Patent Publication Number: US-2023133098-A1

Title: Jewelry Cleaning Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/275,014 filed on Nov. 3, 2021, entitled “Jewelry Cleaning Device,” which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Jewelry cleaning devices exist that include a bath of cleaning solution where the bath vibrates in the sonic or ultrasonic range to dislodge particles from the jewelry. Drawbacks of these known jewelry cleaning devices include cumbersome ways in which the article of jewelry is held in the jewelry cleaning device during a cleaning cycle. What is needed is an improved jewelry cleaning device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, an example of a jewelry cleaning device includes a housing, a bath located in the housing, a cleaning brush mounted to the housing, and a ring holder connected with the housing. The bath is configured to hold a cleaning solution. The ring holder is configured to hold a ring to be cleaned by the jewelry cleaning device. The ring holder is moveable with respect to the housing between a first position where the ring holder positions the ring offset from the bath and the cleaning brush and a second position where the ring holder positions the ring in the bath. 
     In another aspect, the ring holder is connected with or part of an arm that pivots with respect to the housing. 
     In another aspect, at least a portion of the cleaning brush is disposed in the cleaning solution in the bath. 
     In another aspect, a transducer cooperates with the bath for vibrating the bath. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a plurality of bristles connected with the housing and positioned above the cleaning brush with respect to a support surface on which the housing rests. The ring holder positions the ring above the plurality of bristles when in the first position and the ring holder positions the ring below the plurality of bristles when in the second position. 
     In yet another aspect, the cleaning brush further comprises a cleaning brush housing with bristles and a vibration motor disposed thereon. 
     In another aspect, the ring holder includes a fixed grip and a movable grip that is moveable with respect to the fixed grip. 
     Another aspect of the invention includes an upper housing assembly and a lower housing assembly. The upper housing assembly includes a lid pivotable with respect to an upper housing between an open position and a closed position. 
     In yet another aspect, the ring holder comprises a pair of opposed members spring biased in an open position. The opposed members are configured to fit inside a band portion of the ring to hold the ring in position. 
     In another aspect of the invention a silicone material is disposed on at least one of the opposed members. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises one or more magnets disposed on one of the upper housing assembly and the lower housing assembly. The magnets are configured to provide a force holding the upper housing assembly and the lower housing assembly together. 
     In yet another aspect, the jewelry cleaning device further comprises a raised portion on one of the upper housing assembly and lower housing assembly and an opening on the other of the upper housing assembly and lower housing assembly such that the raised portion provides an alignment guide for connecting the upper housing assembly to the lower housing assembly. 
     In another example of a jewelry cleaning device, such a jewelry cleaning device includes a housing. A bath is located in the housing and configured to hold the cleaning solution. A cleaning brush housing is mounted to the housing. The cleaning brush housing has bristles and a vibration motor disposed thereon. A ring holder is connected with the housing and configured to hold the ring. 
     The ring holder is movable with respect to the housing between a first position where the ring holder positions the ring offset from the bath and the cleaning brush and a second position where the ring holder positions the ring in the bath. 
     A transducer cooperates with the bath for vibrating the bath. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a jewelry cleaning device with a lid in an open position. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the jewelry cleaning device with the upper housing assembly shown in an open position. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view taken through line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  1   , but with the lid shown in the closed position. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view taken through line  4 - 4  in  FIG.  1    with the lid in the closed position. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the jewelry cleaning device with the lid, an upper housing and upper brush removed. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the jewelry cleaning device with a ring holder in a first position. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the jewelry cleaning device with the ring holder in a second position. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the jewelry cleaning device with the ring holder in a third position. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the jewelry cleaning device of the present invention. 
         FIG.  10    is a bottom perspective view of the jewelry cleaning device shown in  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded perspective view of the jewelry cleaning device shown in  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  12    is a partial perspective view of a portion of an upper assembly of the jewelry cleaning device of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  13 A  is a side elevational view of a portion of the ring holder mechanism of the jewelry cleaning device of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  13 B  is a partial detailed side elevational view showing a ring on the opposed members. 
