JEWELRY CHAIN

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the field of decorative jewelry items, and more particularly to a jewelry rope chain exhibiting unusual visual properties. This invention also relates to the basic structural link element of a jewelry rope chain exhibiting unusual visual properties. Furthermore, this invention relates to the basic structural link element of a jewelry rope chain exhibiting attractive, decorative, and ornamental visual properties.

Brief Description of the Art

[0002] Rope chains are a popular type of jewelry made from linking a number of regular annular links together in a repetitive manner and usually soldering or welding every two links together. The result is a chain that is flexible and pleasing to the eye. The annular links are often formed of gold or other precious metal and are circular in form with flat sides. The circle is not complete as there must be a gap to permit the linking of the links with each other.

[0003] Rope chains are a popular type of jewelry made from linking a number of standard sized annular link elements together in a repetitive manner and usually soldering, welding, or otherwise bonding every two link elements together. The result is a chain that is flexible and pleasing to the eye. The annular link elements are typically formed of gold, silver, or other precious metal and may be round in cross section or may be rectangular in cross section with flat major side surfaces, depending on the method of manufacture. The overall generally circular configuration of the annular link elements is not complete as there must be a gap provided to permit interlinking, i.e. interconnecting, of the link elements with each other. The result is a link element having a generally C-shaped configuration.

[0004] The generally C-shaped link elements are fastened together in a particular way, such that tightly interlinking annular link elements give the appearance of a pair of intertwining helical rope strands.

[0005] Gold is available in at least four colors: white, yellow, rose (pink), and green.

[0006] In a conventional rope chain, the orientation pattern of individual links producing the rope chain is repeated every several links, for example every four links, and as such is referred to as a four-link rope chain. In an improvement to the conventional basic rope chain, it is taught in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,651,517, and 5,301,498 that the links can be constructed in different and narrower dimensions so that the pattern is repeated every six links or even every eight links.

[0007] However, in typical prior art construction techniques for producing rope chain jewelry, each link is of a single solid color, texture, and pattern, e.g., each link may be stamped from a solid thin sheet of precious metal, such as gold. Those prior art rope chains that do exhibit variations of colors along their lengths nevertheless are constructed of individual links each of which is of a single solid color, texture, and/or pattern. Other jewelry articles exhibit variations of colors along their lengths using interconnected twisted chain loops, but they are not regarded as rope chains as defined herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides the means and method for assembling links in a manufacturing process to produce a rope chain piece of jewelry in which each link exhibits a unique visual property, i.e., surface texture, coloration, attribute, feature, characteristic, or physical appearance. Such unique visual property traits for the succession of links results in a more attractive, fanciful, more delicate and interesting fashion jewelry item.

[0009] In another aspect of the invention, rather than having each link side surface of a uniform visual property, one of the side surfaces, or both such side surfaces, may exhibit perceptively different visual properties in accordance with a predetermined pattern arrangement on each side surface. The two side surfaces so configured may be identical on both first and second side surfaces, or they may be different one from the other. For example, a portion of each first side surface may be of a first color, and another portion may be of a second color. Similarly, a portion of each second side surface may be of a first color, and another portion may be of a second color, and the design of the arrangement of different colored portions may be different on the first and second side surfaces.

[0010] It is to be understood, however, that all combinations of: the number of interconnected links in the repeated pattern along the rope chain; solid or portioned coloration and/or texturing; different designs of the portioned regions of each side surface of the links; and different physical shape and/or visual properties as identified in this description may be employed in the manufacture of jewelry rope chains and are contemplated as variations of the preferred embodiment specifically shown and described.

[0011] In addition to exhibiting unique visual properties, employing the concepts of the present invention can produce lengths of rope chains in which one of the apparent strands of "rope" has a different visual appearance than the intertwining "rope" strand.

[0012] Additionally, in the process of altering the physical shape of the individual link elements, simultaneously with the enhancement of the visual effect due to the shape altering techniques, small amounts of the precious metal making up the link elements are removed without reducing the effective dimensional characteristics of the elements and, therefore, without diminishing the structural integrity of the finished rope chain product. Moreover, although not intended to be limiting, most of the variations of the present invention maintain a rectangular cross section for all or portions of the link elements.

[0013] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided, in a length of jewelry rope chain of the type comprising a series of tightly interfitting gapped link elements and having the appearance of intertwining helical strands, gapped link elements each having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface, an interior edge, and an exterior edge, the improvement wherein: link width is defined as a distance, measured along either of the major surfaces, between a pair of parallel lines perpendicular to the major surfaces and tangent to, respectively, the interior and exterior edges; and at least some of the link elements in the length of rope chain have an irregular link width.

[0014] In another aspect of the invention, both interior and exterior edges may be irregular or patterned, the exterior edge preferably patterned for an attractive visual effect and to reduce the amount of precious metal, and the interior edge irregular solely to reduce the amount of precious metal needed to form the link element. In yet another aspect of the invention, one of the major surfaces, or both such major surfaces, may exhibit perceptively different physical shapes in accordance with a predetermined engraved, etched, diamond cut or other formed pattern arrangement on each major surface. For example, small portions of each upper major surface may be cut away in a desired pattern, and other portions may be cut away in a second desired pattern. Similarly, small portions of each lower major surface may be cut away in a third desired pattern, and other portions may be cut away in a fourth desired pattern. The designs and arrangement of different patterns may be the same or different on the upper and lower major surfaces.

[0015] Instead of, or in addition to, differently shaped major surfaces, the two major surfaces may exhibit differently textured portions. Also, either major surface may be of a uniform shape and/or texture, while the other major surface is portioned as described.

[0016] Thus, the interconnecting links may have differently colored, patterned, and/or textured portions, and may have different irregular or patterned shapes or shaped portions.

[0017] From the viewpoint of a finished length of rope chain, the invention provides an improvement over the prior art, wherein: each link element in the length of rope chain comprises a link portion exhibiting a first visual property, and another link portion exhibiting a second, different, visual property; whereby, when viewed from one side of the length of rope chain, the appearance of one of the helical rope strands is different than the appearance of the other, adjacent, helical rope strand along the length of rope chain.

[0018] As a result of the various combinations possible in the manufacture of jewelry rope chains in accordance with the present invention, a virtually limitless number of different design possibilities exist, and preferred ones of such possibilities are shown and described herein. It is to be understood, however, that all combinations of: the number of interconnected link elements in the repeated pattern along the rope chain; solid or portioned coloration and/or texturing; different designs of the portioned regions of each major surface of the link elements; and different physical shape and/or visual properties as identified in this description may be employed in the manufacture of jewelry rope chains and are contemplated variations of the preferred embodiments specifically shown and described.

[0019] Coloration is only one type of "visual property", and may vary according to the type or formulation of the material or materials from which a link element is made. Reflectivity, surface texture, pattern feature or characteristic, in addition to shape, are among other visual properties of a link that can influence the appearance of a finished rope chain.

[0020] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the annular, or generally C-shaped, link elements may be formed by a stamping process whereby the desired visual effects on the link elements are preliminarily provided on the sheet of material from which the link elements are later stamped. Alternatively, especially when the visual property is surface texture or shape, the desired visual effects on the link elements may be created during or after the stamping process.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the annular, or generally C-shaped, link elements may be manufactured by bending a thin elongated wire of prescribed dimensions into the desired C-shape. The wire may undergo a preliminary surface texturing process, such as serrating, prior to being cut and formed into a link element by the machine, or the machine can form the link element and a subsequent surface texturing and/or coloration process may be employed.

[0022] Importantly, as will be described in detail hereinafter, in the stamping process, in addition to die-cutting the outline for the overall generally C-shaped configured link element from the sheet of material provided, the die tools or devices may be fabricated to impress, on one or more of the major or side edge surfaces of the link element being die-cut, a surface texture or shape. That is, any surface or surface portion of the stamped link element may exhibit a desired surface texture or shape produced by an impression on, in, or to that surface by the tooling or device employed by the stamping process, effectively imprinting a desired shape, form, or finish.

[0023] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a sheet of material having a plurality of regions, adjacent ones of which exhibit different visual properties; and a link element is stamped from the sheet, the link element so produced comprising segments of at least two of the plurality of regions. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a jewelry rope chain link element departing from the shape and configuration of a standard link element by the provision of voids therein formed by the stamping device.

[0024] In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a jewelry rope chain link element departing from the annular shape and configuration of a standard link element.

[0025] In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a link element, comprising: providing a sheet of material having a plurality of regions, adjacent ones of which exhibit different visual properties; stamping an elongated strip of the material; and forming the strip into a rope chain link element comprising portions of the sheet of material that exhibit at least two of the visual properties.

[0026] A jewelry rope chain link element constructed in accordance with the invention preferably, but not necessarily, may have the shape and configuration of a standard annular link element with at least a portion removed and has a maximum link width equal to that of a similar standard annular link element without any portion removed.

[0027] When stamped from a sheet of material comprised of a number of edge-joined flat strips or regions, one helical rope strand may be a helical cylindrical tube displaying a particular color pattern and intertwined with the adjacent helical rope strand which may display the same or a different color pattern.

[0028] It is to be understood that all combinations of: the number of interconnected link elements in the repeated pattern along the rope chain; solid or portioned coloration and/or texturing; different designs of the portioned regions of each major surface and/or side peripheral edges of the link elements; and different physical shape and/or visual properties as identified in this description may be employed in the manufacture of jewelry rope chains and are contemplated variations of the preferred embodiments specifically shown and described.

[0029] In another aspect of the invention, a manufacturing process may be employed to produce a length of jewelry rope chain in which each link element, or a group of link elements, may exhibit a unique visual property, i.e., surface texture, coloration, attribute, shape, configuration, or physical appearance prior to assembly, and subsequently be altered to enhance the beauty of the jewelry article by further coloration or texturing processes.

[0030] It will be understood that in all of the examples of the accompanying figures and the related text, where different colors are shown and described, texture or patterns can be implied, and the terms "texture" or "pattern" could be substituted for "color". To avoid unnecessary duplication, however, "color" will be used as exemplary of other visual properties including surface texture and patterns.

[0031] Some or all of the link elements making up the length of rope chain may be smoothly circular (e.g., annular), circular with peripheral undulations or crenels, circular with peripheral gear-like teeth, and/or may be star shaped, baguette shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, oval shaped, diamond shaped, heart shaped, etc. Similarly, different portions of each link element may have such different physical shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0032] Further objects and advantages and a better understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which surface lining indicates color or texture.

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an annular link element which is the basic building element for the construction of jewelry rope chains as known in the prior art;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of a solid core annular link element taken along the lines 2-2 in Figure 1, also known in the prior art;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view showing a section of a prior art rope chain during the manufacturing process, before removing a forming wire used to maintain proper orientation of the series of links;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of an annular link used in the manufacture of one embodiment of a rope chain in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of an example of an annular link showing a pattern of regions on the surface of the link exhibiting different visual properties;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of another second example of an annular link showing a pattern of regions on the surface of the link exhibiting different visual properties;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of another example of an annular link showing a pattern of regions on the surface of the link exhibiting different visual properties;

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of another example of an annular link showing a pattern of regions on the surface of the link exhibiting different visual properties;

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of another example of an annular link showing a pattern of regions on the surface of the link exhibiting different visual properties;

FIGURE 12 is a schematic representation of a rope chain segment employing annular links of the type shown in Figure 6;

FIGURE 13 is another embodiment of a rope chain segment employing annular links of the type shown in Figure 7;

FIGURE 14 is a view similar to that of Figure 13, with a number of annular links inserted in the series of links in reverse direction;

FIGURE 15 is an elevational view of section of rope chain manufactured using the style of annular link shown in Figure 7;

FIGURE 16 is a left side elevational view of the segment of rope chain shown in Figure 15;

FIGURE 17 is a right elevational view of the segment of rope chain shown in Figure 15;

FIGURE 18 is a plan view of another example of an annular link showing a pattern of regions on the surface of the link exhibiting four different visual color properties;

FIGURE 19 is a plan view of another example of an annular link showing a pattern of regions on the surface of the link exhibiting four different visual color properties;

FIGURE 20 is a plan view of another example of an annular link showing a pattern of four regions on the surface of the link exhibiting two different visual color properties;

FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of a gapped link having a virtually flat, but non-planar upper and lower major surfaces;

FIGURE 22 is a plan view of another example of a rope chain gapped link which has a baguette shape;

FIGURE 24 is a plan view of another example of a rope chain gapped link which has an oval shape;

FIGURE 26 is a plan view of another example of a rope chain gapped link which is heart shaped;

FIGURE 2CX is a cross sectional view of a link element showing a generally rectangular shape and sides of an indeterminate shape;

FIGURE 2DX is a view similar to that of Figure 2CX, except that the cross section is generally circular;

Figure 6X depicts a link element in which one half is of one color and of one shape, and the other half is of another color and of another shape;

FIGURE 7X is a plan view of a link element having a smooth interior edge and a full undulated exterior edge;

FIGURE 8X is a plan view of a link element having a crenelated interior edge and an undulated exterior edge;

FIGURE 9X is a plan view of a link element having a smooth exterior edge and a crenelated interior edge;

FIGURE 10X is a plan view of a link element having smooth exterior and interior edges, and a patterned area along a central major surface;

FIGURE 11X is a plan view of a link element having smooth exterior and interior edges with a patterned area along a major surface thereof;

FIGURE 12X is a plan view of a link element having smooth exterior and interior edges, and with a textured patterned groove along a central major surface;

FIGURE 13X is a plan view of a link element having smooth exterior and interior edges with textured depressions in a major surface thereof adjacent the exterior and interior edges;

FIGURE 14X is a plan view of a segmented link element, one half having a narrow annular width and the other half gradually increasing to a wider width at its middle;

FIGURE 15X is a plan view of a segmented link element, one half having a narrower than normal annular width, and the other half having a non-linear relatively wider annular width;

FIGURE 16X is a plan view of a segmented link element, one half having a narrow annular width, and the other half having a relatively wider annular width with an opening therein;

FIGURE 17X is a plan view of a segmented link element, one half having a narrow annular width, and the other half having a relatively wider annular width with an opening therein and a portion with a different material or differently colored material;

FIGURE 18X is a plan view of a segmented link element, one half having a narrower annular width, and the other half having a relatively wider annular width largely open with tendril-like filigree filaments bridging across the opening;

FIGURE 19X is a plan view of a segmented link element, one half having a narrower annular width, and the other half having a relatively wider annular width with a repeating symbol therein or thereon;

FIGURE 20X is a plan view of a link element with one half having an undulated exterior edge and no interior crenels;

FIGURE 21X is a plan view of a link element with only one side having a crenelated interior edge, and with the other half having smooth interior and exterior edges;

FIGURE 22X is a plan view of a link element with a double bumped projection on the exterior edge thereof;

FIGURE 23X is a plan view of a link element similar to that shown in Figure 22X, but with an opening in the projection;

FIGURE 24X shows a baguette shaped link element configuration version of the link element of Figure 11X;

FIGURE 25X shows a square shaped link element configuration;

FIGURE 26X shows an oval shaped link element configuration version of the link element of Figure 10X;

FIGURE 27X shows a diamond shaped link element configuration;

FIGURE 27AX shows a heart shaped link element configuration;

FIGURE 28X shows a link element in which an arcuate concave cut is made in each side;

FIGURE 28AX is a partial plan view of a link element variation of the link element shown in Figure 28X;

FIGURE 29X shows a link element having a smooth interior edge and a crenelated exterior edge;

FIGURE 30X shows a link element similar to that of Figure 28X, but with flat, rather than concave, side cutouts;

FIGURE 31X shows a link element having smooth exterior and interior edges, the annular width of which is less than standard;

FIGURES 32X and 33X are plan and side elevational views, respectively, of a link element which has notches or depressions spaced around the periphery;

FIGURE 34X shows a link element having a side of a first material and an opening therein, and a side of narrow annular width with undulations and of a second material;

FIGURE 35X shows a link element of having a first side made of a first material with openings therein separated by a solid annular segment of a second material, and a second side of a third material and of a narrowed annular width;

FIGURE 36X shows a link element having a side of a first material and with a plurality of spaced differently shaped openings, the other side made of a second material and having a narrower-than-standard annular width;

FIGURE 37X shows a link element having a side of a first material and with a flattened edge, the other side made of a second material and having a standard annular width;

FIGURE 38X is a partial side elevational view of a link element in which one or both of the textured major surfaces are serrated, or knurled;

FIGURE 39X is a partial side elevational view of a link element in which one or both of the textured major surfaces have connected angled plate-like segments producing a saw-toothed profile;

FIGURE 40X is a partial side elevational view of a link element in which one or both of the textured major surfaces have V-shaped grooves;

FIGURE 41X is a partial side elevational view of a link element in which the exterior edge is serrated, scored, or knurled, and the major surfaces are planar;

FIGURE 42X is a partial side elevational view of a link element in which both major surfaces and the exterior edge are serrated, or knurled;

FIGURE 43X is a plan view of a link element having smooth exterior and interior edges, and with a serrated, scored, or knurled, major surface;

FIGURE 44X is a plan view of a link element having a smooth interior edge, a serrated, scored, or knurled, exterior edge, and a serrated, scored, or knurled, major surface;

FIGURE 45X is a partial plan view of a link element having portions of its major surface smooth and portions serrated, scored, or knurled;

FIGURE 46X is a length of rope chain in which each link element comprises differently sized segments;

FIGURE 47X is a length of rope chain in which each link element comprises differently shaped segments;

Figures 48AX, 48BX, 48CX, and 48DX show how a number of identical link elements are interconnected in a special way;

Figures 49AX, 49BX, 49CX, and 49DX also show how a number of identical link elements are interconnected in another special way;

FIGURE 3Y is a plan view of a sheet of material showing multi-colored edge-joined flat strips or regions and, in dashed lines, the location and orientation of a link element to be stamped from such sheet of material;

FIGURE 6Y is a view similar to that of Figure 3Y, but showing a different orientation of the link element to be stamped from such sheet of material;

FIGURE 7Y is a view similar to that of Figure 3Y, but with different widths of the colored strips making up the sheet of material and a reversal of the colored strips;

