U.S. patent application number 13/079242 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-07 for fitting device for ring.
Invention is credited to Noriko TANAKA.
Application Number | 20120137731 13/079242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46160934 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120137731 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TANAKA; Noriko |
June 7, 2012 |
FITTING DEVICE FOR RING
Abstract
There is provided a fitting device for a ring including: a
multi-turned coil made of a metallic wire, the coil having equal
pitch and constant coil diameter; one stopper formed into a
spherical body and provided at one end of the wire; and the other
stopper formed into a spherical body and provided at the other end
of the wire. The one and the other stoppers are made of metal. The
one and the other stoppers are arranged so that when seen from an
axis of the coil, the one stopper and the other stopper are
arranged at an interval along a circumference of the coil and so
that the one stopper is located in the vicinity of an end of a palm
and the other stopper is located in the vicinity of a base of a
finger.
Inventors: |
TANAKA; Noriko; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Family ID: |
46160934 |
Appl. No.: |
13/079242 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/15.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 9/0084
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/15.5 |
International
Class: |
A44C 9/02 20060101
A44C009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 1, 2010 |
JP |
2010-268076 |
Claims
1. A fitting device for a ring comprising: a multi-turn coil having
an equal pitch and having a constant coil diameter, the coil being
made of a wire; one stopper formed into a spherical body and
provided at one end of the wire; and the other stopper formed into
a spherical body and provided at the other end of the wire, wherein
the wire, the one stopper and the other stopper are made of metal,
wherein when seen from an axis of the coil, the one stopper and the
other stopper are arranged at an interval along a circumference of
the coil, so that the one stopper is arranged to be located in the
vicinity of an end of a palm and the other stopper is arranged to
be located in the vicinity of a base of a finger.
2. The fitting device according to claim 1, wherein the one stopper
and the other stopper are arranged such that an angle .theta.
between a first line, the first line connecting a center of the one
stopper and a circumferential center of a turn at one end of the
coil, and a second line, the second line connecting a center of the
other stopper and a circumferential center of a turn at the other
end of the coil, is substantially right angle.
3. The fitting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal
constituting the wire, the one stopper and the other stopper is
stainless steel.
4. The fitting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wire
and the one and the other stoppers are coated with material
selected from the group consisting of gold, rhodium and
platinum.
5. The fitting device according to claim 3, wherein the wire and
the one and the other stoppers are coated with material selected
from the group consisting of gold, rhodium and platinum.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The priority application Japan Patent Application No.
2010-268076 upon which this patent application is based is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a fitting device for a
ring, by which a ring having the size larger than the size of a
finger is easily retained to the finger.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, if the size of a ring is smaller than the
size of a finger and thus the ring does not fit the finger, the
ring can be enlarged using an expander. On the other hand, if the
size of a ring is larger than the size of a finger, when such ring
is put on the finger, the easily ring rotates and moves in the
longitudinal direction of the finger. Thus, there is a problem that
such rotation and the displacement of the ring needs to be
prevented.
[0006] One approach to solve the above-mentioned problem includes
cutting and removing a portion of a ring followed by welding the
cut portion to form the ring into suitable size. However, such
approach requires advanced techniques and skill as well as high
cost in machining. Furthermore, an owner of the ring is often
uncomfortable machining the ring itself using the above-mentioned
approach especially if the ring is, for example, a remembrance of
his/her family.
[0007] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No.
