Abstract:
The present document describes a clasp device for connecting first and second ends of an elongated member used in a necklace or a bracelet comprising first and second connection clasp sections adapted for connection respectively to the first and second ends of the elongated member and adapted to be releasably connected together. At least one of the first and second connection clasp sections includes a releasable portion to connect the clasp device to an associated one of the first and second ends of the elongated member. The releasable portion is adapted for allowing the elongated member to release from the clasp device if sufficient force is applied by the elongated member on the releasable portion.

Description:
(a) FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed generally relates to clasp devices for necklaces and bracelets. More particularly, the subject matter relates to clasp devices for child safe necklaces and bracelets. 
       (b) BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Jewelries are popular in many societies. Jewelries may often come in the form of necklaces, defined as articles of jewelry that are worn around the neck, most often made of a string of precious metal, pearls, gems, beads or shells, and sometimes having a pendant attached. They often include a clasp device such as to join the main chain together with ease. 
         [0003]    When children are wearing necklaces, potential hazards associated with children&#39;s jewelry attached around the neck of a child may occur, as it can catch on objects in the child&#39;s environment resulting in strangulation. 
         [0004]    There exists standards and/or norms that regulate manufacture and sales of necklaces to children of young ages. More particularly, there exists standards and/or norms that regulate manufacture and sales of necklaces for children of young ages between about 0 and 36 months (3 years). 
         [0005]    There is therefore a need for a child safe necklace (or bracelet) and for a clasp device that are safe for children of young ages. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to an embodiment, there is provided a clasp device for connecting an elongated member used in a necklace or a bracelet comprising: a first clasp portion having a first end and a second end; a second clasp portion having a first end and a second end, the second clasp portion being releasably attachable at its first end with the second end of the first clasp portion; a first attachment member extending from the first clasp portion about its first end for attaching a first end of the elongated member; and a substantially flexible second attachment member extending from the second clasp portion about its second end for attaching a second end of the elongated member; wherein when at least one of the first clasp portion, the second clasp portion, the first attachment member, the substantially flexible second attachment member and the elongated member is subjected to a sufficient tension, a gap is created about the substantially flexible second attachment member allowing the elongated member to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member. 
         [0007]    According to another embodiment, the substantially flexible second attachment member comprises a main portion outwardly extending from the second end of the second clasp portion. 
         [0008]    According to a further embodiment, the main portion is rotatably extending from and relative to the second end of the second clasp portion. 
         [0009]    According to yet another embodiment, the substantially flexible second attachment member further comprises an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet. 
         [0010]    According to another embodiment, the substantially flexible second attachment member further comprises an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of the second clasp portion, the first clasp portion, the elongated member, the first attachment member and the substantially flexible second attachment member is subjected to the sufficient tension. 
         [0011]    According to a further embodiment, when the end portion is in the normally closed position, the end portion is located about the main portion, and when the end portion is in the safely opened position, the gap is created between the end portion and the main portion for allowing the elongated member to be released from the attachment member. 
         [0012]    According to yet another embodiment, the main portion, the engaging inwardly curved portion and the end portion are made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part. 
         [0013]    According to another embodiment, the same unitary piece of material comprises at least one of: steel, stainless steel, silver and gold. 
         [0014]    According to a further embodiment, the first attachment member comprises a ring portion defining a ring engagement member, the ring engagement member connecting the ring portion on the first clasp portion at its first end. 
         [0015]    According to yet another embodiment, the sufficient tension is about 15 pounds. 
         [0016]    According to a further embodiment, the first clasp portion comprises one of: a male clasp portion and a female clasp portion and further wherein the second clasp portion comprises a respective other one of: the male clasp portion and the female clasp portion. 
         [0017]    According to another embodiment, there is provided an attachment member to be mounted on a clasp portion for connecting an elongated member of a necklace or a bracelet to the clasp portion, the attachment member comprising: a main portion outwardly extending from an end of the clasp portion; an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet; and an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of the clasp portion, the elongated member and the attachment member is subjected to a sufficient force; wherein when the end portion is in the normally closed position, the end portion is located about the main portion, and when the end portion is in the safely opened position, a gap is created between the end portion and the main portion for allowing the elongated member to be released from the attachment member. 
         [0018]    According to a further embodiment, the main portion, the engaging inwardly curved and the end portion are made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part. 
         [0019]    According to yet another embodiment, the main portion is rotatably extending from and relative to the end of the clasp portion. 
         [0020]    According to another embodiment, the end portion comprises an end outwardly curved portion defining an end portion interfacing with the engaging inwardly curved portion. 