FIGURE 7AY is an example of a link element stamped from a multicolored sheet of material;

FIGURE 10Y is a plan view of a sheet of material having an intermediate textured region and, in dashed lines, the location and orientation of a link element to be stamped from such sheet of material;

FIGURE 11Y is a plan view of a sheet of material having multiple textured regions, thereby exhibiting three different visual properties;

FIGURES 12Y and 12AY are perspective views of the segment of sheet material shown in Figure 11Y taken along the line 12Y-12Y in Figure 11Y;

FIGURE 13Y is a plan view of a sheet of material having a textured region and lines representing the texturing perpendicular to the length of the sheet of material;

FIGURE 14Y is a plan view of a sheet of material in which a texturing has taken place, prior to die-cutting out a link element from the material;

FIGURE 15Y is a cross sectional view of the sheet of material taken along the line 15Y-15Y in Figure 14Y, and showing two possible die-cut patterns for stamping out a link element;

FIGURE 16Y is a plan view of one configuration for a link element die-cut, or stamped, from the material shown in Figure 14Y;

FIGURE 17Y is a plan view of another configuration for a link element die-cut, or stamped, from the material shown in Figure 14Y;

FIGURE 18Y is a perspective view of a laminated sheet of material from which slices can be cut and eventually formed into a link element;

FIGURE 19Y is a perspective view of a slice from a relatively thick sheet of material that can be bent, or rolled, to form a link element;

FIGURE 20Y is a perspective view of a slice from a relatively thin sheet of material that can be bent, or rolled, to form a link element;

FIGURE 21 Y is a plan view of a length of sheet material from which slices can be taken and formed into a link element;

FIGURE 22Y is a side elevational view of the slice of material shown in Figure 20Y and taken along the line 22Y-22Y in Figure 21Y;

FIGURE 23Y is a top plan view of the slice of material shown in Figure 22Y;

FIGURE 24Y is a plan view of a length of sheet material from which slices can be taken and formed into a link element;

FIGURE 25Y is a side elevational view of a slice of material similar to that shown in Figure 20Y, but taken along the line 25Y-25Y in Figure 24Y;

FIGURE 26Y is a top plan view of a link element shown in Figure 25Y;

FIGURE 27Y is a perspective view of a link element formed from the slice of material shown in Figures 25Y and 26Y;

FIGURE 28Y is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 19Y, but with deep cut and textured, elongated, and linear recesses formed in the sheet of material from which a slice is to be taken;

FIGURE 29Y is a perspective view of a link element made from the slice of material shown in Figure 28Y;

FIGURE 30Y is an action perspective view showing four time positions of a slice of material, or a wire, illustrating the bending positions of a straight textured and shaped slice or wire into the configuration of a link element;

FIGURE 31Y is a view similar to that shown in Figure 36Y, but without showing intermediated bending positions, and with a different pattern of surface texturing;

FIGURE 32Y shows examples of different surface texturing that may be selected to cover portions or the entire major or edge surfaces of a link element made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURES 33Y is a plan view of a link element of standard annular configuration and displaying examples of major surface texturing;

FIGURE 34Y is a plan view of a link element in which the exterior edge is serrated;

FIGURES 35Y-39Y are plan views of link elements each of a standard annular size and configuration and displaying different preferred color and/or texture patterns on a major surface thereof;

FIGURE 40Y is a plan view of a link element showing a major surface with alternating and spaced lining adjacent the interior and exterior edges, the lining being in the form of depressions formed during the stamping process;

FIGURE 41Y is a plan view of a link element showing cutout patterns along the interior and exterior peripheral edges, formed during the stamping process;

FIGURE 42Y is a plan view of a link element showing a major facial surface with evenly distributed lining adjacent the exterior edge, formed during the stamping process;

FIGURES 45Y-48Y are a plan views of link elements each having a configuration departing from the standard annular configuration and formed by stamping;

FIGURES 51Y-59Y are plan views of link elements each having a shaped configuration departing from the standard annular configuration and formed by stamping;

FIGURE 60Y is a schematic representation showing the assembly sequence of link elements forming a length of rope chain, employing link elements of standard, or substandard, annular widths alternating with link elements having a portion relatively enlarged in annular width such as that shown in Figure 43Y;

FIGURE 61Y is a schematic representation showing the assembly sequence of link elements forming a length of rope chain, employing link elements each having a portion relatively enlarged in annular width such as that shown in Figure 43Y;

FIGURE 62Y is a schematic representation showing the assembly sequence of link elements forming a length of rope chain, employing aligned link elements each having a portion relatively enlarged in annular width;

FIGURE 63Y is a schematic representation showing the assembly sequence of link elements forming a length of rope chain, employing link elements of different dimensions alternating every six link elements;

FIGURE 64Y is a schematic representation showing the assembly sequence of link elements forming a length of rope chain, employing link elements of standard, or substandard, annular widths alternating with link elements having relatively enlarged annular widths;

FIGURE 65Y is a schematic representation showing the assembly sequence of link elements forming a length of rope chain, employing pairs of link elements of standard, or substandard, annular widths alternating with pairs of link elements having relatively enlarged annular widths;

FIGURE 66Y is a plan view of a sheet of material having multiple colored or textured regions, and showing, in dashed lines, the location and orientation of link elements to be stamped from such sheet of material;

FIGURE 67Y is a plan view similar to that of Figure 66Y, but with the orientation of link elements rotated 180°;

FIGURE 68Y is a plan view of a sheet of material having multiple colored or textured regions, and showing, in dashed lines, the location and orientation of link elements to be stamped from such sheet of material;

FIGURE 69Y is a fragment representation of the sheet of material shown in Figure 66Y or 67Y;

FIGURE 70Y is a is a front elevational view of the outward appearance of a length of jewelry rope chain showing the color or texture pattern resulting from assembling link elements including link elements stamped from the sheet of material shown in Figures 66Y and 67Y;

FIGURE 71Y is a fragment representation of the sheet of material shown in Figure 68Y;

FIGURE 72Y is a is a front elevational view of the outward appearance of a length of jewelry rope chain showing the color or texture pattern resulting from assembling link elements stamped from the sheet of material shown in Figure 68Y;

FIGURE 73Y is a plan view of a sheet of material having multiple colored or textured regions, and from which some of the link elements shown in Figure 74Y are stamped;

FIGURE 74Y is a is a front elevational view of the outward appearance of a length of jewelry rope chain showing the color or texture pattern resulting from assembling link elements having offset color/texture patterns on adjacent link elements;

FIGURE 75Y is a plan view of three different link elements, each stamped from a sheet of material or from different sheets of material, similar to that shown in Figure 73Y;

FIGURE 76Y is a plan view of a sheet of material from which curved slices can be cut and eventually formed into a link element; and

FIGURE 77Y is a plan view of a sheet of material from which link elements can be stamped, the link elements being interlinked in layout;

FIGURE 11Z is a plan view of another example of an annular link element, as it would be stamped from a multicolored sheet of material, showing a pattern of four regions on the surface of the link element exhibiting two different visual color properties;

FIGURE 12Z is a plan view of another example of an annular link element showing a pattern of five regions on the surface of the link element exhibiting two different visual properties;

FIGURE 14Z is a plan view of another example of a link element formed with one side larger than the other side;

FIGURE 15Z is a plan view of another example of a link element formed with one side larger than the other side, the relatively abrupt transition between the two sides located on the smaller link side;

FIGURES 16Z-24Z are front elevational views showing respective examples of lengths of rope chain, each partitioned to show in the upper part of the figure an untreated chain portion, and to show in the lower part of the figure colorization of one of the strands of the rope chain;

FIGURE 25Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing a colored helical stripe along the outer periphery of one of the intertwined rope chain strands;

FIGURE 26Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing a colored helical stripe along the outer periphery of both of the intertwined rope chain strands;

FIGURE 27Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing a colored helical stripe along the inner side of one channel of the rope chain;

FIGURE 28Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing a colored helical stripe along both inner sides of one channel of the rope chain;

FIGURE 29Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing a colored helical stripe along both inner sides of both channels of the rope chain;

FIGURE 30Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing cut portions on four sides;

FIGURE 31Z is an end view of the length of rope chain shown in Figure 30Z;

FIGURE 32Z is an end view of another embodiment of rope chain showing cut portions on eight sides;

FIGURE 33Z is an end view of another embodiment of rope chain showing cut portions of unequal spacing from the axis of the chain;

FIGURE 34Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing two different diameters of rope strands and cut portions on four sides;

FIGURE 35Z is an end view of the length of rope chain shown in Figure 34Z;

FIGURE 36Z is an end view of another embodiment of rope chain showing cut portions on eight sides;

FIGURE 37Z is an end view of another embodiment of rope chain showing cut portions of unequal spacing from the axis of the chain;

FIGURE 38Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing helical cut portions on only the larger of the two rope strands; and

FIGURE 39Z is a front elevational view of another length of rope chain showing alternating colored chain segments along the length of the rope chain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Figure 1 is a plan view of an annular link used in the construction of jewelry rope chains as known in the prior art. In general, Figures 1-5 depict a conventional rope chain arrangement (Figures 3 and 4), a typical annular link (Figures 1 and 2) employed as a basic building element in the construction of the rope chain, and a number of loosely interconnected annular links (Figure 5) to illustrate the positional relationship of adjacent annular links along the rope chain.

[0034] For the purposes of this description, the following definitions are provided.

[0035] "Rope chain" is a series of sets of interlinked, or interconnected, link elements which has the appearance of a plurality of braided, or helically intertwined, multi-fiber strands of hemp, flax, or the like.

[0036] A "set" is the number of adjacent interlinked, or interconnected, links making up a structurally repeated pattern along the chain. In the accompanying drawings and associated text, a six-link set is used for purposes of ease of visual presentation and description. The preferred number of links in a set is eight.

[0037] A "group" is a number of adjacent interlinked, or interconnected, links exhibiting identical visual properties. The number of links in a group may be the same or different than the number of links in a set. Groups may be uniformly or randomly distributed along the rope chain.

[0038] A "link", or "link element", is the basic building element, a number of which are assembled in series to form a rope chain. A link is typically annular in shape with an open gap having a length slightly greater than the width of the annular link. In accordance with the invention, a link may have a circular, baguette, oval, diamond, rectangular, square, heart shaped, or other geometrical shape, and each is provided with a gap at a selected position along the perimeter thereof. Accordingly, while the links of a rope chain are not necessarily annular, it is the preferred configuration for the basic building element of a rope chain, and for that reason an annular link will be used in most of the examples shown and described herein.

[0039] A "channel" is the path which the eye follows in passing along the rope chain at the apex of the V-shaped helical groove formed between the apparent intertwined rope braids. Hence, in the preferred embodiments described herein, the rope chain has the appearance of a pair of intertwined braids of ropes, and thus there exists two such helical channels offset from one another by one-half of the pitch of either helix.

[0040] A "visual property", as used herein, is a characteristic of an object which presents a particular visual image to the eye. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to, color, texture, pattern, or physical shape. Although shape is also a physical property of an object, in the art of jewelry making, it is often the physical shapes which impart beauty and delicateness to a fashion item.

[0041] "Standard" or "Ordinary" refers to the dimensional characteristics of annular link elements without major surface or edge variation and whose dimensions follow the recommendations according to the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,651,517, for example, i.e. whose dimensions result in a tightly fitting series of link elements having the appearance of intertwining helical strands of rope.

[0042] "Color", as used herein, refers to the quality of the link element or portion thereof with respect to light reflected by it and visually perceived by the eye as a particular hue, saturation, and brightness of the reflected light. In most cases, the different colors exhibited by a link element or portion(s) thereof result from the use of different materials (white gold as differing from yellow gold as differing from rhodium as differing from enamel coatings of different hues, etc.

[0043] The "major surface" of a link element refers to the substantially flat or planar upper and lower facial surfaces of the link element. Such surface, although being substantially planar, nevertheless may have raised or depressed patterns therein, or may be notched, gouged, textured, or otherwise physically altered to present a desired pleasing visual effect to the observer. Additionally, the upper and lower facial surfaces need not be flat. For example, the link elements may be tubular, or otherwise circular in cross section, and yet have the uppermost and lowermost surface portions lying in respective parallel planes.

[0044] The "interior" and "exterior" edges of a link element are, respectively, the inner and outer peripheral sides which span between the upper and lower major surfaces of a link element.

[0045] "Link width" is defined as a distance, measured along either of the major surfaces, between a pair of parallel lines perpendicular to the major surfaces and tangent to, respectively, the interior and exterior edges.

[0046] "Link thickness" is defined as a distance between and perpendicular to the planes of the upper and lower major surfaces.

[0047] "Configuration" refers to the overall appearance of a link element. Typical link elements are annular with a gap in the annulus to permit interlinking with other link elements. As disclosed herein, link elements can have shapes other than annular. However, all link elements have an overall C-shaped configuration.

[0048] "Die-cutting" as used herein refers to the process and tooling with which a die, constructed of hardened metal with sharp edges, is brought into contact with a sheet of material cutting portions out of the sheet of material according to a predetermined pattern of the sharp edges of the die.

[0049] "Stamping", can have the same meaning as "die-cutting" when meaning that a pattern is stamped (cut) out of a sheet of material. However, "stamping" is also defined as imprinting, striking, pounding, marking, or otherwise providing a distinctive character to a surface by the pressure of a die pattern against such surface. Thus, "stamping" can mean cutting of and/or impressing on a sheet of material. In particular, "pressure stamping" impresses a material under pressure, but does not cut through the material.

[0050] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, an annular link 1 is shown to have a generally rectangular cross section (Figure 2) and a gap 3 having sloping edges, the narrowest width of gap 3 being slightly larger than the thickness of the annular link 1.

[0051] All of the link element embodiments and variations of the present invention can be solid or hollow in cross section, and may have any geometrical cross sectional configuration. A non-limiting solid rectangular cross section is chosen as exemplary in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes only.

[0052] Conventional rope chains, such as that shown in Figure 3, are made with a systematic and repetitive interlinking of basic annular links 1. The annular link 1 must meet certain dimensional requirements for the interlinking to result in a well-fitting rope chain. As can be viewed in Figure 3 herein, the intertwined links 1 of a segment of a conventional rope chain 5 are shown in the form of a six-link variety. In their assembled form, the series of links 1 produce the appearance of a first braid, or strand, of rope 7 and a second braid, or strand, of rope 8, the combination of which results in a double intertwined helical appearance.

[0053] As best seen in Figure 3, the apparent intertwining of a pair of rope braids 7 and 8 results in a V-shaped groove between the braids at any position along the rope chain. The path along the V-shaped groove is referred to herein as a "channel" indicated in Figure 3 by the directional arrows 10 and 12. In the prior art of Figure 3, there is no visual difference between following along the two helical channels 10 and 12, since the rope chain is comprised of a repetitive series of sets of links 1, and all links have the same visual property (they are all of the same color, texture, and shape, for example).

[0054] Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing a section of a prior art rope chain during the manufacturing process, before removing a forming wire 6 used to maintain proper orientation of the series of links.

[0055] In Figure 6, the plan view of the annular link 21 has one planar side, or facial, major surface 23 (hereinafter referred to as a first side surface) of a first color and the opposite planar side, or facial, major surface 25 (hereinafter referred to as a second side surface) of a different color. The link 21 may be formed, for example, by stamping a flat sheet constructed of two laminated layers of different flat materials, or of two laminated layers of materials of different colors, and/or textures.

[0056] Figure 7 is a plan view of an annular link showing a pattern of regions on a surface of a link 31, exhibiting different visual properties, such that one half 33 is yellow gold colored, while the other half 35 is white gold colored. The gapped links may be stamped from a multicolored flat sheet, striped with a number of alternately colored gold materials, or alternately striped with different materials such as gold and silver. Such a striped flat sheet may be stamped to form gapped links in different orientations relative to the stripe pattern and relative to the gap position, resulting in a variety of interesting colored patterns in the finished rope chain, yet all such links can be stamped from the same striped sheet.

[0057] In Figure 8, the annular link 41 has two major curved portions 43, 44 of yellow gold, while a small section 45 is white gold, the section 45 being defined by separating lines 46 and 47.

[0058] In Figure 9, the annular link 51 has a major curved portion 55 and a minor curved portion 53 of a yellow gold color, while a sector 57 of the annular link 51 is white gold. A rope chain constructed of a series of link elements 51 may have the appearance of an all yellow gold chain with a white gold or silver colored helical path running along the outer periphery of one of the rope strands.

[0059] Figure 10 is a plan view of another example of an annular link 61 showing a pattern of regions on the surface of the link exhibiting different visual properties. This figure shows yet another variety of coloration in which the annular link 61 is divided along a diameter defined by separating lines 68, 69 above which portions 63 and 65 are yellow gold, and below which portion 67 is white gold.

[0060] Figure 11 shows another possibility in which annular link 71 has a yellow gold band 75, 76 along a diameter of the link defining separating lines 77-80, above which, a pair of curved portions 72, 73 are of white gold, and below which an arcuate portion of the link 71 is also of white gold. A rope chain constructed of a series of link elements 71 may have the appearance of an all white gold or silver chain with small yellow gold helical paths running along the outer periphery of each rope strand.

[0061] Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a rope chain segment employing annular links 21 of the type shown in Figure 6. The white gold side of all links face the same direction along the length of the rope chain 81, as does the yellow gold side but in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the channel 10 will have a continuous length of white gold at, and extending outwardly from, the apex of the V-shaped channel 10, while the channel 12 will display a continuous color of yellow gold.

[0062] The rope chain 81 of Figure 12 thus displays the interesting aspect of a continuous yellow gold helical channel paralleling a white gold helical channel.

[0063] Figure 13 is another embodiment of a rope chain 91 showing the result of assembling a series of annular links 31 as shown in Figure 7. Accordingly, following along channel 10 for the entire length of the rope chain 91, the right side of the channel will be white gold or silver colored and the left side will be yellow gold colored. Similarly, following along channel 12, the left side will be white gold or silver and the right side will be yellow gold.

[0064] Thus, in the configuration of Figure 13, although all annular links 31 are identical and arranged in the same direction along the rope chain 91, nevertheless, the visual appearance is such that an apparent yellow gold colored rope is intertwined with an apparent white gold or silver colored rope, lending an interesting alternately colored appearance along the rope chain 91.

[0065] Figure 14 is a rope chain 101 configured similar to that of Figure 13, but with a number of annular links 31 inserted in the series of links in reverse direction every two twists of the strands of the rope chain 101. That is, the yellow gold and white gold halves 33, 35 are arranged adjacent one another for a series of three sets, and then the yellow gold and white gold sides 33, 35 are reversed for the next three sets. With this configuration, another interesting yellow gold/white gold attractive pattern is produced which has a repetitive pattern along the rope chain 101 as follows (y meaning yellow gold and w meaning white gold): y,w,y,y,w,y,w,w/y,w,y,y,w,y,w,w/, etc.

[0066] Other attractive yellow gold/white gold patterns are possible when employing the concepts of the present invention, including, but not limited to: w,w,y,w,w,y or w,w,w,y,w,w,w,y or w,w,y,y,w,w,y,y, etc. Using other available gold colors, such as rose (r) and green (g), additional color patterns can be created, such as: w,w,y,r,r,y,g,g,y,r,r,y,w,w.

[0067] It is to be understood that the described specific examples of color patterns in a repeated set are not to be taken as limiting. An appealing rope chain may be formed by arranging sets of different color patterns in any combination, i.e. such a rope chain will have color patterns that differ along the length of the rope chain set-to-set. For example, a rope chain may have the repetitive set pair y,w,y,y,w,y,w,w and y,y,w,w,y,y,w,w repeated along the chain producing the structure: y,w,y,y,w,y,w,w/y,y,w,w,y,y,w,w//y,w,y,y,w,y,w,w/y,y,w,w,y,y,w,w//(etc.). Alternatively, a rope chain may have a non-repetitive set pattern with each set along the chain having a different color pattern producing, for example, the color scheme: y,w,y,y,w,y,w,w/y,y,w,w,y,y,w,w/w,r,r,y,g,g,y,w/(etc.,all sets different). Combinations of a repeated set, repeated set pairs or set triplets or set quads etc., non-repetitive sets, or random sets of different color patterns are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0068] If desired, the jewelry designer may choose to give the finished rope chain a soft lusterless appearance, i.e., instead of rhodium coating to increase reflectivity and brilliance, the finished rope chain may be mechanically or chemically treated so as to have a sandblast, matt, or frost like finish.

[0069] Another possibility with the present invention is the ability to assemble virtually any color, texture, or shape combination along the length of the rope chain not grouped into patterns correlated with the number of links elements in a set. That is, a color/texture/shape combination, repeated or not, may extend along any number of links and not be bounded by the chosen number of links per set. One example of this is a rope chain having color patterns in groups of thirteen links, while a set for this particular rope chain may comprise eight links. Moreover, it is within the scope of the present invention to construct a rope chain with sets made up of different numbers of links, e.g., 4-link, 6-link, and 8-link sets used in the construction of the same rope chain.

[0070] Figures 15-17 show yet another combination of coloring for the rope chain 111. The annular links 31 are assembled with the colors matching the colors of adjacent links 31 (i.e., all are in the same axial orientation) for a complete set of six along the chain, and then the links are flipped 180° to be assembled in reverse axial orientation for the next set, and so on. As a result, rather than the alternately appearing yellow gold and white gold rope strands shown in Figure 13, the right side of rope chain 111 in Figure 15 is all of a white gold color, while the left side is all of a yellow gold color.

[0071] From the description of Figure 15 above, it will be apparent that the view from the left side of Figure 15 will have an all yellow gold color appearance (Figure 16), while the right side view of Figure 15 will have an all white gold appearance (Figure 17).

[0072] Further variations of color patterns are presented in Figures 18-20. Figures 18-20 illustrate the possibility of manufacturing the annular links with either or both planar surfaces having different gold colored areas, shown on the link 120 of Figure 18 symbolically, as yellow (y), white (w), rose (r), and green (g) areas. The link 122 of Figure 19 is lined for the gold colors white, yellow, rose, and green for the respective regions 123-126. Figure 20 shows an annular link 128 having areas 130 and 131 with variations in color, in this example yellow gold areas 130 and white gold areas 131.

[0073] Figure 21 is a perspective view of a gapped link 132, similar to any one of those depicted in Figures 1, 6-11, 18, and 19, except that the link 132 is slightly skewed such that the upper and lower surfaces 133, 134 are slightly helical, such that the end faces 135, 136 at the gap are not in registration, producing interesting visual effects, especially as to reflected light, since there will be no planar, i.e., mirror-like reflections. If desired, only one of the upper and lower surfaces 133, 134 may be made flat; the other, opposite, side surface may be rounded, concave, etched, notched, or configured to any desired shape while maintaining a generally annular link configuration.

[0074] Figures 22-26 show alternate configurations for the gapped links. The link 137 of Figure 22 is baguette shaped, the link 138 of Figure 23 is square shaped, the link 139 of Figure 24 is oval shaped, the link 140 of Figure 25 is diamond shaped, and the link 141 of Figure 26 is heart shaped. Any combination of annular, baguette, square, oval, diamond, heart, or other geometric shaped gapped links may be assembled in a virtually limitless variety of combinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENTS

[0075] In Figure 2CX shows that the generally rectangular cross sectioned link element 1CX does not have straight sides, but rather sides of an indeterminate shape.

[0076] Figure 2DX is a view similar to that of Figure 2BX, except that the generally circular cross sectioned link element 1DX does not have smooth sides, but rather sides of an indeterminate shape. The two major surfaces and the interior and exterior edges of a link element can take on any surface shape or texture.

[0077] In Figure 6X, the plan view of the annular link element 15X has, on one planar major facial surface thereof, a first portion 16X of a first color and a second portion 17X of a different color. The link element 15X may be formed, for example, by stamping a flat sheet constructed of two edge-joined layers of different flat materials, or of two edge-joined layers of materials of different colors and/or textures and/or coatings (such as by the application of an enamel).

[0078] In this connection, most of the remaining figures are not lined for color. However, it will be understood that all, or portions, of each of the link elements to be described hereinafter may be of a color selected from a variety of different colors, and/or may be made of a material selected from a variety of different materials. For example, any of the link elements described herein may have the entire surface, or portions thereof, of yellow gold, white gold, rose (pink) gold, green gold, silver, nickel, or rhodium, either solid, plated, or laminated; or such surfaces, or portions thereof, may be enameled.

[0079] In some cases, the gapped link elements may be stamped from a multicolored flat sheet comprising a number of edge-joined strips of alternately colored gold materials, or alternately of different matenals such as gold and silver. Such a multicolored flat sheet may be stamped to form gapped link elements in different orientations relative to the strip pattern and relative to the gap position, resulting in a variety of interesting colored patterns in the finished rope chain, yet all such link elements can be stamped from the same multicolored stripped sheet.

[0080] As previously mentioned, a major object of the invention is to reduce the amount of material making up the individual link elements to reduce manufacturing costs, while not detracting from the beauty and effective size (diameter) of the finished rope chain. Reducing material can be accomplished in many ways: by removing material from or forming edge depressions in the entire or portions of the exterior edge; by removing material from or forming edge depressions in the entire or portions of the interior edge; by removing material from or forming surface depressions in one or both major link surfaces; by forming openings in or through the major link surfaces; or otherwise narrowing the width of the entire or portions of the link elements. In some embodiments of the invention, part or all of a link element may have a link width larger than standard but with openings provided therein to result in a net reduction of material making up the link element.

[0081] The specific example shown in Figure 6X depicts a link element 15X in which one half 16X of the link element is of one color and of one shape, and the other half 17X is of another color and of another shape. In the first half 16X, the interior and exterior edges 16aX, 16bX are smooth, while for the second half 17X, the interior edge 17aX is smooth, and the exterior edge 17bX has a repeated pattern of undulations or ripples. In this sense, the two link element portions, halves 16X and 17X, exhibit different visual properties, as to both color and shape.

[0082] The link element shown in Figure 6X, and those shown in many others of the accompanying figures, has the shape and configuration of a solid standard size annular link element with portions removed (from undulated half 17X), and with other portions intact and undisturbed from a standard shape and configuration (as with standard size half 16X).

[0083] In accordance with a major feature of the present invention, the inner and/or outer periphery (i.e. the interior and exterior edges) of a link element is varied in shape, so that the resulting rope chain can attain distinctive and decorative configurations and/or result in substantially lower manufacturing costs. In Figure 7X, for example, the outer periphery 22X of the link element 20X is undulated.

[0084] Figure 8X is a plan view of a link element 25X having a crenelated interior edge 26X and an undulated exterior edge 28X, i.e., link element 25X has the shape and configuration of a solid standard size annular link element with portions removed from both the interior edge 26X and the exterior edge 28X. From Figure 3, it will be appreciated that no part of the interior edges of the individual link elements are visible.

[0085] Figure 9X is a plan view of a link element 30X having a smooth exterior edge 31X and a crenelated interior edge 32X defined by spaced crenels 33X. The weight and cost of such a rope chain will be less.

[0086] Figures 10X-13X, 24X, 26X, 32X, 33X, and 38X-45X show link elements that possess irregular link thicknesses along the extent of the link elements and bear surface ornamentation on each link element that will cause a rope chain to have a more decorative design than the conventional rope chain and yet use less precious metal than a standard link element without such irregular link thickness.

[0087] Figure 10X is a plan view of a link element 35X having smooth exterior and interior edges 36X, 37X, but with a groove, or raised center region, 40X along a central major surface of the link element, i.e., link element 35X has the shape and configuration of a solid standard annular link element having portions of one or both major surfaces removed. If 40X represents a raised center portion, the raised center region 40X may be serrated, textured, patterned, or diamond cut. If 40X represents a groove, the groove 40X may be formed during the stamping procedure, or it may be formed after stamping by a diamond cutting step or other procedure which removes a desired amount of precious metal according to a desired pattern, leaving planar border surfaces 38X,39X.

[0088] Figure 11X is a plan view of a link element 45X having smooth exterior and interior edges 46X, 47X with diamond cut or stamped depressions, or raised regions, 48X,49X formed in a major surface thereof adjacent the exterior and interior peripheral edges 46X, 47X, leaving the central region 50X of a major surface of the link element 45X planar. The non-planar border regions 48X, 49X may be raised relative to the planar center region 50X and formed in a similar manner as the Figure 10X embodiment.

[0089] Figure 12X is a plan view of a link element 55X having smooth exterior and interior edges 56X, 57X, but with a textured patterned groove, or raised region, 60X along a central major surface of the link element 55X, leaving planar border surfaces 56X, 57X.

[0090] Figure 13X is a plan view of a link element 65X having smooth exterior and interior edges 66X, 67X with textured depressions, or raised regions, 68X, 69X formed in a major surface thereof. Like the Figure 12X embodiment, the non-planar border regions 68X, 69X may be raised relative to the planar center region 70X.

[0091] Figure 14X is a plan view of a link element 75X that is segmented into two parts. For ease of presentation and illustration herein the terms "half" and "halves" will be used to mean "part" or "parts", a "part not necessarily being a "half". In link element 75X, one half 76X has a narrower annular width, and the other half 77X gradually increasing to a wider annular width at its middle 78X. The narrow half 76X is narrower than standard link elements to reduce the amount of material used, while the wider half 77X may be, at its middle 78X, of standard width or greater than standard width. If the maximum width of the wider half 77X is standard, since the finished rope chain is "twisted," the effective diameter of the chain is the same as if all links were of standard width, but with the appearance of a large diameter rope strand braided with a small diameter rope strand. This is true also of Figures 14X-19X, and 35X-37X.

[0092] If desired, the right side 76X may be of standard link width, making the left side 75X of a larger than standard size.

[0093] Figure 15X is a plan view of a link element 85X, one half 86X having a narrower than normal annular width, and the other half 87X having a relatively wider non-linear annular width narrowing down to the width of the narrow half segment 86X at their junction 89X.

[0094] Figure 16X is a plan view of a link element 95X, the wider segment 97X having a stamped or formed opening 98X therein to define a framed wider segment portion transitioning with the narrower width portion 96X at junction 99X.

[0095] Figure 17X is a plan view of a link element 105X, one half or any portion of the wider segment 107X having an opening 108X stamped or formed therein, and the other, closed, portion 109X being formed or filled with a different material or differently colored material.

[0096] Figure 18X is a plan view of a link element 115X in which the wider half 117X is largely open with tendril-like filigree filaments 119X bridging across the opening 118X. Filaments 119X may be formed during the stamping process or attached after stamping. Alternatively, the wider half 117X may be solid with an embossed or engraved design, such as that shown, formed on the major surface thereof. If the wider half 117X is stamped, the filaments 119X will have a significantly thicker appearance than that shown.

[0097] Figure 19X is a plan view of a link element 125X having a repeating symbol 129X being punched, stamped, or otherwise formed, or embossed, or engraved in the major surface 128X of the wider segment 127X.

[0098] Figure 20X is a plan view of a link element 131X similar to that shown in Figure 9X, but with one half 132X of the link element 131X having an undulated exterior edge 133X and no interior crenels.

[0099] Figure 21X is a plan view of a link element 134X similar to that shown in Figure 9X with only one side 136X having a crenelated interior edge 137X, and with the other half 135X having smooth interior and exterior edges.

[0100] Figure 22X is a plan view of a link element 138X similar to that shown in Figure 1X, but with a double bumped protruding projection 142X on the exterior edge thereof opposite the position of the gap 141X in the link 138X. The two projecting bumps 143X, 144X define a depression 145X. The link width of the arms of the two halves 139X, 140X is preferably narrower than standard. The purpose of the double bumped projection 142X is to simulate, during the assembly process, a link element of appropriate, i.e. standard, annular width at depression 145X. This arrangement thus reduces material by a reduced annular width and by using fewer link elements per unit length of rope chain, making the chain to appear longer than the standard rope chain.

[0101] The purpose for the two spaced bumps 143X, 144X is to affect the appearance of the channels between rope strands of a finished rope chain. Due to the spaced bumps 143X, 144X, the rope chain will display more precious metal (e.g., gold) in the channels between strands of the finished rope chain.

[0102] If the arms 139X,140X are of standard width, fewer link elements are necessary per unit length of rope chain.

[0103] Figure 23X is a plan view of a link element 127X similar to that shown in Figure 22X, but with an opening 128X in the projection 129X, serving to reduce the amount of precious metal in the finished rope chain.

[0104] An alternative variation, not shown, the double bump projection 142X of Figures 22X and 23X may be disposed on the interior edge of a link element, leaving the exterior edge smooth. The structure of the finished rope chain will be just as tightly interlinked, but the diameter of the finished rope chain will be equal to the diameter of a rope chain made with all standard annular link elements. Such a jewelry item will have all the same visual properties and size dimensions, yet less precious metal is needed, saving manufacturing costs.

[0105] Figures 24X-27AX show alternate configurations for the gapped link elements relative to the typical annular configuration. The link element of Figure 24X is baguette shaped, that of Figure 25X is square shaped, that of Figure 26X is oval shaped, that of Figure 27X is diamond shaped, and that of Figure 27AX is heart shaped. Any combination of annular, baguette, square, oval, diamond, heart, or other geometric shaped gapped link elements may be assembled in a virtually limitless variety of combinations to create interesting rope chain jewelry items.

[0106] The link element 147X of Figure 24X has the same physical characteristics as that shown in Figure 11X, but has a generally baguette configuration.

[0107] Figure 25X is a plan view of a link element 152X similar to that shown in Figure 9X, but with a generally square configuration and having a smooth exterior edge 153X and a crenelated interior edge 154X defined by crenels 155X.

[0108] The link element 156X of Figure 26X has the same physical characteristics as that shown in Figure 10X, but has a generally oval configuration.

[0109] Figure 27X is a plan view of a diamond shaped link element 165X, with one half 167X of the link element 165X having a smooth exterior edge 168X and the other half 169X having an undulated exterior edge 170X.

[0110] Figure 27AX is a plan view of a link element 171X with a generally heart shaped configuration and having a smooth exterior edge 172X and a crenelated interior edge 173X defined by crenels 174X.

[0111] Figure 28X shows a link element 180X in which an arcuate concave cut 184X, 185X is made in each side 181X, 182X, respectively. In the complete rope chain constructed of a series of link elements 180X, a helical groove can be seen on top of each simulated helical strand (such as strands 7X and 8X in Figure 3X).

[0112] Figure 28AX is a partial plan view of a link element 180AX in which the arcuate concave cut 185AX is stepped. This creates a helix along one strand, and may be rhodium coated. Both sides of link element 180AX may be concave and stepped as shown.

[0113] Figure 29X shows a link element 190X having a smooth interior edge 191X and a crenelated exterior edge 192X. The annular width of each wide portion 193X, 195X is of standard dimension, while major portions of the exterior edge 192X are removed to produce long crenels 194X, and a number of interesting looking helical ribs along the length of the chain.

[0114] Figure 30X shows a link element 200X similar to that of Figure 28X, but with flat, rather than concave, cutouts 203X, 204X on the sides 201X, 202X. As a result, the finished rope chain has the appearance of flat helixes alternating with convex helixes along the chain. This variation gives the effect of a diamond cut being made after the rope chain is assembled. By employing precut link elements, the time and expense of a complex diamond cutting process after a rope chain is fully assembled is avoided. Additionally, the precious metal savings is controlled using precut link elements, while collecting and reprocessing shavings from a diamond cutting process has obvious waste and high labor cost disadvantages.

[0115] An improvement in the appeal and beauty of a rope chain made with link elements 201X in Figure 30X is achieved by constructing the link element to have two separate side halves 201X and 202X of different colors/materials connected at the dashed line 205X. For example, in Figure 30X, the left half 201X may be made of white gold, the right half 202X of yellow gold, and the straight cutout 204X may be rhodium coated.

