Abstract:
A ring re-sizing attachment is appended to the internal circumference of a ring band so that a ring band large enough to pass over a knuckle remains comfortably fit around the digital finger below the knuckle. The attachment includes two or more telescoping buttons joined to a base, with a conical spring urging the buttons away from the base. The spring is compressed and the buttons urged together to increase the space within the band to move the band beyond a knuckle. Once the band is beyond the knuckle, the spring urges the buttons away from the base to tighten the fit of the ring band around the finger.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to jewelry, and particularly ring re-sizing attachments that may be appended to the bands of rings to enable persons with smaller finger diameters to wear rings of larger ring size without removing material from the ring band. 
     Jewelry wearers may develop large knuckles due to aging, arthritis or weight gain. Or, jewelry wearers may change ring size due to weight loss. Or, rings that were fit to another family member may be too large for the current wearer. All of these situations may cause a ring owner to consult with a jeweler to change the size of a ring. 
     When a ring is made or adjusted to fit over an enlarged knuckle, it may then be too large for the digital portion of the ring finger and will tend to turn on the finger. This makes the ring uncomfortable, and can harm the setting. 
     When a ring is re-sized by removing metal material to reduce, or adding metal material to enlarge, the ring band circumference, there are limits to the amount that ring bands may be stretched or cut down without weakening the ring structure and integrity or introducing imperfections. It also is expensive to pay a jeweler to enlarge or reduce the size of a ring band. 
     Mechanisms to re-size a ring band are shown in the prior art. Some ring re-sizing mechanisms seat a spring wire into a groove formed in the ring band, or append a spring wire to the inside of the band. U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,010 (Ulbrich) creates an internal groove in the ring band and inserts a profile wire ring inside. U.S. Pat. No. 3,460,356 (Lodrini) similarly modifies the ring band to have a groove to receive an auxiliary band. See also U.S. Published patent application US2010/0083701 A1 (Huynh) showing a spring of an arc of 210-270 degrees secured to the inside circumferential surface of the bottom of a ring band. 
     Some ring re-sizing mechanisms comprise a specialized ring band that includes a combination of springs. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,764 (Roemer) 
     Some ring re-sizing mechanisms drill holes into the ring band to seat leaf springs or other spring elements. U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,447 (Lodrini) shows a leaf spring received in slots in the ring band, where the leaf spring urges a saddle-shaped insert away from the inner circumference of the ring band. German Utility Model DE20218002 (U10 shows a pressure pad with a spring 30 that is positioned on a ring band. U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,164 (Sills) appends an air bladder to the inner ring band, and adjusts the ring size by expanding or contracting the size of the air bladder by introducing air through a valve. 
     While various types of ring re-sizing mechanisms are known in the prior art, the primary mechanism used commercially today by jewelers is to weld beads of metal into the ring band of a size that is large enough to pass a wearer&#39;s knuckle. The metal beads create pressure points against a wearer&#39;s finger to hold the ring in place on the finger beyond the knuckle. However, those pressure points are not comfortable, and the welding of metal weakens or mars the metal of the ring band. 
     There is still a need for improving the way ring sizes are modified without harming the appearance or integrity of the ring band, and providing greater user comfort. Lower cost options are also sought. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages, as described herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to one preferred embodiment, a ring re-sizing attachment has a base having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface. The bottom surface is adapted for appending to an inner circumferential surface of a ring band. Attached to the base are two or more buttons, with the buttons of a size and shape that nest together in telescoping relation. 
     A conical spring is held within a volume defined by the telescoping buttons. A bottom coil of the conical spring is in contact with the top surface of the base and held at least in part in the inner volume. The top coil of the conical spring is in contact with the first button at the top of the ring re-sizing attachment. The spring is adapted to urge the at least the first button and second button away from the top surface of the base. 
     Preferably, the ring re-sizing attachment has three or more buttons, with the third button defining an opening to receive the second button and the first button in telescoping relation, and so forth. The bottommost button is then adhered or joined to the top surface of the base. The bottommost button may have a sidewall that terminates in a foot or footer, and that foot or footer may be joined to or integral with the top surface of the base. 
     The bottom size of the base may be joined to the inner circumferential surface of the ring band with an adhesive. Preferably, two or more ring re-sizing attachments are joined to the ring band at predetermined locations, which may be spaced away from the ring setting. 
