GB2122873A

GB2122873A - Article of jewellery

Info

Publication number: GB2122873A
Application number: GB8205553A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Clive Fisher
Original assignee: NOOKVALE Ltd
Current assignee: NOOKVALE Ltd
Priority date: 1982-02-25
Filing date: 1982-02-25
Publication date: 1984-01-25

Abstract

An article of jewellery such as a necklace comprises a length of chain whose ends (10, 12) are secured to sleeve members (14, 16) through which the chain passes so that two strands (20, 22) are formed whose lengths can be varied by sliding the sleeve members (14, 16) along the chain. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Article of jewellery This invention relates to an article of jewellery in the form of a chain suitable for use as a necklace, wrist chain, ankle chain etc.

The object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewellery in the form of a chain which is readily adjustabie and affords an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

According to the present invention there is provided an article of jewellery comprising a length of chain on which are mounted two sleeve members which are slidably engaged with the chain so as to allow them to be displaced along the chain when desired but be held (e.g. by friction) at a given position when such displacement is not required, each end of the chain being secured to the sleeve member furthest from that end (considered along the length of the chain) so that the chain comprises two overlapping loops sharing a common length of chain whereby the chain can be variably distributed between the two loops by sliding said sleeves towards and away from each other, the arrangement being such that only one portion of the chain extends through each sleeve member.

With such an arrangement, the chain does not overlap itself along the length of each sleeve member with the advantage that the chain does not engage itself within the sleeve member which would otherwise cause increased wear and affect the freedom with which the sleeve member can be slid along the chain. In addition, it has been found that if the chain overlaps itself along the length of each sleeve member satisfactory results are only obtained with chains of strip configuration (i.e.

having a large width/thickness ratio) and such an arrangement renders the use of other sections (e.g. round and box-section) impracticable since the sleeve members would then need to be of larger dimensions and this would tend to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the article.

Initially it was considered necessary to arrange the chain in such a way that two portions overlap one another within each sleeve member whereby the two portions cooperate to prevent twisting of the chain between the two sleeve members especially when the latter are being adjusted towards each other. It was also thought necessary to use strip-like chains so that the overlapping portions could be located face-to-face within the sleeve members to counteract any twisting.

Contrary to expectations, the arrangement according to the invention does not give rise to any twisting even though the chain does not overlap itself within each sleeve member and this applies irrespective of the cross sectional configuration of the chain provided the chain and sleeve members are initially assembled together without any twist in the chain.

Preferably each sleeve member comprises an outer sleeve of precious metal to one end of which the respective chain end is secured, as by soldering for example, and an inner sleeve which the chain passes through, the inner sleeve being captive within the outer sleeve and being composed of a suitable plastics material which will give the desired frictional characteristics.

In order to promote further understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a necklace in accordance with the invention, the necklace being shown in one adjusted position; Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 with the necklace shown in another adjusted position; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the sleeve members in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a similar sectional view of the other sleeve member.

As shown, the article, which may be a necklace for example, comprises a single length of chain made up of a large number of miniature links each made of precious metal. The ends of the chain are depicted by the reference numbers 10 and 12.

Two sleeve members 14, 1 6 are slidably engaged with the chain and the ends 10, 12 are anchored to the sleeve members 1 6 and 14 respectively so that each end 10, 12 is anchored to that sleeve member which is furthest away from it, as considered along the length of the chain.

This arrangement has the effect of forming the chain into two overlapping loops which share a common length of chain. Thus, the common length is the portion 1 8 and one loop comprises portion 1 8 and portion 20 while the other comprises portion 1 8 and portion 22. By sliding the sleeves 14, 1 6 towards and away from one another, the lengths 20, 22 are reduced or increased and when, as shown in Figure 2, the sleeves are brought together the portions 20, 22 are of negligible extent. By appropriate adjustment therefore the necklace can be arranged so as to have two strands (constituted by portions 20, 22) of the desired length thereby enhancing its appearance.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each sleeve member 14, 1 6 comprises an outer sleeve 24 which may be cast from precious metal and a captive inner sleeve 26 of plastics material. Only one portion of the chain passes through the inner sleeve and the latter is designed to provide sufficient frictional resistance to prevent unintentional slipping of the sleeve member along the chain without unduly impeding sliding of the sleeve member when adjustment is required. The mouth of the outer sleeve is bounded by an inward flange 28 to which the respective chain end is secured as by soldering.

1. An article of jewellery comprising a length of chain on which are mounted two sleeve members which are slidably engaged with the chain so as to allow them to be displaced along the chain when desired but be held (e.g. by friction) at a given position when such displacement is not required, each end of the chain being secured to the sleeve

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Article of jewellery This invention relates to an article of jewellery in the form of a chain suitable for use as a necklace, wrist chain, ankle chain etc. The object of the present invention is to provide an article of jewellery in the form of a chain which is readily adjustabie and affords an aesthetically pleasing appearance. According to the present invention there is provided an article of jewellery comprising a length of chain on which are mounted two sleeve members which are slidably engaged with the chain so as to allow them to be displaced along the chain when desired but be held (e.g. by friction) at a given position when such displacement is not required, each end of the chain being secured to the sleeve member furthest from that end (considered along the length of the chain) so that the chain comprises two overlapping loops sharing a common length of chain whereby the chain can be variably distributed between the two loops by sliding said sleeves towards and away from each other, the arrangement being such that only one portion of the chain extends through each sleeve member. With such an arrangement, the chain does not overlap itself along the length of each sleeve member with the advantage that the chain does not engage itself within the sleeve member which would otherwise cause increased wear and affect the freedom with which the sleeve member can be slid along the chain. In addition, it has been found that if the chain overlaps itself along the length of each sleeve member satisfactory results are only obtained with chains of strip configuration (i.e. having a large width/thickness ratio) and such an arrangement renders the use of other sections (e.g. round and box-section) impracticable since the sleeve members would then need to be of larger dimensions and this would tend to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the article. Initially it was considered necessary to arrange the chain in such a way that two portions overlap one another within each sleeve member whereby the two portions cooperate to prevent twisting of the chain between the two sleeve members especially when the latter are being adjusted towards each other. It was also thought necessary to use strip-like chains so that the overlapping portions could be located face-to-face within the sleeve members to counteract any twisting. Contrary to expectations, the arrangement according to the invention does not give rise to any twisting even though the chain does not overlap itself within each sleeve member and this applies irrespective of the cross sectional configuration of the chain provided the chain and sleeve members are initially assembled together without any twist in the chain. Preferably each sleeve member comprises an outer sleeve of precious metal to one end of which the respective chain end is secured, as by soldering for example, and an inner sleeve which the chain passes through, the inner sleeve being captive within the outer sleeve and being composed of a suitable plastics material which will give the desired frictional characteristics. In order to promote further understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a necklace in accordance with the invention, the necklace being shown in one adjusted position; Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 with the necklace shown in another adjusted position; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the sleeve members in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a similar sectional view of the other sleeve member. As shown, the article, which may be a necklace for example, comprises a single length of chain made up of a large number of miniature links each made of precious metal. The ends of the chain are depicted by the reference numbers 10 and 12. Two sleeve members 14, 1 6 are slidably engaged with the chain and the ends 10, 12 are anchored to the sleeve members 1 6 and 14 respectively so that each end 10, 12 is anchored to that sleeve member which is furthest away from it, as considered along the length of the chain. This arrangement has the effect of forming the chain into two overlapping loops which share a common length of chain. Thus, the common length is the portion 1 8 and one loop comprises portion 1 8 and portion 20 while the other comprises portion 1 8 and portion 22. By sliding the sleeves 14, 1 6 towards and away from one another, the lengths 20, 22 are reduced or increased and when, as shown in Figure 2, the sleeves are brought together the portions 20, 22 are of negligible extent. By appropriate adjustment therefore the necklace can be arranged so as to have two strands (constituted by portions 20, 22) of the desired length thereby enhancing its appearance. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each sleeve member 14, 1 6 comprises an outer sleeve 24 which may be cast from precious metal and a captive inner sleeve 26 of plastics material. Only one portion of the chain passes through the inner sleeve and the latter is designed to provide sufficient frictional resistance to prevent unintentional slipping of the sleeve member along the chain without unduly impeding sliding of the sleeve member when adjustment is required. The mouth of the outer sleeve is bounded by an inward flange 28 to which the respective chain end is secured as by soldering. CLAIMS

1. An article of jewellery comprising a length of chain on which are mounted two sleeve members which are slidably engaged with the chain so as to allow them to be displaced along the chain when desired but be held (e.g. by friction) at a given position when such displacement is not required, each end of the chain being secured to the sleeve member furthest from that end (considered along the length of the chain) so that the chain comprises two overlapping loops sharing a common length of chain whereby the chain can be variably distributed between the two loops by sliding said sleeves towards and away from each other, the arrangement being such that only one portion of the chain extends through each sleeve member.

2. An article as claimed in Claim 1 in which each sleeve member comprises an outer sleeve to one end of which the respective chain end is secured and an inner sleeve which the chain passes through, the inner sleeve being captive within the outer sleeve and being composed of a suitable plastics material which will give the desired frictional characteristics.

3. An article of jewellery substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawing.