DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Present disclosure generally relates to a field of jewellery. More particularly, the
disclosure relates to a support structure for securing a gemstone. Further, embodiments of the
5 disclosure discloses a jewellery having the support structure for securing the gemstone.
BACKGROUND
[002] Gemstone such as solitaire, or jewellery in general, seek to enhance the appearance and
10 visual characteristics of gemstones by taking advantage of their reflective and/or refractive
characteristics. This is done by abutting gemstones such that many smaller gemstones appear
to be single larger and more valuable gemstone. Different mounting systems can also enhance
the appearance. Gemstones can be arranged to enhance the natural beauty of the arrangement,
taking advantage of the reflective and/or refractive characteristics of a gemstones.
15
[003] Various settings may be employed for arranging gemstones. For instance, a prong
setting is used for gemstone setting in jewellery making. Prong setting is used to hold and retain
different types of precious and semi-precious stones like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires
etc. Thus, prong settings serve as connecting members which secure the stone to the article of
20 jewellery, such as rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings, necklaces and so on. Stone or solitaire
setting in a jewellery is a highly skilled art which requires highly skilled workers, sophisticated
tools, and equipment’s. Since manual labour demands high degree of skill, attention and
intervention, various approaches have been employed in the past to simplify the assembly and
setting processes.
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[004] Prong setting is one of the most popular types of gemstone settings. Conventionally,
some prong settings make use of a broader underside collet which tend to conceal the sides of
the stone, rendering the stone in jewellery less appealing or exhibit less brilliance. Even though
a conventional bezel setting overcomes this disadvantage and has added strength for holding
30 the stone in position within the setting, such a setting is less than desirable from an aesthetic
point of view. In a conventional bezel setting, a substantial portion of the retained stone is
partially or completely hidden from view. Additionally, conventional prong setting can only
be used by skilled jewellers. Hence, the time required to craft the jewellery and the cost of
crafting such jewellery is high. Further to the above, conventional prong setting does not
35 provide the freedom to customise and therefore lacks aesthetic looks. Moreover, polishing the
conventional prongs is a challenge and therefore, there exists a need for an improved prong
3
setting for alleviating one or more problems associated with the state-of-the-art prong settings
outlined above.
[005] The present disclosure is focused towards overcoming one or more problems in the
5 conventional prong settings.
SUMMARY
[006] The shortcomings of the conventional techniques are overcome, and additional
10 advantages are provided through the configuration of the support structure as disclosed in
the present disclosure.
[007] Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present
disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein
15 and are considered a part of the disclosure.
[008] In an exemplary embodiment, a support structure for securing a gemstone is
disclosed. The support structure includes a base, a plurality of first clovers extending
upwardly from predefined locations of the base. The plurality of first clovers defines a cavity
20 for receiving the gemstone. Further, the support structure includes at least one second clover
extending arcuately towards the base from either sides of each of the plurality of first
clovers. A free end of the at least one second clover extending from adjacent sides of the
plurality of first clovers adjoins to each other in a space defined between adjacent first
clovers of the plurality of first clovers. Furthermore, the support structure includes at least
25 one prong extending upwardly from each of the plurality of first clovers. The at least one
prong is configured to clamp a portion of the gemstone for securing the gemstone.
[009] In an embodiment, the free end of the at least one second clover adjoins to each other
at an angle ranging between 25 degrees to 30 degrees.
30
[010] In an embodiment, the at least one prong is defined with a bent portion, orienting
towards the cavity.
[011] In an embodiment, the at least one prong is defined with a groove for clamping the
35 portion of the gemstone.
4
[012] In an embodiment, the free ends of the at least one second clover adjoining to each
other defines a substantially T-shaped profile.
[013] In an embodiment, the plurality of first clover extends arcuately away from the
5 predefined locations of the base.
[014] In an embodiment, the support structure is a unitary structure.
[015] In an embodiment, the plurality of first clovers extends equidistant to each other
10 from the base.
[016] In another exemplary embodiment, a jewellery is disclosed. The jewellery includes
a body and a support structure removably positioned on a portion of the body. The support
structure includes a base, a plurality of first clovers extending upwardly from predefined
15 locations of the base. The plurality of first clovers defines a cavity for receiving the
gemstone. Further, the support structure includes at least one second clover extending
arcuately towards the base from either sides of each of the plurality of first clovers. A free
end of the at least one second clover extending from adjacent sides of the plurality of first
clovers adjoins to each other in a space defined between adjacent first clovers of the plurality
20 of first clovers. Furthermore, the support structure includes at least one prong extending
upwardly from each of the plurality of first clovers. The at least one prong is configured to
clamp a portion of the gemstone for securing the gemstone.
