Abstract:
Process for diamond covering bodies of substantially spherical or prismatic shape being used in jewelry, of the type which does not require removal of material are described. The single object is deposited within a seat which acts as a container and is successively subjected to a punching action. The process is characterized by the fact that the single object is automatically positioned at each punching action with a different portion of the surface of the object to be diamond covered.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a process for diamond covering bodies which are substantially spherical, such as small balls, polyhedral, or prismatic, such as bars, tubes, straps, chains and similar articles used in the jewelry field and a machine used for this process.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It is known that one of the procedures used for increasing the aesthetic appearance of an object in the jewelry field is the procedure called diamond covering with which one gives to the surface of the object a play of lights which contribute in a determinating manner to define the appearance of the jewelry article, no matter whether it is a bracelet, a necklace, a pin or other items.  
           [0003]    The operation of diamond covering is carried out by means of machines which are provided with diamond edged tools, which, by removing some material from the surface of the object, create a plurality of facets having a mirror-like shine, which, being differently oriented create the desired bright aesthetic effect.  
           [0004]    The operation of diamond covering is particularly simple if it is carried out on chain assemblies in which one removes up to 30% of the section of the thread which constitutes the single ring of the chain, generating a plurality of planar or convex surfaces while, on the contrary, this operation turns out to be complex when it is necessary to diamond cover surfaces of objects which are essentially spherical, or prismatic, particularly when they are of small dimensions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic process for diamond covering objects essentially spherical, or prismatic, such as small balls, micro-fused pieces, printed, drawn, linked together objects and similar objects, used for the creation of articles in the jewelry field which is simpler than the known processes.  
           [0006]    Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic process for diamond covering these articles which achieves the diamond covering of the surfaces without the removal of material so that it is not necessary to use removing tools.  
           [0007]    Still another object is to provide a process for diamond covering in which the effect of the plays of light results stronger and aesthetically more effective than the known processes.  
           [0008]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic process which ensures a perfect and total diamond covering of the surface of the object being worked without the necessity of regulations or controls, on the part of the operator during the working phase.  
           [0009]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine for diamond covering, essentially spherical, or prismatic objects which functions with the automatic process of the invention.  
           [0010]    The automatic process of diamond covering of the invention requires in the first step, that a single object be deposited, always automatically, in a seat as a container, then, the same object is subjected to a punching action by means of a punching apparatus, of known construction, so that on the surface of the same object there is generated a plurality of microcavities which are differently oriented, thus magnifying the plays of the light with significant aesthetic effects.  
           [0011]    The novel feature of the invention resides mainly in the fact that the single object positions itself, automatically, to each successive action of punching with a different portion of its surface with respect to the top of the punching tool, up to the complete treatment of the entire surface to be diamond covered.  
           [0012]    In the first type of automatic process, suitable for diamond covering objects which are spherical, essentially spherical or polyhedral, of reduced dimensions, the the continuous and different positioning of the object, referred to hereinbelow as a small ball, occurs automatically due to the fact that the ball is immersed in a turbulent flux of compressed air and the base of the seat for containing the ball is advantageously made of a material which has a certain amount of elasticity, which may be very small. In this manner the object is connected to a mechanism which puts the object in motion in a manner that the object is positioned, for every successive action of punching, with a different portion of surface to be diamond covered.  
           [0013]    With this constructive manner during the punching action, the ball is pushed upwardly so that it continuously hits the top of the tool due to the combination of two actions applied on the ball, the action of the turbulent motion of the compressed air and the action of the elastic reaction of the base against which the same ball is pushed after each punching because it is pushed downwardly by the vibrating alternating motion of the same top of the tool.  
           [0014]    During the upward and downward micromotion of the ball within the seat containing the ball, the ball rotates on itself, due to the two combined effects, in a casual manner so that the ball offers to the tool always a different and new surface to be punched, so that after a certain number of punchings, set forth by the operator, the entire surface is completely diamond covered.  
           [0015]    According to a second type of automatic process, suitable for diamond covering prismatic articles such as tubes, bars, straps and similar articles, with a circular section, or polygonal, it is possible to use an apparatus without the flux of air, because in this case it is not the object which bounces back and continuously hits the tool, but it is the tool which comes closer and farther from the object while the object remains contained on the seat and eventually and advantageously it is resting on a base which has some elasticity. In this manner the object is connected to a mechanism which puts the object in motion in a manner that the object is positioned, for every successive action of punching, with a different surface portion to be diamond covered.  
