US20200077752A1

US20200077752A1 - Breakaway Silicone Ring

Info

Publication number: US20200077752A1
Application number: US16/514,893
Authority: US
Inventors: Mitch Junkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2019-07-17
Publication date: 2020-03-12

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for a breakaway silicone ring configured to reduce finger and hand injuries. The breakaway silicone ring includes a rigid core coupled with a molded silicone portion and an optional NFC chip. The rigid core comprises a series of curved segments arranged in a loop configuration. A union between each pair of adjacent segments is configured to maintain the loop configuration while allowing for separation upon application of an external force. The unions may be comprised of magnetic ends of the segments, or sockets at one end of the segments that receive protrusions at the other end of the segments. The silicone molded portion is exterior surface layer disposed around the core. The silicone molded portion may include openings that allow direct observation of portions of the core. The portions of the core can include any of smooth surfaces, molded designs, and printed logos.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/699,592, filed Jul. 17, 2018, which is incorporated in its entirety herein.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to jewelry. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to breakaway silicone rings that are configured to reduce finger and hand injuries.

BACKGROUND

Conventional finger rings generally are either of a continuous unitary variety or an overlapping end-portion variety. Continuous unitary rings are of a fixed size, whereas overlapping rings are adjustable upon moving the end-portions relative to one another.
The unitary variety of finger rings tends to be more popular than the overlapping end-portion variety. One possible reason is that the overlapping end-portions have a tendency to scratch or hook onto materials and other members. Another reason for a lack of popularity of overlapping finger rings is that the overlapping end portions tend to separate from one another over time, causing the finger ring to enlarge and loosen on the finger.
Unitary finger rings generally are preferred but are not without disadvantages. For example, the space between the unitary ring and the base of the finger presents a tendency of the ring to become caught on nearby protruding objects, such as machinery, tree branches, and the like. Once caught on an object, the ring may pull a wearer's hand into moving machinery or may severely injure the finger and the hand.
As such, there is a continuous need for finger rings that provide the benefits of unitary finger rings without including an inherent danger to the fingers and hands.

