BAND JEWELRY WITH ONE-PIECE CONNECTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a band jewelry, such as band bracelets and necklaces, holding a band with first and second end parts and a one-piece connector for connecting the end parts of the band. The one-piece connector may thus lock the end parts of the band in order to secure the band on a user’s wrist or arm.

BACKGROUND

Modifiable bracelets as originally made commercially available simply involved a strand, string, or chain having one or both of the end connectors sized to permit the supplemental piece, such as a bead or charm with some sort of port, to pass there over. Upon the joining of the two end connectors, the bead would be retained on the strand, but able to move freely around the strand. The number and size of the beads applied by the wearer to the stand was only limited by the internal. Such bracelets also include bracelets where the strand is braided, such as braided leather bracelet.

Commercially available braided bracelets with charms or beads also include band bracelets, where fasteners are braided into the band, so that different charms or beads can be secured to the band via the fasteners.

European patent application EP 3089612 discloses a modifiable band jewelry, which comprises a band made of fibre threads or yarns, said band having one or more openings or loops for holding a ornament or charm. The band holds locking loops at each end and may be made of several fibre threads or yarns being braided, plaited, woven, crocheted, knitted or twisted together. The material forming the fibre threads or yarns may be synthetic.

Such commercially available band bracelets may have a loop at each end of the band, whereby a locking device may be inserted into each of these end loops in order to secure band to a user’s wrist or arm. However, for the know locking devices it may be rather difficult to lock the band loops into the locking device, and it may also be rather difficult to un-lock the band loops from the locking device.

Thus, there is a need for an improved jewelry band with a locking device, which can easily be locked and un-locked to end loops of the band.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to a solution for a band jewelry, such as a band bracelet, holding a band with first and second end loops and a one-piece connector, which connector can easily be locked and un-locked to and from the end loops of the band.

This object is achieved in accordance with a first aspect by providing a band jewelry, such as a band bracelet or a band necklace, comprising: a band holding a first band loop at a first end part and a second band loop at a second end part; and a one-piece connector made of a rigid material, said connector having a first hook for removably attachment to the first band loop and a second hook for removably attachment to the second band loop; wherein the first hook holds first and second oppositely arranged hook arms connected by a first end part, which hook arms and first end part of the first hook define a first hook space with a first opening for receiving the first band loop therethrough, and the second hook holds first and second oppositely arranged hook arms connected by a second end part, which hook arms and second end part of the second hook define a second hook space with a second opening for receiving the second band loop therethrough; wherein the first and second hooks are oppositely positioned with the first and second openings facing each other and with a third hook space defined therebetween, said third hook space being partly defined by a third end part and having a third opening for receiving the band loops, were the third opening is formed by an opening between the oppositely positioned first hook arms of the first and second hooks, while the second hook arms of the first and second hooks are connected together, thereby forming the third end part; and wherein the first and second end parts each have an arched or curved outer wall part connecting outer wall parts of the first and second hook arms of the first hook and the second hook, respectively.

By having arched or curved outer end parts of the hooks, the one-piece connector can be tilted or turned on the wrist of a user wearing the band jewelry, thereby bringing each of the hook openings in a position enabling an easy insertion or removal of a band loop into or out from the corresponding hook space.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the arched outer wall part of the first and second end parts holds and arched part having a radius of curvature being no larger than one third, or such as no larger than one fourth of the total outer length of the one- piece connector.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the arched outer wall part of the first end part has a minimum radius of curvature being larger than the width of the first opening, and the arched outer wall part of the second end part has a minimum radius of curvature being larger than the width of the second opening.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the width of the first opening is substantially equal to the width of the second opening.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the width of the first opening is smaller than a largest inner distance between the two opposed hook arms forming the first hook space, and the width of the second opening is smaller than a largest inner distance between the two opposed hook arms forming the second hook space.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the third end part has an outer wall part holding an arched part with a radius of curvature being no smaller than half, such as no smaller than the whole total outer length of the one-piece connector.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first hook arm of the first hook and the first hook arm of the second hook each have a tip holding an arched or curved outer wall part. The arched or curved outer wall part of the tip may have a radius of curvature being no larger than one third, such as no larger than on fourth of the total outer length of the one-piece connector.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, part of the arched or curved outer wall part of the tip of the first hook arm of the first hook faces the first opening and extends into a first inner wall part of the first hook space. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, there is no peak formation or no sharp peak formation on the tip of the first hook harm of the first hook.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, part of the arched or curved outer wall part of the tip of the first hook arm of the second hook faces the second opening and extends into a first inner wall part of the second hook space. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, there is no peak formation or no sharp peak formation on the tip of the first hook harm of the second hook.