         FIG.  14    is a top plan view of the lower assembly of the jewelry cleaning device of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of the lower assembly of the jewelry cleaning device of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  16    is a front elevational view of the jewelry cleaning device of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  17    is a sectional view taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG.  16   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , a jewelry cleaning device  10  is shown generally including a housing, which in the illustrated embodiment includes an upper housing assembly  12  and a lower housing assembly  14 . The jewelry cleaning device  10  further includes a cleaning mechanism that, with reference to  FIG.  2   , can include cleaning brushes  16  and a bath  18  housed within the housing. With reference back to  FIG.  1   , the jewelry cleaning device  10  further includes a ring holder  20  configured to hold a ring  22  to be cleaned by the jewelry cleaning device  10 . 
     The upper housing assembly  12  generally includes an upper housing  30 , which in the depicted embodiment is in the shape of a frustum at an upper portion with vertical sidewall sections  28  ( FIG.  3   ) beneath the frustum shaped portion. The upper housing  30  includes an upper opening  32  surrounded by a recess  34  formed in a horizontally oriented top wall section  36 . A lid  38  connects with the upper housing  30  at a hinge connection  42 , which allows the lid  38  to rotate about a lid pivot axis  44  with respect to the upper housing  30 . Alternatively, the lid  38  could be moveable with respect to the upper housing  30  in another manner, e.g., being simply removeable from the upper housing  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lid  38  is made from a transparent material and is generally pyramid-shaped. With reference to  FIG.  3   , the upper housing  30  includes standoffs  46  to facilitate connection between the upper housing  30  and an upper housing insert  50 . The upper housing insert  50  includes an upper horizontal portion  52  that defines an upper insert opening  54 . The upper housing insert  50  also includes downwardly depending vertical sections  56  that are coplanar with the lower horizontal sections of the upper housing  30 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  3   , the lower housing assembly  14  includes a lower housing  80  connected with a lower housing lid  82 . The lower housing  80  includes a horizontally oriented base  84 . A rubber-like (or similar non-slip material) mat  86  can attach to the base  84 . The lower housing  80  can include vertical sidewall sections  88  to define a hollow interior that receives the lower housing lid  82 . Similar to the lower housing  80 , the lower housing lid  82  is generally basin-shaped to define a bath assembly cavity  92 . The lower housing lid  82  also includes a hinge portion  94  (see  FIG.  2   ) for connecting with an associated hinge portion  96  (see  FIG.  4   ) provided on the upper housing  30  to pivotally attach the upper housing assembly  12  to the lower housing assembly  14 . With reference to  FIG.  2   , the upper housing assembly  12  is pivotable about a housing pivot axis  98  with respect to the lower housing assembly  14  between an open position (shown in  FIG.  2   ) and a closed position (shown in  FIG.  1   ). 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , with the upper housing assembly  12  in the open position, a bath assembly  110 , which is received in the lower housing assembly  14 , is accessible for removal from the lower housing assembly  14 . The bath assembly  110  can be removed from the lower housing assembly  114  for cleaning and maintenance reasons. Also, the bath assembly may be removed to allow for dumping and refilling the cleaning solution that is to be used in the jewelry cleaning device  10 . 
