EP0906734A1 - Jewellery fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

Necklace lock is covered by additional cylindrical case to prevent lock from being opened by movement. The necklace is locked with a plug element (3) which is inserted into a socket element (2) and kept in place with a bayonet mechanism consisting of grooves (5) in the plug (3) and matching ledges (6a, 6b) and a spring coil (9) inside the socket part (2). After locking, the whole unit (1, 3) is covered by a cylindrical case (11). Both (11) and f(2, 3) are joined by gently turning the two parts in opposite directions. When locked, the two parts (2, 3) can still rotate horizontally, preventing the locket from changing its position with the movements of its wearer.

Description

The present invention relates to a jewelry lock according to the preamble of independent claim 1 and a method for closing jewelry.

Closure devices for jewelry are known. Vastness Bayonet locks are widely used in the utility model DE Gm 76 01 893 described type Closure devices in particular allow one and the same Jewelry chain with different, decoratively designed To use closures.

In these known locking devices is on the chain a bayonet connector and a corresponding one on or in the lock shaped bayonet connector receptacle provided.

A problem can arise in particular with the known closures then occur when the closure is flat, approximately in the form of a Plant leaf, is designed and a flat concern the cleavage of its wearer is desired. Even if that Bayonet connector holder with high precision and therefore expensive Manufacturing effort to be aligned on the closure, so that when you put the chain on the lock in the desired position comes, it is possible that the torsion often stiff Chain no longer exactly the desired when wearing the clasp Takes position.

From DE PS 343 348 is a safeguard against unintentional Known bayonet release. It will not discussed how a relative rotation between closure member and a chain can be prevented.

From the German utility model DE 2 96 06 975 is already a closure device for a piece of jewelry such as in particular a relatively rigid chain or necklace. In this known locking device is between chain and Connector provided a coupling element. The one arranged on the chain Coupling element is in a sleeve element recorded and within a defined angular range rotatable. Although this technique prevents satisfactory Way of twisting the closure, but can only be used, if the chain is for connection to the coupling element has the required minimum cross-section. Especially at Pearl necklaces or fine gold necklaces is this requirement not generally given.

DE 2 95 10 652 U1 deals with the anti-rotation Closure of necklaces. The arrangement shown there looks before that a connector receptacle on their facing away from the connector End over a pin and rotatable about this on a chain receiving element is coupled. The right plug can be in same way via a pin with a chain receiving element be coupled. The problem here is that for rotating latching of the bayonet connector used there the connector receptacle must be firmly gripped. This is only possible if it is of sufficient structural length; in this case, however, when carrying or putting on especially thick and therefore relatively rigid chains on the bolt large bending moments occur and deform them. Also affected the required length the design options and makes an installation roughly a spherical closure piece or the substructure is practical under a flat locking piece impossible.

From DE 44 24 040 A1 a closure is known with which a wear associated with the kinking of the chain at the lock should be prevented. For this purpose, the connector holder by means of a tilting bearing with an oval cross section on this suitably shaped closure can be accommodated.

From US Pat. No. 4,364,155 there is already a piece of jewelry closure according to the preamble of claim 1 known. It is discussed that a jewelry lock closes quickly should be open and close. The step does not discuss how to twist the chain can be prevented by designing the closure.

The object of the present invention is a to create improved jewelry closure.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 as well solved by the features of the independent method claim. It allows the previous bayonet locking plug to be retained with a rotating locking mechanism and the simplification of opening and closing.

In use, the locking plug receptacle according to claim 1 with the bayonet-type connector attached to it the one that is locked when it is locked and secured against turning first position without further assistance from the wearer the movements of the chain on the clasp caused by wear axially move the acting low forces and slide axially freely into the positions in which twisting the plug connector is possible. So lies in Use a flat closure piece flat at any time, without fear of blocking its rotation.