SUMMARY

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for breakaway silicone rings in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a breakaway silicone ring, includes a rigid core including two or more curved segments arranged in a loop configuration, a plurality of unions disposed between the ends of adjacent curved segments, and a silicone molded portion coupled with the core.
In a further embodiment, at least one of the plurality of unions are configured to separate upon application of an external force across the loop configuration.
In another embodiment, three unions are disposed uniformly around the loop configuration and configured to allow separation of two or more curved segments upon application of an external force.
In a still further embodiment, each of the three unions includes magnets that hold the ends of adjacent curved segments in the loop configuration.
In still another embodiment, each of the three unions includes a protrusion on a first end of a first curved segment that is received into a socket on a second end of a second curved segment.
In a yet further embodiment, each curved segment includes a protrusion at a first end and a socket at a second end, such that the protrusion of a first curved segment is received into the socket of a second curved segment, whereby the two or more curved segment are arranged in a loop configuration.
In a yet further embodiment, the silicone molded portion includes an exterior surface layer that is disposed around the core.
In a further embodiment again, the silicone molded portion includes one or more openings disposed around an exterior surface of the breakaway silicone ring, such that one or more ornamental portion of the core are visible from outside the silicone molded portion.
In another embodiment again, the one or more ornamental portions include any of smooth metallic-like surfaces, molded designs, and printed logos that are visible through the one or more openings.
In a further additional embodiment, a plurality of vent slots are disposed around an interior surface of the breakaway silicone ring, the plurality of vent slots being configured to disperse at least one of heat and perspiration between the breakaway silicone ring and a user's finger.
In another additional embodiment, each of the two or more curved segments includes a protrusion including a first end and a socket including a second end, the socket being configured to slidably receive the protrusion.
In a still yet further embodiment, the socket including a first curved segment is configured to slidably receive the protrusion including a second curved segment, whereby the two or more curved segment may be arranged into the loop configuration.
In still yet another embodiment, each of the protrusions and the sockets include magnets configured to keep the protrusions disposed within the sockets to maintain the loop configuration.
In a still further embodiment again, the ring also includes a near-field communication (NFC) chip and wire coupled with the core.
In still another embodiment again, the any one of the plurality of unions disposed around the loop configuration and configured to allow separation of at least one portion of the core upon application of an external force of at least 27 pounds.
In a number of embodiments, the breakaway silicone ring includes a core including segments disposed in a loop configuration, a union disposed between each pair of adjacent segments, and a silicone layer surrounding the core.
In a still further additional embodiment, the rigid core includes hard plastic or metal.
In still another additional embodiment, the segments are curved such that joining the ends of adjacent segments forms the loop configuration.
In a yet further additional embodiment again, the ends of the segments are configured to be coupled with one another so as to preserve the loop configuration while allowing the ends to separate upon application of an external force.
In another additional embodiment again, the silicone layer includes one or more elongate windows configured to allow direct observation of one or more portions of the core.
In a still yet further embodiment, the one or more portions include any of smooth surfaces, molded designs, printed logos, and the like.
In a variety of embodiments, a breakaway near field communications (NFC) enabled composite ring includes a rigid plastic core disposed in a loop configuration, an NFC chip and wire coupled with the core, and a silicone molded portion coupled with the core.
In a further embodiment, at least one notch is disposed in an interior surface of the core and configured to separate upon application of an external force across the at least one notch.
In another further embodiment, the at least one notch includes three notches disposed around the loop configuration and configured to allow separation of at least one portion of the core upon application of an external force of at least 27 pounds.
In still another further embodiment, a multiplicity of vent slots is disposed around an interior surface of the core, the vent slots being configured to disperse at least one of heat and perspiration between the core and a finger of a practitioner.
In another further embodiment again, the core includes an inner-ring portion and the silicone molded portion includes an outer-ring portion, the NFC chip and the wire being embedded between the inner-ring portion and the outer-ring portion.
In another further additional embodiment, the outer-ring portion is affixed to the inner-ring portion.
In another embodiment, a space is disposed between the inner-ring portion and the outer-ring portion, the space being configured to retain the NFC chip between the inner-ring portion and the outer-ring portion.
In a still further embodiment, a recess is disposed between the inner-ring portion and the outer-ring portion, the recess extending around the loop configuration and being configured to retain the wire between the inner-ring portion and the outer-ring portion.
In a still another embodiment, a channel is disposed in an exterior surface of the inner-ring portion and extends around the loop configuration, the channel being configured to receive a lip disposed on an interior surface of the outer-ring portion, the lip extending around the loop configuration.
In a yet further embodiment, the core includes a central lip disposed in the channel and extending around the loop configuration, the central lip being configured to slidably receive a design strip cap thereon.
In yet another embodiment, the outer-ring portion includes one or more openings disposed around the loop configuration such that one or more portions of the design strip cap are visible from outside the outer-ring portion.
In a further embodiment again, the design strip cap includes any of a smooth metallic surface, a molded design, and printed logos that are visible through the one or more openings.
In another embodiment again, the core includes a first half-portion and a second half-portion, the first half-portion and the second half-portion being configured to engagedly couple to one another with the NFC chip and the wire being embedded between an engagement surface of the first half-portion and an engagement surface of the second half-portion.
In a further additional embodiment, the silicone molded portion includes an exterior surface layer that is disposed on each of the first half-portion and the second half-portion such that the exterior surface layer encapsulates the core upon engagedly coupling the engagement surface of the first half-portion and the engagement surface of the second half-portion.
In another additional embodiment, one or more lips are disposed in the engagement surface of the first half-portion and extend around the loop configuration, the one or more lips being configured to be engagedly received into corresponding of one or more recesses disposed on the engagement surface of the second half-portion.
In a still further embodiment, a space is disposed between the first half-portion and the second half-portion, the space being configured to retain the NFC chip between the first half-portion and the second half-portion.
In yet another embodiment, a recess is disposed between the first half-portion and the second half-portion, the recess extending around the loop configuration and being configured to retain the wire between the first half-portion and the second half-portion.
In many embodiments, a breakaway silicone ring includes a rigid core including one curved segment arranged in a loop configuration, at least one set of unions disposed between the ends of the one curved segments, and a silicone molded portion coupled with the core.
In various embodiments, a breakaway near field communications (NFC) enabled composite ring includes a rigid plastic core disposed in a loop configuration, an NFC chip and wire coupled with the core, and a silicone molded portion coupled with the core, wherein the rigid plastic core further comprises a plurality of notches configured to create a break within the ring in response to an application of an external force upon the ring.
In some embodiments, the NFC chip and wire are coupled together such that an application of an external force can uncouple the NFC chip from the wire.
In certain embodiments, the wire is configured to break upon the application of a first external force that is less than or equal to a second external force needed to break the near field communications (NFC) enabled composite ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring that includes a rigid core having magnetic unions;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring that includes a rigid core having unions comprising protrusions that fit within sockets;

