Abstract:
A jewelry piece having a replaceable/exchangeable jewelry setting, the piece being adapted to allow an option for it to be assembled with either one jewelry setting or a combination of jewelry settings. In one embodiment the jewelry piece comprises an attachment mechanism which uses a pin, latch, magnet or combination thereof for quick and easy manual replacement/exchange of the setting.

Description:
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in Israel application number 171089 of Sep. 26, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to jewelry, particularly jewelry comprising settings for precious stones. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Jewelry pieces such as rings which are designed to allow their gem-stone settings to be removed and replaced with another setting have been described in the art. 
     Such capability has been found desirable so as to allow a different look for the jewelry, for example, to better suit a particular occasion, or simply to change the look of the jewelry piece. 
     Examples of such jewelry is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,470 to Isaacson and U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,989 to Dillabough. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,470 describes a ring having a means for inserting a replaceable insert unit containing a gem stone or any other type of setting such that the insert unit is securely held in place in a mounting but can be readily replaced by a similar unit containing another setting. The mounting is adapted to hold a sleeve with a hinged door that fits across the inside opening. The setting is positioned in a crown and both are soldered within a casing having projecting edges that fit snugly within and project through a sleeve that is soldered inside the mounting. The gem stone, casing and crown constitute the replaceable unit. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,989 discloses an interchanging setting for jewelry with male and female findings, for joining the setting to the jewelry. The female finding contains tapered lips which form a slotted key way, and an internal spring to provide bias against a key when inserted into the key way. The male finding has a key made up of a bar pin with tabs extending perpendicular from the bar pin. The key fits into the key way with the tabs extending out into the slotted key way. As the key is inserted the spring provides a bias. The key is turned 90 degrees and the tabs rotate under the tapered lips until the tabs rest in notches on the lips. The spring holds the key firmly in place. Conventional fingers attached to the male finding provide a mount for a stone or other desired setting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to jewelry pieces, including ornamental pieces, which are designed to have settings, such as gemstone settings, attached thereto. The present invention further relates to an attachment mechanism for use with such jewelry pieces and settings or setting apparatus for use therewith. 
     The jewelry piece according to the present invention has a replaceable/exchangeable jewelry setting and is adapted to allow an option for said piece to be assembled with either one jewelry setting or a combination of jewelry settings. The one jewelry setting can be, for example, a central (solitaire) gem-stone setting or a wing gem-stone setting. The combination of settings, for example, can be the central setting combined with the wing setting (or other type settings) or combined with more than one other such setting. 
     The attachment mechanism and setting apparatus of the present invention are a mechanism and apparatus adapted for providing the afore-mentioned flexibility of gem-stone setting arrangement. The mechanism may comprise a pin, clasp, magnets, and so on, for such purpose. The setting apparatus comprises one or more settings that correspond to such an attachment mechanism and the jewelry piece and as such may comprise one or more holes, notches, housings, etc. 
     For convenience, the term ring will be used hereinafter to denote a broad variety of jewelry or ornamental pieces, including but not limited to: rings, earrings, bracelets (wrist/ankle, etc.), necklaces, belt buckles, head-dress pieces, and so on, adapted to have a jewelry setting assembled or attached thereto. 
     The term jewelry piece is meant to denote such a ring (jewelry or ornamental pieces) further comprising a jewelry setting, typically with a gem-stone held therein. 
     It is a particular feature of the ring of the present invention that the settings thereof can be removed and selectively replaced. For instance, a central or solitaire setting and a “wing” setting (i.e. a setting intended to hold gems on either side of the solitaire setting) may both be part of the ring; or just the solitaire setting or just the wing setting may be set thereon. Additional or alternative settings may also be present. 
     The above feature can be realized by using a number of different attachment mechanisms, those which are novel and constitute another particular feature of the invention and otherwise, several of which a number of examples will be illustrated. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be more clearly understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of a ring according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded sectional side view of the ring of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are front and side views, respectively, of the ring of the present invention showing settings assembled thereon; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of portion III of  FIG. 2  showing an attachment mechanism of the present invention in the assembled position; 
         FIG. 6  is view similar to that of  FIG. 5 , showing a couple of exemplary modifications to the attachment mechanism of the ring of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of the attachment mechanism of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIGS. 8-15  illustrate additional exemplary embodiments of attachment mechanisms according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, there is shown a jewelry piece represented by a ring  10  having an inner surface  12 , an outer surface  14 , a front surface  16 , and a rear surface  18 . An opening or hole  20  leads from the front to the rear surface and there is an annular separation element  21  typically disposed essentially midway in the hole. It is important to note that the hole  20  need not be completely through the ring, in other words it need not be a through-hole (for example, as seen in  FIG. 8 ), however a through-hole is likely to achieve a somewhat stronger attachment, and the hole  20  is in most cases the hole is shown as a through-hole in the figures. 
