FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application generally relates to ring protectors, more particularly the present invention relates to a protective ring guard or a ring protector adapted for protecting a ring while worn on a finger. The ring may be a smart ring or any ring used as jewelry.
BACKGROUND
Jewelry, particularly rings carry a significant investment for individuals especially when made of precious metals, for example, platinum, gold, and so on. If such rings include precious stones affixed thereto then the rings become even more valuable for protection. Some specific rings such as wedding rings, engagement rings, etc. carry sentimental or emotional significance for jewelry owners or wearers. It has been observed that such rings are worn daily while performing different activities (E.g. performing exercises or while working at home or office) and can become damaged through physical contact of the ring with hard or abrasive surfaces. For example, while using dumbbells, barbell exercises, etc., the rings worn by a ring owner or wearer might get damaged. Likewise, while performing kitchen-related jobs, there are risks that the ring can become damaged through physical contact of the ring with utensils for example.
The simplest solution to protecting the rings is to take off the rings and store them temporarily in other places, for example, almirah, drawers, lockers, etc. Sometimes, the ring owners take off their rings and place them in their bags, purses, pockets, etc. With these solutions either there are risks of losing the rings or there is still a danger of rings getting damaged kept with other items in the bags, purses, pockets, etc.
Further, smart rings are becoming increasingly popular in this smart world. The smart rings typically include sensors, and other sensitive electronics and the protection of such rings is highly desirable. Further, smart rings are typically expensive replacing them is undesirable.
There are known protective covers for smart rings (for example, one disclosed in WO2023079444A1), and there are several ring covers designed for other kinds of rings, for example, US2012118016A1, US2013105336A1, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,585,446B1.
US2012118016A1 discloses a cylindrical elastomer ring cover protecting a ring while worn on a finger with a dome that houses the protrusion of the gemstone. There is visibility of the rings in cavity of the ring cover when manufactured with transparent Silicone. US2013105336A1 discloses a ring cover for accessorizing and/or protecting a ring worn on an individual's finger includes a protective band configured to encircle a ring. The protective band may have an aperture. The aperture may be configured to allow a user to display and/or pass a protruding center stone or other ornamentation of a ring through. U.S. Pat. No. 9,585,446B1 discloses a ring protector adapted to snuggly fit around a ring and surround the outside of a ring and any incorporated designs, stones, or settings. The provided ring protectors are designed to cover the entire ring to protect the ring from getting damaged and are made transparent. This somewhere compromises the aesthetics of the rings. Also, some of the known covers may cause discomfort to the users and may affect the contact between the smart ring's internal sensors and the wearer's fingers which in turn may impact the function of the smart ring.
What is desired is a protective ring guard or a ring protector for protecting a ring (E.g. a smart ring or any conventional ring) from getting damaged through physical contact with hard or abrasive surfaces, while being worn in sports or performing exercises, or while performing a manual task at home or office.
SUMMARY
It will be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular apparatus described herein, as there can be multiple possible embodiments of the present disclosure which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is to describe the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a protective ring guard adapted for protecting a ring (E.g. a smart ring or any conventional ring) while worn on a finger. The ring protector is configured to protect the ring without interfering with the aesthetics of the ring.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a protective ring guard or a ring protector that's easy to use, and strategically encapsulates a ring, and essentially protects the ring from sides and base of the ring when the ring is worn along with the protector over the finger.
Embodiments of the present invention describe a ring protector 100 for protecting a ring 200 worn on a finger 302 of a user. The ring protector includes a first annular member 102 comprising a first outer surface 102a, a first inner surface 102b, and a first pair of side surfaces 102c, 102d. The ring protector includes a second annular member 103 comprising a second outer surface 103a, a second inner surface 103b, and a second pair of side surfaces 103c, 103d, wherein the second annular member 103 is spaced apart from the first annular member 102. Further, the ring protector 100 includes a base 104 interconnecting the first annular member 102 and the second annular member 103. The base 104 is configured to extend partially along the circumference of the first annular member 102 and the second annular member 103 leaving an open space 105 at the opposing side of the base 104 for insertion of the ring 200.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use, and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of various examples. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGS. 1-4 are diagrams that illustrate a protective ring guard, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates the protective ring guard of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates a protective ring guard, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the protective ring guard of FIG. 1 with a conventional ring being inserted inside the ring guard and in a completely inserted position respectively.
