JEWEL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to movable decorative elements intended to be rotated and translated in jewelry items, in particular rings and pendants, as well as in utility items decorated with movable decorative elements, in particular watches, eyeglass frames, or luxury leather goods.

[0002] The search for the mobility of decorative elements in a timepiece or jewelry piece, when its user makes a movement and makes it move, offers a strong aesthetic effect and gives an additional visual appeal to the timepiece or jewelry piece, highlighting it more. It is known to arrange, around the dial of a timepiece, or even above it, jewelry elements, such as stones, or stones mounted in cabochons, which have at least one degree of freedom, in a channel or a closed space in which these jewelry elements are mobile.

[0003] Furthermore, precious or semi-precious stones have been embedded in a liquid. US1730257A describes an improvement to a composite gem of the type comprising a group of a multiplicity of small gems immersed and movable in a substantially transparent liquid in a substantially transparent housing in which the liquid spaces the small gems when they are set in motion therein. The improvement consists of a plurality of substantially transparent spacers intermingled with the small gems and movable in the liquid and having the property with respect to the liquid that makes them substantially optically indistinguishable when in the liquid. WO 2020 / 070667 A1 describes a portable accessory comprising a movable part in a liquid.

[0004] The applicant, who has extensive expertise in the implementation of articles containing movable decorative elements, seeks to obtain a completely different technical effect.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to propose a piece of jewelry comprising a precious or semi-precious stone arranged in a moving part to constitute a decorative element moving in a liquid so that the movement of the decorative elements moving and the spinning effect are slowed down so as to visualize these movements in slow motion, like a slow motion video effect.

[0006] According to the invention, a piece of jewelry comprises at least one transparent wall forming a housing arranged to receive at least one precious or semi-precious stone immersed and movable in a substantially transparent liquid in the housing and at least one part movable in the liquid and having the same refractive index as the liquid, the movable part immersed in the liquid being substantially optically indistinguishable. The housing is delimited by an upper wall formed by said transparent wall and a lower wall, the internal faces of the upper and lower walls being preferably parallel to each other.

[0007] The stone is inserted into the part to form a movable decorative element, the movable part immersed in the liquid being substantially optically indistinguishable and comprising an axis of revolution and two guide surfaces respectively adjacent to the internal faces and allowing said movable decorative element to move freely in translation and rotation in the liquid around said axis of revolution inside the housing.

[0008] Thanks to the present invention, the mobile decorative element arranged in a liquid makes it possible to create a special effect so that the movement of the mobile decorative elements and the spinning effect are slowed down so as to visualize these movements in slow motion, like a slow motion video effect which consists of filming by accelerating the shooting rate so that the restored movement is slowed down during projection.

[0009] In one embodiment, the stone is inserted into a movable part forming a socket surrounding the stone.

[0010] In order to be invisible, every space between the internal part of the moving part and the stone is filled with liquid.

[0011] In one embodiment, the moving part is arranged to receive a plurality of stones. According to this embodiment, it is a set of stones which moves and rotates on itself.

[0012] In this embodiment, the stones have different densities and are arranged in such a way as to direct the movements of the moving part.

[0013] In one embodiment, the moving part has a drag coefficient (Cx) in the liquid that determines the displacement of the moving decorative element.

[0014] In order to accelerate the slowed rotation of the movable decorative element, the movable part has fins arranged on its peripheral periphery. The socket has fins to promote rotation (spinning effect) during its translational movement while the effect of the movable decorative element in the liquid is generally to slow down this spinning effect.

[0015] To amplify the optical effect, the mobile decorative element may be arranged to move in a corridor or along a path defined by protrusions or hollows arranged on at least one of said walls. The walls created by these protrusions or hollows may be made invisible in the liquid, which makes the effect even more spectacular since the decorative element cannot leave its perimeter or follow a path other than that defined without the wearer seeing the corridors or path made invisible. For example, the protrusions or hollows may be made of glass, the liquid of glycerin, and the crystal of one of said two walls of sapphire. In this embodiment, the mobile decorative element thus only moves within a restricted perimeter, whereas in appearance, it could move throughout the entire housing.

