GB2026844A

GB2026844A - Jewellery article

Info

Publication number: GB2026844A
Application number: GB7832768A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BRACELON Ltd
Current assignee: BRACELON Ltd
Priority date: 1978-08-09
Filing date: 1978-08-09
Publication date: 1980-02-13
Also published as: GB2026844B

Abstract

A jewellery article such as a bracelet or pendant is provided with an individual feature such as a name or individual motif. The individual feature comprises a frame 11 of precious metal and one or more inserts 15 which are also wholly or partly made of precious metal, inserted in the frame and hard soldered in position to make up the individual feature. The finished article can be formed to a curved shape for use in a necklet or bracelet. The inserts may for example be letters spelling out a name. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of making a jewellery article and article produced by the method This invention relates to jewellery articles.

It is frequently desired that a jewellery article should have some feature which makes it different from other similar articles and in effect identifies it as personal to its owner. For example, there has been a trend towards the wearing of identity bracelets, on which the owner's name is engraved. Similarly, articles are frequently engraved with decorative designs or with inscriptions of various sorts which render them personal to the owner.

The effect produced by engraving is, however, only noticeable on fairly close inspection and it may be desirable for a more bold visual impact to be produced. To some extent, this has been achieved by bracelet charms, pendants and brooches produced in the form of an initial letter. However, it has not proved economically viable to produce full names in bold characters, in view of the vast variety of possible names. For example, it has been proposed to produce entire names by a casting process but the amount of stock which needs to be kept in order to cover even the most frequently occurring names makes such a proposal economically unacceptable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means whereby a jewellery article can be provided with an individual feature without the above drawbacks.

According to the invention there is provided a jewellery article comprising or consisting of an individual feature comprising a precious metal frame and one or more inserts adapted to be received and located by the frame, the or each insert including at least a portion of precious metal at the parts of the insert abutting the frame and said parts being permanently secured to the frame by hard soldering.

The jewellery article may include an insert in the form of a letter, a numerical digit or a motif. The frame may be arcuate.

The jewellery article may further comprise a chain and may be in the form of a bracelet or necklet.

The invention also provides a method of making an individual feature for a jewellery article, the method comprising taking a frame of precious metal, inserting one or more inserts in the frame so as to be received and located thereby, the or each insert including at least a portion of precious metal at the parts thereof abutting the frame, and hard soldering said parts to the frame to secure the inserts permanently thereto.

The method may include the additional step of forming the individual feature to an arcuate shape.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a frame; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevational view of an assembly forming an individual feature for an article of jewellery; Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a frame is generally indicated at 10 and is of rectangular shape, comprising a pair of longer sides 11 and a pair of shorter sides 12. Each of the sides of the frame is of generally L-shaped cross-section as seen in Figure 2 so as to provide a back support 13 and a peripheral support 14.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, an insert 15 is provided which, in this case, is formed wholly of precious metal, for example by casting.

Alternatively, the inserts could merely comprise a precious metal base or backing provided with decoration in the form of gem stones or enamel for example.

The insert 15 is so shaped in relation to the frame that it can be received and located as a press-fit in the frame. Where the insert is not wholly of precious metal, the precious metal is provided at the parts which abut the frame in this assembled condition.

To form an individual feature for a jewellery article, inserts 15 of different sorts may be used to form a name, a numeral such as "18" or "21" or some other chosen design incorporating one or more individual motifs.

When the insert or inserts have been inserted in the frame in the chosen positions, they are hard soldered in generally known manner, and reference to Figure 4 of the drawings shows the presence of a solder fillet 16 between the insert 15 and the frame 10.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the frame may be of channel cross-section ratherthan the angled cross-section shown in Figure 2 and one end of the frame may be open to enable inserts to be slid into the frame from that open end. The end may then be closed by soldering a closure member in position at the soldering stage.

Although a single frame is shown, two or more frames could be secured together, for example, to receive the letters of a christian name and surname.

