GB2210249A

GB2210249A - Variable design linger ring

Info

Publication number: GB2210249A
Application number: GB8808754A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Roy Byrne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-02
Filing date: 1988-04-13
Publication date: 1989-06-07
Also published as: GB8723231D0; GB8808754D0

Abstract

The ring has an inner ring (1) which is encircled by an outer ring (2) and retainers (3). The retainers locate on the inner ring and hold the outer ring in position. A pattern, design or inscription adorning the outer ring and the retainers will be changed by rotating one or more of the encircling components around the inner ring. The retainers and the outer ring are easily removable from the inner ring to allow one, or more, to be replaced by another of different design or material. <IMAGE>

Description

VARIABLE DESIGN FINGER RING This invention relates to a variable design finger ring.

Finger rings are widely used for adornment purposes and as indicators of status or affiliation. They are fashioned in many different designs and constructed from a variety of materials.

Most rings however, consist of a singular ring - usually of precious metal - which may also be set with a gemstone or the like. Because there are no movable or easily replaceable parts, the attraction or function of such rings is fixed and cannot readily be changed.

According to the present invention there is provided a circular variable design finger ring comprising an inner ring which is encircled by one or more rotatable outer rings. The outer ring, or rings, being retained either by means of two retainers, one on each side, which are located on the inner ring or are part thereof, or by the edge, or edges, of the inner ring being rolled outwards to form a retaining lip A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing 1/4 in which: Figure 1 shows a part sectioned end elevation.

Figure 2 shows the side elevation.

Referring to the drawing the ring comprises an inner ring 1; an outer encircling ring 2 and retainers 3, which encircle and locate in grooves on the inner ring 1, and are positioned on either side of the outer ring 2.

The fit of the outer ring 2 and the retainers 3 around the inner ring 1, can be such as to allow free rotation around the inner ring 1 of one or more of the encircling units. Thus a pattern, design, inscription or the like adorning the outer ring 2 and the retainers 3 will be altered by the rotation of the movable components.

By inserting an instrument, e.g. a knife blade, between the outer ring 2 and one of the retainers 3, the retainer 3 can be removed. The outer ring 2 can then be removed and replaced with another of different material, pattern or design. The retainer is then pressed back into position. The above process is also used in order to exchange one or both of the retainers.

Variations in the construction of the ring are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 3 shows only one removable retainer; Figure 4, 5, 6, and 7 show one or both retainers soldered or glued in position, and in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 the encircling rings are retained by means of the edges of the inner ring being rolled outwards.

Claims

1. An improved ring construction suitable for finger rings and similar articles of jewelry, in which an endless inner ring and an endless outer ring encircling the inner ring co-operate with each other in such a manner that the inner and the outer rings are rotatable with respect to each other but relative movement between the rings in an axial direction is substantially precluded.

2. A ring construction as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer ring is rotatably housed in an annular recess defined between a cylindrical external surface of the inner ring and axial spaced end walls.

3. A ring construction as claimed in claim 2, in which at least one of the end walls comprises an annular retainer which is detachably connected to the inner ring by removal of which the outer ring can be interchanged with a similar ring.

4. A ring construction as claimed in claim 3, in which the retainer is detachably located in a radial groove in the inner ring.

5. A ring construction as claimed in claim 2, in which one of the end walls is integral with the inner ring and the other end wall comprises a separate annular retainer.

6. A ring construction as claimed in claim 5, in which the retainer is detachably connected to the inner ring.

7. A ring construction as claimed in claim 5, in which the retainer is permanently connected to the inner ring.

8. A ring construction as claimed in claim 7, in which the retainer is secured to the inner ring by a securing agent.

9. A ring construction as claimed in claim 8, in which the retainer is of a radial thickness greater than the inner ring and is secured to the corresponding end of the inner ring.

10. A ring construction as claimed in claim 7, in which the retainer is secured to the inner ring by deformation of the material of the inner ring itself.

11. A ring construction as claimed in claim 2, in which the end walls comprise a pair of axially spaced annular retaining members additional to the inner ring itself.

12. A ring construction as claimed in claim 11, in which the annular retaining members are mounted on the external surface of the inner ring.

13. A ring construction as claimed in claim 10, in which the annular retaining members are of a radial thickness greater then the thickness of the inner ring and are permanently secured to opposite ends of the inner ring to define spaced shoulders which project forward from the external surface of the inner ring.

14. A ring construction as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ring construction comprises a finger ring, and the outer face of the outer ring is ornamental in appearance.

15. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A finger ring substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.