Ring-Shaped Piece of Jewelry Having an Adjustable Inner Diameter

Abstract

A piece of jewelry is disclosed, which has an adjustable inner diameter, includes first and second parts, in the form of portions of a ring and having respective first and second ends, the first and second parts being connected to each other by a pivot type connection. Moreover, each of the first and second parts has a first of its ends adapted to cooperate with a first end of the other part, by nesting of variable depth, to define a closed ring of adjustable inner diameter. At least one spring member is adapted to act on both parts so that their first ends tend to nest one within the other to reduce the inner diameter of the piece of jewelry. The pivot type connection is at a distance from the second end of the first part, the latter having an overlap portion, located between the pivot type connection and the second end, of greater radius than an inner portion of the second part facing which it is located, so as partly to overlap it.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A piece of jewelry, of substantially annular shape, including first and second parts, the profiles of which have respective shapes substantially of portions of a ring and having respective first and second ends, said first and second parts being connected to each other by a pivot type connection, each of said first and second parts having a first of its ends adapted to cooperate with a first end of the other part, by nesting of variable depth, to define a closed ring of adjustable inner diameter, at least one spring member being adapted to act on both parts so that their first ends tend to nest one within the other to reduce said inner diameter,
 said pivot type connection being at a distance from the second end of said first part, said first part having an overlap portion, located between said pivot type connection and said second end, of greater radius than an inner portion of said second part facing which said overlap portion is located, so as to overlap said inner portion at least partly.   
     
     
         2 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein said spring member is adapted to act, on the one hand, on said overlap portion of said first part and, on the other hand, on said inner portion of said second part. 
     
     
         3 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein one of said first and second parts bears a housing in which said spring member is arranged, the other of said first and second parts bearing a finger having a free end in said housing, bearing against said spring member. 
     
     
         4 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein said first part includes a decorative element extending at least partly over said overlap portion. 
     
     
         5 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of one of said first and second parts includes a tongue adapted to cooperate with a recess in the first end of the other of said first and second parts, being able to slide therein. 
     
     
         6 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein said first part has a width in the region of its second end greater than that of its first end to define a location for a decorative element. 
     
     
         7 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 2 , wherein one of said first and second parts bears a housing in which said spring member is arranged, the other of said first and second parts bearing a finger having a free end in said housing, bearing against said spring member. 
     
     
         8 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 2 , wherein said first part includes a decorative element extending at least partly over said overlap portion. 
     
     
         9 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 3 , wherein said first part includes a decorative element extending at least partly over said overlap portion. 
     
     
         10 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 7 , wherein said first part includes a decorative element extending at least partly over said overlap portion. 
     
     
         11 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 2 , wherein a first end of one of said first and second parts includes a tongue adapted to cooperate with a recess in the first end of the other of said first and second parts, being able to slide therein. 
     
     
         12 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 3 , wherein a first end of one of said first and second parts includes a tongue adapted to cooperate with a recess in the first end of the other of said first and second parts, being able to slide therein. 
     
     
         13 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 4 , wherein a first end of one of said first and second parts includes a tongue adapted to cooperate with a recess in the first end of the other of said first and second parts, being able to slide therein. 
     
     
         14 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 7 , wherein a first end of one of said first and second parts includes a tongue adapted to cooperate with a recess in the first end of the other of said first and second parts, being able to slide therein. 
     
     
         15 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 8 , wherein a first end of one of said first and second parts includes a tongue adapted to cooperate with a recess in the first end of the other of said first and second parts, being able to slide therein. 
     
     
         16 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 2 , wherein said first part has a width in the region of its second end greater than that of its first end to define a location for a decorative element. 
     
     
         17 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 3 , wherein said first part has a width in the region of its second end greater than that of its first end to define a location for a decorative element. 
     
     
         18 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 4 , wherein said first part has a width in the region of its second end greater than that of its first end to define a location for said decorative element. 
     
     
         19 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 5 , wherein said first part has a width in the region of its second end greater than that of its first end to define a location for a decorative element. 
     
     
         20 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 11 , wherein said first part has a width in the region of its second end greater than that of its first end to define a location for a decorative element.