DESCRIPTION

This invention refers to an annular element structure, especially a ring nut, according to the preamble of claim 1, suitable for use in the fields of jewellery, goldsmith's art, costume jewellery, watchmaking's art and similar.

To simplify the exposition, the present description is , made, in a non-limiting manner, considering a jewellery ring nut as annular element, although the same considerations can also be referred to other annular elements such as, for example, pendants, earrings, bracelets, watchcases and/or rings of clock-face.

In the field of jewellery or in the field of costume jewellery there is an high need to be able to create and develop for consumer a series of products, also classic, with new embodiments and, if possible, new functionality.

With specific reference to the ring, of jewellery or of costume jewellery, it should be noted that the field of the art to which they belong is a "mature market" since the simple shape of a ring does not leave much scope to the introduction of new version. Accordingly, manufacturers of ring nuts have focused on the aesthetic aspect of the ring nut, in order to put on the market products having different shapes and dimensions.

However, from a structural point of view, there are not particular novelty nor technical measures able to substantially differentiate a ring nut from another. At most it is possible to have ring nuts with a large band structure rather than ring nuts with narrow band structure, as well as elaborate ring nuts embellished with gemstones, rather than simple ring nuts without any additional precious element.

This last type of ring nuts can find its exemplification in the wedding ring nuts, which generally consist in simple annular elements in white gold, yellow gold or platinum, without any further added feature except the engravings of the names or of the date, etc.

By consumers it is very felt today the need to be able to adapt and vary the objects worn or taken in order to adapt to different requirements of use ■ envisaged. Especially, for the users it is very felt to be able to adapt and change the configuration of an object or product to make it suitable for use in different circumstances, for example, work, leisure, etc .

In the case of the ring nuts this last requirement is not satisfied in any way, if not through replacement of the ring nut with a second ring nut with different size, ornament, and other features.

The problem at the basis of the present invention is that of devising an annular element structure, preferably but not necessarily suitable to be used in the field of jewellery, goldsmith's art, costume jewellery, watchmaking's art and similar, which allows to satisfy the aforementioned requirements, without incurring the drawbacks described with reference to the prior art.

This problem is solved by an annular element structure, in particular a ring nut, according to claim 1.

According to the preferred embodiment, the annular element structure according to the invention comprises three ring nuts wherein the two outer ring nuts can be rotated allowing the extension and the opening of the ring nut with respect to the central ring nut, the latter acting as a support base where to embed gemstones or make incisions or other personalized decorations.

According to a preferred embodiments, the annular element structure according to the invention comprises aligned from the left end to the right end: a left-side ring nut, a spring nut, a central ring nut, a spring nut and a right-side ring nut. The two side ring nuts (left and right) allow to switch from the closed configuration, in which the two external ring nuts are substantially closed, to an open configuration, in which the two side ring nuts (left and right) are spaced apart allowing the view of the central ring nut, previously hidden.

According to the preferred embodiment, the annular element structure according to the invention comprises guide rails, in order to allow the housing in said guide rails of cursors or pins that allow the relative rotation, manual or snap, of the two external ring nuts (left side and right side) around to the central ring nut, and also the movement of the two external ring nuts (left side and right side) along the axis of the ring nuts itself and around to the central ring nut .

According to a different embodiment, the movement mechanism of the side ring nuts with respect to the central ring nut can also be of different type, for example it is possible to make an accordion-handling system, or use means such as threaded parts, magnets, clamps and the like, as well as it is possible to provide a side opening ring nut from only one side (right or left) or with the pocket opening.

The same annular element structure, according to the invention, can be applied to a clock (to the watchcase, to the watch bezel, or to the watch dial) , so that by moving or rotating one of the two parties with respect to the other it is possible to space apart or lift the two parts, by making visible a space or a portion with decorations, nestled gemstones and/or personalized engraving.

It has already been said that according to the preferred embodiments, the annular element structure according to the invention is realized with a central part and a left part (S) and a right part (D) , also called "shell", that form the parts in contact with the finger of the wearer of the ring nut. Due to the presence of pins housed inside the central ring nut (C) , the left part (S) and the right part (D) can slide axially, precisely the two parts may carry out a roto-translation around the central part (C) , allowing the opening, or extension, and the closing for sliding and/or rotation of the shell left part (S) and the right part (S) around to the central part (C) depending on the specific configuration desired by the user in that moment.

The left part (S) , the right part (D) , and the inner central part (C) , the tracks and any remaining components of the ring nut can be realized with any material suitable for the purpose, preferably a precious metal, semi-precious or plastic material, in any shape and form.

