EP1190637A2

EP1190637A2 - Jewel holder and ring using the same

Info

Publication number: EP1190637A2
Application number: EP01121449A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Haruyoshi Noguchi
Original assignee: I T O Co Ltd; Tokyo Central Trading Co Ltd
Current assignee: I T O Co Ltd; Tokyo Central Trading Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-21
Filing date: 2001-09-07
Publication date: 2002-03-27
Also published as: EP1190637A3; JP3076475U

Abstract

In a jewel holder for holding a jewel having a culet, a jewel mount portion (M) is formed at the inner bottom portion of the jewel holder so that the culet of the jewel is rotatably engaged with the jewel mount portion (M) and the jewel makes a minute motion such as precession around the culet of the jewel, whereby the glitter of the jewel is more enhanced.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a jewel holder for holding a jewel (gem) or the like, and a ring using the jewel holder, and more particularly to a jewel holder in which a jewel is mounted so as to be movable as if it glitters gloriously, and a ring having a jewel or like mounted in the jewel holder.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various ring designs have been developed and proposed worldwide, and have fascinated human beings with glorious glitter of jewels held therein. For example, a jewel-fixed type of ring is know as a general one of these ring designs. In this type of ring, a cut jewel (gem) such as a brilliant cut jewel or the like is fixedly set on the collet of a ring by keep a crown of the ring to engage with a claw section integrally formed on the collet. Accordingly, in order to enjoy glitter of the jewel itself, a user moves his/her finger around which the ring is put as if his/her finger flutters.
Furthermore, as another type of ring is known a ring having such a structure that the base portion of a jewel mounting portion on which a jewel is mounted is equipped with a coil spring portion connected to a ring band of the ring. When a user wants to enjoy the glitter of the jewel, the user moves his/her finger as if the finger flutters with the ring put on the finger. At this time, following the motion of the coil spring portion, the jewel mounting portion is vibrationally moved, and reflection light from the jewel mounted on the jewel mounting portion flickers. This flickering of the reflected light induces the glitter of the jewel at the user's eyes.
With this type of ring (hereinafter referred to as "jewel-mount movable type ring"), the motion of the coil spring portion is too rough and random to enjoy the glitter of a jewel because it is randomly and roughly moved due to its spring force when the finger flutters. That is, the rough motion of the jewel-mount movable type ring is unfavorable to enjoy the glitter of the jewel. Particularly, the glitter of cut jewels such as brilliant cut jewels or the like is more enhanced by a minute motion of the jewel itself because the minute motion of the jewels brings minute variation (flickering) of reflection light and it makes the jewels more beautiful and glorious for human visual sense. Therefore, the jewel-mount movable type ring is unsuitable to achieve beautiful and glorious glitter of jewels.
In addition, as described above, the jewel-mount movable type ring needs an additional accessory such as a coil spring portion or the like, so that the productivity of such rings is more difficult and also the cost of producing the rings is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been implemented in view of the foregoing problems, and has an object to provide a jewel holder for holding a jewel (or other accessories) which enables the jewel to make a minute motion suitable to enhance glitter of the jewel with a remarkably simple structure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ring using the jewel holder which enables the jewel have more beautiful glittering by uniquely representing reflection light from the jewel.
In order to attain the above objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a jewel holder for holding a jewel having a culet, characterized in that a jewel mount portion (M) is formed at the inner bottom portion of the jewel holder so that the culet of the jewel is rotatably engaged with the jewel mount portion (M) and the jewel makes a minute motion around the culet of the jewel.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a jewel holder for holding a jewel, characterized by comprising: a jewel fixing base (7) on which the jewel is fixed, the jewel fixing base having a projecting portion (P) functioning as a culet on the outer bottom portion of the jewel fixing base (7); and a jewel supporter (8) having a recess portion (M') that is engageable with the projecting portion (P) of the jewel fixing base (7) so that the jewel fixing base (7) makes a minute motion around the projecting portion (P).
