PIECE OF JEWELRY

Abstract

A piece of jewelry has an outer part and an inner part movably received in the interior of the outer part so as to allow a relative movement between the inner part and the outer part in a direction of movement. The outer part surrounding the inner part has at least one opening through which at least one sub-region of the surface of the inner part is visible. The inner part can be fixed in a first index position, in which a first sub-region of the inner part is visible through the opening, and in at least one second index exposition, in which a second sub-region of the inner part is visible through the opening, relative to the outer part. The outer part has at least one magnet element, and the inner part has at least one complementary magnet element.

Claims

1. A piece of jewelry, comprising: an outer part; and an inner part which is movably received in the interior of the outer part; wherein the outer part comprises a rotational bearing having at least one bearing element for the inner part; wherein the inner part is mounted rotationally in the outer part, where a relative movement between the inner part and the outer part running in a direction of movement is facilitated; wherein the outer part surrounding the inner part comprises at least one opening through which at least a partial area of the surface of the inner part is visible; wherein the inner part can be fixed in a first index position, in which a first partial area of the inner part is visible through the opening and in at least one second index position, in which a second partial area of the inner part is visible through said opening, relatively to the outer part; wherein the inner part is mounted in such a way in the outer part and/or the one or at least one of the openings is dimensioned in such a way that the inner part at least partially protrudes from the at least one opening or can at least be impacted by the wearer of the piece of jewelry through it, so that the afore-mentioned relative movement of the inner part received in the outer part around said at least one bearing element can be effected; wherein said relative movement between the inner part and the outer part the inner part can be moved at least from said first index position, in which said first area of the inner part is visible through the opening, to said second index position, in which said second partial area of the inner part is visible through said opening, wherein the outer part comprises at least one magnet element and the inner part comprises at least one complementary magnet element; wherein the magnet element or the magnet elements of the outer part are arranged in it in a defined position, wherein the magnet element or at least one magnet element of the inner part is provided in or on the inner part in such a way that the magnet element or at least one magnet element can be moved by a relative movement of the inner part towards at least one magnet element of the outer part and through a further relative movement away from it, so that in a first index position and at least in the second index position at least one magnet element of the outer part is in magnetic engagement with at least one magnet element of the inner part.

2. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer part comprises at least two magnet elements, which are spaced from each other by 180°, wherein the inner part comprises at least one magnet element, and wherein at least one of the at least two magnet elements of the outer part co-acts with at least one magnet element in the first index position and at least in the second index position.

3. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner part comprises at least two spaced apart magnet elements, wherein the outer part comprises at least one magnet element, and that at least one of the at least two magnet elements of the inner part co-acts with at least one magnet element of the outer part in the first index position and at least in the second index position.

4. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner part comprises at least two magnet elements and the outer part comprises at least two magnet elements, and that in the first index position and in the second index position at least two magnet elements of the inner part co-act with at least two magnet elements of the outer part.

5. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein at least one magnet element of the outer part and/or at least one magnet element of the inner part are formed as a permanent magnetic material.

6. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein at least one magnet element of the outer part and/or at least one magnet element of the inner part is formed as a ferromagnetic material.

7. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer part comprises at least one mounting in which at least one magnet element of the outer part is received.

8. The piece of jewelry according to claim 7, wherein the inner part is received next to the at least one mounting so that at least one magnet element of the outer part is positioned adjacent to the surface of the inner part.

9. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer part comprises at least two mountings in which at least one magnet element of the outer part is received.

10. The piece of jewelry according to claim 9, wherein the inner part is received between the at least two mountings so that at least one magnet element of the outer part is positioned adjacent to the surface of the inner part.

11. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner part is arranged in such a way in the outer part and/or the one or at least one of the openings is dimensioned in such a way that the inner part protrudes through at least one opening or is at least impactable by the wearer of the piece of jewelry.

12. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer part comprises two half members, which define in a mounted state an interior space of the outer part, in which the inner part of the piece of jewelry is received.

13. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner part is formed rotationally symmetric.

14. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the inner part is mounted rotationally on a bearing element.

