Abstract:
An adjustable jewelry head or casting is provided. The head includes a track and a plurality of mounting members, at least one of which is slideable along the track. One or more pins connect the mounting members to the track. The pins are moveable to allow sliding adjustment of the mounting members with respect to one another.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 11/409 528, filed Aug. 14, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are many different shapes and sizes of gems. A separate casting is typically required for every gem that is purchased, which can be costly and time consuming. 
         [0003]    An embodiment of the present invention comprises a casting, or head, that is adjustable to fit several different sizes of gemstones, using only one head. The head is configured and adjustable to receive princess and emerald cut gems, among others. 
         [0004]    The head resides on a spring slide in order to hold a gem tight. A release mechanism enables the slide to be moved to a desired position and to tighten and hold a gem in place. A tool may be employed to move the spring slide into place and when the tool is removed, the gem is locked in place in the head. 
         [0005]    The head may be used for rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and broaches, as well as other jewelry items. It allows switching a gem for whatever reason desired or needed, such as to match gemstones with different outfits. Moreover, the novel jewelry head can be used for several different sized and shaped stones, thus reducing costs for jewelry. 
         [0006]    Other advantages, objects and/or purposes of the invention will be apparent to persons familiar with constructions of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a ring comprising a jewelry head embodying the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the jewelry head of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the jewelry head of  FIG. 1 , taken along line in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a track portion of the jewelry head of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of three different shapes of gemstones which may be used in the jewelry head of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a ring comprising a jewelry head of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of the ring of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is an end elevational view of a track portion of the jewelry head of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational exploded view of the ring of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is an end elevational view of a mounting member of the jewelry head of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the jewelry head of  FIG. 6 , taken along line XI-XI in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    An embodiment of the novel invention is generally a piece of jewelry, such as a ring, with an adjustable head or casting. The jewelry may be other items such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and broaches, as well. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a ring  10 , which generally includes a shank  12  and a head  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the head  14  includes a first claw portion  16 , a second claw portion  18 , and a track  20 . 
         [0020]    The first claw portion  16  includes a first bezel member  22 , which is preferably in the general shape of a semi-circle or horseshoe. Extending upwardly from the first bezel member  22  are two prongs  24 ,  26 . The prongs  24 ,  26  are fixedly attached to the first bezel member  22  and are positioned generally on opposite sides of the first bezel member. The second claw portion  18  comprises a second bezel member  28  and two prongs  30 ,  32  extending upwardly from the second bezel member  28 . The second bezel member  28  is preferably shaped as a semi-circle or horseshoe and is a mirror image of the first bezel member  22 . Prongs  30 ,  32  are fixedly attached to, and extend upwardly from, the second bezel member  28  and are positioned generally on opposite sides of the second bezel member  28 . The first claw portion and the second claw portion  16 ,  18  are positioned opposing one another, and together define a complete claw and bezel arrangement for setting a gemstone therein. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , depending from first bezel member  22  are two pins  34 , which are preferably at an angle other than 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first bezel member  22 . Likewise, two pins  36  depend from second bezel member  28 , and are preferably at an angle other than 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the second bezel member  28 . Pins  34  are on opposite sides of first bezel member  22 , and pins  36  are on opposite sides of second bezel member  28 . 
         [0022]    The track  20  includes a first track member  38  and a second track member  40 . The first track member  38  and second track member  40  are preferably elongated and parallel to one another. The first bezel member  22  and second bezel member  28  ride along both first track member  38  and second track member  40 . See  FIG. 3 . The first track member  38  and second track member  40  are attached to a base  42  which is in turn attached to the shank  12  or other jewelry member. Each of the first track member  38  and second track member  40  has apertures therein, in which the pins  34  or  36  will fit. As show in in  FIG. 3 , first track member  38  has two sets of apertures  44 ,  46 . Second track member  40  also has two sets of apertures, which are preferably identical to those of track member  38 . Apertures  44  extend in a direction at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail  38 . A preferred angle is 45° but it is contemplated that other angles may be employed. Preferably, apertures  46  are also at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first track member  38 , such as 45°, and at the same angle, but in the opposite direction, with respect to apertures  44 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The angles of the apertures  44  and  46  are preferably at the same angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first track member  38  as the respective angles of the pins  34  and  36  are with respect to the first bezel member  22  and second bezel member  28 , respectively. Second track member  40  also preferably has the same angle of apertures as first track member  38  such that the pins  34 ,  36  on the opposing side of the first bezel member  22  and second bezel member  28  will extend into such apertures.  FIG. 4  shows an overhead view of the track  20  and the relative positions of the apertures in tracks  38 ,  40 . Pins  34 ,  36  friction fit into apertures  44 ,  46 , or are held in place by other means such as one or more springs attached to both the first bezel member  22  and the second bezel member  28 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a variety of shapes of gemstones that may be used with the jewelry head of the  FIG. 1-4  embodiment. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 6-10  depict a second and preferred embodiment of the novel jewelry head.  FIG. 6  shows a ring  60  that includes this head. The ring  60  comprises a shank  62  and a jewelry head  64  attached to the shank  62 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the shank  62  includes a flat upper surface  66  which is defined by opposing lips  67 . An aperture  66   a , preferably elongated and centrally positioned, extends through the flat upper surface  66 . 
