JEWELRY SYSTEM

Abstract

A jewelry system includes an outer ring having an open shank and an aperture on either side of the shank, and an inner ring configured to be received within an aperture of the outer ring such that the outer ring and the inner ring are removably coupled to one another. The inner ring includes extending surfaces or protrusions at side points on opposite sides of its shank, near the base of the shank, which are configured to be seated within the apertures in the outer ring. The extended surfaces are located at approximately 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock on the inner ring and are configured prevent the movement of the inner ring with respect to the outer ring while the inner ring is coupled to the outer ring.

Claims

1. A jewelry system, comprising: an outer ring comprising a front portion and a rear portion coupled to the front portion, the rear portion spaced from the front portion to form an aperture therebetween; and an inner ring received within the aperture of the outer ring and being removably coupled to the outer ring, wherein the inner ring comprises a shank having a top portion and a bottom portion, a first protrusion and a second protrusion, each of the first and the second protrusions located proximate the bottom portion of the shank at opposite sides, wherein the first and the second protrusions are configured to engage corresponding portions of the outer ring to prevent movement of the inner ring with respect to the outer ring while the inner ring is coupled within the outer ring.

2. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the first and second protrusions are configured to mitigate rotation of the inner ring with respect to an axis of rotation extending through centers of the outer ring and the inner ring.

3. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend radially outward from the shank of the inner ring and are radially located at approximately 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock on the inner ring.

4. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend radially outward from the shank of the inner ring, the first protrusion is located between 215 and 235 degrees from the top portion of the inner ring and the second protrusion is located between 125 and 145 degrees from the top portion of the inner ring.

5. The jewelry system of claim 4, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion each comprise a concave shaped bottom surface to engage a base of the outer ring.

6. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are spaced apart from one another by a first distance to form the aperture, the first distance corresponds to a thickness of the inner ring such that a corresponding portion of the inner ring is removably coupled within the aperture of the outer ring.

7. The jewelry system of claim 1, wherein the front portion and the rear portion each comprise a head, a left side shank, and a right side shank, each of the left side shank and the right side shank extend from the respective head towards a bottom portion of the outer ring.

8. The jewelry system of claim 7, wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the outer ring are coupled to one another with a first base and a second base, the first base couples the left side shank of the front portion to the left side shank of the rear portion, and the second base couples the right side shank of the front portion to the right side shank of the rear portion.

9. The jewelry system of claim 8, wherein the first base and the second base are located proximate the bottom portion of the outer ring at a distal end of the respective shanks, the distal ends of the right side shanks and the left side shanks being ends furthest from the respective head of the front portion or the rear portion.

10. The jewelry system of claim 7, wherein distal ends of the left side shanks are spaced apart from distal ends of the right side shanks to form an opening between the respective shanks proximate the bottom portion of the outer ring.

11. A jewelry system, comprising: an outer ring comprising: a front portion comprising a head, a left side shank, and a right side shank, wherein the left side shank and the right side shank extend from the head towards a bottom portion of the ring; and a rear portion comprising a head, a left side shank, and a right side shank, wherein the left side shank and the right side shank extend from the head towards a bottom portion of the ring, wherein the rear portion is coupled to the front portion, and spaced from the front portion to form an aperture therebetween, and an inner ring received within the aperture of the outer ring and being removably coupled to the outer ring, wherein the inner ring comprises a shank having a top portion and a bottom portion, a first protrusion and a second protrusion, each of the first and the second protrusions located proximate the bottom portion of the shank at opposite sides, wherein the first and the second protrusions are configured to engage corresponding portions of the outer ring to prevent movement of the inner ring with respect to the outer ring while the inner ring is coupled within the outer ring.

12. The jewelry system of claim 11, wherein the first and second protrusions are configured to mitigate rotation of the inner ring with respect to an axis of rotation extending through centers of the outer ring and the inner ring.

13. The jewelry system of claim 11, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend radially outward from the shank of the inner ring and are radially located at approximately 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock on the inner ring.

14. The jewelry system of claim 11, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend radially outward from the shank of the inner ring, the first protrusion is located between 215 and 235 degrees from the top portion of the inner ring and the second protrusion is located between 125 and 145 degrees from the top portion of the inner ring.

15. The jewelry system of claim 14, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion each comprise a concave shaped bottom surface to engage a base of the outer ring.

16. The jewelry system of claim 11, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are spaced apart from one another by a first distance to form the aperture, the first distance corresponds to a thickness of the inner ring such that a corresponding portion of the inner ring is removably coupled within the aperture of the outer ring.

17. The jewelry system of claim 11, wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the outer ring are coupled to one another with a first base and a second base, the first base couples the left side shank of the front portion to the left side shank of the rear portion, and the second base couples the right side shank of the front portion to the right side shank of the rear portion.

