Abstract:
A clasp which is lockable in both an open and a closed position includes a body having a first opening, a second opening, and an internal space; a connector fixed to the body for linking to a chain; a first spring; and a moveable connector. The movable connector, inseparable from the body, is movable to a locked closed position by the first spring and movable to a locked open position by an external force. The movable connector includes a first latch piece within the internal space of the body, and extends through the first opening. A button extends through the second opening. The button includes a second spring and a second latch piece that interfaces with the first latch piece. In a first position of the button, the second latch piece locks with the first latch piece. In a second position of the button, the second latch piece and the first latch piece disengage and the movable connector can be moved by an external force allowing the second spring to move the second latch piece to a position that keeps the movable connector in the locked open position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to clasps for jewelry. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many commercially available clasps used today, particularly in the form of plugs, lobster claws or spring ring clasps. Generally, the plug clasp has a receptacle element attached to one end of a chain and a plug element attached to the opposite end of the chain, where the plug and receptacle elements connect together to close the chain. In the case of the lobster clasp or the spring ring clasp, a chain is connected to one end of a ring that can be opened and closed to receive a ring attached to the opposite end of the chain. These clasps are difficult to use because a person has to apply constant pressure to a very small lever or button to keep the clasp open. The dexterity needed to operate these types of clasps is rather high and often requires assistance to operate. Moreover, people with arthritis have increased difficulty operating these types of clasps while those with long fingernails have difficulty and often break fingernails while trying to operate these clasps. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a clasp for jewelry includes a body having a first opening, a second opening, and an internal space. A connector is fixed to the body for linking to a chain. A movable connector, inseparable from the body, movable to a locked closed position by a first spring and movable to a locked open position by an external force, the movable connector extends through the first opening and includes a first latch piece within the internal space of the body. One or more guides in the internal space. A button extends through the second opening and is movable along the one or more guides, the button includes a second spring and a second latch piece that interfaces with the first latch piece, the button includes two positions, in a first position the second latch piece locks with the first latch piece, in a second position the second latch piece and the first latch piece disengage and the movable connector can be moved by an external force allowing the second spring to move the second latch piece to a position that keeps the movable connector in a locked open position. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a clasp for jewelry includes a body having a first opening, a second opening, and an internal space. A connector fixed to the body for linking to a chain. A movable connector, inseparable from the body, movable to a locked closed position by a first spring and movable to a locked open position by an external force, the movable connector extends through the first opening and includes a first latch piece within the internal space of the body. One or more guides in the internal space. A button extends through the second opening and includes a second latch piece movable along the one or more guides that locks with the first latch piece in the locked closed position and in the locked open position, the second latch piece having a first position, a second position and a third position, the first position is held in the locked closed position by a second spring that forces the second latch piece to interface with the first latch piece, the second position causes the first and second latch pieces to disengage allowing the movable connector to be moved by the external force to the open position, and the third position, held by force from the second spring, causes the second latch piece and the first latch piece to engage resulting in the locked open position. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a clasp for jewelry includes a body having an internal space, a first opening and a second opening generally perpendicular to each other. A connector fixed to the body for linking to a chain. A movable connector, inseparable from the body, movable to a locked closed position by a first spring and movable to a locked open position by an external force, the movable connector extends through the first opening and includes a first piece within the internal space of the body, the first piece is L-shaped and includes a first latch. One or more guides in the internal space. A button extends through the second opening, the button including a second piece perpendicular to the button and including a second spring, the second piece interfaces with the one or more guides and includes a second latch for interfacing with the first latch, the button includes a first position and a second position held place by the second spring, in the first position the second latch interfaces with the first latch locking the movable connector in the closed position, and in the second position the second latch and the first latch disengage, allowing the movable connector to be moved by an external force to the open locked position. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a clasp for jewelry includes a body having an internal space, a first opening and a second opening generally perpendicular to each other. A connector fixed to the body for linking to a chain and a movable connector inseparable from the body extends through the first opening. An L-shaped piece connected to the movable connector located within the internal space of the body and including a first latch. A first spring between the L-shaped piece and an internal wall of the body, the first spring in a position to energize the movable connector and the L-shaped piece to a locked closed position and resist a locked open position. One or more guides in the internal space and a button extend through the second opening. A second piece that interfaces with the one or more guides and is connected to the button at a angle perpendicular to the button, the second piece includes a second latch for interfacing with the first latch when the movable connector is in the locked closed position. A second spring between the second piece and an internal wall of the body, the second spring positioned to energize the second piece in a direction to interface the second latch with the first latch in the locked closed position, and the second spring energizing the second piece further in the direction to connect an end of the second piece with the L-shaped piece in the locked open position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a clasp in its locked closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a clasp in its locked open position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a clasp in its locked closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a clasp showing guides and its components removed from the clasp in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows two views of a clasp having a heart shaped body; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a clasp in its locked closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a clasp in its locked open position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a clasp showing bar  50  notched out in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view of a clasp showing bar  50  notched out in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, a clasp is described that is lockable in both an open and a closed position. In the locked open position the clasp can be manipulated without concern that the clasp may unintentionally close before it can receive the end of a chain, such as a necklace or the like. Of course, the chain can be any shape, size and material and can be worn anywhere on a person. Pushing a button on the clasp closes and locks the clasp. The clasp remains locked in the closed position until the button is pressed and the clasp is pulled open. This feature prevents the clasp from being unintentionally opened. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a clasp  100  illustrated in its locked closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of clasp  100  in its locked closed position. Referring back to  FIG. 1 , clasp  100  shows a body  10  having an internal space  15 . Body  10  houses components and parts of clasp  100  and internal space  15  provides an area or cavity for the components to sit and move, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Body  10  and internal space  15  each can vary in shape and size. The outer surface of body  10  has a connector  20  through which a chain, such as necklace or the like, can be connected to body  10 . In this example, connector  20  is a ring that is permanently closed. Body  10  also has two openings, an opening  25  and an opening  30 . 
     One component of clasp  100  is a movable connector  35  through which a free end of a chain, such as a necklace or the like, can be hooked to movable connector  35  and ultimately connected to clasp  100 . Movable connector  35  passes through opening  25  and can move back and forth (in the direction denoted by arrow A) within opening  25 , resulting in the opening and closing of moveable connector  35 . In its open position, movable connector  35  can receive a free end of the chain, and in its closed position can lock the free end of the chain to clasp  100 . In this example, movable connector  35  is shaped like a hook, having a cylindrical body with a curved portion and a linear portion, but could have a different shape. 
     The linear portion of movable connector  35  has a diameter size allowing it move, within opening  25 , in the direction denoted by arrow A. A coil spring  40  is disposed around the linear portion of movable connector  35 . Coil spring  40  is used to energize movable connector  35 , such as to provide automatic closing of movable connector  35 , which is discussed in more detail below. Coil spring  40  has a diameter large enough to fit around the linear portion of movable connector  35 . To prevent coil spring  40  from dropping out of body  10 , its diameter is also large enough to be stopped by an inner portion of body  10 , denoted by locations  45   a  and  45   b . The inner body of body  10  can act as a stopper or a stopper(s) can be added. Locations  45   a  and  45   b  of the inner portion of body  10  acts as a resilient force against coil spring  40 . Of course different size springs can be used, so along as its diameter is such that it fits around the linear portion of movable connector  35 , fits within internal space  15 , and wont drop out of, or when compressed, wont be forced out of body  10  through opening  25 . This can be met by having a spring with a diameter greater than the diameter of opening  25 . Moreover, stops may be located at  45   a  and  45   b  to act as a resilient force against coil spring  40  to prevent coil spring  40  from passing through opening  25 . The stops can be projections standing on the inner surface of body  10  at locations  45   a  and  45   b.    
     The end of the linear portion of movable connector  35  is connected to a bar  50 . Bar  50  has a shape that is generalized as a bar that is turned approximately 90 degrees at a location around its midway point, having an arm  55   a  perpendicular to an arm  55   b . In another example, it can be generalized as two bars attached to each at an angle of approximately 90 degrees and at one end of each bar. Bar  50  and the longitudinal portion of moveable hook  35  are connected to each other and are both moveable in the direction denoted by arrow A, within internal space  15  of body  10 . When movable connector  35  is pulled open by an external force, the side of bar  50  that is connected to the end of longitudinal portion of movable connector  35  prevents moveable hook  35  from being pulled out of body  10 . Movable connector  35  and bar  50  move together within internal space  15  as dictated by a force applied to movable connector  35  opposite to the resistance force provided by coil spring  40 , causing movable connector  35  to lock in the closed position. Movable connector  35  and bar  50  can also move together in response to the expansion of coil spring  40 , which is discussed in more detail below. 
