Background of the Invention Jewelry with interchangeable gems and settings has recently gained much popularity because it gives the wearer the opportunity of choosing a desired jewelry configuration. By creating customized jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces or rings, the wearer acquires a sense of creativity, and consequently an affinity to the jewelry. Furthermore, these types of jewelry are cost-effective since the same jewelry structure may be reused, while only the gems need to be replaced. For example, if a wearer wants to match a particular type of apparel, she may one day insert jade and the other day opal into the jewelry structure. Alternatively an additional pendant may be inserted into a necklace by opening the clasp and sliding through the desired piece. The drawbacks associated with these types of jewelry include the possibility of losing or damaging a precious gem with their constant removal and replacement.

US Patent 4,977,757 issued to Mesica et al discloses a ring provided with an elongated spindle on which a plurality of ornamental wheels are rotatably mounted. These ornamental wheels may include jeweled settings and a different gemstone configuration may be achieved by unscrewing the spindle components, rearranging the ornamental wheels and re-securing the spindle components. Although the gemstones are not removed from their settings in this configuration, the ornamental wheels are removed from the spindle, and damage to the gemstones may result. Furthermore, the time consuming procedure of unscrewing the spindle components and re-securing them is not practical when the piece of jewelry is a necklace or any other piece of jewelry comprising a large number of gemstones, due to the large number of ornamental wheels that would be involved in the procedure. An additional drawback of the structure of this reference is the cumbersome process that it requires for properly aligning the ornamental wheels, particularly since their rotational orientation cannot be secured without the insertion of the spindle elements.

French Patent 2,275,169 issued to Auricoste discloses a rotatable jewelry support in which an arrangement of plates bearing precious stones rotates about a spindle. Although this patent relates to a jewelry display, it could be modified for a necklace application by which neither the gemstone nor the setting need to be removed. However, this arrangement in which one gemstone is set in each plate does not compactly utilize the periphery of the necklace.

Also, a means is not provided for securing the rotational position of each plate.

US Patent 6,167,726 issued to Kremer discloses a ring that is provided with one or more rotatable beads projecting less than halfway out of the outer surface of the ring. Each bead is rotatable about an axle secured to the ring body, such that the axle extends through a hole bored in the bead. A means of securing the angular position of each bead is not provided in this disclosure, and each bead may freely rotate.

All the methods described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions to the problem of interchangeably displaying a large number of gemstones from a piece of jewelry without removing the gemstones therefrom.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a piece of jewelry in which a plurality of gemstones may be simply and quickly interchangeably displayed.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a piece of jewelry in which a large number of gemstones may be interchangeably displayed without removing the gemstones therefrom.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a piece of jewelry that has a compact configuration.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a piece of jewelry whose settings may be secured in position after reorientation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to an ornamental piece housing a plurality of objects, comprising: a) a body provided with at least one aperture through which at least one object can be displayed; b) at least one support for a plurality of objects mounted on said body and displaceable with respect to said body so as to place at least one of said objects at any given time opposite to one of said apertures so as to be visible from the outside; and c) a retaining device releasable with the application of a sufficient force for retaining said at least one support in a position wherein at least one of the objects supported thereby is visible through said aperture.

An"object"as referred to herein, is any item that provides the ornamental piece with a desired appearance. The object is preferably a gemstone and the ornamental piece is preferably a piece of jewelry such as a necklace, bracelet, ring or pendant; however the ornamental piece may also be any other desired housing, such as a belt, a pair of eyeglasses, or one produced from molded plastic, with respect to which a support for a plurality of objects is displaceable.

Preferably, the retaining device includes at least two elements, one of which is carried by said support, such that a first element is engageable in a number of seats, whereby each of said supports can be releasably locked in any one of a number of angular positions, depending on the seat engaged by said first element, said supports being so mounted within said body that at least one object for each support is displayed at each of said angular positions.

A plurality of supports may be utilized, wherein each support is disposed in a separate body, or alternatively a plurality of supports may be disposed within a common body. Each of said supports is independently rotatable and the angular position of each may be fixed by said retaining device. A plurality of bodies may be employed, wherein each of said bodies is coupled to an adjacent body.

Each body is provided with at least one axle, each of said axles being insertable within support recesses formed in the body, such that each of said supports is mounted about a different axle.