[017] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
25 In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further
aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the
following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
30
[018] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended
claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives
and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed
description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying
35 drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with
5
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like
elements and in which:
[019] Figure. 1 illustrates front view of a jewellery having a support structure without
5 gemstone positioned in the support structure, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[020] Figure. 2 illustrates another front view of the jewellery having the support structure
without gemstone positioned in the support structure, according to an embodiment of the
disclosure;
10
[021] Figure. 3 illustrates another front view of the jewellery having the support structure in
which a gemstone is secured, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
[022] Figure. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the support structure securing the gemstone,
15 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
[023] Figure. 5 illustrates a top view of the support structure, according to an embodiment
of the disclosure.
20 [024] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One
skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative
embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without
departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[025] While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof has been shown by way of example in the
figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended
30 to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to
cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[026] It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present
disclosure and modify various constructions and configurations of the support structure for
35 securing gemstone. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to
understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with
6
details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the
description herein.
[027] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the
disclosure, are intended to cover 5 a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system,
assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may
include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or
device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises…
a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional
10 elements in the system or device.
[028] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to
cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system, a setup, a device or a method that comprises
a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include
15 other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such system, setup, device or
method. In other words, one or more elements in the system, the setup, the device or the method
proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of
other elements or additional elements in the system or method.
20 [029] In the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes
25 may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following
description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[030] Figures. 1-3 illustrates front view of a jewellery (100). The jewellery (100) may include
a body (101) which may be worn on different body parts of a user. As an example, the jewellery
30 (100) may be at least one of a ring, a necklace, a bracelet, an earring and the like. Further, the
jewellery (100) may include a support structure (110) which may be removably coupled to a
portion of the body (101). In an embodiment, the support structure (110) may be removably
coupled to a substantially top portion of the body (101). As an example, the support structure
(110) may be removably coupled to the portion of the body (101) through but not limiting to
35 fasteners, snap fit connection and the like. In another embodiment, the support structure (110)
7
may be rigidly coupled to the portion of the body (101) through welding, soldering and the
like. The support structure (110) may be made of metals such as but not limiting to gold, silver,
platinum and the like. In an embodiment, the support structure (110) may be configured to
support a gemstone (101). As an example, the gemstone (101) may be precious stones such as
a diamond, a princess-cut 5 diamond, Asscher-cut diamond, cushion-cut diamond, radiant-cut
diamond, emerald-cut diamond or combinations thereof, emerald, ruby, sapphire, etc. The
support structure (110) enhances the overall visual appeal and aesthetics of the jewellery (100),
in which it is positioned.
10 [031] Referring to Figure. 4, the support structure (110) may include a base (101). The base
(111) may be removably coupled to the jewellery (100) for connecting the support structure
(110) with the jewellery (100). Further, the support structure (110) may include a plurality of
first clovers (112), extending upwardly from predefined locations of the base (111). The
plurality of first clovers (112) defines a cavity (116) for receiving the gemstone (115). The
15 gemstone (115) which is accommodated in the cavity (101), at least a part of curved surface
and a gridle of the gemstone (101) is visible from at least one lateral side. In an embodiment,
the plurality of first clovers (112) may extend curvedly away from the predefined locations of
the base (101) and may extend equidistant to each other from the base (116). In another
embodiment, each of the plurality of first clovers (112) may include a pair of fingers which
20 may extend upwardly from the predefined locations of the base (111), thereby forming a
boundary around the base (111) to define the cavity (116) for accommodating the gemstone
(115). As seen in Figure. 4, the support structure (110) may further include at least one second
clover (113) which may extend arcuately towards the base (111) from either sides of each of
the plurality of first clovers (112). In an embodiment, the at least one second clover (101) may
25 extend from either sides of each of the plurality of first clovers (112) in a substantially S-shaped
profile. The at least one second clover (113) may aid in providing enhanced strength, and
aesthetics for the support structure (110) [thus, the jewellery (100)]. Further, a free end of the
at least one second clover (113) which extends from adjacent sides of the plurality of first
clovers (112) adjoints to each other in a space defined between adjacent first clovers (112) of
30 the plurality of first clovers (112). In an embodiment the free ends of the at least one second
clover (113) which extend from adjacent sides of the plurality of first clovers (112) may adjoin
at an angle a ranging between 25 degrees to 30 degrees, and may define a substantially Tshaped
profile. The configuration of the at least one second clover (113) in which free ends of
the at least one second clover (113) adjoins, aids in improved stability and strength to the
8
support structure (110) and also enhancing the visibility of the gemstone (101) positioned in
the base (111).
