BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to jewelry and jewelry accessories, and more particularly to a necklace layering and detangling apparatus with an integrated clasp that allows the wearing of multiple necklaces without overlapping, tangling, or otherwise moving relative to one another.
(2) Description of the Related Art
When wearing more than one necklace at the same time, the wearer may wish to prevent the necklaces from overlapping, tangling, or otherwise moving relative to one another. Prevention of overlapping, tangling, and relative movement is desirable for both aesthetic as well as functional reasons. For example, delicate necklace chains can be very difficult to untangle, and the chain links may break under moderate tension caused by their inability move freely relative to one another. Chain links made of softer materials, such as gold, may instead elongate or distort under tension. Further, a surface finish present on a necklace chain may scratch or wear off from repeated contact with other necklaces. Finally, it can be time-consuming to fasten multiple necklaces, especially with necklaces that have clasps that are very small or difficult to operate.
A necklace detangling device may prevent the overlapping, tangling, and relative movement of necklaces by spacing the necklaces a sufficient distance apart at one or more points along each necklace. Prior art necklace detangling devices typically have the form of a sliding clasp, wherein a cylindrical rod approximately 2-4 cm long slides coaxially inside a cylindrical tube of slightly larger diameter. The rod and tube are optionally attached with a latch so that they do not accidentally separate. Two or more loops are attached to and spaced at intervals along the rod. The same number of loops are attached to and spaced at intervals along the tube, and a slot is cut into the tube opposite the loops to allow the loops of the rod to extend through the slot. There are thus two or more pairs of loops spaced at intervals along the tube/rod assembly. One loop of each pair includes an attached necklace clasp. Each necklace may then be attached to a pair of loops by attaching the necklace's clasp to one loop and attaching the clasp on the paired loop to the other end of the necklace. Thus, the necklaces are positioned perpendicular to the tube/rod assembly and are held a fixed distance apart from one another. The tube/rod assembly is typically positioned vertically on the back of the wearer's neck, so that the necklaces are vertically separated as they encircle the wearer's neck.
However, prior art necklace detangling devices do not hold the attached necklaces a sufficient distance apart to prevent tangling. Further, the cylindrical shape of the prior art devices exacerbates tangling by rolling back and forth across the neck and thus allowing necklace chains to cross more frequently. As with necklace chain links, tangling can cause the loops of the prior art devices to bend or break. Finally, the two halves of the prior art devices can be difficult to attach without assistance. Thus, there is a need for an easily removable and reattachable necklace layering and detangling apparatus that allows the wearing of multiple necklaces without overlapping, tangling, or otherwise moving relative to one another.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A necklace layering and detangling apparatus with an integrated clasp that allows the wearing of multiple necklaces without overlapping, tangling, or otherwise moving relative to one another, and methods using the same, are presented. The necklace layering and detangling apparatus includes a first necklace attachment member having two or more necklace clasps, each clasp configured to be attached to a first end of a necklace chain or cord, and a second necklace attachment member having two or more loops, each loop configured to be attached to the opposite end of each necklace chain or cord. The necklace attachment members are separable and are attached to each other using an integrated magnetic clasp formed by embedded permanent magnets. The apparatus optionally includes one or more latch clasps in addition to or instead of the integrated magnetic clasp.
Thus, multiple necklaces may remain attached to the necklace layering and detangling apparatus, and the wearer may put all the necklaces on simultaneously by attaching the first necklace attachment member to the second necklace attachment member behind the wearer's neck using the integrated magnetic clasp and/or the latch clasps. The spacing between adjacent necklace clasp and loop pairs, in combination with the method of putting all the necklaces on simultaneously, prevents the necklace chains from becoming crossed or tangled. Further, the rectangular cross-section (when viewed from above) of the necklace layering and detangling apparatus prevents the apparatus from rolling back and forth across the neck and thereby helps to prevent the necklace chains from crossing or tangling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention may be better understood, and its features made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a necklace layering and detangling apparatus showing the two halves of the apparatus attached using the integrated clasp, which is an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1 showing the two halves of the apparatus attached using the integrated clasp.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1 showing the two halves of the apparatus separated.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a necklace layering and detangling apparatus showing the two halves of the apparatus separated, which is an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a necklace layering and detangling apparatus showing the two halves of the apparatus attached using the integrated clasp, which is an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 5 showing the two halves of the apparatus separated.
FIG. 7 is a view of the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 5 with three necklace chains attached, as it appears when worn on the back of the neck.
