IES960006A2 - Production of small stone articles - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a method of forming beads of stone suitable for linking together to form rosary beads or the like, the method comprising cutting the stone into thin blocks; forming a channel in each block; and subsequently cutting each block into beads of the desired size. The stone is preferably marble, especially Connemara marble.

Description

PRODUCTION OF SMALL STONE ARTICLES This invention relates to the production of small stone articles. In particular, it relates to a method of forming stone beads which can be linked together to form rosary beads, necklaces, bracelets or the like.

The conventional method of forming rosary beads or the like using beads of stone involves drilling the individual beads so that they may be linked by passing a chain therethrough. This method is time-consuming and consequently expensive and is not suitable for the production of such beads on a commercial scale.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of forming beads of stone suitable for linking together to form rosary beads or the like, the method comprising cutting the stone into thin blocks; forming a channel in each block; and subsequently cutting each block into beads of the desired size.

The stone is preferably marble, more preferably Connemara marble or Kilkenny marble, and most preferably Connemara marble.

OPE INSPECTION SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL No. l.7^4 OF The thin blocks may have any suitable shape, and are preferably rectangular in cross-section, in particular square in cross-section. Each block preferably has a length of from about 75 mm to 200 mm, preferably about 100 mm. The cross-sectional area is preferably from about 7 mm x 7 mm to 9 mm x 9 mm, more preferably about 7.5 mm x 7.5 mm.

A channel is preferably formed by a continuous rim diamond blade in two opposing faces of each block along the length thereof. The depth of each channel is preferably from about 1 mm to 2 mm, more preferably about 1.5 mm.

The channelled blocks are cut into beads preferably having dimensions of 7.5 mm x 7.5 mm x 8 mm. The beads may be readily linked together by placing a chain or the like along the channels formed therein.

The invention also provides a rosary beads or the like comprising beads of stone formed by the method of the invention.

The channels in the thin blocks are preferably formed using a 200 mm continuous rim diamond blade rotating at approximately 3000 rpm. Each block is placed on a surface movable between an extended and retracted position and which is disposed below the blade in the retracted position. The blade is arranged to contact the block so that a channel of the desired depth, preferably about 1.5 mm, may be formed in the uppermost face of the block. The block is placed on the surface when it is in the extended position. The surface is moved in the direction of the blade (to the '960006 retracted position) so that a channel may be formed in the block. The surface is returned to the extended position and the block is then turned over so that a channel may be formed in like manner in the opposing face thereof. It will be appreciated that the depth of the channels formed is critical. If the channels are too shallow, a linking chain cannot be held therein.

On the other hand, if the channels are too deep, the finished beads are likely to crack easily.

Consequently, the distance of the blade from the moving surface in retracted position must be monitored constantly and adjustments made as required.

The invention is illustrated in the following Example .

EXAMPLE Large blocks of Connemara marble were sawed into manageable pieces using a 1,200 mm wet diamond saw rotating at 1,000 rpm. These pieces were subsequently cut into smaller rectangular blocks using a 400 mm segmented diamond blade rotating at 2,000 rpm. The rectangular blocks were then cut into slabs having a depth of 7.5 mm and a length of 100 mm. The slabs were then cut into thin blocks, each having a cross-sectional area of 7.5 mm x 7.5 mm.

Channelled blocks illustrated in an enlarged perspective view in Figure 1A were formed in the following manner. Each block was placed on a table movable between an extended and retracted position, the table in retracted position being disposed directly below the blade. The block was placed on the table in 960008 the extended position. The table was then retracted thereby bringing the block into contact with the blade, the blade being arranged to contact the block so that a channel of 1.5 mm could be formed in the uppermost face of the block. The table was returned to the extended position, the block was turned over and a channel was formed in the same manner in the opposing face of the block. The channels were formed using a 200 mm continuous rim diamond blade rotating at 3,000 rpm.

The channelled blocks were then cut into beads (shown enlarged in Figure IB) having the dimensions 7.5mm x 7.5mm x 8mm. Such beads may be readily linked by placing a suitable linking means, such as a chain, around the channelled beads.

The invention thus provides a new method of forming beads of stone suitable for linking together to form rosary beads, necklaces, or the like, which method is inexpensive and easy to perform on a commercial scale.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS :

1. A method of forming beads of stone, especially Connemara marble or Kilkenny marble, suitable for linking together to form rosary beads or the like, the method comprising cutting the stone into thin blocks; forming a channel in each block; and subsequently cutting each block into beads of the desired size.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the thin blocks are rectangular in cross-section, each block having a length of from about 75 mm to 200 mm, preferably about 100 mm, the cross-sectional area being from about 7 mm x 7 mm to 9 mm x 9 mm, preferably about 7.5 mm x 7.5 mm.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a channel having a depth of from about 1 mm to 2 mm, preferably about 1.5 mm is formed in each of two opposing faces of each thin block along the length thereof by means of a continuous rim diamond blade; and each channelled block is cut into beads having dimensions of 7.5 mm x 7.5 mm x 8 mm.

4. A rosary beads or the like comprising stone beads formed by the method of any of claims 1-3.

5. A method of forming beads of stone suitable for linking together to form rosary beads or the like, substantially as herein described and exemplified.