DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to the field of jewellery, in particular to the field of goldsmithery products, in particular to the field of manufacture of rings. In particular, the subject- matter of the present patent application is the structure of a ring which is versatile with respect to the size, in particular versatile and adaptable to any morphological characteristic of the finger on which said ring is to be worn.

As known, a ring type jewel comprises an annular body which delimits a hole to allow the user to insert the ring on a finger. It is known that the material of which the annular body is made is non-deformable and, consequently, the diameter of the hole is fixed and, for the ring to be suitably worn, it is necessary that the diameter of said hole corresponds to the size of the finger on which said ring is worn. Furthermore, the joints often have a diameter greater than the next phalanx, where rings are generally worn, consequently the operation of fitting the ring to the finger is difficult. It is also known that the diameter as well as the morphological characteristics of the finger are variable according to the intrinsic physical characteristics as well as according to the change in temperature, humidity and the amount of work the hand performs, even during the same day, as well as according to the climate changes due to the different seasons.

In the state of the art solutions are known which provide for the manufacture of jewels of the ring type which have an adjustable diameter of the internal hole, in order to make a single jewel adaptable to any size. Some known solutions, such as for example the solutions described in the documents US9743726, US2005120746, US7797964, CN201070060 include the creation or welding of one or more protrusions, usually of reduced size and appearing as hemispheres, in the internal circumference of the ring.

In particular, the document US9743726 describes a structure for an adjustable finger ring which includes a curvilinear element positioned in the internal circumference of the ring and able to be moved until a pressure and/or resistance is created on the finger which wears the ring, and which includes a series of reciprocally alternative means suitable for moving the curvilinear element towards the centre of the central opening of the ring by means of the rotation of a knurled head screw or by means of other handling devices.

According to what is described in the document US9743726, the opening of the ring is substantially made of a generic upper body and of a lower body suitably provided with a housing seat for the curvilinear element (Dl, 19) when it is not extracted from the lower body itself.

According to what is described in the document US9743726, the aim of modulating the size of the central opening of the ring is reached by moving the curvilinear element towards the inside of the opening while maintaining the external structure of the ring substantially unchanged.

These solutions can be advantageous for the reduction from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter, however they involve some disadvantages including the impossibility to modulate the internal diameter in a variable manner over time and a general pain when wearing the jewel modified in such a way. Further examples of known art, such as for example the documents KR20100087550, KR200396514Y, GB191122358 include the insertion of one or more series of elastic elements in the body of the circle, in order to allow at least a partial adaptation to the size of the finger. However, the expected tolerance of this type of solutions is poor as the adaptability margin is rather poor. The aforementioned solution is also particularly annoying for the person who wears the ring. A further disadvantage of the aforementioned solutions is the presence of a series of very small elements whose correct functioning is significantly compromised in case tiny particles such as, for example, sand or dust, penetrate the mechanisms with which the rings are provided.

Another type of solution, for example the solution described in the document GB191122358, involves the insertion of a thin semicircle in the internal circumference of the hole. The semicircle inserted is usually made of a material having elastic properties such as to allow the adhesion to the finger by compression of it on the elastic semicircle. Also the aforementioned solution involves a number of manufacturing disadvantages and quite a moderate discomfort for the person who must wear the ring. A further disadvantage of the aforementioned solutions is that maintenance operations are periodically necessary by the jeweller, suitable for adjusting the diameter of the ring and of any devices associated with it to make it adaptable to the size of the finger.

Aim of the invention which is the subject-matter of this patent application is therefore to create a jewel, of the ring type, whose diameter size can be reversibly modified and which is at the same time aesthetically valuable, comfortable to use and easy to adjust. These and other aims which will be evident to the person skilled in the art are achieved with a jewel of the ring type according to the appended claims.

