Patent ID: 6742359
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: A44C

Abstract:
A jewelry piece having a replaceable setting for a decorative article comprising:an opening in said jewelry piece configured to receive said decorative article allowing a portion thereof to protrude forwardly of said opening said jewelry piece having a stop preventing said decorative article from passing through said opening; a pivoted spring element having a pivot connection pivotally joining said element to said jewelry piece at a point adjacent said opening, said spring element formed by two resiliently deflectable elongate segments, each extending from said pivot connection to be swingable thereabout towards and over said opening, or back and away from said opening, a first deflectable elongate segment of said spring element adjacent said pivot connection having an article engaging seat located away from said pivot connection, and a second deflectable elongate segment of said spring element having an end positionable beneath a catch on an opposite side of said opening from said pivot connection, when pivoted towards said opening carrying said seat to be in engagement with an under portion of a decorative article received into said opening and causing said first and second deflectable elongate segment of said spring element to be resiliently deflected thereby generating a resilient force acting on said decorative article to hold said decorative article against said stop; said catch on said jewelry piece engagable with said second deflectable elongate segment of said spring element to hold said spring element in said deflected state, whereby said decorative article can be readily replaced and secured therein by manipulation of said spring element.