SILICON RING

Abstract

The finger ring assembly is provided. The ring assembly includes a circular band portion adapted to encircle a human finger. The band portion includes a notched portion located at its top portion. The ring assembly includes a metallic component configured to removably engage to the notched portion of the band portion. The metallic component includes a top wall, a pair of side walls, and a pair of horizontally extending flaps extending inward from the bottom of the side walls, forming a retaining space for receiving the notched portion. The metallic component further includes prongs extending upward from the top wall, and configured for retaining a precious stone placed on top of the top wall.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jewelry. The invention is particularly directed to a flexible wearable finger ring assembly with a detachable metallic component supporting a precious stone for aesthetics or ergonomics.

BACKGROUND

From the dawn of civilization people, particularly women have worn jewelry to complement their clothing and to project an image about themselves to others. Jewelry is sometimes worn without ever taking off. Some jewelry such as finger rings stay with the person, whether man or woman, all the time.

Traditionally, finger rings worn are made of metal and optionally include precious stones or other adornments that enhance the ergonomics of the ring. The drawbacks associated with metallic rings are that it lacks resistant to extreme temperatures, resistant to abrasions, and chemicals. Sometimes, when the metallic rings have a tight fit over finger then the ring may cause discomfort or pain. Further, the traditional finger rings retain their aesthetics the way they are designed and the wearer does not hold any feasibility to alter the aesthetics of their finger ring.

Therefore, for jewelry specifically finger rings that are worn all the time comfort and aesthetics or ergonomics of the rings are of utmost important.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a finger ring assembly made of flexible material (Eg.Silicon) that is comfortable to wear and does not create pain in fingers as in the case of metallic rings when the rings are a tight fit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible ring with detachable metallic component supporting a precious stone for ergonomic looks. The presented invention allows a wearer to alter the aesthetics of the ring by interchanging the metallic component that holds a precious stone. In the presented solution, with one ring and multiple metallic components holding different shapes of precious stones, one can fulfil their desire of wearing different finger rings by simply swapping or changing the metallic component holding a differently shaped precious stone.

Embodiments of the present invention discloses a flexible wearable finger ring assembly or a finger ring. The finger ring assembly includes a circular band portion adapted to encircle a human finger, wherein the circular band portion including a notched portion located at a top portion of the circular band portion.

In an embodiment, the finger ring assembly includes a metallic component configured to removably engage to the notched portion of the circular band portion. The metallic component includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending downward from the top wall, and a pair of horizontally extending flaps extending inward from the bottom of the pair of side walls, thereby forming a retaining space for receiving the notched portion. In an embodiment, the top wall of the metallic component includes a slot to further support the precious stone.

In an embodiment, the metallic component further includes one or more prongs extending upward from the top wall, and configured for retaining a precious stone configured on top of the top wall of the metallic component. Each of the one or more prongs includes a longitudinal post with a tip. The tip of each of the prongs is at least but not limited to circular, rectangular, or square.

The one or more prongs are angularly oriented to accommodate the precious stone of at least circular shape, oval shape, rectangular shape, square shape.

In an embodiment, the circular band portion is made of silicon material.

In an embodiment, the notched portion is of a length equal to a longitudinal length of the metallic component.

In an embodiment, the metallic component includes an opening between the pair of horizontally extending flaps. The opening facilitates inserting the notched portion within the retaining space. In an embodiment, the opening extends along the length entire length of the metallic component.

In an embodiment, the circular band portion defines a substantially circular interior space shaped and sized to fit around one of the fingers of a person wearing the finger ring assembly. The circular band portion includes an interior surface, and an exterior surface with a smooth finish.

In an embodiment, the one or more prongs are connected by a connecting ring. The connecting ring is at least but not limited to circular, or oval.

