Patent Grant
8950214
The present invention relates to an ornamental component for a bracelet or necklace, to a bracelet or necklace comprising such an ornamental component, to a method of manufacturing an ornamental component, and a tubular element for securing a gripping element inside a through hole of an ornamental component.
Jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, often consists of a plurality of freely movable ornamental components (e.g., beads) strung on an elongated member (e.g., chain, wire, or string). To prevent all the freely movable beads from grouping together at the bottom of the necklace or bracelet, an ornamental component provided with a stopping mechanism configured to grip the necklace or bracelet may be used. Such stopping mechanisms are known from the prior art in a variety of forms.
An example of a prior art variation of a stopping mechanism is disclosed in US 2003/0154742, in which a jewel is produced with an elastic body inside configured to provide a frictional force on an elongated member. A similar solution is disclosed in US 2002/0148250, in which the jewel itself is provided with a flexible resilient tube with an inside diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of an elongated member, as to fix the jewel on the elongated member.
Another prior art variation is disclosed in WO 2006/125155.
It may, however, be difficult to produce such prior art ornamental components. Additionally, the stopping mechanisms may be vulnerable to damage.
Thus, it remains a problem to provide a robust ornamental component provided with a stopping mechanism that can be easily manufactured.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere.
In one embodiment, an ornamental component is provided for use with a jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a necklace). The ornamental component has a through hole with a through hole axis, and the through hole allows the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of the jewelry item. The ornamental component includes a self-supporting housing and an insert assembly. The self-supporting housing has a through hole with a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing. The insert assembly is inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing, and the insert assembly is assembled from a first tubular element and a gripping element. The first tubular element has a through hole that forms at least a part of the ornamental component through hole. The gripping element is configured to frictionally grip a part of the jewelry item. The first tubular element is configured to secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the ornamental component.
In another embodiment, a jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a necklace) includes an elongated member and a first ornamental component having a through hole with a through hole axis. The ornamental component is strung on the elongated member via the through hole. The ornamental component includes: (a) a self-supporting housing having a through hole with a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing; and (b) an insert assembly inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing. The insert assembly is assembled from a first tubular element and a gripping element. The first tubular element has a through hole that forms at least a part of the ornamental component through hole, and the gripping element frictionally grips a part of the jewelry item. The first tubular element is configured to secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the ornamental component. The first ornamental component is configured so that the gripping element resiliently grips the elongated member to fix the first ornamental component along the elongated member until a particular force is acting on the first ornamental component, whereby the first ornamental component can be moved along the elongated member.
In still another embodiment, a method for manufacturing an ornamental component is provided. The ornamental component has a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of a jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a necklace), and the through hole defines a through hole axis. The method includes the steps: (a) providing a self-supporting housing having a through hole, wherein the self-supporting housing through hole comprises a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing; (b) assembling an insert assembly having a first tubular element and a gripping element, the first tubular element having a through hole that at least partly forms the through hole of the ornamental component, the gripping element being configured for frictionally gripping the elongated member of the jewelry item; and (c) inserting the insert assembly in the through hole of the self-supporting housing.
In yet another embodiment, an ornamental component for a jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a necklace) is provided. The ornamental component has a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of the jewelry item, and the ornamental component through hole defines a through hole axis. The ornamental component further includes a self-supporting housing and an insert assembly. The self-supporting housing has a through hole with a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing. The insert assembly is inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing, and the insert assembly includes a first tubular element and a gripping element. The first tubular element has a through hole that forms at least a part of the through hole of the ornamental component, and the gripping element is configured for frictionally gripping a part of the jewelry item. The first tubular element is further configured to secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the ornamental component, and the first tubular element has a first circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis. The gripping element has a first gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated member of the jewelry item, and the first gripping portion extends through the first circumferential opening.
a-c show an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-b show a gripping element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-b show a self-supporting housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-b show a second tubular element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-c show an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-b show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an ornamental component for a bracelet and/or a necklace. The ornamental component has a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and/or necklace, and the through hole defines a through hole axis. The ornamental component includes: (a) a self-supporting housing having a through hole comprising a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing; and (b) an insert assembly inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing. The insert assembly is assembled from a first tubular element having a through hole that forms at least a part of the through hole of the ornamental component and a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part of the bracelet and/or necklace, and the first tubular element is configured to secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the ornamental component.
