Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
A ring to be worn as an article of jewelry by a person, said ring comprising a first arcuate section having an outer peripheral surface and a recess spaced inwardly from said outer peripheral surface, an aperture located adjacent the free end of said recess and communicating with said recess and with said outer peripheral surface and a wall portion adjacent said aperture; a second arcuate section pivotably connected to said first arcuate section and having a rigid, arcuate extending member projecting therefrom and adapted to move through said recess from a partially open position, wherein said extending member is located partially within said recess, to a closed position, wherein said extending member is located fully within said recess; a first resilient member connected to said rigid, arcuate extending member for providing a first spring means connected thereto and having a first locking portion, and second locking means connected to said extending member and having a second locking portion; said first locking portion being adapted to engage the wall portion of said first section without any portion of said first resilient member extending through said aperture beyond said outer peripheral surface when said extending member is fully disposed within said recess to thereby lock said first section to said second section, said second locking means being adapted to engage a portion of said first section when said extending member is partially disposed within said recess, said aperture in said first section providing access to said first spring means to enable its locking portion to be moved out of engagement with said wall portion to enable said first section to be pivoted from said second section so that said ring can assume said partially open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
A ring to be worn as an article of jewelry by a person, said ring comprising a first arcuate section having an outer peripheral surface and a recess spaced inwardly from said outer peripheral surface, an aperture located adjacent the free end of said recess and communicating with said recess and with said outer peripheral surface and a wall portion adjacent said aperture; a second arcuate section pivotably connected to said first arcuate section and having a rigid, arcuate extending member projecting therefrom and adapted to move through said recess from a partially open position, wherein said extending member is located partially within said recess, to a closed position, wherein said extending member is located fully within said recess; a first resilient member connected to said rigid, arcuate extending member for providing a first spring means connected thereto and having a first locking portion, and second locking means connected to said extending member and having a second locking portion; said first locking portion being adapted to engage the wall portion of said first section without any portion of said first resilient member extending through said aperture beyond said outer peripheral surface when said extending member is fully disposed within said recess to thereby lock said first section to said second section, said second locking means being adapted to engage a portion of said first section when said extending member is partially disposed within said recess, said aperture in said first section providing access to said first spring means to enable its locking portion to be moved out of engagement with said wall portion to enable said first section to be pivoted from said second section so that said ring can assume said partially open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
The ring of claim 1 wherein said second locking means comprises second spring means having a second locking portion adapted to engage the wall portion of said first section when the extending member is partially disposed within said recess, and wherein said aperture in said first section provides access to said second spring means when said ring is in said partially opened position to enable said locking portion to be moved out of engagement with said wall portion to enable said first section be pivoted fully away from said second section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ring of claim 2 wherein said first and second spring means are releasably secured to said extending member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ring of claim 2 wherein one of said spring means is arranged to provide a bias force to said first arcuate section tending to cause said sections to pivot apart from each other when said first spring means is moved out of engagement with said wall portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ring of claim 2 wherein the position of one of said spring means on said extending member is adjustable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The ring of claim 2 wherein each of said spring means comprises a leaf spring, and wherein said first leaf spring has a slot therein, said second leaf spring has an opening therein, and wherein said spring means are connected to said extending member be screw means extending through said slot and said opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ring of claim 2 wherein said first spring means includes a projecting portion adapted to fit with said aperture to prevent the ingress of material through said aperture into the interior of said recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ring of claim 7 wherein said first and second spring means are formed as an integral unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ring of claim 7 wherein said first and second spring means are separate elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ring of claim 7 wherein one of said spring means is arranged to provide a bias force to said first arcuate section tending to cause said sections to pivot apart from each other when said first spring means is moved out of engagement with said wall portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
235 words
A ring to be worn as an article of jewelry about a portion of a body of a person and comprising: a first rigid arcuate section having an arcuate inner surface, a recess in said first arcuate section extending along a portion of the arc of said first arcuate section and having an open free end, said recess also including an opening along said arcuate inner surface for communicating with the interior of the ring; a second, rigid arcuate section pivotally connected to said first arcuate section and having an inner surface and a rigid male extending member projecting therefrom and adapted to be inserted into the recess through the open free end of said recess and through the opening along said arcuate inner surface, said recess including a rear end wall, said rear end wall being inclined rearwardly in an outward direction from the arcuate inner surface of the first arcuate section and said male extending member including a free end wall inclined in the same direction as the rear end wall of the recess whereby the rear end wall of the recess overhangs the free end wall of the male extending member when said male extending member is fully inserted within said recess for smoothly transferring bending moments between said first and second rigid arcuate sections, and latching means for maintaining the male extending member in a position fully inserted within said recess.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
235 words
A ring to be worn as an article of jewelry about a portion of a body of a person and comprising: a first rigid arcuate section having an arcuate inner surface, a recess in said first arcuate section extending along a portion of the arc of said first arcuate section and having an open free end, said recess also including an opening along said arcuate inner surface for communicating with the interior of the ring; a second, rigid arcuate section pivotally connected to said first arcuate section and having an inner surface and a rigid male extending member projecting therefrom and adapted to be inserted into the recess through the open free end of said recess and through the opening along said arcuate inner surface, said recess including a rear end wall, said rear end wall being inclined rearwardly in an outward direction from the arcuate inner surface of the first arcuate section and said male extending member including a free end wall inclined in the same direction as the rear end wall of the recess whereby the rear end wall of the recess overhangs the free end wall of the male extending member when said male extending member is fully inserted within said recess for smoothly transferring bending moments between said first and second rigid arcuate sections, and latching means for maintaining the male extending member in a position fully inserted within said recess.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ring of claim 11 wherein said recess includes a portion of trapezoidal cross-section, and wherein said extending member includes a portion of trapezoidal cross-section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ring of claim 11 wherein the inner surface of each of said sections is semi-circular.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
238 words
A ring to be worn as an article of jewelry about a portion of the body of a person, said ring comprising a first, rigid arcuate section having an arcuate inner surface, a recess in said first arcuate section extending along a portion of the arc of said first arcuate section and having an open free end, said recess also including an opening along said arcuate inner surface for communicating with the interior of the ring; a second, rigid arcuate section pivotally connected to said first arcuate section and having an inner surface and a rigid male extending member projecting therefrom, said rigid male extending member being moveable into the recess through the open free end of said recess and through the opening along said arcuate inner surface as said first and second arcuate sections are moved into a closed position, wherein the rigid male extending member is seated within the recess; a latching member having a locking portion moveable between a first position for retaining the first and second arcuate sections in the closed position, to a second position permitting said first and second arcuate sections to be moved out of said closed position, said latching member having a surface means for providing a bias force between said first and second arcuate sections for causing said sections to pivot apart from each other when said locking portion of the latching member is moved to its second position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
238 words
A ring to be worn as an article of jewelry about a portion of the body of a person, said ring comprising a first, rigid arcuate section having an arcuate inner surface, a recess in said first arcuate section extending along a portion of the arc of said first arcuate section and having an open free end, said recess also including an opening along said arcuate inner surface for communicating with the interior of the ring; a second, rigid arcuate section pivotally connected to said first arcuate section and having an inner surface and a rigid male extending member projecting therefrom, said rigid male extending member being moveable into the recess through the open free end of said recess and through the opening along said arcuate inner surface as said first and second arcuate sections are moved into a closed position, wherein the rigid male extending member is seated within the recess; a latching member having a locking portion moveable between a first position for retaining the first and second arcuate sections in the closed position, to a second position permitting said first and second arcuate sections to be moved out of said closed position, said latching member having a surface means for providing a bias force between said first and second arcuate sections for causing said sections to pivot apart from each other when said locking portion of the latching member is moved to its second position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ring of claim 14 wherein said latching member is a spring means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The ring of claim 15 wherein said spring means is connected to said rigid extending member and has a locking portion for engaging a surface of said first arcuate section to maintain said first and second arcuate sections in a closed position.