WO2005013753A1

WO2005013753A1 - Item of jewellery

Info

Publication number: WO2005013753A1
Application number: PCT/DE2003/002617
Authority: WO
Inventors: Burkhard Müller
Original assignee: Mueller Burkhard
Priority date: 2003-08-04
Filing date: 2003-08-04
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: DE10394324D2; AU2003260253A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an item of jewellery, in particular a pendant, comprising a base body (1) consisting of two parts (2, 3), said parts (2, 3) being displaceable in relation to one another. The item of jewellery is characterised in that the parts (2, 3) can be pivoted or rotated about a common axis (8) against opposing sides or surfaces.

Description

, Jewel '

The present invention relates to a piece of jewelry, in particular a pendant, with a base body comprising two parts, the parts being movable relative to one another.

Jewelery of the generic type are known in practice in a wide variety of embodiments. There are, for example, amulets which consist of two parts and whose parts are connected to one another by a hinge. Correspondingly, such a two-part amulet can be opened along a pivot axis in that the parts are expanded or pivoted away from one another, similarly to when a book is opened.

The generic piece of jewelry has several disadvantages. On the one hand, the hinge is usually already visible from the outside, but at the latest when it is open. The visual impression of such an amulet is affected, especially since a hinge always conveys a technical character. In addition, to open the parts, it is necessary to grasp both parts more or less firmly in order to be able to open them. A locking mechanism, which is to prevent unintentional opening, makes the opening process considerably more difficult.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of designing and developing a piece of jewelry of the generic type in such a way that the basic body comprising at least two parts can be effortlessly opened and closed with the simplest construction and with the avoidance of an optically striking pivot mechanism.

The above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. According to this, a piece of jewelry, in particular a pendant, with a base body comprising at least two parts, the parts being movable relative to one another, characterized in that the parts can be pivoted or rotated about a common axis along mutually directed sides or surfaces. According to the invention, it has been recognized that in order to open a two-piece piece of jewelry, it is not absolutely necessary to fold the two parts apart from one another in the sense of opening a book. Rather, it is possible in the manner according to the invention to pivot the parts along mutually directed sides or surfaces about a common axis and thus to rotate them against one another. The swivel mechanism required for this is arranged between the two parts, so that it cannot be seen from the outside. It is also possible to open the piece of jewelry according to the invention with one hand, namely by positioning the piece of jewelry comprising the two parts between the fingers and rotating one part with the thumb against the part lying on the other fingers. One-handed operation is thus guaranteed, which is not possible with the foldable amulets according to the prior art known from practice.

The base body is advantageously designed as a housing and the parts are designed as housing halves. Accordingly, the housing halves can be pivoted or rotated relative to one another from a position closing the housing into a position opening the housing. Once again, it should be noted at this point that the parts or the housing halves can be moved from the closed to the open position by simply rotating them against one another, so that one-hand operation of the piece of jewelry is possible.

A special rotating mechanism is provided between the two parts for rotating or pivoting the parts against one another. Due to the arrangement of the rotating mechanism between the two parts, it is not visible from the outside, neither with the housing closed nor with the housing open. The rotating mechanism is not released in any position of the parts, so that it is virtually invisible, i.e. always covered, and thus protected from the outside in every position of the parts. Contamination or even damage to the rotating mechanism is largely avoided.

Specifically, the rotary mechanism can comprise a rotational axis that is permanently assigned to one part and a receptacle that is permanently assigned to the other part and rotatably holds the rotational axis. The axis of rotation could be part of it rotationally assigned pin and the receptacle as the other part rotationally assigned bushing or the like. In any case, a relative movement between the pin and the receptacle is possible, the pin being rotatably held in the receptacle. Mutual pivoting of the parts is possible, the parts being held against one another due to the rotating mechanism.

The rotating mechanism could also be designed such that the parts are orthogonal to each other after overcoming a predetermined clamping force, i.e. can pull apart in the opposite direction. In the context of such a configuration, the two parts could literally be taken apart and handled individually. When reassembling, this could be accomplished by pushing the pin into the receptacle and bringing about the clamping effect required for cohesion.

In a very particularly advantageous manner, the rotating mechanism comprises locking means which define predetermined positions of the parts relative to one another. This measure makes it possible to keep the piece of jewelry in the closed state and in differently open states. It is quite conceivable that the piece of jewelry can be positioned in a defined open state on a flat surface in the sense of a picture frame, a figurative representation or the like, the piece of jewelry not having any stability when closed.

