Wearable decorative article comprising trim or trim assembly comprising wearable decorative article

Abstract

A wearable decorative article comprising a trim or a trim assembly comprising a wearable decorative article. A wearable decorative article (1; 1 ') comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the first part (2; 2 ') and the second part (9) are detachably interlocked together. The locking mechanism comprises at least one locking element (2; 2 '), and a second locking portion associated with the second portion (9). The second locking portion comprises a locking ring (12) and actuator means (11) configured to actuate the locking ring (12) from outside the second portion (9) around the first portion (2; 2 ') for reciprocal rotation of the central axis (X) of the wearable decorative article (1; 1 '), and to be interlocked with the first locking portion in an assembled state of the wearable decorative article (1; the wearable decorative article (1, 1 ') may comprise a replaceable individual decorative device (3) arranged between the first part (2, 2') and the second part (9), or the first part itself may be decorated, or a combination thereof, The wearable decorative article may be implemented in a decorative assembly.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable decorative article or an ornamentation assembly including the wearable decorative article.

[0002] The primary purpose of wearing a wearable decorative article or decorative component is as a fashion accessory to complete an outfit.

[0003] In the context of the present invention, the term "wearable decorative article" is intended to mean any decorative object that is worn as an ornament on clothing or on the body and has a decorative purpose.

[0004] Different types of wearable decorative items can symbolize different messages, such as security, wisdom, elegance, and success. For example, jewelry can be worn as a symbol of femininity or to demonstrate social status, confidence, and beauty. Some wearable decorative items or decorative components, such as brooches, belt buckles, shoe buckles, and tie pins, can also serve practical purposes.

[0005] Wearable decorative items or decorative components instantly add a touch of elegance to any look, becoming wearable pieces synonymous with fashion. Adding a decorative wearable item or decorative component to one's appearance or outfit can instantly bring elegance. However, permanently embellished wearable decorative items or decorative components cannot provide instant optimization for every outfit and look, such as color and pattern matching.

[0006] A main aspect of the present invention is to provide a universal wearable decorative article or a decorative assembly including the wearable decorative article.

[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a novel locking mechanism for a wearable decorative article is provided.

[0008] In a further aspect of the present invention, a wearable decorative article is provided having a decorative arrangement that is replaceable without tools.

[0009] In a further aspect of the present invention, a wearable decorative article is provided having a decorative device that can be replaced by the wearer of the wearable decorative article or decorative assembly themselves.

[0010] In a further aspect of the invention, a wearable decorative article having an integrated or integratable decorative device is provided.

[0011] These and other aspects are achieved in accordance with the present invention in that a wearable decorative article includes a locking mechanism configured to removably interlock a first portion and a second portion of the wearable decorative article, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

[0012] - a first locking portion on the first part,

[0013] - a second locking portion associated with the second portion, the second locking portion comprising:

[0014] --locking ring, and

[0015] an actuator device engaged with the locking ring and configured to actuate, from the exterior of the second portion, reciprocating rotation of the locking ring relative to the first locking portion about a central axis of the first portion to interlock the locking ring with the first locking portion in an assembled state of the wearable decorative article and to release the second locking portion from the first locking portion in a disassembled state of the wearable decorative article.

[0016] The present invention thus provides a novel locking mechanism comprising a first locking portion on a first part and a second locking portion associated with a second part. The first locking portion can be locked together with the second locking portion in response to rotational movement of a locking ring and released again by reversing the rotational movement of the locking ring. The rotational movement of the locking ring can be conveniently controlled by operating an actuator device from the exterior of the second part.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wearable decorative article may include a decorative device arranged between a first part and a second part, preferably a replaceable decorative device, which is removably fixed between the second part and the first part by means of interlocking of the first locking part and the second locking part of the locking mechanism.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first portion may be formed integrally with the decoration or decorative arrangement, so that for example the replaceable solid first portion becomes the replaceable part responsible for changing the decoration of the wearable decorative article.

[0019] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a wearable decorative article according to the present invention may have a first portion configured with a plurality of spaced-apart through-openings through which a replaceable decorative device is visible. Alternatively, the first portion may be transparent, and the replaceable decorative device is visible through the transparent first portion. The through-openings may have any contour and shape, be uniform or varied along the first portion, and be arranged with uniform or non-uniform spacing. Thus, the arrangement and design of the through-openings can be implemented in a variety of different ways.

