Abstract:
An openable ring that is arranged to be worn about a portion of a body of a person and that requires a minimal amount of force to close. The ring includes first and second arcuate sections that are pivotally interconnected at one end of the ring for permitting pivotal movement of the arcuate sections between opened and closed positions. At the end opposite the pivotal interconnection, each arcuate section includes a pair of locking extensions. The locking extensions each include male and female connecting sections and cooperate with each other to releasably retain the arcuate sections in a closed position to define a closed ring having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines an interior passage for receiving a portion of the person&#39;s body, e.g., a finger.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to ring-like objects designed to be worn as jewelry, and more particularly to rings which are enabled to be releasably opened for fitting about a portion of the wearer&#39;s body, e.g., finger, which are resistant to accidental opening, and which are easily opened when desired. 
     Conventional finger rings or other jewelry arranged to be worn about a portion of the body must have a sufficient diameter to slide over the knuckle or other bony protuberance adjacent the point at which the ring is to be worn. Normally, such action does not present any problem since the difference in diameter between the bony protuberance, e.g., knuckle, and the portion on which the ring is worn is sufficiently small so that a properly fitting ring is comfortable to wear, to put on and to remove. However, there are numerous individuals who, for a variety of reasons, such as bone fractures, arthritis, etc., have enlarged knuckles or other protuberances, which prevent their wearing of conventional jewelry. 
     The prior art includes adjustable, expandable and openable jewelry rings. For example, some of the prior art discloses rings which are adjustable in size through a specific range. Such rings are limited to a fixed expansion and are adapted to permanently remain in one particular size. They are also generally constructed so that they can expand only to a limited degree, thus limiting the size of a knuckle or other protuberance over which they may be fit. 
     The prior art also discloses openable rings having exposed latching members that easily can be opened by a person&#39;s finger, to thereby permit repeated opening of the ring. Because these rings have exposed latching members that are designed to be opened by the modest downward force imparted by a person&#39;s finger, they inherently lack the desired durability and safety against self-opening. 
     There are a variety of other openable ring constructions which have been disclosed in the prior art. A number of the ring constructions employ, as part of the locking or latching system, a separate spring member. The use of a separate spring can increase the fabrication and material costs of the ring, since the spring element is made separate from the ring, and then needs to be affixed to the remainder of the ring structure. In addition, resilient spring members often tend to lose their resiliency, and in prior art constructions employing such spring members, a loss of resiliency may adversely affect the locking capabilities of the construction. 
     In a variety of prior art structures the latching mechanisms are quite bulky and unsightly, and therefore are not readily adaptable for use on high quality jewelry made of precious metals, such as gold and platinum. Still other latching assemblies constitute a point of weakness which is readily susceptible to being deformed under bending stresses of the type which normally are encountered by the wearer of the ring. Still other prior art structures are somewhat difficult to use, requiring substantial manual dexterity in order to properly close the ring, and, when desired, to open the ring. 
     Examples of prior art adjustable or openable ring-like jewelry are found in Netherlands Patent No. 87,327 (Goldbach); French Patent No. 75 07499 (Algier); and the following U.S. Pat. No. 145,788 (Cottle); U.S. Pat. No. 804,137 (Kent); U.S. Pat. No. 1,003,696 (Briggs); U.S. Pat No. 1,296,435 (Schmidt); U.S. Pat. No. 2,045,282 (Metcalf); U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,426 (Armstrong); U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,514 (Newman); U.S. Pat. No. 3,465,543 (Baker); U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,770 (Kelrick) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,883 (Bruner). 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,858, (Bruner), which is hereinafter referred to as the &#39;858 patent and of which I am the sole inventor, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, there is disclosed and claimed an openable ring which overcomes many of the drawbacks of the prior art openable rings. In particular, the openable ring of the &#39;858 patent includes first and second arcuate sections pivotally interconnected at one end for permitting pivotal movement of the arcuate sections between opened and closed positions. Latching members are included on each arcuate section. The latching members on one arcuate section include an elongate tongue and a pair of locking extensions located on opposite sides of the tongue, each locking extension including male and female connecting sections. The latch members on the other arcuate section include a pair of locking extensions located on opposite sides of a central bridge section, and these locking extensions include male and female connecting sections for engaging with the male and female connecting sections of the one arcuate section. The other arcuate section includes a safety latch which automatically is pivoted into an overlapping position with a raised projection on the tongue when the ring is moved into a closed position, with a section of the tongue underlying both the bridge section and the safety latch, and with the locking extensions on the one arcuate section engaging the corresponding locking extensions on the other arcuate sections. 
