|
Patent Abstract
A releasable and separable magnetic clasp for a body-part encircling
article of jewelry, such as a bracelet or necklace, or the article
of jewelry itself comprising such clasp, the main body of the article
being of semi-rigid, non-articulated construction and having an
inherently curved configuration, and composed of one or more cables,
braids or bundled wires or fibers. The clasp comprises a pair of
ferrules joined to the main body. The ferrules are axially curved
to match the inherent curve of the main body. A curved insertion
member having a first magnet extends from one of the ferrules and
is received by a bore present in the other ferrule, and a second
magnet or magnetically receptive metal member is disposed within
the bore, such that with the two ferrules joined the first magnet
abuts the second magnet or metal member in order to maintain the
clasp in the closed configuration.
Patent Claims
1. A body-part encircling article of jewelry comprising a main body
and a releasable and separable clasp joined to said main body; said
main body being semi-rigid, non-articulated and having an inherent
axial curvature, and comprising a cable, multiple cables, a braid,
multiple braids, bundled wires or bundled fibers; said clasp having
an axial curvature matching the inherent axial curvature of said
main body, said clasp comprising a first ferrule, an insertion member
extending from said first ferrule, a second ferrule, and a bore
within said second ferrule, wherein said insertion member is received
within said bore of second ferrule; and said clasp further comprising
magnetic closure means whereby said first ferrule and said second
ferrule are releasably joined together.
2. The article of claim 1, wherein said magnetic closure means
comprises a magnet attached to said insertion member.
3. The article of claim 1, wherein said magnetic closure means
comprises a magnet disposed within said bore of said second ferrule.
4. The article of claim 2, wherein said magnetic closure means
further comprises a magnet disposed within said bore of said second
ferrule.
5. The article of claim 1, wherein said insertion member has an
axial curvature matching the inherent axial curvature of said main
body.
6. The article of claim 1, wherein said first ferrule, said second
ferrule and said insertion member are curved tubular members.
7. The article of claim 1, wherein said magnetic closure means
comprises a magnet attached to said insertion member and a magnet
disposed within said bore of said second ferrule, and further wherein
said first ferrule and said second ferrule have mating ends, whereby
said mating ends of said first and said second ferrules abut when
said magnet attached to said insertion member contacts said magnet
disposed within said bore of said second ferrule.
8. The article of claim 2, wherein said magnet is disposed within
said insertion member.
9. The article of claim 2, further comprising a magnetically receptive
abutment member disposed within said second ferrule.
10. The article of claim 9, wherein said first ferrule and said
second ferrule have mating ends, whereby said mating ends of said
first and said second ferrules abut when said magnet attached to
said insertion member contacts said magnetically receptive abutment
member disposed within said bore of said second ferrule.
11. The article of claim 3, further comprising a magnetically receptive
abutment member disposed on said insertion member.
12. The article of claim 11, wherein said first ferrule and said
second ferrule have mating ends, whereby said mating ends of said
first and said second ferrules abut when said magnet disposed within
said bore of said second, ferrule contacts said magnetically receptive
abutment member disposed on said insertion member.
13. The article of claim 3, wherein said insertion member is composed
of a magnetically receptive abutment member.
14. The article of claim 13, wherein said first ferrule and said
second ferrule have mating ends, whereby said mating ends of said
first and said second ferrules abut when said magnet disposed within
said bore of said second ferrule contacts said insertion member.
15. A releasable and separable clasp for a body-part encircling
article of jewelry comprising a semi-rigid, non-articulated, main
body having an inherent axial curvature, and comprising a cable,
multiple cables, a braid, multiple braids, bundled wires or bundled
fibers; said clasp having an axial curvature matching the inherent
axial curvature of said main body, said clasp comprising a first
ferrule, an insertion member extending from said first ferrule,
a second ferrule, and a bore within said second ferrule, wherein
said insertion member is received within said bore of second ferrule;
and said clasp further comprising magnetic closure means whereby
said first ferrule and said second ferrule are releasably joined
together.
16. The clasp of claim 15, wherein said magnetic closure means
comprises a magnet attached to said insertion member.
17. The clasp of claim 15, wherein said magnetic closure means
comprises a magnet disposed within said bore of said second ferrule.
18. The clasp of claim 16, wherein said magnetic closure means
further comprises a magnet disposed within said bore of said second
ferrule.
