Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 14/960,186, filed Dec. 4, 2015, and entitled “Jewelry Item with a Plurality of Interchangeable Strands and Clasps,” which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/087,866, filed Dec. 5, 2014. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to jewelry. More particularly, an improved clasp for jewelry is provided. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Statistics show that the average American household spends between $167 and $252 per year on jewelry. Clothing is often used for personal expression. Accessories have become the ‘finishing touch’ on the clothing chosen, adding emphasis to that expression and completing the look. People are constantly changing their style, usually influenced by their region, an event, a season, etc. For that reason they are constantly changing their accessories, including their jewelry, in the same manner. 
         [0004]    Jewelry items such as bracelets, ankle bracelets, necklaces, etc. are typically fastened with a clasp. Many presently available clasps are difficult to manipulate even for individuals with reasonably good dexterity, and even more difficult if dexterity issues are present. 
         [0005]    An example of a presently available clasp is disclosed by U.S. 2008/0250616, which was invented by K. Martin and published on Oct. 16, 2008. This patent discloses a spring clasp having a pair of head pins attached thereto. Each head pin includes a pin portion having a removable head threadedly attached thereto. Removing the heads permits the attachment of one or a plurality of jewelry strands to the head pins by sliding the ring connectors of the jewelry strands onto the head pins. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,659, which was issued to M. P. Wright on Aug. 30, 1994, discloses a multi-strand jewelry clasp. The clasp includes a pair of connector boxes, with each connector box having a plurality of pivot hooks therein. Each end of a jewelry strand is connected to one of the hooks within each connector box. The boxes are held closed by snap tabs. A latch arm is provided or detachably connecting the connector boxes together. The latch arm is pivotally secured to one box. The latch arm includes a spring latch for engaging a latch bar secured to the other box. 
         [0007]    U.S. 2015/0230565, which was invented by R. Fuhrman et al. and published on Aug. 20, 2015, discloses a jewelry clasp. The jewelry clasp includes a pair of housings, with each housing having a magnet therein, with the orientation of the north and south poles of the magnets being selected so that the housings are magnetically drawn together. One housing includes a pair of locking posts and locking extenders extending from the posts. The other housing includes a pair of notches that are structured to receive the locking posts and extenders in order to ensure precise alignment of the two housings. 
         [0008]    U.S. 2003/0066171, which was invented by M. Terzian and published on Apr. 10, 2003, discloses a jewelry clasp. The jewelry clasp includes a housing and a latch member. A catch is pivotally mounted in the housing. The catch is spring-biased towards a position wherein it retains the latch within the housing. Depressing one end of the catch member against the spring bias releases the latch member from the housing. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,260, which was issued to J. Mangano on Mar. 3, 1998, discloses a clamshell-type jewelry clasp having hooks therein for retaining the ends of necklaces and/or bracelets. Magnets are used to retain the clasp in a closed position. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,180, which was issued to C. Elsener on Mar. 28, 1989, discloses a ring-shaped transferable jewelry clasp. The clasp includes hingedly attached upper and lower portions, and are retained in the closed position by a snap clasp. A pair of movable cams are provided in the upper portion for retaining the connecting ring of a jewelry strand thereon. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,687, which was issued to A. E. Sauer on Jan. 17, 1984, discloses a safety clasp for jewelry. The safety clasp includes interconnecting tongue and tongue guide portions. The tongue is releasably held within the tongue guide by a spring lock mechanism. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,389, which was issued to A. E. Sauer et al. on Feb. 9, 1982, shows the double fold over jewelry clasp. The clasp includes a cover plate pivotally secured to the body, and a lock plate pivotally secured to the cover plate. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,078, invented by H. A. Neumann et al. and issued on Mar. 16, 1971, discloses a jewelry clasp. The clasp includes a housing having a spring-biased ball therein. A second ball was attached to the opposite end of the jewelry strand. The clasp is fastened by pressing the free ball into the housing, past the spring-biased ball. The spring-biased ball then retains the free ball in the housing until the free ball is pulled out of the housing by the strand to which it is attached. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, there is a need for a jewelry item that allows its user/owner to change the strand combination, color combination, and/or material combination, thereby easily changing the appearance. Such an item would be advantageous in several ways. It would allow its users to truly customize their outfit. It would also be quite economical in the sense that its user purchases one clasp and then one or more bracelet strands as they care to, desire or can afford. Additionally, its wearer would have the ability to layer multiple strands of materials, thereby adding texture and color to any outfit with just one jewelry item. 
