U.S. patent application number 11/494204 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for diamond jewelry setting apparatus.
Invention is credited to Harout Aghjayan.
Application Number | 20070256452 11/494204 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38659993 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070256452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aghjayan; Harout |
November 8, 2007 |
Diamond jewelry setting apparatus
Abstract
The inventive setting has a plurality of prongs, each of the
prongs having at least one, preferably two, longitudinal grooves
adapted to accommodate a girdle of one or more subordinate stones.
A top stone is retained by all of the prongs and bears down on the
subordinate stones, so that the top stone keeps the at least one
subordinate stone in place in the prongs. As the girdle of the
subordinate stones is retained in the grooves of adjacent prongs,
the tables of the subordinate stones faces outward between the
prongs. Support beads projecting from the prongs may be provided
for support on one or both sides of the girdle of the subordinate
stones.
Inventors: |
Aghjayan; Harout; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEVISOHN, BERGER , LLP
61 BROADWAY , 32ND FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10022
US
|
Family ID: |
38659993 |
Appl. No.: |
11/494204 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60779063 |
Mar 2, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
63/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 17/0283
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
063/026 |
International
Class: |
A44C 17/02 20060101
A44C017/02 |
Claims
1. A prong setting for jewelry, comprising: a plurality of prongs,
each of said prongs having at least one groove adapted to
accommodate a girdle of at least one subordinate stone; and a top
stone retained by all of said prongs and bearing down on said least
one subordinate stone, wherein said top stone keeps said at least
one subordinate stone in place in said prongs.
2. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 1, each of said
prongs having two of said grooves, wherein adjacent of said prongs
accommodate substantially opposite sides of a girdle of said at
least one subordinate stone.
3. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 2, wherein at
least one of said subordinate stones is held between each adjacent
of said prongs.
4. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 3, said at least
one subordinate stone further comprising: a first set of
subordinate stones each disposed between adjacent of said prongs;
and a second set of subordinate stones each disposed between
adjacent of said prongs respectively below each of said first set
of subordinate stones.
5. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 3, further
comprising a plurality of support beads projecting from said prongs
adapted to support said subordinate stones on their respective
pavilions.
6. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 4, further
comprising: a first set of support beads projecting from said
prongs adapted to support said first set of subordinate stones on
their respective pavilions; and a second set of support beads
projecting from said prongs adapted to support said second set of
subordinate stones on their respective pavilions.
7. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 1, wherein the
pavilion of said top stone presses against the at least one
subordinate stone.
8. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 1, wherein distal
ends of said prongs are bent over the girdle of said top stone to
help retain said top stone.
9. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 1, wherein said
grooves are longitudinal along said prongs and the table of said at
least one subordinate stone faces outward between adjacent of said
prongs.
10. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 5, further
comprising supplemental support beads projecting from said prongs
adapted to support said subordinate stones from in front of their
respective girdles.
11. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 6, further
comprising first supplemental support beads projecting from said
prongs adapted to support said first set of subordinate stones from
in front of their respective girdles and second supplemental
support beads projecting from said prongs adapted to support said
second set of subordinate stones from in front of their respective
girdles.
12. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 1, wherein said
prongs are closer together at their respective proximal ends than
at their respective distal ends.
13. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 3, wherein said
prongs are closer together at their respective proximal ends than
at their respective distal ends and said first set of subordinate
stones are larger in diameter than said second set.
14. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 6, wherein said
prongs are closer together at their respective proximal ends than
at their respective distal ends and said first set of subordinate
stones are larger in diameter than said second set.
15. A prong setting for jewelry comprising: a plurality of
spaced-apart prongs adapted to hold a top stone in a substantially
horizontal plane with the top stone's table facing substantially
upward and further adapted to hold a plurality of subordinate
stones respectively between adjacent of said prongs with the
subordinate stones' tables facing substantially outward.
16. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 15, further
comprising a plurality of support beads projecting from said prongs
adapted to support said subordinate stones on their respective
pavilions.
17. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 15, said
plurality of subordinate stones further comprising: a first set of
subordinate stones each disposed between adjacent of said prongs;
and a second set of subordinate stones each disposed between
adjacent of said prongs respectively below each of said first set
of subordinate stones.
18. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 15, wherein said
top stone helps keep said plurality of subordinate stones in place
in said prongs.
19. A prong setting for jewelry according to claim 18, wherein the
pavilion of said top stone presses against at least one of said
subordinate stones.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Domestic priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/779,063 filed Mar. 2, 2006 entitled "Diamond
Jewelry Setting Apparatus."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a new apparatus and method for
setting diamonds and other precious stones to enhance jewelry.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In the prior art, precious stones are often set at the top
of the setting in a classical basket or prong type setting while
stones are mounted on the upper portion of the sides generally
known as the gallery also using conventional prong type settings.
In addition, pave setting techniques can also be employed to
provide greater glitter for the jewelry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention relates to a new setting structure for
enhancing the visual appearance of diamond jewelry and is a prong
setting for jewelry. Most generally, the invention includes a
plurality of spaced-apart prongs adapted to hold a top stone in a
substantially horizontal plane with the top stone's table facing
substantially upward and further adapted to hold a plurality of
subordinate stones respectively between adjacent of the prongs with
the subordinate stones' tables facing substantially outward.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the inventive setting has a
plurality of prongs, each of the prongs having at least one groove
adapted to accommodate a girdle of at least one subordinate stone.
A top stone is retained by all of the prongs and bears down on the
least one subordinate stone, wherein the top stone keeps the at
least one subordinate stone in place in the prongs. The pavilion of
the top stone presses against the at least one subordinate stone on
some portion of the subordinate stone.
