EP3787432B1 - Adjustable jewellery ring comprising adjustment plates - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a jewelery ring configured to be able to accommodate fingers of different sizes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a jewelry ring comprising one or more adjustment plates cooperating with a spring device.

State of the art

It is known that when buying a ring it is generally necessary to modify the measurements to adapt it to the finger that must wear it. It is not uncommon for it to have to be modified afterwards to adapt it to the variation in the circumference of this finger, as is the case with a child who is growing, an adult who is fattening or losing weight, etc The operations of enlarging or shrinking a ring are quite simple, but always involve a loss of time and an expense. Then there are cases where these operations cannot be done, such as for wedding rings with precious stones where a modification of the circumference involves a modification of the number of stones. As the sizes usually used for rings are around twenty, in the last case of alliances with brilliants, the merchant must make available to his customers around twenty sizes involving a significant immobilization of capital and also taking into account that the alliances with precious stones can be very varied as a model.

A jewelery ring comprising a device for accommodating the size of the fingers, in which the device incorporates removable plates mounted radially in the body of the ring, is known. In this type of ring, an elastic force is exerted on the plates so that they can extend into the central opening of the ring to adapt the size of this opening to the wearer's finger.

Brief summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a jewelery ring configured to be able to accommodate fingers of different sizes, comprising: a ring body having a substantially annular opening and intended to receive the finger, the ring body comprising at least one housing communicating with the 'opening; at least one adjustment plate movably mounted in the housing and extending over an angular segment along the ring body; a spring device configured to exert an elastic force on the adjustment plate so that the latter can be moved along an axis substantially radial with respect to the ring body, the ring being configurable between a first configuration in which a diameter internal diameter of the opening of the ring is maximal and substantially equal to the diameter of the internal face of the body of the ring and at least a second configuration in which the internal diameter of the opening of the ring is reduced and defined, at least in part , by the adjustment plate which protrudes from the inner face of the body of the ring; the spring device being removably mounted to the adjustment plate by crimping means.

According to one embodiment, the spring device is configured to exert the elastic force substantially at the center of the angular segment formed by the adjustment plate.

The mounting of the spring device on the adjustment plate by crimping means makes it possible to obtain a ring in which the mechanical (and elastic) properties of the spring device remain unchanged with respect to the properties of the isolated spring device. In particular, the crimping means allow the spring device mounted on the adjustment plate to retain its hardness and its elastic properties unchanged, with respect to the unmounted spring device, while ensuring reliable contact and good cooperation between the spring device and the adjustment plate.

The document US2012180523 describes a ring comprising an adjustable part on its inner surface, materialized by a tongue inserted into the body of the ring, and articulated by one of its ends. A leaf spring pushes the tab outward from the surface of the ring. It alternately describes an adjustment plate inserted into the body of the ring and pushed out of the inner surface by two spiral springs.

The document US2787142 describes a ring in the thickness of which is inserted an adjustment plate, the surface of which is pushed outside the inner surface of the ring by means of a spring.

Brief description of figures

• la figure 1 montre une vue en perspective d'une bague joaillière comprenant des plaquettes mobiles, selon un mode de réalisation;
• la figure 2 montre une vue du dessus de la bague, selon un mode de réalisation;
• la figure 3 montre une vue en perspective de la bague joaillière dans laquelle des détails d'une plaquette d'ajustement sont visibles;
• la figure 4 illustre une lame-ressort montée de manière amovible sur la plaquette d'ajustement, selon un mode de réalisation; et
• la figure 5 montre la bague comprenant un dispositif de guidage, selon un mode de réalisation.

Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• there figure 1 shows a perspective view of a jewelry ring comprising movable plates, according to one embodiment;
• there figure 2 shows a top view of the ring, according to one embodiment;
• there picture 3 shows a perspective view of the jeweler's ring in which details of an adjustment plate are visible;
• there figure 4 illustrates a leaf spring removably mounted on the adjustment plate, according to one embodiment; And
• there figure 5 shows the ring comprising a guide device, according to one embodiment.

Example(s) of embodiment of the invention

There figure 1 shows a perspective view and the figure 2 shows a top view of a jewelry ring 1 configured to be able to accommodate fingers of different sizes, according to one embodiment.