     Preferably, the base and the top surfaces of the buttons are arcuate, and of a shape to complement or match the curve of the inner circumferential surface of the ring band. In another aspect, the invention comprises a jewelry ring with a band having an inner circumference to which a first ring re-sizing attachment, and preferably a second ring re-sizing attachment, are joined or appended. Where the ring band is circular, the first ring re-sizing attachment may be appended or joined to the inner circumference at a location approximately 95 degrees to 175 degrees from a predetermined reference point and the second ring re-sizing attachment is spaced apart from the first ring re-sizing attachment, and appended or joined to the inner circumference at a location approximately 185 to 265 degrees around the circle from the predetermined reference point. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a right front perspective view of a ring that has two ring re-sizing attachments according to one embodiment of the invention appended thereto; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the ring with ring re-sizing attachments of  FIG. 1 , with the diamond setting not shown; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the ring with ring re-sizing attachments of  FIG. 1 , with the diamond setting not shown, and with a representation of a user&#39;s finger in the ring depressing the ring re-sizing attachments; 
         FIG. 4  is a right front perspective view of one ring re-sizing attachment according one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom left perspective view of the ring re-sizing attachment of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the ring re-sizing attachment taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the ring re-sizing attachment comparable to  FIG. 6 , but showing in phantom line a representation of a partial finger compressing against the ring re-sizing attachment; 
         FIG. 8  a right front perspective view of a ring that has two ring re-sizing attachments according to a second embodiment of the invention appended thereto; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of the ring with ring re-sizing attachments of  FIG. 8 , with the diamond setting not shown; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of the ring with ring re-sizing attachments of  FIG. 8 , with the diamond setting not shown, and with a representation of a user&#39;s finger in the ring depressing the ring re-sizing attachments; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the ring of  FIG. 8  taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 8 , showing a side elevation view of one ring re-sizing attachment; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the ring of  FIG. 8  taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 8  showing a cross-sectional view also of one ring re-sizing attachment; and 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the ring re-sizing attachment comparable to  FIG. 12 , but showing in phantom line a representation of a partial finger compressing against the ring re-sizing attachment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same or like reference numbers may be used in the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and not drawn to a precise scale. 
     In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, above, below, front, rear, right, left, inner, and outer, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner not explicitly set forth herein. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
     Turning in detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a jewelry ring  10  having a band  12  and a setting  14  with a stone  16 , such as a diamond as shown. Two ring re-sizing attachments  20  according to a first embodiment of the invention are appended to the inner surface  18  of the ring  12 . When the ring  10  is not worn, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the ring re-sizing attachments  20  have a first height H 1 . When the ring  10  is worn over a finger  70  or is passed over a wider portion of a finger, such as a knuckle, the ring re-sizing attachment  20  is compressed and has a second height H 2  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIGS. 4-7  show the ring re-sizing attachment  20  in more detail. The ring re-sizing attachment  20  has a base  22  with a bottom surface  24  that is appended or adhered or joined to the inner surface  18  of a ring band  12 . The base  22  also has a top surface  24 . The base  20  defines an opening or inner volume  28  into which a conical spring  30  is held. 
     A set of buttons is joined to the base  20 . A first button  40  has a top surface  42  and a sidewall  44 . The first button  40  further defines a volume opening. The first button  40  has a first length and a first width. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the ring re-sizing attachment first button has a top surface  42  with an elongated oval shape. 
     The first button  40  seats within an opening  50  of a second button  46 , where the second button  46  is positioned immediately below the first button  40 . The second button  46  further has a sidewall  52 . The first button  40  can be pushed into to the opening  50  of the second button  46 . The first and second buttons  40 ,  46  are telescopically aligned. 
     The first button  40  and second button  46  together seat within an opening  56  of a third button  54 . The third button  54  has a sidewall  58  that terminates at a footer  60 . The footer  60  is joined to the top surface  26  of the base  22 . The first button  40  and second button  46  can be pushed into the opening  56  of the third button  54 . The first, second and third buttons  40 ,  46 ,  54  are telescopically aligned. 
     A conical coil spring  30  or “concoil spring” is held within the volume space inside the first, second and third buttons  40 ,  46 ,  54 . The conical spring  30  forms a helix with windings of varying diameter. The windings share a common center. Generally, a “conical spring” is a cone-shaped compression spring designed to provide a near constant spring rate and a solid height lower than a normal spring. Each conical spring features a variable pitch to achieve the constant spring rate, and coils that nest during deflection to provide a solid height of approximately equal to two wire diameters. When the spring  30  is compressed, the windings nest such that the outermost winding encircles or surrounds the next inner winding and so forth. In a preferred embodiment, the conical spring  30  can be fully compressed with its windings all seated in a common plane. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the conical spring  30  has windings of an elongated oval configuration. Windings of other configuration may be used. 
