Patent Abstract:
A jewelry clasp includes a first housing having a first locking member and securing a first magnetic configuration and a second housing having a second locking member and securing a second magnetic configuration. The first and second magnetic configurations have exposed faces with a north pole being positioned at a first side of the exposed face and a south pole being positioned at a second side of the exposed face. The jewelry clasp further includes a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the north pole and south pole of the first magnetic configuration are magnetically attracted and aligned with the south pole and the north pole of the second magnetic configuration and a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the first locking member slidably interlocks with a second locking member during alignment of the mechanical locking arrangement.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The disclosed technology relates to a jewelry clasp. More particularly, to a jewelry clasp for easily joining the two free ends of a jewelry chain together. 
         [0002]    With certain jewelry, particularly women&#39;s jewelry, there is an inherent conflict between the need to make the clasp easy to facilitate so that the wearer can readily join the free ends of the bracelet or necklace, and the need to make the clasp very secure so that it does not easily and inadvertently become unattached and risk the potential loss of the jewelry. 
         [0003]    In use, even people with a great deal of dexterity find it difficult to fasten necklaces behind their necks or fasten most bracelets which, by their nature, must be fastened with the use of only one hand. This problem is compounded many fold in the case of older people or the many millions of people who suffer from even mild cases of arthritis or similar afflictions that limit the use of the hands. 
         [0004]    Magnetic clasps are widely used for costume jewelry. However, manufacturers and retailers of fine jewelry (gold jewelry, sterling silver jewelry or jewelry containing gemstones) offer necklaces with magnetic clasps less frequently. Makers and wearers of fine jewelry usually opt for security over ease of use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A jewelry clasp comprising: a first housing, the first housing for securing a first magnetic configuration, the first magnetic configuration having an exposed face with a north pole being positioned at a first side of the exposed face and a south pole being positioned at a second side of the exposed face, the first housing further including a first locking member; a second housing, the second housing for securing a second magnetic configuration, the second magnetic configuration having an exposed face with a south pole being positioned at a first side of the exposed face and a north pole being positioned at a second side of the exposed face, the second housing further including a second locking member; a magnetic locking arrangement wherein the north pole and south pole of the first magnetic configuration is magnetically attracted and aligned with the south pole and the north pole of the second magnetic configuration; and a mechanical locking arrangement wherein the first locking member slidable interlocks with a second locking member during alignment of the first locking arrangement. 
         [0006]    In some implementations, the first locking member can include at least two posts and at least two post extenders and the second locking member can include at least two notches wherein the at least two post and at least two post extenders slidably interlock with the at least two notches. In another implementation, the first locking member can include at least one post and ball and the second locking member can include at least one holder wherein the at least one post and ball slidably interlocks with the at least one holder. 
         [0007]    In other implementations, the first housing and the second housing can have an ornamental design on at least one surface of the respective housings. 
         [0008]    The advantages of the jewelry clasp are that the clasp easily closes, is secure when closed, and is easily opened when you know how. Another advantage is that the jewelry clasp is counterintuitive meaning that when opening the clasp a user cannot pull clasp apart or pry the housings away from one another but must push the housing inwards towards one another thereby disengaging the mechanical clasp and naturally breaking the magnetic attraction between the housing and naturally pushing like poles towards one another to induce magnetic repulsion. In addition to those functional advantages, the clasp is commercially benefited by being attractive so that the clasp enhances, rather than detracts, from the overall attractive appearance of the jewelry itself. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an underside of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows an underside of a first housing and a top surface of a second housing of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a first housing of the disclosed technology; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a partially connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of a connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows an underside of a first housing and a top surface of a second housing of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of a partially connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  shows a side view of a connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  shows an underside of a first housing and a top surface of a second housing of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of a connected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  shows a prospective view of an unconnected jewelry clasp of the disclosed technology; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14   a - c  shows top views of housings with a variety of flaps for holding magnets within the housing used with jewelry clasps of the disclosed technology; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 15   a - b  shows top views of housings with a variety of flaps for holding magnets within the housing used with jewelry clasps of the disclosed technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    This specification describes technologies relating to jewelry clasps.  FIGS. 1-6  show one implementation of a magnetic jewelry clasp. The clasp  1  includes two housings  10 ,  12  adapted to be joined together in a mechanical locking arrangement and a magnetic locking arrangement. The housings  10 ,  12  can be made of many materials, preferable of the metal material, such as silver or gold that is the same as the material used in the piece of jewelry on which the clasp is being used. The clasp can be used with any jewelry with connecting ends, e.g., necklaces, bracelets, watches, etc. There also are many industrial applications that may also take advantage of jewelry clasp functionality, e.g., in any application where two ends of chain or rope need a strong and easily removable joining mechanism. These clasps can be of any size depending on the application. 
