Finger Ring

Abstract

A finger ring, including a clasp joining the ends of a flexible band of material, is used with an ornamental charm having a through hole through which the material passes. The clasp includes a first and second clasp portions which join or separate first and second ends of the material. The band of material and at least one of the clasp portions are sized for passage through the through hole so that the charm can be positioned along the material. The finger ring with the charm is securable to a user's finger when the flexible band is wrapped around a user's finger and the clasp is in a joined state.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Personal jewelry is sometimes designed to allow the user to change how the jewelry is ornamented. For example, a number of different jewelry accessories, such as beads, pendants or charms, or a combination thereof, can be used on a necklace or a bracelet by opening the necklace or bracelet and sliding the jewelry accessories on or off. This permits the user to switch, for example, the type, color and size of the jewelry accessory used according to the situation, which could include one or more of the type of function or activity, the style of clothes, the time of day, and the colors to be accented. See, for example, US design Pat. No. D649,444 which shows a number of different charms positioned on a bracelet through the use of stopper clips.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first example of a finger ring is used with an ornamental charm of the type comprising an inner surface and an outer surface with a through hole formed between the inner and outer surfaces. The finger ring includes a flexible band of material and a clasp. The flexible band of material has first and second ends. The clasp includes a first clasp portion joined to the first end and a second clasp portion joined to the second end. The first and second clasp portions are securable to one another, so that the clasp is placeable in a joined state, and are separable from one another, so that the clasp is placeable in a separated state. The band of material and at least one of the first and second clasp portions are sized for passage through a through hole in a charm so that the charm can be positioned along the band of material. The finger ring with a charm mounted thereto is securable to a user's finger when the flexible band is wrapped around a user's finger and the clasp is in the joined state.

In some examples, at least one of the first and second clasp portions includes a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge member joining the band of material to the clasp member so that the clasp member and the end of the flexible band material can pivot relative to one another. In some examples, the clasp in the joined state has a curved inner surface to help conform to the user's finger.

An example of a method for preparing and wearing an ornamented finger ring is carried out as follows. An ornamental charm is selected. The ornamental charm is of the type comprising an inner surface and an outer surface with a through hole formed between the inner and outer surfaces. A finger ring, comprising at least one flexible band of material and a clasp, is selected. The band of material has a length and first and second ends. The clasp includes a first clasp portion at the first end and a second clasp portion at the second end, the first and second clasp portions being securable to one another to be placeable in a joined state. The first and second clasp portions are separable from one another to be placeable in a separated state. The ornamental charm and finger ring selecting steps are carried out so that the band of material and at least the first clasp portion are sized for passage through the through hole in the charm so that the charm can be mounted to and positioned along the band of material. With the clasp portions in the separated state, the first clasp portion is passed through the through hole of the charm to create an ornamented finger ring. The charm is positioned along the band of material. The flexible band of material is wrapped around a user's finger. The first and second clasp portions are secured to one another to place the clasp portions in the joined state and secure the ornamented finger ring to the user's finger.

Some examples include positioning the clasp at the inside of the user's finger and the charm at the outside of the user's finger. In some examples, the finger ring selecting step includes selecting at least one of the first and second clasp portions to include a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge member joining the band of material to the clasp member so that the clasp member and the end of the flexible band material can pivot relative to one another for a more comfortable fit. In some examples, the ringer finger selecting step includes selecting a clasp having a curved inner surface to help conform to the user's finger.

Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention can be seen on review the figures, the detailed description, and the claims which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall view of one example of an ornamented finger ring made according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the ornamented finger ring of FIG. 1 shown on a user's finger.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of FIG. 2 with the safety latch disengaged and the first and second clasp portions partially engaged.

FIG. 4 shows the clasp of FIG. 3 after the first and second clasp portions have been disengaged.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 with the flexible band of material shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of FIG. 5 with the clasp in a separated state.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of FIG. 2 with the clasp is in a separated state and the flexible band of material stretched out and showing the outer surface of the slide charm.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of FIG. 7 rotated 180° to show the inner surface of the slide charm.

FIG. 9 shows another example of an ornamented finger ring placed on a user's finger.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the clasp used with the ornamented finger ring of FIG. 9 with the flexible band of material shown in dashed lines, the slide charm removed, and the clasp in the joined state.

FIG. 11 shows the structure of FIG. 10 with the clasp in a separated state.

