GB2287745A - Fastening means - Google Patents

Abstract

A clasp for an article of jewellery comprises first and second elements (12, 14) having complementary first and second latching portions (20, 22) and a locking element (24) secured to one of said first and second elements (12, 14). The locking element (24) is movable between a first position in which disengagement of said first and second latching portions (20, 22) is prevented and a second position in which disengagement of said latching portions is allowed. A resilient element (26) engages said locking element (24) and is arranged to urge said locking element (24) towards said first position.

Description

FASTENING MEANS The present invention relates to a fastening means for securing together free ends of adjacent elements or in the alternative, adjacent ends of a single element in a loop.

More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a fastening means for securing together free ends of adjacent elements or adjacent ends of a single element in a piece of jewellery.

Many pieces of jewellery are worn in the form of a loop.

The loop is formed by bringing together the free ends of the piece, for example, a band or linked chain and securing the ends by a fastening means.

One of the fastening means used most commonly in jewellery manufacture is a leaf-spring or tongue-spring clasp. Such a clasp usually comprises a leaf-spring which is provided on a first free end of the band or chain to be joined and a head element which is provided on a second free end of the band or chain to be joined. The head element is capable of receiving and retaining the leaf-spring.

In order to fasten the band or chain into a loop, the free ends are brought together and the leaf-spring is introduced into the head element. The resiliency of the leaf-spring allows it to slide into the head element wherein it is retained by the return force of the leaf-spring.

In order to unfasten the ends of the loop, a compressive force is applied to the leaf-spring, disengaging it from the head element and allowing it to be withdrawn.

For particularly valuable or heavy pieces of jewellery, such clasps are additionally provided with an auxiliary fastening means which acts as a safety mechanism to protect against accidental opening of the clasp and possible loss of the jewellery.

A typical auxiliary fastening means comprises at least one wire arranged in a figure of eight and extending longitudinally from the side of one of the free ends of the jewellery. One end of the figure of eight is hingedly attached to one side of the free end bearing the leafspring. Alternatively, it can be arranged on the free end bearing the head element. The opposite free end is provided on one or both sides with a corresponding projection which is capable of engaging with a loop of the figure of eight wire. Accordingly, when the free ends of the band or chain are fastened together by the clasp, the figure of eight wire is engaged with its corresponding projection so as to secure the auxiliary fastening means in position. Often such auxiliary fastening means are used in pairs, one on each side of the free ends to preserve the symmetry of the jewellery's appearance.

Such clasps and safety mechanisms are often intricate and awkward to operate. This is particularly true when trying to fasten bracelets, watch straps or the like since fastening needs to be carried out with only one hand.

Furthermore, the auxiliary fastening means are vulnerable and may be easily damaged during use. Their location on the sides of the fastening means can also detract from the overall design continuity of the jewellery piece.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening means for securing together free ends of adjacent elements or adjacent ends of a single looped element, the fastening means having an integral auxiliary fastening means.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fastening means for securing together free ends of adjacent elements comprising a latch arranged at an end of a first element to be joined, said latch being capable of cooperating with a complementary engaging formation arranged at an adjacent end of a second element to be joined, the fastening means further comprising a securing hood retractably mounted over the engaging formation and a resilient element arranged so as to exert a biasing force on the securing hood to maintain it over the engaging formation.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the latch means and complementary engaging formation can be arranged on respective free ends of a single element so as to form a loop.

In a further embodiment there is provided a clasp for securing together the opposable ends of a piece of jewellery comprising a latch provided at one of said ends and a complementary formation provided at the other of said ends, the arrangement being such that engagement of the latch in the complementary formation fastens the respective ends securely to each other, characterised in that the clasp further comprises a retractable hood mounted over the complementary formation for preventing unintentional unfastening of the clasp, said hood including biasing means to maintain the hood in its unretracted position under neutral loading.

Preferably the latch means includes a projection extending from a surface of one end of the element to be joined and a corresponding aperture arranged on the other end to be joined, the projection being resiliently urged into the aperture to releasably fasten the respective ends together.

Alternatively the aperture can be replaced by a recess.

Preferably the projection is arranged at an angle of between 450 and 900 to the surface of the element.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be put into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a fastening means embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a partially sectional side view of a fastening means of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the fastening means; and Figure 4 is an exploded view of the securing hood assembly.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a fastening means 10 for securing together free ends 12 and 14 of adjacent elements 16 and 18 or alternatively, respective free ends of a single element. The fastening means 10 is provided with a latch means 20. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the latch means 20 is a projection which extends from a surface 21 of the end 14 of the element 18 to be joined. The other end 12 to be joined is provided with an aperture 22 which is capable of receiving the projection 20. In an alternative arrangement, the aperture 22 may be replaced by a recess (not shown).

Above the aperture 22 or recess, is arranged a securing hood 24. The hood 24 is retractably mounted over the aperture 22 and maintained in such a protective disposition by a resilient element 26. As shown in Figure 4, the resilient element 26 may be a helical spring, a leaf spring or the like. The resilient element 26 is housed within a channel 28 formed within the free end 12 of the element 16.

