CHAIN FOR PERSONAL ADORNMENTS

Abstract: A chain for personal adornments which allows highly smooth movement between component blocks in all directions, is easy of locking and unlocking operation, and gives least discomfort while being worn. The chain comprises a plurality of first component blocks (1) uniformly shaped and a plurality of second component blocks (2) substantially uniformly shaped to differ from the first component blocks (1) in size and shape. The first component blocks (1) and the second component blocks (2) are alternately arranged in such a manner as to achieve universal coupling between them. At respective ends of the chain, there are arranged second components (2, 2), one of which is provided with pins (2C, 2C') and the other of which is provided with a pair of locking pieces (6, 7) pivotally mounted thereon and having holes (6d, 7d) to be fitted on the pins (2C, 2C'). The pins (2C, 2C') and the locking pieces (6, 7) form a locking mechanism for connecting both ends of the chain with each other.

Description: DESCRIPTION CHAIN FOR PERSONAL ADORNMENTS Technical Field The present invention relates to improvement of chain for personal adornments such as necklace and bracelet. Background Art For personal adornments such as necklace and bracelet, various kind of chains have ever been provided. In recent years in particular, proposed are those comprising multiple blocks wherein each of chain blocks is linked to another, via a coupler block, by means of two pins arranged normal to one another (e.g. Japanese Utility Model Preliminary Publication No. Hei 5-1309), for the purpose of improving comfortableness as worn. In such a chain, coupling portions of each chain block are shaped so that congruence is not formed between mutually opposite longitudinal sides of the chain block, as well as the coupler blocks are substantially housed in the chain blocks. Consequently, the chain may pinch in a discrete manner over a "contact area", i.e. pressure against the skin of the wearer may be applied stronger at the coupling portions of the chain blocks, to fail to completely eliminate uncomfortableness as worn. Moreover, since the two coupler pins are arranged to leave a little space between them, chain blocks could not fully perform universally coupled movement, to impair smooth flection of the entire chain as handled. The present invention is made considering the above-mentioned problems of the conventional products; an object of the present invention is to provide a chain for personal adornments which allows smooth movement in all directions between its component blocks, is easy of locking/unlocking as a person puts/takes it on/off, and is highly comfortable while worn. Disclosure of Invention According to the present invention, a chain is constructed of an alternate arrangement of a plurality of first component blocks uniformly shaped and a plurality of second component blocks substantially uniformly shaped to differ from the first component blocks in size and shape, wherein each of the second component blocks has a pair of front-end peak portions, and a pair of rear-end peak portions which are shaped to be congruent with the front-end peak portions and positioned to be shifted therefrom by 90° about a longitudinal center axis, wherein each of the first component blocks intervenes between two adjacent second component blocks in such a manner as to achieve universal coupling between the two adjacent second blocks, and wherein a second component block disposed at one end of the chain is provided with pins while another second component block disposed at another end of the chain is provided with a pair of locking pieces pivotally mounted thereon, the pair of locking pieces having holes or recesses to be removably engaged with the pins and being provided with spring means which urges the locking pieces in directions to cause and maintain engagement between the holes or recesses and the pins. A chain thus characterized allows relative movement between the component blocks to be highly smooth and wide-ranged in all directions, is easy of locking/unlocking, and is shapable to have fine appearance required for adornments and to cause least uncomfortableness while worn; the first component blocks, for example, may be spherically or polyhedrally shaped. Brief Description of Drawings Fig.l is a perspective partial view of a chain for personal adornments according to one embodiment of the present invention, specifically illustrating the state of first and second component blocks thereof linked together; Fig.2 is a perspective exploded view illustrating coupling structure of the first and second component blocks used in the embodiment shown in Fig.l; Fig.3 is a perspective view illustrating locking mechanism for removably linking both ends of the .chain according to the embodiment shown in Fig.l; Fig.4 is a perspective partial view of a chain for personal adornments according to another embodiment of the present invention, specifically illustrating the state of first and second component blocks thereof linked together; Fig.5 is a perspective view of the first component block according to the embodiment shown in Fig. ; and Fig.6 is a perspective view illustrating locking mechanism for removably linking both ends of the chain according to the embodiment shown in Fig.4. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Now, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. First Embodiment Fig.l provides a perspective partial view of a chain for personal adornments according to a first embodiment of the present invention, specifically for showing the state of first component blocks 1 and second components blocks 2 thereof linked together. The plurality of first component blocks 1 are spherically shaped to have equal diameter. The plurality of second component blocks 2 are universally coupled together via the first component blocks 1. These component blocks are made of a certain metallic material, a cut stone, and/or the like. Fig.2 illustrates the structure for linking adjacent second component blocks 2 via a first component block 1. As shown in Fig.2, the first component block 1 of sphericity is provided with a pair of straight through holes la, lb meeting at the center of the sphere at right angles. The second component block 2 is shaped as if a barrel which could circumscribe the spherical first component block 1 were notched to have a pair of peak portions on each longitudinal end. The pair of peak portions 2B, 2B' are shaped to be congruent with the pair of peak portions 2A, 2A' and to be positioned shifted therefrom by 90 ° about a longitudinal center axis 0. In the peak portions 2A, 2A' ; 2B, 2B' of the second component block 2, through holes 2a, 2a'; 2b, 2b' are bored respectively. A pivotal pin 3a is inserted inside the through hole lb of the first component block 1 via the through hole 2a of the second component block 2 from upper side, cut at a level of the outer surface of the peak portion 2A to remove extra projection, and then fixed to the peak portion 2A by means of spot welding using laser beam or by another appropriate method. Similarly, a pivotal pin 3b is inserted inside the through hole lb via the through hole 2a' from lower side and fixed to the peak portion 2A' by the same method as stated above upon extra projection being cut off. Linkage of the left-side second component block 2 of Fig.2 with the first component block 1 is thus formed, where thickness of the pivotal pins 3a, 3b has been selected to allow rotation of the pins 3a, 3b inside the through hole lb and each end of the pins 3a, 3b buried inside the first component block 1 reaches the vicinity of the spherical center. Next, a pivotal pin 4 is inserted through the through hole 2b, the through hole la and the through hole 2b' from upper side, fixed at its upper end to an outer surface of the peak portion 2B by means of spot welding using laser beam or by a similar method, and fixed to the peak portion 2B' by the same method as stated above upon a lower section thereof being cut off at the level of the outer surface of the peak portion 2B' , thereby the right- side second component block 2 of Fig.2 being linked to the first component block 1, where thickness of the pivotal pin 4 has been selected to allow rotation of the pin 4 inside the through hole lb. In the manner stated above, the first component blocks 1 and the second component blocks 2 are linked together in sequence as shown in Fig.l to form a chain of a predetermined length. This chain has constant thickness along its length. Furthermore, relative movement between component blocks is highly smooth and flexible when the chain is subject to bending for making a loop of it for example, because coupling portions of the first component blocks 1 and the second component blocks 2 are arranged to achieve universal coupling. Fig.3 shows second component blocks 2, 2 to be arranged at respective ends of the chain. These two second component blocks 2, 2 construct locking mechanism as described below. On inner surfaces of the peak portions 2A, 2A' of the left-side second component 2 of Fig.3, pins 2C, 2C' are formed respectively, instead of the holes 2a, 2a'. Between the peak portions 2B, 2B' of the right-side second component 2 of Fig.3, there is formed a pivotal pin 5, on which respective mount portions 6a, 7a of a pair of locking pieces 6, 7 are pivotally mounted. The locking piece 6 has: a base flap shaped similar to an airspace enclosed by the pin 5 and a partial edge of the second component block 2 cut from the pair of peak portions 2B, 2B' toward the peak portion 2A, the base flap being provided with a hole 6d in which the pin 2C is to be fitted from upper side; and a cuff 6d having an appropriate size to be msertable into this airspace from upper side and being shaped to form a pocket 6c between the same and the base flap, the peak portion 2A of the left-side second component block 2 being insertable into the pocket 6c. The locking piece 7 has: a base flap shaped similar to an airspace enclosed by the pin 5 and a partial edge of the second component block 2 cut from the pair of peak portions 2B, 2B 1 toward the peak portion 2A' , the base flap being provided with a hole 7d in which the pin 2C is to be fitted from lower side; and a cuff 7b having an appropriate size to be insertable into this airspace from lower side and being shaped to form a pocket between the same and the base flap, the peak portion 2A' of the left-side second component block 2 being insertable into the pocket of the locking piece 7. As understood from the description above, the locking pieces 6, 7 are pivotally mounted on the second component block 2 to form a substantial bilateral symmetry. Thus, the pocket of the locking piece 7 is not seen in the perspective of Fig.3. Arranged between the locking pieces 6, 7 is a coil spring 8 urging the locking pieces 6, 7 in directions for mutual withdrawal. The locking mechanism according to the present invention thus structured functions as follows. As the second component blocks 2, 2 of Fig.3 are brought closer to one another for insertion of the peak portions 2A, 2A' of the left-side second component block 2 into the respective pockets 6c, 7c, the locking pieces 