Abstract:
An article of jewelry comprising an assembly of rotatable elements, the assembly may be loaded by a resilient member, and stowed and deployed via a depressible plunger having a detent. Rotatable elements comprise eyelets and rotatable elements of the assembly deploy via longitudinal travel from the base, beyond a portion of a base retaining rim, and rotate about a retaining ring threading an eyelet of each of the rotatable elements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2011/063609 filed Dec. 6, 2011, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/420,294, filed Dec. 6, 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to jewelry ring assemblies and particularly to a resiliently loaded annular element holder having an array of articulated elements. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments comprise a ring assembly that comprises: (a) a plunger comprising a base portion and a cap portion, where the cap portion is configured to engage longitudinally the base portion via at least one of: a detent and a cap portion protrusion configured to laterally engage a base portion slot; (b) a rotational element array assembly slideably disposed concentrically about the plunger base portion; and (c) a resilient element interposed between the rotational element array and a base; and where the rotational element array assembly comprises a plurality of rotational structural elements wherein at least one of the plurality rotational elements that may comprise: (i) a first aperture, and a second aperture, wherein the second aperture is disposed along a first lever arm portion of the at least one rotational structural element distal from the first aperture; (ii) a first ring threading the first aperture; and a second ring threading the second aperture; where the first ring is interposed between a first lever arm guide and a second lever arm guide; and where the second ring is interposed between a third lever arm guide and a fourth lever arm guide. In some embodiments the first aperture is a first eyelet and the second aperture is a second eyelet. In some embodiments, the at least one of the plurality of rotational structural elements comprises a portion extending from a portion of the rotational structural element proximal to the first aperture in a direction away from the base. The ring assembly base portion of the plunger may comprise a detent where the detent is configured to change positional state via longitudinal depression of the cap portion of the plunger. The base of the the ring assembly may further comprise a restraining rim configured to retain the rotational element array assembly in a retracted position for a depressed plunger cap portion, and wherein the restraining rim is further configured to rotationally and elevationally guide the rotational element array assembly relative to the base responsive to a deployed plunger cap portion and wherein the longitudinal travel of the rotational element array assembly relative to the base is motivated by a load of the resilient element. In some embodiments of the ring assembly: (a) the first lever arm guide may comprise a groove portion configured to retain laterally the first lever arm and an abutment portion configured to retain a portion of the first ring; (b) the second lever arm guide may be configured to engage the first lever arm guide via an interstitial space and retain the first ring via an interdigitated housing portion formed via the first lever arm guide engaging the second lever arm guide; (c) the third lever arm guide may comprise a groove portion configured to retain the first lever arm and an abutment portion configured to retain a portion of the second ring; and (d) the fourth lever arm guide may be configured to engage the third lever arm guide via an interstitial space and retain the second ring via an interdigitated housing portion formed via the third lever arm guide engaging the fourth lever arm guide. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment in an open state; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an assembly of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an assembly of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an assembly of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  depicts an assembly of hinged elements on an annular element of an article of jewelry embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  depicts an assembly of hinged elements on an annular element engaged on a top part of a mode of assembly of an article of jewelry embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment in an open state; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment in a closed state; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment in a closed state moving to an open state; 
         FIGS. 13-16  depict in cross-sections, an exemplary detent plunger; 
         FIG. 17  depicts an exemplary exploded view of a base portion of an exemplary plunger; 
         FIG. 18  depicts an exemplary base portion of a plunger; and 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a plunger assembly and base. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary article of jewelry  100 . This exemplary article of jewelry may comprise an annular array of hinged elements  101 , 102  disposed about an optional centerpiece  107 . This optional centerpiece may be comprised of a series of elements, e.g., several precious stones, or a single mounted element, e.g., a diamond. This exemplary article may be mounted on a ring  108 , e.g., a necklace, or a brooch. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of an exemplary article of jewelry  200  in an open state. In some exemplary embodiments, the article of jewelry may comprise two sets, or circular arrays, of hinged elements  101 ,  102 : an outer set of hinged elements  101  and an inner set of hinged elements  102 . In some exemplary embodiments, an outer hinged element  101  may alternate, e.g., in a staggered fashion, with an inner hinged element  102  to form an annular array about an optional centerpiece  107 . Exemplary embodiments may include an even number of outer hinged elements  101  and inner hinged elements  102 . In other exemplary embodiments, there may be an uneven number of outer hinged elements  101  and inner hinged elements  102 , for example, five outer hinged elements  101  and three inner hinged elements  102 . In an exemplary embodiment with an uneven number of outer hinged elements  101  and inner hinged elements  102 , the hinged elements  101 , 102  may be configured and disposed so as to substantially mate in the gaps of the other hinged elements  101 , 102 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary article of jewelry  300 . The hinged, longitudinally translatable, elements  101 , 102  are depicted in this figure as being in a closed position. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of an exemplary article of jewelry  400 . The hinged elements  101 ,  102  are depicted in this figure as being in a closed position. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an assembly of an exemplary article of jewelry  500 . Accordingly, the exemplary article of jewelry may be made of one or more metals and/or alloys, and may be mounted on an ornamental ring  108 . A plunging element  520  may be disposed about a base element  515  in the center of the base  540  of an ornamental ring  108 . A resilient element  510 , e.g., a spring, may be disposed about a rim  514 . A fourth flange  513  may translate as a sleeve as to a third flange  512  where a second annular element or ring  506  may be disposed between the fourth flange  513  and the third flange  512 . The third flange  512  may be connected to the ornamental ring  108  so that the edges of the third flange  512  are flush with the rim  541  of the ornamental ring  108 . 