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ring with a jewel having a culet, characterized by comprising: a jewel holder for holding a jewel having a culet, characterized in that a jewel mount portion (M) is formed at the inner bottom portion of the jewel holder so that the culet of the jewel is rotatably engaged with the jewel mount portion (M) and the jewel can make a minute motion around the culet of the jewel; and a ring band (RB) fitted to the jewel holder.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ring containing a jewel, characterized by comprising: a jewel holder having a jewel fixing base (7) on which the jewel is fixed, the jewel fixing base (7) having a projecting portion (P) functioning as a culet on the outer bottom portion of the jewel fixing base (7), and a jewel supporter (8) having a recess portion (P) that is engageable with the projecting portion (P) of the jewel fixing base (7) so that the jewel fixing base (7) makes a minute motion around the projecting portion (P); and a ring band (RB) fitted to the jewel holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a jewel supporting portion constituting a jewel holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention on which a jewel or the like is mounted;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a lid portion which is covered on the open portion of the jewel supporting portion;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the state that a cut jewel is set in a jewel holder comprising the lid portion and the jewel supporting portion;
Fig. 4 shows a ring assembled by using the jewel holder and a ring band RB;
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the ring to explain a process of assembling the ring;
Fig. 6A is a front view showing a modification of the ring of the first embodiment, which is assembled by using a transparent jewel supporting portion and a transparent lid portion, Fig. 6B is a top view of the ring shown in Fig. 6A and Fig. 6C is a side view of the ring shown in Fig. 6A;
Figs. 7A and 7B show manners of fixing the lid portion and the jewel supporting portion to each other;
Figs. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views showing a second embodiment of the jewel holder according to the present invention; and
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the jewel holder according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a jewel supporting portion constituting a jewel holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention on which a jewel or the like is mounted.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that a cut jewel (gemstone) D having a culet such as a brilliant cut jewel or the like is mounted on the jewel supporting portion 1.
As shown in Fig. 1, the jewel supporting portion 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is designed substantially in a bowl-like shape (or inverse-conical shape), and the cut jewel D is put from the open side of the jewel supporting portion 1 and set on the inner bottom portion thereof. In this embodiment, the inner bottom portion of the jewel supporting portion 1 is equipped with a jewel mount portion M with which the culet of the cut jewel engages movably (rotatably). Here, the culet of the cut jewel corresponds to the apex of the lower conical portion (pavilion facet portion) of the cut jewel D.
Specifically, the jewel mount portion M is formed substantially at the center of the inner bottom portion of the jewel supporting portion 1 so that the culet of the cut jewel is movably (rotatably) engaged with the jewel mount portion M and also the cut jewel makes a minute motion favorable to the glitter of the cut jewel. Here, the minute motion favorable to the glitter of the cut jewel means such a motion that the flicker of the reflected light from the moving cut jewel is minute and brilliant to the extent that the glitter of the jewel is glorious for human beings. For example, when a cut jewel rotates pivotally around its culet or makes a precession around its culet like a top (hereinafter, such motions will be generally referred to as "precession"), this motion brings a cut jewel with brilliant and glorious glitter. Therefore, the engagement between the culet of the cut jewel and the jewel mount portion M is made so that the cut jewel held on the jewel mount portion M can make a precession around the culet thereof (as if the cut jewel itself dances in the jewel supporting portion 1), for example.
