WO2019073275A1

WO2019073275A1 - Link for goldsmith, jewellery, silverware, fashion jewellery chain

Info

Publication number: WO2019073275A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/001247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianluigi Chiarini
Original assignee: Cggc Società A Responsabilità Limitata Semplificata
Priority date: 2017-10-13
Filing date: 2017-10-13
Publication date: 2019-04-18

Abstract

Link (1) for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain (401) comprising a perimeter band (5) defining at least one opening for the insertion of a stone, at least a pair of first junction prongs (3) protruding from the link (1) and facing outwardly of the link (1) itself. The prongs (3) extend along a longitudinal direction (9) substantially normal with respect to the central axis (2) of the link (1). The link also has at least one pair of passage slots (4) adapted to pass at least a pair of second junction prongs (103) protruding from a second link (101) adjacent to the link (1) and placed in succession therewith. A peculiarity of the link (1) is to comprise at least three through holes (11, 12, 13) for passing an elastic means (10) from one side to the other of the link (1): a first through hole (11) defined on a first extreme portion (5') of the band (5), with said extreme portion (5') placed on the opposite side of the first prongs (3), a second through hole (12) defined on a second extreme portion (5") of the band (5) in symmetrical position to the first hole (11) with respect to the axis (2), a third through hole (13) defined on a transverse wall (15) joining the first prongs (3) and which faces the second extreme portion (5")·

Description

LINK FOR GOLDSMITH, JEWELLERY, SILVERWARE, FASHION JEWELLERY

CHAIN DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a link for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain and to the jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain made with the succession of such links. State of the art

The Italian patent no. 0001397732 entitled "Metodo per la realizzazione di una maglia di catena per gioielleria ed oreficeria, dispositivo per la produzione e maglia di catena prodotta" ("Method for the manufacture of a chain link for jewellery and goldsmiths, production equipment, and chain link produced"), filed on 15 January 2010 under Protocol 102010901800120 (MI2010A000037) on behalf of the company OMBI S.R.L, Strambino (TO) and made available to the public on July 16, 2011, provides a link for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain, in which the side walls of link 201 are folded around a vertical central axis 202 making a link shape which is adapted to be contained in a cylinder having the same axis 202.

With reference to Figure 1, the interior of the link 201 is completely hollow and there is a through opening at the axis 202. On one side of the same link 201 two junction prongs 203 are formed facing outwards and used to connect the link 201 to an adjacent link 301 of the chain; for this purpose, the link also has two slit holes 204 of the junction prongs, suitably sized to accommodate the prongs of a third link of the chain, specifically the one preceding it in the succession of the links that make up the chain.

In Figure 2, a top view of a pair of links 201 and 301 is shown, which are interconnected by the insertion of junction prongs 302 of the link 301 within the respective slit holes of the link 201. Once inserted, the junction prongs 302 are folded up to join together, head against head, in area 303; in this area 303 it is possible to realize a welding to strengthen the connection.

The gap between the link and the other, i.e., the distance between the links once they are inserted within a chain, depends on the final destination of the jewel produced. Specifically, if the chain is to be able to follow larger bends, the between the links need to be larger; instead, if the chain needs to have more stiffness, the links can be maintained closer with each other.

This type of link, however, is not suitable for use with the production of elastic chains, in particular of elastic tennis type chains, where for a tennis type chain is meant the chain type consisting of a succession of links having at least one stone at least one face and developing along a closed line. Aims of the Invention

The aim of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above in known chain types for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain, which will allow an elastic tennis type chain to be obtained.

Within the aforementioned task, one aim of the invention is to provide a link for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain, which has a high aesthetic quality.

Another aim of the invention is to allow the manufacture of a tennis type chain in the field of jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery, by using readily commercially available means, and using commonly used materials, so that the device is economically competitive.

This task, as well as these and other aims that will become most apparent hereinafter, are achieved by link for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain according to the invention, comprising:

- a perimeter band defining at least one opening for the insertion of a stone,

- at least one pair of first junction prongs protruding from the link and facing outwardly of the link itself, - said first junction prongs extending along a longitudinal direction substantially normal with respect to the central axis of the link, and at least one pair of passage slots adapted to pass at least a pair of second junction prongs protruding from a second link adjacent to the link and placed in succession therewith^

characterized by comprising at least three through holes for passing an elastic means from one side to the other of the link:

- a first through hole defined on a first extreme portion of said perimeter band, said first extreme portion being placed on the opposite side to said first junction prongs,

- a second through hole defined on a second extreme portion of said perimeter band in a substantially symmetrical position to said first through hole with respect to the central axis,

