BRIDAL SET JEWELRY SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE HEADS, SHANKS AND BANDS

Abstract

A ring assembly including a shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, wherein the keyhole aperture defines an entrance to a cavity; and a head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the head to the shank. Methods for forming and demonstrating ring assemblies are also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to jewelry. More particularly, the invention relates to bridal set jewelry with interchangeable heads, shanks and bands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One major problem in the retail fine jewelry industry is that inventory is very expensive and slow turning, making cost of inventory and old inventory a major cost component in selling fine jewelry. Bridal sets are particularly costly to stock, consisting of a matching engagement ring and wedding band, with the engagement ring including a head, which supports the diamond, and a shank, which is a band with a surface adapted to receive the head. As such, the set consists of three components, which makes it difficult for the jeweler to stock many combinations.

For example, if a jeweler wanted to stock complete bridal sets of 18 combinations of styles, this requires 18 varieties of heads, 18 varieties of shanks and 18 varieties of bands. There would be 5,832 possible combinations; that is, 5,832 bridal sets to stock. Until now, jewelers have had to compromise and sacrifice either cost or variety of selection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides customizable and interchangeable bridal sets to maximize choice and minimize inventory cost for the jewelry retailer and also allow for maximum ease of manufacturing many styles with minimal modeling and manufacturing costs. Accordingly, an attachment mechanism has been developed to allow customers to temporarily attach heads in and out of various shanks in a secure yet easily reversible manner. The attachment mechanism may be, for example, a screw mechanism, a key and lock mechanism, or selected from other various mechanisms similar to the following disclosure. This system allows for mass in-person customization of bridal jewelry sets, with customers as the ultimate designers of sets that appeal to their desire for a unique bridal set combination. As an added benefit, consumers design their bridal set by using actual jewelry pieces combined and viewed on their hand, instead of by viewing a CAD display on a computer screen. Actual jewelry pieces may be inexpensive display pieces used primarily within a business (e.g., jewelry store) or may be the final pieces sold to a customer for permanent ownership.

For example, during temporary display pieces, the attachment mechanism may allow for temporary attachment of a head to a shank, while after the final product sale the attachment mechanism may allow for either a tight attachment of a head to a shank or a permanent attachment of a head to a shank. A tight attachment may be performed by applying reversible fixing mechanisms with the attachment mechanism, such as, for example, by providing a post with external threads extending from the base of the head to mate with a corresponding threaded hole in the base of the shank, providing an interference fit with a key and lock mechanism, or the like. A permanent attachment may be performed by applying permanent fixing mechanisms with the attachment mechanism, such as, for example, welding or soldering along a joint between the head and the shank or from underneath at a joint between the post of a head and the inner surface of the band of a shank. The tight attachment provides the customer the ability to interchange different heads onto different shanks without the use of specialized tools while also providing assurance that the bridal set is connected as well as an integrally constructed bridal set. Likewise, the permanent fixing mechanism provides assurance to the customer that the final product is connected as well as an integrally constructed bridal set.

Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention, a ring assembly is provided including:

a shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the outer surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; and

a head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the head to the shank.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of forming a ring assembly with interchangeable heads and shanks.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a ring assembly kit for demonstrating various ring assembly combinations. The kit includes a plurality of the above-described shanks with each shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity. The kit further includes a plurality of the above-described heads with each head including a mount with a post extending from the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the head to the shank.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of demonstrating various ring assemblies comprising a head and a shank, the method includes selecting a first shank from a plurality of the above-described shanks, each shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; and selecting a first head from plurality of the above-described heads, each head including a mount with a post extending from the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity; and interlocking the key of the first head with the cavity to releasably secure the first head to the first shank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view an exemplary interchangeable bridal set in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of each of the separate components of an exemplary bridal set in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary tapping of the shank of exemplary bridal set of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary threading of the post of the head of the exemplary bridal set of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating alignment of the head with the shank of the exemplary bridal set.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view illustrating the head interconnected with the shank of the exemplary bridal set.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view illustrating the head fixed with the shank of the exemplary bridal set.

