U.S. patent application number 15/677285 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-30 for piece of jewelry.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jorg Heinz GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Martin Heinz, Dieter Luz.
Application Number | 20170340074 15/677285 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55538162 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170340074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heinz; Martin ; et
al. |
November 30, 2017 |
PIECE OF JEWELRY
Abstract
A piece of jewelry has an outer part and an inner part movably
received in the interior of the outer part so as to allow a
relative movement between the inner part and the outer part in a
direction of movement. The outer part surrounding the inner part
has at least one opening through which at least one sub-region of
the surface of the inner part is visible. The inner part can be
fixed in a first index position, in which a first sub-region of the
inner part is visible through the opening, and in at least one
second index exposition, in which a second sub-region of the inner
part is visible through the opening, relative to the outer part.
The outer part has at least one magnet element, and the inner part
has at least one complementary magnet element.
Inventors: |
Heinz; Martin; (Neulingen,
DE) ; Luz; Dieter; (Neulingen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jorg Heinz GmbH & Co. KG |
Neulingen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
55538162 |
Appl. No.: |
15/677285 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2016/000265 |
Feb 17, 2016 |
|
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15677285 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 25/001 20130101;
A44C 17/0266 20130101; A44C 15/0025 20130101; A44C 17/0216
20130101; A44D 2203/00 20130101; A44C 9/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A44C 17/02 20060101
A44C017/02; A44C 9/00 20060101 A44C009/00; A44C 25/00 20060101
A44C025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 17, 2015 |
DE |
10 2015 001 849.3 |
Feb 17, 2015 |
DE |
20 2015 001 151.9 |
Claims
1. A piece of jewelry, comprising: an outer part; and an inner part
which is movably received in the interior of the outer part;
wherein the outer part comprises a rotational bearing having at
least one bearing element for the inner part; wherein the inner
part is mounted rotationally in the outer part, where a relative
movement between the inner part and the outer part running in a
direction of movement is facilitated; wherein the outer part
surrounding the inner part comprises at least one opening through
which at least a partial area of the surface of the inner part is
visible; wherein the inner part can be fixed in a first index
position, in which a first partial area of the inner part is
visible through the opening and in at least one second index
position, in which a second partial area of the inner part is
visible through said opening, relatively to the outer part; wherein
the inner part is mounted in such a way in the outer part and/or
the one or at least one of the openings is dimensioned in such a
way that the inner part at least partially protrudes from the at
least one opening or can at least be impacted by the wearer of the
piece of jewelry through it, so that the afore-mentioned relative
movement of the inner part received in the outer part around said
at least one bearing element can be effected; wherein said relative
movement between the inner part and the outer part the inner part
can be moved at least from said first index position, in which said
first area of the inner part is visible through the opening, to
said second index position, in which said second partial area of
the inner part is visible through said opening, wherein the outer
part comprises at least one magnet element and the inner part
comprises at least one complementary magnet element; wherein the
magnet element or the magnet elements of the outer part are
arranged in it in a defined position, wherein the magnet element or
at least one magnet element of the inner part is provided in or on
the inner part in such a way that the magnet element or at least
one magnet element can be moved by a relative movement of the inner
part towards at least one magnet element of the outer part and
through a further relative movement away from it, so that in a
first index position and at least in the second index position at
least one magnet element of the outer part is in magnetic
engagement with at least one magnet element of the inner part.
2. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer
part comprises at least two magnet elements, which are spaced from
each other by 180.degree., wherein the inner part comprises at
least one magnet element, and wherein at least one of the at least
two magnet elements of the outer part co-acts with at least one
magnet element in the first index position and at least in the
second index position.
3. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner
part comprises at least two spaced apart magnet elements, wherein
the outer part comprises at least one magnet element, and that at
least one of the at least two magnet elements of the inner part
co-acts with at least one magnet element of the outer part in the
first index position and at least in the second index position.
4. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner
part comprises at least two magnet elements and the outer part
comprises at least two magnet elements, and that in the first index
position and in the second index position at least two magnet
elements of the inner part co-act with at least two magnet elements
of the outer part.
5. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein at least one
magnet element of the outer part and/or at least one magnet element
of the inner part are formed as a permanent magnetic material.
6. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein at least one
magnet element of the outer part and/or at least one magnet element
of the inner part is formed as a ferromagnetic material.
7. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer
part comprises at least one mounting in which at least one magnet
element of the outer part is received.
