Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an ornamental component for a bracelet or necklace,
and to a method of manufacturing an ornamental component.
Background
[0002] Jewellery, such as necklaces and bracelets, often consists of a plurality of freely
movable ornamental components e.g. beads strung on an elongated member e.g. chain,
wire, or string. The through holes of the ornamental components may be provided with
a lining to improve their strength. Typically, a metal lining is used. The lining
may additionally provide additional creative opportunities for jewellery designers
as the lining itself may be decorated, e.g. a decorative pattern may be edged on the
openings of the lining.
[0003] The metal lining may be inserted using a pressing method. In a first step of the
method, a metal tubular element is inserted into the through hole of the ornamental
component. Next, the ornamental component is positioned in a press having two specially
designed rams, wherein a first opening of the metal tubular element engages with a
first ram, and a second opening of the metal tubular element engages with a second
ram. By moving the two rams together the metal tubular element may be deformed in
manner whereby it attaches a metal lining to the ornamental component.
[0004] However, as the metal tubular element is deformed it may be difficult to use the
pressing method with complex linings such as pre decorated linings and linings composed
of a plurality of elements.
[0005] EP0799587 discloses an ornamental component comprising a first part, and a second part, which
is screwed to the first part.
[0006] US2012111053 discloses an article of jewelry and a method of manufacture, including a pliable
strand; and a plurality of precious or semiprecious objects movably positioned along
the pliable strand. Each of the plurality of objects including a magnetic insert extending
between opposing surfaces.
[0007] US2006277945 discloses links formed by a set of parts including at least two caps including, on
the one hand, means for assembling their feet to hold, between their heads a decorative
casing element, and on the other hand, locking means at the junction of their feet
for immobilising each link.
[0008] However, it remains a problem to provide a method for providing beads with more complex
and durable linings especially for beads having a hollow housing.
Summary
[0009] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an ornamental component for
a bracelet and / or a necklace said ornamental component having a through hole allowing
said ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and /
or necklace, said through hole defining a through hole axis; said ornamental component
comprising:
- a self-supporting housing having a through hole comprising a first opening at a first
side of the housing and a second opening at a second side of the housing; and
- a first tubular element having a through hole inserted in said through hole of said
self-supporting housing through said first opening of said self-supporting housing;
and
wherein said ornamental component further comprises a locking element having a through
hole inserted in said through hole of self-supporting housing through said second
opening of said self-supporting housing, and said locking element comprises a engagement
portion attached to said first tubular element.
[0010] Consequently, by providing an ornamental component with a lining by using two parts
inserted from two sides of the ornamental component, the lining (the first tubular
element and the locking element) may be attached to the bead without deforming it.
This allows more complex insert elements to be used such as pre decorated linings
and lining composed of a plurality of elements.
[0011] An ornamental component may be any component that can be strung on a bracelet and
/ or necklace for ornamental purposes such as a bead. An ornamental component according
to the first aspect of the invention may be an freely movable ornamental component
or an ornamental component used to organize freely movable beads on a bracelet or
necklace .The self-supporting housing may constitute the outer surface of the ornamental
component or may be covered with another layer or element constituting the outer surface
of the ornamental component. The self supporting housing may have any shape such as
approximately spherical, cylindrical or cubical. The self-supporting housing has a
structural strength allowing it to be securely handled during the manufacturing process
of the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may provide the primary structural
strength of the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may be made of metal,
glass, wood, plastic or a combination thereof. The through hole of the self-supporting
housing may have a constant width or may have a varying width (measured in planes
being perpendicular to the through hole axis), e.g. the through hole of the self-supporting
housing may be wider in the central part of self-supporting housing than at the first
opening and the second opening. The inner surface of the through hole of the self-supporting
housing may be spaced apart from the insert assembly by another element or a fluid
e.g. air. At least a part of the self-supporting housing may be transparent or semi-transparent.
[0012] In some embodiments, the ornamental component further comprises a second tubular
element; at least a part of said first tubular element and said engagement portion
of said locking element are positioned inside said second tubular element; and at
least a part of said inner surface of said through hole of said self-supporting housing
is spaced apart from the second tubular element by a fluid such as air.
[0013] Consequently, as the second tubular element supports the attachment between the first
tubular element and the engagement portion, the first tubular element and the locking
element may be securely attached even when the ornamental component is hollow. The
second tubular element may additionally protect / strengthen the connection between
the engagement portion of the locking element and the first tubular element, and hide
non-decorative elements of the ornamental component, when the self-supporting housing
is transparent or semi-transparent
[0014] The engagement portion and the first tubular element may be permanently attached
or non-permanently attached.
[0015] The first tubular element may have any outer shape such as round or rectangular.
Correspondingly, the through hole of the first tubular element may have any shape
such as round or rectangular. The first tubular element may be integrally molded,
i.e. made from a single mold. The first tubular element may be made of metal and /
or plastic.
[0016] The engagement portion of the locking element may be attached to the first tubular
element by the use of an adhesive or a mechanical locking mechanism.
[0017] In some embodiments, said engagement portion is attached to said first tubular element
by a male / female locking mechanism, wherein the male part comprises a protruding
portion and the female part comprises a recess and / or opening.
[0018] The engagement portion may be the male part and the first tubular element may be
the female part, i.e. the engagement portion may comprise a protruding portion configured
to engage with recess and / or opening in the first tubular element. Alternatively,
the first tubular element may be the male part and the engagement portion may be the
female part.
[0019] In some embodiments, the ornamental component further comprises a second tubular
element, and wherein said first tubular element and said engagement portion of said
locking element is positioned inside said second tubular element.
[0020] This may make it easier to insert the insert assembly into the self-supporting housing.
The second tubular element may additionally hide non-decorative elements of the ornamental
component, when the self-supporting housing is transparent or semi-transparent. The
second tubular element may additionally protect the attachment between the first tubular
element and the engagement portion.
[0021] The second tubular element may have a length along the through hole axis being approximately
equal to the length of the self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may
be fully inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting housing. The engagement
portion of the locking element may be fully inserted into the second tubular element.
[0022] In some embodiments, the male / female locking mechanism is of the snap lock type
wherein a translation and / or rotation from a free rotational orientation and / or
position of the male and female part, to a locked rotational orientation and / or
position of the male and female part, requires less force than a translation and /
or rotation from a locked rotational orientation and / or position of the male and
female part to a free rotational orientation and / or position of the male and female
part.
[0023] This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first tubular element typically
are permanently attached.
[0024] In some embodiments, the male / female locking mechanism is of the rotational lock
type, wherein the female part (the engagement portion or the first tubular element)
comprises a recess and / or opening configured to allow the protruding portion of
the male part to translate inside the recess and / or opening along the through hole
axis when the locking element is in a free rotational orientation relative to the
first tubular element, and to be prevented from moving in at least a first direction
along the through hole axis when the locking element is in a locked position relative
to the first tubular element and the locking element is in a locked rotational orientation
relative to the first tubular element.
[0025] In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of protruding portions and
the female part comprises a plurality of recesses and / or openings.
[0026] When the male / female locking mechanism is of the rotational type the locking element
may be attached to the first tubular element by firstly rotationally orienting the
locking element in the free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element,
next translating the first tubular element and / or the locking element along the
through hole axis until the locking element is in the locked position relative to
the first tubular element, and finally rotating the first tubular element and / or
the locking element from the free rotational orientation to the locked rotational
orientation.
[0027] The protruding portion of the male part and / or the recess and / or opening of the
female part may be configured so that a rotation from the free rotational orientation
to the locked rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the
locked rotational orientation to the free rotational orientation.
[0028] In some embodiments, the male part (the engagement portion or the first tubular element)
comprises a flexible member configured to deform from a first shape to a second shape
when the male part comes into contact with the female part, and further to snap back
into approximately the first shape when the flexible member is aligned with the recess
and / or opening of the female part, whereby the flexible member engages with the
recess and / or opening and locks the male part to the female part, allowing the locking
element to be attached to the first tubular element by a pure translation between
the two.
[0029] In some embodiments, the male part comprises two flexible members, and the female
part comprises two recesses and / or openings.
[0030] The two flexible members may be arranged at opposite sides of the male part. Correspondingly,
the two recesses and / or openings may be arranged at opposite sides of the female
part.
[0031] In some embodiments, said engagement part of said locking element is inserted into
said first tubular element whereby said through hole of said locking element and said
through hole of said first tubular element together forms the through hole of said
ornamental component.
[0032] In some embodiments, said first tubular element at a first end further comprises
a collar, wherein said collar is positioned outside said self-supporting housing at
the first opening of said self-supporting housing and comprises a surface abutting
an outer surface of said self-supporting housing thereby preventing said first tubular
element from moving in a first direction along said through hole axis relative to
said ornamental component.
