Patent Abstract:
A ring including a shank having platforms at predetermined locations on an outer surface of the shank, where the platforms identify preferred positions for setting gemstones.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a ring with markings for identifying positions for setting gemstones in the future and to a method for marking the ring for the purpose of setting such gemstones in the marked positions. 
         [0002]    Jewelers and jewelry vendors may benefit from repeated visits from customers. Those who purchase or wear jewelry, especially jewelry celebrating an event such as a wedding, may enjoy commemorating each anniversary of the event by adding a gemstone at the end of each year of marriage. Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a ring with markings or segments identifying positions for setting such gemstones in the future so as the gemstones are set into the ring on each anniversary of the event, the gemstones will be properly sized and spaced. As time passes, the purchaser or wearer may return to the jeweler on the anniversary of such event to purchase and have a gemstone set in a predetermined and marked positions of the ring. Repeat visits to set such gemstones may also provide the jeweler with additional opportunities to sell other goods and services during such visits. 
         [0003]    Adding gemstones to a ring without such markings or segments would require the jeweler to identify a location for the new gemstone, then drill the ring to accommodate the new gemstone. The jeweler could misjudge, miscalculate or otherwise lack the precision necessary to ensure that the new gemstone(s) would be correctly sized and spaced to accommodate all the gemstones that may be desirably placed in the ring in the future. Further, because these tasks would need to be repeated each time a gemstone was added to a ring, possibly over the course of many years, there is an increased likelihood that mistakes in sizing or spacing of the gemstones would result in an unattractive ring or there will be insufficient space to include all desired gemstones. Further still, because new gemstones may be added by different jewelers, quality and aesthetic sensibilities may vary from one jeweler to the next, with each jeweler doing things differently from the last. This would risk asymmetry in size, spacing, and location of new gemstones that could negatively affect the beauty of the ring. Therefore, to ensure the gemstones are sized and placed properly, it may be desirable to create a pattern for the gemstones, then mark the ring accordingly. Markings could take into account milestones, such as the wedding itself, and five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty year anniversaries, and provide for different gemstones, for example, different types, colors, sizes, and varieties, for such milestones. 
         [0004]    When buying a traditional ring with gemstones already set in the outer surface of a band, a buyer selects a band and a gemstone size and provides a finger measurement. The jeweler or manufacturer then determines the number of gemstones of selected size that will fit in the selected band based on gemstone size and ring dimensions including size. However, in a ring where gemstones are added over time, the number of yearly milestones, and therefore the number of gemstones that may be set in the ring are known at the outset. In that case, the jeweler or manufacturer must determine the size and spacing of the gemstones based on the number of gemstones and optionally the ring dimensions including width and outer circumference. The jeweler or manufacturer may then mark the ring for setting gemstones in the future. Such determination of gemstone sizing and spacing may be complicated by the presence of gemstones of different sizes and shapes. 
         [0005]    In a ring where gemstones are added over time, there may be marked positions that are not yet occupied by gemstones. Therefore, it may be desirable to have a ring and method for marking a ring that provides a technique for making the desired marks on an outer surface of a ring in a reliable, repeatable manner and for automating the process for production purposes across various ring sizes and types. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    A ring including a shank having platforms at predetermined locations on an outer surface of the shank, where the platforms identify preferred positions for setting gemstones. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a ring of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2 ,  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c , and  2   d  show close up views of a portion of an outer surface of a ring of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a horizontal, cross-section view of a ring of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a vertical, cross-section view of a ring of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a flowchart according to an aspect of the method of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a flowchart according to an aspect of the method of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show rings with gemstones set according to the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 9-12  show gemstone spacing according to the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The ring and method of the present disclosure may be described in detail using the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. A ring and method for marking an inside surface of a shank is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/813,196 filed on Jun. 18, 2010, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0016]    The Ring 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows ring  10  with markings  20  as indicators for future placement of gemstones on an outer surface of ring  10 . In an aspect shown in  FIG. 1 , segments  30  may be formed by recessed region  50 . Markings  20  may optionally be made on segments  30 , and gemstones  40  may optionally be set in segments  30  based on location of markings  20 . Ring  10  may be made of precious or non-precious material, including but not limited to platinum alloy, gold alloy, palladium alloy, silver alloy, or another alloy, and may be cast, die struck or machine created. Segments  30  may be formed by creating recessed region  50  around segments  30  by removing material and, in one non-limiting example, may be approximately 0.2 mm deep. Ring  10  may have a setting (not shown) to accommodate additional gemstones. 