19. The clasp of claim 15, wherein said insertion member has an
axial curvature matching the inherent axial curvature of said main
body.
20. The clasp of claim 15, wherein said first ferrule, said second
ferrule and said insertion member are curved tubular members.
21. The clasp of claim 15, wherein said magnetic closure means
comprises a magnet attached to said insertion member and a magnet
disposed within said bore of said second ferrule, and further wherein
said first ferrule and said second ferrule have mating ends, whereby
said mating ends of said first and said second ferrules abut when
said magnet attached to said insertion member contacts said magnet
disposed within said bore of said second ferrule.
22. The clasp of claim 16, wherein said magnet is disposed within
said insertion member.
23. The clasp of claim 16, further comprising a magnetically receptive
abutment member disposed within said second ferrule.
24. The clasp of claim 23, wherein said first ferrule and said
second ferrule have mating ends, whereby said mating ends of said
first and said second ferrules abut when said magnet attached to
said insertion member contacts said magnetically receptive abutment
member disposed within said bore of said second ferrule.
25. The clasp of claim 17, further comprising a magnetically receptive
abutment member disposed on said insertion member.
26. The clasp of claim 25, wherein said first ferrule and said
second ferrule have mating ends, whereby said mating ends of said
first and said second ferrules abut when said magnet disposed within
said bore of said second ferrule contacts said magnetically receptive
abutment member disposed on said insertion member.
27. The clasp of claim 17, wherein said insertion member is composed
of a magnetically receptive abutment member.
28. The clasp of claim 27, wherein said first ferrule and said
second ferrule have mating ends, whereby said mating ends of said
first and said second ferrules abut when said magnet disposed within
said bore of said second ferrule contacts said insertion member.
29. The clasp of claim 15, wherein said magnetic closure means
have abutting surfaces non-perpendicular to said axial curvature.
Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates broadly to the field of clasps or
similar releasable closure devices used in the field of jewelry
or other body worn articles, and more particularly relates to such
closure devices that are used with body encircling articles such
as necklaces or bracelets. Even more particularly, the invention
relates to such closure devices wherein the releasable closure mechanism
involves a magnetic connection, and to the articles of jewelry comprising
such closure devices.
[0002] Releasable closure devices for jewelry or similar articles
are well known, and when used in connection with bracelets, necklaces
or similar body- or body-part encircling articles are often referred
to as clasps. The use of a releasable clasp enables the article
to be easily put on and removed. Many clasps involve the use of
mechanical interlocking mechanisms, such as threaded joints, pin-and-groove
combinations, pivoted hooks, spring-biased catches or the like.
Because of the small size of the clasps, it is often difficult to
connect or release these mechanical locking mechanisms--especially
when the wearer is attempting to put on or remove the jewelry without
help form another person. In addition, the clasps typically detract
from the aesthetics of the jewelry.
[0003] Another type of jewelry clasp utilizes one or more magnets
as the releasable retention means. The use of one or more magnets
allows for relatively easy operation as opposed to the sometimes
difficult operation of the mechanical interlocking mechanisms. Examples
of known magnetic clasps are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,623,256, issued
in 1952 to Feibelman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,477, issued in 1964 to
Mizuno, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,405, issued in 1990 to Grover et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,168, issued in 1993 to Levy, U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,398,
issued in 2003 to Hoffman, and U.S. Patent Application Publication
2004/0154143 of Harrell. While these disclosures show magnetic clasps
useable with bracelets, necklaces or like body-encircling articles
of jewelry, the performance of these clasps is not optimal with
regard to functionality and aesthetics due to their linear configuration
in the axial direction when used with body-encircling articles of
limited flexibility.
[0004] Bracelets, necklaces and the like have physical structures
ranging from relatively rigid to non-structured. Relatively rigid
articles may be designed as a single, shaped member, usually composed
of metal or a hard plastic, with a gap of sufficient size to allow
the jewelry piece to be opened a sufficient distance for passage
of the neck or wrist, the article having slight flexibility to allow
such action without incurring permanent deformation or bending of
the article. Such articles do not require clasps for closure. Other
articles of a relatively rigid nature may have multiple rigid components
joined with only a single or relatively small number of joints or
hinges, in which case a clasp will be required to keep the article
in the closed configuration. At the opposite end of the spectrum
are bracelets, necklaces and the like that are relatively non-structured
or completely articulated, such as those composed of chain links
or cords, and which require clasps for retention. In between are
bracelets, necklaces and the like that are semi-rigid and somewhat
structured, such that there is a limited amount of flexibility inherent
in the article but the article retains a predetermined circular,
elliptical or oval shape when worn. Examples of these articles of
jewelry are those made of cables, braids or bundled fibers.
