Annular accessory

Abstract

To provide an annular accessory which is easy to attach and detach, is hardly broken, and can be manufactured at a low cost.SOLUTION: An annular accessory 1 includes a plurality of beads 2 each having a through-hole 3 in a diameter direction, and a tightly wound coil spring 4 inserted into the through-hole of each of the plurality of beads and having both ends coupled to form an annular shape. A coupling portion of the tightly wound coil spring is formed by fixing both ends of the tightly wound coil spring to each other with an adhesive in a state in which both ends of the tightly wound coil spring are fitted to each other such that the axes of both ends of the tightly wound coil spring coincide with each other, and both ends of the tightly wound coil spring alternately overlap each other in the axial direction. A plurality of beads is annularly arranged along the tightly wound coil spring without a gap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to circular jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets. [Background technology]

[0002] Circular jewelry, particularly necklaces, generally consist of a number of decorative beads (such as jewels or beads) each having a radial through-hole, and a metal chain or string that is inserted through the through-holes of each bead and has both ends joined together to form a ring.

[0003] In this case, the overall length of the metal chain and the string is designed to be shorter than the circumference of the user's head, and therefore a pair of connecting metal fittings that can be connected and disconnected by the user's fingers are usually attached to both ends of the metal chain and the string, and the pair of connecting metal fittings are connected and disconnected each time the ring-shaped jewelry is used.

[0004] However, because the pair of connecting fittings is very small, it is difficult and time-consuming for the user to put on and take off the necklace. In addition, the pair of connecting devices is structurally weak, and they often break when the necklace is used repeatedly.

[0005] In addition, there are manufacturing costs, such as the cost of the connecting metal fittings themselves and the labor costs for installing them, which makes it difficult to provide an inexpensive necklace that can be worn on a daily basis.

[0006] For this reason, for example, a ring-shaped ornament has been proposed, which consists of a number of decorative beads, each with a radial through-hole, and a tightly-fitted coil spring that is inserted into the through-hole of each bead and has both ends connected to form a ring (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0007] In this annular ornament, one end of the close-contact coil spring is formed with the same inner and outer diameter as the main body of the close-contact coil spring, while the other end of the close-contact coil spring is formed with a smaller inner and outer diameter than the one end, and the other end is inserted into the one end, and the outer peripheral surface of the other end engages with the inner peripheral surface of the one end, thereby connecting them to each other.

[0008] With this configuration, the user can easily put on or take off the annular ornament by simply stretching the annular ornament (close-fitting coil spring) with their hands, widening its opening and putting their head through it, and then releasing their hands to return the annular ornament (close-fitting coil spring) to its natural length.

[0009] This eliminates the need for connecting metal fittings, making it possible to provide an inexpensive annular accessory that is easy to put on and take off.

[0010] However, in order to insert and engage the small diameter end into the large diameter end of the close-fitting coil spring and to prevent the two ends from easily separating even when subjected to the tension generated when the close-fitting coil spring is stretched, high-precision machining is required to ensure that the inner diameter of the large diameter end and the outer diameter of the small diameter end fit perfectly. Furthermore, the task of inserting the small diameter end into the large diameter end is not easy, which means that manufacturing the annular ornament is more time-consuming than before and increases manufacturing costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3057743 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an annular ornament that is easy to put on and take off, is durable, and can be manufactured at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a ring-shaped ornament comprising a plurality of beads, each having a through-hole in the diameter direction, and a close-coupled coil spring inserted into each of the through-holes of the plurality of beads and having both ends joined to form a ring, wherein the joined portion of the close-coupled coil spring is secured with an adhesive in a state in which the both ends of the close-coupled coil spring are fitted together with their axes aligned and each turn overlapping the other in the axial direction, and the plurality of beads are arranged in the ring shape without any gaps along the close-coupled coil spring.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dense coil spring has a pitch that is twice the pitch of the body of the dense coil spring over the length that forms the joints at both ends.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of beads has a cylindrical protrusion extending from the periphery of one end opening of the through hole in the axial direction of the through hole, and a recess formed on the periphery of the other end opening of the through hole to receive the cylindrical protrusion, and when the cylindrical protrusions and recesses of two of the beads are fitted together, the two beads come into contact with each other.