Consequently, by using an insert assembly to provide an ornamental component with a gripping element, the production costs may be lowered. Additionally, by using a tubular element to secure the gripping element inside the self-supporting housing, the gripping element may be more efficiently protected from damage.
An ornamental component may be any component that can be strung on a bracelet and/or necklace for ornamental purposes such as a bead. An ornamental component according to the first aspect of the invention may be used to organize freely movable beads on a bracelet or necklace. For example, two ornamental components may be pulled to a desired position on an elongated member of a bracelet or necklace and released, whereby they resiliently grip the elongated member. Consequently (in this example), the bracelet or necklace is divided into three distinct zones for freely movable beads. This may be used to prevent all the freely movable beads from grouping together.
The self-supporting housing may constitute the outer surface of the ornamental component or may be covered with another layer or element constituting the outer surface of the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may have any shape such as approximately spherical, cylindrical or cubical. The self-supporting housing has a structural strength allowing it to be securely handled during the manufacturing process of the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may provide the primary structural strength of the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may be made of metal, glass, wood, plastic or a combination thereof. The trough hole of the self-supporting housing may have a constant width or may have a varying width (measured in planes being perpendicular to the through hole axis). For example, the through hole of the self-supporting housing may be wider in the central part of self-supporting housing than at the first opening and the second opening. The inner surface of the through hole of the self-supporting housing may be spaced apart from the insert assembly by another element or a fluid e.g. air. At least a part of the self-supporting housing may be transparent or semi-transparent.
The individual element of the insert assembly may be permanently attached or non-permanently attached. The insert assembly may be inserted into the through hole of the housing through the first opening of the housing, i.e. the insert assembly may have a size and shape allowing it to be insertable through the first opening of the self-supporting housing.
The first tubular element may have any outer shape such as round or rectangular. Correspondingly, the through hole of the first tubular element may have any shape such as round or rectangular. The first tubular element may be integrally molded, i.e. made from a single mold. The first tubular element may be made of metal and/or plastic.
The gripping element may be made of a material configured to establish a high frictional connection with an elongated member of a bracelet and/or necklace, e.g. a chain, band, or strand of a necklace or bracelet. The gripping element may be made of a deformable material such as a silicone material.
In some embodiments, the gripping element is made of a first material and the first tubular element is made of a second material, wherein the coefficient of friction of the first material is higher than the coefficient of friction of the second material relative to sterling silver.
The coefficient of friction of the first material may be at least 10%, 20%, 40% or 60% higher than the coefficient of friction of the second material relative to sterling silver.
In some embodiments of the invention, the gripping element is positioned in a central part of the ornamental component and have a width along the through hole axis of less than 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% or 50% of the width of the self-supporting housing along the through hole axis.
Consequently, the gripping element is better protected. Thus, a more robust ornamental component is provided.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a first circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis, and the gripping element comprises a first gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated member of the bracelet and/or necklace, with the first gripping part extending through the first circumferential opening.
In some embodiments, the gripping element comprises a tubular portion, and the first gripping portion protrudes from an interior surface of the tubular portion. Further, the tubular portion of the gripping element surrounds a part of the first tubular element.
Consequently, the tubular element may in an efficient manner secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the ornamental component.
The entire gripping element may be integrally molded, i.e. made from a single mold.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a second circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis and the gripping element comprises a second gripping portion protruding from an interior surface of the tubular portion of the gripping element, with the second gripping portion extending through the second circumferential opening.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a third circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis and the gripping element comprises a third gripping portion protruding from an interior surface of the tubular portion of the gripping element, with the third gripping portion extending through the third circumferential opening.
In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening, the second circumferential opening and/or the third circumferential opening have a width along the through hole axis of less than 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% or 50% of the width of the first tubular element along the through hole axis.
In some embodiments, each of the first circumferential opening, the second circumferential opening and/or the third circumferential opening extends between 5% and 33% of the circumference of the first tubular element in a plane being perpendicular to the through hole axis.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion has a lower widest width than the widest width of the first portion. The tubular portion of the gripping element is arranged to fit snugly around the second portion of the first tubular element, and abut the first portion of the first tubular element whereby the gripping element is prevented from moving in a first direction along the through hole axis relative to the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element further comprises a third portion, and the second portion has a lower widest width than the widest width of the first portion and the third portion. The tubular portion of the gripping element further abuts the third portion of the first tubular element thereby preventing the gripping element from moving in any direction along the through hole axis relative to the first tubular element.