     One advantage the &#39;858 openable ring has over the prior art is that it is not susceptible to inadvertent opening. Another advantage the openable ring of the &#39;858 patent has over the prior art is that it does not rely upon external spring elements to provide a locking function. A third advantage the openable ring of the &#39;858 patent has over the prior art is that it relies upon the inherent spring tension of the material of the ring to assist in maintaining the ring in a closed, or latched condition. Further, the openable ring of the &#39;858 patent is constructed to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, without any unsightly bulging and/or projecting elements. 
     While the openable ring of the &#39;858 patent overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art, it nevertheless still leaves something to be desired from at least one standpoint. For example, under the openable ring construction of the &#39;858 patent, where the width and thickness of the ring is relatively small, e.g., approximately 2.0 millimeters in thickness and 2.5 millimeters wide, only a small amount of force is required to move the ring to the closed position. However, where the thickness of the ring is somewhat greater and the width up to 10 millimeters, a great deal more force is required to engage the locking extensions on the one arcuate section with the locking extensions on the other arcuate section. Thus, openable rings constructed in accordance with the &#39;858 patent and having somewhat greater thicknesses may be considerably more difficult to close. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide an openable ring construction which is reliable in operation and easy to use. 
     It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an openable ring construction which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an openable ring construction that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an openable ring construction that is simple in construction. 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide an openable ring construction that can be provided in greater thicknesses while having the ability to be closed without excessive force. 
     It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an openable ring construction having a safety latch construction which is not susceptible to inadvertent opening. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an openable ring construction including a safety latch mechanism designed to release under a pulling force or pressure, to prevent serious injury to the wearer&#39;s finger. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an openable ring construction which is resistant to deformation by bending stresses. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an openable ring structure which does not rely upon external spring elements to provide a locking function. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a ring construction which relies upon the inherent spring tension of the material of the ring to assist in maintaining the ring in a closed, or latched condition. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an openable ring structure which has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, without any unsightly bulging and/or projecting elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing an openable ring that is arranged to be worn about a portion of a body of a person and that requires a minimal amount of force to close. The ring includes first and second arcuate sections that are pivotally interconnected at one end of the ring for permitting pivotal movement of the arcuate sections between opened and closed positions. At the end opposite the pivotal interconnection, each arcuate section includes a pair of locking extensions. The locking extensions cooperate with each other to releasably retain the arcuate sections in a closed position to define a closed ring having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines an interior passage for receiving a portion of the person&#39;s body, e.g., a finger. Each locking extension on the first arcuate section is transversely aligned with a respective locking extension on the second arcuate section. Each locking extension on the first arcuate section also includes male and female connecting sections. Each male connecting section on the first arcuate section includes a flat ramp section facing towards the outer surface of the ring. Each locking extension on the second arcuate section also includes male and female connecting sections. In response to movement of the arcuate sections towards the closed position, the male connecting section of the second arcuate section rides up the inclined ramp section and over the male connecting section of the first arcuate section thus causing the male connecting sections of each of the locking extensions to flex in a gradual manner into interlocking engagement with the female connecting sections thus requiring a minimal amount of force to close where the ring is greater in thickness. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and many attendant features of this invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the ring of this invention in its closed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line  2 — 2  showing the arrangement of the openable ring having unique cooperating tongue and groove members of the invention in the closed position; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the arrangement of the openable ring having unique cooperating tongue and groove members after the latch mechanism has been depressed to open the arcuate sections; and, 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, exploded isometric view showing details of the latch mechanism having unique cooperating tongue and groove members of this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, an openable ring with a latch mechanism is generally shown at  10  in FIG.  1 . The device  10  basically comprises a pair of arcuate sections  12  and  14  pivotally interconnected through a hinge connection  16  adjacent one of their contiguous ends, and including a latch mechanism  60  adjacent their opposite contiguous ends. 
     Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge connection  16  includes a hinge pin  18  extending through aligned openings in yolk  20  of section  12  and tang  22  of section  14 . At this point it should be noted that the ring sections  12  and  14  are preferably made of a precious metal, i.e., gold, and are formed from wax impressions of the ring sections in a conventional investment casting operation. Yoke  20  also includes leg sections  40 . The details of the construction and operation of the hinge connection are set forth in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,858, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     It should be noted that, in the preferred use of the ring  10 , the arcuate section  14  constitutes the upper section of the ring, and the arcuate section  12  constitutes the bottom section of the ring. Thus, the hinge connection  16  and the latch mechanism  60  are located in a plane which generally passes through the wearer&#39;s fingers (e.g., in a plane substantially perpendicular to the front and back surfaces of the wearer&#39;s hand). 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention the pivot pin  18  is riveted to the arcuate sections  12  and  14 , by employing riveting rolls of the type manufactured by the Grant Manufacturing and Machine Company of Bridgeport, Conn. The use of these riveting rolls provides a non-obtrusive appearing, rigid connection which is particularly important in the formation of high quality rings made from gold and/or other precious metals. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2,  3  and  4 , the latch mechanism  60  includes a safety latch  62  which is automatically moved into a locked position as the ring is moved into a closed position. The safety latch  62  also functions as a release mechanism for assisting in the opening of the ring, when it is desired to remove the ring from a person&#39;s finger. 
     As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, the latch mechanism  60  employs a joint arrangement to maximize resistance against bending stresses, without the use of separate spring members. The latch mechanism  60  of this invention relies for its operation on the inherent spring tension within each of the arcuate sections  12  and  14 ; not upon the use of separate spring members which may fail in operation and which can add additional fabrication and material costs to the ring. 
     As can be seen best in FIG. 4, the latch mechanism  60  includes an elongate tongue  64  located centrally between sidewalls  66  of the arcuate ring section  14 . The tongue  64  extends distally beyond end walls  68  of shorter, tongue and groove locking extensions  70  that straddle the tongue  64 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 4 the tongue  64  has a raised shoulder  72  adjacent a proximal end thereof. The inner surface  74  of the tongue has substantially the same radius of curvature as inner surface  32  of the ring section  14 , to thereby provide a substantially continuous smooth extension of said inner surface  32 . Since the tongue  64  is not as thick as the main body of the ring section  14 , its outer surface  78  is spaced inwardly of the outer surface  28  of the main body of said ring section. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a transition surface  80 , constituting the proximal end of the outer surface  78  of the tongue, actually meets with the outer surface  28  of the main body portion of the ring section  14 . A proximally facing surface  82  (FIG. 4) of the shoulder  72  cooperates with the transition surface  80  to provide a recessed region  84  into which an inwardly directed nib  86  at the distal end of the safety latch  62  seats, when the ring is in a closed and locked condition (FIG.  2 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the distal end of the ring section  12 , includes a generally U-shaped recess  90  located centrally between outer side surfaces  92 , to thereby provide transversely spaced-apart, tongue and groove locking extensions  94 . These locking extensions are aligned to cooperate with the locking extensions  70  provided on a contiguous end of the arcuate ring section  14  in a manner to be described below in accordance with the present invention. 
     Still referring to FIG. 4, each of the locking extensions  94  of arcuate section  12  includes an outwardly facing groove  96 , which cooperates and lockingly engages with an inwardly facing tongue  98  of a cooperating locking extensions  70  forming part of the arcuate section  14 . In addition, an inwardly facing groove  100  located on each of the locking extensions  70 , at a location rearward or proximally of the inwardly facing tongue  98 , lockingly engages with an outwardly facing tongue  102  of a cooperating locking extension  94 , when the ring is in a closed position. 
     As stated above, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,858, where the thickness of the ring is relatively small, e.g., approximately 2.0 millimeters in thickness and 2.5 millimeters wide, only a small amount of force is required to flex the arcuate sections slightly to permit the tongues of the opposed locking extensions to ride over each other and snap into their respective grooves to move the ring to the closed position. Where thickness is relatively small, the fact that the tongues of the opposed locking extensions are “bulbous” in shape will not serve as an impediment to moving the ring to the closed position. Likewise, the grooves, arranged for receiving the tongues once they have rode over each other, may also be rounded in shape. The bulbous shape of the tongues of the &#39;858 patent are best illustrated at  98  and  102  of FIG. 4 of the &#39;858 patent. The rounded shape of the respective grooves of the &#39;858 patent are also best illustrated at  96  and  100  of FIG. 4 of the &#39;858 patent. 
