Circular portion for adjusting the size and preventing the rotation of an annular object to be worn

Abstract

Circular portion (10) for adjusting the size of an annular object to be worn (100) defining a centre of curvature (O) and a minimum radius of curvature (R1), comprising: - a main body (12) comprising a groove (11); - adjustment means (30) arranged at least partially inside this groove (11) and configured to move between a first position according to which these adjustment means (30) are, with respect to the centre of curvature (O), at a first distance lower than the minimum radius of curvature (R1), and a second position according to which these adjustment means (30) are, with respect to the centre of curvature (O), at a second distance greater than the first distance, and vice versa; - elastic means (20) operatively connected to the adjustment means (30) in such a way as to push the adjustment means (30) from the second position towards the first position.

Description

[0001] CIRCULAR PORTION FOR ADJUSTING THE SIZE AND PREVENTING THE ROTATION OF AN ANNULAR OBJECT TO BE WORN.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention concerns a circular portion for adjusting the size and preventing the rotation of an annular object to be worn.

[0004] The invention also concerns an annular object to be worn comprising such a circular portion.

[0005] Nowadays, annular objects to be worn, such as rings or bracelets, must be purchased in the right size for the user.

[0006] Such annular objects are known to be produced in many sizes to meet the needs of the users. In fact, rings and bracelets must not be too loose or too tight, must not slip off unintentionally and must not create discomfort for the person wearing them.

[0007] Being able to wear a ring or bracelet lent to us by a friend or a relative is therefore difficult, unless you wear exactly the same size.

[0008] It is also difficult to adapt the size of a ring or a bracelet, for example bequeathed to us, without compromising the aesthetic appearance of the object.

[0009] In addition, it should be highlighted that the annular objects to be worn of known type have the tendency to rotate around the finger or wrist of the user.

[0010] This rotation creates discomfort for the aforesaid user, especially if there are decorative elements on the outer surface of the object. In particular, the decorative elements will no longer be visible following rotation.

[0011] Nowadays, rings or bracelets are known whose size can be adapted to that of the user.

[0012] Similar rings or bracelets of known type comprise:

[0013] - an outer annular body comprising the decorative elements of said ring or bracelet;

[0014] - an inner annular body, movable with respect to the outer annular body and adaptable to the size of the user;

[0015] - a mechanism placed between the outer annular body and the inner annular body adapted to allow the movement and adaptability of the inner annular body.

[0016] However, it is not possible to easily adapt this mechanism to an already existing ring or bracelet. The task of the present invention is that of developing a device capable of obviating the aforesaid drawbacks and limitations of the prior art.

[0017] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to make a circular portion that allows to adjust the size of an annular object to be worn.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to make a circular portion that prevents the rotation of an annular object to be worn, once worn.

[0019] Still, an object of the invention is to develop a circular portion suitable for both new artifacts and already existing objects.

[0020] The above task and the aforesaid objects are achieved by a circular portion according to claim 1 .

[0021] Further characteristics of the circular portion according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

[0022] The aforesaid task and objects, together with the advantages that will be mentioned hereinafter, are indicated by the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, where:

[0023] - figure 1 represents a perspective view of a circular portion according to the invention;

[0024] - figure 2 represents an exploded view of the circular portion of figure 1 ;

[0025] - figure 3 represents a sectional front view of the circular portion of figure 1 in a first operating position;

[0026] - figure 4 represents a sectional front view of the circular portion of figure 1 in a second operating position;

[0027] - figure 5 represents a front view of two elements of the circular portion of figure 1 ;

[0028] - figure 6 represents a top view of the elements of figure 5;

[0029] - figure 7 represents a bottom view of the elements of figures 5 and 6;

[0030] - figure 8 represents a front view of an element of the circular portion of figure 1 ;

[0031] - figure 9 represents a front view of an element of the circular portion of figure 1 ;

[0032] - figure 10 represents a top view of the element of figure 9;

[0033] - figure 11 represents a top view of the element of figure 8;

[0034] - figure 12 represents a front view of some elements of the invention in a further possible embodiment; - figure 13 represents a front view of an annular object to be worn according to the invention in a possible embodiment;

[0035] - figure 14 represents a front view of an annular object to be worn according to the invention in a further possible embodiment.

