The present invention relates on the one hand to a ring comprising a base ring and an insert, in which the base ring comprises two ring element ends with coupling means, in which each ring element end is provided with a surface and both surfaces together, in the assembled state of the ring element ends, form a receiving surface which is suitable for receiving the insert. On the other hand, the present invention relates to a method for producing such a ring. The ring according to the present invention is particularly suitable as finger decoration.

In the past, jewellery and in particular rings were made completely from precious metals. However, due to the cost price, users are opting more and more often for rings which are made from a combination of a precious metal and a less expensive metal. In addition, the different shades of colour of the different metals provide an added aesthetic value. Often, it is also desirable for the ring to consist of different precious metals, in which case only the different shades of colour matter, and not the cost price.

In order to keep the cost price as low as possible, it is customary to use as little as possible of the most expensive precious metal. In order to achieve this, it is known to use a so-called insert of (precious) metals. The (precious) metals which are used for this purpose are gold, silver, palladium, etc. According to the known method, a base ring is made from a relatively inexpensive metal and an insert is made from a relatively expensive metal. A groove is made in the base ring by turning into which the insert is to be fitted. The width of the groove is adjusted depending on the width of the insert. The base ring itself is a few sizes smaller than the insert. The insert is placed at the location of the groove and the base ring is stretched until the insert clamps in the groove. The drawback of this method is that it is difficult to ensure that the base ring maintains the desired ring shape during stretching. Furthermore, any unevenness between the base ring and the insert has to be evened out after the stretching process by means of a manual operation. The final operation is the manual polishing (automation of this operation is not possible, since different metals react differently to polishing). During polishing, the metals will also blend. It is not possible to polish the metal beforehand, as the metal of the base ring still has to be stretched. Due to the fact that the insert is under tension, it is not possible to carry out drilling on the insert in order to provide recesses for setting stones such as diamonds. This is due to the fact that these drilling operations may result in the insert becoming detached from the base ring. An additional drawback is the fact that the above-described method is a lengthy and labour-intensive process.

By means of the abovementioned method, a ring is obtained which is multicoloured on the outside and has a different colour on the inside. Another way of producing a ring which has a different colour on the inside than on the outside is to combine, for example, three rings to form one ring. The drawback with this is that the inner ring contains much more metal than the insert, as a result of which the cost price is higher, if the inner ring is made of the most expensive material. In addition, there is a risk when combining the various rings that these will become detached again over time.

German patent publication DE 10 2007 032 369 describes a ring with an insert, in which the base ring is formed by two ring element ends. In order to couple the ring element ends, one ring element end is provided with a groove with a compressible element, while the other end is provided with a groove into which the compressible element fits. By compressing the compressible element, the ring element ends can be coupled to each other or uncoupled from each other in order, for example, to replace the insert. However, such a ring is complicated and difficult to produce. The international patent publication WO 2005/102094 also describes a ring with two releasable ring element ends which can be uncoupled in order to replace the fitted insert (decorative element). In this case, the male ring element end is provided with a combination of flexible plates or panels which make it possible to connect the two ring element ends with one another. This ring inter alia has the drawback that the ring element ends may become detached from each other while the ring is being worn, as a result of which the user may lose the insert.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ring which can be produced easily and at a reasonable price and the ring element ends of which remain firmly connected to each other.

The object of the invention is achieved by providing a ring comprising a base ring and an insert, in which the base ring comprises two ring element ends with coupling means, in which each ring element end is provided with a surface, all of which together form a receiving surface which is suitable to receive the insert, in which the coupling means of the first ring element end of the base ring comprises a groove and the coupling means of the second ring element end of the base ring comprises a collar which is provided in a clamping manner in said groove in the assembled state of the ring element ends. The advantage in this case is that, once the ring has been formed, the two ring element ends no longer come apart. In addition, the ring element ends can be made from different elements/element combinations, as a result of which the base ring may comprise two different elements/element combinations.

In a preferred embodiment of the ring according to the invention, the inner diameter of the collar is smaller than the outer diameter of the groove. This ensures that said ring element ends are connected to each other in a clamping manner, as a result of which they are non-releasable.

In a more specific embodiment of the ring according to the invention, both ring element ends comprise an outer edge, the outer diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of the receiving surface. In a particular embodiment of the ring according to the invention, the groove extends along the entire outer circumference of the first ring element end and the collar extends along the entire inner circumference of the second ring element end. In an alternative embodiment, the groove extends along the entire inner circumference of the first ring element end and the collar extends along the entire outer circumference of the second ring element end.

In a preferred embodiment, the insert and the outer edge of each ring element end have approximately the same outer diameter. This ensures that the upper surface is smooth to the touch, which is desirable in the case of, for example, a ring as a piece of jewellery.

