U.S. patent application number 14/135487 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-14 for ornamental component with gripping element.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pandora Production Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Pandora A/S, Pandora Production Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Lee Antony Gray, Jean-Pierre Selbe, Weerasak Wannachai.
Application Number | 20140223962 14/135487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47739095 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140223962 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gray; Lee Antony ; et
al. |
August 14, 2014 |
Ornamental Component With Gripping Element
Abstract
In one embodiment, an ornamental component is provided for use
with a jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a necklace). The
ornamental component includes a self-supporting housing and an
insert assembly. The self-supporting housing has a through hole
allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated
member of the jewelry item, and the through hole defines a through
hole axis and has a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of
the self-supporting housing. The insert assembly is inserted in the
through hole of the self-supporting housing, and the insert
assembly is assembled from a first tubular element having a through
hole that forms a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part
of the jewelry item. The first tubular element is configured to
secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the
self-supporting housing.
Inventors: |
Gray; Lee Antony; (Kobenhavn
O, DK) ; Selbe; Jean-Pierre; (Bangkok, TH) ;
Wannachai; Weerasak; (Bangkok, TH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pandora Production Co., Ltd.
Pandora A/S |
Bangkok
Glostrup |
|
TH
DK |
|
|
Assignee: |
Pandora Production Co.,
Ltd.
Bangkok
TH
Pandora A/S
Glostrup
DK
|
Family ID: |
47739095 |
Appl. No.: |
14/135487 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61763251 |
Feb 11, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/3 ;
29/896.411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 27/00 20130101;
A44C 15/005 20130101; A44C 11/002 20130101; A44C 25/00 20130101;
A44C 5/00 20130101; Y10T 29/49591 20150115; A44C 11/00 20130101;
Y10T 29/4959 20150115; Y10T 24/39 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/3 ;
29/896.411 |
International
Class: |
A44C 11/00 20060101
A44C011/00; A44C 5/00 20060101 A44C005/00; A44C 15/00 20060101
A44C015/00; A44C 27/00 20060101 A44C027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 11, 2013 |
EP |
1315483 |
Claims
1. An ornamental component for use with at least one jewelry item
selected from the group consisting of a bracelet and a necklace;
the ornamental component comprising: a self-supporting housing
having a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be
strung on an elongated member of the jewelry item, the through hole
defining a through hole axis and comprising a first opening at a
first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a
second side of the self-supporting housing; and an insert assembly
inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing;
wherein the insert assembly is assembled from a first tubular
element having a through hole that forms a gripping element for
frictionally gripping a part of the jewelry item, the first tubular
element being configured to secure the gripping element inside the
through hole of the self-supporting housing.
2. An ornamental component for use with at least one jewelry item
selected from the group consisting of a bracelet and a necklace;
the ornamental component comprising: a self-supporting housing
having a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be
strung on an elongated member of the jewelry item, the through hole
defining a through hole axis and comprising a first opening at a
first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a
second side of the self-supporting housing; and an insert assembly
inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing;
wherein the insert assembly is assembled from a first tubular
element having a through hole that forms a gripping element for
frictionally gripping a part of the jewelry item, the first tubular
element being configured to secure the gripping element inside the
through hole of the self-supporting housing; wherein the insert
assembly is inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting
housing through the first opening of the self-supporting
housing.
3. An ornamental component according to claim 1, wherein: the first
tubular element comprises a first circumferential opening extending
along the through hole axis; the gripping element comprises a first
gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated member of
the jewelry item; and the first gripping portion extends through
the first circumferential opening.
4. An ornamental component according to claim 3, wherein the
gripping element comprises a tubular portion, the first gripping
portion protrudes from an interior surface of the tubular portion,
and the tubular portion of the gripping element surrounds a part of
the first tubular element.
5. An ornamental component according to claim 4, wherein the first
tubular element comprises a second circumferential opening
extending along the through hole axis, the gripping element
comprises a second gripping portion protruding from an interior
surface of the tubular portion of the gripping element, and the
second gripping portion extends through the second circumferential
opening.
6. An ornamental component according to claim 5, wherein the first
tubular element comprises a third circumferential opening extending
along the through hole axis, the gripping element comprises a third
gripping portion protruding from an interior surface of the tubular
portion of the gripping element, and the third gripping portion
extends through the third circumferential opening.
7. An ornamental component according to claim 4, wherein: the first
tubular element comprises a first portion and a second portion; the
second portion has a lower widest width than the widest width of
the first portion; and the tubular portion of the gripping element
is arranged to fit snugly around the second portion of the first
tubular element and to abut the first portion of the first tubular
element, whereby the gripping element is prevented from moving in a
first direction along the through hole axis relative to the first
tubular element.
8. An ornamental component according to claim 7, wherein: the first
tubular element further comprises a third portion; the second
portion has a lower widest width than the widest width of the first
portion and the third portion; and the tubular portion of the
gripping element further abuts the third portion of the first
tubular element thereby preventing the gripping element from moving
in any direction along the through hole axis relative to the first
tubular element.
9. An ornamental component according to claim 1, wherein the
ornamental component further comprises a second tubular element,
and wherein the first tubular element is positioned inside the
second tubular element.
10. An ornamental component according to claim 1, wherein: the
first tubular element of the insert assembly at a first end further
comprises a collar; and the collar is positioned outside the
self-supporting housing at the first opening of the self-supporting
housing and comprises a surface abutting an outer surface of the
self-supporting housing thereby preventing the first tubular
element of the insert assembly from moving in a first direction
along the through hole axis relative to the ornamental
component.
11. An ornamental component according to claim 1, wherein the
ornamental component further comprises a locking element having a
through hole wherein the locking element comprises an engagement
portion positioned inside the self-supporting housing and a collar
positioned outside the self-supporting housing at the second
opening of the self-supporting housing, the engagement portion
being attached to the first tubular element and the collar
comprising a surface abutting an outer surface of the
self-supporting housing thereby preventing the first tubular
element of the insert assembly from moving in a second direction
along the through hole axis relative to the ornamental
component.
12. An ornamental component according to claim 11, wherein the
engagement portion is attached to the first tubular element by a
male/female locking mechanism, and wherein the male part comprises
a protruding portion and the female part comprises a recess.
13. A jewelry item selected from the group consisting of a bracelet
and a necklace, the jewelry item comprising: an elongated member;
and a first ornamental component strung on the elongated member,
the ornamental component comprising: (a) a self-supporting housing
having a through hole allowing the ornamental component to be
strung on the elongated member of the jewelry item, the through
hole defining a through hole axis and comprising a first opening at
a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at
a second side of the self-supporting housing; and (b) an insert
assembly inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting
housing; the insert assembly being assembled from a first tubular
element having a through hole that forms a gripping element for
frictionally gripping a part of the jewelry item, the first tubular
element being configured to secure the gripping element inside the
through hole of the self-supporting housing; wherein the first
ornamental component is configured so that the gripping element
resiliently grips the elongated member to fix the first ornamental
component along the elongated member until a particular force is
acting on the first ornamental component, whereby the first
ornamental component can be moved along the elongated member.
14. A method for manufacturing an ornamental component, the
ornamental component having a through hole allowing the ornamental
component to be strung on an elongated member of a jewelry item
selected from the group consisting of a bracelet and a necklace,
the through hole defining a through hole axis, the method
comprising the steps: providing a self-supporting housing having a
through hole, wherein the self-supporting housing through hole
comprises a first opening at a first side of the self-supporting
housing and a second opening at a second side of the
self-supporting housing; assembling an insert assembly comprising a
first tubular element, the first tubular element having a through
hole that at least partly forms the through hole of the ornamental
component, the first tubular element having a gripping element for
frictionally gripping the elongated member of the jewelry item; and
inserting the insert assembly in the through hole of the
self-supporting housing.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the insert assembly is
inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing through
the first opening of the self-supporting housing.
