CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.
10-2010-0061020, filed on June 28, 2010 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an inside diameter-adjustable ring where the inside
diameter of the ring can be adjusted, more particularly, an inside diameter-adjustable
ring that comprises an outside ring which has a coupling groove formed along the inner
circumferential surface thereof, and an inside ring which is inserted in the coupling
groove and defines an inside diameter of the inside diameter-adjustable ring, wherein
separation prevention ridges are formed in the coupling groove of the outside ring
in order to prevent the inserted inside ring from coming off the groove, and a curved
portion bent inward is formed along an outer circumferential surface of the inside
ring, so that an air gap is formed on an inner side by the curved portion when the
inside ring is inserted in the coupling groove, and a plurality of through holes are
formed in the inside ring, and minerals emitting anions or far-infrared radiation
are contained in the inside ring, and embossed parts are formed on the inner circumferential
surface of the inside ring and a plurality of pressing grooves are formed on inner
circumferential edges of the inside ring.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] In general, a ring with desired design is selected in a store by a consumer in accordance
with the consumer's taste, and the ring is produced and sold with standardized dimension
depending on the thickness of the fingers of consumer.
[0004] However, such conventional ring has a problem that since it is standardized in dimension
of its inside diameter for its characteristic, it cannot cope with the change of the
thickness of the fingers according to the increased or decreased amount of the weight
of user, therefore, if the finger becomes thicker the ring may not be worn and if
the finger becomes slimmer the ring may idly rotate or easily come off the finger
to be lost.
[0005] Furthermore, since conventional ring is produced with standardized dimension, for
people having thick joints of fingers, the ring worn barely becomes loose on the finger,
thus the wearability of the ring is not good, while for people having slim joints
of the fingers, the ring is easily worn, thereby exhibiting a good wearability, but
it is concerned that the ring may easily come off the finger to be lost.
[0006] For solving the above-mentioned problems, various solutions have been proposed as
in Korean Patent Registration No.
0906826, Korean U.M. Registration No.
0396514 and Korean U.M. Registration No.
0294179. However, those solutions have problems that their structures for varying the inside
diameter are complex and cannot be applied to various types of rings and devices for
varying the inside diameter may be broken due to external physical impact, thereby
causing an injury to the finger and a period of time for production is much consumed
and production cost per unit is also high.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been devised in order to solve the above-mentioned
problems and it is an object of the present invention to prevent the ring from easily
rotating on the finger and easily coming off the finger to be lost by a fact that
a coupling groove is formed on an inner circumferential surface of outside ring with
an inside diameter of constant dimension and the inside ring is inserted and coupled
in the coupling groove, therefore, in the case where the change of dimension of the
inside diameter of the ring is large, a consumer can enlarge or reduce the inside
diameter of the ring only by replacing the inside ring in person, thus a ring snugly
fitting the finger can be worn.
[0008] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to enable the dimension of
the inside diameter of the inside ring to be changed in some degree only due to the
elasticity thereof without replacement of the inside ring by a fact that the inside
ring is made of elastic rubber or silicone material and to protect the finger with
the ring worn thereon by a fact that physical impact applied from the outside can
be absorbed by the inside ring by means of an air cushion created by the inside ring.
[0009] Furthermore, yet another object of the present invention is to exhibit a health enhancement
function by containing minerals emitting anions or far-infrared radiation in the inside
ring.
[0010] In addition, yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ring that
may expect an industrial effect by a fact that a structure of the ring is simple,
thus very short period of time for production and remarkable reduction of production
cost per unit can be achieved through efficient design.
[0011] For achieving the above-mentioned objects, the present invention is characterized
in that the inside diameter-adjustable ring comprises an outside ring which has a
coupling groove formed along an inner circumferential surface thereof, and an inside
ring which is inserted in the coupling groove and defines an inside diameter of the
inside diameter-adjustable ring, and separation prevention ridges are formed in the
coupling groove of the outside ring in order to prevent the inserted inside ring from
coming off the groove.
[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a curved portion bent
inward is formed along an outer circumferential surface of the inside ring, so that
an air gap is formed on an inner side by the curved portion when the inside ring is
inserted in the coupling groove, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the
inside ring, and minerals emitting anions or far-infrared radiation are contained
in the inside ring.