     Located at the inside angle of bar  50  is a latch  55 . In this example, latch  55  is a groove that spans the width of bar  50 . Latch  55  interacts with a latch  60  to lock and unlock clasp  100 , which is discussed in more detail below. 
     Separate from bar  50  and movable connector  35  is a bar  65  having ends  65   a  and  65   b . Bar  65  is positioned generally perpendicular to arm  55   a  and generally parallel to arm  55   b  of bar  50 . In addition, bar  65  is moveable in a direction, denoted by arrow B, which is generally perpendicular to the direction of the movement of bar  50  and movable connector  35 . In the example, latch  60  is located at end  65   a  of bar  65  and can be positioned to directly interact, contact, and fit into latch  55  of arm  50 . In this example, latch  60  is a protrusion spanning the width of bar  65  and having a general height and shape equal to the general depth and inverse shape of latch  55 . Latch  60  and latch  55  act together to keep movable connector  35  locked when in the closed position.  FIG. 1  shows latch  60  and latch  55  in a locked position, thus preventing movable connector  35  from moving. 
     A button  70  is connected to arm  65 . Button  70  has a shaft that fits through opening  30  of body  10 . The diameter of the shaft is such that button  70  can move within opening  30  in the direction denoted by arrow B. The shaft of button  70  extends into internal space  15  where the end of the shaft connects perpendicularly to end  65   a  of bar  65 . 
     In this embodiment of the present invention, arm  65  also has a channel  85   a  and a channel  85   b , illustrated with phantom lines in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The channels are part of guides that include a rail  80   a  and a rail  80   b . The rails  80   a  and  b  are attached to the inner surface of body  10  and are arranged generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to bar  65 . The channels  85   a  and  b  span the width of arm  65  and line up with and move along their corresponding and rails  80   a  and  b . The guides assists with guiding the movement of arm  65  and button  70  when force is applied to and removed from button  70 . The guides also assist in lining up latch  60  with latch  55  during engagement and assists in keeping them engaged by preventing bar  65  from shifting generally in the direction denoted by arrow A.  FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the guides with components of clasp  100  removed from body  10 . In particular,  FIG. 4  shows rails  80   a  and  80   b  along with and channels  85   a  and  85   b .  FIGS. 6 and 7  show guides having an alternative rail and channel arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     Also connected to bar  65  is a spring holder  75 . Spring holder  75  is a hollow cylinder that is positioned at the center of bar  65  and extends perpendicularly from bar  65 . Spring holder  75  is open at one end, with the opposite end being attached to bar  65 . A coil spring  80  has one end inserted inside spring holder  75  while its opposite end extends outside of spring holder  75 . Coil spring  80  is used to energize and hold latch  60  in latch  55 , thus keeping movable connector  35  from being pulled open. Coil spring  80  has an external diameter that allows one of its ends to fit tightly within spring holder  75  (e.g., set in a cylinder). One end of coil spring  80  makes contact with spring holder  75  and the other end contacts the inner wall of body  10 . There is a space between the end of spring holder  75  and the inner wall so that when button  70  is pressed, arm  65  and spring holder  75  can move in the direction denoted by arrow B and unlatch latch  60  from latch  55 . The space between the end of the shaft of spring holder  75  and the inner wall is enough so that bar  65  and latch  60  can move enough to disengage latch  60  from latch  55  of bar  50 . The space can be a length generally equal to or greater than the height of latch  60 . This disengagement or separation of latch  60  from latch  55  allows movable connector  35  to be pulled open, which is discussed in more detail below. 
