US1997723A - Extension device for articles of jewelry - Google Patents

Description

W! I6, Y1935. .1. J. FRANKLIN, JR l,997723 EXTENSION DEVICE FOR ARTICLES OF JEWELRY Fild Nov. 4, 1953 aww/mud 5 for varying its size in use.

Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITEDSTATES PATENT dOFFICE EXTENSION DEVICE FOR ARTICLES OF JEWELRY Joseph J. Franklin, Jr., Orange, N. J.

Application November 4, 1933, serial No. 696,733

3 Claims.

This invention is directed to an extension device for use inan article of jewelry designed for use as either a ring or bracelet and having the capability of simple and convenient adjustment The primary objectof the invention is the provision of an extension device made up of exibly connected sections, one or more of which is constructed to permit diametric enlargement ofthe article, while maintaining itsendless` form, with such section` orsections serving as Ya means for locking the parts in final connected form after the article has been applied.

'I'he invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:-

Figure lis a view in front elevation of the article here shown as a iinger ring.

Figure 2 is an edgeview of the same.

vFigure v3 is an `enlarged broken longitudinal section of the ring.

YFigure 4 is a perspective yView illustrating the use of the locking section, the section being shown open and the ring distended to the limit permitted by such opening.

Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating the adjusting section and its connection with adjacent sections, whereby the size of the ring may be Varied and maintained in such adjustment at will. e

Figure Gis a modiiied form of adjusting section.

The article forming the subject-matter of this invention, here shown as a ring, is made up of what may be termed ornamental sections I, adjusting sections 2, and locking sections3. These sections may be made in any desired external conguration and ornamentation. For examplathe sections i maybe `made in skeleton outline of ornamentalconguration, While the adjusting-.sections 2 may be formed or otherwise provided for the reception of precious stones or other ornamentation. The invention is not concerned with the character or degree of ornamentation and is mentioned merely to indicate the fact that the adjustingsections are peculiarly and particularly formed toaccommodate gem-receiving recesses or otherwise Vto receive precious stones.

The ornamental sections I as shown terminate at each end' in a cross bar 4 which extends betweenl the otherwise unconnected side bars 5. All of the sectionsl, 2 and 3 are', of course, curved in longitudinal plane in order that together they may form a ring-like body. The cross bar 4 is preferably, though not necessarily, of triangular form incrosssection, the apex vii or narrowest portion of the cross bar being toward the convex side, i. e. the outer side, of the section i.

The adjusting section 2 is made up of a solid bar-like member l, the width of which is substantially equal to the length of the free portion `of the bar d. The section 2 includes longitudinally spaced notches 8 arranged atthe respective ends and at the relatively inner side of the bar 1, and integral with the bar 'l through a neck 9 are spring strips IU which extend in opposite directions from the neck andrunderlie and act as spring closures forl the respective sets of notches 8.

Obviously, by mere displacement of a particular one or both of the spring strips Iii, the bar i may be seated in either notch 8 at the respective ends of the adjusting section 2, the spring strip thereafter serving to hold the bar in the notch in which it has been seated. The movement of the adjusting section with respect to the ornamental section will be assisted by the wedgeshaped formationof the bar 4, as the apex end of such bar. may be readily forced betweenthe spring strip IIJ and the lower surface of the bars 'I to displace the spring to the extent of permitting the bar to be moved from the outermost notch to the innermost notch. In the return adjustment, if necessary, the spring strip Hl may be displacedby slight pressure on the ornamental section l and then moving the bar from the innermost to the outermost notches. s

By the use of the adjusting section, therefore, the diameter or size of the ring may be permanently adjusted within the limits permitted by the respective notches 8.-r It is understood, of course, that the Vinvention is without limitation as to the number of adjusting sections that may be used, as it is contemplated that the adjusting sections in any one ring formation may provide for a very considerable increase or decrease in the size of the ring, and such adjusting sections may, if desired, be usedl alternately with the ornamental sections, as illustrated in Figure l.

This arrangement of using the adjusting sections alternately with the ornamental sections is particularly desirable where the adjusting sections are used as the means for receiving and positioning precious stones or other similar ornamentation to be applied to the ring, for it is quite obvious that with the adjusting sections used alternately with the ornamental sections, the size i `adjustment of the ring may be accomplished by manipulating one alone of the adjusting sections or more than one, as may be desired.

It is to be further noted that the adjusting sections are preferably of increased thickness with respect to the ornamental sections, a provision which enhances the artistic value of the ring, particularly where the adjusting sections are used for the reception of precious stones and the like, as under these circumstances the ornamental stones stand out beyond the surface of the ornamental sections, as will be obvious.

The ring includes the locking section 3 interposed between two ornamental sections. In the instance illustrated, the locking section 3 is permanently coupled to an adjacent ornamental section and designed to be adjustable without separation from the remaining adjacent ornamental section. 'I'he locking section proper comprises spaced bars II conforming in size and curvature approximately to the size and curvature of the adjusting section 2, but preferably somewhat greater in length than the adjusting sections.