By having part of the arched or curved outer wall part of the tip of a hook arm extending into the inner wall part of the hook space, there is no sharp peak on the tip for holding back the band loop when being inserted into the hook space. Thus, the formation of the arched or curved outer wall part of the tip of a hook arm to extend into the inner wall part of the hook space facilitates the release of a band loop from the hook space of the connector, when the band is on a user’s wrist.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the band of each said first and second band loops is made of a material allowing an at least slightly deformation of the thickness of the band when the band is exposed to a pressurizing or pulling force.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the band forming the first band loop has a non-deformed thickness larger than the width of the first opening and smaller than a largest inner distance between the two opposed hooks arms forming the first hook space, and the band forming the second band loop has a non-deformed thickness larger than the width of the second opening and smaller than a largest inner distance between the two opposed hook arms forming the second hook space. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the width of the third opening is larger than the width of the first opening and larger than the width of the second opening.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the width of the third opening is smaller than twice the non-deformed thickness of the band forming the first band loop, and smaller than twice the non-deformed thickness of the band forming the second band loop.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the band of each said first and second band loops comprises a polymer material, such as a plastic material.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the band of each said first and second band loops is made of or comprises one or more fibre threads.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the band of each said first and second band loops comprises at least two fibre threads or at least three fibre threads being braided, knotted, plaited, woven, crocheted, knitted or twisted together.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the one-piece connector is made of metal and selected from a list including: gold, silver and stainless steel.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the one-piece connector is made of hard type plastic.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the embodiments described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which: Figs. 1a-1d show different views of a one-piece connector according to a first example embodiment;

Figs. 2a-2b show different views of a one-piece connector connected to a band loop of a band holding first and second end band loops according to an example embodiment;

Figs. 3a-3d illustrate connection or locking of the other end band loop of the band of Figs. 2a and 2b to the one-piece connector according to an example embodiment;

Figs. 4a-4g illustrate disconnection or un-locking of the end band loop of the band of Fig. 3d from the one-piece connector according to an example embodiment;

Fig. 5 shows the band of Fig. 3d on a user’s wrist with the one-piece connector in a position for un-locking the one-piece connector from an end band loop according to an example embodiment;

Fig. 6 illustrates un-locking of the one-piece connector from the end band loop when the band is on a user’s wrist according to an example embodiment; and

Figs. 7a and 7b show different views of a one-piece connector according to a second example embodiment.

DETAILED DEDCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figs. 1a-1d show different views of a one-piece connector 100 according to a first example embodiment. Fig. 1a is a side view, Fig. 1b is a perspective view, Fig. 1c is an end view, and Fig. 1d is a bottom view.

Figs. 7a and 7b show different views of a one-piece connector 400 according to a second example embodiment. Fig. 7a is a side view and Fig. 7b is a perspective view.

Figs. 2a-2b show different views of the one-piece connector 100 connected to a second band loop 201b of a band 200 holding first and second end band loops 201a, 201b. fig. 2a is a bottom view, and Fig. 2b is a side view. The two one-piece connectors 100 and 400 are made of a rigid material, and both one- piece connectors have a first hook 101a, 401a for removably attachment to a first band loop 201a of a band 200, see Fig. 2, and a second hook 101b, 401b for removably attachment to a second band loop 201 b of a band 200, see Fig. 2.

In the following detailed description, reference numerals refer to both the first example of a one-piece connector 100 of Figs. 1a-1d and the second example of a one-piece connector 400 of Figs. 7a-7b.

Each first hook 101a and 401a holds first and second oppositely arranged hook arms 102a, 103a, 402a, 403a, which are connected by a first end part 104a, 404a, which hook arms 102a, 103a, 402a, 403a and first end part 104a, 404a of each first hook 101a and 404a define a first hook space 105a, 405a with a first opening 106a, 406a for receiving the first band loop 201a therethrough. Each second hook 101b and 401b holds first and second oppositely arranged hook arms 102b, 103b, 402b, 403b, which are connected by a second end part 104b, 404b, which hook arms 102b, 103b, 402b, 403b and second end part 104b, 404b of each second hook 101b and 401b define a second hook space 105b, 405b with a second opening 106b, 406b for receiving the second band loop 201b therethrough.

