GB2248264A

GB2248264A - Necklace catches

Info

Publication number: GB2248264A
Application number: GB9020910A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Houghton
Original assignee: MIKIMOTO PEARLS Ltd
Current assignee: MIKIMOTO PEARLS Ltd
Priority date: 1990-09-26
Filing date: 1990-09-26
Publication date: 1992-04-01
Also published as: GB9020910D0

Abstract

A necklace comprising a string of substantially round decorative elements (17) such as pearls, has a catch comprising a two-part enclosure member (12, 13) adapted to enclose one of the decorative elements (17) the enclosure member having two pivotally connected cage members 12 and 13 openable to insert or remove a decorative element (17). A catch 19 is provided to hold a selective decorative elements in the enclosure member and thereby close the necklace at a selected length. A ring 15 is provided to attach the necklace catch to one end of the necklace. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO NECKLACES The invention relates to necklaces and particularly to a catch for a necklace comprising a string of substantially round decorative elements such as pearls.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a catch for a necklace which allows such a necklace to be closed at different selected lengths.

The present invention provides a catch for a necklace comprising a string of substantially round decorative elements, which catch comprises a two-part enclosure member adapted to enclose one of said decorative elements, said enclosure member having attachment means for securing to one end of said string and the enclosure member being formed in two parts pivotally connected to each other with releasable catch means for holding the two parts in a closed condition whereby the enclosure member may be opened to permit a selected decorative element remote from said one end to be inserted into or removed from the enclosure member, or closed to hold said selected decorative element in the enclosure member and thereby close the necklace at a selected length corresponding to the position of the selected decorative element along the string.

Preferably the two-part enclosure member comprises a cage member having spaced ribs to permit the selected decorative element to be seen when in position in the enclosure member.

Preferably the enclosure member forms a substantially spherical enclosure.

Preferably each part of the enclosure member comprises a substantially hemi-spherical member.

Preferably said catch means comprises a snap-fit catch located on an opposite side of the enclosure member from a pivotal connection of the two parts.

The invention also provides a necklace comprising a string of substantially round decorative elements together with a catch to permit closure of the necklace at any selected length corresponding to different elements along the string, said catch comprising a two-part enclosure member adapted to enclose one of said decorative elements, said enclosure member having attachment means secured to one end of said string and the enclosure member being formed in two parts pivotally connected to each other with releasable catch means for holding the two parts in a closed condition whereby the enclosure member may be opened to permit a selected decorative element remote from said one end to be inserted into or removed from the enclosure member, or closed to hold said selected decorative element in the enclosure member and thereby close the necklace at a selected length corresponding to the position of the selected decorative element along the string.

The invention includes a necklace as aforesaid in which said string of decorative elements comprises a string of pearls.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a catch according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a view of the catch of Figure 1 attached to a string of pearls, Figure 3 is a plan view of the catch in a closed position, Figure 4 is a side view of the catch of Figure 3 and Figure 5 is a view in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 4.

This example comprises a catch for use with a necklace of substantially round decorative elements which in this example are pearls. The catch comprises an enclosure memebr 11 which forms a spherical cage having two hemi-spherical cage elements 12 and 13 pivotally connected together by a hinge 14. The enclosure memebr 11 has an attachment ring 15 secured to the member near the pivot 14 for attachment to one end of a string 16 on which is mounted a conventional string of round pearls 17. The member 11 has a snap fit catch 19 comprises a slot 20 formed in the cage member 12 and a projection 21 formed on the other cage member 13 and arranged to engage the slot 20. The projection 21 is formed with a small stud 22 to allow the wearer to deflect the projection 21 and disengage the catch to open the enclosure member 11.

Each of the cage members 12 and 13 is substantially hemi-spherical forming a spherical cavity between them when closed. The spherical cavity is arranged to fit closely around one pearl 17. Each cage member has a plurality of ribs 23 spaced apart so as to allow a pearl held within the enclosure member to be visible from the outside. A disc 24 is attached to one of the ribs on the cage memebr 13 to allow decoration or a motif to be provided on the disc.

In use, the enclosure 11 is tied to one end of the string 16 as shown in Figure 2 and once the wearer has selected the required length of the closed necklace the enclosure 11 is opened and fitted around a selected pearl corresponding to the required length of the closed necklace. The two halves 12 and 13 are then closed and the catch 19 snapped into a closed position with the selected pearl trapped inside the enclosure 11. The necklace can then be worn at the selected length. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing example.

Claims

A catch for a necklace comprising a string of substantially round decorative elements, which catch comprises a two-part enclosure member adapted to enclose one pf said decorative elements, said enclosure member having attachment means for securing to one end of said string and the enclosure member being formed in two parts pivotally connected to each other with releasable catch means for holding the two parts in a closed condition whereby the enclosure member may be opened to permit a selected decorative element remote from said one end to be inserted into or removed from the enclosure member, or closed to hold said selected decorative element in the enclosure member and thereby close the necklace at a selected length corresponding to the position of the selected decorative element along the string.
2. A catch according to claim 1 in which the two-part enclosure member comprises a cage member having spaced ribs to permit the selected decorative element to be seen when in position in the enclosure member.
3. A catch according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the enclosure member forms a substantially spherical enclosure.
4. A catch according to claim 3 in which each part of the enclosure member comprises a substantially hemi-spherical member.
5. A catch according to any one of the preceding claims in which said catch means comprises a snap catch located on an opposite side of the enclosure member from a pivotal connection of the two parts.
6. A necklace comprising a string of substantially round decorative elements together with a catch to permit closure of the necklace at any selected length corresponding to different elements along the string, said catch comprising a two-part enclosure member adapted to enclose one of said decorative elements, said enclosure member having attachment means secured to one end of said string and the enclosure member being formed in two parts pivotally connected to each other with releasable catch means for holding the two parts in a closed condition whereby the enclosure member may be opened to permit a selected decorative element remote from said one end to be inserted into or removed from the enclosure member, or closed to hold said selected decorative element in the enclosure member and thereby close the necklace at a selected length corresponding to the position of the selected decorative element along the string.
7. A necklace according to claim 6 in which said string of decorative elements comprises a string of pearls.
8. A catch for a necklace which catch is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. A necklace substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.