The widest width is measured in a plane being perpendicular to the through hole axis.
In some embodiments, the tubular portion of the gripping element has a widest width approximately equal to the widest width of the first portion and/or third portion of the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the ornamental component further comprises a second tubular element, and the first tubular element is positioned inside the second tubular element.
This may make it easier to insert the insert assembly into the self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may additionally hide non-decorative elements of the ornamental component, when the self-supporting housing is transparent or semi-transparent.
The second tubular element may have a width along the through hole axis being approximately equal to the width of the self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may be fully inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting housing.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element of the insert assembly at a first end further comprises a collar, with the collar being positioned outside the self-supporting housing at the first opening of the self-supporting housing. The collar includes a surface abutting an outer surface of the self-supporting housing, thereby preventing the first tubular element of the insert assembly from moving in a first direction along the through hole axis relative to the ornamental component.
The outer surface may be an outer surface of the self-supporting housing. The collar may be an integral portion of the first tubular element or may be attached to the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the ornamental component further comprises a locking element having a through hole wherein the locking element comprises an engagement portion positioned inside the self-supporting housing and a collar positioned outside the self-supporting housing at the second opening of the self-supporting housing. The engagement portion is attached to the first tubular element and the collar comprises a surface abutting an outer surface of the self-supporting housing, thereby preventing the first tubular element of the insert assembly from moving in a second direction along the through hole axis relative to the ornamental component.
Consequently, the insert assembly is in an effective manner secured to the self-supporting housing.
The outer surface may be an outer surface of the self-supporting housing.
The engagement portion and the collar of the locking element may be integrally formed. The locking element may be attached to the first tubular element by the use of glue or a mechanical locking mechanism.
In some embodiments, the engagement part of the locking element is inserted into the first tubular element whereby the through hole of the locking element and the through hole of the first tubular element together forms the through hole of the ornamental component.
In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to the first tubular element by a male/female locking mechanism, wherein the male part comprises a protruding portion and the female part comprises a recess and/or opening.
The engagement portion may be the male part and the first tubular element may be the female part, i.e. the engagement portion may comprise a protruding portion configured to engage with recess and/or opening in the first tubular element. Alternatively, the first tubular element may be the male part and the engagement portion may be the female part.
In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism is of the snap lock type wherein a translation and/or rotation from a free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part to a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part requires less force than a translation and/or rotation from a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part to a free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part.
This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first tubular element typically are permanently attached.
In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism may be of the rotational lock type, wherein the female part (the engagement portion or the first tubular element) comprises a recess and/or opening configured to allow the protruding portion of the male part to translate inside the recess and/or opening along the through hole axis when the locking element is in a free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element, and to be prevented from moving in at least a first direction along the through hole axis when the locking element is in a locked position relative to the first tubular element and the locking element is in a locked rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of protruding portions and the female part comprises a plurality of recess and/or openings.
When the male/female locking mechanism is of the rotational type the locking element may be attached to the first tubular element by firstly rotationally orienting the locking element in the free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element, next translating the first tubular element and/or the locking element along the through hole axis until the locking element is in the locked position relative to the first tubular element, and finally rotating the first tubular element and/or the locking element from the free rotational orientation to the locked rotational orientation.
The protruding portion of the male part and/or the recess and/or opening of the female part may be configured so that a rotation from the free rotational orientation to the locked rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the locked rotational orientation to the free rotational orientation.
In some embodiments, the male part (the engagement portion or the first tubular element) comprises a flexible member configured to deform from a first shape to a second shape when the male part comes into contact with the female part, and further to snap back into approximately the first shape when the flexible member is aligned with the recess and/or opening of the female part, whereby the flexible member engages with the recess and/or opening and locks the male part to the female part, allowing the locking element to be attached to the first tubular element by a pure translation between the two.
In some embodiments, the male part comprises two flexible members, and the female part comprises two recesses and/or openings.
