Ring display system

Abstract

This invention describes a display system for showing rings typically found in jewelry stores. The system contains two main parts, the finger post for “wearing” the ring and a display board capable of holding the finger posts in a variety of positions. The advantages of this system are that it will allow the jeweler the ability of positioning the rings in pairs or clusters, and the arrangements can be easily and quickly changed.

Description

This is a continuing application of Ser. No. 11/522,681 filed Sep. 18, 2006.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a system for display of rings which allows for quick and easy arrangement and grouping of the ring support structures. The system can be used for Window displays or in-store display cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A visit to any jewelry store will reveal an assortment of methods for displaying finger rings. These consist of pushing the ring into a slot in a rubber or foam mat or simply laying the rings on a velvet pillow. Most buyers of rings prefer to see how the ring would look on a simulated finger and thus better appreciate the aesthetics of the cut, polish and design of the ring and gems.

To this end, a variety of finger like protrusions have been designed to “wear” the ring, as it is displayed in the store window or jewelry counter. These finger like supports can be mounted individually in a box or a plurality on a board or sheet with decorative colors and textured fabric. The protrusions are not designed to be variable in location of the rings with respect to one another, and do not offer the jeweler flexibility in displaying his rings.

Often, as in the case of wedding bands and engagement rings, it would be advantageous to display the rings in pairs or groups. If possible, this would allow the jeweler to contrast different cuts of diamonds, view rings set together and even group rings by manufacturer. There is a need in the industry for such a system, which will allow the jeweler to place and group his rings anywhere within the boundaries of the display system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 (a-e) are views of the frustro-conical ring post in the two piece version. FIGS. 1A and 1B show the post assembled. FIGS. 1C-1E illustrate how the tab is attached to the post.

FIG. 2 depicts how the frustro-conical ring post assembly can be mounted onto the corresponding display board

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention described herein consists essentially of two parts: A frustro-conical ring post (FIG. 1A-1E) and a display board (FIG. 2). The frustro-conical ring post (FIG. 1A-1E) provides for a simulated finger for “wearing” the ring during display. As illustrated the frustro-conical ring post consists of a finger post (3) and a bottom tab device (1) for connecting the finger post (3) to the slotted display board (FIG. 2.). As can been seen from the illustrations, the tab device contains no other means for engaging the display board, thus making the frustro-conical ring post infinitely positionable on the board. The board contains no additional holes within the slot (6) such that the slot forms a continuous channel with a flat front and rear side, parallel to each other and a flat bottom with no holes or indents.

In another embodiment of this invention the tab device (1) has a pair of vertically oriented nubs (2) which engage two holes (4) in the bottom of the finger post (3).

This design will allow the finger post to be exchanged with the tab device affording a display containing various sizes and colors of finger posts at the same time, thus adding to the systems flexibility.

In one embodiment of this invention the tab device is molded directly into the finger post, making the unit one piece (not shown).

In another embodiment the tab device (1) is between 5 and 25 mm tall. In another embodiment of this invention the finger post will be between 10 and 15 mm tall.

The construction of the frustro-conical ring post can be any material suitable to the jeweler, including but not limited to wood, metal, plastic, paper or cardboard. The paper or cardboard can be used alone or covered with a fabric for a rich look. Plastics can be used to simulate the look of natural skin and can be molded to resemble skin color or type. In an embodiment of this invention the frustro-conical ring post will be made of a flexible plastic, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, PFTE, or the like. In another embodiment the frustro-conical ring post is made of polypropylene.

In an embodiment of this invention the display system will include two or more frustro-conical ring posts. In another embodiment the system will display four or more frustro-conical ring posts simultaneously.

The display board (FIG. 2) contains a plurality of parallel oriented slots (6) with flat portions (5) between the slots. The slots receive the tab from the frustro-conical ring post previously described. In one embodiment of this invention the slots run parallel to the front edge of the display board.

In another embodiment, two sets of parallel slots run in a crossing pattern, wherein each set of parallel slots are perpendicular to each other. The first set of parallel slots would be parallel to the front edge of the display board and the second set of parallel slots would be parallel to the side edge of the display board. In this embodiment the display board would be either square or rectangular.

The display board can be made of any material that would be suitable for the type and display and to set the desired mood, depending on the type of rings being shown. Some non-limiting examples of materials for the display board construction would be wood, plastic, metal or fabric. The board can be covered with a material such as velvet or cotton to provide a texture that would be aesthetic to the viewer. Depending on the type and size of the cabinet this system of this invention is to be used, the display board may be of practically any size and shape. Typically the board will be between 0.25 to 5 meters long by 0.25 to 3 meters wide.

The board containing the parallel slots will typically have more than three rows of slots (6), with each slot being space between 5 mm and 50 mm apart. Each slot will be deep enough to receive the tabbed device and capable of holding the finger assembly securely. In an embodiment of this invention the slots are between 5 and 25 mm in depth. In another embodiment the slots are between 10 and 15 mm in depth.

Claims

1. A ring display system comprising a display board and a plurality of frustro-conical ring posts; said display board having a plurality of slots and said frustro-conical ring post consisting of a tab device for engaging a slot in the display board, said tab device contains no other means for engaging said display board.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the frustro-conical ring post consists of two pieces, a tab device and a finger post.

3. The display system of claim 2, wherein the frustro-conical ring post is made of polypropylene.

4. The display system of claim 2, wherein the tab device is between 5 and 25 mm tall.

5. The display system of claim 2, wherein the tab device is between 10 and 15 mm tall.

6. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display board has more than 6 slots.

7. The display system of claim 6, wherein four or more frustro-conical ring posts are display simultaneously.

8. The display board of claim 1 wherein the plurality of slots has a front and a back wall and a bottom surface.

9. The display board of claim 9, wherein the front wall and back wall are flat and the bottom surface is flat and continuous such that said bottom surface contains no holes or indents.

10. The frustro-conical ring post of claim 1, wherein the tab device has a front side and a back side and a bottom side.

11. The frustro-conical ring post of claim 10, wherein the front side and back side are flat is flat and contains no protruding objects.