| JP2006055453 | STABLY SELF-STANDING RING |
| JP2006192054 | ACCESSORY WITH JEWELRY |
| JP04132502 | CLAMP FOR FIXING ORNAMENT |
| CLAIMS 1. Ring with interchangeable interlocking elements, characterised by comprising a main element (10) made of two separate annular elements (11) arranged opposite each other and connected by coupling bars (12, 13) defining an intermediate room for housing by interference an interchangeable intermediate annular element (20, 30, 40), said bars (12, 13) being all arranged on the same semicircle of said main element (10) and comprising at least two lateral bars (12), arranged at two opposed ends of a diameter of the main element (10) and two bars (13) placed close to each other, symmetrically with respect to a position equidistant from those of said lateral bars (12), said interchangeable intermediate annular element (20, 30, 40) having a substantially annular shape with an opening (21), in correspondence of the two ends of the intermediate element (20, 30, 40) two prongs (23, 33, 43) being present, facing outward and engaging by interference with said bars (13) of said main element (10) and further comprising two side notches (25) arranged in positions diametrically opposed to each other and equidistant with respect to said opening (21), engaging by interference with said lateral bars (12) of said main element (10). 2. Ring with interchangeable interlocking elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that close to each prong (23, 33, 43) of said interchangeable intermediate annular element a notch (24) is present, for housing the corresponding bar (13) of said main element (10). 3. Ring with interchangeable interlocking elements according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said annular elements (11) have a notch (14), arranged in a position equidistant of said lateral bars (12), on the opposite side with respect to said bars (13). 4. Ring with interchangeable interlocking elements according to any of the claims 1-3, characterised in that said interchangeable intermediate annular element (20) comprises a hollow flexure (22) in a position diametrically opposed with respect to said opening (21). 5. Ring with interchangeable interlocking elements according to any of the claims 1-3, characterised in that said interchangeable intermediate annular element (30) comprises a cross bar (32) in a position diametrically opposed with respect to said opening (31). 6. Ring with interchangeable interlocking elements according to any of the claims 1-3, characterised in that said interchangeable intermediate annular element (40) comprises a twisted hollow flexure (42) in a position diametrically opposed with respect to said opening (41). 7. Ring with interchangeable interlocking elements according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that said main element (10) and said interchangeable intermediate annular element (20, 30, 40) are made of metal. |
ELEMENTS
The present invention concerns a ring with interchangeable interlocking elements.
The invention relates in general to the field of the creation of jewelry, and more in particular to the creation of jewelry that can take on different aspects and even different functions, although the main use for which the object of the invention is realised is as a ring.
It is known that the most typical characteristics of a ring are its circular shape and its size substantially coinciding with that of the finger on which the ring is used, both of these characteristics being essential in order to prevent the ring can inadvertently slip off from the finger and get lost, but also to ensure that the same ring is worn without any trouble.
One of the consequences is that the ring, unlike other types of jewelry, has a style that cannot be easily changed, for instance by combining with other types of jewelry such as, in particular, pendants or other items of adornment. In other words, if a necklace or a bracelet are suitable for being modified by the addition, removal or replacement, even temporary, of pendants for instance, on the other hand a ring does not offer this possibility, and its appearance is always that that the ring itself had at the time of purchase, unless recurring to substantial modifications, such as a change made by a goldsmith.
Practically, the only way to get a personalized ornament through the use of rings comes from the ability to have multiple rings of different types next to each other, but it is not possible to change a ring to give it a different appearance from time to time.
In order to overcome this limitation, according to WO2004/082418 it is proposed a ring with variable configuration, which consists of an annular body that defines, in a median plane, a slot in which is housed an open annular element, with a plurality of bends, one end of which is hinged to the annular body and can rotate from a first position, where the opening of the annular element is free and available for insertion on the same annular element of one or more ornamental elements, and a second position in which the annular element is fully seated in the slot and the bends constitute the seats for the housing of said ornamental elements. The solution according to WO2004/082418 presents the limit to form a ring with an only partially variable configuration, since the conformation of all its elements is fixed and unchangeable, and the only possibility of modification and customization is delegated to the addition or removal of decorative elements in correspondence with the bends, however, fixed in number.
