AU2014101171A4 - Improved Magnetic Jewellery Clasp - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a magnetic clasp design where each opposing clasp section incorporates a threaded pin and nut attached from either end of the said clasp section, whereby tensional pull force associated with disengaging the opposing clasp sections is transferred directly to the outer surface of the magnets themselves. This removes the possibility of the magnet dislodging from its seat as is possible with the traditional press fit or adhesive methods of securing the magnet to the clasp. Figure 1. Cross Section: Assembled a) Threaded pin/ fastener b) Clasp shell \ c) Magnet d) Countersunk nut \ -/ e) Opposing clasp section

Description

1 TITLE Improved Magnetic Jewellery Clasp BACKGROUND A magnetic clasp or fastener device can be used to connect two ends of one object or multiple objects and is widely used for jewellery and personal adornment. These magnetic clasps typically are in opposing sets whereas the magnetic force is utilized to secure the objects together and offer convenience for the assembly and disassembly of the objects. However the magnets therein are normally secured to their seats in such a way that the connection and separation of the opposing clasps progressively diminish the method of securing the magnet to its seat and whereas there is sizable risk of the magnet becoming dislodged thereby rendering the clasp no longer effective. SUMMARY TECHNICAL PROBLEM [0001] Jewellery clasps that utilize magnetic force to attach to each other typically have the magnet either pressed in place or glued in place. With this approach of securing the magnet, over a period of time the magnet is likely to become dislodged from its seat due to the magnetic pull force from the opposing clasp's magnet. This risk is worsened with the shock to the magnet and its seat from the connect and disconnect action of operating the clasp. [0002] Magnetic clasps must be of sufficient strength to hold any reasonable weight of jewellery with certainty otherwise the owner is likely to lose the jewellery item. However increasing the strength of the magnets will further 2 increase the likelihood of the magnets becoming unseated and thereby render the clasp ineffective. [0003] Other secondary mechanisms are sometimes utilised to lock the clasps together to prevent loss of the jewellery item. However this detracts from a key purpose of using magnetic clasps which is the convenience of quickly and easily attaching and detaching the clasp sets. [0004] Additional manufacturing costs are incurred to use high grade adhesives, preparation of surfaces, and the addition of lock mechanisms in an effort to lessen the risk of the magnet becoming dislodged from its seat. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM [0001] This design uses a permanent magnet with a hole through its center. A blind nut or sleeve with a flange or collar matching a recess on the magnet is thereby inserted into the magnet. A threaded pin or similar fastener is inserted from the opposite side of the clasp and screwed into the nut which thereby pulls tight the magnet to its seat within the clasp. Hence the magnet and clasp are secured together from either side of the clasp. [0002] The head of the threaded pin would have an eye or similar for attachment to the necklace section. [0003] The nut that is inserted to the magnet would have a knurled area or similar protrusion to grip to the magnet preventing the nut from rotating within the magnet when being assembled. [0004] The pull force on the said pin or clasp itself to disengage the magnets of the clasps is thereby transferred directly to the face of the magnet itself rather 3 than the pull force being applied to the adopted retention method of the magnet to its seat. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION [0001] This design removes the necessity of using the traditional securing methods of adhesive and / or press fitting being applied to the magnet and its seat within the clasp. Traditional securing methods are then optional to this design, and would be used typically for ease of assembly and not specifically to secure the magnet to its seat against the pull force of operating the clasp. [0002] The shock from the normal opening and closing of a clasp does not diminish retention of the magnet the clasp in this design. [0003] This design allows much stronger magnets to be utilized in the clasp without the risk of the magnet becoming dislodged. Stronger magnets may be utilized to reduce the need secondary lock mechanisms typically required to prevent unintentional separation of the clasps due to either magnet dislodgement from its seat or low pull force magnets. [0004] The overall manufacturing process and associated costs can be reduced compared to other methods of securing magnet to its seat such as adhesives and / or secondary lock mechanisms. [0005] This design allows the replacement of just the magnet and / or clasp without requiring the necklace strands to be detached from the clasp pin itself. This allows for quick and easy repair and replacement of the clasp itself.

Claims (3)

1. A magnetic clasp for the purposes of securing multiple sections of jewellery or similar personal adornment, said clasp having a pin passing through the axis of both the clasp and magnet components and will have an opposing nut or similar component attached directly to the pin with a machine thread from the opposite side of the clasp section.

2. A clasp according to claim 1 wherein the said nut and said pin will have a protruding flange that will prevent the pin and nut from pulling through either the magnet or clasp housing whereby once the clasp components are assembled the pin and nut will provide compression to the clasp components.

3. A clasp according to claim 1 whereas any pull force applied to the axial pin, the nut, or the outer clasp housing of the clasp sections to separate them will be transferred to the outer surface of the magnet of each section thereby removing the possibility of the magnet to dislodge it from its seat.