U.S. patent application number 15/074603 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-21 for jewelry with sliding collets.
This patent application is currently assigned to Renaissance Jewelry New York, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Renaissance Jewelry New York, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robin Garin Rotstein, Neville Rustom Tata.
Application Number | 20170265608 15/074603 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59847879 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170265608 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rotstein; Robin Garin ; et
al. |
September 21, 2017 |
JEWELRY WITH SLIDING COLLETS
Abstract
A jewelry item which includes sliding collets is disclosed. The
collets may slide along first and second elongated collet mounting
structures, such as a wire, recess or flange. The covets may have
one or more wings and/or one or more bosses which are received by
the first and second elongated collet mounting structures. The
collets may slide freely along the first and second elongated
collet mounting structures.
Inventors: |
Rotstein; Robin Garin; (New
York, NY) ; Tata; Neville Rustom; (Mumbai,
IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Renaissance Jewelry New York, Inc. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Renaissance Jewelry New York,
Inc.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
59847879 |
Appl. No.: |
15/074603 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 25/001 20130101;
A44C 7/00 20130101; A44C 17/025 20130101; A44C 5/00 20130101; A44C
15/0035 20130101; A44C 25/007 20130101; A44C 15/0065 20130101; A44C
17/0241 20130101; A44C 15/005 20130101; A44C 15/0085 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A44C 17/02 20060101
A44C017/02 |
Claims
1. A jewelry item comprising: first and second collet mounting
structures; and a collet having a first wing, a first boss with a
central opening or a first cutout received by the first collet
mounting structure on a first collet side, and a second wing, a
second boss with a central opening or a second cutout received by
the second collet mounting structure on a second collet side.
2. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein; the first collet mounting
structure is elongated in comparison to the collet and includes a
first elongated wire extending between first and second ends of the
first collet mounting structure, said first elongated wire being
received by the central opening in the first boss.
3. The jewelry item of claim 2, wherein the central opening in the
first boss is adapted to permit the collet to slide along the first
elongated wire.
4. The jewelry item of claim 2, wherein the first elongated wire
has a circular cross section.
5. The jewelry item of claim 2, wherein the first elongated wire
has a non-circular cross section.
6. The jewelry item of claim 2, further comprising a first rigid
extension extending between the first and second ends of the first
collet mounting structure and provided adjacent to the first
elongated wire.
7. The jewelry item of claim 2, wherein the first and second collet
mounting structures are removable as a single unit from the jewelry
item.
8. The jewelry item of claim 7, wherein the single unit is press
fit into the jewelry item.
9. The jewelry item of claim 2, wherein the first end of the first
collet mounting structure is adapted to repeatedly connect to and
disconnect from the first elongated wire.
10. The jewelry item of claim 9, wherein the first end of the first
collet mounting structure includes a recess for receiving an end of
the first elongated wire.
11. The jewelry item of claim 9, wherein the first end of the first
collet mounting structure includes a hole through which an end of
the first elongated wire extends.
12. The jewelry item of claim 2, further comprising: a first side
structure disposed adjacent to and shielding the first elongated
wire.
13. The jewelry item of claim 12, wherein: the second collet
mounting structure is elongated in comparison to the collet and
includes a second elongated wire extending between first and second
ends of the second collet mounting structure, said second elongated
wire being received by the central opening in the second boss.
14. The jewelry item of claim 13, further comprising a second rigid
extension extending between the first and second ends of the second
collet mounting structure and provided adjacent to the second
elongated wire.
15. The jewelry item of claim 14, wherein the first and second
collet mounting structures are removable as a single unit from the
jewelry item.
16. The jewelry item of claim 15, wherein the single unit is press
fit into the jewelry item.
17. The jewelry item of claim 13, further comprising: a second side
structure disposed adjacent to and shielding the second elongated
wire.
18. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein: the collet has a first
boss with a central opening and a second wing; the first collet
mounting structure includes an elongated wire extending between
first and second ends of the first collet mounting structure, said
first elongated wire being received by the central opening in the
first boss: and the second collet mounting structure includes an
elongated recess, said second wing being received by the elongated
recess.
19. The jewelry item of claim 18, further comprising a first rigid
extension extending between the first and second ends of the first
collet mounting structure and provided adjacent to the first
elongated wire.
20. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein: the first and second
collet mounting structures are elongated in comparison to the
collet; the collet has a first wing and a second wing; and the
first and second collet mounting structures are elongated recesses
which receive the first wing and the second wing, respectively.
21. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein: the first and second
collet mounting structures are elongated in comparison to the
collet; the collet has a first cutout and a second cutout; and the
first and second collet mounting structures are elongated flanges
which receive the first cutout and the second cutout,
respectively.
22. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein: the collet has a first
boss with a central opening and a second cutout; the first collet
mounting structure includes an elongated wire extending between
first and second ends of the first collet mounting structure, said
first elongated wire being received by the central opening in the
first boss; and the second collet mounting structure includes an
elongated flange which receives the second cutout.
23. The jewelry tern of claim 22, further comprising a first rigid
extension extending between the first and second ends of the first
collet mounting structure and provided adjacent to the first
elongated wire.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to, and claims the benefit of the
earlier filing date and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/170,385, filed on Jun. 3, 2015, entitled
"Jewelry With Sliding Collets."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to jewelry items
which include sliding collets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Jewelry items may include one or more collets having
extensions that allow them to slide in channel slots provided in
the jewelry items. The existing technique for providing sliding
collets is not very durable or effective. For example, it may
sometime permit "play" between the collet and the channel slots
which may result in the collet pivoting within the channel slots
and becoming stuck or even jammed. Conversely, the channel slots
may inhibit sliding movement if any material accumulates in the
channel slots. Accordingly, the channel slots may need to be
regularly cleaned and polished in order to permit the collet
extensions to move freely within them.
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of some, but not necessarily
all, embodiments of the present invention to reduce the tendency of
"play" to exist between the collet and collet mounting structures
provided in a jewelry item. It is also an object of some, but not
necessarily all, embodiments of the present invention to reduce the
need to clean or polish collet mounting structures. It is still
further an object of some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of
the present invention to allow for easier cleaning and polishing of
collet mounting structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Responsive to the foregoing challenges, Applicant has
developed a jewelry item comprising: first and second elongated
collet mounting structures; and a collet having one or more wings
or one or more bosses or one or more cutouts which are received by
the first and second elongated collet mounting structures.
[0006] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In order to assist the understanding of this invention,
reference will now be made to the appended drawings, in which like
reference characters refer to like elements. The drawings are
exemplary only, and should not be construed as limiting the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of jewelry item having dual wire
mounted sliding collets in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of the jewelry item shown in FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the
jewelry item of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a dual wire mount which may be
included in the jewelry item of FIGS. 1-3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of a collet which may be included
in the jewelry item of FIGS. 1-4.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view of the collet of FIGS. 1-3 and 5.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a collet boss end-on view of the collet of FIGS.
1-3 and 5-6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of the collet of FIGS. 1-3 and
5-7.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of jewelry item having single
wire and single track mounted sliding collets in accordance with a
second embodiment of the present invention,
[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the
jewelry item of FIG. 9.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of a collet which may be
included in the jewelry item of FIGS. 9 and 10,
[0019] FIG. 12 is a side view of the collet of FIGS. 9-11.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a top view of the collet of FIGS. 9-12.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a collet wing end-on view of the collet of FIGS.
9-13.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a pictorial view of jewelry item having dual
recess mounted sliding collets in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a side view of the jewelry item of FIG. 15.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a pictorial view of a collet which is included in
the jewelry item of FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a top view of the collet of FIGS. 15-17.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a side view of the collet of FIGS. 15-18.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a pictorial view of jewelry item having dual
flange mounted sliding collets in accordance with a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 21 is a rear view of the jewelry item of FIG. 20.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a pictorial view of a collet which is included in
the jewelry item of FIGS. 20 and 21.
