Patent Description:
The jewel support base that supports the jewel such as the diamond, a ruby, or a sapphire needs to have a structure that securely fixes the jewel, that has an excellent design feature, and that does not impair brilliance of the jewel. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a jewel holding frame that holds a jewel, the jewel holding frame having a reflective bottom with a mirror-finished inner surface.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a jewel mounting structure in which a jewel is easily and precisely fixed to a metal frame for emphasizing brilliance and a size of the jewel, and in which this decorative frame is accurately and securely fixed to a correct position on a jewel mounting base for an accessory.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an ornament including a plurality of decorative beads, and a plurality of claw portions that lock the plurality of these decorative beads, the ornament having a configuration in which an at least one decorative bead of the plurality of decorative beads is locked by adjacent ones of the plurality of decorative beads.

Patent Literature <NUM> provides a high-workability, practicality and decorativeness mount for a gem to which the gem can be reliably fixed regardless of their size or shape and to provide a method for mounting the gem on the mount. The mount for a gem is composed of a round locking frame which wraps the pavilion (lower part) of the gem and has four claws in the same shape. The inside diameter of the locking frame is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the gem to be fixed so that it may be locked. Each of the four claws is in the shape of a semicylinder with ends rounded. They are composed of upper claw parts for fixing the crown (upper part) of the gem and lower claw parts for fixing the pavilion respectively.

Patent Literature <NUM> relates more particularly to a gemstone costume-style setting device, comprising a gemstone, wherein the gemstone is provided with a sealing kit for assembling the gemstone at the lower end, the sealing kit being provided with an installation cavity, the gemstone being disposed in the installation cavity, the installation cavity being articulated with claws, and the claws being disposed at the lower surface of the gemstone. The effect of this utility model is that the structure is articulated with claws in the mounting cavity, which facilitates fixing of the gemstone and provides a better fixing effect. In addition, during the setting process, the surface of the gemstone will not be damaged, and the waist of the seal will firmly fix the gemstone.

Patent Literature <NUM> relates generally to interchangeable setting and positive locking of stones, diamonds and other decorative elements within a mounting disposed on a finger ring, pin, earrings, cuff-links, pendants and the like, but more specifically to a means and a method of setting and locking such ornamental and interchangeable elements in a manner which is easy of execution by the owner and by a retailer. The main object resides in the facility, permanent locking and rigidity of setting gems of various thicknesses and conformations, artificial and synthetic, in a mounting for harmonious relationship, the said gems being easily disengageable for replacement in the same mounting of different ornamental pieces.

Patent Literature <NUM> relates to articles of jewelry, and has special application to an improved means and method for mounting stones, gems and other ornaments in jewelry such as rings, brooches, scarf pins, and the like. A main object is to provide a mounting for a central stone and a series of encircling stones according to a simple and inexpensive construction.

In the jewel support base, as support parts for the jewel are formed to be thinner, presence of the jewel can be more emphasized. With this, a large amount of light can be delivered to the jewel to enhance brilliance of the jewel. However, forming the support parts to be thinner results in a decrease in support stability for the jewel or their strength.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a jewel support base having a structure that securely supports and fixes a jewel, that has an excellent design feature, and that does not impair brilliance of the jewel.

The dependent claims define embodiments of the invention.

According an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a jewel support base that supports a jewel, the jewel support base including:.

With such a configuration, when the jewel is arranged in the hole portion of the annular portion, the jewel is supported from below by the plurality of support pieces that extend from the rim of the hole portion. In other words, the lower side of the jewel is supported by the plurality of support pieces, and hence the jewel need not be supported with use of an entirety of the rim of the annular portion. With this, the hole portion can be enlarged, which enables light to be sufficiently delivered not only from above the jewel but also from below and sideways. In addition, since the outer periphery of the jewel is held by the plurality of first holding claws, the jewel is securely fixed.

