US20210298432A1

US20210298432A1 - Extendable ornamental article

Info

Publication number: US20210298432A1
Application number: US17/213,337
Authority: US
Inventors: Giuseppe PICCHIOTTI
Original assignee: Picchiotti Srl
Current assignee: Picchiotti Srl
Priority date: 2020-03-26
Filing date: 2021-03-26
Publication date: 2021-09-30
Also published as: GB2595040A; IT202000006424A1; GB202104313D0

Abstract

An extendable ornamental article comprises an open annular element having two ends that can be moved toward and away from each other along a circumferential direction; a guide element coupled to the annular element and configured to allow the ends to slide therein; a limit stop member configured to limit the movement of the two ends toward each other along the circumferential direction; the ornamental article is characterized in that the annular element can be elastically deformed in a reversible manner along the circumferential direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an ornamental article. In particular, the ornamental article of the present invention falls within the field of wearable jewelry articles, for example designed to be worn around the wrist or finger, More in detail, the ornamental article of the present invention is of extendable type to automatically fit the features of the wearer.

BACKGROUND ART

Wearable ornamental articles, for example designed to be worn around the wrist or finger, are known in the art. In particular, extendable bracelets which automatically fit the form of the wrist are known.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1 526 702 discloses an extendable bracelet for a wrist watch. In detail, the bracelet comprises two ends connected to an elastic element, namely a pair of springs arranged in parallel. The elastic element is configured to bring the ends of the bracelet back close together when they are moved away from each other upon wearing the watch. The ends are designed to freely slide in a suitable housing to allow the bracelet to expand. The movement of the ends apart from each other is limited by a chain that connects them together and constrains them to the housing.

Problem of the Prior Art

Disadvantageously, the pair of springs connected in parallel to the ends of the bracelet may be accidentally released from these ends, leading to malfunction of the extendable bracelet.
Furthermore, the pair of springs can get stuck in the chain adjacent to them, leading to malfunction of the extendable bracelet.

Object of the Invention

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an extendable ornamental article that can obviate the aforementioned prior art drawbacks.
Specifically, it's an object of the present invention is to provide an extendable ornamental article that is more reliable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by an ornamental article that obviates the aforementioned prior art drawbacks,
In particular, the ornamental article of the present invention comprises an open annular element having two ends that can be moved toward and away from each other along a circumferential direction. The annular element is elastically deformable in a reversible manner along the circumferential direction, to allow the ornamental article to fit the form of the wrist or finger.
The ornamental article comprises a guide element configured to allow the ends of the annular element to slide therein.
The guide element has a limit stop member configured to limit the movement of the ends toward each other, thereby preventing them from overlapping.
The annular element has a projection, at each end thereof, which is configured to abut against respective locking wall formed on the guide to limit the movement of the ends away from each other. By this arrangement, the ends can be prevented from accidentally coming out of the guide element.
Advantageously, the ornamental article does not have elastic elements or any other mechanical element interposed between the ends, thus reducing the risk of malfunction.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will result more clearly from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of an ornamental article as shown in the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the ornamental article of the present invention. The ornamental article is depicted in a first configuration in which the two ends of the annular element press from opposite sides against the limit stop member;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the ornamental article of the present invention. The ornamental article is depicted in the first configuration in which the two ends of the annular element are pressed from opposite sides against the limit stop member;

