FITTING DEVICE FOR RING

Abstract

There is provided a fitting device for a ring including: a multi-turned coil made of a metallic wire, the coil having equal pitch and constant coil diameter; one stopper formed into a spherical body and provided at one end of the wire; and the other stopper formed into a spherical body and provided at the other end of the wire. The one and the other stoppers are made of metal. The one and the other stoppers are arranged so that when seen from an axis of the coil, the one stopper and the other stopper are arranged at an interval along a circumference of the coil and so that the one stopper is located in the vicinity of an end of a palm and the other stopper is located in the vicinity of a base of a finger.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The priority application Japan Patent Application No. 2010-268076 upon which this patent application is based is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fitting device for a ring, by which a ring having the size larger than the size of a finger is easily retained to the finger.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, if the size of a ring is smaller than the size of a finger and thus the ring does not fit the finger, the ring can be enlarged using an expander. On the other hand, if the size of a ring is larger than the size of a finger, when such ring is put on the finger, the easily ring rotates and moves in the longitudinal direction of the finger. Thus, there is a problem that such rotation and the displacement of the ring needs to be prevented.

One approach to solve the above-mentioned problem includes cutting and removing a portion of a ring followed by welding the cut portion to form the ring into suitable size. However, such approach requires advanced techniques and skill as well as high cost in machining. Furthermore, an owner of the ring is often uncomfortable machining the ring itself using the above-mentioned approach especially if the ring is, for example, a remembrance of his/her family.

Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. S54-124795 discloses another approach to solve the above-mentioned problem without machining the ring itself. This conventional approach provides a coil spring as an adjusting member for a ring, or an adapting member for a ring, which helps the ring fit the smaller-sized finger properly. The adjusting member for the ring described above is shown in FIG. 3. The adjusting member is provided with a coil spring 101 and attachment portions 102, 102 provided at both ends of the coil spring 101, respectively. The coil spring 101 has a large-diameter central portion adjacent to an inner circumferential face of a ring R, thus the coil diameter of the coil spring 101 is not constant. The attachment portion 102 corresponds to a small-diameter end portion of the coil spring 101.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved

However, the above-mentioned adjusting member for the ring has problems that: a) when a finger is inserted into the ring R having the adjusting member mounted thereto, since the coil diameter of the coil spring becomes smaller as it gets towards the both ends thereof, the small-diameter portion is strongly wound around the ring R and thus does not move with respect to the ring R. As a result, a) the adjusting member presses against a finger joint, b) the friction between a surface of the ring R and the small-diameter portion which is wound strongly around the ring R causes a scratch on the ring R, and c) since the central portion of the adjusting member has the diameter larger than that of the end portions thereof, it adversely affects the aesthetic appearance of the ring R.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems.

In other words, an object of the present invention is to provide a fitting device for a ring which can be easily mounted to the ring, which can prevent the rotation of the ring as well as the displacement of the ring in the longitudinal direction of the finger without fixing the spring coil to the ring, which can prevent application of the pressure to a portion of the finger between a base of the finger and an end of a palm at which the ring is located, which can prevent causing inflammation at the base of the finger and at the end of the palm, which can prevent causing the scratch on the surface of the ring, which does not adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of the ring, and which can be manufactured at low cost.

Solution to Problems

In order to attain the above objective, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, a fitting device for a ring having: a multi-turn coil having an equal pitch and having a constant coil diameter, the coil being made of a wire; one stopper formed into a spherical body and provided at one end of the wire; and the other stopper formed into a spherical body and provided at the other end of the wire, wherein the wire, the one stopper and the other stopper are made of metal, wherein when seen from an axis of the coil, the one stopper and the other stopper are arranged at an interval along a circumference of the coil, so that the one stopper is arranged to be located in the vicinity of an end of a palm and the other stopper is arranged to be located in the vicinity of a base of a finger.

In order to attain the above objective, the present invention provides, in a second aspect, the fitting device described above, wherein the one stopper and the other stopper are arranged such that an angle θ between a first line, the first line connecting a center of the one stopper and a circumferential center of a turn at one end of the coil, and a second line, the second line connecting a center of the other stopper and a circumferential center of a turn at the other end of the coil, is substantially right angle.

In order to attain the above objective, the present invention provides, in a third aspect, the fitting device described above, wherein the metal constituting the wire, the one stopper and the other stopper is stainless steel.

In order to attain the above objective, the present invention provides, in a fourth aspect, the fitting device described above, wherein the wire and the one and the other stoppers are coated with material selected from the group consisting of gold, rhodium and platinum.

