Strand Locking Mechanism Assembly

Abstract

A locking mechanism assembly for a jewellery strand comprising a male end pin with a rounded end and a groove, and a corresponding female end socket in the shape of a hollow cylinder that neatly fits the pin, and further may comprise a spring wrapped around the socket, at least two separate holes at the inner end of the socket, ball bearings each of which correspond to one of the holes, and a housing that encases the socket, the spring, the holes and the ball bearing. Insertion of the pin into the socket locks the pin in the socket. Release of the pin may be effected by extending the socket housing towards the pin before removing the pin from the socket.

1 . A locking mechanism assembly for a jewellery strand comprising female and male components, wherein the male component comprises a pin with a rounded end and a groove. 
   
   
       2 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pin is cylindrical. 
   
   
       3 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the groove is proximal to the rounded end. 
   
   
       4 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the female component comprises a socket in the shape of a hollow cylinder that neatly fits the pin. 
   
   
       5 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the female end further comprises a spring wrapped around the socket, at least two separate holes at the inner end of the socket, ball bearings each of which correspond to one of the holes, and a housing that encases the socket, the spring, the holes and the ball bearing. 
   
   
       6 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the groove is adapted for receiving the ball bearings of the female end to move and lock into. 
   
   
       7 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the socket consists of a collar surrounding one end of the socket and forming an external ledge against which one side of the spring can exert its force. 
   
   
       8 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the housing comprises an internal ledge around the inner circumference where one side of the spring can exert its force upon. 
   
   
       9 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 8  wherein the internal ledge is adapted to press against each of the ball bearings such that they sit firmly in their corresponding holes. 
   
   
       10 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 9  wherein the housing consists of a inner surface tapering from the internal ledge that allows the ball bearings to move freely at a wider end of the taper. 
   
   
       11 . The locking mechanism assembly of  claim 10  wherein the tapered inner surface is adapted such that it pushes against a retainer ring that sits in a groove along the socket's outer circumference, preventing the spring from pushing the housing off of the socket.