Miniaturized couplings for jewelry components

Abstract

To provide jewelry coupling mechanisms and devices that are very small in order to reduce adverse effect on aesthetic designs of individual jewelry components.SOLUTION: A miniaturized coupling for jewelry includes a male coupling and a female coupling, each of which is millimeter-sized or sub-millimeter-sized and each of which is attached to or suited to be attached to a respective jewelry component. The male coupling has a locking member configured to be inserted into the female coupling through an opening into an interior of the female coupling. A resiliently biased, snap connector is located in the interior of the female coupling, and constructed to be retained by the snap connector when the locking member is inserted into the female coupling. An actuating pin in the female coupling is configured to move the snap connector to release the locking member and thereby disengage the male and female couplings from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a small connecting mechanism, and more specifically, to a connection and / or reversible connection of jewelry components related to necklaces, charms, bracelets, rings, earrings, wristbands, etc., which is hardly visible to the naked eye, and provides a safer and preferably one-step connecting mechanism, and relates to a connecting mechanism suitable for enabling easy disassembly of the connected jewelry components. The coupling mechanism of the present invention can be configured to function as a jewelry clasp mechanism and / or as a small coupling element that can be used in fields other than jewelry.

Background Art

[0002] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting devices and mechanisms described herein are intended to function as central components of a jewelry concept called Myriad by the applicant, and Myriad aims to provide creative and self-expressive individuals with the DIY (do-it-yourself) ability to create unique jewelry pieces assembled from various jewelry-making components such as metal fittings, chains, beads, strands, charms, stones, etc., and the options and final products are infinite. At the same time, since the coupling device can be easily removed, the same jewelry components can be repeatedly used in various combinations for daily use to create jewelry collections suitable for specific occasions, settings, individuals, and cultures.

[0003] Functions such as the connecting mechanism and closing mechanism of jewelry not only enable the ends of two jewelry components to come into contact initially and facilitate the easy replacement of functions such as charms, beads, strands, etc., but also aim to maintain a state where the connecting mechanism and closing mechanism are safe and easy to use, and there is no risk of accidentally opening and losing expensive jewelry.

[0004] Fasteners and various types of fasteners and connectors are abundant in the field of jewelry, as can be seen in the patents of the assignee of the present invention. However, conventional fasteners are generally bulky and too conspicuous, and thus not suitable for the purposes of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry coupling mechanism and apparatus that are not bulky and not conspicuous compared to conventional jewelry coupling mechanisms.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a very small jewelry coupling mechanism and apparatus for reducing the adverse effect on the aesthetic design of the individual jewelry components to be assembled.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry coupling mechanism and device that are easy for a layperson to use, decoratively compatible, highly reliable, and whose function is far less likely to be lost even when the coupling mechanism is repeatedly used.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a jewelry coupling mechanism and device that are as robust and strong as standard jewelry, flexible, have a good feel and touch including the feel of the coupling, and are inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

[0009] The above and other objects of the present invention are realized in accordance with several preferred embodiments of the present invention actually implemented, as shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the small couplings for jewelry each have a millimeter size or a sub - millimeter size and include a male coupling and a female coupling that are attached to or suitable for attachment to respective jewelry components. The male coupling has a locking member configured to be inserted into the female coupling through an opening inside the female coupling. Inside the female coupling, an elastically deflected snap connector is arranged. When the locking member is inserted into the female coupling, it first moves and is then configured to be held by the snap connector. The actuating pin inside the female coupling is configured to move the snap connector to release the locking member, whereby the male coupling and the female coupling are disengaged from each other. The actuating pin has an outer surface accessible on the outer surface of the female coupling, and the outer surface of the actuating pin is configured to be actuated to move the snap connector using either a release tool having a needle insertion tip or a human fingernail.

[0011] Preferably, the coupling has a surface finish and an overall shape such that the appearance of the coupling harmonizes with the corresponding appearance of the jewelry component. When the male and female couplings are fitted together, the locking member is substantially invisible. The coupling includes a spring that engages with a locking element and, when the actuating pin is actuated, pushes the locking element out of the female coupling. The snap connector has an inclined surface with which the locking member engages when pushed into the interior of the female coupling, thereby allowing the snap connector to move laterally with respect to the locking member and enabling the locking member to move past the snap connector. The snap connector has a spring that biases it so that it does not move laterally when the inclined surface is engaged by the locking member.

