CH712114A1 - Set adapted to be garnished with stones, ornate object and method of mounting several stones in a support. - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly adapted to be lined with several stones (115) comprises a support (101) and a closure piece (118). The support (101) defines a housing (102) able to receive the stones (115). The closure piece (118) can be attached and fixed to the support (101) so as to close an access entrance to the housing (102) and thereby retain the stones (115) in this housing (102). A method of mounting several stones (115) in a support (101) comprises the following steps: introducing a first stone (115) into a housing (102) of the support (101), passing the first stone (115) by an inlet (108) providing access to the housing (102) from the outside via the inlet (108), a last stone (115) is inserted into the housing (102) and the inlet (108) is closed. by connecting and securing a closure piece (118) at this inlet (108).

Description

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is concerned with the question of mounting stones on an object, in order to increase the aesthetics of this object, which may notably be a timepiece or a jewel. More specifically, the invention relates to an assembly adapted to be furnished with a succession of stones, an object adorned with such stones, and a method of mounting a succession of stones in a support.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the term "stone" should be understood to mean not only stones per se, including precious stones such as diamonds, but also any other decorative element can be attached to a support. For example, a stone as understood here can be a glass pearl like a carved piece of ebony. STATE OF THE ART [0003] In the fields of jewelery, jewelery and / or watchmaking, crimping is widely used to fix a precious or non-precious stone to an object typically made of metal, such as a jewel or a watch. There are several types of crimping, all of which have in common that the metal of the support receiving the stone or stones is folded on this or these stones, being plastically deformed.

Among the various types of crimping, crimping "rail", also called "crimping rail", is used when it comes to fixing a succession of stones arranged in succession, with no gap between them. In the "rail" crimping, a groove is hollowed in the support and on each side of this groove, a metal lip is lifted, which is generally called "rail". Then, the stones are arranged afterwards in the groove, then the two rails on either side of the groove are folded over the row of stones, being plastically deformed. Once folded, the two rails hold and immobilize the stones in the groove, which forms a base for it. The two rails can be of various sizes, depending on the needs.

The crimping "rail" requires that the material constituting the support is sufficiently ductile. Ductility expresses the ability of a material to deform plastically without breaking. Materials that can be deformed plastically without breaking are called ductile and those that can not be said to be fragile. Metals, particularly gold, aluminum and mild steels, are ductile materials.

More and more, less or no ductile materials such as carbon, wood, moonstone and rubber are used in watchmaking or jewelry. They can not be crimped. However, it would be desirable to be able to set rows of stones in supports made of such fragile or ductile materials. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The object of the invention is at least to propose a mounting technique that makes it possible to fix a succession of stones to a support so that these stones produce a visible ornament and that can be used even when the material of the support is little or not ductile.

According to the invention, this goal is achieved through a set adapted to be lined with a succession of stones. This assembly comprises a support comprising a housing for receiving the succession of stones. The assembly further comprises a closure member adapted to be attached and fixed to the support so as to retain the stones in the housing. The housing includes an entrance which is able to be closed by the closing room and which is an access entry to housing, for the stones.

The assembly defined above may incorporate one or more other advantageous characteristics, alone or in combination, in particular among those specified below.

Advantageously, the housing forms a slide in which an implementation can be performed by sliding from the entrance. When this is the case, at least one of the stones can be slid into the slide from the entrance. The placing of the stones can then be facilitated, since at least some of these stones can be installed one after the other. In addition, a very good maintenance of the stones, once their assembly completed, can be obtained. In addition, the installation of the closure piece can be facilitated, especially if it comprises a press fitting of all or part of this closure piece.

Advantageously, the slide has two opposite ends, the entrance being at a distance from each of these two ends. When this is the case, a very good mutual registration of the stones, once their assembly is completed, can be obtained.

Advantageously, the housing comprises a lateral opening provided to partially discover the stones, the assembly comprising two opposite flanges which are retaining flanges in the housing and which extend on either side of the lateral opening. .

Advantageously, the inlet comprises a passage opening at a distance from the lateral opening, in the housing. When this is the case, it can be easy to ensure that, once in place in the support provided with the stones, the closing part is little or not apparent for an observer positioned so as to be able to admire the stones.

