JEWELRY MAKING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

A method and apparatus for making jewelry is provided. The apparatus includes a curved form attached to a handle and a grip head attached to a grip head handle. A pivot connection joins both handles, with the grip head being positioned in proximity to the curved form. In order to form a cuff style bracelet, first and second ends of a work piece are sequentially inserted, held in position by the grip head against the form, and then bent around the form.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the jewelry making apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a left-side view of the jewelry making apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the jewelry making apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the pivot connection used in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a left-side view of the jewelry making apparatus of FIG. 1 with the work piece in the first position.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the completed jewelry produced by the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for making jewelry comprising: a curved form attached to a handle;a grip head attached to a grip head handle; anda pivot connection joining both handles, with the grip head being positioned in proximity to the curved form.

2. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curved form comprises material formed into an elliptical loop with a stop located in proximity to a first end of the loop and a second end of the loop is attached to the handle.

3. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elliptical loop is a curve that is at least 180 degrees.

4. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second end of the loop is integrally attached to the handle.

5. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot connection comprises a pair of pivot blocks located on the handle and a pivot pin extending through the pivot blocks and the grip head handle.

6. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 4, wherein the handle includes a slot through which the grip head handle extends; the pivot blocks are mounted parallel to each other on opposite sides of the slot in the handle; the pivot pin is inserted through a pivot hole in the grip head handle; and one end of the pivot pin is fixed to one of the pivot blocks and an opposite end of the pivot pin is fixed to the opposite pivot block.

7. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grip head is moveable from a first position, spaced apart from the curved form to a second position, where the grip head rests against the curved form.

8. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curved form is removably attached to the handle.

9. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the handle and grip head handle have an ergonomically shaped form.

10. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grip head is comprised of a grip head body with a grip head face, and the grip head body is removable from the grip head handle.

11. A method of bending bracelets comprising: providing an apparatus having a curved form attached to a handle, a grip head attached to a grip head handle, and a pivot connection joining both handles;placing a first end of an un-formed work piece against the curved form;holding the first end of the un-formed work piece against the curved form with the grip head by moving the handle and the grip head handle toward one another;bending the work piece over the curved form to create a partially formed work piece;releasing the partially formed work piece by moving the handle and the grip head handle in opposite directions; andremoving the partially formed work piece.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: placing a second end of the partially formed work piece against the curved form;holding the second end of the partially formed work piece against the curved form with the grip head by moving the handle and the grip head handle toward one another;bending the partially formed work piece over the curved form to create a completed work piece;freeing the completed work piece by releasing the grip head handle; andremoving the completed work piece.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the completed work piece is symmetrical.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein a stop is located on the curved form, and the method further comprises placing the first end of the un-formed work piece against the stop prior to moving the handle and the grip head handle toward one another to grip the un-formed work piece.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: placing a second end of the partially formed work piece against the stop on the curved form;holding the second end of the partially formed work piece against the curved form with the grip head by moving the handle and the grip head handle toward one another;bending the partially formed work piece over the curved form to create a completed work piece;freeing the completed work piece by releasing the grip head handle; andremoving the completed work piece.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the completed work piece is symmetrical.