Inlay and method for inlaying a decorative component

By designing deformable areas for the inlays to deform or break during installation, the problem of stable fixation and aesthetic preservation of small decorative elements on jewelry or timepieces is solved, achieving an economical and simple installation effect.

CN116195823BActive Publication Date: 2026-06-23DECORATE THE CO FOR YOU

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
DECORATE THE CO FOR YOU
Filing Date
2022-12-01
Publication Date
2026-06-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

When setting decorative elements on jewelry or timepieces, existing technologies struggle to achieve stable, aesthetically pleasing, and economical preservation on rigid material substrates, especially for small decorative elements. Furthermore, traditional methods are costly and complex to install.

Method used

Design an insert comprising an upper body and a lower body, wherein a deformable region deforms or fractures during insertion to form a frictional support with the base, ensuring the fixation of the decorative element, and using the plastic deformation or fracture of the deformable region to achieve a stable connection with the base.

Benefits of technology

It enables stable fixing of decorative elements on a rigid substrate, reduces costs, simplifies the installation process, and maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance. It is suitable for decorative elements of various sizes and shapes.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a setting (1) comprising an upper body (15) and a lower body (16) aligned along an axis (A) for driving the setting into a seat (8) of a piece of jewelry or timepiece (9), the upper body (15) comprising a first surface (2) to receive a component (10) to be set, the upper body (15) comprising a setting element (4) to ensure retention of said component (10), the lower body (16) comprising a second surface (6) facing forward, a deformable zone (7) being plastically deformable between the bodies (15; 16) under the effect of an axial driving force greater than a predetermined driving force, to bring the setting (1) into a stressed state in which the deformable zone (7) irreversibly deforms and / or breaks in the form of a rim of the peripheral surface (3) of the setting (1) pushed back radially towards a side wall of the seat (8), or / and a fault of the upper body (15) pushed back radially towards this side wall.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inlay comprising an upper body and a lower body aligned with the upper body, the upper body extending about an axis defining a direction for driving the inlay into a base of jewelry or a timepiece, the upper body including a first surface and at least one inlay element, the first surface being arranged to receive a part to be inlaid, the at least one inlay element being arranged to ensure retention of the part to be inlaid, and the lower body including a forward-facing second surface.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an inlay assembly comprising a jewelry piece or a timepiece, the inlay assembly comprising at least one base arranged to receive such inlay piece.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a decorative component having an inlay for a part to be inlaid, the part being inlaid being arranged to cooperate with an inlay in the base of a piece of jewelry or a timepiece.

[0004] This invention relates to the field of setting attachment elements in jewelry or timepieces, particularly the parts to be set, such as gemstones, pearls, cameo gemstones or the like. Background Technology

[0005] Setting attachments on jewelry or timepieces is a delicate operation, as the safety of such attachments must be ensured under all circumstances, especially when they come into contact with the user's clothing or other objects or people. If gemstones or similar materials are involved, the trade value of these attachments can indeed be very high.

[0006] Modern jewelry pieces or timepieces typically include structural elements such as the case, watch glass, bracelet links, or others, which are made of materials that do not undergo plastic deformation and are generally hard and / or brittle, such as ceramics, silicon, sapphire, intermetallic alloys or metals, natural or polymer matrix composites.

[0007] Therefore, the use of intermediate inserts between the structure and the decorative elements is essential for mounting such decorative elements. In fact, welding them to the structure is often impossible, and their possible direct bonding to the structure does not provide sufficient guarantee of durability over time and in any usage environment.

[0008] Using inserts made of plastic or shape memory materials is one solution, which holds the insert well in its base, but it is not well-suited for securing very small decorative elements, and the installation is delicate, thus requiring more qualified personnel; in addition, such inserts are quite expensive, and the choice of elastic material is difficult to reconcile with the deformation of inserts such as claws or beads typically used to hold decorative elements on inserts. Furthermore, such elastic inserts are not aesthetically pleasing.

