Method for affixing attachments to a plurality of stones

Abstract

The present invention is an improved method for affixing attachments to a plurality of stones. According to the disclosed method a pin is attached on one side to an attachment which is attached at the other end to the metallic base supporting the plurality of stones.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is generally directed to the production of jewelry and more particularly to an improved method for affixing attachments to a plurality of stones.

[0002] Jewelry, such as rings, earrings, pendants, etc . . . are typically comprised of precious metals such as gold, silver etc., supporting stones, whether non-precious, semi-precious or precious stones such as diamonds. Projecting metal clips, prongs or bars typically support and surround the stones sufficiently and visibly so the stones do not fall out. Another method gaining popularity is the invisible setting in which the stones after having at least one grove cut into them are packed tightly so that the metal between the stones is not externally visible.

[0003] One further advanced step in jewelry gaining popularity is the affixing of an additional piece of jewelry, typically referred to as an attachment or an enhancement, on top of the stones. Until now the only methods of affixing an attachment was by soldering the piece of jewelry onto the frame of the setting in the case of invisible and other settings or onto the metal clips, prongs or bars in the non-invisible settings or by somehow sticking it on which is the least reliable means. There is therefore a need for a method to affix an attachment to a setting of stones devoid of the above limitation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is of an improved method for affixing attachments to a plurality of stones.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved method of affixing attachments to a plurality of stones set in a metallic base, the method including the steps of providing at least one pin and securing the attachment to the metallic base by means of the at least one pin.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved jewelry setting system, the system including an attachment affixable to a surface formed by a plurality of stones. The system includes a metallic base including an ordered array of holes, with each of the holes capable of containing a stone belonging to the plurality of stones. The system further includes at least one pin, each of the at least one pin passing through the surface and each of the pins comprising a first end and a second end, and the surface including the plurality of stones. Each of the first end of the at least one pin is integrally formed with or attached to the attachment and wherein each of the second end of the at least one pin is integrally formed with or attached to the metallic base.

[0007] According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the method includes the additional steps of cutting at least one stone belonging to the plurality of stones in order to form at least one hole through which the at least one pin may transverse, of providing holes in a metallic base, the holes accommodating at least a portion of the plurality of stones and providing at least one additional hole capable of allowing a pin belonging to the at least one pin to pass through.

[0008] According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, at least one member of the group consisting of the attachment, the at least one pin and the metallic base is constructed of an alloy containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of gold and silver.

[0009] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments at least some stones belonging to the plurality of stones are cut to create holes in the surface the plurality of stones through which the at least one pin transverse.

[0010] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the at least one pin is attached to the metallic base by a means selected from the group consisting of soldering, welding, gluing, twisting, crimping and hammering.

[0011] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the plurality of stones includes stones selected from the group consisting of, semiprecious stones, precious stones and gems.

[0012] According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the surface including the plurality of stones includes an invisible setting and the stones are cut at least in a portion to allow the plurality of pins to transverse through the stones set in the invisible setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0014] In the drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1A is an upper view of an assembled piece of jewelry illustrating an attachment affixed to a surface of invisibly set gemstones according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 1B is a perspective side view of the attachment and setting according to the embodiment of 1A;

[0017] FIG. 1C is an upper view of the metallic base showing a hole for a pin to pass through according to the embodiment of 1A;

[0018] FIG. 1D is an upper view of a stone cut to allow a pin to transverse according to the embodiment of 1A;

[0019] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of a stone cut to allow a pin to transverse according to the embodiment of 1A;

[0020] FIG 1F is a close-up perspective view of the present invention illustrating a pin attached to an attachment transversing through a hole formed by four cut stones set using the invisible setting according to the embodiment of 1A;

[0021] FIG. 2A is an upper view of part of an assembled piece of jewelry illustrating an attachment affixed to a surface of stones set by a standard method with the aid of projecting metal clips, prongs or bars according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2B is a perspective side view of the attachment and setting according to the embodiment of 2A;

[0023] FIG. 2C is an upper view of the metallic base showing a hole for a pin to pass through according to the embodiment of 2A;

[0024] FIG. 2D is a perspective view showing a pin attached to an attachment transversing through a hole between stones according to the embodiment of 2A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The present invention is generally directed to the production of jewelry and more particularly to an improved method for affixing attachments to a plurality of stones.

[0026] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0027] The principles and operation of the improved method for affixing attachments to a plurality of stones according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0028] This present invention can be applied to stones set in a variety of settings. It is particularly useful in invisible settings and may also be used in standard settings which include but are not limited to bezel, kundan, beveled, seamless, frustrum, bead, milligraining, carre, and prong and claw settings.

[0029] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A is an upper view of an assembled piece of jewelry 10 illustrating an attachment 20 affixed to a surface 29 of invisibly set stones 22.

