WO2006126054A1

WO2006126054A1 - Adjuster for chain accessories, and chain accessories using this adjuster

Info

Publication number: WO2006126054A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/001317
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seiji Tsutsumi
Original assignee: Silmar Spa
Priority date: 2005-05-23
Filing date: 2006-05-19
Publication date: 2006-11-30

Abstract

A chain accessory with an adjuster enabling free adjustment of chain diameter, having a chain (2, 2') with both ends free, an adjuster (3, 3') attached to one end of this chain (2, 2'), and having the other end of this abovementioned chain (2, 2') freely passing through it, and the abovementioned adjuster (3, 3') having a frame (4, 4') formed with a pair of passage holes (401, 401' ) through which abovementioned chain (2, 2' ) passes, a stopper (5, 5' ) through which the chain passes located inside this frame (4, 4'), formed by a coiled wire spring (6, 6') realizing a chain passage and applying an elastic force to the chain passing through said passage. In a first embodiment said stopper has a rough ring shape formed by connecting together both ends of the coiled wire spring (6), to form a coil shape with an internal diameter side defining a chain passage hole (501) . In a second embodiment the stopper is formed by a coiled wire spring (6’) realizing a chain passage and applying an elastic force to the chain passing through said passage.

Description

Adjuster for chain accessories, and chain accessories using this adjuster DESCRIPTION Technical field This invention is related to adjusters of necklaces or bracelets and chain accessories using this adjuster, namely the adjuster or chains using this adjuster which retains adjusting functionality even after prolonged use when used while bathing. Background art

Typically, the chain used for chain accessories such as necklaces or bracelets is one that has no ends and its length is not adjustable, but in recent years, to improve ease of use and convenience, accessories that include adjusters to allow free length adjustment have begun to appear.

Registered Utility Model Publication No. JP 3063891 discloses, as is shown in Drawing A, a chain accessory 31, which allows the chain diameter to be freely adjusted, and area of the adjuster is shown in the drawing. 32 in the drawing is the chain, and the chain accessory 31 has an adjuster 34 wherein the abovementioned chain 32 can freely pass through it, and this adjuster 34 is attached to the other end of chain 32. Then, together with silicone rubber elastic material 35 located inside the abovementioned adjuster 34, passage hole 36 is formed wherein the diameter of this elastic material 35 is slightly less than the diameter of chain 32, and by passing chain 32 through this passage hole 36 and affixing a stopper 37 to the end of chain 32 to prevent it from falling out, the elasticity of the silicone rubber enables chain 32 to be stopped any position.

Thus, for chain accessory 31, this enables adjustment of the diameter of chain 32 to any size desired, and the elasticity of the silicone rubber enables fixing chain 32 at any desired length.

However, when the elasticity of silicone rubber to is used to fix the position of a chain, after prolonged use, the silicone rubber will wear and also lose its elasticity, raising the possibility that the adjuster will no longer function properly.

It is also likely that the diameter of the chain may change due to silicone rubber shrinkage when the user wears the chain accessory while bathing.

This condition is not limited to silicone rubber, but also would occur for chains using stopper constructions based on synthetic resins. Patent Application Publication No. JP 2001-70018 discloses,- as is shown in Drawing B, an adjuster structure which allows the chain diameter to be freely adjusted. This adjuster structure is comprised of a clip to lock the accessory, and this clip is comprised of casing 31 which has a pair of passage holes through which the chain passes, and a cylindrical elastic plate 33 contained within casing 31. When the chain is passed through the elastic plate 33, the chain, receives spring energy from elastic plate 33 and is under spring force from elastic plate 33, thus restricting the movement of the chain. For this reason, using this length adjustment design, it is possible to adjust the chain diameter as desired and also retain the desired adjusted diameter.

However, since elastic plate 33 in this adjuster design is pressing on the chain along the full length of the adjuster, the chain movement is severely restricted making it difficult to smoothly move the chain.

