United States Patent (19) 11, 3,950,828

Szamborski 45 Apr. 20, 1976

(54) CHAIN CLASP 1,635,975 7|1927 Nardin.................................. 24/232
1,737,481 l if 1929 Rabb..................................... 24/232
(75) Inventor: Edmund Szamborski, Scarsdale,
N.Y. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
Assignee: American Gold Chain Company, 41,785 8/1925 Norway................................. 24/232
73
Inc., Blauvelt, N.Y.
Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin
22 Filed: Feb. 3, 1975 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Salter & Michaelson
(21) Appl. No.: 546,827
(57) ABSTRACT
52) U.S. C. ......................... 24/232 R; 24/241 CH; A chain clasp having a base member on which a lock
24/241 S member is pivotally mounted, an opening being
51 int. Cl’.......................................... A44B 13/00 formed in the base member with which a space com
(58) Field of Search........ 24/201 BN, 73 CE, 156 P, municates that provides exterior access to said open
24/157 P, 230.5 CR, 232, 241 CH, 241 S, ing and thereby provides for mounting of a free end of
241 PL, 241 P, 241 SP, 248 F the chain on said base member, the lock member
being pivotally movable relative to the base member
56 References Cited into overlying relation therewith for sealing communi
UNITED STATES PATENTS cation between the space and opening and thereby
1,062,457 5/1913 Hadley..................... 24/241 PLUX locking the free end of the chain on the base member.
1,264,676 4/98 Morgan................................. 24/232 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures
1,491,240 4/1924 Johnston............................... 24/232

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U.S. Patent April 20, 1976 3,950,828

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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clasp embodied in
CHAIN CLASP the present invention as shown in the closed position
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
thereof,
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;
The present invention relates to a clasp for ornamen FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof,
tal chain that interconnects the ends of the ornamental FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof;
chain when the chain is placed around the neck or wrist FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in
of a wearer. FIG. 2;
Various kinds of clasps have been utilized heretofore FIG. 6 is a view similar. to FIG. 4, but showing the
for interconnecting the ends of ornamental chain, and 10 lock member in the open position thereof; and
the usual construction was the spring ring, which in FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in
cluded a spring urged plunger that was moved to an FIG. 3.
open position for receiving a jump ring that was at DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
tached to the free end of the chain. Although this kind 15 Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIG.
of clasp has been in use for many years, it is sometimes 1, the clasp embodied in the present invention is illus
difficult to obtain because of material shortages, and trated and is generally indicated at 10. The clasp 10 is
furthermore has been objectionable in some respects intended for attachment to the end of an ornamental
because of the difficulty in manipulating the spring chain, an end link 12 being illustrated as the end of the
plunger when the clasp is opened. Further, the spring 20 chain that is permanently attached to the clasp 10. An
ring is not very ornamental in appearance and did not opposite end link 14 is attached to the free end of the
add anything of ornamental significance to the bracelet chain and is intended to be releasably connected to the
or chain with which it was used. clasp 10 as will be described.
Various other kinds of clasps have been employed As more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the clasp
over a period of time with jewelry articles such as orna 25 10 includes a base member generally indicated at 16 to
mental bracelets, chains and necklaces; but in most which a lock member generally indicated at 18 is pivot
instances, these heretofore known clasps were compli ally connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the endlink 14 of
cated in structure, which necessarily increased the cost the chain is releasably attached to the base member 16;
thereof, and oftentimes were somewhat awkward in use and, as will be described, upon pivotal movement of the
and therefore were not acceptable by the user. 30 lock member 18 relative to the base member 16, the
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION chain may be removed from the locked position on the
base member by disengagement of the end link 14
The present invention relates to a unique clasp con therefrom. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the base
struction for an ornamental chain, wherein the clasp is member 16 is preferably formed of flat stock and in
permanently attached to one end of the chain, the free 35 cludes a main or central body portion 20 to which end
end of the chain being releasably attached to the clasp portions 22 and 24 are integrally joined. The main or
when the chain is placed around the neck or wrist of central portion 20 has a generally round configuration
the wearer. The clasp as embodied in the subject inven and is formed with central opening 26 therein that in
tion includes a base member having a central portion in effect forms the central portion in a curved marginal
which an opening is formed. The fixed end of the chain 40 strip. A section is cut out from the marginal strip or
is permanently connected to an end portion of the base central portion 20 to form a space 28 that communi
member, and a section of the central portion is cut cates with the opening 26. As shown more clearly in
away at the periphery thereof to form an exposed hook FIG. 6, the space 28 defines an exposed lug or hook 30
or lug over which the free end of the chain is threaded over which the ring 14 is threaded in the mounting
45 thereof on the base member 16.
