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Title:
WEARABLE JEWEL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2021/124209
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The wearable jewel (1) act that it comprises at least one decorative body (2) which can be at least partly wound around a user's body part and comprising at least a first portion (7) made at least partly of a polymeric material and at least a second portion (10) made at least partly of a precious material.

More Like This:
JPS61228807DECORATIVE ARTICLE
Inventors:
MURER ANDREA (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2020/062122
Publication Date:
June 24, 2021
Filing Date:
December 17, 2020
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
OUT OF THE BOX S R L (IT)
International Classes:
A44C5/20; A44C11/00
Foreign References:
CN204218135U2015-03-25
US5007252A1991-04-16
FR1266175A1961-07-07
US5634244A1997-06-03
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LUPPI, Emanuele (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1) Wearable jewel (1) characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one decorative body (2) which can be at least partly wound around a user’s body part and comprising at least a first portion (7) made at least partly of a polymeric material and at least a second portion (10) made at least partly of a precious material.

2) Jewel (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a plurality of decorative bodies (2) associated with each other by interposition of union means (9). 3) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said union means (9) comprise at least one connecting element (11) of elongated shape and insertable at least partly inside a respective housing seat

(12) made on each of said decorative bodies (2).

4) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said connecting element (11) comprises at least one central portion

(13) and at least two extremity joining portions (14a, 14b) positioned opposite each other, said extremity joining portions (14a, 14b) being inserted inside said housing seats (12) respectively, each of said decorative bodies (2) having at least two housing seats (12) made on opposite portions of the decorative element itself.

5) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said connecting element (11) is made of polymeric material.

6) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said first portion (7) has a substantially cylindrical shape, said second portion (10) being provided with a through duct (22) in which said first portion (7) is fitted to measure.

7) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said extremity joining portions (14a, 14b) comprises two interlocking elements (15) respectively provided with a convex face (17) and an interlocking section (16) interposed between these, said interlocking elements (15) being adapted to fit to measure inside said housing seat (12). 8) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said precious material is selected from the list comprising: gold, silver, platinum or alloys thereof.

9) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said decorative bodies (2) associated with each other define a main body (23) comprising closure means (5, 6) associated with the extremities of said main body (23).

10) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said closure means (5, 6) comprise a first closure element (24) associated with one of said decorative bodies (2) located at one extremity of said main body (23) and provided with a housing hole (5), and a second closure element (25) associated with one of said decorative bodies (2) located at the other extremity of said main body (23) and provided with at least one pivot element (6) adapted to fit inside said housing hole (5) in order to join flush the respective external surfaces.

11) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said extremity joining portions (14a, 14b) are associable in a removable manner with the central portion (13), the latter being provided with respective through holes (19) intended to house the extremity joining portions (14a, 14b).

12) Jewel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each housing seat (12) comprises a clamping element (26), said clamping element (26) being intended, in use, to abut against said extremity joining portions (14a, 14b) and to fit inside said interlocking section (16) so as to avoid the rotation of said decorative body (2).

Description:
WEARABLE JEWEL Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wearable jewel.

Background Art With reference to the goldsmith and costume jewelry industry, the use is known of jewelry, generally worn by both men and women, such as bracelets, earrings, chams and rings for the adornment of fingers, wrists, ankles or ears in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the wearer of the jewelry itself by highlighting the body parts to the view of others. In these sectors the use is known both of precious materials such as gold, silver or platinum, and non-precious metals, for the manufacture of the structure of the jewel that is then fitted on fingers or wrists by the wearer, which is provided with gems and precious stones, such as diamond, crystal, and semi-precious or synthetic materials, inserted into appropriate setting seats generally defined on the walls that remain visible once the jewel is worn.

However, at present the goldsmith and costume jewelry sectors are two distinct and separate sectors and aimed at different kinds of users.

As is well known, the goldsmith industry has working techniques with precious materials that involve the use of complex craftsmanship methods. These working techniques, along with the use of precious materials, significantly affect the cost of production and sale of jewelry.

Added to this is the fact that goldsmith products have pre-established aesthetic characteristics that also affect the final selling price of the products themselves, excluding the possibility of customizing them both from an aesthetic and economic point of view.

At the same time, the costume jewelry sector offers for sale products that are cheaper than the goldsmith sector but of poor features and construction quality. In order to lower the selling costs of such products, working techniques have been developed that involve the use of non-precious materials such as e.g. rhodium-plated or silver-plated steel, or in poor alloys such as bronze, brass and alpaca, which are subsequently dipped in gold or silver. These products have aesthetic features that faithfully reproduce the characteristics of shape and structure of goldsmith products.

