Extendable Jewelry Clasp With Spring Actuation for One-Handed Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jewelry clasps are difficult to use, especially for individuals with limited fine motor skills or reduced limb mobility, making it challenging to put on and take off jewelry items like necklaces, bracelets, and watches.
Innovation Solution
An extendable clasp system comprising a housing, actuator, and cord, where the actuator rotates between expanded and compressed configurations to adjust the circumference of the jewelry, facilitated by a spring mechanism that allows for easy fitting and securing with magnets, suitable for one-handed use and customizable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional fixed clasp is used, then the jewelry structure is simple and reliable, but it is difficult to put on and remove for individuals with limited fine motor skills or reduced limb mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The clasp mechanism transitions from a fixed state to an extended state through rotational movement of the actuator housing. The spring-loaded actuator dynamically adjusts the cord length, enabling the jewelry to expand for easy placement and retract for secure wear. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by providing both simplicity when closed and ease of operation when opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically extends the cord when the actuator housing rotates, and automatically retracts it when rotation stops. The magnetic connector self-locks when the clasp is closed, eliminating the need for manual threading or complex fastening operations. This self-service capability significantly improves ease of operation for individuals with limited motor skills.
2Ease of operation
If the clasp is made extendable to facilitate easy application, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing combines multiple functions: it houses the spring mechanism, provides the rotational interface for extension, and contains the magnetic connector. By merging these functions into a single integrated component, the design achieves enhanced ease of operation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is nested within the actuator housing, and the actuator housing is received within the main housing. This nested arrangement allows the extendable mechanism to be compact when retracted, minimizing the increase in device complexity while maintaining the ability to extend for easy application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cord is made extendable to increase circumference, then the adaptability improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cord length parameter is dynamically changed through the rotational actuation of the housing. By rotating the actuator housing, the spring unwinds to extend the cord, increasing the jewelry circumference. When rotated back, the spring rewinds to retract the cord. This parameter change mechanism provides adaptability while keeping the complexity manageable through a single rotational degree of freedom.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables easy application and removal of jewelry with one hand, accommodating individuals with disabilities, and provides customizable and ergonomic designs for enhanced usability.
Implementation Method 1
The spring comprises a first spring anchor and a second spring anchor. The spring is received in the actuator housing by coupling the second spring anchor with the housing anchor. The actuator housing is received in the housing bottom such that the anchor post is inserted into the opening of the actuator housing and the groove of the anchor post receives the first spring anchor of the spring, such that the spring is configured to rotate the actuator housing respective of the housing bottom when the spring biases between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration.
Implementation Method 2
When the necklace is in the retracted configuration, the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are spaced apart from one another. When the necklace is in the non-retracted configuration, the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are magnetically coupled to one another.
Data Source
AI summary
A jewelry system comprising a necklace and a clasp. The clasp includes a housing having a bottom including a hole disposed in a side of the bottom and a centered anchor post comprising a groove disposed perpendicular to the hole. The clasp also includes an actuator comprising an actuator housing having a housing anchor, an opening, and a connector interface, and a spring comprising a first spring anchor and a second spring anchor, wherein the spring is received in the actuator housing by coupling the second spring anchor with the housing anchor. The actuator housing is received in the bottom such that the anchor post is inserted into the opening and the groove receives the first spring anchor of the spring. The clasp includes a cord having a first end coupled with the connector interface and a second end to be pulled away from the clasp.