FIG. 12 is a bottom, side, front view of the underside of the first clasp portion of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the clasp in a joined state taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 13 but showing the clasp in a separated state with the slots, extensions and magnetic materials aligned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description will typically be with reference to specific structural embodiments and methods. It is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specifically disclosed embodiments and methods but that the invention may be practiced using other features, elements, methods and embodiments. Preferred embodiments are described to illustrate the present invention, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of equivalent variations on the description that follows. Like elements in various embodiments are commonly referred to with like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows an ornamented finger ring 10 including a finger ring 12 to which an ornamental slide charm 14 is slidably mounted. Charm 14 is a type comprising an inner surface 16, see FIG. 8, and an outer surface 18 with at least one through hole formed between the inner and outer surfaces. Slide charms are commercially available from, for example, Lori Bonn Design, Inc. of Oakland, Calif. and Brooks Fine Jewelry of Conway, Ark.

Finger ring 12 includes a flexible band of material 22 having a length measured between first and second ends 24 and 26. Band of material 22 includes a length of metallic fabric. The metallic fabric may be stretchable or not. Band of material 22 is shown in FIGS. 1-8 as including three lengths of material 28, 29, 30 oriented in a side-by-side manner. In other examples, band of material 22 may include a different number of lengths of material, including a single length of material. Other material for flexible band of material 22 can also be used, including nonmetallic fabric bands of material, and metallic chains, or a combination of metallic and nonmetallic materials.

Finger ring 12 also includes a clasp 32 shown in more detail in FIGS. 2-6. Clasp 32 includes a first clasp portion 34 joined to the first end 24 and a second clasp portion 36 joined to the second end 26. The first and second clasp portions 34, 36 are securable to one another so that the clasp 32 is placeable in a joined state as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. The first and second clasp portions 34, 36 are also separable from one another so that the clasp 32 is placeable in a separated state as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. First clasp portion 34 includes a first interlocking member 38 in the form of a T-slot 38. Second clasp portion 36 includes a second interlocking member 40 in the form of a T-member 40. The engagement and disengagement of interlocking members 38, 40 is illustrated in FIG. 3, which shows how the interlocking sliding surfaces slide relative to one another generally perpendicular to the length of the band of material 22. This configuration effectively prevents first and second interlocking members 38, 40 from being pulled apart by a tension force in the direction of the length of the band of material 22.

The band of material 22 and at least one of the first and second clasp portions 34, 36 are sized for passage through the through hole 20 (see FIG. 1) in the slide charm 14 so that the charm can be mounted on finger ring 12 and positioned along the band of material. After sliding T-member member 40 into T-slot 38, the clasp portions 34, 36 are secured to one another using a safety latch 42. Safety latch 42 has a first end 44 pivotally mounted to a first clamp portion 34 at a pivot 46. Safety latch 42 also has a second, outer end 48 with a laterally extending tang 50 sized and positioned to enter a tang receptacle 52 formed in second clasp portion 36. Tang 50 and tang receptacle 52 are configured so that some force is required to remove tang 50 from tang receptacle 52 thereby helping to ensure that first and second interlocking members 38, 40 do not become inadvertently disconnected.

Shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6, first clasp portion 34 includes a hinge member 54 and a clasp member 56. Hinge member 54 pivotally joins first end 24 of band of material 22 to first clasp portion 34. Similarly, second clasp portion 36 includes a hinge member 58 and a clasp member 60. Hinge member 58 pivotally joins the second and 26 of band of material 22 to second clasp portion 36. Hinge members 54, 58 could be constructed of other than the illustrated pin-type hinge, such as a hinge made of a flexible material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene commonly used to make living hinges. It has been found that this pivotal connection is important to ensure that finger ring 12 fits properly and comfortably on the user's finger. The pivotal connection also helps passing the clasp portion through opening 20 in charm 14. Although not evident in FIGS. 1-8, but clearly shown in the example of FIGS. 9-14, the inner surface 62 of clasp 32 is preferably a curved inner surface to help conform to the user's finger.

At least one of the first and second clasp portions 34, 36 as well as the flexible band of material 22 may have, in some examples, a maximum cross-sectional size of 3 mm×7 mm to accommodate a range of slide charms appropriate for use on finger ring 12. In one example, at least one of the first and second clasp portions 34, 36 as well as the flexible band of material 22 has a cross-sectional size of 2-3 mm×5-7 mm. The flexible band of material 22 and at least one of the first and second clasp portions 34, 36 must be sized and configured to pass through opening 20 in charm 14.

