WO2020110054A1 - Fermoir pour article de bijouterie et procédés d'utilisation - Google Patents

Fermoir pour article de bijouterie et procédés d'utilisation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020110054A1
WO2020110054A1 PCT/IB2019/060263 IB2019060263W WO2020110054A1 WO 2020110054 A1 WO2020110054 A1 WO 2020110054A1 IB 2019060263 W IB2019060263 W IB 2019060263W WO 2020110054 A1 WO2020110054 A1 WO 2020110054A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
main body
tongue
clasp
hole
item
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2019/060263
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Frank Schilling
David Concepcion
Original Assignee
LXL Group Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US29/672,764 external-priority patent/USD885243S1/en
Application filed by LXL Group Inc. filed Critical LXL Group Inc.
Priority to US16/754,353 priority Critical patent/US11369170B2/en
Publication of WO2020110054A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020110054A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
    • A44C5/18—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like
    • A44C5/20—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for open straps, chains or the like
    • A44C5/2057—Fasteners locked by sliding or rotating of the male element of the fastener; Turn-button fasteners
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
    • A44C5/18—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like
    • A44C5/20—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for open straps, chains or the like
    • A44C5/2042—Fasteners provided with a turnable clamping lever
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
    • A44C5/18—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like
    • A44C5/20—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for open straps, chains or the like
    • A44C5/2071—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for open straps, chains or the like with the two ends of the strap or chain overlapping each other and fastened by an action perpendicularly to the main plane of these two ends
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C25/00—Miscellaneous fancy ware for personal wear, e.g. pendants, crosses, crucifixes, charms
    • A44C25/007—Charms or amulets

Definitions

  • the present inventive disclosure pertains to a clasp for connecting two ends of a necklace, bracelet, or anklet; that is, an“item of jewelry.”
  • Most necklaces, bracelets, and anklets are comprised of some form of chain, string, other cordage (e.g., leather strips, ribbon, etc.), or a series of linked ingots or charms, that have two ends that are connected with some form of dedicated mechanical-connector device, and may or may not also include one or more adornment members attached to said chain, string, or other cordage.
  • a chain for an item of jewelry is collectively referred to as“a chain for an item of jewelry” and is intended to encompass any of the chains, string, other cordage, or linked ingots or charms that an item of jewelry might employ.
  • the aforementioned dedicated mechanical-connector device typically referred to as a “clasp,” or“jewelry fastener,” is the mechanism that allows a necklace or bracelet to easily be put on and taken off without causing any damage.
  • Some fasteners are meant to be hidden or rotated out of sight, while others are a key element to the design.
  • Such clasps employed by most necklaces, bracelets, and anklets usually takes the form of any of the following:
  • Ball Clasp also known as a bead clasp!: A ball clasp is a round, spherical jewelry fastener that is sometimes adorned with gemstones or texturing. A ball clasp typically has an“eye” extending form the“ball” in which a bent hook coupler can engage. The actual coupler in a ball clasp is fully exposed and lacks security.
  • Barrel Clasp A barrel clasp is a small barrel or torpedo-shaped closure that
  • a fishhook clasp is a delicate fastener that involves a hook
  • Hook Clasp A hook clasp uses an easy hook-on, hook-off motion, wherein a curved piece at the bottom of the hook catches onto a loop or circle to hold it in place. This type of coupling can be easily inadvertently uncoupled.
  • Lobster Clasp A lobster clasp is named after the pinching style of the hook, which resembles a lobster claw, which engages a loop or circle. Its lever is exercised to open the clasp in order to open the clasp and the lever is released to close the clasp. Many view this type of clasp as unsightly, especially when a necklace or bracelet rotates such that the lobster clasp is visible.
  • Swivel Clasp A swivel clasp is a variant of a lobster clasp in that it can swivel 360 degrees at its base.
  • Push-Button Clasp A push-button clasp has a female receptacle and a male
  • the mechanism relies on a lever or button that must be pushed to release the clasp. This type of clasp usually does not match well with the balance of the jewelry item, especially when a necklace or bracelet rotates such that the push-button clasp is visible.
  • Springring Clasp A springring clasp is a hollow circular metal fastener with a spring opening that keeps the clasp closed. Many consider this type of clasp as unsightly and it does not match well with the balance of the jewelry item, especially when a necklace or bracelet rotates such that the springring clasp is visible.
  • Buckle Clasp A buckle clasp is sometimes used as a clasp for leather or material bracelets.
  • a buckle clasp features the same mechanism as a classic belt buckle, wherein the buckle straps one end through a loop and secures it with a hinged prong that inserts into a hole and rests against a metal frame. This specialized clasp is generally inappropriate aesthetically for most applications for necklaces, bracelets, and anklets.
  • Ladder Clasp A ladder clasp is an old-fashioned fastener often used for
  • the fold-over side can be hooked into one of two slots to adjust size.
  • the size and look of this type of clasp is generally inappropriate for most necklaces, bracelets, and anklets.
  • Slide Clasp A slide clasp secures closure with two bars, each having one or more eyelets for attaching to chains, cords, or the like, wherein one of the bars slides into the other, which has a slot to allow the eyelet(s) of the interior bar to extend outside of the interlocked bars.
  • This type of clasp is very specialized and is relatively large and intended for thick necklaces with more than one chain, cord, strand, etc.
  • Magnetic Clasp A magnetic clasp relies on a magnet to hold ends of the
  • this type of clasp may lack the level of security many users desire.
  • Toggle Clasp A toggle clasp is a two-piece jewelry fastener that closes when a t- shaped or decorative bar is threaded through a circular loop. This stylized clasp type often serves as the centerpiece of a design for specialized jewelry items and is not intended to be hidden from view.
  • the aforementioned (and other) prior-art clasp arrangements are not necessarily space filling, but in many designs, they have voids or hollow areas. Such voids or hollow areas can led to the misalignment of moving parts and might not provide an overall elegant geometric shape, but instead a shape with openings or hollows that can make a clasp more difficult for a user as well as one that is less appealing in its general look and feel to a user.
  • most prior-art clasp arrangements have overall shapes that are not cylindrical but are instead rectangular or made up of other flat faces.
  • each of the aforementioned clasp types has securement issues or is unsightly with respect to the balance of the item of jewelry.
  • the present inventive disclosure is intended to disclose an improved type of clasp (and associated applications) that address both of these issues.
