SLIDE CLASP

Abstract

A slider clasp for a jewelry chain includes a body and a resilient unitary bushing coupled inside the body. The body defines two guide channels configured to receive corresponding portions of the chain through the body during sliding movement between the end portions and the body. The bushing defines two tubular passageways and is disposed within the body between the two guide channels. The bushing has an uncompressed configuration when the chain does not extend within the body and tubular passageways, and a compressed configuration when the chain extends through the tubular passageways causing resulting interference between the bushing member and the end portions of the chain. The compression exerted on the end portions is sufficient to stop relative sliding movement between the end portions of the chain and the body when the force exerted on the end portions is lower than the static frictional force therebetween.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to jewelry. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to clasps for flexible bandable, loopable materials in jewelry constructions, such as chains.

State of the Art

Jewelry chains (e.g., for necklaces and bracelets) are made in fixed lengths having ends that can be joined forming a loop worn about the neck or wrist of a user. Typically, chains have clasps that only connect at the ends of the chain, such that the length of the loop is fixed and non-adjustable. However, some chains may have a clasp that allows the fixed length chain to form an adjustable length loop about the neck or wrist. For example, slider clasp necklaces include a length of chain and a slider bead clasp having one or more compressible silicone o-ring or tubular liner. The chain has a central portion and opposed end portions. The relative lengths of the central portion and the end portions vary based on the position of the slider bead clasp. Specifically, the slider bead clasp joins the end portions of the chain together at a variable distance from the ends of the chain. When the end portions are joined, the central portion is looped and has a resulting banded length based on the relative distances between the ends of the chain and the slider clasp. Thus, the lengths of the end portions and the central portion are variable relative to one another based on the total overall length of the jewelry chain and the position of the slider bead clasp relative to the ends of the chain.

Each o-ring or liner defines a central opening about a central axis. In one example of a slider bead with a single o-ring, the o-ring has an inner diameter that defines a central opening that is configured to receive two end portions of a chain that are in a parallel, side-by-side orientation (i.e., the two end portions engage one another). In such an example, the central opening of the o-ring has an uncompressed inner diameter that is smaller than the total cross-sectional dimension of both end portions of the chain when they are side-by-side. These dimensions create an interference between the end portions of the chain and the central opening of the o-ring when the side-by-side end portions are inserted into the central opening. Thus, owing to the interference, when the two end portions of the chain are inserted through the central opening in side-by-side fashion, the o-ring radially compresses (radially inwardly) both end portions together inside the central opening. Compressing the end portions of the chain together increases frictional resistance to relative sliding between the side-by-side end portions of the chain. In this example, the length of the portion of the chain that is looped can be reduced (the chain can be cinched) by pulling the end portions further through the central opening (increasing the length between the ends of the chain and the slider bead). Also, the length of the portion of the chain that is looped can be increased by backing the end portions of the chain out further through the central opening (reducing the length between the ends of the chain and the slider bead). When not being pulled through the slider bead, the friction between the end portions of the chain that are compressed together inside the central opening of the o-ring is sufficient to maintain an adjusted length of the loop of the chain as it is worn. One disadvantage of this construction is that the chain is pulled in friction against a portion of itself inside the slider which can result in abrasion or damage to the chain. In addition, due to the friction as the chain is pulled against itself, the slider lacks a smoothness that may be desirable.

In another example of a slider bead, a single bead has two separate parallel boreholes, each leading to a separate a compressible o-ring or silicone tubular liner extending along respective central axes that are parallel to one another. Each o-ring or liner defines a central opening that is configured to receive one corresponding end portion of a chain. The central opening of the o-ring has an uncompressed diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the end portions of the chain so that the o-ring surrounds and radially compresses (and frictionally grips) the outside of the end portion of the chain. Each o-ring or liner is configured to provide sufficient compression and frictional resistance to the respective end portion of the chain to inhibit relative sliding movement between the o-ring or liner and the respective end portion of the chain when the only forces on the chain are from its own weight as it is being worn. The friction on the end portion of the chain can be overcome by a user pulling on the end portion to slide it relative to the o-ring or liner to adjust the overall length of the looped portion of the chain. One disadvantage of this construction is that the o-rings or liners can move relative to each other and become displaced and/or bind inside the housing of the slider and thereby disrupt operation of the slider.