         [0025]    Housing  10  has a length L 1  and a width W 1  with an overall oval shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). The length of housing  10  can be approximately 5 to 15 mm and the width can be approximately 0.5 to 2 mm. The housing  10  includes a top surface  2   a , a bottom surface  3   a , a recess  4   a  for holding a magnet  14 , a set of locking post  22 ,  24 , and a connector  6   a.    
         [0026]    The locking posts  22 ,  24  extend downwards from the top surface of housing  10 . At a bottom portion of each locking post is a locking extender  26 ,  28 . The locking extenders  26 ,  28  extend perpendicular from the locking post  22 ,  24 . The top surface of the housing may or may not have an ornamental design. 
         [0027]    Housing  10  and housing  12  are similar in shape and size with variations for a locking mechanism. As such, housing  12  also has a length L 2  and a width W 2  with an overall oval shape. For example, the length of housing  12  can be approximately 5 to 15 mm and the width can be approximately 0.5 to 2 mm. Housing  12  includes a top surface  2   b , a bottom surface  3   b , and a recess  4   b  for holding a magnet  14 , a connector  6   b  and a set of notches  30 ,  32 . 
         [0028]    The set of notches  30 ,  32  are located on the bottom surface  3   b  of the housing  12  and the notches  30 ,  32  have a shape that mirrors the shape of locking extenders  26 ,  28 . As will be described in more detail below, the locking posts  22 ,  24 , the locking extenders  26 ,  28  and the notches  30 ,  32  are part of the mechanical locking arrangement of the clasp  1 . 
         [0029]    In each recess  4   a ,  4   b  there is a magnetic configuration embedded and affixed within each of the housings  10 ,  12 . The magnetic configuration can comprise permanent magnets  14 ,  16 . The magnets  14 ,  16  are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp  1 . The permanent magnets  14 ,  16  can be arranged along a longitudinal line extending between the magnets and the polarity of each of the permanent magnets  14 ,  16  is predetermined. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets  14 ,  16  is perpendicular to a top surface  40   a ,  40   b  of the magnets. The top surface  40   a  of magnet  14  and the bottom surface  40   b  of magnets  16  each have a south pole  14   a ,  16   a  and north pole,  14   b ,  16   b , respectively. In another implementation, there may be a magnet pair of opposite poles being positioned next to each other. In either case, the magnets  14 ,  16 , as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be bi-polar rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power through the thickness. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets are preferably plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion. 
         [0030]    In use, a user brings the two clasps in close proximity to each other (Direction A) and the magnets  14 ,  16  of the clasp will naturally align with one another. That is, the south pole  14   a  of magnet  14  aligns with the north pole  16   b  of magnet  16  and the south pole  16   a  of magnet  16  is aligns with the north pole  14   b  of magnet  16 . Thus, the magnetically attractive surfaces  18 ,  20  are attracted to each other by the mating of the opposite poles of the individual bi-polar magnets or magnet pairs. However, when the two housing  10 ,  12  are first attracted to each other, the locking posts interfere with the magnetic locking arrangement and do not allow the magnets to lie flat against one another. (See  FIG. 5 ). To lock the clasp, a user pushes housing  12  in direction A so that the end in which connector  6   b  is attached is no longer in contact with the locking posts  22 ,  24 . At this point, the magnetic attraction pulls and aligns housing  12  and housing  10  so that the top surface  2   b  of housing  12  lays flat on the bottom surface  3   a  of housing  10  and the connector  6   b  of housing  12  falls between the two locking post of housing  19 . Also, during this alignment of the magnets, the natural attraction of the magnets forces housing  12  to slide along the bottom surface  3   a  of housing  10  in Direction B thereby mating and tightly fitting the notches of housing  12  with the extenders of locking posts  22 ,  24 . This engages the mechanical locking arrangement of the clasp as the extenders are now tightly fitted with the notches of housing  12  thereby mechanically locking the clasp  1 . (See  FIG. 6 ). When being worn by a user, a working side of housing  10  of the jewelry clasp, e.g., side  3   b , can be worn closest to the user&#39;s skin so that a design side of housing  12 , e.g., side  2   a , can be viewed or vice versa. 
