JEWELRY AND / OR JEWELRY ARTICLES WITH A FRAME AND AT LEAST ONE FLAP THAT SLIDS RELATIVE TO THE FRAME

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a jewelry and / or precious metal article.

[0002] This could be, for example, an item such as a necklace or pendant. State of the art

[0003] We know of jewelry items, particularly necklaces or pendants, which include one or more decorative elements such as precious or semi-precious stones.

[0004] There are jewelry items comprising a base and one or more movable elements relative to the base, designed to cover and uncover one or more ornamental motifs fixed within the base by operating the movable element(s). Specifically, these may be one or more hinged panels mounted on the base, allowing for a first configuration in which they cover the ornamental motifs and a second configuration in which they uncover them.

[0005] US3377818 discloses an article of jewellery and / or jewelry according to the preamble of claim 1. Description of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to provide a jewellery and / or jewelry item configured to take several configurations so as to be able to vary the ornamental patterns presented by the item.

[0007] The invention thus relates, in a first aspect, to a jewelry article comprising a frame and at least one movable flap relative to the frame, with the article being configured to admit a first configuration in which the flap covers at least partially the frame and at least one ornamental element thereof, and a second configuration in which the flap uncovers at least partially the frame and said at least one ornamental element, the article comprising a drive mechanism configured to slide on the frame, in a first sliding direction, the at least one flap between a first position in the first configuration of the article and a second position in the second configuration of the article,and an actuation mechanism configured to act on the drive mechanism when the actuation mechanism is actuated in a second direction of movement different from the first sliding direction.

[0008] In the jewelry article according to the invention, when the actuation mechanism is activated, the latter acts on the drive mechanism which itself acts on one or more flaps to move them from one to the other of the first position and the second position, thus bringing this article from one to the other of the first configuration and the second configuration.

[0009] In particular, in the first configuration, the ornamental element of the article is covered and not visible, while in the second configuration, this ornamental element is uncovered and visible.

[0010] Other particularly simple and convenient features of the jewelry article and / or precious metalwork according to the invention are described below.

[0011] The drive mechanism comprises at least one drive rack formed of at least one drive gear and at least one drive gear cooperating with at least one drive gear and mechanically secured to at least one movable flap, and the actuation mechanism comprises an actuation rack formed of at least one actuation gear and at least one actuation gear cooperating with at least one actuation gear and mechanically secured to at least one drive gear.

[0012] At least one drive gear and at least one actuating gear are mounted coaxially on the frame.

[0013] At least one actuation gear is positioned in an actuation plane including the second direction of actuation, and at least one drive gear is positioned in a drive plane offset and parallel to the actuation plane.

[0014] The drive mechanism includes at least one ratchet forming a sliding stop for at least one toothed drive bar.

[0015] The actuation mechanism includes a gripping member attached to the toothed actuation bar.

[0016] The frame includes peripheral walls delimiting the frame and a central wall formed between the peripheral walls and having an ornamental face and a mounting face for the actuation mechanism and the drive mechanism, opposite the ornamental face.

[0017] The central wall is provided on its mounting face with a main housing configured to receive at least one drive gear and at least one actuating gear, with at least one first channel extending from the main housing in the first drive direction and intended to receive at least one drive gear, and with at least one second channel extending from the main housing in the second actuating direction and intended to receive at least one actuating gear.

[0018] The peripheral wall includes at least one window for the passage of at least one toothed drive bar.

[0019] One of the frame and at least one flap has at least one rib and the other of the frame and at least one flap has at least one groove configured to cooperate with at least one rib for sliding at least one flap relative to the frame.

[0020] The actuating toothed bar has a first row of teeth on one side of the actuating toothed bar and a second row of teeth on a second side of the actuating toothed bar opposite the first side.

[0021] The article has two movable flaps along the first sliding direction and in opposite directions to move from one to the other from the first position and the second position.

[0022] The article includes a drive rack for each of the two flaps and in which the actuation mechanism comprises two actuating gears positioned in the same actuation plane and each axially bound to a drive gear of a respective drive rack, with the drive racks of the flaps which are positioned respectively in a first drive plane offset and parallel to the actuation plane and in a second drive plane offset and parallel to the actuation plane, with the latter being interposed between the first and second drive planes. Brief description of the figures

[0023] The invention, according to an example of embodiment, will be well understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, given by way of example and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings. There figure 1represents, in a front view, a piece of jewelry and / or precious metalwork conforming to the invention, in a first configuration. figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 showing the item in a second configuration. The figure 3 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 , taken from behind and in the first configuration of the article. The figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 2 , taken from behind and in the second configuration of the article. The figure 5 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 , but in perspective and from behind, with the article's covers omitted. The figure 6 is a view similar to that of the figure 4 , but in perspective and from behind, with the article's lids omitted. The figure 7 is a partial exploded perspective view, taken from behind, of the article figures 1 to 6 . Detailed description

[0024] The figures show an article 1 of jewellery and / or jewelry, formed here by a pendant.