The spring element or spring clip shown in the different figures is positioned inside the shell, where the shell acts as a container for the spring, and can be of suitable elastically deformable material, such as spring steel or other suitable material .

The movement of the two shell can be obtained for manual rotation, snap, via magnets or other equivalent way.

According to above described features, it is clear that the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments, described and illustrated, but it may be widely varied and modified in whole and in each detail, depending on the specific requirements of manufacture and use, especially as regards construction and as part of the technical and functional equivalents, without leaving from structural and functional features of which it consists of the invention.

Therefore, the structure annular element, according to the invention, for example an object of costume jewellery, goldsmiths, jewellery and similar, may provide a structure intended to be worn to the finger, also called shell, able to rotate and extend for sliding or snap.

Preferably, this annular element structure is composed of two external ring nuts, left (S) and right (D) , and an inner central (C) , the two outer parts being connected to the central ring nut via pins that allow sliding (moving away and approaching each other) in the axial direction, along special channels realized to create the guide rails that can also allow the rotation and the extension in the axial direction.

The opening of the annular element structure can be implemented, in accordance with different embodiments, for example: accordion opening, pocket opening, left-side opening, right side opening or with different means of interlocking and feasibility as a spring nut, magnet, snap, track and/or bayonet. The same annular structure can be used for application to watches, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, cufflinks, earring, anklets and similar.

The functionality to be achieved is to rotate the parts of the annular element structure according to the invention, preferably with the embodiment comprising two external parts, in order to obtain the enlargement and the opening of the central part of the ring nut where it is possible to embed gemstones or to custom engravings.

Further characteristics and advantages of the annular element structure, in particular a ring nut, according to the invention, will be clearer from the following description of some preferred examples of realization, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

- Figure 1A and IB show perspective views of an annular element structure according to the invention, specifically a ring nut, respectively in the closed configuration and open configuration;

- Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show front plan views of the ring nut of figures 1A and IB, respectively, in the closed configuration, intermediate configuration and open configuration;

- Figure 3A shows a plane view of the internal part of the ring nut of figures 1A and IB;

- Figure 3B shows a perspective of internal view of the ring nut of Figures 1 and 2;

- Figures 4A and 4B show perspective views of a partial internal view of the ring nut of Figures 1A and IB;

- Figure 5A shows a perspective view in partial section of the ring nut of Figure 1A in the closed configuration;

- Figure 5B shows a plan view in cross section of a detail of Figure 5a ring nut;

- Figure 6 shows a plan view in section of the particular ring nut of Figure 6A in the open configuration;

- Figures 7Ά, 7B and 7C show perspective views of an annular element structure according to the invention, in particular a ring nut, according to a second embodiment, respectively in the closed configuration, intermediate configuration and open configuration;

- Figures 8A, 8B and 8C show front plan views of ring nut Figures 7A, 7B and 7C, respectively, in the closed configuration, intermediate configuration and open configuration;

- Figures 9A, 9B and 9C show frontal plan views of an annular element structure according to the invention, in particular a ring nut, according to a third embodiment, respectively in the closed configuration, intermediate configuration and open configuration;

- Figures 10A and 10B show perspective views of an annular element structure according to the invention, specifically a ring nut, according to a fourth embodiment, respectively in closed configuration and open configuration;

Figure 11A shows a perspective view of an annular element structure according to the invention, in particular a ring nut, according to a fifth embodiment while it is in the open configuration

- Figure 11B shows an expanded perspective view of the annular element structure of figure 1A.

With reference to the enclosed figures, with 1 is globally indicated an annular element structure, in particular a ring nut, according to the invention, intended to be used in fields such as jewellery, goldsmith's art, costume jewellery, watchmaking's art and similar.

According with the preferred embodiment visible in the attached see figures, the annular element 1 is a ring nut that can be made from precious material such as gold and can be embellished with gemstones, engraving, special processing, coloring nuts and similar .

As specified above, the annular element according to the invention may also take the shape of other objects such as pendants, earring nuts, bracelets, watch cases or dials of clocks.

It should be pointed out that hereinafter will be described different embodiments of the annular element according to the invention, where the parts structurally and/or functionally equivalent, even if different, will be indicated with the same reference numbers, avoiding to repeat for each different embodiment the description of such parts.

The annular element structure according to the invention comprises an annular cylindrical body 2 extending along a predetermined axis X-X between opposite head ends 2a and 2b.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the annular structure 1 according to the invention comprises at least one annular ring nut 3,4 associated with the cylindrical body 2 in correspondence of a first end of said head ends 2a, 2b.