[0036] With reference to the cited figures, a circular portion according to the invention is indicated as a whole with the number 10.

[0037] This circular portion 10, for adjusting the size of an annular object to be worn 100, defines a centre of curvature O and a minimum radius of curvature R1, as indicated e.g. in figure 4.

[0038] It is understood that the aforesaid circular portion 10 belongs to the annular object to be worn 100.

[0039] The circular portion 10 is characterized in that it comprises:

[0040] - a main body 12, visible in figures 1 , 2, 3 and 4, comprising a groove 11 with a C-section facing towards the centre of curvature O and developing along a line of development L1 of the main body 12 of the circular portion 10;

[0041] - adjustment means 30 arranged at least partially inside said groove 11 and configured to move between a first position, visible in figure 3, according to which said adjustment means 30 are, with respect to the centre of curvature O, at a first distance lower than the minimum radius of curvature R1, and a second position, visible in figure 4, according to which said adjustment means 30 are, with respect to the centre of curvature O, at a second distance greater than said first distance, and vice versa;

[0042] - elastic means 20, visible in figures 3, 4 and 12, operatively connected to the adjustment means 30 in such a way as to push the aforesaid adjustment means 30 from the second position towards the first position.

[0043] This configuration allows to adjust the size of an annular object to be worn.

[0044] In fact, the adjustment means 30, being movable, allow the circular portion 10 to adapt the size of the annular object to be worn 100 to that of the finger or wrist of a user. Once the user’s finger or wrist is inserted into the annular object to be worn 100, these adjustment means 30 will come into contact with the user, this contact will allow the movement of these adjustment means 30 and this movement will take place from the first position towards the second position based on the diameter of the user’s finger or wrist. The adjustment means 30 will be kept in contact with the user by the thrust of the elastic means 20, thus allowing a perfect adjustment of the size of the annular object to be worn.

[0045] In addition, this circular portion 10 is also suitable for already existing annular objects.

[0046] In addition, this circular portion 10 prevents the rotation of the annular object once worn.

[0047] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustment means 30 comprise two levers 31a and 31b inserted in the groove 11, arranged consecutively along the line of development L1 and operatively coupled to each other. The aforesaid two levers 31a and 31b are configured to rotate between the first position, visible in figure 3, and the second position, visible in figure 4, and vice versa, around a fulcrum F located inside the groove 11 between the first lever 31a and the second lever 31b.

[0048] In addition, each of the two levers 31a and 31b comprises on its own surface facing towards the bottom of the groove 11 a recess 32, visible in figure 7, configured to accommodate the elastic means 20. The elastic means 20, therefore, are placed between the two levers 31a and 31b and the bottom of the groove 11.

[0049] This recess 32 allows to achieve a more stable coupling between the elastic means 20 and the adjustment means 30.

[0050] Preferably, said elastic means 20 are substantially a harmonic metal wire 21, visible in figures 2, 3, 4 and 12. This metal harmonic wire 21 has a first end inserted in the recess 32 of the first lever 31a and a second end inserted in the recess 32 of the second lever 31b. In particular, the aforesaid harmonic metal wire 21 is a smooth wire. This harmonic metal wire 21 is bent, substantially in its central part. The aforesaid bending preferably takes place at an angle comprised between 90° and 179°. In the preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of the invention this angle is 120°.

[0051] Advantageously, the harmonic metal wire 21 allows to obtain an elastic thrust from the second position to the first position particularly suitable for such a configuration. Furthermore, both inserting and mounting the metal harmonic wire 21 in the recess 32 are easy.

[0052] However, it is not excluded that these elastic means 20 may be springs or other elements that allow an elastic thrust.

[0053] Continuing to describe the preferred embodiment of the invention, as visible in figures 9 and 10, the first lever 31a, at an end of an own side wall, has a projecting shaft 33a inserted in a hole 33b present at an end of a side wall of the second lever 31b, as visible in figure 8, in such a way as to define a shaft-hole system 33 defining the fulcrum F.

