EP3618662A1

EP3618662A1 - Clasp for jewellery item

Info

Publication number: EP3618662A1
Application number: EP18715676.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean- Charles PELLEGRINO
Original assignee: Jcp Systeme Ltd
Current assignee: Jcp Systeme Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-03
Filing date: 2018-04-04
Publication date: 2020-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-04
Also published as: US10925356B2; RU2019134304A3; RU2019134304A; US20200054103A1; CN109862803A; EP3618662B1; WO2018202378A1

Abstract

A clasp for a jewellery item comprising: - a base body (100) comprising a horizontal base (101) perforated at the centre of same by an opening (102) intended to receive a notched rod (1), said base body (100) comprising a vertical guide cylinder (102) and first (110) and second (120) support arms, in which the first support arm comprises, in the lower part of same, a first bore (111) intended to receive a horizontal assembly and articulation pin (800), in which the second support arm (120) comprises, in the lower part of same, a second bore (121) intended to receive said assembly and articulation pin (800); - a first jaw (200) comprising a first tab (210) provided with a third bore (211) and a second tab (220) provided with a fourth bore (221), said third and fourth bores being configured to become aligned with said first and second bores (111, 121); - a second jaw (300) comprising a first tab (310) provided with a fifth bore (311) and a second tab (320) provided with a sixth bore (321), said fifth (311) and sixth (321) bores being configured to become aligned with said first and second bores (111, 121); in which the edges of said first and second jaws (200; 300) have a slightly convex profile configured to cooperate with the edges of said support arms (110, 120) in order to allow slight rotation about the alignment axis of the bores with the aim of implementing a locking mechanism of a notched rod.

Description

Clasp for jewelery and jewelery

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to fastening devices for jewelery and jewelry articles, and in particular a universal clasp for earrings.

State of the art

The conventional earring clasp system, called "ALPA", as shown in Figure 1A, is widely used in most countries. It consists of a clasp 2 with round pellets 6 or 7millimeters in diameter with two wings 3 and 4 on the sides, mounted on spring, and a transverse rod 1 with a notch in which the system comes to lock. By pressing on these two fins 3 and 4, the system opens and allows to release the rod 1. The system is very thin, 2 millimeters, which makes the grip of the mechanism very difficult, and especially for a whole category of people likely to appreciate the wearing of article and jewelery jewelry.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to facilitate and improve the use and handling of clasp system for jewelery and more particularly for earrings, while ensuring a reliable safety of the latter. The present invention also aims to provide a universal attachment device for jewelry item, and in particular a clasp for earring providing a greater pressure surface and a more ergonomic grip. A third object of the present invention is to provide an earring clasp easy to handle, even for people of respectable age, and remains cheap in manufacturing.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide an earring clasp that is compatible with the stems of ALPA locking systems, to provide a more secure alternative solution for earrings and jewelry already. existing.

The invention achieves these objects by means of a clasp for a jewelery article which comprises:

- a base body having a horizontal base pierced at its center with an orifice for receiving a notched pin, the base body comprising a vertical guide cylinder, a first and second support branches (120) each comprising, in their part lower, a bore for receiving an assembly pin and hinge;

a first jaw comprising two lugs each provided with a bore configured to align with the bores of the support branches;

a second jaw comprising two lugs each provided with a bore configured to align with the bores of the support branches as well as those of the first jaw, and to materialize a hinge XX '.

The first and second jaw edges have a slightly convex profile and configured to cooperate with the sides of the support legs of the base body to allow a slight rotation about the alignment axis of the bores and to implement a locking mechanism a notched pin

In a particular embodiment, the base body comprises, above the bores of the first and second branches a horizontal reinforcing beam connecting the support legs to the guide cylinder. Preferably, the horizontal reinforcing beam comprises a vertical pin disposed between the guide tube and the support branch and which is configured to receive a return spring for the locking mechanism. In a particular embodiment, the return spring is a spiral spring having two ends having an angle of between 70 ° and 110 ° and preferably equal to 85.5 °.

