Abstract: A method of producing a safety clutch for releasable securing of a post for a body piercing is disclosed. The post is guided through a hole in a plate to be secured (but removable) between a pair of cantilever spring elements bent from the edges of the plate into position on the back side of the plate. A dome shield is also secured to the edge of plate to cover the cantilever spring elements on back side of the clutch, the dome shield including one or more ventilation holes for reducing moisture accumulation within the dome shield. The dome shield blocks an end of the post extending between the cantilever spring elements from contacting the user and possibly puncturing skin. The plate, dome shield and cantilever spring elements can be efficiently manufactured by forming and stamping from a single piece of material.

Abstract: A jewelry item has a ring part pivotally attached to a closure at one end. The closure spans the continuity of the ring from an end of the ring part and comprises a ring continuation arm extending in continuity of the ring and pivotally attached to and of the ring part at a pivoted connection. The closure further comprises a bias arm extending along with the ring continuation arm along said ring continuity. The bias arm comprises a spring part and a lever part pivotally attached to each other. A connection between said lever part and the ring part is rigid, so that as the ring part is opened, said lever part is configured to rotate inwardly towards an interior of said item. The spring part has a natural shape of smaller circumference than the ring part so that once a certain extent is reached, the spring part pulls the lever part towards the spring part in order to allow the spring part to attain its smaller diameter and thus establish a stable open position.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a bracelet is generally formed of a circular wire band that is elastically deformable. That is, at least a portion of the band is bendable by a user such that the band returns to its original form when released by the user. The bracelet has a “clasp” portion, which is a hollow tubular member, affixed to one end of the band. Another end of the band forms a bend for retaining the end of the band inside the hollow tubular member. The hollow tubular member has a portal at one end for receiving the bend. The portion of the band near the bend is deflected slightly to enable passage through the portal of the bend. Upon passage through the portal, the bend releasably fastens the two ends of the band to one another.

Abstract: A body jewelry applicator includes a gripping member adapted to receive and retain the backing of a piece of body jewelry within a hole or opening. The gripping member may be made of a foam and have one or more holes in the ends thereof for receiving the backing. The body jewelry applicator may also include a body or handle to which the gripping member is secured. A release rod may be slidably positioned within the body and movable between a first position and a second position, movement of the release rod from the first position to the second position causing the release rod to engage and expel the backing from the gripping member.

Abstract: A jewelry item has a ring part pivotally attached to a closure at one end, the closure comprising a ring continuation arm pivotally attached to the ring part, and a bias arm which in turn has a spring part and a lever pivotally attached to each other, the bias arm being rigidly attached to the ring part, so that as the ring part is opened, the lever rotates inwardly, pulling the pivoted end of the spring part, the spring part having a natural shape of smaller circumference than the ring itself so that once a certain extent is reached, the spring part pulls the lever to allow the spring part to attain its smaller diameter and thus establishes a stable open position. On closure of the ring part, the lever pushes the spring part outwardly towards the ring continuation arm to establish a second stable position to close the earring.

Abstract: A jewelry item has a closure that uses shape memory to provide two stable positions. For example, an earring has a setting and a pin, and the closure closes the pin over the ear. The closure consists of a leaf spring extending outwardly in a first loop part from a first location on the setting and looping back in a second loop part to a second location adjacent the first location on the setting. The loop parts each have shape memory and are set with different remembered shapes. The two different remembered shapes work against each other to flip the closure between two stable positions, a first position in which the closure connects to the pin to close the earring and a second position in which the closure is spaced away from the pin to open the earring. The design is particularly suitable for a huggie style earring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination of a bracelet and a device for assisting in attaching a bracelet of the type having a clasp at one end and a receiver at the other end and being flexible between such ends. The device comprises a dangling member attached to the bracelet, which dangling member is of sufficient length so that at least one finger of the wearer's involved hand can engage the dangling member against the involved hand and thereby position said receiver at or near the wrist while the wearer's other hand manipulates the clasp at the other end of the bracelet so as to bring such clasp into proximity with the receiver and then so as to attach the bracelet. In another embodiment of the invention, a detachably attachable dangling member is disclosed that can be retrofitted to a typical bracelet. In another embodiment of the invention, the dangling member is permanently attached near one end of the bracelet and is detachably attachable elsewhere on the bracelet.

Abstract: A painting apparatus for applying a coating material to a member surface of a member comprises a housing, at least one slide rail, a rack assembly, a cross beam and a spraying device. The slide rail may be mountable within the housing and may have a plurality of rack positions. The rack assembly is mountable within the housing at one of the rack positions. The rack assembly is configured to support the member such that the member surface is exposed. The cross beam may be coupled to the slide rail. The cross beam is movable along the slide rail and is positionable at the rack positions. The spraying device is mountable on the cross beam and is configured to move along the cross beam while spraying the coating material onto the member surface.