In one preferred embodiment, the axle is a rotatable spring-biased pin assembly, such that said support is rotatable therewith, and said first element is carried by the pin assembly. Said first element preferably consists of a finger fixedly attached to the pin assembly, wherein the angular position of each support is fixed as an engaging means urges the finger into a seat formed in the wall of the corresponding body. The angular displacement of each support is determined by the number of seats employed.

In a second preferred embodiment, the ornamental piece further comprises, for each support, a casing rigidly connected with said support and provided with at least one aperture through which at least one object can be displayed. A plurality of apertures are formed in peripheral walls of said casing, a group of objects being displayable through each of said apertures whereby a different group of objects is completely visible at each of said angular positions. In this embodiment, said retaining device is a plate spring provided with a resilient projection, whereby said projection is engageable with seats formed on a disk carried by said casing. The casing can be locked in any one of a number of angular positions, depending on the seat engaged by said retaining device..

In one aspect, when the object is a gemstone, the ornamental piece further comprises a setting for each gemstone in said at least one support.

Accordingly, in this second embodiment, said support and fixtures provided within said casing constitute a setting for the gemstones.

In one aspect, the axle is fixed to the body, whereby said support and casing are rotatable about the axle. In another aspect, the casing is provided with an axle which longitudinally extends from, and is integrally formed with, each longitudinal end of the support, each axle being provided with a cross section shaped as a fluted disk, the seats of which are engageable with said resilient projection, each of said axles being rotatable about the support recesses formed in the body.

One support configuration comprises: a) a plurality of segments whereby one segment is attached to an adjacent segment at an equal angular distance between adjacent segments, such that all of said segments are rotatable together, each of said segments extending in a direction corresponding to the length of the corresponding axle-hereinafter referred to as "longitudinal" ; b) a group of objects mounted in each of said segments; and c) a different group of objects mounted in each of said segments.

In another configuration, the support consists of an annular cylinder mounted onto the corresponding axle. Objects are mounted along the periphery of said cylinder whereby a different arrangement of objects is displayed for each incremental rotation thereof.

The present invention also includes a method for interchangeably displaying objects in an ornamental piece, comprising: a) providing at least one body, said at least one body having at least one aperture through which at least one object can be displayed; b) providing at least one support rotatably displaceable with respect to said at least one body; c) exerting a moment onto said at least one support, which is of a sufficient magnitude so as to produce rotation with respect to said at least one body; d) rotating the support to a position at which a desired object is displayed through said at least one aperture; e) locking said support in said position by releasing said moment; f) if desired, rotating other supports to display other desired objects in fixed angular positions; and g) repeating steps a)-f) for displaying a different combination of objects in the ornamental piece.

The moment is preferably applied by pressing a fingertip on the object.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limitative detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a top view of a typical piece of jewelry employing the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the jewelry body structure.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the jewelry body in which a group of gemstones is set.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a gemstone support according to the invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the gemstone support of Fig. 5 with the addition of a retaining device.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a gemstone support with two segments.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a gemstone support having four segments.

Fig. 8 is another configuration of a gemstone support.

Fig. 9 (a) illustrates an example of an invisible setting, as applied to the present invention.

Fig. 9 (b) illustrates gemstones set with the setting of Fig. 9 (a).

Fig. 10 (a) illustrates an example of a Pave setting, as applied to the present invention.

Fig. 10 (b) illustrates gemstones set with the setting of Fig. 10 (a).

Fig. 11 (a) illustrates an example of a gemstone support wherein full- sized stones are set.

Fig. 11 (b) illustrates a gemstone set with the setting of Fig. 11 (a).

Fig. 12 is an enlarged side view of a retaining device, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a top view of the pin assembly to which the retaining device of Fig. 12 is attached.

Fig. 14 is a picture of a jewelry piece according to the present invention showing a method by which a moment is applied to a gemstone support.

Fig. 15 is a picture of a jewelry piece according to the present invention showing a gemstone in an intermediate position at which two groups of gemstones are visible.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a piece of jewelry, partially removed, in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a casing used in the embodiment of Fig.

16.

