US3423956A - Expandible ring with means biasing it to contracted position - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 28, 1969 M. MANNE 3, I EXPANDIBLE RING WITH MEANS BIASING IT TO CONTRACTED POSITION Filed June 2, 1967 Sheet of 5 mvswrok F I 4/05 4/44 4 5 Jan. 28, 1969 M. MANNE 3,423,956

EXPANDIBLQE RING WITH MEANS .BIASING IT TO CONTRACTED POSITION Filed June 2, 1967 Sheet v2. of 5 FIG. 5.

INVENT-OR. M05 MA/VME' FIG. 11. M+

' arroaMsXS 19:69 M. MANNE 3,423,956

EXPANDIBLE RING WITHMEANS BIASING IT TO CONTRACI'ED POSITION Filed June 2, 1967 Sheet 3 of 5 I INVENTOR MOE MAM/z M em ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oflice 3,423,956 EXPANDIBLE RING WITH MEANS BIASING IT TO CONTRACTED PUSITION Moe Manne, 220 Central Ave., Lawrence, N.Y. 11559 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 593,151, Nov. 9, 1966. This application June 2, 1967, Ser. No. 671,901 US. Cl. 63-1545 Int. Cl. A44c 9/02 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 593,151, filed Nov. 9, 1966, now abandoned. The present invention relates generally to mens and wom-ens finger rings, and in particular to an improved expandible finger ring suitable for use as a wedding band or as an engagement, ornamental or cocktail ring.

-In a number of my patents, including US. Patent No. 2,806,363 of Sept. 17, 1957, there are disclosed improved adjustable finger rings each of which includes an annulus of ring sections interconnected for limited movement relative to each other such that the ring may be adjusted over a range of sizes. An annular multiple coil spring is assembled within the ring and provides uniformly distributed tension over the annulus to urge the ring sections into the position corresponding to the smallest ring size. Advantageously, such improved finger ring enables the ring to be adjusted to the size of the finger of the wearer, is capable of expanding and passing over a prominent knuckle and is able to conform to the size of the finger of the wearer as such finger size changes incident to loss of weight, growth, changes in climate and the like. Although, the adjustable finger rings disclosed in my patents have been'and are widely sold and solve many of the problems of prior art constructions, such rings presented a number of practical problems in manufacture and during use. There exists a need for an expandible finger ring which is relatively simple to manufacture and which is exceptionally rugged in use to assure the continuous and proper functioning of the expansion feature thereof and to minimize the possibility of loss incident to breakage or accidental disengagement of any component part of the ring. Experience has indicated that the annular multiple coil springs of relatively small cross-section and fine gauge wire which are usually employed to attain the desired slimness for the ring shank present problems over prolonged periods of use, particularly that of spring breakage and loss of spring tension.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multiple-section expandible finger ring which realizes one or more of the aforesaid objectives. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a finger ring wherein the expansion feature is incorporated by relatively simple and rugged means which not only achieves the expansion function in accordance with aesthetic requirements, but in addition is constructed to assure the required functionality over prolonged periods of use, with minimum risk of failure.

3,423,956 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 In accordance with one illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided an expandible finger ring which comprises an elongated curved head and an expandible shank which includes first and second elongated and curved shank sections. A first pivot pivotally mounts the first shank section on one end of the head while a second pivot mounts the second shank section on the other end of the head. Coacting telescopic sizing means are provided on the first and second shank sections and form an expandible sizing section which adjustably interconnects the first and second shank sections and cooperates with the head to complete the ring annulus. A first spring interconnects the head and the first shank section while a second and similar spring interconnects the head and the second shank section. The first and second springs bias the shank sections toward each other and into a normal position wherein the sizing section establishes a minimum ring size. The sizing section includes male and female members which are extensible relative to each other when the shank sections are urged outwardly relative to each other against the bias of the first and second springs to provide a range of adjustment in ring size.

In a second illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, the expandible finger ring is similarly constructed with a head, with pivotally connected first and second shank sections and with a telescopic sizing section on said shank sections consisting of correspondingly curved male and female members. In this embodiment, however, the springs at the pivots can be dispensed with because the just noted male member is fabricated of a springy metal and, during movement relative to the female member, is fiexed so as to exert a spring bias against this movement. Thus, in this embodiment as in the first embodiment there is a spring bias preventing indavertent expansion of the finger ring.

Advanta-geously, my improved ring substantially presents the appearance of a conventional one-piece ring, has a substantially smooth peripheral surface despite the capability of adjustment over a range of sizes, is capable of manufacture on a mass production basis at comparatively low unit cost with ordinary tools, includes a relatively small number of readily replaceable parts with several identical components and is capable of use both for the initial manufacture of expandible finger rings and for the conversion of existing rings to incorporate an expandible shank.

