Piece Of Jewelry
A piece of jewelry, more specifically a bracelet or a necklace, comprising strand portions mutually connected by means of a connector member, a clip member comprising two half shells hinged together at respective outer peripheries and a snap lock allowing for the two half shells when being hingedly rotated to be releasably snap-locked to each other to form an assembled clip member with a through-going hole extending from a first aperture at a first lateral end of the clip member extending into an interior cavity of the clip member and further extending into a second aperture at an opposite lateral end of the clip member. The connector member comprises a centre part with two end sections and a central section positioned in between and connecting the two end sections, each end section being connected to a retainer loop, each retainer loop being connected to an end loop of at least one of the strand portions. The connector member is in a released position of the clip member able to be placed between the half shells such that when the half shells are subsequently snap-locked together to assume an assembled or locked position of the clip member, the clip member is attached to the connector member by being assembled around the centre part with the central section accommodated in the clip member's interior cavity, each aperture of the assembled clip member encircling one respective narrow section of the centre part.
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The present invention relates to a piece of jewelry, more specifically a bracelet or a necklace, comprising a clip member comprising two half shells hinged together at respective outer peripheries and a snap lock allowing for the two half shells when being hingedly rotated to be releasably snap-locked to each other to form an assembled clip member with a through-going hole extending from a first aperture at a first lateral end of the clip member extending into an interior cavity of the clip member and further extending into a second aperture at an opposite lateral end of the clip member, transverse dimensions of the interior cavity being larger than transverse dimensions of the apertures.
Such a piece of jewelry is disclosed in applicant's EP 1657991 B1. A piece of strand jewelry comprises bands fixed to a jewelry strand. On each band an ornamental clip member may be attached to prevent bunching of beads or charms that slide freely along the length of the strand while not disturbing the overall appearance of the jewelry. The bands allow the beads and charms to pass when no clip member is attached. When a clip member is attached, the beads and charms are not able to slide pass the band. This prior art jewelry has limitations as regards what types of chains (or strands) may be used with it. The strand used in EP 1657991 B1 is necessarily of a type that allows for bands to be connected to it, i.e. a circular metal band or ring is positioned about and fixed to the strand.
On this background it is the object of the present invention to provide a versatile piece of strand jewelry that may effectively clip members with a wider variety of strand types.
This object is achieved in that the piece of jewelry as described in the introduction is characterized in that
it further comprises at least two strand portions, each comprising an end loop at one end, the two strand portions being mutually connected by means of a connector member,
the connector member comprises a centre part with two end sections and a central section positioned in between and connecting the two end sections, each end section being connected to a retainer loop, each retainer loop being connected to an end loop of at least one of the strand portions,
each end section and the central section having larger transverse dimensions than the apertures of the clip member, each end section being distanced from the central section by means of a narrow section of the centre part, transverse dimensions of each said narrow section being smaller than or equal to transverse dimensions of each aperture of the clip member,
the connector member in a released position of the clip member being able to be placed between the half shells such that when the half shells are subsequently snap-locked together to assume an assembled or locked position of the clip member, the connector member extends through the through-going hole, and the retainer loops and end parts extend out of the clip member on each side of the through-going hole, such that the clip member is attached to the connector member by being assembled around the centre part with the central section accommodated in the clip member's interior cavity, each aperture of the assembled clip member encircling one respective narrow section of the centre part.
Hereby, it is made possible to securely attach clip members similar to those disclosed in EP 1657991 B1 to strand types such as anchor chains or other types to which it is difficult to attach a band. Furthermore, the end sections of the centre part of the connector member ensure that a distance or separation is provided between the strand parts and clip member. During use this prevents the strand parts from grinding against a clip member used as an ornament, thereby preventing wear or destruction of a usually fragile ornamental surface. Strands such as anchor chains might otherwise quickly destroy the appearance of the clip member. Also, the connector member can be designed such as to form an ornament in itself, thus providing more versatility towards a user.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims 2 to 7.
In one embodiment the connector member's centre part is shaped like an hourglass with smooth transitions between the end sections and the narrow sections as well as between the narrow sections and the central section, each retainer loop extending from an end surface of the hourglass shape. This provides a well-functioning connector device, which due to the smooth surfaces is able to guide the clip member to the correct position on the connector member during closing of the clip member if the clip member is positioned a little off in the longitudinal direction of the connector member before assembly of the clip member.
