Finger Jewelry Article

Abstract

A finger jewelry article has a crown that covers the top or back of the finger. A cap or tip portion may have a hollow protuberance or nail portion. Bands extend at least part-way across the bottom to define open zones at positions of the first and second finger knuckle joints. The article may be straight or curved, and may be made of any of a variety of materials, such as precious or non-precious metals, ceramics, or durable plastic resins. The crown portion may be a semi-cylindrical rigid member with an undulating edge on one side and with projecting ribs on the other side. The crown portion may have multiple perforations forming decorative openwork or filigree. The finger jewelry article may be encrusted with precious or semi-precious stones.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to decorative and ornamental articles, and is more particularly directed to an article of jewelry to be worn on the finger to enhance the appearance of the wearer's hand

In general, many varieties of rings are worn to cover some portion of the finger, and these typically cover only a small portion of the finger, behind the fleshy part of the finger where the finger emerges from the palm. Other articles have been proposed to be worn over the tip of a finger, and may have the appearance of a simulated fingertip and nail. One of these is illustrated in U.S. Design Pat. No. Des 318,248. However, there do not exist finger jewelry pieces that adorn the entirety or even a majority of a finger.

Certain utilitarian protective finger coverings have been proposed in the past. Fowble U.S. Pat. No. 617,929 relates to a stiff, but flexible India rubber finger protector for a workman, with openings along the back of the finger to make it easier to flex the fingers. Stein U.S. Pat. No. 1,388,618 concerns a metal finger protector or guard in which there are rivets or similar hinge members for articulating the sections of the finger protector and to permit full freedom of the wearer's fingers and unimpaired, natural bending of the fingers.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an attractive jewelry article for the finger, which is worn on and covers the finger from the base to the tip, and which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.

It is another object to provide a piece of finger jewelry that takes into account the anatomy of the human finger, and that takes into account the comfort of the wearer.

It is a further object to provide a jewelry article that covers the wearer's finger tip and nail, and enhances the appearance of the wearer's hand.

It is a still further object to provide a jewelry article that can be made of affordable materials.

According to one aspect of this invention, a jewelry article for the finger is adapted to cover the back and tip of a wearer's finger, but also has openings on the underside to allow some room for first and second knuckle joints of the wearer's finger. The article has an elongated crown portion covering the back of the wearer's finger and extending over the sides of the finger. This crown portion extends from a proximal end, positioned at the base of the finger where the finger emerges from the palm, to a distal end beyond the tip of the wearer's finger. A cap or tip portion is formed integral with the crown portion and covers the nail and tip (or a majority of the tip) of the finger. A finger-nail-like protuberance extends forward from the cap or tip and has a lower surface that is attached to the cap or tip above the lower surface of the cap or tip. This protuberance is hollow, i.e., with a void formed within it, which minimizes its weight. Favorably, the only open area(s) are at the proximal lower side. There are two integral bands that join the left and right sides of the crown portion. A first integrally formed band is situated at the proximal end and this band extends from one side of the crown portion to the other side at a position between the base and first knuckle joint of the wearer's finger. A second integrally formed band is situated midway between the cap or tip portion and the proximal end and extends from one side of the crown portion to the other side at a position between the first and second knuckle joints of the wearer's finger. There is a first open zone defined between the first band and second band on the underside, at the position of said wearer's first knuckle joint. A second open zone is defined between the second band and the tip on the underside, at the position of the wearer's second knuckle joint. The cap or tip portion has a hollow protuberance that projects forward at its distal end, and this may have the appearance of a fingernail. In some embodiments, the bands extend partway across, leaving a gap.

In any of several preferred embodiments, the cap or tip portion is open only at the second open zone, and the tip portion covers nearly the entire fleshy pad and the nail of the wearer's finger tip. Favorably the crown portion is generally a semi-cylinder in shape curving about the axis of the wearer's finger, and covering the back and sides of the wearer's finger. The first and second bands are continuous and unitary with the crown portion.