The frame may be formed two an arcuate shape either before or, preferably, after the soldering into place of the inserts. This arcuate form may be desirable where it is intended for use in an identify bracelet or for use in a necklet. The curvature imparted will be appropriate to the use for which the jewellery article is intended.

The individual feature may be given subsequent treatment after the soldering operation, for example by polishing, plating or engraving. Some form of attachment means may be soldered onto the frame for attachment of one or more chains, straps, pins or other means of attachment to the person.

By the use of preformed frames and inserts in the form of letters, numerical digits or various types of motif, a large variety of personalised jewellery articles can be made up by means involving only simple workshop skills such as assembling and hard soldering.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Ajewellery article comprising or consisting of an individual feature comprising a precious metal frame and one or more inserts adapted to be received and located by the frame, the or each insert including at least a portion of precious metal at the part of the insert abutting the frame and said parts being permanently secured to the frame by hard soldering. 2. A jewellery article according to Claim 1 including an insert in the form of a letter. 3. A jewellery article according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 including an insert in the form of a numerical digit. 4. A jewellery article according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 including an insert in the form of a motif. 5. Ajewellery article according to any preceding claim wherein the frame is arcuate. 6. Ajewellery article according to any preceding Claim and further comprising a chain. 7. Ajewellery article according to Claim 6 in the form of a bracelet. 8. A jewellery article according to Claim 6 in the form of a necklet. 9. A jewellery article according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 and further comprising a pin. 10. A method of forming an individual feature for a jewellery article, the method comprising taking a frame of precious metal; inserting one or more inserts in said frame so as to be received and located thereby, the or each insert including at least a portion of precious metal at the parts thereof abutting the frame; and hard soldering said parts to the frame to secure the inserts permanently thereto. 11. A method according to Claim 10 including the additional step of forming the individual feature to arcuate shape. 12. Ajewellery article including an individual feature substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 13. A method of forming an individual feature for a jewellery article according to Claim 10 and sub stantially as hereinbefore described. 14. Any feature of novelty, taken singly or in combination of the embodiment of the invention as hereinbefore described with reference to the accom panying drawings. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 7.2.79 Superseded claims 1 -14 New or amended claims:- 1-16 CLAIMS

1. A jewellery article comprising or consisting of an individual feature comprising a precious metal frame having a through aperture within which one or more inserts are permanently secured, the insert or inserts being so shaped as not to conform to the shape of the frame and contacting the frame at spaced contact points only, where they are secured to the frame.

2. A jewellery article according to Claim 1 wherein the or each insert includes at least a portion of precious metal at each of said contact points and is hard soldered to the frame.

3. A jewellery article according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 including an insert in the form of a letter.

4. A jewellery article according to any preceding claim including an insert in the form of a numerical digit.

5. A jewellery article according to any preceding claim including an insert in the form of a motif.

6. A jewellery article according to any preceding claim wherein the frame is arcuate.

7. A jewellery article according to any preceding claim and further comprising a chain.

8. A jewellery article according to Claim 7 in the form of a bracelet.

9. A jewellery article according to Claim 7 in the form of a necklet.

10. Ajewellery article according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 and further comprising a pin.

11. A method of forming an individual feature for a jewellery article, the method comprising taking a frame of precious metal having a through aperture; inserting into the aperture of the frame one or more inserts which do not conform to the shape of the frame but which are received and located thereby at spaced contact points only; and securing the inserts permanently to the frame at said contact points.

12. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the step of permanently securing the inserts to the frame comprises hard soldering at each of said contact points, the inserts comprising at least a portion of precious metal at each contact point.

13. A method according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 including the additional step of forming the individual feature to arcuate shape.

14. A jewellery article including an individual feature substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of forming an individual feature for a jewellery article according to Claim 11 and substantially as hereinbefore described.

16. Any feature of novelty, taken singly or in combination of the embodiment of the invention as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.