Abstract:
A jewelry ring and associated method includes a shank, and a cross member having ornamental elements which is received by the shank. The shank has two upwardly directed slots which accept the cross member and allow it to slide upward toward the ends of the shank. When the ring is worn the finger holds the cross member in the slots of the shank. The cross member includes ornamental elements which rotate around a rod. End members on the rod retain the ornamental elements, and prevent the rod from sliding transversely through the slots in the shank.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a Division of and claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 and §121 of application Ser. No. 12/001,537, filed Dec. 11, 2007, which in turn is a Continuation in Part of and claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of Application 29/264,506 (now Pat. No. D626,446), filed Aug. 14, 2006, both of which previously filed and claimed applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains generally to rings, and more particularly to a ring which includes two components which are held together by the finger of the wearer. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Rings which are worn on a finger typically comprise a generally round band which encircles the finger. The ring is worn by inserting the finger into the band and sliding the band past the knuckle of the finger. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is directed to a jewelry ring and method of wearing the ring. The ring includes a generally U-shaped shank which has an open top portion. The top portion removably receives an ornamented cross member. Different interchangeable cross members having different ornaments may be utilized, thereby allowing the wearer to change the look of the ring to fit a desired style. 
         [0005]    The ring includes a shank having two sides connected by a base. Each of the sides has a slot. A cross member which carries the ornament(s) is removably insertable into the slots and is slidably movable within the slots away from the base. When the finger is inserted into the ring, the finger urges the cross member away from the base and retains the cross member in the first and second slots. 
         [0006]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a ring for a finger includes a shank having a first side, an opposite second side, and a base connecting the first side and the second side. The first side has a first slot, and the second side has a second slot. A cross member is removably insertable into the first and second slots and slidably movable within the slots away from the base. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another embodiment, the first side has a first end, and the second side has an opposite second end. The first slot has a first mouth and a first terminus, and the second slot has a second mouth and a second terminus. The first terminus is disposed between the first mouth and the first end, and the second terminus is disposed between the second mouth and the second end. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second slots are curved. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another embodiment, the cross member has a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is insertable into the first slot, and the second end is insertable into the second slot. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another embodiment, the cross member includes a rod. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another embodiment, the rod has two opposite end members. When the cross member is inserted into the first and second slots, the end members reside outside of the first and second sides. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another embodiment, at least one ornament is connected to the rod. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another embodiment, the ornament is rotatable around the rod. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another embodiment, a method for wearing a ring on a finger includes:
       (a) providing ring components including:
           a shank having a first side, an opposite second side, and a base connecting the first side and the second side, the first side having a first slot and the second side having a second slot; and,   a cross member removably insertable into the first and second slots and slidably movable within the slots away from the base;   said shank and said cross member being unconnected;   said first slot having an open end which comprises a first mouth through which said cross member is removably insertable, and an opposite closed end which comprises a first terminus;   said second slot having an open end which comprises a second mouth through which said cross member is removably insertable, and an opposite closed end which comprises a second terminus;   
           (b) inserting said cross member into the first and second slots;   (c) slidably moving the cross member away from the base; and,   (d) inserting the finger between the first and second sides and between the base and the cross member, wherein the finger retains the cross member in the first and second slots.       
 
         [0024]    Other possible embodiments, in addition to the possible embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the ring and method of wearing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ring for a finger in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the ring on a finger; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a shank; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the shank; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view the shank; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the shank; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is an opposite side elevation view of the shank; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the shank; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the shank; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the shank; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the shank; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the shank; 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of a cross member; 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is an end elevation view of the cross member; 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of another embodiment of the cross member; 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of another embodiment of the cross member; 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view along the line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of a rod and end members; 
           [0043]      FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of the cross member starting to be inserted into slots in the shank; 
           [0044]      FIG. 20  is a side elevation view of the cross member fully inserted into the slots and a finger inserted into the ring; 
           [0045]      FIG. 21  is a front elevation view of the ring with a finger inserted; and, 
           [0046]      FIG. 22  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the shank. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a perspective view of a ring for a finger in accordance with the present invention, generally designated as  20 .  FIG. 2  is a top plan view of ring  20  on a finger  500 . It is noted that while the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a ring  20  for a finger  500 , the present invention can also find utility for other rings, including, but not limited to, toe rings. Thus, for purposes of this application the term “ring” should be read broadly to embrace these and other similar embodiments. 
         [0048]    Ring  20  includes a shank  22  having a first side  24 , an opposite second side  26 , and a base  28  which connects sides  24  and  26  (refer also to  FIGS. 3-7 ). First side  24  has a first slot  30 , and second side  26  has a second slot  32 . A cross member  34  is removably insertable into first  30  and second  32  slots and is slidably movable within slots  30  and  32  in direction  60  away from base  28  (refer also to  FIGS. 19-21  and the associated discussions). It may be appreciated that slots  30  and  32  may be curved as shown, or may have a variety of other shapes (refer to  FIGS. 10-12 , and  22 ). 
