United States Patent [19] [11] 4,151,063 Nelson [45] Apr. 24, 1979

[54] ELECI‘ROPLATING RACK Primary Examiner—F. C. Edmundson Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dike, Bronstein, Roberts, [75] Inventor: Samuel Nelson, Providence, R-.I. Cushman & Pfund [73] Assignee: Nelson Rack Company, Providence, RJ. [57] ABSTRACT [211 App]. No.: 867,918 A hanger element for an rack, speci? cally for suspending earrings for pierced ears for plating [22] Filed: Jan. 9, 1978 comprising a conductor part threaded at one end for [51] Int. 01.2 ...... c251) 17/06 attachment to the rack and provided at its other end [52] US. 01...... 204/297 w with a collet for receiving the stem of an earring, a [58] Field of Search ...... 204/297 R, 297 W, 297 M; jacket of chemically inert plastic material within which ‘ 339/256 R, 251, 256 C the part is embedded except for the threaded end and the colleted end and a removable cap mounted on the [56] References Cited ' colleted end with one end abutting the jacket and the U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS other extending beyond the colleted end, said cap con 2,439,190 4/1948 Schroeder ...... 204/297 W taining an, axial hole for snugly receiving the colleted 3,001,926 9/1961 Belke ...... 204/297 W end and an axial passage extending beyond the end of 4,088,560 5/1978 Swinehart et al...... 204/297 W the hole through the end of the cap for snugly receiving OTHER PUBLICATIONS the stem of the earring for engagement within the col let. Canning Practical Handbook on Electroplating, 11th Ed., 1932, Canning & Co., Birmingham, England, pp. 152454. 11 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Apr. 24, 1979 Sheet 1 Of 2 4,151,063

F I 6.2 '4 FIG I PRIOR ART PRIOR ART

F|G.3 PRIOR ART

F |G.8 PRIOR ART U.S. Patent v Apr. 24, 1979 Sheet 2 of2 4,151,063

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FIGIT 4,151,063 1 2 A somewhat simpler structure was then undertaken, ELECI‘ROPLATINGT RACK : FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein the stem of each earring was inserted through a hole 48 in a hanger bar without em BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ploying a hanger element per se and a part 50 comprised FIGS. 1 to 8 inclusive of the drawings show known of rubberoid or other like material containing a hole 52 electroplating racks speci?cally designed to plate ear was forced over the stem, thus protecting the stem. This rings for pierced ears. In each instance, there is an elec was inadequate because of leakage around the stem trically conductive metal hanger frame 10 provided within the hole 48. with a plurality of spaced, parallel hanger bars 12 and The rack which is the subject matter of this invention on each hanger bar a plurality of longitudinally-spaced 10 embodies certain of the features of the aforesaid racks hanger elements 14. The structure of the frame and bars, improved upon in such' a way as to overcome their except for the portion of the frame above theztop bar 12, de?ciencies and, by such improved construction, to is coated with plastisol. ' insure uniform plating and elimination of discoloration The hanger elements 14 attached to the hanger bars of the stems. of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise elec The invention will now be described in greater detail trically conductive metal sleeves l6 welded at one end with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: to the hanger bars containing at their opposite ends FIG. 1 is an elevation of a prior art electroplating internally thereof spring element 18-18 for frictionally rack; receiving the stems of the earrings. In this form, the FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken on the line 2-2 of sleeve 16 as well as the frame and bars were coated with 20 FIG. 1; ‘ plastisol, leaving small holes at the end of the sleeves for FIG. 3 is an elevation of another prior art rack; receiving the stems of the earrings. The principal objec FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 4—4 of tions to the aforesaid structure are that leakage takes FIG. 3; place about the stems where they enter the open col FIG. 5 is an elevation of still another prior art rack; leted ends of the sleeves because the plastisol is not 25 FIG. 