For a better understanding of the present invention, the following drawings are attached, by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Fig 1 shows a front view of a first preferential embodiment of the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application;

Fig 2 shows a front view of a second preferential embodiment of the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application; Fig 3 shows a front view of a third preferential embodiment of the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application;

Fig 4 shows a view of a part of the elements constituting the structure of the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application;

Fig 5 shows a view of a part of the elements constituting the structure of the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application;

Figures 6a, 6b, 6c illustrate the movement for adapting the size of the central hole of the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application in the three preferential embodiments;

Figures 7,8,9 illustrate an assembly method of the elements which constitute the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application in a first preferential embodiment.

Regardless of the preferential manufacture methods (Fig 1,2,3), the structure of the ring (1, Fig 1,2,3) which is the subject- matter of the present patent application is such as to allow part of the elements which constitute it to be vertically extensible so as to modify the diameter of the hole (3, Fig 1,2,3) allowing it to adapt to different morphological characteristics of the fingers on which it must be worn. In order to obtain the vertical extension, the ring (1) which is the subject-matter of the present patent application substantially consists of a first pair of elements (2.1, 2.2 Fig 1,2,3) positioned specularly with respect to each other and delimiting a central hole (3 Fig 1,2,3) for the insertion of the ring (1) on the user's finger. In particular, at least one of the two elements (2.1; 2.2) consists of a body having a surface with linear development while each element (2.1; 2.2) has a curved surface (2.1.1; 2.2.1), said curved surfaces (2.1.1; 2.2.1) forming the central hole (3) of the ring (1) once assembled. As it appears in the attached Figures, in particular in Fig 7, the first element (2.1) has, in a central position with respect to its length, an internal threaded through cavity

(2.1.5). According to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the ring (1) also comprises an external framework (4 Fig 1,2,3) consisting of at least one first longitudinal development body (4.1), of a left vertical development element (4.3) and of a right vertical development element (4.4), said left and right vertical development elements (4.3,4. ) being placed orthogonally with respect to the first longitudinal development body (4.1). With reference to Figure 4, the first longitudinal development body (4.1) has, on the external surface with respect to the central hole (3) and in a central position with respect to its length, a through cavity

(4.5). Furthermore, the first longitudinal development body

(4.1) also has a longitudinal opening, which is not visible in the attached images, on the internal surface with respect to the central hole (3). As shown in Fig 4, each left and right vertical development element (4.3,4.4) also has at one end, in the internal portion, a linear element with longitudinal development

(4.3.1.4.4.1), said linear element with longitudinal development

(4.3.1.4.4.1) having a length shorter than the length of the corresponding longitudinal element (4.3,4.4), to constitute an appendix hereinafter referred to as left guide (4.3.1) and right guide (4.4.1). In a preferential but not exclusive embodiment, the left and right vertical development elements (4.3,4.4) made according to what has been described above, consist of cylindrical bodies. With reference to Figures 4 and 5, according to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the external surface with linear development of the first element (2.1) of the central body (2) is housed in the longitudinal opening of the first longitudinal development body (4.1) consequently obtaining the alignment of the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1) and of the internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the first element (2.1) of the main body (2). Furthermore, as shown in Fig 5, the first element

(2.1) of the central body (2), at the left and right lateral ends has two cavities (2.1.3; 2.1.4) with a length greater than the length of the left guide (4.3.1) and of the right guide

(4.4.1) of the respective vertical development elements (4.3;

4.4). According to what has been previously described, the guides (4.3.1; 4.4.1) of the vertical development elements (4.3;

4.4) can be slidingly inserted into the corresponding cavities (2.1.3;2.1.4) of the first element (2.1) of the central body (2). According to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the second element (2.2) of the central body (2) has an exclusively containing function of the central structure and therefore, with the exception of the internal surface (2.2.1) which has a curvature, it can be made in any shape needed. Once the alignment is obtained between the through cavity (4.5) of the first longitudinal development body

(4.1) of the external framework (4) and the internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the first element (2.1) of the main body (2), inside the through cavity (4.5) it is possible to insert a pin (5) having a lower end (5.1) which in turn has a thread. In a preferential but not exclusive embodiment (Fig 1,2,4,5,6a,6b), the pin (5) at the top may include means for inserting precious stones or the like. As shown in Figs 4,5 and 7, interposed between the outlet of the through cavity (4.5) of the first longitudinal development body (4.1) and the inlet of the threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the first body (2.1) of the central body (2) the housing is provided of an element (5.2) which acts as a stop, said element (5.2) being preferably but not exclusively of a truncated cone shape and having a through cavity in which the lower threaded end (5.1) of the pin (5) will be inserted so as to allow the pin (5) itself to clockwise or counterclockwise rotate without being able to come out of the through cavity (4.5) and of the cavity placed inside the stop

(5.2).