[0016] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tip end surface of the cylindrical projection forms a tapered slope, and the bottom surface of the recess forms a slope corresponding to the tip end surface of the cylindrical projection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, a tightly wound coil spring, which has both ends joined together to form a ring, is used as a member for connecting a plurality of beads in a ring-shaped ornament, and the elasticity of the tightly wound coil spring is utilized to attach and detach the ring-shaped ornament, eliminating the need for connecting metal fittings as in the prior art, which uses a metal chain or string.

[0018] Furthermore, the ends of the close-fitting coil spring are fitted together with their axes aligned and alternately overlapping each other in the axial direction, and then fixed with an adhesive to form an annular close-fitting coil spring. Therefore, even if the annular ornament is used repeatedly over a long period of time, the joint of the annular close-fitting coil spring will not separate, and furthermore, this joint is easy to form.

[0019] Thus, according to the present invention, an annular ornament that is easy to put on and take off and has excellent durability can be manufactured at low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] (A) is a plan view of an annular ornament according to one embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a side view of the same annular ornament seen from a direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole of the bead, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the same annular ornament along the axis of the tightly-fitting coil spring. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how both ends of a close-contact coil spring are connected together. [Figure 3] These are diagrams showing modified examples of beads, where (A) is a plan view seen from the cylindrical convex side in the axial direction of the through hole, (B) is a side view seen from a direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole, (C) is a plan view seen from the concave side in the axial direction of the through hole, and (D) is a diagram similar to (B) showing multiple beads connected together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1(A) is a plan view of an annular ornament according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1(B) is a side view of the same annular ornament seen from a direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole of the bead, and FIG. 1(C) is a cross-sectional view of the same annular ornament along the axis of the tightly-fitting coil spring.

[0022] Referring to Figures 1(A) to (C), the annular ornament 1 of the present invention comprises a plurality of beads 2, each having a diametric through-hole 3, and a tightly-fitted coil spring 4 that is inserted into the through-hole 3 of each bead 2 and has both ends joined to form a ring.

[0023] 2(A) to 2(D) are diagrams for explaining how both ends of the close-contact coil spring 4 are connected. Next, a method for assembling the annular ornament of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2(A) to 2(D).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2(C), the dense coil spring 4 has a pitch that is twice the pitch of the main body of the dense coil spring 4 over the length that forms the joint 5 between both ends 4a, 4b.

[0025] The sum of the length of the body of the close-contact coil spring 4 and the length of the connecting portion 5 is designed in advance to be equal to (diameter of the bead 2) x (total number of the bead 2).

[0026] After the close-contact coil spring 4 has been threaded through all the beads 2, the beads 2 remain connected, and both ends 4a and 4b of the close-contact coil spring 4 are pulled out from the outermost beads 2, as shown in Figure 2(A) (the close-contact coil spring 4 is stretched from its natural length). At this time, in order to maintain the contact coil spring 4 in an extended state, an appropriate fastener such as a clip (not shown) is used.

[0027] Next, for example, using a suitable jig (not shown), one end 4a of the close-contact coil spring 4 is fixed, and the other end 4b is placed on top of the other end 4a (see FIG. 2(B)). Then, using a suitable pressing means (not shown), both ends 4a and 4b of the close-contact coil spring 4 are fitted together so that their axes are aligned and each turn overlaps the other in the axial direction, and then fixed with an adhesive (see FIG. 2(D)).

[0028] This completes the assembly of the annular ornament 1 in which all the beads 2 are arranged in a circular pattern without gaps along the tightly packed coil spring 4 (in its natural length state).

[0029] According to the annular ornament 1 of the present invention, the user can easily wear or remove the annular ornament 1 by simply stretching it with his / her hands, widening its opening, putting his / her head through it, and then releasing his / her hands to return the annular ornament 1 to its natural length.