         [0021]    According to another embodiment, there is provided a clasp device for connecting first and second ends of an elongated member used in a necklace or a bracelet comprising: first and second connection clasp sections adapted for connection respectively to the first and second ends of the elongated member and adapted to be releasably connected together; at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections including a releasable portion to connect the clasp device to an associated one of the first and second ends of the elongated member; wherein the releasable portion is adapted for allowing the elongated member to release from the clasp device if sufficient force is applied by the elongated member on the releasable portion. 
         [0022]    According to a further embodiment, when the sufficient force is applied, the releasable portion is adapted to deform such as to define a gap that allows the elongated member to disengage from the releasable portion. 
         [0023]    According to yet another embodiment, the releasable portion is rotatably extending from and relative to a respective one of the at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections. 
         [0024]    According to another embodiment, the releasable portion comprises a main portion outwardly extending a respective one of the at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections. 
         [0025]    According to a further embodiment, the releasable portion further comprises an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet; and an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of: the first and second connection clasp sections and the elongated member is subjected to the sufficient force. 
         [0026]    Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a necklace in accordance with an embodiment, where in an enlarged view of the clasp device, the substantially flexible second attachment member is shown in a normally closed position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view from the front and to one side of a clasp device in accordance with another embodiment, the clasp device being shown in a closed position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the rear and to another side of the clasp device of  FIG. 2 , the clasp device being shown in an opened position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of one side of the clasp device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the other side of the clasp device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view of the clasp device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of the clasp device of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a clasp device in accordance with another embodiment, where the substantially flexible second attachment member is shown in a safely opened position. Dotted lines show the substantially flexible second attachment member in the safely opened position while solid lines show the substantially flexible second attachment member in a position between a normally closed position and the safely opened position. 
       
    
    
       [0036]    It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    In embodiments there are disclosed child safe necklaces or bracelets, clasp devices (i.e., breakaway safety clasp devices) for child safe necklaces or bracelets and attachment members for clasp devices for child safe necklaces or bracelets. 
         [0038]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a necklace  10  in accordance with an embodiment. It is to be noted that the following description will refer to a necklace  10 , but that the same applies for a bracelet ( 10 ) and the like. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the necklace  10  includes an elongated member  12  such as main chain  12  which has a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The main chain  12  of the necklace  10  may further includes decorative parts  17  (i.e., string of precious metal, pearls, gems, beads or shells, and sometimes having a pendant attached) and first and second chain attachment members  19 ,  21  (i.e., such as first and second chain loops  19 ,  21 ) at respectively first and second ends  14 ,  16  of the main chain  12 . 
         [0039]    Now referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , there is shown that the necklace  10  further includes a clasp device  18  for connecting the first end  14  (i.e., first loop  19 ) and the second end  16  (i.e., second loop  21 ) of the main chain  12  of the necklace  10 . As shown, the clasp device  18  includes a first male clasp portion  20  such as a male clasp portion  20  and a second clasp portion  26  such as a female clasp portion  26 . The male clasp portion  20  has a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The female clasp portion  26  also has a first end  28  and a second end  30 . The female clasp portion  26  is releasably attachable at its first end  28  with the second end  24  of the male clasp portion  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the female clasp portion  26  and the male clasp portion  20  are shown to be releasably attached. However, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the female clasp portion  26  and the male clasp portion  20  are shown to be releasably attachable. Indeed, the male clasp portion  20  includes a threaded section  23  to be releasably fastened with a corresponding threaded section  25  of the female clasp portion  26 . Thus, the female clasp portion  26  and the male clasp portion  20  may be screwed together. It is to be noted that the female clasp portion  26  and the male clasp portion  20  may be configured differently such as to be releasably connectable together. For example, the female clasp portion  26  and the male clasp portion  20  may be magnetically releasably connectable together or may be releasably connected together using other fasteners. It is also to be mentioned that the female clasp portion  26  and the male clasp portion  20  may be replaced by any other suitable first and second clasp portions (i.e.,  20 ,  26 ) that are releasably attachable or connectable together. Accordingly, for allowing only a substantially flexible second attachment member  34  to deform under a sufficient force, the first and second clasp portions  20 ,  26  would thus need to open under a force which is greater than the sufficient force (such as to keep the necklace  10  under a single unitary piece when the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  releases the elongated member or main chain  12 ). 
         [0040]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , there is shown that the clasp device  18  further includes a first attachment member  32  and a substantially flexible second attachment member  34 . The first attachment member  32  extends from the male clasp portion  20  about its first end  22  for attaching the first end  14  (i.e., first loop  19 ) of the main chain  12 . On the other side, the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  extends from the female clasp portion  26  about its second end  30  for attaching the second end  16  (i.e., second loop  21 ) of the main chain  12 . Alternatively, it is to be noted that the first attachment member  32  may extend from the female clasp portion  26  about its first end  22  for attaching the first end  14  (i.e., first loop  19 ) of the main chain and the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  may extend from male clasp portion  20  about its second end  30  for attaching the second end  16  (i.e., second loop  21 ) of the main chain  12 . According to the configuration of the clasp device  18 , when the male clasp portion  20 , the female clasp portion  26 , the first attachment member  32 , the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  and/or the main chain  12  is/are subjected to a sufficient or predetermined tension/force, a gap  36  ( FIG. 8 ) is created about the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  which allows the main chain  12  to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member  34 . 
