IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,207,091

Granted Patent B2

US 7,207,091 · App. 11/145,020 · Granted Apr 24, 2007

Magnetic clasp apparatus

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,207,091
App. No.: 11/145,020
Granted: Apr 24, 2007
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A jewelry clasp with top and bottom sections, each section having a bore to receive a magnet, and each section having an interlocking surface on the perimeter of the bore. An eyelet is positioned on the perimeter of each section. The interlocking surfaces consist of mating camber protrusions that will lift and separate the top and bottom sections when the sections are rotated in one direction by the eyelets. One magnet is longer than the other to provide structural resistance to separation at the camber protrusions by opposing force exerted through the eyelets. In another embodiment, a steel tube is positioned in the bore of one section to encase the magnets to redirect magnetic flux and provide additional structural resistance against opposing force through the eyelets. Additional steel shielding can be used to reduce magnetic flux emanating from the clasp. Neodymium magnets coated with gold or silver are preferred.

Claims (136)

1. A clasp for securing two ends of an elongated item, the clasp comprising:

a first clasp member, said first clasp member having a first bore configured to receive a magnet, said first clasp member having a first interface surface circumscribing said first bore;

a second clasp member, said second clasp member having a second bore configured to receive a magnet, said second clasp member having a second interface surface circumscribing said second bore;

a first magnet positioned in said first bore and coupled to said first clasp member;

wherein said second clasp member is configured to be magnetically attracted to said first magnet;

wherein said first interface surface and said second interface surface have mating profiles; and

wherein rotation of said first clasp member with respect to said second clasp member in a first direction decreases magnetic attractive forces between said first clasp member and said second clasp member and provides for separation of said clasp members;

wherein said first interface surface includes at least one cambered protrusion that mates with a complementary recess in said second interface surface;

wherein said first magnet has first and second ends; and

wherein said first magnet is positioned within said first bore and securedly attached at said first end to said first clasp member; and

a second magnet having first and second ends;

wherein said second magnet is positioned within said second bore and securedly attached at said first end to said second clasp member; and

wherein said second end of said first magnet is positioned at or above the lowest point of said cambered protrusions on said first clasp member and said second end of said second magnet is positioned at or below the highest point of said cambered protrusions on said second clasp member.

2. A clasp for securing two ends of an elongated item, the clasp comprising:

a first clasp member, said first clasp member having a first bore configured to receive a magnet, said first clasp member having a first interface surface circumscribing said first bore;

a second clasp member, said second clasp member having a second bore configured to receive a magnet, said second clasp member having a second interface surface circumscribing said second bore;

a first magnet positioned in said first bore and coupled to said first clasp member;

wherein said second clasp member is configured to be magnetically attracted to said first magnet;

wherein said first interface surface and said second interface surface have mating profiles; and

wherein said first interface surface includes at least one cambered protrusion that mates with a complementary recess in said second interface surface; and

wherein said first interface surface includes three cambered protrusions that mate with complementary recesses between three cambered protrusions in said second interface surface.

3. A clasp as recited in claim 2 , further comprising: at least one eyelet coupled to an outer surface of said first clasp member; and at least one eyelet coupled to an outer surface of said second clasp member.

4. A clasp as recited in claim 3 :

wherein said first interface surface includes one or more cambered protrusions;

wherein said second interface surface includes one or more cambered protrusions;

wherein said number of cambered protrusions on said first and second interface surfaces are identical; and

wherein the position of said cambered protrusions in said first interface surface relative to said first eyelet is identical to the position of said cambered protrusions in said second interface surface relative to said second eyelet.

5. A clasp as recited in claim 2 , wherein said first and second interface surfaces include one or more stops configured to restrict rotation of said first clasp member with respect to said second clasp member.

6. A clasp as recited in claim 2 , wherein said first and second clasp members comprise a material having no magnetic properties.

7. A clasp as recited in claim 2 , wherein said first and second clasp members comprise a material selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, bronze, aluminum, stainless steel and precious metals.

8. A clasp as recited in claim 2 ;

wherein said first magnet has first and second ends;

wherein said first magnet is positioned within said first bore and securedly attached at said first end to said first clasp member.

