Flexible Ring

Abstract

An adjustable ring id provided, the ring including a crown portion; a belly band portion; a pair of arcuate rocker arms, each rocker arm having a first end rotatably connectable to the crown portion and a second end receivable in the belly band portion such that the second ends and the belly band can travel relative to one another; and one or more springs positioned relative to the rocker arms to provide resiliency to travel of the rocker arms relative to the belly band. Travel of the rocker arms relative to the belly band together with rotation of the rocker arms about a pivot axis of the crown portion allows the ring to resiliently expand and contract.

Description

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a self-adjusting ring that allows the wearer to don the ring and remove the ring without the ring becoming stuck.

BACKGROUND

Rings worn on the finger as jewelry or for other purposes need to be sized relative to a wearer's finger such that the ring is large enough to be easily donned and removed, but small enough not to accidentally fall off the finger. A common issue with rings is that swelling or shrinking of the thickness of the finger, and hence its diameter can lead to an otherwise sized ring becoming too tight or too loose for the finger. In the case of rapid swelling, due to, for example an injury or such, the ring may sometimes have to be cut off to be removed and to prevent loss of circulation to the finger.

Currently most jewelry manufacturers make rings with solid shanks and fixed ring diameters that have to be sized and also only can be worn while the size of the finger does not change.

Some designs for flexible rings exist but they are complicated and difficult to manufacture.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,334 teaches a finger ring size adjustment device that includes a ring shank and a cradle which is biased radially inward from the shank. The cradle is moveable between a retracted position and an adjusted position for reducing the ring size. The cradle is biased inwardly toward the adjusted position by a leaf spring in an automatically adjustable embodiment and a lever arm in an alternate embodiment.

US2012/0180523 teaches a jewelry shank having a ring configured to encircle a wearer's finger and a moveable tab positioned along the inner surface of the ring. The tab is shiftable between a retracted position that allows the shank to easily slide over a knuckle of the wearer's finger and an extended position that helps hold the shank in place on the wearer's finger after it has passed over the knuckle.

U.S. Pat. No. 20,100,083701 A1 teaches a ring including an annular shank having an inside circumferential surface with a channel extending therein. The inside circumferential surface has an effective first diameter. An arcuate spring having an effective second diameter smaller than the first diameter, being secured to the inside circumferential surface within the channel and having left and right inwardly extending portions; wherein the arcuate spring is adapted to resiliently expand as a wearer places his/her finger within the ring.

U.S. Pat. No. 20,180,338587 A1 teaches an adjustable shank adapted for resizing jewelry. A ring includes a head adapted to receive a stone; a shank including a first shank arm and a second shank arm, and each of the first and second shank arms include a ratchet member; a first joint coupling the first shank arm in movable engagement with the head, and a second joint coupling the second shank arm in movable engagement with the head. The first shank arm and the second shank arm remain coupled while being repositioned relative to each other to at least one of expand or contract a size of the shank.

U.S. Pat. No. 20,170,020243 A1 teaches an adjustable finger ring including a ring head having through holes on the bottom a first shank with a collar at one end and a split portion at the other end, and a second shank having a collar at one end and a split portion at the other end. The split portions may complement and overlap each other in an operative condition of the ring. A spring can be fitted inside the two collars so as to allow a pin to pass through. The spring allows the ring to expand while the split portions slide against one another.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,993 teaches a ring which is adjustable in size to accommodate different size fingers, having a top inner recessed portion, side pieces slidably engaging the top portion, the side pieces including limit profiles that engage a stop in the inner portion, to limit travel of the side pieces. In the extended position these limit profiles are exposed and can dig into or rub against the user's finger. Spring members mounted in the side pieces; these side pieces hinged to a bottom member so that the spring members will urge the side pieces inwardly into the recessed portion of the top member. Due to the shape of the side pieces, they tend to abut and scrape against an inner surface of the recessed portion of the top member.

CA 3,005,225 teaches an adjustable shank adapted for resizing jewelry. A ring includes a head adapted to receive a stone; a shank including a first shank arm and a second shank arm, and each shank arm include a ratchet member; and joints coupling each of the first and second shank arms in movable engagement with the head. The first shank arm and the second shank arm remain coupled while being repositioned relative to each other to at least one of expand or contract a size of the shank.

