Ball-seam jewelry

Patent Abstract
A piece of jewelry formed by manipulating an endless metallic wire into a ball-seam-like object. The piece of jewelry can be used as a pendant that holds a semi-precious or precious jewel. Or a plurality of jewelry pieces can be linked together to form a jewelry chain, such as a necklace or bracelet. Jewels can then be placed into the jewelry pieces or links adding to the aesthetic value of the chain.

2. The piece of jewelry as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a void formed within said jewelry article.

3. The piece of jewelry as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a jewel, said jewel being placed within said void thereby forming a jewelry pendant.

4. The piece of jewelry claimed in claim 3 further comprising: at least one attachment, said at least one attachment attaching said jewelry pendant to a chain.

5. The piece of jewelry claimed in claim 4 wherein said chain is a necklace.

6. The piece of jewelry claimed in claim 4 wherein said chain is a bracelet.

7. The piece of jewelry claimed in claim 1 wherein said jewelry article is made from a precious metal.

8. The piece of jewelry as in claim 1 wherein a plurality of jewelry articles are linked together forming an open chain, said chain having a first-link and a last link.

9. The piece of jewelry as in claim 8 wherein said last link, is opened, linked to said first link and closed, thereby forming a closed chain.

10. The piece of jewelry as in claim 8 wherein said first link and said last link have clasps that lock to one another.

11. The piece of jewelry as in claim 8 further comprising: voids formed within each of said jewelry articles.

12. The piece of jewelry as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: a plurality of jewels, said jewels being placed within a certain number of said voids.

13. The piece of jewelry claimed in claim 8 wherein said chain is a necklace.

14. The piece of jewelry claimed in claim 8 wherein said chain is a bracelet.

Patent Description
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A piece of jewelry formed by manipulating an endless metallic wire into a ball-seam-like object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The jewelry industry has always been improving on existing jewelry designs since the times of antiquity. Thus far, many types of jewelry chains and pendants have been invented. Below are some of the prior art designs that are seen today.

[0003] First, jewelry rope chains are a specific type of chain product formed by intertwining links in a particular manner whereby the result is a double helix configuration. Such jewelry rope chains are well known in the art and are generally formed of precious metal. Although the links can be formed of numerous shapes and configurations, the generally accepted classic jewelry rope chain is formed of an annular shaped link. Similarly, although numerous cross sectional shapes of the link wire are well known, the classic jewelry rope chain has been formed of round wire. In the case of solid rope chain, solid wire is utilized. In the case of a hollow rope chain, the wire is of tubular configuration. Such hollow links formed of the hollow tubular wire, can either be formed with a seam along the inner periphery of the link or can be seamless without such seam. The purpose of the seam being to permit removal of a core placed in the interior of the tubular wire to provide support to the links during construction of the chain.

[0004] Second, a cross pendant made up of two members in pivotal relation with each other at points intermediate of the ends of each, one of the members being provided with a slot through which the other member extends, which can be converted to an elongated article of jewelry. The jewelry hangs from a single eye at the top of the cross.

[0005] Third, an "Omega" chain is defined as a strip of a fabric having threads over which small rings are inserted. The threads are usually made of gold or other precious material. The small rings are inserted on the strip of the fabric that has a closed profile and a thin thickness. In more detail each ring is composed of a first lamina, usually in the shape of a "C", which is welded to a second lamina which is flat and has the function of forming the closed section of the small ring. The small rings are formed by sawing a cylinder or a tube in order to obtain a plurality-of identical elements.

[0006] The process to obtain the "Omega" product always provides a final pressing operation to which the chain is subjected, an operation which always defines a single surface of the product which is aesthetically satisfactory and offers along the entire extension always the same aesthetic properties. Specifically the surface aesthetically satisfactory which eventually may also be worked to achieve particular effects of style, is constituted by the entire surface which is turned towards the exterior while the concave surface is not visible and will be deposited on the skin of the woman who wears the jewel.

[0007] On the basis of what has been described it is easy to conclude that the "Omega" chains presently in commerce are characterized by a single and very precise aesthetic appearance so that, for instance, a woman in order to have the possibility of choice or combination with different types of clothing, must buy different types of jewels, for instance necklaces and bracelets.

[0008] Fourth, a suspended pendant consisting of at least two members suspended from a necklace, wristlet or similar retaining member. Each of the two members is movable relative to the retaining member because of a loop or ring affixed to each of the various members and through which the retaining member passes.

[0009] The list for jewelry designs goes on almost forever. But still to this day, new designs for chains and pendants are being invented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of the present invention is to form a new and novel jewelry article, such as a pendant or chain, which is made by manipulating an endless metallic wire into a ball-seam-like object.

[0011] In one embodiment, in the center of the ball-seam-like object or jewelry article a void is formed. A jewel, such as a pearl or diamond, is placed within the void thereby forming a jewelry pendant.

[0012] The pendant is attached to a chain by an attachment loop or eye that is placed on the top of the pendant. However, two attachments or loops may also be used to attach the pendant to the chain. The chain can be a necklace, bracelet or any other type of ornamental chain.

