Patent Publication Number: US-11659902-B2

Title: Low profile expandable ring structure

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/553,827, filed Aug. 28, 2019, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a low profile expandable ring structure which is expandable from a minimum size to a maximum size. More specifically, the present invention discloses an expandable ring structure comprising a plurality of coupled blocks having an internal spring which allows the ring structure to expand or contract as needed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typical rings are a completely fixed solid structure and each ring is made to a specific size for the wearer. While this does provide an adequate fit for the wearer. Most rings are made to be worn at the base of a given finger. The knuckles of the finger may be larger in circumference than the intended area for the ring so it can be difficult or uncomfortable to put on and vice versa. As a result, the ring may be slightly larger than the finger cross-section which would cause it to slide along the finger. 
     Similarly, most bracelets are rigid and considerably oversized in order to slip the bracelets over the wrist. While this method works, it causes an issue with a loose bracelet that can slide with ease or even slither through the wrist by accident. Therefore, a need exists for a ring structure that allows the bracelet or ring to conform to the cross section of the wrist or finger. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention provides an expandable ring structure comprising a plurality of coupled blocks that each have a certain degree of translational movement with respect to each other. In a first embodiment, each block has one or more downward curved loops protruding on the front side of the block and an opening on the back side of the block. Each block also has one or more curved spring channels extending from the front side to the back side of the block. The loops from a block are inserted into the opening of the adjacent block and a pin inserted through the bottom of the top of the block couples them together. The length of the loop allows for translational movement between the blocks. A tensioned spring is inserted through the spring channels of the blocks, the spring channels forming a continuous, closed loop, and curved internal channel to the ring structure. The spring allow allowing for expansion and compression of the expandable ring structure. The springs also provide a compressive force to maintain a solid-like “closed” appearance unless stretched to accommodate the wearer&#39;s size. Once taken off, the expandable ring structure returns to its original solid-like shape. The low-profile nature allows the ring to be comfortable for the wearer. 
     In another embodiment, the front of each block comprises one or more downward curved tubes extending from a front surface of the block. Each tube has a curved internal channel that extends through to an opening in the back surface of the block. The tubes from a block are inserted into the channels of an adjacent block. A stopper is then coupled near an end of the tubes to prevent separation of the blocks. In this embodiment, the spring is internal to the tubes and the curved channel through the block. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    depicts a front perspective view of a block of the expandable ring structure of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a rear perspective view of the block of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    depicts a front view of the block of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    depicts a rear view of the block of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    depicts a right side view of the block of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    depicts a top view of the block of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    depicts a bottom view of the block of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  8  and  9    depict the coupling of two adjacent blocks of the expandable ring structure. 
         FIG.  10    depicts the placement of the springs passing through the spring openings of the blocks. 
         FIG.  11    depicts a perspective view of a completed expandable ring structure according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    depicts a side view of a completed expandable ring structure according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS.  13  and  14    depict views of a block coupled to a sprue. 
         FIGS.  15  and  16    depict views of the expandable ring structure of  FIG.  1    without prongs. 
         FIG.  17    depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the block of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  18    depicts a front view of an alternate embodiment of the block of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  19    depicts a front perspective view of a block of the expandable ring structure of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  20    depicts a rear perspective view of the block of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  21    depicts a front view of the block of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  22    depicts a rear view of the block of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  23    depicts a right side view of the block of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  24    depicts a left side view of the block of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  25    depicts a top view of the block of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  26    depicts a bottom view of the block of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  27    depicts the coupling of two adjacent blocks of the expandable ring structure of the second embodiment 
         FIG.  28    depicts the placement of the springs passing through the spring openings of the blocks according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  29    depicts a side view of the completed expandable ring structure according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  30    depicts an alternate embodiment of a completed expandable ring structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring simultaneously to  FIGS.  1 - 7   , depicted is a single block  100  according to a first embodiment of the invention. Each block  100  generally comprises body  102 , loops  104 , spring channels  106 , prongs  108 , pin holes  110 , and loop openings  112 . The loops  104  are generally U-shaped and extend from a front surface of body  102 , preferably closer to the bottom surface of the body  102  than the top surface. As best shown in  FIG.  5   , each loop  104  is downward curving. The angle traversed by the curved bottom surface of each block  100  depends on the number—N—of blocks required to complete the ring structure and is approximately 360/N. 
     Body  102  is generally prism shaped with a hollow center according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG.  5   , a bottom surface of body  102  is curved. Thus, when a plurality of block  100  are joined together, they will form a smooth ring structure, especially when in the collapsed state, due to the curvature of the bottom surface of body  102 . The top surface of body  102  is wider than the bottom surface, otherwise sizable gaps, and other internal components, would be visible in the expandable ring structure. The opposing side surfaces of body  102  preferably have the same decoration and construction as depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . 
     In the depicted embodiment, each spring channel  106  is formed from openings in the front surface and rear surface of body  102  as depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . In order to reduce the weight of body  102  and for ease of manufacturing, the center of the body  102  is preferably open/hollow as shown in  FIG.  1   . However, if body  102  is solid, then spring channel  106  would extend entirely through body  102  and be curved. Spring channel  106  has a diameter only slightly larger than a diameter of the spring that is later placed therein to complete the expandable ring structure. 