The first and second hooks 101a, 101b and 401a, 401 b are oppositely positioned with the first and second openings 106a, 106b and 406a, 406b facing each other and with a third hook space 107, 407 defined therebetween. The third hook space 107, 407 is partly defined by a third end part 108, 408 and has a third opening 109, 409 for receiving the band loops 201a, 201b, were the third opening 109, 409 is formed by an opening between the oppositely positioned first hook arms 102a, 102b and 402a, 402b of the first and second hooks 101a, 101b and 401a, 402b, while the second hook arms 103a, 103b and 403a, 403b of the first and second hooks 101a, 101b and 401a, 401b are connected together, thereby forming the third end part 108, 408. The first and second end parts 104a, 104b and 404a, 404b each have an arched or curved outer wall part 110a, 110b and 410a, 410b, where a first outer wall part 110a, 410a connects outer wall parts of the first hook arms 102a, 103a and 402a, 403a, and a second outer wall part 110b, 410b connects outer wall parts of the second hook arms 102b, 103b and 402b, 403b. By having arched or curved outerwall parts 110a, 110b and 410a, 410b of the hooks 101a, 101b and 401a, 401b, the one-piece connector 100, 400 can be tilted or turned on the wrist 300 of a user wearing the band 200, see Fig. 5 and 6, for which the one piece connector 100 is connected to a band 200, thereby bringing the hook openings 106a, 106b in a position enabling an easy insertion or removal of a band loop 201a, 201b into or out from the corresponding hook space 105a, 105b.

The arched outer wall part 110a, 110b and 401a, 410b of the first and second end parts 104a, 104b and 404a, 404b holds an arched part having a radius of curvature being no larger than one third, or such as no larger than one fourth of the total outer length of the one-piece connector 110, 410.

The arched outer wall part 110a, 410a of the first end part 104a, 404a has a minimum radius of curvature being larger than the width of the first opening 106a, 406a, and the arched outerwall part 110b, 410b of the second end part 110b, 410 has a minimum radius of curvature being larger than the width of the second opening 106b, 406b.

It is preferred that the width of the first opening 106a, 406a is substantially equal to the width of the second opening 106b, 406b.

According to an embodiment the one-piece connector 100 has a total outer length from the first outerwall part 110a to the second outerwall part 110b in the range of 8-14 mm, such as in the range of 9-13 mm, such as about 11 mm. The total width of the third end part 108 may be in the range on 5-9 mm, such as in the range of 6-8 mm, such as about 7 mm. The total height of the connector 100 may be in the range of 3-6 mm, such as in the range of 4-5 mm. The width of the first and second openings 106a, 106b may be in the range of 1-1 ,5 mm, such as about 1 ,2 mm.

According to an embodiment the one-piece connector 400 has a total outer length from the first outerwall part 410a to the second outerwall part 410b in the range of 18-26 mm, such as in the range of 20-24 mm, such as about 21-22 mm. The total width of the third end part 408 may be in the range on 5-9 mm, such as in the range of 6-8 mm, such as about 7 mm. The total height of the connector 400 may be in the range of 3-6 mm, such as in the range of 4-5 mm. The width of the first and second openings 406a, 406b may be in the range of 1-1 ,5 mm, such as about 1 ,2 mm.

The width of the first opening 106a, 406a is smaller than a largest inner distance between the two opposed hook arms 102a, 103a, 402a, 403a forming the first hook space 105a, 405a and the width of the second opening 106b, 406b is smaller than a largest inner distance between the two opposed hook arms 102b, 103b, 402b, 403b forming the second hook space 105b, 405b.

For the connector 100, the third end part 108 has an outer wall part 111 holding an arched part with a radius of curvature being no smaller than half, such as no smaller than the whole total outer length of the one-piece connector 100.

The first hook arm 102a, 402a of the first hook 101a, 401a and the first hook arm 102b, 402b of the second hook 101b, 402b each have a tip holding an arched or curved outer wall part 112a, 112b and 412a, 412b, which may have a radius of curvature being no larger than one third, such as no larger than on fourth of the total outer length of the one- piece connector 100, 400.

Part of the arched or curved outer wall part 112a, 412a of the tip of the first hook arm 102a, 402a of the first hook 101a, 401a faces the first opening 106a, 406a and extends into a first inner wall part 113a, 413a of the first hook space 105a, 405a.

Part of the arched or curved outer wall part 112b, 412b of the tip of the first hook arm 102b, 402b of the second hook 101b, 401b faces the second opening 106b, 406b and extends into a first inner wall part 113b, 413b of the second hook space 105b, 405b.

By having part of the arched or curved outer wall part 112a,b, 412a,b of the tip of a hook arm 102a,b, 402a, b extending into the inner wall part 113a,b, 413a,b of the hook space 105a,b, 405a, b, there is no peak or no sharp peak on the tip for holding back the band loop 201a, b when being inserted into the hook space 105a, b, 405a, b. Thus, the formation of the arched or curved outer wall part 112a,b, 412a, b of the tip of a hook arm 102a, b, 402a, b to extend into the inner wall part 113a, b, 413a, b of the hook space 105a, b, 405a, b facilitates the release of a band loop 201a, b from the hook space 105a, b, 405a, b of the connector 100, 400, when the band 200 is on a user’s wrist 300.

The band 200 of each said first and second band loops 201a, 201b may be made of a material allowing an at least slightly deformation of the thickness of the band 200 when the band is exposed to a pressurizing or pulling force.