  • the inventive disclosures described herein pertains to a clasp for connecting two ends of an item of jewelry, such as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet.
  • the clasp provides for both easy and secure coupling of two ends of an item of jewelry, while providing a decorative “hiding” of the clasp.
  • the clasp can appear as just one of several ingots or charms that the item of jewelry may contain.
  • Figure 1 is a right-front isometric view of a clasp with the clasp cover open.
  • Figure 2 is a left-front isometric view of the clasp with the clasp cover open.
  • Figure 3 is a top view of the clasp with the clasp cover open.
  • Figure 4 is a bottom view of the clasp with the clasp cover open.
  • Figure 5 is a front view of the clasp with the clasp cover open.
  • Figure 6 is a rear view of the clasp with the clasp cover open.
  • Figure 7 is a right-front isometric view of the clasp with the clasp cover closed.
  • Figure 8 is a left-rear isometric view of the clasp with the clasp cover closed.
  • Figure 9 is a top view of the clasp with the clasp cover closed.
  • Figure 10 is a bottom view of the clasp with the clasp cover closed.
  • Figure 11 is a right-front isometric view of the clasp with the clasp cover open and the clasp disengaged.
  • Figure 12 is a left-front isometric view of the clasp with the clasp cover open and the clasp disengaged.
  • Figure 13 is a left-rear isometric view of the clasp with the clasp cover open and the clasp disengaged.
  • Figure 14 is a top view of the clasp with the clasp cover open and the clasp disengaged.
  • Figure 15 is a bottom view of the clasp with the clasp cover open and the clasp disengaged.
  • Figure 16 is a front view of the clasp with the clasp cover open and the clasp disengaged.
  • Figure 17 is a rear view of the clasp with the clasp cover open and the clasp disengaged.
  • Figure 18 is a right-side view of the clasp with the clasp cover open.
  • Figure 19 is a left-side view of the clasp with the clasp cover open.
  • Figure 20 is a partial cross-section view of the clasp with the tongue inserted part way into the main body.
  • Figure 21 is a cross-section view of the clasp with the tongue seated in place in the main body.
  • the inventive disclosures described herein pertains to a clasp for connecting two ends of an item of jewelry, such as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet.
  • the clasp provides for both easy and secure coupling of two ends of the item of jewelry, while providing a decorative “hiding” of the clasp.
  • the clasp can appear as just one of several ingots or charms that the item of jewelry may contain.
  • references in the specification to“one embodiment”,“an embodiment”,“a preferred embodiment”,“an alternative embodiment”,“a variation”,“one variation”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention.
  • Couple refers to either an indirect or a direct connection between the identified elements, components, or objects. Often, the manner of the coupling is related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.
  • the terms“about” or“generally”, as used herein unless otherwise indicated, means a margin of +- 20%. Also, as applicable, the term“substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of +- 10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.
  • chain for an item of jewelry “chain for a wrap-around jewelry item,” and similar terms, as used in this specification, drawings, and the appended claims, are intended, for simplicity, to also include alternatives for a chain; that is, a chain (or plurality of chains), a string, other cordage, or linked ingots/charms. Therefore, it is to be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that a reference to a“chain for an item of jewelry,”“chain for a wrap-around jewelry item,” or similar term that are connected to a clasp as described herein includes alternative embodiments where a literal chain may be instead substituted with string, other cordage, etc.
  • This Section is directed generally to a clasp for connecting two ends of a wrap-around jewelry item, such as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet.
  • the clasp provides for both easy and secure coupling of two ends of an item of jewelry, while providing a decorative“hiding” of the clasp, as it can appear as just one of several ingots or charms that form part of the item of jewelry.
  • FIG. 1-21 An exemplary clasp 25 is shown generally in Figs. 1-21.
  • the clasp 25 is comprised of a main body 13 that is configured to mate with a tongue 16, 17.
  • the main body 13 and tongue 16, 17 may be most easily seen and appreciated in Figs. 11-17 where they appear separately from each other.
  • the tongue 16, 17 comprises a base 17 and a mating projection 16.
  • the tongue 16, 17 is adapted to be received by a through-hole 23 in the main body 13.
  • the tongue mating projection 16 may include two extended members separated by a space 22 that is sized to closely receive a protrusion 18 in the main body 13. This may be seen for example in Fig. 11.
  • the extended members 16 of the tongue mating projection are joined together by a member 16A at the bottom and distal (relative to the tongue base 17) end of the extended members 16 of the tongue mating projection, visible for example in Fig. 11.
  • the protrusion 18 of the main body 13 overlaps the joining member 16A of the tongue mating projection’s 16 extended members in order to provide additional security for the coupling, and the joining member 16A of the tongue mating projection 16 substantially fills the through-hole 23 in the main body 13 such that the tongue 16, 17 and main body 13 form a substantially space-filling flat bottom surface.
