US3590598A

US3590598A - Finger ring with pivotally mounted size-adjusting member

Info

Publication number: US3590598A
Application number: US756484A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank Leone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-08-30
Filing date: 1968-08-30
Publication date: 1971-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-06

Abstract

A finger ring size adjuster which can be actuated to reduce the internal ring size after the ring is on the finger so that a maximum ring opening can be provided for placing the ring on the finger. A spring-biased detent holds the dimension-reducing element releasably in its full closed position and permits it to be swung under predetermined pressure to its full open position.

Description

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FOREIGN PATENTS Austria Primary Examiner- F. Barry Shay Attorneys-James A. Eise'nman, John'C. McGregor and Robert R. Strack ABSTRACT: A finger ring size adjuster which can be actuated to reduce the internal ring size after the ring is on the finger so that a maximum ring opening can be provided for placing the ring on the finger. A spring-biased detent holds thedimensionreducing element releasably in its full closed position and permits it to be swung under predetermined pressure to its full open position.

FINGER G WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED SIZE- ADJUSTING MEMBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to finger ring size adjusters and guards.

Conventional finger ring size adjusters and guards take the form of spring-biased members which intrude upon the internal ring space and which exert a constant spring force. Typically, such devices provide the minimum ring size or opening when the ring is off the finger so that the guard must be displaced against the spring force in order to force it on or off the finger. Once on the finger, there tends to be a continuous spring pressure. In those devices in which the spring-forced guard is built into the large or decorative portion of the ring, they tend to create an open space between the ring and the finger which can be esthetically unpleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a finger ring size adjuster which can take the form of a contoured element pivotally mounted at the back side of the ring and having a geometry which-blends into the inside circumference of the ring as a continuous line. The pivoted element is adapted to be swung to a position in the plane of the ring, thereby decreasing the ring size, and to a position at right angles to the plane of the ring, thereby opening the ring to its full original inside diameter. Detent means in the form of a spring releasably secured the member in either of its positions. Thus, to place the ring on the finger, the member is swung to its open position so that the ring can be slipped on the finger unhampered, but once on the finger the member can be swung to its coplanar position in which the member decreases the ring size in the fleshy portion of the finger where it is least conspicuous.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a ring embodying the size adjustment device of the present invention and showing the reduced size position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the ring of FIG. I, particularly in cross section, showing the size-controlling element in its inoperative or in its position in which the full inside diameter of the ring is available for placing the ring on the finger.

FIG. 3 is a view in transverse section and in enlarged scale showing structural details of one preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 41 is a view in perspective further showing structural details of the operative element detached from the ring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings and to FIGS. 1-3 in particular, the invention is illustrated as embodied in a finger ring which can, if desired, include a decorative portion 11, and, attached preferably to a diametrically opposed portion, a ring area controlling member 12 which has a contoured surface 13 which forms a geometrical continuity with the inner surface 14 of the ring. In the illustrated embodiment, this takes the form of a convexly rounded surface. The member 12 is pivotally mounted on the ring by a hinge assembly 15.

In the arrangement of FIGS. 1-3, the pin of the hinge assembly 15 takes the form of a short length 16 of the ring of reduced diameter formed with a flat 16a facing inwardly. The remainder of the ring can be generally circular in cross section or, if desired, can have additional flats formed thereon. The hinge pin 16 is surrounded by a hinge strap 15a of substantially the same outside diameter and cross-sectional configuration as the ring and carrying the size-controlling member 12. Formed within the body of the member 12 is a channel 17 having a spring 13 of longer length compressed therein. Received in a central opening 120 of the member is a detent pin 19 having a transverse bore 190 through which the compressed spring 18 passes. The outer flat end of the detent I9, radially speaking, bears against the flat 16a of the hinge pin 16,

thereby holding the member l2 releasably in its operative position.

When it is desired to place the ring on the finger or to remove it, the member 12 is moved to its horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 2, thereby establishing the full internal area of the ring. When the ring is on the finger, the member 12 is snapped to its coplanar position with respect to the ring and the member 12, when disposed in the circumferential position indicated, lightly embeds itself in the: fleshy portion of the finger beneath the knuckle, thereby holding the ring on the finger, and in addition, causing the decorative portion 11 to be pulled snugly against the opposite side of the finger.

