Abstract:
Flexible jewelry connections between jewelry portions may be formed through use of corresponding a cup segment and a barb segment. A cup segment has a plurality of legs that connect to a cup, and a barb segment has a plurality of barbs that defines a barb channel for that barb segment. The cup segment may be arranged above the barb segment along a common axis, such that the cup is positioned below the plurality of barbs, and the barb channel is positioned over the top surface of the cup. In this manner, the upper and lower portions form an overlapping arrangement. When the effective diameter of the barb channel is less than the effective diameter of the cup, the cup is prevented from moving upward through the barb channel, thus forming a connection between the upper jewelry portion and the lower jewelry portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/101,440, filed Jan. 9, 2015. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNMENT SUPPORT 
       [0002]    None. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to unsoldered, flexible jewelry connections. 
       BACKGROUND—INTRODUCTION 
       [0004]    Articles of jewelry are frequently formed from multiple parts, and as such normally include at least one link to connect segments. Jewelry links may be either fixed (e.g., soldered) or movable (e.g., flexible). It is common to provide flexible links for jewelry articles made of rigid materials that need to bend and/or move, due to the design or desired shape of the article. Flexible connections may serve both utilitarian and ornamental purposes. Not only do flexible links provide a wide range for aesthetic and artistic freedom, but also they allow jewelry segments to slide, twist, rotate and move about one or more degrees of freedom. 
         [0005]    There are two general categories of conventional flexible connections: hinge or pin connections and ring connections. While many metal hinges remain from periods dating back 5500 years, archaeologists aren&#39;t sure of its exact origin. Ring connections date back to about 2500 BC, some of the oldest examples of chain were found hidden in royal tombs in ancient Babylonia (Iraq). 
         [0006]    Hinge or pin connections are usually made with a rod or pin going through a series of eyelets to form a hinge. The end of the rod or pin is usually formed like a nail head to prevent further movement through an eyelet. The other end of the pin can be inserted through the eyelets and then the other side may be locked in position by, for example, hammering or soldering. However, if the opposite end of the pin is hammered, it can work itself flat through wear and become loose, causing the link to fail. Also, if the end of the pin is soldered, there is a risk of the entire connection becoming soldered, therefore making the link immovable. 
         [0007]    Ring connections typically consist of a series of single or multiple rings connected to each other. Typically each ring has a joint that may or may not be soldered to lock the ring in a closed position. There are many disadvantages to a soldered or brazed joint. The joint itself often can be difficult to reach with the soldering iron. Also, the soldered joint needs to be finished after assembly and will often tarnish faster than the ring over time, giving away its location and negatively impacting the appearance of the article. Ring connections are normally designed to move in one direction at a time, often not allowing the piece to move in a fluid, multi-directional way. A ring connection can also be unsoldered, for example as a butt joint between two flat ends, as is frequently the case of chain mail. However, because they are not physically attached, unsoldered connections can come apart as easily as they are put together. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a flexible link for jewelry segments that is reliable, aesthetically pleasing, and allows for movement about multiple axes. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    As described herein, an article of jewelry may have a connection between an upper jewelry portion and a lower jewelry portion. The upper jewelry portion may have a bottom having a cup segment that has a plurality of legs. The plurality of legs may extend from the cup segment, downward in some embodiments, and connect to a cup having a top surface and a bottom surface. The lower jewelry portion may have a top having a barb segment with a plurality of barbs. The plurality of barbs may protrude radially inward from the barb segment. In embodiments, the space between the innermost surface of each barb defines a barb channel for that barb segment. The cup segment may be arranged above the barb segment along a common axis, such that the cup is positioned below the plurality of barbs, a first barb is positioned between a first pair of legs, a second barb is positioned between a second pair of legs, and the barb channel is positioned over the top surface of the cup. In this manner, the upper and lower portions form an overlapping arrangement, and may form a connection when the barbs are arranged such that the effective diameter of the barb channel is less than the effective diameter of the cup. When the effective diameter of the barb channel is less than the effective diameter of the cup, the cup is prevented from moving upward through the barb channel, thus forming a connection between the upper jewelry portion and the lower jewelry portion. The connection may have a high degree of flexibility or a low degree of flexibility, depending on the relative sizes of the components, such as for example the length of the barbs and legs and the cup shape, and the interstitial space between the components. 
