Ring Incorporating Ring Sizing Device And Method of Use

Abstract

The various embodiments of the present invention comprise ring sizing devices and rings incorporating the devices that ameliorate one or more of disadvantages of prior art devices and rings. The various embodiments are one or more of more comfortable to wear, less complicated, more reliable, less visually obtrusive, and less expensive to produce than prior art devices and rings.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention pertains to jewelry more particularly rings for wearing on a person's digit that incorporates a sizing device that permits the ring to fit differently sized digits.

BACKGROUND

Human fingers come in many sizes and as such jewelry rings traditionally are made or sized to fit a finger having a particular circumference. In some circumstances rings are made to a particular size and the size of the finger of prospective purchaser of a particular style of ring is determined so that the appropriate size of ring can be selected. In other instances, a ring of a particular size has to be resized often by adding or removing a section of the ring to change its circumference.

As can be appreciated, each of the well known means of fitting rings has its drawbacks. The cost to manufacture and distribute a particular style of ring in many sizes is costly and if the manufacturer has misjudged the demand for a particular ring or the finger size distribution of the ring's buyers, the error could be costly for one or both the manufacturer and the retailer. Sizing a ring by adding material, removing material or stretching the ring can be time consuming and as a result costly. Furthermore, in some instances it may be difficult to add material to a ring and adequately replicate the design and pattern in the replicated region. In other words the aesthetics of the ring may suffer.

Several ring sizing devices and means are well known in the prior art that permit a single ring to be worn by a number of people with differently sized fingers. Several representative references include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,541,415; 3,693,376; 3,933,010; and 6,748,764. Each of these solutions suffers from one or more problems that make them less than ideal. For instance, the self-adjusting size reducer taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,764 patent comprises several moving parts and as such is relatively complex. As can be appreciated the cost to produce a ring with this device would also be relatively costly perhaps more than the cost of resizing a ring. Furthermore, the size and configuration of the devices various parts necessitate a ring having a large bottom half that may not be suitable for many ring designs.

The devices taught in patent references U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,541,415, 3,693,376 and 3,933,010 all comprise a jewelry ring including a partial inner wire ring that is partially received within a channel extending around all or a portion of the interior surface of the ring's shank. The partial wire ring resiliently flexes and expands when a finger is inserted therein thereby conforming to the wear's finger and holding the ring in place. In all instances, the partial wire ring terminates at one or two exposed ends that can conceivably pinch or dig into the wearer's finger causing discomfort is not an abrasion or cut. While in one or more of the references the partial ring is taught to have a rounded or blunted end, the risk that the end will cause discomfort is not totally ameliorated especially in the circumstances wherein a wearer instinctively or through habit twists the ring around his or her finger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a ring incorporating a first type of ring sizing mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a ring incorporating the first type of ring sizing mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a ring incorporating the first type of ring sizing mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 illustrating a ring incorporating the first type of ring sizing mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a ring incorporating a second type of ring sizing mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a ring incorporating the second type of ring sizing mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a ring incorporating the second type of ring sizing mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6 illustrating a ring incorporating the second type of ring sizing mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a ring incorporating a third type of ring sizing mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a ring incorporating the third type of ring sizing mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a first side view of a ring incorporating the third type of ring sizing mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a second side view of a ring incorporating the third type of ring sizing mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 10 illustrating a ring incorporating the third type of ring sizing mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a ring incorporating a fourth type of ring sizing mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a ring incorporating the fourth type of ring sizing mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a first side view of a ring incorporating the fourth type of ring sizing mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 16 illustrating a ring incorporating the third type of ring sizing mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is close up partial cross sectional view cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 16 illustrating a portion of a ring incorporating the third type of ring sizing mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the arcuate spring associated with the ring of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments of the present invention comprise ring sizing devices and rings incorporating the devices that ameliorate one or more of disadvantages of prior art devices and rings. The various embodiments are one or more of more comfortable to wear, less complicated, more reliable, less visually obtrusive, and less expensive to produce than prior art devices and rings.

A first embodiment comprises a ring having an annular shank (or body portion) that includes an arcuate channel or groove that extends substantially around an inwardly facing surface thereof. At least partially received within the channel is an arcuate spring that resiliently expands and contract around a wearer's finger as necessary to fit comfortably and snuggly thereon. Proximate the respective left and right ends of the arcuate spring the spring forms an s-type curve wherein a radiused inwardly facing surface is formed that directly contacts and is biased against the top left and right surfaces of a wearer's finger. The left and right ends of the spring point and extend generally outwardly into the channel in such that the ends contact with the wearer's finger is incidental at most. This is contrast to the spring members in prior art rings incorporating sizing devices wherein the ends of the associated arcuate spring are in direct contact with the wearer's finger and can cause discomfort especially when the ring rotates or pivots on the wearer's finger.