[0012] Preferably, the locking member comprises a pair of fingers each having a distal end, the distal ends being oriented towards each other with a gap therebetween, and the distal ends being configured to be locked into the female coupling through a snap connector. The cross-sectional dimension of one or both of the male and female couplings is less than 6 millimeters, or less than 5 millimeters. The outer surface of the actuating pin is aligned with the outer surface of the female coupling. The actuating pin is movable in the inward direction of the female coupling. Alternatively, the actuating pin is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the outer surface of the female coupling, towards or away from the opening. A safety latch may be included.

[0013] The pair of fingers of the male coupling define a space for the snap connector, which space is generally square or circular. The inclined surface may be frustoconical. In one embodiment, the female coupling comprises an outer housing, a base that partially houses the snap connector inside the housing, and a cover on the base.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Referring first to FIG. 1, the conceptual basis of the present invention can be understood at a glance. That is, the first jewelry piece or component 1a can be snap-connected to the second jewelry component 1b using a millimeter-sized coupling 9. The coupling 9 includes a male coupling 9a physically attached to the upper jewelry piece 1a and a female coupling 9b attached to the lower jewelry piece 1b. As will be described in detail below, when the operating button (button 24 in FIG. 1A) on the back of the female coupling 9b is pushed inward, the snap connection is released.

[0017] The jewelry piece 1a may have one male or female coupling, such as the male coupling 9a, or multiple couplings may be attached at different locations so that multiple jewelry components can be connected (FIG. 21A). A surface decoration can be formed on the outer surface 7b of the female coupling 9b, and its outer surface shape can be literally any shape, such as circular, elliptical, triangular, etc. See some examples in FIG. 1C. Similarly, in the male coupling 9a, although the lower half requires the illustrated shape to implement the coupling, the upper half can have a body shape that matches the female coupling. Therefore, when the two coupling halves are connected, the appearance is that of one continuous piece. The material of the coupling can be any material without limitation, such as plastic, metal, precious metal, a combination of materials, a material coated with a precious metal, etc.

[0018] Turning to the specific embodiments, FIG. 1A shows a coupling 10 comprising a female coupling 20 with a jewelry strand 1 attached at point 3, and a male coupling 40 locked to the body 22 and having the other end of the jewelry strand held by a ring 4 attached thereto. To release the male coupling 40, the present invention provides a release tool 50 having a body 56 and an insertion distal end 52, and when this release tool 50 is pressed against a release pin 24 disposed in an opening 37, the male coupling 40 is separated from the female coupling 20. This will be described in more detail below. A stop band 54 on the tool 50 is arranged to control the depth of insertion of the tool 50 into the cavity 37. To separate the male and female couplings and prevent accidental disengagement, it is necessary to insert at least 75% of the distal end 52, for example exceeding about 1 or 2 mm from the surface of the female coupling. In one embodiment, the outer edge of the actuating pin extends slightly beyond (less than 1 millimeter) the outer surface of the female coupling, and its position can be quickly identified by simply touching it with a finger.

[0019] FIGS. 1B and 4 show the functional components inside the female coupling 20, which includes an internal space of the body 22 having a first upper opening 30a, from which a first vertical spring 33 drops into a bottom cavity 30c. The internal space is also formed to allow the insertion of the release tool 50. The side opening 30b is used to insert a slide catch 35 with a release button 24 attached to the front cavity 37 at the front distal end during assembly, and the horizontal spring 30 is closed inside by an end cap 32 adhered or welded flush with the outer surface of the body 22.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the slide catch 35 has a body portion 26 with a height 25 and a thickness 29, and left and right inclined slide surfaces 27 located in the thick portion 28, and further includes a protrusion 32 for holding the spring 30. One end of the spring 30 is supported within the cavity 34 of the end cap 32 on the opposite side. Also, pay attention to the release button 24 already described. The female coupling 20 (FIG. 2) assembled in this way can receive the male coupling 40 having a body 42 with a shape partially defined by the pin 41 into the female coupling through the upper opening 30a. The male coupling is formed by fingers 44a, 44b that bend inward to form catches 46a, 46b, and the space 48 therebetween is slightly wider than the thickness dimension 29 (FIG. 3) of the slide catch (or slider) 35. The fingers 44a, 44b define a rectangular inner space 49 whose extension in the direction of arrow 47 slightly exceeds the dimension 25 of the slider 35.

