Field

[001] The present disclosure relates to ornamental articles, and more particularly to wearable ornamental articles made of precious metals.

Background

[002] Wearable ornamental articles are items of personal appreciation which may reflect personal styles as well as an indication of taste or fashion sense. Ornamental articles that can be configured and reconfigured by a user provides utilities or a useful choice.

Disclosure

[003] An ornamental article comprising a core body and a plurality of movable members which is held on the core body is disclosed. The core body is configured to define a main receptacle having a receptacle axis and a receptacle aperture. The movable members cooperate to delimit or delineate the receptacle aperture. The core body extends along a core axis which is at an angle to the receptacle axis to define a core axial direction and to surround the main receptacle. The movable member is movable relative to the core body and is retainable in one of a plurality of discrete retention locations. Each retention location is a stable retention location. The movable members are independently and individually movable relative to the core body.

[004] In example embodiments, the core body extends along an arcuate core axis to define an arcuate core path and an arcuate core axial direction, and the movable members are movably mounted on the core body to define an arcuate outer boundary of the main receptacle.

[005] In example embodiments, the movable member comprises a plurality of surfaces, including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side surface and a second side surface.

[006] The inner surfaces of the movable member cooperate to define an inner surface of the article. The inner surface of the article is also the outer boundary of the main receptacle.

[007] The first side surface and the second side surface are lateral surfaces which interconnect the inner surface and the outer surface and which cooperate to define a transversal extent of the movable member.

[008] The movable members are movable in a transversal direction relative to the core body to configure the article in a plurality of alternative configurations. The plurality of alternative configurations may comprise a first configuration in which the first lateral surfaces are in alignment and/or the second lateral surfaces are in alignment and a second configuration in which the first lateral surfaces are out of alignment and/or the second lateral surfaces are out of alignment.

[009] The inner surfaces of the movable members cooperate to define a receptacle aperture of the main receptacle.

[010] In example embodiments such as the embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 2B, the receptacle aperture defined by cooperation of the inner surfaces of the movable and immovable members of the article has substantially same clearance dimension and and/or same profile, whether in the first configuration and the second configuration.

[011] The first lateral surfaces of the plurality of movable members cooperate to define an arcuate first lateral surface of the article when in the first configuration. The arcuate first lateral surface extends in a direction following the core axis. The second lateral surfaces of the plurality of movable members cooperate to define an arcuate second lateral surface of the article when in said second configuration, the arcuate second lateral surface extending in a direction following the core axis.

[012] The movable member has a center axis and an inner compartment surrounded by the plurality of surfaces.

[013] The center axes of the plurality of movable members when in the first configuration are in alignment and are coaxial with the core axis of the core body.

[014] The center axes of at least some of the plurality of movable members in the first configuration are out of alignment and are non-coaxial with the core axis of the core body.

[015] The article has a first transversal extent which is a minimum transversal extent of the article when in said first configuration and a second transversal extent which is larger than the first transversal extent when in said second configuration.

[016] The core body extends along a core axis to define an arcuate core path and to surround a main receptacle. The core axis defines a core axial direction. The core path defines a base shape of the article and surrounds a receptacle axis, the receptacle axis being orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the core axis. The movable member comprises a slidable body which is movable relative to the core body in a transversal direction, the transversal direction being orthogonal to the core axis and/or being parallel to the receptacle axis. The movable member is retainable in one of a plurality of stable retention locations, and the retention locations are distributed at discrete locations in the transversal direction.

[017] The movable member may have a center axis which is orthogonal to the transversal direction. The movable member may be slidable relative to the core body in the transversal direction between a laterally offset position and an aligned position. The center axis of the movable member may be transversely aligned with the core axis when in the aligned position. The center axis of the movable member may be transversely offset with respect to the core axis when in the laterally offset position.

[018] The movable member may have a center axis which is orthogonal to the transversal direction. The movable member may be slidable in the transversal direction relative to the core body between a first stable retention location and a second stable retention location. The first and second stable retention locations may be on opposite lateral sides of the core axis.

[019] The slidable body may extend in the transversal direction to form a clasp to surround the core body.

[020] The slidable body may be an oval-shaped or an elliptical-shaped bead body having a long axis. The long axis may be parallel to the receptacle axis.

[021] The slidable body may be a round body having an internal compartment. The internal compartment may have a transversal clearance which permits the movable member to travel to any of the plurality of stable retention locations.

