Patent Abstract:
A ring formed of a first gold layer and second silver layer wherein the silver layer is more than fifty percent of the ring weight. The layers are bonded together with the gold layer on a portion of the outer surface to give an appearance of a ring formed entirely of gold. A method for fabricating the ring is also provided.

Full Description:
INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/085,464 filed Aug. 1, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is a layered jewelry ring and method of fabrication whereby the ring is formed of two metal blanks that are bonded together. 
         [0003]    The layered jewelry ring comprises
       a. a first layer that encompasses a portion of the circumference on the outer surface of said ring;   b. a second layer that encompasses substantially all of the circumference on the inner surface of said ring;   c. a solder containing interface between said first layer and said second layer;       
 
         [0007]    whereby said first and second layer are bonded together to form a single fused assembly shaped into a ring. 
         [0008]    The first layer and second layer can be formed of the same material or can be formed of different materials. Each layer is formed of a metal, alloy, or combinations thereof. 
         [0009]    In a preferred embodiment, the first layer is formed of gold and the second layer is formed of silver. The first layer of gold metal is about 0.05 to 0.50 cm thick and the second layer of silver metal is about 0.65 to 0.75 cm thick. The entire thickness of the ring is about 0.70 to 1.25 cm thick. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the ring is formed such that the first layer is the primary visible layer when said ring is worn (i.e. when a ring is worn on a finger, about half of the ring surface is readily visible, the half that is on the back portion of a wearer&#39;s hand). 
         [0011]    As used herein, the terms “gold” and “silver” refer to the metals and metal alloys commonly used in the art and are not limited to any pure composition. 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, the second layer comprises more than fifty percent the weight of said ring. In another preferred embodiment, the ring is formed of at least about 5% by weight of gold. 
         [0013]    Also part of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a ring comprising the steps of:
       (a) laminating a first plate to a desired thickness forming a first laminated plate;   (b) laminating a second plate to a desired thickness forming a second laminated plate;   (c) cutting a first blank from said first laminated plate;   (d) cutting a second blank from said second laminated plate;   (e) stamping a shelf on said second blank forming a stamped shelf;   (f) soldering said first blank onto said second blank in an area defined by said stamped shelf, said soldered blanks collectively forming a soldered assembly;   (g) passing said soldered assembly through an oven;   (h) stamping said soldered assembly in a press and forming a bonded assembly with a fused edge;   (i) cutting excess edge from said fused edge;   (j) stamping a form onto said bonded assembly;   (k) shaping said bonded assembly into a curved ring shape having two opposing ends;   (l) cutting a joint on the ends of said curved bonded assembly;   (m) soldering each of said ends one to another and forming a ring; and   (n) polishing said ring.       
 
         [0028]    The method may also include addition of desired designs, stone, stones, or combinations thereof. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the first laminated plate is preferably gold metal. This first laminated plate is cut to form a gold blank. The second laminated plate is preferably silver metal. The second laminated plate is cut to form a silver blank. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of a gold blank. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1B  is a top view of a silver blank. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of a gold blank. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of a silver blank. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a silver blank having a stamped shelf. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a joined assembly of gold blank placed on a stamped silver blank. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a joined assembly of gold blank placed on a stamped silver blank. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of a trimmed gold blank placed on a stamped silver blank. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of a trimmed gold blank placed on a stamped silver blank. 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the assembled blanks that have been formed into a curved configuration having ends that are not yet joined. 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the assembled blanks that have been formed into a curved configuration having ends that have been joined. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the ring. 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  is a cross section of the ring along section lines A-A from  FIG. 9   
           [0043]      FIG. 11  is a cross section of an embodiment showing gold on about 60% of the outer circumferal surface. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    Ring  10  of the present invention is formed by the permanent, bonded, and fused attachment of a gold blank  12  to a silver blank  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a gold blank  12  is secured to a silver blank  14  with a solder  16 . Initially, when gold blank  12  is secured to silver blank  14  and pressed together a border region is formed of excess solder  16  and some edging of the two metals  12  and  14 . This border region of excess solder  16  and edging of two metals  12  and  14  is referred to as a pretrim area  18 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . Pretrim area  18  is removed, as seen in  FIG. 6A , in procedures known in the art. Ring  10  is subsequently shaped in a curved configuration so that the joined gold blank  12  and silver blank  14  are formed into a substantially circular configuration. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , ring  10  formed of gold blank  12  and silver blank  14  is formed into a curved configuration and opposing ends  11  and  13  are joined with a solder  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , ring  10  has a polished surface  22  and a stamped or laser logo region  26  on silver surface  28 . The laser logo is produced by laser engraving as is well known in the art. There are many commercially available machines available for laser etching and engraving on jewelry. Any type of machine that is suitable and known for laser etching and engraving may be used. 