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line 6—6 of elastic enough to tightly grip the stems and because the FIG. 5; openings through the plastisol become enlarged by FIG. 7 is an elevation of still another prior art rack; repeated use. FIG. 8 is an enlarged elevation taken on the line 8-8 Because of the aforesaid defects, hanger elements 14 of FIG. 7; such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 were made wherein FIG. 9 is an elevation of the rack of this invention; electrically conductive metal studs 20 containing axial FIG. 10 is an end view of the rack shown in FIG. 9; holes 22 closed at one end were welded to the hanger FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view taken on the line bars and the frame and hanger elements coated with 11-11 of FIG. 9; plastisol except for the frame above the top bar and FIG. 12 is an enlarged section taken on the line portions 23 of the studs. Sleeves 24 of rubber tubing 12-12 of FIG. 11; containing axial passages 26 were inserted into the axial FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section of the cap removed holes 22 in place of the spring ?ngers used in the hanger from the hanger element; elements shown in FIG. 2 Caps 28 provided with axial FIG. 14 is a view partly in elevation and partly in holes 30 for receiving the uncoated portions 23 of the section of the collet member removed from the stud by studs were ‘applied thereto, the caps being provided 40 means of which the hanger element is screwed to the with axial passages 32 coaxial with the passages 26 to hanger frame; receive the stems of the earrings. The caps were made FIG. 15 is an end view of FIG. 14 showing the spring by the holes 30 and 32 in a rubber material made ?ngers constituting the collet-receiving portion of the rigid .by freezing. The drilling could not be accom hanger; plished accurately enough to provide a good seal and it 45 FIG. 16 is an elevation of a hanger element showing was time-consuming and di?icult to force the stems into an earring inserted therein for plating; and the passages 32 because of their small size. FIG. 17 is a section corresponding to FIG. 12. of The structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 was then de alternative construction. signed and tried wherein the hanger elements 14 com Referring to FIGS. 9 to 16, the grid for holding the prised studs 34 provided at one end with threaded ends 50 articles to be electroplated according to the invention 36 for screwing into threaded holes 38 in the hanger comprises a substantially U-shaped metal hanger frame bars. The studs contained axial passages 40 closed at one 54 provided with books 56 and 58 by means of which it end and open at the other end and within theopen ends may be suspended from an electrically conducting bus there were ?xed elastic spring metal elements 42. The bar, 60 in a tank 62 shown in phantom. The transverse studs were jacketed within a moldable resin material 55, hanger bars 64 which are of generally rectangular cross with the threaded ends extending from'one end of the section are welded at their ends to the legs of the frame jackets and with their open ends recessed within the and each of the hanger bars 64 contains a plurality of other ends of the jackets. Rubber tubes 44 were then longitudinally-spaced, threaded holes 66 for removably inserted into the open ends of the jackets into engage receiving hanger elements 65. The legs of the hanger ment with the studs of suf?cient length so that portions 60 frame and the hanger bars are entirely covered, except of the tubes extended beyond the jackets. The tubes _ for the upper part of the frame, with a heavy coating of contained passages of a size to elastically receive the plastisol 68. stems of earrings. Unfortunately, the tubes 44 pulled out The items which are to be electroplated and which of the jackets each time the earrings were removed and, are to be suspended in the electrolytic fluid by the grid from repeated reinsertion, wore out in a very short time. 65 are, in this particular case, pierced earrings, and the Moreover, because the smallness of the passages 46, it primary object of the invention is to provide hangers on was difficult and time-consuming .to insert the stems of the grid by means of which the earrings may be sus the earrings into the passages 46. pended in the electrolytic bath in such a way as to en 4,151,063 3 4 able a blemish-free plating of the earrings with at the other. The combination part is provided with a out discoloration of the stems which, as pointed out jacket 114 and a cap 116 as described above. heretofore, was one of the reasons why the aforesaid The jacket material as related above is resistant to prior grids were unsatisfactory. . chlorinated solvents used in the electrolytic bath and to The improved detachable ‘hanger elements of this the high temperatures used to remove the plating solu invention, one of which is screwed into each of the tion from the plated items. The silicone rubber cap threaded holes 66, each comprise, as shown in FIGS. provides the elasticity necessary to withstand repeated 12, 13 and 14, a metal stud 70 having at one end an insertion and removal of the stems of earrings and main external thread 72 and a smooth axial hole 84; a metal tain a leaktight passage about the stem and the concave rod 76 having at one end diametrically disposed ears recess or dimple assists in inserting the stem into the 80-80 and at its other end an axial passage 82 within passage. Moldable rubber-like materials which are the which