[0116] Figure 31X shows a link element 210X having smooth exterior and interior edges 211X, 212X, the annular width 213X of which is less than standard. By combining link element 210X with standard link elements, such as that shown in Figure 1X, or with link elements having an enlarged (equal or greater than standard) rear annular width, such as that shown in Figures 22X and 23X, a tightly formed rope chain results. Both narrow and wider links have the same inner diameter measured at the location of the gap 3X (Figure 1X). When placed together, the interior openings in the center of the link elements 210X will line up perfectly. The narrower link 210X will be covered by the standard link 1X, saving precious metal. For example, links 210X may alternate with links of any other design or shape such as those shown in the accompanying figures, or sets of links 210X may be assembled alternately with sets of other such links.

[0117] Figures 32X and 33X show plan and side elevational views of a link element 220X with notches 224X along the exterior edge 221X. The notches, or depressions 224X are strategically spaced around the periphery of the link such that they will be hidden from view in a finally assembled rope chain. The particular pattern of notches may be empirically determined by assembling standard links and making regions that are visible and thus not to be removed.

[0118] Figure 34X shows a link element 230X having a side 231X of a first material and an opening 234X therein, and a side 232X of narrow annular width with undulations 235X and of a second material.

[0119] The link element 240X of Figure 35X has a first side 241X made of a first material and having arcuate openings 243X therein separated by a solid annular segment 244X made of a second material, the side 241X being of standard annular width. The second side 242X is of a third material and of a narrowed annular width 245X.

[0120] Figure 36X shows a link element 250X having a side 251X of a first material and with a plurality of spaced differently shaped openings 254X. The other side 252X is made of a second material and has a narrower-than-standard annular width 255X.

[0121] Figure 37X shows a link element 260X having a side 261X of a first material and of standard configuration, i.e., as an annular segment. The other side 262X is made of a second material and has a flat edge 263X. When a number of links 260X are assembled into a rope chain, one of the helical strands will be standard and of yellow gold, and the other helical strand will be of white gold and have all of the flat edges 263X of the link elements lying in a helix following the helix formed by the link half 262X. After a rope chain is formed, the entire right half 262X, or only the flat edges 263X may be rhodium coated (or coated with other metallic coatings or with enamel).

[0122] Figure 38X is a partial side elevational view of a link element 270X in which one or both of the textured major surfaces 271X, 272X are serrated, or knurled, thereby reducing the amount of precious metal used in the manufacture of the link element.

[0123] Figure 39X is a partial side elevational view of a link element 273X in which one or both of the textured major surfaces 274X,275X have connected angled plate-like segments producing a saw-toothed profile.

[0124] Figure 40X is a partial side elevational view of a link element 276X of standard thickness, in which one or both of the textured major surfaces 277X,278X have V-shaped grooves therein.

[0125] Figures 41X-44X depict, in partial elevational and full plan views, link elements having one or both major surfaces and/or one or both of the interior and exterior edges serrated, or knurled.

[0126] For convenience of presentation, the major surfaces and/or interior and exterior edges shown in Figures 41X-44X are shown as serrated, or knurled. It is to be understood, however, that these surfaces may have physical surface appearances other than serrated, scored, or knurled, such as textured, patterned, sandblasted, etched, shaped, polished, matted, frosted, diamond cut, or otherwise mechanically deformed.

[0127] Figure 45X is a partial plan view of a link element 295X having portions 297X of its major surface smooth and portions 296X serrated, scored, or knurled. Similarly, any color, texture, or pattern on a major surface, or on the interior or exterior edges, of a link element may purposely be limited to only a portion thereof.

[0128] The uniqueness of a rope chain employing the link elements of the present invention is made possible by the provision of pre-formed, pre-shaped, or otherwise pre-processed individual link elements. Exclusive finished rope chain attributes made possible with the present invention cannot be duplicated by applying post-processing steps, whether a single type link element is used throughout the length of the rope chain, or multiple types of link elements are assembled in a particular or random order.

[0129] A mix of link elements of any desired order can be used to create a rope chain design which cannot be duplicated by prior art methods, since any diamond cutting of the finished chain would be consistent along the entire length of the chain.

[0130] A visually pleasing rope chain can be manufactured by assembling a chain length, e.g. one inch, of link elements of the Figure 30X type adjacent a length of assembled link elements of the Figure 37X type. In this variation, one of the helixes along the length of the chain will be continuous, and the other helix will be intermittent.

[0131] As suggested herein, any visual property, as defined herein, may be combined with any one or more other visual properties in the manufacture of the various link elements making up the completed rope chain. Visual properties of any one portion of a link element, or the rope chain or a helical strand thereof, may include at least one of the group consisting of color, material, different gold karat weights, texture, shape, reflectivity, pattern, size, and design.

[0132] Figure 46X is an example of a length of rope chain 5AX constructed using any of the link elements described herein in which the links are segmented into large and small width segments. The specific variation shown in Figure 46X uses link element 75X (Figure 14X) or 85X (Figure 15X) where link elements 1DX have a white gold wide side 77X or 87X and a yellow gold narrow side 76X or 86X. Link elements 1EX have a yellow gold wide side 77X or 87X and a white gold narrow side 76X or 86X. Thus, strand 7AX has a smaller diameter rope strand appearance, and strand 8AX has a larger diameter rope strand appearance. The size difference for the two helixes are evident by reference to the two dashed lines "5X" on either side of the rope chain 5AX illustrated in Figure 46X.

[0133] Figure 47X shows a length of rope chain 5BX constructed with link elements 260X shown in Figure 37X mixed with similar link elements 260AX, the latter being identical to link elements 260X except that the yellow and white gold materials are switched. As a result, rope strands 7BX and 8BX exhibit alternating white and yellow colors, and rope strand 8BX additionally exhibiting a single helix also exhibiting alternate white and yellow colors.

[0134] In Figures 48AX-DX, a number of identical link elements are interconnected in a special way, each link element 301X-304X comprising a standard segment half 301AX-304AX and serrated segment half 301BX-304BX. Both major surfaces and interior and exterior edges of segments 301BX-304BX are serrated so as to make the two halves of each link notably different in visual appearance. When assembled into a length of rope chain, as shown in Figures 48AX-DX, one of the intertwined helixes has the visual appearance of a standard rope chain helix, and the other helix exhibits serrations on all of its visible surfaces.

[0135] Similarly, in Figures 49AX-DX, a number of identical link elements are interconnected in a special way, each link element 401X-404X comprising an annular yellow gold segment half 401AX-404AX, and an annular white gold segment half 401BX-404BX with a portion cut away defining a single planar side 401CX-404CX. When assembled into a length of rope chain, as shown in Figures 49AX-DX, one of the intertwined helixes has the visual appearance of a standard yellow gold colored rope chain helix, and the other helix has the visual appearance of a white gold helix with a helix of angularly changing planar portions running through the middle of the white gold helix.

[0136] It will be understood that the surface colors, textures, patterns, and/or shapes of the gapped link elements 147X, 152X, 156X, 165X in Figures 24X-27AX may be as varied as those features of the annular link elements described herein and shown in Figures 6X-23X and 28X-49X.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE THIRD EMBODIMENTS

[0137] In describing Figures 3Y-65Y, it should be understood that the link elements so shown are all manufactured employing a stamping and/or die-cutting operation. In some embodiments, the link elements are stamped, or die-cut, in their final shape. In other embodiments, texturing is pre-applied prior to stamping or die-cutting. In yet other embodiments, the link elements are formed by bending strips of material which themselves were stamped, or die-cut, from a sheet of material.

[0138] In Figure 3Y, the plan view of a sheet of material 4Y has regions 5Y and 6Y exhibiting different visual properties, represented in Figure 3Y as different colors. When stamped from the sheet of material 4Y, the annular link element 7Y, the position and orientation of which is shown in dashed lines, will have, on at least one planar major facial surface thereof, a first segment 5AY of a first visual property, e.g. color, and a second segment 6AY of a second visual property, e.g. color. The link element 7Y may be formed, for example, by stamping a flat sheet constructed of two edge-joined strips of different flat materials, or of two edge-joined strips of materials of different colors and/or textures and/or coatings (such as by the application of an enamel).

[0139] It will be noted in Figure 3Y that the link element 7Y to be stamped from the sheet of material 4Y has its gap 9Y oriented at approximately a two o'clock position. When a number of such link elements 7Y are assembled into a rope chain, one of the helixes will have a predominant white color with a small portion of the helix being of a yellow color adjacent one of the rope chain channels, while the other helix will be primarily of a yellow color with a small portion of the helix being of a white color adjacent one of the rope chain channels.

[0140] In the remaining figures to be described, the relative position of the gap in the link chain to be produced and the number of strips, width of each strip, and color of each strip will obviously produce different visual effects, and the description of Figure 3Y above will serve as a basis for understanding the resulting color/texture/shape or pattern that will be visible in the intertwining helixes.

[0141] Figure 6Y is also a view similar to that of Figure 3Y, but showing a different orientation of the link element 37Y to be stamped from the sheet of material 31Y. With the gap 39Y oriented at the twelve o'clock position, the two helixes will both be of a single color, but one helix will be of white gold and the other will be of yellow gold in color. The lined colors shown in Figure 6Y, and in all of the accompanying figures, are intended to be representative of any two, or multiple, colors, and thus the two strips 33Y and 35Y in Figure 6Y may be both of yellow gold, but with one strip being of a relatively low gold karat weight and the other of a relatively higher gold karat weight.

[0142] Figure 7Y shows the sheet of material 41 Y comprised of two differently colored edge-joined strips 43Y and 45Y having different widths.

[0143] Figure 7AY is an example of a link element 50Y stamped from a multicolored sheet (not shown) of material, resulting in a major yellow gold portion 52Y, a minor yellow gold portion 54Y, and a central segment 56Y of white gold on one of the halves of the link element 50Y. A rope chain constructed from link elements 50Y, if central segments 56Y are all aligned link-to-link, would have the appearance of a primarily yellow gold rope chain with the outermost peripheral edge of one of the helical rope strands displaying a central helical path of white gold.

[0144] By the combination of varying: 1) the visual properties of a sheet on which stamping is applied; and 2) the angular position of stamping, a myriad of link elements with different visual properties may be produced that will, in turn, result in a great number of rope chains of varying visual properties.

[0145] Figure 10Y illustrates that, instead of, or in addition to, color elongated edge-joined strips, a sheet of material 71Y may have a preformed length of textured surface 74Y leaving the surface areas 73Y and 75Y on each side of the textured surface 74Y non-textured. With the gap 79Y at the twelve o'clock position, as shown, a link element 77Y will present a non-textured outer surface of each of the two helixes, while the inner sides of the helixes, i.e. on a major facial surface along the channels of the rope chain (see reference numerals 8AY and 8BY in Figure 2Y) will be textured.

[0146] In Figure 10Y and other figures showing preformed regions of textured surfaces, parallel lines are typically depicted, suggesting a scored or serrated textured appearance. It is to be understood that this showing of pre-textured surfaces are examples only, and that any other known pre-texturing process can be used. Other examples include forming at least one of the regions of different surface textures employing at least one process selected from the group consisting of serrating, scoring, knurling, lining, patterning, pressure stamping, impressing, sandblasting, etching, shaping, polishing, matting, frosting, and diamond cutting.

[0147] Figure 11Y illustrates the possibility of providing a sheet of material 91Y with two different regions of surface texturing shown at 92Y and 94Y, leaving the regions 93Y, 95Y, and 96Y non-textured. With the gap 99Y at the three o'clock position, as shown, each of the two helixes of an assembled rope chain will show a pair of spaced textured helical stripes equally spaced from the outermost surface of the helixes.

[0148] In Figure 12Y, it will be observed that the two textured surfaces 92Y and 94Y on the upper side of the sheet of material 91Y have different geometrical properties, and that similar textured regions (not numbered) can optionally be formed on the lower surface of the sheet of material 91Y and may have the same or different textured patterns.

[0149] In Figure 13Y, the sheet of material 101Y has two differently textured regions 103Y and 105Y, the region 103Y being a textured surface, and the region 105Y being either textured differently or non-textured. With the gap 109Y at the twelve o'clock position, as shown, a length of rope chain constructed of link elements 107Y would display one helix with a textured major surface and the other with no texturing or a different textured major surface.

[0150] Figure 14Y is a plan view of a sheet of material 111Y in which a link element 115Y or 117Y can be die-cut from the sheet of material 111Y and simultaneously stamped to display radially directed texture patterns 113AY-113DY as shown. Figure 14Y also shows that the pattern of the cutting edges in the die-cutting process can produce an annular shaped link element 115Y or a link element 117Y having features departing from the standard annular configuration. If desired, a pattern such as that shown at 114Y may be formed on the sheet of material in a preparatory step, after which the die-cutting process will cut the link element 115Y or 117Y from the sheet 111Y.

[0151] Figure 16Y illustrates the plan view of a link element 115Y die-cut from a sheet 111Y shown in Figure 14Y for an annular configuration of the link element.

[0152] Figure 17Y illustrates the plan view of a link element 117Y die-cut from a sheet 111Y shown in Figure 14Y for an alternate configuration of the link element.

[0153] Figure 18Y is a perspective view of a laminated sheet of material 151Y comprised of, for example, a layer of white gold 156Y and a layer of yellow gold 158Y (or both layers 156Y, 158Y can be of yellow gold of different gold karat weights). In a stamping, or die-cutting, process, slices 150Y can be cut from the sheet of layered material 151Y and eventually formed into a link element by a bending or rolling process to be described hereinafter.

[0154] While Figure 18Y depicts one color representing yellow gold and the other color representing white gold or silver, it may be desirable to laminate together two yellow gold layers of different gold karat weight, e.g. 7K and 14K. If the link element is formed with a 14K outer layer, the visual impression of a finished rope chain will be that of a 14K gold rope chain, giving a purchaser the desired visual quality at lower cost.

[0155] In this connection, Figures 18Y-31Y are all concerned with the forming or shaping of a strip of material into the configuration of a link element after the strip has been sliced, e.g. die-cut, from a sheet of material.

[0156] It will be noted that, depending upon the choice of material thicknesses and width of the slices 150Y and 150AY, the slices 150Y and 150AY can be bent in any of four different directions.

[0157] Figures 19Y-31Y are specifically directed to the formation of textured surfaces on the major surfaces and/or on the peripheral edges of the ultimate link element.

[0158] Figure 19Y shows a sheet of material 131Y from which strips 133Y may be sliced, the strips 133Y having the precise and predetermined dimensions of width, thickness, and length required of rope chain link elements. In Figure 19Y, the sheet of material 131Y is not shown to be layered, but it may be layered, if desired. Layered or not, the strips 133Y are stamped and/or die-cut from the sheet of material 131Y with the die-cutting device having spaced apart zig-zag cutting edge portions to form the vertical textured surfaces 135Y shown in Figure 19Y. Additionally, as the die-cutting tool (not shown) slices through the sheet of material 131Y, the tooling simultaneously impresses a secondary series of textured surfaces 139Y on the top surface of the sheet of material 131Y. If the strip 133Y shown in Figure 19Y has its ends bent downwardly about a mandrel, a link element similar to that shown in Figure 27Y, except for the textured interior edge, would result. Specifically, the link element shown in Figure 27Y results from a slightly different process as will now be described.

[0159] An alternate, and preferred, method is to provide a thinner sheet of material 141Y such as that shown in Figure 20Y and die-cutting strips 147Y of wider dimension, as shown. This method has two advantages. First, it is easier to die-cut a strip from a thin material than it is from a thicker material. Secondly, this permits the stamping/die-cutting procedure to form zig-zag edge patterns 145Y on both the front and rear edges of the strip 147Y.

[0160] Figure 21Y is a top plan view of the sheet of material 141Y showing four groups of lined patterns 149Y representing any desired texturing design formed on a sheet of material 141Y prior to the slicing of the sheet of material 141Y into strips to be formed into link elements. The die-cutting tool, in order to produce the strip 147Y necessarily has three spaced zig-zag patterns on its front edge to form the zig-zag textured surface 145Y on the strip 147Y so produced. With every other slice line formed by the die-cutting tool being non zig-zagged, the textured pattern 145Y is formed on only one peripheral edge of two adjacent strips 147Y simultaneously.

[0161] Figure 22Y is a side elevational view of the slice of material 147Y shown in Figures 20Y and 21Y, better illustrating the positioning of the major surface texturing 149Y and the peripheral edge texturing 145Y prior to the strip 147Y being formed into a link element.

[0162] Figure 23Y is a top plan view of the slice of material 147Y shown in Figure 22Y.

[0163] Figure 24Y is a view similar to that of Figure 21Y except that both peripheral edges of all strips 147AY have the peripheral edge texturing pattern 145Y. Moreover, it is to be understood that the bottom surface of the sheet of material 141Y in Figure 24Y has the identical texturing pattern 149Y as shown on the top surface of the sheet. Accordingly, Figure 25Y shows surface texturing 149Y on the top major surface of the strip 147AY, while the numeral 153Y represents the spaced texturing design patterns on the bottom surface of the strip 147AY.

[0164] As best seen in Figure 26Y, as described in connection with Figure 24Y, the zig-zag textured portions 145Y on the peripheral edges of the strip 147AY are on both peripheral edges.

[0165] Figure 27Y thus is a perspective view of a link element formed from the slice of material 147AY shown in Figures 25Y and 26Y.

[0166] Figure 28Y is a perspective view similar to that shown in Figure 19Y, but with deep cut notches forming textured recesses 139AY formed in the sheet of material prior to slicing the sheet 131Y to form strips 133AY.

[0167] Employing the process of forming a strip 133AY suggested by Figure 28Y, a link element having the characteristics shown in Figure 29Y results.

[0168] It will be understood that, for ease of drawing and description, the textured patterns shown in Figures 10Y-17Y and 19Y-29Y are shown as a group of parallel lines for ease of presentation only, but each of the areas shown to be lined patterns may simply be regions of simulated sand blasting, matting, serration, knurling, or may be some design having geometrical figures as its content, or other design patterns, such as happy faces, heart shapes, flower petals, leaf patterns, and the like.

[0169] Link elements can also be made from wire. Different visual properties can first be made on the wire prior to the making of the link element. The active perspective view of Figure 30Y shows a portion of a wire 161Y that can be made into an annular link element for the purpose of making rope chains with a distinctive and decorative design. The removal or omission of material from the wire, as shown, has an additional benefit of savings of precious metal resulting in lowered cost of materials.

