Patent Publication Number: US-7210313-B1

Title: Release mechanism for a bangle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to jewelry clasps for releasably coupling ends of an article of jewelry together and, more particularly, to a mechanism for releasably connecting the terminal ends of a bangle, bracelet, or the like. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Jewelry items are commonly draped or fastened about the wrist, ankle, finger, neck, or other appendage of a person to accessorize that person&#39;s appearance. One example of such a jewelry item is a bangle. In general, a bangle is a bracelet or anklet that typically has one or more rigid arcuate sections designed to substantially encircle the wrist, ankle or other appendage of the person wearing it. Most bangles are designed to appear as a solid, substantially continuous loop having an arcuate, oblong, ring-like, round or circular configuration. 
   Many bangles are in the form of a continuous or substantially continuous loop having at least two releasably coupled, rigid arcuate sections that can be selectively opened to permit the person wearing it to be place the bangle on or remove it from the wrist, ankle or other appendage. A hinge at one intersection of the rigid arcuate sections permits the bangle to be selectively moved from an open position to a closed position, and vice versa. A closing or locking mechanism is typically provided at the opposing intersection of the rigid arcuate sections to releasably retain the bangle in the closed position about the wrist, ankle or other appendage of the person wearing it. 
   Because the bangle is frequently worn on a person&#39;s wrist, it is necessary for the person wearing it to be able to release or open the closing or locking mechanism with one hand. As a result, many bangles of this type can be difficult to remove. It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved bangle that provides ease for removal using one hand, preferably two digits on a single hand. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a bangle is provided that includes first and second bangle members, each having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the first bangle member is pivotally connected to the distal end of the second bangle member to permit relative movement between the first and second bangle members. A first locking member is provided at the proximal end of the first bangle member and a second locking member is provided at the proximal end of the second bangle member. The first locking member is selectively moveable between a closed position where the first locking member engages the second locking member to releasably secure the proximal end of the first bangle member to the proximal end of the second bangle member, and an open position where the first locking member is separated from the second locking member. The first locking member is adapted to be released from the closed position and move to the open position when a force is applied to the first and second bangle members sufficient to cause the first and second bangle members to pivot a predetermined distance in a direction where the proximal ends move toward one another. This force can be applied by squeezing the first and second bangle members between two fingers on the same hand. 
   The foregoing specific objects and advantages of the invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the present invention and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, these and other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing this invention, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variations which may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further aspects of the instant invention will be more readily appreciated upon review of the detailed description of the embodiments included below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the bangle shown in a closed or locked position; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the bangle of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the bangle of  FIG. 1  shown in the open or unlocked position; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the bangle of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the various components of the bangle of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial side elevation view of the preferred hinge assembly of the bangle of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the preferred hinge assembly illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an open bangle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–7 , wherein similar components are numerically referenced in like manner, disclosed is a preferred embodiment of a jewelry clasp system for a jewelry article and, in particular, for a bangle-type bracelet. 
     FIGS. 1–7  illustrate a preferred embodiment of a bangle or bracelet  10  in accordance with the present invention. The bangle  10  preferably includes a first arcuate section  12  and a second arcuate section  20  to be coupled together to form a substantially continuous loop having an oblong, elliptical, arcuate, round, ring-like and/or circular configuration. The first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  can be made from a variety of materials, preferably a precious metal such as gold, platinum, silver, etc. In addition, the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  can be adorned with a gems, stones, braiding, weaving, or other aesthetically pleasing appearances. 
   The first arcuate section  12  has opposing first and second terminal portions  14  and  16 , respectively. The first terminal portion  14  of the first arcuate section  12  terminates in a hook  18 , which is preferably formed integrally as part of the first arcuate section  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the hook  18  is substantially C-shaped. 
   The second arcuate section  20  also has opposing first and second terminal portions  24  and  26 , respectively. The first terminal portion  24  of the second arcuate section  20  terminates in a loop  30 . The loop  30  is preferably made of the same material as the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20 . 
   As will be discussed in further detail below, the loop  30  is selectively movable between an open and a closed position. In the closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , the loop  30  cooperates with the hook  18  formed on the first arcuate section  12  to releasably secure the first terminal portion  14  of the first arcuate section  12  to the first terminal portion of the second arcuate section  20 . In the open position, as shown in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , the loop  30  does not engage the hook  18 , thereby allowing the bangle  10  to be place on or removed from an appendage of the person wearing it. 
   The assembly of the loop  30  to the first terminal portion  24  of the second arcuate section  20  is best described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The first terminal portion  24  preferably terminates in a projecting flange  25  having a transverse bore or opening  27  therethrough. The loop  30  is preferably, but not necessarily, in the shape of a horseshoe having an opening  31  formed between two spaced apart ends  32 ,  34 . The opening  31  is of sufficient width to receive the projecting flange  25  between the spaced apart ends  32 ,  34  when the loop  30  is assembled onto the first terminal portion  24  of the second arcuate section  20 . A concentric hole or opening  36  is formed through each end  32 ,  34  such that, when the loop  30  is assembled onto the first terminal portion  24 , the concentric holes  36  are aligned with the transverse bore  27  through the projecting flange  25 . A pin  40  of sufficient diameter is inserted through one of the concentric holes  36 , the transverse bore  27 , and then other concentric hole  36  to pivotally secure the ends  32 ,  34  of the loop  30  to the first terminal portion  24  of the second arcuate section  20 . The pin  40  can be secured to the loop  30  in a conventional manner. 