SUMMARY

An adjustable ring id provided, the ring including a crown portion; a belly band portion; a pair of arcuate rocker arms, each rocker arm having a first end rotatably connectable to the crown portion and a second end receivable in the belly band portion such that the second ends and the belly band can travel relative to one another; and one or more springs positioned relative to the rocker arms to provide resiliency to travel of the rocker arms relative to the belly band. Travel of the rocker arms relative to the belly band together with rotation of the rocker arms about a pivot axis of the crown portion allows the ring to resiliently expand and contract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the disclosure. Similar reference numerals indicate similar components.

FIG. 1A is front elevation view of one embodiment of the present self-adjusting ring, in an assembled arrangement;

FIG. 1B is an exploded front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a partially exploded front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 1A, in a partially assembled arrangement;

FIG. 2A is an exploded side elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a partially exploded side elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 2A, in a partially assembled arrangement;

FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 2A, in an assembled arrangement;

FIG. 3A is an exploded side elevation view of a second embodiment of the present self-adjusting ring;

FIG. 3B is a partially exploded side elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 3A, in a partially assembled arrangement;

FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 3A in a contracted position;

FIG. 3D is a side elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 3A in an expanded position;

FIG. 4A is an exploded front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4B is a partially exploded side elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 4A, in a partially assembled arrangement;

FIG. 4C is a front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 4A, in a contracted position;

FIG. 4D is a front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 4A, in an expanded position;

FIG. 5A is front elevation view of a third embodiment of the present self-adjusting ring, in an exploded arrangement;

FIG. 5B is a front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 5A, in a contracted position;

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 5A in a contracted position;

FIG. 5D is a front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 5A in an expanded position;

FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 5A in an expanded position;

FIG. 5F is an isometric view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 5A in a contracted position;

FIG. 5G is an isometric view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 5A in an expanded position;

FIG. 6A is an exploded front elevation view of a fourth embodiment of a self-adjusting ring;

FIG. 6B is a front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 6A, in a contracted position;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 6A, in contracted position;

FIG. 6D is a front elevation view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 6A in an expanded position;

FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 6A in an expanded position;

FIG. 6F is an isometric view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 6A in a contracted position;

FIG. 6G is an isometric view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 6A in an expanded position;

FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of a self-adjusting ring in a contracted position;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 7A with one rocker arm in a partially removed position;

FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 7A with one rocker arm in a full removed position;

FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 7A with one rocker arm in a fully removed and rotationally extended position;

FIG. 7E is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 7A with one rocker arm in a partially removed position;

FIG. 7F is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 7A with one rocker arm in a partially removed position;

FIG. 7G is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 7A with one rocker arm in a partially removed position;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a self-adjusting ring in a contracted position;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 8A in a compressed position;

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 8A with one rocker arm urged radially inwardly to release hook from stop;

FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 8A with one rocker arm partially extended;

FIG. 8E is a cross-sectional view of the self-adjusting ring of FIG. 8A with one rocker arm further partially extended;

FIG. 9A is a front elevation view of a retrofit self-adjusting ring mount;

FIG. 9B is a front elevation view of a nonadjustable ring;

FIG. 9C is a front elevation view of the retrofit self-adjusting ring mount of FIG. 9A, showing a where a crown of the nonadjustable ring can be mounted;

FIG. 9D is a front elevation view of the nonadjustable ring of FIG. 9B showing a demarcation by which a crown of the nonadjustable ring can be removed;

FIG. 9E is a front elevation view of the retrofit self-adjusting ring mount of FIG. 9A, with cutout ring portions removed;

FIG. 9F is a front elevation view of the nonadjustable ring with crown removed;

FIG. 9G is a front elevation view of the retrofit ring of FIG. 9A with the crown of the nonadjustable ring placed thereon;

FIG. 9H is an exploded front view of the retrofit self-adjusting ring in an expanded position of FIG. 9A showing support under bridge;

FIG. 91 is a front elevation view of the retrofit self-adjusting ring of FIG. 9A with the crown of the non-adjusting ring affixed thereon, in a contracted position; and

FIG. 9J is a front elevation view of the retrofit self-adjusting ring of FIG. 9A with the crown of the non-adjusting ring affixed thereon, in an expanded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures the present disclosure provides a self-adjusting, flexible ring.

All terms have definitions that are reasonably inferable from the drawings and description. Language used herein is to be interpreted to give as broad a meaning as is reasonable.

