WO2014054947A1

WO2014054947A1 - Pendant for insertion of a coin

Info

Publication number: WO2014054947A1
Application number: PCT/NL2013/050700
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kasanu Harnchaipibulgul
Original assignee: Simstars International B.V.
Priority date: 2012-10-02
Filing date: 2013-10-02
Publication date: 2014-04-10
Also published as: EP2716178A1

Abstract

Pendant (1) for insertion of a coin (2), comprising a first (3) and second (4) holder part, arranged for holding at least one coin, wherein at least one of the first and second holder part is equipped with at least a part of one eyelet (5, 6), to attach at least one of the first and second holder parts to a carrier (7), wherein at least one of the holder parts is provided with a visualisation opening, arranged to allow the coin inside the pendant to be seen, wherein the first and second holder part are rotatably connected about an axis which is close to or substantially falling together with an axis of at least a part of one eyelet, such that the coin can be interchanged without removing the pendant from the carrier.

Description

Pendant for insertion of a coin

The present invention relates to a pendant for insertion of a coin, a jewel comprising such a pendent and an assembly of a pendent or jewel and a necklace or bracelet.

Pendants are widely available on the market today, which are generally bought in combination with a necklace. To change the pendant, the necklace has to be taken off, the pendant has to be removed and interchanged with another pendant, after which the necklace can be put on again. This causes discomfort and inconvenience to the wearer of the pendant when, due to changes in style for instance, the wearer wishes the change the look of the pendant.

It is therefor the objective of the present invention to overcome this problem, and provide a pendant that is easily changeable.

The invention thereto proposes a pendant for insertion of a coin, comprising a first and second holder part, arranged for holding at least one coin, wherein at least one of the first and second holder part is equipped with at least a part of one eyelet, to attach at least one of the first and second holder parts to a carrier, wherein at least one of the holder parts is provided with a visualisation opening, arranged to allow the coin inside the pendant to be seen, wherein the first and second holder part are rotatably connected about an axis which is close to or substantially falling together with an axis of at least a part of one eyelet, preferably such that the coin can be interchanged without removing the pendant from the carrier. The rotatable connection between the first and second holder part makes it possible to change the coins inside the pendant freely, without having to remove the pendant from the carrier (for instance a necklace or bracelet). When another coin design gets into fashion, one simply removes the old coin and replaces it with the current coin, while keeping the holder. This saves effort, time and money compared to the old situation.

The first and second holder parts are rotatable about an axis, which is close to, or substantially falling together with an axis of at least one eyelet. The carrier can form the axis, such that, for example, the first and second holder parts are rotatable about an axis formed by a necklace (or other piece of jewellery) whereto the pendant is attached. At least one of the two holder parts is provided with a visualisation opening, arranged to allow the coin inside the pendant, preferably at least a part of the frontal side of the coin, to be seen. The two holder parts are for instance embodied as rings, with a spherical opening on at least one of the holder parts to display the coin inside the pendant.

By rotatably connecting the two holder parts about preferably the same axis, which is close to, or substantially falling together with an axis of at least one eyelet, a very efficient pendant construction can be achieved, wherein the holder parts in fact function as a bivalve shell, wherein two shell parts (holder parts) are hinged together by means of a hinge, and wherein the shell can be opened, to allow insertion or removal of a coin, or closed, to secure a coin inside the holder. This allows a coin to be interchanged relatively easily without having the remove the pendant from a pendant carrier, such as a necklace. By providing said hinge with at least a part of at least one eyelet the pendant construction can further be simplified and optimized. Preferably, the direction in which the holder parts are mutually hingeable (rotatable) is preferably substantially

perpendicular with respect to the rotation axis of the holder parts which allows the holder parts to be moved away from the frontal side and/or rear side of the coin during opening of the holder parts, and allows the holder parts to move towards a the frontal side and/or the rear side of a coin to be clamped or secured by the holder parts during closing of the holder parts. This further facilitates insertion and removal of a coin into/from the pendant.