The above brief description, as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiments of finger rings incorporating features of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, showing a first embodiment of an expandible finger ring embodying features of the present invention, the full line showing illustrating the ring in an expanded position, and the dotted line showing illustrating the ring in a normal position establishing a minimum ring size;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing details of the pivotal interconnection between the head and one shank section of the ring;

FIG. 3 is an exploded elevational view, with parts in section, showing the several components making up the instant expandible finger ring;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the shank section having incorporated thereon several sizing rings for establishing a normal ring size larger than the minimum ring size;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the end of the shank section contiguous to the head of the ring showing constructional details;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adjacent end of the head showing constructional details;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing the manner in which one shank section constructed in accordance with the detailed showing of FIG. 5 is positioned for assembly with the adjacent end of the head which is shown in detail in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the shank section shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, with a spring. in position for completing the pivotal interconnection between the shank section and the head;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of one end of the head as shown in FIG. 6 and to the right in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1010 of FIG. 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing further constructional details of the pivotal interconnection between the shank section and the head;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view taken on FIG. 10; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are elevational views similar to FIG. 1, but of a second embodiment of an expandible finger ring embodying features of the present invention. FIG. 12 illustrates a minimum size finger opening and FIG. 13 a finger opening of increased size.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an expandible multisection finger ring constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The ring includes a ring head or setting section 22 which is elongated and curved and may be of any conventional construction. Although the invention is illustrated in its specific application to a ring of the type which has a stone set therein, such as an engagement ring, it will be appreciated that the invention finds useful application in all types of mens and womens rings. Cooperating with the ring head 22 are first and second elongated and curved shank sections 24, 26 and an intermediate sizing section 28. The first and second shank sections 24, 26 are fabricated of identical castings, as will subsequently be described in detail, and are respectivelyconnected at one end by pivots 30, 32 to the adjacent ends of the elongated head 22. At each of the pivots, there is provided a spring, such as springs 34, 36 (see FIG. 3) which bias the shank sections 24, 26 toward each other and into a normal position wherein the sizing section 28 establishes a minimum ring size. The sizing section 28 in turn includes male and female members 38, 40 which are extensible relative to each other When the shank sections 24, 26 are urged outwardly to each other through a size-adjusting movement. More particularly, this movement provides a range of adjustment in ring size and is against the bias of the pivot spring 34, 36 so that it does not occur inadvertently.

Turning now to the details of the several components which make up the ring 20, the shank sections 24, 26 initially are of identical castings and are provided with elongated and curved extensions of reduced cross-section to serve respectively as the male sizing member 38 of the sizing section 28 and as a mounting stud 26a (see FIG. 3) for the female sizing member or sleeve 40. The integral sizing member or rod 38 on shank section 24 may be of any required length and is of a reduced cross section as compared to the remainder of the shank such that it may be accommodated within the bore 42 of sleeve 40. It will be appreciated that the sizing of the ring is simply and readily accomplished by controlling the length dimensions of the male sizing member 38 and the female sizing sleeve 40. The sleeve 40 may be of any commercially available tubing which is of a cross section to provide a substantially smooth and uninterrupted continuation of the shank section 26, with the cross section of the bore 42 being appropriate to receive the mounting stud 26a. Normally, the end 40a of the female sizing member 40 contiguous to the entry end 42a of the bore 42 will abut the shoulder 24 formed on the shank section 24 to establish the minimum ring size (see the dotted line showing in FIG. 1). The diameter of the sleeve 40 is selected in relation to the cross section of the shank section 24 contiguous to shoulder 24a such that the sizing section blends into the shank section 24 in a smooth and uninterrupted fashion calculated to avoid wearer discomfort. In the event that an undesirable gap is afforded between the abutment end 40a of the siding sleeve 40 and shoulder 24a, for example as shown in full line position of FIG. 1, and such expanded ring position becomes commonplace for the particular waerer, it is a relatively simple matter to adjust the minimum ring size on a more or less permanent basis. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways including lengthening the female sizing member 40 or extending the shank section 24 by placing a short length of sleeve (comparable to sleeve 40) over the male sizing member 38 and securing the same in place against the shoulder 24a. Perhaps the most convenient way is to employ plural split sizing rings 44 which are slipped onto the male sizing member 38 and abutted against the shoulder 24a to provide a somewhat permanent yet removable extension of shank section 24, as seen in FIG. 4. Obviously, the ring can be made smaller in size by cutting off a portion of the female sizing member 40 contiguous to the end 40a.

