EP1906785B1 - Jewellery ring and method for the production thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a jewelry ring (1) and a method for the production of such a jewelry ring (1). The jewelry ring consists of a first ring (2) having an inner surface area, a second ring (3) and a sliding ring (4), the latter is located between the first ring (2) and the second ring (3) to ease a preferably frictionless twistability of the two rings to each other.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention generally relates to the technical field of jewelery production. In particular, the invention relates to a newly constructed jewelry ring and a production method for producing such a novel jewelry ring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many ring bearers are aware of the need or at least the habit of playfully engaging in a ring worn on one of their fingers, for example rotating it on the finger or pushing it back and forth. However, this need for play or distraction, which often arises from boredom or nervousness, often and preferably results in wrinkles of inferior material condition that both the inner and outer circumference of the ring worn and any coatings are removed.

Furthermore, for example, rings are known, which consist of several individual rings, which are intertwined in each case in order to be pushed together on a finger can. These rings, also marketed for the first time by the company Cartier under the name Cartierring, often invite the ring bearer to play, since such a ring can be pushed back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the finger due to its mechanical-kinematic properties, which, however, in turn leads to severe signs of wear on the individual rings. document DE-U-20019378 describes the features of the preamble of claim 1.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Due to the existing in many ring bearers game and distraction needs and because of the associated wear there is thus a need for a ring that invites almost to play, but without being subject to undesirable wear and tear.

The present invention is therefore based on the idea to provide a ring consisting of two separate individual rings, which are nested in one another so that one ring is concentric with the other, so that the two rings can be rotated relative to each other. So that no unwanted friction between the two rings arises in such a rotation, at least one slide ring is inserted between the two rings, which serves as a bearing surface for at least one of the two rings, so as to be in relation to the other ring around this without occurrence to be turned by signs of wear.

The ring according to the invention is in particular a jewelery ring, which comprises a first, outer ring with an inner circumferential surface, a second, inner ring with an outer lateral surface and at least one sliding ring, which are arranged concentrically with one another such that the at least one sliding ring is between the inner circumferential surface of the first ring and the outer circumferential surface of the second ring is located. By this concentric arrangement of the rings can be ensured that the second ring does not get in contact with the first ring during rotation, so that usually resulting wear and tear can be avoided. Rather, the first ring slides along its inner circumferential surface on the sliding ring, which due to the low sliding friction coefficient between the at least one sliding ring and the first ring only leads to microscopic wear and tear. Instead of only the first ring sliding on the at least one sliding ring, it is of course also possible for both the first and the second ring to be slidably disposed relative to the at least one sliding ring or for only the second ring to slide with respect to the at least one sliding ring can.

Greater wear phenomena between the first and second rings are effectively avoided by arranging the first ring around the second ring such that the inner circumferential surface of the first ring is spaced from the outer circumferential surface of the second ring by the at least one seal ring. In this way it can be ensured that between the inner circumferential surface of the first ring and the outer circumferential surface of the second ring, a corresponding annular gap is always present, which prevents rubbing of the two rings. Although the first ring surrounds the at least one sliding ring in such a way that an annular gap is formed between the inner lateral surface of the first ring and the at least one sliding ring, this annular gap is about half smaller than the annular gap between the first and the second ring, so that even with a tilting of the first and the second ring they can not come into contact with each other. In order to effectively avoid such tilting and to improve the sliding action of the two rings relative to one another, it may be advantageous, in particular for wide rings, to insert more than just one slide ring (for example two, three or even more slide rings) between the first and second rings , whereby an undesirable tilting of the two rings can be largely avoided.

So that the at least one sliding ring can be clamped tightly onto the outer circumferential surface of the second ring, the at least one sliding ring has an inner circumference, which is designed as a cylindrical clamping surface. If it is spoken here of a cylindrical clamping surface, this is to be understood by the inner circumference of the sliding ring, with which the at least one sliding ring clamps on the outer circumferential surface of the second ring as a result of its elastic properties, provided that the clear diameter of the at least one sliding ring is slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the second ring to which it is to be clamped. So that only slight friction losses occur on sliding of the inner lateral surface of the first ring on the at least one sliding ring, the at least one sliding ring has an outer circumference lying opposite the cylindrical clamping surface, which in cross section is designed as a convexly curved sliding surface. This convexly curved shape of the sliding surface of the at least one sliding ring is used in addition to the reduction of friction losses beyond for securing the position of the first ring, which will be discussed further in the further course of the present application.