6, 7 are pivoted in directions for mutual approach against elastic force of the coil spring 8 until the pins 2C, 2C' reach the holes 6d, 7d respectively to be fitted therein, at this moment the locking pieces 6, 7 being made somewhat' pivoted by the elastic force of the coil spring 8 in directions for mutual withdrawal to stop at predetermined positions shown in Fig.3. Linkage of the second component blocks 2, 2 of Fig.3 is thus completed to form a loop of the entire chain, which is applicable to necklaces and bracelets. To unlock the chain, a person is required only to draw the second components 2, 2 of Fig.3 apart while pushing down the locking pieces 6, 7 inwardly with two fingers. When the locking pieces 6, 7 are pushed down against the coil spring 8, the holes 6d, 7d are disengaged from the respective pins 2C, 2C. If the second components 2, 2 at the ends of the chain are pulled from both sides in this condition, the peak portions 2A, 2A' of the left-side second component 2 are removed from the pockets 6c, 7c; the second components 2, 2 at the ends of the chain are released from mutual connection. As understood from the foregoing explanation, it is easy to perform locking/unlocking operation using the locking mechanism according to the present invention. Furthermore, since the substantially uniform second components 2, 2 arranged at both ends of the chain are fitted to one another, in the locked condition, with a considerable portion of one being inserted in an inside space of the other, they substantially assume an appearance of a single component block. Therefore, the entire chain with this locking mechanism incorporated thereinto looks like an endless ring composed of component blocks linked together as shown in Fig.l, to enhance aesthetic value of the chain as used for personal adornments. The holes 6d, 7d are allowed to be formed as non-through holes, or recesses. Second Embodiment Fig.4 provides a perspective partial view of a chain for personal adornments according to a second embodiment of the present invention, specifically for showing the state of first component blocks 1 and second component blocks 2 linked together; Fig.5 is a perspective view of the first component block 1 according to the second embodiment; and Fig.6 is a perspective view illustrating locking mechanism for removably linking both ends of the chain according to the second embodiment. Since basic structure, function and effect of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment in spite of difference m shapes of component blocks (according to the second embodiment, each first component block 1 is octahedrally shaped, as shown in Fig.4, as if two congruent quadrangular pyramids were joined together at their base surfaces, and each second component block 2 is shaped as if a hollow quadrangular prism which could circumscribe the octahedral first component block were notched to have two peak portions on each longitudinal end), same symbols as used for the first embodiment are used for the second embodiment also to indicate members and portions having analogous functions, without detailed description of them. Although the description above is made of the embodiments in which respective first component blocks 1 are shaped spherically and octahedrally, the first component block of the present invention is allowed to assume another shape as a matter of course. For example, another polyhedron such as a cube may be applied. Similarly, the second component block 2 also may accept various modification, not limited to the embodiments described above; these first and second component blocks are allowed to be variously modified as long as they can achieve universal coupling as combined. Such variation of component blocks of the chain is included in the scope of the present invention claimed herewith. Industrial Applicability As is understood from the foregoing description, the chain according to the present invention is highly usable as a chain for personal adornments such as necklace and bracelet.

Claims: Clai s 1. A chain for personal adornments comprising: a plurality of first component blocks uniformly shaped; and a plurality of second component blocks substantially uniformly shaped to differ from said first component blocks in size and shape, said first component blocks and said second component blocks being seriated alternately, wherein each of said second component blocks has a pair of front-end peak portions, and a pair of rear-end peak portions which are shaped to be congruent with said front-end peak portions and positioned to be shifted therefrom by 90° about a longitudinal center axis, wherein each of said first component blocks intervenes between two adjacent second component blocks in such a manner as to achieve universal coupling between said two adjacent second component blocks, and wherein a second component block disposed at one end of the chain is provided with pins while another second component block disposed at another end of the chain is provided with a pair of locking pieces pivotally mounted thereon, said pair of locking pieces having holes to be removably engaged with said pins and being provided with spring means which urges said locking pieces in directions to cause and maintain engagement between said holes and said pins. 2. A chain for personal adornments according to claim 1, wherein each of said first component blocks is shaped to be one of a sphere and a polyhedron.

Inventors: BENZ KARL JOSEF, BENZ, KARL, JOSEF
Applicants: BENZ KARL JOSEF, BENZ, KARL, JOSEF
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A44C11
IPC codes: A44C11, A44C25