US3440695A

US3440695A - Grip joint and catch for jewelry clasps

Info

Publication number: US3440695A
Application number: US705671A
Authority: US
Inventors: Boris Shteinshleifer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-02-15
Filing date: 1968-02-15
Publication date: 1969-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 1986-04-29

Description

April 1969 B. SHTEINSHLEIFER 3,440,695

GRIP JOINT AND CATCH FOR JEWELRY CLASPS Filed Feb. 15, 1968 United States Patent 3,440,695 GRIP JOINT AND CATCH FOR JEWELRY CLASPS Boris Shteinshleifer, 40 Elizabeth St., New York, N.Y. 10013 Filed Feb. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 705,671 Int. Cl. A44b 9/18 US. Cl. 24160 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved grip joint catch for jewelry pins or brooches including a pivotally mounted pin stem having resilient means carried by a bracket supporting a pin for pivotal movement, to retain the same in predetermined position, and secondary resilient means associated with a catch to retain the free end of the pin in the same position, whereby upon disengagement of said last mentioned means, the pin will be held by the first mentioned means. Means is provided for completely shielding the free end of the pin while the jewelry is worn.

This invention relates generally to the field of jewelry findings, and more particularly to an improved grip joint and catch adapted to prevent accidental loss of a piece of jewelry.

It is known in the art to provide mounting means for such jewelry including a pivotally mounted pin, the free end of which is disposed beneath a catch means, in most cases the resiliency of the pin itself serving to retain the free end of the pin in engagement with the catch. However, because the pin itself is normally formed from soft material, the resiliency of the same is limited, and accidental disengagement of the pin from the catch can occur, with a resultant loss of the article of jewelry with which it is associated. To minimize this possibility, various types of catches have been produced which include moving parts to more positively retain the free end of the pin. However, because they are manually operable, they are also subject to being accidentally opened, and in such case, there is not even present the normal resilient action of the pin to maintain itself in association with the catch.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved construction of the class described in which separate means is provided in the area of the pivotal mounting of the pin for resiliently and positively maintaining the pin in predetermined orientation, irrespective of whether the catch means is in open or closed position.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved grip joint and catch means which may be incorporated into existing articles of jewelry without extensive modification.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved grip joint and catch of the class described in which the cost of fabrication thereof may be of a reason-ably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved grip joint and catch which may be conveniently manipulated by those possessing ordinary skill.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved grip joint and catch construction in which the catch element cannot be opened by merely pulling on the pin in a direction perpendicular to the principal axis thereof.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

ice

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view as seen from the plane 33 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation corresponding to the right hand portion of FIGURE 1, but showing the clasp element in opened condition, as seen from the upper portion of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 5-5 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a view in perspective of a resilient pin retaining member forming a part of the disclosed embodiment.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of an integrated pair of trunnions, including means for facilitating the soldering thereof to an article of jewelry.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10 is illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 2 in mounted condition upon the body 11 of an article of jewelry, and includes a pin joint element 12 and a catch element 13.

The pin joint element 12 includes first and

second trunnions

15 and 16, respectively each including a mounting base 17 and an upper portion 18 defining an aligned opening 19 for the mounting of a shaft 20. A resistance member 21 (FIGURE 6) is maintained in the position shown in FIGURE 1 by the pin 20, and includes a pair of

ears

22 and 23 having aligned openings 24 for this purpose. Each ear 2223 forms a resilient tongue at 2526 having camming surfaces 27 leading to normally contacting terminals 28. Rectilinear lower edges 29 of the ears 22-23 prevent relative movement of the member 21 with respect to the trunnions 1516.

A pin member 30 includes a first end 31 forming an eye surrounding the shaft 20 and a second pointed end 32 which engages the catch element 13.

The catch element 13 includes a pair of

trunnions

38 and 39, each defining a central opening 40 for the mounting of a shaft 41 which mounts a pivotally arranged locking member 42. The locking member 42 includes a pair of ears 43-44 defining aligned orifices 45 engaging the shaft 41 for pivotal movement. The ears 43-44 are interconnected by an upper member 46 disposed therebetween, and forming resilient portions 4748 (see FIGURE 3) and a trigger 49. As best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, it will be observed that the tip 50 of the pin member 30 extends beyond the axis of the shaft 41, so that outward movement imparted to the pin member tends to close the clasp member rather than open it.

The operation of the device will be understood from a consideration of FIGURES 1, 2 and 5. Upon engagement of the pin member 30, the same is moved from the position shown in dashed lines in FIGURE 2 to the position shown in full lines. In so doing, the resilient tongues 2526 are spread apart to permit passage of the pin therebetween, and after passing, the terminals 28 again contact each other to maintain the pin member 30 in predetermined position substantially parallel to the plane of the body 11. This movement will normally be accomplished while the catch element 13 is in the position shown in FIGURE 5, and when the pin has reached the position shown in that figure, the upper member 46 is moved counterclockwise to the position shown in FIGURE 3, wherein the resilient portions 4748 are spread apart a distance sufficient to pass the pin member and engage the same.

Opening of the catch element 13 is facilitated by the provision of the trigger 60, but should the trigger be accidently moved, even to an extent in which the resilient portions 47-48 are dislodged with respect to the free end of the pin member 30, the pin member will nevertheless tend to remain in the position shown in FIGURE 5, owing to the presence of the

tongues

25 and 26, the terminals of which overlie the pin member a distance from the shaft 20. Thus, when discovered, the catch may be again closed, the pin member 30 at all times remaining in some degree of engagement with the catch element 13.

Referring to FIGURE 7, the base portion 17 of the

trunnions

15 and 16 are interconnected by a. transversely extending planar member, the lower surface 51 of which is provided with a small recess 52. The

trunnions

38 and 39 are similarly interconnected by means not shown. The recess 52 is sufiiciently small as to attract solder by capillary action, and during the manufacture thereof, it is possible to facilitate the subsequent soldering of the device to the body 11 by allowing molten solder (not shown) to rest Within the recess. When the soldering operation is subsequently performed, it is only necessary to coat the appropriate areas of the body 11 with a flux, and heat transmitted to the member will cause the solder disposed in the recess 52 to melt and subsequently adhere to the body 11.

I claim:

1. Improved combination grip joint and catch construction for jewelry clasps and similar articles comprising: a pin joint element and a catch element cooperating therewith; said pin joint element including a pair of trunnion members supporting a shaft therebetween, pivotally mounted pin means carried by said shaft, a resilient member including a pair of spreadable resilient portions, and means engaging said shaft for mounting said portions within the path of movement of said pin means to be spread away from each other upon passage of said pin means therebetween, whereby said pin means may be selectively resiliently maintained in a predetermined plane.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, said catch element including a pivotally mounted locking member including a pair of spreadable resilient portions adapted to engage the free end of said pin means, as said pin means is positioned in said predetermined plane.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 1, said trunnion members being interconnected by a planar member, said planar member having a recess in an outer surface thereof for the retention of a quantity of solder by capillary action.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 726,983 5/1903 Pejchar 24-157 1,126,488 1/1915 Koski et al 24l60 1,559,480 10/1925 Veillette 24-157 2,346,767 4/1944 La Paglia 24157 FOREIGN PATENTS 61,108 2/1892 Germany.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 24157