         [0031]    In order to unlock the clasp, a user, e.g., uses an index finger and a thumb. By placing the locked clasp between these two fingers, the user applies an inward force and forcibly slides the notches of housing  12  out of the locking posts of housing  10  while at the same time breaking the magnetic force of the magnets and unlocking the clasp. For example, if the wearer pushes on both ends the married clasp, e.g., the housing  12  in the direction of the arrow D and housing  10  in the direction of arrow C, the housings  10 ,  12  can be moved laterally to (1) misalign the married north and south poles and (2) move the opposites poles of the opposite magnets near each other thereby causing a magnetic repulsion between the like poles thereby disengage the magnetic locking arrangement. Once misaligned and disengaged, the housing  10  is free to be moved and separated from housing  12  since the magnetic attraction has been essentially eliminated. As such, the opening of the clasp can be accomplished with one hand without need for actual visual perception of the clasp. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 7-10  show one implementation of a magnetic jewelry clasp. The clasp  100  includes two housings  110 ,  112  adapted to be joined together in a mechanical locking arrangement and a magnetic locking arrangement. The housings  110 ,  112  can be made of many materials, preferable of the metal material, such as silver or gold that is the same as the material used in the piece of jewelry on which the clasp is being used. 
         [0033]    Housing  110  has a length L 1  and a width W 1  with an overall rectangular shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). The length of housing  110  can be approximately 5 to 15 mm and the width can be approximately 0.5 to 2 mm. The housing  110  includes a top surface  102   a , a bottom surface  103   a , a recess  104   a  for holding a magnet  114 , a locking post  122 , and a connector  106   a.    
         [0034]    The locking post  122  extends downward from the bottom surface  103   a  of housing  110 . At a top portion of the locking post is a locking ball  126 . The top surface of the housing may or may not have an ornamental design. 
         [0035]    Housing  110  and housing  112  are similar in shape and size with variations for a locking mechanism. As such, housing  112  also has a length L 2  and a width W 2  with an overall oval shape. The length of housing  112  can be approximately 5 to 15 mm and the width can be approximately 0.5 to 2 mm. Housing  112  includes a top surface  102   b , a bottom surface  103   b , a recess  104   b  for holding a magnet  116 , a connector  106   b  and a V-shaped holder  130 . 
         [0036]    The V-shaped holder  130  is connected at a connector end of the housing  12 . The V-shaped holder is designed so that the locking post and lock ball can be tightly fitted with the holder. As will be described in more detail below, the locking post, the locking ball and the holder are part of the mechanical locking arrangement of the clasp. 
         [0037]    In each recess  104   a ,  104   b  there is a magnetic configuration embedded and affixed within each of the housings  110 ,  112 . The magnetic configuration can comprise permanent magnets  114 ,  116 . The magnets  114 ,  116  are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp  100 . The permanent magnets  114 ,  116  can be arranged along a longitudinal line extending between the magnets and the polarity of each of the permanent magnets  114 ,  116  is predetermined. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets  114 ,  116  is perpendicular to a bottom surface  140   a  of magnet  114  and a top surface  140   b  of  116 . The top surface  140   a  and the bottom surface  140   b  of the magnets  114 ,  116  each have a south pole  114   a ,  116   a  and north pole,  114   b ,  116   b , respectively. The magnets  114 ,  116 , as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be, e.g., bi-polar rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power through the thickness. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets are preferably nickel plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion. 
         [0038]    In use, a user brings the two clasps in close proximity to each other and the clasp will naturally align with one another. That is, the south pole  114   a  of magnet  114  aligns with the north pole  116   b  of magnet  116  and the south pole  116   a  of magnet  116  is aligns with the north pole  114   b  of magnet  116 . Thus, the magnetically attractive surfaces  118 ,  120  are attracted to each other by the mating of the opposite poles of the individual magnets. However, when the two housing  110 ,  112  are first attracted to each other, the locking post and ball interferes with the magnetic locking arrangement and does not allow the magnets to lie flat against one another. (See  FIG. 9 ). To lock the clasp, a user pushes housing  112  in direction A so that the end in which the connector  106   a  is attached no longer in contact with the locking post. At this point, the magnetic attraction pulls and aligns housing  112  towards housing  110  so that the top surface  103   b  of housing  112  lays flat on the top surface  103   a  of housing  110  and the locking post and ball falls into an opening created by the V-shaped holder. During this alignment of the magnets, the natural attraction of the magnets forces housing  112  to slide along the top surface of housing  110  in Direction B thereby tightly fitting the locking post and ball into the groove of the V-shaped holder. This engages the mechanical locking arrangement of the clasp as the locking post and ball are now tightly fitted within the V-shaped holder thereby locking the clasp  100 . (See  FIG. 10 ). When being worn by a user, a working side of housing  110  of the jewelry clasp, e.g., side  103   b , can be worn closest to the user&#39;s skin so that a design side of housing  112 , e.g., side  102   a , can be viewed. 
