Clasp for accessory

Abstract

To provide a fastener which facilitates positioning.SOLUTION: A fastener 10 used for an accessory of the present invention includes a cylindrical intermediate member 11 having a first magnet 12 therein, a first connection member 17 having a second magnet 21 that can be inserted into and removed from one end of the intermediate member 11 and can be attracted to the first magnet 12, and a second connection member 18 having a third magnet 22 that can be inserted into and removed from the other end of the intermediate member 11 and can be attracted to the first magnet 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clasp for use on jewelry such as a bracelet or necklace. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, clasps used for accessories such as bracelets and necklaces have been known, such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 4987279) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 3993589). Figure 7 shows clasp 30 of Patent Document 1.

[0003] This fastener 30 is composed of a shaft 31 and a shaft hole 32 provided at both ends of a (magnetic) necklace L that uses a rubber magnet. The tip of the shaft 31 is formed into a hemispherical shape, and this hemispherical part is fitted into the shaft hole 32 to connect the two ends of the necklace L. The shaft 31 and the shaft hole 32 are often made of resin parts, and there is a problem in that the fitted parts between the shaft 31 and the shaft hole 32 wear down as they are repeatedly attached and detached, making them more likely to come off.

[0004] 8 shows a clasp 50 from Patent Document 2. This clasp 50 is composed of cylindrical cases 51 and 52 with bottoms connected to both ends of a necklace L, a yoke 53 fixed to the outer periphery of one of the cases 51, and permanent magnets 54 and 55 fitted inside the cases 51 and 52.

[0005] When the left case 52 is fitted into the yoke 53 of the right case 51, the magnets 54, 55 are attracted to each other by magnetic force. It is described that the cases 51, 52 and both ends of the necklace L can be connected by a connecting pin 56 having a connecting shaft 56a and a shaft head 56a, for example, as shown in Figure 8(c) (paragraph 0017). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4987279 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3993589 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] 8 does not have the drawback of becoming easily dislodged even after repeated attachment and detachment, but it does have the problem that it is not necessarily easy to align the case 52 and the yoke 53. In other words, the case 52 will not fit properly unless it is fitted straight toward the yoke 53 with the axis of the case 52 and the axis of the yoke 53 aligned in a straight line, as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b).

[0008] The magnets 54 and 55 are attracted to each other by magnetic force, but if the axes of the case 52 and the yoke 53 do not coincide, they will become tilted as shown in Figure 8(d). Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastener that is easy to align. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the fastener of the present invention is a fastener used for jewelry, characterized by having a cylindrical intermediate member having a first magnet inside, a first connecting member having a second magnet that can be inserted and removed into one end of the intermediate member and that can be attracted to the first magnet, and a second connecting member having a third magnet that can be inserted and removed into the other end of the intermediate member and that can be attracted to the first magnet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The fastener of the present invention facilitates alignment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A, 1B, and 1C are cross-sectional views of a fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a separated state, in a one-side separated state, and in a connected state, respectively. [Figure 2]10A is a cross-sectional view of a fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a separated state, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of a fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a connected state. [Figure 3] 10A is a cross-sectional view of a fastener according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a separated state, and FIG. 10B is a side view of a fastener in a connected state. [Figure 4] 10A is a cross-sectional view of a fastener according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a separated state, and FIG. 10B is a side view of a fastener in a connected state. [Figure 5] (a) Front view of a necklace with a top, (b) Enlarged view of the front side of the top, (c) Enlarged view of the back side of the top. [Figure 6] FIG. 10(a) is a front view of a necklace having a clasp according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the clasp in a separated state, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the clasp in a connected state. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conventional fastener. [Figure 8] (a) Cross-sectional view of a conventional fastener in a separated state, (b) cross-sectional view of a connected state, (c) cross-sectional view using a connecting pin, and (d) cross-sectional view of an inclined state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A clasp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The clasp 10 can be used as an ornament, such as a necklace L.