for the attachment thereof to the base member. A lock
member is pivotally mounted on the base member and Formed in the end portion 22 is a slot 32 that com
is movable from an open position to a closed position, municates with the opening 26 and that is shaped to
receive the link 14 when it is threaded over the hook 30
wherein the central opening in the base member and in the connection of the chain to the clasp 10. Joined to
the cut-out section communicating therewith are 50 the end portion 22 and formed as a part thereof in
sealed to lock the free end of the chain on the base overlying relation is a U-shaped element 34, the ends of
member. which face inwardly and define shoulders 36 and 38
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention that provide for locating of the lock member 18 in the
to provide a clasp for an ornamental chain having a closed position thereof. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6,
base member to which the free end of the chain is 55 the shoulder 38 extends inwardly more than the shoul
releasably attached, the clasp further including a lock der 36, the purpose of which will be described hereinaf
member that is pivotally mounted on the base member ter. The other end portion 24 of the base member 16
and that is movable into overlying relation therewith to has a generally circular configuration in which an open
lock the free end of the chain on the base member. ing 40 is formed centrally thereof.
Other objects, features and advantages of the inven 60 The lock member 18 includes a main body 42 that is
tion shall become apparent as the description thereof imperforate and that is preferably formed of a flat stock
proceeds when considered in connection with the ac so as to be slidably movable into overlying relation with
companying illustrative drawings. respect to the central portion 20 of the base member
16. Joined integrally to the body 42 of the lock member
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 65 18 is an extension 44 that also has a generally circular
configuration that corresponds generally to that of the
In the drawings which illustrate the best mode pres
ently contemplated for carrying out the present inven end portion 24 of the base member 16. An opening 46
tion: is formed in the extension 44 and a suitable rivet 47
 3,950,828
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extends through the openings 40 and 46 of the base cations and rearrangements of the parts may be made
member 16 and lock member 18, respectively, to without departing from the spirit and scope of the un
mount the lock member or pivotal movement with derlying inventive concept and that the same is not
respect to the base member. limited to the particular forms herein shown and de
Integrally joined to the body 42 of the lock member scribed except insofar as indicated by the scope of the
18 and extending outwardly therefrom is a tab 48 that appended claims.
defines a finger grip for pivotally moving the lock mem What is claimed is:
ber 18 to and from the open and closed positions 1. A clasp for an ornamental chain, comprising a base
thereof. As more clearly illustrated in FIG. 6, a protu member having a central portion to which end portions
berance 50 is formed on the peripheral edge of the O
are joined, one end of said chain being permanently
body 42 of the lock member 18 that is opposite to the connected to an end portion, said central portion hav
extension 44 and defines a locking cam for locating the ing an opening formed therein that defines a marginal
lock member in the closed position thereof. As further edge, a portion of which is cut out to form a space, the
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, a detent 52 is formed on portion of said marginal edge adjacent to said space
the underside of the protuberance 50 and also acts to 5
defining a hook on which the other end of said chain is
locate the lock member 18 in the proper oriented lock releasably received for interconnecting the other end
ing position relative to the base member 16 when the of the chain to said base member, and a lock member
free end of the chain is attached to the clasp. including a main body to which an extension is joined,
Prior to use of the clasp 10, the end ring 12 is joined said extension being pivotally connected to said base
thereto by location of the end ring 12 in the openings 20
member at an end portion thereof so that the pivot
40 and 46 as formed in the base member 16 and lock connection is offset with respect to the axis of said
member 18, respectively. One end of the chain to central portion, said lock member being pivotally mov
which the ring 12 is attached is thereby permanently able from an open position, wherein the main body of
secured to the clasp 10. When it is desired to locate the the lock member is offset with respect to the central
chain around the neck or wrist of a wearer, the lock 25
member 18 is moved to the open position thereof by portion of the base member and the opening in said
pivotal movement thereof to that position illustrated in central portion and the space in the marginal portion
FIG. 6. This is accomplished by the user grasping or thereof are exposed, to a closed position, wherein the
engaging the tab 48 with her finger and urging the lock main body of the lock member is locatable in overlying
member 18 outwardly in a pivotal movement until the 30 relation with respect to said opening in the base mem
body 42 of the lock member clears the space 28 as ber and space formed in the marginal edge thereof for
formed in the marginal strip of the central portion 20 of preventing exterior access to the space, and thereby
the base member 16 and also clears the slot 32. With locking the other end of said chain to said base mem
ber.
the space 28 and slot 32 exposed, the jump ring 14 of 2. A clasp as claimed in claim 1, the other end por
the free end of the chain is threaded over the lug or 35
hook 30 and is moved into the slot 32 as formed in the tion joined to said central portion having a slot formed
end portion 22 to attach the other end of the chain to therein that communicates with the opening in said
the clasp. The ring 14 is locked in place in the slot 32 central portion, the slot in the other end portion being
by returning the lock member 18 to the closed position exposed when said lock member is in the closed posi
thereof, wherein the space 28 and the opening 26 are 40 tion to provide a space for interconnection of the other
concealed as illustrated in FIG. 4. As the lock member end of said chain therein.