[0009] Therefore, the requirements of retention, cost, and ease of installation are delicate, especially when jewelry pieces or timepieces are produced in hard substrates that are difficult or impossible to process, and when the decorative elements are small in size. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a simple and economical solution to the problem of embedding decorative elements on structural elements made of rigid materials.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention relates to the inlay according to claim 1.

[0012] The present invention also relates to an inlay assembly comprising a jewelry piece or a timepiece, the inlay assembly comprising at least one base arranged to receive such an inlay piece.

[0013] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a decorative component having an inlay for a part to be inlaid, the part being inlaid being arranged to cooperate with an inlay in the base of a piece of jewelry or a timepiece. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be set forth in the following description, wherein:

[0015] - Figure 1 The inlay according to the invention is shown schematically and in perspective, the inlay being adapted to engage with a generally cylindrical base. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the inlay includes a generally tubular upper body in the upper portion and includes a shoulder (here conical) to receive a decorative element, such as a gemstone, the shoulder being surrounded by an inlay element, here in the form of a slot, the slot forming a claw capable of folding downward onto the decorative element. The inlay also includes a lower body in the lower portion, the lower body including a truncated conical leg, wherein two generally radial blind holes pass through both the upper body and the leg.

[0016] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of the insert on the axis of one of the radial holes;

[0017] - Figure 3 yes Figure 1A square side view of the radial hole of the insert;

[0018] - Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top view of the inlay;

[0019] - Figure 5 Is Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the position passing through the axis of the inlay;

[0020] - Figure 6 Is Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the position passing through the axis of the insert; the deformable area is indicated by the dashed line at the intersection of the axial orifice and one of the radial holes;

[0021] - Figures 7 to 9 This is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating the kinematics of gradually holding the insert in its base;

[0022] - Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view through the axis of the insert according to the invention, the insert further comprising, for example... Figures 1 to 6 The insert shown is inserted into the rotating base and includes a slight undercut; at this stage, the insert has been driven into a support position between the forward surface of the foot and the plane of the base; then, the insert is prepared to withstand a supplementary axial force indicated by a downward axial double arrow to deform the lower portion of the insert and push it against the lower wall of the base according to a radial double arrow.

[0023] - Figure 8 The continuation of the axial thrust is shown, which exceeds the force predetermined by the experiment, and the breakage of the insert between the leg and the upper body is shown. The leg has broken and separated from the upper body, and the leg (shown here for visibility, its shadow line is different from that of the upper body) acts as a spacer that applies a radial force to the lower part of the upper body, which tends to push it back outward (that is, towards the inner wall of the base).

[0024] - Figure 9 This shows the axial end of the stroke, at which point the lower part of the upper body can only form a bourrelet pressing against the inner wall of the base, ensuring that the axial direction of the insert is maintained;

[0025] - Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view through the axis of the insert, showing non-limiting examples of various variations of the insert according to the invention in a superimposed manner, wherein the upper body and the lower body have various shapes;

[0026] - In the right-hand portion, there is an internal tapping variation in the axial bore of the insert that allows the insertion of a threading tool (not shown) with a thread diameter larger than that of the tap to deform the deformable area. This tapping also allows the insertion of a threaded bushing shown here in the lower portion to ensure radial retention after deformation of the deformable area. The same right-hand portion shows a square edge connection between the truncated leg and the upper body.

[0027] - In the left-hand part, by moving away from the axis, one can see in succession: a variant with a blind axial aperture in the insert, another variant with an open axial aperture, a variant with a groove in the lower body to attach the front support toward the peripheral area, a variant of the lower body with a skirt shape having a hollow truncated inner surface, a variant where the outer contour of such a skirt is recessed from the upper body, and a variant where the outermost contour of such a skirt is substantially located in the radial direction of the upper body.