FIGS. 9-14 illustrate another example of an ornamented finger ring 10 with like reference numerals referring to like elements. A primary difference between the examples of FIGS. 1-8 and FIGS. 9-14 is the construction of clasp 32. In the example of FIGS. 9-14, first clasp portion 34 includes a first lateral slot 64 and a first lateral extension 66 next to the first lateral slot. Second clasp portion 36 includes a second the lateral slot 68 next to a second lateral extension 70. The slots and extensions are sized and positioned to interengage one another when clasp 32 is in the joined state as shown in FIG. 13. In particular, lateral extensions and 66 and 70 define a detent in the form of complementary, generally C-shaped engagement surfaces 67, 71 to help maintain clasp 32 in the joined state of FIG. 13. In addition, first clasp portion 34 includes sidewall extensions 72 sized and positioned to lie adjacent to sidewalls 74 of second clamp portion 36 as shown in FIGS. 10-12. The joined state is maintained through the use of interacting magnetic materials including a first magnetic material 76 carried by first clamp portion 34 and a second magnetic materials 78 carried by second clasp portion 36. Either both of the magnetic materials 76, 78 is a magnet or one of the magnetic materials 76, 78 is a magnet and the other magnetic material is attracted to the magnet.

In use, an ornamental slide charm 14, having a through hole 20 formed between inner and outer surfaces 16, 18, is obtained. A finger ring 12, having at least one flexible band of material 22 and a clasp 32, is also obtained. The band of material 22 has a length and first and second ends 24, 26. The clasp 32 includes a first clasp portion 34 at the first end 24 and a second clasp portion 36 at the second end 26. The first and second clasp portions 34, 36 are securable to one another to be placeable in a joined state, and are separable from one another to be placeable in a separated state. While in the separated state, one of the first and second clasp portions is passed through a through hole 20 in the slide charm 14. The charm 14 is then positioned along the band of material 22. The flexible band of material 22 is then placed around a user's finger F. The first and second clasp portions are secured to one another thereby placing the clasp portions in the joined state and securing the ornamented finger ring 10 to the user's finger. The clasp 32 is typically positioned at the inside of the user's finger with the charm 14 positioned at the outside of the user's finger. When desired, the existing slide charm 14 can be removed and a replacement of slide charm 14 can be mounted onto band of material 22 in its stead. Finger ring 12 is, in the disclosed examples, of a fixed size. However, the effective ring size for ornamented finger ring 10 can be adjusted to some extent by the size and thickness of slide charm 14 use with finger ring 12.

The above descriptions may have used terms such as above, below, top, bottom, over, under, et cetera. These terms may be used in the description and claims to aid understanding of the invention and not used in a limiting sense.

While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the preferred embodiments and examples detailed above, it is to be understood that these examples are intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense. It is contemplated that modifications and combinations will occur to those skilled in the art, which modifications and combinations will be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims. For example, it may be desired to provide flexible band of material 22 with a set of removable links to permit the size of the finger ring 12 to be adjusted.

Claims

1. A finger ring for use with an ornamental charm of the type comprising an inner surface and an outer surface with a through hole formed between the inner and outer surfaces, the finger ring comprising:

a flexible band of material having a length and first and second ends;

a clasp comprising a first clasp portion joined to the first end and a second clasp portion joined to the second end, the first and second clasp portions securable to one another so that the clasp is placeable in a joined state, the first and second clasp portion being separable from one another so that the clasp is placeable in a separated state;

the band of material and at least one of the first and second clasp portions sized for passage through a through hole in a charm so that the charm can be positioned along the band of material; and

the finger ring with a charm mounted thereto being securable to a user's finger when the flexible band is wrapped around a user's finger and the clasp is in the joined state.

2. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible band of material comprises a length of metallic fabric.

3. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible band of material comprises first, second and third lengths of material arranged side-by-side so that the second length of material is located between the first and third lengths of material.

4. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second clasp portions comprises a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge member joining the band of material to the clasp member so that the clasp member and the end of the flexible band material can pivot relative to one another for a more comfortable fit.

5. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the clasp in the joined state has a curved inner surface to help conform to the user's finger.

6. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first and second clasp portions and the flexible band of material each has a maximum cross-sectional size of 3 mm×7 mm.

7. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first and second clasp portions and the flexible band of material each has a cross-sectional size of 2-3 mm×5-7 mm.

8. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein:

the first and second clasp portions comprise first and second interlocking members which interlock when the clasp is in the joined state; and

the clasp further comprises a safety latch engaging both the first and second clasp portions when the clasp is in the joined state to help maintain the clasp in the joined state.

