US20150181987A1

US20150181987A1 - Closing device, particularly for jewels and the like

Info

Publication number: US20150181987A1
Application number: US14/405,893
Authority: US
Inventors: Dario Micheli; Marcello Parri
Original assignee: Memi Srl
Current assignee: Memi Srl
Priority date: 2012-06-07
Filing date: 2013-06-04
Publication date: 2015-07-02
Also published as: ITAR20120018A1; CN104736012A; EP2858526A1; WO2013183075A1

Abstract

Present invention relates to a closing device, particularly for jewels and like, comprising a main body and at least a hook, hinged each other with said at least a hook movable about a hinging axis, opposed and by the action of first elastic means provided between said main body and said at least a hook, respectively, at least between a closure configuration, wherein a free end of said at least a hook is in contact with an abutment surface defined by said main body, and an opening configuration, wherein said free end is far from said abutment surface, to permit insertion of said at least one hook within a ring body, and vice versa, said device being characterized in that it comprises blocking means in at least one of said configurations, said blocking means comprising, for each one of said at least one hook, at least two grooves, respectively obtained on a lateral surface of said at least one hook, and at least a pawl, sliding housed within a sliding seat, obtained in said main body, along an interception direction substantially perpendicular with respect to said lateral surface, second elastic means being further provided between the bottom of said sliding seat and said at least one pawl to maintain said at least one pawl pushed against said lateral surface, thus blocking said at least one hook with respect to said main body.

Description

Present invention concerns a closing device, particularly for jewels and like.
Among closing and quick hooking and releasing devices known in the “jewelry” and like sector, “carabineer” closing devices are known, mainly comprising a main body, usually having a “pear” shape, and provided with, in correspondence of the pear tip, a clip, to which a ring of the chain or of the object to which is associated, and having, on the side opposite to said clip, an elastically operated hook that can move from an opening configuration to a closing configuration, and vice versa, in order to open ad closing a slot wherein another ring of the chain is engaged.
More specifically, said hook is provided with spring means generally consisting of a pin spring placed about a hinge pin between the same hook and main body of the device and such to generate a uniform spring action maintain the hook in its closure configuration.
Passage to the opening configuration occurs by operating a lever integral with the hook, said lever being manually moved by the user, thus moving the hook against the action of said spring elements from the closing configuration o the opening configuration, as already mentioned in the preceding.
Thus, the user keeps the hook in its open configuration and at the same time places it in the wished position to hook the chain ring to be closed, said step being carried out by the free hand.
Said known closing devices have some drawbacks, among which it must be mentioned the fact that, being them very small when used in the jewelry sector, it is difficult and cumbersome for the average user making the above operations.
In fact, in order to keep well open the hook by acting on the opposite lever, the user can engage the latter with his/her nails that, if not enough long, can be inefficacy to reach the result and/or even breaking due to the high local pressure.
Main object of the present invention is that of realizing a closing device, particularly for jewels and like, solving the above drawbacks.
Within the above, an object of present invention is that of realizing a closing device that can be easily used.
Another object of the present invention is that of realizing a closing device easy to realize, safely usable, and that can be manufactured at low costs.
The above, as well other objects that will be evident in the following, are obtained by a closing device, particularly for jewels and like, comprising a main body and at least a hook, hinged each other with at least a movable hook about a hinging axis, opposed and by the action of first elastic means provided between said main body and said at least a hook, respectively, at least between a closure configuration, wherein a free end of said at least a hook is in contact with an abutment surface defined by said main body, and an opening configuration, wherein said free end is far from said abutment surface, to permit insertion of said at least one hook within a ring body, and vice versa, said device being characterized in that it comprises blocking means in at least one of said configurations, said blocking means comprising, for each one of said at least one hook, at least two grooves, respectively obtained on a lateral surface of said at least one hook, and at least a pawl, sliding housed within a sliding seat, obtained in said main body, along an interception direction substantially perpendicular with respect to said lateral surface, second elastic means being further provided between the bottom of said sliding seat and said at least one pawl to maintain said at least one pawl pushed against said lateral surface, thus blocking said at least one hook with respect to said main body.
Further, according to the invention, said closing device can comprise a plurality of hooks, hinged to said main body and movable about a hinging axis, opposed and by the action of first elastic means provided between said main body and said at least a hook, respectively, between said closure configuration and said opening configuration, said blocking means acting independently on each one of said hooks.
Still according to the invention, said plurality of hooks can comprise two hooks hinged to said main body so as to be diametrically opposed each other.
Always according to the invention, elastic reaction of said second elastic means acting on said at least one pawl along said hinging axis can be higher than thrust along said hinging axis due to elastic reaction of said first elastic means acting on said at least one hook about said hinging axis so as to prevent rotation of said at least one hook with respect to said main body about said hinging axis by said first elastic means with said at least one pawl engaged within one of said grooves.
Further, according to the invention, said elastic reaction of said second elastic means acting on said at least one pawl along said hinging axis can be lower than thrust along said hinging axis generated by the action of a user manually rotating said at least one hook with respect to said main body about said hinging axis so as to permit opening and closure of said closing device.
Particularly, according to the invention, said first elastic means can comprise, for each one of said at least one hook, a pin spring fit on the pin defining hinging between said at least one hook and said main body, said pin spring having its arms respectively engaged within two cavities respectively realized by said main body and said at least one hook.
Preferably, according to the invention, said second elastic means can comprise a helicoidal spring housed within said seat and placed between said housing seat bottom and a thrusting surface defined by part of said at least one pawl opposed with respect to said lateral surface, said at least one pawl comprising an arm, sliding housed within said helicoidal spring to maintain alignment of said at least one pawl along said hinging axis.
Still according to the invention, said closing device can comprise, for each one of said at least one hook, a mechanical stop surface defined by said main body to prevent too large rotations of said at least one hook when passing from said closure configuration to said opening configuration and vice versa.
Finally, according to the invention, said blocking means can comprise a further groove, obtained on said lateral surface of said at least one hook between said at least two grooves, so as to permit blocking of said at least one hook in an intermediate configuration, between said opening configuration and said closure configuration.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative, but not limitative, purposes, making reference to its preferred embodiments, with specific reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the closing device, particularly for jewels and like, according to the present invention, in the closure configuration;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of closing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the closing device, particularly for jewels and like, according to the present invention, in the opening configuration;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of closing device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of closing device according to the present invention, with outlined forces involved when passing from a configuration to another one;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a different embodiment of the closing device represented in the previous drawings.