15. The piece of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the outer part is mounted on a body of the piece of jewelry.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further details and advantages of the invention are disclosed in the preferred embodiments, which are described in the following with reference to the Figures. The Figures show:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a first exemplary embodiment of a piece of jewelry in an exploded view,

[0022] FIG. 2 is a second exemplary embodiment of the piece of jewelry in an exploded view,

[0023] FIG. 3 is a section through the second embodiment in its assembled state,

[0024] FIG. 4 is a third exemplary embodiment of the piece of jewelry in an exploded view,

[0025] FIG. 5 is a section through the third exemplary embodiment in its assembled state,

[0026] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a fourth exemplary embodiment, and

[0027] FIG. 7 is a section through the fourth exemplary embodiment in its assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a piece of jewelry generally designated with 1 is shown in an exploded view. The piece of jewelry 1—which is formed as a pendant in the case described—comprises an outer part 10 and an inner part 20 being movably received in the interior 12 of the outer part 10. The outer part 10 is formed by two half members 11a and 11b, which, in their assembled state, define the interior space 12 of the outer part 10 and surround the inner part 20. In the embodiment described here the first half member 11a of the outer part 10 is formed shell-like and the second half member 11b is formed as a cover plate which has got an opening 13, through which an area of the inner part 20 is visible. Preferably it can be provided, too, that the outer part 10 comprises a further opening 13′, which is arranged in the first half member 11a. Hence, through the opening 13 a first area of the inner part 20 and through the preferably provided second opening 13′ a second area of the inner part 20 is visible. It is obvious for the person skilled in the art from the following description that the openings 13 and/or 13′ need not necessarily be formed as material recesses of the outer part 10. It is possible too that the opening 13 and/or the opening 13′ is formed as a see-through opening, i.e. that this area of the outer part 10 is transparent in this region, so that the wearer of the piece of jewelry 1 can see the area of the inner part 20 being arranged below the openings 13 and 13′ respectively.

[0029] Preferably, the inner part 20 can be impacted by the wearer of the piece of jewelry 1 with its finger through the opening 13 and/or the opening 13′, so that in this way a rotational movement of the inner part 20 being received in the outer part 10 can be effected. The arrangement of the inner part 20 in the outer part 10 and/or the dimensioning of the opening 13 and/or of the opening 13′ of the outer part 10 is then such that the wearer of the piece of jewelry 1 can impact the inner part 20 through the opening 13 and/or the opening 13′ of the outer part 10 and thus can move. Such a measure has got the advantage that in this way for a movement, in particular for a rotational movement, of the inner part 20 relative to the outer part 10 no further means are required. But it is possible, too, that (not shown in the Figures) an operating element is provided, through which the inner part 20 can be moved relative to the outer part 10.

[0030] It is evident for the person skilled in the art from the following description that the design of the half members 11a and 11b forming the outer part 10 described here is not mandatory. Contrary, a variety of designs of the outer part 10 and hence of the half members 11a and 11b is possible, as long as the inner part 20 is received movably, preferably rotationally movable, in the outer part 10.

[0031] The outer part 10 comprises a rotation bearing for the inner part 20. In the embodiment described here this bearing has got two bearing elements 14a and 14b, which are provided in the first half member 11a, and two cooperating bearing elements 15a and 15b, whereby in FIG. 1 only the bearing element 15a is shown. The bearing element 14a of the first half member 11a cooperates with the bearing element 15a and the second bearing element 15b (not shown in FIG. 1) co-acts with the bearing element 14b. The bearing elements 14a and 14b as well as 15a and 15b each have a recess 16, in which axis elements 21a and 21b of the inner part 20, which is in the case described formed sphere-like, can be received.

[0032] If—as explained before—the movement of the inner part 20 relative to the outer part 10 is not to be effected by an impact thereof through the opening 13, it is preferably provided that one or both axis elements 21a and/or 21b can protrude the outer part 10 and hence can be impacted from the outside of the outer part 10 for effecting the rotational movement of the inner part 20.