In particular, the figure 1 And 2 show a ring body 10 comprising a substantially annular opening 16 and intended to receive the finger. The ring body 10 comprises three adjustment plates 21 which are preferably arranged along the circumference of the ring body 1, on its inner face 17.

In this preferred embodiment, the arrangement of the three adjustment pads 21 can allow a combined movement of translation and rotation of the ring 1 on the finger, as needed.

Each of the adjustment plates 21 extends over an angular segment along the ring body 10. The adjustment plate 21 is provided with a contact surface 25 which comes into contact with the finger when the ring 1 is worn. Each of the adjustment plates 21 is configured to move along an axis 11 substantially radial with respect to the ring body 10 (in the figure 1 And 2 , this displacement is indicated by the arrow D). In particular, each of the adjustment plates 21 is configured to move along the axis 11 between a first configuration in which the internal diameter of the opening 16 of the ring 1 has a maximum value substantially equal to the diameter of the internal face 17 of the body of the ring 10 (the surface of the wafer is substantially flush with the face 17), and at least a second configuration in which the internal diameter of the opening 16 of the ring is reduced and defined, at least in part, by the adjustment plate 21 which protrudes from the inner face 17 of the body of the ring 10.

In this way, the adjustment plates 21 make it possible to adapt the internal diameter of the ring 1 to the finger, within the limits of the movement of the movable plates 21.

There picture 3 shows a perspective view of the jewelry ring 1 in which the ring body 10 is shown cut away on the outside so as to visualize elements of the ring 1 which would otherwise be hidden by the ring body 10. In particular, the picture 3 allows to see a housing 12 included in the ring body 10 and in which is mounted one of the adjustment plates 21. In the example illustrated in figures 1 to 3 , the ring body 10 comprises three housings 12, in each of which is mounted an adjustment plate 21.

The housing 12 communicates with the opening 16 on the inner face 17 of the ring body 10. Each adjustment plate 21 therefore moves along the axis 11 inside the housing 12 so as to protrude more or less with respect to the inner face 17, between the first and said at least one second configuration, and thus modify the internal diameter of the ring 1.

There picture 3 also allows to see a spring device 20 cooperating with the adjustment plate 21 so as to exert an elastic force on the adjustment plate 21 directed along the radial axis 11, towards the center 13 of the ring body 10.

According to a preferred form, the spring device comprises a leaf spring 20. The leaf spring 20 extends over an angular segment along the ring body 10. In the particular example illustrated in figure 3 And 4 , the leaf spring 20 extends substantially parallel to the adjustment plate 21.
there figure 4 shows an isolated view of an adjustment plate 21 on which the leaf spring 20 is mounted. Advantageously according to the invention, as illustrated by this embodiment, the leaf spring 20 is removably mounted on the plate of adjustment 21 by crimping means 24. Preferably, the crimping means 24 act on the center of the adjustment plate 21.

In the preferred example shown in figure 3 And 4 , the crimping means comprise at least one pair of folding lugs 24 (or claws) securing the center of the leaf spring 20 to the adjustment plate 21 when the lugs 24 are folded down. Advantageously, the tabs 24 can be folded down by elastic deformation.

Any other means of fixing the leaf spring 20 to the adjustment plate 21 insofar as the leaf spring 20 is mounted to the adjustment plate 21 in a removable manner (or even a non-permanent fixing allowing the spring to be dismantled without damaging the spring or the pad) can be considered. For example, leaf spring 20 can be fixed to adjustment plate 21 by clipping.

The mounting of the leaf spring 20 in a removable manner on the adjustment plate 21 rather than by welding or other permanent fastening means makes it possible to maintain an unchanged hardness of the leaf spring 20. In this way, the leaf spring spring 20 retains its elastic properties while ensuring reliable contact and good cooperation between leaf spring 20 and adjustment plate 21, with good distribution of forces.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 4 , the leaf spring 20 is of curved shape having a first zone of inflection 31 substantially at the center of the angular segment formed by the leaf spring 20. The crimping means 24 can then advantageously secure the leaf spring 20 at the level of the first zone of inflection 31. In this configuration, the leaf spring 20 exerts the elastic force substantially at the center of the angular segment formed by the adjustment plate 21.

Still with reference to the figure 4 , the leaf spring 20 comprises a second zone of inflection 32 at each of the ends of the angular segment formed by the leaf spring 20.