Various aspects of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the figures. For the purposes of illustration, components depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on highlighting the various contributions of the components to the functionality of various aspects of the disclosure. A number of possible alternative features are introduced during the course of this description. It is to be understood that, according to the knowledge and judgment of persons skilled in the art, such alternative features may be substituted in various combinations to arrive at different embodiments of the present disclosure.

Rationale

The present self-adjusting ring 100 allows the wearer to don the ring and remove the ring without the ring becoming stuck and provides a degree of flexibility when the wearer bends their finger or on a swollen finger or knuckle. The present self-adjusting ring 100 includes a crown portion 10, a rocker arm assembly 20 and a belly band portion 30.

Crown Portion

With reference to FIGS. 1A to 4D, a crown portion 10 of the rings includes a top face 11 which can optionally receive a gemstone mount 50 for mounting gemstones in some embodiments of the self-adjusting ring 100. A bottom face 12 of the crown portion 10 includes a hollow channel 13 for receiving the rocker arm assembly 20, and two pairs of holes 14a/b, each pair of holes aligned in the bottom face 12 across the channel 13, for securing the rocker assembly 20 to the crown portion 10 by means of axle pins 15a/b.

Alternatively, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 9J the crown portion 10 may be absent of the channel 13, simply including holes 14a/b for securing the rocker assembly 20 to the crown portion 10.

Rocker Arm Assembly

The rocker-arm assembly 20 includes a pair of arcuate rocker arms 21a/b each having a first end 22a/b and a second end 23a/b. The first ends 22a/b are connected to the crown portion 10, such that when assembled, an inner surface 26a/b of each rocker arm is flush with the bottom face of 12 of the ring 100, to prevent any protruding parts and to present a smooth surface on an inside of the ring 100.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 4D, the first ends 22a/b of the rocker arms 21a/b are received into the channel 13 and a hole 25a/b in each first end 22a/a aligns with each pair of holes 14a/b formed in the bottom face 12 of the crown portion 10 when the rocker arms are received in the channel 13. The axle pins 15a/b, when inserted through the pairs of holes 14a/b and through holes 25a/b, rotatably secure the rocker arms 21a/b to the crown portion 10, allowing for rotation of the rocker arms 21a/b about the axle pins 15a/b. The arrangement is similar in the embodiments of FIGS. 5A to 9J, however with no channel, instead the holes 25a/b of first ends 22a/b are simply aligned with the holes 14a/b of the crown portion 10 and pinned together with pins 15a/b to form a hinging relationship.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 4D, the rocker arms 21a/b are connected to the crown portion 10 in a resilient manner by means of engagement with springs 24a/b, said springs 24a/b being compressed between the bottom face 12 of the crown portion 10 and the first ends 22a/b of the rocker arms 21a/b to bias the rocker arms 21a/b inwardly towards one another.

The springs 24a/b can be coiled to form a U shape in embodiment of a wider and larger ring as depicted in FIGS. 1A to 2C, or to form a single coil for a narrow, smaller rings as depicted in FIGS. 3A to 4D.

The first ends 22a/b of the rocker arms 21a/b are preferably hollow or otherwise provided with a recess to receive the springs 24a/b, to thereby conceal and accommodate the springs 24a/b and reduce contact between a wearers finger and the springs 24a/b. Other configurations of the springs 24a/b are also possible to maintain a low profile and would be understood by those of skill in the art to be encompassed herein.

In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 6D, the springs 24a/b can take the form of a leaf spring or flat spring 24, or a pair of leaf springs 24a/b being compressed against the rocker arms 21a/b in a belly band 30 which is described in more detail below.

Belly Band Portion

With reference to FIGS. 1A to 4D, the belly band portion 30 preferably takes the form of an arcuate band having a first band end 31a and a second band end 31b. The first and second band ends 31a/b each include at least one retaining loop 32a/b for receiving the second ends 23a/b of each of the rocker arms 21a/b.

The belly band 30 preferably includes a recessed outer surface 33 such that when the second ends 23a/b are received into retaining loops 32a/b the rocker arms 21a/b are received into the recessed outer surface 33 to maintain a low profile of the self-adjusting ring 100. In this embodiment, the belly band 30 is free-floating such that it can travel up and down along the rocker arms 21a/b while being retained by the rocker-arms 21a/b as they are engaged within retaining loops 32a/b.

