Patent ID: 7503187

Claim:
A connecting device for a jewelry piece, comprising: a male member and a female member, at least one of the male member and the female member comprising a jewelry component; wherein the male member comprises a first section and a larger second section; and wherein the female member comprises: a main body having at least one hollow portion, an outer wall, and an exterior surface; at least one aperture formed through a portion of the outer wall, the at least one aperture comprising: a first portion sized to preclude passage of the larger second section and to allow passage of the first section of the male member therethrough; and a second larger portion continuous with the first portion and sized to allow passage of the first section and the larger second section of the male member therethrough; a biasing element receiving member disposed within the main body of the female member; a displaceable aperture sealing member having a first portion disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the main body and a second portion disposed within the main body of the female member, the displaceable aperture sealing member being movable between a first position in which the first portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member at least partially covers the second larger portion of the at least one aperture, and a second position in which the second larger portion of the at least one aperture is exposed; and a biasing member bearing against each of the second portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member and the biasing element receiving member and biasing the displaceable aperture sealing member toward the first position.