[0005] When axially linear clasps are used with semi-rigid bracelets,
necklaces and the like composed of cables, braids or bundled wires
or fibers formed with a predetermined circular, elliptical or oval
shape, the continuity of the circular, elliptical or oval shape
is broken by the linear aspect of the clasp. The nature of this
type of jewelry typically requires a sleeve or ferrule to be disposed
on each end of the looped article to retain the multiple ends of
the cable, braid, wires or fibers. When such ferrules are axially
linear, the joining of the two ferrules results in the natural curve
of the jewelry being disturbed, as the curved components are suddenly
directed into a linear configuration at the joint between each of
the ferrules and the curved components. This can impart an undesirable
bulge or misshape in the jewelry, which can be seen for example
in the illustration accompanying U.S. Pat. No. 2,623,256 to Feibelman.
[0006] The use of curved mechanical clasps is known, such as shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 856,480, issued in 1907 to Long, U.S. Pat. No.
1,140,445, issued in 1915 to Collingwood, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,807,293,
issued in 1929 to Keller. The Collingwood patent shows the use of
a single curved sleeve in conjunction with a braided or cable bracelet,
such that the natural curve of the bracelet is not altered by the
joining component, but this bracelet is stretchable and the ends
cannot be disconnected, since the sleeve does not function as a
clasp.
[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a magnetic
clasp for body- or body-part encircling articles of jewelry composed
of cables, braids or bundled wires or fibers having a semi-rigid
structural configuration of circular, elliptical, oval or otherwise
curved nature, wherein in the clasp is curved rather than axially
linear such that the inherent curved shape of the article of jewelry
is not altered, disturbed or misshaped.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention comprises in general a releasable and separable
clasp for a body- or body-part encircling article of jewelry, such
as a bracelet or necklace, or the article of jewelry itself comprising
such clasp, the main body of the article being of semi-rigid construction
and having an inherently curved configuration of a circular, elliptical
or oval nature, the main body being composed of one or more cables,
braids or bundled wires or fibers. The clasp is a magnetic clasp,
such that the retention and release mechanism comprises magnetic
closure means of one or two magnets that magnetically adhere to
a metal component or to each other. The clasp comprises a pair of
ferrules or sleeves, with one each joined in known manner to an
end of the cables, braids or bundled wires or fibers. The ferrules
are axially curved to match the inherent curve of the main body.
A curved insertion member extends from one of the ferrules and has
a magnet disposed on its end. The insertion member is sized to be
received by a bore present in the other ferrule, and a second magnet
or a magnetically receptive metal member is disposed within the
bore, such that with the two ferrules joined the magnet disposed
on the insertion member abuts the second magnet or metal member
in order to retain the clasp in the closed configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partial view showing the clasp and main body
of the invention in the released or open configuration.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the clasp of
the invention in the joined or closed configuration.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the clasp, wherein a single magnet mounted on the
insertion member is used in combination with a magnetically receptive
metal abutment member.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the clasp, wherein a single magnet mounted within
the second ferrule is used in combination with a magnetically receptive
metal abutment member.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the clasp, wherein the abutting surfaces of the magnets
are provided at an angle non-perpendicular to the axis in order
to increase the contact surface area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be
described in detail with regard for the best mode and the preferred
embodiment. In a broad sense, the invention comprises a magnetic
jewelry clasp or an article of jewelry comprising such clasp, the
main body of the article of jewelry comprising one or more cables,
braids, bundled wires or fibers, such that the main body has an
inherent curved configuration of a semi-rigid nature.
[0015] The article of jewelry 10 is a body- or body-part encircling
member comprising a releasable and separable clasp 20 and a main
body 11. The main body 11 is a semi-rigid, non-articulated member,
wherein the rigidity is sufficient to retain a generally circular,
elliptical, oval or otherwise curved configuration with only a slight
flexibility, such that the main body 11 has a particular inherently
curved configuration when the main body 11 is not placed under stress,
tension, torsion or other force. The main body 11 is comprised of
one or more cables, braids, bundled wires or bundled fibers formed
of a metal or relatively rigid polymer material. The main body 11
has a pair of ends that are joined in any of the commonly known
manners to the clasp 20 to form the article of jewelry 10.