9. A clasp as recited in claim 8 , further comprising:

a second magnet having first and second ends;

wherein said second magnet is positioned within said second bore and securedly attached at said first end to said second clasp member.

10. A clasp as recited in claim 9 , wherein at least one of the magnets comprises a neodymium magnet.

11. A clasp as recited in claim 9 , wherein said first and second magnets are coated with a precious metal.

12. A clasp as recited in claim 9 , wherein said second end of said first magnet is positioned at or above the lowest point of said cambered protrusions on said first clasp member and said second end of said second magnet is positioned at or below the highest point of said cambered protrusions on said second clasp member.

13. A clasp as recited in claim 9 , further comprising:

a tube securedly attached inside the bore of said first clasp member, said tube having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of said first and second magnets;

wherein the length of said tube is sized to encompass at least a portion of both first and second magnets when said first interface surface contacts said second interface surface.

14. A clasp as recited in claim 13 , wherein said tube comprises a material selected to redirect the magnetic flux toward a north-south polar axis of said first and second magnets.

15. A clasp as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:

a first disc coupled between said first clasp member and said first magnet;

a second disc coupled between said second clasp member and said second magnet;

wherein said first and second discs and said tube form a chamber enclosing said first and second magnets when said first and second clasp members are joined.

16. A clasp as recited in claim 15 , wherein said first and second discs and said tube comprise steel.

17. A clasp as recited in claim 16 , wherein at least one of said magnets comprises a neodymium magnet.

18. A clasp for securing two ends of an elongated item, the clasp comprising:

a first clasp member having a first interface surface;

a second clasp member having a second interface surface;

means for magnetically securing said first clasp member to said second clasp member when said first interface surface is in contact with said second interface surface; and

means for separating said first interface surface with respect to said second interface surface when said first member is rotated with respect to said second member, thereby releasing said means for magnetically securing said first clasp member to said second clasp member;

wherein said means for magnetically securing comprises:

a first magnet having first and second ends;

wherein said first magnet is securedly attached at said first end to the first clasp member; and

a second magnet having first and second ends;

wherein said second magnet is securedly attached at said first end to the second clasp member;

wherein at least one of the magnets comprises a neodymium magnet;

wherein said first and second magnets are coated with gold or silver;

wherein said first interface surface comprises at least one cambered protrusion that mates with the same number of complementary recesses formed between cambered protrusions in the second interface surface;

wherein said second end of said first magnet is positioned at or above the lowest point of said cambered protrusions on said first clasp member; and

wherein said second end of said second magnet is positioned at or below the highest point of said cambered protrusions on said second clasp member.

19. A clasp for securing two ends of an elongated item, the clasp comprising:

a first clasp member having a first interface surface;

a second clasp member having a second interface surface;

means for magnetically securing said first clasp member to said second clasp member when said first interface surface is in contact with said second interface surface;

wherein said means for magnetically securing comprises:

a first magnet having first and second ends;

wherein said first magnet is securedly attached at said first end to the first clasp member;

a second magnet having first and second ends;

wherein said second magnet is securedly attached at said first end to the second clasp member; and

a tube securedly attached to said first clasp member, said tube having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of said first and second magnets;

wherein the length of said tube is sized to encompass at least a portion of both said first and second magnets when said first interface surface is in contact with said second interface surface.

20. A clasp as recited in claim 19 , wherein said tube comprises a material selected to redirect the magnetic flux toward a north-south polar axis of said first and second magnets.

21. A clasp as recited in claim 20 , further comprising:

a first disc coupled between said first clasp member and said first magnet;

a second disc coupled between said second clasp member and said second magnet;

wherein said first and second discs and said tube form a chamber enclosing said first and second magnets when said first and second clasp members are joined.

22. A clasp as recited in claim 21 , wherein said first and second discs and said tube comprise a material having magnetic properties.

