GB2309372A - An automatically expandable finger ring made from a one piece stamping - Google Patents

Abstract

An expandable finger ring and method of making comprising a one piece stamping 10 composed of a central motif portion 12 and two tails 14,16 each of which has an integral band clip 18,20 at its extremity. To form the ring, the stamping is coiled to ring form, which causes the tails to overlap, and the clips are then folded around the respective and adjacent tails, so that the tails are held together but can slide one relative to another so that the ring can expand in size. The ring is of particular use as a ring for children as it can be automatically increased in size as the child's fingers grow over time.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO FINGER RINGS This invention relates to finger rings, especially but not exclusively finger rings for children.

Children's finger rings are extremely popular in so far as children like to mimic their parents and in one particular mode of mimicking is to wear jewellery similar to one's parents.

Finger rings for children have therefore become popular, but one of the problems with producing these rings, is that children's fingers change size quite rapidly as they grow up, and their rings can quickly become too small. Consequently, new rings have to be purchased during children's growth which represents a considerable expenditure as these rings are often fabricated from the same precious metals and their alloys, as conventional rings.

Proposals have been made for the production of rings which can be expanded, but a simple form of construction which enables the rings to be produce on a large scale for an ever increasing market have not been made.

A basic object of the present invention is therefore to provide a finger ring, especially but not exclusively a children's finger ring, which can produced readily and overcomes the abovementioned disadvantage. It is to be stressed however that the invention can be used for all finger rings, for adults and children alike.

Another object of the invention is to provide a one piece stamping which produced at minimum cost, and can be used for the manufacture of the ring according to the invention.

Yet a further object is to provide a method for producing the rings of the invention, which is simple and effective.

According to the invention there is provided a finger ring comprising a band which is expandible in that it comprises two tail portions leading from the ring motif section or area and the tail portions are adapted to slide on one another so that the ring can accommodate fingers of different size, and have band clips holding the respective tail portions together, characterised in that that the ring is formed from a one piece stamping, and when the stamping is formed to the round, so that the tails overlap, the clips are simply bent round the tails to complete the ring.

A general advantage of such a ring is that, at least within a range and because of its expandability, it can be made "one size", and thereby it overcomes the problem which often arises in connection with single piece bands of conventional rings that a potential purchaser of a ring will admire the design of the ring, but will find that it does not fit, and is put off buying it. We are aware that it is relatively easy to adjust the size of single piece band rings, but often the customer will be unhappy with the band being adjusted, or will be in a hurry and will not be prepared to buy because the band is adjusted, or because of shortage of time. Moreover, by constructing the ring of a one piece stamping, the production of the rings according to the invention becomes simple and lends itself to mass production.

The invention overcomes the existing difficulties.

Although the ring will usually be provided with a motif or centre decorative feature, with or without embellishment, it is to be noted that the invention can be applied to any form of ring, including plain gold bands, in which case the motif area may be the centre of the strip.

The invention has particular advantage as applied to children's' rings as mentioned above, insofar as a single ring can be used by a child over a much longer period of the child's growing up period, without the ring having to be replaced or repaired.

There is an additional advantage that as the ring according to the invention has the capability to expand, the danger of the ring becoming too tight on the user's finger is removed. When a ring becomes too tight on a user's finger, blood circulation thereto can be blocl;ed and if the ring is not removed quickly, damage to the finger can result.

The invention also extends to a stamping which can be formed into a ring according to the invention.

The stamping is preferably symmetrical.

The invention also provides a method of making a finger ring comprising making using a stamping as aforesaid, the method comprising the steps of forming the stamping to the round form so that the respective tail portions overlap, followed by the folding of the band clips around the tail portions so that whilst the tail portions can slip relative to each other to allow for expansion of the ring, they are held to each other by the bands.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a stamping formable into a ring according to the embodiment; Fig. 2 shows the stamping of Fig. 1 when formed into ring shape; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but shows the ring after the clips have been placed in operative position.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 there is shown metal stamping 10 which may be of a precious metal such as gold or silver, or an alloy of same. Alternatively, the stamping may be of a base metal and then plated with a precious metal or an alloy thereof. The actual material is not of prime importance, but as the stamping is to be a finger ring, then it should have at least the traditional expensive appearance of an item of jewellery.

The stamping has a head or centre portion 12, from which extend two equal band portions or tails 14, 16. Each tail 14, 16 has at its extremity, an integral clip portion 18, 20, respectively, which comprises a rectangular formation with the long axis at right angles to the tails 14,16. Fig. 1 is to scale and the overall length of the strip is approximately 60 mm, to show a particular example, but this is not to be intended in any way as limiting the present invention, which can be applied to any appropriate ring size.

To form the ring, apart from any embellishment which may be added to the centre portion 12, is a simple matter, and can be done easily either manually and/or automatically. To do this, the stamping 10 is formed to the ring shape, so that the tails 14,16 overlap, as shown in Fig. 2, arid then the clips 18,20 are simply bent round the respective adjacent tail portions. The clip 18 lies to the outside of tail portion 16, and is therefore subsequently bent inwards, whilst the clip 20 lies to the inside of the tail portion 14 and is therefore subsequently bent outwards, but the arrangement could be reversed. The ends of the clip portions 18,20 overlap when so bent and to finish the operation, a spot of solder may be placed between the overlapping ends of the clips 18,20, to keep them connected. The clips are of course applied so that the tail portions 14,16 can slip through the clips 18,20, to give the ring its adjustability.

A particularly effective construction results.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS.

1. A finger ring comprising a band which is expandible in that it comprises two tail portions (14,16) leading from the ring motif section or area (12) and the tail portions (14,16) are adapted to slide on one another so that the ring can accommodate fingers of different size, and have band clips (18,20) holding the respective tail portions (14,16) together, characterised in that that the ring is formed from a one piece stamping (10), and when the stamping (10) is formed to the round, so that the tails (14,16) overlap, the clips (18,20) are simply bent round the tails (14,16) to complete the ring.

2. A stamping (10) adapted to be formed into a ring according to claim 5.

3. A stamping according to claim 2, wherein the stamping is symmetrical.

4. A finger ring substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A stamping substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A method of making a finger ring, substantially as hereinbefore described.

6. A method of making a finger ring comprising making using a stamping according to claim 2, 3 or 5, the method comprising the steps of forming the stamping to the round form so that the respective tail portions overlap, followed by the folding of the band clips around the tail portions so whilst the tail portions can slip relative to each other to allow for expansion of the ring, they are held to each other by the bands.