[0170] In Figure 30Y, a rather scalloped design of impressions 163Y may be formed on any portion of a strip of material 161Y which, after forming of the link element, produces a notched interior edge 163Y. Similarly, the right bottom side of the strip 161Y may have V-grooves 167Y formed therein so that the formed link will have the V-grooves 167Y on its outer peripheral edge. Using any of the process steps mentioned above, the sides of the strip 161Y may be provided with a pattern of textured regions 165Y which then show as textured regions on the major surface or surfaces of the ultimately produced link element.

[0171] Figure 31Y shows serrations 175Y formed on the major surface of the wire or strip of material/link element 171Y, and additional serrations 173Y formed on the exterior peripheral edge. The wire or strip may be formed with a variety of different visual properties as illustrated in Figure 32Y which schematically shows examples of different surface texturing 181Y-189Y that may be selected to cover portions or the entire major or edge surfaces of a link element made in accordance with the present invention.

[0172] Figures 33Y-59Y illustrate examples of link elements that can be formed by stamping to exhibit different visual properties.

[0173] Figure 33Y shows an annular link element 191Y having the entirety of one of its major surfaces 193Y textured, simulating a sandblasted surface.

[0174] Figure 34Y shows an annular link element 195Y having a smooth major surface 197Y, and with the exterior edge 199Y serrated.

[0175] Figure 35Y shows an annular link element 201Y having the entirety of one of its major surfaces 203Y serrated.

[0176] Figure 36Y is similar to that of Figure 35Y but with the stamper (not shown) rotated 90 degrees with respect to the sheet of material.

[0177] Figure 37Y shows an annular link element 209Y having segments 213Y of the major surface 211Y serrated.

[0178] Figure 38Y shows an annular link element 215Y having segments 219Y of the major surface 217Y serrated.

[0179] Figure 39Y shows an annular link element 221Y having segments 225Y, 227Y of the major surface 223Y provided with a knurled effect.

[0180] Figure 40Y shows an annular link element 231Y having segments 235Y, 237Y of the major surface 233Y lined, simulating scoring of the major surface 233Y.

[0181] Figure 41Y shows an annular link element 241Y having segments 245Y, 247Y of the major surface 243Y notched.

[0182] Figure 42Y shows an annular link element 251Y having the outer extent of the major surface 253Y provided with lining 255Y simulating scoring of the major surface 253Y.

[0183] Figure 45Y is a plan view of a link element 281Y with a double bumped protruding projection 285Y on the interior edge thereof opposite the position of the gap in the link element 281Y. The link width of the arms of the two halves 283Y is preferably narrower than standard.

[0184] The interior edge of a like adjacent link element 281Y will fit perfectly within the depression 289Y, and the rope chain will have high structural integrity due to the width of the link element 281Y between the exterior edge and the depression 289Y being of standard dimension.

[0185] Figure 46Y shows a stamped annular link element 291Y having a standard width annular shaped side arm 293Y and a rectangular side arm 295Y. The overall configuration is D-shaped with a circular interior edge 297Y.

[0186] Figure 47Y shows a stamped annular link element 301Y having a standard width annular shaped top half 303Y and a less than standard annular width lower half 305Y.

[0187] Figure 48Y shows a stamped annular link element 311Y having a rectangular exterior edge 313Y and a circular interior edge 315Y.

[0188] Figure 51Y shows a stamped annular link element 341Y having a polygonal exterior edge 343Y, a square interior edge 347Y, and a fanciful cutout design 345Y on one side arm.

[0189] Figure 52Y shows a stamped annular link element 351Y having a circular exterior edge 353Y, a square interior edge 355Y, and a cutout region 357Y opposite the location of the gap in the link element 351Y.

[0190] Figure 53Y shows a stamped annular link element 361Y having a standard width annular side arm 363Y and a series of symbols cut out on the other side arm 365Y. The symbols may be of any desired design and need be connected only with enough precious metal for strength and durability, so as not to obscure the nature of the design of the symbols.

[0191] Figure 54Y shows a stamped annular link element 371 Y having a generally D-shaped exterior edge 373Y, a square interior edge 379Y, and an undulated exterior edge 377Y on one of its side arms.

[0192] Figure 55Y shows a stamped annular link element 381Y having a standard width annular side arm 383Y and a series of circular symbols cut out on the other side arm 385Y.

[0193] Figure 56Y shows a stamped annular link element 391Y having an average standard annular width but with the entire extent of the link element 391Y formed with an interconnected series of heart symbols 393Y.

[0194] Figure 57Y shows a stamped annular link element 401Y having a polygonal exterior edge 403Y, a square interior edge 407Y, and a fanciful cutout design 405Y on one side arm.

[0195] Figure 58Y shows a stamped annular link element 411Y having a polygonal exterior edge 413Y, a square interior edge 417Y, and a fanciful cutout design 415Y on one side arm.

[0196] Figure 59Y shows a stamped annular link element 421Y having an egg shaped exterior edge with a circular portion 423Y and an oval portion 425Y, and a square interior edge 427Y.

[0197] Figure 60Y represents, schematically, an example of assembling a rope chain 431Y by alternating link elements 261Y (Figure 43Y) having lobbed sides 265Y with conventionally shaped annular link elements 1Y (Figure 1Y). The lobbed side 265Y of the sequence of link elements 261Y are placed alternately opposite one another, thereby producing a length of rope chain having the appearance of a larger overall diameter as indicated by dashed lines 440Y.

[0198] Figure 61Y is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a rope chain 441Y, whereby only link elements 261Y with lobbed sides 265Y are used with consecutive link elements 261Y placed such that the lobbed sides 265Y alternate in opposite orientation, thereby producing a length of rope chain having the appearance of a larger overall diameter as indicated by dashed lines 450Y.

[0199] Figure 62Y is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a rope chain 451Y, whereby only link elements 261Y with lobbed sides 265Y are used but with consecutive link elements 261Y placed such that the lobbed sides 265Y are in the same general orientation. Since the finished rope chain 451Y will have a helical character, visually the rope chain 451Y has an apparent larger diameter as indicated at 452Y.

[0200] Figures 63Y-65Y schematically illustrate how link elements, whether annularly shaped or otherwise, of different dimensions can be interconnected together to form a rope chain resulting in a chain of different diameters along the length of the chain. This type of arrangement, in addition to its resulting distinctive appearance, can also contribute to savings in material costs, and yet the overall effect renders a visual effective diameter equal to that of the larger diameter link elements.

[0201] Figure 63Y shows a chain 461Y comprised of link elements 463Y,465Y of different dimensions every six link elements.

[0202] Figure 64Y shows a chain 471Y in which every other link element 473Y is of the same dimension and is interspersed with every other link element 475Y of a different dimension. The overall outline of this chain would give the general appearance of a chain made only from the link elements of larger dimension.

[0203] Figure 65Y illustrates a chain 481Y in which every two consecutive link elements 483Y and 485Y are of a different diameter.

[0204] Figure 66Y is a plan view of a sheet of material 511Y having multiple colored or textured regions 512Y-516Y, thereby exhibiting five different visual properties, and, in dashed lines, the location and orientation of link elements 517Y to be stamped from such sheet of material 511Y.

[0205] Figure 67Y is a plan view similar to that of Figure 66Y, but with the orientation of link elements 519Y rotated 180°.

[0206] Figure 68Y is a plan view of a sheet of material 521Y having multiple colored or textured regions 522Y-526Y, thereby exhibiting five different visual properties, and, in dashed lines, the location and orientation of link elements 527Y to be stamped from such sheet of material 521Y.

[0207] Figure 69Y is a fragment representation of the sheet of material 511Y shown in Figure 66Y or 67Y. The figure lining is not intended to represent any particular color or texture which may be selected from any of the colors or textures described in this specification. It is to be noted that every other link element of a rope chain is inverted.

[0208] In such case, if the sheet of material 511Y, or the stamping machine (not shown), were reversed in orientation, as shown in Figure 67Y, with the link element 519Y possessing the same coloring/texturing but in reverse order relative to the gap position, then an assembled rope chain will have color/texture pattern correlation link-to-link, and will display a plurality of helical color/texture patterns along the rope chain 531Y. This is shown in Figure 70Y in the lower segment "BY". Segment "BY" is comprised of alternate link elements 517Y and 519Y, with the fragment of Figure 69Y aligned with link element 520Y as a reference.

[0209] In addition to multiple colored helixes, as described above, it will be noted that in segment "BY", one side of each channel 535Y has the color/texture of strip 512Y (Figures 66Y, 67Y), while the other side of each channel 535Y has the color/texture of strip 516Y. Color/texture 514Y creates a thin helical stripe along the extreme periphery of each strand the rope chain 531Y.

[0210] Instead of manufacturing two different, oppositely patterned, multicolored link elements 517Y and 519Y, a length of rope chain can be made with link elements alternating with a standard single color link element, e.g., one of solid yellow gold. When assembled, the length of rope chain will have the somewhat less "busy" appearance as shown in segment "AY" of Figure 70Y.

[0211] Figure 71Y is a fragment representation of the sheet of material shown in Figure 68Y. The sheet of material 511Y has five different strips of material 522Y-526Y. The color/texture pattern on sheet 521Y is symmetrical, with strips 522Y and 526Y having the same color or texture, and strips 523Y and 525Y having the same color or texture but different than strips 522Y and 526Y. Strip 524Y is likewise of a different color or texture than any other strip.

[0212] Because of the symmetry of color/texture strips in sheet 521Y, there is no need to stamp out differently oriented link elements, since each link element 527Y has the same color/texture pattern in both orientations of the gap. Thus, an assembled rope chain 536Y, shown in Figure 72Y, will have color/texture pattern correlation link-to-link, and will display a plurality of helical color/texture patterns along the rope chain 536Y.

[0213] In addition to multiple colored helixes, as described above, it will be noted that in Figure 72Y, both sides of each channel 537Y has the color/texture of strips 522Y and 526Y (Figure 68Y). Color/texture 524Y creates a thin helical stripe along the extreme periphery of each strand of the rope chain 536Y.

[0214] Figure 73Y is a plan view of a segment of a sheet of material having multiple colored or textured regions 542Y-546Y similar to that of Figures 66Y, 67Y, and 69Y. However, only every fifth link element 549Y in the rope chain shown in Figure 74Y is stamped from sheet 541Y. Second, third, fourth, and fifth sheets (not shown) having the same color/texture patterns as sheet 541Y but incrementally shifted laterally by one color/texture strip width are stamped to produce link elements 551Y, 553Y, and two additional ones (not shown), each unique link element being spaced every fifth link element position.

[0215] The net result of assembling five different sets of link elements just described is a rope chain 547Y which exhibits a pleasing and surprisingly unique repeated pattern of laterally striped color/texture segments, as illustrated in Figure 74Y.

[0216] As will be understood by reference to Figure 75Y, rather than manufacturing five different multi-striped sheets of material from which to stamp out the five differently striped link elements 549Y, 551Y, 553Y, etc. (only three are shown), a single sheet of material (not shown) having nine strips in the order 1Y-2Y-3Y-4Y-5Y-1Y-2Y-3Y-4Y, representing the five different colors/textures, can be manufactured and stamped to produce all five different link elements from the same sheet to construct rope chain 547Y.

[0217] Figure 76Y is a plan view of a sheet of material 561Y from which curved slices 563Y can be cut in a partially curved shape and eventually formed into link elements. The purpose for this methodology is to minimize or completely eliminate cracking and stress blemishes that may result in curling a straight piece of precious metal into a "C" shaped link element (cf. Figure 30Y).

[0218] Figure 77Y is a plan view of a sheet of material 571Y from which link elements 573Y and 575Y can be stamped, the link elements being interlinked in layout and alternating in their respective gap positions 577Y, 579Y.

[0219] Link elements have been described herein that possess irregular link thicknesses along the extent of the link elements due to impressions or the formation of surface texturing. Such link elements that bear surface ornamentation on each link element will cause a rope chain to have a more decorative design than the conventional rope chain and yet use less precious metal than a standard link element without such irregular link thickness.

[0220] It is within the scope of the present invention to provide segmented regions on a link element having different physical characteristics or properties as described herein placed in positions along the extent of the link elements other than those shown in the figures. One example is providing a dividing line horizontally positioned in any of the accompanying figures. These and other alternatives are considered equivalents and within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FOURTH EMBODIMENTS

[0221] In the accompanying Figures 11Z-39Z, certain color lining is shown to distinguish the various embodiments depicted. The different colors represent different materials, such as gold and silver, as well as different surface treatments. Since the link elements can be made of virtually any metal, or even non-metals, and since surface treatments can take on an infinite number of color hues and saturations, it would be impossible to illustrate all of the possible color combinations contemplated. Accordingly, the color lining shown in the accompanying Figures 11Z-39Z is intended to be exemplary only, and only color differences are intended to be conveyed when two different color linings are shown on the same link element or on the same length of rope chain. The treatment of text descriptions should be similarly interpreted. For example, when white gold is mentioned, silver, rhodium, nickel, or gold colors other than yellow must be understood to be equivalents.

[0222] Most of Figures 11Z-39Z have portions lined or marked to show the colors of yellow gold, white gold or silver, rose (pink) gold, green gold, or rhodium. However, portions of a rope chain may be made of a non-gold material, e.g. silver, and any link element surface, or any rope strand surface of the non-gold material can be colorized after the rope chain is assembled. For example, such non-gold material can be subjected to a process for applying a coating of rhodium or other substance to enhance its visual appearance, or it can be coated with a colored enamel, or treated with a blackener or an oxidizer or other surface treatment, the blackener and oxidizer treatments giving the treated material a dark color, e.g., gray to black.

[0223] In all of the Figures 11Z-39Z, the portions of the annular link elements, and therefore the length of rope chain, lined for gold colors may be the result of providing a gold wire and bending segments thereof to form link elements, or the result of stamping the links out of a single or multicolored gold strip, or the result of gold plating a metallic, or even non-metallic, link element. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use gapped link elements that have been enameled, rhodium coated, blackened, oxidized, or otherwise surface treated.

[0224] Figure 11Z shows a multicolored link element 127Z stamped from a multicolored sheet 127AZ exhibiting yellow gold in segments 129Z and in strips 129AZ, and white gold or silver in segments 128Z and in strip 128AZ. A rope chain constructed using the link element 127Z may produce a primarily yellow gold colored rope chain having the outer periphery of one rope strand exhibiting a white gold or silver helix and one side of one channel of the rope chain also exhibiting white gold or silver.

[0225] Figure 12Z shows an annular link element 132Z having areas 130Z and 131Z with variations in color, in this example yellow gold areas 130Z and white gold or silver areas 131Z. A rope chain constructed using links 132Z may exhibit yellow gold channels and white gold or silver helixes in the peripheries of both rope strands.

[0226] Figure 14Z is a plan view of a link element 161Z formed with one side 165Z larger than the other side 163Z, the relatively abrupt transition 169Z between the two sides 163Z,165Z located on the larger link side (see also Figure 35X). The dashed line 167Z indicates where the location of the exterior surface of side 163Z would be if not reduced in width. The reduction of precious metal in forming the thinner side 163Z contributes greatly to lowering the cost of a finished rope chain. When assembled into a length of rope chain, one of the helical rope chain strands will appear to have a larger diameter, and the other helical rope chain strand will appear to have a smaller diameter.

[0227] Figure 15Z is a plan view of a link element 171Z similar to that of Figure 14Z, except that the relatively abrupt transition 178Z between the two sides 173Z,175Z is located on the smaller link side to insure a tightly assembled chain. The dashed line 177Z indicates where the location of the exterior surface of side 173Z would be if not reduced.

[0228] After the assembly of a rope chain is completed, portions of the chain may be selectively colorized or textured by post assembly processing. For example, a non-gold rope strand (e.g. silver) of a rope chain may be selectively rhodium coated, or plated, to enhance the brilliance and luster of the coated part, dramatically increasing the contrast between a rhodium coated rope strand and a yellow gold rope strand. To the eye, such increased contrast effect makes the yellow gold strand appear to be even more yellow in color.

[0229] It is to be understood that, in this description, any suggestion to colorize one or both rope strands of an assembled length of rope chain includes: colorizing the entire outer surface of a rope strand; or colorizing a portion of the rope strand, such as, but not limited to, just the outer periphery of the rope strand, or just the common channel region between rope strands.

[0230] Any portion of an assembled length of rope chain may be colorized by any one of the above-mentioned surface treating processes, including rhodium plating, plating with other metals such as gold of a particular gold karat weight or gold of differing gold karat weights, treating the surface with a blackener, with an oxidizer, or by coating the rope strand with enamel. Application of a blackener treatment on silver or gold will produce a dark, black antique finish, while application of an oxidizer on silver or gold will produce all shades from French gray to black. With the application of a low temperature curing, hard enamel, the rope strand surface to be colorized can be changed to virtually any desired color.

[0231] Gorbet USA® supplies Jax® Blackeners such as No. 45.906, Vigor® Oxidizers such as No. 45.0329, and Ceramit™ low temperature curing, hard enamels such as No. 45.800.

[0232] All of the above-mentioned plating, blackening, oxidizing, and enameling processing result in either a visually attractive color coordinated length of rope chain, or a rope chain in which the different colors exhibited are in much greater contrast than conventional rope chains without any post assembly surface colorization.

[0233] Figure 16Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 181Z showing, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, both rope strands 183Z, 185Z being of any color (the color yellow gold being representative) and, in the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 187Z, after colorization, one of the rope strands 189Z is the color of rhodium, and the other rope strand 190Z is without color change, i.e., it is the same as at 183Z. The rhodium may be plated onto rope strand 189Z as shown in Figure 16Z, or onto any rope strand shown in any of the figures yet to be described and which are intended to exhibit the color of rhodium, using a plating process employing one of the aforementioned pen platers.

[0234] Figure 17Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 191Z showing, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, both rope strands 193Z, 195Z being of any color (the color yellow gold being representative), and, in the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 197Z, after colorization, one of the rope strands 199Z is of a color different than its original color, and the other rope strand 200Z is without color change, i.e., it is the same as at 193Z.

