Abstract:
A single-piece cuff link for use in releasably coupling a first and a second section of a sleeve, the cuff link including first and second arms meeting at first ends and being curved relatively inwardly toward each other at respective second ends.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of cuff links. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Cuff links are commonly used to couple first and second sections of a sleeve together and typically consist of a pair of retaining members disposed at opposite ends of a bridging member. 
         [0003]    Because prior art cuff links tend to be formed from two or more separate parts, this unfortunately exacerbates both labor costs and processing time associated with assembling the cuff link at the point of manufacture. 
         [0004]    Moreover, prior art cuff links which are formed from multiple parts, often include hinges, pivot joints, chains, and so on which require regular cleaning and maintenance in order to ensure that they still function effectively. This is also an added inconvenience for users of prior art cuff links. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention seeks to alleviate at least one of the problems described above in relation to the prior art. 
         [0006]    The present invention may involve several different broad forms. Embodiments of the invention may include one or any combination of the different broad forms herein described. 
         [0007]    In a first broad form, the present invention provides a single-piece cuff link for use in releasably coupling a first and a second section of a sleeve, the cuff link including first and second arms meeting at first ends and being directed relatively inwardly toward each other at respective second ends. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the first and second arms may be curved inwardly towards each other so as to at least partially define a substantially circular-shaped configuration. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the present invention includes a bridging section disposed between the first ends of the first and second arms. 
         [0010]    Typically a recess may be disposed in a surface of the bridging section which faces away from the second ends of the first and second arms. Typically, the recess includes a substantially rectangular-shaped cross section. Advantageously, the recess may be adapted to receive the first and second sections of the sleeve substantially adjacent to the holes disposed on the first and second sections of the sleeve. Also by having the recess receive the first and second sections of the sleeve, this may alleviate the occurrence of slippage of the cuff link from out of the holes in the first and second sections of the sleeve. In contrast, prior art cuff links having no recess tend to slip out of sleeve holes more readily. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the first and second arms may be substantially symmetrical. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the second ends of the first and second arms may be separated by a gap. The gap may be approximately the same width as the recess. 
         [0013]    Preferably, second ends of the first and second arms may include substantially parallel planar surfaces. Advantageously, the substantially parallel planar surfaces may be adapted to abut flush against the respective first and second sections of the sleeve in use. 
         [0014]    Typically the present invention may be integrally formed from a single piece of metal, plastic, or ceramic. Advantageously, because the present invention may be integrally formed, this may alleviate labor costs and additional processing time which is otherwise incurred when assembling multiple parts of prior cuff links. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, the first and second arms may be deformable relative to each other. Advantageously, this may allow the second ends of the first and second arms to be moved inwardly together in pincer-like fashion against the first and second sections of the sleeve so as to provide a tighter grip on the sleeve in use. 
         [0016]    In a second broad form, the present invention provides a method of providing a cuff link including integrally-forming from a single piece of material, a first and second arm, wherein said first and second arms meet at first ends, and wherein said first and second arms are directed relatively inwardly toward each other at respective second ends. 
         [0017]    Preferably the method also includes the step of providing a recess disposed between the first ends of the first and second arms which may be adapted for releasably receiving the first and second sections of the sleeve in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an elevated front-view of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows an elevated rear-view of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts the first embodiment in use in releasably coupling a first and second section of a sleeve together. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]      FIGS. 1 to 3  depict a cuff link in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0023]    The cuff link is integrally formed from a single piece of metal alloy and includes first and second arms ( 2 , 2 ′) having respective first ends ( 2   a , 2   a′ ) extending outwardly away from a bridging section ( 3 ). The first and second arms ( 2 , 2 ′) extend outwardly away from the bridging section ( 3 ) so as to form a partial circular-shaped configuration. 
         [0024]    The first and second arms ( 2 , 2 ′) are curved inwardly toward each other at respective second ends ( 2   b , 2   b′ ). The second ends ( 2   b , 2   b′ ) do not touch and a gap ( 5 ) is provided between the second ends ( 2   b , 2   b′ ). 
         [0025]    A recess is carved into a surface of the bridging section ( 3 ) which faces away from the second arms ( 2   b , 2   b′ ) of the first and second arms ( 2 , 2 ′). The recess includes a rectangular-shaped cross-section having a width approximately the same as the width of the gap ( 5 ) between first and second arms ( 2 , 2 ′). 
         [0026]    The second ends ( 2   b , 2   b′ ) of the first and section arms ( 2 , 2 ′) include substantially parallel planar surfaces ( 4 , 4 ′) as shown in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0027]    In use, the second end ( 2   b ) of the first arm ( 2 ) is threaded through holes disposed in the first and second sections ( 6 , 6 ′) of the sleeve. The second end ( 2   b ) of the first arm ( 2 ) is threaded through the holes in the first and second sections ( 6 , 6 ′) of the sleeve wherein the recess ( 5 ) is directed in a substantially upwards orientation so that when the cuff link ( 1 ) sits in the sleeve holes, the bridge ( 3 ) of the cuff link ( 1 ) will rest neatly on the sleeve sections near the holes. 
         [0028]    As it is threaded through the holes, the cuff link is rotated about so that the planar surface ( 4 ) at the second end ( 2   b ) of the first arm ( 2 ) abuts flush against the first section of the sleeve. Portions of the first and second sleeve sections ( 6 , 6 ′) which are adjacent the holes in the first and second sections ( 6 , 6 ′) of the sleeve are received within the recess ( 5 ) and are snugly held in place between the walls of the recess ( 5 ) so that side-to-side movement of the cuff link may be alleviated in use. 
         [0029]    The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 
         [0030]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described without departing from the scope of the invention. All such variations and modification which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps and features, referred or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.