23. A clasp for securing two ends of an elongated item, the clasp comprising:

a first clasp member, said first clasp member having a first bore configured to receive a magnet, said first clasp member having a first interface surface circumscribing said first bore;

a second clasp member, said second clasp member having a second bore configured to receive a magnet, said second clasp member having a second interface surface circumscribing said second bore;

a first magnet positioned in said first bore and coupled to said first clasp member;

a second magnet positioned in said second bore and coupled to said second clasp member;

at least one eyelet coupled to an outer surface of said first clasp member; and

at least one eyelet coupled to an outer surface of said second clasp member;

wherein said second magnet is configured to be magnetically attracted to said first magnet;

wherein said first interface surface and said second interface surface have mating profiles;

wherein said first interface surface includes one or more cambered protrusions;

wherein said second interface surface includes one or more cambered protrusions;

wherein said number of cambered protrusions on said first and second interface surfaces are identical; and

24. A clasp as recited in claim 23 , wherein said first interface surface includes three cambered protrusions that mate with complementary recesses between three cambered protrusions in said second interface surface.

25. A clasp as recited in claim 24 , wherein said first and second interface surfaces include one or more stops configured to restrict rotation of said first clasp member with respect to said second clasp member.

26. A clasp for securing two ends of an elongated item, the clasp comprising:

a first clasp member, said first clasp member having a first bore configured to receive a magnet, said first clasp member having a first interface surface circumscribing said first bore;

a second clasp member, said second clasp member having a second bore configured to receive a magnet, said second clasp member having a second interface surface circumscribing said second bore;

a first magnet positioned in said first bore and coupled to said first clasp member;

a second magnet positioned in said second bore and coupled to said second clasp member; and

a tube securedly attached inside the bore of said first clasp member, said tube having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of said first and second magnets;

wherein said second magnet is configured to be magnetically attracted to said first magnet;

wherein said first interface surface and said second interface surface have mating profiles;

wherein the length of said tube is sized to encompass at least a portion of both first and second magnets when said first interface surface contacts said second interface surface.

27. A clasp as recited in claim 26 , wherein said tube comprises a material selected to redirect the magnetic flux toward a north-south polar axis of said first and second magnets.

28. A clasp as recited in claim 26 , further comprising:

a first disc coupled between said first clasp member and said first magnet;

a second disc coupled between said second clasp member and said second magnet;

wherein said first and second discs and said tube form a chamber enclosing said first and second magnets when said first and second clasp members are joined.

29. A clasp as recited in claim 28 , wherein said first and second discs and said tube comprise steel.

30. A clasp for securing two ends of an elongated item, the clasp comprising:

a first clasp member, said first clasp member having a first bore configured to receive a magnet, said first clasp member having a first interface surface circumscribing said first bore;

a second clasp member, said second clasp member having a second bore configured to receive a magnet, said second clasp member having a second interface surface circumscribing said second bore;

a first magnet positioned in said first bore and coupled to said first clasp member;

wherein said second clasp member is configured to be magnetically attracted to said first magnet;

wherein said first interface surface and said second interface surface have mating profiles; and

wherein said first interface surface includes at least one cambered protrusion that mates with a complementary recess in said second interface surface;

wherein said first magnet has first and second ends; and

wherein said first magnet is positioned within said first bore and securedly attached at said first end to said first clasp member;

a second magnet having first and second ends;

wherein said second magnet is positioned within said second bore and securedly attached at said first end to said second clasp member; and

a tube securedly attached inside the bore of said first clasp member, said tube having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of said first and second magnets;

wherein the length of said tube is sized to encompass at least a portion of both first and second magnets when said first interface surface contacts said second interface surface.

31. A clasp as recited in claim 30 , wherein said tube comprises a material selected to redirect the magnetic flux toward a north-south polar axis of said first and second magnets.

32. A clasp as recited in claim 30 , further comprising:

a first disc coupled between said first clasp member and said first magnet;

a second disc coupled between said second clasp member and said second magnet;

wherein said first and second discs and said tube form a chamber enclosing said first and second magnets when said first and second clasp members are joined.

33. A clasp as recited in claim 32 , wherein said first and second discs and said tube comprise steel.

34. A clasp as recited in claim 33 , wherein at least one of said magnets comprises a neodymium magnet.

Continuity (2)

Provisional Application 6057742600 · Jun 4, 2004

Related Publication 20050278903A1 · Dec 22, 2005