BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ornamental strings, for example, necklaces and bracelets and more particularly, to such an ornamental string, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 9˜16 illustrate the fabrication of conventional metal ornamental strings. These metal ornamental strings are formed by using metal connection elements 7 to connect metal ornamental elements 6; 8 in series. The metal ornamental elements 6; 8 are formed of a metal sheet member 61; 81 that are processed into a three-dimensional shape through a secondary processing process. Further, the metal sheet member 61; 81 has opposing arched notches 6111; 8111. Each metal connection element 7 has a rounded head 71 at each of the two distal ends thereof. Each rounded head 71 of each metal connection elements 7 is attached to the arched notches 6111; 8111 of the associating metal sheet member 61; 81, and then the metal sheet member 61; 81 processed into a three-dimensional shape through a secondary processing process, and thus the metal connection element 7 and the metal ornamental element 6; 8 are coupled together.
The fabrication of the aforesaid conventional metal ornamental string is complicated, requiring much time and labor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide an ornamental string, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, an ornamental string includes ornamental elements and connection elements connecting the ornamental elements in series. Each ornamental element is formed of two symmetrical hollow half shells sealed together by means of ultrasonic sealing technique. Each half shell has two opposing arched notches such that when the two symmetrical half shells of one ornamental element are sealed together, the two arched notches of the two symmetrical half shells at one side form a hole. Each connection element has a rounded head at each of two distal ends thereof respectively pivotally coupled to one hole on one respective ornamental element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a part of an ornamental string in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an assembly view of the ornamental string in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a part of an ornamental string in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an assembly view of the ornamental string in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic assembly view of an ornamental string in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an applied view of the ornamental string in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly view of an ornamental string in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an applied view of the ornamental string in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 9˜12 illustrate fabrication of an ornamental string according to the prior art.
FIGS. 13˜16 illustrate fabrication of another design of ornamental string according to the prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an ornamental string in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a plurality of ornamental elements 1 and a plurality of connection elements 2 that connect the ornamental elements 1 in series.
Each ornamental element 1 comprises two symmetrical half shells 11 that are sealed together by means of ultrasonic sealing technique. Each half shell 11 has two opposing arched notches 1111. Thus, when the two symmetrical half shells 11 are sealed together, the two arched notches 1111 of the two symmetrical half shells 11 at one side form a hole 111. Each two adjacent ornamental elements 1 are connected by one connection element 2. Each connection element 2 has a rounded head 21 at each of the two distal ends thereof. The rounded heads 21 of the connection elements 2 are respectively pivotally coupled to the holes 111 on the ornamental elements 1. The ornamental elements 1 and the connection elements 2 can be molded from plastics. Further, the ornamental elements 1 can be made in any of a variety of shapes. According to this first embodiment, the ornamental elements 1 have a spherical shape.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show an ornamental string in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this second embodiment, the ornamental string comprises a plurality of hollow cylindrical ornamental elements 3 and a plurality, of connection elements 2 that connect the ornamental elements 3 in series. Each ornamental element 3 comprises two symmetrical half shells 31 that are sealed together by means of ultrasonic sealing technique. Each half shell 31 has two opposing arched notches 3111. Thus, when the two symmetrical half shells 31 are sealed together, the two arched notches 3111 of the two symmetrical half shells 31 at one side form a hole 311. Each connection element 2 has a rounded head 21 at each of the two distal ends thereof. The rounded heads 21 of the connection elements 2 are respectively pivotally coupled to the holes 311 on the ornamental elements 3.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show an ornamental string in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. According to this third embodiment, the ornamental string comprises a plurality of hollow star-shaped ornamental elements 4 and a plurality of connection elements 2 that connect the ornamental elements 4 in series. Each ornamental element 4 comprises two symmetrical half shells 41 that are sealed together by means of ultrasonic sealing technique. Each half shell 41 has two opposing arched notches 4111. Thus, when the two symmetrical half shells 41 are sealed together, the two arched notches 4111 of the two symmetrical half shells 41 at one side form a hole 411. Each connection element 2 has a rounded head 21 at each of the two distal ends thereof. The rounded heads 21 of the connection elements 2 are respectively pivotally coupled to the holes 311 on the ornamental elements 4.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show an ornamental string in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. According to this fourth embodiment, the ornamental string comprises a plurality of hollow heart-shaped ornamental elements 5 and a plurality of connection elements 2 that connect the ornamental elements 5 in series. Each ornamental element 5 comprises two symmetrical half shells 51 that are sealed together by means of ultrasonic sealing technique. Each half shell 51 has two opposing arched notches 5111. Thus, when the two symmetrical half shells 51 are sealed together, the two arched notches 5111 of the two symmetrical half shells 51 at one side form a hole 511. Each connection element 2 has a rounded head 21 at each of the two distal ends thereof. The rounded heads 21 of the connection elements 2 are respectively pivotally coupled to the holes 511 on the ornamental elements 5.
Further, it is to be understood that the ornamental string can be made for use as a necklace or bracelet.
Although particular embodiment of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.