The second zones of inflection 32 are intended to bear against an upper wall 14 of the ring body 10, at the bottom of the housing 12 while remaining free to move radially along the upper wall 14.

In one embodiment, ring 1 comprises at least one cover 40 configured to attach to ring body 10 so as to retain adjustment plate 21 in housing 12. More in particular, the cover 40 serves as a stop limiting the movement of the adjustment plate 21 along the radial axis 11, towards the center 13 of the ring body 10.

With reference to the particular embodiment of the figure 3 And 4 , the adjustment plate 21 has an overlap zone 22 at each of its ends. At least a portion of the cover 40 can then come to bear on the overlap zone 22 when the cover 40 is fixed to the ring body 10. When the cover 40 is fixed to the ring body 10, at least a portion of the cover 40 can come to rest on the overlap zone 22, so that a portion of the cover 40 plays the role of the stop limiting the movement of the adjustment plate 21 along the radial axis 11, towards the center 13 of the ring body 10.

Other configurations of the overlap zone 22 can also be envisaged. For example, the adjustment pad 21 may have only one overlap zone 22 at one of its ends. Alternatively, or additionally, the overlap zone 22 could extend over at least one of the lateral sides 23 of the adjustment plate 21.

Mounting the covers 40 by screwing allows them to be easily removed from the ring body 10, for example to facilitate maintenance operations. Alternatively, the covers 40 can be welded, for example by laser, to the ring body 10.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the adjustment plate 21, the leaf spring 20, the cover 40 and the body of the ring 10 is made of precious metal, such as gold or a such alloy. Preferably, all these components are made of a precious metal.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and that various modifications and Simple variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the adjustment device may comprise less than three adjustment plates 21, or even more than three adjustment plates 21. In the examples illustrated, the adjustment plates 21 generally extending longitudinally in an arc of a circle , so as to be more or less in conformity with the shape of the ring body 10. However, the adjustment plates 21 could have another shape (for example with a rather flat surface than in an arc of a circle) insofar as they can fulfill their role of accommodating fingers of different sizes. These alternative arrangements can also allow a combined movement of translation and rotation of the ring 1 on the finger, if necessary.

In the adjustment device described here, the adjustment plate 21, which moves in the housing 12 of the ring body 10, generally does not come into contact with internal surfaces of the ring body 10, i.e. that is, apart from guide projections 50 provided on the side walls 15 of the housing 12 as described below with respect to the figure 5 . Indeed, the adjustment plate 21 is mechanically linked to the ring body 10 only by means of the spring device 20. The friction which could oppose the elastic force of the spring device 20 and create wear of the parts are thus minimal.

In yet another embodiment illustrated in figure 5 , the ring 1 comprises a guide device configured to guide the movement of the adjustment plate 21 substantially at the center of the angular segment formed by the adjustment plate 21, and along the radial axis 11.

According to one embodiment, the guide device comprises at least one notch 51 provided on the adjustment plate 21, the notch 51 cooperating with at least one projection 50 provided in the housing 12.

In the particular example of figure 5 , the guide device comprises a notch 51 on each of the lateral sides 23 of the adjustment plate 21. Each of the notches 51 cooperates with a projection 50 provided on each of the lateral walls 15 of the housing 12. Preferably, the lateral sides 23 and the side walls 15 are in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the ring 1 (by plane of the ring is meant a plane intersecting the ring in two symmetrical rings, the radial axis 11 of the adjustment plate 21 being in this map).

Still in the particular example of the figure 5 , the contact surfaces between the notch 51 and the projection 50 are defined, respectively, by the thickness 53 of the lateral sides 23 of the adjustment plate 21 and by the thickness 52 of a flank side of the projection 50. The friction of the contact surfaces can be minimized by improving the tribological characteristics of the contact surfaces defining the thicknesses 52, 53.

Each of the lateral sides 23 of the adjustment plate 21 may comprise more than one notch 51 cooperating with more than one projection 50 provided on each of the side walls 15 of the housing 12.

Advantageously, the projection 50 can also serve as a stop, limiting radial and angular displacement of the adjustment plate 21.

The shape of the projections 50 and the notches 51 can be complementary so as to reduce the play in the guide. The central guide device makes it possible to ensure smooth and safe movement of the movable plate 21 relative to the ring body 10.