A second embodiment also comprises a ring having an annular shank (or body portion) that includes an arcuate channel or groove that extends around a substantial portion of an inwardly facing surface thereof. This embodiment also comprises an arcuate spring that resiliently expands and contract around a wearer's finger as necessary to fit comfortably and snuggly thereon. Unlike the spring of the first embodiment, this spring is has a common radius from one end to the other. However, to ameliorate the problems addressed above associated with the ends irritating a wearer's finger when in contact therewith, the respective left and right ends are capped and terminate in a spherically shaped ball that effectively eliminates any edges that could dig into or otherwise irritate a wearer's finger.

Also of important note, the ends of the arcuate spring are located on the lower half of the ring's shank as opposed to the upper half proximate the ring's head. Accordingly, the ends of the arcuate ring touch the wearer's finger on its bottom half. Of significance, the bottom half of the finger below the knuckle tends to include a layer of fatty tissue and fewer nerve endings making them less sensitive to irritation than the top side of the finger below the knuckle.

The third embodiment comprises a ring having a largely traditional shank. On the interior surface of the bottom half of the shank, a pair of spherical balls/beads are attached thereto by way of shafts that extend from the balls. The balls press into the fatty layer of tissue on the bottom side of the finger below the knuckle to hold the ring in place and also inhibit its pivotal movement. The shafts are secured into bores extending into the shank from the interior surface by any suitable means. In some variations the shaft and the corresponding bores can be threaded. In other variations, the shafts can be soldered or bonded into the bores. In yet other variations, the shafts are fixed into the bores and the balls are removably attached to the shaft, such as by threading. Advantageously, a ring of a specific size can be fit to smaller fingers by changing the size of the balls. As indicated above the balls do not appreciably irritate the finger of the user because of the protective fatty layer and reduced number of nerve endings on the underside of the finger.

The fourth embodiment comprises a device having spherical ball secured to a post/shaft having a flat base. The generally flat base permits one or more devices to be secured to a traditional ring to fit it to a person having a smaller finger than one in which the ring is sized. One or more devices are typically soldered to the bottom side of the annular shank. As can be appreciated the size and number of devices fixed to a ring can be varied as necessary to ensure the proper fit of the ring for a particular wearer's finger. In some variations of the device the bottom surface of the flat base is curved to match or approximate a curve of the inside circumferential surface the annular shank of a ring.

Concerning the spherical balls/beads of the third and fourth embodiments, the balls/beads not be perfectly spherical. Rather they can be ellipsoids or semi-spherical so long as the top surface thereof that comes into contact with a wear's finger is suitable rounded to minimize irritation to a wear's skin.

Terminology

The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”)in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, tense or any singular or plural variations of the defined word or phrase.

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “either or both”.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “a variation”, “one variation ”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases like “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a variation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment or variation.

The term “integrate” or “integrated” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to a blending, uniting, or incorporation of the identified elements, components or objects into a unified whole.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

As applicable, the terms “about” or “generally” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±20%. Also, as applicable, the term “substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.

The term “bead” as used herein refers to a relatively small at least partially rounded three dimensional object. Often the shape of the “bead” can be spherical but the term as used herein also applies to beads that are ellipsoids and ovoids, as well as when indicated by context partial spheroids, partial ellipsoids and partial ovoids.

The phrase “slightly curved” as used herein with reference to a base surface of a base member of a bead assembly means that the surface has a curvature roughly similar to the curvature of the inside circumferential surface on to which it is designed to mounted or secured.

A First Embodiment Comprising a Ring Incorporating a Sizing Device Thereon

The first embodiment ring 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 & 19. Like traditional prior art rings the first embodiment ring typically comprises an annular shank 105 along with a head or top piece 115.

The head 115 is usually the portion of the ring that faces upwardly when worn on a wearer's finger. The configuration of the head can vary substantially and significantly depending on the particular style of the ring. For instance, the head can comprise a setting and one or more jewels set therein. In other variations, the head may be integrally formed with the shank which may or may not include an inset such as a jewel(s), a coin, a medallion or any other suitably-sized decorative object.