FIGS. 9-12 are diagrams that illustrate the protective ring guard of FIG. 1 in yet another possible embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram that illustrates the protective ring guard of FIG. 9 with the ring being inserted inside the ring guard.
FIGS. 14-16 illustrate the protective ring guard of FIG. 9 in use worn on the finger of a user.
FIGS. 17-19 are diagrams that illustrate a protective ring guard, according to yet another possible embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a diagram that illustrates the protective ring guard of FIG. 17, according to another possible embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a diagram that illustrates the protective ring guard of FIG. 17 in use when worn on a finger of a user, according to another possible embodiment.
FIGS. 22 and 23 are diagrams that illustrate the protective ring guard of FIG. 17 in use, with a conventional ring and smart ring being completely inserted inside the ring protector to safeguard the ring.
FIGS. 24 and 25 are diagrams that illustrate the protective ring guard of FIG. 17, according to yet another possible embodiment.
FIGS. 26-29 illustrate a protective ring guard for a smart ring in particular, according to one possible embodiment.
FIGS. 30-32 illustrate the protective ring guard of FIG. 26, according to another possible embodiment.
FIGS. 33-35 illustrate the protective ring guard of FIG. 26, according to another possible embodiment.
FIG. 36 illustrates the insertion of a smart ring therein within the ring guard of FIG. 26.
FIG. 37 illustrates the ring guard of FIG. 26 with the smart ring inserted therein.
FIGS. 38-39 shows the ring guard of FIG. 26 with the smart ring worn into a user's finger.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may also include plural references. For example, the term “an article” may include a plurality of articles. Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention. There may be additional components described in the foregoing application that are not depicted in one of the described drawings. In the event such a component is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification.
Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of components, which constitutes glasses and an arrangement or mechanism for stacking multiple glasses. Accordingly, the components have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the present invention.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “yet another embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, “another example”, “yet another example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
The words “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, and “including”, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements or entities. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements or priorities. While various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed apparatuses have been described below, it should be understood that they have been presented for purposes of example only, and not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the below teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the present invention, without departing from the breadth or scope.
The protective ring guard adapted for protecting a ring while worn on a finger will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should be regarded as merely illustrative without restricting the scope and ambit of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-39. The rings to be protected are mainly expensive conventional jewelry rings, or smart rings for the purpose of this invention. The smart rigs are relatively new devices that serve a range of functions. Some are packed with sensors and track heart rate, sleep, and other metrics, whereas some have NFC chips for making payments. It becomes of utmost importance to protect these new generation rings while the user is at work or performing activities such as exercising, performing kitchen work, and so on. Some of the popular brands offering smart rings are Samsung® (Samsung Galaxy S24 for example), Oura® (Horizon, Heritage, for example), Ultrahuman® (Ring AIR), and so on.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the ring protector device 100 generally comprises a first annular member 102, a second annular member 103, and a base 104. The ring protector device 100 is made of plastic, silicon, or an elastomeric material. The ring protector device 100 may be made using injection molding or any other methods known in the art as a single piece according to one embodiment. The first annular member 102, the second annular member 103, and the base 104 may be made in discrete pieces using injection molding or any other methods known in the art and then attached according to another embodiment.