18. A jewelry ring comprising: a front portion comprising a head, a left side shank, and a right side shank, wherein the left side shank and the right side shank extend from the head towards a bottom portion of the ring; and a rear portion comprising a head, a left side shank, and a right side shank, wherein the left side shank and the right side shank extend from the head towards the bottom portion of the ring; and wherein the rear portion is coupled to the front portion and spaced from the front portion to form an aperture therebetween.

19. The jewelry ring of claim 18, wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the ring are coupled to one another with a first base and a second base, the first base couples the left side shank of the front portion to the left side shank of the rear portion, and the second base couples the right side shank of the front portion to the right side shank of the rear portion.

20. The jewelry ring of claim 19, wherein the first base and the second base are located proximate the bottom portion of the ring at a distal end of the respective shanks, the distal ends of the right side shanks and the left side shanks being ends furthest from the respective head of the front portion or the rear portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front view of an example embodiment of an outer ring, the rear view being substantially similar.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the outer ring.

[0030] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of an example embodiment of the outer ring.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a left side view of an example embodiment of the outer ring, the right side view being substantially similar.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a top view of an example embodiment of the outer ring.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an example embodiment of the outer ring.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a front view of an example embodiment of an inner ring, the rear view being substantially similar.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the inner ring.

[0036] FIG. 9 is another perspective view of an example embodiment of the inner ring.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a left side view of an example embodiment of the inner ring, the right side view being substantially similar.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a top view of an example embodiment of the inner ring.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of an example embodiment of the inner ring.

[0040] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of an example embodiment of a jewelry system comprising the inner ring installed within the outer ring.

[0041] FIG. 14 is another bottom view of an example embodiment of a jewelry system comprising the inner ring installed within the outer ring.

[0042] FIG. 15 is a view from the dorsal side of the user's hand showing an example embodiment of the jewelry system placed on a wearer's ring finger.

[0043] FIG. 16 is a view from the palmar side of the user's hand showing an example embodiment of the jewelry system placed on a wearer's ring finger.

[0044] FIG. 17 is another bottom view of an example embodiment of a jewelry system comprising the inner ring installed within the outer ring.

[0045] FIG. 18 is an example embodiment of a jewelry system comprising a standard engagement ring placed within the outer ring.

[0046] FIG. 19 is a front view of another example embodiment of an inner ring.

[0047] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of an outer ring.

[0048] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of an inner ring.

[0049] FIG. 22 a perspective view of is another example embodiment of an inner ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In the following detailed description, certain example embodiments are shown and described, by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art would recognize, the described example embodiments may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, rather than restrictive.

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a jewelry system 10 having an outer ring 100 and an inner ring 200. The inner ring 200 is configured to fit at least partially within the outer ring 100.

[0052] Turning to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an outer ring 100 is shown. The outer ring 100 can also be referred to as a jacket 100, an outer jacket 100, or a ring jacket 100. The outer ring 100 may include a head 102 near the top 130 of the outer ring 100, shoulders 104, a bridge 106 opposite the head 102, a curved shank 108 for fitting around a finger, and corresponding bases 110 and 112 located at a bottom 132 of the outer ring 100 and each forming an end point of the shank 108. The shank 108 can comprise a left side shank 114 and a right side shank 116, and an opening 118 at the bottom 132 of the outer ring 100 between left side shank 114 and the right side shank 116. The radius 134 can be measured from a center 136 of the shank 108 to an inner edge of the shank 108. The radius 134 can correspond to a radius of a wearer's finger. In some examples, the radius 134 may be slightly larger than the radius of a wearer's finger to allow ease of installation and removal of the outer ring 100.

[0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the outer ring 100 can include a front portion 124 and a rear portion 126, which in some embodiments may be mirror images of one another. For each of the numbered reference numerals, mirrored features will be denoted with prime superscripts. For instance, the outer ring 100 can include a front left side shank 114 and a rear left side shank 114 and a front right side shank 116 and a rear right side shank 116. In some embodiments the front left side shank 114 and the front right side shank 115 are mirror images of one another. The rear left side shank 114 and the rear right side shank 116 can also be mirror images of one another. The front left side shank 114 and the rear left side shank 114 can be joined at the base 110. Similarly, the front right side shank 116 and the rear right side shank 116 can be joined at the base 112. The base 110 and the base 112 can be located at distal ends of the respective shanks at a distance the furthest away from the head 102.