The shank 105 is comparable to traditional shanks as well except for one significant difference. At about the lateral center of the annular shank's inside circumferential surface, a u-shaped groove or channel 120 is provided. The channel typically has straight radially-extending spaced apart side walls that intersect orthogonally with a flat bottom. In the illustrated variation the channel extends 360 degrees around the full circumference of the shank. However, in other variations the channel need not extend around the entire circumference. For instance, the channel may not extend into portion of the inside circumferential surface adjacent and proximate the head 115 of the ring 100 since an associated arcuate spring 110 (described below) does not extend into this area of the ring.

The materials from which the head and shank are comprised are similar to those typically used in traditional rings. For instance, the shank and head, excepting any jewels or other decorative inserts, will typically comprise precious metals such as gold, platinum and/or silver alloys or other non-precious metals typically used in costume-type jewelry, such as brass, and zinc.

As indicated above, an arcuate spring 110 is received and secured in the groove 120. The spring is typically attached to the shank at a location 145 proximate the bottom side of the shank opposite the head within the channel 120. The spring can be secured to the shank by any suitable means including soldering, adhesive bonding, spot welding (when the shank and spring are comprised of similar metals), and any suitable mechanical fastening means including but not limited to pinning, swaging, riveting and screwing. Of important note as best shown in FIG. 3, the spring is substantially completely contained within the confines of the channel 120 along the bottom portion thereof for approximately a 90-150 degree portion of the shank's circumference.

The arcuate spring 110 is best described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 & 19. Typically the spring is fabricated from stock having a substantially rectangular cross section. This is in contrast to similar springs in the prior art wherein the inner surface is rounded or radiused in cross section. Advantageously, a spring with a flat cross section can be made thinner than a spring with a rounded inner surface, and as such, the depth of the channel 120 and the radial thickness of the shank can be reduced as well.

By conventional thinking, an arcuate spring with the rounded inner surface does a better job of distributing the loading resulting from the contact between the wearer's skin and the spring thereby making the ring more comfortable. In contrast under conventional thinking, a spring with a flat inner surface is more likely to have points or lines of increased loading, such as along the edges of the spring's inner surface, that increase discomfort. The arcuate spring with a rectangular cross section of the first embodiment avoids the problem of excessive contact between the spring and the wearer's finger by providing inwardly jutting portions proximate the opposing ends of the spring that form an s-type curve.

Described another way with reference to FIG. 19, the majority of the arcuate spring 110 comprises an arc 170 around a center point 175 that is roughly coincident or slightly below the center point of the shank's annular inside circumferential surface except at the inwardly extending portions 160 proximate the ends 155 of the spring wherein these portions arc around center points 150 that are located radially outwardly of the spring. The inwardly extending portions effectively serve at least two purposes which act to increase wear comfort: (i) they act as a primary contact point/surface between the wearer's finger and the spring; and (ii) they cause the tip or end of the spring to be pointed outwardly from the channel eliminating any more than incidental contact between the wearer's finger an the spring's ends.

Operationally as a wearer places the ring 100 on his/her finger, each of the left and right portions of the spring 110 on either side of its connection location 145 with the bottom of the shank are pushed resiliently outwardly as the wearer's finger presses against the inwardly extending portions 125. The ends 155 or tips of the spring are urged away from the wearer's finger into the channel 120. Once the finger is fully inserted into the ring, the inwardly extending portions are effectively biased against the top left and right portions of the wearer's finger urging the bottom portion of the shank in contact with the finger's underside, thereby firmly and comfortably securing the ring 100 in place. As the ring is normally being worn, the finger is in contact with the ring at three primary locations: at the respective left and right inwardly extending portions; and the inside circumferential surface of the annular shank proximate the bottom thereof.

The arcuate spring is typically fabricated from any suitable material but in at least one variation the spring is comprised of spring steel. In at least one example, the arcuate spring is about 0.024″ thick and 0.072″ wide as indicated by elements 135 & 140 respectively. For this example, the width 130 of the groove 120 is about 0.80″. For a shank having an inside circumferential surface diameter of about 0.70″, the primary inside diameter of the arcuate spring may be about 0.66″. Of course, the size of the ring and the associated arcuate spring can vary substantially depending on the particular construction and style of the ring as well as the range of finger sizes on which the ring is designed to fit.

A Second Embodiment Comprising a Ring Incorporating a Sizing Device Thereon

The second embodiment ring 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. It typically includes both an annular shank 205 and a head 215 which are largely similar to the first embodiment shank and head with some notable differences.

