jewelry clasp

Abstract

A jewelry clasp (1) connecting two ends of a piece of jewelry, in particular a necklace or bracelet, with a bushing (2) designed to be connected to a first end of the piece of jewelry, with a plug (3) which can be inserted into the socket (2) through an insertion opening (9) in the direction of a geometric longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2), which plug is designed to be connected to a second end of the piece of jewellery, wherein the plug (3) is non-positively connected to the socket (2) by spring force in a closed position of the jewellery clasp, wherein the plug (3) is provided with a circumferential annular groove (7), with an elongated locking element (10) designed as a mechanical spring, which is fixed to the socket (2) with a first end (11), wherein the locking element (10) is movable relative to the socket (2) with the exception of its first end (11) and forms a movable locking element section (12), wherein the movable locking element section (12) is equipped with a locking lug (13) and with an actuating part (14), wherein the locking lug (13) is in engagement with the annular groove (7) in the closed position of the jewelry clasp (1), whereby the plug (3) is held in the socket (2), wherein the actuating part (14) protrudes laterally from the socket (2) through an actuating part opening (15) in the socket (2), such that a force manually exerted on the actuating part (14), which is directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2) and towards the longitudinal axis (4), deflects the locking element (10) and thereby causes the locking lug (13) to be lifted out of the annular groove (7), whereby the socket (2) releases the plug (3) and wherein the actuating part (14) and the locking lug (13) are formed integrally with the locking element (10).

Description

[0001] The invention is based on a jewelry clasp which connects two ends of a piece of jewelry, in particular a necklace or bracelet.

[0002] Such jewelry clasps are used to fasten jewelry pieces, such as chains, ribbons, cords, or spirals, that have two ends, by connecting the two ends together. Jewelry clasps are known, for example, as push-in clasps, bayonet clasps, snap hooks, or magnetic clasps. The requirements are that the jewelry clasps can be easily opened and closed by the user, that they do not open accidentally or unintentionally, and that they do not impair the appearance of the jewelry piece.

[0003] DE 21 46 860 A discloses a jewelry clasp with a female part, on which a bolt is spring-mounted via a leaf spring, and a male part that can be inserted into the female part and is held in a closed position by the bolt. The bolt is designed as a flat stamped metal or plastic piece with a central opening. The central opening accommodates the male part. Immediately behind the nose of the male part there is a groove into which the bolt engages in the closed position. To unlock the jewelry clasp, the upper section of the bolt is pressed inwards, whereby the bolt disengages from the groove. The upper section of the bolt is provided with a slot that accommodates the free end of the leaf spring.

[0004] DE 10 2010 008 689 A1 discloses a jewelry clasp comprising a socket and a plug, the plug being non-positively connected to the socket by spring force when the jewelry clasp is in the closed position. The plug, which is rotationally symmetrical to its longitudinal axis, has a circumferential annular groove. A two-armed lever is rotatably mounted in the socket. A first end of the lever is equipped with a locking lug which engages in the annular groove of the plug when the jewelry clasp is in the closed position. A second end of the lever is supported by a spring, preferably a helical spring, arranged in the socket. When the jewelry clasp is in the closed position, the force of the deflected spring presses the locking lug of the lever into the annular groove. An actuating element is arranged on the lever and protrudes laterally from the socket.When the user applies pressure to this actuating element, the spring is deflected and the lever rotates about its bearing point, lifting the locking lug out of the ring groove so that the socket releases the plug. As soon as the user no longer applies pressure to the actuating element, the spring ensures that the lever returns to its original position. To close the jewelry clasp, the plug is inserted into the socket. The locking lug is lifted by the front end of the plug during the insertion movement, causing the spring to be deflected again. As soon as the locking lug reaches the ring groove during the insertion movement, the locking lug slides into the ring groove. The deflected spring exerts a force on the lever and the locking lug, pressing the locking lug into the ring groove. This holds the locking lug securely in the ring groove.The jewelry clasp is easy to open because all you have to do to open it is apply pressure to the actuating element and pull the plug out of the socket. No combination of twisting and pushing movements is necessary. Closing the jewelry clasp is also easy because the plug is rotationally symmetrical and has a ring groove, meaning it doesn't have to be aligned at a specific angle to close. Furthermore, the plug clicks into the socket when inserted without any further action being necessary. Furthermore, the spring ensures that the jewelry clasp is reliably held in the closed position and does not open accidentally. However, the construction of the socket with the pivoting lever and spring is somewhat complex and requires a certain size of the jewelry clasp.For particularly thin pieces of jewelry, such as jewelry cords or thin spirals, the jewelry clasp can be too conspicuous due to its size.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a jewelry clasp with a socket and a plug, which can be easily operated by a user when opening and closing, which is reliably held in the closed position without opening undesirably and which has a particularly small size so that it does not impair the appearance even in the case of jewelry with particularly small diameters.

