comprising: a first cylindrical annular band (1) made of a flexible material and removably connected to one or more ornamental elements (2, 5) mounted in the band; a second cylindrical annular band (3) made of a flexible material, too, which supports the first band and is coaxially inserted into it; guide means (31) suitable for containing the first band (1) and the second band (3) and such as to keep said bands removably joined to each other.

Description

ORNAMENTAL ITEM IN THE SHAPE OF A RING WITH VARIABLE CONFIGURATION

The invention concerns an ornamental item, such as a ring to be worn on a finger or even a bracelet, for example a so-called slave bangle, substantially comprising a circular or elliptical ring whose dimensions are such as to allow it to be worn on the wristle.

According to the invention, in these ornamental items the aesthetical aspect can be modified as desired by replacing the ornamental element, which is generally a precious element, belonging to said ring or bracelet and even the actual support of the ring or of the bracelet, for example by changing the colours or the surface finish.

Hereinafter, the term "ring" will be used to indicate either a ring to be worn on a finger and a bracelet of the "slave bangle" type. The rings presently available on the market are produced in various shapes and styles, but their common feature is represented by the fact that they are definitely finished ornamental items, that is, their aesthetic appearance cannot be changed without the intervention of expert goldsmiths, who, for example, can change the stone or stones mounted in the ring, or in any case carry out modifications that require an actual additional processing of the item. Substantially, according to the techniques presently adopted, it is not possible to change the appearance of a ring, for example through a simple operation to be performed by the owner.

One of the aims of the present invention is the implementation of a ring that may change configuration and shape through the replacement of some of its components.

Another aim of the invention is that it should be possible for the owner of the item to carry out these modifications with extreme ease and also at relatively low costs. A further aim of the invention is that the possibility to modify the aesthetical appearance of the ring should concern not only the precious ornamental element that distinguishes the ring, but also the annular support of the ring. In fact, the item of the invention is to allow the owner to modify as desired and with no need to request the assistance of a specialist either the aesthetical appearance of the precious ornamental element of the ring, and its support, for example by changing the colour or the external finish of the annular element. The owner should also have the possibility to add more ornamental elements to the same ring, for example by passing from a configuration with one precious ornamental element only to a configuration with more precious ornamental elements, for example two, three or even more. Another aim of the invention is also that all the modifications mentioned above should be possible at reduced costs, so that the ring may become an item that can be adapted to various situations, for example the different moments of the day, different social occasions, and become more elegant, more everyday or more casual according to the situation. All the aims described above and others that will be highlighted in greater detail below have been achieved through the implementation of an ornamental item in the shape of a ring, which, according to the main claim, is characterized in that it comprises:

- a first cylindrical annular band made of a flexible material and removably connected to one or more ornamental elements;

- a second cylindrical annular band made of a flexible material, too, which supports said first band and is coaxially inserted into it;

- guide means suitable for containing said first band and said second band and such as to keep said bands removably joined to each other. To advantage, according to the invention the ring comprises two annular bands that are inserted one inside the other, wherein the first band is provided with one or more openings, respectively housing one or more ornamental elements that are usually precious elements, for example made of gold with or without precious gemstones. The ring subject of the invention offers the advantage that the first annular band supporting the ornamental element/elements can be separated from the second annular band in contact with the finger and that also the ornamental element can be separated through a removable restraint joint and this allows the owner to purchase one or more of these elements separately, for example the ornamental element or the firsr annular band supporting the ornamental elements, or the second annular band, for example changing their colour, in such a way as to vary the configuration of the ring as desired.

For example, it is important to observe that the ornamental element may be replaced by buying a different ornamental element only, though keeping the first and second band that constitute the ring itself. Alternatively, it will also be possible to by a new, different first annular band provided with two or three opening for setting new different ornamental elements.

It will be possible to choose a first annular band or a second annular band in a different colour, in such a way as to match the colours of said bands depending on the tastes of the owner and on his/her clothes, or depending on the different times of the day.

Thanks to the possibility offered to vary the item configuration as desired, the ring may also be unisex, since the ornamental elements and the colours may be chosen according to the person who is going to wear the ring.

Another subject of the invention is also a construction method for the production of a ring with variable configuration in accordance with the contents of claim 10).

Further characteristics and details of the invention will be better highlighted in the description of some favourite embodiments among many of the invention, illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows the ring subject of the invention with its components before assembly;

- Figure 2 shows a ring constructed according to the invention set with three ornamental elements;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view of the ring of Figure 1 completely assembled;

- Figures 4 and 5 are an axonometric view and a sectional view, respectively, of the precious ornamental element mounted in the ring of Figures 1 and 3; - Figure 6 is a sectional view of another ornamental element with protrusions that are different from those shown in Figure 5 and suitable for achieving the joint with the support annular band;

- Figure 7 is a sectional view of the ring set with the ornamental element of Figure 6; - Figure 8 shows a construction variant of the ring of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 9 shows a slave bangle realized according to the invention.

