Interchangeable setting for jewelry pieces

• US 5,456,095 A
• Filed: 06/30/1994
• Issued: 10/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jack D. Tawil, Tawil, David
• Original Assignee: Jack D. Tawil, Tawil, David
• Inventors: Tawil, David, Tawil, Jack D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saether, Flemming
• Application Number:
  US08/268,814
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 63/29.1, 63/30, 63/15, 63/26, 24/593, 24/597, 24/703.1, 24/596, 403/349, 403/279, 403/22, 411/553, 411/551
• US Class Current: 63/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 17/0216 with automatic locking action, e.g. by using a spring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/56 And position locking-means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/60 Receiving member includes either movable connection between cavity components or variable configuration cavity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45016 for jewelry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7007 Bayonet joint

Abstract

An interchangeable setting for a jewelry piece for displaying an ornament comprises a holder for supporting the ornament and prongs on the holder for securing the ornament. The holder have a cylindrical extension having projections for insertion into a receiver. The receiver has walls defining a cavity for removably receiving the holder. At least one groove is provided on an inner wall defining the cavity of the receiver for detachable engagement with the projection of the post for detachably securing the holder to the receiver. The upper surface of the groove is angled to insure wobble-free engagement of the holder and the receiver.

Claims

1. An interchangeable setting for a jewelry piece for displaying an ornament, the setting comprising:

a holder for supporting the ornament;

holding means on the holder for securing the ornament;

a post attached to the holder;

a projection on the end of the post farthest from the holding means;

a receiver having a top in which is formed a cylindrical cavity for removable receiving the holder post;

a cylindrical wall forming the cavity in the receiver having a first groove parallel to a central axis of the cavity therein and a second groove therein circumferentially positioned around a portion of the cylindrical wall, said first and second grooves intersecting;

the first and second grooves having a configuration and dimensions such as to allow the projection to move therein;

said second groove starts at said intersection of the first and second grooves and terminates in an end-section consisting of a section of at least a length equal to the dimension of the projection, said end-section terminating in a wall located farthest from the intersection of the first and second grooves; and

said second groove having an upper surface which spirals downwardly away from the intersection of the first and second grooves such that the distance between the top of the receiver and the upper surface of the second groove increases along the length of the second groove until the beginning of the end-section in such a manner that the further the projection is turned in the second groove away from the first groove, the farther the post is pulled into the cavity of the receiver, and the holder is pulled against the receiver.

2. The interchangeable setting of claim 1 wherein the distance between the top of the receiver and the portion of the second groove closest thereto in the end section is slightly less than the corresponding distance in the immediately preceding section of the second groove but is less than the corresponding distance at the intersection between the first and the second groove.

3. The interchangeable setting of claim 2 wherein there is frictional engagement between the projection and the upper surface the second groove.

4. The interchangeable setting of claim 2 wherein the post is integral with and forms part of the holder.

5. The interchangeable setting of claim 2 wherein the post attached to the holder having the projection is a separate detachable element which is mounted on the holder.

6. The interchangeable setting of claim 5 where the post with the projection is mounted on a second post without projections which is integral with the holder.

7. The interchangeable setting of claim 2 wherein the receiver has post means for mounting the receiver on a piece of jewelry.

8. The interchangeable setting according to claim 2 wherein the bottom of the receiver has an opening therein defining a tab so positioned that when the projection is in the end section of the second groove, such tab may be bent to hold the projection in place.

9. The interchangeable setting according to claim 2 wherein the receiver has vents of sufficient size and positioned to allow solder to be introduced into the second groove to fix the projection in the end section.

10. The interchangeable setting according to claim 2 wherein a washer is positioned on the post attached to the holder.

11. An interchangeable setting for a jewelry piece for displaying an ornament, the setting comprising:

a holder for supporting the ornament;

holding means on the holder for securing the ornament;

a post attached to the holder;

a projection on the end of the post farthest from the holding means;

a receiver having a cylindrical cavity for removable receiving the holder post;

a cylindrical wall forming the cavity in the receiver having a first groove parallel to a central axis of the cavity therein and a second groove therein circumferentially positioned around a portion of the cylindrical wall, said first and second grooves intersecting;

the first and second grooves having a configuration and dimensions such as to allow the projection to move therein;

said second groove starts at said intersection of the first and second grooves and terminates in an end-section consisting of a section of at least a length equal to the dimension of the projection, said end-section terminating in a wall located farthest from the intersection of the first and second grooves;

the dimensions of the second groove at the intersection between the first and second grooves being slightly larger that of the dimensions of the projection, the dimensions of the second decreasing along the length thereof until the beginning of the end-section in such a manner that the further the projection is turned in the second groove away from the first groove, the farther the post is pulled into the cavity of the receiver, and the holder is pulled against the receiver;

the size of the end section of the second groove is slightly enlarged in comparison to the immediately preceding section but is less than the size of the second groove at the intersection between the axial and the first and second groove; and

the bottom of the receiver having an opening therein defining a tab so positioned that when the projection is in the end section of the second groove, said tab may be bent to hold the projection in place.