[0033] In respect to the design of the inner part 20 is has got to be mentioned that its design as a sphere or sphere-like is not mandatory. Preferred is a design which is rotationally symmetric in respect to the axis of the inner part 20 defined by the axis elements 21a and 21b. As an example for such a rotationally symmetric design, besides the afore-mentioned sphere shapes, the form of an ellipsoid is to be mentioned. Apart from the afore-mentioned spherical forms of the inner part 20, e.g. flat shapes, in particular a plate shape, are possible. It is then preferred that—as described—the second half member 11b is formed plate-like and one or more openings 13 are arranged along its circumference. The rotational axis of the inner part 20 is then preferably perpendicular to the plate and—in the representation of FIG. 1—in a vertical direction. A non-rotational symmetric shape of the inner part 20 is possible too.

[0034] The inner part 20 comprises, in the embodiment described, a recess 23, which serves for receiving an ornamental element as e.g. a precious stone, a color stone or an ornamental insert, preferably made of precious metal or plated therewith. An ornamental pattern on the surface 20′ of the inner part 20 is possible too.

[0035] As it too can be seen from FIG. 1, in the inner space 12 of the outer part 10 two mountings 17a and 17b are arranged. In each of them a magnet element 18a and 18b is provided. The mountings 17a and 17b are arranged such that the inner part 20 can be received between the mountings 17a and 17b so that the magnet elements 18a and 18b are adjacent to the surface 20′ of the inner part 20. The inner part 20 intern has got two magnet elements 28a and 28b, which are received in recesses 27a and 27b in such a way that they are, in a mounted state of the piece of jewelry 1, positioned oppositely to the magnet elements 18a and 18b in a first index position. It is provided that the polarity of the magnet elements 18a and 18b of the outer part 10 and the one of the magnet elements 28a and 28b of the inner part 20 is different, so that in this first index position cooperating magnet elements 18a, 28a and 18b, 28b attract each other. By this measure it is achieved that, due to the attractive magnetic force between pairs of magnet elements 18a, 28a and 18b, 28b, the inner part 20, being rotationally movably received in the outer part 10, is fixed in this preferred position. In order to turn the inner part 20 around the axis defined by the axis elements 21a and 21b the wearer of the piece of jewelry 1 must apply a small, but perceptible force for turning the inner part 20 against the attractive force of the pairs of magnet elements 18a, 28a and 18b, 28b. After a rotation around 180° the first magnet element 18a comes into effect with the first magnet element 28a of the inner part 20, so that in this position a second index position of the inner part 20 is formed. By means of the magnet elements 18a and 18b of the outer part 10 and the cooperating magnet elements 28a and 28b of the inner part 20 hence a magnetically induced fixation of the inner part 20 in the outer part 10 is effected, which has two index positions, namely a first index position, in which the magnet elements 18a and 28a as well as the magnet elements 18b and 28b respectively cooperate, and a second index position, in which the first magnet element 18a of the outer part 10 cooperates with the second magnet element 28b of the inner part 20 and the second magnet element 18b of the outer part 10 cooperates with the first magnet element 28a of the inner part 20. In said first index position the recess 23 of the inner part 20 is visible through the opening 13 of the outer part 10. If now the inner part 20 is turned by 180°, so the part of the surface 20′ of the inner part 20 opposite the recess 23 is visible through the opening 13 of the outer part 10. In this way, the optical appearance of the piece of jewelry 1 is varied, whereby the inner part 20 is fixed in the outer part 10 in defined positions. The use of magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28, 28b therefore allows the fixation of the inner part 20 in two defined index position, without requiring a sophisticated mechanical mechanism, as it is necessary for the pieces of jewelry described at the beginning.

[0036] In the case described it is assumed that the outer part 10 and the inner part 20 each have two magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28a, 28b respectively, which are formed as permanent magnets, so that in the two afore-mentioned index positions oppositely arranged magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28a, 28b attract each other. It is apparent for the person skilled in the art that this is not mandatory. It is possible too that the inner part 20 comprises two magnet elements 28a, 28b, but the outer part 10 only has one magnet element, e.g. the magnet element 18a. Then the “magnetic locking” or “magnetic indexing” formed by cooperating magnet elements is weaker than in the case, in which there are provided two cooperating pairs of magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28a, 28b. But this can be sufficient for a number of applications.

