Patent Application
20060042313
The present invention relates generally to devices for securing jewelry, and more particularly to devices used to secure a ring for protection against inadvertent loss.
Many people possess jewelry having significant monetary or sentimental value, including rings such as an engagement ring or wedding band. Frequently, such a ring is worn throughout the day, and the wearer does not desire to remove the ring when participating in physical activity such as exercise. A wearer may find removing the ring to be undesirable for reasons including a sentimental attachment to the ring, a wish to display the ring to others, or lack of a convenient and safe location where the wearer may confidently secure the ring.
Physical activity increases the risk that the ring will fall from the wearer's finger, perhaps to be irretrievably lost. For example, running, aerobics, and swimming typically include forceful arm motions that may impart momentum to a ring, causing it to fly or drop from the finger. Perspiration, naturally oily skin, and preparations such as soaps, lotions, or oils may have a lubricating effect on the ring, permitting it more easily to slip or slide from the finger. A wearer who has lost weight since obtaining the ring may also find that the ring fits more loosely, putting the wearer at increased risk of inadvertently losing the ring.
The invention provides a ring retainer having a tether for retaining a ring while the ring is being worn on the body of a person.
An embodiment of a ring retainer according to the teachings of the present invention comprises a continuous flexible strand. A first portion of the strand is adapted to encircle a wearer's limb. A second portion of the strand forms a tether, with a length sufficient to enable it to be looped through a ring worn by the wearer. The tether has a releasable fastener at a free end, for releasably attaching the free end to the first portion to form a closed loop.
An alternative embodiment of the ring retainer comprises a flexible tether having a fastener at one end, attached to a bracelet worn around a wearer's limb. A free end of the tether includes a second fastener. The tether has a length sufficient to enable the free end to be looped through a ring worn on a digit of the limb. The second fastener is releasably attached to the bracelet or to the tether, to form a closed loop.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a flexible tether having a first fastener at a first end, attached to a bracelet. There is a second fastener at a free end, releasably attached to a ring. The tether has a length sufficient to enable the second fastener to reach the ring.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a flexible tether with its first end fixedly attached to a bracelet. A second end of the tether includes a releasable clasp. The tether has a length sufficient to enable the second end to be looped through a ring and releasably attached to the bracelet by the clasp.
Still another embodiment of the present invention comprises a bracelet and a tether firmly attached at a first end to the bracelet. The tether has a releasable fastener at a second end for releasably attaching the second end to the bracelet to form a loop.
In the Figures, in which like numerals indicate like elements, there are shown embodiments of a ring retainer incorporating the invention. It will be noted that the various embodiments share certain common features, which may be shown and described in detail with reference to a drawing of one such embodiment. It should be understood that, when so indicated, such features are common to the other embodiments.
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show alternative forms; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In
A ring 10, which a wearer desires to secure with the present invention, is shown being worn on the ring finger. The ring 10 does not form a part of the present invention.
A bracelet 20 is shown being worn around the wearer's wrist. The bracelet 20 may be a band, chain, strap, cord, or article of jewelry adapted to encircle a wearer's wrist, ankle, arm, or leg. In one embodiment, the bracelet 20 includes one or more beads 21 threaded upon a strand 22 of filamentous material, such as monofilament line, floss, or thread. In another embodiment, the bracelet 20 includes an elastic cord. In yet another embodiment, the bracelet 20 includes one or more chains. One skilled in the art will recognize that the bracelet 20 and strand 22 may be fashioned from any of numerous suitable materials, and may be arranged in numerous ornamental configurations.
Although the embodiment of the present invention illustrated by
A flexible tether 30 extends from the bracelet 20, passes through the ring 10, and returns to be fastened to the bracelet 20, thereby forming a closed loop. When fastened, the tether 30 forms a loop that, at its maximum extension, is sufficiently short to prevent the ring 10 from falling off the tip of the fully-extended finger.
Optionally, the tether 30 is passed through a plurality of rings 10 worn together on a digit. For example, a wedding band and an engagement ring, worn on the same finger, may both be secured by the tether 30.