[022] The core body may extend in the core axial direction to pass through the moveable member.

[023] The core body may be in abutment and in compressive contact with the moveable member.

[024] The movable member may be retained at a stable retention location by a retention force, the retention force being in a radial direction with respect to the receptacle axis. The movable member is to stay at the stable retention location until a transversal driving force reaching or exceeding a threshold driving force is applied to move the movable member out of the stable retention location.

[025] The article may comprise a retention mechanism to retain the movable member in a stable retention location. The retention mechanism is to permit relative movement between the movable member and the core member when a transversal driving force reaching or exceeding a threshold driving force is exerted on the movable member.

[026] The retention mechanism may comprise a resiliently biased retention device which is resiliently biased to exert an urging force to retain the moveable member in the stable retention location.

[027] The retention device may comprise a spring plate which is resiliently deformed to exert the urging force and a latching means on the spring plate to enter into latched engagement with the movable member when the movable member is at the stable retention location.

[028] The latching means may comprise a latching protrusion on the spring plate for complementary latching engagement with a latching recess on the moveable member or a latching recess on the spring plate for complementary latching engagement with a latching protrusion on the moveable member.

[029] The slidable body may include an interior wall which surrounds the core body. The retention device may be in compressive abutment contact with the interior wall.

[030] The indented portions are distributed along the core axial direction which defines the length of the core body. The retention device may be mounted on the indented portion.

[031] The article may comprise plurality of immovable members. An immovable member comprises a plurality of surfaces, including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The inner surfaces of the movable members and immovable members cooperate to define the outer boundary of the main receptacle. The first side surface and the second side surface are lateral surfaces which interconnect the inner surface and the outer surface and which cooperate to define a transversal extent of the immovable member.

[032] The immovable members are distributed along the core axial direction.

[033] The movable members and the immovable members may be alternately disposed.

[034] The movable members and the immovable members may have substantially identically external dimensions.

[035] The movable members and the immovable members may have different external dimensions.

[036] The movable members and the immovable members may be in abutment contact.

[037] Adjacent immovable members may define a transversal guide along which the movable member is to slide in the transversal direction.

[038] The immovable members and the core member may be integrally formed into a single piece. [039] The article may be made of a precious metal, such as 18k gold.

Figures

[040] The present disclosure is described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1A is an elevation view of an example ornamental article according to an example configuration of the present disclosure,

Figure 1 B is top view of the example ornamental article of Figure 1 A,

Figure 1C is side view of the example ornamental article of Figure 1A,

Figure 2A is an elevation view of the example ornamental article of Figure 1A in another configuration,

Figure 2B is top view of the example ornamental article of Figure 2A,

Figure 2C is side view of the example ornamental article of Figure 2A,

Figure 3 is a partially exploded view showing a portion of the example ornamental article,

Figure 4A is a partially exposed view of the example ornamental article of Figure 1A in a first alternate configuration, and

Figure 4B is a partially exposed view of the example ornamental article of Figure 1 A in a second alternate configuration.

Description

[041] An example ornamental article 100 comprises a core having an outer periphery and a crust which is mounted on the outer periphery of the core. The crust comprises a plurality of discrete crust members and each crust member is a peripheral member which is mounted on the periphery of the core. The plurality of discrete crust members comprises a plurality of movable crust members which is held on the core and which is movable relative to the core. In some embodiments, the crust may comprise only movable crust members or a combination of both movable crust members (“ movable members” in short) and immovable crust members (“ immovable members” in short). The article 100 is configurable into a plurality of configurations, including a first example configuration as depicted in Figures 1A, 1 B and 1C, a second example configuration as depicted in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, plus other configurations formed by setting the crust members in various lateral positional combinations relative to the core.

[042] The core comprises a core body 112 which extends along a core axis to define a core of the article and a core axial direction. In example embodiments, the core body extends along an arcuate path which is defined by an arcuate core axis to define an arcuate core body. In some embodiments, the core axis is a center axis of the core body which defines a core plane. The core plane is a plane which divides the core body into an upper half which is above the core axis and a lower half which is below the core axis. In some embodiments, the core plane is a center plane which divides the core body into two equal halves, namely, an equal upper half which is above the core plane and an equal lower half which is below the core plane. In example embodiments, the core body extends along the core axis to form an arcuate loop, the loop can be a closed end or an open loop. A closed loop is endless and an open loop has ends. The loop can be a circular loop which extends along a circular core axis or a non-circular loop, such as an oval loop, a C- shaped loop, a D-shaped loop, a U-shaped loop, which extends along a non-circular core axis. The example core body 112 of the example article 100 has an arcuate core axis C-C’ which extends to define an arcuate core path and a generally arcuate shape of the article 100. In example embodiments, the movable crust members which are held on the core are movable along the core plane or in a direction orthogonal to the core plane. The term parallel herein includes substantially parallel.