8. The piece of jewelry according to claim 7, wherein the inner
part is received next to the at least one mounting so that at least
one magnet element of the outer part is positioned adjacent to the
surface of the inner part.
9. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer
part comprises at least two mountings in which at least one magnet
element of the outer part is received.
10. The piece of jewelry according to claim 9, wherein the inner
part is received between the at least two mountings so that at
least one magnet element of the outer part is positioned adjacent
to the surface of the inner part.
11. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner
part is arranged in such a way in the outer part and/or the one or
at least one of the openings is dimensioned in such a way that the
inner part protrudes through at least one opening or is at least
impactable by the wearer of the piece of jewelry.
12. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer
part comprises two half members, which define in a mounted state an
interior space of the outer part, in which the inner part of the
piece of jewelry is received.
13. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner
part is formed rotationally symmetric.
14. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner
part is mounted rotationally on a bearing element.
15. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer
part is mounted on a body of the piece of jewelry.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This continuation application claims priority to
PCT/EP2016/000265 filed on Feb. 17, 2016 which has published as WO
2016/131540 A1 and also the German application numbers 10 2015 001
849.3 filed on Feb. 17, 2015 and 20 2015 001 151.9 filed on Feb.
17, 2015, the entire contents of which are fully incorporated
herein with these references.
DESCRIPTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a piece of jewelry having an outer
part and an inner part, which is movably received in the interior
of the outer part, wherein the outer part comprises at least one
rotational bearing for the inner part, by which the inner part is
rotationally mounted in the outer part, so that a relative movement
between the inner part and the outer part running in a direction of
movement is facilitated, wherein the outer part surrounding the
inner part comprises at least one opening, through which at least a
partial area of the surface of the inner part is visible, wherein
the inner part can be fixed in a first index position, in which a
first partial area of the inner part is visible through the
opening, and in at least one second index position, in which a
second partial area of the inner part is visible through this
opening, relatively to the outer part.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Such a piece of jewelry is known from WO 2011/088827 A1 of
the applicant. In this document a piece of jewelry having an outer
part and an inner part, which is turnably received in the outer
part, is described, and which has an attachment which is movable
relative to the outer part. Between the attachment and the inner
part an engagement means is provided for turning the inner part by
a certain movement in a defined direction. The engagement means
comprises a sleeve, a sleeve insert, a compression spring as well
two plate rings having mutually facing gearings, and two further
plate rings, which have mutually facing gearings too. The sleeve
comprises a central opening directed towards the attachment,
through which the upper side of the sleeve insert can enter through
an opening so far that a traverse bore in the sleeve insert can
protrude a traverse bore of the attachment, so that the sleeve
insert can be secured by a pin passing through the traverse bores.
The sleeve insert has around its circumference a collar-shaped
widening, from which a circular segment is recessed, so that two
stop shoulders are formed. In the interior of the sleeve a
projection structure is provided, on which in a rotational position
the first stop shoulder and in an opposite rotational direction the
second stop shoulder abuts. In this way, a reciprocating movement
of the attachment, which is rotationally fixed with the sleeve
insert, is limited relative to the sleeve and two index positions
are formed, in which the inner part is fixed relatively to the
outer part in two defined rotational positions.
[0004] One of the first plate rings comprises recesses, through
which fingers projecting from the inner part enter. During a
rotational movement of the attachment in one direction, e.g. in a
clockwise-direction, the torque is transmitted from the attachment
via the sleeve insert and its finger to the plate ring and this
plate ring moves the plate ring by form-fitting, so that the inner
part being connected with said plate ring is turned. As soon as the
stop shoulder is in abutment with the projecting structure in the
interior of the sleeve, a further rotation of the attachment is
restrained. When turning back, the first ring plate will slide onto
the second ring plate. In this rotational direction, a movement is
only possible by frictional engagement between the gearings of the
plate rings, not by form-fitting. The turning-back is therefore
only possible until the plate rings have brought their gearings in
engagement, which yields an exact and correct positioning of the
inner part relative to the outer part in a defined position. After
that, a turning-back of the attachment shall be without a further
engagement of the inner part or other parts, since a further
movement of the other part is blocked. The turning back of the
attachment shall be only possible in so far until the second
gearing between the ring plates engages. The attachment then is
once more in its none-turned starting position. In this way a
precise movement of the inner part by a reciprocating movement of
the attachment can be achieved, wherein defined abutment points
defining index positions are provided, which facilitate an exact
positioning of the inner part being arranged movably in the outer
part relative to the outer part.