         [0010]    Some embodiments may feature a jewelry portion having more than one cup or bar segment. For example, in some embodiments, the upper jewelry portion may have a top with a barb segment having a plurality of barbs protruding radially inward from the barb segment. In such embodiments, the upper jewelry portion has a barb segment at one end, and a cup segment at another end. Those ends may be located substantially opposite each other, or may be any two ends of the portion. Those barbs may define another barb channel. This top may be configured for forming another connection, between the upper jewelry portion and a third jewelry portion having a cup segment. In some embodiments, the lower jewelry portion may have a bottom with a cup segment. The cup segment may have a plurality of legs extending downward relative to the cup segment, and connecting to a cup configured for forming a connection between the lower jewelry portion and a fourth jewelry portion having a barb segment. Alternatively, a jewelry portion may have two cup segments, or two barb segments, or various combinations of cup and barb segments. In some embodiments, a jewelry article may have a plurality of jewelry portions, and each portion may have a cup segment on a bottom and a barb segment on the top, for example, such that each cup segment of a portion is configured for forming a connection with a barb segment of another portion. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the cup segment features pairs of legs, and each pair can share a common leg. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a first pair of legs can have a first leg and a second leg, and a second pair of legs comprises the second leg and a third leg. Alternatively, in an exemplary embodiment, the first pair of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg, and the second pair of legs comprises a third leg and a fourth leg. Corresponding barb segments may interface with cup segments such that barbs alternate with legs. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a first barb may be between a first leg and a second leg, a second barb may be between the second leg and a third leg, a third barb may be between the third leg and a fourth leg, and a fourth barb may be between the fourth leg and the first leg. 
         [0012]    The cup may have various shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the cup may be generally hemispherical with the top surface being concave opening upward. In some embodiments, the cup may be cylindrical. In other embodiments, the cup may be annular. The barbs may have numerous configurations. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, each barb in the plurality of barbs further comprises a free end and curve downwards. Alternatively, barbs in a segment may have different configurations. In some embodiments, barb free ends may be configured to contact the top surface of the cup. Embodiments of the barbs may include at least one barb that has a sharply bent region configured to protrude into a cup, such as through the annular cup. In some embodiments, the cup segment may have an engagement surface configured for contacting a surface of the barb segment. In an exemplary embodiment, the legs may extend downward such that the uppermost surface of the cup is lower than the engagement surface. 
         [0013]    Also disclosed are exemplary methods for connecting jewelry portions. Generally, jewelry portions as described herein may be connected by providing a cup segment with a plurality of legs protruding from a surface of the cup segment and connecting to a cup, and a barb segment with a plurality of barbs protruding from a surface of the barb segment. The space between the innermost surface of each barb may define a barb channel for that barb segment. The barbs may be adjusted to a setting configuration, such that the barbs are spaced apart to enlarge the barb channel enough to allow the cup to fit between the barbs and move through the barb channel. The cup may be inserted through the barb channel, and then the plurality of barbs may be adjusted to a locking configuration, such that the barbs are spaced apart to reduce the barb channel enough to prevent the cup from fitting between the barbs and move between the barb channel. In some embodiments, the cup may be inserted through the barb channel such that a first barb is positioned between a first pair of legs, and a second barb is positioned between a second pair of legs. 
         [0014]    These and other embodiments are better understood after consideration of the following descriptions and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an assembled (A) and disassembled (B) front view of an embodiment of the present approach. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows an assembled (A) and disassembled (B) cutaway or rear view of an embodiment of the present approach. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a link in an embodiment of the present approach. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematic showing the operation of a jewelry connector according to one embodiment of the present approach, (a) disconnected and (b) connected. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a schematic of a jewelry connector according to a second embodiment of the present approach. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A-6F  show alternative embodiments of cups and barbs. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    An article of jewelry may feature one or more flexible jewelry links. A flexible jewelry link may comprise a cup segment and a barb segment, in which a cup connects to the cup segment by a plurality of cup legs, and a plurality of barbs protrude from the barb section to define a barb channel. The barbs may be repositioned to change the geometry, including the width or diameter, of the barb channel, to either allow the cup to pass through the barb channel, or prevent the cup from passing into the barb channel. When the barbs are positioned in a locking configuration, the cup segment is connected to the barb segment, forming a flexible jewelry link. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show an external view of an embodiment of a flexible jewelry link as described herein. Jewelry article  101 , an earring in this embodiment, is shown assembled in  FIG. 1A  and disassembled in  FIG. 1B . In this embodiment, jewelry article  101  is comprised of a plurality of jewelry parts or portions  103 , each part having at least one of a cup segment  105  and a barb segment  107 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1B , jewelry parts  103  may have both a cup segment  105  and a barb segment  107 , such as, for example, at opposite ends of the same part. In other embodiments, the cup and barb segments may be located in different relative positions. Some embodiments may feature multiple cup and barb segments. And some jewelry parts  103  may have only cup or barb one segment. For example, head part  109  in this embodiment has a single cup segment  105 , and tail part  111  has a single barb segment  107 . Although this embodiment shows a relatively linear configuration, it should be understood that jewelry parts may have one or more segments, and may feature more than one cup segment  105  and/or more than one barb segment  107 , and may locate such segments in various positions. 