[0054] This shaft-hole system 33 allows to achieve the coupling between the two levers 31a and 31b and to favour their rotation around the fulcrum F between the first position and the second position, and vice versa.

[0055] In a possible embodiment of the invention, visible in figure 12, the harmonic metal wire 21 has a winding around the projecting shaft 33a. This configuration allows a thin wire to be used even for grooves 11 with a greater than average width.

[0056] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body 12 has, at the side walls of the groove 11, two protrusions facing each other in such a way as to define an undercut. Furthermore, the two levers 31a and 31b comprise, on at least one of their surfaces facing towards the side walls of the groove 11, at least one projection 34, visible in figures 5 to 11 , adapted to come into abutment with the aforesaid undercut in the first position, so that the two levers remain at least partially constrained within said groove 11. In particular, the shaft-hole system 33 remains inside the groove 11.

[0057] Preferably, the aforesaid two levers 31a and 31b each comprise two projections 34 defined on both surfaces of each of the two levers 31a and 31b, facing towards the side walls of the groove 11.

[0058] These two levers 31a and 31b, at the projections 34, have a width greater than the opening defined by the two protrusions. This width is less than the distance between the side walls of the C-section of the groove. In addition, the two levers 31a and 31b at the surface facing towards the bottom of the groove have a width less than the opening defined by the two protrusions.

[0059] Advantageously, this configuration allows to make stable both the shaft-hole system 33 inside the groove, and the position of the two levers 31a and 31b in the first position; moreover, an aesthetic advantage is obtained by making the shaft-hole system 33 invisible from the outside.

[0060] It is also important to highlight that the two levers 31a and 31b comprise, at their own ends opposite to the shaft-hole system 33, shaped support surfaces 35 turned towards the centre of curvature O, so that in the first position, visible in figure 3, a first arc of a circle L2 tangent to the aforesaid shaped support surfaces 35 and centred in the centre of curvature O has a radius less than the minimum radius of curvature R1 and that in the second position, visible in figure 4, a second arc of a circle L3 tangent to these shaped support surfaces 35 and centred in the centre of curvature O has a radius greater than the radius of the first arc of a circle L2.

[0061] These shaped support surfaces 35 promote greater comfort during use by a user.

[0062] As already mentioned above, an annular object to be worn 100 comprising a circular portion 10 described above is also part of the present invention.

[0063] In a possible embodiment of the invention, visible in figure 13, the circular portion 10 is diametrically opposite to a decorative element 103 placed on the outer surface of the annular object to be worn 100. Advantageously, this configuration prevents the rotation of the annular object to be worn around the finger or wrist of the user, allowing the decorative element 103 to be kept in the desired position.

[0064] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the annular object to be worn 100 comprises a plurality of circular portions 10.

[0065] In addition, in a subsequent possible embodiment of the invention, these circular portions 10 form an annular body, as visible in figure 14.

[0066] These embodiments give greater comfort to the annular object.

[0067] Preferably, but not in a limiting manner, the annular object to be worn 100 is a ring. It is not excluded that this annular object to be worn 100 is a bracelet.

[0068] It is also necessary to highlight the method by which a circular portion 10 can be made part of an annular object to be worn 100, this method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps in sequence: a) cutting a circular sector of the annular object to be worn 100, said circular sector being of a length equal to the length of the circular portion 10; b) positioning the circular portion 10 at the portion previously removed; c) joining the aforesaid circular portion 10 with the annular object to be worn 100. Preferably, this union takes place by welding. However, the possibility that this union takes place by interlocking or other methods cannot be excluded.

[0069] In addition, it is necessary to describe the method for mounting the circular portion 10 according to the invention, this method comprising the following steps in sequence: a) inserting the projecting shaft 33a into the hole 33b; b) inserting the metal harmonic wire 21 into the recesses 32; c) arranging the two levers 31a and 31b at the opening of the groove 11 of the main body 12, so that the surfaces comprising the recesses 32 are facing the bottom of this groove 11; d) applying on the two levers 31a and 31b a force in the radial direction towards the groove in such a way as to insert the projections 34 in this groove 11.

