Decorative article with fastening system

Abstract

The invention relates to a decorative article (1) comprising at least two parts (5, 6) coupled by a reversible fastening system (7) comprising a "male part (8)-female part (9)" assembly, the male and female parts having complementary shapes capable of fitting and being configured to be fastened by means of the male and female parts (8, 9). The two parts (5, 6) are switched from a releasable fitting position in which the male part (8) is received in the cavity (9a) of the female part (9) to a locking fitting position in which the male part (8) is prevented from leaving the cavity (9a) of the female part (9) in order to lock the two parts (5, 6) relative to each other by means of a relative rotation between the two parts (5, 6).

Description

Decorative items with fastening systems Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening system for fastening together two parts of at least one component, said at least one component forming all or part of an ornamental article (e.g., a jewelry article), and particularly to these parts preferably having a corresponding shape. Background Technology

[0002] Especially in the jewelry industry, screw-nut assemblies can be used, for example, to fasten necklaces or bracelets. For this application, the screw-nut assembly must be able to be tightened and loosened repeatedly so that the user can remove the jewelry for regular cleaning or replacement.

[0003] It has been found that this reversible clasp can lead to untimely loosening, resulting in the accidental loss of all or part of the jewelry. Furthermore, if the material used is a precious metal, such as gold, the mechanical properties of this material are more conducive to loosening (elastic limit, Young's modulus, creep, hardness, etc.). Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of this invention is to provide a decorative article having a novel fastening system between two parts of at least one component, the fastening system being reversible (capable of being released or locked) and lockable by rotation (a simple movement without elastic engagement), but with a lower risk of the user losing all or part of the component forming the decorative article without noticing.

[0005] Therefore, the subject of the present invention is a decorative article comprising at least two parts of at least one component, the at least two parts being joined together by means of a fastening system for attachment to a user, characterized in that the fastening system is reversible and includes a "male-female" assembly, the male and female components being respectively mounted on the at least two parts and having complementary shapes, the complementary shapes being capable of fitting and configured to switch from a releasable fitted position in which the male component is received in the cavity of the female component to a locked fitted position in which the male component is prevented from leaving the cavity of the female component by relative rotation between the male and female components, so as to lock the two parts relative to each other, and characterized in that the releasable fitted position is held stable by an elastic retaining device.

[0006] Advantageously, according to the invention, the fastening device does not use a "screw-nut" assembly, which avoids unintended disassembly of the item due to user movement. The fastening system always advantageously allows the item to be reversibly engaged by means of a tool (e.g., a screwdriver) through a simple rotational movement (partial rotational movement). Thus, the user simply needs to engage the male and female parts together (releasable engagement position) and then lock the male and female parts together with a simple rotation (locked engagement position), and vice versa.

[0007] Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a minimum tightening force (especially by placing the screw-nut assembly under stress) as with a screw-nut assembly to ensure that the parts are fastened to each other. Advantageously, according to the invention, the complementary shapes of the male and female parts, through simple rotation, allow the two parts of the article to be prevented from separating, thereby avoiding loss of the article.

[0008] Furthermore, thanks to the resilient retaining device, the user no longer needs to push / hold the male component in the cavity of the female component to apply the locking engagement rotation, because the releasable engagement position remains resiliently stable as long as the force applied to the male component does not exceed the resilient retaining force. Advantageously, the male component can still be released from the female component by overcoming the elastic force of the resilient retaining device.

[0009] The present invention may also include one or more of the following optional features, used individually or in combination.

[0010] The complementary shapes of the male and female components can be configured such that the two parts gradually move closer to each other by rotation, so that they press against each other in a locked engagement position. Typically, one of the complementary shapes has a dimension that varies along the direction in which the parts move closer (e.g., the thickness of a stop such as a latch), which gradually changes with the rotation process to switch from a releasable engagement position to a locked engagement position and vice versa.

[0011] The "male-female" assembly may include a slot and a latch, which are configured to slide against each other from a releasable engagement position to a locked engagement position by relative rotation between the male and female components. In the releasable engagement position, the male component is freely received in the cavity of the female component because there is no latch in the slot, while in the locked engagement position, the male component is prevented from leaving the cavity of the female component because there is a latch in the slot.

[0012] According to one particular embodiment, a slot may be formed on the male component, and a latch may be formed on the female component. In this particular embodiment, the female component is thus rotated so that the latch is inserted into the slot.