     Where the thickness of the ring is somewhat greater, e.g., between approximately 6 and 8 millimeters, a great deal more force is required to engage the locking extensions on one arcuate section with the locking extensions on the other arcuate section. Openable rings constructed in accordance with the &#39;858 patent and having somewhat greater thicknesses may be considerably more difficult to close. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, to ease the difficulty in closing such rings having greater thicknesses, rather than being rounded in shape, each outward facing tongue  102  is elongated in shape to include a top rounded edge  102   a  and a distal rounded edge  102   b  and a slightly inclined ramp section  107  located therebetween. Top rounded edge  102   a  can be of any suitable radius of curvature, e.g., 0.020 inches. Likewise, distal rounded edge  102   b  can be of any suitable radius of curvature, e.g., 0.012 inches. As best shown in the figures, the ramp section  107  is substantially flat over its length and inclines gradually. Likewise, rather than being rounded in shape, each inwardly facing groove  100  is complementary in shape to each tongue  102  and includes a substantially flat and slightly sloping section  113 . The cooperative, locking engagement between the grooves  96  and tongues  102  of locking extensions  94 , with complimentary shaped tongues  98  and grooves  100  of the locking extensions  70 , takes place by a “snap action.” Due to the inclusion of the slightly inclined ramp section  107  on the tongues  102 , less force is required for engaging these locking extensions. Specifically, when compressive force is applied to the arcuate sections  12  and.  14 , the bulbous tongues  98  are caused to gradually ride up the long linear distance of the inclined ramp section  107  of the elongated tongues  102 . Due to the gradual inclining nature of the ramp section  107 , less force is required for the bulbous tongues  98  to ride over the elongated tongues  102  to obtain this snap action. Under the &#39;858 patent, because the tongues  98  and  102  are both “bulbous” in shape, they ride over each other in a shorter distance that is more abrupt, thus requiring more force to achieve engagement of the locking extensions  70  and  94 . 
     The difficulty in closing such rings having greater thicknesses is substantially reduced because of the gradual inclining ramp section  107  of the tongues  102 . It should be noted that with the ring in a closed condition the confronting surfaces of grooves  96  and tongues  98 , and the confronting surfaces of grooves  100  and tongues  102  are in engagement with each other to provide smooth, aesthetically pleasing outer side surfaces of the ring  10  (see FIGS.  1  and  2 ). In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 may of any suitable inner diameter, e.g., between approximately 0.586 inches and approximately 0.938 inches; may be of any suitable thickness, e.g., between approximately 2.0 millimeters and 4.0 millimeters, and, may be of any, suitable width, e.g., between 4 and 10 millimeters. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, a transversely extending bridge section  104  constitutes a part of the latch mechanism  60  and is unitarily formed between the locking extensions  94  of the arcuate section  12 . This bridge section adds rigidity to the system, by actually-providing a brace between the locking extensions. In addition, as can be seen best in FIG. 2, an upper surface  105  of the bridge section provides a support for the safety latch  62  when the safety latch is in a ring-locking position. 
     As can be seen best in FIG. 2, the bridge section  104  also includes a lower surface  106 . This lower surface, in conjunction with inner side surfaces of the recess  90  define a channel for receiving the elongate tongue  64  therein (see FIG.  4 ). In addition, it should be noted that the lower surface  106  of the bridge section is spaced from the upper surface  78  of the elongate tongue  64  when the ring is in a closed position. The location of the bridge section  104  and tongue  64  to provide this spacing is required, to thereby permit relative radial movement to take place between the arcuate sections  12  and  14 , for permitting the grooves  96  and tongues  102  of locking extensions  94  to “snap” into locking engagement with complementary shaped tongues  98  and grooves  100 , respectively, of the locking extensions  70 . Since the space between the lower surface  106  of the bridge section and the upper surface  78  of the tongue  64  is located in the interior of the ring, it is not visible, and therefore does not detract from the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the ring construction. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, a pivot pin  110  of the safety latch  62  is located intermediate the inwardly directed nib  86  at the distal end of the latch, and an inwardly directed shoulder  112  of a nib located at the proximal end of the latch. The pivot pin  110  extends through an opening (not shown) provided through one of the tongue and groove extensions  94 , and into an aligned, blind opening  114   a  extending only partially through the other of said extensions, from the inner side surface  108  thereof (FIG.  4 ). Thus, an end surface of the pivot pin  110  is only visible from one side of the ring, and the base of the blind opening  114   a  provides a surface for properly locating the pin relative to the other components of the ring. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the safety latch  62  includes an inwardly projection section  116  adjacent the proximal end  112  thereof. This inwardly projecting section includes a generally distally facing surface  117  that cooperates with distal end  119  of the tongue  64 , to automatically pivot the safety latch  62  in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, into the closed and locked position shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Specifically, as the ring  10  is moved from its opened position, as is seen best in FIGS. 3 and 4, into the closed position shown in FIG. 2, the distal end  119  of the tongue  64  engages the surface  117  of inwardly projecting section  116 , causing the safety latch to rotate in a clockwise direction. Continuous movement of the ring sections into a closed position imposes a slight inwardly radial force on the tongue  64 , causing the inherent spring tension within the tongue to impose an opposite, outward radial force on the inwardly projecting section  116  of the safety latch  62 . In view of the fact that the inwardly projecting section  116  is located to the left of the pivot pin  110 , as is viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, this outward, radial force maintains the safety latch  62  in its locked condition. As shown in FIG. 4, in this locked condition distal surface  118  of the safety latch  62  is biased into a position closely adjacent the transition surface  80  located proximal of the shoulder  72  of the tongue  64 . This provides a generally aesthetically pleasing outer surface appearance, and generally eliminates exposed edge surfaces to irritate the finger adjacent the ring finger. 