[0021] Therefore, when the male coupling 40 is pushed into the female coupling, the fingers 46a, 46b engage and abut against the slide surface 27, pushing the slider 35 laterally against the biasing force of the spring 30 until these finger catches 46a, 46b slide (downward) beyond the slider 35. Then, the slider slides freely backward and the fingers 46a, 46b under the slider are locked. In this position, the male coupling is locked to the female coupling, and as shown in FIG. 1A, the jewelry components respectively attached to the couplings are firmly fixed to each other. Releasing the lock is extremely simple and only requires inserting the tip 52 of the release tool 50 into the cavity 37 for a moment, as a result, the slider 35 is pushed back and immediately the finger end of the male coupling 40 is pushed out by the spring 33 (FIG. 1B).

[0022] In FIG. 1 described above, the male coupling 9a (identified as 40 in FIG. 1A) is fixed to the jewelry chain 1a, and the female coupling 9b (identified as 20 in FIG. 1A) is fixed to the jewelry strand 1b. In FIG. 21A, the male coupling 40 (identified by its two finger-like ends) is attached at three locations on a V-shaped chain (without markings). In any case, according to the present disclosure, male or female components can be attached to jewelry components such as chains, ornaments, strands, pendants, etc. to freely, very interchangeably, and easily interconnect many different jewelry chains, strands, ornaments, etc.

[0023] To enhance that ability, the present invention provides options for female and male couplings, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, which include a square female coupling 20A with an opening 30a and a release button 24, performing the same function as described above, as well as spherical and trapezoidal female couplings 20B and 20C, respectively. The latter is shown to be configured as a dual female coupling with opposing openings 30a, 30a1 and corresponding release buttons 24, 24a. The dual-port female coupling can be used to couple two jewelry components having only male couplings at their distal ends, as shown in FIG. 21A. Further, the flamboyant female coupling has an outer body surface 21 decorated with a gem 22a and a surface engraving shown as 22b. The female coupling 20D is provided to show that its body shape can be made asymmetric to achieve any desired appearance or look, such as a human face, an animal shape, a flower shape, etc.

[0024] The same concept described for the female coupling is equally applicable to the male couplings 40A, 40B, 40C of various shapes shown in FIG. 1D. Here too, in male coupling 40A, a pair of locking fingers 41A / 41B are arranged opposite each other so as to be able to lock two jewelry components having only the female coupling. Male coupling 40C has four sets of locking fingers to enhance versatility and represents the concept of the present invention that the coupling can be used as a functional and decorative element, allowing for infinite combinations of jewelry components to create a jewelry ensemble according to personal preferences or to suit various occasions of wearing the jewelry. One of the male couplings depicted in this figure has multiple male couplings interconnected by chain-style links (unnumbered), and its function is obvious. FIG. 1D also shows some of the shapes of the female coupling where the shape and function are readily apparent.

[0025] FIGS. 5 and 6 are a depiction like a photograph showing comparative dimensions with reference to a ruler of an actual coupling including female coupling 20 that is millimeter-sized and connected to male coupling 40. Although not shown, it is a trivial matter to make the female coupling large enough to be able to internally provide a plurality of (spaced-apart) openings and snap members for receiving and holding a corresponding number of female couplings.

[0026] A second embodiment of the present invention is similar but implemented in a different way and will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7, 7A, 8 - 10. Male coupling 140 has a front opening 148 that is wider than the thickness 149 of slider 135, such that when male coupling 140 is pushed into the upper opening, the inwardly bent fingers hit the inclined surface 127 of the thick portion 128, pushing slider 135 to the right and then catching under the thick portion 127 as described above. In this embodiment, the push lever 124 protrudes upward and when engaged with a person's finger or the like and pushed to the right, male coupling 140 is released.