         [0039]    In order to unlock the clasp, a user, e.g., uses an index finger and a thumb. By placing the locked clasp between these two fingers, the user applies an inward force and forcibly slides the V-shaped holder of housing  112  out of the locking post of housing  110  while at the same time breaking the magnetic force of the magnets and unlocking the clasp. For example, if the wearer simply pushes on both ends the married clasp, e.g., the housing  110  in the direction of the arrow D and housing  112  in the direction of arrow C, the housings  110 ,  112  can be moved laterally to (1) misalign the married north and south poles and (2) move the opposites poles of the opposite magnets near each other thereby causing a magnetic repulsion between the like poles thereby disengaging the mechanical locking arrangement. Once misaligned and disengaged, the housing  110  is free to be moved and separated from housing  112  since the magnetic attraction has been essentially eliminated. As such, the opening of the clasp can be accomplished with one hand without need for actual visual perception of the clasp. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 11-13  show another implementation of a magnetic jewelry clasp. The clasp  200  includes two housings  210 ,  212  adapted to be joined together in a mechanical locking arrangement and a magnetic locking arrangement. The housings  210 ,  212  can be made of many materials, preferable of the metal material, such as silver or gold that is the same as the material used in the piece of jewelry on which the clasp is being used. 
         [0041]    Housing  210  has a length L 1  and a width W 1  with an overall rectangular shape (please note, the housing can be formed in most shapes, e.g., round, square, etc.). The length of housing  210  can be approximately 5 to 15 mm and the width can be approximately 0.5 to 2 mm. The housing  210  includes a bottom surface  202   a , a top surface  203   a , a recess  204   a  for holding a magnet  214 , a locking post  222 , and a connector  206   a.    
         [0042]    The locking post  122  extends downwards from the top surface of housing  210 . At a top portion of the locking post is a locking hook  226 . The top surface  203   a  of the housing may or may not have an ornamental design. 
         [0043]    Housing  210  and housing  212  are similar in shape and size with variations for a locking mechanism. As such, housing  212  also has a length L 2  and a width W 2  with an overall oval shape. The length of housing  212  can be approximately 5 to 15 mm and the width can be approximately 0.5 to 2 mm. Housing  212  includes a top surface  202   b , a bottom surface  203   b , a recess  204   b  for holding a magnet  216 , a connector  206   b  and a V-shaped holder  230 . 
         [0044]    The V-shaped holder  230  is connected at a connector end of the housing  212 . The V-shaped holder is designed so that the locking post  222  and lock hook  226  can be locked with the holder  230 . As will be described in more detail below, the locking post, the locking hook and the holder are part of the mechanical locking arrangement of the clasp. 
         [0045]    In each recess  204   a ,  204   b  there is a magnetic configuration embedded and affixed within each of the housings  210 ,  212 . The magnetic configuration can comprise permanent magnets  214 ,  216 . The magnets  214 ,  216  are part of a magnetic locking arrangement for the clasp  200 . The magnets can be held within their respective recesses by tabs  250   a - d  and  251   a - d .  FIGS. 14   a - c  and  15   a - b  show magnets held in place with different flap configurations, e.g., in  FIG. 14   a , magnet  214  can be held in place by flaps  253   a ,  253   b , in  FIG. 14   b , magnet  214  can be held in place by flaps  252   a ,  252   b  in  FIG. 14   c , magnet  214  can be held in place by flaps  254   a ,  254   b ,  254   c ,  254   d , in  FIG. 15   a , magnet  214  can be held in place by flaps  256   a ,  256   b  and in  FIG. 15   b , magnet  214  can be held in place by flaps  258   a ,  258   b . In these implementations, the flaps or tabs are folded on a top side or bottom side of the magnets and lay on top of the magnets. The permanent magnets  214 ,  216  can be arranged along a longitudinal line extending between the magnets and the polarity of each of the permanent magnets  214 ,  216  is predetermined. In some implementations, the line of greatest magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets  214 ,  216  is perpendicular to a top surface  240   a ,  240   b  of the magnets. The bottom surface  240   a  of the magnet  214  and the top surface  240   b  of magnet  216  each have a south pole  214   a ,  216   a  and north pole,  214   b ,  216   b , respectively. 
         [0046]    The magnets  214 ,  216 , as well as the other magnets described herein with respect to other embodiments of the invention, can be, e.g., bi-polar rare-earth neodymium magnets, sintered, N50 strength, with strongest magnetic power through the thickness. Such magnets have the strongest magnetic power for their size of any known current magnet, however, magnets with lesser power can perform effectively in the present clasp design. The magnets are preferably nickel plated to improve the appearance and prevent surface abrasion or corrosion. 
         [0047]    In some implementations, the jewelry clasps can be made in various shapes, e.g., rectangular, round, oval, etc., in narrow and wide versions and in various sizes so as to tie in with and look attractive with different sizes and styles of necklaces and bracelets or match the jewelry chain. The jewelry clasps also may have ornamental designs on one or more surfaces of the housing. 
         [0048]    While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosed technology or of what can be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of the disclosed technology. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0049]    The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative, but not restrictive, and the scope of the disclosed technology disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the implementations shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the disclosed technology and that various modifications can be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8