- a third through hole defined on a transverse wall facing the said second extreme portion, said transverse wall being in reciprocal connection with said first junction prongs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 corresponds to Figure 2a of Italian patent no. 0001397732;

Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 3a of Italian patent no. 0001397732;

Figure 3 shows a variant of link 1 for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain according to the invention in a first perspective view;

Figure 4 shows the link of Figure 3 in a second perspective view;

Figure 5 shows a plan sectional view of the link of Figure 3, substantially normal with respect to the central axis 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain 401, consisting of a succession of links 1, 101,

101'..., in an initial rest position;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the chain 401 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the chain 401 with the deformed elastic means;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the chain 401 of Figure 8.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the link for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain according to the invention, which is generally identified with reference number 1, comprises a perimeter band 5 defining at least one aperture for insertion of a stone and at least a pair of first junction prongs 3 protruding from the link 1 and facing outwardly of the link 1 itself. The first junction prongs 3 extend along a longitudinal direction 9, which is substantially normal with respect to the central axis 2 of the link 1 (in the example shown here is also the axis of symmetry of the perimeter band 5). In addition, at least a pair of passage slits 4 are provided in the link, which are adapted to pass at least a second pair of junction prongs 103 projecting from a second link 101. The second link 101 is adjacent to the link 1 and is successively placed to form a portion of the chain 401.

A main feature of the invention is to comprise three or four through holes for passing an elastic means 10 from one side to the other of the link 1:

- a first through hole 11 defined on a first extreme portion 5' of the peripheral band 5, where this first portion 5' is placed on the opposite side to the first junction prongs 3 (Figures 3 and 4),

- a second through hole 12 defined on a second extreme portion 5" of the perimeter band 5, in a substantially symmetrical position to said first through hole 11 with respect to the central axis 2 (Figures 3-5),

- a third through hole 13 defined on a transverse wall 15 and facing the second extreme portion 5". The transverse wall 15 joins the first junction prongs 3 (Figures 3 and 4).

Necessarily, a plurality of retaining prongs 6 for the stone to be mounted in the aperture defined by the perimetric band 5 are provided and placed at least at one of the support surfaces 8, defined on the thickness of the band 5 (Figures 3 and 4) . As is known, the retaining prongs 6 retain the stone in the setting (that is, the portion in which the stone is embedded), after having been suitably folded down.

Referring to Figures 6-9, the first junction prongs 3 extend along the longitudinal direction 9 for a length L. As can be seen from Figure 5, considering the distance D between the extreme portions 5' and 5 "of the band 5, the length L satisfies advantageously the following formula:

In the preferred embodiment, the length L is substantially equal to half the distance D:

L =

For reasons of aesthetic congruity, the thickness of the first and second junction prongs 3 and 103 have the same thickness as the perimeter band 5.

Advantageously, the first and second junction prongs 3 and 103 are interconnected to form a chain link 201 between the link 1 and second link 101 adjacent to the first link 1.

In this regard, slits 4 are provided within the link for the passage of other junction prongs 103' protruding from a third link 10 . Like the second link 5 101, the link 10 is adjacent to the link 1 but precedes it in the chain 401, and is thus connected to it by the opposite side to the second link 101. Similarly, slits 104 are provided in the second link 101 for inserting the prongs 3.

From what is particularly shown in Figures 7 and 9, the first and second0 junction prongs 3 and 103, but the same applies to the other prongs 103', are interconnected so that, by deforming the elastic means 10, they change the reciprocal distance to move away or approach the link 1 from said second link 201. That is, if the elastic means 10, such as a spring or an elastic, which also develops along the longitudinal direction 9, is5 stretched, the prongs 3 and 103 move away (Figures 8 and 9) and come closer when it returns to initial rest position (Figures 6 and 7).

To this end, the transverse wall 15 (and 115') locks the release of said prongs 3 (and 103') from the respective slit 104 (and 4), at the elongate position of the elastic means 10.

0 The transverse wall 15 (115) is realized as follows: when the prongs 3 (103) and 103' are inserted into the respective slits 104 and 4, to complete the interconnection, they are folded inwardly in the link 1 (101'), and thus associated therewith, for example by welding the ends, so as to realize the wall 15 (115).

The embodiment described herein may provide that at least one orifice, not shown here, is provided in the perimeter band 5 to increase the amount of incident light on the stone to be housed in the opening defined by the band 5 itself and known per se.

Also, in this embodiment, the section of the link 1 for a plan substantially perpendicular to the central axis 2 has an almost circular shape (Figure 5). In fact, the shape of the link is very flexible and can have any section (square, rectangular, polygonal, etc.), can have bevelled corners or not, this obviously depending on the workings being done.

