Patent Publication Number: US-2013239613-A1

Title: Jewelry article with a brilliance enhancing diamond setting

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to brilliance enhancing jewelry devices and, more particularly, to a diamond setting adapted to impart sparkling or dazzling effect. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Use of prongs to securely hold the diamonds within the settings is very common in jewelry settings. However, these prongs keep the diamonds in a stationary position within these settings. The diamonds are held in a fixed position within the prongs of these settings and, therefore, structurally limit the movement of the diamonds. The diamonds used in these settings ignite with brilliance and sparkle only when the jewelry setting is moved or shaken. The period of brilliance or sparkle subsides once jewelry setting assumes a stationary and/or motionless condition. However, a wearer would not possibly like to constantly shake or move a jewelry setting merely to display the dazzling brilliance and sparkle of the diamonds. This would only inhibit or diminish the desire to wear the jewelry setting. 
     Diamond settings wherein the diamonds are directly hung for improving their brilliance or sparkle are not unknown in the prior art. In a typical setting, diamonds that are used have a through bore. A loop ring is passed through the bore and diamonds are thus hung from the setting. These settings are delicate and prone to be damaged when snatched with force. Also, the diamonds in some of these settings are more exposed to physical deterioration as they generally are suspended freely and are not enclosed within the settings. 
     In addition, the direct attachment of the diamonds to the settings also affects the aesthetic quality of the settings. For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0032271 discloses an article of jewelry wherein the stone suspends by the throughbore from the article of jewelry to give an impression of dancing relative to the article of jewelry. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. D534,093 provides a device that includes an ornamental design of a pear shaped jewelry stone having a through hole adapted to suspend the stone to the jewelry articles. 
     Attempts are also seen in the art to make use of prong settings to securely hang the diamonds on the settings. However, these diamond settings have diamonds that remain in direct contact with wearer&#39;s body and do not produce sparkling or dazzling effect, unless the setting is manually moved by the wearer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,599 provides a pendant that includes a jewel, a stopping ring surrounding a girdle portion of said jewel wherein the prongs of the stopping ring position on the table portion of the diamonds. 
     What is needed is a jewelry setting that securely holds and suspends a diamond within the jewelry article. A jewelry setting is further needed that is capable to impart a sparkling or dazzling effect without actual movement of the setting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A sparkle enhancing jewelry article is described that comprises a front member and a rear member. The front member and rear member are connected through a plurality of connecting bars that hold the front and rear members at a predefined distance. The front member and rear member define a hollow interior within the article. The front member has a rear face that is positioned with a plurality of connecting loops that connect to a respective plurality of diamond settings through a respective plurality of loop rings. Each of the diamond settings is adapted to hold a dazzling diamond. The connecting bars safely detain the diamond setting within the article and provide safety to the dazzling diamond. The loop rings and connecting loops facilitate an oscillating motion to the diamond setting for a predefined amount of time. The oscillating motion of the diamond setting is responsive to involuntary body movements and reflexes of wearer&#39;s body. The diamond setting includes an arcuate shaped cup member that adds weight to the diamond setting. The arcuate shaped cup member adapted to prolong the oscillating motion of the diamond setting. The oscillating motion of the diamond setting imparts a dazzling, twinkling or sparkling effect without actual manual movement of the article from the wearer. 
     STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     A diamond setting for a jewelry article that includes a pair of prongs that are integrally connected to an arcuate shaped cup portion to hold and suspend a diamond within the article adapted to enhance brilliance, dispersion and scintillation of the diamond without requiring actual movement of the article. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above mentioned and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views where: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a jewelry article constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  before setting a diamond; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  before setting the diamond; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  before setting the diamond; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  after setting the diamond; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  after setting the diamond; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  after setting the diamond; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  after setting the diamond; 
         FIG. 11  is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  showing a pair of loop rings adapted to be connected to the diamond setting; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  showing a connection between the loop rings and the diamond setting; 
         FIG. 15  is a rear view of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  showing the connection between the loop rings and the diamond setting; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  showing an undulating movement of the diamond setting in a forward direction; and 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the diamond setting of the jewelry article of  FIG. 1  showing an undulating movement of the diamond setting in a rearward direction. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     Although specific terms are used in the following description for sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , a jewelry article  10  includes a front member  12  and a rear member  14 . Front member  12  is bilaterally disposed along a central vertical axis-X. Rear member  14  is bilaterally disposed along a central vertical axis-Y. Central vertical axis-X and central vertical axis-Y are substantially parallel to one another. Front member  12  includes a first ring  16 , a second ring  18  and a third ring  20  that respectively have their centers aligned along the central axis-X. Rear member  14  includes a fourth ring  22 , a fifth ring  24  and a sixth ring  26  that respectively have their centers aligned along the central axis-Y. Front member  12  is connected to rear member  14  via a plurality of connecting bars  28 . Connecting bars  28  preferably horizontally extend along a plane that is normal to the axes X and Y. Connecting bars  28  maintain front and rear members  12 ,  14  at a predefined distance and define a hollow interior within article  10 . In this one particular embodiment, first ring  16 , second ring  18  and third ring  20  respectively define a first hollow interior  30 , a second hollow interior  32  and a third hollow interior  34 . 