         [0015]    There is a further need for a new clasp configuration that would be easy for someone with arthritic or dexterity issues to use. Such a clasp configuration would not only facilitate fastening and unfastening the jewelry, but would also facilitate changing the individual strands within the jewelry item. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0016]    The above needs are met by a clasp which comprises a housing. The housing has an outer wall, a first end defining a first recess, a second end defining a second recess, and a channel connecting the first recess to the second recess. The clasp has a first loop portion. The first loop portion has a hook and a shaft extending from a first end of the hook. The hook forms at least half of a loop. The shaft includes an elongated portion and a shaft end. The hook is disposed at least partially within the first recess. The elongated portion of the shaft extends slidably through the channel. The shaft end is disposed within or adjacent to the second recess. 
         [0017]    The clasp further comprises a connection piece having a first connection portion and a second connection portion. The first connection portion is secured to the shaft end. The second connection portion comprises at least one of a component of a clasp or a connector for a strand. 
         [0018]    The clasp additionally includes a second loop portion. The second loop portion being fixedly secured within the first recess of the housing. The first loop portion and second loop portion are structured to interface with each other to form a substantially closed loop. The first loop portion moves between a closed position wherein the first loop portion interfaces with the second loop portion to form a closed loop, and an open position wherein a loop formed by the first loop portion and second loop portion is open. The first loop portion is spring-biased towards the closed position. 
         [0019]    The above needs are further met by a multi-strand jewelry item. The multi-strand jewelry item comprises a first clasp and a second clasp. Each of the first clasp and second clasp, comprises a housing. Each housing has an outer wall, a first end defining a first recess, a second end defining a second recess, and a channel connecting the first recess to the second recess. 
         [0020]    Each clasp of the multi-strand jewelry item has a first loop portion. The first loop portion has a hook and a shaft extending from a first end of the hook. The hook forms at least half of a loop. The shaft includes an elongated portion and a shaft end. The hook is disposed at least partially within the first recess. The elongated portion of the shaft extends slidably through the channel. The shaft end is disposed within or adjacent to the second recess. 
         [0021]    Each clasp of the multi-strand jewelry item further has a connection piece having a first connection portion and a second connection portion. The first connection portion is secured to the shaft end. The second connection portion comprises at least one of a component of a clasp or a connector for a strand. 
         [0022]    Each clasp further includes a second loop portion. The second loop portion is fixedly secured within the first recess of the housing. The first loop portion and second loop portion are structured to interface with each other to form a substantially closed loop. The first loop portion moves between a closed position wherein the first loop portion interfaces with the second loop portion to form a closed loop, and an open position wherein a loop formed by the first loop portion and second loop portion is open. The first loop portion is spring-biased towards the closed position. 
         [0023]    The multi-strand jewelry item additionally includes a plurality of strands. Each strand has a pair of ends, with each end having a generally loop-shaped connection thereon. The jewelry item also has a third clasp. The third clasp has a first clasp element and a second clasp element. The first clasp element of the third clasp is secured to the connection piece of the first clasp. The second clasp element is secured to the connection piece of the second clasp. A wearer of the multi-strand jewelry item may secure one or more of the plurality of strands to the first clasp and second clasp, and may secure the jewelry item to the wearer by fastening the third clasp. 
         [0024]    These and other aspects of the invention will become more apparent through the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one preferred embodiment of jewelry item showing multiple (two) individual strands and both versions of clasps therefor. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective close up showing the right side clasp and both separate strands from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a top, partial sectional view of a first end of clasp connector according to this invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a top, partial sectional view of a second clasp end for use with this invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of the clasp from  FIG. 4  showing both a closed and open position therefor. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the clasp from  FIGS. 4 and 5  broken down into its component parts. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a close up view from the circled region of  FIG. 6  showing an installation of the threaded clasp base, through its collar and into a threaded aperture in a corresponding clasp bar. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a jewelry clasp. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the jewelry clasp of  FIG. 8 , showing the clasp in its closed position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the jewelry clasp of  FIG. 8 , showing the clasp in its open position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a single strand jewelry item utilizing a clasp of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of a multi-strand jewelry item utilizing a pair of clasps of  FIG. 8  to secure the interchangeable strands, and a conventional clasp to secure the jewelry item. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a multi-strand jewelry item utilizing a pair of clasps of  FIG. 8  to secure the interchangeable strands, and a third clasp of  FIG. 8  to secure the jewelry item. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Like reference characters denote like elements throughout the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Referring now to the accompanying drawings,  FIGS. 1 through 4  show a first embodiment of jewelry item  10  which can be, without limitation, a bracelet, an ankle bracelet, a necklace, a watch band, a belly chain, or any similar jewelry item. Although the clasp disclosed herein is primarily intended for jewelry, it is not limited to use with jewelry, and could potentially be used with a belt or similar item. 
         [0040]    More particularly, there is an item  10  comprised of several strands  12 ,  14  which can be customized for color, size, theme, etc., it being understood that such bead strands can be purchased after another&#39;s assembly or custom-made by (or for) the wearer/user. As used herein, a strand may be, without limitation, a bead strand; a chain; a strand holding precious or decorative stones, metals, or other decorative objects; a leather strap; a fabric strap; a cord; a flexible polymer; or any other decorative strand. Although the clasp disclosed herein is primarily directed towards jewelry, it is not limited to use for jewelry. 
         [0041]    Each strand terminates in a closed loop  16  at a first end and a second (similarly sized and shaped) closed loop  18  at its opposite end. With such an arrangement, it is possible to position a plurality (at least two, maybe several more) of customized bead strands on the same end connector system (including clasps) though only two representative bead strands are shown in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0042]    The closed loops  16 ,  18  allow a given set of strands to position “temporarily” on their respective clasp ends. Temporary, as used herein, is meant to indicate that any one strand may be fairly easily removed from the jewelry item  10  and replaced by one or more alternative bead strand arrangements (as the user sees fit for a given event and/or wardrobe color accent). 
         [0043]    This configuration of bead strands is meant to compliment the novel arrangement of jewelry clasps used herewith. A first embodiment of clasp, element  20  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , comprises a first claw closure  22  into which closed loop ends  16  of the bead strands  12 ,  14  are fastened. This variety of claw closure most resembles a carabiner with a fixed top hook  24  and a spring loaded bar  26  at one side. To better operate the latter spring bar  26 , a finger latch  28  is provided that can hold bar  26  “open” long enough for adding/removing strands before snapping closed. 
         [0044]    Below the claw closure  22 , there is positioned a cone-shaped collar component  30  that preferably resembles a partially-flattened bell with an upper opening  32  leading down to a connector base  34 . Preferably, collar  30  joins to the jewelry item base component  40 , via connector base  34  using a spring-like arrangement (better seen in the partial cross-sectional view at  FIG. 5 . Therein, it can be seen how the collar proper may be tugged downwardly, in the direction of arrow A, for exposing a workable portion of the underlying claw closure. It is not necessary for the collar  30  to cover the whole of claw closure  22  but, at a minimum, it would be ideal to at least cover finger latch  28  so that it won&#39;t necessarily catch on the hair, other jewelry and/or clothing of the jewelry item wearer at any given time. 
         [0045]    For this first claw-collar configuration, the entire assembly terminates in its own jewelry item solid connecting loop component  40 . It is shown as a standard circular element designed for easy interaction with its connecting bar component  42  at the opposite end of jewelry item  10 . Alternate variations may replace connecting bar  42  with its own lobster claw variety and/or still other known main clasp embodiments. 