The ends of the shank sections 24, 26 contiguous to the head 22 are identical and are seen best in FIGS. 5 and 8. The opposite ends of the ring head 22 are also substantially identical and are best seen in FIGS. 6 and 9. Since the pivotal interconnection between shank section 24 and head section 22 is substantially identical to the pivotal connection between shank section 26 and head 22, it will suffice to describe only one such pivotal connection (i.e. the pivotal interconnection at pivot 30 between section 24 and head 22). Turning to FIGS. 5 and 8, the first shank section 24 is seen to include a curved end face 2417 which extends substantially from the inner periphery 240 to the outer periphery 24d of the shank section 24. The curved end face 24b extends from side face 24e for approximately half the distance measured between the side faces 24e, 24 as seen best in FIG. 8. Disposed inwardly of the side face 24 of the shank section 24 is an integral pivot knuckle 24g which is centrally formed with a pivot bore 2411 and is peripherally formed with a bearing surface 24i. As seen best in FIG. 8, the pivot knuckle 24g extends substantially from the median plane of the shank section 24 toward the side face 24 and is of a width such that it leaves a knuckle receiving seat 241' of substantially the same width outwardly thereof. On the opposite side of the median plane and extending into the curved end face 24b is a springmounting bore 24k. The spring-mounting bore 24k is of a size and is positioned in relation to the opposite side face 24e of the shank section 24 to leave a knuckle receiving seat 241 which is symmetrically disposed relative to knuckle receiving seat 24i.

The adjacent end of the head 22 is formed with a curved end face 22b which is of a curvature appropriate to provide a complementary surface to the bearing surface 24i of pivot knuckle 24. The end face 22b extends substantially beiween the inner periphery 22c and the outer periphery 22d of the adjacent end of the head 22. Formed integrally with the adjacent end of the head 22 contiguous to and extending inwardly from the opposite sides 22a, 22 thereof are substantially identical pivot knuckles 22g, 22g each of which is provided with a centrally disposed pivot bore 22h, 22h and each of which has a peripheral bearing surface 221', 221". The bearing surfaces 221', 22i' are complementary to the bearing surface 241) on the adjacent end of the shank section 24. The pivot knuckle 22g is received within the knuckle seat 24 outwardly of the pivot knuckle 24g while the pivot knuckle 22g is received within the knuckle seat 241 contiguous to the opposite side 24e of the shank section 24. When the knuckles 22g, 24g and 22g are interdigitated, their respective pivot bores are aligned and receive the piv- 0t pin 30. When the pivot knuckles are aligned, they occupy approximately three-quarters of the width of the ring, leaving an internal spring cavity which is bounded at its opposite sides by the inner face of the pivot knuckle 24g and the confronting end of face of the pivot knuckle 22g and at its opposite ends by the adjacent segments of the curved end face 24b of the shank section 24 and the curved end face 22b of the head 22. Disposed opposite the spring-mounting bore 24k, the head 22 is formed with a spring-mounting bore 22k (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 10 and 11, the technique for providing a spring interconnection between the shank sections 24, 26 and the head 22 will be readily apparent. The spring 34, which is seen to include a single coil 34a and legs 34b, 34c is assembled with the shank section 24. This is accomplished by dropping the leg 34b into the mounting bore 24k and aligning the single coil 34a With the pivot knuckle 24g. Thcreupon, the head 22 is brought into a position'wherein the leg 34c of the spring 34 may be received within the spring-mounting bore 22k of the head. Thereupon, ring components are brought into the final assembled position wherein the knuckles 22g, 22g are received within the knuckle receiving seats 24 24! in alignment with the knuckle 24g. The pivot pin 30 is then placed through the aligned pivot bores 2411, Hi, 22i' and through the one or more turns 34a of the spring 34 and is secured in placed as by peening or other techniques well known in the jewelry industry. Incident to this assembly operation, the shank section 24 is biased inwardly in relation to the head 22 in an inward direction. Obviously, the assembly of the second shank section 26 at the opposite end of the head 22 at pivot 32 can be accomplished in the same fashion. In some instances it may be desirable to preclude the outward movement of the first and second shank sections 24, 26 relative to each other in an amount suflicient to disengage the male sizing member 38 from within the bore 42 of the female sizing member '40. For those constructions, it is necessary to insert the male sizing member 38 within the female sizing member 40 prior to completing the ring assembly.