FIG. 3 show's a perspective view of the first embodiment of the ornamental article in a second configuration, in which the two ends are spaced apart from the limit stop member;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the ornamental article in the second configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the cover element of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the cover element of the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the ornamental article of the present invention. The ornamental article is depicted in the first configuration;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of the ornamental article of the present invention. The ornamental article is depicted in the second configuration,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Even when not expressly stated, the individual features as described with reference to the particular embodiments shall be intended as auxiliary to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other exemplary embodiments.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, the present invention relates to an ornamental article 1.
The ornamental article I is preferably, but not exclusively, designed to be worn around the wrist or finger.
Specifically, the ornamental article 1 of the present invention is of extendable type and hence is configured to automatically fit the form of the wrist or finger.
The ornamental article 1 comprises an open annular element 2 having two ends 2 a. In particular, the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 can be moved toward and away from each other along a circumferential direction C-C.
The annular element 2 is elastically deformable in a reversible manner along the circumferential direction C-C. Therefore, the annular element 2 is a mechanical member that elastically deformed under load and return to initial position when the load is removed. Specifically, when the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 are moved away from each other along the circumferential direction C-C, they tend to spontaneously move toward the initial position.
The annular element 2 is preferably made of precious metals such as gold, steel or silver. Nevertheless, in alternative embodiments, the annular element may be made of any material that can be elastically deformed in a reversible manner.
The ornamental article 1 comprises a guide element 3 that is coupled to at least a portion of the annular element 2. In detail, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide element 3 is configured to be coupled with the portions of the annular element 2 at each end 2 a thereof.
The guide element 3 is configured to allow the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 to slide therein. More in detail, the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 slide in the guide element along the circumferential direction C-C and move toward or away from each other to adapt the ornamental article 1 to the form of the wrist or finger.
The guide element 3 comprises a limit stop member 4 configured to limit the movement of the ends 2 a toward each other along the circumferential direction C-C. The limit stop member 4 is designed to prevent the two ends 2 a from contacting each other, thereby avoiding the risk that they might get stuck with each other and affect proper operation of the ornamental article 1.
The ends 2 a of the annular element 2 move away from each other by sliding in the guide element 3 to switch the annular element 2 between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 press from opposite sides against the limit stop member 4; conversely, in the second configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 are spaced apart by the limit stop member 4.
Preferably, the guide element 3 extends along, the circumferential direction C-C between two opposite guide ends 3 a. The limit stop member 4 is rigidly linked to the guide element 3 and is interposed between the aforementioned guide ends 3 a. In a preferred embodiment, the limit stop member 4 is centered along the circumferential direction C-C between the two guide ends 3 a.
Preferably, the limit stop member 4 comprises two abutment surfaces 4 a arranged. on opposite sides of the limit stop member 4. In detail, the abutment surfaces 4 a are arranged transverse to the circumferential direction C-C. In a preferred embodiment, the abutment surfaces 4 a are substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction C-C. Each end 2 a of the annular element 2 is configured to abut against the corresponding abutment surface 4 a. Specifically, the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 abut against the abutment surfaces 4 a when the annular element 2 is in the first configuration.
Preferably, the guide element 3 comprises an opening 5 at each guide end 3 a. In particular, the openings 5 are configured to allow the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 in the guide element 3 to slide along the circumferential direction C-C. In a. preferred embodiment, the openings 5 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction C-C and have a section that is complementary to that of the annular element 2.
Preferably, the guide element 3 comprises a locking wall 7 at each opening 5. In detail, the locking walls 7 extend along a direction transverse to the circumferential direction C-C. In a preferred embodiment, the locking walls 7 are substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction C-C, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, each end 2 a of the annular element 2 comprises a projection 6. In detail, in a preferred embodiment, the projections 6 extend from the annular element 2 along a radial direction R-R perpendicular to the tangential direction C-C. Each projection is configured to abut against the corresponding locking wall 7 to limit the movement of the ends 2 a away from each other along the circumferential direction C-C. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as the projections 6 abut against the corresponding locking walls 7, they limit the movement of the ends 2 a away from each other, thereby preventing the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 from coming out.
In a preferred embodiment, the ornamental article 1 comprises a. cover element 8. In detail, the cover element 8 is coupled to the guide element 3 to close it at the top. More in detail, the cover element 8 extends along the circumferential direction C-C between the two guide ends 3 a, whereby the cover element is able to hide the movement of the ends 2 a in the guide element 3.
