U.S. patent application number 13/476506 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-21 for finger ring.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lori Bonn Design, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sabrina Ferrand, William K. Gallagher, JR., Lori Bonn Gallagher. Invention is credited to Sabrina Ferrand, William K. Gallagher, JR., Lori Bonn Gallagher.
Application Number | 20130305779 13/476506 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49580164 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130305779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gallagher; Lori Bonn ; et
al. |
November 21, 2013 |
Finger Ring
Abstract
A finger ring, including a clasp joining the ends of a flexible
band of material, is used with an ornamental charm having a through
hole through which the material passes. The clasp includes a first
and second clasp portions which join or separate first and second
ends of the material. The band of material and at least one of the
clasp portions are sized for passage through the through hole so
that the charm can be positioned along the material. The finger
ring with the charm is securable to a user's finger when the
flexible band is wrapped around a user's finger and the clasp is in
a joined state.
Inventors: |
Gallagher; Lori Bonn;
(Oakland, CA) ; Gallagher, JR.; William K.;
(Oakland, CA) ; Ferrand; Sabrina; (San Rafael,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gallagher; Lori Bonn
Gallagher, JR.; William K.
Ferrand; Sabrina |
Oakland
Oakland
San Rafael |
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Lori Bonn Design, Inc.
Oakland
CA
|
Family ID: |
49580164 |
Appl. No.: |
13/476506 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/3.1 ;
29/896.412 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 9/0038 20130101;
Y10T 29/49593 20150115; A44C 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/3.1 ;
29/896.412 |
International
Class: |
A44C 9/00 20060101
A44C009/00; A44C 27/00 20060101 A44C027/00 |
Claims
1. A finger ring for use with an ornamental charm of the type
comprising an inner surface and an outer surface with a through
hole formed between the inner and outer surfaces, the finger ring
comprising: a flexible band of material having a length and first
and second ends; a clasp comprising a first clasp portion joined to
the first end and a second clasp portion joined to the second end,
the first and second clasp portions securable to one another so
that the clasp is placeable in a joined state, the first and second
clasp portion being separable from one another so that the clasp is
placeable in a separated state; the band of material and at least
one of the first and second clasp portions sized for passage
through a through hole in a charm so that the charm can be
positioned along the band of material; and the finger ring with a
charm mounted thereto being securable to a user's finger when the
flexible band is wrapped around a user's finger and the clasp is in
the joined state.
2. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
flexible band of material comprises a length of metallic
fabric.
3. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
flexible band of material comprises first, second and third lengths
of material arranged side-by-side so that the second length of
material is located between the first and third lengths of
material.
4. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
the first and second clasp portions comprises a hinge member and a
clasp member, the hinge member joining the band of material to the
clasp member so that the clasp member and the end of the flexible
band material can pivot relative to one another for a more
comfortable fit.
5. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the clasp in the
joined state has a curved inner surface to help conform to the
user's finger.
6. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
of the first and second clasp portions and the flexible band of
material each has a maximum cross-sectional size of 3 mm.times.7
mm.
7. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
of the first and second clasp portions and the flexible band of
material each has a cross-sectional size of 2-3 mm.times.5-7
mm.
8. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein: the first and
second clasp portions comprise first and second interlocking
members which interlock when the clasp is in the joined state; and
the clasp further comprises a safety latch engaging both the first
and second clasp portions when the clasp is in the joined state to
help maintain the clasp in the joined state.
9. The finger ring according to claim 8, wherein the first and
second interlocking members are configured so that when in the
joined state, the interlocking members effectively prevent the
first and second clasp portions from being pulled apart by a
tension force in the direction of the length of material.
10. The finger ring according to claim 8, wherein the interlocking
members have interlocking sliding surfaces extending generally
perpendicular to the length of the band of material.
11. The finger ring according to claim 8, wherein the safety latch
has first and second safety latch ends, the first safety latch end
pivotally secured to the first clasp portion for movement of the
safety latch between secured and unsecured states, the second
safety latch end comprising a portion engageable with the second
clasp portion when the safety latch is in the secured state.