[0006] This object is achieved by a jewelry clasp having the features of claim 1. The jewelry clasp is characterized in that the socket is equipped with an elongated locking element which is designed as a mechanical spring. The elongated locking element has a first end and a second end. The locking element is fixed to the socket by the first end such that the first end of the locking element does not change its position relative to the socket. With the exception of the first end, the locking element is movable relative to the socket. The movable section of the locking element is referred to as the movable locking element section. It can be deflected from an unloaded rest position. The spring force of the deflected locking element always presses the locking element back into the unloaded rest position. It can also be referred to as the restoring force.In the unloaded rest position, the spring force is zero and no restoring force acts on the locking element.

[0007] The locking element in the movable part is equipped with a locking lug and an actuating part. When the jewelry clasp is closed, the locking lug of the socket engages with the annular groove of the plug, thereby holding the plug in the socket. Advantageously, when the jewelry clasp is closed, the movable part of the locking element is deflected from its unloaded rest position, so that the restoring force of the locking element presses the locking lug into the annular groove. This further prevents the jewelry clasp from opening accidentally.

[0008] The actuating part is preferably located at the second end of the elongated locking element. The actuating part protrudes at least partially from the socket through an actuating part opening in the socket. Thus, it projects radially outwards beyond the outside of the socket with respect to the longitudinal axis of the socket. The actuating part is part of the locking element section that is movable relative to the socket. A force manually exerted on the actuating part, which is directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket and towards the longitudinal axis, deflects the locking element such that the locking lug is lifted out of the annular groove, whereby the socket releases the plug. The user can then open the jewelry clasp by pressing the actuating part into the socket. The movable locking element section is deflected from the position it assumes when the jewelry clasp is closed.This moves the locking lug of the locking element relative to the annular groove of the plug. The outside of the socket forms a limit for the deflection of the locking element, as the user can only press the actuating part into the socket until their finger rests on the outside of the socket and the actuating part is pushed completely through the through-opening into the socket. In this maximum deflection of the movable locking element section, predetermined by the socket, the locking lug is lifted out of the annular groove so that the locking lug is no longer engaged with the annular groove. The plug is now no longer held in the socket and can be pulled out of the socket. As soon as the user no longer exerts pressure on the actuating part and the plug is no longer in the socket, the locking element no longer experiences deflection. It returns to its unloaded rest position.

[0009] To close the jewelry clasp, the plug is inserted into the socket along the longitudinal axis of the socket. The locking lug is lifted by the front end of the plug during insertion, and the locking element is deflected from its unloaded resting position. As soon as the locking lug of the socket is in contact with the annular groove of the plug when the plug is inserted, the locking lug snaps into the annular groove, allowing the jewelry clasp to move into the closed position. Since the annular groove is provided all the way around the plug, a particular angle of the plug is not important.

[0010] The jewelry clasp allows for easy opening and closing.

[0011] The first end of the locking element is secured to the socket in such a way that, with the exception of the actuating part, the locking element is located inside the socket and is not visible from the outside. The first end of the locking element can be secured to the socket, for example, by clamping, screwing, or gluing. It is important that the position of the first end of the locking element relative to the socket does not change.

[0012] While the jewelry clasp known from DE 10 2010 008 689 A1 requires a lever rotatably mounted on the socket and a spring as an additional component to engage the plug in the socket, the jewelry clasp according to the invention only provides a locking element, which is itself designed as a spring and is equipped with the locking lug and the actuating part. Additional components are not provided. Thus, the jewelry clasp according to the invention consists of fewer components than the jewelry clasp known from the prior art. The jewelry clasp according to the invention can therefore be manufactured with a smaller structural dimension, so that the jewelry clasp can also be adapted in terms of size to jewelry with a small diameter. The jewelry clasp therefore does not influence the appearance of the jewelry item in an undesirable way.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating part protrudes from the bushing on the side diametrically opposite the locking lug, relative to the longitudinal axis of the bushing. This arrangement assists in lifting the locking lug out of the annular groove when pressure is applied to the actuating part.

[0014] The actuating part and the locking lug are formed integrally with the locking element. This simplifies the production of the jewelry clasp. Furthermore, the overall dimensions of the jewelry clasp can be further reduced.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plug is rotationally symmetrical to a central axis, whereby the central axis of the plug coincides with the longitudinal axis of the socket when the jewelry clasp is in the closed position. The rotationally symmetrical design of the plug simplifies the closing of the jewelry clasp.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plug is conical between the annular groove and its front plug tip, which is at the front in the direction of movement when inserted into the socket, such that the plug tapers from the annular groove to the plug tip. This makes inserting the plug into the socket easier. The plug tip preferably has a smaller diameter than the distance in the radial direction between the locking lug and the longitudinal axis of the socket in the unloaded, rest position of the locking element. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the locking lug slides along the conical section of the plug until the locking lug engages in the annular groove of the plug. This prevents the plug from tilting or jamming in the socket.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating part opening in the socket is designed as an elongated slot which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the socket.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the socket is completely closed, with the exception of the actuating part opening and the insertion opening. This optimally protects the locking element from damage or interference.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is in an unloaded rest position in an open position of the jewelry clasp, in which the plug is completely pulled out of the socket. The distance between the locking lug and the longitudinal axis of the socket in this open position is smaller than the distance between the locking lug and the longitudinal axis of the socket in the closed position of the jewelry clasp, in which the locking lug engages with the annular groove of the plug. This means that the locking element is deflected in the closed position of the jewelry clasp, so that the locking lug is pressed into the annular groove by the restoring force of the locking element. The jewelry clasp is thus reliably held in the closed position.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, when the plug is inserted into the socket, the locking element is deflected from its unloaded rest position by the locking lug sliding along the front end of the plug in the direction of movement and being pressed radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis of the socket. The distance between the locking lug and the longitudinal axis of the socket is greater than in the closed position of the jewelry clasp, and the locking lug engages the annular groove with the formation of a noise. This noise indicates to the user that the plug has moved into the closed position and is reliably held in the socket.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the socket. This supports a space-saving design of the jewelry clasp.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the socket between the insertion opening and the first end of the locking element is smaller than the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the socket between the insertion opening and the locking lug. The first end of the locking element, with which it is secured to the socket, is thus located closer to the insertion opening than the locking lug.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the bushing between the insertion opening and the locking lug is smaller than the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the bushing between the insertion opening and the actuating element. The locking lug is thus located closer to the insertion opening of the bushing than the actuating element.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the socket between the insertion opening and the front plug tip in the closed position of the jewelry clasp is smaller than the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the socket between the insertion opening and the actuating element. Thus, in the closed position of the jewelry clasp, the plug tip is closer to the insertion opening than the actuating element.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is equipped with the actuating part at its second end.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element is curved and guided around the plug in the closed position of the jewelry clasp.