The two flexible members may be arranged at opposite sides of the male part. Correspondingly, the two recesses and/or openings may be arranged at opposite sides of the female part.
In some embodiments, the ornamental component has a length along the through hole axis between 2 mm and 5 cm.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a fourth circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis and the gripping element comprises a fourth gripping portion protruding from an interior surface of the tubular portion of the gripping element, with the fourth gripping portion extending through the fourth circumferential opening.
According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a bracelet or a necklace having: an elongated member and a first ornamental component as disclosed in relation to the first aspect of the invention, strung on the elongated member. The first ornamental component is configured so that the gripping element resiliently grips the elongated member to fix the first ornamental component along the elongated member until a particular force is acting on the first ornamental component, whereby the first ornamental component can be moved along the elongated member.
The elongated member may be any elongated member suitable for jewelry such as a metal chain, leather string, a fabric string, or an anchor type chain.
In some embodiments, the particular force is higher than the maximum gravitational force gravity acting on the ornamental component.
In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further comprises at least one freely movable ornamental component strung on the elongated member.
In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further comprises a plurality of freely movable ornamental components strung on the elongated member.
In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further comprises a second ornamental component as disclosed in relation to the first aspect of the invention strung on the elongated member. The second ornamental component is configured so that the gripping element resiliently grips the elongated member to fix the second ornamental component along the elongated member until a particular force is acting on the second ornamental component, whereby the second ornamental component can be moved along the elongated member.
According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an ornamental component that has a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and/or necklace, with the through hole defining a through hole axis. The method includes the steps: (a) providing a self-supporting housing, having a through hole, wherein the through hole comprises a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing; (b) assembling an insert assembly comprising a first tubular element having a through hole that at least partly forms the through hole of the ornamental component, and a gripping element for frictionally gripping the elongated member of a bracelet and/or a necklace; and (c) inserting the insert assembly in the through hole of the housing.
Consequently, an efficient method of producing an ornamental component comprising a gripping element is provided.
In some embodiments, the insert assembly is inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing through the first opening of the self-supporting housing.
In some embodiments, the ornamental component is an ornamental component as disclosed in relation to the first aspect of the invention.
In some embodiments, the insert assembly is assembled before it is inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting housing.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a first circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis, with the gripping element having a first gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated member of the bracelet and/or necklace and a tubular portion. The first gripping portion protrudes from an inner surface of the tubular portion, and the step of assembling the insert assembly includes pulling the gripping element around the first tubular element until the first gripping portion is aligned with the first circumferential opening, whereby the first gripping portion extends through the first circumferential opening and a part of the inner surface of the tubular portion rests upon a part of the outer surface of the first tubular element thereby securing the gripping element to the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element further comprises a second circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis, and the gripping element further comprises a second gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated member of the bracelet and/or necklace, with the second gripping portion protruding from an inner surface of the tubular portion. Here, the step of assembling the insert assembly comprises pulling the gripping element around the first tubular element until the first gripping portion is aligned with the first circumferential opening and the second gripping portion is aligned with the second circumferential opening, whereby the first gripping portion extends through the first circumferential opening, the second gripping portion extends through the second circumferential opening, and a part of the inner surface of the tubular portion rests upon a part of the outer surface of the first tubular element thereby attaching the gripping element to the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element further comprises a third circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis, and the gripping element further comprises a third gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated member of the bracelet and/or necklace. The third gripping portion protrudes from an inner surface of the tubular portion, and the step of assembling the insert assembly comprises pulling the gripping element around the first tubular element until the first gripping portion is aligned with the first circumferential opening, the second gripping portion is aligned with the second circumferential opening, and the third gripping portion is aligned with the third circumferential opening, whereby the first gripping portion extends through the first circumferential opening, the second gripping portion extends through the second circumferential opening, the third gripping portion extends through the third circumferential opening, and a part of the inner surface of the tubular portion rests upon a part of the outer surface of the first tubular element thereby attaching the gripping element to the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the ornamental component further comprises a locking element having a through hole, an engagement part for engaging with the insert assembly, and a collar for being positioned outside the self-supporting housing. A method of using this embodiment includes the steps: (a) inserting the engagement part of the locking element into the second opening of the self-supporting housing; and (b) attaching the engagement part to the insert assembly.
