Structure for adjusting length of ornament chains

Abstract

A structure for adjusting the length of an ornament chain, in which the clamping area for the ornament chain is widened so as to apply a clamping force to the ornament chain without damaging the same. The structure is composed of a hollow casing formed therein with a pair of insertion or come-out openings for inserting the ornament chain, at separated positions, and a resilient member which is accommodated in the casing so as to be prevented from coming off, and which is adapted to be fitted on the ornament chain. The resilient member has a substantially cylindrical shape, defining a longitudinal slot so that end part thereof are separated from each other in order to have resiliency, and the bore being set so that an urging force is effected in a direction in which the outer periphery of the ornament chain is fastened when the ornament chains is inserted in the resilient member.

1 . A retainer for adjusting a length of an ornament chain, in which the ornament chain is slidably insertable in said retainer and can be locked at a desired pull-out position, said retainer comprising: 
 a hollow casing including an ingress port and an egress port separated from one another and adapted to allow the ornament chain to pass therethrough; and    a resilient member disposed in said casing so as to be prevented from coming out, and adapted to be fitted onto the ornament chain, said resilient member having a substantially cylindrical body with end parts and a slot defined therebetween so as to have resiliency, and said resilient member having a diameter sufficiently small to produce an urging force in a direction toward an outer periphery of the ornament chain when fitted in the resilient member;    when the ornament chain protruding from said retainer is pulled, said resilient member abuts against an inner wall of the casing so as to be restrained, and upon application of additional force, the ornament chain is pulled out from said resilient member, overcoming the urging force of said resilient member so as to adjust the length of the ornament chain.    
   
   
       2 . A retainer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said resilient member has a peripheral wall with a raised part projecting inward.  
   
   
       3 . A retainer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein end parts of said casing are formed so that the diameter thereof decreases toward the respective ports, the ends parts of said resilient member abut against an inner wall of said casing proximate the respective ports.  
   
   
       4 . A structure in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the end parts of said casing are formed so that the diameter thereof decreases toward the respective ports, said resilient member abuts against an inner wall of said casing proximate the respective ports.  
   
   
       5 . A structure in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the retainer causes a plurality of ornament chains to be fitted in the casing in parallel with one another, and resilient members are fitted on the plurality of ornament chains, respectively, within the casing.  
   
   
       6 . A structure in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the raised part is annularly formed along the outer periphery of said resilient member and projects inwardly.  
   
   
       7 . A structure in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the slot defined in said resilient member extends in a longitudinal direction and is inclined with respect to the axial direction of said resilient member.  
   
   
       8 . A structure in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the slot defined in said resilient member extends in a longitudinal direction and is inclined with respect to the axial direction of said resilient member.  
   
   
       9 . A structure in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the slot defined in said resilient member extends in a longitudinal direction and is curved.  
   
   
       10 . A structure in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the slot defined in said resilient member extends in a longitudinal direction and is curved.  
   
   
       11 . A structure in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the slot defined in said resilient member extends in a longitudinal direction and forms a wavy curve.  
   
   
       12 . A structure in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the slot defined in said resilient member extends in a longitudinal direction and forms a wavy curve.  
   
   
       13 . A retainer for adjusting a length of an ornament chain, in which a plurality of ornament chains are slidably insertable in said retainer and can be locked at a desired pull-out position, said retainer comprising: 
 a plurality of hollow casings each including an ingress port and an egress port adapted to allow the ornament chain to pass therethrough, the ports being separated from one another;    coupler for disengageably coupling said plural casings; and    a resilient member disposed in each of said plural casing so as to be prevented from coming out, said resilient member being adapted to receive the ornament chain of the associated casing therethrough, said resilient member having a substantially cylindrical body with end parts and a slot defined therebetween so as to have resiliency, and said resilient member having a diameter sufficiently small to produce an urging force in a direction toward an outer periphery of the ornament chain when fitted in the resilient member;    when the ornament chain protruding from said retainer is pulled, said resilient member abuts against an inner wall of the casing so as to be restrained, and upon application of additional force, the ornament chain is pulled out from said resilient member, overcoming the urging force of said resilient member so as to adjust the length of the ornament chain.    
   
   
       14 . A retainer in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the end parts of each resilient member abut against an inner wall of said associated casing proximate the respective ports.  
   
   
       15 . A retainer for adjusting a length of an ornament chain, in which the ornament chain is slidably insertable in said retainer, and can be locked at a desired pull-out position, said retainer comprising: 
 a hollow casing including an ingress port and an egress port separated from one another and adapted to allow the ornament chain to pass therethrough; and    a resilient member including a resilient tube having end parts and a through hole communicable with the ingress port of said casing for receiving the ornament chain therethrough, the end parts of said resilient member abut against an inner wall of said casing proximate the respective ports, an inner wall of said casing being separated from said tube so as to define a gap therebetween.