[0235] Figure 18Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 201Z showing, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, one rope strand 205Z is of any color other than yellow gold and the other rope strand 203Z is of the color yellow gold, and, in the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 207Z, after colorization, the non-yellow gold rope strand 209Z is the color of rhodium, and the other rope strand 210Z is without color change, i.e., it is the same as at 203Z.

[0236] Figure 19Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 211 Z showing, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, one rope strand 215Z is of any color other than yellow gold and the other rope strand 213Z is of the color yellow gold, and, in the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 217Z, after colorization, the non-yellow gold rope strand 219Z is of a color different than its original color, and the other rope strand 220Z is without color change, i.e., it is the same as at 213Z.

[0237] Figure 20Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 22 1 Z showing, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, one rope strand 223Z is yellow gold of a relatively small gold karat weight and the other rope strand 225Z is yellow gold of a relatively larger gold karat weight, and, in the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 227Z, after colorization, one rope strand 230Z is the color of rhodium, and the other rope strand 229Z is without color change, i.e., it is the same as at 225Z.

[0238] Figure 21Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 231Z showing, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, one rope strand 233Z is yellow gold of a relatively small gold karat weight and the other rope strand 235Z is yellow gold of a relatively larger gold karat weight, and, in the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 237Z, after colorization, one rope strand 240Z is of a color different than its original color, and the other rope strand 239Z is without color change, i.e., it is the same as at 235Z.

[0239] Figure 22Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 241Z showing, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, one rope strand 243Z is yellow gold of a relatively small gold karat weight and the other rope strand 245Z is yellow gold of a relatively larger gold karat weight, and, in the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 247Z, after colorization, both rope strands 249Z, 250Z are of the same gold color and, at least on the surface, of the same gold karat weight.

[0240] Figure 23Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 251Z, constructed of link elements of the type shown in Figures 13Z-15Z, or other similar configurations. Shown in Figure 23Z, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, is one rope strand 253Z of any color and of a relatively large diameter. The other rope strand 255Z is of any color and of a relatively small diameter. In the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 257Z, after colorization, the small diameter rope strand 259Z is the color of rhodium, and the other, larger, rope strand 260Z is without color change, i.e., it is the same as at 253Z.

[0241] Figure 24Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 261Z showing, in the top portion thereof, before colorization, one rope strand 263Z is of any color and of a relatively large diameter and the other rope strand 265Z is of any color and of a relatively smaller diameter, and, in the bottom portion thereof, below the dividing line 267Z, after colorization, the large diameter rope strand 270Z is the color of rhodium, and the other, smaller, rope strand 269Z is without color change, i.e., it is the same as at 265Z.

[0242] Figures 25Z-33Z depict embodiments of the invention wherein not all of a rope strand is treated with a change of color. In these figures, an all yellow gold rope chain is selected as a base for further color processing. It will be understood, however, that any color or any material suitable for the construction of a rope chain can be selected for the manufacture of the link elements making up the chain.

[0243] Portions of one or both rope chain strands are treated after assembly using any one or more of the aforementioned processes of rhodium plating, application of blackeners or oxidizers, coating with enamels, and gold plating.

[0244] In the specific examples of Figures 25Z-29Z, yellow gold rope strands are selected as the basis upon which a stripe of rhodium is plated along a helical path along either or both helical rope strands. Although the figures show a continuous line along either or both helical strands, the stripes of rhodium may be intermittently applied according to any desired pattern. Similarly any combination of striping among the figures can be chosen for unusual effects. Thus, the particular patterns shown in Figures 25Z-29Z are not intended to be limiting.

[0245] Figure 25Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 271Z showing the color of yellow gold for both rope strands 273Z, 275Z. A helical stripe 277Z the color of rhodium is superimposed on one of the rope strands 275Z.

[0246] Figure 26Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 281Z showing the color of yellow gold for both rope strands 283Z, 285Z. Helical stripes 287Z and 289Z, respectively, the color of rhodium are superimposed on the rope strands 283Z and 285Z.

[0247] Figure 27Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 291Z showing the color of yellow gold for both rope strands 293Z, 295Z. A helical stripe 297Z the color of rhodium is superimposed on one side 299Z of one channel 300Z between rope strands.

[0248] Figure 28Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 301Z showing the color of yellow gold for both rope strands 303Z, 305Z. A helical stripe 307Z the color of rhodium is superimposed on both sides 309Z of one channel 310Z between rope strands.

[0249] Figure 29Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 311Z showing the color of yellow gold for both rope strands 313Z, 315Z. A helical stripe 316Z the color of rhodium is superimposed on both sides 318Z of one channel 321Z between rope strands, and a helical stripe 317Z the color of rhodium is superimposed on both sides 319Z of the other channel 320Z between rope strands.

[0250] Figures 30Z and 31Z are, respectively, a front elevational view and an end view of another length of rope chain 341Z showing cut portions 343Z, 345Z, 347Z, and 349Z on four sides, the cut portions defining linear paths along the length of rope chain 341Z extending parallel to the rope chain axis 371Z. In Figures 30Z and 31Z, the plane of cut portions 343Z, 345Z, 347Z, and 349Z are all equidistant from the axis 371Z, and widths of the linear paths they follow define flat surfaces on certain link elements 342Z,344Z making up the length of rope chain 341Z.

[0251] The cut portions 343Z, 345Z, 347Z, and 349Z may be formed in any desired way; for example by laying the length of rope chain 341Z out taught between two guides, or by stretching the chain taught around a drum, and then diamond cutting one linear path 343Z for example. The chain is then rotated 90° and a second linear path 345Z is diamond cut. The process is continued until all four paths are diamond cut. Any or all paths can be cut intermittently along the length of chain. After diamond cutting the four paths, the flat edge portions may optionally be colorized to enhance the beauty of the rope chain.

[0252] Figure 32Z is an end view of another embodiment of rope chain 381Z showing cut portions on eight sides 383Z-390Z. In Figure 32Z, the path width of the diamond cut, for example, is smaller than that of Figures 30Z and 31Z, due to the larger number of facets involved.

[0253] The process for forming the flat surfaces 383Z-390Z may be the same as that described in connection with Figures 30Z and 31Z, except the chain will be rotated about its axis 45° seven times after the first cut along the chain.

[0254] Figure 33Z is an end view of another embodiment of rope chain 391Z showing cut portions 393Z-400Z on four sides, the cut portions defining linear paths along the length of rope chain 391Z extending parallel to the rope chain axis 371Z and equidistant from the axis 392Z. Similarly, the planes of cut portions 394Z-396Z and 398Z-400Z, on opposite sides of the chain are also equidistant from the axis 371Z. However, the planes of cut portions 394Z-396Z and 398Z-400Z are closer to the axis 392Z than the cut portions 393Z and 397Z.

[0255] Figures 34Z-37Z are near duplicates of Figures 30Z-33Z, except that the rope chains of Figures 34Z-37Z are constructed of link elements like those of Figures 13Z-15Z to produce one rope strand of a relatively large diameter and the other rope strand of a relatively small diameter.

[0256] Using such a wide/narrow link element configuration, the assembled rope chain can be subjected to a diamond cutting procedure, and such diamond cuts will be effective to remove precious metal only on the wider halves of the individual link elements, in Figures 34Z-37Z, these being link elements 342'Z. Link elements 344'Z are of a smaller diameter, and the corresponding smaller diameter rope chain strand is unaffected by the diamond cutting procedure.

[0257] As a result, with four and eight faceted linear diamond cuts along the length of the rope chain 341'Z, every other rope strand is faceted, and every in-between strand is not faceted, producing an interesting visual effect. The diamond cutting of one rope strand and not the other can best be seen in the end views of Figures 35Z-37Z. Of course, if desired, the diamond cuts can be made deeper, or the smaller diameter rope strand can be made larger such that both the relatively larger and smaller strands are diamond cut.

[0258] The diamond cut portions of the rope chains shown in Figures 34Z-37Z can be colorized employing the methods and materials for gold plating, rhodium plating, blackening, oxidizing, and enameling. Additionally, in the rope chain examples of Figures 34Z-37Z, an extra dimension of colorization is made possible. For example, a rope chain can be produce having a yellow gold large diameter rope strand 342'Z and a less expensive silver small diameter rope strand 344'Z. After assembly and diamond cutting as shown in Figures 34Z and 35Z, the large diameter gold strand 342Z may have its diamond cut edges rhodium plated, and a blackener can be applied to the entire smaller diameter silver rope strand, giving a three-color highly unique rope chain pattern in which the yellow gold portion is prominent, with a rhodium streak intermittently showing on the gold strand, and the smaller strand of a darker color.

[0259] Figure 38Z is yet another example of length of rope chain 401Z that has unique coloration and patterned features. It is made up link elements to produce a relatively large diameter strand 403Z alternating with a relatively small diameter strand 405Z. Instead of diamond cutting a linear path parallel to the axis of the rope chain, the chain 401 Z is subjected to selective diamond cutting along the periphery of the larger diameter strand 403Z. This produces a helical diamond cut path along the outer periphery of strand 403Z.

[0260] Additionally, rather than forming a flat, or planar, diamond cut path, any desired configuration of the cutter can be chosen to produce, for example, concave, convex, stepped, rounded, or serrated edge surfaces on the link elements comprising the rope chain.

[0261] Figure 39Z is a front elevational view of a length of rope chain 411Z in which whole segments of chain are plated around the entire body of the chain segment for a prescribed length, alternating with segments that are not plated. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 39Z, a rope chain 411Z, initially constructed of solid yellow gold link elements, has a short non-plated segment 413Z followed by a short rhodium plated segment 413Z, then another non-plated segment 417Z, and then another rhodium plated segment 419Z, etc., giving the finished rope chain a "zebra pattern" look.. The plated and non-plated segments may be of any desired length.

[0262] If desired, the jewelry designer may choose to give any of the described embodiments of the finished rope chain a soft lusterless appearance, i.e., instead of rhodium coating to increase reflectivity and brilliance, the finished rope chain may be mechanically or chemically treated so as to have a sandblast, matt, or frost like finish. Such surface texturing can be achieved by selectively acid etching one rope strand or portions thereof, or by electro-etching away surface material in the manner of EDM electro-machining, or by applying a surface ablating or surface furbishing or surface grinding with a small rotary tool or diamond cutting tool.

[0263] Obviously, color, shape, texture, and overall configurations other than those shown in the accompanying figures are possible for the manufacture of the link elements, and these are merely examples of preferred visual property combinations which can produce striking results in a finished rope chain construction. For example, an interesting variation of an undulated shaped edge would be a scalloped edge. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the shape and design patterns shown in the accompanying figures, the types of materials used, the coloring, surface texture, surface patterns, arrangement of groups and sets of link elements along the rope chain, reversed or not, randomly assembled or in strict accordance with a repeated pattern, and the like are all contemplated possibilities and are to be considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0264] It is further to be understood that virtually any of the link elements depicted in the accompanying drawing figures can be manufactured employing a stamping procedure.

[0265] In some contemplated embodiments, a rope chain made with low karat weight yellow gold for both strands may be subjected to a rhodium plating on one rope strand and a high karat weight plating on the other strand. Similarly, one strand can be high gold karat weight plated and the other strand could be subjected to the application of a blackener or oxidizer, or coated with hard enamel. It is thus to be understood that any process or construction described herein directed to coloring or texturing only a single rope strand applies equally well to coloring or texturing both rope strands. Moreover, multiple colorization treatments of one or both strands of a length of rope chain are within the scope of the present invention.

[0266] While the colors and precious metals used in the descriptions herein are preferred to be yellow, white, rose, and green gold, other colors and other metals, or even non-metals, can be employed in the construction of the disclosed rope chain configurations. Notable alternate materials, for example, are rhodium (in various colors), silver, and nickel, either solid or plated.

[0267] Colorization processes may include coloring agents molecularly bonding with the material, or coloring agents penetrating the surface of the material to be embedded several microns below the surface, forming an integral part of the material being colored. The invention is thus not to be considered limited to the specific products and processes shown and described in this specification.

Claims

1. A generally C-shaped gapped link element of the type that is interlinked with a series of other link elements to produce a jewelry rope chain having the appearance of intertwining helical strands, each of said gapped links having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface, an interior edge, and an exterior edge, characterized in that:

said first major surface is divided into portions, a first major surface portion exhibiting a first visual property perceptively different than a second visual property exhibited by an adjacent first major surface portion; and

said visual properties are color properties, surface pattern properties, or surface texture properties, or combinations of color properties, surface pattern properties, or surface texture properties.

2. The link element as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that:

each said major surface portion of said first major surface extends from said interior edge to said exterior edge along the extent of said link element.

3. The link element as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

said first major surface exhibits a visual property perceptively different than the visual property of said opposite second major surface.

4. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that:

said first major surface portions are made of different materials.

5. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that:

said first and second major surfaces are made of different materials.

6. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said gapped link:

has an overall configuration selected from the group consisting of annular, square, oval, diamond, heart shaped, and baguette.

7. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that:

said second major surface is divided into portions, a second major surface portion exhibiting a third visual property perceptively different than a fourth visual property exhibited by an adjacent second major surface portion.

8. The link element as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that:

said third and fourth visual properties of said second major surface portions are color properties, surface pattern properties, or surface texture properties, or combinations of color properties, surface pattern properties, or surface texture properties.

9. The link element as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that:

said second major surface portions are made of different materials.

10. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that:

link width is defined as a distance, measured along either of said major surfaces, between a pair of parallel lines perpendicular to said major surfaces and tangent to, respectively, said interior and exterior edges; and

said link element has an irregular link width along an extent of said link element.

11. The link element as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that:

said link element is divided into segments, each said segment possessing a unique link width character relative to an adjacent segment.

12. The link element as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that:

one of said segments possessing a unique link width character is annular in shape; and

an adjacent segment has an undulated exterior edge.

13. The link element as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that:

the link width of said annular shaped segment is greater than the link width of said segment having an undulated exterior edge.

14. The link element as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that:

one of said segments is annular in shape and has a first link width; and

an adjacent segment is annular in shape and has a second link width less than that of said one segment.

15. The link element as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that:

each said segment has a first end and a second end;

one of said segments has a relatively narrow link width; and

another of said segments gradually increases to a relatively wider width intermediate said ends.

16. The link element as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that:

one said segment has a relatively narrow link width;

another segment has a relatively wider link width; and

the width of the wider segment is nonlinear so as to narrow down to the width of the narrow segment at a location where said one segment and said other segment are joined.

17. The link element as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that:

one segment has a relatively narrow link width;

another segment has a relatively wider link width; and

said wider segment has an opening formed therein.

18. The link element as claimed in any one of Claims 1-5 and 7-10, characterized in that:

said interior edge is rectangular in shape; and

said exterior edge is substantially circular.

19. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that:

said gapped link element has facing ends defining a gap therebetween; and

said exterior edge has a recess therein at a location opposite said gap.

20. The link element as claimed in any one of Claims 10-19, characterized in that:

said link element has a repeating pattern of link width variation along the extent of said link element.

21. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that:

at least a portion of one of said first major surface, said second major surface, said interior edge, and said exterior edge is textured on at least one of said segments.

22. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that:

said exterior edge is serrated on at least a portion of one of said segments.

23. The link element as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that:

one of said segments is one color and of one shape; and

another of said segments is another color and of another shape.

24. The link element as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that:

said exterior edge is undulated.

25. The link element as claimed in Claim 17, characterized in that:

at least a portion of said opening in said wider segment is filled with a material different than the material from which said wider segment is made.

26. The link element as claimed in Claim 17, characterized in that:

said opening in said wider segment has a plurality of tendril-like filigree filaments bridging across said opening.

27. The link element as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that:

said different visual properties on said first major surface are color or texture; and

said link element has a planar cutout formed on said exterior edge of one of said first major surface portions.

28. The link element as claimed in any one of Claims 1-13, characterized in that:

said link element has a crenelated interior edge.

29. The link element as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that:

said exterior edge has an arcuate concave cutout formed therein.

30. The link element as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that:

said exterior edge has a stepped concave cutout formed therein.

31. The link element as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that:

link thickness is defined as a distance between and perpendicular to the planes of said first and second major surfaces; and

said link element has an irregular link thickness along the extent of said link element.

32. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that:

at least a portion of one of said major surfaces, interior edge, and exterior edge, is textured in the form of at least one of the group consisting of a serrated surface, a sandblasted surface, a series of angled plate-like surfaces having a saw-toothed profile, V-shaped grooved surface, and a diamond cut surface.

33. The link element as claimed in any one of Claims 10-17, characterized in that:

said link element has a non-symmetrical irregular link width along the extent of said link element.

34. The link element as claimed in Claim 1-17, characterized in that:

said different visual properties are asymmetrical along the extent of said link element.

35. The link element as claimed in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least a portion of said link element has a colorized surface that is one of:

a thickness of plated rhodium;

a thickness of plated gold;

a thickness of a blackener;

a thickness of an oxidizer; and

a thickness of an enamel.

36. A method of manufacturing a gapped link element of a type that is assembled with other link elements to form a rope chain, each of said link elements being generally C-shaped in configuration to define a gap between facing ends thereof, each of said link elements having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface, an interior edge, and an exterior edge, said method comprising:

providing a material having a plurality of regions, adjacent ones of which exhibit different visual properties; and

forming a link element from said material, the link element so produced comprising segments of at least two of said plurality of regions.

37. The method as claimed in Claim 36, characterized by:

stamping said link element form a sheet of said material having adjacent regions exhibiting said different visual properties, with a stamping device; and

before stamping, orienting the stamping device, relative to said sheet of material, to achieve a predetermined positional relationship between said sheet of material and said stamping device to thereby produce a link element with variably selectable multiple segments of different visual properties.

38. The method as claimed in Claim 37, characterized by:

providing a stamping die for use in stamping said link element from said sheet of material, said stamping die shaped to form any of said link elements defined in Claims 1-35.

39. The method as claimed in any one of Claim 36-38, characterized in that:

said sheet of material is provided with regions of different visual properties selected from the group consisting of different colors, different surface textures, different reflectivities, and different materials.

40. The method as claimed in Claim 39, characterized in that:

at least one region of the sheet of material from which said link element is manufactured is textured by employing at least one process selected from the group consisting of serrating, scoring, knurling, lining, patterning, pressure stamping, impressing, sandblasting, etching, shaping, polishing, matting, frosting, and diamond cutting.