FIG. 4A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B illustrates an exploded isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring that includes breakaway segments between curved segments;

FIG. 4C illustrates an exploded isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring including ornamental portions.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5B illustrates a close-up plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a break-away notch comprising the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5C illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an NFC chip and wire that comprises the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B illustrates an assembled cross-sectional view of the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring, as shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7B illustrates a close-up plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a break-away notch comprising the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7C illustrates exemplary embodiments of design strips that are incorporated into the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A illustrates an exploded isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C illustrates an assembled cross-sectional view of the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 8B;

FIG. 9A illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9B illustrates an assembled cross-sectional view of the breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring of FIG. 9A.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first ring,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first ring” is different than a “second ring.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.
Although unitary finger rings are popular, they are not without disadvantages. For example, the space between the unitary ring and the base of the finger presents a tendency of the ring to become caught on nearby protruding objects, such as machinery, tree branches, and the like. Once caught on an object, the ring may pull a wearer's hand into moving machinery or may severely injure the finger and the hand. Provided herein, in some embodiments, are breakaway silicone rings that provide the benefits of unitary finger rings without including an inherent danger to the fingers and hands.
In general, the present disclosure describes embodiments directed toward a breakaway silicone ring which can be configured to reduce finger and hand injuries. The breakaway silicone ring can include a rigid core coupled with a molded silicone portion. The rigid core may comprise a series of curved segments arranged in a loop configuration. In many embodiments, a union can be disposed between each pair of adjacent segments and configured to maintain the loop configuration while allowing for separation upon application of an external force. These unions may be comprised of magnetic ends within the segments, or sockets at one end of a segment that can receive protrusions at the other end of the segment. The silicone molded portion may comprise an exterior surface layer that is disposed around the core. The silicone molded portion may include one or more openings disposed around an exterior surface of the breakaway silicone ring that allow direct observation of one or more ornamental portions of the core. The ornamental portions can include any of smooth surfaces, molded designs, printed logos, and the like.
In further embodiments, a Near Field Communication (“NFC”) chip and associated wire can be coupled with the core. In certain embodiments, the core may comprise an inner-ring portion and a silicone molded portion comprising an outer-ring portion, and NFC chip and wire combination embedded between the inner-ring portion and the outer-ring portion. In additional embodiments, the core can include a first half-portion and a second half-portion, and the silicone molded portion comprises an exterior silicone layer. In these embodiments, the first half-portion and the second half-portion are generally configured to engagedly couple one another with the NFC chip and associated wire embedded therebetween. In order to achieve a separation, at least one notch in an interior surface of the core is configured to separate upon application of the external force across the notch. Likewise, the wire associated with the NFC chip can be configured to have a tensile strength less than that of the interior surface of the core, thereby facilitating a separation upon external force application sufficient to separate other structures of the ring. Vent slots disposed around an interior surface of the core are configured to disperse heat and perspiration between the core and a finger of a practitioner. In a variety of embodiments, a design strip cap can be incorporated into the core and is visible through openings in the silicone molded portion. The design strip cap may comprise any of a smooth metallic surface, a molded design, and printed logos that are visible through the one or more openings.