[0033] In some embodiments, said locking element further comprises a collar positioned outside
said self-supporting housing at the second opening of said self-supporting housing,
said collar comprising a surface abutting an outer surface of said self-supporting
housing thereby preventing said first tubular element from moving in a second direction
along said through hole axis relative to said ornamental component.
[0034] In some embodiments, the first tubular element is part of an insert assembly inserted
in said through hole of said self-supporting housing through said first opening of
said self-supporting housing, wherein said insert assembly is assembled from said
first tubular element and a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part of said
bracelet and / or necklace; wherein said first tubular element is configured to secure
said gripping element inside said through hole of said ornamental component.
[0035] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing
an ornamental component, said ornamental component having a through hole allowing
said ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and /
or necklace, said through hole defining a through hole axis, the method comprising
the steps of:
- providing a self-supporting housing, having an through hole, wherein said through
hole comprises a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and
a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing;
- inserting through said first opening of said self-supporting housing a first tubular
element having a through hole;
- inserting through said second opening of said self-supporting housing a locking element
having a through hole, said locking element comprising an engagement portion for being
positioned inside said through hole of said self-supporting housing; and
- attaching said engagement portion of said locking element to said first tubular element.
[0036] Consequently, by using two parts inserted from two sides of the ornamental component,
the lining (the first tubular element and the locking element) may be attached to
the bead without deforming it. This allows more complex insert elements to be used
such as pre decorated linings and linings composed of a plurality of elements.
[0037] In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to said tubular element by
a by a male / female locking mechanism.
[0038] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of inserting a second
tubular element into the through hole of the self-supporting housing, either through
said first opening or said second opening of said self-supporting housing, wherein
said first tubular element and said engagement portion of said locking element is
inserted into said second tubular element.
[0039] In some embodiments, the ornamental component is an ornamental component as disclosed
in relation to the first aspect of the invention. According to a third aspect, the
invention relates to an ornamental component for a bracelet and / or a necklace, said
ornamental component having a through hole allowing said ornamental component to be
strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and / or necklace, said through hole defining
a through hole axis; said ornamental component comprising:
- a self-supporting housing having a through hole comprising a first opening at a first
side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting
housing; and
- an insert assembly inserted in said through hole of said self-supporting housing;
wherein said insert assembly is assembled from a first tubular element having a through
hole that forms at least a part of said through hole of said ornamental component
and a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part of said bracelet and / or
necklace; wherein said first tubular element is configured to secure said gripping
element inside said through hole of said ornamental component.
[0040] Consequently, by using an insert assembly to provide an ornamental component with
a gripping element, the production costs may be lowered. Additionally, by using a
tubular element to secure the gripping element inside the self-supporting housing,
the gripping element may be more efficiently protected from damage.
[0041] An ornamental component may be any component that can be strung on a bracelet and
/ or necklace for ornamental purposes such as a bead. An ornamental component according
to the third aspect of the invention may be used to organize freely movable beads
on a bracelet or necklace, e.g. two ornamental components may be pulled to a desired
position on an elongated member of a bracelet or necklace and released, whereby they
resiliently grip the elongated member. Consequently, the bracelet or necklace is divided
into three distinct zones for freely movable beads. This may be used to prevent all
the freely movable beads from grouping together.
[0042] The self-supporting housing may constitute the outer surface of the ornamental component
or may be covered with another layer or element constituting the outer surface of
the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may have any shape such as approximately
spherical, cylindrical or cubical. The self-supporting housing has a structural strength
allowing it to be securely handled during the manufacturing process of the ornamental
component. The self-supporting housing may provide the primary structural strength
of the ornamental component. The self-supporting housing may be made of metal, glass,
wood, plastic or a combination thereof. The trough hole of the self-supporting housing
may have a constant width or may have a varying width (measured in planes being perpendicular
to the through hole axis), e.g. the through hole of the self-supporting housing may
be wider in the central part of self-supporting housing than at the first opening
and the second opening. The inner surface of the through hole of the self-supporting
housing may be spaced apart from the insert assembly by another element or a fluid
e.g. air. At least a part of the self-supporting housing may be transparent or semi-transparent.
[0043] The individual element of the insert assembly may be permanently attached or non-permanently
attached. The insert assembly may be inserted into the through hole of the housing
through the first opening of the housing, i.e. the insert assembly may have a size
and shape allowing it to be insertable through the first opening of the self-supporting
housing.
[0044] The first tubular element may have any outer shape such as round or rectangular.
Correspondingly, the through hole of the first tubular element may have any shape
such as round or rectangular. The first tubular element may be integrally molded,
i.e. made from a single mold. The first tubular element may be made of metal and /
or plastic.
[0045] The gripping element may be made of a material configured to establish a high frictional
connection with an elongated member of a bracelet and / or necklace, e.g. a chain,
band, or strand of a necklace or bracelet. The gripping element may be made of a deformable
material such as a silicone material.
[0046] In some embodiments, said gripping element is made of a first material and said first
tubular element is made of a second material, wherein said coefficient of friction
of said first material is higher than said coefficient of friction of said second
material relative to sterling silver.
[0047] The coefficient of friction of the first material may be at least 10%, 20%, 40% or
60% higher than the coefficient of friction of the second material relative to sterling
silver.
[0048] In some embodiments of the invention, the gripping element is positioned in a central
part of the ornamental component and have a width along the through hole axis of less
than 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% or 50% of the width of the self-supporting housing along
the through hole axis.
[0049] Consequently, the gripping element is better protected. Thus, a more robust ornamental
component is provided.
[0050] In some embodiments, said first tubular element comprises a first circumferential
opening extending along the through hole axis, and wherein said gripping element comprises
a first gripping portion for frictionally gripping said elongated member of said bracelet
and / or necklace, wherein said first gripping part extends through said first circumferential
opening.
[0051] In some embodiments, said gripping element comprises a tubular portion, said first
gripping portion protrudes from an interior surface of said tubular portion, and wherein
said tubular portion of said gripping element surrounds a part of said first tubular
element.
[0052] Consequently, said tubular element may in an efficient manner secure said gripping
element inside said through hole of said ornamental component.
[0053] The entire gripping element may be integrally molded, i.e. made from a single mold.
[0054] In some embodiments, said first tubular element comprises a second circumferential
opening extending along the through hole axis and said gripping element comprises
a second gripping portion protruding from an interior surface of said tubular portion
of said gripping element, wherein said second gripping portion extends through said
second circumferential opening.
[0055] In some embodiments, said first tubular element comprises a third circumferential
opening extending along the through hole axis and said gripping element comprises
a third gripping portion protruding from an interior surface of said tubular potion
of said gripping element, and wherein said third gripping portion extends through
said third circumferential opening.
[0056] In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening, the second circumferential
opening and / or the third circumferential opening have a width along the through
hole axis of less than 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% or 50% of the width of the first tubular
element along the through hole axis.
[0057] In some embodiments, each of the first circumferential opening, the second circumferential
opening and / or the third circumferential opening extends between 5% and 33% of the
circumference of the first tubular element in a plane being perpendicular to the through
hole axis.
[0058] In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a first portion and a second
portion, wherein the second potion has a lower widest width than the widest width
of the first portion, and wherein the tubular portion of the gripping element is arranged
to fit snugly around the second portion of the first tubular element, and abutting
the first portion of the first tubular element whereby the gripping element is prevented
from moving in a first direction along the through hole axis relative to the first
tubular element.
[0059] In some embodiments, the first tubular element further comprises a third portion,
and wherein the second potion has a lower widest width than the widest width of the
first portion and the third portion, and wherein the tubular portion of the gripping
element further abuts the third portion of the first tubular element thereby preventing
the gripping element from moving in any direction along the through hole axis relative
to the first tubular element.
[0060] The widest width is measured in a plane being perpendicular to the through hole axis.
[0061] In some embodiments, said tubular portion of said gripping element has a widest width
approximately equal to the widest width of the first portion and / or third portion
of the first tubular element.
[0062] In some embodiments, the ornamental component further comprises a second tubular
element, and wherein said first tubular element is positioned inside said second tubular
element.
[0063] This may make it easier to insert the insert assembly into the self-supporting housing.
The second tubular element may additionally hide non-decorative elements of the ornamental
component, when the self-supporting housing is transparent or semi-transparent.
[0064] The second tubular element may have a width along the through hole axis being approximately
equal to the width of the self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may
be fully inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting housing.