[0030] According to preferred embodiments of the present invention there is provided an improved method of affixing attachments 20 to a plurality of stones 22 set in a metallic base 24. The method includes the steps of providing at least one pin 21 and securing attachment 20 to metallic base 24 by means of pin 21.

[0031] The invention is further embodied by an improved jewelry setting system. The system includes attachment 20 affixable to surface 29 included of plurality of stones 22. The system includes a metallic base 24 including an ordered array of holes 25, with each of holes 25 capable of containing stone 22 belonging to plurality of stones 22. The system also includes at least one pin 21, passing through surface 29 and each of pins 21 including a first end 23 and a second end 25, and surface 29 including the plurality of stones 22. Each first end 23 (FIG. 1B) of pin 21 is integrally formed with or attached to attachment 20 and each second end 25 of pin 21 is integrally formed with or attached to metallic base 24.

[0032] According to the preferred embodiments of the invention, (FIG. 1D) the method includes the additional steps of cutting 28 at least one stone 27 belonging to the plurality of stones 22 in order to form at least one hole 23 (FIG. 1F) through which pin 21 may transverse and of providing holes 26 (FIG 1C) in metallic base 24. Holes 25 accommodate at least a portion of the plurality of stones 22 and provide at least one additional hole 26 capable of allowing pin 21 to pass there through.

[0033] According to alternate preferred embodiments of the invention, the attachment or the at least one pin 21 or the metallic base 24 or any combination thereof are constructed of an alloy containing a precious metal including, but not limited to, gold or silver.

[0034] At least some stones 27 (FIG. 1E) belonging to the plurality of stones 22 are cut to create holes 23 in the surface 29 formed by plurality of stones 22 through which pin 21 transverses. Pin 21 is further attached to metallic base 24, for example by soldering, welding, gluing, twisting, crimping and hammering or by other means known to those skilled in the art of jewelry manufacture.

[0035] Stones 22 may be for example, semiprecious stones, precious stones gems or any other stones from natural or non-natural sources.

[0036] The surface 29 formed by stones 22 set in an invisible setting and the stones are cut 27 at least in a portion to allow pin 21 to transverse through the stones set in the invisible setting.

[0037] In an alternate preferred embodiment (FIG. 2A) attachment 20 is affixed to surface 29 including plurality of stones 22 set by a standard method, including but not limited to bezel, kundan, beveled, seamless, frustrum, bead, milligraining, carre, and prong 34 and claw settings, set in metallic base 24.

[0038] FIG. 2B is a perspective side view of the present invention showing attachment 20 with its pins 21 separately before attachment to an ornament 31.

[0039] FIG. 2C is an upper view of a part of the metallic base 24 showing hole 26 for pin2l to pass through.

[0040] FIG. 2D is a perspective view showing pin 21 attached to an attachment 30 transversing through hole 23 between stones 22.

[0041] It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An improved method of affixing attachments to a plurality of stones set in a metallic base, the method comprising the steps of,

(a) providing at least one pin;

(b) securing the attachment to the metallic base by means of said at least one pin.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of cutting at least one stone belonging to the plurality of stones in order to form at least one hole through which said at least one pin may transverse.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of providing holes in a metallic base, said holes accommodating at least a portion of the plurality of stones.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of providing at least one additional hole capable of allowing a pin belonging to said at least one pin to pass through.

5. An improved jewelry setting system, the system comprising:

(a) an attachment affixable to a surface, said surface comprising a plurality of stones;

(b) a metallic base comprising an ordered array of holes, each of said holes capable of containing a stone belonging to said plurality of stones;

(c) at least one pin, each of said pins passing through said surface and each of said pins comprising a first end and a second end;

(d) said surface comprising said plurality of stones;

wherein each of said first end of said at least one pin is integrally formed with or attached to said attachment; and

wherein each of said second end of said at least one pin is integrally formed with or attached to said metallic base.

6. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 2, wherein said attachment is constructed of an alloy containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of gold and silver.

7. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 3, wherein said at least one pin is constructed of an alloy containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of gold and silver.

8. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 2, wherein said metallic base is constructed of an alloy containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of gold and silver.

9. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 5, wherein at least some stones belonging to said plurality of stones are cut to create holes in said surface comprises of said plurality of stones through which said at least one pin transverse.

10. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 6, wherein said metallic base further comprises at least one additional hole capable of allowing a pin belonging to said at least one pin to pass through.

11. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 7, wherein said at least one pin are attached to said metallic base by a means selected from the group consisting of soldering, welding, gluing, twisting, crimping and hammering.

12. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of stones includes stones selected from the group consisting of, semiprecious stones, precious stones and gems.

13. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 2, wherein said surface comprising said plurality of stones comprises an invisible setting.

14. The improved jewelry setting system of claim 2, wherein said gemstones are cut at least in a portion to allow said plurality of pins to transverse through said gemstones set in said invisible setting.