12. The finger ring according to claim 1, wherein: the first and
second clasp portions comprise first and second interlocking
members which interlock when the clasp is in the joined state; and
the clasp further comprises magnetic members carried by each of the
first and second clasp portions, the magnetic members attracting
one another when the clasp is in the joined state so to help
maintain the clasp in the joined state.
13. The finger ring according to claim 12, wherein: the first and
second interlocking members are configured so that when in the
joined state, the interlocking members effectively prevent the
first and second clasp portions from being pulled apart by a
tension force in the direction of the length of material; and the
magnetic members help to maintain the engagement of the
interlocking members.
14. The finger ring according to claim 12, wherein each of the
magnetic members comprises a magnet.
15. The finger ring according to claim 12, wherein the interlocking
members have complementary engagement surfaces.
16. A finger ring comprising: an ornamental charm comprising an
inner surface and an outer surface with a through hole formed
between the inner and outer surfaces; a flexible band of material
having a length and first and second ends; a clasp comprising a
first clasp portion joined to the first end and a second clasp
portion joined to the second end, the first and second clasp
portions securable to one another so that the clasp is placeable in
a joined state, the first and second clasp portion being separable
from one another so that the clasp is placeable in a separated
state; the first and second clasp portions comprising first and
second interlocking members which interlock when the clasp is in
the joined state; at least one of the first and second clasp
portions comprising a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge
member joining the band of material to the clasp member so that the
clasp member and the end of the flexible band material can pivot
relative to one another; the band of material and at least one of
the first and second clasp portions sized for passage through the
through hole in the charm so that the charm can be positioned along
the band of material; the finger ring being securable to a user's
finger when the flexible band is wrapped around a user's finger and
the clasp is in the joined state; the clasp in the joined state
having a curved inner surface to help conform to the user's
finger.
17. The finger ring according to claim 16, wherein the clasp
further comprises a safety latch engaging both the first and second
clasp portions when the clasp is in the joined state to help
maintain the clasp in the joined state.
18. The finger ring according to claim 16, wherein: the clasp
further comprises magnetic members carried by each of the first and
second clasp portions, the magnetic members attracting one another
when the clasp is in the joined state so to help maintain the clasp
in the joined state; and. the interlocking members have
complementary, generally C-shaped engagement surfaces.
19. A method for preparing and wearing an ornamented finger ring
comprising selecting an ornamental charm of the type comprising an
inner surface and an outer surface with a through hole formed
between the inner and outer surfaces; selecting a finger ring
comprising at least one flexible band of material and a clasp, the
band of material having a length and first and second ends, the
clasp comprising a first clasp portion at the first end and a
second clasp portion at the second end, the first and second clasp
portions securable to one another to be placeable in a joined
state, the first and second clasp portion being separable from one
another to be placeable in a separated state; the selecting steps
carried out so that the band of material and at least the first
clasp portion are sized for passage through the through hole in the
charm so that the charm can be mounted to and positioned along the
band of material; with the clasp portions in the separated state,
passing the first clasp portion through the through hole of the
charm to create an ornamented finger ring; positioning the charm
along the band of material; wrapping the flexible band of material
around a user's finger; and securing the first and second clasp
portions to one another thereby placing the clasp portions in the
joined state and securing the ornamented finger ring to the user's
finger.
20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising
positioning the clasp at the inside of the user's finger and the
charm at the outside of the user's finger.
21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: placing
the clasp portions in a separated state; removing the charm from
the finger ring; placing a second charm on the finger ring;
wrapping the flexible band around a user's finger; and securing the
first and second clasp portions to one another thereby placing the
clasp is in the joined state and securing the ornamented finger
ring to the user's finger.
22. The method according to claim 19, wherein finger ring selecting
step comprises selecting at least one of the first and second clasp
portions to comprise a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge
member joining the band of material to the clasp member so that the
clasp member and the end of the flexible band material can pivot
relative to one another for a more comfortable fit.