Abstract: A jewelry item is disclosed and includes a chain, which has decorative items attached to it and which has a first fastening device to hang the item from an object such as a belt loop. A second fastening device is used to adjust the length of the object. Decorative items may be attached to the chain for providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance and for gathering together into a conglomeration to conceal the chain and providing a singular compact appearance for the jewelry item. A swivel coupled to the first fastening device permits the jewelry item to be rotated to an alternate viewing position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of producing in one and the same operation precious hallmarked precious metal products. The method is particularly suited for production of such precious metal products, i.e. jewelry and objets d'art, which have complex geometries. The basic principle of the invention is the use of the free form fabrication FFF, method known per se which involve a stepwise build-up in layers of the product from a precious-metal-containing metal powder.

Abstract: A rotating cutting tool (10, 110) includes a body (12, 112) with a longitudinal axis (14, 114) and at least one flute (16, 116) and one active part (18, 118). Each active part has a peripheral surface including: a radial cutting edge (20, 120) that is at a cutting distance (Rc) from the longitudinal axis, a clearance face (30, 130) that is at a final clearance distance (Rd) from the longitudinal axis, and a control face (40, 140) that is at a penetration control distance (Rp) from the longitudinal axis. These distances satisfy the relation: 0<?p<?d, with ?p=|Rc?Rp| and ?d=|Rc?Rd|.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for connecting and mounting decorative ornaments, for example, beads, crystals, or gems, are disclosed. The arrangements and methods are particularly useful in mounting ornaments in decorative fixtures, such as chandeliers. In one aspect, an arrangement is provided that includes a first ornament having two mounting apertures and a second ornament having at least one mounting aperture; and at least one connector for connecting the first ornament to the second ornament whereby when hung the two apertures of the first ornament are laterally disposed from each other. Multiple pre-formed connectors are disclosed for use in connecting ornaments, such as ornament chains. Mounting hooks, mounting devices, and mounting arrangements are also provided for attaching ornaments to a support, for instance, mounting devices fabricated from thin plate, for example, by laser cutting.

Abstract: An improved recloseable ring and a method of manufacturing thereof.

Abstract: A jewelry bead has a rigid hollow body with an exterior wall of a first metal and a covering of a second metal whose color is different from that of the first metal. The covering overlies one or more selected areas of the wall so as to define an all-metal substantially level color pattern on the bead. A method of making the jewelry bead is also disclosed.

Abstract: A jewelry article includes an elongated support and a multiplicity of ornaments strung along the support, at least one of which constitutes an adjustable self-stopping bead. Each self-stopping bead has a rigid shell with a pair of holes sized to slidably receive the support. A flexible resilient tube is positioned inside the shell in alignment with the holes that tube having a length that is as great as or slightly greater than the spacing of the holes, an outside diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the holes and in inside diameter that is slightly smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the support so that the tube resiliently engages the support to adjustably fix the position of the self-stopping bead along the support. A method of making the self-stopping bead is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for producing a decorated adjuster for a necklace or choker in which a tube of elastic is inserted into a metal pipe to thereby form a raw material. The raw material is moved along a longitudinal axis while being rotated and pressed between a pair of molds having adjoining concavities formed between ends of the mold and in opposed relation to concavities in the other mold. The concavities have a shape gradually approaching a hemispherical form in a direction from an entry end to an exit end whereby the last concavity has a hemispherical form such that the raw material is progressively formed into a shell element. The shell elements have an inner surface coated with the elastic material and are formed upon the continual movement of the raw material through the molds. The shell elements are separated from one another and a pair of opposed through apertures are formed to thereby form the decorated adjuster.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a fusion nib on a part uses a progressive die system. The method utilizes a thin feed strip of rigid, formable material and forms the nib on a side edge of the strip using multiple progressive dies. A first die shears a side edge portion of the strip to define a finger element in the side edge of the strip. A second die is then propelled horizontally into the terminal end of the finger element to form the finger element into a mounting shoulder and a small nib on the center of the mounting shoulder. A third die then blanks out the body portion of the desired piece from the strip in another vertical stamping operation. The desired piece is thus separated from the feed strip with the nib completely formed thereon.

Abstract: A plate link (1), for attaching a clasp link (5) to the end of an ornamental chain (4), is provided for welding electrically at point (2) to constitute an unopenable ring, at one side of which is attached the end (3) of the ornamental chain (4) and at the other side of the clasp link (5) of a normal type. The novel method of attaching the end of a chain to a clasp link by means of the plate link involves the use of electrically welding the plate link and is carried out in the absence of any weld material.