[0016] The clasp 20 is a curved member, wherein the curvature of
the clasp 20 in the axial direction matches or corresponds, i.e.,
substantially approximates, the axial curvature of the main body
11. The clasp 20 comprises a first ferrule 21 and a second ferrule
22, each being of a sleeve-like configuration such that each ferrule
21 and 22 has a bore 31, a mounted end 32 and a mating end 33. The
ends of the main body 11 are inserted into the bore 31 on the mounted
ends 32 of the ferrules 21 and 22 and permanently joined to the
ferrules 21 and 22 in any suitable manner, such as for example by
welding, adhesive bonding, crimping, etc. The axial curvature of
each of the ferrules 21 and 22 matches or approximates the axial
curvature of the main body 11. Most preferably, the ferrules 21
and 22 are composed of aesthetically pleasing material and the outer
surfaces of the ferrules 21 and 22 may be provided with designs,
ornamentation, applied objects, etc. to enhance their aesthetic
appeal
[0017] An insertion member 23 extends from the mating end 33 of
the first ferrule 21, and the insertion member 23 is sized and configured
so as to be received within the bore 31 at the mating end 31 of
the second ferrule 22 in a relatively snug manner. Preferably, the
insertion member 23 is a tubular or cylindrical member having an
axial curvature matching or approximating that of the ferrules 21
and 22. In the embodiment shown, the insertion member 23 is permanently
mounted within the bore 31 of the first ferrule 21. The insertion
member 23 may be joined to the first ferrule 21 in any suitable
manner, such as for example by welding, adhesive bonding, staking,
crimping, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the insertion member
23 and first ferrule 21 may be formed as a single piece using known
metal working or metal forming techniques.
[0018] Magnetic closure means are provided to releasably join the
first ferrule 21 to the second ferrule 22. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 2, a first magnet 24 is disposed at the abutment end 41
of the insertion member 23. The first magnet 24 may be mounted within
the insertion member 23 as shown or alternatively attached externally
to the abutment end 41 of the insertion member 23, also using known
techniques such as for example, welding, adhesive bonding, staking,
crimping, etc. A second magnet 25 is disposed within the bore 31
of second ferrule 22, preferably at a distance from the mating end
33 such that the mating end 33 of the second ferrule 22 will abut
the mating end 33 of the first ferrule when the first and second
magnets 24 and 25 are in contact after insertion of the insertion
member 23 into the bore 31 of the second ferrule 22.
[0019] Alternatively, the first magnet 24 may be disposed within
or on the insertion member 23 and a magnetically receptive metal
abutment member 51 may be disposed within the second ferrule 22
in place of the second magnet 25, as shown in FIG. 3. Likewise,
a magnetically receptive metal abutment member may be substituted
for the first magnet 24, or the insertion member 23 itself may be
composed of a magnetically receptive metal such that it acts as
the magnetically receptive metal abutment member, as shown in FIG.
4. For articles of jewelry 10 that have very thin diameters, it
may be preferable to provide the magnets 24 and 25 with abutting
surfaces that are non-perpendicular to the axis, such that the contact
surface area is increased, as shown in FIG. 5. In these embodiments,
the clasp 20 is releasably connected by the magnetic bond formed
between the magnetically receptive metal abutment member and either
of the magnets 24 or 25.
[0020] The structure and construction of the clasp 20 insures that
the inherent curvature of the main body 11 is not altered when the
clasp 20 is in the closed configuration. For example, if the main
body 11 of the article of jewelry 10, such as a bracelet, has a
two inch radius of curvature, then the clasp 20 should also have
a two inch radius of curvature. For necklaces, the radius of curvature
will of course be greater. When putting on the article of jewelry
10, the two ferrules 21 and 22 are easily joined, since all that
is required is to align the insertion member 23 with the bore 31
of the second ferrule 22.
[0021] It is understood that equivalents or substitutions for certain
elements set forth above may be obvious to those skilled in the
art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention
is to be as set forth in the following claims.
|