Optionally profiles (not shown) may be present on the outer sides of second ends 23a/b, said profiles interacting with retaining loops 32a/b when the self-adjusting ring 100 is fully expanded, to provide a limit to travel so that the belly band 30 does not fully disengage from the rest of the ring 100. As well, profiles with the retaining loops 32a/b provide a slight friction fit that holds the ring 100 in the fully expanded position without the springs 24a/b immediately pulling the ring back into a contracted state. This allows case of donning of the ring 100 and the slight friction fit is easily manually overcome to then allow the springs 24a/b to contract the ring in again to a comfortable fit about the user's finger.

In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 9J, the belly band 30 is hollow to receive second ends 23a/b within the belly band 30. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the rocker arms 21a/b include grooves 28 along a length thereof. The grooves 28 are engageable with tabs 36 formed within the belly band 30 to incrementally expand and contract the ring 100 to adjust its fit. The grooves 28 can be progressed along the tabs 36 to either expand or contract the ring 100 by a firm pull or push of the crown portion 10 relative to the belly band 30. The second ends 23a/b may also include a hook profile 29 for engagement with a stop 38 formed within the belly band 30 to lock the ring 100 into place in a fully contracted position, which can be a target ring size for a user.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A to 9J, the springs 24 or 24a/b are positioned within the hollow of the belly band 30, against an inner surface 26a/b the rocker arms 21a/b to urge the second ends 23a/b of the rocker arms 21a/b outwardly against the belly band 30. In this embodiment, the belly band 30 may include openings 34 for inserting leaf springs 24a/b, said openings 34 which can be welded closed once the springs 24a/b are inserted.

With reference to FIGS. 7A to 7G, the ring 100 may be fully opened by releasing one rocker arm 21a out of the belly band 30, and hinging the ring 100 along the opposite rocker arm 21b. Preferably, as seen in FIGS. 7C and 7D, an end of leaf spring 24a extends beyond tab 36 to define a small gap 37 through which the rocker arm 21a can be re-inserted and correctly positioned between the spring 24a and tab 36.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8E, further push tab openings 39, allow access to the second ends 23a/b of the rocker arms 21a/b such that the hook profile 29 can be manually released from the stop 38 by a user, to unlock the ring 100. In such circumstances, the crown portion 10 and belly band 30 are compressible towards one another to cause hook profiles 29 to protrude somewhat from the push tabs openings 39 such that they can be manually reached and pushed radially inwardly to release from stops 38.

Operation

The present self-adjusting ring 100 is designed to allow the belly band 30 to travel up and down along the rocker-arms 21a/b, which also pivot about axis pins 15a/b to expand under spring tension of the spring 24a/b when the wearer's finger increases in diameter bending or swelling, or for accommodating a wearer's knuckle when donning or removing the self-adjusting ring 100.

In some embodiments, the springs 24a/b serve to apply a constant inward pressure to the rocker arms 21a/b such that no manual adjustment is required to either expand or contract the ring 100. A swelling or change in diameter of the wearer's finger is sufficient to overcome the spring bias to automatically expand the ring 100. As mentioned earlier, the shape of the spring 24a/b as well as its stiffness can be set depending on the style of ring to which it is applied.

The present self-adjusting ring 100 can expand and contract up to 30% of its diameter, allowing for a range in finger diameters to be accommodated by the self-adjusting ring 100. The present self-adjusting ring 100 is preferably sized such that the ring 100 fits the wearer's finger in a fully contracted position, allowing for a full range of expansion as needed.

The present self-adjusting ring 100 does not rely on the rigidity or flexibility of the materials used to make the belly band 30, rocker arms 21a/b or crown portion 10. Instead, the present self-adjusting ring expands and contracts by movement some parts relative to other parts of the ring 100. As such, the present self-adjusting ring 100 can be used in both warm conditions and cold conditions without any change to operation.

The present self-adjusting ring 100 can optionally be used in a modular fashion. Specifically, the crown portion 10 and rocker arms 21a/b with springs 24a/b can be used with a range of sizes of belly band 30, to allow for a larger range of ring sizing without the need for have a new crown portion 10 with new gemstone mount 50 and remounting of the gemstone.

Portions of the present self-adjusting ring 100 can also be used with a crown of an existing ring to modify or retrofit the existing ring to a self-adjusting ring. This embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9J, in which FIGS. 9A, 9C and 9E represent a mount 40 of the present self-adjusting ring 100, FIGS. 9B, 9D and 9F represent an existing nonadjustable ring and FIGS. 9G to 9J represent the stages of fitting a crown 46 of the nonadjustable ring onto the mount 40 of the self-adjusting ring. The mount 40 includes cut off portions 42 that are removable to expose mounting points 44 of an undermount support bridge 48 onto which the crown 46 can be mounted. The undermount bridge provides structure and rigidity to the ring 100 and a support to line up and clamp the top crown 46. Once mounted, the crown 46 can be affixed to the mount 40 by soldering, welding or riveting. After welding the under-mount bridge 48 can be removed and the final adjustable ring is shown in FIG. 91 in contracted position and 9J in expanded position.

