Abstract
The invention relates to a jewelry clasp, comprising two fastening parts, which each have, among other things, a permanent magnet. The invention further relates to the use of such a jewelry clasp as a safety closure and/or fastening system, to bracelet comprising such a jewelry clasp, and to a kit comprising at least two bracelets.
Claims
1. A jewelry clasp having two fastening parts (A, B), each comprising a permanent magnet and a housing, wherein the housing has an opening and a rear side opposite the opening, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical first area and a second area, wherein the second areas of the fastening parts (A, B) each comprises mutually complimentary barbs and holding devices and wherein the jewelry clasps may be opened and closed in a closing position wherein one barb of a fastening part (A or B) is introduced in the closing position into a holding device of the other fastening part (B or A), and the permanent magnets are in contact with one another.
2. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the second areas of the fastening parts (A, B) comprise sliding surfaces which form an angle α with an imaginary axis of opening and closing running centrally in the fastening parts (A, B).
3. The jewelry clasp according to claim 2, wherein the angle α is greater than or equal to 25°.
4. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first area with a closed exterior wall which is connected to the rear side of the fastening parts (A, B), and the barbs and holding devices form the second area of the fastening parts (A, B).
5. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the fastening parts (A, B) each have two barbs and holding devices.
6. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnets are situated in the interior of the fastening parts (A, B).
7. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnets have different lengths and/or are made of neodymium.
8. (canceled)
9. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the fastening part (A) has a larger inside diameter than the other fastening part (B).
10. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein a height of the fastening parts (A, B) is in the range of 9 to 11 mm, 9.95 to 10.05 mm, or is 10 mm, and the fastening parts (A, B) have an outside diameter of 4 to 8 mm, 5 to 7 mm, or 6 mm, and fastening part (A) has an inside diameter of 4 to 4.5 mm, or of 4.2 mm and fastening part (B) has an inside diameter of 3.8 to 4.1 mm, or of 4.0 mm.
11. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the height of the fastening parts (A, B) is in the range of 4 to 6 mm, especially preferably 4.5 to 5.5 mm, or 5 mm and the fastening parts (A, B) have an outside diameter of 2 to 4 mm, 2.5 to 3.5 mm, or 3 mm, and fastening part (A) has an inside diameter of 2 to 2.25 mm, or of 2.1 mm and fastening part (B) has an inside diameter of 1.9 mm to 2.05 mm, or of 2.0 mm.
12. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the height of the fastening parts (A, B) is in the range of 10 to 30 mm, 15 to 25 mm, or 20 mm and the fastening parts (A, B) have an outside diameter of 5 to 15 mm, 6 to 13 mm, or 12 mm, and fastening part (A) has an inside diameter of 5 to 10 mm, or of 8.4 mm and fastening part (B) has an inside diameter of 6 mm to 10 mm, or of 8 mm.
13. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the barbs of a fastening part (A or B) are positioned further in the holding devices of the corresponding fastening part (B or A) when there is a pull along the imaginary axis (30) of opening and closing running centrally in the fastening parts (A, B).
14. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing of the jewelry clasp takes place by rotation of the two fastening parts (A, B) in opposite directions.
15. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the fastening parts (A, B) comprise refined zinc alloys, stainless steel, aluminum, silver, gold, ceramic material, titanium, ABS plastic, glass fiber-reinforced plastic and/or carbon fibers.
16. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the fastening parts (A, B) are produced by milling, by CNC milling, by injection molding and/or by die casting methods.
17. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein one of the two fastening parts (A, B) is provided with a sheathing of nonmagnetic stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic material, titanium, plastic and/or noble metals.
18. The jewelry clasp according to claim 17, wherein the noble metals are selected from a group consisting of gold, silver, platinum, iridium, palladium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium and a combination of these noble metals.
19. The jewelry clasp according to claim 17, wherein the sheathing on one of the two fastening parts (A, B) is affixed by hydraulic pressing.
20. The jewelry clasp according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnets are affixed in the fastening parts (A, B) by hydraulic pressing or adhesive bonding.
21. (canceled)
22. A method of fastening comprising providing the jewelry clasp according to claim 9 and using the clasp as a safety fastener and/or fastening system.
23. A bracelet comprising a jewelry fastener according to claim 1.
24. A kit comprising at least two bracelets according to claim 23, which are joined to one another in such a way as to form a necklace.
