WO2009095761A2

WO2009095761A2 - Finger ring provided with an adapter device for automatically adjusting the ring size

Info

Publication number: WO2009095761A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Demeglio
Original assignee: ROBERTO DEMEGLIO Srl
Current assignee: ROBERTO DEMEGLIO Srl
Priority date: 2008-01-28
Filing date: 2009-01-27
Publication date: 2009-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2010-07-28
Also published as: EP2244600A2; EP2244600B1; US8573004B2; JP2011510729A; WO2009095761A3; ITTO20080056A1; US20110048073A1

Abstract

A ring (1) defines a seat (3) for being worn on a finger and has an adapter device (10) capable of automatically adjusting the diameter of the seat (3); the adapter device (10) is provided with at least one arm (11) coupled to a structure (2) of the ring (1) so as to move between a retracted position and a forward position with respect to the centre of the seat (3); the arm (11) is pushed to the forward position by at least one elongated spring (22), which substantially extends in a circumferential ' direction and has a first end portion (23) fixed to either the structure (2) or the arm (11), and a second end portion (28), opposite to the first (23) and arranged resting against the other (2) of either the structure or the arm.

Description

FINGER RING PROVIDED WITH AN ADAPTER DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING THE RING SIZE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a finger ring provided with an adapter device for automatically- adjusting the ring size.

BACKGROUND ART

Automatic adjustment devices which allow to have a single ring which may be worn on fingers different in circumference are known.

For example, US patent US6748764 describes a ring comprising a circular structure which defines an internal cavity which accommodates one or more springs . Such springs act against one or more arms hinged to the structure, so as to rotate the arms towards the interior of the ring against the finger on which the ring is worn. In such a manner, the position of the arms with respect to the centre of the ring may be automatically adapted according to the size of the finger on which the ring is worn.

The known solutions shown in US patent US6748764 are poorly satisfactory, because the type of springs and the mode for assembling the springs into the structure of the ring require internal cavities having relatively large dimensions in the radial direction.

Furthermore, at least in some known solutions disclosed in US patent US6748764, the springs have no fixed position in the internal -.^:cavity^{' '} ofv the :ring, whereby they could move in use,, with the consequent -risk of preventing or limiting the automatic adaptation of the arm position. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the prevent invention to provide a finger ring provided with an adapter device for automatically adjusting the size of the ring, which allows to solve the aforesaid problems in a simple and cost-effective manner.

According to the present invention, there is provided a ring defining a seat to be worn on a finger and comprising: a structure; and - an adapter device for automatically adjusting the diameter of the seat, the adapter device comprising: a) at least one arm coupled to said structure so as to rotate between a retracted position and a forward position with respect to the centre of said seat, and b) elastic means radially interposed between said structure and said arm to push said arm to the forward position; characterized in that said elastic means comprise at least one elongated elastic element, which substantially extends in the circumferential direction and comprises : a first end portion fixed to one between said structure and said. arm, and

- ^' a second end portion, opposite to the first and arranged resting against the other between said structure and said arm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non- limitative embodiment thereof, in which:

- figure 1 is a perspective view which shows, with parts removed for clarity, a first preferred embodiment of the finger ring provided with an adapter device for automatically adjusting the ring size according to the present invention; and <

- figures 2 and 3 are similar to figure 1 and show second and third preferred embodiments of the finger ring according to the present invention, respectively. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In figure 1, numeral 1 indicates as a whole a ring defining a substantially circular seat 3, in which a finger may be inserted along an axis 6 for wearing the ring 1 on such a finger.

The ring 1 comprises: an annular structure 2, which is shown in section according to a symmetry plane orthogonal to axis 6; a series of precious stones 5, which are set on the structure 2, in fixed positions along the external periphery of the structure 2 and are angularly spaced about the axis 6 ; and an adapter device 10 for automatically adjusting the diameter of the seat 3, i.e. the size of the ring 1, according to the circumference of the -finger on which the^' ring 1^" is worn. The device 10 comprises five arms 11 arranged along the internal periphery of the structure 2 in order to delimit the seat 3. The arms 11 are equally spaced about the axis 6 and coupled to the structure 2 so as to rotate between a retracted position and an forward position with respect to the centre of the seat 3.