[0013] The pendant is usually made from a precious metal, such as gold, platinum or silver, but semi-precious metals, such as copper or stainless steel, may be used.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention is made by linking a plurality of jewelry articles together. In this embodiment, the first link is attached to the last link thereby forming a jewelry chain made from only the jewelry articles. In another embodiment the first and last links are attached to clasps that lock to one another.

[0015] Within each jewelry article or link there is formed a void which can hold a jewel. These jewels are added as needed to increase the aesthetic value of the chain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The following description of preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 7 is fourth embodiment of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The invention relates to a piece of jewelry that resembles the seam of a ball. As shown in FIG. 1, an endless piece of wire 1 is manipulated in such a way as to form a shape that resembles a ball seam 2. This is done through a process of bending the material to a desired shape. The material can be made from precious and semi-precious metals, such as gold, platinum and steel to name just a few.

[0025] The jewelry article 2 is formed in such a way that a void 3 is formed in the middle thereof. The article 2 also has an open end 4 that is seen on the top of FIG. 1. These two features become advantageous in the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows another view of the ball seam shape 2. From this angle it can be more easily shown that a void 3 is formed within the shape 2. The open end 4 is located on the right side of the jewelry article. This ball seam shape 2 has many uses which are discussed below.

[0027] FIG. 3 is one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the ball seam article 2 is used as a pendant 6. When used in this fashion, a jewel 7 is placed within the void 3. The jewel can be a pearl, diamond or any other type of precious or semiprecious stone.

[0028] In FIG. 3, the pendant 6 is attached to a jewelry chain 8. To make this attachment, a loop or eye 9 is attached to a portion of the ball seam shape 2 through welding or soldering. The loop or eye 9 is placed strategically so that an observer can view the nicest parts of the jewel and ball seam.

[0029] A chain 8, such as a bracelet or necklace, is then feed through the eye or loop 9. This allows the pendant to freely dangle from the chain 8. The chain 8 is then placed around a user's neck or wrist.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the ball seam article 2 with the open end 4 of the shape 2 is located on the left side of the drawing. Also seen at the base of the void 3 is a platform 5. This platform 5 helps stabilize the jewel when it is placed within the void 3 of the pendant.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the pendant 6. The pendant 6 itself is formed the same way as discussed in FIG. 3 and a jewel 7 is inserted into the void 3 of the pendant 6. However, in this embodiment, the pendant has two attachments 11, 12 for attaching the pendant to a chain 13. The first is located on the one side 11 of the jewelry article 2 and the second 12 is set exactly opposite from the first 11. When placing these attachments 11, 12, the goal is to place the attachments so the open end 4 of the jewelry article 2 is facing outwards. This allows for the best viewing of the ball seam 2 and the jewel 7.

[0032] These attachments are loops or eyes 11, 12. The chain 13 itself also has a loop or eye 14, 15 on both its ends. When attaching the pendant 6 to the chain 13 the eye of the chain 14, 15 is permanently affixed or linked to the eye 11, 12 of the pendant.

[0033] More than one pendant may be attached to a chain as discussed in FIG. 5. In FIG. 8, pendants 50, 51, 52 and 53 are attached to one another by loops or eyes 55. The first attached pendant 50 and the last attached pendant 53 are than attached to the chain 54 by attaching the pendants 50 and 53 to the chain 54. That is, an eye of the chain 56 is permanently affixed or linked to the eye 55 of the pendant.

[0034] The chains 13 or 54 themselves may have an additional locking means (not shown) for placing or removing the chain form the user's neck or wrist.

[0035] In a third embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of ball seam shapes 20 are linked together to form an open chain 21. These shapes are linked by passing the open end 4 of the jewelry shape through the void 23 of the next jewelry shape. Specifically, one side 22 of the open end of the jewelry article 20 is inserted into the void of another jewelry article. The side 22 must pass over lines 23 and 24 of the next jewelry article. Once properly in place a third jewelry article is added to the chain 21 in the same manner. This process is continued until the chain 21 is a desired length. The desired length of the chain is determined by the amount of shapes or links the designer desires and is usually based on the size and taste of the ultimate user.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, when the desired length is achieved, the chain is closed by linking the first chain link with the last chain link. These two links are linked together by opening the last link and sliding the first link into the last link in the same manner as discussed above. After the links are assembled the last linked is then closed.

[0037] In this embodiment, precious and/or semiprecious stones can be placed with the voids of the jewelry shapes. (Not shown.) The variations of styles are endless. The gems can be placed within every void, every other void, every third void, ect. This adds to the aesthetic value of the chain.

[0038] The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is a chain made by the same process as that of FIG. 6. The difference is found in the locking mechanism 25, 26 of the chain 21. To close the chain 21 in this embodiment clasps 25, 26 are placed on the first and last links 28, 29. Now when a user wants to wear the chain 21 the user places the chain 21 around the user's neck and locks the clasps 25, 26 to one another.

[0039] It is readily apparent that the above-described fitting device meets all of the objects mentioned above and has the advantage of wide commercial utility. It should be understood that the specific form of the invention hereinabove described is intended to be representative only, as certain modifications within the scope of these teaching will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0040] Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims in determining the full scope of the invention.