As for a piece of jewelry closure according to the invention 1 chains with conventional plugs without the requirement a special coupling piece or the like is used can be, the closure of the invention is without can also be used with existing chains. It can also very thin chains like pearl or thin chains Gold chains are used without this having a minimum volume must have; use with thicker and therefore relatively rigid chains without the risk of wear and tear Bending of parts of the closure through the full-page Enclosure of the plug connector allows. The usage a small sleeve for grasping the locking plug holder ensures that the external dimensions of the invention Jewelery clasp only slightly larger than with conventional bayonet locks. This is beneficial for the design of the jewelry clasps, which despite the improved wearing properties no restrictions is subjected; rather, by ensuring flat There is even a design for flat jewelry closures still stimulated and favored. The for aligning the locking plug receptacles previously required assembly precision is reduced. The new piece of jewelry closure is thus despite the required additional socket part cheap in manufacturing.

schwimmende Lagerung" ist besonders erwünscht und wird bei Spaltgrößen von unter 2/10 mm, wobei Spaltgrößen unter vorzugsweise 5/100 mm und besonders bevorzugt von 2,5/100 mm liegen können, während die Verschlußsteckeraufnahme selbst eine Länge von einigen Millimetern besitzen kann. Bevorzugt ist es, wenn der Hub, d.h. die Eintauchtiefe, um den die Verschlußsteckeraufnahme sich von dem Positionsbereich des Verschlußstückes mit freier Drehbarkeit zur gegen Verdrehen gesicherten Position in der Buchse bewegt, ebenfalls im Bereich von unter einem Millimeter liegt. In einem praktischen Ausführungsbeispiel konnten so dieselben Außenabmessungen wie bei gängigen Verschlußanordnungen nach dem Stand der Technik erreicht werden. Hierbei kann die Buchse in einer praktischen Ausführung einen Außendurchmesser von zwischen 3 und 5 mm haben, was ihren problemfreien Einbau etwa in Perlen ermöglicht. Es hat sich dabei als vorteilhaft erwiesen, wenn zur Erzielung der geringen Spaltgrößen die einander zugewandten Oberflächen von Buchse und Verschlußsteckeraufnahme durch Hochglanzdrehen erzeugt werden. Advantageous designs are specified in the subclaims. Particularly advantageous is the design in which a gap is provided between the socket and the plug connector receptacle which is small against the axial extension of the plug connector receptacle. With such a dimensioning of the gap, it can be prevented that the locking plug receptacle is inclined so far in the socket that it jams in it. Otherwise there is a particular danger if the plug connector receptacle is formed with sharp edges and a soft material such as gold is used for the bushing. At the same time, it is advantageous if the gap is so large that a low-friction back and forth movement of the locking plug receptacle in the socket is possible - in contrast to, for example, a press fit of the locking plug receptacle in the socket. This

floating storage "is particularly desirable and is used for gap sizes of less than 2/10 mm, gap sizes preferably being less than 5/100 mm and particularly preferably 2.5 / 100 mm, while the locking plug receptacle itself can have a length of a few millimeters. It is preferred if the stroke, ie the immersion depth, by which the locking plug receptacle moves from the position area of the locking piece with free rotation to the position in the socket secured against rotation, is also in the range of less than one millimeter The same outer dimensions as with conventional closure arrangements according to the prior art can be achieved, in which case the bushing can have a practical embodiment with an outer diameter of between 3 and 5 mm, which enables it to be installed without problems in beads, for example to achieve the small gap size en are generated, the mutually facing surfaces of bush and clasp connector receptacle by mirror rotation.

The low friction provided by the gap ensures even if the arrangement is free from wear Carrier of the chain while wearing the clasp plays and rotates it permanently. The the smooth rotatability even stimulates such play on. On the other hand, the wearer is irritated by standing up the lock is excluded when twisting the chain. On in this way the wearing comfort is increased.

Fig.1

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Schmuckstückverschlußes mit einem zugehörigen Stecker;

Fig. 2a und 2b

Schnittansichten des Schmuckstückverschlußes von Fig.1, worin die Verschlußsteckeraufnahme unterschiedliche Positionen in der Buchse aufnimmt;

Fig. 2c

eine Schnittansicht eines weiteren Schmuckstückverschlußes mit veränderter Sicherung der Verschlußsteckeraufnahme gegen Verlieren;

Fig. 3a und b

Draufsichten in die Buchse mit darin angeordneter Verschlußsteckeraufnahme;

Fig. 4

eine Explosionsdetailansicht der Buchse des in Fig. 2c gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 5

eine Schnitt-Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels.

