Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to customisable jewellery and, more particularly to a modularly interchangeable jewellery component interconnection system.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Jewellery consists of decorative items worn for personal adornment and may take the form of necklaces, earrings, pendants and the like.

[0003] Modular jewellery allows for mixing and matching of different jewellery pieces to create personalised jewellery items.

[0004] WO 2019/21691 1 A1 (NINA NGUYEN LLC) 14 November 2019 discloses jewellery pieces comprising additional bails and couplers on rear surfaces thereof for interconnection of various pieces together.

[0005] US 4763489 A (STRONG, LLYN) 16 August 1988 discloses a similar arrangement, but which has rearward elongate hook which engages through a hoop of an adjacent jewellery piece.

[0006] US 9084456 B1 (JACK ZEMER) 21 July 2015 discloses a yet further arrangement which comprises a doubly curved hook over which a hoop of an interconnecting piece is twisted for better securement.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide a modularly interchangeable jewellery component interconnection system, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [0008] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Disclosure

[0009] There is provided herein a modularly interchangeable jewellery component interconnection system comprising a first jewellery component forming a rear su rface concavity and having a spring clasp sprung against the rear surface concavity.

[0010] The spring clasp has a free distal end forming an opening with the rear surface concavity.

[001 1 ] The rear surface concavity curves in towards the free distal end to guide a connection hoop of a second jewellery component in alignment through the opening. [0012] The curvature of the rear surface concavity allows for simple guided connection and disconnection of the jewellery components and which may even allow for interconnection without visual guidance, such as whilst a jewellery component is worn as an earring.

[0013] The rear surface concavity may be symmetrically curved with respect to a longitudinal axis of the clasp so that the hoop is guided towards the distal free end along the length of the clasp both when connecting to the clasp and disconnecting from the clasp.

[0014] The clasp is ergonomically concealed by the rearward surface concavity and the free distal end of the clasp preferably does not protrude substantially beyond a rear surface of the jewellery component to prevent scratching thereof against the skin. [0015] The distal end of the clasp may be doubly curved back to define a larger gap from the rear surface being greater than a segment width of the hoop and a smaller gap from the rear surface concavity being less than the segment width of the hoop.

[0016] As such, the larger gap catches the hoop by the clasp and the smaller gap clasp forces the clasp open to allow the hoop to push past into the clasp and be retained therein. Furthermore, the smaller gap forces the clasp to open when disconnecting the hoop from the clasp.

[0017] The first jewellery component may further comprise a secondary recess which defines a ledge which bears against the hoop to help retain the hoop in the clasp. The secondary recess may also assist aligning the centre of gravity of interconnected components. [0018] The ledge may be curved wither side of the clasp and/or be planar to allow the secondary jewellery component to swing side to side under the first jewellery component.

[0019] The clasp may be configured to maintain the alignment of centres of gravity of the jewellery components.

[0020] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021 ] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a modularly interchangeable jewellery component interconnection system in accordance with an embodiment with component separated;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the system of Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view illustrating interconnection of the components of the system;

[0025] Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of the system with connected components;

[0026] Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the system with connected components;

[0027] Figure 6 shows a rear perspective view of a component of the system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0028] figure 7 shows a rear perspective view of a component of the system in accordance with a further embodiment;

[0029] Figure 8 shows a median plane cross-sectional view illustrating interconnection including the component of Figure 7;

[0030] Figure 9 shows a median plane cross-sectional view illustrating interconnection including the component of Figure 6; and

[0031 ] Figure 10 shows a median plane magnified cross-sectional view illustrating a rear surface concavity and spring clasp of the system. Description of Embodiments

[0032] A modularly interchangeable jewellery component interconnection system 100 comprises a first jewellery component 101 and a second jewellery component 102.

[0033] With reference to Figure 1 , each component 101 , 102 may comprise a metallic rear backing cup 1 18 holding and exposing a semiprecious stone 1 19 or the like.

[0034] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the first jewellery component 101 forms a rear surface concavity 103 having a spring clasp 104 sprung against the rear surface concavity 103.

[0035] With reference to Figure 8, the spring clasp 104 comprises a fixed end 105 and a free distal end 106 forming an opening 107 with the rear surface 103.

