Detachable system and apparatus for removable jewelry components and clasps

Abstract

The invention is a releasable locking apparatus to be adapted to a piece of jewelry where one or more of its components are meant to be removable and replaced with another, for example, a decorative end cap. The apparatus consisting of two parts, a female and a male member, where one of the members is detachable. In a simple push and twist, the system unlocks and locks the one part of a clasp or component, securing it into place through compression and barrier walls. The apparatus can be adapted to a variety of different designs of clasp or end cap and facilitates the way a charm may be placed in a chain or cord bracelet or necklace. The apparatus can also be adapted to any design component intended to be substituted with another one.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A releasable locking apparatus, comprising:
 a. a male body having
 i. a top section, 
 ii. a bottom section, and 
 iii. a male body rim located at the bottom section, 
 the male body having a protrusion portion located on the top section of the male body, 
 the protrusion portion having 
 i. a middle section having an upper portion and a lower portion, and 
 ii. at least one outer section located on the upper portion of the middle section, 
 wherein the outer section has
 a radius between the radius of the male body rim and the radius of the middle section, and 
 a wall section located on the middle section at the protrusion portion between the outer section and the top section of the male body end cap; and 
 
   b. a female body having
 i. a side wall enclosing a void; 
 ii. a bottom section; and 
 iii. a top section including
 (a) a female body rim, 
 (b) at least one gap portion complementary to the protrusion portion of the male body, and 
 (c) at least one contact portion extending from the female body rim to the gap portion; 
 
 iv. a spring having a diameter located within the void oriented vertically, wherein the diameter of the spring is approximately the diameter of the void; and 
 v. a contact element movable within the void and located in the void between the spring and the contact portion of the female body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the contact element comprises
 a. a plate having a top section and a bottom section; and   b. a plate centering member located on the top section;
 wherein the plate centering member is located within the spring. 
   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom section of the female body comprises
 a. a bottom centering member; and   b. wherein the bottom centering member is located within the spring.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a coil spring. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the diameter of the spring is approximately 80% of the diameter of the void. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring and the contact element are connected. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring and the bottom section of the female body are connected. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion portion is generally bowtie shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the male body further comprises
 a. an overhang located at the male body rim, and   b. a hollow located between the overhang and the protrusion portion; and   c. wherein the female body further comprises a crown on the contact portion, and   d. wherein the crown extends past the top section of the female body; and   e. wherein the shape of the crown is complementary to the shape of the hollow.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the crown is generally arc shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 a. the male body further comprises
 i. a flange at the top section, and 
   b. the female body further comprises
 i. a contact wall located at the female body rim. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the shape of the flange is complementary to the shape of the contact wall. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the overhang comprises an overhang contact surface, and the female body rim comprises a rim contact surface, and the overhang contact surface and the rim contact surface are complementary. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein bottom section of the male body further comprises an end cap. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the end cap comprises inner walls, and the inner walls are complementary to the female side wall. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the inner walls are longer than the length of the female body. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom section of the male body comprises a male housing. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the male housing includes at least one of a chain and bangle. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom of the female body comprises a female housing. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the female housing includes at least one of a chain and bangle.