Segmented Clasp With Curved Grooves For Secure Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing necklace clasps are difficult for wearers to open and close, often requiring tactile sensation alone, leading to confusion when trying to rotate the clasp to the front, and lack an effective locking mechanism to prevent accidental opening.
Innovation Solution
A clasp design featuring a primary and secondary body with grooves and curved locking channels, where a leg slidably engages within the grooves and channels to couple and decouple the bodies, utilizing a spring for secure locking and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pin and barrel clasp design is used, then the clasp can be securely locked, but it requires complex locking means and is difficult for wearers to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The clasp is divided into two separate bodies (first body and second body) that can be independently manipulated. Each body has its own groove structure, allowing the wearer to grip and rotate one body at a time to achieve locking and unlocking, simplifying the operation while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves in the clasp bodies are designed to dynamically transition between locked and unlocked positions through rotational movement. The leg portions slide along the grooves during rotation, enabling the clasp to adapt its state based on the relative orientation of the two bodies, providing both security and ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If the clasp is placed behind the wearer's head, then it can be worn comfortably, but the wearer relies only on feel and touch which causes confusion when trying to rotate the clasp
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual indicators (such as colored markers or contrasting finishes) on the clasp surfaces that change position or appearance during rotation. This provides visual feedback to the wearer about the clasp's state and orientation, eliminating confusion when the clasp is worn behind the head where visual inspection is difficult
3Ease of manufacture
If simple clasp design is used, then manufacturing is cost-effective, but locking mechanism is insufficient to prevent accidental opening
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves are formed as integral features within the bodies themselves, with one groove nested within another in a concentric arrangement. This nested structure provides multiple locking interfaces without requiring separate locking components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enhancing security against accidental opening
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves are designed with curved, spherical-like paths that guide the leg portions through controlled movement. This curvature ensures that the locking mechanism engages naturally through rotational motion, providing reliable accidental opening prevention while using simple, cost-effective manufacturing processes for creating curved surfaces
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 clasp is easy to open and close, provides a secure locking mechanism to prevent accidental opening, and is cost-effective to produce, enhancing user experience and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a spring for secure locking
Data Source
AI summary
A clasp which has a primary body and a secondary body couples a first elongated member with a second elongated member. The primary body has a bore and a pin extending within the bore. The secondary body has a rod. A pin bore is within the rod and defines an interior rod wall. A groove is within the interior rod wall. A leg is coupled to the pin. A locking channel is within the interior rod wall and coupled to the groove. The leg engages with the shaped locking channel for coupling and decoupling the primary body with the secondary body.