16. A method according to claim 14, wherein: the first tubular
element comprises a first circumferential opening extending along
the through hole axis; the gripping element comprises a first
gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated member of
the jewelry item; the gripping element comprises a tubular portion;
the first gripping portion protrudes from an inner surface of the
tubular portion; and the step of assembling the insert assembly
comprises pulling the gripping element around the first tubular
element until the first gripping portion is aligned with the first
circumferential opening, whereby the first gripping portion extends
through the first circumferential opening and a part of the inner
surface of the tubular portion rests upon a part of the outer
surface of the first tubular element thereby securing the gripping
element to the first tubular element.
17. An ornamental component for a jewelry item, the jewelry item
being selected from the group consisting of a bracelet and a
necklace, the ornamental component having a through hole allowing
the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated member of the
jewelry item, the ornamental component through hole defining a
through hole axis; the ornamental component comprising: a
self-supporting housing having a through hole comprising a first
opening at a first side of the self-supporting housing and a second
opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing; and an
insert assembly inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting
housing; wherein the insert assembly is assembled from a first
tubular element having a through hole that forms at least a part of
the through hole of the ornamental component, the first tubular
element having a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part
of the jewelry item, the first tubular element being configured to
secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the
ornamental component, the first tubular element having a first
circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis, the
gripping element having a first gripping portion for frictionally
gripping the elongated member of the jewelry item, the first
gripping portion extending through the first circumferential
opening.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application 61/763,251 filed Feb. 11, 2013 and titled "Ornamental
Component With Gripping Element", and also claims priority to
European patent application EP 13154843 filed Feb. 11, 2013 and
titled "Ornamental Component With Gripping Element". The disclosure
of each is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an ornamental component for
a bracelet or necklace, to a bracelet or necklace comprising such
an ornamental component, to a method of manufacturing an ornamental
component, and a tubular element for securing a gripping element
inside a through hole of an ornamental component.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, often consists of
a plurality of freely movable ornamental components (e.g., beads)
strung on an elongated member (e.g., chain, wire, or string). To
prevent all the freely movable beads from grouping together at the
bottom of the necklace or bracelet, an ornamental component
provided with a stopping mechanism configured to grip the necklace
or bracelet may be used. Such stopping mechanisms are known from
the prior art in a variety of forms.
[0004] An example of a prior art variation of a stopping mechanism
is disclosed in US 2003/0154742, in which a jewel is produced with
an elastic body inside configured to provide a frictional force on
an elongated member. A similar solution is disclosed in US
2002/0148250, in which the jewel itself is provided with a flexible
resilient tube with an inside diameter slightly smaller than the
outer diameter of an elongated member, as to fix the jewel on the
elongated member.
[0005] Another prior art variation is disclosed in WO
2006/125155.
[0006] It may, however, be difficult to produce such prior art
ornamental components. Additionally, the stopping mechanisms may be
vulnerable to damage.
[0007] Thus, it remains a problem to provide a robust ornamental
component provided with a stopping mechanism that can be easily
manufactured.
SUMMARY
[0008] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention
in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the
invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the
invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole
purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a
simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that
is presented elsewhere.
[0009] In one embodiment, an ornamental component is provided for
use with a jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a necklace). The
ornamental component includes a self-supporting housing and an
insert assembly. The self-supporting housing has a through hole
allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated
member of the jewelry item, and the through hole defines a through
hole axis and has a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of
the self-supporting housing. The insert assembly is inserted in the
through hole of the self-supporting housing, and the insert
assembly is assembled from a first tubular element having a through
hole that forms a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part
of the jewelry item. The first tubular element is configured to
secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the
self-supporting housing.
[0010] In another embodiment, a jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a
necklace) includes an elongated member and a first ornamental
component strung on the elongated member. The ornamental component
includes: (a) a self-supporting housing having a through hole
allowing the ornamental component to be strung on the elongated
member of the jewelry item, the through hole defining a through
hole axis and comprising a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of
the self-supporting housing; and (b) an insert assembly inserted in
the through hole of the self-supporting housing. The insert
assembly is assembled from a first tubular element having a through
hole that forms a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part
of the jewelry item, and the first tubular element is configured to
secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the
self-supporting housing. The first ornamental component is
configured so that the gripping element resiliently grips the
elongated member to fix the first ornamental component along the
elongated member until a particular force is acting on the first
ornamental component, whereby the first ornamental component can be
moved along the elongated member.
[0011] In still another embodiment, a method for manufacturing an
ornamental component is provided. The ornamental component has a
through hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an
elongated member of a jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a
necklace), and the through hole defines a through hole axis. The
method includes the steps: (a) providing a self-supporting housing
having a through hole, wherein the self-supporting housing through
hole comprises a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of
the self-supporting housing; (b) assembling an insert assembly
comprising a first tubular element, the first tubular element
having a through hole that at least partly forms the through hole
of the ornamental component, the first tubular element having a
gripping element for frictionally gripping the elongated member of
the jewelry item; and (c) inserting the insert assembly in the
through hole of the self-supporting housing.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, an ornamental component for a
jewelry item (i.e., a bracelet or a necklace) is provided. The
ornamental component has a through hole allowing the ornamental
component to be strung on an elongated member of the jewelry item,
and the ornamental component through hole defines a through hole
axis. The ornamental component further includes a self-supporting
housing and an insert assembly. The self-supporting housing has a
through hole with a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of
the self-supporting housing. The insert assembly is inserted in the
through hole of the self-supporting housing and is assembled from a
first tubular element. The first tubular element has a through hole
that forms at least a part of the through hole of the ornamental
component, and the first tubular element has a gripping element for
frictionally gripping a part of the jewelry item. The first tubular
element is further configured to secure the gripping element inside
the through hole of the ornamental component, and the first tubular
element has a first circumferential opening extending along the
through hole axis. The gripping element has a first gripping
portion for frictionally gripping the elongated member of the
jewelry item, and the first gripping portion extends through the
first circumferential opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIGS. 1a-c show an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4a-d show a first tubular element according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5a-b show a gripping element according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6a-b show a self-supporting housing according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7a-b show a second tubular element according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 shows an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 10a-d show a first tubular element according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 shows an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIGS. 13a-d show a first tubular element according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 14a-c show a locking element according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 15 shows an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 16a-c show an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 17a-b show a first tubular element according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 18 shows an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an
ornamental component for a bracelet and/or a necklace. The
ornamental component has a through hole allowing the ornamental
component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and/or
necklace, and the through hole defines a through hole axis. The
ornamental component includes: (a) a self-supporting housing having
a through hole comprising a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of
the self-supporting housing; and (b) an insert assembly inserted in
the through hole of the self-supporting housing. The insert
assembly is assembled from a first tubular element having a through
hole that forms at least a part of the through hole of the
ornamental component and a gripping element for frictionally
gripping a part of the bracelet and/or necklace, and the first
tubular element is configured to secure the gripping element inside
the through hole of the ornamental component.
[0032] Consequently, by using an insert assembly to provide an
ornamental component with a gripping element, the production costs
may be lowered. Additionally, by using a tubular element to secure
the gripping element inside the self-supporting housing, the
gripping element may be more efficiently protected from damage.
[0033] An ornamental component may be any component that can be
strung on a bracelet and/or necklace for ornamental purposes such
as a bead. An ornamental component according to the first aspect of
the invention may be used to organize freely movable beads on a
bracelet or necklace. For example, two ornamental components may be
pulled to a desired position on an elongated member of a bracelet
or necklace and released, whereby they resiliently grip the
elongated member. Consequently (in this example), the bracelet or
necklace is divided into three distinct zones for freely movable
beads. This may be used to prevent all the freely movable beads
from grouping together.
[0034] The self-supporting housing may constitute the outer surface
of the ornamental component or may be covered with another layer or
element constituting the outer surface of the ornamental component.
The self-supporting housing may have any shape such as
approximately spherical, cylindrical or cubical. The
self-supporting housing has a structural strength allowing it to be
securely handled during the manufacturing process of the ornamental
component. The self-supporting housing may provide the primary
structural strength of the ornamental component. The
self-supporting housing may be made of metal, glass, wood, plastic
or a combination thereof. The trough hole of the self-supporting
housing may have a constant width or may have a varying width
(measured in planes being perpendicular to the through hole axis).