[0020] It may be preferred that the replaceable decorative device is a decorative ring element having a size that matches the profile of the first part. However, in some embodiments, one or both of the inner diameter and outer diameter of the decorative device may be larger or smaller than the corresponding outer diameter and inner diameter of the first part, for example, having an outer diameter larger than the first part so as to protrude from the first part at least at some positions along the periphery of the first part. The first part may be configured to facilitate such protrusion. In addition, the replaceable decorative device may have a structural pattern or three-dimensional feature that protrudes through the through opening, such as an elevated structure that provides an additional structural or decorative feature. Within the scope of the present invention, the replaceable decorative device may have any color, structure and appearance, provided that the configuration of the first part is configured accordingly and provided that the replaceable decorative device structurally and geometrically matches the first part.

[0021] The second locking part associated with the second part may include: the second part has at least one axially extending first through hole, which is configured to allow the first locking part (for example, a first locking part in the form of at least one guide pin (optionally, two, three or more guide pins) protruding axially from the first part toward the second part) to pass through.

[0022] In the assembled state of the wearable decorative article, at least one guide pin can pass through at least one axially extending first through hole, whereby the position (particularly the angular position) of the first locking part relative to the second part becomes fixed and the first part becomes rotationally resistant relative to the second part.

[0023] Optionally, the replaceable decorative device may have at least one notch aligned with the at least one axially extending first through hole and the at least one guide pin, thereby providing control over the position and orientation of the replaceable decorative device relative to the first and second parts. This advantageous control can be achieved in a simple manner because the at least one guide pin is securely positioned in the at least one notch and in the at least one axially extending first through hole. In an alternative, the at least one notch may instead be at least one axially extending second through hole through the replaceable decorative device, the at least one axially extending second through hole being arranged to align with the at least one axially extending first through hole through the second part.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the number of axially extending first through-holes, guide pins, and recesses is two, however, any number is within the scope of the present invention, such as three or four. A number of axially extending first through-holes, guide pins, and recesses greater than one also prevents the first and second parts from rotating relative to one another and provides improved guidance during assembly of the decorated wearable decorative article compared to a number of axially extending first through-holes, guide pins, and recesses of only one. However, a number of one is not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] The second locking portion may further include a backing part configured to be mounted to a bottom portion of the second portion to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the first portion and the second portion.

[0026] In this regard, the backing portion of the present invention may have a peripheral cutout along a shortsector of a circle of the backing portion. Thus, the peripheral cutout may advantageously receive at least a portion of the actuator device so that the actuator device is operable from the exterior of the wearable decorative article, thereby allowing reciprocating rotation of the actuator device.

[0027] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the locking ring may have at least one first through-groove for the passage of the first locking portion (preferably for the passage of at least one guide pin), and an annular hole for securely mounting the free end portion of the actuator device. The annular hole of the locking ring can advantageously be aligned or aligned with the peripheral cutout of the backing portion in any reciprocating position of the actuator device, whereby the actuator device can always be operated from the outside of the second portion via the peripheral cutout to perform the required reciprocating movement of the actuator device, thereby respectively assembling and disassembling the wearable decorative article, as the reciprocating movement drives the locking ring. When the at least one guide pin is arranged to pass through the at least one axially extending first through-groove of the second portion, its free end extends through the at least one first through-groove. The lengths of the peripheral cutout of the backing portion and the at least one first through-groove limit the maximum angular reciprocating stroke of the locking ring, which is achieved by rotating the actuator device.

[0028] It may be preferred that at least one first through-groove has a locking end and a relative release end, so that when the at least one first through-groove reciprocates by the rotation of the locking ring around the central axis of the first part, the first locking part is placed at the locking end of the at least one first through-groove or the release end of the at least one first through-groove due to the at least one guide pin.

[0029] The locking end of the at least one first through-groove can be conveniently sized to be removably clamped around the first locking portion, or otherwise configured to remain on the first locking portion in the assembled state of the wearable decorative article. The first locking portion can, for example, have an enlarged free end that moves below the locking ring at the locking end of the at least one first through-groove. The opposite release end of the at least one first through-groove can conveniently be wider than the locking end of the at least one first through-groove to facilitate easy release of the first locking portion from the at least one first through-groove without the use of any tools or time-consuming manipulation of the wearable decorative article.