   The loop  30  is preferably biased toward the open position away from the hook  18  as shown in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . Referring again to  FIG. 5 , a spring  42  is utilized to bias the loop  30  toward the open position. The spring  42  is preferably a stainless steel coil spring of sufficient size to be inserted into the transverse bore  27  through the projecting flange  25  prior to assembly of the loop  30  onto the flange  25 . In a preferred embodiment, the transverse bore  27  includes a detent or indentation for retaining one end of the spring  42  to prevent the spring from rotating within the transverse bore. When the loop  30  is assembled onto the projecting flange  25 , the other end of the spring  42  is received within a recess or hole  38  formed in the end  32  of the loop  30 , compressing the spring  42  (or placing it in tension) and biasing the loop  30  toward the open position away from the hook  18 . 
   The second terminal portion  16  of the first arcuate sections  12  is connected to the second terminal portion  26  of the second arcuate section  20  via a hinge  50 . The hinge  50  allows the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  to pivot relative to each other, thereby permitting the bangle  10  to move between the open and closed positions. 
   The preferred assembly of the hinge  50  is best described with reference to  FIGS. 5–7 . The second terminal portion  16 ,  26  of the first and second arcuate sections terminates in a female and male hinge portion  52  and  54 , respectively. A transverse concentric bore  53 ,  55  is provided through the female and male hinge portions  52 ,  54  such that, when the female and male hinge portions are aligned with one another, a pin  57  can be inserted through the transverse concentric bores  53 ,  55  to pivotally secure the second terminal portion  16  of the first arcuate section  12  to the second terminal portion  26  of the second arcuate section  20 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, a leaf spring  60  is positioned proximate the hinge  50  to bias the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  toward the open position as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . Preferably the leaf spring  60  is made from stainless steel. Referring again to  FIGS. 5–7 , the leaf spring  60  has a first end  62  and a second end  64 . The first end  62  of the leaf spring  60  is inserted into an opening in the second terminal portion  16  of the first arcuate section  12  and the second end  64  of the leaf spring  60  is inserted into an opening in the second terminal portion  26  of the second arcuate section  20 . A box-like retaining member  70  is provided within the opening in both the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  to retain the ends  62 ,  64  of the spring  60 . Because the spring  60  spans the hinge  50 , the spring  60  tends to urge or bias the first terminal portions  14 ,  24  of the first and second arcuate sections away from each other toward the open position. 
   To place the bangle  10  onto or remove it from an appendage of the person wearing it, the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  must be moved to the open position as shown in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . To do so, the user gently squeezes the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  toward one another in the direction of arrow A shown in  FIG. 1 . This can be done, for example, using one hand by gently squeezing the first and second arcuate sections between the thumb and index finger (or other digit). When the force applied to the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  exceeds the biasing force of spring  60 , the second terminal portions  16 ,  26  pivot about the hinge  50  to cause the first portions  14 ,  24  of the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  to move toward one another. When the first portions  14 ,  24  move toward one another a predetermined distance, the loop  30  becomes disengaged from the hook  18  and the spring  42  biases the loop away from the hook toward the open position. Once the loop  30  becomes disengaged from the hook  18 , the user releases the squeezing force on the first and second arcuate sections and the spring  60  causes the second terminal portions  16 ,  26  to pivot in the opposing direction about the hinge  50 , thereby moving the first portions  14 ,  24  of the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  away from one another. In the open position, the first portions  14 ,  24  of the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  are separated from one another to facilitate placing and/or removing the bangle  10  from an appendage (e.g., wrist, ankle, finger, etc.) of the person wearing it. 
   Once the bangle  10  is placed on an appendage of the person wearing it, the bangle can be moved to the locked, closed position as shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 . To do so, the person wearing the bangle  10  gently squeezes the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  toward one another in the direction of arrow A shown in  FIG. 1 . Again, this can be done, for example, using one hand by gently squeezing the first and second arcuate sections between the thumb and index finger (or other digit). When the force applied to the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  exceeds the biasing force of spring  60 , the second terminal portions  16 ,  26  pivot about the hinge  50  to cause the first portions  14 ,  24  of the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  to move toward one another. When the first portions  14 ,  24  move toward one another a sufficient distance, the person wearing the bangle  10  manually depresses the loop  30  so that the loop falls below the upper end of the hook  18 . The user then releases the squeezing force on the first and second arcuate sections and the spring  60  causes the second terminal portions  16 ,  26  to pivot in the opposing direction about the hinge  50 , thereby moving the first portions  14 ,  24  of the first and second arcuate sections  12 ,  20  away from one another to engage the loop  30  on the hook  18 . The bangle  10  is now secured in the locked, closed position as shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 . 
   Although an illustrative preferred embodiment has been described herein in detail, it should be noted and will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations may be made within the scope of this invention without departing from the principle of this invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages. For instance, the bangle  10  does not necessarily have to be round, oval-shaped or arcuate, but rather can be formed in other closed-loop configurations (e.g., a square, triangle, rectangle, polygon, octagon, or some other closed-loop configuration). In addition, other known types of springs and means of providing bias can be substituted for those disclosed in the preferred embodiment. Similarly, in contrast to the preferred embodiment, it is understood that the hook  18  may instead be moveable relative a fixed loop  30 . In addition, it is understood that the bangle  10  is not necessarily limited to two arcuate sections and could include more than two arcuate sections as well. Moreover, while a C-shaped hook  18  and an oval or horseshoe-shaped loop  30  are illustrated in the figures, other shaped hooks (e.g., J-shaped, etc.) and loops (e.g., circular, rectangular, etc.) can be substituted for those disclosed in the preferred embodiment. Finally, the bangle  10  and its constituent pieces, the hook, and/or the loop may include precious metals, gems or jewels to provide additional aesthetic value to the bangle. 
   The terms and expressions have been used herein as terms of description and not terms of limitation. There is no intention to use the terms or expressions to exclude any equivalents of features shown and described or portions thereof and this invention should be defined in accordance with the claims that follow.