Locking device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locking device primarily used for releasably joining two terminal end portions of jewelry items, although the locking device may also be used to releasably join two terminal end portions of non-jewelry items or the terminal end portions of two separate items. One embodiment of a locking device according to the present invention, for example, may comprise a first arrangement that includes at least one end portion that is at least partially open and an extension or a hole. The locking device may also comprise a second arrangement having a protrusion that is insertable into the first arrangement at the at least one end portion to place the first and second arrangements in a locked position. The locking device may also include a third arrangement that is connected to the second arrangement. In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, for example, when the third arrangement is acted upon, the third arrangement forces the protrusion to change in at least one of shape, size or orientation so that the protrusion is removable from the extension or the hole and cause the first and second arrangements to be in an unlocked position.

1 . A locking device, comprising:
 a first arrangement including (i) at least one end portion that is at least partially open and (ii) an extension or a hole;   a second arrangement having a protrusion that is insertable into the first arrangement at the at least one end portion to place the first and second arrangements in a locked position; and   a third arrangement connected to the second arrangement, wherein, when the third arrangement is acted upon, the third arrangement causes the protrusion to change in at least one of shape, size or orientation so that the protrusion is removable from the extension or the hole and cause the first and second arrangements to be in an unlocked position.   
     
     
         2 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion has a resilient portion and a relatively fixed portion. 
     
     
         3 . The locking device recited in  claim 2 , wherein the resilient portion of the protrusion has a notch. 
     
     
         4 . The locking device recited in  claim 3 , wherein, when the first and second arrangements are provided in the locked position, the resilient portion of the protrusion extends behind the extension so that the notch presses upon or contacts the extension to prevent the protrusion from being removed from the first arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . The locking device recited in  claim 4 , wherein the third arrangement is rotatable so as to press upon or contact the resilient portion of the protrusion when rotated, and thereby facilitate the protrusion to be removed from the first arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the third arrangement is rotatable. 
     
     
         7 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the third arrangement includes a lever. 
     
     
         8 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the third arrangement includes a wheel. 
     
     
         9 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the resilient portion of the protrusion and the relatively fixed portion of the protrusion have spring-like characteristics. 
     
     
         10 . The locking device recited in  claim 9 , wherein the protrusion is composed of one piece of metal or a single piece member, and wherein the shape of the protrusion is such that it forms an acute angle between the resilient portion and the relatively fixed portion. 
     
     
         11 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first arrangement includes a protruding knob. 
     
     
         12 . The locking device recited in  claim 11 , wherein the third arrangement is rotatable and includes a lever with a hole, and wherein the protruding knob is positioned in a vicinity of the hole when the third member is rotated. 
     
     
         13 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first arrangement is substantially hollow. 
     
     
         14 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the locking device is connected to a jewelry item having at least two terminal ends, and wherein one of the terminal ends of the jewelry item is connected to the first arrangement, and another one of the terminal ends of the jewelry item is connected to the second arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . The locking device recited in  claim 14 , wherein the terminal ends of the jewelry item are connected to the locking device by a joining arrangement. 
     
     
         16 . The locking device recited in  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second arrangements are manufactured as parts of the jewelry item. 
     
     
         17 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second arrangements are connected to at least two terminal ends of a further arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . The locking device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second arrangements are locking arrangements. 
     
     
         19 . A jewelry device comprising:
 a first terminal end portion;   a second terminal end portion;   a first arrangement connected to the first terminal end portion, including (i) at least one end portion that is at least partially open and (ii) an extension or a hole;   a second arrangement connected to the second terminal end portion and having a protrusion that is insertable into the first arrangement at the at least one end portion to provide the first and second arrangements in a locked position; and   a third arrangement connected to the second arrangement, wherein, when the third arrangement is acted upon, the third arrangement causes the protrusion to change in at least one of shape, size or orientation so that the protrusion is removable from the extension or the hole and cause the first and second arrangements to be in an unlocked position.   
     
     
         20 . A method for releasably connecting two terminal end portions of a jewelry item with a locking device, comprising:
 providing a first arrangement including (i) at least one end portion that is at least partially open and (ii) an extension or a hole,   providing a second arrangement having a protrusion that is insertable into the first arrangement at the at least one end portion to place the first and second arrangements in a locked position,   providing a third arrangement connected to the second arrangement, wherein, when the third arrangement is acted upon, the third arrangement forces the protrusion to change in at least one of shape, size or orientation so that the protrusion is removable from the extension or the hole and cause the first and second arrangements to be in an unlocked position, and   providing one ability to insert the protrusion of the second arrangement into the first arrangement.