[0013] The transition from the releasable engagement position to the locked engagement position can be achieved by rotation between 60° and 120°, and vice versa; that is, the rotation can be equal to, for example, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 90°, 95°, 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, or 120°. According to one example, a simple right-angle rotation can thus achieve locking / unlocking of the fastening system.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment, the resilient retaining device may therefore include a tenon that is resiliently mounted in a cavity of the female component, the tenon being configured to engage with a mortise formed on the male component so as to maintain a stable releasable engagement position as long as the applied force does not exceed the resilient thrust of the tenon. Thus, when the tenon resiliently engages with the mortise, the user will be able to feel the engagement between the male and female components corresponding to a releasable engagement position. He will thus infer that he can lock them simply by rotation (locking the engagement position) and vice versa. According to one example, the retaining device can maintain a stable releasable engagement position until the applied force is between 3N and 12N, preferably between 5N and 10N. According to the invention, the force applied to the tenon to disengage from the mortise (resilient disengagement) can advantageously be the same as or different from the force applied to the tenon to engage with the mortise (resilient engagement). Therefore, the applied force (elastic disengagement and / or elastic engagement) can be, for example, specifically equal to 3 N, 3.5 N, 4 N, 4.5 N, 5 N, 5.5 N, 6 N, 6.5 N, 7 N, 7.5 N, 8 N, 8.5 N, 9 N, 9.5 N, 10 N, 10.5 N, 11 N, 11.5 N, or 12 N.

[0015] The releasable and / or locked engagement positions can be maintained stable by a resilient locking device. In one particular embodiment, the resilient locking device may include a stop that is resiliently mounted on the article and configured to engage with at least one recess in the releasable and / or locked engagement positions of the male-female assembly, so as to maintain the releasable and / or locked engagement positions stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the resilient thrust of the stop. Thus, when the stop resiliently engages with the recess, the user will be able to feel the releasable and / or locked engagement positions.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the locking device includes two recesses in a releasable engagement position and a locked engagement position, respectively, such that the releasable engagement position and the locked engagement position remain stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the elastic thrust of the stop member. Therefore, when the user switches from the releasable engagement position to the locked engagement position, the user can deduce the limit of rotation (i.e., the moment when rotation must stop) and vice versa.

[0017] The locking device holds the releasable engagement position and / or the locked engagement position stable until, for example, the torque applied to the female component is between 3 N.mm and 12 N.mm, preferably between 5 N.mm and 10 N.mm. According to the invention, the force applied to each recess to disengage from the stop (elastic release) can advantageously be the same or different. Therefore, the torque can be, for example, particularly equal to 3 N.mm, 3.5 N.mm, 4 N.mm, 4.5 N.mm, 5 N.mm, 5.5 N.mm, 6 N.mm, 6.5 N.mm, 7 N.mm, 7.5 N.mm, 8 N.mm, 8.5 N.mm, 9 N.mm, 9.5 N.mm, 10 N.mm, 10.5 N.mm, 11 N.mm, 11.5 N.mm, or 12 N.mm. Of course, the required torque is not limited to the given examples, but can be lower or higher, which is not beyond the scope of the invention.

[0018] The article may include an additional resilient element (e.g., mounted between the female component and one of the said components) and a control lever for controlling the additional resilient element, such that in the releasable engagement position, the male component actuates the control lever, and the relaxation of the additional resilient element allows relative rotation of the male and female components toward the locked engagement position. Therefore, it can be understood that when the male component is inserted into the female component, i.e., in the releasable engagement position, relative rotation between the male and female components is automatically triggered (i.e., without additional user action) toward the locked engagement position. Thus, the article is automatically locked by the elastic relaxation of the additional resilient element, and no other user action is required to ensure that the article is held (locked) on the user's limb except for inserting the male component into the female component.

[0019] Fastening systems and / or decorative items may be formed wholly or partially based on at least one precious metal. The precious metal may therefore be gold or platinum. As a non-limiting example, male and / or female parts and / or tenons and / or stops may be formed based on a precious metal (or one of its alloys).