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring 100 that is configured to reduce finger and hand injuries in accordance with the present disclosure. The silicone ring 100 comprises a rigid core 104 coupled with a silicone molded portion 108. The rigid core 104 comprises any of various hard plastics or metals suitable for retaining the loop configuration of the ring 100. As disclosed hereinbelow, the rigid core 104 may include two or more curved segments that are coupled together by way of unions 110 configured to allow separation of the curved segments upon application of an external force. It is contemplated that a variety of embodiments may incorporate a single curved segment with a union between the two ends of the single curved segment. In further embodiments, any one or more of the unions 110 may comprise a break-away bridge disposed in the rigid core 104 and configured to separate upon application of an external force. The break-away bridge preferably comprises a thinner portion of the rigid core 104 that separates when the ring 100 becomes caught on a nearby rigid object. As will be appreciated, the separability of the unions 110 operates to allow the ring 100 to tear free of a finger in the event that the ring becomes caught on, or compressed by, environmental hazards that would otherwise cause an injury to the finger and/or hand.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the silicone molded portion 108 comprises an exterior portion that is affixed to an interior portion comprising the rigid core 104. The silicone molded portion 108 includes one or more openings 112 that are disposed around the exterior of the ring 100. The openings 112 are generally elongate windows that allow ornamental portions 116 of the core 104 to be visible from outside the ring 100. The ornamental portions 116 may include any of smooth metallic-like surfaces, molded designs, printed logos, or any other aesthetically appealing shape or design that is desirably visible through the openings 112.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rigid core 104 comprises an interior surface 120 of the ring 100 and thus directly contacts the skin of a practitioner. As such, a multiplicity of vent slots 124 are disposed around the interior surface 120 of the ring 100. The vent slots 124 are configured to disperse at least one of heat and perspiration between the breakaway silicone ring and a finger of a practitioner. It should be understood, however, that the vent slots 124 need not be limited to being disposed in the core 104. For example, in some embodiments wherein the interior surface 120 comprises a portion of the silicone molded portion 108, the vent slots 124 may be molded into the silicone so as to advantageously disperse heat and perspiration between the ring 100 and the finger.
Turning now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring 140 is shown. The ring 140 is substantially similar to the ring 100, shown in FIG. 1, with the exception that the ring 140 includes a silicone molded portion comprising a silicone layer 144 that surrounds a rigid core 148. Similar to the core 104, the rigid core 148 includes two or more curved segments 152 that are arranged in a loop configuration. It is contemplated that any number of curved segments 152 may be implemented to form the loop configuration, without limitation. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, for example, three curved segments 152 comprise the rigid core 148. It should be understood, however, that the rigid core 148 is not to be limited to three curved segments 152, but rather the number of curved segments 152 may be varied as desired.
As shown in FIG. 2, the ends of the curved segments 152 are configured to be coupled with one another so as to preserve the loop configuration while allowing the ends to separate upon application of an external force, as described herein. As such, a union 156 is disposed between the ends of adjacent curved segments 152. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each union 156 comprises magnets 160 that are disposed at opposite ends of each curved segment 152. Upon being joined, the magnets 160 hold the ends of adjacent curved segments 152 in the loop configuration beneath the exterior silicone layer 144. As will be recognized, the magnets 160 are configured to release from one another upon an application of an otherwise injurious force, thereby allowing the ring 140 to tear loose from the finger of a practitioner rather than causing an injury to the finger and the hand. It is contemplated that the magnets 160 may be affixed to the opposite ends of the curved segments 152 by way of any of various suitable methods, such as molding the magnets 160 into the material comprising the segments 152 or affixing the magnets to the segments by way of an adhesive. It is further contemplated that, in some embodiments, the magnets 160 may comprise an inner core of the curved segments 152. In such embodiments, the magnets 160 extend from end-to-end within each curved segment 152. Further still, in some embodiments, the magnets 160 comprise an entirety of the curved segments 152, without limitation.