FIG. 8A is a top view illustrating the head mounting area of a band in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the post of a head in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8C is a sectional view of the head mounting area of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a top sectional view of the post of FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8E is a side sectional view of the head mounting area and post of FIGS. 8A and 8B in a pre-inserted orientation.

FIG. 8F is a side sectional view of the head mounting area and post of FIG. 8E in an inserted orientation.

FIG. 8G is a side sectional view of the head mounting area and post of FIG. 8F in a partial-rotated orientation.

FIG. 8H is a side sectional view of the head mounting area and post of FIG. 8G in a fully-rotated orientation.

FIG. 8I is a perspective sectional view of the head mounting area and post of FIG. 8G in the fully-rotated orientation.

FIG. 8J is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar to FIG. 8C illustrating a second species of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8K is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar to FIG. 8C illustrating a third species of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8L is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar to FIG. 8C illustrating a fourth species of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8M is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar to FIG. 8C illustrating a fifth species of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8N is a sectional view of the head mounting area similar to FIG. 8C illustrating a sixth species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, 9H and 9I are illustrations similar to FIGS. 8A-8I according to a seventh species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H and 10I are illustrations similar to FIGS. 8A-8I according to an eighth species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F, 11G, 11H and 11I are illustrations similar to FIGS. 8A-8I according to a ninth species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H and 12I are illustrations similar to FIGS. 8A-8I according to a tenth species of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F and 13G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head having a pear shaped gemstone.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F and 14G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head having a round shaped gemstone and halo band.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15F and 15G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head having a main gemstone on a three gemstone setting.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E, 16F and 16G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head similar to that of FIG. 15A-15G having an additional halo band.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17F and 17G are illustrations of the second embodiment in use with a head similar to that of FIG. 16A-65G having a pear shaped gemstone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary bridal set 10 in accordance with the invention includes an engagement ring 12 and a wedding band 30. While the invention is described herein with respect to a bridal set, the invention is not limited to such and may encompass varies ring assemblies including an interconnected shank and head, with or without a complementary separate band, which may be used for any purpose, not just nuptials. The system described herein works equally well with any precious metal such as gold (9 to 24 kt., including white gold), platinum, silver, combinations thereof, non-precious jewelry metals, such as brass and other alloys, as well as the newer alternative metals used in bridal set, such as titanium, cobalt, palladium and the like.

The wedding band 30 of the illustrated first embodiment includes a band 32 of a desired configuration. Preferably the jeweler will have multiple wedding bands 30 having various band 32 configurations. Preferably at least a group of bands 32 will have configurations which complement a corresponding group of shanks 14 such that they can be mixed and matched in a complementary manner.

The engagement ring 12, or ring assembly, includes a shank 14 and a head 20. The shank 14 is defined by a band 15 with a head mounting area 16. In the illustrated first embodiment, the band 15 is continuous and the head mounting area 16 is defined within a recess 17 of the band 15. The head mounting area 16 may have a base 16a and sidewalls 16b, 16c. The band 15 may have various other configurations, and preferably, a jeweler would have multiple shanks 14 with different band configurations. A through hole 18 is defined through the band 15 in the head mounting area 16, the through hole 18 preferably extending perpendicular to the axis of the band 15. The through hole 18 may be formed during forming of the band 15, e.g. casting of the band with a through hole, or may be formed utilizing a post-forming process, for example, drilling of the band 15.

The head 20 includes a mount 22 configured to maintain one or more diamonds or other jewels. A post 24 extends from a rear portion of the mount 22 and is configured to engage the through hole 18. To ensure a reliable interconnection between the head 20 and shank 14 during viewing of the ring assembly 12, but to allow the components to be disassembled and arranged with other components, the head 20 and shank 14 are provided with a complementary threaded interconnection.