[0037] Furthermore, it is possible that the inner part 20 only has got one magnet element, e.g. the magnet element 28a. In this case it is still true that the magnetic fixation of the inner part 20 in the outer part 10, which in this case is only accomplished by one pair of magnet elements formed by two cooperating magnet elements, is weaker than in the case first described, in which two cooperating pairs of magnet elements are provided.

[0038] The afore description assumes that the two magnet elements 28a, 28b of the inner part 20 are arranged spaced apart in the circumferential direction, i.e. in the direction of movement of the inner part 20 relative to the outer part 10, by 180°. This is not mandatory too. It is possible too that another angular distance between the two magnet elements 28a and 28b is provided.

[0039] Furthermore it is possible that—as it will be described below for a third and a fourth embodiment—the inner part 20 has got more than two magnet elements being disposed along its circumference. In this case more than two index positions are formed.

[0040] It is not mandatory that the magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28a, 28b are formed as permanent magnets. A magnetic attraction can be achieved in such a way that only one element of a cooperating magnet element pair is formed as a magnet element and that the other is formed as a magnetizable element, i.e. is formed by a ferromagnetic material or at least comprises a ferromagnetic material. It is e.g. possible, that the magnet elements 18a, 18b of the outer part 10 are formed as permanent magnets and the magnet elements 28a, 28b of the inner part 20 comprises at least in part a ferromagnetic material. The inverse arrangement, namely, that the magnet elements 28a, 28b are formed as permanent magnets and the magnet elements 18a, 18b are ferromagnetic, is possible too. A combination of these measures is possible too.

[0041] For the sake of completeness it should be noted in respect to the first embodiment that the connection between the first half member 11a and the second half member 11b is achieved in that the second half member 11b has got projections 19a and 19b, which are formed, in the embodiment described, as parts of the mountings 17a and 17b for the magnet elements 18a and 18b. The first half member 11a has got through openings 19c, 19d, from which in FIG. 1 only the opening 19d is shown. Through these openings 19c, 19d screws (not shown) can be led, which engage on the projections 19a and 19b and fix in this way the second half member 11b on the first half member 11a. But it is possible too, to use other means of connecting the two half members 11a and 11b, e.g. by gluing, welding, lasering, and the like. It is apparent for the person skilled in the art that the manner in which the two half members 11a, 11b are joint together for forming the outer part 10 is only of a secondary nature.

[0042] The piece of jewelry 1 furthermore comprises a mounting element 30, which is fixed by means of a bolt 31 on the outer part 10 of the piece of jewelry 1.

[0043] The measures described are in particular of advantage if a piece of jewelry 1 having a variable optical appearance is to be created. In the first index position the inner part 20 is fixed in the outer part 10 in such a way that through the opening 13 of the outer part 10 a first area of the inner part 20 is visible. In the embodiment described the recess 23 of the inner part 20 or a precious stone or an ornamental stone received in the recess 23 is visible. If the inner part 20, starting form said first index position, is turned by 180° then a second area of the surface 20′, which is arranged oppositely to the first area, shall become visible and the inner part 20 is then fixed by cooperating pairs of magnet elements in said second index position.

[0044] If, e.g. in the recess 23 of the inner part 20 a precious stone like a diamond or the like is inserted, then this precious stone can be positioned by a movement of the inner part 20 by 180° in a hidden position and can be moved back by a further rotation into its visible position. It is possible too, that the second area being provided opposite to the first area is designed optical different, so that in this way two different optical appearances of the piece of jewelry 1 can be created by a rotation of the inner part 20.

[0045] In FIGS. 2 and 3 a second embodiment of a piece of jewelry 1 is shown, which corresponds in its basic design to the one of the first embodiment, so that corresponding parts are endorsed with the same reference signs and are not described any more. The major difference between the first embodiment, designed as a pendant, and the second embodiment, being designed as a ring, is that the outer part 10 now is no longer—as in the case of a pendant—forms the piece of jewelry 1 itself, but that the outer part 10 and the inner part 20 being received in it are mounted on a base body 40, so that the base body 40 serves as a kind of mounting for the outer part 10. The design of the outer part 10 and the inner part 20 of the second embodiment correspond to the one of the first embodiment, so that a further description is not required. In particular the afore-contained explanations in respect to the formation of the magnet elements 18a, 18b and 28a, 28b as well as the arrangement of the magnet elements, in particular of the magnet elements 28a, 28b of the inner part 20, apply here correspondingly.