         [0046]    In  FIGS. 5 through 7 , a first alternative claw closure  122  is shown. Therein, this variation has a combination of a stationary hook element  124  together with a spring loaded base  126  that can be pulled down in the direction of arrow A for loading and unloading bead strand  112 , via its loop  116  onto hook element  124 . The relative movement of the base  126  can be seen with the silhouetted hook element (in dashed lines). When the spring-loaded base is released, it rejoins with stationary hook  124  for holding bead strands thereon. All of the foregoing sit within an outer cover or collar component  130 , and its uppermost opening  132  before terminating at its lower end  134  as a connection to main jewelry bar component  142 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  shows a close up, exploded view from the circled area VII of  FIG. 6 . Therein, the hook element  124  to this claw closure alternative is emphasized showing its vertical stem  123  within protective collar  125  through which a threaded lower base  127  protrudes for connecting to a correspondingly threaded aperture  129  in connection bar component  142 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , a clasp  144  is illustrated. The clasp  144  may be used in any application wherein a jewelry clasp would be used, but is particularly useful as a clasp for a multi-strand bracelet as described above. Referring primarily to  FIG. 8 , the clasp  144  includes a first loop portion  146  having a hook  148  and a shaft  150 . The illustrated example of the hook  148  has a generally hook-shaped configuration, extending for at least half of a closed loop, with some examples extending between about 60% to about 90% of the way around a closed loop, and in the illustrated example extending about ¾ of the way around a closed loop. The tip  152  is shaped to abut a mating surface as described below, and in the illustrated example includes a cutout portion  154  and a narrow, extended portion  156 . The end  158  of the shaft  150  is structured to be secured to a connection piece  160  as described below, and in the illustrated example is threaded. An elongated portion  162  extends between the end  158  and hook  148 . 
         [0049]    The connection piece  160  includes a first end  164  for securing to the end  158  of the shaft  150 , and a second end  166  for securing to the remainder of a jewelry item, or perhaps another connection to another clasp in the case of a multi-strand jewelry item. The illustrated example of the first end  164  includes a shaft  168  defining a generally coaxial threaded hole  170  therethrough for receiving the threaded end  158  of the hook  148 . The shaft  168  further defines a surface  172  disposed around the threaded hole  170 . The second end  166  of the illustrated example is in the form of a ring which can be connected in a manner well known to those skilled in the art of jewelry to another portion of a jewelry item. 
         [0050]    A housing  174  is disposed generally between the hook  146  and connection piece  160 . The housing  174  includes an outer wall  176  which in the illustrated example is generally frustoconical, but which may alternatively be cylindrical, or may have an oblong, oval, rectangular, trapezoidal, or other tapered or non-tapered profile. The housing  174  defines a hook recess  178  and a connection recess  180 . The illustrated example of the hook recess  178  is sufficiently large to receive at least about half of the hook  148  of the first loop portion  146 . Other examples may receive less than half of the hook  148 , or as much as all of the hook  148 . The hook recess  178  includes a second loop portion  182  secured therein, or perhaps formed as a portion of the housing  174 . The second loop portion  182  is structured to mate with the hook  148  of the first loop portion  146  to complete a substantially closed loop for retaining a connector on a strand. A substantially closed loop is defined as one that will securely retain the connection to be retained by the clasp, even if a complete closed loop is not entirely formed by the first loop portion  146  and second loop portion  182 . Such a substantially closed loop may have a portion of the loop formed by the wall  176  of the housing  174 . In the illustrated example, the second loop portion  182  extends around about ¼ of a circle, and includes a tip  184  having a cutout portion  186  and extended portion  188  that are structured to interface with the extended portion  156  and cutout portion  154 , respectively, of the tip  152  of the first loop portion  146 . Thus, when the first loop portion  146  and second loop portion  182  are brought together as described below, the connector of a strand is securely held within the ring formed by the first loop portion  146  and second loop portion  182  (and perhaps a portion of the wall  176  of the housing  174 ). 