Perhaps most note worthy, the channel 220 formed in the inside circumferential surface of the shank is reversed relative to the first embodiment. Instead of extending upwardly along the left and right sides of the shank from a center attachment point/location at the bottom of the shank, the channel extends to the left and the right downwardly from an attachment location 240 to one side of or even underneath head and terminates prior to reaching the bottom of the shank. Accordingly, the ring is designed to accept an arcuate spring that is generally oppositely orientated relative to the first embodiment with the left and right ends terminating proximate the bottom end instead of the top end.

The arcuate spring 210 also differs from the spring of the first embodiment. First, it is typically comprised of round spring steel. In one example the diameter of the round is about 0.40″ although the actual diameter can vary depending on particular variations. Further, the entirety of the spring's 250-300 degree arc is circular not having any inwardly extending portions.

As can be seen best in FIGS. 5 & 7, the ends of the arcuate spring 210 are positioned in such a manner that they make significant contact with a wearer's finger. However, since the ends are located on the bottom portion of the shank, the ends make contact with the bottom side of a wearer's finger. As indicated above, the sensitivity of in this part of the finger is less than the opposing top portion thereof, and as such, the ends are less irritating to the finger when placed in proximate the bottom of shank.

To further reduce irritation spherical balls/beads 225 are secured over the ends of the spring. The balls can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, metal, or even a mineral including appropriately finished gemstones. The balls typically have bores therein into which the ends of the spring are received. The balls can be attached to the springs in any suitable fashion including, but not limited to, soldering, welding, adhesive bonding, threading and other mechanical coupling. In one example, the diameter of the balls are about 0.52″, however, this can vary. The shape of the balls can vary as well and need not be perfectly spherical. For instance, the balls can be ovular.

It is appreciated that the channel 220 is typically wider than that of the balls such that each respective ball can be at least partially received in the channel when the ring is worn. For instance, for the 0.52″ ball size indicated for the example ring, the width of the channel would be about 0.60″ as indicated by element 235 and about as deep as well.

Operationally, as a wearer places the ring 200 on his/her finger the arcuate spring 210 expands with the balls 225 and the lower or bottom portion of the spring proximate the respective balls coming into contact with the bottom of the wearer's finger. When fully slid onto the finger, the spring is biased against the bottom of the finger pulling the top portion of the shank below the head into contact with the top of the wearer's finger.

A Third Embodiment Comprising a Ring Incorporating a Sizing Device Thereon

The third embodiment ring 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 9-13. The third embodiment ring is substantially similar to a traditional ring in most respects having an annular shank 305 with a generally flat (widthwise) inside circumferential surface without any channels provided therein, and a traditional head 315 wherein a stone or other decorative element can be received.

Unlike the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment (and the fourth embodiment as well) do not automatically adjust to the size of a wearer's finger. Rather the improvement described herein provides an alternative means of fitting a ring to a finger having a diameter small than that of the inside circumferential surface of the shank. Specifically, instead of having to remove from the bottom of the shank and re-fusing the shank together to fit a ring to a smaller finger, one or more bead 310 are secured to the inside circumferential surface of the shank on its bottom half. The beads press into the bottom portion of the finger to hold the ring securely in place. Because of the reduced sensitivity of the bottom part of the finger and the smooth and rounded nature of the beads, they do not typically irritate the wearer. As an added advantage, the beads also inhibit the pivotal or rotational movement of the ring on a wearer's finger.

As shown in FIGS. 9 & 13, a plurality of bores 320 are provided into the bottom half of the shank from the inside circumferential surface thereof. The bores can be smooth in some variations or can be threaded in others. The bores are sized to receive the pins or shafts 330 of the bead assemblies fixedly therein. The shafts can be secured in the bores in any suitable fashion including welding, soldering, interference fitting, threading and screwing and adhesive bonding.

The bead assemblies simply comprise a generally or substantially spherical bead 310 that has been secured to a wire shaft 330 that extends outwardly therefrom. The shaft can be secured to the bead in any suitable fashion that largely depends on the materials comprising the shaft and the bead. For instance, if the shaft is gold and the bead is gold, the two can be welded or fused together. If the bead and the shaft are dissimilar metals, they can be soldered together. If the bead is a mineral or plastic, it can be adhesively bonded to the shaft. In yet other variations, a bore in the bead and the appropriate end of the shaft can be threaded to permit the bead and the shaft to be removably affixed. In even another variation, the bead and the shaft can be integrally formed, such as by casting.