[0020] Finally, decorative items, such as jewelry or ornaments, could be bracelets. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given in a non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a decorative article including a fastening system according to the invention, the fastening system being in a locked engagement position;

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example of an unfitted "male-female" assembly according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an example of the fastening system according to the present invention in a releasable engaged position;

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of the fastening system according to the present invention in a releasable engagement position;

[0026] Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an example of the fastening system according to the present invention in a releasable engaged position;

[0027] Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an example of the fastening system according to the present invention in the locked engagement position;

[0028] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example of a fastening system according to the present invention in a locked engagement position;

[0029] Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an example of a fastening system according to the present invention in a locked engagement position. Detailed Implementation

[0030] In different accompanying drawings, the same or similar elements have the same reference numerals (and may have additional numerals). Therefore, there is no systematic repetition of descriptions of their structure and function.

[0031] In the following text, orientation refers to the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings. In particular, the terms "up," "down," "left," "right," "above," "below," "forward," and "backward" are generally understood relative to the indicated direction in the accompanying drawings.

[0032] "Jewelry" refers to all kinds of decorative or personal items, including those that do not contain precious stones, such as bracelets, necklaces, belts, etc.

[0033] "Jewelry items" refers to all kinds of decorative or personal items that may include precious or semi-precious gemstones, such as bracelets, necklaces, belts, etc.

[0034] "Based on" means that a material or alloy constitutes at least 50% of the total mass or weight of a given element.

[0035] The object of this invention is to provide a fastening system 7 for fastening together two portions 5, 6 of at least one component 3, 4, which form an article 1 of an decorative type, such as a jewelry article or ornament. Therefore, it is understood that the article 1 includes components 3, 5 or more components 3, 5. In the example shown in FIG1, the decorative article 1 forms a bracelet based on two components 3, 4, each component 3, 4 being in the form of a semi-ring preferably made of precious metal. According to the invention, each pair of portions 5, 6 of components 3, 4 may include a fastening system 7.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 1, only one pair includes the fastening system 7, and the second pair includes a hinge structure 2, which preferably has a pivot-type connector. The pivot connector can be formed, for example, by a metal shaft assembled in a bearing made of a technical polymer such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or can be any other type of pivot connector. Preferably, the pivot connector achieves damping by an interference fit assembly of the shaft in the bearing. Of course, any other type of damping known to those skilled in the art for pivot connectors can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The damping force of the hinge structure 2 can be, for example, between 0.1 N and 3 N, and preferably between 0.5 N and 1.5 N. According to the invention, the damping force of the hinge structure 2 for separating parts 5, 6 (opening article 1) can advantageously be the same as or different from the damping force for bringing parts 5, 6 together (fastening article 1). The damping force of the hinge structure (opening and / or fastening article 1) can therefore be, for example, specifically equal to 0.1 N, 0.2 N, 0.3 N, 0.4 N, 0.5 N, 0.6 N, 0.7 N, 0.8 N, 0.9 N, 1n, 1.1 N, 1.2 N, 1.3 N, 1.4 N, 1.5 N, 1.6 N, 1.7 N, 1.8 N, 1.9 N, 2n, 2.1 N, 2.2 N, 2.3 N, 2.4 N, 2.5 N, 2.6 N, 2.7 N, 2.8 N, 2.9 N, or 3 N.

[0037] The purpose of this invention is to provide a decorative article 1 with a fastening system 7 that is reversible (can be released as shown in the example of FIG2 or locked as shown in the example of FIG1) and can be locked by simple rotation (a simple movement without the possibility of difficult disassembly of the elastic fit), but with a lower risk of the user losing all or part of the components forming the decorative article 1 (two components 3, 4 in the examples shown in FIG1 to FIG8) without noticing.

[0038] According to the present invention, the fastening system 7 includes a "male component 8-female component 9" assembly. The male component 8 and female component 9 are respectively mounted on two parts 5 and 6 and have complementary shapes that can be fitted together, particularly as shown in the example of FIG4. The male component 8 and female component 9 are also configured such that, by a relative rotation α between the male component 8 and female component 9, they can be switched from a releasable fit position as shown in the example of FIG3 to a locked fit position as shown in the example of FIG6. In the releasable fit position, the male component 8 is received within the cavity 9a of the female component 9, while in the locked fit position, the male component 8 is prevented from disengaging from the cavity 9a of the female component 9, thereby locking the two parts 5 and 6 relative to each other.