[0027] In the exploded view of FIG. 7A, a hollow body 122 is observed that receives a base component 122a providing a space for a lateral spring 130 and a vertical spring 130a that provide the same function as the springs 30, 33 of the first embodiment. Also provided is a lateral slide space for a slider 135 including an upright release bar 124. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, to release the male coupling, it is only necessary to slide the bar to the right, whereby, as shown in FIG. 9 which needs to be compared with FIG. 10, the thick portion 128 is pushed aside and does not interfere, so that the spring 130a immediately pushes the male coupling 140 upward.

[0028] As an alternative to the above modification of the second embodiment, as indicated by the dashed line 124a, the height of the button 124 is made flush with the upper surface of the cover 122b of the female coupling 120. Instead of engaging and sliding the slider 135 with a finger, the tool 150 (FIG. 7A) is provided with a needle end 158 having a reduced diameter (pen tip size), which is inserted into a round gap 124b in the release button 124 and slid to a position where the male coupling pops out of the coupling opening 111, thereby releasing the engagement between the couplings.

[0029] The third embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15 includes a male coupling 240, a female coupling 220, a release button 224, and a release tool 50 that can be used to separate the coupling elements from each other. As shown in FIG. 13, the male coupling 240 has a circular opening 249 that can be accessed through an opening 248 that is slightly wider than the diameter of the cylindrical central portion 236 of the slider 235. Similar to the previous embodiment, the slider 235 has a thick portion 228 and a frustoconical section 227. After the slider 235 is inserted into the inner space of the female coupling through the opening 237, its position is fixed by a closing cylinder 232 that abuts against the thick portion 238 and is pressed inward by a spring 230, as in the previous embodiment. Also, note the vertical spring 230a inside the female coupling.

[0030] Thanks to the spring 230 disposed on the thick side of the slider 235, the release button 224 can be pushed to the left, and as a result, the thick portion 238 is positioned within the opening of the female coupling 220. When the male coupling is pushed in, its fingers push the slider 235 laterally, and when the fingers pass through the slider, the slider returns to its original position and the male coupling is locked. FIGS. 14 and 15 show the use of the release tool 50 for releasing the lock hold. Ideally, the bottom surface of the slider 235 is made flat so that the slider 235 does not rotate about its longitudinal axis, and the catch fingers of the male coupling contact the flat bottom surface of the slider section 237. This prevents the male coupling from being pulled out even when a manual force is applied to the outside of the female coupling.

[0031] The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 16, 16A, 16B, and 17 to 20. Structurally and functionally, the fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment in that its components are inserted from the upper side of the coupling that is finally covered by the top cover 332. The female coupling 320 receives and locks the male coupling 340, and the male coupling can be released by inserting the release tool 50 into the opening 327 and pressing the release button 324.

[0032] The exploded view of FIG. 16A shows the hollow body of the female coupling with a housing 320 sized to accommodate the base 322a. Inside the housing 320, spaces are defined for the vertical spring 330a, the slider 335, and the lateral spring 330. The slider 335 is identical to a part of the conventional slider in that it includes a release button 324 and a thick portion 328 that supports the slide surface 327. The structural parts are covered by a cover 332 and attached to the hollow space 321. Thus, the male coupling 50 can be inserted and locked into the female coupling 320 (see FIG. 20).

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 21A and 21B, a number of jewelry components 410a, 410b assembled together to realize a jewelry piece 410 assembled using the coupling of the present invention can be seen at a glance. Also refer to jewelry pieces 420, 430, etc. throughout FIGS. 21a - 21e. The coupling is very small in millimeter size and can be adjusted in body shape, metal type, and finish according to various uses, so that it blends in and is not noticeable in the overall jewelry, allowing creative people to freely and flexibly create jewelry according to the moment, scene, mood, and style. The concept of the present invention can be used for professional designers to manufacture jewelry works from basic stock components, reuse jewelry components, or reuse them for other purposes. In a more conceptualized form of the present invention, the individual jewelry components can be displayed on a computer monitor, and an app is provided that offers customers the option of having the computer combine various components to obtain the final appearance of the jewelry. Customers who like the way the jewelry is assembled visualized on the computer screen can order all the jewelry components by simply clicking on the computer, and then receive the components and assemble them at home.