In this context is presented the solution according to the present invention, which aims to provide a ring that offers the maximum of the possibilities of customization, to the point of being able to configure, through the modification of a single element, like a ring for men or women.
These and other results are obtained according to the present invention by proposing a ring with interchangeable interlocking elements in which a main element consists of two separate annular elements arranged opposite one another and connected by coupling rods that define an intermediate space for the housing of an annular intermediate interchangeable element, which engages with said coupling rods of said pair of ring elements of the main element,
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an interlocking ring with interchangeable elements making possible to overcome the limitations of the rings according to the prior art and to obtain the technical results described above.
A further aim of the invention is that said ring with interchangeable elements can be made involving substantially contained costs, both in terms of production costs and operating costs.
Last but not least purpose of the invention is to propose a ring with interchangeable interlocking elements that is simple, safe and reliable.
It is therefore a specific object of the present invention a ring with interchangeable interlocking elements, comprising a main element made of two separate annular elements arranged opposite each other and connected by coupling bars defining uno intermediate room for housing by interference an interchangeable intermediate annular element, said bars being all arranged on the same semicircle of said main element and comprising at least two lateral bars, arranged at two opposed ends of a diameter of the main element and two bars placed close to each other, symmetrically with respect to a position equidistant from those of said lateral bars, said interchangeable intermediate annular element having a substantially annular shape with an opening, in correspondence of the two ends of the intermediate element two prongs being present, facing outward and engaging by interference with said bars of said main element and further comprising two side notches arranged in positions diametrically opposed to each other and equidistant with respect to said opening, engaging by interference with said lateral bars of said main element.
Preferably, according to the invention, close to each prong of said interchangeable intermediate annular element a notch is present, for housing the corresponding bar of said main element.
In particular, according to the present invention, said annular elements present a notch, arranged in a position equidistant of said lateral bars, on the opposite side with respect to said bars.
Preferably, according to the invention said interchangeable intermediate annular element comprises a hollow flexure, or a cross bar, or a twisted hollow flexure in a position diametrically opposed with respect to said opening.
Finally, according to the invention, said main element and said interchangeable intermediate annular element are preferably made of metal.
The present invention will now be described, by way of illustration, but without any limitation, according to a preferred form of implementation, with particular reference to the figures of the annexed drawings, in which:
-figure 1a shows a perspective view of the main element of a ring according to the present invention,
-figure 1b shows a side view of the element of figure 1a,
-figure 1c shows a perspective view from the bottom of the element of figure 1a,
-figure 2a shows a side view of a first variant of intermediate element of a ring according to the present invention,
-figure 2b shows a perspective view of the intermediate element of figure 2a,
-figure 3a shows a side view of a second variant of intermediate element of a ring according to the present invention,
-figure 3b shows a perspective view of the intermediate element of figure 3a, -figure 4 shows a perspective view of a third variant of intermediate element of a ring according to the present invention,
-figure 5a shows a perspective view of the main element of figures 1a-1c and of the first variant of intermediate element of figures 2a- 2b of a ring according to the present invention, during the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element,
-figure 5b shows a perspective view from the top of the ring elements of figure 5a, after completion of the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element,
-figure 5c shows a perspective view from the bottom of the ring elements of figure 5a, after completion of the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element,
-figure 6a shows a perspective view of the ring elements of figure 5a, before the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element, the opening of the intermediate element being free and on the intermediate element pendants being mounted,
-figure 6b shows a perspective view of the ring elements and of the pendants of figure 6a, during the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element, the opening of the intermediate element being no more accessible for the possible insertion of other pendants,
-figure 6c shows a perspective view of the ring elements and of the pendants of figure 6a, after the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element, the pendants coming out to be positioned in corrispondence of the special housing defined by the intermediate element and by the main element,
-figure 7a shows a perspective view of the main element of figures 1a-1c and of the second variant of intermediate element of figures 3a-3b of a ring according to the present invention, during the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element,
-figure 7b shows a perspective view from the top of the ring elements of figure 7a, after completion of the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element,
-figure 7c shows a perspective view from the bottom of the ring elements of figure 7a, after completion of the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element, and
-figure 8 shows a perspective view of the main element of figures 1a-1c and of the third variant of intermediate element of figure 4 of a ring according to the present invention, after completion of the insertion of the intermediate element into the main element.