[0005] High quality jewelry, as e.g. the piece of jewelry described
in the afore-mentioned publication of the applicant, is
characterized not only by the use of particularly expensive
materials, but by a high quality manufacturing thereof. A preferred
possibility to demonstrate this is providing movable parts in the
piece of jewelry, which can be moved--as described before--by a
sophisticated mechanism such as the one described before. Such
pieces of jewelry in particular address jewelry lovers attaching a
great importance to such a complicated mechanism. The mechanism
described before allows it to change the optical appearance of such
a piece of jewelry by providing an opening in the outer part of the
piece of jewelry, through which an area of the inner part, which
preferably has got a first pattern, is visible. If the inner part
is turned as described before, a second area, having a second
pattern, shall become visible. A piece of jewelry designed in this
way therefore has got two different appearances, depending on the
rotational position of the inner part, and hence is variable in its
optical appearance. The mechanical design with two abutment
shoulders effects that in each of these two defined index positions
the inner part is in a fixed position relative to the outer
part.
[0006] There is, however, an emerging desire to use simpler
mechanisms for high quality jewelry too, while maintaining the
functionality, which can be achieved by mechanisms as the one
described before. The movement and/or the fixing of the inner part
being received in the outer part shall be "playful simple", but
"refined". In particular the fixing of the inner part relative to
the outer part in certain index positions should be achieved in a
simple way.
[0007] From WO 2010/108297 A1 an ornamental item is known, which
comprises an outer part, in which an inner part is received
partially visible. The outer part is formed ring-like and the inner
part is formed disc-like. The outer part is hinged via a hinge on a
mounting unit, which allows the fastening of the ornamental item on
an external object. After a pivoting of the outer part including
the inner part received in it, it is possible to move the inner
part out of the outer part. When the outer part is moved in its
closed position, a member of the afore-mentioned hinge forms an
abutment, which blocks a pivoting movement of the inner part. By
means of a hinged connection of the outer part on a mounting unit,
the outer part can be moved in a number of positions between a
first end position, in which the outer part is perpendicular to the
abutment of the hinge, to a second end position, in which the outer
part is parallel to the abutment part, whereby--as already
mentioned--in said second end position the member of the hinge
engaging the mounting part locks the inner part in the outer part.
For securely fixing the inner part in the outer part during its
pivotal movement, the outer part comprises two magnet elements and
the inner part comprises two complementary magnet elements. By
means of such a magnetic bearing the inner part is fixed in the
outer part.
[0008] According to a second variant described in the
afore-mentioned document the outer part consists of two circular
plates, which are arranged distant from each other by means of
spacers, so that a free space is provided, in which the inner part
being formed plate-like is received rotationally. Each of these two
plates of the outer part comprises two magnet elements and the
plate-like inner part comprises on each of its front face sides
complementary magnet elements, so that the inner part is held in
the outer part by such a magnetic bearing.
[0009] From DE 10 2006 002 671 A1 a method for the mounting of
objects in pieces of jewelry is known, in which point-like sharp
conical pins are used, which fix the jewelry in such a way that it
can turn around an axis defined by these pins. An insert of the
known piece of jewelry acting as an ornamental element hence is
mounted movably, point-like in such a way that a rotation of the
insert up to 360 degrees is possible by an arbitrary influence of a
wearer of this jewelry item. By the movement of the insert around
the rotational axis each surface/facet of the ornamental element is
exposed to incident light in a plurality of different incident
angles, so that the reflection area changes, the reflection is
increased and the perception of the jewelry insert changes without
a change of the position of the viewer. The rotational movement
provided in the known piece of jewelry therefore allows the
greatest possible view on the surface and the form of the
ornamental insert, so that the wearer and the viewer of the jewelry
have got, according to the indications given in the afore-mentioned
document, an exceptional good insight in the properties of the
ornamental elements. In order to facilitate the rotation and the
fixing of the ornamental insert in a defined position, a permanent
magnet is provided, which cooperates with a permanent magnet in a
ring rail.
