DK2957187T3 - JEWELERY CHAIN - Google Patents

Description

JEWELLERY CHAIN

The invention relates to a jewellery chain, such as a necklace, bracelet or ankle chain according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for producing such a jewellery chain. The jewellery chain comprises a resilient carrier element, on which a surrounding arrangement of jewellery elements is held. The jewellery chain further comprises connection elements, through each of which the resilient carrier element extends. Two adjacent jewellery elements are movably held on each connection elements, in such a way as to be spaced apart by up to a maximum separation through expansion of the resilient carrier element.

Such jewellery chains are able to expand to a specified extent during putting on or taking off, as well as during wearing, in order that they can be slipped over the head, hand or foot even in the closed surrounding state, or to be put on with an extent exactly adapted to the part of the body considered.

The resilient carrier element, which is formed for example by a resilient strip made from at least partially elastomer plastic or by an elongate spring element, is preferably completely accommodated by the surrounding mutually engaged jewellery and connection elements. In this way, the carrier element is not visible from the outside and the appearance of the jewellery chain, in particular if same is intended to convey a certain high-quality, is not impaired. A resilient tennis armband is known from EP 2 712 513 A2, in which a plurality of cuboid connection elements is gathered on a circular spring element, in each of which a cylindrical through-opening has been formed for this purpose. The connection elements each have a collar at the end thereof, so that on each two adjacent connection elements a two-piece box-shaped jewellery element can be attached in such a way as to be in a limited movable engagement with both connection elements. A disadvantage of the known jewellery chain is thus that the production of the jewellery elements and attachment thereof to the connection elements are very time-consuming. In addition, the freedom of design in terms of the jewellery elements and the jewellery chain as a whole is relatively strongly restricted due to the special manner of attaching the jewellery elements. GB 2 188 261 A describes a chain for use as cladding for an electrical cable. The chain has a series of pearl-shaped hollow bodies, of which each two adjacent hollow bodies are connected by a connection piece. The connection pieces are formed by separated sections of a tubular starting element, which comprise broadening at both ends and which each project through an opening into the inside of one of the hollow bodies. After completion of a corresponding chain, an electrical wire can be threaded alternately through the hollow bodies and the connection pieces. US 3,685,284 describes a jewellery chain, in which likewise pearl-shaped hollow bodies are connected together by means of connection pieces, which are produced from a tubular starting element. The connection of the hollow bodies by means of the connection pieces should serve as a replacement for the otherwise required threading of the hollow bodies on a thread, in order to allow a natural falling of the chain.

The problem addressed by the invention is that of avoiding the disadvantages for such an above-mentioned jewellery chain and enabling simple production.

Said problem is solved by a jewellery chain comprising the features of claim 1. The connection elements are formed by breaking sections of a hollow profile body that is arranged on the resilient carrier, i.e. is pushed or pulled onto the resilient carrier. In this way, it is possible for the connection elements required for the jewellery chain to be produced from just one hollow profile body, to which the carrier element has already been attached. The hollow profile body can be broken into predetermined section lengths, in order to form the connection elements by means of the resultant breaking-sections, which are already connected to the resilient carrier element. In this way, a simple and in particular mechanical production and attachment of the individual connection elements is possible, through which the production costs can be significantly reduced.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the breaking-sections comprise ends, each formed by a broken-open predetermined breaking point, by means of which the connection elements produced by breaking can be given an exact predetermined length.

At both ends, the breaking-sections advantageously comprise a cross-section enlargement, through which, on the ends of the breaking sections, the production of a form fit with a respective jewellery element can be implemented particularly easily, in order to limit the relative movement of two adjacent jewellery elements.

Here, it is advantageous if the predetermined breaking point and/or the cross-section enlargement is formed by a cold-formed region. In this way, the connection elements can be produced from a commercially available hollow profile body, which is first divided into the sections to be broken during production of the jewellery chain and provided with the required cross-section enlargements.

The hollow profile body is thus advantageously formed by a hollow wire, through which both the production of the connection elements with a low maximum cross-section extension of for example not more than 2 mm, as well as simple threading through of the resilient carrier element, is possible.