     Article  10  includes a pedestal  36  that includes a front portion  38 , a rear portion  40  and a connecting member  42 . Front portion  38  is integrally connected to first ring  16  at a juncture  44 . Rear portion  36  is integrally connected to fourth ring  22  at a juncture  46 . Front portion  38  has a configuration that gradually upwardly diverges between juncture  44  and connecting member  42 . Rear portion  36  and connecting member  42  preferably have a rectangular configuration. However, it is understood that configurations of front portion  38 , rear portion  40  and connecting member  42  may vary in other alternative embodiments of article  10 . Pedestal  32  defines an aperture  48  adapted to facilitate insertion of a jewelry chain, a wire or a rope through article  10 . First and second rings  16 ,  18  are integrally connected at a juncture  50 . Second and third rings  18 ,  20  are integrally connected at a juncture  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , first ring  16  has an inner rim  54  and an outer rim  56  that define a first decorative surface  58 . First decorative surface  58  includes a plurality of prongs  60 . The prongs  60  are adapted to hold a plurality of smaller precious stones  62  such as for example diamonds and/or jewels. Second ring  18  has an inner rim  64  and an outer rim  66  that define a second decorative surface  68 . The second decorative surface  68  includes a plurality of prongs  70 . The prongs  70  are adapted to hold a plurality of smaller precious stones  72  such as for example diamonds and/or jewels. Third ring  20  has an inner rim  74  and an outer rim  76  that define a third decorative surface  78 . The third decorative surface  78  includes a plurality of prongs  80 . The prongs  80  are adapted to hold a plurality of smaller precious stones  82  such as for example diamonds and/or jewels. Rings  16 ,  18 ,  20  preferably have a circular shape in this one preferred embodiment. However, it is understood that shape of rings  16 ,  18 ,  20  may vary in other alternative embodiments of article  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , fourth ring  22  has an inner rim  84  and an outer rim  86  that define a first non decorative surface  88 . Fifth ring  24  has an inner rim  90  and an outer rim  92  that define a second non decorative surface  94 . Fifth ring  26  has an inner rim  96  and an outer rim  98  that define a third non decorative surface  100 . First, second and third non decorative surfaces  88 ,  94 ,  100  adapted to be in contact with a body of a wearer. Rings  88 ,  94 ,  100  preferably have a circular configuration in this one preferred embodiment, however, it is understood that the configuration of the rings may vary in other alternative embodiments of article  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , front member  12  is adapted to be mounted with a plurality of diamond settings  102  that securely holds and suspends a plurality of dazzling diamonds  104  within article  10 . However, it is understood that the number of diamond settings  102  and dazzling diamonds  104  may vary per intended use of article  10  in other alternative embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in this one particular embodiment, first ring  16 , second ring  18  and third ring  20  respectively include a first diamond setting  102 -A, a second diamond setting  102 -B and a third diamond setting  102 -C. First diamond setting  102 -A holds a first dazzling diamond  104 -A within first hollow interior  30 . Second diamond setting  102 -B holds a second dazzling diamond  104 -B within second hollow interior  32 . Third diamond setting  102 -C holds a third dazzling diamond  104 -C within third hollow interior  34 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , each of the diamond settings  102  includes an arcuate shaped cup member  106 . The cup member  106  has a sidewall  108  and a bottom wall  110  that have an annular shaped configuration adapted to define a receptacle  112 . Cup member includes a rim  114  that is integrally connected to an opposed pair of prongs  116 . Prongs  116  have a height that is three times the height defined by the rim  114 . Each of the prongs  116  is connected to a loop ring  118  through a connecting arm  120 . Each of the prongs  116  has a top end  122  and a bottom end  124 . Loop rings  118  are positioned in proximity to the bottom ends of the prongs  116 . Prongs  116  preferably extend in a plane normal to a plane defined by the loop rings  118 . Loop rings  118  are adapted to suspend the setting  102  within article  10 . Each of the loop rings  118  has an inner circumferential surface adapted to define a first annular ridge  119 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , each of the prongs  116  has an indentation  126 . Indentations  126  are adapted to accommodate a girdle portion  128  of dazzling diamond  104 . Indentations  126  are preferably located at a height that is substantially half the total height of the prongs  116 . Indentations  126  facilitate a table portion  130  of the dazzling diamond  104  to be positioned at a distance that is half the total height of each of the prongs  116 . Prongs  116  facilitate a crown portion  132  and a partial pavilion portion  134 -A of diamonds  104  to be positioned outside arcuate shaped cup member  106 . Each of the arcuate shaped cup members  106  accommodates and encloses a culet portion  136  and a partial pavilion portion  134 -B of diamonds  104 . Each of the arcuate shaped cup members  