Abstract:
An adjustable ring includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining an opening for receiving a finger therethrough; a flexible interior component encased by a soft and pliable exterior layer, allowing movement and adjustment of the ring between a flat position to a plurality of variable sized circular positions and vice versa, such that it allows for the circumferential adjustment of the ring as required to accommodate the diameter of the different sized fingers of the wearer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Continuation non-provisional of U.S. application No. 61/676,952, filed on Jul. 29, 2012. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is in the field of fashion accessories. More particularly, the present invention is in the field of finger rings. While the present invention herein is generally in respect to rings worn over a person&#39;s finger, it applies equally to other types of ring jewelry, such as toe rings and bracelets, worn over a person&#39;s toe or wrist. 
         [0005]    Determining a person&#39;s ring size is often a difficult proposition as finger sizes vary significantly between individual persons. In short, there are a wide variety of finger sizes. As a result, conventional finger rings are created in a number of different sizes to accommodate these different finger sizes. In addition, conventional finger rings typically cannot be adjusted and are fixed in size. It is not usually possible to adjust the size of conventional finger rings because they are fixed and rigid in position due to the nature of the material used in their manufacture which does not allow for any adjustment. Additionally, it is often difficult to place a properly sized ring over a person&#39;s knuckles due to knuckles being greater in size than a person&#39;s fingers. 
         [0006]    A number of methods have been developed to address this problem in the past and various adjustable rings are described in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat 2003/0177787 to Kuo, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a variable sized adjustable ring that may be worn in a closed position or a number of different open positions. The ring comprises a linkage structure that couples one extremity of two semicircular members such that the two semicircular members can be spread apart and the finger ring worn and removed without passing over the finger joint of the user. One problem with this system is that it can still only accommodate the ring sizes of the particular stops in the linkage provided. Further, once the ring size is expanded, the interior surface of the ring is no longer smooth and is uncomfortable to wear. The generally constant shape is also lost in the expanded shape and offers a less attractive ring than a standard shaped ring. 
         [0007]    Another ring adjustment mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,628,036 to Chang, which is incorporated herein by reference. Chang describes two different shank members held by an ornament member, where the top section of the shank members can be set along a plurality of adjustment holes and fixed in different positions via inserting a projected pin along the ornament section allowing for different sizes of the ring to be accommodated. One problem with this system is the plurality of moving parts, making the ring complex and difficult to adjust. Additionally, the disclosed ring has two shank members that do not form a generally constant shape as a standard ring does. This results in an unattractive appearance to the wearer and others because the disclosed ring does not provide the appearance of an ordinary ring. 
         [0008]    Despite the various ring adjustment systems and methods known in the art, there still remains a need for a ring that will adjust simply and comfortably to any sized finger and to account for the various sizes of an individual&#39;s different fingers. There also remains a need for an adjustable ring that is comfortable for the wearer without a plurality of moving parts used in the ring&#39;s construction. Additionally, there is a need for an adjustable ring that is practical and has a wide range of adjustability such that a retailer need only stock a single size of the ring. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is an adjustable finger ring which can be easily adjusted to fit a wide variety of different finger sizes and will comfortably fit around any sized finger of the wearer. 
         [0010]    One embodiment of the present invention is an adjustable ring comprising a single ring portion having an outer surface and an inner surface that define an opening for receiving a finger; a gap at the bottom of the ring such that the ring is not fixed in size or in circular position; constructed in two different layers, a flexible interior component which allows for the ring to be easily adjusted in size and wrapped around a wearer&#39;s finger precluding the need for a plurality of parts to provide adjustability in the ring and a soft and pliable exterior layer which completely encases this interior component providing comfort for the wearer and giving the appearance of a single ring portion. 
         [0011]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention is its unique construction in a straight and flat position compared to the traditional round and circular position of existing adjustable rings, where the ring can be moved by the wearer from a flat position to a plurality of rounded and circular positions around the wearer&#39;s finger such that it may adjust to fit any sized finger, and then from this circular and rounded position back to a flat position such that it is more easily stored, has superior aesthetics, enables economical manufacture and transport, and is unique and new in appearance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]    A preferred embodiment of the invention is described by reference of the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers correspond to like elements, are in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of an adjustable ring of the present invention, illustrating the present invention in a flat position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of an adjustable ring of the present invention, illustrating the present invention in a circular and rounded position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   a  is a side view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0016]      FIG. 2   b  is a side view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0017]      FIG. 3   a  is a top view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0018]      FIG. 3   b  is a top view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0019]      FIG. 4   a  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0020]      FIG. 4   b  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0021]      FIG. 5   a  is a cross-sectional side view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0022]      FIG. 5   b  is a cross-sectional side view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0023]      FIG. 6   a  is a cross-sectional top view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0024]      FIG. 6   b  is a cross-sectional top view of the adjustable ring of  FIG. 1   b.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention and sets forth the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. Various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited only to the embodiments herein. Thus, this embodiment is provided by way of example only. 