S54-124795 discloses another approach to solve the above-mentioned
problem without machining the ring itself. This conventional
approach provides a coil spring as an adjusting member for a ring,
or an adapting member for a ring, which helps the ring fit the
smaller-sized finger properly. The adjusting member for the ring
described above is shown in FIG. 3. The adjusting member is
provided with a coil spring 101 and attachment portions 102, 102
provided at both ends of the coil spring 101, respectively. The
coil spring 101 has a large-diameter central portion adjacent to an
inner circumferential face of a ring R, thus the coil diameter of
the coil spring 101 is not constant. The attachment portion 102
corresponds to a small-diameter end portion of the coil spring
101.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved
[0008] However, the above-mentioned adjusting member for the ring
has problems that: a) when a finger is inserted into the ring R
having the adjusting member mounted thereto, since the coil
diameter of the coil spring becomes smaller as it gets towards the
both ends thereof, the small-diameter portion is strongly wound
around the ring R and thus does not move with respect to the ring
R. As a result, a) the adjusting member presses against a finger
joint, b) the friction between a surface of the ring R and the
small-diameter portion which is wound strongly around the ring R
causes a scratch on the ring R, and c) since the central portion of
the adjusting member has the diameter larger than that of the end
portions thereof, it adversely affects the aesthetic appearance of
the ring R.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to solve the
above-described problems.
[0010] In other words, an object of the present invention is to
provide a fitting device for a ring which can be easily mounted to
the ring, which can prevent the rotation of the ring as well as the
displacement of the ring in the longitudinal direction of the
finger without fixing the spring coil to the ring, which can
prevent application of the pressure to a portion of the finger
between a base of the finger and an end of a palm at which the ring
is located, which can prevent causing inflammation at the base of
the finger and at the end of the palm, which can prevent causing
the scratch on the surface of the ring, which does not adversely
affect the aesthetic appearance of the ring, and which can be
manufactured at low cost.
Solution to Problems
[0011] In order to attain the above objective, the present
invention provides, in a first aspect, a fitting device for a ring
having: a multi-turn coil having an equal pitch and having a
constant coil diameter, the coil being made of a wire; one stopper
formed into a spherical body and provided at one end of the wire;
and the other stopper formed into a spherical body and provided at
the other end of the wire, wherein the wire, the one stopper and
the other stopper are made of metal, wherein when seen from an axis
of the coil, the one stopper and the other stopper are arranged at
an interval along a circumference of the coil, so that the one
stopper is arranged to be located in the vicinity of an end of a
palm and the other stopper is arranged to be located in the
vicinity of a base of a finger.
[0012] In order to attain the above objective, the present
invention provides, in a second aspect, the fitting device
described above, wherein the one stopper and the other stopper are
arranged such that an angle .theta. between a first line, the first
line connecting a center of the one stopper and a circumferential
center of a turn at one end of the coil, and a second line, the
second line connecting a center of the other stopper and a
circumferential center of a turn at the other end of the coil, is
substantially right angle.
[0013] In order to attain the above objective, the present
invention provides, in a third aspect, the fitting device described
above, wherein the metal constituting the wire, the one stopper and
the other stopper is stainless steel.
[0014] In order to attain the above objective, the present
invention provides, in a fourth aspect, the fitting device
described above, wherein the wire and the one and the other
stoppers are coated with material selected from the group
consisting of gold, rhodium and platinum.
Advantageous Effect of the Invention
[0015] According to the first and the second aspects of the present
invention, the rotation of the ring and the displacement of the
ring along the finger can be prevented without fixing the coil to
the ring. Furthermore, the present invention prevents applying
pressure against the portion of the finger between the base of the
finger and the end of the palm at which the ring is located,
prevents the inflammation at the base of the finger and at the end
of the palm, and prevents causing the scratch on the surface of the
ring. Furthermore, the fitting device according to the present
invention does not adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of the
ring and can be manufactured at low cost.
[0016] According to the third aspect of the present invention,
since the wire and the stoppers are made of stainless steel, the
coil is provided with suitable elasticity. Consequently, the
displacement of the ring can be prevented even more effectively, as
well as the application of pressure against the portion of the
finger between the base of the finger and the end of the palm at
which the ring is located. Furthermore, the fitting device is
arranged so as not to adversely affect on the aesthetic appearance
of the ring.
[0017] According to the third aspect of the present invention,
since the wire and the stoppers are coated with gold, rhodium or
platinum, the fitting device can be more suitable as a decorative
part of the ring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1A is a front view showing a fitting device for a ring
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 1B is a side view showing the fitting device seen from
an axial direction of a coil indicated by an arrow A shown in FIG.