An exemplary method of defining internal threads 19 in the through hole 18 and external threads 25 on the post 24 will be described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. It is understood that the complementary threads may be otherwise formed. For example, the internal threads 19 and external threads 25 may be formed during the formation of the respective components or may be formed during alternative post-formation methods.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary method of forming the internal threads 19 within the through hole 18 will be described. The threads are created using a thread tap 40. The thread tap will generally comprise a hardened shaft 42 with an external thread forming area 44 and a handle 46 or tap handler. The thread tap 40 is selected such that its size complements the size of the through hole 18. The thread tap 40 is set relative to the shank 14, which may be held in a vise (not shown) or the like, with the tap shaft 42 preferably at 90 degrees relative to the axis of the band 15. The tap 40 is then twisted using the handle 46 or handler such that the thread forming area 44 engages within the through hole 18. Depending on the configuration of the thread tap 40, the twisting motion may be in a continuous direction or an oscillation motion. Twisting is continued until the shaft 42 passes through the through hole 18. The tap 40 is then removed and any shavings are wiped away from the through hole.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary method of forming the external threads 25 on the post 24 will be described. To begin, the tip of the post 24 may be sharpened and brushed with cutting oil. The post 24 is set perpendicular to a threading die 50 which has a through bore 52 and an internal thread forming area 54. The die 50 may have an adjustment mechanism 56 to adjust the diameter of the bore 52. The post 24 is twisted into the bore 52 of the die 50. Depending on the configuration of the die 50, the twisting motion may be in a continuous direction or an oscillation motion. Twisting is continued until a desired length of threads 25 is achieved, which may be all or less than all of the length of the post 24. The post 24 is removed from the die 50 and any shavings from the post 24 are wiped away. The shank 14 and head 20 may be treated, for example, chemically treated with rhodium.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, once the threads 19 and 25 are formed, the head 20 may be temporarily interconnected to the shank 14 by aligning the post 24 with the through hole 18 and rotating the head 20 relative to the shank 14, as indicated by arrow A. The sides of the head 20 abut the sidewalls 16b, 16c when the bottom of the head 20 abuts the base 16a. The post 24 preferably has a length such that it will not extend beyond the thickness of the band 15 when the mount 22 is seated on the head mounting area 16.

Such temporary interconnection allows a customer to physically see the ring assembly 12 including how the head 20 and shank 14 look together and to view it on their hand for a true life experience. The customer may also look at an assembled ring assembly 12 in conjunction with various complementary bands 30. Trying of the head 20 with a different shank 14, or vice versa, simply requires unthreading of the head 20 from the shank 14 and rethreading in a different combination. This is helpful when the customer is considering various combinations in person. The system is also helpful for the customer that has picked what is believed to be the right combination in an electronic format, e.g. on-line or application based, and wants to confirm the combination in person. The threaded interconnection provides a secure structure which may be tried on and otherwise viewed in person.

Once a customer decides on a combination they like, the selected head 20 may be permanently fixed to the selected shank 14, for example, via a weld material 28 or soldering as illustrated in FIG. 7. It is believed that the threaded configuration also allows for a stronger welding or soldering operation to take place. Other means of providing the final ring assembly, including casting the selected mount and shank together as a single component, may alternatively be utilized.

The engagement ring 12, or ring assembly, according to the second embodiment also includes a shank 14 and a head 20. The shank 14 is defined by a band 15 with a head mounting area 83. In the illustrated second embodiment, the band 15 is continuous and the head mounting area 83 is defined on the outer surface of the band 15. In an alternate embodiment, the head mounting area may be recessed (not shown) similar to FIG. 1 or 2, but not as deeply cut to allow room for a cavity to engage a key extending from the bottom of a head.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the post 81 may have a key 82 and the head mounting area 83 may have a keyhole aperture 84. A cavity 85 is defined within the band 15 underneath the head mounting area 83. The cavity 85 may have an upper surface 86 and a lower surface 87, which is substantially parallel to the upper surface 86. An optional base hole 88 may be aligned with the keyhole aperture 84 on the bottom surface of the cavity 85. The cavity 85 may be formed during forming of the band 15, e.g. casting of the band with a cavity, or may be formed utilizing a post-forming process, for example, drilling of the band 15.

The head 20 includes a mount 22 configured to maintain one or more diamonds or other jewels. A post 81 extends from a rear portion of the mount 22 and is configured to engage the keyhole aperture 84. To ensure a reliable interconnection between the head 20 and shank 14 during viewing of the ring assembly 12, but to allow the components to be disassembled and arranged with other components, the head 20 and shank 14 are provided with a complementary key and lock interconnection.

