Article of jewelry

Details Article of jewelry Article of jewelry

1999-05-07

2001-07-17

Knight, Anthony (Department: 3628)

Jewelry

Having direct body attachment

C063S003000, C063S007000, C063S008000, C063S014100, C063S014400, C063S014500

Reexamination Certificate

active

06260381

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article of jewelry having a first and a second part and a hinge which articulatedly connects the two parts in such a way that the parts are movable between a first closed position and a second opened position.
The document DE 34 34 475 A1 discloses an earring which is composed of two parts that are articulatedly connected to one another via a hinge. Articulated connections of this kind are also known in bangles. In general terms, they make the article of jewelry easier to put on.
The earring shown in the aforesaid document is held in its closed position via a snap-lock mechanism which comprises a resilient pin with a notch on the one side, and a lug snapping into the notch on the other side. Since the spring pin engages through the pierced ear, its maximum diameter is limited. Limits are thereby also placed, however, on the spring force and stability of said spring pin. As a result it may happen that after a certain time the snap-lock mechanism no longer functions properly. In the worst case, the earring is then lost.
In addition, the hinge mechanism of the known earring, despite its inherently good operation, is capable of further improvement in order especially to further enhance operating and wearing convenience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Against this background, the object of the invention is to develop an article of jewelry of the kind cited initially in such a way that on the one hand the closure mechanism is reinforced, and on the other hand operating and wearing convenience is enhanced.
In an article of jewelry of the kind cited initially, this object is achieved in that a spring means is provided which forces the two parts into the closed position.
The advantage of this spring means is on the one hand that protection against inadvertent opening of the article of jewelry is increased and the closure mechanism is assisted. On the other hand, it is substantially easier to put on the article of jewelry due to the good positional retention of the individual parts and the closing of the article of jewelry effected by the spring means.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the first part is of hollow configuration, and the spring means is arranged inside the first part.
This has the advantage that the spring means is not visible externally, which is very important especially in articles of jewelry.
In an advantageous development of the invention, the spring means has a helical spring. The helical spring is preferably made from the same material as the two parts.
This has the advantage that a physically simple and thus economical configuration of the spring means is achieved.
In an advantageous development of the invention, the hinge comprises a first hinge part associated with the first part, and a second hinge part associated with the second part, as well as a retaining element, the retaining element connecting the two hinge parts to one another, and the spring means being fastened on the one hand to the retaining element and on the other hand to the first part. Preferably the retaining element is attached rotatably to the second hinge part and is connected to the first part via the spring means. Preferably the first hinge part and the retaining element are configured such that the first part is displaced relative to the retaining element during movement into the opened position.
This configuration of the article of jewelry has proven to be particularly advantageous in terms of function and design complexity.
In an advantageous development of the invention, the first hinge part comprises a tapering recess, having a wall, at the base of which an opening passing through the hinge part is provided; and the second hinge part comprises a longitudinal segment, adapted to the shape of the recess, which projects into the recess; and the retaining element has a first longitudinal segment engaging through the opening, and a second longitudinal segment adjacent thereto, a shoulder which rests against the wall of the recess being formed between the first and the second longitudinal segment.
This has the advantage of making possible, with simple means, the displacement of the first part relative to the retaining element during movement into the opened position. During movement into the opened position, a region of the longitudinal segment braces against the wall of the recess and thus forms more or less the pivot point of the two parts. The position of the retaining element relative to the first part thereby changes, so that the spring means are tensioned.
In an advantageous development of the invention, there is provided at the base of the recess a partially cylindrical further recess; and the second hinge part has a segment which is adapted to the shape of the further recess and which, in the closed position, engages into the further recess.
This has the advantage that upon closing, the first part is forced into a defined position. The further recess and the segment adapted thereto thus act as alignment or centering means.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first part has a stop means which is arranged spaced away from the first hinge part; and the spring element is attached on the one hand to the stop means and on the other hand to the retaining element, so that the spring means extends between the first hinge part and the stop means.
This has the advantage that the spring means along with the article of jewelry is of very simple design and thus can be implemented economically.
In an advantageous development of the invention, the two hinge parts have surfaces facing one another; and the two surfaces are configured such that a rotation of one of the two parts about its longitudinal axis results in a displacement of that part in the longitudinal direction.
In an advantageous development of the invention, the first longitudinal segment of the retaining element has a supporting surface; and the spring means extends along the first longitudinal segment and is supported on the one hand against the supporting surface and on the other hand against the first hinge part. With this embodiment, the spring means is stressed in compression, since the spring means is compressed when the two parts are opened.
The advantage of this embodiment is that the hinge, together with the spring means, can be completely prefabricated. It simply needs to be inserted into the first or second part. Joining of the spring means to the first part is not necessary.
The article of jewelry is preferably configured as an earring, the first part and second part being configured in tubular fashion and forming, in the closed position, a continuous and preferably circular contour. The article of jewelry can also, however, be a bangle.
Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are evident from the description and the appended drawings.
It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without leaving the context of the present invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 237344 (1881-02-01), Vester
patent: 809619 (1906-01-01), Lettre
patent: 827164 (1906-07-01), Macomber
patent: 993304 (1911-05-01), Kirby
patent: 993305 (1911-05-01), Kirby
patent: 1002922 (1911-09-01), Lederer
patent: 5609 (1915-04-01), None

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