[0010] DE 10 2009 008 409 A1 of the applicant discloses a piece of
jewelry with an inner part and at least two outer parts being
movable around said inner part. The inner part is traversed by an
axis on which the two outer parts are pivotably mounted. A
multistable swivel position stabilizer is provided in order to
stabilize the outer parts in more than one swivel position. The
edges of the two outer parts are designed in such a way that in
stable swivel positions edges of two outer parts facing each other
abut and the other edges of the outer parts are spaced distant to
each other so that an opening is defined, through which the inner
part of the afore-described, at least three-part piece of jewelry
is visible. According to a variant of the piece of jewelry
described in this document it is provided that in the edges of the
outer parts pairs of magnets are incorporated. In the first outer
part a first magnet is provided in a first edge and a second magnet
in second edge. In the edges of the outer part corresponding
magnets are provided. When the outer parts are moved around the
pivot axis towards each other, co-acting magnets of the two outer
parts get in cooperation and effect that in this pivotal position
two outer parts are held together by magnetic force. The same
applies by a swiveling of the outer parts in a second rotational
position. Since the magnets only act between the outer parts, a
fixation of the inner part relative to the two outer parts is not
possible.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 922,212 describes a piece of jewelry which is
mounted in a fork-like attachment rotably around an axis. For
fixing the piece of jewelry in the fork-like mounting, mechanical
fastening elements are provided.
[0012] It is the object of the present invention to further develop
a piece of jewelry of the type mentioned at the beginning so that
in a simple way a precise positioning of the inner part relative to
the outer part in at least two defined index positions becomes
possible.
[0013] This object is solved by the piece of jewelry according to
the invention in that the inner part is mounted in such a way in
the outer part and/or the one or at least one of the openings is
dimensioned in such a way that the inner part protrudes the at
least one opening or can at least be impacted by the wearer of the
piece of jewelry through it, so that the afore-mentioned relative
movement of the inner part received in the outer part around said
at least one bearing element can be effected, such that by means of
said relative movement between the inner part and the outer part
the inner part can be moved at least from said first index
position, in which said first area of the inner part is visible
through the opening, in said second index position, in which said
second partial area of the inner part is visible through said
opening, that the outer part comprises at least one magnet element
and the inner part comprises at least one complementary magnet
element, that the magnet element or the magnet elements of the
outer part are arranged in it in a defined position, that the
magnet element or at least one magnet element of the inner part is
provided in or on the inner part in such a way that the magnet
element or at least one magnet element can be moved by a relative
movement of the inner part towards at least one magnet element of
the outer part and through a further relative movement away from
it, so that in a first index position and at least in the second
index position at least one magnet element of the outer part is in
magnetic engagement with at least one magnet element of the inner
part.
[0014] By means of the measures according to the invention a piece
of jewelry is created, which is characterized in that its inner
part being movable to the outer part can be moved in two or more
defined index positions and can be held in said index positions by
means of the magnet elements provided according to the invention.
The use of magnet elements according to the invention has got the
advantage that in a simple, but refined way a precise positioning
of the inner part relative to the outer part of the piece of
jewelry is accomplished. The functionality described at the
beginning, which up to now in general only can be achieved by a
sophisticating mechanical mechanic, can be achieved by the
inventive piece of jewelry by the use of magnetic elements which
are easy to produce and to handle. By means of a movement, in
particular a rotational movement of the inner part of the inventive
piece of jewelry relative to the outer part is achieved that
different areas of the inner part become visible through the
opening of the outer part. If two areas are now designed
differently, a variation of the optical appearance of the inventive
piece of jewelry can be achieved in a simple way, while it is
maintained that the inner part is held in defined index positions
by means of the magnet elements provided according to the
invention.
[0015] A further advantageous development of the invention provides
that the outer part comprises at least two magnet elements, which
are, in the direction of movement of the inner part, arranged
distant from each other, preferably displaced by 180 degrees. Such
a measure has got the advantage that, in a basic version of the
invention, it is sufficient that the inner part of the piece of
jewelry according to the invention only comprises one magnet
element, in order to hold the inner part relative to the outer part
in two defined index positions.
[0016] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides
that the inner part comprises at least two magnet elements being
arranged distant from each other in the direction of movement. For
holding the inner part in two different index positions, according
to a further basic version of the invention, in advantageous way
only one magnet element of the outer part is necessary.
[0017] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides
that the inner part as well as the outer part each comprise at
least two magnet elements, so that in the first index position and
preferably at least in the second index position the inner part is
held by at least two pairs of magnets formed by cooperating magnet
elements. Such a measure has got the advantage that in a simple way
a reliable holding of the inner part in the respective index
position can be achieved.