In the above-described jewel support base, the plurality of support pieces are each preferred to be provided to extend obliquely upward. With this, the jewel arranged in the hole portion of the annular portion is supported in a manner of floating in the hole portion.

In the above-described jewel support base, the plurality of first holding claws are preferred to be arranged at an equal interval around the hole portion. With this, the jewel can be held in a good balance with use of the plurality of first holding claws.

In the above-described jewel support base, corresponding ones of the plurality of first holding claws are preferred to be arranged on both sides of each of the plurality of support pieces as the annular portion is viewed from above. With this, the jewel can be supported at three points from above and below with use of one of the plurality of support pieces and two of the plurality of first holding claws, the two being arranged on both the sides relative to this one of the plurality of support pieces.

In the above-described jewel support base, the plurality of first holding claws are each preferred to include a groove portion into which an outer peripheral part of the jewel is fitted. With this, the outer peripheral part of the jewel is fitted into the groove portion of each of the plurality of first holding claws, and the jewel can be securely fixed.

In the above-described jewel support base, the annular portionincludes a recessed portion in which a small jewel is arranged. With this, the jewel that is arranged in the hole portion of the annular portion can be decorated with use of the small jewel that is arranged in the recessed portion.

The above-described jewel support base further includes.

In the above-described jewel support base,.

In the above-described jewel support base, a hole is preferred to be provided at a center part of the recessed portion as the annular portion is viewed from above. With this, light can be sufficiently delivered from below to the small jewel arranged in the recessed portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ornament including:.

According to the present invention, the jewel support base having the structure that securely supports and fixes a jewel, that has an excellent design feature, and that does not impair brilliance of the jewel can be provided.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the following description, the same members are denoted by the same reference symbols to omit redundant description thereof.

<FIG> is an exemplary perspective view of a configuration of a jewel support base according to this embodiment as viewed from above.

<FIG> is an exemplary perspective view of the configuration of the jewel support base according to this embodiment as viewed from below.

(a) and (b) of <FIG> are respectively an exemplary plan view and an exemplary side view of the configuration of the jewel support base according to this embodiment.

<FIG> is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a state in which jewels are arranged in the jewel support base according to this embodiment.

Note that, in this embodiment, for the sake of convenience of description, a side where the jewels are arranged is referred to as an "upper side. " In addition, the jewels encompass simulated jewels.

A jewel support base <NUM> according to this embodiment includes an annular portion <NUM> having a hole portion <NUM> at a center of the annular portion <NUM>, a plurality of support pieces <NUM> that protrude from a rim of the annular portion <NUM> to a center of the hole portion <NUM>, the rim being on a side where the hole portion <NUM> is present, and a plurality of first holding claws <NUM> that extend upward from the annular portion <NUM>.

The annular portion <NUM> is a part to serve as a bezel that supports a jewel S1 with the jewel S1 arranged in the hole portion <NUM>. Recessed portions <NUM> are provided in the annular portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, the plurality of recessed portions <NUM> are provided at an equal interval along a circumferential direction of the annular portion <NUM> as viewed from above. Small jewels S2 are arranged in the recessed portions <NUM>, which are capable of decorating a periphery of the jewel S1 that is arranged in the hole portion <NUM> at the center.

When the jewel S1 is arranged in the hole portion <NUM> of the annular portion <NUM>, a lower side of the jewel S1 is supported by the plurality of support pieces <NUM> that protrude from the rim of the annular portion <NUM>, the rim being on the side where the hole portion <NUM> is present. The jewel support base <NUM> supports the lower side of the jewel S1 with use of the plurality of support pieces <NUM>, and hence it is unnecessary to support the jewel S1 with use of an entirety of the rim of the annular portion <NUM>, the rim being on the side where the hole portion <NUM> is present. With this, an area of members that support the lower side of the jewel S1 can be reduced, and accordingly an area of the hole portion <NUM> can be increased. When the hole portion <NUM> can be enlarged, light can be sufficiently delivered from below the jewel S1 to the jewel S1. In addition, the light is delivered also from between the support pieces <NUM> adjacent to each other, and hence the light can be sufficiently delivered also to lateral sides of the jewel S1.

In this embodiment, the support pieces <NUM> that are provided to the annular portion <NUM> include four support pieces <NUM>. These four support pieces <NUM> are arranged at an interval of <NUM>° as viewed from above. With this, the lower side of the jewel S1 is supported by the support pieces <NUM> at four points. Although the area of the hole portion <NUM> can be increased as the number of the support pieces <NUM> becomes smaller, support strength decreases. Meanwhile, although the support strength becomes higher as the number of the support pieces <NUM> becomes larger, the area of the hole portion <NUM> decreases. Therefore, the number of the support pieces <NUM> is preferred to be approximately three or more and eight or less.

The plurality of support pieces <NUM> are each preferred to be provided to extend obliquely upward from the rim of the annular portion <NUM>, the rim being on the side where the hole portion <NUM> is present. With this, when the lower side of the jewel S1 is supported with use of the plurality of support pieces <NUM>, the jewel S1 is supported in a manner of floating in the hole portion <NUM>.

The plurality of first holding claws <NUM> that are provided to the annular portion <NUM> hold an outer periphery of the jewel S1 arranged in the hole portion <NUM>. In the jewel support base <NUM>, the lower side of the jewel S1 arranged in the hole portion <NUM> is supported with use of the plurality of support pieces <NUM>, and the outer periphery of the jewel S1 is held with use of the plurality of first holding claws <NUM>. With this, the jewel S1 can be securely fixed.

The plurality of first holding claws <NUM> are preferred to be arranged at an equal interval around the hole portion <NUM>. With this, the jewel S1 can be held in a good balance with use of the plurality of first holding claws <NUM>. In this embodiment, corresponding ones of the first holding claws <NUM> are arranged on both sides of each of the four support pieces <NUM>. Specifically, two of the first holding claws <NUM> are arranged respectively on both the sides of each of the four support pieces <NUM>, and hence a total of eight first-holding claws <NUM> is provided. These eight first-holding claws <NUM> are arranged at an equal interval (interval of <NUM> degrees) as viewed from above. With this, the jewel S1 can be securely fixed, and a sense of balanced design can be provided.

The first holding claws <NUM> each include a groove portion 31a into which an outer peripheral part of the jewel S1 arranged in the hole portion <NUM> is fitted. For example, when the jewel S1 is a brilliant-cut diamond, the groove portion 31a is formed in conformity with a girdle part. With this, the groove portion 31a of each of the first holding claws <NUM> is fitted to the girdle part, and the outer periphery of the jewel S1 can be securely held and fixed.

The recessed portions <NUM> are provided in the annular portion <NUM>, second holding claws <NUM> are provided on a side of the recessed portions <NUM>, the side being opposite to the side where the hole portion <NUM> is present as the annular portion <NUM> is viewed from above. The second holding claws <NUM> are provided upright on an outer peripheral side of the annular portion <NUM>, and perform a function to hold the small jewels S2 between the second holding claws <NUM> and the first holding claws <NUM> that are provided upright on an inner peripheral side of the annular portion <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the recessed portions <NUM> that are provided in the annular portion <NUM> include eight recessed portions <NUM> at an equal interval, and the second holding claws <NUM> are provided respectively to the recessed portions <NUM>. As the annular portion <NUM> is viewed from above, the eight second-holding claws <NUM> are located at positions that are shifted by a half pitch in the circumferential direction from the eight first-holding claws <NUM>. With this, the small jewels S2 can each be held at three points with use of two of the first holding claws <NUM> and one of the second holding claws <NUM> with the small jewels S2 arranged in the recessed portions <NUM>.

