US3021697A - Contractible ring having a detachable shank - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1962 G. M. COATES 3,021,697

CONTRACTIBLE RING HAVING A DETACHABLE SHANK Filed Aug. 12, 1960 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 3,021,697 CONTRACTIBLE RING HAVING A DETACHABLE SHANK Gordon M. Coates, 774 3rd Ave., Troy, N.Y. Filed Aug. 12, 1960, S81. No. 49,324 2 Claims. (Cl. 63-15.45)

This invention relates to an expansible ring, and more particularly to a finger ring of this character.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an expansible ring which will fit on the finger by expanding to fit over the knuckle or largest part of the finger, and then contracting to fit properly and comfortably on that portion of the finger where a ring is commonly worn.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a ring which, after contraction will fit snugly on the finger, and will not swing or rotate to allow the stone or other ornamentation to revert to the palm-side of the hand, as loose fitting rings are apt to do, with a resultant possibility of damage to the stones or decorations.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such an expansible ring, which, by virtue of its expansibility will minimize the present conventional practice of sizing rings, since a single ring will be readily adaptable to a variety of finger sizes, and which will also substantially eliminate the necessity for ring guards which have a tendency to wear grooves in a ring.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a ring of this character wherein the head or setting of the ring may be of any desired size of design to accommodate any desired stone or other decoration.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an expansible ring which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and elficient in operation, and relatively simply and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of ex pansible ring constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FlGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially through the center line of the head of the ring showing its expansion connection with the shank;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in a the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is an exploded end elevational view of the shank and certain elements adapted to connect the shank to the head of the ring.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings, more particularly to FIGURE 1, an expansible ring constructed in accordance with the instant invention is generally indicated at and includes a head or mounting socket 11. The head may be of any desired size, and any desired conventional configuration and is adapted for the reception of a diamond 12 or other suitable stone or decorative material. Obviously, if desired, the head may be made of solid and of precious or semi-precious metal, or in any other configuration normally employed in the making of an ornamental finger ring. The opposite sides of the socket are provided with laterally extending bosses or lugs 13, which are provided with apertures 14, which are adapted to engage the ends 15 of oppositely disposed coil springs 16. Springs 16 are seated in the sockets 17,

3,@Z1,fi97 Patented Feb. 20, 1962 which are formed in the opposite ends of a split shank portion 18, which is adapted to extend around the finger. The opposite ends 19 of the springs may be secured in the bottoms of bore 17 and in any desired manner, as by means of jewelers screws 20 or the like.

Each end of shank 18 is provided with a lug or boss 21, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

In order to render the ring more symmetrical in appearance the ends of the shanks are adapted to be covered. The covering means take the form of lower sleeve portions 21, each of which is provided with upwardly extending side flanges 22, in which are positioned detent members 23. A pair of prongs 24 extend from the ends of each member 21, and are adapted to be inserted through slots 25 suitably aligned on opposite sides of the head 11, the ends of the prongs 24 being suitably bent over as indicated at 2-6 to retain the lower sleeve members 21 in related assembly with the undersides of the ends of shank 18.

Oppositely disposed complementary upper sleeve portions 28 are provided, each of which ha a depending side flange 29 on either side thereof provided with an interiorly positioned raised boss 30, the arrangement being such that when the upper sleeve half portions are position over the flanges of the complementary lower sleeves, the bosses 30 will engage in the detents 23 to hold the parts against disassembly. The inner end 31 of each upper sleeve portion 28 is adapted to seat snugly against the adjacent side of the head 11, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The outer end of each member 28 includes a depending flange portion 32, the arrangement being such that in the event a spring 16 should break, or become otherwise disengaged from its retaining means, the lug 21 will engage the flange 32 to prevent disengagement of the shank, and consequent possible loss of the ring.

If desired, the lugs 13 and their associated openings 14 may be supplanted by suitable small hooks soldered or otherwise suitably secured to the exterior of the head 11 for engaging the ends 15 of spring 16. Similarly, other securing means than the iewelers screw 20 may be employed for holding the opposite ends of springs 16 in the bores 17.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved expansible ring construction which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An expansible ring comprising a head, apertured lugs on opposed sidewalls thereof and a pair of openings on each of said walls adjacent the bottom thereof, a split shank curved from end to end having a substantially straight bore opening from an end face at each end, a coil spring in each bore, a jewelers screw securing one end of each spring in its associated bore, a hook formed on the other end of each spring and engaging in the aperture in a respective one of said lugs, a sleeve surrounding each end of said shank, each sleeve having an inner end abutting one of said walls, and hooked fingers on said inner end secured in a respective pair of said openings.

2. An expansible ring comprising a head, apertured lugs on opposed sidewalls thereof and a pair of openings on each of said walls adjacent the bottom thereof, a split shank curved from end to end having a substantially straight bore opening from an end face at each end, a coil spring in each bore, a jewelers screw securing one end of each spring in its associated bore, a hook formed on the other end of each spring and engaging in the aperture in a respective one of said lugs, a sleeve surrounding each end 05 said shank, each sleeve having an inner end abutting one of said Walls, and hooked fingers on said inner end secured in a respective pair of said openings, each end of said shank having an upstanding boss thereon and each sleeve having a depending flange References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,541,764 Harrison June 9, 1925 1,641,575 Cibor Sept. 6, 1927 2,457,275 Ritter Dec. 28, 1948 2,517,011 Meyers Aug. 1, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 208,611 Germany June 13, 1908 361,985 Germany Oct. 20, 1922 279,516 Italy Nov. 14, 1930

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