CH716541A1 - Jewelry item. - Google Patents

Abstract

An article of jewelry (10) having first and second curved legs (12a, 12b) each comprising an outer curved surface (20a, 20b), an inner curved surface and side edges (21a, 21b) . The first curved branch (12a) has one end juxtaposed with one end of the second curved branch (12b) to form an interface (15). The jewelry item (10) further comprises a flexible blade (16) arranged in a housing (17) to maintain the jewelry item in a closed configuration in which the free ends (14a, 14b) of the first and second curved branches (12a, 12b) are arranged facing each other. The two free ends (14a, 14b) can be separated from each other in order to be separated by a certain distance when a stress is exerted on each branch in an opposite direction. The first and second curved branches (12a, 12b) each comprise on their inner curved surface respectively a first and a second portion of the housing (17) inside which the flexible blade (16) is fixed.

Description

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to an article of jewelry, in particular an earring, a bracelet or a necklace, comprising a mechanism for closing or fixing without a pivot.

State of the art

[0002] There are already jewelry items, in particular bracelets, comprising a closing or fixing mechanism devoid of a pivot or hinge.

[0003] By way of example, US139888 discloses a bracelet formed by a first and a second symmetrical part in an arc of a circle and each comprising a channel. One end of each part is adjoining and connected to each other by means of a leaf spring of which a first and a second portion are arranged respectively in the channel of the first and second symmetrical parts. There is a clearance between the adjoining ends of the first and second symmetrical parts so as to form a connection interface allowing the bracelet to be opened. The spring is arranged to cooperate with the two symmetrical parts of the wristband so as to exert a constraint thereon tending to bring the free ends closer together at the level of the wristband fixing interface when no external force is exerted on the wristband.

[0004] US3805548 discloses another example of a bracelet comprising a closure mechanism without a pivot. The bracelet is also formed of two symmetrical pieces connected by a leaf spring, the ends of which are mounted in a first and a second housing arranged respectively in two adjoining ends of the two symmetrical pieces. The leaf spring is shaped to exert a constraint on each symmetrical piece tending to bring the opposite ends of each piece together in order to close the bracelet.

[0005] One of the disadvantages of the aforementioned bracelets stems from the fact that the leaf springs are arranged inside the channel or housings located inside the bracelet, which has a non-negligible impact on the thickness of the bracelet. Moreover, according to US3805548, the leaf spring is visible from the outside of the bracelet, thus giving the bracelet an aesthetic appearance which is not up to the standards of fine jewelry.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an article of jewelry comprising a closing or fixing mechanism of small size.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry with an aesthetic appearance up to the standards of fine jewelry.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to propose an article of jewelry comprising a closing/opening mechanism adaptable to different types of article of jewelry, in particular to an earring, a bracelet or a necklace.

Brief summary of the invention

[0009] These objects are achieved by an article of jewelry comprising a first and a second curved branch each comprising an outer curved surface, an inner curved surface and two side edges. The first curved leg has one end juxtaposed with an end of the second curved leg to form an interface. The jewelry item further comprises a flexible blade arranged in a housing to maintain the jewelry item in a closed configuration in which a free end of the first and second curved branches are arranged facing each other while being separated by a predetermined distance. The free ends can be moved apart from each other in order to be separated by a distance greater than the predetermined distance when a stress is exerted on each branch in an opposite direction. The first and second curved branches each comprise on their inner curved surface respectively a first and a second portion of the housing inside which the flexible blade is fixed.

According to one embodiment, the free end of the first and second curved branches are separated by a predetermined distance when the jewelry item is in a closed configuration. The free ends can be moved apart from each other in order to be separated by a distance greater than the predetermined distance when a stress is exerted on each branch in an opposite direction.

According to one embodiment, the free end of the first and second curved branches are in contact when the jewelry item is in a closed configuration.

According to one embodiment, an upper surface of the flexible blade is visible at the level of the inner curved surface of the first and second curved branches.

[0013] According to one form of execution, the ends of the first and second curved branches meet at said interface so as to create a clearance when the item of jewelery is in a closed configuration in order to allow the flexible blade to bend when a stress on said first and second branches is exerted to separate the free ends from each other.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the clearance (J) at the interface is formed on either side of the lateral edges of the flexible strip. According to one embodiment, a first and a second inclined surface of the juxtaposed first and second ends are arranged on either side of the flexible blade and extend from a respective distal end of the lateral edges of the respective portion of the housing to the respective side edge of the corresponding branch.

According to one embodiment, each of said surfaces are inclined in a first and a second orientation.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first orientation corresponds to an angle formed between an upper edge of each surface and an axis perpendicular to a curve of symmetry of the article of jewelry. The second Orientation corresponds to an angle β formed between said upper edge and an axis perpendicular thereto.

According to one embodiment, the maximum distance between said free ends is obtained when the inclined surfaces respectively of the first and second curved branches come into contact against each other.

