Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
I BA~KGROUND OF THE INVENTION: I
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This invention relates to a clasp for jewelry chains, and
more particularly, for a clasp which is simple and effective in
loperation.
¦ Clasps for jewelry are often unattractive and difficult to
~se. Frictional fitting members often separate after long periods
of use while ring and hook type assemblies are both unattractive
¦and often ineffective in operation after a period of time.
¦ An object of this lnvention is to provide an improved clasp
¦for jewelry chains and the like.
¦ Another object of this invention is to provide such a
¦jewelry clasp which is simple and efficient in operation.
¦ Yet another object of this invention is to provide such a
¦clasp which may be artistically attractive and enhance the chain
and jewelry to which it is attached.
Still another object of this invention is to provide such
a jewelry clasp which can be efficiently manuacturedO
Ano~her object of this invention is to provide a jewelry
clasp which is securely held together.
Other o~jects, advantages and features of this in~ention
ill become more apparent from the following description.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the principles of this invention, the
above objects are accomplished by providing a clasp for jewelry
chains which comprises separate hook and keeper members, the hook
member comprising a shank segment and a hook segment, with the hook
segment being curved and having a distal end. The keeper member is
also curved with the curvature of both the keeper and hook members
being the same, so as to permit the hook member to fit within the
keeper member. The keeper member is provided with a channel por-
tion terminating in a mouth section, the mouth section being formed
of oppositely ex~ending shoulder portions. The distal end of the
hook segment is placed in the mouth portion and the hook is then
pivoted about the center of the curvature of the cha~nel portion o~
the keeper with the curved hook segment moving in the channel sec-
tion of the keeper member. The shank portion of the hook member
has a width slightly greater than the spacing between the shoulder
members, and the hook member is irmly snapped into place between
the shoulder members. When fully inserted in place, the hook
and keeper are securely held together and the chain attached there-
by is securely closed. Repeated and long usage will not detract
from the security of the connection because of the dynamic tension
which holds the hook and keeper members together due to the simi-
larly shaped arcuate or curved portions thereof.
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sRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the hook and keeper members of
this invention being attached to a jewelry chain;
Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the hook and
keeper members separately;
Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view showing the hook member ¦
fully inserted within the keeper member;
Fig. 4 is an end view showing the shank portion of the
hook member fitting between the extending shoulder portions forming
the mouth segment of the keeper member;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view along lines 5-5 of Fig~ 3.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a
jewelry chain 10 having opposite ends connected to a keeper member
12 and a hook member 14. The hook member 14 is adapted to be
seated and fit within the keeper member 12 in accordance with the
principles of this invention. It should be noted that the keeper
member 12 is capable of assuming an artistic shape which enhances
its marketability and its desirability in both function and use.
Referring to Fig~. 2, there is shown the keeper and hook
member in greater detail, with the keeper member being formed as
the letter B, and the hook member having a curved or arcuately
shaped hook segment 16 attached to a shank segment 18 forming the
hook. The shape of hook segment 16 conforms to the arcuate shape
of a channel portion 20 formed within the bottom portion of the
letter B, the complementary curved sections enabling the hook
segment 16 to fully fit within the curved bottom portion of the B
20 enabling a secure and tight fit.
Referring to Figs. 3, there is shown in more detail the
hook segment 16 fitting within the curved channel 20 of keeper
member 12. It should be noted that the distal end 22 of the hook
member is first fitted into a mouth portion 24 of the keeper member
(Fig. 2) and the hook member is then pivoted around the center of
the arcuate shape of the channel 20 enabling it to be fully inserte 1
within the channel 20.
Re~erring to Fig. 4, there is shown a pair of oppositely
extending shouldsrs 26 ~orming the mouth portion and the shank 18
of the hoo~ member, it being no ed that the distance between the
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houlder portions 26-26 is less than the thic~cness of the shank
ember 18, so that when the hook is fully inserted within the
eeper member 12, the shank 18 is snap fitted into place further
ecuring the fit between the hook and keeper members.
Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown a sectional view
through lines S-5 Gf Fig. 3 illustrating that the cross sectional
hape of hook segments 16 is circular in shape conforming to the
hape of the channel section 20 formed in the lower portion of the
etter B illustrated in Fig. 2~
¦ When the hook portion is fully inserted within the keeper
~ember as illustrated in Fig. 3, the chain is securel~ fastened
ecause of the dynamic tension formed between the hook segment 16
~esting within the channel segment 20, and further securely support
~d by the snap action of the opposing shoulder members 26 coopera-
¦ting with the shank 18.
¦ It can be appreciated that the shape of the keeper 12 can
~e any desired configuration so long as the hook and keeper segment
~re provided with arcuately shaped conforming surfaces enabling the
~ook member to be fully inserted within the keeper member and
~hannel portion thereof to secure the jewelry clasp together.
¦ The a~ove invention has been described with particular em-
~hasis on the embodiments disclosed above, but other variations can
nd are to be considered as part of the principles of this inven-
ion within the constraints and limitations of the enclosed claims.