[0034] The coupling using the novel concept of the present invention has been described above in relation to jewelry. However, the inventors are considering many other uses. Thus, in FIG. 22, panel 2210 or 2210(a) includes female coupling 2220 and male coupling 2240 at the illustrated positions within or on the panel. In one embodiment, each panel is provided with a pair of (or more) female couplings at one mating end and a male coupling at the opposite mating end. In another embodiment, only male couplings are provided on the larger panel, and female couplings are incorporated into the connecting panel 2210(b). Preferably, the release pin for the female coupling has a screw groove, and the screw can be turned to lock or unlock the male coupling.

[0035] In FIG. 23, the chair 2310 has legs 2310(a), a seat surface 2310(b), and a backrest 2310(c), all of which are held together by the connecting parts of the present invention including the connecting parts 2320, 2340 in the manner already fully described.

[0036] In FIG. 24, the table 2410 has a top 2410(b) and legs 2410(a), which are assembled and held by a female coupling 2420 and a male coupling 2440. Similarly, in FIG. 25, the ship's anchor assembly 2510 includes an onshore anchor 2510(a) and a crank and spool 2510(b), and uses a male coupling 2520 and a female coupling 2540. Due to the size and strength of these components, the handle 2524 can be used to lock and unlock the male coupling 2540. Similarly, for the glasses 2610 in FIG. 26, the frame 2610(a) and its post 2610(b) are assembled with each other by the illustrated couplings 2620, 2640 using the handle 2624.

[0037] Further modifications of the couplings themselves are shown in FIGS. 27 and 28A to 28D. In FIG. 27, the male coupling has either a short actuator 2740(a) or a long actuator 2740(b). FIG. 28A shows an "X"-shaped male coupling, and FIG. 28B shows an "H"-shaped male coupling 2840 including a loop 2837 for attachment to a jewelry (or non-jewelry) component. A similar male coupling 2840(a) is shown in FIG. 28C and includes a crossbar 2840(b). The female coupling in FIG. 28D includes a cover 2824(a) for the release button 2824, although other elements may be included to block or prevent unintentional actuation of the release button.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, many other variations and modifications, as well as other uses, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is preferably not limited by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Explanation of Signs

[0039] 1 Jewelry strand 1a Upper jewelry piece, jewelry chain 1b Lower jewelry piece 3 Points 4 Rings 7b Outer surface 9, 10 Couplings 9a Male coupling 9b Female coupling 20 Female coupling 21 Outer body surface 22 Body 22a Gemstone 24 Release button, release pin 26 Body part 27 Slide surface 28 Thick part 29 Dimension 30 Spring 30a Opening 30b Side opening 30c Bottom cavity 32 Protrusion, end cap 33 Spring 34 Cavity 35 Slider, slide catch 37 Opening 37 Cavity 40 Male coupling 41 Pin 41A Lock finger 42 Body 44a, 46a, 46b Fingers, finger catch 47 Arrow 48, 49 Spaces 50 Release tool, male coupling 52 Distal end, tip 54 Stop band 56 Body 111 Coupling opening 120 Female coupling 122 Hollow body 122a Base component 122b Cover 124 Release bar, lever, button 124a Dashed line 124b Gap 127 Inclined surface 128 Thick part 130 Lateral spring 130a Vertical spring 135 Slider 140 Male coupling 148 Front opening 150 Tool 158 Needle end 220 Female coupling 224 Release button 227 Frustum section 228 Thick part 230 Spring 232 Closing cylinder 235 Slider 236 Cylindrical central part 237 Opening 237 Slider section 238 Thick part 240 Male coupling 248, 249 Opening 320 Female coupling 320 Housing 321 Hollow space 322a Base 324 Release button 327 Opening 327 Slide surface 328 Thick part 330 Lateral spring 330a Vertical Spring 332 Cover 335 Slider 340 Male Coupling 410 Jewelry Piece 410a Jewelry Component 410b Jewelry Component 420, 430 Jewelry Piece 2210 Connection Panel 2220 Female Coupling 2240 Male Coupling 2310 Leg, Chair, Seat Surface 2320, 2340 Connection Part 2410 Table, Top, Leg 2420 Female Coupling 2440 Male Coupling 2510 Land Anchor, Spool, Anchor Assembly 2520 Male Coupling 2524 Handle 2540 Female Coupling, Male Coupling 2610 Glasses, Post, Frame 2620, 2640 Coupling 2624 Handle 2740 Actuating Part 2824 Cover 2837 Loop 2840 Crossbar, Male Coupling

