{"id":114,"date":"2005-05-08T15:22:04","date_gmt":"2005-05-08T20:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/blog\/archives\/114\/"},"modified":"2012-03-07T15:53:08","modified_gmt":"2012-03-07T20:53:08","slug":"arthritic-finger-joints-and-adjustable-rings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/arthritic-finger-joints-and-adjustable-rings\/","title":{"rendered":"Arthritic Finger Joints and Adjustable Rings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With the Baby Boomers reaching their retirement years, the problems associated<br \/>\nwith ring fit and finger joint swelling will become a major issue for jewelers.<br \/>\nThis paper addresses the medical causes of swollen finger joints due to rheumatoid<br \/>\nand osteoarthritis and solutions for the jeweler.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--> Since this has been aproblem faced by many generations of jewelers, the historical methods of<br \/>\ndealing with it will be explored. Today, there are several major manufacturers of<br \/>\nproducts that effectively address this issue. Their solutions are all very creative<br \/>\nand their products range from inexpensive to very high-end. This paper will also<br \/>\nattempt to describe these devices, their method of manufacture and how they<br \/>\nare installed. The manufacturers and inventors are very passionate and proud of<br \/>\ntheir products and competition to provide the ultimate solution to this problem<br \/>\ncan be extremely fierce. The scope of this paper is to give an overview of what<br \/>\nis available to today\u2019s Jewelers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Some Facts about Arthritis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Arthritis can best be understood by looking at the word itself. Arth meaning joint<br \/>\nand itis meaning inflammation, presents a very accurate description of the condition<br \/>\nin which inflammation of the joints causes swelling.<\/p>\n<p>An aging population is very susceptible to chronic joint problems, and this trend<br \/>\nwill continue as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age. This means that<br \/>\nthe frequency of customers needing adjustable shanks will grow in proportion to<br \/>\nthe percentage of the population suffering from arthritis. As in the past, this<br \/>\npresents challenges to today\u2019s jewelers to find the right solution for their clients.<br \/>\nThe following statistics are provided by the Arthritis Foundation and clearly<br \/>\nillustrate the magnitude of the problem.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Table1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"344\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The leading cause of disability among Americans is arthritis.<\/li>\n<li>Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more<br \/>\nthan 7 million Americans.<\/li>\n<li>Arthritis results in 39 million physician visits and more than a half<br \/>\nmillion hospitalizations.<\/li>\n<li>Costs to the U.S. economy totals more than $86.2 billion annually.<\/li>\n<li>More women suffer from arthritis than men. Women: 41 million and Men: 28.9 million<\/li>\n<li>More than half those affected are under age 65. The Baby Boomers are quickly<br \/>\nbecoming the majority of those afflicted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Osteoarthritis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 21 million adults. It\u2019s a degenerative joint<br \/>\ndisease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates,<br \/>\ncausing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to grind against bone.<br \/>\nOsteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis. It has often been misnamed<br \/>\n\u2018wear and tear\u2019 arthritis.<\/p>\n<p>Osteoarthritis can affect the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. Work related<br \/>\nrepetitive injury and physical trauma may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.<br \/>\nWorking with your hands as a jeweler or metalsmith may place<br \/>\nyou at high risk for osteoarthritis of the fingers.<\/p>\n<p>Osteoarthritis of the fingers is often genetic. Fingers may ache or become stiff<br \/>\nand numb. They can become enlarged and gnarled. Small, bony bumps called<br \/>\nHeberden\u2019s nodes may also appear on the end joints of the fingers. Similar knobs<br \/>\ncalled Bouchard\u2019s nodes can appear on the middle joints of the fingers. It has<br \/>\nbeen documented that more women than men have osteoarthritis of their fingers.<br \/>\nAfter menopause, women become especially susceptible to osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n<p>Stiffness after inactivity, swelling and tenderness of the joints are some of the<br \/>\nsymptoms of osteoarthritis. Steady or recurring pain can also be a sign.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"367\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"294\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as<br \/>\na result of a malfunction of the body\u2019s autoimmune system. In time, it can lead<br \/>\nto long term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and<br \/>\ndisability.