Abstract:
The present invention allows for a jewelry clasp that is engagable in multiple directions, minimizing the wearer&#39;s effort and time in properly securing the wearer&#39;s jewelry. The jewelry clasp has a complete internal engagement, eliminating external structures that may catch and snag on the wearer&#39;s hair and/or clothes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of clasps used for securing jewelry on the wearer.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0004]    Jewelry clasps known in the prior art are subject to several limitations. For instance, conventional jewelry clasps are difficult to engage and disengage, as the clasp is capable of being secured by the wearer in only one direction. Accordingly, the wearer must carefully engage and secure the clasp. Additionally, a jewelry clasp securable in only one direction requires additional time and effort of the wearer to properly open and close likewise, the projections on such clasps are prone to snagging the wearer&#39;s hair and/or clothes.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,562 to Pogharian (“Pogharian”) is an example of the prior art which exhibits such limitations. The latch member of Pogharian can only be inserted and secured into the housing in one direction. Additionally, the latch member of Pogharian contains an external stop member formed to abut the outer end of the housing bottom in order to firmly secure the clasp. This additional structure, projecting externally from the housing, can catch and snag on the wearer&#39;s hair and/or clothing during the clasp&#39;s engagement.  
           [0006]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a jewelry clasp that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides for a jewelry clasp which is engagable in multiple directions, reliable, sturdy, and secure. The present invention includes a jewelry clasp of the latch type having a pivotally mounted catch member in a housing and spring actuated in conjunction with a latch member which is insertable and engagable in multiple directions.  
           [0008]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing is grooved on both parallel walls near the end in which the latch member is inserted. The latch member includes a raised circular notch on one side which fits into the groove in the housing, insertable into the housing up to the point where the raised circular notch abuts the end of the groove. In an alternative embodiment, the latch member includes raised circular notches stationed in the same relative positions on each side.  
           [0009]    Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a jewelry clasp that is engagable in multiple directions, which is secure and easily opened and closed by the wearer.  
           [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a jewelry clasp that is free from external parts which can catch and snag the wearer&#39;s hair and/or clothing. Other objects of the present invention shall be apparent to a person skilled in the art based on the disclosure contained herein. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate by way of example and not limitation, the present invention, and together with the preceding general description and the following detailed description, explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0012]    In the drawings:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in an engaged condition.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line  3 - 3  of FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line  4 - 4  of FIG. 2.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the elements of the invention in the disengaged condition.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the unlocking of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 additionally illustrates that rotating the latch member 180° will not impact engagement or disengagement.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the latch member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    Embodiments of a jewelry clasp which utilize the present invention address the need for an apparatus that is reliable, sturdy, secure and capable of engagement in multiple directions. Ideally, the present invention allows for the quicker and easier engagement and disengagement of the wearer&#39;s jewelry, along with the lack of the jewelry clasp containing an external structure which can catch and snag in the wearer&#39;s hair or clothing. As is shown in the Figures, a jewelry clasp ( 1 ) capable of engagement in multiple directions is described. The jewelry clasp ( 1 ) may be constructed of any metallic material of strength and economic feasibility such as gold alloy, sterling silver, stainless steel, or the like.  
         [0021]    In a first embodiment of the present invention, the jewelry clasp ( 1 ) includes a channel housing ( 10 ) with two opposed and parallel side walls ( 20 ) and ( 22 ) and a bottom ( 30 ). Side walls ( 20 ) and ( 22 ) extend to form into rings ( 28   a - b ) to receive the necklace or chain. The outer end of the housing ( 10 ) is open to receive a latch member ( 40 ). The housing ( 10 ) includes two opposed grooves ( 5   a ) and ( 5   b ) on each of the side walls ( 20 ) and ( 22 ), respectively. To increase reliability and minimize the amount of pieces required for assembly, the housing ( 10 ) and its side walls ( 20 ) and ( 22 ), bottom ( 30 ), and rings ( 28   a - b ) may be constructed as one piece of material and shaped to conform to the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the latch member ( 40 ) is arrow-shaped with its outer end formed into a ring ( 28   c ) to receive the necklace or chain. The latch member ( 40 ) includes two side panels ( 42 ) and ( 44 ). A circular notch ( 100 ) is provided on the first side panel ( 42 ) of latch member ( 40 ). The circular notch ( 100 ) is of a size to fit within grooves ( 5   a ) and ( 5   b ). An arrow-shaped insertion member ( 46 ), including indentations ( 48   a ) and ( 48   b ) formed therein, is provided on one end of latch member ( 40 ). The indentations ( 48   a ) and ( 48   b ) receive the hook portion ( 52 ) of a catch member ( 50 ). The inner end of the insertion member ( 46 ) is preferably rounded to a point and abuts the stop portion ( 54 ) of the catch member ( 50 ).  
         [0023]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the side panels ( 42 ) and ( 44 ) each contain a circular notch ( 100 ) and ( 101 ), the center lines of such notches being co-linear. See FIG. 7.  
         [0024]    Catch member ( 50 ) is pivotally mounted by a pin ( 60 ) inside housing ( 10 ) and has a downward tail ( 56 ) preferably approximately half the length of housing ( 10 ). A spring ( 70 ) is held in place between protrusions ( 59   a ) and ( 59   b ). One end of the spring ( 70 ) rests on the interior of the bottom ( 30 ) of the housing ( 10 ). So configured, the spring ( 70 ) acts as a bias member on the catch member ( 50 ).  
         [0025]    Housing ( 10 ) contains a recess ( 16 ) wherein the indentation ( 58 ) of catch member ( 50 ) protrudes to a level equal with the housing ( 10 ). Indentation ( 58 ) is of a size capable of accepting a person&#39;s fingernail or other device for pressing down the catch member ( 50 ) and for compression of the spring ( 70 ).  
         [0026]    To engage, the wearer inserts latch member ( 40 ) into the open end of housing ( 10 ). The insertion member ( 46 ) pushes against hook portion ( 52 ) of the catch member ( 50 ). This action causes the spring ( 70 ) to compress, allowing the insertion member ( 46 ) to be inserted into the housing ( 10 ) until it abuts the stop portion ( 54 ) of the catch member ( 50 ). Circular notch ( 100 ) fits within grooves ( 5   a ) or ( 5   b ), resting securely at the end of grooves ( 5   a ) or ( 5   b ) when insertion member ( 46 ) abuts stop portion ( 54 ). The spring ( 70 ) recoils and the catch member ( 50 ) recedes back into housing ( 10 ), with indentation ( 48   a ) or ( 48   b ) being locked into place by hook portion ( 52 ). Due to the jewelry clasp&#39;s ability to engage in multiple directions, only one of grooves ( 5   a ) and ( 5   b ) and indentations ( 48   a ) and ( 48   b ) is necessary to secure the engagement of the latch member ( 40 ). Thus, a complete 180° rotation of the latch member ( 40 ) will not affect engagement, allowing the wearer to engage the clasp ( 1 ) in multiple directions. See FIGS.  5 - 6 .  
         [0027]    To disengage, the wearer applies downward pressure on indentation ( 58 ), thereby compressing the bias member and pivoting the catch member ( 50 ) up so that hook portion ( 52 ) separates from indentation ( 48   a ) or ( 48   b ), allowing latch member ( 40 ) to freely slide out of the housing ( 10 ).  
         [0028]    Thus, a jewelry clasp for securing jewelry is disclosed. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to these embodiments, and equivalents may be substituted for elements in these embodiments, without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings should be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.