Apparatus and method for connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said apparatus comprising in combination:
- a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having means for engaging said loop; and
a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body having a constant diameter throughout its entire length and a longitudinal bore extending therethrough to permit passage and house said ring member and said loop while each is connectively fastened to one another, said cylindrical body having a length extending the entire length of said clasp and completely enclosing said clasp while each is connectively fastened to one another.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for use in connecting and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, wherein the apparatus comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough for passage of a clasp comprised of a loop and a ring member having a latching mechanism slidably fitted thereto to engage a portion of the loop. The cylindrical body is fitted to and tighteningly stretched over and about the clasp to prevent unintentional twisting of the two ends within and about the clasp insofar to alleviate the occurrence of breakage thereat and to prevent entanglement of the clasp with the wearer'"'"'s hair. The cylindrical body is generally made from a pliable, translucent material to retain the overall aesthetic qualities and appearance of the article of jewelry as it is positioned over and about the clasp.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for use in connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said apparatus comprising in combination:
-
a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having means for engaging said loop; and
a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body having a constant diameter throughout its entire length and a longitudinal bore extending therethrough to permit passage and house said ring member and said loop while each is connectively fastened to one another, said cylindrical body having a length extending the entire length of said clasp and completely enclosing said clasp while each is connectively fastened to one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method of connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said method comprising the steps of:
-
supplying a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage and slidable movement of a spring loaded latching mechanism having attached thereto a handle to selectively open and close a portion of said ring member;
placing a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body having a constant diameter throughout its entire length onto and over said loop and inwardly sliding said cylindrical body toward the second end until a portion of said loop is left exposed;
connecting said ring member to said loop by slidably moving said handle along the outer periphery of said ring member to open a portion thereof for receiving and engaging the portion of said loop left exposed and releasing said handle to close said latching mechanism insofar to lock and secure said loop to said ring member; and
sliding said cylindrical body toward the first end and longitudinally over said ring member and said loop until each is completely enclosed and covered thereby. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage and slidable movement of a spring loaded latching mechanism having attached thereto a handle to selectively open and close a portion of said ring member;
fitting onto said loop a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body having a constant diameter throughout its entire length and being made from a material having translucent qualities so as to retain the overall aesthetics characteristics of the article of jewelry;
moving said cylindrical body inwardly toward the second end and longitudinally over said loop until a portion thereof is left exposed;
connecting said ring member to said loop by slidably moving said handle along the outer periphery of said ring member to open a portion thereof for receiving and engaging the portion of said loop left exposed and releasing said handle to close said latching mechanism insofar to lock and secure said loop to said ring member;
twistably rotating said cylindrical body about the longitudinal axis thereof to commence and ease the positioning of said cylindrical body over said clasp; and
continuing the action of rotating while slidably positioning said cylindrical body over said ring member and said loop until both are adequately covered thereby. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage and slidable movement of a spring loaded latching mechanism having attached thereto a handle to selectively open and close a portion of said ring member;
fitting onto said loop a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body made from a flexible, pliable material capable of withstanding permanent deformation after continued and sustained use and having translucent qualities so as to retain the overall aesthetics characteristics of the article of jewelry;
moving said cylindrical body inwardly toward the second end and longitudinally over said loop until a portion thereof is left exposed;
connecting said ring member to said loop by slidably moving said handle along the outer periphery of said ring member to open a portion thereof for receiving and engaging the portion of said loop left exposed and releasing said handle to close said latching mechanism insofar to lock and secure said loop to said ring member;
twistably rotating said cylindrical body about the longitudinal axis thereof to commence and ease the positioning of said cylindrical body over said clasp; and
continuing the action of rotating while slidably positioning said cylindrical body over said ring member and said loop until both are adequately covered thereby.
-
-
21. An apparatus for use in connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said apparatus comprising in combination:
-
a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having means for engaging said loop; and
a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough to permit passage and house said ring member and said loop while each is connectively fastened to one another, said cylindrical body having a length of at least ¾
of inch to completely enclose said clasp while each is connectively fastened to one another and being fabricated from a material having translucent qualities so as to retain the overall decorative features and aesthetics qualities of the article of jewelry.
-
-
22. An apparatus for use in connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said apparatus comprising in combination:
-
a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having means for engaging said loop; and
a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough to permit passage and house said ring member and said loop while each is connectively fastened to one another, said cylindrical body having a length extending the entire length of said clasp and completely enclosing said clasp while each is connectively fastened to one another and being fabricated from a flexible, pliable material capable of withstanding permanent deformation after continued and sustained use.
-
-
23. A method of connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said method comprising the steps of:
-
supplying a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage and slidable movement of a spring loaded latching mechanism having attached thereto a handle to selectively open and close a portion of said ring member;
placing a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body onto and over said loop and inwardly sliding said cylindrical body toward the second end until a portion of said loop is left exposed, said cylindrical body being fabricated from a flexible, pliable material having the capacity to withstand permanent deformation after continued and sustained use;
connecting said ring member to said loop by slidably moving said handle along the outer periphery of said ring member to open a portion thereof for receiving and engaging the portion of said loop left exposed and releasing said handle to close said latching mechanism insofar to lock and secure said loop to said ring member; and
sliding said cylindrical body toward the first end and longitudinally over said ring member and said loop until each is completely enclosed and covered thereby.
-
-
24. A method of connecting together and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, said method comprising the steps of:
-
supplying a clasp having a ring member and a loop each being fixedly attached to the first and second ends, respectively, said ring member having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage and slidable movement of a spring loaded latching mechanism having attached thereto a handle to selectively open and close a portion of said ring member;
placing a unitary, one-piece cylindrical body onto and over said loop and inwardly sliding said cylindrical body toward the second end until a portion of said loop is left exposed, said cylindrical body being fabricated from a material having translucent qualities so as to retain the overall aesthetics characteristics and decorative features of the article of jewelry;
connecting said ring member to said loop by slidably moving said handle along the outer periphery of said ring member to open a portion thereof for receiving and engaging the portion of said loop left exposed and releasing said handle to close said latching mechanism insofar to lock and secure said loop to said ring member; and
sliding said cylindrical body toward the first end and longitudinally over said ring member and said loop until each is completely enclosed and covered thereby.
-
Specification