[0016] In another embodiment, the stone is held in the part by a plurality of arms which extend above a body of the part and which come to set the stone, these arms leaving between them and above the body of the part lateral openings allowing the sides of the stone, between the arms, to be in direct contact with the liquid and the guide surface is constituted by the free ends of the arms in the form of separate contact zones spaced from each other around the periphery of the open external face of the part.

[0017] In one embodiment, the decorative element may consist of a hollow cylinder without a bottom and a stone.

[0018] The stone can be a precious stone, especially a diamond, or a semi-precious stone.

[0019] Movable decorative elements consist of a precious or semi-precious stone and a piece of a corresponding shape, for example cylindrical, oval, square, triangular or asymmetrical.

[0020] In one embodiment, the clearance between the height of the movable decorative element and the opposite internal faces of the walls is 0.05 to 0.3 mm and preferably 0.05 to 0.1 mm.

[0021] In one embodiment, the parallel inner faces of the walls are flat but in a variant, the parallel inner faces of the walls are curved.

[0022] The decorative article of the present invention may be in the form of a watch; a writing instrument; a piece of jewelry; an eyeglass frame; or a leather goods item.

[0023] The characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of several embodiments given solely by way of example, in no way limiting, with reference to the schematic figures, in which: There figure 1 represents a sectional view of a wristwatch in which are inserted, between two walls, four mobile decorative elements immersed in a liquid; The figure 2 represents a sectional view of a mobile decorative element freely rotated along an axis and in translation between two walls filled with a liquid; The figures 3a et 3b each represent a sectional view of a round-shaped mobile decorative element freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid; The figure 4 represents a sectional view of a mobile decorative element comprising two stones and freely rotated and translated between two very close walls filled with a liquid; The figure 5 represents a top view of a moving part in the shape of a fish intended to be freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid; The figure 6 represents a perspective view of a mobile decorative element in the shape of a cylinder intended to be freely rotated along an axis and in translation between two walls filled with a liquid; The figure 7 represents a partial top view of a watch comprising three movable decorative elements of different sizes, spaced apart from each other without the stones being able to touch each other, freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid; The figure 8 represents a sectional view of two mobile decorative elements comprising two stones and freely rotated and translated between two widely spaced walls filled with a liquid; The figure 9 represents a top view of a heart-shaped mobile decorative element intended to be freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid; The figures 10 et 11 each represent a partial top view of a watch comprising mobile decorative elements freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid and guided by paths or corridors made invisible; The figure 12 represents a side view of a movable decorative element comprising an intermediate ring between the convex bottom of the part acting as a socket and the end of the arms; and The figure 13 represents a sectional view of a mobile decorative element, consisting of a bottomless socket and a stone, freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid.

[0024] As illustrated in the figure 1 , a watch shown in section comprises a movement fitted with a dial, housed in a case comprising a middle part closed, on the one hand by a back, and on the other hand by a glass 1. A second glass 2 is arranged between the glass 1 and a dial.

[0025] In this example, the respective internal faces of each glass 1 and 2 are applied against a bearing surface of the internal face of constituent parts of a watch case, leaving between them a free space of determined height and filled with a liquid 5. In this example, the respective internal faces of the glasses 1, 2 are strictly flat. In a variant not illustrated, the respective internal faces of the glasses 1, 2 may have a slight curvature formed by one or more radii of curvature, around one or more centers or axes of curvature, in particular according to different section planes according to EP0965071. In this case, the respective curvatures given to these two internal faces 1, 2 are strictly identical to each other, so that the height of the free space formed between them remains constant.

[0026] Preferably, the watch crystal 1 also comprises a device (not shown) for compensating for the thermal expansion of the liquid 5 in order to compensate for variations in the volume of the liquid linked to the temperature. This device can take different forms, such as a flexible membrane as set out in patent application WO 2015 / 150910.