Advantageously, the closure member comprises a cap capable of being pressed into the passage so as to close at least partially this passage. Such a cap can be easily fixed in a robust manner. In addition, it can be easy to ensure that such a plug does not protrude outside the support.

Advantageously, the inlet comprises a portion of the lateral opening, and a slot extending transversely this portion and resulting from the absence of one of the flanges on a portion of the length of the slide.

Advantageously, the support and the closure member are provided with complementary means for fixing the closure member to the support by press fitting.

Advantageously, the complementary fastening means comprise at least one rod and a hole where the rod can be force-fitted, the rod equipping one of the support and the closure member, the hole being provided in the other element. among the support and the closing part.

Advantageously, an adhesive binds the support and the closure part to one another.

Advantageously, the support comprises a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of the closure piece. When this is the case, the closure piece may be less exposed to the risk of receiving shocks and / or clinging.

Advantageously, the support is made of a non-metallic material, in particular a material selected from carbon, wood, rubber and moonstone.

The invention also relates to an ornate object, comprising a succession of stones, and a subset as defined above. The stones are mounted in the housing. The closure piece prevents the stones from leaving the housing by being fixed to the support so as to close the entrance.

The invention also relates to a method of mounting a succession of stones in a support. This assembly method comprises at least steps in which: a) a first stone is introduced from the succession of stones into a housing of the support, by passing this first stone through an entrance which is provided in the support so as to give access to housing from outside, c) by the entrance, one introduces a last stone of the succession of stones in the housing, and d) one closes the entry by bringing back and fixing a piece of closure at this entry .

The mounting method defined above may incorporate one or more other advantageous features, alone or in combination, in particular among those specified below.

Advantageously, between steps a) etc.), the mounting method comprises at least one step in which: b) in the housing which forms a slide, is slid the first stone away from the entrance.

Advantageously, the mounting method comprises at least one step preceding step a) and wherein, at least the slide and / or the entry into the support is machined.

Advantageously, the mounting method comprises at least one step which precedes step d) and in which at least one drop of liquid adhesive is deposited on the closure part and / or in a receiving space of at least minus a portion of the closure piece. Advantageously, the drop of liquid adhesive is more precisely a microdrop of liquid adhesive.

Advantageously, the mounting method is used to mount a succession of stones in a subset as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features will be more clearly set forth in the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention given by way of nonlimiting example and represented in the appended drawings, among which: fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view, from above, of a support which is such that a row of stones can be fitted therein by implementing a mounting method according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 1, and represents a step of mounting a first stone in the support of this FIG. 1, during the mounting method according to the first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and represents a step which follows that of FIG. 2, when mounting the first stone in the support visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates the support of this FIG. 1 Once several stones have been mounted as was the first stone, fig. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates the state of the support of this FIG. 1 after the last stone of the row of stones has been put in place in this support, fig. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and represents a step that is executed once all the stones of the row of stones have been put in place in the support of FIG. 1, so as to be as shown in FIG. 5, and in which these stones are locked, FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and represents an ornate object which is according to a first embodiment of the invention and which results from the mounting and locking of the row of stones in the support of FIGS. 1 to 6, by implementing the mounting method according to the first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and shows the same ornamented object as FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view, from above, of a support which is such that a row of stones can be fitted therein by implementing a mounting method according to a second embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic views, in section along the line X-X of FIG. 9, and each represent one of two successive stages of mounting a first stone in the support of FIG. 9, during the implementation of the mounting method according to the second embodiment of the invention, FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and represents a step which follows that of FIG. 11, when mounting the first stone in the support visible in FIGS. 9 to 11, FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and represents the support of this FIG. 9 Once several stones have been mounted as was the first stone, fig. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and represents the state of the support of this FIG. 9 once the last stone of the row of stones has been put into place in this support, fig. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 10 and represents a step that is executed once all the stones of the row of stones have been put in place in the support of FIG. 9, so as to be as shown in FIG. 14, and in which these stones are locked, and FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 10 and represents an ornate object which is according to a second embodiment of the invention and which results from the mounting and locking of the row of stones in the support of FIGS. 9 to 15, implementing the method according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Description of Preferred Modes of the Invention [0029] FIG. 1 shows a support 1 intended to be furnished with a succession of stones and to be part of an ornate object according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The support 1 comprises a housing 2 for receiving the succession of stones. In the first embodiment of the invention, this housing forms a slide 2 having a lateral opening 3 which gives on the outside, that is to say by which the slide 2 opens out.