     The bath assembly  110  generally includes a bath lower housing  120  that is received in the bath assembly cavity  92  formed in the lower housing lid  82 . The bath lower housing  120  is similar in configuration to the lower housing lid  82  in that it is generally basin-shaped having a horizontal base with vertical side sections. The bath lower housing  120  has an open top to define a bath cavity  122  in which is received a bath  124  that is configured to hold the cleaning solution typically used to clean jewelry. The bath  124  defines a fill line  126  (only shown in  FIG.  3   ), which is a line to which the cleaning solution received in the bath  124  is to be filled. The bath assembly  110  further includes a bath upper housing  128  that connects with an upper edge of the bath  124  and sandwiches a bath seal  132  between the bath upper housing  128  and the upper edge of the bath  124 . The bath assembly  110  further includes a transducer  134  mounted to the bath  124 . The transducer  134  electrically connects with a first electrical connector  136  (depicted schematically in  FIG.  4   ), which can be provided on a lower surface of the bath lower housing  120 . A second electrical connector  138  (depicted schematically in  FIG.  4   ), which connects with a power source (not shown) via an electrical connection line  142  (depicted schematically in  FIG.  4   ), is provided on the lower surface of the bath lower housing  120  within the bath assembly cavity  92 . The transducer  134  is provided for vibrating the bath  124  in the ultrasonic range when turned ON to receive electrical power. The first electrical connector  136  is disconnectable with the second electrical connector  138  when the bath assembly  110  is removed from the lower housing assembly  14 . Similarly, when the bath assembly  110  is placed back into the lower housing assembly  14 , the first electrical connector  136  reconnects with the second electrical connector  138  so that power can be provided to the transducer  134 . 
     As mentioned above, the jewelry cleaning device  10  includes cleaning brushes  16 , which can be part of cleaning brush assemblies  160 ,  162  mounted to the housing. With reference to  FIG.  4   , in the illustrated embodiment the cleaning brush assemblies  160 ,  162  are mounted to the upper housing assembly  12 , and more particularly to the upper housing insert  50 . The cleaning brush assemblies  160 ,  162  are opposed from one another and each is similar in configuration; therefore, the first cleaning brush assembly  160  will be described with particularity with the understanding that the second cleaning brush assembly  162  is similarly configured. 
     With reference also to  FIG.  5   , the first cleaning brush assembly  160  includes a front brush housing  166  connected with a rear brush housing  168 . The rear brush housing  168  includes a wire routing opening  172  (visible in  FIG.  5   ). With reference to  FIG.  4   , a vibration motor  176  is positioned between the front brush housing  166  and the rear brush housing  168  and receives power through wiring  178  (only a portion shown in  FIG.  5   ) passed through the wire routing opening  172 . With reference to  FIG.  4   , the first cleaning brush assembly  160  includes a bristle mounting pad  180  that mounts to the front brush housing  166 . A plurality of bristles  182  extend from the bristle mounting pad  180  away from the front brush housing  166  toward the second cleaning brush assembly  162 . The bristle mounting pad  180  can releasably connect to the front brush housing  166  by being slid into the front brush housing  166  and snap into place so that the bristle mounting pad  180  with the associated plurality of bristles  182  can be replaceable. As evident in  FIG.  3   , at least a portion of each of the cleaning brush assemblies  160 ,  162  can be disposed below the fill line  126  of the bath  124 . With reference to  FIG.  5   , a mounting bracket  186  connects the front brush housing  166  and the rear brush housing  168  to the upper housing insert  50  via fasteners  188 . Vibration isolators  192 , which can be made from a rubber-like material, connect the rear brush housing  168 , which is connected with the front brush housing  166 , to the mounting bracket  186 . As such, when the vibration motor  176  is operating, the first cleaning brush assembly  160  vibrates and the vibration isolators  192  dampen the vibration with respect to the mounting bracket  186 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  5   , the ring holder  20  is part of a ring holder mechanism  202 . With particular reference to  FIG.  5   , the ring holder mechanism  202  includes a ring arm motor  204  operatively connected with a ring arm  206  that includes an axle section  208  and an arm extension  212  extending from the axle section  208 . The axle section  208  connects with an output shaft (not visible) of the ring arm motor  204  for rotational movement about a ring arm axis  214 . With reference to  FIG.  4   , the ring holder mechanism  202  further includes a ring mount front  216  connected with a ring mount back  218  that each extend upwardly from the arm extension  212  (see  FIG.  5   ) of the ring arm  206 . The ring holder  20  includes at least two grips, which in the illustrated embodiment include a fixed grip  222  and a moveable grip  224 . With reference to  FIG.  3   , the fixed grip  222  is positioned above the moveable grip  224  with respect to a support surface on which the housing  12 ,  14  rests. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed grip  222  is curved to generally follow a circle so that the two grips  222 ,  224  define at least three contact points on the circle  226  which can be an inner circumference of the associated ring  22  to be cleaned by the jewelry cleaning device  10 . With continued reference to  FIG.  3   , a first contact point  228  is located on the circle  226 . A second contact point  232  is also located on the circle  226  and is disposed on a first side of a diameter  234  intersecting the first contact point  228 . A third contact point  236  is also located on the circle  226  but is disposed on a second, opposite side of the diameter  234  intersecting the first contact point  228 . In the illustrated embodiment, one fixed grip  222  is provided on the ring holder  20 ; however, two fixed grips each associated with the second contact point  232  and the third contact point  236 , respectively, can be provided. Both of the grips  222  and  224  can be covered by an elastomer or other rubber-like material. With reference to  FIG.  3   , the second contact point  232  is angularly offset from the third contact point  236  about 45°. If desired, the angular offset can be reduced to at least about 15°. This angular offset provides a more robust connection for the associated ring  22  to be cleaned during the cleaning process. 