Any member may be used as the jewel mount portion M insofar as the engagement between the jewel mount portion M and the culet of the cut jewel enables the cut jewel itself to make a minute motion such as precession or the like, and thus it brings brilliant glitter to the cut jewel. For example, the jewel mount portion M may be formed as a groove, a recess or a hole at the inner bottom portion of the jewel supporting portion 1, or a projecting member that is provided at the inner bottom portion of the jewel supporting portion 1 so as to have an engaging portion engageable with the culet of the cut jewel. As described later, the size, shape, depth or height, etc. of the jewel supporting portion M must be adjusted so that the engagement between the jewel supporting portion M and the culet of the cut jewel brings the cut jewel with the minute motion as described above.
In the case of use of a recess, the shape of the jewel mount portion M may be designed to correspond to the shape of the culet of the jewel, and a semi-spherical or conical recess may be formed as the jewel mount portion M substantially at the center of the inner bottom portion of the jewel supporting portion 1. However, the same effect can be achieved when the other types of jewel mount portion are used.
The minute motion (e.g., precession) of the cut jewel is affected by the engagement between the culet of the cut jewel and the jewel mount portion M, and this engagement is dependent on various factors such as the shape, size, depth (height), etc. of the culet of the cut jewel and the jewel mount portion M. Therefore, the enhancement degree of the glitter of the cut jewel is also dependent on these parameters. Accordingly, these parameters such as the size, depth, shape, etc. of the jewel mount portion (circuit groove) M are also adjusted for each cut jewel D so that the holding of the cut jewel D in the groove M brings most beautiful and glorious glitter.
The jewel mount portion M of this embodiment serves not only as a supporter for the culet of the cut jewel to make the minute motion of the cut jewel bring the most beautiful glitter as described above, but also as a positioning member for the cut jewel in a jewel setting process of setting the cut jewel on the jewel supporting portion 1.
Further, it is more preferable that the inner surface of the jewel supporting portion 1 is polished so that the cut jewel makes a smoother minute motion.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a lid portion 2 which is covered on the open portion of the jewel supporting portion 1 so that the cut jewel is prevented from falling off the jewel supporting portion 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the state that the cut jewel D is set in a jewel holder comprising the lid portion 2 and the jewel supporting portion 1 which are fitted to each other.
The lid portion 2 is put on the open portion of the jewel supporting portion 1 and fitted to the jewel supporting portion 1 by a well-known fixing member such as brazing filler metal or the like (described later) so that the minute motion (precession) of the cut jewel is not disturbed by the lid portion 2 and also the glitter of the cut jewel is more enhanced. The jewel supporting portion 1 and the lid portion 2 are fitted to each other through the brazing filler metal or the like while the fitting is minutely adjusted so that the glitter of the cut jewel held between the jewel supporting portion 1 and the lid portion 2 is made more brilliant. If the brazing filler metal is used, it must be a material having a low melting point so that the heat in the brazing and soldering process does not affect the cut jewel itself.
Further, the lid portion 2 is equipped with design windows (holes) K at the center portion thereof and on the peripheral portion thereof as shown in Fig. 2. Through these windows, a user can see the brilliant glitter of the cut jewel through the minute motion (precession) of the cut jewel itself in the jewel holder at all times by merely slightly moving his/her finger having a ring thereon.
Fig. 4 shows a ring assembled by using the jewel holder as described above and a ring band RB, and Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the ring to explain a process of assembling the ring.
