Abstract:
A security clutch for a jewelry post with a circumferential groove includes a housing with a post receiving aperture extending therethrough and two access ports through a side wall. A pair of interlocking C-shaped lock members each include an inner free end that carries a lug anchor and an outer free end that serves as a trigger. The lug anchors are spring-biased by a spring toward one another to thereby urge the triggers outward through their respective access ports. The inner free ends are also urged toward one another by the forces of the spring to slidably reside in the post receiving aperture of the housing into locking engagement with the circumferential groove of the jewelry post residing in the post receiving aperture. The spring is serpentine in configuration and is routed from the lug anchor of one lock member to a first side of the inner wall of the housing to an opposite side of the inner wall of the housing back to the first side of the housing and then into communication with the lug of the other lock member. The serpentine configuration of the spring in communication with the inner wall of the housing enables the spring to be precisely centered in the housing thereby providing a precision and smooth operating security clutch for a jewelry post.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to clutches and clasps and more particularly to a security clutch for a jewelry post, such as an earring post. 
     Security clutches or clasps are widely used for connection to a grooved jewelry post to secure the jewelry post in place. A jewelry post is commonly provided with an ornamented end and a free end. The ornamented end, for example, may carry a pearl, gemstones, metal cast design or other decorative structure. The opposing free end is inserted through a pierced ear. The free end of the post includes at least one circumferential groove to receive a clutch or clasp on the post on the opposite side of the ear to the ornamented end to secure the entire assembly in place on the ear. The clutch releasably engages the post and is of an enlarged area to prevent accidental removal of the post from the pierced ear. A security clutch can be removed and attached to the free end of the post for installation and removal of the earring assembly on the user&#39;s pierced ear. Additional circumferential grooves can also be provided to secure the clutch closer or farther away from the ornamented end in accordance with the thickness of the user&#39;s ear and their respective comfort level. 
     In view of the foregoing, the employment of a clasp or clutch to secure a jewelry post is critical so that it is does not fall out of the user&#39;s ear. Other non-earring jewelry posts have the same requirement. In the prior art, there have been many attempts to provide a security clutch for a grooved jewelry post. For example, the prior art includes various clutches with an integrated spring-biased locking member that obstructs a post receiving aperture positioned through the clutch. The integrated locking member typically includes a complex construction with many components and delicate springs. 
     Many prior art devices include two opposing trigger buttons to control the positioning of a locking member located inside the housing. Two trigger buttons are commonly needed to accommodate larger sized earring security clutches to ensure proper operation of the spring-biasing member contained within the security clutch body itself. However, it is common for these types of security clutches, particularly those with two triggers positioned on opposite side of the device from one another, to have inferior operation due to problems associated with the spring-biasing member contained within the security clutch body. For example, security clutches typically employ a leaf spring within the clutch body to spring-bias a member connected to the trigger to engage with the reduced neck portion of the grooved earring post. Two springs are respectively required for both the trigger members employed in the device. Due to the small size of the earring post and security clutch precision operation of the internal parts of the clutch, namely, the springs and triggers is essential to ensure smooth and proper operation of the clutch. In particular, centering of the spring members within the clutch is critical to such operation. If the internal components of clutch are not centered and precisely aligned, the user will not be able to smoothly insert and remove the grooved post or engage and disengage the clutch from the grooved earring post. 
     As a result, these prior art devices are expensive to manufacture and labor intensive to assemble. The delicate and complicated parts are very small in size and are very difficult to assemble properly with precision to ensure smooth and proper operation. Further, these prior art devices are difficult and cumbersome to operate by the user. In sum, these prior art devices are inadequate to meet the user&#39;s needs. 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a demand for an improved security clutch with a minimal number of component parts to facilitate manufacturing and assembly and to reduce cost without sacrificing quality and performance. There is a demand for a security clutch that has a construction that self-centers itself within the housing of the clutch to ensure smooth and proper operation thereof. There is also a demand for a security clutch that can install onto a standard grooved jewelry post. There is a further demand for a security clutch that is easy to operate, has a low profile for comfort with a positive lock. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art security clutches for jewelry posts. In addition, the security clutch for jewelry posts provides new advantages not found in currently known devices and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available devices. 
