Patents by Inventor Ronald W. Hartgrove

Ronald W. Hartgrove has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7201021
    Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Heart & Company
    Inventor: Ronald W Hartgrove
  • Patent number: 7143607
    Abstract: A jewelry article includes an interchangeable setting, a shank or body, and a capture module. The shank defines a mounting area that holds the setting on the shank except substantially along one axis when the setting is positioned in the mounting area. The capture module couples on the shank. For example, the module can include a slot fitting on a portion of the shank. When the module is coupled on the shank, the module prevents removal of the setting from the mounting area substantially along the one axis. When worn by a wearer, the finger of the wearer, for example, maintains the module coupled to the shank so that the setting is captured on the jewelry article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Heart & Company
    Inventor: Ronald W Hartgrove
  • Patent number: 6851279
    Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Heart & Company
    Inventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove
  • Publication number: 20040079111
    Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Heart & Company
    Inventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove
  • Publication number: 20040074259
    Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Heart & Company
    Inventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove
  • Patent number: 6715315
    Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Heart & Company
    Inventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove
  • Publication number: 20040055332
    Abstract: Jewelry articles having magnetic elements and interchangeable settings are disclosed. In one aspect, the jewelry articles include magnetically coupling body portions and interchangeable settings. The body portions magnetically couple together to hold the interchangeable settings. For example, the body portions can magnetically couple together using rare earth magnets to form a composite ring. Preferably, at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting. In another aspect of the present invention, magnetic elements are used to magnetically suspend a movable setting on a jewelry article. An longitudinal member has at least one end connected to the jewelry article. The setting is movably disposed on the longitudinal member. A first magnetic element adjacent an end of the longitudinal member magnetically repels a second magnetic element on the setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove
  • Patent number: 6701747
    Abstract: Decorative articles having interchangeable modules. The decorative articles, such as rings, include a body or shank having first and second surfaces and defining an aperture therethrough. The interchangeable modules may be mounted, either individually or in combination, on the body from the side, the outside or the inside of the body or shank. In one aspect, the interchangeable modules include first and second portions. The first portion, at least partially disposed in the aperture, retains against the first surface adjacent the aperture. The second portion is connected to the first portion and is disposed adjacent the second surface. The supporting member is pivotally attached to the first surface and is selectively pivotable to contact the first portion and maintain the module mounted on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Heart & Company
    Inventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove
  • Publication number: 20030074919
    Abstract: Decorative articles are disclosed having interchangeable modules. The decorative articles, such as rings, include a body or shank having first and second surfaces and defining an aperture therethrough. The interchangeable modules may be mounted, either individually or in combination, on the body from the side, the outside or the inside of the body or shank. In one aspect, the interchangeable modules include first and second portions. The first portion, at least partially disposed in the aperture, retains against the first surface adjacent the aperture. The second portion is connected to the first portion and is disposed adjacent the second surface. The supporting member is pivotally attached to the first surface and is selectively pivotable to contact the first portion and maintain the module mounted on the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald W. Hartgrove