U.S. patent number 3,599,298 [Application Number 04/799,787] was granted by the patent office on 1971-08-17 for clasp for jewelry and the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Anson Inc.. Invention is credited to Olof Verner Anderson.
United States Patent |
3,599,298 |
Anderson |
August 17, 1971 |
CLASP FOR JEWELRY AND THE LIKE
Abstract
A clasp of the sister hook type is provided with a journaled
hook which mates with an oppositely disposed journaled hook.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Olof Verner (North
Kingston, RI) |
Assignee: |
Anson Inc. (Providence,
RI)
|
Family
ID: |
25176746 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/799,787 |
Filed: |
February 17, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/598.5;
59/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C
5/2033 (20130101); Y10T 24/45293 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A44C
5/20 (20060101); A44C 5/18 (20060101); A44b
013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;24/231,232,236,237,238,240,242 ;59/80,82,85,87,88,89 ;63/4,24 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
505,704 |
|
Dec 1954 |
|
IT |
|
608,552 |
|
Sep 1948 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Gilreath; Stanley N.
Assistant Examiner: Schroeder; Werner H.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. In a jewelry clasp,
a. a first platelike element terminating at one end in a hook
defined by an inner concave edge and an outer convex edge,
b. a second element comprising two plate like members in spaced
relation and joined by a web, each of said plate like members
terminating at one end in a hook defined by an inner concave edge
and an outer convex edge, with said hooks being in alignment and
adapted to receive therebetween the hook of said first plate like
element,
c. a bushing pivotally connecting said first and second elements at
the ends remote from the hooks,
d. a yieldable detent for maintaining the hook of said first
element in position between the hooks of said second element,
and
e. a protrusion on each of the convex edges of the platelike
members defining the hooks and extending outwardly of said convex
edges whereby they constitute fingernail engaging means for
breaking the connection of said yieldable detent.
Description
Background of the Invention
Clasps employing the sister hook concept are well known. Such hooks
have particular utility when considerable weight is applied to the
overlapping hooks so that they are prevented from pivoting away
from load being held. It will be seen that sister hooks of the
conventional type by pivoting together in an overlapping condition
cannot become unhooked as can a single hook, if it is permitted to
swing about the load. Consequently, sister hooks have been commonly
employed at the end of anchor ropes as a means of securing an
anchor.
However, sister hooks of the prior art possess a relatively clumsy
appearance even when fabricated on a diminutive size for the
jewelry trade.
Brief Description of the Invention
Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a sister hook type
clasp of relatively small size for use with bracelets, necklaces
and other jewelry and the like. By providing an ingenious mating
arrangement on the part of one portion of the sister hook with
respect to the other part a rather attractive clasp is presented.
At the same time retaining or latching means is provided so that
there is resistance to the possibility of undesired parting of the
mated hooks.
In essence, then, the clasp of the present invention includes a
first flat metal member which terminates at one end in a hook. A
second flat metal member is associated with the first which also
terminates in a hook. The two hooks face each other so that when
they are closed they are aligned. The second member is really a
double hook which acts as a female for the hook of the first member
so that the first hook fits between the double hook. In one
embodiment the double hook is connected by a suitable web along a
portion of the outer edge of the double hook containing member. In
another embodiment each portion of the double hook arrangement is
free swinging. The other ends of the members are journaled about a
single bushing. Suitable detents, consisting of a protuberance in
one hook and a depression in the other, provide for latching.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clasp of the present invention
which a ring (in dotted lines) is retained. FIG. 2 is a side
elevation of the clasp of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross
section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective of
the clasp in a parted or open position. FIG. 5 is a perspective of
the clasp of another embodiment in a parted or open position. FIG.
6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a side view
of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the clasp in a locking
condition.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Now, turning to the drawings, attention is directed to FIG. 1 for a
view of the sister hook clasp 11 of the present invention. The
clasp 11 is constructed of two members, namely, a first male member
12 which is shown to have a portion thereof in mating relationship
with a second female like member 13. One end of the members is
journaled about a bushing 14. An annular ring 15 passes axially
through the bushing. The ring 15 is secured to one end 16 of a
piece of jewelry, such as a bracelet. The other end of the bracelet
is depicted by a partial annual member 17 in dotted lines and is
latched by the clasp 11 of the present invention.
FOr a better understanding of the nature of the device of the
present invention, attention is now directed to FIG. 4 where member
12 and member 13 are not in mating relationship but are spread
apart. It will be seen from FIG. 4 that member 12 is fabricated of
a flat piece of metal terminating at one end in a widened portion
18 having an aperture therethrough for the mentioned bushing 14.
The other end of member 12 terminates in a hook 19.
On the other hand, member 13 may be considered to have a channel
configuration or may be considered to have an upper flat metal
piece 20 and a lower flat metal piece 21 which is connected by a
web 22 along a major portion of the outer edges of said pieces 20
and 21. From FIGS. 1 and 4, it will be seen that each of one of the
ends of pieces 20 and 21 terminate in widened portion 23 and 24
respectively as in connection with member 12. These widened
portions 23 and 24 have aligned apertures therethrough of the same
size base as in connection with the aperture of widened portion 18.
Together, the bases are aligned and are of the same diameter for
bushing 14.
From FIG. 1 it will be seen that web 22 does not extend to the
widened portions 23 and 24 so that the widened portions present a
bifurcation. Also, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 the web 22 does
not extend to the ends of the hooks of pieces 20 and 21 as such
construction would interfere with the mating of the respective
hooks.
Hook 19 has a protuberance 25 at the upper and lower surface which
fits into outwardly extending dimples 26 for latching purposes as
seen in the cross section of FIG. 3.
A side projection 27 on hook 19 and side projections 28 and 29 on
pieces 20 and 21, respectively, provide nail holds in order to
disengage the mated hooks when in the position of FIG. 2. The
separating action need only be sufficient to overcome the retention
action caused by protuberances 25 with respect to dimples 26.
For another embodiment of the present invention, attention is now
directed to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. It will be noted that in this
embodiment pieces 20 and 21 are not connected by a web. However,
the hook 19 of member 12 is sandwiched between pieces 20 and 21 to
effect a latching arrangement by means of the protuberances 25 and
dimples 26 which act as a detent. FIG. 5 more clearly demonstrates
the ability of the two pieces to 20 and 21 to be pivotally
independent of each other.
In view of the greater freedom of movement of the components in
this embodiment the hook positions are more elongated, as can be
observed from FIG. 7, in order to provide a greater area of
juxtapositioning to increase the retention characteristics of the
clasp.
In use, the members 12 and 13 are separated as in FIG. 4, for
instance. Then, ring 17, for instance, is slid into either member
12 or 13 and pushed towards the journaled portion of the members.
Then, members 12 and 13 are brought into mating relationship as in
FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, by rotating member 12 towards member 13 or vice
versa. A similar operation is called for in conjunction with the
second embodiment, except ring 17 should be slid onto both pieces
20 and 21, if that side is used, in order to be effective.
While there has been shown and described particular embodiments of
the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications may be made therein without
departing from the invention, and, therefore, it is aimed to cover
all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit
and scope of the invention.
* * * * *