Patent Application
20170086539
None.
The subject disclosure relates to clasp systems, and more particularly, to a quick release linking clasp system for jewelry and apparel.
Conventional clasp systems are typically difficult to handle during use. For example, the common lobster clasp and spring ring clasp involve having to maneuver a tiny lever and simultaneously engage a link into a void created by movement of the lever. This can be tediously difficult for those with average to large fingertips and may involve many attempts before making a successful connection. For applications involving enhanced styling and ornate appearances, conventional clasp systems may detract from the appearance since they are commonly purely mechanical in appearance and lack a natural aesthetic harmony with the article being connected. Moreover, spring rings and lobster clasps have a structure that does not typically lay flat when connected and can dig into contributing to discomfort against the user's skin.
As can be seen, there is a need for a clasp system that provides convenient interchangeability, comfort and lends to the aesthetic appearance of articles being connected.
In one aspect of the disclosure, a quick release jewelry clasp system comprises a first connector portion; a fastener coupled to the first connector portion; a second connector portion configured to connect to the first connector portion; a push button release on the first or second connector portion, configured to catch the first connector portion to the second connector portion and release the second connector portion from the first connector portion in response to a user depressing the push button release; and a clasp configured for linking to a piece of jewelry, the clasp being coupled to the second connector portion.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a quick release clasp system comprises a barrel including a projection; a detent on an exterior surface of the projection; a ring link on an end of the barrel; a connector housing including a channel on a first end of the connector housing, the channel configured to receive the projection into an interior of the connector housing; a push button release accessible from an exterior face of the connector housing, the push button release configured to catch the detent upon receipt of the projection within the interior of the housing connector; and a clasp coupled to a second end of the connector housing.
In still yet another aspect of the disclosure, an article of apparel with quick release connection between sections of apparel comprises a first section of apparel; a barrel including a projection; a detent on an exterior surface of the projection; a ring link on an end of the barrel, the rink link connected to the first section of apparel; a connector housing including a channel on a first end of the connector housing, the channel configured to receive the projection into an interior of the connector housing; a push button release accessible from an exterior face of the connector housing, the push button release configured to catch the detent upon receipt of the projection within the interior of the housing connector; and a clasp coupled to a second end of the connector housing, the clasp coupled to a second section of apparel.
It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. Like or similar components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding.
In general, exemplary embodiments of the subject technology provide a system with convenient interchangeability when linking together pieces of jewelry or sections of apparel together. Aspects provide an extender that connect multiple articles together that normally would not be connected. A push button release provides quick connection and disconnection of parts or pieces that are not typically connected in this manner. Moreover, aspects of the system add comfort while connecting or linking parts together in jewelry or apparel. A connection body includes an exterior surface configured to lay flat against the user's skin. In addition, a clasp may be coupled to the connection body so that it projects outward and parallel to the skin so when connected to another article, the clasp does not dig into the skin.
Referring generally now
In some embodiments, a jeweled charm 104 may be connected between the housing (second connector portion 102) and a clasp 106. The clasp 106 may project from the housing so that the flat face is parallel to the skin when the system 100 is in use (for example, a lever of the clasp 106 parallel to the skin so that it does not dig into the user's body).
In some embodiments, the housing may include a flat surface on the exterior opposite the push button release 110. When connected together, the first and second connector portions 102; 108, provide a flat exterior surface for laying against a user's skin.
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Those of skill in the art would appreciate that various components may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from the scope of the subject technology.
The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The previous description provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.
Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “above,” “below” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. Similarly, an item disposed above another item may be located above or below the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction; and an item disposed below another item may be located below or above the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction.
A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.
All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