     A plurality of prongs  108  preferably extend from a top surface of body  102  as depicted. The prongs  108  are used to secure gemstones to the block if needed. Otherwise, prongs  108  may also be removed and the top surface of body  102  may be flat if a very low profile piece is desired (i.e., only having a thickness the same as body  102 ). 
     As best depicted in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the bottom surface of body  102  comprises pin holes  110  whose center is aligned with a center of loop openings  112 . As will be depicted later, pins are inserted through pin holes  110  to join adjacent blocks  100  to each other. 
       FIGS.  2  and  4    depict loop openings  112  which are sized and spaced to accommodate loops  104  from an adjacent block  100 . In the depicted embodiment, loop openings  112  and spring channel  106  share a common opening on the rear surface of body  102 . However, as should be obvious to one skilled in the art, the location and spacing of spring channels  106  can be modified. 
     Turning next to  FIG.  9   , depicted is an example of how adjacent blocks  100   a  and  100   b  are coupled to each other in the expandable ring structure. Loops  104  of a first block  100   a  are inserted into loop openings  112  of a second and adjacent block  100   b . Two pins  114  are then inserted through pin holes  110  of block  100   b  until they intersect with loops  104  of block  100   a . The pins  114  may be inserted from the top surface or the bottom surface of body  102  of block  100   b . After the pins  114  have been placed at the correct height (level with height of loops  104 ) as depicted in  FIG.  8   , they are fixed (e.g., by soldering or laser) into position. The remainder of the pin  114  exiting pin holes  110  ( FIG.  9   ) can then be removed (e.g., by laser cutting) to create a smooth band polished bottom surface for body  102  of block  100   b . The length of loops  104  allows for translational movement between block  100   a  and  100   b  but pins  114  prevent them from becoming separated and limits the maximum translational movement distance. This process is repeated for the majority of blocks  100  which are to form the expandable ring structure. 
     For illustration purposes,  FIG.  10    depicts three blocks  100  joined together with two springs  116  passed through spring channels  106  of blocks  100 . Here, it can be clearly seen how the bottom curved surfaces of blocks  100  form expandable ring structure  200  having a smooth curved interior, similar to a standard ring. Also, as previously mentioned, the front and rear surfaces of body  102  and prongs  108  are angled outward from the bottom surface so that expandable ring structure  200  also forms a smooth, connected outer surface when not expanded. Jewels  118  are preferably not secured by prongs  108  until the entire expandable ring structure  200  has been completed. One spring  116  may also be utilized, or three or more springs  116  depending upon the size of expandable ring structure  200 . Two or more springs  116  has the advantage that the force from springs  116  is more evenly distributed across the piece. 
     As long as the spring channels  106  for the springs  116  are nestled between the culets of the gems  118 , this reduces the profile of the expandable ring structure ring to mimic a conventional rigid ring. The wall height of body  102  are proportional to the gems used so the expandable ring structure can mimic the weight and feel of a conventional ring. 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    depict views of the completed expandable ring structure  200  according to the first embodiment. Here, the expandable ring structure  200  comprises 19 separate blocks  100 , with the bottom surface of the body having a radius of curvature of approximately 360°/19. Further, each bottom surface of body  102  has an arc length of approximately (n*d)/N with d being the internal diameter of the expandable ring structure  200  and N being the number of blocks  100  (i.e., 19 in this example).  FIG.  11    depicts how pins  114  are cut so they are flush with the bottom surface of body  102  for each block  100 . This view also depicts how springs  116  pass through spring channels  106  in each block  100 . And, as depicted in  FIG.  12   , the internal surface of expandable ring structure  200  forms a ring and would not feel any different to a user than a standard ring during wear. In fact, expandable ring structure  200  is more comfortable because it can adjust to the user to accommodate swelling, aging, etc. as well as any possible expansion or contraction of the components of expandable ring structure  200  due to heat, humidity, wear, etc. 
     To form the expandable ring structure  200 , the following process is preferably utilized. First, all the blocks  100 , except the first and the last, are joined together using pins  114  as already described. One end of the springs  116  is fixed to the first block  100 , passed through all spring channels  106 , and then stretched and secured to the interior of the last block  100 . The first and last block are then permanently joined together by soldering or laser welding. At this point, expandable ring structure  200  can be finished with jewels  118  to produce a finished piece of jewelry. 
     Block  100  is preferably formed as a unitary piece by casting in a mold. When used for jewelry, block  100  is preferably formed from a precious or semi-precious metal such as silver, gold, platinum, titanium, etc. However, other metals such as steel may be used and then provided with a coating or plating of another metal, such as gold. 
