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(11) | EP 1 051 927 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A jewelry article |
| (57) The article of jewelry (3) is provided with chain or another thread-like element
(4) for support of the pendant (1), for ornamental purpose in the field of jewejry
and costume jewelry such as, for instance, a choker, an earring, a chain for the necklace,
a bracelet or similar products. The article of jewelry is characterized by the fact
that it provides for the possibility of varying the length of the chain and the same
thread-like element. |
Field of The Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the production of articles of jewelry for ornamental purposes provided with a chain or another thread-like element having variable length, the articles being, for instance, chokers, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and similar articles.
Background of The Prior Art
[0002] In the jewelry field and costume jewelry in general, the articles of jewelry made of precious metal and alloys of precious and non-precious metals different from the brooches, must be provided with a supporting thread-like element represented by a chain, a choker and similar elements. These thread-like elements referred to hereinbelow with the generic term "chains" are sold to the customer after all the work has been carried out and therefore must have a precise length. It follows that a necklace or ornamental article being made when the chain is joined with a pendant, for instance a medal or similar pendant when worn will have only one conformation so that, if one varies the aesthetic requirements, there is a different length of the necklace and the individual who wears this necklace is limited in the choice.
[0003] In actual practice it is noted, for instance, that the necklace provided with an article of jewelry must be adapted to the clothing of the wearer but cannot be used either because it is too long or too short.
Summary of The Invention
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewelry in the shape of a necklace which permits the possibility of varying the length of the chain which supports the pendant. This object is achieved by providing that the pendant be equipped with a structure which allows the winding or unwinding of a portion of the chain in such a manner that it is possible to reduce or increase the length of the chain and therefore have a necklace that can be shorter or longer and therefore may adapt itself to the aesthetic requirements of the wearer.
[0005] This action of winding or unwinding may be carried out manually or automatically. In the case in which the winding is carried out manually the pendant is equipped with a support, preferably in the form of a pin on which the winding of a portion of the necklace is carried out thus obtaining the shortening of the necklace.
[0006] The automatic winding or unwinding of a portion of the necklace is possible by applying to the body of the pendant a device of known construction or similar to the device flexible rolling up rulers which provides under the control of the user for winding or unwinding of a portion of the necklace.
[0007] Other details and characteristics of the invention will be more clear by reference to two preferred embodiments provided herein for clarification but not limiting and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which
- FIGS. 1 and 2
- show respectively an elevational front view and a side view of a necklace in which the chain is completely loose.
- FIGS. 3 and 4
- show respectively an elevational view and a side view of a necklace with the chain partially wrapped.
- FIGS. 5 and 6
- illustrate respectively an elevational front view and a rear view in perspective of a necklace provided with an automatic device for winding of the chain.
[0008] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a possible form of an article of jewelry in which it is possible to modify the length of the chain manually is obtained by providing that a pin (2) is applied in the rear of the pendant (1), and chain (3) is inserted on pin (2).
[0009] The reduction of the length of the two portions (4) of the chain is obtained by winding manually a portion of the chain (3) around the pin (2) as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
[0010] The automatic winding of the chain is accomplished, on the other hand, by applying in the rear of the pendant (1) a winding device (5) preferably of the type having a spring, of construction well known, provided with a control mechanism constituted preferably by a push button (6). The push button actuated by the user may bring about the unthreading or the rewinding of portions of the two parts of the chain.
[0011] Obviously the forms, the dimensions and the material of both the pendant and the chain may be different and also the system of winding the chain may be varied while the novel characteristics of the invention remain the same since the invention permits to obtain an article of jewelry with a chain of variable length.
1. An article of jewelry provided with a chain or another thread-like element for support
of a pendant for ornamental use in the field of jewelry and costume jewelry such as,
for example, a choker, an earring, a chain to be inserted around the neck, a bracelet
and similar products, characterized by the fact that it is provided with means for
varying the length of the chain or the length of said thread-like element (3).
2. The article of jewelry according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said means
for varying the length of the chain or the length of said thread-like element provide
for the winding or unwinding of said chain or said thread-like element (3) around
a structure located in the pendant.
3. The article of jewelry according to claims 1 and 2 characterized by the fact that
a support is present on the body of the said pendant preferably in the shape of a
pin (2), said chain or said thread-like element (3) being inserted and/or anchored
on said pin and the change in the length of portions (4) of said chaim or said thread-like
element (3) is achieved by winding a portion thereof around said support or said pin.
4. The article of jewelry according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the change
in the length of said chain or of said other thread-like element is achieved by applying
a winding device (5) on the body of said pendant, said winding device (5) being known
and engaging a portion of said chain and achieving the winding or the unwinding of
said thread-like element (3) which supports said pendant (1).
5. The article of jewelry according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized
by the fact that pendant (1) may be made of every shape, dimension, material of precious
or nonprecious metal.
6. The article of jewelry according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized
by the fact that the necklace or said thread-like element (3) which supports said
pendant may be made of every shape, dimension and precious or nonprecious metal.