Jewelry with interchangeable decorative element

Abstract

An item of jewelry has a decorative element that is provided with a shaft which interfaces with an annular element such as a ring. A portion of the ring has, within its thickness in the radial direction, a radial notch, followed by a circumferential notch, thus forming approximately a L-shaped notch. An elastically deformable element is accommodated on the inner face of the ring, making it possible to lock the decorative element in position on the annular segment after introducing the shaft as far as the bottom of the L-shaped notch.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . Item of jewelry provided with at least one annular segment ( 1 ) and at least one removable decorative element ( 2 ), wherein the jewelry has interchangeable means made up of interchangeable features comprising, on the decorative element ( 2 ), a shaft ( 2   b ), and, on the annular segment ( 1 ) within its thickness in the radial direction, a radial notch ( 3   a ) followed by a circumferential notch ( 3   b ) thus forming approximately an L-shaped notch ( 3 ), and on an inner face of the annular segment ( 1 ), an elastically deformable element ( 4 ), whereby the elastically deformable element ( 4 ) retains the decorative element ( 2 ) in a retained position on the annular segment ( 1 ) after introducing the shaft ( 2   b ) as far as the bottom of the L-shaped notch ( 3 ), and wherein, the decorative element substantially hides the features of the interchangeable means when the decorative element is in its retained position.  
     
     
         2 . Item of jewelry according to    claim 1   , wherein the said elastically deformable element is a leaf spring ( 4 ) provided at its end with a locking rib ( 4   a ).  
     
     
         3 . Item of jewelry according to    claim 1   , wherein the said annular segment is a ring.  
     
     
         4 . Item of jewelry according to    claim 1   , wherein the said annular segment is a bracelet.  
     
     
         5 . Item of jewelry according to    claim 1   , wherein the said annular segment is an earring.  
     
     
         6 . Item of jewelry according to    claim 1   , wherein the annular segment is provided with means with which it is possible to mount at least two decorative elements in a removable manner.  
     
     
         7 . Item of jewelry according to    claim 1   , wherein a catch ( 12 ) rotates between a locked and an unlocked position and wherein, when worn, the catch is biased to block the shaft ( 2   b ) in position in the bottom of the L-shaped notch ( 3 ).  
     
     
         8 . Item of jewelry of    claim 7   , wherein a body member contact boss ( 24 ) is provided to contact a part of the body of the wearer when the jewelry is placed into a wearing position.  
     
     
         9 . Item of jewelry of    claim 7   , wherein the catch ( 12 ) has a tail end which provides a limit stop to its pivoting.