The securing hood 24 includes a protrusion 30 which extends radially inwards from the hood 24 and which is received and retained within the channel 28. The resilient element 26 acts between an end wall 29 of the channel 28 and the protrusion 30 so that the biasing force urges the securing hood 24 over the aperture 22.

In order to fasten the fastening means 10, the respective free ends 12 and 14 are brought together. The projection 20 is introduced into the end 12 and urged towards the aperture 22. This action concomitantly exerts a compressive force on the resilient element 25 via the retractably mounted securing hood 24. This pushes the hood 24 clear of the aperture 22, thereby allowing the projection 20 to be resiliently urged into the aperture 22.

As the projection 20 slots into position within the aperture 22 or recess, the compressive force is released and the return force of the resilient element 26 returns the securing hood to its protective disposition over the aperture 22. It will be understood that the same result can be achieved by manual retraction of the hood.

By virtue of the close proximity of the hood 24 over the engaged projection 20, displacement of the projection from the aperture is not possible. In order to release the fastening means 10, the securing hood 24, must be manually retracted. In order to assist in gripping the hood, knurling or ribbing 32 may be provided on the external surface. Once the hood has been retracted, the projection 20 can be pulled from the aperture 22 thereby unfastening the free ends 12 and 14.

It is envisaged that the present invention will be particularly suitable for use as a fastening means for hinged bangle bracelets, chain bracelets or necklaces, watch straps or bracelets and other circlets for wearing on the body.

DOUBLE SAFETY ASPECT OF THE CLASP The first aspect of the locking mechanism is the tongue which locks into the box section.

The second aspect of the locking mechanism is the top latching section which slides backwards and forwards.

To close the clasp you need to push the tongue section into the box, which by doing so pushes the top sliding part back. Once the tongue locates the correct position of the box the tongue itself is pushed down, and by doing so the top slides back into its original position which holds the clasp together.

This clasp does not require a safety chain or a figure of eight which is put on most clasps, the reason being the double action locking mechanism.

This particular clasp can be put on bracelets, bangles, chains, gate bracelets, brooches, watch bracelets, etc.

The clasp can be made in several sizes to suit the item it is required for. In my opinion this clasp is a very neat and compact design.

This clasp can be made in gold, silver, platinum, copper, brass, nickel, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, etc.

The most common clasp is the leaf spring clasp, which also can be known as the tongue spring clasp. In my opinion this is an old fashioned clasp which has been on the market for years, which has had some improvements made to it. In my opinion this particular clasp needs a safety chain or a figure of 8 in case it opens accidentally.

The disclosure in this application is intended to be by way of example only and it is to be understood that alternative materials and dimensions and means may be employed, as may be judged appropriate by the man skilled in the art, having regard to the purpose and advantages of the disclosed embodiments. Likewise, it is intended that the features specifically disclosed herein, suitably broadened in accordance with the foregoing sentence, will, in due course, form a basis for a selection of features defining an invention having novelty and inventive step, such selection to be made in due course, in accordance with the purpose and advantages of the disclosed embodiments.

Where, in the foregoing description, certain features are disclosed in combination with each other, it is to be understood that these features are not necessarily intended to be limited to use in combination for the purposes of the invention in general, and it is hereby stated that features disclosed herein are to be treated independently selectable for the purposes of the invention claimed.

Claims (12)

1. A clasp for an article of jewellery, the clasp comprising first and second elements having complementary first and second latching portions, a locking element secured to one of said first and second elements and movable between a first position in which disengagement of said first and second latching portions is prevented and a second position in which disengagement of said latching portions is allowed, and a resilient element engaging said locking element and arranged to urge said locking element towards said first position.

2. A clasp according to claim 1, wherein the first latching portion comprises a projection and the second latching portion comprises an aperture or a recess arranged to receive said projection.

3. A clasp according to claim 2, wherein the axes of the projection and the aperture or recess are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first and second elements.

4. A clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking element is slidable relative to the first or second element in the direction of the longitudinal axis of that element.

5. A clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking element includes a housing mounted on one of said first and second elements and arranged to receive the other of the said first and second elements.

6. A clasp according to claim 5, in which the housing includes a first portion immovably mounted on said one of said first and second elements and a second portion movably mounted on the first portion.

7. A clasp according to claim 6, in which the second portion is slidable with respect to the first portion.

8. A clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the resilient component comprises a spring.

9. A clasp according to claim 8 when dependent on any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the spring is located within the housing.

10. A clasp for an article of jewellery, the clasp being substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.

11. An article of jewellery having first and second opposable ends to be releasably joined together, the article of jewellery including a clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, said first and second elements of said clasp being secured respective to said first and second opposable ends of said article of jewellery.

12. A fastening means comprising first and second elements having complementary first and second latching portions, a locking element secured to one of said first and second elements and movable between a first position in which disengagement of said first and second latching portions is prevented and a second position in which disengagement of said latching portions is allowed, and a resilient element engaging said locking element and arranged to urge said locking element towards said first position.