Patent Description:
As known, jewellery items or products, such as rings or bracelets may comprise a plurality of decorative elements arranged consecutively with respect to each other, but connected so as to form an annular-shaped body or product (the ring or the bracelet). Such decorative elements or "link elements" may be fixed to each other, therefore the jewellery item has a predefined size, or they can be spaced apart from each other (while remaining constrained to each other) so as to allow to change the diameter of such product; so that the jewellery item can adapt to different users having, for example in the case of a bracelet, wrists of different sizes.

For example, there are known jewellery items or products where the link elements, movable with respect to each other, are fitted onto an annular elastic element which allows to change - even visibly - the diameter of the jewellery item. The text <CIT> discloses, for example, such products or articles.

The present invention relates to products of this type.

With reference to this type of jewellery items, there are known solutions in which the link elements are all identical and they are coupled to each other through protrusion projecting from one side of a link element and adapted to penetrate and to be slidably locked in a seat of the adjacent link element.

Despite allowing to elastically change the diameter of the jewellery item (ring or bracelet), the known solutions often comprise a relatively high number of modules or link elements given that the methods and the means with which they are connected do not allow the relatively large dimensions thereof given that the latter could lead to breaking such connection means following the relative displacement of such modules, continued displacement over time with the subsequent uses of the jewellery item. In other words, the connection means used for connecting - in a manner such to be moved apart - the link elements have size and mechanical characteristics such to resist to limited axial and shear stresses caused by the moving apart of two adjacent modules that are small in size (for example axial length that is a long annular elastic element) measuring a few millimetres.

This limits the possibility of having graphical and/or aesthetic solutions of such modules or link elements, possibilities which could be definitely greater should each module have greater axial dimensions, up to one centimetre and above.

An object of the present invention is to provide a jewellery item of the type mentioned above which is improved with respect to the prior art solutions.

In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a jewellery item of the type mentioned above which offers a high variety of aesthetic and graphic combinations so as to be widely differentiable in different models.

Another object of the invention is to provide a jewellery item of the type mentioned above which is highly functional and significantly resistant, more than similar items already available in the market, to the stresses felt when changing the diameter.

These and other objects which shall be apparent to the person skilled in the art are attained by a jewellery item according to the attached independent claim <NUM> and the embodiments of the dependent claims.

For a better understanding of the present invention, the following drawings are attached hereto, purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, a jewellery item according to the invention is generally indicated with <NUM>. Such expression ("jewellery item") is used to indicate both a product at least partly made of precious material (and sold in jewellery stores alone) or even made of less precious material and sold both in jewellery stores and in other stores. Such jewellery item <NUM> comprises an annular elastic element <NUM> (a metal tension spring) on which there are slidably arranged modules or link elements <NUM>, coupled to each other, but capable of mutually moving so as to allow to change (widen) the diameter D of said item, which can be a ring or a bracelet. In this manner, the product, expanding (arrows F of <FIG> and <FIG> and <FIG>), can adapt to fingers or wrists of one or more users of different sizes.

More particularly, the expansion of the jewellery items or product is obtained due to the connection members slidably associated with two modules <NUM> which are adjacent and also fitted into the annular elastic element <NUM>. Such connection members are always connected to the adjacent modules or link elements <NUM> even when the jewellery items or product <NUM> has reached the maximum expansion still covering the annular elastic element <NUM>.

There are two types of connection members: intermediate <NUM> and terminal <NUM>. The members <NUM> are those interposed between generic modules or link elements <NUM> of the jewellery item, while the terminal members <NUM> are interposed between a closing module or link element <NUM> and the adjacent generic link elements <NUM>, as described below. It should be observed that the expressions "generic link element" is used to indicate a link element inside the jewellery product or a link element other than the closing one.

Each module or link element <NUM> and <NUM> comprise a body <NUM>, hollow in <NUM>, of any shape; such body may be entirely made of a single material, comprise parts made of different materials or have one or more portions coupled to each other including at least one made of a metal material and at least another one defined by a precious or ornamental stone or another metal.