     Generally, clasp  100  has two moving parts: (1) movable connector  35  and bar  50 ; (2) button  70 , spring holder  75  and bar  65 , where bars  50  and  65  act as the latches. Each part has its own coil spring; coil springs  40  and  80  that move each part during the opening and closing of clasp  100 . The part includes the movable connector  35  and the part includes button  70 . Button  70  operates in three stages for locking clasp  100  in the open and closed positions. 
     As mentioned above,  FIG. 1  shows clasp  100  locked in the closed position. In the closed position, the open hook of movable connector  35  is forced closed against body  10  by the resilient force of coil spring  40  applied to the inner wall and bar  50 . Coil springs  40  and  80  work together to force latch  55  of bar  50  to engage latch  60  of bar  65 . The engagement of latch  55  and latch  60  result in the locking of clasp  100  in the closed position. In this position clasp  100  cannot be pulled open. 
       FIG. 2  shows clasp  100  locked in the open position. Generally, in the open locked position, bar  50  and bar  65  are repositioned by an external push force applied to button  70 , external pull force applied to movable connector  35 , and the expansion force applied by coil spring  80  to bar  65  after the force on button  70  is removed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , bars  50  and  65  are repositioned so that end  65   a  of bar  65  is repositioned to line up with end portion  55   b  of bar  50 , thus locking movable connector  35  in the open position. 
     To describe how the clasp gets from the locked closed position to the locked open position, we refer back to  FIG. 1 . To open clasp  100 , button  70  is pressed which moves bar  65  in the direction denoted by arrow B. Pushing button  70  compresses spring coil  80  while disengaging latch  60  from latch  55 . With latch  60  disengaged from latch  55 , movable connector  35  and bar  50  can be pulled in the direction denoted by arrow A. While pulling movable connector  35 , the external force applied to button  70  can be released so that coil spring  80  can expand and move block  65  into the locked open position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . As mentioned above, the locked open position involves bars  50  and  65  being repositioned so that end  65   a  of bar  65  lines up with end portion  55   b  of bar  50 . In this position movable connector  35  can then be easily manipulated to receive an end of a chain, such as a necklace or the like, without concern for the movable connector  35  unintentionally closing. 
     Once a chain is hooked to movable connector  35 , clasp  100  can be locked in the closed position. To lock clasp  100  in the closed position, button  70  is pressed. Pressing button  70  compresses coil spring  80  allowing bar  65  to move in the direction denoted by arrow B. Pressing button  70  repositions bar  65 , allowing coil spring  40  to expand and move movable connector  35  and bar  50  in the direction denoted by arrow A. Movable connector  35  closes against body  10 , thus locking the chain to clasp  100 . When button  70  is released, coil spring  80  expands and button  70  and bar  65  move in the direction denoted by arrow B, resulting in latch  60  engaging latch  55  of bar  50 . This engagement results in clasp  100  being locked in the closed position. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the button, bar, and spring holder can be formed integrally with each other or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the movable connector and bar can also be formed integrally with each other or any combination thereof. 
     In yet another embodiment, rather than coil spring  40  being disposed around the linear portion of movable connector  35 , coil spring  40  is connected between bar  50  and the inner wall of body  10 . Similar to coil spring  80 , one end of coil spring  40  is connected to the inner wall of body  10  and the opposite end sits in a spring holder (e.g., set in a cylinder) that is connected to arm  55   a  of bar  50 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the invention may be embodied with different shaped bodies, such as a heart shaped body shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, spring holder  75  is a peg and coil spring  80  has a diameter greater than the diameter of the peg so that coil spring  80  can wrap around the peg, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Finally, in another embodiment of the present invention, latch  60  is in the approximate middle of bar  65  and latch  55  is at end  55   b  of bar  50  and can be positioned to directly interact, contact, and fit into latch  60 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In this example, latch  55  is a protrusion spanning the width of bar  50  and having a general height and shape equal to the general depth and inverse shape of latch  60 . Latch  60  and latch  55  act together to keep movable connector  35  locked when in the closed position. Bar  65  can move completely under bar  50  and up against the inside wall of body  10  when the clasp is in the locked open position. The end of bar  50  is notched out so it can overhang the shaft of button  70  allowing for a larger opening when movable connector  35  is opened, as shown in  FIG. 8  and in  FIG. 9 .