SAFETY CLASP FOR A NECKLACE

Abstract

A clasp for a necklace including a string, the clasp being configured to join a first and second free end of a string, the clasp including a first part; and a second part, the clasp being transitionable between an open condition and a closed condition, the first and second parts including surfaces that are configured to be releasably attached to one another by a magnetic connection; the first and second parts being magnetically attracted to one another, the closed condition being when the surfaces of the first and second parts are positioned on one another and the open condition being when then surfaces of the first and second parts are spaced apart from one another; and the first and second parts each including a throughhole extending lengthwise along an axis extending along a length of the first and second parts, the surfaces of the first and second part being generally transverse to the axis, the throughhole being configured to receive and secure a portion of the string therein.

Description

FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION

FIG. 1

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a clasp for a necklace or a bracelet, and more particularly to a safety clasp for use with a teething necklace.

Description of the Related Art

Teething is the process by which an infant's first teeth sequentially appear by emerging through the gums. During this process, the infant's gums are often sore. Applying pressure to the gums may relieve the pain associated with the sore gums.

Some parents provide their infants with rubber or plastic toys designed for their teething babies to chew or suck upon. In particular, teething necklaces or bracelets may help relieve their infants' teething pain by providing the infants with something handy on which to chew or manipulate between their sore gums. Since necklaces and bracelets are worn, they may be advantageous because they are less likely to be lost as compared to other toys that are not worn.

While a teething necklace has some advantages over other teething toys, conventional necklaces may pose a safety hazard because objects worn around the neck may pose a risk of suffocating the infant. For example, in the event that the necklace were to get caught on an object, the necklace may exert pressure on the infant's neck, thereby strangling or suffocating the infant. Further, even when teething necklaces are not worn by the infant and are instead worn by a parent, for example, such that the infant can teeth on the necklace while being supervised, the force that the infant applies to the necklace might result in the necklace breaking or otherwise failing.

It would be desirable for necklaces, including teething necklaces, that are worn by infants to include features that may reduce the risk of strangulation or suffocation.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a safety clasp for a necklace or a wristband.

In an embodiment, a clasp for a necklace including a string, the clasp being configured to join a first and second free end of a string, the clasp including a first part; a second part, the clasp being transitionable between an open condition and a closed condition, the clasp being configured to transition to the open condition in response to a tensile force of a predetermined magnitude pulling the first and second parts away from one another; and throughholes extending lengthwise along respective axes extending along respective lengths of the first and second parts, the throughholes being configured to receive and secure a portion of the string therein such that the string is secured to the clasp. The first part may include a first surface and the second part includes a second surface, the first and second surfaces being magnetically attracted to one another. At least one of the first and second parts may include a magnet and the other of the at least one of the first and second parts includes a ferrous material, the magnet being magnetically attracted to the ferrous material. The first part may include a male part and the second part comprises a female part, the male and female parts exerting a frictional force upon one another such that the first and second parts remain in the closed condition until the tensile force of the predetermined magnitude urging the first and second parts apart from one another. The throughholes may extend through the male and female parts. The string may include knotted first and second ends, the first and second knotted ends inhibiting removal of the string from the throughholes. The clasp may have a prolate spheroid shape (i.e., a football or pill-like shape). When the string is secured to the clasp, pulling on the string with a force of 3.6 lbs relative to the clasp results in the clasp transitioning to the open condition.

In an embodiment, a clasp for a necklace may include a string and may be configured to join a first and a second free end of a string and may include: a first part; a second part, wherein the first part includes a first surface and the second part includes a second surface, the first and second surfaces being magnetically attracted to one another, the clasp being transitionable between an open condition and a closed condition, the clasp being configured to transition to the open condition in response to a tensile force of a predetermined magnitude pulling the first and second parts away from one another, wherein an application of a force upon the first part relative to the second part to effect an angular movement of the first part relative to the second part results in the clasp transitioning to the open condition when the applied force reaches a threshold value, wherein only the magnetic attraction of the first and second parts to one another inhibits the clasp from transitioning to the open condition; and throughholes extending lengthwise along respective axes extending along respective lengths of the first and second parts, the throughholes being configured to receive and secure a portion of the string therein such that the string is secured to the clasp.

