WO2019122999A1

WO2019122999A1 - Gold, silver or custom jewellery item, in particular an earring

Info

Publication number: WO2019122999A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/001451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giorgio Del Pia; Alfredo Del Pia; Stefano Del Pia
Original assignee: Del Pia S.R.L.
Priority date: 2017-12-19
Filing date: 2018-12-19
Publication date: 2019-06-27

Abstract

A gold, silver or costume jewellery item (1), in particular an earring, comprising at least two portions (2, 3), a first portion (2) and a second portion (3), each having first ends (12, 13) and second ends (22, 23), respectively. The first ends (12, 13) pivot contextually around a rotation axis (10) and are suitable to be rotated simultaneously around such rotation axis (10) by means of rotation means (8, 9, 14, 15) between a closing position, wherein the second ends (22, 23) are mutually engaged, and an opening position, wherein the second ends (22, 23) are free. The first portion (2) and the second portion (3) extend along a longitudinal direction (20) substantially normal with respect to the rotation axis (10). The two portions (2, 3) also present mutual coupling means (6, 7) in the closing position.

Description

GOLD, SILVER OR COSTUME JEWELLERY ITEM, IN PARTICULAR AN EARRING

D E S C R I P T I O N

Technical field

The present invention relates to a gold, silver or costume jewellery item, in particular an earring.

Background

Earrings are known which have a so-called bayonet closure device, which provides a normally curved rod which has a first end, pivoting on a fixed point of the earring, so as to perform a rotation of about 180° between an opening position and a closing position. In the opening position, the other end of the rod is released, while in the closing position at least one portion of the curved rod engages with a second fixed point of the earring.

The user who wears such an earring, therefore, slips the rod, in the opening position, inside the hole made in the earlobe and then closes the device.

In this way, however, the tip of the second end of the rod, the one farthest from the first fixed point of the earring, is free and can puncture the body or cause discomfort.

In addition, the bayonet closure is an aesthetic constraint of the earring, which is often not required, and sometimes not appreciated. In the current state of the art, earrings are known which have a so-called clip closure device consisting of a clip which, by means of a compression spring, passes from an opening position in which the spring is triggered and a closing position in which the spring pushes the clip against an abutting surface integral with the structure of the earring itself.

This type of earrings can be worn by the user interposing his/her lobe between the clip and the abutting surface in the closing position.

This closure, however, has several drawbacks because it has a bulky structure which, in addition to aesthetic problems, requires a great quantity of metal (dramatically affecting the production cost in case the earring is made of precious metal). Moreover, the narrowing of the earlobe is uncomfortable and, in the long run, this can cause pain and redness. Objects and summary of the Invention

The aim of the invention is to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of known types of gold, silver or costume jewellery items, which allows to wear earrings comfortably and without any nuisance.

Within the scope of the aforementioned task, one object of the invention is to provide a gold, silver or costume jewellery item, in particular an earring, which has a safe and protected closure device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gold and silver jewellery item, in particular a precious metal (gold or platinum alloy) earring, at competitive costs.

Another purpose of the earring or of the gold, silver or costume jewellery item according to the invention is that it should be easy to use and comfortable to wear.

Another object of the invention is that the closure is aesthetically congruent and is harmoniously inserted into the design and model of the jewel.

Last but not least, another object of the invention is to make a gold, silver or costume jewellery item, in particular an earring, with readily commercially available means and commonly used materials, so that the item is economically competitive.

This task, as well as these and further objects that will become most apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a gold, silver or costume jewellery item, in particular an earring, according to the invention, comprising:

at least two portions, a first portion and a second portion, each having first ends and second ends, respectively;

said first ends pivoting contextually around a rotation axis and being suitable to be rotated simultaneously around the rotation axis itself by means of rotation means between a closing position, wherein said second ends are mutually engaged, and an opening position, wherein said second ends are free;

said first portion and said second portion extending along a longitudinal direction substantially normal with respect to the rotation axis;

said at least two portions presenting mutual coupling means in the closing position.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the gold, silver or costume jewellery item, in particular an earring, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 represents the gold, silver or costume jewellery item, in this case an earring 1, in plan view, in a closing position, with an enlarged pull section;

Figure 2 shows the earring of Figure 1 in an opening position and with a second enlargement relative to the ends 12 and 13;

Figure 3 represents the exploded view of an earring 1;

Figure 4 illustrates a first support 4 in perspective view with a tape spring 8; Figure 5 shows a second support 5, which can be coupled with the first support of Figure 4, in a perspective view with a tape spring 8;

Figure 6 represents a section of the earring of Figure 1, substantially normal with respect to the longitudinal direction 20.

Detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the gold, silver or costume jewellery item, in particular an earring, according to the invention, which is identified in its entirety with reference 1, comprises:

- at least two portions 2 and 3, a first portion 2 and a second portion 3; each portion 2 and 3 respectively has first ends 12 and 13 and second ends 22 and 23;

the first ends 12, 13 pivot contextually around a rotation axis 10 and are suitable to be rotated simultaneously around such rotation axis 10 by means of rotation means, between a closing position and an opening position;

the second ends 22 and 23 are mutually engaged in the closing position, while they are free in the opening position;

the first portion 2 and the second portion 3 extend along a longitudinal direction 20 substantially normal with respect to the rotation axis 10; the two portions 2 and 3 also have mutual coupling means in the closing position.

