Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6293444
-
Patent Number
6,293,444
-
Date Filed
Monday, November 29, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 25, 200122 years ago
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 223 111
- 223 DIG 2
- 024 499
- 024 500
- 024 520
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet. The clamp includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw. The stationary jaw extends along the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned and the wrist on which the bracelet is to be donned and is releasably grasped between the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned and the fingers of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned. The movable jaw is pivotally mounted to, and biased against, the stationary jaw, and together with the stationary jaw releasably hold one end of the bracelet therebetween.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clamp. More particularly, the present invention relates to a clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Jewelry, such as rings, broaches, necklaces, and bracelets, is widely used by women and men for ornamentation. Particularly, bracelets are ornamental bands or chains, or string of beads or pearls worn around a person's wrist. Although some bracelets are formed various materials into a shape of a continuous band that is slid over a person's hand, most bracelets have a releasable clasp for connecting together the two ends of the bracelet to securely retain the bracelet around a person's wrist.
A typical clasp has a first interlocking member and a second releasably operable, usual spring biased, interlocking member, each of which is attached to opposite ends of a bracelet.
An example of a typical clasp, for connecting the ends of a bracelet and securing the bracelet around a person's wrist, generally consists of a small continuous ringlet or loop at one end of the bracelet and a releasably operable hook or loop attached at the other end of the bracelet. The releasably operable hook interlocks with the ringlet to connect the two ends of the bracelet together.
Another example, of a typical clasp, for use in connecting the ends of a bracelet and securing the bracelet around a person's wrist, generally includes a receiving member having a cavity attached at one end of the bracelet and a mating member having an insertable projection attached at the other end of the bracelet. Either of the receiving or the mating members can be releasably operable. The mating member interlocks with the receiving member to connect the two ends of the bracelet together.
Various other configurations of releasable clamps have been devised for connecting the ends of a bracelet together and retain it around a person's wrist.
A major problem with a bracelet having a releasable clasp is in the effort required by a person to easily and quickly fasten the around his or her wrist. Manually fastening a bracelet around one's wrist requires an individual to exhibit great dexterity. First, the hand, adjoining the wrist upon which the bracelet is to be worn, if often of no help in manipulating the clasp. Often, a person must solely use one hand, the hand opposite from the wrist to which the bracelet is to be worn, to hold the first interlocking member in place on their wrist while attempting to connect the second usually releasably operable interlocking member. Frequently, a person needs to try several times in order to successfully connect the clasp of the bracelet when trying to fasten it around his or her wrist.
Numerous innovations for bracelet fastening devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.
FOR EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 323,132 to Grennan teaches the ornamental design for a bracelet fastening tool.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 348,187 to Higgins teaches the ornamental design for a bracelet attaching tool.
STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 387,253 to Fakler teaches the ornamental design for a bracelet fastener helper.
YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,066 to Fakler teaches a bracelet clasp fastening aid that has a curved portion for gripping the edge of a table or counter top and another curved portion for receiving one's wrist. Pressure is applied from the wrist onto the curved side allowing the other hand to be free to attach both sides of a bracelet clasp.
FINALLY, STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,327 to LaMacchia et al. teaches a bracelet fastening device to assist a person in quickly and easily fastening a bracelet around his or her wrist. The device overcomes the problems associated with fastening a bracelet around one's own wrist without the assistance of another person and particularly by a person with impaired fine motor skills. The device generally includes a handle and releasable clamping means operably attached to the handle. The clamping means is operable to releasably hold at least one interlocking member of a releasable clasp of a bracelet. The handle is sized and configured to be held in a hand of a person, so that the clamping means is positioned to rest on a wrist adjoining the hand holding the handle. A person using the bracelet fastening device can hold and position with one hand at least one interlocking member of the releasable clasp on the adjoining wrist while using the other free hand to fasten the other interlocking member of the clasp therewith to securely retain the bracelet around the wrist.
It is apparent that numerous innovations for bracelet fastening devices have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet that is simple to use.
BRIEFLY STATED, YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet. The clamp includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw. The stationary jaw extends along the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned and the wrist on which the bracelet is to be donned and is releasably grasped between the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned and the fingers of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned. The movable jaw is pivotally mounted to, and biased against, the stationary jaw, and together with the stationary jaw releasably hold one end of the bracelet therebetween.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:
FIG. 1
is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use;
FIG. 2
is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted ellipse identified by ARROW
2
in
FIG. 1
of the present invention;
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
10
clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet of the present invention
12
one hand
14
bracelet
16
stationary jaw for extending along palm of one hand
12
and for being releasably grasped between palm
18
of one hand
12
and fingers
22
of one hand
12
18
palm of one hand
12
20
wrist of one hand
12
22
fingers of one hand
12
24
proximal end of stationary jaw
16
for being releasably grasped between palm
18
of one hand
12
and fingers
22
of one hand
12
26
distal end of stationary jaw
16
for resting on wrist
20
of one hand
12
28
coplanar flare of distal end
26
of stationary jaw
16
30
pair of longitudinal edges of distal end
26
of stationary jaw
16
32
pair of tabs of stationary jaw
16
34
pair of aligned throughbores extending, respectively, through pair of tabs
32
of stationary jaw
16
36
first surface of stationary jaw
16
for facing palm
18
of one hand
12
38
second surface of stationary jaw
16
for contacting fingers
22
of one hand
12
40
movable jaw
42
one end of bracelet
14
44
proximal end of movable jaw
40
46
coplanar flare of proximal end
44
of movable jaw
40
48
distal end of movable jaw
40
50
coplanar flare of distal end
48
of movable jaw
40
52
pair of longitudinal edges of movable jaw
40
54
pair of tabs of movable jaw
40
56
pair of aligned throughbores extending, respectively, transversely through pair of tabs
54
of movable jaw
40
58
first surface of movable jaw
40
60
second surface of movable jaw
40
for contacting fingers
22
of one hand
12
62
pin
64
compression spring
66
pair of ends of compression spring
64
68
space
70
other end of bracelet
14
72
other hand
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to
FIG. 1
, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use, the clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet of the present invention is shown generally at
10
for holding in one hand
12
and assisting in donning a bracelet
14
.
