Patent Application
20150216269
The disclosed technology relates to a jewelry clasp. More particularly, to a jewelry clasp for easily joining the two free ends of a jewelry chain together.
With certain jewelry, particularly women's jewelry, there is an inherent conflict between the need to make the clasp easy to facilitate so that the wearer can readily join the free ends of the bracelet or necklace, and the need to make the clasp very secure so that it does not easily and inadvertently become unattached and risk the potential loss of the jewelry.
In use, however, even people with a great deal of dexterity find it difficult to fasten necklaces behind their necks or fasten most bracelets which, by their nature, must be fastened with the use of only one hand. This problem is compounded many fold in the case of older people or the many millions of people who suffer from even mild cases of arthritis or similar afflictions that limit the use of the hands.
Magnetic clasps are widely used for costume jewelry. However, manufacturers and retailers of fine jewelry (gold jewelry, sterling silver jewelry or jewelry containing gemstones) offer necklaces with magnetic clasps less frequently. Makers and wearers of fine jewelry usually opt for security over ease of use.
In one implementation, a jewelry clasp includes; a first housing for fixedly securing a first magnet, the first magnet having an exposed face with a north pole, the first housing further including a open recess and a retaining wall with an opening; a second housing for fixedly securing a second magnet, the second magnet having an exposed face with a south pole, the second housing further including a connector; a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the second housing is removably secured within the open recess of the first housing and the north pole of the first magnet is magnetically attracted and aligned with the south pole of the second magnet; and a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the connector of the second housing is placed in the opening of the retaining wall.
In some implementations, a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet aligns the exposed surfaces of the first magnet and the second magnet in a flat position which in turn brings a bottom surface of the second housing in contact a top surface of the recess of the first housing which in turn allows the connector of the housing to fit into the opening of the retaining wall thereby mechanically securing the first housing to the second housing.
In some implementations, in order to unlock the clasp, the first housing is pulled up and away from the second housing so that the connector is disengaged with the opening of retaining wall thereby removing the connector from its position within the opening and breaking a magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.
In some implementations, the first magnet of the first housing can include a protrusion and the second magnet of the second housing can include a void wherein the protrusion fits into the void so that the first magnet can properly align with the second magnet. In some implementations, the top surface of the recess can be partially or completely made from a layer of ferric metal. And in some implementations, the first magnet can be fixedly secured in the first housing with a first set of flaps and the second magnet can be fixedly secured in the second housing with a second set of flaps.
In another implementation, a jewelry clasp includes: a first housing for fixedly securing a first magnet, the first magnet having an exposed face with a south pole, the first housing further including a open recess and a retaining wall with an opening; a second housing for fixedly securing a second magnet, the second magnet having an exposed face with a north pole, the second housing further including a connector; a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the second housing is removably secured within the open recess of the first housing and the south pole of the first magnet is magnetically attracted and aligned with the north pole of the second magnet; and a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the connector of the second housing is placed in the opening of the retaining wall.
The advantages of the jewelry clasp are that the clasp easily doses, is secure when closed, and is easily opened. In addition to those functional advantages, the clasp is commercially benefited by being attractive so that the clasp enhances, rather than detracts, from the overall attractive appearance of the jewelry itself.
a-d show various views of a connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;
a shows a bottom view of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;
b shows a perspective view of a second housing of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology;
a show a bottom view of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; and
b shows a perspective view of a second housing of a jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology.
This specification describes technologies relating to jewelry clasps.
Housing 10 has a length L1 and a width W1 with an overall oval shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). For example, the length of housing 10 can be approximately 10-20 mm and the width can be approximately 5-15 mm. The housing 10 includes a top surface 2a, a bottom surface 3a, a connector 9a, a first recess 4 for holding a fixed magnet 14, a second recess 5 for removably securing housing 12, and a retaining wall 6 partially forming the second recess 5.
The retaining wall 6 follows the circumference of the top surface 2a and extends downwards from the top surface 2a. The retaining wall 6 also includes an opening 7. The housing 10 may or may not have an ornamental design on some of its surfaces.
Housing 12 mirrors the shape of the second recess 5 and removably fits into the second recess 5 of housing 10. As such, housing 12 has a length L2 that can be approximately half the length of housing 10 and a width W2 approximately equal to the width of housing 10. The length of housing 12 can be approximately 5 to 10 mm and the width is approximately 5-15 mm. Housing 12 includes a top surface 2b, a bottom surface 3b, and a recess 8 for fixedly holding a magnet 16 and a connector 9b.
In recesses 4, 8 of housings 10, 12 there is a magnetic means embedded. The magnetic means can comprise permanent magnets 14, 16. The magnets 14, 16 are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp 1. The permanent magnets 14, 16 can each have a predetermined polarity. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets 14, 16 is perpendicular to an exposed or partially exposed side surface 40a, 40b of the magnets. The exposed surfaces 40a, 40b of the magnets 14, 16 have opposite poles. The magnets 14, 16, as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power being perpendicular to the exposed face of the magnets. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets can be nickel plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion.
In use, as shown in
In order to unlock the clasp, a user grasps housing 10 and pulls the housing 10 up and away from the skin 17 of the user (as shown as Direction B in
In another implementation, as shown in
Housing 110 has a length and a width with an overall rectangular shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). The length of housing 110 can be approximately 5-20 mm and the width can be approximately 2-10 mm. The housing 110 includes a top surface 102a, a bottom surface 103a, a first recess 104 for holding a fixed magnet 114, a second recess 105 for holding a removable magnet, and a retaining wall 106 with an opening 107.
