Setting

Abstract

Setting, in particular for decorative stones made of cut glass, made of stamped sheet metal, which receives the decorative stone in the manner of a cup, wherein the setting surrounds the stone in the area of its greatest diameter in the manner of a channel, and wherein at least the upper edge (3) of the setting (2) clasping the decorative stone (1) has a reduced metal sheet thickness.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a setting, in particular for decorative stones made of cut glass, made from stamped sheet metal, which receives the decorative stone in the manner of a cup, wherein the setting encloses the decorative stone in the area of its greatest diameter in the manner of a channel, and to a method of manufacture relating to this.

[0002] Settings of the type described are already known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,685, wherein in the embodiments in this document the fixing of the decorative stone is done by means of channel-shaped areas or individual claws. Fixing by means of individual claws is disadvantageous to the extent that these claws bend even with a small amount of force. If the settings described are joined together to form a so-called kessel chain, the projecting claws scratch and prick the wearer of the jewellery, or pull threads on clothing. Although retention by means of channel-shaped areas that is preferable to this is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,685, it was difficult to implement because of the difficulty in deforming the sheet metal that has to be applied as “gently” as possible to the delicate decorative stone.

[0003] In this connection, the present invention provides that at least the upper edge of the setting clasping over the decorative stone has a reduced metal sheet thickness.

[0004] In order to manufacture this setting, the method according to the invention provides that the sheet metal forming the setting is deep drawn with a die with areas having different diameters.

[0005] The reduced metal sheet thickness provided at least in the area of the upper edge of the setting clasping over the decorative stone considerably facilitates the matching of the setting to the decorative stones, even when operating with generous tolerances in the fabrication of the decorative stones and settings.

[0006] It is provided in particular that the metal sheet thickness is reduced to at least 75%, preferably to approximately 50%.

[0007] In order to avoid the decorative stone being able to slip downwards, provided its tip does not touch the base of the setting, it is preferably provided that the setting project outwards in the area in which it surrounds the greatest diameter of the decorative stone in the manner of a channel.

[0008] Further features and details of the present invention will be evident from the following description of the drawings. In these is shown, in:

[0009] FIG. 1 the setting according to the invention in its raw state after being stamped out,

[0010] FIG. 2 the connecting element,

[0011] FIG. 3 a first instantaneous image of the deep drawing procedure, in section,

[0012] FIG. 4 a second instantaneous image of the deep drawing procedure in section,

[0013] FIG. 5 the completed setting with the decorative stone set in and the connecting element, in section, and

[0014] FIG. 6 a kessel chain composed of settings according to the invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows the setting 2 according to the invention made from sheet metal, after stamping out but still in its flat state. FIG. 2 shows a fastening element 4 that is arranged between two respective settings 2, where the settings 2 are to be connected together to form a kessel chain. The preferred type of sheet metal from which settings 2 and connecting elements 4 are stamped is sheet brass.

[0016] It is important that the upper edge 3 of the settings 2 according to the invention has a reduced metal sheet thickness. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the deep drawing procedure provided for this. The die 5 used in deep drawing has, in its front area, a smaller diameter than further back. This means that during deep drawing the initially flat piece of sheet metal forming the setting 2 is not only made into a cup shape, but at the same time the wall thickness on the upper edge 3 of the setting 2 is reduced. The remaining wall thickness should be less than three-quarters, preferably approximately half the original sheet metal thickness.

[0017] In a further deep drawing procedure (not shown) the projection 6 is produced, so that in the end there is the setting 2 shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5 the setting 2 is already provided with a decorative stone 1. The thinned upper edge 3 of the setting 2 adapts itself optimally to the cut glass decorative stone 1. The decorative stone 1 rests downwardly upon the projection 6, whereby downward slipping of the decorative stone 1 is prevented.

[0018] By inserting the connecting elements 4 in the base area of the settings 2 prior to setting in the decorative stones 1, kessel chains can be produced in a normal manner, as is shown in FIG. 6.

Claims

1. Setting, in particular for decorative stones made of cut glass, made of stamped sheet metal, which receives the decorative stone in a the manner of a cup, wherein the setting surrounds the decorative stone in the area of its greatest diameter in the manner of a channel, characterised in that at least the upper edge of the setting clasping the decorative stone has a reduced metal sheet thickness.

2. Setting according to claim 1, characterised in that the metal sheet thickness of the upper edge is reduced to at least 75% of the original sheet metal thickness.

3. Setting according to claim 1, characterised in that the setting projects outwards in the area in which it surrounds the greatest diameter of the decorative stone.

4. Kessel chain composed of a row of settings according to claim 1, connected by means of connecting elements.

5. Method for manufacturing a setting according to claim 1, characterised in that the sheet metal forming the setting is deep drawn with the die provided with areas with different diameters.