US20040194503A1

US20040194503A1 - Pearl necklace clasp

Info

Publication number: US20040194503A1
Application number: US10/404,399
Authority: US
Inventors: Annabelle Schnitman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-01
Filing date: 2003-04-01
Publication date: 2004-10-07

Abstract

A pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry comprises a single strand of pearls, a main decorated section of the clasp, a rear face opposing the front face, and a pivoting arm mounted on a pivot hinge joint on the rear face of the main section. The clasp pivots from an open position to a closed position, and the pivoting arm comprises a pearl retaining eye and a retaining hook extending from the pearl retaining eye. A user depressing the resiliently depressible lever opens the pivoting arm. The pivoting arm may receive two strands of pearls that may be retained in closed position. Changing retaining areas and portions allow a user to make many customizable configurations and styles to suit fashion needs.

Description

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Pearl is a natural gemstone formed from deposits when a foreign substance such as a grain of sand irritates an oyster. Oriental pearls have a naturally occurring grain of sand. Pearl produced by inserting a mother-of-pearl bead is cultured pearl. A pearl formed on a shell is a blister pearl. Irregularly shaped pearls are baroque. Costume jewelry often uses plastic pearls.

A necklace is a piece of jewelry worn around the neck. Necklaces of pearls of different lengths have different names: A choker is 14″ to 16″ long; a princess necklace is 18″ long; a matinee necklace is 22″ to 23″ long; opera is 30″ to 35″ long; a rope is over 40″ long. A bib necklace, also known as a collarette, is a short necklace with flowing ornaments in the front.

Beads are small spherical objects, each having a hole through it to receive string. Beads are made of glass, stones, wood, plastics, seeds, and ceramics. Pearls are also beads when strung. Pearls are commonly threaded through their diameter.

Attachment means are very intricate and delicate. A barrel clasp is a jewelry fastener that resembles a barrel. The two pieces of this clasp screw together. It is used to attach two other rings or links of a necklace or bracelet. A fold over clasp is a jewelry fastener that is composed of a device that opens and closes with a hinge, and latches shut. It is used to attach the two ends of a necklace or bracelet. A hook and eye clasp is a simple and ancient jewelry fastener that is composed of a hook and a circular piece that the hook can latch onto. It is used to attach the two ends of a necklace or bracelet. A wide variety of mechanisms for connecting jewelry have been invented and utilize clasps, latches, springs, retainers, slots and cams. Although many pieces of jewelry devices allow more secure connection, very few adequately allow modifiable configurations to the underlying design theme.

Although many of these devices attach jewelry efficiently, what is needed is a means to attach in a wide variety of combinations a string of pearls. Until now, formal jewelry designers have made a large number of fixed configuration designs that are both wonderful and wonderfully expensive.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The first object of the invention is to provide a user a modifiable jewelry strand having multiple configurations, allowing a user to buy a single strand of pearls and not have to buy additional strands for fashion variation purposes.

