GB2188972A

GB2188972A - Hook and eye fastening

Info

Publication number: GB2188972A
Application number: GB08705164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kumar Howard Burman-Roy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-03-05
Filing date: 1987-03-05
Publication date: 1987-10-14
Also published as: GB8605448D0; GB2188972B; GB8705164D0

Abstract

The hook member has an elongate first portion 4 and a helical second portion 5 which extends back around the first portion 4. An end of the helical portion 5 is resiliently biased against the first portion 4 to form a catch 6. The eye member 2 has a throughhole 8 for fitment around the first member. In use the throughhole 8 on the eye member 2 is fitted over the end of the hook member 1. The eye member 2 is then pushed or pulled along the hook member 1 past the catch 6 and then slid along the helical portion 5 of the hook member 1 to come to rest at a curved portion 9 of the hook member 1. The fastening is used in jewellery, e.g. a string of pearls. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fastening device This invention relates to a fastening device especially but not exclusively for use as a pearl clasp or other jewellery fastening.

Conventionally jewellery clasps for chains, strings of pearls and the like have often been in the form of spring loaded part circular catches which engage with a closed chain link or hoop as desired. There are however a number of problems associated with such catches. Their small size makes them somewhat difficult to operate. The parts are lightweight in nature and can become damaged even in moderate usage. Also it is sometimes possible for the catch to come undone when the jewellery is being worn.

According to the present invention there is provided a fastening device comprising a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first fastening member having a first, generally straight, portion and a second portion extending helically around the first portion, the second fastening member having a throughhole for attachment of the second fastening member to the first fastening member.

Preferably, a part of the first portion of the first fastening member is larger than the throughhole in the second fastening member to limit movement of the second fastening member thereon.

Preferably also, a part of the second portion of the first fastening member is resiliently biased towards the first portion of the first fastening member to form means for retaining the second fastening member on the first fastening member.

Preferably also, a groove is provided on the first portion of the first fastening member to receive the part of the second portion of the first fastening member which is resiliently biased towards said first portion.

Preferably also, the first portion of the first fastening member and the second fastening member each have means for attachment to respective ends of an item of jewellery to be fastened.

Most preferably, said item of jewellery to be fastened is a string of pearls.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a fastening device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the fastening device of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of a fastening device in accordance with the present invention in an unfastened position; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fastening device of Fig. 3 in a fastened position.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, one embodiment of a fastening device in accordance with the present invention comprises a first fastening member 1 and a second fastening member 2. The first fastening member 1 and the second fastening member 2 are each attached at one end to a respective end of a string of pearls 3.

The first fastening member has a generally elongate first portion 4 and a helical second portion 5 which extends back around the first portion 4. An end portion of the helical portion 5 is resiliently biased against the first portion 4 to form a catch 6 and has an upturned end 7. The second fastening member 2 has a throughhole 8 for fitment around the first fastening member.

In use when it is desired to fasten together the two ends of the string of pearls 3 the throughhole 8 on the second fastening member 2 is fitted over the upturned end 7 of the first fastening member 1. The fastening member 2 is then pushed or pulled along the first fastening member 1 past the catch 6 against its spring bias.

The fastening member 2 is then slid along the helical portion 5 of the fastening member 1 to come to rest at a curved portion 9 of the fastening member 1 which joins the elongate first portion 4 to the helical portion 5.

The string of pearls 3 is then effectively fastened together. To unfasten the fastening procedure is simply reversed.

The fastening produced is strong as the fastening member 2 rests on the strong gently curved section 9 of the fastening member 1 and there are no moving parts to become worn or damaged.

It is difficult for the fastening to unfasten accidentally as the fastening member 2 must be moved around the several loops of the helical portion 5 and then past the catch 6 to unfasten it from the fastening member 1.

In addition the upturned end 7 of the first fastening member 1 allows the throughhole 8 on the second fastening member 2 to be easily entered on to the first fastening member 1 making the fastening easy to use.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a second embodiment of a fastening device is illustrated. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment described above and equivalent parts are numbered correspondingly.

This embodiment also includes some extra features. The elongate first portion 4 has a thickened portion 10 which is of a size greater than the size of the throughhole 8 on the second fastening member 2. This prevents the second fastening member 2 being moved to the wrong end of the first fastening member 1.

A further refinement is the provision of a groove 11 on the thickened portion 10 which receives the catch 6. The groove 11 retains the catch 6 and prevents it from being strained sideways.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it is envisaged that the fastening may be adapted for use with other items of jewellery. For such purposes various different sizes and configurations of fastening may be produced.

Claims

1. A fastening device comprising a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first fastening member having a first, generally straight, portion and a second portion extending helically around the first portion, the second fastening member having a throughhole for attachment of the second fastening member to the first fastening member.

2. A fastening device as claimed as Claim 1, wherein a part of the first portion of the first fastening member is larger than the throughhole in the second fastening member to limit movement of the second fastening member thereon.

3. A fastening device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein a part of the second portion of the first fastening member is resiliently biased towards the first portion of the first fastening member to form means for retaining the second fastening member on the first fastening member.

4. A fastening device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a groove is provided on the first portion of the first fastening member to receive the part of the second portion of the first fastening member which is resiliently biased towards said first portion.

5. A fastening device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the first portion of the first fastening member and the second fastening member each have means for attachment to respective ends of an item of jewellery to be fastened.

6. A fastening device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said item of jewellery to be fastened is a string of pearls.

7. A fastening device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.