System for sizing and re-sizing articles of jewelry

Abstract

A circumferential article of jewelry exhibits an inner radius, the article including a symmetrical left and right partial circumferential segments of an article of jewelry, each of the segments having upper and lower radial end surfaces, each end surface having first geometries, each of the segments having an inner radius corresponding to the inner radius of the article; a top partial circumferential segment having a like inner radius corresponding to that of the article, the top segment having radial end surfaces having a geometry complemental to the first geometries of the upper radial end surfaces and of the left and right partial circumferential segments; axial pins for axially securing the first geometries of the upper end surfaces of the left and right partial segments to the complemental geometries of the opposing radial end surfaces of the top partial segment, in which one left and one right axial channel each pass through an entire axial width of respective interfaces of respective first geometries; a selectable first bottom circumferential segment having an inner radius corresponding to that of the article, the bottom segment having outer radial end surfaces having a geometry complemental to the first geometries of the lower radial surfaces of said left and right partial segments; and pins for selectably axially securing the radial end surfaces of the bottom segment to opposing complemental geometries of the lower radial end surfaces of each of the left and right partial circumferential segments, in which left and right axial channels pass through an entire axial width of each interface of the respective complemental first geometries.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/733,791, filed Dec. 11, 2000, now pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for the re-sizing of articles of jewelry including rings and bracelets. A common problem in the jewelry business is that of proper sizing and re-sizing articles of jewelry intended to engage appendages. More particularly, as a result of the wide range of sizes of fingers and wrists of the human body, it is often necessary for the retail jeweler to maintain in inventory a substantial range of size of a particular product or of products of different types. In the case of jewelry involving precious or semi-precious gems, it is often impractical to maintain an inventory of such costly articles sufficient to accommodate the likely range of needs of potential customers. While methods of sizing of rings and bracelets have long existed these, typically, require a period of time after the potential customer has originally viewed the article, thereby increasing the potential that the customer will change his mind entirely with respect to a particular purchase.

[0003] Further, from a manufacturing perspective, the production of a large range of sizes of rings and bracelets presents considerable difficulty, both in term of market analysis for different sizes within different markets and with respect to increased cost and volume of production, including the risks commonly associated therewith. Accordingly, over time, various concepts have emerged for rings, bracelets and the like having therein some type of self-sizing capability to reduce the necessity of manufacture of such jewelry over a wide range of sizes and to minimize the requirement for physical resizing of articles by a jeweler utilizing traditional means such as cutting and welding. Examples of solutions to the above problem which have appeared in the prior art appear in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,185 (1981) to Martinez, entitled Ring with Internal Means for Varying Size; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,883 to Erb, et al, entitled Self-sizing Ring. Approaches of this type entail the use of a mechanical means within the internal diameter of the article, typically in nature of a resilient means, e.g., a U-shaped or spring-type element. Such solutions have been found awkward and, as well, often uncomfortable for use by the customer and generally impractical for use by the customer. These approaches have been viewed in the industry as glorified latching solutions which, in addition to difficulty of customer acceptance, often do not convey the high value added or luxury image necessary for many types of jewelry. The present invention is therefore particularly directed to a system of sizing and re-sizing articles of jewelry having particular application within such high value added product areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A circumferential article of jewelry having an inner radius, the article comprising: (a) symmetrical left and right partial circumferential segments of an article of jewelry, each of said segments having upper and lower radial end surfaces, each end surface having first geometries thereof, each of said circumferential segments having an inner radius corresponding to said inner radius of said article of jewelry; (b) a top partial circumferential segment having a like inner radius corresponding to that of said article of jewelry, said top segment having radial end surfaces having a geometry complemental to said first geometries of said upper radial end surfaces and of said left and right partial circumferential segments; (c) pin means for axially securing said first geometries of said upper end surfaces of said left and right partial segments to said complemental geometries of said opposing radial end surfaces of said top partial segment, in which one left and one right axial channel each pass through an entire axial widths of respective interfaces of respective first geometries to press fittably accommodate said pin means; (d) a selectable first bottom circumferential segment having an inner radius corresponding to that of said article of jewelry, said bottom segment having outer radial end surfaces having a geometry complemental to said first geometries of said lower radial surfaces of said left and right partial segments; and (e) pin means for selectably axially securing said radial end surfaces of said bottom segment to opposing complemental geometries of said lower radial end surfaces of each of said left and right partial circumferential segments, in which left and right axial channels pass through an entire axial width of each interface of said respective complemental first geometries to thereby press-fittably accommodate said pin means.

[0005] There is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a convenient, economic and aesthetic system of sizing and re-sizing articles of jewelry such as rings and bracelets.

