SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INTERCHANGEABLE RING

Abstract

An interchangeable ring system is provided. The interchangeable ring system includes a shank and a head. The shank includes a receiving hole, and the head includes a peg. The peg is removably inserted into the receiving hole such that the head is secured on the shank. The shank includes a clamp at least partially extending into the receiving hole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/421,118, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INTERCHANGEABLE RING”, filed Oct. 31, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

When buying jewelry, the look and feel of the jewelry are typically of paramount importance to the consumer. Typically, a consumer tries on different preformed pieces of jewelry to observe the look and feel of the jewelry on themselves. However, the consumer may like certain aspects of the preformed pieces of jewelry more than others. For example, with respect to rings, some consumers may prefer a certain head style with a certain shank style. Specifically, a consumer may prefer a cathedral head style paired with a tapered shank. Because the jewelry offered by the jeweler is preformed, the jeweler may not have the specific combination that the consumer wants to try. Additionally, maintaining a collection of jewelry that includes every combination of features for a consumer to try on is expensive, time consuming to organize and manage, and takes up valuable space in the retail establishment.

Some jewelers have software programs that allow a consumer to design their own jewelry with the specific combination of features they desire. While these programs allow a consumer to see their preferred combination virtually, these programs do not allow the consumer to try on the designed jewelry to observe the look and feel of the jewelry on the consumer. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that is capable of allowing a consumer to design their own jewelry and try on the designed jewelry to observe the look and feel of the jewelry.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

A number of embodiments of a system and method for an interchangeable ring system are presented in this application. Specifically, the embodiments described herein include an interchangeable ring system and a method of designing jewelry.

In some embodiments, an interchangeable ring system includes a shank and a head. The shank includes a receiving hole, and the head includes a peg. The peg is removably inserted into the receiving hole such that the head is secured on the shank. The shank includes a clamp at least partially extending into the receiving hole to exert pressure on the head to secure the head on the shank.

The embodiments described herein also include a method of designing jewelry. The method includes selecting a shank comprising a receiving hole. The method also includes selecting a head comprising a peg. The method further includes inserting the peg into the receiving hole such that the head is secured on the shank. The method also includes pulling the peg out of the receiving hole such that the head is removed from the shank. The method further includes snapping the clamp into a notch. The method also includes pushing the clamp out of the notch to remove the head.

There are other novel aspects and features of this disclosure. They will become apparent as this specification proceeds. Accordingly, this brief summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. The summary and the background are not intended to identify key concepts or essential aspects of the disclosed subject matter, nor should they be used to constrict or limit the scope of the claims. For example, the scope of the claims should not be limited based on whether the recited subject matter includes any or all aspects noted in the summary and/or addresses any of the issues noted in the background.

DRAWINGS

The preferred and other embodiments are disclosed in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an example interchangeable ring system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exploded view of the example interchangeable ring system illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective top view of a shank of the example interchangeable ring system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a head of the example interchangeable ring system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective top view of a shank of the example interchangeable ring system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of designing jewelry in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of using an interchangeable ring system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an interchangeable ring system 100. FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the interchangeable ring system 100. The ring system 100 includes at least one shank 102 and at least one head 104. In some embodiments, the ring system 100 includes a plurality of shanks 102 and a plurality of heads 104.

The shanks 102 and the heads 104 are removable from each other such that each shank 102 may be temporarily attached to each head 104 to enable a consumer to observe how the head 104 looks on each shank 102 and to try on the combination. As such, the ring system 100 described herein improves the jewelry shopping experience by enabling a consumer to design, assemble, and try on jewelry with different combinations of features in real time.