The second object of the invention is to allow a user to modify a strand of jewelry without removing the jewelry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure one is a rear view of the necklace and clasp in the standard configuration showing the rear of the main section. [0008]
Figure two is a close-up view of the arm. [0009]
Figure three is another close of view of the arm. [0010]
Figure four shows the operation of the arm in cooperation with the clasp section. [0011]
Figure five shows the eyelet and arm hook in the process of retaining a strand of pearls.[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a pearl necklace attached to a clasp. The string of pearls has two ends. Each end is connected to a clasp. A string of pearls having one hundred twenty pearls extends from a first [0013] outer terminal 132 to a second inner terminal 134. The first and second terminals are connected to two connection points on the clasp. The first terminal 132 connects to an outer higher location 132 and the second terminal connects to an inner lower location 134.
A clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry and the like includes a pivoting clasp having a [0014] main section 140 and an arm 150 FIG. 4. The main section 140 of the clasp may be decorated by a wide variety of decorative themes such as gold leaves, or inset stones. The arm 150 pivots from an open position to a closed position FIG. 5. The arm moves in a substantially horizontal plane.
In the present embodiment FIG. 1 the lever is on the right side and the strands to be retained are the left side. The present embodiment is a right-handed version. By taking a mirror image of the present embodiment, one can create a left-handed version where the lever is on the left side. [0015]
A first substrand of pearls and second substrand of pearls are created when the clasp retains and divides a portion of the main strand such that substrands are created. In an open position, the [0016] arm 150 may receives up to two substrands of pearls. In closed position, the arm 150 retains up to two substrands of pearls. The single strand can be divided into substrands when connected by the arm behind the clasp. The single strand is divided into two lower substrands and one upper sub strand when both two lower substrands are attached to the pearl necklace.
The arm is biased closed via a spring and includes a pearl retaining eye, a pearl strand retaining hook and a lever. A helical spring mounted in a [0017] pivot hinge joint 158 may be used for the spring. A pivot hinge joint 158 is mounted on the main section 140 between the pearl retaining eye 152, the pearl strand retaining hook 154 and the lever 156. The resiliently depressible lever 156 opens the arm member 150 attached on the rear face 142 of the main section 140.
The [0018] hook 154 preferably contacts the rear face of the main section 142 so that it retains a strand of pearls when closed. A slack clearance allows the strand of pearls some movement relative to the hook, even though the hook retains the pearls against the rear face of the main section 142. Optionally, the eyelet 152 forms an aperture at the top and bottom ends allowing passage of the upper and lower strand of a single threaded pearl enclosed in the eye 152. See FIG. 2. The eyelet or eye may additionally form prongs for ease in capturing a strand on a strand of pearls. The prongs may be formed in an arch to allow the passage of the strand. See figure three.
The main section has a small aperture allowing display of the retained pearl through the front ornamented face of the main section. Thus, the retained pearl becomes a part of the design of the front ornamented face. [0019]
Configurations of the Clasp Apparatus [0020]
A user may make many configurations. In the standard configuration of FIG. 1, a user may take the [0021] clasp 130 and open the clasp by depressing the lever 156, thereby raising and opening the arm 150. In the standard configuration, a second inner substrand of pearls 133 begins from a connection point on the rear face 142 and can be enclosed in the eyelet 152. The first outer substrand of pearls 135 may be biased to the clasp by the hook 154 that attaches to a point between individual pearls. The clasp 130 has a circular retaining eye 152 capable of retaining a pearl on the second inner substrand of pearls 133. The retaining eyelet 152 is sized to receive a single pearl and in an opening allowing the viewing of a pearl through the eyelet 152 from the front and rear face of the clasp. The circular retaining eye 152 extends to a hook 154 at an opposite end of the lever arm 150. The hook 154 can hold string 135 at a user-defined position between pearls on the first strand of pearls 135. The hook 150 locks the string and strand when the hook 150 is in biased closed position matedly contacting a point on the section of the clasp. The hook allows some movement and play of the strand within the hook. This prevents stress and prevents the strand 135 from escaping the hook 154 when the hook is in biased closed position.
Varying the connection location of the first and second strand creates a number of topological combinations and fashions. For example, the first and second sub strands may be reversed from the standard configuration so that the first [0022] outer connection point 132 delivers a strand of pearls from that point to the retaining eyelet 152. The second connection point 134 then delivers a strand of pearls to the retaining hook 154.
The clasp is not symmetrical and the first and second terminals are preferably placed on the lower right side of the clasp. The lower right side of the clasp can be seen in figure one. The right side of the clasp is the right side when a user operates the device with the outward ornamented face facing away from the user as seen in figure one. The [0023] first terminal 132 begins the strand of pearls at the lower right portion of the clasp. Pearls hang from the first terminal 132. The second terminal 134 is placed to the left of the first terminal 132 and ends the strand of pearls. Pearls hang from the second terminal 134.
In reversed standard configuration, the lower left side of the clasp includes sufficient space to allow a first strand of pearls to pass behind the top of the clasp and protrude hanging down the lower left side of the clasp. The first strand of [0024] pearls 135 hangs to the left of the first terminal 132 and second terminal 134. The second strand of pearls hangs to the left of the first strand of pearls, and hangs from the hook.
When both the hook and eyelet are left empty, the first and second terminals connect a string of pearls to the clasp. The best mode for this maximum length is opera. Both the hook and [0025] eyelet 152 may be left empty for additional topological combinations. Either the hook or eyelet 152 may be left empty for additional topological combinations.
A user may implement other combinations when a strand is not enclosed and not retained in either the eye or hook. A user not attaching a strand in either retaining hook or eye leaves an open loop where a [0026] first connection point 132 on the clasp holds a strand that travels to a second connection point 134. The open loop fashion may be used when a long necklace is desired. The open loop may be looped around a neck more than once. According to style, the open loop may be used.
A single loop configuration may also be created according to the prevailing fashion or style of the event. The [0027] first connection point 132 and first strand 135 may be attached at the hook or eyelet leaving the second strand 133 unattached. This creates a small single loop. The clasp may be worn hanging at the lowest point of the strand of pearls, or may be worn behind the back. The single loop may be positioned in the front, or hang behind the back. A second connection point 134 and second strand 133 may be attached to the hook or eyelet leaving the first strand 135 unattached. Again, this creates a small single loop.
Unfortunately, some social events last longer than boredom permits. In these cases, a user can create various looks by arranging the hook and eyelet at varying lengths. Usually, the outside substrand is longer than the inside substrand but both strands may be positioned for the appeal of the user. The finest adjustment capable is one pearl or bead. A user may readjust the device while the user is wearing the device. A user may change the configuration while the user is wearing the device. [0028]
The preferred embodiment encompasses a single unitary front face of the main section. Optionally however, the front face of the main section, or front face of the main section may be interchangeable. The faceplate may contain magnetic material cooperatively attracted to magnetic material in the main section. An ornamented faceplate having magnetic adherence can be interchanged with other ornamented faces, as a user's fashion sense so requires. The ornamentation of the faceplate allows a user to retain the necklace on the neck while interchanging ornamented faceplates. [0029]
The foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the invention. Modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. [0030]
Call Out List of Elements [0031]
[0032] 120 Necklace Pearl Strand
[0033] 130 Clasp
[0034] 132 First Terminal
[0035] 133 Second Substrand
[0036] 134 Second Terminal
[0037] 135 First Substrand
[0038] 140 Main Section
[0039] 142 Rear Face Of The Main Section
[0040] 144 Front Face Of The Main Section
[0041] 150 Arm
[0042] 152 Retaining Eyelet
[0043] 154 Retaining Hook
[0044] 156 Lever
[0045] 158 Pivot Hinge Joint