For securing the position of the first and second rings, at least one of the sliding rings further comprises essentially two planar wall sections which extend radially between the cylindrical clamping surface and the convexly curved sliding surface. These two flat wall sections reach at a large axial stress of the two rings in contact with a recess formed in the second ring and in particular their walls. Correspondingly, the inner lateral surface of the first ring also has at least one annular recess, into which the at least one sliding ring engages, so that a securing of the position in the axial direction is ensured with respect to the first ring as well.

In order to optimize the friction conditions between the first ring and the sliding ring, the at least one recess in the inner circumferential surface of the first ring is formed as a concave Gleitringmulde into which the convexly curved sliding ring surface of the at least one sliding ring at least partially engages and engages there, so that the convex Buckling of the sliding ring surface of the at least one sliding ring continues outside the sliding ring recess in the inner circumferential surface of the first ring.

In order for the at least one sliding ring not to be able to jump off the outer circumferential surface of the second ring when the first ring is being pushed onto the second ring during the production of the jewelery ring, the at least one recess in the outer circumferential surface of the second ring is designed as an annular groove. in which the at least one slide ring with its planar wall sections at least partially engages. Thus, the cylindrical clamping surface of the at least one sliding ring is located on the annular groove bottom of the second ring and the convexly curved sliding surface protrudes beyond the annular groove and surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the second ring.

To ensure these geometrical relationships of the individual rings to one another permanently, the annular groove has a radial depth dimension which is smaller than the radial thickness dimension of the at least one sliding ring, measured between the cylindrical clamping surface and the outermost point of the convexly curved sliding surface of the sliding ring. As will be explained in more detail later, in the production of the jewelry ring, the first ring is pushed onto the second, wherein, however, the at least one sliding ring has to be compressed slightly in the radial direction until it can expand into the concave recess of the inner circumferential surface of the first ring. In order to permit this radial compression of the at least one sliding ring, the annular groove has a trapezoidal shape widening in the direction of the outer circumferential surface of the second ring; which leads to the fact that the at least one sliding ring can expand laterally under radial load. In particular, the trapezoidal shape of the annular groove widens radially outward relative to the planar wall sections of the sliding ring, so that it can spread in the annular groove with low stress.

In order to keep the friction losses between the at least one slide ring and the first ring as small as possible, should be selected as the material for the at least one slide ring, in which the Gleitreibungszahl between the at least one slide ring and the first ring is minimized. In particular, the coefficient of sliding friction should be less than 0.05. Such a low coefficient of sliding friction can be ensured in particular if the at least one sliding ring is made of ^Teflon® (PTFE). The at least one sliding ring made of Teflon ^® , besides the further advantageous effect with it, that in this case the jewelry ring according to the invention can also be exposed to aggressive environmental conditions such as salt water, certain acids and alkalis, since Teflon ^® in relation to such an attack is usually resistant. Yet another advantage ^afforded by the Teflon® slip ring is that ^{Teflon® has} a self-lubricating property so that the slip joint between the slip ring and the first ring need not be lubricated.

Since the at least one sliding ring projects circumferentially beyond the outer circumferential surface of the second ring with its convex sliding surface, so that the first ring must be pressed thereon and thereby undergoes a radial expansion, the first ring as well as the second ring should be made of a metal which is substantially insensitive to such loads. In particular, it makes sense to manufacture the first and / or the second ring of a metal from the group of metals consisting of gold, silver, platinum, titanium, brass and stainless steel.

In order to enable the telescoping of the first and the second ring, without damaging the sliding ring, a radiate is formed on at least one front end of the first ring, which extends at the transition of the inner circumferential surface to the front end of the first ring. The conically widening phase-like radius serves to ride when pushing the first ring on the second ring on the projection of the at least one sliding ring on the outer circumferential surface of the second ring so that it is radially compressed to facilitate the nesting of the two rings.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a production method for producing a jewelery ring is proposed, which comprises a first ring with an inner circumferential surface, a second ring having an outer circumferential surface and at least one sliding ring. In order to be able to arrange these three individual components concentrically with respect to each other, so that the at least one sliding ring is located between the inner circumferential surface of the first ring and the outer lateral surface of the second ring, the at least one sliding ring is first clamped onto the outer circumferential surface of the second ring in order subsequently to form the first ring to be able to postpone the second ring provided with the at least one sliding ring.