[0028] - Figure 11 It is a cross-sectional view through the axis of an insert according to another variation of the invention, the lower portion of which forms a skirt, the skirt including a concave developmental surface that widens toward its lower portion, and the skirt being arranged to mate with a convex developmental surface including a base, here in a single-piece form;

[0029] - Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A variant of it has a convex intermediate part pre-placed at the bottom of the base to mate with the same concave developmental surface of the insert;

[0030] - Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view through the axis of the insert according to another variation of the invention, wherein the deformation tool deforms the deformable area as shown by the dashed line between the leg and the upper body, and the deformable area is affected by the movement of the deformation tool.

[0031] - Figure 14 It is a block diagram showing an inlay assembly including jewelry pieces or timepieces, the inlay assembly including at least one base and decorative elements arranged to receive such inlay pieces;

[0032] - Figure 15 This is a flowchart of the method steps for embedding such components. Detailed Implementation

[0033] This invention relates to setting decorative elements, particularly but not limited to gemstones, into jewelry or timepieces. More specifically, the invention relates to cases of such jewelry or timepieces comprising structural elements made of a hard material on which setting is necessary. Depending on the properties of the relevant materials and the methods used to manufacture such structural elements, it is sometimes difficult to manufacture the base for housing the decorative element. For example, in materials such as ceramic or sapphire or the like, bases including undercuts can be produced, and columnar bases have been considered a good result. This problem becomes more pronounced when both the decorative element to be set and the base are very small. It should be noted that in such cases, the use of setting is unavoidable.

[0034] The purpose of this invention is to coordinate the fixed holding of the decorative element to be inlaid in its inlay, the fixed holding of the inlay in its base, the correct geometric positioning of the decorative element to be inlaid and its inlay relative to the base, the control of component costs, the aesthetics of the assembly, and the implementation of the operation of installing the inlay and inlaying the decorative element by a person with general qualifications.

[0035] The present invention aims to produce an inlay with a special shape that is easy to process, moderately priced, and has an aesthetic effect similar to that of a standard inlay.

[0036] Therefore, the present invention relates to an inlay 1 comprising an upper body 15 extending about an axis A, the axis A defining a direction for driving the inlay 1 into a base 8 of a jewelry piece or timepiece 9. The upper body 15 includes at least one first surface 2 and at least one inlay element 4, the first surface 2 being arranged to receive at least one piece 10 to be inlaid, the at least one inlay element 4 being arranged to ensure retention of the piece 10 to be inlaid. The inlay element 4 may be a prong or the like. The inlay 1 also includes a lower body 16 axially aligned with the upper body 15, the lower body 16 including a forward-facing second surface 6.

[0037] According to the present invention, the insert 1 includes at least one deformable region 7 between the upper body 15 and the lower body 16. Under the action of a force applied to the insert 1 in the driving direction at least axially, the deformable region 7 is plastically deformable. The force is greater than a predetermined driving force, so that the insert 1 is in a stressed state.

[0038] Under such stress, the at least one deformable region 7 is irreversibly deformed and / or fractured, or even takes the form of a protrusion that radially pushes the outer surface 3 of the insert 1 toward the sidewall of the base 8 during the application of the force, or / and a faille that radially pushes the upper body 15 toward such a sidewall during the application of the force.

[0039] More specifically, the upper body 15 includes such a peripheral surface 3, which is arranged to guide and retain the setting 1 in a complementary fit with the base 8 of the jewelry piece or timepiece 9. The figures illustrate the most common case, in which the base 8 is a concave element, such as a bore or recess, and in which the setting 1 is inserted into the base 8; however, the invention applies to the opposite case, not shown in the figures, in which the base 8 is a convex element, and in which the setting 1 covers the convex element.

[0040] Therefore, the setting 1 includes an upper body 15 located on a first axial side (visible to the user of the jewelry or timepiece 9) and extending about an axis A that defines the direction for inserting and driving the setting 1 into the base 8. Its first surface 2 is arranged to receive at least one piece 10 to be set substantially face-first, and at least one setting element 4 is located near the first surface 2 and arranged to ensure retention (particularly by means of the setting) of the piece 10 to be set. The setting element 4 may be a prong or the like.