For example, the through hole of the self-supporting housing may be
wider in the central part of self-supporting housing than at the
first opening and the second opening. The inner surface of the
through hole of the self-supporting housing may be spaced apart
from the insert assembly by another element or a fluid e.g. air. At
least a part of the self-supporting housing may be transparent or
semi-transparent.
[0035] The individual element of the insert assembly may be
permanently attached or non-permanently attached. The insert
assembly may be inserted into the through hole of the housing
through the first opening of the housing, i.e. the insert assembly
may have a size and shape allowing it to be insertable through the
first opening of the self-supporting housing.
[0036] The first tubular element may have any outer shape such as
round or rectangular. Correspondingly, the through hole of the
first tubular element may have any shape such as round or
rectangular. The first tubular element may be integrally molded,
i.e. made from a single mold. The first tubular element may be made
of metal and/or plastic.
[0037] The gripping element may be made of a material configured to
establish a high frictional connection with an elongated member of
a bracelet and/or necklace, e.g. a chain, band, or strand of a
necklace or bracelet. The gripping element may be made of a
deformable material such as a silicone material.
[0038] In some embodiments, the gripping element is made of a first
material and the first tubular element is made of a second
material, wherein the coefficient of friction of the first material
is higher than the coefficient of friction of the second material
relative to sterling silver.
[0039] The coefficient of friction of the first material may be at
least 10%, 20%, 40% or 60% higher than the coefficient of friction
of the second material relative to sterling silver.
[0040] In some embodiments of the invention, the gripping element
is positioned in a central part of the ornamental component and
have a width along the through hole axis of less than 95%, 90%,
80%, 70%, 60% or 50% of the width of the self-supporting housing
along the through hole axis.
[0041] Consequently, the gripping element is better protected.
Thus, a more robust ornamental component is provided.
[0042] In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a
first circumferential opening extending along the through hole
axis, and the gripping element comprises a first gripping portion
for frictionally gripping the elongated member of the bracelet
and/or necklace, with the first gripping part extending through the
first circumferential opening.
[0043] In some embodiments, the gripping element comprises a
tubular portion, and the first gripping portion protrudes from an
interior surface of the tubular portion. Further, the tubular
portion of the gripping element surrounds a part of the first
tubular element.
[0044] Consequently, the tubular element may in an efficient manner
secure the gripping element inside the through hole of the
ornamental component.
[0045] The entire gripping element may be integrally molded, i.e.
made from a single mold.
[0046] In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a
second circumferential opening extending along the through hole
axis and the gripping element comprises a second gripping portion
protruding from an interior surface of the tubular portion of the
gripping element, with the second gripping portion extending
through the second circumferential opening.
[0047] In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a
third circumferential opening extending along the through hole axis
and the gripping element comprises a third gripping portion
protruding from an interior surface of the tubular portion of the
gripping element, with the third gripping portion extending through
the third circumferential opening.
[0048] In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening, the
second circumferential opening and/or the third circumferential
opening have a width along the through hole axis of less than 95%,
90%, 80%, 70%, 60% or 50% of the width of the first tubular element
along the through hole axis.
[0049] In some embodiments, each of the first circumferential
opening, the second circumferential opening and/or the third
circumferential opening extends between 5% and 33% of the
circumference of the first tubular element in a plane being
perpendicular to the through hole axis.
[0050] In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a
first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion has
a lower widest width than the widest width of the first portion.
The tubular portion of the gripping element is arranged to fit
snugly around the second portion of the first tubular element, and
abut the first portion of the first tubular element whereby the
gripping element is prevented from moving in a first direction
along the through hole axis relative to the first tubular
element.
[0051] In some embodiments, the first tubular element further
comprises a third portion, and the second portion has a lower
widest width than the widest width of the first portion and the
third portion. The tubular portion of the gripping element further
abuts the third portion of the first tubular element thereby
preventing the gripping element from moving in any direction along
the through hole axis relative to the first tubular element.
[0052] The widest width is measured in a plane being perpendicular
to the through hole axis.
[0053] In some embodiments, the tubular portion of the gripping
element has a widest width approximately equal to the widest width
of the first portion and/or third portion of the first tubular
element.
[0054] In some embodiments, the ornamental component further
comprises a second tubular element, and the first tubular element
is positioned inside the second tubular element.
[0055] This may make it easier to insert the insert assembly into
the self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may
additionally hide non-decorative elements of the ornamental
component, when the self-supporting housing is transparent or
semi-transparent.
[0056] The second tubular element may have a width along the
through hole axis being approximately equal to the width of the
self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may be fully
inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting housing.
[0057] In some embodiments, the first tubular element of the insert
assembly at a first end further comprises a collar, with the collar
being positioned outside the self-supporting housing at the first
opening of the self-supporting housing. The collar includes a
surface abutting an outer surface of the self-supporting housing,
thereby preventing the first tubular element of the insert assembly
from moving in a first direction along the through hole axis
relative to the ornamental component.
[0058] The outer surface may be an outer surface of the
self-supporting housing. The collar may be an integral portion of
the first tubular element or may be attached to the first tubular
element.
[0059] In some embodiments, the ornamental component further
comprises a locking element having a through hole wherein the
locking element comprises an engagement portion positioned inside
the self-supporting housing and a collar positioned outside the
self-supporting housing at the second opening of the
self-supporting housing. The engagement portion is attached to the
first tubular element and the collar comprises a surface abutting
an outer surface of the self-supporting housing, thereby preventing
the first tubular element of the insert assembly from moving in a
second direction along the through hole axis relative to the
ornamental component.
[0060] Consequently, the insert assembly is in an effective manner
secured to the self-supporting housing.
[0061] The outer surface may be an outer surface of the
self-supporting housing.
[0062] The engagement portion and the collar of the locking element
may be integrally formed. The locking element may be attached to
the first tubular element by the use of glue or a mechanical
locking mechanism.
[0063] In some embodiments, the engagement part of the locking
element is inserted into the first tubular element whereby the
through hole of the locking element and the through hole of the
first tubular element together forms the through hole of the
ornamental component.
[0064] In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to
the first tubular element by a male/female locking mechanism,
wherein the male part comprises a protruding portion and the female
part comprises a recess and/or opening.
[0065] The engagement portion may be the male part and the first
tubular element may be the female part, i.e. the engagement portion
may comprise a protruding portion configured to engage with recess
and/or opening in the first tubular element. Alternatively, the
first tubular element may be the male part and the engagement
portion may be the female part.
[0066] In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism is of
the snap lock type wherein a translation and/or rotation from a
free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female
part to a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the male
and female part requires less force than a translation and/or
rotation from a locked rotational orientation and/or position of
the male and female part to a free rotational orientation and/or
position of the male and female part.
[0067] This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first
tubular element typically are permanently attached.
[0068] In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism may
be of the rotational lock type, wherein the female part (the
engagement portion or the first tubular element) comprises a recess
and/or opening configured to allow the protruding portion of the
male part to translate inside the recess and/or opening along the
through hole axis when the locking element is in a free rotational
orientation relative to the first tubular element, and to be
prevented from moving in at least a first direction along the
through hole axis when the locking element is in a locked position
relative to the first tubular element and the locking element is in
a locked rotational orientation relative to the first tubular
element.
[0069] In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of
protruding portions and the female part comprises a plurality of
recess and/or openings.
[0070] When the male/female locking mechanism is of the rotational
type the locking element may be attached to the first tubular
element by firstly rotationally orienting the locking element in
the free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular
element, next translating the first tubular element and/or the
locking element along the through hole axis until the locking
element is in the locked position relative to the first tubular
element, and finally rotating the first tubular element and/or the
locking element from the free rotational orientation to the locked
rotational orientation.
[0071] The protruding portion of the male part and/or the recess
and/or opening of the female part may be configured so that a
rotation from the free rotational orientation to the locked
rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the
locked rotational orientation to the free rotational
orientation.
