Patent Publication Number: US-6212869-B1

Title: Jewelry link assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a link assembly for a link bracelet or other jewelry item, and more particularly to a jewelry link assembly having an improved physical appearance. 
     Conventional link bracelets typically use three types of link elements. These prior art link elements are referred to as a hook type, H link, and pin type; the latter requires the use of a pin across the entire link. In all of these designs, it is necessary to solder or laser heat the outside surface of the link element—this normally produces a visible joint marking on the finished link, which is visually unattractive. 
     In addition, both hook type and H links are disadvantageous since it is difficult to achieve a tight fit between links; alignment is also difficult. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a link assembly for a link bracelet which overcomes these prior art deficiencies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a link assembly for a link bracelet or other jewelry item is provided. The link assembly includes a first link member formed with a male link element at one end and a second link member formed with a female link element at one end that is designed for pivotally and matingly engaging with the male link element of the first link member. The male link element is constructed with a first bore formed therethrough and the female element has second and third bores formed therethrough. The second and third bores are disposed on opposite sides and are axially aligned with the first bore when the two link elements are matingly engaged. 
     Significantly, the male link element is formed with an access opening for enabling access to the first bore. In order to couple the first link member to the second link member, a pair of specially sized pins are inserted through the opening and received within the first bore. One of the pins is slidably positioned so that it is disposed through the first bore and into the second bore. The other of the pins is slidably positioned so that it is disposed between the first bore and the third bore. These pins are then welded in place. 
     In accordance with the invention, the second and third bores of the female link element do not extend all the way through the respective side walls of the second link member. As a result, when the two pins are placed in position such that they extend between the first and second bore and the first and third bore respectively, they are not visible from either side of the link assembly, creating a far more aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first link member and second link member have the same design. Thus, one end of the link member is formed with the male link element and the second end of the link member is formed with the female link element. In assembly, a plurality of link members may be pivotally linked with each other by engaging the female link element of one member with the male link element of a corresponding link member. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved link assembly for a link bracelet or other jewelry item. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved link assembly in which the pin elements used for connecting corresponding links are not visible. 
     Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improved link assembly that is easier to use when assembling a link bracelet or other jewelry item. 
     Still other objects of the invention will in part be obvious, and in part be apparent from the following description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a jewelry link bracelet utilizing a plurality of link assemblies made in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an individual link assembly made in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a link assembly of the invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a jewelry link bracelet made from a plurality of link assemblies of the inventive design is generally indicated at  11 . Link bracelet  11  includes a plurality of link assemblies  13  of the invention, each of which is used for carrying a pair of jewelry stones such as a diamond. As can be appreciated, what is visible along the outer surface of link assembly  11  are the stones  12 , while the individual link assemblies can be seen from the underside of bracelet  11 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 2-4, the inventive link element  13  is described. Link assembly  13  is defined by front facing ribs  33 ,  33 A and  33 B, side walls  15  and back wall  17 . Front facing ribs  33 ,  33 A and  33 B define a pair of rectangular shaped settings  35  for accommodating a pair of stones  12  (as shown in FIG.  1 ). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, back wall  17  includes a pair of rectangular shaped extending fingers  17 A and  17 B under which a tube element  19  is disposed. Tube element  19  is formed with an axially running bore  21  having openings  21 A and  21  B on either side and access into bore  21  from the back of link element  13  is made possible by an access opening  20 . Each of side walls  15  of link element  13  leads to a pivot wall  27  located adjacent bore openings  21 A and  21 B. 
     The other end of link element  13  is formed with pair of pivot elements  29  on either side which are designed for pivotally engaging pivot walls  27  of the adjacent link element. Pivot elements  29  are each formed with a bore  31  which is designed to axially align with bore  21  on either side of openings  21 A and  21 B when pivot elements  29  rotatably engage pivot walls  27  (see FIG.  4 ). 
     It is important to note that each of bores  31  extend only partially through pivot elements  29  (from the inside), thus not disrupting the surface of either side wall  15 . 
     In order to assemble a first link element  13  to a second link element  13 , the two link elements are coupled together by engaging pivot elements  29  with pivot walls  27  such that bore  21  of the first link element and bores  31  of the second link element are aligned, as best depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Then, one of pins  25  is dropped through access opening  20  and into bore  21 , where it is slid completely to one side so that a portion thereof is received within one of bores  31  (see FIG.  4 ). Then the other pin  25  is dropped through access opening  20  and into bore  21  where it slid completely to the other side so that a portion thereof is received within the other of bores  31 . 
     In order to fix each of pins  25  in position between bore  21  and one of bores  31 , a welding process (typically by a laser) is applied to the inside ends of each of pins  25 . As can be appreciated, because each of bores  31  formed in pivot elements  29  does not extend through side wall  15 , pin  25 , when positioned within bores  21  and  31 , as discussed above, will not be visible. 
     Although the inventive link element shown in the drawings holds two substantially rectangular shaped stones, the inventive link element may be designed to accommodate a single or any number of stones, and stones of various shapes, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Although the inventive link element is shown in a bracelet, the link assembly may be used also in a necklace, earring or other kind of jewelry piece in which links are used. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained by the subject invention. Certain changes may be made in carrying out the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. The scope of the invention is recited in the claims found thereinbelow.