AU7635298A - Jewellery piece with interchangeable decorative element - Google Patents

Description

Jewellery piece with interchangeable decorative element The present invention relates to an item of 5 jewellery provided with at least one annular segment and at least one removable decorative element having a hollow part configured so as to match a part of the annular segment having means designed to provide, in collaboration with complementary means in the said 10 hollow part of the decorative element, a reversible locking assembly. In recent years there has been a trend towards allowing the user of an item of jewellery to 15 personalize the jewellery or to adapt the jewellery to clothing, or else to vary the appearance of the jewellery instead of changing it. In Patent FR-B-2 708 180, the inventor proposed 20 a means of fixing a sphere in a ring in a removable manner. The inventor now proposes going beyond the fixing of a sphere, which can be a precious stone or 25 any other element having an approximately spherical shape which is to be fixed in a suitable seat, and being able to change other elements on an item of jewellery having at least one annular segment. 30 The item of jewellery according to th-e invention is characterized in that the said hollow part is provided with a shaft fixed via its ends on two opposite walls of the hollow part, in that the said

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- - 2 part of the annular segment has, within its thickness in the radial direction, a radial notch, followed by a circumferential notch, thus forming approximately an L shape, in that an elastically deformable element is 5 accommodated on the inner face of the ring, making it possible to lock the decorative element in position on the annular segment after introducing the shaft as far as the bottom of the L-shaped notch. 10 The advantage of the item of jewellery according to the invention is the fact that by using simple means, it is easy to exchange one decorative element for another on an item of jewellery having an annular segment, the condition being that this 15 decorative element comprises a hollow part intended to match the part of the annular segment on which it is intended to be fixed. Thus, the user can buy the item of jewellery with one decorative element or several decorative elements which can be easily interchanged as 20 and when desired. That item of jewellery is simple to manufacture and very easy to use, since it suffices to introduce the shaft of the hollow part of the decorative element into the L-shaped notch and to press on the decorative element, by applying a force in the 25 circumferential direction, so as to lock the shaft via the elastic element. According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic element is a leaf spring whose end has a rib 30 which ensures the locking of the decorative element. The item of jewellery according to a preferred embodiment is a ring.

- 3 Another preferred embodiment is a bracelet. The item of jewellery according to another preferred embodiment is an earring. 5 Finally, according to another preferred embodiment, the item of jewellery, especially if it is a bracelet or a relatively large ring, can be provided with several decorative objects, which affords many 10 possible combinations. The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawing which illustrates a ring provided with a decorative element 15 according to the invention. Figure 1 is a side view, with the decorative element in place. 20 Figure 2 is an exploded view similar to the above. Figure 3 is a view of the decorative element from below. 25 Figure 4 is a section along the line IV-IV in Figure 2. The item of jewellery according to the 30 invention comprises a ring 1 and a decorative element 2. The ring 1 comprises a notch 3 having a part 3a directed radially, followed by a part 3b directed in the circumferential direction of the ring 1. R9 - 4 In the inner part of the ring 1, and at the site lb of the notch 3b, a leaf spring 4 is fixed by means of a screw 5 or any other means in such a way that its free end provided with a rib 4a is situated at 5 the end lb of the upper face of the notch 3b. The decorative element 2 has a hollow part 2a whose dimensions and shape make it possible to match the ring when the decorative element 2 is arranged on the ring, as is represented in Figure 1. The decorative element 2 10 has a shaft 2b whose ends are fixed on two opposite walls of the decorative element 2. When placing the element 2 on the ring by disposing the shaft 2b in the notch 3 and by first pushing the element radially, and then in the circumferential direction into the notch 3, 15 the shaft 2b pushes the rib 4a of the spring 4, and this allows the element 2 to be locked on the ring 1. When one wishes to remove the decorative element 2 in order to replace it with another, it 20 suffices to push it the opposite way, first in the circumferential direction in order to unlock the shaft by moving it past the rib 4a of the spring 4, and then to pull it back in the radial direction. 25 This device makes it very easy to change the decorative element 2 without having to exert any particular force, while at the same time ensuring excellent locking between the two pieces. 30 Such a device can of course also be used on a bracelet or on annular earrings, as well as on other items of jewellery provided with annular segments. J\ RA4/ - 5 In relatively large pieces, such as a bracelet, it would of course be possible to mount more than one decorative element, using the same means each time. ST'9'

Claims (6)

1. Item of jewellery provided with at least one annular segment (1) and at least one removable 5 decorative element (2), having a hollow part (2a) configured so as to match a part of the annular segment (1) having means (3, 4) designed to provide, in collaboration with complementary means (2b) in the said hollow part (2a) of the decorative element (2), a 10 reversible locking assembly, characterized in that the said hollow part (2a) is provided with a shaft (2b) fixed via its ends on two opposite walls of the hollow part, in that the said part of the annular segment (1) has, within its thickness in the radial direction, a 15 radial notch (3a), followed by a circumferential notch (3b), thus forming approximately an L shape (3), in that an elastically deformable element (4) is accommodated on the inner face of the ring (1) , making it possible to lock the decorative element (2) in 20 position on the annular segment (1) after introducing the shaft (2b) as far as the bottom of the L-shaped notch (3).

2. Item of jewellery according to Claim 1, 25 characterized in that the said elastically deformable element is a leaf spring (4) provided at its end with a locking rib (4a).

3. Item of jewellery according to any one of 30 Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the said annular segment is that of a ring. 7

4. Item of jewellery according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the said angular segment is that of a bracelet.

5 5. Item of jewellery according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the said annular segment is that of an earring.

6. Item of jewellery according to any one of 10 Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the annular segment is provided with means with which it is possible to mount at least two decorative elements in a removable manner.