[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the
invention the inner part is mounted in the outer part in such a way
and/or its opening is dimensioned in such a way that the inner part
can be impacted from the outside of the outer part by the wearer of
the piece of jewelry. Such a measurement has got the advantage that
in this way no further means for moving the inner part in the outer
part are necessary. It is, of course, possible, that the inner part
is only visible but not operable through the opening of the outer
part. In such a case, according to a further advantageous
embodiment of the invention, an operating element is provided, by
which the movement of the inner part in the outer part can be
effected.
[0019] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the
subject matter of the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Further details and advantages of the invention are
disclosed in the preferred embodiments, which are described in the
following with reference to the Figures. The Figures show:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a first exemplary embodiment of a piece of jewelry
in an exploded view,
[0022] FIG. 2 is a second exemplary embodiment of the piece of
jewelry in an exploded view,
[0023] FIG. 3 is a section through the second embodiment in its
assembled state,
[0024] FIG. 4 is a third exemplary embodiment of the piece of
jewelry in an exploded view,
[0025] FIG. 5 is a section through the third exemplary embodiment
in its assembled state,
[0026] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a fourth exemplary embodiment,
and
[0027] FIG. 7 is a section through the fourth exemplary embodiment
in its assembled state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] In FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a piece of jewelry generally
designated with 1 is shown in an exploded view. The piece of
jewelry 1--which is formed as a pendant in the case
described--comprises an outer part 10 and an inner part 20 being
movably received in the interior 12 of the outer part 10. The outer
part 10 is formed by two half members 11a and 11b, which, in their
assembled state, define the interior space 12 of the outer part 10
and surround the inner part 20. In the embodiment described here
the first half member 11a of the outer part 10 is formed shell-like
and the second half member 11b is formed as a cover plate which has
got an opening 13, through which an area of the inner part 20 is
visible. Preferably it can be provided, too, that the outer part 10
comprises a further opening 13', which is arranged in the first
half member 11a. Hence, through the opening 13 a first area of the
inner part 20 and through the preferably provided second opening
13' a second area of the inner part 20 is visible. It is obvious
for the person skilled in the art from the following description
that the openings 13 and/or 13' need not necessarily be formed as
material recesses of the outer part 10. It is possible too that the
opening 13 and/or the opening 13' is formed as a see-through
opening, i.e. that this area of the outer part 10 is transparent in
this region, so that the wearer of the piece of jewelry 1 can see
the area of the inner part 20 being arranged below the openings 13
and 13' respectively.
[0029] Preferably, the inner part 20 can be impacted by the wearer
of the piece of jewelry 1 with its finger through the opening 13
and/or the opening 13', so that in this way a rotational movement
of the inner part 20 being received in the outer part 10 can be
effected. The arrangement of the inner part 20 in the outer part 10
and/or the dimensioning of the opening 13 and/or of the opening 13'
of the outer part 10 is then such that the wearer of the piece of
jewelry 1 can impact the inner part 20 through the opening 13
and/or the opening 13' of the outer part 10 and thus can move. Such
a measure has got the advantage that in this way for a movement, in
particular for a rotational movement, of the inner part 20 relative
to the outer part 10 no further means are required. But it is
possible, too, that (not shown in the Figures) an operating element
is provided, through which the inner part 20 can be moved relative
to the outer part 10.
[0030] It is evident for the person skilled in the art from the
following description that the design of the half members 11a and
11b forming the outer part 10 described here is not mandatory.
Contrary, a variety of designs of the outer part 10 and hence of
the half members 11a and 11b is possible, as long as the inner part
20 is received movably, preferably rotationally movable, in the
outer part 10.
[0031] The outer part 10 comprises a rotation bearing for the inner
part 20. In the embodiment described here this bearing has got two
bearing elements 14a and 14b, which are provided in the first half
member 11a, and two cooperating bearing elements 15a and 15b,
whereby in FIG. 1 only the bearing element 15a is shown. The
bearing element 14a of the first half member 11a cooperates with
the bearing element 15a and the second bearing element 15b (not
shown in FIG. 1) co-acts with the bearing element 14b. The bearing
elements 14a and 14b as well as 15a and 15b each have a recess 16,
in which axis elements 21a and 21b of the inner part 20, which is
in the case described formed sphere-like, can be received.
[0032] If--as explained before--the movement of the inner part 20
relative to the outer part 10 is not to be effected by an impact
thereof through the opening 13, it is preferably provided that one
or both axis elements 21a and/or 21b can protrude the outer part 10
and hence can be impacted from the outside of the outer part 10 for
effecting the rotational movement of the inner part 20.