FIG. 8 is a view of the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 5, showing how three necklaces are positioned in relation to necklace layering and detangling apparatus when worn on the neck.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view photograph of the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 4 showing the two halves of the apparatus separated.
FIG. 10 is a side view photograph of a necklace layering and detangling apparatus showing the two halves of the apparatus separated, which is an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A necklace layering and detangling apparatus with an integrated clasp that allows the wearing of multiple necklaces without overlapping, tangling, or otherwise moving relative to one another, and methods using the same, are presented. FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of a necklace layering and detangling apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of the necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101 showing the two halves of the apparatus attached using the integrated clasp. FIG. 2 is a back view of the necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101. FIG. 3 is a front view of the necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101 showing the two halves of the apparatus separated. In one or more embodiments, apparatus 101 has a rectangular-shaped cross section when viewed from above, but other shapes or configurations are possible, such as a circular or oval cross section when viewed from above.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101 includes a first necklace attachment member 102 and a second necklace attachment member 103. In one or more embodiments, first necklace attachment member 102 and second necklace attachment member 103 may be made of gold, silver, or other precious metals, or alloys thereof. In alternative embodiments, first necklace attachment member 102 and second necklace attachment member 103 may be made of a base metal or alloy, such as copper or steel, and may optionally be plated with gold, silver, or other precious metals. In other alternative embodiments, first necklace attachment member 102 and second necklace attachment member 103 may be made of wood, polymer, stone, composite materials, or any other suitable material or combination of materials. In one or more embodiments, first necklace attachment member 102 and second necklace attachment member 103 each have a rectangular-shaped cross section when viewed from above, but other shapes or configurations are possible, such as a circular or oval cross section when viewed from above.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, first necklace attachment member 102 includes two or more necklace clasps 104, each clasp 104 configured to be attached to a first end of a necklace chain or cord. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, clasps 104 are spring-loaded ring clasps, which are a commonly used type of necklace clasp. Alternatively, clasps 104 may be hook clasps, lobster claw clasps, or any other suitable style of necklace clasp. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, second necklace attachment member 103 includes two or more loops 105, each loop 105 configured to be attached to the opposite end of each necklace chain or cord attached to each clasp 104. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the number of necklace clasps 104 is equal to the number of loops 105. Each clasp 104 is located opposite a loop 105 (forming a pair 106 of clasp 104 and loop 105) so that when a necklace chain or cord is attached to clasp 104 and loop 105, an extension of the necklace chain or cord is formed across clasp 104, first necklace attachment member 102, second necklace attachment member 103, and loop 105.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, there are three pairs 106 of necklace clasp 104 and loop 105 to allow up to three necklaces to be attached to necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101. Each clasp and loop pair 106 is spaced a sufficient distance laterally from adjacent pairs 106 to prevent tangling of adjacent necklace chains. In one or more embodiments, the spacing between adjacent clasp and loop pairs 106 is ⅜ inch or approximately 10 mm, which has been found in practice to minimize overlapping and tangling in common necklace chain and cord sizes. However, alternative embodiments may use longer or shorter spacing between adjacent pairs 106 as required for aesthetic or functional concerns. Further, in alternative embodiments, necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101 may have two clasp and loop pairs 106 to accommodate two necklaces, or may have four or more pairs 106 to accommodate four or more necklaces.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, first necklace attachment member 102 and second necklace attachment member 103 are separable and are attached to each other using an integrated magnetic clasp formed by embedded permanent magnets 301, 302, 303, and 304. In one or more embodiments, magnets 301 and 302 are oriented with opposite polarity toward each other (and similarly, magnets 303 and 304 are oriented with opposite polarity toward each other) so that first necklace attachment member 102 and second necklace attachment member 103 attract and stick together. Further, in one or more embodiments, magnets 301 and 303 are oriented with opposite polarity with respect to each other (and similarly, magnets 302 and 304 are oriented with opposite polarity with respect to each other) so that if either necklace attachment member is rotated 180 degrees around the horizontal axis with respect to the other, the opposite pairs of magnets will be oriented with the same polarity toward each other. This prevents first necklace attachment member 102 from attracting and sticking to second necklace attachment member 103 while they are oriented “upside down” relative to one another, thereby preventing the accidental crossing of chains while the wearer puts on the necklaces. In one or more embodiments, magnets 301, 302, 303, and 304 are strong enough to keep necklace attachment members 102 and 103 securely attached while the necklaces are worn, while still remaining separable by hand.