18 moves to the closed position thereof, the detent 52 3. A clasp as claimed in claim 2, said base member
engages the outer edge of the central portion 20 ap and lock member being formed of relatively flat stock.
proximately at the junction thereof with the end por 4. A clasp as claimed in claim 2, means formed on
tion 22, and is formed thereover to place the lock mem 45 said lock member for positively locating said lock
ber under tension as it moves to the closed position. As member in the closed position thereof.
the detent 52 clears the central portion 20 and snaps 5. A clasp as claimed in claim 4, said locating means
into the slot 322, the protuberance 50 also moves into including a detent formed on said lock member that is
the slot 32 and between the shoulders 36, 38 as illus receivable in the slot in the other end portion when said
trated in FIG. 4. Since the shoulder 38 extends some 50 locking member is moved to the closed position
what beyond the shoulder 36, it is engaged by the pro thereof.
tuberance 50 and defines a stop that prevents the lock 6. A clasp in claimed in claim 4, spaced shoulders
member from moving beyond the closed position. The formed on said other end portion adjacent to the slot
shoulder 36 also acts to frictionally engage the periph formed therein, said lock member having a cam edge
eral edge of the lock member 18 adjacent to the protu 55 that is receivable between said shoulders when the lock
berance 50 and thereby cooperates with the shoulder member is moved to the closed position thereof.
38 to positively position the lock member in the closed 7. A clasp as claimed in claim 4, a tab joined to said
position thereof. It is understood, that when the chain is lock member and projecting outwardly therefrom and
to be disengaged from the clasp 10, the lock member defining a finger grip for pivotally moving said lock
18 moved to the open position thereof as illustrated in 60 member to and from the open and closed positions
FIG. 6 by grasping the tab 48 and urging the lock mem thereof.
ber in a pivotal movement to expose the opening 26, 8. A clasp as claimed in claim 1, the central portion
space 28 and slot 32. The ring 14 may then be slid of said lock member having a generally circular config
outwardly over the hook 30 to release the free end of 65 uration and the opening therein being formed centrally
the chain from the clasp 10. thereof, the main body of said lock member having a
While there is shown and described herein certain generally circular configuration that conforms substan
specific structure embodying the invention, it will be tially to that of the base member when the lock mem
manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifi ber is in the closed position thereof.
 3,950,828
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9. A clasp as claimed in claim 8, the extension as formed in the marginal edge thereof for preventing
joined to the main body of said lock member corre exterior access to the space, and thereby locking the
sponding generally with respect to the configuration of other end of said chain to said base member, the other
the end portion of said base member to which it is end portion joined to said central portion having a slot
joined. formed therein that communicates with the opening in
10. A clasp for an ornamental chain, comprising a said central portion, the slot in the other end portion
base member having a central portion to which end being exposed when said lock member is in the closed
portions are joined, one end of said chain being perma position to provide a space for interconnection of the
nently connected to an end portion, said central por other end of said chain therein, means formed on said
tion having an opening formed therein that defines a O lock member for positively locating said lock member
marginal edge, a portion of which is cut out to form a in the closed position thereof, spaced shoulders formed
space, the portion of said marginal edge adjacent to on said other end portion adjacent to the slot formed
said space defining a hook on which the other end of therein, said lock member having a cam edge that is
said chain is releasably received for interconnecting the 5 receivable between said shoulders when the lock mem
other end of the chain to said base member, and a lock ber is moved to the closed position thereof, one of said
member pivotally connected to said base member at an shoulders projecting more inwardly toward the central
end portion thereof, said lock member being pivotally portion of the base member than the other and forming
movable from an open position, wherein the opening in a stop against which the cam edge is engaged in the
said central portion and the space in the marginal por 20 closed position of the lock member and which prevents
tion thereof are exposed, to a closed position, wherein further pivotal movement of the lock member therebe
the lock member is locatable in overlying relation with yond. ck k -k sk sk
respect to said opening in the base member and space
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