JP2006527043A - How to set stone on metal parts - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves drilling holes (2) in a metal piece (1) and placing a stone (5) in each hole. A tool (6) is applied perpendicular to a surface of the piece and proximate to a periphery of the hole for forcing a rim (8) of the piece on a girdle (9) of the stone. An impression comprising a facet is printed on surface of the piece, where the facet reflects light and the surface is defined between adjoining stones. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a tool implementing a stone setting method (b) a product such as jewel or clock piece comprising a metal piece.

Description

  The present application relates to a method for setting stones on metal parts.

  In the field of jewelry and watchmaking, methods for setting stones on metal parts are well known.

  In one conventional method, the operator fits the heel at an angle to the surface of the metal part to deform the metal part. This deforms the metal to create a collar that covers the periphery of the stone, which secures the stone to the metal part.

  Although this method is generally satisfactory, it has the disadvantage that it causes curl due to deformation of the metal, which reduces the smoothness of the jewelry.

  Another disadvantage of this method is that it can only be used when setting stones on metals such as gold and silver, ie metals with a certain ductility. If this method is applied to a hard metal such as titanium rather than gold or silver, a collar cannot be created even if a heel is applied obliquely to the surface of the metal part, because the metal breaks and forms chips.

  Another disadvantage of the current setting method is that in the case of a pavé setting where a large number of stones are set side by side on a piece of jewelry or a watch, the area on the metal surrounded by the stone is dull, It does not contribute to the three-dimensional effect.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for setting stones on hard metal parts such as titanium.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a setting method which improves the stone display.

The present invention is a method of setting at least one stone having a girdle on a metal part, comprising the following steps:
Drilling at least one hole for receiving stone in the metal part;
A process of placing stones in each hole;
Including fitting a tool near the periphery of each hole so that it is perpendicular to the surface of the metal part, wherein the end of the tool pushes the metal lip back against the stone girdle and includes at least one It has a tip for forming at least one indentation that includes a facet that reflects light.

  The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to set a piece of stone on a very hard metal by deforming the metal in a vertical motion to form a lip. Furthermore, the incision forming the lip has at least one facet, which gives an additional visual effect to the setting according to the invention.

  In one possible embodiment, the tool is applied manually.

  In other possible embodiments, the tool is applied by a machine.

  The invention also relates to a tool for carrying out the method, having at least one surface at the end that converges to the tip.

The tool can take several forms:
• The tool has a conical shape ending in a tip at its end.
• The tool has a tetrahedral shape ending in a point at its end.
If the tool has several facets converging towards its tip at its distal end.
-The tool has a radius of 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

  The invention also relates to a product such as a jewelery or watch having a metal part on which at least one stone with a girdle is arranged, said product being attached to the metal part around at least one stone. It has facets carved against the surface and is characterized by presenting at least one indentation that forms a lip covering the stone girdle.

  Preferably, the entire surface of the metal part surrounded by two or more stones is carved with nicks.

  For ease of understanding, the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate possible implementations of the method of the present invention in the form of non-limiting examples.

  1-3 show the different steps for carrying out the method.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of a product manufactured by this method.

  Figures 5-8 illustrate some possible embodiments of tools for carrying out the method of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a metal part 1 having a hole 2, which is widely known in the setting technology. This hole 2 comprises a conical base 3 and a cylindrical part 3 near the surface of the metal part 1. As can be seen, this conical pedestal 3 on which the stone is placed is at a very short distance from the surface of the metal part 1, which distance is usually 0.1 to 0.2 mm.

  FIG. 2 shows the stone 5 placed in the hole 2 before the start of setting. FIG. 2 shows that the tool 6 is approaching in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the metal part 1. In FIG. 2, the illustrated tool 6 has a conical end that ends at a tip 12.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows a state in which a tool is applied to the surface of the metal part 1. During the application of the tool, the material is pressed outward from the tip of the tool 6 so that the material constituting the metal part 1 forms a lip 8 that covers the girdle 9 of the stone 5 placed in the hole. It has been moved. The lip 8 thus serves to fix the stone 5 in the hole.

  The next step of the method is to form a new notch 11 on the surface of the metal part 1 delimited by the stone 5 using a tool.

  FIG. 4 shows a plurality of indentations 11 created on the surface between the stones. In the embodiment shown in this figure, these indentations 11 have facets—in the case of this embodiment—four. This indentation 11 located adjacent to the stone holds the stone in place, and the other indentation 11 has the effect of reflecting light rays.

  Figures 5-8 show several examples of this tool. These embodiments have, but are not limited to, the common feature that the distal end of the tool ends at the tip 12. The tip 12 is applied perpendicular to the metal surface and also moves the hardest metal surface to form the lip 8.

  FIG. 5 shows a tool having a pyramidal end.

  FIG. 6 shows a tool having a tetrahedral end.

  FIG. 7 shows a tool having a conical end.

  FIG. 8 shows a tool with four facets at the end.

  The method described here has many advantages. If this method is used, a stone can be set also on a very hard metal like titanium. The reason is that when the metal is deformed to produce a lip that covers the stone girdle, the tool acts vertically on the metal part to hold the stone.

  Also, the end of the tool provides an indentation on a smooth metal surface, which provides the additional effect of holding the stone in place and reflecting light.

  Adding this type of notch between the stones adds a reflective area that exhibits a favorable shine between the stones. The dull areas that occur in the case of prior art pavé settings are eliminated in the present invention and replaced with areas that reflect light.

  Finally, since the operation of this tool does not cause turning, the jewelry or watch produced by this method will not be scratched or caught.

  Another advantage of the method according to the invention is that it can be used for setting stones on inward or irregular surfaces.

  Finally, the surface set by the method according to the present invention has a continuous appearance, and it appears as if the set stones are arranged side by side.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but rather is a broad concept including all embodiments.

  For example, it is assumed that the tool has another shape. Of course, it is obvious that all precious, semi-precious and artificial stones can be set by this method.

It is understood that this method is particularly suitable for setting stones on hard metals such as titanium, but can also be used on metals such as gold, silver or steel.

Claims (10)

A method of setting at least one stone (5) having a girdle (9) on a metal part (1), comprising the following steps:
Drilling the metal part (1) with at least one hole (2) for receiving stones;
-Placing stone (5) in each hole (2),
Fitting a tool (6) near the periphery of each hole (2) so as to be perpendicular to the surface of the metal part, the end of the tool (6) having a metal lip (8) With a tip (12) for pushing back against a stone girdle (9) to form at least one indentation (11).   The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool (6) is applied manually.   3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the tool (6) is applied mechanically.   A tool for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tool (6) has at least one surface converging at its tip at the tip (12). .   Tool (6) according to claim 4, characterized in that it has a conical shape ending at the tip at the end.   Tool (6) according to claim 4, characterized in that it has a tetrahedron shape ending in a point at the end.   Tool (6) according to claim 4, characterized in that it has several facets that converge at the tip at the distal end.   The tool (6) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the radius of the tip of the tool is 0.2-0.5 mm.   A product, such as a jewelry or watch, having a metal part and at least one stone (5) with a girdle placed on the metal part, the metal around the at least one stone (5) Product having at least one indentation having a facet engraved against the surface of the part (1) and forming a lip covering the stone girdle (9).   10. Product according to claim 9, characterized in that the entire surface of the metal part (1) surrounded by two or more stones (5) is carved with indentations (11).

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