As shown in Fig. 5, in the process of assembling the ring, the cut jewel D is first put on the jewel supporting portion 1, and then the lid portion 2 is put from the upper portion (open portion) of the jewel supporting portion 1 and fitted to the jewel supporting portion 1 by the brazing and soldering method or the like so that the cut jewel D is accommodated in the jewel holder so as to glitter gloriously. After the jewel supporting portion 1 and the lid portion 2 are fitted to each other to form the jewel holder, the jewel holder is fitted to the ring band RB by a well-known fixing member such as a brazing filler metal or the like. In this case, a brazing filler metal having a proper melting point is selected in consideration of the melting point of the brazing filler metal used to fit the jewel supporting portion 1 and the lid portion 2 and the effect of heat on the cut jewel. For example, a material having a higher melting point than that of the brazing filler metal used for the fitting between the jewel supporting portion 1 and the lid portion 2 may be used.
In the first embodiment, the jewel supporting portion is designed in a bowl shape or inverse-conical shape, however, the shape of the jewel supporting portion is not limited to these shapes, and any shape may be designed in accordance with the shape of the jewel so that it does not disturb the minute motion of the jewel. Further, if the jewel supporting portion is designed so that the jewel is prevented from falling off the jewel supporting portion, the lid portion may be omitted.
The jewel supporting portion 1 and the lid portion 2 is preferably formed of metal such as platinum, gold or the like, however, it may be formed of transparent material such as transparent plastic material, glass or the like.
Figs. 6A to 6C show a modification of the ring of the first embodiment, which is assembled by using a transparent jewel supporting portion 1' and a transparent lid portion 2', wherein Fig. 6A is a front view of the ring, Fig. 6B is a top view of the ring and Fig. 6C is a side view of the ring.
In this modification, a metal ring MR is interposed between the transparent jewel supporting portion 1' and the transparent lid portion 2', or disposed so as to surround the connecting portion between the transparent jewel supporting portion 1' and the transparent lid portion 2'. In the ring assembling process, the ring band RB is fixed to the metal ring MR by the brazing and soldering method or the like, whereby the jewel holder comprising the jewel supporting portion 1' and the lid portion 2' is fixed to the ring band RB to assemble a ring.
The jewel supporting portion 1' and the lid portion 2' may be fixed to each other by the engagement between external and internal threads 3, 4 formed at the connection portions thereof as shown in Fig. 7A, by the fitting between the recess portions 5 and the projecting portions 6 formed at the connection portions thereof as shown in Fig. 7B, or by using adhesive material. The projecting portions 6 may be formed integrally with the jewel supporting portion 1' or may be fixed to the jewel supporting portion 1' by a well-know fixing method. The fixing method for the jewel supporting portion 1' and the lid portion 2' is not limited to the above methods, and other well-known methods may be used.
The jewel mount portion M may be directly formed at the inner bottom portion of the transparent jewel supporting portion 1', or a metal support MS having a jewel mount portion M (for example, a recess) formed therein may be fixedly provided to the inner bottom portion of the jewel supporting portion 1'.
In this embodiment, the jewel holder itself is made transparent, and thus the user can enjoy the glorious glitter of the jewel from all the sides
In the above first embodiment and the modification thereof, the minute motion (precession) of the jewel is made through the engagement between the jewel mount portion M and the culet of the jewel. Therefore, the jewel to be held in the jewel holder of the first embodiment is limited to the cut jewel having the culet (apex of the lower conical portion) around which the jewel precesses. The following second embodiment enables an application of the present invention to other types (shapes) of various jewels having no culet.
Figs. 8A and 8B show a second embodiment of the jewel holder according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a cut jewel J having no culet, such as a standard cut jewel, an octagonal cross-cut jewel or the like. Further, the jewel supporting portion of this embodiment comprises two parts, a jewel fixing base 7 on which the jewel is fixed, and a jewel supporter 8 for supporting the jewel fixing base 7 so that the jewel fixing base 7 is movable (pivotable around a projecting portion P as described below).
The inner shape of the jewel fixing base 7 is designed to meet the shape of the lower portion of the jewel J. For example, the jewel fixing base 7 may be designed in a cup-like shape corresponding to the shape of the lower portion of the jewel, or in a striped shape which is curved in conformity with the shape of the lower portion of the jewel. If use of only one stripe is insufficient to fix the jewel, two or more stripes may be used. In this case, the stripes may be arranged so as to cross one another.