[032] Referring further to Figure. 4, the support structure (110) may include at least one
prong (114) which may extend upwardly from each of 5 the plurality of first clovers (112). The
least one prong (114) may be configured to clamp a portion of the gemstone (115) for securing
the gemstone (115). In an embodiment, the at least one prong (114) may be defined with a bent
portion, which may orient towards the cavity (116). In another embodiment, the at least one
prong (114) is define with a groove for clamping the portion of the gemstone (115). The
10 configuration of the at least one prong (114), aids effectively clamping the portion of gemstone
(115) for securing the gemstone (115) within the base (111) without affecting the visibility of
the gemstone (115).
[033] In an embodiment, the support structure (110) of the present disclosure is a unitary
15 structure, simple in structure which has structural stability and provides enhanced visibility to
the gemstone (101) positioned in the base (111) of the support structure (110).
Equivalents
20 [034] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those
having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to
the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural
permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
25 [035] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are
generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the
term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further
understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is
30 intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such
recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding the description
may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce
claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the
introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular
35 claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such
9
recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at
least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be
interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite
articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an
introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those 5 skilled in the art will recognize that such
recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare
recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations,
or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to
"at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense
10 one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one
of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C
alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in
general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand
15 the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be
limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B
and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within
the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative
terms, whether in the description, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the
20 possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the
phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[036] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments
25 disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the
true scope and spirit being indicated in the description. ,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A support structure (110) for securing a gemstone (101), the support structure (110)
comprising:
5 a base (101);
a plurality of first clovers (101) extending upwardly from a predefined locations
of the base (101), the plurality of first clovers (101) defines a cavity (101) for receiving
the gemstone (101);
at least one second clover (101) extending arcuately towards the base (101) from
10 either sides of each of the plurality of first clovers (101), and a free end of the at least
one second clover (101) extending from adjacent sides of the plurality of first clovers
(101) adjoins to each other in a space defined between adjacent a first clover of the
plurality of first clovers (101); and
at least one prong (101) extending upwardly from each of the plurality of first
15 clovers (101), wherein the at least one prong (101) is configured to clamp a portion of
the gemstone (101) for securing the gemstone (101).
2. The support structure (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free end of the at least
one second clover (101) adjoins to each other at an angle a ranging between 25 degrees
20 to 30 degrees.
3. The support structure (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one prong (101) is
defined with a bent portion, orienting towards the cavity (101).
25 4. The support structure (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one prong (101)
is defined with a groove for clamping the portion of the gemstone (101).
5. The support structure (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free ends of the at least
one second clover (101) adjoining to each other defines a substantially T-shaped profile.
30
6. The support structure (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of first clover
extends curvedly away from the predefined locations of the base (101).
7. The support structure (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure (110)
35 is a unitary structure.
12
8. The support structure (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of first clovers
(101) extends equidistant to each other from the base (101).
5 9. A jewellery (100), comprising:
a body (101);
a support structure (110) removably positioned on a portion of the body (101),
the support structure (110) comprising:
a base (101);
10 a plurality of first clovers (101) extending upwardly from a predefined
locations of the base (101), the plurality of first clovers (101) defines a cavity
(101) for receiving the gemstone (101);
at least one second clover (101) extending arcuately towards the base
(101) from either sides of each of the plurality of first clovers (101), and a free
15 end of the at least one second clover (101) extending from adjacent sides of the
plurality of first clovers (101) adjoins to each other in a space defined between
adjacent a first clover of the plurality of first clovers (101); and
at least one prong (101) extending upwardly from each of the plurality
of first clovers (101), wherein the at least one prong (101) is configured to clamp
20 a portion of the gemstone (101) for securing the gemstone (101).