         [0049]      FIGS. 3-7  are top plan, front elevation, bottom plan, side elevation, and opposite side elevation views respectively of shank  22 . Shank  22  is generally U-shaped (also refer to  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). First side  24  has a first end  36 , and second side  26  has an opposite second end  38 . First slot  30  has a first mouth  40  and a first terminus (closed end)  42 , and second slot  32  has a second mouth  44  and a second terminus  46 . First terminus  42  is disposed between first mouth  40  and first end  36 , and second terminus  46  is disposed between  44  second mouth and second end  38 . In one embodiment of the invention, shank  22  is formed of sheet material such as  22 - 24  gauge pre-finished silver sheet. Although illustrated as having a uniform thickness T, the thickness of the sides  24  and  26  and base  28  can be non-uniform. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are front elevation views of other embodiments of shank  22 . Shank  22  includes first side  24 , second side  26 , base  28 , first slot  30 , and second slot  32 . It may be appreciated that other shank  22  shapes could also be utilized. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 10-12  are side elevation views of other embodiments of shank  22 . Slot  30  (and  32 ) may have the shown shapes, or virtually an unlimited number of other shapes, and may include curved portions, straight portions, or a combination thereof. It is noted that in  FIG. 12  a portion of slot  30  doubles back toward base  28 . Similarly, side  24  (and  26 ) may have the shown shapes or virtually an unlimited number of other shapes, and may include a rounded end  36 , a square end  36 , or other end designs as desired. Artistic appeal can dictate the shape of shank  22  and slots  30  and  32 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 13 and 14  are top plan and end elevation views respectively of cross member  34 . Cross member  34  has a first end  48  and an opposite second end  50 . First end  48  is insertable into first slot  30 , and second end  50  is insertable into second slot  32  (also refer to  FIG. 21  and the associated discussion). In the shown embodiment, cross member  34  includes a rod  52  which slidably engages first  30  and second  32  slots (also refer to  FIG. 18 ). 
         [0053]    At least one ornament  54  is connected to rod  52 . A plurality of ornaments  54  are shown. Ornament  54  can be a desired shape, a desired size, and fashioned from a desired material. In an embodiment of the invention, ornament  54  is rotatable around rod  52 . That is, ornament  54  has a hole which accepts rod  52  (refer to  FIG. 17 ). 
         [0054]    In an embodiment of the invention, rod  52  has two opposite end members  56 . Also referring to  FIGS. 19-21 , when cross member  34  is inserted into first  30  and second  32  slots, rod  52  engages the slots and end members  56  reside outside of first  24  and second  26  sides of shank  22 . As such, end members  56  serve to transversely retain cross member  34  in slots  30  and  32 . End members  56  can be spherical as shown, cubic (refer to  FIG. 16 ), or can have any another desired shape sufficient to retain cross member  34  in slots  30  and  32 . It is noted that rod  52 , may be formed from any suitable shaped material which can hold two end members  56  on each side, or even a wire material that is bent on each side and supports ornament(s)  54 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 15 and 16  are top plan views of other embodiments of the cross member  34 . In  FIG. 15  cross member  34  includes a plurality (5 shown) of ornaments  54  made of different materials and/or colors (as denoted by different hash markings). In  FIG. 16 , ornament is fixedly not rotatably connected to rod  52 , and end members  56  are cubic in shape. 
         [0056]      FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view along the line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 13  showing ornament  54  having a hole which receives rod  52 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of rod  52  and end members  56 . One end member  56  is removable (such as by threads or other means) from rod  52  so that ornament(s)  54  may be removed and replaced. Alternatively, end members  56  may be fixedly connected to rod  52 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of the cross member  34  starting to be inserted into slots  30  and  32  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) in shank  22 . Cross member  34  is placed adjacent to mouths  40  and  44  of slots  30  and  32  (refer to  FIGS. 7 and 6 ) and urged into the slots in direction  58 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 20  is a side elevation view of cross member  34  fully inserted into slots  30  and  32  and finger  500  inserted into ring  20 , and  FIG. 21  is a front elevation view of ring  20  with finger  500  inserted. Cross member  34  is first moved upwardly in direction  60  away from base  28  and toward ends  34  and  36  of sides  24  and  26  respectively of shank  22  (also refer to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7 ). As used herein, the term upwardly applies when shank  22  is in the shown base-down orientation. Then finger  500  is inserted into ring  20  in direction  61 . If ornament  54  is rotatable around rod  52 , then as finger  500  is inserted, ornament  54  will roll onto finger  500 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 21  is a front elevation view of ring  20  with finger  500  inserted between first  24  and second  26  sides of shank  22 , and between cross member  34  and base  28 . Cross member  34  has been fully inserted into slots  30  and  32  (as in  FIG. 20 ), wherein ends  48  and  50  slidably engage the slots. Finger  500  urges cross member  34  upward in direction  62  thereby retaining it within the slots. 
