Mesh chain

Abstract

An article of jewelry having a longitudinal axis is provided with a plurality of rods extending along the longitudinal axis and a plurality of coils wound around the plurality of rods. Adjacent coils are intertwined and connected via the rods, with each rod having at least two coils wound therearound.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to jewelry chains generally, and more particularly to a jewelry chain comprising intertwined elongated wire coils extending along the longitudinal axis of a chain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Prior art jewelry chains have been made using coils of wire which are interconnected transverse to the direction of the piece of jewelry. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, which is a portion of a bracelet, necklace or the like 10, which shows its elongated direction or longitudinal axis identified by the arrow 12. In such case, the prior art has utilized coils of wires 14 extending in a direction identified by the arrow 16. These coils of wire 14 are fitted one into the other like springs. Rods 18 are then inserted between adjacent coils 14 so that the rods 18 are positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis or elongated direction 12 of the article of jewelry 10.

[0003] The coils are assembled as shown in FIG. 2 where adjacent coils 14a and 14b are placed near each other and a rod 18a is placed within the adjacent loops of the two interconnected coils 14a, 14b. Subsequently, another coil 14c is placed adjacent coil 14b with another rod 18b placed within their interconnected loops, and another coil 14d is placed adjacent coil 14c with another rod 18c placed within their interconnected loops. The loops are arranged so that within each loop there is an adjacent loop on both sides, as shown in FIG. 3 with rods therefore being placed connecting the coils on the left and the coils on the right of each mid-coil.

[0004] One of the problems is the excessive amount of labor to arrange these groups in short lengths transverse to the elongated length or longitudinal axis of the article of jewelry. Secondly, at both ends of each rod it is necessary to solder the rod to the end of the coil 20(a-d). As a result, the lateral edges of the bracelet wind up being rough and must be sanded and smoothed or otherwise covered so it provides a smooth edge. A rough edge present along the entire longitudinal axis of the bracelet would be uncomfortable to the wearer and potentially abrade or chafe the wearer's skin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The jewelry article of the present invention utilizes the same types of intertwined coils and rods as described above, with such coils and rods arranged along the longitudinal axis as opposed to the transverse axis. Thus, the coils and rods span the jewelry article from clasp to clasp or end to end, which reduces the labor costs and provides for smooth edges on the lateral sides of the article of jewelry. The resultant jewelry article is also inherently more flexible along the longitudinal axis as compared with prior art chains having multiply-positioned, transversely-extending rods disposed along the longitudinal axis of the jewelry article.

[0006] The coils of wire can be made of wire of any cross section having any outer peripheral shape. The wires interconnecting the coils can be either single strand or multiple strand (i.e. a cable). Furthermore, adjacent coils can be placed in the same or opposite direction. For example, one coil can be wound from right to left, the next one intertwined with it will be from left to right, the one after again right to left and in this way alternating. Alternatively, the coils can be wound in the same direction throughout the jewelry article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art jewelry article having coils arranged transverse to the elongated direction of the jewelry article.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevation diagrammatic illustration of intertwined coil and rod sections from the jewelry article of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is an edge view of intertwined coil and rod sections from the jewelry article of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 4A illustrates an embodiment of an article of jewelry of the present invention having coils arranged along the longitudinal axis of the jewelry article.

[0011] FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment of an article of jewelry of the present invention having coils arranged along the longitudinal axis of the jewelry article.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a rod used the invention.

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a rod used in the invention.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative arrangement of rods and coils in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative arrangement of rods and coils in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The following detailed description is of the best mode or modes of the invention presently contemplated. Such description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but to be an example of the invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and by reference to which in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate two embodiments of an article of jewelry of the present invention 100 in the form of a bracelet. For purposes of explanation, a bracelet or bracelet section will be used to highlight the features of the invention, it being understood that various articles, such as a necklace, earring, belt, pocketbook strap or the like, may be constructed in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0018] Bracelet 100 comprises a longitudinal axis 105, a transverse axis 110, a first clasp end 115, a second clasp end 120 opposite said first clasp end 115, an upper edge 135 and a lower edge 140. A plurality of intertwined coils 150a-150d (collectively a plurality 150) extend between opposite ends 115, 120 along the longitudinal axis 105 of the bracelet 100. A plurality of rods 160a-160d (collectively a plurality 160) also extend between opposite ends 115, 120 and along the longitudinal axis 105 of the bracelet 100.