[0006] It is another object to provide a system of the above type particularly adaptable for use with high value added or luxury articles of jewelry to increase the range of designs available to a consumer while decreasing inventory requirements of the jewelry retailer.

[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a system of the above type having particular application to various precious metals including all alloys of gold, platinum and silver, as well as non-precious metals including titanium, steel, alloys of steel, and other metal base materials.

[0008] It is a yet further object to provide a system of the above type which may be used with in precious and semi-precious stones as well as ceramic materials.

[0009] It is a still further object to provide a system of the above type which is of significant value to manufacturers and retail jewelers even in articles of jewelry that do not require re-sizing.

[0010] It is a still further object to provide a system of the above type that will minimize the possibility of loosening or fracturing of stones mounted into top or side sections of such articles which, as well, will allow the employment by manufacturers and retail jewelers of materials and designs otherwise of prohibitive cost, this including but not limited to, harder metal or minerals, mixed materials, and patterned designs, to thereby produce a variety of product design.

[0011] The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and claims appended herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ring assembled in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1A is a lower fragmentary view of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 1B is a radial cross-section view taken along line 1B-1B of FIG. 1A.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a top section thereof.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a side left section thereof of which a side right section of the basic assembled ring is a mirror image thereof.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom section of the assembled ring shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a view of various fastening means usable as securing means with reference to the linear axial holes in the ring section shown in FIGS. 2-4 above.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a ring manufactured and assembled in accordance with the principles of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a top section of the ring of FIG. 6.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a left side section thereof of which a right side section is a mirror image.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a bottom section of the ring of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a front plan view of a further embodiment of the invention in which the outside radial perimeter thereof is asymmetric.

[0024] FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views of an embodiment of the ring of FIG. 10 in which the radial surfaces thereof are parallel.

[0025] FIGS. 12A and 12B are side views of an embodiment of the ring of FIG. 10 in which the radial surfaces thereof are tapered relative to each other.

[0026] FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of embodiments of the inventive system that do not require the use of a top section therein.

[0027] FIGS. 15 thru 17 are perspective views of a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which selectable interchangeable ornamental elements may be employed within the top section thereof, prior to securement between side sections of the ring.

[0028] FIGS. 18 thru 20 relate to a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in which selectable interchangeable ornamental elements may be secured to the top section thereof prior to securement of the top section between respective left and right side sections of the assembled ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] With reference to the perspective view of FIG. 1 there is shown an article of jewelry in the nature of ring 100 which, as may be noted, includes a top section 110, a left side section 112, a right side section 114, and a bottom section 116. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show, in perspective view, said top, side, and bottom sections respectively.

[0030] Left and right sections comprise left and right partial circumferential segments of the entire article of jewelry, are symmetric to each other, and exhibit a like radius to that of the ultimate article 100. As may be further noted, left and right sections 112 and 114 respectively possess upper and lower radial end surfaces 118 and 120 respectively, each of which are characterized by a first geometry which, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, is a female or key-like geometry. Side sections 112 and 114 are also provided with small linear axial channels 122 and 124 that may be internally threaded, partially threaded, not threaded at all, fully drilled, or partially drilled relative to the entire axial dimension thereof, this as is more fully explained below.

[0031] Top segment 110 comprises a partial circumferential segment of the entire article 100 to be produced and, therefore, exhibits a like inner radius to that of said left and right segments 112 and 114 described above. Said top segment 110 includes radial outer end surfaces 126 and 128 having a geometry which is complemental to said first or female geometry of said upper radial end surfaces 118 of side sections 112 and 114. In addition, top section 110 is provided with axial holes or channels 130. As such, radial end surfaces 126 and 128 of top section 110 may readily fit within the geometry of upper radial end surfaces 118 of the side sections 112 and 114 thereby creating a complemental polar interface therebetween. Said interface is rendered secure through the insertion of any of the circumferential pin or screw means shown in FIG. 5, that is, a cylindrical pin 32, a cylindrical threaded screw 34 having a slotted head, or a Carter pin 36. Such pins or screws may be inserted fully or partially through channels 122/130 after alignment of the complemental end surfaces above discussed, this using working tools as are commonly available to retail jewelers. Given proper tolerance of such pin or screws within axial channels 122 and 130, a substantially permanent securement may be effected between the top and side sections of the ring 100. However, the jeweler, through the use of a screwdriver or pin of appropriate dimension may disengage the head of screw 34 or 36 or radial end surface of pin 32 to remove the same from channel 122 and 130.