     With reference back to  FIG.  4   , a spring  242  is trapped between the ring mount front  216  and the ring mount back  218 . The ring mount back  218  includes a spring seat  244  and the moveable grip  224  also includes a spring seat  246  such that the spring  242  is trapped between the spring seat  244  on the ring mount back  218  and the spring seat  246  on the moveable grip  224 . The spring  242  is a compression spring that biases the moveable grip  224  downward per the orientation shown in  FIG.  4   . The moveable grip  224  includes a finger  250  that extends through a slot  252  provided in the ring mount front  216 . The moveable grip  224  is moveable with respect to the fixed grip  222  and biased by the spring  242  to accommodate rings of different sizes. 
     As mentioned above, the ring arm motor  204  drives the ring arm  206  for rotation about the ring arm axis  214 . With reference to  FIGS.  6 ,  7 , and  8    the ring holder  20  is moveable with respect to the housing  12 ,  14  among at least three positions.  FIG.  6    depicts a first position where the ring holder  20  positions the associated ring  22  offset from the bath  124  and the cleaning brush assemblies  160 ,  162 .  FIG.  7    depicts a second position where the ring holder  20  positions the associated ring  22  with respect to the cleaning brush assemblies  160 ,  162  for contact with the cleaning brushes.  FIG.  8    depicts a third position where the ring holder  20  positions the associated ring  22  in the bath  124  beneath the fill line  126 . 
     With reference back to  FIG.  5   , a switch assembly, which can include a first limit switch  260  and a second limit switch  262  can control the ring arm motor  204  and thus the position of the ring holder  20 . For example, the ring  22  to be cleaned can be mounted to the ring holder  20  in the manner shown in  FIG.  1   . The lid  38  can then be placed into the closed position shown in  FIG.  4   . The jewelry cleaning device  10  can then be turned on a manner that will be described in more detail below. With the jewelry cleaning device  10  in the ON state, power is delivered to the transducer  134  and the vibration motors  176 . The ring arm  206  then moves from the position shown in  FIG.  6    to the lower cleaning position shown in  FIG.  8   . The angular displacement between the position shown in  FIG.  6    and the position shown in  FIG.  8    is about 80° (plus or minus 5°). The angular displacement of about 80° trips the first limit switch  260  ( FIG.  5   ) and the ring arm  206  pauses in the position shown in  FIG.  8    for a soak time, which can be a predetermined amount of time such as about 20 seconds. After the predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the ring arm  206  moves to the position shown in  FIG.  7   , which can be about 45° angularly offset from the position shown in  FIG.  6    (plus or minus about 5°). With the ring arm  206  shown in the position in  FIG.  7   , the second limit switch  262  trips and the ring arm  206  can return to the position shown in  FIG.  8   . Movement between the positions shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8    can be repeated for a predetermined number of cycle times, such as five cycle times. After five cycles, for example, between the position shown in  FIG.  7    and the position shown in  FIG.  8   , the ring arm  206  can remain in the position shown in  FIG.  8    for a second predetermined amount of time which can be about 120 seconds. After the second predetermined amount of time elapses, power can be turned OFF to the transducer  134  and the vibration motors  176 . The ring arm  206  can then return to the position shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     With reference back to  FIG.  