Coacting stabilizing means are provided at each of the pivots 30, 32 to preclude excessive lateral movement of the shank sections 24, 26 relative to the head 22 and to effectively limit the outward displacement of the shank sections 24, 26 relative to each other and to the head 22. To this end, each of the shank sections 24, 26 contiguous to the head end is provided with a lateral stabilizing member or finger, such as finger 24m, which is received within a correspondingly sized stabilizing seat 22m formed in the adjacent end of the head 22. The free end of the lateral stabilizing member or finger terminates in an abutment 24n which contacts a corresponding abutment 2211 on the stabilizing seat 222m at the desired limit of the outward movement of the shank section 24 relative to the head 22. The lateral stabilizing member 24m and its seat 2211 coact with the interdigidated knuckles 22i, 24g and 24g to preclude the development of excessive sideWise forces and strains at the corresponding pivotal interconnection. The inner limit of movement of the shank sections relative to each other under the influence of the springs 34, 36 is effectively established by the abutments 24a, 40a or such further abutments as may be established as by the addition of sizing rings 44.

The springs 34, 36 are otfset from the medial or central plane of the rings such that there is a tendency for the shank sections 24, 26 to remain in the spread position relative to each other due to a certain amount of binding at the pivots. This permits the wearer to readily establish and maintain such spread position to thereby permit the ring to be extended over an enlarged knuckle and then brought into the final position for Wearing. The small binding force established by the offsetting of the springs from the central plane of the ring is readily overcome by the 'Wearer squeezing at the outer peripheries of the shank sections 24, 26 to cause the ring to close down to the desired position for wearing. Since the shank sections 24, 26 are made of a substantially identical casting, it will be appreciated that the spring-receiving bores and the corersponding spring cavity at the interconnection between shank section 26 and the adjacent end of the head 22 are disposed to the opposite side of the plane of symmetry of the ring as compared to the location of the spring 34 for the illustrated pivotal connection.

Reference is now made to the second embodiment of an expandible finger ring illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, which is constructed similarly to the just described embodiment and is thus designated by the same, but primed, reference numerals. :Finger ring 20 may include the same curved head 22' and the same pivotally mounted first and second shank sections 24, 26 with telescopic male and female members 38' and 40'. Additionally, the pivot connections 30' and 32' may, as previously noted, include springs (such as springs 34, 36) to prevent inadvertent opening or size-adjustment movement of the telescopic members 38, 40' or, as preferred in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, these pivot springs may be omitted. In place of these pivot springs, or merely to supplement these springs, the finger ring 20 uses to advantage the fiexing of the male member 38' during sizeadjusting movement to provide a spring bias preventing inadvertent size increases of the finger ring.

Specifically, the female member 40 is fabricated from rigid tubing, such as in commercially available from Makepiece Corp. of New York, N.Y., having an appro priate size bore 40a to slidably receive the male member 38'. An essential feature of the male member 38' is that it is fabricated of a springy material, preferably white gold wire such as is commercially available from Rodman and Yarss, of New York, N.Y., so that during size-adjusting movement the male member 38 flexes and exerts a biasing force against the female member 40.

More particularly, both the male and female members 38', 40, as clearly shown in 'FJG. 12, have corresponding curvatures permitting the telescoping together of these members when they occupy normal positions during which they define sizing section 28 which cooperates with the curved sections 22', 24' and 26' to bound a finger opening A of minimum size. From these normal positions, the members 38, 40' are pivotally movable outwardly relative to each other along with the shank sections 24', 26' through a size-adjusting movement, an exemplary extent and nature of which may best be understood from a comparison of FIGS. 12 and 13. This movement provides an increased finger opening B to the ring 20. Although not shown, sizing rings 44 may be positioned on the exposed portion of the male member 38' to maintain the finger opening at the increased size B. a

As is readily apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 12 and 13, during the aforementioned size-adjusting movement of the male member 38 relative to the female member 40', the movement about the pivots 30, 32' must of necessity bind the curved members 38', 40' which, respectively, each have a radius of curvature originating from a center of the finger opening A. This binding, in turn, results in a flexing in the male member 38' and thus a force urgency therein to return to the unfiexed, at-rest condition of FIG. 12. This force or spring bias is thus exerted against any movement of the ring parts 24', 38 and 26', 40 from their positions bounding the minimum ring size A of FIG. 12 and thus,

7 as in the case of the pivot springs 34, 36, minimizes inadvertent opening movements of these ring parts.

