ITEM OF JEWELLERY TO WEAR ON THE FINGER, COMPRISING A SLIDING LINK

Abstract

The invention relates to an item of jewelery (10) to wear on the finger (D), comprising: a first ring (20; 30) to be placed over the finger (D); a second ring (40) to be placed over the same finger (D); and a sliding link (50) connecting the first ring (20; 30) and the second ring (40) together.

Description

The present invention relates to items of jewelry to wear on the finger.

Patent 804 A.D. 1909 discloses an item of jewelry comprising a plurality of bands to be fitted on one and the same finger and connected together by two chains positioned on the sides. The bands are worn on the first and second phalanges.

Other known items of jewelry propose to embellish the nail and comprise two rings for this purpose, as illustrated in French patent 537 670, one of which rings is worn on the first phalanx and the other at the end of the finger, the two being connected by a chain.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,947 describes an item of jewelry comprising a band intended to be fitted on the first phalanx, connected by a chain to a mount arranged to be secured on the nail.

A ring having an open band, the band carrying a decorative element at each of its extremities, is known from application EP 1 745 714 A1. The opening of this type of ring is obtained by torsion and offsetting of the two extremities. A disadvantage of this type of ring is the risk of loss when the opening of the band is large and when the ring turns relative to the finger, for example, because of the activity of the person wearing it.

Also known from application WO 2014083537 is an item of jewelry exhibiting two rings having open bands, carrying a decorative element and connected together by a flexible link.

A need exists to be able to benefit from an item of jewelry offering novel aesthetic possibilities making it possible to wear, on one finger, two rings that are connected together while continuing to ensure wearing comfort and while limiting the risk of the undesirable displacement of the rings on the finger.

The invention proposes to respond to this need, and it achieves this thanks to an item of jewelry to wear on the finger, comprising:

• • a first ring to wear on the finger,
  • a second ring to wear on the same finger,
  • a sliding link connecting the first ring and the second ring together.

The expression “sliding link” should be understood to denote a link permitting a degree of axial freedom along the latter. The sliding link may exhibit a sliding clearance allowing a certain angular movement between the elements which slide.

The sliding link permits the two rings to be kept on the finger by preventing the rotation of one in relation to the other. The two rings thus possess little possibility for rotational movement in relation to one another, and the correct support of one ring on the finger brings about that of the other ring through the effect of the sliding link.

The sliding link also makes it possible for the distance between the two rings to be capable of varying freely in such a way, on the one hand, as to adapt the item of jewelry to the size of the finger and, on the other hand, as to permit the finger to move freely.

Preferably, the sliding link connects the first ring and the second ring together via the underside of the finger. Thus, it is invisible when the hand is viewed from above, which does not have an adverse effect on the aesthetics of the item of jewelry. This sliding link is preferably single.

The sliding link is preferably not flexible. This makes it possible to immobilize the rings in relation to each other outside the axial mobility provided by the sliding link. The rings are thus not able to turn or to become detached from the finger independently of one another.

Preferably, the bands of the rings and optionally the sliding link are made from the same material.

The greatest length L_max of the sliding link at its maximum extension may be between 20 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, and its smallest length L_min at its minimum extension may be between 10 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm.

Preferably, the sliding link comprising a slide and a slider, the slider sliding in the slide in the longitudinal axis of the slide, the latter being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the finger wearing the item of jewelry. The first ring may be secured on the slide, in particular at one extremity of the slide, and the second ring may be secured to the slider, in particular to the free extremity of the slider, that is to say the extremity of the slider remaining outside the slide.

Preferably, the sliding of the slider in the slide is free.

The slide may comprise two parallel bars connected by a bridge defining an opening for guiding the slider.

Preferably, the sliding link is duplicated by an articulation allowing the wearer to bend his/her finger when the item of jewelry is being worn on the latter. Preferably, the slider comprises a first part and a second part connected together by an articulation, the first part being inserted into the slide and the second part carrying the second ring. The articulation makes it possible to bend the second part in order to form an elbow between the first and the second part, such that the underside of the second ring folds towards the underside of the first ring. A suchlike articulation makes it possible, in particular when the articulation is below the junction between the phalanges, to follow the movement of the finger when it is bent. Thus, when the wearer bends his/her finger wearing the item of jewelry, the latter bends at its articulation and the slider slides in the slide at the same time as the finger bends. The combination of these two movements permits the wearer to bend his/her finger easily without obstruction.