     The ring  10  further comprises a solitaire setting  22  and a wing setting  24 ; the solitaire setting having two lower projections  26  each having a hole  28  corresponding with the hole  20 . 
     The solitaire setting  22  has branches  30  (four branches in the embodiments illustrated in the figures), which are designed to hold a gem (not shown) and these branches have outer surfaces  32 . The wing setting  24  has two pairs of outer branches  34  and two pairs of inner branches  36  having inner surfaces  38 . The outer surfaces  32  of the branches  30  of the solitaire setting  22  and the inner surfaces of the inner branches  36  of the wing setting  24  are typically designed to correspond with each other in a smooth and elegant manner (best seen in  FIG. 4A ). 
     The projections  26  of the solitaire setting  22  are separated from each other by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the ring  10 . This distance should be such that the setting  22  can be easily slid over the front and rear surfaces  14  and  16 , however, typically there is some friction between the setting and the surfaces which helps to hold it in place during assembly. The branches  34  of the wing setting  24  are similarly separated by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the ring  10 , typically with the same fit on the surfaces  14  and  16  as just described. The ring  10  may comprise a ring projection  39  for helping to align the settings  22  and  24  with the ring&#39;s hole  20  upon assembly of the ring. In such case, the solitaire setting  22  typically comprises an opening or recess  41  corresponding to the ring projection. 
     The ring  10  further comprises an attachment mechanism  40  for attaching the solitaire setting  22 , and if desired, also the wing setting  24 , as will be explained herein below. The attachment mechanism  40  includes a pin  42  with a two-tiered head  44 , two resilient members constituted by annular-shaped springs  46  and two stopper elements constituted by thick washers  48 , which typically have a cut  50  to provide the washers with a degree of resiliency and provide for a tight fit in the hole  20 . The two-tiered aspect of the pin&#39;s head  44  provides a gap  51  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) whereby the pin&#39;s head  44  can be conveniently gripped using one&#39;s finger-nail(s). 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  also well illustrate the positioning of the springs  46  and washers  48 , the springs being sandwiched in the middle and the washers on the outside, typically flush with the front and rear surfaces  16  and  18  of the ring  10 . 
     Also noticeable is that there is typically a small space  53  between the periphery of the springs  46  and the wall of the hole  20 . This space  53  provides a volume into which the springs  46  can expand, which occurs temporarily when the pin  42  is inserted. After the pin  42  is fully inserted, the springs relax into the pin&#39;s notches  54  and the periphery of the springs  46  contract leaving the space  53 . 
     As should be obvious from the figures (particularly  FIGS. 3 and 5 ), the springs  46  and washers  48  are design to snugly fit within the hole  20  and the springs are separated by the annular separation element  21 . 
     The pin  42  has a stem  52  with a pair of annular notches  54  which correspond in size and location to the springs  46 . The diameter of the stem  52  is typically such that it can slide through the annular separation element  21  and washers  48 , but without space for shimmy or “play”, and typically with some snugness of fit. However, the springs  46  are so designed so that there is required a resilient displacement thereof when the stem  52  is inserted, this resiliency being relieved only when the springs are aligned with the notches  54  to thus hold the pin  42  in place in the assembled position ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). 
     Assembly and disassembly: 
     When the ring  10  is assembled upon manufacture, the springs  46  and washers  48  are inserted into the hole  20 , disposed in the manner described above with reference to the figures. The wing setting  24  is then slid on the ring above (i.e. adjacent to) the hole; the solitaire setting  22  is then slid on the ring above/adjacent to the hole, i.e. within the inner branches  36  of the wing setting and straddling the projection  39 —if the ring includes same; and finally the pin  42  is inserted in the hole. The pin  42  is held firmly in the hole  20  by the notches  54  in the stem  52 , though the resiliency of the springs  46  allows for the pin to be removed without undue force. 
     However, when assembled and disassembled by a user, only the pin  42  is removed and re-inserted and the springs  46  and washers  48  continue to remain snugly fixed in the hole  20 . For ease of disassembly, the pin  42  is pulled out of the hole  20 , typically gripped by the finger-nails. 
     With the above-apparent ease, assembly and disassembly of the ring  10  allows either the solitaire setting  22  alone to be the ring setting or else both the solitaire setting  22  and the wing setting  24  may be set thereon to provide a gem-stone ring with a flexible look in a matter of seconds. The assembly arrangement is understood from  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and the arrangement of the settings  22  and  24  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , being examples wherein both settings are used. 
     Clearly, additional embodiments having other setting arrangements (e.g. additional settings in one location, additional settings in further locations using auxiliary holes, etc) can be devised within the scope of the present invention, mutatis mutandis. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a couple of the many possible modifications of a ring of the present invention. For instance, it may have a modified attachment mechanism  40   a  wherein a modified hole  20   a  includes annular channels  56  adjacent the annular separation element  21 . Though possibly requiring more machining in manufacture, these channels  56  may ease initial assembly of the ring  10 . 