[0039] Advantageously, according to the invention, the fastening device 7 does not use a "screw-nut" assembly, which avoids undesirable disassembly of the item due to user movement. The fastening system 7 advantageously allows the decorative item 1 to be reversibly fastened by a simple rotational movement (essentially a partial rotational movement of π / 2 in the example shown in FIG. 2) using a tool such as a screwdriver (capable of engaging with a slot 9f present on the top of the female part 9). Thus, the user simply needs to fit the male part 8 and the female part 9 together (releasable engagement position) and then lock them together by a simple rotation (locked engagement position) to wear the item 1 on one of the limbs; disassembly is performed by reversing the operation to remove the item 1 from the limb.

[0040] Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a minimum tightening force as with a screw-nut assembly, especially by placing the screw-nut assembly under stress, to ensure a secure connection between parts 5 and 6. Advantageously, according to the invention, by a simple rotation (essentially π / 2 in the example shown in FIG2), the complementary shapes of the male part 8 and the female part 9 will prevent the two parts 5 and 6 of article 1 from separating, thereby avoiding loss of article 1. In particular, in the example 1 shown, this makes it possible to make the slot 9f of the female part 9 substantially parallel to the plane containing other slots present on the circumference of article 1.

[0041] According to the examples in Figures 1 to 6, the "male component 8 - female component 9" assembly preferably includes a slot 8a and a tenon 9b, which are configured to slide against each other by the relative rotation between the male component 8 and the female component 9. In the examples in Figures 5 and 8, the slot 8a is formed on the male component 8, and the tenon 9b is formed on the female component 9. Therefore, in the examples shown, rotating the female component 9 causes the tenon 9b to insert into the slot 8a, and rotating it in the opposite direction disengages them.

[0042] The transition from the releasable engagement position to the locked engagement position can be achieved by a rotation α between 60 and 120 degrees, and vice versa (approximately 90 degrees in the examples shown in Figures 2, 5, and 8). Therefore, the rotation α can be, for example, equal to 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 90°, 95°, 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, or 120°. In the examples shown in Figures 5 and 8, a simple rotation α at a right angle (π / 2) thus enables locking / unlocking of the fastening system 7. More specifically, in the releasable engagement position shown in the examples of Figures 3 to 5, the male component 8 is freely received in the cavity 9a of the female component 9 because there is no latch 9b in the slot 8a, and in the locked engagement position shown in the examples of Figures 6 to 8, the male component 8 is prevented from leaving the cavity 9a of the female component 9 because of the presence of the latch 9b in the slot 8a.

[0043] Of course, opposite configurations (slot 8a formed on female part 9, tenon formed on male part 8) and / or different configurations (the geometry of slot 8a and / or male part 8 and / or female part 9 and / or tenon 9b is modified) can be developed without departing from the scope of the invention. As a non-limiting example, the complementary shapes of male part 8 and female part 9 can therefore be configured such that by rotating α, the two parts 5, 6 gradually approach each other, such that in the locked engagement position, the two parts 5, 6 press against each other. Typically, one (or both) of the complementary shapes may have a dimension that varies along the direction of the parts approaching (e.g., the thickness of a stop such as tenon 9b, or the gap of a groove such as slot 8a), which gradually changes with the rotation process to achieve a switch from a releasable engagement position to a locked engagement position, and vice versa. As a non-limiting example, the latch 9b may have a variable thickness along its circumferential length (i.e., a dimension parallel to the elastic movement direction D of the stop 14), thereby gradually pulling the male component 8 into the cavity 9a of the portion during the rotation α and the screwing of the latch 9b into the slot 8a.

[0044] In the examples shown in Figures 2, 3, 6, and 7, the releasable engagement position is held stable by the resilient retaining device 11. Therefore, the user no longer needs to push / hold the male component 8 into the cavity of the female component 9 to apply the locking engagement rotation, because the releasable engagement position remains resiliently stable as long as the force applied to the male component 8 does not exceed the resilient retaining force. Advantageously, the male component 8 can still be released from the female component 9 by resisting the elastic force of the resilient retaining device 11.

[0045] Therefore, the resilient retaining device 11 may include a tenon 9c, which is resiliently mounted in the cavity 9a of the female component 9. As shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 6, the tenon 9a mainly comprises a convex contact shape surrounded by a peripheral plate extending downward through a cylindrical portion 16 for receiving the resilient element 10 (a coil spring in the example of Figures 3 and 6). The resilient element 10 may be made of any material having suitable elastic properties. Thus, the resilient element 10 may be based, for example, on steel or cobalt-based alloys known for their elastic properties. "Phynox" or "Nivaflex" are both optional materials due to their elasticity and corrosion resistance.