In an embodiment, a necklace system including a string may include the above-described clasp for joining ends of the string and providing a locking mechanism.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the present disclosure can be obtained by reference to a preferred embodiment set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated preferred embodiment is merely exemplary of methods, structures and compositions for carrying out the present disclosure, both the organization and method of the disclosure, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the disclosure.

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a necklace system including a clasp in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of the necklace system of FIG. 1 shown in use.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion of the necklace system of FIG. 1 shown with the clasp in an open condition.

FIG. 2C is a front partially exploded view of a first part of the clasp of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a left perspective view of another clasp in accordance with the present disclosure shown in an open condition.

FIG. 3B is a right perspective view of the clasp of FIG. 3A shown in the open condition.

FIG. 3C is a front view of the clasp of FIG. 3A shown in a closed condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems, compositions and operating structures in accordance with the present disclosure may be embodied in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3C, a necklace system 100 including a clasp 110 will be described herein. Although referred to as a necklace system, it is to be understood that the system 100 may be any article of clothing or jewelry that is suitable to be closed by a clasp and that this may include both necklaces and wristbands, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, clasp 110 of the necklace system 100 may include a first part 112 and a second part 114 each of which may be coupled or secured to respective opposing ends of a string 116. The first part 112 and the second part 114 when secured to one another may form a prolate spheroid like shape (i.e., a football or pill-like shape). Although described as a string, element 116 may in some embodiments be formed integrally or irremovably secured, adhered, or welded, for example, to the first and second parts 112, 114. Further, the string 116 may be formed from any suitable material including for example, fibrous materials, plastics, rubbers, etc.

A plurality of beads or elements 118 may be disposed along a length of the string 116. The beads or elements 118 may be coupled to or may be integral with the string 116. The beads or elements 116 may be formed from any suitable material including metal, fabric, polymers, plastic, ceramic, and/or rubber, for example. The beads or elements 118 may help an infant alleviate pain or discomfort associated with teething by chewing or sucking on the beads or elements 118. As described in more detail hereinbelow, the clasp 110 is preferably configured such that the first part 112 and the second part 114 are transitionable between a closed condition and an open condition, and disengage from one another to transition to the open condition upon an application of a tensile force that is at least that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold amount.

As shown in FIG. 2A-2B, the first part 112 and the second part 114 are magnetically and releasably securable to one another in a closed condition and will remain in the closed condition until an application of a predetermined tensile force to each of the first part 112 and the second parts 114 of the clasp 110. That is, by pulling the first part 112 and the second part 114 apart from one another, the clasp 110 may transition to the open condition as a force is applied to each of the first part 112 and the second part as indicated by the directional arrows.

The strength of the magnetic attraction at the interface of the first part 112 and the second part 114 may be of a predetermined magnitude such that release or opening of the clasp occurs upon application of a tensile force F of a predetermined magnitude. For example, the body weight W of the user U may exert a force upon the neck N of the user U in the event that the necklace system 100 becomes caught on an object “O”. In such an event, a force, e.g., tensile force would be applied to the clasp 110. The forces applied the clasp may cause the first and second parts 112, 114 to pivot relative to one another at the interface where their respective proximal surfaces 112a, 114a had contacted one another. A conventional clasp would remain closed until a failure in the clasp or the string occurs. The degree of force at which such a conventional clasp or string would occur may be less than the force required to harm the user. Advantageously, the tensile force F necessary to open the clasp 110 is less than the force that would cause a material failure of the necklace system 100 and also less than the force that would otherwise result in bodily injury.