With reference to the figures mentioned above it can be observed in Figure 1 that the ring subject of the invention, indicated as a whole by 10, comprises a first annular band 1 that in the case of Figure 1 is provided with first connection means costituted by an opening 11 suitable for housing the ornamental element 2 through second connection means integral with it. Figure 1 shows also a second cylindrical annular band indicated by 3 and provided with guide means, which, as will be described below, thanks to the elastic deformation of said guide means can be inserted in the hole 12 of the first cylindrical annular band 1 , the second annular band 3 being made of a flexible and elastic material, like the first band 1.

The ornamental element 2, which is more clearly visible in Figure 4 and in the section shown in Figure 5, is preferably made of a precious metal - in the example given herein it is made of gold - and its lower part is provided with the second connection means that in the example are constituted by two laminae 21 and 22 opposite to each other and slightly protruding with respect to the outline of the element 2. The perimeter of this element, indicated as a whole by 23, is slightly longer than the perimeter 110 of the opening 11 , so that when the ornamental element 2 forms the restraint joint with the laminae 21 and 22 inserted in the opening 11 , the edge 23 covers the perimeter of the hole 110 completely. The restraint joint of the element 2 in the opening 11 can be released and therefore said element 2 can be easily removed by exerting a certain pressure with the fingers, thanks to to the elasticity of the material 1 , for example polyethylene or a similar plastic material, so that the laminae 21 and 22 can be released rather simply from the joint with the opening 11. It is evident that in this way the ornamental element 2 can be easily replaced with other ornamental elements whose perimeter is substantially equal to or longer than that of the opening 11 , and in any case having a different aesthetic effect. Another possibility offered concerns the replacement of the first band 1 with a different band, that is, a band with the same outer dimensions but with multiple openings 11 , like the band 15 represented in Figure 2, which is provided with three openings and the same number of ornamental elements now indicated by 24, 25 and 26. As it can be clearly observed in the section shown in Figure 3, the first band 1 and the ornamental element 2 are supported by the second band 3, which is provided with guide means constituted by two projecting annular edges 31 suitable for containing the first band 1 , in such a way as to prevent it from coming out of place. It is important to observe that the protruding annular edges 31 are profiled in such a way as to present a double diameter, more precisely a lower diameter 32 and an upper diameter 33 that coincides with the edge of the annular band 3 and is substantially equal to the diameter of the outer surface 13 of the first band 1. The presence of the step constituted by the intermediate diameter 34, on which the first cylindrical band 1 rests between the edges 31 , is justified by the fact that in this way a space 4 is created between the lower surface 14 of the first band 1 resting on the intermediate diameter 34 and the outer surface 32 of the second band 3, said space being suitable for housing the protrusions of the ornamental element 2 that make it possible to obtain the joint between said ornamental element and the first annular band 1. According to a construction variant represented in detail in Figure 8, the annular protruding edges are on the first cylindrical band 1. In particular, even in this case it is important to observe the presence of the step formed by the intermediate diameter 18, justified by the fact that in this way a space 4 is created between the lower surface 14 of the first band 1 resting on the intermediate diameter 18 and the outer surface 38 of the second band 3, said space being suitable for housing the protrusions 21 and 22 of the ornamental element 2 that make it possible to obtain the joint between said ornamental element and the first annular band 1. According to a construction variant shown in Figure 6, the ornamental element, indicated therein by 5, features protrusions 51 and 52 constituted by pins, each of said pins having an enlarged end 510 and 511 whose dimensions are such that thanks to the elastic deformation the enlarged end can pass through the holes 16 indicated in Figure 7 and present in the first band 1. In this way the enlarged ends 510 permit to obtain the joint between the ornamental element 5 and the first band 1 , as it can be observed in Figure 7.

In practice, to implement the ring according to the invention, the first and the second cylindrical annular bands are produced separately, for example through the moulding of a suitable plastic material with appropriate flexibility and elasticity, such as polyethylene, in such a way as to ensure the easy connection between the first and the second band. The first band must be provided with openings 11 or 16 for the setting of the ornamental element, openings that, for example, can be obtained through punching or laser cutting, the latter ensuring a perfect cut with tolerance values almost equal to zero and no burrs. The ornamental element made of a precious metal can be obtained, for example, through shearing and pressing/forming. This element is fitted in the first cylindrical annular edge. Successively, the second cylindrical band is inserted in the first band already set with the ornamental element/elements, and the ring is thus ready to be worn.

