Article, Method of Forming an Article and Apparatus for Forming an Article

Abstract

A method of forming an article such as a jewellery ring or bangle comprising: providing a first substantially annular-sectioned element and a second substantially annular-sectioned element, an outer diameter of the first element being less than an inner diameter of the second element; forming a circumferential groove in one of the first and second elements by a process of rolling; positioning the first and second elements together with the second element positioned circumferentially around the first element; and expanding the first element such that the circumferential groove in the one element receives therein the other of the said elements.

1 . A method of forming an article, the method comprising:
 providing a first substantially annular-sectioned element and a second substantially annular-sectioned element, an outer diameter of the first element being less than an inner diameter of the second element;   forming a circumferential groove in one of the first and second elements by a process of rolling;   positioning the first and second elements together with the second element positioned circumferentially around the first element; and   expanding the first element such that the circumferential groove in the one element receives therein the other of the said elements.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the circumferential groove in a radially outer surface of the first substantially annular-sectioned element. 
     
     
         3 . The method of according to  claim 1 , further comprising forming the circumferential groove in a radially inner surface of the second annular-sectioned element. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein forming the circumferential groove in an element by rolling comprises constraining axial expansion of the element in a longitudinal direction during rolling. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising constraining axial expansion of the annular-sectioned element during rolling by trapping between clamp members at least a portion of the annular-sectioned element during rolling. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the circumferential groove in one substantially annular-sectioned element to have an axial length that is sufficiently large to trap the other substantially annular-sectioned element in the groove when the first element is expanded in diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising expanding the first substantially annular-sectioned element by stretching. 
     
     
         9 . The method  claim 1 , further comprising expanding the first substantially annular-sectioned element by rolling. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising joining the first and second substantially annular-sectioned elements by fusing substantially in the absence of an intermediate joining medium. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second substantially annular-sectioned elements are of a diameter in the range from substantially 5 mm to substantially 300 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the article is arranged to be worn around one selected from amongst a finger or wrist. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the first substantially annular-sectioned element from a first material and the second substantially annular-sectioned element from a second material,. wherein the first and second materials are different respective materials. 
     
     
         15 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second materials comprise a precious metal, wherein the precious metal is gold, silver, platinum or palladium. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein positioning the second substantially annular-sectioned element around the first element comprises positioning a plurality of substantially annular-sectioned elements around the first element. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming a circumferential groove in one of the first and second elements comprises forming a plurality of circumferential grooves in the element. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising providing an annular element in each of the plurality of grooves in said one of the first and second elements. 
     
     
         22 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An article formed by the method o  claim 1 . 
     
     
         26 . The article of  claim 25 , wherein the article comprises a jewellery ring suitable for being worn on a finger. 
     
     
         27 . The article of  claim 25 , wherein the article comprises a jewellery bangle suitable for being worn around a wrist. 
     
     
         28 . A method of forming an article, the method comprising:
 providing a first annular element comprising a substantially flat disc having an aperture formed therein;   forming a groove in a surface of the annular element;   placing a second element in the groove formed in the first element; and   coning the first element to form a tube element comprising the first and second elements.   
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , whereby the groove is provided in the form of an endless loop around an axis of rotation the first annular element, the method further comprising forming the second element to be of a shape corresponding substantially to the groove the second element being arranged to fit at least partially within the groove. 
     
     
         31 - 46 . (canceled)