5   , the jewelry cleaning device  10  can further include a lid motor  270  that drives a pinion  272 . The pinion  272  can be operatively connected with a gear (not shown) connected with the lid  38 . After the cleaning cycle described in the aforementioned paragraph, the lid motor  270  can receive power to drive the pinion  272  to open the lid  38 . With reference back to  FIG.  1   , the jewelry cleaning device  10  can further include a light source  280  connected with the housing, which in the illustrated embodiment is connected with the upper housing assembly  12  and more particularly is provided in the recess  34  on the upper housing  30 . The light source  280 , which can be an LED, is positioned on the housing and configured to direct light toward the ring holder  20  when the ring holder  20  is in the first position, which is shown in  FIGS.  1  and  6   . After the cleaning cycle described above power can be delivered to the light source  280  to illuminate the ring  22 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  4   , upper brushes  302 ,  304  are positioned above the cleaning brush assemblies  160 ,  162 . Each upper brush  302 ,  304  is similarly configured. As such, the second upper brush  304  will be described with particularity with the understanding that the first upper brush  302  is similarly configured. The second upper brush includes a brush mount  306  and a plurality of silicone bristles  308  extending from the brush mount  306  toward the first upper brush  302 . The brush mount  306  mounts to the upper housing  30  and the plurality of silicone bristles  308  extend into the upper opening  32  to obscure the internal components of the jewelry cleaning device  10 . The plurality of silicone bristles  308  can also operate as a wiper to remove residual cleaning solution from the ring  22  being cleaned by the jewelry cleaning device  10 . With the ring holder  20  in the first position (shown in  FIGS.  1  and  6   ) the ring holder  20  positions the associated ring  22  above the plurality of silicone bristles  308 . With reference to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the ring holder  20  positions the associated ring  22  below the plurality of bristles  308  when both in the second position ( FIG.  7   ) and the third position ( FIG.  8   ). 
     With reference back to  FIG.  2    and also with reference to  FIG.  1   , the ring holder  20  and the cleaning brush assemblies  160 ,  162  are mounted to the upper housing assembly  12  for movement with the upper housing assembly  12  as the upper housing assembly  12  moves with respect to the lower housing assembly  14 . This allows for easy removal of the bath assembly  110 . With reference to  FIG.  2   , a button  320  provided on the lower housing assembly  14  can operatively connect with a latch  322  also on the lower housing assembly  14 . Depressing the button  320  can move the latch  322  into disengagement with a catch  324  provided on the upper housing assembly  12  to allow for movement of the upper housing assembly  12  with respect to the lower housing assembly  14 . The upper housing assembly  12  can pivot about the housing pivot axis  98  with respect to the lower housing assembly  14 . Alternatively, other types of movement of the upper housing assembly  12  with respect to the lower housing assembly  14  could be provided, for example, complete removal of the upper housing assembly  12  from the lower housing assembly  14 . When pivotal movement is desired, and with reference back to  FIG.  3   , weights, e.g., lead weights  330 , can be provided in the lower housing assembly  14  to prevent the jewelry cleaning device  10  from falling backwards when the upper housing assembly  12  is pivoted with respect to the lower housing assembly  14 . 
