Patent Publication Number: US-8522439-B1

Title: System and method for stringing decorative jewelry elements

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     In general, the present invention relates to jewelry jigs and like devices that are used by jewelry manufacturers when making strung jewelry. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods that assist a person in passing a stringing element through a decorative piece of jewelry. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     People have created threaded jewelry in the form of necklaces and bracelets since before the start of recorded history. In this vast span of time, the techniques used to create threaded jewelry have changed very little. Decorative elements, such as beads, stones, shells, pearls or the like are provided, wherein a small hole is formed through the decorative element. A thread, string, wire or thin chain is then strung through the holes in the decorative elements to create the jewelry. 
     When threaded jewelry is being made, the jewelry maker typically tries to obtain symmetry in the threaded jewelry. That is, one side of the threaded jewelry has essentially the same size and number of decorative elements as does the other side of the threaded jewelry. To achieve this symmetry, a jewelry maker will typically lay out the decorative elements in a model layout prior to threading those decorative elements together. In this manner, a jewelry maker can mix and match various decorative elements in order to achieve symmetry and/or a desired artistic design. In many craft shops and bead shops, bead holding jigs are provided that are designed to hold model layouts of beads or similar decorative elements. Such prior art jigs are exemplified by U.S. Patent No. 2010/0212770 to Weidler, entitled Beadin&#39; Butler System. Although such jigs help a jewelry designer lay out decorative elements, the jewelry designer must still string a connective thread, wire, or chain though the various decorative elements that have been selected. This is typically done by hand. Consequently, depending upon the number of decorative elements selected and the size of those decorative elements, a significant amount of time and labor is required to create the jewelry. 
     For expensive jewelry, the cost of time and labor is small as compared to the value of the decorative elements being used in the jewelry and the sales price of the jewelry. However, for inexpensive jewelry, craft jewelry and costume jewelry, the cost of time and labor needed to manufacture the jewelry can easily surpass the cost of the decorative elements being used in the jewelry. Accordingly, in order to be sold profitably, the cost of the jewelry must be significantly higher than the value of the decorative elements within the jewelry. This overprice of the jewelry can make the jewelry more difficult to sell or it results in smaller profit margins in sales that are made. 
     It will therefore be understood that a need exists for a system and method that can greatly reduce the time and labor needed to create a model layout of decorative elements for jewelry and reduce both the time and the labor needed to string those decorative elements together. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system and method for stringing decorative elements onto a stringing element to make jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet. A plurality of decorative elements are selected by a jewelry maker. Each of the decorative elements has a stringing hole of a predetermined diameter formed through its center. A pendant or other specialized ornaments may also be selected. 
     A jig is provided that has holds a first tube. The first tube has a first end, a second end, an inside diameter and an outside diameter. The outside diameter of the first tube is smaller than the inside diameter of each of the stringing holes in the decorative elements. The first tube is set as a cantilever. As such, the first end of the first tube is freely suspended. At least some of the decorative elements are set onto the first tube over its first end. The first tube extends through the stringing hole in each of the decorative elements. 
     A stringing element is provided. The stringing element is sized to fit inside the first tube. The stringing element is advanced through the first tube. The first tube is then removed. This leaves at least some of the stringing element strung through the stringing hole of each of the decorative elements previously advanced onto the first tube. 
     An optional second tube can be provided and used to string a second set of decorative elements. A pendant can be set between the two tubes. 
     The result is a jig that enables decorative elements to be strung together in a highly labor and time efficient manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a jewelry jig assembly shown in conjunction with decorative elements and a stringing element; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , a jewelry jig assembly  10  is shown. The purpose of the jig assembly  10  is to help a user string together a plurality of decorative elements  11  to create a piece of jewelry such as a necklace or bracelet. The decorative elements  11  each have a string hole  15  no smaller than some predetermined minimum diameter. The decorative elements  11  may, or may not, include a central pendent  13 . 