[0046] The tenon 9c is installed in the opening of the female component 9, and its insertion into the cavity 9a is restricted by a stop between its peripheral plate and the wall surrounding the opening of the female component 9. The opening is closed at its lower part by a cover 15, such that the elastic element 10 is installed under stress, that is, the elastic element 10 applies a relaxation force that presses the outer peripheral plate of the tenon 9c against the wall surrounding the opening of the female component 9, with the aim of elastically holding the convex portion of the tenon 9c protruding into the bottom of the cavity 9a of the female component 9, and, as will be explained below, remaining in the path of the mortise 8b of the male component 8.

[0047] In the examples shown in Figures 1 through 8, it can be seen that the cover 15 also allows the mother component 9 to be installed in the portion 6 and protects the user from skin damage by providing a substantially flat lower outer contact surface. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the cover 15 may therefore include internal threads designed to mate with external threads formed on the lower outer surface of the mother component 9. The cover 15 may be a bowl-shaped solid piece as shown in Figures 3 and 6. Of course, the cover 15 may include an opening to allow at least a portion of the fastening system 7 to be seen while continuing to protect the user, without departing from the scope of the invention. Finally, the fastening system 7 may also not include any cover 15 (which would require another means for mounting the resilient element 10), or the cover 15 may be secured to the mother component 9 by another connection method (e.g., press-fit or bayonet mechanism), without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0048] The tenon 9c is configured to engage with the mortise 8b formed on the male component 8 so as to maintain a stable, releasable engagement position as long as the applied force does not exceed the elastic thrust of the tenon 9c, i.e., the relaxation force of the elastic element 10. Therefore, when the tenon 9c elastically engages with the mortise 8b, the user will be able to feel that the engagement between the male component 8 and the female component 9 corresponds to the releasable engagement position. He will thus infer that he only needs to lock them by rotating α to obtain the locked engagement position, or vice versa, to obtain the unlocked / released position. It is understood that, since the elastic thrust of the tenon 9c advantageously holds the male component 8 within the cavity 9a of the female component 9 according to the invention, the user does not need to press the male component 8 into the cavity 9a of the female component 9 to perform the locking engagement rotation.

[0049] As a non-limiting example, the retaining device 11 can maintain a stable, releasable engaged position until the applied force is between 3 N and 12 N, preferably between 5 N and 10 N. According to the invention, the force applied to the tenon 9c to disengage from the mortise 8b (elastic disengagement) can advantageously be the same as or different from the force applied to the tenon 9c to engage with the mortise 8b (elastic engagement). Therefore, the applied force (elastic disengagement and / or elastic engagement) can, for example, be particularly equal to 3 N, 3.5 N, 4 N, 4.5 N, 5 N, 5.5 N, 6 N, 6.5 N, 7 N, 7.5 N, 8 N, 8.5 N, 9 N, 9.5 N, 10 N, 10.5 N, 11 N, 11.5 N, or 12 N. Of course, the required force is not limited to the above examples, and its value can be smaller or larger, which does not exceed the scope of protection of the invention.

[0050] In the examples shown in Figures 2 to 8, the releasable engagement position and / or the locked engagement position can be maintained stably by the resilient locking device 13. More specifically, in the examples of Figures 2 to 8, advantageously, according to the invention, the mother component 9 can be maintained stably relative to the portion 6 on which the mother component is mounted in the releasable engagement position visible in Figure 3 and / or the locked engagement position visible in Figure 6.

[0051] As shown more clearly in Figures 2, 3, and 6, the resilient locking device 13 may include a stop 14 resiliently mounted on the article 1. In the example shown, the stop 14 is formed of a ball intended to be actuated by a resilient element 12 (a coil spring in the examples of Figures 3 and 6). The resilient element 12 can be made of any material having suitable elastic properties. Thus, the resilient element 12 can be based, for example, on steel or cobalt-based alloys known for their elastic properties. "Phynox" or "Nivaflex" are both optional materials due to their elasticity and corrosion resistance.

[0052] The stop 14 is installed in a blind hole in part 6, the opening of which faces part 9 when part 6 is installed (e.g., via cover 15). The stop 14 is installed in part 6 such that the elastic element 12 is installed under stress, that is, the elastic element 12 applies a relaxation force in direction D, which can press the stop 14 against part 9, and, as will be explained below, against the path of the recesses 9d, 9e of part 9.

[0053] Therefore, the stop 14 is configured to engage with at least one recess 9d, 9e in the releasable and / or locked engagement positions of the "male part 8-female part 9" assembly, so as to maintain the releasable and / or locked engagement positions stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the elastic thrust of the stop 14. Thus, when the stop 14 elastically engages with one of the recesses 9d, 9e, the user will be able to feel the orientation that allows the releasable engagement position and / or the locked engagement position. He will thus infer that by rotating α, he has achieved the locked engagement position, or conversely, by rotating -α, he has achieved the releasable engagement position. It is understood that, since the elastic thrust of the stop 14 in each recess 9d, 9e advantageously according to the invention allows the user to feel reaching the predetermined position and to hold the female part 9 in that orientation relative to part 6, the user no longer needs to search for the correct rotation α (no longer needs to apply a pulling force to the male part 8 to test whether the male part 8 is released from the female part 9).

[0054] In the examples shown in Figures 1 to 8, the locking device 13 includes two recesses 9d and 9e in the releasable engagement position and the locked engagement position, respectively, such that the releasable engagement position and the locked engagement position remain stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the elastic thrust of the stop member 14. Therefore, the user can easily deduce from this the limit of rotation α (i.e., the moment when rotation α must be stopped), especially when the user switches from the releasable engagement position shown in Figure 4 to the locked engagement position shown in Figure 7, and vice versa.

[0055] As a non-limiting example, the locking device 13 can maintain a stable releasable engagement position and / or a locked engagement position until the torque applied to, for example, the female component 9 is between 3 N.mm and 12 N.mm, preferably between 5 N.mm and 10 N.mm. According to the invention, the forces applied to each recess 9d, 9e to disengage from the stop 14 (elastic disengagement) can advantageously be the same or different. Generally, the force applied to the recess 9d to disengage from the stop 14 (elastic disengagement) can advantageously be the same or different from the force applied to the recess 9e to disengage from the stop 14 (elastic disengagement). Therefore, the torque can be, for example, specifically equal to 3 N.mm, 3.5 N.mm, 4 N.mm, 4.5 N.mm, 5 N.mm, 5.5 N.mm, 6 N.mm, 6.5 N.mm, 7 N.mm, 7.5 N.mm, 8 N.mm, 8.5 N.mm, 9 N.mm, 9.5 N.mm, 10 N.mm, 10.5 N.mm, 11 N.mm, 11.5 N.mm, or 12 N.mm. Of course, the required torque is not limited to the given examples, but can be lower or higher, which is not beyond the scope of the invention.

[0056] The fastening system 7 and / or decorative article 1 may be formed wholly or partially based on at least one precious metal. The precious metal may therefore be gold or platinum. As a non-limiting example, the male part 8 and / or the female part 9 and / or the tenon 9c and / or the stop 14 may be formed based on a precious metal (or one of its alloys).

[0057] This invention is not limited to the presented embodiments and variations, and other embodiments and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above embodiments are illustrative. Although the above description relates to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference numeral refers to the same embodiment, or that a feature is applicable only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments. In particular, it is understood that male component 8 may be integral with part 5, i.e., a single piece, without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0058] Furthermore, for example, it can be configured such that when a screwdriver is used to switch from a locked engagement position to a releasable engagement position in the slot 9f, the female component 9 is held in the releasable engagement position by the retaining device 13 in part 6. However, in a different manner, the article 1 may include, for example, an additional resilient element mounted between the female component 9 and part 6, and a control lever for controlling the additional resilient element. Thus, when the male component 8 is inserted into the cavity 9a of the female component 9, i.e., in the releasable engagement position, the male component 8 triggers the control lever, and allows a relative “automatic” rotation α of the male component 8 and the female component 9 (by the relaxation of the additional resilient element) toward the locked engagement position, which is stabilized by the locking device 13 or by a stop between a portion of the latch 9b and the male component 8, so as to limit the maximum amount of insertion of the latch 9b into the slot 8a.