     With reference back to  FIG.  1   , a first button  340  and a second button  342  can be provided on the upper housing assembly  12 . The first button  340  can operate a switch (not shown) to control delivery of power to the lid motor  270  ( FIG.  5   ) such that operation of the first button  340  results in the lid  38  moving from the closed position toward the open position, which is shown in  FIG.  1   . The second button  342  can operate a switch electrically connected with the ring arm motor  204 , the vibration motors  176 , and the transducer  134  such that when one depresses the second button  342  the jewelry cleaning device  10  is turned ON into a cleaning mode. With reference back to  FIG.  4   , power can be provided to the jewelry cleaning device  10  via an electrical cord  350  (depicted schematically), which can connect with a wall electrical outlet. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS.  9 - 17   , and initially to  FIG.  9   , an alternate embodiment of the jewelry cleaning device  10  is shown. A jewelry cleaning device  1000  is shown generally including a housing, which in the illustrated embodiment includes an upper housing assembly  1003  and a lower housing assembly  1006 . The upper housing assembly  1003  may be provided with a lid  1009  that may be pivotally attached thereto. The lid  1009  may rotate between an open position shown in  FIG.  9    and a closed position shown in  FIGS.  16 - 17   . In the center of the upper housing assembly  1003  a recessed portion  1012  borders an opening  1015 . The upper portion of a ring holder mechanism  1018  extends upward through the opening  1015  into the space defined by the lid  1009 . A ring  1021  is attached to the ring holder mechanism  1018  as will be described in greater detail herein. A plurality of bristles  1024  are shown in the opening  1015  such that the ring  1021  passes through the bristles  1024  when it moves downward as described in greater detail herein. The upper housing assembly  1003  may removably attach to the lower housing assembly  1006 . In the embodiment shown, the upper housing assembly  1003  is lifted vertically to separate the upper housing assembly  1003  from the lower housing assembly  1006 . The upper housing assembly  1003  and the lower housing assembly may have electrical contacts between them configured to make an electrical connection so that power from the lower housing assembly  1006  can be distributed to the motors in the upper housing assembly  1009  such as the ring arm motor  1063  and the vibration motor  1099  in the brush housing  1084  described below. 
     Turning to  FIG.  10   , the bottom surface  1027  of the lower housing assembly  1006  may be provided with ribbed portions  1030  to provide a non-slip surface. The bottom surface  1027  of the lower housing assembly  1006  may also be provided with one or more vent openings  1033  to provide ventilation and cooling. Vents  1036  may also be provided in an angled outer wall  1039  of the lower housing assembly  1006  for additional ventilation. In addition, the jewelry cleaning device  1000  may also be provided with one or more electric fans  1042  to provide for cooling the motors and electronics contained with the jewelry cleaning device  1000 . A groove  1043  may be formed between the upper housing assembly  1003  and the lower housing assembly  1006  to provide for manually separating the two assemblies. 
     In  FIG.  11   , the upper housing assembly  1003  is separated from the lower housing assembly  1006 . The top surface  1045  of the lower housing assembly  1006  may be provided with a pair of recessed portions  1048 ,  1051  that provide channels (best shown in  FIGS.  14 - 15   ) for pouring the cleaning solution out of the bath  1052  in the lower housing assembly  1006 . The channels formed by the recessed portions  1048 ,  1051  provide a pathway to avoid spillage of the cleaning solution. A tray or basket  1054  for holding jewelry items may be inserted into the bath  1052 . The basket  1054  may be provided with slots  1055  or fine openings  1056  to allow the cleaning fluid to pass but the basket  1054  is configured at the bottom  1058  to trap debris that may be dislodged from the ring  1021  or other jewelry items in the basket  1054 . The top surface  1045  of the lower housing assembly  1006  may be provided with one or more recessed portions  1057  that provide access for tabs  1060  on opposite sides of the basket  1054  for lifting the basket  1054  from the lower housing assembly  1006 . A raised member  1061  may include one or more magnets  1062 . The raised member  1061  may provide an alignment guide for placing the upper housing assembly  1003  onto the lower housing assembly  1006 . The magnets  1062  may be configured to provide sufficient force to keep the assemblies  1003 ,  1006  together during use and transport, but still allow them to be manually separated by a user. 
