US3225565A

US3225565A - Pearl slide shortener and pin adaptor

Info

Publication number: US3225565A
Application number: US375147A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bohlinger Ernst; Friedman Samuel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-06-15
Filing date: 1964-06-15
Publication date: 1965-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-28

Description

D 1965 E. BOHLINGER ETAL 3,

PEARL SLIDE SHQRTENER AND PIN ADAPTOR Filed June-15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l Il '1 INVENTOR. I 48 H RN67' BOhL/NGER 1 gflNl/L'L FRIEDMAN ATTDRNE 5.

De 1965 E. BOHLINGER ETAL 3,225,565

PEARL SLIDE SHORTENER AND PIN ADAPTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1964 INVENTOR. ERNST .BOHUNGER ,s/mua rmeomuv ATT United States Patent 3,225,565 PEARL SLIDE SHQRTENER AND PEN ADAPTOR Ernst Bohlinger, 31-15 25th Ave, Astoria, N.Y., and Samuel Friedman, 425 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed lane 15, 1964, Ser. No. 375,147 11 Claims. (Cl. 632) This invention relates generally to the art of jewelry and more particularly to a clasp for adjusting the loop length of a string of pearls or a necklace and for supporting an ornamental article of jewelry such as a brooch, breastpin and the like, and this invention is an improvement over the disclosures of our copending applications Serial Numbers 283,281, now Patent No. 3,168,768; 313,549, now Patent No. 3,181,217; 322,914; and 355,123.

\Vhen a string of pearls is worn around the neck, it is difficult to adjust the size of the string to the size of the neck of the wearer. With this in mind, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a clasp for readily forming a loop in a string of pearls of any desired size to accommodate and adjust the string to the size of the neck of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of this kind that serves to support removably an ornamental article of jewelry, such as a brooch or breastpin for enhancing the attractiveness of the string of pearls.

A further object according to a modification of the invention is to provide a slide lock for an article of jewelry or a belt buckle that is simple in construction and positive in action.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a lock for an article of jewelry or a belt buckle with a slidable plate for holding the parts in interlocked relation.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a string of pearls with a clasp embodying one form of the invention applied thereto.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the clasp in open distended position.

FIG. 3 is a view looking from the left of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the clasp supporting a brooch.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a spread perspective view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a modified form of brooch.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a fragment of a string of pearls with a clasp and modified form of brooch applied thereto.

FIG. 8a is a top perspective view of locking mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a disassembled perspective view thereof.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sectional views taken on the lines 1t 1tl and 1111, respectively of FIG. 9.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in FIG. 1, a string of pearls 10 is illustrated with a clasp 12 embodying the invention in position to form a loop 14 in the string. The length of the loop is adapted to be adjusted by moving the clasp along the string.

The clasp 12, as best shown in FIG. 2, is formed of spring sheet metal and comprises an elongated split tubular body 16 with depending

legs

18, 20 at the ends thereof. The legs are constituted by juxtaposed

plates

22, 22 extending downwardly in the plane of the body 16, the plates being formed with

feet

24, 24 extending oppositely 3,225,565 Patented Dec. 28, I965 at right angles to the plane of the plates. The plates are normally closely spaced from each other as shown in FIG. 3.

A horizontally disposed plate 26 is slidably supported by the leg 20. The plate 26 has a rectangular body with the long edges thereof turned over forming flanges 28, 23 which with the body of the plate form a trackway 39, along which the

feet

24, 24 of the legs slide. One end of the body is upturned forming a flange 32 acting as a stop. The flange terminating in a loop 34 opening downwardly serves as a finger piece for manipulating the slidable plate. An upstanding lug 36 is formed along one of the flanges 28 of the plate and a laterally extending lug 38 is formed along the edge of one of the plates 22 constituting the leg 20 at the bottom thereof.

