Bead Chain Fasteners Patents (Class 24/116A)
  • Patent number: 6145170
    Abstract: A fastener bead removably affixed to a flexible tension element of a cargo holder and used by removably inserting the bead in the wider portion of a keyhole-type slot in a support structure. The bead in use is trapped and held by the margin of the narrow portion of the keyhole slot. The bead has a through-passageway with axially opposite loop-entrance and loop-exit ends thereof located respectively at first and second opposite end surfaces of the bead. In one bead embodiment an external groove in a bead first side surface is sized for retaining a portion of each two runs of a free-end loop of the tension element disposed in side-by-side contacting relationship after exiting the passageway and lead in the groove toward engagement with trailing portions of the runs that trail back out the entrance end of the passageway as they extend back toward cargo holder attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Bernard Mould
    Inventors: Edward Helmut Bernard, Gordon Alan Bernard
  • Patent number: 6089659
    Abstract: A headrest secured seat cover for vehicles having side-impact airbags mounted within the sides of the seat. The cover comprises a bottom and middle portion attachable to the seat cushion. A top portion of the seat cover is attachable to the seat headrest. In order to attach the seat cover to the headrest, the seat cover includes at least one elastic strap attached to the top portion of the cover and configured to attach the top portion of the cover to mounting bars of the headrest. Since the seat cover is attached to the headrest, the sides of the seat are unobstructed for proper airbag inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: David K. Toyota
  • Patent number: 6035499
    Abstract: A connecting device for jewelry and accessory comprising a spring member made in manner that a metallic plate with an elasticity is bent to form a plate spring comprising a first plate spring section and a second plate spring section and a connecting device body including a base plate and a spring casing section placed on the base plate. The first plate spring section has one end equipped with a locking portion and a pushing handle, while the second plate spring section has one end equipped with a spring body side wall section rising to surround the pushing handle, the spring body side wall section having curved edges curved to lower so that both side surface portions thereof continuing with its central portion has one of an arc configuration and a tapered configuration. On the other hand, the spring casing section of the connecting device body has a hollow portion to accept the spring member and has one side wall curved to lower to form an arc or tapered configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Seberu Pico Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyasu Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 5987709
    Abstract: A re-attachable safety connector may be a single unit or may have a number of components working together as one unit. In the embodiments that have multiple components, connection of the components together may be accomplished by use of a series of pins inserted into a plurality of through bores in the body of the components at the mid-portions, as illustrated herein. Depending on the materials used to manufacture each of the elements of a given embodiment, the pin series may be sheared in half in order to provide for a safety release, or the properties of molded plastic as flexible may be relied upon in order to accomplish a safety release. Second through fourth embodiments are capsule shaped and provide for re-attachment of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Tser-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 5816109
    Abstract: A system and device for connecting and adjusting at least two cables is disclosed. The device includes a first elongate cavity with an upper portion having a cable receiving aperture disposed therein, a lower portion having a bracket disposed therein, and a middle portion integrally formed with, and connecting, the upper and lower portions of the first elongate cavity. A second elongate cavity is also included in the device that has an upper portion with a cable receiving aperture disposed therein. A lower portion is also included that has a rotation aperture disposed therein. The rotation aperture provides for rotation of the device when a tool is inserted therein and when a first cable is inserted into the cable receiving aperture of the first elongate cavity and a second cable is inserted into the cable receiving aperture of the second elongate cavity, thereby creating an over-center lock by moment of force that maintains tension on the first and second cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Dege
  • Patent number: 5794894
    Abstract: A selectively adjustable suspension support and a method for suspending a supported member from an overhead support member at a selected distance below the overhead support member includes an elongate flexible cable, a bead affixed to the cable adjacent each end of the cable, and a plurality of separate, discrete tabs affixed to the cable, spaced apart along the length of the cable, each tab including a catch for receiving and capturing a bead in the tab, whereby capture of a bead within a selected tab establishes the distance between the overhead support member and the supported member, and juxtaposition of the cable with the catch precludes inadvertent release of the bead from the catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Carl Stahl Sava Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Zdenek A. Fremund
  • Patent number: 5771912
    Abstract: An attachment system, for erecting a tent having a flexible tent shell and a tent pole cooperating with the tent shell, includes a securing cord attached to a portion of the tent shell and a claw disposed at an end of the pole. The attachment system further includes an enlarged region disposed along the securing cord, which engages the claw, thereby retaining the tent shell in an extended position. The tent may also include a tent fly having an attached fly cord. An enlarged region disposed along the fly cord engages the claw to secure the tent fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Worldwide Associates Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Swetish
  • Patent number: 5687585
    Abstract: A necklace strand separation device and unit is provided for maintaining the separation of multiple chain strands and/or reducing the risk of chain entanglement for a wearer of multiple strands. The device has a shell and spaced apart openings and a pair of engagement members for holding the strands in sequential order and/or a narrow spaced apart openings for preventing the strands from bypassing each other within the openings. The unit has the device and a plurality of chains. The unit and device are useful for reducing the risk of chain entanglement for a wearer of multiple strands of necklaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Kathryn L. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 5642558
    Abstract: Unlike conventional snap fasteners, this clasp's mechanism temporarily locks to prevent opening by accidental forces which apply unevenly and tilt the socket against the elongated stud that passes through and beyond the socket. Designed for general use, it is especially valuable for bracelets. While accidental opening is virtually impossible, stud and socket support-bodies make intentional opening easy, with one hand. With bracelet between them, middle and index fingers hold the socket support-body on opposite edges, without blocking stud movement, while thumb pressure is applied to the protruding end of the stud to eject it and open the clasp. This procedure keeps axes of stud and socket sufficiently aligned to avoid the locking effect, and automatically leaves the wearer holding the socket side of the clasp to avoid dropping the bracelet. The support-body means of attachment makes pull from chain or bracelet substantially perpendicular to clasp's opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Lawrence Edward Bodkin, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5615454
    Abstract: A security chain particularly adapted for retaining a magnetically encoded card such as a casino complimentary card including a split ring, detachably coupled to one end of a ball chain with the other end of the ball chain detachable coupled to an alligator clip which can be clipped to the users clothing. The magnetically encoded card can be easily inserted over a right angle tab on the split ring and threaded onto the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino
  • Patent number: 5613283
    Abstract: A shoelace and closure mechanism for lacing a shoe which includes a shoelace featuring a number of closure members near its ends. The outer directed portion of each of the closure members is connected to the lace while the other end is free of the shoelace. The shoe is equipped with a lace retaining member which is formed with a cutout dimensioned to allow passage an end of the shoelace when the shoelace is moved in one direction while causing one of the closure members to open and engage the cutout and thereby immobilize the shoelace when an attempt is made to move the shoelace in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Shay Yusfan
  • Patent number: 5588190
    Abstract: This invention provides an accessories which can be fixed by merely inserting a fixing pin into a wire string fastener. According to this invention, a series of decorative bodies are coupled one after another by means of a wire string, each end of the wire string is passed through a through-passage formed in a wire string fastener and through a turn-back portion of clasp, the end of the wire string thus passed through is then turned back to be again passed through the through-passage where the each end of the wire string is fixed by means of a fixing means. The wire string fastener is provided with a fastening hole and a depression. A fixing pin is fittingly inserted into the fastening hole, and provided with a projected portion extending slightly larger than the inner diameter of the fastening hole to contact with the vicinity of the opening of the fastening hole. The wire string is fixed in a bent manner along the depression by the pressing portion of the fixing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Murao Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 5531665
    Abstract: A massaging device includes a cord, a plurality of massaging balls and a plurality of biasing units strung alternately on the cord, and a connecting unit for joining two ends of the cord together. The biasing units ensure that the massaging balls remain evenly distributed on the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 5509181
    Abstract: An attachment fitting in which several sets of ball chains can be arranged and the attachment is possible over the entire length of the attachment fitting main body. Also, the strength of the main body is improved.A tubular main body has an opening on one end and can be closed on the other end. A slit is provided in the vicinity of the other end through the opening. A connecting member is provided and extends in the longitudinal direction of the main body which is symmetrical to the slit of the main body. Several protruding pieces are formed and jut out from the circumference of the closure so that the aforementioned opening can be shut. The end of ball of several sets of ball chains is fitted into the main body. A connecting rod of ball chain goes through slit. The attachment is closed through the opening by shutting the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Kenji Yuuki, Kiyoshi Oda, Hideyuki Matsushima
  • Patent number: 5414907
    Abstract: An eyeglass retainer is formed by a bead chain each end of which is attached to a temple of the eyeglasses by a coupling which comprises a pair of trough-like members flexibly attached to a cup-like receptacle which receives the end of the bead chain. The trough-like members encompass a portion of a stretchable plastic hook and are held together by a sleeve. The temple is passed through the remainder of the loop which is cinched back by a helical spring to secure the temple within the loop. The stretchability of the plastic loop enables it to pass through both the sleeve and helical spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: John Kiapos
  • Patent number: 5398391
    Abstract: There is provided a wire connecting member for strung beads ornaments which member is to fix a wire stringing ornaments to a clasp of the beads ornaments strung by a wire. The connecting member is compact, makes the procedure for fixing wire easy, and is reusable. Fixing the wire is made by way of passing the wire through the pathway holes by the clasp followed by inserting a pin into an insert hole. The wire does not come off from the connecting member due to frictional force against the outer surface of the pin and the inner circumferential surface of the insert hole. The pin does not come off from the connector body since parts of the wire are inserted into the concave part. The wire may be removed by cutting a part of the wire and the wire side is removed followed by removal of the wire side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Tokio Yokochi
  • Patent number: 5369854
    Abstract: A necklace clasp designed to permit the wearing of multiple necklaces or neck chains without them becoming entangled and having the overall appearance of a butterfly which comprises a two-part holding device with the edge of one part abutting the corresponding edge of the other part; each part having a central tubular core and planar wings extending from said central core; means in each of said wings to provide anchorage for the respective ends of a plurality of necklaces depending therefrom; and means to removeably engage the central tubular cores one from the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Bonnie S. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5219624
    Abstract: A decorative bead chain tassel formed by providing at least three bead chains about a suspended center strand of bead chain with the first bead of each of surrounding chains being seated between beads of the center strand and held in such disposition by encircling securing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventors: John Kiapos, Dennis R. Lotz
  • Patent number: 5168606
    Abstract: A jewelry clasp is provided featuring a safety catch for securing a cover after that cover is moved into a closed position on the base. The safety catch is mounted for swinging movement between the base and cover from a released position into a latched position wherein the free end of the safety catch releasably keeps the cover in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: The Napier Company
    Inventor: Herbert Ziemelis
  • Patent number: 5157861
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to co-acting male and female fishing line connectors. The female member is an elongate body having an internal cavity. It is sized and shaped to receive internally a sphere. The sphere permits quick insertion or removal. The sphere is affixed to an elongate link which is apply clamped and positioned at an axial passage through the body, and further includes a second sphere on the link, the two spheres serving as clamps to hold and position the connective link at a desired location on the female member. The male member thus comprises the two spheres and connective link. Quick connection and disconnection is achieved, and axial pulling is handled readily by the equipment with rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventor: Roger Peterson
  • Patent number: 5099551
    Abstract: A mechanism for releasably connecting the ends of a bracelet, necklace or watchband. The mechanism includes a male connector component slidably insertable into a female connector component. Two resiliently-biased arms on the male component ride along inturned flanges in the female connector, after which the arms spring outwardly to lock against interior side faces of the flanges. Two squeezable handles extend from the arms for moving the arms together, thereby enabling the male connector element to be withdrawn from the hollow female element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Kwang H. Hyun
  • Patent number: 5035667
    Abstract: A device for eliminating the twisting and accompanying stress associated with yo-yo strings during operation by providing for rotation of the string about its central elongate axis without rotation of the yo-yo. The device of the present invention is inserted in-line between the yo-yo and the operator grip. The device includes two segments attached by a pivotal axis concentric with the string central axis. The string is divided into two segments, a device-yo-yo segment and a device-operator segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas F. Haley
  • Patent number: 5018250
    Abstract: A fastening device for an item of jewelery comprises two parallel rings held apart by spacing elements one of the rings having a slit, whereby a bead-shaped end member can be placed in the rings with its connecting member being passed through the slit. The device may be attached to an eyelet or a further ring pair for the attachment of the other end of a chain of beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Hubert E. Schroder
  • Patent number: 4998330
    Abstract: A jewelry closure device includes an outer element and a central element which are adapted to be assembled to form a pendant-like structure. The outer element includes a frame portion having a central aperture of noncircular configuration therein and the central element includes a body portion and a peripheral rim portion on the body portion. The body portion is of substantially the same dimension and configuration as the aperture in the frame portion and the body and rim portions are receivable through the aperture in the frame portion from the rear side thereof in order to position the body portion in a substantially aligned assembled position in the aperture wherein the rim portion engages the frame portion to prevent rearward movement of the body and rim portions through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: William M. D'Amore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4907322
    Abstract: An adornment device including a flexible cord using a plurality of wires as a core and a flexible coating for coating the cord so as to impart flexibility to the cord; a retainer having a cord-threading hole through which the cord is inserted once before a clasp and through which the cord is inserted again after being bent at a bending point; and a setscrew which, by making use of the characteristics of the flexible coating material, is adapted to secure the cord to the retainer while adjustment of the tension of the cord is being made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventor: Kiyohiro Kanno
  • Patent number: 4774743
    Abstract: A jewelry clasp having a base and a cover mounted on the base for swinging movement and featuring a pair of elongated resilient S-shaped friction tongs on the base for snap-locking engagement within elongated grooves of a pair of complementary resilient friction flanges on the cover for releasably securing the base and its cover in locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: The Napier Co.
    Inventor: Hebert Ziemelis
  • Patent number: 4754534
    Abstract: A clip assembly containing a resilient filler that secures chain jewelry when snapped closed over the chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Inventor: Carol S. Helwick
  • Patent number: 4745667
    Abstract: A closure device includes a female member which is open at the front end thereof and a male member which is receivable through the open front end of the female member for releasably securing it in a locked position in the female member. The female member includes a top wall having a substantially rectangular aperture therein, and the male member includes a resiliently depressible button portion which is of substantially rectangular configuration and is receivable in the aperture in the female member for securing the male member in the locked position. The female member further includes a pair of spaced alignment tabs which extend inwardly into the open front end thereof for guiding the button portion of the male member into the aperture when the male member is inserted into the female member. The closure device is operable in combination with a pair of plate-like buckle members for securing the buckle members together to form a buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Victoria Creations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Conte
  • Patent number: 4686746
    Abstract: A device for separating at least two neck chains, each having at least one fixed ring thereon, comprising: a chain separator means including a pair of elongated members and a biasing means urging said elongated members in close substantially parallel relationship to each other; at least one of said elongated members having a plurality of first portions extending toward the other elongated member and a plurality of second portions alternatingly spaced between said first portions, said second portions each extending away from the other elongated member for a distance sufficient to accommodate one of said fixed rings on said neck chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Ronald R. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 4667378
    Abstract: A clasp lock whose clasp is a homogeneous one-piece U-shaped metallic casting having a rigid leg, a resilient leg and a rigid web which is integral with one end portion of the rigid leg as well as with one end portion of the resilient leg and is first to enter the chamber of the receptacle when the clasp is inserted through the opening in the front wall of the receptacle. The cross-sectional area of one or more parts of the intermediate portion of the resilient leg diminishes gradually or abruptly in a direction from one toward the other end portion of such leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Inventor: Carolyn M. Sturm
  • Patent number: 4611368
    Abstract: A decorative and protective jewelry chain guard having a first half or bottom member, a top half member, generally closed with pressure, slide, hinge or latch. One of said halves having an anchor pin firmly mounted within the guard over which the loop ends of a precious jewelry chain are fixed. The ends of a jewelry chain are placed over the anchor pin or within the chain guard itself and interconnected by a spring latch and the halves of the chain guard are closed around the chain ends.Various decorative treatments can be made to the chain guard for ornamental appearances, but in essence, it is a protective jewelry chain guard used to prevent loss or accidental breakage of the chain and its ends so that there will be less chance of loss to the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Norma Battersby
  • Patent number: 4584858
    Abstract: A device for forming a bunch of keys having a centrally arranged disc from which individual key holder members extend. Ball heads of arms of the key holder members are slidably mounted in an undercut groove in the disc which opens towards the periphery of the disc. The groove has a removal opening for the ball heads which is releasably closed by a slide such that the ball heads can move around in the groove passing by the removal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Heinz Wolter
  • Patent number: 4573243
    Abstract: A sliding hook for clasping pearl or similar jewelry necklaces that have both a free and a fixed end including a body having a rear side, a ring of a substantially open turn shape disposed on the body so as to allow for slightly oblique passing of the free end of the necklace, a joining point disposed on the rear side of the body for affixing the fixed end of the necklace, and an articulated annular blade having legs with tension and disposed on the rear side of the body so that the tension of the legs applied against the ring retains the pearl that is disposed between the ring and the annular blade and thus determines the length of the hanging free end of the necklace being passed through the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Majorica, S.A.
    Inventor: Jaime P. Plaza
  • Patent number: 4562619
    Abstract: A clasping device for necklaces, bracelets and the like and including two juxtaposed parts, having back faces, and hooking and articulation components attached to the backfaces of the parts and further including a continuous first ring solidly attached to one of the parts and having an arc extending to an articulation point disposed on the other of the parts, the arc forming a second ring when the clasping device is clasped which occurs when the two parts become flush and at the same level with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Inventor: Jaime P. Plaza
  • Patent number: 4530221
    Abstract: An attachment device designed to be removably secured to a strand of pearls or like necklace, such as a gold chain or the like, for the purpose of shortening the effective length of the strand and/or adding an additional decorative gem in a depending fashion to the strand or necklace. A casing includes one or two sockets each of which are structured to at least partially enclose a single pearl or engage a necklace along its length wherein two pearls or other necklace portions along the length of the strand may be engaged by the attachment device thereby shortening the length. A decorative gem attached to the exterior surface of the casing may be added to the strand by securing one or two pearls within one or two sockets of the casing thereby adding to the aesthetic appearance of the strand in a non-permanent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Inventor: Joshua Weinberg
  • Patent number: 4527316
    Abstract: An improved interlocking chain fastener system to attach multiple ornamental chains having any size or length. The chain fastener system is designed with at least two male portions and at least two female portions on alternate sides of the fastener. The device allows for attachment of multiple conventional ornamental chains to a single fastener and allows the chains to hang in a tangle-free concentric pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Inventor: Joanne Murphy
  • Patent number: 4520537
    Abstract: A gold jewelry clasp assembly is described, which includes a keeper for receiving a catch and retainer, wherein all of the elements are constructed to operate reliably over a long life time. The catch is formed of a tempered gold strip bent at its middle to form a folded leaf spring, and with one end of the strip bent into a loop around a pivoting wire retainer. The bending avoids a gold soldering operation on the strip which could degrade spring temper, and also permits welding of the retainer wire ends prior to attachment to the catch to facilitate heat sinking that minimizes loss of spring temper of the retainer. The keeper is formed of a drawn tub-shaped gold frame, with the edge that forms the opening of the tub-shaped frame, being cut away at opposite ends to leave a pair of projecting lips on opposite sides. A gold cover strip covers the opening of the frame, and the cover strip has a recess on either side that receives the frame lips in an interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Harry Wolf & Sons
    Inventor: Sioma Valikov
  • Patent number: 4507830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid-action holder for sheet-like objects.While there is no lack of means for affixing sheet-like, nonrigid or semi-rigid material to wall or other surfaces, the application of such means--nails, drawing pins, adhesive tape, staples and the like--is not only time consuming, but the very act of applying such means, and frequently also the removal thereof, is liable to cause damage to both the wall surface and the sheet-like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Inventor: Israel Dahan
  • Patent number: 4499634
    Abstract: A jewelry clasp having a main body formed by a pair of symmetrical members mounted in a parallel spaced relation to form a laminated structure, each member including a closed loop at one end and a partial loop at the other end, the closed loop being connected to one end of a decorative chain and the partial loop being detachably connected to the other end of the chain and a detent type latch assembly mounted on the main body for locking the other end of the chain on the partial loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Inventor: Francesco P. Zimmardi
  • Patent number: 4484380
    Abstract: A fastener for jewelry and the like comprises a box-shaped structure made of foil and has, at both ends, two transverse seats which receive fastening elements of a chain or the like to which the fastener is attached. One end is formed by a half-open hook which is closed by a resiliently mounted tongue forming part of the box-shaped structure. The tongue is shaped to increase its stiffness so that the fastener will not become unfastened accidentally despite the fact that the foil is of soft metal such as gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Inventor: Vittorio Redi
  • Patent number: 4432120
    Abstract: An automobile fuel tank cap retaining device includes a flexible member interconnecting a pair of mounting ends having adhesive surfaces. One end of the device can be adhesively secured to a cap and the other end to a stationary surface so that when the cap is removed from its reservoir inlet the cap will hang adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Sherman, Jr., Samuel Francis
  • Patent number: 4424852
    Abstract: A bead-chain drive system for operating and positioning a window shade comprises a roller having a window shade mounted thereon, the roller being urged by the weight of the window shade in a direction to lower the shade. The drive system further includes a sprocket for driving the roller that is driven by a bead-chain, trained about the sprocket. The bead-chain includes a chain length urged toward the sprocket by the weight of the shade applied to the roller and the sprocket. The drive system also includes a bead-chain retainer having a holding device operative to hold at least one of the beads of the chain length against movement toward the sprocket to position the window shade and from which the chain length can be easily freed upon movement thereof away from the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Inventor: Thomas P. Hopper
  • Patent number: 4377078
    Abstract: A keeper for detachably attaching the two ends of a length of flexible linear solid chain, such as a necklace or a bracelet, to each other. A spherical ball at one end of the chain is inserted into a deformable clamp which is attached to the other end of the chain. The clamp has two arms which detachably engage the ball. A frusto-conical keeper element is freely mounted about the chain length adjacent the clamp; the keeper element converges and tapers away from the clamp, so that when the clamp with engaged ball is displaced into the keeper element by concomitantly pulling the keeper element and the other end of the chain away from each other, the clamp and engaged spherical ball are tightly fitted into the keeper element. The outer surface of each curved arm of the clamp thus engages the inner surface of the keeper element, so that the two chain ends are detachably attached to each other, and cannot be separated from each other, except by pulling the one end of the chain length away from the keeper element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Assignee: Intimate Jewels, Inc.
    Inventor: Alvin Block
  • Patent number: 4233714
    Abstract: End closure means comprises a latch member having a latch surface, a two part body member defining a latch member receiving recess between the two parts, a hinge connecting the two parts together on one side of the body member, and a pair of mutually engageable headed posts and passages respectively on the two parts and spaced from the latch member recess on the other side of the body member from the hinge. The body member and latch member are at the ends of a self-supporting molded plastic string on which are mounted a plurality of beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Kiddie Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Panicci
  • Patent number: 4216567
    Abstract: A fastener for connecting two parts of a flexible ornamental article comprises a sleeve, which is open at both ends and provided with first bayonet joint means adjacent to each end thereof, two plugs, each of which is provided with second bayonet joint means which are contained in said sleeve and interengage with said first bayonet joint means, and a helical compression spring contained in said sleeve between said plugs and urging said plugs axially apart. Each of said plugs is rotatable in said sleeve to disengage said second bayonet joint means of said plug from the first bayonet joint means and is subsequently axially movable out of said sleeve. The fastener can be used to connect two parts of a flexible ornamental article if each of said parts is provided with one of said plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Inventor: Jorg Heinz
  • Patent number: 4128920
    Abstract: The present magnetic closure device has one or more holding members and one or more closure members, each with a surface configuration providing an increased frictional force, when two matching surface configurations cooperate. One member is made of permanent magnetic material, while the other member is made of ferromagnetically soft material. The increased frictional force and the magnetic force combine to provide an effective closure device for articles of non-magnetic material, such as leather goods, textiles, and synthetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: Ludwig Bourguignon
  • Patent number: 3983716
    Abstract: A jewelry lockcase in combination with a plurality of hitches pivotally anchored within hollows of the case and protruding therethrough with means of attachment of the case to a chain for the neck, to a band for the wrist of the wearer, to desired jewelry, or as a pin to the wearer's clothing.Means are provided for an easy assembly of the case with the anchor of the hitch.In several embodiments the hitch is a hollow tube including a hollow anchor, with a string knot positioned in the anchor, a spacer sleeve over the hitch abuts the outer wall of the case, followed by a stop-bead threaded over the tube adjacent to the sleeve, the string is threaded through the tube and beads are threaded onto the string extending from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Inventor: Heinrich Kuhn
  • Patent number: 3974547
    Abstract: A one-piece jewelry clasp member has a U-shaped body with two opposing flat rectangular sides and an integral curved bight at the apex of the body. A flat tab extends outwardly of the bight coplanar with one side for detachable engagement with another clasp member. This tab may have a hole or hook to engage the other clasp member. A bowed rib extends inwardly of the body integral with said one side through which a jewelry cord end may be passed and secured by flattening the rib. A slot in said one side at the rib has edges which may engage the cord end. Another hole in the bight adjacent the tab has sharp edges for cutting off the free end of the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Dover Findings, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul V. Little