[0070] Practically, it has been established that the invention achieves the intended task and objects.

[0071] In particular, with the invention, a circular portion has been developed that allows to adjust the size of an annular object to be worn.

[0072] In addition, a circular portion has been developed that prevents the rotation of an annular object to be worn, once worn.

[0073] In addition, a circular portion has been developed suitable for both new artifacts and already existing objects.

[0074] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0075] In practice, the components and materials used, as well as the dimensions and contingent shapes, provided they are compatible with the specific use, may be any depending on the needs and the state of the art.

[0076] Where the features and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks are intended to be affixed solely for the purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, consequently, such reference marks have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference marks.

Claims

CLAIMS1 ) Circular portion (10) for adjusting the size of an annular object to be worn (100), said circular portion (10) defining a centre of curvature (0) and a minimum radius of curvature (R1 ), said circular portion (10) comprising:- a main body (12) comprising a groove (11 ) with a C-section facing towards said centre of curvature (O) and developing along a line of development (L1 ) of said main body (12) of said circular portion (10);- adjustment means (30) arranged at least partially inside said groove (11 ) and configured to move between a first position according to which said adjustment means (30) are, with respect to said centre of curvature (O), at a first distance lower than said minimum radius of curvature (R1 ), and a second position according to which said adjustment means (30) are, with respect to said centre of curvature (O), at a second distance greater than said first distance, and vice versa;- elastic means (20) operatively connected to said adjustment means (30) in such a way as to push said adjustment means (30) from said second position towards said first position; characterized in that said adjustment means (30) comprise two levers (31a, 31 b) inserted in said groove (11 ), arranged consecutively along said line of development (L1 ) and operatively coupled to each other, said two levers (31a, 31 b) being configured to rotate between said first position and said second position, and vice versa, around a fulcrum (F) placed inside said groove (11 ) between said first lever (31 a) and said second lever (31 b).2) Circular portion (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that each of said two levers (31a, 31 b) comprises, on its own surface facing towards the bottom of said groove (11 ), a recess (32) configured to accommodate said elastic means (20).3) Circular portion (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said elastic means (20) are substantially a harmonic metal wire (21 ) having a first end inserted in said recess (32) of said first lever (31a) and a second end inserted in said recess (32) of said second lever (32b).4) Circular portion (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first lever (31a) at an end of an own side wall has a projecting shaft (33a) inserted in a hole (33b) present at an end of a side wall of said second lever (31 b), in such a way as to define a shaft-hole system (33)defining said fulcrum (F).5) Circular portion (10) according to claim 4 in combination with 3, characterized in that said harmonic metal wire (21 ) has a winding around said projecting shaft (33a).6) Circular portion (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said two levers (31a, 31 b) comprise, at their own ends opposite to said shafthole system (33), shaped support surfaces (35) turned towards said centre of curvature (0), so that in said first position a first arc of a circle (L2), tangent to said shaped support surfaces (35) and centred in said centre of curvature (0), has a radius less than said minimum radius of curvature (R1 ) and that in said second position a second arc of a circle (L3), tangent to said shaped support surfaces (35) and centred in said centre of curvature (0), has a radius greater than the radius of said first arc of a circle (L2).7) Circular portion (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main body (12) has, at the side walls of said groove (11 ), two protrusions facing each other in such a way as to define an undercut, said two levers (31a, 31 b) comprising on their surfaces facing towards the side walls of said groove (11 ) at least one projection (34) adapted to come into abutment with said undercut in said first position, so that said two levers (31a, 31 b) remain at least partially constrained inside said groove (11 ).8) Annular object to be worn (100) characterized in that it comprises a circular portion (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.9) Annular object to be worn (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that said circular portion (10) is diametrically opposite to a decorative element (103) placed on the outer surface of said annular object to be worn (100).10) Annular object to be worn (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said circular portions (10).11 ) Annular object to be worn (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said circular portions (10) form an annular body.12) Annular object to be worn (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , characterized in that it is a ring.13) Annular object to be worn (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , characterized in that it is a bracelet.

Images