In use, the clasp is opened by sliding the plate 26 to the right as viewed in FIG. 2, such sliding movement being limited by the lug 38 on the leg 20 disposed in the path of movement of lug 36 on the plate. This leaves an opening in the clasp between the legs 13 and 20 in which is placed the reaches of the string of pearls It) whereupon the plate 26 is slid back toward the leg 13, the feet 24 of the leg riding in the trackway 3t) of the plate and the walls of the trackway squeezing the plates 22 of the leg 18 together to permit the plate to slide to effective locking position. The clasps can thus be positioned at any point along the string of pearls needed to fit the string to the size of the neck of the wearer. The bottom surface of the plae 26 may be ornamented as indicated at 40.

The clasp 12 is also adapted to serve as an adapter to support an ornamental article of jewelry, such as a brooch or breastpin 40 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, inclusive. The brooch 40 comprises a substantially rectangular-shaped body in the form of a plate 42 slightly curved or bowed transversely and formed at one end with a reduced portion 44 on which is formed a pair of closed spaced dependent perforated ears 4d, 46 to support a pivot pin 48 which in turn supports one looped end 54] of an elongated fastening pin 52. The other end of the plate 42 is also formed with a reduced portion 54 extending at right angles to the plane of the plate. A bifurcated latch member 56 is formed on the outer free end of the portion 54 for receiving the free pointed end of fastening pin 52 between the bifurcations of the latch for securing the ornament on the clasp.

When the clasp is used as an adapter, the fastening pin 52 is inserted through the tubular body 16 of the clasp and the free pointed end secured to the latch member 56 holding the brooch on the clasp. The plate 42 may be formed of valuable metal or may have its outer surface ornamented.

In FIG. 7, a modified form of brooch 46' is shown wherein the body is formed with serrations 60 and extends beyond the dependent ears 46 and latch supporting portion 54'.

When the clasp 12 is used as an adapter the ornamental article of jewelry such as the brooch 40 or 40' is placed on the outside of the string of pearls so that the ornamental appearance of the article of jewelry enhances the appearance of the string of jewels.

In FIG. 8, a modified form of combined clasp and adapter 12a is shown applied to a string of pearls ltla. The clasp unit of the device 12a is similar to clasp 12 and a single reach of the string of pearls is received in the space between the legs thereof. The end of the other reach of the pearls is hooked in an eye 64 formed on one end of the body of a modified form of ornamental brooch 49a supported by the clasp unit.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 8a to 11, inclusive, herein locking mechanism indicated generally at 76 is illustrated for jewelry or belt buckles. The locking mechanism comprises broadly a stationary plate 72, with associated movable parts, and a slidable plate 74 for covering and holding the parts together.

The plate 72 has a rectangular-shaped sheet metal body. Along one long edge of the body, there is a series of three upstanding hooked lugs, two

end lugs

76, 76 and an intermediate lug 78 spaced from each other, the hooks 80 extending outwardly of the body of the lugs at right angles thereto. A similar series of hooked lugs,

end lugs

84, 84 and intermediate lug 86 is formed on the other long edge of the body in spaced relation and in opposed relation to the lugs on the other side, the hooks 88 extending outwardly.

A portion of the material of the body of plate 72 in line with the

intermediate lugs

78 and 86 is instruck and bent toward the intermediate lug 78, forming a loop 90, the loop 90 and lug 78, with plate 72, defining a space 92.

A pair of rectangular-shaped bearing or supporting

plates

94 and 96 are pivotally connected to the

intermediate lugs

78 and 86, respectively. The plates are each bent at the extremities thereof forming flanges 98 thereat and each is formed along one long side midway its ends, with a perforated lug 100, the intermediate lug extending through the perforation in the lug 100, constituting the connection between the plate 72 and

plates

94 and 96. The lug 100 of plate 94 is positioned in the space between the lug 78 and the loop 90 so that the plate 94 cannot be removed. Plate 96 may be removed by slipping it over lug 86. The lugs are covered and the plate 96 prevented from removal from the plate 72 by means of the plate 74. Plate 74 has a body similar in shape to the body of plate 72 and is provided with inturned long

edges forming flanges

102, 102 spaced from the body of the plate thereby forming

grooves

104, 104. At one end, the inner end as viewed in FIG. 11, the body of plate 74 is formed with a downwardly extending central lug 106 and at the other end, is formed with an upstanding central lug 108. When the

plates

94 and 96 are in operative position on the

intermediate lugs

78 and 86, the plate 74 is adapted to slide on the hooks of the side lugs, over plate 72, the hooks of the lugs riding in the grooves 104,104.