The item of jewelry may comprise a third ring connected to the two other rings by the sliding link. The third ring may be secured to the slide, in particular to the other extremity of the slide. Thus, the third ring is secured in relation to the first ring but remains mobile in relation to the second ring.

The item of jewelry may comprise a fourth ring connected to the other rings by the sliding link. The fourth ring may be secured to the slider, in particular to the second part of the slider in proximity to the articulation.

Preferably, at least one of the rings, and preferably each of the rings, comprises an open band to wear on the finger and a decorative element secured on the corresponding band.

At least one of the rings, in particular the first or the third ring, may benefit from the support offered by the finger adjacent to that finger on which it is fitted, when the decorative element is situated on the ring in such a way as to partially overlap both the finger which is wearing the ring and the adjacent finger.

The width of opening of the bands is preferably sufficient to permit placing on the finger laterally. This avoids the need to slide the finger into the band, as is the case with a closed ring. The fitting of the item of jewelry on the finger may thus be performed easily.

Preferably, the opening of each of the bands of the first and second rings is situated on the upper side of said rings.

The invention makes it possible to have very open bands, and therefore to make an item of jewelry particularly aesthetically appealing, for example by allowing essentially only the decorative elements that are carried by each of the bands to be perceived visually on the upper side of the hand.

The angular width of each of the openings of the bands of the first and second rings is preferably between 25° and 130°, preferably between 30° and 120°, preferably being sufficient to permit the engagement of the item of jewelry on the finger from the side, as indicated above.

The bands preferably each extend in a plane, preferably a median plane of symmetry for the band. Thus, the extremities of the band may not be offset in the axis of the band.

The bands are preferably made of metal, in particular yellow, white, rose or black gold, platinum, steel, titanium or silver.

The first ring and the second ring are preferably of different diameters in order to permit the correct placement of the rings on the first phalanx and the second phalanx of the finger.

The first ring and the third ring, and respectively the second ring and the fourth ring, may be of the same diameter.

Each ring preferably caries a decorative element set on a mount, the decorative element possibly being unique and being secured to the band, in particular at one extremity of the open band. This decorative element may be a semi-precious stone, a pearl and/or a precious stone, in particular a diamond, ruby, sapphire or emerald. The rings may carry decorative elements of similar kinds, for example diamonds or pearls of equal or different sizes.

The rings may carry decorative elements of different kinds, for example stones and pearls, of equal or different sizes.

In an example of the implementation of the invention, the mount, and preferably the mounts, are each cantilevered on the external side of the one or more bands of each ring. This cantilever mounting makes it possible, with regard to the first ring and the third ring intended to be fitted on the first phalanx, to benefit from the support offered by the finger adjacent to that finger wearing the item of jewelry. The cantilever mounting of the decorative elements may also contribute to the aesthetically appealing aspect, by permitting the decorative elements to be moved apart from one another, if this is desired, and to the practical aspect by leaving the opening of the bands sufficiently free to permit the fitting of the item of jewelry on the finger from the side.

When the rings each carry a decorative element, these decorative elements may or may not be disposed in opposition to one another.

The bands of the rings and/or the sliding link may comprise additional decorative elements distributed on at least one part of their surface, in particular their visible surface, when the item of jewelry is being worn on the finger, in particular small semi-precious stones, pearls and/or precious stones, in particular diamonds, rubies, sapphires or emeralds.

Each ring may comprise a simple band or, as a variant, multiple bands, in particular two bands. In this case, the bands of one and the same ring are preferably identical and may be linked by a bar positioned on the underside, the sliding link preferably being in continuation of said bar. The bar may be a portion of the slide or of the slider. The bars are preferably made from the same material as the bands.

The invention may be more readily appreciated from a perusal of the following detailed description of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments thereof, and from an examination of the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts in perspective a first example of an item of jewelry according to the invention,

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view from the side of the item of jewelry in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 depicts a view from the front of the item of jewelry in FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 depicts a view from below of the item of jewelry in FIGS. 1 to 3, the link being at its maximum extension,

FIG. 5 depicts a view from below of the item of jewelry in FIGS. 1 to 4, the link being at its minimum extension,

FIG. 6 depicts the item of jewelry in FIGS. 1 to 5 folded at its articulation,

FIG. 7 is a view of the underside of the item of jewelry in FIGS. 1 to 6 being worn on an extended finger,

FIG. 8 depicts the item of jewelry on the finger in FIG. 7, the finger being bent,

FIG. 9 depicts a view from below of a variant of the item of jewelry being worn on an extended finger, and

FIG. 10 depicts the item of jewelry in FIG. 7 on the bent finger.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 is an item of jewelry 10 to wear on the finger comprising three rings 20, 30 and 40 connected together by a sliding link 50.