         [0061]      FIG. 22  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of shank  22 . In this embodiment, shank  22  is made out of thick wire that is curved or bent at both ends to create slots  30  for receiving cross member  34  (refer to  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). 
         [0062]    In terms of use, a method for wearing a ring  20  on a finger  500  includes: 
         [0063]    (a) providing ring components including:
       a shank  22  having a first side  24 , an opposite second side  26 , a base  28  connecting first side  24  and second side  26 , and first side  24  having a first slot  30  and second side  26  having a second slot  32 ; and,   a cross member  34  removably insertable into first  30  and second  32  slots and slidably movable within slots  30  and  32  away from base  34 ;   shank  22  and cross member  34  being unconnected;   first slot  30  having an open end which comprises a first mouth  40  through which cross member  34  is removably insertable, and an opposite closed end which comprises a first terminus  42 ;   second slot  32  having an open end which comprises a second mouth  44  through which cross member  34  is removably insertable, and an opposite closed end which comprises a second terminus  46 ;       
 
         [0069]    (b) inserting cross member  34  into first  30  and second  32  slots; 
         [0070]    (c) slidably moving cross member  34  away from base  28 ; and, 
         [0071]    (d) inserting finger  500  between first  24  and second  26  sides and between base  28  and cross member  34 , wherein finger  500  retains cross member  34  in first  30  and second  32  slots. 
         [0072]    The method further including: 
         [0073]    in step (a), cross member  34  having a first end  48  and an opposite second end  50 , first end  48  insertable into first slot  30 , and second end  50  insertable into second slot  32 ; and, 
         [0074]    in step (b), inserting first  48  and second  50  ends of cross member  34  into first  30  and second  32  slots respectively. 
         [0075]    The method further including: 
         [0076]    in step (a), cross member  34  including a rod  52  having two opposite end members  56 ; and, 
         [0077]    in step (b), placing rod  52  into first  30  and second  32  slots so that end members  56  reside outside first  24  and second  26  sides of shank  22 . 
         [0078]    The method further including: 
         [0079]    in step (a), cross member  34  including a rod  52  to which is connected at least one rotatable ornament  54 ; and, 
         [0080]    during step (d), ornament  54  rolling onto the finger  500  of the wearer. 
         [0081]    The ring of the present invention may be produced in various sizes by varying the dimensions of the shank, the size and shape of the slots, the length of the cross member, and the size of the ornament. Similarly, ring designs can be varied or customized by varying the materials of the shank and the cross member, varying the shape of the shank, placing ornamentation on the shank, varying the shape of the slots, varying the ornament(s), etc. The shank can also be made out of thick wire that is curved or bent at both ends to create the slots for the cross member. 
         [0082]    Although silver and gold are the useful materials for ring components, any suitable material can be used, including, but not limited to, metals such as stainless steel, platinum, titanium, aluminum, nickel, copper, zinc, and combinations and alloys thereof, as well as stone, clay, ceramics, plastics and wood. As used herein, all mention of metals includes the associated pure metal and all alloys thereof. For example, “copper” includes pure elemental copper, as well as commercial grades of copper, brass, bronze, etc. The shank can be made of any suitable material, and in one embodiment is formed from pre-finished gold or silver sheet material, including, but not limited to, polished finishes, embossed finishes, rolled or stamped finished, chemically-induced patina finishes, brushed finishes, etched finishes, anodized finishes, painted or enameled finishes, and various combinations thereof, as is well known in the art of jewelry making. 
         [0083]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a ring that can be fabricated using pre-finished sheet materials. The present invention also allows various components of the ring to be prefabricated and made available to jewelers, artists, and hobbyists. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a ring that employs an independent rod that allows for a variety of ornamentation, as well as variety in sizes depending of the size of the rotatable ornaments. 
         [0084]    In another aspect of the invention, the ring is assembled with a set of fabricated components that allow for mass production, custom fabrication as well as use in high end jewelry production. 
         [0085]    Although disclosed herein with respect to a few particular embodiments, one of skill in the art would recognize that various other embodiments, such as forming the components of plastic to be assembled in a snap-together manner to make a toy ring, can be formed without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0086]    The possible embodiments of the ring and method of wearing described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the ring and method of wearing should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.