Specifically, the ends of the arms 11 are defined by bushings 12 coupled to respective hinge pins 13 , which are parallel to axis 6 and define the rotation axes of the arms 11. The axial ends of the pins 13 protrude from the bushings 12 and engage respective circular through holes (not shown) of the structure 2. The arms 11 comprise respective intermediate portions 15, which extend in a substantially circumferential direction and have a U-shaped cross section, considering section planes passing through axis 6, so as to define respective compartments 16, on the rear side radially facing the structure 2. On the opposite side, i.e. towards the centre of the seat 3, the portions 15 have respective arched surfaces 17 which, in use, are in contact with the finger on which the ring 1 is fitted. At the opposite end in the circumferential direction with respect to the bushings 12, each arm 11 comprises a corresponding tooth 18, which protrudes from the portion 15, both circumferentially in the opposite direction with respect to the bushing 12, and radially outwards .

When the arms 11 are arranged in their forward position, the teeth 18 are arranged resting against respective shoulders 19 of the structure 2 to define the stroke stop for adjusting the arms 11. The shoulders 19 are interposed between the arms 11 in the circumferential direction and define five windows 21 which are engaged by the arms 11, respectively. For each arm 11, the device 10 comprises a corresponding pair of wire springs 22. The wire springs 22 of each pair are radially interposed between the structure 2 and the arm 11 to push the arm 11 to the forward position, are elongated in the circumferential direction, and are parallel and spaced from one another.

For each arm 11, the two wire springs 22 comprise respective substantially rectilinear portions 23, which are tangential to the arm 11, accommodated in the compartment 16, and fixed to the arm 11. Specifically, the ends of the portions 23 are fixed to the bushing 12 by means of welding zones 25 obtained by means of laser.

The portions 23 engage respective passages 26 defined by the bottom surface of the compartment 16 and corresponding semi-cylindrical portions 27, which are fixed to the bottom surface of the compartment 16. The portions 23 have a diameter which approximates by defect the size of the passages 26, and therefore may be easily inserted into the portions .27 during the step of assembling.

At the- opposite end with respect to the portions 23, the two wire springs 22 comprise respective arched portions 28, which extends outside the compartment 16, have a concavity facing towards the arm 11, and rest against the structure 2. The end tips of the portions 28 are radially spaced from arm 11 and structure 2 when the arm 11 is in the forward position towards the centre of the seat 3. Figure 2 shows a ring Ia, in which the components are indicated by the same reference numbers used in figure 1 and are followed by the reference letter "a" . Unlike the ring 1, the precious stones 5a are arranged only on one side of the structure 2a, and not along the entire periphery. The structure 2a defines an internal channel 40a, which accommodates the springs 22a and communicates with the seat 3a through the windows 21a. Specifically, the windows 21a as well as the arms 11a are two, and diametrically opposite to each other. The hinge pins 13a are arranged in a zone which is diametrically opposite to the precious stone 5a, whereby the arms lla secure the finger without pushing it towards the precious stone 5a when the ring 1 is worn.

Specifically, there are six wire springs 22a for each arm lla. The ends of the portions 23a are arranged in the compartment 16a and are fixed through the welding zones 25a to the end of the portion 15a which is opposite, in the circumferential direction, to the bushing 12a, whereby the portions 28a are facing towards the bushings 12a.

Figure 3 shows a ring Ib, in which the components are indicated by the same reference numbers used in figures 1 and 2 and followed by the reference letter "b" . Unlike the ring Ia, the structure 2b is free from precious stones, defines an internal circular channel 40b and has an external shape similar to that of a wedding ring. The windows 21b as well as the arms lib (only one of which is shown) are three and arranged at 120°. For each arm lib, the wire springs are replaced with a flat spring 22b with a profile having a similar shape to that of the wire springs described above, when seen in the axial direction. The semi-cylindrical portions 27,27a are replaced with plate portions 27b parallel to the bottom surface of the compartments 16b so as to define rectangular section passages 26b.