In some embodiments, the engagement part is attached to the insert assembly by a male/female locking mechanism.
According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a tubular element for securing a griping element for gripping an elongated member of a bracelet and/necklace in a through hole of an ornamental component. The tubular element has a through hole defining a tubular element through hole axis, and the tubular element comprises a first circumferential opening extending along the tubular element through hole axis for receiving a first gripping portion of the gripping element allowing the first gripping portion to extend through the first circumferential opening.
In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a second circumferential opening extending along the tubular element through hole axis for receiving a second gripping portion of the gripping element allowing the second gripping portion to extend through the second circumferential opening.
In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a third circumferential opening extending along the tubular element through hole axis for receiving a third gripping portion of the gripping element allowing the third gripping portion to extend through the third circumferential opening.
In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening, the second circumferential opening, and/or the third circumferential opening have a width along the tubular element through hole axis of less than 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, or 50% of the width of the tubular element along the tubular element through hole axis.
In some embodiments, each of the first circumferential opening, the second circumferential opening, and/or the third circumferential opening extends between 5% and 33% of the circumference of the tubular element in a plane being perpendicular to the tubular element through hole axis.
In some embodiments, the tubular element is insertable in a through hole of a self-supporting housing of the ornamental component through a first opening of the through hole of the self-supporting housing.
In some embodiments, the tubular element comprises a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion being positioned next to the second portion. The second portion has a lower widest width than the widest width of the first portion measured in a plane being perpendicular to the tubular element through hole axis, and the first circumferential opening is positioned at the second portion of the tubular element.
In some embodiments, the second circumferential opening is positioned at the second portion of the tubular element.
In some embodiments, the third circumferential opening is positioned at the second portion of the tubular element.
In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a third portion positioned next to the second portion, and the second portion has a lower widest width than the widest width of the first portion and the third portion, measured in a plane being perpendicular to the tubular element through hole axis.
In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening extends approximately the entire length, along the tubular element through hole axis, of the second portion of the tubular element.
In some embodiments, the second circumferential opening extends approximately the entire length, along the tubular element through hole axis, of the second portion of the tubular element.
In some embodiments, the third circumferential opening extends approximately the entire length, along the tubular element through hole axis, of the second portion of the tubular element.
In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a collar for being positioned outside the self-supporting housing. The collar includes a surface for abutting an outer surface of the self-supporting housing for preventing the tubular element from moving in a first direction along the tubular element through hole axis relative to the self-supporting housing.
The collar may be an integral portion of the first tubular element or may be attached to the first tubular element. The collar may be arranged at a first opening of the through hole of the tubular element.
In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to the first tubular element by a male/female locking mechanism, with the male part comprising a protruding portion and the female part comprising a recess and/or opening.
The engagement portion may be the male part, and the first tubular element may be the female part (i.e., the engagement portion may comprise a protruding portion configured to engage with recess and/or opening in the first tubular element). Alternatively, the first tubular element may be the male part, and the engagement portion may be the female part.
In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism is of the snap lock type wherein a translation and/or rotation from a free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part to a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part requires less force than a translation and/or rotation from a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part to a free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part.
This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first tubular element typically are permanently attached.
In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism may be of the rotational lock type, wherein the female part (locking element or the tubular element) comprises a recess and/or opening configured to allow the protruding portion of the male part to translate inside the recess and/or opening along the tubular element through hole axis when the locking element is in a free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element, and to be prevented from moving in at least a first direction along the tubular element through hole axis when the locking element is in a locked position relative to the first tubular element and the locking element is in a locked rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of protruding portions and the female part comprises a plurality of recesses and/or openings.
The protruding portion of the male part and/or the recess and/or opening of the female part may be configured so that a rotation from the free rotational orientation to the locked rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the locked rotational orientation to the free rotational orientation.
In some embodiments, the tubular element has a length along the tubular element through hole axis between 2 mm and 3 cm.
According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to an ornamental component for a bracelet and/or a necklace. The ornamental component has a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and/or necklace, and the through hole defines a through hole axis. The ornamental component further includes: (a) a self-supporting housing having a through hole comprising a first opening at a first side of the housing and a second opening at a second side of the housing; (b) a first tubular element having a through hole inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing through the first opening of the self-supporting housing; and (c) a locking element having a through hole inserted in the through hole of self-supporting housing through the second opening of the self-supporting housing. The locking element comprises a engagement portion attached to the first tubular element.
