Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method for making an item of jewelry. The method includes the steps of providing a chain comprising a plurality of links; providing at least one bead having an opening defined therethrough; providing a press having a support member, a hammer, and at least one pin; positioning the bead on the chain; resting the bead on the support member; positioning a first link on the at least one pin; and actuating the press, whereby the first link is widened. In a preferred embodiment the item of jewelry is a rosary.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a method for making a rosary, and, in particular embodiments, a method for making a rosary using a press. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Rosaries have been made for centuries and many methods have been used for manufacturing them. For example, the traditional or “tying” method comprises inserting a wire through a bead and making a “pig-tail” like loop on both ends of the bead, to hold the bead in place. Then another wire is inserted into the loop and another similar loop is made. The loops have two functions; first to connect a first bead to the next one, and secondly to hold the bead in place. This operation is repeated for all of the beads throughout the making of the rosary. However, problems with this method exist. Sometimes, a sharp point on the end of the wire can be created when cutting the wire to make the loop. This point can scratch or even cut the wearer/user of the rosary. Also, because this type of rosary is “hand made” the process is not always exactly the same and the rosary can look crooked since the beads are not always perfectly aligned. Also, by pulling this type of rosary the rosary can be easily broken. 
   In another method, commonly referred to as the hooking method, a wire is inserted into each bead and bent into a loop shape at both ends. This step is repeated until the rosary is complete. However, the greatest disadvantage with this method is that if the user pulls on the rosary the loops can come apart which may result in the beads falling off of the wire. 
   In another method known as the soldering method, a long chain is passed through the openings in the beads, the beads are spaced apart from one another as desired and are then soldered into position. The problems with this method are that the soldering material can ooze out of the beads and form an ugly and uneven surface on the bead, and the soldering may weaken the chain and result in breakage. The oozing of the solder out of the beads also can cause stiffening of the chain around the bead, thus making the chain prone to bending around the beads. Lastly, this method cannot be used with some materials, such as Mother of Pearl or Olive wood. 
   Accordingly, a need exists for a method for making a rosary that overcomes the disadvantages described above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for making an item of jewelry. The method includes the steps of providing a chain comprising a plurality of links; providing at least one bead having an opening defined therethrough; providing a press having a support member, a hammer, and at least one pin; positioning the bead on the chain; resting the bead on the support member; positioning a first link on the at least one pin; and actuating the press, whereby the first link is widened. In a preferred embodiment the press includes at least two pins positioned on opposite sides of the support member, and the method comprises the additional steps of positioning a second link on the second pin and widening the second link. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making an item of jewelry. The method includes the steps of providing a chain comprising at least first, second and third links each having a first width; providing at least one bead having an opening defined therethrough; positioning the bead on the chain by inserting the chain through the opening in the bead such that at least a portion of the second bead is positioned within the opening and the first and third links are positioned on opposite sides of the bead; and widening the first and third links to a second width. The diameter of the opening has a greater dimension than the first width and a lesser dimension than the second width. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a rosary that includes a chain comprising at least first, second and third links and at least one bead having an opening defined therethrough. The second link defines a first width and the first and third links define a second width. The second link is positioned at least partially within the opening, and the diameter of the opening has a greater dimension than the first width and a lesser dimension than the second width. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a press for making jewelry that includes a support member, a hammer positioned above the support member and first and second pins positioned on opposite sides of the support member. The hammer is adapted to move downwardly and press against an object supported on the support member. In a preferred embodiment the support member has a concave upper surface and is biased upwardly by a spring, and the hammer includes an elastomeric head thereon. 
   Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, various features of embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The detailed description of embodiments of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a rosary according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an elevational view of a portion of the chain and a bead of the rosary of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a press used in assembly of the rosary of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the press of  FIG. 3  before actuation with a portion in section (taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the press of  FIG. 3  after actuation with a portion in section. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the hammer of the press of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a bead in section and two links according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is embodied in a cold pressing method for making a necklace or other piece of jewelry. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the piece of jewelry is a rosary  10 . However, this is not a limitation on the present invention. It will be understood that the process can be used to make any number of different types of jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, anklets, belly chains, etc. Other uses for the method described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1-7 , generally, the rosary  10  includes a chain  12 , comprised of a plurality of links  14 , and a plurality of beads  16 . In a preferred embodiment the chain  12  (and the links  14  thereof) is made of a metal. In one embodiment, the chain  12  can be diamond cut to give the chain  12  extra shine. 
   As is generally known in the art the rosary  10  also includes a cross  18  or crucifix that is preferably affixed to the chain using a jump ring  20  or the like. Also, the rosary  10  includes a center  22  and a clasp  24  for allowing a portion of the chain  12  to be arranged in a loop  26  with another portion of the chain  12  extending outwardly therefrom (referred to herein as a leg  28 ) so that the user can wear the rosary  10  around their neck. It will be understood that the inclusion of cross  18 , jump rings  20 , center  22 , clasp  24 , loop  26  and leg  28  are well known in the rosary art. Accordingly, the assembly of these elements of the rosary will not be described herein. The assembly of the chain  12  (with the links  14  and beads  16 ) will be described herein. 