The slide 2 comprises two flanges 5 and 6, axial and opposite, each extending along one of two opposite edges of the side opening 3. These flanges 5 and 6 are projecting one. towards the other so as to hold together, by hanging, several stones succeeding each other.

The flange 6 comprises a solution of continuity, insofar as it has been partially removed so as to be absent over part of the length of the slide 2. This continuity solution forms a slot 7 forming part of a entry 8 access to the slide 2, from the outside. This entrance 8 is an entrance for the stones, allowing these stones to access the slide 2 from the outside. It comprises a portion of the lateral opening 3, in addition to the slot 7, and is located at a distance from the two opposite ends 14 of the slide 2.

Perpendicular to the axis of the slide 2, the inlet 8 is extended by a cell 10, which is hollowed in the face 4 of the support 1 and which is provided to receive a complementarily shaped closure part described later. . Two holes 11 forming part of complementary fixing means are provided in the bottom of the cell 10.

As can be better seen in FIG. 2, the slide 2 comprises a bottom 12 facing the lateral opening 3, and two sides, each of which defines one of two longitudinal chamfers together forming a seat 13 for the stones.

The support 1 is such that one can mount a succession of stones by implementing a mounting method according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 represents a first step of this mounting method. In this first step, a first stone 15 is introduced into the slide 2, by entering it through the entrance 8, where the slot 7 is located. To do this, the first rock 15 is tilted so as to give an inclination with respect to its final position, then this first stone is introduced laterally into the slideway 2, in the direction indicated by the arrow I, to engage a rondist 16 of the first stone 15 under the flange 5.

Once the first stone 15 rests on the seat 13, is slid this first stone 15 in the slide 2, away from the inlet 8, to its final position, which symbolizes the arrow C in fig. 3.

Once the first stone 15 has been mounted, other stones 15 are mounted in the slide 2. Each of these other stones 15 is mounted as was the first stone 15, that is to say, say by being introduced by the input 8, then slid in the slide 2 away from this input 8. In other words, it is carried out several iterations of the steps shown in Figs. 2 and 3, taking a new stone 15 before each of these iterations.

There may be only one iteration of the steps shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, especially when, in the final state, the stones present in the slide 2 are two in number.

In FIG. 4, the first stone 15 and three other stones 15 are in place in the slide 2, after being each introduced by the inlet 8, and then slid away from this inlet 8. Still in FIG. 4, a last stone 15 is missing in the slideway 2, at the entrance 8. This latter stone 15 is introduced laterally into the slide 2, through the entrance 8, like the other stones 15, but it is not not then slid in the slide 2, unlike the other stones 15.

When the last stone 15 was mounted, the stones 15 in the slide 2 form a succession of stones 15 side by side, which is the case in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 6, the aforementioned closure part is referenced 18. The support 1 and the closure part 18 form part of an assembly which is a first embodiment of which, in the appended claims, is called "assembly adapted to be trimmed a succession of stones "or simply" together ".

The closure part 18 comprises a mounting base 19, which has a shape complementary to that of the cell 10 so as to fit without play and which carries a flange section 20, and two rods. 21 complementary holes 11.

Alternatively, the rods 21 may be carried by the support 1, in which case the holes 11 are provided in the closure part 18. It is also possible to equip both the support 1 and the closure part 18 one or more rods 21 and to provide one or more holes 11 in this support 1 and in this closure piece 18.

Still in fig. 6, the mounting of the closure piece 18 is symbolized by the arrow Μ. It may possibly be preceded by the deposition of an adhesive, such as a liquid adhesive, in the cell 10 and / or on the closure piece 18.

The assembly M comprises an establishment of the rods 21 at the entrance and in the axis of the holes 11, and the application of a thrust on the closure part 18, parallel to the axes of the holes 11. L insertion of the rods 21 into the holes 11 is more precisely a press fit, which must overcome friction, so that an adhesion may be exercised in the opposite direction to these friction is able to oppose the withdrawal of the closing piece 18 after mounting it.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the mounting method according to the first embodiment of the invention is completed. The reference 22 designates the ornate object that results from the mounting and locking of the succession of stones 15 in the slideway 2.