[0030] The actuator device may include a tubular actuator portion and a cooperating actuator peg, the tubular actuator portion being mounted to the second portion or being integrally molded with the second portion and protruding axially from the second portion, the cooperating actuator peg extending through the annular hole of the locking ring and protruding from the peripheral cutout of the backing portion so as to be accessible from the outside of the backing portion for actuation to reciprocate along the axially aligned peripheral cutout, the reciprocating motion may respectively include: in a disassembled state of the wearable decorative article, moving the actuator peg of the actuator device in a first direction by an arc segment, thereby arranging the first locking portion to be unlocked in the release end of the first through-groove; and in an assembled state of the wearable decorative article, rotating the locking ring by moving the actuator peg of the actuator device in a second direction opposite to the first direction by an appropriate arc segment, thereby arranging the first locking portion to be locked in the locking end of the first through-groove.

[0031] Preferably, the angular length of the circle segment corresponds to the angular length of the first through-going groove of the locking ring and / or the angular length of the peripheral cutout of the backing portion.Sufficient axial length of the actuator device for operation from the outside of the second part can be provided by the length of the protruding actuator pin.

[0032] In a preferred design of the second part, the second part may have an annular recess or cavity configured for accommodating at least the locking ring and optionally for removably securing the backing part to the second part.

[0033] The backing portion may have a central backing portion opening to allow the wearable decorative article to be in the form of a ring. Any geometric form other than a circle or an ellipse, such as any polygonal shape, such as a square, pentagon, or hexagon, is also within the scope of the present invention. Any conceivable "ring form" is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0034] In an alternative, the backing portion can be configured to have or act as a cover plate, thereby having no central backing portion opening, the cover plate itself can have a decoration, and the decoration can be visible through the first portion due to the axial alignment of the first central opening of the first portion, the central decorative opening of the decorative device and the second central opening of the second portion.

[0035] The second locking portion may include an open-ended partially ring-shaped spring element disposed between the backing portion and the locking ring, the open-ended partially ring-shaped spring element defining a gap between its opposing free ends. When the backing portion is mounted to the second portion, the open-ended partially ring-shaped spring element applies an axial spring force against the second portion to the locking ring to ensure that the free end of the first locking portion is securely retained within the at least one first through-groove, thereby also ensuring that the first portion does not rotate therewith when the locking ring rotates about the central axis of the first portion. The gap may conveniently be arranged to at least substantially align with the peripheral cutout of the backing portion.

[0036] The locking ring may have at least one second through slot for receiving an upright protruding locating web of the open-ended partial annular spring element, thereby ensuring that when the locking ring is rotated, the open-ended partial annular spring element does not inadvertently rotate such that the gap moves out of its at least partial axial alignment with the peripheral cutout of the backing portion.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the opposing blind ends of the peripheral cutout of the backing portion may have a first engagement member that is configured to engage a mating second engagement member on the actuator device, thereby helping to keep the first locking portion and the second locking portion securely locked together in the assembled state of the wearable decorative article. The first engagement member may, for example, be a protruding breast, groove or indentation in the blind end wall of the peripheral cutout, and the second engagement means on the actuator device may be designed to complement the first engagement member, for example on an actuator pin. The second engagement means may, for example, be a collar, tab, pin or recess that cooperates to engage the first engagement member. However, any arrangement of mating female and / or male engagement members is within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The second portion may conveniently have an annular upper recess or cavity configured to receive the decorative device and optionally to at least partially receive the first portion. However, it should be noted that for some embodiments of the wearable decorative article, the decorative device may simply be applied on top of the second portion overlying the first portion.

[0039] The wearable decorative article according to the present invention may be selected from the group of wearable articles comprising a pendant, a bracelet, a bracelet, a ring, an earring, a brooch, a bow, a ribbon, a ribbon, a headband, a buckle, a shoe buckle, or a tie clip. Alternatively, the wearable decorative article may be part of a decorative assembly selected from the group comprising a pendant, a bracelet, a bracelet, a ring, an earring, a brooch, a bow, a ribbon, a ribbon, a headband, a buckle, a shoe buckle, or a tie clip. This list should not be construed as exhaustive.