Claims

1. A pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry comprising:

a. a single strand of pearls extends from a first terminal end to a second terminal end,

b. a main section of the clasp having a front face that may be decorated by decorative articles, gems and ornamental jewelry features, wherein a rear face opposes the front face, wherein the first terminal end is mounted to a rear connection point on the rear face of the clasp, wherein the second terminal end is mounted to a rear connection point on the rear face of the clasp,

c. a pivoting arm mounted on a pivot hinge joint mounted on the main section on a rear face of the clasp pivots from an open position to a closed position moving in a substantially horizontal plane, wherein the pivoting arm comprises a pearl retaining eye and a retaining hook extending from the pearl retaining eye, wherein the pivoting arm is biased closed via a spring and includes a resiliently depressible lever opposite the pearl retaining eye and retaining hook, wherein a user depressing the resiliently depressible lever opens the pivoting arm attached on the rear face of the main section, wherein in open position, the pivoting arm may receive two strands of pearls that may be retained in closed position,

wherein in a standard configuration, a second inner substrand of pearls is retained by the eyelet, and a first outer substrand of pearls is biased to the clasp by the hook that attaches to a point between individual pearls,

wherein in a reversed standard configuration, the first outer substrand of pearls is retained by the eyelet, and the second inner substrand of pearls is biased to the clasp by the hook that attaches to a point between individual pearls,

wherein a single loop or open configuration can also be implemented by removing one or both strands from pivoting arm retention.

2. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 1, wherein the pearls are made of plastic.

3. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 1, wherein the pearls are organically grown.

4. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 1, wherein the pearls are threaded through their diameter.

5. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 1, wherein the retaining eyelet is sized to receive a single pearl.

6. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 1, wherein the front face of the main section may be interchangeable, wherein an ornamented interchangeable faceplate containing magnetic material cooperatively attracts to magnetic material in the main section, whereby ornamented faceplates having magnetic adherence can be interchanged with other ornamented faces, as a user's fashion sense so requires.

7. A pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry comprising:

a. a single strand of pearls extending from a first terminal end to a second terminal end,

b. a rigid main clasp section having a front decorated face opposing a rear face, wherein the first terminal end is mounted to a rear connection point on a lower right area on the rear face of the clasp, wherein the second terminal end is mounted to the left of the first terminal end on a lower right area on the rear face of the clasp,

c. a pivoting arm mounted on a pivot hinge joint, wherein the pivot hinge joint is mounted on the main section on the rear face of the clasp and pivots from an open position spring biased to a closed position and travels along a substantially horizontal plane, wherein the pivoting arm comprises a pearl retaining eye for holding a single pearl and a retaining hook extending from the pearl retaining eye, wherein the pearl retaining eye for holding a single pearl and the retaining hook is biased closed via a spring, wherein a resiliently depressible lever opposite the pearl retaining eye and retaining hook pivotally cooperates such that a user depressing the resiliently depressible lever opens the pivoting arm attached on the rear face of the main section, wherein in open position, the pivoting arm may receive two strands of pearls.

8. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 7, wherein the hook contacts the rear face of the main section retaining a strand of pearls when closed, and offering a slack clearance for a strand of pearls to move relative to the hook while the hook retains the pearls against the rear face of the main section, wherein the eyelet forms an aperture at the top and bottom ends allowing passage of the upper and lower strand of a single threaded pearl enclosed in the eye, wherein the eyelet or eye additionally forms prongs for ease in capturing a strand on a strand of pearls, wherein said prongs may be formed in an arch to allow the passage of the strand.

9. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 7, wherein in a standard configuration, a second inner substrand of pearls is retained by the eyelet, and a first outer substrand of pearls is biased to the clasp by the hook that attaches to a point between individual pearls, wherein in a reversed standard configuration, the first outer substrand of pearls is retained by the eyelet, and the second inner substrand of pearls is biased to the clasp by the hook that attaches to a point between individual pearls, wherein a single loop or open configuration can also be implemented by removing one or both strands from pivoting arm retention.

10. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 7, wherein the pearls are made of plastic.

11. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 7, wherein the pearls are organically grown.

12. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 7, wherein the pearls are threaded through their diameter.

13. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 7, wherein the retaining eyelet is sized to receive a single pearl.

14. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 7, wherein the front face of the main section may be interchangeable, wherein an ornamented interchangeable faceplate containing magnetic material cooperatively attracts to magnetic material in the main section, whereby ornamented faceplates having magnetic adherence can be interchanged with other ornamented faces, as a user's fashion sense so requires.

15. The pivoting clasp assembly for pearl necklace jewelry of claim 7, wherein the main section has a small aperture allowing display of the retained pearl through the front ornamented face of the main section.