In the example of the figures, the body <NUM> is made of a single piece, single material and it has a portion 6A facing toward the external of the jewellery items or product <NUM> (with respect to the internal cavity 1A) thereof. Preferably, the body <NUM> has a wall (internal) <NUM> that is a wall facing toward the internal cavity 1A, and curved; this is especially true if the jewellery item <NUM> is a ring. Such wall <NUM> may be straight if such item or product <NUM> is a bracelet.

The body <NUM> comprises two opposite walls <NUM> and <NUM> integrally joined with the inner wall <NUM> and longitudinally spaced from each other. It should be observed that an axis lying on a plane containing the median axis W of the annular elastic element <NUM> is considered the longitudinal axis of the body <NUM> (even if the body <NUM> is arched). The walls <NUM> and <NUM> are, in the figures, connected by external sides <NUM> and <NUM> and by the portion (upper or external) 6A of the body <NUM>. In each wall <NUM> and <NUM> there is obtained a through hole <NUM> adapted to slidably house a connection member <NUM> and <NUM>. From each wall <NUM> and <NUM>, lastly, there extend - in the cavity <NUM> - two pairs of superimposed and parallel reliefs <NUM> (defining a groove), adapted to guide the movement of the pins <NUM> protruding from one end part or from opposite parts of a corresponding connection member <NUM> or <NUM>. Such reliefs have an end-of-stroke 16A in the cavity <NUM>.

Each connection member has a cylindrical (with circular cross-section, like in figures, but even polygonal) tubular body <NUM> , drilled <NUM> in proximity of at least the opposite ends <NUM> thereof. In each hole there is inserted a pin <NUM> which is welded, for example laser welded, to the body <NUM> or it is fixed to such body in any other known manner.

The pin is arranged in a corresponding deformable tab <NUM> of the tubular body <NUM> which can be folded towards the cavity 19A of such body so as to allow the introduction of the corresponding end <NUM> into the through hole <NUM> of the corresponding wall <NUM> or <NUM>.

<FIG> show the sequence for making a connection member <NUM> and the connection of each connection member to a module or link element.

<FIG> shows how a hole <NUM> is made in the tubular body <NUM>, in proximity of an end <NUM> thereof. In the case of intermediate connection members <NUM>, after providing such holes <NUM> the pins <NUM> (<FIG>) are inserted and fixed thereinto in proximity of both ends <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> are subsequently made at the aforementioned pins (<FIG>), using a circular saw <NUM>.

Once the connection members have been obtained as stated above, they are approached to the corresponding walls <NUM> and <NUM> of a module or link element <NUM> (<FIG>) or through any known sharp tool <NUM>, only the tab <NUM> of the pair of tabs close to the same end <NUM> of the body <NUM> is folded towards the internal cavity 19A of such body. This is done so as to allow the insertion of such end <NUM> into the respective hole <NUM> of the hole <NUM> or <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the adjacent module <NUM>; the insertion guide derives from the fact that the other pin <NUM>, carried by the tab <NUM> - not folded - is inserted (inclining the body <NUM>, see <FIG>) between the reliefs <NUM> into the cavity <NUM> of the module <NUM> and sliding such pin between these parallel reliefs (defining a guide groove) after placing - once again - the body <NUM> coaxial to that <NUM> of the module <NUM> (see <FIG>).

At this point, the aforementioned end <NUM> is inserted into the cavity <NUM> of the module or link element <NUM> and the body <NUM> of the connection member may be slid in such module.

Therefore, the previously folded tab <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) is lifted by inserting the tool <NUM> into the cavity 19A of the body <NUM> of the connection member <NUM>. Therefore, also the second pin <NUM> close to the end <NUM> inserted into the body <NUM> of the module or link element <NUM> may be arranged between the reliefs <NUM> of the corresponding groove and the connection member may slide in the aforementioned hole <NUM> in a guided manner. Obviously, the pins <NUM> protrude from the body <NUM> of such member by more than the diameter of the hole <NUM>, therefore after positioning the second pin between the corresponding projections <NUM>, the connection member can no longer be detached from the wall <NUM> or <NUM> in whose hole it was inserted (<FIG>).