Description
[0068] The invention will now be described in greater detail on the basis of exemplary embodiment and the following figures, in which:
[0069] FIG. 1 shows a side view and oblique view of fastening parts A and B according to the invention
[0070] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged side view of one each of fastening parts A and B according to the invention
[0071] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary side view of a fastening part A according to the invention with an imaginary axis of opening and closing
[0072] FIG. 4 shows an example of a side view of a fastening part B according to the invention, also showing the first and second areas
[0073] FIG. 5 shows additional side views of one fastening part A and B each according to the invention
[0074] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a fastening part A and B according to the invention
[0075] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of how bracelets are worn on a human arm
[0076] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of three bracelets
[0077] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of how a necklace is worn on a human neck
[0078] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a necklace according to the invention, comprised of three bracelets
[0079] FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a necklace according to the invention, comprised of two bracelets
[0080] FIG. 1 shows a side view and an oblique view of the fastening parts A and B according to the invention. The top part of FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of the two fastening parts A and B according to the invention. This shows the permanent magnets (10) in the interior region//internal area? of a fastening part (28). The permanent magnets (10) are affixed in the internal area//interior region? (28) of the fastening parts (A, B) by means of hydraulic pressing or adhesive bonding. The fastening parts (A, B) consist of a housing (12), the rear side (16) of which faces the piece of jewelry. The housing (12) is divided into a first area (18) and a second area (20), the first area (18) being the lower area of the cylindrical housing (12). The second area or upper area (20) of the fastening part (A or B) is designed to be open (14) and is formed by barbs (22) and holding devices (24). These barbs (22) and holding devices (24) are designed to be complementary to another and thus cooperate with one another in such a way that they ensure a secure fastening of the jewelry clasps.
[0081] FIG. 1 shows clearly that the permanent magnets (10) of the fastening parts (A, B) have different lengths. The permanent magnet (10) of the fastening part (A) is designed to be longer than the permanent magnet (10) of the fastening part (B) and it protrudes further into the second area (20) of the fastening part (A).
[0082] FIG. 1 additionally shows the curved shape of the intermediate space between the barbs (22) of the fastening parts (A, B). This curved shape of the interspaces facilitates closing of the jewelry clasps according to the invention due to the fact that when bringing the two fastening parts (A, B) into contact, the barbs (22) of the one fastening part (A) entered the interspaces situated between the barbs of the fastening part (B) and are guided along the curved shape of the intermediate space into the holding device (24) of the fastening part (B). The attractive magnetic force between the two permanent magnets (10) of the two fastening parts (A, B) plays a supporting role here.
[0083] Due to the combination of the mechanical design of the upper area of the housing of the fastening parts (A, B) with the use of magnetic force between the two permanent magnets (10) of the two fastening parts (A, B), a secure fastening of the jewelry clasps is ensured. In particular it is possible to close the jewelry clasps by said combination using just one hand.
[0084] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged side view of one each of the fastening parts (A and B) according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows clearly the difference in length of the permanent magnets (10). The permanent magnets (10) are situated in the internal area (28) of the respective fastening part. The fastening part (A or B) is formed by a housing (12) which is itself formed by a rear side (16) and an exterior wall (26) in the lower area (18). The housing (12) is designed to be cylindrical or sleeve-shaped in the lower area (18). Fastening mechanisms may be provided on the rear side (16), with which attachment of the jewelry clasp to a piece of jewelry can be implemented. The upper area (20) of the fastening part (A or B) is formed by barbs (22) and holding devices (24). This shows that the holding devices (24) represent a recess on the lower side of the barb (22). There is an opening (14) in the fastening parts (A, B) between the barbs.
[0085] FIG. 3 shows an example of a side view of a fastening part (A or B) according to the invention with an imaginary axis (30) of opening and closing. This imaginary axis (30) of opening and closing of the fastening parts (A or B) runs centrally, i.e., in the middle through the lower area (18) of the fastening part, which is designed to be cylindrical and continues in a straight line in the upper area (20) of the fastening part (A or B). The imaginary axis (30) of opening and closing thus starts at the midpoint of the circular rear side (16) of the housing (12) of the fastening part (A or B) and then leads upward at a right angle to said rear side (16). The imaginary axis (30) of opening and closing thus forms an imaginary midline for both the housing (12) of the fastening part and for the permanent magnets (10).
[0086] The adhesive bond formed in the closing position between the two permanent magnets (10) in the interior (28) of the housing (12) is released when there is a sufficiently strong pull (mainly suddenly or with a jerk) on the two fastening parts (A, B) along the imaginary axis (30) of opening and closing. Despite this release of the bond based on magnetic force, the barbs (22) of the one fastening parts (A or B) remain in the holding devices (24) of the other fastening part (B or A) respectively. When the pull subsides, the permanent magnets (10) are pulled toward one another again, and the jewelry clasps again assume the original completely closed position, in which the permanent magnets (10) are in form-fitting contact with one another.
[0087] In addition, FIG. 3 shows a sliding surface (52) which forms an angle α (54) with the imaginary axis (30) of opening and closing. This angle α (54) may be imagined as being formed in particular when a straight line (56) is drawn in the plane spanned by the sliding surface (52). All the points on this straight line (56) lie in the plane of the sliding surface (52). The angle α (54) is preferably greater than or equal to 25°.
[0088] As an example FIG. 3 shows a fastening part (A) which can be seen by the fact that the permanent magnet (10) of the fastening part (A) shown here protrudes into the area of the barbs (22). The permanent magnet (10) of the fastening part (A) therefore protrudes further into the second part (20) of the fastening part (A).
[0089] FIG. 4 shows an example of a side view of a fastening part (B) according to the invention with the diagram of the first area (18) and the second area (20). FIG. 4 shows a fastening part (B), which can be recognized by the fact that the permanent magnet (10) takes up only approximately one-third of the total length of the second area (20) of the fastening part (B).
[0090] The first area (18) of the fastening part (B) extends from the rear side (16) of the housing (12) of the fastening part (B) up to the location where the completely closed exterior wall (26) of the housing (12) ends and an intermediate space begins between the barbs (22) of the second area (20) of the fastening part (B), by definition, the transition between the first area (18) and the second area (20) of the fastening part (B) is marked with a dotted line in FIG. 4.
[0091] In addition, FIG. 4 shows one possible position for a wedge-shaped bulge (50) on the outside of the housing wall (12, 26) of the first area (18) of a fastening part (A, B). The rectangular base area of the wedge-shaped bulge (50), which is bordered by two parallel longitudinal sides and two parallel broad sides can be seen in the top view. The height of the wedge (50), which increases from the bottom to the top, extends in the third direction in space, which is not shown here. This means that the height of the wedge (50) assumes its smallest value in the area of the rear side (16) of the fastening part, whereas the height of the wedge (50) assumes its maximum value on the opposite side of the wedge-shaped bulge (50). The wedge-shaped bulge (50) tapers from top to bottom.
[0092] This does not show that the wedge-shaped bulges (50) are arranged uniformly or regularly over the circumference of the outside and inside walls of the housing (12) of the first area (18) of the fastening part (A, B). A uniform or regular arrangement of the wedge-shaped bulges (50) means in particular that the angular distances between the wedge-shaped bulges (50) are constant. For example, in the presence of four bulges on the inside or outside of the housing (12), the angular distance is 360°/4=90°. In general, the angular distance β (beta) in degrees is between n individual wedge-shaped bulges according to the formula 360°/n=beta.
[0093] FIG. 5 shows another side view of one each of the fastening parts (A or B) according to the invention. In comparison with FIG. 2, the fastening parts (A, B) are rotated by an angle α here. FIG. 5 shows clearly that the permanent magnet (10) of the fastening part (B) is designed to be shorter than the permanent magnet (10) of the fastening part (A). FIG. 5 also shows that the permanent magnet (10) is situated in the interior (28) of the fastening parts (A, B) and that their diameters (34, 36) correspond to the inside diameters of the housings (12) of the fastening parts (A, B). The housings (12) are formed by an outside wall (26) and the rear side (16) and are designed to be cylindrical or sleeve-shaped. The rear side (16) has a circular base area. For visual reasons, the housing (12) may be provided with a sheathing (32). This sheathing (32) may consist of nonmagnetic stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic material, titanium, plastic and/or noble metals.
[0094] In addition, FIG. 5 also shows the barbs (22) and the holding devices (24) of the fastening parts (A, B). FIG. 5 also shows the opening (14) in the upper area (20) of the fastening part. The barbs (22) of the one fastening part (A or B) are inserted into these openings (14) in the interspaces between the barbs (22) of the respective other fastening part (B or A). the jewelry clasp according to the invention is closed in a closing position (48) because of the magnetic force between the two permanent magnets (10) and the curved design of the transitional area between the first area (18) and the second area (20) of the fastening part (A, B), along the exterior wall of which the barb (22) of the one fastening part (A or B) is guided to the holding device (24) of the other fastening part (B or A).
[0095] FIG. 6 sows the top view of the two fastening parts (A and B). The inside diameter (36) of the opening (14) of the fastening part (B) is smaller than the inside diameter (34) of the opening (14) of the fastening part (A). Due to the screw-like structure of the upper area (20) of the fastening parts (A, B) the fastening parts (A, B) always fit together accurately. The thread-like structure created in the two openings (14) results in the two fastening parts (A, B) being able to be screwed together until the two permanent magnets (10) come into form-fitting contact in the interior (28) of the jewelry clasp.
[0096] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of how the bracelets (42a, b, c) according to the invention are worn on a human arm (38). This shows a human arm (38) with a hand (40). The bracelets (42a, b, c) shown here are worn in the area of the forearm or the wrist. Similar bracelets or different bracelets may be worn together. It is also possible for two of the three bracelets to be identical. Of course it is equally possible to wear one, two or several bracelets at the same time. The position of the bracelets is indicated only schematically in FIG. 7 and in practice may deviate from the diagram shown here.
[0097] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of three bracelets (42a, b, c). In this schematic diagram, the round dots at the ends of the bracelets (42a, b, c) correspond to the fastening parts (A. B) of the jewelry clasp according to the invention. This shows bracelets in an open position, i.e., the fastening parts (A, B) are not in the closed position but instead are not in contact with one another at all and are separate from one another.
[0098] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of how a necklace (44) is worn on a human neck (46). This shows how a necklace (44) is formed by connecting three bracelets (42a, b, c). For example, one fastening part (A) of a bracelet (42a) is connected to a fastening part (B) of another bracelet (42b). Unlike the situation in establishing a closing position of a bracelet (42), in which the fastening part (A, B) of a bracelet (42) are brought together into a closing position, in the case when a necklace (44) is to be formed from two or more bracelets, corresponding fastening part (A, B) of different bracelets (42) are brought into contact with one another and brought to a closing position. Depending on how many bracelets (42) are to be combined with one another to form a necklace (44), the length of the necklace (44) is approximately two, three or four times as long as the bracelet (42), etc.
[0099] A kit comprised of at least two bracelets joined together to form a necklace (44) may thus comprise bracelets (42) having a jewelry clasp according to the invention as well as bracelets having a different type of fastener mechanism as long as the bracelets can be joined together in the manner described here.
[0100] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a necklace (44) according to the invention comprises of three bracelets (42a, b, c). The black dots in FIG. 10 represent the fastening parts (A, B) of a bracelet (42). This shows that one fastening part (A) of a bracelet (42) cooperates with a corresponding fastening part (B) of another bracelet (42) to form a complete closed jewelry clasp. The diagram of three bracelets (42a, b, c) is shown as an example. It is also possible to combine two, three, four or more bracelets (42) together to form a necklace (42). When a necklace (44) is formed by combining three bracelets (42) the result is a necklace (44) whose length is approximately three times greater than the length of a single bracelet (42).
[0101] FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a necklace (44) according to the invention, comprised of two bracelets (42). The black dots correspond to the fastening parts (A, B), which are in an unconnected, not closed position in FIG. 11. When a necklace (44) comprised of two bracelets (42) is formed by combining two bracelets (42), the result is a necklace (44) approximately twice as long as single bracelet (42). In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 11, one fastening part (A) of a bracelet (A or B) cooperates with a corresponding fastening part (B) on the other bracelet (B or A). The jewelry clasp according to the invention here is used not only for the fastening of the necklace (44) but also serves to join the components of the necklace (44), namely the at least two bracelets (42). The necklace (44) formed by combining two bracelets (42) is advantageously worn on the neck with a close fit.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0102] A Fastening part [0103] B Fastening part [0104] 10 Permanent magnets [0105] 12 Housing [0106] 14 Opening [0107] 16 Rear side [0108] 18 First area of a fastening part [0109] 20 Second area of a fastening part [0110] 22 Barb [0111] 24 Holding device [0112] 26 Exterior wall [0113] 28 Interior area of a fastening part [0114] 30 Imaginary axis of opening and closing of the fastening parts [0115] 32 Sheathing [0116] 34 Inside diameter of fastening part A [0117] 36 Inside diameter of fastening part B [0118] 38 Human arm [0119] 40 Human hand [0120] 42 Bracelet [0121] 42a, b, c Bracelets [0122] 44 Necklace [0123] 46 Human neck [0124] 48 Jewelry clasp in a closing position [0125] 50 Wedge-shaped bulges [0126] 52 Sliding surfaces [0127] 54 Angle α [0128] 56 Straight line in the plane of the sliding surface