Preferably, the cover element 8 is removably coupled to the guide element 3. The possibility to remove the cover element 8 allows maintenance and cleaning of the guide element 3 and replacement of the cover element 8.
In detail, the cover element 8 comprises a main body 8 a that can be inserted between the guide ends 3 a. In a preferred embodiment, the main body 8 a of the cover element 8 extends along the circumferential direction C-C between the two guide ends 3 a. The main body 8 a of the guide element 3 has an inner surface 8 b that faces the guide element 3 and an outer surface 8 c opposite to the inner surface 8 b. In particular, the outer surface 8 c is configured to accommodate decorative elements such as precious stones or zircons. The outer surface 8 c of the cover element 8 may be worked manually or using machine tools, for aesthetic purposes.
More in detail, the cover element 8 comprises a pair of side walls 8 d projecting out of the main body 8 a. Preferably, the pair of side walls 3 extend along the circumferential direction C-C between the guide ends 3 a.
In a preferred embodiment, the ornamental article I comprises a pair of guides 9. The pair of guides 9 laterally constraints the portion of the annular element 2 that is coupled to the guide element 3; this portion of the annular element 2 is interposed between the guides 9. More in detail, the pair of guides 9 are configured to keep the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 aligned along the circumferential direction C-C. Explicitly, the pair of guides 9 prevents the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 from moving transverse to the circumferential direction C-C as they move toward or away from each other to adapt the ornamental article 1 to the form of the wrist or finger.
In a first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the guide element 3 comprises the pair of guides 9. In detail, the pair of guides 9 extend along the circumferential direction C-C between the guide ends 3 a. In the first embodiment, the movement of the ends 2 a toward or away from each other is constrained along the circumferential direction C-C both when the cover element 8 is coupled to the guide element 3, and when the cover element is removed from the guide element 3.
In a second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cover element 8 comprises the pair of guides 9. In detail, the pair of guides 9 extend along the pair of side walls 8 c. In particular, each guide 9 extends along a corresponding side wall 8 c to guide the movement of the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 toward and away from each other along the circumferential direction C-C. In the second embodiment, the movement of the ends 2 a toward or away from each other is constrained along the circumferential direction C-C when the cover element 8 is coupled to the guide element 3.
In a third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each guide 9 comprises an upper half-guide 11 a associated with the cover element 8, and a lower half-guide 11 b associated with the guide element 3. The upper half-guides 11 a extend along the side walls 8 d of the cover element, in detail along the circumferential direction C-C. The lower half-guides 11 b extend between the guide ends 3 a along the circumferential direction C-C, in greater detail the lower half-guides 11 b connect the ends 3 a of the guide element 3.
The upper and lower half-guides 11 a, 11 b constrain the portion of the annular element 2 coupled to the guide element 3 from opposite sides, thereby preventing the ends 2 a. from moving along an axial direction A-A.
The upper half-guides 11 a are able to face the lower half-guides 11 b. In detail, the upper and lower half-guides 11 a, 11 b are aligned along the axial direction A-A to form a gap therein extending along the circumferential direction C-C.
In the third embodiment, each end 2 a comprises a pair of cylindrical appendages 10 which extend along the axial direction A-A on opposite sides of the annular element 2. As shown in FIG. 7, each cylindrical appendage 10 is configured to he interposed between the corresponding upper and lower half-guides 11 a, 11 b. More in detail, the cylindrical appendages 10 are configured to be interposed in the gap obtained between the upper and lower half-guides 11 a, 11 b.
The cylindrical appendages 10 are able to slide in the corresponding half-guides 11 a, 11 b along the circumferential direction C-C to allow the ends 2 a to move toward and away from each other.
The cylindrical appendages 10 interposed between the half-guides 11 a, 11 b retain the ends 2 a of the annular element along the radial direction R-R and the axial direction A-A, but allow them to move along the circumferential direction C-C. In other words, the cylindrical appendices 10 interposed between the half-guides 11 a, 11 b ensure that the ends 2 a of the annular element will move toward and away from each other only along the circumferential direction C-C, and not along the axial direction A-A and the radial direction R-R.
The upper and lower half-guides 11 a and 11 b, preferably but not necessarily, can be released from the cover element 8 and the guide element 3 respectively to allow replacement thereof in case of damage or more simply for cleaning purposes.
In a preferred embodiment, each upper and lower half-guide 11 a, 11 b comprises a pair of locking walls 7 to limit the movement of the ends 2 a of the annular element 2 toward and away from each other along the circumferential direction C-C. In detail, the locking walls 7 are placed on opposite sides of the cylindrical appendages 10, preferably close to the guide ends 3 a. The cylindrical appendages 10 are configured to abut against the locking walls 7.
Preferably, as shown in FIG. 8, the limit stop member 4 comprises a lower portion owe that extends from the guide element 3 toward the cover member 8, and an upper portion that extends from the cover element 8 toward the guide element 3. Preferably, but not necessarily, the lower and upper portions of the limit stop member 4 contact each other.
A skilled person may obviously envisage a number of equivalent changes to the above discussed variants, without departure from the scope as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An extendable ornamental article comprising:

an open annular element having two separate ends that can be moved toward and away from each other along a circumferential direction;

a guide element coupled to at least one portion of the annular element and configured to allow the two ends of the annular element to slide therein, the guide element having a limit stop member configured to limit the movement of the two ends toward each other along the circumferential direction;

wherein the annular element is an element that can be elastically deformed in a reversible manner along the circumferential direction and is configured to move between a first configuration, in which the two ends of the annular element press on opposite sides against the limit stop member, and a second configuration in which the two ends of the annular element are spaced apart by means of the limit stop member.

2. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the guide element extends along the circumferential direction between two opposite guide ends;

the limit stop member is interposed between said guide ends and is rigidly connected to the guide element.

3. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limit stop member comprises two abutment surfaces arranged on opposite sides of the limit stop member and oriented transverse to the circumferential direction, each end of the annular element being configured to abut against the corresponding abutment surface, when the annular element is in the first configuration.

4. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide element comprises an opening at each guide end, the openings being configured to allow the ends of the annular element to slide in the guide element along the circumferential direction.

5. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

each end of the annular element comprises a projection;

the guide element comprises a locking wall at each opening, the locking wall extending in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction,

each projection is configured to abut against the corresponding locking wall to limit the movement of the ends of the annular element away from each other along the circumferential direction.

6. The ornamental article as claimed claim 1, comprising a cover element which is coupled with the guide element to close the guide element at its top.

7. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cover element is removably coupled to the guide element.

8. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cover element comprises:

a main body which is adapted to fit between the guide ends, the main body having an inner surface that faces the guide element and an outer surface, opposite to the inner surface and configured to receive decorative elements;

a pair of side walls projecting out of the main body, the pair of side walls extending between the guide ends.

9. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pair of guides configured to keep the ends of the annular element aligned along the circumferential direction.

10. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 9, wherein the guide element comprises the pair of guides, the pair of guides extending between the guide ends along the circumferential direction and being configured to guide the ends of the annular element toward and away from each other along the circumferential direction.

11. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 6, comprising a pair of guides configured to keep the ends of the annular element aligned along the circumferential direction, wherein the cover element comprises the pair of guides, the pair of guides extending along the side walls and being configured to guide the ends of the annular element toward and away from each other along the circumferential direction.

12. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 6, comprising a pair of guides configured to keep the ends of the annular element aligned along the circumferential direction, wherein:

each guide comprises an upper half-guide associated with the cover element and a lower half-guide associated with the guide element, the upper half-guides extending along the side walls of the cover element, the lower half-guides extending between the guide ends along the circumferential direction, each upper half-guide being designed to face and be aligned along an axial direction with the corresponding lower half-guide;

each end comprises a pair of cylindrical appendages each configured to be interposed between the corresponding upper and lower half-guides, the cylindrical appendages being adapted to slide in the half-guides along the circumferential direction to allow the ends to move toward and away from each other.

13. The ornamental article as claimed in claim 12, wherein each upper and lower half-guide comprises a pair of locking walls located on opposite sides of the cylindrical appendages, the cylindrical appendages being configured to abut the locking walls to limit the movement of the ends of the annular element away from each other along the circumferential direction.