SUMMARY

A piece of jewelry includes a flexible, bandable member and a slider clasp. The bandable member has a certain length between a first end and a second end, and first and second end portions extending from the respective first and second ends of the member and an intermediate portion extending between the end first and second end portions. In exemplar embodiments, the flexible, bandable member is a chain.

The slider clasp includes a body defining an interior, and first and second entry guide holes and first and second exit guide holes. The body defines an opening into the interior, and a cap is provided to close the opening. In an embodiment, the body defines at least one recess in a floor of the body opposite the opening, and the cap includes at least one leg adapted to be received in the recess. A resilient bushing member is provided in the interior of the body. The bushing member defines first and second passages for first and second portions of the chain. The first passage is aligned between the first entry guide hole and the first exit guide hole in the body, and the second passage is aligned between the second entry guide hole and the second exit guide hole in the body. When the first end portion of the bandable member is received through the first entry guide hole the first passage and out of the first exit hole and the second end portion of the bandable member is received through the second guide hole, the second passage, and out of the second exit hole, the bushing member creates a friction fit for the respective first and second end portions of the bandable member within the body. This forms a loop of defined diameter that is retained between the slider clasp.

If it is intended to change the length of the bandable member relative to the slider clasp for purposes of removal of the piece of jewelry over a body part or for fashion, then one or both of the first and second portions can be displaced relative to the slide clasp by pulling with sufficient force to overcome the friction force between the bandable member and the bushing by resiliently deforming the bushing and increasing or decreasing the length of the bandable member between the slider clasp and consequently the diameter of a loop defined by the bandable member. Once the force is released, the bushing will again provide sufficient friction relative to the bandable member to hold the bandable member relative to the slider clasp against inadvertent movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of jewelry including a flexible, bandable member with a slider clasp in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective assembly view of the clasp shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded side assembly view of the clasp shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the body of the clasp of FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the body of the clasp of FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the clasp of FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the clasp of FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the clasp of FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 9 is a perspective section view of FIG. 1 along axis 9-9 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a perspective section view of FIG. 1 along axis 10-10 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate arrangement of the slide clasp on a flexible member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 3 show a piece of jewelry 10 including a flexible bandable member 12 and a clasp 14. The jewelry 10 may be any piece of jewelry that can be extended about a human body part, including, by way of example only, necklace, bracelet, and anklet.

The bandable member 12 is flexible and has a generally uniform maximum cross-sectional diameter along the length of the bandable member. In one exemplar form, the bandable member 12 is a metal chain. In other examples, and not be limitation, the bandable member can be a leather strand, braided leather, a fabric including rayon or silk, or a combination thereof. The bandable member has opposed first and second portions 16, 18 which terminate in respective first and second ends 20, 22. The first and second ends 20, 22 may include beads 24 or other structure larger than the maximum diameter of the rest of the bandable member.

The clasp 14 includes a hollow body 26, a resilient bushing 28, and a cover 30. The body 26 and the cover 30 are preferably made from metal. For example, these components may be made from silver, gold, platinum, stainless steel, or other metal. Alternatively, the body 26 and the cover 30 may be made from non-metal materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, clay, ceramic, glass, or a combination of metal and non-metal materials.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the body 26 defines an interior 32, an inner floor 34, an opening 35 opposite the floor, a first side 36 defining first and second entry guide holes 38, 40, an opposite second side 42 defining first and second exit guide holes 44, 46, and an exterior surface 48. While the illustrated body 26 is shown relatively square, it can be other shapes including, but not limited to, other rectangular, triangular, other polygonal, oval, round, and irregular shapes. Thus, the first and second sides 36, 42 should be constructed as entry and exit side wall portions on generally opposite portions of the body. In an embodiment, the first entry guide hole 38 and first exit guide hole 44 are axially aligned along a first straight axis A₁. In an embodiment, the second entry guide hole 40 and second exit guide hole 46 are axially aligned along a second straight axis A₂. In an embodiment, the first and second axes A₁ and A₂ are parallel. The interior 32 preferably defines rounded side walls 52. In an embodiment, the inner floor 34 includes first and second recesses 54, 56 that preferably extend through to the exterior surface 48.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bushing 28 is preformed and unitary such that, in one embodiment, the bushing is in the form of side-by-side tubular forms 62, 63 sharing a common wall 64 and defining first and second passages 58, 60. In an embodiment, an end view or a cross-section through the bushing 28 transverse to the first and second passages 58, 60 defines a ‘Figure 8’ or ‘∞’ shape and the exterior shape of the bushing is curved to conform to the rounded side walls 52 at the interior 32 of the hollow body 26.

