Jewellery band with locking mechanism

Abstract

A jewellery band 1 comprising a first 100 and second 200 band part, a joint 300 and a locking mechanism 400. The joint 300 enables the first and second band parts to be moved between an open and close

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a jewellery band with a locking mechanism. In particular, but not exclusively, they relate to a ring for a finger. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Locking mechanisms for jewellery bands are known. The design of a locking mechanism involves a compromise between security, durability, ease of use, and ease of manufacture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a jewellery band comprising: a first band part; a second band part; a joint securing the first band part to the second band part, the joint enabling the first and second band parts to be moved apart to an open position to enlarge an interior aperture of the jewellery band to enable the jewellery band to be fitted to a user’s body part, the joint further enabling the first and second band parts to be moved together to a closed position to secure the user’s body part at least partially within the interior aperture; and a locking mechanism having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state the locking mechanism secures the first and second band parts at the closed position, wherein in the unlocked state the locking mechanism allows the first and second band parts to be moved from the closed position to the open position, and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a releaser movable from a home position to a release position extending into the 2 interior aperture to transition the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state. This provides the advantage of a more secure jewellery band. The presence of the user’s body part in the interior aperture resists movement of the releaser into the interior aperture. Therefore, the probability of accidental release is reduced. The releaser may be accessible from an outer surface of the jewellery band. The releaser may be located towards a radially opposite position of the jewellery band than the joint. At the home position, the releaser may extend along one of the band parts, along the circumference of the interior aperture of the jewellery band. The releaser may not extend at least partially radially inwardly into the interior aperture. At the release position, at least a portion of the releaser may extend at least partially radially inwardly into the interior aperture of the jewellery band. To reach the release position, the releaser may be moved to protrude into the interior aperture by a distance of at least 0.4mm, or at least 0.5mm, or at least 0.6mm, from a circumference of the interior aperture. An advantage is a more secure locking mechanism because the releaser would press against the user’s body part first, before releasing. The releaser may be rotatable between the home position and the release position. The releaser may be connected to one of the first and second band parts by a hinge. A position of the hinge along the releaser may define a class 1 lever. At the release position, the releaser may extend into the interior aperture of the jewellery band at an angle that is more circumferential than radial. An advantage is comfort because the releaser does not ‘dig’ hard into the user’s body part when intentionally releasing the jewellery band. The releaser may have an input end and an output end. The input and output ends may be opposite ends of the releaser. Force applied at the input end of the releaser may move the releaser causing the output end of the releaser to protrude into the interior aperture of the jewellery band. Relative positions of the input end and output ends may define a class 1 lever relative to an axis of rotation of the releaser. At the home position of the releaser, the input end of the releaser may be adjacent a tool opening of the jewellery band. The tool opening may be located in an outer surface of the jewellery band. The tool opening may comprise a recess formed in an outer surface of the jewellery band. The recess may define a slot. The input end of the releaser may comprise an overhanging ledge defining a boundary of the tool opening. An advantage is that a tool, such as a flat 4 screwdriver head, can be wedged against the overhanging ledge of the releaser. The output end of the releaser may be blunter than the input end. An advantage is that the jewellery band is comfortable to release, because the output end of the releaser exerts gentle pressure on the user’s body part during release. The output end of the releaser may be more curved than the input end. The output end of the releaser may be curved in a plurality of planes. The output end may be domed. The releaser may extend through an entire radial thickness of the jewellery band. The releaser may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface. The releaser may have a thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface. The thickness may be substantially equal to a band part thickness at a location along the respective band part where the releaser is secured. At the home position, the outer surface of the releaser may be substantially flush with an outer surface of the jewellery band. The outer surface of the releaser may be curved in a plane of the interior aperture to follow a curvature of the outer surface of the jewellery band in the plane. The outer surface of the releaser may be curved in a plurality of planes, to follow the curvature of the outer surface of the jewellery band in the plurality of planes. An advantage is that the releaser in the home position is near-indistinguishable from the exterior surface of the jewellery band. At the home position, the inner surface of the releaser may be flush