US1895952A

US1895952A - Clasp

Info

Publication number: US1895952A
Application number: US543662A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wachenheimer Harry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-06-11
Filing date: 1931-06-11
Publication date: 1933-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 1950-01-31

Description

Jan. 31, 1933. H WACHENHElMER 1,895,952

CLASP Filed Jun@ 11, 1931 Patented Jan. 31, 1933 UNITED STATES HARRY WACHENHEIIER, F PBDVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND CLASP Application led June 11,

The present invention relates toa clasp or clas -c-onnector and, although primarily inten ed as a connector for the free ends of a string `of pearls or other stones or gems, is

suitable as a connector for the free ends of other necklaces, bracelets, and similar articles of jewelry for personal wear.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a clasp of novel construction in which l the use of solder is eliminated and in which auxiliary springs are obviated.v

Another object of the invention is to produce a clasp which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is composed of a minimum number of parts.

A further object of the invention is generally to improve the construction of a claspconnector.

To these ends the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and more particularly set forth in the claims. In describing the invention in detail reference will be made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing the clasp connected to the rings at the free ends of a necklace, such asa string of pearls ;-y

Fig. 2 is a side view of the clasp, partly in elevation and partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the clasp illustrating the pivotal connection;

Fi 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a modified orm;

Fig. 5 is a view of the blank from which one part of the connector is formed.

A necklace, such as a string of pearls, usually has at its free ends rings like those designated by the reference character 10, in Fig. 1. According to the present invention these rings are connected by the clasp 11, shown more clearly in Fig. 2, whereby either one or both rings of the necklace may be released from the clasp at either one or at both ends thereof.

Said clasp 11 comprises a channel member having spaced

side walls

12, 13 and a bottom wall 14 which projects at

ends

15, 15 longitudinally beyond the ends of the side walls. Said

projections

15, 15 have up-turned lips 5,0 16, 16 at the free ends thereof. This channel 1931. serial No. 543,662.

member isformed from the sheet metal blank shown in Fig. 5 in `which 12a13'a designates the portions which form the

side walls

12 and 13, and in which`1'4a designates the part from which the bottom wall 14 is formed, the parts 55 12a and vlajbeing bentupwardly above the dotted lines to the position shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. Theparts 12a and 13a have aligned apertures 19 within which pintles or pivot pins are mounted' as will presently appear. e

Saidclasp also comprises closure members 17 17 Vwhich are pivotally mounted Vin said channel member between the

side walls

12 and 13. As shown in Fig. 3, the closure mem 65' bers have pivot pins- 18, 18 which aremount-A ed in pairs of aligned

apertures

19, 19 in theside walls of the channel member. As shown in Fig; 4, the pivotal connections between the

members

17, 17 are constituted by separate 70 pintles: 20 which are seated in said

apertures

19, 19 and on` which the ends of the members 17., 17 are pivotally mounted. The closure members l17, 17 'have forwardly projecting portions extending over the bottom wall 14 beyond theends of the

side walls

12, 13 of the channel member and are spaced from the bottom wall of said channel member whereby therings 10 can be positionedand releasably secured between said'bottom wall? and the forwardly projecting portions of the closure members. Said members 17', 17 have downturned lips 21, 21A which engagethe

lips

16,16 inoverlapping relation, said-engagement consisting of a tight slidingfit afforded by the construction shown and bythe resiliency of the metal'so that these parts, althoughreadily releasable when desired, are normally in: comparatively secure engagementi whereby to prevent accidental unfastening of the clasp. The lips 211,` 21 are provided with small knobs22, 22 which facilitate moving the

closure members

17, 17,to open-position. To provide for adjusting the length of a necklace', bracelet, or similar ar-y ticle, the clasp is provided with

transverse ribs

23, 23 extending across the

bottom projections

15, 15 about half way between the free ends of the latter and thejends ofthe side walls, forming two ring fastening positions 24. and 25 at each end' of the clasp. Preferably, as shown, the

closure members

17, 17 have

similar ribs

26, 26 which overlie the

ribs

23, 23, and cooperate with the latter to retain the rings 10 in position. The closure members 17 may be provided with cavities which may receive gemsor other ornamentation `and the clasp may be enamelled and otherwise ornamented as desired. The several parts of the clasp may be struck from sheet metal and bent into form or can be struck out into shape by suitable dies as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.` I therefore reserve the right to all such changes in the arrangement, assembly, con# structiony and ornamentation as will readily occur' to those skilled in the art, and I do not wish to be limited to the embodiment illustrated except as required by the appended claims and the prior art.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is: Y

1. A clasp comprising a channel member having a pair ofspaced side walls and a bottom member projecting beyond both ends of said side walls, the free ends of Said bottom member having upwardly projecting portions, and' two closure members pivotally 'mounted in said channel member between said side walls, the ends of said side Walls terminating substantially at the points of pivotal connection of said closure members, one of said closure members having a portion projecting beyond one endof said side walls over the bottommember, and the other elosure member having a portion projecting bevond the other end of saidside walls over the bottom member, the free ends of said closure members having downwardly projecting-portions releasably engaging said upwardly projecting portions with a tight sliding iit, said. portions of the closure members projectingbeyond the side walls of the channelmember being spaced from the bottom member whereby rings or the like can be positioned and releasably secured between said bottom and closure members.

2. A clasp comprisingr a channel member having a pair of spaced side walls and a bottom which projects beyond said side walls longitudinally thereof, said side walls having aligned apertures, and a closure member having lateral pivot pins mounted in said apertures for pivotally connecting said clotom which projects beyond said side walls longitudinally thereof, said side walls having aligned apertures, and a closure member having lateral pivot pins mounted in said apertures for plvotally connecting said closure member in said channel member, and a lip on Said closure member releasably engaging the projecting end' of the bottom of said channel with a tight sliding tit, said projecting portion of said bottom having a transverse rib positioned between the end of said projection and the adjacent ends of said side walls, and said closure member having a transverse rib overlying the rib on said bottom member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afHX my signature.

HARRY IVACHENHEIMER.

sure member in said channel member, and

a lip on said closure member releasably engaging the projecting end of the bottom of said channel with a tight sliding fit, said projecting portion of said bottom having a transverse rib positioned between the end of said projection and the adjacent ends of said side walls.

3. A clasp comprising a channel member having a pair of spaced side walls .and a bot-