The bushing 28 is preferably made from a material having a Shore hardness of 50A through 100A. More preferably, the material has a Shore hardness of 80A. Material for the bushing include, by way of example only, and not by way of limitation, acrylate polymer, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (Delrin®), natural rubber, silicone, fiber reinforced resin, polyurethane, thermoplastic urethanes, polyolefin, polyester, fluoropolymers, polyether block amides, acrylic polymers, styrene-isoprene-butadiene-styrene (SIBS), acrylates, polycarbonates, other polymers, leather, or other suitable material.

The bushing 28 is provided in the interior 32, with the first passage 58 aligned between the first entry guide hole 38 and the first exit guide hole 44 in the body 30, and the second passage 60 aligned between the second entry guide hole 40 and the second exit guide hole 46 in the body. In an embodiment, the first entry guide hole 38, the first passage 58, and the first exit guide hole 44 are aligned along common straight axis A₁. In an embodiment, the second entry guide hole 40, the second passage 60, and the second exit guide hole 46 are aligned along a common straight axis A₂. In an embodiment, the first and second passages 58, 60 are parallel, and the axes A₁ and A₂ are parallel.

The cover 30 defines an exterior side 72 and an interior side 74. First and second legs 76, 78 extend from the interior side 74. Each of the legs 76, 78 are sized at their ends 80, 82 to be inserted into respective ones of the first and second recesses 54, 56. The legs also include cutouts 84, 86 to prevent obstruction of the respective paths from the first entry guide hole 38, the first passage 58, and the first exit guide hole 42, and from the second entry guide hole 40, the second passage 60, and the second exit guide hole 44. The ends of the legs 76, 78 of the cover 30 are positioned in the recesses 54, 56 and the cover 30 secures the position of the bushing 28 in the interior of the body 26. The ends 80, 82 of the legs 76, 78 may be welded, brazed, bonded, or otherwise fixed in the recesses 54, 56 to secure the cover to the body. Alternatively, the cover 30 can be otherwise secured to the body 26 without the legs.

In assembly, the first portion 16 of the bandable member 12 is provided through the first entry guide hole 38, the first passage 58, and the first exit guide hole 44 of the clasp 14, and the second portion 18 of the bandable member 12 is provided through the second entry guide hole 40, the second passage 60, and the second exit guide hole 46. The bandable member 12 together with the slide clasp 14 defines a closed loop shape. The closed loop assembly may be made from a bandable member 12 that does not include larger structure at the ends (e.g., beads 24) of the bandable members, and thus the entire bandable member is of a relatively consistent maximum diameter and can be forced through the defined path during assembly. Or, the final piece of jewelry may include a bead to an end of the bandable member, but the assembly may be made prior to attaching the bead to one or both ends of the bandable member. The assembly may be partially made by passing the bandable member through the bushing prior to inserting the bushing into the body, and then assembling the bushing in the body, and the cover over the body. Thus, it is seen that the jewelry clasp can be assembled in various ways and various order of steps. Once the cover is provided to the body, the cover is secured over the opening in the body in a suitable manner such as discussed above to provide the assembly of the slide clasp 14 as shown in FIGS. 6 through 8.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, once the slide clasp 14 is provided on the flexible bandable member 12, sufficient friction is present between the bandable member and resilient bushing 28 to prevent inadvertent movement between the two structures; thus, a set size of loop of the bandable member 12 can be maintained. It is appreciated that the air gap provided between the bushing 28 and body 26 during assembly facilitates resilient deformation of the bushing 28 by the bandable member 12. If it is intended to change the size of the loop for purposes of removal of the piece of jewelry over a body part or for fashion, then one or both of the first and second portions 18, 20 can be displaced relative to the slide clasp 14 by pulling with sufficient force to overcome the friction force between the bandable member 12 and the bushing 28 and resiliently deforming the bushing. Once the force is released, the bushing 28 will again provide sufficient friction relative to the bandable member to hold the bandable member 12 relative to the clasp 14 against inadvertent movement.

