Jewelry clasp fastening device with a magnifying lens in a foldable handle

Abstract

This invention is a jewelry clasp fastening device with a magnifying lens on a foldable handle. What is new, unique, and useful about this invention is that people with poor close vision can now have a tool with built in magnification to help them open and fasten jewelry clasps, especially those of the latch type with operating levers. It will also make this job easier for all jewelry wearers to operate all types of jewelry clasps. The tool also functions as a pocket-sized, portable hands-free magnifier that can be easily clipped to common household surfaces.

Description

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates in general to devices that grasp jewelry clasps and hold them on the wrist to assist the wearer in fastening them, and in particular to such devices that are designed to open and hold open latching type clasps having an operating lever. It also relates to devices which bring to bear, and center a magnifying lens over a tool for magnifying the function of the tool for easier viewing and operation without the need to hold the device in the hand as you would a common magnifying glass. It is especially useful for those persons with poor close vision. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Since their inception, latching type clasps for bracelets and necklaces have been difficult to operate, especially ones with spring biased latches that have an operating lever. Coupling the ends of a bracelet or necklace requires a great deal of coordination and dexterity in one-handed manipulation of the clasp. Trying to hold the clasp open whil...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0001] This invention relates in general to devices that grasp jewelry clasps and hold them on the wrist to assist the wearer in fastening them, and in particular to such devices that are designed to open and hold open latching type clasps having an operating lever. It also relates to devices which bring to bear, and center a magnifying lens over a tool for magnifying the function of the tool for easier viewing and operation without the need to hold the device in the hand as you would a common magnifying glass. It is especially useful for those persons with poor close vision.

Problems solved by technology

Since their inception, latching type clasps for bracelets and necklaces have been difficult to operate, especially ones with spring biased latches that have an operating lever.

Coupling the ends of a bracelet or necklace requires a great deal of coordination and dexterity in one-handed manipulation of the clasp.

Trying to hold the clasp open while at the same time, and with the same hand, maneuvering the loop end of a bracelet into the clasp can be frustrating and aggravating.

One invention has a mechanism inside a modified alligator clip for opening a clasp but it is often difficult for the user to operate because it is difficult to see inside the clip (U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,526).

Many people with poor close vision, especially older adults, have not fully benefited from jewelry fastening tools because they couldn't see the clasps well enough to operate them.

It is a medical fact that close vision gets worse with age due to decreased flexibility of the crystalline lens of the eye.

Consequently, there are an increasing number of persons with poor close vision, many of whom require magnification to perform common daily tasks.

Although the bracelet can be magnified by this device it does not provide a view of clasps through its clip, is not a hand held tool, is not foldable and portable, it must set on a flat surface, and provides no assistance opening clasps; (2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,401 is a bracelet fastening tool that does not incorporate a magnifying lens into its handle, but suggests that since its handle is hollow with a cap to close one end and a bracelet fastening tool closing the other end, and that the handle could be a receptacle for small tools, including a small magnifying lens.

Our own previous U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,526, has a clasp-opening mechanism, and employs a clasp-retracting post mounted vertically in the lower jaw of the alligator clip but the mechanism is difficult for many users to see.

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