Jewelry device

Abstract: The invention refers to a jewelry device, comprising two transparent coverplates (2, 3) arranged parallel with mutual distance and connected to each other by a connecting rim (4) wherein an object movable by external influence is provided between said cover plates. According to the invention the object (1) is secured parallel to the cover plates (2, 3) on a ball bearing axle (4) allowing movement of the object parallel to the cover plates (2, 3). The weight axis of the object (1) is arranged parallel with a certain distance to the fastening axle.

Description: The invention refers to a jewelry device as defined in the introductory part of claim 1. It is generally known that hands of a wrist watch move between a disclike face and a cover glas, the hands generally pivoting around a central axle. Furthermore it is known to arrange within the space between face and coverglas gemstones freely movable in a certain space separated from the space for the hands, which gemstones can move freely in their space when the watch is moved. Such jewelry device is not only known for watches but also jewelry devices have become known consisting of two parallel transparent cover plates arranged with mutual distance and connected to each other by a connecting rim between which gemstones like diamonds or the like can move freely. Movement of the gemstones is effected by shaking, which on the one hand results in noises and on the other hand results in an immediate standstill of the gemstones after termination of shaking. The positive esthetic impression of the movement is therefore relatively limited. From DE-A-38 26 293 a jewelry device is known, which comprises transparent cover plates, arranged parallel with mutual distance and connected to each other by a connecting rim, further comprising an object movable by external action between said cover plates wherein the object being arranged to be freely movable parallel to the cover plates and the center of gravity of the object being on an axis arranged parallel with distance to the fastening axle. The subject of said citation also uses a ball bearing beeing arranged central to said cover plate. The movable object is fastened to the outer ring of the ball bearing which requires that the ball bearing is contained between the cover plates and that the inner ring of the ball bearing is secured to the base cover plate by a seperate fastening element. From a design point of view it is disadvantageous that the ball bearing is visible through the transparent bottom cover plate. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a jewelry device as defined in citation DE-A-38 26 293 with simple and flat assembly means which allow the securing mechanism to remain hidden from an observer. The problem is solved by a jewelry device of the known art wherein the object is secured to a ball bearing fastening axle which is secured to the inner bearing ring of a ball bearing arranged in an opening of said cover plate and in that the ball bearing being contained in a flange of a base plate glued to the opening of said cover plate. The support of the object on a ball bearing axle provides a very active movement of the object already with very little external influence. Because the center of gravity of the object does not coincide with the fastening axle the object can be brought into turning movement by external influence, like pushing the jewelry device. Due to very low friction of the ball bearing used the movement can last for a long time so that when wearing the jewelry device an impression of permanent movement of the object is created. The fastening of the ball bearing is provided by inserting it into an opening of one of the cover plates thereby enabling an easy centering of the ball bearing. To cover the outer side of the ball bearing preferably a base plate is provided having an annular flange receiving the ball bearing, whereas the circumference of the flange is secured in the opening of the cover plate by gluing. This provides a safe fastening of the ball bearing on the one hand and the base plate on the cover plate on the other hand. For securing the object to the ball bearing preferably a screw is used leading through the inner bearing ring of the ball bearing. Thereby the object is secured firmly to the inner bearing ring of the ball bearing. In order to be able to use the complete inner space of the jewelry device for the movement of the object the ball bearing preferably is located in the center of the cover plate. The eccentricity of the center of gravity relative to the fastening axle can either be obtained by providing a corresponding external shape of the object or by providing the object with eccentrically arranged weights. A weight can be established also by either giving the object an enlarged thickness or by providing irregularly arranged gemstones. The object can also be secured eccentric onto the fastening axle. The further the distance of the weight axis of the object to the fastening axle the easier the object can be brought into movement, whereas the movement time is increased when the weight axis of the object is close to the fastening axle, assuming a horizontal alignment of the fastening axle. The cover plates preferably consist of hardened glass, connected to each other by a connecting rim of gold or gold alloys. The object can also be composed of gold or gold alloys and especially be provided with diamonds or other gemstones. The invention is disclosed in the following in detail with regard to a preferred embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a schematic section view through a jewelry device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows an enlarged section view of the bearing arrangement, Fig. 3 shows a top front view of the jewelry device, and Fig. 4 shows a bottom back view of the jewelry device. The jewelry device shown in Fig. 1 contains an upper coverplate 2 and a lower coverplate 3. Both coverplates are circular and connected to each other by a connecting rim 4, so that the coverplates 2, 3 are arranged parallel to each other and define a hermetically closed space wherin an object 1 is arranged so that it can be moved parallel to the coverplates 2, 3. The object 1 is secured by a ball bearing 8 to the base plate 7 located within the lower cover plate 3. The object contains a weight 5 and/or gemstones 6. The object may also be secured to the bearing 8 excentrically. By each of such measures it is achieved that the center of gravity of the object 1 is on an axis arranged parallel with distance to the fastening axle of the object; therefore the object will move and turn relatively fast around its fastening axle when laterally pushed. Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the bearing construction of the jewelry of figure 1. For securing the object 1 to the bearing construction the object contains a bush 10 into which a screw 9 provided with a head 14 may be screwed. For securing the object 1 the screw 9 will be led through the inner bearing ring 12 and srewed into the bush 10. After fixing the screw 9 the object 1 is fastened to the inner bearing ring 12. Instead of a screw an adhesive or a similar securing means for securing the object to the inner bearing ring may be selected. The inner bearing ring 12 pivots via balls 13 in the outer bearing ring 11 which itself is inserted in the annular opening of the flange of the base plate 7 either by pressing or by gluing. The base plate 7 is inserted into the opening 16 of the bottom plate 3 being secured by an adhesive 15. The rim of the base plate projecting over the opening 16 prevents accidental or active pushing of the bearing arrangement into the jewelry device. The design of the base plate furthermore prevents that the user of the jewelry device can determine the construction of the bearing arrangement if the object is nontransparent. As the upper side of the bottom plate 3 is arranged flushing with the bearing rings 11, 12 and the annular flange of the base plate 7 there is no possibility for the user to get information about the bearing construction by laterally looking into the jewelry device. As human eyes are especially sensitive to movements and the object 1 of the jewelry device gets turned already by little external influence, a great attention effect is achieved, which is enhenced when the object 1 contains gemstones like diamonds or the like, creating light reflection or refraction. The cover plates 2, 3 are particularly made from glass of great hardness to prevent scratches. For improving the value of the jewelry gold or a gold alloy may be used for the connecting rim 4, the object 1 and the base plate. Fig. 3 shows the top front view of the jewelry device. The object 1 is designed as a heart which is movable within the device and visible through the cover glass 2. Fig. 4 shows the bottom back view of the same jewelry device. The object 1 contains some gemstones 6 visible through the bottom glass 3. The object 1 ist fastened to the ball bearing covered by the base plate 7. 1 motive, object 2 cover plate 3 cover plate 4 rim 5 weight 6 gemstones 7 base plate 8 ball bearing 9 fastening axle 10 bush 11 outer bearing ring 12 inner bearing ring 13 ball 14 screw head 15 glue 16 opening

Claims: Jewelry device, comprising two transparent cover plates (2, 3), arranged parallel with mutual distance and connected to each other by a connecting rim (4), and further comprising an object (1) movable by external action between said cover plates (2, 3), wherein the object (1) being arranged to be freely movable parallel to the cover plates (2, 3) and the center of gravity of the object (1) being on an axis arranged parallel with distance to a ball bearing (8) fastening axle (9), and wherein the object being secured to the ball bearing (8) fastening axle (9) which is secured to the inner bearing ring (12) of the ball bearing (8), characterized in that the ball bearing (8) being arranged in a flange of a base plate (7) glued to an opening (16) of said cover plate (3). Jewelry device according to claim 1, characterized in that the object (1) being secured by a screw (9) leading through the inner bearing ring (12). Jewelry device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the ball bearing (8) being arranged central to said cover plate (3). Jewelry device according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 3 characterized in that the object being provided with an excentrical arranged weight.

Inventors: LO CHUNG FAI, LO, CHUNG FAI
Applicants: LO CHUNG FAI, LO, CHUNG FAI
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A44C13
IPC codes: A44C13, A44C17