[0065] In some embodiments, said first tubular element of said insert assembly at a first
end further comprises a collar, wherein said collar is positioned outside said self-supporting
housing at the first opening of said self-supporting housing and comprises a surface
abutting an outer surface of said self-supporting housing thereby preventing said
first tubular element of said insert assembly from moving in a first direction along
said through hole axis relative to said ornamental component.
[0066] The outer surface may be an outer surface of said self-supporting housing. The collar
may be an integral portion of the first tubular element or may be attached to the
first tubular element.
[0067] In some embodiments, said ornamental component further comprises a locking element
having a through hole wherein said locking element comprises an engagement portion
positioned inside said self-supporting housing and a collar positioned outside said
self-supporting housing at the second opening of said self-supporting housing, wherein
said engagement portion is attached to said first tubular element and said collar
comprises a surface abutting an outer surface of said self-supporting housing thereby
preventing said first tubular element of said insert assembly from moving in a second
direction along said through hole axis relative to said ornamental component.
[0068] Consequently, the insert assembly is in an effective manner secured to the self-supporting
housing.
[0069] The outer surface may be an outer surface of said self-supporting housing.
[0070] The engagement portion and the collar of the locking element may be integrally formed.
The locking element may be attached to the first tubular element by the use of glue
or a mechanical locking mechanism.
[0071] In some embodiments, said engagement part of said locking element is inserted into
said first tubular element whereby said through hole of said locking element and said
through hole of said first tubular element together forms the through hole of said
ornamental component.
[0072] In some embodiments, said engagement portion is attached to said first tubular element
by a male / female locking mechanism, wherein the male part comprises a protruding
portion and the female part comprises a recess and / or opening.
[0073] The engagement portion may be the male part and the first tubular element may be
the female part, i.e. the engagement portion may comprise a protruding portion configured
to engage with recess and / or opening in the first tubular element. Alternatively,
the first tubular element may be the male part and the engagement portion may be the
female part.
[0074] In some embodiments, the male / female locking mechanism is of the snap lock type
wherein a translation and / or rotation from a free rotational orientation and / or
position of the male and female part to a locked rotational orientation and / or position
of the male and female part requires less force than a translation and / or rotation
from a locked rotational orientation and / or position of the male and female part
to a free rotational orientation and / or position of the male and female part.
[0075] This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first tubular element typically
are permanently attached.
[0076] In some embodiments, the male / female locking mechanism may be of the rotational
lock type, wherein the female part (the engagement portion or the first tubular element)
comprises a recess and / or opening configured to allow the protruding portion of
the male part to translate inside the recess and / or opening along the through hole
axis when the locking element is in a free rotational orientation relative to the
first tubular element, and to be prevented from moving in at least a first direction
along the through hole axis when the locking element is in a locked position relative
to the first tubular element and the locking element is in a locked rotational orientation
relative to the first tubular element.
[0077] In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of protruding portions and
the female part comprises a plurality of recess and / or openings.
[0078] When the male / female locking mechanism is of the rotational type the locking element
may be attached to the first tubular element by firstly rotationally orienting the
locking element in the free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element,
next translating the first tubular element and / or the locking element along the
through hole axis until the locking element is in the locked position relative to
the first tubular element, and finally rotating the first tubular element and / or
the locking element from the free rotational orientation to the locked rotational
orientation.
[0079] The protruding portion of the male part and / or the recess and / or opening of the
female part may be configured so that a rotation from the free rotational orientation
to the locked rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the
locked rotational orientation to the free rotational orientation.
[0080] In some embodiments, the male part (the engagement portion or the first tubular element)
comprises a flexible member configured to deform from a first shape to a second shape
when the male part comes into contact with the female part, and further to snap back
into approximately the first shape when the flexible member is aligned with the recess
and / or opening of the female part, whereby the flexible member engages with the
recess and / or opening and locks the male part to the female part, allowing the locking
element to be attached to the first tubular element by a pure translation between
the two.
[0081] In some embodiments, the male part comprises two flexible members, and the female
part comprises two recesses and / or openings.
[0082] The two flexible members may be arranged at opposite sides of the male part. Correspondingly,
the two recesses and / or openings may be arranged at opposite sides of the female
part.
[0083] In some embodiments, the ornamental component has a length along the through hole
axis between 2 mm and 5 cm.
[0084] In some embodiments, said first tubular element comprises a fourth circumferential
opening extending along the through hole axis and said gripping element comprises
a fourth gripping portion protruding from an interior surface of said tubular potion
of said gripping element, and wherein said fourth gripping portion extends through
said fourth circumferential opening.
[0085] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a bracelet or a necklace comprising:
- an elongated member; and
- a first ornamental component as disclosed in relation to the third aspect of the invention,
strung on said elongated member;
wherein the first ornamental component is configured so that the gripping element
resiliently grips the elongated member to fix the first ornamental component along
the elongated member until a particular force is acting on said first ornamental component,
whereby the first ornamental component can be moved along the elongated member.
[0086] The elongated member may be any elongated member suitable for jewellery such as a
metal chain, leather string, a fabric string, or an anchor type chain.
[0087] In some embodiments, the particular force is higher than the maximum gravitational
force gravity acting on the ornamental component.
[0088] In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further comprises at least one freely
movable ornamental component strung on said elongated member.
[0089] In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further comprises a plurality of freely
movable ornamental components strung on said elongated member.
[0090] In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further comprises a second ornamental
component as disclosed in relation to the third aspect of the invention strung on
said elongated member; wherein the second ornamental component is configured so that
the gripping element resiliently grips the elongated member to fix the second ornamental
component along the elongated member until a particular force is acting on said second
ornamental component, whereby the second ornamental component can be moved along the
elongated member.
[0091] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing
an ornamental component, said ornamental component having a through hole allowing
said ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and /
or necklace, said through hole defining a through hole axis, comprising the steps
of:
- providing a self-supporting housing, having a through hole, wherein said through hole
comprises a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second
opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing;
- assembling an insert assembly comprising a first tubular element having a through
hole that at least partly forms said through hole of said ornamental component, and
a gripping element for frictionally gripping said elongated member of a bracelet and
/ or a necklace; and
- inserting said insert assembly in said through hole of said housing.
[0092] Consequently, an efficient method of producing an ornamental component comprising
a gripping element is provided.
[0093] In some embodiments, the insert assembly is inserted in said through hole of said
self-supporting housing through said first opening of said self-supporting housing.
[0094] In some embodiments, the ornamental component is an ornamental component as disclosed
in relation to the third aspect of the invention.
[0095] In some embodiments, said insert assembly is assembled before it is inserted into
said through hole of said self-supporting housing.
[0096] In some embodiments, said first tubular element comprises a first circumferential
opening extending along the through hole axis, and wherein said gripping element comprises
a first gripping portion, for frictionally gripping said elongated member of said
bracelet and / or necklace, and a tubular portion, wherein said first gripping portion
is protruding from an inner surface of said tubular portion, and wherein the step
of assembling said insert assembly comprises pulling said gripping element around
said first tubular element until said first gripping portion is aligned with said
first circumferential opening, whereby said first gripping portion extends through
said first circumferential opening and a part of said inner surface of said tubular
portion rests upon a part of the outer surface of said first tubular element thereby
securing said gripping element to said first tubular element.
[0097] In some embodiments, said first tubular element further comprises a second circumferential
opening extending along the through hole axis, and wherein said gripping element further
comprises a second gripping portion for frictionally gripping said elongated member
of said bracelet and / or necklace, wherein said second gripping portion is protruding
from an inner surface of said tubular portion, and wherein the step of assembling
said insert assembly comprises pulling said gripping element around said first tubular
element until said first gripping portion is aligned with said firsts circumferential
opening and said second gripping portion is aligned with said second circumferential
opening, whereby said first gripping portion extends through said first circumferential
opening, said second gripping portion extends through said second circumferential
opening, and a part of said inner surface of said tubular portion rests upon a part
of the outer surface of said first tubular element thereby attaching said gripping
element to said first tubular element.
[0098] In some embodiments, said first tubular element further comprises a third circumferential
opening extending along the through hole axis, and wherein said gripping element further
comprises a third gripping portion for frictionally gripping said elongated member
of said bracelet and / or necklace, wherein said third gripping portion is protruding
from an inner surface of said tubular portion, and wherein the step of assembling
said insert assembly comprises pulling said gripping element around said first tubular
element until said first gripping portion is aligned with said first circumferential
opening, said second gripping portion is aligned with said second circumferential
opening, and said third gripping portion is aligned with said third circumferential
opening, whereby said first gripping portion extends through said first circumferential
opening, said second gripping portion extends through said second circumferential
opening, said third gripping portion extends through said third circumferential opening,
and a part of said inner surface of said tubular portion rests upon a part of the
outer surface of said first tubular element thereby attaching said gripping element
to said first tubular element.