The configuration of the clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet
10
can best be seen in
FIG. 2
, which are, respectively, an enlarged exploded perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted ellipse identified by ARROW
2
in
FIG. 1
of the present invention, and a system diagram of the present invention, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet
10
comprises a stationary jaw
16
for extending along the palm
18
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned and the wrist
20
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned and for being releasably grasped between the palm
18
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned and the fingers
22
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned.
The stationary jaw
16
is substantially flat and coplanar and shaped generally like a bulbous hourglass with one end larger than the end, and both ends having rounded edges.
The stationary jaw
16
has a proximal end
24
for being releasably grasped between the palm
18
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned and the fingers
22
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned.
The proximal end
24
of the stationary jaw
16
is bulbously coplanarly flaring for wider releasable grasping between the palm
18
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned and the fingers
22
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned.
The stationary jaw
16
further has a distal end
26
for resting on the wrist
20
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned.
The distal end
26
of the stationary jaw
16
narrows from the proximal end
24
of the stationary jaw
16
and terminates in a coplanar flare
28
, and has a pair of longitudinal edges
30
.
The stationary jaw
16
further has a pair of tabs
32
that extend perpendicularly upwardly, respectively, from the pair of longitudinal edges
30
of the distal end
26
of the stationary jaw
16
.
The pair of tabs
32
of the stationary jaw
16
have a pair of aligned throughbores
34
that extend, respectively, transversely therethrough.
The stationary jaw
16
further has a first surface
36
for facing the palm of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned, and a second surface
38
that is disposed opposite to the first surface
36
of the stationary jaw
16
for contacting the fingers
22
of the one hand
12
on which the bracelet
14
is to be donned.
The clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet
10
further comprises a movable jaw
40
pivotally mounted to, and biased against, the stationary jaw
16
for releasably holding one end
42
of the bracelet
14
therebetween.
The movable jaw
40
is substantially flat, coplanar, and resembles the distal end
26
of the stationary jaw
16
.
The movable jaw
40
has a proximal end
44
that originates with a coplanar flare
46
that is normally vertically spaced from the second surface
38
of the stationary jaw
16
, intermediate the proximal end
24
of the stationary jaw
16
and the distal end
26
of the stationary jaw
16
.
The movable jaw
40
further has a distal end
48
that terminates in a coplanar flare
50
that normally contacts, and is normally biased against, the coplanar flare
28
on the distal end
26
of the stationary jaw
16
, and a pair of longitudinal edges
52
.
The movable jaw
40
further has a pair of tabs
54
that depend perpendicularly, respectively, from the pair of longitudinal edges
52
of the movable jaw
40
, and adjoin, respectively, the pair of tabs
32
of the stationary jaw
16
.
The pair of tabs
54
of the movable jaw
40
have a pair of aligned throughbores
56
that extend, respectively, transversely therethrough and align, respectively, with the pair of throughbores
34
in the pair of tabs
32
of the stationary jaw
16
.
The movable jaw
40
further has a first surface
58
that faces the second surface
38
of the stationary jaw
16
, and a second surface
60
that is disposed opposite to the first surface
58
of the movable jaw
40
.
The clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet
10
further comprises a pin
62
that pivotally mount the stationary jaw
16
to the movable jaw
40
.
The pin
62
extends rotatably through the pair of throughbores
34
in the pair of tabs
32
of the stationary jaw
16
and through the pair of throughbores
56
in the pair of tabs
54
of the movable jaw
40
.
The clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet
10
further comprises a compression spring
64
that is disposed on the pin
62
and biases the movable jaw
40
against the stationary jaw
16
.
The compression spring
64
has a pair of ends
66
that, respectively, contact the second surface
38
of the stationary jaw
16
and the first surface
58
of the movable jaw
40
.
STEP 1: Press the proximal end
44
of the movable jaw
40
down towards the second surface
38
of the stationary jaw
16
.
STEP 2: Cause the distal end
48
of the movable jaw
40
to separate from the distal end
26
of the stationary jaw
16
and form a space
68
therebetween.