[0059] Therefore, it is understandable that when the male part 8 is inserted into the female part 9, i.e., in the releasable engagement position, the relative rotation between the male part 8 and the female part 9 is automatically triggered (i.e., without additional user action) toward the locked engagement position. Thus, the item 1 is automatically locked by the elastic relaxation of the additional elastic element, and the user does not need any other action besides inserting the male part 8 into the female part 9 to ensure that the item 1 remains on the user's limb. Of course, the reverse movement (i.e., rotation - α) applied by the user from the locked engagement position to the releasable engagement position would be more difficult, as this movement requires overcoming the force of the additional elastic element (by further compressing it).

[0060] List of reference numerals

[0061] 1-Decorative products

[0062] 2- Hinged structure between the first and second components

[0063] 3-First Component

[0064] 4-Second Component

[0065] 5 - Part of the first component

[0066] 6 - Part of the second component

[0067] 7-Fastening System

[0068] 8- Male components

[0069] 8a- Male component slot

[0070] 8b - Mortise of male component

[0071] 9-Mother component

[0072] 9a-Cavity of the mother component

[0073] 9b-Mother component latch

[0074] 9c - Tenon of the female component

[0075] 9d - first recess of the female part

[0076] 9e - Second recess of the female part

[0077] 9f - Slot of the mother component

[0078] 10-The elastic element of the retaining device

[0079] 11-Elastic retaining device

[0080] 12-Elastic element of locking device

[0081] 13-Elastic locking device

[0082] 14-Stop component of elastic locking device

[0083] 15-Lid;

[0084] 16-Extension of the tenon of the female component

[0085] The elastic movement direction of the stop member in the D-elastic locking device

[0086] α - Rotation angle between the release engagement position and the locked engagement position. Claims (as amended under Article 19 of the Treaty) 1. An ornamental article (1) comprising at least two parts (5, 6) of at least one component (3, 4), the at least two parts (5, 6) being joined together by means of a fastening system (7) for attachment to a user, characterized in that the fastening system (7) is reversible and comprises a “male part (8)-female part (9)” assembly, the male part and the female part (8, 9) being respectively mounted on the at least two parts (5, 6) and having complementary shapes, the complementary shapes being capable of fitting and configured to switch from a releasable fitting position in which the male part (8) is received in the cavity (9a) of the female part (9) to a locked fitting position in which the male part (8) is prevented from leaving the cavity (9a) of the female part (9) by relative rotation (α) between the male part and the female part (8, 9), so as to lock the two parts (5, 6) relative to each other, and characterized in that the releasable fitting position is held stable by an elastic retaining device (11). 2. The decorative article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the complementary shapes of the male and female parts (8, 9) are configured to bring the two parts (5, 6) gradually closer to each other by rotation, so that in the locked engagement position, the two parts press against each other. 3. The decorative article (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the "male part (8)-female part (9)" assembly includes a slot (8a) and a tenon (9b), the slot (8a) and the tenon (9b) being configured to slide against each other from a releasable engagement position to a locked engagement position by relative rotation between the male and female parts (8, 9), wherein in the releasable engagement position, the male part (8) is freely received in the cavity (9a) of the female part (9) due to the absence of the tenon (9b) in the slot (8a), while The locked engagement position, due to the presence of the latch (9b) in the slot (8a), prevents the male part (8) from leaving the cavity (9a) of the female part (9). 4. The decorative article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the slot (8a) is formed on the male part (8) and the latch (9b) is formed on the female part (9). 5. The decorative article (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the switching from the releasable engagement position to the locked engagement position is achieved by a rotation (α) between 60 degrees and 120 degrees.6. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient retaining device (11) includes a tenon (9c) resiliently mounted in a cavity (9a) of the female part (9) and configured to engage with a mortise (8b) formed on the male part (8) so as to maintain the releasable engagement position as long as the applied force does not exceed the resilient thrust of the tenon (9c). 7. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining device (11) maintains the releasable engagement position stable until the applied force is between 3 N and 12 N. 8. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the female part (9) is held stable in the releasable engagement position and / or the locked engagement position relative to one of the at least two parts (5, 6) on which the female part is mounted by a resilient locking device (13). 9. The decorative article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the resilient locking device (13) includes a stop (14) resiliently mounted on the article (1) and configured to engage with at least one recess (9d, 9e) in a releasable engagement position and / or a locked engagement position of the male component (8)-female component (9) assembly, so as to maintain the releasable engagement position and / or the locked engagement position stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the resilient thrust of the stop (14). 10. The decorative article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking device (13) includes two recesses (9d, 9e) respectively in the releasable engagement position and the locked engagement position, such that the releasable engagement position and the locked engagement position stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the resilient thrust of the stop (14). 11. The decorative article (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the locking device (13) holds the releasable engagement position and / or the locked engagement position stable until the applied torque is between 3 N.mm and 12 N.mm. 12. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an additional elastic element and a control lever for controlling the additional elastic element, such that in the releasable engagement position, the male component (8) triggers the control lever, and the relaxation of the additional elastic element allows for relative rotation (α) of the male component and the female component (8, 9) toward the locked engagement position. 13. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative article (1) is wholly or partially formed based on at least one precious metal such as gold or platinum. 14. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative article is a bracelet.