41. The method as claimed in Claim 36, characterized by:

slicing a sheet of said material having a plurality of regions adjacent ones of which exhibit different visual properties, to produce an elongated strip of bendable material comprising segments of at least two of said plurality of regions; and

bending said strip into a generally C-shaped configuration.

42. The method as claimed in Claim 36, characterized in that:

said material is in the form of an elongated wire having a prescribed width and thickness; and

said method includes cutting said wire to a prescribed length, and forming said wire into a rope chain link element having a generally C-shaped configuration.

43. The method as claimed in any one of Claims 37-41, characterized in that:

a plurality of gapped first link elements are stamped after orienting said stamping device relative to said sheet of material to achieve said predetermined relationship between said sheet of material and said stamping device, such that a relatively large portion of each first link element on both sides of its gap exhibits a first visual property;

said method is further characterized by reorienting the stamping device relative to the same sheet of material, stamping a plurality of gapped second link elements in which a relatively small portion of each such link element opposite its gap exhibits a second visual property; and

assembling alternate ones of said first and second link elements to form a rope chain.

44. The method as claimed in Claim 36, characterized by:

assembling a series of said gapped link elements to construct a length of rope chain having an appearance of intertwining helical rope strands; and

subsequently colorizing at least a surface portion of only one of said helical rope strands to exhibit a color for said one helical rope strand different from the color of said helical rope strand beneath said colorized surface portion;

said colorizing selected from the group consisting of rhodium plating, gold plating, applying a blackener, applying an oxidizer, and enameling.

45. The method as claimed in Claim 44, characterized in that:

subsequent to said link elements being assembled, and prior to said one helical rope strand being colorized, said one helical rope strand is of a first color and the other helical rope strand is of a second color different than said first color.

46. The method as claimed in Claim 44, characterized in that:

said material has regions of different gold karat weights, such that, after said link elements are assembled, and prior to said one helical rope strand being colorized, said helical rope strands are likewise of different gold karat weights; and

said colorizing includes plating the helical rope strand made of the lesser karat gold weight with gold having a greater karat gold weight.

47. The method as claimed in Claim 44, characterized in that:

said material has a region of gold and a region of non-gold, such that, after said link elements are assembled, and prior to said one helical rope strand being colorized, said helical rope strands are likewise of respective gold and non-gold material; and

said colorizing includes gold plating the helical rope strand made of the non-gold material.

48. A method of manufacturing a rope chain comprised of a series of interlinked gapped link elements, each of said link elements being generally C-shaped in configuration to define a gap between facing ends thereof, each of said link elements having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface, an interior edge, and an exterior edge, said method comprising:

providing a sheet of material of precious metal; and

forming a link element from said sheet of material, wherein:

link width is defined as a distance, measured along either of said major surfaces, between a pair of parallel lines perpendicular to said major surfaces and tangent to, respectively, said interior and exterior edges;

said link element is divided into segments, each said segment possessing a unique link width character relative to an adjacent segment; and

assembling a plurality of said link elements to form a rope chain.

49. The method as claimed in Claim 36, characterized by:

interlinking a series of link elements selected from any link element defined in Claims 1-35, in accordance with conventional assembly procedures to form a jewelry rope chain.

50. The method as claimed in Claim 48 or 49, characterized in that:

said rope chain has the appearance of intertwining first and second rope strands, said first and second strands exhibiting at least two distinctly different visual properties along a length of at least one of said rope strands.

51. The method as claimed in Claim 48 or 49, characterized in that:

said link element is non-symmetrical about a link element center point; and

a length of rope chain made from said non-symmetrical link elements gives the length of rope chain the appearance of a large diameter helical rope strand intertwined with a relatively smaller diameter helical rope strand; and

said method is further characterized by cutting, colorizing, or cutting and colorizing only on said larger diameter helical rope strand.

Ansprüche

1. Ein offenes, allgemein C-förmiges Gliedelement der Art, die mit einer Reihe anderer Gliedelemente verbunden ist, so dass eine Schmuckseilkette mit dem Erscheinungsbild verflochtener spiralförmiger Stränge erzeugt wird, wobei jedes der genannten offenen Glieder eine erste Hauptoberfläche, eine entgegengesetzte zweite Hauptoberfläche, eine Innenkante und eine Außenkante aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte erste Hauptoberfläche in Abschnitte unterteilt ist, wobei ein erster Hauptoberflächenabschnitt eine erste visuelle Eigenschaft aufweist, die sich wahrnehmbar von einer zweiten visuellen Eigenschaft eines angrenzenden ersten Hauptoberflächenabschnitts unterscheidet; und

die genannten visuellen Eigenschaften Farbeigenschaften, Oberflächenmustereigenschaften oder Oberflächentextureigenschaften darstellen oder Kombinationen von Farbeigenschaften, Oberflächenmustereigenschaften oder Oberflächentextureigenschaften.

2. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

sich jeder genannte Hauptoberflächenabschnitt der genannten ersten Hauptoberfläche von der genannten Innenkante zu der genannten Außenkante entlang des Ausmaßes des genannten Gliedelements erstreckt.

3. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte erste Hauptoberfläche eine visuelle Eigenschaft aufweist, die sich wahrnehmbar von der visuellen Eigenschaft der genannten entgegengesetzten zweiten Hauptoberfläche unterscheidet.

4. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannten ersten Hauptoberflächenabschnitte aus verschiedenen Materialien bestehen.

5. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannten ersten und zweiten Hauptoberflächen aus verschiedenen Materialien bestehen.

6. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte offene Glied:

insgesamt eins Konfiguration aufweist, die aus einer runden, rechteckigen, ovalen, rautenförmigen, herzförmigen und Baguette-Konfiguration ausgewählt wird.

7. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte zweite Hauptoberfläche in Abschnitte unterteilt ist, wobei ein zweiter Hauptoberflächenabschnitt eine dritte visuelle Eigenschaft aufweist, die sich wahrnehmbar von einer vierten visuellen Eigenschaft unterscheidet, die ein benachbarter zweiter Hauptoberflächenabschnitt aufweist.

8. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannten dritten und vierten visuellen Eigenschaften der genannten zweiten Hauptoberflächenabschnitte Farbeigenschaften, Oberflächenmustereigenschaften oder Oberflächentextureigenschaften oder Kombinationen aus Farbeigenschaften, Oberflächenmustereigenschaften und Oberflächentextureigenschaften darstellen.

9. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannten zweiten Hauptoberflächenabschnitte aus verschiedenen Materialien bestehen.

10. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die Gliedbreite, gemessen entlang einer der genannten Hauptoberflächen, durch den Abstand zwischen einem Paar von parallelen Linien definiert ist, die senkrecht zu den genannten Hauptoberflächen und entsprechend tangential zu den genannten Innen- und Außenkanten sind; und

das genannte Gliedelement eine unregelmäßige Gliedbreite entlang einem Ausmaß des genannten Gliedelements aufweist.

11. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genannte Gliedelement in Segmente unterteilt ist,

wobei jedes genannte Segment eine eindeutige Gliedbreiteneigenschaft im Verhältnis zu einem benachbarten Segment aufweist.

12. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

eines der genannten Segmente mit einer eindeutigen Gliedbreiteneigenschaft eine runde Form aufweist; und

ein benachbartes Segment eine gewellte Außenkante aufweist.

13. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die Gliedbreite des genannten runden Segments größer ist als die Gliedbreite des genannten Segments mit einer gewellten Außenkante.

14. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

eines der genannten Segmente eine runde Form und eine erste Gliedbreite aufweist;

ein benachbartes Segment eine runde Form und eine zweite Gliedbreite aufweist, die kleiner ist als die des genannten ersten Segments.

15. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

jedes genannte Segment ein erstes Ende und ein zweites Ende aufweist;

eines der genannten Segmente eine verhältnismäßig schmale Gliedbreite aufweist; und

ein anderes der genannten Segmente allmählich auf eine im Verhältnis größere Breite zwischen den genannten Enden zunimmt.

16. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

eines der genannten Segmente eine verhältnismäßig schmale Gliedbreite aufweist;

ein anderes Segment eine im Verhältnis breitere Gliedbreite aufweist; und

die Breite des breiteren Segments nichtlinear ist, um die Breite an der Stelle, an der das genannte eine Segment und das genannte andere Segment zusammengeführt werden, auf die Breite des schmalen Segments zu verringern.

17. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

eines der genannten Segmente eine verhältnismäßig schmale Gliedbreite aufweist;

ein anderes Segment eine im Verhältnis breitere Gliedbreite aufweist; und

das genannte breitere Segment eine darin ausgebildete Öffnung aufweist.

18. Gliedelement nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5 und 7 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte Innenkante eine rechteckige Form aufweist; und

die genannte Außenkante im Wesentlichen kreisförmig ist.

19. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genannte offene Gliedelement zueinander ausgerichtete Enden mit einem dazwischen angeordneten Zwischenraum aufweist; und

die genannte Außenkante darin an einer dem genannten Zwischenraum entgegengesetzten Stelle eine Aussparung aufweist.

20. Gliedelement nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 19, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genannte Gliedelement ein sich wiederholendes Muster der Gliedbreitenvariation entlang dem Ausmaß des genannten Gliedelements aufweist.

21. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

mindestens ein Abschnitt einer der genannten ersten Hauptoberfläche, der genannten zweiten Hauptoberfläche, der genannten Innenkante und der genannten Außenkante an mindestens einem der genannten Segmente texturiert ist.

22. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte Außenkante an mindestens einem Abschnitt eines der genannten Segmente gezahnt ist.

23. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

eines der genannten Segmente eine Farbe und eine Form aufweist; und

ein anderes der genannten Segmente eine andere Farbe und eine andere Form aufweist.

24. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte Außenkante gewellt ist.

25. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

zumindest ein Abschnitt der genannten Öffnung in dem genannten breiteren Segment mit einem anderen Material gefüllt ist, als dem Material, aus dem das genannte breitere Segment besteht.

26. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte Öffnung in dem genannten breiteren Segment eine Mehrzahl von rankenartigen Filigranfäden aufweist, welche die genannte Öffnung überbrücken.

27. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannten unterschiedlichen visuellen Eigenschaften an der genannten ersten Hauptoberfläche Farbe oder Textur darstellen; und

das genannte Gliedelement einen planaren Ausschnitt aufweist, der an der genannten Außenkante eines der genannten ersten Hauptoberflächenabschnitte ausgebildet ist.

28. Gliedelement nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genante Gliedelement eine mit Zinnen versehene Innenkante aufweist.

29. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte Außenkante einen darin ausgebildeten bogenförmigen, konkaven Ausschnitt aufweist.

30. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte Außenkante einen darin ausgebildeten gestuften, konkaven Ausschnitt aufweist.

31. Gliedelement nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die Glieddicke als ein Abstand zwischen den Ebenen der genannten ersten und zweiten Hauptoberflächen und als senkrecht zu diesen definiert ist; und

das genannte Gliedelement eine unregelmäßige Glieddicke entlang dem Ausmaß des genannten Gliedelements aufweist.

32. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

mindestens ein Abschnitt einer der genannten Hauptoberflächen, der Innenkante und der Außenkante in Form mindestens einer der folgenden Oberflächen texturiert ist: einer gezahnten Oberfläche, einer sandgestrahlten Oberfläche, einer Reihe angewinkelter, plattenartiger Oberflächen mit einem Sägezahnprofil, einer V-förmigen gerillten Oberfläche und einer rautenförmig geschnittenen Oberfläche.

33. Gliedelement nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genannte Gliedelement eine unsymmetrische, unregelmäßige Gliedbreite entlang dem Ausmaß des genannten Gliedelements aufweist.

34. Gliedelement nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannten unterschiedlichen visuellen Eigenschaften entlang dem Ausmaß des genannten Gliedelements asymmetrisch sind.

35. Gliedelement nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Abschnitt des genannten Gliedelements eine colorierte Oberfläche aufweist, bei der es sich um eine der folgenden Oberflächen handelt:

eine Dicke aus plattiertem Rhodium;

einer Dicke aus plattiertem Gold;

einer Dicke eines Schwärzungsmittels;

einer Dicke eines Oxidationsmittels; und

einer Dicke eines Emails.

36. Verfahren zum Herstellen eines offenen Gliedelements der Art, die mit anderen Gliedelementen verbunden ist, so dass eine Seilkette gebildet wird, wobei jedes der genannten Gliedelemente eine allgemein C-förmige Konfiguration aufweist, um zwischen zueinander ausgerichteten Enden einen Zwischenraum zu bilden, wobei jedes der genannten Gliedelemente eine erste Hauptoberfläche, eine entgegengesetzte zweite Hauptoberfläche, einen Innenkante und eine Außenkante aufweist, wobei das genannte Verfahren folgendes umfasst:

das Bereitstellen eines Materials mit einer Mehrzahl von Bereichen, wobei benachbarte Bereiche unterschiedliche visuelle Eigenschaften aufweisen; und

das Ausbilden eines Gliedelements aus dem genannten Material, wobei das auf diese Weise erzeugte Gliedelement mindestens zwei der genannten Mehrzahl von Regionen umfasst.

37. Verfahren nach Anspruch 36, gekennzeichnet durch:

das Stanzen des genannten Gliedelements mit einer Stanzvorrichtung aus einer Bahn des genannten Materials, wobei benachbarte Bereiche die genannten unterschiedlichen visuellen Eigenschaften aufweisen; und

vor dem Stanzen das Ausrichten der Stanzvorrichtung im Verhältnis zu der genannten Materialbahn, um ein vorbestimmtes Positionsverhältnis zwischen der genannten Materialbahn und der genannten Stanzvorrichtung zu erreichen, so dass dadurch ein Gliedelement mit einer variabel auswählbaren Mehrzahl von Segmenten mit unterschiedlichen visuellen Eigenschaften erzeugt wird.

38. Verfahren nach Anspruch 37, gekennzeichnet durch:

das Bereitstellen eines Stanzwerkzeugs zur Verwendung beim Stanzen des genannten Gliedelements aus der genannten Materialbahn, wobei das genannte Stanzwerkzeug so geformt ist, dass jedes der genannten Gliedelemente gemäß den Definitionen in den Ansprüchen 1 bis 35 gebildet wird.

39. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 36 bis 38, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte Materialbahn mit Bereichen mit unterschiedlichen visuellen Eigenschaften versehen ist, die aus der Gruppe ausgewählt werden, die unterschiedliche Farben, unterschiedliche Oberflächentexturen, unterschiedliche Reflexionsvermögen und unterschiedliche Materialien umfasst.

40. Verfahren nach Anspruch 39, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

mindestens ein Bereich der Materialbahn, aus der das genannte Gliedelement besteht, texturiert wird durch den Einsatz mindestens eines Verfahrens, die aus der Gruppe ausgewählt werden, die Zahnen, Kerben, Rändeln, Auskleiden, Mustern, Druckstanzen, Prägen, Sandstrahlen, Ätzen, Formen, Polieren, Mattieren, Frosting und Diamantschneiden umfasst.

41. Verfahren nach Anspruch 36, gekennzeichnet durch:

das Schneiden einer Bahn des genannten Materials mit einer Mehrzahl von Bereichen, von denen benachbarte Bereiche unterschiedliche visuelle Eigenschaften aufweisen, so dass ein langgestreckter biegbarer Materialstreifen erzeugt werden kann, der Segmente von mindestens zwei der genannten Mehrzahl von Bereichen umfasst; und

das Biegen des genannten Streifens in eine allgemein C-förmige Konfiguration.

42. Verfahren nach Anspruch 36, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genannte Material in Form eines langgestreckten Drahts mit einer vorgeschriebenen Breite und Dicke vorgesehen ist; und

das genannte Verfahren das Schneiden des genannten Drahts auf eine vorgeschriebene Länge aufweist, und wobei der genannte Draht zu einem Seilkettengliedelement mit einer allgemein C-förmigen Konfiguration geformt wird.

43. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 37 bis 41, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

eine Mehrzahl offener erster Gliedelemente nach dem Ausrichten der genannten Stanzvorrichtung im Verhältnis zu der genannten Materialbahn gestanzt wird, um das genannte vorbestimmte Verhältnis zwischen der genannten Materialbahn und der genannten Stanzvorrichtung zu erreichen, so dass ein verhältnismäßig großer Abschnitt jedes ersten Gliedelements auf beiden Seiten des Zwischenraums des Glieds eine erste visuelle Eigenschaft aufweist;

das gekannte Verfahren ferner durch die neue Ausrichtung der Stanzvorrichtung im Verhältnis zu der gleichen Materialbahn gekennzeichnet ist, wobei eine Mehrzahl von offenen zweiten Gliedelementen gestanzt wird, wobei ein verhältnismäßig kleiner Abschnitt jedes derartigen Gliedelements entgegengesetzt zu dessen Zwischenraum eine zweite visuelle Eigenschaft aufweist; und

das Zusammensetzen wechselweiser der genannten ersten und zweiten Gliedelemente zur Bildung einer Seilkette.

44. Verfahren nach Anspruch 36, gekennzeichnet durch:

das Zusammensetzen einer Reihe der genannten offenen Gliedelemente zur Konstruktion einer Länge einer Seilkette mit dem Erscheinungsbild verflochtener, spiralförmiger Seilstränge; und

das folgende Colorieren mindestens eines Oberflächenabschnitts nur eines der genannten spiralförmigen Seilstränge, so dass für den genannten einen spiralförmigen Seilstrang eine Farbe vorgesehen wird, die sich von der Farbe des genannten spiralförmigen Seilstrangs unter dem genannten colorierten Oberflächenabschnitt unterscheidet;

   wobei die genannte Colorierung aus der Gruppe ausgewählt wird, die Rhodium-Plattierung, Goldplattierung, Auftragen eines Schwärzungsmittels, Anwenden eines Oxidationsmittels und Emaillieren umfasst.

45. Verfahren nach Anspruch 44, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

nach der Montage der genannten Gliedelemente und vor der Colorierung des genannten einen spiralförmigen Seilstrangs der genannte eine spiralförmige Seilstrang eine erste Farbe aufweist, und wobei der andere spiralförmige Seilstrang eine zweite Farbe aufweist, die sich von der genannten ersten Farbe unterscheidet.