In the example in question, the rings 20, 30 and 40 each respectively comprise a single respective open band 21, 31 and 41. In a variant, not illustrated here, the rings comprise multiple bands.

The band 21 carries at one extremity 22 a decorative element 23 which is composed of a stone set in a mount 24, for example, as illustrated. Likewise, the band 31 and the band 41, respectively at one extremity 32, 33, carry a decorative element 33 and 43 composed of a stone set in a mount 34, 44. Each mount 24, 34 and/or 44 may be made from the same material as the band 21, 31 and/or 41 and may be soldered to the latter. It permits the rigid support of the decorative element on the band, in particular by means of prongs.

The other extremities 25, 35 and 45 of the respective bands 21, 31 and 41 are free. The extremities 22 and 25 of the band 21 between them define an opening 26. The same is true of the extremities 32 and 35, which define an opening 36, and the extremities 42 and 45, which define an opening 46.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the angular width of the opening 26 of the ring 20 is substantially equal to the angular width of the opening 36 of the ring 30 and greater than the angular width of the opening 46 of the ring 40.

The angular width a of the openings 26 and 36, measured from the center of the bands 21 and 31, is preferably between 90° and 135°, preferably between 100° and 130°, being for example 105°. The angular width a of the opening 46, measured from the center of the band 41, is preferably between 25° and 90°, preferably between 25° and 65°, being for example 30°. In the example in question, the angular widths of the openings 26 and 46 are different, although this may be otherwise. The angular widths preferably lie between 25° and 135°.

The angular width γ of the arc, which extends on the band 21 from the center of the junction 51 of the sliding link 50 with the band 21 as far as the extremity 22, is preferably between 100° and 170°, and the angular width β of the arc extending between the junction point 51 and the free extremity 25 is preferably smaller than or equal to the angle γ and is preferably between 100° and 170°.

This is preferably also the case for the rings 30 and 40 for the arcs extending respectively from the centers of the junctions 52 and 53 of the sliding link 50 with the bands 31 and 41 as far as the extremities 32 and 35 and 42 and 45.

For the rings 20 and 30, one has for example β=120°, γ=135° and for the ring 40 one has for example β=165°, γ=165°.

The rings 20 and 30 may be of the same internal diameter, said internal diameter of the rings 20 and 30 being different from the internal diameter of the ring 40. The rings 20 and 30 intended to be placed on the first phalanx of the finger are in particular larger than the ring 40 intended to be placed on the second phalanx of the finger. The internal diameter of the rings 20, 30 and 40 is between 10 mm and 25 mm.

In the illustrated example, the sliding link is constituted by a slider 54 sliding freely on an axis X in a slide 55. The slide 55 comprises two parallel bars 55a and 55a, of which the spacing is slightly greater than that of the slider 54.

A bridge 55b connects the bars 55a directly below the ring 30 in order to define an opening 55c for guiding the slider 54. The latter is prevented from becoming disengaged from the opening by an abutment 59 formed at its extremity.

The slider 54 is of non-circular section, as is the opening 55c, as can be seen in FIG. 2, which prevents rotation of the slider 54 about its axis.

The slide 55 connects the rings 20 and 30, which are each secured via their face 28,38 with respect to the bands 21,31, rigidly at one extremity of the slide 55. The distance between the rings 20 and 30 is thus fixed. The length K of the slide is preferably between 5 mm and 30 mm, and preferably between 10 mm and 20 mm, for example being substantially equal to 16 mm. The ring 40 is secured to the free extremity 57 of the slider 54. Thus, the distance between the rings 20 and 30 and the ring 40 may vary.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slider 54 may slide in the slide 55 from a position of maximum extension L_max to a position of minimum extension L_min, the length of the sliding link being measured between the free extremity 56 of the slide 55 and the free extremity 57 of the slider 54. Preferably, the minimum length L_min is between 10 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm, and the maximum length L_max is between 10 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm. In the example illustrated here, the minimum length L_min is substantially equal to 23 mm, and the maximum length L_max is substantially equal to 32 mm.