[0041] At least one lower body 16 is located on a second axial side opposite to the first axial side. The illustrated embodiment (non-limiting) includes a single lower body 16, which is sufficient to ensure good retention of the insert 1 and the decorative elements it carries.

[0042] More specifically, the substantially forward-facing second surface 6 constitutes an abutment surface, which is arranged to abut against an additional abutment surface 96 including the base 8 or an intermediate member 191 inserted into the base 8 at the end of the insertion of the insert 1 into or onto the base 8, such as... Figure 12 The variant is shown.

[0043] More specifically, the deformation of the at least one deformable region 7 occurs after the abutment engagement between the substantially forward second surface 6 and the complementary abutment surface 96 begins, under the action of a force applied at least axially to the insert 1 in the driving direction. "At least axial force" means a purely axial force, such as a conventional driving force, or a force combining axial and rotational motion, such as in a threaded connection.

[0044] More specifically, at least one deformable region 7 has a fracture strength in the driving direction that is lower than the fracture strength of the insert 1 near each at least one first surface 2, and at least one deformable region 7 includes at least one neck near the second surface 6, the cross section of which is smaller than the minimum cross section of the insert 1 near each receiving first surface 2.

[0045] More specifically, as can be seen from some figures, insert 1 includes an axial aperture 12 along axis A. Furthermore, especially from... Figure 1 and Figure 6As can be seen, at least one deformable region 7 extends between the axial orifice 12 on one side and the basic radial orifice 13 and / or the hollow portion on the other side.

[0046] More specifically, the insert 1 includes at least one such basic radial aperture 13, which is perpendicular or inclined relative to axis A, and at least one neck extends between an axial aperture 12 on one side and a basic radial aperture 13 on the other side.

[0047] More specifically, the axial orifice 12 and at least one radial orifice 13 intersect.

[0048] More specifically, especially from Figures 1 to 9 As can be seen, the insert 1 includes at least one lower body 16 consisting of a leg. The leg is connected to the upper body 15 via at least one deformable region 7, which is more extensible and / or more fragile than the upper body 15, and is arranged to bend or break during the application of a force at least axially greater than a predetermined driving force applied to the insert 1. The deformation or breakage of the deformable region 7 changes the radial position of the upper body 15 and / or at least one leg to maintain the insert 1 in frictional support with the base 8.

[0049] These feet can be easily manufactured by profile turning or similar methods, thus controlling the cost of the insert. Simple grooves or bevels may be sufficient to define weak or deformable areas. Such feet make it possible to apply a friction surface between the insert 1 and the base 8.

[0050] More specifically, the outer surface 3 is located between the first axial side and the second axial side, and at least one such leg is arranged near the second surface 6.

[0051] More specifically, the axial aperture 12 passes through the upper body 15 and at least partially through the support leg.

[0052] More specifically, at least one radial aperture 13 passes at least partially through the upper body 15 and at least partially through the support leg.

[0053] More specifically, the leg is connected to the upper body 15 at the secondary surface 17, and the cross section of the leg at the secondary surface 17 is smaller than the cross section of the leg at the second surface 6, which defines the leg on the side opposite to the secondary surface 17.

[0054] This retention is particularly advantageous for the insert 1, which is drilled along its axis, and includes a support leg that would break when it is driven in by the support on the opposing surface. The support leg then rises in the hole of the insert 1 and presses the insert 1 into its base 8. The decorative element can then be inserted at any time.

[0055] More specifically, the leg includes a hollow portion in its axial portion around axis A.

[0056] More specifically, such as Figures 1 to 9 As shown, the support leg is basically truncated, with its geometric tip pointing towards the first axial direction.

[0057] In the first variant, the legs and the upper body 15 form an integrated assembly.

[0058] In the second variant, the legs are separated from the upper body 15 to which they are fastened.