Making reference to FIGS. 1-5, closing device, particularly for jewels and like, indicated by reference number 1, comprises a main body 2 and two intermediate hooks 3, hinged to the main body 2, so as to be diametrically opposed each other and movable about two hinging axis 4, opposed by and by the action of first elastic means 5, provided between main body 2 and every hook 3, respectively between a closure configuration, wherein a free end 7 of each hook 3 is in contact with an abutment surface defined by main body 2, and an opening configuration, wherein said free end 7 is far from the abutment surface 8 for insertion of hook 3 within an annular body, and vice versa.
More specifically, in the specific embodiment, main body 2 is realized by two clepsydra shape hemi-shell, and between which two hooks 13 are housed, said hooks 13 having a substantially pear-shape, with a side open in such a way to have the base of said pear coming out from the main body 2, so as to realize, along with loop of main body 2, two lateral slots, opening in correspondence of the free ends.
Hinging of each hook 3 is realized by a relevant pin provided between two hemi-shells along its hinging axis 4 and inserted within a hole realized by hook 3 cusp opposed to the above base.
As well clear from FIGS. 2 and 4, first elastic means 5 comprise, for each hook 3, a pin spring 6, fit on hinging pin between hook 3 and main body 2 and having its arms 6 a and 6 b engaged, respectively, within two cavities 19 and 20 respectively realized by main body 2 and respective hook 3.
According to the invention, blocking means 10 are provided for each hook 3 in at least an opening configuration and a closure configuration.
Advantageously, said blocking means 10 comprise, for each hook 3, at least two grooves 11, respectively defined on a lateral surface 13 of each hook 3 and at least a pawl 12, sliding housed within a sliding seat 14 defined within main body 2 and a sized shirt, realized by a lathe, and developing along an interception direction 15, substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface 13.
Further, in order to keep pawl always pushed against lateral surface 13, engaging within one of said at least two grooves 11, with consequent blocking of hook 3 with respect to main body 2, second elastic means 16 are provided, comprising, e.g. a helicoidal spring 17 placed between the bottom 18 of the sliding seat 14 and a thrust surface defined by a part of pawl 12 opposed with respect to the lateral surface 13.
In order to maintain alignment of pawl 12 along interception direction 15, the same pawl 12 can be provided with a leg sliding housed within the helicoidal spring 17.
Advantageously, dimensioning of the whole closing device 1, and particularly said elastic means 5 and 16, is such that elastic reaction “F” of second elastic means 16 acting on pawl 12 along relevant interception direction 15 is, on one side, higher than thrust “S” along the interception direction 15 due to the elastic reaction “M” of first elastic means 5 acting on hook 3 about hinging axis 4, and on the other side, is lower than thrust “S” along the same interception direction 15 due to the action of a user manually rotating the hook 3 with respect to the main body 2 about the hinging axis 4, respectively, so as to prevent rotation of hook 3 with respect to main body 2 about hinging axis 4 by the effect of said first elastic means 5 with pawl 12 engaged within one of the grooves 11 and in such a way to permit opening and closure of closing device 1.
Finally to complete main body 2, the same is provided with mechanical stop surfaces 21 realized one for each hook 3 to prevent too large rotations of the same hooks 3 when passing from the closure configuration to the opening configuration.
As shown in FIG. 6, in a possible different embodiment of closing device 1, indicated by reference number 100, it can be provided a single hook 3.
In this case, main body 2 can be shaped in a different way or as described in the above and can be provided with a fixed ring 99 to which a chain or like can be associated.
In the same way, besides possibility of having at least a hook 3, in another embodiment, not shown, it is possible providing a plurality of hooks 3, e.g. three, four, five hooks in order to make it possible connecting a plurality of chains at the same time.
Said hooks 3, that can be evenly provided about a main symmetry axis, or in every wished shape, can have the technical features described in the preceding.
Obviously, in this case, blocking means 10 will act independently on each one of said hooks 3.
Working of the closing device 1 is clear and well evident from the above.
Particularly, it is worthwhile underlining that the user can position each intermediate hook 3 in the opening or closing configuration so as to make the pawl 12 clicking from a groove 11 to the other one and opening the closing device 1 off an angle, e.g. about 35°, enough to introduce the chain ring 9.
Then, it is possible passing always manually to the closure of the same up to sending abutting the free end 7 on the abutment surface 8 of main body 2.
It has been noted that closing device, particularly for jewels and like, according to the invention, fully obtains the result and objects indicated since it permits blocking the hook in an open position so as to make the hooking operation easier.
Closure device, particularly for jewels and like, so realized can be modified, all the modifications and variations being within the scope of the invention.
Further, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
Practically, materials used, as well as dimensions and shape, can be modified on the basis of the needing and of the state of the art.
Finally, the closing device can provide in different embodiments a further groove on lateral surface of the hook, between said two grooves, so as to permit blocking of the hook in an intermediate configuration, defined between said opening configuration and said closure configuration.