         [0023]    The disassembled jewelry article  101  shown in  FIG. 1B  demonstrates the relative positioning for each complementary cup segment  105  and barb segment  107  in this embodiment. When aligned as shown, a cup segment  105  engages its complementary barb segment  107  at a plane of engagement E, which is useful for describing the relative component positions in the flexible jewelry link. As seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , there are a plurality of engagement planes in the jewelry article  101 , one for each complementary cup segment  105  and barb segment  107  in this embodiment. When assembled, a portion of a cup segment  105  passes through the plane of engagement E, and a portion of a barb segment  107  passes through the plane of engagement E, thereby forming a flexible jewelry link. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show an alternative view of a jewelry article  201 . Depending on the embodiment, this view may be considered a reverse side of the jewelry article  101  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , i.e., for a one-sided article. Alternatively, for a generally cylindrical or multi-sided article, these drawings may be considered a view of a cut-away portion of jewelry article  101 . Either way,  FIG. 2A  shows jewelry article  201  with a plurality of flexible links assembled at a plurality of planes of engagement E.  FIG. 2B  shows jewelry article  201  disassembled. Generally, jewelry parts  203  in this embodiment each include a cup segment  205  and a barb segment  207 , except that head part  209  has a cup segment  205 , and tail part  211  has a barb segment  207 . Each barb segment  207  has an engagement end, which is an end next to or in contact with a corresponding cup segment  205  when assembled at a plane of engagement E. Note that in some embodiments, the engagement end does necessarily contact the corresponding cup segment  205 . In some embodiments, there may be space between corresponding cup segment  205  and barb segment  207 . In other embodiments, an end surface of a cup segment  207  may be in contact with the barb segment  207  engagement end when the segments are assembled, as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows an enlarged cut-away view of jewelry part  303  having a single cup segment  305  linked with jewelry part  304 , and a single barb segment  307  linked with jewelry part  302 . In this embodiment, barb segment  307  features barbs  321 ,  322 , and  323 , each of which is a generally cylindrical and inward protrusion curving downward in the drawing, away from the complementary cup section of jewelry part  302 . Barbs  321 ,  322 , and  323  of barb segment  307  are linked with cup  331  from jewelry part  302 , such that a portion of each barb is above a plane of engagement E 1 , and a portion of cup  331  is below plane of engagement E 1 . Cup  331  extends from jewelry part  302  by a plurality of legs  332  and  333 . Typically, at least one barb has a complementary cup leg on either side. In this embodiment, barb  322  has cup legs  332  and  333  on either side. Of course, because this view is a cut-away, additional cup legs and barbs may be present. This configuration links the respective jewelry parts, as will be described in more detail below. The resulting link may move about multiple degrees of freedom, and may be hidden from view by the surrounding jewelry part structure, as shown in this embodiment, if desired. 
         [0026]    Also shown in  FIG. 3  is the link between jewelry part  303  cup section  305  and the barb section of jewelry part  304 , which includes barbs  351 ,  352 , and  353 . Cup  341  connects to jewelry part  303  via legs  342  and  343 , although additional legs may be present in the complete article. In the linked configuration as shown, cup  341  protrudes below plane of engagement E 2 , and barbs  351 ,  352 , and  353  protrude inward and curve downward in the drawing, away from the complementary cup section  305 , but toward cup  341  of jewelry part  303 . As with the upper link in this drawing, at least one barb is positioned between cup legs. For example, barb  352  has cup leg  342  and cup leg  343  on either side in the linked position. The resulting link may move about multiple degrees of freedom, and may be hidden from view by the surrounding jewelry part structure, as shown in this embodiment, if desired. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show embodiments of a complimentary cup segment  405  and barb segment  407  without the remainder of the respective jewelry parts. Cup segment  405  features cup  431  and cup legs  432 . Although not entirely visible from the side view at the top of each drawing, the bottom-up view at the bottom of each drawing shows that this embodiment features four cup legs  432  arranged around the periphery of cup  431 . In this embodiment, barb segment  407  features three barbs  451 , protruding inward and away from cup segment  405  to form a barb channel  461 . As seen in  FIG. 4A , barb channel  461  may be approximated by a cylinder, and initially may have a narrow diameter relative to the cup  431 . However, the diameter of barb channel  461  may be increased as shown in  FIG. 4B , such as by mechanical operation of a tool or by pushing cup  431  downward, for example. In other words, the barbs may be positioned into a setting configuration such that the barb channel geometry permits the cup to pass through. When the barb channel  461  is sufficiently wide, cup  431  may pass through the plane of engagement E and through the barb channel  431 . Alternatively, when the barb channel  461  is sufficiently narrow, e.g., when the barbs have been repositioned into a locked position, cup  431  may no longer pass through the plane of engagement E and is thus connected. In other words, once the cup  431  is in the desired mating position, the barbs may be repositioned into a locking configuration such that the barb channel geometry prevents the cup from passing through. 