     The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique security clutch for jewelry posts, such as grooved posts. A security clutch for a jewelry post includes a housing with a top plate and a bottom plate and a wall extending therebetween with an inner surface. The housing defines a post receiving aperture that extends through the top plate and the bottom plate. The housing includes first and second access ports. A first lock member is disposed in the housing and between the top plate and the bottom plate. The first trigger lock member includes a main body with an inner free end and an outer free end. A first trigger portion is connected to the outer free end of the first trigger lock member and extends through the wall through the first access port and is capable of manipulation outside the housing. 
     A first jewelry post engaging seat is connected to the inner free end of the of the first trigger lock member. A first lug is connected to and emanates from the inner free end of the main body of the first lock member. The first lug has an outer surface facing toward the first access port. A second lock member is disposed in the housing and between the top plate and the bottom plate where the second trigger lock member includes a main body with an inner free end and an outer free end. A second trigger portion is connected to the outer free end of the second trigger lock member and extending through the wall through the second access port and is capable of manipulation outside said housing. A second jewelry post engaging seat is connected to the inner free end of the of said second trigger lock member with a second lug connected to and emanating from the inner free end of the main body of the second lock member. The second lug has an outer surface that faces toward the second access port. The second lug of the second lock member slidably resides between the first boss and the first trigger portion and the first lug of the first lock member slidably residing between the second lug and the second trigger portion. A spring for spring-biasing the first lug toward the second lug is also provided. 
     In operation, the first main body and the second main body are movable relative to one another by depression of the first trigger portion and the second trigger portion against the biasing force of the spring from a resting locked position with the first jewelry post engaging seat and the second jewelry post engaging seat residing in the circumferential groove of the jewelry post thereby securing the jewelry post relative to said housing to an unlocked position with the first jewelry post engaging seat and the second jewelry post engaging seat being clear of the post receiving aperture thereby permitting free passage of the jewelry post within the post receiving aperture. 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts. 
     Another object of the instant invention is to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts that can be easily installed and removed. 
     Still further, an object of the instant invention is to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts that securely locks to a grooved jewelry post. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts that can be locked and unlocked by depression of a pair of trigger buttons. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts that has a self-centering spring configuration to ensure smooth and precise operation of the clutch with fewer parts than prior art security clutches. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts that is simple and easy to manufacture and assemble. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts that has a positive lock. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts that can accommodate single and multiple grooved posts. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a security clutch for jewelry posts that has a low profile. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the security clutch of the preferred embodiment in the process of being installed on a multiple grooved jewelry post. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the security clutch of the present invention installed on a multiple grooved jewelry post. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the security clutch of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2 showing the security clutch in a locked position. 
     FIG. 5 is the cross-sectional view of the line  4 — 4 FIG. 4 showing the security clutch in an unlocked position with triggers depressed. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view through the line  6 — 6  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the security clutch of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a security clutch  10  of the present invention is shown in the process of being installed on a grooved jewelry post  12 . By way of example, the security clutch  10  of the present invention is shown for installation onto a double groove jewelry post  12  for an earring (not shown). It should be understood that the present invention may be used to secure to any type of jewelry post  12  for a wide array of jewelry applications. 
     Still referring to FIG. 1, the security clutch  10  can be attached to the shown double grooved jewelry post  12 . In particular, the clutch  10  is shown being attached to the first groove  14  proximal to the end  18  of the post  12 . The attachment of the security clutch  10  to the second groove  16  is identical to the attachment to the first groove  14  and need not be discussed in detail. The security clutch  10  can be secured to the free end  18  of the jewelry post  12 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 show the security clutch  10  of the present invention installed on the free end  18  of the jewelry post  12 . In FIGS. 1 and 2, the security clutch  10  of the present invention is shown to include an outer housing, generally referred to as  20 , as well as a post receiving aperture, generally referred to as  22  and trigger buttons  24  and  26 . 
     A lower housing shell  28  with a lower plate  30  and pass-through hole  32  and side wall  34  engages with the upper housing shell  36  so the side wall  34  of the lower housing shell  30  frictionally engages with the inner side of the downwardly depending wall  38  of the upper housing shell  36  in press-fit fashion. The upper housing shell  36  also includes a pass through aperture  44  Spring member  40  and washer  42 , with aperture  46 , are sealed within the housing  22  formed by the upper housing shell  36  and the lower housing shell  30 . For simplicity, apertures  32 ,  44  and  46  are collectively referred to as a post-receiving aperture  22  when addressing the entire security clutch  10 . Details of the construction and operation of the security clutch  10  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be shown below in connection with FIGS. 3-6. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded perspective view of the security clutch  10  of the present invention is shown. The upper housing shell  36  is provided with a top plate  48  and a downwardly depending wall  38 . A top boss  50  is provided with an upper post receiving aperture  44  positioned therethrough. A first notch  52  and a second notch  54  are provided in the downwardly depending wall  38  to serve as access ports. The washer  42 , with pass-through hole  46 , is preferably employed and positioned within the upper housing shell  36 . The washer  42  is preferably used and necessary in most applications but may be omitted from the security clutch  10  for certain applications. 
     A unique self-centering spring member  40  is positioned adjacent to the washer  42  for stability and alignment normal to the axis through the post receiving aperture  22  which is illustrated in FIG. 1. A pair of C-shaped lock members  56  and  58  are positioned between the spring member  40  and the bottom plate  31  of the lower housing shell  30 . Each of the C-shaped lock members  56  and  58  include trigger buttons  60 ,  62  on the outer free ends thereof which extend outwardly through respective cut-outs  52 ,  54  in the downwardly depending wall  38  and the cut-outs  64 ,  66  in the wall  34  of the lower housing shell  30 . A pair of lugs  68 ,  70  are respectively connected to opposing respective inner free ends  56   a,    58   a  of the C-shaped lock members  56 ,  58  to provide an anchor for receiving the spring member  40  thereon. The lugs  68 ,  70  preferably emanate perpendicularly upward from the top surfaces of the lock members  56 ,  58 . However, other configurations may be provided on the inner free ends  56   a,    58   a  of the lock members  56 ,  58  to receive the spring member  40  thereon. The inner free ends  56   a,    58   a  of each of the lock members  56 ,  58 , respectively include a seat  56   b,    58   b  for engaging with a groove  14  or  16  of a jewelry post  12  to enable locking of the security clutch  10  thereon. These seats  56   b  and  58   b  are preferably arcuate or include a detent to receive the cylindrical shape of the grooves  14  or  16  of the earring post  12 . The seats  56   b,    58   b  may be of other configurations to suit the application. 
     Still further, the outer free ends  56   c,    58   c  of each of the lock members  56 ,  58  respectively include a lateral shoulders  56   d,    58   d  to provide a stop for contact with the inner walls  38 ,  34  of the housing shells  36 ,  30  to thereby prevent the entire lock members  56 ,  58  from exiting the housing  20  through their respective access ports  52 ,  64  and  54 ,  66 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the general arrangement of the components of the security clutch  10  of the present invention. The spring member  40  is serpentine in configuration in that it winds from one side of the housing  20  to the other and then back again. More specifically, a first free end  72  of the spring member  40  is connected to a lug  70  of the first lock member  58 , namely, an arcuate portion  74  the spring member  40  embraces a top arcuate edge  70   a  of the lug  70  connected to the inner free end  58   a  of the first lock member  58 . The spring member  40  then winds toward the inside surface of the wall of the housing  20 , which is actually a double wall of the downwardly depending wall  38  of the top housing shell  36  and the upwardly depending wall  34  of the bottom housing shell  30 . Subsequently, the spring member  40  turns back toward the center of the clutch  40  to form a first elbow  76  that is proximal to the wall  34 ,  38  of the housing shells  36 ,  30 . The spring  40  passes between the lug  70  of the first lock member  58  and the post  12  to the opposing side of the housing shells  36 ,  30 . At this point, the spring  40  bends back toward the center of the clutch to form a second elbow  78  that interfaces with the interior surface of the walls  38 ,  34  of the housing  20 , namely, a side of the wall that is opposite to the side of the wall that is contacted by the first elbow  76  of the spring member  40 . The spring member  40  is further routed between the second lug  69  on the second lock member  56  to the opposite side of the security clutch  10  proximal to the wall  38 ,  34  of the housing  20 . The spring member  40  bends back toward the second lug  68  to form a third elbow  80 . At the second free end  82  of the spring member  40 , an arcuate contact surface  84  is provided for engagement with the outer surface  86  of the second lug  68  on the second lock member  56 . Thus, the lock members  58 ,  56  are slidingly urged toward one another for locking. 