   It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the beads, links and other elements of a rosary can be arranged differently according to a specific user&#39;s desire. Accordingly, a chain  12  may, for example, comprise ten beads  16 , or any other number of beads  16  depending on the intended use, i.e., the desired prayers. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the beads  16  may have any other configuration. Each of the beads  16  may represent a particular prayer. Further, a bead  16  or set of beads  30  may represent a particular set of prayers. The leg  28 , also known in the art as the “small chain” may, for example, comprise three beads. Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the beads  16  on the leg  28  may also have any other configuration. 
   In a preferred embodiment the beads  16  are made of a metal. However, the beads  16  can be made of other materials, such as mother of pearl, olive wood or the like. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a preferred embodiment the diameter D 1  of each bead  16  is approximately the same dimension as the length L of each link  14 . Alternatively, the diameter of each bead  16  can be slightly smaller than the length L of each link  14  to allow the bead  16  to move slightly on the link  14 , when the rosary  10  is assembled. In another embodiment the diameter of each bead  16  can be approximately the same length of two or more links  14 . Each of the beads  16  include an opening  18  defined through the center thereof. The opening  18  is sized to receive the chain  12 . 
   To begin the process of assembling the rosary  10  a bead  16  is placed on the chain  12  by inserting the chain  12  through the opening  18 . The bead  16  is then placed in an assembly position as is shown in  FIG. 2  whereby approximately an entire link  14  is positioned within opening  18  and the bead  16  is approximately centered between the two links  14  on either side of the link  14  positioned in the opening  18 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , a press  50  is used in the assembly of the rosary  10 .  FIG. 4  shows the press  50  at rest before being actuated. The press  50  generally includes a hammer  52 , a support member  54  and two pins  56 . In other embodiments the press can include more or less than two pins  56 . The press  50  also includes a main body. Presses in general are well known in the art. Accordingly, the main body of the press will not be described herein. However, it will be understood that the support member  54  and the pins  56  extend upwardly from a portion of the main body. 
   Initially, the bead  16  in the assembly position as described above is placed on a concave upper surface  54   a  of the support member  54 . The concave shape of the upper surface  54   a  automatically centers the bead  16  below the hammer  52 . The pins  56 , which are disposed on opposite sides of the support member  54 , extend through the links  14  on the opposite sides of the bead  16 . The pins  56  are shaped as shown in  FIG. 4  and have a point portion  56   a  and a bottom portion  56   b  with a diameter that is bigger than the point portion. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the hammer  52  includes a head  53  thereon. In a preferred embodiment the head  53  is made of an elastomeric material, such as a rubber. 
     FIG. 5  shows the press  50  in an actuated position. In a preferred embodiment the press  50  is pneumatically actuated. However, the press  50  can also by hydraulically or otherwise operated. The method of actuation of the press is not a limitation on the present invention. After the bead  16  has been placed on the support member  54 , the press  50  is actuated, and the hammer  52  is lowered. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the head  53  has a bottom surface  53   a  that contacts the bead  16  and, in operation, is pierced by the pins  56 . Because the pins  56  are made of metal, when the press is actuated, the pins  56  pierce the head  53  (as is best shown in  FIG. 5 ).  FIG. 6  shows the head  53  after it has been used a number of times. 
   The support member  54 , which rests on a base  58  is biased upwardly by a spring  62  or the like. The pressure of the hammer  52  against bead  16  causes the support member  54  to move downwardly (thereby depressing spring  62 ). 
   With the bead  16  and support member  54  pressed downwardly the pins  56  pierce the head  53 . Because the pins  56  pierce the head  53 , a portion of the head  53  comes into contact with the links  14  positioned on the pins  56 . The pressure of the hammer  52  (and its head  53 ) against the pins  56  causes the links  14  to press against the bottom portion  56   b  of the pins  56 . As a result the metal of the links  14  deform thereby causing the links  14  to widen (as can be seen by the links  14   a  around the middle bead  16  shown in  FIG. 3 ). This locks the bead  16  therebetween in position. 
     FIG. 7  shows the dimensions of the bead  16 , the opening  18 , a non-widened link  14  and a widened link  14   a.  As shown in  FIG. 7 , the opening  18  has a diameter D 2 , the non-widened link  14  has a width W 1  and the widened link  14   a  has a width W 2 . The dimension of D 2  is greater than the dimension of W 1  and less than the dimension of W 2 . This is what locks bead  16  in place. 
   After actuation of the press  50  and widening of the desired links  14   a,  the hammer  52  is then raised and the bead  16  is then taken off of the support member  54  and the links  14  are taken off of the pins  56 . Another bead  16  and corresponding links  14  are then placed into position and the process is repeated. This process is repeated until all beads  16  are pressed into position as desired. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art this process can be used to make the loop  26  and the leg  28  separately. The loop  26  and leg  28  can then be attached to the center  22  using jump rings  20  or the like. Lastly, the cross  18  is affixed to the leg using a jump ring  20  or the like. 
   While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 
   The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.