Fig. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a setting, cut along plane A-A of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a fragmented plan view of a jewelry body in accordance with the second embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a side view of the casing of Fig. 17, wherein a retaining device is shown with the jewelry body partially removed.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The present invention involves an ornamental piece, wherein a support for a plurality of objects is rotatable with respect to a body and can be retained at an angular position, such that a desired object is visible through an aperture provided with the body. The ensuing description relates to a jewelry piece, and it will be understood that the present invention is suitable for any other ornamental piece, such as a belt, a pair of eyeglasses, or one produced from molded plastic, with respect to which a support for a plurality of objects is rotatable and can be retained at an angular position.

Fig. 1 illustrates piece of jewelry 3, such as a necklace, bracelet, ring or pendant, provided with a plurality of jewelry bodies 5 each of which is linkably and pivotally coupled to an adjacent body by means of link 4. Each body 5 is adapted to receive and support a plurality of gemstones 6 each of which may be interchangeably displayed without being removed therefrom. Body 5 covers those gemstones that are not currently being displayed.

Fig. 2 shows a typical construction of jewelry body 5 in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. Even though body 5 is presented as having a rectilinear structure, it would be appreciated that the description may similarly apply to any other configuration. Body 5 is comprised of opposing walls 8A and 8B and opposing walls 9A and 9B (fig. 3), such that each wall is perpendicular to its adjacent wall. Walls 8A and 8B of one body 5 are in close proximity to walls 8B and 8A of an adjacent jewelry body, respectively. Shield 11 is provided at the top of the jewelry body periphery, i. e. above and contiguous with walls 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B to define aperture 13 through which the gemstones that are currently being displayed are visible. Walls 9A and 9B of each body are formed with centrally located circular support recess 15 and a predetermined number of elongated seats 16 formed at an equal radial distance from support recess 15.

Figs. 3-5 illustrate body 5 in which a group of four gemstones 6 is visible through aperture 13. A spring-biased pin assembly 18 is provided with each body 5, such that the ends of each pin assembly 18 are inserted into support recesses 15 formed in walls 9A and 9B, respectively, and are rotatable therein.

A spring-biased pin assembly, whose length is compressable for the insertion into and removal from the jewelry body, is well known to those skilled in the art and for brevity needs not to be described. Pin assembly 18 constitutes an axle, and allows for the rotation of a gemstone support therewith, as will be described hereinafter.

One configuration of a gemstone support is shown in Fig. 4. Gemstone support 20 is comprised of annular cylinder 22 and a plurality of segments 24 fixedly attached to the periphery of annular cylinder 22 and to each adjacent segment.

Attachment is preferably achieved by means of welding, and alternatively by means of bonding, so that gemstone support 20 may rotate as a singular entity. Each segment 24 longitudinally extends substantially the length of body 5. Segments 24 are curvilinear, and are defined by arcuate exterior 25 having an arc of approximately 180 degrees and planar surface 27 connecting the extremities of exterior 25. Planar surface 27 is provided with V-shaped notches 28 for the setting of gemstones therein. In the example of Fig. 4, three segments 24 are employed, and each segment consequently has three points of contact: with annular cylinder 22 and with the two adjacent segments. This arrangement allows for effective utilization of space, thereby minimizing the radial dimension of gemstone support 20. A similar construction may be utilized with any number of segments. Fig. 6 illustrates a gemstone support configuration with two segments 24. Fig. 7 illustrates a gemstone support configuration with four segments 36 in which the segments may not be curvilinear, but rather trapezoidal.

Fig. 8 illustrates another configuration of a gemstone support in which a planar surface is not employed for the setting of the gemstones, but rather the gemstones are set along the periphery of annular cylinder 62. A pin assembly is inserted within cavity 63 so that gemstone support 65 is rotatable therewith. A typical application of gemstone support 65 may be a ring which may be rotated at intervals of 90 degrees to display one quarter of its circumference at each angular position.

The dimensions of body 5 are dependent upon the radial distance of planar surface 27 from pin assembly 18. It would be appreciated that piece of jewelry 3 will have a greater number of displayable gemstone combinations by increasing the number of gemstones set within a given height of body 5. A significant parameter, therefore, in determining the degree of space utilization of body 5 is the ratio of segment length to its thickness, i. e. its dimension measured perpendicularly from the planar surface in which the gemstones are set.