It is also advantageous if the hollow profile body is produced from a noble metal or a noble metal alloy. In this way, the connection elements can also be produced from a high-quality material, by means of which the entire jewellery chain can convey a high-quality impression.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the jewellery elements each comprise two engagement openings, into which two adjacent connection elements project. The cross-section enlargements of both the concerned ends of these connection elements are thus accommodated inside a cavity of the jewellery elements, wherein the cross-section enlargements have a greater extension in the direction transverse to the main extension direction of the connection elements than the engagement openings of the jewellery elements. In this way, a limited movement mounting of the two respective adjacent connection elements is easily achieved on the jewellery element arranged there between, wherein the connection elements can thus be spaced apart from one another through expansion of the resilient carrier element to such an extent that the cross-section enlargements thereof come into contact with the engagement openings of the hollow body. In this way a stable mounting of the connection elements with respect to the jewellery elements and a secure limiting of the expandability of the jewellery chain as a whole is ensured.

Advantageously, the jewellery elements are formed, in particular from a cold-performed length material, around the resilient carrier elements and the connection elements. In this way, the jewellery elements can also be formed particularly easily and in particular mechanically, wherein they can be placed directly on the connection elements. This removes the need for a separate, in particular manual, attaching of the jewellery elements on the rest of the jewellery chain, which in turn enables particularly cost-effective production thereof.

Further, it is advantageous if the length material is formed from a metal strip, which enables a particularly simple machine transformation of the length materials and versatile shaping of the jewellery elements.

The metal strip is advantageously produced from a noble metal or a noble metal alloy, which enables the production of particularly high-quality jewellery elements.

Further, it is advantageous if the jewellery elements are designed to be rotationally symmetric, which ensures easier putting on and taking off, as well as greater wearing comfort of the jewellery chain.

Further, the above-stated problem is solved by a method for producing a jewellery chain in one of the above-described embodiments, during which, in a first step, the resilient carrier element is moved into the hollow profile body. In a subsequent second step, the cross-section enlargements are then produced, one after the other, on a mechanical device traversing the hollow body profile with the internal resilient carrier element, by cold forming in the hollow body profile. A predetermined breaking point is additionally formed between the two adjacently formed cross-section enlargements of two adjacent breaking-sections. In a subsequent step, these predetermined breaking points are broken open one after the other by repeated deflection of the hollow profile body in the transverse direction, and the breaking-sections are thus separated. This process allows production of the individual connection elements with already incorporated resilient carrier element, which greatly simplifies the production of the entire jewellery chain.

Advantageously, in a further step following the second step, the length material is progressively deformed around the hollow profile body. This can be achieved through a mechanical device that continuously forces the strip-shaped length material, in particular by cold forming, into a substantially cylindrical profile that encases the hollow profile body. In this way, the hollow profile body or the connection elements produced therefrom can be particularly easily arranged with the already accommodated resilient element inside the jewellery elements.

In a further subsequent step, it is advantageous if the jewellery elements are produced, in particular by cold forming of the length materials, into hollow bodies, by a mechanical device traversed by the length material. Second predetermined breaking points are formed between the hollow bodies, which are used for later separation of the jewellery elements by breaking. Through cold forming, the hollow bodies, or the later jewellery elements with the already accommodated connection elements, can be brought into almost any desired shape, which makes possible a particularly large freedom of design for the production of the jewellery chain.

It is additionally advantageous if, in a further subsequent step, the second predetermined breaking points are broken open by repeated deflection of the cold-formed length materials in the transverse direction and the shaped hollow bodies are separated in this way. This process allows the production of the individual jewellery elements with already accommodated connection elements, which greatly simplifies the production of the entire jewellery chain.

The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The drawings show: figure 1, a view of a jewellery chain according to the invention; figure 2, an expanded view of a section of the jewellery chain according to figure 1, in a relaxed state of a resilient carrier element; figure 3, a view of the section according to figure 2 in a spread state of the resilient carrier element; figure 4, a partially cutaway and further expanded view of a jewellery element of the section according to figure 2; figure 5, a partially cutaway view of a section of a length material for producing jewellery elements with a hollow profile body received therein for producing connection elements; and figure 6, a plant for implementing a method for producing the jewellery chain according to figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a jewellery chain 2, in this example a wrist chain, comprising an almost completely circular resilient element 4, which is formed for example by a resilient plastic strip. A surrounding arrangement of jewellery elements 6, 6A is held on the resilient element 4, which are for example cuboid-shaped.