The invention is described below only by way of example with reference to the drawing; in this shows:

Fig. 1

a sectional view of a jewelry closure according to the invention with an associated plug;

2a and 2b

Sectional views of the jewelry closure of Figure 1, wherein the closure plug receptacle takes up different positions in the socket;

Fig. 2c

a sectional view of another piece of jewelry closure with modified securing of the lock connector receptacle against loss;

3a and b

Top views into the socket with the locking plug receptacle arranged therein;

Fig. 4

an exploded detailed view of the socket of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2c;

Fig. 5

a sectional view of another embodiment.

According to Figure 1, a piece of jewelry closure 1 includes at least one outside essentially cylindrical locking plug receptacle 2, which is designed to receive a locking plug 3, which on its side facing away from the jewelry clasp 1 can be connected with a chain 4 or the like or about penetrated in a known manner by a string of pearls is. In the connector 3 grooves 5 are provided, which in the Use with projections 6a, 6b on the connector facing Side (reference number 7a on the double arrow A) of the locking plug receptacle 2 are arranged. Inside 8 the hollow trained locking plug receptacle 2 is supported Compression spring 9 on a plate 10 facing the plug, and, in turn, presses them onto the inner sides in the idle state of projections 6a, 6b and optionally an annular one Border around the cavity 8. On the opposite side (Reference number 7b on the double arrow) the spring 9 is supported an annular border.

The locking plug receptacle 2 is in a socket 11 with at least essentially slidable hollow cylindrical interior and generally arranged concentrically and by a projection 12 on the side of the socket facing the plug (7a) 11 and opposite the socket bottom 16 held captive. The length of the socket 11 compared to the length of the Lock plug receptacle 2 and thus the stroke by which the Lock plug receptacle 2 along the double arrow A in the Socket 11 can be moved is in the drawing for reasons the clarity of what is required in practice Exaggerated measure. It is sufficient if the socket 11 only is little longer than the locking plug receptacle 2, which in practice has a length measurement in the millimeter range.

The locking connector receptacle 2 faces the connector 3 facing away (direction 7b) a recess 14 in which when positioning the locking plug receptacle 2 in a first position close to or directly on the socket bottom 16 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2a), one provided there corresponding increase 15 in positive and / or frictional Intervention can occur.

Unless the locking plug receptacle 2 is not in the first Position close to or directly on the socket bottom 16, but away from it in any other axial position (Fig. 2b), which is in the stroke range, the locking plug receptacle turn freely in the socket.

Is between the socket 11 and the locking plug receptacle 2 For this purpose, a gap 13 is provided, which is not to scale in the Drawing is shown exaggerated. In practice it is by the difference between the outer diameter of the locking plug receptacle 2 and clear width of the socket 11 formed Gap 13 very small; Gap sizes below half Millimeters are easy to manufacture, are preferred Gap sizes under 2/10 mm and a particularly favorable storage behavior results in gap sizes below 5/100 mm, preferred 2.5 / 100mm. With a sufficiently precise production is a smooth rotation of the locking plug receptacle 2 in the bushing 11 enables the ball bearing-like turning properties guaranteed. The for the small gap sizes mentioned required manufacturing precision can in particular by turning the parts to high gloss on standard machines be achieved.

The jewelry clasp according to the invention is closed, by the plug 3 past the projections 12 of the socket 11 is pressed on the plug connector and the grooves 5 brought into alignment with the projections 6a, 6b. The Tip 3a of plug 3 is then in contact with the plate 10 pressed, which prevents jamming with the spring 9. The Pressing causes a movement of the locking plug receptacle 2 inside the socket 11 and leads to seating of the locking plug receptacle on the socket bottom 16, recess 14 and increase 15 if necessary by a slight rotary movement engage at connector 3.

Then the connector 3 overcoming the force of the spring 9 pressed further against the closure, the projections 6a, 6b slide along in the grooves 5 until they rotate of the plug 3 slide past the deflection 5a. After this The closing press pressure is applied in the manner of a bayonet the connector is released and so the bayonet lock with the spring 9 locked.

After releasing the closing press pressure, the locking plug receptacle can 2 from the first position on the socket bottom 16 remove slidingly. The breech's own gravity, Restoring forces of a somewhat rigid chain or the light ones Movements of the chain wearer are sufficient for this. The locking plug receptacle 2 can then be freely inside turn the socket 11 with the plug connected.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3b and Fig. 4 using largely the same reference numerals shown. This is another embodiment with the previously described in design and function largely identical, but shows a difference in terms the captive holder of the locking plug receptacle 2 in that instead of the projections 12 on the Socket 11 of the socket interior near the socket bottom 16 a all around running stage 12a, which acts as a stop for a the locking plug receptacle 2 preferably all around Shoulder 17 near the socket bottom is used. Between the inner wall of the socket and the shoulder 17 runs a gap 13 ', the preferably how gap 13 is dimensioned.

The corresponding top view for the embodiments according to FIG. 1 is shown in Fig. 3a, the top view of Fig. 2c in Fig. 3b.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a socket 11 for the Embodiment according to Fig. 2c, which is not in one piece from a massive workpiece is made, but from a graduated Pipe piece 18 and a separate bottom insert 19 assembled is. The surfaces 18a and 19a can be used for assembly by means of gluing, press fitting, spot welding or another known methods are connected.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which in a double socket 11a two locking plug receptacles 2a, 2b on back Back are arranged.

While according to the figures and the previous description on Bottom of the socket is provided with a survey Corresponding recess in the locking plug receptacle is readily understandable that the socket bottom instead could have a recess into which a facing Elevation of the locking plug receptacle can intervene. Also could have a partial surface on both sides as a recess and be designed as a survey.

Instead of or next to a survey-recess connection it is also possible to have a frictional engagement between Provide socket bottom and locking plug receptacle. This is even cheap in that it is for working out operations required by recess and collection fall away.

Instead of a generally cylindrical outer shape, the locking plug receptacle 2 also generally conical become. If the inside of the socket is at the same cone angle provided, arises when the locking plug receptacle is pressed in a desired friction fit into the socket.

Claims (14)

Jewelery closure (1) with a locking plug receptacle (2) for receiving one axially insertable in it in a certain rotational angle orientation and by twisting locking plug (3) with a Socket (11) in which the locking plug receptacle (2) can be moved axially back and forth between a first position in which a relative rotation between the plug connector receptacle and socket is prevented, and added another position in which the locking plug receptacle can be rotated, characterized in that that the locking plug receptacle is held captive in the socket and is freely rotatable in the further position. Jewelery clasp according to claim 1, characterized in that that the locking plug receptacle (2) in its axially most inner position in the bushing (11) is prevented from turning. The jewelry clasp of claim 2, wherein the inner Socket bottom (16) and the end of the locking plug receptacle facing this a pair of elevations / recesses (14, 15), their engagement with each other the rotation of the Lock plug receptacle in the socket prevented. The jewelry clasp of claim 2, wherein the inner Socket bottom and the end of the locking plug receptacle facing this yourself in the first position frictional engagement with each other. Jewelery clasp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking plug receptacle (2) outside and the socket (11) inside rotationally symmetrical and preferably at least essentially cylindrical are. Jewelery clasp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking plug receptacle (2) in the further position (arrow 7a) by at least 360 ° and preferably can be rotated through any angle without a stop is. Jewelery clasp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a gap (13) between the bushing (11) and Lock plug receptacle (2) is provided, the small against the axial and / or radial expansion of the locking plug receptacle is. Jewelery clasp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap (13) between the socket and plug connector receptacle so big in the wider position is that a low-friction reciprocating movement of the locking plug receptacle is possible in the socket. Jewelery clasp according to one of the preceding claims, where the locking plug receptacle in the socket is held captive. Jewelery clasp according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking plug receptacle on the plug opposite end around a shoulder with increased outer diameter has that in an area with elevated Internal diameter in the receptacle can not be lost is held. Jewelery clasp according to claim 9, characterized in that that the socket (11) facing the plug Side overlaps the plug connector to to create the captive bracket. Jewelery clasp according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking plug receptacle is a spring element (9) includes the plug (3) in the closed position fix elastically in the locked position. Jewelery clasp according to claim 12, wherein the for Move the locking plug receptacle (2) into the first Force required is less than that for position overcoming the locking fixation. Method for closing a piece of jewelry with a plug, a locking plug receptacle and a socket, which the lock plug holder captive axially movable between a first position in which the locking plug receptacle is secured against twisting in the socket, and a further position holds, in which the free rotation of the locking plug receptacle ensures is, with the plug, the locking plug receptacle in the first axial position is pressed in the socket, the plug is pressed into the locking plug receptacle and is bayonet-like locked with this and after relieving the plug sliding the locking plug receptacle from the first position is allowed.

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