[0033] In respect to the design of the inner part 20 is has got to
be mentioned that its design as a sphere or sphere-like is not
mandatory. Preferred is a design which is rotationally symmetric in
respect to the axis of the inner part 20 defined by the axis
elements 21a and 21b. As an example for such a rotationally
symmetric design, besides the afore-mentioned sphere shapes, the
form of an ellipsoid is to be mentioned. Apart from the
afore-mentioned spherical forms of the inner part 20, e.g. flat
shapes, in particular a plate shape, are possible. It is then
preferred that--as described--the second half member 11b is formed
plate-like and one or more openings 13 are arranged along its
circumference. The rotational axis of the inner part 20 is then
preferably perpendicular to the plate and--in the representation of
FIG. 1--in a vertical direction. A non-rotational symmetric shape
of the inner part 20 is possible too.
[0034] The inner part 20 comprises, in the embodiment described, a
recess 23, which serves for receiving an ornamental element as e.g.
a precious stone, a color stone or an ornamental insert, preferably
made of precious metal or plated therewith. An ornamental pattern
on the surface 20' of the inner part 20 is possible too.
[0035] As it too can be seen from FIG. 1, in the inner space 12 of
the outer part 10 two mountings 17a and 17b are arranged. In each
of them a magnet element 18a and 18b is provided. The mountings 17a
and 17b are arranged such that the inner part 20 can be received
between the mountings 17a and 17b so that the magnet elements 18a
and 18b are adjacent to the surface 20' of the inner part 20. The
inner part 20 intern has got two magnet elements 28a and 28b, which
are received in recesses 27a and 27b in such a way that they are,
in a mounted state of the piece of jewelry 1, positioned oppositely
to the magnet elements 18a and 18b in a first index position. It is
provided that the polarity of the magnet elements 18a and 18b of
the outer part 10 and the one of the magnet elements 28a and 28b of
the inner part 20 is different, so that in this first index
position cooperating magnet elements 18a, 28a and 18b, 28b attract
each other. By this measure it is achieved that, due to the
attractive magnetic force between pairs of magnet elements 18a, 28a
and 18b, 28b, the inner part 20, being rotationally movably
received in the outer part 10, is fixed in this preferred position.
In order to turn the inner part 20 around the axis defined by the
axis elements 21a and 21b the wearer of the piece of jewelry 1 must
apply a small, but perceptible force for turning the inner part 20
against the attractive force of the pairs of magnet elements 18a,
28a and 18b, 28b. After a rotation around 180.degree. the first
magnet element 18a comes into effect with the first magnet element
28a of the inner part 20, so that in this position a second index
position of the inner part 20 is formed. By means of the magnet
elements 18a and 18b of the outer part 10 and the cooperating
magnet elements 28a and 28b of the inner part 20 hence a
magnetically induced fixation of the inner part 20 in the outer
part 10 is effected, which has two index positions, namely a first
index position, in which the magnet elements 18a and 28a as well as
the magnet elements 18b and 28b respectively cooperate, and a
second index position, in which the first magnet element 18a of the
outer part 10 cooperates with the second magnet element 28b of the
inner part 20 and the second magnet element 18b of the outer part
10 cooperates with the first magnet element 28a of the inner part
20. In said first index position the recess 23 of the inner part 20
is visible through the opening 13 of the outer part 10. If now the
inner part 20 is turned by 180.degree., so the part of the surface
20' of the inner part 20 opposite the recess 23 is visible through
the opening 13 of the outer part 10. In this way, the optical
appearance of the piece of jewelry 1 is varied, whereby the inner
part 20 is fixed in the outer part 10 in defined positions. The use
of magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28, 28b therefore allows the
fixation of the inner part 20 in two defined index position,
without requiring a sophisticated mechanical mechanism, as it is
necessary for the pieces of jewelry described at the beginning.
[0036] In the case described it is assumed that the outer part 10
and the inner part 20 each have two magnet elements 18a, 18b and
28a, 28b respectively, which are formed as permanent magnets, so
that in the two afore-mentioned index positions oppositely arranged
magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28a, 28b attract each other. It is
apparent for the person skilled in the art that this is not
mandatory. It is possible too that the inner part 20 comprises two
magnet elements 28a, 28b, but the outer part 10 only has one magnet
element, e.g. the magnet element 18a. Then the "magnetic locking"
or "magnetic indexing" formed by cooperating magnet elements is
weaker than in the case, in which there are provided two
cooperating pairs of magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28a, 28b. But
this can be sufficient for a number of applications.