As discussed above, the ring system 100 typically includes a plurality of shanks 102. Each separate shank 102 of the plurality of shanks 102 has a different set of characteristics or features that may be appealing to a consumer. For example, each separate shank 102 of the plurality of shanks 102 may have a different band style, a different shoulder style, and different side stones. Additionally, each separate shank 102 of the plurality of shanks 102 may have a different size such that consumers with different size figures can try similar styles of shank.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each shank 102 includes a ring that is worn on a finger of a consumer. Specifically, each shank 102 includes a sizing portion 106, two shoulders 108, and a bridge 110. The sizing portion 106 is attached to each of the two shoulders 108 and the two shoulders 108 are each attached to the bridge 110 to complete the ring. The characteristics or features of each of the sizing portion 106, two shoulders 108, and the bridge 110 may be customized to provide a distinct look and feel for each shank 102. The consumer then selects the shank 102 that most closely matches their desires.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shank 102 may include side stones 112 positioned on the shoulders 108 and on opposite sides of the bridge 110. The side stones 112 may accent the rest of the shank 102 and the head 104. The shoulders 108 also include side stone settings 114 including side stone prongs 116 that retain the sides stones 112 in the shank 102. Additionally, the shoulders 108 may include accent stones (not shown) in addition to the side stones 112.

In an alternative embodiment, the shank 102 may not include side stones 112, side stone settings 114, or accent stones. Additionally, the shank 102 may include any shank style that enables the ring system 100 to operate as described herein. For example, the shank 102 may include any of the following shank styles: straight shank, split shank, open split shank, crossover shank, bypass shank, tapered shank, knife edge shank, cathedral shank, euro shank, interlocked shank, reverse tapered shank, beveled edge shank, dome shank, chevron shank, crossover trellis shank, and/or any other shank type. Additionally, each shank type may be combined with a plurality of side stones 112 and/or accent stones to achieve a desired look and feel.

The shank 102 may be formed of any material that enables the ring system 100 to operate a described herein. Specifically, the shank 102 may be formed of any of the following materials: yellow gold, white gold, silver, rose gold, platinum, rhodium, palladium, titanium, black zirconium, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, brass, copper, zirconium, tungsten, plastic, rubber, and/or any other material that enables the ring system 100 to operate a described herein. Additionally, the shank 102 may be formed of an alloy of any material used to form rings. In the illustrated embodiment, the shank 102 is formed of brass metal that is plated with rhodium.

FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate a perspective top view of the shank 102. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bridge 110 defines a receiving hole 118 configured to receive a portion of the head 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving hole 118 extends though the bridge 110 such that the bridge 110 defines a top opening 120 and a bottom opening 122. As described below, the top opening 120 receives a portion of the head 104 and the bottom opening 122 facilitates removal of the head 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving hole 118 has a specific shape to correspond with and receive the head 104. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the receiving hole 118 has a semioval shape (half of an oval) include a rounded oval side 124 and a straight side 126 attached to two ends of the rounded oval side 124 to complete the semioval. In alternative embodiment, the receiving hole 118 may have any shape that enables the shank 102 to operate as described herein. For example, certain heads 104 may not be compatible with certain shank styles. The receiving hole 118 may be sized and shaped to only receive certain heads 104. Specifically, in some embodiments, the receiving hole 118 may have a U-shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rounded oval side 124 has a major axis 128 and a major axis length 130 and the straight side 126 has a straight side length 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the major axis length 130 is about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 2 mm, about 1.5 mm to about 1.9 mm, about 1.7 mm to about 1.85 mm, or about 1.8 mm. In alternative embodiments, the major axis length 130 may be any length that enables the shank 102 to operate as described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the straight side length 132 is about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 2 mm, about 1.0 mm to about 1.5 mm, about 1.1 mm to about 1.3 mm, or about 1.2 mm. In alternative embodiments, the straight side length 132 may be any length that enables the shank 102 to operate as described herein.

Additionally, the shank 102 includes a clamp 134 or other fastening device used to hold or secure objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation through the application of inward pressure. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 134 is positioned within the shank 102 such that a portion 136 of the clamp 134 extends into the receiving hole 118. As described below, the head 104 is received in the receiving hole 118 and the clamp 134 exerts pressure on the head 104 to secure the head 104 on the shank 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 134 includes a tension wire 166 formed in the shank 102. The tension wire includes a stainless steel wire that deforms as the head 104 is inserted into the receiving hole 118 and snaps into a securing position once the head 104 is inserted into the receiving hole 118 a predetermined length.