         [0045]    In laser etching, as the laser passes over the material, it is ablating the material, creating a constant depth and allowing fine detail. 
         [0046]    In a preferred embodiment, stamped logo  26  is opposite a polished connection  24  said polished connection  24  overlays the surface of ring  10  and covers solder  20 . 
         [0047]    The present invention is a ring  10  and a method for forming gold and silver layered rings. Ring  10  of the present invention advantageously gives the appearance of a gold ring although it is fabricated of two metal blanks that are bonded together. The outer visible portion of ring  10  is formed of a gold blank  12  and gold blank  12  constitutes less than fifty percent of the weight of ring  10 . A less expensive metal, such as silver, constitutes the majority of the weight of ring  10  and is on the inside of the finished ring  10 . The combination of gold and silver blanks  12  and  14  into ring  10  results in a final ring  10  that has the outward appearance of a gold ring when actually, ring  10  is less than fifty percent gold. In a preferred embodiment, ring  10  is a combination of a laminate (multiple sheets of metal soldered and pressured into a single piece) that is formed with gold blank  12  attached to a sterling silver base blank  14 . Gold blank  12  may be any gold composition, but is preferably 10, 14, or 18 karat as commonly known in the art. 
         [0048]    A preferred metal for silver blank  14  is silver grain patented type “88” available from United Precious Metal Refining, Inc. (Alden, N.Y.). 
         [0049]    Sterling Silver No. 88 is a proprietary deoxidized Sterling Silver formulation designed to eliminate fire scale, porosity and greatly improve tarnish resistance. Sterling Silver #88 sheet and wire products will be slightly softer than traditional Sterling Silver sheet and wire stock. Working characteristics of Sterling Silver #88 sheet and wire stock will be the same as traditional Sterling Silver. 
         [0050]    Sterling Silver No. 88 alloy has low deoxidizing properties and helps eliminate undesired fire scale (a deep oxide of copper, formed below the surface of the silver, on prolonged heating) and porosity. 
         [0051]    Although the present invention is described in terms of fabrication with gold and silver, the article of the invention and procedure for forming the article may be used with any combination of metals or metal alloys as desired. 
         [0052]    Ring  10  of the present invention is made with a gold blank  12  formed such that, in a finished ring, gold from gold blank  12  is visibly perceived around a portion of outer surface  28  of ring  10  or with outer surface  28  being partially gold if desired. 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 11 , ring  10  has gold on 60% of the outer surface and there is 40% of silver on the outer surface. The entire interior surface is silver. Point “C” represents the center of a circle defined by ring  10  and points “A” and “B” each define a ray starting at point “C” and traveling away from the center of the circle such that central angle ACB is formed. Angle ACB has a measure of x degrees. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11 , angle ACB has a measure of 144° corresponding to 40% of the degree measure and circumference of a circle. The 40% silver portion is used for sizing the ring and is not readily visible when ring  10  is worn. Although the depicted embodiment provides one example of a percentage of gold on the outer circumferal surface, this percentage can be changed if desired. 
         [0054]    The present invention uses a gold blank  12  with a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.50 cm and a sterling silver blank  14  with a preferred thickness of about 0.65 to 0.75 cm. Ring  10  of the present invention is formed of a majority of silver and is thus less expensive than a ring formed of solid gold or gold alloy. 
         [0055]    Ring  10  of the present invention is formed by a procedure as follows: 
         [0056]    Gold blank  12  and silver blank  14  are prepared from cut laminate metals. Each of the laminate metals that are cut to form gold blank  12  and silver blank  14  are cut to a desired thickness prior to said cut metals being cut into blanks. Each of gold blank  12  and silver blank  14  are cut using a stamping machine, which uses pressure to bend, shape, and cut metal as is known in the metalworking art. Silver blank  14  is subsequently stamped a second time such that a shelf bottom  15  and shelf side walls  17  is stamped thereon, as can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Shelf bottom  15  is surrounded on its perimeter by shelf side wall  17 . Shelf bottom  15  and side wall  17  define a cavity that is constructed and arranged to accommodate receipt of gold blank  12  therein, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Gold blank  12  nests within cavity formed of side walls  17  and shelf bottom  15 . Gold blank  12  nests securely in silver blank  14  in the stamped cavity of silver blank  14  that is defined by shelf bottom  15  and shelf side walls  17 . 
