US20020112505A1 - Jewelry arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A jewelry arrangement including a mesh structure with links secured together by pins forming first and second rows of pin ends on opposite sides of the mesh structure where an improvement comprises metallic strips secured to the first and second rows of pin ends. In one embodiment, the metallic strips are solid rectangular shaped bars. The mesh and strips can be formed into bracelets, finger rings, earrings and other shapes. Alternatively, the strips can be of channel or angle shape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention [0001]
• This invention is for a new and useful jewelry arrangement for bracelets, earrings, finger rings, and other articles of jewelry, especially gold jewelry. [0002]
• 2. Description of the Prior Art [0003]
• Prior jewelry items such as bracelets, earrings and the like have been constructed of a mesh of individual links secured together by pins which extend through front and rear portions of the links. FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrations of such prior art jewelry arrangements. FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a [0004] mesh bracelet 10; FIG. 2 illustrates a top or plan view of the bracelet 10. In the illustrations of FIGS. 1 and 2, a mesh pattern includes a series of center links 14, 14A, 14B, etc. Link 14 is connected at one end by a pin 18 (see also FIG. 6) through bottom ends of links 12A, 12B and top ends of links 20A, 20B and at its opposite end by a pin 22 through bottom ends of links 20A, 20B and top ends of links 24A, 24B. Pins 18 and 22 are only visible in the illustration of FIGS. 1 and 2 by beads or knobs 18A, 18B, 22A, 22B at their outer ends after they extend through links 20A, 20B and through upper ends of links 24A, 24B. The beads are created by heating the ends of the pins (gold for example) 18 and 22 until they “bead up” because of partial melting and then cooling.
• FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the jewelry loop of FIG. 1, where [0005] links 12A, 20A, 24A are visible along with beads 18A, 22A for example. In the example of FIG. 2, a FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the jewelry loop of FIG. 1, where links 12A, 20A, 24A are visible along with beads 18A, 22A for example. In the example of FIG. 2, a bracelet is shown with open ends 28, which may or may not be fitted with a clasp for fastening a bracelet on an arm. Of course, other mesh structures such as finger rings, earrings, etc. may be constructed with the mesh arrangement.
• In use, the jewelry arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2 suffers an occasional problem in that the [0006] beads 18A, 18B, 22A, 22B, etc. can be “caught” or be snagged in a garment with a loose weave, for example certain knit garments. Furthermore, the jewelry arrangement of FIG. 1 can occasionally be damaged because of the exposure of pins 18A, 18B, etc. which extend out in an exposed position from the links 20A, 20B, etc.
IDENTIFICATION OF OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
• A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved mesh jewelry arrangement that overcomes the problems identified above. [0007]
• Another object of the invention is to provide a jewelry arrangement which includes prior mesh construction but which includes additional structures to protect the beads of pins which hold the mesh together. [0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention incorporates the objects identified above as well as other advantages and features in an improved jewelry arrangement where the prior art mesh jewelry arrangement described above is improved with solid borders in the form of bars or channels or angled structures or the like attached to each of the first and second rows of beads or extensions of the pins which hold the links of the mesh together. The bars serve to protect the mesh structure from damage and snagging. [0009]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIGS. 1 and 2 are prior art side and top views of a typical loop mesh jewelry structure where beads of pins which hold the mesh arrangement together are illustrated; [0010]
• FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the improved jewelry structure of the invention where first and second bars are secured respectively to the first row of pin extensions or beads and to the second row of pin extensions or beads; [0011]
• FIG. 5 illustrates in a top view, partially cut-away, a fabrication method step for attaching the mesh structure to the first and second bars; [0012]
• FIG. 6 is a cross section of the arrangement of FIG. 5 taken along lines [0013] 6-6 which illustrates a pin which holds mesh links together and the attachment of top and bottom bars to the pin extensions or beads;
• FIG. 7 illustrates a channel that is used as an alternative for the bar of FIG. 6; and [0014]
• FIG. 8 illustrates an angled bar that is used as an alternative for the bar of FIG. 6 or the channel of FIG. 7.[0015]
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that first and second solid bars or strips of [0016] metal 30, 32, preferably of gold or silver or other precious metal to correspond or possibly contrast with the metal of mesh structure 10, are secured to the first and second rows of pin extension or beads 18A, 16A, 22A . . . ; 18B, 16B, 22B . . . . The strips 30, 32 can be secured to the pin extensions in any way known to the jewelry fabrication art, but the preferred method is illustrated in FIG. 5.
• The [0017] mesh structure 10, first has solder spread over each of the pin extensions or beads, and the bars 30, 32 pressed against the beads while the combined bars and mesh structure are wrapped about a die 40. The combination of bars 30, 32 and mesh structure 10 is secured to die 40 with metallic ties 42. The die 40 may be constructed of graphite and shaped like that of a bracelet, ring, earring or the like. Next, the die, bars and mesh structure 10 are placed in a soldering oven where the solder between the beads and the bars melts, then cools while securing the beads of the mesh to the bars.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section along lines [0018] 6-6 of FIG. 5 where bars 30, 32 are secured to first and second rows of pin extensions, in this case beads 18A, 18B by solder welds 42, 44.
• FIG. 7 illustrates that [0019] channel strips 30A may be substituted for bars 30 where the pin extensions 18A are substantially surrounded by the channel strips. An angled strip 30B is illustrated in FIG. 8 as an alternative to the bar 30 or the channel 30A of FIGS. 6 and 7.

Claims (5)

What is claimed is:

1. In a jewelry arrangement which includes links secured together by pins and having first and second pin ends which extend beyond opposite sides of said links where said pins and links are interconnected together to form a mesh structure,

the improvement comprising,

a first metallic strip secured to said first pin ends of said mesh, and

a second metallic strip secured to said second pin ends of said mesh,

whereby said first and second metallic bars form first and second borders along sides of said mesh structure.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein,

said first and second metallic strips are rectangular bars which are secured to said pin ends.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein,

said first and second metallic strips are channels which substantially envelope said pin ends.

4. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein,

said first and second metallic strips are angled strips which partially envelope said pin ends.

5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein,

said pin ends are beads formed by heating said pin ends.

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