  • This may be seen for example in Figs. 4, 10 and 17 and the space-filling flat bottom face is best appreciated in Fig. 4.
  • the locking cover 11 may include a hinge 11A coupled to the rear of the main body 13 and may include a locking tab or“nib” 12 that is adapted to engage via interference fit with a locking-tab-receiving cavity 12A disposed at the front side of the main body 13. Figs. 18 and 19 show this particularly clearly.
  • top-right side edges of the main body 13 may be sloped downward to help facilitate the initial engagement with the tongue 16, 17. This may be seen particularly clearly in Fig. 12.
  • edges at the top-distal end of the tongue mating projection 16 may be sloped downward to help facilitate easier insertion of the tongue 16, 17 into the main body 13 via through-hole 23. This may be seen particularly clearly in Fig. 11.
  • the right side of the main body 13 may be adapted to be coupled to one end of a chain for a wrap-around jewelry item 15, and the base of the tongue 17 may be adapted to be coupled to the other end of a chain for a wrap-around jewelry item 14.
  • this coupling can be by welding, clamping, tying, and any other form of coupling known in the jewelry industry.
  • cross-section lines A are shown, indicating a plane in which cross section and partial cross sections in Figs. 20 and 21 are taken.
  • the locking cover 11 (omitted for clarity in Fig. 20) on the main body is opened and a user inserts the mating projection 16 of the tongue into the through-hole 23.
  • Protrusion 18 is shown in cross section in Fig. 20 and tongue 16 is shown in full rather than in cross section, to assist the reader in appreciating the path followed by the tongue 16 when it is inserted through the though-hole 23.
  • Fig. 21 both the protrusion 18 and the tongue 16 are shown in cross section.
  • the user may then slip the tongue slightly toward the right side of the main body 13 so that the tongue base 17 can slip past the sloped edges and the tongue 16, 17.
  • the tongue engages with the protrusion 18 of the main body 13.
  • a substantially flat upper surface is formed with the main body 13. This is most clearly seen in Figs. 1-3. This in turn allows the cover 11 to be fully closed over the coupled tongue 16, 17 and main body 13.
  • the configuration with the closed cover 11 may be seen for example in Figs. 7-10.
  • the cover 11 is latched via the locking tab 12 and locking-tab-receiving cavity 12A.
  • the opposite procedure is used to open and disengage the clasp 25.
  • the cover 11 is opened.
  • the tongue 16, 17 is rotated as shown in Fig. 20.
  • the tongue 16, 17 may then be withdrawn from the main body 13.
  • the tongue 16, 17 is then separate from the main body 13 as is depicted in Figs. 11-14.
  • a particularly interesting embodiment for the item of jewelry incorporates multiple charms or ingots, and the main body 13 and the cover 11 of the clasp 25 are sized, shaped, and ornamented to look like one of the charms/ingots in order to effectively conceal which charm or ingot on the item of jewelry contains the clasp 25.
  • the alert reader it will be appreciated by the alert reader that there may be decoration, writing, or iconography on the charms/ingots and on the clasp 25.
  • decoration, writing or iconography is best appreciated for example in Figs. 6-9 and 13 and 17.
  • all of the charms or ingots and the clasp 25 are identically ornamented or bear identical writing or iconography.
  • every charm ingot is in fact a clasp 25, a user can assemble a custom item of jewelry chain that is non-identical to an item of jewelry that anyone else might be wearing, with
  • a user can assemble one arrangement for wear at one event and a different arrangement to wear at a different event.
  • multiple clasps 25 are incorporated in a single item of jewelry; that is, multiple lengths of chain 14, 15 are used and coupled via a clasp 25 such that the effective length of the item of jewelry can be varied by a user by adding or removing one of more lengths of chain and an associated clasp 25.
  • every charm or ingot in an item of jewelry e.g., a necklace
  • the jewelry item may include any number of lengths of chain 14, 15 coupled with any number or combination of clasps or charms or ingots.
  • the clasp 25 is incorporated in a Cuban link chain.
  • the clasp 25 design is well suited for use with jewelry made of nearly pure precious metals such as nearly pure gold, silver, or platinum because of the clasp’s 25 relatively simple and uncomplicated and reliable design, which does not require alloys to provide great strength or great rigidity. Even though some nearly pure precious metals are somewhat soft and somewhat malleable, the clasp 25 design offers very reliable functionality that does not require finely structured features. For example, if the piece parts such as the main body 13 or tongue 16, 17 were to deform slightly due to the somewhat the soft and somewhat malleable nature of the precious metals of which they might be comprised, the simple and reliable design offers its benefits including the low likelihood of the clasp coming loose.
  • a suitable choice of fabrication metal for the clasp 25 is 24-karat gold.
  • the main body 13 can be made with a two-part mold or can be made with a simple gravity-fed lost- wax molding technique.
  • the lost-wax forms can be very easily fabricated, either by simple two-part molds, or with simple additive manufacturing, or by the simple milling of wax blocks or forms.
  • the same may be said of the tongue 16, 17 for the clasp 25.