     In the closed position of the latch  62 , distally-facing surface  120  of the bridge section  104  is contiguous to a distally-facing surface segment  121  of the raised shoulders  72 . In fact, in the preferred construction, the spacing between these latter surfaces  120 ,  121  is on the order of 0.002 inches. 
     It should be noted that the force biasing the safety latch into a closed position, resulting from the engagement of tongue  64  with the projecting section  116 , is continuously maintained during a portion of the counterclockwise rotational movement of the safety latch in the direction of arrow  134  (FIG.  3 ). This arrangement precludes inadvertent opening of the safety latch  62 , in that any slight, inadvertent, counterclockwise movement of the safety latch, in the direction of arrow  134 , will not automatically open the safety latch. In fact, once the pressure or force is released, the normal spring tension imposed upon the projecting section  116 , by the tongue  64  will automatically snap the safety latch back into its locking position. In other words, the cam arrangement provided by the interaction of the tongue  64  with the projection  116  will trigger an opening action at a depth of counterclockwise rotation, which only can be reached by the use of a separate implement, such as a pen or pencil, as will be described hereinafter. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the safety latch  62  is in a closed condition a proximal-facing surface  124  of raised shoulder  72  of the tongue  64  is in radial overlapping relationship with a proximal-facing surface  126  of the inwardly directed nib  86  of the safety latch  62 . The inherent spring tension of tongue  64  biases the safety latch  62  into a position wherein the radially overlapping surfaces  124 ,  126  are circumferentially spaced from each other. However, in the event that some of the “springiness” of the tongue  64  becomes degraded, thereby permitting some separation of the arcuate sections  12  and  14 , the overlapping surfaces  124 ,  126  will engage each other, to thereby preclude the inadvertent, complete opening of the ring sections. 
     Although the safety latch  62  provides an extremely reliable locking function, the safety latch is capable of automatically moving into an opened position, in the event that any excessively high, abrupt, pulling force or pressure is imposed upon the ring, to thereby prevent serious injury to the wearer&#39;s finger. In fact, the sudden surge of a pulling force or pressure will trigger an opening of the ring, like a safety fuse that explodes under a surge of excess energy. 
     Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the proximal end  112  of the safety latch  62  includes a small diameter recess  130  provided in outer surface  132  thereof. This small diameter recess is adapted to receive a small instrument (e.g., the point of a pen or pencil) therein, to provide a counterclockwise latch opening force on the safety latch  62 , in the direction of arrow  134 , as viewed in FIG.  3 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, it should be noted that the outer surface  132  of the safety latch  62  has a radius of curvature generally corresponding to the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces  44  and  28  of arcuate sections  12  and  14 , to thereby provide, in cooperation with the arcuate sections, a substantially continuous curved outer surface when the ring is closed. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, proximally facing surface  117  of the inwardly projecting section  116  engages the distal end  119  of tongue  64 , to thereby force the tongue in a direction to the right (as viewed in FIG. 3) for partially disengaging the tongue and groove interconnection between the locking extensions  70  on arcuate section  14 , on the one hand, and locking extensions  94  on the arcuate section  12 , on the other hand. This separated condition of locking extensions is illustrated in both FIG. 3, with the inwardly facing surfaces of tongues  98  engaging the outwardly facing surfaces of tongues  102 . Thereafter, the arcuate sections can be easily gripped by the wearer of the ring to complete the ring-opening operation.