However, the presence of non-precious materials combined with only a gold or silver surface finish causes rapid wear and tear on such products. It often happens that users wearing costume jewelry products for long periods of time observe the wear and tear that is shown, e.g., through the removal of the gold or silver surface finish.

In addition, in many sectors of industrial and commercial activities, the need is particularly felt to renew products and to search for new ones in order to better distinguish these from those of competitors.

This need is felt, in particular, in the jewelry industry.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a jewel that allows satisfying the above mentioned requirements resulting innovative, original and of fine workmanship.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a jewel that has the aesthetic characteristics of a goldsmith product and a selling price considerably lower than the latter.

A further object of the present invention is to devise a jewel that is customizable according to the users’ needs in terms of economic value and aesthetic characteristics.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a jewel that allows overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution. The objects set out above are achieved by the present jewel having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a jewel, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings in which: Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the jewel according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the jewel according to the invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the jewel according to the invention in an alternative embodiment.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a wearable jewel.

It is specified that within the scope of the present invention, the expression “wearable jewel” relates to any type of wearable decorative element of the type of a bracelet, a necklace, an earring or an anklet made either of precious, semiprecious or non-precious material, or combinations thereof.

Additionally, it is specified that the expression “precious material” relates to a material selected from the list comprising: gold, silver, platinum or alloys thereof.

Furthermore, the expression “semi-precious material” relates to a generic material selected from the list comprising mineral natural stones such as quartz, amethyst, agate and mother-of-pearl.

Again, the expression “non-precious material” relates to a generic material of metal origin of the type of steel, tungsten, brass or, alternatively, relates to a material of polymeric origin.

For illustrative purposes only, reference is made in the present discussion to an embodiment in which the jewel 1 is of the type of a bracelet.

According to the invention, the jewel 1 comprises a decorative body 2 which can be at least partly wound around a body part of a user. In the case of the bracelet, the decorative body 2 is wound at least partly around the wrist of a user.

The decorative body 2 comprises at least a first portion 7 made at least partly of a polymeric material and at least a second portion 10 made at least partly of a precious material.

Preferably, the polymeric material comprises a technopolymer. The technopolymer is selected from the list comprising: polyamides, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide, polybutylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, nylon 6, nylon 6- 6, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyetherketone, polyimide, polyparaphenylene sulfide, polyoxymethylene. Advantageously, the technopolymer is loaded with carbon fibers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the jewel 1 comprises a plurality of decorative bodies 2 that can be associated with each other by interposition of union means 9. The decorative bodies 2 have varying conformations and shapes.

For example, with reference to Figure 1, the decorative bodies 2 have a cylindrical shape.

At the same time, with reference to Figure 3, the decorative bodies 2 have a spherical shape. Again, the decorative bodies 2 have a curvilinear profile with a circular cross section as shown in Figure 1.

In detail, the first portion 7 has a substantially cylindrical shape.

As visible in the figures, the first portion 7 has a hollow cylinder shape.

At the same time, the second portion 10 is provided with a through duct 22 in which the first portion 7 is fitted to measure.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first portion 7 is assembled to the second portion 10 by interlocking.

Alternatively, the first portion 7 is associated with the second portion 10 by welding. Preferably, the first portion 7 is made at least partly of polymeric material.

Alternatively, the first portion 7 is made entirely of polymeric material. The union means 9 comprise a connecting element 11 of elongated conformation and insertable at least partly inside a respective housing seat 12 made on each of the decorative bodies 2. The connecting element 11 comprises a central portion 13 and two extremity joining portions 14a, 14b positioned opposite each other, the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b being insertable inside the housing seats 12, respectively. When the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b are inserted inside their respective housing seats 12, the user should impart a slight pressure thereon so as to cause them to approach each other. In this regard, each of the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b comprises two interlocking elements 15 respectively provided with two convex faces 17 opposite each other and with an interlocking section 16 interposed between these.

In other words, the approach of the interlocking elements 15 is achieved by exploiting the deformability of the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b.

For this purpose, the interlocking elements 15 are made at least partly of an elastic material.

In detail, as a result of the force applied to the interlocking elements 15, the latter are configured: to approach each other to allow the insertion thereof inside their respective housing seat 12; and to move away from each other to allow these to be clamped inside their respective housing seat 12, the convex faces 17 abutting against the latter. More specifically, the interlocking elements 15 are adapted to fit to measure inside the housing seat 12.

