US3628351A

US3628351A - Ring manually adjustable to a plurality of constant sizes

Info

Publication number: US3628351A
Application number: US869278A
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Chernow
Original assignee: MONOCRAFT Inc
Current assignee: MONOCRAFT Inc
Priority date: 1969-10-24
Filing date: 1969-10-24
Publication date: 1971-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-21

Abstract

An ornamental finger ring which can readily be adjusted to fit a variety of finger sizes. The ring is formed from an elongate shank having a pair of ends, into a circular configuration. The ends are positioned proximate each other, and at least one of them is formed with an ornamental member thereon. A flexible insert is embedded in a portion of the shank, and at least one gap or spacing is provided in the shank so that it surrounds the insert and divides the shank into at least two segments.

Description

United States Patent Michael Chernow [72] Inventor New York, N.Y. [21 Appl. No. 869,278 [22] Filed Oct. 24, 1969 [45] Patented Dec.2l,l971 [73] Assignee Monocrai'tJnc.

[54] RING MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE TO A PLURALITY 0F CONSTANT SIZES 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 63/155 [51] Int. Cl A441: 9/02 [50] Field of Search 63/1545, 15.5, l5.65, l I, 3,6,7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 296,1 l8 4/1884 Boniface h l 1,434,931 11/19'22 Ballard 1,694,703 12/ l 928 Doppenschmitt 63/3 FOREIGN PATENTS 566,938 9/1957 Italy 63/3 343,!64 l/l960 Switzerland 63/! 1 Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Atwmeys-Anthony A. Juettner and L. Meroy Lillehaugen ABSTRACT: An ornamental finger ring which can readily be adjusted to fit a variety of finger sizes. The ring is formed from an elongate shank having a pair of ends, into a circular configuration. The ends are positioned proximate each other, and at least one of them is formed with an ornamental member thereon. A flexible insert is embedded in a portion of the shank, and at least one gap or spacing is provided in the shank so that it surrounds the insert and divides the shank into at least two segments.

WENTEB mm mm 3,628, 351

sum 1 nr 2 l N VEN TOR.

M/CAMEA CHER/VOW RING MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE TO A PLURALITY 01F CONSTANT SIZES The present invention relates to an ornamental ring, and more particularly, to an adjustable finger ring which can readily be varied in size to accommodate different size fingers.

As known to those in the jewelry art, proper sizing of an ornamental finger ring to a prospective wearer has presented various problems. Adequate inventories for example, require that duplicates of the same ring be stocked in a variety of sizes, in order to insure an adequate supply. Furthermore, in many instances, the purchaser is not the proposed wearer; therefore, the exact size of the ring may not be known, and the wrong size may be purchased. In such instances the ring must be returned for proper sizing. Another problem which exists concerns the possibility that the wearers ring size may change over a period of time.

An apparent solution to the above problems is to make a ring in such a manner that it can be adjusted to fit more than one finger size. One way to accomplish this, is to make the shank portion of the ring flexible enough so that it can be bent into different sizes; this however, ofttimes results in cracking or blistering the plating material which covers the ring, especially if the plating material is relatively heavy and/or hard. As known to those in the art, numerous other features have been provided for adjusting the size of a ring, such as the use of auxiliary bands, screws, springs, collars, and the like. These features are often relatively complex in construction, costly to manufacture, unsightly in appearance, and they may require the use of a tool or equipment of some type to make the adjustment.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved ornamental finger ring.

Another object is to provide a finger ring having improved means for readily adjusting it to fit a variety offinger sizes.

A further object is to provide an ornamental finger ring which can be readily adjusted in size by the wearer without the use of any spacial tools or equipment.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a finger ring embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is an edge view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an edge view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the ring in a contracted condition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the ring illustrated in FIG. 1; I

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along 6-6 of FIG. 5;

H0, 7 illustrates another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view ofthe ring shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an edge view of the ring shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 1 illustrates an ornamental finger ring 10 comprising a shank 12 having a pair of

ends

14 and 16. The shank 12 is formed into a circular configuration in such a manner that the

ends

14 and 16 are positioned proximate each other. As shown, the end 14 is provided with an ornamental member 18 which forms an integral part of the shank 12. In FIG. 1, the member 18 is formed as a ram s head having a pair of

horns

20 and 22. It must be realized of course, that numerous other ornamental members could be formed on the end of the shank as well, and that FIG. 1 merely illustrates one type of ornamental member. The end 16 is formed with a somewhat spherical knob 24 thereon which cooperates with a portion of the member 18 to limit the adjustability of the ring, in a manner described more fully hereinbelow.

A flexible insert 26 is embedded in a portion of the shank 12 at a location substantially opposite the

ends

14 and 16, in this regard note FIGS. 5 and 6. Theinsert 26 is formed of a flexible or readily bendable material, such as a relatively soft, nonspringy brass material, and it is cast into the shank 12 at the time that the shank is formed. As illustrated, a number of gaps or spaces 28 are formed in the shank 12 in such a manner that they surround and expose the insert: 26 at a number of locations, thus dividing the shank 12 into a plurality of segments 30. These gaps can readily be formed at the time the shank is cast into its desired cross-sectional configuration. A plating material 32 of desired thickness, is applied to the entire surface of the shank to give the ring its desired finished appearance.