         [0057]    After the aforementioned stamping, gold blank  12  is attached to silver blank  14  using solder  16 . Gold blank  12  is placed on top of silver blank  14  and each of blanks  12  and  14  are bonded and secured together, as set forth below, by a combination of successive steps involving solder, heat and pressure. 
         [0058]    In a preferred embodiment, solder  16  is a paste solder which is a mixture of microscopic solder particles and flux, a chemical cleaning agent that facilitates soldering. 
         [0059]    Depending on the desired application, soft solders, having a melting point in the range of about 700-720° F., medium solders having a melting point in the range of about 745-775° F., or hard solders having a melting point in the range of about 750-780° F., are selected. Alternatively, gold solders can be used in the method of the present invention. 
         [0060]    Solder  16  is placed between gold blank  12  and silver blank  14  in any manner known in the art. After the soldering, the stamped and soldered assembly  19  of gold blank  12 , silver blank  14 , and solder  16 , is passed through a solder oven (SM Engineering Inc., North Attleboro, Mass.) at 1650° F. degrees at a 12.5 oven speed setting. The oven control speed setting controls the speed of a belt that moves through the oven carrying assembly  19 . The scale ranges from 0 (stop) to 100 (fastest). The temperatures and speed settings are adjusted as needed in a manner known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0061]    The soldered, heat-treated assembly  19  of gold blank  12  and silver blank  14  is subsequently stamped again using about 5 tons of pressure per square inch utilizing a press (not shown) as is known in the art. The stamping creates a fused bond between gold blank  12  and silver blank  14 . This subsequent stamping step typically produces an excess edge  18  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . The excess edge  18  is then removed, typically by cutting the excess edge, and the result is a trimmed bonded form as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0062]    The fused bonded assembly  19  of gold blank  12  and silver blank  14  is then turned into a ring shape using a ring bender or customized mechanical tooling, such as a foot press, as is known in the art. The foot press is used in the metalwork art to bend, shape, form and cut base metal during a fabrication process. The curved shape is shown generally in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0063]    Sides, or end edges  11  and  13  of assembly  19  must be cut to ensure a perfect union between the two edge portions  11  and  13  to be soldered. The cut must be precise to eliminate the possibility of porosity on the weld line, i.e. the edges that are ultimately joined by solder. Precision cutting is performed by procedures known in the art. 
         [0064]    The junction of edges  11  and  13  is a joint that is then bench soldered using wire silver solder  20 . The solder is preferably a composition having the same or a substantially similar alloy composition as the ring and fine silver is used in the process. 
         [0065]    The soldered ring  10  is then tumbled one hour in a magnetic tumbler to pre-polish. 
         [0066]    After tumbling is complete, the ring  10  is buffed using a lapping disc on the edges and cotton and/or felt wheels on the inner and outer surfaces in a manner known in the art. 
         [0067]    If desired, ring  10  is then stamped with a logo  26 . 
         [0068]    Optionally, a design is then cut into the ring using a diamond faceting machine known in the art, to a thickness from 0.02 cm to 0.50 cm depth and taking care such that the cutting cuts less than 20% of gold mass in ring  10 . 
         [0069]    The gold surface of ring  10  is optionally textured with a sandblasting machine or hand textured with different grades of sanding discs depending on desired design and finish of the outer surface of ring  10 . 
         [0070]    If desired, a stone (not shown) may be set on ring  10  depending on design. 
         [0071]    Ring  10  is then polished and electro cleaned. 
         [0072]    Finished ring  10  may optionally have a coating applied. Coatings are applied in methods known in the art, which may employ using a combination of a coating pen application, dipping ring  10  in a rhodium solution, or combinations thereof. Typically, coatings are applied with a minimum thickness of about 0.10 microns and range up to and including about 2.00 microns for the coating thickness. 
         [0073]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0