Interchangeable jewelry setting

Abstract

An article of jewelry has a jewelry setting for removable engagement of a jewel from such article of jewelry. The jewelry setting enables biased engagement of the jewel with the article of jewelry in a secure manner, such that inadvertent separation of the jewel from the article of jewelry is prevented. A special tool for the engagement of the jewel with the jewelry article may be provided to enhance the secure connection between the jewel and article of jewelry. An interchangeable system of jewels, settings and articles of jewelry is also provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 181,073 filed on Oct. 23, 2002 and currently pending, and claiming priority from application PCT / US02 / 09081 filed Mar. 22, 2002 and currently pending, and now abandoned provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 278,313 filed on Mar. 23, 2001.I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to jewelry settings generally, and more specifically to a jewelry setting having interchangeable parts that are rotationally biasable together. II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Jewelry pieces are conventionally permanent. In other words, once a jewel is fixed within a setting, the jewel and the setting may only be used or worn as a combined unit on one part of the body. This can be quite limiting, for example, if one wished to display or wear a particular jewel on one's finger during one occasion and on one's clothing in a brooch or pin during another occasion. [0004] In...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The setting of the present invention overcomes the inadequacies of the prior art by providing a secure means for releasable and interchangeable engagement of a gem with a jewelry piece. The construction of the setting prevents unwanted removal of the gem from the setting while the jewelry article is being worn and displayed by requiring engagement of the gem with the setting from the inside of the setting, not the outside of the setting. Thus, for example, if the jewelry item is a ring worn on a person's finger, the gem can only be inserted into the ring through the interior of the ring and not from the outer periphery of the ring. In addition, the gem is preferably engaged and disengaged from the setting by a special tool, which must preferably be used to insert, remove and interchange gems with the setting. Thus, unwanted disengagement of the gem from the setting is prevented because only the owner of the jewelry article would have possession of the tool.

[0015] An article of jewelry has a removable portion that selectively receives and retains a plurality of jewels or gems and a fixed portion that is coupled to an item to be decorated and configured to receive the removable portion. The structure of the article enables biased engagement of the received jewel with the fixed portion in a secure manner, such that inadvertent separation of the jewel from the article of jewelry is prevented.

[0016] Assembling the inventive article of jewel is realized by a special tool or key for engaging / disengaging the removable and fixed portions. The jewelry setting enables a plurality of jewels to be interchangeably set within the article of jewelry, thus enabling the appearance of the article of jewelry to be changed as desired.

[0017] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the tool, configured to provide a reliable insertion, engagement and disengagement of the removable and fixed portions, is capable of generating a magnetic force that reliably attracts the removable portion to the tool. Accordingly, assembling / disassembling of the inventive article of jewelry can be performed in a time effective manner by eliminating a manual part of coupling the article's components together.

Problems solved by technology

This can be quite limiting, for example, if one wished to display or wear a particular jewel on one's finger during one occasion and on one's clothing in a brooch or pin during another occasion.

In each of the prior art references noted above, there is a chance that the first and second pieces may be inadvertently separated through hand manipulation.

While this arrangement may be convenient if it is desired to swiftly change gems or diamonds, it lacks a certain amount of security.

Furthermore, because the engagement of the first and second pieces occurs primarily by hand, there are no security measures inherent in the structures of the prior art that prevent unwanted disengagement of the first and second pieces.

Assembling multiple pieces is a difficult task requiring skills and experience working with tools that are used for fastening separate components of an article of jewelry together.

Needless to say, the users of the article of jewelry, which is adapted to be used with a plurality of gems, may experience even more difficulties.

However, the disclosed tools may have a rather complicated structure that does not ensure reliable and easy engagement between the tools and components to be fasten.

As a consequence, the item cannot be redecorated.

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