Extensible jewelry items

Abstract

An extensible jewelry item includes an annular element formed by a plurality of links and an internal titanium or stainless steel spring is mounted to extend each link. Each link has on each side an external female element and an internal male element. The female elements are micro-slots in the extended sections of each links. The male elements are internal micro-posts that extend through the female's slots to restrict the movement of the female elements of the link adjacent thereto away from each other. The micro-size of posts and slots enables the mechanism to be applied to links as small as 2.0 mm×2.0 mm×2.0 mm; therefore, also ideal for fine jewelry rings. In the elliptical version of the extensible jewelry item, the adjacent surfaces of each link are designed with individual specific taper angles; thus, when assembled, the links form an elliptical shape. In the elliptical shape, each link is numbered, and is placed in specific position. In the round version of the extensible jewelry item, the taper angles of the adjacent surfaces are all the same; therefore, the links are not numbered and is not relevant where they'll be placed.

1 . An extensible ring-shaped jewelry item, comprising:
 a ring-shaped support;   a ring-shaped chain comprising a plurality of chain links, wherein the ring-shaped support extends through each chain link of the ring-shaped chain,   wherein each chain link comprises:
 a projection; 
 a receptacle configured to receive the projection of an adjacent chain link of the plurality of chain links; 
 first and second female elements located on the projection; 
 first and second male elements located in the receptacle, wherein the first and second male elements are inserted into the first and second female elements of the adjacent chain link. 
   
     
     
         2 . The extensible ring-shaped jewelry item of  claim 1  in the form of a circular ring-shaped jewelry item. 
     
     
         3 . The extensible ring-shaped jewelry item of  claim 1  in the form of an elliptical ring-shaped jewelry item. 
     
     
         4 . An extensible elliptical ring-shaped jewelry item, comprising:
 a ring-shaped support;   a ring-shaped chain comprising a plurality of chain links, wherein the ring-shaped support extends through each chain link of the ring-shaped chain,   wherein each chain link comprises:
 a projection; 
 a receptacle configured to receive the projection of an adjacent chain link of the plurality of chain links, 
 wherein the projection and receptacle of each chain link define a taper angle such that the plurality of chain links collectively define a ring-shaped chain, and 
 wherein the taper angles of adjacent chain links are different to define the ring-shaped chain as an elliptical ring-shaped chain.