The head 104 includes a central stone 138, a base 140, a plurality of prongs 142, and a peg 144. The prongs 142 extend from a top 146 of the base 140 and the peg 144 extends from a bottom 148 of the base 140. The prongs 142 include notched bars 168 extending from the base 140 that hold the center stone 138 in place. During use, the peg 144 is inserted into the receiving hole 118 and the clamp 134 clamps onto the peg 144 to secure the head 104 to the shank 102. Additionally, the clamp 134 releases the peg 144 and allows a consumer to remove the head 104 from the shank 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central stone 138 may be formed of any material that enables the ring system 100 to operate a described herein. Specifically, the central stone 138 may formed of any of the following materials: diamond, lab grown diamond, simulated diamond, cubic zirconia, moissanite, sapphire, onyx, emerald, ruby, morganite, opal, and/or any other material that enables the ring system 100 to operate a described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the central stone 138 is formed of cubic zirconia.

The base 140 and the prongs 142 may be formed of any material that enables the ring system 100 to operate a described herein. Specifically, the base 140 and the prongs 142 may formed of any of the following materials: yellow gold, white gold, silver, rose gold, platinum, rhodium, palladium, titanium, black zirconium, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, brass, copper, zirconium, tungsten, plastic, rubber, and/or any other material that enables the ring system 100 to operate a described herein. Additionally, the base 140 and the prongs 142 may be formed of an alloy of any material used to form rings. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 140 and the prongs 142 are formed of brass metal that is plated with rhodium.

The peg 144 may be formed of any material that enables the ring system 100 to operate a described herein. Specifically, the peg 144 may formed of any of the following materials: yellow gold, white gold, silver, rose gold, platinum, rhodium, palladium, titanium, black zirconium, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, brass, copper, zirconium, tungsten, plastic, rubber, and/or any other material that enables the ring system 100 to operate a described herein. Additionally, the peg 144 may be formed of an alloy of any material used to form rings. In the illustrated embodiment, the peg 144 is formed of brass metal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the peg 144 has a specific shape to correspond with the receiving hole 118. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the peg 144 has a semioval shape (half of an oval) include a rounded oval side 150 and a straight side 152 attached to two ends of the rounded oval side 150 to complete the semioval. In alternative embodiment, the peg 144 may have any shape that enables the head 104 to operate as described herein. For example, certain heads 104 may not be compatible with certain shank styles. The peg 144 may be sized and shaped to only be receive certain shanks 102. Specifically, in some embodiments, the peg 144 may have a U-shape to correspond with the U-shaped embodiment of the receiving hole 118.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rounded oval side 150 has a major axis 154 and a major axis length 156 and the straight side 152 has a straight side length 158. In the illustrated embodiment, the major axis length 156 is about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 2 mm, about 1.5 mm to about 1.9 mm, about 1.6 mm to about 1.8 mm, or about 1.7 mm. In alternative embodiments, the major axis length 156 may be any length that enables the head 104 to operate as described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the straight side length 158 is about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 2 mm, about 1.0 mm to about 1.5 mm, about 1.05 mm to about 1.2 mm, or about 1.1 mm. In alternative embodiments, the straight side length 158 may be any length that enables the head 104 to operate as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the peg 144 defines a notch 160 in the straight side 152. The notch 160 is configured to receive the clamp 134 to secure the head 104 on the shank 102. Specifically, the notch 160 is positioned a notch distance 162 from the base 140 and the clamp 134 is located a clamp distance 164 from the top opening 120. The notch distance 162 corresponds to the clamp distance 164 such that the clamp 134 is received in the notch 160 when the peg 144 is inserted into the receiving hole 118. Specifically, the clamp 134 is biased toward a center of the receiving hole 118 and the peg 144 push against the clamp 134 when the peg 144 is inserted into the receiving hole 118. More specifically, the clamp 134 snaps into the notch 160 when the peg 144 is inserted into the receiving hole 118 such that the notch 160 is positioned the notch distance 162 form the base 140. The clamp 134 secures the peg 144 in the receiving hole 118 and the head 104 on the shank 102. When the head 104 is removed from the shank 102, the consumer pulls the head 104 such that the clamp 134 is pushed out of the notch 160. The consumer continues to pull on the head 104 such that the clamp 134 remains out of the notch 160 and the peg 144 is removed from the receiving hole 118.

