Patent Grant
7120974
This claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Utility Model Application No. 2003-004410, filed 28 Aug. 2003 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-384280, filed 13 Nov. 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant which, when attached to a brooch, enables the brooch to be used as a pendant.
2. Description of the Related Art
People have conventionally enjoyed dressing up by attaching a brooch to their clothing or hanging a pendant from their necks. As shown in
In the latch receiver 13, as shown in
Meanwhile, the owner of a brooch may sometimes wish to use the brooch as a pendant. In a device for use in such a case, disclosed in the laying open of Japanese Utility Model Application H6-9512 and shown in
In a further device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No. 3087633 and shown in
However, in the former case, the through hole 20 for passing through a chain or the like is provided in a narrow location between the brooch pin 19, a bearing 21 for opening and closing the pin, and the brooch 22. Moreover, the through hole 20 for passing through a chain or the like is formed into a ring without the opening, and in reality, it is difficult to pass a chain through the through hole 20. Furthermore, only chains having a width that is equal to or less than the inner diameter of the through hole 20 can be passed through the through hole 20.
In the latter case, the chain insertion portion 27 required for use as the pendant 24, the pin insertion tube 28 required for use as a brooch, the pin 29, the spring portion 30, the spherical abutting portion 31, and so on must all be provided separately. Moreover, when the pin brooch 23 is to be used as the pendant 24, the pin 29 protrudes from the pendant 24, and hence the pin 29 must always be removed, which is tiresome.
The present invention has been designed in consideration of these points, and it is an object thereof to provide a compact clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant which can be opened and closed by a support piece of a latch on the brooch clasp and a leg suspended from the latch, and which is provided with a chain insertion portion for a pendant through which a chain or the like can be passed easily.
A first embodiment of the invention is a clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant, comprising a needle-shaped latch, a rear end of which is supported on one end of one surface of a brooch main body so as to be free to rotate (pivot) in a vertical direction, and a latch receiver for latching a tip end of the latch, which is provided on another end of the one surface of the brooch main body. The clasp is attached to a piece of clothing by latching the latch passed through a part of the piece of clothing to the latch receiver. A narrow support piece, having a tip end (distal relative to the brooch main body) which is bent into a substantial right angle to the direction of an opposed opening of the latch receiver, is provided on the one end of the one surface of the brooch main body. The rear end of the needle-shaped latch is supported on a tip end of the support piece so as to be free to rotate (pivot) in a vertical direction. A leg protrudes toward the one surface of the brooch main body from the vicinity of a pivot portion of the latch. A space surrounded by the support piece and the one end of the one surface of the brooch main body forms a chain insertion portion. Thus, when a pendant chain is passed through the chain insertion portion of the support piece and the tip end of the latch is latched by the latch receiver provided on the other end of the one surface of the brooch main body, a lower end of the leg of the latch abuts against or comes close to the one surface of the brooch main body. As a result, the chain insertion portion is closed so that the pendant chain cannot become disengaged from the chain insertion portion.
If desired in another embodiment of the invention the above-described clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant, the rear end (proximal to the brooch main body) of the support piece extends in a substantially identical direction to the bent tip end of the support piece to form a base. In this embodiment, the chain insertion portion is formed by the base and the support piece, such that when the leg extending from the vicinity of the pivot portion of the latch abuts against or comes close to the base, the chain insertion portion is closed.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant, comprising a needle-shaped latch, a rear end of which is supported on one end of one surface of a brooch main body so as to be free to rotate (pivot) in a vertical direction, and a latch receiver for latching a tip end of the latch, which is provided on another end of the one surface of the brooch main body. The clasp is attached to a piece of clothing by latching the latch passed through a part of the piece of clothing to the latch receiver. A horizontal base is fixed to one edge of the one surface of the brooch main body, a tip end of the base is formed into a support piece bent into an arc-shaped profile, one end of a latch base having an arc-shaped profile is supported on the tip end of the support piece so as to be free to rotate in a vertical direction, another end of the latch base is provided so as to be free to abut against or come close to the base, an annular body protruding from the one end of the brooch main body is formed by the support piece and the latch base, the space inside the annular body constitutes a chain insertion portion, and the needle-shaped latch portion is provided from the latch base to the latch receiver. Thus, when a pendant chain is passed through the chain insertion portion and the tip end of the latch is latched by the latch receiver, the chain insertion portion is closed by the latch base so that the pendant chain cannot become disengaged from the chain insertion portion.
The above-described embodiments of a clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant according to the present invention may employ a stopper for latching the lower end of the leg, which extends from the vicinity of the pivot portion of the latch in order to close the chain insertion portion formed by the support piece and the one surface of the brooch main body or the base formed by extending the support piece. The stopper is provided on the one surface of the brooch main body or the base of the support piece in the position at which the lower end of the leg abuts against or comes close to the one surface of the brooch main body or the base of the support piece.