[0099] In some embodiments, said ornamental component further comprises a locking element
having a through hole, wherein said locking element comprises an engagement part for
engaging with said insert assembly and a collar for being positioned outside said
self-supporting housing, said method further comprising the step of:
- inserting said engagement part of said locking element into said second opening of
said self-supporting housing, and
- attaching said engagement part to said insert assembly.
[0100] In some embodiments, said engagement part is attached to said insert assembly by
a male / female locking mechanism.
[0101] According to a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a tubular element for securing
a griping element, for gripping an elongated member of a bracelet and / necklace,
in a through hole of an ornamental component, said tubular element having a through
hole defining a tubular element through hole axis, wherein said tubular element comprises
a first circumferential opening extending along the tubular element through hole axis
for receiving a first gripping portion of said gripping element allowing said first
gripping portion to extend through said first circumferential opening.
[0102] In some embodiments, said tubular element further comprises a second circumferential
opening extending along the tubular element through hole axis for receiving a second
gripping portion of said gripping element allowing said second gripping portion to
extend through said second circumferential opening.
[0103] In some embodiments, said tubular element further comprises a third circumferential
opening extending along the tubular element through hole axis for receiving a third
gripping portion of said gripping element allowing said third gripping portion to
extend through said third circumferential opening.
[0104] In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening, the second circumferential
opening and / or the third circumferential opening have a width along the tubular
element through hole axis of less than 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% or 50% of the width
of the tubular element along the tubular element through hole axis.
[0105] In some embodiments, each of the first circumferential opening, the second circumferential
opening and / or the third circumferential opening extends between 5% and 33% of the
circumference of the tubular element in a plane being perpendicular to the tubular
element through hole axis.
[0106] In some embodiments, said tubular element is insertable in a through hole of a self-supporting
housing of said ornamental component through a first opening of said through hole
of said self-supporting housing.
[0107] In some embodiments, the tubular element comprises a first portion and a second portion,
wherein the first portion is positioned next to the second portion, the second potion
has a lower widest width than the widest width of the first portion measured in a
plane being perpendicular to the tubular element through hole axis, and wherein the
first circumferential opening is positioned at the second portion of the tubular element.
[0108] In some embodiments, the second circumferential opening is positioned at the second
portion of the tubular element.
[0109] In some embodiments, the third circumferential opening is positioned at the second
portion of the tubular element.
[0110] In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a third portion positioned
next to the second portion, and wherein the second portion has a lower widest width
than the widest width of the first portion and the third portion, measured in a plane
being perpendicular to the tubular element through hole axis.
[0111] In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening extends approximately the
entire length, along the tubular element through hole axis, of the second portion
of the tubular element.
[0112] In some embodiments, the second circumferential opening extends approximately the
entire length, along the tubular element through hole axis, of the second portion
of the tubular element.
[0113] In some embodiments, the third circumferential opening extends approximately the
entire length, along the tubular element through hole axis, of the second portion
of the tubular element.
[0114] In some embodiments, said tubular element further comprises a collar for being positioned
outside said self-supporting housing said collar comprising a surface for abutting
an outer surface of said self-supporting housing for preventing said tubular element
from moving in a first direction along said tubular element through hole axis relative
to said self-supporting housing.
[0115] The collar may be an integral portion of the first tubular element or may be attached
to the first tubular element. The collar may be arranged at a first opening of the
through hole of the tubular element.
[0116] In some embodiments, said engagement portion is attached to said first tubular element
by a male / female locking mechanism, wherein the male part comprises a protruding
portion and the female part comprises a recess and / or opening.
[0117] The engagement portion may be the male part and the first tubular element may be
the female part, i.e. the engagement portion may comprise a protruding portion configured
to engage with recess and / or opening in the first tubular element. Alternatively,
the first tubular element may be the male part and the engagement portion may be the
female part.
[0118] In some embodiments, the male / female locking mechanism is of the snap lock type
wherein a translation and / or rotation from a free rotational orientation and / or
position of the male and female part to a locked rotational orientation and / or position
of the male and female part requires less force than a translation and / or rotation
from a locked rotational orientation and / or position of the male and female part
to a free rotational orientation and / or position of the male and female part.
[0119] This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first tubular element typically
are permanently attached.
[0120] In some embodiments, the male / female locking mechanism may be of the rotational
lock type, wherein the female part (locking element or the tubular element) comprises
a recess and / or opening configured to allow the protruding portion of the male part
to translate inside the recess and / or opening along the tubular element through
hole axis when the locking element is in a free rotational orientation relative to
the first tubular element, and to be prevented from moving in at least a first direction
along the tubular element through hole axis when the locking element is in a locked
position relative to the first tubular element and the locking element is in a locked
rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element.
[0121] In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of protruding portions and
the female part comprises a plurality of recesses and / or openings.
[0122] The protruding portion of the male part and / or the recess and / or opening of the
female part may be configured so that a rotation from the free rotational orientation
to the locked rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the
locked rotational orientation to the free rotational orientation.
[0123] In some embodiments, the tubular element has a length along the tubular element through
hole axis between 2 mm and 3 cm.
[0124] The different aspects of the present invention can be implemented in different ways
including as ornamental components, bracelets or necklaces comprising ornamental components,
tubular elements for ornamental components, and methods for manufacturing ornamental
components described above and in the following, each yielding one or more of the
benefits and advantages described in connection with at least one of the aspects described
above, and each having one or more preferred embodiments corresponding to the preferred
embodiments described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above
and / or disclosed in the dependant claims.
[0125] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments described in connection with
one of the aspects described herein may equally be applied to the other aspects. Aspects
of the first tubular element disclosed in relation to the third aspect of the invention
may be applied to the tubular element disclosed in relation to the sixth aspect of
the invention and vice versa. Similarly, aspects disclosed in relation to the ornamental
component disclosed in relation to the third aspect of the invention may be applied
to the method disclosed in relation to the fifth aspect of the invention and vice
versa. Further aspects disclosed in relation to the ornamental component disclosed
in relation to the first aspect of the invention may be applied to the method disclosed
in relation to the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.
Brief description of the drawings
[0126] The above and / or additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will be further elucidated by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed
description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended
drawings, wherein:
Figs. 1a-c show an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 2 shows an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 4a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 5a-b show a gripping element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6a-b show a self-supporting housing according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 7a-b show a second tubular element according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 8a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 shows an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 10a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 11a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 12 shows an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 13a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 14a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 shows an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 16 a-c show an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Figs. 17a-b show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 18 shows an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description
[0127] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which
show by way of illustration how the invention may be practiced.
[0128] Figs. 1 a-c show an ornamental component 100 for a bracelet and / or a necklace having
a through hole defining a through hole axis 104, according to an embodiment of the
present invention. Fig. 1 a shows a side view, Fig. 1 b shows a front view, and Fig.
1c shows a cross-section along the line A shown in Fig. 1 b. The ornamental component
100 comprises a self-supporting housing 101 having a through hole 150 comprising a
first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing 151 and a second opening
at a second side of the self-supporting housing 152, and an insert assembly 102 103
inserted in said through hole 150 of said self-supporting housing 101. The insert
assembly 102 103 comprises a first tubular element 102 and a gripping element 103
(only schematically shown). The gripping element 103 is configured for frictionally
gripping a part of a bracelet and / or necklace. The first tubular element 102 has
a through hole 140 which in this embodiment forms the full through hole of the ornamental
component 100. However, in other embodiments of the invention the through hole of
the first tubular element 140 forms only a limited part of the through hole of the
ornamental component 100. The through hole of the ornamental component allows it to
be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and / or necklace. The trough hole
of the self-supporting housing 150 has a varying width (measured in planes being perpendicular
to the through hole axis), i.e. the through hole of the self-supporting housing 150
is wider in the central part of self-supporting housing than at the first opening
151 and the second opening 152. The inner surface of the through hole of the self-supporting
housing 150 is spaced apart from the insert assembly 102 103 by a fluid e.g. air.
The first tubular element 102 is configured to secure said gripping element 103 inside
the through hole 150 of said ornamental component. This may be achieved by attaching
said gripping element 103 to the first tubular element 102 e.g. by adhering the two
elements together or by positioning the gripping element 103 in a recess of the first
tubular element 102 e.g. as shown in Fig. 2. The first tubular element 102 may alternatively
secure the gripping element 103 inside the through hole 150 of said ornamental component
by having a part of the gripping element wrapped around its outer surface as disclosed
in relation to Figs. 3-5.