In other words, in response to a predetermined amount of tensile force F upon the clasp, the clasp 110 shall transition to the open condition and the first part 112 shall separate from the second part 114, thereby minimizing the potential for harm to the user U. The magnetic force attracting the first part 112 and second part 114 to one another may be of a magnitude such that during normal wear the first and second parts 112, 114 remain secured to one another but when a sufficient tug or weight is exerted upon the string 116 and/or the clasp 110, the first and second parts 112, 114 shall disengage from one another. In an embodiment, the force of pull on the string 116 and/or the clasp 110 required to transition the clasp 110 to the open condition and separate the first and second parts 112, 114 apart from one another may be 3.6 lbs. However, forces other than 3.6 lbs are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure to cause the clasp 110 to transition to the open condition upon a predetermined threshold value of the force of tugging upon the string 116 and/or clasp 110 being applied.

It should be noted that it is preferred that an infant not wear the necklace system 100 when unattended and unsupervised by an adult. However, in the event the necklace system 100 were worn by an infant the necklace system 100 has unique safety advantages over conventional necklaces such that the risk that is posed to the infant is reduced. Preferably, the necklace system 100 may be worn by an adult such as when holding the infant. In that situation, the necklace system 100 also provides advantages in that the pull strength to open the clasp is strong enough to keep your necklace secure while baby tugs and chews but weak enough to come open before causing any pain to mom or damage to the necklace. Further, while the necklace system 100 may include a string 116 that includes beads 118 that may be chewed on, it is preferable that the clasp 110 itself not be chewed on.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the first part 112 and the second part 114 may each be generally conically shaped. In particular, the first part 112 may have a proximal end 112a and a distal end 112b, the proximal end 112a having a greater width or diameter than that of the distal end 112b. Similarly, the second part 114 may have a proximal end 114a and a distal end 114b, the proximal end 114a having a greater width or diameter than that of the distal end 114b.

As discussed, the proximal ends 112a and 114a are configured to be releasably secured to one another and separable from one another when pulled apart with a predetermined force. For example, the proximal end surfaces 112a and 114a may be magnetized such that they are releasably and magnetically securable to one another. For example, the proximal end surfaces 112a and 114a may be magnetized and include respective magnetic or magnetized surfaces 112m, 114m such that when the magnetized surfaces 112m, 114m are brought into proximity with one another, the surfaces 112m and 114m will be magnetically attracted and secured to one another. For example, the magnets 112m, 114m may have opposing polarities such that they attract one another. Although both elements 112m and 114m are described as being magnets, alternatively, one of the magnets 112m or 114m may be substituted with a ferrous material (e.g., steel) such that the remaining magnet 112m or 114m may be attracted to the ferrous material. The magnets 112m and 114m may include respective openings 112x, 114x. As shown in the accompanying figures, openings 112x, 114x are generally circular. However, the openings 112x, 114x may have any suitable shape. As shown in FIG. 2A, dashed lines 111 on each of the first and second parts 112, 114 represent a generally conical space 111a, 111b formed within the respective first and second parts 112, 114, which may be otherwise generally solid.

Advantageously, the proximal end surfaces 112a, 114a and their respective magnetized surfaces 112m, 114m when secured to one another may be substantially flush relative to one another such that when applying forces F to separate the first and second parts 112, 114 substantially only magnetic forces (as opposed to frictional forces) inhibit such separation and transition to the open condition of the clasp 110. In contrast, were the first and second parts 112, 114 coupled to one another with male and female parts, the frictional interaction would inhibit separation of the first and second parts 112, 114. In addition, the interaction of such male and female parts of a conventional clasp would limit the direction of forces that would need to be applied to effect separation of the parts of the clasp to a pulling force that is aligned with the central axes of the male and female parts of the clasp; a pivoting motion may not result in opening of the clasp unless the male part breaks, snaps, or otherwise fails from such movement. Advantageously, here, applied forces can be in any direction including, for example bending or pivoting the male and female parts 112, 114 relative to one another, pulling the male and female parts 112, 114 apart along their longitudinally extending axes, or even sliding the male and female parts 112, 114 along their respective proximal end surfaces 112a, 114a relative to one another to effect separation of the male and female parts 112, 114.