     Turning to  FIG.  12   , the ring holder mechanism  1018  may include a ring arm motor  1063  operatively connected with a ring arm  1066  having a proximal end  1069  and a distal end  1072 . The proximal end  1069  connects with an output shaft (not visible) on the right hand side of the ring arm motor  1063  for rotational movement about an axis. The distal end  1072  of the ring holder mechanism  1018  may include a pair of opposed members  1075  and  1078  that provide for removably attaching the ring  1021  to the ring arm  1066 . The opposed members  1075  and  1078  are disposed in spaced apart relation above opening  1015 . A brush housing  1084  is visible through the opening  1015 . 
     In  FIG.  13 A , the ring arm  1066  is shown in greater detail. The opposed members  1075  and  1078  may be spring biased in opposite directions by a torsion spring. Legs extending from each end of the torsion spring may provide an outward force pushing the two opposed members  1075  and  1078  away from each other such that they are spring biased in an open position. The opposed members  1075  and  1078  may be provided with curved ends  1087  and  1090  that may have ridges defined thereon. The curved ends  1087  and  1090  may be covered with silicone sleeves. In use (best shown in  FIG.  13 B ), the two curved ends  1087  and  1090  are pushed together against the force of the torsion spring until the form a round shape and the ring  1021  is inserted over the curved ends  1087  and  1090  such that the opposed members  1075  and  1078  fit inside the opening in the ring  1021 . The outward force of the opposed members  1075  and  1078  against the band of the ring  1021  holds the ring  1021  in position at the end of the ring holder mechanism  1018 . 
     From the position shown in  FIG.  13 A  (with the ring  1021  attached to the ring holder mechanism  1018 ), the ring arm motor  1063  causes the ring arm  1066  to rotate in the clockwise direction causing the opposed members  1075  and  1078  to carry the ring  1021  through the bristles  1024 , into contact with the bristles in the brush assembly  1084  and finally into the bath  1052  in the lower housing assembly  1006 , as will be described in greater detail herein. 
     Turning to  FIGS.  16 ,  17   , brush housing  1084  is disposed on the right side of the figure and will be described in detail. Brush housing  1093  is similar in configuration and therefore will not be describe in detail. For clarity the brush housing  1084  is shown with the bristles removed. The bristles on the brush housing  1084  may be stiffer than the bristles  124  at the opening  1015 . The brush housing  1084  may be comprised of a bristle mounting pad  1096  mounted on the outside and a vibration motor  1099  disposed inside of a single housing  1084 . Accordingly, the brush housing  1084  may be configured as a unitary replaceable unit that is inserted into the upper housing assembly  1003 . The brush housing may comprise a pair of projecting members  1085  and  1086  that fit into a space formed in the upper housing assembly  1003 . When the brush housing  1084  is inserted into the upper housing assembly  1003 , electrical contact with a circuit may be made by electrical connectors such as pins or the like to connect the vibration motor  1099  to the electrical circuit in the unit. The vibration motor  1099  provides a pulsating motion to the bristle mounting pad  1096  which results in pulsating bristles  1024  contacting the exposed surfaces of the ring  1021 . As shown, the bristle mounting pad  1096  may extend into the bath  1052  area below the fill line  1097  ( FIG.  15   ) for the cleaning solution. 
     The bath  1052  of the lower housing assembly  1006  may be provided with a transducer  1105  mounted to the bath  1052 . The transducer  1105  may be centered and located snug against the bottom wall of the bath  1052 . The bath  1052  provides for ultrasonic cleaning in combination with the pulsating bristles. 
     The control of the ring holder mechanism  1018  and the movement between the different positions above the bristles  1024 , through the bristles in the brush housing  1084  and into the bath  1052  may be as described above in connection with the first embodiment. 
     A jewelry cleaning device has been described above in connection with more than one embodiment. Modifications and alterations will occur to those upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. For example the ring holder could be used with other cleaning mechanisms or perhaps only used with the cleaning brushes or the bath. Other modifications can also be provided. The invention, however, is not limited to only the embodiment described above. Instead, the invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.