[0040] Preferably, the wearable decorative article or decorative component can be jewelry, including but not limited to precious metal jewelry, imitation jewelry, small charms, small lockets, or combinations thereof.

[0041] The present invention also relates to a method for replacing a replaceable decorative device as described above or replacing a replaceable first part of a wearable decorative article, the method comprising the following steps:

[0042] a) rotating the locking ring in a first direction by operating the actuator device to disengage the first locking portion from the second locking portion,

[0043] b) removing the replaceable first part and / or the replaceable decorative device,

[0044] c) replacing the replaceable decorative device with another replaceable decorative device and / or replacing the replaceable first part with another replaceable first part,

[0045] d) arranging a first locking portion of the replaceable first part into engagement with a second locking portion associated with the second part, and

[0046] e) rotating the locking ring in a second direction opposite to the first direction by operating the actuator device to interlock the first locking portion with the second locking portion.

[0047] The first direction of step a) may advantageously be towards the release end of the at least one first through-going groove, and the second direction of step e) may advantageously be towards the locking end of the at least one first through-going groove.

[0048] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0049] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wearable decorative article viewed from above,

[0050] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the same wearable decorative article viewed from below,

[0051] Figure 3a is an exploded side view of an embodiment of the same wearable decorative article,

[0052] Figure 3b is an exploded oblique side view of the same embodiment of the wearable decorative article as viewed from below,

[0053] Figure 4 The second part is shown in a perspective view slightly from below,

[0054] Figure 5 The same second part is shown in an oblique perspective view from above,

[0055] Figure 6 The first part is shown in a perspective view slightly from below,

[0056] Figure 7 The same first part is shown in a perspective view slightly from above,

[0057] Figure 8 The locking ring is shown in an enlarged perspective view from above,

[0058] Figure 9 The partially open-ended annular spring element is shown in an enlarged perspective view from above.

[0059] Figure 10 shows the same open-ended part-annular spring element viewed from below,

[0060] Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking ring superimposed on an open-ended partially annular spring element and a tubular actuator portion of the actuator device, the tubular actuator portion being the portion fixed to the second portion, the tubular actuator portion being shown in the locked state of the locking mechanism,

[0061] Figure 12 shows the locking ring of the actuator arrangement in a partially disassembled state,

[0062] Figure 13 It is along Figure 2 A portion of the cross-sectional view taken along line XIII in FIG.

[0063] Figure 14 An example of a pattern of an alternative design of the second embodiment of the first part viewed from above is shown, and

[0064] Figure 15It is a schematic diagram of the principle of a wearable decorative item applied to a bracelet.

[0065] Figure 1 - Figure 3B shows by way of example a first embodiment of a wearable decorative article according to the invention.

[0066] A first embodiment of a wearable decorative article is a pendant 1 comprising a first portion 2, a decorative device 3, a second portion 9 configured to secure an eyelet 10 and having a central second portion opening 4, an actuator 11, a locking ring 12, an open-ended partially annular spring element 13, and an annular backing portion 14. All of these components, except for the peripherally arranged eyelet 10 and actuator 11, are centered about a common central axis X. The decorative device 3 is shown without any pattern, topography, or information. Such information and / or decoration has been omitted for illustrative purposes, and the absence of displayed information and / or decoration should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, nor should the depicted outline and configuration of the through-opening 16 of the first portion 2 be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0067] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 The first part 2, shown in greater detail in FIG, has a first annular body 15 pierced by a plurality of spaced-apart through-openings 16. In this embodiment, the first locking portion is provided as two diametrically opposed guide pins 18a, 18b projecting from a lower surface 19 of the first annular body 15. The first annular body 15 defines a first central opening 20. An O-ring O4 surrounds the respective guide pins 18a, 18b to improve the fastening between the first part 2, the second part, and the decorative device 3.

[0068] like Figure 3a and Figure 3b As shown, the decoration device 3 has an annular decoration body 21 defining a central decoration opening 22. The inner periphery of the central decoration opening 22 has two diametrically opposed recesses 23a, 23b which receive two diametrically opposed guide pins 18a, 18b of the first part 2.

[0069] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 The second portion 9 , seen in more detail in , has a second annular body 24 delimiting a housing 26 which delimits a central second portion opening 4 with an upper housing opening 25 and an opposite lower housing opening 33 .