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway silicone ring 180, according to the present disclosure. The ring 180 is substantially similar to the ring 140, shown in FIG. 2, with the exception that the ring 180 includes a rigid core 184 comprising curved segments 188 that are joined by way of unions 192. Although FIG. 3 illustrates the rigid core 184 being comprised of three curved segments 188 joined by three unions 192, it should be understood that any number of curved segments 188 may be implemented, as described hereinabove, without limitation. Accordingly, it should be recognized that any number of unions 192 may be included in the rigid core 184, depending on the number of curved segments 188.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, each curved segment 188 includes a protrusion 196 at a first end and a socket 200 at a second end. As such, the protrusion 196 of a first curved segment 188 is slidably receivable into the socket 200 of a second curved segment 188. Thus, upon inserting the protrusions 196 into the sockets 200, the curved segments 188 can be arranged into the loop configuration shown in FIG. 3. It is contemplated that the protrusions 196 are to be loosely retained in the sockets 200, such that the sockets 200 release the protrusions 196 during an application of an otherwise injurious external force. The loose fit between the protrusions 196 and the sockets 200 advantageously allow the ring 180 to tear loose from the finger of the practitioner rather than causing an injury to the finger and/or the hand.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the illustrated embodiment of the protrusions 196 and sockets 200 include a generally cylindrical shape. It is contemplated, however, that the protrusions 196 and the sockets 200 may include any of various shapes that are suitable for retaining the loop configuration while allowing for separation of the protrusions 196 from the sockets 200 under action of an external force, as described hereinabove. Accordingly, the sockets 200 may be implemented with any cross-sectional shape suitable for receiving the protrusions 196, such as, by way of non-limiting example, oval, elliptical, circular, polygonal, rhomboid, quadrilateral, rectangular, square, triangular, and the like.
Moreover, in some embodiments, each of the protrusions 196 and the sockets 200 may include magnets, similar to the magnets 160, configured to keep the protrusions 196 disposed within the sockets 200 so as to maintain the loop configuration. In some embodiments, the magnets may comprise an inner core of the curved segments 188, extending from end-to-end within the curved segments 188. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, an entirety of the curved segments 188 comprise magnets that may be magnetically attached together to form the loop configuration. In such embodiments, the attraction of the magnets cooperates with the protrusions 196 and the sockets 200 to maintain the loop configuration while allowing for separation of the curved segments 188 during an application of an external force on the ring 180, thereby eliminating potential injury to the finger of a practitioner, as described herein.
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a breakable silicone ring 220 that is configured to reduce finger and hand injuries, as described herein. The ring 220 comprises a rigid core 224 coupled with a silicone molded portion 288. The rigid core 224 comprises any of various hard plastics suitable for retaining the loop configuration of the ring 220. As best shown in FIG. 4B, the rigid core 224 preferably includes two or more curved segments 232 that are coupled together by way of breakaway segments 236 configured to allow separation of the curved segments 232 upon application of an external force. As will be appreciated, the separability of the breakaway segments 236 operates to allow the ring 220 to tear free of a finger in the event that the ring becomes caught on, or compressed by, environmental hazards that would otherwise cause an injury to the finger and/or hand.
As best illustrated in FIG. 4B, the silicone molded portion 228 comprises an exterior portion that surrounds the rigid core 224. The silicone molded portion 228 comprises a first half 240 and a second half 244 that are joined together, enclosing the rigid core 224 therebetween. The silicone molded portion 228 includes one or more openings 252 that are disposed around the exterior of the ring 220. The openings 252 are generally elongate windows that allow ornamental portions 256 of the core 224 to be visible from outside the ring 220. The ornamental portions 256 may include any of smooth metallic-like surfaces, molded designs, printed logos, or any other aesthetically appealing shape or design that is desirably visible through the openings 252.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, the ornamental portions 256 comprise elongate portions of the rigid core 224 that are raised above the core to fill the area of the openings 252. As such, the ornamental portions 256 and the rigid core 224 comprise a single component. In some embodiments, however, the ornamental portions 256 may comprise components that are coupled with the rigid core 224. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4C, the ornamental portions 256 comprise ornamental caps 260 that are coupled with raised portions 264 of the rigid core 224. The ornamental caps 260 may include any of smooth metallic-like surfaces, molded designs, printed logos, or any other aesthetically appealing shape or design that is desirably visible through the openings 252.
It is contemplated that the ornamental caps 260 may be affixed to the raised portions 264 by way of any of various suitable adhesives. Further, it is contemplated that the combined thickness of the ornamental caps 260 and the raised portions 264 is such that the exterior surface of the ornamental caps 260 is substantially flush with the exterior of the molded silicone portion 228. In some embodiments, however, the combined thickness may configured to position the ornamental caps 260 above or below the exterior surface of the molded silicone portions, as desired and without limitation.