[0008] Each of the prongs preferably has two of the grooves,
wherein adjacent of the prongs accommodate substantially opposite
sides of a girdle of the at least one subordinate stone; more
preferably, at least one of the subordinate stones is held between
each adjacent of the prongs. The grooves are preferably
longitudinal along the prongs, and the table of the at least one
subordinate stone faces outward between adjacent of the prongs,
with the girdle retained by the grooves of the adjacent prongs.
[0009] In a more preferred embodiment, the subordinates stones
include a first set of subordinate stones each disposed between
adjacent of the prongs and a second set of subordinate stones each
disposed between adjacent of the prongs respectively below each of
the first set of subordinate stones. The top stone rests on the
first set of subordinate stones, which in turn rest on the second
set of subordinate stones. As the prongs are closer together at
their respective proximal ends than at their respective distal ends
(i.e., the setting tapers like a basket or bowl), the diameter of
the first set of subordinate stones is larger than that of the
second set.
[0010] The inventive prong optionally includes a plurality of
support beads projecting from the prongs adapted to support the
subordinate stones on their respective pavilions. In the case of
the first and second set of subordinate stones, a first set of
support beads is provided projecting from the prongs adapted to
support the first set of subordinate stones on their respective
pavilions, and a second set of support beads is provided projecting
from the prongs adapted to support the second set of subordinate
stones on their respective pavilions.
[0011] As with conventional prong settings, distal ends of the
prongs may be bent over the girdle of the top stone to help retain
the top stone. Additional stones may be provided along the outer
sides of the prongs for decorative effect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a prong
setting in accordance with the invention.
[0013] FIGS. 2A-E are a series of views showing the inventive
setting being put together.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an elevational schematic showing a completed
inventive setting atop a ring.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic showing a completed
inventive setting atop a ring.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic showing an alternate
embodiment of a prong setting in accordance with the invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic showing an enlarged view
of the prong setting of FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic showing additional
features of a prong setting in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS
[0019] Description will now be given of the invention with
reference to the attached FIGS. 1-7. It should be understood that
these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit
the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims
appearing hereinbelow.
[0020] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate the invention both in terms of its
process and alternative embodiments/features.
[0021] This invention only shows the head of the jewelry holding
the stones, or in some cases, attached to ring bodies, but the head
could be adaptable for rings, earrings or any other article of
jewelry in which stones are held in a setting. The novel setting
comprises a plurality of upward arms or prongs 12 generally
radially or annularly spaced around the stone tapered outwardly all
emanating from a general common center lower portion 13. In a first
embodiment, each of prongs 12 includes at least one groove 10
located along inner sides of the arms 12 facing each other in which
the edges of the precious stones such as subordinate stones 14 may
be slid as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably, two grooves
are provided for each prong 12, longitudinally along the prongs on
substantially opposite sides of the prongs. Since each gap between
adjacent prongs will have two grooves on either side thereof, the
respective girdles of subordinate stones 14 may be fitted into and
slid down grooves 10 with their tables facing outward. Each of the
spaces between the arms is tapered downwardly to receive the stones
set therebetween, and the stones can be graduated in size to
properly fit in the space provided between the arms 12. For
example, first subordinate stones 14A are slidable into grooves 10
atop second subordinate stones 14B. Additional sets of subordinate
stones may be provided. Support beads or studs 16 project from
prongs 12 and are located behind grooves 10 and are adapted to
fixedly hold each of the subordinate stones 14 in place by their
respective pavilions or hold groups of the stones in place, thereby
preventing the stones from coming out of the grooves and out of the
prongs. The top stone 18 holds the subordinate stones 14 in place
and prevents them from sliding upward and out of the tops of
grooves 10. By sliding a plurality of stones 14 as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 in the spaces between the prongs, a new and novel
stone setting technique is provided thereby enhancing the overall
appearance of the precious jewelry set in accordance with the
present method and apparatus.
[0022] FIGS. 1-3 are perspective photographs showing the process of
assembling the stone and two examples of settings as in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 is yet another view of a finally assembled plurality of
stones held in the stone setting invention of this apparatus shown
adapted and attached to a ring 20. When the stones are set in
place, the pressure of the stud 16 on the upper stone maintains the
lower stone 14 in place. Placement of the uppermost stone 18 (see
FIG. 2) ensures that the entire assembly be held in place.
[0023] FIGS. 5 and 6 show additional features of the invention in
which the structure of the tapered prongs and narrowing spaces
between the arms is provided but instead of or in addition to
having projections or studs 16, the stones are held by support
beads 22 in front of subordinate stones 14 above their respective
girdles. Beads 16 are shown supporting subordinate stones from the
rear/bottom on their pavilions, while additional support beads 22
support subordinate stones 14 atop/in front of their respective
girdles. Beads 22 may be made from the same precious or
semi-precious material as prongs 12 (and in fact may be integrally
formed therewith) and thus may have ornamental properties in their
own right as well as their aforementioned functional aspects.
[0024] FIG. 7 depicts two additional features of the invention.
First, as with conventional prong settings, the distal ends 12A of
the prongs 12 may be bent over the girdle of the top stone 18 to
help retain the top stone. Second, additional stones 15 may be
provided along the outer sides of prongs 12 for decorative effect.
These additional stones may be channel set, pave set, or set in any
conventional manner.
[0025] It should be understood that the preferred embodiments were
described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the
invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. The invention is not limited to those
embodiments or what is shown in the exemplary drawings but is
rather defined in scope by the claims appearing hereinbelow and
their reasonable equivalents.
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