GB2304535A - An article of jewellery - Google Patents

AN ARTICLE OF JEWELLERY The present invention relates to jewellery and in particular to an article of jewellery comprising a removable setting.

It is known to provide jewellery such as a ring having a coloured material held in a setting (eg. a gemstone). However, a problem with such jewellery is that the colour of the material in the setting may not match the colour of a wearer's clothing or mood on a given occasion and it is usually too expensive to purchase many items of jewellery to overcome these problems.

The present invention seeks to overcome or reduce problems with known items of jewellery.

According to the invention there is provided an article of jewellery comprising a first setting and a second setting wherein means is provided to releasably attach the second setting to the first setting.

The first setting of the invention may form part of a ring or necklace, for example. Different coloured material such as gemstones can be set in the second setting of the invention to provide a quick and simple way of changing the colouring of the jewellery as desired, by substituting a second setting of one colour with a second setting of another colour in the first setting.

Preferably said means comprises a locking member on one setting arranged to engage a portion of the other setting.

Preferably the locking member is a pin which can extend through an aperture defined in one of the settings. Preferably the aperture is defined by the second setting.

Preferably the pin is in the form of a hair pin, the free ends of which are resiliently biassed apart.

Preferably the pin is retained in the first setting and is movable from a release condition in which it does not extend through the aperture to an attachment condition in which it extends through the aperture.

Preferably releasable catch means are provided for holding the pin in the attachment condition.

Preferably the catch means comprises a catch member on at least one arm of the pin which engages an abutment surface of the first setting.

Preferably the ends of the pin are rounded.

A skilled person will appreciate that other locking means can be used to releasably attach the second setting to the first setting in accordance with the invention.

For example, attachment of the second setting can be achieved by means of a bayonet fastening with a projection on the second setting fitting into channel means on the first setting and being rotatable to hold the second setting in the attached condition. Of course, the projection and channel means could be provided on the first setting and second setting, respectively.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to illustrate the invention: Figure l is a perspective view showing a preferred first setting and locking member of the invention in a release condition; Figure 2 is a plan view showing the locking member extending through an aperture of a preferred second setting in an attachment condition; Figure 3 is an end elevation of the second setting; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the second setting.

As shown, a preferred jewellery article of the invention comprises a first setting 1 attached to a ring 2. The first setting 1 is adapted to receive part of a second setting 3 (Figures 3 and 4) which includes an aperture 4.

The first setting 1 is provided with means to releasably attach the second setting 3 to the first setting 1, which means comprise a locking member 5 in the form of a hair pin. The locking member 5 is preferably retained on the first setting 1 by passing its ends 6a,b through spaced apart apertures 7a,b.

Preferably, after they have been passed through the aperture 7a,b the ends 6a,b are made bulbous, so that they cannot pass through said apertures.

This ensures that the locking member 5 does not become detached from the first setting 1. In addition the bulbous ends 6a,b can be formed so as to fit in with the surrounding setting design. It will be appreciated that other enlarged ends could be formed to provide a similar technical and aesthetic effect.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the locking member 5 preferably includes latching means 8a,b to enable it to be latched releasably in the attached condition. Conveniently, the ends of the locking members 6a,b are resiliently biassed apart and the latching means comprises one or preferably two ribs 8a,b arranged on arms of the locking member 5.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ribs 8a,b terminate before the ends 6a,b of the locking member 5 so that when the ribs 8a,b are inserted through the apertures 7a,b in the first setting 1 they are biassed outwardly to catch behind an abutment 9 comprising the surface of the first setting 1 which surrounds the apertures 7a,b. To disengage the latching means 8a,b, the ends of the locking member 5 must be urged together against the resilient bias of the locking member 5. This permits the ribs 8a,b to be withdrawn through the apertures 7a,b.

The second setting 3 comprises a body 10 including an aperture 4 and having grip means 11 to hold a gemstone 12 in position. In use, the second setting 3 is disposed within the first setting l. The locking member 5 is moved from a release condition to an attachment condition in which it extends through the aperture 4 of the second setting 3 and thereby attaches the second setting 3 to the first setting 1. The ribs 8a,b of the locking member 5 are inserted through the apertures 7a,b in the first setting 1 until they spring outwardly to latch inside the interior 9 of the first setting I and thereby releasably attach the two settings 1,3.

To release the second setting 3, the ribs 8a,b of the latching means are released by squeezing the ends 6a,b of the locking memberS together and withdrawing it through the apertures 7a.b in the first setting 1. Once the locking member 5 has been withdrawn from the aperture 4 of the second setting 3, the second setting 3 can be removed.

If desired, for example to match the dress or mood of the wearer, a different colour or style of second setting can be attached to the first setting by the quick and simple method of the invention outlined above.

It will be appreciated that other means can be used in the present invention to releasably attach the second setting to the first setting.

In a further embodiment the releasable attachment means comprises a locking member in the form of a bayonet fitting, that is, the second setting includes a cylindrical member which is insertable into a socket of the first setting against resilient means and is rotatable so that one or more pins protruding from the outer surface of the cylindrical member engage in slots in walls of the socket. Of course, the cylindrical member could alternatively be provided on the first setting and the socket on the second setting.

In a further embodiment the releasable attachment is provided as screw means which permit the first and second settings to be screwed together.

In a further embodiment the locking member comprises a manually operable spring-loaded catch like the clasp used to releasably attach ends of bracelets and the like. The clasp comprises a circular tube with a cutout portion. A spring normally urges a locking bar inside the tube to close the circle by bridging the cut-out portion. The circle can be opened by operating a latch member to move the locking bar against the bias of the spring to admit aperture means. In this arrangement, the clasp is preferably provided on the first setting and the aperture means provided on the second setting.

In a still further embodiment the first and second settings are attached releasably by snap-fit means comprising engageable male and female members provided on the first and second settings. Conveniently the male member is cylindrical and includes an outer projection which can be engaged in a recess of the female member by deforming the female member.