[0027] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description, the drawings and the claims. drawing

[0028] The drawing shows an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 Longitudinal section through a jewelry clasp in closed position, Fig. 2 Side view of the jewelry clasp according to Fig. 1, partially transparent. Description of the embodiment

[0029] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a jewelry clasp 1 with a socket 2 and a plug 3. The plug 3 is elongated and rotationally symmetrical with respect to a geometric central axis, which, in the illustrated closed position of the jewelry clasp 1, coincides with a geometric longitudinal axis 4 of the socket 2. The plug 3 has a front plug end 5, which is conically shaped, a circular cylindrical plug section 6 and a circumferential annular groove 7, which is located between the front plug end 5 and the circular cylindrical plug section 6. The diameter of the plug 3 is smallest at the plug tip 8.

[0030] The socket 2 has an insertion opening 9 through which the plug 3 is inserted into the socket 2. The socket 2 is equipped with a locking element 10, which is designed as a spring. The locking element 10 is elongated and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 4 of the socket 2. With a first end 11, the locking element 10 is fixed to the socket 2, so that the position of the first end 11 of the locking element 10 does not change relative to the socket 2. In the illustration according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the section of the socket 2 to which the first end 11 of the locking element 10 is fixed is not visible. With the exception of the first end 11, the locking element 10 is movable relative to the socket 2. This movable section is referred to as the movable locking element section 12. The movable locking element section 12 comprises a locking lug 13 and an actuating part 14. The locking element 10, including the locking lug 13 and the actuating part 14, consists of one piece. The locking lug extends from the locking element radially inwards relative to the longitudinal axis 4 of the socket 2. The locking lug 13 is in engagement with the annular groove 7 of the plug 3 in the illustrated closed position of the jewelry clasp. The actuating part 14 is located at a second end of the locking element 10. The actuating part 14 projects laterally outwards from the socket through an actuating part opening 15 in the socket 2 and projects radially beyond the outside of the socket 2.The actuating part opening 15 is formed as an elongated slot. The actuating part 14 extends radially outward from the socket 2 relative to the longitudinal axis 4 of the socket 2 on the side of the socket 2 diametrically opposite the locking lug 13. The socket 2 is closed to the outside by a sleeve 16, with the exception of the insertion opening 9 and the actuating part opening 15.

[0031] In the illustrated closed position of the jewelry clasp 1, the locking lug 13 of the locking element 10 of the socket 2 engages in the annular groove 7 of the plug 3 and thereby holds the plug 3 in the socket 2.

[0032] To open the jewelry clasp 1, pressure is exerted on the actuating element from the outside. This is Fig.1 by an arrow. The associated force acts in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis 4. It is directed inwards towards the longitudinal axis 4. The actuating part 14 is moved inwards into the socket 2 by the force. This deflects the locking element 10. The deflected position of the locking element is not shown in the drawing. The locking lug 13 is lifted out of the annular groove 7. This releases the plug 3. It can be pulled out of the socket 2. If no force is exerted on the actuating part and the plug 3 is removed from the socket 2, the locking element 10 is in an unloaded rest position in which no force acts on the locking element 10 and the locking element 10 is not subjected to any restoring force. This associated position of the locking element is also not shown in the drawing.

[0033] To close the jewelry clasp 1, the plug 3 is inserted through the insertion opening 9 into the socket 2. When the locking lug 13 touches the conically shaped plug end, the locking element 10 is deflected from its unloaded rest position. During insertion, the locking lug 13 slides along the front end of the plug until it engages in the annular groove 7.

[0034] The jewelry clasp 1 can be connected to the two ends of a piece of jewelry not shown in the drawing. For this purpose, a first end of the jewelry piece is attached to the end of the plug 3 facing away from the front plug end 5. Furthermore, a second end of the jewelry piece is attached to the end of the socket 2 facing away from the insertion opening 9.