[0019] The rods and coils are arranged so that each coil is wound around at least one rod, with such rod providing support for the coil along the longitudinal axis of the bracelet. This is exemplified by the rods 160a, 160d situated along the edges 135, 140 of the bracelet 100. Along the interior of the bracelet, each rod 160b, 160c will have more than one coil wound therearound, with coil loops extending around adjacently positioned rods. The interconnection between adjacent coils and rods along the longitudinal axis of the bracelet maintains cohesion and prevents the plurality of coils and rods from separating from each other.

[0020] The coils of wire can be made of wire that is solid or hollow, and this is of any cross section having any outer peripheral shape. For example, the wire can have a rounded cross-section, a planar cross-section or a combination of round and non-round cross-sectional portions. The rods interconnecting the coils can be either a single strand of wire (FIGS. 4A and 4B), multiple strands (FIG. 5) or multiply braided strands (FIG. 6). Furthermore, adjacent coils can be placed in the same direction as illustrated in FIG. 4A, or the opposite direction as illustrated in FIG. 4B. For example, one coil can be wound from right to left, the next one intertwined with it will be from left to right, the one after again right to left and in this way alternating (FIG. 4B). Alternatively, the coils can be wound in the same direction throughout the jewelry article (FIG. 4A).

[0021] It is preferred to arrange the jewelry article of the present invention so that the rods 160a-160d and coils 150a-150d are in a parallel formation (FIGS. 4A and 4B). FIG. 7 illustrates the arrangement of rods 160e-160h and coils 150e-150h in a square formation, while FIG. 8 illustrates the arrangement of rods 160i-160m and coils 150i-150n in a round formation. Other non-parallel coil and rod formations are contemplated.

[0022] While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An elongated jewelry chain comprising: a) a longitudinal axis, b) a plurality of coils extending along said longitudinal axis, c) a plurality of supports extending through loops of adjacent coils along said longitudinal axis of said chain, d) wherein each support has at least two coils wound therearound.

2. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one coil of said plurality is fastened to an end of at least one support of said plurality.

3. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 2, wherein each coil of said plurality is intertwined with at least one adjacent coil.

4. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least one coil of said plurality is fastened to opposite ends of said at least one support.

5. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 4, wherein each support of said plurality has at least one coil fastened thereto.

6. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 5, wherein each support of said plurality has at least one coil fastened thereto at opposite ends of said each support.

7. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 2, wherein said end of said at least one support terminates in a clasp portion.

8. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, further comprising clasp portions secured at opposite ends of said plurality of supports.

9. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 8, wherein said plurality of supports are connected to said clasp portions at opposite ends of said plurality of supports.

10. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 9, wherein said plurality of coils are connected to said clasp portions at opposite ends of said plurality of supports.

11. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein each coil of said plurality is intertwined with at least one adjacent coil.

12. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 11, wherein at least one coil of said plurality is intertwined with at least two adjacent coils.

13. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of supports are arranged in a parallel formation.

14. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein each coil of said plurality is wound in the same direction.

15. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least two coils of said plurality are wound in different directions.

16. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 15, wherein said at least two coils are wound around adjacently positioned supports.

17. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of coils are wound in alternating directions.

18. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein each support comprises a single wire.

19. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein each support comprises a plurality of wires.

20. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 19, wherein said plurality of wires are wound together.

21. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one coil of said plurality is formed from a wire of solid cross section.

22. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one coil of said plurality is formed from a wire of hollow cross section.

23. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one coil of said plurality is formed from a wire having a rounded outer periphery.

24. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one coil of said plurality is formed from a wire having a polygonal outer periphery.

25. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one coil of said plurality is formed from a wire having an outer periphery comprising a portion that is rounded and a portion that is planar.

26. An elongated jewelry chain comprising: a) a longitudinal axis, a first clasp end and a second clasp end, b) a plurality of coils extending along said longitudinal axis, and c) a plurality of rods extending through loops of adjacent coils along said longitudinal axis between said first and second clasp ends, and d) wherein at least one coil of said plurality is fastened to an end of at least one rod that extends through loops of adjacent coils along said longitudinal axis.

27. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 26, wherein each rod has at least two coils wound therearound.

28. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 27, further comprising first and second clasp portions secured at said first and second clasp ends.

29. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 28, wherein said at least one coil of said plurality is fastened to said first and second clasp ends of said least one rod around which said plurality of coils is wound.

30. An elongated jewelry chain in accordance with claim 29, wherein said first and second clasp portions hides the fastening of said at least one coil of said plurality to said first and second clasp ends of said least one rod.