[0070] In the present embodiment of the wearable decorative article 1, the second annular body 24 has an upper second portion 27 provided with an annular upper cavity 28 pierced by radial first through-holes 17a, 17b for the passage of radially opposed guide pins 18a, 18b situated below the ornamental device 3. In the assembled state of the wearable decorative article 1, the annular upper cavity 28 accommodates the ornamental device 3 and the first portion 2 on top of the ornamental device 3, so as to visually expose a free upper first portion surface 29 of the first portion 2 and the ornament of the ornamental device 3 (not shown) through the through-opening 16.

[0071] The second annular body 24 has a fixture 30 for attaching the eyelet 10 to facilitate hanging a chain (not shown). The fixture 30 can be located in any convenient position that provides convenience and comfort in wearing or wearing the decorative article 1 and does not detract from the visual impression and design.

[0072] The second annular body 24 has a lower second portion 31 opposite the upper second portion 27. The lower second portion 31 has an annular lower cavity 32 that accommodates the locking ring 12 and the partially annular spring element 13 with an open end.

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, in the assembled state of the wearable decorative article 1, the actuator device 11 protrudes axially from the annular lower cavity 32 of the second part 9, which is aligned or alignable with the peripheral cutout 34 of the backing part 14, so as to protrude from the peripheral cutout 34 and thereby be fully exposed so as to be operated by the fingers in opposite rotational first and second directions, as indicated by opposite arrows A1, A2.

[0074] The actuator device 11 is Figure 11 、 Figure 12 and Figure 13 The actuator device 11 has a tubular actuator portion 35 which is fixed to an actuator bore 36 provided in the lower second portion 31 of the second part 9 in the annular lower cavity 32 as shown in FIG. Figure 13 The actuator device 11 also has an actuator pin 37 that includes an upper pin end portion 38, a lower pin end portion 39, and an intermediate pin portion 40 having a larger diameter than the upper and lower pin end portions 38, 39. The lower pin end portion 39 is accessible from the exterior of the wearable decorative article via the peripheral cutout 34 of the backing portion 14, as shown. Figure 14The upper bolt portion 38 is secured in the ring hole 41 in the locking ring 12 and the intermediate bolt portion 40 prevents the actuator bolt 37 from passing upward through the locking ring 12. In response to actuation of the actuator device 11, the lower bolt end portion 39 is moved from side to side by operation, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown by arrows A1 and A2 in FIG. 1 , the locking ring 12 can rotate relative to the second portion 9 and the backing portion 14 by an arc segment of a suitable angle.

[0075] As in Figure 13 As seen in more detail in the cross-sectional view of FIG, the tubular actuator portion 35 houses a compression spring 42 and a ball 43 facing the locking ring 12. The ball 43 projects toward two angularly spaced recesses 44, 45 in the upper surface of the locking ring 12, so that the locking ring 12 faces the face of the second portion 9, as shown. Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the spherical member 43 is positioned in one of the recesses 44, 45, depending on the angular length of movement of the actuator pin 37 and rotation of the locking ring 12 about the central axis X. The backing portion 14 presses the open-ended partially annular spring element 13 into close contact with the locking ring 12, which is then pressed upward against the annular lower cavity 32 of the second portion 9. This keeps the distance between the locking ring 12 and the annular lower cavity 32, and therefore between the spherical member 43 and the locking ring 12, small enough that the spherical member 43 is placed under the compressive force of the compression spring 42. Thus, the spherical member 43 is resiliently trapped between the locking ring 12 and the compression spring 42 within the tubular actuator portion 35. The upper pin end portion 38 may have a small pin cavity 46 that better accommodates the spring-biased spherical member 43 in a position where the wearable decorative article 1 is removed and the decorative device 3 is replaced. Because the ball 43 is spring biased, it can move slightly axially to jump into the bolt cavity 46 when the first part 2 is to be disengaged from the second part 9, and can jump into and out of the two angularly spaced recesses 44, 45 when the lower bolt end part 39 is operated to move along the peripheral cutout 34.

[0076] When the first and second parts 2, 9 are to be assembled after having been disassembled, the locking ring 12 is rotated by actuating the lower bolt end portion 39, whereby the lower bolt end portion 39 disengages the spring-biased ball 43 of the tubular actuator portion 35, and the ball 43 is allowed to jump into spring-biased engagement with one of the recesses 44, 45, or the other recess following one of the recesses 44, 45, thereby being clamped upwardly between the locking ring 12 and the compression spring 42 within the interior of the tubular actuator portion 35 due to the compressive force of the compression spring 42, as described above.