[0032] With reference to bottom section 116 (see also FIGS. 1A and 1B), the same comprises a partial circumferential segment of the ring 100 to be formed, thereby possessing a like radius to that of the above segments 110, 112 and 114. Like said top segments 110, said bottom section 116 is provided with outer radial end surfaces 138 and 140 which are provided with axial channels 142 of like diameter to that of said channels 124 of side sections 112. Accordingly, in substantially the same fashion as above described with reference to the top section of FIG. 2, bottom section 116 may, at its complemental polar interfaces with the bottom end surfaces 120 of the side sections, be fitted using the securing means shown in FIG. 5 and substantially secured to form the assembled ring shown in FIG. 1. Therein, pin 32, screw 34, or cotter pin 36 is press-fitably secured within axial channels 124 of side and lower sections 112 and 116 by the jeweler or technician. See FIG. 1B. These pins cannot be removed by the end user of the article of jewelry 100.

[0033] In the event that re-sizing of the assembled product becomes necessary, bottom section 116 may be simply replaced be a second or different bottom section having a substantially like radius but in which the polar parameter thereof, i.e., the arc thereof, is slightly greater or slightly less than that of the original bottom segment 116. Alternatively, a jeweler using classical means of cutting and welding may reduce or enlarge the polar parameter of bottom segment 116 such that, when re-integrated into the ring 100, there will result the desired re-sized article of jewelry.

[0034] The above described flexibility afforded by the interchangeability of bottom segments is largely facilitated by pivot axes 144 and 146 (see FIG. 1) which are defined by the pin or threaded screw placed within channel 122/130 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the resultant article. In addition, the ductility of the precious or semi-precious of which such ring or articles are typically formed is such that the minor degree of bending entailed by the insertion of a bottom section of slightly greater or lesser polar parameter can be accommodated without any noticeable crimp or distortion within either the internal or external radial surface of article.

[0035] It is, in addition, to be appreciated that said top or side section 110/112 may be replaced where a customer or retailer wishes to provide top or side segments having a different external or ornamental appearance. It is as such to be appreciated that an article made in accordance with the present invention may be altered as to either size or as to the ornamental effect of either the top or side sections thereof.

[0036] With reference to the view of FIG. 6 there is shown a second embodiment of the invention, differing from that of FIGS. 1 to 4 only in that polar interfaces 205 and 215 between the top and side 210/212 and the bottom and side segments 216/212 respectively are female-male interfaces, as opposed to male-female interfaces. In all other respects, the assembly and functionality of the embodiment of article 200 follows that of article 100 as described above, this inclusive of the use of pins and threaded screws of the type discussed with reference to FIG. 5 within the channels 222, 230 and 242 of article 200 of FIG. 6.

[0037] In FIG. 10 is shown an article 300 formed in accordance with the present invention in which said complemental polar geometry between opposing radial end surfaces of the constituent elements 310, 312, 314, and 316 may occur internally and, as such, are less visible to the untrained eye. This geometry includes the use of pivot points 334 and 346 to effect the substitution of bottom segment 316 having a slightly greater or lesser polar parameter, as discussed above.

[0038] The embodiment of FIG. 300 also illustrates front and back surfaces radial thereof may be either parallel, as is shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B or may be tapered as is shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Said FIGS. 11B and 12B also show that the circumferential surfaces of ring 300 may be cylindrical, curved within a plane of a diametric cross-section of the article, or asymmetric variants thereof.

[0039] In FIG. 13 is shown a further embodiment, namely, articles 400. In accordance with the principles of the present invention there are provided only two components of the resultant structure, namely, a partially circumferential metallic band 410 and a bottom segment 416. In this structure, no use is made of a pivot point such as pivot points 144, 244 and 344 above-described with reference to articles 100, 200 and 300. Rather, because no use is made of side segments, the practice of this embodiment of the invention is reliant solely upon the ductility of the metal of metallic band 410. Accordingly, lower segment 416 may be increased or decreased as to polar parameter without requirement to re-size in a classical sense. The same is the case with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 14, namely, article 500, consisting of partial circumferential band 510 and re-sizable bottom segment 516, wherein article 500 differs from that of article 400 only in the use of a female geometry for the radial end surfaces of the bottom segment as opposed to the male geometry of bottom segment 416 of article 400.

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 15 thru 17 there is shown the versatility of the invention with respect to the above-referenced interchangeability of the top section thereof. More particularly, in the embodiment of FIGS. 15 to 17 there is shown an articles having a top section 610 which has been provided with mounting channel 611, the purpose of which is to accommodate a selectable precious ornament 613 having mounting pegs 615. The result of the insertion of pegs 615 into channel 611 is shown in FIG. 16, i.e., an integrated top section in which the ornamental appearance thereof has been entirely changed from its pre-existing appearance. As in the case of article 100, a male to female relationship exists between opposing radial end segments of top segment 610 and side segment 612 and 614 respectively. Similarly, holes or channels 622 and 630 are employed for purposes of pins or screws to hold the structure together and, as well, to provide the above-referenced pivot points in the nature of said pivot points 144 and 146 between the upper section and the respective left and side sections when and if it becomes necessary to replace bottom section 616 with one of a greater or lesser polar parameter.