[0129] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of an ornamental component 200 for a bracelet and /
or a necklace having a through hole defining a through hole axis 204 according to
an embodiment of the present invention. The ornamental component 200 comprises a self-supporting
housing 201 having a through hole 250 comprising a first opening at a first side of
the self-supporting housing 251 and a second opening at a second side of the self-supporting
housing 252, and an insert assembly 202 203 inserted in said through hole 250 of said
self-supporting housing 201. The insert assembly 202 203 comprises a first tubular
element 202 and a gripping element 203. The gripping element 203 is configured for
frictionally gripping a part of a bracelet and / or necklace. The gripping element
203 has a tubular shape. The first tubular element 202 is configured to secure said
gripping element 203 in said through hole of said ornamental component by having recess
290 in the central part of the inner wall of its through hole 240, where the gripping
element 203 is positioned. Optionally, the gripping element 203 may further be adhered
to the inner wall of the first tubular element 202. The through hole of the first
tubular element 240 forms the full through hole of the ornamental component 200.
[0130] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an ornamental component 300 according to an embodiment
of the present invention. The ornamental component 300 comprises an insert assembly
370, a second tubular element 305, a self-supporting housing 301, and a locking element
306. The insert assembly 370 comprises a first tubular element 302 and a gripping
element 303. Shown is also the through hole axis 304. The first tubular element 302
has a through hole and comprises a collar 324, a first portion 321, a second portion
322, and a third portion 323, as will be more detailed explained in relation to Figs.4a-d.
The locking element 306 has a through hole, and comprises an engagement part 361 for
engaging with the insert assembly 370 and a collar 362 for being positioned outside
the self-supporting housing 301. The ornamental component 300 may be manufactured
/ assembled by firstly assembling the insert assembly 370. The insert assembly 370
may be assembled by arranging the gripping element 303 around the second portion 322
of the first tubular element 302, so that gripping portions of the gripping element
303 (not shown) extends through circumferential openings of the first tubular element
302. Next, the insert assembly 370 may be inserted into the second tubular element
305.Then the insert assembly 370 with the second tubular element may be inserted into
a through hole of the self-supporting housing 350 in a manner so that the collar 324
is positioned outside the self-supporting housing 301. The second tubular element
305 may alternatively be inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting housing
350 before the insert assembly 370 is inserted. The insert assembly 370 and / or the
second tubular element 305 may be inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting
housing 350 through a first opening 351. The insert assembly 370 and / or the second
tubular element 305 may alternatively be inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting
housing 350 before the self-supporting housing 301 is fully formed / assembled e.g.
the insert assembly 370 and / or the second tubular element may be inserted into a
first half of the self supporting housing 301, whereafter a second half of the self-supporting
housing 301 is attached to the first half, thereby forming the finished self-supporting
housing 301 with the insert assembly 370 inserted in its through hole 350. Finally,
the locking element 306 is inserted in a second opening 352 of the through hole of
the self-supporting housing 350, and the engagement part 361 is attached to the first
tubular element 302.
[0131] Figs. 4a-d show a first tubular element comprising a through hole according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The first tubular element shown in Fig. 4-d may
correspond to the first tubular element 302 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4a shows a side
view, Fig. 4b shows a cross-section along the line A, Fig. 4c shows a front view,
and Fig. 4d shows a back view. The first tubular element 402 comprises a through hole
474 defining a tubular element through hole axis 404. When the first tubular element
402 is positioned in a ornamental component according the invention, the tubular element
through hole axis 404 and the ornamental component through hole axis will be coincident.
The first tubular element 402 comprises a first portion 421, a second portion 422,
and a third portion 423. The width of the second portion 422 is lower than the widest
width of the first potion 421 and the third portion 423. The first tubular element
402 further comprises a collar 424, a first circumferential opening 426, a second
circumferential opening 427, and a third circumferential opening 428. Each of the
circumferential openings 426 427 428 extends along the tubular element through hole
axis 404. The circumferential openings 426 427 428 are spaced apart by walls 471 472
473 extending along to tubular element through hole axis 404. Each of the circumferential
openings 426 427 428 extends B percentage of the circumference of the first tubular
element. In the embodiment shown B is equal to 20.8%, i.e. 75 degrees. Correspondingly,
each of the walls 471 472 473 extends C percentage of the circumference of the first
tubular element. In the embodiment shown C is equal to 12.5%. The circumferential
openings 426 427 428 are used to allow griping parts of the gripping element to extend
through, into the through hole 474 of the first tubular element 402, thereby allowing
the gripping parts to grip an elongated member of a bracelet and / or necklace. The
collar 424 comprises a surface 474 for abutting an outer surface of a self-supporting
housing for preventing the first tubular element 402 from moving in a first direction
along the through hole axis relative to the self-supporting housing. The width of
the through hole 474 is slightly extended in a part of the third portion 423, as illustrated
by the broken line in Fig. 4a. This may allow an engagement portion of a locking element
to be received, whereby a through hole of the locking element and the through hole
474 of the first tubular element 402 together can form a through hole of an ornamental
component. The first tubular element 402 may optionally further comprise mechanical
locking means 425 for mechanically attaching the first tubular element 402 with an
engagement portion of a locking element e.g. a male / female locking mechanism. In
some embodiments, the first tubular element 402 has a length along the tubular element
through hole axis 404 between 1 mm and 3 cm.
[0132] Figs. 5a-b show a gripping element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5a shows a side view, and Fig. 5b shows a front view. The gripping element 503
shown in Fig 5a-b may correspond to the gripping element 303 shown in Fig. 3. The
gripping element comprises a tubular portion 531 having an outer surface 532 and an
inner surface 536. The gripping element 503 further comprises a first gripping portion
533, a second gripping portion 534, and a third gripping portion 535 protruding from
the inner surface 536 of the tubular portion 531. Each of the gripping portions 533
534 535 protrudes from A percentage of the inner surface 536 of the tubular portion
531. In the embodiment shown A is equal to 19.4%, i.e. 70 degrees. The gripping portions
533 534 535 are used to resiliently grip an elongated member of a bracelet and / or
necklace. The gripping element 503 may be made of a flexible material e.g. a silicone
like material. The gripping element 503 may be attached with a first tubular element
402 as shown in Fig. 4a-d by pulling the gripping element 503 around the first tubular
element 402 until the first gripping portion 533 is aligned with the first circumferential
opening 426, the second gripping portion 534 is aligned with the second circumferential
opening 427, and the third gripping portion 535 is aligned with the third circumferential
opening 428, whereby the first gripping portion 533 extends through the first circumferential
opening 426, the second gripping portion 534 extends through the second circumferential
opening 427, the third gripping portion 535 extends through the third circumferential
opening 428, and a part of the inner surface 536 of the tubular portion 531 rests
upon a part of the outer surface 471 472 473 of the first tubular element 402 thereby
attaching the gripping element 503 to the first tubular element 502. The gripping
element 503 may have a length C along the through hole axis, being approximately equal
to the length of the circumferential openings of a first tubular element.
[0133] Figs. 6a-b show a self-supporting housing according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Fig. 6a shows a side view and Fig. 6b shows a front view. The self-supporting
housing 601 shown in Figs. 6a-b may correspond to the self-supporting housing 301
shown in Fig. 3. The self-supporting housing 601 has a through hole 650 comprising
a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing 651 and a second opening
at a second side of the self-supporting housing 652. The trough hole of the self-supporting
housing 650 has a varying width (measured in planes being perpendicular to the through
hole axis), i.e. the through hole of the self-supporting housing 650 is wider in the
central part of self-supporting housing than at the first opening 651 and the second
opening 652. The self-supporting housing 601 comprises a planar surface 653 at the
first opening 651 for abutting a surface of a collar of a first tubular element. Correspondingly,
the self supporting housing 601 comprises a planar surface 654 for abutting a surface
of a collar of a locking element.
[0134] Figs. 7a-b show a second tubular element according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Fig. 7a shows a side view and Fig. 7b shows a front view. The second tubular
element 705 shown in Figs. 7a-b may correspond to the second tubular element 305 shown
in Fig. 3. The second tubular element comprises a through hole 755, wherein a first
tubular element with a gripping element attached may be positioned.
[0135] Figs. 8a-b show a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8a shows a top view, Fig. 8b shows a back view and Fig. 8c shows a front view.
The locking element 806 shown in Figs 8a-c may correspond to the locking element 306
shown in Fig. 3. The locking element 806 comprises an engagement portion 861 for being
attached with a part of a first tubular element, a collar for being positioned outside
a self-supporting housing, and a through hole 865. The engagement portion 861 may
optionally comprise mechanical locking means 864 for mechanically attaching the engagement
portion 861 with a first tubular element 402 e.g. a male / female locking mechanism.
The collar 862 comprises a planar surface 863 for abutting with a surface of a self-supporting
housing.