[0037] Furthermore, it is possible that the inner part 20 only has
got one magnet element, e.g. the magnet element 28a. In this case
it is still true that the magnetic fixation of the inner part 20 in
the outer part 10, which in this case is only accomplished by one
pair of magnet elements formed by two cooperating magnet elements,
is weaker than in the case first described, in which two
cooperating pairs of magnet elements are provided.
[0038] The afore description assumes that the two magnet elements
28a, 28b of the inner part 20 are arranged spaced apart in the
circumferential direction, i.e. in the direction of movement of the
inner part 20 relative to the outer part 10, by 180.degree.. This
is not mandatory too. It is possible too that another angular
distance between the two magnet elements 28a and 28b is
provided.
[0039] Furthermore it is possible that--as it will be described
below for a third and a fourth embodiment--the inner part 20 has
got more than two magnet elements being disposed along its
circumference. In this case more than two index positions are
formed.
[0040] It is not mandatory that the magnet elements 18a, 18b and
28a, 28b are formed as permanent magnets. A magnetic attraction can
be achieved in such a way that only one element of a cooperating
magnet element pair is formed as a magnet element and that the
other is formed as a magnetizable element, i.e. is formed by a
ferromagnetic material or at least comprises a ferromagnetic
material. It is e.g. possible, that the magnet elements 18a, 18b of
the outer part 10 are formed as permanent magnets and the magnet
elements 28a, 28b of the inner part 20 comprises at least in part a
ferromagnetic material. The inverse arrangement, namely, that the
magnet elements 28a, 28b are formed as permanent magnets and the
magnet elements 18a, 18b are ferromagnetic, is possible too. A
combination of these measures is possible too.
[0041] For the sake of completeness it should be noted in respect
to the first embodiment that the connection between the first half
member 11a and the second half member 11b is achieved in that the
second half member 11b has got projections 19a and 19b, which are
formed, in the embodiment described, as parts of the mountings 17a
and 17b for the magnet elements 18a and 18b. The first half member
11a has got through openings 19c, 19d, from which in FIG. 1 only
the opening 19d is shown. Through these openings 19c, 19d screws
(not shown) can be led, which engage on the projections 19a and 19b
and fix in this way the second half member 11b on the first half
member 11a. But it is possible too, to use other means of
connecting the two half members 11a and 11b, e.g. by gluing,
welding, lasering, and the like. It is apparent for the person
skilled in the art that the manner in which the two half members
11a, 11b are joint together for forming the outer part 10 is only
of a secondary nature.
[0042] The piece of jewelry 1 furthermore comprises a mounting
element 30, which is fixed by means of a bolt 31 on the outer part
10 of the piece of jewelry 1.
[0043] The measures described are in particular of advantage if a
piece of jewelry 1 having a variable optical appearance is to be
created. In the first index position the inner part 20 is fixed in
the outer part 10 in such a way that through the opening 13 of the
outer part 10 a first area of the inner part 20 is visible. In the
embodiment described the recess 23 of the inner part 20 or a
precious stone or an ornamental stone received in the recess 23 is
visible. If the inner part 20, starting form said first index
position, is turned by 180.degree. then a second area of the
surface 20', which is arranged oppositely to the first area, shall
become visible and the inner part 20 is then fixed by cooperating
pairs of magnet elements in said second index position.
[0044] If, e.g. in the recess 23 of the inner part 20 a precious
stone like a diamond or the like is inserted, then this precious
stone can be positioned by a movement of the inner part 20 by
180.degree. in a hidden position and can be moved back by a further
rotation into its visible position. It is possible too, that the
second area being provided opposite to the first area is designed
optical different, so that in this way two different optical
appearances of the piece of jewelry 1 can be created by a rotation
of the inner part 20.
[0045] In FIGS. 2 and 3 a second embodiment of a piece of jewelry 1
is shown, which corresponds in its basic design to the one of the
first embodiment, so that corresponding parts are endorsed with the
same reference signs and are not described any more. The major
difference between the first embodiment, designed as a pendant, and
the second embodiment, being designed as a ring, is that the outer
part 10 now is no longer--as in the case of a pendant--forms the
piece of jewelry 1 itself, but that the outer part 10 and the inner
part 20 being received in it are mounted on a base body 40, so that
the base body 40 serves as a kind of mounting for the outer part
10. The design of the outer part 10 and the inner part 20 of the
second embodiment correspond to the one of the first embodiment, so
that a further description is not required. In particular the
afore-contained explanations in respect to the formation of the
magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28a, 28b as well as the arrangement of
the magnet elements, in particular of the magnet elements 28a, 28b
of the inner part 20, apply here correspondingly.