According to what has been previously described, once the structure is assembled (Fig 1,2,3), the rotation of the pin (5) allows the entry into the threaded through cavity (2.1.5) allowing a vertical movement of the first body (2.1), integral with the longitudinal development body (4.1) and slidingly associated with the vertical elements (4.3,4.4) by means of the guides (4.3.1; 4.4.1). Consequently, the vertical movement will allow the enlargement of the diameter of the central hole (3), allowing the user, by means of a simple rotation movement of the pin (5), to adapt the size of the central hole (3) to the morphological needs of the finger on which the ring (1) is worn (Fig 6a, 6b, 6c).

Description of a first embodiment

In a first preferential embodiment (Fig 1, Fig 4,5) the ring (1) which is the subject-matter of the present patent application substantially consists of a central body (2) delimiting a central hole (3) for the insertion of the ring (1) on the user's finger and it further comprises an external framework (4) associated at the top and at the bottom with the central body (2). The ring (1) can be made of any material; in the figures it is also shown without any precious stones associated with the external framework (4), but it should be understood that the latter may be associated with one or more of these stones placed at least at the top of the external framework (4). According to the first preferential embodiment, the external framework (4) of the ring type jewel (1) which is the subject-matter of the present patent application substantially consists of an upper longitudinal development body (4.1), of a lower longitudinal development body ( 4.2), of a left vertical development element

(4.3) and a right vertical development element (4.4), said left and right vertical development elements (4.3,4.4) being placed orthogonally with respect to the upper (4.1) and lower (4.2) longitudinal development body. In particular, the upper longitudinal development body (4.1) has a through cavity (4.5) on the external surface with respect to the central hole (3) in a central position with respect to its length.

The upper longitudinal development body (4.1) also has a longitudinal opening, which is not visible in the attached images, on the internal surface with respect to the central hole (3).

Each left and right vertical development element (4.3,4.4) has a linear element with longitudinal development (4.3.1,4.4.1) at the top, in the internal portion, said linear element with longitudinal development (4.3.1,4.4.1) having a length shorter than the length of the corresponding longitudinal element (4.3, .4), to constitute an upper appendix hereinafter referred to as left guide (4.3.1) and right guide (4.4.1). In a preferential but not exclusive embodiment, the left and right vertical development elements (4.3,4.4) made according to what has been described above, consist of cylindrical bodies. According to the first preferential embodiment, the central body (2) substantially consists of a pair of elements (2.1, 2.2) positioned specularly with respect to each other and delimiting the central hole (3) for the insertion of the ring (1) on the user's finger. In particular, each element (2.1; 2.2) consists of a body having an external surface with linear development and an internal curved surface (2.1.1; 2.2.1), said curved surfaces (2.1.1; 2.2.1) forming the central hole (3) of the ring (1) once assembled. In particular, the element (2.1) placed at the top with respect to the second element (2.2) has, in a central position with respect to its length, an internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5). According to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the external surface with respect to the hole (3) of the element placed at the top (2.1) of the central body (2) is housed in the longitudinal opening present in the internal surface of the upper body (4.1) of the external framework (4).