The retaining wall 106 follows the perimeter of the top surface 102a and extends downwards from the top surface 102a. The retaining wall 106 forms part of the second recess 105. The top surface of the housing may or may not have an ornamental design. The first recess includes a void 130 for receiving a protrusion 132, as will be described below.
Housing 112 fits into the second recess of housing 110 and mirrors the shape of the second recess. As such, housing 112 has a length that can be half the length of housing 110 and a width equal to the width of housing 110 with an overall rectangular shape. The length of housing 112 can be approximately 2.5 to 10 mm and the width can be approximately 2 to 10 mm. Housing 112 includes a top surface 102b, a bottom surface 103b, and a recess 108 for holding a fixed magnet 114, a connector 109b and a protrusion 210.
In recess 104, 108 there is a magnetic means embedded and affixed within each of the housings 110, 112. The magnetic means can comprise permanent magnets 114, 116. The magnets 114, 116 are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp 100. The permanent magnets 114, 116 can be arranged along a longitudinal line extending between the magnets and the polarity of each of the permanent magnets 14, 16 is predetermined. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets 114, 116 is perpendicular to an exposed or partially exposed side surface 140a, 140b of the magnets. The side surface of the magnets 114, 116 have opposite poles. The magnets 114, 116, as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power perpendicular to the face of the magnets. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets are preferably plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion. When being worn by a user, a working side 103a of housing 110 of the jewelry clasp can be worn closest to the user's skin so that a design side 102a of housing 110 can be viewed.
In use, a user brings the two clasps 110, 112 in close proximity to each other and the exposed surfaces 140a, 140b of the magnets naturally align with one another. That is, a south pole of magnet 114 aligns with the north pole of magnet 116 or vice versa. Thus, the magnetically attractive surfaces 140a, 140b are attracted to each other by the mating of the opposite poles of the individual magnets. To ensure the magnets are properly aligned, the magnet of housing 112 includes a protrusion 130 and protrusion 130 fits into the void 132 of the magnet of housing 110, or vice versa. When the two housing 110, 112 are attracted to each other, the housing 112 fits into recess 105. At this point, the magnetic attraction aligns the exposed surfaces 140a, 140b in a flat position which in turn brings the top surface of the recess of housing 110 is in contact with a top surface 102b of housing 112 which in turn allows the connector 109b of housing 112 to fit in the opening 107 of retaining wall 106. The engagement of the connector 109b into the opening 107 of the retaining wall engages the mechanical locking arrangement of the clasp thereby securing the clasp 100.
In order to unlock the clasp, a user grasps housing 110 and pulls the housing 110 up and away from the skin of the user which removes the connector 109b from its position within the opening 107 and breaking the magnetic force of the magnets. In other words, a user can place a forefinger and a thumb on connector 109a or at a midpoint and on both sides of the housing 110. The user then lifts the housing 110 up and away from the housing 112 so that housing 110 can be removed from housing 112. Once housing 112 is misaligned and disengaged, the housing 112 is free to be moved and separated from housing 110 since the magnetic attraction has been essentially eliminated. As such, the opening of the clasp can be accomplished with one hand without need for actual visual perception of the clasp.
Housing 210 has a length L1 and a width W1 with an overall oval shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). For example, the length of housing 210 can be approximately 10-20 mm and the width can be approximately 5-15 mm. The housing 210 includes a top surface 202a, a bottom surface 203a, a connector 209a, a first recess 204 for holding a fixed magnet 214, a second recess 205 for removably securing housing 212, and a retaining wall 206 partially forming the second recess 205.
The retaining wall 206 follows the circumference of the top surface 202a and extends downwards from the top surface 202a to form open recess 205. The retaining wall 206 also includes an opening 207. The housing 210 may or may not have an ornamental design on some of its surfaces.
Housing 212 mirrors the shape of the second recess 205 and removably fits into the second recess 205 of housing 210. As such, housing 212 has a length L2 that can be approximately half the length of housing 210 and a width W2 approximately equal to the width of housing 210. The length of housing 212 can be approximately 5 to 10 mm and the width is approximately 5-15 mm. Housing 212 includes a top surface 202b, a bottom surface 203b, and a recess 208 for fixedly holding a magnet 216 and a connector 9b.
In recess 204, 208 of housings 10, 12 there is a magnetic means embedded. The magnetic means can comprise permanent magnets 214, 216. The magnets 214, 216 are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp 1. The magnets are shaped so that flaps 250a-b, 252a-b hold magnets 214, 216 within the respective recesses of housings 210, 212. The magnets 214, 216, as shown in
The permanent magnets 214, 216 can each have a predetermined polarity. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets 214, 216 is perpendicular to an exposed or partially exposed side surface 240a, 240b of the magnets. The exposed surfaces 240a, 240b of the magnets 214, 216 have opposite poles. The magnets 214, 216, as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power perpendicular to the face of the magnets. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets are preferably nickel plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion.
In some implementations, the top surface 202a of housing 210 can be made from either a thin (about one mm thick) magnet or piece of ferric (magnetic) steel to provide additional magnetic attraction and help attract and hold housing 212 in recess 205. In this implementation, half of the magnet, or steel piece would be exposed and half would fit under and be held in by the magnet permanently affixed in the housing 210. In other implementations, to provide additional attraction, the entire top surface 202a of housing 210 can be made of ferric steel.
In some implementations, the jewelry clasps can be made in narrow and wide versions and in various sizes so as to tie in with and look attractive with different sizes and styles of necklaces and bracelets. The jewelry clasps also may have ornamental designs on one or more surfaces of the housing.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosed technology or of what can be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of the disclosed technology. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative, but not restrictive, and the scope of the disclosed technology disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the implementations shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the disclosed technology and that various modifications can be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology.