23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the ringer finger
selecting step comprises selecting a clasp having a curved inner
surface to help conform to the user's finger.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Personal jewelry is sometimes designed to allow the user to
change how the jewelry is ornamented. For example, a number of
different jewelry accessories, such as beads, pendants or charms,
or a combination thereof, can be used on a necklace or a bracelet
by opening the necklace or bracelet and sliding the jewelry
accessories on or off. This permits the user to switch, for
example, the type, color and size of the jewelry accessory used
according to the situation, which could include one or more of the
type of function or activity, the style of clothes, the time of
day, and the colors to be accented. See, for example, US design
Pat. No. D649,444 which shows a number of different charms
positioned on a bracelet through the use of stopper clips.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A first example of a finger ring is used with an ornamental
charm of the type comprising an inner surface and an outer surface
with a through hole formed between the inner and outer surfaces.
The finger ring includes a flexible band of material and a clasp.
The flexible band of material has first and second ends. The clasp
includes a first clasp portion joined to the first end and a second
clasp portion joined to the second end. The first and second clasp
portions are securable to one another, so that the clasp is
placeable in a joined state, and are separable from one another, so
that the clasp is placeable in a separated state. The band of
material and at least one of the first and second clasp portions
are sized for passage through a through hole in a charm so that the
charm can be positioned along the band of material. The finger ring
with a charm mounted thereto is securable to a user's finger when
the flexible band is wrapped around a user's finger and the clasp
is in the joined state.
[0003] In some examples, at least one of the first and second clasp
portions includes a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge
member joining the band of material to the clasp member so that the
clasp member and the end of the flexible band material can pivot
relative to one another. In some examples, the clasp in the joined
state has a curved inner surface to help conform to the user's
finger.
[0004] An example of a method for preparing and wearing an
ornamented finger ring is carried out as follows. An ornamental
charm is selected. The ornamental charm is of the type comprising
an inner surface and an outer surface with a through hole formed
between the inner and outer surfaces. A finger ring, comprising at
least one flexible band of material and a clasp, is selected. The
band of material has a length and first and second ends. The clasp
includes a first clasp portion at the first end and a second clasp
portion at the second end, the first and second clasp portions
being securable to one another to be placeable in a joined state.
The first and second clasp portions are separable from one another
to be placeable in a separated state. The ornamental charm and
finger ring selecting steps are carried out so that the band of
material and at least the first clasp portion are sized for passage
through the through hole in the charm so that the charm can be
mounted to and positioned along the band of material. With the
clasp portions in the separated state, the first clasp portion is
passed through the through hole of the charm to create an
ornamented finger ring. The charm is positioned along the band of
material. The flexible band of material is wrapped around a user's
finger. The first and second clasp portions are secured to one
another to place the clasp portions in the joined state and secure
the ornamented finger ring to the user's finger.
[0005] Some examples include positioning the clasp at the inside of
the user's finger and the charm at the outside of the user's
finger. In some examples, the finger ring selecting step includes
selecting at least one of the first and second clasp portions to
include a hinge member and a clasp member, the hinge member joining
the band of material to the clasp member so that the clasp member
and the end of the flexible band material can pivot relative to one
another for a more comfortable fit. In some examples, the ringer
finger selecting step includes selecting a clasp having a curved
inner surface to help conform to the user's finger.
[0006] Other features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention can be seen on review the figures, the detailed
description, and the claims which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an overall view of one example of an ornamented
finger ring made according to the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a back view of the ornamented finger ring of FIG.
1 shown on a user's finger.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows the structure of FIG. 2 with the safety latch
disengaged and the first and second clasp portions partially
engaged.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows the clasp of FIG. 3 after the first and second
clasp portions have been disengaged.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 2 with the flexible band of material shown in dashed
lines.
[0012] FIG. 6 shows the structure of FIG. 5 with the clasp in a
separated state.
[0013] FIG. 7 shows the structure of FIG. 2 with the clasp is in a
separated state and the flexible band of material stretched out and
showing the outer surface of the slide charm.
[0014] FIG. 8 shows the structure of FIG. 7 rotated 180.degree. to
show the inner surface of the slide charm.
[0015] FIG. 9 shows another example of an ornamented finger ring
placed on a user's finger.
[0016] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the clasp used with the
ornamented finger ring of FIG. 9 with the flexible band of material
shown in dashed lines, the slide charm removed, and the clasp in
the joined state.