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  • Adornments (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de type à fermoir amélioré destiné à relier deux extrémités d'un article d'ornement personnel/bijou enroulé, tel qu'un collier, un bracelet ou un bracelet de cheville. Le fermoir de bijou amélioré permet une liaison à la fois facile et sûre de deux extrémités d'un article de bijouterie enroulé, tout en fournissant un « masquage » décoratif du fermoir. Dans des variantes, le fermoir de bijou amélioré peut apparaître sous la forme d'un seul lingot/breloque parmi plusieurs lingots/breloques que l'article de bijouterie enroulé peut contenir. L'invention concerne également diverses autres applications pratiques du fermoir de bijou amélioré.
PCT/IB2019/060263 2018-11-29 2019-11-27 Fermoir pour article de bijouterie et procédés d'utilisation WO2020110054A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/754,353 US11369170B2 (en) 2018-11-29 2019-11-27 Clasp for item of jewelry and methods of use

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201862704035P 2018-11-29 2018-11-29
US62/704,035 2018-11-29
US29/672,764 USD885243S1 (en) 2018-12-08 2018-12-08 Clasp for jewelry item
US29/672,764 2018-12-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020110054A1 true WO2020110054A1 (fr) 2020-06-04

Family

ID=70854349

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2019/060263 WO2020110054A1 (fr) 2018-11-29 2019-11-27 Fermoir pour article de bijouterie et procédés d'utilisation

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020110054A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113475825A (zh) * 2021-06-29 2021-10-08 歌尔科技有限公司 带体结构和腕戴设备
USD951129S1 (en) 2020-06-16 2022-05-10 Venus by Maria Tash, Inc. Lobster clasp
CN115797436A (zh) * 2023-01-31 2023-03-14 深圳市优品文创科技有限公司 基于画面自填补的首饰生产的珠仔机珠子直径识别系统

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4842569U (fr) * 1971-09-21 1973-05-31
JP2002125727A (ja) * 2000-10-26 2002-05-08 Katsu Kogei:Kk 装身具の連結金具
JP3089087U (ja) * 2002-04-04 2002-10-11 小西釦工業株式会社 ジョイント金具
KR20060093320A (ko) * 2006-08-01 2006-08-24 조남수 장신구용 체결고리
US20090007395A1 (en) * 2005-01-28 2009-01-08 Kazuo Ida Buckle

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4842569U (fr) * 1971-09-21 1973-05-31
JP2002125727A (ja) * 2000-10-26 2002-05-08 Katsu Kogei:Kk 装身具の連結金具
JP3089087U (ja) * 2002-04-04 2002-10-11 小西釦工業株式会社 ジョイント金具
US20090007395A1 (en) * 2005-01-28 2009-01-08 Kazuo Ida Buckle
KR20060093320A (ko) * 2006-08-01 2006-08-24 조남수 장신구용 체결고리

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD951129S1 (en) 2020-06-16 2022-05-10 Venus by Maria Tash, Inc. Lobster clasp
USD993073S1 (en) 2020-06-16 2023-07-25 Venus by Maria Tash, Inc. Lobster clasp
CN113475825A (zh) * 2021-06-29 2021-10-08 歌尔科技有限公司 带体结构和腕戴设备
CN115797436A (zh) * 2023-01-31 2023-03-14 深圳市优品文创科技有限公司 基于画面自填补的首饰生产的珠仔机珠子直径识别系统
CN115797436B (zh) * 2023-01-31 2023-11-17 深圳市优品文创科技有限公司 基于画面自填补的首饰生产的珠仔机珠子直径识别系统

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