[0035] All features of the invention can be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination with one another. Reference numbers 1 jewelry clasp 2 socket 3 plugs 4 Longitudinal axis of the bushing 5 Front connector end 6 Circular cylindrical plug section 7 Ring groove 8 plug tip 9 Insertion opening 10 locking element 11 First end of the locking element 12 Movable locking element section 13 locking lug 14 Actuating part 15 Actuating part opening 16 sleeve

Claims

[1] Jewellery clasp (1) which connects two ends of a piece of jewellery, in particular a necklace or an arm jewellery, with a bushing (2) which is designed to be connected to a first end of the piece of jewellery, with a plug (3) which can be inserted into the socket (2) through an insertion opening (9) in the direction of a geometric longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2), which plug is designed to be connected to a second end of the piece of jewellery, wherein the plug (3) is non-positively connected to the socket (2) by spring force in a closed position of the jewellery clasp, wherein the plug (3) is provided with a circumferential annular groove (7), with an elongated locking element (10) designed as a mechanical spring, which is fixed to the socket (2) with a first end (11), wherein the locking element (10) is movable relative to the socket (2) with the exception of its first end (11) and forms a movable locking element section (12), wherein the movable locking element section (12) is equipped with a locking lug (13) and with an actuating part (14), wherein the locking lug (13) is in engagement with the annular groove (7) in the closed position of the jewelry clasp (1), whereby the plug (3) is held in the socket (2), wherein the actuating part (14) protrudes laterally from the socket (2) through an actuating part opening (15) in the socket (2), such that a force exerted manually on the actuating part (14), which is directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2) and towards the longitudinal axis (4), deflects the locking element (10) and thereby causes the locking lug (13) to be lifted out of the annular groove (7), whereby the socket (2) releases the plug (3) and wherein the actuating part (14) and the locking lug (13) are formed integrally with the locking element (10). [2] Jewelry clasp (1) according to claim 1 characterized by that the actuating part (14) protrudes from the bushing (2) on the side diametrically opposite the locking lug (13) with respect to the longitudinal axis (4) of the bushing (2). [3] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the plug (3) is rotationally symmetrical to a central axis, wherein the central axis of the plug (3) coincides with the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2) when the jewelry clasp (1) is in the closed position. [4] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plug (3) is conical between the annular groove (7) and its front plug tip (8) in the direction of movement when inserted into the socket (2), such that the plug (3) tapers from the annular groove to the plug tip (8). [5] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating part opening (15) in the bushing (2) is designed as an elongated slot which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (4) of the bushing (2). [6] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the bushing (2) is completely closed with the exception of the actuating part opening (15) and with the exception of the insertion opening (9). [7] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (10) is in an unloaded rest position in an open position of the jewelry clasp, in which the plug (3) is completely pulled out of the socket (2), and that the distance between the locking lug (13) and the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2) in this open position is smaller than the distance between the locking lug (13) and the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2) in the closed position of the jewelry clasp, in which the locking lug (13) is in engagement with the annular groove (7) of the plug (3). [8] Jewelry clasp (1) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the locking element (10) experiences a deflection when the plug (3) is inserted into the socket (2) from an unloaded rest position, in that the locking lug (13) slides along a front plug end (5) of the plug (3) in the direction of movement and is pressed radially outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2), the distance between the locking lug (13) and the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2) being greater than in the closed position of the jewelry clasp (1), and that the locking lug (13) engages in the annular groove with the formation of a noise. [9] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (10) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2). [10] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis (4) of the bushing (2) between the insertion opening (9) and the first end (11) of the locking element (10) is smaller than the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis (4) of the bushing (2) between the insertion opening (9) and the locking lug (13). [11] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis (4) of the bushing (2) between the insertion opening (9) and the locking lug (13) is smaller than the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis (4) of the bushing (2) between the insertion opening (9) and the actuating part (14). [12] Jewellery clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, insofar as these are related to claim 5, characterized bythat the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2) between the insertion opening (9) and the front plug tip (8) in the closed position of the jewelry clasp (1) is smaller than the distance in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis (4) of the socket (2) between the insertion opening (9) and the actuating part (14). [13] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (10) is equipped with the actuating part (14) at a second end. [14] Jewelry clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (10) is curved and is guided around the plug (3) in the closed position of the jewelry clasp (1).

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