In an embodiment, the one or more prongs are connected by one or more connecting bars. The connecting bars are formed to hold at least but not limited to rectangular, square shaped precious stones.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout the figures, and wherein like reference numerals are marked in some of the figures and omitted from some of the figures, and

FIGS. 1-4 illustrates a perspective view, a side view, a top view, and a bottom view of a flexible wearable finger ring assembly with a circular stone, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the flexible wearable finger ring assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the circular band portion of the flexible wearable finger ring assembly of FIG. 1 without the metallic component.

FIG. 7 shows a metallic component attachable to a circular band portion of the flexible wearable finger ring assembly of FIG. 1 and holding a circular stone, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the metallic component of FIG. 6, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows the metallic component of FIG. 6, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10-12 shows a metallic component attachable to a circular band portion of the flexible wearable finger ring and holding a substantially oval stone, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 13-15 shows a metallic component attachable to a circular band portion of the flexible wearable finger ring and holding a substantially rectangular stone, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 16-18 shows a metallic component attachable to a circular band portion of the flexible wearable finger ring and holding a substantially square stone, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 19-21 shows the flexible wearable finger ring assembly with the metallic component interchanged and replaced with other metallic components holding different shapes of precious stones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is of exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the following description is intended to provide a convenient illustration for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described in these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth herein. It should be appreciated that the description herein may be adapted to be employed with alternatively configured devices having different shapes, components, attachment mechanisms and the like and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not for limitation.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” is intended to indicate 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 the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

A flexible wearable finger ring assembly with a detachable metallic component supporting a precious stone for aesthetics or ergonomics will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings, particularly FIGS. 1-21.

Referring to FIGS. 1-21, there is shown a wearable finger ring assembly, hereinafter referred to as finger ring 100. Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-6, the finger ring 100 includes a circular band portion 101, a metallic component 102, and a stone 103. The circular band portion 101 is adapted to encircle a human finger onto which the finger ring 100 is worn. The circular band portion 101 is made of silicon according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In some other embodiment, the circular band portion 101 may be made of other polymer material. The circular band portion 101 has a predefined thickness and width. The thickness and width may be in the order of a few millimeters preferably a millimeter or two millimeters. The circular band portion 101 defines a substantially circular interior space 101a that is shaped and sized to fit around one of the fingers of the person wearing the finger ring 100. The interior surface 101b of the circular band portion 101 faces the interior space 101a and has a smooth finish that provides comfort to the skin of the finger on which the ring 100 is placed. The exterior surface 101c of the circular band portion 101 is smooth too.

Further as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, a section of a top portion of the circular band portion 101 is designed or configured to allow the metallic component 102 to engage thereto. During manufacturing, a certain length (say X mm) of the top portion (preferably the central portion) of the circular band portion 101 is notched or cut from two ends 101d, 101e of the circular band portion 101. The notched top portion or section of the circular band portion 101 will be referred to as a notched portion 101f. The notched portion 101f is made in width such that it can engage within a retaining space 102g formed in the metallic component 102 to detachably attach the metallic component 102 to the circular band portion 101. The retaining space 102g includes a width equal to or slightly less than the width of the The attachment and detachment of the circular band portion 101 to the metallic component 102 will further be described in the description to follow.

In an embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1-5, and 7, the metallic component 102 is seen. The metallic component 102 is configured to removably engage to the notched portion 101f of the circular band portion 101. In an embodiment, the metallic component 102 includes a top wall 102a, a pair of side walls 102b, 102c extending downward from the top wall 102a. The metallic component 102 further includes a pair of horizontally extending flaps 102d, 102e extending inward from the bottom of the side walls 102b,102c. The horizontally extending flaps 102d, 102e extend to a certain length keeping a space or opening 102f therebetween. The space or opening 102f extends along the length entire length of the metallic component 102. The top wall 102a, the side walls 102b,102c, and the flaps 102d, 102e form a retaining space 102g sized to accommodate the notched portion 101f of the circular band portion 101 when the notched portion 101f is inserted within the retaining space 102g through the space or opening 102f between the flaps 102d, 102e. As seen in FIG. 7, the top wall 102a of the metallic component 102 comprises a slot 102a′ to support a precious stone 103. In some other embodiment of the present invention, the metallic component 102 may not include the slot 102a′ (FIG. 8). For the purpose of this application, the precious stone 103 may include but is not limited to a diamond, a gemstone like emerald. Instead of precious stones, the metallic component 102 may hold precious metallic material.

Further, in an embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1-5,7, the metallic component 102 may include one or more prongs 102h extending upward from the top wall 102a. The prongs 102g include a longitudinal post 102i, and a tip 102j. The prongs 102h (particularly the posts 102i) may be oriented substantially straight according to an embodiment. The posts 102i may be oriented angled with respect to the top wall 102a of the metallic component 102. The orientation of the prongs 102h would depend upon the size and shape of the stone 103 that's held on top of the top wall 102a. Further, the tip 102j is seen to be substantially oval, however it should be understood that the tip 102j of the prongs 102h may have any other shapes such as for example but not limited to diamond, circular, polygonal, triangular. The tip 102j of each of the prongs 102h are configured such that they extend outward from the posts 102i. The outward extension of the tips 102j helps the prongs 102h to ensure the stone 103 placed on top of the top wall remain in place.

In a preferred embodiment, there may be four prongs 102g. In some other embodiments, more or a smaller number of prongs 102g may be present. In an embodiment, each of the prongs 102g may be configured at the corners of the top wall 102a. In another embodiment, each of the prongs 102g may be located at any location along each side of the top wall 102a (not seen). Further, in an embodiment, the prongs 102g are connected using a connecting ring 102k. The connecting ring 102k may be circular, or oval, or any other shapes. The shape of the connecting ring 102k depends upon the shape of the precious stone 103 held on the top wall 101a. In an embodiment, the prongs 102h may be connected by one or more connecting bars 1021. The connecting ring 102k or the connecting bars 1021 all helps in further retaining the precious stone 103 placed on the top wall 102a surrounded by the prongs 102h. In some other embodiment, the connecting ring 102k or the connecting bars 1021 may not be present as seen in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the metallic component 102 specifically the area of the top wall 101a is designed to adapt to the shape of the precious stone 103 placed on the top wall 101a. In FIGS. 1-5, the metallic component 102 is designed to hold a circular-shaped precious stone 103. However, as seen in FIGS. 10-12 and 19, the metallic component 102 can be suitably designed or customized to hold oval-shaped precious stone 103. Particularly, the orientation of the prongs 102h are changed to accommodate the oval-shaped stone 103 on top of the top wall 101a. Likewise, the orientation of the prongs 102h may be changed such that they can accommodate rectangular shaped stone 103 as seen in FIGS. 20 and 13-15. Further, the orientation of the prongs 102h may be changed such that they can accommodate square shaped stone 103 as seen in FIGS. 21 and 16-18.

FIGS. 10-12 shows the metallic component 102 that's similar to metallic component 102 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-5,7-9, except for the difference that the prongs 102h are oriented slightly differently to accommodate oval shaped precious stone 103. FIG. 10 shows the ring 102k in oval shape, just to accommodate oval shaped stone 103. FIG. 11 shows the same metallic component 102 without the slot 102a′ (seen in FIG. 10). FIG. 12 shows the metallic component 102 similar to the metallic component 102 of FIG. 10 without the ring component for holding the stone 103.

FIGS. 13-15 shows the metallic component 102 that's similar to metallic component 102 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-5,7-9, except for the difference that the prongs 102h are oriented slightly differently to accommodate rectangular shaped precious stone 103. FIG. 13 shows the bars 1021 interconnecting the prongs 102h, and the area surrounded by the bars 1021 accommodates rectangular shaped stone 103. FIG. 14 shows the same metallic component 102 without the slot 102a′ (seen in FIG. 13). FIG. 15 shows the metallic component 102 similar to the metallic component 102 of FIG. 13 without the bars 1021 for holding the stone 103.

FIGS. 16-18 shows the metallic component 102 that's similar to metallic component 102 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-5,7-9, except for the difference that the prongs 102h are oriented slightly differently to accommodate square shaped precious stone 103. FIG. 16 shows the bars 1021 interconnecting the prongs 102h, and the area surrounded by the bars 1021 accommodates square shaped stone 103. FIG. 17 shows the same metallic component 102 without the slot 102a′ (seen in FIG. 16). FIG. 18 shows the metallic component 102 similar to the metallic component 102 of FIG. 13 without the bars 1021 for holding the stone 103.

Although not shown in the figures, in some other embodiment, the precious stone 103 may be placed on top of the top wall 101a and fixed on the top wall using adhesive without needing the prongs 102h. In some other embodiments, the stone 103 may be fixedly attached on top of the top wall 101a using adhesives besides being retained by the prongs 102h.

FIGS. 19-21 shows alternative configurations of the flexible wearable finger ring assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 1-5. The provided ring assembly 100 is modular in design, which enables a ring wearer to use a single circular band portion 101 with the metallic component 102 (with differently shaped stones 103) that can be selectively removably attached to the notched portion 101f of the circular band portion 101. With the proposed design of the finger ring assembly 100, it is possible, for the wearer to keep a single circular band portion 101 and have multiple metallic components 102 holding different shaped stones 103 (Eg. metallic component holding square shaped stone, metallic component holding rectangular shaped stone, metallic component holding oval shaped stone, metallic component holding circular stone) and the wearer based on his/her desire switch over between these metallic components 102.

Finally, while the present invention has been described above with reference to various exemplary embodiments, many changes, combinations, and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the various components may be implemented in alternative ways. These alternatives can be suitably selected depending upon the particular application or in consideration of any number of factors associated with the design and operation of the device. In addition, the techniques described herein may be extended or modified for use with other types of devices. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100), comprising:

a circular band portion (101) adapted to encircle a human finger, wherein the circular band portion (101) comprising a notched portion (101f) located at a top portion of the circular band portion (101);

a metallic component (102) configured to removably engage to the notched portion (101f) of the circular band portion (101), wherein the metallic component (102) comprises a top wall (102a), a pair of side walls (102b,102c) extending downward from the top wall (102a), and a pair of horizontally extending flaps (102d,102e) extending inward from the bottom of the pair of side walls (102b,102c), thereby forming a retaining space (102g) for receiving the notched portion (101f); and

wherein the metallic component (102) further comprising one or more prongs (102h) extending upward from the top wall (102a), and configured for retaining a precious stone (103) placed on top of the top wall (102a) of the metallic component (102).

2. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the circular band portion (101) is made of silicon material.

3. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the notched portion (101f) is of a length equal to a longitudinal length of the metallic component.

4. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the metallic component (102) comprises an opening (102f) between the pair of horizontally extending flaps (102d,102e).

5. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 4, wherein the opening (102f) facilitates inserting the notched portion (101f) within the retaining space (102g).

6. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the circular band portion (101) defines a substantially circular interior space (101a) shaped and sized to fit around one of the fingers of a person wearing the finger ring assembly (100).

7. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the circular band portion (101) comprises an interior surface (101b), and an exterior surface (101c) with a smooth finish.

8. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 4, wherein the opening (102f) extends along the length entire length of the metallic component (102).

9. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the top wall (102a) of the metallic component (102) comprises a slot (102a′) to further support the precious stone (103).

10. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more prongs (102h) comprises a longitudinal post (102i) with a tip (102j).

11. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more prongs (102h) are connected by a connecting ring (102k).

12. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 11, wherein the connecting ring (102k) is at least circular, or oval.

13. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more prongs (102h) are connected by one or more connecting bars (1021) configured to hold at least rectangular, square shaped precious stone (103).

14. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more prongs (102h) are angularly oriented to accommodate the precious stone (103) of at least circular shape, oval shape, rectangular shape, square shape.

15. The flexible wearable finger ring assembly (100) of claim 10, wherein the tip (102j) of each of the prongs (102i) is at least oval, circular, rectangular, or square.