Ring System Including A Removable Outer Ring

Abstract

A ring system may include an outer band including a first ring and a second ring, the second ring including a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion; wherein the outer band is configured to receive a ring band between the first and second rings, and wherein the outer band is transitionable between an open condition in which the upper portion is angled relative to the lower portion of the second ring and a closed position in which the upper portion is and the lower portion form a closed annulus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/838,583 filed Aug. 28, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION

[0002] FIG. 2

BACKGROUND

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure generally to jewelry, and more particularly to a ring system that includes a ring that is configured to be detachably coupled to another ring.

[0005] Description of the Related Art

[0006] A ring is a round band, which is usually fabricated from metal, and that is worn as ornamental jewelry. Rings are commonly worn to celebrate or commemorate various occasions, such as, for example, an engagement or a marriage. Traditionally, an engagement ring is a ring worn by a person to indicate that she is engaged to be married.

[0007] One popular setting for an engagement ring is known as a Tiffany setting. The Tiffany setting includes a set of prongs that hold a gemstone and attach it to a plain band ring. Usually, the gemstone, typically a diamond, is the only stone on the band. Due to their rarity, large stones are typically more expensive than many stones that equal the same carat weight. Consequently, some engagement bands include a larger diamond set in the middle and smaller diamonds on the side. Conventionally, unless the band or the stones are changed, there is no way to change the total number of carats of the gemstones used once the ring is made.

[0008] There is a continuing need to provide a cost effective solution to upgrading an engagement ring.

SUMMARY

[0009] Disclosed herein is a ring system including an outer band that is configured to be coupled to a ring band (e.g., a ring having a Tiffany setting) that when coupled thereto may create a visual impression of a single ring. The outer band may include a plurality of gemstones secured thereto.

[0010] A ring system may include an outer band including a first ring and a second ring, the second ring including a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion. The outer band may be configured to receive a ring band between the first and second rings, and the outer band may be transitionable between an open condition in which the upper portion is angled relative to the lower portion of the second ring and a closed position in which the upper portion is and the lower portion form a closed annulus. The first and the second rings may each include an arcuate end and form an annular opening when in the closed position, the annular opening being configured to be securely positioned about a stone of a tiffany setting ring. The upper portion may be biased toward the closed position, for example, via a spring member. Also or instead of a spring, a magnet may secure the upper portion in the closed position. The first and second rings may be spaced apart and held together by a connecting rod such that a space between the first and second rings is dimensioned to receive a ring band therebetween. The connecting rod may include a groove formed therein that is configured to accommodated the ring band.

[0011] A kit may include the above described system as well as a ring band that is configured to be received and releasably coupled by the ring system.

[0012] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of a ring system including an outer ring and an inner ring in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer ring of FIG. 1 shown in a first state;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the outer ring of FIG. 1 shown in a second state;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outer ring of FIG. 1 shown in the second state with the inner ring inserted within the outer ring and in the second state;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ring system of FIG. 1 shown with the inner ring inserted within the outer ring and in the first state; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outer ring of the ring system of FIG. 1 shown with parts separated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. The word `couple` and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through intermediate elements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, etc.) terms may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It will also be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elements may be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appended claims without requirements of the written description being required thereto.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a ring system 200 may include an inner ring band R and an outer band 204. The ring band R may have a Tiffany setting configuration in which a set of prongs P hold a center stone S of the ring band R. The outer band 204 is configured to releasably receive the ring band R, and may include a plurality of gemstones G. The outer band 204 may include a first ring 206 and a second ring 208 that are generally aligned with one another, spaced apart by a distance and may include arcuate sections 206s, and secured to one another via one or more connecting bars 209 disposed at or near the exterior surfaces of the first and second rings 206, 208 such that ring band R may be positioned between the first and second rings 206, 208 of the outer ring band 204.

[0021] The outer band 204 is configured to transition between a first or open state (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3-4) and a second or closed state (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5.) As shown in FIG. 2, the outer band 204 is in an initial closed state. The second ring 208 of the outer band 204 includes a lower portion 208a and an upper portion 208b. The upper portion 208b is pivotably hinged at pivot points, defined by pins 210a, 210b extending through opposing sides of the upper portion 208b, relative to the lower portion 208a of the second ring 208 of the outer band 204. As shown in FIG. 6, a spring member S may optionally be coupled to both the upper and lower portions 208b, 208a of the second ring 208 of the outer band 204 to pivotably bias the upper portion 208b relative to the lower portion 208a at the pivot points defined by pins 210a, 210b. Alternatively, or in addition, a locking mechanism, for example, a male-female connection or a magnet may secure the upper portion 208b in an upright position or in the closed condition. The first and second rings 206, 208 may be coupled to one another via a connecting rod 212. The connecting rod 212 may include a groove 212a that is shaped and dimensioned to permit reception of the ring band R.

[0022] A method of operating the ring system 200 is described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer band 204 is uncoupled from the ring band R. To prepare the outer band 204 to receive the ring band R, the upper portion 208b may be pivoted in the direction of arrow A relative to the lower portion 208a of the second ring 208 of the outer band 204 such that the upper portion 208b is angled relative to the lower portion 208a of the second ring 208 and the arcuate portions 206a and 208a of respective ones of the first and second rings 206, 208 are spaced apart, thereby allowing insertion of the ring band R between the first and second rings 206, 208. As shown in FIG. 4, with the upper portion 208b angled and spaced apart from the first ring 206 of the outer band 204, the ring band R is inserted into the space between the first and second rings 206, 208. Thereafter, the upper portion 208b is transitioned, for example, automatically transitioned by way of the spring members S, back toward the initial position, along directional arrow B which is in a direction opposite that of arrow A, with the arcuate sections 206s, 208s of respective ones of the first and second rings 206, 208 securing the center stone S of the ring band R therebetween, thereby preventing inadvertent removal of the ring band R from the outer band 205. Removal of the ring band R from the outer band 204 is accomplished in a similar manner by pivoting the upper section 208b of the second ring 208 such that a space between the first and second rings 206, 208 is created such that the ring band R may be removed from therebetween.

[0023] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

[0024] Those of skill in the art will additionally recognize that the proposed invention may be used as a neck/chest strap or single shoulder strap by adjustably supporting and connecting only two opposed sides of the support system (between the collar and one arm opening). In this manner, the adjustable feature is still operative, but the user has enhanced options for convenience and securement.

[0025] Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skills that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed system without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A ring system, comprising: an outer band including a first ring and a second ring, the second ring including a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion, wherein the outer band is configured to receive a ring band between the first and second rings, and wherein the outer band is transitionable between an open condition in which the upper portion is angled relative to the lower portion of the second ring and a closed position in which the upper portion is and the lower portion form a closed annulus.

2. The ring system of claim 1, wherein the first and the second rings each include an arcuate end and form an annular opening when in the closed position, the annular opening being configured to be securely positioned about a stone of a tiffany setting ring.

3. The ring system of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is biased toward the closed position.

4. The ring system of claim 3, wherein the upper portion is biased toward the closed position via a spring member.

5. The ring system of claim 1, wherein a magnet secures the upper portion in the closed position.

6. The ring system of claim 1, wherein the first and second rings are spaced apart and held together by a connecting rod such that a space between the first and second rings is dimensioned to receive a ring band therebetween.

7. The ring system of claim 6, wherein the connecting rod includes a groove formed therein that is configured to accommodated the ring band.

8. The ring system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second rings include a plurality of gemstones secured thereto.

9. A kit comprising: a ring band; and a ring system, comprising: an outer band including a first ring and a second ring, the second ring including a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion, wherein the outer band is configured to receive a ring band between the first and second rings, and wherein the outer band is transitionable between an open condition in which the upper portion is angled relative to the lower portion of the second ring and a closed position in which the upper portion is and the lower portion form a closed annulus.

10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the first and the second rings each include an arcuate end and form an annular opening when in the closed position, the annular opening being configured to be securely positioned about a stone of a tiffany setting ring.

11. The kit of claim 10, wherein the upper portion is biased toward the closed position.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the upper portion is biased toward the closed position via a spring member.

13. The ring system of claim 10, wherein a magnet secures the upper portion in the closed position.

14. The ring system of claim 10, wherein the first and second rings are spaced apart and held together by a connecting rod such that a space between the first and second rings is dimensioned to receive a ring band therebetween.

15. The ring system of claim 14, wherein the connecting rod includes a groove formed therein that is configured to accommodated the ring band.

16. The ring system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second rings include a plurality of gemstones secured thereto.