Close fitting ring

Abstract

The instant invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a wedding ring which can be positioned close to an engagement ring. The wedding ring has a flange which can fit under the precious or semi-precious gem stone of an engagement ring to allow the two rings, the engagement ring and the wedding ring, to be positioned close to each other. The flange can be on either one or both side edges of the wedding ring, and can encircle the wedding ring to allow it to rotate relative to the engagement ring and still allow the rings to be close to each other. In another embodiment, the flange can have a notch to provide a space into which the gem stone can fit to allow the rings to be positioned close to each other. In the embodiment where there is a notch in one of the flanges, the wedding ring can have either a single flange on one side of the ring, or it can have a flange on each side of the ring.

Description

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional application having Ser. No. 60/572,552 which was filed on May 19, 2004

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field or the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of jewelry such as, by way of example, a ring for a persons finger.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Custom dictates that, in certain instances, two rings are to be placed next to each other on a persons finger. For example, it is a common practice for a married woman to first place a wedding ring on her finger and then place an engagement ring on the same finger. Normally, the wedding ring may be a plain solid metal ring of gold, or a ring that contains precious or semi-precious gem stones such as diamonds, etc. The engagement ring, however, will normally be a metal ring with a diamond that extends or protrudes laterally from each side of the ring. One problem that is obvious when a wedding band is placed next to an engagement ring on a persons finger is that the protruding gem stone prevents the wedding ring from being placed close to the engagement ring. The gem stone of the engagement ring creates a space between the two rings. A need exists for a ring such as, for example, a wedding ring which can be placed on a persons finger in close side-by-side relationship with an engagement ring with minimum spacing between the two rings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a wedding ring which can be positioned close to an engagement ring. The wedding ring has a flange which can fit under the precious or semi-precious gem stone of an engagement ring to allow the two rings, the engagement ring and the wedding ring, to be positioned close to each other. The flange can be on either one or both side edges of the wedding ring, and can encircle the wedding ring to allow it to rotate relative to the engagement ring and still allow the rings to be close to each other. In another embodiment, the flange can have a notch to provide a space into which the gem stone can fit to allow the rings to be positioned close to each other. In the embodiment where there is a notch in one of the flanges, the wedding ring can have either a single flange on one side of the ring, or it can have a flange on each side of the ring. The flange is sufficiently thin to fit under the gem stone, and sufficiently wide to allow the edge of the ring to be close to the engagement ring, but preferably not broader than the overhang of the gem stone beyond the engagement ring band.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, a preferred blending feature, for example of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of two different styles of wedding rings each in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wedding ring fitted close to an engagement ring with substantially no separation between the rings;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the wedding ring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a typical engagement ring;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of another embodiment of a wedding ring which can be fitted close to an engagement ring;

FIG. 8 is a view of still another embodiment of a wedding ring which can be fitted close to an engagement ring;

FIG. 9 is a view of still another embodiment of a wedding ring which can be fitted close to an engagement ring; and