In the ornate object 22, the closure piece 18 is fixed to the support 1, at the entrance 8 that this closure part 18 closes to the extent that its flange portion 20 completes the rim 6 and holds the last stone 15 by its rondist 16. Note that there is no bonding stones 15.

The side opening 3 partially discovers the stones, that is to say offers the sight these stones, which are indeed decorative stones.

The ornate object 22 may be, for example, a jewel or be part of a timepiece such as a watch. In particular, the support 1 may be a timepiece dial or a watch bezel. These are just examples. As other examples of ornate object 22, there may also be mentioned a pen or shift knob.

The support 1 can be made of various materials. For example, it can be made of a material conventionally used in the field of watchmaking, particularly in a ductile material capable of being crimped, such as gold. The support 1 may also be made of a material that has insufficient ductility to be crimped. In particular, the material constituting the support 1 may be non-metallic. In particular, it can be selected from carbon, a wood such as ebony, rubber and moonstone.

Preferably, the support 1 and the closure part 18 are made of the same material. It may be otherwise. In any event, the constituent material of the closure piece 18 may be chosen from those mentioned above as an example of materials in which the support 1 may be made.

The various steps of the mounting method according to the first embodiment of the invention can be performed manually or by one or more controllers. Also, some of them can be done manually, while the other steps of the stone mounting process can be performed by one or more controllers. Furthermore, the method of mounting the stones 15 may comprise a preliminary step comprising machining the slide 2, the input 8 for the stones 15 and / or the cell 10 and holes 11.

Lafig. 9 shows a support 101 intended to be lined with stones and to be part of an ornate object according to a second embodiment of the invention.

In what follows, we only describe what the object adorned according to the second embodiment of the invention differs from the ornate object 22. In addition, a referenced part of the ornate object according to the second embodiment of the invention is designated by a reference constructed by increasing by 100 the reference identifying a referenced part of the ornate object 22, as long as it is identical or equivalent to this referenced part of the ornate object 22.

The inlet 108 has the shape of a passage passing through the bottom 112 and the seat 113 of the slideway 102, and opening into this slideway 102, facing the lateral opening 103. Each of the flanges 105 and 106 is continuous, without having a solution of continuity.

The support 101 is such that it can mount a succession of decorative stones by implementing a mounting method according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this method, each stone 115 is inserted into the inlet 108, then pushed so as to pass through a portion of the support 101, to the slideway 102.

In FIG. 10, the arrow I symbolizes the insertion of a first stone 115 in the entry 108.

In FIG. 11, the first stone 115 has reached the slide 102.

In FIG. 12, the first stone 115 is slid in the slideway 102 towards one end 114 thereof, which symbolizes the arrow C.

In FIG. 13, all the stones 115 except the last one were mounted in the slideway 102, for which they were passed through the entrance 108, then slide in the slideway 102, away from this entrance 108 .

In figs. 14 and 15, the last stone 115 was also put in place, for which it was only passed through the entrance 108, to the slide 102.

FIG. 15 also shows the closing piece 118, which has the shape of a plug able to be force-fitted into the inlet 108. In this, this inlet 108 forms a receptacle for receiving the closure piece 118.

An end of the closure piece 118 has the shape of a seat portion 125 having a cross section identical to that of the seat 113.

Still on lafig. 15, the arrow M symbolizes the mounting of the closure piece 118 in the inlet 108. This assembly is more precisely a press fit, which must overcome friction, so that an adhesion may be exerted in the direction inverse to these friction is able to oppose the withdrawal of the closure piece 118 after mounting thereof. In this, the sides of the closing piece 118 and the side wall of the inlet 108 form complementary fastening means by press fitting. An adhesive, such as a liquid adhesive, may optionally be added to bond the closure piece 118 to the side wall of the inlet 108.