Preferably, the first jaw comprises a first guide groove for guiding a first end of the return spring and, similarly, the second jaw comprises a second guide groove for guiding the first a second end of the return spring.

Thus, guiding the bottom of the two grooves of the ends of the spiral spring ensure an effective restoring force allowing the jaws to return to their original position when the pressure exerted on them ceases.

In a particular embodiment, the ends of the spiral spring are curved so as to facilitate their sliding in the guide grooves.

Preferably, the first jaw comprises a first bearing surface and, fixed thereto, a first locking blade having a thickness corresponding to the notching of a rod (1). Similarly, the second jaw has a first bearing surface for supporting and fixing by welding a second locking blade of the same thickness. Preferably, the first and second locking blades are in the form of a U and are positioned relative to one another so as to configure a central space that can be enlarged with the pressure of a finger exerted on the fingers. jaws, causing their slight rotation. In a particular embodiment, the first and second jaws have the shape of a duckbill having, on the outer surface, a surface profile to increase the impression of pressure on the fingers of the user. Preferably, it can have a notch on the outer surface of these jaws. In a particular embodiment, the first jaw has a gap between said first and second tabs equal to D, and in that said second jaw (300) has a gap between said first and second tabs equal to d, with d <D .

Preferably, the base body comprises, at the guide cylinder, a recess for facilitating the introduction of the spiral spring on its pin. In a particular embodiment, the guide cylinder and the first and second blades are configured to allow the insertion of a rod conforming to the standard ALPA (registered trademark).

Description of the drawings

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description and the drawings below, given solely by way of non-limiting examples. In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1A illustrates the conventional clasp system for earring known as "ALPA". Figures 1 B and 1 C are two perspective views, respectively front and rear, of an embodiment of a clasp according to the present invention.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate more particularly a front view and a top view of the base body 100.

Figures 2C, 3A and 3B illustrate three perspective views for showing the details of the structural elements of the base body 100.

Figure 4A is a top view of the jaw 200. Figures 4B and 4C are two perspective views showing details of the jaw 200. Figures 5A and 5B respectively show two perspective views of the jaws 200 and 300.

FIG. 6A illustrates the detail of the spiral spring. FIGS. 6B to 6F successively illustrate five assembly phases of the clasp mechanism.

Figure 7 is a first exploded perspective view of the various components of the clasp.

Figure 8 is a side view of the various components of the clasp.

Figure 9 is a second exploded perspective view of the various components of the clasp.

Figure 10 is a third exploded perspective view of the various components of the clasp.

Figures 1 1A, 1 1 B, 1 1 C and 1 1 D show different perspectives of the assembled device.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show two sections of the device in the "open" position allowing the release of pin 1. Figures 13A and 13B illustrate two device sections in position

"Closed", showing the locking of the pin or rod 1, ensuring the security of the clasp. Description of a preferred embodiment

FIGS. 1B and 1C show two perspective views, respectively front and rear, showing the external presentation of an improved clasp ensuring a secure and reliable locking for a pin or rod 1 which could moreover be a pin originally designed for a clasp system "ALPA" (registered trademark). In this regard, as will be seen in more detail below, the invention proposes an alternative solution for a pair of earrings already equipped with an ALPA-type system, in order to replace them with a more secure clasp.

As seen in Figures 1B and 1C, the invention consists of a base body 100 having a base 101 slightly rounded to allow a pleasant contact with the ear and provided at its center with an orifice 102 intended to receive a pin or rod 1 which may be an ALPA type rod or any other nail. As is known an ALPA type rod comprises a notch which is based on a groove corresponding to a circular recess for locking the rod. The base body 100 has two support branches 110 and 120 each having in their lower part an orifice (respectively 111, 121) to allow the insertion of a pin 800 (illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10) providing a joint allowing a slight possible rotation of two lateral bodies or jaws, respectively 200 and 300, for locking the pin or rod 1.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front view and a top view of the base body 100, while FIGS. 2C, 3A and 3B more particularly illustrate three perspective views making it possible to show the detail of the structural elements of the base body 100 .

