(19)
(11) EP 1 825 774 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
29.08.2007 Bulletin 2007/35

(21) Application number: 07102628.0

(22) Date of filing: 19.02.2007
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A44C 25/00(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA HR MK YU

(30) Priority: 27.02.2006 IT MI20060067

(71) Applicant: Villa & Villa s.a.s. di Paolo Villa & C.
25030 Adro (BS) (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Villa, Paolo
    25030 Adro (BS) (IT)

(74) Representative: Mittler, Enrico 
Mittler & C. s.r.l., Viale Lombardia, 20
20131 Milano
20131 Milano (IT)

   


(54) Customisable decorative plate for bracelet


(57) A customisable decorative plate (1) is described, whose visible part displays at least one cavity (3) for the adhesion of decorative elements. Holes (4) may be contemplated for the insertion of passing-through supporting means. Such a plate may be used as support for an ornamental element for bracelets in customisable configurations and as a collectable piece.




Description


[0001] The present invention relates to a customisable decorative plate for bracelet.

[0002] Bracelets are jewels of very ancient origin which have never ceased to charm. Often, during the course of centuries, bracelets have been used as a sign of distinction for particular groups of people, based on family, aristocratic, religious or military titles. At times enveloped by a sense of mystery, in literature bracelets have inspired connotations of sectarian character, involvement in intrigues or secret means of communication and evoked, in popular belief, capacities of possessing magical powers or being in contact with divinities. Today, bracelets are also considered collectables, gift items, means of seduction or simply decorative elements. Many youths wear more than one at their wrists or ankles.

[0003] Modem technologies have enormously diversified both the manufacturing techniques and the shape of bracelets. Although bracelets used to be hand-crafted, formed by metallic material and basically costly, today cheap, industrially mass manufactured ones may be found, also provided with plastic or rubbery material strap. Such materials are excellent for supporting functions but cannot usually ensure the ornamental and distinctive functions innate, as mentioned, to the concept of bracelet. For this reason, many bracelets are currently provided with a decorative plate formed by metallic material, on which engravings are made or imitation precious stones are mounted.

[0004] However, the increasing demand, from the market, for an ever increasing quantity of different, customisable and collectable products, spurs manufacturers to seek innovative ideas for ensuring the required levels of uniqueness and attractiveness.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to make a decorative plate adapted to be mass manufactured, but which allows a high degree of customisation and interchangeability.

[0006] According to the invention, such object is reached by a customisable decorative plate, characterised in that a visible face comprises at least one cavity for the adhesion of decorative elements.

[0007] The invention may also comprise holes for inserting passing-through supporting means, such as the strap of a bracelet, without locking mechanisms.

[0008] These and other features of the present invention will be further apparent from the following detailed description of a practical exemplary embodiment thereofshown by way of non-limitative example in the attached drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a decorative plate according to the present invention;

figure 2 shows a plan view of the invention of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a section view taken along line III-III of the invention of figure 1;

figure 4 shows a lateral section view taken along line IV-IV of the invention of figure 1;

figure 5 shows a perspective view of a possible application of the invention as decorative element of a bracelet.



[0009] Figures 1-4 show a decorative plate 1 of elongated plan, similar to a truncated ellipsis. Said plate consists of a steel case 2. A cavity 3 is obtained in the visible face of said plate. Said cavity may be efficiently used as a suitable seat for the adhesion of decorative gems or of particular prints, variable according to the type of manufacture. Two passing-through holes 4 are obtained underneath the truncated sides of the ellipsis, a supporting means may be inserted in said holes 4.

[0010] An application of the present invention to a bracelet is shown in figure 5. A strap 5 formed by plastic, rubbery, leather or otherwise flexible material may be conveniently inserted through said holes 4 as supporting means. A stone 6 or other decorative element adheres to cavity 3 by interposition of adhesive material. The resulting bracelet 7 is a finished product ready to be marketed.

[0011] The use of flags, trademarks, logos, distinctive signs or other types of symbols may be used for ornamental purposes or to provide the features of uniqueness to the wearer of bracelet 7.

[0012] The application shown in figure 5 clearly illustrates the potentials of such product, which may be inserted and released very simply from straps displaying a free end. In this manner, the owner of bracelet 7 may change plate 1 as desired; several plates, showing different images, may also be used on the same strap. Plate 1 may thus become a collectable which buyers may purchase, collect and exchange with missing plates. The commercial potentials of such invention is thus of certain interest.


Claims

1. A customisable decorative plate (1), characterised in that it has a visible face (2) comprising at least one cavity (3) for the adhesion of decorative elements (6).
 
2. A plate according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises holes (4) for inserting passing-through supporting means, without locking mechanisms.
 
3. A plate according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said decorative elements consist of prints.
 
4. A plate according to any of the claims 1-2, characterised in that said decorative elements consist of stones (6).
 
5. A plate according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that it is formed by steel.
 
6. A plate according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that it is part of a bracelet (7).
 
7. A plate according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that it is part of a jewel.
 




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