Technical Field

The present invention relates to a joining accessory for wearable articles, particularly for bags, clothes, jewels and the like.

Background Art

It is known how the need is felt in many industrial and craft sectors to renew products and find new ones in order to distinguish them more from those of the competition.

Such need is especially felt in the fashion sector for the production of clothing garments, clothing accessories, jewels, pendants and, more in general, all types of articles to be worn.

To satisfy the above need, in the fashion sector, different types of joining accessories are known which allow joining in an articulated way two or more elements, such as chain, buckle or hinge elements.

Not all these element however are articulated enough and, consequently, they are not always practical, easy and functional to use.

Above all for such elements, furthermore, the need is particularly felt to find new shapes and technical solutions such as to elevate the aesthetic perception of the product and help make it more appealing to customers, besides providing it with considerable mobility and making it flexible to use.

It must in fact be taken into account that traditional type joints are specifically dedicated to be fitted on a particular wearable article and cannot always be adapted for use on other articles.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a joining accessory for wearable articles, particularly for bags, clothes, jewels and the like which allows to satisfy the above needs.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a joining accessory for wearable articles, particularly for bags, clothes, jewels and the like, which is first of all perceived by the customer as an innovative and original product appreciated, on the one hand, for its practical use and high degree of articulation, and, on the other, for its appealing aesthetic appearance and prized manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a joining accessory for wearable articles, particularly for bags, clothes, jewels and the like, which is resistant and can be used on wearable articles, including very different the one from the other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a joining accessory for wearable articles, particularly for bags, clothes, jewels and the like that allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the background art in the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.

The above objects are achieved by the present joining accessory for wearable articles, particularly for bags, clothes, jewels and the like, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

at least a first stiff element substantially plate-shaped having a first outer perimeter;

at least a second stiff element substantially plate-shaped having a second outer perimeter;

at least a junction element of said stiff elements, which comprises:

a pin body connectable to said second stiff element, and

a first spherical body, associated with a first extremity of said pin body and connectable to said first stiff element;

at least a first opening which is obtained through said first stiff element and has:

a first shaped edge for housing said first spherical body in spherical coupling, and

a first open section, which is suitable for connecting said first shaped edge with said first outer perimeter and is sized so as to allow the passage of said pin body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of some preferred, but not sole, embodiments of a joining accessory for wearable articles, particularly for bags, clothes, jewels and the like, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a first embodiment of the accessory according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a section view of a detail of the accessory of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the accessory of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the accessory according to the invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the accessory of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an axonometric view of a third embodiment of the accessory according to the invention;

Figure 7 is an axonometric view of a fourth embodiment of the accessory according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such figures, globally indicated by 1 is a joining accessory for wearable articles, particularly for bags, clothes, jewels and the like.

In this respect, it is specified that, within the scope of the present treatise, considered as "wearable articles" are also products falling within the fashion sector such as key-rings, purses, wallets and any other small leather article or the like.

The article 1 comprises:

at least a first stiff element 2, substantially plate-shaped, having a first outer perimeter 3;

at least a second stiff element 4, substantially plate-shaped too, having a second outer perimeter 5;

at least a junction element 6, which is suitable for joining the first stiff element 2 and the second stiff element 4 and which comprises:

a pin body 7 connectable to the second stiff element 4, and

a first spherical body 8, associated with a first extremity of the pin body 7 and connectable to the first stiff element 2;

at least a first opening 9, 10 which is obtained through the first stiff element 2 and has:

a first shaped edge 9 for housing the first spherical body 8 in spherical coupling, and

a first open section 10, which is suitable for connecting the first shaped edge 9 with the first outer perimeter 3 and is sized so as to allow the passage of the pin body 7.

In this respect, it is specified that by the expression "spherical coupling", in the present treatise shall be meant the union of a spherical body with a corresponding seat which allows the sphere to rotate in a substantially free way with respect to all the three Cartesian axes of the space.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the figures from 1 to 3, the accessory 1 acts as an articulated joint to connect the handle M of a bag B to the body C of the bag itself.

In this embodiment in fact, the first stiff element 2 is fixed to the handle M and the second stiff element 4 is fixed to the body C.

Usefully, the junction element 6 also comprises a second spherical body 1 1 associated with a second extremity of the pin body 7 opposite the first extremity.

