Steven J Iacono

US Patent:

53934059, Feb 28, 1995

Filed:

Dec 1, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/160416

Inventors:

Steven J. Iacono - East Greenwich RI
Robert S. Catanzaro - East Greenwich RI

Assignee:

Ultralite Technology Incorporated - Attleboro MA

International Classification:

C25D 102

US Classification:

205 72

Abstract:

A method of electroforming gold jewelry articles utilizes a first gold/silver electroforming bath which is effective for depositing a relatively soft, ductile gold alloy, and a second gold/silver electroforming bath which is effective for depositing a hard, brittle gold alloy. Prior to the electroforming steps, the method includes the preliminary steps of forming a wax mandrel in a desired configuration, inserting a copper wire into the mandrel and applying a conductive lacquer onto the mandrel. The electroforming method includes the steps of alternately immersing the mandrel into the first and second electroforming baths and electroforming alternating layers of the soft and hard gold alloys over each other to form a laminated gold shell. After the last layer has been electroformed, the wax mandrel is melted and removed from the laminated gold shell thereby forming a hollow jewelry article. The alternating soft and hard layers cooperate to relieve internal stresses within the metal and thereby form a very strong and resilient metal shell.

US Patent:

55818846, Dec 10, 1996

Filed:

Mar 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/403473

Inventors:

Steven J. Iacono - East Greenwich RI
Robert S. Catanzaro - East Greenwich RI

Assignee:

Ultralite Technology Incorporated - Attleboro MA

International Classification:

B21D 3900
B21F 4300

US Classification:

2989641

Abstract:

A method of attaching an ornamental setting to a hollow ornament includes the steps of forming aligned openings in opposed walls of the ornament, inserting the post through the aligned openings in such a manner that the free end portion of the post extends outwardly beyond the wall of the ornament, substantially removing the free end portion of the post so as to leave a very small exposed portion which marginally extends beyond the outer wall of the ornament, and securing the small exposed portion of the post to the wall of the ornament. The step of securing the small exposed portion of the post to the wall of the ornament includes the step of peening the small exposed portion in such a manner that the wall has a substantially continuous outer surface at the point of attachment of the post of the ornamental setting thereto.