         [0051]    The hook recess  178  and connection recess  180  are connected by a passage  190 , which is structured to receive the elongated portion  162  of the first loop portion  146  therethrough. The connection recess  180  includes a surface  192  therewithin. The connection recess  180  is structured to receive the first end  168  of the connection piece  160 , as well as a spring  194 . The spring  194  surrounds the elongated portion  162  of the first loop portion  146 , and is disposed between the surface  172  of the connection piece  160  and the surface  192  of the connection recess  180 . The spring  194  biases the connection piece  160  away from the housing  174 , thus biasing the first loop portion  146  into the hook recess  178  and into engagement with the second loop portion  182 , closing the clasp  144 . 
         [0052]    In use, the default position of the clasp  144  is the closed position of  FIG. 9 . To open the clasp  144 , the housing  174  is pushed towards the connection piece  160  as shown in  FIG. 10 , thus moving the second loop portion  182  away from the stationary hook portion  146 . Since the housing  174  is sufficiently large to contain a sizable portion of the stationary hook portion  146 , it is easy to grasp. The connection piece  160  can also be sized so that it is easy to grasp. As another alternative, the connection piece  160  could be placed on a table or other convenient surface, and the housing  174  pushed towards that surface to open the clasp. The clasp  144  is therefore easy to open and close, even for individuals having limited dexterity and/or using their weak hand. Once the clasp is open, then a connection ring of a jewelry strand, or another clasp component such as the ring  202 , may be fastened to or removed from the clasp  144 . 
         [0053]    The clasp  144  can be used in any application for which a different jewelry clasp could be used, for example, as the clasp  144  in the jewelry item  204  of  FIG. 11  having a single strand  206 . In  FIG. 11 , the clasp  144  secures the ring  208  in order to hold the jewelry item  204  on the wearer. Additionally, the clasp  144  is particularly suited for use with a multi-strand jewelry item such as a bracelet as described above, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-13 . In the jewelry item  210  of  FIG. 12 , a pair of clasps  144  are used to connect one or more desired jewelry strands  206  together, and another clasp, which in the illustrated example is a conventional clasp  212 A,  212 B is used to fasten the jewelry item  210  on the wearer. In other examples of a multi-strand jewelry item ( FIG. 9 ) the clasp  144  is fastened by a standard jewelry chain link connection  196  to a generally perpendicular post  198 . Similarly, an identical clasp  144  would be connected by a standard jewelry chain link connection such as the connection  196  to a ring  202 . It is well known in the art of jewelry that the post  198  can be inserted into the ring  202  to fasten this type of prior art clasp. Although these examples of prior art clasps are illustrated, any prior art and/or presently available clasp may be substituted for the post  198  and ring  202  without departing from the invention. 
         [0054]      FIG. 13  illustrates another example of a multi-strand jewelry item  214 . In the jewelry item  214 , a pair of clasps  144  are used to connect one or more desired jewelry strands  206  together, and a third clasp  144  is used to fasten the jewelry item  210  on the wearer by connecting to a ring  216 . 
         [0055]    Using the above describes clasp arrangement, a single jewelry strand, or a desired plurality of jewelry strands, may be connected between a pair of clasps  144 , with each of the clasps  144  being connected to another clasp element as described above. The resulting single-strand or multi strand jewelry item may be fastened or unfastened using the post  198  and ring  202 , any other conventional clasp, or a third clasp  144 . Any time the selection of strands included between the clasps  144  is desired to be changed, this can be accomplished by opening the clasps  144  as described above. The wearer may thus customize the wearer&#39;s bracelet as frequently or infrequently as the wearer wishes, with single strands, multiple strands, different sequences of strands, different combinations of different styles of strands, etc. with a wide variety of potential aesthetics being possible. 
         [0056]    A variety of modifications to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. Thus, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The particular embodiments disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention. The appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, should be referenced to indicate the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: a