there are disposed spring ?ngers 84, three in equivalent of silicone rubber in physical properties may number; a jacket 86 of chemically inert moldable plastic be used in place of the silicone. and a cap 88 of silicone rubber containing an axial hole The component parts of the rack are readily replace and axial passage as will be described hereinafter. able and provide for uniform plating and the elimination The rod 78 is driven into the hole 74 in the stud 70, of discoloration of the stems. the ears 80-80 serving to anchor it ?rmly in place in It should be understood that the present disclosure is concentric alignment with the axis of the stud with the for the purpose of illustration only and includes all colleted end extending-axially beyond the end of the modi?ciations or improvements which fall within the stud. The jacket 86 of chemically inert plastic which 20 scope of the appended claims. may, for example, be polypropylene, nylon, telfon, I claim: polyole?n and the like, is molded about the stud and rod 1. A detachable hanger element for mounting to an so as to embed them within it with the threaded end of electroplating rack comprising a conductive part the stud extending from one end of the jacket and the threaded at one end and means at the other end portion colleted end of the rod extending from the other end of 25 de?ning a resiliently expandable collet for frictionally the jacket. Preferably, the jacket is molded to have a receiving and maintaining the stem of an earring to hexagonal cross section, thus to make it easy to use a removably support the same for plating, a jacket of socket or the like for screwing the threaded end chemically inert plastic material within which said part of the stud into the threaded openings in the hanger is embedded with the threaded end extending from one bars. The left end of the jacket as shown in FIG. 12 is 30 end of the jacket and a portion of the colleted end ex molded to provide an annular rim 90 which may be tending from the other end of the jacket, and a remov seated ?rmly against the plastic coating of the hanger able cap mounted on the portion of the colleted end bars when the hangers are screwed into place. The right extending from the jacket with one end abutting the end end of the jacket is molded to have a neck portion 92 of of the jacket and the other end extending beyond the circular right section of much smaller cross sectional 35 end of the colleted end, said cap containing an axial hole area than the body of the jacket. ' for receiving said colleted end of the conductive part The cap 88 is molded of silicone rubber or the equiva and a passage extending axially from the end of the hole lent, is of right circular section ?at at one end 94 for through the end of the cap of a diameter to receive the abutting engagement with the end of the neck 92 and stem of the earring for engagement with the colleted tapered or conical at the other end 96. At the tip of the 40 end. taper, there is a concave recess 98. The end 94 contains 2. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein the other an axial hole 100 of a diameter to sealably receive the end of the cap tapers and contains a concave recess colleted end of the rod 78 extending from the neck of concentric with the passage. the jacket and an axial passage 102 coaxial with the hole 3. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein said means 100 extends from the inner end of the hole 100 to the tip defining the collet comprises spring ?ngers arranged through the concave recess 98. The passage 102 is of a symmetrically about the axis of the conductor. diameter to sealably receive the stem of the earring so 4. A detachable hanger element for mounting to an that its inner end extends into the collet. The length of electroplating rack comprising a metal stud externally the hole 100 is slighly longer than the length of the threaded at one end, a collet member-?xed in the other axially extending portion of the collet. 50 end of the stud, said collet member embodying jaws FIG. 12 shows an earring ball 104 provided with a dimensioned to receive the stem of an earring, a jacket stem 106, the latter being thrust through the passage 102 of chemically inert plastic material within which the in the cap 88 and into the collet tube so that the ball is assembly comprising the stud and collet member are supported at the tip of the cap, but not in control there embedded with the threaded end of the stud extending with. A different type of earring in the form of a loop from one end of the jacket and a portion of the colleted 107 provided with a stem 108 is shown thrust into a member extending from the other end of the jacket, and hanger element 65, FIG. 16. a removable cap mounted on the portion of the collet One of the important advantages of the hanger con member extending from the jacket with one end abut structed as described is that the collet extends apprecia ting the end of the jacket and the other end extending bly beyond the jacket and the cap beyond the collet so 60 beyond the end of the collet member, said cap contain that when the earring is mounted, no part will be so ing an axial hole for receiving said extending end of the .