Jewelry article with changeable setting

Abstract

A frame member has two spaced apart parallel rings that are fixed to one another. Each of the spaced apart parallel rings has a pedestal with a notch therein at an edge of the pedestal adjacent a space separating the parallel rings. The pedestals and notches are circumferentially aligned and cooperate to provide a seat for seating a spherical ornamental article therein. A securing member secures the spherical ornamental article to the frame member. The securing member is a ring inserted in the space between the parallel rings of the frame member in a movable manner and is provided with a non-arcuate portion that is complementary to and secures the spherical ornamental article seated in the pedestals and notches of the frame member when the non-arcuate portion of the securing member is aligned with the pedestals and notches of the frame member. The securing member may be moved with respect to the frame member to allow the spherical ornamental article to be removed and replaced by another spherical ornamental article, and then moved back to its original position with respect to the frame member to secure the spherical ornamental article in place.

1 . An article of jewelry comprising:
 (a) a frame member comprising two spaced apart parallel rings that are fixed to one another at a first location, at a second location diametrically opposed to the first location each of the spaced apart parallel rings has a pedestal with a notch therein at an edge of the pedestal adjacent a space separating the parallel rings, the pedestals and notches are circumferentially aligned to cooperate with one another to provide a seat for a spherical ornamental article that is seated thereon; and   (b) a securing member for securing the spherical ornamental article to the frame member, the securing member being a ring inserted in the space between the parallel rings of the frame member and fixed to the frame member by a pivot pin that is located nearer to said second location than to said first location, the securing member provided with a non-arcuate portion that is a continuation of the ring having a surface that is complementary to a spherical surface of the spherical ornamental article for securing the spherical ornamental article on the seat of the frame member when the non-arcuate portion of the securing member is aligned with the seat of the frame member, at least a portion of the spherical ornamental article being adjacent to and disposed between the non-arcuate portion of the securing member and the seat of the frame member with the non-arcuate portion of the securing member disposed radially outward of and adjacent to the spherical surface of the spherical ornamental article, the securing member pivoting about the pivot pin to allow placement of the spherical ornamental article on the seat and the removal of the spherical ornamental article from the seat.   
     
     
         2 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the securing member and the frame member are dimensioned such that the securing member adjoins the frame member with friction resisting relative movement of the securing member with respect to the frame member. 
     
     
         3 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  further comprising a means for restricting movement of the securing member with respect to the frame member in a releasable manner when the non-arcuate portion of the securing member is securing the ornamental article on the seat of the frame member. 
     
     
         4 . The article of jewelry of  claim 2  further comprising a means for restricting movement of the securing member with respect to the frame member in a releasable manner when the non-arcuate portion of the securing member is securing the ornamental article on the seat of the frame member.