[0017] FIG. 11 shows the structure of FIG. 10 with the clasp in a
separated state.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a bottom, side, front view of the underside of
the first clasp portion of FIG. 11.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the clasp in a joined
state taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 13
but showing the clasp in a separated state with the slots,
extensions and magnetic materials aligned.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The following description will typically be with reference
to specific structural embodiments and methods. It is to be
understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the
specifically disclosed embodiments and methods but that the
invention may be practiced using other features, elements, methods
and embodiments. Preferred embodiments are described to illustrate
the present invention, not to limit its scope, which is defined by
the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a
variety of equivalent variations on the description that follows.
Like elements in various embodiments are commonly referred to with
like reference numerals.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an ornamented finger ring 10 including a finger
ring 12 to which an ornamental slide charm 14 is slidably mounted.
Charm 14 is a type comprising an inner surface 16, see FIG. 8, and
an outer surface 18 with at least one through hole formed between
the inner and outer surfaces. Slide charms are commercially
available from, for example, Lori Bonn Design, Inc. of Oakland,
Calif. and Brooks Fine Jewelry of Conway, Ark.
[0023] Finger ring 12 includes a flexible band of material 22
having a length measured between first and second ends 24 and 26.
Band of material 22 includes a length of metallic fabric. The
metallic fabric may be stretchable or not. Band of material 22 is
shown in FIGS. 1-8 as including three lengths of material 28, 29,
30 oriented in a side-by-side manner. In other examples, band of
material 22 may include a different number of lengths of material,
including a single length of material. Other material for flexible
band of material 22 can also be used, including nonmetallic fabric
bands of material, and metallic chains, or a combination of
metallic and nonmetallic materials.
[0024] Finger ring 12 also includes a clasp 32 shown in more detail
in FIGS. 2-6. Clasp 32 includes a first clasp portion 34 joined to
the first end 24 and a second clasp portion 36 joined to the second
end 26. The first and second clasp portions 34, 36 are securable to
one another so that the clasp 32 is placeable in a joined state as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. The first and second clasp portions 34,
36 are also separable from one another so that the clasp 32 is
placeable in a separated state as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. First
clasp portion 34 includes a first interlocking member 38 in the
form of a T-slot 38. Second clasp portion 36 includes a second
interlocking member 40 in the form of a T-member 40. The engagement
and disengagement of interlocking members 38, 40 is illustrated in
FIG. 3, which shows how the interlocking sliding surfaces slide
relative to one another generally perpendicular to the length of
the band of material 22. This configuration effectively prevents
first and second interlocking members 38, 40 from being pulled
apart by a tension force in the direction of the length of the band
of material 22.
[0025] The band of material 22 and at least one of the first and
second clasp portions 34, 36 are sized for passage through the
through hole 20 (see FIG. 1) in the slide charm 14 so that the
charm can be mounted on finger ring 12 and positioned along the
band of material. After sliding T-member member 40 into T-slot 38,
the clasp portions 34, 36 are secured to one another using a safety
latch 42. Safety latch 42 has a first end 44 pivotally mounted to a
first clamp portion 34 at a pivot 46. Safety latch 42 also has a
second, outer end 48 with a laterally extending tang 50 sized and
positioned to enter a tang receptacle 52 formed in second clasp
portion 36. Tang 50 and tang receptacle 52 are configured so that
some force is required to remove tang 50 from tang receptacle 52
thereby helping to ensure that first and second interlocking
members 38, 40 do not become inadvertently disconnected.
[0026] Shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6, first clasp portion 34 includes
a hinge member 54 and a clasp member 56. Hinge member 54 pivotally
joins first end 24 of band of material 22 to first clasp portion
34. Similarly, second clasp portion 36 includes a hinge member 58
and a clasp member 60. Hinge member 58 pivotally joins the second
and 26 of band of material 22 to second clasp portion 36. Hinge
members 54, 58 could be constructed of other than the illustrated
pin-type hinge, such as a hinge made of a flexible material, such
as polyethylene or polypropylene commonly used to make living
hinges. It has been found that this pivotal connection is important
to ensure that finger ring 12 fits properly and comfortably on the
user's finger. The pivotal connection also helps passing the clasp
portion through opening 20 in charm 14. Although not evident in
FIGS. 1-8, but clearly shown in the example of FIGS. 9-14, the
inner surface 62 of clasp 32 is preferably a curved inner surface
to help conform to the user's finger.
