Breakaway Silicone Ring

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for a breakaway silicone ring configured to reduce finger and hand injuries. The breakaway silicone ring includes a rigid core coupled with a molded silicone portion and an optional NFC chip. The rigid core comprises a series of curved segments arranged in a loop configuration. A union between each pair of adjacent segments is configured to maintain the loop configuration while allowing for separation upon application of an external force. The unions may be comprised of magnetic ends of the segments, or sockets at one end of the segments that receive protrusions at the other end of the segments. The silicone molded portion is exterior surface layer disposed around the core. The silicone molded portion may include openings that allow direct observation of portions of the core. The portions of the core can include any of smooth surfaces, molded designs, and printed logos.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A breakaway silicone ring, comprising:
 a rigid core comprising two or more curved segments arranged in a loop configuration;   a plurality of unions disposed between the ends of adjacent curved segments; and   a silicone molded portion coupled with the core.   
     
     
         2 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of unions are configured to separate upon application of an external force across the loop configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 2 , wherein three unions are disposed uniformly around the loop configuration and configured to allow separation of two or more curved segments upon application of an external force. 
     
     
         4 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 3 , wherein each of the three unions includes magnets that hold the ends of adjacent curved segments in the loop configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 3 , wherein each of the three unions includes a protrusion on a first end of a first curved segment that is received into a socket on a second end of a second curved segment. 
     
     
         6 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 3 , wherein each curved segment includes a protrusion at a first end and a socket at a second end, such that the protrusion of a first curved segment is received into the socket of a second curved segment, whereby the two or more curved segment are arranged in a loop configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 1 , wherein the silicone molded portion comprises an exterior surface layer that is disposed around the core. 
     
     
         8 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 1 , wherein the silicone molded portion includes one or more openings disposed around an exterior surface of the breakaway silicone ring, such that one or more ornamental portion of the core are visible from outside the silicone molded portion. 
     
     
         9 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more ornamental portions include any of smooth metallic-like surfaces, molded designs, and printed logos that are visible through the one or more openings. 
     
     
         10 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of vent slots are disposed around an interior surface of the breakaway silicone ring, the plurality of vent slots being configured to disperse at least one of heat and perspiration between the breakaway silicone ring and a user's finger. 
     
     
         11 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two or more curved segments includes a protrusion comprising a first end and a socket comprising a second end, the socket being configured to slidably receive the protrusion. 
     
     
         12 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 11 , wherein the socket comprising a first curved segment is configured to slidably receive the protrusion comprising a second curved segment, whereby the two or more curved segment may be arranged into the loop configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 12 , wherein each of the protrusions and the sockets include magnets configured to keep the protrusions disposed within the sockets to maintain the loop configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 2 , wherein the ring further comprises a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip and wire coupled with the core. 
     
     
         15 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 14 , wherein the any one of the plurality of unions disposed around the loop configuration and configured to allow separation of at least one portion of the core upon application of an external force of at least 27 pounds. 
     
     
         16 . A breakaway silicone ring, comprising:
 a core comprising segments disposed in a loop configuration;   a union disposed between each pair of adjacent segments; and   a silicone layer surrounding the core.   
     
     
         17 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 16 , wherein the rigid core comprises hard plastic or metal. 
     
     
         18 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 16 , wherein the segments are curved such that joining the ends of adjacent segments forms the loop configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 18 , wherein the ends of the segments are configured to be coupled with one another so as to preserve the loop configuration while allowing the ends to separate upon application of an external force. 
     
     
         20 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 16 , wherein the silicone layer includes one or more elongate windows configured to allow direct observation of one or more portions of the core. 
     
     
         21 . The breakaway silicone ring of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more portions include any of smooth surfaces, molded designs, printed logos, and the like.