GB2513672A

GB2513672A - Flexisize clasp: A resizable magnetic clasp for bracelets, necklaces and similar articles of precious, semi-precious or fashion jewellery

Info

Publication number: GB2513672A
Application number: GB201315443A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Ronald Bulgin; Cordula Bulgin
Original assignee: MARY TIN FUNG HEMRAJANI
Current assignee: MARY TIN FUNG HEMRAJANI
Priority date: 2013-05-02
Filing date: 2013-08-30
Publication date: 2014-11-05
Also published as: GB201307912D0; GB201315443D0

Abstract

A resizable separable magnetic clasp suitable for jewellery comprising a first hollow component 1 and a second hollow component 7, the second hollow component sized to slide within the first hollow component, the first and second components each having a magnet 8,9 associated with them, the magnet of the first component being attached to the component via an element 5 which fastens to a groove 3 in a wall of the first component. The groove has a number of fixing points2 which allow the element to move to a number of discrete positions, so that the size of the clasp can be changed.

Description

Flexisize Clasp: A resizable magnetic clasp for bracelets, necklaces and similar articles of precious, semi-precious or fashion jewellery

Background of Invention

The present invention relates generally to resizeable jewellery, more particularly to resizable jewellery having a magnetic clasp.

Clasps are used to secure pieces of jewellery, such as bracelets, necklaces, wrist watches, and wrist bands. Current clasps that allow resizing involve the use of multiple removable links or catchings that may be involve magnetic, catches, hooks or other mechanism, which are often difficult to put on, aesthetically unpleasing and involve removing parts which can be lost. These type of clasps are not true resizable clasps, as they are in essence more than one clasp joined together. The only current true resizable clasp involves a push button sliding mechanism, which is difficult to wear.

Objective of the Invention In general, it is the objective of this invention to overcome the disadvantages of currently available resizable clasps and magnetic clasps.

It is the objective of this invention to provide a resizable clasp that is fastened magnetically for ease of wear for jewellery.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a clasp with a resizable nature that does not involve removed parts, that can be lost, to achieve a new size.

It is still another objective of this invention to resize jewellery in a way that it does not need to be resized every time it is worn, but can still be resized if desired at a later date easily without extra parts or materials.

It is still another objective of this invention to provide a magnetic resizable closure that is compact in size.

It is still another objective of this invention to provide a magnetic resizable clasp that is not limited to 2 or 3 size options, but allow for customizable number of size options.

It is also the objective of this invention to provide a resizable magnetic closure for jewelleiy that is simple in construction, easy to use, and aestheticafly pleasing by visually obscuring the magnets as much as possible.

Summary of the Invention

The objectives described are achieved by this invention of the Flexisize clasp, a resizable magnetic clasp for jewellery such as bracelets, necklaces, wrist watches, and wrist bands. The clasp is comprised of two hollow barrel-like components, of which one is a larger hollow barrel-like component and one is a slightly smaller hollow barrel-like component that fits inside the larger hollow barrel like component The large hollow barrel-like component has a grove on its side. The length of this grove determines the number of sizes available for resizing. A magnet placed inside a holder is placed inside the large hollow barrel-like component, and held in position by a screw or catching which is screwed or catches on to the outside of the barrel's groove. When the smaller hollow barrel-like component slides inside the larger hollow barrel-like component the two male and female counter part magnets meet to form a magnetic bond and fasten the bracelet. By loosening the screw and moving the holder inside the larger hollow barrel-like component along the cut grove the smaller hollow barrel-like component is moved deeper into the larger barrel-like component causing an adjustment in jewellery size. More sizes can be offered by lengthening the cut groove and allow for more screwing or catching positions.

In accordance with the objectives of this project, this provides an easy to use, easy to wear resizable magnetic clasp, that does not involve removing parts that can be lost, while being compact in size and visually pleasing, and offering a customizable number of size options.