In practice, once the links 1, 101, 101'... are connected to each other ^to form the chain 401 (Figures 6-9), through the interlock realized by the crosspieces 15, 115, 115' ... in the above manner, the elastic means 10 is passed through the through holes (11, 12, 13 for the link 1) to allow the chain 401 to become an elastic chain in all respects.

At this point, by pulling the elastic chain 401, the elastic means 10 deforms, and the links 1, 101, 101'... move away from one another to a limit dictated by the length L of the prongs 3, 103, 103' ... i.e., as long as the transverse walls 15, 115, 115'... will not be in contrast to the wall of the perimeter band 5.

By releasing the chain 401, the elastic means 10 will return to its initial rest position, also allowing links 1, 101, 10 to re-approach the initial position. From the above, it is thus seen how the invention achieves the task and the aims proposed, and in particular it is emphasized the fact that a link for a jewellery, goldsmith, silverware, fashion jewellery chain is produced, which, connected in succession with other identical or similar links, allows an elastic tennis type chain to be obtained.

In particular, the use of a suitable elastic means, through all the links, together with the use of the transverse walls, allows the construction of a chain consisting of a succession of links each having at least one stone on at least one face.

Another advantage of the invention is the fact that the chain made with this type of link has a high aesthetic quality since, thanks to the choice of the length of the prongs, the chain can elastically deform without showing the elastic means, which, for aesthetic reasons, is preferable to keep hidden.

Another advantage of the invention is the fact that with the realization of many light spots, such as the holes defined on the perimeter band, the jewel acquires better gloss and it is therefore more pleasant.

Last but not least, the use of readily commercially available means and the use of common materials make the device economically competitive.

The so-designed invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept.

Further, all the details will be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be different according to requirements, provided they are consistent with the realization purpose.

Claims

1) A link (1) for a goldsmith, jewellery, silverware, fashion jewellery chain (401), comprising:

- a perimeter band (,5) defining at least one opening for the insertion of a stone,

- at least one pair of first junction prongs (3) protruding from the link (1) and facing outwardly of the link (1) itself,

- said first junction prongs (3) extending along a longitudinal direction (9) substantially normal with respect to the central axis (2) of the link (1), and at least one pair of passage slits (4) adapted to pass at least a pair of second junction prongs (103) protruding from a second link (101) adjacent to the link (1) and placed in succession therewith,

characterized by comprising at least three through holes (11, 12, 13) for passing an elastic means (10) from one side to the other of the link (1): - a first through hole (11) defined on a first extreme portion (5') of said perimeter band (5), said first extreme portion (5') being placed on the opposite side to said first junction prongs (3),

- a second through hole (12) defined on a second extreme portion (5") of said perimeter band (5) in a substantially symmetrical position to said first through hole (11) with respect to the central axis (2), - a third through hole (13) defined on a transverse wall (15) facing the said second extreme portion (5"), said transverse wall (15) being in reciprocal connection with said first junction prongs (3).

2) Link according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first junction prongs (3) extend along the longitudinal direction (9) for a length (L) between a value substantially equal to 3/4 of the distance ( D) between said first extreme portion (5') and said second extreme portion (5") and a value substantially equal to 1/4 of said distance ^■ (D).

3) Link according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first junction prongs (3) extend along the longitudinal direction (9) for a length (L) between a value substantially equal to the distance ( D) between said first extreme portion (5') and said second extreme portion (5") .

4) Link according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first junction prongs (3) are interconnected to said second junction prongs (103) so as to provide a chain connection (201) between the link (1) and said second link (101).

5) Link according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises passage slits 4 for other junction prongs (103') projecting from a third link (101'), also adjacent to the link (1) and that precedes the link (1) in the chain (401).

6) Link according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said first junction prongs (3) and said second junction prongs (103) are interconnected to each other such that, deforming said elastic means (10) from an initial rest position to an elongate position of said elastic means (10), they change the reciprocal distance to move away or approach the link (1) from said second link (101).

7) A link according to claim 8, characterized in that said transversal wall (15) locks the release of said first retaining prongs (3) from said slit (104) at the elongate position of said elastic means (10).

8) Link according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic means (10) is a spring (10) developing along the longitudinal direction (9).

9) Link according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the section for a substantially perpendicular plane to the central axis (2) has a circular or polygonal shape.

10) Goldsmith, jewellery, silverware, fashion jewellery chain (401), characterized in that it comprises a succession of links (1, 101, 10 ) as claimed in one or more of claims 1-9.