[0136] Fig. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of an ornamental component with possible
dimensions according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ornamental component
900 comprises a first tubular element 902, a gripping element 903, a self-supporting
housing 901, a second tubular element 905, and a locking element 906.
[0137] Fig. 10a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Fig. 10a shows a top view, Fig. 10b shows a side view, Fig. 10c shows a
front view and Fig. 10d shows a back view. The first tubular element 1002 has a through
hole 1074 and comprises a collar 1024, a first portion 1021, a second portion 1022,
and a third portion 1023. The collar 1024, the first portion 1021, and the second
portion 1022 may be identical to the corresponding parts of the first tubular element
shown in Fig. 4a-d. The third portion 1023 comprises mechanical locking means in the
form of a female part of male / female locking mechanism 1075 1076. The female part
1075 1076 comprises a first opening 1075 and a second opening 1076 extending along
the through hole axis. The first opening 1075 and the second opening 1076 are positioned
opposite to each other.
[0138] Fig. 11a-d show a locking element 1106 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Fig. 11 a shows a top view, Fig. 11b shows a front view and Fig. 11c shows
a back view. The locking element 1106 has a through hole 1165 and comprises a collar
1162 and an engagement portion 1161. The collar 1162 may be identical to the collar
of the locking element shown in Fig. 8. The engagement portion 1161 comprises mechanical
locking means in the form of the male part 1166 1167 of a male / female locking mechanism.
The male part 1166 1167 comprises a first flexible member 1166 and a second flexible
member 1167. The first and second flexible member 1166 1167 each comprises a protruding
portion 1168 1169. The male / female locking mechanisms shown in Figs. 10a-c and Figs.
11 a-c are configured to function together, thus the protruding portions 1168 1169
are configured to fit the openings 1075 1076. The locking element 1106 may be attached
to the first tubular element 1002 by moving the two elements together until the male
part comes into contact with the female part, whereby the first and second flexible
member 1166 1167 are deformed from a first shape to a second shape, i.e. the first
and second flexible member 1166 1167 are both progressively bent inwards. This is
a result of an interaction between the rounded front surface of the two flexible members
1166 1167 and the rim 1077 of the through hole 1074 of the first tubular element 1002.
When the two flexible members 1166 1667 are aligned with the two openings 1075 1076
of the first tubular element 1002, the two flexible members 1166 1667 snap back into
approximately the first shape, whereby the protruding portions of the two flexible
members 1168 1669 engages with the openings 1075 1076 and locks the locking element
1106 to the first tubular element 1002. Thus, the locking element 1106 can be attached
to the first tubular element 1002 by a pure translation between the two. The male
/ female locking mechanism 1075 1076 1166 1167 is of the snap lock type wherein a
translation from a free position of the male and female part, to a locked position
of the male and female part, requires less force than a translation from a locked
position of the male and female part to a free position of the male and female part.
This is a result of the special shape of the protruding potions 1168 1669 and the
openings 1075 1076. This may be beneficial as the locking element 1106 and the first
tubular element 1002 typically are permanently attached.
[0139] Fig. 12 shows a central cross-section of a fully assembled ornamental component comprising
a first tubular element and a locking element as disclosed in relation to Figs. 10a-d
and Figs. 11 a-c according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ornamental
component 1200 comprises a self-supporting housing 1201, a first tubular element 1202,
a gripping element 1203, a locking element 1206 and a second tubular element 1205.
The ornamental component 1200 has a through hole 1250 defining a through hole axis
1204. The gripping element 1203 may be identical to the gripping element shown in
Figs. 5a-b, the self-supporting housing 1201 may be identical to the self-supporting
housing shown in Figs. 6a-b, and the second tubular element 1205 may be identical
to the second tubular element shown in Figs. 7a-b. It can be seen how gripping portions
of the gripping element 1203 protrudes into the through hole 1250 of the ornamental
component 1200 allowing the gripping portions to frictionally grip an elongated member
of an bracelet and / or necklace e.g. a chain of a bracelet and / or necklace.
[0140] Fig. 13a-d show a first tubular element according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Fig. 13a shows a top view, Fig. 13b shows a side view, Fig. 13c shows a
front view, and Fig. 13d shows a back view. The first tubular element 1302 has a through
hole 1374 and comprises a collar 1324, a first portion 1321, a second portion 1322,
and a third portion 1323. The collar 1324, the first portion 1321, and the second
portion 1322 may be identical to the corresponding parts of the first tubular element
shown in Fig.4a-d. The third portion 1323 comprises mechanical locking means in the
form of a female part of male / female locking mechanism 1375 1376. The female part
1075 1076 comprises a first opening / or recess 1375 and a second opening or recess
1376. The first opening 1375 and the second opening 1376 are positioned opposite to
each other.
[0141] Fig. 14a-d show a locking element 1406 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Fig. 14a shows a top view, Fig. 14b shows a front view, and Fig. 14c shows
a back view. The locking element 1406 has a through hole 1465, and comprises a collar
1462 and an engagement portion 1461. The collar 1462 may be identical to the collar
of the locking element shown in Fig. 8. The engagement portion 1461 comprises mechanical
locking means in the form of the male part 1468 1469 of a male / female locking mechanism.
The male part 1468 1469 comprises a first protruding portion 1468 and a second protruding
portion 1169. The male / female locking mechanisms shown in Fig. 13a-c and Fig. 114-c
are configured to function together, thus the protruding portions 1468 1469 are configured
to fit the openings 1375 1376. The male / female locking mechanism is of the rotational
type. The locking element 1406 may be attached to the first tubular element 1302 by
firstly rotationally orienting the locking element 1406 in a free rotational orientation
relative to the first tubular element 1302(with the protruding portions 1468 1469
aligned with the openings 1375 1376), next translating the locking element 1406 along
the through hole axis, and finally rotating the locking element 1406 from the free
rotational orientation to a locked rotational orientation.
[0142] Fig. 15 shows a central cross-section of a fully assembled ornamental component comprising
a first tubular element and a locking element as disclosed in relation to Fig13a-d
and Fig. 14a-c, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ornamental
component 1500 comprises a self-supporting housing 1501, a first tubular element 1502,
a gripping element 1503, a locking element 1506, and a second tubular element 1505.
The ornamental component 1500 has a through hole 1550 defining a through hole axis
1504. The gripping element 1503 may be identical to the gripping element shown in
Fig. 5a-b, the self-supporting housing 1501 may be identical to the self-supporting
housing shown in Fig. 6a-b, and the second tubular element 1505 may be identical to
the second tubular element shown in Fig. 7a-b.
[0143] Fig. 16a-c show an ornamental component according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Fig. 16a shows a side view, Fig. 16b shows a front view, and Fig. 16c shows
a cross-section along the line A shown in Fig. 16b. The ornamental component 1600
is an ornamental component for use with a bracelet and / or necklace e.g. a bead.
The ornamental component 1600 has a through hole 1698 allowing the ornamental component
1600 to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and / or necklace, the through
hole 1698 defines a through hole axis 1604. The ornamental component 1600 comprises
a self-supporting housing 1601, a first tubular element 1602, and a locking element
1606. The self-supporting housing 1601 has a through hole 1650 comprising a first
opening 1651 at a first side of the housing, and a second opening 1652 at a second
side of the housing. The first tubular element 1602 has a through hole 1640, and is
inserted in the through hole of said self-supporting housing 1650 through the first
opening of said self-supporting housing 1651. The locking element 1606 has a through
hole 1655 and is inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing 1650
through the second opening of said self-supporting housing 1652. The locking element
1606 and the first tubular element 1602 are attached as schematically shown by the
box 1699. The through hole of the first tubular element 1640 and the through hole
of the locking element 1665 together form the through hole of the ornamental component
1698. The ornamental component 1600 may be a freely movable ornamental component or
an ornamental component configured to resiliently grips an elongated member of a bracelet
and / or necklace.
[0144] Fig. 17a-b show an first tubular element for a freely movable ornamental component
according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17a shows a top view and
Fig. 17b shows a side view. The first tubular element 1702 has a through hole 1774.
The first tubular element comprises a collar 1724 for being positioned outside a self-supporting
housing, and mechanical locking means in the form of a female part of male / female
locking mechanism 1775 1776. The female part 1775 1776 comprises a first opening 1775
and a second opening 1776 extending along the through hole axis. The first opening
1775 and the second opening 1776 are positioned opposite to each other. The male /
female locking mechanism may be configured to function together with the male / female
locking mechanism of the locking element 1106 shown in Fig. 11a-d i.e. the locking
1106 may be attached to the first tubular element 1702 by their respective male /
female locking mechanisms.