Said at least one ring nut 3,4 is mounted coaxial with the annular cylindrical body 2.

The annular structure 1 also comprises:

- engagement means 5 for constraining said at least one annular ring nut 3,4 to the cylindrical body 2 in a movable manner, so as to allow said at least one nut 3,4 to move reversibly along the predetermined axis X-X between an advanced end stroke position, in which said at least one nut 3,4 juts the annular cylindrical body 2 projecting from said first head end of said two head ends 2a, 2b (see figures IB, 2C, 6, 7C, 8c; 9C, 10B, 11A) , and a retracted end stroke position in which said at least one ring nut 3,4 is more retracted towards the second of two head end 2a, 2b of said annular body 2 (see figures 1A, 2A, 5B, 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A) , and also:

- stop means to limit the stroke of said at least one nut 3,4 between the advanced end stroke position

(see figures IB, 2C, 6, 7C, 8c; 9C, 10B, 11A) and sais rearward end stroke position (see figures 1A, 2A, 5B, 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A) , so as to ensure that said at least one ring nut 3,4 will not be detached from the annular cylindrical body 2.

Except of the embodiments of Figures 9A-9C, 10A and lOBla, in all the remaining illustrated embodiments at least one nut ring 3,4 comprises a first ring nut 3 and a second ring nut 4 which are coaxial with respect to the annular cylindrical body 2. Both the first ring nut 3 and the second ring nut 4 are provided with respective engagement means 5 and stop means.

With reference to the embodiments which provide for the presence of both a first ring nut 3 and a separate second ring nut 4:

- in said advanced end stroke position of the first ring nut 3 and the second ring nut 4 project from the annular cylindrical body 2 away from each other, so as to jut for a major portion from the opposite head end 2a, 2b of the annular cylindrical body 2 while

- in said retracted end stroke position the first ring nut 3 and the second ring nut 4 are closer to each other with respect to the position assumed by the same ring nuts 3,4 when in said advanced end stroke position .

Preferably, when the ring nuts 3 and 4 are in said retracted end stroke position (see figures 1AA, 2A, 5B) the first ring nut 3 and the second ring nut 4 are closed together and they hide from view the underlying annular cylindrical body 2, which can be seen only when the above two ring nuts 3,4 are at least partially spaced apart between them (see figure.2B) or when said two ring nuts 3,4 are completely spaced apart from each other until they reach the advanced end stroke position (see figure IB, 2C, 6, 11A) .

If necessary, the annular cylindrical body may be shaped so as to present a central portion which locates a radial step/shoulder against which abut the head end faced towards each other of the first ring nut and the second ring nut when they are at the retracted end stroke position. In this embodiment (not illustrated) the central portion of the annular cylindrical body remains in view even when the two ring nuts 3, 4 are both in the respective retracted end stroke position.

It should be noted that according to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 9A-9C and 10A-10B, the annular structure 1 according to the invention comprises only one ring nut 4 associated and constrained to the cylindrical body 2., these embodiments are simplified embodiments which may be useful and appreciated for some specific application, for example in the watch, however, it could also be considered for a simple ring.

In view of the fact that the annular structure 1 according to the invention may comprise a single ring nut or two ring nuts, in the following of the description reference is made to "at least one ring nut 3,4".

Preferably, the above-mentioned constraint means 5 allow to the at least one ring nut 3,4 not only a translation along the axis X-X but also a relative rotation with respect to the annular cylindrical body 2. Consequently, according to this preferred embodiment, the displacement of said at least one ring nut 3,4 from the advanced end stoke position to the retracted end stroke position, and vice versa, is a roto-translational and not in a simple translation.

Preferably, the annular element 1 according to the invention comprises spring means 8 acting between said at least one ring nut 3,4 and the annular cylindrical body 2, which act so as to push with a predetermined elastic load said at least one ring nut 3,4 towards one of said end stroke positions, advanced or retracted.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the elastic means are made with a helical spring 8 which acts so as to push said at least one ring nut 3,4 towards the advanced end stroke position.