FIG. 10 is a view of still another embodiment of a wedding ring which can be fitted close to an engagement ring.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a wedding ring 10 having two flanges 12 and 14 which encircle the ring, one on each side of a crown or centrally located raised body 16. Each flange is a thin body adapted to fit under the laterally protruding gem stone of an engagement ring, and the edge of the flange is either next to or partially under the metal ring portion of the engagement ring. The centrally raised body 16 of the ring 10 can have mounted therein a continuous row of small precious stones, e.g., round diamonds or baguettes. In another style, the centrally raised body can have a plurality of the small gem stones only partially encircle the ring or, as shown in FIG. 2, are equally spaced around the ring.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a wedding ring 30 positioned next to an engagement ring 40 where the flange of the wedding ring fits under the gem stone of the engagement ring and abuts the edge of the engagement ring. In some instances, the edge of the flange on the wedding band may be slightly under the engagement ring. In either instance, the spacing between the wedding ring and the engagement ring is reduced to a minimum to present a unified one ring look when, in fact, there are actually two rings.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a front view of the wedding ring of FIG. 1. The wedding ring 10 has a centrally raised body 16 and two flanges 12 and 14, one on each side of the centrally raised body. The centrally raised body 16 can be continuous without any gem stones, or it can have an almost continuous row of such gem stones, or a number of gem stones spaced uniformly around the ring, as shown in FIG. 2. The transition between each flange 12, 14 and the centrally raised body 16 can have a generous radius 18, or the transition can be abrupt (not shown) such as a step. The centrally raised body of the wedding rings shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 in one preferred embodiment, can have a width 11 of less than 2 millimeters, e.g. about 1.75 millimeters, where the overall width 13 of the ring is about 5 millimeters or less, e.g. about 4.8 millimeters, and the thickness 15 of the ring is less than 2 millimeters, e.g. about 1.95 millimeters.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an engagement ring 30 having a main gem stone 32, such as a round diamond in a typical style setting, and a row of round diamonds 34 on each side of the main gem stone 32. Examples of the main gem stone 32 include a square diamond, a round diamond, a pear shaped diamond, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown another embodiment of a wedding ring which can be positioned next to an engagement ring with minimum spacing between the two rings. The ring shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 exemplifies a ring having a continuous row of round diamonds or baguettes which extend either fully or partially around the ring, and the ring can be tapered where the width of the ring at the top is wider than at the bottom. Looking at FIG. 7, the ring can, for example, have a width W that is substantially 4.00 millimeters at the top and tapers down to a width B that is substantially 2.5 millimeter at the bottom. Alternatively, the ring can have a constant thickness T of substantially 3.9 millimeters. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the width of either the centrally raised body or the two flanges can be adjusted to compensate for the difference in the width dimensions between the top and the bottom of the ring. The dimensions of these rings generally conform to what is comfortable for a wearer.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown another embodiment of a wedding ring. In this embodiment, wedding ring 50 has a single flange 52. The flange 52 on the ring 50 is similar to the flange 12 on ring 10, and is on the side of the ring that is positioned next to the engagement ring. The ring of FIG. 8 can have a constant width from top to bottom, or the ring can be tapered where the top is wider than the bottom. Additionally, the ring 50 can have diamonds which either fully or partially encircle the ring and are either closely spaced or spaced apart by a desired distance.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown another embodiment of a wedding ring 60 having two flanges 62, 64 where flange 64 is located on the side of the wedding ring that is positioned next to an engagement ring, and flange 64 contains a notch 66 which is sufficiently wide to fit around the laterally projecting portion of the diamond on an adjacently positioned engagement ring. The ring 60 of FIG. 9 can have a constant width from top to bottom, or it can be tapered where the top is wider than the bottom. Additionally, the ring of FIG. 9 and can have diamonds which either fully of partially encircle the ring and are either closely spaced or spaced apart by a desired distance.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown still another embodiment of a wedding ring 70 with a single flange 72 where the flange 72 which is located on the side of the wedding ring which is positioned next to an engagement ring contains a notch 74 which is sufficiently wide to fit around the laterally projecting portion of the diamond on an adjacently positioned engagement ring. The ring 70 of FIG. 10 can have a constant width from top to bottom, or it can be tapered where the top is wider than the bottom. In addition, the ring can have diamonds which either fully of partially encircle the ring and are either closely spaced or spaced apart by a desired distance.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the apparatus illustrated and in the operation may be done by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A ring comprising an annular flange on one side of said ring wherein said annular flange is adapted for placement under a laterally protruding precious or semi-precious gem on an adjacent second ring.

2. The ring of claim 1 wherein said annular flange is continuous.

3. The ring of claim 1 wherein said annular flange has a notch for receiving a laterally protruding precious or semi-precious gem on an adjacent second ring.

4. The ring of claim 1 further comprising a second annular flange on the other side of said ring wherein said second flange is also adapted for placement under a laterally protruding part of the precious or semi-precious gem on an adjacent ring.

5. The ring of claim 4 wherein said second annular flange is continuous.

6. The ring of claim 3 further comprising a second annular flange on the other side of said ring wherein said second flange is continuous.

7. The ring of claim 1 wherein said ring is tapered.

8. The ring of claim 1 wherein said ring is adapted to receive at least two precious or semi-precious gems spaced fully of partially around the circumference of said ring.

9. The ring of claim 1 such as a wedding ring further comprising a second ring such as an engagement ring having a laterally protruding precious or semi-precious gem adapted to be worn on a finger adjacent to said wedding ring wherein said annular flange on said wedding ring is adapted to fit under the laterally protruding precious or semi-precious gem to allow said wedding ring to be closely positioned to said engagement ring.

10. The rings of claim 9 further comprising a notch in said annular flange on said wedding ring adapted to receive the laterally protruding portion of said precious or semi-precious gem on said engagement ring to allow said wedding ring to be closely positioned to said engagement ring.

11. The rings of claim 9 further comprising a second annular flange located on the other side of said wedding ring.

12. The rings of claim 10 further comprising a second annular flange on the other side of said wedding ring wherein said second flange is continuous.

13. The rings of said claim 9 wherein said wedding ring is tapered.

14. The rings of claim 9 wherein said wedding ring is adapted to receive precious or semi-precious gems fully or partially located around the circumference of said wedding ring.