Ring Incorporating Ring Sizing Device And Method of Use

Abstract

The various embodiments of the present invention comprise ring sizing devices and rings incorporating the devices that ameliorate one or more of disadvantages of prior art devices and rings. The various embodiments are one or more of more comfortable to wear, less complicated, more reliable, less visually obtrusive, and less expensive to produce than prior art devices and rings.

1 . A finger ring comprising:
 an annular shank having an inside circumferential surface with a channel extending inwardly into the inside circumferential surface around a substantial portion thereof, the inside circumferential surface having an effective first diameter, the annular shank having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the top portion is adapted to be received onto a top surface of a wearer's finger and the bottom half is adapted to be received on a bottom half of the wearer's finger when the ring is properly worn; and   an arcuate spring (i) having an effective second diameter smaller than the first diameter, (ii) having left and right ends located proximate a top portion of the arcuate shank that face generally radially outwardly relative to a center point of the annular shank, (iii) forming an arc of about 210-270 degrees, (iv) having respective left and right inwardly extending portions proximate respective left and right ends, (v) having a substantially rectangular cross section with a thickness less than a depth of the channel, (vi) being secured to the inside circumferential surface of the bottom portion of the arcuate shank within the channel;   wherein the arcuate spring is adapted to resiliently expand as a wearer places his/her finger within the ring.   
   
   
       2 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate spring comprises steel. 
   
   
       3 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the ring further includes a head located on the top portion. 
   
   
       4 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the respective inwardly extending portions comprise a portion of the arcuate spring that has been bent into an inwardly extending arc that has an effective arc diameter no more than one third the second diameter. 
   
   
       5 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the respective left and right ends are adapted to be received into the channel when the ring is being worn. 
   
   
       6 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate spring is secured to the annular shank by one of soldering, welding, screwing, swaging and adhesive bonding. 
   
   
       7 . A finger ring comprising:
 an annular shank having an inside circumferential surface with a channel extending inwardly into the inside circumferential surface around a substantial portion thereof, the inside circumferential surface having an effective first diameter, the arcuate shank having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the top portion is adapted to be received onto a top surface of a wearer's finger and the bottom half is adapted to be received on a bottom half of the wearer's finger when the ring is properly worn; and   an arcuate spring (i) having an effective second diameter smaller than the first diameter, (ii) having left and right ends located proximate a bottom portion of the arcuate shank with each end comprising a generally spherical bead, (iii) forming an arc of about 240-300 degrees, (iv) being secured to the inside circumferential surface of the top portion of the arcuate shank within the channel;   wherein the arcuate spring is adapted to resiliently expand as a wearer places his/her finger within the ring with the generally spherical beads resting on a bottom side of the wearer's finger.   
   
   
       8 . The ring of  claim 7 , wherein the arcuate spring has a substantially round cross section. 
   
   
       9 . The ring of  claim 7 , wherein the arcuate spring is secured to the inside circumferential surface to one of the left and right of and adjacent to a head of the ring. 
   
   
       10 . The ring of  claim 7 , wherein the generally spherical beads are one of adhesively bonded, welded, screwed and soldered to the arcuate spring. 
   
   
       11 . The ring of  claim 8 , wherein the diameter of the generally spherical beads are larger than the cross sectional diameter of the arcuate spring. 
   
   
       12 . A combination comprising a ring having an annular shank with an inside circumferential surface and one or more bead assemblies secured to the inside circumferential surface wherein each bead assembly comprises a bead, the bead being generally one of a spheroid and a partial spheroid. 
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein each bead assembly comprises a shaft and a spheroid, the shaft being secured to the spheroid and including a first portion extending outwardly therefrom, the first portion being received and secured in a bore extending into the annular shank from the inside circumferential surface. 
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the shaft of each bead assembly is secured in an associated bore by at least one of soldering, threading, adhesive bonding, welding and interference fit. 
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more bead assemblies are secured to a bottom half of the annular shank. 
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein each bead assembly comprises a base member, the base member being secured to the bead and including a generally flat to slightly curved base surface, the base member being secured to the inside circumferential surface by one of soldering, welding and adhesive bonding. 
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the bead comprises a gemstone or a pearl. 
   
   
       18 . A method of sizing a finger ring for a finger to create the combination of  claim 12 , the method comprising:
 temporarily fitting a first combination of one or more bead assemblies to the inside circumferential surface;   determining fit by placing the ring on the finger;   as necessary, repeating the operations of temporarily fitting and determining fit with subsequent combinations of one or more bead assemblies, the subsequent bead assemblies differing from the first combination in one or more of (i) the size of beads associated with each bead assembly, (ii) the number of bead assemblies and (iii) locations of the one or more bead assemblies on the inside circumferential surface;   fixedly securing the one or more bead assemblies of the first or subsequent combination to the inside circumferential surface.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising measuring the diameter of the inside circumferential surface of the annular shank and the finger and consulting a chart to determine possible bead assembly combinations to fit the ring to the finger. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the one or more bead assemblies are fixedly secured to the bottom half of the annular shank.