[0013] First embodiment 1(a)-(e) are cross-sectional views of a fastener 10 according to a first embodiment in a separated state (misaligned (large)), a separated state (misaligned (small)), a separated state (aligned), a one-side separated state, and a connected state. This fastener 10 has a cylindrical metal fitting 11 as an intermediate member in the center in the left-right direction. A permanent magnet 12 as a first magnet is fitted into the center of the interior of the metal fitting 11.

[0014] 1(c)-(e), the right side of magnet 12 is the north pole and the left side is the south pole. Resin caps 13 and 14 are fitted to both sides of magnet 12. The insides of these caps 13 and 14 are recessed openings.

[0015] Caps 13 and 14 fix the position of magnet 12 and also improve waterproofing. Note that magnet 12 can also be fixed inside metal fitting 11 with adhesive or the like, in which case caps 13 and 14 may be omitted.

[0016] Cylindrical metal fittings 15, 16 are fixed by crimping to both ends of the necklace L. Cylindrical metal fittings 17, 18, which serve as first and second connecting members, are connected to the tips of these metal fittings 15, 16 via ball joint shafts 19, 20. Depending on the flexibility of the necklace L, it may be possible to omit the ball joint shafts 19, 20 and directly connect the metal fittings 17, 18 to both ends of the necklace L.

[0017] The diameter of the metal fittings 17, 18 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter (concave opening) of the caps 13, 14. This allows the metal fittings 17, 18 to be inserted into and removed from the concave openings on the inside of the caps 13, 14.

[0018] Ball joint portions 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b at both ends of the ball joint shafts 19, 20 are rotatably housed in bearing holes 15a, 16a of the metal fittings 15, 16 and bearing holes 17a, 18a of the metal fittings 17, 18. The openings of the bearing holes 15a, 16a and the bearing holes 17a, 18a are narrowed by constricted portions 15b, 16b, 17b, 18b, through which shaft portions 19c, 20c of the ball joint shafts 19, 20 can just barely fit.

[0019] Permanent magnets 21 and 22 serving as a second magnet and a third magnet are fitted to the tip sides of the metal fittings 17 and 18. The tip side of the magnet 21 of the metal fitting 17 is an S pole, and the tip side of the magnet 22 of the metal fitting 18 is an N pole.

[0020] Magnets 12, 21, and 22 can be made of a magnetic material, preferably a hard magnetic material, such as electromagnetic stainless steel, silicon iron, neodymium magnets, rare earth magnets such as samarium-cobalt magnets, ferrite magnets, and alnico magnets.

[0021] The fastener 10 of the first embodiment is configured as described above, and when the central metal fitting 11 is placed on a table or the like in any position as shown in Figure 1(a), by simply casually bringing the metal fittings 17, 18 at both ends of the necklace L close to each other from both sides of the metal fitting 11, the three metal fittings 11, 17, 18 will automatically be aligned and connected as shown in Figure 1(a)⇒(e).

[0022] That is, even if metal fitting 11 is placed at an angle (or vertically) as shown in Figure 1(a), when metal fittings 17 and 18 are brought close to each other from both sides, metal fitting 11 will rotate as shown in Figure 1(b) due to the magnetic force between magnets 12, 21, and 22. Also, metal fittings 17 and 18 at both ends of necklace L will swivel due to the magnetic force, aligning them with the axis of necklace L as shown in Figure 1(b).

[0023] After that, metal fitting 11 is completely aligned with the axis of metal fittings 17 and 18, as shown in Figure 1(c). Then, either metal fitting 17 or 18, or both metal fittings 17 and 18, are attracted to each other by the magnetic force between magnets 12, 21, and 22, and metal fitting 18 on one side is connected to metal fitting 11, as shown in Figure 1(d), for example. Next, metal fitting 17 on the opposite side is connected to metal fitting 11, as shown in Figure 1(e).

[0024] Furthermore, even if the magnetic poles of metal fitting 11 in Figure 1(a) are reversed (south pole on the upper right, north pole on the lower left), metal fitting 11 will instantly flip 180 degrees due to the repulsion between the south poles on the right and the north poles on the left. In this way, central metal fitting 11 and both side metal fittings 17 and 18 can be positioned and connected accurately and quickly in any orientation.