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a Near Field Communications (NFC) enabled composite ring 300, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The composite ring 300 comprises a rigid plastic core 304 disposed in a loop configuration and a silicone molded portion 308 coupled with the core 304. An NFC chip 312 and a wire 316, that are best shown in FIG. 5C, are coupled with the core 304. It is contemplated that the NFC chip 312 and wire 316 are suitable for wirelessly interfacing the ring 300 with other nearby devices. Further, a multiplicity of vent slots 318 is disposed around an interior surface of the core 304. As will be appreciated, the vent slots 318 are configured to disperse at least one of heat and perspiration between the core 304 and a finger of a practitioner wearing the ring 300.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the core 304 comprises an inner-ring portion of the ring 300, and the silicone molded portion 308 comprises an outer-ring portion of the ring 300. The NFC chip 312 and the wire 316 are embedded between the inner-ring portion 304 and the outer-ring portion 308. A space 320 is disposed between the inner-ring portion 304 and the outer-ring portion 308. The space 320 is configured to retain the NFC chip 312 between the inner-ring portion 304 and the outer-ring portion 308 once the outer-ring portion is mounted onto the inner-ring portion 304. Further, a recess 324 is disposed between the inner-ring portion 304 and the outer-ring portion 308. The recess 324 extends around the loop configuration of the ring 300 and is configured to retain the wire 316 between the inner-ring portion 304 and the outer-ring portion 308.
With continuing reference to FIG. 5A, a channel 328 is disposed on an exterior surface of the inner-ring portion 304 and is configured to receive a lip 332 disposed on an interior surface of the outer-ring portion 308. The channel 328 and the lip 332 extend around the loop configuration of the ring 300 so as to fixate the outer-ring portion 308 onto the inner-ring portion 304. In one embodiment, the outer-ring portion 308 may be stretched and fixedly snapped onto the inner-ring portion 304. In some embodiments, however, the outer-ring portion 308 may be affixed to the inner-ring portion 304, such as, for example, by way of any of various suitable adhesives.
As shown in FIG. 5B, at least one notch 336 is disposed in an interior surface of the core 304 and configured to separate upon application of an external force. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, however, three notches 336 are disposed around the loop configuration of the ring 300 and configured to allow separation of at least one portion of the core upon application of an external force of at least 27 pounds. As will be appreciated, the notches 336 enable the ring 300 to break away from the finger of the practitioner upon being caught on a nearby rigid object, thereby preventing injury to the practitioner.
FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring 340, according to some embodiments. The composite ring 340 is similar to the ring 300 of FIG. 5, with the exception that the core 304 of the ring 340 includes a first half-portion 344 and a second half-portion 348. The first half-portion 344 and the second half-portion 348 are configured to engagedly couple to one another with the NFC chip 312 and the wire 316 embedded between an engagement surface 354 of the first half-portion 344 and an engagement surface 358 of the second half-portion 348, as best shown in FIGS. 6A-6B.
With continuing reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, the silicone molded portion 308 comprises an exterior surface layer 360 that is disposed on each of the first half-portion 344 and the second half-portion 348 with the exception of the engagement surfaces 354, 358. Thus, upon engagedly coupling the engagement surface 354 of the first half-portion 344 and the engagement surface 358 of the second half-portion 348, the exterior surface layer 360 encapsulates the core 304.
Further, a multiplicity of vent slots 362 can be disposed around an interior surface of the first and second half- portions 344, 348. The vent slots 362 are substantially the same as the vent slots 318, with the exception that portions of the vent slots 362 are disposed on both the first and second half- portions 344, 348, such that the portions of the vent slots 362 align upon engaging the first and second half- portions 344, 348 with one another. The vent slots 362, like the vent slots 318, are configured to disperse at least one of heat and perspiration between the core 304 and a finger of a practitioner wearing the ring 340.