[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that embossed parts are formed
on the inner circumferential surface of the inside ring and a plurality of pressing
grooves are formed on inner circumferential edges of the inside ring.
[0014] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of viewing
holes are formed along outer circumferential surface of the outside ring for seeing
the inside ring from the outside.
[0015] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the inside ring is constructed
in the form of mesh (net).
Effects of the present invention
[0016] As described above, the present invention has an effect that the coupling groove
is formed on the inner circumferential surface of outside ring with an inside diameter
of constant dimension and the inside ring is inserted in the coupling groove, therefore,
in the case where the change of dimension of the inside diameter of the ring is large,
a consumer can enlarge or reduce the inside diameter of the ring only by replacing
the inside ring in person.
[0017] Furthermore, the present invention has another effect that the inside ring is made
of elastic rubber or silicone material, thus the dimension of the inside diameter
of the inside ring can be changed in some degree only due to the elasticity thereof
without replacement of the inside ring and physical impact applied from the outside
can be absorbed by the inside ring by means of an air cushion created by the inside
ring, whereby the finger with the ring worn thereon is protected.
[0018] Furthermore, the present invention has yet another effect that a plurality of through
holes are formed in the inside ring, whereby sweat or moisture which may remain between
the finger and the ring is evaporated through the through holes and the inside ring
is made of material such as rubber, silicone etc. harmless to human body and blocks
the contact of skin with the outside ring made from metal, thereby overcoming metal
allergy to allow people having skin sensitive to the metal to wear a metallic ring,
and a health enhancement function is exhibited by containing minerals emitting anions
or far-infrared radiation in the inside ring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019]
Fig. 1a is a sectional view showing a separated state of an outside ring and inside
ring according to the present invention.
Fig. 1b is a sectional view showing a state of the inside ring being inserted in and
coupled to the outside ring according to the present invention.
Figs. 2a - 2g are illustrative views showing constructions of the inside diameter-adjustable
ring according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a state of embossed parts being formed on an inner
circumferential surface of the inside ring according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 is an illustrative view showing embossed parts formed on the inner circumferential
surface of the inside ring according to the present invention.
Fig. 5 is an illustrative view showing viewing holes formed in the outside ring according
to the present invention.
Fig. 6 is an illustrative view showing the inside ring constructed in the form of
mesh (net) according to the present invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020] For achieving the above-mentioned objects, the present invention will be described
in detail with reference to the attached exemplary drawings as follows.
[0021] The inside diameter-adjustable ring comprises an outside ring (10) which has a coupling
groove (11) formed along the inner circumferential surface thereof; and an inside
ring (20) which is coupled in the coupling groove (11) and defines an inside diameter
of the ring (30).
[0022] In this connection, separation prevention ridges (12) are formed in the coupling
groove (11) of the outside ring (10) in order to prevent the inserted inside ring
(20) from coming off the groove.
[0023] Furthermore, a curved portion bent inward is formed along an outer circumferential
surface of the inside ring (20), so that an air gap (21) is formed on an inner side
by the curved portion when the inside ring (20) is inserted in the coupling groove
(11).
[0024] Furthermore, a plurality of through holes (22) may be formed in the inside ring (20),
and minerals which emit anions or far-infrared radiation may be contained in the inside
ring (20).
[0025] A plurality of pressing grooves (23) may be formed on inner circumferential edges
of the inside ring (20).
[0026] Furthermore, embossed parts (24) may be formed on the inner circumferential surface
of the inside ring (20).
[0027] In addition, a plurality of viewing holes (13) are formed along outer circumferential
surface of the outside ring (10) for seeing the inside ring (20) from the outside.
[0028] Furthermore, the inside ring may be constructed in the form of mesh (net).
[0029] In the following, the detailed construction and example of the present invention
will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0030] The outside ring (10) according to the present invention is produced by casting and
the inside ring (20) is injection-molded. First, a process of producing the outside
ring (10) will be described as follows.
[0031] In a first step, a design of a ring to be produced is planned and drawn.
[0032] Then, in a second step, a mold is produced with particular resin.
[0033] Then, in a third step, the mold produced in the second step is divided into two equal
parts, and inner surface of the halved mold is then shaped in intaglio according to
the design of the ring drawn in the first step.