[0072] In some embodiments, the male part (the engagement portion
or the first tubular element) comprises a flexible member
configured to deform from a first shape to a second shape when the
male part comes into contact with the female part, and further to
snap back into approximately the first shape when the flexible
member is aligned with the recess and/or opening of the female
part, whereby the flexible member engages with the recess and/or
opening and locks the male part to the female part, allowing the
locking element to be attached to the first tubular element by a
pure translation between the two.
[0073] In some embodiments, the male part comprises two flexible
members, and the female part comprises two recesses and/or
openings.
[0074] The two flexible members may be arranged at opposite sides
of the male part. Correspondingly, the two recesses and/or openings
may be arranged at opposite sides of the female part.
[0075] In some embodiments, the ornamental component has a length
along the through hole axis between 2 mm and 5 cm.
[0076] In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a
fourth circumferential opening extending along the through hole
axis and the gripping element comprises a fourth gripping portion
protruding from an interior surface of the tubular portion of the
gripping element, with the fourth gripping portion extending
through the fourth circumferential opening.
[0077] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a
bracelet or a necklace having: an elongated member and a first
ornamental component as disclosed in relation to the first aspect
of the invention, strung on the elongated member. The first
ornamental component is configured so that the gripping element
resiliently grips the elongated member to fix the first ornamental
component along the elongated member until a particular force is
acting on the first ornamental component, whereby the first
ornamental component can be moved along the elongated member.
[0078] The elongated member may be any elongated member suitable
for jewelry such as a metal chain, leather string, a fabric string,
or an anchor type chain.
[0079] In some embodiments, the particular force is higher than the
maximum gravitational force gravity acting on the ornamental
component.
[0080] In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further
comprises at least one freely movable ornamental component strung
on the elongated member.
[0081] In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further
comprises a plurality of freely movable ornamental components
strung on the elongated member.
[0082] In some embodiments, the bracelet or necklace further
comprises a second ornamental component as disclosed in relation to
the first aspect of the invention strung on the elongated member.
The second ornamental component is configured so that the gripping
element resiliently grips the elongated member to fix the second
ornamental component along the elongated member until a particular
force is acting on the second ornamental component, whereby the
second ornamental component can be moved along the elongated
member.
[0083] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a
method for manufacturing an ornamental component that has a through
hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated
member of a bracelet and/or necklace, with the through hole
defining a through hole axis. The method includes the steps: (a)
providing a self-supporting housing, having a through hole, wherein
the through hole comprises a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second side of
the self-supporting housing; (b) assembling an insert assembly
comprising a first tubular element having a through hole that at
least partly forms the through hole of the ornamental component,
and a gripping element for frictionally gripping the elongated
member of a bracelet and/or a necklace; and (c) inserting the
insert assembly in the through hole of the housing.
[0084] Consequently, an efficient method of producing an ornamental
component comprising a gripping element is provided.
[0085] In some embodiments, the insert assembly is inserted in the
through hole of the self-supporting housing through the first
opening of the self-supporting housing.
[0086] In some embodiments, the ornamental component is an
ornamental component as disclosed in relation to the first aspect
of the invention.
[0087] In some embodiments, the insert assembly is assembled before
it is inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting
housing.
[0088] In some embodiments, the first tubular element comprises a
first circumferential opening extending along the through hole
axis, with the gripping element having a first gripping portion for
frictionally gripping the elongated member of the bracelet and/or
necklace and a tubular portion. The first gripping portion
protrudes from an inner surface of the tubular portion, and the
step of assembling the insert assembly includes pulling the
gripping element around the first tubular element until the first
gripping portion is aligned with the first circumferential opening,
whereby the first gripping portion extends through the first
circumferential opening and a part of the inner surface of the
tubular portion rests upon a part of the outer surface of the first
tubular element thereby securing the gripping element to the first
tubular element.
[0089] In some embodiments, the first tubular element further
comprises a second circumferential opening extending along the
through hole axis, and the gripping element further comprises a
second gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated
member of the bracelet and/or necklace, with the second gripping
portion protruding from an inner surface of the tubular portion.
Here, the step of assembling the insert assembly comprises pulling
the gripping element around the first tubular element until the
first gripping portion is aligned with the first circumferential
opening and the second gripping portion is aligned with the second
circumferential opening, whereby the first gripping portion extends
through the first circumferential opening, the second gripping
portion extends through the second circumferential opening, and a
part of the inner surface of the tubular portion rests upon a part
of the outer surface of the first tubular element thereby attaching
the gripping element to the first tubular element.
[0090] In some embodiments, the first tubular element further
comprises a third circumferential opening extending along the
through hole axis, and the gripping element further comprises a
third gripping portion for frictionally gripping the elongated
member of the bracelet and/or necklace. The third gripping portion
protrudes from an inner surface of the tubular portion, and the
step of assembling the insert assembly comprises pulling the
gripping element around the first tubular element until the first
gripping portion is aligned with the first circumferential opening,
the second gripping portion is aligned with the second
circumferential opening, and the third gripping portion is aligned
with the third circumferential opening, whereby the first gripping
portion extends through the first circumferential opening, the
second gripping portion extends through the second circumferential
opening, the third gripping portion extends through the third
circumferential opening, and a part of the inner surface of the
tubular portion rests upon a part of the outer surface of the first
tubular element thereby attaching the gripping element to the first
tubular element.
[0091] In some embodiments, the ornamental component further
comprises a locking element having a through hole, an engagement
part for engaging with the insert assembly, and a collar for being
positioned outside the self-supporting housing. A method of using
this embodiment includes the steps: (a) inserting the engagement
part of the locking element into the second opening of the
self-supporting housing; and (b) attaching the engagement part to
the insert assembly.
[0092] In some embodiments, the engagement part is attached to the
insert assembly by a male/female locking mechanism.
[0093] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a
tubular element for securing a griping element for gripping an
elongated member of a bracelet and/necklace in a through hole of an
ornamental component. The tubular element has a through hole
defining a tubular element through hole axis, and the tubular
element comprises a first circumferential opening extending along
the tubular element through hole axis for receiving a first
gripping portion of the gripping element allowing the first
gripping portion to extend through the first circumferential
opening.
[0094] In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a
second circumferential opening extending along the tubular element
through hole axis for receiving a second gripping portion of the
gripping element allowing the second gripping portion to extend
through the second circumferential opening.
[0095] In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a
third circumferential opening extending along the tubular element
through hole axis for receiving a third gripping portion of the
gripping element allowing the third gripping portion to extend
through the third circumferential opening.
[0096] In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening, the
second circumferential opening, and/or the third circumferential
opening have a width along the tubular element through hole axis of
less than 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, or 50% of the width of the
tubular element along the tubular element through hole axis.
[0097] In some embodiments, each of the first circumferential
opening, the second circumferential opening, and/or the third
circumferential opening extends between 5% and 33% of the
circumference of the tubular element in a plane being perpendicular
to the tubular element through hole axis.
[0098] In some embodiments, the tubular element is insertable in a
through hole of a self-supporting housing of the ornamental
component through a first opening of the through hole of the
self-supporting housing.
[0099] In some embodiments, the tubular element comprises a first
portion and a second portion, with the first portion being
positioned next to the second portion. The second portion has a
lower widest width than the widest width of the first portion
measured in a plane being perpendicular to the tubular element
through hole axis, and the first circumferential opening is
positioned at the second portion of the tubular element.
[0100] In some embodiments, the second circumferential opening is
positioned at the second portion of the tubular element.
[0101] In some embodiments, the third circumferential opening is
positioned at the second portion of the tubular element.
[0102] In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a
third portion positioned next to the second portion, and the second
portion has a lower widest width than the widest width of the first
portion and the third portion, measured in a plane being
perpendicular to the tubular element through hole axis.
[0103] In some embodiments, the first circumferential opening
extends approximately the entire length, along the tubular element
through hole axis, of the second portion of the tubular
element.
[0104] In some embodiments, the second circumferential opening
extends approximately the entire length, along the tubular element
through hole axis, of the second portion of the tubular
element.
[0105] In some embodiments, the third circumferential opening
extends approximately the entire length, along the tubular element
through hole axis, of the second portion of the tubular
element.
[0106] In some embodiments, the tubular element further comprises a
collar for being positioned outside the self-supporting housing.