[0059] More specifically, from Figure 10 As can be seen from the right-hand portion, the insert 1 includes a tap 120 along axis A, which is used to engage with a tool having a thread with a diameter greater than that of the tap 120, so as to deform the deformable region 7, deform the leg, and cause at least one surface of the insert 1 to engage with the base 8 in a frictional support engagement.

[0060] More specifically, insert 1 includes a removable bushing 14 arranged to be driven or tightened along axis A to prevent the leg from deforming in deformable region 7 and radial movement of insert 1 after frictional support engagement with base 8.

[0061] More specifically, the upper body 15 includes a first lip 150 on the side opposite to the first axial side, which is deformable during deformation of the deformable region 7. A first radial portion 151 is arranged to apply a frictional force to the base 8 under stress on the insert 1, this frictional force being greater than the frictional force applied by the rest of the upper body 15 or the legs. In a variant not shown, the first lip 150 may be specifically produced in the form of a simple skirt.

[0062] More specifically, the support leg includes a second lip 160 located on the second axial side, the lip 160 being deformable during deformation of the deformable region 7, and having a second radial portion 161 that can... Figure 10 The left-hand portion, shown in dashed lines, is arranged such that, under stress, the radial portion 161 applies friction to the base 8, a friction greater than that applied by the upper body 15 or the rest of the legs. In a variant not shown, the second lip 160 can be specifically made into the form of a simple skirt with an inner surface 166. Figure 10 The left-hand portion is shown in a specific variant, marked with double-dotted lines, in the form of a concave truncated cone. In a variant with a single dashed line in the same figure, the outer edge of the skirt retracts from the base 8 in a stress-free state.

[0063] More specifically, such as Figure 11As shown, near the second surface 6, the insert 1 includes a concave developmental surface 61 that widens toward the second axial side, which is arranged to mate with a convex developmental surface 91. The convex developmental surface 91 includes a base 8 for applying a radial force on the concave developmental surface during the application of a force at least axially greater than a predetermined driving force applied to the insert 1. More specifically, the concave developmental surface 61 and the convex developmental surface 91 are conical, spherical, elliptical, or parabolic domes. Figure 12 A variant is shown in which the intermediate component 191 is pre-deposited in the bottom of the base 8 to mate with the same concave developmental surface 61 of the insert 1.

[0064] More specifically, the insert 1 includes an axial aperture 12 along axis A, at least one first surface 2 includes a basic receiving surface for receiving at least one insert 10 substantially from the front, the basic receiving surface being distributed entirely around the axial aperture 12, and a peripheral surface 3 includes a basic supporting surface being distributed entirely around the axial aperture 12.

[0065] In one variation, at least one surface of the insert 1 does not contact the base 8 during the initial installation drive, but is pushed against the wall of the base 8 when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied. The roughness of this surface is greater than that of the rest of the insert, and / or it is covered with a friction coating arranged to improve the hooking of the insert 1 in the insert when it expands.

[0066] It is understood that the insert 1 according to the invention is designed for the most delicate applications, wherein the generatrix of the wall of the base 8 is parallel to the insertion direction. Therefore, only when the base 8 includes a slight undercut, such as in... Figures 7 to 9 In specific examples, such inlays are preserved better.

[0067] The accompanying drawings illustrate a common case of a base with rotational symmetry. This invention can be fully applied to the production of molded inlays to fit with molded bases, such as elliptical cross-sections or polygonal profiles, to accommodate gemstones of various sizes: oblong, heart-shaped, convex-edged, emerald, rhomboid, marquise, oval, pear-shaped, princess-shaped, or others.

[0068] The fit between the deformable region and the base can be applied across the entire cross-section of the base or restricted to a specific angular position, as shown in the insert.

[0069] The invention also has the particular advantage of being able to mount decorative elements that are not perfectly or exactly the same size on the same piece of jewelry or timepiece, a situation that is very common when using, for example, gemstones or pearls.

[0070] This installation method requires no heating or contact with chemicals such as glue, and will not damage decorative elements. Therefore, the structure of the jewelry or timepiece is perfectly preserved.