[0027] So, as visible at the figure 1 , the watch therefore comprises two transparent walls 1, 2 forming a housing 3 arranged to receive four movable decorative elements 4, 6 immersed and movable in the substantially transparent liquid 5 in the housing 3. Each movable decorative element 4, 6 comprises a sleeve 6 having substantially the same refractive index as the liquid 5, the sleeve 6 immersed in the liquid 5 being substantially optically indistinguishable. In this example, the sleeve is made of glass and the liquid is glycerin. Other combinations are also possible. The housing 3 is therefore delimited by the two transparent walls 1, 2 whose internal faces 1a, 2a (see figure 2 ) are parallel to each other. The sleeve 6 immersed in the liquid 5 is substantially optically indistinguishable and comprises an axis of revolution and two guide surfaces 6a, 6b adjacent respectively to the internal faces and allowing each of the four movable decorative elements 4, 6 to move freely in translation and rotation in the liquid around the axis of revolution inside the housing 3.

[0028] Thus, the decorative elements moving in the liquid create a slow motion effect as they rotate and move.

[0029] As illustrated in the figure 2 , in order to make the socket completely invisible, liquid is required in each space between the inner part 6c of the socket 6 and the stone 4. In a variant not shown, an opening in the socket can allow the liquid to fill the space between the socket and the stone. In yet another variant not shown, it is possible to avoid having liquid in the socket by combining a socket and a stone in which the interior of the socket perfectly matches the shape of the diamond.

[0030] In the example illustrated in figures 3a et 3b , the socket 6 is in the form of a ball. In the example of the figure 3a , the internal part of the ball fits the diamond 4 and the ball is for example cast or molded. In the example of the figure 3b , the ball is full of liquid.

[0031] In the example shown in figure 4 , the socket 6 is arranged to receive a plurality of stones 4. The bottom of the socket 6 is domed.

[0032] In the example shown in figure 5 , the socket 6 is represented by a fish and comprises a plurality of stones 4 each in a miniature socket 6. In this example, the stones 4 have different densities and are arranged so as to orient the movements of the socket. Thus, thanks to stones 4 of different nature, for example if those close to the head of the fish are denser, this would promote a movement of the fish “head first” and accelerate the rotation of the fish.

[0033] As illustrated in the figure 6 , the movable decorative element is in the shape of a cylinder. Other geometric shapes are also possible.

[0034] There figure 7 represents a partial top view of a watch comprising three mobile decorative elements 4, 6 of different sizes freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid. In this example, the sockets 6 are of different sizes and invisible so that the stones cannot touch each other, thus providing a levitation effect. In a version not illustrated, a plurality of the mobile decorative elements 4, 6 can be associated with one or more sockets 6 not comprising a diamond, acting as a spacer, and as a movement disruptor when the mobile decorative elements 4, 6 move, making said movement of the mobile decorative elements 4, 6 even more spectacular by these mysterious movements.

[0035] There figure 8 represents a sectional view of two movable decorative elements 4, 6 comprising two stones 4 and freely rotated and translated between two widely spaced walls 1, 2 filled with a liquid 5.

[0036] There figure 9 represents a top view of a movable decorative element with a heart-shaped stone 4 intended to be freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid. In this example, the socket 6 has a drag coefficient Cx in the liquid which determines the displacement of the movable decorative element. Thus, the shaped mobile can be designed so that its displacement is influenced by its drag coefficient Cx, thus the heart diamond, in its fall, is oriented preferentially on the point after having pivoted on itself.

[0037] There figure 10 represents a partial top view of a watch comprising mobile decorative elements 4, 6 freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid and guided by paths 19.

[0038] There figure 11 represents a partial top view of a watch comprising mobile decorative elements 4, 6 freely rotated and translated between two walls filled with a liquid and guided by corridors 20.

[0039] Finally, if in the previous examples, the movable decorative elements are mounted in supports in the form of small cylindrical sockets whose external face of the bottom is convex, the figure 12 represents a side view of a movable decorative element comprising an intermediate ring between the convex bottom of the part acting as a socket and the end of several arms 8 which extend beyond the external face of the stone 4. This very open socket has the advantage of not having to hollow out the cylindrical socket so that it fills with liquid.

[0040] In the example shown in figure 13 , in order to make the socket completely invisible, liquid is required in every space between the inner part of the socket 6 and the stone 4. Thus, a bottomless cylindrical socket allows the liquid to fill the space between the socket and the stone.

[0041] Thanks to the present invention, each piece of jewelry comprising a decorative element moving in a liquid will allow you to benefit from the beauty of a precious stone rotating on itself, giving the impression that it is pivoting in a vacuum and in slow motion, which makes its effect even more spectacular.