<\/p>\n<p>Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progresses in three stages. The first stage is the<br \/>\nswelling of the joint lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling<br \/>\naround the joint. Second is the rapid division and growth of cells, which causes<br \/>\nthe lining to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that<br \/>\nmay digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape<br \/>\nand alignment, increased pain, and loss of movement.<\/p>\n<p>Because it is a chronic disease, RA continues indefinitely and may not diminish.<br \/>\nFrequent flares in disease activity can occur. RA is a systemic disease, which<br \/>\nmeans it can affect other organs in the body.<\/p>\n<p>Early diagnosis and treatment of RA is critical to continue living a productive<br \/>\nlifestyle. Studies have shown that early aggressive treatment of RA can limit<br \/>\njoint damage, which in turn limits loss of movement, decreased ability to work,<br \/>\nhigher medical costs and potential surgery. RA affects 1% of the U.S.<br \/>\npopulation or 2.1 million Americans, 70% of them women.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Methods of Dealing with Enlarged Finger Joints<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jewelers have been attempting to create devices that allow a ring to pass over<br \/>\nan enlarged knuckle for generations. This task has been compounded by the need<br \/>\nfor the ring to remain snug enough on the finger to prevent rotation when in<br \/>\nplace. Simply making a larger ring will not fulfill this requirement. The ideal<br \/>\ndesigns must permit the ring to expand and then contract or open and close. The<br \/>\nring also needs to appear stylish and not exhibit an unusually mechanical look.<br \/>\nWith arthritis, performing such simple tasks as opening a pill bottle to take pain<br \/>\nmedication can be very cumbersome. With this in mind, selecting or designing<br \/>\nan adjustable shank can be difficult. If the mechanism is complicated, it can be<br \/>\nvery painful to operate.<\/p>\n<p>Sizing a ring to pass over an enlarged knuckle is not a satisfactory solution.<br \/>\nThis is because the ring will be very loose at the point where it\u2019s worn. The<br \/>\nexcess space will allow the ring to turn on the finger in a very unattractive<br \/>\nmanner. In addition to this, the turning and constant correction of its position<br \/>\nwill become very uncomfortable and annoying. Some customers, in desperation,<br \/>\ntry a smaller size and resort to forcing it over the joint. However, removing tight<br \/>\nrings from swollen fingers can cause severe pain depending upon the advancement<br \/>\nof arthritis in the joint. If the ring is not removed over time, it may become<br \/>\n\u201ctrapped\u201d on your finger.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"297\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The true size for the ring is not the size needed to pass the enlarged knuckle,<br \/>\nbut is found where the ring is worn, at the base of the finger. Anything other than<br \/>\nthis will be totally unacceptable to the customer. When dealing with enlarged<br \/>\nknuckles, the choice is between putting up with a bad fit, or not wearing jewelry<br \/>\non the affected finger at all. Therefore, adapting the ring with<br \/>\nan adjustable shank presents the very best alternative.<\/p>\n<p>Measuring the finger at the point of wear is not very difficult at all. Using a set<br \/>\nof plastic ring gauges, simply make a cut with a jeweler\u2019s saw through each of<br \/>\nthe gauges. This will allow the gauge to expand and pass over the joint. It will<br \/>\nreturn to its former size when at the correct place for wearing a ring at the base<br \/>\nof the finger.<\/p>\n<p>Finger Mate and Finger Fit have both created devices for measuring the finger for<br \/>\nthe ideal fit.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/Figure4.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"371\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"520\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"175\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"316\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Inventors and the Search for the Ideal Adjustable Shank<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The United States Patent Office chronicles the quest to find the ideal design by<br \/>\nmany jewelers and inventors from the 1800s to the present day. The patent<br \/>\npapers exhibit a vast array of brilliant devices. Some appear very uncomfortable<br \/>\nto wear while others are extremely complex and difficult to fabricate. The sheer<br \/>\nvolume of submissions makes a strong case for this being an area of opportunity<br \/>\nfor the future.