           [0016]    The machine for diamond covering objects which have a shape essentially spherical or prismatic and functioning according to the process described hereinabove, comprises the group for feeding the objects to be diamond covered, the group with the seat for containing each object during the diamond covering and the group for supporting the punch. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The characteristics of the process of this invention and the machine for carrying out the process will be better understood by reference to possible embodiments provided as non-limiting illustration by referece to the drawings, of which  
         [0018]    FIGS.  1 - 4  and  5 - 8  show successive phases of two different manner of operation, always automatic, using objects which are essentially spherical or polyhedral;  
         [0019]    FIGS.  9 - 11  are elevational views of three different phases of operation of the machine functioning according to the processes of FIGS.  1 - 8 ;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 shows schematically the automatic process of of diamond covering of prismatic filiform objects with a section essentially circular or polyhedral;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 13 shows schematically the automatic process of diamond covering of straps;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 14 shows schematically the automatic process of diamond covering the external surface of annular objects; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    As shown in FIG. 1, the ball ( 1 ) to be diamond covered is placed in the interior of seat ( 2 ) for containment and rests on base ( 3 ) made of a material which has some elasticity, even minimal amount.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 shows the punching apparatus ( 4 ) which through nozzles ( 5 ) sends to seat ( 2 ) a flux of compressed air which raises the ball from the base so that it hits against tool ( 6 ) so that this tool cuts into the surface of the ball.  
         [0025]    The tool ( 6 ) has a motion vibrating alternatively so that the ball in the contact receives a push downwardly which deforms due to compression the base ( 3 ) as shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0026]    As a consequence the ball ( 1 ) is again pushed upwardly by the elastic base moving in a casual manner vertically and rotating on itself prior to coming in contact with the tool ( 6 ) (see FIG. 4).  
         [0027]    The working phases described hereinabove are repeated up to the complete diamond covering of the surface of ball ( 1 ).  
         [0028]    As shown in FIGS.  5 - 8 , also when the process does not use the flux of compressed air, the ball ( 1 ) is placed in the interior of seat ( 2 ) where it is contained and rests on base ( 3 ) made of a material having a certain amount of elasticity (see FIG. 5).  
         [0029]    At the beginning of each punching action, the punch ( 4 ) is lowered and the tip provides to cut into the surface of ball ( 1 ) generating in the meantime a push which deforms slightly due to compression base ( 3 ) (see FIG. 6).  
         [0030]    Afterwards the punch ( 4 ) rises and the ball ( 1 ), remaining free, is pushed upwardly by the elastic base ( 3 ), moving in a casual manner vertically and rotating on itself (in FIG. 7).  
         [0031]    Finally the ball ( 1 ) falls into seat ( 2 ) positioning itself in a different manner such that, when the punch ( 4 ) lowers itself a punching occurs in a new portion of the surface (see FIG. 7).  
         [0032]    The working phases described hereinabove are repeated until the surface of the ball ( 1 ) is completely diamond covered.  
         [0033]    As shown in FIG. 9, the machine which is used to carry out the process described hereinabove comprises a storehouse ( 7 ) of balls ( 1 ) to be diamond covered which, through conduit ( 8 ) provided with pneumatic bulkheads ( 9 ), are deposited singularly in a container. This container is capable of undergoing a displacement due to the action of pneumatic cylinder ( 10 ) so as to position the ball ( 1 ) corresponding to the position of the punch ( 4 ) and above the elastic base ( 3 ).  
         [0034]    After the action of punching of the entire surface ends, the container is further displaced by cylinder ( 10 ) to unload the balls with the diamond covering into the collector ( 11 ).  
         [0035]    For the purpose of diamond covering prismatic bodies having an essentially circular section such as bars, threads or tubes, as shown in FIG. 12, the machine which functions according to the general working principle of this invention, provides that the body ( 1 .A) located within seat ( 20 ), is placed in motion in order to offer always a new portion of the surface to the punching apparatus ( 4 ) due to the action of two wheels ( 30 ) disposed with the rotation axes arranged reciprocally which do not belong to the same plane so that the object ( 1 .A) receives a motion which is a combination of axial advance (arrow x) and axial rotation (arrow y).  
         [0036]    Analogously, in order to diamond cover the surface of prismatic bodies having a substantially planar section as shown in FIG. 13, such as straps, ribbons and similar objects, the machine functioning according to the general working principle of this invention provides that body ( 1 .B), located within seat ( 20 ) offer always a new portion of the surface to the punch ( 4 ) due to the combined action of the axial displacement of the object (see arrow H) which is provided by the pulling wheels ( 60 ) associated with the spacial displacement of the apparatus (see dredge K).  
         [0037]    Finally, in order to diamond cover the surface of annular bodies, eventually hollow in the interior, such as rings, bracelets and similar objects, the machine, as shown in FIG. 14, functioning according to the general working principle of this invention, provides that body ( 1 .C) is mounted on a hub ( 70 ) and is put in motion in order to offer always a new portion of the surface to the punching apparatus ( 4 ), due to a combined motion of axial advance according to arrow W combined with axial rotation according to arrow Z of hub ( 70 ). According to the last embodiment there is provided that the fitting between hub ( 70 ) and the annular body ( 1 .C) with crown ( 71 ) be of material which has a certain amount of elasticity, even very small.  
         [0038]    Obviously changes of the machine different from the described machine are possible without departing from the following claims.