The clasps of the present invention for use with both a brooch and a pendant may comprise a pendant chain insertion portion formed by the support piece of the latch and one end of the one surface of the brooch main body or the base. Hence, the clasp is compact and no larger than required, and the pendant chain that is passed through the chain insertion portion does not move needlessly. The clasp part of a pendant chain is often larger than the sectional area of the chain part, but since the chain insertion portion is provided to be opened and closed freely, this type of chain can be passed through the chain insertion portion, even when the chain insertion portion is narrow, without problems. Since there is no need to take the trouble to provide a plectrum-shaped ring or D-shaped ring, the length of the needle-shaped latch of the brooch can be extended, ensuring easy and secure latching to a piece of clothing. Moreover, since the chain insertion portion is small, the brooch can be hung from the neck as a pendant with stability. Moreover, the pendant does not turn around, and hence the wearer can feel at ease and enjoy dressing up. Further, the leg abuts against or comes close to the one surface of the brooch main body such that when the needle-shaped latch is pushed inward from a state in which it is substantially parallel with the one surface of the brooch main body or the base, a spring effect is exhibited whereby the leg does not move and the latch springs upward in reaction to the pushing. Hence, when the needle-shaped latch is pierced into a piece of clothing during use of the clasp with a brooch, the tip end of the latch springs upward, enabling the piece of clothing to be pierced easily.
In the embodiment wherein a base is constituted by extending the rear end of the support piece in a substantially identical direction to the bent tip end of the support piece, and the chain insertion portion is formed by the base and the support piece such that when the leg extending from the vicinity of the pivot portion of the latch abuts against or comes close to the base, the chain insertion portion is closed. Hence, even when the attachment surface of the brooch main body is uneven, the base can be attached as long as a slight contact surface can be secured between the uneven surface and the base. As a result, the versatility of the clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant is increased, and the scope of usage is widened.
In the embodiment of the invention employing a support piece bent into an arc-shaped profile, an annular body protruding from one end of the brooch main body is formed by the support piece and the latch base, and hence when a necklace having narrow gaps between adjacent precious stones, formed by stringing together precious stones or the like such as pearls and beads, is used, the pearls or the like are unlikely to catch on the brooch main body, and the narrow cord between adjacent pearls or the like can be passed through the chain insertion portion easily. Thus a brooch using this clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant can be attached to the necklace easily.
If desired, the above-described stopper for latching the lower end of the leg, which extends from the vicinity of the pivot portion of the latch and closes the chain insertion portion formed by the support piece and the one surface of the brooch main body or the base of the support piece, is provided on the one surface of the brooch main body or the base of the support piece in the position at which the lower end of the leg abuts against or comes close to the one surface of the brooch main body or the base of the support piece. Hence, even if the needle-shaped latch is pushed inward from a position that is substantially parallel with the one surface of the brooch main body or the like, the leg and latch do not rotate any further, and the tip end of the latch does not move below the latch receiver. Thus the latch can always be latched easily to the latch receiver. Moreover, once a pendant chain has been passed through the chain insertion portion, the chain insertion portion can be closed securely by the leg of the latch, and hence the pendant chain does not become disengages from the chain insertion portion, enabling a great increase in the reliability of the clasp for use with both a brooch and a pendant.
A support piece having its tip end bent into a substantial right angle is provided on one surface of a brooch main body, and the rear end of a needle-shaped latch is supported on the tip end of the support piece so as to be free to rotate in a vertical direction. A leg protrudes at a substantial right angle from the vicinity of a pivot portion of the latch, and a space surrounded by the support piece and the one surface of the brooch main body forms a chain insertion portion. When a pendant chain is passed through the chain insertion portion of the support piece, and the tip end of the latch is latched by a latch receiver provided on the brooch main body, a lower end of the leg extending from the vicinity of the pivot portion of the latch abuts against or comes close to one surface of the brooch main body, thereby closing the chain insertion portion so that the pendant chain does not become disengaged from the chain insertion portion.
A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described on the basis of the drawings.
In this manner, the space surrounded by the support piece 21 and the rear surface of the brooch main body 1 constitutes a chain insertion portion 4. The term “surrounded by the support piece 21 and the rear surface of the brooch main body 1” permits additional elements to also surround the chain insertion portion 4. For example, as seen in
When the tip end (free end) of the latch 3 of FIG. 1 is latched by a latch receiver 13, the lower end of the leg 3b abuts against or comes close to the rear surface of the brooch main body 1. As a result, the leg 3b closes the opening portion of the chain insertion portion 4.
By releasing the free end of the latch 3, which is latched to the latch receiver 13, from the latch receiver 13 and raising the latch 3 upward as shown in
When the dual purpose clasp A is used in this manner as a brooch clasp attached to the rear surface of the brooch main body 1, the dual purpose clasp A can easily be used with a pendant as well as a brooch. Furthermore, when the dual purpose clasp A is used with a pendant, the chain 5 is inserted into the narrow, closed chain insertion portion 4, and hence the position of the chain 5 does not shift greatly.
Second through fifth embodiments of the present invention will now be described on the basis of the drawings.
