US patent 6675610:
Jewelry pieces formed entirely or partially of a shape memory alloy provided with a pre-determined memory shape, where the shape memory characteristic and/or the superelastic characteristic of the alloy is used either in the construction of the piece or to facilitate repair of damaged pieces, since plastically deformed alloy shapes can be corrected by raising the alloy above the phase transition temperature, whereupon the piece resumes it memory shape.
That's the actual memory wire. The bracelets/rings/necklaces/etc. you make with it are not patented.
I wouldn't worry about it. This patent has nothing to do with the commercial "memory wire" used commonly for making bracelets. The patent reefers to an amazing shape memory alloy, Nitinol. This is a Nickel-Titanium alloy (close to equal shares of both), which goes a structural phase transition at about 60 deg C. When deformed at low temperatures (room temperature), the alloy keeps its deformed shape. However, when heated above the phase transition temperature, the alloy change its microscopic structure and restores its original shape. This alloy is extensively used for medical stents. A mesh tube of Nitinol is created in a pre-defined diameter that fits the internal diameter of a blood vessel. It is then compressed at room temperature and led into the vessel. When it reaches the desired location, it is locally heated and the stent expands to the diameter of the vessel wall, supporting it from the inside. Simple Nitinol coils are used for demo purposes. If you can get one to see it in your eyes, do it. This is like a magic. You take the coil, twist it and completely deform it. Then place it in warm water and..... it is back in its original shape.
I don't see Nitinol as a best candidate for jewelry making. It contains a high percentage of Nickel, too elastic at room temperature and the piece might loose its shape if brought by mistake close to a heat source.
Sarit.
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