     A second positioning element  511  may engage a first positioning element  509  securing a first annular element or ring  505 . The second positioning element  511  and the first positioning element  509  may be attached to the plunging element  520 . An optional centerpiece  107  may also be attached to the cap  530  of the plunging element  520  by a pin. A rotatable element may comprise a first aperture  503  and a second aperture  504  displaced by a lever arm. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an assembly of an exemplary article of jewelry  600 . Each hinged element  101 ,  102  may comprise two apertures, or eyelets,  103 , 104 : a first eyelet  103  and a second eyelet  104 . These two eyelets and the structural distance between them may comprise a levering arm, where the first eyelet  103  provides the distal point of the levering arm. The hinged elements  101 , 102  may be connected in an annular array by threading the first eyelet  103  of the hinged elements  101 , 102  through a first annular element  505 , e.g., a first wire, and the second eyelet  104  of the hinged elements  101 , 102  through a second annular element or ring  506 , e.g., a second wire. The outer hinged elements  101  may be threaded alternatively with the inner hinged elements  102 . The first annular element or ring  505  may be soldered at each end to form a closed path. The second annular element or ring  506  may have each end turned up, e.g., an end portion turned at a ninety degree angle relative to the principal path of travel of the wire, so as to provide slack or compression on the hinged elements  101 , 102 . 
     The exemplary embodiments as depicted by example in the exploded views of  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  may comprise a ring assembly that comprises: (a) a plunger comprising a base portion  520  and a cap portion  530 , wherein the cap portion  530  is configured to engage, longitudinally, the base portion  520  via at least one of: a detent and a cap portion protrusion configured to laterally engage a base portion slot; (b) a rotational element array assembly slideably disposed concentrically about the plunger base portion  520 ; and (c) a resilient element  510  interposed between the rotational element array and a base  514 ; and where the rotational element array assembly  513  may comprise a plurality of rotational structural elements  101 , 102  where at least one of the plurality of rotational elements may comprise: (i) a first aperture  503 , and a second aperture  504 , where the second aperture is disposed along a first lever arm portion of the at least one rotational structural element distal from the first aperture  503 ; (ii) a first ring threading the first aperture  503 ; and a second ring threading the second aperture  504 ; where the first ring is interposed between a first lever arm guide and a second  509  lever arm guide  511 ; and where the second ring  506  is interposed between a third lever arm guide  512  and a fourth lever arm guide  513 . In some embodiments the first aperture  503  may be a first eyelet and the second aperture  504  may be a second eyelet. In some embodiments, the at least one of the plurality of rotational structural elements  101 , 102  may comprise a portion extending from a portion of the rotational structural element proximal to the first aperture  503  in a direction away from the base  504 . The ring assembly base portion of the plunger  520  may comprise a detent where the detent is configured to change positional state via longitudinal depression of the cap portion  530  of the plunger. The base of the ring assembly may further comprise a restraining rim  541  configured to retain the rotational element array assembly  600  in a retracted position for a depressed plunger cap portion  530 , and wherein the restraining rim  541  may be further configured to rotationally and elevationally guide the rotational element array assembly  600  relative to the base  540  and responsive to a deployed plunger cap portion  530  and wherein the longitudinal travel of the rotational element array assembly relative to the base  540  is motivated by a load of the resilient element  510 . In some embodiments of the ring assembly  500 : (a) the first lever arm guide  509  may comprise a groove portion configured to retain laterally the first lever arm and an abutment portion configured to retain a portion of the first ring  505 ; (b) the second lever arm guide  511  may be configured to engage the first lever arm guide  509  via an interstitial space and retain the first ring via an interdigitated housing portion formed via the first lever arm guide engaging the second lever arm guide  511 ; (c) the third lever arm guide  512  may comprise a groove portion configured to retain the first lever arm and an abutment portion configured to retain a portion of the second ring  506 ; and (d) the fourth lever arm guide  513  may be configured to engage the third lever arm guide  512  via an interstitial space and retain the second ring  506  via an interdigitated housing portion formed via the third lever arm guide  512  engaging the fourth lever arm guide  513 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts, in an exploded view, an assembly of an exemplary