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US 7,503,187 B2Granted
Connecting devices, interchangeable members, and methods for connecting the same
AssigneeSpectrum Gems, Inc.
InventorDana Richardson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clasp for releasably fastening two objects is disclosed. The clasp includes a male member and a female member. The female member includes a displaceable member that is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the displaceable member precludes insertion of the male member into or removal of the male member from the female member. In the second position, the male member may be inserted into or removed from the female member. Alternatively, the clasp may include two objects that each contain both male and female parts.
Claims20
A connecting device for a jewelry piece, comprising:
- a male member and a female member, at least one of the male member and the female member comprising a jewelry component;
- wherein the male member comprises a first section and a larger second section;
- and
- wherein the female member comprises:
- a main body having at least one hollow portion, an outer wall, and an exterior surface;
- at least one aperture formed through a portion of the outer wall, the at least one aperture comprising:
- a first portion sized to preclude passage of the larger second section and to allow passage of the first section of the male member therethrough;
- and
- a second larger portion continuous with the first portion and sized to allow passage of the first section and the larger second section of the male member therethrough;
- a biasing element receiving member disposed within the main body of the female member;
- a displaceable aperture sealing member having a first portion disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the main body and a second portion disposed within the main body of the female member, the displaceable aperture sealing member being movable between a first position in which the first portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member at least partially covers the second larger portion of the at least one aperture, and a second position in which the second larger portion of the at least one aperture is exposed;
- and
- a biasing member bearing against each of the second portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member and the biasing element receiving member and biasing the displaceable aperture sealing member toward the first position.
10 more elements
An article of manufacture comprising a plurality of reversibly connected components, each component comprising:
- a main body having at least one hollow portion, an outer wall, and an exterior surface, at least one aperture formed through the outer wall, the at least one aperture comprising a first portion;
- and a second larger portion continuous with the first portion;
- a displaceable aperture sealing member adjacent the exterior surface of the main body, the displaceable aperture sealing member being movable between a first position, at least partially covering the second larger portion of the at least one aperture, and a second position exposing the second larger portion of the at least one aperture;
- a rod extending from the exterior surface of the main body, the rod being disposed on a side of the main body generally opposite the first portion of the at least one aperture;
- and
- an enlarged member formed on an end of the rod distant to the main body.
3 more elements
A method of removably securing together two members of an article of jewelry, the method comprising:
- providing a first member comprising:
- a rod extending from a main body of the first member;
- and
- a retaining member formed on an end of the rod opposite the main body of the first member;
- providing a second member comprising:
- a main body having at least one hollow portion, an outer wall, and an exterior surface;
- at least one aperture formed through the outer wall, the at least one aperture comprising:
- a first portion sized to preclude passage of the retaining member but to allow passage of the rod of the first member therethrough;
- and
- a second larger portion continuous with the first portion and sized to allow passage of the retaining member and the rod therethrough;
- a biasing element receiving member disposed within the main body of the second member;
- a displaceable aperture sealing member having a first portion adjacent the exterior surface of the main body of the second member and a second portion within the main body of the second member, the displaceable aperture sealing member being movable between a first position in which the first portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member at least partially covers the second larger portion of the at least one aperture, and a second position in which the second larger portion of the at least one aperture is exposed;
- and
- a biasing member applying a force on each of the second portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member and the biasing element receiving member and biasing the displaceable aperture sealing member toward the first position;
- wherein at least one of the first member and the second member comprises a jewelry component;
- positioning the displaceable aperture sealing member in the second position;
- inserting the retaining member of the first member through the second larger portion of the at least one aperture;
- moving the first member relative to the second member until the rod of the first member extends through the first portion of the at least one aperture and the retaining member is disposed inside the main body of the second member;
- and
- positioning the displaceable aperture sealing member in the first position, thereby precluding the retaining member from passing through the second larger portion of the at least one aperture to the exterior of the main body of the second member.
17 more elements
A connecting device for a piece of jewelry, comprising:
- a male member comprising a first section and a larger second section;
- and
- a female member comprising:
- a main body having at least one hollow portion, an outer wall, and an exterior surface, wherein the main body comprises a component of a jewelry piece selected from the group consisting of a bracelet, a necklace, an earring, and a pendant;
- at least one aperture formed through a portion of the outer wall, the at least one aperture comprising:
- a first portion sized to preclude passage of the larger second section and to allow passage of the first section of the male member therethrough;
- and
- a second larger portion continuous with the first portion and sized to allow passage of the first section and the larger second section of the male member therethrough;
- and
- a tubular member disposed within the main body of the female member;
- a displaceable aperture sealing member having a first portion adjacent the exterior surface of the main body and a second portion disposed within the main body of the female member, the second portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member cooperating with and moveable relative to the tubular member, the displaceable aperture sealing member being movable between a first position in which the first portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member at least partially covers the second larger portion of the at least one aperture, and a second position in which the second larger portion of the at least one aperture is exposed;
- and
- a spring at least partially disposed within the tubular member, the spring bearing against the second portion of the displaceable aperture sealing member and biasing the displaceable aperture sealing member toward the first position.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.