Advantageously, the rotation means comprise a tape spring 8 which extends along the longitudinal direction 20 and engages with the first portion 2 and the second portion 3. The spring 8 also has a contrast surface, during the simultaneous rotation of the portions 2 and 3, in its middle part 18, so that the spring 8 is at rest in the closing position of the item 1 and is in work mode in the opening position of the item 1 (Fig. 3). With this solution, the earring, or the gold, silver or costume jewellery item, once worn is forced by the action of the spring 8 to remain in the closing position, preventing sudden and undesired openings.

Preferably, the first portion 2 and the second portion 3 comprise respective seats suitable to house relative portions of the tape spring 8.

In practice, the spring 8 is inserted inside the portions 2 and 3, inside which it is housed thanks to suitable seats, by limiting or even eliminating the aesthetic impact on the jewel.

As can be seen from Figure 6, in the examples shown here, the portions 2 and 3 are tubular and therefore the spring 8 is practically inserted therein.

Advantageously, the rotation means comprise a hinge which is interposed between the first portion 2 and the second portion 3, has a pivot 9 which defines the rotation axis 10 and further comprises at least one first hinged member 14 and at least one second hinged member 15. The hinged member 14 is integral with the first portion 2 and engages in rotation with the second hinged member 15, such that the first hinged member 14 and the second hinged member 15 are movable around the rotation axis 10 and the hinge can be realized with the minimum encumbrance.

In the embodiment presented herein, the first hinged member 14 comprises a first pair of circular cylindrical elements 14' and 14" which have axes of symmetry coincident with each other and coinciding with the rotation axis 10 (Figure 4). The second hinged member 15 comprises in turn a circular cylindrical element 15, also having an axis of symmetry coinciding with the rotation axis 10 and with the axes of symmetry of the pair of cylindrical elements 14' and 14" and a second pair of circular cylindrical elements 15' and 15" which, in a completely similar manner, have axes of symmetry coinciding with each other and coinciding with the rotation axis 10 (Figure 5).

In this configuration, the cylinders 14' and 14" enclose therefore a single circular cylindrical element 15 provided with the circular cylindrical elements 15’ and 15", even if nothing forbids making similar hinges with different choices. Advantageously, for engineering reasons and for production economy, a first support 4 for the first portion 2 and a second support 5 for the second portion 3 are provided. The first support 4, mounted at the end 12 of the first portion 2, is associated to the first hinged member 14, whereas in practice the cylindrical elements 14' and 14" constitute a protuberance thereof. The second support 5, mounted at the end 13 of the portion 3, is associated with the second hinged member 15, and also in this case the cylindrical element 15 is basically a protuberance of the support 5. At least a first part of the surface of the support 4 closest to the rotation axis 10, i.e. the one that faces the support 5, has substantially the same curvature of the outer surface of the hinged member 15 (in this case, a cylinder with a circular base). Likewise, at least a first part of the surface of the second support 5 closer to the rotation axis 10, in this case the one facing the support 4, presents substantially the same curvature of the outer surface of the first hinged member 14. In this manner, during the simultaneous rotation of the two portions 2 and 3, the first support 4 and the relative first hinged member 14 are able to rotate around the axis 10 together with the second support 5 and the relative second hinged member 15 mutually engaged but without interfering between the first support 4 and the cylindrical element 15 and not even between the second support 5 and the pair of cylindrical elements 14' and 14" (Figures 4, 5 and 6).

Preferably, the first support 4 and the second support 5 respectively comprise a first face 4' and a second face 5' abutting against the contrast surface of the middle part 18 of the spring 8, during the simultaneous rotation of the two portions 2 and 3, so that the spring 8 itself is to be loaded when the user rotates the portions 2 and 3 to close the item 1. Preferably, the second hinged member 15 is provided with a housing compartment 19 for the middle part 18 of the spring 8.

With reference to Figure 6, the first support 4 and the second support 5 respectively comprise a first loop 16 and a second loop 17 for passage of the portions of the spring 8 intended to be housed inside the portions 2 and 3.

The spring 8 then passes through the loops 16 and 17 to be then inserted inside the tubular portions 2 and 3.

Obviously, if the portions 2 and 3 comprise full members, it will be necessary to define suitable seats for housing the spring 8.

Advantageously, the mutual coupling means comprise a male element 6, projecting from the second end 22 of the first portion 2, and a female element 7, defined in the second end 23 of the second portion 3, which have the function of "hooking" the lobe of the ear. In the example described herein, the male element 6 can be constituted by an elongated element 6, a rod or a pointed metal pin, which is adapted to be inserted into the hole of the user's lobe and then inserted into the appropriate hole 7 constituting the female element 7 (Figures 1 and 2). Advantageously, the end tip of the elongated element 6 is covered by the frame of the earring, protecting the user.