The guide device described above allows the adjustment plate 21 to move reliably without getting stuck in the housing 12. An advantage of the guide device is that it is simple in construction, requiring few parts to make a good guidance. The guide device is also characterized by small contact surfaces, thus limiting friction.

A method of assembling the ring 1 may comprise removably mounting the spring device 20 on the adjustment plate 21. Once the spring device 20 is mounted on the adjustment plate 21, the latter is positioned in the housing 12. A cover 40 is then fixed to the ring body 10 so as to retain the adjustment plate 21 in the housing 12.

The ring 1 of the invention avoids the usual alterations on normal rings and considerably reduces the number of alliances with precious stones to be stored and available to the customer, because in practice with only four dimensions it is possible to cover a whole range of diameter for the opening 16. According to one embodiment, the second zone of inflection 32 can move freely with respect to the upper wall 14.

Reference numbers used in the figures

1

ring

10

ring body

11

radial axis

12

accommodation

13

ring body center

14

upper wall

15

housing side wall

16

opening

17

inner face

20

leaf spring

21

adjustment pad

22

overlap area

23

lateral side of the adjustment pad

24

paw

25

contact surface

31

first zone of inflection

32

second zone of inflection

40

hood

50

protrusion

51

notch

52

protrusion thickness

53

adjustment pad thickness

D

radial displacement

Claims (14)

1. Jewellery ring (1) configured to fit fingers of different sizes, comprising:

   a ring body (10) having a substantially annular opening (16) for receiving the finger, the ring body (10) comprising at least one housing (12) being in connection with the opening (16);

   at least one adjustment plate (21) movably mounted in the housing (12) and extending over an angular segment along the ring body (10);

   a spring device (20) configured to exert a resilient force on the adjustment plate (21) so that the latter can be moved along an axis (11) substantially radial to the ring body (10) the ring (1) being configurable between a first configuration in which an internal diameter of the opening (16) of the ring (1) is maximum and substantially equal to the diameter of the inner face (17) of the ring body (10) and at least a second configuration in which the internal diameter of the opening (16) is reduced and is defined, at least in part, by the adjustment plate (21) projecting from the inner face (17) of the ring body (10);

   characterized in that
   the spring device (20) is removably mounted to the adjustment plate (21) in a detachable manner by a crimping means (24).
2. The jewellery ring according to claim 1,
   wherein the spring device (20) is configured to exert the resilient force substantially at the centre of the angular segment formed by the adjustment plate (21).
3. The jewellery ring according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the spring device comprises a leaf spring (20) extending over an angular segment along the ring body (10).
4. The jewellery ring of claim 3
   wherein the leaf spring (20) is of curved shape having a first bending zone (31) located substantially at the centre of the angular segment formed by the leaf spring (20).
5. The jewellery ring according to claim 4,
   wherein the crimping means (24) secure the leaf spring (20) at the first bending zone (31).
6. The jewellery ring according to one of claims 3 to 5,
   in which the crimping means comprise at least one pair of foldable tabs (24) which secure the leaf spring (20) to the adjustment plate (21) when the tabs (24) are folded down.
7. The jewellery ring according to claim 6, wherein the tabs (24) are foldable by deformation.
8. The jewellery ring according to any of claims 4 to 7,
   wherein the leaf spring (20) comprises a second bending zone (32) at each of the ends of the angular segment formed by the leaf spring (20).
9. The jewellery ring according to claim 8,
   wherein the second bending zone (32) presses against a top wall (14) of the ring body (10).
10. The jewellery ring according to claim 9,
    wherein the second bending zone (32) is freely movable relative to the top wall (14).
11. The jewellery ring according to any of claims 3 to 10,
    wherein the adjustment plate (21) and the leaf spring (20) are made of a precious metal.
12. The jewellery ring according to any of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least one cover (40) configured to be secured to the ring body (10), so as to retain the adjustment plate (21) in the housing (12).
13. The jewellery ring according to claim 12,
    wherein the adjustment plate (21) has an overlap area (22), at least a portion of the cover (40) abutting the overlap area (22) when the cover (40) is attached to the ring body (10).
14. The jewellery ring according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the cap (40) is made of a precious metal.

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