From the above it is apparent that the type of springs used, i.e. springs having a shape elongated in the circumferential direction, allows to achieve a compact structure in the radial direction. Furthermore, fixing one end of the springs 22 to either the arm 11 or the structure 2 allows the springs 22, 22a, 22b to be arranged in constantly fixed positions, both when assembling the arms 11, 11a, lib to the structure 2, 2a, 2b, resulting in increased simplicity and speed for manufacturing the ring 1, and in use, resulting in an increased reliability of the device 10, 10a, 10b. The device 10, 10a, 10b is also reliable in virtue of the portions 27, 27a, 27b transmitting the elastic bias between the springs 22, 22a, 22b and the arm 11, 11a, lib and avoid such an elastic bias from being directly released onto the welding zones 25, 25a, 25b. At the same time, the portions 28, 28a, 28b have a concave shape which allows the springs 22, 22a, 22b to smoothly slide on the structure 2, 2a, 2b during the movement .of the arms 11, 11a, lib between the forward and retracted positions. From the above, it is finally apparent that changes and variations may be made to the described rings 1,1a, Ib without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims . Specifically, the mode for fastening the springs 22, 22a, 22b could be different from welding (e.g. portions 23, 23a, 23b could be secured into the passages 26, 26a, 26b by crushing the portions 27, 27a, 27b) ; and/pr the number of arms 11, 11a, lib, could be different from that indicated by way of example. Furthermore, the number of wire springs 22,22a or flat springs 22b could be different from that shown in the appended figures,- and/or one end could be fixed to the structure instead of to the arms, in a dual manner with respect to that shown above by way of example .

Claims

1. A ring (1) defining a seat (3) for being worn on a finger and comprising: a structure (2) ; and - an adapter device (10) for automatically adjusting the diameter of the seat (3) , the adapter device comprising: a) at least one arm (11) coupled to said structure (2) so as to rotate between a retracted position and a forward position with respect to the centre of said seat (3) , and b) elastic means (22) radially interposed between said structure (2) and said arm (11) to push said arm (11) to the forward position; characterized in that said elastic means comprise at least one elongated elastic element (22), which substantially extends in the circumferential direction and comprises: a first end portion (23) fixed to one between said structure (2) and said arm (11) , and a second end portion (28) , opposite to the first (23) and arranged resting against the other (2) between said structure and said arm.

2. A ring according to claim 1, characterized in that said first end portion (23) is fixed by means of a welding zone.

3. A ring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in_. that said. first end portion (23) is fixed to said arm (11).

4. A ring according to claim' 3 , characterized in that said first end portion (23) is substantially- rectilinear and tangential to said arm (11) .

5. A ring according to claim 4, characterized in that said first end portion (23) engages a passage (26) which is fixed with respect to said arm (11) .

6. A ring according to claim 5, characterized in that the size of said first end portion (23) approximates by defect the size of said passage (26) to insert said first end portion (23) into said passage (26) during the assembly.

7. A ring according to claim 6, characterized in that said passage (26) is defined by a rear surface of said arm (11) and a semi-cylindrical portion (27) fixed to said rear surface.

8. A ring according to any one of the claims from 3 to 7, characterized in that said arm (11) has a U-shaped cross section and defines a rear compartment (16) accommodating said first end portion (23) .

9. A ring according to any one of the claims from 3 to 8, characterized in that said first end portion (23) is fixed by welding to a hinging bushing (12) of said arm (11) .

10. A ring according to any one of the claims from 3 to 9, characterized in that said second end portion (28) is arched with a concavity facing towards said, arm (11) .

11. A ring according to any one of the preceding claims,. characterized in that said elastic means comprise a plurality of said parallel and reciprocally spaced elongated elastic elements (22) .

12. A ring according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said structure (2) defines an internal channel (40) , which accommodates said elastic means (22a) and communicates with said seat (3a) through a window (21a) engaged by said arm (lla) .