In another embodiment respective ends of two strand portions are mutually releasably attachable by means of a releasable locking device.
In another embodiment the piece of jewelry comprises more than two strand portions and more than one connector member, the strand portions at respective ends being connected by means of respective connector members.
In another embodiment the piece of jewelry forms part of a set that further comprises more than one clip member, at least two clip members being of varying appearance. This provides the possibility to exchange the clip members to vary the appearance of the piece of jewelry.
In another embodiment the strand portions are each in the form of a chain, preferably of the anchor type, comprising a number of interconnected chain links, preferably substantially elliptical, oval or circular in shape, a chain link at each end of the chain taking the form of an end loop positioned in a respective retainer loop.
In another embodiment the connector member functions as an ornament when no clip member is attached. This provides the option to not attach a clip member and still maintain a pleasing appearance of the piece of jewelry.
The invention also relates to a method for providing a piece of jewelry, preferably according to any one of the previous claims, comprising the steps of
providing at least two strand portions, each comprising an end loop at one end, the two strand portions being mutually connected by means of a connector member,
providing a clip member comprising two half shells hinged together at respective outer peripheries and a snap lock allowing for the two half shells when being hingedly rotated to be releasably snap-locked to each other to form an assembled clip member with a through-going hole extending from a first aperture at a first lateral end of the clip member extending into an interior cavity of the clip member and further extending into a second aperture at an opposite lateral end of the clip member, transverse dimensions of the interior cavity being larger than transverse dimensions of the apertures,
the connector member comprising a centre part with two end sections and a central section positioned in between and connecting the two end sections, each end section being connected to a retainer loop, each retainer loop being connected to an end loop of at least one of the strand portions,
each end section and the central section having larger transverse dimensions than the apertures of the clip member, each end section being distanced from the central section by means of a narrow section of the centre part, transverse dimensions of each said narrow section being smaller than or equal to transverse dimensions of each aperture of the clip member,
in a released position of the clip member positioning the connector member between the half shells,
snap-locking the half shells together to assume an assembled or locked position of the clip member, the connector member extending through the through-going hole, and the retainer loops and end parts extending out of the clip member on each side of the through-going hole, the clip member being attached to the connector member by being assembled around the centre part with the central section accommodated in the clip member's interior cavity, each aperture of the assembled clip member encircling one respective narrow section of the centre part.
The resultant piece of jewelry is preferably according to any one of the above embodiments, the method providing respective advantages similar or comparable to those described above.
The invention will now be explained by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the schematic drawings in which
Generally in the drawings, in different embodiments similar or like elements are provided with similar reference signs.
The piece of jewelry comprises a locking device 1 shown at the very top in
The connector member 5 comprises an hourglass-shaped (the hourglass-shape lying down in
The piece of jewelry as shown in
Still referring to
Referring now also to
Referring to
Another embodiment of the clip member 20 is shown in
Whereas in the previous embodiment (
Thus, in
In the connector member 20 shown in
It is generally preferred that the centre part 6 of the connector member 20 is circular-symmetrical. Further, it is generally preferred that the piece of jewelry according to the invention is in the form of a set of parts comprising a number of different clip members and a strand comprising several connector members connecting several strand part. Thus, with the piece of jewelry according to the invention the user may exchange clip members so that variations of the appearance of the piece of jewelry in question may be achieved.
Claims
1. A piece of jewelry, more specifically a bracelet or a necklace, comprising a clip member comprising two half shells hinged together at respective outer peripheries and a snap lock allowing for the two half shells when being hingedly rotated to be releasably snap-locked to each other to form an assembled clip member with a through-going hole extending from a first aperture at a first lateral end of the clip member extending into an interior cavity of the clip member and further extending into a second aperture at an opposite lateral end of the clip member, transverse dimensions of the interior cavity being larger than transverse dimensions of the apertures, wherein:
- the piece of jewelry further comprises at least two strand portions, each comprising an end loop at one end, the two strand portions being mutually connected by means of a connector member,
- the connector member comprises a centre part with two end sections and a central section positioned in between and connecting the two end sections, each end section being connected to a retainer loop, each retainer loop being connected to an end loop of at least one of the strand portions,
- each end section and the central section have larger transverse dimensions than the apertures of the clip member, each end section being distanced from the central section by means of a narrow section of the centre part, transverse dimensions of each said narrow section being smaller than or equal to transverse dimensions of each aperture of the clip member,
- the connector member in a released position of the clip member being able to be placed between the half shells such that when the half shells are subsequently snap-locked together to assume an assembled or locked position of the clip member, the connector member extends through the through-going hole, and the retainer loops and end parts extend out of the clip member on each side of the through-going hole, such that the clip member is attached to the connector member by being assembled around the centre part with the central section accommodated in the clip member's interior cavity, each aperture of the assembled clip member encircling one respective narrow section of the centre part.
