[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/407, 1 19, filed October 12, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The specification relates generally to accessories. In particular, the following relates to a cufflink base, a cufflink, and a method for assembling the same.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0003] In one aspect, there is provided a cufflink base, comprising a buttonhole- spanning portion dimensioned to span between buttonholes, a buttonhole-engagement portion at a first end of the buttonhole-spanning portion to resist passage of the buttonhole-engagement portion through buttonholes, and a bead-receiving portion extending from a second end of the buttonhole-spanning portion opposite the first end thereof and dimensioned to receive a bead, the bead-receiving portion comprising a bead retainer at a first end thereof opposite the buttonhole-spanning portion, the bead retainer being dimensioned to prevent removal of a bead placed on the bead-receiving portion via the first end of the bead-receiving portion.

[0004] The buttonhole-engagement portion can be conditionable between a pass- through mode in which the buttonhole-engagement portion passes readily through the buttonholes and a secured mode in which the buttonhole-engagement portion resists passage through the buttonholes.

[0005] The cufflink base can further comprise a joint along one of the bead-receiving portion and the buttonhole-spanning portion, enabling a combination of the bead-receiving portion and the buttonhole-spanning portion to be separated into two segments. [0006] One of the two segments can comprise a threaded hole and another of the two segments can comprise a threaded post that mates with the threaded hole.

[0007] One of the two segments can have a first magnet therein and another of the two segments can have a second magnet on a post that mates with the hole. [0008] The bead-receiving portion can comprise a rigid shaft.

[0009] The buttonhole-engagement portion can comprise a swivel bar.

[0010] In another aspect, there is provided a cufflink, comprising a buttonhole-spanning portion dimensioned to span between buttonholes, a buttonhole-engagement portion at a first end of the buttonhole-spanning portion to resist passage of the buttonhole- engagement portion through buttonholes, a bead-receiving portion extending from a second end of the buttonhole-spanning portion opposite the first end thereof and dimensioned to receive a bead, a bead positioned on the bead-receiving portion, and a bead retainer at a first end of the bead-receiving portion opposite the buttonhole-spanning portion, the bead retainer being dimensioned to prevent removal of the bead via the first end of the bead-receiving portion.

[0011] The buttonhole-engagement portion can be conditionable between a pass- through mode in which the buttonhole-engagement portion passes readily through the buttonholes and a secured mode in which the buttonhole-engagement portion resists passage through the buttonholes. [0012] The cufflink can further comprise a joint along one of the bead-receiving portion and the buttonhole-spanning portion, enabling a combination of the bead-receiving portion and the buttonhole-spanning portion to be separated into two segments.

[0013] One of the two segments can comprise a threaded hole and another of the two segments can comprise a threaded post that mates with the threaded hole. [0014] One of the two segments can comprise a first magnet therein and another of the two segments can comprise a second magnet on a post that mates with the hole.

[0015] The bead-receiving portion can comprise a rigid shaft.

[0016] The buttonhole-engagement portion can comprise a swivel bar. [0017] In a further aspect, there is provided a method for assembling a cufflink, comprising sliding a bead onto a bead-receiving portion of a cufflink base, the bead- receiving portion extending from a buttonhole-spanning portion of the cufflink base, the buttonhole-spanning portion being dimensioned to span between buttonholes, the buttonhole-spanning portion comprising a buttonhole-engagement portion secured thereto at a first end thereof to resist passage of the buttonhole-engagement portion through buttonholes, the bead-receiving portion being dimensioned to receive a bead and comprising a bead retainer at a first end thereof opposite the buttonhole-spanning portion, the bead retainer being dimensioned to prevent removal of a bead placed on the bead- receiving portion via the first end.

[0018] The method can further comprise separating, prior to the sliding, two segments of a combination of the bead-receiving portion and the buttonhole-spanning portion at a joint along the combination, and joining, after the sliding, the two segments.

[0019] The joining can comprise screwing a threaded post of one of the two segments into a threaded hole of another of the two segments.