According to the embodiments illustrated in figures from 1A to 6, 9A to 9C and 11A to 11B, said at least one ring nut 3,4 has an axial portion having a greater inside diameter than the outside diameter of at least an axial end portion 2a, 2b of the annular cylindrical body 2 (in the example the ring nut has an internal diameter greater than the maximum outer diameter of the annular cylindrical body 2), so that in the retracted end stroke position said at least one ring nut 3,4 overlaps, so as to cover, at least partially an axial portion of said annular cylindrical body 2. In the example shown in the figures, the annular cylindrical body 2 is completely overlapped throughout its axial extension by the two ring nuts 3 and 4.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 8A to 9C, said at least one ring nut 3,4 has an axial portion having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of at least an axial end portion 2a, 2b of the annular cylindrical body 2 (in the example it has an outer diameter smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the cylindrical annular body 2) , so that in the retracted end stroke position the ring nut 3,4 is inserted at least partially in the annular cylindrical body 2 (in the example of Figures 8A to 9C the first ring nut 3 and the second ring nut 4 are almost fully retracted/inserted within the body cylindrical annular 2) .

Preferably, the ring nut 3,4 comprises a radial portion 3a, 4a, the example of the figures a radial flange, which, when at least one ring nut 3,4 is in said advanced end stroke position, comes to be joined with a corresponding radial portion 2c , preferably a radial flange, the annular cylindrical body 2.

Preferably said at least one ring nut 3,4 comprises a portion for radial abutment 3a, 4a, in the example of drawings a radial flange, which when said at least one ring nut 3,4 is in said advanced end stroke position, is in abutment with a corresponding radial abutment portion 2c, preferably a radial flange, of the annular cylindrical body 2.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, said above mentioned engagement means comprise guide rails 5 and 6 sliders/cursor 7 in engagement with said guide rails 6.

Preferably, said guide rails 6 are carried by the annular cylindrical body 2, while said sliders/cursor 7 are carried by said at least one ring nut 3,4, or vice versa .

More in detail, the guide rails 6 may be made directly in the thickness of the annular cylindrical body wall or, according to the illustrated embodiments (see. Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6 and 11A ) can be made, in an annular element 5 rigidly fixed to the annular cylindrical body 2. In this latter embodiment said guide rail 7 can be made as through hole in the of the annular element 5 which, suitably, can have the thickness of a thin sheet.

As regards the rails 6, the same can be extended according to different configurations, for example:

- parallel to the predetermined axis X-X only; both parallel and transversely to the predetermined axis X-X

- with oblique, preferably with an oblique and/or helical course, with respect to the predetermined axis X-X.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 11B, the aforesaid sliders 7 comprises pins, or pivots, radially inserted into the ring nut 3,4 for engaging the respective guide rails 6. In the example of said figure both the first ring nut 3 and the second ring nut 4 comprise radial through holes 9 through which perform the insertion of the plugs 7.

According to a different embodiment, the guide rails comprise a tubular sliding surface which extends parallel to the predetermined axis.

Preferably, the fastening means 5 can be of different types, for example, can be:

- balls or rollers in engagement in a race;

- screw and nut elements;

- complementary splines;

- elements with bayonet coupling;

- bellows coupling elements and

tubular elements foldable/collapsible on themselves (see. FIG 10B) for example made of soft and deformable material such as a polymeric plastic.

Preferably, the said stop means are provided to retain with a predetermined force said at least one ring nut 3,4 in a predetermined end stroke position, preferably in said advanced end stroke position, or in both end stroke positions, and only when said prefixed force is overcome it is possible to move said at least one ring nut 3,4 from the end stroke position in which it is positioned.

Preferably, these stop means may include magnetic means, coupling means, click means, means to forcing and/or friction means.

Preferably, the annular element structure according to the invention comprises electronic means for receiving and sending a distance signals.

More preferably, said electronic means comprises a transponder, or tag, equipped with chips, data storage means and an antenna for radio frequency transmission .

For example, said electronic means comprise a RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) , more preferably an RFID transponder of passive type that does not require a power supply.

Such electronic means allow to use the annular · element structure according to the invention as encrypted electronic key to activate a service, to make a payment or for the opening of an electric lock and similar.

Preferably, these electronic means are activated when the ring nut 3,4 is in the advanced end stroke position and are turned off when said at least one ring nut 3,4 is in the final retracted end stroke position, or vice versa. Therefore, the activation or deactivation of electronic means can be advantageously associated to the passage of said at least one ring nut 3,4 from the advanced end stroke position to the retracted end stroke position, or vice versa.

As can be appreciated from that described above, the annular element structure according to the present invention satisfies the aforementioned needs and at the same time allows to overcome the drawbacks of which is referred to referred to in the introduction of the present description with reference to the prior art.

Of course, a man skilled in the art, in order to meet specific and contingent requirements, can make numerous modifications and variations to the structure of annular element according to the above described invention, all moreover contained in the protective scope of the invention as defined by the following claims .