Claims

1. Closing device, particularly for jewels and like, comprising a main body and at least a hook, hinged each other with said at least a hook movable about a hinging axis, opposed and by the action of first elastic means provided between said main body and said at least a hook, respectively, at least between a closure configuration, wherein a free end of said at least a hook is in contact with an abutment surface defined by said main body, and an opening configuration, wherein said free end is far from said abutment surface, to permit insertion of said at least one hook within a ring body, and vice versa, said device being wherein it comprises blocking means in at least one of said configurations, said blocking means comprising, for each one of said at least one hook, at least two grooves, respectively obtained on a lateral surface of said at least one hook, and at least a pawl, sliding housed within a sliding seat, obtained in said main body, along an intercepting direction substantially perpendicular with respect to said lateral surface, second elastic means being further provided between the bottom of said sliding seat and said at least one pawl to maintain said at least one pawl pushed against said lateral surface, thus blocking said at least one hook with respect to said main body.

2. Closing device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a plurality of hooks, hinged to said main body and movable about a hinging axis, opposed and by the action of first elastic means provided between said main body and said at least a hook, respectively, between said closure configuration and said opening configuration, said blocking means acting independently on each one of said hooks.

3. Closing device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of hooks comprises two hooks hinged to said main body so as to be diametrically opposed each other.

4. Closing device according to claim 1, wherein elastic reaction of said second elastic means acting on said at least one pawl along said hinging axis is higher than thrust along said hinging axis due to elastic reaction of said first elastic means acting on said at least one hook about said hinging axis so as to prevent rotation of said at least one hook with respect to said main body about said hinging axis by said first elastic means with said at least one pawl engaged within one of said grooves.

5. Closing device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic reaction of said second elastic means acting on said at least one pawl along said hinging axis is lower than thrust along said hinging axis generated by the action of a user manually rotating said at least one hook with respect to said main body about said hinging axis so as to permit opening and closure of said closing device.

6. Closing device according to claim 1, wherein said first elastic means comprise, for each one of said at least one hook, a pin spring fit on the pin defining hinging between said at least one hook and said main body, said pin spring having its arms respectively engaged within two cavities, respectively realized by said main body and said at least one hook.

7. Closing device according to claim 1, wherein said second elastic means comprise a helicoidal spring housed within said seat and placed between said housing seat bottom and a thrusting surface defined by part of said at least one pawl opposed with respect to said lateral surface, said at least one pawl comprising an arm, sliding housed within said helicoidal spring to maintain alignment of said at least one pawl along said hinging axis.

8. Closing device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises, for each one of said at least one hook, a mechanical stop surface defined by said main body to prevent too large rotations of said at least one hook when passing from said closure configuration to said opening configuration and vice versa.

9. Closing device according to claim 1, wherein said blocking means comprise a further groove, obtained on said lateral surface of said at least one hook between said at least two grooves, so as to permit blocking of said at least one hook in an intermediate configuration, between said opening configuration and said closure configuration.