U.S. patent application number 15/652121 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-17 for foldable ring.
This patent application is currently assigned to New Atlantic Assets Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is New Atlantic Assets Limited. Invention is credited to Mau Koung YEP.
Application Number | 20190014869 15/652121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64999943 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190014869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YEP; Mau Koung |
January 17, 2019 |
Foldable Ring
Abstract
A foldable ring includes a main ring and a flipper. The main
ring has a first inner peripheral surface, a first outer peripheral
surface, a first front surface, a first rear surface, and a first
through cavity formed as a space surrounded by the first inner
peripheral surface. The flipper has a second inner peripheral
surface, a second outer peripheral surface, a second front surface,
a second rear surface, and a second through cavity formed as a
space surrounded by the second inner peripheral surface. The
flipper is pivotally attached on the first front surface to move
between a first and second position. In either the first or second
position, the flipper is arranged to overlap on the first front
surface and that the first through cavity is arranged to align with
the second through cavity to allow a user's finger to pass through
both main ring and flipper.
Inventors: |
YEP; Mau Koung; (Hong Kong,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
New Atlantic Assets Limited |
Tortola |
|
VG |
|
|
Assignee: |
New Atlantic Assets Limited
|
Family ID: |
64999943 |
Appl. No.: |
15/652121 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 9/00 20130101; A44C
9/0084 20130101; A44C 17/02 20130101; A44C 17/00 20130101; A44C
9/0015 20130101; A44C 9/0053 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A44C 9/00 20060101
A44C009/00; A44C 17/02 20060101 A44C017/02 |
Claims
1. A foldable ring, comprising: a main ring having a first inner
peripheral surface, a first outer peripheral surface, a first front
surface, a first rear surface, and a first through cavity formed as
a space surrounded by said first inner peripheral surface; and a
flipper having a second inner peripheral surface, a second outer
peripheral surface, a second front surface, a second rear surface,
and a second through cavity formed as a space surrounded by said
second inner peripheral surface, said flipper being pivotally
attached on said first front surface to move between a first
position and a second position, wherein in either said first
position or said second position, said flipper is arranged to
pivotally move to overlap on said first front surface of said main
ring and that said first through cavity is arranged to align with
said second through cavity so as to allow a user's finger to pass
through both said main ring and said flipper.
2. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 1, wherein a cross
sectional shape of said flipper is substantially the same as that
of an overlapping portion of said main ring.
3. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 2, further comprising a
hinge mechanism provided on said main ring for connecting with said
flipper for moving said flipper between said first position and
said second position.
4. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 3, wherein said hinge
mechanism is provided along an axis of symmetry of said main
ring.
5. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 3, wherein said hinge
mechanism comprises a connector provided on said main ring, and a
bolt inserted into a hole on said connector for connecting said
main ring to said flipper.
6. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
stone setting as a part connecting said main ring for receiving and
setting a main ornament stone.
7. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 1, further comprising at
least an ornament article provided on at least said first inner
peripheral surface, said first outer peripheral surface, said first
front surface, said first rear surface, said second inner
peripheral surface, said second outer peripheral surface, said
second front surface, and said second rear surface.
8. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 7, wherein said ornament
article comprises at least one of an engraved slot and a secondary
ornamental stone.
9. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 1, wherein said main ring
has at least one of a substantially circular cross sectional shape,
a substantially quadrilateral cross sectional shape, and a
substantially elliptical cross sectional shape.
10. A foldable ring, comprising: a main ring having a first inner
peripheral surface, a first outer peripheral surface, a first front
surface, a first rear surface, and a first through cavity formed as
a space surrounded by said first inner peripheral surface; and a
flipper having a second inner peripheral surface, a second outer
peripheral surface, a second front surface, a second rear surface,
and a second through cavity formed as a space surrounded by said
second inner peripheral surface, said flipper being pivotally
attached on said first front surface to move between a first
position and a second position; and an auxiliary flipper having a
third inner peripheral surface, a third outer peripheral surface, a
third front surface, a third rear surface, and a third through
cavity formed as a space surrounded by said third inner peripheral
surface, said auxiliary flipper being pivotally attached on said
first rear surface to move between a first position and a second
position; wherein in either said first position or said second
position, said flipper and said auxiliary flipper are arranged to
pivotally move to overlap on said first front surface and said
first rear surface of said main ring respectively and that said
first through cavity is arranged to align with said second through
cavity and said third through cavity so as to allow a user's finger
to pass through said main ring, said flipper and said auxiliary
flipper.
11. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 10, wherein a cross
sectional shape of said flipper and said auxiliary flipper is
substantially the same as that of an overlapping portion of said
main ring.
12. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 11, further comprising a
hinge mechanism provided on said main ring for connecting with said
flipper and said auxiliary flipper for moving said flipper and said
auxiliary flipper between said first position and said second
position.
13. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 12, wherein said hinge
mechanism is provided along an axis of symmetry of said main
ring.
14. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 12, wherein said hinge
mechanism comprises a connector provided on said main ring, and a
bolt inserted into a hole on said connector for connecting said
main ring to said corresponding flipper and said auxiliary
flipper.
15. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 10, further comprising a
stone setting as a part connecting said main ring for receiving and
setting a main ornament stone.
16. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 10, further comprising
at least an ornament article provided on at least said first inner
peripheral surface, said first outer peripheral surface, said first
front surface, said first rear surface, said second inner
peripheral surface, said second outer peripheral surface, said
second front surface, said second rear surface, said third inner
peripheral surface, said third outer peripheral surface, said third
front surface, and said third rear surface.
17. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 16, wherein said
ornament article comprises at least one of an engraved slot and a
secondary ornamental stone.
18. The foldable ring, as recited in claim 10, wherein said main
ring has at least one of a substantially circular cross sectional
shape, a substantially quadrilateral cross sectional shape, and a
substantially elliptical cross sectional shape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a ring, and more
particularly to a jewel ring with a foldable feature such then a
user may selectively fold the ring in a predetermined combination
as a personal customized luxury item.
Description of Related Arts
[0002] There are many convention jewel ring designs. The most
common ring is just a simple circular ring forming a through cavity
in which a user may insert his/her finger through it. Since this
design could only be worn in a single way, the display effect is
extremely limited. If the user gets bored with wearing the same
jewel ring with the same display every day, it is necessary for the
user to switch to another jewel ring.
[0003] Some of the jewel rings are customized by mounting different
gems or diamonds, or by having different cross-sectional shapes.
Mounting different gems or diamonds is usually the most effective
way to customize a jewel ring as the gems or diamonds are usually
extremely eye-catching. Thus, different gems or diamonds can
significantly enhance the display effect of the ring. A major
disadvantage is that these gems and diamonds are very expensive as
they are considered rare. These kinds of jewel rings are usually
very costly. Designs of different cross-sectional shapes of the
rings are often bound to the physical limitation of a human finger.
The size of the ring is also limited since it is designed to be
worn by human.
[0004] As one may see from the above, there are problems with these
conventional design jewel rings. Thus, there is a need to invent a
single jewel ring which provides more customizations in which the
user may enjoy wearing it on a daily basis without switching to
another jewel ring.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a foldable jewel ring which a
user may selectively fold the ring for customization to wear
it.
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, it provides a
foldable ring, comprising:
[0007] a main ring having a first inner peripheral surface, a first
outer peripheral surface, a first front surface, a first rear
surface, and a first through cavity formed as a space surrounded by
said first inner peripheral surface; and
[0008] a flipper having a second inner peripheral surface, a second
outer peripheral surface, a second front surface, a second rear
surface, and a second through cavity formed as a space surrounded
by the second inner peripheral surface, the flipper being pivotally
attached on the first front surface to move between a first
position and a second position, wherein in either the first
position or the second position, the flipper is arranged to
pivotally move to overlap on the first front surface of the main
ring and that the first through cavity is arranged to align with
the second through cavity so as to allow a user's finger to pass
through both the main ring and the flipper.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, it provides a
foldable ring, comprising:
[0010] a main ring having a first inner peripheral surface, a first
outer peripheral surface, a first front surface, a first rear
surface, and a first through cavity formed as a space surrounded by
the first inner peripheral surface; and
[0011] a flipper having a second inner peripheral surface, a second
outer peripheral surface, a second front surface, a second rear
surface, and a second through cavity formed as a space surrounded
by the second inner peripheral surface, the flipper being pivotally
attached on the first front surface to move between a first
position and a second position; and
[0012] an auxiliary flipper having a third inner peripheral
surface, a third outer peripheral surface, a third front surface, a
third rear surface, and a third through cavity formed as a space
surrounded by the third inner peripheral surface, the auxiliary
flipper being pivotally attached on the first rear surface to move
between a first position and a second position;
[0013] wherein in either the first position or the second position,
the flipper and the auxiliary flipper are arranged to pivotally
move to overlap on the first front surface and the first rear
surface of the main ring respectively and that the first through
cavity is arranged to align with the second through cavity and the
third through cavity so as to allow a user's finger to pass through
the main ring, the flipper and the auxiliary flipper.
[0014] This summary presented above is provided merely to introduce
certain concepts and not to identify any key or essential features
of the claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable ring according to
a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating
that a flipper is attached on a main ring of the foldable ring.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of the main ring
according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the different surfaces of the main
ring.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the main ring
according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the different surfaces of the main
ring.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of the flipper according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the different surfaces of the flipper.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the flipper according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the different surfaces of the flipper.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the foldable ring illustrating the
flipper in the first position according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of the foldable ring illustrating the
flipper in the second position according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of section A-A' according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the cross sectional shape of the flipper in the first
position.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of section B-B' according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the overlapping portion of the main ring when the
flipper is in the first position.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of section C-C' according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the cross sectional shape of the flipper in the second
position.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of section D-D' according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the overlapping portion of the main ring when the
flipper is in the second position.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the foldable ring according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the flipper in the first position.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the foldable ring according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the flipper in the second position.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the foldable ring according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating different ornaments being provided on the foldable
ring.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a foldable ring according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating that a flipper and an auxiliary flipper are attached
on a main ring of the foldable ring.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a first perspective view of the auxiliary flipper
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the different surfaces of the auxiliary
flipper.
[0031] FIG. 17 is a second perspective view of the auxiliary
flipper according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the different surfaces of the auxiliary
flipper.
[0032] FIG. 18 is a side view of the foldable ring illustrating the
auxiliary flipper in the first position according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 19 is a side view of the foldable ring illustrating the
auxiliary flipper in the second position according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of section E-E' according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the cross sectional shape of the auxiliary flipper in
the first position.
[0035] FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of section F-F' according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrating an auxiliary overlapping portion of the main ring when
the auxiliary flipper is in the first position.
[0036] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of section G-G' according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the cross sectional shape of the auxiliary flipper in
the second position.
[0037] FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of section H-H' according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the auxiliary overlapping portion of the main ring
when the flipper is in the second position.
[0038] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the foldable ring according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating both the flipper and the auxiliary flipper in the
first position.
[0039] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the foldable ring according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating both the flipper and the auxiliary flipper in the
second position.
[0040] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the foldable ring according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating different ornaments being provided on the foldable
ring.
[0041] FIG. 27A-D are aerial views of the foldable ring according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the four different displays when the first outer
surface portion is displayed to the top.
[0042] FIG. 28A-D are aerial views of the foldable ring according
to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the four different displays when the second outer
surface portion is displayed to the top.
[0043] FIG. 29 is a cross section view of the main ring according
to an alternative of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 30 is a cross section view of the main ring according
to an alternative of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 31 is a cross section view of the main ring according
to an alternative of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0046] The following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment is the preferred mode of carrying out the invention. The
description is not to be taken in any limiting sense. It is
presented for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of
the present invention.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a foldable ring 10
according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. Broadly, the foldable ring 10 may
comprise a main ring 20 and a flipper 30.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of the drawings, the main
ring 20 according to the first preferred embodiment is illustrated.
The main ring 20 may have a first inner peripheral surface 210, a
first outer peripheral surface 220, a first front surface 230, a
first rear surface 240, and a first through cavity 250 formed as a
space surround by the first inner peripheral surface 210.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 of the drawings, the flipper
30 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. The flipper 30 may have a second inner
peripheral surface 310, a second outer peripheral surface 320, a
second front surface 330, a second rear surface 340, and a second
through cavity 350 formed as a space surrounded by the second inner
peripheral surface 310.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 of the drawings respectively,
the flipper 30 according to the first preferred embodiment is
pivotally attached on the first front surface 230 of the main ring
20 to move between a first position and a second position. In
either the first position or the second position, the flipper 30 is
arranged to pivotally move to overlap on the first front surface
230 of the main ring 20 and the first through cavity 250 is
arranged to align with the second through cavity 350 so as to allow
a user's finger to pass through both the main ring 20 and the
flipper 30.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of section A-A' from FIG.
6. Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, a cross sectional shape of
the flipper 30 in the first position according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. FIG.
9 is a cross sectional view of section B-B' from FIG. 6. Referring
to FIG. 9 of the drawings, a cross sectional shape of the main ring
20 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. An overlapping portion 40 is defined as
the portion where the second front surface 330 of the flipper 30
overlaps on the first front surface 230 of the main ring 20. The
overlapping portion 40 of the main ring 20 in the first position is
indicated by the shaded region. FIG. 10 is a cross section view of
section C-C' from FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, a
cross sectional shape of the flipper 30 in the second position
according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. FIG. 11 is a cross section view of
section D-D' from FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 11 of the drawings, the
overlapping portion 40 is defined as the portion where the second
rear surface 340 of the flipper 30 overlaps on the first front
surface 230 of the main ring 20. The overlapping portion 40 of the
main ring 20 in the second position is indicated by the shaded
region. According to FIG. 8 to FIG. 11, the cross sectional shape
of the flipper 30 is substantially the same as that of the
overlapping portion 40 of the main ring 20.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the foldable
ring 10 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention may further comprise a hinge mechanism 50 so that the
flipper 30 may be pivotally attached on the first front surface 230
of the main ring 20 to move between the first position and the
second position. The hinge mechanism 50 may comprise a connector
510 being protruded from the first front surface 230 which is
adapted to fit inside a slot 360 at an end of the flipper 30. The
connector 510 further comprises a hole 520. Once the connector 510
engages with the slot 360, a bolt 530 may be inserted in the hole
520 for joining the flipper 30 with then main ring 20 to provide a
stable pivotal motion for the flipper 30 to move between the first
position and the second position as desired by the user. The hinge
mechanism 50 is provided along an axis of symmetry of the main ring
20. As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 of the drawings, a pair of
hinge mechanisms 50 may be provided on the first front surface 230
along the axis of symmetry of the main ring 20.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 of the drawings, the
foldable ring 10 according to the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated where the flipper 30 is in the
first position and the second position respectively. Since the
cross sectional shape of the flipper 30 is substantially the same
as that of the overlapping portion 40, the first through cavity 250
is arranged to align with the second through cavity 350 so that the
user may insert the foldable ring 10 into his/her finger through
the first through cavity 250 and the second through cavity 350 in
either the first position or the second position. In addition, once
the foldable ring 10 is fittedly inserted onto the user's finger,
the second inner peripheral surface 310 of the flipper 30 makes
contact with the finger and may prevent the flipper 30 from moving
out of the first position or the second position. Therefore, it is
not necessary to provide a locking mechanism to retain the first or
the second position of the flipper 30.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 of the drawings, the main
ring 20 may further comprise a stone setting 260 as a part
connecting the main ring 20 for receiving and setting a main
ornament stone 270 for decorative purpose. According to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first outer
peripheral surface 220 of the main ring 20 may be further divided
into a first outer surface portion 220A and a second outer surface
portion 220B in such a manner that the first outer surface portion
220A and the second outer surface portion 220B may be divided by a
hypothetical line joining the two hinge mechanisms 50. The stone
setting 260 and the main ornament stone 270 are provided on the
first outer surface portion 220A.
[0055] FIG. 14 of the drawings-illustrates that at least one
ornament article 60 is provided on at least one of the first inner
peripheral surface 210, the first outer peripheral surface 220, the
first front surface 230, the first rear surface 240, the second
inner peripheral surface 310, the second outer peripheral surface
320, the second front surface 330, and the second rear surface 340.
The ornament article 60 may comprise an engraved slot 610 or a
secondary ornamental stone 620 for decorative purpose. Referring to
FIG. 14 of the drawings, it can be seen that a plurality of
circular engraved slots 610 are carved into the second outer
peripheral surface 320 while a plurality of circular secondary
ornamental stones 620 such as diamonds are provided inside the
circular engraved slots 610. Similarly, a rectangular engraved slot
610 is carved into the second outer surface portion 220B of the
first outer peripheral surface 220 while a plurality of rectangular
secondary ornamental stones 620 such as gems are provided inside
the rectangular engraved slots 610 for decorative purpose.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 15 to FIG. 29 of the drawings, a second
preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The
structural and operational relationships between the main ring 20
and flipper 30 remain the same as illustrated above.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 15 of the drawings, the foldable ring 10
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention may further comprise an auxiliary flipper 70. Referring
to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 of the drawings, the auxiliary flipper 70
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. The auxiliary flipper 70 may have a third
inner peripheral surface 710, a third outer peripheral surface 720,
a third front surface 730, a third rear surface 740, and a third
through cavity 750 formed as a space surrounded by the third inner
peripheral surface 710.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 of the drawings
respectively, the auxiliary flipper 70 according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention is pivotally attached
on the first rear surface 240 of the main ring 20 to move between a
first position and a second position. In either the first position
or the second position, the auxiliary flipper 70 is arranged to
pivotally move to overlap on the first rear surface 240 of the main
ring 20 and the first through cavity 250 is arranged to align with
the third through cavity 750 so as to allow a user's finger to pass
through both the main ring 20 and the auxiliary flipper 70.
[0059] FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of section E-E' from FIG.
18. Referring to FIG. 20 of the drawings, a cross sectional shape
of the auxiliary flipper 70 according to the second preferred
embodiment of the present invention in the first position is
illustrated. FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of section F-F' from
FIG. 18. Referring to FIG. 21 of the drawings, a cross sectional
shape of the main ring 20 according to the second preferred
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. An auxiliary
overlapping portion 80 is defined as the portion where the third
front surface 730 of the auxiliary flipper 70 overlaps on the first
rear surface 240 of the main ring 20. The auxiliary overlapping
portion 80 of the main ring 20 in the first position is indicated
by the shaded region. FIG. 22 is a cross section view of section
G-G' from FIG. 19. Referring to FIG. 22 of the drawings, a cross
sectional shape of the auxiliary flipper 70 in the second position
according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. FIG. 23 is a cross section view of
section H-H' from FIG. 19. Referring to FIG. 23 of the drawings,
the auxiliary overlapping portion 80 is defined as the portion
where the third rear surface 740 of the auxiliary flipper 70
overlaps on the first rear surface 240 of the main ring 20. The
auxiliary overlapping portion 80 of the main ring 20 in the second
position is indicated by the shaded region. Referring to FIG. 20 to
FIG. 23, the cross sectional shape of the auxiliary flipper 70 is
substantially the same as that of the auxiliary overlapping portion
80 of the main ring 20.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 of the drawings,
the foldable ring 10 according to the second preferred embodiment
of the present invention may comprise the hinge mechanism 50 so
that the auxiliary flipper 70 may be pivotally attached on the
first rear surface 240 of the main ring 20 to move between the
first position and the second position. The hinge mechanism 50 may
comprise the connector 510 being protruded from the first rear
surface 240 which is adapted to fit inside a slot 760 at an end of
the auxiliary flipper 70. The connector 510 further comprises the
hole 520. Once the connector 510 engages with the slot 760, a bolt
530 may be inserted in the hole 520 for joining the auxiliary
flipper 70 and the main ring 20 to provide a stable pivotal motion
for the auxiliary flipper 70 to move between the first position and
the second position as desired by the user. The hinge mechanism 50
is provided along an axis of symmetry of the main ring 20. As shown
in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 of the drawings, a pair of hinge mechanisms
50 may be provided on the first rear surface 240 along the axis of
symmetry of the main ring 20.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 of the drawings, the
foldable ring 10 according to the second preferred embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated where both the flipper 30 and
the auxiliary flipper 70 are in the first position and the second
position respectively. Since the cross sectional shape of the
auxiliary flipper 70 is substantially the same as that of the
auxiliary overlapping portion 80, the first through cavity 250 is
arranged to align with the third through cavity 750 so that the
user may insert the foldable ring 10 into his/her finger through
the first through cavity 250, the second through cavity 350 and the
third through cavity 750 with the flipper 30 and the auxiliary
flipper 70 in either the first position or the second position. In
addition, once the foldable ring 10 is fittedly inserted onto the
user's finger, the third inner peripheral surface 710 of the
auxiliary flipper 70 makes contact with the finger and may prevent
the auxiliary flipper 70 from moving out of the first position or
the second position. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a
locking mechanism to retain the first or the second position of the
auxiliary flipper 70.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 of the drawings, similar to
the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main
ring 20 according to the second preferred embodiment may further
comprise the stone setting 260 as a part connecting the main ring
20 for receiving and setting the main ornament stone 270 for
display purpose. Similar to the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the first outer peripheral surface 220 of the
main ring 20 may be further divided into the first outer surface
portion 220A and the second outer surface portion 220B in such a
manner that the first outer surface portion 220A and the second
outer surface portion 220B may be divided by a hypothetical line
joining the two hinge mechanisms 50. The stone setting 260 and the
main ornament stone 270 are provided on the first outer surface
portion 220A.
[0063] FIG. 26 of the drawings illustrates that at least one
ornament article 60 is provided on at least one of the first inner
peripheral surface 210, the first outer peripheral surface 220, the
first front surface 230, the first rear surface 240, the second
inner peripheral surface 310, the second outer peripheral surface
320, the second front surface 330, the second rear surface 340, the
third inner peripheral surface 710, the third outer peripheral
surface 720, the third front surface 730, and the third rear
surface 740. Referring to FIG. 26 of the drawings, it can be seen
that a plurality of circular engraved slots 610 are carved into the
third outer peripheral surface 720 while a plurality of secondary
ornamental stones 620 such as diamonds are provided inside the
engraved slots 610.
[0064] According to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the flipper 30 and the auxiliary flipper 70 may operate
independently with respect to each other. Since the user may select
to flip the flipper 30 or the auxiliary flipper 70 to either the
first position or the second position, there are a total of four
different combinations. Referring to FIG. 26 of the drawings, the
foldable ring 10 according to the second preferred embodiment of
the present invention may be worn by the user to display either the
first outer surface portion 220A or the second outer surface
portion 220B to the top. From an aerial view, the foldable ring 10
may provide a total of eight different displays when worn by the
user. FIG. 27A is an aerial view of the foldable ring 10 displaying
the first outer surface portion 220A to the top with both the
flipper 30 and auxiliary flipper 70 in the first position. When the
foldable ring 10 in this configuration is worn by the user's
finger, both the flipper 30 and the auxiliary flipper 70 cannot be
seen from the aerial view. FIG. 27B is an aerial view of the
foldable ring 10 displaying the first outer surface portion 220A to
the top with both the flipper 30 and auxiliary flipper 70 in the
second position. FIG. 27C is an aerial view of the foldable ring 10
displaying the first outer surface portion 220A to the top with the
flipper 30 in the second position and the auxiliary flipper 70 in
the first position. FIG. 27D is an aerial view of the foldable ring
10 displaying the first outer surface portion 220A to the top with
the flipper 30 in the first position and the auxiliary flipper 70
in the second position. FIG. 28A is an aerial view of the foldable
ring 10 displaying the second outer surface portion 220B to the top
with both the flipper 30 and auxiliary flipper 70 in the second
position. FIG. 28B is an aerial view of the foldable ring 10
displaying the second outer surface portion 220B to the top with
both the flipper 30 and auxiliary flipper 70 in the first position.
FIG. 28C is an aerial view of the foldable ring 10 displaying the
second outer surface portion 220B to the top with the flipper 30 in
the first position and the auxiliary flipper 70 in the second
position. FIG. 28D is an aerial view of the foldable ring 10
displaying the second outer surface portion 220B to the top with
the flipper 30 in the second position and the auxiliary flipper 70
in the first position.
[0065] FIG. 29 of the drawings illustrates that the main ring 20
may have a substantially circular cross sectional shape as an
alternative. The cross sectional shape is viewed from the first
front surface 230 through the first through cavity 250. Similarly,
FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 of the drawings illustrate that the main ring
20 may have a substantially quadrilateral or elliptical cross
sectional shape respectively as alternatives.
[0066] The present invention, while illustrated and described in
terms of different preferred embodiments, is not limited to the
particular description contained in this specification. Additional
alternative or equivalent components could also be used to practice
the present invention.
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