     The jewelry jig assembly  10  has a base  12  and an inclined surface  14  that stands upon the base  12 . The inclined surface  14  can be angled between thirty degrees and seventy degrees with respect to the horizontal base  12 . The inclined surface  14  and the base  12  can be statically interconnected. However, in the exemplary embodiment being illustrated, an adjustment mechanism  16  is provided. The adjustment mechanism  16  enables the angle of the inclined surface  14  to be selectively adjusted throughout the aforementioned range. In this manner, the inclined surface  14  may be made adjustable so that it can be selectively adjusted to the ergonomic needs of a particular user. 
     The inclined surface  14  has a face  18  that faces the user. A reference grid  20  is printed or applied to the face  18  of the inclined surface  14 . The reference grid  20  has various horizontal and vertical guidelines that enable a user to better judge the size and symmetry of the decorative elements  11 , as will later be explained. 
     Two string tubes  22 ,  23  are provided. The string tubes  22 ,  23  can be extruded solid-wall tubes. However, the string tubes  22 ,  23  can also be tightly wound coil springs. Each of the string tubes  22 ,  23  has a top end  24 , a bottom end  26 , an outside diameter and an inside diameter. The length of each string tube  22 ,  23  can be between three inches and twelve inches, with a preferred length of between four inches and eight inches for use in making necklace jewelry. The outside diameter of each string tube  22 ,  23  is smaller than the smallest string hole  15  in the decorative elements  11  being strung. Accordingly, if decorative elements  11  have a minimum string hole diameter of 1.5 millimeters, a string tube  22 ,  23  having an outside diameter of 1.4 millimeters or less would be appropriate. 
     The inside diameter of each spring tube  22 ,  23  is larger than the outside diameter of a stringing element  30  being used to string the decorative elements  11  together. For example, if a one millimeter stringing element  30  is being used, a string tube  22 ,  23  having an inside diameter of 1.1 millimeters or larger would be appropriate. It will be understood that the stringing element  30  can be thread, wire, chain or any other stringing element used in the production of jewelry. The stringing element  30  is provided as a cut length. Accordingly, the stringing element  30  has a first end  31  and an opposite second end  33  before the jewelry is made. 
     Ledges  32  extend outwardly from the face  18  of the inclined surface  14 . The ledges  32  contain receptacles  34  for selectively receiving and engaging the bottom ends  26  of the string tubes  22 ,  23 . The receptacles  34  are slotted so that the stringing element  30  can pass through the ledges  32  even while the string tubes  22 ,  23  are retained in the receptacles  34 . The receptacles  34  may have latches  36  that lock the bottom ends  26  of the string tubes  22 ,  23  in the receptacles  34 , once the string tubes  22 ,  23  are properly seated. The receptacles  34  retain the bottom ends  26  of the string tubes  22 ,  23  and hold the string tubes  22 ,  23  as cantilevers in a plane parallel to the face  18  of the inclined surface  14 . It will therefore be understood that when the string tubes  22 ,  23  are engaged within the receptacles  34 , the string tubes  22 ,  23  extending above the ledges  32  are unsupported and extend freely toward their top ends  24  as a cantilever. However, the string tubes  22 ,  23  can be selectively removed from the receptacles  34  on the ledges  32  by a user. Accordingly, it will be understood that the string tubes  22 ,  23  can be replaced to meet the needs of a user and the decorative elements  11  being strung. 
     Flexible supports  36  extend outwardly from the face  18  of the inclined surface  14 . The flexible supports  36  are positioned under the string tubes  22 ,  23 . However, the flexible supports  36  are not attached to the string tubes  22 ,  23  and normally do not even touch the string tubes  22 ,  23 . 
     Two end clips  38  are provided on the top edge of the inclined surface  14 . Likewise, at least one pendent clip  39  is provided on the inclined surface  14  below the ledges  32 . 
     To use the jewelry jig assembly  10 , the jewelry jig assembly  10  is placed on a flat surface in front of a user. The user selects the various decorative elements  11  that the user intends to string together. The user may also include a central pendent  13  if a necklace is being made. Furthermore, the user selects an appropriate length of the stringing element  30  that will be used to string the decorative elements  11  together. Once the stringing element  11  is selected and the length of the strung jewelry is decided, the user selects the appropriate string tubes  22 ,  23  for the application. The length of the selected string tubes  22 ,  23  is determined by the length of the strung jewelry being created. Likewise, the diameter of the string tubes  22 ,  23  is selected for the string holes  15  in the decorative elements  11  and the diameter of the stringing element  30  being used. It will therefore be understood that a jewelry design may collect many different string tubes of different lengths, different inside diameters and different outside diameters to create jewelry using different decorative elements and different stringing elements. 
