Finger ring size adjusting device and method

• US 6,003,334 A
• Filed: 06/09/1997
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bryan J. Miller
• Original Assignee: Bryan J. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Bryan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Melius, Terry Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOP, ANDREA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/871,413
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 63/15.45, 63/15.5, 63/15.6, 63/15.65
• US Class Current: 63/15.5
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 9/02 adjustable

Abstract

A finger ring size adjustment device comprises a ring shank and a cradle which is biased radially inward from the shank. The cradle is moveable between a retracted position and an adjusted position for reducing the ring size. The ring wearer thus has an adjustable ring shank for easily sliding over an enlarged knuckle or joint and then to a desired fit on the phalanx portion of the finger. The cradle is biased inwardly toward the adjusted position by a leaf spring in an automatically adjustable embodiment and a lever arm in an alternate embodiment. The manually operable lever arm is slidably engaged with the cradle and rotatably connected to the shank for moving the cradle between the retracted and adjusted positions. The lever arm is stored within the body of the shank when holding the cradle in the adjusted position. The leaf spring is carried by the shank and is positioned for biasing the cradle radially inward from the shank to the adjusted position which position is automatically set by the finger of the user. A feature of the invention includes the biasing member and cradle positioned within the boundaries of the shank for permitting the adjustable ring device to be used in juxtaposition with a second or companion ring and for avoiding the snagging of clothing by the adjustable ring.

Claims

1. A finger ring size adjustment device comprising:

a shank having an opening for receiving a finger therethrough, the shank defined by a generally cylindrical shank periphery and side walls extending radially inward from the shank periphery, the shank further having a cavity therein and first and second portions;

a cradle having an arcuate central portion for receiving a finger portion, the cradle also having first and second ends, the cradle operable within the shank periphery for movement between a retracted cradle position wherein the cradle is proximate the shank periphery for permitting the finger to freely pass through the opening of the shank to an adjusted cradle position wherein the cradle is displaced radially inward from the shank periphery for reducing a size of the opening of the shank and receiving the finger within the opening having a reduced size fitting the finger;

first and second hinges, each hinge pivotally attaching the first and second cradle ends respectively, to the first and second shank portions respectively, the first and second shank portions each having a hinge pin carried within the cavity of the shank, each of the first and second hinges having a slot which pivotally and slidably receives one hinge pin respectively, the first and second hinges sliding along and pivoting around the hinge pins to move the cradle between the retracted cradle position and the adjusted cradle position; and

cradle biasing means carried by the shank for biasing the cradle against the finger when the finger is received within the shank opening, the biasing means positioned within the cavity of the shank.

2. The finger ring size adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is dimensioned for receiving the cradle therein.

3. The finger ring size adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the shank further comprises a tubular shank.

4. A finger ring size adjustment device comprising:

a shank having an opening for receiving a finger therethrough, the shank defined by a generally cylindrical shank periphery and side walls extending radially inward from the shank periphery, the shank further having a cavity therein and first and second portions;

a cradle having an arcuate central portion for receiving a finger portion, the cradle also having first and second ends, the cradle operable within the shank periphery for movement between a retracted cradle position wherein the cradle is proximate the shank periphery for permitting the finger to freely pass through the opening of the shank to an adjusted cradle position wherein the cradle is displaced radially inward from the shank periphery for reducing a size of the opening of the shank and receiving the finger within the opening having a reduced size fitting the finger;

first and second hinges, each hinge pivotally attaching the first and second cradle ends respectively, to the first and second shank portions respectively, the first and second shank portions each having a hinge pin carried within the cavity of the shank, each of the first and second hinges having a slot which pivotally and slidably receives one hinge pin respectively, the first and second hinges sliding along and pivoting around the hinge pins to move the cradle between the retracted cradle position and the adjusted cradle position; and

a spring carried by the shank for biasing the cradle against the finger when the finger is received within the shank opening.

5. The finger ring size adjustment device according to claim 4, wherein the spring comprises a leaf spring having end portions and a central portion therebetween, the end portions slidably attached to the shank, the central portion engagable with the cradle, the leaf spring biasing the cradle inward of the shank periphery to the adjusted cradle position, the leaf spring responsive to an opposing biasing by the finger as the finger is received within the opening, the finger biasing the cradle toward the retracted cradle position as the finger passes into the opening of the shank.