[0077] If especially in Figure 8 、 Figure 11 and Figure 12 As can be seen in FIG, the locking ring 12 further has two diametrically opposed first through-grooves 47, 48 for passing two diametrically opposed guide pins 18a, 18b. The first through-grooves 47, 48 respectively have locking ends 47a, 48a and opposite release ends 47b, 48b, which are wider than the corresponding locking ends 47a, 48a and optionally also wider than the maximum diameter of the corresponding free locking sections 49a, 49b of the guide pins 18a, 18b.

[0078] The guide pins 18a, 18b may have respective locking sections 50a, 50b between the respective free locking section portions 49a, 49b and the first body 15 of the first portion 2. The diameter of the locking sections 50a, 50b is less than or equal to the width of the respective locking ends 47a, 48a of the respective first through-grooves 47, 48. Thus, the free locking section portions 49a, 49b of the respective guide pins 18a, 18b constitute an enlargement of the associated locking section 50a, 50b, which is adapted to retain the guide pins 18a, 18b within the corresponding locking ends 47a, 48a by being wider than the locking sections 50a, 50b.

[0079] As in Figure 9 and Figure 10 As seen in more detail in the enlarged view of FIG, the locking ring 12 has a second through-groove 51 configured to receive an upstanding protruding web 52 of the open-ended partial annular spring element 13. The open-ended partial annular spring element 13 also has third through-holes 53a, 53b for receiving the guide pins 18a, 18b and three spaced-apart spring elements 54a, 54b, 54c, which are annular segments of the open-ended partial annular spring element 13. In this embodiment, the spring characteristics of the annular segments are achieved by axially deflecting the annular, spaced-apart segments of the open-ended partial annular spring element 13 at their inner periphery, or more preferably, at their outer diameter, toward the backing portion 14, whereby the annular segments become capable of providing an axial spring force component toward the backing portion 14. The axial spring force component may be provided in an alternative manner, for example by inserting several annularly distributed springs between the locking ring 13 and the backing portion 14 , which springs may have their respective axes aligned parallel to the common central axis X.

[0080] The open-ended partially annular spring element 13 has opposing free ends 55a, 55b and a gap 56 therebetween that aligns with the peripheral cutout 34 so that the intermediate bolt portion 40 can pass through and the lower bolt end portion 39 becomes accessible for operation via the peripheral cutout 34.

[0081] The backing portion 14 has a fixing collar 57 configured to securely mount the backing portion 13 to the second portion 9 via the first O-ring O1, as shown in FIG. Figure 13 A second O-ring O2 seals in the annular upper cavity 28 between the trim device 3 and the upper second portion 27. The respective aforementioned O-rings O4 surrounding the respective guide pins 18a, 18b provide a seal against the first portion 2 and the trim device 3.

[0082] Figure 15 1 is a schematic diagram showing a decorative component in the form of an open-ended bracelet 6, wherein a wearable decorative article 1' is applied to the bracelet by means of opposing connecting members 7, 8 instead of the eyelet 10 of the pendant 1. The wearable decorative article 1' could alternatively be arranged, for example, at one of the free ends of the open-ended bracelet 6.

[0083] In the accompanying drawings, for illustrative purposes only, two exemplary embodiments of the wearable decorative article of the present invention are shown as a pendant or a bracelet, respectively, however, the principle of the locking mechanism and the related disassembly and assembly of the first part and the second part can be applied to and implemented in any wearable decorative article, including watches.

[0084] The present invention is not limited to any particular shape or profile of the second portion of the wearable decorative article. The shape and profile of the second portion of the wearable decorative article need not be circular, for example. Polygonal and elliptical overall profiles are within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the eyelets, fasteners, and connecting members shown in the accompanying drawings for securing the wearable decorative article to another member that allows the wearable decorative article to be worn by an individual can be made of any conceivable design, and the first portion can also be made in the same manner, provided that the design of the first portion is adapted to the design of the second portion and, if present, that the first portion matches the decorative device.

