1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a latching device, and more particularly to a latching device that secures a bracelet, chain or collar together.
2. Description of Related Art
Most of the traditional fastening means used for bracelets or necklace are not hidden and thus may be unsightly. Most of the fastening means such as lobster claw clasps, toggle clasps, etc. may not be easy to lock and release. Therefore, it is desirable to have a different type of fastening means for necklaces and bracelets.
Most of the animals' collars and chains are secured by buckles. It is desirable to have different latching devices to secure animals' collars and chains.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and seamless latching device that secures necklaces, bracelets, and/or animals' collars, and chains.
The latching devices of the present invention have never been used in any animals' collars or chains. Therefore, it is an innovative latching device that secures animals' collars and chains together. It provides hidden latching method for the bracelet, and necklace, thus it is seamless and appealing. Moreover, the latching device of the present invention is easier to lock and release compared to traditional fastening means such as clasps or buckles.
A latching device comprising a main housing unit, a center coin, and a receiver ring. The main housing, preferably made from 316L stainless steel, has an opening for the receiver ring to enter, a recess to house most working parts of the device, and a circumferential wall. The center coin, preferably made from stainless steel, is disposed on top of the main housing unit and is vital in respect of providing locking and releasing mechanism for the latching device. The center coin has a hook underneath which can lock into the open space of the receiver ring after the receiver ring is slid through the opening into the main housing unit. The latching device further comprises a steel spring which is located inside the main housing and is meant to provide pressure against the center coin so as to maintain the hook locking into the receiver ring. When the spring is pressed the hook is pivotally lifted up from the receiver ring. Therefore, the receiver ring can be slid out of the housing. When the latching device is in locked position, the latching device is seamless.
In one embodiment, the center coin has two arms perpendicularly extending from the bottom of the center coin and located at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions respectively, each arm has a hole. The main housing unit also has two holes on its circumferential wall at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions respectively. The center coin is attached to the main housing unit by linking (or attachment) means which may include stainless rod(s), screws, and bolts.
In another embodiment, a different type of pressure method instead of a spring can be used to provide pressure against the center coin and the releasing mechanism of the latch.
The size of the opening in the main housing unit and the size of the receiver ring may vary in other embodiments.
The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.
Referring to
As shown in
When the receiver ring 20 is inserted into the housing 10 through the opening 12 the hook 32 and spring 50 work together to lock and release the receiver ring 20 to and from the housing 10. As shown in
In another embodiment, the center coin 30 could be attached instead of using a rod that goes through both the sides of the coin 30 to secure to the housing unit 10 it could be attached separately using other type of linkages (or attachment or connecting means) including a pair of rods, screws and/or bolts or other means of attachment (as shown in
In another embodiment, the latching part (i.e. hook 32??) of the center coin 30 can be moved or reconfigured to still make attachment to the receiver ring 20 but essentially be the same.
In another embodiment, the main housing unit 10 can be reconfigured with a smaller or larger opening 16 to allow different size of receiver rings 20 to be used for attachment.
In another embodiment, the device 1 uses a different type of pressure means to provide pressure against the center coin instead of a spring.
The main housing unit, center coin, receiver ring, linking (or attachment) means, spring or other pressure means are preferably made from metal especially preferably stainless metal but they may be made from other materials.
Referring to
While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.