Slide clasp

Abstract

A slider clasp for a jewelry chain includes a body and a resilient unitary bushing coupled inside the body. The body defines two guide channels configured to receive corresponding portions of the chain through the body during sliding movement between the end portions and the body. The bushing defines two tubular passageways and is disposed within the body between the two guide channels. The bushing has an uncompressed configuration when the chain does not extend within the body and tubular passageways, and a compressed configuration when the chain extends through the tubular passageways causing resulting interference between the bushing member and the end portions of the chain. The compression exerted on the end portions is sufficient to stop relative sliding movement between the end portions of the chain and the body when the force exerted on the end portions is lower than the static frictional force therebetween.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A slider clasp for a flexible bandable member of a piece of jewelry, the bandable member having a certain length between a first end and a second end, the bandable member having first and second portions extending from the respective first and second ends of the chain, the slider clasp comprising:
 a) a body defining an interior, and first and second entry guide holes and first and second exit guide holes; and   b) a resilient unitary bushing member retained in the interior of the body, the resilient bushing member defining first and second passages, the first passage aligned between the first entry guide hole and the first exit guide hole, and the second passage aligned between the second entry guide hole and the second exit guide hole,
 wherein when the first end portion of the bandable member is received through the first entry guide hole, the first passage, and out of the first exit hole, and the second end portion of the bandable member is received through the second guide hole, the second passage, and out of the second exit hole, the bushing member creates an interference fit for the respective first and second end portions of the bandable member within the body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The slider clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second passages through the resilient bushing are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The slider clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the first entry, the first passage, and the first exit are aligned along a straight axis. 
     
     
         4 . The slider clasp of  claim 1 , wherein an end view of the bushing has a ‘Figure 8’ shape. 
     
     
         5 . The slider clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the bushing has a durometer between Shore  50 A and  100 A. 
     
     
         6 . The slider clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the bushing is made one of a polymer and leather. 
     
     
         7 . The slider clasp of  claim 1 , wherein an air gap is provided between the bushing and the body. 
     
     
         8 . The slider clasp of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a housing defining an opening into the interior and a cap, the housing includes at least one recess opposite the opening, and the cap is sized to close the opening and includes at least one leg that is received in the recess. 
     
     
         9 . A piece of jewelry comprising:
 a) a bandable member having opposed first and second end portions; and   b) a slider clasp coupling the opposed end portions to form a closed loop between the end portions, wherein the slider clasp includes,
 i) a body defining an interior, and first and second entry guide holes and first and second exit guide holes, and 
 ii) a resilient bushing member retained in the interior of the body, the resilient bushing member defining first and second passages, the first passage aligned between the first entry guide hole and the first exit guide hole, and the second passage aligned between the second entry guide hole and the second exit guide hole, 
 the first end portion of the bandable member passing through the first entry guide hole, the first passage, and out of the first exit hole, and the second end portion of the bandable member passing through the second guide hole, the second passage, and out of the second exit hole, and 
 the bushing member creating an interference fit for the respective first and second end portions of the bandable member within the body. 
   
     
     
         10 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein the piece of jewelry is a necklace. 
     
     
         11 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 10 , wherein the bandable member is a chain. 
     
     
         12 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein the bandable member is at least one of fabric and leather. 
     
     
         13 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein the piece of jewelry is a necklace. 
     
     
         14 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second passages through the resilient bushing are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein the first entry, the first passage, and the first exit are aligned along a straight axis. 
     
     
         16 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein an end view of the bushing has a ‘Figure 8’ shape. 
     
     
         17 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein the bushing has a durometer between Shore  50 A and  100 A. 
     
     
         18 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein the bushing is made from at least on one of a polymer and leather. 
     
     
         19 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein an air gap is provided between the bushing and the body. 
     
     
         20 . The piece of jewelry of  claim 9 , wherein the body includes a housing defining an opening into the interior and a cap, the housing includes at least one recess opposite the opening, and the cap is sized to close the opening and includes at least one leg that is received in the recess.