Advantageous Effect of the Invention

According to the first and the second aspects of the present invention, the rotation of the ring and the displacement of the ring along the finger can be prevented without fixing the coil to the ring. Furthermore, the present invention prevents applying pressure against the portion of the finger between the base of the finger and the end of the palm at which the ring is located, prevents the inflammation at the base of the finger and at the end of the palm, and prevents causing the scratch on the surface of the ring. Furthermore, the fitting device according to the present invention does not adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of the ring and can be manufactured at low cost.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the wire and the stoppers are made of stainless steel, the coil is provided with suitable elasticity. Consequently, the displacement of the ring can be prevented even more effectively, as well as the application of pressure against the portion of the finger between the base of the finger and the end of the palm at which the ring is located. Furthermore, the fitting device is arranged so as not to adversely affect on the aesthetic appearance of the ring.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the wire and the stoppers are coated with gold, rhodium or platinum, the fitting device can be more suitable as a decorative part of the ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view showing a fitting device for a ring according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a side view showing the fitting device seen from an axial direction of a coil indicated by an arrow A shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is an illustration showing a ring with the fitting device put on a finger and showing a base of a finger and an end of a palm;

FIG. 2B is an illustration showing the ring of FIG. 2A and showing an end of a back of the palm and a base of a back of the finger;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a conventional adjusting member for a ring; and

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a ring mounted with the conventional adjusting member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described below in reference with the attached drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a fitting device 10 for a ring according to the present invention. The fitting device 10 is provided with a coil (spring coil) 1, one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3. The coil 1 is a multi-turn coil made of a wire 1c. The coil 1 has an equal pitch and a constant coil diameter. The one stopper 2 is formed into a spherical body and is provided at one end 1a of the wire 1c, and the other stopper 3 is formed into a spherical body and is provided at the other end 1b of the wire 1c. As shown in FIG. 1B, for the fitting device 10 described above, the wire 1c and the one and the other stoppers 2, 3 are made of metal. The one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 are arranged at an interval D along a circumference of the coil 1 when seen from an axis of the coil 1 (seen from a direction indicated by an arrow A shown in FIG. 1A). Furthermore, the one stopper 2 is arranged so as to be located in the vicinity of the end of the palm, and the other stopper 3 is arranged so as to be located in the vicinity of the base of the finger.

For the above-described fitting device 10, the number of turns of the coil 1 is 5.5, in which the coil 1 is arranged to have equal pitch and the coil diameter is constant throughout the plurality of coil turns. However, the number of the coil turns may be greater than or less than 5.5 since the size of a finger differs among individuals, sexes or racial groups. The term “coil diameter” is herein defined as a diameter of a circle formed by the turned wire 1c seen from the axis of the coil 1, as shown in FIG. 1B. Also, the term “pitch” used in “the coil 1 is arranged to have equal pitch” is herein defined as an interval between adjacent loops of the wire 1c forming the coil 1. According to the present invention, the coil diameter of the coil 1 is preferably about 5 mm, and the pitch of the coil 1 is preferably about 2 mm. However, the coil diameter may be greater than or less than 5 mm, as well as the interval between the adjacent coils may be greater than or less than 2 mm, since the size of a finger differs among individuals, sexes or racial groups as mentioned above.

The “interval D” described in “the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 are arranged at an interval D along a circumference of the coil 1 when seen from an axis of the coil 1” is herein defined as an interval between the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 assuming the one and the other stoppers 2, 3 are on the same plane, as shown in FIG. 1B. In addition, the term “interval D” is herein defined as an interval between the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 when the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 are located at the end of the palm and at the base of the finger, respectively. In such manner, under the situation of “the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 are arranged at an interval D along a circumference of the coil 1 when seen from an axis of the coil 1 (seen from a direction indicated by an arrow A shown in FIG. 1A)”, a line connecting a center of the one stopper 2 and a center of the other stopper 3 intersects with the axis of the coil 1 at a slant.