[043] The example article 100 is configured as a wearable ornamental article, as shown in Figures 1A, 1 B and 1C. The wearable ornamental article comprises a receptacle which is configured for receiving a body portion. For example, the receptacle may be configured for receiving a finger portion, a wrist portion, or the neck of a wearer. The receptacle is surrounded by the core body and has a receptacle compartment and a receptacle axis X-X’. The crust has an inner surface and an outer surface which surrounds the inner surface. The inner surface of the crust is in abutment with the receptacle and defines the outer boundary of the receptacle. The outer surface of the crust surrounds the receptacle and the inner surface of the crust. Each crust member has an inner surface which is in abutment with the receptacle and an outer surface which surrounds the inner surface. The inner surfaces of the crust members cooperate to define the boundary, or more specifically the boundary profile, of the receptacle compartment. The boundary of the receptacle compartment surrounds and defines a receptacle aperture which is a main aperture of the article in the present example. The receptacle axis X-X’ is orthogonal to the core axis, orthogonal to the core plane which is defined by the core axis, and is a center axis of the receptacle which passes through the center of the receptacle. The receptacle axis X-X’ is also a center axis of the article 100 when the article is in the configurations of Figures 1A and 2A. The tern orthogonal herein includes substantially orthogonal.

[044] The example article comprises movable members 114 which are held at different locations on the core body 112. More specifically, the movable members 114 are held at different locations which are distributed along the length of the core body, as shown in Figures 1Aand 1 B. In example embodiments such as the present, the movable members 114 are distributed on the core body 112 at uniform angular intervals with respect to the receptacle axis of the core body. In the example embodiment such as the present, there are an example plurality of n movable members 114, which are distributed along the length of the core body 112 and adjacent movable members 114 are at nominal angular positions having an angular separation Q, where Q = ³⁶⁰ / _n . In the present example, n = 8 and Q = 45°. In example embodiments where the article 100 is an ornamental ring, n may be between 4 and 6. In example embodiments where the article 100 is an ornamental bracelet, n may be selected to be between 6 and 10. In example embodiments where the article 100 is a neck ornament, n may be selected to be between 10 and 20.

[045] Each movable crust member (“ movable member ¹ ’ in short) 114 is held on the core body 112 and is movable in a transversal direction relative to the core body 112. The transversal direction is orthogonal to the core axis C-C’ and/or is parallel to the receptacle axis X-X’. Where the core axis C-C’ extends along a circular path to define an article having a circular loop, as is in the example of Figure 1A, the core body 112 defines a main plane of the article which is a circular plane and the transversal direction is orthogonal to the main plane and parallel to the receptacle axis X-X’. In some embodiments, the core body 112 has a helical profile and the transversal direction is parallel to the receptacle axis X-X’ and substantially orthogonal to the core axis C-C’ as the core axis C-C’ no longer defines a plane. In general, the transversal direction is defined with respect to the receptacle axis X-X’ as a matter or convenience.

[046] The example movable member 114 comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The upper surface and lower surface of a movable member are on opposite sides of the core axis, with the lower surface proximal to and facing towards the receptacle axis or center axis X-X’ of the ornamental article and the upper surface distal from and facing away from the center axis X-X’. The first side surface is on a first lateral side of the movable member and the second side surface is on a second lateral side of the movable member. The first side surface and the second side surface cooperate to define the width of the movable member, and the width is measures in a lateral direction which is also a transversal direction that is parallel to the center axis X-X’.