If the item 1 is also a bracelet or a ring, nothing prevents the male element 6 and female element 7 from being different or that the mutual coupling means do not provide male and female elements, but comprise two ferromagnetic elements capable of retaining the portions 2 and 3 in the closing position.

From the above description, it is thus clear how the invention achieves the intended aim and objects and, especially, it is underlined that a gold, silver or costume jewellery item is created, which allows the user to wear earrings comfortably and without any nuisance.

In particular, given that the end portion of the pin or rod which is inserted in the lobe is covered by the frame of the earring, the user does not have to worry about being stung.

Another advantage of the gold, silver or costume jewellery item, in particular an earring, is that the closure device is extremely safe thanks to the work of the tape spring, which constantly pushes the two portions of the earring to close.

Another advantage of the invention is given by the fact that the dimensions of the closing mechanism are reduced and contained, therefore their weight is practically irrelevant (reduced costs of raw material) and the aesthetic impact is minimal.

Another advantage of the earring or gold, silver or costume jewellery item according to the invention is that it is easy to use and practical to wear, since it fits like a normal bayonet earring.

Another advantage of the invention is that the closure is practically invisible, so as not to be aesthetically incongruent with any jewel model and therefore it is easy to insert harmonically into the design of the jewel. Not least, the use of readily commercially available means and the use of common materials make the device economically competitive.

The so-designed invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept.

Further, all the details will be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be different according to requirements, provided they are consistent with the realization purpose.

Claims

1) A gold, silver or custom jewellery item (1), in particular an earring, comprising:

at least two portions (2, 3), a first portion (2) and a second portion (3), each having first ends (12, 13) and second ends (22, 23), respectively;

said first ends (12, 13) pivoting contextually around a rotation axis (10) and being suitable to be rotated simultaneously around the rotation axis (10) itself by means of rotation means (8, 9, 14, 15) between a closing position, wherein said second ends (22, 23) are mutually engaged, and an opening position, wherein said second ends (22, 23) are free;

said first portion (2) and said second portion (3) extending along a longitudinal direction (20) substantially normal with respect to the rotation axis (10);

said at least two portions (2, 3) presenting mutual coupling means (6, 7) in the closing position.

2) The item according to claim 1, wherein said rotation means (8, 9, 14, 15) comprise a tape spring (8) extending along the longitudinal direction (20), engaging with said first portion (2) and said second portion (3) and having a contrast surface in its middle part (18), so that said tape spring (8) is at rest in the closing position of the item (1) and is in work mode in the opening position of the item (1).

3) The item according to one or more of the claims 1 or 2, wherein said rotation means (8, 9, 14, 15) comprise a hinge (9, 14, 15):

interposed between said first portion (2) and said second portion (3);

having a pivot (9) defining the rotation axis (10);

having at least one first hinged member (14) integral with said first portion (2) and engaging in rotation with at least one second hinged member (15), so that said at least one first hinged member (14) and said at least one second member (15) are movable around the rotation axis (10).

4) The item according to claim 3, wherein said at least one first hinged member (14) comprises a pair of circular cylindrical elements (14', 14") having axes of symmetry coinciding with each other and coinciding with the rotation axis (10) and wherein said at least one second hinged member (15) comprises a circular cylindrical element (15), which in turn has an axis of symmetry coinciding with the rotation axis (10).

5) The item according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a first support (4) and a second support (5) for said first portion (2) and said second portion (3), respectively;

said first support (4) being associated with said at least one first hinged member (14) and said second support (5) being associated with said at least one second hinged member (15);

said first support (4) having the surface closer to the rotation axis (10) with at least one first part having substantially the same curvature of the outer surface of said second hinged member (15);

said second support (5) having the surface closer to the rotation axis (10) with at least one first part having substantially the same curvature of the outer surface of said first hinged member (14);

so that, during the simultaneous rotation of said at least two portions (2, 3), said first support (4) and the corresponding said at least one first hinged member (14) are capable of rotating around the rotation axis (10) together with said second support (5) and the corresponding said at least one second hinged member (15).

6) The item according to claim 2 and to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein said at least one second hinged member (15) comprises a housing compartment (15") for the middle part (18) of said spring (8).

7) The item according to one or more of claims 5 and 6, wherein said first support (4) and said second support (5) respectively comprise a first loop (16) and a second loop (17) allowing the passage of said spring (8).

8) The item according to one or more of claims 5-7, wherein said first support (4) comprises a first face (4') and said second support (5) comprises a second face (5'), said first face (4') and said second face (5') abutting against said contrast surface during the simultaneous rotation of said first portion (2) and of said second portion (3).

9) The item according to one or more of claims 1-8, wherein said mutual coupling means (6, 7) comprise a male element (6) projecting from said second end (22) of said first portion (2) and a female element (7) defined in said second end (23) of said second portion (3).

10) The item according to claim 9, wherein said male element (6) comprises an elongated element (6) suitable to be inserted, in the closing position, into a hole (7) constituting said female element (7).