Means and method for making jewelry

A means and method for making jewelry, particularly finger rings, the outer curvate surface of which is provided with a decorative band which, prior to installation is flexible along an axis perpendicular to its major axis to enable it to be fitted to the outer surface of a base member and maintained thereon by soldering or by the expansion of the base member to greater diameter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to the field of jewelry manufacture, and 
more particularly to an improved means and method for obtaining a finger 
ring or similar article having a unique appearance resembling, for example 
alligator hide or a similar texture on the outer surface of the article. 
It is known in the art to manufacture finger rings by providing a generally 
cylindrical base member upon which decorative outer shells are mounted by 
soldering or by expanding the base member slightly to firmly grip the 
inner surface of the shell. The United States Patent to Eliasoff, U.S. 
Pat. No. 1,599,811 of Sept. 14, 1926 is one example of this type of 
construction. 
However, most of the outer decorative elements are themselves castings or 
stampings, and the amount and character of the surface ornamentation 
available thereon is relatively limited. Simulation of linked structures 
such as chain mail, as well as other embellishment forms lack depth and 
realism. Further, when the outer decorative shell is formed from precious 
metals, often more of such a metal is used in the manufacture than is 
warranted. With the present cost of gold over $400 per troy ounce, the 
cost of such castings has limited practical use. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of an improved 
means and method for manufacture of composite type jewelry articles. The 
decorative outer element or shell is formed as a plurality of linked 
structures interconnected in such manner that flexibility is obtained 
along an axis perpendicular to the principal axis of the element. Each of 
the links comprising the structure includes a transversely extending strip 
at one end thereof from which a plurality of identical or non-identical 
members extend along the principal axis of the element. Each of these 
members terminates in an elongated strip which is bent about the 
transversely extending strip of the next link in offset or staggered 
relation. When completed, the strip may be bent to cylindrical 
configuration and interconnected at the free ends thereof to form a sleeve 
which is slipped over the outer surface of the relatively rigid base and 
interconnected therewith by expanding the base or soldering the element 
thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS 
In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 discloses 
a basic element 10, in the form of a sheet metal stamping from precious or 
non-precious metal. The element 10 includes a transversely extending bar 
11 supporting a plurality of decorative members 12, each having a 
connecting portion 13, a decorative portion 14, and an elongated terminal 
portion 15 disposed on a side of the decorative portion 14 opposite the 
portion 13. The decorative portion 14 is illustrated as having generally 
circular configuration. 
FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate form of basic element, generally indicated 
by reference character 20. It also includes a transversely extending bar 
21, and a plurality of decorative members 22, each including a connecting 
portion 23, a decorative portion 24, and a terminal portion 25. The 
decorative portion 24 differs from that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 
in that it is of six-sided elongated configuration having a centrally 
disposed opening 27. It will be understood by those skilled in the art 
that other forms of decorative portion may also be employed. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the basic elements 10 are interconnected with 
each other by placing succeeding element in slightly staggered or offset 
relation, and bending the free ends of the terminal portions 15 about a 
transversely extending bar 11 of an adjacent element 10. The result is an 
elongated strip 30 having limited flexibility at the points of 
interconnection of the link which permits the strip to bend about spaced 
parallel axes perpendicular to the principal axis of the strip. 
FIG. 5 illustrates the next step in the process which is the 
interconnection of the free end edges in a similar manner to form an 
annular unit 34. 
FIG. 6 illustrates a conventional cast ring base 37 bounded by a pair of 
end surfaces, one of which is indicated by reference character 38, an 
inner surface 39 and an outer surface 40. The unit 34 shown in FIG. 5 is 
dimensioned to closely correspond to the outer surface 40. It is slipped 
over the outer surface 40 and secured thereto by soldering or other well 
known means. The finished article is designated by reference character 42 
in FIG. 7. As an alternate form of integration, where the base 37 is made 
of sufficient thinness, it may be expanded to frictionally grip the inner 
surface of the annular unit 34. 
The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be treated in a similar fashion to 
result in a finished article having a different decorative appearance. 
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the application of 
the present invention is not confined to finger rings. The strip element 
30, where desired, may be secured to a planar surface to make an 
attractive pin, brooch or similar article as well. By affixing an earring 
wire to an inner surface, and cutting the peripheral surfaces of the 
strip, an attractive earring may also be made. 
We wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention limited 
to the particular details of structure shown and set forth in this 
specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in 
the art to which the invention pertains.