decorative chain

Abstract

To provide a decorative chain that is hard to break without making the chain itself stand out. [Solution] The decorative chain 1 of this invention is characterized by having a chain portion 10 composed of multiple links 11 connected in sequence, each link being made of metal or resin wire processed into a ring, and a reinforcing thread 20 threaded through the multiple links 11 along the entire chain portion 10, the diameter of which is less than half the wire diameter of the wire.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to decorative chains used in accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. [Background technology]

[0002] Decorative chains used in accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets include chains made by connecting multiple metal or resin links (rings) in sequence. These decorative chains are called azuki (azuki bean) chains, kihei (kihei) chains, etc., depending on the shape of the links. Decorative chains are processed into circular accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets by attaching clasps to both ends of a single decorative chain, or by connecting one decorative chain to each side of an accessory and attaching clasps to the ends of each chain. Some accessories have decorative items such as pendants or charms strung on them.

[0003] Decorative chains typically use links made from metal wire with a diameter of about 0.2 to 0.4 mm, processed into ring shapes with a diameter (minor axis) of about 0.7 to 3.4 mm. In the case of accessories to which pendants or charms are attached, decorative chains made from small links connected together are often used to make the pendants or charms stand out, in other words, to keep the chain from standing out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-122442 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Decorative chains made by joining links made of small diameter wire links have the problem of low tensile strength and being prone to breaking.

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a decorative chain that is hard to break without making the chain itself stand out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The decorative chain according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is as follows: a chain portion formed by sequentially connecting a plurality of annular bodies each formed by processing a metal or resin wire rod into an annular shape; a reinforcing thread threaded through the plurality of annular bodies over the entire chain portion, the reinforcing thread having a diameter equal to or less than half the wire diameter of the wire; The present invention is characterized by having the following.

[0008] Here, "made of metal" includes made of alloy. The wire diameter of the wire means the diameter when the cross section of the wire is circular, the length of the diagonal when the cross section is square, and the maximum diameter of the cross section when the cross section is flat such as elliptical or rectangular.

[0009] The reinforcing thread is preferably a thin but strong thread that is difficult to break, and examples of such threads include silk thread, chemical fiber thread, and composite fiber thread of silk thread and chemical fiber. Also, non-fiber threads such as needlework fishing line and piano wire may be used as the reinforcing thread.

[0010] The reinforcing thread may be threaded through a decorative member having a small hole for passing the reinforcing thread. By threading such decorative members onto the reinforcing thread, the decorativeness of the chain can be enhanced. Examples of decorative members include beads made of metal, stone, glass, wood, and plastic. Charms can also be used as decorative members.

[0011] The decorative member may be either large enough to pass through the loops or large enough not to pass through them. If the decorative member is too large to pass through the loops, it is necessary to thread the reinforcing thread through a given loop and then thread the decorative member through the reinforcing thread before threading it through the next loop. However, if the decorative member is large enough to pass through the loops, the reinforcing thread with the decorative member already threaded through it can be threaded through the loop.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is an accessory such as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet made using the decorative chain described above, which comprises a decorative chain having a predetermined length and clasps attached to both ends of the decorative chain. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The decorative chain of this invention has a reinforcing thread threaded through the multiple loops that make up the chain along its entire length, and because the reinforcing thread is much thinner than the wire that makes up the loops, the chain is not noticeable due to the reinforcing thread threaded through the loops. This increases the decorative chain's strength against tension without compromising its appearance. Furthermore, because the reinforcing thread is threaded through the loops along the entire chain, even if the chain breaks, the loops will not fly off and be lost at the break. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a decorative chain according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] A close-up of the decorative chain. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of another example of a decorative chain according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of yet another example of a decorative chain according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an Azuki chain is used as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to other chains such as a Kihei chain.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the decorative chain 1 of this embodiment is composed of a chain portion 10 made up of multiple links (annular bodies) 11 connected together, and a single reinforcing thread 20 threaded through all of the links 11 that make up the chain portion 10 in the order in which the links 11 are arranged. In the following description, the direction in which the multiple links are connected will be referred to as the longitudinal direction of the chain portion. Note that the dimensions of each part listed below are examples and do not limit the dimensions of each part according to the present invention.

[0017] The link 11 is a single metal or resin wire processed into a ring shape so that its outer shape is approximately oval. The wire may be either a wire with a circular cross section (round wire) or a wire with a rectangular cross section (rectangular wire). Examples of metal wire include wire made of gold (18K gold), platinum, alloy, gold-plated copper, or gold-plated iron. Examples of resin wire include wire made of polycarbonate or acrylic resin.