46. Verfahren nach Anspruch 44, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genannte Material Bereiche mit unterschiedlichen Goldkaratgewichten aufweist, so dass nach der Montage der genannten Gliedelemente und vor der Colorierung des genannten einen spiralförmigen Seilstrangs die genannten spiralförmigen Seilstränge ebenso unterschiedliche Goldkaratgewichte aufweisen; und

die genannte Colorierung das Plattieren des genannten spiralförmigen Seilstrangs mit dem niedrigeren Goldkaratgewicht mit Gold mit dem höheren Goldkaratgewicht aufweist.

47. Verfahren nach Anspruch 44, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genannte Material einen Bereich aus Gold und einen Bereich, der nicht aus Gold besteht, aufweist, so dass nach der Montage der genannten Gliedelemente und vor der Colorierung des genannten einen spiralförmigen Seilstrangs die genannten spiralförmigen Seilstränge ebenso aus entsprechendem Goldmaterial und Material ohne Gold bestehen; und

das genannte Colorieren das Goldplattieren des genannten spiralförmigen Seilstrangs umfasst der aus einem Material ohne Gold besteht.

48. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Seilkette, die eine Reihe von verbundenen, offenen Gliedelementen umfasst, wobei jedes der genannten Gliedelemente eine allgemein C-förmige Konfiguration aufweist, um zwischen zueinander ausgerichteten Enden der Glieder einen Zwischenraum zu definieren, wobei jedes der genannten Gliedelemente eine erste Hauptoberfläche, eine entgegengesetzte zweite Hauptoberfläche, eine Innenkante und eine Außenkante aufweist, wobei das genannte Verfahren folgendes umfasst:

das Bereitstellen einer Bahn eines Edelmetallmaterials; und

das Gestalten eines Gliedelements aus der genannten Bahn des Edelmetalls, wobei:

die Gliedbreite, gemessen entlang einer der genannten Hauptoberflächen, definiert ist durch einen Abstand zwischen einem Paar paralleler Linien, die senkrecht zu den genannten Hauptoberflächen und entsprechend tangential zu den Innen- und Außenkanten sind;

das genannte Gliedelement in Segmente aufgeteilt ist, wobei jedes genannte Segment eine eindeutige Gliedbreiteneigenschaft im Verhältnis zu einem benachbarten Segment aufweist; und

das Zusammensetzen einer Mehrzahl der genannten Gliedelemente, so dass eine Seilkette gebildet wird.

49. Verfahren nach Anspruch 36, gekennzeichnet durch:

das Verbinden einer Reihe von Gliedelementen, die aus allen in den Ansprüchen 1 bis 35 definierten Gliedelementen ausgewählt werden, gemäß herkömmlichen Montageverfahren zur Gestaltung einer Schmuckstückseilkette.

50. Verfahren nach Anspruch 48 oder 49, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

die genannte Seilkette das Erscheinungsbild verflochtener erster und zweiter Seilstränge aufweist, wobei die genannten ersten und zweiten Stränge mindestens zwei eindeutig unterschiedliche visuelle Eigenschaften entlang einer Länge mindestens eines der genannten Seilstränge aufweisen.

51. Verfahren nach Anspruch 48 oder 49, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

das genannte Gliedelement um einen Mittelpunkt des Gliedelements unsymmetrisch ist; und

eine Länge einer aus den genannten unsymmetrischen Gliedelementen hergestellten Seilkette der Länge der Seilkette das Erscheinungsbild eines spiralförmigen Seilstrangs mit großen Durchmesser, verflochten mit einem spiralförmigen Seilstrang mit im Verhältnis kleineren Durchmesser verleiht; und

   wobei das genannte Verfahren ferner gekennzeichnet ist durch das Schneiden, Colorieren oder Schneiden und Colorieren nur des genannten spiralförmigen Strangs mit größerem Durchmesser.

Revendications

1. Elément de maillon espacé ayant généralement une forme de C du type qui est enchaîné avec une série d'autres éléments de maillon pour produire une chaîne bijou cordelette ayant l'aspect de torons hélicoïdes entrelacés, chacun desdits maillons espacés ayant une première grande surface, une seconde grande surface opposée, un bord intérieur et un bord extérieur, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite première grande surface est divisée en portions, une première portion de grande surface présentant une première propriété visuelle de perception différente d'une deuxième propriété visuelle présentée par une première portion de grande surface adjacente; et

lesdites propriétés visuelles sont des propriétés de couleur, des propriétés de motif de surface, ou des propriétés de texture superficielle.

2. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que:

chaque dite portion de grande surface de ladite première grande surface s'étend entre ledit bord intérieur et ledit bord extérieur le long dudit élément de maillon.

3. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite première grande surface présente une propriété visuelle de perception différente de la propriété visuelle de ladite seconde grande surface opposée.

4. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que:

lesdites portions de la première grande surface sont faites dans des matières différentes.

5. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que:

lesdites première et seconde grandes surfaces sont faites dans des matières différentes.

6. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit maillon espacé:

a une configuration générale sélectionnée dans le groupe comprenant les configurations annulaires, carrées, ovales, losangiques, en forme de coeur et de baguette.

7. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite seconde grande surface est divisée en portions, une seconde portion de grande surface présentant une troisième propriété visuelle de perception différente d'une quatrième propriété visuelle présentée par une seconde portion de grande surface adjacente.

8. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que:

lesdites troisième et quatrième propriétés visuelles desdites portions de seconde grande surface sont des propriétés de couleur, des propriétés de motif de surface, ou des propriétés de texture superficielle, ou des combinaisons des propriétés de couleur, des propriétés de motif de surface, ou des propriétés de texture superficielle.

9. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que:

lesdites portions de la seconde grande surface sont faites dans des matières différentes.

10. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que:

la largeur des maillons est définie comme une distance mesurée soit le long desdites grandes surfaces entre une paire de lignes parallèles perpendiculaires auxdites grandes surfaces et respectivement tangentes auxdits bords intérieur et extérieur; et

ledit élément de maillon présente une largeur de maillon irrégulière le long d'une extension dudit élément de maillon.

11. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit élément de maillon est divisé en segments, chaque dit segment présentant une largeur de maillon unique par rapport à un segment adjacent.

12. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que:

l'un desdits segments présentant une largeur de maillon unique a une forme annulaire; et

un segment adjacent comporte un bord extérieur ondulé.

13. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que:

la largeur de maillon dudit segment de forme annulaire est supérieure à la largeur de maillon dudit segment comportant un bord extérieur ondulé.

14. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que:

un desdits segments a une forme annulaire et présente une première largeur de maillon; et

un segment adjacent a une forme annulaire et présente une deuxième largeur de maillon inférieure à celle dudit un segment.

15. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que:

chaque dit segment comporte une première extrémité et une seconde extrémité; et

l'un desdits segments présente une largeur de maillon relativement étroite; et

un autre desdits segments augmente graduellement jusqu'à une largeur relativement plus grande entre lesdites extrémités.

16. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que:

un dit segment présente une largeur de maillon relativement étroite;

un autre segment présente une largeur de maillon relativement plus grande; et

la largeur du segment plus large est non linéaire afin de se rétrécir jusqu'à la largeur du segment étroit à un emplacement où ledit un segment et ledit autre segment se rejoignent.

17. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que:

un segment présente une largeur de maillon relativement étroite;

un autre segment présente une largeur de maillon relativement plus grande; et

ledit segment plus large comprend une ouverture formée à l'intérieur.

18. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5 et 7 à 10, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit bord intérieur a une forme rectangulaire; et

ledit bord extérieur est sensiblement circulaire.

19. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes; caractérisé en ce que:

ledit élément de maillon espacé comporte des extrémités opposées définissant un espace entre elles; et

ledit bord extérieur comporte un évidement à l'intérieur à un emplacement opposé audit espace.

20. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 19, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit élément de maillon présente un motif répété de variation de largeur de maillon le long dudit élément de maillon.

21. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que:

au moins une portion de ladite première grande surface, de ladite seconde grande surface, dudit bord intérieur et dudit bord extérieur est texturée sur au moins l'un desdits segments.

22. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit bord extérieur est dentelé sur au moins une portion de l'un desdits segments.

23. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que:

l'un desdits segments présente une couleur et une forme; et

un autre desdits segments présente une autre couleur et une autre forme.

24. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit bord extérieur est ondulé.

25. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 17, caractérisé en ce que:

au moins une portion de ladite ouverture dans ledit segment plus large est remplie avec une matière différente de la matière dans laquelle est fait ledit segment plus large.

26. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 17, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite ouverture dans ledit segment plus large comprend une pluralité de filaments filigranés ressemblant à des vrilles qui enjambent ladite ouverture.

27. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que:

lesdites propriétés visuelles différentes sur ladite première grande surface sont la couleur ou la texture; et

ledit élément de maillon présente un ajour plan formé sur ledit bord extérieur de l'une desdites portions de première grande surface.

28. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit élément de maillon comporte un bord intérieur crénelé.

29. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit bord extérieur présente un ajour concave arqué formé à l'intérieur.

30. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit bord extérieur présente un ajour concave à épaulements formé à l'intérieur.

31. Elément de maillon selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que:

l'épaisseur des maillons est définie comme une distance entre les et perpendiculaire aux plans desdites première et

seconde grandes surfaces; et

ledit élément de maillon présente une épaisseur de maillon irrégulière le long de l'extension dudit élément de maillon.

32. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que:

au moins une portion de l'une desdites grandes surfaces, d'un bord intérieur et d'un bord extérieur est texturée sous forme d'au moins l'une des surfaces du groupe comprenant une surface dentelée, une surface sablée, une série de surfaces angulaires en forme de plaque présentant un profil en dent de scie, une surface cannelée en forme de V et une surface à taille diamant.

33. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 17, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit élément de maillon présente une largeur de maillon irrégulière non symétrique le long de l'extension dudit élément de maillon.

34. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 17, caractérisé en ce que:

lesdites propriétés visuelles différentes sont asymétriques le long de l'extension dudit élément de maillon.

35. Elément de maillon selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une portion dudit élément de maillon présente une surface colorée qui est l'une de:

une épaisseur de rhodium plaqué;

une épaisseur d'or plaqué;

une épaisseur d'agent noircissant;

une épaisseur d'agent oxydant; et

une épaisseur d'émail.

36. Procédé pour la fabrication d'un élément de maillon espacé d'un type qui est assemblé avec d'autres éléments de maillon pour produire une chaîne cordelette, chacun desdits éléments de maillon ayant généralement une forme de C pour définir un espace entre ses extrémités opposées, chacun desdits éléments de maillon ayant une première grande surface, une seconde grande surface opposée, un bord intérieur et un bord extérieur, ledit procédé comprenant:

la fourniture d'une matière comportant une pluralité de régions dont les régions adjacentes présentent des propriétés visuelles différentes; et

la formation d'un élément de maillon dans ladite matière, l'élément de maillon ainsi produit comprenant des segments d'au moins deux de ladite pluralité de régions.

37. Procédé selon la revendication 36, caractérisé par:

l'estampage dudit élément de maillon à partir d'une feuille de ladite matière comportant des régions adjacentes présentant des propriétés visuelles différentes avec un dispositif d'estampage; et

avant l'estampage, l'orientation du dispositif d'estampage par rapport à ladite feuille de matière pour obtenir une relation positionnelle prédéterminée entre ladite feuille de matière et ledit dispositif d'estampage pour produire ainsi un élément de maillon avec de multiples segments sélectionnables de manière variable ayant des propriétés visuelles différentes.

38. Procédé selon la revendication 37, caractérisé par:

la fourniture d'une matrice d'estampage à utiliser pour l'estampage dudit élément de maillon partir de ladite feuille de matière, ladite matrice d'estampage étant façonnée pour former n'importe lequel desdits éléments de maillon définis dans les revendications 1 à 35.

39. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 36 à 38, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite feuille de matière est munie de régions ayant des propriétés visuelles différentes sélectionnées dans le groupe comprenant différentes couleurs, différentes textures superficielles, différents pouvoirs réfléchissants et différentes matières.

40. Procédé selon la revendication 39, caractérisé en ce que:

au moins une région de la feuille de matière à partir de laquelle ledit élément de maillon est fabriqué est texturée en utilisant au moins un procédé sélectionné dans le groupe comprenant la dentelure, le rainurage, le moletage, le garnissage, l'application de motifs, l'estampage sous pression, l'impression, le sablage, le mordançage, le façonnage, le polissage, le matage, le givrage et la taille de diamant.

41. Procédé selon la revendication 36, caractérisé par:

le découpage d'une feuille de matière comportant une pluralité de régions dont les régions adjacentes présentent des propriétés visuelles différentes pour produire une bande allongée de matière pliable comprenant des segments d'au moins deux de ladite pluralité de régions; et

le pliage de ladite bande pour obtenir une configuration généralement en forme de C.

42. Procédé selon la revendication 36, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite matière se présente sous forme d'un fil allongé ayant une largeur et une épaisseur prescrites; et

ledit procédé comprend le découpage dudit fil à une longueur prescrite et le façonnage dudit fil pour former un élément de maillon de chaîne cordelette ayant une configuration généralement en forme de C.

43. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 37 à 41, caractérisé en ce que:

une pluralité de premiers éléments de maillon espacés est estampée après l'orientation dudit dispositif d'estampage par rapport à ladite feuille de matière pour obtenir ladite relation prédéterminée entre ladite feuille de matière et ledit dispositif d'estampage de manière à ce qu'une portion relativement grande de chaque premier élément de maillon des deux côtés de son espace présente une première propriété visuelle;

ledit procédé est caractérisé, en outre, par la réorientation du dispositif d'estampage par rapport à la même feuille de matière, l'estampage d'une pluralité de deuxièmes éléments de maillon espacés dans laquelle une portion relativement faible de chaque élément de maillon en face de son espace présente une deuxième propriété visuelle; et

l'assemblage des éléments alternants desdits premiers et deuxièmes éléments de maillon pour former une chaîne cordelette.

44. Procédé selon la revendication 36, caractérisé par:

l'assemblage d'une série desdits éléments de maillon espacés pour construire une longueur de chaîne cordelette ayant un aspect de torons de cordelette hélicoïdes entrelacés; et

la colorisation d'au moins une portion de surface d'un seul desdits torons de cordelette hélicoïdes pour présenter une couleur pour ledit toron de cordelette hélicoïde différente de la couleur dudit toron de cordelette hélicoïde en dessous de ladite portion de surface colorée;

ladite colorisation étant sélectionnée dans le groupe comprenant le plaquage de rhodium, le plaquage d'or, l'application d'un agent noircissant, l'application d'un agent oxydant et l'émaillage.

45. Procédé selon la revendication 44, caractérisé en ce que:

après l'assemblage desdits éléments de maillon et avant la colorisation dudit un toron de cordelette hélicoïde, ledit toron de cordelette hélicoïde a une première couleur et l'autre toron de cordelette hélicoïde a une deuxième couleur différente de ladite première couleur.

46. Procédé selon la revendication 44, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite matière a des régions présentant des poids d'or titré différents, de sorte que, après l'assemblage desdits éléments de maillon et avant la colorisation dudit un toron de cordelette hélicoïde, lesdits torons de cordelette hélicoïdes ont également des poids d'or titré différents; et ladite colorisation comprend le plaquage du toron de cordelette hélicoïde ayant le plus faible poids d'or titré avec de l'or ayant un poids d'or titré plus élevé.

47. Procédé selon la revendication 44, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite matière a une région avec de l'or et une région sans or, de sorte que, après l'assemblage desdits éléments de maillon et avant la colorisation dudit un toron de cordelette hélicoïde, lesdits torons de cordelette hélicoïdes sont également constitués d'une matière avec de l'or et sans or; et

ladite colorisation comprend le plaquage avec de l'or du toron de cordelette hélicoïde constitué de la matière sans or.

48. Procédé pour la fabrication d'une chaîne cordelette comprenant une série d'éléments de maillon espacés interconnectés, chacun desdits éléments de maillon ayant généralement une forme de C pour définir un espace entre ses extrémités opposées, chacun desdits éléments de maillon ayant une première grande surface, une seconde grande surface opposée, un bord intérieur et un bord extérieur, ledit procédé comprenant:

la fourniture d'une feuille de matière de métal précieux; et

la formation d'un élément de maillon à partir de ladite feuille de matière, dans lequel:

la largeur des maillons est définie comme une distance mesurée soit le long desdites grandes surfaces entre une paire de lignes parallèles perpendiculaires auxdites grandes surfaces et respectivement tangentes auxdits bords intérieur et extérieur;

ledit élément de maillon est divisé en segments, chaque dit segment présentant une largeur de maillon unique par rapport à un segment adjacent; et

l'assemblage d'une pluralité desdits éléments de maillon pour former une chaîne cordelette.

49. Procédé selon la revendication 36, caractérisé par:

l'interconnexion d'une série d'éléments de maillon sélectionnés à partir d'un quelconque élément de maillon défini dans les revendications 1 à 35, suivant les procédures d'assemblage conventionnelles pour former une chaîne bijou cordelette.

50. Procédé selon la revendication 48 ou 49, caractérisé en ce que:

ladite chaîne cordelette a l'aspect de premiers et deuxièmes torons de cordelette entrelacés, lesdits premiers et deuxièmes torons présentant au moins deux propriétés visuelles nettement différentes sur la longueur d'au moins l'un desdits de torons de cordelette.

51. Procédé selon la revendication 48 ou 49, caractérisé en ce que:

ledit élément de maillon est non symétrique autour d'un point central de maillon; et

une longueur de chaîne cordelette faite à partir desdits éléments de maillon non symétriques donne à la longueur de cordelette l'aspect d'un toron de cordelette hélicoïde de grand diamètre entrelacé avec un toron de cordelette hélicoïde de diamètre relativement plus petit; et

ledit procédé est, en outre, caractérisé par le découpage, la colorisation, ou le découpage et la colorisation seulement dudit toron de cordelette hélicoïde de plus grand diamètre.

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