The base body 100 comprises, in addition to the two support legs 1 and 10, respectively left and right, a guide cylinder 102 which is arranged at the center of the base body 100 and which is intended to serve as a housing for receive the pin or shank 1 of a jewelery item. As seen in Figure 2A in particular, the guide cylinder 102 materializes a vertical axis ΥΥ '. It should be noted that it performs a dual function of stabilization and reinforcement of the rod 1 to protect the latter mechanically against excessive bending.

In a preferred embodiment, the base body 100 further comprises a horizontal reinforcing beam 103 connecting the two support legs 1 and 1 to the guide cylinder in order to stiffen the entire structure. The horizontal reinforcing beam 103 comprises a vertical pin 104 disposed in the middle of the space between the guide tube 102 and the support leg 120. This pin 104 will be intended, as will be seen later, the positioning of a spiral spring 400 (shown in Figures 6, 6C, 6D, 7-10). FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A and 3B also illustrate the positioning, at the bottom of the support arms 1 and 1 2, of the orifices 1 1 1 and 121 which materialize a second horizontal axis XX 'which will serve to receive a pin of FIG. assembly and articulation 800, as appears in exploded perspective views 7, 9 and 10 which will be described below. In a particular embodiment, the guide tube 102 is also pierced on both sides to allow insertion of the pin 800.

It is also noted that the upper part of each of the support legs 1 10 and 120 comprises a fastening system for attaching a flange or a holding plate 700 for closing the entire mechanism, a once assembled.

We now describe the structural detail of the jaws 200 and 300 which are important elements of the device. Each of the jaws 200 and 300 has a generally semi-circular shape, designed to encompass the entire functional mechanism but also to offer the user a greater pressure surface for the implementation of the mechanism, going well beyond the small surface area of the fins of the conventional ALPA system. In a preferred embodiment, each of the jaws 200 or 300 has the shape of a duckbill coming to assemble on the hinge XX 'of the base body 100. As can be seen in FIG. jaws 200 and 300 have a slightly convex profile and configured to cooperate with the sides of the support legs 1 and 10, to allow a slight rotation about the axis XX '.

FIG. 4A shows a view from above of the jaw 200, while FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate two perspective views of the same jaw 200. This jaw 200 comprises, in its lower part, two tabs 210 and 220, each endowed with a bore 21 1 and 221 adapted for the passage of the pin 800, in order to allow the assembly of the jaw 200 about the axis XX 'of Figure 3B. The jaw further includes, disposed above the tabs 210 and 220, a guide groove 230 which will serve, as will be seen later, guiding an end of the spiral spring 400.

Arranged above the groove 230, the jaw 200 includes a first bearing surface 250 for supporting a first blade 500 (shown in FIG. 7) secured via a pin 250, as well as a second contact surface 260 intended for supporting a flange or cover 700 also illustrated in FIG.

In a particular embodiment, the blade 500 is fixed to the first bearing surface 250 by welding at the pin 250.

The jaw 300 has a structure similar to that of the jaw 200, as is clear from FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrating, in perspective, the two jaws positioned facing each other. It can thus be observed that the jaw 300 also comprises two lugs 310 and 320 each having a bore (respectively 31 1, 321) for the passage of the pin 800, but also a guide groove 330 , as well as two bearing surfaces 340 and 360 intended to serve respectively to support a second blade 600 (fixed via a pivot 350) and the flange or cover 700. It will be observed, as is clear from FIGS. 5A and 5B, that the only difference in structure between the jaws 200 and 300 lies in the gap between the two tabs 210-220 (respectively 310-320). The jaw 200 has a spacing D between the two tabs 210/220 which is larger than the spacing d between the tabs 310/320 of the jaw 300.

This difference in spacing d and D is calculated to allow the positioning of the bores under the beam 103 of the base body 100 and, finally, the assembly of the hinge XX 'by the alignment of all the bores 11, 121, 212, 221, 312, 321 and 121.

FIG. 6A illustrates the detail of the profile of the spiral spring 400 intended to be positioned on the pin 104 of the beam 103 of the base body 100. It will be noted, as can be seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, that slight circular recess can be arranged on the circumference of the guide cylinder 102 for the purpose of providing sufficient space between the outer contour of the cylinder and the pin 104.

In a particular embodiment, the spiral spring 400 comprises two branches forming between them an angle of between 70 ° and 110 ° and, preferably, equal to 85.5 °, and each of the branches having a curved end end allowing to ensure a smooth sliding at the bottom of the sliding grooves 230 and 330. Preferably, the ends of the branches have, as shown in Figure 6A, an angle of about 20 °.

Figures 6B to 6F illustrate five successive phases of assembly of the clasp device.

In a first phase, as can be seen in FIG. 6B, the jaw 200 is brought closer to the base body 100 in order to align the bores 1 1 1 -121 of the base body with the bores 21 1 and 221 of the the jaw 200, leaving a free spacing of D between the two bores 21 1 and 221. In a second phase, illustrated in FIG. 6C, the return spring 400 is positioned on the pin 104 of the basic body 100.

Then, in a third phase, illustrated in FIG. 6D, the second jaw 300 is brought closer to the base body 100 in order to engage the two tabs 310 and 320 inside the available space D left by the tabs 210 and 220 of the jaw 200.

When the spring is positioned so that each of its ends is housed in the corresponding guide groove (230, 330) of the corresponding jaw, we just assemble the hinge XX 'by inserting the pin 800 - visible in Figures 7, 9 and 10 - in the alignment of the bores 1 1 1, 121, 212, 221, 312, 321 and 121. This pin 800 can then be welded at its ends January 1 and 121 and a final piercing at the guide tube 120 will release the internal volume thereof from the central portion of the pin 800, to allow the insertion of a rod or pin 1. Then comes, in a fourth phase, insert two locking blades, respectively 500 and 600, so as to constitute the locking element of the device. For this purpose, use is made of a set of two U-shaped blades having a contour in correspondence with the bearing surfaces 240 and 340 of the jaws 200 and 300. The blade 500 (or 600) has an orifice allowing to fix it on the pin 250 (or 350) of the bearing surface 240 (respectively 350) of the jaw 200 (respectively 300).

Once properly positioned on their respective pin 250/350, as shown in Figure 6F, the U-shaped profiles of the two blades 500 and 600 engage one into the other freeing a central space for locking the notch of locking the rod. Indeed when it comes to press with two fingers on the outer surface of the jaws 200 and 300, it comes to bring the two axes of pins 250 and 350 from one another. The blades 500-600 being fixed to these same pins, the central spacing then widens, which allows to clear the groove of the pin or the notch of the rod 1, as shown in the sections of Figures 12A and 12B.

As soon as the pressure on the jaws 200 and 300 is released, the return spring 400 exerts a restoring force which then moves the pins 250 and 350 away, which then leads to the return to the initial position, as illustrated in FIG. the sections of FIGS. 13A and 13B.

Thus, the device allows, very effectively and with great security, a locking of a rod with one or more locking notches. Once the device is assembled, it can be closed by means of a hood or a flange 700. In a particular embodiment, the cover 700 comprises, in its center as shown in FIGS. 7-10. a boss making it possible to abut on the blades 500 and 600. In a particular embodiment, it is also observed that the guide cylinder 102 has, in its upper part, a slightly rounded shape to facilitate the respective movements of the blades 500 and 600, resulting from the rotation of the jaws 200 and 300. With this arrangement, it results in a great flexibility of movement of the jaws around the joint XX '.

The clasp is intended, as has been seen, to be associated with a spindle or rod of the notched type, that is to say having at least one groove making it possible to achieve, by combination with the blades of the device, a Security lock assembly and effective.

