Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to protectors for jewelry clasps. Specifically, this invention relates to a removable apparatus for easily, completely and non-intrusively covering a clasp to wearable jewelry such that protection of both the  clasp and the wearer is provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/405,869 Filed Oct. 22, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to protectors for jewelry clasps. Specifically, this invention relates to a removable apparatus for easily, completely and non-intrusively covering a clasp to wearable jewelry such that protection of both the clasp and the wearer is provided. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The use or jewelry and other adornments to enhance or showcase individual beauty or wealth is ubiquitous. Jewelry has been worn throughout the millennia and while much has changed in terms of manufacture, quality, polish and design, there are certain elements that have been common throughout. 
         [0004]    Most wearable jewelry consist of some attractive elements and an attachment means meant to be utilized for allowing the jewelry to be put on and taken back off again at some point in the future. These attachment means come in a variety of shapes, sizes and types, but one of the most prevalent types are attachment means that removably connect two ends of a band or strand, such as a clasp, hook and loop, box clasps, lobster clasps, parrot clasps, toggle clasps, tube bar clasps and magnetic clasps. 
         [0005]    While there are many types of clasps, there are a few major flaws that are common amongst them. First, the clasps are commonly the weakest link in a piece of jewelry, subject to damage that may make the jewelry inoperable and either difficult to remove or attach. This is especially true over time as a clasp is subject to repeated use and abuse. 
         [0006]    A second common problem is that claps invariably get foreign material caught or trapped within. While many times, this can simply be dirt or grime that can be removed through cleaning, often enough this can be the hair, garments or skin of the wearer. This frequently results in pulled, torn or pinched hair, garments and/or skin. In some pieces of jewelry, the clasp can become downright bothersome or painful to the wearer. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for a jewelry clasp protector capable of protecting both the jewelry clasp and wearer from damage and harm. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide jewelry clasp protector capable of protecting both the jewelry and wearer from damage and harm. 
         [0009]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a non-obtrusive, removable and inexpensive jewelry clasp protector. 
         [0010]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the jewelry clasp protector is comprised of a hollow cylinder with thin exterior walls and a slit running the entire length of the hollow cylinder. 
         [0011]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the jewelry clasp protector may be comprised of a hollow cylinder with interior and exterior walls of any shape. 
         [0012]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the jewelry clasp protector is designed to allow jewelry clasps, such as those that are used to connect two ends of a necklace or bracelet, to be received within the hollow cylinder via the slit. 
         [0013]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the jewelry clasp protector may be made from soft, flexible materials. 
         [0014]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the jewelry clasp protectors may be made from firm materials or a combination of firm and soft, flexible materials. 
         [0015]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a jewelry clasp protector may be comprised of a material that shrinks when heated above a certain threshold temperature. 
         [0016]    The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a prospective view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a prospective view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a prospective view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a prospective view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a prospective view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a prospective view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a top view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a jewelry clasp protector is provided. The jewelry clasp protector is comprised of a hollow cylinder with thin exterior walls and a slit running the entire length of the hollow cylinder. The interior and exterior walls of the hollow cylinder may be of any shape. Some examples of the various shapes of the interior and exterior walls of the hollow cylinder are shown in the attached figures. 
         [0030]    For example, the exterior walls may be wavy (see  FIGS. 2-3 ), rounded (see  FIGS. 4 ,  8 ,  9 ), rectangular or tapered (see  FIG. 7 ) and the interior walls may be rounded (see  FIG. 9 ), wavy (see  FIG. 1 ), rectangular or tapered. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the interior and exterior walls could be of any shape, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any shape of interior wall or exterior wall and any combination thereof. 
         [0031]    The jewelry clasp protector is designed to allow jewelry clasps, such as those that are used to connect two ends of a necklace or bracelet, to be received within the hollow cylinder via the slit. Advantageously, having the jewelry clasp received within the hollow cylinder of the jewelry clasp protector serves several functions, including, but not limited to, protecting the jewelry clasp from damage and protecting the individual wearing the particular piece of jewelry associate with the jewelry clasp from the pinching or pulling of hair or skin that frequently occurs with regular wearing of jewelry with clasps. 
         [0032]    Jewelry clasp protectors, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, may be made from soft, flexible materials, including, but not limited to, soft silicone or clear vinyl. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any number of soft flexible materials could be used with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any soft flexible materials. 
