Watch band or bracelet closure with magnetically biased keeper
OwnerGyorgy Hartmanninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A closure, buckle, or clasp for connecting two free ends of a strap, a belt, a necklace, or a harness is disclosed that relies upon a mechanical keeper to at least aid in keeping the closure in an engaged condition, wherein the mechanical keeper is of magnetic material and is biased in a locked position by means of the force field of a magnet, thereby eliminating all springs or snug-fitting elements that could wear or lose their effectiveness over time. The magnetic keeper and the magnet may be parts of the same clasp element or they may be parts in separate clasp elements that are joined to effect closure of the clasp.
Claims9
A closure for connecting a first and a second free end of a band as might be used as a strap on a wrist watch, said closure comprising:
- a first clasp element adapted for attachment to said first free end and having a hook-receiving portion, a keeper-receiving portion, and a magnet;
- a separable second clasp element adapted for attachment to said second free end and having a hook portion to be received by said first clasp element and a captive movable magnetic mechanical keeper;
- wherein said hook portion engages said hook-receiving portion, said keeper engages said keeper-receiving portion, and said magnet provides a biasing force to urge said keeper to a position within said keeper-receiving portion wherein it participates in preventing said hook from disengaging from said hook-receiving portion, the closure thereby securely holds said free ends together.
A closure for connecting a first and a second free end of a band as might be used as a strap on a wrist watch, said closure comprising:
- a first clasp element adapted for attaching to said first free end and having a hook portion and a stirrup portion;
- and
- a separable second clasp element adapted for attaching to said second free end and having a hook-receiving portion to receive the hook of said first clasp element, a stirrup-receiving portion, a movable captive magnetic keeper, and a magnet;
- wherein said hook portion engages said hook-receiving portion, said stirrup engages said stirrup-receiving portion, said keeper engages said stirrup, and said magnet provides a biasing force to urge said keeper to a position wherein, by preventing said stirrup from disengaging from said stirrup-receiving portion, said keeper thereby prevents said hook from disengaging from said hook-receiving portion, the closure thereby securely holds said free ends together.
A closure for connecting a first and a second free end of a band as might be used as a strap on a wrist watch, said closure comprising:
- a first clasp element adapted for attachment to said first free end and comprising a box element comprising a hook-receiving portion proximal to said first free end and an end wall distal from said first free end;
- a separable second clasp element adapted for attachment to said second free end and comprising a hook portion distal from said second free end, said hook to be received by said first clasp element, a top cover wall, and a rear cover wall adjacent said
- second free end;
- a magnet;
- and a movable magnetic mechanical keeper movably retained by one said clasp element;
- wherein a biasing force from said magnet urges said keeper to a position in which said keeper participates in keeping said hook engaged with said hook-receiving portion to retain said clasp elements in an engaged condition by keeping said top cover wall sufficiently close to said box element to trap said box element between said hook portion and said rear cover wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.