In a specific embodiment, the insert comprises at least one additional decorative element, such as a diamond or another decorative stone. For many users, this is often an aesthetic requirement. The advantage of the ring according to the invention is that recesses can be drilled at any point on the insert and allow the fitting of an additional (decorative) element on each part of the surface of the insert. This is not possible in the case of rings with insert which are produced according to the existing method.

In a specific embodiment, the insert is rotatable with respect to the base ring. If additional elements are fitted onto the ring, it is easy to change the appearance of the ring by a simple rotation of the insert. In a preferred embodiment, the two ring element ends of the base ring which can be connected one inside the other and/or the insert are made of different chemical elements/element combinations. A ring with insert is made specifically for the purpose of, for example, combining different (precious) metals in one ring and to produce different shades of colour between the various components.

Another subject of the present invention relates to a method for producing a ring comprising a base ring with two ring element ends and an insert, in which the first ring element end comprises a coupling means with a groove and the second ring element end comprises a coupling means with a collar, in which the ring is formed by arranging the insert between the two ring element ends and then connecting the two ring element ends of the base ring with one another by fitting said collar in said groove in a clamping manner due to the fact that the inner diameter of the collar is smaller than the outer diameter of the groove. By applying this specific method, the base ring no longer has to be stretched and the desired original shape of the base ring is thus maintained. Obviously, in this case, the unevenness between the base ring and the insert which is caused by stretching of the base ring does not occur. Furthermore, it also becomes possible to polish components separately before they are fitted together and connected, as a result of which it becomes possible to use automatic polishing, as the risk of blending metals can be prevented.

As, with a ring which is produced using this method, the insert is not under tension, it also becomes possible to drill recesses in the insert. Due to the fact that the base ring is formed by combining two ring element ends, the base ring can comprise two elements/element combinations.

Preferably, the two connectable (couplable) ring element ends of the base ring are connected by sliding the two coupling means over one another,.

In a preferred embodiment, the two connectable ring element ends of the base ring are connected by means of a click-fit system. This is a simple method in which a small pressure force is sufficient to click-fit the two ring element ends to each other. The pressure force may be exerted by hand.

Furthermore, the end face of the first ring element end which first comes into contact with the second ring element end during the connecting operation may be bevelled or rounded. This serves to reduce the pressure force which is required to slide the ring element ends over one another. The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the ring and of a method for producing rings according to the invention. The sole aim of this description is to give illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and features of said ring and the method, and can therefore not be interpreted as a limitation of the area of application of the invention or of the patent rights defined in the claims.

In this detailed description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the insert and the two ring element ends of the base ring;

Figure 2 shows the ring after the different components of the ring have been assembled;

Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of the insert;

- Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the insert;

Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the insert;

Figure 6 shows a cross section of the two connectable ring element ends of the base ring according to a first embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a cross section of the two connectable ring element ends of the base ring according to a second embodiment.

The ring (1) according to the present invention and as shown, inter alia, in Figure 1 comprises a base ring (2) and an insert (3) which may be made of different types of metal. The base ring (2) comprises two annular ring element ends (4, 5), each of which is provided with a coupling means (12a, 12b) in order to connect these to one another. Furthermore, each ring element end (4, 5) is provided with a surface (6a, 6b) or a first (6a) and second (6b) receiving surface, respectively, which form the receiving surface for the insert (3) in the assembled state of the ring element ends (4, 5). The first (6a) and second (6b) receiving surface are each delimited by an outer edge (9), the outer diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of the receiving surfaces (6a and 6b) and which also forms part of the ring element ends (4, 5). The outer edges (9) of the ring element ends (4, 5) preferably have the same outer diameter as the insert (3), as a result of which the upper surface of the ring (1) is smooth. Usually, it is desired that the ring (1) is smooth, but it may also be the case that the outer diameter of the insert (3) is greater than that of the outer edges (9), as a result of which the insert (3) may protrude with respect to the base ring (2) or it is desired that the outer diameter of the insert (3) is smaller than that of the outer edges (9), so that an indentation is formed, as it were, at the location of the insert (3).

The ring (1) according to the present invention is characterized by the fact that the coupling means (12a) of the first ring element end (4) of the base ring (2) comprises a groove (7) and the coupling means (12b) of the second ring element end (5) of the base ring (2) comprises a collar (8) which is provided in a clamping manner in said groove (7) in the assembled state of the ring element ends (4,5). This is achieved in particular by the fact that the inner diameter (dk) of the collar (8) which is, for example, 19.9 mm, is smaller than the outer diameter (Dg) of the groove (7) which is, for example, 20 mm. As a result thereof, the second ring element end (5) is firmly clamped onto the first ring element end (4), as a result of which these can no longer become detached.