[0020] The joining can comprise sliding a post with a first magnet thereon of one of the two segments into a hole having a second magnet secured therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1A is a front exploded view of a cufflink base in a pass-through mode in accordance with one embodiment thereof;

[0023] FIG. 1 B is a side exploded view of the cufflink base in the pass-through mode of FIG. 1A;

[0024] FIG. 2A is a front view of the cufflink base of FIG. 1A in the pass-through mode; [0025] FIG. 2B is a side view of the cufflink base of FIG. 1 A in the pass-through mode; [0026] FIG. 2C is a front view of the cufflink base of FIG. 1A in a secured mode;

[0027] FIG. 2D is a side view of the cufflink base of FIG. 1 A in the secured mode;

[0028] FIG. 2E is a front perspective view of the cufflink base of FIG. 1 A in the secured mode; [0029] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a bracelet having a number of beads;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a front exploded perspective view of a cufflink employing the cufflink base of FIG. 1A and a bead from the bracelet of FIG. 3;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a shirt cuff having the cufflink of FIG. 4 deployed thereon; [0032] FIG. 6 is a front view of a cufflink base in a pass-through mode in accordance with another embodiment thereof;

[0033] FIG. 7A is a front view of a cufflink base in a pass-through mode in accordance with a further embodiment thereof; and

[0034] FIG. 7B is a side view of the cufflink base of FIG. 7A in the pass-through mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. [0036] Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: "or" as used throughout is inclusive, as though written "and/or"; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; "exemplary" should be understood as "illustrative" or "exemplifying" and not necessarily as "preferred" over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description.

[0037] A cufflink base 20 is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1 B having a first segment 24 and a second segment 28 that are joinable at a joint 32. The first segment 24 is made of a metal such as stainless steel and has a first rigid shaft portion 36 from which extend two arm brackets 40. A buttonhole-engagement portion, namely a swivel bar 44, is pivotally held between the arm brackets 40 at a pivot point 48. The first segment 24 has a threaded post 52 that extends from the first rigid shaft portion 36. The second segment 28 is also made of a metal such as stainless steel and has a second rigid shaft portion 56 having a threaded hole 60 for matingly receiving the threaded post 52 of the first segment 24. While the threaded post is shown extending from the first segment, it can alternatively extend from the second segment and fit into a corresponding hole in the first segment. A bead retainer in the form of a cap 64 is situated at a first end of the second rigid shaft portion 56. [0038] FIGS. 2A to 2E show the cufflink base 20 with the first segment 24 screwed into the second segment 28. The cufflink base 20 has a buttonhole-spanning portion 68 that is dimensioned to span between the buttonholes of a shirt cuff. The swivel bar 44 is pivotally held at a first end of the buttonhole-spanning portion 68 and is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in a pass-through mode in which the swivel bar 44 is generally coaxial with a major axis M of the buttonhole-spanning portion 68 to enable the buttonhole-spanning portion 68 to pass readily through buttonholes. In addition, the cufflink base 20 has a bead-receiving portion 72 that extends from a second end of the buttonhole-spanning portion 68. The bead-receiving portion 72 is dimensioned to receive a bead. In particular, the bead- receiving portion 72 is a rigid shaft that is sized to enable a bead to be placed thereon via the through-hole of the bead. The bead retainer 64 is situated at a first end of the bead- receiving portion 72 opposite the buttonhole-spanning portion 68. The bead retainer 64 is dimensioned to prevent removal of a bead placed on the bead-receiving portion 72 via the first end of the bead-receiving portion 72.

[0039] The buttonhole-spanning portion 68 has a width at its widest point that is greater than the size of a through-hole of a bead to be placed thereon.