The jewellery elements 6 have for example a matching size, wherein the only large jewellery element 6A is used to receive two jewellery elements 6 that are respectively arranged at an end of the resilient element 4. In this way, the jewellery element 6A acts as a more secure connection of the jewellery chain 2, through which in normal use said chain does not have an open circular shape.

In addition, the jewellery chain 2 also comprises an almost completely circular arrangement of connection elements 8, each of which is engaged with two adjacent jewellery elements 6 and through which the resilient element 4 extends, as can be seen in particular from figure 2. In the expanded state of the resilient element shown here, the connection elements 8 are pushed so far into the two respective adjacent jewellery elements 6 formed by hollow bodies 20, that the jewellery elements 6 can abut one another.

As can be seen in figure 3, during expansion of the jewellery chain 2, the connection elements 8 act as end stops, which define a maximum separation Imax by which two adjacent jewellery elements 6 can be spaced apart during the resultant stretching of the resilient carrier element 4.

As can be seen from figure 4, the connection elements 8 are displaceably held, for this purpose, at two engagement openings 10 of the two respective adjacent jewellery elements 6. The connection elements 8 per se, as can be seen in particular from figure 5, are formed by breaking-sections 12 of a hollow profile body 14, the ends of which are formed by broken-open predetermined breaking points 16. The original hollow profile body 14 can be formed, for example, by a hollow wire produced from a noble metal or a noble metal alloy.

In addition, as can be seen from figure 4, cross-section enlargements 18 are formed at the ends, which have a transverse extension qV which is greater than a corresponding transverse extension qE of the engagement openings 10. In this way, the cross-section enlargements 18 of the connection elements 8 form end-stops with respect to the engagement openings 10 during expansion of the resilient element 4.

As can be seen in particular from figure 5, the cross-section enlargements 18 of the connection elements 8 are formed by regions at the ends of the breaking-sections 12, which are incorporated by cold forming next to the predetermined breaking points 16 in the associated original hollow profile body 14.

The hollow bodies 20, from which the jewellery elements 6 are produced, are likewise produced by cold forming of a noble metal or a noble metal alloy and, in addition to the illustrated ball shape, can alternatively have any other shape. The jewellery elements 6 however preferably have a rotationally symmetric shape which, in addition to the illustrated ball shape, can also be designed for example by an ellipsoid or lens shape.

As can be seen in particular from figure 5, the hollow bodies 20 are made from a continuous length material 22, for example from a metal strip or an elongate metal sheet of a noble metal or a noble metal alloy, in which the hollow profile body 14 is accommodated with a resilient element 4 accommodated therein.

The hollow bodies 20 are connected to one another via constricted regions, forming second predetermined breaking points 24, which must be broken open to separate the jewellery elements 6.

The method for producing the jewellery chain 2 is explained below using the schematic illustration in figure 6 of a plant 26 for implementing a corresponding production process.

In this case, the resilient element 4 is introduced into the hollow profile body 14 in a first step, so as to extend over the entire length thereof. Then the hollow profile body 14 with the resilient element 4 accommodated therein, runs through a first mechanical device 28, as illustrated, in order to implement a second method step. This device 28 comprises, for example, two presses 30 which can move against one another, which introduce the cross-section enlargements 18 and the predetermined breaking points 16 in the hollow profile body 14 by cold forming. Thus, in this way, the breaking-sections 12 are also already produced, which will later be separated into the connection elements 8.

After introduction of the predetermined breaking points 16 and the cross-section enlargements 18, the hollow profile body 14 traverses a second mechanical device 32 on which the length material 22 is fed to the hollow profile body 14. The second mechanical device 32 comprises shaping means 34, by means of which the length material 22, which comprises a plurality of extensions with respect to the hollow profile body 14 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, is cylindrically encased by cold forming around the hollow profile body 14.

The arrangement thus produced from the hollow profile body 14 and the deformed length material 22 then traverse a third mechanical device 36, which comprises a plurality of shaping tools 38, which act one after another on the length material 22. The shaping tools 38 are matched to one another in such a way as to shape the length material 22, which encases the hollow profile body 14, by progressive cold forming into the desired shape of the hollow bodies 20. The thus resulting, for example ball-shaped, hollow bodies 20 are connected together by constrictions which form the second predetermined breaking points 24. The hollow bodies 20 are arranged in such a way with respect to the hollow profile 14 that each one of the predetermined breaking points 16 with the two associated cross-section enlargements 18 is respectively arranged inside one of the hollow bodies 20.