[0046] In the second embodiment it is exemplarily provided that the connection between the outer part 10 and the inner part 20 as well as the connection with the base body 40 is achieved by screw bolts 19e and 19f, which pass through openings (not shown) of the ring body 40 and the afore-described through openings 19c and 19d of the outer part 10 and engage the projections 19a and 19b of the inner part 20 and assemble the three afore-mentioned parts, as it shown in FIG. 3.

[0047] In FIGS. 4 and 5 a third embodiment of a piece of jewelry 1 is shown, which corresponds in its basic design to the one of the second embodiment, so that corresponding parts once more are endorsed with the same reference signs and are not described once more. A difference between the second and third embodiment is given by the design of the inner part 20, which, in this embodiment, does not have the recess 23 any longer.

[0048] Of more importance is that it is now provided that the inner part 20 comprises three magnet elements 28a, 28b and 28c, but only one magnet element 18a or 18b is provided in the outer part 10. The magnet elements 28a and 28b being received in recesses 27a and 27b are arranged in a circumferential direction displaced by 90° to each other and are provided on a common turning circle. The second and the third magnet element 28b and 28c are each displaced to the first magnet element 28a by 90° and hence by 180° to each other. In this way, the inner part 20 is provided with three magnet elements 28a-28c, which are displaced by 90° to each other, so that they extend over a circumferential area of 270°. This has got the effect that the third embodiment now has got three index positions, in which a “magnetic locking” or a “magnetic indexing” of the inner part 20 relative to the outer part 10 is possible.

[0049] In FIGS. 6 and 7 a fourth embodiment of a piece of jewelry 1 is shown, whose basic design corresponds to the one of the third embodiment, so that corresponding parts are endorsed with the same reference numerals and are not described once more. The main difference between the third and the fourth embodiment is that the inner part 20 comprises four magnet elements 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d and the outer part 10 comprises two oppositely arranged magnet elements 18a and 18b. The four magnet elements 28a-28d of the inner part 20 are displaced in a circumferential direction to each other, so that in total four index positions, which are displaced by 90° to each other, are formed. Of course it is possible in this case too to omit the second magnet element 18b of the outer part 10, in the case that a sufficient magnetic locking can be achieved by one pair of magnet elements.

[0050] Summarizing, it is to be stated that by the described measures, namely by the cooperation of at least one magnet element 18a and/or 18b of the outer part 10 and at least one magnet element 28a-28d of the inner part 20 an indexed positioning of the inner part 20 relative to the outer part 10 in at least two index positions can be achieved. A piece of jewelry 1 is created in which in a simple way the inner part 20 being movably received in the outer part 10 can be held in two, preferably in several index positions in a defined place, so that then different areas of the inner part 20 are visible through the openings 13 and 13′ respectively.

[0051] The use of magnet elements 18a, 18b as well as 28a-28d has got the advantage that a precise positioning of the inner part 20 in defined index positions can be achieved without requiring complicated mechanical constructions therefore.

[0052] In summary, a piece of jewelry has an outer part and an inner part movably received in the interior of the outer part so as to allow a relative movement between the inner part and the outer part in a direction of movement. The outer part surrounding the inner part has at least one opening through which at least one sub-region of the surface of the inner part is visible. The inner part can be fixed in a first index position, in which a first sub-region of the inner part is visible through the opening, and in at least one second index exposition, in which a second sub-region of the inner part is visible through the opening, relative to the outer part. The outer part has at least one magnet element, and the inner part has at least one complementary magnet element. The magnet element or the magnet elements of the outer part is/are arranged in the outer part in a defined position. The magnet element or at least one magnet element of the inner part is arranged on or in the inner part such that the magnet element or at least one magnet element can be moved closer to the at least one magnet element of the outer part by means of the relative movement of the inner part and can be moved away from the at least one magnet element by means of another relative movement of the inner part so that in the first index position and at least in the second index position, at least one respective magnet element of the outer part interacts magnetically with at least one magnet element of the inner part.