[0034] Furthermore, in a fourth step, the mold shaped in the third step is fixed in such
a manner that the cut sections are joined, and thereafter, molten liquid paraffin
is injected into the interior of the shaped mold.
[0035] Then, in a fifth step, drying is carried out so that the paraffin injected in the
fourth step is cured, and if the paraffin is cured, the mold is divided again into
the two equal parts to extract a paraffin model molded in the interior of the mold.
[0036] Furthermore, in a sixth step, gypsum is applied onto the paraffin model extracted
in the fifth step to obtain a gypsum mold.
[0037] In a seventh step, the gypsum mold obtained in the sixth step is heated to melt the
paraffin accommodated inside the gypsum mold and thereafter discharge the same outward.
[0038] Then, in an eighth step, molten liquid metal is injected into the interior of the
gypsum mold that has been previously occupied by the paraffin discharged in the seventh
stept.
[0039] Furthermore, in a ninth step, the molten liquid metal which was injected into the
interior of the gypsum mold in the eighth step is cooled.
[0040] In a tenth step, the gypsum mold with a metal casting cooled therein is separated
to extract the ring formed in the gypsum mold.
[0041] Then, in an eleventh step, the ring which has been extracted from the gypsum mold
in the tenth step is lustrously processed.
[0042] In the following, a process of producing the inside ring (20) will be described.
[0043] First, in a first step, the inside ring is designed based on the design of the outside
ring, and an injection mold is designed accordingly.
[0044] Then, in a second step, the injection mold designed in the first step is produced.
[0045] In a third step, the injection mold is mounted on an injection molding machine to
produce the inside ring.
[0046] The ring of the present invention produced by the above-described processes comprises
the outside ring (10) with a fixed inside diameter and the inside ring (20) coupled
with the outside ring (10) to define the inside diameter, as illustrated in Figs.
1a and 1b, wherein the coupling groove (11) of "⊏" shape is formed in the outside
ring (10) along the inner circumferential surface thereof, and the separation prevention
ridges (12) are formed in the coupling groove (11) in order to prevent the inserted
inside ring (20) from coming off the groove.
[0047] In other words, the coupling groove (11) is formed so as to be widened as going deeply
into the groove, thus the separation prevention ridges (12) of acute angle are formed
on lateral surfaces of the coupling groove (11), respectively. Therefore, if the inside
ring is inserted and coupled in the coupling groove (11), the inside ring (20) is
prevented from coming off the groove by the separation prevention ridges (12).
[0048] Thus, the inside ring (20) is inserted in the coupling groove (11) of the outside
ring (10) to define the inside diameter of the ring (30), and the inside ring is made
of material such as silicone, rubber etc. harmless to human body and blocks the contact
of skin with the outside ring made from metal, thereby overcoming metal allergy to
allow people having skin sensitive to the metal to wear a metallic ring.
[0049] Furthermore, the inside ring (20) defining the inside diameter of the ring (30) is
made of rubber, silicone etc. harmless to human body and may have a plurality of through
holes (22) enabling sweat or moisture which may remain on the finger with the ring
(30) worn thereon to be easily discharged/evaporated by ventilating action.
[0050] Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the viewing holes (13) penetrating the outside
ring (10) from its outer circumferential surface to inner circumferential surface
are formed along the outer circumferential surface, whereby the ventilation action
is enhanced and the inside ring (20) can be seen from the outside as well.
[0051] In this connection, by coloring the inside ring (20) with a variety of colors to
mount it on the inner circumferential surface of the outside ring (10), the colored
inside ring (20) can be seen through the viewing holes (13) of the outside ring (10)
and thus more pronounced esthetic feeling can be presented.
[0052] Furthermore, the inside ring (20) may has a function of enhancing the health of human
body by containing minerals emitting anions or far-infrared radiation(silver, tourmaline,
charcoal, ceramic, jade, magnet etc.). Before the inside ring (20) made of rubber
or silicone is formed, the minerals are mixed in the form of powder with the rubber
or silicone to form the inside ring (20), and thus this inside ring (20) can have
a function of emitting anions or far-infrared radiation. Alternatively, the minerals
emitting the anions or far-infrared radiation(silver, tourmaline, charcoal, ceramic,
jade, magnet etc.) is processed in a pre-determined form and is then plurally joined
on the inner circumferential surface or circumferential edges of the inside ring (20),
whereby decoration effect and a function of emitting the anions or far-infrared radiation
can be provided to the inside ring.