As illustrated, for example, in <FIG> and (b) of <FIG>, the first holding claws <NUM> each include groove portions 31b into which outer peripheral parts of the small jewels S2 arranged in the recessed portions <NUM> are fitted. The outer peripheral parts of the small jewels S2 arranged in the recessed portions <NUM> are fitted into the groove portions 31b of the two of the first holding claws <NUM> provided to face the recessed portions <NUM>. For example, when the small jewel S2 is the brilliant-cut diamond, the groove portions 31b are formed in conformity with the girdle part. The first holding claws <NUM> are used not only as holders for the jewel S1 but also as holders for the small jewels S2. Thus, the jewel S1 and the small jewels S2 can be efficiently fixed with use of the same first-holding claws <NUM>.

In addition, a hole <NUM> is provided at a center part of each of the recessed portions <NUM>. With this, light can be sufficiently delivered from below to the small jewels S2 arranged in the recessed portions <NUM>.

An ornament <NUM> is constituted by arranging the jewel S1 and the small jewels S2 in the jewel support base <NUM> according to this embodiment (refer to <FIG>). In the ornament <NUM> using the jewel support base <NUM>, the lower side of the jewel S1 is supported by the plurality of support pieces <NUM>, and hence light can be sufficiently delivered from below the jewel S1 and sideways to the jewel S1. Further, the ornament <NUM> in which the jewel S1 can be securely fixed with use of the support pieces <NUM> and the first holding claws <NUM>, in which the small jewels S2 can be securely fixed with use of the first holding claws <NUM> and the second holding claws <NUM>, and in which the light can be sufficiently delivered not only from above the jewel S1 and the small jewels S2 but also from below and sideways is provided.

<FIG> and <FIG> are exemplary views illustrating a method of manufacturing the ornament.

First, as illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, the jewel support base <NUM> according to this embodiment is prepared. Then, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, the jewel S1 is arranged in the hole portion <NUM> provided at the center of the annular portion <NUM> of the jewel support base <NUM>. At this time, distal parts of the first holding claws <NUM> have not yet been bent. By pressing the jewel S1 from above into an inner side relative to the plurality of first holding claws <NUM>, the outer peripheral part of the jewel S1 is fitted into the groove portions 31a of the first holding claws <NUM>. Further, the small jewels S2 are arranged respectively in the plurality of recessed portions <NUM> of the annular portion <NUM>.

Then, as illustrated in (a) and (b) of <FIG>, the distal parts of the first holding claws <NUM> are bent toward the jewel S1 so that the jewel S1 is held. With this, the lower side of the jewel S1 is supported by the support pieces <NUM>, and the upper side of the jewel S1 is held by the first holding claws <NUM>. Further, distal parts of the second holding claws <NUM> are bent toward the small jewels S2 so that the small jewels S2 are held. With this, the small jewels S2 are pressed against the first holding claws <NUM>, and fixed by the second holding claws <NUM>. When the jewel S1 and the small jewels S2 are fixed to the jewel support base <NUM>, the ornament <NUM> is completed.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the ornament as viewed from below.

The ornament <NUM> using the jewel support base <NUM> according to this embodiment has a design in which the jewel S1 is arranged at the center, and in which the eight small jewels S2 are arranged therearound. As viewed from above, the jewel S1 and the small jewels S2 are fixed in a good balance by the eight first-holding claws <NUM> and the eight second-holding claws <NUM>.

Meanwhile, as the ornament <NUM> is viewed from below, the jewel S1 arranged in the hole portion <NUM> is supported by the four support pieces <NUM>. Thus, light is delivered to the jewel S1 not only via the center of the hole portion <NUM> but also through between the support pieces <NUM>. The light is delivered to the small jewels S2 through the holes <NUM> of the recessed portions <NUM>. In this way, the light is not unnecessarily blocked by the support member for the jewel S1 and the small jewels S2, and the light is sufficiently delivered not only from above the jewel S1 and the small jewels S2 but also from below and sideways. With this, brilliance of the jewel S1 and the small jewels S2 is exhibited.