Finally, to make the use of the device as easy as possible, each of the two jaws 200 and 300 comprises, at their external surface, a roughness configured to improve the feeling of grip for a user, thereby further facilitating the implementation of the locking mechanism. When the latter presses the two jaws 200 and 300 by grasping them by the toothed portion of the latter, the two jaws rotate slightly about the axis XX '. The blades 500 and 600 welded on the jaws 200 and 300 deviate from the toothed rod, which allows to release the groove or the notch of the rod to tighten the system, or remove it completely. When the user releases the pressure exerted on the jaws 200 and

300, the spring 400 exerts a restoring force, making it possible to bring the blades 500 and 600 welded to the jaws 200 and 300 closer together, to the adjustment rod 1 and secures the clasp.

Claims

claims

1. A clasp device for a jewelery article comprising:

- a base body (100) having a horizontal base (101) pierced at its center with an orifice (102) for receiving a toothed rod (1), said base body (100) having a guide cylinder (102) ) and a first (1 10) and second support leg (120), wherein the first support leg has in its lower part a first bore (1 1 1) intended to receive an assembly pin and hinge (800 horizontal), wherein the second support leg (120) has in its lower portion a second bore (121) for receiving said assembly and hinge pin (800);

a first jaw (200) having a first leg (210) having a third bore (21 1) and a second leg (220) having a fourth bore (221), said third and fourth bores being configured to come in alignment with said first and second bores (11, 121);

a second jaw (300) having a first leg (310) having a fifth bore (31 1) and a second leg (320) having a sixth bore (321), said fifth (31 1) and sixth ( 321) bores being configured to align with said first and second bores (1 1 1, 121);

wherein the edges of said first and second jaws (200; 300) have a slightly convex profile and configured to cooperate with the sides of said support legs (1, 10, 120) to allow a slight rotation about the alignment axis of the bores for the purpose of implementing a locking mechanism of a notched pin

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the base body (100) comprises, above said first and second bore (1 1 1, 121) a horizontal reinforcing beam (103) connecting said support legs (1 10 , 120) to said guide cylinder (120), said reinforcing beam (103) having a vertical pin (104) disposed in the middle of the space between said guide tube (102) and the support branch (120), said pin (103) being configured to receive a return spring (400) for the locking mechanism.

3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that said return spring (400) comprises two ends having an angle of between 70 ° and 1 10 ° and preferably equal to 85.5 °, and

wherein said first jaw (200) includes a first guide groove (230) for guiding a first end of said spiral spring (400);

wherein said second jaw (300) includes a second guide groove (330) for guiding a second end end of said spiral spring (400);

wherein guiding said first and second ends of said spiral spring (400) provides the restoring force of the jaws to their initial position in the event of a pressure stop on said jaws.

4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the ends of said spring are curved so as to facilitate their sliding in said first

(230) and second (330) guide grooves.

5. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that

said first jaw (200) has a first bearing surface (250) and, fixed thereto, a first locking blade (500) of thickness corresponding to the notching of a rod (1); and

said second jaw (300) has a first bearing surface (350) and, attached thereto, a second locking blade (600) of thickness corresponding to the notch of a rod (1);

wherein said first and second locking blades are U-shaped and are positioned relative to one another so as to form a central space which can be enlarged with finger pressure causing rotation of said first and second jaws (200, 300). 6. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said first and second jaw (200, 300) has the shape of a duckbill comprising, on the outer surface, a surface profile to increase the impression of pressure at the user's fingers.

7. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that it comprises a cover (700) abutting on said first and second blades, said cover for closing the device. 8. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that said guide cylinder (102) comprises, in its upper part, a slightly rounded shape to facilitate the respective movements of said first and second blades (500, 600) during the slight rotation of said first and second jaws (200, 300). 9. Device according to one of the preceding claim, characterized in that the first jaw comprises a gap between said first and second leg equal to D, and in that said second jaw (300) has a gap between said first and second leg equal to d, with d <D. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base body (100) comprises, at said guide cylinder (102) a recess at said pin to facilitate the introduction of said return spring to spiral (400). 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide cylinder (102) and said first and second blade (500, 600) are configured to allow the insertion of an ALPA type rod.