WO2006084291A1

WO2006084291A1 - An article of jewellery

Info

Publication number: WO2006084291A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2005/000010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vernon White
Original assignee: Vernon White
Priority date: 2005-02-04
Filing date: 2005-02-04
Publication date: 2006-08-10

Abstract

An article of jewellery is convertible between a ring (22) and a pendant (10) for a chain. The article comprises a short chain (14) which has a clamp (2) able to close over a necklace chain (12) to enable it to be suspended therefrom as a pendant (10). End links (18) and (38) of the chain (14) engage to convert the pendant (10) to a ring (22).

Description

ANARTICLE OF JEWELLERY

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an article of jewellery.

BA CKGROUND ART

It is the object of this invention to provide an article of jewellery which is easily convertible between a pendant for attachment to a chain or necklace, and a ring or even a bracelet.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, an article of jewellery comprises an elongated element having one or more formations at a first end adapted to releasably engage a chain or the like, and releasably engage a formation at the other end, permitting the article to be convertible between a looped article, for example a ring, and a pendant suspendable from a chain.

In the preferred form of the invention, the chain engaging means comprises a clamp device, having a pair of hinged jaws closable about the chain or the like, the jaws having abutting surfaces including a groove or the like recess, which when in register, encircle the chain, the jaws further including locking means for retaining them in a closed position about the chain.

In one form, the first end of the elongated element includes an end piece, the jaws each comprising one half of the end piece.

A groove or other formation may be provided in a side of the end piece to assist opening of the clamp. The locking means may comprise a lug requiring a jaw of the clamp device to be urged there past for opening and closing the clamp device.

In the preferred form of the invention, the elongated element comprises a short chain ha ving a s eries o f 1 inks, t he 1 inks ha ving a 11 east t heir inne r s urfaces b eing arcuate for comfort on a wearer's finger when the article is to be used as a ring.

In this form of the invention, the links at opposite ends of the chain may comprise a first or engaging link, and a second or receiving link, the engaging link including a protruding formation for engaging a complementally shaped recess in the receiving link.

In the preferred form, the protruding formation comprises a T-shaped member, with the recess also being T-shaped, with the stem of the T comprising a wide channel having overhanging flanges either side along its length to prevent accidental removal of the T-shaped protrusion once engaged in the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure Ia and b are isometric views of the two forms of jewellery between which the article of the invention is interconvertible;

Figure 2a and b are isometric views of the elongated element from above and below respectively;

Figure 3a is a view of Figure Ia with the clamp open;

Figure 3b is a view of Figure Ib with the engaging links disengaged;

Figures 4a and b are enlarged views of the clamp in the open position;

Figures 5a and b are enlarged views of the engaging links engaged and disengaged respectively;

Figure 6 is a further enlarged view of the engaging links;

Figure 7 and 8 are side views of the engaging links partially and fully engaged, respectively. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure l(a), a pendant 10 is shown suspended from a chain 12. The- pendant comprises an elongated element 14 comprising a series of links 16. End link 18 comprises a clamp 20 which closes over the chain 12 to enable it to be suspended therefrom.

Release of the clamp 20 from the chain 12 (Figure 3a) allows the elongated element 14 (Figures 2a and b) to be converted to a ring 22 as shown in Figure 2b. A groove 24 is provided to assist in opening the clamp. The clamp 20 comprises a pair of hinged jaws 26a and b each of which comprises half the thickness of the end link 18. The inner, abutting surfaces 28, 30 (Figure 4) of the jaws include a groove 32, which register to form a slot 34 which encircles the chain 12 when the Figure 2(b); clamp is closed. A locking lug 36 (Figure 5(a), Figures 7 and 8) is provided to assist in preventing the clamp form opening accidentally.

In order to form a ring 22 or even a bracelet, should the elongated element have sufficient length, engaging end link 18 and receiving end link 38 must be engaged. The engaging link 18 includes a T-shaped formation 40 pivotally mounted on the hinge 42 of the end link 18. Receiving end link 38 includes a T-shaped recess

44 with the stem of the T comprising a wide channel 46 having overhanging flanges

48 either side along its length to enable the arms of the T to be slided thereunder to reach the engaged position shown in Figures 5(b) and 8. The T-formation 40 is slided in the direction of the arrow in Figure 7, to reach the position shown in Figure

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An article of jewellery characterised in that it comprises an elongated element having one or more formations at a first end adapted to releasably engage a chain or the like, and releasably engage a formation at the other end, permitting the article to be convertible between a looped article, for example a ring, and a pendant suspendable from a chain.

2. An article of jewellery according to claim 1 characterised in that the chain engaging means comprises a c lamp device, having a pair of hinged jaws closable about the chain or the like, the jaws having abutting surfaces including a groove or the like recess, which when in register, encircle the chain, the jaws further including locking means for retaining them in a closed position about the chain.

3. An article of jewellery according to claim 2 characterised in that the first end of the elongated element includes an end piece, the jaws each comprising one half of the end piece.

4. An article of jewellery according to claim 2 characterised in that a groove or other formation is provided in a side of the end piece to assist opening of the clamp.

5. An article of jewellery according to claim 2 characterised in that the locking means comprises a lug requiring a jaw of the clamp device to be urged there past for opening and closing the clamp device.

6. An article of jewellery according to claim 1 characterised in that, the elongated element comprises a short chain having a series of links, the links having at least their inner surfaces being arcuate for comfort on a wearer's finger when the article is to be used as a ring.

7. An article of jewellery according to claim 6 characterised in that the links at opposite ends of the chain comprises a first or engaging link, and a second or receiving link, the engaging link including a protruding formation for engaging a complementally shaped recess in the receiving link.

8. An article of jewellery according to claim 7 characterised in that the protruding formation comprises a T-shaped member, with the recess also being T- shaped, with the stem of the T comprising a wide channel having overhanging flanges either side along its length to prevent accidental removal of the T-shaped protrusion once engaged in the recess.