Specifically, the locking means can comprise the engagement elements assigned to one part, which engage in recesses in the other part in the predetermined positions. Any engagement elements can be realized, it must be ensured that the engagement elements can be easily brought into engagement and can also be easily moved out of engagement again. Ultimately, it is a matter of creating a locking mechanism that must be released due to a predetermined force.

It is particularly advantageous with regard to a simple construction and reliable functioning if the engagement means comprise a ball pressure mechanism that is preferably spring-loaded. In accordance with the locking positions, balls assigned to one part press into the other Partially assigned recesses, so that the locking positions are specified in the design. Specifically, each of the balls could be arranged in a shaft formed in one part. The prestressing spring is arranged in the shaft and presses the ball against a shoulder-like bearing, namely into a position in which the ball protrudes at least slightly from the shaft. Correspondingly, the ball presses at least partially into the recess of the other part - with appropriate positioning - this recess being dimensioned such that the ball only partially fits into the recess. Due to the curvature and smooth surface of the ball, the locking thus generated can be overcome against the spring force, so that detent positions are defined here with simple means. The latching mechanism implemented in this way is sufficient in any case to hold the piece of jewelry in the closed position on the one hand and to define partially or completely open positions on the other hand. For example, the parts could be locked against one another in two open positions and in the closed position, it being readily possible in the light of the pivotability realized here that the parts can be rotated endlessly relative to one another. It is also conceivable to specify the maximum rotatability of both parts by a stop.

The previously discussed pivot mechanism, which also holds the two parts of the piece of jewelry together, could be incorporated into the solid material of the parts. Accordingly, the parts are made of solid material and the parts come into full contact with one another. With a correspondingly flat surface, the parts could be designed to be close to one another with only a small amount of play.

It is also conceivable that the parts are designed as single or double-walled shells - hollow. In this way, a lot of material can be saved, which is particularly important when using expensive materials. The pivot mechanism would then be arranged accordingly between the walls and would have to be encapsulated accordingly.

The piece of jewelry formed by the parts could have a purely aesthetic character and accordingly serve as an original piece of jewelry. However, it is also conceivable for the parts to have a space in their closed position form, so that overall - as already mentioned at the beginning - they define a housing with a corresponding space. So you can imagine that the parts work together like a nutshell, with the two shells forming the space as a whole, ie together.

Now the two parts could also be made different, both in terms of the outer shape and in terms of the inner design. For example, the space could be formed by a recess in only one of the two parts or by recesses in both parts, both parts complementing one another regardless of the specific design of a recess and thus forming the space. If recesses are provided in both parts, a larger space can be generated, which is then also suitable in the sense of a container for holding larger objects.

Since the two parts are a combined piece of jewelry, it makes sense that the two parts on the outside are machined according to a conventional piece of jewelry. Different surfaces and surface qualities can be realized, depending on the material used. Due to the very special design on the inside of the parts, namely with regard to the space formed by both parts, at least one of the parts could carry a decorative element from the inside. This decorative element could be integrated in one of the two parts or in both parts. Instead of integrating a decorative element, one of the parts or the space formed by the parts could be designed for the fixed or reversible reception of any object. This can be, for example, a "life-saving" pill for use by people with severe allergies. Small souvenirs such as the milk count of a child or other small parts can be accommodated in the piece of jewelry.

In a very particularly advantageous manner, the object to be accommodated in the piece of jewelry can be a functional object, namely an object with the aid of which, for example, actuation can be initiated or possible. In concrete terms, the functional object could be an electrical functional part, for example a transponder, which is permanently inserted into the part or inserted into the space formed by the two parts. With the help of Transponders could be used to start a motor vehicle, provide access to a house or open a safe, etc.

If the piece of jewelry serves as a pure piece of jewelry without any further function, the object that is permanently assigned to the part or that can be introduced into the room could be a piece of jewelry, in particular a gem or semi-precious stone or a molded part made of precious metal. It is also readily possible to assign a part, for example a molded part made of precious metal, to the inside and to arrange a removable object in the recess of the other part.

The permanently installed molded part can be, for example, a pictorial surface on a silver, gold or platinum plate. The surface could be in the form of a hologram or the like. This measure makes it possible, for example, to introduce a type of gold inlay into a part made of silver. Any combination of materials could give a very special visual impression on the inside of the piece of jewelry. The decorative element could be upgraded again, namely by integrating a gemstone.

The parts of the piece of jewelry complement one another, namely form the basic body of the piece of jewelry. For use as a pendant, one of the two parts or both parts could be assigned fastening means in the broadest sense, by means of which the piece of jewelry can be attached to a chain or can be strung onto a chain. At this point it should be noted that this can be a piece of jewelry of any kind. The piece of jewelry could serve as a stud or clip, as a ring, as a brooch, as a paperweight, etc. The use as a pendant is emphasized here only by way of example.