         [0041]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , there is shown that the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  includes a main portion  38  which outwardly extends from the second end  30  of the female clasp portion  26 . The substantially flexible second attachment member  34  further includes an engaging inwardly curved portion  40  which extends from the main portion  38  for interfacing with the main chain  12  of the necklace or the bracelet  10 . The substantially flexible second attachment member  34  further includes an end portion  42  which extends from the engaging inwardly curved portion  40 . The main portion  38 , the engaging inwardly curved portion  40 , and the end portion  42  are capable of displacement between a normally closed position ( FIG. 2 ) and a safely opened position ( FIG. 8 ) when the female clasp portion  26 , the male clasp portion  20 , the main chain  12 , the first attachment member  32  and/or the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  is/are subjected to the sufficient/predetermined tension/force. According to  FIG. 8 , dotted lines show the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  in the safely opened position while solid lines show the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  in a position between a normally closed position and the safely opened position. It is to be mentioned that the end portion  42  is capable of displacement such as to reach 180° compared to its initial position (i.e., when the substantially flexible second attachment member is in the normally closed position). 
         [0042]    Accordingly, when the end portion  42  is in the normally closed position ( FIG. 2 ), the end portion  42  is located about the main portion  38  (i.e., such as to retain the second loop  21  (i.e., second chain attachment member  21 ) at the second end  16  of the main chain  12  within the hook-like portion defined by the main portion  38 , the engaging inwardly curved portion  40  and the end portion  42  together). When the end portion  42  is in the safely opened position ( FIG. 8 ), the gap  36  is created between the end portion  42  and the main portion  38  for allowing the main chain  12  to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  (i.e., such as to release the second loop  21  (i.e., second chain attachment member  21 ) at the second end  16  of the main chain  12  from the hook-like portion defined by the main portion  38 , the engaging inwardly curved portion  40  and the end portion  42  together, via the gap  36  defined between the main portion  38  and the end portion  42 ). 
         [0043]    According to an embodiment and as better shown in  FIG. 2 , the end portion  42  comprises an end outwardly curved portion  48  which defines an end portion  50  interfacing with the engaging inwardly curved portion  40 . 
         [0044]    According to an embodiment, the main portion  38 , the engaging inwardly curved portion  40  and the end portion  42  may be made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part. 
         [0045]    According to an embodiment, the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  may be rotatably extending from and relative to the second end  30  of the second clasp portion  26 . Thus, the main portion  38  may rotatably extend from the second end  30  of the second clasp portion  26  via a nail, a screw, a bent portion of the main portion  38  and/or a connection of any other suitable configuration that would allow the main portion  38  to rotate about the longitudinal axis (not shown) defined by the second clasp portion (see arrow  100  on  FIG. 2 ). This configuration leads for deformation of the substantially flexible second attachment member  34 , such as to allow the elongated member  12  to release the clasp device  18 . 
         [0046]    According to an embodiment, the same unitary piece of material includes steel, stainless steel, silver, gold, and/or any other suitable material. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the first attachment member  32  comprises a ring portion  52  which defines a ring engagement member  54 . The ring engagement member  54  connects the ring portion  52  on the male clasp portion  20  at its first end  22 . The ring engagement member  54  may be, without limitation, welded, glued and/or bonded to the male clasp portion  20 . 
         [0048]    According to an embodiment, the male clasp portion  20  and the female clasp portion  26  may be of any suitable shape and/or configuration such as to releasably connect together. For example, the male clasp portion  20  and the female clasp portion  26  may be, without limitation, of a cylindrical configuration (as shown), of a rounded or spherical configuration, of a prismatic configuration, and the like. 
         [0049]    According to an embodiment, the male and the female clasp portions  20 ,  26  may define together a length (not shown) which is about less than 20 mm. More preferably, the male and the female clasp portions  20 ,  26  may define a length which is about 14 mm. 
         [0050]    According to an embodiment, the necklace  10  may define a length which is about less than 15 inches, which includes the main chain  12  with the clasp device  18  (which includes the female and male clasp portions  20 ,  26 ). More particularly, the necklace  10  may define a length which is about 11-13 inches (11 inches may be for 0-2 years-old—13 inches may be for 2-4 years old). It is also to be mentioned that the necklace  10  may have a longer length (i.e., a necklace  10  could be worn by an adult). The necklace  10 , that can be worn by an adult, would also need to include parts that are releasably detachable (i.e., allowing the creation of gap  36  between the end portion  42  and the main portion  38  for allowing the main chain  12  to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member  34 ) in order to obtain one detached necklace  10  in a single part after tension have been imparted on one or another part of the necklace  10 . 