The collar includes a surface for abutting an outer surface of the
self-supporting housing for preventing the tubular element from
moving in a first direction along the tubular element through hole
axis relative to the self-supporting housing.
[0107] The collar may be an integral portion of the first tubular
element or may be attached to the first tubular element. The collar
may be arranged at a first opening of the through hole of the
tubular element.
[0108] In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to
the first tubular element by a male/female locking mechanism, with
the male part comprising a protruding portion and the female part
comprising a recess and/or opening.
[0109] The engagement portion may be the male part, and the first
tubular element may be the female part (i.e., the engagement
portion may comprise a protruding portion configured to engage with
recess and/or opening in the first tubular element). Alternatively,
the first tubular element may be the male part, and the engagement
portion may be the female part.
[0110] In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism is of
the snap lock type wherein a translation and/or rotation from a
free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female
part to a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the male
and female part requires less force than a translation and/or
rotation from a locked rotational orientation and/or position of
the male and female part to a free rotational orientation and/or
position of the male and female part.
[0111] This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first
tubular element typically are permanently attached.
[0112] In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism may
be of the rotational lock type, wherein the female part (locking
element or the tubular element) comprises a recess and/or opening
configured to allow the protruding portion of the male part to
translate inside the recess and/or opening along the tubular
element through hole axis when the locking element is in a free
rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element, and
to be prevented from moving in at least a first direction along the
tubular element through hole axis when the locking element is in a
locked position relative to the first tubular element and the
locking element is in a locked rotational orientation relative to
the first tubular element.
[0113] In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of
protruding portions and the female part comprises a plurality of
recesses and/or openings.
[0114] The protruding portion of the male part and/or the recess
and/or opening of the female part may be configured so that a
rotation from the free rotational orientation to the locked
rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the
locked rotational orientation to the free rotational
orientation.
[0115] In some embodiments, the tubular element has a length along
the tubular element through hole axis between 2 mm and 3 cm.
[0116] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to an
ornamental component for a bracelet and/or a necklace. The
ornamental component has a through hole allowing the ornamental
component to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and/or
necklace, and the through hole defines a through hole axis. The
ornamental component further includes: (a) a self-supporting
housing having a through hole comprising a first opening at a first
side of the housing and a second opening at a second side of the
housing; (b) a first tubular element having a through hole inserted
in the through hole of the self-supporting housing through the
first opening of the self-supporting housing; and (c) a locking
element having a through hole inserted in the through hole of
self-supporting housing through the second opening of the
self-supporting housing. The locking element comprises a engagement
portion attached to the first tubular element.
[0117] Consequently, by providing an ornamental component with a
lining by using two parts inserted from two sides of the ornamental
component, the lining (the first tubular element and the locking
element) may be attached to the bead without deforming it. This
allows more complex insert elements to be used such as pre
decorated linings and lining composed of a plurality of
elements.
[0118] An ornamental component may be any component that can be
strung on a bracelet and/or necklace for ornamental purposes such
as a bead. An ornamental component according to the fifth aspect of
the invention may be an freely movable ornamental component or an
ornamental component used to organize freely movable beads on a
bracelet or necklace. The self-supporting housing may constitute
the outer surface of the ornamental component or may be covered
with another layer or element constituting the outer surface of the
ornamental component. The self supporting housing may have any
shape such as approximately spherical, cylindrical or cubical. The
self-supporting housing has a structural strength allowing it to be
securely handled during the manufacturing process of the ornamental
component. The self-supporting housing may provide the primary
structural strength of the ornamental component. The
self-supporting housing may be made of metal, glass, wood, plastic
or a combination thereof. The through hole of the self-supporting
housing may have a constant width or may have a varying width
(measured in planes being perpendicular to the through hole axis).
For example, the through hole of the self-supporting housing may be
wider in the central part of self-supporting housing than at the
first opening and the second opening. The inner surface of the
through hole of the self-supporting housing may be spaced apart
from the insert assembly by another element or a fluid (e.g., air).
At least a part of the self-supporting housing may be transparent
or semi-transparent.
[0119] The engagement portion and the first tubular element may be
permanently attached or non-permanently attached.
[0120] The first tubular element may have any outer shape such as
round or rectangular. Correspondingly, the through hole of the
first tubular element may have any shape such as round or
rectangular. The first tubular element may be integrally molded
(i.e., made from a single mold). The first tubular element may be
made of metal and/or plastic.
[0121] The engagement portion of the locking element may be
attached to the first tubular element by the use of an adhesive or
a mechanical locking mechanism.
[0122] In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to
the first tubular element by a male/female locking mechanism,
wherein the male part comprises a protruding portion and the female
part comprises a recess and/or opening.
[0123] The engagement portion may be the male part, and the first
tubular element may be the female part (i.e., the engagement
portion may comprise a protruding portion configured to engage with
recess and/or opening in the first tubular element). Alternatively,
the first tubular element may be the male part and the engagement
portion may be the female part.
[0124] In some embodiments, the ornamental component further
comprises a second tubular element, and the first tubular element
and the engagement portion of the locking element are positioned
inside the second tubular element.
[0125] This may make it easier to insert the insert assembly into
the self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may
additionally hide non-decorative elements of the ornamental
component, when the self-supporting housing is transparent or
semi-transparent. The second tubular element may additionally
protect the attachment between the first tubular element and the
engagement portion.
[0126] The second tubular element may have a length along the
through hole axis being approximately equal to the length of the
self-supporting housing. The second tubular element may be fully
inserted into the through hole of the self-supporting housing. The
engagement portion of the locking element may be fully inserted
into the second tubular element.
[0127] In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism is of
the snap lock type wherein a translation and/or rotation from a
free rotational orientation and/or position of the male and female
part, to a locked rotational orientation and/or position of the
male and female part, requires less force than a translation and/or
rotation from a locked rotational orientation and/or position of
the male and female part to a free rotational orientation and/or
position of the male and female part.
[0128] This may be beneficial as the locking element and the first
tubular element typically are permanently attached.
[0129] In some embodiments, the male/female locking mechanism is of
the rotational lock type, wherein the female part (the engagement
portion or the first tubular element) comprises a recess and/or
opening configured to allow the protruding portion of the male part
to translate inside the recess and/or opening along the through
hole axis when the locking element is in a free rotational
orientation relative to the first tubular element, and to be
prevented from moving in at least a first direction along the
through hole axis when the locking element is in a locked position
relative to the first tubular element and the locking element is in
a locked rotational orientation relative to the first tubular
element.
[0130] In some embodiments, the male part comprises a plurality of
protruding portions and the female part comprises a plurality of
recesses and/or openings.
[0131] When the male/female locking mechanism is of the rotational
type, the locking element may be attached to the first tubular
element by firstly rotationally orienting the locking element in
the free rotational orientation relative to the first tubular
element, next translating the first tubular element and/or the
locking element along the through hole axis until the locking
element is in the locked position relative to the first tubular
element, and finally rotating the first tubular element and/or the
locking element from the free rotational orientation to the locked
rotational orientation.
[0132] The protruding portion of the male part and/or the recess
and/or opening of the female part may be configured so that a
rotation from the free rotational orientation to the locked
rotational orientation requires less force than a rotation from the
locked rotational orientation to the free rotational
orientation.
[0133] In some embodiments, the male part (the engagement portion
or the first tubular element) comprises a flexible member
configured to deform from a first shape to a second shape when the
male part comes into contact with the female part, and further to
snap back into approximately the first shape when the flexible
member is aligned with the recess and/or opening of the female
part, whereby the flexible member engages with the recess and/or
opening and locks the male part to the female part, allowing the
locking element to be attached to the first tubular element by a
pure translation between the two.
[0134] In some embodiments, the male part comprises two flexible
members, and the female part comprises two recesses and/or
openings.
[0135] The two flexible members may be arranged at opposite sides
of the male part. Correspondingly, the two recesses and/or openings
may be arranged at opposite sides of the female part.
[0136] In some embodiments, the engagement part of the locking
element is inserted into the first tubular element whereby the
through hole of the locking element and the through hole of the
first tubular element together form the through hole of the
ornamental component.
