Method of stringing beads and article thereof

Abstract

A low cost, crimpless method of stringing beads and article thereof. The method employs tight knots and twists in small diameter, triple strand nylon coated high toughness and high tensile strength austenitic stainless steel wire to retain clasps and position beads and jewels on the wire. The method is dependent upon the size and physical properties of the wire. It improves appearance, eliminates the use of crimping beads and tubes, does not require special tools and is adaptable to right handed, left handed and visually impaired persons.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a method of stringing beads and more particularly to a crimpless method and an article thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For thousands of years, jewelry has been treasured and has symbolized wealth and social status. Today, many fashion minded youth and adults enjoy jewelry making as a hobby, a source of income, and a means for reducing the cost of acquiring jewelry.

[0003] Beads and bracelets are the most popular and widely used forms of jewelry. A variety of ornamental beads, charms, and pendants; clasps and tools for stringing beads are available in shops and on the internet. As used herein, "jewels" are intended to include such articles as beads, pearls, semi and semi-precious stones, pendants and charms.

[0004] Jewels are strung on a variety of cords and wires, including, nylon cords, silk cords and beading wire. Cords and wires differ in diameter and strength. Stranded wire is preferred because of its strength, particularly in small diameter sizes. It is also easy to use.

[0005] Beading wire is available in a variety of sizes and materials, including, nickel-silver, brass, silver, gold, gold-filled, and gold or silver plated solid copper wire. Most beading wire is nylon coated stranded steel wire. Various methods for retaining beads, pendants, earrings, findings, charms and clasps on jewelry wire exist in the art.

[0006] Kahle U.S. Pat. No. 1,771,125; Kanno U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,322; Yokochi U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,391; and Hofer U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,338 are exemplary of methods of locating and retaining beads, findings and clasps on wire in the prior art. Kahle U.S. Pat. No. 1,771,125 discloses a retainer on a stranded steel wire with a small set screw; Yokochi U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,391 discloses a retainer fixed to stranded steel wire with a pin; Hofer U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,338 discloses a string of beads that are connected with plastic threads or stranded wire and an adhesive.

[0007] The most common method of stringing beads and attaching findings and clasps is by crimping hollow metal beads and tubes on to jewelry wire. Crimping has several shortcomings. One drawback is poor reliability. A second drawback is poor appearance. A third drawback is wire breakage. A fourth drawback is inconsistent results. A fifth drawback is difficulty in accurately positioning crimping beads and tubes. Heretofore, twists, knots and ties have not been popular on beading wire. As used herein, "jewels" are intended to include beads, pendants and charms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of crimping. It eliminates crimping beads and tubes and provides numerous other benefits over the prior art. One benefit is that it eliminates crimping and crimping covers. One other benefit of the invention is that it is easy to use. Another benefit is that it can be practiced by the visually impaired. Another benefit is that it does not require special tools. Another benefit is that it reduces the time and cost for stringing beads. Another feature is that it eliminates the exposed wire ends that scratch and annoy necklace owners. Another benefit is that it eliminates head pins.

[0009] The invention resides in its ability to eliminate crimping in jewelry. The method substitutes twists and knots for crimping beads and tubes. The method is based on a small diameter stranded austenitic stainless steel wire that is characterized by high tensile strength and ductility. In a preferred embodiment, the wire is a nylon coated stranded austenitic stainless steel nylon coated wire. One property of the wire is its tensile strength within a range of 285,000 to 305,000 psi. Another property is its high ductility.

[0010] An important feature of the wire is that small radii can be formed in the wire without over stressing or breaking the wire. This feature allows twists and knots to be located close to beads, charms, clasps and pendants and excess wire to be removed from knots and twists without unraveling the knots and twists. One benefit of this feature is that beads, charms, clasps and pendants can be accurately located adjacent to knots and twists in the wire. As will be later understood, the disclosed method of stringing jewelry is suitable for right and left handed persons.

[0011] In employing the teaching of the present invention, a plurality of alternate constructions can be provided to achieve the desired results and capabilities. In this disclosure, some alternate constructions are discussed. However, these embodiments are intended as examples and should not be considered as limiting the scope of our invention.

[0012] Further objects, benefits and characterizing features of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing detailed description and drawings which illustrate and describe the invention. The best mode which is contemplated in practicing the invention together with the manner of using the invention are disclosed and the property in which exclusive rights are claimed is set forth in each of a series of numbered claims at the conclusion of the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention will be better understood and further objects, characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly with reference to the diagrammatic drawings illustrating a presently preferred specific embodiment of the invention by way of non-limiting example only.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a necklace according to our invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the necklace.