Both the main element and the different interchangeable intermediate elements can be made of different materials, provided that they offer a sufficient resiliency and strength needed in order to assure a correct coupling of the different elements, according to the mechanism that will be better explained below. In particular, both the main element and the different interchangeable intermediate elements can be made of metal, chosen for instance but not necessarily amongst gold, silver, steel, copper. Further, it is possible to make up the ring with interchangeable interlocking elements according to the present invention using a main element and an interchangeable intermediate element made of different metals.
With reference to the figures, the main element of the ring with interchangeable interlocking elements according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with with the numeral 10 and is composed of two annular elements 11 , arranged opposite each other with an intermediate free room, connected by four bars, welded on a side of said annular elements 11 and all positioned in the same semicircle of the ring; in particular, two lateral bars 12, positioned at two opposed ends of a diameter of the ring, and two bars 13 placed close to each other, symmetrically with respect to a position equidistant from those of said lateral bars 12. In particular, along the direction of the axis of the ring, the main element 10 is about 7mm, each annular element 11 having a substantially square section with sides of 2mm and the intermediate room being about 3mm, while the bars 12, 13 are about 7mm long, 1mm large and 0,5mm thick.
According to the embodiment shown with reference to the figures, the annular elements 1 are formed with a notch 14, placed in a position equidistant from the lateral bars 12, on the side of the circle of the ring without bars 12, 13. Always with reference to the embodiment shown, said notch has a substantially triangular section with sides of about 2mm and base of 4mm, but it is obvious that the notch can have any shape, as well as that its presence is not indispensable but only preferable for the purposes of the invention.
With reference to figures 2a-2b, a first variant of interchangeable intermediate element according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with the numeral 20 and has a substantially annular shape with an opening 21 and a hollow flexure 22 in a diametrally opposed position. The two ends of the intermediate element 20 have a prong 23, facing outward. Close to each prong 23 a notch 24 is present. Two further side notches 25 are arranged in two diametrally opposed positions and equidistant with respect to the opening 21. In particular, the interchangeable intermediate element 20 has a substantially square cross section with sides of about 2mm, each prong 23 is about 1mm high and each notch 24 is about 3mm large, like each side notch 25. Moreover, the hollow flexure 22 is substantially triangular in shape with base of about 5mm and height of about 3mm, with a smooth triangle top and 2mm large.
With reference to figures 3a-3b, a second variant of interchangeable intermediate element according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with the numeral 30 and, exactly like the variant described with reference to the figures 2a-2b, has a substantially annular shape with an opening 31 , a prong 33 in correspondence of each of its ends and a corresponding notch 34, beside two further side notches 35 in a position respectively diametrally opposed and equidistant with respect to the opening 31. In the place of the hollow flexure of the previously described variant, this variant of interchangeable intermediate element 30 has a cross bar 32. In particular, like the previously described variant, the interchangeable intermediate element 30 has a substantially square cross section with sides of about 2mm, each prong 33 is about 1mm high and each notch 34 is about 3mm large, as well as each side notch 35. The cross bar 32 is 7,5mm long.
According to the embodiment shown with reference to the figures, the section of the cross bar 32 is triangular and is shaped in a way to fit with the shape of the notch 14 of each annular element 11 of the main element 0, as will be better described below. Always with reference to the embodiment shown, said cross bar 32 has a substantially triangular cross section with sides of about 2mm and base of 4mm, but it is obvious that the notch can have any shape, as well as its presence is not indispensable but only preferable for the purposes of the invention.
With reference to figure 4, a third variant of interchangeable intermediate element according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with the numeral 40 and, like the variants described in the foregoing, has a substantially annular shape with an opening 41 , a prong 43 in correspondence of each of its ends and a correspondent notch 44, besides two further side notches 45 in positions diametrally opposed to each other and equidistant with respect to the opening 41. In the place of the hollow flexure 22 of figures 1a-1c or of the cross bar 32 of figures 2a- 2b, this variant of interchangeable intermediate element 40 has a twisted hollow flexure 42. In particular, like the previously described variants, the interchangeable intermediate element 40 also has a substantially square cross section with sides of about 2mm, prongs 43 about 1mm high and nothes 44, 45 about 3mm large.