         [0026]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1   a - 1   b,    2   a - 2   b,    3   a - 3   b,    4   a - 4   b,    5   a - 5   b  and  6   a - 6   b , one embodiment of an adjustable ring according to the present invention is shown. The ring includes a ring body  100  having an opening  160  through which to receive a finger. The size of the opening  160  corresponds to the finger size of the wearer. The ring body  100  consists of a single piece of material which forms the exterior layer  110  which completely encases a single piece of material which forms the flexible innterior component  120 . The inner surface  122  of the ring body  100  is flat so that it comfortably fits around a wearer&#39;s finger. The outer surface  124  of the ring body  100  is rounded in the present embodiment but may be flat if required. In the centre of the ring body  100  is a flat circular middle part  126  to which ornaments may be attached to the ring body  100 . At each end of the ring body  100  are the rounded ends  128  of the ring body  100  which define the gap  170  in the ring body  100 . The ends  128  may also be flat in other embodiments. 
         [0027]    In more detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 1   a - 1   b ,  2   a - 2   b,    3   a - 3   b,    4   a - 4   b,    5   a - 5   b,  and  6   a - 6   b , the ring body  100  can be moved from its initial flat and circular position in  FIGS. 1   a ,  2   a,    3   a,    4   a,    5   a  and  6   a  to a rounded and circular position in  FIGS. 1   b ,  2   b,    3   b,    4   b,    5   b  and  6   b  and vice versa as the ring body  100  is bent and adjusted by the wearer. In order to adjust, the entire ring body  100  is moved from a flat and circular position in  FIGS. 1   a ,  2   a,    3   a,    4   a,    5   a  and  6   a  to a circular and rounded position in  FIGS. 1   b ,  2   b,    3   b,    4   b,    5   b  and  6   b  such that it allows sufficient circumference in the ring body  100  to allow any sized finger through the opening  160  comfortably. As finger size increases, the opening  160  will expand to accommodate larger fingers as the gap  170  between the rounded ends  128  is widened. Mechanically, the flexible interior component  120  is bent with the ring body  100  as it is adjusted by the wearer and is sufficiently strong and rigid to keep the ring body  100  in the desired position, and this also forces the exterior layer  110  to move as the ring body  100  is adjusted. The middle part  126  remains in the centre and would be worn on top of the finger so that any attached ornaments are displayed. The strong flexible interior component  120  enables the ring body  100  to remain fixed and in circular shape around a wearer&#39;s finger such that it does not bend back to a flat position unless the wearer wishes to bend it back. The exterior layer  110  is soft in any position such that the ring body  100  remains comfortable to wear and completely encases the interior component  120  such that the ring body  100  appears to be composed of a single material. 
         [0028]    In further detail, still referring to the invention of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   b ,  2   a - 2   b,    3   a - 3   b,    4   a - 4   b,    5   a - 5   b  and  6   a - 6   b , the ring body  100  is sufficiently wide and long for comfortable wear, such that it is not too short to fall off or wearer&#39;s finger nor too long that it cannot comfortably wrap around a finger, such as the exterior layer  110  is about 45 to 65 millimeters long and 5 to 10 millimeters in width and 2 to 5 millimeters in height. The flexible interior component  120  is 5 to 10 millimeters shorter in length and 2 to 4 millimeters shorter in width than the exterior layer  110  such that it does not protrude from the exterior layer  110  and remains completely encased for aesthetics, comfort and safety. 
         [0029]    The construction details of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   b ,  2   a - 2   b,    3   a - 3   b,    4   a - 4   b,    5   a - 5   b  and  6   a - 6   b  are that the ring body&#39;s exterior layer  110  may be made of soft plastic, silicon or any other sufficient soft and pliable material such as soft metal and the like in order to provide comfort for the ring wearer. The ring&#39;s flexible interior component  120  may be made of metal or plastic or of any other sufficiently strong, durable and flexible material such that it allows the ring to be moved from the initial flat position in  FIG. 1   a ,  2   a,    3   a,    4   a,    5   a  and  6   a  to the rounded and curved position around the wearer&#39;s finger in  FIGS. 1   b ,  2   b,    3   b,    4   b,    5   b  and  6   b  and remain in that position until moved back to a flat position by the wearer and it must be a significantly durable material such that the ring can be moved and adjusted multiple times. The various components of the ring body  100  can thus be made of different materials. 
         [0030]    The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is easy to adjust and comfortable to wear and can be adjusted to fit a wide variety of different finger sizes. The present invention is adjustable between a flat and straight position and a curved and rounded position which enables economical manufacture, transport and storage. The present invention comprises an exterior layer and an interior component but appears to the wearer to be comprised of a single material offering improved aesthetics to conventional fixed and adjustable rings. 
         [0031]    In broad embodiment, the present invention is an adjustable ring which can be easily adjusted from a flat and straight position to a curved and rounded position and vice versa to comfortably fit around any sized finger. 
         [0032]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.