[0025] On the figure 1 , pendant 1 is in a first configuration while on the figure 2 , pendant 1 is in a second configuration.

[0026] Pendant 1 can, for example, be suspended from a chain 26 by means of one or more bails.

[0027] In its first configuration, the pendant 1 features at least one ornamental motif 7 formed, for example, by an enameled plaque on the figure 1 .

[0028] In its second configuration, the pendant 1 also features at least one ornamental motif 5 formed, for example, by a diamond baguette and / or a mother-of-pearl plaque on the figure 2 .

[0029] In the illustrated example, the pendant 1 also includes ornamental fringes 22 which are suspended in such a way as to form here a curtain of fringes 22.

[0030] The pendant 1 includes a gripping member 18 configured to move the pendant 1 from its first configuration to its second configuration when this gripping member 18 is stressed along a direction Y called the second direction of actuation.

[0031] The pendant 1 comprises a frame 2 with peripheral walls 3 which delimit the frame 2 and a central wall 4 provided between the peripheral walls 3.

[0032] Frame 2 has an ornamental face on the side of the front face of article 1 and on which is mounted at least one ornamental element 5 visible on the figure 2 , which here for example is formed by precious stones arranged in a star pattern around a central ornamental piece.

[0033] The pendant 1 also includes here two movable flaps 6 which slide on and relative to the frame 2 in a direction X called the first drive direction.

[0034] The ornamental elements 7 are here mounted on the movable flaps 6, on the front side of article 1.

[0035] In the first configuration of the pendant 1, the shutters 6 are in a first position in which they at least partially cover the frame 2 and therefore the ornamental element(s) 5.

[0036] In the second configuration of the pendant 1, the shutters 6 are in a second first position in which they at least partially uncover the frame 2 and the ornamental element(s) 5.

[0037] Between the first position and the second position of the flaps 6, the latter were moved in the first X drive direction and in opposite directions.

[0038] As seen on the figures 3 And 4 which are similar to Figures 1 And 2except that they show the pendant 1 in rear view, the central wall 4 of the frame 2 includes a mounting face opposite to the ornament face and therefore on the side of the rear face of article 1.

[0039] The frame 2 is further provided with covers 23 mechanically fastened to the central wall 4, for example by screwing, thus partially masking the mounting face.

[0040] The covers 23 are intended to close housings (see below) in which mechanisms are installed that allow the pendant 1 to be moved from one of its first and second configurations to the other.

[0041] We will now describe pendant 1 in more detail with reference to figures 5 to 7 , and in particular those mechanisms which allow the pendant 1 to be moved from one of its first and second configurations to the other.

[0042] In particular, the pendant 1 includes a drive mechanism 8 configured to slide the flaps 6 on and relative to the frame 2, and an actuation mechanism 9 configured to act on the drive mechanism 8.

[0043] The drive mechanism 8 is generally housed on the mounting face of the central wall 4, so it is usually invisible. The actuation mechanism 9 is only partially housed on the mounting face of the central wall 4, so it is only partially invisible.

[0044] On the Figures 5 And 6 , the covers 23 were omitted to fully see the drive mechanism 8 and the actuation mechanism 9.

[0045] The drive mechanism 8 includes a drive rack for each flap 6, which drive rack includes a drive gear 10 and a drive toothed bar 11 configured to be driven in displacement by the action of the drive gear 10, due to the cooperation of teeth.

[0046] Each toothed drive bar 11 is subject to a respective flap 6.

[0047] For example, each toothed drive bar 11 is provided at a free end with a fixing portion 27 which is fixed, here by screwing, to an outer edge of the flap 6, by screws 28.

[0048] The actuation mechanism 9 includes an actuation rack formed of an actuation toothed bar 13 and two actuation toothed wheels 12 each cooperating with the actuation toothed bar and mechanically secured with one of the drive toothed wheels 10 of the drive mechanism.

