Patent ID: 7735336

Claim:
A locking mechanism for jewelry, purses and other accessories, the locking mechanism comprising: a first magnetic component comprising a first magnetically attracted surface and a first outer surface generally opposite the first magnetically attracted surface; a second magnetic component comprising a second magnetically attracted surface and a second outer surface generally opposite the second magnetically attracted surface, the second magnetically attracted surface being adapted for magnetic coupling to the first magnetically attracted surface; a hinged collar having a first segment and a second segment, the second segment rotatably coupled to the first segment by a first hinge defining a first hinge axis and to the first magnetic component by a second hinge defining a second hinge axis that is at least substantially parallel to the first hinge axis, and the first and second segments of the hinged collar being rotatable relative to each other about the first hinge axis to and from an open position and a closed position; when the first and second magnetically attracted surfaces are magnetically coupled one to the other and the hinged collar is in the closed position, at least a portion of the hinged collar overlaps a perimeter of the second outer surface to restrain movement of the second magnetic component away from the first magnetic component in a direction generally parallel to the hinge axes and to at least substantially prevent the magnetically attracted surfaces from being uncoupled, and when the first and second magnetically attracted surfaces are magnetically coupled to each other, the first and second segments of the hinged collar are movable to and from the open and closed positions without uncoupling the magnetically attracted surfaces.