Also, in the past, methods enabling the chain length to be freely adjusted have employed adjusters that relied on the elastic properties of silicone to freely pass the chain, inserting a silicone rubber elastic material and forming small diameter passage holes with a diameter less than the chain diameter, and passing the chain through these passage holes. However, as previously explained, because the silicone rubber beings to wear and lose its elastic properties over prolonged use, or the chain adjusted size may change when wearing the chain accessory while bathing due to silicone rubber shrinkage, for this reason it is thought that this method cannot sufficiently provide adjuster functionality. Disclosure of the invention

The problem underlying the present invention is that of overcoming the disadvantages set out above with reference to the prior art mentioned by providing an adjuster that will not lose its functionality even after prolonged use and even when wearing the chain accessory while bathing, and chain accessories using this type of adjuster.

Moreover, another problem underlying the present invention is that of providing an adjuster or chain accessory using this adjuster which allows the chain diameter to be smoothly adjusted and does not lose this functionality even after prolonged use or when used while bathing.

These problems are solved by the invention by means of an adjuster for chain accessories, and chain accessories using this adjuster formed in accordance with the appended claims. Brief description of the drawings

The characteristics and the advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Drawing 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the chain accessory of this invention. Drawing 2 is a partial cross sectional view to explain the adjuster of the first embodiment.

Drawing 3 is a cross sectional view to explain the stopper of the first embodiment. Drawing 4 is a perspective view to explain the stopper shown in drawing 3.

Drawing 5 is a drawing to explain the stopper shown in drawing 3.

Drawing 6 is a drawing to explain other stopper shapes of the first embodiment.

Drawing 7 is a drawing to explain other stopper shapes of the first embodiment.

Drawing 8 is a front view of a second embodiment of the chain accessory of this invention. Drawing 9 is a partial cross sectional view to describe the adjuster of the second embodiment.

Drawing 10 is a cross sectional view to describe the stopper shown in drawing 9.

Drawing 11 is a perspective view to describe the stopper shown in drawing 9.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

Referring to the drawings while explaining the embodiments of the chain accessory of this invention, Drawing 1 shows a front view of a chain accessory of a first embodiment, and this embodiment example is a necklace with a diamond pendant.

1 in the drawing is the necklace of this first embodiment.

Necklace 1 has a chain 2 with two free ends, and at a certain point on chain 2 is affixed pendant 7 with three diamonds.

Next, 3 in the drawing is the adjuster. For necklace 1 of this first embodiment, passing through adjuster 3, chain 2 becomes a chain with no free ends that also allows the diameter of chain 2 to be freely adjusted. Here, to aid in describing the abovementioned adjuster 3, Drawing 2 is a partial cross sectional diagram of the abovementioned adjuster 3. 4 in the drawing is the frame that forms adjuster 3. Namely, the abovementioned adjuster 3 of this embodiment is comprised of a hollow and round frame 4, and this frame 4 has opposing passage holes 401, and the other end of the abovementioned chain 2 passes through frame 4 through this pair of passage holes 401. Also, as shown in Drawing 1, on the outer surface of the abovementioned adjuster 3, through loop 402 and loop 403 is connected to one end of chain 2, and a fastener 201 is affixed to the other end of the abovementioned chain 2, and this fastener 201 connects to the loop 403 of, - this abovementioned adjuster, thus making the abovementioned chain 2 to have no free ends due to adjuster 3.

8 in the drawing is a stopper provided to prevent the end of chain 2 from coming free. This stopper 8 has a diameter greater than the size of the abovementioned passage holes 401 which prevents chain 2 from slipping out of adjuster 3. Next, 5 in Drawing 2 is the stopper. In adjuster 3 of this embodiment, stopper 5 is located inside abovementioned frame 4, and this stopper 5 restricts the movement of chain 2 which is passing through frame 4. Here, describing the abovementioned stopper 5, Drawing 4 shows a perspective view of the abovementioned stopper 5 of this first embodiment. Stopper 5 of this embodiment is formed from a stainless steel wire spring 6 with both ends joined together to form a ring, forming ring shaped chain passage hole 501 from its inner surface. Then, in this first embodiment, in abovementioned frame 4 of this stopper 5, chain passage hole 501 is aligned such chain 2 can be passed through it, and when adjusting the length of the spring material and passing chain 2 through the chain passage hole 501, the inner surface of stopper 5 allows spring force to be applied to chain 2 that is passing through stopper 5, exerting friction resistance upon chain 2 moving in the longitudinal direction. Drawing 3 shows a cross section view of this condition. Drawing 3 is a cross sectional view of the relationship between stopper 5 and chain 2 viewed along the long axis of chain 2. Also, Drawing 5 (a) is a drawing viewed from the long axis of coiled wire spring 6 of this embodiment, and (b) shows a cross sectional view of the condition of spring force being applied to chain 2 according to the inner surface of stopper 5.

In this way, adjuster 3 of this embodiment, using ring shaped stopper formed by connecting both ends of coiled wire spring 6, since the inner surface of this stopper 5 exerts spring force upon the chain, and chain 2 passes through stopper 5, the friction resistance from the inner surface of stopper 5 and chain 2 controls the movement of chain 2 along the long axis, thus allowing the wearer to freely adjust the diameter of chain 2. Also, in this case, because stopper 5 in this embodiment is formed from a coil spring material, unlike conventional necklaces using silicone rubber materials for adjusters to lock the chain, it has the merit of retaining the adjuster functionality even after prolonged usage or when worn while bathing.

The abovementioned wire spring 6 as described in this embodiment was made of stainless steel, but the wire spring 6 is not limited to stainless steel. The wire spring 6 may be made from types of metal, and there is no limitation to the type of metal. Other materials such as carbon fiber or polymer resin, any material which may be used as a spring may also be used in this invention. Also, generally, coil shaped wire spring will be round when viewed on the long axis, as shown in Drawing 5 (a) , but there is no requirement in this invention to use this kind of coil wire spring. For example, as shown in Drawing 6 (a) (b) , stopper 5 may be formed from wire spring 6 with a flattened widened elliptical shape when viewed along the long axis, or as is shown in Drawing 7 (a) (b) , stopper 5 may be formed from wire spring 6 with a flattened elongated elliptical shape when viewed along the long axis. Next, describing the function of necklace 1 as comprised in this embodiment, to change the diameter of chain 2 in necklace 1 of this embodiment, while holding frame 4 between two fingers, for example, chain 2 is pulled either toward the stopper 8 to prevent the chain from coming loose, or opposite side from stopper 8, with adjuster 3 as the boundary. By- doing so, the chain will move along the long axis while rubbing on the inner surface of stopper 4, thereby enabling the diameter of chain 2 to be adjusted. Then, when the force that was applied to chain 2 is removed, the spring force effect from the inner surface of stopper 4 against chain 2 locks the position of chain 2, allowing chain 2 to remain in the desired position and hold the desired diameter. Also, since stopper 5 in this embodiment is made from a coil wire spring, unlike conventional necklaces which use silicone rubber or other materials in the adjuster stoppers, this provides the benefit of merit no reduction in adjuster functionality even after prolonged use or when worn while bathing. In this invention, because a frame is used which contains inside it a ring stopper that is formed by connecting both ends of a coil wire spring and passing the chain through this stopper, the inner surface of the stopper applies spring force to the chain, thus enabling the chain to be set at any desired position due to the friction resistance between the chain and stopper, the applicability of this invention is not limited to necklaces but also any accessories that use chains, such as bracelets or chains.

Drawing 8 shows the front view of the chain accessory of a second embodiment, and in this second embodiment is a necklace with an attached diamond pendant. Namely, 1' in the drawing is the necklace of this second embodiment, and this necklace 1' has chain 2' with two free ends, and at a certain location on this chain 2' is affixed pendant 7' with 3' diamonds. Also, three connected heart- shaped diamonds are used in this embodiment, but it- is not necessary to use a pendant with three heart shaped diamonds,. nor is it necessary to provide a pendant at all.

Next, 3' in the drawing is the adjuster. In necklace 1' of this embodiment, chain 2' becomes closed by passing through adjuster 3' , and the diameter of chain 2' can be freely adjusted by adjuster 3' . Here, explaining the abovementioned adjuster 3' , Drawing 9 is a partial cross section to describe the abovementioned adjuster 3', and 4' in the drawing is the frame which makes up adjuster 3' . Namely, the abovementioned adjuster of this invention has a cylindrical frame 4', and on opposite ends has passage holes 401' and the other end of chain 2' passes through these passage holes 401' .

Next, the outer surface of the abovementioned adjuster, as shown in Drawing 8, having formed loop 402' as a connector, this loop 402' is connected to round clip 403' . Then, a clip 201' is provided for the other end the abovementioned chain 2', and this clip is connected to the abovementioned round clip 403' . By doing so, abovementioned chain 2' forms a closed loop through adjuster 3' (please note that the abovementioned loop 402' is not shown in Drawing 9) . 8' in Drawing 8 is the stopper to prevent chain from falling out connected to the other end of chain 2' , and this stopper 8' has a diameter larger than the size of the abovementioned passage holes 401', thereby preventing chain 2' from slipping out from adjuster 3' .

Next, a coiled wire stopper 5' is located inside abovementioned frame 4' , and the other end of the abovementioned chain 2' passes through passage holes 401' and through stopper 5' in frame 4' .

Here, describing the abovementioned stopper 5' , Drawing 10 is a frontal view of this abovementioned stopper 5' , and Drawing 11 is a perspective view of this abovementioned stopper 5' , and stopper 5' of this second embodiment is a coiled wire made from metal, carbon fiber, or polymer resin, and has an inner diameter larger than the outside diameter of chain 2' passing through the hole chain passage 501' defined by the coiled wire of the stopper 5' . However, the diameter at the center along the long axis of stopper 5' is set to smaller than the outer diameter of chain 2' , and this portion forms compressor 6' . Then, force can be applied to chain 2' passing through stopper 5' by this compressor 6' , thereby compressor 6' limiting the movement of chain 2' passing through stopper 5' .

In this way, because a portion of stopper 5' is applying force to chain 2' , compared to conventional methods which press the chain along the entire length of the elastic material, chain 2' is not severely restricted, thus, even though limiting the movement of chain 2' , enables smooth movement .

Also, because this second embodiment uses metal, carbon fiber, or polymer resin materials in the coiled wire stopper 5', unlike conventional necklaces which use silicone rubber in the adjuster to stop the chain, it is thought to have merit of no reduction in adjuster functionality even after prolonged use or when used while bathing. The abovementioned frame 4' of this second embodiment forms a curve toward the inner diameter of the center part along the long axis, and also is formed as a distorted cylinder with smaller diameter on both ends, but there is no requirement to shape in this way, and it is also possible to employ a straight cylinder.

Also, the abovementioned stopper 5' of this second embodiment along its length is curved toward the inner diameter, and by doing this creates compressor 6' by setting the diameter of the center part of the stopper along its long axis to less than the outer diameter of chain 2' , but the embodiment is not limited to this design; other methods may be used as long as the diameter of the center of the long access is set such that it is less than the outer diameter of chain 2' to form compressor 6' . Next, describing the usage of necklace 1 constructed according to this embodiment, when changing the diameter of chain 2' of necklace 1' of this embodiment, by holding frame 4' (with fingers, for example) with adjuster 3' as the middle point, chain 2' is pulled either towards stopper 8' or in the opposite direction of stopper 8' . This allows chain 2' to move along the long axis, while creating friction against the inner wall of compressor 6' inside stopper 4', thereby enabling adjustment of the diameter of chain 2' . When the manual adjusting force applied to chain 2' is released, pressure is applied to chain 2' by the inner wall of compressor 6' in stopper 4', thus fixing the position of chain 2' , enabling the desired diameter of chain 2' to be maintained. In this second embodiment, the stopper 5' made of coiled wire spring has a smaller diameter at the center than the diameter of chain 2' defining a compressor 6' . Since only compressor 6' is applying force against chain 2' , the force applied by the stopper 5^f to chain 2' is not excessive, and even though the movement of chain 2' is limited, movement is still easy. Also, unlike conventional necklaces that fix the location of the chain with adjusters that use silicone rubber or similar materials, it is thought to provide the merit of no reduction in functionality even after prolonged use or when used while bathing.

Frame 2' in this second embodiment is shaped like a cylinder, but there is no requirement to only use a cylinder shape; any shape may be used as long as it has a pair of passage holes through which the chain may pass, and a coil-shaped stopper contained inside.

