US20080314083A1

US20080314083A1 - Universal ring setting for receiving different size crowns for holding different size gemstones

Info

Publication number: US20080314083A1
Application number: US11/820,801
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Wanstrath
Original assignee: Diamond Information Institute Inc
Current assignee: Diamond Information Institute Inc
Priority date: 2007-06-20
Filing date: 2007-06-20
Publication date: 2008-12-25

Abstract

A universal ring setting for receiving different size gemstone crown heads for mounting different size diamonds or gemstones. The universal ring setting includes a gemstone crown head for supporting a gemstone. The crown head includes a housing having a plurality of holding prongs, and an interior cavity for receiving and mounting the gemstone therein, and having a bottom circular edge with a notch formed therein. The universal ring setting includes a ring shank for encircling a finger of a user, the ring shank has an upper shank section with an integrally attached crossbar member formed thereon. The crossbar member is used for detachably receiving the notch of the crown head thereon for cooperatively mounting of the crown head to the upper shank section of the ring shank.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gemstone crown head with a notch in the bottom wall that attaches flush to an integral crossbar in a ring setting without the use of a lock or latch to hold the gemstone crown head in place. More particularly, this allows different sized gemstone crowns to be received by the same ring setting for mounting of different sized diamonds or gemstones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Finger rings with interchangeable settings are well-known in the prior art. Such interchangeable settings include key and screw attachment assemblies, interchangeable ring shank and ring ornament assemblies having male and female mechanisms, an interchangeable setting with a slip and catch engagement means, a post and groove interchangeable setting, an interchangeable multiple mount head system, and the like. The problem with the above aforementioned assemblies and systems requires the jeweler to manipulate small parts in its assembly and the frustration of losing these small parts in the rings assembly. Other problems include having an interchangeable mechanism that is not easy to use, as well as being secure when the gemstone and crown head are mounted together. These custom assemblies many times lack mechanical integrity.
There remains a need for a universal ring setting for receiving different size gemstone crown heads for holding different size diamonds or gemstones. Further, the gemstone crown head has a notched groove in the bottom wall which attaches in a flush manner to an integral crossbar member in a ring setting without the use of a lock or latch in order to hold the gemstone crown head in place. Additionally, the gemstone crown head and the universal ring setting has an interchangeable mechanism that is easy to use, secure when attached with each other and does not require the jeweler to manipulate any small parts when assembling the ring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Key and screw attachments for a crown and shank, interchangeable crown heads, interchangeable ring ornament assemblies, multiple mount head systems and the like having various designs, structures, configurations and materials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,775,878 to EICHHORN discloses a ring comprising a shank that is recessed at the top to provide a crown seating portion with a radially directed hole and a transverse passage through the crown. The crown is removably fitted to the crown seating portion of the ring shank. The opposite side portions of the crown have openings through them that fit on the opposite ends of the transverse passage of the crown seating portion of the ring. A key is applied through the transverse passage of the ring to secure the crown to the shank. A jewel is set in the crown and a screw is applied outwardly through the radially directed hole in the crown seating portion of the shank, through the key, and threaded into the jewel setting. This prior art does not disclose or teach the design, structure and configuration of the universal ring setting for receiving different size crown heads of the claimed present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,986 to WHITE discloses a jewelry item having an interchangeable crown capable of being attached to different jewelry items such as a ring, bracelet or necklace. The jewelry system includes a decorative crown which mounts on the bars of the item of jewelry which may be scaled in size to adorn a finger. The crown is retained on the ring shank by a retainer slide. This prior art does not disclose or teach the design, structure and configuration of the universal ring setting for receiving different size crown heads of the claimed present invention.
None of these prior art patents teach or disclose the design, structure and configuration of a gemstone crown head with a notch in the bottom wall that attaches in a flush manner to an integral crossbar in a ring setting for allowing different sized gemstone crown heads to be received by the same ring setting for mounting of different size gemstones.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a universal ring setting for receiving different size crown heads for holding and mounting different size gemstones or diamonds.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone crown head that has a notch in the bottom wall which attaches flush to an integral crossbar member in a ring setting without the use of a lock or latch to hold the gemstone crown head in place.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone crown head that can vary in size. This allows the crown head to be received by the same ring setting for mounting of different sized gemstones or diamonds.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone crown head that is easily installed and mounted to a universal ring setting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone crown head and a universal ring setting having an interchangeable mechanism that is easy to use, secure and does not require the jeweler to manipulate any small parts which can be lost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone crown head in conjunction with the universal ring setting such that the interchangeable mechanism exhibits mechanical integrity.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone crown head and the universal ring setting which are both durable and easy and inexpensive to replace if broken.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone crown head and a universal ring setting having an integral crossbar member that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer and/or jeweler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a universal ring setting for receiving different size gemstone crown heads for mounting different size diamonds or gemstones. The universal ring setting includes a gemstone crown head for supporting a gemstone. The crown head includes a housing having a plurality of holding prongs, and an interior cavity for receiving and mounting the gemstone therein, and having a bottom circular edge with a notch formed therein. The universal ring setting also includes a ring shank for encircling a finger of a user, the ring shank has an upper shank section with an integrally attached crossbar member thereon. The crossbar member is used for detachably receiving the notch of the crown head thereon for cooperatively mounting of the crown head to the upper shank section of the ring shank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gemstone crown head with a notch of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a diamond, a crown head and a ring setting in an assembled state;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the gemstone crown head of the present invention showing the diamond, the crown head having a bottom notch therein, and the ring setting having an integral crossbar member as part of the ring setting;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the gemstone crown head of the present invention showing the bottom notch of the crown head attached to the crossbar member of the ring setting;