During operations, the consumer choses a shank 102 of the plurality of shanks 102 and a head 104 of the plurality of heads 104. The head 104 is inserted into the shank 102. Specifically, the peg 144 is inserted into the receiving hole 118 such that the peg 144 pushes the clamp 134 away from the receiving hole 118. The consumer continues to push the peg 144 into the receiving hole 118 until the clamp 134 snaps into the notch 160. The notch 160 secures the peg 144 in the receiving hole 118 and the head 104 on the shank 102. The consumer then tries on the ring system 100 by placing the shank 102 on their finger. The consumer then removes the head 104 from the shank 102 by pulling the head 104 such that the clamp 134 is pushed out of the notch 160. The consumer continues to pull on the head 104 such that the clamp 134 remains out of the notch 160 and the peg 144 is removed from the receiving hole 118. The consumer may then choose another head 104 to attach to the same shank 102, another shank 102 to attach to the same head 104, and/or another head 104 and another shank 102 to attach to each other.

In some embodiments, the ring system 100 may be part of or include a ring kit that includes a plurality of shanks 102 and a plurality of heads 104. Each separate shank 102 of the plurality of shanks 102 has a different set of characteristics or features that may be appealing to a consumer. For example, each separate shank 102 of the plurality of shanks 102 may have a different band style, a different shoulder style, and different side stones. Additionally, each separate shank 102 of the plurality of shanks 102 may have a different size such that consumers with different size figures can try similar styles of shank. Additionally, each separate head 104 of the plurality of heads 104 also has a different set of characteristics or features that may be appealing to a consumer. For example, each separate head 104 of the plurality of heads 104 may have a central stone 138 and/or a different style of prongs 142. Additionally, each separate head 104 of the plurality of heads 104 may have different sized central stones 138 such that consumers can try on multiple heads 104 with different sized central stones 138 with multiple shanks 102 to determine which combination is most desirable. As such, the ring kit may assist the consumer with designing a ring.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 600 of designing jewelry. The method 600 includes selecting 602 a shank comprising a receiving hole. The method 600 also includes selecting 604 a head comprising a peg. The selecting operations 602 and 604 may include considering several different styles of shanks and heads for a consumer to view and/or try on while designing a ring.

The method 600 further includes inserting 606 the peg into the receiving hole. The method 600 further includes snapping 608 the clamp into the notch such that the head is secured on the shank.

The method 600 also includes pushing 610 the clamp out of the notch in order to remove the peg from the receiving hole to remove the head from the shank. The method 600 also includes pulling 612 the peg out of the receiving hole such that the head is removed from the shank.

Additionally, FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 700 of using an interchangeable ring system. The method 700 includes inserting 702 a peg on a head into a receiving hole of a shank. The method 700 also includes snapping 704 a clamp located on the shank into a notch on the peg. The notch is configured to receive the clamp. The method 700 further includes securing 706 the peg in the receiving hole responsive to snapping the clamp in the notch.

Any methods described in the claims or specification should not be interpreted to require the steps to be performed in a specific order unless stated otherwise. Also, the methods should be interpreted to provide support to perform the recited steps in any order unless stated otherwise.

Spatial or directional terms, such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” and the like, relate to the subject matter as it is shown in the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the described subject matter may assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting.