[047] The example movable member 114 comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion and a second side portion. The upper portion, the lower portion, the first side portion and the second side portion cooperate to define an internal cavity or an internal compartment of the movable member 114. The core body 112 passes through the internal compartment to extend between adjacent movable members. The upper portion of the movable member has an outer surface which is the upper surface and an inner surface. The lower portion of the movable member 114 has an outer surface which is the lower surface and an inner surface. The first side portion of the movable member has an outer surface which is the first side surface and an inner surface. The second side portion of the movable member has an outer surface which is the second side surface and an inner surface. The outer surface is distal from and facing away from the core body 112. The inner surface is proximal to and facing towards the core body 112. The inner surfaces of the movable member cooperate to define an interior wall which defines the internal compartment of the movable member 114. Specifically, the movable member 114 comprises a first inner lateral wall and a second inner lateral wall which cooperate to define the lateral extent of the internal compartment. The lateral extent of the internal compartment is measured in the transversal direction and defines the lateral clearance delimited by the internal compartment of the movable member 114. The movable member 114 comprises an inner top wall and an inner bottom wall which cooperate to define a radial extent of the internal compartment. The radial extent is measured with respect to the center axis X-X’ and defines the height (as contrast to its width) or the radial clearance of the internal compartment.

[048] The example movable member 114 has a rounded outer profile and resembles a bead. In example embodiments such as the present, the upper surface has a first curved surface and the lower surface has a second curved surface. The upper surface has a first curvature and the lower surface has a second curvature. The first curvature and the second curvature are equal but opposite, that is, have opposite polarities, so that the upper surface and the lower surface cooperate to form a pair of rounded brackets. In example embodiments such as the present, the first side surface has a first curved side surface and the second side surface has a second curved side surface. The first side surface has a first side curvature and the second side surface has a second side curvature. The first side curvature and the second side curvature are equal but opposite, that is, have opposite polarities, so that the first side surface and the second surface cooperate to form a pair of rounded side brackets. The side curvature is substantially smaller than the curvature of the upper surface or lower surface. In example embodiments, the side curvature may be 20%, for example, 18%, 16%, 14%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 6% or less of the curvature of the upper surface or lower surface, or any range or ranges formed from any of the aforesaid values.

[049] The example movable member 114 has a configuration of a clasp and is attached to the core body 112 as a clasp. The movable member 114 comprises a movable body which is slidable relative to the core body 112 in the transversal direction. In example embodiments such as the embodiment of Figure 1 A, the upper portion, the lower portion, the first side portion and the second side portion cooperate to form the movable body of the movable member.

[050] The interior wall of the movable member 114, which is also a channel wall of the movable body, defines a channel through which the core body 112 passes and prevents inadvertent removal of the movable member 774 from the core body 112. The interior clearance of the movable body permits the movable member to move in the transversal direction as well as the core axial direction, although movement along the core axial direction is prevented by a pair of transversal guides or side guides.

[051] The movable body is shaped to surround or embrace the core body while permitting the movable body to slide relative to the core body. In example embodiments such as the present, the example movable body has a generally oval or elliptical cross section. The movable body comprises a body portion which extends along an oval or elliptical path to define the generally oval or elliptical cross section and the channel inside the movable body. The oval or elliptical path has a long axis which is parallel to the transversal direction and the lateral clearance delimited by the internal compartment of the movable member 114 is in respect of the transversal direction. The example movable member 114 has a generally oval or elliptical shape and resembles an ornamental bead.

[052] In example embodiments such as the present, the movable member is formed by mechanical fastening of a first component 114a and a second component 114b. Referring to Figure 3, the example first component comprises the upper portion, the first side portion and the second side portion of the movable member 114 and the example second component comprises the lower portion of the movable member 114. The example mechanical fastening is by mechanical engagement of screws and threaded studs. A plurality of threaded studs projects radially inwardly from the inner surface of the upper portion and extends radially towards the lower portion to engage with screws thereon. Specifically, each threaded stud extends radially inwardly with respect to the center axis and engages with a corresponding screw which protrudes through a corresponding aperture on the lower portion after traversing a lateral space adjacent the core body 112. The example mechanical fastening comprises an example plurality of four screws distributed at corners of the lower portion and the example plurality of four threaded studs is corresponding located on the upper portion.

[053] In example embodiments, a plurality of studs, projecting radially inwardly from the inner surface of the upper portion and extending radially towards the lower portion, are unthreaded. The plurality of studs and the corresponding aperture on the lower portion are metallurgical^ fastened, for example, by laser sintering. Part of the studs protruding out of the corresponding aperture is polished, if necessary.

[054] The movable member 114 has a first end and a second end which cooperate to define a length of the movable member 114, the length being measured in the direction of the core axis C- C’. In example embodiments such as the present, the movable member 114 has a first end having a first end surface and a second end having a second end surface which is opposite facing to the first end surface and each of the first end surface and the second end surface is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the core axis. The transversal extent of the first end surface and/or the second end surface defines the lateral extent of width of the movable member 114.