     Preferably, the base  22  has an arcuate bottom surface  24  to match the curvature of the inner circumferential surface  18  of the ring band  12 . Preferably, the top surfaces of the buttons  42 ,  48  are arcuate and also match the curvature of the inner circumferential surface  18  of the ring band  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , if the ring band  12  is considered with reference to a clock face, and the setting  14  is positioned at the 12 o&#39;clock location of the reference clock face, the first ring re-sizing attachment  20  is located at about 4 o&#39;clock or 4:30 o&#39;clock, and the second ring re-sizing attachment  20  is located at about 7 o&#39;clock or 7:30 o&#39;clock. Stated differently, the first ring re-sizing attachment is spaced in the range of about 95 degrees to 175 degrees from the setting  14 , which is a predetermined reference point, and the second ring re-sizing attachment is spaced apart from the first ring re-sizing attachment, and appended or joined to the inner circumference at a location approximately 185 to 265 degrees from the predetermined reference point. 
     The button and base may be formed of polymers, precious metals and metals. Suitable precious metals include gold, gold alloys, silver, silvery alloys, platinum, and platinum alloys. Suitable metals include stainless steel. Suitable polymers include moldable thermosetting plastics and polyurethanes. 
     A ring re-sizing attachment  20  of the first embodiment is shown in an uncompressed configuration in  FIG. 6 . The conical spring  30  urges the first button  40  and second button  46  away from the base  22 . To compare, the ring re-sizing attachment  20  is shown in a compressed configuration in  FIG. 7 . A finger  70  is pushing the first button  40  into the opening  50  of the second button  46  and the second button  46  into the opening  56  of the third button  54 . The height of the ring re-sizing attachment thus is reduced from a first height H 1  to a second height H 2 , where H 1 &gt;H 2 . See also  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 8-13 , a ring re-sizing attachment  80  of a second embodiment of the invention is shown. In  FIGS. 8-10 , two ring re-sizing attachments  80  are attached to an inner surface  18  of a ring band  12  of a ring  10 . 
     Each ring re-sizing attachment  80  has a base  82  that is appended to the inner surface  18  of the ring band  12 . The base  82  defines a groove or slots  88 . 
     Each ring re-sizing attachment  80  further has a first button  90  that has a top surface  92  and a sidewall  94  that define an inner volume  93  of the first button. A second button  96  has a sidewall  102  and defines an opening  100  in its top surface  98  of a shape and size adapted to receive the first button  90  therein. A third button  104  has a sidewall  108  and defines an opening  106  in its top surface  110  of a shape and size adapted to receive the second button  96  and the first button  90  therein in telescoping fashion. A fourth button  112  has a sidewall  116  and defines an opening  114  in its top surface of a shape and size adapted to receive the third button  104 , the second button  96  and the first button  90  in telescoping fashion. The top surface  92  of the first button is shown with a square shape with rounded corners, but the invention is not limited to such shape, and other shapes that permit telescoping nested relation are contemplated. 
     The sidewall  116  of the fourth button  112  terminates in a bent angle or foot  118  that seats within the groove or slots  88  formed in the base  82  to secure the fourth button  112  to the base  82 . 
     A conical spring  120  is held within the volume space of the buttons  90 ,  96 ,  104  and  112  between the base  82  and first button  90 . The conical spring  120  is shown as a helix with windings of circular shape, with decreasing radii along the center axis of the spring. The windings compress and collapse together in concentric relation as the first button  90  is pushed toward the base  82 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8-13 , the top surface  92  of the first button  90  has a generally flat surface, as compared to the arcuate or curved surface shown for the first button  40  of the first embodiment. And, the base  82  has a generally flat bottom surface  84  as compared to the arcuate or curved bottom surface  24  of the first embodiment. 
     Comparing  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the ring re-sizing attachments  80  are shown in an uncompressed state having a height of H 1   a  in  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 10 , the ring re-sizing attachments  80  are showing in compressed state due to finger  70  in the ring band  12 . In compressed state, the ring re-sizing attachments  80  have a height H 2   a , where H 1   a &gt;H 2   a.    
     The ring re-sizing attachments  20 ,  80  have advantages over the prior art methods for adjusting ring size. The ring band  12  need not be drilled or modified to receive the ring re-sizing attachments  20 ,  80 . Nor is the ring band  12  marred or weakened by welding or other machining. Nor is any structure contacting the outer circumference of the ring band  12 , so the ornamental appearance of the exterior of the ring  10  is not altered. In the preferred embodiments, the ring re-sizing attachments are joined to the inner circumference of the ring band with adhesive. One exemplary suitable adhesive is E6000 medium viscosity industrial perchloroethylene adhesive. 
     As such, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.