[0041] Shown in FIGS. 18 thru 20 is shown a further embodiment of the invention, namely, that of ring 700, the construction of which is substantially identical to that of ring 600 above described, the essential difference being that the relationship between top segment 710 and respective left and right segment 712 and 714 is that of a female to male relation ship as opposed to a male to female relationship. In all other respects, the construction and integration of ornamental elements 713 into top section 710 using pegs 715 and mounting channels 711 follows that above described with reference to article 600, as does the use of channels 722 and 730 to provide pivot capability in the event of replacement of bottom section 716 with a section of greater or lesser polar parameter.

[0042] Thru the embodiments of articles 600 and 700, valuable gems may be affixed to the article of jewelry by the retail jeweler after selection of the gem-holding element by a customer, thereby enlarging the customer options.

[0043] While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the claims appended herewith.

Claims

1. A circumferential article of jewelry having an inner radius, the article comprising:

(a) symmetrical left and right partial circumferential segments of an article of jewelry, each of said segments having upper and lower radial end surfaces, each end surface having first geometries thereof, each of said circumferential segments having an inner radius corresponding to said inner radius of said article of jewelry;

(b) a top partial circumferential segment having a like inner radius corresponding to that of said article of jewelry, said top segment having radial end surfaces having a geometry complemental to said first geometries of said upper radial end surfaces and of said left and right partial circumferential segments;

(c) pin means for axially securing said first geometries of said upper end surfaces of said left and right partial segments to said complemental geometries of said opposing radial end surfaces of said top partial segment, in which one left and one right axial channel each pass through an entire axial widths of respective interfaces of respective first geometries to press fittably accommodate said pin means;

(d) a selectable first bottom circumferential segment having an inner radius corresponding to that of said article of jewelry, said bottom segment having outer radial end surfaces having a geometry complemental to said first geometries of said lower radial surfaces of said left and right partial segments; and

(e) pin means for selectably axially securing said radial end surfaces of said bottom segment to opposing complemental geometries of said lower radial end surfaces of each of said left and right partial circumferential segments, in which left and right axial channels pass through an entire axial width of each interface of said respective complemental first geometries to thereby press-fittably accommodate said pin means.

2. The article as recited in claim 1 in which said article further comprises:

(g) an ornamental element having prongs projecting therefrom; and

(h) an outer surface of said top partial circumferential segment further including radial channel means for complemental engagement of said prongs of said ornamental element.

3. The article as recited in claim 1 in which radial front and back surfaces of said article comprise parallel surfaces.

4. The article as recited in claim 1 in which front and back radial surfaces of said article comprise non-parallel surfaces.

5. The article as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

(f) a second selectable bottom partial segment having a substantially like radius to that of said first bottom segment, having a polar parameter slightly more or less than that of said first bottom [partial] segment, said second bottom [partial] segment complemental at an end surfaces thereof to opposing surfaces of said left and right partial segments.

6. An article of jewelry, comprising:

(a) a partially circumferential metallic band;

(b) at least a first polar segment having a like inner radius to that of said article of jewelry, said band and segment having opposing respective radial end surfaces at polar interfaces therebetween;

(c) pin means for selectable axially securing said band, and said polar segment thereof, along linear channels passing through said complemental polar interfaces thereof; and

(d) at least one second polar segment having a polar parameter slightly more or less than that of said partially circumferential band, said second polar segment having complemental radial interfaces at polar interfaces therebetween,

whereby said article of jewelry may be re-sized by replacement of said first polar segment by said second polar segment.

7. The article as recited in claim 6 in which an outer surface of said band further comprises:

means for complemental engagement of an ornamental element.

8. The article as recited in claim 23 in which front and back radial surfaces of said article comprise parallel surfaces.

9. The article as recited in claim 6 in which front and back radial surfaces of said article comprise non-parallel surfaces.

10. An article of jewelry, comprising:

(a) a partially circumferential metallic band having a like inner radius to that of said article of jewelry;

(b) at least a first polar segment of like radius to said article of jewelry, said band and segment having respective complemental radial end surfaces of polar interfaces therebetween; and

(c) pin means for selectably securing said band along linear channels passing through said complemental polar interfaces thereof

11. The article as recited in claim 10 in which an outer surface of said band further comprises:

means for complemental engagement of an ornamental element.

12. The article as recited in claim 10 in which front and back radial surfaces of said article comprise parallel surfaces.

13. The article as recited in claim 10 in which front and back radial surfaces of said article comprise non-parallel surfaces.