[0018] The multiple links 11 are connected so that their major axes face the longitudinal direction of the chain portion 10. The outer diameter (diameter) of the wire that makes up the links 11 is approximately 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, the length (major axis) of the links 11 in the longitudinal direction is approximately 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, and the length (minor axis) in the lateral direction is approximately 0.7 mm to 3.5 mm. Each link 11 is passed through an adjacent link 11 and is connected to the adjacent link in a state rotated approximately 90° around the longitudinal axis.

[0019] The reinforcing thread 20 is made of silk, synthetic fiber, or a composite fiber of silk and synthetic fiber. The reinforcing thread 20 is made of a thin thread that is less than one-tenth the width of the link 11. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of seven links 11 (only a portion of the two links 11 on both sides is shown) located within a predetermined area of the decorative chain 1. If these seven links 11 are, from left to right, link 111, link 112, ..., link 117, the reinforcing thread 20 is passed from top to bottom inside link 111, and then from front to back inside the adjacent link 112. By repeating this process, the reinforcing thread 20 is passed through all seven links 111 to 117 in the order of the links 11. The reinforcing thread 20 may be passed from either the left or right side, and the direction in which the reinforcing thread is passed inside the links may be from top to bottom, bottom to top, front to back, or back to front. It is preferable for the links 11 facing the same direction (links 111, 113, 115, and 117, and links 112, 114, and 116 in Figure 2) to have the reinforcing threads 20 threaded in the same direction, as this will look good, but the reinforcing threads 20 may also be threaded in alternating directions.

[0020] The decorative chain 1 according to this embodiment has the reinforcing thread 20 threaded through the multiple links 11 throughout the entire chain portion 10, which increases the strength of the decorative chain 1 against forces pulling it in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, because the reinforcing thread 20 is threaded through all of the links 11 throughout the entire chain portion 10, even if the connection between multiple adjacent links 11 becomes detached and the chain portion 10 breaks along the way, the links at the broken point can be prevented from flying off. If any links have become detached, the decorative chain 1 can be repaired by reconnecting the links using a specified tool.

[0021] Furthermore, in the decorative chain 1 of this embodiment, a reinforcing thread 20 having a diameter less than half the wire diameter of the wire material constituting the link 11 is used, so that the chain portion 10 is not noticeable by passing the reinforcing thread 20 through it, and the appearance of the decorative chain 1 is not marred.

[0022] Figure 3 is a front view showing an example of a decorative chain 1 in which decorative members 30 are threaded through the reinforcing threads 20. Other than the decorative members 30 being threaded through the reinforcing threads 20, the configuration is the same as the decorative chain 1 in Figures 1 and 2, so the same or corresponding parts as those of the decorative chain 1 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the decorative members 30 threaded on the reinforcing thread 20 are all made of beads of a size that allows them to pass through the inside of the link 11. The beads may be made of any material, including metal, stone, glass, wood, and plastic. Threading such decorative members 30 on the reinforcing thread 20 enhances the decorativeness of the chain portion 10. Furthermore, by making the decorative members 30 large enough to pass through the inside of the link 11, the reinforcing thread 20 and the decorative members 30 can be threaded through the link 11 after the decorative members 30 are threaded on the reinforcing thread 20.

[0024] In the example shown in Figure 3, all decorative members 30 have the same shape and size, but decorative members 30 of various shapes may be threaded through the reinforcing thread. Also, as shown in Figure 4, decorative members 30 of various shapes and sizes may be threaded through the reinforcing thread 20. In this case, the decorative members 30 may be sized so that they cannot pass through the inside of the links 11. When using such decorative members 30, it is necessary to thread the decorative members 30 through the reinforcing thread 20 after threading it through one link 11 before threading it through the next link 11. This is a time-consuming process, but it can enhance the decorative effect of the chain portion 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1...Decorative chain 10…chain part 11...frame 20...Reinforcing thread 30...Decorative parts

Claims

1. a chain portion formed by sequentially connecting a plurality of annular bodies each formed by processing a metal or resin wire rod into an annular shape; a reinforcing thread threaded through the plurality of annular bodies over the entire chain portion, the reinforcing thread having a diameter equal to or less than half the wire diameter of the wire; A decorative chain comprising:

2. 2. The decorative chain according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing thread is made of silk, chemical fiber, or a composite fiber made of silk and chemical fiber.

3. The decorative chain according to claim 1, The decorative chain further comprises a decorative member having small holes through which the reinforcing thread is threaded.

4. 2. The decorative chain according to claim 1, wherein the decorative members are beads made of any one of metal, stone, glass, wood, and plastic.

5. A decorative chain according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a predetermined length; clasps attached to both ends of the decorative chain; Accessories included.

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