[0046] In the second embodiment it is exemplarily provided that the
connection between the outer part 10 and the inner part 20 as well
as the connection with the base body 40 is achieved by screw bolts
19e and 19f, which pass through openings (not shown) of the ring
body 40 and the afore-described through openings 19c and 19d of the
outer part 10 and engage the projections 19a and 19b of the inner
part 20 and assemble the three afore-mentioned parts, as it shown
in FIG. 3.
[0047] In FIGS. 4 and 5 a third embodiment of a piece of jewelry 1
is shown, which corresponds in its basic design to the one of the
second embodiment, so that corresponding parts once more are
endorsed with the same reference signs and are not described once
more. A difference between the second and third embodiment is given
by the design of the inner part 20, which, in this embodiment, does
not have the recess 23 any longer.
[0048] Of more importance is that it is now provided that the inner
part 20 comprises three magnet elements 28a, 28b and 28c, but only
one magnet element 18a or 18b is provided in the outer part 10. The
magnet elements 28a and 28b being received in recesses 27a and 27b
are arranged in a circumferential direction displaced by 90.degree.
to each other and are provided on a common turning circle. The
second and the third magnet element 28b and 28c are each displaced
to the first magnet element 28a by 90.degree. and hence by
180.degree. to each other. In this way, the inner part 20 is
provided with three magnet elements 28a-28c, which are displaced by
90.degree. to each other, so that they extend over a
circumferential area of 270.degree.. This has got the effect that
the third embodiment now has got three index positions, in which a
"magnetic locking" or a "magnetic indexing" of the inner part 20
relative to the outer part 10 is possible.
[0049] In FIGS. 6 and 7 a fourth embodiment of a piece of jewelry 1
is shown, whose basic design corresponds to the one of the third
embodiment, so that corresponding parts are endorsed with the same
reference numerals and are not described once more. The main
difference between the third and the fourth embodiment is that the
inner part 20 comprises four magnet elements 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d
and the outer part 10 comprises two oppositely arranged magnet
elements 18a and 18b. The four magnet elements 28a-28d of the inner
part 20 are displaced in a circumferential direction to each other,
so that in total four index positions, which are displaced by
90.degree. to each other, are formed. Of course it is possible in
this case too to omit the second magnet element 18b of the outer
part 10, in the case that a sufficient magnetic locking can be
achieved by one pair of magnet elements.
[0050] Summarizing, it is to be stated that by the described
measures, namely by the cooperation of at least one magnet element
18a and/or 18b of the outer part 10 and at least one magnet element
28a-28d of the inner part 20 an indexed positioning of the inner
part 20 relative to the outer part 10 in at least two index
positions can be achieved. A piece of jewelry 1 is created in which
in a simple way the inner part 20 being movably received in the
outer part 10 can be held in two, preferably in several index
positions in a defined place, so that then different areas of the
inner part 20 are visible through the openings 13 and 13'
respectively.
[0051] The use of magnet elements 18a, 18b as well as 28a-28d has
got the advantage that a precise positioning of the inner part 20
in defined index positions can be achieved without requiring
complicated mechanical constructions therefore.
[0052] In summary, a piece of jewelry has an outer part and an
inner part movably received in the interior of the outer part so as
to allow a relative movement between the inner part and the outer
part in a direction of movement. The outer part surrounding the
inner part has at least one opening through which at least one
sub-region of the surface of the inner part is visible. The inner
part can be fixed in a first index position, in which a first
sub-region of the inner part is visible through the opening, and in
at least one second index exposition, in which a second sub-region
of the inner part is visible through the opening, relative to the
outer part. The outer part has at least one magnet element, and the
inner part has at least one complementary magnet element. The
magnet element or the magnet elements of the outer part is/are
arranged in the outer part in a defined position. The magnet
element or at least one magnet element of the inner part is
arranged on or in the inner part such that the magnet element or at
least one magnet element can be moved closer to the at least one
magnet element of the outer part by means of the relative movement
of the inner part and can be moved away from the at least one
magnet element by means of another relative movement of the inner
part so that in the first index position and at least in the second
index position, at least one respective magnet element of the outer
part interacts magnetically with at least one magnet element of the
inner part.
* * * * *