With this relative orientation, the arrangement of hollow bodies 20 and hollow profile body 14 is fed to a fourth mechanical device 40, which comprises for example tubular guiding means 42 and movable deflection means 44 perpendicular thereto. Using these means, the arrangement of hollow bodies 20 and hollow profile body 14 is repeatedly deflected perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the hollow profile body 14, in such a way that both the first predetermined breaking points 16 and the second predetermined breaking points 24 are broken-open.

The breaking sections 12 of the hollow profile body 14, separated in this way, now form the connection elements 8, wherein the resilient element 4 still extends continuously through these. At the same time, through the separation of the hollow bodies 20, the jewellery elements 6 comprising the engagement openings 10 result, in each of which one of the connection elements 8 is held in a limitedly movable manner.

In order to produce the circular jewellery chain 2, the chain produced in this way need now only be tailored to the appropriate length, if it is not already produced in the planned length. Then the two ends of the resilient element 4 must be secured in a known and appropriate manner against the jewellery elements 6 or connection elements 8 arranged on said ends, and these are secured to one another in turn for example by means of a suitable closure, such as for example by being received in the large jewellery element 6A according to figure 1.

Claims (15)

1. Smykkekæde (2), omfattende et elastisk bærerelement (4) på hvilket en omgivende anordning af smykkeelementer (6) holdes, og omfattende forbindelseselementer (8), igennem hvert af hvilke det elastiske bærerelement (4) strækker sig, og på hvert af hvilke to tilstødende smykkeelementer (6) holdes, hvor de tilstødende smykkeelementer (6) er i stand til at blive anbragt med mellemrum til hinanden ved udvidelse af det elastiske bærerelement (4) op til en maksimumafstand (Imax), kendetegnet ved at forbindelseselementerne er dannet af brudafsnit (12) af et hulprofillegeme (14) anbragt på det elastiske bærerelement (4).A jewelery chain (2), comprising an elastic support member (4) on which an enclosing arrangement of jewelery members (6) is held, and comprising connecting members (8) through each of which the elastic support member (4) extends, and on each of which two adjacent jewelery elements (6) are held, wherein the adjoining jewelery elements (6) are capable of being spaced apart by extension of the elastic support member (4) up to a maximum distance (Imax), characterized in that the connecting members are formed of fracture sections (12) of a hollow profile body (14) disposed on the resilient support member (4). 2. Smykkekæde ifølge krav 1, kendetegnet ved at brudafsnittene (12) omfatter ender, der er hver dannet af et opbrudt forudbestemt brudsted (16).A jewelery chain according to claim 1, characterized in that the breaking sections (12) comprise ends, each formed by a broken, predetermined breaking point (16). 3. Smykkekæde ifølge krav 1 eller 2, kendetegnet ved at brudafsnittene (12) hver har en tværsnitsforstørrelse (18) ved begge ender.Jewelry chain according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fracture sections (12) each have a cross-sectional magnification (18) at both ends. 4. Smykkekæde ifølge krav 2 eller 3, kendetegnet ved at det forudbestemte brudsted (16) og/eller tværsnitsforstørrelsen (18) er dannet af et koldformet område.A jewelery chain according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the predetermined breaking point (16) and / or the cross-sectional magnification (18) is formed by a cold-formed region. 5. Smykkekæde ifølge et hvilket som helst af kravene 1 til 4, kendetegnet ved at hulprofillegemet (14) er dannet af hultråd.Jewelry chain according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hollow profile body (14) is formed of hollow wire. 6. Smykkekæde ifølge et hvilket som helst af kravene 1 til 5, kendetegnet ved at hulprofillegemet (14) er fremstillet af et ædelmetal eller en ædelmetallegering.Jewelry chain according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hollow profile body (14) is made of a precious metal or a precious metal alloy. 