When both holder parts are equipped with an eyelet they can either both be attached to the same necklace, wherein the necklace will form a common axis of rotation. It is also possible that the pendant will form a connection between two sides of a bracelet, closing the bracelet around for instance a wrist. It is also possible that the two holder parts each have a part of an eyelet, which are arranged to work together to form one eyelet, for attaching the pendant to the carrier on one or more locations. The eyelets of the two holder parts can thus be interlockable, to form one eyelet for attaching the pendant to the carrier. In an embodiment of the present invention the two holder parts are rotatable between a closed state, wherein the two holder parts enclose the coin at least partially, and an opened state, wherein the two holder parts allow insertion and/or removal of the coin. In order to be able to keep the coin inside the pendant, and to be able to change the coin when desired, the pendant can be closed and opened, wherein the pendant encloses the coin inside the pendant in its closed state, such that the coin cannot leave the pendant when the pendant is in its closed state.

The holder parts can be positioned in a coaxial orientation in the closed state. The holder parts can for instance be two rings with a common point of rotation, wherein upon closure of the two holder parts the rings lay on top of each other, enclosing the coin between them. The coaxial orientation of the holder parts may reduce the amount of space the pendant requires in its closed state. Moreover, the coaxial orientation has the constructional advantage that the eyelet may designed such that the eyelet also forms the hinge point (pivoting point) for mutual rotation of both holder parts.

In an embodiment of the present invention the axis of rotation of the mutually rotatable holder parts in the closed state is substantially perpendicular to the common central axis of the coaxially oriented holder parts. This way the holder parts can rotate about an axis for instance formed by (a part of) the carrier to which at least one of the holder parts is attached.

The holder parts can be positioned at opposite sides of the coin in the closed state. When the holder parts are positioned on two sides of the coin they enclose the coin to keep it from falling out of the holder parts.

The two holder parts can also be rotatable to form an angle between 0 to 300 degrees between both parts. Such an angle makes it possible to easily access the coin inside the pendant between the two parts. When the pendant is only used on necklaces the angle could for instance be reduced to be between 0 and 180 degrees, since the pendant will then tend to be in contact with the wearer, making larger angle unfavourable.

When the holder parts are in the closed position the at least two eyelets can be placed coaxial. The two eyelets, which could be interlocked due to the coaxial orientation of their eyelets, can then have one axis of rotation, form for example by the necklace running through the eyelets.

In an embodiment of the present invention the first holder part and the second holder part are interlockable at a location distant from the eyelet. The holder parts are for instance lockable at a location opposite to the eyelet. Locking the first and second holder part allows for locking the coin inside the pendant, to make sure that the coin does not freely leave the pendant. Thereto the first holder part can be provided with at least one first locking element and the second holder part can be provided with at least one second locking element configured to co-act with the at least one first locking element. Upon closure the two locking elements for instance interlock, locking the two parts together, preferentially locking the coin inside the pendant.

In order to interlock, the first locking element can comprise at least one recess, and the second locking element can comprise at least one hook, which is able to hook behind the at least one recess to interlock the two locking element, and thus the two holder parts. To release the lock, the first holder part can be provided with at least one slit around the lock, to release the lock by means of for instance a fingernail of pincer. When a force is applied to the lock by the fingernail of pincer, the locking of the two locking parts can be lifted, unlocking the two holder parts.

In another embodiment the first holder part and the second holder part are magnetically interlockable. Locking by means of magnetic forces does not require mechanical locking means, but allow the two holder parts to snap together upon magnetic forces. The lock can then be lifted when enough force is applied to the lock to overcome the magnetic forces.

In an embodiment of the present invention at least one of the holder parts is provided with a flexible, in particular rubber, element, to prevent the coin from rotating when the pendent is in its closed state. The flexible element can provide a layer between the coin and at least one of the holder parts. When the pendant is in its closed state, the coin can be pressed slightly into flexible element to keep it in place and prevent it from rotating. The visualisation opening of at least one of the two holder parts can have inner dimensions at least locally smaller than the outer dimensions of the coin, in order to show the coin and keep the coin inside the pendant. The opening should not be of such dimension that the coin inside the pendant is able to leave the pendant when the pendant is in its closed state.