While the magnetic surfaces 112m, 114m may be magnetized or formed from a magnetic material at the respective proximal ends 112a, 114 of the respective first and second parts 112, 114. alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2C, the interior space of the first and second parts 112, 114 may be generally hollow, and a magnetic element M which may be either a magnet or a ferrous material may be disposed within at least one of the first and second parts 112, 114. The magnetic element M may be generally cylindrical and imbedded or otherwise fit or secured within at least one of the first and second parts 112, 114. Further, although not shown in FIG. 2C, the magnetic element M may extend to and/or at least partially cover each of the magnetic surfaces 112m, 114m. The magnetic elements M may be frictionally fit within the hollow interiors of the first and second parts 112, 114 in an interference fit relationship such that the magnetic element M when so fit within each of the first and second parts 112, 114 cannot be removed.

Further, at least one of the first and second parts 112, 114 may include a first and a second half to facilitate placement of the magnetic element M within at least one of the first and second parts 112, 114. For example, second part 112 may include an upper half 112U and a second half 112L which may be symmetrical with respect to one another along the length of the second part 112 taken along axis x. The magnetic element M may be disposed within the second part 112 and secured to an inner surface toward the proximal end 112a thereof. The magnetic element M may be configured to have a size and shape to approximate the interior dimensions of the second part 112 near the proximal end thereof and include an opening Mo that corresponds in its position and size to the opening 112x at the proximal end of the first part 112.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the string 116 may include bulbous or knotted opposing ends 116a and 116b. When assembled, end 116a of the string 116 may be of a dimension that is small enough to fit through opening 112x but it large enough to inhibit being pulled through opening 112y at the distal end 112b of the first clasp 112. Similarly, when assembled, end 116b of the string 116 may be of a dimension that is small enough to fit through opening 114x but it large enough to inhibit being pulled through opening 114y at the distal end 114b of the second clasp 114.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, a clasp 210 may include all of the features described above with reference to clasp 210 but also includes mating male and female parts which may facilitate an improved securing relationship between the first and second parts 212, 214. Preferably, the interaction extent to which the male part engages the female part will be limited such that such engagement would not significantly inhibit separation of the first and second parts 212, 214 upon a sufficient bending force being applied relatively applied to the first and second parts 212, 214. Further the male part 215 may be beveled to further facilitate separation of the first and second parts 212, 214 upon such relative bending force being applied. Advantageously, such interaction of the male and female parts of the first and second parts would facilitate proper alignment and placement of the first and second parts 212, 214 relative to one another without significantly preventing opening of the clasp thereafter in response to a variety of force that may be applied to the clasp 210.

For convenience, like elements in the clasp 210 uses the name reference numbers as those described with reference to the clasp 210. The first part 212 of the clasp 210 may be substantially similar to the first part 212 as described above, and the second part 214 may be substantially similar to the second part 214 except that it includes a male part 215 at the proximal end 214a of the second part 214. An opening 212x in the first part 212 may serve as a corresponding female part 220 for the reception of the male part 215 therein. The male part 215 may be formed from a magnetic or a ferrous material and/or may be part of a magnet 214m. The male part 215 may be configured to be received within the opening 212x of magnet 212m and/or within the opening 212x at the proximal end 112a of the first part 112. The male part 215 may have an opening 215a which is positioned to correspond to the opening 214x of the second part such that the center of both openings 214x and 215a are the same. Moreover, opening 215a may be sized to receive the knotted first end 116a or 116b therein, and the opening 214b being sized to inhibit the knotted first end 116a or second end 116b from being removed therefrom. The length and materials of the male part 215 may be such that a predictable degree of force is necessary to cause the clasp 210 to open as the male part 215 is withdrawn from within the opening 212x of the first part of the clasp 210. In some embodiments, such frictional connection may be used instead of or in addition to the magnetic attraction between the first and second parts 212, 214 of the clasp 210 as the locking mechanism of the clasp 210. However, as discussed, the first and second parts 212, 214 preferably engage one another in a limited sense frictionally and mostly magnetically such that when a bending force is applied relative to the first and second parts 212, 214, the separation of the first and second parts 212, 214 from such bending force is not substantially impeded.