[0030] A tightly wound coil spring 4 formed into a ring by joining both ends 4a, 4b is used as a member for connecting the beads 2, and the elasticity of the tightly wound coil spring 4 is utilized to attach and detach the ring-shaped ornament 1, so that there is no need for a connecting metal fitting.

[0031] Furthermore, the annular close-contact coil spring 4 is formed by fixing the ends 4a, 4b of the close-contact coil spring 4 with their axes aligned and fitted together so that each turn overlaps the other in the axial direction, and then bonding them together with an adhesive. Therefore, even if the annular ornament 4 is used repeatedly over a long period of time, the joint 5 of the annular close-contact coil spring 4 will not separate, and further, the formation of this joint 5 is easy.

[0032] Thus, according to the present invention, an annular ornament that is easy to put on and take off and has excellent durability can be manufactured at low cost.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a modified example of a bead, where Figure 3(A) is a plan view seen from the cylindrical convex side in the axial direction of the through hole, Figure 3(B) is a side view seen from a direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole, Figure 3(C) is a plan view seen from the concave side in the axial direction of the through hole, and Figure 3(D) is a view similar to Figure 3(B) showing multiple beads connected together. In addition, in FIGS. 3(A) to 3(D), the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

[0034] This modified example is provided with a configuration for making the process of threading the tight-fitting coil spring through the bead more efficient when assembling the bead.

[0035] Referring to Figures 3(A) to (D), in this modified example, each bead 2' has a cylindrical protrusion 6 extending from the periphery of one end opening of the through hole 3 in the axial direction of the through hole 3, and a recess 7 formed on the periphery of the other end opening of the through hole 3 to receive the cylindrical protrusion 6.

[0036] Furthermore, the tip end surface 6a of the cylindrical protrusion 6 forms a tapered slope, and the bottom surface 7a of the recess 7 forms a slope corresponding to the tip end surface 6a of the cylindrical protrusion 6.

[0037] As can be seen from FIG. 3(D), when the cylindrical convex portions 6 and concave portions 7 of the two beads 2' are fitted together, these beads 2' come into contact with each other.

[0038] In this way, by providing the cylindrical recess 6 and the paired recess 7 in the bead 2', it becomes easy to select the direction of multiple beads 2' so that the through holes 3 of each bead are aligned in a straight line, which improves the efficiency of the work of threading the contact coil spring 4 through the bead 2' and can also greatly contribute to automating the work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Ringed jewelry 2, 2' beads 3 through holes 4. Close-fitting coil spring 4a one end 4b other end 5 Joint part 6 Cylindrical protrusion 6a Tip surface 7 recess 7a Bottom

Claims

1. a plurality of beads, each having a diametrically extending hole therethrough; a tightly-contacted coil spring that is inserted into each of the through holes of the plurality of beads and has both ends joined together to form a ring, The coupling portions at both ends of the dense coil spring are fixed with an adhesive in a state in which the axes of the both ends of the dense coil spring are aligned with each other and the turns of the spring are alternately overlapped in the axial direction, The annular ornament is characterized in that the plurality of beads are arranged in the annular shape without gaps along the tightly packed coil spring.

2. 2. The annular ornament according to claim 1, wherein the dense coil spring has a pitch that is twice the pitch of the main body of the dense coil spring over the length that forms the joints at both ends.

3. The annular ornament described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each of the plurality of beads has a cylindrical protrusion extending from the periphery of one end opening of the through hole in the axial direction of the through hole, and a recess formed on the periphery of the other end opening of the through hole to receive the cylindrical protrusion, and when the cylindrical protrusions and recesses of two beads are fitted together, the two beads come into contact with each other.

4. 4. The annular ornament according to claim 3, wherein the tip end surface of the cylindrical projection forms a tapered slope, and the bottom surface of the recess forms a slope corresponding to the tip end surface of the cylindrical projection.

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