9. The finger ring according to claim 8, wherein the first and second interlocking members are configured so that when in the joined state, the interlocking members effectively prevent the first and second clasp portions from being pulled apart by a tension force in the direction of the length of material.

10. The finger ring according to claim 8, wherein the interlocking members have interlocking sliding surfaces extending generally perpendicular to the length of the band of material.

11. The finger ring according to claim 8, wherein the safety latch has first and second safety latch ends, the first safety latch end pivotally secured to the first clasp portion for movement of the safety latch between secured and unsecured states, the second safety latch end comprising a portion engageable with the second clasp portion when the safety latch is in the secured state.

12. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein:

the first and second clasp portions comprise first and second interlocking members which interlock when the clasp is in the joined state; and

the clasp further comprises magnetic members carried by each of the first and second clasp portions, the magnetic members attracting one another when the clasp is in the joined state so to help maintain the clasp in the joined state.

13. The finger ring according to claim 12, wherein:

the first and second interlocking members are configured so that when in the joined state, the interlocking members effectively prevent the first and second clasp portions from being pulled apart by a tension force in the direction of the length of material; and

the magnetic members help to maintain the engagement of the interlocking members.

14. The finger ring according to claim 12, wherein each of the magnetic members comprises a magnet.

15. The finger ring according to claim 12, wherein the interlocking members have complementary engagement surfaces.

16. A finger ring comprising:

an ornamental charm comprising an inner surface and an outer surface with a through hole formed between the inner and outer surfaces;

a flexible band of material having a length and first and second ends;

a clasp comprising a first clasp portion joined to the first end and a second clasp portion joined to the second end, the first and second clasp portions securable to one another so that the clasp is placeable in a joined state, the first and second clasp portion being separable from one another so that the clasp is placeable in a separated state;

the first and second clasp portions comprising first and second interlocking members which interlock when the clasp is in the joined state;

at least one of the first and second clasp portions comprising a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge member joining the band of material to the clasp member so that the clasp member and the end of the flexible band material can pivot relative to one another;

the band of material and at least one of the first and second clasp portions sized for passage through the through hole in the charm so that the charm can be positioned along the band of material;

the finger ring being securable to a user's finger when the flexible band is wrapped around a user's finger and the clasp is in the joined state;

the clasp in the joined state having a curved inner surface to help conform to the user's finger.

17. The finger ring according to claim 16, wherein the clasp further comprises a safety latch engaging both the first and second clasp portions when the clasp is in the joined state to help maintain the clasp in the joined state.

18. The finger ring according to claim 16, wherein:

the clasp further comprises magnetic members carried by each of the first and second clasp portions, the magnetic members attracting one another when the clasp is in the joined state so to help maintain the clasp in the joined state; and.

the interlocking members have complementary, generally C-shaped engagement surfaces.

19. A method for preparing and wearing an ornamented finger ring comprising

selecting an ornamental charm of the type comprising an inner surface and an outer surface with a through hole formed between the inner and outer surfaces;

selecting a finger ring comprising at least one flexible band of material and a clasp, the band of material having a length and first and second ends, the clasp comprising a first clasp portion at the first end and a second clasp portion at the second end, the first and second clasp portions securable to one another to be placeable in a joined state, the first and second clasp portion being separable from one another to be placeable in a separated state;

the selecting steps carried out so that the band of material and at least the first clasp portion are sized for passage through the through hole in the charm so that the charm can be mounted to and positioned along the band of material;

with the clasp portions in the separated state, passing the first clasp portion through the through hole of the charm to create an ornamented finger ring;

positioning the charm along the band of material;

wrapping the flexible band of material around a user's finger; and

securing the first and second clasp portions to one another thereby placing the clasp portions in the joined state and securing the ornamented finger ring to the user's finger.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising positioning the clasp at the inside of the user's finger and the charm at the outside of the user's finger.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

placing the clasp portions in a separated state;

removing the charm from the finger ring;

placing a second charm on the finger ring;

wrapping the flexible band around a user's finger; and

securing the first and second clasp portions to one another thereby placing the clasp is in the joined state and securing the ornamented finger ring to the user's finger.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein finger ring selecting step comprises selecting at least one of the first and second clasp portions to comprise a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge member joining the band of material to the clasp member so that the clasp member and the end of the flexible band material can pivot relative to one another for a more comfortable fit.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the ringer finger selecting step comprises selecting a clasp having a curved inner surface to help conform to the user's finger.