According to the present invention, the fitting device 10 is provided with the multi-turned coil 1, in which the coil 1 is arranged at equal pitch and has a constant coil diameter. Thus, the fitting device 10, or the coil 1, is mounted to the ring by rotating the coil 1, and after that the ring with the fitting device 10 is put on the finger. Alternatively, the ring can be put on the finger first and then the fitting device 10, or the coil 1, can be mounted to the ring by rotating the coil 1. In such manner, the fitting device 10 according to the present invention can be applied to the ring easily.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the ring mounted with the fitting device 10 is put on the finger, the fitting device 10 engages with a recessed portion between the base of the finger and the end of the palm, and the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 are located in the vicinity of the end of the palm and in the vicinity of the base of the finger, respectively. Consequently, the rotation of the ring as well as the displacement of the ring along the longitudinal direction of the finger can be prevented.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the coil 1 of the fitting device 10 is arranged to have equal pitch and the constant coil diameter. Consequently, the coil 1 evenly contacts with the portion between the base of the finger and the end of the palm at which the ring is located. In addition, the coil 1 of the fitting device 10 allows the finger to slightly move in the circumferential direction of the ring with respect to the fitting device 10, preventing the fitting device 10 from pressing against the portion between the base of the finger and the end of the palm.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, each of the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 is formed into a spherical body. Consequently, even if a hand, i.e. the finger and the palm, is moved in various directions, the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 act in a direction perpendicular to a contact surface between the one and the other stoppers 2, 3 and the finger or the palm without interrupting the movements of the hand, Thus, the rotation of the ring can be prevented as well as the displacement of the ring along the longitudinal direction of the finger. Furthermore, the present invention can prevent causing inflammation in the vicinity of the base of the finger and in the vicinity of the end of the palm by the one end 1a of the wire 1c of the coil 1 and the other end 1b of the wire 1c of the coil 1. Furthermore, the present invention can prevent the scratch on the surface of the ring caused by the one end 1a of the wire 1c of the coil 1 and the other end 1b of the wire 1c of the coil 1.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the fitting device 10 includes a coil 1 having an equal pitch and a constant coil diameter, the one stopper 2 foamed into the spherical body and the other stopper 3 formed into the spherical body. Consequently, the fitting device 10 itself can serve as a decorative part of the ring, thereby preventing adversely affecting the aesthetic appearance of the ring.

According to the above description, there is provided the fitting device 10 for a ring including: the coil 1 made of the wire 1c having an equal pitch and a constant coil diameter; the one stopper 2 formed into the spherical body and the other stopper 3 formed into the spherical body, wherein the wire 1c and the stoppers 2, 3 are made of metal, in a manner such that when seen from the axis of the coil 1, the one and the other stoppers 2, 3 are arranged at the interval D along the circumference of the coil 1, so the one stopper 2 is located in the vicinity of the end of the palm and the other stopper 3 is located in the vicinity of the base of the finger. Consequently, the fitting device 10 according to the present invention can be easily mounted to the ring, can prevent the rotation of the ring as well as the displacement of the ring in the longitudinal direction of the finger without having the spring coil 1 fixed to the ring, can prevent applying pressure against the portion of the finger between the base of the finger and the end of the palm at which the ring is located, can prevent the inflammation at the base of the finger and at the end of the palm, can prevent causing the scratch on the surface of the ring, can prevent adversely affecting the aesthetic appearance of the ring, and can be manufactured at low cost.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the metal constituting the wire 1c and the stoppers 2, 3 may be stainless steel, the spring coil 1 can be provided with the suitable elasticity. Consequently, the present invention can prevent the displacement of the ring with respect to the finger even more, as well as the application of pressure against the portion of the finger between the base of the finger and the end of the palm at which the ring is located. Furthermore, the fitting device 10 can prevent adversely affecting the aesthetic appearance of the ring.

In the present invention, the wire 1c and the stoppers 2, 3 may be coated with gold, rhodium or platinum. Consequently, the fitting device 10 can be more suitable as a decorative part of the ring.

Claims

1. A fitting device for a ring comprising:

a multi-turn coil having an equal pitch and having a constant coil diameter, the coil being made of a wire;

one stopper formed into a spherical body and provided at one end of the wire; and

the other stopper formed into a spherical body and provided at the other end of the wire,

wherein the wire, the one stopper and the other stopper are made of metal,

wherein when seen from an axis of the coil, the one stopper and the other stopper are arranged at an interval along a circumference of the coil, so that the one stopper is arranged to be located in the vicinity of an end of a palm and the other stopper is arranged to be located in the vicinity of a base of a finger.

2. The fitting device according to claim 1, wherein the one stopper and the other stopper are arranged such that an angle θ between a first line, the first line connecting a center of the one stopper and a circumferential center of a turn at one end of the coil, and a second line, the second line connecting a center of the other stopper and a circumferential center of a turn at the other end of the coil, is substantially right angle.

3. The fitting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal constituting the wire, the one stopper and the other stopper is stainless steel.

4. The fitting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wire and the one and the other stoppers are coated with material selected from the group consisting of gold, rhodium and platinum.

5. The fitting device according to claim 3, wherein the wire and the one and the other stoppers are coated with material selected from the group consisting of gold, rhodium and platinum.