[0071] The insert according to the invention provides the user with a closed-off profile appearance, which contributes to the overall aesthetics of the piece.

[0072] The inlay 1 may be made of precious metals, particularly gold, and / or silver, and / or platinum alloys, titanium alloys, stainless steel, copper alloys or aluminum alloys.

[0073] This invention is well applicable to jewelry or timepieces produced in hard substrates, such as ceramics, zircon, sapphire, glass or cermet, metallic glass, amorphous materials or others.

[0074] The present invention also relates to a setting assembly 100, comprising a jewelry piece or timepiece 9, which includes at least one base 8 arranged to receive such a setting piece 1. More specifically, the setting assembly 100 includes at least one part 10 to be set, which is arranged to engage with such a setting piece 1.

[0075] More specifically, at least one base 8 includes an additional abutment surface 96 that rotates substantially about a base axis parallel to the direction for driving the insert 1 into the base 8. The additional abutment surface 96 is arranged to apply a radial component force on the lower body 16 of the insert during periods when the force applied to the insert 1 in the driving direction, at least axially, is greater than a predetermined driving force, so as to deform at least one deformable region 7.

[0076] The setting assembly 100 advantageously includes a correspondence table defining a predetermined driving force value for each pair, each pair being formed on the one hand by a base 8 of a specific geometry made of a particular material for a jewel or timepiece 9, and on the other hand by an inlay 1 of a specific geometry made of a particular material. Each base and inlay pair advantageously defines a fastening value or even a gap value, i.e., a force value for the first portion of the driving stroke during which the inlay does not undergo plastic deformation, and inevitably defines a predetermined driving force value beyond which the inlay 1 undergoes plastic deformation during its front contact with the bottom of the base 8 or with the intermediate element 191 between the bottom of the base 8 and the substantially forward-facing second surface 6 of the inlay 1. In one variant, the correspondence table also lists the properties and limiting dimensions of the decorative elements that the insert 1 can support for each base and insert pair, and, if necessary, lists the maximum limit values ​​of the thrust that can be applied to such decorative elements during installation and insertion, or even during the insertion of the insert 1 into the base 8 if the installer performs the operation with the decorative element between the first surface 2 for receiving the insert 1 and the insertion tool (such as a mounting bracket, electric cylinder, or others). The use of an electric cylinder is advantageous due to the perfect control of low-intensity forces applied in such inserts, and due to the distinction between the first insertion with a force below a predetermined force threshold and the continued insertion with a force above a predetermined force threshold, while taking into account the maximum force value that ensures the integrity of the decorative element.

[0077] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a decorative setting component 100 having an inlay for a part 10 to be set, the part 10 being arranged to engage with an inlay 1 in a base 8 of a piece of jewelry or a timepiece 9.

[0078] According to the method, in a first preparation step 1000, a jewelry piece or timepiece 9 is provided, comprising at least one base 8, an inlay 1 corresponding to the base 8, and a correspondence table defining predetermined driving force values ​​for a pair formed by the particular base 8 and the particular inlay 1. In a variation of this first step 1000, a specially shaped intermediate member 191 is inserted into the bottom of the base 8 before the inlay 1 is inserted therein.

[0079] In the second step 2000 of driving and positioning insert 1, insert 1 and base 8 are aligned in the driving direction, and an axial force lower than the predetermined driving force is applied to insert 1 until the axial abutment position or the predetermined axial position in the base is reached.

[0080] In the third step 3000, an axial force greater than the predetermined driving force is applied to the setting 1 or the part 10 to be set located on the first surface 2 of the setting 1, so as to deform or break at least one deformable region 7 under stress, in which the frictional force exerted on its peripheral surface 3 on the base 8 is greater than the frictional force exerted in the second step 2000 of driving and positioning the setting 1. It should be understood that, strictly speaking, such an axial force greater than the predetermined driving force can be applied during the setting operation after the part 10 to be set is positioned on the first surface 2 of the setting 1, and during the application of force to at least one setting element 4, such as when the claws are folded down to surround the decorative element (such as a gemstone).