article of jewelry embodiment  700  and may be viewed in light of  FIG. 4 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a first position element  509 , the inner hinged elements  102 , the first annular ring  505 , the outer hinged elements  101 , and the fourth flange element  513 , are disposed and may be assembled to engage the plunging element  520 . An optional centerpiece  107  may also be attached to the cap  530  of the plunging element  520 . Additionally, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , the third flange  512 , the second annular ring  506 , and the fourth flange  513  are assembled to be attached to an ornamental ring  108 . The third flange  512  may be flush with the rim of the ornamental ring  108 , and may be secured by means such as conventional soldering or laser soldering. The resilient element  510  may be disposed about the plunging element  520  and may be wrapped around a base rim  514  to prevent the resilient element  510  from slipping under the plunging element  520 . The plunging element  520  may move longitudinally between the plunger base element  515  and the base rim  514  for example by the amount exerted by a finger, where the finger pressure may be applied to the top or cap  530  of plunging element  520  and/or to the optional centerpiece  107 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts an assembly  800  of hinged elements  101 , 102  on a first annular element  505 . The first annular element  505  is threaded through the first eyelet  503  of the hinged elements  101 , 102 . The ends of the first annular element  505  may be soldered together to prevent the removal of any of the hinged elements  101 , 102 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an assembly of hinged elements on an annular element engaged on a top part of an exemplary mode of assembly  900 . Element  509 , is depicted in  FIG. 9  as engaged over hinged elements  101 , 102 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary article of jewelry  1000  in an open state. The hinged elements  101 ,  102  are engaged in an open position. A pin  1022  may be used to secure the optional centerpiece  107  to the plunging element  520 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary article of jewelry  1100  in a closed state. The hinged elements  101 , 102  are being moved from an open position to a closed position. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary article of jewelry  1200  in a closed state moving to an open state. The hinged elements  101 , 102  are being moved from a closed position to an open position. 
       FIGS. 13-16  depicts, in cross-sections, an exemplary detent plunger.  FIG. 13  depicts in cross-sectional view a base portion of and exemplary plunger where the U-shaped pawl  1310 , supported by a pin  1320  is elevated away from the base  540 , where the pawl  1310  is disengaged from the locking chevron protrusion  1330 .  FIG. 14  depicts in a cross-section view where the U-shaped pawl is depressed below a lower corner of the chevron protrusion, thereby retaining the depressed state of the upper portion of the base portion of the plunger.  FIG. 15  depicts, in another cross-sectional view, the lower portion of the U-shaped pawl  1310  above the chevron  1330 , thereby extending the travel of the base portion of the plunger to a travel stop  1331 .  FIG. 16  depicts, in another cross-sectional view, the lower portion of the U-shaped pawl  1310  engaging the chevron protrusion  1330 , thereby retaining the depressed state of the upper portion of the of the plunger. 
       FIG. 17  depicts the base portion of the plunger  1700  in an exploded view where the portion of the plunger  515  disposed on the base  540  comprises the chevron protrusion  1330  and where the upper portion of the plunger  520  comprises the U-shaped pawl  1310  and a pin  1320 . 
       FIG. 18  depicts the base portion of the plunger in a perspective view of an extended upper portion  520  relative to the base portion  515 , where the portion of the plunger  515  disposed on the base  540  comprises the chevron protrusion  1330  and where the upper portion of the plunger  520  comprises the U-shaped pawl  1310  and a pin  1320 . 
       FIG. 19  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a plunger assembly  1900  and base  1910 . A cap portion  1920  comprises a first protrusion  1921 , or first dimple, and slideably engages a first outer cylinder portion  1930  to compress a first resilient element  1941 , e.g., a spring, via a first aperture  1943  of an inner cylinder  1940 . The inner cylinder  1940  comprises a second protrusion  1945 , and slideably engages a second outer cylinder  1950 , disposed as the base  1910 , to compress a second resilient element  1942 , via a second aperture  1944  having an L-shaped slot to both longitudinally receive the second protrusion and rotatably lock the travel of the assembly under load from the two resilient elements. 
     It is contemplated that various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the above embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Further it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed by way of examples should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.