<\/p>\n<p>The inventions tend to fall into four distinct categories. The first being a floating<br \/>\ninserts design. In this case, there are spring loaded pads or sections of the<br \/>\ninside of the ring that allow the enlarged knuckle to pass thru while deflecting<br \/>\nthe pads. The inserts then return to their former position when in place at the<br \/>\nbase of the finger and hold the ring upright.<\/p>\n<p>The second design is the hinged ring that expands by sliding apart. With this<br \/>\ntype, the band never fully separates and remains attached. There are several<br \/>\nstyles presently using this technique.<\/p>\n<p>The third type is similar to a hose clamp. The band itself sometimes enters the<br \/>\nhead of the ring and has notches or holes that index the ring to the proper fit.<br \/>\nSome even exhibit adjusting screws!<\/p>\n<p>The last type is a hinged shank that involves opening a latch and separating the<br \/>\nring at the latch point. These rings are usually made of two sections that open,<br \/>\nallowing the ring to be closed around the base of the finger below the knuckle.<br \/>\nThere are some designs that are made of three moving parts with two hinges.<br \/>\nSeveral current manufacturers use this method.<\/p>\n<p>Many consumers become sentimentally attached to their rings and would like to<br \/>\nwear them throughout their lifetime. With the changes in their joints, this is not<br \/>\nalways possible without a good conversion. Most of the designs found in the<br \/>\narchives of the patent office are not universal, nor can they be retrofitted to<br \/>\nexisting rings. The present generation of adjustable shanks is targeted at this<br \/>\nvery market.<\/p>\n<p>It would appear that rings made to retrofit to an existing piece of jewelry<br \/>\nbecame popular during the late 1940s and early to mid 1950s. This was a<br \/>\ndistinct departure from what had gone before. The idea that a customer could<br \/>\ncontinue to wear their important jewelry by modifying it set the tone for the<br \/>\ninventions currently used. Providing this feature became the main goal of the<br \/>\nmajority of adjustable ring designers.<\/p>\n<p>The path taken by the early designers of adjustable shanks is interesting and<br \/>\ngives an insight into the problems encountered during the process. Some designers<br \/>\nchose to make complex devices that had many moving parts. These were<br \/>\ninvented at a time when labor was inexpensive and skills plentiful. Therefore,<br \/>\nbefore judging some of these inventions, it\u2019s necessary to bear in mind<br \/>\nthe economy and technology of the times. Also, it\u2019s hard to establish how<br \/>\nsuccessful these inventions were during their inventors careers. They often<br \/>\nappear as prior art on quite a few modern patent papers, but it\u2019s unsure if they<br \/>\nwere marketable.<\/p>\n<p>The early inventions detailed in this paper are only a handful of the more unique<br \/>\ndesigns. Many more are on file with the patent office and their extensive<br \/>\nnumbers do not permit more to be examined here.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Early Inventions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The oldest example presented in this paper is a design by R. J. La Grange, patented<br \/>\non Sept 5, 1882. This is an interesting invention that suggests a strong<br \/>\nwatchmaking background on the part of the inventor. The ring is based upon the<br \/>\nrack and pinion system. There are two distinct styles shown in the drawing. The<br \/>\none on the left shows a hinged lid on the head being opened to expose the pinion<br \/>\ngear. This gear is actuated by a small key that fits into a slot on the gear.<br \/>\nBy rotating the gear, the rack is moved and the diameter of the ring is adjusted<br \/>\nto the proper fit.<\/p>\n<p>The ring on the right shows the gear mounted sideways and the key is inserted<br \/>\ninto the head from the side. In this case, the rack and pinions are mounted<br \/>\nsideways. In both cases, the mechanism is concealed in a hollow shank. This was<br \/>\na clever device that clearly solves the problem and provides a nice range of<br \/>\nadjustment. One major drawback seems to be the need for the key. If lost, the<br \/>\nring would have to be removed with a very small screwdriver or simply cut from<br \/>\nthe finger. Fashion was also somewhat limited due to the specific nature of the<br \/>\nmechanism and the need to have access to the pinion gear.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"370\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>B. Lewkowitz invented the next ring on February 5, 1884. In this case, the stone<br \/>\nframe as he calls it, has pockets on each side for the shank. The shank can slide<br \/>\nin and out of the pockets to achieve the ideal fit. Once that is achieved, the<br \/>\nshank is locked in place with very small set screws. These set screws drop into<br \/>\nsmall dimples evenly spaced on the side of the band. The drawback to this design<br \/>\nis that to remove the ring, you must have a tiny screwdriver and the dexterity<br \/>\nto use it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"329\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Also in 1884, the design of Heinrich Heinrich was patented a few days after that<br \/>\nof Lewkowitz. This invention also made use of a simple screw. In this case, a<br \/>\nband was held in place by an expanding split cylinder within a slotted shank. A<br \/>\ncountersink at the top of the split cylinder and the tapered head of the screw<br \/>\nprovided the action needed to expand into the slot and hold the shank in the<br \/>\nadjusted position. The need for a screwdriver to remove this ring makes the ring<br \/>\ninconvenient. Also, it appears that the adjusting screw is visible on the shoulder<br \/>\nof the ring.