US3180112A

US3180112A - Changeable ornamental setting

Info

Publication number: US3180112A
Application number: US123927A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lefkowitz Herman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-06-26
Filing date: 1961-06-26
Publication date: 1965-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 1982-04-27

Description

April 27, 1965 owrrz 3,180,112

CHANGEABLE ORNAMENTAL SETTING Filed June 26, 1961 INVENTOR firm wz'i 7 I 67 I B /w%4,,g 9 m 72 76 0 78 Y ATTORNEKS United States Patent 3,180,112 CHANGEAELE QRNAMENTAL SEG Herman Lefirowitz, Hotel Wentworth, 59 W. 46th St, New York, FLY. Filed .iune 26, 1961, Ser. No. 123,927 2 tClaims. (Cl. 63-29) This invention relates to jewelry, and more particularly, to an improved construction for interchangeable jewelry.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 101,165, filed April 6, 1961, now abandoned.

Priorly, numerous forms of jewelry construction have been employed for the purpose of removably mounting the head of a ring, or the body of a brooch or earring. The head of a ring may be defined as that portion which is connected to the shank, or finger-engaging portion, and supports the principal stone. In the instance of a solitaire, the head supports the gem relative to the shank.

Prior art forms of interchangeable ring construction are shown in Rohde, Patent No. 501,365 and Berlepsch, Patent No. 466,287, and De l-lolimann et al., Patent No. 2,316,225. Further, attempts have been made in the art of ring construction to provide an apron which can be inserted in the shank and moved outwardly to straddle the shank of a solitm're or engagement ring to create the illusion of a different style of ring. By style is meant the various shapes and orientations of aprons relative to the shanks, which combinations and orientations present a distinct appearance to convert the solitaire to a costume piece or cocktail ring.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved jewelry construction which can be readily converted from an engagement ring style of jewelry to a cocktail ring.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved jewelry construction employing a locking engagement between the head member and base member with an apron intermediate these members to define an article of jewelry which can be readily converted from one style to another.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved jewelry construction tor readily converting from one style of jewelry to another by employing as a locking engagement, between the head member and base member, a pair of coacting screws which lock the head member to the base member securely to retain the intermediately positioned apron in a predetermined position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a jewelry construction with a head member which is removably mounted on the shank, or base member, an intermediate apron, and means for locking the head member to the shank member, which head member retains the apron in a predetermined position relative to the shank.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved jewelry construction including a head member which is removably mountedv on the base member, or V shank, and an intermediate apron, which apron includes a plurality of means for engaging the shank in any one of a predetermined number of positions, thereby permitting the jewelry to be converted from one style to another by loosening the head on the shank, rotating the intermediate apron, and tightening the head on the shank, or alternatively, by removing the head member, substituting a difierent apron, and replacing the head member.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an article of jewelry with disengageable members for converting from one style of jewelry to another, one of which members has a locking member engaged thereto,

which locking member may be released from its'locking 3,188,112 Patented Apr. 27, 1965 "ice position but retained by the other member to prevent the loss of the locking member.

it is another object of this invention to provide an improved jewelry construction in which a head member is disengageably mounted on a base member for retaining an apron intermediate the head member and the base member, which base member has a threaded locking member retained therein such that the locking member may threadably engage the head member to lock a head member in position and when the locking member is disengaged from the head member the locking member will be retained in the base member.

Briefly, in accordance with aspects of this invention, an article of jewelry is provided with a shank member, a head member removably mounted on the shank, an apron having an aperture therein to receive a threaded portion of the head and means for locking the head on the shank, which locking means advantageously include a screw threaded in the opposite direction from the threaded portion of the head to lock the head on the shank, and the apron, including means for preventing relative rotation between the apron and the combination of head and shank to retain the apron in a predetermined position.

In accordance with other aspects of this invention, an article of jewelry is provided with a base member, a head member removably mounted on the base member, an apron having an aperture therein to receive a portion of the head member and means connected to the base member for locking the head member on the base member, which locking means advantageously. include means for retaining the locking member in the base member when the locking member is disengaged from the head member. This last mentioned means may include numerous forms of construction; for example, the locking means may be in the form of a bolt with a flange intermediate the bolt and a plate secured to the base member after the locking member has been placed in the locking slot which platehas an aperture therein sufiicient for the passage of a tool therethrough for rotation of the locking means, which aperture is smaller than the diameter of the flange on the locking means thereby retaining the locking means in the base member. In another form of construction the means for retaining the locking means in the base member includes a.plate having a threaded aperture therein, which plate is secured to the base member to permit the locking member to pass through the threaded aperture to retain the head member in its position on the base member. p

According to one illustrative embodiment of this invention, a head member is provided with an elongated portion threaded on its. outer surface to engage a threaded aperture defined in the shank member, the elongated portion having an aperture therein threaded in the opposite direction from the threaded outer portion, a screw which threadably engages the last mentioned threads, and an apron having an aperture therein of suficient diameter to receive the elongated portion of the head member, the apron having a flange which extends be-' tween the head. and the shank. .The apron includes means for engaging the shank at. points remote from the head to secure the apron in a predetermined position relative to the shank when the locking screw is inserted through the aperture in the shank and rotated until its shoulder engages the cooperating shoulder on the shank.

section is provided with an elongated portionwhich is threaded on its outer surface to engage the threaded portion of the shank member, which article includes an apron having an aperture therein of polygonal configuration for co-operating with the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the head whereby the apron is prevented from rotating relative to the head when the apron is positioned to co-operate with the head and the head is moved into threaded engagement with the shank. 'Advantageously, the elongated portion of the head may be provided with a recess which is threaded in an opposite direction relative to the threads on the outer portion of the elongation, which construction further includes a screw which threadably engages the threaded recess and is rotated until the head of the screw engages a recess in the shank.