As indicated above, the beads 310 can be comprised of any suitable material including metals, plastics and minerals. For instance, for a high end ring the beads can be pearls or even gemstones that further accentuate the uniqueness of the ring 300 when it is removed from the wearer's finger. While in the Figures the beads are shown as being substantially spherical, it is to be appreciated other shapes of beads can be specified as well, such as ovular beads.

The number of beads 310 secured and fixed to the ring 300 can vary depending on the size of the shank and the size of the finger that the ring is configured to fit upon. In some versions, the ring may be fitted with a single bead assembly proximate the bottom center of the shank's inside circumferential surface. In the illustrated embodiments, two bead assemblies are affixed to the shank to the left and right of the inside circumferential surface's bottom center. In yet another variation three beads can be affixed to the shank. The size of the bead will also vary depending on the fitment of the associated ring to the wearer's finger. As can be appreciated larger beads will be utilized to fit larger rings to smaller fingers while smaller beads will be utilized to fit the ring to a smaller finger when the size discrepancy is not so great.

A Fourth Embodiment Comprising a Device for Sizing a Ring

The fourth embodiment device is illustrated in and with reference to FIGS. 14-18. This embodiment comprises the bead assembly used for sizing a ring 400 in a similar fashion as indicated above for the third embodiment. However, the bead assembly differs from the bead assembly of the third embodiment in that the assembly comprises a base 420 having a flat or slightly curved bottom in place of the outwardly extending shaft. Advantageously, the assemblies can be affixed to rings 400 without significant modification thereof by either soldering or adhesively securing the base to the inside circumferential surface of a ring's shank 405.

The illustrated bead assembly/device comprises a bead 410 similar to the bead described above with reference to the third embodiment including a bore extending into the bead, and a base member 420 that includes a base portion with an integrally formed pin that extends upwardly therefrom. The bead is affixed to the base member and more specifically to the pin by any suitable means such as those indicated herein in reference to the third embodiment. Most significantly, the base member includes a base surface 425 that is generally flat or slightly curved to better fit the typical circumference of the inside circumferential surface of a ring's annular shank 405.

As can be appreciated the bead assemblies are typically fabricated with a variety of differently sized beads to permit a ring 400 to be fit to a variety of smaller fingers. Although, only a single bead assembly is illustrated as being attached to a ring in the pertinent figures, more than one assembly can be affixed as necessary to a ring in any suitable location around the inside circumferential surface of the ring's shank.

While the beads illustrated herein are substantially spherical, variations can be ovular or other rounded shapes as well. In one embodiment/variation, the bead and base can both be replaced with a semi-spherical or semi-ovular piece, such as but not limited to a cabochon stone, with a flat or slightly curved bottom that can be directly bonded to the shank's inside circumferential surface.

A Method of Sizing a Ring using Various Sized Spherical Balls

As mentioned above, the bead assemblies of the third and fourth embodiments are utilized to size a ring with a large diameter inside circumferential surface to a finger with a small effective diameter. As an initial step in determining the size and number of bead assemblies to secure to a ring, the size of the ring and the prospective wearer are determined. In some variations of the method, a chart is provided that suggests various bead size combinations for particular finger/ring size combinations. If available consulting the chart provides the fitter with a starting point for sizing a particular ring to the finger.

Next, various sizes and combinations of beads are “dry fit” on to the ring and the ring is placed on the finger of the prospective wearer. In the case of the fourth embodiment bead assembly a non-permanent adhesive can be used to temporarily secure the bead assemblies in place during fitting. This way the assemblies can be removed and replaced as necessary to obtain the perfect combination of bead assemblies and, as applicable, placement locations for a particular wearer's finger. In the case of the third embodiment, the bead assemblies need only be placed in the bores on the shank of the ring but not fixedly secured therein except wherein the shank bore and the shaft are threaded in which case the assemblies are threaded into place.

After the proper number of assemblies and the size of beads associated with each assembly have been determined, the assemblies are then secured to the inside circumferential surface of the annular shank in the proper locations. In the case of the fourth embodiment assemblies, the base surface is adhesively bonded or soldered to the inside circumferential surface of the shank. Concerning the third embodiment, the selected assemblies are screwed, bonded or soldered into the bores extending into the shank from the inside circumferential surface.