         [0018]    As shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 , markings  20  may identify the location of gemstones and may be a symbol, such as a square, circle, or other identifier. It will be understood that marking  20  may be other characters, symbols or graphics, such as a plus sign (“+”) or asterisk (“*”). Marking  20  may be an indentation, engraving, scoring or raised portion. Markings  20  may be provided to identify to jewelers the location and optionally the size or type of gemstone that may occupy the location in the future. Markings  20  may be sized or otherwise indicate or correspond to sizes of gemstones to be set.  FIG. 2  shows markings  20  that may identify a center point of placement of a gemstone. The distance between markings  20  to edge of segment  30  may be in one non-limiting example, approximately 0.2 mm. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show horizontal and vertical cross-section views, respectively. In each of those figures, gemstone  40  is shown in dashed outline. 
         [0020]    It will be understood that the number of gemstones in ring  10  may vary in number. In two non-limiting examples discussed in more detail, markings for 26 gemstones and 51 gemstones are shown. In those examples, a first gemstone may be set to commemorate a wedding day, and the remaining 25 or 50 gemstones may be set to commemorate yearly anniversaries for the following 25 or 50 years respectively. In one example, the first gemstone may be larger than the contemplated remaining gemstones. 
         [0021]    Determining Marking Locations and Gemstone Size 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a flowchart of a process for determining the locations of markings  20  (optional), the size and locations of segments  30 , and the size of gemstones  40  that may be accommodated by ring  10 . The dimensions of ring  10  and the number of gemstones  40  to be inserted or markings  20  or segments  30  to appear on ring  10  are known and may be input by the user at Step  80 . 
         [0023]    At Step  82 , the process determines the locations of markings  20  and/or segments  30 . Markings  20  may serve as a center point for determining the locations of segments  30 , even in cases where markings  20  are not shown on ring  10 . In one aspect, markings  20  and/or segments  30  may be centered along a centerline bisecting ring  10  and equally spaced along the outer surface of ring  10 . In that case, location of markings  20  may be identified by dividing 360 degrees by the number of markings  20  or segments  30 , which in one non-limiting example may be 26 or 51. Marking  20  may identify the center of segment  30 , and marking  20  may not be displayed on ring  10 . This calculation will yield the degrees of spacing between each marking  20  or center point of segment  30 . Segments  30  may be sized and arranged to accommodate marking  20  and/or gemstone  40 , and may be of various shapes and styles, as determined by the user. Locations for markings  20  and/or segments may be placed along a center line bisecting ring  10 . 
         [0024]    In another aspect shown in  FIG. 8 , one or more segment  30 ′ and/or one or more corresponding gemstone  40 ′ may be larger than the other segments  30  and gemstones  40 . In one non-limiting example, the larger gemstone may be referred to as a primary gemstone  40 ′ set in ring  10  and the corresponding primary segment  30 ′ may include space for a setting (not shown). In this case, when determining the location of other secondary markings  20  or secondary segments  30 , the larger size of the primary segment  30 ′ may be taken into account. In such calculation, the span of primary segment  30 ′ in degrees is subtracted from 360 degrees and that quantity divided by the number of secondary segments  30  plus one, to yield the spacing in degrees between the markings  20  or center points of segments  30  and the edge of primary segment  30 ′. In another non-limiting example where there are multiple primary gemstones  40 ′ and primary segments  30 ′ (not shown), the sizes of those larger gemstones and segments are taken into account. The quantity of primary segments  30 ′ are multiplied by the size in degrees of each primary segment  30 ′ and that number is subtracted from  360  degrees to create a first quantity. The remaining secondary segments  30  are then equally spaced between primary segments  30 ′. 
         [0025]    In one aspect, these calculations may result in relative marking locations that may be applied to rings of various outer circumferences. In Step  84 , the gemstone size is determined The size of primary gemstone  40 ′ is limited by width of ring  10  and/or size of primary segment  30 ′. The size of secondary gemstones  40  is limited by width of ring  10  and/or the size of the secondary segments  30 . 