The engagement between the jewel J and the jewel fixing base 7 is carried out by a conventional well-known method used for a conventional jewel-fixed type of ring. For example, plural claws CL are integrally formed on the peripheral portion of the open side of the jewel fixing base 7. In this case, the jewel J is put on the inner surface of the jewel fixing base 7, and then the claws are bent inwardly so that the crown of the jewel J is fixed by the claws CL.
In the second embodiment, a projecting portion P functioning as the culet of the jewel is formed on the outer bottom portion of the jewel fixing base 7, particularly at the center of the outer bottom portion of the jewel fixing base 7. If the stripe-shaped jewel fixing base 7 is used, the projecting portion P is formed at the center of the stripe or at the cross point of the stripes.
Further, a jewel mount portion M' is formed substantially at the center of the inner bottom portion of the jewel supporter 8 so that the projecting portion P is engageable with the jewel mount portion M' (in Fig. 8A, the jewel mount portion M' is designed in a recess shape) and the jewel fixing base 7 (i.e., the jewel J) can make a minute motion such as precession or the like around the projecting portion P. Here, the shape, size, height of the projecting portion P and the shape, size, depth of the jewel mount portion M' are minutely adjusted so that the jewel fixing base 7 can the minute motion to bring glorious glitter of the jewel. The inner shape of the jewel supporter 8 is designed so that it does not disturb the minute motion of the jewel fixing base 7.
Like the first embodiment, a lid portion having design windows or a transparent lid portion may be covered on the jewel supporter 8 to prevent the jewel from falling off the jewel supporter 8. If the jewel supporter 8 is designed so that the peripheral portion of the open side thereof extend inwardly to the extent that the jewel J is prevented from falling off the jewel supporter 8, the lid portion may be omitted.
The fixing process for the jewel supporter 8 and the lid portion (not shown) to form the jewel holder, and the fixing process for the jewel holder and the ring band RB are the same as the first embodiment. Further, it is needless to say that the modifications of the first embodiment as shown in Figs. 6 to 7B can be applied to the second embodiment.
In the first and second embodiments as shown in Figs. 1A to 8B, only one jewel is set in the jewel holder. However, the present invention may be applied to a case where plural jewel holders of the first or second embodiment are fitted to a ring band so that each jewel in each jewel holder can make a minute motion (precession) or a case where plural jewels are set in a jewel holder so that each jewel can make a minute motion (precession).
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a jewel holder according to a third embodiment of the present invention when plural jewels are set in the jewel holder 9.
In this embodiment, the inside of a jewel supporting portion 9 of the jewel holder is partitioned into plural jewel support spaces as shown in Fig. 9 (for example, two spaces S1, S2 in the case of Fig. 9), and each space has a jewel mount portion M1, M2 like the first and second embodiments around which the jewel can precess.
In this embodiment, the shape of each space (i.e., the partition walls defining the spaces) is designed so that the jewel held in each space can make a minute motion such as precession or the like, and also the shape, size, etc. of each jewel mount portion is adjusted so that the glorious glitter is achieved from each jewel.
In this embodiment, plural jewels are set in the jewel holder, and thus a user can enjoy various glittering aspects of the respective jewels.
In this embodiment, only one lid portion 10 may be provided so as to cover all the spaces S1,S2 as shown in Fig. 9, or plural lid portions 10 may be provided so that each lid portion is covered on each space. Further, it is needless to say that the number of support spaces is not limited to two, and three or more may be formed in the jewel holder.
As described above, according to the jewel holder of the present invention and the ring using the jewel holder, a jewel set in the jewel holder can make a minute motion such as precession or the like so that the glitter of jewel is made more glorious. Therefore, a user can enjoy unique and glorious glitter of the jewel by slightly flutter his/her finger around which a ring is put.