The flexible insert 26 and the gaps 28 permit the ring to be readily adjusted so as to fit a variety of finger sizes. More importantly, this feature permits the :ring size to be adjusted without cracking or blistering the plating on the shank 12. Thus, when the shank is bent or adjusted to the desired size, the plating 32 on the shank isnt strained, because it is the insert 26 which bends between the gaps 28 rather than the shank 12. If the plating 32 cracks, it will do so around the insert between the segments 30, and it will be less likely to affect the looks or wearing qualities of the ring.

The insert 26 can vary in length, and its overall length is not particularly critical. Preferably, it should extend into the shank some distance beyond the last gap or spacing 28. While brass has been used as the insert material, other materials can be used as well, as long as the material is relatively soft and it is substantially nonspringy in nature. If a springy material is used for the insert, the shank will be less likely to stay in the position to which it has been adjusted.

Another feature which improves the utility and versatility of the ring concerns the provision of the knob 24 on the end 16 of the shank. In some instances, the wearer of the ring may stretch the shank more than is necessary when moving the ring over the knuckles, or when adjusting the size of the ring. This may put excessive strain on the shank. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-6, the knob engages or abuts against the horn 20 when it is opened a prescribed amount. The knob 24 and the horn 20 thus cooperate in preventing the ring from being opened or expanded too far.

In use, the wearer merely bends the shank 12 so that the spring formed by the shank is adapted to fit a particular finger size. The shank can be readily be adjusted without cracking or blistering the plating material due to the provision of the inset member 26 which is flexible and readily bendable. In other words, the insert 26 bends in the regions between the segments 30; if the plating 32 cracks, it will do so around the insert 26 and the over all looks and wearing qualities of the shank won t be affected. FIG. 1 depicts the ring adjusted to its maximum size, because the knob 24 engages or abuts against the rams horn 20. In this regard, it might be pointed out that the insert 26 is flexible enough so that the knob 24 can be caused to bypass the horn 20; this however, should be discouraged because excessive strain may be placed on the shank. FIG. 4 illustrates the ring after it has been adjusted to fit a finger having a somewhat smaller :size. It might be pointed out that if preferred, the ring can also be adjusted after it has been placed on the wearers finger. For example, if the ring is too large in size, it can readily be made smaller, even after it is on the wearer's finger.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a modified form of the invention. An ornamental ring 40 is shown comprised of a shank 42 having a pair of

ends

44 and 46. The shank 42 is formed in the same general manner as the shank 12 described hereinbefore in connection with FIGS. 1-6. As depicted, the ring has a circular configuration, the ends 44 and 46 are positioned proximate each other, a flexible insert 48 is embedded in the shank 42, and a plurality of gaps or spaces 50 divide a portion of the shank into a number of segments 52. In this embodiment, both v of the

ends

44 and 46 are provided with similar

ornamental members

54 and 56; thus, both of the

members

54 and 56 combine to form the ornamental design portion of the ring. A plating material 58 of the desired thickness is applied to the ring to give it its desired finished appearance.

In use, the ring 40 can readily be adjusted to fit a number of difierent finger sizes by merely moving the

ends

44 and 46 relative to each other, either when the ring is on a finger or when it is off the finger. As the size of the shank 42 is changed,

the insert 48 is caused to bend between the segments 52, and the plating on the shank is not strained to the extent that it cracks or blisters. v

The present invention can readily be adjusted to fit a number of different finger sizes, without the need of any tools or auxiliary equipment. The flexible insert positioned within a portion of the ring shank, permits the shank (a portion of which is segmented) to be bent or adjusted without cracking or blistering the plating material which covers or coats the ring. While the ring can be adjusted to fit a large number of finger sizes, in some instances, it may be desirable to provide means for limiting or controlling the maximum size of the ring opening which can be formed.

In the above description and attached drawings, a disclosure of the principles of this invention is presented, together with some of the specific embodiments by which the invention might be carried out.

Therefore, I claim:

1. An adjustable finger ring' comprising a shank having a pair of ends and a substantially circular configuration, said ends being positioned proximate each other, at least one of said ends being formed with an ornamental member thereon, means for permitting manual adjustment of the size of the finger opening of said ring to a plurality of constant sizes, said means including a flexible insert embedded within at least a portion of the shank, said'shank being provided with at least one gap which surrounds the insert and separates the shank into at least two spaced segments connected only by said insert, said gap and said insert permitting the size of the opening formed by the shank to be readily adjusted.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a plurality of gaps are provided on the shank which divides said shank into a plurality of segments.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible insert is formed of a soft nonspringy material.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said insert is formed of brass material.

5. The combination of claim I wherein both ends of the shank are formed with an ornamental member thereon.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the other end of said shank is provided with means for engaging a portion of the ornamental member thereby preventing said ring from being enlarged beyond a predetermined maximum size.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the insert is embedded in the shank at a point substantially opposite the ends, and the ornamental member forms the top of the ring when it is placed on a wearer's finger.

Claims

1. An adjustable finger ring comprising a shank having a pair of ends and a substantially circular configuration, said ends being positioned proximate each other, at least one of said ends being formed with an ornamental member thereon, means for permitting manual adjustment of the size of the finger opening of said ring to a plurality of constant sizes, said means including a flexible insert embedded within at least a portion of the shank, said shank being provided with at least one gap which surrounds the insert and separates the shank into at least two spaced segments connected only by said insert, said gap and said insert permitting the size of the opening formed by the shank to be readily adjusted.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said insert is formed of brass material.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein both ends of the shank are formed with an ornamental member thereon.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the insert is embedded in the shank at a point substantially opposite The ends, and the ornamental member forms the top of the ring when it is placed on a wearer''s finger.