The conformation of the housing seat 12 allows internally clamping the interlocking elements 15.

In this regard, it is worth specifying that the housing seat has the inner walls shaped complementary with respect to the convex faces 17. The extremity joining portions 14a, 14b comprise a first extremity joining portion 14a and a second extremity joining portion 14b.

As visible in Figure 1, the first extremity joining portion 14a and the second extremity joining portion 14b comprise two convex faces 17 and two flat faces 18 opposite each other, respectively. Preferably, the flat faces 18 face the interlocking section 16 and are parallel to each other. Depending on the type of jewel 1 being assembled, such as e.g. in the case of a bracelet, it may be necessary to avoid the rotation of at least one decorative body 2.

To this end, at least one of the housing seats 12 comprises a clamping element 26.

The clamping element 26 is intended, in use, to abut against the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b and to be inserted inside the interlocking section 16 so as to avoid the rotation of the decorative body 2.

The clamping element 26 is of the type of a pivot element positioned transversely with respect to the direction of insertion of the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b inside the housing seats.

More specifically, the clamping element 26 contacts the flat faces 18 by interposing between them.

With reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b are associable in a removable manner with the central portion 13, the latter being provided with respective through holes 19 intended to house the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b.

In other words, the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b are independent and separate with respect to the central portion 13. This way, it is possible to assemble the jewel, e.g. a bracelet, according to the specific needs of the users.

In detail, the connecting element 11 is made of polymeric material.

In addition, the central portion 13 is covered at least partly with a layer made of a precious material. Alternatively, the central portion 13 is made of a precious material.

Preferably, the central portion 13 has a substantially annular conformation. Advantageously, one of either the first extremity joining portion 14a or the second extremity joining portion 14b comprises an interlocking pivot 20, and the other of either the first extremity joining portion 14a or the second extremity joining portion 14b comprises an interlocking hole 21 in which the interlocking pivot 20 is insertable to measure. Specifically, the first extremity joining portion 14a comprises the interlocking pivot 20 and the second extremity joining portion 14b comprises the interlocking hole 21.

As shown in Figure 2, the central portion 13 is interposed between the first extremity joining portion 14a and the second extremity joining portion 14b; substantially, the first extremity joining portion 14a and the second extremity joining portion 14b clamp the central portion 13 in a sandwich-like manner.

It cannot however be ruled out from the scope of the present discussion that the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b and the central portion 13 are made as a single monolithic piece.

In detail, each extremity joining portion 14a, 14b is inserted inside the respective housing seat 12 and clamped therein; in other words, the central portion 13 is interposed between two decorative elements adjacent to each other. This way, the central portion 13 is visible from the outside and increases the aesthetic value of the bracelet 1.

The decorative bodies 2 associated with each other define a main body 23 comprising closure means 5, 6 associated with the ends of the main body itself. The main body 23 has a first end 3 and a second end 4 opposite each other.

The closure means 5, 6 comprise a first closure element 24 associated with one of the decorative bodies 2 located at the first end 3 of the main body 23 and provided with a housing hole 5, and a second closure element 25 associated with one of the decorative bodies 2 associated with the second end 4 of the main body 23 and provided with a pivot element 6 adapted to fit inside the housing hole 5 in order to join flush the respective outer surfaces. The operation of the present invention is as follows.

By way of example, it is assumed that the jewel 1 is of the type of a bracelet. The first portion 7 is associated with the second portion 10 to form the decorative body 2. Each decorative body 2 is associated with an additional decorative body 2 by interposition of the connecting elements 11. In detail, the first extremity joining portion 14a is inserted inside a respective housing seat 12 made on a decorative body 2 and, at the same time, the second extremity joining portion 14b is inserted inside a further housing seat 12 made on a further decorative body 2 adjacent to the other decorative body 2.

In other words, each connecting element 11 is interposed between two decorative bodies 2. The interlocking elements 15 are, therefore, fully inserted inside the respective housing seats 12.

This way, only the central portion 13 remains visible from the outside while the interlocking elements 15 are inserted inside the housing seats 12 and clamped therein; the convex faces 17 abut against the inner surface of the housing seat 12. The complementary shape between the convex faces 17 and the inner walls of the housing seat 12 ensures that the extremity joining portions 14a, 14b are clamped.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects. In particular, the fact is emphasized that the particular expedient of providing a plurality of decorative bodies that can be associated with each other and comprising a first portion made of polymeric material in combination with a second portion made of a precious material allows customizing the jewel according to the users’ needs both in aesthetic and economic terms.