With reference to figures 5a-5c, different steps are shown of the coupling of the main element 10 of figures 1a-1c with the first variant of intermediate element 20 of figures 2a-2b, i.e. a step of the insertion of the intermediate element 20 into the main element 10, and a subsequent step of accomplishment of the insertion of the intermediate element 20 into the main element 10. It is shown how the prongs 23 of the intermediate element 20 fit into the compartment defined between the two bars 3 of the main element 10, which in turn are housed into the notches 24 of the intermediate element 20. It is also shown how the side notches 25 of the intermediate element 20 correspond with the lateral bars 12 of the main element 10. Moreover it is shown how the hollow flexure of the intermediate element 20 comes in ! correspondence of the notch 14 of the main element 10, thus defining a closed passage among these two elements.
Figures 6a-6c show different steps of coupling of the main element 10 of figures 1a-1c with the first variant of intermediate element 20 of figures 2a-2b, in the hollow flexure 22 of which some pendants 60 are placed, in particular the meshes 61 of said pendants 60. In particular, said pendants can be inserted from both sides of the element, in order to modify the composition constituting the wisp of pendants, which can be composed of elements carrying one or more pendants, also clusters of pendants, made of stones (hard, semiprecious and similar stones), pearls, coral and materials of different nature (mother of pearls, wood, resin, glass, various metals) of different shapes and quality.
Figures 7a-7c show different steps of coupling of the main element 10 of figures 1a-ic with the second variant of intermediate element 30 of figures 3a-3b, and in particular show how the cross section of the cross bar 32 corresponds to the form of the notch 14 of each annular element 11 of the main element 10, living place to two lateral fins protruding from the main element for 2,5mm per side, thus closing the composition such as a large strip, almost smooth.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the main element of figures 1a-1c with the third variant of intermediate element of figure 4, after completion of the insertion of the intermediate element 40 into the main element 10. This variant of the ring corresponds to that shown with reference to the figures 5a-5c, 6a-6c, included the possibility of insertion of pendants, with the only difference due to the particolar twisted shape of the hollow flexure 42 of the intermediate element 40, having the further merito f offering a configuration that would make not only possible, but also aesthetically valuable even the use of the ring without adding any pendants.
From what has been shown, it is clear that using the special coupling system between the main element and the various interchangeable intermediate elements according to the present invention, the goal is achieved of obtaining a ring that can be changed according with the style and colors of clothing, given the current fashion, starting with the mood, tastes and composing creativity of the user, be it a man or a woman.
The elements of the rings can be made of materials suitable for casting (steel, silver, gold, copper, brass, ..) and are designed to be sold even individually, so as to allow* the ring to settle even with different materials (for example, with main element in yellow gold and intermediate elements in steel, silver, white gold: the elemental composition of metal rings of different colors makes the ring even more personalized and varied).
The version of the ring with smooth band is also designed for a couple, in fact it is suitable to be used also by a man who wants to wear a ring with a classic band in a modern version, which may undergo some changes, given the possibility of combining elements forged in different metals, while the woman can also choose to modify its use by replacing the central element of the band with the one used for the insertion of pendants, sold separately.
The innovation of the invention is then given from the ring being composable after a simple exchange of the intermediate element, selected from among a number of possible intermediate elements, which can be coupled with the main element thanks to the special coupling system.
The study which was made has allowed to reach the size of the band to ensure the highest level of comfort, noted that the subtlety of the constituent parts found in existing designs often generated some drawbacks, such as movement and the partial deformation of the structure of the ring, which also produced discomfort to the fingers due to the weight of the jewel, while the greater width of the band allows better distribution of the total weight of the ring, even in the presence of numerous pendants.
The present invention has been described by way of illustration, but with no limitation, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that variations and / or modifications may be made by the skilled in the art without leaving the relative scope of protection, as defined by the enclosed claims.