         [0025]    The head  64  includes a track  68 , a first mounting member  70 , and a second mounting member  72 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the track  68  has a substantially uniform base  74  which defines the bottom of the track  68 . The base is sized and shaped to fit on the upper flat surface  66  of the shank  62 , between lips  67 . The bottom of the track  68  is preferably fixedly attached to the upper flat surface  66  and/or lips  67 . The base  74  also defines an inner slideable surface  92 , which is preferably flat and extends the entire length of the base  74 . Extending upwardly from each side of the base  74  is a wall member. On one side of the base  74  there is a first wall member  76 , and on the opposing side of the base  74  there is a second wall member  78 . The wall members  76 ,  78  are substantially mirror images with respect to one another as they are positioned on the base  74  of the track  68 . Together base  74  and first wall member  76  define a first outer wall surface  80 , and base  74  and second wall member  78  define a second outer wall surface  82 . First wall member  76  also defines a first top surface  84 , and second wall member  78  defines a second top surface  86 . First top surface  84  and second top surface  86  are preferably both flat and in the same plane as one another. First wall member  76  also defines a first inner wall surface  88 , and second wall member  78  defines a second inner wall surface  90 . The first inner wall surface is transverse to, and at an angle other than 90° with respect to, both the plane in which first outer wall surface  80  exists and the plane in which the slideable surface  92  resides. The angle between the first inner wall surface  88  and the slideable surface  92  is depicted as A 1  in  FIG. 8 . The second inner wall  90  is also transverse to, and at an angle other than 90° with respect to, the plane in which second outer wall surface  82  exists and the plane in which the slideable surface  92  resides. The angle between the second inner wall  90  and the slideable surface  92  is depicted as A 2  in  FIG. 8 . Most preferably the A 1  angle and the A 2  angle are identical. The angles A 1 , A 2  are each preferably in the range of 50°-60° and more preferably about 55°. 
         [0026]    The overall width of the track  68  is depicted as D 1  in  FIG. 8 ; the width of the slideable surface is depicted as D 2 ; the height of the base is depicted as D 3 , the height of the first wall member  76  (and the second wall member  78 ) is depicted as D 4 ; and the overall height of the track  68  (that is D 3 +D 4 ) is depicted as D 5 . Preferably, the ratio of the height of the first wall member  76  and second wall member  78  to the height of the base  74  (that is, D 4 :D 3 ) is 2 to 1. Also, the ratio of the distances of the width of the slideable surface  92  to the height of the track  68  (that is, D 2 :D 5 ) is preferably 2 to 1. In addition, the ratio of the width of the slideable surface  92  to the height of the first wall member  76  and the second wall member  78  (that is, D 2 :D 4 ) is preferably 3 to 1. Moreover, the length dimension of the width of the track  68  to the width of the slideable surface  92  (that is D 1 :D 2 ) is preferably 4 to 3. 
         [0027]    The shape of the resulting inner space  93  of the track member  68  is that of a female portion of a dove tail joint, and along with parts of the track  68  is a holding structure for retaining one or more mounting members. However, it is contemplated that other shapes and length dimension ratios may be used. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the track  68  has a plurality of apertures  94  which preferably extend along the central longitudinal axis of the track  68 , and are equally spaced from one another. The apertures  94  each extend through the entire height D 3  of the base  74  of the track  68 , and are sized and shaped to receive a portion of a pin, which is discussed in more detail below. 