1A;
[0020] FIG. 2A is an illustration showing a ring with the fitting
device put on a finger and showing a base of a finger and an end of
a palm;
[0021] FIG. 2B is an illustration showing the ring of FIG. 2A and
showing an end of a back of the palm and a base of a back of the
finger;
[0022] FIG. 3A is a front view of a conventional adjusting member
for a ring; and
[0023] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a ring mounted with the
conventional adjusting member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention is described below in reference with
the attached drawings.
[0025] FIG. 1A shows a fitting device 10 for a ring according to
the present invention. The fitting device 10 is provided with a
coil (spring coil) 1, one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3. The
coil 1 is a multi-turn coil made of a wire 1c. The coil 1 has an
equal pitch and a constant coil diameter. The one stopper 2 is
formed into a spherical body and is provided at one end 1a of the
wire 1c, and the other stopper 3 is formed into a spherical body
and is provided at the other end 1b of the wire 1c. As shown in
FIG. 1B, for the fitting device 10 described above, the wire 1c and
the one and the other stoppers 2, 3 are made of metal. The one
stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 are arranged at an interval D
along a circumference of the coil 1 when seen from an axis of the
coil 1 (seen from a direction indicated by an arrow A shown in FIG.
1A). Furthermore, the one stopper 2 is arranged so as to be located
in the vicinity of the end of the palm, and the other stopper 3 is
arranged so as to be located in the vicinity of the base of the
finger.
[0026] For the above-described fitting device 10, the number of
turns of the coil 1 is 5.5, in which the coil 1 is arranged to have
equal pitch and the coil diameter is constant throughout the
plurality of coil turns. However, the number of the coil turns may
be greater than or less than 5.5 since the size of a finger differs
among individuals, sexes or racial groups. The term "coil diameter"
is herein defined as a diameter of a circle formed by the turned
wire 1c seen from the axis of the coil 1, as shown in FIG. 1B.
Also, the term "pitch" used in "the coil 1 is arranged to have
equal pitch" is herein defined as an interval between adjacent
loops of the wire 1c forming the coil 1. According to the present
invention, the coil diameter of the coil 1 is preferably about 5
mm, and the pitch of the coil 1 is preferably about 2 mm. However,
the coil diameter may be greater than or less than 5 mm, as well as
the interval between the adjacent coils may be greater than or less
than 2 mm, since the size of a finger differs among individuals,
sexes or racial groups as mentioned above.
[0027] The "interval D" described in "the one stopper 2 and the
other stopper 3 are arranged at an interval D along a circumference
of the coil 1 when seen from an axis of the coil 1" is herein
defined as an interval between the one stopper 2 and the other
stopper 3 assuming the one and the other stoppers 2, 3 are on the
same plane, as shown in FIG. 1B. In addition, the term "interval D"
is herein defined as an interval between the one stopper 2 and the
other stopper 3 when the one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 are
located at the end of the palm and at the base of the finger,
respectively. In such manner, under the situation of "the one
stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 are arranged at an interval D
along a circumference of the coil 1 when seen from an axis of the
coil 1 (seen from a direction indicated by an arrow A shown in FIG.
1A)", a line connecting a center of the one stopper 2 and a center
of the other stopper 3 intersects with the axis of the coil 1 at a
slant.
[0028] According to the present invention, the fitting device 10 is
provided with the multi-turned coil 1, in which the coil 1 is
arranged at equal pitch and has a constant coil diameter. Thus, the
fitting device 10, or the coil 1, is mounted to the ring by
rotating the coil 1, and after that the ring with the fitting
device 10 is put on the finger. Alternatively, the ring can be put
on the finger first and then the fitting device 10, or the coil 1,
can be mounted to the ring by rotating the coil 1. In such manner,
the fitting device 10 according to the present invention can be
applied to the ring easily.