\ close to the hanger as to be shadowed by the hanger, a collet member and a passage extending axially from the condition which results in non-uniform plating. The end of the hole through the end of the cap of a diameter relatively small diameter of the cap and the tapered to receive the stem of the earring for engagement within concave end avoid such shadowing. 65 the collet. A simpli?ed form of the hanger element 108 is shown 5. A detachable hanger element for mounting to an in FIG. 17 wherein the stud and collet tube are com electroplating rack comprising an elongate metal part bined with a thread 110 at one end and a collet tube 112 threaded at one end and containing an axial passage at 4,151,063 5 6 its other end, resiliently-expandable collet means at said the tip of the cap of a diameter to snugly receive the other end for frictionally receiving the stem of an ear stem of the earring. ring to removably support the earring on the electro 7. An electroplating rack according to claim 6 plating rack during plating, said collet means being wherein the hanger bars contain longitudinally-spaced, electrically conductive, a jacket of chemically inert threaded holes and the attaching parts of said parts are plastic within which the elongate part is embedded with threaded for receipt within said threaded holes. the threaded end extending from one end of the jacket 8. An electroplating rack according to claim 6 and with that portion of the other end containing the wherein the jacket has at one end a recess bounded by collet means extending from the other end of the jacket an annular shoulder for leak-tight engagement with the and a removable cap mounted on the portion containing hanger bar. the collet means with one end abutting the jacket and 9. An electroplating rack according to claim 8 the other end extending beyond the end of the portion wherein the jacket has at the other end an axial part of containing the collet means, said cap containing an axial reduced right section terminating in a ?at end face. hole within which the portion containing the collet 10. An electroplating rack according to claim 6 means is received and a coaxial passage extending from 15 wherein the ?rst part comprises an elongate tube con the end of the hole through the end of the cap of a taining an axial hole and a spindle, one end of which is dimension to receive the stem of the earring for fric wedged into the hole and the other end of which con tional engagement with the collet means. tains an elongate cylindrical hole within which are 6. An electroplating rack comprising a conductive mounted spring ?ngers which constitute a collet at said hanger frame, a plurality of spaced, parallel hanger bars 20 end for frictionally receiving the stem of an earring. ?xed at their ends to the frame, a plurality of hanger 11. A detachable hanger element for an electroplating elements mounted in spaced relation to each of the rack comprising a part which is electrically conductive, hanger bars and hook means for suspending the rack in means de?ning threads at one end of said part, means a plating bath, said frame and hanger bars being coated de?ning a collet at the other end of the part, a jacket of with thermoplastic except for the portion of the frame 25 chemically inert, moldable resinous material within above the hanger bars, each hanger element comprising which the part is embedded with the threaded end pro a ?rst part having at one end an attaching part by means jecting from one end of the jacket and the colleted end of which it is conductively attached to a hanger bar and projecting from the other end of the jacket and a cap at its other end resiliently expandable collet means for ?at at one end and tapered at the other applied to the frictionally receiving and supporting an earring on the 30 collet with the ?at end abutting the jacket, said cap rack for coating, a jacket of chemically inert plastic containing an axial hole for sealably receiving the col material within which the ?rst part is embedded except leted end and an axial passage extending therefrom for the attaching part at the one end and the collet through the tapered end of the cap for releasably re means at the other and a slender cap applied to the ceiving the stem of an earring, the means defining a colleted end of said ?rst part, said cap containing an 35 concave recess concentric with the passage at the ta axial hole for snugly receiving the colleted end, and pered end for guiding the stem into the passage. beyond the hole an axial passage which extends through ‘l i * $ $

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