Especially when using the piece of jewelry as a pendant, however, externally visible fastening means for attaching to a chain would be disruptive if one wanted to use the piece of jewelry without the chain or for other purposes. With the chain removed, the impression would always be that it is a pendant without a chain and not another piece of jewelry. So it is of particular advantage if a recess, groove or the like is made in at least one of the parts for insertion serves the chain. This recess, groove or the like is formed in a further advantageous manner on the inside of the part, ie in the surface of the part opposite the other part, so that the recess, groove or the like does not exist in the closed state of the piece of jewelry or only in the edge region is visible. If one imagines that the recess, groove or the like on the surface of the one part, preferably in its edge region, is designed such that it extends from the edge beyond the part and along a curvature out of the part again, This makes it easy to imagine that the closed chain is caught in the recess, groove or the like. The recess, groove or the like could be dimensioned such that a chain with a predeterminable diameter can be pulled through the recess, groove or the like even with closed parts. It would also be conceivable that the dimensioning of the recess, groove or the like in relation to the diameter of the chain is designed such that a kind of press fit can be achieved. In such a case, the piece of jewelry could be fixed at a predeterminable point on the chain and only changed in position by opening.

The parts can be realized with different shapes and in different sizes and to form a whole, i.e. to the piece of jewelry, combine. Any complementary shapes are conceivable, it being necessary to ensure that the two parts have at least a small area on which the parts lie against one another. These two surfaces are advantageously precisely matched to one another, so that opening along these surfaces, i.e. parallel to these surfaces is possible.

For example. the parts could be essentially round. In cross section, they could have the shape of a circle or, overall, the shape of a sphere, a drop, a heart or the like. Any figurative representations can be realized, although the two parts do not necessarily have to be identical. In any case, it is essential that the two parts complement each other, regardless of the respective material, shape or the like. It has already been mentioned before that the parts can be made from solid material. The swivel mechanism is incorporated accordingly. It is also conceivable that the parts - not least for a sensible material reduction, but also for weight reduction - are hollow, namely preferably double-walled. The parts can be made of precious metal or a precious metal alloy, and any other materials can be used. The usual metals are silver, gold and platinum as well as their alloys.

There are now various possibilities for advantageously designing and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made on the one hand to the claims subordinate to patent claim 1, and on the other hand to the following explanation of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred refinements and developments of the teaching are also explained. In the drawing shows

1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a piece of jewelry according to the invention in the closed state,

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the object of Fig. 1 in a partially open position and

Fig. 3 in an enlarged view, the pivoting mechanism of the object from Figs. 1 and 2 with integrated locking means.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a piece of jewelry according to the invention, which is specifically a pendant 1 or amulet. 1 does not show that the trailer 1 comprises two parts 2, 3 which form the base body. The two parts 2, 3 are movable relative to one another.

2 shows the trailer 1 from FIG. 1 in the partially opened state. The two parts 2, 3 are relative to one another about a common pivot axis rotated, FIG. 2 reveals that a recess 4 is formed in part 3, which serves to hold a small object. The surface of the recess 4 is highly polished. Any surfaces - inside and outside - can be realized as with conventional jewelry.

FIG. 2 furthermore shows that the part is provided with a further recess 5 in the sense of a groove which extends from the edge region into the part 3 and also out of this part 3 towards the edge region. A chain, not shown in the figure, can be inserted into this recess 5 and is caught in the recess 5 when the parts 2, 3 are closed. This measure allows the pendant 1 to be hung on a chain in a particularly elegant manner.

Furthermore, it is indicated in FIG. 2 that the parts 2, 3 can carry an engraving 6 on the inside, which can be attached individually. Any inscriptions can be introduced in a conventional manner.

3 shows the swivel mechanism 7, according to which the parts 2, 3 can be swiveled or opened about a common axis 8 along their mutually facing surfaces 9, 10.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the parts 2, 3 are connected to one another via the swivel mechanism 7. This swivel mechanism comprises an axis of rotation 8 which is fixedly assigned to part 3 and a receptacle 11 which is permanently assigned to the other part 2 and rotatably holds the axis of rotation 8. The receptacle 11 is in the form of a sleeve which is permanently assigned to the part 2. The rotatability of the two parts 2, 3 against one another is thus ensured.

