Jewelry Setting with Clamp Ring for Detachable Ornament Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jewelry settings for precious stones are difficult to detach and exchange, requiring specialized skills and tools, and are limited to materials that can store tension forces, making them unsuitable for soft metals like gold or silver.

Innovation Solution

A jewelry setting with ornament holders and a clamp ring that uses shape locking functions and spring forces to securely hold ornaments, allowing for easy detachment and exchange without specialized tools, suitable for a wide range of materials including gold and silver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional gem settings with protrusions are used, then the ornament is securely confined, but the setting process becomes time-consuming and expensive requiring specialized skills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveornament confinementVSAvoidsetting process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The setting is divided into a base structure and separate wing elements that can be independently manipulated. The wings are segmented from the base and can be opened and closed independently to facilitate ornament insertion and removal, while the base remains stationary and provides structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wings are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing them to be opened for ornament insertion and closed for secure confinement. The elastic material enables the wings to move between open and closed states, transforming the setting from a static to a dynamic structure that adapts to operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If protrusions fold back over the stone to confine it, then the ornament is held securely, but the visible parts of protrusions may not be desirable for design and aesthetic reasons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveornament holdingVSAvoidvisible structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The wings are positioned to wrap around and enclose the ornament, with the confining surfaces nested against the ornament edges. This nesting arrangement provides secure holding while keeping the confining surfaces hidden from external view, as they are positioned behind the ornament or within the setting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If titanium gem settings with elastic deformation are used, then the ornament is held through spring forces, but the construction requires special tools and is restricted to materials with high tension storage capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveornament retentionVSAvoidmaterial compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from high-tension-storage materials like titanium to elastic materials suitable for jewelry making. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic properties for jewelry applications, the setting achieves both secure ornament retention through spring forces and compatibility with traditional jewelry materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If ornament holders are levered apart to allow ornament insertion, then the gem can be mounted, but the process requires specialized tools and skills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveornament insertionVSAvoidmounting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wings are designed to be opened only partially - just enough to accommodate the ornament edges - rather than completely separating the ornament holders. This partial action reduces the complexity of the mounting mechanism while still achieving the necessary clearance for ornament insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easy and safe exchange of stones or ornaments in jewelry made from various materials, including soft metals, by employing a combination of shape locking and spring forces, enhancing versatility and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

The clamp ring is made of an elastic material and has a dimension in relation to the ornament holders such that it has to be elastically deformed when it is pulled over the ornament holders, and thereby tension forces are introduced and stored in the clamp ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The ornament holders are plastically deformed when they are levered apart to allow insertion of an ornament into the position intended for the ornament. The ornament holders are levered back into a position where they form a shape locking structure for the ornament

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasticity: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2135519B1Ornament setting for detachable ornament and jewelry comprising such setting

Publication Date: 2010.11.10 WACHTMEISTER MS MARIE ANN

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2e

AI summary

An ornament setting (1) comprising spatially separated and mutually facing ornament holders (3) extending from a setting base (2), wherein the ornament holders (3) on their respective mutually facing sides (4) are provided with an ornament confining structure (6) defining a position for attachment of a detachable ornament (10) between the ornament holders (3), having a detachable clamp ring (8) adapted to mate with a clamp ring confining structure (7) provided on the outside of the ornament holders (3).