106  is adapted to add weight to setting  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , front member  12  of article  10  has a rear surface  140  that includes a plurality of annular grooves  142 . Rear surface  140  is adapted to be positioned with a pair of connecting loops  144  respectively in first, second and third rings  16 ,  18  and  20 . Connecting loops  144  are disposed along a plane that is substantially parallel to the central vertical axis-X (refer  FIG. 1 ) and are preferably positioned in proximity to portions  44 ,  50 ,  52 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , each of the connecting loops  144  has an inner circumferential surface that defines a second annular ridge  145 . Second annular ridge  145  is preferably adapted to be engaged with annular ridge  119  of loop ring  118  (See  FIG. 4 ). First and second ridges  119 ,  145  facilitate minimum contact surface between rings  118 ,  144  that essentially avoid friction between rings  118 ,  144 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , connecting loops  144  engage with loop rings  118  to hang the diamond setting  102  within article  10 . Connecting loops  144  preferably connect along a plane that is normal to a plane defined by loop rings  118 . In this position, first and second ridges  119 ,  145  connect to facilitate and extend an undulating movement to the diamond setting  102  for a predefined amount of time. This facilitates the diamond  104  held within setting  102  to produce a sparkling or dazzling effect. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16-17 , diamond setting  102  is shown in an undulated or oscillated position with respect to the central longitudinal axis-X, which is responsive to involuntary body movement or natural reflex of wearer&#39;s body such as for example, breathing, coughing and sneezing. In this one particular embodiment, diamond setting  102  is shown undulated in a forward direction indicated by an arrow-A and a rearward direction indicated by an arrow-B. 
     Diamond setting  102  extends at a predefined angle of C° with the central longitudinal axis-X in the forward direction. Diamond setting  102  extends at a predefined angle of D° with the central longitudinal axis-X. However, it is understood here that angles C° and D° may vary per an intensity of involuntary body movement or natural reflex of wearer&#39;s body. It is understood here that angles C° and D° are such that movement of diamond setting is restricted within the hollow interior defined within article  10 . Front member  12  (Refer  FIG. 2 ) defines a boundary for the movement of diamond setting  102  in the forward direction-A. Rear member  14  (Refer  FIG. 3 ) defines a boundary for the movement of diamond setting  102  in the rearward direction-B. 
     The movement of diamond setting  102  in directions A, B facilitates multiple facets of diamond  104  to incident with light rays from multiple directions that advantageously reflect from the surface of diamond  104  to enhance scintillation and luster intensity of diamond  104  to a greater extent. The movement of diamond setting  102  in directions A, B adds ability to the diamond surface to split multiple amounts of light rays into spectrums that enhances dispersion of diamond  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-17 , in operation, article  10  is preferably adapted to be worn as a pendent or a necklace on wearer&#39;s neck. However, it is understood that article  10  can be utilized as an ornament such as for example an arm band, an anklet, and an earring in other alternative embodiments of the present invention. In operation, the wearer inserts a jewelry wire or rope through pedestal  36  to form the necklace. The wearer wears article  10  such that the rear member  14  is in physical contact with wearer&#39;s body. In this position, the connecting bars  28  and front member  12  advantageously hold the diamond setting  102  in a suspended position at a predefined distance from the wearer&#39;s body. 
     In operation, the arrangement of loop rings  118  and connecting loops  144  advantageously facilitate an undulating or oscillating motion to diamond setting  102  for a predefined amount of time. Ridges  119 ,  145  facilitate minimum surface contact and avoid friction between rings  118 ,  144  that advantageously enhance undulating or oscillating movement of diamond setting  102 . In addition, arcuate shaped cup member  106  adds weight to setting  102  to help facilitate prolonging the oscillating motion for the predefined amount of time. The oscillating motion of the diamond setting  102  is responsive to involuntary body movements or natural reflexes of the wearer&#39;s body such as for example, breathing, coughing and sneezing. This advantageously allows the setting  102  to undulate or oscillate relative to article  10  without actual manual movement of setting  102 . 
     Thus, the oscillating or undulating motion of diamond setting  102  enhances brilliance, dispersion and scintillation of diamond  104 , without the need of manual movement of article  10  from the wearer. In operation, connecting bars  28  safely detain the diamond setting  102  within article  10  to advantageously provide safety to the dazzling diamond  104 . 
     The embodiments of the invention shown and discussed herein are merely illustrative of modes of application of the present invention. Reference to details in this discussion is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to these details, or to the figures used to illustrate the invention.