[0025] Therefore, there is almost no need to align the metal fittings 11, 17, and 18. In this case, the ball joint shafts 19 and 20 increase the free swing range of the metal fittings 17 and 18, making it even easier to align the metal fittings 11, 17, and 18.

[0026] 1(e), even if a force acts in the vertical direction on the central metal fitting 11, only a bending force acts between the central metal fitting 11 and the left and right metal fittings 17, 18, and almost no tensile force acts in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the fastener 10 will not come off easily.

[0027] Second embodiment 2(a) and (b) are diagrams showing a second embodiment in which a pair of magnets 12, 12 are arranged on the left and right sides inside a central metal fitting 11. A partition wall 11a is formed between the magnets 12, 12. In this second embodiment, the metal fitting 11 can be extended to any length, improving the ease of handling and design of the metal fitting 11.

[0028] Third embodiment 3(a), (b), and (c) are diagrams showing a third embodiment in which the magnet 12 of the central metal fitting 11 is polarized in the radial direction. The magnets 21 and 22 of the metal fittings 17 and 18 are similarly polarized in the radial direction. In this third embodiment, even if the magnets 21 and 22 of the metal fittings 17 and 18 face each other with the same pole as the magnet 12 of the metal fitting 11 as shown in FIG. 3(a), the metal fittings 17 and 18 (or the metal fitting 11) naturally rotate so that the south pole and north pole face each other as shown in FIG. 3(b), allowing the left and right metal fittings 17 and 18 to be connected to the central metal fitting 11.

[0029] To confirm that the south and north poles are precisely facing each other, alignment marks (for example, ▲ marks) can be provided on the outer peripheries of the metal fittings 11, 17, and 18. This third embodiment has the advantage that fastener 10 can be easily removed by simply twisting the left and right metal fittings 17 and 18 slightly relative to the central metal fitting 11 as shown in Figure 3(c), due to the magnetic repulsion of the same poles.

[0030] Fourth embodiment 4(a), (b), and (c) show a fourth embodiment in which the pair of magnets 12, 12 arranged left and right in the central metal fitting 11 are polarized in the radial direction. The magnets 21, 22 in the metal fittings 17, 18 are also polarized in the radial direction. In this fourth embodiment, the metal fitting 11 can be extended to any length, improving the ease of handling and design of the metal fitting 11.

[0031] Furthermore, even if the magnets 21 and 22 of the metal fittings 17 and 18 face each other with the same pole as the magnet 12 of the metal fitting 11 as shown in FIG. 4(a), the metal fittings 17 and 18 (or the metal fitting 11) will naturally rotate so that the south pole and north pole face each other as shown in FIG. 4(b), allowing the left and right metal fittings 17 and 18 to be connected to the central metal fitting 11. To confirm that the south pole and north pole are accurately facing each other, marks (e.g., ▲ marks) can be attached to the outer peripheries of the metal fittings 11, 17, and 18 to serve as alignment guides. This fourth embodiment also has the advantage that the fastener 10 can be easily removed by simply twisting the left and right metal fittings 17 and 18 slightly relative to the central metal fitting 11 as shown in FIG. 4(c), due to the magnetic repulsion of the same poles.

[0032] ●Necklace with a top Figure 5(a) shows a necklace L with a top 40 attached to an intermediate metal fitting 11. Most ordinary necklaces L have a top 40 fixedly attached to one end of the necklace L, and it is rare to see a necklace L with a top 40 attached to an independent intermediate metal fitting 11 as in Figure 5(a).

[0033] Top 40 generally has a front and back, as shown in Figures 5(b) and (c). (b) is the front side and (c) is the back side. For this reason, if a metal fitting 11 is fixedly attached to one end, as in the case of a regular necklace L, the wearer will try to connect one metal fitting 17 (or 18) to the metal fitting 11 on the other side, with the front side (b) of top 40 facing forward (with the back side (c) facing the wearer).