     Because block  100  is preferably made by casting, it is preferably to cast block  100  having an attached sprue  1302  as depicted in  FIG.  13   . The sprue  1302  generally comprises post  1304 , which can be used for handling block  100  during assembly of expandable ring structure  200  (e.g., for holding or clamping) and cross  1306  having ends attached to prongs  108 . The sprue  1302  allows the blocks  100  to be produced more easily and they can easily later be severed and cleaned. Once severed, gems or jewels  118  can be added to expandable rings structure  200  to produce the finished piece. 
       FIGS.  15  and  16    depict the block  100  of  FIG.  1    without any prongs  108 . This structure has a very low profile, similar to a ring unadorned with gems, while still being expandable.  FIG.  16    especially depicts how the thickness of expandable ring structure  200  is reduced with the removal of prongs  108 .  FIG.  15    depicts the block  100  having a flat and smooth top without any prongs  108  or gems  118   
       FIGS.  17  and  18    depict an alternate embodiment of the block  100 . In this embodiment, block  100  is much wider than that shown in  FIG.  1    and is capable of holding multiple gems  118  in prongs  108 . This embodiment of block  100  is useful for producing larger jewelry, such as bracelets which typically hold more gems  118  than a ring. In this embodiment, spring channels  106  are located close to the center of body  102  and loops  104  are located immediately adjacent spring channels  106 . The wider spacing of loops  104  helps to provide torsional rigidity to the finished expandable ring structure  200 . 
     It should be obvious that the width of body  102  can be increased to accommodate even more gems  118  than shown in  FIGS.  17  and  18   . Further, it should also be obvious that additional spring channels  106  and/or loops  104  can be provided for extra stability in expandable ring structure  200 . 
     Turning next to  FIGS.  19 - 26   , depicted is a second embodiment of block  100 . In this embodiment, the size, shape, and curvature of body  102  may be the same as those depicted in  FIGS.  1 - 18   . Similarly, the prongs  108  are similar and the body block  100  may comprise one jewel  118  or retain the ability to hold multiple jewels  118  as shown in this embodiment. However, the mechanism which joins blocks  100  to each other in this embodiment. Instead of loops  104 , this embodiment employs two tubes  1902  which extend from a front face of body  102 . Similar to loops  104 , the tubes  1902  are curved downward as best shown in  FIGS.  23  and  24   . The tubes  1902  are preferably much thicker than loops  104  and are greater than half the thickness of the expandable ring structure  200 . The tubes  1902  may be circular or oval in shape. The inner diameter of tubes  1902  must be greater than the spring  116  which is placed there through when ring structure  200  is formed. This provides a great amount of stability for use in larger/heaver pieces of jewelry such as bracelets or necklaces. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  20  and  22   , the body  102  further comprises two tube openings  1904  formed on a rear face of body  102 . The inner diameter and spacing of tube openings  1904  are such that tubes  1902  can be accommodated within tube openings  1904  for translational motion. Preferably, the inner diameter of tube opening  1904  is slightly greater than that of the outer diameter of tubes  1902 . The width of body  102  is great enough such that it can accommodate the entire length of tubes  1902 . 
       FIGS.  21 ,  24 ,  25 , and  26    purposefully depict stopper  1906 . Stopper  1906  is not integrally formed with block  100 , but rather stopper  1906  is later added to each tube  1902  after adjacent blocks are joined together in order to prevent them from being separated. In order to assist a user with the correct placement of stopper  1906 , a notch  1908  is optionally placed near the end of each tube  1902  which provides a visual indicator to the user for the placement of the stopper  1906  along the length of tube  1902 . Tubes  1902  further comprise longitudinal openings  1910  which assist in preventing dirt and other debris from impacting springs  116 . 
       FIG.  27    depicts how a first block  100   a  is coupled to another block  100   b . First, the tubes  1902  of first block  100   a  are inserted into tube openings  1904  of block  100   b . Then, using notch  1908  as a guide, stopper  1906  is manually (or machine) added through laser welding a small ball of metal to the exterior of one or more tubes  1902  of first block  100   a . This prevents the separation of first block  100   a  from second block  100   b  while still allowing for translational movement between the two. 
     As already described, tubes  1902  are sized to accommodate springs  116  placed there through as depicted in  FIG.  18   . Thus, in this embodiment, the tubes  1902  simultaneously serve as the coupling element and the conduit for springs  116 . To form the expandable ring structure  200  using the second embodiment of block  100 , the following process is preferably utilized. First, all the blocks  100 , except the first and the last, are joined together using stoppers  1906  as already described. One end of the springs  116  is fixed to the first block  100 , passed through all tubes  1902 , and then stretched and secured to the interior of the last block  100 . The first and last block are then permanently joined together by soldering or laser welding. At this point, expandable ring structure  200  can be finished with jewels  118  to produce a finished piece of jewelry.  FIG.  29    depicts a side view of a completed expandable ring structure  200  according to the second embodiment. 
       FIG.  30    depicts an expandable ring structure  200  which utilizes a plurality of blocks  100  having a much smaller width than that depicted with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 29   . By greatly increasing the number of blocks  100 , the relative curvature of the bottom of the body  102  becomes much smaller and the expandable ring structure  200  can be bent into a circular or oval shape while still maintaining a smooth interior as shown.