[0030] FIG. 23 is a side view of the collet of FIGS. 20-22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. With reference to FIGS. 1-8, in a first
embodiment of the invention, a jewelry item 100 may include an
elongated opening 120 defined from above by sides 110. While the
illustrated jewelry item 100 is a ring, it is appreciated that the
jewelry item may be any jewelry item, including without limitation,
a bracelet, anklet, necklace, pendent, charm, earring, nose ring,
piercing, wristwatch, etc. One or more elongated wires 130 (i.e.,
collet mounting structures) may be secured to the jewelry item 100
below the sides 110 in the interior of the jewelry item.
Preferably, the elongated wires 130 may be co-extensive and
substantially parallel. The elongated wires 130 may be shielded
from above by the sides 110. The elongated wires 130 may extend
along the full length of the elongated opening 120, and preferably
slightly beyond the ends of the elongated opening.
[0032] One or more collets 200 may be disposed in the elongated
opening 120 and mounted on the one or more wires 130. The collets
200 may each include a central recess for receiving decorative
material, such as gem stones (not shown). Alternatively, the
collets may be formed of material which is inherently decorative,
such as gold, silver or platinum, without a central recess. Each of
the collets 200 may include one or more bosses 210 which each
include a central opening 212 adapted to receive an elongated wire
130. With reference to FIG. 8, there may be sufficient clearance
between the wires 130 and the central openings 212 of the collets
200 to permit the collets to slide freely along the length of the
wires. With reference to FIGS. 5-7, the bosses 210 may have an
outer width 214 which is greater than the width of the bosses at
the junction with the collet 200 body. The increased outer width
214 of the bosses 210 may provide a more robust and damage-proof
mounting structure for the collets 200.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 4, the wires 130 may be secured, for
example by soldering, to the ends 142 of a mount 140. The mount 140
may include one or more extensions 144 provided adjacent to the
wires 130, which rigidly connect the ends 142 of the mount. The
extensions 144 may be sufficiently rigid to maintain the shape of
the mount 140 during use in the jewelry item 100. The extensions
144 may also serve to shield the wires 130 from contact with the
wearer of the jewelry item 100. Such contact could otherwise result
in damage to, or breaking of, the wires 130, and result in loss of
the collets 200.
[0034] The mount 140 may be snapped into a receiving track in the
jewelry item 100, or secured therein by another means, such as
soldering, screws, adhesive, pressure mounting, press fitting, or
the like. In an alternative embodiment, the wires 130 may extend
through one of the ends 142 of the mount 140, as shown in FIG. 4
The wire 130 ends that extend through the ends 142 of the mount 140
may be press fit into mating recesses provided in the jewelry item
100, thereby permitting the mount 140 to be removed and
disassembled to receive additional collets 200, or to remove
collets.
[0035] During use, the collets 200 may slide either freely or with
manual assistance along the elongated wires 130. The term
"elongated" in the present application indicates a length which
permits one or more of the collets 200 to move noticeably.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 9-14, in a second embodiment of the
invention, in which like reference characters refer to like
elements from the first embodiment, a jewelry item 100 may include
an elongated opening 120 defined from above by a first portion 110
of the jewelry item and a second portion 115 of the jewelry item.
An elongated wire 130 (i.e., collet mounting structure) may be
secured to the jewelry item 100 at ends 146 below the first portion
110 in the interior of the jewelry item. An elongated recess 150
(i.e., collet mounting structure) may be provided in the second
portion 115 of the jewelry item 100 substantially parallel to the
elongated wire 130. The wire 130 may be shielded from above by the
portion 110 of the jewelry item 100. The elongated wire 130 and
elongated recess 150 may extend along the full length of the
elongated opening 120 and preferably slightly beyond the ends of
the elongated opening.