The article may be formed of any of a number of materials. The finger jewelry article can be partly or entirely formed of silver, gold, or another a precious metal, an alloy that is partly precious metal, or a semi-precious metal, and may be partly encrusted with precious or semi-precious stones. Alternatively, the finger jewelry article may be formed of a glass or ceramic material, or of a synthetic plastic resin material. The article may be formed, entirely or partly, of a generally rigid (perforated) material, e.g., a filigree, or other rigid metallic mesh, or a synthetic mesh material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the article is shown being worn on the pinkie, i.e., fourth or small finger. However, the article can be designed to wear on any of the fingers, of either hand, including the thumb, if desired.

With the finger jewelry article of this invention, the crown portion closes over the top surface, or back, of the finger. The underside of the jewelry article is open at two areas, i.e., open underneath, so there are open areas at the locations of the first and second finger joints or first and second knuckle joints. This article of jewelry covers the entire finger, or at least the entire back of the finger, except for the aforesaid open areas, from where the finger emerges from the palm. The fleshy part of the end or tip of the finger is exposed, to facilitate holding a drinking glass, tea cup or other utensil.

In accordance with another embodiment, the finger jewelry article in the form of a decorative finger covering is adapted to cover the back and tip of a wearer's finger but has open zones at a lower side of the wearer's finger. In this embodiment the jewelry article is in the form of a substantially rigid one-piece member, without articulations, and is formed as a crown, i.e., a portion of a cylinder curved so as follow an axis of the wearer's finger, and extends from a base to a distal tip. A crown portion is adapted to be positioned above an axis of the wearer's finger. The crown portion extends integrally from a proximal end thereof to a distal tip that projects distally beyond the tip of the wearer's finger. There is a first lateral undulating edge along one side of the crown portion, and a second edge on the opposite side. A series of lateral rib members project out along the second edge. Each rib projects laterally from the second edge and continues partway around the finger axis, and is designed to hold the crown portion comfortably in place on the wearer's finger. The crown portion is of small thickness, and has a filigree, i.e., openwork with a multiplicity of perforations cut through, with the perforations being distributed substantially uniformly on the crown portion. In the preferred embodiment, the lateral rib members are present only on the second edge, the first lateral undulating edge being free of such lateral rib members.

Favorably, the first lateral undulating edge is formed of first, second, and third outward curves or lobes that project laterally away from a mid-line of said crown portion, and with the first and second curves, and the second and third curves being joined by inwardly extending curves or curved recesses, respectively.

Any of a variety of materials may be used, e.g., precious metal, semi-precious metal, glass, ceramic, or a suitable plastic resin.

The above and many other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art from the ensuing description of selected preferred embodiments, which should be considered in connection with the accompanying Drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a right side elevation of an article of finger jewelry according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a right side perspective of this embodiment shown as worn on the pinkie finger of a wearer's left hand.

FIG. 6 is a left side perspective thereof.

FIG. 7 is a top view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the article of jewelry according to a further embodiment of this invention, here positioned on the small or pinkie finger of a wearer's left hand.

FIG. 11 is a left side perspective thereof.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are right and left side elevations thereof, respectively.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are rear (or proximal) and front (or distal) end views thereof, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the Drawing, and initially to FIGS. 1 to 4, an article 10 of finger jewelry (which may be sold under the trademark “Pretifinger”) is intended to cover one finger of a wearer, as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 4 to 8. The article 10 has a crown portion 12, which extends from a proximal or rear end where it is positioned on the finger at the point where the finger emerges from the palm of the hand H, forward past the tip and nail of the finger. The crown portion 12 extends down to cover the majority of the sides of the finger as well. As shown, e.g in FIGS. 3 and 7, the crown portion 12 covers over the entire back of the finger. There is a tip portion or tip portion 14 that covers over the finger tip, and this has a hollow protuberance 16 or nail portion that projects forward above the axis of the wearer's finger (see e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6). The protuberance 16 as shown is hollow out to its tip. The lower side of this protuberance 16 meets the tip portion 14 above the lower side of the cap or tip portion.