With reference to FIGS. 8E-8I, the head 20 may be temporarily interconnected to the shank 14 by aligning the post 81 with the keyhole 84 and rotating the head 20 relative to the shank 14. The post 81 preferably has a length such that it will not extend beyond the thickness of the band 15 when the mount 22 is seated on the head mounting area 83.

Such temporary interconnection allows a customer to physically see the ring assembly 12 including how the head 20 and shank 14 look together and to view it on their hand for a true life experience. The customer may also look at an assembled ring assembly 12 in conjunction with various complementary bands 30. Trying of the head 20 with a different shank 14, or vice versa, simply requires unlocking the head 20 from the shank 14 and relocking in a different combination. This is helpful when the customer is considering various combinations in person. The system is also helpful for the customer that has picked what is believed to be the right combination in an electronic format, e.g. on-line or application based, and wants to confirm the combination in person. The key and lock interconnection provides a secure structure which may be tried on and otherwise viewed in person.

Once a customer decides on a combination they like, the selected head 20 may be permanently fixed to the selected shank 14, for example, via a weld material 28 or soldering as illustrated in FIG. 7. A weld may also be located on the inner surface where the bottom edge of the post adjoins the perimeter edge of the optional base hole 88. It is believed that the key and lock configuration also allows for a stronger welding or soldering operation to take place. Other means of providing the final ring assembly, including casting the selected mount and shank together as a single component, may alternatively be utilized.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-8I, the first species according to the second embodiment employs a square key 82 on the post 81, which matches the square opening of the keyhole 84 and the inner walls of the cavity 85. The post 81 may be inserted into the keyhole 84 and then rotated 90° either clockwise or counterclockwise to a final orientation, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8I.

As shown in FIG. 8J, the second species according to the second embodiment may employ a cavity 85 allowing complete 180° rotation in either direction of the post 81. Essentially any degree of clockwise-or counterclockwise rotation may be used that served to provide a secure temporary attachment of the head to the band.

As shown in FIG. 8K, the third species according to the second embodiment may employ stippling 89a (e.g., roughened surfaces) on the upper surface 86, the lower surface 87, or both. The stippling 89a is located near the final rotation area of the key 82 on the post 81. When the key 82 is rotated to the final rotation area within the cavity 85, the upper and/or lower edges of the key 82 may press against the stippling 89a causing an interference fit, which is able to be reversed without the use of specialized tools.

As shown in FIG. 8L, the fourth species according to the second embodiment may employ detents 89b (e.g., shallow hemispheres) on the upper surface 86, the lower surface 87, or both. The detents 89b is located near the final rotation area of the key 82 on the post 81. When the key 82 is rotated to the final rotation are within the cavity 85, the upper and/or lower edges of the key 82 may have matching projections (not shown) to press within the detents 89b causing an interlocking fit, which is able to be reversed without the use of specialized tools.

As shown in FIG. 8M, the fifth species according to the second embodiment may employ a camming surface 89c (e.g., wedge-shaped surfaces) on the upper surface 86, the lower surface 87, or both. The camming surface 89c is located near the final rotation area of the key 82 on the post 81. When the key 82 is rotated to the final rotation area within the cavity 85, the upper and/or lower edges of the key 82 may press against the camming surface 89c causing an interference fit, which is able to be reversed without the use of specialized tools.

As shown in FIG. 8N, the sixth species according to the second embodiment may employ a plurality of bumps 89d (e.g., raised projections) on the upper surface 86, the lower surface 87, or both. The bumps 89d are located near the final rotation area of the key 82 on the post 81. When the key 82 is rotated to the final rotation area within the cavity 85, the upper and/or lower edges of the key 82 may press against the bumps 89d causing an interference fit, which is able to be reversed without the use of specialized tools.

Likewise, a stippling 89a, detent 89b, camming surface 89c, bumps 89d, and/or other fixing mechanisms may be located on the outer surface of the head mounting area 83 to press against the bottom surface of the head 20.

As shown in FIGS. 9A-9I, the seventh species according to the second embodiment employs two square keys 82 on opposite sides of the post 81, which matches the two square openings of the keyhole 84 and the inner walls of the cavity 85. The post 81 may be inserted into the keyhole 84 and then rotated 90° clockwise to a final orientation, as shown in FIG. 9C.

As shown in FIGS. 10A-10I, the eighth species according to the second embodiment employs a cylindrical key 82 on the post 81, which matches the opening of the keyhole 84 and the inner walls of the cavity 85. The post 81 may be inserted into the keyhole 84 and then rotated 90° either clockwise or counterclockwise to a final orientation, as shown in FIG. 10C.

As shown in FIGS. 11A-11I, the ninth species according to the second embodiment employs a round key 82 on the post 81, which matches the round opening of the keyhole 84 and the inner walls of the cavity 85. The post 81 may be inserted into the keyhole 84 and then rotated 90° either clockwise or counterclockwise to a final orientation, as shown in FIG. 11C.

As shown in FIGS. 12A-121, the tenth species according to the second embodiment employs two round keys 82 on opposite sides of the post 81, which matches the two round openings of the keyhole 84 and the inner walls of the cavity 85. The post 81 may be inserted into the keyhole 84 and then rotated 90° clockwise to a final orientation, as shown in FIG. 12C.

As shown in FIGS. 13A-13G, the second embodiment may be used with a head 20 having a pear shaped gemstone.

As shown in FIGS. 14A-14G, the second embodiment may be used with a head 20 having a round shaped gemstone and halo band.

As shown in FIGS. 15A-15G, the second embodiment may be used with a head 20 having a main gemstone on a three gemstone setting.

As shown in FIGS. 16A-16G, the second embodiment may be used with a head similar to that of FIG. 15A-15G having an additional halo band.

As shown in FIGS. 17A-17G, the second embodiment may be used with a head similar to that of FIG. 16A-65G having a pear shaped gemstone.

The system and method described herein uniquely allows for the adaptation of a wide variety of heads to a wide variety of shanks in a way that permits the adaptation of the head-shank combination to a wide variety of wedding or anniversary bands, regardless of whether the head is round, square, or some other geometric shape. Referring again to the example of 18 varieties, the present system allows a jeweler to stock one of each style of head 20, shank 14 and band 30 as interchangeable parts that could be combined in the showroom to demonstrate any one of the 5,832 possible combinations. The 5,832 complete sets may be demonstrate while requiring the jeweler to only stock 18 heads, 18 shanks and 18 bands, or 54 pieces of display inventory.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A ring assembly comprising: a shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; anda head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the head to the shank.

2. A ring set comprising: a ring assembly according to claim 1; anda separate band configure to be positioned adjacent the shank in a complementary manner.

3. The ring assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cavity is formed after formation of the shank.

4. The ring assembly according to claim 1 wherein the head is permanently affixed to the shank.

5. The ring assembly according to claim 4 wherein the head is welded or soldered to the shank.

6. A ring assembly kit for demonstrating various ring assembly combinations comprising: a plurality of shanks, each shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; anda plurality of heads, each head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key configured to pass through a corresponding opening in the keyhole aperture and engage the cavity to releasably secure the respective head to the respective shank.

7. The ring assembly kit according to claim 6 further comprising a plurality of separate bands configured be positioned adjacent to one or more of the plurality of shanks in a complementary manner.

8. A method of demonstrating various ring assemblies comprising a head and a shank, the method comprising: selecting a first shank from a plurality of shanks, each shank having a band defining a head mounting area with a keyhole aperture defined in the upper surface of the band in the head mounting area, the keyhole aperture defining an entrance to a cavity; andselecting a first head from plurality of heads, each head including a mount with a base and sidewalls, and a post extending from the exterior of the base of the mount, the post including at least one protruding key; andinterconnecting the key of the first head with the cavity of the first shank to releasably secure the first head to the first shank.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: unlocking the first head from the first shank and thereafter locking the first head to a second shank from the plurality of shanks by interconnecting the key of the first head with the cavity of the second shank.

10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the steps of: unlocking the first head from the first shank and thereafter locking a second head of the plurality of heads to the first shank by interconnecting the key of the second head with the cavity of the first shank.

11. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of positioning a first complementary band selected from a plurality of complementary bands adjacent the interlocked first head and first shank.