Abstract:
A single-piece connector which can be used as a clasp for jewelry items using cord type construction with a stop element, whereas the cord being any and all materials having the flexible proprieties of cord (i.e. string, rope, monofilament, leather, etc.). A connector consisting of a section as means to anchor the connector to one end of the jewelry item and a series of spaced coils to receive, secure, and release the second loose end along with methods for adjusting the length of the jewelry items using the connector.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connector and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a connector used as 1. A clasp for attaching two ends of a necklace that use a cord construction, whereas the cord being any and all materials having the flexible proprieties of cord (i.e. string, rope, monofilament, leather, rubber, snake chain), with a stop element and 2. In addition to the above, a method by which said connector will allow or not, adjustment of the size/length of said necklace. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical necklace made by a jeweler consists of three components 1. The item or items shown (i.e. beads, pendants, barrels) 2. A length of cord or chain on which it hangs, is threaded, or attached to in some manner and 3. The clasp which connects the two ends of the necklace forming a closed loop which enables the necklace to hang about the neck of the wearer. 
     The typical clasp consists of two mated pieces permanently attached to each end of the necklace thus creating a fixed size, which when coupled and uncoupled allows the wearer to put on or remove the said necklace. 
     The jeweler/manufacturer must create two separate parts for each clasp and perform two connecting operations in the production of each necklace. The jeweler/manufacturer when using a permanently attached clasp must commit to one size, thus having to produce different size necklaces in different quantities according to what the jeweler/manufacturer believes the end user (wearer) may purchase. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention decreases the number of parts needed to produce a clasp down to one and the number of connecting operations during production down to one. 
     The present invention passes on to the end user (wearer) the method by which, with little or no expertise, the necklace can be sized to the wearer&#39;s particular body and the continued ability to wear the said necklace at various lengths. Thus the present invention allows the jeweler/manufacturer to eliminate the guesswork of what sizes will sell, over production of non-selling sizes and the refitting of unsold merchandise. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 shows the present invention, a Single-piece Helical Connector for Adjustable or Fixed Length Jewelry Using Cord-type Construction. 
     FIG. 2 shows the present invention rotated 90° forward. 
     FIG. 2 a  shows a sectional view of the Anchor Ring, rotated 90° forward, from the inward side. 
     FIG. 2 b  shows a sectional view of the Helix, rotated 90° forward, from the inward side. 
     FIG. 3 shows the Anchor side necklace cord anchored to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 shows the method of attachment for the Helix side necklace cord to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 shows both the Anchor side necklace cord and the Helix side necklace cord attached to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 shows a size adjusted necklace with a threaded jewelry ornament. 
     FIG. 7 shows a size adjusted necklace with a jewelry ornament hung between the Anchor side cord and the Helix side cord. 
     FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment with the Anchor side cord tied directly to the Anchor Ring. 
     FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment with an increase of coils in the Anchor Ring. 
     FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment with the Anchor Ring coiled from the outward side in. 
     FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment with the Anchor Ring as a tube. 
     FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment with the Anchor Ring at an angle to the Helix 
     FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment with the series of spaced coils conical. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows the present invention in the preferred embodiment for performing the operation of a clasp on a cord-type necklace and which will allow the end user (wearer) to adjust the size of the necklace. The preferred embodiment is made from precious or non-precious metal, of a predetermined thickness  20 . An alternative embodiment can be made from any and all materials having rigid or semi-rigid properties that will allow the present invention to hold its shape (i.e. plastic, wood, rubber). The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a one-piece structure that consists of three sections, an Anchor Ring  14 , a Connecting Bar  16 , and a Helix  18 . 
     The first section of the present invention in the preferred embodiment is the Anchor Ring  14 , which anchors the present invention to an anchor side length of the necklace cord  50  (FIG.  3 ). In the preferred embodiment the metal used is coiled outward from the inward side, to form the Anchor Ring  14  (FIG. 1) with an opening  22  (FIG. 2 a ) whose size can accommodate the diameter of the cord used in the construction of the necklace. The number of coils forming the Anchor Ring  14   a  (FIG. 9) can vary in an alternative embodiment. The Anchor Ring  14   b  (FIG. 10) in an alternative embodiment can have the metal coiled from the outward side inward. In an alternative embodiment the Anchor Ring  14   c  (FIG. 11) can be a tube. In the preferred embodiment the Anchor Ring Opening  22  (FIG. 2 a ) is in line with an opening  24  (FIG. 2 b ) in the Helix  18 . Alternative embodiments can have the Anchor Ring  14   d  (FIG. 12) at various angles to the opening of the Helix. 
