DE20108587U1 - Connector for jewelry - Google Patents

Description

The innovation relates to a connecting element for jewellery according to the preamble of claim 1.

Pieces of jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, pendants and the like often consist of individual elements that are connected to one another. In the case of so-called link chains, the individual elements (link chains) are inserted into one another, then closed and, if necessary, soldered.

However, the production of such pieces of jewelry is quite complex, as a lot of manual work is required. The aim of the innovation is to create a connecting element for pieces of jewelry that can be produced very easily and efficiently; in particular, semi- or fully automated production should be possible.

This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the innovation can be found in the subclaims.

The basic principle of the innovation is that the connecting element has a substantially rigid insert part and a plastically deformable receiving part, whereby the insert part can be inserted into the receiving part and the receiving part holds the insert part in a form-fitting manner after its plastic deformation.

In one embodiment of the innovation, the insert part is a pin and the receiving part contains at least one plastically deformable pin which, after it has been deformed, presses against the pin and holds it in a form-fitting manner. In another embodiment of the innovation, the insert part is a web on a decorative element and the receiving part is a plastically deformable, circular segment-shaped or hook-shaped tab into which the insert part is inserted. After this insertion, the tab is bent so that the insert part is held in a form-fitting manner. The insertion and the respective plastic deformation or bending of the receiving parts can be carried out largely automatically or semi-automatically.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. It shows:
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Fig. 1 is a plan view of a connecting element according to the innovation according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a section along the line A-A of Fig. 1; 5 Fig. 3 is a plan view of a connecting element according to

a second embodiment of the innovation; and
Fig. 4 is a section along the line BB of Fig. 3.

First, reference is made to Figures 1 and 2. Here, two decorative elements 1 and 1' can be seen, each of which is constructed identically and which are to be connected to one another in an articulated manner. To distinguish the individual parts of the elements 1 and 1', the reference numerals of the element 1' also each have a dash. Since the elements are constructed identically, only element 1 will be described. This has an approximately cylindrical base body 2, on which a radially protruding web 3 is integrally formed, whereby this web has a substantially square cross-section. In the area of the free end of this web, a transverse pin 4 is attached, preferably also integrally formed, which

^^ projects beyond the web 3 and has an essentially cylindrical cross-section.

On the side of the base body 2 opposite the web there is a recess 5 into which the web 3' of the element 1' to be connected can be inserted. In the area of this recess the wall of the base body 3 is thickened and has a recess 8 into which the pin 4' engages. Opposite this recess 8 there are two pins 6 on the bottom of the base body, which are also formed in one piece and can be plastically deformed.

^k To create the connection, the web 3' together with the pin 4' of the element 1' is inserted from above (in relation to Fig. 2) into a gap 7 between the wall of the base body 2 and the two pins 6. The element 1' is then pulled axially (in relation to the central axis 9) "backwards", i.e. away from the element 1, so that the pin 4' is moved into the recess 8. The shape of the recess 8 also centers the pin 4'. The two pins 6 are then bent towards the pin 4' until they essentially press against the pin 4' and close the gap 7, i.e. at least make it so narrow that the pin 4 can no longer pass through this gap 7. This creates a positive connection.

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This connection is also articulated, since the two elements 1 and 1' can be pivoted relative to each other with respect to the central axis of the pin 4'. The plastic deformation of the pins 6 can be carried out in a device using a stamp, which enables semi- or fully automatic production. In contrast to the known connecting elements, soldering is no longer necessary.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the elements 1 and 1' have a rectangular shape in plan view. On one end face, the base body 2 has a rectangular recess which is attached close to the bottom of the base body, so that a fixed web II remains above it. On the opposite end face, a tab 13 is attached, preferably in one piece, which has the shape of a circular segment in the side view of Figure 4. Between the two ends of the tab there is thus a passage opening or a gap 14 through which the web 11' of the next element can be inserted and then comes to lie in the "interior" 15 of the tab. The tab 13 is then also plastically deformed, which closes the gap 14 at least to the extent that the web 11 can no longer pass through it. For an even more secure connection, the gap 14 is completely closed and soldered. The tab 13 serves in cooperation 4k with the web 11 as an articulated hinge which allows the two parts 1 and 1' to pivot relative to one another. Here too, the deformation of the tab 13 can be carried out semi-automatically or fully automatically in a device by means of movable stamps.

Claims (4)

1. Connecting element for jewellery with an insert part and a receiving part, whereby the insert part can be inserted into the receiving part and is held there in an articulated and form-fitting manner, characterized in that
that the insert part ( 4 , 11 ) is substantially rigid, and
that the receiving part ( 6 , 7 , 8 ; 13 , 14 , 15 ) is at least partially plastically deformable, so that after deformation it holds the insert part ( 4 , 11 ) in a form-fitting manner. 2. Connecting element according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert part has a pin ( 4 ) which is connected to a base body ( 2 ) via a web,
that the base body ( 2 ) has an opening ( 5 ) opposite the web ( 3 ) for receiving the web ( 3 ),
that the base body ( 2 ) has a thickening adjacent to the opening ( 5 ) with a receptacle ( 8 ) for receiving the pin ( 4 ) and
that at least one plastically deformable pin ( 6 ) is attached to the base body ( 2 ) opposite the receptacle ( 8 ), which pin is at a distance ( 7 ) from the receptacle ( 8 ) which corresponds at least to the diameter of the pin ( 4 ), wherein the pin ( 6 ) is plastically bent in the direction of the receptacle ( 8 ) after insertion of the pin ( 4 ) in such a way that the distance ( 7 ) is smaller than the diameter of the pin ( 4 ). 3. Connecting element according to claim 2, characterized in that the pin ( 4 ), the web ( 3 ), the base body ( 1 ) and the pins ( 6 ) are connected to one another in one piece. 4. Connecting element according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert part is a web ( 11 ) present on an end face of a decorative element ( 1 ), which delimits an opening ( 12 ) opposite the base body ( 2 ), and that the receiving part is a tab ( 13 ) attached in one piece to the base body, which has a substantially circular segment-shaped cross-section and has a passage opening ( 14 ) to its interior ( 15 ) for the web ( 11 ) to pass through into the interior ( 15 ), wherein after inserting the web ( 11 ) into the interior ( 15 ), the tab ( 13 ) is plastically deformed so that the opening ( 14 ) is smaller than the smallest width of the web ( 11 ).