Gemstones 6 may be mounted in V-shaped notches 28 by an invisible setting, for example in the manner disclosed in US Patent 5,419,159 issued to Muller, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Fig. 9 illustrates an example of a gemstone support utilizing invisible settings having a range of segment length to thickness ratio of approximately 1.0-1.2. The invisible setting of gemstones not only enhances the esthetic presentation of the piece of jewelry by covering the support of the gemstones and enabling the gemstones to shine with their full brightness, but also minimizes the height and surface area required for the setting. Thus incorporation of an invisible setting into the invention, together with a compact gemstone support configuration, minimizes the height as well as the longitudinal and the transversal, i. e. normal to both the height and to the longitudinal direction, dimensions of body 5. The transversal dimension of body 5 is selected so that a sufficient clearance is provided between walls 8A, 8B and each segment 24 during rotation.

Any other type of gemstone setting may be used. For example, Fig. 10 illustrates a gemstone support utilizing a Pave setting in which a large number of gemstones are set therein. The range of segment length to thickness ratio is less than 1.0. Fig. 11 illustrates a gemstone support wherein full-sized stones are set. The range of segment length to thickness ratio ranges from approximately 1.2-1.4, or even more than 1.4 for some fantasy shapes.

A retaining device is provided to lock the angular position of each gemstone support 20. As shown in Fig. 5, the retaining device includes finger 30 which is coupled to pin assembly 18, e. g. by welding or by a press fit. Finger 30 may comprise a spring-biased engaging means which urges the finger into a seat 16 formed in the wall of the corresponding jewelry body. As shown more clearly in Figs. 12 and 13, finger 30 is preferably pear-shaped in a side view and is coupled to pin assembly 18 at its larger end 31. Larger end 31 is rigid, whereas smaller. end 32 is resilient whereby it may be flexed longitudinally outwards, i. e. longitudinal extremity of convex protrusion 33 is displaced in the direction of wall 9A to provide a locking action. Smaller end 32 is arcuate in a top view so as to be received in similarly shaped seat 16 and to resist disengagement therefrom. Pin assembly 18 is press fit into cylinder 22 by inserting extremity 34 of the pin assembly therein. If planar surface 27 of one the segments is not visible in a preferred fashion through aperture 13 (Fig. 2), gemstone support 20 may be pulled towards retaining device 30 until a desired position is achieved.

When one applies a moment to gemstone support 20, segments 24 and gemstones 6 carried by the segments rotate, together with pin assembly 18, about recess 15 (Fig. 2). The moment must be of a sufficient magnitude so as to dislodge smaller end 32 of retaining device 30 from seat 16. If the moment is less than this magnitude, gemstone 20 will not be rotationally displaceable due to the engagement of convex and longitudinally outwardly oriented protrusion 33 with the inner surface of seat 16. The moment is preferably applied by pressing a fingertip on gemstone 20, as shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 15 shows gemstone support 20 in an intermediate position in which two groups of gemstones are visible through aperture 13, at an angular position such that protrusion 33 is disengaged from one of the seats. As gemstone support 20 is rotated, protrusion 33 abuts the inner surface of one of walls 9A and 9B and follows a circumferential path corresponding to the radial distance of seats 16 from support recess 15. Protrusion 33 revolves about support recess 15 until it is received in one of seats 16. In the example of Fig. 2 in which three seats are provided, protrusion 33, and consequently the entire gemstone support 20, will follow an arc of 120 degrees. Finger 30 is attached to pin assembly 18 in such a disposition so that a group of gemstones is completely visible through aperture 13 when protrusion 33 is received in the corresponding seat 16. It will be appreciated that any number of seats may be provided to correspond to a preferred number of angular positions at each of which different gemstones may be displayed.

Since each gemstone support 20 is independently rotatable, one may rotate gemstone support 20, and similarly other gemstone supports located in adjacent jewelry bodies 5 in succession, until a desired gemstone 6 or group of gemstones is displayed. According to one's discretion, the same gemstone may be displayed in each gemstone support or a different gemstone in gemstone support, or any combination thereof. Similarly a moment may be subsequently applied to each gemstone support of a sufficient magnitude so as to display a different combination of gemstones in the piece of jewelry.