Obviously, when the owner wishes to change the aesthetical aspect of the ring, it will be necessary to carry out the operation in the reverse order, that is, the second cylindrical annular band must be taken apart by deforming it so that the edges containing the first annular band come off and allow the first annular band to be separated from the second band. In this way, it will be possible to replace the first annular band with a different band having, for example, a different colour or a different number of openings, or more simply it will be possible to change the ornamental element mounted in the first band with another ornamental element that must be suitable for creating the joint with the opening, but whose style may be completely different.

The replacement may only concern, for example, the first and/or the second annular band, and be aimed at changing the colour or colour combination of the two bands, or at substituting the ornamental element with another ornamental element or with more than one ornamental elements, in which case the first band must be replaced, if it is not already provided with several openings.

Figure 9 shows a slave bangle realized according to the invention, indicated as a whole by 60, comprising a first annular band 61 made of a flexible material and ornamental elements 63 removably connected with said first band through the connection systems already described in the examples of the previous figures. There is also a second annular band 62 provided with guide means constituted by the annular edges 64.

The assembly of the slave bangle and the replacement of the ornamental elements that make it up are achieved as described in the previous examples. As it can be observed in the description of the invention, the ring with variable configuration subject of the invention, be it the ring to be worn on a finger shown in figures from 1 to 8 or the slave bangle shown in figure 9, makes it possible to continuously renew the aesthetical appearance of the ring itself, by simply and easily changing its components and at costs that are acceptable for a large number of purchasers.

Claims

1) Ornamental item in the shape of a ring (10), characterized in that it comprises:

- a first cylindrical annular band (1 ) made of a flexible material and removably connected to one or more ornamental elements (2, 5) mounted in said band;

- a second cylindrical annular band (3) made of a flexible material, too, which supports said first band and is coaxially inserted into it;

- guide means (31) suitable for containing said first band (1) and said second band (3) and such as to keep said bands removably joined to each other. 2) Item (10) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that said first annular band (1 ) is provided with first connection means suitable for removably housing second connection means integral with said one or more ornamental elements (2, 5).

3) Item (10) according to claim 2), characterized in that said first connection means are one or more openings (11) made on said first annular band (1 ) and said second connection means are protrusions of said one or more ornamental elements (2, 5).

4) Item according to claim 3), characterized in that the connection of said ornamental element to the first annular band is obtained through the joint of two or more laminar protrusions (21 , 22) that diverge with respect to the body of said ornamental element.

5) Item (10) according to claim 4), characterized in that said protrusions are one or more elastically deformable wings.

6) Item according to claim 3), characterized in that said protrusions are pins (51 , 52), each one of which is provided with an enlarged end (510,

511) whose dimensions are slightly larger than the perimeter of the opening made on said first cylindrical band housing said pin.

7) Item according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said ornamental element (2, 5) is provided with a visible surface emerging from the opening for the connection with said first band, whose perimeter covers said opening.

8) Item (10) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that said guide means are protruding annular edges (31 ) belonging to said first or to said second annular edge (3), suitable for containing the other band and suitable for keeping said bands removably joined to each other. 9) Item according to claim 8), characterized in that the section of said annular edges belonging to said first or to said second band presents a step- shaped profile with an intermediate diameter that defines cylindrical resting surfaces for said second or said first band, respectively, and such as to define an empty space between said first band and said second band, said empty space being suitable for housing the protrusions belonging to the ornamental element emerging from said first cylindrical band.

10) Item according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said first and said second bands are made of a plastic material. 11) Item according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said first and said second bands are coloured.

12) Method for the production of a ring to be worn on fingers according to claim 1 ), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- making, on a first cylindrical band, at least one opening suitable for housing at least one ornamental element;

- producing at least one ornamental element with shape and perimeter such as to prevent the passage of said element through said at least one opening and provided with means for the joint with said opening;

- removably coupling said at least one ornamental element with said at least one opening through holding means;

- inserting through elastic deformation a second cylindrical band with protruding edges inside the hole of said first cylindrical band, in such a way as to removably connect said first and said second cylindrical bands to each other. 13) Method according to claim 12), characterized in that the openings made on said first band are carried out through laser cutting.

14) Method according to claim 12), characterized in that the openings made on said first band are carried out through punching.

15) Method according to claim 12), characterized in that the coupling between said at least one ornamental element and said at least one opening is obtained by restraining the protrusions in said opening belonging to said first annular band.