[0054] Between the front portion 124 and the rear portion 126, each of the left side shank 114,114 and the right side shank 116, 116 may include a corresponding aperture 120 and 122 (e.g., openings or spacing between the front portion 124 and the rear portion 126). The apertures 120 and 122 can extend through each shank 114, 116 from the corresponding bases 110, 112 to the head 102 of the outer ring 100. Said differently, the apertures 120 and 122 may connect and extend from base 110 to base 112 to create a single aperture or opening between the front portion 124 of the outer ring 100 and the rear portion 126 of the outer ring 100. In certain embodiments, the bases 110 and 112 may be referred to as bridges 110 and 112 as they may bridge the front portion 124 of the shanks 114 and 116 to the rear portion of the shanks 114 and 116. The bases 110 and 112 may be the only features connecting the front portion 124 of the outer ring 100 to the rear portion 126 of the outer ring 100. In this manner, the outer ring 100 can be configured to support an inner ring 200 within the apertures 120 and 122 and between the front portion 124 and the rear portion 126. As described below in more detail, the inner ring 200 can be configured to be removably coupled or fit within the apertures 120 and 122 and engage at least one surface of the base 110 and base 112.

[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the apertures 120 and 122 may be defined between a surface of the front shanks 114, 116 and a surface of the rear shanks 114, 116. The distance 140 between the surfaces may correspond to a thickness of an inner ring, such as the inner ring 200. In other examples, the distance 140 may be slightly larger than a thickness of an inner ring 200 to facilitate ease of installation and removal of the inner ring 200 from the outer ring 100. Yet, in other examples, the distance 140 can be configured to receive or accept more than one inner ring (e.g., two, three, or more) between the surface of the front shanks 114, 116 and the surface of the rear shanks 114, 116. The apertures 120, 122 of the outer ring can have a width or distance 140 between them that is sized to permit display of decorative elements on the top portion of the shank of the inner ring.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, the distance between the front shanks 114, 116, and the rear shanks 114, 116, may increase towards the center of the outer ring 100 (e.g., distance 142 between the shoulders 104 and 104. For instance, the distance 142 at the head of the outer ring 100 may be larger than the distance 140 to create a space for the head of an inner ring 200. The distance between the base 110 and base 112 can be less than the corresponding width (or diameter) of a wearer's finger (e.g., ring finger).

[0057] Turning to FIGS. 7-12, an embodiment of an inner ring 200 is shown. The inner ring 200 may include a head 202 at a top 230 of the inner ring 200, shoulders 204, a bridge 206, and a shank 208 extending in a circle from one shoulder 204 to the other shoulder 204. The shank 208 can include a left side shank 214 and a right side shank 216. One or more gemstones 212 or other decorative elements can be affixed to the head 202 of the inner ring 200. In certain embodiments, the inner ring 200 can include a first extension 218 protruding from the left side shank 214 and a second extension 220 protruding from the right side shank 216. The first extension 218 and the second extension 220 can be located on either side of the base 210.

[0058] The inner ring 200 can further comprise a radius 234. The radius 234 can be measured from a center 236 of the shank 208 to an inner edge of the shank 208. The radius 234 can correspond to a radius of a wearer's finger. In some examples, the radius 234 may be slightly larger than the radius of a wearer's finger to allow ease of installation and removal of the inner ring 200. The radius 234 of the inner ring 200 may also substantially correspond (e.g., either exactly or within a threshold) to the radius 134 of the outer ring 100.

[0059] The first extension 218 (or first protrusion) and the second extension 220 (or second protrusion) can be located proximate a bottom portion of the inner ring 200. For example, in an embodiment, the first extension 218 (or first protrusion) can be located at 7 o'clock and the second extension 220 (or second protrusion) can be located at 5 o'clock. Or, assuming a 360 degree orientation, the head 202 of the inner ring 200 being at 0 degrees, the first extension 218 can be at 225 degrees +/5 degrees, and the second extension 220 can be at 135 degrees +/5 degrees. It should be appreciated, however, that the range of either of these locations can be +/10 degrees, +/15 degrees, or +/20 degrees without deviating from the scope of the application. According to an embodiment, the extensions can be positioned at any orientation such that one provides a counterbalance to the other, to align the inner ring within the apertures of the outer ring 100 and prevent rotational movement of the inner ring 200.

[0060] The first and the second extensions 218 and 220 can include substantially flat side profiles 250, 252 and substantially flat bottom profiles 258, 260, such that the first and the second extensions 218 and 220 form an edge 254, 256 between the corresponding side profiles 250, 252 and bottom profiles 258, 260. In other embodiments, as illustrated in the figures, the bottom profiles 258, 260 of the first and the second extensions 218 and 220 may include a concave indentation proximate the edges 254, 256 to better engage a rounded shape of the corresponding base 110 or base 112 of the outer ring 100. The side profiles 250, 252 may also be concave in shape. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the first and second extensions 218, 220 can have any suitable shape for providing a counterweight and engaging with the corresponding portions of the outer ring, such as base 110 or 112 of the outer ring 100.

[0061] Turning to FIGS. 13-14, a jewelry system 10 comprising the outer ring 100 and the inner ring 200 is shown. By way of example, the inner ring 200 can be placed within the apertures 120 and 122 of the outer ring 100 so that the center 236 of the inner ring 200 and the center 136 of the outer ring 100 are aligned. It should be appreciated that the tops of the rings 100, 200 are also aligned. In this manner, the jewelry system 10 can be placed on and around a user's finger.

[0062] When the inner ring 200 is placed within the outer ring 100, the first extension 218 and the second extension 220 can engage a least one portion of the outer ring 100. Specifically, the first extension 218 can engage with a portion of the base 110 and the second extension can engage with a portion of the base 112. While the jewelry system 10 is placed onto or around a user's finger, upward movement of the inner ring 200 with respect to the outer ring 100 is mitigated, thereby keeping the first extension 218 and the second extension 220 engaged with the corresponding first base 110 and second base 112. While the first extension 218 and the second extension 220 are engaged with the corresponding first base 110 and second base 112, rotational movement of the inner ring 200 may be mitigated with respect to the outer ring 100. In other words, the first extension 218 engages the first base 110 to mitigate rotation in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) and the second extension 220 engages the second base 112 to mitigate rotation in a second direction (e.g., clockwise). Therefore, the tops of the rings 100, 200 can stay aligned with each other during use and the inner ring 200 can be kept from rotating away from a center alignment. The axis of rotation 12 can extend through the centers 136, 236 of the outer ring 100 and the inner ring 200. When installed on a finger of a user, the axis of rotation may extend lengthwise through the user's finger. In certain examples, the configuration of the jewelry system 10, can also prevent rotation of the jewelry system 10 as a whole about a user's finger due to the counterbalancing effect of the extensions 218 and 220.

[0063] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate the jewelry system 10 placed on a user's finger 6. As shown, according to an embodiment, the outer ring 100 is configured to surround or frame an inner ring 200. It should be appreciated that in an embodiment, the only material or surface contacting the bottom side (palmar side) of the user's finger 6 is the base 210 of the inner ring 200. In other words, the opening 118 between the base 110 and the base 112 of the outer ring 100 creates a gap in the outer ring 100 such that the shanks 114, 116 extend in a downward direction and contact the sides of a user's finger 6, but do not extend to or contact a bottom side (palmar side) surface of the user's finger 6. Therefore, the thickness of the bottom of the jewelry system 10 corresponds to that of the inner ring 200 shank 210, rather than the thickness of the outer ring 100 shank. In this manner, the user can easily bend his/her finger 6 without engaging with a bottom surface of the outer ring 100. The overall thickness of the bottom portion of the jewelry system 10 is therefore reduced as compared with the thickness of the outer ring 100 shank, according to an embodiment. This innovative change drastically improves comfort and the ease of moving a finger while wearing the jewelry system 10. It also helps to counterbalance the ring system 10 so that the ring system 10 remains aligned upward.

[0064] Turning to FIG. 18, a typical engagement ring 4 having a center stone is shown installed within the outer ring 100. It should be appreciated that any suitable ring may be removably coupled or fit within the outer ring 100. But, the typical engagement ring 4 does not include the first and the second extensions 218 and 220, and therefore, the ring 4 is left to spin freely with respect to the outer ring 100, as illustrated in FIG. 18. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the center stone at the top of ring 4 is out of alignment with the top of the outer ring 100. Although the ring 4 is slightly out of alignment, it should be appreciated that the outer ring 100 still may prevent the ring 4 from rotating fulling around to the palmar side of the user's hand.

[0065] It should be appreciated that the jewelry system 10, the inner ring 200, and the outer ring 100, can be manufactured of any suitable material without deviating from the scope of this application. For instance, the rings 100, 200 can be manufactured from metal, such as gold, silver, platinum, titanium, or aluminum, or may also be manufactured from plastic, composite, wood, or any other material. The rings 100, 200 can also be any suitable shape, size, thickness, height, density, or other characteristic according to size requirements of a specific user or application. In any embodiment, the rings 100, 200 can be fitted with suitable gemstones, diamonds, or other decorative features. It should also be appreciated that the rings can be worn in different arrangements, providing the wearer with an array of versatile options. For example, the ring 100 can be worn alone on a wearer's finger, or the ring 200 can be worn alone on a wearer's finger, or the rings 100, 200 can be worn together with the ring 200 coupled within the ring 100.

[0066] Turning to FIGS. 19-22, additional example embodiments of an inner ring and outer ring are shown.

[0067] The foregoing description has been presented with reference to various embodiments. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Further, while the various embodiments describe particular combinations of features of the invention it should be understood that different combinations of the features will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art as within the scope of the invention such that features of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment. Moreover, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains various additions, subtractions, deletions, variations, and other modifications and changes in form, detail, implementation and application can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the broader spirit and scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.