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure10.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"322\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Max Harris Ballard designed a fully adjustable ring that was patented on November<br \/>\n7, 1922. His invention was inspired by the gentlemen\u2019s belt. It was made of thin<br \/>\nspring metal and could be adjusted to fit any finger and pass large knuckles. There<br \/>\nwere holes pierced in the shank and a pin within the head was used to index the<br \/>\nband to the proper size. One claim of the inventor was that the ring was ideal for<br \/>\nchildren and would accommodate the growth of the child. This is a very simple<br \/>\nsolution to enlarged knuckles that was inspired by an everyday item. The ring was<br \/>\nvery easy to use and met most of the design requirements. It does have some fashion<br \/>\nlimitations due to the need for the buckle\/box at the top.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"170\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Benjamin Axel was granted a patent for his self adjusting finger ring on October<br \/>\n28, 1952. His invention claimed to automatically increase its size to allow the<br \/>\nring to pass over the knuckle. It would then contract or decrease in size to fit<br \/>\nthe thinner portion of the finger, providing a snug but comfortable fit. It had a<br \/>\nfloating ring section that was actuated by a pair of compression springs inside<br \/>\nthe shank. The section that moved was a thin stamped shell that fit into the<br \/>\nspring pocket and was retained by a flanged edge.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"376\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On April 2nd of 1957, H. Axel patented his resiliently retained finger ring. This<br \/>\ninvention was similar in concept to the last one reviewed in that it worked with<br \/>\nthe floating pad design. In this case, two inserts were fitted into pockets cut in<br \/>\na shank. One leaf spring was fitted behind each of the inserts and actuated the<br \/>\nhinged pad. The ring and its components were made by cold forging. It is known<br \/>\nthat this ring was marketed widely in the United States in the late 1950s and it<br \/>\nwas even featured on television as the Tru-fit ring. The ring was manufactured<br \/>\nin Philadelphia by Eichmuller, Inc. by cold forging and stamping the components.<br \/>\nBy the late 1960s it had disappeared from the market.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure13.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"418\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Adjustable Shanks Available Today<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Most jewelry has a value to the owner other than monetary value. Each piece can<br \/>\nrepresent a milestone in the owner\u2019s life. No longer being able to wear such an<br \/>\nimportant piece due to enlarged knuckles is a sad situation. Therefore, the need<br \/>\nto develop a finding that could be fitted to an existing ring became the goal for<br \/>\nthe designers. This would enable someone to convert their existing jewelry to a<br \/>\nwearable piece again. Many of the early designs found in the archives of the<br \/>\npatent office are not universal nor, can they be retrofitted to existing rings.<br \/>\nAlso, most had been designed with limited ability to adapt to changing fashion.<br \/>\nThe value to the customer was clearly established in the late 1940s and the<br \/>\ndirection of invention took this new path. The present generation of adjustable<br \/>\nshanks is targeted at this market.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Finger Fit<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Finger Fit was designed by Louis Johnson in 1951. His design was awarded the<br \/>\nGood Housekeeping Seal of Approval in 1959. It opens three sizes to pass over<br \/>\nthe knuckle, and then closes to fit the smaller part of the finger where the ring<br \/>\nis worn. Finger Fit is a die-forged, precision-machined and hand-assembled<br \/>\nhinged ring shank. It is available in 10 karat, 14 karat and 18 karat white and<br \/>\nyellow gold as well as platinum (10% iridium). The regular Finger Fit is made<br \/>\nin finger sizes 5 to 9 and 2 through 51\/2 in the Princess line. It is riveted<br \/>\ntogether and the only solder used is on the u-shaped cover catch.