STEP 3: Insert the one end
42
of the bracelet
14
in the space
68
, with the bracelet
14
extending transversely therefrom.
STEP 4: Release the proximal end
44
of the movable jaw
40
from the second surface
38
of the stationary jaw
14
.
STEP 5: Cause the one end
42
of the bracelet
14
to be releasably trapped between the distal end
26
of the stationary jaw
16
and the distal end
48
of the movable jaw
40
.
STEP 6: Face the palm
18
of the one hand
12
up.
STEP 7: Position the first surface
36
of the stationary jaw against the palm
18
of the one hand
12
, with the distal end
26
of the stationary jaw
16
resting on the wrist
20
of the one hand
12
.
STEP 8: Grasp the proximal end
24
of the stationary jaw
16
between the palm
18
of the one hand
12
and the fingers
22
of the one hand
12
.
STEP 9: Grasp the other end
70
of the bracelet
14
with the other hand
72
.
STEP 10: Wrap the bracelet
14
around the wrist
20
of the one hand
12
.
STEP 11: Secure the other end
70
of the bracelet
14
to the one end
42
of the bracelet
14
.
STEP 12: Press again the proximal end
44
of the movable jaw
40
down towards the second surface
38
of the stationary jaw
16
.
STEP 13: Release the bracelet
14
from the space
68
.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a clamp for holding in a hand and assisting in donning a bracelet, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
Claims
- 1. A clamp for holding in one hand and assisting in donning a bracelet, comprising:a) a stationary jaw shaped generally like a bulbous hourglass with one end larger than the other end, and both ends having rounded edges for extending along the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned and the wrist on which the bracelet is to be donned and for being releasably grasped between the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned and the fingers of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned; and b) a nearly identically shaped movable jaw pivotally mounted to, and biased against, said stationary jaw, and together with said stationary jaw being for releasably holding one end of the bracelet therebetween c) a pin pivotally mounting said stationary jaw to said movable jaw; and d) a compression spring disposed on said pin and biasing said movable jaw against said stationary jaw; said clamp having no exterior sharp edges and being sized for fitting in the palm of a hand.
- 2. The clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said stationary jaw is substantially flat and coplanar.
- 3. The clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said stationary jaw has a proximal end for being releasably grasped between the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned and the fingers of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned.
- 4. The clamp as defined in claim 3, wherein said proximal end of said stationary jaw is bulbously coplanarly flaring for wider releasable grasping between the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned and the fingers of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned.
- 5. The clamp as defined in claim 3, wherein said stationary jaw has a distal end for resting on the wrist of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned.
- 6. The clamp as defined in claim 5, wherein said distal end of said stationary jaw narrows from said proximal end of said stationary jaw and terminates in a coplanar flare, and has a pair of longitudinal edges.
- 7. The clamp as defined in claim 6, wherein said stationary jaw further has a pair of tabs that extend perpendicularly upwardly, respectively, from said pair of longitudinal edges of said distal end of said stationary jaw.
- 8. The clamp as defined in claim 7, wherein said pair of tabs of said stationary jaw have a pair of aligned throughbores that extend, respectively, transversely therethrough.
- 9. The clamp as defined in claim 5, wherein said stationary jaw has:a) a first surface for facing the palm of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned; and b) a second surface that is disposed opposite to said first surface of said stationary jaw for contacting the fingers of the one hand on which the bracelet is to be donned.
- 10. The clamp as defined in claim 5, wherein said movable jaw is substantially flat, coplanar, and resembles said distal end of said stationary jaw.
- 11. The clamp as defined in claim 9, wherein said movable jaw has a proximal end that originates with a coplanar flare that is normally vertically spaced from said second surface of said stationary jaw, intermediate said proximal end of said stationary jaw and said distal end of said stationary jaw.
- 12. The clamp as defined in claim 6, wherein said movable jaw has:a) a distal end that terminates in a coplanar flare that normally contacts, and is normally biased against, said coplanar flare on said distal end of said stationary jaw; and b) a pair of longitudinal edges.
- 13. The clamp as defined in claim 12, wherein said movable jaw further have a pair of tabs that depend perpendicularly, respectively, from said pair of longitudinal edges of said movable jaw, and adjoin, respectively, said pair of tabs of said stationary jaw.
- 14. The clamp as defined in claim 13, wherein said pair of tabs of said movable jaw have a pair of aligned throughbores that extend, respectively, transversely therethrough and align, respectively, with said pair of throughbores in said pair of tabs of said stationary jaw.
- 15. The clamp as defined in claim 9, wherein said movable jaw has:a) a first surface that faces said second surface of said stationary jaw; and b) a second surface that is disposed opposite to said first surface of said movable jaw.
- 16. The clamp as defined in claim 14, wherein said pin extends rotatably through said pair of throughbores in said pair of tabs of said stationary jaw and through said pair of throughbores in said pair of tabs of said movable jaw.
- 17. The clamp as defined in claim 15, wherein said compression spring has a pair of ends that, respectively, contact said second surface of said stationary jaw and said first surface of said movable jaw.
US Referenced Citations (5)