[0137] In some embodiments, the first tubular element at a first
end further comprises a collar positioned outside the
self-supporting housing at the first opening of the self-supporting
housing. A surface abuts an outer surface of the self-supporting
housing thereby preventing the first tubular element from moving in
a first direction along the through hole axis relative to the
ornamental component.
[0138] In some embodiments, the locking element further comprises a
collar positioned outside the self-supporting housing at the second
opening of the self-supporting housing. The collar includes a
surface abutting an outer surface of the self-supporting housing
thereby preventing the first tubular element from moving in a
second direction along the through hole axis relative to the
ornamental component.
[0139] In some embodiments, the first tubular element is part of an
insert assembly inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting
housing through the first opening of the self-supporting housing.
The insert assembly is assembled from the first tubular element and
a gripping element for frictionally gripping a part of the bracelet
and/or necklace. The first tubular element is configured to secure
the gripping element inside the through hole of the ornamental
component.
[0140] According to a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a
method for manufacturing an ornamental component having a through
hole allowing the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated
member of a bracelet and/or necklace, with the through hole
defining a through hole axis. The method comprises the steps: (a)
providing a self-supporting housing, having an through hole,
wherein the through hole comprises a first opening at a first side
of the self-supporting housing and a second opening at a second
side of the self-supporting housing; (b) inserting through the
first opening of the self-supporting housing a first tubular
element having a through hole; (c) inserting through the second
opening of the self-supporting housing a locking element having a
through hole, the locking element comprising an engagement portion
for being positioned inside the through hole of the self-supporting
housing; and (d) attaching the engagement portion of the locking
element to the first tubular element.
[0141] Consequently, by using two parts inserted from two sides of
the ornamental component, the lining (the first tubular element and
the locking element) may be attached to the bead without deforming
it. This allows more complex insert elements to be used such as pre
decorated linings and linings composed of a plurality of
elements.
[0142] In some embodiments, the engagement portion is attached to
the tubular element by a male/female locking mechanism.
[0143] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step
of inserting a second tubular element into the through hole of the
self-supporting housing, either through the first opening or the
second opening of the self-supporting housing, wherein the first
tubular element and the engagement portion of the locking element
are inserted into the second tubular element.
[0144] In some embodiments, the ornamental component is an
ornamental component as disclosed in relation to the fifth aspect
of the invention.
[0145] The different aspects of the present invention can be
implemented in different ways including as ornamental components,
bracelets or necklaces comprising ornamental components, tubular
elements for ornamental components, and methods for manufacturing
ornamental components described above and in the following, each
yielding one or more of the benefits and advantages described in
connection with at least one of the aspects described above, and
each having one or more preferred embodiments corresponding to the
preferred embodiments described in connection with at least one of
the aspects described above and/or disclosed in the dependent
claims.
[0146] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments
described in connection with one of the aspects described herein
may equally be applied to the other aspects. Aspects of the first
tubular element disclosed in relation to the first aspect of the
invention may be applied to the tubular element disclosed in
relation to the fourth aspect of the invention and vice versa.
Similarly, aspects disclosed in relation to the ornamental
component disclosed in relation to the first aspect of the
invention may be applied to the method disclosed in relation to the
third aspect of the invention and vice versa. Further aspects
disclosed in relation to the ornamental component disclosed in
relation to the fifth aspect of the invention may be applied to the
method disclosed in relation to the sixth aspect of the invention
and vice versa.
[0147] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying figures, which show by way of illustration how the
invention may be practiced.
[0148] FIGS. 1a-c show an ornamental component 100 for a bracelet
and/or a necklace having a through hole defining a through hole
axis 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
1a shows a side view, FIG. 1b shows a front view, and FIG. 1c shows
a cross-section along the line A shown in FIG. 1b. The ornamental
component 100 comprises a self-supporting housing 101 having a
through hole 150 comprising a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing 151 and a second opening at a second side
of the self-supporting housing 152, and an insert assembly 102 103
inserted in the through hole 150 of the self-supporting housing
101. The insert assembly 102 103 comprises a first tubular element
102 and a gripping element 103 (only schematically shown). The
gripping element 103 is configured for frictionally gripping a part
of a bracelet and/or necklace. The first tubular element 102 has a
through hole 140 which in this embodiment forms the full through
hole of the ornamental component 100. However, in other embodiments
of the invention the through hole of the first tubular element 140
forms only a limited part of the through hole of the ornamental
component 100. The through hole of the ornamental component allows
it to be strung on an elongated member of a bracelet and/or
necklace. The trough hole of the self-supporting housing 150 has a
varying width (measured in planes being perpendicular to the
through hole axis), i.e. the through hole of the self-supporting
housing 150 is wider in the central part of self-supporting housing
than at the first opening 151 and the second opening 152. The inner
surface of the through hole of the self-supporting housing 150 is
spaced apart from the insert assembly 102 103 by a fluid e.g. air.
The first tubular element 102 is configured to secure the gripping
element 103 inside the through hole 150 of the ornamental
component. This may be achieved by attaching the gripping element
103 to the first tubular element 102 e.g. by adhering the two
elements together or by positioning the gripping element 103 in a
recess of the first tubular element 102 e.g. as shown in FIG. 2.
The first tubular element 102 may alternatively secure the gripping
element 103 inside the through hole 150 of the ornamental component
by having a part of the gripping element wrapped around its outer
surface as disclosed in relation to FIGS. 3-5.
[0149] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of an ornamental component 200
for a bracelet and/or a necklace having a through hole defining a
through hole axis 204 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The ornamental component 200 comprises a self-supporting
housing 201 having a through hole 250 comprising a first opening at
a first side of the self-supporting housing 251 and a second
opening at a second side of the self-supporting housing 252, and an
insert assembly 202 203 inserted in the through hole 250 of the
self-supporting housing 201. The insert assembly 202 203 comprises
a first tubular element 202 and a gripping element 203. The
gripping element 203 is configured for frictionally gripping a part
of a bracelet and/or necklace. The gripping element 203 has a
tubular shape. The first tubular element 202 is configured to
secure the gripping element 203 in the through hole of the
ornamental component by having recess 290 in the central part of
the inner wall of its through hole 240, where the gripping element
203 is positioned. Optionally, the gripping element 203 may further
be adhered to the inner wall of the first tubular element 202. The
through hole of the first tubular element 240 forms the full
through hole of the ornamental component 200.
[0150] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an ornamental component 300
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ornamental
component 300 comprises an insert assembly 370, a second tubular
element 305, a self-supporting housing 301, and a locking element
306. The insert assembly 370 comprises a first tubular element 302
and a gripping element 303. Shown is also the through hole axis
304. The first tubular element 302 has a through hole and comprises
a collar 324, a first part 321, a second part 322, and a third part
323, as will be more detailed explained in relation to FIGS. 4a-d.
The locking element 306 has a through hole, and comprises an
engagement part 361 for engaging with the insert assembly 370 and a
collar 362 for being positioned outside the self-supporting housing
301. The ornamental component 300 may be manufactured/assembled by
firstly assembling the insert assembly 370. The insert assembly 370
may be assembled by arranging the gripping element 303 around the
second portion 322 of the first tubular element 302, so that
gripping portions of the gripping element 303 (not shown) extends
through circumferential openings of the first tubular element 302.
Next, the insert assembly 370 may be inserted into the second
tubular element 305. Then the insert assembly 370 with the second
tubular element may be inserted into a through hole of the
self-supporting housing 350 in a manner so that the collar 324 is
positioned outside the self-supporting housing 301. The second
tubular element 305 may alternatively be inserted into the through
hole of the self-supporting housing 350 before the insert assembly
370 is inserted. The insert assembly 370 and/or the second tubular
element 305 may be inserted into the through hole of the
self-supporting housing 350 through a first opening 351. The insert
assembly 370 and/or the second tubular element 305 may
alternatively be inserted into the through hole of the
self-supporting housing 350 before the self-supporting housing 301
is fully formed/assembled e.g. the insert assembly 370 and/or the
second tubular element may be inserted into a first half of the
self supporting housing 301, whereafter a second half of the
self-supporting housing 301 is attached to the first half, thereby
forming the finished self-supporting housing 301 with the insert
assembly 370 inserted in its through hole 350. Finally, the locking
element 306 is inserted in a second opening 352 of the through hole
of the self-supporting housing 350, and the engagement part 361 is
attached to the first tubular element 302.
