Method of manufacturing a multi-layer rotatable jewelry ring

Abstract

A method for creating a jewelry ring made of multiple stacked rings that are counter-rotatable with respect to each other. Using precise CNC machining, two ring blanks are formed to have complimentary shaped bearing ends that interlock with each other to prevent axial dislocation, but also provide complimentary bearings so that the rings are counter-rotatable to each other. These ring blanks are sized relative to each other so that after being formed, they can be aligned at their complimentary ends and the smaller ring enlarged to snap into the larger ring. The method also requires precise interior diameter smoothing and post-processing, so that the slight separation between the two stacked ring blanks cannot be felt by the wearer. A two-ring and a three-ring version are fully disclosed, but by logical extension this method can be used to make any number of stacked rings.

1 . A method for making a jewelry ring comprised of two stacked rings counter-rotatable to each other, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. obtaining a first ring blank and a second ring blank with inner diameter larger than that of the first ring blank;   b. forming the first ring blank as follows: at one edge of the first ring blank, a convex bearing surface recessed from and facing the outer diameter of said first ring blank, wherein the convex bearing surface is connected to the first ring blank by a flat bearing surface recessed from the convex bearing surface;   c. forming the second ring blank as follows: at one edge of the second ring blank, a flat bearing surface recessed from and facing the inner diameter of said second ring blank, wherein the flat bearing surface is connected to the second ring blank by a concave bearing surface recessed from the flat bearing surface;   d. aligning the convex bearing surface of the first formed ring with the concave bearing surface of the second formed ring, and the flat bearing surface of the first formed ring with the flat bearing surface of the second formed ring;   e. enlarging the first formed ring so that the inner diameter of the first formed ring is flush with the inner diameter of the second formed ring, resulting in a single connected ring comprised of the first and second formed rings counter-rotatable to each other; and   f. post-processing the single connected ring by smoothing its inner diameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein prior to forming the first and the second ring blanks they are semi-finished. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the post-processing step additionally comprises shaping the inner diameter of the single connected ring into a convex surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the post-processing step additionally comprises shaping the inner diameter of the single connected ring into a convex surface. 
     
     
         5 . A method for making a jewelry ring comprised of three stacked rings counter-rotatable to each other, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. obtaining a first ring blank, a second ring blank and a third ring blank, wherein the second ring blank has inner diameter larger than that of the first and third ring blanks;   b. forming the first ring blank as follows: at one edge of the first ring blank, a convex bearing surface recessed from and facing the outer diameter of said first ring blank, wherein the convex bearing surface is connected to the first ring blank by a flat bearing surface recessed from the convex bearing surface;   c. forming the second ring blank as follows: (i) at one edge of the second ring blank, a first flat bearing surface recessed from and facing the inner diameter of said second ring blank, wherein the first flat bearing surface is connected to the second ring blank by a first concave bearing surface recessed from the first flat bearing surface; and (ii) at the other edge of the second ring blank, a second flat bearing surface recessed from and facing the inner diameter of said second ring blank, wherein the second flat bearing surface is connected to the second ring blank by a second concave bearing surface recessed from the second flat bearing surface;   d. forming the third ring blank as follows: at one end of the third ring blank, a convex bearing surface recessed from and facing the outer diameter of said third ring blank, wherein the convex bearing surface is connected to the third ring blank by a flat bearing surface recessed from the convex bearing surface;   e. aligning (i) the convex bearing surface of the first formed ring with the first concave bearing surface of the second formed ring, and the flat bearing surface of the first formed ring with the first flat bearing surface of the second formed ring; and (ii) aligning the convex bearing surface of the third formed ring with the second concave bearing surface of the second formed ring, and the flat bearing surface of the third formed ring with the second flat bearing surface of the second formed ring;   f. enlarging the first formed ring and the third formed ring until the interior diameters of the first and third formed ring are flush with the interior diameter of the second formed ring, resulting in a single connected ring comprised of the first and second formed rings counter-rotatable to each other and the second and third formed rings counter-rotatable to each other; and   g. post-processing the single connected ring by smoothing its inner diameter.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein prior to forming the first, second and third ring blanks they are semi-finished. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the post-processing step additionally comprises shaping the inner diameter of the single connected ring into a convex surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the post-processing step additionally comprises shaping the inner diameter of the single connected ring into a convex surface.