The tether 30 includes one or more fasteners. Conventional fasteners for jewelry are well known in the art, and include clasps, clamps, clips, snaps, buckles, buttons, hooks, eyes, loops, and locks, each in numerous configurations. In
As shown, the first end 41 may be fastened to the connector 40 by tying strand 22 into a knot around the connector 40 at the first end 41. In another embodiment, the first end 41 may include a closed loop or a closed link for fastening to the connector 40. In yet another embodiment, the first end 41 may include a conventional fastener such as a releasable clasp.
One or more decorative items such as ornamental beads 21 may be threaded onto the bracelet 20 portion of the strand 22. Each bead 21 has a hole adapted to receive a thread such as strand 22, and may be conventionally formed of any material used in jewelry, including plastic, glass, wood, stone, and pearl. Suitable decorative items also include charms. The beads 21 enhance the ornamental value of bracelet 20. Additionally, the beads 21 provide mass, giving the bracelet 20 heft and making it easier to handle.
A fastening point 42 along the length of the strand 22 is determined such that bracelet 20 will have a size desired by the wearer. A desirable size for bracelet 20 is determined by the circumference of the wearer's limb at the point where the wearer desires the limb to be encircled by the bracelet 20. The bracelet 20 must be at least long enough to encircle the wearer's limb. When fastened, the bracelet 20 may fit snugly or loosely around the limb, but should not be so loose as to fall easily from the limb.
The connector 40 and the strand 22 are fastened one to the other at the fastening point 42, thereby closing a loop to form a first portion of the strand 22 into bracelet 20. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the connector 40 and the strand 22 are fastened by knotting the strand 22 around the connector 40. In another embodiment, the connector 40 may include a conventional fastener such as a releasable clasp for releasably fastening to the strand 22, and strand 22 comprises one or more links having a hole for fastening to connector 40. In yet another embodiment, strand 22 may include an additional fastener at the fastening point 42.
The tether 30 is formed from a second portion of the strand 22, which continues outward from the connector 40 to terminate in clasp 31 at the free end of the strand 22. In order to secure the ring 10, illustrated with a dashed line, the clasp 31 is passed through the ring 10 and looped back toward the bracelet 20. The clasp 31 is then fastened to the bracelet 20 at connector 40, thereby forming a closed loop to secure the ring 10.
In
One skilled in the art will recognize that a bracelet 20 suitable for use with this embodiment of the present invention may be fashioned from any of numerous materials, and may be arranged in numerous ornamental configurations. For example, and not by way of limitation, the bracelet 20 may comprise one or more jewels, charms, metallic chains, elastic cords, cloth or leather straps, rigid wires or bands, or the combination of a wristwatch and watchband. The bracelet 20 may be completely closed around the limb or, if substantially rigid, may be partially open around the limb. The bracelet 20 optionally includes a connector 40, which may be a closed link, or which may be a releasable fastener such as a clasp for releasably fastening the bracelet 20 around the limb.
The first fastener 50 may be attached to the bracelet 20 in any of numerous ways. In one embodiment, the first fastener 50 is fixedly attached to the bracelet 20; for example, the first fastener 50 may be a knot formed from the end of strand 22 and tied to the bracelet 20. In another embodiment, the first fastener 50 is able to slide along the length of the bracelet 20; for example, the first fastener 50 may be a loop formed from the end of strand 22, or a clasp loosely encircling the bracelet 20. In still another embodiment, the first fastener 50, such as a conventional releasable clasp, may be releasably attached to the bracelet 20. In yet another embodiment, the first fastener 50 may be fastened to the bracelet 20 at the connector 40.
After the second fastener 31 is passed through the ring 10, the second fastener 31 may also be attached to the bracelet 20 in any of numerous ways. In one embodiment, the second fastener 31 may be a conventional clasp, releasably attached to the bracelet 20. In yet another embodiment, the second fastener 31 may be fastened to the bracelet 20 at the connector 40.
In
While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be clearly understood that the foregoing embodiments do not limit the scope of the disclosed invention. The scope of the disclosed invention is further set forth in the appended claims.
