Jewellery element and chain

Abstract

Two rotating parts ( 11, 15 ) rotatably fitting on an axle ( 10 ) which passes through the opening ( 9 ) surrounded by the frame ( 4 ) are provided in a rectangular frame ( 4 ), the first rotating part ( 11 ) surrounding the elongated second rotating part ( 15 ) in a fork-like manner. The first rotating part ( 11 ) and the second rotating part ( 15 ) may each assume two fixed positions 180° apart, in which they are locked to the frame or to the first rotating part ( 11 ). By turning the rotating parts ( 11, 15 ), the outside of the jewellery element ( 2 ) can be changed. Jewellery elements can also be combined to form chains, which can be used, for example, as watch straps.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A jewellery element, comprising: a frame which surrounds an opening; an axle which passes through the opening and is anchored at both ends in the frame; and at least one rotating part arranged on said axle so as to be rotatable about said axle.  
   
   
       12 . The jewellery element according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one rotating part has a hole which receives the axle.  
   
   
       13 . The jewellery element according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one rotating part can be indirectly or directly locked to the frame in at least two fixed positions by snapping in.  
   
   
       14 . The jewellery element according to  claim 11 , having at least two rotating parts rotatable independently of one another, so that a first rotating part at least partly surrounds a second rotating part.  
   
   
       15 . The jewellery element according to  claim 14 , wherein the first rotating part has a base which is adjacent to a first section of the frame and from which two extensions which are a distance apart laterally project towards a second section of the frame which is opposite the first section, and the second rotating part, adjacent to the second section of the frame, is located between the extensions, while the axle projects through the base of the first rotating part and through the second rotating part.  
   
   
       16 . The jewellery element according to  claim 11 , wherein the frame is substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       17 . The jewellery element according to  claim 13 , wherein the opening of the frame is completely filled by the at least one rotating element when each rotating element is in a fixed position.  
   
   
       18 . A jewellery chain having a plurality of successive jewellery elements according to  claim 14 , wherein said jewellery elements are connected to one another in pairs.  
   
   
       19 . The jewellery chain according to  claim 18 , wherein the connected jewellery elements can be rotated relative to one another to a limited extent in each case about parallel connecting axles.  
   
   
       20 . The jewellery chain according to  claim 19 , wherein the axle of each of the jewellery elements is parallel to the connecting axles.