         [0051]    According to an embodiment, the ring portion  52  of the first attachment member  32  may define a diameter of about less than 4 mm. More particularly, the ring portion  52  of the first attachment member  32  may define a diameter of about 2.5 mm. 
         [0052]    According to an embodiment, the hook-like portion defined by the main portion  38 , the engaging inwardly curved portion  40  and the end portion  42  together may define a diameter of about less than 5 mm. More particularly, the hook-like portion defined by the main portion  38 , the engaging inwardly curved portion  40  and the end portion  42  together may define a diameter of about 4 mm. 
         [0053]    According to an embodiment, the sufficient tension may be determined based on the different regulations and/or norms established by different countries, institutions, organizations and the like. For example, the sufficient tension may be about 15 pounds and over. Thus, in use, a child under a certain age may wear a necklace  10 . Upon interaction between the necklace  10  of the child and an element from the external environment, which may include, without limitation, a bed part, a house part (i.e., a table, a chair, a countertop, a kitchen element, a hook, a fence), a toy, another person, and the like, the second attachment  34  of the female clasp portion  26  will substantially open (i.e., a gap  36  is created about the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  allowing the main chain  12  to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  as at least the main portion  38 , the engaging inwardly curved portion  40  and the end portion  42  are flexible and/or resilient) to release the second end  16  (i.e., second loop  21 ) of the main chain  12 . According to this configuration and the fact that the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  opens from a normally closed position ( FIG. 2 ) to a safely opened position ( FIG. 8 ), there will be no separate parts from the chain member  12 , the first end  14  (i.e., first loop  19 ) of the chain member  12 , the second end  16  (i.e., second loop  21 ) of the chain member  12 , the female clasp portion  26 , the male clasp portion  20 , the first attachment member  32  and the substantially flexible second attachment member  34  that will split. Thus, the child will be safe from strangulation. Only the entire portion of the necklace  10  (i.e., in its safely opened position) will remain near the child in the child environment (i.e., in his bed for example). Additionally, according to the configuration of the necklace  10  described above, when the necklace  10  is subjected to the tension (from 0 to 15 pounds for example), at any moment, no piece or portion of the necklace  10  (i.e., the main chain  12 , the male clasp portion  20 , the female clasp portion  26 , the first attachment member  32  and the substantially flexible second attachment member  34 ) will be found to show a sharp surface or a dangerous portion. Indeed, as the end portion  42  includes an end outwardly curved portion  48  which defines an end portion  50  interfacing with the engaging inwardly curved portion  40 , at no time during the tension process (between 0-15 pounds) the end portion  42  will be found to include a sharp surface. 
         [0054]    The present invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following examples which are given to illustrate the invention rather than to limit its scope. 
       Example 1 
     Tests Performed on the Necklace Regarding Mechanical Hazards 
       [0055]    In 2014, a testing company received an 11-inch necklace  10  for testing purposes. 
         [0056]    Some tests were performed. A breakaway tension test, as per ASTM F2923-11, section 12.2 for determination of breakaway features and releases was performed. A use and abuse test, as per ASTM F2923-11, Section 12.3 for determination of potential hazards that would result from the normal use or reasonably foreseeable damage or abuse intended for children of young ages. 
         [0057]    Test Results—Breakaway Tension Test 
         [0058]    The 11-inch necklace  10  was tested in accordance with ASTM F2923-11, Section 12.2 to address potential hazards associated with children&#39;s jewelry attached around the neck of a child, which may catch on objects in the child&#39;s environment resulting in strangulation. The test setup was performed under a maximum load of 1 kN and a maximum torque of 3.5 Nm at ambient temperature. The results obtained shows that the necklace  10  intended to be attached around the neck released, either by designed breakaway feature, attachment design or physical properties of the material used, when subjected to 15 pounds of tension in accordance with the breakaway tension test. The results obtained further shows that no hazardous sharp points or hazardous sharp edges were observed during the tension test. 
         [0059]    Test Results—Use and Abuse Test 
         [0060]    For this particular test, the parameters were as follows: 
         [0061]    Impact Test—Age of 18 months or less: Impact medium; 
         [0062]    Torque Test—Age of 18 months or less: Torque Wrench and standard torque test clamp; 
         [0063]    Tension test—Age of 18 months or less: Digital Force Gauge and long nose vise grip; and 
         [0064]    Compression test—Age of 18 months or less: Digital Force Gauge and compression disc. 
         [0065]    The results obtained shows that the necklace  10  has no accessible, potentially hazardous sharp points before or after use and abuse test and that the necklace  10  has no accessible, potentially hazardous projections before or after use and abuse test. 
         [0066]    While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.