6. The finger ring size adjustment device according to claim 4 wherein the shank further comprises a tubular shank.

7. A method for sizing a ring to a finger, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a shank having an opening for receiving a finger therethrough, the shank defined by a generally cylindrical shank periphery and side walls extending radially inward from the shank periphery, the shank further having a cavity therein and first and second portions;

providing a cradle having an arcuate central portion for receiving a finger portion, the cradle also having first and second ends, the cradle operable within the shank periphery for movement between a retracted cradle position wherein the cradle is proximate the shank periphery for permitting the finger to freely pass through the opening of the shank to an adjusted cradle position wherein the cradle is displaced radially inward from the shank periphery for reducing a size of the opening of the shank and receiving the finger within the opening having a reduced size fitting the finger;

providing first and second hinges, pivotally attaching the first and second hinges respectively, between the first and second cradle ends respectively, and the first and second shank portions respectively, the first and second shank portions each having a hinge pin carried within the cavity of the shank, each of the first and second hinges having a slot which pivotally and slidably receives one hinge pin respectively, the first and second hinges sliding along and pivoting around the hinge pins to move the cradle between the retracted cradle position and the adjusted cradle position; and

biasing the cradle toward the shank periphery by passing the finger through the shank opening;

positioning the shank at a preselected location along the finger; and

biasing the cradle against the finger for holding the shank at the preselected location along the finger.

8. The ring sizing method according to claim 7, wherein the cradle biasing steps comprise the step of:

providing a leaf spring having end portions and a central portion therebetween;

slidably attaching the leaf spring end portions to the shank;

engaging the central portion of the leaf spring with the cradle, the leaf spring biasing the cradle inward of the shank periphery to the adjusted cradle position; and

biasing the finger against the cradle to overcome an opposing biasing from the leaf spring for moving the cradle toward the shank periphery and permitting the finger to pass through the shank to the preselected location, the finger biasing the cradle toward the retracted cradle position as the finger passes into the opening of the shank, and wherein the opposing biasing by the leaf spring is sufficient for holding the shank at the preselected location.

9. The ring sizing method according to claim 7, further including the step of sliding the cradle within the cavity.

10. A finger ring size adjustment device comprising:

a shank having an opening for receiving a finger therethrough, the shank having a cavity therein, which cavity is accessible from the opening, the shank having first and second portions;

a cradle for receiving a finger, the cradle having first and second ends, the cradle operable for movement between a retracted cradle position wherein the cradle is within the cavity to an adjusted cradle position wherein the cradle is displaced radially inward from the shank for reducing a size of the opening of the shank;

first and second hinges, each hinge pivotally attaching the first and second cradle ends respectively, to the first and second shank portions respectively, the first and second shank portions each having a hinge pin carried within the cavity of the shank, each of the first and second hinges having a slot which pivotally and slidably receives one hinge pin respectively, the first and second hinges sliding along and pivoting around the hinge pins to move the cradle between the retracted cradle position and the adjusted cradle position; and

cradle biasing means carried by the shank for biasing the cradle toward the adjusted cradle position, the biasing means responsive to an opposing biasing by the finger as the finger is received within the opening, the finger biasing the cradle toward the retracted cradle position as the finger passes into the opening of the shank.

11. The finger ring size adjustment device according to claim 10, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

12. The finger ring size adjustment device according to claim 11, wherein the spring comprises a leaf spring having end portions and a central portion therebetween, the end portions slidably carried within the cavity of the shank, the central portion slidable engaged with the cradle.

13. A method for sizing a shank opening of a ring to a finger having varying girth dimensions, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a shank having a shank periphery, a cavity, and an opening therein, the shank having first and second portions;

providing a cradle for receiving a finger, the cradle having first and second ends,

providing first and second hinges, pivotally attaching the first and second hinges respectively, between the first and second cradle ends respectively, and the first and second shank portions respectively, the first and second shank portions each having a hinge pin carried within the cavity of the shank, each of the first and second hinges having a slot which pivotally and slidably receives one hinge pin respectively, the first and second hinges sliding along and pivoting around the hinge pins to move the cradle between the retracted cradle position and the adjusted cradle position;

operating the cradle within the opening for movement between a retracted cradle position wherein the cradle is proximate the shank periphery to an adjusted cradle position wherein the cradle is displaced radially inward from the shank periphery for reducing a size of the opening;

providing a spring for biasing the cradle toward the adjusted cradle position;

sliding the finger into the opening for biasing against the cradle to overcome spring biasing of the cradle toward the adjusted position, the biasing permitting movement of the cradle for permitting the finger to pass through the opening for placement at a desired location, the finger biasing the cradle toward the retracted cradle position as the finger passes through the opening, and wherein opposing biasing from the spring is sufficient for holding the shank at the desired location; and

wearing the ring at the desired location.

14. The ring sizing method according to claim 13, wherein the spring comprises a leaf spring having ends of the leaf spring slidably carried within the cavity, a central portion of the leaf spring slidably engaging the cradle.