The end-of-strokes 16A instead limit the insertion of the member <NUM> in each module and they are adjusted so as to have a wall support <NUM> and <NUM> between adjacent modules.

The process continues with similar methods even for a member <NUM> already associated with a (second) generic module or link element <NUM> which is introduced into the vacant hole <NUM>, hole <NUM> of the link element <NUM> described above (or first link element) through the tool <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the tab is deformed <NUM> and the member <NUM> is constrained to the first link element <NUM>.

The process continues in this manner for all the members <NUM> which mutually constrain the generic link elements <NUM> in succession.

Once through with this, the spring <NUM> is inserted and then it is associated with the assembly of modules or link elements <NUM>, already constrained to each other, a last shown module or link element <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In order to constrain the last link element or closing link element <NUM> to the spring <NUM> and to the other link elements <NUM>, there are used two terminal connection members <NUM> shaped like equivalent members <NUM> only to their first end 50A (where the pins <NUM> and the corresponding tabs <NUM> are present). Through this first end 50A, the terminal connection members <NUM> are associated, as already described for the members <NUM>, with the modules or link elements <NUM>.

The second end 50B of the terminal connection members <NUM> does not have the pins <NUM>. On the contrary, in proximity of such second end 50B, each terminal connection member comprises a half-annular opening <NUM> adapted to house a polygonal body <NUM> (arrow M) which is arranged on the spring <NUM> transversely to the longitudinal axis W thereof, between the turns, constraining it. Each body <NUM> is arranged in proximity of ends 2A and 2B of the spring (see <FIG>).

Each polygonal body <NUM> protrudes from the surface <NUM> of the corresponding terminal connection member <NUM>, but it however can be introduced into the cavity <NUM> of the closing link element <NUM> because - after being deformed so as to be folded/honed until it takes a transversal dimension almost corresponding to that of the terminal member <NUM> (to allow the insertion of the end 50B into the link element <NUM>). This is shown in <FIG> and therefore such element <NUM> houses the ends 2A, 2B of the spring <NUM>.

In the body <NUM> of each terminal connection member <NUM>, distant from the second end 50B and in proximity of the opening <NUM>, there are provided for two opposite coaxial holes <NUM> (only one of which is shown, for each member <NUM>) ; such holes are coaxial with pairs of opposite coaxial holes <NUM> made in the walls <NUM> and <NUM> of the closing element <NUM> so as to able to house - together with the aforementioned holes <NUM> - rods <NUM> which block the members <NUM> in the element <NUM>. The latter is indicated as the "closing" element specifically due to the fact that it allows to close the jewellery product as described.

Such rods <NUM> protrude from such closing link element <NUM> and they are cut and therefore welded to the respective walls <NUM> and <NUM>.

The use of the connection members obtained as described allows to connect, in a manner such to be moved apart, up to a minimum of thirteen/fourteen modules or link elements <NUM>. Therefore, this allows to provide an extensible jewellery item having a smaller spatial partition (that is a small number of modules or link elements) with respect to similar products already known, maintaining an optimal functionality. As a matter of fact, a bracelet or a ring with larger module (which allow the aforementioned lesser spatial partitioning of the product) is suitable for numerous aesthetic and graphic solutions which are not possible with the prior art solutions.

Claim 1:
Jewellery item (<NUM>) of the expandable type comprising an elastic annular element (<NUM>) on which there are slidably arranged modules or link elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to each other, but capable of mutually moving so as to allow to change a diameter (D) of said item, there being provided for connection means (<NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to mutually couple such modules or link elements (<NUM>, <NUM>), but adapted to allow the aforementioned relative movement thereof, said connection means being a plurality of independent tubular connection members (<NUM>, <NUM>) slidably associated with opposite ends of adjacent modules or link elements, said tubular connection members (<NUM>, <NUM>) also being fitted into said elastic annular element (<NUM>), characterised in that each tubular connection member (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a tubular body (<NUM>) having, at at least one end thereof (<NUM>), opposite protruding pins (<NUM>) integrally joined with opposite deformable tabs (<NUM>).