[0151] FIGS. 4a-d show a first tubular element comprising a through
hole according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first
tubular element shown in FIG. 4-d may correspond to the first
tubular element 302 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4a shows a side view,
FIG. 4b shows a cross-section along the line A, FIG. 4c shows a
front view, and FIG. 4d shows a back view. The first tubular
element 402 comprises a through hole 474 defining a tubular element
through hole axis 404. When the first tubular element 402 is
positioned in an ornamental component according the invention, the
tubular element through hole axis 404 and the ornamental component
through hole axis will be coincident. The first tubular element 402
comprises a first portion 421, a second portion 422, and a third
portion 423. The width of the second portion 422 is lower than the
widest width of the first portion 421 and the third portion 423.
The first tubular element 402 further comprises a collar 424, a
first circumferential opening 426, a second circumferential opening
427, and a third circumferential opening 428. Each of the
circumferential openings 426 427 428 extends along the tubular
element through hole axis 404. The circumferential openings 426 427
428 are spaced apart by walls 471 472 473 extending along to
tubular element through hole axis 404. Each of the circumferential
openings 426 427 428 extends B percentage of the circumference of
the first tubular element. In the embodiment shown B is equal to
20.8%, i.e. 75 degrees. Correspondingly, each of the walls 471 472
473 extends C percentage of the circumference of the first tubular
element. In the embodiment shown C is equal to 12.5%. The
circumferential openings 426 427 428 are used to allow griping
parts of the gripping element to extend through, into the through
hole 474 of the first tubular element 402, thereby allowing the
gripping parts to grip an elongated member of a bracelet and/or
necklace. The collar 424 comprises a surface 474 for abutting an
outer surface of a self-supporting housing for preventing the first
tubular element 402 from moving in a first direction along the
through hole axis relative to the self-supporting housing. The
width of the through hole 474 is slightly extended in a part of the
third portion 423, as illustrated by the broken line in FIG. 4a.
This may allow an engagement portion of a locking element to be
received, whereby a through hole of the locking element and the
through hole 474 of the first tubular element 402 together can form
a through hole of an ornamental component. The first tubular
element 402 may optionally further comprise mechanical locking
means 425 for mechanically attaching the first tubular element 402
with an engagement portion of a locking element e.g. a male/female
locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the first tubular element
402 has a length along the tubular element through hole axis 404
between 1 mm and 3 cm.
[0152] FIGS. 5a-b show a gripping element according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5a shows a side view, and
FIG. 5b shows a front view. The gripping element 503 shown in FIG.
5a-b may correspond to the gripping element 303 shown in FIG. 3.
The gripping element comprises a tubular portion 531 having an
outer surface 532 and an inner surface 536. The gripping element
503 further comprises a first gripping portion 533, a second
gripping portion 534, and a third gripping portion 535 protruding
from the inner surface 536 of the tubular portion 531. Each of the
gripping portions 533 534 535 protrudes from A percentage of the
inner surface 536 of the tubular portion 531. In the embodiment
shown A is equal to 19.4%, i.e. 70 degrees. The gripping portions
533 534 535 are used to resiliently grip an elongated member of a
bracelet and/or necklace. The gripping element 503 may be made of a
flexible material e.g. a silicone like material. The gripping
element 503 may be attached with a first tubular element 402 as
shown in FIG. 4a-d by pulling the gripping element 503 around the
first tubular element 402 until the first gripping portion 533 is
aligned with the first circumferential opening 426, the second
gripping portion 534 is aligned with the second circumferential
opening 427, and the third gripping portion 535 is aligned with the
third circumferential opening 428, whereby the first gripping
portion 533 extends through the first circumferential opening 426,
the second gripping portion 534 extends through the second
circumferential opening 427, the third gripping portion 535 extends
through the third circumferential opening 428, and a part of the
inner surface 536 of the tubular portion 531 rests upon a part of
the outer surface 471 472 473 of the first tubular element 402
thereby attaching the gripping element 503 to the first tubular
element 502. The gripping element 503 may have a length C along the
through hole axis, being approximately equal to the length of the
circumferential openings of a first tubular element.
[0153] FIGS. 6a-b show a self-supporting housing according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6a shows a side view and
FIG. 6b shows a front view. The self-supporting housing 601 shown
in FIGS. 6a-b may correspond to the self-supporting housing 301
shown in FIG. 3. The self-supporting housing 601 has a through hole
650 comprising a first opening at a first side of the
self-supporting housing 651 and a second opening at a second side
of the self-supporting housing 652. The trough hole of the
self-supporting housing 650 has a varying width (measured in planes
being perpendicular to the through hole axis), i.e. the through
hole of the self-supporting housing 650 is wider in the central
part of self-supporting housing than at the first opening 651 and
the second opening 652. The self-supporting housing 601 comprises a
planar surface 653 at the first opening 651 for abutting a surface
of a collar of a first tubular element. Correspondingly, the self
supporting housing 601 comprises a planar surface 654 for abutting
a surface of a collar of a locking element.
[0154] FIGS. 7a-b show a second tubular element according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7a shows a side view and
FIG. 7b shows a front view. The second tubular element 705 shown in
FIGS. 7a-b may correspond to the second tubular element 305 shown
in FIG. 3. The second tubular element comprises a through hole 755,
wherein a first tubular element with a gripping element attached
may be positioned.
[0155] FIGS. 8a-b show a locking element according to an embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 8a shows a top view, FIG. 8b shows a
back view and FIG. 8c shows a front view. The locking element 806
shown in FIGS. 8a-c may correspond to the locking element 306 shown
in FIG. 3. The locking element 806 comprises an engagement portion
861 for being attached with a part of a first tubular element, a
collar for being positioned outside a self-supporting housing, and
a through hole 865. The engagement portion 861 may optionally
comprise mechanical locking means 864 for mechanically attaching
the engagement portion 861 with a first tubular element 402 e.g. a
male/female locking mechanism. The collar 862 comprises a planar
surface 863 for abutting with a surface of a self-supporting
housing.
[0156] FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of an ornamental
component with possible dimensions according to an embodiment of
the present invention. The ornamental component 900 comprises a
first tubular element 902, a gripping element 903, a
self-supporting housing 901, a second tubular element 905, and a
locking element 906.
[0157] FIGS. 10a-d show a first tubular element according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10a shows a top view,
FIG. 10b shows a side view, FIG. 10c shows a front view and FIG.
10d shows a back view. The first tubular element 1002 has a through
hole 1074 and comprises a collar 1024, a first portion 1021, a
second portion 1022, and a third portion 1023. The collar 1024, the
first portion 1021, and the second portion 1022 may be identical to
the corresponding parts of the first tubular element shown in FIG.
4a-d. The third portion 1023 comprises mechanical locking means in
the form of a female part of male/female locking mechanism 1075
1076. The female part 1075 1076 comprises a first opening 1075 and
a second opening 1076 extending along the through hole axis. The
first opening 1075 and the second opening 1076 are positioned
opposite to each other.
[0158] FIGS. 11a-d show a locking element 1106 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11a shows a top view,
FIG. 11b shows a front view and FIG. 11c shows a back view. The
locking element 1106 has a through hole 1165 and comprises a collar
1162 and an engagement portion 1161. The collar 1162 may be
identical to the collar of the locking element shown in FIG. 8. The
engagement portion 1161 comprises mechanical locking means in the
form of the male part 1166 1167 of a male/female locking mechanism.