In an embodiment of the present invention at least one of the holder parts is equipped with a protrusion extending substantially to the centre of the opening, to keep the coin in the opening. The locally smaller inner dimensions of one of the holder parts can be formed by protrusions. When the coin is for instance spherical, one of the holder parts may be formed as a ring around the coin. In order to keep the coin from falling out of the ring, the ring is provided with local protrusions, for instance four, spaced equally around the ring. The coin is held inside the ring by these protrusions. Small protrusions allow a large amount of coin to be seen, since little space is required to keep the coin inside the pendant. The at least one protrusion can be provided with a rubber layer, to prevent the coin from rotating when the pendent is in its closed state.

In an embodiment the jewelry carrier is a necklace or a bracelet since most pendants are carried by a necklace or a bracelet. At least one of the first and second holder part may be equipped with at least a part of one second eyelet, to attach the pendant to the carrier on two different locations on the pendant. When the carrier is a bracelet, the pendant may form a link of the bracelet, and could even be arranged to form the part that locks the bracelet around for instance the wrist of the wearer of the pendant. The second eyelet may be therefor arranged to be releasably lockable to the carrier, by means of for example a mechanical or magnetic lock.

The invention also relates to a jewel, comprising of a pendant according to the present invention, and a coin suitable for use in such a pendant. The invention also relates to an assembly of a pendant or jewel according to the present invention and a jewelry carrier, in particular a necklace or bracelet.

The invention will now be elucidated into more detail with reference to the following non-limitative figures, wherein: o figure 1 A shows a necklace and pendant with coin in its closed state;

o figure IB shows a necklace and pendant with coin in an opened state;

o figure 2 shows a necklace and pendant with a flexible element;

o figure 3 shows a detailed view of a mechanical locking mechanism

o figure 4A shows a bracelet and pendant with coin in its closed state;

o figure 4B shown a bracelet and pendant with coin in an opened state;

o figure 5 shows a bracelet and pendant with the coin removed in an opened state;

Figure 1 shows a pendant (1) for insertion of a coin (2) in a closed state (figure 1 A) and in an opened state (figure IB), comprising a first (3) and second (4) holder part, arranged for holding at least one coin; wherein the first and second holder part are equipped with an eyelet (5 and 6), to attach the first and second holder parts to a carrier (7), formed by a necklace; and wherein the first and second holder part are rotatably connected. The two holder parts enclose the coin in the closed state, as shown in figure 1A, and the two holder parts allow insertion and/or removal of the coin in the opened state, as shown in figure IB. The holder parts, as well as the eyelets of the holder parts, are positioned in a coaxial orientation.

Figure IB shows the pendant in an opened state, wherein the first holder part (3) is provided with a first locking element (8) and the second holder part (4) is provided with a second locking element (9) configured to co-act with the first locking element. The first locking element (8) is formed as a recess, and the second locking element is formed as a hook. Figure 2 shows a pendant (1) for insertion of a coin in an opened state without a coin. The first holder part (3) is provided with a flexible element (10), to prevent the coin from rotating when the pendent is in its closed state. The flexible element is present on a protruding ring (12) of the first holder part, which keeps the coin (when present) inside the first holder part.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a mechanical locking mechanism. The first holder part (3) is provided with a first locking element (8) and the second holder part (4) is provided with a second locking element (9) configured to co-act with the first locking element. The first locking element (8) is formed as a recess, and the second locking element (9) is formed as a hook. The first holder part (3) is provided with two slits (13) around the lock, to release the lock by means of for instance a fingernail of pincer. When locked, the two holder parts (3 and 4) are locked to keep the coin (2) inside the pendant (1).

Figure 4 shows a pendant (21) for insertion of a coin (22) in a closed state (figure 4A) and in an opened state (figure 4B), comprising a first (23) and second (24) holder part, arranged for holding at least one coin; wherein the first and second holder part are equipped with an eyelet (25 and 26), to attach the first and second holder parts to a carrier (27), formed by a bracelet; and wherein the first and second holder part are rotatably connected. The two holder parts enclose the coin in the closed state, as shown in figure 4A, and the two holder parts allow insertion and/or removal of the coin in the opened state, as shown in figure 4B. The holder parts, as well as the eyelets of the holder parts, are positioned in a coaxial orientation.