[0081] In the fourth step 4000, the retention of the insert 1 in its base 8 is checked.

[0082] In the fifth step 5000, if the part to be inlaid has not been positioned during the third step 3000 described above, at least one part to be inlaid 10 is positioned on the first surface 2 of the inlay 1.

[0083] Furthermore, in the sixth step 6000, the at least one inlay element 4 is used to inlay or complete the inlay of the at least one component 10 to be inlaid.

[0084] More specifically, during the fourth step 4000, after checking the retention of the insert 1 in its base 8, a removable bushing 14 is inserted into the insert 1 to hold the deformable area in its deformable position.

[0085] Naturally, the first preparation step 1000 may include the production of at least one base 8 if the setting cannot be produced during the manufacture of the jewelry piece or timepiece 9, or if the base 8 is being reworked, particularly the production of complementary adjacent surfaces 96 according to a specific profile, such as a flat bottom, or a convex developmental surface 91, or others. This preparation of the base 8 of the jewelry piece or timepiece 9 may also include the introduction of a shaped component including such a specific profile, such as a simple sphere or others. For example, when the structure of the jewelry piece or timepiece 9 is made of ceramic, the profile may be a shape made directly from ceramic.

[0086] In short, the present invention makes it possible to produce simple inserts that are easy to process, easy to drive in, and therefore economical to manufacture and install.

Claims

1. An inlay (1) comprising an upper body (15) and a lower body (16) aligned with the upper body (15), the upper body (15) extending about an axis (A) defining an insertion direction for driving the inlay (1) into a base (8) of a jewelry piece or timepiece (9), and the upper body (15) comprising a first surface (2) and at least one inlay element (4), the first surface (2) being arranged to receive a part (10) to be inlaid, the at least one inlay element (4) being arranged to ensure retention of the part (10) to be inlaid, and the lower body (16) comprising a forward-facing second surface (6), characterized in that, The insert (1) includes at least one deformable region (7) between the upper body (15) and the lower body (16), the deformable region being capable of plastic deformation under the action of a force applied at least axially to the insert (1) in the driving direction in a defined direction from the upper body toward the lower body, the force being greater than a predetermined driving force to bring the insert (1) into a stressed state, in which the at least one deformable region (7) is irreversibly deformed and / or fractured in the form of a protrusion that radially pushes the peripheral surface (3) of the insert (1) toward a sidewall of the base (8) during the application of the force, or / and a fracture that radially pushes the upper body (15) toward a sidewall during the application of the force.

2. The inlay (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The basic forward second surface (6) forms an adjacent surface, which is arranged to engage with an additional adjacent surface (96) including one of the bases (8) in an adjacent support manner at the end of the stroke of inserting the insert (1) into or onto one of the bases (8).

3. The inlay (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, After the abutment engagement between the substantially forward second surface (6) and the additional adjacent surface (96) begins, the deformation of the at least one deformable region (7) is carried out under the action of a force applied at least axially to the insert (1) along the driving direction.

4. The inlay (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The fracture strength of the at least one deformable region (7) in the driving direction is lower than the fracture strength of the insert (1) near each of the at least one first surface (2), and wherein at least one of the deformable regions (7) includes at least one neck near the second surface (6), the cross section of the neck being smaller than the minimum cross section of the insert (1) near each received first surface (2).

5. The inlay (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The insert (1) includes an axial aperture (12) according to the axis (A), and wherein at least one of the deformable regions (7) extends between the axial aperture (12) on one side and a basic radial aperture (13) and / or a hollow portion on the other side.

6. The inlay (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The insert (1) includes at least one basic radial aperture (13) that is perpendicular or inclined relative to the axis (A), and wherein at least one of the necks extends between an axial aperture (12) on one side and the basic radial aperture (13) on the other side.

7. The inlay (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The axial orifice (12) and at least one of the radial orifices (13) intersect.