The first annular member 102 includes a first outer surface 102a, a first inner surface 102b, and a first pair of side surfaces 102c, 102d. The first annular member 102 further comprises a proximal edge 102f, and a distal edge 102d. The second annular member 103 includes a second outer surface 103a, a second inner surface 103b, and a second pair of side surfaces 103c, 103d. The second annular member 103 comprises a proximal edge 103f, and a distal edge 103d. Further, the second annular member 103 is spaced apart from the first annular member 102. The annular members 102 and 103 are preferably made identical in shape, size, and oriented collinearly for the proper functioning of the ring protector device 100 when it is in use with the ring 200.
According to embodiments, the base 104 of the ring protector 100 interconnects the first annular member 102 and the second annular member 103. The base 104 may be configurable in many different forms over the annular members 102,103, which will be described in various embodiments to follow in the description. The base 104 is configured to extend partially along the circumference of the first annular member 102 and the second annular member 103 leaving an open space 105 (FIG. 3) at the opposing side of the base 104 for insertion of the ring 200 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The length to which the base 104 may extend along the circumference of the members 102,103 can vary, however, the length is limited to allow insertion of the ring 200 from the open opposing side of the base 104. According to an embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1, 3-4, the base 104 is configured to extend beyond the distal edges 102e, and 103e of the annular member 102 and the annular member 103. According to another embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 6, 9, 11, 12, 17, 19-20, 24-15, the base 104 is configured to extend between the distal edges 102e, 103e of the annular members 102,103.
Further, according to an embodiment, the base 104 is disposed on top of the outer surfaces 102a, 103a of the first annular member 102 and the second annular member 103 as seen in FIGS. 1-2,9-10. In some other embodiments, the base 104 is disposed on top of the annular member 102 and the annular member 103 such as to remain flushed on the annular members 102, 103 as best seen in at least FIGS. 6, 17, 24.
Further, the base 104 may be made of the same material as that of the annular members 102,103 or may incorporate padding or cushioning for added comfort while using the ring protector 100. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3,5,9-11 shows the base 104 incorporating cushioning material. Further, FIGS. 1-3 also embody some patterns on the outer surface 104a. However, it should be understood that padding or cushioning is not necessary for the functioning of the invention or protection of the ring 200 inserted inside the ring protector 100. Additionally, the base 104 can be made uniformly thick and flat as seen in FIGS. 6 and 17-18, according to an embodiment. According to another embodiment, the base 104 can be made non-uniformly thick and made centrally concavely curved as seen in FIGS. 1,3,9-12, and 24-25. The embodiment with concavely curved base 104 on the top surface provides an additional advantage while performing fitness exercises and using exercise equipment, such as a dumbbell. Further, according to an embodiment, a portion of a bottom surface 104b of the base 104 acts as a resting surface 106 for the bottom of the ring 200 when the ring is inserted inside the ring protector 100 as best understood from FIGS. 8, 22-23. The resting surface 106 extends between the proximal edges 102f, and 103f of the annular members 102, 103. Depending upon the size of the ring 200 that the ring protector 100 needs to cover to protect the ring 200, the resting surface 106 can vary in width, or in other words the space between the annular members 102,103 can vary. Depending upon the width and the size of the ring 200 to be protected, the ring protector 100 with appropriate resting surface 106 size and annular members 102,103 size should be chosen. Usually, the annular members 102,103 of the ring guard 100 are designed to accommodate the ring 200 inside when the ring 200 is inserted from top and passed through the slot 105. Also, when the ring protector 100 is in use, the members 102,103 encircle the finger of the user.
Furthermore, the base 104 comprises a first-end 104c and a second-end 104d. The ends 104c, and 104d are at least curved or U-shaped as seen in at least FIGS. 17,19,24-25. In some other embodiments, the ends 104c, and 104d are made substantially straight such that the base 104 appears substantially rectangular in shape (as seen in FIGS. 6 and 12, and to some extent in FIGS. 3 and 12).
Further, as seen in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, and 9-12, the upper surface 104a of the base 104 may embody some pattern or grooved pattern to provide better aesthetics or added grip respectively when the ring protector 100 is in use with the ring 200. In some embodiments, the top surface 104a may just be a smooth/flat or leveled or be centrally concavely curved without any pattern as seen in FIGS. 5,6,17-20,24-25.
