Termination and engagement device for stringed jewelry

Abstract

A clasp for stringed jewelry having a first component rotatably engageable to a second component. A rotational engagement of one end of the string or wire with the first component allows it to be rotated to engage with a second component attached to the second end of the string or wire. The rotational engagement of the first component, prevents any twisting of the wire or string during the engagement process and prevents deformation of the necklace from twisting.

1 . A clasp for stringed jewelry having a flexible member engaged through passages formed in jewelry components such as beads or pearls, said clasp comprising:
 a first component, said first component having a body, said body having a center axis running therethrough;   said body having a sidewall extending around said center axis at a distance therefrom, said sidewall defining an exterior surface communicating between a first end and a second end of said body;   a threaded portion formed in said exterior surface adjacent to said first end;   said body having an axial cavity defined by a sidewall, said axial cavity communicating with an aperture at said first end and with an opening communicating through an endwall at said second end of said body;   said axial cavity having a cavity diameter adjacent to said endwall defined by said sidewall;   said opening having an opening diameter sized to allow a first end of said flexible member to communicate therethrough into said axial cavity;   means for rotational engagement of said first end of said flexible member within said axial cavity;   a second component having a threaded interior passage communicating with an opening at a first end of said second component;   said interior passage being engageable with said threaded portion of said first component by a rotation of said first component;   means for engagement of a second end of said second component, opposite said first end of said second component, with a second end of said flexible member; and   whereby said first component is rotatable upon said flexible member to engage said threaded portion with said interior passage without concurrently twisting said flexible member.   
   
   
       2 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 1  wherein said means for rotational engagement of said first end of said flexible member within said axial cavity, comprises:
 a ring, said ring being compressible to a compressed engagement upon said first end of said flexible member;   said ring having an exterior circumference, said exterior circumference of said ring in said compressed engagement being smaller than said cavity diameter but larger than said opening diameter; and   said ring in said compressed state upon said flexible member within said axial cavity providing means for rotational engagement of said first component upon said flexible member.   
   
   
       3 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 said endwall having an edge portion extending from said center axis further than said sidewall thereby forming a shoulder portion at said second end;   said shoulder portion having an exterior surface for engagement of a user's fingers to impart a rotation to said first component; and   said shoulder portion having a side surface facing said threaded portion, said side surface providing means for frictional engagement against said second component, said frictional engagement providing means to maintain said threaded portion within said interior passage.   
   
   
       4 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 said endwall having an edge portion extending from said center axis further than said sidewall thereby forming a shoulder portion at said second end;   said shoulder portion having an exterior surface for engagement of a user's fingers to impart a rotation to said first component; and   said shoulder portion having a side surface facing said threaded portion, said side surface providing means for frictional engagement against said second component, said frictional engagement providing means to maintain said threaded portion within said interior passage.   
   
   
       5 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 1  wherein said means for engagement of a second end of said second component with a second end of said flexible member comprises:
 a ring member extending away from said second end of said second component having an aperture formed therein; and   means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member.   
   
   
       6 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 2  wherein said means for engagement of a second end of said second component with a second end of said flexible member comprises:
 a ring member extending away from said second end of said second component having an aperture formed therein; and   means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member.   
   
   
       7 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 3  wherein said means for engagement of a second end of said second component with a second end of said flexible member comprises:
 a ring member extending away from said second end of said second component having an aperture formed therein; and   means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member.   
   
   
       8 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 4  wherein said means for engagement of a second end of said second component with a second end of said flexible member comprises:
 a ring member extending away from said second end of said second component having an aperture formed therein; and   means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member.   
   
   
       9 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 5  wherein said means for engagement of a second end of said second component with a second end of said flexible member comprises:
 a ring member extending away from said second end of said second component having an aperture formed therein; and   means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member.   
   
   
       10 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 5  wherein said means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member comprises:
 a jump ring engaged to said second end of said flexible member;   said jump ring having an opening adapted to fit over said ring member; and   said jump ring having translating closure member biased to a closed position and filling said opening in said jump ring whereby said jump ring opening may be inserted over said ring member with said closure member held open and secured in engagement with said jump ring by releasing said closure member.   
   
   
       11 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 6  wherein said means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member comprises:
 a jump ring engaged to said second end of said flexible member;   said jump ring having an opening adapted to fit over said ring member; and   said jump ring having translating closure member biased to a closed position and filling said opening in said jump ring whereby said jump ring opening may be inserted over said ring member with said closure member held open and secured in engagement with said jump ring by releasing said closure member.   
   
   
       12 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 7  wherein said means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member comprises:
 a jump ring engaged to said second end of said flexible member;   said jump ring having an opening adapted to fit over said ring member; and   said jump ring having translating closure member biased to a closed position and filling said opening in said jump ring whereby said jump ring opening may be inserted over said ring member with said closure member held open and secured in engagement with said jump ring by releasing said closure member.   
   
   
       13 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 8  wherein said means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member comprises:
 a jump ring engaged to said second end of said flexible member;   said jump ring having an opening adapted to fit over said ring member; and   said jump ring having translating closure member biased to a closed position and filling said opening in said jump ring whereby said jump ring opening may be inserted over said ring member with said closure member held open and secured in engagement with said jump ring by releasing said closure member.   
   
   
       14 . The clasp for stringed jewelry of  claim 9  wherein said means to secure said second end of said flexible ember to said ring member comprises:
 a jump ring engaged to said second end of said flexible member;   said jump ring having an opening adapted to fit over said ring member; and   said jump ring having translating closure member biased to a closed position and filling said opening in said jump ring whereby said jump ring opening may be inserted over said ring member with said closure member held open and secured in engagement with said jump ring by releasing said closure member.