US2637887A - Magnetic jewelry clasp - Google Patents

Description

y 2, 1953 J. GOODMAN ETAL 2,637,887

MAGNETIC JEWELRY CLASP Filed July 21, 1950 inventors Jar-mm: EGDD'MAN. 8 ARNOLD EEILDMAN g (Incl-neg Patented May 12, 1953 MAGNETIC JEWELRY CLASP Jerome Goodman and Arnold Goldman, Philadelphia, Pa.; said Goldman assignor to said Good-.

man

Application July 21, 1950, Serial No. 17 5,235

2 Claims.

Our invention relates to a jewelry clasp and relates particularly to a jewelry clasp utilizing th attractive force of a, magnetic material.

In the past, it has been customary to use clas-ps for jewelry consisting of a plurality of small mechanical parts which were weak in structure. These clasps had the obvious disadvantages of being subject to failure under accidental rough handling and difficult, if not impossible, to repair when broken, as well as being difficult to fasten and unfasten because of the smallness of the engaging parts.

It, therefore, is an object of our invention to provide a jewelry clasp which utilizes the attractive force of permanent magnetic material to secure the engaging parts together.

Another object of our invention is to provide a permanent magnetic jewelry clasp which is simple to fasten and unfasten.

Another object of our invention is to provide a permanent magnetic jewelry clasp which if accidentally sprung open will not suffer any illefiects.

Another object of our invention is to provide a permanent magnetic jewelry clasp which may be readily engraved, or combined with a stone or stones, to enhance its appearance.

Other objects of our invention are to provide an improved jewelry clasp, simple and sturdy in construction, easily and economically produced,

and which is highly efficient in use.

With the above and related objects in view, our invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of our invention as used in connection with a bracelet and/or necklace.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the various parts of a permanent magnetic clasp embodying our invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the elements comprising another embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled elements of the permanent magnetic clasp of Fig. 4.

Fig. c is a perspective view of the elements of our clasp in a closed position.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l! of Fig. 6.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawing wherein similar reference characters are used to denote similar parts, we show a permanent magnetic jewelry clasp, generally designated as A, with a piece of jewelry, generally designated as B, attached thereto.

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the clasp A comprises a magnetic material receptacle [0 having a hollow interior i2 defined by an upraised wall IZA and 1213. The wall [2A is slightly lower than the wall [213, each Wall travels approximately one-half way around the periphery of the receptacle H). The wall IZB is in symmetrical relation to the wall IZA. A permanent magnet it having a centrally positioned bore l6 therethrough is inserted and secured by a suitable means in the hollow interior i2. The magnet I4 is of such thickness that its top plane is even with the uppermost portion of the wall IZA, and is of such length that it only fills the hollow interior i2 on the side opposite the wall IZB, thus reducing the weight of the clasp A. A plate or magnetic keeper l8 conforming to the size and shape of the magnet I4 is provided with a small centrally positioned pin 20 tointerfit with the bore 16. In use the magnet It holds the plate or keeper [8 securely to itself while the pin 2|] within the bore 16 holds the plate from sliding along the magnet and thus coming apart. One end of a piece of jewelry B is permanently attached to the wall IZB by any suitable means such as welding, soldering or brazing so the empty portion of the receptacle is completely covered and then the complementary end of the piece of jewelry B is permanently attached to the plate or keeper [8. To insure a neat joint 22 the plate or keeper It should be in engagement with the permanent magnet l4 when the markings for securing the jewelry B to the plate or keeper it are made.

While only a straight joint 22 is illustrated, it is readily apparent, that any configuration of joint may be fitted easily together with the exercise of reasonable care.

The magnetic clasp A is easily and readily secured by placing the keeper pin 26 within the bore IS in the magnet whereafter the clasp A secures itself by the permanent magnet l4 exert ing an attractive force upon the plate or keeper I8. To open the clasp A is a simple matter involving only the holding of one end of the jewelry B while the other end is lifted away against the attractive force of the magnet l4.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of our invention having a permanent magnetic material receptacle 10A, a hollow interior which is of slightly smaller size but identical con: figuration than the receptacle IUA so it can rest within and against the wall IZFto: limit. the

slidable movement of the plate or keeper 18A in one plane. The joining oftliegjeweiry 33 i-tot'the receptacle IDA and keeper IBAmay'be d'one in'a conventional manner by means of the eyes 24A and 24B, respectively. We ha'veround thisvem;

bodiment of our invention very satisfactory for necklaces, chains, and other jewelry of this type.

A jewelry stone or stones 26 may be mounted upon theplate or keeper A to enhance the appearance of themat'ch: A4 3 From thee-foregoing description; i it is readily apparent that our irrventiorr is: easily 3. readily operable and should it he accidentally: separated there w-ill beno =il lefi eots to th'e 'clasp as the attractive ior-ee of the magnetwi l-l not-be impaired; It is also apparent that-ourinvention lends: itself'to modifications which haVe-notheen described but whichl rall' within the spirit of the inventions Although our invention has-.1 been described 'in considerable detail, such description is-rne-rely meant Ltob'eillustrative rather than limiting, as our invention quay be variously -ernbodied; and the scopeof the invention "is to be determined -as-"claimed-.-

We--claim as our invention? 1'. In amagnetiea'jewelry clasp;- a magnet -retaining member having-a-bottom and an-upwardly extending wall, saidwall provided with araised edge subtantiall-y over -one-ha'h of its periphery; saidraisede'dge being symmetrically disposed to the remainderpfsai'd' wallg apermanen't magnet secured wi thin said well and to 4 said bottom, said magnet having a centrally positioned bore extending therethrough, and a magnetic keeper of substantially the same size and configuration as said magnet provided with a centrally positioned pin to engage said bore, said keeper being of substantially the same thickness asv the raised edge portion of the wall and being secured by the attractive forceor said magnet to said magnet in covering relation to the portion of the retainer in which the magnet fits, said pin fitting within said bore preventingjslidin-giof said keeper from said magnet, and a piece of jewelry having one end permanently attached "to the raised edge portion of the wall 'in' coveringrelation to the empty portion of the retaining member, the other end of said jewelry being attached to. said keeper in covering relation thereto.

2'; Linear jewelry, and a clasp for releasably securing ends of the jewelry together comprising a: hox-likehousing secured'to one end of the jewelry and having" a bottom and upstanding walls,- said' walls havingportions offset vertical-hr toformhigh'and low-portions, a permanent magnetmounted in sa-id'housing and having an upper faceirr the "plane ofupper'edges of the low-portions of the walls, and a metal plate mounted against theunder-faee of theother end of said jewelry and" constituting "a keep erapplicable'slidably to the upper edges'of the lowwa'll'. portions {for engagement" with said magnet and having abutting contact with shoulders formedbythe high wall portions; said plate bein'g of a thickness disposing outersurfaces of' the ends of the jewelry substantiallyifiush with each other.

' JEROME" GOODMAN? ARNOLD 'G'OLD'MAN.

References Citedin the-file ofthis patent- UN-ITED STATES- PATENTS Number Name Date 1,198,227 Hinchey Sept. 1.2, 1 916 2,47 5,573 Smitliet-al; July 5', I949 2583;031 Awedon: SeptrZT, 1949

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