Figure 4B shows the pendant in an opened state, wherein the first holder part (23) is provided with a first locking element (28) and the second holder part (24) is provided with a second locking element (29) configured to co-act with the first locking element. The first locking element (28) is formed as a recess, and the second locking element is formed as a hook. The first holder part (23) is provided with two slits (30) around the lock, to release the lock by means of for instance a fingernail of pincer. When locked, the two holder parts (23 and 24) are locked to keep the coin (22) inside the pendant (21). The first and second holder parts are equipped with a part (31 and 32) of one second eyelet, to attach the pendant to the bracelet on two different locations (C and D) to the pendant.

Figure 5 shows a pendant (21) for insertion of a coin (22) in an opened state. The first holder part (23) is provided with a flexible element (33), to prevent the coin from rotating when the pendent is in its closed state. The flexible element is present on a protruding ring (34) of the first holder part, which keeps the coin (when present) inside the first holder part.

It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that within the scope of the appended claims numerous variants are possible which will be self-evident to the skilled person in this field. In addition, it should be appreciated based on this disclosure that this invention has numerous embodiments including numerous inventive devices, components, aspects, methods, etc. In this document, references to the "the invention" are not intended to apply to all embodiments of the invention.

This summary is meant to provide an introduction to the concepts that are disclosed within the specification without being an exhaustive list of the many teachings and variations upon those teachings that are provided in the extended discussion within this disclosure. Thus, the contents of this summary should not be used to limit the scope of the claims that follow.

Inventive concepts are illustrated in a series of examples, some examples showing more than one inventive concept. Individual inventive concepts can be implemented without implementing all details provided in a particular example. It is not necessary to provide examples of every possible combination of the inventive concepts provide below as one of skill in the art will recognize that inventive concepts illustrated in various examples can be combined together in order to address a specific application. Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the disclosed teachings will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within the scope of and be protected by the accompanying claims.

The limitations in the claims (e.g., including that to be later added) are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term "preferably" is nonexclusive and means "preferably, but not limited to." In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step- plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) "means for" or "step for" is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology "present invention" or "invention" can be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology "embodiment" can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments can include overlapping features. In this disclosure, the following abbreviated terminology can be employed: "e.g." which means "for example."

Claims

Pendant for insertion of a coin, comprising

a. a first and second holder part, arranged for holding at least one coin; b. wherein at least one of the first and second holder part is equipped with at least a part of one eyelet, to attach at least one of the first and second holder parts to a carrier;

c. wherein at least one of the holder parts is provided with a visualisation opening, arranged to allow the coin inside the pendant to be seen;

d. wherein the first and second holder part are rotatably connected about an axis which is close to or substantially falling together with an axis of at least a part of one eyelet, such that the coin can be interchanged without removing the pendant from the carrier.

Pendant according to claim 1, wherein the two holder parts are rotatable between a closed state, wherein the two holder parts enclose the coin at least partially, and an opened state, wherein the two holder parts allow insertion and/or removal of the coin.

Pendant according to claim 2, wherein in the closed state the holder parts positioned in a coaxial orientation.

Pendant according to claim 3, wherein in the closed state the axis of rotation of the mutually rotatable holder parts is substantially perpendicular to the common central axis of the coaxially oriented holder parts.

Pendant according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the eyelets of the two holder parts are interlockable, to form one eyelet for attaching the pendant to the carrier.

Pendant according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first holder part and the second holder part are interlockable at a location distant from the eyelet.

7. Pendant according to claim 6, wherein the first holder part is provided with at least one first locking element and the second holder part is provided with at least one second locking element configured to co-act with the at least one first locking element.

8. Pendant according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the holder parts is provided with a flexible, in particular rubber, element, to prevent the coin from rotating when the pendent is in its closed state.

9. Pendant according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the holder parts is

equipped with a protrusion extending substantially to the centre of the opening, to keep the coin in the opening.

10. Pendant according to claim any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second holder part is equipped with at least a part of one second eyelet, to attach the pendant to the carrier on two different locations to the pendant.

11. Pendant according to claim 10, wherein the second eyelet is arranged to be releasably lockable to the carrier.

12. Jewel, comprising of a pendant according to any of the previous claims and a coin suitable for use in such a pendant.

13. Assembly of a pendant or jewel according to any of the preceding claims and a jewelry carrier, in particular a necklace or bracelet.