There are two bands that traverse across the sides of the article at the underside, including a first band 18 disposed at the proximal end and a second band 20 disposed about midway between the first band 18 and the tip portion 14. A first opening 22 is defined between the first and second bands 18, 20, and a second opening 24 is defined between the second band 20 and the proximal edge of the tip portion 14, e.g., as shown in FIG. 4. These openings 22 and 24 thus are open zones at the locations of the first and second finger knuckle joints of the wearer's finger at the lower side of the jewelry article 10.

The tip portion covers the wearer's fingernail and at least a portion of the fleshy pad portion of the finger tip, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

This jewelry article can be configured in different ways and with different designs. For example, the article 10 of the illustrated embodiment is intended specifically for the wearer's left small finger or pinkie, but the article could be constructed to fit any of the other fingers of either hand, or for the thumb. As shown in FIG. 9, an alternative design of this finger jewelry article 110 may have an elongated or exaggerated hollow protrusion 116. Other variations would be self-evident to an experienced jewelry designer based on the basic teachings hereof. The finger article 10 is intended to be rigid, although it provides sufficient room for finger comfort and does allow sufficient bending of the finger to pick up or hold a cup, a fork, a plate or other item.

The “Pretifinger” article 10 may be made of any of a wide variety of suitable materials, such as silver or another precious metal, a glass or ceramic, or a durable synthetic material. The look of the article may be enhanced by placing gemstones or semiprecious stones in a desired design. The back or crown portion may be perforated in places, or the article may be made in part or in whole of a mesh material such as chain mail.

Another embodiment of the “Pretifinger” of this invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and in greater detail in the views of FIGS. 12 to 17. In this embodiment, the finger article 110 is shown to have a crown portion 112 that extends from a proximal or rear end, where the finger emerges from the palm, extending to a pointed tip 114 that is positioned distally or forward of the end of the finger and beyond the wearer's finger nail. Here, the article is shown worn on the small finger or pinkie finger of the left hand H. The crown portion covers the back or knuckle side of the wearer's finger. The article 110 could as easily be designed to be worn on a different finger or on the other hand. The finger article 110 is open underneath, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 13. Here the crown portion 112 of the finger article has a left (or outer) edge 116 that is wavy or undulating, that is, with generally arcuate lobes 116a, 116b, and 116c that curve outward and away from the centerline or axis of the crown portion 112, with each lobe 116a and 116b positioned between two joints of the wearer's finger, and with the third lobe 116c between the last joint and the finger tip. There are curved-in portions, i.e., arcuate recesses 116d, 116e, and 116f, with the recess 116d being between the arcuate lobes 116a and 116b, the recess 116e between the lobes 116b and 116c, and the recess 116f between the lobe 116c and the tip 114 of the crown portion. A proximal end 118 of the crown portion fits near the wearer's first knuckle joint at the base of the finger. In this embodiment, the proximal end 118 curves or slants to the distal or forward from its left side 116 to its right side 122.

A series of lateral rib members 124, 126 and 128 project out along the second (right-side) edge 122. Each rib projects laterally from the second edge 122 and continues, curving partway around the axis of the wearer's finger. These projecting rib members serve to hold the crown portion 112 comfortably in place on the wearer's finger. These rib members 124, 126, 128 are positioned at the fleshy parts of the finger between the knuckle joints, and do not interfere with the wearer's ability to pick up or hold an item, such as a drink cup, eating utensil, or writing instrument.

In this embodiment, the article is unitarily formed of a single piece or sheet of thin metal, e.g., perhaps 1/64 inch thick, and the crown portion 112 has openwork, i.e., a multiplicity of perforations therein, which serve to relieve some of the mass or weight of the article, and which also provide ventilation to the upper part of the finger. These perforations are preferably arranged to form a decorative pattern, i.e., filigree, to enhance the appearance of the Pretifinger finger jewelry article.

The Pretifinger article 110 is available in various sizes so as to match the size of the finger of the particular wearer, and is available in slightly different shapes for each finger, and in left and right versions so it can fit the desired hand H of the wearer. The specific shape of the finger article 110 of this particular embodiment is given for purposes of illustration, and it should be understood that the article can be produced in a variety of shapes and patterns. The shapes and proportions of the ribs 124, 126, 128 and the design of the filigree or perforations can also vary widely without departing from the main principles of this invention.