[0034] In this case, the metal fitting 11 with the top 40 attached is easier to grasp, so the necklace L is often designed so that the front side (b) of the top 40 faces forward when the user holds the metal fitting 11 in the dominant hand (right hand). However, this may be inconvenient for users with an opposite dominant hand.

[0035] In contrast, in the case of necklace L in Figure 5(a), intermediate metal fitting 11, which holds top 40, is independent and can rotate freely, so that the orientation of intermediate metal fitting 11 can be freely changed from left to right so that the front side (b) of top 40 is at the front, and it can be instantly connected to metal fittings 17 and 18. In this way, necklace L in Figure 5(a) provides an extremely good connection feeling, regardless of the wearer's dominant hand.

[0036] Fifth embodiment 6 is a diagram illustrating a clasp according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view of a necklace having the clasp, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the clasp in a separated state, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the clasp in a connected state. This clasp has a metal fitting 15 fixed to one end of a necklace L, and a metal fitting 11 serving as a first connecting member, into which a magnet 12 serving as a first magnet is fitted, connected via a ball joint shaft 19.

[0037] In this fifth embodiment, a ball joint portion 19b of a ball joint shaft 19 is rotatably housed in a bearing hole 11b of a metal fitting 11. Compared to the first embodiment in Fig. 1, the configuration can be simplified by omitting the metal fitting 17 and the magnet 21. The rest is almost the same as Fig. 1.

[0038] Additionally, metal fitting 16 fixed to the other end of necklace L is connected to metal fitting 18 as a second connecting member, into which magnet 22 as a second magnet is fitted, via ball joint shaft 20. In this fastener as well, ball joint shafts 19, 20 increase the free swing range of metal fittings 11, 18, making it easier to align metal fittings 11, 18.

[0039] The magnets 12, 22 may be polarized in the radial direction as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Also, one of the ball joint shafts 20 may be omitted, and the metal fitting 18 may be directly connected to the other end of the necklace L. In this case, the ball joint shaft 20 and metal fitting 16 can be omitted, resulting in a simpler configuration.

[0040] While the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical concept described in the claims. For example, the present invention can be used as a clasp for a bracelet or pendant in addition to a necklace. Furthermore, concave openings may be formed at the tips of the left and right metal fittings 17, 18, and both ends of the central metal fitting 11 may be inserted and removed through these openings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10: Fastener 11: Metal fittings (intermediate parts) 11a: Partition wall part 12: Permanent magnet (first magnet) 13, 14: Cap 15: Metal fittings 16: Metal fittings 15a, 16a: Bearing holes 15b, 16b: part 17: Metal fitting (first connecting member) 18: Metal fitting (second connecting member) 17a, 18a: Bearing holes 19, 20: Ball joint shaft 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b: ball joints 19c, 20c: Shaft part 21: Magnet (second magnet) 22: Magnet (third magnet) 40: Top L: Necklace

Claims

1. A fastener for use in jewelry, a cylindrical intermediate member having a first magnet therein; a first connecting member having a second magnet that is insertable into and detachable from one end of the intermediate member and that is attracted to the first magnet; a second connecting member having a third magnet that is insertable into and detachable from the other end of the intermediate member and that is attracted to the first magnet; A fastener characterized by having:

2. 2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the accessory is a necklace, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to both ends of the necklace via a ball joint shaft.

3. 2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the south pole and north pole of the first magnet, second magnet, and third magnet are polarized in the radial direction of the intermediate member, first connecting member, and second connecting member, respectively.

4. 2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein concave openings are formed at one end and the other end of the intermediate member, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member can be inserted and removed into said openings.

5. 2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein concave openings are formed at the tip portions of the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and one end and the other end of the intermediate member can be inserted and removed into said openings.

6. A fastener for use in jewelry, a cylindrical first connecting member having a first magnet therein and one end of which is swingably connected to one end of the accessory via a ball joint shaft; a second connecting member having a second magnet that can be attracted to the first magnet, and that is connected to the other end of the accessory and can be inserted into and removed from the opening at the other end of the first connecting member; A fastener characterized by having:

7. 7. The fastener according to claim 6, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member are pivotally connected to both ends of the accessory via the ball joint shaft.

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