The present self-adjusting ring 100 can be made from precious metals like gold, platinum and sterling silver but any metal or suitable durable material could be also used including but not limited to plastics, wood, resins, polymers, stainless steel, titanium as well as out of combinations of metals and plastic polymers, Nylon et cetera.

More preferably, the present self-adjusting ring 100 is made by 3D printing a mold and then casting the ring.

The present self-adjusting ring can be cast using either vacuum casting or centrifugal casting machines, de-spurred and then preferably cold finished using rivets, or alternatively soldered or arc welded.

The present self-adjusting ring 100 can also be used for splinting, prosthetics, toe rings, or adornments for larger body parts. The present self-adjusting ring 100 can also be used for monitoring devices such as pulse oximeters, and in robotics for human-to-machine apparatus.

Human-to-machine interfaces include when humans wear robotic parts over existing appendages like the hands, in which the robotic parts can adjust in diameter by the present mechanism and are therefore more functionable and ergonomic for human use.

The present mechanism could also be used in manufacturing prosthetics that provide an ergonomic mounting solution for gripping onto amputated limbs.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the disclosure as understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An adjustable ring, said ring comprising: a. a crown portion;b. a belly band portion;c. a pair of arcuate rocker arms, each rocker arm having a first end rotatably connectable to the crown portion and a second end receivable in the belly band portion such that the second ends and the belly band can travel relative to one another; andd. one or more springs positioned relative to the rocker arms to provide resiliency to travel of the rocker arms relative to the belly band,wherein travel of the rocker arms relative to the belly band together with rotation of the rocker arms about a pivot axis of the crown portion allows the ring to resiliently expand and contract.

2. The adjustable ring of claim 1 wherein one or more springs are positioned between crown portion and the rockers arms to urge the rocker arms resiliently inwardly and wherein the belly band comprises retaining ends shaped to moveably receive the second ends of each rocker arm such that the belly band can travel up and down along the rocker arms while being retained by the rocker-arms as they are engaged within retaining ends.

3. The adjustable ring of claim 2, wherein the crown comprises a hollow channel for receiving the one or more springs and the first ends of the rocker arms.

4. The adjustable ring of claim 3, wherein the belly band comprises a recessed outer surface such that when the second ends of the rocker arms are received into retaining ends, the rocker arms sit in the recessed outer surface to maintain a low profile of the self-adjusting ring.

5. The adjustable ring of claim 1, wherein belly band is hollow to receive second ends of the rocker arms within the belly band and wherein the springs are positioned within the hollow of the belly band, against a radially inner surface of the rocker arms to urge the second ends of the rocker arms radially outwardly against the belly band.

6. The adjustable ring of claim 5, wherein an outer surface of the rocker arms include grooves along a length thereof, said grooves being engageable with a tab formed on an inner surface of each side of the belly band, to incrementally expand and contract the ring to adjust its fit.

7. The adjustable ring of claim 6, wherein the second ends of the rocker arms each include a hook profile for engagement with a stop formed on an inner surface of each side of the belly band to lock the ring into place in a fully contracted position.

8. The adjustable ring of claim 7, wherein the belly band comprises openings for insertion of the one or more springs, said openings being closeable once the springs are inserted.

9. The adjustable ring of claim 8, wherein the ring may be fully opened by releasing one rocker arm out of the belly band and rotating the rocker arm about its rotatable connection to the crown portion.

10. The adjustable ring of claim 9, wherein the belly band comprises push tab openings to allow access to the second ends of the rocker arms such that the hook profile can be manually released from the stop to unlock the ring.

11. The adjustable ring of claim 1, wherein the belly band, rocker arms and one or more springs can form a mount onto which a crown of another ring can be mounted, wherein the mount includes a removable undermount support bridge onto which the crown of another ring can be mounted, wherein the undermount bridge provides structure and rigidity to the ring and serves to align and hold the crown while the crown is permanently affixed to the mount, the under-mount bridge being removeable once the crown is affixed.