         [0029]      FIG. 10  shows an end view of second mounting member  72 . The mounting members  70 ,  72  each have a bottom member  96  which is connected to or integral with a bezel portion  98 . Extending upwardly from one side of the bezel portion  98  is a first prong  100 , and extending upwardly from the opposing side of the bezel portion  98  is a second prong  102 . The bottom member  96  has a bottom surface  104  which is substantially flat, and two opposing side wall surfaces  106 ,  108 . The shape of the bottom member is that of a male dove tail joint member and thus is complimentary in shape to the inner space  93  defined in the track  68 . Each of the side wall surfaces  106 ,  108  is transverse to, and at an angle other than 90° with respect to, both the plane in which the bottom surface  104  resides, which in  FIG. 10  is shown as being horizontal, and with respect to the vertical (as the mounting member  72  is depicted in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0030]    The bezel portion  98 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , has substantially vertical side wall surfaces  110 . The bezel portion  98  also has a first bottom surface  112 , adjacent a first side of the bottom member  96 , and a second bottom surface  114 , adjacent the opposing second side of the bottom member  96 . The bezel  98  also includes a top surface  116 , which is preferably slightly curved. 
         [0031]    The side wall surface  106  is at an angle A 3  with respect to the first bottom surface  112  of the bezel portion  98 . The second side wall surface  108  is at an angle A 4  with respect to the second bottom surface  114  of the bezel portion  98 . Preferably, angles A 3  and A 4  are identical, and are complimentary in nature to angles A 1  and A 2 . Thus, the bottom member  96 , which preferably has a width slightly less than the width D 2  of the slideable surface  92 , will fit within the inner space  93  of the track  68 . The bottom member  96  has a height depicted as D 6  in  FIG. 10  and the bezel member has a height depicted as D 7  in  FIG. 10 . Preferably, D 6  and D 7  are substantially the same length. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , each of the mounting members  70 ,  72  have an aperture therein. First mounting member  70  includes aperture  118  and second mounting member  72  includes aperture  120 . Aperture  118  receives a spring  122  and a portion of a pin  124 . Aperture  120  receives a spring  126  and a portion of a pin  128 . Pin  124  includes a top cylindrical portion  130  and a bottom portion  132 . The bottom portion  132  has a diameter less than that of the top cylindrical portion  130 . Pin  128  includes a top cylindrical portion  134  and a bottom portion  136 . The bottom portion  136  has a diameter that is less than the diameter of cylindrical portion  134 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , each of the first mounting member  70  and second mounting member  72  is placed within the inner space  93  of the track  68 , such that the bottom surfaces  104  of the respective bottom members  96  rest on the slideable surface  92  of the track  68 . In the first mounting member  70 , spring  122  is inserted above pin  124  in the aperture  118 . In the second mounting member  72 , spring  126  is inserted above pin  128  in the aperture  120 . The bottom portion  132  of pin  124  is positioned in an aperture  94  in the track  68  and the bottom portion  136  of pin  128  is positioned in a different aperture  94  of the track  68 . 
         [0033]    To change the size of the setting, the tip of a small awl or other similar tool is inserted through hole  66   a  in the shank  62  and into an aperture  94  where one of the pins, for instance pin  124 , resides. Using the tool, the pin  124  is pressed upwards against the biasing strength of spring  122  to a position above the slideable surface  92  such that the first mounting member  70  can be slid along the slideable surface  92 . Once the desired location is reached, the tool is removed, allowing the bottom portion  132  of pin  124  to drop into a different aperture  94 , the biasing force of spring  122  pressing the pin downwardly and holding the pin  124  in the chosen aperture  94 . The same procedure is then performed, if desired, for second mounting member  72  such that an appropriate distance between prongs  102  and between prongs  100  is achieved. A gemstone is then inserted into the claw made up of the prongs  100 ,  102  and the first mounting member and/or the second mounting member  70 ,  72  can be adjusted, if necessary, to create a tight fit for the gemstone. As desired, this gemstone may be removed and other gemstones inserted using the above procedure. 
         [0034]    Alternatively, one of the mounting members  70 ,  72  is fixedly attached to either the track  68  or to a portion of the shank  62 . The other of the mounting members  70 ,  72  is still moveable along the slideable surface  92 , and with respect to the opposing mounting member, thus resulting in an adjustable head. 
         [0035]    The casting and setting apparatus and procedure described above allows a user to use multiple gemstones, and swap them, in a single piece of jewelry without the cost of buying a new ring or other such jewelry item. 
         [0036]    Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.