In operation, as seen in FIGS. 7-8,13-16,21-23, the ring 200 (E.g. smart ring or any conventional jewelry ring) to be protected is inserted inside the ring protector device 100 through the open slot 105 in the direction indicated by an arrow in FIGS. 7 and 13. When the ring 200 is fully inserted inside the ring protector 100 via slot 105, the bottom 202 of the ring 200 rests on the resting surface 106 (FIG. 8,22-23). The sides of the ring 200 are disposed in proximity to or coincide with the proximal edges 102f, 103f of the annular members 102,103 of the ring protector 100 when the ring 200 is inserted inside the ring protector 100. The base 104 and the proximal edges 102f, 103f of the annular members 102, 103 protect the ring 200 from the bottom 202 and sides 203 when inserted inside the ring protector 100 and worn on the finger 302. The ring 200 when inserted may fit within the space surrounded by the members 102,103 revealing the top of the ring 200. It is an added benefit of the present invention, that when the ring 200 is inserted inside the ring protector 200, the aesthetics of the ring 200 remains unobstructed. As seen in FIGS. 8,22-23, the top of the ring 200 remains visible to the users along with protecting the ring 200 from the bottom and sides. Depending upon the type of ring, for example, if the ring is conventional jewelry ring with stones, diamonds, etc, such aesthetic parts of the ring may also protrude beyond the area of the space surrounded by the annular members 102,103 as seen in FIGS. 8 and 22. If the ring 200 such as a smart ring is intended for protection, then usually the ring 200 would be confined within the space surrounded by the annular members 102,103 as seen in FIG. 23. The proposed ring protector device 100 is also extremely useful to the user performing exercises using for example, dumbbells or barbells, etc. The wearer of the ring protector 200, inserts the ring 200 (E.g. smart ring or conventional ring) inside the ring protector 100. The base 104 specifically the top surface 104a of the base 104 comes in contact with the metal instead of the ring directly coming in contact with the metal of the dumbbell, thereby protecting the ring 200 housed inside the ring protector 100. Besides this, the base 104 also functions to distribute the load from heavy objects (such as dumbbells) on the ring protector 100 evenly without damaging the ring 200 housed within the ring protector 100. Mainly the load is distributed on the annular members 102,103.
Further, FIGS. 26-29 illustrate a protective ring guard 100 specifically configured for protecting a smart ring, according to one possible embodiment. The ring protector 100 of FIGS. 26-29 is similar to one or more embodiments of the ring protector 100 described above in FIGS. 1-25, however, comprises a top base 104 and a bottom base 108 opposingly spaced apart from the top base 104 instead of having a single base 104 apart from comprising the first annular member 102, and the second annular member 103. The functionality of the annular members 102,103 and the top and bottom bases 104,108 are essentially, the same as described above for the base 104 in FIGS. 1-25. The top base 104 comprises a first-end 104c and a second-end 104d. The bottom base 108 comprises a first end 108c, and a second end 108d. The ends 104c, and 104d of the base 104, and the ends 108c, and 108d of the base 108 are at least curved (FIGS. 26-29) or U-shaped as seen in FIGS. 33-35. In some other embodiments, the ends 104c, 104d of the top base 104 and the ends 108c, 108d of the bottom base 108 are substantially straight such that the bases 104,108 appear substantially rectangular in shape (as seen in FIGS. 30-32).
Further, in embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 26-35, the upper surface 104a of the top base 104 may embody some pattern or grooved pattern to provide better aesthetics or added grip respectively when the ring protector 100 is in use with the ring 200 inserted therein. In some embodiments, the top surface 104a may just be smooth/flat or leveled or be centrally concavely curved without any pattern as seen in FIGS. 26-35. In some other embodiment, both the upper surface 104a of the top base 104 and the upper surface 108a of the bottom base 108 may embody a pattern or grooved pattern.