with an inner surface of the jewellery band. The inner surface of the jewellery band may define a boundary of the interior aperture. The inner surface of the releaser may be curved in a plane of the interior aperture to follow a curvature of the inner surface of the jewellery band in the plane. The inner surface of the releaser may be curved in a plurality of planes, to follow the curvature of the inner surface of the jewellery band in the plurality of planes. The jewellery band may comprise a snap-fit mechanism. An advantage is a more secure jewellery band. The snap-fit mechanism may be configured to retain the first and second band parts in the closed position. The snap-fit mechanism may be configured to retain the first and second band parts in the closed position regardless of whether the locking mechanism is in the locked state or the unlocked state. This provides additional security in case the releaser is accidentally moved to the release position. The releaser may be aligned with the snap-fit mechanism. A portion of the releaser may be movable towards the snap-fit mechanism to increase or maintain a snap-fit depth of the snap-fit mechanism. In the locked state of the locking mechanism, the releaser may be retained in the home position. A suitable retaining means (retainer), such as a snap-fit geometry, may be provided to retain the releaser in the home position. The releaser may be movable to the release position in dependence on a release force applied to the releaser overcoming a retaining force of the retaining means. The releaser may comprise a connector of the locking mechanism. The releaser may comprise a first connector of the locking mechanism to which a second connector of the locking mechanism is connectable. The connectors may be secured to different ones of the first and second band parts. The first connector may be proximal to the output end of the releaser. The first connector may be closer to the output end of the releaser than the input end. One of the first and second connectors may be a plug and the other may be a socket. The first connector may be a socket, and the second connector may be a plug. The plug may extend from an end of one of the first or second band parts. The plug may be configured to snap-fit to the other of the first or second band parts. This provides the snap-fit mechanism as described above. The plug may extend in a circumferential direction relative to the interior aperture of the jewellery band. The plug may be an integrally-formed portion of the band part that comprises the plug. The plug may comprise a hook and the socket may be an eye. The eye may be configured to snap-fit onto the hook. This provides the retaining means as described above. The eye may be a through-hole, the eye and hook being sized so that a tip of the hook is substantially flush with an inner surface of the jewellery band when the locking mechanism is in the locked state. An advantage of a through-hole is that the mechanism is thin and secure, because the entire depth of the socket / eye is engaged with the plug. In other examples, a blind hole could be used on thicker jewellery bands. The plug may be located at first band part and the socket may be located at the second band part. The second band part may comprise a channel connecting an end of the second band part to a cavity where the socket is located. The channel may advantageously act as a guide channel through which the plug passes towards the cavity as the first and second band parts are moved together towards the closed position. A length of the channel may be at least 2mm or at least 3mm. The channel may be at least 50% of the length of the cavity. The length of the channel advantageously allows the first and second band parts to be partially engaged with each other before being locked together, providing an enlarged interior aperture so that users with arthritic fingers may find the jewellery band easier to put on. The releaser may be located in the cavity. The cavity may be larger in cross-sectional area compared to the channel. The cavity may extend through a greater radial thickness of the jewellery band than the channel. The channel may extend through part of a radial thickness of the jewellery band. The cavity may extend through a whole radial thickness of the jewellery band. The channel may be wider than the plug and narrower than the releaser and cavity. In the locked state of the locking mechanism, the plug may extend through the channel into the cavity where the plug is engaged with the socket. The channel may be an open channel along an inner surface of the jewellery band. In the closed position, an inner surface of the plug extending along the channel may be substantially flush with the inner surface of the jewellery band. The inner surface of the plug extending along the channel may be curved in a plane of the interior aperture to follow a curvature of the inner surface of the jewellery band in the plane. The plug may be curved in a plane of the interior aperture to follow a curvature of the first band part in the plane. The channel may be curved in the plane to follow the curvature of the plug and the second band part. In the open position of the first and second band parts, the plug may be wholly outside the channel. The first and second band parts may each comprise a hinged end and a free end. The joint may connect the hinged ends. When the locking mechanism is in the locked state, the free ends may abut one another and may be substantially flush with one another. The joint may comprise a clevis joint. The jewellery band may be a ring. The body part may be a human finger. The ring may be sized for a human finger. Alternatively, the jewellery band may be for a different body part. The first or second band part of the jewellery band may comprise one or more stone settings. The