FIG. 16 represents the ornate object 122 obtained at the end of the implementation of the mounting method according to the second embodiment of the invention. In this ornate object 122, the closing piece 118 closes the inlet 108 and thus prevents the stones 115 from escaping from the slideway 102.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, the housing for the stones may not form a slide, in which case the entrance for the stones can be configured so that the stones put together can borrow it together.

Moreover, fastening means other than those described above may be provided. For example, they may comprise screwing means, such as a thread formed on the side wall of the closure piece 118 and a tapping formed on the side wall of the inlet 108.

In addition, the entrance through which the stones can be brought into the slide, from the outside, can be at one end of this slide.

Claims (16)

In addition, the slide may comprise a plurality of inputs, for the closure of which one or more closure members may be provided. claims 1. Assembly adapted to be furnished with a succession of stones (15; 115), comprising a support (1; 101) comprising a housing (2; 102) for receiving the succession of stones (2; 102), characterized in that it comprises a closing piece (18; 118) adapted to be attached and fixed to the support (1; 101) so as to retain the stones (15; 115) in the housing (2; 102); housing (2; 102) comprising an inlet (8; 108) which is closable by the closure member (18; 118) and which is a housing access inlet (2; 102) for stones (15; 115). 2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing forms a slide (2; 102) in which an implementation can be performed by sliding from the inlet (8; 108). 3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the slideway comprises two opposite ends (14; 114), the inlet (8; 108) being at a distance from each of these two ends (14; 114). 4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2; 102) has a lateral opening (3; 103) intended to partially uncover the stones (15; 115), the assembly comprising two flanges ( 5; 6; 105; 106) which are retaining flanges in the housing and extend on either side of the lateral opening (3; 103). 5. The assembly of claim 4, characterized in that the inlet comprises a passage (108) opening away from the side opening (3; 103) in the housing (102). 6. The assembly of claim 5, characterized in that the closure member comprises a plug (118) able to be driven into the passage (108) so as to close at least partially this passage (108). 7. An assembly according to claim 4 and one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the inlet (8) comprises a portion of the lateral opening (3), and a crenel (7) extending transversely this portion and resulting from the absence of one of the flanges (6) on a portion of the length of the slide (2). 8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (1; 101) and the closing piece (18; 118) are provided with complementary means (10; 19; 11; 21; 108; 118). fastening the closure piece (18; 118) to the support (1; 101) by press fit. 9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support comprises a recess (10; 108) for receiving at least a portion (19; 118) of the closure piece (18; 118). 10. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (1; 101) is made of a non-metallic material, in particular a material selected from carbon, wood, rubber and moonstone. 11. Object decorated, comprising a succession of stones (15; 115), characterized in that it comprises a subassembly (1; 18; 101; 118) according to one of the preceding claims, the stones (15; 115 ) being mounted in the housing (2; 102), the closing piece (18, 118) preventing the stones (15; 115) from coming out of the housing (2; 102) by being fixed to the support (1; closing the input (8; 108). 12. A method of mounting a succession of stones (15; 115) in a support (1; 101), this mounting method comprising at least steps in which: a) a first stone (15; the succession of stones in a housing (2; 102) of the support (1; 101), by passing this first stone (15; 115) through an inlet (8; 108) which is provided in the support (1; 101) in order to provide access to the housing (2; 102) from the outside, c) through the entrance (8; 108), a last stone (15; 115) of the succession of stones is introduced into the housing (2; 102), and d) closing the inlet (8; 108) by connecting and securing a closure piece (18; 118) at this inlet (8; 108). 13. Mounting method according to claim 12, comprising at least one step which takes place between steps a) and c), and wherein: b) in the housing which forms a slide (2; first stone (15; 115) away from the entrance (8; 108). 14. Mounting method according to one of claims 12 and 13, comprising at least one step preceding step a) and wherein is machined at least the housing (2; 102) and / or the inlet (8; 108) in the holder (1; 101). 15. Mounting method according to one of claims 12 to 14, comprising at least one step preceding step d) and wherein is deposited at least one drop of liquid adhesive on the closure piece (18; 118) and / or in a recess (10; 108) for receiving at least one portion (19; 118) of the closure piece (18; 118). 16. Mounting method according to one of claims 12 to 15, which is implemented to mount a succession of stones (15; 115) in a subassembly (1; 18; 101; 118) according to one of Claims 1 to 10.