<\/p>\n<p>Installation starts with making sure the original ring is cut and shaped to fit the<br \/>\nclosed finger size. The top of the Finger Fit shank is also cut and the finding is<br \/>\nsized to match the customer\u2019s ring. Both rings are placed on a mandrel and then<br \/>\nmarked at the shoulders as far from the hinges as possible. Both rings are cut to<br \/>\nremove the excess material and the remaining parts are joined by soldering. The<br \/>\nsolder joints are then shaped to blend into the original ring making sure to avoid<br \/>\ndamage to the rivet caps.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure14.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"336\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure15.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"412\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Finger Mate<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Finger Mate hinged shanks were developed in 1964 by Joe Kelrick. They are being<br \/>\nmade and sold by three generations of the Kelrick family. They are manufactured<br \/>\nby cold forging and machining many of the parts. These rings open wide to go<br \/>\nover an enlarged knuckle, then close and lock securely for a safe and comfortable<br \/>\nfit. To open, the wearer must grasp the top of the ring and pull up. This<br \/>\nopens the ring and expands it for placing on the finger. When it\u2019s in place the<br \/>\nring is squeezed closed and is ready to wear. Finger Mate shanks are available in<br \/>\na wide variety of widths, styles and many finger sizes (3\u201313 in 1\/4 sizes), in 14K<br \/>\nyellow or white gold and platinum. They are made to replace the conventional<br \/>\nshanks of lady\u2019s and men\u2019s rings. Mr. Kelrick has stated that his sales are evenly<br \/>\ndivided between installation and the sale of findings.<\/p>\n<p>Finger Mate hinged shanks are part of a complete system. They have addressed<br \/>\nmost of the issues from measurement to assembly. Joe Kelrick has developed a<br \/>\nfixture for cutting their shank and the customer\u2019s ring. This is a clever device that<br \/>\nensures a good alignment of their product to the original piece of jewelry. It<br \/>\nmatches up the cut of the original ring with the adjustable shank. Alignment is<br \/>\ncritical to smooth operation and this fixture ensures correctness.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure16.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"390\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure17.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"319\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"338\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>SuperFit<\/p>\n<p>The SuperFit was designed by Mates Bruner in 1992 and SuperFit, Inc. is the<br \/>\nmanufacturer of this product. Their unique single hinged ring opens up to fit<br \/>\nbehind any enlarged joint. The locking latch is actuated by pressing it with the<br \/>\ntip of a pen, pencil or stylus. Gena Alulis, the CEO of SuperFit, Inc., has mentioned<br \/>\nthat their design has been on display at the United States Department of<br \/>\nCommerce, Patent Expo in Washington, D.C. and at Epcot Center in Orlando,<br \/>\nFlorida.<\/p>\n<p>SuperFit rings are manufactured with precision metal molds and cast in 14 and<br \/>\n18 karat yellow and white gold. They are also available in platinum. Finger<br \/>\nsizes range from 31\/2 to 111\/2 in 21\/2mm to 10mm widths. SuperFit rings are<br \/>\nassembled without the use of solder, they are then carefully hand finished. The<br \/>\nseams are almost invisible when the ring is closed.<\/p>\n<p>SuperFit has developed an illustrated manual and step by step installation guide.<br \/>\nIt\u2019s available for download on their website and is very extensive and helpful. It<br \/>\ncovers many styles of installations and has a handy troubleshooting section.<br \/>\nThey have recently added a line of finished SuperFit rings as well as toe and<br \/>\nthumb rings.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure19.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"331\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure20.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"405\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure21.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"372\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Adjusto Shanks<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Adjusto Shank was developed and marketed by Karlan and Bleicher in the<br \/>\n1970s. It was acquired by Baker Eichmuller and then by Hoover and Strong in<br \/>\n1991. This die struck product is an expanding shank that opens up to slide over<br \/>\nthe finger joint and then adjusts to fit the finger. It enables the wearer to place<br \/>\na solitaire or fashion ring on any finger and still have it fit comfortably. The<br \/>\nshank is opened by sliding the two half bands to their fully extended position.