releaser may be formed from or coated by a same material as the first and second band parts. The plug may be formed from or coated by a same material as the first and second band parts. The material may comprise gold, silver, titanium, platinum, palladium, tungsten, or stainless steel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a jewellery band with first and second band parts at a closed position and a releaser at a home position; FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the jewellery band with the first and second bands at an open position and the releaser at a release position; FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the jewellery band with the first and second bands at the closed position and the releaser at the home position; FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the jewellery band with the first and second bands at the open position and the releaser at a release position; FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the releaser; and FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section view of the jewellery band, including a snap-fit mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a jewellery band 1 in the form of a hinged ring for a user’s finger. When closed, the jewellery band 1 forms a closed loop enclosing an interior aperture 2 through which the user’s body part (digit / finger) extends. In examples, the diameter of the interior aperture 2 is selected from the range 12mm to 25mm. The jewellery band 1 comprises a first band part 100 and a second band part 200. Each band part 100, 200 is semi-circular. The first and second band parts 100, 200 therefore define a circular jewellery band 1, when in a closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Each band part can be formed from a precious or semi-precious metal such as gold, silver, titanium, platinum, palladium, tungsten, or stainless steel. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the first band part 100 may be adorned with stone settings or other decorative features, although this is not shown in the Figures. FIGS. 1-4 also illustrate a joint 300 hingedly securing the first and second band parts 100, 200 to each other. The joint 300 is curved to follow a curvature of the jewellery band 1. The illustrated joint 300 comprises a clevis joint, but may alternatively be replaced with any other appropriate hinged joint 300. The first and second band parts 100, 200 each comprise a hinged end 106, 206 and an opposite free end 108, 208, wherein the joint 300 connects the hinged ends 106, 206 to each other. The free ends 108, 208 abut each other each other when the first and second band parts 100, 200 are in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Therefore, inner and outer surfaces 104, 102 of the first band part 100 are flush with inner and outer surfaces 204, 202 of the second band part 200. The free ends 108, 208 of the first and second band parts 100, 200 are locked in abutment with each other and are flush with each other, when the first and second band parts 100, 200 are locked in the closed position. To lock the first and second band parts 100, 200 in the closed position, the jewellery band 1 comprises a locking mechanism 400. The locking mechanism 400 is most clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The locking mechanism 400 is shown proximal to a radially opposite position of the jewellery band 1 than the joint 300. The illustrated locking mechanism 400 comprises first and second connectors, in this case a plug 402 and socket 408. The locking mechanism 400 further comprises a releaser 410. In examples, the plug 402 and socket 408 define a hook-and-eye connection. The plug 402 is a thin elongate member extending from the free end 108 of the first band part 100, thinner than the first band part 100 is between the ends 106, 108 of the band part 100. The plug 402 comprises an elongate stem 404 at the end of which is a hook 406. The tip 403 of the hook 406 faces the interior aperture 2 of the ring. The plug 402 is curved along its length to follow the curvature of the jewellery band 1. The curved plug 402 therefore extends in a circumferential direction around part of the interior aperture 2 of the jewellery band 1. The plug 402 may be an integrally-formed portion of the first band part 100. The second band part 200 comprises a cavity 214 (FIGS. 3-4) containing the releaser 410, and the releaser 410 comprises the socket 408 in the form of a through-hole 424 extending through the releaser 410 in a generally radial direction to define an eye-type connector for engaging the hook 406. The socket 408 is located proximal to an output end 420 of the releaser 410, opposite an input end 418 of the releaser 410. The cavity 214 is separated along the second band part 200 from the free end 208 of the second band part 200. Therefore, the second band part 200 further comprises a channel 212 connecting the free end 208 of the second band part 200 to the cavity 214 where the releaser 410 and socket 408 are located. The channel 212 has a curved shape corresponding to that of the plug 402. The channel 212 is narrower and shallower than the cavity 214 and sized to fit the plug 402, and is open along the inner surface 204 of the second band part 200. The cavity 214 has a greater width and thickness to fit the releaser 410, the cavity 214 extending through the entire radial thickness of the second band part 200 and being open at both the inner and outer surfaces 202, 204 of the second band part 200. When the first and second band parts 100, 200 are moved together towards the closed position, the plug 402 enters the channel 212 through the open end of the channel 212 at the free end 208 of the second band part 200. The plug 402 is longer than the channel 212 so that at the closed position of the first and 13 second