The band forming the first band loop 201a may have a non-deformed thickness larger than the width of the first opening 106a, 406a and smaller than a largest inner distance between the two opposed hooks arms 102a, 103a and 402a, 403a forming the first hook space 105a, 405a, and the band forming the second band loop 201b has a non-deformed thickness larger than the width of the second opening 106b, 406b and smaller than a largest inner distance between the two opposed hook arms 102b, 103b and 402b, 403b forming the second hook space 105b, 405b.

The width of the third opening 109, 409 is larger than the width of the first opening 106a, 406a and larger than the width of the second opening 106b, 406b. For the first connector 100, the width of the third opening 109 may be smaller than twice the non-deformed thickness of the band forming the first band loop 201a, and smaller than twice the non- deformed thickness of the band forming the second band loop 201b.

The one-piece connector 100, 400 may be made of metal and selected from a list including: gold, silver and stainless steel. However, the one-piece connector 100, 400 can also be made of hard type plastic.

In Figs. 2a-2b the second hook 101b of the first one-piece connector 100 is connected to the second band loop 201b of the band 200, which band 200 holds the first and second end band loops a201a, 201b.

Figs. 3a-3d illustrate steps of connection or locking of the other end band loop, which here is the first end band loop 201a, of the band 200 to the other hook, which is the first hook Figs. 4a-4g illustrate steps of disconnection or un-locking of the first end band loop 201a of the band 200 from the one-piece connector 100.

Fig. 5 shows the band 200 on a user’s wrist 300 with the one-piece connector 100 in a position for un-locking the one-piece connector from an end band loop.

Fig. 6 illustrates un-locking of the one-piece connector 100 from an end band loop when the band 200 is on a user’s wrist 300 of a first arm of the user, with the user using fingers 301 , 302 of the second arm to unlock the one-piece connector 100 from the band loop of the band 200.

The band 200 with each said first and second band loops 201a, 201b may comprise a polymer material, such as a plastic material. The band of each said first and second band loops 201a, 201b may be made of or comprises one or more fibre threads. The band of each said first and second band loops 201a, 201b may comprise at least two fibre threads or at least three fibre threads being braided, knotted, plaited, woven, crocheted, knitted or twisted together.

In order to produce a band jewelry, such as a band bracelet, where beds or charms can be removably attached to the band in a fixed position, but without having fixedly arranged fasteners, then the band should have openings or loops, into which a charm can be inserted. It is preferred that the band or the part of the band defining the loops has some elasticity, so that the loops can be enlarged or stretched more open in order to insert a charm, while the band will contract again securing the charm in its position in the band,

An essential feature of synthetic or mainly synthetic fibres or yarns is that when they are braided, plaited, woven, crocheted, knitted or twisted together, they become more elastic in use. Thus, when using one of these techniques for producing a band, the band obtains some elasticity, whereby the open cross-sectional surface area of a band loop can be enlarged or stretched more open when a force is exercised by a human hand on the band.

Commonly used materials for producing synthetic or mainly synthetic fibres or yarns include nylon and polyester. Nylon is a thermoplastic, silky material, first used commercially in a nylon-bristled toothbrush (1938), followed more famously by women's stockings ("nylons"; 1940) after being introduced as a fabric at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Nylon is made of repeating units linked by amide bonds and is frequently referred to as polyamide (PA). Nylon fibers are used in many applications, including clothes fabrics, bridal veils, package paper, carpets, musical strings, pipes, and rope.

Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibres; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination with glass fibre. The majority of the world's PET production is for synthetic fibres (in excess of 60%), with bottle production accounting for around 30% of global demand. In the context of textile applications, PET is referred to by its common name, "polyester," whereas the acronym "PET" is generally used in relation to packaging. Polyester makes up about 18% of world polymer production and is the third-most- produced polymer; where polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are first and second, respectively.

The company Return Textiles has pioneered a high performance eco-textile called Bionic yarn, which may blend petroleum and/or natural based fibres with recycled plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Return Textiles’ product collection has a wide range of uses in a number of industries, including fashion, outdoor, athletic, automotive, luggage, furniture, uniform, and art.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the band used for the band jewelry can be made by use of yarns supplied by Return Textiles. These yarns and methods for producing them are described in US Patent No. 7,841 ,162 B2, which is hereby included by reference. The yarn from Return Textiles comprises an inner portion of spun staple fibers of post consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene terephthalate (PET or polyester) formed from a pre-extruded liquid polymer insufficiently pure to pass through a twenty micron opening without clogging it; the yarn may further comprise an outer portion comprising fibers of a different material, such as nylon, but natural fiber may also be used for the outer portion. The yarn may also have a core with the inner portion of spun staple fibers surrounding the core, and the outer portion may comprise an inner helix and an outer helix. The core may be a continuous filament core made of nylon having a high tenacity rating.

The invention has been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality.