Abstract:
A locking system ( 2 ) for a piece of jewelry, including mutually complementary interacting locking parts ( 4, 6 ) shaped as coupling parts of a male and female type, where each locking part ( 4, 6 ) additionally includes polarized magnets ( 10, 12 ), where each locking part ( 4, 6 ) opposite the coupling parts additionally includes end parts ( 8 ) with connecting means ( 9 ) for connecting the end parts ( 8 ) with one or more pieces of jewelry, e.g. in the form of necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation Application from U.S. Ser. No. 11/910,789, filed Oct. 5, 2007, which is based on Danish Application BA 2005 00084, filed Apr. 5, 2005, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention concerns a locking system for a piece of jewelry. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Locks for jewelry of the above type are usually designed as a combination of a chain end and a jewelry lock used as a termination or lock for jewelry, respectively, for one or more parallel necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or corresponding items, as ends of the chain or chains are fastened to the lock which has two parts, each containing a magnet so that the two parts may be held together (locked). 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,398 describes a jewelry lock for securing opposing ends of chains and other pieces of jewelry. Each locking part contains an arrangement for securing separate locking parts by means of magnets arranged so that their poles attract each other. In a first embodiment, disc-shaped magnets are used which are inserted into slots of complementary interacting elongated bodies. In a second embodiment, disc-shaped magnets are disposed at opposite ends of mutually interacting locking parts, which are also designed with a bayonet locking mechanism. Common to the two embodiments is that connecting connecting parts for the chains are constituted by permanent eyelets at the ends of respective locking parts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention provides an improved locking system for jewelry of the above mentioned type, which by means of simple technical means improves the function of the locking system and provides the possibility of completely new applications. 
         [0008]    The locking system according to the invention has each locking part opposite the coupling parts which additionally include loose end parts which are designed with connecting means adapted for connecting the end parts with one or more pieces of jewelry, for example, in the form of necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or the like. A new locking system is hereby provided by means of simple technical means, with improved function and enabling completely new applications. 
         [0009]    The locking system according to the invention may suitably be formed so that it further includes one or more intermediate pieces that include interacting locking parts in the form of coupling parts for connecting with either the first-mentioned coupling parts or with locking parts of attachments, other jewelry or the like. 
         [0010]    In order to enable use of the locking system according to the invention for separate parts of jewelry, it may advantageously be designed so that it includes a tubular intermediate piece which encloses one of the intermediate pieces, and which is designed with a radial eyelet for connecting with an attachment or similar part of jewelry. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, the locking system according to the invention has the loose end parts at the side facing the coupling parts so that a connecting flange engages end parts of the coupling parts by means of interacting screw threads formed in respective parts. 
         [0012]    Alternatively, the locking system according to the invention may be has the loose end parts at the side facing the coupling parts so that a connecting flange engages end parts of the coupling parts by means of interacting glued faces formed in respective parts. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment, the locking system according to the invention has the loose end parts at the side facing away from the coupling parts so that a central hole receives end parts of one or more pieces of jewelry, for example, in the form of necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or the like. 
         [0014]    Alternatively, the locking system according to the invention has the loose end parts at the side facing away from the coupling parts so that a projecting collar or flange receives end parts of one or more pieces of jewelry, for example, in the form of necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or the like. 
         [0015]    Or the locking system according to the invention has the loose end parts at the side facing away from the coupling parts so that a centrally projecting tube receives end parts of one or more pieces of jewelry, for example, in the form of necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or the like. 
         [0016]    In a particular embodiment, the locking system according to the invention includes separate parts of jewelry provided with locking parts in the form of coupling parts of the male and female type, and which are for connection with one or more pieces of jewelry in the form of attachments, necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or the like. 
         [0017]    The locking system according to the invention may in yet another embodiment include separate parts of jewelry in the shape of mutually hingedly connected spatial parts of jewelry with a mainly cylindric hollow for receiving the first-mentioned coupling parts of the male and female type, preferably not in assembled state, and which at opposing ends are for connection with one or more pieces of jewelry, for example, in the form of necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or the like. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention is now explained more closely in connection with the drawing, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an embodiment of a locking system according to the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional view along the section line A-A in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective, exploded view of the locking system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of a locking part of the female type for the locking system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a sectional view along the section line A-A in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective, exploded view of the locking part shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of a locking part of the male type for the locking system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a sectional view along the section line A-A in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective, exploded view of the locking part shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows a side view of a loose end part for a locking part; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows a sectional view along the section line A-A in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the end part shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of a second embodiment of a locking system according to the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  shows a sectional view along the section line A-A in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective, exploded view of the locking system shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  shows a side view of a locking part of the female type for the locking system shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  shows a side view, partly in section along the section line A-A in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view, partly sectional, of the locking part shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  shows a side view of a locking part of the male type for the locking system shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  shows a side view, partly in section along the section line A-A in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective view, partly sectional, of the locking part shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  shows a perspective view of the locking part shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  shows a side view of another embodiment of a locking system according to the invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 24  shows a side view, partly in section along the section line A-A in  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 25  shows a perspective view, partly in section, of the locking system shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 26  shows a perspective, exploded view of another embodiment of a locking system according to the invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 27  shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a locking system according to the invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 28  shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a locking system according to the invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 29  shows a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a locking system according to the invention; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 30  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a locking system according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0049]    The locking system  2  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  has of a locking part  4  of the female type and a locking part  6  of the male type, which locking parts  4  and  6  each includes end parts  8 , respectively, with connecting holes  9  that provide the ability for passing through a carrier cord for a piece of jewelry, or for example a string of pearls. The locking parts  4  and  6  are internally fitted with magnets  10  and  12  which are polarized so that they attract each other when the locking parts  4  and  6  are joined, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The end parts  8  and the locking parts  4  and  6  may be designed with complementary screw threads or glued faces shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 2  is shown with dotted lines that the locking system  2  may include a tubular part  14  which is for disposition between the end parts  8  externally of the locking parts  4  and  6 , and which has a radial connecting eyelet  16 . In  FIGS. 4-12 , respective parts are designated with the same reference number as in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0051]    The locking system  18  shown in  FIGS. 13-15  is constructed in principle entirely corresponding to the above described locking system  2 , as the locking system  18  has a locking part  20  of the female type and a locking part  22  of the male type. Both locking parts  20  and  22  are provided with loose end parts  8  with connecting holes  9  serving for passing through a carrier cord for a piece of jewelry, for example, a string of pearls. Both locking parts  20  and  22  have internal holding magnets  10  and  12 . 
