Ornamental item with variable configuration, and method for its manufacture

Abstract

An ornamental item with variable configuration, of the necklace or bracelet type, comprises an at least partially flexible elongated base element ( 2 ) made of precious or semi-precious, and it is characterized in that the elongated base element ( 2 ) has, on a first visible side, a slide and support guide ( 3 ). Moreover, one or more ornamental elements ( 4 ) are provided, able to be selectively inserted into said slide guide ( 3 ), as well as means ( 6 ) for locking each of the ornamental elements ( 4 ) in a predetermined position along the longitudinal development of said elongated base element ( 2 ).

1 . An ornamental item with variable configuration, of the necklace or bracelet type, comprising an at least partially flexible elongated base element ( 2 ) made of precious or semi-precious, characterized in that said elongated base element ( 2 ) has, on a first visible side, a slide and support guide ( 3 ), there being one or more ornamental elements ( 4 ) able to be selectively inserted into said slide guide ( 3 ), as well as means ( 6 ) for locking said ornamental elements ( 4 ) in a predetermined position along the longitudinal development of said elongated base element ( 2 ).  
   
   
       2 . Item as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said elongated base element ( 2 ) comprises a plurality of mutually adjacent modular segments ( 6 ), coupled by flexible connection means ( 7 ).  
   
   
       3 . Item as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that each of said modular segments ( 6 ) comprises a latten ( 8 ) made of metallic material having a substantially planar central portion ( 9 ) and a pair of curved end portions ( 10 ) bent towards said central portion ( 8 ) to define an elementary portion of said slide guide ( 3 ).  
   
   
       4 . Item as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that said curved end portions ( 10 ) have hollow shape, with approximately polygonal or at least partially circular cross section.  
   
   
       5 . Item as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that said flexible connection means ( 7 ) comprise a flexible member ( 11 ) inserted and locked stably within said curved end portions ( 10 ).  
   
   
       6 . Item as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that said curved end portions ( 10 ) of each modular segment ( 8 ) have terminal edges ( 12 ) welded to said central portion ( 9 ) thereof to define stiffening and guiding portions.  
   
   
       7 . Item as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that each of said ornamental elements ( 4 ) comprises a main body ( 13 ) with a visible face ( 13 ′) and a pair of lateral portions ( 14 ).  
   
   
       8 . Item as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that said means for locking ( 6 ) said ornamental elements ( 4 ) comprise shaped walls ( 15 ) at said lateral portions ( 14 ) of said main body ( 13 ), able to interact with said slide guide ( 3 ).  
   
   
       9 . Item as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that said shaped walls ( 15 ) have substantially complementary shape relative to said slide guide ( 3 ) to allow its seating within the guide itself and prevent it from moving away in transverse direction with respect to the elongated base element ( 2 ).  
   
   
       10 . Item as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that said visible face ( 13 ′) of said main body ( 13 ) has ornamental motifs ( 16 ) made of precious or semi-precious material or of natural or synthetic stones.  
   
   
       11 . Item as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that said main body ( 13 ) is made of elastomeric material.  
   
   
       12 . Item as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that said central portion ( 8 ) of each modular segment ( 6 ) has approximately trapezoidal plan shape so that said elongated base element ( 2 ) has a substantially curvilinear planar development.  
   
   
       13 . Item as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that said central portion ( 9 ) of every modular segment ( 6 ) has an approximately rectangular plan form so that said elongated base element ( 2 ) has a substantially rectilinear planar development.  
   
   
       14 . Item as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises closing members ( 18 ) in order removably to connect the longitudinal ends ( 17 ) of said elongated base element ( 2 ).  
   
   
       15 . Item as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that the main body ( 13 ) of each of said ornamental elements ( 4 ) has a main curvature.  
   
   
       16 . Item as claimed in claims  14  and  15 , characterized in that said main curvature has a slightly different radius (R) from the radius of curvature (R′) of said elongated base element ( 2 ), with said longitudinal ends ( 17 ) connected, to allow the locking by attrition along the longitudinal direction of said main body ( 13 ) of each ornamental element ( 4 ).  
   
   
       17 . Item as claimed in  claim 14 , characterized in that said closing members ( 18 ) comprise a hinge ( 19 ) to rotate a rotatable portion ( 20 ) of said closing members ( 18 ) and selectively to lock said ornamental elements ( 4 ) along the longitudinal direction in said slide guide ( 3 ).  
   
   
       18 . A method for obtaining an ornamental item with variable configuration, as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: 
 a) Readying an elongated lamina ( 21 ) made of metallic material;    b) Bending the longitudinal edges ( 22 ) of the elongated lamina ( 21 ) and welding them on the lamina itself, in such a way as to form a pair of longitudinal cavities ( 23 );    c) Transversely cutting the elongated lamina ( 21 ) to form a plurality of modular segments ( 6 ), each of which having a substantially planar central portion ( 9 ) and a pair of curved end portions ( 10 );    d) Mutual coupling, by flexible connection means ( 7 ) of the plurality of modular segments ( 6 ) positioned adjacent to each other, to form an elongated base element ( 2 ) defining a slide and support guide ( 3 ) with the curved end portions ( 10 ) of the modular segments ( 6 );    e) Inserting one or more ornamental elements ( 4 ) into the slide guide ( 3 );    f) Longitudinally locking the one or more ornamental elements ( 4 ) previously inserted.