Fixing Element With Teeth For Modular Jewelry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The instability of size adjustment in extendable jewelry items due to articulating links causes issues during the assembly phase, particularly when setting stones, as the dimensions can shift or the item may slip off the support, compromising precision and stability.
Innovation Solution
A fixing element with teeth that engage between modular elements to lock the dimensions of extendable jewelry items, preventing articulation and allowing for stable machining, combined with a processing head featuring a pair of fixing elements that stably compress the item, ensuring precise stone setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If articulating links are used to allow size adjustment in extendable jewelry items, then the item can be adjusted between contracted and extended conditions, but the dimensions become unstable and may shift during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element acts as an intermediary component between the articulating links. It introduces teeth that engage with the modular elements to temporarily prevent articulation, thereby stabilizing dimensions during processing while preserving the adjustability function when the fixing element is removed
2Adaptability or versatility
If the jewelry item is left adjustable during stone setting, then size modification is possible, but the item may slip off the support tool compromising precision
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is applied preliminarily before stone setting operations to lock the jewelry item at the desired size. This preliminary fixation prevents any dimensional shifts or slippage during the precise stone setting process, ensuring manufacturing precision while allowing the extendability function to be restored afterward
3Volume of moving object
If the jewelry item is compressed to reduce size, then compact storage is possible, but the modular elements may articulate unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element serves as a mediator that maintains dimensional stability even when the jewelry item is compressed for storage. The teeth engage with the modular elements to prevent unwanted articulation during compression, ensuring that the item remains stable in its compact form
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter of the invention is a fixing element (6) for jewelry item having a known size or of the type comprising a plurality of modular elements of elongated shape (2, 4a-4e), at least one of said modular elements being connected to at least three further modular elements by at least three connection points, said modular elements (2, 4a-4e) being mutually articulated around each connection point in such a way that the jewelry item (10) is adjustable between a contracted condition and an extended condition, the fixing element being characterised by comprising teeth (7, 7´) such as to engage between adjacent modular elements or lateral elements (2, 4a-4e) associated therewith so as to prevent the articulation of said modular elements and, therefore, the extension of the jewerly item (10), thereby facilitating the setting of precious stones on said jewerly items.