'I'he bars II are formed at one end with a pivot pin I2 on which between the bar sections through the medium of a sleeve I3 is mounted a locking bar I4. The pins replace the pin 4 in the ornamental section immediately adjacent that particular end of the locking section, so that the locking section and the adjacent ornamental section constitute a unit, although the parts are relatively movable through their pivotal connection. 'I'he bars II are longitudinally slotted at I5 and slidably receive a pin I6 on which, between the bars and through the medium of a sleeve I1, is connected a plate I8, the opposite end of which is pivotally mounted through the medium of a sleeve I9 on the pin 4 of the adjacent ornamental section 2. The bars II are spaced apart commensurate with the interior spacing oi the bars making up the ornamental sections, and such bars II are terminally formed with recesses 20 which, in the locked position of the parts to be later described, have rotative bearing on the sleeve I9. 'I'he free terminal of the locking bar I l is in the form of a curved lip 2I adapted through its curvature to interfit with the sleeve I9 when the parts are in locking position, the lip 2| thus serving in effect as al hook.

In the use of the locking section when desiring to materially increase the size of the ring to permit it to be conveniently applied to the finger, and assuming the locking bar I4 open, as illustrated in Figure 4, the locking section and the adjacent ornamental section 2 may be materially separated to a distance equal to the length of the plate I8, the latter moving in this separation to the limit of the slots I5 in the bars I4. After the ring has been placed on the finger, the locking section is moved toward the adjacent ornamental section 2, the plate II, or more particularly the terminals of the pin I6, sliding in the slots I5 until the notched ends 20 of the locking section cooperate with the sleeve I9 of the plate I8. In this adjustment of the parts, the hooked lip 2I of the locking bar I 4 is in position to engage over the sleeve I9, and when placed in this position secures the locking section and adjacent ornamental section against endwise separation and in immediately adjacent relation.

The locking bar I4 may, if desired, be provided with a shoulder 22 by which the locking bar may be conveniently removed from the sleeve I9 when unlocking the parts for the distention of the ring. Of course, following the release of the locking bar, the sleeve I9, locking section and adjacent ornamental section may be readily separated to the extent permitted, thus increasing the normal size of the ring in order to permit it to be conveniently applied or removed. It is to be further noted that in the use of the locking section to permit increase in the normal size of the ring for application or removal of the ring, the endless condition and relation of the sections of the ring is maintained and that the ring as such is not broken or interrupted at any part in order to permit of this operation.

It is, of course, understood that the construction herein described may be applied to any ornamental ring-like piece of jewelry, and as constructed permits a substantial permanent adjustment of the size of such piece of jewelry and at the same time affords its temporary increase in size in order to permit convenient application and a convenient succeeding decrease in size to normal diameter in a simple and convenient manner. 'Ihere is no restriction intended by the above disclosure as to the character of the respective sections other than as described.

It is quite obvious that, if desired, all of the sections may be formed for the reception of precious stones or the like or such sections may be made plain or ornamented by engraving or otherwise constructed within the purview of this invention. Furthermore, while it is preferred that the adjusting sections alternate with the ornamental sections, this is not an actual necessity and one or more of the adjusting sections may be used, for it is quite apparent that the use of additional adjusting sections when considered solely from the standpoint of adjustment merely permit a greater variation in the more or less permanent size of the ring or other article.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 6, the adjusting section, here indicated at 2', is provided with a body portion 1, from which depends the neck 9', and under which body portion is arranged spring plates' I0', the latter projecting laterally from the neck. In this modified form, the notches, indicated in the preferred form at 8 and shown in the body "I, may be formed in the spring plate, such notches being indicated in Figure 6 at 8'.

It is apparent that, if desired, the adjusting sections, either as solid sections or formed as described, may be used in connection with ornamental sections, which ornamental sections are modified to show the notches and spring plates now described in connection with the spring sections in order to permit of additional adjustment. This construction is an obvious one from the details already described and does not require further illustration herein.

No claim is made herein to the adjusting sections, as such form the subject-matter of a copending application led June 14, 1934, Serial No. 730,660.

I claim:

1. In a ring made up of flexibly connected'sections, an extension device to permit a temporary increase in the circumferential length of the ring to permit it to be conveniently positioned and removed, said extension device including longitudinally slotted side bars, a locking bar pivotally mounted at one end of the side bars and having its free end formed with a locking lip, and an extension plate having one end mounted in the slots of the side bars, the other end of the extension plate being connected to an adjacent ring section, the lip of the locking bar cooperating with the connection between the plate and adjacent ring section to secure the parts in ringforming relation, said plate, when the parts are in ring-forming relation, being positioned between the side bars, the release of the locking lip of the locking bar permitting the plate to move in the slots of the side bars to extend the overall circumferential length of the ring.

2. An extension device for rings, bracelets and the like, including longitudinally slotted side bars, a locking bar pivotally connected at one end to one end of the side bars and formed at its free end with a locking lip, a plate slidably supported at one end within the slots of the side bars, and a pin connecting the opposite end of the plate with an adjacent ring section, the relation of the parts permitting the locking lip of the locking bar to interlock with said pin when 'the plate is positioned between the side bars and at its limit of movement toward the connection between the side bars and locking bar.

3. An extension device for rings, bracelets and the like, including a member made up of parallel side bars, a locking bar pivotally mounted at one end to one end of the side bars, the free end of the locking bar being formed with a locking lip, a pin slidably mounted in the slots of the side bars, a plate swingingly mounted at one end on said pin between the side bars, a connection between the opposite end of said plate and an adjacent ring section, the length of the plate being such that when the plate is at its limit of movement toward the connected end of the locking bar and the side bars, the locking lip will engage the connection between said plate and the adjacent ring` section to maintain the ring at its minimum circumferential length, the release of the lip from the connection between the plate and adjacent ring section permitting the plate to move longitudinally of the side bars to the limit of the slots' to provide the maximum circumferential length of the ring.

JOSEPH J. FRANKLIN, JR.

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