[0016] FIGS. 3 through 5 show the steps in the subject method for stringing beads and attaching clasps to a beading wire.

[0017] FIGS. 6 through 8 show the steps of constructing a head needle, stringing beads on a wire with a head needle, and positioning beads with knots on a beading wire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, in FIGS. 1 and 2 a crimpless necklace 20 is shown according to our invention. The distinguishing feature of our invention is that jewelry making does not require crimping or the use of special tools. Cost and time are reduced and appearance is improved.

[0019] In the place of crimping beads and tubes, a wire 21 is tightly bent, twisted and knotted in a series of steps and procedures. A preferred wire 21 is a triple strand 0.015 inch diameter 1.times.3 nylon coated Type 403 austenitic stainless steel wire 21 with a heat number of 733497 or a wire with equivalent physical properties. The designated wire 21 is available at "5 Star Cable Company" of Rochester Hills, Mich. Deviations from the designated wire 21 that have been tested have failed to provide the desired results. The ductility and tensile strength of the designated wire 21 are high. The heat number, tensile strength and percent composition by weight are as follows:

TABLE-US-00001 Nickel 8.20 Chromium 18.57 Carbon 0.07 Manganese 1.28 Silicon 0.60 Sulfur 0.004 Phosphorous 0.018 Copper 0.18 Iron Remainder: Tensile Strength 285,000 to 305,000 psi Heat Number 733497

[0020] With reference to FIG. 3, steps are shown for stringing beads 23 and attaching a clasp 22, 27 to the beading wire 21. Referring to step #1, about 2 inches of the wire 21 is threaded through a socket member 22 of the clasp 22, 27. In step #2 the portion of the wire 21 that extends out of the socket 22 is bent with a small radius 24 around the corner of the aperture where the wire 21 extends out of the socket 22 and is crossed over the socket 22 at about a 90 degree angle to establish the starting point of a twist which will be described.

[0021] It is important to note that in all the steps described herein, as shown in FIG. 7, the wire 21 is bent about a small radius 24, by way of example in the order of about 4 to 6 times the diameter of the wire 21. In step #3, the end of the wire 21 is pinched between the thumb and index finger of a person's hand and held, as shown, against the socket 22. With the other hand, in step #4 the socket 22 is rotated six or seven times to twist the wire in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In step #5, the thumb and index finger are removed from the socket 22 and excess wire in step #6 is removed with a wire cutter 25.

[0022] With reference to step #6 (FIG. 4), the wire 21 is shown ready for stringing beads 23. In step #7, a bead 23 is strung on the wire 21. In step #8, the bead 23 is advanced along the wire 21 to hide the twisted end portion 26 of the wire 21. In step #9, additional beads 23 are strung on the wire 21 and the socket 22 is checked to ensure that it is properly mounted. In step #10, the necklace 20 is checked to ensure that the proper number of beads 23 have been added.

[0023] In FIG. 5, the steps are shown for attaching a locking bar 27 to the opposite end of the wire 21. In step #11 the end of the wire 21 is threaded through a locking bar 27. In step #12 the locking bar 27 is advanced to be adjacent to an end bead 23. With a small gap 34 between the locking bar 27 and end bead 23, as shown in step #13, the locking bar 27 is rotated six or seven times to twist the wire in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In step #14, excess wire 21 is removed with a wire cutter 25. In step #15 the necklace 20 is checked to determine whether there is no excess wire 21 at the socket 22 or locking bar 27.

[0024] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, steps #16 through #18 are shown for hooking a split ring 28 on a beading wire 21. In step #16, using a pair of needle nose pliers 29, the end of the beading wire 23 is placed around a left prong of the split ring 28, bent into the small radius 24 and crossed over once. While holding the beading wire 21 with the fingers of one hand, the other hand is used to twist the split ring 28 with the pliers 29, as shown in step #17 clockwise or counterclockwise six or seven times, to hook the wire 21 on the split ring 28. If a mistake is made, by gently tugging the excess wire 21, as shown in step #18, with the long nose pliers 29, the wire 21 will open as shown in step #19 to correct the mistake.

[0025] Steps #20 to #24 show the steps in making a head needle 30, i.e. a needle, in this case, with a knot 31 that simulates a bead at an end of the wire 21. As shown in step #20, in an initial step the beading wire is bent into the small radius 24. In step #21, the ends of the wire 21 are grasped with opposite hands, and the wire 21 is crossed over and tied into a slip knot 32. In step #22, the knot 32 is tightened by pulling both ends of the wire 21. In step #23, excess wire 21 on the end of the knot 32 is removed with the pair of cutting pliers 25. The finished head needle 30 is shown in step #24. In step #25 beads 23 are shown on the head needle 30.