[0042] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples cited and described and for example, one can envisage different types of inserts in the sockets such as for example diamond, ruby, mother-of-pearl, metal, ... In the same way, the stone can be inserted into the socket by different techniques, such as for example, by being chased, fretted, cast, glued, ...

[0043] As mentioned above, the invention is not limited to watches, but is applicable to all kinds of articles, particularly jewelry such as rings and pendants, as well as glasses, or even pens or other writing instruments. Articles with movable decorative elements according to the invention could also be considered, associated with luxury leather goods, such as handbags. Generally speaking, these decorative elements movable in the liquid can be applied to any utilitarian article in order to associate an original aesthetic effect. In particular, it is possible to include several decorative elements of different types in an article to produce a unique aesthetic effect.

Claims

1. Jewelry item comprising: - at least one transparent wall (1, 2) forming a housing (3) arranged to receive at least one precious or semi-precious stone (4) immersed and movable in a substantially transparent liquid (5) in the housing (3); and - at least one part (6) movable in the liquid (5) and having the same refractive index as the liquid (5), the part (6) immersed in the liquid (5) being substantially optically indiscernible; characterized in that the housing (3) is delimited by an upper wall formed by the transparent wall (1, 2) and a lower wall, the inner faces (1a, 2a) of the upper and lower walls being preferably parallel to each other, and in that the stone (4) is inserted into the part (6) to form a movable decorative element (4, 6), the part (6) being arranged to slow down the movements of the movable decorative element (4, 6) immersed in the liquid (5), comprising an axis of revolution and two guide surfaces (6a, 6b) adjacent respectively to the inner faces (1a, 2a) and allowing the movable decorative element (4, 6) to move freely in translation and rotation in the liquid inside the housing (3).

2. Jewelry item according to claim 1, wherein the stone (4) is inserted into a socket part (6) surrounding the stone (4).

3. Jewelry item according to claim 2, wherein the socket part (6) is cylindrical.

4. Jewelry item according to claim 1, wherein the stone (4) is either molded into the solid sphere-shaped part (6), or included in the hollow ball-shaped part (6) surrounding the stone (4) and filled with the liquid.

5. Jewelry item according to claims 1 to 4, wherein there is at least one space between the inner portion (6c) of the part (6) and the stone (4) filled by the liquid (5).

6. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the part (6) is arranged to receive a plurality of stones (4).

7. Jewelry item according to claim 6, wherein the stones (4) have different densities and are arranged so as to direct the movements of the part (6).

8. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the part (6) has a drag coefficient (Cx) in the liquid (5) which determines the movement of the movable decorative element (4, 6).

9. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the part (6) comprises fins arranged to accelerate the rotation of the movable decorative element (4, 6).

10. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable decorative element (4, 6) is arranged to move in a corridor or along a path defined by projections or recesses arranged on at least one of the walls (1, 2).

11. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stone (4) is held in the part (6) by a plurality of arms (8) which extend above a body (11) of the part (6) and which set the stone (4), these arms (8) leaving therebetween and above the body (11) of the part (6) side openings (12) allowing the sides of the stone (4), between the arms (3), to be in direct contact with the liquid (5), and the guide surface is composed of the free ends of the arms (8) in the form of separate contact zones spaced from one another around the periphery of the open outer face (13) of the part (6).

12. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stone (4) is a precious stone, in particular a diamond.

13. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the precious or semi-precious stone (4) and the part (6) have a corresponding shape, inter alia a generally cylindrical, oval, square, triangular or asymmetrical shape.

14. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the clearance between the height of the movable decorative element (4, 6) and the opposite inner faces of the walls (1, 2) is from 0.05 to 0.3 mm and preferably from 0.05 to 0.1 mm.

15. Jewelry item according to the preceding claims, wherein the parallel inner faces of the walls (1, 2) are flat.

16. Jewelry item according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the parallel inner faces of the walls (1, 2) are convex.

17. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the walls (1, 2) are made of sapphire or a material with a hardness comparable to that of sapphire.

18. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the two walls (1, 2) are transparent.

19. Jewelry item according to any of the preceding claims, in the form of a watch; a writing instrument; a piece of jewelry; an eyeglass frame; or a leather goods item.