[0049] The actuation mechanism 9 further includes the gripping member 18 which is attached to one end of the toothed actuation bar 13.

[0050] It should be noted that the drive gears 12 and the drive gears 10 can respectively have a counterbore on opposite faces, each counterbore being provided to receive a washer of the drive mechanism 8.

[0051] The drive mechanism may further include a compensating washer between each pair of drive gear 10 and actuating gear 12, with the compensating washer which is for example disposed on the side of the drive gear 10 and which bears against either the central wall 4, or a cover 23 covering the drive mechanism 8.

[0052] In the illustrated example, each drive gear 12 has a smaller diameter than the drive gear 10 to which it is attached.

[0053] The drive gears 10 and the actuation gears 12 which are attached to them are mounted coaxially in rotation around an axis (not shown) fixed on the central wall 4 of the frame 2.

[0054] Frame 2 is provided with a main housing 14 located in the central wall 4.

[0055] The main dwelling 14 here has an overall circular shape.

[0056] In the illustrated example, the drive gears 10 and the actuation gears 12 are mounted to rotate freely in the main housing 14.

[0057] Frame 2 is also provided with channels, called first channels 15 and second channels 17, made in the central wall 4.

[0058] The first ducts 15 and second ducts 17 here have a roughly U-shaped form.

[0059] The first ducts 15 and second ducts 17 extend here from the main housing to the peripheral walls 3.

[0060] The first 15 chutes extend in the first drive direction X.

[0061] The second chutes 17 extend in the second actuation direction Y.

[0062] In the illustrated example, the frame 2 has a pattern formed by a plurality of rays extending from the main housing 14 to the peripheral walls 3, and between the first channels 15 and the second channels 17, thus making the central wall 4 openwork.

[0063] The actuating toothed bar 13 of the actuating mechanism 9 and the two drive toothed bars 11 are mounted movably to slide, respectively in the set of the two second chutes 17, and in the first chutes 15.

[0064] The peripheral walls 3 which extend in the second direction of actuation Y are each provided with a plate 24 in which is formed a window 16 located opposite one end of a first respective chute 15.

[0065] Each of the two toothed drive bars 11 is configured to pass through a respective window 16 when slid.

[0066] The plates 24 are here for example screwed onto the peripheral walls 13 by screws 25.

[0067] In the illustrated example, only one of the two second chutes 17 opens onto a window (not shown) made in one of the peripheral walls 3, on the side where the gripping organ 18 is located.

[0068] The actuation mechanism 9 may include a guide member 32 mounted in only one of the two second chutes 17 which opens into a window provided in one of the peripheral walls 3, on the side where the gripping member 18 is located, and also in the main housing 14.

[0069] The guide member 32 can be formed of a longitudinal opening into which the toothed actuating bar 13 of the actuating mechanism 9 can be inserted movably by sliding.

[0070] In the illustrated example, the drive gears 12 are positioned side by side in the main housing 14, in the same actuation plane including the actuation direction Y, and on either side of the drive gear 13.

[0071] The actuating toothed bar 13 has a first row of teeth on a first side of the actuating toothed bar 13 and a second row of teeth on a second side of the actuating toothed bar 13 opposite to the first side.

[0072] Put simply, we can say that the toothed actuation bar 13 is doubly toothed.

[0073] Thus, the actuating toothed bar 13 is configured to cooperate with both actuating toothed wheels 12, with the first row of teeth cooperating with one of the two actuating toothed wheels 12, and the second row of teeth cooperating with the other of the two actuating toothed wheels 12.

[0074] In the illustrated example, the drive gears 10 and the drive gears 11 are positioned, two by two, respectively in a first drive plane offset and parallel to the actuation plane and in a second drive plane offset and parallel to the actuation plane, with the latter being interposed between the first and second drive planes.

[0075] In other words, this means that the 16 windows are also arranged so that they are offset from each other and are located in the first training plan, respectively the second training plan.

[0076] In the illustrated example, one of the two windows 16 is centered on the respective plate 24 while the other window 16 is offset on the respective plate 24 and forms an open window or, in other words, a notch on this plate.

[0077] The drive mechanism 8 here includes two pawls 21 forming a sliding stop for the toothed drive bars 11.

[0078] The pawls 21 are mounted in the central housing 14 and each is provided with a locking finger 29 projecting towards the toothed drive bars 11.

[0079] Each of the toothed drive bars 11 has, opposite their teeth, notches 33 arranged globally at the opposite ends of the toothed drive bars 11, and configured to receive each the locking finger 29 of a respective ratchet 21.

[0080] In particular, the notches 33 are positioned so as to ensure, in cooperation with the locking fingers 29 of the pawls 21, a first stop in the first configuration of the article, with the flaps 6 in their first position, and a second stop in the second configuration of the article, with the flaps in their second position (see below).

[0081] The pawls 21 are pivotally mounted in the central housing 14 and are provided with return members configured to engage the pawls in a stable position in which the respective locking fingers 29 are in respective notches 33.

[0082] For example, the return members are each formed by a spring 30 sitting at one end on a ball 31 against an edge of the central housing 14 and in contact with the ratchet 21 at an opposite end.

[0083] As explained above, the shutters 6 are mounted to slide movablely on and relative to the frame 2 and in particular, in relation to the peripheral walls 3 called upper and lower.

[0084] The frame 2 is provided with ribs and / or grooves 20 on its peripheral walls 3 called upper and lower, while each of the flaps 6 is provided with grooves and / or ribs 19 called lower and upper and which are each provided to receive a respective rib and / or groove 20, so as to form for example a sliding type connection.

[0085] In the illustrated example, the frame has a rib on its upper peripheral wall and a groove on its lower peripheral wall, while the shutters have upper grooves cooperating with the rib on the upper peripheral wall of the frame and lower ribs cooperating with the groove on the lower peripheral wall of the frame.

[0086] We will now describe the transition from one to the other of the first and second configurations of pendant 1 and therefore from one to the other of the first and second positions of the shutters 6.

[0087] When pendant 1 is in the first configuration, the shutters 6 are in the first position in which they globally cover frame 2.

[0088] The ornamental element 5 of frame 2 is then generally hidden.

[0089] In the first position of the shutters 6, the actuation mechanism 9 is also in a first position in which the toothed actuation bar 13 is retracted inside the frame 2, in the main housing 14 and in one of the two second channels 17, and in particular, the one which does not open into a window.

[0090] In the first position of the flaps 6, the drive mechanism 8 is also in a first position in which the drive toothed bars 11 are retracted inside the frame 2, in the main housing 14 and in the first channels 15, with the locking finger 29 of each ratchet 21 which are in a respective notch 33 of the respective drive toothed bar 11.

[0091] For the passage of the pendant 1 into its second configuration, the gripping organ 18 is stressed, here downwards away from the frame 2, so as to cause translation also downwards, in the second direction of actuation Y.

[0092] The toothed actuating bar 13 slides through the main housing 14, from the second chute 17 which does not open into a window to the other second chute 17 which opens into a window.

[0093] Thus, the toothed actuating bar 13 slides in the guide member 32.

[0094] The movement of the actuating toothed bar 13 sets the actuating toothed wheels 12 in rotation, which in turn set the drive toothed wheels 10 of the drive mechanism 8 in rotation.

[0095] The rotation of the drive gears 10 puts the drive gears 11 into translation, which then slide in the first chutes 15, away from each other and in the first drive direction X.

[0096] It should be noted that the engagement of the gripping organ 18 must be sufficient to allow the toothed drive bars 11 to slightly move the pawls 21 and thus bring the respective locking fingers 29 out of the respective notches 33.

[0097] The sliding of the toothed actuating bars 13 thus causes the flaps 6, which are attached to them, to move.

[0098] The flaps 6 slide on the frame 2 via the sliding connection formed by the cooperation of the ribs and grooves.

[0099] The flaps 6 move from their first position to their second position until the respective locking fingers 29 of the pawls 21 enter the respective and opposite notches 33 of the drive toothed bars 11.

[0100] Pendant 1 is then in the second configuration, with the flaps 6 which generally reveal frame 2 and the ornamental element 5 of frame 2 which is unveiled and visible from the ornamental face side of frame 2.

[0101] Note that in the illustrated example, the reverse transition from the second configuration to the first configuration of pendant 1 is done manually by directly activating the shutters 6.

[0102] This allows for reverse drive, i.e. bringing the drive toothed bars 11 closer together, rotating the drive toothed wheels 10 and the actuation toothed wheels 12 in the opposite direction, and thus raising the actuation toothed bar 13 and the gripping member 18.

[0103] In an unillustrated variant, the actuation mechanism may include a locking / unlocking device for the position of the gripping member, equipped in particular with a return spring allowing the flaps to be returned to their first position without external stress.

[0104] Other variants not illustrated are described below.

[0105] The pendant may include more or fewer additional ornamental elements.

[0106] The frame and / or shutters can be of any shape other than square, for example polygonal or circular.

[0107] The shutters can be of any shape other than rectangular, for example polygonal or semi-circular.

[0108] The pendant may consist of a single panel rather than two, or more panels.

[0109] The drive mechanism may consist of a single drive toothed bar and a single drive toothed wheel, or conversely, more than two drive toothed bars and drive toothed wheels.

[0110] The ratchet as described above can be replaced by a ratchet of another type, comprising a body in which is housed a spring and a ball configured to be at least partially inserted into a complementary recess.

[0111] The ratchet may also be located elsewhere than in the central housing and / or act on the flaps rather than on the toothed drive bars.

[0112] The jewelry item may be an item other than a pendant, and may be worn on the wrist or as an earring.

[0113] It is generally recalled that the invention is not limited to the examples described and represented but also to the claims.

Claims

1. Jewel and / or jewellery item including a frame (2) and at least one shutter (6) mobile with respect to the frame, with the item (1) being configured to accept a first configuration in which the shutter at least partially covers the frame and at least one ornamental element (5) that it includes, and a second configuration in which the shutter at least partially exposes the frame and said at least one ornamental element, the item being characterised in that it includes a drive mechanism (8) configured to make the at least one shutter (6) slide on the frame (2), in a first sliding direction (X), between a first position in the first configuration of the item (1) and a second position in the second configuration of the item, and an actuation mechanism (9) configured to act on the drive mechanism when the actuation mechanism is stressed in a second actuation direction (Y) different from the first sliding direction (X).

2. Item according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive mechanism (8) includes at least one drive rack formed by at least one toothed drive wheel (10) and at least one toothed drive bar (11) cooperating with the at least one toothed drive wheel and mechanically secured to the at least one mobile shutter (6), and the actuation mechanism (9) includes an actuation rack formed by at least one toothed actuation bar (13) and at least one toothed actuation wheel (12) cooperating with the at least one toothed actuation bar and mechanically secured to the at least one toothed drive wheel (10).

3. Item according to claim 2, characterised in that the at least one toothed actuation wheel (12) and the at least one toothed drive wheel (10) are mounted coaxially on the frame (2).

4. Item according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the at least one toothed actuation wheel (12) is positioned in an actuation plane comprising the second actuation direction (Y), and the at least one toothed drive wheel (10) is positioned in a drive plane offset and parallel to the actuation plane.

5. Item according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the drive mechanism (8) includes at least one catch (21) forming a slide stop for the at least one toothed drive bar (11).

6. Item according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the actuation mechanism (9) includes a gripping member (18) secured to the toothed actuation bar (13).

7. Item according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the frame (2) includes peripheral walls (3) defining the frame and a central wall (4) provided between the peripheral walls and having an ornamental face and a face for mounting the actuation mechanism (9) and the drive mechanism (8), opposite to the ornamental face.

8. Item according to claim 7, characterised in that the central wall (4) is provided on its mounting face with a main housing (14) configured to receive the at least one toothed drive wheel (10) and the at least one toothed actuation wheel (12), with at least one first channel (15) extending from the main housing in the first drive direction (X) and provided to receive the at least one toothed drive bar (11), and with at least one second channel (17) extending from the main housing in the second actuation direction (Y) and provided to receive the at least one toothed actuation bar (13).

9. Item according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the peripheral wall (3) includes at least one window (16) for the passage of the at least one toothed drive bar (11).

10. Item according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that one of the frame (2) and the at least one shutter (6) has at least one rib and the other one of the frame (2) and the at least one shutter (6) has at least one groove configured to cooperate with the at least one rib for the sliding of the at least one shutter (6) with respect to the frame.

11. Item according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the toothed actuation bar (13) has a first row of teeth on a first side of the toothed actuation bar and a second row of teeth on a second side of the toothed actuation bar opposite to the first side.

12. Item according to claim 11, comprising two shutters (6) mobile in the first sliding direction (X) and in opposite directions to pass from one to the other of the first position and the second position.

13. Item according to claim 12, including a drive rack for each of the two shutters (6) and wherein the actuation mechanism (9) comprises two toothed actuation wheels (12) positioned in the same actuation plane and each secured axially to a toothed drive wheel (10) of a respective drive rack, with the drive racks of the shutters being positioned respectively in a first drive plane offset and parallel to the actuation plane and in a second drive plane offset and parallel to the actuation plane, with the latter being interposed between the first and second drive planes.