[0036] The rear surface concavity 103 curves in towards the free distal end 106 to guide a connection hoop 108 of the second jewellery component 102 in alignment through the opening 107 in the manner shown in Figure 3.

[0037] With reference to Figure 6, the rear surface concavity 103 may be symmetrically curved with respect to a longitudinal axis 109 of the clasp 104.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, the free distal end 106 preferably does not substantially protrude beyond a rear surface 1 10 of the first jewellery component 101. Preferably, the free distal end 106 is entirely recessed within the rear surface 1 10.

[0039] The rear surface 1 10 of the first jewellery component 101 may have convexity. The convexity may define a maximum point 120. The free distal end 106 may alternatively preferably not extend beyond the maximum point 120.

[0040] Similarly, a rear surface 1 1 1 of the second jewellery component 102 may similarly have convexity.

[0041 ] The rear surface concavity 103 may be located at a lower region of the first jewellery component 101 .

[0042] With reference Figure 10, the distal end 106 may be doubly curved back to define a larger gap D from the rear surface concavity 103 being greater than a segment width W of the hoop 108 and a smaller gap d from the rear surface concavity 103 being less than the segment width W of the hoop 108. [0043] As such, when the hoop 108 is pressed against the clasp 104, the larger gap D allows the hoop 108 catch under the distal end 106 of the clasp 104 and the smaller gap d allows the hoop 108 to force the clasp 104 open to allow the hoop 108 to push past the smaller gap d into the clasp 104.

[0044] With reference to Figure 6 and 7, the first jewellery component 101 may further comprise a secondary recess 1 12 which defines a ledge 1 13 which bears against the hoop 108 to help retain the hoop 108 within the clasp 104.

[0045] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the ledge 1 13 may have curvature either side of the clasp 104.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the ledge 1 13 may be spaced away from a lowermost point 1 14 of the clasp 104 by more than the segment width W of the hoop 108.

[0047] As further shown in Figure 8, the secondary recess 1 12 may define a planar surface.

[0048] The clasp 104 may define a lowermost point 1 14 aligned with a centre of gravity of the first jewellery component 1 14. The lowermost point 1 14 may be aligned with the centre of gravity of the first jewellery component 101 in the frontal plane and/or median plane.

[0049] Similarly, the hoop 108 may define an uppermost point aligned with a centre of gravity of the second jewellery component 102.

[0050] With reference to Figure 8, the first jewellery component may define a hanging point 1 16 and wherein the clasp 104 defines the lowermost point 1 14 aligned with the hanging point 1 16.

[0051 ] The lowermost point 1 14 may be aligned with the hanging point 1 16 in the median plane.

[0052] Figure 7 shows wherein the first jewellery component 101 is a necklace pendant and wherein the hanging point 1 16 may be defined by two side hoops 1 16 which may engage a chain 121 .

[0053] Figure 9 shows wherein the first jewellery component 101 is an earring and which comprises an earring stud 1 17 extending from the rear surface 1 10 thereof. [0054] In embodiments, the second jewellery component 102 may itself comprise a further rear surface concavity 103 and a further clasp 104 for hanging further jewellery components therefrom.

[0055] Connecting the first jewellery component 101 to the second jewellery component 102 may comprise placing the hoop 108 of the second jewellery component 102 against the rear surface concavity 103. The curvature of the rear surface concavity 103 curved towards the free distal end 106 of the clasp 104 naturally guides the hoop 108 towards the free distal end 106 and through the opening 107.

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, the curvature of the distal end 106 of the clasp 104 allows the hoop 108 to push past the distal end 106 by causing the clasp 104 to spring open.

[0057] The secondary component 102 may be disconnected by moving the hoop 108 in the opposite direction wherein the rear surface concavity 103 similarly guides the hoop 108 in alignment along the clasp 104 and, furthermore, the curvature of the distal end 106 of the clasp 104 allows the hoop 108 to push past the smaller gap d by causing the clasp 104 to spring open.

[0058] The curvature of the rear surface concavity 103 allows for connection and disconnection of the hoop 108 without visual guidance so that, for example, jewellery components 102 may be interchanged while a jewellery component 101 is worn as an earring.

[0059] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.