Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof – Including member having distinct formations and mating...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-21
2001-06-12
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Including member having distinct formations and mating...
C070S459000, C059S085000, C063S003100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243929
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a joiner and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a joiner for attaching chains together, especially jewellery.
BACKGROUND ART
In the jewellery trade it is necessary to join the ends of the chain, bracelet or similar device together or add other attachments thereto. Typical of the joiners used are parrot clasps, bolt rings and jump rings.
Jump rings are split rings where the free ends are pressed together to close the gap between the free ends. Jump rings can be stretched over time allowing the gap to open and the chain to slip out.
Parrot clasps have a pivotal latch at one end and a jump ring threading bore on the main body at the other end. The parrot clasp has the disadvantages of greater cost, complicated assembly, weakness of the jump ring and accidental opening of the pivotal latch.
Bolt rings have a hollow ring with a slideable gate within the ring. They usually include a ring soldered to the hollow ring. The soldered ring is a point of weakness as is the slideable gate.
All of these devices suffer from a strength problem in that a sharp tug on the chain may cause the device to fail and allow the chain to be disconnected. Such a disconnection may result in loss of the chain.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a joiner, which is stronger than the above mentioned devices.
A further object of the invention is to provide a joiner that is simple to attach and requires no soldering or special tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With this and other objects in view the present invention provides a joiner for attaching items together, said joiner including a ring-like member having first and second ends to be linked to one another, said first end having a tubular section for reception therein of said second end, and a latching means to lock said first and second ends together.
PREFERRED ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION
Preferably said latching means includes a notch in said joiner adjacent said second end and a lug on said tubular section which cooperates with said notch to prevent withdrawal of said second end from said tubular section.
In a preferred embodiment said lug is attached to said tubular section and is adapted to be pushed through a slot in said tubular section to be located in said notch.
Preferably the exterior contour of said lug matches the exterior contour of said tubular section to provide a smooth surface when said lug is located in said notch.
In a further practical embodiment said joiner may be circular, elliptical or oval in shape in its latched position. However, in the most preferred embodiment, the joiner is oval in shape in its latched position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 195940 (1877-10-01), Martin
patent: 309162 (1884-12-01), Pusheck
patent: 320792 (1885-06-01), Jopson
patent: 755473 (1904-03-01), Erb, Jr.
patent: 2856661 (1958-10-01), Holl
patent: 3427823 (1969-02-01), Musillo
patent: 3877250 (1975-04-01), Musillo
patent: 5628095 (1997-05-01), Appel et al.
patent: 25 13 985 (1976-10-01), None
patent: 275822 A1 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 1222724 (1971-02-01), None
Sandy Robert J.
Sandy Robert J.
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