         [0026]    In one aspect, the presence of markings  20  on ring  10  may be optionally not shown on ring  10 , and location of segments  30  may serve as a guide to placement of gemstones  40 . When no markings  20  are present, a jeweler may determine the location of gemstone  40  within segment  30 . In one non-limiting example, gemstone  40  may be centered vertically with respect to the width of ring  10  and may be centered horizontally with respect to segment  30 . To determine the center point for placement of gemstone  40 , one may draw a rectangle or square around the segment  30 , then draw first line from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. One may then draw a second line from the upper right corner to the lower left corner. The intersection of the first and second lines may indicate a center of segment  30  for placement of gemstone  40 . Two, non-limiting examples of such center point determination for two segment  30  shapes are shown in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c , and  2   d.    
         [0027]    At Step  86 , the process outputs the location of markings  20  and/or segments  30  that may be used to mark ring  10  as described below. 
         [0028]    Ring Marking and Gemstone Setting 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of the process of marking and setting gemstones in ring  10 . In Step  100 , the process may receive as input one or more of the following: number of markings and/or segments, marking locations, marking types, marking sizes, segment sizes, segment locations, segment styles for a specific finger size into control software. In one aspect, software such as Visual LaserStar Write (VLW) or CAD 2v1.14 and any updates may be used control a laser engraving system such as a Crawford-LaserStar Technologies 20-watt Marking Laser, 3500 Series. In other aspects, markings  20  and segments  30  may be made by a machined engraving process, including but not limited to a CNC machine or may be created during the casting process. In Step  105 , ring  10 , which may be a plain band, may be inserted into the laser engraving system and the system may engrave the markings  20  and/or form segments  30  by creating recess  50  in ring  10 . Optionally, gemstone  40  may be set into ring  10  using marking  20  to commemorate an initial event. In Step  110 , the ring is sold to a customer. Some time later, at Step  115 , the customer may cause ring  10  to be sent to an authorized individual or business to set a gemstone in ring  10 . At Step  120 , a gem-setter or milling machine may drill a hole at one or more markings  20  or at the center point of segment  30  to accommodate a gemstone. The markings  20  or segments  30  may be used as a guide for drilling the hole size and location. A gemstone may then be set into the hole. At Step  125 , ring  10  may be returned to the owner and the process beginning at Step  115  may be repeated upon the next event or anniversary. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a ring with gemstones  40  of one size set in locations.  FIG. 8  shows a ring with one larger primary gemstone  40 ′ and other secondary gemstones  40  of smaller size set in locations. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 9-12  show spacing of gemstone  40  according to the present disclosure.  FIGS. 9 and 10  show locations and spacing for 26 gemstones  40  of one size, for ring sizes 3, 8, and 13. In  FIG. 9 , gemstones  40  are shown to be set 2.061 mm, 2.656 mm, and 3.251 mm apart measured from a center point of gemstone  40  for sizes 3, 8, and 13, respectively. In  FIG. 10 , gemstones  40  are shown to be set 0.890 mm, 1.483 mm, and 2.077 mm apart measured from edge to edge of gemstone  40  for sizes 3, 8, and 13, respectively. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show locations and spacing for 26 gemstones, including one primary gemstone  40 ′ and 25 secondary gemstones  40 , for ring sizes 3, 8, and 13. In  FIG. 11 , all gemstones  40  and  40 ′ are set 2.061 mm, 2.656 mm, and 3.251 mm apart when measured from a center point of gemstone  40  or  40 ′ for sizes 3, 8, and 13, respectively.  FIG. 12  shows an edge to edge gemstone spacing for sizes 3, 8, and 12. In  FIG. 12 , for size 3, primary gemstone  40 ′ may be set 0.676 mm to adjacent secondary gemstones  40 , and secondary gemstones  40  may be set 0.890 mm apart from one another. In  FIG. 12 , for size 8, primary gemstone  40 ′ may be set 1.283 mm to adjacent secondary gemstones  40 , and secondary gemstones  40  may be set 1.483 mm apart from one another. In  FIG. 12 , for size 13, primary gemstone  40 ′ may be set 1.877 mm to adjacent secondary gemstones  40 , and secondary gemstones  40  may be set 2.077 mm apart from one another. 
         [0033]    Numerous additional modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in view of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8