EP3787433B1 - Adjustable jewellery ring comprising guiding means - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a jewelry ring configured to fit fingers of different sizes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a jewelry ring comprising one or more adjustment plates cooperating with guide means to guide the movement of the adjustment plate(s).

State of the art

It is known that when purchasing 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 subsequently have to be further modified to adapt it to the variation in the circumference of this finger, as is the case with a child. who grows, an adult who gains weight or loses weight, etc. The operations of enlarging or shrinking a ring are quite simple, but always involve a loss of time and expense. There are then cases where these operations cannot be carried out, such as for example for wedding rings with precious stones where a modification of the circumference involves a modification of the number of stones. As the dimensions usually used for rings are around twenty, in the latter case of alliances with brilliants, the merchant must make available to his customers around twenty dimensions implying a significant immobilization of capital and also taking into account that the wedding rings with precious stones can be very varied as a model.

A jewelry ring comprising a device for accommodating the size of the fingers, in which the device incorporates plates removable 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.

The document US5636531 describes a ring in the thickness of which is inserted a hoop which can be adjusted using a screw fixed in the body of the ring, or using a piston system. The document FR1582788 describes a jewelry ring according to the preamble of claim 1.

Brief summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a jewelry ring configured to fit 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 a substantially radial axis relative 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 maximum and substantially equal to the diameter of the inner 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 projects from the interior face of the body of the ring; the ring comprising a guide device configured to guide the movement of the adjustment plate substantially at the center of the angular segment formed by the adjustment plate and along the radial axis.

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 ring of the invention comprises a guiding device of simple construction, requiring few parts to perform a good guidance and being characterized by small contact surfaces, thus limiting friction.

Brief description of the 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 comprend 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 Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the jewelry 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 comprises 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 fit fingers of different sizes, according to one embodiment.

In particular, the figures 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 interior face 17.

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

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 coming 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 relative to the ring body 10 (in the figures 1 And 2 , this displacement is indicated by 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 interior face 17 of the body of the ring 10 (the surface of the plate 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 projects from the interior 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 mobile plates 21.

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

The housing 12 communicates with the opening 16 on the interior 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 Figure 3 also allows us 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 figures 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. In this preferred embodiment, the center of the leaf spring 20 is removably mounted on the adjustment plate 21 by crimping means 24.

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

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

Mounting the leaf spring 20 removably on the adjustment plate 21 rather than by welding or other permanent fixing means makes it possible to maintain an unchanged hardness of the leaf spring 20. In this way, the leaf spring 20 retains its elastic properties while ensuring reliable contact and good cooperation between the leaf spring 20 and the 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 inflection zone 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 referring to the Figure 4 , the leaf spring 20 comprises a second inflection zone 32 at each of the ends of the angular segment formed by the leaf spring 20.

The second inflection zones 32 are intended to come 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, the ring 1 comprises at least one cover 40 configured to be fixed to the ring body 10 so as to retain the adjustment plate 21 in the housing 12. More particularly, the cover 40 serves as a limiting stop 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 figures 3 And 4 , the adjustment plate 21 has an overlapping zone 22 at each of its ends. At least a portion of the cover 40 can then come to bear on the overlapping zone 22 when the cover 40 is fixed to the ring body 10. When fixing the cover 40 to the ring body 10, at least a portion of the cover 40 can support the area of overlap 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 overlapping zone 22 can also be considered. For example, the adjustment plate 21 may have only one overlapping 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, on 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 of these components are made from 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 simple modifications and 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 fewer than three adjustment plates 21, or even more than three adjustment plates 21. In the examples illustrated, the adjustment plates 21 generally extend longitudinally in an arc of a circle , so as to be more or less consistent 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 an arc of a circle) to the extent that 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 to say apart with guide projections 50 provided on the side walls 15 of the housing 12 as described below with respect to the Figure 5 . In fact, the adjustment plate 21 is only mechanically linked to the ring body 10 via the spring device 20. Friction which could oppose the elastic force of the spring device 20 and create wear of the parts are thus minimal.

Advantageously according to the invention, as illustrated in the embodiment at the 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 the 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 side 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, we mean a plane cutting the ring into two symmetrical rings, the radial axis 11 of the adjustment plate 21 being located in this plan).

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 the thickness 52 of a flank side of the projection 50. 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 movement 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 guide device ensures smooth and safe movement of the movable plate 21 relative to the ring body 10.

The guide device of the invention 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 of simple construction, requiring few parts to carry out good guidance. The guiding device is also characterized by small contact surfaces, thus limiting friction.

A method of assembling the ring 1 may include 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 usual alterations on normal rings and considerably reduces the number of wedding rings with precious stones to be stored and available to the customer, because in practice with only four dimensions we can cover a whole range of diameters for the opening 16.

Reference numbers used in the figures

1

ring

10

ring body

11

radial axis

12

accommodation

13

center of ring body

14

upper wall

15

side wall of the housing

16

opening

17

interior side

20

blade spring

21

adjustment plate

22

overlap area

23

lateral side of the adjustment plate

24

paw

25

contact surface

31

first inflection zone

32

second inflection zone

40

hood

50

protrusion

51

notch

52

thickness of the projection

53

thickness of the adjustment plate

D

radial displacement

Claims (7)

1. Jewellery ring (1) configured to be able to accommodate fingers of different sizes, comprising:

   a ring body (10) having an opening (16) that is substantially annular and intended to receive the finger, the ring body (10) comprising at least one recess (12) communicating with the opening (16);

   at least one adjustment pad (21) mounted to be movable in the recess (12) and extending over an angular segment along the ring body (10);

   a spring device (20) configured to exert an elastic force on the adjustment pad (21) such that the latter can be displaced along an axis (11) that is substantially radial with respect to the ring body (10), the ring (1) being configurable between a first configuration in which an inner diameter of the opening (16) of the ring (1) is maximal and substantially equal to the diameter of the inner face (17) of the body of the ring (10) and at least one second configuration in which the inner diameter of the opening (16) is reduced and defined, at least partly, by the adjustment pad (21) which protrudes from the inner face (17) of the ring body (10);

   characterized in that

   the ring (1) comprises a guiding device (50, 51) configured to guide the displacement of the adjustment pad (21) substantially at the centre of the angular segment formed by the adjustment pad (21) and on the radial axis (11).
2. Ring according to Claim 1,
   wherein the spring device (20) is configured to exert the elastic force substantially at the centre of the angular segment formed by the adjustment pad (21).
3. Ring according to Claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the guiding device comprises at least one notch (51) provided on the adjustment pad (21), the notch (51) cooperating with at least one protuberance (50) provided in the recess (12).
4. Ring according to Claim 3,
   wherein said at least one notch (51) is provided on each of the opposite sides (23) of the adjustment pad (21) and said at least one protuberance (50) is provided on each of the lateral walls (15) of the recess (12).
5. Ring according to Claim 4,
   wherein the sides (23) and the walls (15) are in a plane parallel to the plane of the ring (1).
6. Ring according to one of Claims 3 to 5,
   wherein the protuberance (50) serves also as abutment, limiting a radial and angular displacement of the adjustment pad (21).
7. Ring according to one of Claims 3 to 6,
   wherein the contact surfaces between the notch (51) and the protuberance (50) are defined by the thickness (53) of the lateral sides 23 of the adjustment pad (21) and by the thickness (52) of a side edge of the protuberance (50) .

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