[0040] FIGS. 2C to 2E show the cufflink base 20 in a secured mode, wherein the swivel bar 44 is pivoted so that it is generally perpendicular to the major axis M of the buttonhole-spanning portion 68.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a bead bracelet 100 having a wire 104 with a first threaded clasp member 108a and a second threaded clasp member 108b (which may be referred to collectively as clasp members 108) that mate securely to form a loop. The loop of the wire 104 can be opened and closed via the clasp members 108 to enable the addition or removal of one or more beads 1 12 having through-holes for receiving the wire 104. The beads 1 12 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal, wood, plastic, etc. One example of such beads 1 12 and beaded bracelets 100 are sold by Pandora™. The wire 104 is made from metal, but may alternatively be made from any other suitable material, such as plastic or rubber.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows the assembly of a cufflink 200 from the cufflink base 20 of FIGS. 1A to 2E. The first segment 24 and the second segment 28 are separated by unscrewing the joint 32. One of the beads 1 12 from the bead bracelet 100 of FIG. 3 can be removed therefrom by opening the clasp members 108, sliding a bead 1 12 off of the wire 104, and then closing the clasp members 108 to ensure that other beads 1 12 do not fall off of the wire 104. The bead 1 12 is then slid onto the bead-receiving portion 72, and the first segment 24 is then screwed into the second segment 28 to join them. Once the first segment 24 is secured to the second segment 28, the bead 1 12 is held on the cufflink base 20 by the cap 64 and the width of the portion of the first segment 24 having the arm brackets 40.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows the cufflink 200 deployed on a shirt cuff 220. In order to deploy the cufflink 200, the swivel bar 44 is pivoted to the pass-through mode, thus facilitating the insertion of the swivel bar 44 and the buttonhole-spanning portion 68 through buttonholes of the shirt cuff 220. Once the buttonhole-spanning portion 68 has been slid into the shirt cuff 220 and the swivel bar 44 is fully exposed on the other side of the shirt cuff 220, the swivel bar 44 is pivoted into a secured mode as shown to hold the cufflink 200 on the shirt cuff 220.

[0044] One advantage of this embodiment is that the bead 112, when secured on the cufflink base 20, is prevented from sliding off of the cufflink base 20, even when the cufflink 200 is removed from the buttonholes.

[0045] While the cufflink base 20 is described above as being made from a metal such as stainless steel, other suitable materials can be used, such as, for example, wood, plastic, bone, ivory, etc.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a cufflink base 300 in a pass-through mode in accordance with another embodiment. The cufflink base 300 has a first segment 304 and a second segment 308, and is similar to the cufflink base 20 of FIGS. 1 to 5, except that a joint 312 between the first segment 304 and the second segment 308 is comprised a post 316 at one end of the first segment 304 that has a smooth surface and a magnet 320 positioned at its tip. A smooth surfaced hole 324 in an end of the second segment 308 has a magnet therein (not shown) and magnetically couples the first segment 304 to the second segment 308 when the post 316 of the first segment 304 is inserted fully into the hole 324 of the second segment 308.

[0047] In other embodiment, the segments can be securely releasably coupled via other suitable means, such as snap fit, friction fit, etc.

[0048] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a cufflink base 400 in a pass-through mode in accordance with another embodiment. The cufflink base 400 is constructed of a metal such as stainless steel and has a rigid shaft 404 with two arm brackets 408 extending from a first end thereof. The arm brackets 408 pivotally hold a swivel bar 412 between them. A bead retainer in the form of a cap 416 is situated at a second end of the rigid shaft 404. The cufflink base 400 has a buttonhole-spanning portion 420 that is dimensioned to span between buttonholes, and a bead-receiving portion 424 that is dimensioned to receive a bead. In this embodiment, the rigid shaft 404 and the arm brackets 408 have a generally continuous width, such that a bead can be slid over the buttonhole-spanning portion 420 and onto the bead-receiving portion 424 when the swivel bar 412 is pivoted to the pass- through mode, as shown. As a result, a joint need not necessarily be provided to enable placement of the bead on the cufflink base 400. Once the bead is on the cufflink base 400, and the buttonhole-spanning portion 420 is inserted through buttonholes, the swivel bar 412 can be pivoted to a secured mode, thus retaining the cufflink formed by the cufflink base 400 and the bead thereon. Further, the buttonhole and the cap 416 act to prevent removal of the bead from the bead-receiving portion 424. [0049] In other embodiments, the bead retainer can be removably secured to the bead- receiving portion of the cufflink base, such as via a threaded post and hole. This may eliminate the need for a joint along the cufflink base in order to place a bead on the bead- receiving portion.

[0050] The configuration of the bead-receiving portion can be varied without affecting its working. For example, the bead-receiving portion can be made from one or more flexible members, such as metal wires, a metal cable, a cord, a chain, etc.

[0051] The cufflink base and cufflink can be used in other applications, such as to replace shirt buttons along the front of a shirt or to provide a manner to affixing an ornamental bead to an item having a through-hole. [0052] While the buttonhole-engagement portion has been described and illustrated as a swivel bar, other suitable types of buttonhole-engagement means can be employed, such as, for example, swivelable panels. In other embodiments, the buttonhole- engagement portion can be releasably secured to the buttonhole-spanning portion, such as, for example, a panel that screws onto the buttonhole-spanning portion. [0053] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.