band parts 100, 200, the hook 406 of the plug 402 is within the cavity 214 and ready to engage with the socket 408. The releaser 410 is a rocker part hingedly mounted within the cavity 214 inside the second band part 200. Therefore, the releaser 410 can be rotatably moved between a home position / home orientation (FIGS. 1, 3) and a release position / release orientation (FIGS. 2, 4), about a hinge 416 positioned centrally along the releaser 410 (class 1 lever). At the home position of the releaser 410, the releaser 410 extends circumferentially along the second band part 200 and along the cavity 214, the input and output ends 418, 420 of the releaser 410 being disposed substantially in the cavity 214. The output end 420 of the releaser 410 at least partially blocks the channel 212 from the cavity 214. At the release position of the releaser 410, the output end 420 of the releaser 410 extends out of the cavity 214 and mostly circumferentially but slightly radially inwardly into the interior aperture 2 of the jewellery band 1. The output end 420 of the releaser 410 no longer blocks the channel 212 from the cavity 214. This enables the hook 406 of the plug 402 to enter and leave the cavity 214. The locking mechanism 400 is therefore in an unlocked state. The opposite input end 418 of the releaser 410 extends out of the cavity 214 and at least partially radially outwardly from the outer surface 202 of the second band part 200. It should be noted that the orientation of the releaser 410 in FIGS. 2-4 is slightly beyond what is needed to release the plug, which may be a smaller angle than that shown. In examples, the output end 420 of the releaser 410 reaches the release position when the output end 420 extends into the interior aperture 2 of the jewellery band 1 by a radial distance of at least approximately 0.6mm, or at least 0.4mm or at least 0.5mm. The radial distance is measured from the circumference of the interior aperture 2, the circumference being the inner surface 204 of the second band part 200. The radial distance may be less than 1 mm or less than 1,5mm or less than 3mm. By contrast, at the home position the releaser 410 may be approximately flush with the circumference of the interior aperture 2. To reach the release position, the releaser 410 is rotated by the above short distance until the output end 420 of the releaser 410 gently presses against the skin of the user’s body part, and is further rotated until the release position is reached. If the releaser 410 is rotated from the release position to the home position while the hook 406 is in the cavity 214, the locking state is entered because the socket 408 in the releaser 410 traps the tip 403 of the hook 406 of the plug 402 to prevent the plug 402 from being withdrawn from the cavity 214. The engagement may be a snap-fit engagement. When the releaser 410 is at the home position with the plug 402 engaged with the socket 408, the locking mechanism 400 is in a locked state because the free ends 108, 208 of the first and second band parts 100, 200 cannot be rotated apart from each other, due to interference between the plug 402 and the socket 408. This interference can be seen in FIG. 3. If the releaser 410 is then oppositely rotated to the release position, the locking mechanism 400 transitions to the unlocked state. In the unlocked state, the free ends 108, 208 of the first and second band parts 100, 200 can now be rotated apart from each other to the open position, to widen the interior aperture 2 of the jewellery band 1, for fitting or removal of the jewellery band 1 to the user’s body part (e.g., finger). FIG. 4 shows an open position, although the first and second band parts 100, 200 may be openable even further than shown in FIG. 4. In the open position, the plug 402 is wholly outside the channel 212, and there is a gap between the plug 402 and the opposing free end 208 of the second band part 200. The gap may be enlarged to allow side-insertion of the jewellery band 1 onto the user’s body part. In examples, the plug 402 and socket 408 are configured to provide a snap-fit connection as they are engaged to enter the locked state. This reduces the chance of accidental movement of the releaser 410 out of the home position while in the locked state. To further prevent accidental movement of the releaser 410 out of the home position in the locked state, FIG. 1 illustrates a tool opening 210 provided adjacent the input end 418 of the releaser 410, wherein the tool opening 210 is a slot-shaped recess in the outer surface 102, 202 of the jewellery band 1. The tool opening 210 may be sized to receive a small flat screwdriver head, or perhaps a fingernail. As best shown in FIG. 5, the input end 418 of the releaser 410 provides an overhanging ledge 422, the overhanging ledge 422 providing an undercut such as a slanted wall. The overhanging ledge 422 will form a boundary of the tool opening 210 shown in FIG. 1. The overhanging ledge 422 allows a tool head, such as a screwdriver head, in the tool opening 210 to be wedged into the undercut to provide purchase for the tool to rotate the releaser 410 out of the home position. This purchase will aid the tool in overcoming the retention force of the snap-fit connection when rotating the releaser 410 from the home position to the release position. By contrast, the output end 420 of the releaser 410 has a blunter shape to prevent the output end 420 from pinching the user’s body part when the releaser 410 is rotated to the release position. As best shown in FIG. 5, the output end 420 of the releaser 410 is curved in one or more planes, and in this example is slightly domed. In the illustrated example, the surfaces of the above-described locking mechanism 400 which are externally visible are shaped to be flush with the surrounding surfaces of the first and second band parts 