[055] The core body 112 extends along the core axis C-C’ to define a base shape of the article 100. The core axis C-C’ is a center axis of the core body 112 which extends along the length of the core body 112 and which is an axis of symmetry dividing the cross-section of the core body 112 into equal width or equal thickness. The width of the core body 112 is measured in a direction parallel to the center axis X-X’ of the article and the thickness is measured in a radial direction with respect to the center axis X-X’.

[056] The core body 112 comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The upper surface and lower surface of a core body 112 are on opposite sides of the core axis C-C’, with the lower surface proximal to and facing towards the center axis X-X’ and the upper surface distal from and facing away from the center axis X-X’. The first side surface is on a first lateral side of the core body 112 and the second side surface is on a second lateral side of the core body 112. The first side surface and the second side surface cooperate to define the width of the core body, and the width is measures in a lateral direction which is also a transversal direction that is parallel to the center axis X-X’. The width of the core body 112 is substantially smaller than the lateral clearance of the internal compartment, which is defined by the lateral inner surfaces of the movable member. For example, the width or lateral clearance of the internal compartment may be between 2, 3, 4, 5 times the width of the core body 112, or any range or ranges formed by selective combination of any of the aforesaid values.

[057] The core body 112 is divided into a plurality of lengthwise sections along its length. A plurality of lengthwise sections corresponding to the plurality of movable members is allocated for the movable members. A lengthwise section on the core body 112 which is allocated for reception of a movable member has a length which is equal to, comparable to or slightly larger than the length of the movable member. The length herein is measured in the direction of the core axis C-C’. Each lengthwise section allocated for reception of a movable member may be referred to herein as a movable member receptacle, a slidable body receptacle or a slidable bead receptacle without loss of generality. The terms movable member receptacle, slidable body receptacle or slidable bead receptacle may be used interchangeably herein without loss of generality. [058] A moveable member which is held on the core body 112 is movable relative to the core body in the transversal direction, and has a plurality of stable retention locations. The stable retention locations are distributed in the transversal direction.

[059] An example stable retention location is as depicted in Figures 1A to 1C wherein the center axis A-A’ of the movable member is aligned with the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112. The center axis of a movable member is an axis of symmetry dividing the movable member into portions of equal width. For the example movable member, the center axis of the movable member is located midway between the first side surface and the second side surface, and midway between the upper surface and the lower surface and extends in a direction parallel to the core axis C-C’. The movable members have their lateral surfaces aligned when in this aligned configuration which is a first configuration of the article.

[060] An example stable retention location is as depicted in Figures 2Ato 2C wherein the center axis A-A’ of the movable member is parallel to but laterally offset from the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112. As shown in Figures 2B and 2C, an indentation 115 is formed between two adjacent movable members and between two adjacent immovable members when the article is in its offset configuration which is a second configuration of the article.

[061] Another example stable retention location is similar to that depicted in Figures 2A to 2C, wherein the center axis A-A’ of the movable member is parallel to but laterally offset from the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112, and the lateral offset is in an opposite direction relative to the core axis C-C’.

[062] In the example of Figures 2A and 2C, all the moveable members are moved to and have the same lateral offset with respect to the core axis of the core body 112.

[063] In example embodiments such as the present, the movable members are individually or independently moveable so that some movable members may be selectively moved in the transversal direction to stay on one side of the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112, some may be selectively moved to stay on another side of the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112, and/or some may be selectively moved to aligned with the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112.

[064] In some embodiments, all the movable members may be mechanically linked so that their movements in the transversal direction are linked or tied. When the movable members are mechanically linked, their lateral displacement may be same or different, depending on the design of the mechanical link among the movable members.

[065] In example embodiments, there are an example plurality of three stable retention locations. The example stable retention locations include a first stable retention location wherein the movable member is on a first lateral side of the core body 112 such that the center axis of the movable member is on the first lateral side of and offset from the core axis C-C; and a second stable retention location wherein the movable member is on a second lateral side of the core body 112 such that the center axis of the movable member is on the second lateral side of and offset from the core axis C-C’, the second lateral side and the first lateral side being opposite lateral sides with respect to the core axis C-C’. The example stable retention locations also include a third stable retention location or an initial stable retention location wherein the center axis of the movable member and the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112 are aligned. In example embodiments such as the present, the stable retention locations are symmetrically disposed with respect to the core axis C-C’.