     Still referring to FIG. 4, the C-shaped lock members  56 ,  54  interlock with one another so that their respective free ends  58   a,    56   a  that carry a lug  70 ,  68  thereon is nested within the adjacent lock member  58 ,  56 . Each of the lock members  58 ,  56  include a channel  88 ,  90  to permit the end of the other lock member  58 ,  56  that carries the lug to freely slide therein. The arrangement and construction of the spring member  40  causes the lugs  70 ,  68  of the lock members  58 ,  56  to be drawn toward one another thus causing the respective triggers  62 ,  60  attached to the opposite ends thereof to be urged outward through their respective access ports  52 ,  64  and  54 ,  66  for easy manipulation by a user from outside the housing shell  20 . The lateral shoulders  56   d  and  58   d  of each of the lock members  56  and  58  assists in centering the trigger portion  60  and  62  of the lock members  56  and  58  through its respective access port  54 ,  66  and  52 ,  64  and preventing the lock members  56  and  58  itself from exiting the housing  20  through its respective access ports  54 ,  66  and  52 ,  64 . 
     Most importantly, the serpentine spring member  40  of the present invention not only provides the spring-biasing to control the movement of the lock members  56 ,  58  within the housing shell  20  but also serves to self-center the spring member  40  itself and the components connected thereto within the housing body  20 . As can be seen in FIG. 4, the spring member  40  ensures that the lock members  56 ,  58  are properly aligned within the housing shell  20  with the assistance of the lateral shoulders  56   d  and  58   d  emanating from the lock members  56 ,  58 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the construction and operation of the security clutch  10  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in more detail. For ease of illustration, the lower plate  31  of the lower housing shell  30  and washer  42  are not illustrated to permit clear view of the positioning of the spring member  40  and the lock members  56 ,  58  within the housing  20 . In FIG. 4, the security clutch  10  is shown in a locked state and installed on a jewelry post  12 . In this condition, the device is in a locked position. The spring  40  urges the two lugs  68  and  70  of the lock members  56 ,  58  to one another and toward the post receiving aperture  22  (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) so that the post receiving seats  56   b,    58   b  of the C-shaped lock members  56 ,  58  reside within the post receiving aperture  22  and is engaged with one of the grooves  14  or  16  of post  12 . During assembly, the spring member  40  is pulled apart slightly so that the free ends  72 ,  82  of the spring member  40  can seat onto their respective lugs  70 ,  68  on the lock members  58 ,  56 . As a result, the necessary cross-tension is provided to cause the shoulders  56   d,    58   d  of the lock members  56 ,  58  to seat on opposite side of the inner surface of the walls  34 ,  38  of the housing  20 . As shown both in FIGS. 4 and 6, a grooved post  12  positioned within the post receiving aperture  22  receives the post receiving seats  56   b,    58   b  within the groove  14  or  16  of the post  12  in a positive locking fashion so they can be secured in place by the spring-biasing of the spring member  40 . 
     A double-grooved post  12  is shown in FIG. 6 as an example of the type of post that can be accommodated by the security clutch of the present invention. The clutch  10  is shown engaged with the top groove  14 ; however, the clutch  10  may be easily positioned on the lower groove  16  to suit the desired positioning of the clutch  10  on the post  12 . 