Claims

1. A decorative article (1) comprising at least two portions (5, 6) of at least one component (3, 4), said at least two portions (5, 6) for being joined together by means of a fastening system (7) to be attached to a user, characterized in that, The fastening system (7) is reversible and includes a "male component (8) - female component (9)" assembly, wherein the male component and female component (8, 9) are respectively mounted on the at least two parts (5, 6) and have complementary shapes, the complementary shapes being capable of fitting and configured to switch from a releasable fitting position in which the male component (8) is received in the cavity (9a) of the female component (9) to a locked fitting position in which the male component (8) is prevented from leaving the cavity (9a) of the female component (9) by relative rotation (α) between the male component and female component (8, 9), so as to lock the two parts (5, 6) relative to each other, and is characterized in that the releasable fitting position is held stable by an elastic retaining device (11).

2. The decorative article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The complementary shapes of the male and female components (8, 9) are configured such that the two parts (5, 6) gradually move closer to each other by rotation, so that in the locked engagement position, the two parts press against each other.

3. The decorative article (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The "male component (8) - female component (9)" assembly includes a slot (8a) and a tenon (9b) configured to slide against each other from a releasable engagement position to a locked engagement position by relative rotation between the male component and the female component (8, 9). In the releasable engagement position, the male component (8) is freely received in the cavity (9a) of the female component (9) because the tenon (9b) is not present in the slot (8a). In the locked engagement position, the male component (8) is prevented from leaving the cavity (9a) of the female component (9) because the tenon (9b) is present in the slot (8a).

4. The decorative article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The slot (8a) is formed on the male component (8), and the tenon (9b) is formed on the female component (9).

5. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The switching from the releasable engagement position to the locked engagement position is achieved by rotation (α) between 60 degrees and 120 degrees.

6. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The resilient retaining device (11) includes a tenon (9c) that is resiliently mounted in a cavity (9a) of the female part (9) and configured to engage with a mortise (8b) formed on the male part (8) so as to maintain the releasable engagement position stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the resilient thrust of the tenon (9c).

7. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The retaining device (11) keeps the releasable engagement position stable until the applied force is between 3 N and 12 N.

8. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The releasable engagement position and / or the locked engagement position are kept stable by the elastic locking device (13).

9. The decorative article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The resilient locking device (13) includes a stop (14) that is resiliently mounted on the article (1) and configured to engage with at least one recess (9d, 9e) in the releasable and / or locked positions of the male part (8)-female part (9) assembly, so as to maintain the releasable and / or locked positions stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the resilient thrust of the stop (14).

10. The decorative article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The locking device (13) includes two recesses (9d, 9e) in the releasable engagement position and the locked engagement position respectively, such that the releasable engagement position and the locked engagement position remain stable as long as the applied force does not exceed the elastic thrust of the stop (14).

11. The decorative article (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, The locking device (13) holds the releasable engagement position and / or the locked engagement position stable until the applied torque is between 3 N.mm and 12 N.mm.

12. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims includes an additional resilient element and a control lever for controlling the additional resilient element, such that in the releasable engagement position, the male part (8) triggers the control lever, and the relaxation of the additional resilient element allows for relative rotation (α) of the male part and the female part (8, 9) toward the locked engagement position.

13. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative article (1) is formed wholly or partially based on at least one precious metal such as gold or platinum.

14. The decorative article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative article is a bracelet.

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