Adjustable shank for jewelry

Abstract

Embodiments relate to an adjustable shank adapted for resizing jewelry. A ring according to one embodiment includes a head adapted to receive a stone; a shank including a first shank arm and a second shank arm, and the first shank arm includes a first ratchet member and the second shank arm includes a second ratchet member; and a plurality of joints, including a first joint coupling the first shank arm in movable engagement with the head, and a second joint coupling the second shank arm in movable engagement with the head. In accordance with an embodiment, the first shank arm and the second shank arm remain coupled while being repositioned relative to each other to at least one of expand or contract a size of the shank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ring, comprising:
 a head adapted to receive a stone;   a shank comprising a first shank arm and a second shank arm,
 wherein the first shank arm comprises a first ratchet member and the second shank arm comprises a second ratchet member; and 
   a plurality of joints, including a first joint coupling the first shank arm in movable engagement with the head, and a second joint coupling the second shank arm in movable engagement with the head.   
     
     
         2 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the first ratchet member comprises a plurality of protrusions for engaging with the second ratchet member, and the second ratchet member comprises a plurality of depressions for engaging with the first ratchet member. 
     
     
         3 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the first ratchet member comprises a first plurality of teeth for engaging with the second ratchet member, and the second ratchet member comprises a second plurality of teeth for engaging with the first ratchet member. 
     
     
         4 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the first ratchet member comprises a first plurality of protrusions for engaging with the second ratchet member, and the second ratchet member comprises at least a second protrusion for engaging with the first ratchet member. 
     
     
         5 . The ring of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring for holding the first ratchet member and the second ratchet member in an engaged position relative to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The ring of  claim 5 , wherein the spring has a curved shape and exerts pressure against the first ratchet member and the second ratchet member, to hold the first ratchet member and the second ratchet member in the engaged position relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The ring of  claim 1 , further comprising a shank cover enclosing the first ratchet member and the second ratchet member. 
     
     
         8 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint and the second joint respectively couple the first shank arm and the second shank arm in rotational engagement with the head. 
     
     
         9 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint comprises a first boss extending from one of the head and the first shank arm, and a first recess defined in the other of the head and the first shank arm; and
 wherein the second joint comprises a second boss extending from one of the head and the second shank arm, and a second recess defined in the other of the head and the second shank arm.   
     
     
         10 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint comprises a first bore defined by the head and a second bore defined by the first shank arm, and a first pin provided through the first and second bores; and
 the second joint includes a third bore defined by the head and a fourth bore defined by the second shank arm, and a second pin provided through the third and fourth bores.   
     
     
         11 . The ring of  claim 1 , wherein the first ratchet member and the second ratchet member enable the first shank arm and the second shank arm to remain coupled while being repositioned relative to each other to at least one of expand or contract a size of the shank. 
     
     
         12 . A jewelry article, comprising:
 a head;   a shank comprising a first shank arm and a second shank arm, movably coupled to the head,
 wherein the first shank arm comprises a first sizing member and the second shank arm comprises a second sizing member, the first sizing member and second sizing member for coupling the first shank arm and the second shank arm to each other in a plurality of engagement positions. 
   
     
     
         13 . The jewelry article of  claim 12 , wherein the engagement positions are incremental positions along a same axis. 
     
     
         14 . The jewelry article of  claim 12 , wherein the first sizing member and the second sizing member are shaped to interlock with each other at each engagement position of the plurality of engagement positions. 
     
     
         15 . The jewelry article of  claim 12 , further comprising a shank cover enclosing the first sizing member and the second sizing member. 
     
     
         16 . The jewelry article of  claim 12 , further comprising a tension member located within a shank cover, for holding the first sizing member and the second sizing member in engagement with each other at each engagement position of the plurality of engagement positions. 
     
     
         17 . The jewelry article of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of joints, including a first joint coupling the first shank arm in movable engagement with the head, and a second joint coupling the second shank arm in movable engagement with the head. 
     
     
         18 . A jewelry article, comprising:
 a shank comprising a first shank arm and a second shank arm,
 wherein the first shank arm comprises a first sizing member and the second shank arm comprises a second sizing member, the first sizing member and second sizing member for holding the first shank arm and the second shank arm in a plurality of engagement positions. 
   
     
     
         19 . The jewelry article of  claim 18 , wherein the first sizing member and the second sizing member are shaped to interlock with each other at each engagement position of the plurality of engagement positions. 
     
     
         20 . The jewelry article of  claim 18 , further comprising a shank cover enclosing the first sizing member and the second sizing member. 
     
     
         21 . The jewelry article of  claim 18 , further comprising a tension member located within a shank cover, for holding the first sizing member and the second sizing member in engagement with each other at each engagement position of the plurality of engagement positions. 
     
     
         22 . The jewelry article of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of joints, including a first joint coupling the first shank arm in movable engagement with the head, and a second joint coupling the second shank arm in movable engagement with the head.