100, 200, when the locking mechanism 400 is in the locked state with the releaser 410 in the home position. This is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The externally visible parts of the locking mechanism 400 may also be formed from or plated with the same material as the first and second band parts 100, 200. The externally visible parts may be surface-finished with the first and second band parts 100, 200 to be near-indistinguishable from the inner and outer surfaces 102, 104, 202, 204 of the first and second band parts 100, 200. The illustrated releaser 410 extends through an entire radial thickness of the second band part 200, presenting an inner surface 414 flush with the inner surface 204 of the second band part 200, and presenting an outer surface 412 flush with the outer surface 202 of the second band part 200. The through-hole 424 of the releaser 410 is located in the inner surface 414 of the releaser 410. The thickness of the releaser 410 between its inner and outer surfaces 414, 412, is substantially equal to the thickness of the second band part 200 between the adjacent inner and outer surfaces 104, 102 of the second band part 200. The first and second band parts 100, 200 may be curved in a plurality of planes. They are curved in a first plane of the interior aperture 2, defining the circular shape of the jewellery band 1. They may also be curved in a perpendicular plane containing the cross-section of the respective band part 100, 200, providing a rounded cross-section shape. The inner and outer surfaces 414, 412 of the releaser 410 may match the curvature of the inner and outer surfaces 104, 102 of the second band part 200 in each of the plurality of planes, being flush with the inner and outer surfaces 104, 102 of the second band part 200 when viewed in each of the plurality of planes. An inner surface of the stem 404 of the plug 402 matches the curvature of the inner surface 204 of the second band part 200 at the location of the channel 212, in each of the plurality of planes. Therefore, when the plug 402 is within the channel 212, the inner surface of the stem 404 of the plug 402 is flush with the rim of the channel 212 at the inner surface 204 of the second band part 200, so that the plug 402 completely fills the open channel 212. As shown in FIG. 3, even the face of the tip 403 of the hook 406 of the plug 402 may be flush with the inner rim of the through-hole 424 formed in the inner surface 414 of the releaser 410. The face of the tip 403 of the hook 406 of the plug 402, combined with the inner surface 414 of the releaser 410, may be flush with the inner surface 204 of the second band part 200. FIG. 6 comprises cross-section views illustrating a snap-fit mechanism formed by a protrusion 426 and a rounded recess 428. The protrusion 426 is formed in the first band part 100, and the rounded recess 428 is formed in the second band part 200. Alternatively, the recess 428 is formed in the first band part 100 and the protrusion 426 is formed in the second band part 200. When engaged, the first and second band parts 100, 200 are held in their closed position regardless of the position of the releaser 410. The roundedness of the recess 428 allow the snap-fit mechanism to be disengaged by applying a sufficient opening force for moving the first and second band parts 100, 200 to the open position, without the need for a separate snap-fit release part. In examples, the protrusion 426 is formed in the plug 402. In examples, the protrusion 426 is located towards the tip of the plug 402. The illustrated protrusion 426 is located behind the hook 406 of the plug 402. The rounded recess 428 is formed in the cavity 214 adjacent to the output end 420 of the releaser 410. It would be appreciated that the snap-fit mechanism could be located elsewhere than shown in FIG. 6. However, an advantage of the illustrated arrangement is that when the jewellery band 1 is worn, the pressure of the user’s body part on the releaser 410 causes the releaser 410 to further push against the plug 402, pushing the protrusion 426 further into the rounded recess 428 to maintain or increase the snap-fit depth of the snap-fit mechanism. In some examples, the releaser 410 may engage with the hook 406 in a snap-fit manner. This may also assist in holding the protrusion 426 in the rounded recess 428. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example the jewellery band 1 may be an earring, toe ring, or a bangle. The jewellery band 1 may in some examples not be a fully enclosed shape. The releaser 410 could in some examples be other than a class 1 lever. The releaser 410 could in other examples comprise the plug 402. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. 5 Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A jewellery band comprising:a first band part;a second band part;a joint securing the first band part to the second band part, the joint enabling the first and second band parts to be moved apart to an open position to enlarge an interior aperture of the jewellery band to enable the jewellery band to be fitted to a user’s body part, the joint further enabling the first and second band parts to be moved together to a closed position to secure the user’s body part at least partially within the interior aperture; anda locking mechanism having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state the locking mechanism secures the first and second band parts at the closed position, wherein in the unlocked state the locking mechanism allows the first and second band parts to be moved from the closed position to the open position, and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a releaser movable from a home position to a release position extending into the interior aperture to transition the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state.