[066] In example operations, the article 100 may be in an initial configuration of Figure 1 A wherein the center axis of the movable member and the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112 are aligned. A user may wish to move all or some of the movable members to one lateral side, say a first lateral side, away from the core axis C-C’ of the core body 112. For example, a user may wish to move all the movable members to the lateral retention location of Figure 2A. In order to move the movable member, a user will need to exert a driving force in the transversal direction. When the transversal force has reached a removal threshold, the resistance due to an internal retention device will be overcome and the movable member will be moved out of the initial retention location and begin to slide transversely relative to the core body 112 to move towards the first lateral side. When the movable member reaches the next stable retention location, the movable member will be received and stay at that stable retention location until another transversal driving force reaching or exceeding the removal threshold is applied. When a driving force reaching or exceeding the removal threshold is applied, the movable member will be moved transversely and the actual direction of transverse movement is dependent on the direction of transverse force applied. If the driving force is stopped before the movable body has reached a stable retention location, the movable member will stop at an intermediate location which is between adjacent stable retention locations, and will move into one of plurality of the stable retention locations subsequently due to application of a transversal force which may be an inadvertently or accidentally applied driving force.

[067] In example embodiments such as the present, the article has one stable retention location on one side of the core axis and one stable retention location on another side of the core axis.

[068] In some embodiments, the article may have more than one stable retention location on one side of the core axis and/or more than one stable retention location on another side of the core axis.

[069] In example embodiments such as the present, the stable retention locations are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the core axis. In other embodiments, the dispositions may not be symmetrical.

[070] In some embodiments, the stable retention locations or stable retention location may only be on one side of the core axis without loss of generality.

[071] The movable member is retained at a stable retention location by a retention mechanism.

[072] The core body comprises a plurality of lengthwise sections for holding a corresponding plurality of movable members. Each lengthwise section is provided with a retention mechanism to retain a movable member in a stable retention location.

[073] Referring to Figures 3, 4A and 4B, a lengthwise section of the core body 112 for holding a movable member comprises an indented portion. The indented portion is a cutout portion which extends for a length in the direction of the core body and which extends in the transversal direction to define a through channel. The through channel extends transversely across the core body 112 to define a receptacle for receiving a retention device 116. The example retention device comprises a spring plate which is mounted on the indented portion. The spring plate has a first dimension which extends in the lengthwise direction of the core body 112 and a second dimension which extends in the transversal direction or which extends transversely to the core axial direction. The first dimension of the spring plate is slightly smaller than the length of the indented portion so that the spring plate is received inside the indented portion. The second dimension is substantially larger than the transversal dimension of the core body 112 so that the transversal ends of the spring plate form two wing portions which overhang on two opposite sides the core body. The wing portions are relative free to move in the radial direction. A plurality of bosses is formed on the upper surface of the spring plate which faces the upper portion of the movable member 114. The boss protrudes from the spring plate and extends upwards to form a latching head as an example of a latching protrusion. The wing portions of the spring plate are resiliently biased to urge upwards towards the upper portion of the movable member 114. The wing portions are free to flex downwards towards the receptacle axis X-X’ due to their overhanging configuration.

[074] When the moveable member is assembled with the spring plate in place on the indented portion, the upwardly urging wing portions of the spring plate will be in compressive contact with the movable member, or more specifically with the upper portion of the movable member. A plurality of recesses is formed on upper portion of the movable member, and more specifically on the underside of the upper portion of the movable member. The recess as an example of latching recess has dimensions complementary to the boss. When the movable member is at a stable retention location, the boss and a corresponding recess are in complementary latching engagement and the movable member will stay in the stable retention location until a transverse driving force reaching or exceeding a threshold driving force is applied to drive the movable member out of the stable retention location.

[075] When the movable member is not at a stable retention location, that is, at a position away from a stable retention location, the boss and the corresponding recess are not in complementary latching engagement. When not in a stable retention location, the resilient urging force in the spring plate will act against a surface of the movable member which does not form part of the latching recess. While the movable member is subject to a radially exerted force when not in the stable retention location, the movable member will be driven to move in the transverse direction when a transverse driving force smaller than the threshold driving force is applied to drive the movable member. When the movable member is moved form a position which is not a stable retention location to a stable retention location, some of the urging force will be released and the urging force will be less than that at the non-stable location, but a larger transverse driving force is required to move the movable member out of the stable retention location.

[076] In example embodiments such as the present, an example plurality of two retention projections is formed on the retention device.

[077] In other embodiments, a single retention projection or more than two retention projections may be formed on the spring plate without loss of generality.

[078] In example embodiments such as the present, latching recesses are formed on opposite sides of the center axis of the moveable member. In other embodiments, a latching recess or a plurality of latching recesses is formed on only one side of the center axis of the moveable member.

[079] In example embodiments such as the present, latching projections are formed on both sides of the core axis. In some embodiments, a latching projection may be formed on the core axis.

[080] In example embodiments such as the present, a resilient retention device is mounted on the core member, in some embodiments, the resilient retention device may be mounted on the movable member and a complementary latching recess or a complementary latching projection may be formed in the core body.

[081] In example embodiments such as the present, the retention device is mounted on an upper side of the core body. In other embodiments, the retention device may be mounted on lower side of the core body. The lower side is a side which is proximal the receptacle and the upper side is a side distal from the receptacle.

[082] The example article comprises a plurality of immovable members 118 in addition to the movable members. In example embodiments such as the present, the immovable members and movable members are alternately disposed.

[083] In example embodiments such as the present, the immovable member has outer dimensions which are identical to those of the movable members. In other embodiments, the immovable member and the movable member may have different outer dimensions.

[084] In some embodiments, all adjacent members on the core body may be movable members.

[085] In some embodiments, movable and immovable members may not be alternately disposed.

[086] In example embodiments such as the present, a movable member is disposed between two adjacent members which are immovable, the adjacent members defining a transverse path and limiting the extent of lengthwise movement of the movable member in the lengthwise direction.

[087] In example embodiments such as the present, the example immovable members are integrally formed with the core body. The plurality of immovable members and the core body collectively form an example core member.

[088] In some embodiments, the immovable members may be mechanically or metallurgical^ fastened onto the core body to form the core member.

[089] In example embodiments such as the present, the article and its components are formed of 18K gold.

[090] In other embodiments, the article and its components may be formed of a precious metal such as gold, silver or their alloys.

[091] The ornamental article comprises a plurality of ornamental beads distributed along the core body. The ornamental beads may be movable beads or movable beads in combination with immovable beads. A movable bead is an example movable member herein. An immovable bead is an example immovable member herein. An example bead comprises a bead body which extends in a direction orthogonal to the core axis to surround the core body. An example bead body has a first end, a second end and a curved portion interconnecting the first end and the second end. The first end and the second end cooperate to define the length of the bead in the axis direction. The curved portion comprises an outer surface which is a convex surface with respect to the receptacle axis. The curved portion comprises an inner surface which is a concave surface with respect to the receptacle axis. In some embodiments such as the present, the outer surfaces of the bead cooperate to define the outer or outermost surface of the article, the outermost surface of the article being a continuous surface. In some embodiments such as the present, the inner surfaces of the bead cooperate to define the inner or innermost surface of the article, the innermost surface of the article being a continuous surface. The example bead is elongate, with its width substantially larger than its length. For example, the width of the bead, measured in the direction of the receptacle, may be 1.5, 2 or 2.5 times, or a range or ranged defined by selection combination of the aforesaid values.

[092] The example protrusion which forms part of the latching means on the retention device may have a spherical or half-spherical shape. For example, the latching means may be a latching ball integrally formed on the spring plate.

[093] While the disclosure has been made with reference to example embodiments, the embodiments are non-restrictive and should not be used to restrict scope of the disclosure.

[094] For example, while the core body of the example article has a circular (including substantially circular) shape, the core body may have a non-circular shape, for example, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, or a non-geometric shape.

[095] For example, while the example article and/or the core body is formed into a closed loop, it should be appreciated that a looped form is not essential.

[096] For example, the core body may be bifurcated with two arms or two legs and their ends may not be joined.

[097] For example, while the core member and the movable members may be formed of precious metal, the article may comprise non-precious metal such as precious gemstones.

[098] As a further example, while the core body is rigid and have a fixed shape, the core body may have a variable shape which can be configured by a user so that the core axis is variable.

[099] For example, while the movable members of the example article are movable in a direction orthogonal to the core axial direction and relative to the core body to change configuration of the article, the core body and the movable members may be configured such that the movable members are movable in a radial direction with respect to the receptacle axis and/or parallel to the core axis direction without loss of generality. When in such configurations, the profile and configuration of the outer boundary of the main receptacle will change and the change is dependent on the actual configuration of the movable members after movement.