According to an embodiment, the top base 104, and the bottom base 108 are disposed (fixedly attached) on top of the outer surfaces 102a, and 103a of the first annular member 102 and the second annular member 103. In some other embodiments, the base 104, and 108 are disposed on top of the annular member 102 and the annular member 103 such as to remain flushed on the annular members 102, and 103 such that the ring protector 100 appears as a single piece unit (molded as a one-piece unit). Ideally, the ring protector 100 would visually appear as seen in FIG. 28.
Further, according to embodiments of FIGS. 26-39, a portion of a bottom surface (not seen) of the top base 104, and a bottom surface 108b (FIG. 36) of the bottom base 108 act as a resting surface 106 for the outer surface of the smart ring 200 when the ring 200 is inserted inside the ring protector 100 as best understood from FIGS. 36-37. The resting surface 106 extends between the proximal edges 102f, and 103f of the annular members 102, 103.
Also as seen in at least FIGS. 27,31,34, unlike the way the ring 200 is inserted in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-25, the smart ring 200 is inserted from either side of the ring protector 100 (FIG. 36). The flexibility of the ring protector 100 allows insertion of the ring 200 inside the ring protector 100 such that the ring 200 is held in between the annular members 102, 103 being rested on at least the bottom surface 104b or the bottom surface 108b of the top base 104, or the bottom base 108 respectively. The user can first stretch out the ring protector 100 using his fingers and then from either of the sides of the ring protector 100 insert the ring 200 inside the space between the annular members 102,103 with two bases 104,108 covering the ring 200 on two opposing sides of the ring 200. Once fully inserted inside the ring protector 100 as seen in FIG. 37, the smart ring 200 is protected from the top and bottom by the bases 104 and 108. As seen in the figures, the ends 104c, and 104d of the top base 104, and the ends 108c, and 108d of the bottom base 108 form openings 110,111 on two opposed ends of the ring guard 100. The openings 110, 111 are substantially circular shaped, rectangular shaped, square-shaped, or oval-shaped, or any other shape. The openings 110,111 (which are opposingly positioned) allow the ring 200 to be visibly seen. In operations, the portions of the smart ring 200 visible from these openings 110,111 are protected or guarded by the adjacent fingers 303,304 (fingers adjacent to finger 302 on which the ring protector 100 with ring 200 is worn) as best understood through FIG. 39. Thus, the smart ring 200 worn on the finger 302 of the user is protected completely (from any impacts or any external factors indoor or outdoor) even the portions of the ring 200 visibly seen through the openings 110,111. It is well understood that the top base (104), the bottom base (108), and the proximal edges (102f,103f) of the first annular member (102) and the second annular member (103) protect the top (204), the bottom (202) and a pair of sides (203) of the smart ring (200) respectively.
In operation, as seen in FIGS. 36-39, the ring 200 (E.g. smart ring) to be protected is inserted inside the ring protector 100 through either of the sides of the ring protector 100 in the direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 36. When the ring 200 is fully inserted inside the ring protector 100 (FIG. 37) by stretching the ring guard 100, the bottom 202 of the ring 200 rests on the resting surface 106 on the bottom surface 108b of the bottom base 108 (see FIG. 36). Likewise, the top 204 of the ring 200 rests on the resting surface 106 on the bottom surface 104b of the top base 104 (see FIG. 36). The sides of the ring 200 are disposed in proximity to or coincide with the proximal edges 102f,103f of the annular members 102,103 of the ring protector 100 when the ring 200 is inserted inside the ring protector 100. The bases 104,108 and the proximal edges 102f, 103f of the annular members 102, 103 protect the ring 200 from the bottom 202, the top 204, and sides 203 when inserted inside the ring protector 100 and worn on the finger 302.
Although the embodiments of FIGS. 26-39 describe the presence of two bases 104,108, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there may be more than two such bases (E.g. three, four bases) interconnecting annular members 102,103 instead of just two.
While various embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims
Patent Application
20240315407