<br \/>\nThe ring is placed on the finger sideways and then rotated into position. The<br \/>\nshank halves are then slid closed for a snug fit. Adjustos are available in two<br \/>\ndifferent finger sizes, 5\u20137 and 7\u20139 in 14K white and yellow. The hinge pins are<br \/>\nheld in place with solder.<\/p>\n<p>Installing an Adjusto is straight forward. The Adjusto is slid to the closed<br \/>\nposition. Both the Adjusto and the ring to be converted are placed on a ring<br \/>\nmandrel. The ring is marked above the point where the Adjusto ends are<br \/>\npositioned. The ring is cut to the same angle as the Adjusto stubs. The stubs are<br \/>\nsoldered to the ring and the joined areas are shaped and finished to blend into<br \/>\nthe ring.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure22.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"422\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure23.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"424\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Lockshank<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dave Patton of De le Vin Designs has been producing Lockshanks since the early<br \/>\n\u201890\u2019s. Lockshank opens with a fingernail. It\u2019s locked, as the pin on one end falls<br \/>\ninto the locking hole on the opposite band. It opens to the entire diameter of<br \/>\nthe ring, accommodating even the largest of knuckles. CAD modeling was used<br \/>\nto generate the three pieces of a prototype. A metal mold was created for each<br \/>\npiece from this geometry, ensuring that each finished Lockshank operates with<br \/>\nthe same clean, tight and reliable mechanism. The molds are injected with<br \/>\nepoline, a plastic substitute for injection wax. They are cast in the lost-wax<br \/>\nprocess, assembled and finished for distribution. There are 66 sizes available.<br \/>\nIt is easy to install. The hinge pins have been welded rather than soldered, so<br \/>\nthe installer runs no risk of freezing the solder hinge when working in close to<br \/>\nit. The hinges are in the center of the band, so the goldsmith can file it to<br \/>\na matching shape during the installation. These shanks can be formed into a<br \/>\ncomfort-fit shape or be tapered to some degree to fit the existing piece<br \/>\nwithout losing any structural integrity in the clasping mechanism. Proper sizing<br \/>\ncan be accomplished with a simple set of plastic ring gauges which have been<br \/>\ncut open with a set of nippers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure24.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"310\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure25.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"223\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure26.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"209\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Creates PFF Ring Clasp<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Allan Creates developed the PFF ring clasp in 1989. PFF stands for \u201cperfectly<br \/>\nfabulous fit\u201d. This invention is a hinged ring that includes a locking mechanism.<br \/>\nThere are two styles available. The Standard product has a single spring for the<br \/>\nlock. The Deluxe has an additional spring on the hinge side to aid in opening<br \/>\nand closing the device. The lock is opened by pulling on the latch with a<br \/>\nfingernail. The unlocked shank will swing open on its hinge and will fit behind<br \/>\nany swollen joint.<\/p>\n<p>The PFF is made to cover sizes 3 to 13. Larger sizes are available if needed. They<br \/>\nare made in 14 karat and 18 karat gold (the return and lock springs are also made<br \/>\nof gold). PFF is also available in a range of toe rings. The rings are not available<br \/>\nin stores and only through the Ringlock website.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure27.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"310\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure28.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"312\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Precision-Fit<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Precision-Fit hinged ring was designed and created by Todd Murray of<br \/>\nMurray\u2019s Jewelers. The hinge and clasp devices were designed to be added to<br \/>\nexisting rings. A press on the lower half of the clasp causes the entire bottom<br \/>\nof the ring to move away from the upper half using a hinge made of 14K gold.<br \/>\nThe bottom half of the ring is specially heat-treated after it is cast in gold so<br \/>\nthat it can withstand the wear and tear of being opened and closed. The clasp<br \/>\nis based upon the tongue and groove design. The rings come in finger sizes 4\u20139.<br \/>\nBy cutting off the original shank of the ring and soldering a hinge and clasp to<br \/>\nthe remaining upper half, a ring that may not have been wearable for years can<br \/>\nbe used again. They are offered installed by the designer and are not available<br \/>\nas findings.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure29.