2. The jewellery band of claim 1, wherein the releaser is accessible from an outer surface of the jewellery band.

3. The jewellery band of claim 1 or 2, wherein at the home position, the releaser extends along one of the band parts, along a circumference of the interior aperture of the jewellery band.

4. The jewellery band of claim 1,2, or 3, wherein at the release position, at least a portion of the releaser extends at least partially radially inwardly into the interior aperture of the jewellery band.

5. The jewellery band of claim 4, wherein to reach the release position, the releaser is moved to protrude into the interior aperture by a distance of at least 0.4mm, or at least 0.5mm, or at least 0.6mm, from a circumference of the interior aperture.

6. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, wherein the releaser is rotatable between the home position and the release position.

7. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, wherein the releaser has an input end and an output end, wherein the input and output ends are opposite ends of the releaser, wherein force applied at the input end of the releaser moves the releaser causing the output end of the releaser to protrude into the interior aperture of the jewellery band.

8. The jewellery band of claim 7, wherein at the home position of the releaser, the input end of the releaser is adjacent a tool opening of the jewellery band.

9. The jewellery band of claim 8, wherein the tool opening comprises a recess formed in an outer surface of the jewellery band, and / or wherein the input end of the releaser comprises an overhanging ledge defining a boundary of the tool opening.

10. The jewellery band of claim 9, wherein the output end of the releaser is blunter than the input end.

11. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, wherein the releaser comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the releaser has a thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the thickness is substantially equal to a band part thickness at a location along the respective band part where the releaser is secured.05 07 2412. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, wherein at the home position, an outer surface of the releaser is substantially flush with an outer surface of the jewellery band, wherein the outer surface of the releaser is curved in a plane of the interior aperture to follow a curvature of the outer surface of the jewellery 5 band in the plane.

13. The jewellery band of claim 12, wherein the outer surface of the releaser is curved in a plurality of planes, to follow the curvature of the outer surface of the jewellery band in the plurality of planes.1014. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, wherein at the home position, an inner surface of the releaser is flush with an inner surface of the jewellery band, wherein the inner surface of the jewellery band defines a boundary of the interior aperture, and wherein the inner surface of the releaser is curved in a 15 plane of the interior aperture to follow a curvature of the inner surface of the jewellery band in the plane.

15. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, comprising a snap-fit mechanism configured to retain the first and second band parts in the closed 20 position regardless of whether the locking mechanism is in the locked state or the unlocked state.

16. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, wherein the releaser comprises a connector of the locking mechanism, wherein the releaser 25 comprises a first connector of the locking mechanism to which a second connector of the locking mechanism is connectable, wherein the first and second connectors are secured to different ones of the first and second band parts, wherein one of the first and second connectors is a plug and the other is a socket.3017. The jewellery band of claim 16, wherein the plug extends from an end of one of the first or second band parts.

18. The jewellery band of claim 16 or 17, wherein the plug extends in a circumferential direction relative to the interior aperture of the jewellery band.

19. The jewellery band of claim 16, 17, or 18, wherein the plug comprises a hook and the socket is an eye, wherein the eye is configured to snap-fit onto the hook.

20. The jewellery band of claim 19, wherein the eye is a through-hole, the eye and hook being sized so that a tip of the hook is substantially flush with an inner surface of the jewellery band when the locking mechanism is in the locked state.

21. The jewellery band of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the second band part comprises a channel connecting an end of the second band part to a cavity where the socket is located, wherein the releaser is located in the cavity, and wherein the channel acts as a guide channel through which the plug passes towards the cavity as the first and second band parts are moved together towards the closed position.

22. The jewellery band of claim 21, wherein a length of the channel is at least 2mm or at least 3mm, and / or wherein the channel is at least 50% of the length of the cavity.

23. The jewellery band of claim 21 or 22, wherein in the closed position, an inner surface of the plug extending along the channel is substantially flush with the inner surface of the jewellery band, and wherein the inner surface of the plug extending along the channel is curved in a plane of the interior aperture to follow a curvature of the inner surface of the jewellery band in the plane.

24. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, wherein the jewellery band is a ring, and wherein the body part is a human finger.CM25. The jewellery band of any preceding claim, wherein the releaser is formed from or coated by a same material as the first and second band parts.

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