Ornament setting for a detachable ornament, products comprising such a setting and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ornament setting for a detachable ornament ( 3 ), comprising a setting base ( 1 ); two opposing ornament holders ( 2 a,b ) fixedly attached to or integral with said setting base ( 1 ) and adapted for holding the ornament ( 3 ) between them; a clamping ring ( 4 ) encirculating said ornament holders ( 2 a,b ), which clamping ring ( 4 ) has inner dimensions such that in a release orientation of the clamping ring it allows release of said ornament ( 3 ), and in a clamping orientation the clamping ring ( 4 ) exerts a clamping force on said ornament holders to grip and secure said ornament ( 3 ) placed between the ornament holders ( 2 a,b ), wherein the clamping ring ( 4 ) comprises a spring metal layer ( 4 c ) and at least one other layer ( 4 a,b,d,e ). The present invention further relates to a method of detaching and remounting an ornament in said ornament base jewelry, as well as jewelry and watches comprising said ornament setting.

1 . An ornament setting for a detachable ornament, comprising a setting base; two opposing ornament holders fixedly attached to or integral with said setting base and adapted for holding the ornament between them; a clamping ring encirculating said ornament holders, which clamping ring has inner dimensions such that in a release orientation of the clamping ring it allows release of said ornament, and in a clamping orientation the clamping ring exerts a clamping force on said ornament holders to grip and secure said ornament placed between the ornament holders, wherein the clamping ring comprises a spring metal layer and at least one other layer. 
     
     
         2 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring metal layer is rigidly fixed at at least one position with said at least one other layer. 
     
     
         3 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring metal layer is sandwiched between two other layers. 
     
     
         4 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said spring metal layer is arranged to flex outwardly as said clamping ring is rotated from its release position to its clamping position. 
     
     
         5 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said spring metal layer comprises two spring metal arcs. 
     
     
         6 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said spring metal layer is a single piece composed of two arc shaped portions integrated via an intermediate fixation portion. 
     
     
         7 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one inwardly directed protuberance is provided on the inner circumference of said clamping ring and at least one indentation in at least one of the opposing ornament holders, corresponding to said at least one protuberance and said at least one protuberance being adapted to lodge in said at least one indentation. 
     
     
         8 . The ornament setting according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one protuberance is disposed on the spring metal layer of said clamping ring. 
     
     
         9 . The ornament setting according to  claim 7 , wherein the outer circumferences of the spring metal layer is coextensive with the outer circumferences of the at least one other layer when the protuberance have snapped into the indentation. 
     
     
         10 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein the interior circumference of said clamping ring is at least partly of oval shape. 
     
     
         11 . The ornament setting according to  claim 10 , wherein said protuberance is positioned at the smallest inner diameter of the at least partly oval shape. 
     
     
         12 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said setting base, which is open between the opposing ornament holders, is flexible and adapted to permit an expansion to accommodate an ornament being inserted and held between said opposing ornament holders. 
     
     
         13 . The ornament setting according to  claim 1 , wherein the facing surfaces of the opposing ornament holders are provided with grooves, notches, shelves or trays, or any combination thereof, for accommodating an ornament. 
     
     
         14 . Jewelry comprising an ornament setting according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . Jewelry according to  claim 14 , which is chosen from ring, broche, bracelet, necklace, earring, tiara, cuff links, bangles, tie clips, pins, tuxedo studs, forehead jewelry, charms, and hand chains. 
     
     
         16 . A watch comprising an ornament setting according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of detaching and remounting an ornament of an ornament setting, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an ornament setting according to  claim 1  comprising an ornament;   b) rotating the clamping ring clockwise or counter clockwise to relieve the clamping force applied on the ornament holders and to allow the opposing ornament holders to relax and allowing release of the ornament placed in between;   c) removing the ornament from the ornament setting;   d) providing the same or another ornament between the ornament holders; and   e) rotating the clamping ring clockwise or counter clockwise to apply a clamping force thereon and to allow the opposing ornament holders to fix and secure the ornament placed in between to obtain a mounted ornament setting.