Articles such as “the,” “a,” and “an” can connote the singular or plural. Also, the word “or” when used without a preceding “either” (or other similar language indicating that “or” is unequivocally meant to be exclusive—e.g., only one of x or y, etc.) shall be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., “x or y” means one or both x or y).

The term “and/or” shall also be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., “x and/or y” means one or both x or y). In situations where “and/or” or “or” are used as a conjunction for a group of three or more items, the group should be interpreted to include one item alone, all the items together, or any combination or number of the items.

The terms have, having, include, and including should be interpreted to be synonymous with the terms comprise and comprising. The use of these terms should also be understood as disclosing and providing support for narrower alternative embodiments where these terms are replaced by “consisting” or “consisting essentially of.”

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, and the like, used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood to be modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

All disclosed ranges are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed by each range. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).

All disclosed numerical values are to be understood as being variable from 0-100% in either direction and thus provide support for claims that recite such values or any and all ranges or subranges that can be formed by such values. For example, a stated numerical value of 8 should be understood to vary from 0 to 16 (100% in either direction) and provide support for claims that recite the range itself (e.g., 0 to 16), any subrange within the range (e.g., 2 to 12.5) or any individual value within that range (e.g., 15.2).

The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries in widely used general dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries, commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used in a manner that is more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used in this document shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “this term means,” “this term is defined as,” “for the purposes of this disclosure this term shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained in this document should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope.

The subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any embodiment, feature, or combination of features described or illustrated in this document. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the feature or combination of features is illustrated and described in this document.

Claims

1. An interchangeable ring system comprising:

a shank comprising a receiving hole; and

a head comprising a peg, wherein the peg is removably inserted into the receiving hole such that the head is secured on the shank.

2. The interchangeable ring system of claim 1, wherein the shank comprises a clamp at least partially extending into the receiving hole.

3. The interchangeable ring system of claim 2, wherein the clamp comprises a tension wire.

4. The interchangeable ring system of claim 2, wherein the peg defines a notch configured to receive the clamp.

5. The interchangeable ring system of claim 1, wherein the receiving hole has a first shape and the peg has a second shape corresponding to the first shape of the receiving hole.

6. The interchangeable ring system of claim 1, wherein the receiving hole has a first semioval shape.

7. The interchangeable ring system of claim 6, wherein the peg has a second semioval shape corresponding to the semioval shape of the receiving hole.

8. The interchangeable ring system of claim 7, wherein the first semioval shape of the receiving hole has a straight side and a rounded oval side.

9. The interchangeable ring system of claim 8, wherein the straight side has a straight side length and the rounded oval side has a major axis length.

10. The interchangeable ring system of claim 9, wherein the straight side length is about 1.2 millimeters (mm) and the major axis length is about 1.8 mm.

11. The interchangeable ring system of claim 7, wherein the first semioval shape of the receiving hole has a straight side and a rounded oval side.

12. The interchangeable ring system of claim 11, wherein the straight side has a straight side length and the rounded oval side has a major axis length.

13. The interchangeable ring system of claim 12, wherein the straight side length is about 1.1 mm and the major axis length is about 1.7 mm.

14. A method of using an interchangeable ring system, the method comprising:

inserting a peg on a head into a receiving hole of a shank;

snapping a clamp located on the shank into a notch on the peg, the notch configured to receive the clamp;

securing the peg in the receiving hole responsive to snapping the clamp in the notch.

15. A method of designing jewelry comprising:

selecting a shank comprising a receiving hole;

selecting a head comprising a peg; and

inserting the peg into the receiving hole such that the head is secured on the shank.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising pulling the peg out of the receiving hole such that the head is removed from the shank.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the shank comprises a clamp at least partially extending into the receiving hole.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the peg defines a notch configured to receive the clamp.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising snapping the clamp into the notch.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising pushing the clamp out of the notch.