2. A piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the connector member's centre part is shaped like an hourglass with smooth transitions between the end sections and the narrow sections as well as between the narrow sections and the central section, each retainer loop extending from an end surface of the hourglass shape.
3. A piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein respective ends of two strand portions are mutually releasably attachable by means of a releasable locking device.
4. A piece of jewelry according to claim 1, comprising more than two strand portions and more than one connector member, the strand portions at respective ends being connected by means of respective connector members.
5. A piece of jewelry according to claim 1, forming part of a set that further comprises more than one clip member, at least two clip members being of varying appearance.
6. A piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the strand portions are each in the form of a chain, preferably of the anchor type, comprising a number of interconnected chain links, preferably substantially elliptical, oval or circular in shape, a chain link at each end of the chain taking the form of an end loop positioned in a respective retainer loop.
7. A piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the connector member functions as an ornament when no clip member is attached.
8. A method for providing a piece of jewelry, comprising the steps of:
- providing at least two strand portions, each comprising an end loop at one end, the two strand portions being mutually connected by means of a connector member,
- providing a clip member comprising two half shells hinged together at respective outer peripheries and a snap lock allowing for the two half shells when being hingedly rotated to be releasably snap-locked to each other to form an assembled clip member with a through-going hole extending from a first aperture at a first lateral end of the clip member extending into an interior cavity of the clip member and further extending into a second aperture at an opposite lateral end of the clip member, transverse dimensions of the interior cavity being larger than transverse dimensions of the apertures,
- the connector member comprising a centre part with two end sections and a central section positioned in between and connecting the two end sections, each end section being connected to a retainer loop, each retainer loop being connected to an end loop of at least one of the strand portions,
- each end section and the central section having larger transverse dimensions than the apertures of the clip member, each end section being distanced from the central section by means of a narrow section of the centre part, transverse dimensions of each said narrow section being smaller than or equal to transverse dimensions of each aperture of the clip member,
- in a released position of the clip member positioning the connector member between the half shells,
- snap-locking the half shells together to assume an assembled or locked position of the clip member, the connector member extending through the through-going hole, and the retainer loops and end parts extending out of the clip member on each side of the through-going hole, the clip member being attached to the connector member by being assembled around the centre part with the central section accommodated in the clip member's interior cavity, each aperture of the assembled clip member encircling one respective narrow section of the centre part.
9. A piece of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein respective ends of two strand portions are mutually releasably attachable by means of a releasable locking device.
10. A piece of jewelry according to claim 9, comprising more than two strand portions and more than one connector member, the strand portions at respective ends being connected by means of respective connector members.
11. A piece of jewelry according to claim 10, forming part of a set that further comprises more than one clip member, at least two clip members being of varying appearance.
12. A piece of jewelry according to claim 11, wherein the strand portions are each in the form of a chain, preferably of the anchor type, comprising a number of interconnected chain links, preferably substantially elliptical, oval or circular in shape, a chain link at each end of the chain taking the form of an end loop positioned in a respective retainer loop.
13. A piece of jewelry according to claim 12, wherein the connector member functions as an ornament when no clip member is attached.
14. A piece of jewelry according to claim 2, comprising more than two strand portions and more than one connector member, the strand portions at respective ends being connected by means of respective connector members.
15. A piece of jewelry according to claim 2, forming part of a set that further comprises more than one clip member, at least two clip members being of varying appearance.
16. A piece of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein the strand portions are each in the form of a chain, preferably of the anchor type, comprising a number of interconnected chain links, preferably substantially elliptical, oval or circular in shape, a chain link at each end of the chain taking the form of an end loop positioned in a respective retainer loop.
17. A piece of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein the connector member functions as an ornament when no clip member is attached.
Type: Application
Filed: May 11, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 3, 2014
Applicant: PANDORA A/S (Glostrup)
Inventor: Lee Antony Gray (Kobenhavn Ø)
Application Number: 14/117,578
International Classification: A44C 5/20 (20060101); A44C 15/00 (20060101);