Consequently, by providing an ornamental component with a lining by using two parts inserted from two sides of the ornamental component, the lining (the first tubular element and the locking element) may be attached to the bead without deforming it. This allows more complex insert elements to be used such as pre decorated linings and lining composed of a plurality of elements.
An ornamental component may be any component that can be strung on a bracelet and/or necklace for ornamental purposes such as a bead. An ornamental component according to the fifth aspect of the invention may be an freely movable ornamental component or an ornamental component used to organize freely movable beads on a bracelet or necklace. The self-supporting housing may constitute the outer surface of the ornamental component or may be covered with another layer or element constituting the outer surface of the ornamental component. The self supporting housing may have any shape such as approximately spherical, cylindrical or cubical. The self-supporting housing has a structural strength allowing it to be securely handled during the manufacturing process of the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may provide the primary structural strength of the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may be made of metal, glass, wood, plastic or a combination thereof. The through hole of the self-supporting housing may have a constant width or may have a varying width (measured in planes being perpendicular to the through hole axis). For example, the through hole of the self-supporting housing may be wider in the central part of self-supporting housing than at the first opening and the second opening. The inner surface of the through hole of the self-supporting housing may be spaced apart from the insert assembly by another element or a fluid (e.g., air). At least a part of the self-supporting housing may be transparent or semi-transparent.
The engagement portion and the first tubular element may be permanently attached or non-permanently attached.
The first tubular element may have any outer shape such as round or rectangular. Correspondingly, the through hole of the first tubular element may have any shape such as round or rectangular. The first tubular element may be integrally molded (i.e., made from a single mold). The first tubular element may be made of metal and/or plastic.
The engagement portion of the locking element may be attached to the first tubular element by the use of an adhesive or a mechanical locking mechanism.
In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to the first tubular element by a male/female locking mechanism, wherein the male part comprises a protruding portion and the female part comprises a recess and/or opening.
The engagement portion may be the male part, and the first tubular element may be the female part (i.e., the engagement portion may comprise a protruding portion configured to engage with recess and/or opening in the first tubular element). Alternatively, the first tubular element may be the male part and the engagement portion may be the female part.
In some embodiments, the ornamental component further comprises a second tubular element, and the first tubular element and the engagement portion of the locking element are positioned inside the second tubular element.
This may make it easier to insert the insert assembly into the self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may additionally hide non-decorative elements of the ornamental component, when the self-supporting housing is transparent or semi-transparent. The second tubular element may additionally protect the attachment between the first tubular element and the engagement portion.
The second tubular element may have a length along the through hole axis being approximately equal to the length of the self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may be fully inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting housing. The engagement portion of the locking element may be fully inserted into the second tubular element.
In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism is of the snap lock type wherein a translation and/or rotation from a free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part, to a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part, requires less force than a translation and/or rotation from a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part to a free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female part.
This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first tubular element typically are permanently attached.
In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism is of the rotational lock type, wherein the female part (the engagement portion or the first tubular element) comprises a recess and/or opening configured to allow the protruding portion of the male part to translate inside the recess and/or opening along the through hole axis when the locking element is in a free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element, and to be prevented from moving in at least a first direction along the through hole axis when the locking element is in a locked position relative to the first tubular element and the locking element is in a locked rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element.
In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of protruding portions and the female part comprises a plurality of recesses and/or openings.
When the male/female locking mechanism is of the rotational type, the locking element may be attached to the first tubular element by firstly rotationally orienting the locking element in the free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element, next translating the first tubular element and/or the locking element along the through hole axis until the locking element is in the locked position relative to the first tubular element, and finally rotating the first tubular element and/or the locking element from the free rotational orientation to the locked rotational orientation.
The protruding portion of the male part and/or the recess and/or opening of the female part may be configured so that a rotation from the free rotational orientation to the locked rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the locked rotational orientation to the free rotational orientation.