Since the at least one slide ring according to a preferred embodiment of Teflon ^® (PTFE) is made and thus can be subjected to only small strains, the at least one slide ring is separated before clamping at least one point, thereby easier to be clamped on the second ring can.

In order to ensure a position assurance between the first ring and the second ring, in each case at least one annular recess is formed in each of the inner lateral surface of the first ring and in the outer lateral surface of the second ring into which the at least one sliding ring each partly intervenes. These recesses are thus configured in such a way as to receive the at least one slide ring substantially full circumferentially, so that axial movements of the two rings relative to one another are essentially precluded.

As has become clear from the preceding statements, the at least one sliding ring with its outer, circumferential convex sliding surface projects slightly beyond the outer circumferential surface of the second ring, which makes it difficult to slide the first ring onto the second ring. However, in order neither to damage the at least one sliding ring when sliding the first ring onto the second ring, nor to run the risk of pushing it out of the annular groove in the outer circumferential surface of the second ring, the first ring is attached before the at least one sliding ring is clamped rounded at least one end in the region of its transition to the inner circumferential surface, that the resulting radius during the telescoping of the second ring and the first ring on the at least one sliding ring on the circumferential side, so that it is radially compressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.1

zeigt einen Querschnitt durch die obere Hälfte eines schmalen erfindungsgemäßen Rings mit einem Gleitring; und

Fig.2

zeigt einen Querschnitt durch die obere Hälfte eines breiten erfindungsgemäßen Rings mit zwei Gleitringen;

In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to two purely exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings.

Fig.1

shows a cross section through the upper half of a narrow ring according to the invention with a sliding ring; and

Fig.2

shows a cross section through the upper half of a wide ring according to the invention with two sliding rings;

In both figures, the same or similar components are identified by corresponding reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The Indian Fig. 1 The jewelry ring 1 shown in cross-section consists essentially of a first ring 2, a second ring 3 and a sliding ring 4. The first ring 2, the second ring 3 and the slide ring 4 are arranged concentrically with each other so that the first ring 2, the second ring 3 and the slide ring 4 circumferentially surrounds. The sliding ring 4 in turn surrounds the second ring 3 on the circumference, so that the sliding ring 4 is located between the inner circumferential surface of the first ring 2 and the outer circumferential surface of the second ring 3. The sliding ring 4, viewed in cross-section, has a cylindrical clamping surface 7, which in the installed state points in the direction of the center point of the jewelery ring 1.

From the clamping surface 7, two substantially planar wall sections 9 extend radially outwards, to which a convexly curved sliding surface 8 connects, so that the sliding ring 4 has a quasi-tunnel-shaped cross section. Thus, the first ring 2 can slide on the convex sliding surface of the sliding ring 4 with as little friction losses, is composed of the seal ring 4 made of a sliding material having a very low coefficient of sliding friction with respect to the first ring 2, which is why the seal ring 4 preferably ^® Teflon ( PTFE) can be manufactured.

The first ring 2 has on its inner circumferential surface on an annular recess, which is formed in the example shown here as a concave slide ring 6. At its right end face 10 or in the transition area between the right end face 10 to the inner circumferential surface of the first ring 2, the first ring 2 has an annular, phased section 11. In other words, the transition region between the right end face 10 and the inner circumferential surface is rounded, as indicated by the radius arrow (R 0.2). The beneficial effect of this rounded annular portion 11 will be explained in more detail later in the assembly of the ring.

The second ring 3 also has a recess in its outer circumferential surface, which, however, is designed as a trapezoidal annular groove 5 whose lateral wall surfaces expand radially outwards.

Both the first ring 2 and the second ring 3 are made of a metal such as silver, white or yellow gold (750 carats), platinum, titanium, brass or stainless steel.

Thus, both rings 2, 3 are preferably made of one and the same material, but of course quite special aesthetic effects can also occur if the two rings 2, 3 are made of different materials.

Again Fig. 1 can be removed, it is in the two rings 2, 3 to hollow cylindrical body, the end faces but not plan end, but rather describe a waveform, which can lead to particularly aesthetic effects when the first ring 2 with respect to the second ring 3 is twisted.