The slide 55 may comprise an abutment 58, against which the slider 54 comes into contact when the length of the sliding link 50 is at its minimum.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the item of jewelry 10 may be articulated. The slider 54 comprises two parts 54a and 54b connected together by an articulation 59. The part 54a is inserted into the slide 55 and is displaced in the latter, and the part 54b is connected to the ring 40. The articulation 59 makes it possible to fold the underside of the ring 40 towards the underside of the rings 20 and 30 by rotation about an axis Y perpendicular to the axis of sliding X.

The abutment 58 is positioned in such a way that, when the extension of the sliding link is minimal, that is to say when the part 54a comes into contact with the abutment 58, the articulation 59 remains outside the slide 55, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

When the item of jewelry 10 is being worn on the finger D, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rings 20 and 30 are positioned on a first phalanx P1, and the ring 40 is positioned on a second phalanx P2. The articulation 59 moves into position beneath the junction J between the two phalanges P1 and P2 wearing the item of jewelry 10, in such a way that the item of jewelry 10 is able to bend with the finger D that is wearing it.

In the example illustrated here, the mounts 24 and 34 are mounted in opposition when the item of jewelry is viewed from above, that is to say that the mount 24 carried by the ring 20 is situated on the left side, for example, whereas the mount 34 carried by the ring 30 is situated on the right side, and the mounts 34 and 44 may be situated on the same side of the bands 31 and 41. The situation may be otherwise, however, without going beyond the scope of the invention.

The bands 21, 31 and 41, the sliding link 50 and/or the mounts 24, 34 and 44 are preferably made of the same material, in particular a metal.

The decorative element 23, 33 and 43 that is present on each ring 20, 30 and 40 is preferably disposed in such a way as to permit the fitting and the removal of the ring 20, 30 or 40 by introducing the latter onto the finger D from the side, and not by sliding it over the tip of the finger D.

The decorative element 23, 33 and 43 that is present on each ring 20, 30 and 40 is preferably cantilevered on the ring 20, 30 or 40.

The presence of the relatively short sliding link 50 permits the rings 20, 30 and 40 to be held together.

The rings 20, 30 and 40 may comprise additional decorative elements 27 that are present on the visible parts of the bands 21, 31 and 41 and of the sliding link 50, in particular the slider 54 and the slide 55.

These decorative elements 23, 33 and 43 and the additional decorative elements 27 may be semi-precious stones, pearls and/or precious stones, in particular a diamond, ruby, sapphire or emerald.

The item of jewelry 10 depicted in FIGS. 5 to 7 differs from that which is described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 in the fact that it comprises a supplementary ring 60 disposed on the part 54b of the slide in proximity to the articulation 59.

The invention is not limited to the examples described above.

In particular, the rings may be made with more than two bands.

In one variant, decorative elements are disposed at the two extremities of at least one of the bands, bordering on the opening of the latter. In this case, the decorative elements are of unequal sizes, for example.

In another variant, at least one of the decorative elements is a pearl.

Claims

1. An item of jewelry to wear on the finger comprising:

a first ring to wear on the finger,

a second ring to wear on the same finger,

a sliding link connecting the first ring and the second ring together, the sliding link comprising a slide and a slider, the slider sliding in the slide, the first ring being secured on the slide, and the second ring being secured to the slider.

2. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, the sliding link connecting the first ring and the second ring together via the underside of the finger.

3. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, the greatest length Lmax of the sliding link at its maximum extension being between 20 mm and 50 mm and the smallest length Lmin of the sliding link at its minimum extension being between 10 mm and 40 mm.

4. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, the first ring being secured at one extremity of the slide, and the second ring being secured to the free extremity of the slider.

5. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, the sliding link being duplicated by an articulation configured in order to permit the wearer to bend the finger when the item of jewelry is being worn.

6. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 5, the slider exhibiting a first part and a second part connected together by an articulation.

7. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 6, the first part being inserted into the slide, and the second part carrying the second ring.

8. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, comprising a third ring connected to the first ring and to the second ring by the sliding link.

9. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, comprising a fourth ring connected to the first ring and to the second ring by the sliding link in proximity to the articulation.

10. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, each of the rings comprising an open band to wear on the finger, the opening of the band of the rings being situated on the upper side of said rings.

11. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, the angular width of each of the openings of the bands of the rings being between 25° and 130°.

12. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 1, each ring comprising a decorative element.

13. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 12, the mounts being cantilevered on the rings.

14. The item of jewelry as claimed in claim 7, the bands of the rings and/or the sliding link comprising additional decorative elements distributed on at least one part of their surface.