[0053] Therefore, with the above-described construction, any person having an allergy to
metal whose skin is sensitive to metal can also wear the ring without any worry as
allergy reaction to metal never occurs since the outside ring (10) made from the metal
and the skin sensitive to the metal are spaced apart from each other by the non-metallic
inside ring (20).
[0054] Moreover, the inside ring (20) may have pigment of various colors incorporated therein
or be painted with various colors, thereby exhibiting a color conforming to consumer's
taste, and marks, logs, initials, text etc. may be expressed in intaglio or relief
on a surface of the inside ring (20).
[0055] Furthermore, a curved portion protruded outward is formed on the inner circumferential
surface of the inside ring (20), thereby minimizing frictional resistance between
the finger and the inside ring (20) when the ring is worn on or released from the
finger. A protrusion degree of the curved portion may be differently set depending
on the dimension of inside diameter.
[0056] In other words, for greatly reducing the inside diameter of the ring (30), the inside
ring (20) with the curved portion greatly protruded is inserted in and coupled to
the outside ring (10), while for relatively insignificantly reducing the inside diameter,
the inside ring (20) with the curved portion relatively insignificantly protruded
is inserted in and coupled to the outside ring (10).
[0057] Furthermore, a curved portion bent inward is formed along the outer circumferential
surface of the inside ring (20), and thus an air gap (21) is formed on an inner side
by the curved portion when the inside ring (20) is inserted in the coupling groove
(11), thereby providing a buffering action and preventing external physical shock
from being transferred to the finger.
[0058] Furthermore, pressing grooves (23) are formed on inner circumferential edges of the
inside ring (20), which grooves are compressed when the inside ring (20) is released
from the outside ring (10), and thus the inside ring (20) is bent toward one side
to thereby easily depart from the coupling groove (11).
[0059] In this connection, the pressing grooves (23) may be plurally formed on the inner
circumferential edges of the inside ring (20) at a constant interval or may be continuously
formed along the inner circumferential edges.
[0060] Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 3, embossed parts (24) are formed on the inner
circumferential surface of the inside ring (20) to reduce the frictional resistance
when the ring is worn on or released from the finger and minimize contact area between
the finger and ring, whereby ventilation can be easily achieved and thus sweat or
moisture remaining on the finger can be easily evaporated.
[0061] Furthermore, according to another example of the present invention, the through holes
(22) and embossed parts (24) may be formed alternately on the inner circumferential
surface of the inside ring (20), whereby the ventilation may be achieved and a massaging
effect on the finger by the embossed parts (24) may be provided as well.
[0062] In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the inside ring may be constructed in the
form of mesh(net) whereby the contact between the inside ring and the skin is minimized
and thus the function of evaporating the sweat or moisture remaining on the finger
can be enhanced.
[0063] Furthermore, in the case of the ring according to the present invention, the inside
ring (20) can be easily separated from the outside ring (10), thus by separately washing
only the inside ring (20) with water, hygienic wearing of the ring is possible.
[0064] As illustrated in Figs. 2a to 2h, the present invention is applicable to various
types of rings such as plain ring, man's ring, wedding ring, stone ring etc..
[0065] Therefore, only by coupling the inside ring (20) to the outside ring (10) according
to the present invention, the ring (30) snugly fitting the finger can be worn, and
thus the ring is prevented from easily rotating about the finger and easily coming
off the finger to be lost.
[0066] Furthermore, even if the finger and its joint have some difference from each other
in thickness, the difference can be overcome, thereby providing a ring excellent in
wearability.
[0067] As above, the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to
preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited
to the above-described examples and various modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims of the present invention,
and such modifications also fall within the claims.
Industrial applicability
[0068] In the inside diameter-adjustable ring according to the present invention, the coupling
groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outside ring with an
outer diameter of constant dimension and the inside ring is inserted in the coupling
groove, therefore, an advantage is obtained that in the case where change of dimension
of the inside diameter of the ring is large, a consumer can enlarge or reduce the
inside diameter of the ring only by replacing the inside ring in person, thus industrial
applicability is present.