[0037] One or more collets 200 may be disposed in the elongated
opening 120, mounted on the elongated wire 130, and secured in the
elongated recess 150. The collets 200 may include a boss 210 which
includes a central opening 212 adapted to receive the elongated
wire 130. There may be sufficient clearance between the elongated
wire 130 and the central opening 212 of the collets 200 to permit
the collets to slide freely or with manual assistance along the
length of the wire. Each boss 210 may have an outer width 214 that
is greater than the width of the boss at the junction with the
collet 200 body. The increased outer width 214 of the boss 210 may
provide a more robust and darrage-proof structure for securing the
collets 200 to the wire 130. Each of the collets 200 may also
include a wing 220. Each of the wings 220 may have an outer width
222 which is greater than the width of the wing at the junction of
the wing with the collet 200. This increased outer width 222 of the
wing 220 may provide a more robust and damage-proof structure for
securing the collets 200 within the elongated recess 150. Each wing
220 may also have a rounded outer edge 221 which may be received by
a mating concave inner surface of the elongated recess 150.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 15-19, in a third embodiment of the
invention, in which like reference characters refer to like
elements from the first and second embodiments, a jewelry item 100
may include an elongated opening 120 defined from above by portions
110. Elongated recesses 150 (i.e., collet mounting structures) may
be provided in the portions 110 of the jewelry item 100
substantially parallel to each other. The elongated recesses 150
may include slightly concave inner upper and lower surfaces. The
elongated recesses 150 may extend along the full length of the
elongated opening 120, and preferably slightly beyond the ends of
the elongated opening.
[0039] One or more collets 200 may be disposed in the elongated
opening 120 and secured by the elongated recesses 150.
Specifically, the collets 200 may include wings 220 which are
adapted to slide within the elongated recesses 150 The wings may
have an outer width 222 which is greater than the width of the
wings at the junctions of the wings with the collet 200. The
increased outer width 222 of the wings 220 may provide a more
robust and damage-proof structure for securing the collets 200
within the elongated recesses 150. The wings 220 may also include a
slightly rounded or convex upper surface 224 and lower surface 226,
which mate with slightly concave inner upper and lower surfaces in
the elongated recesses 150.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 20-23, in a fourth embodiment of the
invention, in which like reference characters refer to like
elements from the first, second and third embodiments, a jewelry
item 100 may include an elongated opening 120. Elongated flanges
160 (i.e., collet mounting structures) may be provided in the
jewelry item 100 substantially parallel to each other. The
elongated flanges 160 may extend along the full length of the
elongated opening 120, and preferably slightly beyond the ends of
the elongated opening.
[0041] One or more collets 200 may be disposed in the elongated
opening 120 and secured by the elongated flanges 160. Specifically,
the collets 200 may include cutouts 230 which are adapted to
receive and slide along the flanges 160.
[0042] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the
invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing
from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.
[0043] The functional elements and method steps described above are
provided as illustrative examples of one technique for implementing
the invention; one skilled in the art will recognize that many
other implementations are possible without departing from the
present invention as recited in the claims. For example, the types
of jewelry items with which the invention may be used may vary,
including but not limited to rings, pendants, bracelets, anklets,
necklaces, etc. Further, while the collets illustrated are roughly
cylindrical in shape, this shape may be varied without departing
from the intended scope of the invention. Still further, it is
appreciated that the collets are slidably mounted using collet
mounting structures selected from the group consisting elongated
wires, elongated recesses, and elongated flanges, and that the two
collet mounting structures required for a jewelry item may be the
same or different. For example, a jewelry item may include one
elongated wire and one elongated flange as collet mounting
structures. In another example, a jewelry item may include one
elongated recess and one elongated flange as collet mounting
structures. Any combination of two collet mounting structures may
be used. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is
intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the
invention. It is intended that the present invention cover all such
modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *