Expandable ring having segment with spring-engaged crossed arms

Abstract

A finger ring comprised of a major semi-circular segment for engagement about the inner and side portions of a person's finger and a movable, spring-loaded minor segment, connected by lever means to the major segment, for pressurized engagement with the top of the finger to maintain the ring against rotational movement on the finger.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 393,317, filed Aug. 31, 1973 now abandoned.

Description

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention pertains to finger rings and more particularly to women's finger rings with relatively heavy, top, ornamental portions. Finger rings of this nature tend to constantly rotate on the finger of the wearer, destroying the desired ornamental effect thereof. The finger ring of the present invention comprises a major, semi-circular portion for engagement about the inner and side portions of a person's finger and a movable, spring-loaded minor top segment, pivotally connected thereto, to permit easy movement of the ring over the persons knuckle joint and to maintain the ring in a proper disposition when it is fully engaged on the wearer's finger.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a finger ring including a spring-loaded, minor segment which permits said ring to be easily passed over the knuckle of a wearer and to be snugly held against rotational movement when fully engaged on the wearer's finger.

Another principal object of the instant invention is to provide a finger ring which includes a major segment for engagement about the inner and side portions of a person's finger and a movable minor segment, connected thereto in a manner so as to minimize the possibility of loss of the ring because of breakage or accidental disengagement of any component part thereof.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a finger ring with a movable minor segment which is completely hidden when the ring is finished with its ornamentation design and jewels.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a ring which substantially presents the appearance of a conventional one-piece ring when in place on a finger, has a completely smooth inner peripheral surface in addition to providing automatic adjustment over a range of sizes, is capable of being mass produced at comparatively low unit cost with conventional tools, and includes a relatively small number of replaceable parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of one preferred form of the finger ring of the present invention with the minor segment thereof in a retracted position;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 1 with the minor segment in an expanded position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view through the finger ring of the present invention illustrating the levers and springs associated with the minor segment thereof to normally hold same in a retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3 with the minor segment in an expanded position;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the minor segment and the levers to be pivotally connected together;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, of a second preferred form of the present invention with the minor segment thereof in a retracted position;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 7 with the minor segment in an expanded position;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating a modified form of spring structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the various views and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, a first preferred form of expandable finger ring of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10.

In general, the ring comprises a major ring segment 12, a movable minor ring segment 14, fixed as at 16 to an ornamental head portion 18, spring means 20, fixed relative to the major ring segment 12 and link means 22, pivotally connecting between the minor segment 14 and bridge means 24--24, connecting across the open upper end of the major ring segment 12, in a manner so as to engage the spring means 20 to maintain the minor segment 14 in the normal retracted position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

In more detail, the major ring segment is generally U-shaped with a rounded bottom 26 and upwardly converging side legs 28 and 30. The side legs 28 and 30 provide inner recesses 32 and 34 opening through the top ends thereof and the bridge means 24--24 comprises a pair of spaced-apart side members, connecting between the respective side walls of the recesses 32 and 34, defining a generally rectangular top opening 36.

Spring means 20 comprises a pair of leaf springs 38 and 40 extending downwardly through the respective recesses 32 and 34 into the side legs 28 and 30 where they are pinned as at 42 and 44. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the respective springs 38 and 40 include upper end portions which extend upwardly through and beyond the top opening 36.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the minor ring segment 14 is generally rectangular in configuration, providing side rails 46 and 48 connected at their respective ends by transverse tubular portions 50 and 52 for pinned connection at 54 and 56 to respective pairs of downwardly converging legs 58-60 and 62-64 from the ornamental head portion 18. Inwardly extending projections 66 and 68 from the respective tubular end portions 50 and 52 terminate in a pair of spaced-apart medially slotted tubular ends 70 and 72 for pinned, pivotal connection at 74 and 76 to the lower ends of intermediate links 78 and 80. The upper ends of the links 78 and 80 are pivotally connected at 82 and 84 to the inner ends of oppositely extending cross-over lever arms 86 and 88 which are in turn, pivotally connected at 90 and 92, at their outer ends, between the bridge members 24--24. Lugs 94 and 96 extend upwardly from the respective outer ends of the lever arms 86 and 88 into engagement with the upwardly extended ends of the leaf springs 38 and 40. The leaf springs 38 and 40 maintain the minor segment 14 in the normal retracted position of FIGS. 1 and 3 when not in use.

When the ring 10 is being passed over a knuckle, for example, the minor segment 14 is moved upwardly against the pressure of the springs 38 and 40 as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 4. As the ring passes rearwardly beyond the knuckle, the energy stored in the springs 38 and 40 cause it to retract and follow the finger contour and to exert sufficient pressure thereagainst to maintain the ring against rotational movement in its normal disposition on the finger.

It should be understood that, in practice, the levers, links and arms are virtually invisible, being covered by the ornamentation of the head portion 18 which may, for example, be comprised of a precious metal such as gold set with gems.

FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate a modified form of expandable ringer ring, in accordance with the present invention, in which the major segment 12' is formed in two equal sections 100 and 102, hinged together at the bottom as at 104 and the leaf springs 38' and 40' preferably stop short of the tops of the recesses 32' and 34'. The minor ring segment 14' is pivotally attached at its opposed ends to the respective lower ends of a pair of bell crank levers as at 106 and 108. The long bell crank arms 110 and 112 normally extend upwardly and outwardly in crossover fashion to points of pivotal connection at 114 and 116 within the upper ends of the respective recesses 32' and 34'. Short bell crank arms 118 and 120 extend downwardly behind the top end portions of the respective leaf springs 38' and 40'.

With reference to FIG. 10, when the minor segment 14' is expanded upwardly, the short bell crank arms 114 and 116 are swung inwardly against the top ends of the leaf springs 38' and 40' flexing them inwardly. When the ring is properly positioned on a finger, the energy stored in said springs actuates the bell crank levers 106 and 108 to cause the minor segment 14' to snugly seat against the top portion of the finger and to restrain the ring against rotational movement.

However, in this form of the invention, the major segment sections 100 and 102 are expanded laterally outwardly about the pivot 104 by the minor segment 14' as it is expanded upwardly toward contact with the upper end portions of said sections 100 and 102 as at 122 and 124. Therefore, when the ring is properly positioned on a finger, both sections of the major segment and the minor segment simultaneously move into a snug contact with the finger.

FIG. 11 illustrates a modified form of the invention incorporating a pair of cross-over levers 126 and 128 which are similar to the long bell crank arms 110 and 112. The large recesses 32' and 34' and the leaf springs 38' and 40' are replaced by a pair of small coil springs 130 and 132, disposed about the respective pivot pins 114' and 116', in small recesses 134 and 136. Each coil spring 130 and 132 includes one arm 138, anchored in a hole 140 extending downwardly from a recess 134 and 136 and a second arm 142, anchored over the top of one of the levers 126 or 128 as at 144.

This form of the invention functions in the same manner as the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10 by means of the energy stored in the coil springs 130 and 132 when the minor segment 14" is expanded upwardly.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An expandable finger ring comprising:

a. a major, generally U-shaped ring segment having,

a bottom portion, and

a pair of upwardly extending legs as continuations of the respective opposed sides of said bottom portion and each of said legs having distal end zones in confronting relation,

b. a minor ring segment between the legs and movable between a normal inwardly retracted position and an expanded position on movement respectively toward and away from said bottom portion and between said legs,

c. pivotal linkage means pivotally connecting said minor ring segment and said major ring segment,

d. spring means fixed relative to said side legs and extending into engagement with said pivotal linkage means, and normally urging said minor ring segments in said retracted position, said pivotal linkage being yieldable on movement of said minor ring segment away from said bottom portion to flex said spring means to store energy therein when said minor ring segment is out of said normal position and moved toward said expanded position,

e. said pivotal linkage means comprising a pair of crossed arms, each of said arms having an upper end and a lower end, pivot means connecting each of the lower ends to said minor ring segment adjacent one of said legs and inwardly of the distal end zones of said one of said legs and pivotally connecting the upper ends of the distal end zone of said major ring segment adjacent the respective opposite distal end zones of the other of said legs, each said arm including an upwardly and outwardly extending portion relative to said minor ring segment and each of said arms including a portion in engagement with said spring means.

2. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper end of each of said pair of upwardly extending side legs is provided with an inwardly opening recess and said spring means comprises a leaf spring, fixed relative to each of said side legs, extending upwardly through said recess to a point somewhat above said side leg.

3. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 2 including a pair of spaced-apart bridge members connecting between the respective pairs of side walls of said recesses to define a generally rectangular opening through the top of the finger ring.

4. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 3 wherein the upper ends of said arms are pivotally connected between the respective, opposed outer end portions of said pair of bridge members within said rectangular opening.

5. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 4, each said portion in engagement with said spring means including a generally upstanding lug portion extending from the upper end of the respective arm into contact with the upper end zone of one of said leaf springs.

6. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 1 including an ornamental head portion fixed relative to said minor segment and movable therewith.

7. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper end of each of said pair of upwardly extending side legs is provided with an inwardly opening recess and said spring means comprises a leaf spring fixed relative to each of said side legs, extending upwardly through said recess to a point somewhat below the top of said side leg.

8. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 7 wherein said arms comprise a pair of crossed bell cranks, each having a long arm and a short arm, the respective long arms being pivotally attached at their lower ends to said minor segment, inwardly of the respective ends thereof, and extending upwardly and outwardly in to points of pivotal attachment at their upper ends within the upper ends of the respective recesses; each of said short arms extending downwardly into one of said recesses outwardly of and in engagement with the upper end of one of said leaf springs.

9. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper end of each of said pair of upwardly extending side legs is provided with an inwardly opening recess and said arms comprise a pair of cross-over levers having their lower ends pivotally attached to said minor segment inwardly of the respective ends thereof and their upper ends pivotally attached within the respective recesses.

10. An expandable finger ring as defined in claim 9 wherein said spring means comprises a small coil spring circumposed about each of said upper pivots, each coil spring including a first arm anchored in one of said side legs and a second arm anchored over the top end of one of said levers.