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"279\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Dovetail Systems Shank<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Dovetail Systems shank is a self adjusting ring that expands to pass over<br \/>\nenlarged knuckles and then it contracts up to three sizes for a snug fit. It was<br \/>\ndesigned by Bernard Reller and is manufactured by Reller, Inc. This product is<br \/>\nproduced by investment casting.<\/p>\n<p>The self adjusting components are activated by a stainless steel leaf spring, and<br \/>\nthe cradle that is part of the adjusting mechanism is connected to the ring by<br \/>\ntwo small links. The links are held in place by .021&#8243; pins that can be removed to<br \/>\nservice the mechanism. The Dovetail System shanks are made to cover finger sizes<br \/>\n5 to 12 and come in 2.5mm, 4mm and 6mm widths. Replacement parts and springs<br \/>\nare available.Installation is similar to replacing a shank on a ring. The original ring is sized<br \/>\nto the area of the finger that the ring is worn on. It\u2019s then cut to match the<br \/>\nDovetail System shank. The stainless steel spring floats under the cradle and can<br \/>\nbe removed during the soldering process. It can also be left in place and protected<br \/>\nwith Kool Jool or a similar method. The spring should not be compressed<br \/>\nduring installation. After soldering, the new shank is blended into the original<br \/>\nring and polished. Since it is a precision mechanism, Reller, Inc. recommends<br \/>\nfrequent ultrasonic cleaning to provide trouble free service.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure30.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"328\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hooverandstrong.com\/articles\/ArthriticFingerJoints\/Figure31.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"242\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The adjustable shanks marketed today have clearly met the need for converting<br \/>\nan existing ring. They are unique mechanisms that provide different features to<br \/>\nthe end user. Each customer has different needs and these shanks fulfill many of<br \/>\nthem. Unlike the early inventions found at the patent office, we do know that<br \/>\nthey have been successfully marketed. Some have even withstood the test of<br \/>\nover 50 years of service. All of these findings meet the needs of today&#8217;s market.<br \/>\nIt will be very interesting to see where these inventors take the next generation<br \/>\nof adjustable rings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Acknowledgements<\/strong><br \/>\nThe following people have contributed to this paper by providing interviews,<br \/>\nphotographs and encouragement.<\/p>\n<p>Gena Alulis of SuperFit<br \/>\nDonna Collins of Hoover &amp; Strong<br \/>\nAllen Creates of PFF<br \/>\nTorry Hoover of Hoover &amp; Strong<br \/>\nJoe Kelrick of Finger Mate<br \/>\nTom Lilly of Finger Fit<br \/>\nTodd Murray of Murray\u2019s Jewelers<br \/>\nDave Patton of De la Vin Designs<br \/>\nBernard Reller of Reller, Inc.<br \/>\nSteve Stickley of Hoover &amp; Strong<\/p>\n<p><strong>References<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Arthritis Foundation, \u201cArthritis Foundation Statistics Web Page,\u201d http:\/\/www.arthritis.org\/<br \/>\nLa Grange, R., \u201cpatent #263,920,\u201d United States Patent Office, Sept. 5, 1882<br \/>\nLewkowitz, B., \u201cpatent #293,044,\u201d United States Patent Office, Feb. 5, 1884<br \/>\nHeinrich, H., \u201cpatent #293,874,\u201d United States Patent Office, Feb. 19, 1884<br \/>\nBallard, M., \u201cpatent #1,434,981,\u201d United States Patent Office, Nov. 7, 1922<br \/>\nAxel, B., \u201cpatent #2,615,314,\u201d United States Patent Office, Oct. 28, 1952<br \/>\nAxel, H., \u201cpatent # 2,787,142,\u201d United States Patent Office, April 2, 1957<br \/>\nFinger Fit Company, \u201cFinger Fit Hinged Ring Shanks Web Pages,\u201d www.fingerfit.net<br \/>\nKelrick, Joseph, \u201cFinger Mate, Inc. Adjustable hinged Shanks Web Pages,\u201d www.fingermate.com<br \/>\nAlulis, Gena, \u201cSuperFit, Inc. Web Pages and Product Manual,\u201d www.superfitinc.com<br \/>\nHoover, Torry, \u201cHoover &amp; Strong Web Pages,\u201d www.hooverandstrong.com<br \/>\nPatton, Dave, \u201cLockshank by De la Vin Designs, LLC Web Pages,\u201d www.lockshank.com<br \/>\nMurray, Todd, \u201cPrecision-Fit Web Pages\u201d, www.murraysjewelers.com<br \/>\nCreates, Allen, \u201cThe Creates P.F.F Ring Clasp Web Pages,\u201d www.Ringlock.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction With the Baby Boomers reaching their retirement years, the problems associated with ring fit and finger joint swelling will become a major issue for jewelers. This paper addresses the medical causes of swollen finger joints due to rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and solutions for the jeweler.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11,12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":274,"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114\/revisions\/274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}