Here, description of identical constitutions to those of the first embodiment is omitted, and only the parts which differ from the first embodiment, or in other words the features of these embodiments, are described.
In a dual purpose clasp B according to the second embodiment, as shown in
In the case of the first and second embodiments, the leg 3b is provided, and hence the tip end of the latch 3 does not move below the latch receiver 13 even when pushed from above. However, if the latch 3 is pushed hard from above, the tip end of the latch 3 may move to a position below the latch receiver 13 as shown in
To avoid such a situation, a dual purpose clasp C of the third embodiment is provided as described below.
In the dual purpose clasp C of the third embodiment, as shown in
Instead of the stopper 2b having a substantially U-shaped surface, a recessed portion 2c having a substantially U-shaped surface may be provided on the edge of the base 2a which faces the latch receiver 13, as shown in
In a dual purpose clasp D according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in
When the latch 3 is positioned substantially parallel with the rear surface of the brooch main body 1 so that the tip end (free end) thereof is latched by the latch receiver 13, the lower end of the leg 3b abuts against or comes close to the stepped base 2e, and as a result, the leg 3b closes the opening portion of a chain insertion portion 4a constituted by the space that is surrounded by the narrow support piece 22 bent into a substantially arc-shaped profile. This is similar to the embodiments described above. Further, the chain insertion portion 4a is formed in a position deviating to the side of the brooch main body 1.
An attempt may be made to pass a necklace formed by stringing together pearls H or beads having a large diameter through the chain insertion portion 4a of this invention. However, if the outer diameter of the pearls H is greater than the inner diameter of the chain insertion portion 4 when the support piece 21 is provided on the rear surface of the brooch main body 1 and the chain insertion portion 4 is formed on the rear surface of the brooch main body 1 as described above, the pearls H catch on the rear surface of the brooch main body 1, and a part of a cord I between two of the pearls H cannot be inserted into the chain insertion portion 4.
With the dual purpose clasp D of the fourth embodiment, however, the support piece 22 protrudes from one end of the brooch main body 1 in the horizontal direction, and the tip end thereof is bent into a substantially arc-shaped profile, as described above. Hence, when a necklace formed by stringing together the pearls H or beads, for example, is inserted into the chain insertion portion 4a, the part of the cord I between two adjacent pearls H can be fitted into the substantially arc-shaped chain insertion portion 4a, which is formed by the support piece 22 of the dual purpose clasp D, by raising the leg 3b. Thus, as shown in
Hence the free end of the latch base 3c functions similarly to the leg 3b in the embodiments described above. When the free end of the latch 3 is raised, the latch base 3c rotates about the pivot portion on the tip end of the support piece 23 such that the free end of the latch base 3c is separated from the tip end of the base 2f. As a result, the chain insertion portion 4a is opened and the pendant chain 5 is passed through the chain insertion portion 4a. When the tip end of the latch 3 is latched by the latch receiver, the free end of the latch base 3c abuts against or comes close to the tip end of the base 2f, thereby closing the chain insertion portion 4a so that the pendant chain 5 cannot become disengaged from the chain insertion portion 4a.
In the dual purpose clasp E of the fifth embodiment, similarly to the dual purpose clasp D described above, when a necklace formed by stringing together pearls or the like is inserted into the chain insertion portion 4a, adjacent pearls H do not catch on the rear surface of the brooch main body 1, and hence the necklace can be inserted into the chain insertion portion 4a easily, enabling the brooch main body 1 to be attached to the necklace easily. The reason for this is that in the fourth and fifth embodiments, the chain insertion portion 4a is provided to the side of the brooch main body 1, thus facilitating the insertion of a necklace chain or the like into the chain insertion portion 4a. Moreover, in the fifth embodiment, the chain insertion portion 4a is formed by the substantially semi-arc shaped support piece 23 and the latch base 3c, and hence when the latch base 3c is raised, the opening portion of the chain insertion portion 4a opens wide, further facilitating the insertion of a chain or the like.
In the embodiments described above, the latch receiver 13 described in the prior art section is used as the latch receiver 13 of the dual purpose clasps A, B, C, and D. However, the constitution of the latch receiver 13 is not an essential element of the present invention. Further, the present invention relates to a clasp, but the material of the support piece 21 and so on is not limited to metal, and a material other than metal may be used appropriately. Moreover, the latch for latching the leg 3b of the dual purpose clasp C is not limited to the stopper 2b, recessed portion 2c, and stepped portion 2d.
It is apparent that the present invention is not limited in spirit or scope to the embodiments specifically illustrated in the present application. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the above-identified description but is defined by the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-004410 | Aug 2003 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 323543 | Thommen | Aug 1885 | A |
| 1004592 | Rhodes | Oct 1911 | A |
| 1034136 | Morehouse | Jul 1912 | A |
| 1056356 | Munson | Mar 1913 | A |
| 1249519 | Schroitter | Dec 1917 | A |
| 3020614 | De Curtis et al. | Feb 1962 | A |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 69512 | Feb 1994 | JP |
| 3087633 | May 2002 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20050044676 A1 | Mar 2005 | US |
