Concentric rotatable rings

Abstract

Articles of jewelry, including ring assemblies ( 100, 300, 400, 700, 1300 ) permitting secured, removable, rotatable, placement of rings within such ring assemblies ( 100, 300, 400, 700, 1300 ). In some embodiments, an ornamental support structure ( 412, 712, 715, 1312 ) comprises a hinge permitting a rotatable movement of a portion of the ring assembly to permit placement of the ring structure. In other embodiments, pinch clasps ( 520, 620, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 ) are used for such ring assemblies.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of jewelry comprising:
 a first annular element comprising a first annular peripheral channel, wherein the first annular peripheral channel comprises a socket portion;   a second annular element comprising a second annular peripheral channel, wherein the second annular peripheral channel is configured to engage the socket portion of the first annular peripheral channel;   a curved tangential pinch clasp disposed in a first aperture on the first annular peripheral channel;   a second aperture disposed on the first annular peripheral channel at a position distal from the location of the curved tangential pinch clasp;   a first pin disposed on the second annular peripheral channel; and   a second pin disposed on the second annular peripheral channel at a position distal from the location of the first pin;   wherein the pinch clasp is configured to rotatably engage the first pin and the second aperture is configured to rotatably engage the second pin in a closed position, and the pinch clasp is configured to rotatably disengage the first pin and the second aperture is configured to rotatably disengage the second pin in an open position.   
     
     
         2 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a ring, wherein the ring is positionable to alternate between a first position interposed between the first annular element and the second annular element when in the closed position and a second position disposed in a distal position separate from the first annular element and the second annular element when the first annular element and the second annular element are in the closed position, and wherein the ring is disposed about the socket portion of the first annular peripheral portion in the first position. 
 
     
     
         3 . The article of jewelry of  claim 2  wherein the ring is rotatable relative to the first annular element and the second annular element in the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The article of jewelry of  claim 2  wherein the ring further comprises one or more support structures, and wherein the one or more support structures are configured to secure one or more ornaments. 
     
     
         5 . The article of jewelry of  claim 2  wherein the inner diameter of the ring is greater than the outer diameter of the first annular peripheral channel. 
     
     
         6 . The article of jewelry of  claim 2  wherein the outer diameter of the first annular element and the outer diameter of the second annular element have a length greater than the outer diameter of the ring. 
     
     
         7 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the outer diameter of the second annular peripheral channel is the same as the inner diameter of the socket portion of the first annular peripheral channel. 
     
     
         8 . The article of jewelry of  claim 7  wherein the inner diameter of the first annular peripheral channel is the same as the inner diameter of the second annular peripheral channel. 
     
     
         9 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the width of the first annular peripheral channel is greater than the width of the socket portion. 
     
     
         10 . The article of jewelry of  claim 9  wherein the width of the first annular peripheral channel is greater than the width of the second annular peripheral channel. 
     
     
         11 . The article of jewelry of  claim 9  wherein the second aperture is a curved L-shape, and wherein an opening of the second aperture is distal from the first annular element. 
     
     
         12 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein an outer surface of the curved tangential pinch clasp is flush with an outer surface of the first annular peripheral channel. 
     
     
         13 . The article of jewelry of  claim 12  wherein an outer surface of the first pin is flush with an outer surface of the first annular peripheral channel in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The article of jewelry of  claim 12  wherein an outer surface of the second pin is flush with an outer surface of the first annular peripheral channel in the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The article of jewelry of  claim 12  wherein the curved tangential pinch clasp is non-integral with the first annular peripheral channel. 
     
     
         16 . The article of jewelry of  claim 15  wherein the non-integral curved tangential pinch-clasp is selected from a multiple curved tangential pinch clasp blank. 
     
     
         17 . The article of jewelry of  claim 12  further comprising an arcuate channel located proximate to the first aperture on the first annular peripheral channel, wherein the arcuate channel is configured to securely align an alignment portion of the non-integral curved tangential pinch clasp in the first aperture on the first annular peripheral channel. 
     
     
         18 . A structure comprising:
 an arcuate blank comprising two or more detachable curved pinch clasps, wherein the two or more detachable curved pinch clasps comprise a closed end, an open end distal from the closed end, and elongated sides;   wherein each of the two or more detachable pinch clasps are connected to the arcuate blank at the closed end, and each of the two or more detachable pinch clasps comprise an alignment portion proximate to the closed end.