According to one form of execution, the first and second curved branches comprise at the interface two complementary shapes fitting into one another.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the depth of the housing corresponds to the thickness of the flexible blade.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the shape of the interface is identical to a repetition of patterns made on the outer curved surface and the lateral edges of the first and second curved branch so that the interface is based in the repetition. of patterns.

According to one embodiment, the flexible blade is fixed in the housing by welding.

[0023] According to one form of execution, the article of jewelery is in the form of an earring, a bracelet or a necklace.

Brief description of figures

An example of implementation of the invention is described in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an earring when the attachment mechanism is in a closed configuration;

• Figure 2 illustrates a view similar to Figure 1 when the securing mechanism is in an open configuration;

• Figure 3a illustrates an enlarged view at the interface between the first and second juxtaposed branches of the earring according to Figure 1;

• Figure 3b illustrates an enlarged view at the interface between the first and second juxtaposed branches of the earring according to Figure 2;

• Figure 4 illustrates another perspective view of the earring when the attachment mechanism is in a closed configuration;

• Figure 5 illustrates a view similar to Figure 4 when the securing mechanism is in an open configuration;

• Figure 6a illustrates an enlarged view at the interface between the first and second juxtaposed branches of the earring according to Figure 4;

• Figure 6b illustrates an enlarged view at the interface between the first and second juxtaposed branches of the earring according to Figure 5;

• Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of one of the first and second branches of the earring;

• Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the other of the first and second branches of the earring, and

• Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of one of the first and second branches of the earring in which part of the flexible blade is mounted.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

[0025] In the present application, the article of jewelry is in a "closed configuration" when the free ends 14a, 14b of the two curved branches 12a, 12b forming the body of the article of jewelry are arranged opposite one another.

on the other and separated by a minimum distance d1 (FIG. 1) to secure the item of jewelry in place. This minimum distance may vary depending on the type of jewelry item.

[0026] For an earring, according to one form of execution, the minimum distance d1 and a distance determined so that the free ends 14a, 14b of the two curved branches 12a, 12b forming the earring " pinch" the lobe of the ear with a sufficient force to guarantee the maintenance of the earring. According to a variant, the two curved branches 12a, 12b of the earring can be separated from each other in order to be able to position the free ends 14a, 14b inside the ear beyond the cartilage. According to this variant, the spacing between the free ends 14a, 14b of the two curved branches 12a, 12b 10 allows free positioning while securing the earring without pinching effect.

[0027] For a bracelet, the minimum distance d1 is a distance determined so that the free ends 14a, 14b of the two curved branches 12a, 12b forming the body of the bracelet are close enough to each other in order to guarantee that the bracelet is held around the wrist while being far enough apart to be able to remove the bracelet within the limits imposed by the configuration of the interface between the two branches. Depending on the configuration of the fixing mechanism at the interface 15 between the two curved branches 12a, 12b, the minimum distance d1 can however be equal to zero, that is to say that the free ends 14a, 14b of the two curved branches 12a, 12b forming the body of the braceletsont in contact.

[0028] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the article of jewelery 10 is in the form of an earring comprising a body in the form of a first and a second curved branch 12a, 12b in an arc of a circle and a flexible blade 16 connecting together the two curved legs 12a, 12b so as to obtain a discreet fastening mechanism.

[0029] More particularly, according to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the first curved branch 12a comprises an end 13a juxtaposed with an end 13b of the second curved branch 12b to form an interface 15. An interior surface of the earring 10 comprises a housing 17 inside which is arranged and fixed the flexible blade 16. The flexible blade 16 can for example be secured to the body of the earring by welding or gluing. The thickness of flexible blade 16 matches the depth of housing 17 so that the upper surface of blade 16 is level with the inner surface of earring 10.

[0030] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the first and second curved branches 12a, 12b comprise on their inner curved surface respectively a first and a second portion 17a, 17b of the housing 17 inside which is fixed the flexible blade 16 The ends 13a, 13b of the two curved branches 12a, 12b at the interface are of complementary shapes fitting into each other. For example, the end 13a of the first curved branch 12a has a V-shaped cutout in which fits a triangular-shaped part located at the end 13b of the second curved branch 12b. Other complementary shapes fitting together at the level of the interface 15 can be envisaged.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment, the shape of the interface 15 is identical to a repetition of patterns made on an outer surface 20a, 20b and the lateral edges 21a, 21b of the first and second curved arms 12a, 12b so that the interface 15 is based in the patterns as can be seen for example in Figures 4, 5, 6a and 6b so that the fixing mechanism is as discreet as possible.

[0032] Referring again to Figures 7, 8 and 9, a first and a second surface 19 are arranged on either side of the flexible blade 16 and extend from a respective distal end of the side edges 18 from the respective portion 17a, 17b to the respective side edge 21a, 21b of the corresponding branch 12a, 12b. These surfaces 19 are for example flat surfaces inclined according to a first orientation. This first orientation corresponds to an angle a formed between an upper edge 19a of surface 19 and an axis perpendicular to a curve of symmetry of the corresponding branch 12a, 12b of the earring.