As best shown in FIG. 6A, one or more lips 364 are disposed in the engagement surface 354 of the first half-portion 344 and extend around the loop configuration of the ring 300. The one or more lips 364 are configured to be engagedly received into corresponding of recesses 368 disposed on the engagement surface 358 of the second half-portion 348. A space 372 is disposed between the first half-portion 344 and the second half-portion 348 and configured to retain the NFC chip 312 between the first half-portion 344 and the second half-portion 348. Further, a recess 376 is disposed between the first half-portion 344 and the second half-portion 348. The recess 376 extends around the loop configuration of the ring 300 and is configured to retain the wire 316 between the first half-portion 344 and the second half-portion 348.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring 380, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The composite ring 380 is substantially similar to the ring 300 of FIG. 5, with the exception that the ring 380 comprises a core 384 that includes a central lip 388 disposed in the channel 328. The central lip 388 extends around the loop configuration of the ring 380 and is configured to slidably receive a design strip cap 392 thereon as shown in FIG. 7A. Similar to other embodiments, FIG. 7B shows a notch 336 and how it can facilitate a breakaway due to external forces applied by narrowing the width of the core 384. Further, the ring 380 may comprise an outer-ring portion 396 that can include one or more openings 400 disposed around the loop configuration of the ring 380 such that portions of the design strip cap 392 are visible from outside the outer-ring portion 396. As shown in FIG. 7C, the design strip cap 392 includes any of a smooth metallic surface 404, a molded design 408, and printed logos 412 that are visible through the openings 400 in the outer-ring portion 396. It should be understood that the smooth metallic surface 404, the molded design 408, and the printed logos 412 are merely exemplary in nature, and thus the design strip cap 392 may be implemented with a wide variety of different designs and/or images without limitation.
FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring 420, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As best shown in FIG. 8A, the core 304 of the ring 420 includes a first half-portion 424 and a second half-portion 428. The first half-portion 424 includes a cylindrical section 432 that is configured to slidably engage within an interior of a cylindrical section 436 of the second half-portion 428. As best illustrated in FIGS. 8B-8C, once the first and second half- portions 424, 428 are engaged with one another, an exterior surface 440 of the second half-portion 428 is bordered on opposite sides by a ridge 444 disposed on the first half-portion 424 and a ridge 448 disposed on the second half-portion 428. As such, the surface 440 and the ridges 444, 448 operate as a channel that is configured to seat a silicone ring 452.
As best shown in FIG. 8A, the first half-portion 424 and the second half-portion 428 are configured to engagedly couple to one another with the NFC chip 312 and the wire 316 embedded between the exterior of the cylindrical section 432 of the first half-portion 424 and the interior of the cylindrical section 436 of the second half-portion 428. A space 456 is disposed between the first half-portion 424 and the second half-portion 428 and configured to retain the NFC chip 312 between the first and second half- portions 424, 428. Further, a recess 460 is disposed between the first half-portion 424 and the second half-portion 428. The recess 460 extends around the loop configuration of the ring 420 and is configured to retain the wire 316 between the first and second half- portions 424, 428. In many of these embodiments, a notch or series of notches are positioned along the interior of the ring to facilitate a separation of the ring.
FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a breakaway NFC-enabled composite ring 480 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The ring 480 includes a fill portion 484 and a base portion 488. The fill portion 484 is a generally cylindrical member that is configured to be slidably received into a cylindrical opening 492 of the base portion 488, as shown in FIG. 5B. It is contemplated that the fill portion 484 comprises a rigid material, such as plastic, and the base portion 488 is, at least in part, comprised of molded silicone. In some embodiments, an entirety of the base portion 488 comprises molded silicone.
As best shown in FIG. 9B, the fill portion 484 and the base portion 488 are configured to engagedly couple to one another with the NFC chip 312 and the wire 316 embedded between the exterior of the fill portion 484 and the cylindrical opening 492 of the base portion 488. A space 496 is disposed between the fill portion 484 and the base portion 488 and configured to retain the NFC chip 312 between the fill and base portions 484, 488, as shown in FIG. 9B. Further, in some embodiments, a recess is disposed between the fill portion 484 and the base portion 488, and extends around the loop configuration of the ring 480. It is contemplated that the recess is configured to retain the wire 316 between the fill and base portions 484, 488.
It is further contemplated that the process of breaking the NFC chip 312 and associated wire 316 in response to the application of sufficient external forces may occur in a variety of ways. By way of example and not limitation, the connection between the NFC chip 312 and wire 316 may consist of an interface which may break the connection between one or more ends of the wire 316 with the NFC chip 312. In other embodiments, the wire 316 can be configured to break, tear, or otherwise structurally fail in response to a first level of force applied which is less than a second level of force associated with the amount of force necessary to initiate a separation of the breakaway ring 480.
While the invention has been described in teens of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A breakaway silicone ring, comprising:

a rigid core comprising two or more curved segments arranged in a loop configuration;

a plurality of unions disposed between the ends of adjacent curved segments; and

a silicone molded portion coupled with the core.

2. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of unions are configured to separate upon application of an external force across the loop configuration.

3. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 2, wherein three unions are disposed uniformly around the loop configuration and configured to allow separation of two or more curved segments upon application of an external force.

4. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 3, wherein each of the three unions includes magnets that hold the ends of adjacent curved segments in the loop configuration.

5. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 3, wherein each of the three unions includes a protrusion on a first end of a first curved segment that is received into a socket on a second end of a second curved segment.

6. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 3, wherein each curved segment includes a protrusion at a first end and a socket at a second end, such that the protrusion of a first curved segment is received into the socket of a second curved segment, whereby the two or more curved segment are arranged in a loop configuration.

7. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 1, wherein the silicone molded portion comprises an exterior surface layer that is disposed around the core.

8. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 1, wherein the silicone molded portion includes one or more openings disposed around an exterior surface of the breakaway silicone ring, such that one or more ornamental portion of the core are visible from outside the silicone molded portion.

9. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 8, wherein the one or more ornamental portions include any of smooth metallic-like surfaces, molded designs, and printed logos that are visible through the one or more openings.

10. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 1, wherein a plurality of vent slots are disposed around an interior surface of the breakaway silicone ring, the plurality of vent slots being configured to disperse at least one of heat and perspiration between the breakaway silicone ring and a user's finger.

11. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more curved segments includes a protrusion comprising a first end and a socket comprising a second end, the socket being configured to slidably receive the protrusion.

12. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 11, wherein the socket comprising a first curved segment is configured to slidably receive the protrusion comprising a second curved segment, whereby the two or more curved segment may be arranged into the loop configuration.

13. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 12, wherein each of the protrusions and the sockets include magnets configured to keep the protrusions disposed within the sockets to maintain the loop configuration.

14. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 2, wherein the ring further comprises a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip and wire coupled with the core.

15. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 14, wherein the any one of the plurality of unions disposed around the loop configuration and configured to allow separation of at least one portion of the core upon application of an external force of at least 27 pounds.

16. A breakaway silicone ring, comprising:

a core comprising segments disposed in a loop configuration;

a union disposed between each pair of adjacent segments; and

a silicone layer surrounding the core.

17. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 16, wherein the rigid core comprises hard plastic or metal.

18. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 16, wherein the segments are curved such that joining the ends of adjacent segments forms the loop configuration.

19. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 18, wherein the ends of the segments are configured to be coupled with one another so as to preserve the loop configuration while allowing the ends to separate upon application of an external force.

20. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 16, wherein the silicone layer includes one or more elongate windows configured to allow direct observation of one or more portions of the core.

21. The breakaway silicone ring of claim 20, wherein the one or more portions include any of smooth surfaces, molded designs, printed logos, and the like.