So that the two rings 2, 3 do not rub against one another during a rotation, the slide ring 4 is installed between the two rings 2, 3. The sliding ring 4 is thereby clamped in the trapezoidal annular groove 5, so that the clamping surface 7 of the sliding ring 4 is clamped against the Ringnutgrund the annular groove 5. The planar wall sections of the sliding ring 4 extend in the annular groove 5, wherein the wall surfaces of the trapezoidal annular groove 5 are removed radially outwardly from the flat wall sections 9. The sliding ring 4 protrudes with its outer circumference in the form of the convexly curved sliding surface 8 out of the annular groove 5 of the second ring 3 and immersed with a portion of the convexly curved sliding surface 8 in the Gleitringmulde 6 of the first ring.

Like from the Fig.1 can be removed, extends between the convex curved sliding surface 8 of the sliding ring 4 and the Gleitringmulde 6 a curved annular gap RS 1, so that the first ring 2 can be easily rotated relative to the sliding ring 4 and the second ring 3. The dimensions of the rings 2, 3, 4 are dimensioned such that an annular gap RS2 likewise results between the first ring 2 and the second ring 3, so that the first and the second ring 3 can not touch each other during a rotation. The dimensions of the rings 2, 3, 4 are dimensioned such that the annular gap RS1 is smaller than the annular gap RS. Preferably, the annular gap RS1 has a clear width of 0.1 mm and the annular gap RS2 has a clear width of 0.2 mm.

As the seal ring 4 is made of a verhältrusmäßigen low-stretch material, such as Teflon ^® (PTFE), the seal ring 4 is separated for mounting in the annular trough 5 at a location such that the seal ring 4 may be slightly bent in order to then fitted into the annular groove 5 to become. Since the radial thickness dimension of the sliding ring 4 is greater than the radial depth dimension of the annular groove 5, the sliding ring 4 is above the annular groove 5, so that the sliding ring 4 must be compressed during assembly of the jewelry ring 1 in the radial direction to postpone the first ring 2 can. In order to facilitate such a compression of the sliding ring 4 in the radial direction, the first ring 2 is provided with the above-described annular radius 11 at the transition between the inner circumferential surface and the right front end 10, so that the radius 11 when pushing the first ring 2 on the convex curved sliding surface 8 of the sliding ring 4 rides, so that it is radially compressed by the wedge effect of the radius 11. Since the sliding ring 4 must evade in such a radial compression of course in a different direction, the trapezoidal annular groove 5 widens linearly with respect to the flat wall sections 9 of the sliding ring 4, as indicated by the angle symbol. In this way, the slide ring 4 at a radial compression dodge laterally in these wedge-shaped Gereiche, whereby the first ring 2 can be easily pushed onto the provided with the slide ring 4 second ring 3.

In the Fig. 2 a jewelery ring 1 is shown, which in its structural design but essentially with reference to the Fig. 1 described jewelry ring 1 is similar. Deviating from that, in the Fig.2 shown decorative ring 1, however, a greater width, so here between the first ring 2 and second ring 3, two spaced seal rings 4 are introduced, whereby tilting of the first ring 2 with respect to the second ring 3 should be avoided. Since the storage of the second sliding ring 4 in the in the Fig.2 embodiment shown in terms of the training of Ring groove 5 and the Gleitringmulde 6 identical matches, reference is made at this point only to the previously made statements.

As a variant of that in the Fig. 2 shown wide jewelry ring, it would be possible, for example, instead of providing a wide first ring 2, the first ring 2 form two parts in the form of second narrower rings, so that these two narrower rings can be rotated independently of each other around the second ring.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Jewelry ring

2

First ring

3

Second ring

4

sliding ring

5

ring groove

6

Sliding ring recess (concave arched)

7

clamping surface

8th

Sliding surface (convex)

9

Wall section (even)

10

front end

11

radius

RS1

Annular gap sliding ring - first ring

RS2

Annular gap first ring - second ring

Claims (22)

