US20100275651A1

US20100275651A1 - Ring securing device and method

Info

Publication number: US20100275651A1
Application number: US12/433,957
Authority: US
Inventors: Roberta R. Wright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-01
Filing date: 2009-05-01
Publication date: 2010-11-04

Abstract

A ring securing device (1) and method in which the ring securing device is a circular band having elastomeric qualities. To use, a first end (2) of the ring securing device is looped around a bottom of a ring (9) and then placed though a second end (3) of the ring securing device, thereby securing the ring securing device to the ring. A user then places his/her finger (10) through the ring securing device and the ring.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to ring sizing and securing devices, more particularly, a ring securing device and method that will allow a user to secure a ring to a user's finger without harming and/or permanently altering the ring.
A well known problem in the fitting of finger rings is a condition where a wearer has relatively large knuckles compared to the metacarpal portion of the fingers. If a ring is sized large enough to fit over the knuckle, it is typically too loose on the metacarpal portion of the finger and, thus, the ring will turn from side to side and shift around on the wearer's finger. Other ring wearers face similar problems with rings for various reasons, such as rings that are improperly sized or a ring that no longer fits securely around the wearer's finger due to weight loss, changes over age and so forth. Such changes often prevent a person from being able to wear a long-time favorite ring or family heirloom.
Current solutions to these problems includes having a section cut out of the ring to make it smaller or to add more metal to the ring to make it thicker. Another solution is to permanently attach metal balls to the inside of the ring to alter the size of the ring or to temporarily attach a metal spring to the inside of the ring. The problem with these solutions is that they are expensive, they permanently alter or damage the ring and they do not address the problem wearers with large knuckles have.
Therefore, a need exists for a ring securing device and method which is affordable, temporary, aesthetically pleasing and does not damage and/or permanently alter a ring.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:


Pat. No.
(U.S. unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date

DE10334712	Lieding	Feb. 24, 2005
6,672,105	Sills	Jan. 06, 2004
6,354,106	Kataw	Mar. 12, 2002
FR2,741,245	Abed	May 23, 1997
GB2,298,564	Jseng et al.	Nov. 09, 1996
5,131,243	Coleman	Jul. 21, 1992
4,538,430	Parks	Sep. 03, 1985
4,215,556	Mroz	Aug. 05, 1980
4,223,541	Martinez	Sep. 23, 1980
3,835,664	Nesbit	Sep. 17, 1974
3,745,788	Sullivan	Jul. 17, 1973
3,552,144	Cormier	Jan. 05, 1971
3,603,109	Virtanen	Sep. 07, 1971
3,465,544	Trucker	Sep. 09, 1969

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a ring securing device and method that will secure a ring to a user's finger.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ring securing device and method that will not permanently alter a ring.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a ring securing device and method that may be used by a person having relatively large knuckles compared to the metacarpal portion of the fingers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ring securing device and method that is aesthetically pleasing.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a ring securing device and method that can be used with any ring.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a ring securing device and method in which one end of a circular band having elastomeric qualities is looped around a bottom of a ring and then placed through itself, thereby securing the circular band to the ring. A user then places his/her finger through the circular band and the ring. The elastomeric qualities of the band secure the ring to the user's finger ensuring that the ring will not slide from side to side around the user's finger and/or slide off the user's finger. The circular band may be clear or colored to match the skin color of a user so that the circular band is not visible to others.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a ring securing device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a hook used for attaching a ring securing device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a ring securing method of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a ring securing device of the present invention attached to a ring;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a ring securing device of the present invention attached to a ring and in use;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a ring securing device having a first circular band and a second circular band of the present invention being attached to a ring; and

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a ring securing device having a first circular band and a second circular band of the present invention attached to a ring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

1. ring securing device
2. first end
3. second end
4. hook
5. fold ring securing device over ring
6. loop first end through second end
7. insert finger through ring securing device and ring
8. position ring securing device and ring on finger
9. ring
10. finger
11. circular band
12. first circular band
13. second circular band

With reference to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of a ring securing device 1 of the present invention is shown. The ring securing device 1 is a circular band 11 having a first end 2 and a second end 3. The ring securing device 1 has elastomeric qualities that allow the ring securing device 1 to grip a user's finger when the ring securing device 1 is worn.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a front perspective view of a hook 5 used for attaching a ring securing device 1 of the present invention is shown. The hook 5 has an elongated handle and may be used to assist in attaching the ring securing device 1 to a ring, as further shown in FIG. 3.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow chart showing a ring securing method of the present invention is shown. First, a ring securing device is folded over the bottom of a ring 5. Then, a first end of the ring securing device is looped through the second end of the ring securing device 6. The first end of the ring securing device may be looped through the second end of the ring securing device using a hook to make the step easier. Next, a user places his/her finger through the ring securing device and the ring 7. Finally, the user positions the ring securing device and the ring on the finger 8.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a front view of a ring securing device 1 of the present invention attached to a ring 9 is shown. The ring securing device 1 has been folded over the bottom of the ring 9 and a first end 2 of the ring securing device 1 has been looped through a second end 3 of the ring securing device 1 thereby securing the ring securing device 1 to the ring 9.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of a ring securing device 1 of the present invention attached to a ring 9 and being worn on a finger 10 is shown.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a side perspective view of a ring securing device 1 having a first circular band 12 and a second circular band 13 of the present invention being attached to a ring 9 is shown. Multiple ring securing devices 1 may be used to secure a ring 9 that is too thick and or wide to a user's finger. In those instances, a first circular band 12 is folded over the ring 9 and a hook 4 is inserted through the first end 2 and second end 3 of the first circular band 12. Then, a second circular band 13 is pulled through the first end 2 and second end 3 of the first circular band 12. Next, the first end 2 of the second circular band 13 may be looped through the second end 3 of the second circular band 13, as shown in FIG. 7. Next, a user places his/her finger through the second circular band 13 and the ring 9. Finally, the user positions the ring securing device 1 and the ring 9 on the finger. The ring securing device 1 may also be attached to a ring 9 without the use of a hook 4.
Finally referring to FIG. 7, a side perspective view of a ring securing device 1 having a first circular band 12 and a second circular band 13 of the present invention attached to a ring 9 is shown.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A ring securing device comprising:

at least one circular band having elastomeric qualities wherein the at least one circular band has a first end and a second end.

2. The ring securing device of claim 1 further comprising:

a hook for attaching said ring securing device to a ring.

3. A method for attaching a ring securing device comprising at least one circular band having elastomeric qualities wherein the at least one circular band has a first end and a second end to a ring and comprising the steps of:

a. folding said ring securing device around said ring; and

b. inserting said first end of the ring securing device through said second end of the ring securing device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein step b further comprises:

using a hook to pull said first end of the ring securing device through said second end of the ring securing device.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising a step after step b of:

placing a finger through said ring securing device and ring.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising a step after step b of:

positioning the ring securing device and the ring on the finger.

7. A method for attaching a ring securing device comprising at least one circular band having elastomeric qualities wherein the at least one circular band has a first end and a second end to a ring and comprising the steps of:

a. folding a first at least one circular band around said ring;

b. inserting a second at least one circular band through a first end and a second end of the first at least one circular band; and

c. inserting a first end of the second at least one circular band through a second end of the second at least one circular band.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein step b further comprises:

using a hook to insert a second at least one circular band through a first end and a second end of the first at least one circular band.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein step c further comprises:

using a hook to insert a first end of the second at least one circular band through a second end of the second at least one circular band.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising a step after step c of:

placing a finger through said ring securing device and ring.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising a step after step c of:

positioning the ring securing device and the ring on the finger.