8. The inlay (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The insert (1) includes at least one of the lower bodies (16), the lower body (16) including a leg connected to the upper body (15) via at least one of the deformable regions (7), the deformable regions being more extensible or more fragile than the upper body (15) and arranged to bend or break during the application of a force at least axially greater than the predetermined driving force applied to the insert (1), and the deformation or breakage of the deformable regions altering the radial position of the upper body (15) and / or the at least one leg to maintain the insert (1) in frictional support with one of the bases (8).

9. The inlay (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The axial opening (12) passes through the upper body (15) and at least partially through the support leg.

10. The inlay (1) according to claim 6 or 9, characterized in that, At least one of the radial openings (13) passes at least partially through the upper body (15) and at least partially through the support leg.

11. The inlay (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The leg is connected to the upper body (15) at the secondary surface (17), and the cross section of the leg at the secondary surface (17) is smaller than the cross section of the leg at the second surface (6), which defines the leg on the side opposite to the secondary surface (17).

12. The inlay (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The legs are essentially truncated, with their geometric tips pointing toward the first axial side.

13. The inlay (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The legs and the upper body (15) form an integrated assembly.

14. The inlay (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The legs are distinct from the upper body (15) to which they are fastened.

15. The inlay (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The insert (1) includes a concave developmental surface (61) that widens toward the bottom of the base (8) near the second surface (6), and the concave developmental surface is arranged to engage with a convex developmental surface including one of the bases (8) for applying a radial force on the concave developmental surface during the application of a force at least axially greater than the predetermined driving force applied to the insert (1).

16. The inlay (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The concave developmental surface and the convex developmental surface are conical, spherical, elliptical, or parabolic domes.

17. An inlay assembly (100) comprising a jewelry piece or timepiece (9) comprising at least one base (8) arranged to receive an inlay piece (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The inlay assembly (100) according to claim 17, comprising at least one inlay component (10) arranged to engage with one of the inlay components (1).

19. The inlay assembly (100) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, At least one of the bases (8) includes an additional abutment surface (96) that rotates substantially about a base axis parallel to one of the directions for driving the insert (1) into the base (8), the additional abutment surface (96) being arranged to apply a radial component force on one of the lower bodies (16) of the insert during a period when a force is applied to the insert (1) at least axially in the driving direction is greater than a predetermined driving force, so as to deform at least one of the deformable regions (7).

20. A method for producing a decorative setting assembly (100) having an inlay for a part (10) to be set, the part being set being arranged to cooperate with an inlay (1) in a base (8) of a jewelry piece or timepiece (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that, In the first step (1000), the jewelry piece or timepiece (9) is provided with an inlay (1) corresponding to one of the bases (8), defining a correspondence table for the values ​​of the predetermined driving force of the pair formed by the base (8) and the inlay (1). In the second step (2000), the inlay (1) and the base (8) are aligned in the driving direction, and an axial force lower than the predetermined driving force is applied to the inlay (1) until an adjacent axial position in the base or even until the predetermined axial position. In the third step (3000), an axial force greater than the predetermined driving force is applied to the inlay (1) or to the part (10) to be inlaid on one of the first surfaces (2) of the inlay (1), so that at least one of the inlays can be inlaid. The deformation area (7) deforms or breaks under stress on the insert (1), wherein the frictional force applied to the base (8) on its peripheral surface (3) is greater than the frictional force applied thereon in the second step (2000) of driving in and positioning the insert (1), in the fourth step (4000), the retention of the insert (1) in its base (8) is checked, in the fifth step (5000), if at least one insert (10) has not been positioned during the third step (3000), it is positioned on one of the first surfaces (2) of the insert (1), and in the sixth step (6000), the installation of the at least one insert (10) is performed or completed using at least one insert element (4).

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, During the fourth step (4000), and after checking the retention of the insert (1) in its base (8), a removable element (14) is inserted into the insert (1) to hold the deformable area in its deformable position.