A method of assembling the necklace system 100 will now be described below.

A method of assembling the necklace system 100 may include providing the string 116 and a plurality of beads 118. Each bead 118, as described above may include an opening extending through the bead 118 through which the string 118 may be received. Once a desired number of beads 118 are placed upon the string 118, the ends of the string 116, the first part 112 may be slid onto the first end 116a of the string 116 through the opening 112y and out through the opening 112x at the proximal end 112a thereof. Thereafter, the string 116 may be knotted thereafter at the first end 116a to prevent the first part 112 of the clasp 110 from being removed from the string 116. Similarly, the second end 116b of the string 116 may be pulled though the opening 114y at the distal end 114b of the second part 114 and out through the opening 114x at the proximal end 114a of the second part 114. Thereafter, the second end 116b of the string 116 may be knotted to prevent the second part 114 of the clasp 110 from being removed. The clasp 210 may be used instead and may replace the clasp 110.

A method of using the necklace system 100 is now discussed. During use, a user may place the necklace around her neck or that of a child. The opposing proximal ends 112a, 114a of the first and second parts 112, 114 may be placed in proximity with one another such that the ends 112a, 114a are magnetically attracted to one another and the clasp 110 transitions to a releasably closed state. In the event that the string 116, a bead 118, or the clasp 110 becomes caught on an object, the weight of the user would exert a force. Upon the exertion of the predetermined tensile force F, the clasp 110 transitions to the open condition without breaking the string 116 or causing damage to the wearer. The clasp 210 may be used instead and may replace the clasp 110.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, below, etc., or motional terms, such as forward, back, sideways, transverse, etc. may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely exemplary and that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the disclosure. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure is capable of being embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.

Claims

1. A clasp for a necklace including a string, the clasp being configured to join a first and a second free end of a string, the clasp comprising: a first part;a second part, wherein the first part includes a first surface and the second part includes a second surface, the first and second surfaces being magnetically attracted to one another, the clasp being transitionable between an open condition and a closed condition, the clasp being configured to transition to the open condition in response to a tensile force of a predetermined magnitude pulling the first and second parts away from one another, wherein an application of a force upon the first part relative to the second part to effect an angular movement of the first part relative to the second part results in the clasp transitioning to the open condition when the applied force reaches a threshold value, wherein only the magnetic attraction of the first and second parts to one another inhibits the clasp from transitioning to the open condition; andthroughholes extending lengthwise along respective axes extending along respective lengths of the first and second parts, the throughholes being configured to receive and secure a portion of the string therein such that the string is secured to the clasp.

2. The clasp of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second parts includes a magnet and the other of the at least one of the first and second parts includes a ferrous material, the magnet being magnetically attracted to the ferrous material.

3. The clasp of claim 1, wherein the string includes knotted first and second ends, the first and second knotted ends inhibiting removal of the string from the throughholes.

4. The clasp of claim 1, wherein the clasp has a prolate spheroid shape.

5. The clasp of claim 1, wherein the string is secured to the clasp, pulling on the string with a force of 3.6 lbs relate to the clasp results in the clasp transitioning to the open condition.

6. A necklace system including a clasp and a string, the clasp comprising: a first part; anda second part,the clasp being transitionable between an open condition and a closed condition;the first and second parts including surfaces that are configured to be releasably attached to one another by a magnetic connection;the first and second parts being magnetically attracted to one another, the closed condition being when the surfaces of the first and second parts are positioned on one another and the open condition being when the surfaces of the first and second parts are spaced apart from one another, wherein only the magnetic attraction of the first and second parts relative to one another inhibits the clasp from transitioning to the open condition, and wherein application of a force meeting a threshold value that effects an angular movement of the first and second parts relative to one another results in the clasp transitioning to the open condition; andthe first and second parts each including a throughhole extending lengthwise along an axis extending along a length of the first and second parts, the surfaces of the first and second part being generally transverse to the axis, the throughhole being configured to receive and secure a portion of the string therein.