The surfaces 19 of at least one of the first and second curved arms 12a, 12b are also inclined in a second orientation. According to FIG. 3a, this second Orientation corresponds to an angle β formed between the upper edge 19a of the surface and an axis perpendicular to the upper edge 19a in order to create a clearance J (Fig. 6b) when the earring 10 is in a closed configuration so as to allow the flexible blade 16 to bend by exerting a stress on the branches 12a, 12b of the earring 10 to push the free ends 14a, 14b apart. The maximum separation distance is obtained when the respective inclined surfaces 19 of the two branches 12a, 12b come into abutment against each other.

[0034] It goes without saying that various modifications can be made to the article of jewelery without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the interface 15 at the junction of the first and second curved branches can take on different visual aspects obtained by the juxtaposition of different complementary shapes of the ends 13a, 13b of the curved branches 12a, 12b.

[0035]Preferably, care will be taken to ensure that the outer surface of the jewelry article comprises a succession of patterns of shape identical or similar to the shape of the interface so that the latter blends into the patterns. Moreover, although quela description referred to above relates to an earring, the article of jewelry can also be a bracelet or a necklace in the context of the present invention.

Claims (14)

Claims 1. Article of jewelry (10) comprising a first and a second curved branch (12a, 12b) each comprising an outer curved surface (20a, 20b), an inner curved surface and two lateral edges (21a, 21b), the first branch curved (12a) comprising an end (13a) juxtaposed with an end (13b) of the second curved branch (12b) to form an Interface (15), the article of jewelery (10) further comprising a flexible blade (16) arranged in a housing (17) to maintain the jewelry item in a closed configuration in which a free end (14a, 14b) of the first and second curved branches (12a, 12b) are arranged opposite one of the other, said free ends (14a, 14b) being able to be moved apart from each other in order to be separated by a certain distance when a stress is exerted on each branch (12a, 12b) in an opposite direction, characterized in that the first and second curved branches (12a, 12b) each comprise on their inner curved surface respectively a first and a second portion (17a, 17b) of the housing (17) inside which the flexible blade (16) is fixed. 2. Article of jewelry according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end (14a, 14b) of the first and second curved branches (12a, 12b) are separated by a predetermined distance (d1) when the article is in a closed configuration, said free ends (14a, 14b) being able to be separated from each other in order to be separated by a distance (d2) greater than the predetermined distance (d1) when a stress is exerted on each branch (12a, 12b) in an opposite direction. 3. Jewelry item according to claim 1, characterized in that the free end (14a, 14b) of the first and second curved arms (12a, 12b) are in contact when the jewelry item is in a closed configuration. 4. Article of jewelry according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an upper surface of the flexible blade (16) is visible at the level of the inner curved surface of the first and second curved branches (12a, 12b). 5. Article of jewelry (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends (13a, 13b) of the first and second curved branches (12a, 12b) meet at said interface (15) so as to create a play (J), when the item of jewelry is in a closed configuration, in order to allow the flexible blade (16) to bend when a stress on said first and second branches (12a, 12b) is exerted to separate the free ends 14a, 14b from each other. 6. Article of jewelery (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clearance (J) at said interface (15) is formed on either side of the lateral edges of the flexible strip (16). 7. Article of jewelry (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a first and a second inclined surface (19) of the first and second juxtaposed ends (13, 13b) are arranged on either side of the blade flexible (16) and extend from the respective distal end of the lateral edges (18) of the respective portion (17a, 17b) of the housing (17) to the respective edge (21a, 21b) of the corresponding branch (12a , 12b). 8. Article of jewelry (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each of said surfaces (19) are inclined in a first and a second orientation. 9. Article of jewelery (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first Orientation corresponds to an angle (a) formed between an upper edge (19a) of each surface (19) and an axis perpendicular to a curve of symmetry of the article of jewelry, and in that the second orientation corresponds to an angle (β) formed between said edge (19a) and an axis perpendicular thereto. 10. Article of jewelry (10) according to claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the maximum distance (d2) between said free ends (14a, 14b) is obtained when the inclined surfaces (19) respectively of the first and the second curved branch (12a, 12b) come into contact against each other. 11. Article of jewelry (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first and second curved branches (12a, 12b) comprise at the interface (15) two complementary shapes fitting one in the other. 12. Article of jewelry (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth of the housing (17) corresponds to the thickness of the flexible blade (16). 13. Article of jewelry (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of the interface (15) is identical to a repetition of patterns made on the outer curved surface (20a, 20b) and the edges sides (21a, 21b) of the first and second curved branch (12a, 12b) so that said interface (15) blends into the repetition of patterns. 14. Article of jewelry (10) according to one of the preceding claims in the form of an earring, a bracelet or a necklace.