         [0028]    Generally, jewelry portions as described herein may be connected by providing a cup segment with a plurality of legs protruding from a surface of the cup segment and connecting to a cup, and a barb segment with a plurality of barbs protruding from a surface of the barb segment. The space between the innermost surface of each barb may define a barb channel for that barb segment. The barbs may be adjusted to a setting configuration, such that the barbs are spaced apart to enlarge the barb channel enough to allow the cup to fit between the barbs and move through the barb channel. The cup may be inserted through the barb channel, and then the plurality of barbs may be adjusted to a locking configuration, such that the barbs are spaced apart to reduce the barb channel enough to prevent the cup from fitting between the barbs and move between the barb channel. In some embodiments, the cup may be inserted through the barb channel such that a first barb is positioned between a first pair of legs, and a second barb is positioned between a second pair of legs. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  depicts side and bottom views of a process for connecting the cup  531  of a cup segment (only the cup is shown) and the barbs  551  of a barb segment (only the barbs are shown). In Step S 501 , the cup  531  and barbs  551  are in an open position, and barb channel  561  is shown as having a diameter smaller than the cup&#39;s effective diameter (which includes width, e.g., for embodiments in which the cup does not have a round cross section). Although the barb channel in this embodiment is shown as approximating a circle, some embodiments may feature a non-circular barb channel. In step S 502 , the barbs  551  are repositioned into a setting configuration to increase the diameter of barb channel  561 , thereby allowing a portion of the cup  531  to pass through the barb channel. The barbs may be repositioned by tools, such as awl, or by the force of the cup acting on the barbs. As seen in step S 503 , barb channel  561  is wide enough to permit the entire cup  531  to pass through the channel, such that the ends of barbs  551  are above the cup base. Once the cup  531  and barbs  551  are located in the desired position, the barbs  551  may be repositioned into a locking configuration as shown in step S 504  to reduce the size of barb channel  561  such that cup  531  can no longer fit through the channel. Because the barbs have been pushed together, opposing barbs prevent the cup from moving out of place. Simultaneously, the barbs come to rest in the center of the cup allowing it to swivel around its center. This allows the components to move but eliminates the possibility of coming apart. In such configuration, the cup and barb segments are connected but able to move about multiple degrees of freedom. 
         [0030]    The cup and barb segments may feature a variety of cup and barb designs, as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6F . Note that these drawings depict only the cup, cup legs, and barbs—the cup and barb segments are not shown. The cup and barb pair in  FIG. 6A  features a barb section with six barbs, and a cup with four legs for connecting the cup to the cup segment. As discussed above, the cup and barb sections may feature more or less legs and barbs, respectively. For instance,  FIG. 6B  shows a cup having three legs and with three corresponding barbs. The legs and barbs described above have, for the most part, featured curved shapes. Other shapes are possible.  FIG. 6C  shows an embodiment in which both the cup legs and barbs have ninety-degree bends, and the cup is generally cylindrical with a height that is substantially smaller than the diameter, e.g., a disk. The corresponding cup legs and barbs in  FIG. 6D  have a significantly smaller vertical displacement. Additionally, the cup itself resembles an annular ring having a diameter large enough to not move through the barb channel when the corresponding barbs are repositioned into their locked position. The cup may also feature a variety of geometries. The cup in  FIG. 6E  has an octagonal outer periphery, with a leg protruding from every other side, and the space between each cup leg configured to receive a corresponding barb. The cup in  FIG. 6F  features five cup legs configured to receive five corresponding barbs. In each illustrative embodiment, the barbs may be positioned into a setting configuration such that the barb channel geometry permits the cup to pass through. Once the cup is in position, the barbs may be repositioned into a locking configuration such that the barb channel geometry prevents the cup from passing through. These various embodiments are shown as illustrative examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0031]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the approach. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Terms of location, such as “top” and “bottom,” are used to describe relative aspects of component only, and are not meant to be limiting with respect to orientation. 
         [0032]    The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims of the application rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.