Multiple tier ring with interchangeable settings

A finger ring is provided with ringlets mounted in a multiple tier arrangement. The ringlets are rotatably mounted about a removable axle. Each ringlet is coupled to the axle by a ball bearing assembly which is secured to the inside diameter of each ringlet. According to this rotary mounting arrangement, the center of gravity of each ringlet is offset with respect to its axis of rotation about the axle. Momentum imparted to each ringlet causes the ringlets to undergo separate and independent rotary movements, with the relative rates of rotation depending upon relative mass differences of the respective ringlets.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to articles of personal adornment, and in 
particular to a finger ring having a movable setting. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the art of jewelry design, a finger band of precious metal such as gold 
or silver provides a setting onto which gemstones are mounted. Artistic 
techniques are employed to arrange precious metals and gems in an 
aesthetically pleasing design. The luster and color of the underlying 
precious metal is carefully selected to complement the ornamental features 
of the gemstones. The band of precious metal may be engraved or otherwise 
finished to provide an attractive background for the gemstones. In such 
arrangements, the gemstones are carefully arranged to direct refracted 
light toward an observer in response to movements of the hand. This 
produces a colorful effect which enhances the ornamental value of the 
ring. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
It is known in the art of jewelry design to provide a finger ring having a 
movable setting onto which gemstones may be mounted and displayed. The 
object of such an arrangement is to achieve an artistic, ornamental 
movement of the gemstones in response to ordinary hand movements. In such 
arrangements, the mechanically movable setting is typically mounted for 
free movement or oscillation with respect to the finger ring. Upon the 
slightest hand movement, the mobile setting is set in motion and continues 
to move or oscillate for a short while after hand movement has ceased. The 
artistic imagery of such an arrangement gives the appearance of animation 
and provides an attractive display of colors under appropriate lighting 
conditions. 
In conventional finger rings having fixed gem settings as well as mobile 
gem settings, no means have been provided for arranging different settings 
in a single ring according to the user's preference. Such preferences have 
been satisfied by maintaining a variety of rings, with each separate ring 
being styled to be complementary with wardrobe color variations and 
formality requirements of specific social engagements, for example 
cocktail parties, banquets, theater and the like. Accordingly, there is a 
continuing interest in improving the ornamental features and versatility 
of finger rings. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved finger 
ring having a mechanically movable jewelry setting which, in response to 
ordinary hand movements, creates a dynamic, aesthetically pleasing 
display. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a finger ring having 
a movable jewelry setting which can be easily interchanged with a jewelry 
setting of a different design to accommodate personal preference, wardrobe 
variations and the like. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a finger ring 
having a movable jewelry setting in which two or more articles of 
adornment can be mounted in an aesthetically pleasing, multiple tier 
arrangement. 
A related object of the present invention is to provide a finger ring 
having a movable jewelry setting on which two or more jewelry settings are 
separately movable about a common axis for creating a dynamic display of 
gemstone colors. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The foregoing objects are achieved according to the present invention in a 
finger ring having one or more jewelry settings rotatably mounted about a 
removable axle. The individual jewelry settings are independently movable 
in rotation about the axle in response to ordinary hand movements. 
According to the preferred embodiment, a boss is formed on the finger band 
of a ring and a threaded pocket is formed within the boss. A threaded axle 
secured within the pocket of the boss supports one or more ringlets for 
free rotation. The ringlets are coupled to the axle by ball bearing 
assemblies which are secured to the inside diameter of the ringlets. 
According to this mounting arrangement, the center of gravity of each 
ringlet is offset with respect to its axis of rotation about the axle. As 
a result of the offset relationship, momentum imparted to each ringlet 
causes the ringlets to undergo separate and independent rotary movements, 
with the relative rates of rotation depending upon relative mass 
differences of the respective ringlets. The differential rates of rotation 
of multiple jewelry settings create a scintillating display of iridescent 
gemstone colors. 
The threaded axle is provided with an ornamental end cap which can be 
manually twisted to remove the axle for substituting various jewelry 
settings according to user preference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In the description which follows, like parts are indicated by the same 
reference numerals throughout the specification and drawings, 
respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and the 
proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to clarify certain 
features of the invention. 
Referring now to FIG. 1, a finger ring 10 includes a band B of precious 
metal such as gold or silver on which separate jewelry settings are 
mounted for independent movement and rotation in response to ordinary hand 
movements. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the separate 
jewelry settings are ringlets 12, 14 and 16 which are mounted onto an axle 
18 for rotation about an axis A. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, a boss 20 is formed onto the external surface of 
the curved finger band B and projects externally thereof, thereby 
providing clearance for rotation of ringlet 12. The boss 20 is provided 
with a threaded pocket 22 which extends substantially in alignment with 
the radius R of curvature of the finger band B. The axle 18 is provided 
with male threads 24, and the boss body portion within the pocket 22 is 
provided with matching female threads. According to this arrangement, the 
axle 18 is releasably secured within the pocket of the boss by threaded 
engagement of the matching male and female threads. The boss 20 is further 
provided with a bearing surface in the form of an annular face 26 which 
borders the threaded pocket 22. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, the axle 18 projects externally of the boss 20, 
and establishes a rotational axis A which is substantially aligned with 
the radius R of curvature of the band B. An ornamental end cap 28 is 
secured to the distal end of the axle 18. The end cap 28 can be manually 
twisted to remove the axle 18 from the pocket 22 for substituting various 
jewelry settings according to user preference. 
The ringlets 12, 14 and 16 are mounted about the axle 18 for free rotation. 
Each ringlet is mounted for rotation onto the axle 18 by a rotary coupling 
member 30. Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the rotary coupling member 
includes a housing 32 in which a roller ball bearing assembly 34 is 
mounted. The roller bearing assembly 34 includes an outer sleeve 36 
received within the housing, an inner sleeve 38 coaxially mounted onto the 
axle 18 and concentrically disposed within the outer sleeve 36, and a 
circular array of roller bearings 40 movably coupling the outer sleeve 36 
for rotation relative to the inner sleeve 38. The inner sleeve 38 is 
provided with a bore 42 which is dimensioned for a sliding, frictional fit 
about the axle 18. The outer sleeve 36 is confined within the housing 32 
by housing tabs 32T. 
According to an important feature of the invention, the bearing assembly 
housing 32 is attached directly onto the inside diameter surface 44 of 
each ringlet. According to this arrangement, the center of gravity CG 
(FIG. 7) of each ringlet is offset with respect to the rotational axis A. 
Because of this offset, unbalance mounting arrangement, momentum imparted 
to the ringlet causes it to rotate about the axle 18. 
In a multiple tier arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 1 in which two or 
more ringlets having unequal masses are mounted for rotation about the 
axle 18, momentum imparted to each ringlet, for example in response to 
hand movements, causes the ringlets to undergo separate and independent 
rotary movements, with the relative rates of rotation being proportional 
to relative mass differences of the respective ringlets. In the preferred 
embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, the ringlets have unequal diameters, 
and proportionally unequal masses. 
Referring again to FIG. 8, the upper surface 46 of the ringlet 12 serves as 
a jewelry setting on which precious gems can be mounted. The differential 
rates of rotation associated with a multiple tier ringlet arrangement as 
shown in FIG. 1 creates a scintillating display of iridescent colors as 
light is refracted by gemstones mounted onto the jewelry setting surface 
46 of each ringlet. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, the ringlets 12, 14 and 16 are mounted in a 
vertically stacked, multiple tier arrangement with adjacent ringlets being 
separated by a spacer ring 48. The ringlets are sufficiently separated by 
the spacer rings 48 along the axle 18 to permit free rotation of each 
ringlet. The amount of axial travel of each ringlet along the axle is 
limited by engagement of the roller bearing assembly 34 against the 
bearing surface 26 at one end of the axle 18, and by the end cap 28 at the 
other end of the axle. 
The ringlets 12, 14 and 16, along with the spacer rings 48, are confined 
onto the axle 18, but can be removed for a substitution of ringlets having 
a different design or a gemstone arrangement, as desired. Removal and 
replacement of ringlets can be carried out by grasping the ornamental end 
cap 28 and twisting it to remove the axle 18 from the pocket 22, and 
thereafter remove the mounted ringlets for substitution as desired. 
Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific 
embodiment, and with reference to a particular multiple tier ringlet 
arrangement, the foregoing description is not intended to be construed in 
a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment as 
well as alternative applications of the invention will be suggested to 
persons skilled in the art by the foregoing specification and 
illustrations. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will 
cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the true 
scope of the invention.