In accordance with still another illustrative embodiment of this invention, an article of jewelry is provided with a shank, or base member, a head member connected to the shank member, an apron intermediate the head member and the shank member, and locking means for locking the head in engagement with the shank, or base member, which locking member is prevented from separating from the shank, or base member. The means by which this separation is prevented may include a plate secured to the base member over the locking member, which plate has an aperture therein whereby the locking member may be rotated by a suitable tool inserted through the aperture, while the plate prevents the locking member from being lost.

These and various other objects and features of the invention will be more clearly understood from a reading of the detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one illustrative ment of this invention showing in full lines one position of the apron and showing in dotted lines other positions of the apron relative to the shank;

, FIGURE 2 is a view in elevation, partly in section to an enlarged scale, of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 taken along the lines 22 of FIGURE .1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the apron of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of FIGURE 2, partly in section, of a cross section of the shank portion and an end elevation view ofv the apron taken along the line 4--4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a partial view in elevation of the embodiment of FIGURE 1; a

, FIGURE 6 is a view in elevation, partly in section, of another illustrative embodiment of this invention;

, FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of FIGURE 6 taken along the line 7-7 showing a cross section view of the shank portion and an end elevation view of the apron;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the apron of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 9 is a side view in elevation, partly in section, of a piece of jewelry showing still another illustrative embodiment of this invention. 7

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is depicted a plan view'of this novel jewelry construction in which a shank member 10 is provided with a removably mounted head 12 and an apron 14 retained in position between the head 12 and the shank 10. The apron 14 is shown in full lines in a position in which its major axis is parallel to the shank 10-. The dotted lines 16-indicate a position of the apronwith its larger-axis transverse, or atright angles, relative to the shank. The dotted lines 18 show a position of the apron. 14 in which the major axis of the apron defines a 45 angle relative to the shank 1%. In its full line position, the apron 14 is shown in one style of jewelry while dotted line positions 16 and 18 define examples of other styles. The details of the co-operation of the elements are best seen in FIGURE 2 which shows, to an enlarged scale, a view in elevation, partly in section of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 taken along the line 2-2. As therein depicted, the head 12 tapers from the gem embodito a circular base 19. Extending from the circular base 19 is an elongated portion 21, threaded on its outer surface to threadably engage suitable threads 23 on the shank 1h.

The apron 14 includes a relatively thin flange 25 which has an aperture 27 therein to receive the elongated portion 21 of the head 12. Advantageously, the circular portion 19 of the head 12 engages the wall 29 of the apron 14. Also advantageously, the apron 14 is provided with a recess 33 (best seen in FIGURE 4) which engages the shank Iii to prevent relative rotation of the apron 14- with respect to the shank 11 As best seen in FIG- URE 2, these recesses 33 are provided on opposite sides of the apron with respect to the head .12. While these notches are shown in the periphery of the apron 14, they may be located at any point remote from the head 12.

After the head 12 is rotated until the shoulder 35 engages the fiange 25 and forces it into abutting relationship with a flattened portion 37 of the shank 10, the head is locked in position by means of locking screw 39 which has a threaded portion 49 which is threaded in an opposite direction to the threads on the elongated portion 21. Advantageously, the screw 39 is rotated until the head enters recess 41 in the shank 10. Thus the head 12 is locked into position relative to the shank 1t and in this position the head 12 secures the apron 14 between the head 12 and the shank 1%, such that the combination defines one style of jewelry. If it is desired to convert the jewelry to a diflerent style, locking screw 39 is released, and the head 12 is rotated to move the head 12 away from the shank 1%, thus permitting the apron 14 to be rotated to a position such as dotted line position 16 or 18 in FIGURE 1. The head is again rotated in a direction to move toward the shank It), thus causing a new pair of recesses 33, best seen in FIGURE 5, snugly to engage the shank 10. The locking screw is again inserted and rotated to enter the recess 41 and again lock the head 12 relative ,to the shank 10. i

The apron 14 is shown in plan view in FIGURE 3. Edge 29 of the aperture which receives the head 12 is shown as circular and the flange 25 is shown to have a circular aperture 27 therein.

FIGURE 5 shows a partial view in elevation of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 which includes the various recesses, or notches, 33 at various positions on the lower surface of the apron 14.