<FIG> is an exemplary perspective view of a jewel support base according to Comparative Example.

This jewel support base 1B according to Comparative Example includes an annular portion 10B having the hole portion <NUM> at a center of the annular portion 10B, a plurality of first holding claws 31B that extend upward from the annular portion 10B, and that are arranged around the hole portion <NUM>, a plurality of recessed portions 15B that are provided in the annular portion 10B, and second holding claws 32B that are provided on a side of the recessed portions 15B as the annular portion 10B is viewed from above, the side being opposite to the side where the hole portion <NUM> is present. The jewel support base 1B is configured to support the lower side of the jewel S1 with use of an entirety of a rim of the annular portion <NUM> under the state in which the jewel S1 is arranged in the hole portion <NUM>, the rim being on the side where the hole portion <NUM> is present. In other words, unlike the jewel support base <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, the jewel support base 1B does not include the support pieces <NUM>.

In the jewel support base 1B according to Comparative Example, since the jewel S1 is supported with use of the entirety of the rim of the annular portion 10B, the rim being on the side where the hole portion <NUM> is present, the area of the hole portion <NUM> is smaller than that in the jewel support base <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention. As a result, in the jewel support base 1B according to Comparative Example, an amount of light to be collected from below and sideways to the jewel S1 is smaller than that in the jewel support base <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, since the configuration in which the jewel S1 is supported with use of the entirety of the rim of the annular portion 10B is employed, the rim being on the side where the hole portion <NUM> is present, an amount of a material of the annular portion 10B is larger than that of the annular portion <NUM>. Thus, the jewel support base <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention is lighter in weight than the jewel support base 1B according to Comparative Example. As an example, the jewel support base 1B according to Comparative Example has a weight of <NUM> when made of silver, and the jewel support base <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention has a weight of <NUM> when made of silver as well. Depending on design, the jewel support base <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention can be approximately <NUM>% to <NUM>% lighter in weight than the jewel support base 1B according to Comparative Example.

As described hereinabove, the jewel support base <NUM> to be provided according to the embodiment of the present invention is capable of having a structure that securely supports and fixes the jewel S1, that is excellent in design, and that does not deteriorate the brilliance of the jewel S1.

Note that, the present invention are not limited to the examples described above in the embodiment of the present invention or to its application examples. For example, although the jewel support base <NUM> exemplified in the embodiment of the present invention enables the plurality of small jewels S2 to be arranged around the jewel S1 or the jewel support base <NUM> may enable one small jewel S2 to be arranged.

Claim 1:
A jewel support base (<NUM>) that supports a jewel (s1), the jewel support base (<NUM>) comprising:
an annular portion (<NUM>) having a hole portion (<NUM>) at a center of the annular portion (<NUM>);
a plurality of support pieces (<NUM>)
that protrude from a rim of the annular portion (<NUM>) to a center of the hole portion (<NUM>), the rim being on a side where the hole portion (<NUM>) is present, and
that are arranged at an interval along the rim; and
a plurality of first holding claws (<NUM>)
that extend upward from the annular portion (<NUM>), and
that are arranged around the hole portion (<NUM>),
the plurality of support pieces (<NUM>) supporting a lower side of the jewel (s1) that is arranged in the hole portion (<NUM>),
the plurality of first holding claws holding (<NUM>) an outer periphery of the jewel (s1); said jewel support base being characterized in that
the annular portion (<NUM>) includes a recessed portion (<NUM>) in which a small jewel (s2) is arranged; and
a second holding claw (<NUM>) that is provided on a side of the recessed portion (<NUM>), the side of the recessed portion (<NUM>) being opposite to the side where the hole portion (<NUM>) is present as the annular portion (<NUM>) is viewed from above,
wherein an outer periphery of the small jewel (s2) that is arranged in the recessed portion (<NUM>) is held between a corresponding one of the plurality of first holding claws (<NUM>) and the second holding claw (<NUM>).