[0029] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the
ring mounted with the fitting device 10 is put on the finger, the
fitting device 10 engages with a recessed portion between the base
of the finger and the end of the palm, and the one stopper 2 and
the other stopper 3 are located in the vicinity of the end of the
palm and in the vicinity of the base of the finger, respectively.
Consequently, the rotation of the ring as well as the displacement
of the ring along the longitudinal direction of the finger can be
prevented.
[0030] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the coil 1
of the fitting device 10 is arranged to have equal pitch and the
constant coil diameter. Consequently, the coil 1 evenly contacts
with the portion between the base of the finger and the end of the
palm at which the ring is located. In addition, the coil 1 of the
fitting device 10 allows the finger to slightly move in the
circumferential direction of the ring with respect to the fitting
device 10, preventing the fitting device 10 from pressing against
the portion between the base of the finger and the end of the
palm.
[0031] Furthermore, according to the present invention, each of the
one stopper 2 and the other stopper 3 is formed into a spherical
body. Consequently, even if a hand, i.e. the finger and the palm,
is moved in various directions, the one stopper 2 and the other
stopper 3 act in a direction perpendicular to a contact surface
between the one and the other stoppers 2, 3 and the finger or the
palm without interrupting the movements of the hand, Thus, the
rotation of the ring can be prevented as well as the displacement
of the ring along the longitudinal direction of the finger.
Furthermore, the present invention can prevent causing inflammation
in the vicinity of the base of the finger and in the vicinity of
the end of the palm by the one end 1a of the wire 1c of the coil 1
and the other end 1b of the wire 1c of the coil 1. Furthermore, the
present invention can prevent the scratch on the surface of the
ring caused by the one end 1a of the wire 1c of the coil 1 and the
other end 1b of the wire 1c of the coil 1.
[0032] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the fitting
device 10 includes a coil 1 having an equal pitch and a constant
coil diameter, the one stopper 2 foamed into the spherical body and
the other stopper 3 formed into the spherical body. Consequently,
the fitting device 10 itself can serve as a decorative part of the
ring, thereby preventing adversely affecting the aesthetic
appearance of the ring.
[0033] According to the above description, there is provided the
fitting device 10 for a ring including: the coil 1 made of the wire
1c having an equal pitch and a constant coil diameter; the one
stopper 2 formed into the spherical body and the other stopper 3
formed into the spherical body, wherein the wire 1c and the
stoppers 2, 3 are made of metal, in a manner such that when seen
from the axis of the coil 1, the one and the other stoppers 2, 3
are arranged at the interval D along the circumference of the coil
1, so the one stopper 2 is located in the vicinity of the end of
the palm and the other stopper 3 is located in the vicinity of the
base of the finger. Consequently, the fitting device 10 according
to the present invention can be easily mounted to the ring, can
prevent the rotation of the ring as well as the displacement of the
ring in the longitudinal direction of the finger without having the
spring coil 1 fixed to the ring, can prevent applying pressure
against the portion of the finger between the base of the finger
and the end of the palm at which the ring is located, can prevent
the inflammation at the base of the finger and at the end of the
palm, can prevent causing the scratch on the surface of the ring,
can prevent adversely affecting the aesthetic appearance of the
ring, and can be manufactured at low cost.
[0034] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the metal
constituting the wire 1c and the stoppers 2, 3 may be stainless
steel, the spring coil 1 can be provided with the suitable
elasticity. Consequently, the present invention can prevent the
displacement of the ring with respect to the finger even more, as
well as the application of pressure against the portion of the
finger between the base of the finger and the end of the palm at
which the ring is located. Furthermore, the fitting device 10 can
prevent adversely affecting the aesthetic appearance of the
ring.
[0035] In the present invention, the wire 1c and the stoppers 2, 3
may be coated with gold, rhodium or platinum. Consequently, the
fitting device 10 can be more suitable as a decorative part of the
ring.
* * * * *