In some embodiments, the male part (the engagement portion or the first tubular element) comprises a flexible member configured to deform from a first shape to a second shape when the male part comes into contact with the female part, and further to snap back into approximately the first shape when the flexible member is aligned with the recess and/or opening of the female part, whereby the flexible member engages with the recess and/or opening and locks the male part to the female part, allowing the locking element to be attached to the first tubular element by a pure translation between the two.
In some embodiments, the male part comprises two flexible members, and the female part comprises two recesses and/or openings.
The two flexible members may be arranged at opposite sides of the male part. Correspondingly, the two recesses and/or openings may be arranged at opposite sides of the female part.
In some embodiments, the engagement part of the locking element is inserted into the first tubular element whereby the through hole of the locking element and the through hole of the first tubular element together form the through hole of the ornamental component.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element at a first end further comprises a collar positioned outside the self-supporting housing at the first opening of the self-supporting housing. A surface abuts an outer surface of the self-supporting housing thereby preventing the first tubular element from moving in a first direction along the through hole axis relative to the ornamental component.
In some embodiments, the locking element further comprises a collar positioned outside the self-supporting housing at the second opening of the self-supporting housing. The collar includes a surface abutting an outer surface of the self-supporting housing thereby preventing the first tubular element from moving in a second direction along the through hole axis relative to the ornamental component.
In some embodiments, the first tubular element is part of an insert assembly inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing through the first opening of the self-supporting housing. The insert assembly is assembled from the first tubular element and a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part of the bracelet and/or necklace. The first tubular element is configured to secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the ornamental component.
According to a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an ornamental component having a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and/or necklace, with the through hole defining a through hole axis. The method comprises the steps: (a) providing a self-supporting housing, having an through hole, wherein the through hole comprises a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing; (b) inserting through the first opening of the self-supporting housing a first tubular element having a through hole; (c) inserting through the second opening of the self-supporting housing a locking element having a through hole, the locking element comprising an engagement portion for being positioned inside the through hole of the self-supporting housing; and (d) attaching the engagement portion of the locking element to the first tubular element.
Consequently, by using two parts inserted from two sides of the ornamental component, the lining (the first tubular element and the locking element) may be attached to the bead without deforming it. This allows more complex insert elements to be used such as pre decorated linings and linings composed of a plurality of elements.
In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to the tubular element by a male/female locking mechanism.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of inserting a second tubular element into the through hole of the self-supporting housing, either through the first opening or the second opening of the self-supporting housing, wherein the first tubular element and the engagement portion of the locking element are inserted into the second tubular element.
In some embodiments, the ornamental component is an ornamental component as disclosed in relation to the fifth aspect of the invention.
The different aspects of the present invention can be implemented in different ways including as ornamental components, bracelets or necklaces comprising ornamental components, tubular elements for ornamental components, and methods for manufacturing ornamental components described above and in the following, each yielding one or more of the benefits and advantages described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above, and each having one or more preferred embodiments corresponding to the preferred embodiments described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above and/or disclosed in the dependent claims.
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments described in connection with one of the aspects described herein may equally be applied to the other aspects. Aspects of the first tubular element disclosed in relation to the first aspect of the invention may be applied to the tubular element disclosed in relation to the fourth aspect of the invention and vice versa. Similarly, aspects disclosed in relation to the ornamental component disclosed in relation to the first aspect of the invention may be applied to the method disclosed in relation to the third aspect of the invention and vice versa. Further aspects disclosed in relation to the ornamental component disclosed in relation to the fifth aspect of the invention may be applied to the method disclosed in relation to the sixth aspect of the invention and vice versa.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which show by way of illustration how the invention may be practiced.
a-c show an ornamental component 100 for a bracelet and/or a necklace having a through hole defining a through hole axis 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-d show a first tubular element comprising a through hole according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first tubular element shown in FIG. 4-d may correspond to the first tubular element 302 shown in
a-b show a gripping element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-b show a self-supporting housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-b show a second tubular element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-b show a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-d show a locking element 1106 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-d show a locking element 1406 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-c show an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
a-b show an first tubular element for a freely movable ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention is not restricted to them, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13154843 | Feb 2013 | EP | regional |
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 61/763,251 filed Feb. 11, 2013 and titled “Ornamental Component With Gripping Element”, and also claims priority to European patent application EP 13154843 filed Feb. 11, 2013 and titled “Ornamental Component With Gripping Element”. The disclosure of each is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
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