7. Smykkekæde ifølge et hvilket som helst af kravene 3 til 6, kendetegnet ved at smykkeelementerne (6) hver omfatter to indgrebsåbninger (10), ind i hvilke to tilstødende forbindelseselementer (8) fremspringer på sådan en måde, at de tilstødende tværsnitsforstørrelser (18) deraf modtages inden i smykkeelementerne (6), hvor tværsnitsforstørrelserne (18) haren tværgående udstrækning (qV), der er større end en tværgående udstrækning (qE) af indgrebsåbningerne (10).A jewelery chain according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the jewelery elements (6) each comprise two engagement openings (10) into which two adjacent connecting members (8) project in such a way that the adjacent cross-sectional magnifications (18). ) thereof is received within the jewelery elements (6), the cross-sectional magnifications (18) having a transverse extension (qV) greater than a transverse extension (qE) of the engagement openings (10). 8. Smykkekæde ifølge et hvilket som helst af kravene 1 til 7, kendetegnet ved at smykkeelementerne (6) er dannet af et længdemateriale (22) deformeret omkring det elastiske bærerelement (4) og forbindelseselementerne (8).A jewelery chain according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the jewelery elements (6) are formed of a length material (22) deformed around the elastic support element (4) and the connecting elements (8). 9. Smykkekæde ifølge krav 8, kendetegnet ved at længdematerialet (22) er dannet af et metalbånd.Jewelry chain according to claim 8, characterized in that the length material (22) is formed of a metal band. 10. Smykkekæde ifølge krav 9, kendetegnet ved at metalbåndet er fremstillet af et ædelmetal eller en ædelmetallegering.Jewelry chain according to claim 9, characterized in that the metal band is made of a precious metal or a precious metal alloy. 11. Smykkekæde ifølge et hvilket som helst af kravene 1 til 10, kendetegnet ved at smykkeelementerne (6) er designet til at være rotationssymmetriske.Jewelry chain according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the jewelry elements (6) are designed to be rotationally symmetrical. 12. Fremgangsmåde til fremstilling af en smykkekæde ifølge et hvilket som helst af kravene 1 til 11, kendetegnet ved at i et første trin, det elastiske bærerelement (4) tilbagetrækkes ind i hulprofillegemet (14), i et andet trin, tværsnitsforstørrelserne (18) indarbejdes i hulprofillegemet (14), hvor hver to af de tilstødende brudafsnit (12) danner et forudbestemt brudsted (16) mellem de to tværsnitsforstørrelser (18) og i et efterfølgende trin, de forudbestemte brudsteder (16) gentagende brydes op ved udbøjning af hulprofillegemet (14).Method for producing a jewelery chain according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that in a first step, the elastic support element (4) is retracted into the hollow profile body (14), in a second step, the cross-sectional magnifications (18). is incorporated into the hollow profile body (14), where each of the adjacent fracture portions (12) forms a predetermined fracture site (16) between the two cross-sectional magnifications (18) and in a subsequent step, the predetermined fracture sites (16) are repeatedly broken by deflection of the hollow profile body (14). 13. Fremstillingsfremgangsmåde ifølge krav 12, kendetegnet ved at, i et yderligere trin følgende det andet trin, længdematerialet (22) deformeres omkring hulprofillegemet (14).Manufacturing method according to claim 12, characterized in that, in a further step following the second step, the longitudinal material (22) is deformed around the hollow profile body (14). 14. Fremstillingsfremgangsmåde ifølge krav 13, kendetegnet ved at i et yderligere efterfølgende trin, smykkeelementerne (6) fremstilles ved at omforme længdematerialet (22) til hullegemer (20), og derved dannes andre forudbestemte brudsteder (24) til at separere smykkeelementerne (6) mellem hullegemerne (20).Manufacturing method according to claim 13, characterized in that in a further subsequent step, the jewelery elements (6) are manufactured by converting the length material (22) to hollow bodies (20), thereby forming other predetermined breaking points (24) for separating the jewelery elements (6). between the hollow bodies (20). 15. Fremstillingsfremgangsmåde ifølge krav 14, kendetegnet ved at, i et yderligere efterfølgende trin, de andre forudbestemte brudsteder (24) brydes op ved udbøjning af længdematerialet (22).Manufacturing method according to claim 14, characterized in that, in a further subsequent step, the other predetermined breaking sites (24) are broken by deflection of the length material (22).