Claims

A jewel holder for holding a jewel having a culet, characterized in that the jewel is set in said jewel holder without being fixed to said jewel holder so as to make a minute motion in said jewel holder.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein a jewel mount portion (M, M') is formed at the inner bottom portion of said jewel holder so that the culet of the jewel is rotatably engaged with said jewel mount portion (M,M') and the jewel makes the minute motion around the culet of the jewel.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jewel mount portion (M,M') is provided in the form of a recess at the inner bottom portion of said jewel holder so that the engagement between the culet of the jewel and said jewel mount portion enables the jewel to make a precession.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein said jewel holder comprises a jewel supporting portion (1,1') and a lid portion (2,2') covered on said jewel supporting portion (1,1'), said jewel mount portion (M,M') being formed at the inner bottom portion of said jewel supporting portion (1,1') and the jewel being set on said jewel supporting portion (1,1').
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said jewel supporting portion (1,1') is designed in a bowl-like shape.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said jewel supporting portion (1,1') is designed in an inverse-conical shape.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lid portion (2,2') has design windows (K) which are formed at the center portion thereof and on the peripheral portion thereof and through which a user enjoys glitter of the jewel.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said jewel supporting portion (1,1') and said lid portion (2,2') are formed of metal.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 7, wherein said jewel supporting portion (1) and said lid portion (2) are fixed to each other by brazing and soldering.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said jewel supporting portion (1,1') and said lid portion (2,2') are formed of transparent material.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein said transparent material is plastic or glass.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein said jewel supporting portion (1') and said lid portion (2') are fixed to each other by the engagement between external and internal threads (3,4) formed at the connection portions of said jewel supporting portion and said lid portion.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein said jewel supporting portion (1') and said lid portion (2') are fixed to each other by the engagement between projections and recesses (5,6) formed at the connection portions of said jewel supporting portion and said lid portion.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a metal ring that is provided at the connection portion between said jewel supporting portion and said lid portion.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein a metal supporter having said jewel mount portion is provided at the inner bottom portion of said jewel supporting portion.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein said jewel supporting portion (1') and said lid portion (2') are fixed to each other by adhesive material.
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inside of said jewel holder is partitioned into plural jewel holding spaces (S1, S2) in which jewels are respectively mounted, a jewel mount portion (M1, M2) is formed at the inner bottom portion of each of said jewel holding spaces so that the culet of each jewel is rotatably engaged with said jewel mount portion and the jewel can make a minute motion around the culet of the jewel.
A jewel holder for holding a jewel, characterized by comprising:

a jewel fixing base (7) on which the jewel is fixed, said jewel fixing base having a projecting portion (P) functioning as a culet on the outer bottom portion of said jewel fixing base (7); and

a jewel supporter (8) having a recess portion (M') that is engageable with said projecting portion (P) of said jewel fixing base (7) so that said jewel fixing base (7) makes a minute motion around said projecting portion (P).
The jewel holder as claimed in claim 18, wherein the engagement between said projecting portion (P) of said jewel fixing base (7) and said recess portion (M') of said jewel supporter (8) is made so that the minute motion of said jewel fixing base in said jewel supporter is precession.
A ring with a jewel having a culet, characterized by comprising:

a jewel holder for holding a jewel having a culet, the jewel being set in said jewel holder without being fixed to said jewel holder so as to make a minute motion in said jewel holder; and

a ring band (RB) fitted to said jewel holder.
The ring as claimed in claim 20, wherein a jewel mount portion (M) is formed at the inner bottom portion of said jewel holder so that the culet of the jewel is rotatably engaged with said jewel mount portion (M) and the jewel can make the minute motion around the culet of the jewel.
The ring as claimed in claim 21, wherein said jewel mount portion (M) is provided in the form of a recess at the inner bottom portion of said jewel holder so that the engagement between the culet of the jewel and said jewel mount portion (M) enables the jewel to make the precession.
A ring containing a jewel, characterized by comprising:

a jewel holder having a jewel fixing base (7) on which the jewel is fixed, said jewel fixing base (7) having a projecting portion (P) functioning as a culet on the outer bottom portion of said jewel fixing base (7), and a jewel supporter (8) having a recess portion (P) that is engageable with said projecting portion (P) of said jewel fixing base (7) so that said jewel fixing base (7) makes a minute motion around said projecting portion (P); and

a ring band (RB) fitted to said jewel holder.