By inserting the upper surface of the upper element (2.1) of the central body (2), the alignment is also obtained of the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1) of the external framework (4) and of the internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the upper element (2.1) of the main body (2). The upper element (2.1) of the central body (2) also has two cavities (2.1.3; 2.1.4) at the left and right lateral ends, having a length greater than the length of the left guide (4.3.1) and of the right guide (4.4.1) of the respective vertical development elements (4.3;4.4). According to what has been previously described, the guides (4.3.1; 4.4.1) of the vertical development elements (4.3; 4.4) can be slidingly inserted into the corresponding cavities (2.1.3;2.1.4) of the upper element (2.1) of the central body (2). According to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the lower element (2.2) has an exclusively containing function of the central structure and therefore, with the exception of the internal surface (2.2.1) which has a curvature, it can be made in any shape needed. Once the alignment is obtained between the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1) of the external framework (4) and the internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the upper element (2.1) of the main body (2), inside the through cavity (4.5) it is possible to insert a pin (5) having a lower end (5.1), said end (5.1) having a thread.

In a preferential but not exclusive embodiment, the pin (5) at the top can include means for inserting precious stones or the like. Interposed between the outlet of the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1) of the framework (4) and the inlet of the threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the upper body (2.1) of the main body (2) the housing is provided of a body which acts as a stop (5.2), preferably but not exclusively of a truncated cone shape, said stop (5.2) having a through cavity in which the lower threaded end (5.1) of the pin (5) is inserted so as to allow the pin (5) itself to freely rotate.

Description of a second embodiment

In a second preferential embodiment (Fig 2, Fig 6b) the ring (1) which is the subject-matter of the present patent application substantially consists of a central body (2) delimiting a central hole (3) for the insertion of the ring (1) on the user's finger and it further comprises an external framework (4) associated at the top and at the bottom with the central body (2). The ring (1) can be made of any material; in the figures it is also shown without precious stones associated with the external framework (4), but it should be understood that one or more of these stones can be associated with it at least at the top of the external framework (4). According to the second preferential embodiment, the external framework (4) of the jewel of ring type (1) which is the subject-matter of the present patent application substantially consists of a single upper longitudinal development body (4.1), of a left vertical development element (4.3) and a right vertical development element (4.4), said left and right vertical development elements (4.3,4.4) being placed orthogonally with respect to the upper longitudinal development body (4.1). In particular, the upper longitudinal development body (4.1) has a through cavity (4.5) on the external surface with respect to the central hole (3) in a central position with respect to its length. The upper longitudinal development body (4.1) also has a longitudinal opening which is not visible in the attached images, on the internal surface with respect to the central hole (3). Each left and right vertical development element (4.3,4.4) has a linear element with longitudinal development (4.3.1,4.4.1) at the top, in the internal portion, said linear element with longitudinal development (4.3.1,4.4.1) having a length shorter than the length of the corresponding longitudinal element (4.3,4.4), to constitute an upper appendix hereinafter referred to as left guide (4.3.1) and right guide (4.4.1). In a preferential but not exclusive embodiment, the left and right vertical development elements (4.3,4.4) made according to what has been described above, consist of cylindrical bodies. According to this preferential embodiment, the central body (2) substantially consists of a pair of elements (2.1, 2.2) positioned specularly with respect to each other and delimiting the central hole (3) for the insertion of the ring (1) on the user's finger. In particular, the upper element (2.1) consists of a body having an external surface with linear development and a curved internal surface (2.1.1). According to this preferential embodiment, the lower element (2.2) consists of an element having an internal curved surface (2.2.1) which, with the internal curved surface (2.1.1) of the upper element (2.1), delimits the circumference of the central hole (3) of the ring

(1) once assembled. In particular, the element (2.1) placed at the top with respect to the second element (2.2) has, in a central position with respect to its length, an internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5). According to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the external surface with respect to the central hole (3) of the element placed at the top (2.1) of the central body (2) is housed in the longitudinal opening which is in the internal surface of the upper body (4.1) of the external framework (4). By inserting the upper surface of the upper element (2.1) of the central body

(2), the alignment is also obtained of the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1) of the external framework (4) and of the internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the upper element (2.1) of the main body (2). The upper element (2.1) of the central body (2) also has two cavities (2.1.3; 2.1.4), at the left and right lateral ends, having a length greater than the length of the left guide (4.3.1) and of the right guide (4.4.1) of the respective vertical development elements (4.3; 4.4). According to what has been previously described, the guides (4.3.1; 4.4.1) of the vertical development elements (4.3; 4.4) can be slidingly inserted into the corresponding cavities (2.1.3; 2.1.4) of the upper element (2.1) of the central body