[0026] In FIG. 8, steps #26 through #32 show the method for positioning beads 23 with knots 33, rather than crimping, along a beading wire 21. In step #26 the wire 21 is bent into the mall radius 24. In step #27, the ends of the wire 21 are crossed over and tied into a slip knot 32. In step #28, the ends of the wire are pulled apart to form a tight knot 33. In step #29, a bead is strung on to the wire to contact with the knot. In step #30, the wire 21 is bent into the small radius 24 at a distance from the knot 33 which is equal to the diameter of the bead 23.

[0027] In step #31, the wire 21 is loosely tied into a knot with the bead 23 on the wire 21. In step #31, the loosely tied knot 32 is moved along the wire 21 toward the small radius 24 in the wire 21 at the bead 23. In step #32, the knot 32 is tightened. One unexpected result which is non-obvious is that when the knot 32 is tightened it positions itself exactly in the bend 24 of the wire 21. This places the tight knot 33 adjacent to the bead 23 which is the desired result.

[0028] From the foregoing, it is apparent that our invention provides an improved method for stringing beads on stranded wire with numerous important benefits over the prior art. One important benefit is that it eliminates the crimping of hollow beads and tubes. Another important benefit is that it reduces the time and cost for making jewelry. Further important benefits are that it is easy to use, can be practiced by handicapped persons and is independent of whether a person is right or left handed.

[0029] Although only several embodiments of our invention have been described, it is not our intention to limit the scope of our invention to these embodiments, since it is obvious that other embodiments can be derived by changes that are obvious to persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. A method for making jewelry, such as bracelets and necklaces, comprising the steps of threading a wire through an aperture of a first member of a clasp; locating a twisted portion of said wire adjacent to said first clasp member to form a small radius in said wire by crossing said wire at the point where said wire extends out of said first clasp member; twisting said wire by rotating said first clasp member clockwise or counterclockwise to retain said first clasp member on said wire; trimming a free end of said wire at said twisted portion; stringing a bead on said beading wire; moving said bead along said beading wire to cover said twisted portion; stringing additional beads on said beading wire; inspecting said wire to determine whether a sufficient number of beads have been strung on said wire; threading an opposite end of said wire through a second complimentary clasp member; crossing over said wire at a point where said wire extends out said second complimentary clasp member to form a small radius in said wire; rotating said second complimentary clasp member in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to twist and retain said second complimentary clasp member on said wire; trimming excess wire from said twisted portion of said complimentary member.

2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said wire is a triple strand 0.015 inch diameter 1.times.3 nylon coated Type 403 austenitic stainless steel wire with a heat number of 733497.

3. The method recited in claim 2 wherein said wire has a radius in the order of about 4 to 6 times the diameter of the wire.

4. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said wire has a tensile strength with a range of 285,000 to 305,000 psi.

5. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising a charm and/or pendant strung on said wire.

6. A method for stringing jewelry, such as bracelets and necklaces, comprising the steps of bending a portion of said wire into a small radius for locating a jewel such as a charm or a pendant on said wire; tying said wire into a first loose slip knot; pulling the ends of said wire apart to tighten and position said first knot in said small radius; bending said wire to form a second small radius in said wire at a distance apart from said first tight knot that is equal to a width of said jewel; threading said jewel onto said wire; positioning said jewel adjacent to said first tight knot; tying said wire into a second loose slip knot and pulling the ends of said wire apart to tighten and position said second knot in said second small radius adjacent to said jewel.

7. A crimpless article of jewelry comprising: a triple strand stainless steel wire, said wire having a diameter of 0.015 inches and a tensile strength within a range of 285,000 to 305,000 psi; a member of a clasp attached to a twisted end portion of said wire; a complimentary clasp member attached to an opposite end portion of said wire; and a plurality of beads strung on said wire between said members of said clasp.

8. The crimpless article of jewelry recited in claim 7 wherein said opposite end portion of said wire is a twisted end portion.

9. The crimpless article of jewelry recited in claim 7 wherein said opposite end portion is a knot end portion.

10. The crimpless article of jewelry recited in claim 7 wherein said wire is nylon coated.

11. The crimpless article of jewelry recited in claim 7 wherein said wire has a percent composition by weight as follows: TABLE-US-00002 Nickel 8.20 Chromium 18.57 Carbon 0.07 Manganese 1.28 Silicon 0.60 Sulfur 0.004 Phosphorous 0.018 Copper 0.18 Iron Remainder:

12. The crimpless article of jewelry recited in claim 8 wherein said beads are spaced apart by tight knots in said wire adjacent to the sides of said beads.