The pin body 7 can consist, e.g., of a stem at the extremities of which the spherical bodies 8, 11 can be screwed up.

The second spherical body 11 is meant to be coupled with the second stiff element 4, in a way similar to what occurs to the first spherical body 8 with the first stiff element 2.

For this purpose, a second opening 12, 13 is provided which is obtained through the second stiff element 4 and has:

a second shaped edge 12 for housing the second spherical body 11 in spherical coupling, and

a second open section 13, which is suitable for connecting the second shaped edge 12 with the second outer perimeter 5 and is sized so as to allow the passage of the pin body 7.

Advantageously, the first stiff element 2 comprises a first plate 14 and a first plaque 15 associable face-to-face one against the other in a substantially matching way.

The first plate 14 and the first plaque 15 have a substantially rectangular shape and their side margins define the first outer perimeter 3.

The first plate 14 and the first plaque 15 are shaped to define the first opening 9, 10.

In particular, the first shaped edge 9 has a substantially circular shape while the first open section 10 extends along a substantially centripetal direction with respect to the centre of the first shaped edge 9.

Alternative shapes of the first opening 9, 10 cannot however be ruled out to in any case permit guaranteeing the spherical coupling between the first stiff element 2 and the first spherical body 8.

The first plate 14 and the first plaque 15 are associable with one another on opposite sides of the first spherical body 8, so as to retain it inside the first opening 9, 10 and have the desired spherical coupling.

For this purpose, the inner surfaces of the first opening 9, 10 are sloped so that, by transversally sectioning the first stiff element 2 (figure 2), the first shaped edge 9 is substantially concave to retain the first spherical body 8 and prevent it from coming out and in any case allow it to rotate with respect to the three Cartesian axes.

The joining of the first plate 14 and the first plaque 15 occurs by screwing up, even though alternative types of connection cannot be ruled out.

In particular, the first plate 14 has one or more through holes 16 while the first plaque 15 has an equal number of screwing seats 17, which can be positioned substantially matching with the through holes 16 and into which an equal number of connecting screws 18 can be fitted.

In this embodiment, it is possible to exploit the particular shape of the first plate

14 and of the first plaque 15 to fasten the first stiff element 2 to the handle M of the bag B.

The handle M can in fact be fitted between the first plate 14 and the first plaque

15 and blocked between them during the reciprocal connection.

To increase the grip and hold by the first stiff element 2, the handle M has one or more through hollows 19 in which the connecting screws 18 can be fitted. Similarly to the first stiff element 2, the second stiff element 4 is also made up of two pieces, i.e. a second plate 20 and a second plaque 21 associable face-to- face one against the other in a substantially matching way.

The second plate 20 and the second plaque 21 have a substantially rectangular shape and their side margins define the second outer perimeter 5.

The second plate 20 and the second plaque 21 are shaped so as to define the second opening 12, 13, which is shaped similarly to the first opening 9, 10. The second plate 20 and the second plaque 21 are associable with one another on opposite sides of the second spherical body 11, so as to retain it inside the second opening 12, 13 and allow the realization of the spherical coupling.

In a similar way to the first opening 9, 10, the inner surfaces of the second opening 12, 13 are also sloped so that, by transversally sectioning the first stiff element 2, the second shaped edge 12 is substantially concave to retain the second spherical body 11 and prevent it coming out and to allow its rotation with respect to the three Cartesian axes.

The joining of the second plate 20 and of the second plaque 21 is also done by screwing up, and one or more through holes 16 are provided on the second plate 20, together with an equal number of screwing seats 17 on the second plaque 21 and an equal number of connecting screws 18; the first stiff element 2 and the second stiff element 4 are substantially identical the one to the other, including in terms of size.

Similarly to the handle M, furthermore, a portion of the body C of the bag B can also be fitted between the second plate 20 and the second plaque 21, and can be blocked between them during their reciprocal connection and has one or more through hollows 19 into which the connecting screws 18 can be fitted to increase the grip and hold by the second stiff element 4.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures from 1 to 3, both the extremities of the handle M are associated with a first stiff element 2, which is connected in an articulated way to a corresponding second stiff element 4 fastened to the body C of the bag B.

The particular solution which consists in providing the junction elements 6 with two articulated spherical bodies 8, 11 allows obtaining an innovative joining system which conveys great mobility to the handle M.