In some embodiments, the article can have a plain squeeze fit on the finger, in place of one or more of the bands or ribs.

Many equivalent alternatives can apply. Indeed, many modifications and variations will present themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Finger jewelry article in the form of a decorative finger covering adapted to cover the back and tip of a wearer's finger, but having open zones adapted to allow at least some room for first and second knuckle joints of the wearer's finger; the finger jewelry article being in the form of a rigid, one piece tubular member having an upper side adapted to be positioned above an axis of the wearer's finger, and having a lower side adapted to be situated below such axis, comprising: a crown portion adapted for covering the back of the wearer's finger and for extending over at least a portion of the sides of the finger, and extending integrally from an open proximal end thereof adapted to fit at a base of the finger where the finger emerges from the palm to a distal end adapted to extend beyond the tip of the wearer's finger;a tip portion integral with said crown portion and adapted to cover the nail and a portion of the tip of the finger;a first integrally formed band at the proximal end and extending down from one side of the crown portion and extending down from the other side and adapted to be located at a position between the base and first knuckle joint of the wearer's finger;a second integrally formed band midway between the tip portion and the proximal end and extending down from one side of the crown portion and extending down from the other side at a position that is adapted to correspond to a zone between first and second knuckle joints of the wearer's finger;a first open zone formed on an underside of the article between the first band and second band and adapted to be at a position that corresponds to the position of the wearer's first knuckle joint;a second open zone formed on said underside between the second band and said tip, and adapted to be located at the position of a second knuckle joint for leaving at least a portion of the pad of the wearer's finger tip exposed; andwherein said tip portion includes a hollow protuberance at its distal end extending distally from an upper side of the tip portion and joining the protuberance at a lower side thereof to said tip portion above said lower side thereof, so as to extend distally beyond the fingernail of the wearer.

2. The finger jewelry article of claim 1 wherein said crown is a portion of said tubular member that is generally a semi-cylinder in shape, and is adapted to cover the back and sides of the wearer's finger.

3. The finger jewelry article of claim 1 wherein said bands are continuous and unitary with said crown portion.

4. The finger jewelry article of claim 1 wherein the article is formed of a precious metal.

5. The finger jewelry article of claim 1 wherein the article is formed of a glass or ceramic material.

6. The finger jewelry article of claim 1 wherein the article is formed of a rigid synthetic plastic resin material.

7. The finger jewelry article of claim 1 wherein the article is formed of a semi-precious metal.

8. The finger jewelry article of claim 1 wherein the article is formed in one piece without articulations.

9. Finger jewelry article in the form of a decorative finger covering adapted to cover the back and tip of a wearer's finger but having open zones at a lower side of the wearer's finger, the article being in the form of a substantially rigid one-piece member, without articulations, and formed as a portion of a cylinder curved so as follow an axis of the wearer's finger, from a base to a distal tip thereof; comprising a crown portion adapted to be positioned above an axis of the wearer's finger, the crown portion extending integrally from a proximal end thereof to a distal tip that projects distally beyond the tip of the wearer's finger; with a first lateral undulating edge along one side of the crown portion, and a second edge; anda series of lateral rib members positioned on said second edge, which each project laterally from the second edge and continue at least partway around said axis, and adapted to hold the crown portion comfortably in place on the wearer's finger.

10. The finger jewelry article of claim 9, wherein said crown portion is of small thickness, and has a multiplicity of perforations cut therethrough, the perforations being distributed substantially uniformly thereon.

11. The finger jewelry article of claim 9, wherein said lateral rib members are present only on said second edge, and said first lateral undulating edge is free of said lateral rib members.

12. The finger jewelry article of claim 9, wherein said first lateral undulating edge is formed of first, second, and third outward curves that project laterally away from a mid-line of said crown portion, and with the first and second curves, and the second and third curves being joined by inwardly extending curves, respectively.

13. The finger jewelry article of claim 9, wherein the article is formed of a precious metal.

14. The finger jewelry article of claim 9, wherein the article is formed of a semi-precious metal.

15. The finger jewelry article of claim 9, wherein the article is formed in one piece without articulations.