     In the preferred embodiment the Anchor side length of the necklace cord  50  is threaded through the Anchor Ring  14  and secured by an Anchor side knot  52  (FIG.  3 ). The knot  52  larger than that of the Anchor Ring Opening  22  (FIG. 2 a ), tied into the length of the Anchor side cord  50  is a stop element preventing the Anchor side cord  50  from passing back out through the Anchor Ring  14 . This method of securing the Anchor side of the necklace cord  50  allows the size of the necklace to be adjusted on the Anchor side of the necklace when needed (see FIG.  7 ). In an alternative embodiment any item larger than the Anchor Ring opening  22  (FIG. 2 a ) or the Helix opening  24  (FIG. 2 b ), can be attached, connected, or formed to the end of the necklace cords as a stop element to secure the necklace cord ends. Another alternative embodiment can attach (i.e. tie, glue, solder) the Anchor side of the necklace cord  50  directly to the Anchor Ring  14  (FIG.  8 ), though this does not allow adjustment on the Anchor side of the present invention it does not hinder the present invention&#39;s use as a clasp. 
     The second section of the preferred embodiment is the Connecting Bar  16  (FIG.  1 ), which connects the Anchor Ring  14  and the Helix  18 . In the preferred embodiment where the Anchor Ring  14  is coiled from the inward side out the Connecting Bar  16  extends from the outward side  30  of the Anchor Ring  14 , over the outside  32  of the Anchor Ring  14 , bends  34  into the orbit of the Helix, and then turns  36  (FIG. 2) into the inner end of the Helix  18 . The turn  36  (FIG. 2) in the Connecting Bar  16  leaves a space between the Connecting Bar  16  and the second coil  38  of the Helix  18  able to accommodate the diameter of the cord used in the construction of the necklace. In the preferred embodiment the length of the Connecting Bar  16 , and thus the space between the Anchor Ring  14  and the Helix  18  is sufficient to allow the Anchor side knot  52  and a Helix side knot  54  sit facing each other though not touching (FIG.  5 ). The length of the Connecting Bar  16  can vary in an alternative embodiment. 
     The third section of the present invention is the Helix  18  (FIG.  1 ), a series of spaced coils  42  (FIG. 2) where a length of the Helix side of the necklace cord  56  (FIG. 5) is connected, secured, and released. In the preferred embodiment the Helix consists of 2.5 coils, with an opening  24  (FIG. 2 b ) able to accommodate the diameter of the cord used in the construction of the necklace. In the preferred embodiment the coils  42  of the Helix are spaced a distance from one another that will accommodate the diameter of cord used in the construction of the necklace. The number of spaced coils can vary in an alternative embodiment. Another alternative embodiment can have the series of spaced coils conical  18   a  (FIG.  13 ). 
     The method by which the present invention operates as a clasp (FIG. 4) is as follows. With the Anchor side of the necklace cord  50  secured in the Anchor Ring  14 , the knot  54  is tied in the loose Helix side length of the necklace cord  56  and held at a point  32  where the Connecting Bar  16  comes over the Anchor Ring  14 . Then as the Helix side knot  54  is held, the Helix Side of the necklace cord  56  is wrapped around the Helix  18  following the direction of the Helix coils  42  (FIG.  2 ). At the outward end  58  (FIG. 4) of the Helix the Helix side cord  56  is pulled outward  60  along the Helix&#39;s center line. The Helix side cord  56  is pulled into the center  62  (FIG. 5) of the coil, the Helix side knot is let go and seated  64  (FIG. 5) at the inward side of the Helix unable to pull through the Helix  18  securing the Helix side cord  56 . Thus having performed the closing operation of a clasp (FIG.  5 ). The opening/releasing operation is performed by holding the Connecting Bar  16  and the seated Helix side knot  54  (FIG.  5 ), taking the Helix side cord  56  and wrapping it in the direction opposite that of the Helix coils  42  till the Helix side cord  56  is free from the present invention. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for the adjustment of the size of the attached necklace under at least two common conditions (FIG.  6  and FIG.  7 ). In FIG. 6 the necklace attached to the present invention has a jewelry ornament  70  threaded onto one continuous cord. The ornament  70  is able to slide along the length of the necklace, in this case (FIG. 6) the method by which the necklace is be made shorter or longer is by moving the knot  54  along the length of Helix side cord  56  or the knot  52  along the length of Anchor side cord  50 . In an alternative embodiment where the Anchor side cord  50  is attached to and not through the Anchor Ring  14  (FIG.  8 ), the size/length adjustment can only be made on the Helix side of the necklace cord  56 . In FIG. 7 the preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the Anchor side cord  50  and the Helix side cord  56  attached to two sides of a jewelry ornament  72 , the ornament  72  is not able to slide along the cord of the necklace. The method in this case (FIG. 7) is to make the necklace shorter or longer by moving both the knot  52  along the length of the Anchor side cord  50  and the knot  54  along the length of the Helix side cord  56 . In an alternative embodiment any movable item attached, connected, or formed on the length of the necklace cord larger than the Anchor Ring opening  22  (FIG. 2 a ) or Helix opening  24  (FIG. 2 b ) can be a stop element used to adjust the size of the necklace. 
     Whereby the present invention has been shown to be used as a single-piece clasp for jewelry items using cord-type construction, along with the ability to have the size/length of said jewelry items adjusted. 
     Thus, while a particular preferred embodiment, a number of alternative embodiments of the present invention, and methods for using the same, have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations can be made, while not departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention as defined by the following encompassing claims.