     Another exemplary modification is evident by a notch  58  at the distal end of a modified pin  42   a  which may be used for setting of a gem (not shown) therein. 
     Many embodiments of the ring and attachment mechanism of the present invention can be devised, and the following brief descriptions will illustrate a few of them. 
     In  FIG. 7  there is shown an embodiment of an attachment mechanism  70  which is similar to those previously described, however with only one spring  46  and one washer  48  and a slightly modified hole  20   a , being narrower in the rear portion thereof in light of there not being a second spring and washer. As noticed, a modified pin  42   a  with only one annular notch  54  is required. 
       FIG. 8  shows what is possibly the simplest attachment mechanism involving a pin. Here, an attachment mechanism  80  comprises a relatively simple pin  42   b  with no notches and a simple hole  20   b . Here, the attachment aspect is constituted by a pressure fit. 
       FIG. 9  shows a similar looking attachment mechanism  90  to that of  FIG. 8 , wherein the pin is in the form of a screw  42   c  and therefore this embodiment comprises a hole  20   c  which is threaded. 
       FIG. 10  shows an embodiment that uses an attaching mechanism  100  comprising a pin  42   d  with a stem  52   d  having a hemispherical ball  102  (which could be a spherical ball, a pair of balls, etc.) biased outward from the pin, by a spring  104 . A hole  20   d  has a corresponding recess  106  to hold the pin  42   d  therein although is should be obvious that like in all of the embodiments, the pin can be readily removed by pulling thereon, unscrewing it, or as the case may be. 
       FIG. 11  shows yet another exemplary embodiment of an attachment mechanism  110  usable in a ring of the present invention wherein there is a pin  42   e  whose stem  52   e  has a small and smooth projection  112  which is designed to be held behind a projection  114  of a hole  20   e . To aid in the force holding the pin  42   e  in the hole  20   e , the stem may undergo a minor bending upon insertion; and removal upon disassembly/removal. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an attachment mechanism  120  wherein the ring has a pin  42   f  with a magnet  122  adjacent its distal end. Housed in the ring is another magnet  124 , typically at a location adjacent that of the pin&#39;s magnet  122 . The pin  42   f  is thus held in the ring when in the assembled situation, yet the pin can be readily removed for allowing a different setting arrangement to be used. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an attachment mechanism  130  wherein the ring has a vertical hole  20   g  with a pin  42   g  typically inserted in a direction entering via the inner surface  12  of the ring. The pin  42   g  may have a head  44   g  designed to correspond to a depression  132  in the hole  20   g  so that the inner surface  12  is smooth and comfortable for a wearer&#39;s finger. Furthermore, the pin&#39;s head  44   g  is typically flat or slightly contoured for the same reason. The pin  42   g  has been shown in the form of a screw and thus there is shown a solitaire setting  22   g  with a threaded bore  134 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another attachment mechanism  140  of a somewhat different type than those previously described. Here, the mechanism  140  comprises a clasp  142  which can be attached, typically, to the solitaire setting  22 . To close the clasp  142  (assemble the setting(s) on the ring) the clasp has an arm  144  which is moved under the inner surface  12  and clasped on the other side of the solitaire setting  22 . There is typically a notch  146  in the inner surface  12  and a notch  148  in the wing setting  24  to accommodate the arm  144  of the clasp  142  which also has the effect of holding the settings  24  and/or  22  at a particular position and provides for a comfortable inner surface. However, a variety of attachment mechanisms, including those described herein and not described herein, may be used, mutatis mutandis. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates yet another attachment mechanism  150 , which is fairly similar to that of  FIG. 1 . One of the main differences is that instead of the washer  48  that is adjacent the head  44  of the pin  42 , there is a ring portion or stopping member  152  that blocks the spring  46 , adjacent thereto. Thus there is a need for only one washer, for example, a washer  48   a , which is similar to washer  48  except that it is typically of a completely annular configuration, i.e. with no cut  50 . 
     It should be clearly understood by now that many attachment mechanisms could be employed (including those not described or illustrated herein, which may use snap fitting arrangements, L-shaped slots for locking via entry and rotation, or a variety of other methods and configurations) to achieve the particular feature of a ring of the present invention in which the settings thereof can be removed and selectively replaced. 
     It should be noted, with consideration of its geometry, an existing ring may potentially be adapted (e.g. machined) to have an appropriate hole, notch, (for example as described above), or the like, whereby an attachment mechanism of the present invention could be retro-fitted for use in an existing ring after the ring is appropriately adapted—typically by machining. As such, various settings, for example those mentioned herein, could be connected to such an adapted ring. 
     While a number of embodiments of the jewelry and attachment mechanism of the present invention have been described, it should obvious to one skilled in the art that there are various rings and attachment mechanisms that can be devised according to the present invention with numerous modifications possible and that the above description is merely explanatory.