         [0033]    Alternatively, jewelry clasp protectors, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, may be made from firm materials or a combination of firm and soft, flexible materials. For instance, the jewelry clasp protector could be made from firm plastic or the hollow cylinder portion of the jewelry clasp protector could be made from firm plastic and the slit portion of the jewelry clasp protector could be comprised of soft silicone. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any number of firm materials or combination of firm materials and soft flexible materials could be used with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any firm material or combination of firm materials and soft flexible materials. 
         [0034]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a jewelry clasp protector may be comprised of a material that shrinks when heated above a certain threshold temperature. In this embodiment, the jewelry clasp is first received within the hollow cylinder portion of the jewelry clasp protector via the slit and then the jewelry clasp protector is heated above the threshold temperature. Once above the threshold temperature, the jewelry clasp protector will shrink around the jewelry clasp. In this manner, the jewelry clasp protector may provide a better fit and stay securely in place, even when the wearer of the piece of jewelry is active. Additionally, in one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the heating of the jewelry clasp protector above the threshold temperature may cause the jewelry clasp protector to become affixed to the piece of jewelry by permanently or semi-permanently sealing the slit. In this embodiment, the jewelry clasp protector may be either slidably affixed to the piece of jewelry or non-slidably affixed to the piece of jewelry. In an embodiment where the jewelry clasp protector is slidably affixed, the jewelry clasp protector may be slid off of the jewelry clasp so that a wearer may unfasten the jewelry clasp to remove the piece of jewelry. In an embodiment where the jewelry clasp protector is non-slidably affixed to the piece of jewelry, the jewelry clasp protector is not able to be slid off of the jewelry clasp and the jewelry clasp protector must be removed before the jewelry clasp may be unfastened. The later embodiment may be most useful in pieces of jewelry removable in manners other than unfastening the jewelry clasp (e.g., necklaces removable over the wearer&#39;s head). 
         [0035]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a jewelry clasp protector may be comprised of a material that is substantially transparent. In this manner, the jewelry clasp protector does not detract from the piece of jewelry&#39;s luster or beauty. In an alternative embodiment, a jewelry clasp protector may be comprised of a material that is colored or decorative. In this manner, the jewelry clasp protector may add to the decorative nature of a piece of jewelry. 
         [0036]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a jewelry clasp protector may be initially comprised of a flat planar material. The flat planar material is then wrapped around a jewelry clasp to form a hollow cylinder around jewelry clasp. In this embodiment, the jewelry clasp protector may or may not be comprised of a slit running the entire length of the cylinder. This embodiment allows for the jewelry clasp protector to fit on a wide variety of jewelry styles and sizes. 
       EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 10 , cross-sectional views of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In this embodiment, the exterior and interior walls of the jewelry clasp protector are wavy and allow for the retention of a jewelry clasp to be situated within. 
         [0038]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 8  prospective views of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Here, the slit  20  can be seen running the entire length of the jewelry clasp protector. Slit  20  allows the jewelry clasp to be removably inserted within the jewelry clasp protector such that, while inside, the jewelry clasp is protected from harm and causing harm. 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  7 , prospective views of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. This view shows the back side of an exemplary jewelry clasp protector, in that its slit is hidden from view and all that can be seen is a smooth, unaffected surface with the jewelry strand  30  extending from either end. The surface may be clear or mute in color as to not attract attention to it, or loud or artistic in order to draw attention to the jewelry clasp protector, making it part of the ambiance of the jewelry. 
         [0040]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a prospective view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Here, the slit  20  can be seen running the entire length of the jewelry clasp protector. Additionally, jewelry strand  30  can be seen extending from either end of the jewelry clasp protector. 
         [0041]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a cross-sectional view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In this embodiment, the exterior walls  40  of the jewelry clasp protector are round and tapered, while the interior walls  41  are wavy. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any combination of exterior and interior wall shapes are usable with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any combination of exterior and interior wall shape. 
         [0042]    Turning now to  FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In this embodiment, the exterior and interior walls of the jewelry clasp protector are rounded and allow for the retention of a jewelry clasp to be situated within. 
         [0043]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , a top view of a jewelry clasp protector, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In this embodiment, the jewelry clasp protector is comprised of a thin material that may be wrapped over a jewelry clasp, forming a rolled substantially tubular format that encircles the jewelry clasp.  FIG. 12  shows a side view of this embodiment. The jewelry clasp protector of this embodiment may be removably connected to the jewelry clasp by way of wrapping and unwrapping the clasp accordingly. Optionally, the jewelry clasp protector of this embodiment may be permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the jewelry clasp. For instance, a material that shrinks when heated may be utilized, whereby heat is applied to permanently or semi-permanently affix the jewelry clasp protector to the jewelry clasp. 
         [0044]    It is understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.