During production of the ring (1) according to the invention, the insert (3) is arranged between the two ring element ends (4, 5) of the base ring (2) and the two ring element ends (4, 5) are moved towards each other, in which case the two ring element ends (4, 5) first slide over each other and are then click-fitted to each other. Once the two ring element ends (4, 5) of the base ring (2) have been click-fitted to each other, the ring element ends (4, 5) can no longer become detached from each other. After click- fitting has been carried out, the click-fit line between the two ring element ends (4, 5) of the base ring (2) is only visible on the inner side of the ring (1) since the insert (3) covers the click- fit line on the outer side of the ring (1). The two ring element ends (4, 5) of the base ring (2) can be click-fitted to each other because metal has a degree of flexibility. The metals used are inter alia gold, silver, palladium, platinum for the insert (3) and stainless steel, titanium, copper or brass for the ring element ends (4, 5) of the base ring (2).

The significant advantage of this click-fit method is that click-fitting does not take long (approx. 1 minute per ring (1)) and the ring (1) requires no aftertreatment after click-fitting. In addition, the two ring element ends (4, 5) can be polished prior to click-fitting since the ring element ends (4, 5) no longer have to be stretched in order to produce the ring (1). The fact that polishing can take place beforehand has the advantage that there is no risk of the metals blending, since all parts are polished separately. Furthermore, the polishing does not have to be carried out by hand, which is required when different types of metal are to be polished together. Also, the insert (3) is not under tension, as is the case with the existing method, as a result of which different kinds of stones (10), such as for example a diamond or a sapphire, can be set in the insert (3) by means of, for example, drilling recesses without running the risk of the insert (3) becoming detached from the base ring (2).

With the existing method, the base ring is stretched, so that the insert becomes fixed in the groove of the base ring. In this case, aftertreatments are necessary, since there are still uneven structures between the base ring and the insert after stretching since the base ring cannot be polished before stretching. Sanding, polishing or turning the ring element ends and the insert has the significant drawback that blending of the different types of metal occurs. Moreover, this existing method is labour-intensive and time-consuming.

Figures 3 to 5 show different embodiments of the insert (3), but obviously other embodiments or combinations of embodiments as illustrated in the figures are also possible. In Figures 3 and 5, the insert (3) comprises one annular part. In Figure 5 precious stones (10) are set on the insert (3). In Figure 4, the insert (3) comprises three annular components. It is thus possible to achieve additional shades of colour by producing the insert (3) from different annular components which may be made of different types of metal.

Figures 6 and 7 show two possible cross sections of the two ring element ends (4, 5) of the base ring (2), but obviously other cross sections are also possible which lead to the same result, namely connecting the two ring element ends (4, 5) in a non- releasable way. If desired, it would even be possible to form the base ring (2) using an intermediate piece and to fit this intermediate piece between the two ring element ends (4, 5).

The first ring element end (4) of the base ring (2) is the part comprising the groove (7) and the second ring element end (5) is the part comprising the collar (8). In Figure 6, the first ring element end (4) is shown on the right-hand side in the figure and the second ring element end (5) is shown on the left-hand side. This is reversed in Figure 7. In Figure 6, the groove (7) is situated on the opposite side of the first receiving surface (6a) of the first ring element end (4) and the collar (8) is situated on the same side of the second receiving surface (6b) of the second ring element end (5). The second ring element end (5) comprises an outer edge (9) and a second receiving surface (6b) which does not form part of the coupling means (12b) and the first ring element end (4) comprises an outer edge (9) and a first receiving surface (6a) which forms part of the coupling means (12a).

In Figure 7, the groove (7) is situated on the same side of the first receiving surface (6a) and the collar (8) is situated on the opposite side of the second receiving surface (6b). The first ring element end (4) comprises an outer edge (9) and a first receiving surface (6a) which does not form part of the coupling means (12a) and the second ring element end (5) comprises an outer edge (9) and a second receiving surface (6b) which forms part of the coupling means (12b).

In both embodiments, the collar (8) is slightly larger than the groove (7), as a result of which the collar (8) is fixedly clamped into the groove (7) during click-fitting in a non-releasable manner. In addition, the coupling means (12a, 12b) accurately fit into one another completely, which ensures that the ring element ends (4, 5) are connected to each other in a non-releasable manner. In both embodiments, the first ring element end (4) with the groove (7) has a bevelled end face (11) at the location of the side which first makes contact with the second ring element end (5) when the two ring element ends (4, 5) are click-fitted to each other. Sliding the two ring element ends (4, 5) over one another thus becomes easier, as less force has to be used to slide the two ring element ends (4, 5) over one another.

This method is not only suitable for rings (1), but may also be used, for example, for bracelets, pendants, necklaces, etc.