1. Jewellery ring comprising

   - a first ring (2) with an inner circumferential surface

   - a second ring (3) with an outer circumferential surface and

   - at least one sliding ring (4), characterised in that

   the first ring (2), the second ring (3) and the at least one sliding ring (4) are arranged concentrically to each other in such a way that the at least one sliding ring (4) lies between the inner circumferential surface of the first ring (2) and the outer circumferential surface of the second ring (3).
2. Jewellery ring according to claim 1,
   wherein the first ring (2) is arranged around the second ring (3) so that the inner circumferential surface of the first ring (2) lies opposite the outer circumferential surface of the second ring (3) distanced by the at least one sliding ring (4).
3. Jewellery ring according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein at least the first ring (2) slides along its inner circumferential surface on the at least one sliding ring (4).
4. Jewellery ring according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   wherein the at least one sliding ring (4) comprises an inner circumference embodied as a cylindrical clamping surface (7) and wherein the at least one sliding ring (4) comprises an outer circumference lying opposite the cylindrical clamping surface (7) embodied as a convexly curved sliding surface (8).
5. Jewellery ring according to claim 4,
   wherein the at least one sliding ring (4) further comprises two substantially flat wall sections (9) extending radially between the cylindrical clamping surface (7) and the convexly curved sliding surface (8).
6. Jewellery ring according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   wherein embodied in both the inner circumferential surface of the first ring (2) and in the outer circumferential surface of the second ring (3) there is in each case at least one annular recess in which the at least one sliding ring (4) engages.
7. Jewellery ring according to claim 6,
   wherein the at least one recess in the inner circumferential surface of the first ring (2) is embodied as a concave sliding ring cavity (6) in which the convexly curved sliding surface (8) of the at least one sliding ring (4) engages at least partially.
8. Jewellery ring according to claim 6 or claim 7,
   wherein the at least one recess in the outer circumferential surface of the second ring (3) is embodied as an annular groove (5) in which the at least one sliding ring (4) engages with its flat wall sections (9) at least partially.
9. Jewellery ring according to claim 8,
   wherein the at least one sliding ring (4) is clamped in the annular groove (5) by means of its cylindrical clamping surface (7) and protrudes over the annular groove (5) by means of its curved sliding surface (8).
10. Jewellery ring according to claim 8 or 9,
    wherein the annular groove (5) comprises a radial depth and the at least one sliding ring (4) comprises a radial thickness which is larger than the radial depth of the annular groove (5) so that the at least one sliding ring (4) protrudes over the annular groove (5).
11. Jewellery ring according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
    wherein the annular groove (5) comprises a trapezoidal shape expanding in the direction of the outer circumferential surface of the second ring (3).
12. Jewellery ring according to any one of claims 8 to 11,
    wherein the trapezoidal shape of the annular groove (5) expands radially outward against the flat wall sections (9) of the at least one sliding ring (4).
13. Jewellery ring according to claim 12,
    wherein the expansion is embodied so that the sliding ring (4) can expand therein on radial stress.
14. Jewellery ring according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the coefficient of kinetic friction between the at least one sliding ring (4) and the first ring (2) is less than 0.05.
15. Jewellery ring according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the at least one sliding ring (4) is made of Teflon®.
16. Jewellery ring according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein at least the first ring (2) or the second ring (3) is made of a metal from the group of metals consisting of silver, gold, platinum, titanium, brass and stainless steel.
17. Jewellery ring according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first ring (2) comprises a front end (10) which is rounded at its junction with the inner circumferential surface.
18. Method for the production of a jewellery ring (1) comprising a first ring (2) with an inner circumferential surface, a second ring (3) with an outer circumferential surface and at least one sliding ring (4), characterised by the steps:

    - clamping the at least one sliding ring (4) on the outer circumferential surface of the second ring (3)

    - pushing the second ring (3) provided with the at least one sliding ring (4) and the first ring (2) into one another so that the at least one sliding ring (4) lies between the inner circumferential surface of the first ring (2) and the [outer circumferential surface] of the second ring (3).
19. Production method according to claim 18,
    wherein the at least one sliding ring (4) is separated at at least one point before clamping so that it can be easily clamped on the second ring (3).
20. Production method according to claim 18.
    wherein before the clamping of the at least one sliding ring (4) at least one annular recess (5, 6) is embodied in both the inner circumferential surface of the first ring (2) and in the outer circumferential surface of the second ring (3) in which the at least one sliding ring partially engages in each case.
21. Production method according to claim 20,
    wherein the annular recess (5) of the second ring (3) is embodied with an outwardly expanding trapezoidal shape so that the sliding ring (4) is able to extend on radial stress.
22. Production method according to claim 18,
    wherein before the clamping of the at least one sliding ring (4) the first ring (2) is rounded on at least one front end (10) in the region of its junction with the inner circumferential surface in such a way that the radius formed when the second ring (3) and the first ring (2) are pushed into one another mounts the circumference of the at least one sliding ring (4) and compresses this radially.

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