Abstract:
A jewelry link assembly and method in which successive links are slipped onto prior links and are held together without the need for soldering between adjacent links. An infinitely hinged connection between adjacent links is formed permitting substantial flexibility when the hinged link bracelet assembly is so constructed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a new and novel link for bracelets and other jewelry items in which the links are connected together without soldering. 
         [0002]    Links in jewelry have long been attached to each other by soldering. Soldering permits pivoting of the links about a pivot bar connected between links, but the labor involved in such soldering is expensive, time consuming and detailed. 
         [0003]    Additionally, soldering adjacent links together through a hinge bar, while permitting relative movement therebetween is also restrictive of such movement because of the physical connection. The connection between the pivot pin and links by soldering restricts the free and flowing movement of the individual links. 
         [0004]    An object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for creating bracelets and the like out of a plurality of links without soldering. 
         [0005]    Another object of this invention is to reduce the costs of assembling jewelry links to form bracelets and the like. 
         [0006]    Another object is to use this invention to join links for any type of jewelry, including but not limited to bracelets, pendants, earrings and necklaces. 
         [0007]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a unique apparatus and method for assembling links in a chain or bracelet so as to enhance the flexible movement between the respective links and provide an almost ribbon-like feel as to how the bracelet drapes or follows the contour of the wrist and moves while being worn. 
         [0008]    Another object is to provide such a bracelet in which the flexibility between the links is almost universal because of the lack of a fixed connection between respective links. 
         [0009]    Still another object of this invention is to provide an assembly of links for a bracelet or other jewelry in which individual links can easily be added or removed so as to adjust the size of the item of jewelry without the need for extensive soldering. 
         [0010]    Another object is to use this invention to join links for any type of jewelry, including bracelets, pendants and earrings. 
         [0011]    The above other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become more apparent from the following description. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In accordance with the principles of this invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a plurality of links in which each link has at opposite ends, a head and closed loop portion. Each link is an integral unit, and the assembly of the links one into the other is accomplished by ensuring that the size of the closed loop portion of each link is large enough so as to enable one link to slide into the next adjacent link. 
         [0013]    This is accomplished by rotating the next adjacent link and slipping the closed loop portion through the perpendicularly orientated closed loop portion of the prior link. Once so slipped through, the links are then rotated to be in substantially the same head to closed loop portion orientation so as to be substantially in alignment as a standard chain. 
         [0014]    The head portion of each link is of such size to capture the closed loop portion of the next link which then cannot slip out of the preceding link once assembled. In another embodiment, the head portion is formed of a decorative element of a size so as to capture the closed loop end of the next link when the links are rotated to be in a standard bracelet like orientation. 
         [0015]    Assembly of the links as described may be accomplished for bracelets, necklaces, chains, earrings and any jewelry in which a plurality of links are connected together. More importantly, as in a bracelet, the significant benefits of this invention are realized because of the almost infinite ability of the assembled bracelet to have each link move with respect to the others so as to drape or gracefully rest on a person&#39;s wrist and move as the person&#39;s wrist moves providing a graceful, comfortable and sensual like silk feel. 
         [0016]    This invention also allows for altering the size of the jewelry item containing the plurality of the assembled links. The last link is connected to an end clasp so that the bracelet can be closed and the links not separate. In order to add or remove links from the bracelet, the end clasp needs to be removed from the last link, and after such removal, any number of links can be added or removed from the previously assembled item of jewelry. After this is accomplished, the end clasp is then reattached so that the assembly of links are locked together. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of two interconnected links in the process of being connected. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a plurality of a second embodiment of interconnected links of this invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partial top view of the embodiment of the interconnected links of  FIG. 1  shown being connected to an end clasp. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In accordance with the principles of this invention, a pair of links  10  and  12  are shown being interconnected with each other. Each link is formed of a head portion  14  and a closed loop portion  16 , with the head and closed loop portions being at opposite ends of the link. The link is an integrally formed unit or element in which a decorative head  18  is provided to which a decorative member may be attached. The opening  20  at the closed loop end  16  of the link is of such size such that link  12  has its opening  22  larger than the closed loop end  16  of link  10 . 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the opening of the next or current link  12  is perpendicularly oriented with respect to closed loop end  16  of link  18  so as to allow opening  22  to slip over closed loop end  16  allowing the preceding  10  and next link  12  to be interconnected. Link  12  is then drawn forward allowing its closed end  24  to be captured under head  14  as link  12  is rotated to be in substantially the same orientation head to closed loop end as is link  10 . 
         [0022]    When a plurality of links are assembled as shown in  FIG. 1 , the links will be arrayed in the standard end to end orientation as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once so arranged, the links will be able to pivotally move one with respect to the other without the use of solder or any other fixed securing mechanism between adjacent links. 
         [0023]    The freedom of rotation and movement between respective interconnected links allows a draping or silky movement on a wearer&#39;s wrist because of the substantially total freedom of movement between respective links. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows an end clasp  30  directly connected by a ring  31  to the last link  32  of the plurality of links arranged and assembled as described above. This ensures the plurality of links stay connected together. The end clasp can be connected to the links by other means, but when so connected the links can not be removed from each other without first disconnecting the end clasp. 
         [0025]    In order to adjust the length of the plurality of links, ring  31  is opened allowing the end clasp  30  of end link  32  to be removed and to permit successive links to either be added or removed. The reverse process described above when the links are assembled is used to remove links. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a plurality of links constructed in accordance with the present invention in which an additional loop  26  is formed in each link so as to provide a slightly different ornamental appearance. The individual links  28  of the assembly of links shown in  FIG. 3  also comprises head end  40  and opposite closed end  42  for each of the links. The same method of assembly by rotating one link to be substantially perpendicular to the other to allow it to be slipped over the preceding link is followed, so that the opening of closed loop end  42  slips and slides over the entire length of link  42  when link  40  is connected to link  42 . 
         [0027]    This invention is shown with respect to a single row of links. Multiple rows of links assembled in accordance with this invention may be produced and are included within the concept of the invention. A single end plate can be used for multiple rows, and all rows are connected together to the end clasp. Therefore, none of the links can be removed from any of the rows without the end clasp first being removed. 
         [0028]    Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention was described in terms of a particular cluster mounting mechanism, one of ordinary skill in the art readily recognizes that any number of parameters can be utilized and their use would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.