The first stiff element 2 and the second stiff element 4 are in fact arranged so that when the handle M is placed under tension, e.g., when the bag B is lifted and gripped by the handle itself, the stiff elements 2, 4 take up a substantially coplanar position and the pin body 7 remains substantially housed in the open sections 10, 13.

Such configuration is achieved whatever the grip direction of the handle, thus preventing it from rolling on itself.

When instead, the handle M is no longer under tension, such as, e.g., in the case of the bag B being rested on a supporting surface, then the particular shape of the double spherical articulation permits the handle M to rest integrated on a side of the body C of the bag B, allowing the body C of the bag B to remain clearly visible and on display.

The first stiff element 2, the second stiff element 4 and the junction element 6 are preferably made of metal, with golden or silver reflecting surfaces, so as to facilitate obtaining an accessory 1 of considerable elegance and aesthetic beauty.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the accessory 1 is made entirely of plastic or other materials, perhaps covered, or is made part in plastic (e.g., the pin body 7) and part in metal (the stiff elements 2, 4 and the spherical bodies 8, 11).

In the embodiment shown in the figures 4 and 5, the accessory 1 continues to act as an articulated joint to connect the handle M to the body C of the bag B, but by means of a different structural architecture.

In this embodiment, in fact, the junction element 6 does not have the second spherical body 11 and only comprises the first spherical body 8 associated with a first extremity of the pin body 7.

In correspondence to the second extremity of the pin body 7 opposite the first, the junction element 6 is stiffly fastened to the second stiff element 4.

Such union can be indistinctly obtained by welding, interlocking, or screwing up the one in the other, the fact remaining unchanged that once the junction element 6 and the second stiff element 4 have been assembled they are deprived of any possibility of relative movement.

Compared to the solution of the figures from 1 to 3, this alternative embodiment has a first stiff element 2 totally identical to that previously illustrated and a second stiff element 4 substantially different.

> The second stiff element 4, in fact, continues to be usefully made by means of a second plate 20 and a second plaque 21 the same as those of the figures from 1 to 3, but with the difference that it does not have a second opening 12, 13.

In the figure 6 and in the figure 7 two alternative embodiments of the invention are shown wherein there is a plurality of first stiff elements 2, of second stiff

I elements 4 and of junction elements 6 connected to one another.

The first stiff elements 2 comprise a plurality of first openings 9, 10 for the spherical coupling of the same number of first spherical bodies 8.

In the same way, the second stiff elements 4 also comprise a plurality of second openings 12, 13 for the spherical coupling of the same number of second

^; spherical bodies 1 1.

In the case in question, in these embodiments, the first stiff element 2 and the second stiff element 4 are modular elements in alternated series which permit forming a substantially continuous chain or mesh, to obtain a jewel, a bracelet, a necklace, a surface of articulated elements for making a clothing garment or the

' sides of a bag, etc.

In the solution in figure 6, e.g., each first stiff element 2 comprises two first openings 9, 10 in which are housed two corresponding first spherical bodies 8 in spherical coupling.

Each first spherical body 8 is associated with a pin body 7 on which is also mounted a second spherical body 11 which can be coupled to one of the adjacent second stiff elements 4.

For this purpose, the second stiff elements 4 comprise two second openings 12, 13 in which are housed two corresponding second spherical bodies 11 in spherical coupling.

' By means of the junction elements 6, therefore, each first stiff element 2 is associated with two adjacent second stiff elements 4 and each second stiff element 4 is associated with two adjacent first stiff elements 2. In this embodiment, therefore, the accessory 1 defines a linear chain of modular elements, usable for example as a bracelet, as a necklace or as a handle for a bag or the like.

In the solution in figure 7, instead, the first stiff elements 2 and the second stiff elements 4 are arranged in chequered fashion.

Each first stiff element 2 comprises four first openings 9, 10 in which are housed four corresponding first spherical bodies 8 in spherical coupling.

In the same way, the second stiff elements 4 also comprise four second openings 12, 13 wherein are housed two corresponding second spherical bodies 11 in spherical coupling.

By means of the junction elements 6, therefore, each first stiff element 2 is associated with four adjacent second stiff elements 4 and each second stiff element 4 is associated with four adjacent first stiff elements 2.

This way a mesh of modular elements can be obtained linked in a net, articulated the one with the other to make, e.g., a clothing garment, the sides of a bag, or other wearable articles.