The arrangement of FIGS. l-3 is particularly adapted to be constructed into the ring at the time it is initially fabricated or, if desired, to be applied by a jeweler having the necessary tools to form the short cylindrical shank portion 16 in the ring.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated in enlarged scale design details of one preferred way of constructing the member 12. The hinge strap 15a is shown as an outwardly extending tongue 20 which has not yet been formed into the hinge loop which is adapted to surround the shank 16 of the ring. Formed along the inner edge of the member 12 is a channel 21 within which a spring 22 is fitted under light compression with the spring passing through a transverse bore 23a in a detent block or member 23, the outer end of which projects slightly beyond the plane of the inner edge so that it can bear releasably against a flat on the ring shank in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. The channel 21 is adapted to be closed by bending down

tabs

24 and 25. The detent block 23 is received in a central opening in the member 12 which is slightly deeper than the length of the inner end of the block so that the block can move in and out to perform its detent function. It should also be seen that the spring 22, passing through a bore in the detent block 23, serves both as a resilient member opposing inward motion of the detent block and at the same time restrains it against falling out of its central opening before the member 12 is mounted on a ring. It will also be understood that the design of FIG. 4 is adapted to be mounted on a ring either at the factory or by a jeweler, at which time the reduced diameter hinge pin 16 can be formed in. the ring, or it can be sold as a separate unit to be mounted by the owner who forms the hinge 15a around the ring by bending the tab 20 but without forming the reduced hinge pin 16 in the ring.

It will be apparent, therefore, that the invention can take various forms and arrangements and should not be limited except as defined by the following claims:

I claim:

1. Finger ring internal area controlling means comprising a member to displace a portion of the internal area of the ring, hinge means for coaction with a ring to connect the member to the ring to be swung between inoperative and operative positions; and spring-biased detent means for coaction with a ring to releasably hold the member in its operative position, said member including a convexly contoured surface which, when the member is in its operative position coplanar with the ring and disposed within the circumference thereof, forms a convex protuberance defining a continuous smooth line joining with the inner circumference of the ring at two relatively closely spaced points, said member comprising a substantially solid member'having internal conduits accommodating said detent means and having side surfaces which, when the member is in its operative position coplanar with the ring, forms a substantially gapfree junction with the inner circumference of the ring.

2. Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth in claim 1, said member including as part of said hinge means a strap portion surrounding the ring, the ring being reduced in cross section where surrounded by the strap to form a substantially unbroken line with the ring.

3. Finger ring internal area controlling means comprising a member to displace a portion the internal area of the ring, hinge means for coaction with a ring to connect the member to the ring to be swung between inoperative and operative block to hold it yieldably in position to engage the ring.

4. Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth in claim 3, said hinge means comprising a bendable metal tongue carried by the member and adapted to be folded about the ring to form a hinge strap.

5. Finger ring internal area controlling means as set forth in claim 3, said member including a spring-receiving channel along one of its edges, and tab means on said member adapted to be folded over said channel to hold the spring therein.

Claims

1. Finger ring internal area controlling means comprising a member to displace a portion of the internal area of the ring, hinge means for coaction with a ring to connect the member to the ring to be swung between inoperative and operative positions; and spring-biased detent means for coaction with a ring to releasably hold the member in its operative position, said member including a convexly Contoured surface which, when the member is in its operative position coplanar with the ring and disposed within the circumference thereof, forms a convex protuberance defining a continuous smooth line joining with the inner circumference of the ring at two relatively closely spaced points, said member comprising a substantially solid member having internal conduits accommodating said detent means and having side surfaces which, when the member is in its operative position coplanar with the ring, forms a substantially gap-free junction with the inner circumference of the ring.

3. Finger ring internal area controlling means comprising a member to displace a portion the internal area of the ring, hinge means for coaction with a ring to connect the member to the ring to be swung between inoperative and operative positions; and spring-biased detent means for coaction with a ring to releasably hold the member in its operative position, said member including a convexly contoured surface which, when the member is in its operative position coplanar with the ring and disposed within the circumference thereof, forms a convex protuberance defining a continuous smooth line joining with the inner circumference of the ring at two relatively closely spaced points; said detent means comprising a detent block movably mounted in the body of said member, a spring within the body of the member passing through the detent block to hold it yieldably in position to engage the ring.