The male part 1166 1167 comprises a first flexible member 1166 and
a second flexible member 1167. The first and second flexible member
1166 1167 each comprises a protruding portion 1168 1169. The
male/female locking mechanisms shown in FIGS. 10a-c and FIGS. 1a-c
are configured to function together, thus the protruding portions
1168 1169 are configured to fit the openings 1075 1076. The locking
element 1106 may be attached to the first tubular element 1002 by
moving the two elements together until the male part comes into
contact with the female part, whereby the first and second flexible
member 1166 1167 are deformed from a first shape to a second shape,
i.e. the first and second flexible member 1166 1167 are both
progressively bent inwards. This is a result of an interaction
between the rounded front surface of the two flexible members 1166
1167 and the rim 1077 of the through hole 1074 of the first tubular
element 1002. When the two flexible members 1166 1667 are aligned
with the two openings 1075 1076 of the first tubular element 1002,
the two flexible members 1166 1667 snap back into approximately the
first shape, whereby the protruding portions of the two flexible
members 1168 1669 engages with the openings 1075 1076 and locks the
locking element 1106 to the first tubular element 1002. Thus, the
locking element 1106 can be attached to the first tubular element
1002 by a pure translation between the two. The male/female locking
mechanism 1075 1076 1166 1167 is of the snap lock type wherein a
translation from a free position of the male and female part, to a
locked position of the male and female part, requires less force
than a translation from a locked position of the male and female
part to a free position of the male and female part. This is a
result of the special shape of the protruding portions 1168 1669
and the openings 1075 1076. This may be beneficial as the locking
element 1106 and the first tubular element 1002 typically are
permanently attached.
[0159] FIG. 12 shows a central cross-section of a fully assembled
ornamental component comprising a first tubular element and a
locking element as disclosed in relation to FIGS. 10a-d and FIGS.
11a-c according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
ornamental component 1200 comprises a self-supporting housing 1201,
a first tubular element 1202, a gripping element 1203, a locking
element 1206 and a second tubular element 1205. The ornamental
component 1200 has a through hole 1250 defining a through hole axis
1204. The gripping element 1203 may be identical to the gripping
element shown in FIGS. 5a-b, the self-supporting housing 1201 may
be identical to the self-supporting housing shown in FIGS. 6a-b,
and the second tubular element 1205 may be identical to the second
tubular element shown in FIGS. 7a-b. It can be seen how gripping
portions of the gripping element 1203 protrudes into the through
hole 1250 of the ornamental component 1200 allowing the gripping
portions to frictionally grip an elongated member of an bracelet
and/or necklace e.g. a chain of a bracelet and/or necklace.
[0160] FIGS. 13a-d show a first tubular element according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13a shows a top view,
FIG. 13b shows a side view, FIG. 13c shows a front view, and FIG.
13d shows a back view. The first tubular element 1302 has a through
hole 1374 and comprises a collar 1324, a first portion 1321, a
second portion 1322, and a third portion 1323. The collar 1324, the
first portion 1321, and the second portion 1322 may be identical to
the corresponding parts of the first tubular element shown in FIG.
4a-d. The third portion 1323 comprises mechanical locking means in
the form of a female part of male/female locking mechanism 1375
1376. The female part 1075 1076 comprises a first opening/or recess
1375 and a second opening or recess 1376. The first opening 1375
and the second opening 1376 are positioned opposite to each
other.
[0161] FIGS. 14a-d show a locking element 1406 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14a shows a top view,
FIG. 14b shows a front view, and FIG. 14c shows a back view. The
locking element 1406 has a through hole 1465, and comprises a
collar 1462 and an engagement portion 1461. The collar 1462 may be
identical to the collar of the locking element shown in FIG. 8. The
engagement portion 1461 comprises mechanical locking means in the
form of the male part 1468 1469 of a male/female locking mechanism.
The male part 1468 1469 comprises a first protruding portion 1468
and a second protruding portion 1169. The male/female locking
mechanisms shown in FIGS. 13a-c and FIGS. 114-c are configured to
function together, thus the protruding portions 1468 1469 are
configured to fit the openings 1375 1376. The male/female locking
mechanism is of the rotational type. The locking element 1406 may
be attached to the first tubular element 1302 by firstly
rotationally orienting the locking element 1406 in a free
rotational orientation relative to the first tubular element
1302(with the protruding portions 1468 1469 aligned with the
openings 1375 1376), next translating the locking element 1406
along the through hole axis, and finally rotating the locking
element 1406 from the free rotational orientation to a locked
rotational orientation.
[0162] FIG. 15 shows a central cross-section of a fully assembled
ornamental component comprising a first tubular element and a
locking element as disclosed in relation to FIGS. 13a-d and FIGS.
14a-c, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
ornamental component 1500 comprises a self-supporting housing 1501,
a first tubular element 1502, a gripping element 1503, a locking
element 1506, and a second tubular element 1505. The ornamental
component 1500 has a through hole 1550 defining a through hole axis
1504. The gripping element 1503 may be identical to the gripping
element shown in FIGS. 5a-b, the self-supporting housing 1501 may
be identical to the self-supporting housing shown in FIGS. 6a-b,
and the second tubular element 1505 may be identical to the second
tubular element shown in FIGS. 7a-b.
[0163] FIGS. 16a-c show an ornamental component according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16a shows a side view,
FIG. 16b shows a front view, and FIG. 16c shows a cross-section
along the line A shown in FIG. 16b. The ornamental component 1600
is an ornamental component for use with a bracelet and/or necklace
e.g. a bead. The ornamental component 1600 has a through hole 1698
allowing the ornamental component 1600 to be strung on an elongated
member of a bracelet and/or necklace, the through hole 1698 defines
a through hole axis 1604. The ornamental component 1600 comprises a
self-supporting housing 1601, a first tubular element 1602, and a
locking element 1606. The self-supporting housing 1601 has a
through hole 1650 comprising a first opening 1651 at a first side
of the housing, and a second opening 1652 at a second side of the
housing. The first tubular element 1602 has a through hole 1640,
and is inserted in the through hole of the self-supporting housing
1650 through the first opening of the self-supporting housing 1651.
The locking element 1606 has a through hole 1655 and is inserted in
the through hole of the self-supporting housing 1650 through the
second opening of the self-supporting housing 1652. The locking
element 1606 and the first tubular element 1602 are attached as
schematically shown by the box 1699. The through hole of the first
tubular element 1640 and the through hole of the locking element
1665 together form the through hole of the ornamental component
1698. The ornamental component 1600 may be a freely movable
ornamental component or an ornamental component configured to
resiliently grips an elongated member of a bracelet and/or
necklace.
[0164] FIGS. 17a-b show an first tubular element for a freely
movable ornamental component according to an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 17a shows a top view and FIG. 17b shows a
side view. The first tubular element 1702 has a through hole 1774.
The first tubular element comprises a collar 1724 for being
positioned outside a self-supporting housing, and mechanical
locking means in the form of a female part of male/female locking
mechanism 1775 1776. The female part 1775 1776 comprises a first
opening 1775 and a second opening 1776 extending along the through
hole axis. The first opening 1775 and the second opening 1776 are
positioned opposite to each other. The male/female locking
mechanism may be configured to function together with the
male/female locking mechanism of the locking element 1106 shown in
FIGS. 11a-d i.e. the locking 1106 may be attached to the first
tubular element 1702 by their respective male/female locking
mechanisms.
[0165] FIG. 18 shows a central cross-section of a fully assembled
ornamental component configured to be freely movable, according to
an embodiment of the present invention. The ornamental component
1800 comprises a self-supporting housing 1801, a first tubular
element 1802, a locking element 1806, and a second tubular element
1505. The ornamental component 1800 has a through hole 1850
defining a through hole axis 1804. The second tubular element 1805
may be identical to the second tubular element shown in FIGS. 7a-b.
The first tubular element 1802 is a first tubular element as
disclosed in relation to FIGS. 17a-b, and the locking element 1806
is a locking element as disclosed in relation to FIGS. 1a-c. The
openings of the first tubular element 1802 and/or the openings of
the locking element 1806 may optionally be pre-decorated e.g.
comprise decorative engravings as schematically illustrated by the
circles 1897.
[0166] Although some embodiments have been described and shown in
detail, the invention is not restricted to them, but may also be
embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter
defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural
and functional modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
[0167] In device claims enumerating several means, several of these
means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The
mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different
dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not
indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to
advantage.
* * * * *