     To create a piece of strung jewelry, a user selects the decorative elements  11  and perhaps a pendant  13 . The pendant  13  can be set onto the face  18  of the inclined surface  14  using the pendent clips  39 . The selected string tubes  22 ,  23  are set into receptacles  34  on the ledges  32  so that they extend upwardly as cantilevers. The user then advances the various decorative elements  11  over the string tubes  22 ,  23  by passing the string tubes  22 ,  23  through the string holes  15  of the decorative elements  11 . The decorative elements  11  stack atop one another along the length of the string tubes  22 ,  23 . This can be done very rapidly. Furthermore, by stacking the decorative elements  11  along the two string tubes  22 ,  23 , a user can visualize the completed necklace and check for both aesthetics and symmetry. This design assessment is helped by the fact that the stacks of decorative elements  11  stand in front of the reference grid  20  on the inclined surface  14 . 
     Depending upon the type of decorative elements  11  being used, the weight of the decorative elements  11  on each of the string tubes  22 ,  23  can be significant. To prevent the string tubes  22 ,  23  from bending, the flexible supports  36  under the string tubes  22 ,  23  contact the decorate elements  11  and prevent the spring tubes  22 ,  23  from bending under the applied weight. The flexible supports  36  also enable the decorative elements  11  to be advanced along the string tubes  22 ,  23  unabated. The flexibly of the flexible supports  36  enable a decorative element  11  to slide past the flexible support  36  with little resistance. 
     Once the string tubes  22 ,  23  are covered with the desired sequence of decorative elements  11 , an appropriate length of stringing element  30  is cut. If a pendant is being used, the stringing element  30  is strung through the pendant  13  so that the pendant  13  is near the center of the stringing element  30 . Once the string tubes  22 ,  23  are selected, the free ends  31 ,  33  of the stringing element  30  are advanced through the selected string tubes  22 ,  23 . Accordingly, the pendant  13  is suspended on the stringing element  30  between the two string tubes  22 ,  23 . The free ends  31 ,  33  of the stringing element  30  are temporarily held by the end clips  38  to help prevent the string tubes  22 ,  23  from bending under the weight of the decorative elements. 
     Once the desired sequence of decorative elements  11  is placed onto the string tubes  22 ,  23  and the stringing element  30  is strung through the tubes  22 ,  23 , the string tubes  22 ,  23  are disengaged from the receptacles. The string tubes  22 ,  23  are then pulled out of the decorative elements  11  and off of the stringing element  30  by pulling the string tubes  22 ,  23  past the free ends  31 ,  33  of the stringing element  30 . 
     What remains are the decorative elements  11  and pendant  13  strung on the stringing element  30 . The free ends  31 ,  33  of the stringing element  30  are terminated with a clasp or knot and the jewelry is complete. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment of a jewelry jig assembly  40  is shown. In this embodiment, a single string tube  42  is used. The string tube  42  has two ends  44 ,  46 . The first end  44  of the string tube  42  is set into a receptacle  48 . The first end  44  of the string tube  42  may also be flared so that a stringing element  30  can be easily advanced into the string tube  42 . The second end  46  of the string tube  42  rests just above a support ledge  49 . 
     To create a piece of jewelry, a user advances decorative elements  11  onto the string tube  42 . The decorative elements  11  are advanced over the second end  46  of the string tube  42 . Once the decorative elements  11  are set onto the string tube  42 , the second end  46  of the string tube  42  rests upon the support ledge  49  and is prevented from bending. 
     A length of a stringing element  30  is advanced through the string tube  42 . Once through the string tube  42 , the string tube  42  is disengaged from the receptacle  48  and is pulled away. As the string tube  42  is pulled away, the stringing element  30  remains inside the decorative elements  11 . The ends of the stringing element  30  are terminated and the jewelry is complete. 
     It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.