Locking Means for a Body Jewellery and Body Comprising Such Locking Means

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking mechanism which is adapted to constitute part of an item of body jewellery. The locking mechanism comprises a holder having at least one opening to be passed by an end portion of a bar of said item of body jewellery and, separately arranged therefor, an insert received in the holder and having a hole. The insert is operable relative to the holder between a first and a second position by applying a pressure to the insert. The opening of the holder and the hole of the insert together define in the first position a recess into which the end portion of the bar is insertable. In the second position the holder and the insert cooperate with the end portion of the bar for locking the same when inserted in the recess.

1 . A locking mechanism adapted to constitute part of an item of body jewellery ( 1 ), comprising a holder ( 10 ) having at least one opening ( 24 ,  25 ) to be passed by an end portion ( 80 ) of a bar ( 3 ) of said item of body jewellery ( 1 ) and, separately arranged therefor, an insert ( 40 ) received in the holder and having a hole ( 44 ), which insert is operable relative to the holder between a first and a second position by applying a pressure to the insert;
 the opening ( 24 ,  25 ) of the holder ( 10 ) and the hole ( 44 ) of the insert ( 40 ) in said first position together defining a recess ( 35 ), into which said end portion ( 80 ) of a bar ( 3 ) of said item of body jewellery ( 1 ) is insertable; and   the holder ( 10 ) and the insert ( 40 ) in said second position cooperating with said end portion ( 80 ) for locking the same when inserted in the recess ( 35 ).   
   
   
       2 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the insert ( 40 ) is spring biased towards its second position. 
   
   
       3 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the insert ( 40 ) comprises at least one hook ( 46 ) for engaging said end portion ( 80 ). 
   
   
       4 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the hook ( 46 ) is arranged for locking engagement in recesses ( 70 ) that are complementary to the hook and arranged in said end portion ( 80 ). 
   
   
       5 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the hook ( 46 ) is arranged for aligning engagement with said recesses ( 70 ) that are complementary to the hook. 
   
   
       6 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said end portion comprises an axially extending bevel. 
   
   
       7 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a through hole ( 44 ) is arranged in the insert, which hole contributes to defining said recess ( 35 ) with the insert arranged in said second position. 
   
   
       8 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said hole ( 44 ) in the insert ( 40 ) has a cross-section in the form of an elongate hole ( 45 ). 
   
   
       9 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a duct is formed in the holder, said duct ( 23 ) extending through an opening ( 24 ) formed in a front wall ( 12 ) of the holder and at least partially into an opening ( 25 ) formed in an opposite rear wall ( 13 ) of the holder, and which duct contributes to defining said recess ( 35 ) with the insert arranged in said second position. 
   
   
       10 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a duct is formed in the holder, said duct ( 23 ) extending through an opening ( 24 ) formed in a front wall ( 12 ) of the holder, and said duct contributing to defining said recess ( 35 ) with the insert arranged in said second position. 
   
   
       11 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the insert ( 40 ) and the holder ( 10 ) individually or together form an item of jewellery. 
   
   
       12 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the holder ( 10 ) and the insert ( 40 ) comprise mutually complementary positioner ( 21 ,  20 ,  42 ) for orienting the insert inside the holder. 
   
   
       13 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the insert ( 40 ) engages the holder ( 10 ) by snap locking. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . An item of body jewellery as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the item of body jewellery comprises a bar ( 3 ) which in its front end portion comprises an axially extending, non-rotationally symmetric cross-sectional geometry. 
   
   
       16 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , in which said end portion comprises an axially extending bevel. 
   
   
       17 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , in which said end portion comprises an axially extending bevel. 
   
   
       18 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 4 , in which said end portion comprises an axially extending bevel. 
   
   
       19 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 5 , in which said end portion comprises an axially extending bevel.