In one or more embodiments, magnets 301, 302, 303, and 304 may be rare earth magnets, such as neodymium magnets or samarium-cobalt magnets, which are significantly stronger for their size and weight than ordinary ferrite magnets. In one or more embodiments, magnets 301, 302, 303, and 304 may be ferrite, alnico, or any other material used to make permanent magnets. In one or more alternative embodiments, one of either magnet 301 or magnet 302 (and similarly, one of either magnet 303 or magnet 304) may instead be made of non-permanent ferromagnetic material that attracts and sticks to the opposite permanent magnet.
Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, three necklaces may remain attached to necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101, and the wearer may put all three necklaces on simultaneously by attaching first necklace attachment member 102 to second necklace attachment member 103 behind the wearer's neck using the integrated magnetic clasp. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the spacing between adjacent necklace clasp and loop pairs 106, in combination with the method of putting all three necklaces on simultaneously, prevents the necklace chains from becoming crossed or tangled. Further, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the rectangular cross-section (when viewed from above) of necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101 prevents apparatus 101 from rolling back and forth across the neck and thereby helps to prevent the necklace chains from crossing or tangling.
FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101 showing the two halves of the apparatus separated. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, second necklace attachment member 103 includes one or more cylindrical posts 401 that slide into one or more cylindrical sockets 402 in first necklace attachment member 102. Post 401 and socket 402 ensure a consistent and secure alignment between necklace attachment members 102 and 103 and prevent any side-to-side movement that might occur if alignment of the necklace attachment members 102 and 103 were provided only by the integrated magnetic clasp. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, post 401 is shaped with a hemispherical end to allow smooth insertion of post 401 into socket 402. In one or more alternative embodiments, post 401 may have a spherically shaped end or may be entirely spherically shaped to allow for positive retention in socket 402 by snap-fitting into a slightly narrowed or tapered aperture of socket 402. In an alternative embodiment, necklace attachment members 102 and 103 may each have one post 401 located at one end of the necklace attachment member and one socket 402 located at the opposite end so that if either necklace attachment member is rotated 180 degrees around the horizontal axis with respect to the other, the posts 401 and sockets 402 will not line up. This prevents first necklace attachment member 102 from attaching to second necklace attachment member 103 while they are oriented “upside down” relative to one another, thereby preventing the accidental crossing of chains while the wearer puts on the necklaces. In one or more alternative embodiments, necklace attachment members 102 and 103 may have other shapes, sizes, and/or arrangements of keyed posts, sockets, or other connectors to ensure the alignment and/or positive retention of the necklace attachment members.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views of an alternate embodiment of necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101. FIG. 5 shows the two halves of the apparatus attached, and FIG. 6 shows the two halves of the apparatus separated. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101 includes one or more latch clasps 501 in addition to or instead of the integrated magnetic clasp. Latch clasp 501 is permanently attached to first necklace attachment member 102 by hinge 502, and is removably attached to second necklace attachment member 103 by latch post 503 by interference fit. In one or more embodiments, latch clasps 501 hold necklace attachment members 102 and 103 together via positive locking action if more strength is needed than can be provided by magnets 301, 302, 303, and 304.
FIG. 7 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with three necklace chains 701 attached, as the assembly appears when worn on the back of the neck. FIG. 8 is view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, showing how three necklaces are positioned in relation to necklace layering and detangling apparatus. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, each necklace chain 701 has a loop 702 at one end of the chain and a clasp 703 at the other end of the chain. Loop 702 of chain 701 attaches to clasp 104 of first necklace attachment member 102, and clasp 703 of chain 701 attaches to loop 105 of second necklace attachment member 103. Thus, necklace chains 701 remain attached to necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101, and all three necklaces are removable simultaneously by separating first necklace attachment member 102 from second necklace attachment member 103.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view photograph of the embodiment of FIG. 4 showing the two halves of the apparatus separated. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, magnets 301, 302, 303, and 304 are visible. FIG. 10 is a side view photograph of an alternate embodiment of necklace layering and detangling apparatus 101 showing the two halves of the apparatus separated. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, only one pair of magnets 301 and 302 are embedded in necklace attachment members 102 and 103. In the embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10, the rectangular-shaped cross sections (when viewed from above) of necklace attachment members 102 and 103 are visible, and posts 401 have spherically shaped ends to allow for positive retention in sockets 402 by snap-fitting into slightly narrowed openings of sockets 402.
Thus, a necklace layering and detangling apparatus with an integrated clasp that allows the wearing of multiple necklaces without overlapping, tangling, or otherwise moving relative to one another, and methods using the same, are described. Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the inventive features of the present invention are applicable to other embodiments as well, all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20200000186