[0027] At least one of the first and second clasp portions 34, 36
as well as the flexible band of material 22 may have, in some
examples, a maximum cross-sectional size of 3 mm.times.7 mm to
accommodate a range of slide charms appropriate for use on finger
ring 12. In one example, at least one of the first and second clasp
portions 34, 36 as well as the flexible band of material 22 has a
cross-sectional size of 2-3 mm.times.5-7 mm. The flexible band of
material 22 and at least one of the first and second clasp portions
34, 36 must be sized and configured to pass through opening 20 in
charm 14.
[0028] FIGS. 9-14 illustrate another example of an ornamented
finger ring 10 with like reference numerals referring to like
elements. A primary difference between the examples of FIGS. 1-8
and FIGS. 9-14 is the construction of clasp 32. In the example of
FIGS. 9-14, first clasp portion 34 includes a first lateral slot 64
and a first lateral extension 66 next to the first lateral slot.
Second clasp portion 36 includes a second the lateral slot 68 next
to a second lateral extension 70. The slots and extensions are
sized and positioned to interengage one another when clasp 32 is in
the joined state as shown in FIG. 13. In particular, lateral
extensions and 66 and 70 define a detent in the form of
complementary, generally C-shaped engagement surfaces 67, 71 to
help maintain clasp 32 in the joined state of FIG. 13. In addition,
first clasp portion 34 includes sidewall extensions 72 sized and
positioned to lie adjacent to sidewalls 74 of second clamp portion
36 as shown in FIGS. 10-12. The joined state is maintained through
the use of interacting magnetic materials including a first
magnetic material 76 carried by first clamp portion 34 and a second
magnetic materials 78 carried by second clasp portion 36. Either
both of the magnetic materials 76, 78 is a magnet or one of the
magnetic materials 76, 78 is a magnet and the other magnetic
material is attracted to the magnet.
[0029] In use, an ornamental slide charm 14, having a through hole
20 formed between inner and outer surfaces 16, 18, is obtained. A
finger ring 12, having at least one flexible band of material 22
and a clasp 32, is also obtained. The band of material 22 has a
length and first and second ends 24, 26. The clasp 32 includes a
first clasp portion 34 at the first end 24 and a second clasp
portion 36 at the second end 26. The first and second clasp
portions 34, 36 are securable to one another to be placeable in a
joined state, and are separable from one another to be placeable in
a separated state. While in the separated state, one of the first
and second clasp portions is passed through a through hole 20 in
the slide charm 14. The charm 14 is then positioned along the band
of material 22. The flexible band of material 22 is then placed
around a user's finger F. The first and second clasp portions are
secured to one another thereby placing the clasp portions in the
joined state and securing the ornamented finger ring 10 to the
user's finger. The clasp 32 is typically positioned at the inside
of the user's finger with the charm 14 positioned at the outside of
the user's finger. When desired, the existing slide charm 14 can be
removed and a replacement of slide charm 14 can be mounted onto
band of material 22 in its stead. Finger ring 12 is, in the
disclosed examples, of a fixed size. However, the effective ring
size for ornamented finger ring 10 can be adjusted to some extent
by the size and thickness of slide charm 14 use with finger ring
12.
[0030] The above descriptions may have used terms such as above,
below, top, bottom, over, under, et cetera. These terms may be used
in the description and claims to aid understanding of the invention
and not used in a limiting sense.
[0031] While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the
preferred embodiments and examples detailed above, it is to be
understood that these examples are intended in an illustrative
rather than in a limiting sense. It is contemplated that
modifications and combinations will occur to those skilled in the
art, which modifications and combinations will be within the spirit
of the invention and the scope of the following claims. For
example, it may be desired to provide flexible band of material 22
with a set of removable links to permit the size of the finger ring
12 to be adjusted.
* * * * *