FIG. 1 shows the first and second ends 20, 22 of the bandable portion 12 extending on opposite sides of the clasp 14, with the loop formed by the bandable portion at the portions of the bandable portion on the side of the clasp opposite the ends 20, 22. Turning to FIG. 11, it is appreciated that bandable portion 12 can be configured relative to the clasp 14 such that the first and second ends 20, 22 of the bandable portion are on the same side of the clasp, and the loop forming end portions 16, 18 of the bandable portion extend from the same side of the clasp.

There have been described and illustrated herein embodiments of a slider clasp and a method of using the slider clasp on a flexible bandable such a chain. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while particular materials have been disclosed for the bandable members, the body, cover and bushing, it will be appreciated that other materials with appropriate properties may be used as well.

In addition, while bushing is shown formed with parallel passages 58, 60, the passages and the axes A₁, A₂ may be angled relative to each other. In addition, while the passages are shown oriented in the body symmetrically about a centerline of the body, the passages may be off-centered. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.

Claims

1. A slider clasp for a flexible bandable member of a piece of jewelry, the bandable member having a certain length between a first end and a second end, the bandable member having first and second portions extending from the respective first and second ends of the chain, the slider clasp comprising:

a) a body defining an interior, and first and second entry guide holes and first and second exit guide holes; and

b) a resilient unitary bushing member retained in the interior of the body, the resilient bushing member defining first and second passages, the first passage aligned between the first entry guide hole and the first exit guide hole, and the second passage aligned between the second entry guide hole and the second exit guide hole, wherein when the first end portion of the bandable member is received through the first entry guide hole, the first passage, and out of the first exit hole, and the second end portion of the bandable member is received through the second guide hole, the second passage, and out of the second exit hole, the bushing member creates an interference fit for the respective first and second end portions of the bandable member within the body.

2. The slider clasp of claim 1, wherein the first and second passages through the resilient bushing are parallel to each other.

3. The slider clasp of claim 1, wherein the first entry, the first passage, and the first exit are aligned along a straight axis.

4. The slider clasp of claim 1, wherein an end view of the bushing has a ‘Figure 8’ shape.

5. The slider clasp of claim 1, wherein the bushing has a durometer between Shore 50A and 100A.

6. The slider clasp of claim 1, wherein the bushing is made one of a polymer and leather.

7. The slider clasp of claim 1, wherein an air gap is provided between the bushing and the body.

8. The slider clasp of claim 1, wherein the body includes a housing defining an opening into the interior and a cap, the housing includes at least one recess opposite the opening, and the cap is sized to close the opening and includes at least one leg that is received in the recess.

9. A piece of jewelry comprising:

a) a bandable member having opposed first and second end portions; and

b) a slider clasp coupling the opposed end portions to form a closed loop between the end portions, wherein the slider clasp includes, i) a body defining an interior, and first and second entry guide holes and first and second exit guide holes, and ii) a resilient bushing member retained in the interior of the body, the resilient bushing member defining first and second passages, the first passage aligned between the first entry guide hole and the first exit guide hole, and the second passage aligned between the second entry guide hole and the second exit guide hole, the first end portion of the bandable member passing through the first entry guide hole, the first passage, and out of the first exit hole, and the second end portion of the bandable member passing through the second guide hole, the second passage, and out of the second exit hole, and the bushing member creating an interference fit for the respective first and second end portions of the bandable member within the body.

10. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the piece of jewelry is a necklace.

11. The piece of jewelry of claim 10, wherein the bandable member is a chain.

12. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the bandable member is at least one of fabric and leather.

13. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the piece of jewelry is a necklace.

14. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the first and second passages through the resilient bushing are parallel to each other.

15. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the first entry, the first passage, and the first exit are aligned along a straight axis.

16. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein an end view of the bushing has a ‘Figure 8’ shape.

17. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the bushing has a durometer between Shore 50A and 100A.

18. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the bushing is made from at least on one of a polymer and leather.

19. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein an air gap is provided between the bushing and the body.

20. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the body includes a housing defining an opening into the interior and a cap, the housing includes at least one recess opposite the opening, and the cap is sized to close the opening and includes at least one leg that is received in the recess.