         [0052]    Furthermore, the locking part  20  is provided with or designed with supplementing internal locking pins  24  which are disposed diametrically opposite each other, and which are adapted to interact with external locking grooves  26  formed in the locking part  22 , so that the locking parts  20  and  22  may be interlocked by mutual rotation. In  FIGS. 16-22 , respective parts are designated with the same reference number as in  FIGS. 13-15 . 
         [0053]    The locking system  28  in  FIGS. 23-25  has a locking part  30  of the female type and a locking part  32  of the male type. Each of the locking parts  30  and  32  are connected by screw threads with loose end parts  36  with a centrally projecting tubular connecting part  38 . Each of these are intended for externally receiving a part of jewelry, for example, a first pearl of a pearl string and a carrier cord which runs through the tubular connecting part  38  into locking parts  30  and  32  and is fastened in end parts  36  by a suitable fastening mechanism, for example, glue or knots or a combination thereof. The locking parts  30  and  32  are provided with internal holding magnets  10  and  12  and with a supplementing lock in the form of an external locking pin  40  on the locking part  32  and a complementary internal locking groove  42  on the locking part  30 . The male locking part  30  carries the pin  40  which projects radially outward and the female locking part  32  carries the groove  42  which receives the pin  40  to prevent the parts from being pulled apart. 
         [0054]    The locking system  44  shown in  FIG. 26  has a locking part  46  of the female type and a locking part  48  of the male type. The locking parts  46  and  48  are for example made of noble metal, for example gold or silver. This is why the locking parts  46 ,  48  are provided with inserts  50  and  52 , of which the insert  50  is made of stainless steel with a locking groove  54  and a locking position with a locking hole  56 , respectively, in which the insert  56  of stainless steel may engage with an external locking pin  58 . The locking parts  46  and  48  furthermore have internal holding magnets  10  and  12  disposed in the inserts  50  and  52 . Besides, the locking parts  50  and  52  have loose end parts  60  with relatively large connecting holes  62  for leather straps having loose ends which may be fastened in the end parts  60  by locking pins inserted through transverse holes  64  of the end parts  60 . The male locking part  48  carries the pin  58  which projects radially outward and the female locking part  50  carries the groove  54  which receives the pin  58  to prevent the parts from being pulled apart. 
         [0055]      FIG. 27  shows a locking system  62  which comprises a magnetic locking part  63  of the female type, a magnetic locking part  66  of the male type and an intermediate piece  67  which at opposite ends is provided with complementing locking parts  63  and  66  so that the intermediate piece  67  may be fixed in a secure way between the locking parts  65  and  68 . The intermediate piece  67  may, for example, be used to connect a separate part of jewelry by contact with one or more pieces of jewelry, for example, in the form of necklaces, bracelets, ankle bands, headbands, belts or the like. The intermediate piece  67  may have several lesser intermediate pieces so that the length may be adjusted thereby. 
         [0056]      FIG. 28  shows a locking system  70  where a jewelry part  72  having two hingedly connected halves  74  in which is formed a mainly cylindrical hollow  76  adapted for receiving a locking part  78  of the female type and a locking part  80  of the male type in such a way that the locking parts  78  and  80  may be fixed in the hollow  76  when the halves  74  are joined together. The jewelry part  72  is a magnetic material so that the holding magnets in the locking parts  78  and  80  also can hold the jewelry part  72  closed around the locking parts  78  and  80 . If the jewelry part  72  is made of non-magnetic material, there may, as shown in  FIG. 29 , be provided an external lock  82  for holding the jewelry part  72  closed around the locking parts  78  and  80 . 
         [0057]    The locking system  84  shown in  FIG. 30  includes a larger jewelry part  86  which at one side is fitted with a locking part  88  of the male type that interacts with a locking part  90  of the female type which is mounted at the end of a jewelry cord  92 , which at the opposite end is provided with a locking part  94  of the male type interacting with a locking part  96  of the female type which is fitted in the jewelry part  86  diametrically opposite the locking part  88 .