FIGURE 6 shows a view in elevation, partly in section, of another illustrative embodiment of this invention in which a head 44 is locked into position relative to a shank 42 by means of a locking screw 43. The head 44 retains an apron 45 in co-operating position contiguous the shank 42, and head 44 prevents rotation of the apron 45. Ad-

As best seen in FIGURE 8, the apron 45 has a polygonal well 50, which in this instance is shown as a square,

which well terminates in a flange 52 having an aperture 54 therein. Advantageously, the head 44 has a co-operating polygonal cross section in the region of its base 56, wherein the polygonal base 56 snugly engages the well to prevent relative rotation between the head 44 and the apron 45. Thus the number of positional relationships available between the apron 45 and the shank 42 is determined by the number of sides on the polygonal well. These various positions may be effected by removing the head 44 and the intermediate apron 45, rotating the apron to the desired position relative to the head 44 and again inserting the elongated portion 61 in the threaded aperture 62 of the shank 42,.and rotating the shank until the elongated portion 61 has reached its limiting position. The locking screw 43 is inserted in the oppositely threaded recess 64 and rotated until the screw head 57 enters the recess 59 of the shank 42 and snugly engages the shank.

FIGURE 9 shows still another illustrative embodiment of this invention in which the head member 65 is threadably engaged with the base member 67 to retain an apron 68 intermediate the head member and base member and the locking member 70 retains the head member 65 in engagement with the base member 67. Advantageously, the locking member 70 'is a bolt having an enlarged, or flange portion, 72 thereon, which flange portion engages the shoulder 74 in the base member 67 to perform a locking function. A plate 76 is secured to the base member 67, which plate has an aperture 78 therein. The aperture has a diameter insufficient to permit the passage of the enlarged portion 72 of the locking member 70 therethrough, while the aperture is sufliciently large to permit a tool to be inserted therein whereby the locking member can be actuated. Thus, when the locking member is disengaged from the head 65, it is retained in the base member 67.

While I have shown and described several illustrative embodiments of this invention, it is understood that the concepts embodied therein may be employed in other articles of jewelry such as earrings and brooches without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the jewelry may be disassembled and other shapes of apron substituted to present a distinct appearance.

What is claimed is:

1. A multiple styled article of jewelry comprising in combination, an arcuate shaped shank having an aperture therein, a removable head comprising a first decorative member and including means holding a permanently set solitaire gem therein, threaded retaining means aflixed to the head for insertion into said aperture to retain said head on said shank to form therewith a basic solitaire style article of jewelry, locking means for aflixing the head to the shank by engagement with said retaining means, decorative means, including a second removable apron member between said first member and shank, said second member being substantially larger than said head extending circumterentially beyond the head, said decorative means being conformed to the contour of the shank to thereby convert the solitaire style into a massive cocktail style article of jewelry, interfitting means between the head and the apron to merge the two decorative members into an integrated styling wherein the interfitting means includes a surface on the apron facing and engaged by the head assembly to hold the apron in place on said shank, and a second surface of said apron facing the shank and having grooves engaging it to prevent relative rotation between the apron, head and shank.

2. An article, as defined in claim 1, wherein said apron has a major and minor axis and includes additional grooves in said second surface to engage the shank to hold the axes at diiferent angles relative to the shank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 22, 1936

Claims

1. A MULTIPLE STYLED ARTICLE OF JEWELRY COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, AN ARCUATE SHAPED SHANK HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN, A REMOVABLE HEAD COMPRISING A FIRST DECORATIVE MEMBER AND INCLUDING MEANS HOLDING A PERMANENTLY SET SOLITAIRE GEM THEREIN, THREADED RETAINING MEANS AFFIXED TO THE HEAD FOPR INSERTION INTO SAID APERTURE TO RETAIN SAID HEAD ON SAID SHANK TO FORM THEREWITH A BASIC SOLITAIRE STYLE ARTICLE OF JEWELRY, LOCKING MEANS FOR AFFIXING THE HEAD TO THE SHANK BY ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RETAINING MEANS, DECORATIVE MEANS, INCLUDING A SECOND REMOVABLE APRON MEMBER BETWEEN SAID FIRST MEMBER AND SHANK, SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER THAN SAID HEAD EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY BEYOND THE HEAD, SAID DECORATIVE MEANS BEING CONFORMED TO THE CONTOUR OF THE SHANK TO THEREBY CONVERT THE SOLITAIRE STYLE INTO A MASSIVE COCKTAIL STYLE ARTICLE OF JEWELRY, INTERFITTING MEANS BETWEEN THE HEAD AND THE APRON TO MERGE THE TWO DECORATIVE MEMBERS INTO AND INTEGRATED STYLING WHEREIN THE INTERFITTING MEANS INCLUDES A SURFACE ON THE APRON FACING AND ENGAGED BY THE HEAD ASSEMBLY TO HOLD THE APRON IN PLACE ON SAID SHANK, AND A SECOND SURFACE OF SAID APRON FACING THE SHANK AND HAVING GROOVES ENGAGING TI TO PREVENT RELATIVE ROTATION BETWEEN THE APRON, HEAD AND SHANK.