Brief Description of Drawings

The objectives and features of this invention will become more apparent upon referring to the drawing provided wherein: Fig 1: An isometric view of the resizable magnetic clasp (internal feathers showed in dotted lines], showing two hollow barrel-like components, one larger than the other, each containing a male or female magnet, one magnet fixed to the smaller barrel-like component, and the other magnet in a holder held in position via a screw or clasping.

Fig 2A: An isometric view of the magnet inside a holder with a hole for the screw Fig 2B: An isometric view of the magnet inside the holder placed on its side, showing the screw and its small retained gap between the holder and screw to allow for the hollow barrel like tube.

Fig 3: An isometric view of the resizable magnetic clasp at the largest size position.

Fig 4: An isometric view of the resizable magnetic clasp at medium size position FigS: An isometric view of the resizable magnetic clasp at the smallest size position Fig 6: An isometric view of a jewellery item in the form of a leather bracelet with the resizable magnetic clasp closure.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to the drawings where the figures are present for the purpose of demonstrating the preferred embodiments of the invention herein, but not for the purpose of limiting the same, where reference numerals in brackets refer to like parts in Fig 1-6.

Fig 1, the magnetic resizable clasp has two hollow barrel-like components, a larger barrel like component (1] and a slightly smaller barrel like component (7) that is capable of sliding inside the larger barrel-like component (1]. Barrels-like components can be round, oval, or square, the shape can be customized based on design aesthetics. Barrel-like components can be straight or curved in shape. Fig 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, the larger barrel-like component [1] has a cut groove (3) which is cut in a long shape along the barrel, with set points where grove is larger as fixing points (2). The size of the groove (3] is dependent on the screw or clasping unit (5].

In the case of a screw (5), the set points fit the top of the screw, while the long shape fits only the screw narrow part, requiring the screw (5) to be loosened to move across the groove (3) to different fixing points. The length of the groove (3) and the number of fixing points can be customized based on design and requirement. Fig 1,2A,2B,3,4,5, the smaller hollow barrel-like component [7) has a fixed magnet (9) housed at one end (6). The larger hollow barrel-like component (1) has a magnet (8) housed inside a holder (4). Fig2A and 2B, the holder (4) is any nonmagnetic casing that a hole can be made into (10). The screw or clasping unit [5) is fit into this hole (10), leaving just enough a gap(11) for the hollow barrel like tube (1] , so that the screw or clasping unit (5) can position and fix the position of the magnet holder (4) at a desired fixing point (2) along the groove (3). Fig 3,4,5, when the smaller barrel-like component (7) slides into the larger barrel-like component (1), the male and female counterpart magnets (8 and 9) along with their holders (4 and 6). This formed the closed clasp at the desired position of the screw or clasping unit [5) along the cut groove [3). When a screwdriver) or similar device used for loosening the clasping unit or screw is used to loosen the screw and slide it along the narrow part of the groove [3) to the next fixing point [2), the smafler barrel like clasping (5) unit (7) moves deeper into the larger barrel-like clasping unit (1), resulting in the reduced size of the jewellery attached to this clasp. The reduction is size is equal to the distance between two fixing points (2). When the same is repeated and screw or clasping unit (5) is moved again across the groove narrow [3) to the next fixing point [2) and tightened again. This results yet again a reduction in jewellery size. Customizing the distance and number of fixing points (2) along the groove (3), allows the customization of the number of sizes available and degree to which the jewellery size can be changed. Fig 6, a jewellery item, in the form of a leather bob bracelet with an example of 3 fixing points (3) on the groove (2), comprising of 2 hollow barrel-like tubes (1 and 7) slid inside each other, held together by the meeting of the magnets [8 and 9), constructed in accordance with this invention in order to secure the jewellery item onto a portion of the body, such as the neck, wrist, ankle and allow ease of wearing through the magnetic clasp while offering resizability that can be fixed and does not need to be adjusted for each wear, but can be adjusted when desired. This invention fulfills all objectives outlined.

Without further elaboration, the information provided herein fully illustrates my invention so that others may by apply current or future knowledge; adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.