[0145] Fig. 18 shows a central cross-section of a fully assembled ornamental component configured
to be freely movable, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ornamental
component 1800 comprises a self-supporting housing 1801, a first tubular element 1802,
a locking element 1806, and a second tubular element 1505. The ornamental component
1800 has a through hole 1850 defining a through hole axis 1804. The second tubular
element 1805 may be identical to the second tubular element shown in Fig. 7a-b. The
first tubular element 1802 is a first tubular element as disclosed in relation to
Figs. 17a-b, and the locking element 1806 is a locking element as disclosed in relation
to Figs. 11 a-c. The openings of the first tubular element 1802 and / or the openings
of the locking element 1806 may optionally be pre-decorated e.g. comprise decorative
engravings as schematically illustrated by the circles 1897.
[0146] Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention
is not restricted to them, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope
of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural and functional modifications
may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0147] In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied
by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited
in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does
not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
[0148] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification
is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components
but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, components or groups thereof.
1. Schmuckkomponente (1600) für ein Armband und/oder Halsband, wobei die Schmuckkomponente
ein Durchgangsloch (1698) besitzt, welches es der Schmuckkomponente ermöglicht, an
einem lang gestreckten Glied eines Armbandes und/oder Halsbandes aufgefädelt zu werden,
wobei das Durchgangsloch eine Durchgangslochachse (1604) definiert; wobei die Schmuckkomponente
Folgendes aufweist:
ein selbst tragendes Gehäuse (1601) mit einem Durchgangsloch (1650), welches eine
erste Öffnung an einer ersten Seite des Gehäuses (1651) und eine zweite Öffnung an
einer zweiten Seite des Gehäuses (1652) aufweist; und
ein erstes rohrförmiges Element (1602) mit einem Durchgangsloch, welches in das Durchgangsloch
des selbst tragenden Gehäuses (1650) durch die erste Öffnung des selbst tragenden
Gehäuses (1651) eingesetzt ist; und
ein Verschlusselement (1606) mit einem Durchgangsloch, welches in das Durchgangsloch
des selbst tragenden Gehäuses (1650) durch die zweite Öffnung des selbst tragenden
Gehäuses (1652) eingesetzt ist, wobei das Verschlusselement (1606) einen Eingriffsabschnitt
(1699) aufweist, welcher an dem ersten rohrförmigen Element (1602) befestigt ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Schmuckkomponente (1600) weiter ein zweites rohrförmiges Element (1805) aufweist;
mindestens ein Teil des ersten rohrförmigen Elements (1602) und des Eingriffsabschnitts
(1699) des Verschlusselements (1606) innerhalb des zweiten rohrförmigen Elements (1805)
angeordnet sind; und mindestens ein Teil der inneren Fläche des Durchgangslochs (1650)
des selbst tragenden Gehäuses (1601) von dem zweiten rohrförmigen Element (1805) durch
ein Fluid, wie beispielsweise Luft, beabstandet ist.
2. Schmuckkomponente nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Eingriffsabschnitt durch einen eingreifenden/umgreifenden
Verschlussmechanismus an dem ersten rohrförmigen Element befestigt ist, wobei der
eingreifende Teil einen vorspringenden Abschnitt aufweist, und der umgreifende Teil
eine Aussparung und/oder Öffnung aufweist.
3. Schmuckkomponente nach Anspruch 2, wobei der eingreifende Teil eine Vielzahl von vorspringenden
Abschnitten aufweist, und der umgreifende Teil eine Vielzahl von Aussparungen und/oder
Öffnungen aufweist.
4. Schmuckkomponente nach Anspruch 2 oder Anspruch 3, wobei der eingreifende / umgreifende
Verschlussmechanismus ein Schnappverschluss ist, wobei eine Verschiebung und/oder
Drehung von einer freien Drehausrichtung und/oder Position des eingreifenden und umgreifenden
Teils in eine verschlossene Drehausrichtung und/oder Position des eingreifenden und
umgreifenden Teils weniger Kraft erfordert als eine Verschiebung und/oder Drehung
von einer verschlossenen Drehausrichtung und/oder Position des eingreifenden und umgreifenden
Teils in eine freie Drehausrichtung und/oder Position des eingreifenden und umgreifenden
Teils.
5. Schmuckkomponente nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, wobei der eingreifende / umgreifende
Verschlussmechanismus ein Drehverschluss ist, wobei der umgreifende Teil eine Aussparung
und/oder Öffnung aufweist, welche dafür ausgelegt ist, es dem vorspringenden Abschnitt
des eingreifenden Teils zu ermöglichen, in die Aussparung und/oder Öffnung entlang
der Durchgangslochachse zu gleiten, wenn sich das Verschlusselement in einer freien
Drehausrichtung in Bezug auf das erste rohrförmige Element befindet, und daran gehindert
zu werden, sich in zumindest einer ersten Richtung entlang der Durchgangslochachse
zu bewegen, wenn sich das Verschlusselement in einer verschlossenen Position in Bezug
auf das erste rohrförmige Element befindet und sich das Verschlusselement in einer
verschlossenen Drehausrichtung in Bezug auf das erste rohrförmige Element befindet.
6. Schmuckkomponente nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, wobei der eingreifende Teil ein
flexibles Glied aufweist, welches dafür ausgelegt ist, sich von einer ersten Gestalt
in eine zweite Gestalt zu verformen, wenn der eingreifende Teil mit dem umgreifenden
Teil in Kontakt kommt, und weiter in ungefähr die erste Gestalt zurück zu springen,
wenn das flexible Glied mit der Aussparung und/oder Öffnung des umgreifenden Teils
fluchtet, wobei das flexible Glied mit der Aussparung und/oder Öffnung in Eingriff
kommt und den eingreifenden Teil mit dem umgreifenden Teil verschließt, was es dem
Verschlusselement ermöglicht, an dem ersten rohrförmigen Element durch eine reine
Verschiebung zwischen den beiden befestigt zu werden.
7. Schmuckkomponente nach Anspruch 6, wobei der eingreifende Teil zwei flexible Glieder
aufweist, und der umgreifende Teil zwei Aussparungen und/oder Öffnungen aufweist.
8. Schmuckkomponente nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei das erste rohrförmige Element
an einem ersten Ende weiter einen Kragen aufweist, wobei der Kragen außerhalb des
selbst tragenden Gehäuses an der ersten Öffnung des selbst tragenden Gehäuses angeordnet
ist und eine an die äußere Fläche des selbst tragenden Gehäuses anstoßende Fläche
aufweist, wodurch das erste rohrförmige Element daran gehindert wird, sich in eine
erste Richtung entlang der Durchgangslochachse in Bezug auf die Schmuckkomponente
zu bewegen.
9. Schmuckkomponente nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei das Verschlusselement weiter
einen Kragen aufweist, welcher außerhalb des selbst tragenden Gehäuses an der zweiten
Öffnung des selbst tragenden Gehäuses angeordnet ist, wobei der Kragen eine an die
äußere Fläche des selbst tragenden Gehäuses anstoßende Fläche aufweist, wodurch das
erste rohrförmige Element daran gehindert wird, sich in eine zweite Richtung entlang
der Durchgangslochachse in Bezug auf die Schmuckkomponente zu bewegen.
10. Schmuckkomponente nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei das erste rohrförmige Element
Teil einer Einsatzbaugruppe ist, welche in das Durchgangsloch des selbst tragenden
Gehäuses durch die erste Öffnung des selbst tragenden Gehäuses eingesetzt ist, wobei
die Einsatzbaugruppe aus dem ersten rohrförmigen Element und einem Halteelement zum
reibungsschlüssigen Halten eines Teils des Armbands und/oder Halsbandes zusammengebaut
ist; wobei das erste rohrförmige Element dafür ausgelegt ist, das Halteelement innerhalb
des Durchgangslochs der Schmuckkomponente zu befestigen.
11. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Schmuckkomponente, wobei die Schmuckkomponente ein
Durchgangsloch besitzt, welches es der Schmuckkomponente ermöglicht, an einem lang
gestreckten Glied eines Armbandes und/oder Halsbandes aufgefädelt zu werden, wobei
das Durchgangsloch eine Durchgangslochachse definiert, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden
Schritte aufweist:
Bereitstellen eines selbst tragenden Gehäuses mit einem Durchgangsloch, welches eine
erste Öffnung an einer ersten Seite des selbst tragenden Gehäuses und eine zweite
Öffnung an einer zweiten Seite des selbst tragenden Gehäuses aufweist;
Einsetzen eines ersten rohrförmigen Elements mit einem Durchgangsloch durch die erste
Öffnung des selbst tragenden Gehäuses;
Einsetzen eines Verschlusselements mit einem Durchgangsloch durch die zweite Öffnung
des selbst tragenden Gehäuses, wobei das Verschlusselement einen Eingriffsabschnitt
aufweist, um innerhalb des Durchgangslochs des selbst tragenden Gehäuses angeordnet
zu werden; und
Befestigen des Eingriffsabschnitts des Verschlusselements an dem ersten rohrförmigen
Element; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das Verfahren weiter den Schritt des Einsetzens eines zweiten rohrförmigen Elements
entweder durch die erste Öffnung oder die zweite Öffnung des selbst tragenden Gehäuses
in das Durchgangsloch des selbst tragenden Gehäuses aufweist, wobei mindestens ein
Teil des ersten rohrförmigen Elements und des Eingriffsabschnitts des Verschlusselements
in das zweite rohrförmige Element eingesetzt werden und mindestens ein Teil der inneren
Fläche des Durchgangslochs des selbst tragenden Gehäuses von dem zweiten rohrförmigen
Element durch ein Fluid, wie beispielsweise Luft, beabstandet ist.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, wobei der Eingriffsabschnitt an dem rohrförmigen Element
durch einen eingreifenden/umgreifenden Verschlussmechanismus befestigt ist.
13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 12, wobei die Schmuckkomponente eine Schmuckkomponente
nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10 ist.
1. Composant décoratif (1600) pour un bracelet et/ou un collier, ledit composant décoratif
comportant un trou traversant (1698) permettant audit composant décoratif d'être enfilé
sur un élément allongé d'un bracelet et/ou d'un collier, ledit trou traversant définissant
un axe de trou traversant (1604) ; ledit composant décoratif comprenant :
- un logement autoportant (1601) comportant un trou traversant (1650), comprenant
une première ouverture au niveau d'un premier côté du logement (1651) et une seconde
ouverture au niveau d'un second côté du logement (1652) ; et
- un premier élément tubulaire (1602) comportant un trou traversant inséré dans ledit
trou traversant dudit logement autoportant (1650) à travers ladite première ouverture
dudit logement autoportant (1651) ; et
- un élément de verrouillage (1606) comportant un trou traversant inséré dans ledit
trou traversant dudit logement autoportant (1650) à travers ladite seconde ouverture
dudit logement autoportant (1652), ledit élément de verrouillage (1606) comprenant
une partie de mise en prise (1699) attachée audit premier élément tubulaire (1602)
caractérisé en ce que
ledit composant décoratif (1600) comprend en outre un second élément tubulaire (1805)
; au moins une partie dudit premier élément tubulaire (1602) et ladite partie de mise
en prise (1699) dudit élément de verrouillage (1606) sont positionnées à l'intérieur
dudit second élément tubulaire (1805) ; et au moins une partie de ladite surface intérieure
dudit trou traversant (1650) dudit logement autoportant (1601) est espacée du second
élément tubulaire (1805) par un fluide tel que de l'air.
2. Composant décoratif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite partie de mise en
prise est attachée audit premier élément tubulaire par le biais d'un mécanisme de
verrouillage mâle/femelle, dans lequel la partie mâle comprend une partie saillante
et la partie femelle comprend une cavité et/ou une ouverture.
3. Composant décoratif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la partie mâle comprend
une pluralité de parties saillantes et la partie femelle comprend une pluralité de
cavités et/ou d'ouvertures.
4. Composant décoratif selon la revendication 2 ou la revendication 3, dans lequel le
mécanisme de verrouillage mâle/femelle est du type à verrouillage par emboîtement
élastique, dans lequel une translation et/ou une rotation à partir d'une orientation
et/ou d'une position de rotation libre des parties mâle et femelle, à une orientation
et/ou une position de rotation bloquée des parties mâle et femelle requiert une force
inférieure à celle requise pour une translation et/ou une rotation à partir d'une
orientation et/ou d'une position de rotation bloquée des parties mâle et femelle,
à une orientation et/ou une position de rotation libre des parties mâle et femelle.
5. Composant décoratif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans lequel le
mécanisme de verrouillage mâle/femelle est du type à verrouillage par rotation, dans
lequel la partie femelle comprend une cavité et/ou une ouverture configurée pour permettre
à la partie saillante de la partie mâle de se déplacer par translation à l'intérieur
de la cavité et/ou de l'ouverture le long de l'axe de trou traversant lorsque l'élément
de verrouillage se trouve dans une orientation de rotation libre par rapport au premier
élément tubulaire, et d'être dans l'impossibilité de se déplacer dans au moins une
première direction le long de l'axe de trou traversant lorsque l'élément de verrouillage
se trouve dans une position verrouillée par rapport au premier élément tubulaire et
l'élément de verrouillage se trouve dans une orientation de rotation bloquée par rapport
au premier élément tubulaire.
6. Composant décoratif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans lequel la
partie mâle comprend un élément souple configuré pour se déformer d'une première forme
à une seconde forme lorsque la partie mâle vient en contact avec la partie femelle,
et pour reprendre ensuite de manière élastique approximativement la première forme
lorsque l'élément souple est aligné sur la cavité et/ou l'ouverture de la partie femelle,
l'élément souple venant ainsi en prise avec la cavité et/ou l'ouverture et verrouillant
la partie mâle avec la partie femelle, de façon à permettre à l'élément de verrouillage
d'être attaché au premier élément tubulaire simplement par translation entre ces deux
éléments.
7. Composant décoratif selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la partie mâle comprend
deux éléments souples, et la partie femelle comprend deux cavités et/ou ouvertures.
8. Composant décoratif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel ledit
premier élément tubulaire, au niveau d'une première extrémité, comprend en outre une
collerette, dans lequel ladite collerette est positionnée à l'extérieur dudit logement
autoportant au niveau de la première ouverture dudit logement autoportant et comprend
une surface en appui contre une surface extérieure dudit logement autoportant, de
façon à empêcher ledit premier élément tubulaire de se déplacer dans une première
direction le long dudit axe de trou traversant par rapport audit composant décoratif.
9. Composant décoratif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel ledit
élément de verrouillage comprend en outre une collerette positionnée à l'extérieur
dudit logement autoportant, au niveau de la seconde ouverture dudit logement autoportant,
ladite collerette comprenant une surface en appui contre une surface extérieure dudit
logement autoportant, de façon à empêcher ledit premier élément tubulaire de se déplacer
dans une seconde direction le long dudit axe de trou traversant par rapport audit
composant décoratif.
10. Composant décoratif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel le
premier élément tubulaire fait partie d'un ensemble garniture inséré dans ledit trou
traversant dudit logement autoportant à travers ladite première ouverture dudit logement
autoportant, dans lequel ledit ensemble garniture est assemblé à partir dudit premier
élément tubulaire et d'un élément de saisie servant à saisir par frottement une partie
dudit bracelet et/ou collier ; dans lequel ledit premier élément tubulaire est configuré
pour fixer ledit élément de saisie à l'intérieur dudit trou traversant dudit composant
décoratif.
11. Procédé de fabrication d'un composant décoratif, ledit composant décoratif comportant
un trou traversant permettant audit composant décoratif d'être enfilé sur un élément
allongé d'un bracelet et/ou d'un collier, ledit trou traversant définissant un axe
de trou traversant, ledit procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes :
- prévoir un logement autoportant comportant un trou traversant, ledit trou traversant
comprenant une première ouverture au niveau d'un premier côté du logement autoportant
et une seconde ouverture au niveau d'un second côté du logement autoportant ;
- insérer, à travers ladite première ouverture dudit logement autoportant, un premier
élément tubulaire comportant un trou traversant ;
- insérer, à travers ladite seconde ouverture dudit logement autoportant, un élément
de verrouillage comportant un trou traversant, ledit élément de verrouillage comprenant
une partie de mise en prise destinée à être positionnée à l'intérieur dudit trou traversant
dudit logement autoportant ; et
- attacher ladite partie de mise en prise dudit élément de verrouillage audit premier
élément tubulaire ;
caractérisé en ce que
le procédé comprend en outre l'étape consistant à insérer un second élément tubulaire
dans le trou traversant du logement autoportant, soit par ladite première ouverture,
soit par ladite seconde ouverture dudit logement autoportant, au moins une partie
dudit premier élément tubulaire et ladite partie de mise en prise dudit élément de
verrouillage étant insérées dans ledit second élément tubulaire, et au moins une partie
de ladite surface intérieure dudit trou traversant dudit logement autoportant étant
espacée du second élément tubulaire par un fluide tel que de l'air.
12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, dans lequel ladite partie de mise en prise est
attachée audit élément tubulaire par le biais d'un mécanisme de verrouillage mâle/femelle.
13. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 et 12, dans lequel le composant
décoratif est un composant décoratif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
10.