FIGS. 4 a to 4 e are top plan views of the gemstone crown head of the present invention showing a plurality of gemstone crown heads increasing in size for holding of different size gemstones;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gemstone crown head of the present invention taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows showing the bottom notch relative to the crossbar member of the ring setting; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the gemstone crown head of the present invention taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows showing the bottom notch sitting on the crossbar member of the ring setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 10

The universal ring setting 10 and its major component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 8 of the patent drawings. The universal ring setting 10 is for receiving different size gemstone crown heads 20 in order to hold and mount different size gemstones or diamonds 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 a to 4 e of the drawings. This allows different size gemstone crown heads 20 to be received by the same ring setting 10 for mounting of different sized diamonds or gemstones 12, as depicted in FIGS. 4 a to 4 e.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, the universal ring setting 10 includes a gemstone crown head 20 for supporting the gemstone or diamond 12 and a ring shank 40 for encircling a finger 14 of a user 15. The crown head 20 includes a housing 22 having a plurality of equally spaced-apart holding prongs 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, 24 e and 24 f and an interior cavity 26 for receiving and mounting the gemstone 12 therein. In alternate gemstone crown head 20 designs, housing 22 includes a plurality of holding prongs having at least four (4) equally spaced-apart prongs 23 a to 24 d on housing 22, or includes a plurality of holding prongs having at least five (5) equally spaced-apart prongs 24 a to 24 e on housing 22, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. The crown head 20 also includes a circular side wall 28 and a bottom circular edge 30. The bottom circular edge has a notch 32 formed therein, and the interior cavity 26 has a circular opening 34 for receiving a portion of the pavilion 13 of the diamond 12, as depicted in FIG. 2.
The universal ring setting 10 includes a ring shank 40 having an upper shank section 42 with an integrally crossbar member 44 formed thereon. Opposing ends 45 a and 45 b of the crossbar member 44 are integrally attached onto opposing ends 43 a and 43 b of the upper shank section 42 for forming the ring shank 40 of the universal ring setting 10. The crossbar member 44 is used for detachably receiving the notch 32 of crown head 20 for cooperatively mounting of the crown head 20 to the upper shank section 42 of ring shank 40, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the patent drawings.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings, the universal ring setting 10 is assembled in the following manner: The user initially picks out a gemstone or diamond 12 to buy. The jeweler then determines a proper size gemstone crown head 20 to be used for that particular sized gemstone 12 having four, five or six holding prongs, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8. The jeweler then properly mounts the gemstone 12 by placing and positioning the pavilion 13 of diamond 12 within the circular opening 34 of interior cavity 26 of the selected crown head 20. The assembled diamond 12 and crown head 20 are then mounted to ring shank 50 by the jeweler by positioning and mounting the notch 32 of crown head 20 onto the crossbar member 44 of the upper shank section 44 of ring shank 40, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The jeweler then solders or glues the notch 32 to the crossbar member 44 for additional holding and securement to the ring shank 40.
If the buyer decides to purchase a larger or smaller diamond 12, the jeweler then selects a larger or smaller gemstone crown head 20 in order to mount the diamond 12 to that sized crown head 20, as depicted in FIGS. 4 a through 4 e of the drawings, to the crossbar member 44 of universal ring setting 10, as previously described.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a universal ring setting for receiving different size crown heads for holding and mounting different size gemstones or diamonds.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a gemstone crown head that has a notch in the bottom wall which attaches flush to an integral crossbar member in a ring setting without the use of a lock or latch to hold the gemstone crown head in place.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a gemstone crown head that can vary in size. This allows the crown head to be received by the same ring setting for mounting of different sized gemstones or diamonds.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a gemstone crown head that is easily installed and mounted to a universal ring setting.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a gemstone crown head and a universal ring setting having an interchangeable mechanism that is easy to use, secure and does not require the jeweler to manipulate any small parts which can be lost.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a gemstone crown head in conjunction with the universal ring setting such that the interchangeable mechanism exhibits mechanical integrity.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a gemstone crown head and the universal ring setting which are both durable and easy and inexpensive to replace if broken.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a gemstone crown head and a universal ring setting having an integral crossbar member that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer and/or jeweler.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

Claims

1. A universal ring setting for receiving different size gemstone crown heads for mounting different size diamonds or gemstones, comprising:

a) a gemstone crown head for supporting a gemstone;

b) said crown head including a housing having a plurality of holding prongs, and an interior cavity for receiving and mounting the gemstone therein, and having a bottom circular edge with a notch formed therein;

c) a universal ring setting including a ring shank for encircling a finger of a user, said ring shank having an upper shank section with an integrally attached crossbar member formed thereon; and

d) said crossbar member for detachably receiving said notch of said crown head thereon for cooperatively mounting of said crown head to said upper shank section of said ring shank.

2. A universal ring setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said crown head is detachably replaced with a different size crown head.

3. A universal ring setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of holding prongs includes at least four (4) spaced-apart holding prongs on said housing.

4. A universal ring setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of holding prongs includes at least five (5) spaced-apart holding prongs on said housing.

5. A universal ring setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of holding prongs includes at least six (6) spaced-apart holding prongs on said housing.

6. A universal ring setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interior cavity of said crown head receives a portion of the pavilion of the gemstone.

7. A universal ring setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein opposing ends of said crossbar member are integrally attached on opposing ends of said upper shank section forming said ring shank.