Other Embodiments and Variations

The embodiment of the cycle trailer and variations thereof, and method of use as illustrated in the accompanying figures and/or described above, are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous variations to the invention have been contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the invention that read upon the claims are intended and contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A finger ring comprising:

an annular shank having an inside circumferential surface with a channel extending inwardly into the inside circumferential surface around a substantial portion thereof, the inside circumferential surface having an effective first diameter, the annular shank having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the top portion is adapted to be received onto a top surface of a wearer's finger and the bottom half is adapted to be received on a bottom half of the wearer's finger when the ring is properly worn; and

an arcuate spring (i) having an effective second diameter smaller than the first diameter, (ii) having left and right ends located proximate a top portion of the arcuate shank that face generally radially outwardly relative to a center point of the annular shank, (iii) forming an arc of about 210-270 degrees, (iv) having respective left and right inwardly extending portions proximate respective left and right ends, (v) having a substantially rectangular cross section with a thickness less than a depth of the channel, (vi) being secured to the inside circumferential surface of the bottom portion of the arcuate shank within the channel;

wherein the arcuate spring is adapted to resiliently expand as a wearer places his/her finger within the ring.

2. The ring of claim 1, wherein the arcuate spring comprises steel.

3. The ring of claim 1, wherein the ring further includes a head located on the top portion.

4. The ring of claim 1, wherein the respective inwardly extending portions comprise a portion of the arcuate spring that has been bent into an inwardly extending arc that has an effective arc diameter no more than one third the second diameter.

5. The ring of claim 1, wherein the respective left and right ends are adapted to be received into the channel when the ring is being worn.

6. The ring of claim 1, wherein the arcuate spring is secured to the annular shank by one of soldering, welding, screwing, swaging and adhesive bonding.

7. A finger ring comprising:

an annular shank having an inside circumferential surface with a channel extending inwardly into the inside circumferential surface around a substantial portion thereof, the inside circumferential surface having an effective first diameter, the arcuate shank having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the top portion is adapted to be received onto a top surface of a wearer's finger and the bottom half is adapted to be received on a bottom half of the wearer's finger when the ring is properly worn; and

an arcuate spring (i) having an effective second diameter smaller than the first diameter, (ii) having left and right ends located proximate a bottom portion of the arcuate shank with each end comprising a generally spherical bead, (iii) forming an arc of about 240-300 degrees, (iv) being secured to the inside circumferential surface of the top portion of the arcuate shank within the channel;

wherein the arcuate spring is adapted to resiliently expand as a wearer places his/her finger within the ring with the generally spherical beads resting on a bottom side of the wearer's finger.

8. The ring of claim 7, wherein the arcuate spring has a substantially round cross section.

9. The ring of claim 7, wherein the arcuate spring is secured to the inside circumferential surface to one of the left and right of and adjacent to a head of the ring.

10. The ring of claim 7, wherein the generally spherical beads are one of adhesively bonded, welded, screwed and soldered to the arcuate spring.

11. The ring of claim 8, wherein the diameter of the generally spherical beads are larger than the cross sectional diameter of the arcuate spring.

12. A combination comprising a ring having an annular shank with an inside circumferential surface and one or more bead assemblies secured to the inside circumferential surface wherein each bead assembly comprises a bead, the bead being generally one of a spheroid and a partial spheroid.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein each bead assembly comprises a shaft and a spheroid, the shaft being secured to the spheroid and including a first portion extending outwardly therefrom, the first portion being received and secured in a bore extending into the annular shank from the inside circumferential surface.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the shaft of each bead assembly is secured in an associated bore by at least one of soldering, threading, adhesive bonding, welding and interference fit.

15. The combination of claim 12, wherein the one or more bead assemblies are secured to a bottom half of the annular shank.

16. The combination of claim 12, wherein each bead assembly comprises a base member, the base member being secured to the bead and including a generally flat to slightly curved base surface, the base member being secured to the inside circumferential surface by one of soldering, welding and adhesive bonding.

17. The combination of claim 12, wherein the bead comprises a gemstone or a pearl.

18. A method of sizing a finger ring for a finger to create the combination of claim 12, the method comprising:

temporarily fitting a first combination of one or more bead assemblies to the inside circumferential surface;

determining fit by placing the ring on the finger;

as necessary, repeating the operations of temporarily fitting and determining fit with subsequent combinations of one or more bead assemblies, the subsequent bead assemblies differing from the first combination in one or more of (i) the size of beads associated with each bead assembly, (ii) the number of bead assemblies and (iii) locations of the one or more bead assemblies on the inside circumferential surface;

fixedly securing the one or more bead assemblies of the first or subsequent combination to the inside circumferential surface.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising measuring the diameter of the inside circumferential surface of the annular shank and the finger and consulting a chart to determine possible bead assembly combinations to fit the ring to the finger.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the one or more bead assemblies are fixedly secured to the bottom half of the annular shank.