3 further shows that the swivel mechanism 7 comprises very special locking means which define predetermined positions of the parts 2, 3 relative to one another. Very special locking means are provided here, namely the engagement element 12 assigned to one part 3, which engage in recesses 13 in the other part in predetermined positions. In concrete terms, the engagement elements 12 are in the sense of a spring-loaded ball pressure mechanism executed, which correspond to the locking positions of the part 3 associated balls 14, which at least partially grip recesses 13 formed in the other part 2 or press accordingly there.

Each of the balls 14 is arranged in a shaft 15 formed in part 3 and pressed against the other part into the recess 13 there by a spring 16. The recess 13 is dimensioned such that the ball 14 only partially fits into the recess 13. In Fig. 3, two of the shafts 15 provided there with the corresponding balls 14 and the respective spring 16 can be seen, although three or more of the engaging elements 12 can also be provided.

3 also shows that a recess 4 is provided in surface 9 of part 2 and a further decorative element 17 is located opposite one another in surface 10 of part 3.

Finally, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 3 only serves to explain the claimed teaching, but does not restrict it to the exemplary embodiment.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Piece of jewelry, in particular a pendant, with a base body (1) comprising at least two parts (2, 3), the parts (2, 3) being movable relative to one another, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) about a common axis (8) can be pivoted or rotated along mutually directed sides or surfaces (9, 10).

2. Piece of jewelery according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (1) is designed as a housing and the parts (2, 3) as housing halves and that the housing halves can be pivoted or rotated relative to one another from a position closing the housing into a position opening the housing are.

3. Piece of jewelery according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) are connected to one another via a rotating mechanism (7).

4. Piece of jewelery according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotating mechanism (7) one of the part (2, 3) permanently assigned axis of rotation (8) and the other part (2, 3) permanently assigned, the axis of rotation (8) rotatable holding receptacle (11) comprises.

5. Piece of jewelry according to claim 4, characterized in that the axis of rotation (8) as the one part (2, 3) rotatably assigned pin and the receptacle (11) as the other part (2, 3) rotatably assigned bushing or the like is.

6. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the rotating mechanism (7) comprises locking means which define predetermined positions of the parts (2, 3) to one another.

7. Piece of jewelery according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means comprise the engagement elements (12) assigned to one part, which engage in recesses (13) of the other part (2, 3) in the predetermined positions.

8. Piece of jewelery according to claim 7, characterized in that the engagement means (12) comprise a preferably spring-loaded ball pressure mechanism and that according to the locking positions the one part (2, 3) associated balls (14) in the other associated recesses (13) press.

9. Piece of jewelery according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the balls (14) is arranged in a shaft (15) formed in one part (2, 3) and by the spring (16) against the other part (2, 3 ) presses into the recess (4) there and that the recess (4) is dimensioned such that the ball (14) only partially fits into the recess (4).

10. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) can be locked against one another in two open positions and in the closed position.

11. Piece of jewelry according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) are made of solid material and come to rest against each other over the entire surface.

12. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) are designed as single or double-walled shells.

13. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) form a space in their closed position.

14. Piece of jewelry according to claim 13, characterized in that in one of the two parts (2, 3) a recess (4) is provided to form the space.

15. Piece of jewelry according to claim 13, characterized in that in both parts (2, 3) a recess (4) is provided to form the space.

16. Piece of jewelry according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that in at least one of the parts (2, 3), from the inside, a jewelry element (17) is integrated.

17. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the parts (2, 3) or the space formed by the parts (2, 3) is designed for the fixed or reversible reception of any object.

18. Piece of jewelery according to claim 17, characterized in that the object is a functional object.

19. Piece of jewelry according to claim 18, characterized in that the functional object is an electrical functional part.

20. Piece of jewelery according to claim 19, characterized in that the electrical functional part is a transponder.

21. Jewelery according to claim 17, characterized in that the object is a jewelery element (17), in particular a gem or semi-precious stone or a molded part made of noble metal.

22. Piece of jewelery according to claim 21, characterized in that the molded part has a pictorial surface, preferably in the manner of a hologram or the like.

23. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that at least in one of the parts a recess (4), groove (5) or the like is executed, which serves to insert a chain.

24. Piece of jewelery according to claim 23, characterized in that when the parts are closed (2, 3) the chain is caught in the recess (4), groove (5) or the like.

25. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) are essentially round.

26. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) have the shape of a circle, a ball (14), a drop, a heart or the like.

27. Piece of jewelry according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) are made of solid material.

28. Piece of jewelery according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) are hollow, preferably double-walled.

29. Piece of jewelry according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the parts (2, 3) are made of precious metal or a precious metal alloy.