Article of jewelry

Abstract

An article of jewelry that has an elongated rigid body having a first body portion and a second body portion connected by a hinge is provided. The elongated rigid body has the form of an open circle or spiral. The first and second body portions are rotatable with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position. A latching device is arranged at or near the hinge, the latching device being configured to releasably lock the first and second body portions in the closed position.

1 . An article of jewelry, comprising
 an elongated rigid body having the form of an open circle or spiral, said elongated rigid body including a first body portion and a second body portion connected to each other by a hinge, wherein said first and second body portions are rotatable with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position, and   a latching device arranged at or near the hinge, said latching device being configured to releasably lock the first and second body portions in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated rigid body is tubular or in bar form, wherein the first body portion comprises an extension extending beyond a hinge point between the first and second body portions, and wherein the second body portion comprises a fork within which the extension of the first body portion fits when the first and second body portions are in the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The article of jewelry of  claim 2 , wherein the latching device comprises a lever housed within the second body portion at the fork, said lever being elastically stressed and comprising a first end configured to engage a formation made in the extension of the first body portion when the first and second body portions are in the closed position, and a second end provided with a protrusion extending beyond an outer surface of the second body portion and configured to be manually operated by a user. 
     
     
         4 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1 , further comprising an ornamental element arranged at a free end of one or both body portions, said ornamental element being attached to the respective free end by a bayonet coupling. 
     
     
         5 . The article of jewelry of  claim 4 , wherein said free end comprises a male portion projecting axially from the free end and provided with a laterally projecting guide pin, wherein said ornamental element comprises a female portion provided with a seat configured to receive the male portion and having an L-shaped groove configured to receive the guide pin, elastic means being provided configured to keep the male portion locked in the female portion in a latched configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The article of jewelry of  claim 5 , wherein said elastic means comprise a tip projecting axially from the male portion and elastically stressed outwardly. 
     
     
         7 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1 , wherein the article of jewelry is a bracelet, a ring, or a necklace. 
     
     
         8 . An article of jewelry, comprising an elongated rigid body comprising a free end and an ornamental element arranged at said free end, said ornamental element being attached to the free end by a bayonet coupling. 
     
     
         9 . The article of jewelry of  claim 8 , wherein said free end comprises a male portion projecting axially from the free end and provided with a laterally projecting guide pin, wherein said ornamental element comprises a female portion provided with a seat configured to receive the male portion and having an L-shaped groove configured to receive the guide pin, elastic means being provided configured to keep the male portion locked in the female portion in a latched configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The article of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein said elastic means comprise a tip projecting axially from the male portion and elastically stressed outwardly. 
     
     
         11 . The article of jewelry of  claim 8 , wherein the article of jewelry is a bracelet, a ring, or a necklace.