The spring action of the cooperating members 38', 40' may be entirely in place of one or both of the springs 34, 36, or may merely supplement these springs. If it replaces the springs, the construction of the adjacent ends of the head 22 and shanks 24', 26 at the pivots 30, 32 can be greatly simplified since the previously noted spring-receiving cavities can be omitted. This, in turn, means that the interdigitated knuckles at the pivot connections 30', 32' can be modified to a conventional construction.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What is claimed is:

1. An expandible finger ring comprising an elongated and curved head and an expandible shank including first and second elongated and curved shank sections, pivot means on opposite ends of said head and on the adjacent ends of said first and second shank sections for pivotally mounting said first and second shank sections on said head, means including coacting telescopic correspondingly curved male and female members on the other ends of said first and second shank sections adjustably interconnecting said first and second shank sections, said curved male and female members having normal positions bounding a minimum size finger opening and movable from said normal positions outwardly relative to each other through a size-adjusting movement along with said shank sections which correspondingly pivot outwardly relative to each other to increase the size of said finger opening, said male member being fabricated of a springy material, said male member normally maintaining spring contact with said female member to urge said male and female members to said normal positions and being fiexed during said size-adjusting movement such that a spring bias is exerted against said size-adjusting movement, and at least one sizing ring positioned on said male member and abutting said female member to limit the movement of said shank sections towards each other to thereby establish a normal finger opening larger than said minimum size finger opening.

2. An expandible finger ring comprising an elongated and curved head and an expandible shank including first and second elongated and curved shank sections. first pivot means on one end of said head and on the adjacent end of said first shank section for pivotally mounting said first shank section on said one end of said head, second pivot means on the other end of said head and on the adjacent end of said second shank section for pivotally mounting said second shank section on said other end of said head, said first and second pivot means each including interdigitated head and shank knuckles formed integrally with said head and shank sections respectively, at least the head and shank knuckles at one end of said head section and at the adjacent end of one said shank section being spaced from each other and operatively arranged to define a spring-receiving cavity therebetween and having a cooperating pivot extending therethrough, coacting telescopic sizing means on the ends of said first and second shank sections remote from said head section forming an expandible sizing section adjustably interconnecting said first and second shank sections, at least one spring interconnected between said one end of said head section and the adjacent end of said one shank section, said spring being disposed about said pivot in said spring-receiving cavity so as to bias said one shank section toward the other shank section and into a normal position wherein said sizing section establishes a minimum ring size, said sizing section including male and female members which are extensible relative to each other when said one shank section is urged outwardly relative to said other shank section against the bias of said spring to provide a range of adjustment in ring size.

3. An expandible finger ring according to claim 2 wherein at said one pivot having said spring there is included coacting lateral stabilizing finger and finger-accommodating seat means so constructed and arranged to limit outward movement of said one shank and to prevent movement thereof axially along said pivot.

4. An expandible finger ring according to claim 2 including at least one sizing ring positioned on said male member of said sizing section and abutting said female member to limit the movement of said shank sections toward each other to thereby establish a normal ring size larger than said minimum ring size.

5. An expandible finger ring comprising an elongated and curved head and expandible shank including first and second elongated and curved shank sections, first pivot means on one end of said head and on the adjacent end of said first shank section for pivotally mounting said first shank section on said one end of said head, second pivot means on the other end of said head and on the adjacent end of said second shank section on said other end of said head, said first and second pivot means each including interdigitated pivot knuckles formed integrally with said head and shank sections respectively, said head and shank knuckles being spaced from each other and operatively arranged to define spring-receiving cavities therebetween and having a pivot extending through said interdigitated pivot knuckles, coacting telescopic sizing means on the other ends of said first and second shank sections and forming an expandible sizing section adjustably interconnecting said first and second shank sections, a first spring interconnected between said head and said first shank section and a second spring interconnected between said head and said second shank section, said first and second springs being respectively disposed about each pivot of each said pivot means and within said spring-receiving cavity thereof so as to bias said shank sections toward each other and into a normal position wherein said sizing section establishes a minimum ring size, said sizing section including male and female members which are extensible relative to each other when said shank sections are urged outwardly relative to each other against the bias of said first and second springs to provide a range of adjustment in ring size, and coacting lateral stabilizing finger and finger-accommodating seat means at each of said head and the corresponding adjacent ends of said first and second shank sections so constructed and arranged to limit outward movement of said shank sections relative to each other and to prevent movement of said shank sections axially along said pivots.

6. An expandible finger ring according to claim 5 including at least one sizing ring positioned on said male member of said sizing section and abutting said female member to limit the movement of said shank sections toward each other to thereby establish a normal ring size larger than said minimum ring size.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 374,229 2/1907 France. 1,074,285 3/ 1954 France.

22,358 10/1911 Great Britain. 240,023 3/ 1946 Switzerland.

F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 63l5.65

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