GB2218895A

GB2218895A - Bracelets

Info

Publication number: GB2218895A
Application number: GB8903914A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paolo Zoli; Marco Vagliani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-05-25
Filing date: 1989-02-21
Publication date: 1989-11-29
Also published as: IT8805167A0

Abstract

A bracelet comprises a casing 2 and straps 1 or other means for securing it to a person's wrist. On the casing there is a plurality of LEDs 4, driven by electronic components (10, 11) under the control of a push button (9) and powered by batteries (8). A central cavity in the casing 2 receives a watch mechanism or a decorative item. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: Bracelets DESCRIPTION The invention relates to bracelets.

The invention provides a bracelet comprising a casing, means for securing the casing to a user, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on the casing so as to be visible when the bracelet is worn by the user, and electronic components disposed within the casing for driving the LEDs.

The means for securing the casing to the user, preferably around his wrist, may be any of the means conventionally used to secure a wrist watch to the user. Such means include straps of leather or plastics materials or metal links provided with a buckle or clasp; expandable and contractable closed bands, of elasticated material or of metal and provided with a folding clasp; and semi-rigid wings which adopt a wear position in an unstressed state but can be opened under light pressure. Other secural means will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The casing and the means for securing it to the user may be formed integrally, or may be separate items attached one to the other.

The bracelet may be provided with a power source, such as a battery, for the LEDs and this may be disposed within the casing along with the electronic components.

The bracelet may also be provided with means, such as push button, whereby the user can control the lighting of the LEDs. This may offer ir.depdnent control of each LED or control of all the LEDs together. An intermediate level of control is also possible, for example where the LEDs are divided into two or more groups and there is independent control of each group but not of the LEDs within it. Control need not be limited to switching the LEDs on or off, but could include placing them in a condition in which they -are alternatively on and off, creating a flashing effect.

The LEDs may all be of the same colour; alternatively one or more may be of one colour and one or more of another colour or colours.

Any suitable material may be used to form the casing and the means for securing it to the user. For example the casing may be formed of precious metal, base metal, plastics materials, leather, stone or wood. The securing means according to its nature may be formed from leather, plastics materials, precious metal, base metal or elasticated fabric.

As described thus far, the bracelet of the Invention is an article of personal adornment. In a highly preferred embodiment, however, the casing is provided with a central cavity which may receive and retain a useful or decorative article. Preferably at least one of the LEDs is so positioned on the casing as, when driven, to illuminate an article received within the cavity.

An example of a useful article which can be received within the cavity is a watch mechanism. The combination is then not only a personal adornment but is useful for telling the time. Examples of decorative articles which may be received in the cavity are gemstones, semi-precious stones and other jewellry items, e.g.

cameos; ornaments; amulets; and articles bearing pictures formed in any way, e.g. printed, painted, engraved, embossed by needlework or by photography.

The inclusion of such further decorative articles enhances the bracelet as an article of personal adornment.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bracelet according to the 'invention, showing the side which will be exposed when the bracelet is worn on a wrist; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bracelet of Figure 1, showing the other side; Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of the bracelet of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlargement of a part of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a top plan view of that part of the bracelet shown in Figure 4, with the cover removed; and Figures 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of other embodiments of a bracelet according to the invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 5, a bracelet according to the invention comprises a casing 2 to which are attached straps 1 for securing the casing to the wrist of a user. A plurality of LEDs 4 are mounted on the casing 2 on the face thereof which is exposed when the bracelet is worn by the user. Disposed within a peripheral cavity 7 in the casing 2 are electronic components such as condensers 10 and 11 for driving the LEDs 4, together with two small batteries 8 serving as a power source. The state of the LEDs 4 may be controlled by the user through a push button 9.

The casing is formed with a central cavity, within which is received and retained a watch mechanism lit including a watch face 3. A small wheel 12 and associated shaft extending through the peripheral cavity 7 is provided to enable the user to adjust and control the watch. It will be seen that, whereas some of the LEDs it are disposed on the top surface of a cover plate 5 of the casing 2, others are disposed on a rebated portion at the top of the cavity within which the watch mechanism 14 is received. These can be used to illuminate the face of the watch.

Figurs 6 to 8 illustrate alternative embodiments of the bracelet of the invention. Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which the means for securing the casing to the user's wrist comprise two wings 15 of stainless steel or of plastics material. These are semi-rigid and adopt a wear position in an unstressed state, but can be opened under light pressure. They are integrally formed with the casing, as are the flexible straps 13 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the cavity receives a decorative item 6 in place of the watch mechanism lit.

Claims

1. A bracelet comprising a casing, means for securing the casing to a user, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on the casing so as to be visible when the bracelet is worn by the user, and electronic components disposed within the casing for driving the LEDs.

2. A bracelet according to claim 1 in which the casing is provided with a central cavity for receiving and retaining a useful or decorative article.

3. A bracelet according to claim 2 in which at least one of the LEDs is so positioned on the casing as, when driven, to illuminate an article received within the cavity.

it. A bracelet according to claim 2 or claim 3 further comprising a watch mechanism received within the cavity.

5. A bracelet according to claim 2 or claim 3 further comprising an ornamental article received within the cavity.

6. A bracelet according to any preceding claim further comprising a power source for the LEDs, the power source being disposed within the casing.

7. A bracelet according to claim 6 in which the power source is a battery.

8. A bracelet according to any preceding claim further comprising means whereby the user may control the LEDs.

9. A bracelet according to claim 8 in which the control means is operable to - control each LED independently of each other LED.

10. A bracelet according to claim 8 in which the control means is operable to control all the LEDs together.

11. A bracelet according to any preceding claim in which at least one of the LEDs is of a colour different to others of the LEDs.

12. A bracelet according to any preceding claim wherein the means for securing the casing to a user comprises two straps, each attached at one end to the casing, and a buckle or clasp for securing the free ends together.

13. A bracelet according to any of claims 1 to, 11 wherein the means for securing the casing to a user comprises an expandable and contractable closed band attached to the casing.

14. A bracelet according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the -means for securing the casing to the user comprises a pair of semi-rigid wings which adopt a wear position in an unstressed state and can be opened under light pressure.

15. A bracelet according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the casing and the means for securing the casing to the user are formed integrally.

16. A bracelet substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings.

17. A bracelet substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 6, Figure 7 or Figure 8 of the drawings.