Claims

1. In a jewelry assembly comprising a plurality of individual jewelry components and a plurality of couplers that enable the jewelry components to be releasably interconnected with each other in a desired combination and configuration, the plurality of couplers are a male coupling and a female coupling, including a pair of spaced fingers configured such that each male coupling is inserted into and substantially received and hidden within the internal space of the female coupling, the male coupling is configured to be inserted into the opening of the female coupling and connected to the female coupling, the connection being initiated by engagement of the male coupling with a snap connector within the female coupling, the snap connector moving to accommodate the male coupling and, when fully inserted, returning to its original position and being fixed within a gap formed in the male coupling, configured to form a secure and mechanically interlocked connection, the male coupling and the female coupling; a release pin extending within the female coupling to a point outside the female coupling and operable only by an external force applied to a release tool for releasing the connection, the release pin; comprising, a plurality of the female couplings having various outer shapes such that the female couplings appear as part of the overall appearance of the jewelry assembly and blend into its appearance, the jewelry assembly.

2. The male coupling is physically integrally connected to the jewelry component, and at least a portion of the female coupling is configured to accommodate a plurality of the male couplings, realizing a desired releasable connection between the jewelry components, the jewelry assembly according to claim 1.

3. The female coupling is physically integrally connected to the jewelry component, and the male coupling is configured to be inserted into the female coupling, realizing a desired releasable connection between the jewelry components, the jewelry assembly according to claim 1.

4. The attachment and detachment of the male coupling and the female coupling are repeatable, the jewelry assembly according to claim 1.

5. The jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the female coupling and the male coupling have a decoration on the body surface and an overall shape such that the appearance of the coupling harmonizes with the corresponding appearance of the jewelry component.

6. The jewelry assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the female coupling and the male coupling are fitted together, the male coupling is substantially invisible.

7. The jewelry assembly according to claim 1, including a spring that engages with the male coupling and pushes it out of the female coupling when the release pin is actuated.

8. The jewelry assembly according to claim 5, wherein the decoration on the body surface comprises one or more of precious stones or decorative stones, an aesthetic surface shape or pattern formed by carving or embossing on the body surface, a decorative three-dimensional surface or facets, and coloring of the body surface.

9. The jewelry assembly according to claim 6, wherein the dimensions of the width, length, and height of the snap connector of the female coupling are less than 6 mm.

10. A small coupling for jewelry, comprising a multi-coupling male coupling configured to couple with and interconnect a plurality of jewelry components, each of the jewelry components comprises or is associated with at least one female coupling, the female coupling comprising a lock receiving opening, the male coupling has a body and a plurality of lock members supported by the body, the lock members are spaced apart from each other, and each of the lock members is configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the lock receiving openings of the at least one female coupling, the male coupling is configured to releasably interconnect at least three of the jewelry components with each other. A small coupling for jewelry.

11. The small coupling according to claim 10, wherein each of the lock members comprises a pair of spaced fingers supported by the body, and the fingers are configured to be inserted into and substantially received and hidden within the internal space of the female coupling.

12. The overall shape of the male coupling body is any one of a square, a rectangle, an elongated shape, a circle, a sphere, and a chain shape. The small coupling according to claim 10.

13. The male coupling is interconnected with the female coupling, and at least a part of the female coupling is configured to include a plurality of the lock receiving openings, and can receive a plurality of pairs of fingers associated with different male couplings. The small coupling according to claim 10.

14. The female coupling has a body surface decoration including one or more precious stones or decorative stones, an aesthetic surface shape or pattern formed by carving or embossing on the body surface, a decorative three-dimensional surface or facet, and coloring of the body surface. The small coupling according to claim 13.

15. Each of the female couplings has one of the shapes of a square, a rectangle, an elongated shape, a circle, a sphere, a frustum of a cone, and a trapezoid. The small coupling according to claim 13.

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