     In this locked condition, the post receiving seats  56   b,    58   b  of the lock members  56 ,  58 , with the spring-biasing of the spring member  40 . The lateral shoulders  56   d,    58   d  make contact with the inner surface of the wall  34 ,  38  of the housing  20  to serve as a stop and to prevent over travel of the post receiving seats  56   b,    58   b.  The triggers  60 ,  62  are preferably integrally connected to their respective lock members  56 ,  58  to protrude outside housing shell  20  through the access ports  54 ,  66  and  52 ,  64 . A roughened surface is preferably provided on the exposed edges of the triggers  60 ,  62  for improved grip by the user when manipulating the triggers  60 ,  62 . 
     In FIG. 5, the unlocking of the device  100  is shown. The triggers  60 ,  62  are depressed in, as shown by the indicated arrows, toward the post  12  to urge the post receiving seats  56   b,    58   b  away from the post  12  against the spring-biasing forces of the spring member  40 . As a result of the depression of triggers  60 ,  62 , the inner free ends  56   a,    58   a  of the C-shaped lock members  56 ,  58 , namely, the arcuate post receiving seats  56   b,    58   b,  are cleared from the post  12  to permit free travel of the post  12  in the post receiving aperture  22 . The lock members  56 ,  58  slide within the corresponding channels  88 ,  90  of the other lock member  56 ,  58  so the rounded free ends  56   a,    58   a  of the lock members  56 ,  58  nest within the arcuate channels  88 ,  90  of the lock members  56 ,  58 . Such engagement of the rounded free ends  56   a,    58   a  with the free end seats  88 ,  90  of the lock members  56 ,  58  serves as a stop to prevent over travel lock members  56 ,  58  during the unlocking process. Further, the lateral shoulders  56   d,    58   d  of the lock members  56 ,  58  bear against opposite inner surfaces of the wall  34 ,  38  of the housing  20  to serve as a stop to prevent over travel of the lock members  56 ,  58  therein during the lock process. 
     In operation, to install the security clutch  10  of the present invention, the trigger portions  60 ,  62  are depressed to clear the post receiving aperture  22 . A grooved post  12  is inserted into the post receiving aperture  22  with a groove  14  or  16  aligned with the security clutch  10 . The triggers  60 ,  62  are released whereby the post receiving seats  56   b,    58   b  of the lock members  56 ,  58  engage the groove  14  or  16  of the post  12  thus positively locking the clutch  10  to the post  12 . To remove the clutch  10  from the post  12 , the triggers  60 ,  62  are again depressed and the post  12  is removed from the cleared post receiving aperture  22 . 
     It is preferred that the components of the security clutch  10  of the present invention be manufactured of metal, such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal. For example, the spring member  40  is preferably heat treated  410  stamped stainless steel in a flat spring configuration. Alternatively, the spring member  40  may have a different cross-sectional configuration, such as bent metal wire  140 , as shown in the alternative embodiment  100  of the invention in FIG.  7 . Also, the washer  42  is, preferably,  302  stainless steel while all other components are preferably made of precious metal, such as gold. Other than the washer  122 , the other components may also be platinum. However, other materials, such as plastic may be used to suit the application. It is also preferred that the triggers  60 ,  62  and their corresponding lock members  56 ,  58  travel as little as possible to facilitate operation. For example, the triggers  60 ,  62  preferably protrudes only 0.025 inches and travels only 0.008 inches to unlock. 
     It should understood that the construction of the upper housing shell  36  and lower housing shell  30  may be modified in accordance with the application at hand and still be within the scope of the present invention. For example, molded or cast housing may be employed instead of the preferred mating shell construction discussed above. Further, the washer  42  is provided for spacing and for maintaining the lock members  56 ,  58  in a plane that is normal to the axis of the post receiving aperture  22 . Also, the washer  42  serves as a spacer to provide a flat supporting surface for the lock members  56 ,  58 . As best seen in FIG. 6, a bottom boss  92  in the bottom housing  30  and a top boss  50  in the top housing  36  are employed to provide additional alignment and security of the post  12  received through the post receiving aperture  22  of the security clutch  10  of the present invention.