[0085] It is further emphasized that the plurality of spaced-apart through-openings may have any conceivable design, may be randomly spaced or evenly spaced, and may be a combination of through-openings having different designs. The appearance of the decorative device may be made special in any conceivable way (e.g., by color, pattern, topography), or may be used to provide visual information to the wearer of the wearable decorative article.

[0086] exist Figure 14 A non-limiting example of a different design of the pattern of spaced-apart through-openings of the first portion 2 ′ can be seen in FIG, wherein a plurality of first through-openings 16 a in a “heart shape” are spaced apart and a configuration of a plurality of second through-openings 16 b is defined and defined between the plurality of first through-openings 16 a. Thus, two opposing first through-openings 16 a are provided on opposite sides of a second through-opening 16 b. Figure 14In the pattern shown, the annular sequence of first through-openings 16a consists of two small "heart-shaped" first through-openings 16a and one larger first through-opening 16a, as a result of which the two second through-openings 16b adjacent to the larger first through-opening 16a are smaller in size than the second through-openings 16b between the adjacent smaller first through-openings 16a.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first part is integral with the replaceable decorative device and the entire combined integral component is provided with the first locking portion and constitutes the combined replaceable part.

[0088] It should also be emphasized that the locking mechanism of the present invention can be used to assemble a first part and a second part of a wearable decorative article without a replaceable decorative device, as well as for a wearable decorative article without any decorative device at all between the first part and the second part. In these embodiments, the first part can be made with or without a plurality of spaced-apart through-openings, and the first part can be configured with or without decoration.

[0089] The wearable decorative article of the present invention may be designed to include fastening means for fastening to clothing or other clothing, such as a brooch pin, tie clip, buckle or belt, or to have any other wearing means for facilitating wearing on a part of the body, such as lugs, eyelets, rings or clips.

[0090] In summary: The present invention relates to a wearable decorative article including an ornament, or to an ornament assembly including a wearable decorative article. The wearable decorative article 1, 1' includes a locking mechanism configured to removably interlock a first portion 2, 2' and a second portion 9. The locking mechanism includes a first locking portion on the first portion 2, 2', and a second locking portion associated with the second portion 9. The second locking portion includes a locking ring 12 and an actuator device 11, the actuator device 11 being configured to actuate the locking ring 12 from the outside of the second portion 9 to reciprocate relative to the first locking portion about the central axis X of the first portion 2, 2', so as to interlock with the first locking portion in the assembled state of the wearable decorative article 1, 1', and to release the second locking portion from the first locking portion in the disassembled state of the wearable decorative article 1, 1'. The wearable decorative article 1, 1' may include a separate, replaceable decorative device 3 arranged between the first portion 2 and the second portion 9, or the first portion 2, 2' itself may be decorated, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. A wearable decorative article (1; 1'), characterized in that comprising (3) a locking mechanism configured to detachably interlock the first portion (2; 2') and the second portion (9) of the wearable decorative article, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: - a first locking portion on said first portion (2; 2'), - a second locking portion associated with said second portion (9), said second locking portion comprising: - a locking ring (12), and an actuator device (11) engaged with the locking ring (12) and configured to actuate the reciprocating rotation of the locking ring (12) relative to the first locking part around the central axis (X) of the first part (2; 2') from the outside of the second part (9) to interlock the locking ring (12) with the first locking part in the assembled state of the wearable decorative article (1; 1') and to release the second locking part from the first locking part in the disassembled state of the wearable decorative article (1; 1').

2. The wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to claim 1, characterized in that The wearable decorative article (1; 1') comprises: - a decorative device (3), preferably a replaceable decorative device (3), arranged between said first portion (2; 2') and said second portion (9), or - said first portion (2; 2') is formed integrally with said decorative means or has a decoration, Preferably: - the first portion (2; 2') has a plurality of spaced-apart through-openings (16; 16a, 16b) through which the decorative device (3) is visible, and / or - said first portion (2; 2') is transparent.

3. The wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second locking part comprises: the second part (9) having at least one axially extending first through hole (17a, 17b), the at least one axially extending first through hole (17a, 17b) being configured for allowing the first locking part to pass through, the first locking part being in the form of at least one guide pin (18a, 18b) protruding axially from the first part (2; 2') toward the second part (2; 2'), preferably, the replaceable decorative device (3) having at least one recess (23a, 23b), the recess (23a, 23b) being aligned with or capable of being aligned with the at least one axially extending first through hole (17a, 17b) passing through the second part (9).

4. Wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second locking portion further comprises a backing portion (14) configured to be mounted to a bottom portion of the second portion (9) and having a peripheral cutout (34) allowing the reciprocating rotation of the actuator device (11).

5. Wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The locking ring (12) comprises: - at least one first through-slot (47, 48) for the passage of said first locking portion, and - an annular ring (41) for passing said actuator means (11), Among them, preferably: - the at least one first through-groove (47, 48) has a locking end (47a, 48a) and an opposite release end (47b, 48b), wherein the locking end (47a, 48a) of the at least one first through-groove (47, 48) is sized to be removably clamped around the first locking portion, and the opposite release end (47b, 48b) of the at least one first through-groove (47, 48) is wider than the locking end (47a, 48a) to facilitate release of the first locking portion.

6. The wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to claim 5, characterized in that The actuator device (11) comprises: - a tubular actuator portion (35) protruding axially from the second portion (9), and - an actuator pin (37) extending axially through the annular hole (41) of the locking ring (12) and projecting from the peripheral cutout (34) of the backing portion (14) so ​​as to be accessible from the outside of the backing portion (14) for actuation, so as to reciprocate along the peripheral cutout (34) to respectively: rotate the locking ring (12) in a first direction (A1) in the disassembled state of the wearable decorative article (1; 1') by a distance an arc segment to arrange the first locking portion to be unlocked in the release end portion (47b, 48b) of the first through-groove (47, 48), and in the assembled state of the wearable decorative article (1; 1'), the locking ring (12) is rotated in a second direction (A2) opposite to the first direction (A1) by an arc segment to arrange the first locking portion to be locked in the locking end portion (47a, 48a) of the first through-groove (47, 48), Preferably, the angular length of the circular arc segment substantially corresponds to the angular length of the first through-going groove (47, 48) of the locking ring (12) and / or substantially corresponds to the angular length of the peripheral cutout (34) of the backing part (14).

7. Wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to any one of the preceding claims 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that The second locking portion comprises an open-ended partially annular spring element (13) arranged between the backing portion (14) and the locking ring (12), the open-ended partially annular spring element (13) defining a gap (56) between its opposite free ends (55a, 55b), Preferably, the gap (56) is arranged at least substantially in alignment with the peripheral cutout (34) of the backing portion (14).

8. Wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second portion (9) has an annular lower recess or annular lower cavity (32), which is configured to accommodate at least the locking ring (12), and / or The second portion (9) has an annular upper recess or annular upper cavity (28) configured to accommodate at least the decorative device (3) and optionally to at least partially accommodate the first portion (2; 2').

9. Wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The wearable decorative article (1; 1') is selected from the group of wearable articles including a pendant, a bracelet (5), a bracelet, a ring, an earring, a brooch, a bow, a ribbon, a headband, a buckle, a shoe buckle or a tie clip, or the wearable decorative article (1; 1') is included in a decorative component selected from the group including a pendant, a bracelet (5), a bracelet, a ring, an earring, a brooch, a bow, a ribbon, a headband, a buckle, a shoe buckle or a tie clip, optionally, the wearable decorative article or the decorative component is a natural jewellery, an imitation, a small ornament, a small box or a combination thereof.

10. A method for replacing an exchangeable decorative device (3) or replacing an exchangeable first part (2; 2') of a wearable decorative article (1; 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: a) rotating the locking ring (12) in a first direction (A1) by operating the actuator device (11) to disengage the first locking portion from the second locking portion, b) removing the replaceable first part (2; 2') and / or the replaceable decorative device (3), c) replacing the replaceable decorative device (3) with another replaceable decorative device (3) and / or replacing the replaceable first part with another replaceable first part, d) arranging said first locking portion of said replaceable first part (2; 2') into engagement with said second locking portion associated with said second part (9), and e) rotating the locking ring (12) in a second direction (A2) opposite to the first direction by operating the actuator device (11) to interlock the first locking portion with the second locking portion, Preferably, the first direction (A1) of step a) is toward the release end (47b, 48b) of the at least one first through-groove (47, 48), and the second direction (A2) of step e) is toward the locking end (47a, 48a) of the at least one first through-groove (47, 48).

Images