Because this invention locates a coiled wire stopper with a compressor with a diameter at its center set to smaller than the outer diameter of a chain, spring force is only applied at the compressor on a chain passing through the stopper, enabling the chain to be fixed at any desired location in the frame using friction resistance between the compressor and the chain, this invention is applicable to not only necklaces, but also bracelets or any other accessory using chains.

Advantageous effect of the invention

In this invention, according to the first embodiment (shown in drawings 1-7) inside the frame, the inner surface of a ring shaped wire stopper applies force to the chain passing through the stopper, using the friction resistance between the chain and stopper to allow the chain to be fixed along the frame at any desired position. For this reason, products using this invention can prevent loss of adjuster functionality even after prolonged use or when worn during bathing.

In particular, according to the second embodiment (shown in drawings 8-11) by locating a coiled wire stopper inside a frame through which a chain passes, and forming a compressor by having the diameter of the center area along the long axis less than the outside diameter of the chain, the compressor of this invention applies spring force to the chain thereby using the friction resistance of the chain and compressor to lock the chain into place against the frame at any desired position. For this reason, unlike solutions using silicone rubber, this invention resists loss of functionality even after prolonged use or even when the adjuster is worn , while bathing. Moreover, acccording to the second embodiment, because this invention applies pressure to the chain only at the middle part of the stopper along the long axis, unlike methods that squeeze the chain along the entire length of the elastic material, the chain is not severely restricted and can be smoothly moved. Notation

1, 1' Necklace

2, 2' Chain 201, 201' Clip 3, 3' Adjuster

4 , 4 ' Frame

401, 401' Passage hole

402, 402' Loop

403, 403' Round clip 5, 5' Stopper

501, 501' Chain passage hole 6 Coiled wire spring

6' Compressor made of coiled wire spring , 7' Pendant , 8' Stopper to prevent chain from falling out

Claims

1. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories, which is able to be jointed to a connector (403, 403') to connect the end of a chain (2, 2'), and which has a frame (4, 4') having passage holes (401, 401') to freely pass the other end of the abovementioned chain (2, 2'), characterised in that within said frame is located a stopper (5, 5') formed by a coiled wire spring (6, 6') realizing a chain passage (501,501') and applying an elastic force to the chain passing through said passage.

2. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories as described in Claim 1, in which said stopper (5) has a rough ring shape formed by connecting together both ends of the coiled wire spring (6), to form a coil shape with an internal diameter side defining a chain passage hole (501) , that enables stopping the chain (2) passed through the abovementioned frame (4).

3. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories as described in Claim 1, in which the coiled spring is able to receive the passing chain through the chain passage (501' ) and both its ends, and forms a compressor (6') having the middle portion of the abovementioned coiled wire spring (5' ) having a center diameter on the long axis less than the external diameter of chain (2' ) thus enabling spring force to be applied to the chain by this compressor (6') .

4. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories as described in Claim 3, in which the compressor (6') has a smaller center diameter on the long axis, and this compressor (6') enabling spring force to be applied to the chain.

5. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories as described in one of the preceding Claims, wherein the abovementioned wire spring (6, 6') is made out of metal.

6. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories as described in Claims 1 through Claim 4 wherein the abovementioned wire spring (β, 6') is made out of carbon fiber.

7. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories as described in Claims 1 through Claim 4, wherein the abovementioned wire spring (6, 6') is made out of synthetic resin.

8. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories as described in Claim 2, wherein the longitudinal direction of the abovementioned wire spring (6, 6') is the shape of a rough circle.

9. An adjuster used in personal chain accessories as described in Claim 2, wherein the longitudinal direction of the abovementioned wire spring (6, 6') is the shape of a flattened ellipse.

10. A chain accessory with an adjustor as described in Claim 1, that is formed by connecting the free end of chain (2) with the abovementioned frame (4), and by passing the other end of abovementioned chain (2) through the abovementioned frame (4), and is characterized in that it has a form where the abovementioned chain (2) is locked by spring force from the inside surface of abovementioned stopper (5) , and whereby the abovementioned chain (2) passes through the abovementioned chain passage hole (501) .