Figs. 16-20 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a gemstone support is rigidly attached to a rotatable casing. Fig. 16 illustrates the structure of jewelry piece 37 which includes a plurality of jewelry bodies 39, each of which is linkably and pivotally coupled to an adjacent body by means of link 49. Each body 39 is adapted to receive and support a plurality of gemstones 48 each of which may be interchangeably displayed without being removed therefrom. Body 39 covers those gemstones that are not currently being displayed. Longitudinal walls 58 of each body 39 are formed with centrally located circular support recess 51 into which axle 40 (Fig. 19) is inserted and fixedly attached thereto. Casing 38, which supports and stores gemstones therein, is rotatable about axle 40, and sufficient radial and longitudinal clearance is provided to enable rotation without interference with body 39. Each end of plate spring 54 is fixedly attached to a recess formed in a side wall 41 of the jewelry body, and is one of the elements of the retaining device, as will be described hereinafter.

Casing 38, which is illustrated in Fig. 17, is rotatable about axle 40 (Fig. 19), which in turn is fixedly attached to the jewelry body. Casing 38 includes gemstone support 42, a plurality of shields 43 each of which defines an aperture through which a different group of gemstones is visible, a plurality of fixtures 45, two longitudinal walls 44 and a plurality of peripheral walls 47 inclined with respect to adjacent shields 43. Gemstone support 42 is preferably attached to longitudinal walls 44. As described in conjunction with the first embodiment, gemstone support 42 may be provided with any type of configuration and the gemstones may be set in any preferred way.

Fixtures 45 extend longitudinally through and within casing 38, and are provided along the periphery thereof, preferably at the junction of a peripheral wall 47 and a shield 43. In the example of Fig. 18, three fixtures 45 are employed, and each fixture is provided with at least one longitudinally extending slot 50 into which the corresponding portion of gemstone 48 is inserted. Each fixture 45 is implantable within and fixedly attached to the corresponding wall 47. Radial appendages 46 of gemstone support 42 and fixtures 45 constitute an invisible setting for gemstones 48. Gemstones 48 radially project from and are additionally supported by shield 43. When a moment is applied to one of the gemstones, preferably by means of a fingertip, casing 38 together with gemstones 48, fixtures 45 and gemstone support 42 rotate about axle 40. Casing 38 is rotated until a preferred group of gemstones and the corresponding aperture is displayed.

Referring now to Fig. 19, fluted disk 52, which is one of the elements of the retaining device, is attached externally to casing 38. The retaining device, consisting of disk 52 and plate spring 54, is protectively covered by body 39 and is therefore not visible to an observer. Two fluted disks 52 may be employed for additional locking.

As shown in Fig. 20, the retaining device consists of plate spring 54, which is engageable with disk 52 formed with a plurality of flutes 53. Plate spring 54, e. g. having a thickness of 0.8 mm, is attached to the inner surface of jewelry body side wall 41. After being covered by the jewelry body, disk 52 and plate spring 54 are not visible. Disk 52 is attached to a longitudinal wall 44 and is rotatably mounted to axle 40. Fluted disk 52 is carried by casing 38 and rotates about axle 40. Fluted disk 52 is attached to longitudinal wall 44 at an angular position relative to shields 43 such that one of the flutes 53 engages resilient projection 56 provided with plate spring 54 at a predetermined angular position of casing 38 and gemstone support 42, thereby locking casing 38 at an angular position whereby a gemstone group is completely visible through the corresponding aperture. When a moment of a sufficient magnitude is applied, the engaged flute 53 flexes plate spring 54 and allows projection 56 to assume a different shape, such as that represented by item 59, and to thereby disengage therefrom.

Alternatively, the casing is rotatable by a pair of axles which longitudinally extend from, and are integrally formed with, each longitudinal end of the gemstone support, respectively (not shown). This type of configuration is particularly useful for a gemstone support of such a small size, that an aperture bored therethrough for the insertion of a fixed axle would compromise the structural integrity of the gemstone support. Each axle is provided with a cross section shaped as a fluted disk, and the seats of which are engageable, as described hereinabove, with the resilient projection of a plate spring fixedly attached to the inner wall of a jewelry body. Each axle is rotatable about the support recesses formed in the body, to thereby allow the casing to be locked at a fixed angular position.

The above examples and description have of course been provided only for the purpose of illustration, and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the invention can be carried out in a great variety of ways, employing more than one technique from those described above, all without exceeding the scope of the invention.