Flat Bracelet Clip With Resilient Insert

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jewelry clips struggle to securely attach to flat bracelets and necklaces due to the flexibility of resilient materials, which can lead to the clip losing contact and bending, making it difficult to maintain a secure grip on flat surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A clip design featuring a hinge mechanism with a through hole of rectangular cross-section, utilizing a combination of rigid and resilient surfaces, where the resilient insert element is retained by a retaining element to prevent bending and ensure secure attachment to flat surfaces, allowing for adjustable positioning along the elongated member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a resilient insert element is used to grip the flat bracelet, then the clip can adapt to the flat surface and provide securing force, but the resilient material may bend and lose contact, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to flat surfaceVSAvoidsecure grip maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a resilient insert element made of flexible material that can deform to conform to the flat surface of the bracelet. This flexible component provides the necessary adaptation while maintaining contact through its elastic properties, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliable grip maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient insert element is designed with a curved gripping surface that matches the curvature of the flat bracelet surface. This curvature design ensures continuous contact between the clip and bracelet even when subjected to forces, preventing the resilient material from losing contact and bending excessively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Area of stationary object

If the resilient insert element dimensions are increased to engage flat bracelets, then the clip can accommodate the wider surface, but the element becomes more prone to bending and losing contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement area with flat braceletVSAvoidresilient element rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient insert element features varying local properties with different stiffness zones. The central portion has higher rigidity to prevent excessive bending, while the edges remain more flexible to conform to the flat surface. This local quality differentiation allows the element to engage a wider area without compromising overall stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient insert element is constructed as a composite structure combining materials with different mechanical properties. This composite design provides both the flexibility needed for surface adaptation and the rigidity required to prevent bending and maintain stable engagement with the flat bracelet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Shape

If the through hole has a rectangular cross-section for flat bracelets, then the clip can fit the flat surface geometry, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrough hole cross-sectionVSAvoidrectangular cross-section accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clip structure is divided into separate components including the main body and the resilient insert element. The resilient insert element is pre-formed with the required rectangular cross-section geometry and then integrated into the clip. This segmentation allows for more precise manufacturing of the critical rectangular features in a controlled process rather than forming them in the final assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 clip effectively secures and organizes freely movable beads on flat bracelets and necklaces by gripping between the resilient insert element and a rigid surface, providing durability and ease of manufacturing, while preventing the clip from moving over extended diameters, thus maintaining a secure fit.

Implementation Method 1

Resilient materials such as silicone are commonly used for stopping mechanisms. The resilient material will deform when it comes into contact with a bracelet/necklace resulting in a spring force (attempting to restore the original shape of the stopping mechanism) that will releasably secure the ornamental component to a selected position of the bracelet/necklace.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11903456B2Flat bracelet clip

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 PANDORA AS

AI summary

A clip (100) for being strung on a bracelet and/or a necklace, said bracelet or necklace comprising an elongate member with a flat cross-sectional shape and with a first substantially flat major surface and a second substantially flat major surface.