(2). According to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the lower element (2.2) has an exclusively containing function of the central structure and therefore, with the exception of the internal surface (2.2.1) which has a curvature, it can be made in any shape needed. Once the alignment is obtained between the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1) of the external framework (4) and the internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the upper element (2.1) of the main body (2), inside the through cavity (4.5) it is possible to insert a pin (5) having a lower end (5.1), said end (5.1) having a thread. In a preferential but not exclusive embodiment, the pin (5) at the top may include means for the insertion of precious stones or the like. Interposed between the outlet of the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1) of the framework (4) and the inlet of the threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the upper body (2.1) of the main body (2) the housing is provided of a body which acts as a stop (5.2), preferably but not exclusively of a truncated cone shape, and having a through cavity in which the threaded lower end (5.1) of the pin (5) is inserted so as to allow the pin (5) itself to freely rotate. Description of a third embodiment

In a third preferential embodiment (Fig 3, Fig 6c) the ring (1) which is the subject-matter of the present patent application substantially consists of a central body (2) delimiting a central hole (3) for the insertion of the ring (1) on the user's finger and it further comprises an external framework (4) associated at the top and at the bottom with the central body (2). The ring (1) can be made of any material; in the figures it is also shown provided with a precious stone associated with the external framework (4), but it should be understood that none, one or more of these stones placed at least at the top of the external framework (4) can be associated with it. According to the third preferential embodiment, the external framework (4) of the jewel of ring type (1) which is the subject-matter of the present patent application consists of a single longitudinal development body (4.1), of a left vertical development element (4.3) and of a right vertical development element (4.4), said left and right vertical development elements (4.3,4.4) being placed orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal development body (4.1). In particular, the longitudinal development body

(4.1) has a through cavity (4.5) on the external surface with respect to the central hole (3) in a central position with respect to its length. The longitudinal development body (4.1) also has a longitudinal opening which is not visible in the attached images, on the internal surface with respect to the central hole (3). Each left and right vertical development element (4.3,4.4) has a linear element with longitudinal development (4.3.1,4.4.1) at the bottom, in the internal portion, said linear element with longitudinal development

(4.3.1.4.4.1) having a length shorter than the length of the corresponding longitudinal element (4.3,4.4), to form a lower appendix hereinafter referred to as left guide (4.3.1) and right guide (4.4.1). In a preferential but not exclusive embodiment, the left and right vertical development elements (4.3,4.4) made according to what has been described above, consist of cylindrical bodies. According to this preferential embodiment, the central body (2) substantially consists of a pair of upper and lower elements (2.1, 2.2) positioned specularly with respect to each other and delimiting the central hole (3) for the insertion of the ring (1) on the user's finger. In particular, the lower element (2.1) consists of a body having an external surface with linear development and an internal curved surface

(2.1.1). According to this preferential embodiment, the upper element (2.2) consists of an element internally having a curved surface (2.2.1) which, with the internal curved surface (2.1.1) of the lower element (2.1) delimits the circumference of the central hole (3) of the ring (1) once assembled. In particular, the element (2.1) placed at the bottom of the second element (2.2) has an internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) in a central position with respect to its length. According to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the external surface with respect to the hole (3) of the element placed at the bottom (2.1) of the central body (2) is housed in the longitudinal opening which is in the internal surface of the lower body (4.1) of the external framework (4). By inserting the external surface with respect to the central hole (3) of the lower element (2.1) of the central body (2), the alignment is also obtained of the through cavity (4.5) of the longitudinal development body (4.1) and of the internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the lower element (2.1) of the main body (2). The lower element (2.1) of the central body (2) also has two cavities (2.1.3; 2.1.4) at the left and right lateral ends, having a length greater than the length of the left guide (4.3.1) and of the right guide (4.4.1) of the respective vertical development elements (4.3; 4.4). According to what has been previously described, the guides (4.3.1; 4.4.1) of the vertical development elements (4.3; 4.4) can be slidingly inserted into the corresponding cavities (2.1.3; 2.1.4) of the lower element (2.1) of the central body (2).

According to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application, the upper element (2.2) has an exclusively containing function of the central structure and therefore, with the exception of the internal surface (2.2.1) which has a curvature, it can be made in any shape needed. Once the alignment is obtained between the through cavity (4.5) of the longitudinal development body (4.1) and the internal threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the lower element (2.1) of the main body (2), inside the through cavity (4.5) it is possible to insert a pin (5) having a lower end (5.1), said end (5.1) having a thread. Interposed between the outlet of the through cavity (4.5) of the longitudinal development body (4.1) and the inlet of the threaded through cavity (2.1.5) of the lower body

(2.1) of the main body (2) the housing is provided of a body which acts as a stop (5.2), preferably but not exclusively of a truncated cone shape, and having a through cavity in which the threaded lower end (5.1) of the pin (5) is inserted so as to allow the pin (5) itself to freely rotate.

Description of a fourth embodiment

In a fourth preferential but not exclusive embodiment, all the preferential embodiments listed above can be made by modifying the vertical development elements (4.3; 4.4) and the element

(2.1) of the central body (2) as follows, without prejudice to what is described and claimed.

According to this fourth preferential embodiment, each vertical development element (4.3; 4.4) has a cavity at one end and the element (2.1) of the central body (2) has a linear element with longitudinal development at the left and right lateral ends, said linear element with longitudinal development having a length shorter than the length of the corresponding element

(2.1) and having a length equal to or shorter than the length of the cavity which is on the corresponding vertical development element (4.3; 4.4).

Description of an assembly method.

With reference to Drawing 3 Fig 7,8,9, an assembly method for making the structure of the invention in a first preferential embodiment is described hereinafter by way of a non exclusive example. The assembly method described hereinafter is an example and is not limiting with respect to the characteristics of the invention as described and claimed. The assembly method of the elements described consists of the following phases:

- (Fig 7) sliding insertion of the guides (4.3.1; 4.4.1) of the vertical development elements (4.3, .4) into the corresponding cavities (2.1.3; 2.1.4) of the upper element (2.1) of the central body (2);

- (Fig 7) insertion of the upper element (2.1) of the central body (2) into the longitudinal opening which is in the lower surface of the upper body (4.1), not visible in the attached Drawings; as a consequence of the aforementioned insertion, the correspondence is created between the outlet of the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1), the outlet of the internal through cavity of the stop (5.2) and the inlet of the threaded cavity (2.1.5) of the upper element (2.1) of the main body (2). Therefore, by operating according to these methods, (Fig 8) the lower end (5.1) of the pin (5) can be inserted into the through cavity (4.5) of the upper body (4.1), into the cavity of the stop (5.2) up to the threaded cavity (2.1.5) of the upper element (2.1).

The association of the pin (5) to the stop (5.2) in such a way that the pin (5) is integral with the stop (5.2) allows the pin (5) itself to rotate in its seat in the hole (4.5) of the upper element (4.1) but it makes no vertical movement of the pin (5) possible with respect to the upper element (4.1).

- (Fig 8) Insertion of the lower element (2.2) of the central body (2) and of the lower element (4.2) of the external framework (4) so that the lower ends of the left and right vertical development elements (4.3, 4.4) correspond to the lateral ends of said lower element (4.2) of the external framework (4).

- Association of the upper ends of the vertical development elements (4.3; 4.4) to the lateral ends of the upper body (4.1), said association can take place by welding or by association by means of generic means such as screws or with any other system.

- Association of the lower ends of the vertical development elements (4.3; 4.4) to the lateral ends of the lower body (4.2), said association can take place by welding or by association by means of generic means such as screws or with any other system. - Association of the lower element (2.2) of the central body (2) to the lower body (4.2), said association can take place by welding or by means of generic means such as screws or any other system.

(Fig 9) Obtainment of the ring structure according to the invention which is the subject-matter of the present patent application.