In assembling, the end of plate 74 is inserted over the end hooks 80 and 88 and the plate slid over the remaining hooks until the lug 106 engages an upstanding inverted U-shaped lug 110 on one end of the body of plate 72, the lug 110 serving as a stop and as a finger piece for manipulating the plate 72.

In use, the ends of a flexible piece of jewelry or the ends of a belt are secured to the

plates

94 and 96 in any suitable manner and the ends are locked together by the mechanism 7 0.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, it i to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from the ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs, and a plate slidably supported on the feet of one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted from the feet of the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with other feet for securing the string of pearls in place, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

2. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from the ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs, and a plate slidably supported on the feet of one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted from the feet of the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with other feet for securing the string of pearls in place, and means on the plate and on said one leg for limiting the movements of the plate, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

3. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from the ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs, and a plate slidably supported on the feet of one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted from the feet of the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with other feet for securing the string of pearls in place, an upstanding lug on the plate and a lateral lug on said one leg in the path of movement of the upstanding lug, for limiting the movements of the plate, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

4. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from the ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and a late slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with said other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

5. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated split tubular body having a through bore, a pair of integral plates depending from the ends of the body, said plates constituting juxtaposed legs closely spaced from each other, feet on the bottom ends of the legs extending outwardly in opposed relation, a plate slidably supported on the feet of one pair of plates, said slidable plate having inturned flanges along the long edges thereof providing grooves therealong slidably supported on the feet of said one pair of plates, said flanges adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with the feet of the other pair of plates for securing a string of pearls placed between the legs, the outer surface of said slidable plate being decorated, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

6. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated split tubular body having a through bore, a pair of integral plates depending from the ends of the body, said plates constituting juxtaposed legs closely spaced from each other, feet on the bottom ends of the legs extending outwardly in opposed relation, a plate slidably supported on the feet of one pair of plates, said slidable plate having inturned flanges along the long edges thereof providing grooves there along slidably supported on the feet of said one pair of plates, said flanges adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with the feet of the other pair of plates for securing a string of pearls placed between the legs, the outer surface of said slidable plate being decorated, and coacting lugs on the slidable plate and said one pair of plates for limiting the movements of the slidable plate, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

7. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated split tubular body having a through bore, a pair of integral plates depending from the ends of the body, said plates constituting juxtaposed legs closely spaced from each other, feet on the bottom ends of the legs extending outwardly in opposed relation, a plate slidably supported on the feet of one pair of plates, said slidable plate having inturned flanges along the long edges thereof providing grooves therealong slidably supported on the feet of said one pair of plates, said flanges adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with the feet of the other pair of plates for securing a string of pearls plawd between the legs, the outer surface of said slidable plate being decorated, and a finger piece on one end of the slidable plate for manipulating said plate, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

3. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from the ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and a plate slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with said other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, and a brooch having an elongated fastening pin detachably inserted in said tubular body, said brooch having means for preventing accidental removal from the clasp.

9. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from the ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and a plate slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with said other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, and a brooch having an elongated curved body and having an elongated fastening pin detachably inserted in said tubular body, said brooch having means for preventing accidental removal from the clasp.

10. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from the ends of the body,

feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and a plate slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with said other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, and a brooch having an elongated serrated body and having an elongated fastening pin detachably inserted in said tubular body, said brooch having means for preventing accidental removal from the clasp.

11. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising an elongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from the ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and a plate slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with said other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, and a brooch having an elongated serrated body, an elongated fastening pin detachably inserted in said tubular body, means on the body for preventing accidental removal of the brooch from the clasp and an eye on one end of the brooch body for securing one end of a string of pearls thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,246,911 11/1917 Goozey 24238 2,239,304 3/1941 Stell 24238 2,930,209 3/1960 Altman 631 FOREIGN PATENTS 513,012 2/1955 Italy.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.